During their first three-game winning streak of the campaign, the Kings have often had their “A” game, and if last season’s series with the Dallas Stars was any indicator, they’ll need it again when they welcome the green and white on Wednesday. After being outscored 13-3 in a clean sweep of the three-game set last season, the Kings will face the Stars for the first time in 2024-25. Described recently as being simultaneously prone to playing down to lesser opponents and incapable of rising to the occasion consistently against top teams, the Kings have quieted doubters. After a highly convincing win over the delight of the early season, the Winnipeg Jets, they tallied two victories in two days over the .500-ish Ducks and Ottawa Senators . Overall, they’ve outscored opponents 11-4 during their surge. “We’ve just got to keep rolling and keep building in the right direction. We’re getting better,” Kings forward Trevor Moore said. “We’re playing really good defensive hockey right now, goals are starting to come and we have some confident guys.” The Kings also quieted another narrative, one based largely on two poor third periods in San Jose, the last of which condemned them to a 7-2 loss to the Sharks on Nov. 25. Against both Ottawa and the Ducks, they entered the final frame tied, pulling away to reaffirm their status as one of the NHL’s most prolific teams in the closing stanza. “That third period in San Jose was obviously not up to our standard, and we’ve obviously done a good job rebounding from that,” Moore said. Among their six injured players, goalie Darcy Kuemper seemed closest to making his return. Drew Doughty continued to have a longer timeline. Another two-time Stanley Cup champ, Trevor Lewis, will be stuck on 999 games for another four to six weeks, Jim Hiller told reporters Tuesday. Lewis has 101 career goals and 232 career points as he sits on the precipice of what’s now a deferred milestone. Of the 267 forwards with 1,000 or more NHL games played, there are only 49 with fewer goals than Lewis has total points. There are but three forwards in league history with 1,000 games played who have actually recorded fewer points than Lewis. Two were outright enforcers with authoritative nicknames like “The Chief” (Craig Berube) and “The Don” (Donald Brashear). Another, Steve Staios, had over 1,000 career penalty minutes, too. Today, Staios is the general manager of the Senators, Berube coaches the Toronto Maple Leafs and Brashear is still playing at age 52 in a Quebecois minor league. Only the sandpaper-laden fourth-liner Cal Clutterbuck (293 points) and longtime Detroit penalty kill specialist Kirk Maltby (260 points) joined Lewis among other 1,000-game forwards who didn’t penetrate the 300-point barrier. In addition to being a mainstay on the PK, Lewis has proven a popular teammate that’s also a willing extension of the coaching staff, giving him value that overflows from the playing surface onto the bench, into the dressing room, during film sessions and even aboard the team plane, as Hiller explained. “(Lewis) just does so much for our team. He’s a really hard guy to replace,” Hiller concluded. Heading into Dallas, 37-year-old Kings captain Anže Kopitar has eight points in his past five games. The Stars’ own ageless wonder, Joe Pavelski, retired this past offseason, but veterans Matt Duchene and currently injured Tyler Seguin ranked Nos. 1 and 3 in team scoring. Though he’s had a relatively slow start to the season, Arcadia native Jason Robertson has five goals and 12 points in his past seven games against the Kings, six of which were Dallas victories. Dallas at Kings When: 7 p.m. Where: Crypto.com Arena How to watch: TNT, Max, Victory+Midland, Texas, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. ("NGS" or the "Company") NGS , a leading provider of natural gas compression equipment, technology, and services to the energy industry, announced today that David Bradshaw has retired and resigned from its Board of Directors, effective as of December 10, 2024. Mr. Bradshaw's decision to retire and resign from the Board was not the result of any disagreement with the Company or the Board. "The Board and I wanted to formally recognize and thank David for his thirteen years of service to NGS as a Director," said Stephen Taylor, Chairman of the Board of NGS. "His knowledge of the oil and gas industry along with his significant operating experience provided unparalleled value to the Company and management over his tenure. His insight and advice will be missed by the Board. We wish him well in his future endeavors." "I want to thank Steve for inviting me on to the Board more than a decade ago," stated Mr. Bradshaw. "NGS and its Board are in a very strong place and this gave me great comfort in my decision to retire. I wish the Company, the Board, and the management team well and I am confident they will continue to deliver for shareholders." About Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (NGS): NGS is a leading provider of natural gas compression equipment, technology and services to the energy industry. We rent, design, sell, install, service and maintain natural gas compressors for oil and natural gas production and processing facilities, generally using equipment from third-party fabricators and OEM suppliers along with limited in-house assembly. We are headquartered in Midland, Texas, with an assembly facility located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a rebuild shop located in Midland, Texas, and service facilities located in major oil and natural gas producing basins in the U.S. Additional information can be found at www.ngsgi.