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President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will nominate former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., to lead the Small Business Administration in his second term. "I am very pleased to nominate business leader and former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler, from the Great State of Georgia, to serve as Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA)," Trump wrote on Truth Social . Trump called Loeffler "a tremendous fighter in the U.S. Senate during the first Trump Administration" and said she would "bring her experience in business and Washington to reduce red tape, and unleash opportunity for our Small Businesses to grow, innovate, and thrive." Trump announced l ast month that Loeffler would co-chair the organization planning his inauguration. Loeffler, 53, represented Georgia in the Senate for just over a year in 2020 and 2021, filling the seat left by the late Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., when he resigned because of health reasons. She ran in the 2020 special election for the seat but lost in a runoff election to Democrat Raphael Warnock . After the 2020 election, as Trump pushed his claims of widespread voter fraud, Loeffler repeatedly refused to acknowledge that he had lost the presidential election. NBC News reported last year that a special grand jury in Georgia that initially investigated Trump's efforts to overturn the election results recommended indict ing more than three dozen people , including 21 who weren't charged in the Fulton County case. Loeffler was among those the panel recommended, but she was ultimately not charged. Trump has named other choices for his future Cabinet who also expressed doubt about his loss in the 2020 election, including Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., his pick for ambassador to the U.N. ; Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. , chosen for secretary of state ; and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi , selec t ed for attorney general . Loeffler is the founder of the company RallyRight, which is described as “a suite of technology products designed to empower conservatives with the necessary tools to win at every level.” She is also on the board for the application PublicSquare, which is described as the “largest marketplace & payments ecosystem that protects life, family, and freedom.” She previously owned a 49% stake in the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, which was sold in 2021 . The small business administrator is subject to Senate confirmation.

Though universities are supposed to be citadels of learning and centres of excellence, their collective reputation has been seriously damaged by reports of sexual harassment in many of these institutions. The Federal Government’s directive to these universities to establish Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) to address cases of sexual harassment, gender-based violence and students offering lecturers sex in exchange for good grades on campuses points to the concern in highest quarters over these reports. At a recent national summit on sexual harassment in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, called on the universities to “prioritize the establishment of SARCs to ensure timely intervention and support for survivors within their communities.” According to her, there are only 47 Sexual Assault Referral Centres across 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This, she said, was far from enough. While highlighting government’s commitment to champion gender equality and eradicate gender-based violence, the minister announced FG’s plans to unveil nationwide campaign against sexual harassment in collaboration with universities and other stakeholders. No doubt, sexual assault is quite prevalent in many of our universities. In 2019, the BBC Africa Eye documentary, titled ‘Sex for Grades’, revealed sexual escapades of some lecturers in the University of Lagos and University of Ghana in Accra. Following the investigation of the matter, the University of Lagos later sacked the two lecturers involved in the documentary. A few days ago, the Federal University in Oye Ekiti cleared Ms Ramota Olahanloye to graduate after the re-marking of her final-year exam scripts. Olahanloye had accused a lecturer, Dr. Anthony Agbegbedia, of deliberately failing her in her two final-year courses because she refused his sexual advances. In 2018, a court in Osun State sentenced a lecturer, Richard Akindele, to two years in prison for sexual harassment of his student, Monica Osagie. Last year, some law students of the University of Calabar accused their dean, Professor Cyril Ndifon, of sexual harassment. Though Ndifon denied it, the university authorities suspended him and he is currently on trial for the alleged offence. A World Bank survey in 2018 indicated that 70 per cent of female graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions had been sexually harassed in school by lecturers and fellow students. In a recent report, the Alliance for Africa (AFA) and the Committee of Gender Directors in Nigerian Universities (CGDNU) noted that 63 per cent of female students had been sexually harassed in 12 universities. These 12 universities are Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State; University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Kaduna State University, Kaduna State; Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State; Nasarawa State University, Nasarawa State; University of Jos, Plateau State; Bayero University, Kano, Kano State; Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State; University of Lagos, Lagos State; University of Ibadan, Oyo State; and University of Abuja, FCT. This is quite unfortunate. Outside the campuses, female students also face serious sexual harassment and even rape in some cases. In 2020, a 100-level student of the University of Benin, Miss Uwaila Omozuwa, was raped and murdered inside a church in Benin City. The same year, some hoodlums raped Miss Barakat Bello, a student of the Federal College of Animal and Production Technology, Apata, Ibadan, at her home in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and hacked her to death. Experts estimate that, globally, about 35 per cent of women have experienced one form of sexual harassment or the other in their lifetime. The worst is that some of them are seen as liars and willing accomplices. The emotional and psychological trauma these victims of sexual assault go through, especially in the universities, cannot be imagined. Some of them suffer low self-esteem and have trouble concentrating in class. Sometimes, they even think of leaving school. So far, the initiatives to combat this problem appear not working effectively. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015 has only been domesticated in a few states. Also, the Sexual Harassment Bill passed by the 9th Senate in July 2020 does not have presidential assent yet. It proposes two years imprisonment for lecturers found guilty of sexual harassment. University authorities should encourage victims to report any sexual harassment early enough. Measures should be put in place to protect those who may wish to report such harassment from victimization or stigmatization. This will require creating safe and several anonymous reporting options for the victims. School authorities should also provide such victims with counselling and legal assistance. Every higher institution must have a clear-cut policy on sexual harassment and the punishment that follows when such act is committed. Schools should create awareness on these measures and the rights of students to seek redress in case of violation.Deepika Padukone makes a stylish return at Diljit Dosanjh Bengaluru concert

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Robert Braswell scores 19 to help Charlotte earn 77-63 victory over Georgia StateWHEN is actually the best time to suspend classes? The Department of Education’s (DepEd) Order 37 serves as the basis for automatic class suspensions, tied to storm signal warnings issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). For instance, classes in all levels are only canceled automatically in areas under Signal No. 3. The order also indicates that local government heads can announce class suspensions based on local conditions, a decentralized approach that allows flexibility. Pagasa’s current system issues warnings with varying durations depending on the severity of the storm; the lead time decreases as the signal number increases. Signal No. 1, for example, allows up to 36 hours of lead time before the expected onslaught of a storm. For Ricarido Saturay, a science high-school teacher, the lead time is not always indicative of an immediate threat, as wind impacts may not be felt for hours. As such, suspending classes too early may result in missed learning days. Saturay majored in geology for both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and holds a PhD in data science. “The 36 hours, it’s such a long time, but it’s good to be prepared ahead,” he told BusinessMirror in a mix of English and Filipino. “But as I was thinking, how long does it take for you to send your kids back to their homes? You could have one or two days [of class] that you will miss ... you still won’t [really] experience that wind threat in 36 hours.” The last academic year lost a total of 55 teaching days, according to the government think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), due to typhoons, conflict, and school celebrations, among others. Karol Mark Yee, executive director of the Second Congressional Commission on Education, lamented that the whopping number of disruptions provided “very limited time” for students to “absorb the lessons.” Emphasizing the need to effectively communicate lead time to the public, Saturay expressed a belief that DO 37 could still be enforced while suggesting that automatic class suspensions should not be declared immediately upon raising a storm signal. “There can still be an automatic suspension but they shouldn’t say automatic suspension immediately upon raising,” he said. “Maybe give it 12 hours or 24 hours after the signal number is raised, then it can still be an automatic suspension.” The teacher’s advice to DepEd? “In consultation with Pagasa, they should set the appropriate time for suspension.” Amend DO 37? On November 20, an education undersecretary said that his principal, Secretary Sonny Angara, vowed that DO 37 would be amended to ensure the balance between students’ safety and the need for uninterrupted learning. “His instruction was that by next week, we should report our draft amendments to DO 37,” Undersecretary for governance and field operations Revsee Escobedo said in a radio interview. “What Secretary Angara wants is to have a balance between prioritizing the safety and welfare of our teachers and learners, but on the other hand, ensure that the class suspensions are reasonable and would not further exacerbate the learning crisis that we are currently in,” he added. Pagasa side THE lead time, while helpful, is not always sufficient to fully prepare for the storm, especially in terms of the amount of rainfall that can arrive even before the wind does, according to Pagasa Zamboanga officer-in-charge Rodel Inclan. “In those short periods, there are a lot of things that can happen,” he said during a hydrometeorological risk reduction forum on November 22. “The signal number given is only for the strength of the wind. But the rain, most likely, is already in that area.” Inclan said it’s better to be prepared before it’s too late. “It’s not exactly 36 hours,” he said. “So at least we can prepare and take care of our kids.” He added that whether earlier class suspensions are recommended depends on the specific conditions of each area. “There are some places where they have a signal number, but they don’t flood, they don’t have an open area, or the effect is less on them,” Inclan stressed. Still, he clarified that the decision to cancel classes—whether in-person, online or both—ultimately lies within the purview of the DepEd and local government units (LGUs). “In our agency, we provide the scenario and the information, but the ultimate decision is taken by DepEd. They are the deciding factor,” the Pagasa officer said. “What we do is that we give them the information, and based on that information, they are going to create or they are going to have the decision-making.” Solidum: Lead time for preps Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum emphasized that the lead time has more to do with preparations. “The wind signals have a lead time before the effect is felt. This is to provide early warning for preparedness,” he told the BusinessMirror in a Viber message. He added, “Hence what can be reviewed are the SOPs [standard operating procedures] by DepEd, LGU and NDRRMC [National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council] based on warning. But rainfall is another consideration and rainfall warning information is also available.” In an email to the BusinessMirror, Pagasa advocated a rationalized approach to class suspensions by prioritizing safety while minimizing disruptions to education. “Much of the disruptive nature of suspension in relation to wind signal was brought about by the recent changes in the automatic class suspension guidelines...without due consideration of the lead time or the level of potential impacts from winds,” said Robb Gile, a senior weather specialist. “To ensure a balance between safety and educational continuity, TCWS [tropical cyclone wind signal] can be used as basis for automatic suspension of classes by considering...the lead time available based on the time of hoisting of a signal level,” he added. The agency also suggested involving predisaster risk assessment (PDRA) meetings to guide suspension decisions. “A possible way forward which may be considered is to base the suspension decision on the result of the PDRA meeting undertaken by the NDRRMC, regional DRRM councils, and local DRRM offices.”

Kinder Morgan Inc. stock rises Thursday, outperforms marketA melee broke out at midfield of Ohio Stadium after Michigan upset No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday. After the Wolverines' fourth straight win in the series, players converged at the block "O" to plant its flag. The Ohio State players were in the south end zone singing their alma mater in front of the student section. When the Buckeyes saw the Wolverines' flag, they rushed toward the 50-yard line. Social media posts showed Michigan offensive lineman Raheem Anderson carrying the flag on a long pole to midfield, where the Wolverines were met by dozens of Ohio State players and fights broke out. Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer was seen ripping the flag off the pole and taking the flag as he scuffled with several people trying to recover the flag. A statement from the Ohio State Police Department read: "Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation. During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games and will continue to investigate." Michigan running back Kalel Mullings on FOX said: "For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game. It's bad for the sport, bad for college football. At the end of the day, some people got to learn how to lose, man. "You can't be fighting and stuff just because you lost the game. We had 60 minutes and four quarters to do all that fighting. Now people want to talk and fight. That's wrong. It's bad for the game. Classless, in my opinion. People got to be better." Once order was restored, officers cordoned the 50-yard line, using bicycles as barriers. Ohio State coach Ryan Day in his postgame press conference said he wasn't sure what happened. "I don't know all the details of it. But I know that these guys are looking to put a flag on our field and our guys weren't going to let that happen," he said. "I'll find out exactly what happened, but this is our field and certainly we're embarrassed at the fact we lost the game, but there's some prideful guys on our team that weren't just going to let that happen." The Big Ten has not yet released a statement on the incident. --Field Level Media