roulette casino

NoneAustralia will progress to the semi-finals of the Davis Cup after being taken to the deciding rubber in a 2-1 win over the United States of America overnight in Malaga. The result would come through victories from Thanasi Kokkinakis winning 6-1 4-6 7-6 (14) over world No.21 Ben Shelton and the doubles pair of Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson triumphing over the pair of Shelton and Tommy Paul 6-4 6-4. Alex de Minaur in his singles rubber would fall short after losing to Taylor Fritz in straight sets 6-3 6-4 which forced the deciding doubles rubber. With De Minaur coming into the squad for the first time this year after his ATP Finals campaign in Jeddah, there were questions surrounding the Australians of who between Alexi Popyrin and Thanasi Kokkinakis would play in the first tie against the USA. In the end, captain Lleyton Hewitt would end up selecting Kokkinakis over the higher-ranked Alexi Popyrin which surprised some fans and experts expecting the world No.24 in Popyrin to be selected against the US. While Kokkinakis may not have the higher rank over Popryin, he was coming into Malaga having won his last tournament at an ATP Challenger series in Sydney and had been unbeaten so far in his Davis Cup campaign this year. Thanasi Kokkinakis (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images) And Hewitt’s decision looked to have paid off with Kokkinakis storming away to win the set 6-1 in the space of 22 minutes with Shelton looking nervous in his debut at the Davis Cup, making eight unforced errors and a double fault on set point to give the South Australian the opening set. However, Shelton would recover from his shaky opening set to put Kokkinakis under pressure within the second set. He would break Kokkinakis at the start of the set to take a 1-0 lead with a service break. Kokkinakis did have multiple opportunities to break which included having three break points when the set was 3-2 in favour of Shelton. But the world No.21 would find a way to hold serve and would be able to close out the set. With this service break, he established in the first game; he would go on to win the second set 6-4. In the deciding set, Shelton and Kokkinakis would throw everything at it to try and win for their country but neither were able to break each other’s serve. Shelton would have multiple opportunities within the first game to break Kokkinakis’ serve and with the match poised at 5-5 to be able to serve for the win. But on both occasions, Kokkinakis fought off Shelton’s challenge and would serve through his ground game which would see the game go to a tiebreak. Going to a deciding tiebreak, both men would have multiple opportunities to win the match during the tiebreak with both seemingly finding ways to stay alive. And after 29 points in the tiebreak and what is now the longest tiebreak played by an Australian at a Davis Cup tie and the sixth-longest in Davis Cup history; Kokkinakis would covert his seventh chance at match point to win the tiebreak 16-14 and give Australia a 1-0 lead. Whilst an incredibly even match, it would ultimately be Shelton’s 29 unforced errors in comparison to Kokkinakis’ 15 that would split the difference. In his on-court interview after his victory, Kokkinakis went on to say: “It’s a massive win for me... Lleyton showed faith in me, anyone could have played but I just wanted to give it my all. “I don’t know if I’ve been that pumped up in my life, I wanted that one bad, I wanted to help my team.” Alex de Minaur. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) With Australia in the lead of the tie, the pressure on America’s No.1 player and the world No.4 Taylor Fritz would increase to try and keep the tie alive as he played Australia’s No.1 player and world No.9 Alex de Minaur in the second rubber. There would also be some pressure under De Minaur coming into the match to how much of an influence his hip injury that he sustained at Wimbledon would have on his performance. These two had just come back from the ATP Finals in which both would play each other in the round robin with Fritz coming back from losing the opening set to win in three helping him qualify for the final. And Fritz would continue his form from last week to start dominantly over De Minaur in the opening set, winning the first three games. While De Minaur was able to work himself back into the game managing to hold serve throughout the rest of the set, he was unable to break, seeing Fritz secure a 6-3 first-set win. With a more even end to the first set, De Minaur would begin the second set well starting his opening game with two aces to get the ball rolling which was followed up with the creation of two break point opportunities in the second game to break Fritz’s game, converting on the second break point in the game and create a service break. But Fritz would break back straight away bringing it back to an even score of 2-2 and each would hold serve until the ninth game in which Fritz would break De Minaur to lead 5-4 and then hold serve to win the set 6-4 and create a 1-1 draw leading into the final rubber of the tie. Fritz’s domination would show through the forced errors of De Minaur throughout the entire match with De