WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cuts in funding for the Internal Revenue Service, long eyed by Republicans in Congress, would increase the federal deficit by $140 billion over a decade, slow service and reduce complex audits of big companies, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said on Tuesday. Adeyemo told reporters that the IRS faced a $20 billion drop in funding over the next decade unless Congress acted as part of its next government funding measure to address a budgetary anomaly included in the September continuing resolution. The IRS would have to slow its modernization drive and reduce enforcement while call wait times would surge unless Congress fixed the budget issue, he said. And the challenges would get worse if Republicans made good on their vow to target IRS funding. Cutting IRS funding would mean the end or a big slowdown in enforcement initiatives targeting wealthy individuals, large corporations or complex partnerships, he said, citing two initiatives that have recovered $1.3 billion so far. Less funds for technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning would limit big-ticket enforcement efforts, while audits of middle-class taxpayers would likely increase because they were easier to carry out with less technology. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump previously backed efforts to replace 1960s-era IRS equipment, and the current strategic plan largely mirrored one drafted by his previous IRS commissioner, Adeyemo said. But Trump vowed during this campaign to rescind all unspent funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, including billions of dollars earmarked for increased enforcement by the IRS. He said IRS enforcement funds would run out sometime in fiscal year 2025, and funds for improving services would run out the following year, unless the funding was restored. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Mark Porter)

I&M and Stakeholders File Large Load Settlement to Advance Grid Reliability and Support Economic GrowthMarvel SNAP’s Latest Season ‘Rivals’ Now Live, Intros Daughter of GalactusYii shows the MCC’s official Facebook page on his mobile phone. MIRI (Nov 26): Miri City Council (MCC) only operates one official Facebook page, and any other accounts using the council’s name are unauthorised and should be considered fake, said mayor Adam Yii. He told the press yesterday that it was brought to MCC’s attention the existence of a page on social media sharing the same name as the council’s that was spreading misinformation. “It is bad enough they use the council logo to release certain information, giving people the wrong impression of MCC. “Therefore, I want to remind the public that the council has only one official FB (Facebook) account and MCC cannot be held responsible for information that is not from the official page,” he said. He also informed that MCC has written to the administrator of the said page and also to the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), but no action has been against the fake account. “Suffice to say, MCC has taken action but to no avail. So today, I want to directly inform the public of the fake page that is sharing untruthful information that is affecting the council.” Asked if MCC will reach out to Facebook’s parent company Meta regarding the fake account, Yii said he would check if the council has already done so and will consider doing so if needed. MCC, he explained, is a local government authority and that using its name to spread misleading information to the public is a serious matter that cannot be taken lightly. Its official page is accessible here .

When former Daniel Boone quarterback Ben Fox became the Maryville College head coach in January 2021, he said quality players from Northeast Tennessee could be instrumental in helping take the Scots to the top. He was correct. Maryville, which opens the NCAA Division III playoffs at Berry College on Saturday in Rome, Ga., wrapped up its best regular season since 1978 on Saturday. The Scots (9-1) won the USA South Conference championship, and Northeast Tennessee fingerprints are all over that trophy. Junior quarterback Bryson Rollins, who led Elizabethton to two state titles and a state runner-up in high school, was named the league’s offensive player of the year on Wednesday. One of Rollins’ targets is 6-foot-4, 215-pound junior Amare Redd, who played at Science Hill. And senior linebacker Devon White has been starting for three years. “That group means a lot to me because I feel like they are me,” said Fox, who was the valedictorian at Daniel Boone in 2005. “Those three all used to spend summers down at Carver (Rec) — just like I did. I think it’s really awesome that they’ve had the success they’ve had. I’ve been really blessed to be their coach. “On Senior Day on Saturday, Devon told me thank you for trusting him, and I told him, ‘Thank you for believing in me,’ because he believed in me when we didn’t have a lot to believe in. He’s been really good.” Rollins and White each noted a discouraging lack of recruiting interest until Fox was hired at Maryville. White missed the vast majority of his senior season at Boone due to a gruesome leg injury. “Coach Fox started his recruiting class and I was one of the first ones he said he’d talked to, which was great,” White said. “I put all of my cards in with Ben Fox, and I think it’s amazing how it’s worked out.” Indeed, Fox and White each grew up on Shadden Road in Gray. “And it’s a long way from Shadden Road to down here, man,” Fox said. Rollins’ lack of interest coming out of high school was more perplexing. After all, he was a three-time All-State player while piling up in excess of 10,000 yards, 84 touchdown passes and 67 rushing TDs. “Coach Fox really was one of the only people that gave me a chance at playing at the college level,” Rollins said. “So I really respect him for that.” Word of mouth helped Fox land Redd, who began his career at Charleston University. “When I chose to come to Maryville I wasn’t sure if I was making a mistake or it was a good decision,” said Redd, the grandson of former Buffalo Bills running back Van Williams. “I had already known some of the East Tennessee guys, but we weren’t close. Now we hang out with each other at school and when we go back home. Playing with these guys for the last two years has been fun, and overall, coming to Maryville was a good decision.” Fox’s coaching ability generates the same level of respect his recruiting efforts did. “Coach Fox brings his best every day,” Rollins said. “He’s going to give you a hundred percent every single day. He’s gonna try his best to put you in the best situation possible. Great guy, great coach.” When he jokes about how much smarter having Rollins has made him, Fox reminds you of Elizabethton coach Shawn Witten. “I know I wanted him really bad,” Fox said. “I know that I’m really glad he believed in me and I hope he’s really glad that I believed in him. It’s been a lot of fun coaching him. “I’m not always the easiest to play for, and he’s handled it with a lot of toughness and a lot of grit. And he’s a supreme competitor, he really is. He’s as competitive a joker as I’ve ever seen. He’s a dang winner.” Rollins doesn’t wear a cape, although Fox’s daughter Kinsley couldn’t be blamed for wondering. “My daughter asked me Sunday, ‘Can we win Saturday,’” Fox said. “She hasn’t asked me that in a long time. We’ve won a lot. “And I said, ‘Yeah.’ She said, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘Because we’ve got Superman. We’ve got number 10. We’ve always got a chance.’” The Northeast Tennessee flavor has sweetened success. “The great thing is, not only did Coach Fox trust me, he trusted a lot of other Northeast Tennessee dudes,” White said. “He’s a great recruiter. His personality lights up the room. He always has amazing energy, which attracts a lot of guys. “It attracted Bryson Rollins here. It attracted Amare Redd to transfer here. And those guys have really been pivotal in what we’re doing and our success as a recruiting class that came after me. Grabbing those guys is what really put us over the top.” Redd has five touchdown receptions. White has 46 tackles. The Maryville roster includes starting offensive lineman Tanner Dyer (South Greene), receiver Teddy Orton (Elizabethton), Gaven Aldridge (Science Hill), Dewey Whaley (Elizabethton), Jacob Andes (Happy Valley), Eli Presswood (Cloudland), Zach Carroll (West Greene), Wesley Erwin (Elizabethton) Phillip Page (Daniel Boone), Josh White (Tri-Cities Christian) and Bryant Sybert (David Crockett). Defensive coordinator Scott Brumett started at East Tennessee State when it defeated top-ranked Georgia Southern in 2001. “Playing with Amare and Devon and Phillip, Wes, Teddy, Luke Whaley — it’s been a lot of fun,” Rollins said. “When you think about guys who you can trust on campus and you know they’re gonna have your back whenever and all that — you can just go to those guys anytime. It’s crazy because I never thought I’d be hanging out with Daniel Boone kids — not in any bad way, but I’m saying just going to the same college. “Playing with the East Tennessee boys, yeah, it’s been a lot of fun. It’s hard to describe. ... Me, Devon, Phillip, Amare – we hang out literally every day. We eat lunch with each other every day.” Friendship is nourishing. White has relished the opportunity to share a locker room with former opponents. “Honestly, it’s been great to go from rivals in Northeast Tennessee, watching these dudes do it against me under Friday night lights,” White said, “to actually being on the flip-side and seeing Amare head-top everybody and seeing Bryson scramble around in the pocket for 15 yards and then throw a beautiful ball to one of our receivers. It’s just been awesome to be on the right side of it and for us to put those pieces together. “And the good thing about the heavy Northeast (Tennessee) recruitment up here is in the summer we had a lot of high school coaches willing to lend us their field so we could put work in. Coach Witten opened up Citizens Bank (Stadium) a couple of times for us to put work in. Coach (Jeremy) Jenkins opened up Nathan Hale (Stadium) a couple of times in the summer so we could get a quick workout in. Those coaches believe in the players they’ve coached and want us to keep developing. It’s really what’s brought us here to the top for this conference championship we were able to win.” Granted, a championship is a championship. But the players from Northeast Tennessee, many of whom were seemingly invisible otherwise, have found it more gratifying to triumph with neighbors. “I like to call us the Northeast All-Star team,” White said, “the best of the best coming out of Northeast Tennessee and getting down to Maryville College and winning a championship. And I think that’s only going to continue. We’ve got guys like Gaven Aldridge, who was just recruited out of Science Hill. He’ll make a big splash next year barring injury.” Maryville has never won a playoff game. Beating Berry would appear to be doable. The Scots and Berry scrimmaged each other the past two seasons after playing in the 2022 season opener. A 50-yard TD pass in the final minute lifted Berry to a 31-24 victory. “It was Bryson’s first start, it was Devon’s first start (at linebacker),” Fox said. “Berry’s good. They’ve got an All-American free safety that’s a really good player. They’ve got an All-American tailback. But I think that our defense will be as good a unit as they’ve seen all year and I think we’ll be able to get after ‘em. “And our offense has some really good players. Bryson played great the first time he played against ‘em. He ran around and did his thing.” Rollins exudes a quiet confidence. He seemingly willed Elizabethton to a 13-7 victory at Greeneville in the playoffs in 2021 after the Greene Devils had won 42-12 at Elizabethton during the regular season. In the rematch, Rollins rushed 38 times for 200 yards against what most would’ve told you was the superior squad. Rollins is eager to enhance what’s already been a historic season for the Scots while continuing to augment his prolific career. “I can’t wait for Berry this week,” he said. “We’ve got a good game plan and we’ve just gotta go down there and execute. It should be a lot of fun.” Maryville won some games prior to this season while on Rollins’ back. “He did it for us last year,” Fox said. “He’s not had to do it yet this year, but the time might be coming where he’s gonna have to do it.”

Salt Lake City, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intermountain Health has named Ryan Smith as its next chief digital and information officer (CDIO), following an extensive national search. He will begin his new role in early 2025. Intermountain’s search for a CDIO included a thorough recruiting process that involved internal and external partners who vetted candidates throughout the United States. Smith is a seasoned leader with deep roots in healthcare technology and an impressive portfolio of experience with Intermountain. He served in several senior leadership roles across the enterprise for nearly 20 years. He then held executive roles with Health Catalyst and served as senior vice president of technology and chief information officer at Banner Health. Following those positions, Smith returned to Intermountain as chief information officer (CIO) from 2020 to 2022 before joining Graphite Health as its chief operating officer. Ryan now serves as Graphite’s interim president and chief executive officer, advancing the nonprofit organization’s endeavor to make healthcare data more universal, accessible, and scalable. “This opportunity is deeply meaningful to me,” said Smith. “I'm excited for the opportunity to make healthcare an easier, safer experience for patients, members, and caregivers alike.” “I’m confident that Ryan is the right leader to help Intermountain successfully navigate both opportunities and obstacles as a model health system in the complex world of healthcare that lies ahead,” said Rob Allen Intermountain Health president and CEO. “He will lead DTS to support our mission, vision, and strategy to simplify, expand proactive care, and improve the healthcare experience for our caregivers, patients, members, and communities.” As Intermountain’s CDIO, Ryan will report directly to Dan Liljenquist, chief strategy officer. He will also serve as a member of the Enterprise Leadership Team. Smith will lead Intermountain's Digital Technology Services (DTS), including DTS Operations, Digital Services, Data Services, Clinical Informatics, Information Security, and Information Technology. Leaders of each team will report directly to Smith and will continue to serve on the DTS Leadership Team. ### Attachment Ryan SmithSHANGHAI: From Tencent Holdings Ltd to Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, China’s tech leaders delivered underwhelming numbers for a quarter beset by economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Whether or not they can win back investors may increasingly hinge on Beijing’s actions. In call after call with investors, China’s Internet pioneers described how the uneven economy was undermining their business and clouding the future. Most offered cautious optimism for how the unprecedented government stimulus unleashed late in the summer would help grease the wheels and pleaded for patience. But the group that once defied Silicon Valley and defined the country’s private economy was short on new ideas and ambitious goals. Just over the past week, the five biggest tech firms erased US$41bil in market value, while a gauge of sector stocks listed in Hong Kong fell into bear market territory. Last Friday, a sell-off in Chinese stocks deepened as concerns over Donald Trump’s imminent return mingled with growing frustrations over the pace of Beijing’s financial stimulus rollout. For investors that were looking to major tech earnings to revive market euphoria, this season now looks like a flop. The business environment “is not only much worse than five years ago, it’s worse than even when China started the Covid zero policy in 2022”, said Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief Asia-Pacific economist at Natixis. “This sector is obviously supported by China’s industrial policies and intent on winning the tech race with the United States, but at the same time, it’s a problematic sector.” PDD Holdings Inc executives boasted about their cheap hairy crabs instead of offering reassurance for disappointing earnings. Tencent went through its usual pitch about building and sustaining “evergreen” games, without promising any imminent new blockbusters. Alibaba executives spent their time justifying elevated spending to ward off intense competition. Even Baidu Inc, the front-runner in artificial intelligence development, failed to wow with any exciting new projects. “We have not observed a notable improvement in advertisers’ spending patterns, and consumer spending remains subdued,” Baidu’s head of mobile ecosystem, Luo Rong, told analysts on a call last Thursday, dulling expectations for the current quarter. “Having said that, we are particularly encouraged by the strength and timeliness of recent stimulus policies that continue to be rolled out.” Pressure is building for Beijing to offer further measures, as late September’s market rally on the stimulus campaign fizzles. The parade of ho-hum numbers, vague comments about financial policy and warnings contrasted sharply with the pre-Covid era, when Alibaba and Tencent each approached US$1 trillion in market value and analysts talked about the threat they posed to US rivals. Alibaba once fought directly with Amazon.com Inc’s AWS for cloud customers around the world, as it and JD.com Inc talked openly about carving up international markets. Tencent once sketched out ambitions of marrying content with social media and online finance in an unparalleled financial technology and Internet empire. That swagger has vanished since Beijing’s 2020 crackdown on a sector it deemed too powerful. Having once commanded enviable growth rates off the back of China’s burgeoning economy, these companies now face prolonged consumer malaise at home, a lack of obvious growth engines and costly ventures to expand overseas. “October retail sales were boosted by earlier Singles’ Day promotions, so it’s not indicative of the real consumption environment, which companies I spoke to are still cautious about,” said Xin-Yao Ng, investment manager for Asian equities at abrdn plc. “Generally, I hear of a weak November,” he added. — Bloomberg

Amanda Bynes, who stepped out of the public eye after her retirement from acting in 2012, was spotted in Malibu on Tuesday, December 10, running errands in photos obtained by The Daily Mail . This is the first public sighting since the former child star, now 38, shared to her Instagram Story that she was seriously committing to losing weight. Bynes dressed casually in a grey sweatshirt, black leggings, and white loafers. Also visible were her nose ring and a small heart-shaped tattoo on her cheek. The Amanda Show actress posted a screenshot, captured by People , on November 5 that showed her efforts to get exercise by using a step counter. That day, she walked 14,895 steps, equaling 6.60, and burned 481 calories. "Down 6lbs! 154lbs now," the actress and fashion designer wrote in the caption. In March of the same year, she had explained via Instagram that she had gained 20 pounds due to depression, but that she was "doing a lot better," and pushing herself to work out even when she didn't "feel like" doing so. This news marked the latest in a roller coaster of struggles she's had with her physical and mental health. A 2018 Paper Magazine interview with Bynes revealed that she'd long struggled with body dysmorphia and "abused Adderall" to lose weight. Nowadays, Bynes is reclusive even on her Instagram , which only features two posts — one of the retired actress standing in her apartment, and another in which she shows off her formidable acrylic nails. The Story Highlights, however, reveal some details about her day-to-day life, such as an art show she will be hosting in Los Angeles on December 21 and her love for nail art. She graduated from Los Angeles' Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in June of 2019 after five years of studying.

Meta Platforms Inc., owner of Facebook, has announced its interest in nuclear power as a means to fulfill its AI and sustainability objectives. This marks a notable shift among technology giants as they anticipate an increase in electricity demand. The company is soliciting proposals to procure 1 to 4 gigawatts of nuclear energy in the United States by the early 2030s. A typical nuclear facility in the U.S. boasts a 1-gigawatt capacity. Meta believes nuclear energy will be crucial for a cleaner and more reliable energy grid. Challenges such as regulatory hurdles and community opposition loom, as illustrated by previous deals in the sector, including Microsoft's restart of a Three Mile Island plant unit. Meta's request-for-proposal process accepts applications until January 2025, aiming for careful project consideration. (With inputs from agencies.)This screenshot from Donald Trump Truth Social account shows an image of President-elect Donald Trump and first lady Jill Biden attending the ceremony in Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Dec .7, 2024 in Paris. Trump’s recent summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in negotiating trade policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they’ve also become fodder for trolling. (Truth Social via AP) This screenshot from Donald Trump’s Truth Social account shows am image of President-elect Donald Trump standing beside a Canadian flag. Trump’s recent summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in negotiating trade policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they’ve also become fodder for trolling. (Truth Social via AP) This screenshot from Donald Trump Truth Social account shows an image of President-elect Donald Trump and first lady Jill Biden attending the ceremony in Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Dec .7, 2024 in Paris. Trump’s recent summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in negotiating trade policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they’ve also become fodder for trolling. ( Truth Social via AP) This screenshot from Donald Trump Truth Social account shows an image of President-elect Donald Trump and first lady Jill Biden attending the ceremony in Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Dec .7, 2024 in Paris. Trump’s recent summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in negotiating trade policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they’ve also become fodder for trolling. (Truth Social via AP) By MICHELLE L. PRICE and ROB GILLIES NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. Related Articles National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television National Politics | What will happen to Social Security under Trump’s tax plan? National Politics | Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump’s mass deportation effort Throughout his first term in the White House and during his campaign to return, Trump has spun out countless provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. There were his belittling nicknames for political opponents, his impressions of other political figures and the plentiful memes he shared on social media. Now that’s he’s preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony into a social media promo for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” The first lady’s office declined to comment. When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect’s threat to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products entering the U.S., the Republican tossed out the idea that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person. Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he posted an AI-generated image that showed him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!” After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park.” Trudeau said earlier this week that when it comes to Trump, “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.” Even Thanksgiving dinner isn’t a trolling-free zone for Trump’s adversaries. On Thanksgiving Day, Trump posted a movie clip from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene. The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.” As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body. After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden’s spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. Trump, true to form, turned his mocking into a spectacle by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru. Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor. “President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.” Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns created and shared memes and launched other stunts to respond to Trump’s taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait. “I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said. Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office. “Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.” “This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.” Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.NoneSIMMONS: Baseball has gone crazy with prospective rule changes

Middle East latest: Israel bombs hundreds of sites across Syria as army pushes into border zone

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau flies to Florida to meet with Trump after tariffs threat WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has flown to Florida to have dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Trump's picks for commerce secretary, interior secretary and national security adviser, and the three men's wives. From the Canadian side, the dinner guests included Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security. Trump’s transition did not respond to questions about what they had discussed or whether the conversation alleviated Trump’s concerns about the border. A smiling Trudeau declined comment upon returning to his West Palm Beach hotel late Friday. Emboldened 'manosphere' accelerates threats and demeaning language toward women after US election CHICAGO (AP) — An emboldened fringe of right-wing “manosphere” influencers has seized on Donald Trump’s presidential win to justify and amplify misogynistic derision and threats online. Many have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice,” and have been using it publicly on college campuses and even in public schools. While none of the current online rhetoric is being amplified by Trump, experts say many young men see the former president’s return to the White House as vindication of their views on women. For many women, the words are a worrying sign of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive rights and women’s rights. Syrian insurgents are inside Aleppo in a major setback for Assad as government forces regroup BEIRUT (AP) — Thousands of Syrian insurgents have fanned out inside Syria's largest city Aleppo a day after storming it with little resistance from government troops. Syria's army said troops have redeployed to prepare for a counteroffensive. Witnesses said insurgents were seen Saturday at landmarks in Aleppo for the first time since 2016, when they were expelled by government forces backed by Russia and Iran. The surprise offensive is a major embarrassment for Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has regained total control of the city eight years ago. An Israeli strike in Gaza kills workers with World Central Kitchen charity DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on a car in the Gaza Strip on Saturday killed five people including employees of World Central Kitchen. The charity says it is “urgently seeking more details” after Israel’s military said it targeted a WCK worker who had been part of the Hamas attack that sparked the war. The charity in an email says it is “heartbroken” by the airstrike and that it had no knowledge anyone in the car had alleged ties to the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, saying it is “working with incomplete information.” It says it is pausing operations in Gaza. Lebanese fisherman hope ceasefire with Israel means normal life returning TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is bringing hope for normality back to many in southern Lebanon. That includes fishermen who’ve long launched their single-engine wooden boats into the Mediterranean at dawn. For months, Israel imposed a siege that kept hundreds of fishermen at this ancient Phoenician port ashore. That upended their lives and dealt the industry a major blow. The port siege also cut people off from key ingredients for traditional Lebanese dishes. As war devastated their country, the loss of fish damaged a deep association with home. Now, the possibility of renewed fishing is helping fuel hope. How Brazilian police say Bolsonaro plotted a coup to stay in office SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Federal Police have formally accused former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others of plotting a coup to keep him in office. The plot was allegedly comprised of several components and substantiated by evidence and testimony in the agency's 884-page report. The pieces of the puzzle include laying the groundwork by systematically sowing distrust of the electoral system among the populace. It also includes drafting a decree to give the plot a veneer of legal basis and pressuring top military brass to go along with the plan. Bolsonaro and his main allies have denied any wrongdoing or involvement and accuse authorities of political persecution. More than 100 arrested as Georgian police clash with protesters over suspension of EU talks TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — More than 100 demonstrators were arrested overnight in Georgia as protesters clashed with police following the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union, the country’s Interior Ministry said. Friday marked the second straight night of protests after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the country’s ruling Georgian Dream party announced the suspension the previous day. The Associated Press saw protesters in Tbilisi being chased and beaten by police as demonstrators rallied in front of the country's parliament building. The violence follows Georgian Dream’s disputed victory in the Oct. 26 election, which was widely seen as a referendum on the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. Romania's parliamentary vote risks being overshadowed by presidential race chaos BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians are preparing to go to the polls in a parliamentary vote that will determine a new government and prime minister to lead the European Union and NATO member country. However, Sunday's vote is sandwiched between a two-round presidential race and is overshadowed by controversies and chaos following the outcome of the first vote. While the president has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security and foreign policy, the prime minister is the head of the nation’s government. Sunday’s vote will determine the formation of the country’s 466-seat legislature. North Korea's Kim vows steadfast support for Russia’s war in Ukraine SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country will “invariably support” Russia’s war in Ukraine as he met Russia's visiting defense chief. A Russia military delegation led by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday as international concerns about the two countries’ expanding cooperation deepened after North Korea sent thousands of troops to Russia. During a Friday meeting, Kim and Belousov reached “a satisfactory consensus” on issues on how to further boost strategic partnership and defend each country’s sovereignty and security interests, state media said. Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest forecast to be hit with snow and dangerous cold into next week BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The first big snowfall of the season is threatening to bury towns in New York along lakes Erie and Ontario as the hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend winds down. Numbing cold and heavy snow could persist into next week and cause hazards in the Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest regions. A state of emergency was declared for parts of New York, making it problematic for scores of Thanksgiving travelers trying to return home. This week’s blast of frigid Arctic air also brought bitterly cold temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below average to the Northern Plains. Cold air was expected to move over the eastern third of the U.S. by Monday, the weather service said, with temperatures about 10 degrees below average.SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — After snapping a two-game losing streak, Iowa State still has a chance to play for a Big 12 title. But the No. 22 Cyclones cannot afford to lose against Utah on Saturday. Beating a Utes team mired in a six-game losing streak will be harder than it appears at first glance. Utah (4-6, 1-6 Big 12) has not scored more than 24 points against any Big 12 opponent this season. But the Utes are also one of the toughest defensive teams in the league. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. 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Influencer 101Georgia's ombudsman accuses police of torturing pro-EU protesters