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gf 777-game online Microsoft's Options Frenzy: What You Need to KnowA spirit of anti-Assad sentiment surged across Syria, manifesting itself through displays of both celebration and defiance. The question now is whether this unleashed energy — brutally suppressed by fear and authoritarian control — will become a unifying force in building a new nation or, rather, a precursor to deeper divisions. The fall of the House of Assad, which has ruled Syria for more than half a century, should be a warning to dictatorial regimes. Assad’s departure underscores a broader truth: Societies cannot indefinitely tolerate systemic abuses, such as state-sponsored propaganda, corruption and violence. The fish rots from the head down. ... The Syrian people were often forsaken. In this moment of fragile hope, the world must not fail them again. A concerted effort toward political stability, reconciliation and reconstruction is essential to ensure their sacrifices lead to a lasting peace.

University of Montana club teaches students ethical hunting

Netflix reached an unprecedented milestone on Christmas Day, thanks to Beyoncé’s electrifying halftime performance during its live NFL broadcast. The event, hosted at Houston’s NRG Stadium, marked Netflix’s debut in streaming live sports and set a new benchmark for the platform’s global viewership. The nearly 13-minute halftime show, part of the doubleheader titled A Cowboy Carter Christmas, showcased Beyoncé’s signature artistry with tracks from her acclaimed album Cowboy Carter. Joined by surprise guests Post Malone and Shaboozey, the Houston native thrilled her hometown crowd with performances of fan favourites like “16 Carriages,” “Blackbird,” and “YA YA.” The broadcast, which included the Chiefs-Steelers and Ravens-Texans games, was streamed across 200 countries, with over a third of Netflix’s global subscribers tuning in. The Ravens-Texans match, featuring Beyoncé’s halftime show, became the centerpiece of the evening and a defining moment for Netflix’s experimental foray into live sports. The streaming giant’s $150 million investment in the NFL broadcast rights is part of a three-year deal to test its live-streaming capabilities. The gamble appears to have paid off handsomely, with the Chiefs-Steelers game now ranking as Netflix’s second-most-watched live event. While Netflix did not release specific viewership numbers for Beyoncé’s performance, the overwhelming demand prompted the company to announce a standalone special, Beyoncé Bowl, ensuring her historic halftime show remains accessible to fans. The success of the event has sparked speculation about Netflix’s future in live sports. Industry experts suggest the platform may aim to compete for rights to marquee events, including the Super Bowl, which could become available in 2033. As Netflix explores new avenues to expand its live content offerings, Beyoncé’s unforgettable Christmas performance has positioned the company as a serious contender in the world of sports broadcasting. Source: AllHipHopSonic the Hedgehog 4 is happening: Is the movie adapting Sonic CD and Sonic Heroes

New England Patriots legend Bill Belichick has agreed to become the next head coach at the University of North Carolina. His first ever season as a college coach will naturally be quite the change, starting with the fact that his team will play only 12 games in the regular season. Those games are currently scheduled as follows: The Tar Heels fired long-time head coach Mack Brown recently, opening the door for Belichick to become the school’s 35th head coach.

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Heat pumps are quickly becoming the most popular HVAC option for many Americans, with sales of the clean heating technology surpassing gas furnaces for the first time in 2022. The appeal of heat pumps comes from their ultra-efficient design, improved home comfort and generous government subsidies . As heat pumps become more popular generally so too do the DIY installation options, most notably from companies such as Mrcool that sell DIY installation kits. But are DIY heat pumps really a good idea? And what types of skills do you need to pull off your own installation? Here's how you can decide if a DIY heat pump is right for you. Can you install your own heat pump? Like most things, there's no one-size-fits-all answer here. "It's definitely more nuanced," said Simon Bernath , founder and CEO of FurnacePrices.ca , an online buying guide for heating and air conditioning systems. While you may not be playing with fire (as you would be with a furnace), heat pump installations are still pretty complex. "You still need to be fairly handy to do this," Bernath said. There are benefits and drawbacks to a DIY installation, just as there are with professional services. Installing a heat pump system on your own can work in a few different scenarios, Bernath said. First off: You need to have a baseline level of home improvement skills from other projects. "If you're just a regular person, I'd advise not to" do DIY, Bernath said. If you are experienced with other handiwork, Bernath said a ductless mini-split heat pump system is the easiest kind to install yourself. Ducted systems, where a heat pump unit connects to your home's existing ductwork, are more complicated and almost never suited to DIY installation, Bernath said. Doing a DIY installation is easiest if you buy one of the intended DIY kits from a company like MRCOOL, rather than buying a kit intended for professional contractors. Of course, there are also risks to a DIY approach. If you don't do everything right, your heat pump might not work, at least not work at peak efficiency. Overlooking small details could lead to damage to your home, from a leaking condensate pipe, for example. And if you do have issues, most HVAC contractors will be hesitant to work on (or guarantee a repair on) a system they didn't install, Bernath said. Plus, if you install equipment that was intended to be used by professional installers, it might void a manufacturer's warranty on the system. Pros: Cons: Calling in a