Minaur making 28 forced errors to Fritz’s 18 which would give the US a fighting chance in the doubles. In the deciding doubles match, the US would make a late switch with captain Bob Bryan swapping out the experienced doubles players Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek for the pair of Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton whose main experience comes from the singles. The Australians would come in unchanged from their initial announcement pair of Olympic Gold Medallist Matthew Ebden and the world No.3 in doubles Jordan Thompson. The Ebden-Thompson pair would begin well getting the first break of the match within the opening set to push out to a quick 3-1 lead in the first set. Their experience in the doubles game became increasingly more and more evident in contrast to the US seemingly being able to keep more pressure on the US serve than what Paul and Shelton were able to do to them. And it would show as they closed out the set with a perfectly timed lob to close out the first set 6-4. The second set would see a slightly tighter match at play. Two volleys within the sixth game of the second set by Ebden would hit the net seeing the US get their first break point of the match. But Ebden would come through on the net to help hold serve. In the ninth game, with the match tied 4-4, Australia looked to have got its chance of breaking the US’s serve and being able to close out the rubber and tie for an Australian victory getting two break points at 15-40. However, it would not be without a fight with Shelton and Paul recovering to 40-40 and even getting an advantage. But Ebden and Thompson once again showed their experience and would secure the break and then hold serve to win 6-4 6-4. Australia will either have a rematch of the 2023 Davis Cup against Italy or Argentina in the semi-final. The semi-final tie will take place on Saturday night starting at 11pm AEDT as they hope to progress to the final and end their 21-year drought.Best Buy Weekend Doorbuster Deals - 65-Inch 4K TV For $320, Laptops For 40% Off, And MorePresident-elect Donald Trump said Friday he's in favor of eliminating daylight saving time, calling it "inconvenient" and "very costly" as his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) directors also push for action on the matter. "The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn't! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation," Trump posted on Truth Social Friday. While Trump tweeted, "Making Daylight Saving Time permanent is O.K. with me," in 2019, he appears to be changing course now. This comes as his DOGE directors, Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk and Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, have advocated for the time change to be eliminated. "Looks like the people want to abolish the annoying time change," Musk posted in response to a poll on X calling for DST to be abolished. "It's inefficient & easy to change," Ramaswamy responded. Any changes would need to be passed by Congress, and legislation on the issue has been considered before in recent years.roulette casino 。

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India To Face Off Pakistan In Dubai - Check Complete Schedule

Trump brings back government by social media

The future of business is here, and it’s powered by artificial intelligence. BRISBANE, Australia , Dec. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Click Start Digital, a leader in e-commerce business solutions, has launched its new AI-Integrated Training Platform, designed to help entrepreneurs start and scale their online businesses with ease. This upgrade enhances its renowned training programs by integrating AI tools for market research, automation, and growth strategies. With over 13 years of expertise, Click Start Digital is revolutionizing the way entrepreneurs approach business, delivering smarter, faster results using cutting-edge technology. How to Launch Your E-Commerce Business Using AI Click Start Digital combines innovative AI tools with proven expertise to make launching an online store simple and effective. For those wondering how to start a business, the platform offers a transformative approach. From idea generation to scaling, entrepreneurs gain the knowledge, tools, and strategies they need to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace. What Sets Click Start Digital Apart? “Artificial intelligence is transforming how we do business, and we’re thrilled to bring this innovation to aspiring entrepreneurs,” says Samantha Hurst , founder of Click Start Digital. “With our training and tools, anyone can start an e-commerce business, simplify operations, and achieve results faster than ever.” Why AI is a Game-Changer for E-Commerce AI tools are reshaping business operations with benefits such as predictive analytics for high-demand products and automation for personalized customer experiences. With Click Start Digital, entrepreneurs can: Click Start Digital ensures that starting an e-commerce business is not just possible but sustainable with the power of AI. About Click Start Digital For over a decade, Click Start Digital has helped entrepreneurs launch and grow successful e-commerce businesses. Combining bespoke websites, AI-powered tools, and expert support, it has become a trusted partner for thousands turning their business dreams into reality. To learn more, visit Click Start Digital . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/how-to-start-an-e-commerce-business-using-ai-302331732.html SOURCE Click Start DigitalShopping the best toys for the kids in your life can be truly challenging, especially if they're in the toddler age range. It requires dedicated research to discover which toys are most popular, which toys are age appropriate, and which toy they will truly love and enjoy playing with. Remember, their budding interests are waiting to be explored, so a bit of trial and error may be needed to discover the toys that resonate best with them. Luckily, Amazon has a whole section dedicated to the best toys for kids, including the best-selling toys and top-rated ones, too. Ahead, we narrowed down the best toys for little kids to shop on Amazon this holiday season. We found options for all interests, whether they enjoy a hands-on building project, being active, or a unique sensory toy . Many of them are even designed for little ones, thus making it so much easier for us adults to put together. Whether you're shopping for your toddler, your niece or nephew , or your best friend's children, keep scrolling to shop the 12 best toys for little kids on Amazon. 30 of the Best Gifts For 2-Year-Olds Best Crystal Ball Toy Magic Mixies Magical Misting Crystal Ball ($42, originally $85) If your little one has an interest in magic, this enchanting crystal ball will be a perfect fit for them. They can use the included wand to cast spells, and the crystal ball responds accordingly. Best Activity Book Melissa & Doug Water Wow! On The Farm Activity Book ($8) The beauty of this activity book is that it can be reused over and over again. How it works is that it features four reusable white pages with line drawings, and when children use a water pen on them, they come to life with color. Best Sensory Toy BUNMO Pop Tubes ($7, originally $12) These colorful tubes stretch over two feet and can connect for hours of sensorial entertainment. Whether they create shapes or simply make sounds with them, they'll be a hit (for under $10, no less!). Best Building Set PicassoTiles 60 Piece Set ($18, originally $26) Kids can build any structure they can dream up with these colorful tiles. It's the number one bestseller in "Toy Magnetic Building Sets" on Amazon, with an overwhelming amount of five-star ratings. Ideal for ages three and up, they also make a great gift idea. Best Stuffed Animal TeeTurtle The Original Reversible Octopus Plushie ($13, originally $15) For those with little ones who adore their stuffed animals and plushies, this reversible octopus toy is a must-have. With its super-soft texture, it's perfect for cuddling, but what makes it even more special is its dual purpose: it doubles as a communication tool. Your child can express themselves by flipping it inside out, revealing a happy or sad face. Best Modeling Compound Play-Doh Modeling Compound 24-Pack ($15, originally $22) Go back to basics with this Play-Doh kit. Little ones will have hours of fun unleashing their creativity with all the different colors. Best Sensory Play Set Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin ($15) There are several versions of this sensory bin toy, each uniquely themed to cater to different interests. For instance, this particular one comes stocked with all the essentials to create pretend ice cream cones or bowls. However, there's also an exciting construction zone version, an adventurous dinosaur dig edition, and more. Shop From These LGBTQ-Owned Businesses For the Coolest Holiday Gifts Best Sports Toy VTech Smart Shots Sports Center ($34, originally $40) If your child likes to be active, they'll likely love this sports center. They can choose between soccer or basketball, and there's even an LED scoreboard that counts baskets and goals up to 10. Best Splash Pad SplashEZ 3-in-1 Splash Pad ($24, originally $40) This splash pad is ideal for playing in the summer heat. The base is decorated with animals from A to Z, creating a perfect environment for kids to stay cool while learning the alphabet at the same time. Best Play Tent Space World Play Tent ($24, originally $35) Your kiddo will love this play tent. They can explore the great cosmos and beyond right in your living room — but it's suitable for outdoor use, too. Best Basketball Set Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set ($50) Whether you place this basketball hoop indoors or outdoors, it's bound to keep tykes active. The hoop adjusts height, and it also comes with three junior-size basketballs. Best Bubbles Fubbles Bubbles ($16, originally 18) Bubbles are the ultimate toddler delight, and this bucket full of them is perfect for your "I-can-do-it" little one. With a spill-proof design, it ensures mess-free fun, and the convenient handle makes it easy to carry around. Anvita Reddy (she/her) is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and reviews home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She tests skin care, makeup, and hair care, plus countless other beauty products.

