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Conceived of by Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey in 2019 and spun out of Twitter in 2022, just before Elon Musk took over, Bluesky came out of beta in February 2024 and found an eager, if relatively small audience. The social media platform—which, at first glance, looks remarkably similar to X—had amassed roughly 13 million users by the end of October. Then Donald Trump was reelected, with an assist from Elon Musk. Now, the site has more than 21 million users . [Photo: Bluesky] Bluesky is built on a decentralized protocol, which allows it to offer users appealing new features and flexibility—and... Yasmin Gagne

US Senate chaplain Barry Black hospitalized after brain bleedNone

Israel approved a United States-brokered with Lebanon’s Hezbollah on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. In the hours leading up to the Cabinet meeting, Israel carried out its most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah in the final hours before any ceasefire takes hold. Israel’s security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late Tuesday after it was presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East, but neither he nor Netanyahu have proposed a postwar solution for the Palestinian territory, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Israel says it will ‘attack with might’ if Hezbollah breaks truce Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” Netanyahu’s office later said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. But implementation remains a major question mark. Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs Even as Israeli, U.S, Lebanese and international officials have expressed growing optimism over a ceasefire, Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, which it says aims to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut’s bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah’s financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Hezbollah, meanwhile, kept up its rocket fire, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. Israeli forces reach Litani River in southern Lebanon The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. ___Sponsored by the US Department of State, The Asia Foundation (TAF) on Monday hosted an event to celebrate the culmination of a three-year flagship initiative aimed at empowering female entrepreneurs in the Northern and Southern Provinces. Themed ‘Improving the Economic Wellbeing of Vulnerable and Marginalised Women,’ the project focused on enhancing the economic wellbeing of 300 vulnerable and marginalised women during the series of economic, health, and political crises by strengthening the participation of women in the startup sector as micro and small business (MSB) owners. In partnership with the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC), Galle District Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GDCCI) and Jaffna Social Action Centre (JSAC), TAF worked with five districts – Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, and Galle – to boost female representation in business ownership by developing technical expertise, facilitating their adaptation to evolving market dynamics, offering financial assistance, and providing mentoring and networking opportunities. Through a series of extensive training workshops, personalised mentoring sessions, and a greater reach in the country as a result of participation in trade fairs, the program significantly leveraged their entrepreneurial capabilities. Key elements of the training included entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital marketing-equipping the beneficiaries with the vital skills to improve operational efficiency, gain market competitiveness, and ensure long-term sustainability. In addition to training, over 100 beneficiaries received grants to foster innovation and expansion, with a focus on digital competency development. Providing financial grants to women-owned MSBs helped address barriers to financial resources often faced by women, particularly those experiencing discrimination. Access to financial resources in the form of seed grants to and digital skills development grants was especially crucial post COVID-19, as it enabled product development, innovation, market entry and diversification, and income generation. This support, in addition to greater social capital due to mentorship and networking programs, also boosted the confidence and motivation of women entrepreneurs, empowering them to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities. Reiterating the far-reaching benefits of the project and expressing hope for the future, TAF Sri Lanka Country Representative Dinesha desilva Wickramanayake said: “By building capacity, agency, and leadership among women MSB owners, the program not only supports individual business growth but also contributes to broader goals of gender equality and rural economic development in Sri Lanka. These efforts underscore the critical role of targeted support in not only bridging market access gaps and catalysing sustainable economic empowerment for women in underrepresented regions, but also enhancing the overall wellbeing of the economy as household incomes are raised with more women earning.” She also reinforced the integration of mental health awareness campaigns within the workshops, providing stress management tools and fostering resilience that will aid women in mentally overcoming any hurdles they face in the business sector, ensuring their retainment in the entrepreneurship field. She believes that this trailblazing step taken by TAF in Sri Lanka will have ripple effects across the community, building women ready to lead, inspire and succeed. TAF Asia Policy Lead and Senior Program Manager Rukshanie Vidyaratne remarked on the tumultuous yet inspiring journey of these female entrepreneurs. “Initially, many of these young women started small, supplying their products to other shops. Today, they have grown remarkably, opening their own stores and becoming employers to multiple staff members. This growth has notably increased job opportunities for women in these communities. In addition to expanding their businesses, many owners have taken charge of their branding efforts, creating unique logos, business cards, and professional packaging for their products. Furthermore, they have successfully connected with mainstream markets, securing better value and consistent demand for their offerings.” Highlighting the project achievements and milestones, Vidyaratne emphasised that this program was directed towards victims of war, widows, survivors of gender-based violence, LGBTQ+ communities, women with disabilities, and those affected by caste considerations. She believes that these women in particular must be targeted because their economic state and the deeply entrenched social and cultural norms within their households hinder their access to opportunities, making entrepreneurship a necessary pathway to their financial independence. Elaborating on its process, she said: “90 from each district were chosen. We received 110 women from Mullaitivu, but we had to shortlist only 34. Nevertheless, this demonstrates the significant progress the nation is making.” “Our strategies included bridging the language barriers between various communities, as it is essential to ensure that communication gaps do not prevent women from accessing knowledge and expressing their ideas. We would like to thank all our partners including University of Ruhuna, University of Vavuniya, and Lanka Angel Network for their unwavering commitment to translation techniques. Furthermore, our 30 seed grants to six beneficiaries from each district and 72 digital marketing grants underscore the necessity of financial assistance in empowerment, while the six-month advisory sessions conducted equipped them with the skills required. In addition to these groundbreakers learning from us, we have also learned several lessons from them, including flexibility, collaboration, adaptive programming and requirement assessments,” she opined. Keynote speaker Counsellor for Public Affairs Heidi Hattenbach expressed awe over this initiative, by highlighting its potential in challenging corruption by building businesses rooted in trust and transparency. She also stressed on the creation of gender equality at all levels in the economic sector as more women join the workforce due to the growth of female-oriented businesses that offer employment. “The Asia Foundation’s efforts despite the forex crisis, political instability, power cuts, and hyperinflation persevered to ensure financial inclusion regardless of age, gender, and economic status. By equipping women of all ethnicities and backgrounds with the know-how, you are carving a better future not only for them but the country as a whole, showing us possibility in the face of impossibility.” The panel discussion held soon after, moderated by Zahra Cader spotlighted how although women comprised 52% of the Sri Lankan population, only 32% are involved in the local labour force and even less in entrepreneurship. She acknowledged that while female literacy rates, and access and participation in healthcare were relatively stabilised, the country was lacking in female political and economic participation. In Sri Lanka, empowering women to actively contribute across sectors could add $ 20 billion to the country’s GDP. On a global scale, closing the gender earnings gap and increasing female participation in the workforce could generate an astounding $ 28 trillion in additional GDP. Speaking about the challenges encountering women who seek work opportunities, Achala Samaradiwakara noted that access to capital was a key obstacle to female startups. Globally, women are 20% less likely to get finance compared to men, and in Sri Lanka, only 10% of women have adequate access to adequate financing. She also emphasised that while female literacy rates are high in this country, financial literacy is severely lacking. Women must be increasingly enlightened to alternative sources of start-up capital and effective legal mechanisms must be put in place and monitored to prevent gender discrimination when seeking loans from financial institutions. Other challenges that were pointed out was the digital divide, with only 17% of rural women accessing smartphones and computers. World University Service of Canada Country Director Mumtaz Faleel expressed hope in the current administration’s efforts toward greater economic digitalisation, fostering female empowerment by enhanced access to online education, remote work opportunities and exposure to international entrepreneurship platforms. Faleel also noted that the availability of mentorship and peer networks to women were significantly less when compared to their male counterparts. To solve this imbalance, she recommended the need for matching the skills of these women to market conditions, and spreading technical expertise evenly in all regions’ ensuring knowledge is not just concentrated in Colombo. Tailored training on technologies, coupled with detailed curation processes identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing these budding female entrepreneurs can eventually mobilise them as a company Sri Lanka Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce Chairperson Gayani De Alwis spoke about the gender biases and ingrained societal values hindering women. She expressed how society stereotypes men as the ‘breadwinners’ and women as ‘homemakers’ and ‘çhildbearers’ perpetuating misconceptions surrounding a woman’s capabilities, limiting her from engaging in work and further personal growth. In response to legal and political frameworks that can challenge such false perceptions, De Alwis suggested increased social marketing campaigns aimed at raising awareness, in addition to revisions in the local education system that teaches people to respect all regardless of gender, racial or any differences. Being educated on these pressing concerns from a young age is fundamental in establishing a new value system based on mutual respect and opportunity to all. The Asia Foundation is a non-profit international development organisation committed to elevating livelihoods and expanding opportunities across Asia and the Pacific. Informed by 70 years of experience and deep local knowledge, their work revolves around governance, climate action, gender equality, education and leadership, inclusive growth, and international cooperation. They work in more than 20 countries through their 17 permanent country offices and programs across Asia and the Pacific, supported by a headquarters in San Francisco and an office in Washington DC. Their funding comes from a wide array of bilateral and multilateral development agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals. The organisation will soon commence phase 2 titled, ‘Becoming export ready’ which aims to facilitate greater dialogue with policymakers over these projects, while enabling market opportunities for these women on a global sphere.

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — One year after the Jan. 6, 2021 , U.S. Capitol attack, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department was committed to holding accountable all perpetrators “at any level” for “the assault on our democracy.” That bold declaration won’t apply to at least one person: Donald Trump. Special counsel Jack Smith’s move on Monday to abandon the federal election interference case against Trump means jurors will likely never decide whether the president-elect is criminally responsible for his attempts to cling to power after losing the 2020 campaign. The decision to walk away from the election charges and the separate classified documents case against Trump marks an abrupt end of the Justice Department’s unprecedented legal effort that once threatened his liberty but appears only to have galvanized his supporters. The abandonment of the cases accusing Trump of endangering American democracy and national security does away with the most serious legal threats he was facing as he returns to the White House. It was the culmination of a monthslong defense effort to delay the proceedings at every step and use the criminal allegations to Trump’s political advantage, putting the final word in the hands of voters instead of jurors. “We always knew that the rich and powerful had an advantage, but I don’t think we would have ever believed that somebody could walk away from everything,” said Stephen Saltzburg, a George Washington University law professor and former Justice Department official. “If there ever was a Teflon defendant, that’s Donald Trump.” While prosecutors left the door open to the possibility that federal charges could be re-filed against Trump after he leaves office, that seems unlikely. Meanwhile, Trump’s presidential victory has thrown into question the future of the two state criminal cases against him in New York and Georgia. Trump was supposed to be sentenced on Tuesday after his conviction on 34 felony counts in his New York hush money case , but it’s possible the sentencing could be delayed until after Trump leaves office, and the defense is pushing to dismiss the case altogether. Smith’s team stressed that their decision to abandon the federal cases was not a reflection of the merit of the charges, but an acknowledgement that they could not move forward under longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Trump’s presidential victory set “at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: On the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law,” prosecutors wrote in court papers. The move just weeks after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris underscores the immense personal stake Trump had in the campaign in which he turned his legal woes into a political rallying cry. Trump accused prosecutors of bringing the charges in a bid to keep him out of the White House, and he promised revenge on his perceived enemies if he won a second term. “If Donald J. Trump had lost an election, he may very well have spent the rest of his life in prison,” Vice President-elect JD Vance, wrote in a social media post on Monday. “These prosecutions were always political. Now it’s time to ensure what happened to President Trump never happens in this country again.” After the Jan. 6 attack by Trump supporters that left more than 100 police officers injured, Republican leader Mitch McConnell and several other Republicans who voted to acquit Trump during his Senate impeachment trial said it was up to the justice system to hold Trump accountable. The Jan. 6 case brought last year in Washington alleged an increasingly desperate criminal conspiracy to subvert the will of voters after Trump’s 2020 loss, accusing Trump of using the angry mob of supporters that attacked the Capitol as “a tool” in his campaign to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence and obstruct the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory. Hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters — many of whom have said they felt called to Washington by Trump — have pleaded guilty or been convicted by juries of federal charges at the same courthouse where Trump was supposed to stand trial last year. As the trial date neared, officials at the courthouse that sits within view of the Capitol were busy making plans for the crush of reporters expected to cover the historic case. But Trump’s argument that he enjoyed absolute immunity from prosecution quickly tied up the case in appeals all the way up to the Supreme Court. The high court ruled in July that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution , and sent the case back to the trial court to decide which allegations could move forward. But the case was dismissed before the trial court could get a chance to do so. Related Articles National Politics | After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff National Politics | Rudy Giuliani in a courtroom outburst accuses judge in assets case of being unfair, drawing a rebuke National Politics | Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump’s promised crackdown on immigration National Politics | Expecting challenges, blue states vow to create ‘firewall’ of abortion protections National Politics | Washington power has shifted. Here’s how the ACA may shift, too The other indictment brought in Florida accused Trump of improperly storing at his Mar-a-Lago estate sensitive documents on nuclear capabilities, enlisting aides and lawyers to help him hide records demanded by investigators and cavalierly showing off a Pentagon “plan of attack” and classified map. But U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case in July on grounds that Smith was illegally appointed . Smith appealed to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but abandoned that appeal on Monday. Smith’s team said it would continue its fight in the appeals court to revive charges against Trump’s two co-defendants because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” In New York, jurors spent weeks last spring hearing evidence in a state case alleging a Trump scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex. New York prosecutors recently expressed openness to delaying sentencing until after Trump’s second term, while Trump’s lawyers are fighting to have the conviction dismissed altogether. In Georgia, a trial while Trump is in office seems unlikely in a state case charging him and more than a dozen others with conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. The case has been on hold since an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Associated Press reporter Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed.Ifedi starts at left tackle for Browns in prime-time matchup against AFC North-leading Steelers

Sponsored by the US Department of State, The Asia Foundation (TAF) on Monday hosted an event to celebrate the culmination of a three-year flagship initiative aimed at empowering female entrepreneurs in the Northern and Southern Provinces. Themed ‘Improving the Economic Wellbeing of Vulnerable and Marginalised Women,’ the project focused on enhancing the economic wellbeing of 300 vulnerable and marginalised women during the series of economic, health, and political crises by strengthening the participation of women in the startup sector as micro and small business (MSB) owners. In partnership with the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC), Galle District Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GDCCI) and Jaffna Social Action Centre (JSAC), TAF worked with five districts – Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, and Galle – to boost female representation in business ownership by developing technical expertise, facilitating their adaptation to evolving market dynamics, offering financial assistance, and providing mentoring and networking opportunities. Through a series of extensive training workshops, personalised mentoring sessions, and a greater reach in the country as a result of participation in trade fairs, the program significantly leveraged their entrepreneurial capabilities. Key elements of the training included entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital marketing-equipping the beneficiaries with the vital skills to improve operational efficiency, gain market competitiveness, and ensure long-term sustainability. In addition to training, over 100 beneficiaries received grants to foster innovation and expansion, with a focus on digital competency development. Providing financial grants to women-owned MSBs helped address barriers to financial resources often faced by women, particularly those experiencing discrimination. Access to financial resources in the form of seed grants to and digital skills development grants was especially crucial post COVID-19, as it enabled product development, innovation, market entry and diversification, and income generation. This support, in addition to greater social capital due to mentorship and networking programs, also boosted the confidence and motivation of women entrepreneurs, empowering them to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities. Reiterating the far-reaching benefits of the project and expressing hope for the future, TAF Sri Lanka Country Representative Dinesha desilva Wickramanayake said: “By building capacity, agency, and leadership among women MSB owners, the program not only supports individual business growth but also contributes to broader goals of gender equality and rural economic development in Sri Lanka. These efforts underscore the critical role of targeted support in not only bridging market access gaps and catalysing sustainable economic empowerment for women in underrepresented regions, but also enhancing the overall wellbeing of the economy as household incomes are raised with more women earning.” She also reinforced the integration of mental health awareness campaigns within the workshops, providing stress management tools and fostering resilience that will aid women in mentally overcoming any hurdles they face in the business sector, ensuring their retainment in the entrepreneurship field. She believes that this trailblazing step taken by TAF in Sri Lanka will have ripple effects across the community, building women ready to lead, inspire and succeed. TAF Asia Policy Lead and Senior Program Manager Rukshanie Vidyaratne remarked on the tumultuous yet inspiring journey of these female entrepreneurs. “Initially, many of these young women started small, supplying their products to other shops. Today, they have grown remarkably, opening their own stores and becoming employers to multiple staff members. This growth has notably increased job opportunities for women in these communities. In addition to expanding their businesses, many owners have taken charge of their branding efforts, creating unique logos, business cards, and professional packaging for their products. Furthermore, they have successfully connected with mainstream markets, securing better value and consistent demand for their offerings.” Highlighting the project achievements and milestones, Vidyaratne emphasised that this program was directed towards victims of war, widows, survivors of gender-based violence, LGBTQ+ communities, women with disabilities, and those affected by caste considerations. She believes that these women in particular must be targeted because their economic state and the deeply entrenched social and cultural norms within their households hinder their access to opportunities, making entrepreneurship a necessary pathway to their financial independence. Elaborating on its process, she said: “90 from each district were chosen. We received 110 women from Mullaitivu, but we had to shortlist only 34. Nevertheless, this demonstrates the significant progress the nation is making.” “Our strategies included bridging the language barriers between various communities, as it is essential to ensure that communication gaps do not prevent women from accessing knowledge and expressing their ideas. We would like to thank all our partners including University of Ruhuna, University of Vavuniya, and Lanka Angel Network for their unwavering commitment to translation techniques. Furthermore, our 30 seed grants to six beneficiaries from each district and 72 digital marketing grants underscore the necessity of financial assistance in empowerment, while the six-month advisory sessions conducted equipped them with the skills required. In addition to these groundbreakers learning from us, we have also learned several lessons from them, including flexibility, collaboration, adaptive programming and requirement assessments,” she opined. Keynote speaker Counsellor for Public Affairs Heidi Hattenbach expressed awe over this initiative, by highlighting its potential in challenging corruption by building businesses rooted in trust and transparency. She also stressed on the creation of gender equality at all levels in the economic sector as more women join the workforce due to the growth of female-oriented businesses that offer employment. “The Asia Foundation’s efforts despite the forex crisis, political instability, power cuts, and hyperinflation persevered to ensure financial inclusion regardless of age, gender, and economic status. By equipping women of all ethnicities and backgrounds with the know-how, you are carving a better future not only for them but the country as a whole, showing us possibility in the face of impossibility.” The panel discussion held soon after, moderated by Zahra Cader spotlighted how although women comprised 52% of the Sri Lankan population, only 32% are involved in the local labour force and even less in entrepreneurship. She acknowledged that while female literacy rates, and access and participation in healthcare were relatively stabilised, the country was lacking in female political and economic participation. In Sri Lanka, empowering women to actively contribute across sectors could add $ 20 billion to the country’s GDP. On a global scale, closing the gender earnings gap and increasing female participation in the workforce could generate an astounding $ 28 trillion in additional GDP. Speaking about the challenges encountering women who seek work opportunities, Achala Samaradiwakara noted that access to capital was a key obstacle to female startups. Globally, women are 20% less likely to get finance compared to men, and in Sri Lanka, only 10% of women have adequate access to adequate financing. She also emphasised that while female literacy rates are high in this country, financial literacy is severely lacking. Women must be increasingly enlightened to alternative sources of start-up capital and effective legal mechanisms must be put in place and monitored to prevent gender discrimination when seeking loans from financial institutions. Other challenges that were pointed out was the digital divide, with only 17% of rural women accessing smartphones and computers. World University Service of Canada Country Director Mumtaz Faleel expressed hope in the current administration’s efforts toward greater economic digitalisation, fostering female empowerment by enhanced access to online education, remote work opportunities and exposure to international entrepreneurship platforms. Faleel also noted that the availability of mentorship and peer networks to women were significantly less when compared to their male counterparts. To solve this imbalance, she recommended the need for matching the skills of these women to market conditions, and spreading technical expertise evenly in all regions’ ensuring knowledge is not just concentrated in Colombo. Tailored training on technologies, coupled with detailed curation processes identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing these budding female entrepreneurs can eventually mobilise them as a company Sri Lanka Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce Chairperson Gayani De Alwis spoke about the gender biases and ingrained societal values hindering women. She expressed how society stereotypes men as the ‘breadwinners’ and women as ‘homemakers’ and ‘çhildbearers’ perpetuating misconceptions surrounding a woman’s capabilities, limiting her from engaging in work and further personal growth. In response to legal and political frameworks that can challenge such false perceptions, De Alwis suggested increased social marketing campaigns aimed at raising awareness, in addition to revisions in the local education system that teaches people to respect all regardless of gender, racial or any differences. Being educated on these pressing concerns from a young age is fundamental in establishing a new value system based on mutual respect and opportunity to all. The Asia Foundation is a non-profit international development organisation committed to elevating livelihoods and expanding opportunities across Asia and the Pacific. Informed by 70 years of experience and deep local knowledge, their work revolves around governance, climate action, gender equality, education and leadership, inclusive growth, and international cooperation. They work in more than 20 countries through their 17 permanent country offices and programs across Asia and the Pacific, supported by a headquarters in San Francisco and an office in Washington DC. Their funding comes from a wide array of bilateral and multilateral development agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals. The organisation will soon commence phase 2 titled, ‘Becoming export ready’ which aims to facilitate greater dialogue with policymakers over these projects, while enabling market opportunities for these women on a global sphere.Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save WASHINGTON — There's a common trait that President-elect Donald Trump is clearly prizing as he selects those to serve in his new administration: experience on television. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., speaks during a hearing July 18, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Duffy to be Transportation Secretary. Trump loves that "central casting" look, as he likes to call it. Some, like his choices for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, and transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, were until recently TV hosts on Trump's favorite network, Fox News. Mike Huckabee, his pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel, hosted the Fox show “Huckabee” from 2008 to 2015 after his time as Arkansas governor. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former syndicated talk show host and heart surgeon, was tapped to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency that oversees health insurance programs for millions of older, poor and disabled Americans. He would report to Trump's choice for health and human services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., himself a regular on the cable news circuit. People are also reading... Margaret Atwood OSU event altered over threats The real reason Corvallis' Pastega Lights moved to Linn County Tree farm fiasco has Corvallis homelessness under microscope Bomb cyclone, flood risk in Benton County this week Albany's Joel Dahl pleads guilty to sex crime involving minor Strike over: Benton County, union reach tentative deal What's available from Benton County services as strike nears Week 2 Sweet Home man sentenced for crash that injured his daughter In trying to flee, suspect accused of driving over Albany police officer American flag thrown by driver fleeing Benton County deputies OSU football: It's time to look ahead to next year Philomath woman suspected in Eugene Airport bomb scare OSU football: Beavers' season hits a new low in loss at Air Force Albany dog badly hurt, possibly shot, during brief escape Tensions rise, as Albany strike enters second week Mehmet Oz visits the AW Driving School & License Testing Center on Sept. 23, 2022, in Allentown, Pa. Trump, a former reality television star himself, has made no secret of his intention to stack his administration with loyalists after his decisive 2024 election win — including some whose lack of relevant experience has raised concerns among lawmakers. But he's also working to set up a more forceful administration in this term, and in his eyes, many of those people happen to intersect with celebrity. The trend was not lost on Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, who posted on social media after the Oz nomination: “We are becoming the world’s first nuclear-armed reality television show.” For good measure, Himes added: “Just spitballing here, but what if the Attorney General and the Secretary of HHS fight each other in an octagonal cage?” That was a reference to Trump's affinity for the UFC fighters who do battle in the octagon. Choosing TV personalities isn't that unusual for the once-and-future president: A number of his first-term choices — John Bolton, Larry Kudlow, Heather Nauert and Mercedes Schlapp, were all on TV — mostly also on Fox. Omarosa Manigault Newman, a confrontational first-season member of Trump's NBC show “The Apprentice," was briefly at the White House before she was fired. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican who ran Trump’s 2016 transition team until he was fired, said that eight years ago, Trump held “Apprentice-like interviews at Bedminster,” summoning potential hires to his club in New Jersey. On a call on Tuesday organized by the Council on Foreign Relations, Christie said this year’s Cabinet choices are different than 2016’s but it’s still “Donald Trump casting a TV show.” “He’s casting,” Christie said. Trump has readily highlighted the media experience of his choices as he's announced them. He said Duffy, a former lawmaker and onetime cast member of MTV’s “The Real World," was “a STAR on Fox News.” Pete Hegseth walks to an elevator for a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower on Dec. 15, 2016, in New York. Hegseth, a military veteran, “has been a host at FOX News for eight years, where he used that platform to fight for our Military and Veterans,” Trump said. He also noted that Hegseth's book “The War on Warriors” spent nine weeks on The New York Times “best-sellers list, including two weeks at NUMBER ONE.” As for Oz, Trump said: “He won nine Daytime Emmy Awards hosting ‘The Dr. Oz Show,’ where he taught millions of Americans how to make healthier lifestyle choices." It's also true that those seeking positions in Trump's orbit often take to the airwaves to audition for an audience of one. Tom Homan, Trump's choice for “border czar,” is a frequent Fox contributor. Ohio Sen. JD Vance was chosen as Trump's running mate in part because of how well he comes across on air. Trump's choice to lead the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, upped his profile when he took to Fox News to argue that a pre-election appearance on NBC's “Saturday Night Live” by Democratic nominee Kamala Harris was a violation of the “equal time” rule governing candidate appearances on television. The White House-to-cable news pundit pipeline tends to cut across administrations of both parties, to some extent. President Joe Biden had three MSNBC contributors on his transition team and his former press secretary went to the network after she left the White House. Biden, though, looked to career diplomats, longtime government workers and military leaders for key posts like the Defense Department. Trump's affinity for Fox News is well-documented, though the romance cooled for a time after Fox made an early call of Arizona for Biden in 2020, a move that infuriated Trump and many of the network’s viewers. Trump suggested viewers should migrate to other conservative news outlets. While the Arizona call ultimately proved correct, it set in motion internal second-guessing and led some Fox personalities to embrace conspiracy theories, which ultimately cost the network $787 million to settle a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems. But Trump is still an avid watcher — the network provides Trump a window into conservative thinking, with commentary from Republican lawmakers and thinkers who are, often, speaking directly to the president-elect. Here are the people Trump has picked for key positions so far President-elect Donald Trump Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Pam Bondi, Attorney General Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Labor Secretary Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Tulsi Gabbard, National Intelligence Director Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. John Ratcliffe, Central Intelligence Agency Director Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Scott Turner, Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Elise Stefanik, Ambassador to the United Nations Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. Matt Whitaker, Ambassador to NATO President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. Pete Hoekstra, Ambassador to Canada A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Steven Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Tom Homan, ‘Border Czar’ Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to advise White House on government efficiency Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Additional selections to the incoming White House Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.