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements involve a wide variety of risks and uncertainties, and include, without limitations, statements with respect to the Company's strategy and prospects. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which are disclosed in the Company's reports filed with the SEC, including its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and its other filings with the SEC. Readers and investors are cautioned that the Company's actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, fundamentals of the compression industry and related oil and gas industry, compressor demand assumptions, overall industry outlook, the ability of the Company to capitalize on any potential opportunities and general economic conditions. For More Information, Contact: Anna Delgado, Investor Relations (432) 262-2700 ir@ngsgi.com www.ngsgi.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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Qatar tribune qNA London Lord Mayor of the City of London Alastair King emphasized that the state visit of His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the United Kingdom is a celebration of the wonderful relations between Qatar and Britain in the areas of trade, finance, cultural activities and more. In his remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the Lord Mayor of the City of London said that the UK is very pleased to welcome HH the Amir to London, along waited visit that comes at a historic moment, as they prepare to announce the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement, which they hope will be signed soon. He noted that the agreement will create huge opportunities for both Qatari and British companies. Lord Alastair King indicated that the United Kingdom views Qatar as a very important investment partner and is grateful for the confidence shown in Qatar’s investments in many of its institutions and businesses. He added that the investments are not limited to London only, but extend to several parts of the United Kingdom, as investment opportunities also exist in the southeast of England. He added that he is working to encourage companies in the United Kingdom to launch and look for new markets in places like Qatar. He pointed that Britain has a lot of experience in things like sustainable finance and project finance, noting that he is awaiting Qatari investors to enter some of the unusual technological fields that Britain has. He highlighted that Qatar is looking with interest at these areas, in addition to other areas such as the extraordinary scientific development in the life sciences, adding that there is a wonderful flow of investments in both directions between Qatar and the United Kingdom. He added that London and Doha have very close relations, with a number of Qatari institutions and banks and other institutions based in London, doing a lot of business. It is also great to see British banks well represented in Qatar. Qatari money is invested in other British financial institutions, and there are some other financial institutions in Qatar, which attract some British investment. Speaking about British trade with GCC countries, Lord Mayor of the City of London Alastair King told QNA that the trade between the two sides is expected to grow by 16 percent to around GBP 57 billion. He noted that there are exceptional opportunities in UK-Qatar relations, and the free trade agreement will allow for a lot of investment flows between the two countries. He pointed out that the GCC countries are the UK’s fourth largest trading partner, adding that there are investment opportunities in many different sectors. The Lord Mayor of the City of London said that there is a lot of investment coming from Qatar in terms of green finance, an area where the UK feels it is the market leader, as they have GBP 91 billion of assets under management in green investment funds, and there is Qatari participation in those investment funds, which is very pleasing. He added that they see a huge opportunity to push green investment forward following the signing of the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement, one example of which is the issuance of green Sukuks on the London Stock Exchange, which he will be discussing with a number of Qatari institutions during his visit to Doha in May 2025. The Lord Mayor of the City of London concluded his remarks to QNA by saying that the meetings with HH the Amir during the visit will create exceptional opportunities to build on commercial relations, and there are several things that they will discuss with His Highness, looking forward to working on how to develop these relations in the field of financial and professional services. Copy 04/12/2024 10
Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a "state of credit card report" for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it through the Apple Pay mobile wallet. Same goes for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® when you use it to make purchases via the PayPal digital wallet. The Kroger grocery store giant has a co-branded credit card that earns the most when you pay using an eligible digital wallet, and some major credit cards with quarterly rotating bonus categories have a history of incentivizing digital wallet use. But again, these days it's not just about the rewards. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and PayPal can offer immediate access to your credit line while you wait for your physical card to arrive after approval. Indeed, most major issuers including Bank of America®, Capital One and Chase now offer instant virtual credit card numbers for eligible cards that can be used upon approval by adding them to a digital wallet. Additionally, many co-branded credit cards — those offered in partnership with another brand — commonly offer instant card access and can be used immediately on in-brand purchases. Credit cards typically take seven to 10 days to arrive after approval, so instant access to your credit line can be particularly useful if you need to make an urgent or unexpected purchase. Plus, they allow you to start spending toward a card’s sign-up bonus right away. As issuers push toward mobile payments, a growing number of merchants and businesses are similarly adopting the payment method. The percentage of U.S. businesses that used digital wallets increased to 62% in 2023, compared to 47% the previous year, according to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Federal Reserve Financial Services. Wider acceptance is potentially good news for the average American, who according to Experian has about four credit cards. While that won’t necessarily weigh down your wallet, it can be hard to manage multiple cards and rewards categories at once. Mobile wallets offer a more efficient way to store and organize all of your workhorse cards, while not having to carry around ones that you don't use often. They can also help you more easily monitor your spending and rewards, and some even track your orders' status and arrival time. Plus, paying with a digital wallet offers added security. That’s because it uses technology called tokenization when you pay, which masks your real credit card number and instead sends an encrypted "token" that’s unique to each payment. This is unlike swiping or dipping a physical card, during which your credit card number is more directly accessible. And again, because a mobile wallet doesn't require you to have your physical cards present, there's less chance of one falling out of your pocket or purse. More From NerdWallet Funto Omojola writes for NerdWallet. Email: fomojola@nerdwallet.com . The article Activating Your Credit Card? Don’t Skip the Mobile Wallet Step originally appeared on NerdWallet.Gerry Dulac: Steelers defense failed to close out a win — again
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Courtesy Call on Hon. Prime Minister by Vice Minister of the International Department, CPCCLEVELAND, Ohio — Cavs forward Dean Wade is ready to go. Sources tell cleveland.com that Wade, who missed the previous six games because of a sprained ankle suffered on Nov. 17, will return to Cleveland’s lineup for Tuesday’s NBA Cup showdown with the Washington Wizards. Officially listed as questionable on the injury report, sources say Wade will come off the bench in a reserve role and his minutes being monitored throughout. More Cavs coverage Kenny Atkinson’s record start with Cavs leads to NBA award What Jameis Winston’s record-setting night means for the 2025 Browns; Darius Garland’s big challenge: Terry’s Talkin’ podcast How will Max Strus and Dean Wade’s returns impact the Cavs? Wine and Gold Talk podcast Who are The 40 Most Influential People in Cleveland Sports when it comes to fan happiness? See our list and how we ranked them. Even though coach Kenny Atkinson spoke Sunday about not expecting Wade to play Tuesday night, effectively ruling him out as he wanted Wade to go through a full-contact practice before making his official return, sources say Wade convinced the coaches and trainers he was physically ready with a 3-on-3 workout Monday afternoon at the team’s practice facility. He then went through Tuesday’s shootaround without issue. A part-time starter and key reserve, Wade is averaging 5.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in 13 games this season. Injuries have been a problem for the 6-foot-9 Wade throughout his career. He missed the final 19 games of the 2023-24 regular season because of a knee injury that also sidelined him for a duration of the playoffs. In his six-year NBA career, Wade has yet to play a full season.
Early dementia sign could be spotted in the eyes - what to look for“Cassoulet, that best of bean feasts, is everyday fare for a peasant but ambrosia for a gastronome.” ~ Julia Child When winter heads our way, bringing chilly temperatures and close, dark nights, my thoughts turn to Cassoulet, the iconic comfort food from southwestern France. It has it all – juicy beans, duck leg confit, sausages and sometimes pork or lamb, slowly simmered in well-seasoned broth, then baked in a wide-mouthed, glazed terra-cotta dish called a cassole . Like any truly traditional dish, there are multiple versions, all claiming to be the “authentic one.” Cassoulet originated in southwestern France. Toulouse claims it — and so does Castelnaudary and Carcassonne — and the recipes vary. Toulouse adherents eschew adding cubed pork. Castelnaudary purists add a bit of lamb, while Carcassonne’s adds partridge. In most restaurants, cassoulets are served in an individual cassole , bubbling with hot juices,and with a bit of duck leg peeking through the top. But at Hostellerie Etienne , a vast indoor- outdoor restaurant on the edge of a forest near Castelnaudary, the cassoulets come to the table in family-size cassoles , big enough to serve two, four, six or even 10 people, so you can share the dish with your dining companions. I don’t know if Etienne’s even has a single-serving bowl size. I didn’t see one, when I was there as the guest of a bean trader from Castelnaudary. According to him, Etiennne’s has the best cassoulet anywhere, and they use the Lauragais lingot beans known as the Castelnaudary bean. Copious doesn’t begin to describe the cassoulet scene there, with stacks of cassoles lined up in Etienne’s kitchen, next to caldrons of simmering beans, ready to be filled and popped into the vast ovens. Here in the Bay Area, we have our own go-to restaurants for cassoulets. Some, like the Left Bank Brasseries in San Jose, Menlo Park, Oakland and Larkspur, and Reve Bistro in Lafayette, only serve it during the winter months as a special. (Reve will be serving cassoulet Dec. 10-14, for example, and Jan. 7-11; reserve it when you reserve your table.) Others, such as Bistro Jeanty in Yountville and Le Central in San Francisco, always have it on the menu. Both Reve Bistro and Bistro Jeanty use cassoles made by potter Kathy Kernes at her Crockett Pottery in Crockett, and they are every bit as beautiful and as practical as those you’ll find in southwestern France. Kernes’ makes cassoles in six sizes ($38-$210), ranging from individual to “extra large plus,” which is very large indeed. (Browse the possibilities at www.crockettpottery.com.) Reve Bistro offers take-out cassoulets if you pre-order the week the dish is on the menu. Pick it up — in a takeout container, not a cassole! — then heat it at home. Just note that chef-owner Paul Magu-Lecugy only makes a limited number of portions. “It’s time consuming,” he says, noting for him, it is a two-day process. Le Central’s cassoulet is one of the more elaborate around, with lamb, pork shoulder and boudin blanc, as well as the all-important duck leg confit and slightly garlicky Toulouse sausage. Left Bank uses chef-owner Roland Passot’s recipe (see below) and keeps it simple, limiting the meats to duck leg confit and Toulouse sausages. (Don’t panic. If you’re making this at home, some specialty markets sell duck confit.) The beans are key to cassoulet. Once cooked, they should not be mushy, but hold their shape after the long cooking. In France, tradition calls for either Tarbais beans, a plump, white bean, or lingot beans — a strain of cannellini beans — in making cassoulet. As Passot suggests in his recipe below, you can substitute cannellini beans or Great Northern beans. Rancho Gordo produces a variety called cassoulet , a West Coast-grown bean from the Tarbais strain. Cassoulet isn’t difficult to make. It just requires time and patience. You can make it a couple of days ahead, refrigerate it and then slowly reheat it. That way, there’s nothing to do on the day of but sip a glass of wine while the beans and meats slowly heat to bubbling. Add a green salad and some crusty bread, and you’ll have the perfect winter meal. Or put your coat on and head to one of our local restaurants, where the cooking is done for you. All you need is a reservation. Serves 6 to 8 Beans: 4 cups dried lingot beans (white kidney, cannellini or Great Northern, will all work) 1 small carrot, peeled and chopped 1 small onion, diced (about 3⁄4 cup) 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 pound slab bacon or extra thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 sprigs of thyme 1 bay leaf Cassoulet: 1⁄4 cup duck fat (lard will do in a pinch) 2 pounds pork butt cut in 2-inch cubes 1 cup onions, diced small 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1⁄4 cup tomato paste 1 small can diced tomatoes 11⁄2-2 cups reserved bean water 6 Toulouse sausages 1 small garlic sausage 4 confit duck legs, purchased or homemade (see note below) 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Note: If you are making your own duck confit, start the night before by rubbing the duck legs with a “green salt” mixture — kosher salt, parsley, a couple of bay leaves and thyme ground together. The next day, rinse the duck legs well, pat dry and place in an oven-safe cooking vessel with enough duck fat to cover the legs. Roast in a 225-degree oven for 21⁄2 to 3 hrs. The night before, place the beans in a deep pot and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Let beans soak overnight. The next day, rinse the beans well. Add the rinsed beans, carrots, onions, garlic, bacon, thyme and bay leaf to cold water and cook, over low heat, until the beans are tender. Strain the beans, saving the water, and set aside the beans. In a large braising pan, melt the duck fat over medium high heat. Once the pan is hot, brown the pork butt pieces without stirring. When beginning to brown, start stirring, making sure you scrape the bottom if it starts to caramelize. The pork doesn’t need much color, but it does need to cook in the duck fat for a while. Add lots of salt and pepper. This is not a shy dish. When the pork is nice and brown on all sides, add the 1 cup onions and garlic, and sauté until the onions are soft and cooked through. Add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes and reserved liquid from the beans. Stir, using a rubber spatula to clean the side of the pot. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. Bring the heat under the braising pan up to high. Once at a rolling boil, turn down to low heat and add all the sausages. When they are cooked through, remove and set aside. Slice the garlic sausage in half and cut into 1-inch pieces. Return the whole and sliced sausages back to the pot along with the cooked beans. Continue to cook on low heat until the pork is cooked through. Taste for seasoning; add more salt and pepper if needed. Transfer the beans and pork to a heavy, wide mouth, earthenware, clay or cast iron baking dish that can hold 5 to 6 quarts. Bake at 250 degrees for about 11⁄2 hours, checking at least every 30 minutes. It may require a bit more time. If the dish is starting to look too dry, add a small amount of reserved bean broth or chicken stock. Add warmed duck legs to the cassoulet and make a breadcrumb topping by combining the panko, garlic, parsley, thyme and extra virgin olive oil. Return the dish to the oven and continue baking until the crumbs brown on the top. — Courtesy Roland Passot, Propriétaire, Chef Culinary Officer, Vine Hospitality
I don’t know about you, but after watching last week’s episode of Yellowstone I need a heavy pour of 6666 Vodka . We loved the confrontation between Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Jamie (Wes Bentley) and need to see more scenes between Beth and her nemesis Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri). Tonight’s episode continues the Dutton family war as, per Paramount Network , Jamie looks to advance his political agenda while Beth discusses the fate of the ranch with an unlikely ally. The synopsis also notes that “Kayce takes the investigation into his own hands.” Does anybody else have chills? What time is Yellowstone on tonight? How can you watch Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 11 live on Paramount Network? Cowboy up! Here’s everything you need to know. What Time Is Yellowstone On Tonight? Tonight’s new episode of Yellowstone (Season 5, Episode 11: “Three Fifty-Three”) airs at 8:00 p.m. ET on Paramount Network and CMT. Yellowstone will be followed by the second episode of Paramount+’s Landman at 9:16 p.m. ET and an encore presentation of Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 11 at 10:24 p.m. ET. Yellowstone won’t be airing on CBS tonight. That was a special presentation for the show’s return. Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 11 Preview: The official synopsis for the episode highlights three main stories: “Beth discusses the fate of the ranch with an unlikely ally. Kayce takes the investigation into his own hands. Jamie looks to advance his political agenda.” How To Watch Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 11 Online: Yellowstone airs live on Paramount Network, but, unfortunately, you can no longer stream Paramount Network via the network’s website. Thankfully, you can find a Paramount Network live stream with an active subscription to Philo , fuboTV , Hulu + Live TV , Sling TV , DirecTV Stream , or YouTube TV . Philo is the most affordable option ($28/month) and offers a seven-day free trial. YouTube TV, fuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV also provide free trials for new subscribers. New episodes are also available to buy on Amazon ($1.99 SD, $2.99 HD, $3.99 UHD) the morning after they air on Paramount Network. Finally, you can sign in with your TV provider via the Paramount Network website to watch the series on demand. Is Yellowstone Available For Next-Day Streaming On Peacock? Season 5, Part 2 should eventually drop on Peacock, but new episodes won’t be available for next-day streaming on the platform . The midseason finale of Yellowstone aired January 1, 2023, on Paramount Network and the first eight episodes of the season debuted May 25, 2023, on Peacock. If the series follows a similar streaming schedule, new episodes of Yellowstone should premiere on Peacock about six months after the series finale airs on Paramount Network. Is Yellowstone On Paramount+? Sadly, no. The series isn’t available to stream on Paramount+ . When Does Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 12 Air? Next week! The twelfth episode of the season premieres Sunday, December 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET on Paramount Network.
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President-elect Donald Trump on Monday held a wide-ranging news conference in which he said he would preserve access to the polio vaccine but equivocated on other vaccines, pledged to look at bringing down the costs of pharmaceuticals and expressed doubts that his daughter-in-law might be Florida's next senator. Trump held forth for over an hour, the first time he took questions from reporters since winning the election. The event harkens back to his long-winding news conferences from his first term and is a stark contrast from President Joe Biden , who doesn't often take questions from reporters. Here's a look at some of what he touched on: Trump defended his choice for health secretary, prominent vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , but said he personally is a “big believer” in the polio vaccine and would preserve access to it. “You’re not going to lose the polio vaccine," he said. “That’s not going to happen.” Over the weekend, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who had polio as a child, spoke out in defense of the polio vaccine after a recent report disclosed that one of Kennedy's advisers filed a petition to revoke approval for the polio vaccine in 2022. Kennedy has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Trump seemed to question whether there’s a link, saying “We’re looking to find out,” and remarked on the rising cases of autism being diagnosed. “There’s something wrong, and we’re going to find out about it,” he said. There are no blood or biological tests for autism; instead, a doctor bases the diagnosis on a child’s behavior. While the autism diagnosis has been available for at least 80 years, the definition gradually expanded to include milder cases, which are more common. A study last year found that about a quarter of kids with autism — about 110,000 in the U.S. — have the most severe version of the developmental disability, which has left them unable to speak or with an IQ below 50 or both. Of Kennedy, “He’s going to be much less radical than you would think," he said. "I think he’s got a very open mind, or I wouldn’t have put him there.” Trump described a dinner he had this month with Kennedy; Dr. Mehmet Oz , a celebrity heart surgeon turned talk show host and lifestyle guru whom he's tapped to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and top pharmaceutical executives in which they discussed drug prices. Trump heaped praise on the companies — the same ones that Kennedy has routinely argued profit off of Americans unfairly — but said the high cost of health care was a focus of their dinner. “What came out of that meeting is that we’re paying far too much,” Trump said. Trump also hit pharmaceutical benefits managers, calling them “horrible middlemen” who drive up the cost of drugs. Pharmaceutical companies have been aggressively lobbying Congress to restrict the role of pharmaceutical benefit managers, which help health insurance companies’ biggest clients decide how and what prescription drugs will be covered in their insurance plans. “I don’t know who these middlemen are, but they are rich as hell," Trump said. The press conference was Trump’s most extensive public appearance since his victory six weeks ago — a rare absence from the public stage for the former reality star. But it also underscored how even while president-elect, Trump has seized the spotlight from Biden, who still has a month left on his term in office. Biden has not held a press conference in months and has had a limited public schedule. While Trump was addressing some of the top-of-mind issues of the day -- including sightings of drones flying over the Northeast -- Biden himself has been silent, leaving it to aides to try to calm the public. Trump seemed skeptical that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would appoint his daughter-in-law to be a Florida senator, taking the seat held by Marco Rubio, who has been nominated for secretary of state. Asked whether he expected DeSantis to name Lara Trump to replace Rubio, Trump said, “I probably don’t, but I don’t know.” Trump recently spoke with DeSantis at a memorial for Florida law enforcement officers. Trump's allies have been pushing DeSantis to nominate Lara Trump, who is married to Trump's son, Eric, and served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee this year. “Ron’s doing a good job with his choice," Trump said, without elaborating. He lavished praise on Lara Trump, including for her work at the RNC, where part of her duties involved focusing on “election integrity,” a priority of Trump's after he falsely claimed fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Trump indicated he would look at intervening in the potential ban of TikTok in the U.S. The popular social media platform must cut ties with its China-based parent company or be banned by mid-January under a federal law. He didn't offer specifics, but Trump credited the platform with helping him win the election. His campaign saw it as a bridge to reach younger, less politically engaged voters, particularly when clips circulated showing him with celebrities at UFC fights. “We’ll take a look at TikTok,” he said. “You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok." Trump tried to ban TikTok during his first term but changed his mind and pledged to “save” TikTok. Once he takes office, his Justice Department would be tasked with enforcing the new federal law against TikTok. Trump on Monday was meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Chew at his Mar-a-Lago club, according to two people familiar with the president-elect’s plans who were not authorized to speak publicly about them and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. Trump noted the differences between the first time he was to take office eight years ago and today, saying executives now want to meet with him. He said they were “hostile” back then. “Everybody was fighting me,” he said about his first term. “This term, everybody wants to be my friend. I don’t know. My personality changed or something.” While he left office in 2021 ostracized and angry, Trump has had a stunning turnaround leading to his election win. Last week, he was honored by being named Time magazine’s Person of the Year and ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. His meeting with the TikTok executive was part of a string of meetings he's had with Silicon Valley billionaires and other technology leaders since becoming president-elect. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai have all flown to Trump's club to meet with him. He revealed Monday that he had also met with Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos will meet with him this week, Trump said. “We have a lot of great executives coming in — the top executives, the top bankers, they’re all calling," he said. "It’s like a complete opposite from the first one.” With multiple wars going on, Trump has sought to insert himself back on the world stage. He said he is working to get Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza to be released and had a “very good talk” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But on Monday he seemed to buffer expectations about his promise to solve the Russia-Ukraine war even before taking office, describing the conflict as a “tough one” and a “nasty one." “We are trying to get that war stopped, that horrible, horrible war” he said. “It’s a tough one. It’s a nasty one. It’s nasty. People are being killed at levels that nobody’s ever seen.” Russia's invasion of Ukraine is Europe’s biggest armed conflict since World War II and has cost tens of thousands of lives on both sides. Trump declined to say whether he's spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin since winning the election. He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris this month when he visited for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. Trump's incoming press secretary has said that Trump invited Chinese leader Xi Jinping and other world leaders to his Jan. 20 inauguration, but Trump said Monday that Zelenskyy was not among them. “If he'd like to come, I'd like to have him," Trump said. Trump said Xi has not yet said whether he is coming. He described the Chinese leader as “a friend of mine” and “an amazing guy” but acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected their relationship. “It was a bridge too far for me,” he said. Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Amanda Seitz in Washington and Colleen Long in Palm Beach, Florida, contributed to this report.
Drone sightings leadInterpreting Islam In Saudi Arabia And Afghanistan: Contrasting Paths In Faith And Society
AP Trending SummaryBrief at 4:58 p.m. ESTPublished 4:47 pm Friday, November 22, 2024 By Data Skrive At Spinks-Casem Stadium on Saturday, Jacorian Sewell and the Alcorn State Braves (6-5) meet the Jackson State Tigers (9-2). We dive into all of the details you need before this matchup begins in this article, including how to watch on ESPN+. Watch college football live without cable. Stream ACC, SEC, ESPN and more with Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Start your risk free trial today and start watching college football games now. Stop missing games and start streaming college football right now on Fubo. Stop missing games and start streaming college football right now on ESPN+. Get tickets for any college football game this season at Ticketmaster. Rep your favorite players with officially licensed gear. Head to Fanatics to find jerseys, shirts, hats, and much more.
Pakistani police arrest thousands of Imran Khan supporters ahead of rally in the capitalAs the game of musical chairs in the MK Party’s leadership continues, Jacob Zuma appointed a convicted fraudster Joe Ndhlela as the party’s national organiser. The national organiser position was previously held by former Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) deputy president Floyd Shivambu, who has since been appointed as the party’s fifth secretary-general. Ndhlela’s new role The MK party said Zuma in consultation with the party’s national high command appointed Ndhlela as the national organiser of uMkhonto weSizwe with “immediate effect.” “Commander Ndhlela joined the MK Party on 16 December 2023 as a volunteer. He assisted with the capturing of the signatures of members in compliance with IEC legislative prescripts, for MK Party to qualify for the 2024 national elections. He was also instrumental in the development of both the National Elections Strategic Framework and the training manual for party agents. As of April 2024 he was serving in the capacity of chief operations officer for the MKP,” the party said. “Commander Joe Ndhlela will assume the roles and responsibilities of the National Organiser as prescribed by the Constitution of the MK Party. The Party wishes Commander Ndhlela well as he picks up the spear and assumes this important role,” it said. ALSO READ: MK party ‘not ashamed’ of any leaders including Zuma – Shivambu [VIDEO] Conviction In July 2022, Ndhlela, a one-time Premier Soccer League (PSL) chief executive was convicted by Regional Court magistrate Willem van Wyk to three years imprisonment for crimes committed during his tenure at Transnet. Ndhlela committed fraud between February 1993 and late 1996, and the Companies Act contravention was committed between November 1994 and August 1997. The crimes were committed during his tenure at Transnet and led to him leaving the PSL, where he was chief executive, under a cloud. Musical chairs Ndhlela resigned from the African National Congress (ANC) after being a member for 40 years and joined the Patriotic Alliance (PA) However, in July 2023, Ndhlela he severed ties with the PA claiming leader Gayton McKenzie, advanced more the interests of a “small clique of coloureds” and individuals who are close to him. Ndhlela’s son, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, is the MK party’s spokesperson. ALSO READ: ‘EFF infiltrated by double agents, founding members captured’ – Malema says [VIDEO]Thursday’s College of the Redwoods’ men’s basketball game was canceled following Thursday morning’s 7.0 earthquake west of Ferndale. The tournament is now set to begin on Friday and run through Sunday but those plans are still being finalized. “It has not been officially confirmed yet,” Corsairs’ head coach Ryan Bisio said. “The buildings all have to be inspected and assessed for damages. They were in the process of doing that while we were still on campus but with the power out, it was hard to assess the buildings. Now with the power back on, I’m assuming that that protocol is underway right now.” CR was set to begin the annual Coach Tregs Classic tournament on Thursday, with the Corsairs facing Mendocino College for the third time this season and second time in a row, with CR winning each matchup. The format will remain the same with the only difference being that each game will be pushed back one day. “The entire tournament just moved one day. Same game times, same everything,” Bisio said. “That outcome is still viable as long as we get the OK from the decision-makers in the institution.” The earthquake will delay CR until Friday from continuing their 7-1 start to the season. If all goes according to plan with no setbacks, the Corsairs will face Mendocino at 7 p.m. Friday, Southwestern Oregon on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Simpson University’s JV team on Sunday at 3 p.m. “I do know that assessing the buildings and inspecting it for any sort of damage is a high priority and obviously we want to be in a safe building to play these games,” Bisio said.