Adams administration officials pushed back against a bill seeking to license electric bicycles and motorized scooters during a contentious Council hearing on Wednesday, citing its potential to bring more enforcement against delivery workers in pursuit of traffic safety. The bill sponsored by Councilmember Bob Holden and backed by dozens of his colleagues would require e-bikes and other motorized micromobility vehicles not subject to state licensing laws to be licensed and registered on the city level. The bill is a response to a ballooning number of e-bikes and e-scooters in recent years after they were legalized in New York City and state. Holden and his supporters say the proliferation of the vehicles on sidewalks and streets has imperiled the safety of pedestrians and cyclists and argue the bill is a common-sense measure in the interest of public safety. Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the administration agreed with the bill's logic, but raised concerns about potential unintended consequences. Delivery workers would bear the brunt of enforcement, he argued, echoing advocates' worries. He also warned that a city-level licensing authority for these vehicles would weigh heavily on the agency’s resources — essentially creating a micro DMV in the city's Department of Transportation. “We agree with the intent, but we believe that mandating registration and licensing is not a solution,” Rodriguez said. Holden said it was the city’s responsibility to protect residents against new dangers. “Opponents of this bill have tried to make this about everything but traffic safety,” Holden said. “They deflected, exaggerated and even stirred racial unrest, claiming this bill will lead to unwarranted police stops, as if breaking traffic laws and endangering lives should somehow be excused or ignored.” Rodriguez emphasized that the vast majority of traffic deaths this year involved cars and other large vehicles — 105 pedestrian fatalities, per his agency’s count. By contrast, he said six people died this year as a result of collisions with e-bikes, mopeds and stand-up scooters. Still, city officials are under pressure to act. “This is baloney. You're taking transit and making it a racial issue?” said Councilmember Vickie Paladino. “Absolutely not. This is a safety issue.” Also on the committee’s agenda was a separate resolution from Councilmember Gale Brewer, who is throwing her support behind a state bill that would limit licensing to commercially used e-bikes. The bill's critics have argued that delivery workers are under immense pressure from their delivery app employers to get to their destinations as quickly as possible, often at the cost of their own safety. “We have to be clear that if passed, the legislation would have a disparate impact on low-income individuals, people of color, and undocumented migrants,” Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said. “Undocumented immigrants might be reluctant to fill out applications to register their bicycles, but they might not be more reluctant to ride the bicycles.”

