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Stablecoin payments infrastructure firm BVNK is expanding to the U.S. after raising $50 million. The company’s Series B round, announced Tuesday (Dec. 17), was led by Haun Ventures, with participation from Coinbase Ventures, Scribble Ventures, DRW VC and existing investors Avenir and Tiger Global. As part of the funding round, the company is opening an office in San Francisco and “establishing a presence” in New York City, BVNK said in a news release. The London-based company said it has spent the last year building out its team in the U.S. developing local banking infrastructure, and obtaining operational licenses to serve U.S. businesses that want to delve into the world of stablecoin payments. “Stablecoins are redefining how money moves across the world — faster, more cost-efficient and with fewer barriers,” said Jesse Hemson-Struthers , CEO of BVNK. “At BVNK, we’re building the infrastructure to make these new rails accessible to businesses everywhere, empowering them to operate at the speed of today’s economy. This funding marks the next step in our mission to transform payments for the modern world.” Writing on its blog, BVNK noted that this year has seen a number of stablecoin-related milestones, like global transactions reaching $24 trillion, with payments accounting for $5.2 trillion. In November, 28.5 million unique stablecoin users sent more than $600 million onchain. In addition, efforts by companies like Stripe and Visa “reflect how major financial institutions are integrating stablecoins into their products,” BVNK added, while there has been “growing regulatory clarity” in the U.S. and the European Union. ‍BVNK’s new funding and expansion is the latest in a series of recent announcements that show stablecoins gaining momentum as a cross-border payment method. “Traditional cross-border payments are notorious for high fees , slow processing times and opaque intermediaries,” PYMNTS wrote on Dec. 9. “Stablecoins offer a compelling alternative by allowing near-instantaneous transfers, significantly lower costs and enhanced transparency through blockchain technology.” Meanwhile, research by PYMNTS Intelligence has shown that cross-border payments made with cryptocurrencies could be the winning use case that the industry has been searching for. The research found that blockchain-based cross-border solutions, especially stablecoins, are being embraced by businesses looking for a better way to transact and expand internationally.

Golden Minerals Announces NYSE American Notice to Commence Delisting and Intended Transition to OTCQB MarketIn recent quarters, Warren Buffett and his team at Berkshire Hathaway ( BRK.A 0.12% ) ( BRK.B -0.01% ) have made headlines by consistently selling more stock than they bought. Buffett's decisions to unload significant fractions of his Apple and Bank of America positions, among others, have sparked much speculation about how the Oracle of Omaha views the market's current lofty valuations . According to Berkshire's 13-F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the third quarter, the conglomerate sold more than 235 million shares of Bank of America stock. The megabank has been a part of its portfolio since 2011 , but those sales dropped it to Berkshire's third-largest stock holding That leaves American Express ( AXP 1.15% ) in second place. Berkshire has held American Express for three decades now, and it will likely remain a core holding in its portfolio over the long term. Here's why. Why Buffett likes American Express American Express's business history stretches back 174 years, but it didn't enter the credit card market until the 1950s. Under the leadership of then-CEO Ralph Reed, the company strategically positioned its card as a premium offering by setting its annual fee $1 higher than that of rival Diner's Club. Over the years, American Express's strong brand has attracted a high-spending, premium customer base. One prime example of its high-end brand strategy is its invite-only Black Card , which reportedly requires $250,000 in annual spending and has an annual fee of $5,000. It also offers a more affordable (but still pricey) Platinum Card with an annual fee of $695. That card is meant to appeal to high-spending consumers with benefits that include access to airport lounges, hotel perks, travel rewards, and spending credits for dining and entertainment. This strong brand is why Buffett and his right-hand man, the late Charlie Munger, purchased American Express stock in the 1990s, and why it has remained in the portfolio ever since, making it one of Berkshire's longest-held positions . When Stephen Squeri took the reins of American Express as CEO in 2018, Buffett reminded him: "The most important thing about American Express is the brand and the customers that aspire to be associated with the brand." American Express's business model With $1.1 trillion in U.S. transaction volume in 2023, American Express is the third-most-used card brand behind Visa and Mastercard. However, there is a distinct difference between it and its two larger peers. Visa and Mastercard operate as open-loop payment networks while American Express operates a closed-loop system. In other words, Visa and Mastercard operate as intermediaries between card-issuing banks and merchants. They earn fees on the transactions facilitated by