professional HVAC installer is how most people get their heat pumps -- especially if it's a totally new system. Even if you decide to DIY parts of the installation, you could still opt for professional help for the electrical work, for example. The benefit of going with a professional installer, of course, is that they will make sure your system is set up properly and can help fix issues down the line if they come up. "It's not just about the initial installation," Bernath said. "That ongoing support is arguably just as important as the initial installation or even the brand you choose." Professional installation will of course be more expensive than a DIY approach, but it might be worth it in the long run to make sure your system is running at peak performance (which will then save you money on your utility bills). Pros: Cons: A mini-split heat pump is easier to DIY than one that uses air ducts, but both are complicated and a bad installation can lead to inefficiencies and problems. How much does it cost to install a heat pump? The price for the labor involved in installing a heat pump varies, but it can cost as much or more than the cost of the equipment itself. Depending on your home, the type of system you choose and where you live, the labor for installing a heat pump can cost as little as $500 or as much as thousands of dollars. Data from Angi suggest it generally costs $75 to $125 per hour per worker. You can get a better sense of the costs by contacting a heat pump installer and getting a free installation estimate. Don't forget the cost of permits, which could add a few hundred dollars no matter who does the installation. But if you're banking on a DIY installation saving time and hassle, add the burden of getting those permits yourself to the time and hassle column. When should you call a professional heat pump installer? Most homeowners are going to want to call a professional heat pump installer. If you're installing a heat pump for the first time to replace a different kind of heating system, you're almost always going to want professional help, especially if you don't have experience working with heating or electrical systems. If you're swapping in new equipment for an existing heat pump system, it might be easier to get away with a DIY installation. "It's best to err on the side of caution," Bernath said. "When in doubt, deal with a professional." How should you pick an HVAC installer? If you decide to call a professional, you'll want to spend some time finding the right one. Most HVAC contractors work with heat pumps now, so start by looking online, scanning reviews and seeking referrals from your friends and neighbors. You'll want to make sure an installer has the proper certifications and insurance for your area. And going with a company that's been around for a long time bodes well for reliability. When you're asking for referrals or reading reviews, pay special attention to how the contractor handles ongoing maintenance and support. A swift installation is great, but you want to make sure they'll be responsive if you need a repair in the future, Bernath said.{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "dateCreated": "2024-12-11T23:00:19+02:00", "datePublished": "2024-12-11T23:00:19+02:00", "dateModified": "2024-12-11T23:00:17+02:00", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22533/news/education/why-university-of-rwanda-has-reverted-back-to-four-year-degree-programs", "headline": "Why University of Rwanda has reverted back to four-year degree programs", "description": "The University of Rwanda (UR) has reinstated its four-year undergraduate degree programs, returning to the traditional structure after a five-year trial...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22533/news/education/why-university-of-rwanda-has-reverted-back-to-four-year-degree-programs" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/11/66216.jpg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/11/66216.jpg" }, "articleBody": "The University of Rwanda (UR) has reinstated its four-year undergraduate degree programs, returning to the traditional structure after a five-year trial with the three-year structure. In the 2017 academic year, social sciences and certain science programs were reduced to a three-year duration instead of the traditional four years. Officials explained that the decision was made after determining that only science courses such as architecture, engineering, and medicine should extend beyond three years. ALSO READ: UR official on why the university needs greater autonomy According to Didas Muganga Kayihura, Acting UR Vice-Chancellor, the change is aimed at enhancing the quality of education and aligning the university’s programs with feedback from graduates, employers, and other stakeholders. “Graduates and employers consistently told us that the compressed three-year curriculum left students missing crucial knowledge and skills. While we tried to benchmark against regional universities offering three-year programs, our evaluation showed that this approach was not yielding the desired results,” said Kayihura. “The decision to implement three-year degrees was initially influenced by trends in neighboring countries such as Uganda and Kenya, where universities condensed bachelor’s programs into three years. In Rwanda, this move sparked debate on whether such a system could produce graduates who meet both academic and professional standards.” ALSO READ: UR empowers innovators with AI, IoT, entrepreneurial skills to commercialise projects Kayihura also told The New Times that globally, the minimum requirement for a bachelor’s degree is tied to 16 years of education. “In Rwanda, this includes six years of primary school, six years of secondary school, and four years at the university level. When we switched to three years, we realised this left our students at 15 years of formal education, which created a gap compared to their peers in the region,” he said. Following the graduation of the first cohorts under the three-year structure in 2020, UR conducted extensive reviews from stakeholders, including employers and