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 2:49 p.m. EST

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers with a sore throwing shoulder. Purdy injured his right shoulder in last Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks . Purdy underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage but the shoulder didn't improve during the week and Purdy was ruled out for the game. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Homeland Security shares new details of mysterious drone flights over New Jersey, lawmaker says A New Jersey lawmaker from part of the state where several mysterious drones have been spotted in recent week says the devices appear to avoid detection by traditional methods. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia was among state officials who met Wednesday with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security. She says lawmakers were told the drones have dodged detection by helicopters and radio. Fantasia says DHS described the devices as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights off. The Morris County Republican made the comments in a post on X shortly after she and several other state and local lawmakers met with state police and Homeland Security officials. Rape allegation against Jay-Z won’t impact NFL's relationship with music mogul, Goodell says IRVING, Texas (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says a rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z won’t impact the NFL's relationship with the music mogul. Jay-Z's company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL’s entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show. A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 amended the lawsuit Sunday to include an allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z says the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Gastineau confronts Favre in documentary for his 'dive' on Strahan's record-breaking sack Former New York Jets star Mark Gastineau confronted Brett Favre last year at a memorabilia show and angrily accused the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback of deliberately going down on a record-breaking sack. The tense exchange is shown in the new ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “The New York Sack Exchange." It chronicles the Jets’ fearsome foursome defensive line of the 1980s that included Gastineau. Gastineau set an NFL record with 22 sacks in 1984, but Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan broke the mark when he sacked Favre in 2002 in a game between the Giants and Packers. Many have accused Favre of purposely taking the sack so Strahan could set the single-season record with 22 1/2. NFL and Nike extend their partnership with a 10-year deal, will focus on growing the sport globally IRVING, Texas (AP) — The NFL’s desire to become a global powerhouse is no secret. Nike is committed to helping the league continue expanding its worldwide reach. The league and the apparel giant announced Wednesday a 10-year partnership extension. The NFL and Nike will focus on working together to grow the game’s global reach, increase participation, develop new talent, and expand the football fan base. Nike, the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, has been the NFL’s exclusive provider of uniforms and sideline, practice and base layer apparel for all 32 NFL teams for 12 years. George Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, dies at age 89 NEW YORK (AP) — George Joseph Kresge Jr., otherwise known to TV watchers as the mesmerizing entertainer and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin, has died at age 89. Kreskin’s friend and former road manager, Ryan Galway, says he died Tuesday at his home in Caldwell, New Jersey. Kreskin launched his television career in the 1960s and remained popular for decades, appearing with everyone from Merv Griffin to Johnny Carson to Jimmy Fallon. Fans would welcome, if not entirely figure out, his favorite mind tricks — whether correctly guessing a playing card chosen at random, or, most famously, divining where his paycheck had been planted among the audience. He also hosted a show in the 1970s, gave live performances and wrote numerous books. Albertsons sues Kroger for failing to win approval of their proposed supermarket merger Kroger and Albertsons’ plan for the largest U.S. supermarket merger in history has crumbled. The two companies have accused each other of not doing enough to push their proposed alliance through, and Albertsons pulled out of the $24.6 billion deal on Wednesday. The bitter breakup came the day after a federal judge in Oregon and a state judge in Washington issued injunctions to block the merger, saying that combining the two grocery chains could reduce competition and harm consumers. Albertsons is now suing Kroger, seeking a $600 million termination fee, as well as billions of dollars in legal fees and lost shareholder value. Kroger says the legal claims are “baseless.” Keynote Selena Gomez spotlights prioritizing mental health during Academy Women's Luncheon LOS ANGELES (AP) — While surveying a room packed with Hollywood’s most influential figures, “Emilia Pérez” star Selena Gomez took center stage at the Academy Women’s Luncheon to spotlight a critical issue: Prioritizing mental health and supporting underserved communities often left behind in the conversation. The singer-actor has been public about her mental health struggles, revealing she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Gomez was the keynote speaker Tuesday at the event held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures with attendees including Ariana Grande, Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Pamela Anderson, Rita Wilson, Ava DuVernay and Awkwafina. Rural resurrection: A Greek village leans into faith in fight against demographic collapse FOURNA, Greece (AP) — In the remote mountains of central Greece lies Fourna, a village in danger of disappearing due to its aging population. An unlikely duo, the local priest and a schoolteacher, has joined forces to raise money to attract families and breathe life back into their community. The grassroots effort has brought more children to the school and is attracting national attention in a country grappling with one of the world’s worst demographic crises. In Greece, deaths outnumber births by nearly two-to-one. The Orthodox Church argues that incentives being offered by the government are welcome but insufficient to reverse the dire trends. The church is pleading with Greeks to restore their traditional faith in family. Analysis: After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon For the second straight Major League Baseball offseason, a norm-shattering contract has been the talk of the winter, with Juan Soto agreeing with the New York Mets on a $765 million, 15-year deal that’s the richest in baseball history. It comes almost exactly one year after the Los Angeles Dodgers forked out a princely sum of $700 million on a 10-year, heavily deferred deal for two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani. The way it’s going, a contract approaching $1 billion doesn’t seem out of the question. But several factors are working against it — at least in the near future.