their networks, which they share with issuing banks. By contrast, American Express processes transactions, but also lends money directly to its credit card customers, enabling it to generate interest income as well as processing fees. While this opens up American Express to credit risk if customers default, it also benefits from rising interest rates. From 2021 to 2023, American Express's net interest income increased by $5.4 billion, or 69%. AXP Net Interest Income (TTM) data by YCharts. That credit risk means investors should pay attention to how U.S. consumers are feeling financially when assessing the outlook for American Express. In the third quarter, it had a net write-off rate of 2.6% of its credit card member loans. While this metric has risen gradually in recent years, a big reason is that credit conditions have been normalizing in the years since the pandemic. Because of the credit risk it carries, American Express regularly trades at a discount to Visa and Mastercard, which investors should be aware of if they're evaluating stocks based on valuation . However, its premium customer base has helped it ride out tough economic times better than other financial institutions that hold significant credit card loan balances. AXP PE Ratio data by YCharts. A quality stock for long-term investors American Express has been a cornerstone of Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio for three decades, thanks to its strong brand and solid business model. The company is well-positioned to grow in an expanding economy with strong consumer spending, and it also performs well during times of inflation, which are associated with higher interest rates. While credit risk is a concern, its premium customer base can better ride out economic storms, making American Express an excellent stock that investors can confidently hold for the long haul.

TikTok's future in the U.S. appeared uncertain on Friday after a federal appeals court rejected a legal challenge to a law that requires the social media platform to cut ties with its China-based parent company or be banned by mid-January. A panel of three judges on The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled unanimously that the law withstood constitutional scrutiny, rebuffing arguments from the two companies that the statute violated their rights and the rights of TikTok users in the U.S. The government has said it wants ByteDance to divest its stakes in TikTok. But if it doesn't and the platform goes away, it would have a seismic impact on the lives of content creators who rely on the platform for income as well as users who use it for entertainment and connection. Here are some details on the ruling and what could happen next: In their lawsuit, TikTok and ByteDance, which is also a plaintiff in the case, had challenged the law on various fronts, arguing in part that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and was an unconstitutional bill of attainder that unfairly targeted the two companies. But the court sided with attorneys for the Justice Department who said that the government was attempting to address national security concerns and the way in which it chose to do so did not violate the constitution. The Justice Department has argued in court that TikTok poses a national security risk due to its connections to China. Officials say that Chinese authorities can compel ByteDance to hand over information on TikTok's U.S. patrons or use the platform to spread, or suppress, information. However, the U.S. hasn't publicly provided examples of that happening. The appeals court ruling, written by Judge Douglas Ginsburg, said the law was “carefully crafted to deal only with control by a foreign adversary." The judges also rejected the claim that the statute was an unlawful bill of attainder or a taking of property in violation of the Fifth Amendment. Furthermore, Ginsburg wrote the law did not violate the First Amendment because the government is not looking to “suppress content or require a certain mix of content” on TikTok. TikTok and ByteDance are expected to appeal the case to the Supreme Court, but it's unclear whether the court will take up the case. TikTok indicated in a statement on Friday the two companies are preparing to take their case to high court, saying the Supreme Court has “an established historical record of protecting Americans’ right to free speech." "We expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue,” a company spokesperson said. Alan Morrison, a professor at The George Washington University Law School, said he expects the Supreme Court to take up the case because of the novelty of the issues raised in the lawsuit. If that happens, attorneys for the two companies still have to convince the court to grant them an emergency stay that will prevent the government from enforcing the Jan. 19 divestiture deadline stipulated in the law, Morrison said. Such a move could drag out the process until the Justices make a ruling. Tiffany Cianci, a TikTok content creator who has supported the platform, said she was not shocked about the outcome of the court's ruling on Friday because lower courts typically defer to the executive branch on these types of cases. She believes the company will have a stronger case at the Supreme Court. “I believe that the next stages are more likely to produce a victory for TikTokers and for