faculty lecturers and students themselves among others, they all highlighted the challenges of ‘a compressed’ curriculum. “Professors felt pressured to rush through the material, and students reported gaps in their foundational knowledge. Employers echoed these concerns, with many stating that three-year graduates lacked the depth of skills needed for their roles and a short period of time for their academic internship all affected their performance on the market,” said Kayihura. “Our assessments confirmed that the curriculum was effective only to a certain extent, but it missed the mark in preparing students thoroughly for the workforce or further studies.” Kayihura also said that the four-year structure will allow students to explore their fields of study more comprehensively, providing time for critical thinking, research, and professional readiness. Providing graduates with a competitive edge in both local and global markets. “Education is a continuous process of improvement. As a university, we are committed to adapting and ensuring that our programs meet the highest standards of excellence,” he said. ALSO READ: UR committed to leveraging data science to impact community Telesphore Ngarambe, a representative of public universities and higher learning institutions, highlighted the importance of maintaining a standardised duration for degree programs which was not met with a three years program. “A degree program should not be limited to just one university but should align with a national higher education policy. There are international standards that guide how long a student should take to mature in their field. In many systems, a bachelor’s degree requires a minimum of four years to ensure that students can cover both foundational and specialised courses thoroughly,” said Ngarambe. “In a typical program, students must accumulate a minimum of 480 credits to graduate with a bachelor’s degree with honors. This means that over the course of four years, students should be able to manage 100 credits per year, which is more realistic than trying to compress that into just three years.” Ngarambe also said that if a program is squeezed into three years, the students will face immense pressure to cover too much content in too little time. “Students would have to compromise on practical exposure, which is crucial for competence in many fields. The move to four years provides students with more time to engage in practicals and real-world learning experiences, ensuring they are more capable in their professional roles,” said Ngarambe. “Graduates of the three-year program did receive certificates, but they were not equipped with the same level of competence and exposure that the four-year program offers. These students might have needed additional training to fully prepare for their careers.” There is no shortcut to knowledge. A degree earned in less time will not provide the same depth of understanding or professional competence. The four-year system gives students the necessary time to mature in their field, ensuring they are fully equipped to face the challenges in their professions, he said. Annet Mukayuhi, a lecturer at the College of Education at UR, emphasised the need for sufficient time in undergraduate programs to ensure students are adequately prepared for their careers. “Three years were simply not enough to produce undergraduates who are fully specialised in their fields. At the university, we have essential cross-cutting courses like English for specific purposes, entrepreneurship, and civic education. Adding these to specialized courses such as chemistry or geography and completing everything in just three years was almost impossible,” said Mukayuhi. Mukayuhi explained that specialisation requires a balance between foundational and core courses, which is difficult to achieve within the limited timeframe of a three-year program. “If you want to produce a teacher who specialises in a subject like geography or chemistry, they must also take education as their main focus. When you combine that with cross-cutting courses, the workload becomes too heavy for just three years,” she said. She also said that while graduates from the three-year programs met the academic requirements, they often faced challenges when transitioning into professional roles due to gaps in subject-specific knowledge. “They are graduates according to the program, but once recruited, they require continuous professional development. Additional training is needed to help them feel confident in their roles,” Mukayuhi said. “The additional year gives students the time they need to engage more deeply with their subjects, participate in internships, and develop professional skills. This ensures they are better prepared and more comfortable in their roles after graduation.”", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shallon Mwiza" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }

Homeland Security shares new details of mysterious drone flights over New Jersey, lawmaker says A New Jersey lawmaker from part of the state where several mysterious drones have been spotted in recent week says the devices appear to avoid detection by traditional methods. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia was among state officials who met Wednesday with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security. She says lawmakers were told the drones have dodged detection by helicopters and radio. Fantasia says DHS described the devices as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights off. The Morris County Republican made the comments in a post on X shortly after she and several other state and local lawmakers met with state police and Homeland Security officials. Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell as he's named Time's Person of the Year NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is expected to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange for the first time and be named Time magazine's Person of the Year. Thursday's events will be a notable moment of twin recognitions for Trump, a born-and-bred New Yorker who has long seen praise from the business world and media as a sign of success. Four people with knowledge of his plans told The Associated Press that Trump was expected to be on Wall Street on Thursday to mark the ceremonial start of the day's trading, while a person familiar with the selection confirmed that Trump had been selected as Time's Person of the Year. Rape allegation against Jay-Z won’t impact NFL's relationship with music mogul, Goodell says IRVING, Texas (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says a rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z won’t impact the NFL's relationship with the music mogul. Jay-Z's company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL’s entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show. A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 amended the lawsuit Sunday to include an allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z says the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Ohio politician proposes make flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry game An Ohio politician has seen enough flag planting. Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. A fight ensued and police had to use pepper spray to disperse the players. Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield famously planted a flag in the middle of the field at Ohio State after the Sooners beat the Buckeyes in 2017. Gastineau confronts Favre in documentary for his 'dive' on Strahan's record-breaking sack Former New York Jets star Mark Gastineau confronted Brett Favre last year at a memorabilia show and angrily accused the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback of deliberately going down on a record-breaking sack. The tense exchange is shown in the new ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “The New York Sack Exchange." It chronicles the Jets’ fearsome foursome defensive line of the 1980s that included Gastineau. Gastineau set an NFL record with 22 sacks in 1984, but Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan broke the mark when he sacked Favre in 2002 in a game between the Giants and Packers. Many have accused Favre of purposely taking the sack so Strahan could set the single-season record with 22 1/2. What happens next with Alex Jones' Infowars? No certainty yet after sale to The Onion is rejected Lawyers in the Alex Jones bankruptcy case are now in discussions on what could happen next after a federal judge in Texas rejected the auction sale of Jones’ Infowars to The Onion satirical news outlet. The next steps remained unclear Wednesday as the judge ordered the trustee who oversaw the auction to come up with a new plan. Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston rejected the bid late Tuesday, saying there was too much confusion about The Onion’s bid. The bankruptcy case was in the wake of the nearly $1.5 billion that courts have ordered Jones to pay for calling the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut a hoax. Sandy Hook families had backed The Onion’s bid. NFL and Nike extend their partnership with a 10-year deal, will focus on growing the sport globally IRVING, Texas (AP) — The NFL’s desire to become a global powerhouse is no secret. Nike is committed to helping the league continue expanding its worldwide reach. The league and the apparel giant announced Wednesday a 10-year partnership extension. The NFL and Nike will focus on working together to grow the game’s global reach, increase participation, develop new talent, and expand the football fan base. Nike, the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, has been the NFL’s exclusive provider of uniforms and sideline, practice and base layer apparel for all 32 NFL teams for 12 years. George Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, dies at age 89 NEW YORK (AP) — George Joseph Kresge Jr., otherwise known to TV watchers as the mesmerizing entertainer and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin, has died at age 89. Kreskin’s friend and former road manager, Ryan Galway, says he died Tuesday at his home in Caldwell, New Jersey. Kreskin launched his television career in the 1960s and remained popular for decades, appearing with everyone from Merv Griffin to Johnny Carson to Jimmy Fallon. Fans would welcome, if not entirely figure out, his favorite mind tricks — whether correctly guessing a playing card chosen at random, or, most famously, divining where his paycheck had been planted among the audience. He also hosted a show in the 1970s, gave live performances and wrote numerous books. Albertsons sues Kroger for failing to win approval of their proposed supermarket merger Kroger and Albertsons’ plan for the largest U.S. supermarket merger in history has crumbled. The two companies have accused each other of not doing enough to push their proposed alliance through, and Albertsons pulled out of the $24.6 billion deal on Wednesday. The bitter breakup came the day after a federal judge in Oregon and a state judge in Washington issued injunctions to block the merger, saying that combining the two grocery chains could reduce competition and harm consumers. Albertsons is now suing Kroger, seeking a $600 million termination fee, as well as billions of dollars in legal fees and lost shareholder value. Kroger says the legal claims are “baseless.” Keynote Selena Gomez spotlights prioritizing mental health during Academy Women's Luncheon LOS ANGELES (AP) — While surveying a room packed with Hollywood’s most influential figures, “Emilia Pérez” star Selena Gomez took center stage at the Academy Women’s Luncheon to spotlight a critical issue: Prioritizing mental health and supporting underserved communities often left behind in the conversation. The singer-actor has been public about her mental health struggles, revealing she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Gomez was the keynote speaker Tuesday at the event held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures with attendees including Ariana Grande, Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Pamela Anderson, Rita Wilson, Ava DuVernay and Awkwafina.

NEW YORK — Nebraska football writer Luke Mullin offers his extra points from the Husker football team's 20-15 bowl game win over Boston College on Saturday. Play of the game: Rahmir Johnson's fourth-down conversion late in the fourth quarter. On a play where Nebraska needed to gain 1 yard to ice the game, Johnson came up with 11 instead and gained a first down that the Huskers simply needed to have. Had he been stopped short, Boston College could've gotten a chance to come all the way back for a win, but Johnson ensured that didn't happen. Turning point: Boston College's missed field goal in the first quarter. Having intercepted a Dylan Raiola pass, the Eagles drove into Nebraska territory and had a chance to take a 3-0 lead. When the drive stalled out and BC's long field goal try missed, momentum was back on NU's side, where it remained for much of the game. Quotable: "I don't think you should say 6-7 (record), that's such a miserable thought right now. Let's be positive, guys, we just won a bowl game!" Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule on what it meant to end the season with a win. Game ball: Rahmir Johnson. The MVP of the bowl game certainly deserves a game ball, and Johnson earned it as the hometown hero playing in front of family and friends. The sixth-year senior played one of his best games as a Husker in his final game with the team. Game ball: The entire Nebraska defense. The final score shows that it was a close game, and it's only that way because of Nebraska's ability to stop Boston College inside its own territory. A below-average game from the Husker defense could've led to a BC win instead, but Nebraska played at a high level and won the game because of it. Hat tip: To Dylan Raiola, who made big passes and gained key yardage with his legs when the situation required it. An early interception didn't do much to detract from Raiola's performance as the true freshman led Nebraska to a win. Questionable: There wasn't much to complain about, but Nebraska's decision to attempt a fake field goal might just warrant it. Given that the Huskers had already converted a fake punt, Boston College was bound to be alert for the chance of a fake and indeed it was. There was no issue with going for the try, but Nebraska would've been better served by keeping its offense on the field rather than trying some trickery once again. Tone-setter: Jahmal Banks' one-handed catch. While it didn't lead to any points, Banks' grab showed that Nebraska was going to go after the one-on-one matchup that BC afforded it. The Huskers made great use of those situations to move the ball all game long. 10: Different Huskers who caught a pass on Saturday, including defensive back Isaac Gifford. 7: Consecutive Boston College drives which ended without points to begin the game. 2-for-2: Punter Brian Buschini's passing statistics this season, having thrown for 38 yards on his two tries. 7: Tackles for a loss recorded by the Nebraska defense, three of which being quarterback sacks. 3,290: Days since Nebraska's last bowl game win during the 2015 season. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the SenateBy MARY CLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, said he had a “wonderful conversation” with Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday as he pushed to win enough votes for confirmation. He said he will not back down after allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell. It’ll be a first for him National Politics | The Trump and Biden teams insist they’re working hand in glove on foreign crises National Politics | ‘You don’t know what’s next.’ International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration National Politics | Trump is threatening to raise tariffs again. Here’s how China plans to fight back National Politics | Trump won’t be able to save the struggling US beef industry Collins said after the hourlong meeting that she questioned Hegseth about the allegations amid reports of drinking and the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. She said she had a “good, substantive” discussion with Hegseth and “covered a wide range of topics,” including sexual assault in the military, Ukraine and NATO. But she said she would wait until a hearing, and notably a background check, to make a decision. “I asked virtually every question under the sun,” Collins told reporters as she left her office after the meeting. “I pressed him both on his position on military issues as well as the allegations against him, so I don’t think there was anything that we did not cover.” The meeting with Collins was closely watched as she is seen as more likely than most of her Republican Senate colleagues to vote against some of Trump’s Cabinet picks. She and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow moderate Republican, did not shy from opposing Trump in his first term when they wanted to do so and sometimes supported President Joe Biden’s nominees for the judicial and executive branches. And Hegseth, an infantry combat veteran and former “Fox & Friends” weekend host, is working to gain as many votes as he can as some senators have expressed concerns about his personal history and lack of management experience. “I’m certainly not going to assume anything about where the senator stands,” Hegseth said as he left Collins’ office. “This is a process that we respect and appreciate. And we hope, in time, overall, when we get through that committee and to the floor that we can earn her support.” Hegseth met with Murkowski on Tuesday. He has also been meeting repeatedly with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a military veteran who has said she is a survivor of sexual assault and has spent time in the Senate working on improving how attacks are reported and prosecuted within the ranks. On Monday, Ernst said after a meeting with him that he had committed to selecting a senior official to prioritize those goals. Republicans will have a 53-49 majority next year, meaning Trump cannot lose more than three votes on any of his nominees. It is so far unclear whether Hegseth will have enough support, but Trump has stepped up his pressure on senators in the last week. “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” Trump posted on his social media platform last week.