How Sophie Rain is spending her $43 million OnlyFans fortune... and her plans to get even richer in 2025US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to demand control of the Panama Canal be returned to Washington, complaining of "unfair" treatment of American ships and hinting at China's growing influence. Here are five things to know about the waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The 80-kilometer (50-mile) interoceanic waterway is operated by the Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous public entity. The Central American nation's constitution describes the canal as an "inalienable heritage of the Panamanian nation" that is open to vessels "of all nations." The United States is its main user, accounting for 74 percent of cargo, followed by China with 21 percent. Panama's government sets the price of tolls based on canal needs and international demand. Rates depends on a vessel's cargo capacity. "The canal has no direct or indirect control from China, nor the European Union, nor the United States or any other power," Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino said Sunday as he dismissed Trump's threat. All vessels, including warships and submarines, are given a Panama Canal pilot. Panama's independence from Colombia in 1903 is linked to the canal. Following the failure of French count Ferdinand de Lesseps to open a channel through the isthmus, the United States promoted the separation of the province of Panama and signed a treaty with the nascent country that ceded land and water in perpetuity to build it. After 10 years of construction and an investment of $380 million, the canal was inaugurated on August 15, 1914 with the transit of the steamer Ancon. Some 25,000 deaths from disease and accidents were recorded during its construction. The canal "is part of our history" and "an irreversible achievement," Mulino said. Washington's establishment of a "Canal Zone" -- an enclave with its own military bases, police and justice system -- gave rise to decades of demands by Panamanians to reunify the country and take control of the waterway. In 1977, Panamanian nationalist leader Omar Torrijos and US president Jimmy Carter signed treaties that allowed the canal to be transferred to Panama on December 31, 1999. "Any attempt to reverse this historic achievement not only dishonors our struggle, but is also an insult to the memory of those who made it possible," former president Martin Torrijos, the general's son, wrote on social media. Under the treaties, supported by more than 40 countries, the canal is deemed neutral and any ship can pass through. The only conditions are that ships must comply with safety regulations and military vessels from countries at war must not pass through at the same time. Unlike Egypt's Suez Canal, the Panama Canal operates using freshwater stored in two reservoirs. A drought led to a reduction in the number of transits in 2023, but the situation has since normalized. The canal, which has a system of locks to raise and lower vessels, transformed global shipping. Crafts can travel between the two oceans in about eight hours without having to sail all the way around Cape Horn, the southern tip of the Americas. The canal allows a ship to shave 20,300 kilometers off a journey from New York to San Francisco. Five percent of world maritime trade passes through the canal, which connects more than 1,900 ports in 170 countries. By the early 21st century, it had become too small, so it was expanded between 2009 and 2016. Today, the canal can accommodate ships up to 366 meters long and 49 meters wide (1,200 feet by 161 feet) -- equivalent to almost four football pitches. It generates six percent of Panama's national economic output and since 2000 has pumped more than $28 billion into state coffers. More than 11,200 ships transited the canal in the last fiscal year carrying 423 million tons of cargo. jjr/fj/dr/mlm

It’s a testament to the energy and drive of Elon Musk that he’s now a key adviser to an incoming president of the United States that he helped elect this year — and this is a side project for him. What stamp-collecting is to most us — something we make time for when not engaged in our day jobs — influencing the future direction of the United States government is to Musk. This is not to minimize his significance. Far from it. The revolutionary businessman represents a distinctive and unexpected contribution to the Trump coalition. From the perspective of a decade ago, if you had said the most visionary and wealthy entrepreneur on the planet was at the right hand of a Republican president-elect, promising to cut a couple of trillion of dollars from the federal budget and bring massive innovation to the economy, you might have assumed Paul Ryan or someone in his ideological camp had gotten elected. The former Speaker of the House and vice-presidential nominee was a relentless advocate of entrepreneurship, economic dynamism and a slimmed-down government. Within the GOP, the rise of Trump the populist put the political squeeze on the likes of Ryan, whose business-oriented, free-market creed suddenly felt stale and out-of-touch. Now, a version of that worldview has returned via Musk. To be sure, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX is a different animal. He has an in-your-face persona, a bit of a Silicon Valley version of Trump. He’s been radicalized on immigration, becoming a fierce opponent of Joe Biden’s open border. He’s cultural warrior seeking to destroy what he calls “the woke mind virus.” And he is hated with a passion by the other side, which would shut him down if it could. The Biden SEC has notably clashed with him, and is trying to sanction him for how he acquired Twitter. All of this, and especially that acquisition, have made him a populist hero in his own right, even as he champions an economic dynamism that would have thrilled conventional Republicans from the pre-Trump era. Trump contains multitudes. Part of him is an inward-looking protectionist who believes, almost no matter what, that we are getting ripped off by foreign countries. Part of him is also a champion of endless possibility. Part of him is a tribune of the working class. Part of him is also inclined to make the stock market the economic measure of all things. He’ll talk of American carnage, and of an American golden age. This is a protean mix, and subject to change depending on circumstances and who is around Trump at any given point. A danger of populism is that it can succumb to pure nostalgia and become overly defensive, giving in to a distrust of technology, big companies and economic change. So long Musk is a major player in Trump’s world, there is a strong counter to this tendency. Musk is the paladin of a future ripped from the covers of paperback science-fiction novels circa 1950 — rocket ships, futuristic cars, robots and giant tunnel-boring machines. He has almost single-handedly changed Republican attitudes toward Big Tech. He’s proven that you can be a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and not be woke or a cowardly fellow-traveler with left-wing politics. There’s still plenty of contempt of and distrust for tech companies on the right, but now it is Democrats who talk more of ideas like repealing Section 230 to hobble social-media companies. At the same time, Musk’s DOGE has made talk of cutting government fashionable again on the right, when this priority had mostly lost out to other concerns since the advent of the Trump era. The hope that DOGE will cut as much as $2 trillion from the budget is unrealistic, but any savings and efficiencies would be welcome. Who knows how effective Musk will be in his role as a change agent confronting government, the most difficult institution to change? Sending a man to Mars might be easier. But Musk brings a boundless optimism and can-do verve to the effort, and he’s a healthy new ingredient to Trump’s populist mix. Twitter: @RichLowry

Bowls miss out in 4 CFP teams in latest postseason twist

As President-elect Donald Trump shapes his second administration, the country is getting a preview of what the next four years may look like. Early in December Trump filled the last slot of his core cabinet with Brooke Rollin's Secretary of Agriculture nomination. Now he has started to flesh out different departments and name additional leaders for his upcoming term. Among those named are several celebrity figures like TV show host Mehmet Oz , better known as Dr. Oz, who Trump tapped for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator. There's also former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon who was picked to lead the Department of Education and former NFL player Scott Turner named to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Trump has brought some newer faces to America's top politics with investment company executive and art collector John Phelan and media host Sebastian Gorka. The two have been named as Secretary of the Navy and Senior Director for Counterterrorism, respectively. Other notable names include disbarred attorney Charles Kushner as Trump's pick for Ambassador to France. Kushner is Trump's son-in-law's father and was pardoned by Trump in 2020 after pleading guilty in 2003 to having made false statements to the Federal Election Commission, among other subsequent charges. Trump has announced new roles will be coming in his administration, most notably the Department of Government Efficiency that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been appointed to lead. The group, coined "DOGE," has been tasked with eliminating excess government waste and spending. Trump has also asked technology investor David Sacks to act as his new AI and crypto czar , and has named former acting ICE director Tom Homan as the country's border czar. While nearly 100 positions have been named, many still face what may be a long and arduous Senate confirmation process ahead — one that some may not make it through. Already, some of the picks have caused controversy. Facing opposition over alleged sex trafficking , Trump's initial pick for attorney general, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew from the nomination. Trump has now called former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi up to fill the role. Questions have also circled around Trump's selection of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. The Fox News political commentator has come under scrutiny for a sexual assault allegation , which he has denied, and has been meeting with senators to salvage the nomination.

