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TWIN FALLS — Four state legislators from Twin Falls have formed a new group called Idaho DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency). The name references social media entrepreneur Elon Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. "We decided that Idaho needs to have the same thing because there's a lot of waste and not a whole lot of accountability," state Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, R-Twin Falls, told the Times-News on Friday. The group is made up of eight Republican legislators, six of whom were just elected to their first term in the Legislature. The four members from Twin Falls are Zuiderveld, state Senator-elect Joshua Kohl, state Representative-elect Clint Hostetler and state Representative-elect David Leavitt. The four other members are state Sen. Christy Zito of Hammett and state representatives-elect Kent Marmon of Caldwell, Lucas Cayler of Caldwell and Faye Thompson of McCall. Zuiderveld said she speaks to Zito quite often, and they both visited with the other members who joined Idaho DOGE. She said the intent behind the group is not to get Musk's attention but to expose corruption in Idaho. Zuiderveld said she set up the X account @DOGE_Idaho and email address dogeidaho@gmail.com to encourage Idahoans to send in tips. Image from Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld's Substack "Once we put that information out, we have all received probably 500-plus emails from people just wanting to share things that they want us to look into," Zuiderveld said. "The community — the citizens have really gotten behind this idea." Kohl, in an email to the Times-News on Friday, stated the government has grown too large, and he questions if it has gotten more useful. He said the group plans to work with legislators and the executive branch to implement the best of the citizen-based recommendations. "We are not interested in getting attention from Musk and Ramaswamy but instead our focus is entirely on hearing from Idaho citizens and their ideas for how we can improve government efficiency," Kohl wrote in an email. Zuiderveld said she expects the group to grow during the 2025 legislative session and is open to any legislators who want to fight for their constituents and taxpayers. She has begun to follow through on its mission. Zuiderveld On Nov. 26, Zuiderveld issued a press release calling for accountability in an alleged misappropriation of public funds by Idaho State University and Bannock County. She referred to an Idaho Freedom Foundation investigation that allegedly found the university and county misappropriated $850,000 in state funding for the East Idaho Forensic Pathology Center project. "I want my constituents and Idahoans to know that I'm there fighting for them and working for them and trying to make sure we're good stewards of their tax dollars," Zuiderveld said. The Associated Press reported Nov. 12 that President-elect Donald Trump tapped Musk and Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, but that it won't actually be a government agency. The AP reported that the two co-chairs would work outside the government and offer advice to the White House and would therefore not be required to disclose their assets or divest from any entanglements. Sean Dolan writes about education and politics for the Times-News . Reach him at 208-735-3213 or email him at sean.dolan@magicvalley.com . Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Education/Political Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Once-promising seasons hit new lows for the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers last week. Another late-game meltdown sent the Bears to their sixth straight loss and led to the firing of coach Matt Eberflus. The 49ers suffered their second straight blowout loss and more crushing injuries to go from Super Bowl contenders to outside the playoff picture in a matter of weeks. The two reeling teams will try to get back on track on Sunday when the Bears (4-8) visit the 49ers (5-7) in Chicago's first game under interim coach Thomas Brown . “I told them a minute ago after practice there is no confidence loss at all as far as what I think about them,” Brown said Wednesday. “I don’t care what anybody else thinks about them. I think we have a very talented football team. It’s about just putting the work in every single day to give us an opportunity to win.” The Bears are hoping to get an emotional boost from the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history. Over the last 10 seasons, teams with interim coaches are 13-11 in their first game with the new coach. Those teams had a .284 winning percentage at the time they fired their coaches. “I wouldn’t say a new voice was needed. I would say there was change that was needed," rookie quarterback Caleb Williams said, pointing to a need for more accountability and better communication. The Niners came into the season as the favorites to get back to the Super Bowl from the NFC after losing the title game to Kansas City last season. But a series of key injuries, bad losses and spotty play have left them in last place in the NFC West with only slim hopes of even reaching the postseason. San Francisco lost 38-10 to Green Bay and 35-10 to Buffalo in back-to-back weeks and lost star running back Christian McCaffrey to a knee injury last week that will sideline him for at least the rest of the regular season. The Niners already lost key players Brandon Aiyuk and Javon Hargrave to season-ending injuries and are preparing to be without stars Nick Bosa and Trent Williams for a third straight week. “It’s just been a rocky mountain for real with the injuries and other stuff we’ve had to go through this season,” receiver Deebo Samuel said. “Our record don’t show how really good we are as a team. We're still believing in this locker room.” Williams described Eberflus’ firing as “interesting” and “tough” and vowed to “roll with the punches” while insisting the chaos and turnover of the past few weeks could help him handle similar situations in the future. Just 12 games into his NFL career, the prized quarterback is on his second head coach and third offensive coordinator, though Brown will continue to call plays. How does he keep the faith that his career is in good hands with this organization? “The first part is understanding I can’t control,” Williams said. “Even if I understand or don’t understand, that doesn’t matter. I have to roll with the punches like I said before. I don’t control everything.” With McCaffrey and Jordan Mason injured, the Niners running game will turn to rookie Isaac Guerendo . The fourth-round pick has 42 carries for 246 yards and two TDs this season and will be making his second start in either college or the pros. Coach Kyle Shanahan said the progress Guerendo has made since training camp makes him ready for his new role as he sees him running with more “urgency.” “I think it takes guys some time,” Shanahan said. “You start to get a feel for it the more, if you’ve got the right stuff, the more you get reps, the more you can adjust to it. How hard you’ve got to hit stuff, how quick those holes close, how when there is a hole how you have to hit it full-speed and can’t hesitate at all or it closes like that. We’ve seen that stuff get better in practice and we’ve seen it carry over into games.” San Francisco's usually stout run defense has been anything but that this season. The Niners have struggled to slow down the opposition on the ground all year with the problem getting worse recently. The 49ers allowed 389 yards rushing the past two weeks. “It’s been so frustrating because I know what is supposed to look like,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “That’s not it.” Stopping the run also continues to be a sore spot for Chicago. The Bears rank 25th overall against the run and 29th in yards allowed per rush after another difficult outing last week. They gave up 194 yards, including 144 in the first half as the Lions grabbed a 16-0 lead. Losing veteran defensive tackle Andrew Billings to a torn pectoral muscle last month did not help. He was injured in a Week 9 loss at Arizona and is expected to miss the remainder of the season after having surgery. AP Sports Writer Andrew Seligman contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Autodesk appoints Janesh Moorjani as chief financial officerEVLV LEGAL DEADLINE: Evolv Technologies Class Action Deadline is Approaching – Contact BFA Law if You Suffered Losses (Nasdaq:EVLV)WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024 Live Streaming and Telecast Details: The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is back with its latest Premium Live Event (PLE) in the form of the much-awaited Survivor Series WarGames 2024 which is surely set to be a thrilling event in Vancouver. The WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024 is stacked with some fascinating clashes, with one of them being the WarGames match between Roman Reigns and his 'OG' Bloodline and Solo Sikoa's Bloodline. The two factions have put up some great segments in the past few weeks leading up to WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024 and it will be really interesting to see whether Roman Reigns is able to get the better of Solo Sikoa, who was once his enforcer, this time around. WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024: What is Advantage Rule? Check Stipulations of WarGames Match Ahead of World Wrestling Entertainment PLE . The women's WarGames match too is set to be a fascinating affair with the champions Nia Jax and Liv Morgan teaming up alongside Candice LeRae, Tiffany Stratton and Raquel Rodriguez to face the team of Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Naomi, Bayley and Iyo Sky. Besides, LA Knight and Bron Breakker will defend their titles. While LA Knight has Shinsuke Nakamura as his challenger, Bron Breakker will defend his Intercontinental title against Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser. Gunther will put his World Heavyweight title on the line against Damian Priest. When is WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024? Know Venue, Date and Time WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024 is set to take place at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. The WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024 PLE is set to start at 4:30 AM IST (Indian Standard Time). WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024 Surprises: Check Out Possible Betrayals and Returns Featuring Brock Lesnar, Goldberg in High Octane Matches at PLE . Where to Watch Live Telecast of WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024? Sony Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of WWE events in India. Fans in India can tune in to the Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 and Sony Sports Ten 5 TV channels to watch WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024 live telecast. For WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024 online viewing options, read below. How to Watch Live Streaming of WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024? SonyLIV, the official OTT platform of Sony Network, will stream WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024. Fans in India can watch the WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024 live streaming online on the SonyLIV app and website but would require subscription for the same. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 30, 2024 10:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).
Longtime SAP Veteran, Former UiPath CEO and Google Cloud President to Lead Workday's Global Commercial Strategy for the Company's Next Phase of Growth PLEASANTON, Calif. , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ: WDAY), a leading provider of solutions to help organizations manage their people and money , today announced the appointment of Rob Enslin to the newly created role of president, chief commercial officer (CCO). Enslin will be responsible for driving Workday's revenue growth and leading the company's global sales, partnership and customer experience efforts. Enslin brings more than 30 years of experience in the technology industry, most recently serving as CEO of UiPath where he led the company to non-GAAP profitability, advanced the company's AI strategy, and drove expansion into new markets. Before joining UiPath, Enslin was president of cloud sales at Google Cloud, where he scaled the company's sales operations and drove significant revenue growth. Enslin's extensive career also includes 27 years at SAP, culminating in his role as president of the Cloud Business Group and executive board member. In addition to deep enterprise expertise, Enslin brings a strong global perspective, having held roles in South Africa , USA , Germany , and Japan throughout his career. "Rob is a world-class leader with a track record of building high performing go-to-market teams, a deep understanding of industry and partner ecosystems, and unique global experience, making him the ideal leader to help guide Workday's next phase of growth," said Carl Eschenbach , CEO, Workday. "We're confident that his vision and commitment to providing exceptional customer experiences will unlock even greater potential for Workday and businesses around the world." "Joining Workday at this pivotal moment is incredibly exciting," said Enslin. "Workday's unparalleled dataset, combined with its commitment to innovation, positions the company to become the definitive AI leader in the ERP market. I'm thrilled to be part of this transformation and shape the future of work." Enslin's appointment will be effective as of December 2, 2024 . About Workday Workday is a leading enterprise platform that helps organizations manage their most important assets – their people and money. The Workday platform is built with AI at the core to help customers elevate people, supercharge work, and move their business forever forward. Workday is used by more than 10,500 organizations around the world and across industries – from medium-sized businesses to more than 60% of the Fortune 500. For more information about Workday, visit workday.com . © 2024 Workday, Inc. All rights reserved. Workday and the Workday logo are registered trademarks of Workday, Inc. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements including, among other things, statements regarding Workday's leadership, growth, transformation, and potential. These forward-looking statements are based only on currently available information and our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. If the risks materialize, assumptions prove incorrect, or we experience unexpected changes in circumstances, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements, and therefore you should not rely on any forward-looking statements. Risks include, but are not limited to, risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including our most recent report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K and other reports that we have filed and will file with the SEC from time to time, which could cause actual results to vary from expectations. Workday assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release, except as required by law. Any unreleased services, features, or functions referenced in this document, our website, or other press releases or public statements that are not currently available are subject to change at Workday's discretion and may not be delivered as planned or at all. Customers who purchase Workday services should make their purchase decisions based upon services, features, and functions that are currently available. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/workday-names-rob-enslin-president-chief-commercial-officer-302316896.html SOURCE Workday Inc.
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Rupee falls to new low against dollar on foreign fund outflowsEditor’s note: "Becoming a Digital Nomad" is part 11 of an ongoing series on how to retire early and the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement. Part one is How to Retire Early in Six Steps . To see all early retirement articles, jump to the end. For 99% of human history, humans were nomads. Now, what’s old is new again as more people embrace a modern version of this lifestyle — replacing spears with laptops. These digital nomads leverage technology to work remotely while living location-independent lives, moving between destinations domestically or abroad. For early retirees, it’s a way to blend remote work or passive income with the flexibility to explore the world, enjoying the perks of early retirement without fully stepping away from work. Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail. Digital nomads as part of the FIRE movement The nomadic lifestyle aligns with the F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement. Many nomads choose low-cost countries as their base, reducing expenses and investing their savings for long-term financial growth. According to MBO Partners , 18.1 million Americans — about 11% of the U.S. workforce — identify as digital nomads. As Carl Sagan put it: “We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still.” Take Michael Wardian , a professional ultramarathon runner who ran 2,197 miles of the Appalachian Trail in just 50 days to celebrate his 50th birthday. The twist? He worked remotely the entire time, overseeing humanitarian food aid cargo as an international shipping broker. “Working remotely while running solidified my belief that if you’re dedicated and not afraid to ask for help, anything is possible... you can still do your job and chase your dreams simultaneously,” he says. If retiring early and becoming a digital nomad sounds appealing, careful planning is key. Here’s how to keep both your finances and your wanderlust on track. Financial Planning for Digital Nomads Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, founder of Making Sense of Cents , embraced a nomadic lifestyle after turning her personal finance blog into a full-time business. “Becoming a digital nomad allowed me to combine my love for travel with a career I could take anywhere,” she says. She now travels full-time on a sailboat with her family. Schroeder-Gardner emphasizes the importance of diversified, location-independent income streams, like earnings from her blog and dividend-paying stocks . CFP Board Ambassador Elaine King Fuentes agrees: “Have multiple income streams — a mix of service, like consulting and product-based businesses.” Both stress the need for emergency funds to cover unexpected expenses like medical emergencies or last-minute flights. Fuentes, who has lived and worked in multiple countries, adds, “Start with an emergency fund of at least one month’s expenses, and create a dedicated travel fund to support this lifestyle.” Managing retirement savings abroad presents additional challenges. U.S. citizens must pay federal taxes on worldwide income and may face account restrictions from U.S.-based brokerages. Fuentes suggests maintaining a U.S. address or using global banks like Charles Schwab or E-trade Morgan Stanley that offer fee-free international ATM withdrawals. For day-to-day money management, Schroeder-Gardner advises using travel-friendly credit cards with no foreign transaction fees . Fuentes also suggests multi-currency accounts to mitigate currency risks. Navigating taxes and legal considerations No matter where you go, the IRS follows. Fuentes encourages people to research tax rules in their home country and planned destinations, as “tax treaties can impact the duration of your stay.” U.S. citizens living abroad are taxed on worldwide income, but credits like the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (up to $126,500 in 2024 and $130,000 in 2025) and the Foreign Tax Credit can help offset double taxation. Tax treaties between countries may further simplify filing requirements. Domestically, state taxes depend on primary residency. States like Texas and Florida have no state income tax, while others, like California, aggressively pursue tax liabilities even for those living out of state. Other states do not tax retirement income . Establishing clear domicile records is crucial for defending your obligations. Beyond taxes, research visa requirements for each destination. Some countries offer retirement-specific visas with income or asset requirements, while others allow longer stays with tourist visas. “Keeping important documents in cloud storage is a must,” says Schroeder-Gardner. Digitize essentials like passports, visas and tax returns to stay prepared on the move. Healthcare and insurance while traveling Early retirees under 65 won’t have access to Medicare , so you’ll need alternative health coverage. If not covered by remote work, the Affordable Care Act marketplace is one option. Many countries offer affordable, high-quality care, and some allow foreigners to join their public systems. Fuentes recommends exploring international health plans from providers like Cigna Global or IMG, which cover routine care, emergencies and medical evacuations. Travel medical insurance is also critical. Schroeder-Gardner notes, “Travel insurance has become a must for us.” Look for policies that include medical emergencies, trip cancellations and personal liability. And if you plan to bring medications with you on international travel , don't risk having them confiscated at the border. For those planning to travel abroad, consider focusing your trip on the safest countries to visit . Remote work: staying connected and productive Reliable internet is the foundation of remote work. Schroeder-Gardner ensures connectivity by researching options in advance and carrying backup solutions like multiple mobile hotspots. Similarly, Wardian relied on portable technology during his Appalachian Trail journey. “T-Mobile coverage for my phones and my Surface laptop worked surprisingly well, even in remote sections,” he says. Coworking spaces can also provide stable internet and a professional environment. To protect sensitive data, consider a VPN when working on public Wi-Fi. Adjusting to the digital nomad lifestyle Becoming a digital nomad requires more than packing a laptop — it’s a lifestyle adjustment. Schroeder-Gardner advises starting with short trips to test the waters. “This helps you gauge the impact on your financial and social life,” she says. Maintaining social connections is just as important as staying online. “Being a digital nomad can sometimes feel isolating, so finding online groups or meeting other travelers can make the experience more fulfilling,” she adds. Adjusting to constant change takes time. Wardian found success by creating a system with his team before hitting the trail. “I made myself available as much as possible for work tasks while staying flexible with my running schedule,” he says. For Schroeder-Gardner, “I plan my work schedule around travel activities, dedicating specific blocks of time to focus. ... But for the most part, I try to save the best weather days for traveling and experiencing a new destination.” Ultimately, flexibility may be the greatest need and perk of this lifestyle. You never know when the mountains, beaches or new cities will call and you must go. After all, that’s what we’ve been doing for most of our history. Read More About Early Retirement How to Retire Early in Six Steps How to Retire at 40 How to Retire at 50 or 55 Retire Early for Adventure: Go Travel and Volunteer Will Retiring Early Make You Happier? It's Complicated Early Retirement Withdrawal Strategies for the Long Haul Five Early Retirement Mistakes to Avoid The Rule of 55: One Way to Fund Early Retirement A Sabbatical May Be a Smarter Move Than Early Retirement How SEPP 72(t) Can Help You Retire Early and Dodge PenaltiesWASHINGTON - Donald Trump threatened the United States's closest neighbours with big tariffs this week, in a move that has reminded many of the unpredictable tactics the president-elect deployed during his first tenure in the White House. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! WASHINGTON - Donald Trump threatened the United States's closest neighbours with big tariffs this week, in a move that has reminded many of the unpredictable tactics the president-elect deployed during his first tenure in the White House. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? WASHINGTON – Donald Trump threatened the United States’s closest neighbours with big tariffs this week, in a move that has reminded many of the unpredictable tactics the president-elect deployed during his first tenure in the White House. Trump said Monday he would use an executive order to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods coming from Canada and Mexico until the two countries stop drugs and migrants from illegally crossing the U.S. border. The announcement, made on Truth Social, brought swift responses from officials and industry in both countries who are bracing for chaos during Trump’s second tenure. He has long used the threat of import taxes to pressure other countries to do his bidding, saying this summer that “the most beautiful word in the dictionary is ‘tariff.'” It’s unlikely the move would violate the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, which was negotiated during the first Trump administration. Laura Dawson, an expert on Canada-U. S. relations and the executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, said the president can impose tariffs under his national security powers. This type of duty has a time limit and can only be made permanent through Congressional approval, but for Trump, national security powers are like a “get out of jail free card,” Dawson said. “This is exactly what happened in the last Trump administration,” Dawson said. “Everyone said, ‘Well, that is ridiculous. Canada is the U.S.’s best security partner. What do you mean our steel and aluminum imports are somehow a source of insecurity?'” But within the global trade system, she said, no country challenges another’s right to define their own national security imperatives. Trump’s first administration demonstrated how vulnerable Canada is to America’s whims when the former president scrapped the North American Free Trade Agreement. The U.S. is Canada’s closest neighbour and largest trading partner. More than 77 per cent of Canadian exports go to the U.S. Negotiation of CUSMA, commonly dubbed “the new NAFTA,” was a key test for Ottawa following Trump’s first victory. The trilateral agreement is up for review in 2026 and experts suspect this week’s tariff announcement is a negotiating tactic. Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick for treasury secretary, said in a recent op-ed that tariffs are “a useful tool for achieving the president’s foreign policy objectives.” “Whether it is getting allies to spend more on their own defence, opening foreign markets to U.S. exports, securing co-operation on ending illegal immigration and interdicting fentanyl trafficking, or deterring military aggression, tariffs can play a central role.” During the initial CUSMA negotiations in 2018, Trump floated the idea of a 25 per cent tariff on the Canadian auto sector — something that would have been crippling for the industry on both sides of the border. It was never implemented. At the time, he did use his national security powers to impose a 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent tariff on aluminum imports, casting fear of an all-out trade war that would threaten the global economy. The day after announcing those levies, Trump posted on social media “trade wars are good, and easy to win.” Former U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer recounted in his book that the duties sent an “unmistakable signal that business as usual was over.” “The Trump administration was willing to ruffle diplomatic feathers to advance its trade agenda.” It led to a legendary clash between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump at the G7 in Quebec. Trudeau said Canada would impose retaliatory measures, saying the argument that tariffs on steel and aluminum were a matter of national security was “kind of insulting.” Trump took to social media, where, in a flurry of posts he called Trudeau “very dishonest and weak.” Canada and other countries brought their own duties against the U.S. in response. They targeted products for political, rather than economic, reasons. Canada hit yogurt with a 10 per cent duty. Most of the product impacted came from one plant in Wisconsin, the home state of then-Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. The European Union, Mexico and Canada all targeted U.S. whiskey products with tariffs, in a clear signal to then Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his home state of Kentucky’s bourbon industry. Ultimately, Canada and Mexico were able to negotiate exemptions. Carlo Dade, the director of trade and trade infrastructure at the Canada West Foundation, said Trump is returning to the White House with more experience and a plan. But he suspects Americans will not like the blow to their bank accounts. Trump’s new across-the-board tariff strategy would not only disrupt global supply chains, it would also cause a major shakeup to the American economy. It’s unclear if Trump will go through with them, or for how long, after campaigning on making life more affordable and increasing the energy market. “I think it will be short-term,” Dade said. “The U.S. can only inflict damage on itself for so long.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press Advertisement Advertisement
CBN governor said Nigeria’s foreign reserves increased to $40.88 billion as of November 21 He stated that the external reserves rose from $40.06 billion at the end of October to $40.88 billion in November According to him, the amount represents a 2.05% rise, or $82 million, in just 21 days CHECK OUT: Don't let unemployment hold you back. Start your digital marketing journey today. Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has 5-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market . The Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) governor, Olayemi Cardoso, reports that as of November 21, the nation's foreign reserves had increased to $40.88 billion. Cardoso gave remarks at a press conference held on Tuesday following the 298th meeting of the monetary policy committee in Abuja . According to him, the external reserves increased to $40.88 billion in November from $40.06 billion at the end of October. PAY ATTENTION : Standing out in social media world? Easy! "Mastering Storytelling for Social Media" workshop by Legit.ng. Join Us Live! In just 21 days, the sum is equivalent to an increase of $82 million, or 2.05%. Read also Saudi 2025 budget sees lower deficit on spending trims “The external reserves rose marginally to 40.88 billion as of 21 November 2024, from 40.06 billion at the end of October 2024, available to finance 17 months of imports,” he said. Further speaking at the event, The Cable reported that Cardoso said “the process of getting us where we are in terms of reserves has been a long one”. “It is a clear indication that the policies we have put in place are certainly yielding fruits,” he added. “However, and it’s very important to make a distinction here and to reiterate the fact that reserves are there for a multiplicity of different purposes, not least of which is to create buffers in the event of unanticipated shocks. “So they are not there to simply whittle away. They are there to be used to more or less defend yourself where that becomes necessary. “And when we talk about shocks that are not anticipated, I think we can see how the global economies are.” Read also Access Bank replies to VDM’s video over alleged missing N500m from deceased customer's account Cardoso added that the bank will keep stepping up its efforts to stabilise prices and the currency. "Compared to what it was in June, the currency has been stable," the CBN governor said. However, he stated that greater exports and economic diversification are necessary for the value of the nation's currency to remain stable. Cardoso said that actions implemented have led to an increase in diaspora remittances. He praised the diaspora for assisting the nation in remitting more than $600 million. External reserves rise to $40 billion Legit.ng reported that Nigeria’s foreign reserves rose to $40.2 billion in October 2024 , up from $38 billion recorded in September. The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, disclosed this during an investors’ meeting in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. At the meeting, Nigeria’s minister of finance, Wale Edun, said the inflows were organic due to the government’s decision not to defend the naira . PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ngWASHINGTON — The House shut down Democrats' efforts Thursday to release the long-awaited ethics report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, pushing the fate of any resolution to the yearslong investigation of sexual misconduct allegations into further uncertainty. Matt Gaetz talks before President-elect Donald Trump speaks during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate Nov. 14 in Palm Beach, Fla. The nearly party-line votes came after Democrats had been pressing for the findings to be published even though the Florida Republican left Congress and withdrew as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., was the sole Republican to support the effort. Most Republicans have argued that any congressional probe into Gaetz ended when he resigned from the House. Speaker Mike Johnson also requested that the committee not publish its report, saying it would be a terrible precedent to set. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. Shortly before the votes took place, Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., who introduced one of the bills to force the release, said that if Republicans reject the release, they will have “succeeded in sweeping credible allegations of sexual misconduct under the rug.” Gaetz has repeatedly denied the claims. Earlier Thursday, the Ethics panel met to discuss the Gaetz report but made no decision, saying in a short statement that the matter is still being discussed. It's unclear now whether the document will ever see the light of day as lawmakers have only a few weeks left before a new session of Congress begins. It's the culmination of weeks of pressure on the Ethics committee's five Republicans and five Democrats who mostly work in secret as they investigate allegations of misconduct against lawmakers. The status of the Gaetz investigation became an open question last month when he abruptly resigned from Congress after Trump's announcement that he wanted his ally in the Cabinet. It is standard practice for the committee to end investigations when members of Congress depart, but the circumstances surrounding Gaetz were unusual, given his potential role in the new administration. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., the committee chairman, said Wednesday that there is no longer the same urgency to release the report given that Gaetz has left Congress and stepped aside as Trump's choice to head the Justice Department. “I’ve been steadfast about that. He’s no longer a member. He is no longer going to be confirmed by the Senate because he withdrew his nomination to be the attorney general,” Guest said. The Gaetz report has also caused tensions between lawmakers on the bipartisan committee. Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the panel, publicly admonished Guest last month for mischaracterizing a previous meeting to the press. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and said last year that the Justice Department’s separate investigation against him into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls ended without federal charges. His onetime political ally Joel Greenberg, a fellow Republican who served as the tax collector in Florida’s Seminole County, admitted as part of a plea deal with prosecutors in 2021 that he paid women and an underage girl to have sex with him and other men. The men were not identified in court documents when he pleaded guilty. Greenberg was sentenced in late 2022 to 11 years in prison. 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. 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. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump called his meeting with Justin Trudeau productive and says the prime minister made a commitment to work with the United States to end the drug crisis amid the threat of stiff tariffs. “We discussed many important topics that will require both Countries to work together to address, like the Fentanyl and Drug Crisis that has decimated so many lives as a result of Illegal Immigration, Fair Trade Deals that do not jeopardize American Workers, and the massive Trade Deficit the U.S. has with Canada,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social Saturday. Trudeau flew to Florida Friday evening to attend a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump’s transition team is based. The in-person meeting came at the end of a rocky week in which Trump threatened to impose stiff tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico, unless the two countries stop illegal border crossings and prevent illicit drugs from entering the United States. Trump said he and Trudeau discussed the drug crisis and the president-elect made it “very clear that the United States will no longer sit idly by as our Citizens become victims” of the drug epidemic, which he attributed to cartels and fentanyl coming from China. “Prime Minister Trudeau has made a commitment to work with us to end this terrible devastation of U.S. Families,” Trump posted. Trump said the pair also discussed illegal immigration, as well as trade, energy and the Arctic. Trump’s post did not directly mention tariffs and it’s unclear whether the prime minister’s visit has alleviated his concerns about the border. Trudeau, in West Palm Beach Saturday morning, answered a reporter’s question about the dinner, calling it “an excellent conversation.” A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said the two leaders “shared a productive wide-ranging discussion over dinner.” It was centred on collaboration and strengthening the bilateral relationship. “As Canada’s closest friend and ally, the United States is our key partner, and we are committed to working together in the interests of Canadians and Americans,” the statement said. Trudeau had a notably rocky relationship with the Republican leader during the first Trump administration. However, the prime minister was the first G7 leader to visit Trump since the Nov. 5 election. Trump’s tariff threats are critical for Canada. More than 77 per cent of Canadian exports go to the United States. Trudeau said earlier Friday that he would resolve the issue by talking with Trump. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 30, 2024. Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press
Bruce Flatt, the renowned chief executive officer (CEO) of ( ), has recently made waves in the financial world with a shift in his personal investment strategy. While BAM has long been a cornerstone of his portfolio, Flatt sold a portion of his BAM holdings and reinvested the proceeds into ( ), the parent company of BAM. This decision wasn’t a slight against BAM but a calculated move that aligns with his broader vision for the Brookfield entities. Currently, Flatt holds over US$3 billion worth of shares across both BAM and BN, cementing his faith in the conglomerate’s future. So, should you do the same? What happened? Brookfield stock has had a banner year, making Flatt’s decision appear more strategic than ever. In the third quarter of 2024, the corporation reported record distributable earnings before realizations of US$1.3 billion, a 19% year-over-year increase. This impressive figure was bolstered by significant monetization activities, with the company unlocking US$17 billion through asset sales while simultaneously deploying US$20 billion into new investments. It’s clear that Brookfield is not resting on its laurels but actively managing its portfolio to optimize returns and seize emerging opportunities. One of the highlights of Brookfield’s recent performance has been its ability to capitalize on market conditions. The company sold US$3.2 billion worth of renewable energy assets and US$5.4 billion in real estate transactions, significantly enhancing its liquidity. These moves are emblematic of Brookfield’s approach of strategically exiting mature investments to free up capital for high-growth ventures. Such agility in asset management is likely a key reason why Flatt sees greater long-term value in Brookfield compared to its subsidiaries. In the stock market, BN has been a strong performer, reflecting investor confidence in its growth trajectory. As of writing, BN shares were trading at $83.25, representing a solid gain over the past year. Brookfield’s market cap has grown to an impressive $122.86 billion, up from $108.31 billion just three months prior, showcasing the market’s optimism in its strategic direction. Looking ahead Brookfield’s future outlook is equally compelling. With $150 billion in deployable capital, the company is well-positioned to pursue large-scale opportunities across its diversified sectors. These include real estate, infrastructure, renewable energy, and private equity. This massive war chest provides Brookfield with a competitive edge, allowing it to act decisively in a volatile global market. Additionally, its reputation as a leading alternative asset manager continues to attract institutional investors, further solidifying its financial foundation. Bruce Flatt’s decision to double down on BN speaks to his confidence in the parent company’s ability to drive value creation across the Brookfield ecosystem. By focusing on BN, Flatt aligns himself with the corporation’s broader strategy of creating sustainable, long-term growth through strategic asset rotation and innovative investment management. The move can also be interpreted as a sign of Flatt’s belief in BN’s ability to leverage its scale and diversified operations to weather market uncertainties and outperform over time. What about BAM? This shift in focus doesn’t diminish the role of BAM. BAM’s performance has also been strong, with shares trading near their 52-week high and yielding a that appeals to income-focused investors. However, BN’s structure as the parent company allows it to benefit from BAM’s growth — all while also tapping into the broader opportunities within Brookfield’s other operating entities. This gives BN a unique advantage that Flatt is clearly keen to capitalize on. For Flatt, investing heavily in BN may also be a statement about leadership and alignment. As CEO, his decision to hold a significant stake in the parent company underscores his personal commitment to Brookfield’s success and his confidence in its strategic direction. Such moves often serve to reassure investors that the leadership’s interests are closely tied to their own, fostering greater trust and stability in the stock. Bottom line In essence, Bruce Flatt’s reallocation of investments is a masterclass in strategic positioning. By shifting from BAM to BN, he’s betting on Brookfield’s ability to deliver sustainable growth through its unparalleled scale and diversification. This move reflects not only his confidence in the company. He also has a deep understanding of its unique strengths, making it a fascinating case study for investors and analysts alike.
NEW YORK -- Depending on who you ask, small business owners say congestion pricing could be a blessing or a curse. When Gov. Kathy Hochul initially canned the plan , she said did so in part because small business owners were afraid of losing customers who travel by car. Some business owners recently offered their take. CBS News New York spoke with four different businesses that acknowledged shipping costs could go up even with the decreased $9 congestion fee , but they differ on whether congestion pricing hurts or helps them. "We're going to probably lose at least 25% more business," said Danny Reina, general manager of Wall Street Grill. Reina said business is still struggling to come back from the pandemic, adding instead of business clientele, it has become more of a destination for family celebrations. "The dinners, it's moving along steadily, but it's not what it's supposed to be," Reina said. Even with the $9 toll, the general manager of Wall Street Grill says the restaurant may have to reduce its lunch service. The luxury upscale kosher restaurant on Pear Street had just two parties in for lunch on a recent weekday. Reina said he also fears losing employees who live in transit deserts. He commutes from the Long Island town of Westbury by car. "I don't see [the congestion roll] decreasing traffic. We're out here between 11:30 p.m.-12 a.m. When you're getting out at the time, there's no trains. It easily is going to cost me $1,200 to $1,400 a month just taking the train." The chair of the MTA has said less than 1% of people in the region drive to the Central Business District for work, and that those who do will now have a faster ride. Some business owners against congestion pricing have sued the MTA to stop it. Those who are optimistic about the plan say it can't come soon enough. Over on Varick Street, traffic leading to the Holland Tunnel backs up past Zafferano America, a lamp and tabletop store. CEO Barrett Gross said he believes it deters customers who mostly come by foot. "It'll reduce the amount of traffic that's right outside our front doors, and that'll be more pleasant for people who are shopping here," Gross said. His is one of 150 businesses that are part of the Hudson Square Business Improvement District. The organization did a 2023 study that found 93% of people ride the train, bike or walk in the area. "We actually pay for private crossing guards after 3:30 in the afternoon to help people cross Varick Street, said Samara Karasyk, the business improvement group's president and CEO. "And so, the better our transit system, the more people will take the transit system to come here." In the West Village, Aviv Brawer-Cohen, the co-owner of Nati clothing boutique on Bleeker, is optimistic congestion pricing will help the store, and another on Prince Street in SoHo. "Our stores are located right next to the Christopher Street station, West 4th Street, Bowery, Broadway, and these stations are often times filthy," Brawer-Cohen said. "Now, this city will have dedicated revenues to clean up these stations and make trains run more reliably." One could say that opinion is a diamond in the rough in the Diamond District. Diamanti NYC co-owner Kerri Lavine said she would not feel comfortable with one of her employees carrying pricey stones on the subway. "Not really, honestly. I'm uncomfortable getting on the subway," Lavine said. Lavine said customers drive in to West 47th Street from across the region. "We make women happy and we make men cry," Lavine said. Crying may be the only option for the 2,600 small businesses that are part of the Diamond District Partnership. "All the different companies, they do pickup, plus we have armored companies that are here," executive director Avi Fertig said. "You can't send it by messenger and bicycle. It needs to be done in a very careful, role-planned way." Lisa Rozner joined CBS News New York in 2017. She covers a wide range of stories.
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Mainstreet Bancshares chief risk officer sells $52,779 in stockGus Johnson, the commentator on the FOXSports broadcast of the college football game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes was slammed for his commentary as Ohio State suffered an upset at the hands of Michigan in the high-profile 'The Game' at the Ohio Stadium. The fight broke out after the Michigan Wolverine players planted a flag of the Wolverines on the Buckeyes logo at the center of the Ohio Stadium. "Sherrone Moore said we didn’t cheat this time", Johnson said, as a footage of the Michigan Wolverine coach celebrating after the win was played on the broadcast. "I’m sorry but I do not agree with Gus Johnson, throwing hands over a flag is dumb, you were already embarrassed in your own stadium," one user said. "Maybe don’t lose to a clearly inferior opponent. Ohio State has a loser’s mentality clearly" "Sherrone Moore waiving bye to stunned Ohio State fans is an iconic image Starts 2-0 in the rivalry, 'We didn’t cheat this time' -Gus Johnson," said one. "Gus Johnson is acting like Michigan planting their flag is the equivalent of bombing the stadium," added another. "Gus Johnson: “We didn’t cheat this time!” Michigan fans:," wrote one, with a meme. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US Buzz, World and around the world.
The Green Bay Packers have released their inactive list for the Week 14 Thursday Night Football game against the Detroit Lions. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs (concussion), cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee), linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring), cornerback Corey Ballentine (knee) and offensive lineman Jacob Monk will miss the important NFC North battle. Doubs suffered a concussion against the San Francisco 49ers and hasn’t cleared concussion protocol. Alexander injured his knee in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 27. He aggravated the injury during the game against the Chicago Bears last month. The Packers enter Thursday’s game with a lot of momentum, winning seven of their last eight games after starting the season 2-2. Interestingly enough, the loss the Packers suffered during that stretch was against the Lions at Lambeau Field. “It’s not like our first hostile environment,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said about playing in Detroit, per the team’s official website. “Chicago was pretty loud, but I get it. This is going to be louder. It’s going to be a dome stadium and their fan base is going crazy right now getting behind the Lions. More on the Packers vs. Lions TNF matchup “So it’s going to be a fun environment. I love it where it’s just the guys in the locker room going out and competing for one another.” The Packers won’t be intimidated by Ford Field since they won there last season. “Yeah, you can lean on that, but I think no matter who it is, if we had a whole new team, guys would be confident,” Packers QB Jordan Love said. “We’re confident every game we go into and obviously I think we have enough motivation having lost the first game to these guys, so we owe them and we’ll be able to put up a good fight in Detroit.” The Packers come into the game with a 9-3 record, while the Lions are 11-1. It’s a must-win game for Green Bay if they want to give themselves a chance to win the division and host a playoff game. This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.
It's time for the holidays, which means robust family conversations and seemingly never-ending courses of food. But for the more tech-savvy among us, the journey home could also mean we'll be called on to provide a backlog of tech support to parents, grandparents and other family members. And with generative AI being used to supercharge some major cyber scams this year, it's also a good time to teach and not just fix. Here are some tips on how to manage your tech encounters this holiday season: Whether it's Windows, macOS, iOS or Android, simply keeping your operating system and apps up-to-date will help protect your family's computers and devices against a surprising number of security threats, such as malware, viruses and exploits. Most operating systems, especially those for mobile devices and their app stores, typically have auto-updates turned on by default. Be sure to double-check the device to make sure it has enough storage space to carry out the update. (More on this below.) Keeping apps updated may also reduce the number of "Why isn't this app working?" type of questions from your relatives. Chances are someone in your family is going to have a completely full mobile device. So full, in fact, that they can no longer update their phone or tablet without having to purge something first. There are many approaches to freeing up space. Here are a few you can easily take without having to triage data or apps. According to some admittedly unscientific studies, the average person has hundreds of passwords. That's a lot to remember. So as you help your relatives reset some of theirs, you may be tempted to recycle some to keep things simple for them. But that's one of the bad password habits that cybersecurity experts warn against. Instead, try introducing your forgetful family member to a password manager. They're useful tools for simplifying and keeping track of logins. And if you want to impress a more tech-savvy cousin or auntie, you could suggest switching to a more secure digital authentication method: passkeys. As scammers find new ways to steal money and personal information, you and your family should be more vigilant about who to trust. Artificial intelligence and other technologies are giving bad actors craftier tools to work with online. A quick way to remember what to do when you think you're getting scammed is to think about the three S's, said Alissa Abdullah, also known as Dr. Jay, Mastercard's deputy chief security officer "Stay suspicious, stop for a second (and think about it) and stay protected," she said. Simply being aware of typical scams can help, experts say. Robocalls frequently target vulnerable individuals like seniors, people with disabilities, and people with debt. So-called romance scams target lonely and isolated individuals. Quiz scams target those who spend a lot of time on social media. Check our AP guide on the latest scams and what to do when you're victimized. Home internet speeds are getting faster, so you want to make sure your family members are getting a high-speed connection if they've paid for one. Run a broadband speed test on your home network if they're still rocking an aging modem and router. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Deep Value In Bumble Unfolds: ~10% Quarterly Buyback Yield
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