234win com login register By MARY CLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, said he had a “wonderful conversation” with Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday as he pushed to win enough votes for confirmation. He said he will not back down after allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell. It’ll be a first for him National Politics | The Trump and Biden teams insist they’re working hand in glove on foreign crises National Politics | ‘You don’t know what’s next.’ International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration National Politics | Trump is threatening to raise tariffs again. Here’s how China plans to fight back National Politics | Trump won’t be able to save the struggling US beef industry Collins said after the hourlong meeting that she questioned Hegseth about the allegations amid reports of drinking and the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. She said she had a “good, substantive” discussion with Hegseth and “covered a wide range of topics,” including sexual assault in the military, Ukraine and NATO. But she said she would wait until a hearing, and notably a background check, to make a decision. “I asked virtually every question under the sun,” Collins told reporters as she left her office after the meeting. “I pressed him both on his position on military issues as well as the allegations against him, so I don’t think there was anything that we did not cover.” The meeting with Collins was closely watched as she is seen as more likely than most of her Republican Senate colleagues to vote against some of Trump’s Cabinet picks. She and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow moderate Republican, did not shy from opposing Trump in his first term when they wanted to do so and sometimes supported President Joe Biden’s nominees for the judicial and executive branches. And Hegseth, an infantry combat veteran and former “Fox & Friends” weekend host, is working to gain as many votes as he can as some senators have expressed concerns about his personal history and lack of management experience. “I’m certainly not going to assume anything about where the senator stands,” Hegseth said as he left Collins’ office. “This is a process that we respect and appreciate. And we hope, in time, overall, when we get through that committee and to the floor that we can earn her support.” Hegseth met with Murkowski on Tuesday. He has also been meeting repeatedly with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a military veteran who has said she is a survivor of sexual assault and has spent time in the Senate working on improving how attacks are reported and prosecuted within the ranks. On Monday, Ernst said after a meeting with him that he had committed to selecting a senior official to prioritize those goals. Republicans will have a 53-49 majority next year, meaning Trump cannot lose more than three votes on any of his nominees. It is so far unclear whether Hegseth will have enough support, but Trump has stepped up his pressure on senators in the last week. “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” Trump posted on his social media platform last week.Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line could get another boost for Eagles game

Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the SenateWater Ways Reports Share Consolidation

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd (NASDAQ:CRDO) Position Increased by JPMorgan Chase & Co.ablokhin/iStock Editorial via Getty Images UK-based Ocado Group ( OTCPK:OCDGF ), founded and run by CEO Tim Steiner, has come a long way in its quest to revolutionize online grocery retail. Today, Ocado operates via three business segments. The largest revenue generator remains Ocado Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

‘Laotoule’: Is this the end of the road for China’s senior-friendly unlicensed electric vehicles?BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored the Celtics’ first 15 points on five consecutive 3-pointers and finished with 29 points, before Boston withstood a late charge to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-105 on Sunday. Jayson Tatum added 26 points and eight rebounds to help Boston post a season-high fifth straight victory. Anthony Edwards had 28 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota, which has lost five of its last seven. Julius Randle added 23 points, and Rudy Gobert finished with 10 points and 20 rebounds, his eighth double-double of the season. Minnesota got within 55-54 early in the third quarter, before a 14-0 run by Boston. The spurt featured four 3s by the Celtics, including two by Tatum. The lead grew to 79-60 with 4:26 to play in the period. But the Timberwolves chipped it all the way down in the fourth, getting within 107-105 with 34 seconds left on a driving layup by Randle. Timberwolves: Minnesota will be looking to for some wins at home, after dropping four of its last five on the road. Celtics: The Celtics have struggled at home at times this season but improved to 6-2 at the Garden. The Timberwolves had the ball with 7.1 seconds and a chance to win. Edwards got the inbounds and tried to drive on Brown. But he was cut off, and the ball swung to Naz Reid, who failed to get off a 3 as time expired. Boston assisted on 25 of its 37 made field goals. The Timberwolves host Houston in NBA Cup play on Tuesday, beginning a four-game homestand. The Celtics host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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F.P. Report KAMALIA : Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the need for collective efforts to address the country’s challenges, urging unity among stakeholders. Speaking to the media in Kamalia, he candidly remarked, “We don’t have a magic wand to fix everything overnight, but we must unite for the nation.” The minister stated that the government is committed to sustainable development and is actively seeking input from stakeholders for the upcoming budget. “We will not sit idly in Islamabad; instead, we will go to the people to gather their suggestions for the budget. Sitting in Islamabad during budget preparation is not effective,” he added. Aurangzeb emphasized that lowering interest rates will benefit businesses and pave the way for economic stability. “As interest rates decrease, we will move toward single-digit levels, ensuring growth and stability by 2025,” he said. The finance minister highlighted the government’s focus on economic reforms, stating, “We are not making empty promises; we are delivering. All stakeholders are being consulted to achieve sustainable economic stability.” Aurangzeb underscored the need to address loss-making public institutions, suggesting their transfer to the private sector. “Charity cannot sustain the nation; it can only support schools and hospitals. Loss-making institutions should either be shut down or handed over to the private sector,” he said. The minister vowed to bring transparency and expand the tax net, ensuring fairness. “We have all the data and are bringing everything into the tax system. Our aim is not to burden taxpayers further but to curb tax evasion,” he assured. Highlighting agriculture and information technology as key growth sectors, Aurangzeb announced revolutionary steps for agricultural improvement and IT expansion. “We are taking steps to reduce electricity costs and involve the private sector in the nation’s progress,” he added. Aurangzeb urged political and economic stakeholders to unite on initiatives such as the “Charter of Economy” to ensure national progress. “For the sake of the country, let us come together on three or four major points, including the Charter of Economy,” he concluded.