TikTok as a whole,” Cianci said. Another wild card is President-elect Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term but said during the recent presidential campaign that he is now against such action . The Trump transition team has not offered details on how Trump plans to carry out his pledge to “save TikTok." But spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement last month that he plans to “deliver” on his campaign promises. After Trump takes office on Jan. 20th, it would fall on his Justice Department to enforce the law and punish any potential violators. Penalties would apply to any app stores that would violate a prohibition on TikTok and to internet hosting services which would be barred from supporting it. Some have speculated that Trump could ask his Justice Department to abstain from enforcing the law. But tech companies like Apple and Google, which offer TikTok's app on their app stores, would then have to trust that the administration would not come after them for any violations. Craig Singleton, senior director of the China program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said enforcement discretion — or executive orders — can not override existing law, leaving Trump with “limited room for unilateral action." There are other things Trump could potentially do. It's possible he could invoke provisions of the law that allow the president to determine whether a sale or a similar transaction frees TikTok from “foreign adversary” control. Another option is to urge Congress to repeal the law. But that too would require support from congressional Republicans who have overwhelmingly supported the prospect of getting TikTok out of the hands of a Chinese company. In a statement issued Friday, Republican Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, said he was “optimistic that President Trump will facilitate an American takeover of TikTok” and allow its continued use in the United States. ByteDance has said it won't sell TikTok . And even if it wanted to, a sale of the proprietary algorithm that powers TikTok is likely to get blocked under Chinese export controls that the country issued in 2020. That means if TikTok is sold without the algorithm, its likely that the buyer would only purchase a shell of the platform that doesn't contain the technology that made the app a cultural powerhouse. Still, some investors, including Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in buying it. This week, a spokesperson for McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative, which aims to protect online privacy, said participants in their bid have made informal commitments of more than $20 billion in capital. The spokesperson did not disclose the identity of the participants.

HoSkar Night Event Series 2025: Let's explore the Real Estate market together!Wade Taylor IV racked up 19 points that included eight in the final 3:22 of the game as No. 22 Texas A&M outlasted Texas Tech 72-67 on Sunday afternoon in the USLBM Coast-to-Coast Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas A&M (8-2) led by as many as 11 points in the first half and by three at halftime before the Red Raiders surged to the front early in the second half. Down 52-49, the Aggies produced an 11-0 surge capped by a jumper by Zhuric Phelps to take a 60-52 advantage with 5:02 to play Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Scenes from Georgia's victory over Texas in the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on December 7, 2024. (Photos: Jim Blackburn) Click for more. PHOTOS: Georgia Defeats Texas for SEC Championship

Warren Buffett , the iconic investor and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway BRK , is renowned for his timeless advice on wealth-building . What Happened : With a net worth of approximately $142 billion, Buffett's strategies resonate deeply with those seeking financial success. Among his key pieces of advice: start investing early, focus on small companies, and don't panic when stocks fluctuate. During the 1999 annual shareholders' meeting, Buffett shared the approach he would take if he were a recent graduate starting out with $10,000 to invest. Buffett emphasizes the power of compound interest, likening it to rolling a small snowball down a long hill. "The trick is to have a very long hill, which means either starting very young or living, to be very old," he said during the shareholders' meeting. Early investing, he argues, allows your money to grow exponentially over time. For those with limited funds, Buffett recommends focusing on smaller companies, where there's less competition from institutional investors. He noted that investing in good businesses, or "buying pieces of them" through stocks at attractive prices, is the key to multiplying wealth. Buffett said that if he were starting with $10,000 today, he'd begin by researching companies alphabetically, starting with names that begin with "A." Also Read: Warren Buffett’s Career Advice: ‘Don’t Think About Money, Take The Job That You Would Take If You Didn’t Need The Job’ Buffett also stresses the importance of long-term thinking. "Some people should not own stocks at all because they just get too upset with price fluctuations. If you're gonna do dumb things because your stock goes down, you shouldn't own a stock at all," he told CNBC in 2018. Stock prices will inevitably dip