LEVERKUSEN, Germany, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Bayer Leverkusen got their Champions League campaign back on track with a 5-0 home win over RB Salzburg on Tuesday, with Florian Wirtz scoring twice and the visitors having goalkeeper Alexander Schlager to thank for avoiding an even bigger defeat. Leverkusen's return to winning ways, after they were beaten 4-0 at Liverpool and drew 1-1 with Brest, moves them on to 10 points while Salzburg remain on three points after suffering their fourth defeat in five matches. The home side raced into an early lead with Wirtz scoring from the penalty spot in the eighth minute and Alejandro Grimaldo netting from a free kick three minutes later. Wirtz scored again on the half-hour as Leverkusen threatened to run riot and Patrik Schick added a fourth goal 16 minutes after the break before Aleix Garcia rounded off the win 18 minutes from time. Xabi Alonso's side could easily have been further out of sight at halftime as the Germans found it far too easy to find their way into the Salzburg area. The game was two minutes old when Wirtz signalled the danger, twisting and turning in the area before getting a shot away which the keeper got a hand to. It took a penalty to open the scoring, with Salzburg's Samson Baidoo punished for a handball, and Wirtz sending keeper Schlager the wrong way. They doubled their lead when a foul on Wirtz just outside the area led to the free kick and Schlager could only stand and watch as Grimaldo's strike sailed into the opposite corner. Wirtz then scored his fifth goal in five games in the competition when he collected Grimaldo's pass on the edge of the area before dribbling past two defenders and sending his low shot into the far corner. Schlager pulled off saves from Grimaldo, Jeremie Frimpong, Exequiel Palacios and Granit Xhaka and Salzburg manager Pep Lijnders probably felt relieved when he took a glance at the scoreboard before walking off at the break. Leverkusen's intensity dropped a little after the restart but it was still all too simple to create chances and when Frimpong sent a perfect ball into the area Schick had the simplest of tap-ins. Alonso began to make changes, and it was one of the substitutes Aleix Garcia who got on the end of a Wirtz cross to send a powerful shot into the net to finish off the scoring. Up next for Leverkusen is another home game when they face Inter Milan while Salzburg host Paris St Germain. Sign up here. Reporting by Trevor Stynes; editing by Toby Davis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Freshman wide receiver George Dimopoulos threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dane Pardridge on the first play of double overtime and Jordan Hansen ended the game on a fourth-down sack to give Northern Illinois a 28-20 victory over Fresno State on Monday in the Idaho Potato Bowl. Dimopoulos, who played quarterback in high school, also converted the two-point conversion when he passed it to quarterback Josh Holst for his second completion of the season. Holst, a freshman walk-on, was making just his third start at quarterback as NIU was without starter Ethan Hampton, who entered with 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns to go with six interceptions. Holst completed 18 of 30 passes for 182 and two touchdowns for Northern Illinois (8-5). He was also intercepted on the first play of the game. Both teams missed a 35-yard field goal in the final three minutes of regulation, including Dylan Lynch's third miss of the game on the final play to send it to overtime. Fresno State started overtime with a touchdown when Bryson Donelson was left wide open out of the backfield to haul in a 9-yard touchdown pass. NIU needed five plays, and a defensive holding penalty, to score as Holst found Grayson Barnes for a 3-yard touchdown. Donelson finished with 15 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown for Fresno State (6-7). He added three catches for 28 yards and another score. Dual-threat quarterback Joshua Wood was 16 of 23 for 180 yards and a touchdown. Mac Dalena made six catches for 118 yards to help go over 1,000 yards for the season. Fresno State was without 14 players, including starting quarterback Mikey Keene after he transferred to Michigan. Two top-three receivers, Jalen Moss and Raylen Sharpe, also did not play as the Bulldogs were forced to use five new starters. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballNone