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esports team logo SYRIA | UNDER SIEGE BEIRUT — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the gates of the capital and that government forces had abandoned the central city of Homs. The government denied rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syria's coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader's base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM news outlet reported that government forces took positions outside Syria's third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The insurgency announced later Saturday that it had taken over Homs. The city's capture is a major victory for the rebels, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama, as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assad's erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The U.N.'s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an "orderly political transition." Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels "sorry for the Syrian people." In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar.Mercury Rising, a rock group, will open the holiday season this weekend in Fort Wadsworth and New DorpMIAMI — As her students finished their online exam, Arlet Lara got up to make a cafe con leche. Her 16-year-old son found her on the kitchen floor. First, he called Dad in a panic. Then 911. “I had a stroke and my life made a 180-degree turn,” Lara told the Miami Herald, recalling the medical scare she experienced in May 2020 in the early months of the COVID pandemic. “The stroke affected my left side of the body,” the North Miami woman and former high school math teacher said. Lara, an avid runner and gym goer, couldn’t even walk. “It was hard,” the 50-year-old mom said. After years of rehabilitation therapy and a foot surgery, Lara can walk again. But she still struggles with moving. This summer, she became the first patient in South Florida to get an implant of a new and only FDA-approved nerve stimulation device designed to help ischemic stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands. This first procedure was at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Lara’s rehab was at at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, part of a partnership between Jackson Health System and UHealth. Every year, thousands in the United States have a stroke, with one occurring every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of strokes are ischemic, often caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. For survivors, most of whom are left with some level of disability, the Vivistim Paired VNS System, the device implanted in Lara’s chest, could be a game changer in recovery, said Dr. Robert Starke, a UHealth neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist. He also serves as co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, part of Miami-Dade’s public hospital system. What to know about the stroke device The Vivistim Paired VNS System is a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the upper chest and neck area. Patients can go home the same day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the stroke rehabilitation system in 2021 to be used alongside post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation therapy to treat moderate to severe mobility issues in hands and arms. Lara’s occupational therapist can activate the device during rehabilitation sessions to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down to the abdomen and regulates various parts of the body’s nervous system. The electrical stimulation rewires the brain to improve a stroke survivor’s ability to move their arms and hands. How it worked on the first Jackson patient Lara also has a magnet she can use to activate the device when she wants to practice at home. Her therapy consists of repetitive tasks, including coloring, pinching cubes and grabbing and releasing cylindrical shapes. After several weeks of rehabilitation therapy with the device, Lara has seen improvement. “Little by little, I’m noticing that my hand is getting stronger. I am already able to brush my teeth with the left hand,” she told the Miami Herald in September. Since then, Lara has finished the initial six-week Vivitism therapy program, and is continuing to use the device in her rehabilitation therapy. She continues to improve and can now eat better with her left hand and can brush her hair with less difficulty, according to her occupational therapist, Neil Batungbakal. Lara learned about the device through an online group for stroke survivors and contacted the company to inquire. She then connected them with her Jackson medical team. Now a year later, the device is available to Jackson patients. So far, four patients have received the implant at Jackson. Starke sees the device as an opportunity to help bring survivors one step closer to regaining full mobility. Strokes are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While most stroke survivors can usually recover some function through treatment and rehabilitation, they tend to hit a “major plateau” after the first six months of recovery, he said. Vivistim, when paired with rehabilitation therapy, could change that. Jackson Health said results of a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet in 2021 showed that the device, “when paired with high-repetition, task-specific occupational or physical therapy, helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than rehabilitation therapy alone.” The device has even shown to benefit patients 20 years from their original stroke, according to Starke. “So now a lot of these patients that had strokes 10-15 years ago that thought that they would never be able to use their arm in any sort of real functional way are now able to have a real meaningful function, which is pretty tremendous,” Starke said. More about the device Vivistim’s vagus-nerve stimulation technology was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Texas Biomedical Device Center and is being sold commercially by Austin-based MicroTransponder, a company started by university graduates. Similar devices are used to treat epilepsy and depression. For Lara, the device is a new tool to help her recovery journey. “Everything becomes a challenge so we are working with small things every day because I want to get back as many functions as possible,” Lara said. Patients interested in Vivistim should speak with their doctor to check their eligibility. The FDA said patients should make sure to discuss any prior medical history, including concurrent forms of brain stimulation, current diathermy treatment, previous brain surgery, depression, respiratory diseases and disorders such as asthma, and cardiac abnormalities. “Adverse events included but were not limited to dysphonia (difficulty speaking), bruising, falling, general hoarseness, general pain, hoarseness after surgery, low mood, muscle pain, fracture, headache, rash, dizziness, throat irritation, urinary tract infection and fatigue,” the FDA said.

Italgas, which two years ago acquired DEPA Infrastructure and renamed Greece’s gas grid company Enaon, announced this week it is preparing a total investment of 1 billion euros in Greece as part of the group’s 2024-2030 Strategic Plan. This program will be executed by its subsidiary Enaon, focusing on four main pillars to support Greece’s ongoing ecological transition: Methanization of areas not yet connected to the gas distribution network and contributing to the phaseout of more polluting fuels like lignite and coal; digital transformation of the network, including the replacement of traditional smart meters with “H2 ready” technology; development of renewable gases, primarily biomethane and green hydrogen, to bolster decarbonization efforts; and repurposing the existing network to make the energy infrastructure more flexible, ready for a more sustainable energy future. The plan allocates €650 million for the construction of over 3,000 kilometers of new network, extending service to areas not yet connected. This expansion will introduce a new energy source to 18 cities (including Patra, Ioannina, Kastoria, Florina, Grevena and Orestiada) and increase the customer base served by Enaon from the current 615,000 to 920,000 by 2030.Dibba scores 19 in Southern Illinois' 73-70 win against Southern Indiana

Opinion The US Justice Department's proposed remedies to address Google's monopoly control of the search services and search text advertising markets should be reconsidered in light of the broader problems with technology platforms. The floated fixes should also be evaluated for how they will affect other aspects of Google's business that face unresolved legal challenges, like the government's ad tech antitrust case. Something needs to be done to rein in Google's unlawful behavior , but the fixes proposed by the Justice Department will create collateral damage while leaving competitors, alleged monopolists among them, free to continue engaging in similar self-serving behavior. The DOJ has proposed [PDF]: disallowing exclusionary contracts, such as those that make Google Search the default in Apple's Safari, so rivals won't be frozen out; forcing Google to sell off its Chrome browser and preventing investments in rival search-ad-AI tech as a way to kill competition; requiring Google to make its search index available to rivals at nominal cost; and providing advertisers with more visibility into Google's data. Android divestiture is also a possible ask, if self-preferencing mechanisms designed to prevent Google from favoring its search and text ads services fall short. But if the Justice Department gets its way years from now, once Google has exhausted its appeals, it won't just be Google that pays the price. That's evident from the statement issued by Mozilla, which warned that a blanket prohibition on search agreements – like the one Mozilla has with Google to make Google Search the default in Firefox – "will negatively impact independent browsers like Firefox and have knock-on effects for an open and accessible internet." If Chrome were to be sold to a private equity group, it is highly likely they would prioritize cost-cutting measures Alex Moore, executive director of Open Web Advocacy, told The Register , "The primary concern of OWA is that the vast majority of research and development supporting the web platform currently takes place within the Chromium project, driven predominantly by Google engineers. "If Chrome were to be sold to a private equity group, it is highly likely they would prioritize cost-cutting measures. This could significantly hinder the future development of the web platform, creating a ripple effect that ultimately strengthens Apple’s and Google’s native ecosystems at the expense of the open web. We advocate for implementing measures that strike a careful balance between addressing Google's dominance in search and safeguarding the health and future development of the open web." Moore said the potential impact on Mozilla, one of only three remaining browser engine developers, needs to be considered, and voiced support for allowing it to retain the ability to establish a non-exclusive search engine deal with Google. "Despite its relatively small market share, Mozilla plays a crucial role in contributing to the health and diversity of the web ecosystem," said Moore. "A sudden loss of its primary revenue source would leave it without a viable alternative, threatening its ability to continue its vital work." It seems highly likely that Google's largess will diminish if it has to part ways with Chrome, and the search biz could be further constrained if the government wins its separate antitrust case against Google's ad auction business. The other major mobile device platform owner, Apple, is more focused on maintaining its App Store ecosystem. The iBiz has also faced scrutiny and allegations of monopolistic practices in the US and has been forced to make competition concessions in the EU. A lighter-touch regulatory option would be to force Google to put the open source Chromium project under the control of an independent foundation while also disallowing self-preferencing mechanisms within the browser. This might include, for example, a ban on steering people to sign in to their Google Accounts in Chrome, which would reduce the ad-relevant data Google can gather that its rivals cannot. But limiting Google's ability to extract monopoly revenue will have less impact if competitors like Apple and Microsoft, which are also facing potential antitrust scrutiny, can keep doing business as usual. A Google-focused remedy will just tilt the playing field in a different direction. What's needed is a comprehensive set of rules that forbid self-preferencing and establish a uniform set of platform rights for third-party developers and privacy rights consumers across all tech platforms. Instead of forcing Google to share data gained through privileged access, give consumers the ability to prevent any company from gaining that data. Require all browser makers to offer users a choice of search engine through a randomized menu free of dark patterns, rather than relying on paid defaults. Ensure that in-app browsers reflect the settings and modifications of third-party default browsers. Every setting should be opt-in rather than opt-out. Addressing bad behavior on a piecemeal basis either invites workarounds or replaces one platform tyrant with another. While the Justice Department can't seek remedies for companies that are not found to be in violation of the law, its proposals should be crafted with an eye toward a more coherent vision of platform behavior and responsibilities. ®

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company Decreases Stock Holdings in Five Below, Inc. (NASDAQ:FIVE)Who won the Powerball? Winning $256 million lottery ticket sold in New YorkThe Atlanta Falcons (6-6) visit a streaking Minnesota Vikings (10-2) team on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings have won five games in a row. What channel is Vikings vs. Falcons on? What time is Vikings vs. Falcons? The Vikings and the Falcons play at 1 p.m. ET. NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. Vikings vs. Falcons betting odds, lines, spread Vikings vs. Falcons recent matchups Vikings schedule Falcons schedule NFL week 14 schedule This content was created for Gannett using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Opinion The US Justice Department's proposed remedies to address Google's monopoly control of the search services and search text advertising markets should be reconsidered in light of the broader problems with technology platforms. The floated fixes should also be evaluated for how they will affect other aspects of Google's business that face unresolved legal challenges, like the government's ad tech antitrust case. Something needs to be done to rein in Google's unlawful behavior , but the fixes proposed by the Justice Department will create collateral damage while leaving competitors, alleged monopolists among them, free to continue engaging in similar self-serving behavior. The DOJ has proposed [PDF]: disallowing exclusionary contracts, such as those that make Google Search the default in Apple's Safari, so rivals won't be frozen out; forcing Google to sell off its Chrome browser and preventing investments in rival search-ad-AI tech as a way to kill competition; requiring Google to make its search index available to rivals at nominal cost; and providing advertisers with more visibility into Google's data. Android divestiture is also a possible ask, if self-preferencing mechanisms designed to prevent Google from favoring its search and text ads services fall short. But if the Justice Department gets its way years from now, once Google has exhausted its appeals, it won't just be Google that pays the price. That's evident from the statement issued by Mozilla, which warned that a blanket prohibition on search agreements – like the one Mozilla has with Google to make Google Search the default in Firefox – "will negatively impact independent browsers like Firefox and have knock-on effects for an open and accessible internet." If Chrome were to be sold to a private equity group, it is highly likely they would prioritize cost-cutting measures Alex Moore, executive director of Open Web Advocacy, told The Register , "The primary concern of OWA is that the vast majority of research and development supporting the web platform currently takes place within the Chromium project, driven predominantly by Google engineers. "If Chrome were to be sold to a private equity group, it is highly likely they would prioritize cost-cutting measures. This could significantly hinder the future development of the web platform, creating a ripple effect that ultimately strengthens Apple’s and Google’s native ecosystems at the expense of the open web. We advocate for implementing measures that strike a careful balance between addressing Google's dominance in search and safeguarding the health and future development of the open web." Moore said the potential impact on Mozilla, one of only three remaining browser engine developers, needs to be considered, and voiced support for allowing it to retain the ability to establish a non-exclusive search engine deal with Google. "Despite its relatively small market share, Mozilla plays a crucial role in contributing to the health and diversity of the web ecosystem," said Moore. "A sudden loss of its primary revenue source would leave it without a viable alternative, threatening its ability to continue its vital work." It seems highly likely that Google's largess will diminish if it has to part ways with Chrome, and the search biz could be further constrained if the government wins its separate antitrust case against Google's ad auction business. The other major mobile device platform owner, Apple, is more focused on maintaining its App Store ecosystem. The iBiz has also faced scrutiny and allegations of monopolistic practices in the US and has been forced to make competition concessions in the EU. A lighter-touch regulatory option would be to force Google to put the open source Chromium project under the control of an independent foundation while also disallowing self-preferencing mechanisms within the browser. This might include, for example, a ban on steering people to sign in to their Google Accounts in Chrome, which would reduce the ad-relevant data Google can gather that its rivals cannot. But limiting Google's ability to extract monopoly revenue will have less impact if competitors like Apple and Microsoft, which are also facing potential antitrust scrutiny, can keep doing business as usual. A Google-focused remedy will just tilt the playing field in a different direction. What's needed is a comprehensive set of rules that forbid self-preferencing and establish a uniform set of platform rights for third-party developers and privacy rights consumers across all tech platforms. Instead of forcing Google to share data gained through privileged access, give consumers the ability to prevent any company from gaining that data. Require all browser makers to offer users a choice of search engine through a randomized menu free of dark patterns, rather than relying on paid defaults. Ensure that in-app browsers reflect the settings and modifications of third-party default browsers. Every setting should be opt-in rather than opt-out. Addressing bad behavior on a piecemeal basis either invites workarounds or replaces one platform tyrant with another. While the Justice Department can't seek remedies for companies that are not found to be in violation of the law, its proposals should be crafted with an eye toward a more coherent vision of platform behavior and responsibilities. ®WASHINGTON — Donald Trump said he can't guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning "things do change." Here's a look at some of the issues covered: President-elect Donald Trump takes the stage before he speaks at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Greenvale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa) Trump threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn't believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. an households won't be paying more as they shop. "I can't guarantee anything. I can't guarantee tomorrow," Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are "going to make us rich." He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. "All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field," Trump said. He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. "Honestly, they should go to jail," Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump's role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: "I have the absolute right. I'm the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I'm the president. But I'm not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. "Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee," Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, "No," and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. At another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. "I want her to do what she wants to do," he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, "I'm not looking to go back into the past." Immigration advocates hold a rally in Sacramento, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, to protest President-Elect Donald Trump's plans to conduct mass deportation of immigrants without legal status. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. "I think you have to do it," he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end "birthright" citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — though such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and were shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, "I want to work something out," indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not "want to be breaking up families" of mixed legal status, "so the only way you don't break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back." President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Notre Dame Cathedral as France's iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday Dec.7, 2024 in Paris ( Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP) Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he "absolutely" would remain in the alliance "if they pay their bills." Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies' commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated "fairly" on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin's invasion. "Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure," Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump called for an immediate cease-fire. Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged. "I haven't spoken to him recently," Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to "impede the negotiation." Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy, including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: "Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious" that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump's pick for FBI chief, then "he's going to be taking somebody's place, right? Somebody is the man that you're talking about." Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. "We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient," he said. He added that "we're not raising ages or any of that stuff." He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would "probably" not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, "Well, I commit. I mean, are — things do — things change. I think they change." Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had "concepts" of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called "lousy health care." He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for "better health care for less money." 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, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. 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, 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. 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. 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. 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. 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, 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. 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. 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.” 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. 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. 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. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. 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 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, 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. 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. 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.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. 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.” 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. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. 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. 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. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. 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.” 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. 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. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) 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, 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. 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. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. 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, 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 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. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff 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. James Blair, deputy chief of staff 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. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff 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. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Image: AAP) A man says he was unable to contribute to the federal government’s snap teen social media ban inquiry because the parliamentary committee did not respond to his request for accommodations for his disability. Last Thursday, Labor referred its draft legislation to restrict children under the age of 16 from having social media accounts to the committee process. In the day and a bit that submissions were open, the committee received around 15,000 submissions which fed into a three-hour hearing on Monday. On Tuesday night, the committee published a report which recommended passing the ban if eight other recommendations were incorporated into the bill. Australia’s teen social media ban loophole means kids can still use TikTok and YouTube Shorts Read More Missing from the thousands of submissions was input from Oliver (pseudonym granted because he is not authorised by his employer to talk publicly), who had unsuccessfully requested a longer period to make a submission because of his neurodivergence. “The parliamentary page for the public consultation said they valued inclusiveness and if anyone had accessibility issues to contact them,” he wrote to Crikey in a message. On Friday, Oliver sent an email (seen by Crikey ) to the address listed for the committee secretary for the Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications requesting an extension. “I would like to make a submission opposing the proposed Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024,” he wrote. “I am neurodivergent and will need more than one day to formulate my response.” Oliver says he never received a response from the committee’s secretariat (nor did Crikey ) and subsequently was unable to make a submission. “It is important to me that disability access is not just hypocritical window-dressing or empty words on a website. It needs to allow Australians with disabilities to meaningfully engage in the political process,” he told Crikey . Groups representing young Australians with disabilities have raised concerns about the teen social media ban. A submission made by Children and Young People with Disability Australia to the inquiry said that social media was vital to some of the young Australians it represents, and that age assurance and verification technologies may act as hurdles to access. Oliver said that he expected better from the government. “Kids with disabilities are going to be affected by the proposed ban. We should be ensuring the government gets to hear from us.” Have something to say about this article? Write to us at letters@crikey.com.au . Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey’s Your Say . We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Ian Schieffelin had 18 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in leading Clemson to a 75-67 win over Penn State on Tuesday and the championship of the Sunshine Slam Beach Division. Chase Hunter added 17 points, Chauncey Wiggins 14 and Del Jones 10 for the Tigers (6-1), who shot 44% and made 9 of 19 3-pointers led by Hunter's three.

In November 2024, the Zhuhai Airshow unveiled a lineup of advanced military technology, prominently featuring the J-35A—a new fifth-generation stealth fighter from China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. This event showcased a range of aircraft, drones, and munitions. It highlighted the significant advancements of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and PLA Air Force (PLAAF) in modern air combat capabilities. Amidst various hardware, the J-35A stood out, drawing immediate comparisons to the American Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, one of the most advanced and widely adopted fighters globally. Both aircraft represent the pinnacle of stealth technology and are designed to meet the rigorous demands of contemporary warfare. However, despite their apparent similarities in design and purpose, the J-35A and F-35 embody distinct strategic priorities and technological paths shaped by the unique defense needs of China and the United States. This article compares these fighters against each other, exploring their design, performance, and role within their respective military frameworks. By comparing these advanced jets, we aim to understand their technological capabilities and the broader implications of their development in the context of global military dynamics and cybersecurity concerns. Background and strategic positioning of the J-35A stealth fighter The J-35A, originating from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s FC-31 technology demonstrator, represents a significant evolution in Chinese military aviation technology . Initially conceptualized as a potential export without direct PLA support, the FC-31 underwent substantial modifications to meet the stringent requirements of modern air combat, showcasing its capabilities through various prototypes first flown in 2012 and 2016. By the mid-to-late 2010s, the design caught the PLA Navy’s (PLAN) attention, which led to its development into a carrier-borne fifth-generation fighter, tentatively named the J-35 . The first prototype, flown in October 2021, featured notable enhancements such as an enlarged folding wing, reinforced landing gear, and a catapult launch bar. These modifications, along with an enhanced dorsal fuselage hump and sophisticated sensor array, indicated a mature design aimed at carrier operations. In the past, the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) showed interest in adapting this advanced platform for land-based operations. By 2023, emerging prototypes with adaptations such as a reduced wingspan pointed to specific modifications tailored to the PLAAF’s operational needs. This version was officially designated as the J-35A during the Zhuhai Airshow 2024, coinciding with the PLAAF’s 75th anniversary. The J-35A and its variants often draw comparisons to the United States’ F-35, reflecting shared design features typical of medium-sized, fifth-generation fighters, such as dual-side air intakes and similar wing and tail configurations. While these similarities have sparked discussions about potential espionage and technology transfer—particularly in the context of alleged Chinese cyber operations targeting F-35 data—the convergence seen in other contemporary fighters like the KF-21 and AMCA suggests that these design traits may be driven more by a pursuit of optimal aerodynamic and operational solutions than by direct copying. The J-35A is strategically positioned within the PLAAF as a versatile, medium-weight complement to the heavier J-20, expanding China’s fleet of fifth-generation fighters . This development strategy aligns with the varied operational requirements of the Chinese military, from achieving air superiority to conducting precise strike missions. The F-35, in its role, continues to be a central asset for the U.S. and its allies, providing a critical blend of stealth, advanced sensor integration, and multi-role capabilities. Furthermore, China’s military advancements include the operation of another stealth fighter, the J-20 air superiority aircraft, and the ongoing development of the H-20 flying wing stealth bomber, as reported in a 2023 Pentagon document on China’s military forces. Design comparison of J-35A and F-35 fighter jets Stealth and airframe design Both the J-35A and the F-35 are engineered with an emphasis on low-observable, stealth technology, which is evident in their sleek and smooth airframes. These designs are crucial for minimizing radar cross-section (RCS) and enhancing operational efficacy by staying undetected during missions. The aircraft feature streamlined surfaces and curvature that disrupt radar wave detection, a fundamental aspect for stealth operations. Vertical stabilizers and canards The J-35A and F-35 incorporate similar aerodynamic components like canards and vertical stabilizers arranged in a distinctive V-like structure. This setup not only aids in maintaining a stealth profile but also plays a critical role in reducing turbulence, further decreasing radar visibility. However, subtle differences in their designs underscore divergent engineering approaches. The J-35A’s stabilizers are slightly wider and set at a different angle, potentially offering better aerodynamic performance tailored to the specific operational requirements of the Chinese military. This could influence the aircraft’s agility and its RCS. Conversely, the F-35 features more sharply angled stabilizers optimized for an enhanced stealth profile. This design choice reflects a deliberate focus on radar evasion, integral to the F-35’s role in U.S . and allied operations, ensuring superior performance even in challenging conditions. Cockpit ergonomics and visibility The cockpit design of both aircraft fuses functionality and advanced technology, designed to meet the rigors of modern air combat. Each cockpit has a rounded glass canopy, optimizing pilot visibility and situational awareness—crucial during high-speed, high-stress combat scenarios. The J-35A’s cockpit is narrower with a simpler design and less curvature in the canopy glass, suggesting a focus on practicality and cost-efficiency. However, this design could slightly elevate the RCS, albeit still adhering to stealth norms. In contrast, the F-35’s cockpit is more expansive, featuring a sophisticated, rounded canopy with extensive glass coverage. Specialized coatings on the F-35’s canopy enhance its stealth capabilities, significantly reducing its radar signature while prioritizing pilot comfort and visibility. Engine design and stealth optimization The rear sections of the J-35A and F-35 showcase significant differences in design philosophy, particularly around the engine housings. The J-35A opts for a more enclosed engine design with fewer visible edges and a smoother outline around the exhaust, aimed at minimizing radar reflections—a crucial element in stealth technology. This design is likely optimized to meet the J-35A’s unique performance specifications, possibly prioritizing operational flexibility in varied combat scenarios. In contrast, the F-35’s exhaust system is more intricate, with defined features that reflect advanced American engineering practices aimed at maximizing stealth. The pronounced design and use of cutting-edge materials in the F-35’s exhaust system illustrate a comprehensive approach to reducing its radar footprint, aligning with the aircraft’s strategic role in achieving air superiority. Wing design and aerodynamic efficiency The wing designs of the J-35A and F-35 further reflect their distinct tactical priorities. The J-35A features slightly more angular wings, designed to enhance maneuverability—a critical factor in dogfights and rapid tactical shifts. This design choice supports the J-35A’s presumed role in regional dominance and quick-response scenarios. The F-35, however, sports smoother, more contoured wings that align with its overarching stealth strategy. These wings are engineered to minimize radar reflections and maintain stability at high speeds, supporting the F-35’s role in deep-strike missions and sustained air operations over hostile territory. Air intakes and landing gear The design variations extend to both aircraft’s air intakes and landing gear. The J-35A’s air intakes are wider and more angular, possibly increasing engine airflow and improving performance but at a potential cost to its stealth profile. Meanwhile, the F-35’s air intakes are designed with stealth as a paramount consideration, featuring a rounded, smooth structure that enhances airflow while minimizing radar detection. The J-35A’s landing gear is simpler and more robust, likely designed to endure diverse and potentially rugged operational environments. On the other hand, the F-35’s landing gear is more complex, incorporating features that reduce radar cross-section and enhance the overall stealth profile, which is critical for operations in highly contested areas. Performance and role of the J-35A and F-35 stealth fighters Speed, range, and endurance The J-35A achieves a maximum speed of Mach 2.0, surpassing the F-35’s top speed of Mach 1.6. This superior speed equips the J-35A with an advantage in fast-paced combat scenarios, particularly in intercepting high-speed targets, which is crucial for air superiority roles. The design supports quick maneuvers and rapid response, aligning with its intended use within the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Conversely, the F-35 excels in range and versatility, featuring a longer operational range of approximately 2,220 kilometers compared to the J-35A’s 1,200 kilometers. This extended range makes the F-35 more suitable for long-range missions and deep-strike capabilities. It reflects its role in projecting power over vast distances and supporting varied mission profiles, from ground attack to reconnaissance. Originally thought to employ Russian RD-33 engines, the J-35A is likely to transition to using more advanced Chinese-developed WS-13E or WS-21 engines . Future models are expected to incorporate the WS-19 engines, enhancing their thrust and performance capabilities. Both aircraft can refuel in-flight, significantly extending their operational reach and endurance. This allows for prolonged deployment in contested areas without ground support. Advanced avionics and weaponry The J-35A incorporates a suite of advanced Chinese-made avionics, including AESA radar, infrared search and track systems, and comprehensive electronic warfare capabilities. These systems enhance the aircraft’s awareness of its surroundings, which is crucial for engaging multiple threats simultaneously and adapting to dynamic combat environments. The F-35 has the AN/APG-81 AESA radar, AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System, and AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare suite, offering unmatched sensor fusion and situational awareness. This integration allows the F-35 to detect, track, and engage targets at considerable distances, even in highly contested environments. Both the J-35A and F-35 maintain their stealth profiles by carrying weapons internally. The J-35A can carry up to 7,000 kilograms of payload, while the F-35 has a slightly higher capacity of 8,160 kilograms. This internal carriage design is critical for maintaining a low radar cross-section during missions. The J-35A emphasizes speed and agility for regional operations, while the F-35 focuses on versatility, range, and global interoperability. These aircraft demonstrate the advanced state of modern air combat technologies and illustrate the critical role of securing intellectual property in maintaining national defense advantages. Cyber espionage and the theft of F-35 design data Frank Kendall, the Defense Acquisitions Chief in 2013, highlighted the compromise of unclassified F-35 data despite the classified information remaining secure. This breach reportedly allowed competing powers, particularly highlighted in Pentagon reports linking the Chinese government and military, to advance their military technology programs. In 2014, a Los Angeles grand jury indicted Chinese national Su Bin for assisting PLA hackers in stealing over 630,000 files related to the F-35 and other critical U.S. aircraft from 2008 to 2014. Bin’s role involved facilitating the translation and targeting of sensitive defense technology, underscoring the depth of espionage activities to undermine U.S. technological supremacy.Thankfully, the field for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff was set Sunday morning. Had the process lasted another week, it might have ripped the sport apart and pitted conference commissioners against each other in steel-cage matches. Not everything sparked outrage when the CFP selection committee revealed the pairings. Oregon and Georgia were the top-two seeds, as expected. Boise State, champion of the Mountain West, and Arizona State, which won the Big 12, received the No. 3 and 4 seeds, respectively, and will have opening-round byes. Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame and Ohio State will play home games in the opening round. But that’s where the relative peace and tranquility ended. The committee granted the final at-large berth to SMU, not Alabama, and you could instantly imagine smoke billowing from the nostrils of SEC commissioner Greg Sankey. Alabama (9-3) had more quality wins and played a vastly tougher schedule than the Mustangs (11-2) but also had uglier losses than the ACC runner-up. That wasn’t the only flashpoint. Boise State was seeded higher than Arizona State despite a weaker schedule — an outcome that sends the Broncos to the Fiesta Bowl (Glendale) for their quarterfinal game and forces the Sun Devils to play in the Peach Bowl (Atlanta). The debate Sunday was simply a continuation of the past five weeks, which featured athletic directors squabbling on social media, conference commissioners squawking over resumes and the committee chair himself, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, seemingly contradicting the stated selection criteria. All of it unfolded under the threat of demolition. Two months ago, executives from the SEC and Big Ten gathered in Nashville to discuss the future of the sport. At the conclusion of the summit, Sankey, the most powerful figure in the sport, told reporters that the CFP process “just has to go incredibly well.” You did not need a master’s degree in political gamesmanship to grasp the meaning. If the SEC and Big Ten were less than satisfied with their allotments of bids and seeds, they would force changes to the selection process. Specifically, the behemoths would grant themselves a truckload of automatic bids, reduce access for the other conferences and, potentially, disband the selection committee altogether. Needless to say, the process did not go “incredibly well” for the SEC. In fact, it could not have gone much worse. In addition to Alabama’s exclusion, Tennessee lost the No. 8-9 seed showdown against Ohio State and will open the playoff in Columbus. Meanwhile, three-loss South Carolina was left out entirely one week after winning at three-loss Clemson, while the Tigers advanced to the CFP with the ACC’s automatic bid. (In the committee’s final rankings, South Carolina was one spot above Clemson.) The repercussions could ripple through the sport for years. Earlier this week, another warning flare went skyward from SEC country when Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne posted the following note on the social media platform X: “When you look at the @CFBPlayoff Principles for its Selection Committee, the first bullet point on the list of considerations is strength of schedule. Not all schedules and conferences are created equal. We’ve worked diligently to add more challenging non-conference home-and-homes, which is good for college football ...” The implication was clear: If Alabama’s schedule strength wasn’t rewarded, the Crimson Tide would rethink the merits of playing A-level non-conference games in the first half of September. Alabama faced Wisconsin this season and has booked upcoming series with Florida State, Ohio State and Notre Dame. Those could be in jeopardy. Why risk the loss when the benefits of scheduling the game are limited? And if Alabama cancels marquee matchups, other SEC schools will assuredly follow — potentially sapping the sport of must-see intersectional duels that energize the September competition calendar. Asked on ESPN about the non-conference scheduling issue, Manuel, the committee chair and Michigan’s athletic director, offered the following: “I would just say, you need to schedule the games you feel are best for your team and your fan base.” Given the unprecedented nature of the season — with the expanded playoff and engorged conferences — there was no reason to expect a smooth ride from early November, when the first CFP rankings were released, through selection day. But the gaffes, misreads and contradictions by the 13-person committee were frequent and severe. Head-to-head results, schedule strength and quality wins were shoved to the background as the committee, loaded with former coaches, prioritized win-loss record. It was as if the coaches were collectively channeling their inner Lou Holtz — the former Notre Dame coach was the ultimate sandbagger — and determined a 74- point win over Western Illinois (by Indiana) was equivalent to a 15-point win at Texas (by Georgia). “One of the things we really need to do,” said Nick Saban, the ESPN analyst and former Alabama coach, “is (recognize) all wins are not the same as the other wins.” There were risks to selecting Alabama over SMU, as well. Had the committee excluded the Mustangs following their loss to Clemson in the ACC championship — on a walk-off field goal, no less — the decision would have undermined the credibility of conference title games. “The committee is going to lose no matter what they do,” ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said. But just as not all wins are created equal, neither are all losses. Alabama’s out, the SEC is seething and major changes are coming to the CFP as a result. *** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to wilnerhotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716 *** Follow me on the social media platform X: @ WilnerHotline

49ers QB Brock Purdy resumes throwing but status for this week remains unknownWho was William Hogarth? He was born in 1697, in Bartholomew Close, near Smithfield, London. At the time, it was home to the Bartholomew Fair which was a cloth and meat market also known for its entertainment. Undoubtedly, this affected the young William Hogarth and influenced his later works. Hogarth went on to become a painter, engraver and writer. He is also known for his satirical social commentary in the form of his “cartoons” which exposed notables to public scrutiny since they portrayed them with exaggerated features in sometimes absurd situations. Hogarth also drew London life in its darkest form with perhaps his most famous work, Gin Lane, which was paired with Beer Street in support of the Gin Acts. Today, without any background it must seem strange or indeed objectionable that a government should interfere in general life but society was different back then. For centuries, people drank beer instead of water due to the later often being polluted. Gin, however, caused The Gin Craze amongst the poor and the government initially took responsibility for it in 1734 following three gruesome case of Judith Defour, who strangled her two-year-old son and sold his clothes for gin money. Drinking raw spirits was considered the major cause of London’s crime rate. Hogarth supported the Gin Act of 1751 which aimed to stop gin distillers from selling it to unlicensed merchants. By charging higher fees for licenses, it curtailed small gin shops, which by effect helped reduce consumption. As the old saying goes, “Gin, gin will make you sin!” Another famous painting later released as an engraving is A Midnight Modern Conversation. The original is in Petworth House in West Sussex. I used to share space in Petworth with Paul Martin and visited the painting several times. I first came across a painting of it in the Denis Severs House in Spitalfields and subsequently discovered it had been copied dozens of times. Although Hogarth never named the characters portrayed, it’s thought that one is a bare-knuckle boxer felled by alcohol but never in the ring and a Bishop who preached temperance yet is clearly drunk. It was originally printed in red ink and is set in St John's Coffee House in Shire Lane, Temple Bar, London. Coffee and Chocolate houses were home to illicit club meetings and were often a den of political and financial intrigue. I wonder what satirical imagery Hogarth would have made of the roundabout that bears his name today, that bottleneck of traffic streaming into London from the M4. His former home is set just along from Chiswick House. At a slight angle to the road it’s open to the public, Tuesday to Sunday afternoons. It remained his home from 1749 until he died in 1764. Hogarth created sets of prints, telling stories, such as A Harlot’s Progress and Marriage-a-La-mode. The dark humour of decline was pivotal in his work He lived through a time of social change and upheaval and indeed, the Jacobite uprising of 1745, industrialisation and a population that doubled. He was the commentator of a generation if not a century and it has to be said that with illiteracy the norm, Hogarth’s works were visual and educational. They exposed both human failings and corruption, whilst humanising the elite through mockery. Hogarth is held in high esteem to this day and in 2001 a statue was unveiled by David Hockney on Chiswick High Road, west London, of William and his pug dog. Funding for it was raised by and it’s heartwarming to see William Hogarth overlooking his old stomping ground with his beloved dog. His work was printed and reprinted throughout the 18th Century and thereafter, all over the world. I have 30 Hogarth prints in stock; all unframed and a Hogarth homage by Sir Peter Blake for sale too. Hogarth was an extraordinary talent who continues to amuse and entertain more than 250 years after his death. Who is Andrew Blackall? Andrew Blackall is an English antique dealer with more than 30 years of experience selling period furniture and quirky collector's items to clients across the globe. He has written and produced award-winning film and television productions. He was born in St John’s Wood, London and he grew up in and around London. He currently lives in Avebury, Wiltshire. His love of antiques stems from an early fascination with history and from visiting country homes throughout old England and the British Isles. Many of Andrew’s clients are well known on both sides of the pond, patronising his ability to source antiquities with provenance and appeal. His stock has appeared in a number of films and TV shows. Andrew has two styles of business: one selling high-end decorative antiques at The Blanchard Collective, the other selling affordable collectables at The Malthouse Collective.None