at times, but Buffett urges investors to remain patient and focus on the long-term value of their holdings. "Buy something you like, at a price you like, and then hold it for 20 years," he advised. He further warns against obsessing over daily stock price fluctuations. Comparing stock ownership to real estate, he said, "If you bought a farm or an apartment house, you wouldn't get a quote on it every day or every week." Instead, Buffett recommends treating stocks as long-term investments, ignoring short-term market noise. Buffett's principles—start early, think long-term, and invest in solid businesses—remain guiding lights for those looking to build lasting wealth. Read Next Warren Buffett's Success Mantra: ‘The Amount You Are Loved Is The Ultimate Measure Of Success In Life' This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Palantir's Stock Quadrupled in 2024. Can It Repeat in 2025?At The Dickinson Press, we have had the privilege and responsibility of chronicling this community's story since 1883 — documenting its triumphs, trials, and occasional missteps. For over a century, we have rarely felt compelled to step away from our role as objective reporters and have sparingly wielding the editorial pen. That’s simply not what The Press does. Yet, the forthcoming recall election targeting Commissioner Jason Fridrich compels us to speak out. We believe this recall is unwarranted, unnecessarily divisive and, frankly, a regrettable misuse of our collective time, energy and taxpayer dollars. ADVERTISEMENT Let’s set the record straight. We do not agree with every decision Commissioner Fridrich has made, nor those of the other board members. However, the claim driving this recall — that he failed to properly take his oath of office and should be removed as a result — simply doesn’t hold water. The extraordinary measures of democracy, like recalls, should be reserved for extraordinary circumstances. How did we get here? A petitioner claims Commissioner Fridrich and others "did not properly take their Oaths of Office," citing sections of the North Dakota Century Code (NDCC). The suggestion is that this technicality invalidates his ability to serve. But here’s the reality: Fridrich took his oath of office in good faith, swearing to uphold the Constitutions of the United States and North Dakota. Whether the administrator of that oath or the city’s process at the time met every NDCC standard is a moot point. At the end of the day, Fridrich has upheld that oath and has not strayed outside the confines of the law. Under Fridrich’s tenure, the Dickinson City Commission has performed commendably. The city is managed well, perhaps even admirably compared to our neighbors in eastern North Dakota. Our commissioners have not overstepped their authority and have honored the trust placed in them by voters. That’s the beauty of democracy. If someone takes issue with an elected official, they have a straightforward solution: elections. Fridrich, like all commissioners, has regularly faced the judgment of the people in scheduled elections. That’s the appropriate and time-tested way to effect change — not by wielding the extraordinary measure of a recall over personal grievances or perceived slights. Consider the practical realities here. Unless a serious challenger steps forward — which we argue excludes the current petitioner — the probable outcome of this recall election is that Commissioner Fridrich retains his seat. What will we have achieved as a city? Nothing. What will we have gained in the process? A waste of taxpayer dollars, a black eye for the city and a dangerous precedent that personal grievances and procedural nitpicking can unseat anyone who dares to lead. Recalls are a vital safeguard in our republic. But, like any tool, they must be used responsibly and for their intended purpose. A recall’s purpose is to protect citizens from officials who abuse their office or blatantly violate their responsibilities — not to settle petty disagreements or advance personal agendas. This recall reeks of the latter and should dishearten all of us. ADVERTISEMENT Commissioner Fridrich, like his colleagues, answered the call to serve our community. That’s noble. We should commend, not condemn, those who take on the challenging, often thankless task of local governance. It is easy to criticize from the sidelines; it is much harder to step into the arena and do the work. We believe Fridrich has done so with dignity, in line with his oath of office, even if some disagree with his voting record or listen to claims from the “paperwork police” about supposed conspiracies. This recall election isn’t a victory for Dickinson. It’s a misuse of a valuable tool for no real purpose. We urge our readers and the citizens of Dickinson to recognize this special election for what it is: a social media-driven drama, not a legitimate effort to improve our city. Democracy isn’t a spectator sport, and governance tools shouldn’t be used as instruments of personal grievance. We call on Dickinson’s citizens to consider a different approach: We can do better, Dickinson. We deserve better. We deserve leaders willing to serve, even in the face of criticism. We deserve citizens willing to engage constructively, not tear down recklessly. And we deserve a city where public servants are respected for stepping into the arena, not targeted for doing their jobs.

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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 hems on whether trade penalties could raise prices 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. Trump suggests retribution for his opponents while claiming no interest in vengeance 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." Swift action on immigration is coming 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) Trump commits to NATO, with conditions, and waffles on Putin and Ukraine 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) Trump says Powell is safe at the Fed, but not Wray at the FBI 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 is absolute about Social Security, not so much on abortion and health insurance 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. Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, US Chapter, has urged the National Assembly to pass the Tax reform bills into laws without further delay, noting that it was quite evident the bills sought to address the plights of the poorest and most vulnerable in the country more than widely reported. The pan- Yoruba socio-political group made the call in a statement signed by President of the North America branch, Dr. Akindutire Durojaiye, copy of which was made available to newsmen on Sunday, warning that the danger in delaying their passage into laws for partisan reasons called for concern. “We have been following the ongoing debates on the proposed Tax Reform bills at the National Assembly with keen interest and want to admit despite its benefit for democracy, the danger in delaying its passage for partisan reasons calls for concern. ALSO READ: Delta not owing new minimum wage — Commissioner “As a group of concerned Nigerians and stakeholders in the well-being of our people, we have studied the proposed bills which seek to introduce standardized tax administration rules across board for the 3-tiers of government and put an end to the burden of multiple taxations. “In addition, the bills are drafted with the purpose of re-organizing and changing the name of the Agency from Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to Nigerian Revenue service (NRS) to reflect the synergy needed for efficient tax collections and services. “Therefore, having painstakingly followed these debates, engaged in, and listened attentively to stakeholders’ arguments in support of, or against the bills, it is quite evident these four (4) bills seek to address the plights of the poorest and most vulnerable in our midst, more than widely reported!,” the group said. Afenifere said the passage of the proposed bills, without an iota of doubt, would be another big win for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, coming on the heels of resuscitating the Port Harcourt Refinery. The group commended the Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, and his team for a job well done, “while we wait to congratulate Mr. President when he finally signs the bills into law.” Afenifere, while noting that it was not oblivious of the clandestine moves by some people with ulterior motives to give the proposed bills regional and tribal colorations to heat up the polity, however, pleaded with Nigerians home and abroad to ignore this divisive rhetoric and equally “persuade your representatives at the National assembly to pass these bills” into laws. The pan Yoruba socio- political group equally commended Channels Televisions for conducting a Townhall meeting between the committee led by Mr. Taiwo Oyedele and the people to discuss the proposed four (4) bills in great details for better understanding, describing such as brilliant move, just as it expressed the “hope to see more of such Townhall meetings organized by other independent media to engage stakeholders in a more robust discussion and wider consultations on the proposed Tax Reform Bills.” “Also, given the importance of information in revealing the plans, programs, and policies of government to the people, we observe the government’s media team needs to be brought up to speed in this regard. “We advise the Government media team to leverage on town meetings to bring the generality of the people on board on this Tax Bills issue and subsequent government initiatives. “At this crucial time in our polity, there must be zero tolerance for misinformation and disinformation from any quarters hence, the government’s media team needs to be on top of their game. “It’s high time they became more engaging in creating awareness including credible information on the government, its activities, initiatives and interventions instead of leaving such stories for the independent media to tell. “Because we acknowledge that a healthy reform is germane to effect a lasting change in any situation, we call for continuous engagement on this issue through the debates, consultations, lobbying and compromise needed for the bills to pass. “On this note, Afenifere US Chapter is appealing to the state governors, NASS members, political office holders and party chieftains who are still opposed to these bills on partisanship to do have a rethink. We specifically implore them to look at the bigger picture and reconsider their stand to support the proposed bills created to benefit the generality of the people,” Afenifere stated. NIGERIAN TRIBUNE Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel now

Syrian rebels have claimed victory over the Assad regime and taken the capital of Damascus, bringing an end to Bashar al-Assad’s more than two decade rule. What we know: After the military command of the Syrian opposition launched a surprise offensive in Aleppo just a week ago, the rebels over the weekend took control of the key city of Homs and the capital of Damascus ( Reuters ); According to Reuters , Syria’s army command told its officers on Sunday that the Assad government had been toppled and the dictator had fled to an unknown location; The rebel group in a statement claimed that Damascus was free of Assad’s rule, bringing an end to the “dark period and the beginning of a new era in Syria” ( The Age ); Russia confirmed that Assad had left office and fled the country, with a spokesperson for the foreign ministry saying he had given orders for a peaceful handover of power ( The Guardian ); It brings an end to the reign of the Assad family, which ruled over Syria for more than 50 years, while Bashar al-Assad had been in power since 2000; In a televised statement on Sunday afternoon, the Syrian rebels said they had released all the people being held at the large military prison on the outskirts of Damascus ( ABC ); The Syrian civil war has been raging for 13 years, with about 600,000 people killed and 12 million displaced, about half of the country’s population ( The Saturday Paper ); Assad’s family reportedly fled to Russia earlier on the weekend, but the Kremlin has since said that Moscow does not plan to assist the leader ( The Australian ); The Assad regime received little help from its key allies to repel the rebels, with Russia focused on its ongoing war with Ukraine and Hezbollah weakened by its conflict with Israel; UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres overnight praised the end of Syria’s “dictatorial regime” and said that “today the people of Syria can seize an historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future” ( Reuters ). Australia’s national science agency has rejected Peter Dutton’s claims that nuclear power is cheaper than renewable energy due to its operating life, with the Opposition Leader expected to reveal costings for the Coalition’s plan this week. What we know: CSIRO has today released its draft GenCost report, an annual assessment of electricity prices, which backs in its previous findings that nuclear energy is too slow to be implemented and too costly ( AFR ); The Coalition has previously railed against these claims and said that nuclear power plants could be established in Australia in less than 15 years, and that their longer operating life makes them cheaper; The CSIRO analysis , conducted with the Australian Energy Market Operator, rejected these claims; CSIRO chief energy economist and report lead Paul Graham said that the longer lifetime of nuclear energy gave it “no unique cost advantage” due to the substantial re-investment costs across this time, and that “similar cost savings can be achieved with shorter-lived technologies, including renewables ( The Guardian ); Dutton is expected to this week reveal costings of the Coalition’s plan to build seven nuclear reactors around Australia, with an aim for the first to come online in 2035 or 2037 ( The Saturday Paper ); The CSIRO report claimed that a nuclear reactor would not be able to produce any energy in Australia until at least 2040, and that it would cost between $145 and $238 per unit of generation, well above the price of firmed renewables; The report found the cost of electricity from a grid dominated by renewable energy with firming support in 2030 would be at least 50% and up to 300% cheaper than nuclear energy; It said the cost of building a 1000 megawatt nuclear plant in Australia for the first time would be up to $18bn; Following similar findings earlier this year, opposition energy spokesperson Ted O’Brien met with CSIRO and asked it to redo its modelling with key assumptions changed ( SMH ). The latest draft report has accommodated these changes and still found nuclear power to be far more expensive than “variable renewables” such as wind and solar power backed up with batteries and a transmission-line rollout. Victoria Police and the AFP will meet in Melbourne today to determine whether the firebombing of a synagogue on Friday was an act of terrorism, with the leaders of the two major parties both saying they believe it was ( The Age ). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday said he believed that the attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea was an act of terrorism ( ABC ). “If you want my personal view , quite clearly terrorism is something that is aimed at creating fear in the community and the atrocities that occurred at the synagogue in Melbourne clearly were designed to create fear in the community and, therefore, from my personal perspective, certainly fulfil that definition of terrorism,” Albanese said. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton earlier described it as a “national disgrace” and an “act of terrorism”, and blamed the federal government for its “grotesque stance” on the Israel-Palestine conflict ( The Australian ). In a social media post over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly linked the attack to Australia's voting record on the Gaza conflict at the UN. The federal government on Sunday announced a further $32.5m over 18 months as part of a new round of funding for Jewish communities, aiming to combat the rise in anti-Semitic incidents ( The Conversation ). The number of Australians becoming homeless has increased by more than 20% in the last three years, with a sharp increase in employed people accessing support services, according to a new report ( The Guardian ). The report by UNSW and Homelessness Australia found that an additional 10,000 Australians are becoming homeless every month, with about half of these people sleeping rough and the rest couch surfing or living in short-term accommodation. There has been a major increase in the number of people with jobs accessing homelessness services, up from 10.9% to 15.3% or 33,000, over the five years to 2022-23 ( Canberra Times ). UNSW Professor of Housing Research and report lead Hal Pawson said that the increase was largely driven by the increase in rent prices and that “rental affordability stress has deepened to such a degree that more people are being forced into situations of severe instability and rough sleeping” ( news.com.au ). Homelessness Australia chief Kate Colvin said that support services are “buckling” under pressure and that the new statistics need to be a “wake-up call for action”. South Korea’s former defence minister has been arrested over his role in the brief declaration of martial law in the country last week ( Reuters ). Prosecutors said that Kim Yong-hyun, who stepped down as defence minister last week following the rescinding of martial law, was arrested on Sunday, with reports he directly proposed martial law to President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon survived an attempt to impeach him in parliament on Saturday, but the leader of his party said that he would need to step down eventually ( The Guardian ). Members of the president’s party boycotted the impeachment attempt, with not enough votes cast for it to be counted ( SBS ). It comes after South Korea’s three minority opposition parties filed a complaint with the prosecution against the president, ex-defence minister and the martial law commander, accusing them of treason. Yoon imposed martial law in an unscheduled televised address late on Tuesday night last week, but the order was rescinded by the National Assembly just hours later ( The Saturday Paper ). Insiders have told The Saturday Paper that party members are not happy about the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's treatment of Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek when he overturned a deal on strengthened environmental laws that was struck with concessions from the Greens ( The Saturday Paper ). The creator of Raygun: The Musical, comedian Steph Broadbridge, confirmed on social media the show had been cancelled after receiving notice from lawyers, adding, “We will be back soon and with a whole new story arc to add" ( The Guardian ).Salesforce, Inc. ( NYSE:CRM – Get Free Report ) Director G Mason Morfit sold 15,353 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $340.55, for a total value of $5,228,464.15. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 2,898,509 shares in the company, valued at $987,087,239.95. This trade represents a 0.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . G Mason Morfit also recently made the following trade(s): Salesforce Stock Performance NYSE:CRM opened at $343.65 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 1.11. Salesforce, Inc. has a 1 year low of $212.00 and a 1 year high of $369.00. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $323.14 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $279.31. The company has a market cap of $328.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.52, a PEG ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 1.30. Salesforce Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 18th will be issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.47%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 18th. Salesforce’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.32%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Salesforce A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Independent Solutions Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 7.3% in the 3rd quarter. Independent Solutions Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,140 shares of the CRM provider’s stock worth $586,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the period. Legacy Wealth Management LLC MS purchased a new position in Salesforce during the 3rd quarter valued at $210,000. Garden State Investment Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in Salesforce by 28.0% during the 3rd quarter. Garden State Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,274 shares of the CRM provider’s stock valued at $898,000 after acquiring an additional 717 shares during the period. Copley Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Salesforce during the 3rd quarter valued at $463,000. Finally, Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas purchased a new position in Salesforce during the 3rd quarter valued at $15,894,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.43% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have issued reports on CRM. UBS Group raised their target price on Salesforce from $275.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Phillip Securities reissued an “accumulate” rating and issued a $305.00 target price on shares of Salesforce in a research report on Friday, August 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Salesforce from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Northland Securities reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $440.00 target price (up from $400.00) on shares of Salesforce in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Finally, Guggenheim reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Salesforce in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have assigned a buy rating and four have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $378.86. Read Our Latest Analysis on Salesforce Salesforce Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Salesforce, Inc provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and artificial intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer support at scale. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Salesforce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Salesforce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .