fc188 bet login A person accused of accosting U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in a Capitol Office building pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanor assault charge. Witnesses told police that James McIntyre, 33, of Chicago, shook Mace’s hand in an “exaggerated, aggressive” manner after approaching the South Carolina Republican in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday evening, according to a police affidavit. Mace, who is identified only by her initials in a court filing, posted a string of social media messages about the incident. She said she was “physically accosted” at the Capitol, and she thanked President-elect Donald Trump for calling her Wednesday morning to check on her condition. “I’m going to be fine just as soon as the pain and soreness subside,” Mace wrote. Mace declined to be treated by a paramedic after her encounter with McIntyre, who was arrested Tuesday by the Capitol Police, the affidavit says. Mace told police that McIntyre said, “Trans youth serve advocacy,” while shaking her hand. Last month, Mace proposed a resolution that would prohibit any lawmakers and House employees from “using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex.” Mace said the bill is aimed specifically at Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride — the first transgender person to be elected to Congress. A magistrate judge ordered McIntyre’s release after an arraignment in Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Efforts to reach an attorney for McIntyre weren’t immediately successful.

NonePoonch (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], November 24 (ANI): The Prime Minister Vishwakarma Scheme has helped in revitalising the lives of people in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district by helping the locals to upgrade their skills, become self-dependent. and venture into entrepreneurship. Vishwakarma Scheme, launched in September 17, 2023, has provided end-to-end support to the barbers, tailors, masons, carpenters and blacksmiths of Poonch by offering them a Rs 15,000 modern toolkit to enhance their business. Also Read | Shiv Sena MLAs Feel Eknath Shinde Should Continue As Maharashtra CM, Says State Minister Deepak Kesarkar. The scheme, aimed at reviving the life of workers, provides basic training of five to seven days and Advanced training of 15 days or more, while significantly providing a stipend of Rs 500 per day so the people can comfortably attend the training program while reaping benefits. PM Vishwakarma Scheme was launched on September 17, 2023, by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Also Read | Angul Shocker: 23-Year-Old Man Kills Mother With Wooden Plank for Refusing To Give Money for Liquor in Odisha, Arrested. In Poonch's Industrial Training Institute, people expressed their happiness that the PM Vishwakarma Scheme has brought to them. The trainees at ITI expressed their pleasure over being able to upgrade their skills while learning new ways to expand their business. They also thanked PM Modi for providing loans on less interest rate to them so they could finally overcome the hardships in their life. Basid Chowdery, who is currently part of the ongoing tailors batch, expressed his satisfaction on upskilling his sewing skills. "We came here for training under the PM Vishwa Karma Scheme. The training will be completed in 5 to 7 days. All the Skillman like tailors, plumbers and others will be given toolkit around Rs 15000. They will also be given loans with less interest. I come here for training and they have promised me Rs 500 per day. I am being taught how to use the sewing machine," he said. Meanwhile, another lady named Shabnam said she is looking forward to become self-dependent from the toolkit she received under this scheme. "I am learning sewing technology under the Vishwakarma Scheme. We'll be given a toolkit of Rs 15000 and Rs 500 daily for our commutation. This scheme is helping is to end unemployment. From the toolkit, I can be self-dependent. I can start the business at home. PM Vishwakarma scheme is making sure that no one remains unemployed," Shabnam said. Tabraiz Ahemed Khan, the instructor in ITI Poonch informed that around 205 tailors, 130 barbers, more than 50 masons and around 12 to 13 carpenters and blacksmiths have upgraded their skills through this scheme. "The scheme was launched on September 2023. Under this scheme, there are 18 kinds of trades. We have 5 trades barber, mason, tailor, blacksmith and carpenter. Currently, the tailor batch is going on. We have trained 205 tailors already 130 barbers are trained. More than 50 masons are trained and around 12-13 blacksmiths and carpenters are trained respectively," Khan said. He also highlighted the benefits like toolkits, stipends and loans provided by the government. "The scheme has a lot of benefits, The government provide support to workers, and they get a toolkit and stipend of Rs 500 per day. The government is also providing a loan of Rs 1 lakh for basic training for their business. Earlier people used to work with their hands now they are receiving advanced toolkits. The people who weren't skilled now have skills that have been upgraded," he said. He further noted that people under this scheme also learn about other skills that benefit them to enhance their business and make them self-dependent. "They also learn about how to stand their business, how to market, how to create groups, how to sell on Facebook. We have also thought them of Google Pay, and Paytm to upgrade their skills so they can increase their business," he said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

Here's the thing about : What separates the decent Black Friday deals from the truly stellar ones is that the decent discounts will save you money, while the stellar markdowns save you money without the need to spend a lot of money. And that's why we went in search of the best Black Friday deals under $25 to shop as we speak. There's a little something for everyone on this list, whether the special kid in your life would delight in a (just $13, from $39) or your favorite home cook could use a new (our fave is down to a mere $23). And don't forget to treat yourself while you're at it — we've included both fun and practical finds to snap up for a steal. Now, as shopping editors, we'll be the first to tell you that not all deals are worth your time and hard-earned money. That's why we're hard at work comparing price histories across retailers to bring you the deals we would recommend to our friends and family. We'll be updating this list frequently, so check back in to see what's new in the world of Black Friday sales. Happy shopping! Hometopia Outdoor Faucet Cover, 2-Pack Amazon Fire TV Stick Qinlianf 5-Outlet Extender Bedsure Comforter, Queen Tramontina Professional Nonstick Fry Pan, 10-inch Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker Cate & Chloe Bianca 18-Karat Yellow Gold Hoop Earrings Kasa Smart Plug, 4-Pack Old Navy Fringed Scarf Wondershop Pre-Lit Alberta Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda High-Rise Tapered Jean Kitinjoy 100% Cotton Kitchen Dish Cloths, 6-Pack Squishmallows Tahoe Tortoiseshell Cat Isotoner Mya Microsuede Gloves You might not be experiencing freezing temperatures just yet, but if and when those overnight frosts occur, you'll be glad you thought to protect your outdoor spigots ahead of time. These No. 1 bestsellers are like socks for your faucets, acting as insulators to help prevent your pipes from freezing — every homeowner's nightmare. This is as low as we've ever seen this pair on sale for, and over 20,000 were purchased in the past month, so we're not far off... Check out our roundup of the best for more. All-time-low price alert! The Fire TV Stick is a great way to add smart functions to a "dumb" TV. It also works if you have a smart TV and you just don't like the interface. It's a wild 55% off right now for a limited time. "Do not let the fear of technology scare you away from using a Fire Stick!" said a . "We had a TV that was not a smart TV, and when we went to streaming, we quit using it. I decided to try the Fire Stick so we could have a TV in the guest room. Took five minutes to set it up. The remote is great too and simple to operate since it is Alexa-enabled or if you don't like using Alexa, it still is easy to use." Check out our roundup of the best for more. Never fight with your family members over power outlets again. This electrifying gadget boasts five AC outlets and four USB ports, enough for everyone to charge their devices all at once. Oh, and this top seller is so much sleeker than having a power strip on your floor. This might not be the biggest discount, but we've yet to see it on sale for less. Check out our tech editor's roundup of the for gadgets and gizmos aplenty. Plush and oh-so-popular, this blankie is lightweight but warm enough for winter. I first felt this supremely soft comforter at my sister's house, and immediately told her to send me the product link so I could buy one for myself. It's Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified, feels lighter than air but also manages to keep me toasty enough on cold nights. It has a box-stitch design to help keep the filling evenly distributed, and I haven't noticed any shifting. Plus, it's currently down to its best price of all time. This versatile skillet ain't no flash in the pan — it's been a staple in one Yahoo Life editor's kitchen for years. Among its many perks are its lightweight, 2-pound design, as well as the removable silicone grip on its handle, which will protect your hands while you cook. It's also dishwasher-safe, but our editor says, "Cleanup is a breeze and only requires a few swipes with a soapy sponge, even around the rivets that secure the handle." It's currently down to the best price we've seen all year. Check out our roundup of the for a full review. This nifty contraption is a fave of Yahoo staff and readers alike. Says one editor: "I was skeptical at first. After all, I was used to spending a lot of time crafting breakfast sandwiches. But after using this device once, I was hooked. It pristinely cooked every element of the sandwich — even the egg! The ham was smoky and warm, the cheese was perfectly melted and the egg was the ideal level of gooeyness. Plus, my English muffin didn’t get soggy." It's not often on sale, and this is about as low as we've ever seen it marked down to (it currently beats Amazon's price, and you'll get free shipping with your Circle 360 membership). It makes a fun gift, hint-hint! Check out our roundup of the best for more. Know someone who appreciates lovely jewelry? recommends these beauties, which look so much more expensive than their $18 price tag. "Coated in Swarovski crystals, these bestselling hoop earrings sparkle and shimmer from every angle," she says. "We love a good yellow gold pavé moment, but the hoops also come in white gold and rose gold if that's more your thing. Wear them on any ole Tuesday to dress up a simple outfit or reserve them for a formal occasion where you want to really wow." says, "These widely compatible smart plugs work with almost all smart-home services outside of HomeKit (and even that can be configured through IFTTT), but the true selling point is the fact that you get four for just $20. That's less than $5 per plug — an absolute steal with how useful these little gadgets actually are." This is as low as we've seen them drop in years, and they make cool stocking stuffers! Check out his roundup of the best for more. Whether you could use a new neck warmer or want to treat someone on your list to a toasty yet stylish winter accessory, look no further than this fringed looker, which reviewers say is a dead-ringer for the popular (and pricey) . At 50% off, you'll be able to grab multiples without breaking the bank — it comes in plenty of fun colors and prints. This pint-sized cutie is proof that you don't need a sprawling abode to enjoy the charms of a Christmas tree. At 3' tall, it'll fit just about anywhere and comes pre-lit so you won't have to deal with a jumble of string lights. You can't beat that discount, either — choose from colorful or clear lights. If you're looking for denim that's designed for all shapes and sizes, these affordable Amandas definitely fit the bill (pun intended). They're classic high-rises that sit at your natural waist and will go with just about anything. These No. 1 bestsellers start at a wild $20 (nearly 60% off), so grab a few pairs for fall and winter — they'd look fab with some stylish . Check out our roundup of the best for more. If your ratty old dish towels have seen better days, this 100% cotton set is an excellent swap. The waffle weave pattern not only looks nice, but it also offers a bit of texture for more effective scrubbing. Our price trackers tell us this is within two dollars of these towels' all-time low, so wipe — er, swipe — 'em while they're on sale. Check out our roundup of the best for more. A wide range of ages will love playing and snuggling up with their plushie, many of which are on sale. This fetching feline, Tahoe, is one of Amazon's most popular stuffed animals, but there are plenty of fun characters to choose from, each with different interests and personalities. Tahoe happens to be a purr-ticularly good 67% off (prices vary). says, "I know, I know, gloves aren't exactly the most novel gift idea, but they're one of those things that we all need to refresh every couple of winters. These fleece-lined favorites are just as practical as they are pretty: One raved that 'the fur cuff is perfect and looks expensive,' while mentioned that they 'kept my hands warm during my trip to the northeast and in cold weather.' The best of both worlds, eh?" That 66% discount isn't too shabby, either... Check out her roundup of the for more ideas for presents she'll love. See all of Shop the best expert-picked on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for . And find to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

If one were to ask Stanislas Klossowski de Rola to draw up a list of his most valuable skills, timing would undoubtedly claim the top spot. The son of renowned Polish French modern artist Balthus—who claimed to descend from Poland ’s medieval nobility, hence the title—the now 82-year-old has enjoyed a charmed but convention-defying trajectory: being discovered by Luchino Visconti and whisked off to the Cannes Film Festival with Fellini as a teen, getting busted with Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones in his 20s, and providing creative fuel for Gucci in his 70s, when he was cast in one of the brand’s fragrance commercials. Lately, Prince Stash, as he’s known to his legions of followers on TikTok and Instagram , has become a social-media darling (an unlikely position for a dread-locked, technology-averse octogenarian). But whether he’s opening the rooms of his 1,200-year-old Tuscan castle or telling stories about dropping acid with Pink Floyd’s Syd Barrett, he flies the flag for individuality with every post. And given the flattening sameness of luxury, perhaps the former bad boy once linked to Nico, Anita Pallenberg, and Marianne Faithfull is the harpsichord-playing bohemian éminence grise we didn’t know we needed. What’s the first thing you do in the morning? Usually I’m up very early, especially in summer in this house, because it can be extremely hot. You have to bounce out of bed, rush and close maybe 20-odd windows that face the rising sun. It’s absolutely imperative. What apps do you use the most? My social-media manager says I should engage more with the public, but how? That’s hundreds of people... If I need to speak to someone, they’d better contact me on WhatsApp. How would you describe your look? Sheer eccentricity, a bit in the traditional English way, but more than your continental European. It’s a sense of what you like to put together, with interesting combinations. How would others describe your look? In the ’60s, Brian Jones and I were known for our sartorial extravagance... We just went and shopped for women’s clothes, if they could be adapted to resemble sort of medieval tunics and so on. Where do you get your clothes? When I had to wear formal clothes, I frequented Johns & Peggin England. [But] I scour to this day. In Thailand, I’ve found things in women’s boutiques that would fit me, and I went to a top-of-the-line sari manufacturer in India, designed things, and had them made to my specification. What do you do that’s still analog? I have a 1956 Seeburg 200 jukebox. It plays actual old 45s, some of which I’ve had since I was 16 years old. What’s your favorite cocktail, and how do you make it? That’s an easy answer, thank God. I like Ricard, especially in the summer. When you go to a café in Paris, you ask for a Ricard tomate. It’s not with tomato juice, rather grenadine. You put a tiny bit of the pomegranate syrup in lots of water, and it’s very refreshing. What do you crave most at the end of the day? I have instruments in several rooms. I’ll improvise a little bit on the harpsichord. It’s a gift, my form of meditation, and a direct feed into the absolute elsewhere as a being. How do you get to sleep? I have all kinds of vintage dressing gowns. Princess Claudia Ruspoli gave me this divine [one] from some fancy designer in Rome in the most wonderful fabric. What’s the most recent thing you’ve added to your collection? I found some exquisite 18th-century chairs, a pair of them. When I was a kid, these things would’ve been worth thousands of dollars, but people are no longer interested in that kind of stuff because they want all modern gear. Who is your dealer, and what do they source for you? I collect antique books, and the internet has been great for that. I picked up an original edition of Charles Dickens’s The Pickwick Papers for a few euros here because it was in English, so no one verified anything. Are you wearing a watch? How many do you own? I have one of the rarest watches, that belonged to my mother, a Patek Philippe brooch with the noble crown... I also have a Ulysse Nardin watch from the ’40s, which was made for my uncle, Hubert de Watteville. It was graduated on a certain number of pulsations, since he was a physician, so it has a complete custom part of a chronometer. What car are you most attached to? I have a very impractical, very rare car in America. It’s a 1976 Rolls-Royce Camarguein willow green. In Italy, I have a very practical, very powerful Audi A6. How much do you trust your gut? Implicitly. It’s more like an intuition. Ignore the intuition and you get in trouble, I’ve always found. What does success look like to you? I don’t know what success is. The moment you say, “I am doing this, and I am successful,” you put the wrong emphasis on the ego. It’s the moment when a gain is lost. If you could learn a new skill, what would it be? I’d love to be able to read German perfectly well. I’d love to read all the German romantics in the original language, as their voices are lost in translation. What’s your exercise routine, and how often do you do it? Every morning, I work with free weights with the window open. I do a whole bunch of movements, increasing the weight, and that keeps you in good shape. Drive or be driven? Drive. I don’t like being driven. When I did the Gucci commercial, we couldn’t drive our own cars, due to our contract. That driver was exceptionally nice, except he’d get hopelessly lost in the dark. What kind of music makes you happy? I listen to Ray Charles, I listen to gospel music, I listen to Indian music, classical Indian music—a vast variety. I don’t specifically like the way a lot of classical music is recorded, but that’s another thing. I’d rather listen to it live.

President Javier Milei of Argentina announced a new formal alliance with Israel on Thursday, calling it “a bilateral alliance for freedom, democracy, and against terrorism and dictatorships.” The announcement came the same day as the International Criminal Court (ICC) approved warrants for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, over objections from the United States and Argentina as well. Milei, an admirer of Israel and the Jewish faith, slammed his predecessors for their closeness to the Iranian regime, which was responsible for a massive terror attack on the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires in 1994. He pledged to support the fight against terrorism, and to stand up for the values of the West against their enemies. Earlier this year, during a visit to Israel, Milei signed a treaty on social rights with the Israeli government. He also visited Jewish holy sites and the community of Kibbutz Nir Oz, which was decimated by the October 7 terror attack. “We will never forget the inhuman attacks with [which] terrorism punished the Argentine people 30 years ago. And we also do not forget barbarism committed by the terrorist group Hamas on October 7th,” Milei said on Friday. He demanded the unconditional release of 101 remaining hostages held by Hamas, including eight Argentinian citizens. Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of The Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days , available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of The Trumpian Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trump’s Presidency , now available on Audible. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak .

'It felt amazing' — Victory over Wisconsin brings joy, relief for Huskers on 'special' day

NoneTHE relentless speed of technology innovation is undeniable. When combined with a natural fear of missing out, ideas that may once have seemed like science fiction are rapidly converting into tangible reality. From generative AI to quantum computing, the potential benefits are huge, and so is the risk of making costly mistakes. A key theme from this year’s “KPMG Global Tech Report” research is the perception among tech executives that they are struggling to keep up with the pace of change. In response to this sense of falling behind, organizations may be tempted to make a hurried response. However, this can lead to misguided investments that may prove both risky and expensive, potentially increasing the burden of technical debt which many well-established organizations are already struggling with. “Balancing tech advancements with strategic, evidence-based decisions is essential to extracting genuine value. In the Philippines, where digital transformation is rapidly advancing across various sectors, this balance ensures solutions are not only resilient but also scaled safely and responsibly. With AI and other emerging technologies making waves, it’s critical for organizations to approach these tools thoughtfully to avoid costly missteps and drive sustainable growth,” R.G. Manabat & Co. Technology Consulting Head Jallain Marcel S. Manrique said. Identifying value amid the hype TO harness the full potential of the wave of new tech advancements, organizations must sustain a measured, strategic approach to investment. Rapid change is driving “fear of missing out” (Fomo). Our research shows that the rapidly accelerated technology innovation over the past year has amplified a strong sense of Fomo among organizations. The flood of AI-related news entering the mainstream has stirred a collective interest in AI that transcends seniority and technical expertise. This has only served to stoke the fires of ‘tech-envy’ and could encourage a ‘spend now, ask questions later’ attitude. Digital transformation can bring many exciting benefits, and ambition to progress is only healthy, but organizations must not let it distort their judgement. Progress paranoia could lead to misguided investments and disjointed implementation initiatives. Optimizing value through evidence-based decision ON balance, organizations are content with the outcomes of their digital transformation investments, mostly thanks to their ability to make sound decisions along the journey. With the pace of change pressuring tech execs, organizations must ensure haste does not compromise the quality of their judgment calls. Investing for the long term is still a good discipline to follow. With execs fearing that their organizations are struggling to keep up with the pace of change, planning for the long term can be difficult when balancing the needs of the latest technological advancements. To maximize progress, tech execs should channel digital transformation efforts towards what matters most strategically to their organizations. Delivering resilient solutions SECURING the most value from identified opportunities relies on robust data-driven processes, security and governance. As they troubleshoot the problems that threaten their resilience, organizations are placing cybersecurity and data proficiency at the top of their priority lists. Data both drives and sustains digital transformation. Data maturity, security, and governance enable the pace of innovation, and can help improve customer experiences. Insufficiently secure solutions create the risk of data breaches, inefficiencies, or missed opportunities, which can erode business value and customer trust. Data security and governance form a robust transformation delivery infrastructure that underpins an organization’s strategic ability to differentiate, maintain cost effectiveness and manage risk in the digital era. Scaling AI with confidence ALMOST three-quarters of organizations are already achieving business value from their AI investments, but only one in three has been able to achieve this at scale. Enthusiasm is being fueled by democratized experimentation approaches, but as use cases scale up many predict a tipping point marking a drive towards greater centralization. The AI ‘black-box’ is causing workforce anxiety. Managing employee anxiety around change will be critical to AI adoption at speed. Those who navigate the evolving tech landscape with a focus on employee empowerment, and bringing everyone on board, will flourish amid rapid change. Organizations believe their workforce has an appetite for cutting-edge tech. But there is also fear that some individuals feel left behind by the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Conclusion and key recommendations WHILE the pace of digital transformation can be daunting, our research shows that many organizations are taking considerable strides forward in their implementation journeys, especially with AI, XaaS and cybersecurity. The additional profitability that transformation has yielded so far is certainly encouraging and organizations are seeking value beyond profits. Execs are calibrating their digital transformation formulas to supercharge progress across a range of strategic objectives, including ESG responsibilities and customer experience elevation. To help guard against stakeholder skepticism associated with the safety and viability of new digital transformation opportunities, organizations should also bring structure, discipline and an enterprise mindset to the adoption of new technology, to mitigate risks and optimize value realization. This excerpt was taken from the KPMG Thought Leadership publication: https://kpmg.com/xx/en/our-insights/transformation/kpmg-global-tech-report-2024.html. © 2024 R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG Int’l Ltd., a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved. For more information, you may reach out through ph-kpmgmla@kpmg.com , social media or visit www.home.kpmg/ph. This article is for general information purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice to a specific issue or entity. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the BusinessMirror , KPMG International or KPMG in the Philippines.MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) — Isaiah Smith ran for a career-high 205 yards on 31 carries and scored a touchdown and San Diego beat Morehead State 37-14 in a season-ending contest for both teams on Saturday. Grant Sergent threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns for San Diego (8-3, 6-2 Pioneer Football League) which ended the season with a four-game win streak and winners of six of seven. The Toreros finished in sole possession of second place in the PFL behind Drake (7-1), which clinched the league outright with a 49-10 win over Stetson on Saturday. Drake beat San Diego 30-28 on a walk-off field goal on Sept. 28 in Des Moines, Iowa. Bryce Patterson threw for 133 yards and a touchdown and James Louis ran for a touchdown for the Eagles (7-5, 5-3). ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP collegebasketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaignBy Jade Macmillan for the ABC When Robert F Kennedy Jr was running as an independent candidate at this year's US election, he attracted a series of bizarre headlines. "RFK Jr says doctors found a dead worm in his brain," screamed The New York Times . "RFK Jr admits to dumping a dead bear in Central Park," said NPR . "Feds open probe into RFK Jr for allegedly decapitating a dead whale," reported Fox News . The 70-year-old had been seen as a potential spoiler in a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. But by the time Kamala Harris replaced the president on the Democratic ticket, his campaign had faltered and was running out of money . Opinion polls suggested he could still draw votes away from Trump, however, in what was then expected to be a very close contest. And despite having previously described RFK Jr as the "most radical left candidate in the race", the now president-elect sought - and received - his endorsement. That support has now been rewarded with the promise of a major new job; Trump has nominated RFK Jr to be his secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It is a sprawling federal agency tasked with overseeing everything from vaccines to Medicare to food safety. So what exactly does RFK Jr mean when he promises to "Make America Healthy Again"? And why are some public health experts so alarmed? A 'dangerous' record on vaccines RFK Jr is part of one of America's most famous political dynasties. He is named after his father, former US attorney-general Robert F Kennedy, and is the nephew of former president John F Kennedy. He made his own mark as an environmental lawyer, focusing on issues such as water pollution. But it is his vaccine activism that is generating the most attention now that he is in line for a role in Trump's second-term administration . RFK Jr has promoted disproven claims, including that childhood vaccines cause autism. He has also been accused of fuelling vaccine scepticism in Samoa ahead of a deadly measles outbreak that killed 83 people there in 2019. Vaccination rates had fallen after two babies died the previous year from incorrectly mixed and administered mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) shots. RFK Jr visited the Pacific nation several months before the outbreak, writing later that the trip was organised by a local vaccination critic. He has since denied bearing any responsibility for the measles outbreak in Samoa, telling a documentary that he "never told anybody not to vaccinate". "I didn't, you know, go there for any reason to do with that," he said. But Helen Petousis-Harris, a New Zealand-based vaccinologist who worked to try to rebuild confidence in Samoa's vaccination programme , said RFK Jr weakened an "already fragile trust". "A person who has the status of RFK Jr just I guess further amplifies what those local anti-vaccine advocates had been saying," she said. "And there's a big price to pay, isn't there? I mean, these were children's lives." RFK Jr has rejected the assertion that he is an "anti-vaxxer" and he insisted shortly after Trump's election victory that if vaccines were "working for somebody, I'm not going to take them away". "I'm going to make sure scientific safety studies and efficacy are out there, and people can make individual assessments about whether that product is going to be good for them," he told NBC News. Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown University, points out control over vaccines in the US resides with the states, not the federal government. But he argues RFK Jr could try to change which vaccines can be accessed free of charge under health insurance. And he believes he will do "everything in his power to foment distrust in them". "I've never seen a darker day for public health than I have since the election," he said. "I just call this simply a poke in the eye of science." RFK Jr's position on vaccines is partly behind a split in his famous family. His cousin and outgoing US ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy recently described his views as "dangerous". "I grew up with him so I've known all this for a long time and others are just getting to know him," she told the National Press Club in Canberra. An overhaul of America's eating habits Along with what he says will be a crackdown on big pharma, RFK Jr is promising to overhaul America's food system. He has called for new limits on food additives and dyes, highlighting differences between the artificial colours used in American-made breakfast cereals and those used in the same products produced in Canada. "It's literally poisoning our kids," he told Fox News in September. He has also pledged to remove ultra-processed foods from school lunches as part of an effort to end what he describes as the "chronic disease epidemic". "President Trump has told me that he wants to see measurable, concrete results within two years in terms of a measurable diminishment in chronic disease among America's kids," he told NBC earlier this month. Some of RFK Jr's stances on nutrition have found support across a broad political spectrum in the US. Author Michael Pollan, who has spent decades advocating for healthier eating, told Politico he agreed with many of RFK Jr's criticisms of the US food system . "The way we're eating is the biggest threat to public health," he said. But he added that he did not support RFK Jr's nomination. "I think he's completely unfit and that's because of his stance on vaccines," he said. Richard Besser, a former acting director of the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) under Barack Obama, believes there is merit in some of the goals RFK Jr is pursuing. But he also does not support his appointment as DHHS secretary. "One of the challenges very frequently with people who are big spreaders of misinformation is that some of what they spread is good," Dr Besser said. "If we had a secretary who said, 'Let's take on childhood nutrition,' that's great. "But you want to make sure that they're coming in and saying, 'Let's bring in the best and the brightest around this topic,' ... not pulling in ideas that may not be based on science, may be based on fear or misleading information." The 'MAHA' movement RFK Jr has called for fluoride to be removed from public drinking water, warned against seed oils, and criticised what he has called the "aggressive suppression" by federal regulators of unpasteurised milk and psychedelics. He has attracted a social media following under the hashtag "Make America Healthy Again", or "MAHA", a spin on Trump's famous slogan. "How it feels knowing RFK Jr is about to go head to head with the food and pharmacy industries," one TikTok user posted alongside the #crunchymom hashtag. RFK Jr has also recently been linked to controversial Australian personality Pete Evans. An advocacy group founded by RFK Jr is publishing a children's cookbook with the former celebrity chef who has previously been accused of spreading medical misinformation. Professor Gostin said there had long been some level of scepticism towards American public health institutions, but that distrust increased dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic. "I think perhaps science and public health lacked the necessary humility during the pandemic, and that's part of the problem," he said. "But the solution isn't to tear down science and evidence, because we have no alternative." 'Pretty wild ideas' RFK Jr's appointment will need to be confirmed by the Senate, and while Republicans are set to take control of the chamber, that does not guarantee approval. Trump's pick for attorney-general, Matt Gaetz, recently withdrew his name from consideration after senators demanded to see the detail of sexual misconduct allegations against him. "The end of the Matt Gaetz nomination could play out in the form of the Senate willing now to confirm whoever is put in front of them," said Sara Rosenbaum, professor emirata at George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health. "Although, interestingly, the Senate was sort of able to ward [Gaetz's appointment] off before it came to an actual 'no'. "So whether this, in fact, means that they are still rigourous and moving through the candidates in a meaningful way, considering the candidates in a meaningful way, remains to be seen." If he is confirmed, the president-elect has joked he will let RFK Jr "go wild for a little while". "Then I'm going to have to maybe rein him back," Trump said in the lead-up to the election. "Because he's got some pretty wild ideas but most of them are really good, I think." - ABC

No. 5 UCLA upsets No. 1 South Carolina, snapping Gamecocks' 43-game win streakFrench government toppled in deepening political crisis

Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault chargeNORTH CHARLESTON — "Christmas comes early for South Carolina," said Senator Lindsey Graham, celebrating president-elect Trump's pick for Treasury secretary. The choice, native South Carolinian Scott Bessent, will be of "enormous benefit" to the people of the state and nationwide, Graham added. President-elect Donald Trump named Bessent his nominee for leader of the U.S. Department of Treasury on Nov. 22 after several weeks of candidate interviews and indecision. Bessent beamed when waving to reporters inside a conference room Nov. 24 at the Charleston International Airport. He shook hands with Graham before departing. Bessent did not take questions from reporters. "[Bessent] has the best combination of academic credentials and real world experience," said Graham. After speaking with both Bessent and Trump, Graham believes they have an agenda that can bring the U.S. economy into what Graham calls a "golden age." Born in Conway and a longtime resident of Charleston, Bessent knows South Carolina economy and "knows how we can fit in," Graham said. "He will be President Trump's right-hand man to jumpstart the American economy and to deal with bad actors throughout the world," he said. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks with reporters after introducing Scott Bessent, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, at a press conference at Charleston International Airport, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in North Charleston. Bessent, 62, has long been a front-runner for the position, as he served as a close financial advisor to Trump during the campaign and raised millions for his reelection. Bessent has also been a vocal critic of President Joe Biden’s economic plan, according to prior reporting from The Post and Courier . The road to becoming Trump’s pick for treasury secretary was rocky, with several candidates causing shake ups, one placing a last-minute bid for the post. When concerns around Bessent’s ties to liberal megadonor George Soros arose, Elon Musk endorsed Trump’s transition team co-chair and Wall Street businessman Howard Lutnick on his social media website X. In the X post , Musk called Bessent a “business as usual” pick, arguing that America needs a change to avoid future economic failures. A few others were considered for the post, including former Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Kevin Warsh and Wall Streeter Marc Rowan, according to The New York Times and other outlets. "South Carolina could not be in better shape," Graham said. There are premier, worldwide businesses stationed in the state, like Boeing and BMW, that can greatly benefit from having a S.C. native chairing initiatives in national economy, according to Graham. Trump promised he would pardon Jan. 6 Capitol rioters. Here's what that means for 34 in SC. Aside from lowering inflation and handling the national debt — some of Graham's perceived biggest priorities for the coming administration — using the Treasury Department to influence foreign policy will be "indispensable," Graham said. He also asserted that implementing foreign tariffs will play a key role in discouraging illegal immigration and holding other countries accountable. Scott Bessent (left), President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, stands with U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham before a press conference at Charleston International Airport, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in North Charleston. "We can create carrots for allies and sticks for the bad guys," Graham said, explaining that import tariffs on goods obtained from other countries can create "economic pressure." Graham wants to see Trump increase tariffs on oil purchased from Iran, "the largest state sponsor of terrorism on the planet." Similarly, Graham hopes that the Treasury Department can help reduce fentanyl poisoning by enacting policies to hold Mexico accountable; "If they don't work with us, they need to pay a heavy price," he said. Soybean, corn tariffs and mass deportations could cost SC farmers who backed Trump The future administration should use tariffs as a "tool to change behavior," Graham said. He hopes to use his role as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee to embolden Treasury initiatives. "I intend to be very aggressive when it comes to locking in Trump economic policies through budget reconciliation," Graham said. Budget reconciliation can allow for policy changes within certain parameters without any democratic party votes, Graham said. Budget chairman will be "one of the most important jobs I've ever had," Graham said. He intends to draft a budget reconciliation bill that will keep tax cuts from expiring and forward fund money to secure the border, he said. In part, Graham is adamant in his hope for an end to conflict between Israel and Palestinians and peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia. South Carolina industry has a "unique opportunity" to be a part of a changing and newly-emerging economy in the Middle East, said Graham. He credits Saudi Arabian development of new airlines, and their subsequent purchase of around $38 billion worth of Charleston-made Boeing 787 airplanes , as the beginning of a "tremendous" economic opportunity. Graham said he is working with the Biden administration and is coordinating with the Trump administration. Graham will soon be departing for a trip to Saudi Arabia and Israel to meet with the Crown Prince and elected Israeli officials, his eighth or ninth visit since October 2023, he said.