Mangoceuticals, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Mushroom-Based Wellness and Innovations PatentWASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.” The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz's nomination as attorney general had stunned many career lawyers inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump's desire to place a loyalist in a department he has marked for retribution following the criminal cases against him. Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It's unclear what's next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on Jan. 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he's done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress," he said.8 ph 。

Breaking News Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australian radio star Ray Hadley’s daughter has broken down in tears as his family gathered in the studio during his final day on air. Sarah Hadley burst into tears during Hadley’s farewell on 2GB on Friday after the radio icon announced his retirement in November. “I just wanted to say something quickly because I always have to say something,” Ms Hadley said. “It’s kind of an end of an era for me because I grew up in this building with you and coming to work with you as a little girl. “I just felt so much love from everyone, and especially you, and seeing you and everyone congratulate you, I’m just so proud.” Hadley’s daughter said she would “never forget this moment with us all”, as Hadley’s other children, grandchildren, wife and loved ones sat gathered in the studio. “I can’t believe I got you as a dad, I’m so lucky to not only have you as a dad but as a pop,” she said. Hadley then said he’d “better take a break”, with the program cutting to advertisements. Ray Hadley was farewelled from radio by Ben Fordham on Friday. Picture: Supplied VOICE THAT BROUGHT HADLEY TO TEARS Hadley earlier became choked up and wiped away tears after he heard a snippet of his mother’s voice on radio during an emotional tribute to his illustrious career on his last day on air. “Very emotional. I had heard my mother’s voice previously,” Hadley told listeners, choked up. “I wasn’t gonna get upset. You’ve done this to me you little bludger.” Fordham said Hadley had taught “everyone in this job to wear your heart on your sleeve”. “I’ll just say this, having learned a bit about your family over the years — while you’ve lived a very different life to your parents, everyone was a hard worker, and that’s something that has flowed on now to your children as well,” Fordham said. “I worked hard for great reward, mum and dad worked hard for no reward,” Hadley replied. “And my children, and fortunately, my children’s husbands ... and wife (are) of the same ilk, they come from stock that always wants to work and wants to be part of it.” He announced his retirement in November. Picture: Supplied Hadley also let out a few laughs during the tribute. “There were some funny things in that too that made me laugh,” he said. “And the thing that got me most was mum.” Fordham earlier asked if he could play Hadley the tribute, with the radio star cheekily replying, “Well, you’re going to anyway.” “This is a thing you do all the time,” Hadley quipped. “’Can you do this?’ ... Why do you ask me?” “I like to have your permission,” Fordham replied. “No, I say no, don’t play it, you’re going to play it anyway, so go,” Hadley laughed. The tribute spanned Hadley’s entire career, from top sporting moments, interviews with Keith Urban, to his children speaking with him on air. “Ray Hadley, this is your life,” Fordham said before it played. Hadley became emotional when he heard his mother’s voice on air on Friday. Picture: Supplied. Loyal listeners called into 2GB on Friday morning to farewell Hadley. The radio icon was also given one of his own first radio awards during his last segment. “I found it in your office,” Fordham said. “So you pinched it, now you give it back ... Correct?” Hadley replied. “It’s the thought that counts,” Fordham joked. GREATEST ‘CAN-DO’ ATTITUDE Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys also stopped by to farewell Hadley on Friday. “We have been a mates for a long time, and I had to come in because you are a legend in the broadcasting industry,” Mr V’landys said. He said he wouldn’t have joined the ARLC without the advice of Hadley, who told him he could do it. “You’ve had a lot to play in relation to my career, I’ve always come to you for advice,” Mr V’landys said. “And there’s one thing that I learned from you that a lot of people don’t have, and that’s the ‘can-do’ attitude. “You have the greatest ‘can-do’ attitude I have ever seen of any person. “You don’t look at the ways that you can’t do something, you look at the ways you can do something, and that’s why you’ve been so successful, and that’s why you’ve achieved as much as you have.” He also said Hadley would be the first person he’d call if he wanted something done. “If you’re in a trench in a war zone, you’d be the first bloke I’d come with because I know you’d have my back all the time,” he said. “So that’s the sort of person you are, Ray.” NSW Premier Chris Minns claimed Hadley gave him gray hairs. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short GRAY HAIRS Hadley revealed NSW Premier Chris Minns gave him his personal phone number, with Hadley giving him advice before he became premier. “Before I became Labor leader we had a conversation. I remember pacing in the back of my back of my yard, and I asked you, ‘Well, you’ve interviewed all of them ... what’s your view? How do I do this? It seems overwhelming, I’m not sure I can do it’,” Mr Minns said. “And your response was, ‘Confront it head on, go straight towards the storm’. “And then you said, ‘People say that I don’t give Labor a go’. You said, ‘I will give you a go – you come on my program, I will give you a go every day of the week’. And I’ve taken that to heart the whole way through.” However, Minns then jokingly admitted the program had left him more stressed than question time in parliament. “Can I tell you, though, I will say the gray hairs that I’ve accumulated since I’ve become premier as a result of you and 2GB rather than the NSW opposition. I want to make that absolutely (clear) ... more than question time,” Mr Minns said. “De-facto opposition here,” Hadley laughed. More Coverage Major 2GB change after Hadley’s shock exit Clareese Packer Aussie media legend dies aged 78 Clareese Packer Originally published as ‘End of an era’: Emotional scenes as Ray Hadley’s family gathers in studio to celebrate his last day on air More related stories Breaking News Kid’s head shaved in alleged cancer scam A couple has been arrested after they allegedly shaved their six-year-old child’s head and put them in a wheelchair as part of a scam to solicit donations. Read more Breaking News The secret to living to 110? Bad record-keeping, researcher says The secret to living to 110? Bad record-keeping, researcher says Read moreTetairoa McMillan, one of the best wide receivers in Arizona history, will skip his final year of eligibility and enter the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on social media on Thursday. Projected as a top-10 draft pick, the 6-foot-5, 212-pound McMillan finished his illustrious career at Arizona with 3,423 receiving yards, breaking the mark set by Bobby Wade (3,351). In three seasons, the Hawaii native also posted the fourth-most catches (213) and third-most touchdowns (26) in school history. "Wildcat Nation, this journey has been everything I dreamed of and more," McMillan wrote on Instagram. "From the moment I committed to the University of Arizona, to every second spent wearing that Arizona jersey ... it's been an absolute honor. "The University of Arizona has provided me with the platform to grow and chase my dreams. ... Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To the best fans in the country, I appreciate you for all of the love and support you have given me these last 3 years. I will always be a Wildcat." In 2024, McMillan totaled 84 grabs (ninth in Division I) for 1,319 yards (third in Division I) and eight touchdowns for the 4-8 Wildcats. He also ranked third in Division I with 109.9 receiving yards per game. McMillan is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the most outstanding receiver in college football. --Field Level MediaMargo wants the Morgans’ house so badly, and nothing is going to stop her. We’ve known her to be a schemer since day one, but now that she is unleashing that quite prodigious skill on Derby Drive, the lengths she’ll go to get what she wants are on full display, and something tells me we’re only seeing the tip of the fake fingernail, as it were. She is in full control of her manipulations — honestly, there are times when she is so good at lying you have to wonder if she’s even convinced herself she’s telling the truth (she declares she is 33 with such confidence!) — what happens when Margo goes unhinged? Speaking of unhinged, Paul still has his brother sealed behind a wall. You’d think Paul and Lydia would both be more stressed about this development, but they don’t seem stressed at all. Sure, Paul feels good about his decision to play a little chicken with Mikey until he gives up all the evidence he has on the night Jacob died. Also, he’s given him water and a pee bucket and has a security camera in there so he can keep track of what his brother is doing. But Lydia? She’s just letting her husband go through with this? I get being fucked-up from grief, but this is very fucked-up. Lydia makes a comment about how they got this way and that they used to be so normal — again, while knowing a human being who just suffered some major head trauma is in the wall — but, like, were they? Part of this show’s problem is that Paul and Lydia don’t exactly feel like lived-in characters. Were they happy before Jacob died? Were they always terrible and terribly fucked-up people? Do they not have any friends or family members (aside from Mikey) from before who can inform us as to what their normal actually looked like so we can see how far things have gone off the rails? It’s hard to find a way to empathize with them on anything more than a surface level at this point (five episodes in!). Even if the Morgans don’t seem too worried about Mikey, this whole situation has definitely cracked open their marriage. Paul isn’t holding back any of his contempt for Lydia — now he’s making fun of her wearing Jacob’s Dodgers hat (“Is he talking through baseball caps now?”) and is calling her out for doing whatever she can to not sell the house. I mean, I’m no expert, but you probably don’t want to have your house on the market when you’re holding a man hostage in the wall, but you do you, Paul. He seemingly can’t talk to his wife without rolling his eyes at her. Lydia sees it, and she’s not afraid to be vocal about it. With Mikey in the wall and the house off the market for a hot second as they regroup, Paul wants to get out for a bit, so he takes Lydia to the park for tacos. When she tries to bring up Jacob, he brushes her off with a one-word answer. When she points out a couple getting engaged nearby, and he responds with cynicism, she finally asks the question she’s definitely been wondering about for some time: Does he even love her anymore? Before he can answer — although his hesitation speaks volumes — who should pop by but Margo and JD? But don’t be fooled; this “coincidence” has been fully schemed out by Margo, pissed that the house is off the market after, as she claims, Lydia was so receptive to her bid the other day at her house. While JD is a terrible improviser — is Luke Wilson saving this show? — Margo is excellent at it (even if no one believes she is just turning 33 that very day). She’s also good at reading people, and after a quick conversation with the Morgans about the house, she realizes that Paul is the better mark to get them to hand over the keys. Lydia clearly doesn’t want to sell, Paul is desperate to get rid of the house, and there is a schism there that Margo can play with. She does what any resourceful young woman would do — she slashes the tires on Paul and Lydia’s car to force them to accept a ride home and then strong-arms them to come over to celebrate Margo’s birthday. Margo puts on a little swimsuit and uses Paul’s need to stick it to Lydia to get him to join her in the hot tub, where she proceeds to lay it on thick. There is flirting and touching and laughing at jokes that aren’t funny. There are more than a few Margo-ritas. At first, Paul is into it — the Margo-ritas aren’t too spicy for him, thank you very much — but when Margo responds to his playful “go fuck yourself” with “okay, wanna watch?,” the whole thing crosses too far of a line for him. He goes to leave, and desperate to make her case, she changes her tactic and instead leans into what she noticed earlier between Paul and Lydia and “opens up” about the rough patch her marriage is in currently. She doesn’t recognize the person she’s married to anymore, and sometimes she just needs a break. Of course, Paul can relate to that. Inside, that leaves JD and Lydia hanging out, which provides a showcase for just how ridiculous JD is. He “wows” her with his miming ... er, acting, skills that he picked up while playing a blind baker in the Hallmark movie Love at First Bite . He attempts to play Lydia, the woman who used to be in the Philharmonic, Elton John’s “Your Song,” and is downright terrible. Lydia is as polite as possible, but it grows increasingly more difficult. When she tells him that she hasn’t been able to play since Jacob died, it’s JD who breaks down in tears. He confesses that the night Jacob died, the robber broke into their house. He and Margo heard him ... but instead of doing something about it or confronting him, he wound up hiding in the closet until he was gone. He has a gun in the house, and he feels guilty that he didn’t stop him before going to the Morgans’. But, as Lydia knows, he would’ve felt worse if he had done something because he would’ve shot Jacob. Thankfully, Lydia and Paul make it home relatively unscathed. Margo thinks she worked her magic on Paul, but we all know Margo is typically delusional. She is, however, correct in that Paul seems changed by the evening. He tells Lydia that Margo offered well over asking, but he also knows that his wife doesn’t want that woman to have the house, and finally, realizing how big of a decision this is, he wants Lydia to be the one who decides whose offer they’ll accept. The kind gesture gets these two hot and bothered, and they begin making out. They might have sex for the first time in three years! Paul and Lydia need to get it on! Alas, the doorbell rings and interrupts the moment. Who’s the fun little visitor arriving behind door No. 1? It’s a cop. And not just any cop. It’s Nate, Mikey’s son, and he’s looking for his dad. I knew that “love you” in the fake text Paul sent was going to have repercussions! • Leslie and Sarah go full true-crime addicts on us when they start putting some pieces together about both Jacob’s and Mikey’s deaths. (Greg informed them the Morgan house was off the market for a bit because of his brother.) Through Sarah’s beloved citizen app, they get hooked up with Phyllis, who has a whole file on the Morgans, including a video that looks like Lydia assaulting Mikey. Between that and the gun Leslie saw Paul hide, they are starting to think he and Lydia are looking pretty guilty. • When Sarah freaks out after hearing about the unsolved murder in her dream home, Leslie tries to calm her down by reminding her that she’s “sure a lot of Indigenous people were also murdered on the block, if that helps.” Sarah’s response: “What kind of sick fuck would I be if that helped?” Abbi Jacobson and Poppy Liu are so good together. • Leslie gets a text from Greg letting her know he wasn’t able to respond before because he was “in a sensory deprivation chamber.” What is this man’s life? I’m obsessed. • JD laments that he, his wife, and his daughter rarely sit down to eat dinner anymore. His explanation: “Harper got older, and Margo’s a vegan after 2 p.m.” By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us.

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NoneFORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — Jalen Jackson scored 23 points as Purdue Fort Wayne beat Robert Morris 82-77 on Sunday. Jackson had six rebounds and three steals for the Mastodons (6-4, 1-1 Horizon League). Corey Hadnot II scored 13 points, shooting 4 of 11 from the field and 5 for 6 from the free-throw line. Rasheed Bello went 4 of 11 from the field (2 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with 12 points. Alvaro Folgueiras finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Colonials (6-5, 0-2). Robert Morris also got 19 points, four assists and four steals from Kam Woods. Ryan Prather Jr. finished with 14 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Is there anyone as cool as The King, Richard Petty ? When it comes to NASCAR drivers, no one has as much fashion sense as Petty. From his decorative cowboy hats to his black pants, the slim-figured legend is always styling. Richard Petty is never not looking cool. However, tonight for the NASCAR Awards, Petty is really showing off. The seven-time champion is going to show the young guys how to do an awards show right. Petty and Dale Inman are rolling together tonight at the awards ceremony. Check out The King’s custom suit , lined with Petty Blue and the No. 43. New duds for the @NASCAR Championship Banquet tonight at the @NASCARHall pic.twitter.com/2csa0jsW7A While Richard Petty is going a little new school, Dale Inman is keeping it classic. Both NASCAR legends look fantastic and look prepared to celebrate the 2024 season. Petty is an ambassador for Legacy Motor Sports nowadays. That truck behind him is a custom Toyota Tundra fit with the Petty Blue accents. So, you know that this championship duo were riding in style to the awards ceremony as well. Richard Petty hits the red carpet at NASCAR Awards Tonight the NASCAR Awards will take place in Charlotte. However, fans won’t be able to watch the event until Sunday afternoon on The CW. Like most years recently, the ceremony is on tape delay. Richard Petty and everyone there in person will get to see it all happen. There will be some information leaked out tonight from the awards. Thursday night was for the grassroots and international champions, tonight is for the national series drivers. Joey Logano, Justin Allgaier, and Ty Majeski will be celebrated tonight. Three very deserving champions. Logano is a three-timer now and has two in the last three seasons. Allgaier is an Xfinity lifer who finally broke through after 14 seasons. Then Majeski, the short-track hard-nosed racer from Wisconsin. Richard Petty is in the crowd, that means it is a big deal. The NASCAR Awards are going down tonight and will air on TV on The CW this Sunday at 3:00 PM EST. This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Tuesday he was “stupid” not to put his own name on pandemic relief checks in 2021, noting that Donald Trump had done so in 2020 and likely got credit for helping people out through this simple, effective act of branding. Biden did the second-guessing as he delivered a speech at the Brookings Institution defending his economic record and challenging Trump to preserve Democratic policy ideas when he returns to the White House next month. Related Articles National Politics | Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan National Politics | Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television As Biden focused on his legacy with his term ending, he suggested Trump should keep the Democrats’ momentum going and ignore the policies of his allies. The president laid out favorable recent economic data but acknowledged his rare public regret that he had not been more self-promotional in advertising the financial support provided by his administration as the country emerged from the pandemic. “I signed the American Rescue Plan, the most significant economic recovery package in our history, and also learned something from Donald Trump,” Biden said at the Washington-based think tank. “He signed checks for people for 7,400 bucks ... and I didn’t. Stupid.” The decision by the former reality TV star and real estate developer to add his name to the checks sent by the U.S. Treasury to millions of Americans struggling during the coronavirus marked the first time a president’s name appeared on any IRS payments. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris , who replaced him as the Democratic nominee , largely failed to convince the American public of the strength of the economy. The addition of 16 million jobs, funding for infrastructure, new factories and investments in renewable energy were not enough to overcome public exhaustion over inflation, which spiked in 2022 and left many households coping with elevated grocery, gasoline and housing costs. More than 6 in 10 voters in November’s election described the economy as “poor” or “not so good,” according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. Trump won nearly 7 in 10 of the voters who felt the economy was in bad shape, paving the way for a second term as president after his 2020 loss to Biden. Biden used his speech to argue that Trump was inheriting a strong economy that is the envy of the world. The inflation rate fell without a recession that many economists had viewed as inevitable, while the unemployment rate is a healthy 4.2% and applications to start new businesses are at record levels. Biden called the numbers under his watch “a new set of benchmarks to measure against the next four years.” “President-elect Trump is receiving the strongest economy in modern history,” said Biden, who warned that Trump’s planned tax cuts could lead to massive deficits or deep spending cuts. He also said that Trump’s promise of broad tariffs on foreign imports would be a mistake, part of a broader push Tuesday by the administration to warn against Trump’s threatened action. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also issued a word of caution about them at a summit of The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council. “I think the imposition of broad based tariffs, at least of the type that have been discussed, almost all economists agree this would raise prices on American consumers,” she said. Biden was also critical of Trump allies who have pushed Project 2025 , a policy blueprint from the Heritage Foundation that calls for a complete overhaul of the federal government. Trump has disavowed participation in it, though parts were written by his allies and overlap with his stated views on economics, immigration, education policy and civil rights. “I pray to God the president-elect throws away Project 2025,” Biden said. “I think it would be an economic disaster.” Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report.

Trump chooses Kimberly Guilfoyle as his pick for Greece ambassadorWiikwemkoong Unceded Territories has taken a significant step toward energy sustainability with the launch of a groundbreaking Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure project. Approved by Wiikwemkoong Leadership, this initiative combines cutting-edge technology and renewable energy to benefit the community and environment. In collaboration with Vortex Technology Group and supported by key funding programs, the project includes the installation of Level 2 and Level 3 EV chargers alongside a revolutionary Battery Energy Storage Solution (BESS) at the community’s Recreational Complex. The launch event on November 27, 2024, was celebrated by Ogimaah Ominika and Vortex CEO Brian Walters. Ogimaah Ominika remarked, “When private sector companies partner and invest with Indigenous communities, the outcomes benefit technology, the environment, and the people.” The Vortex BESS technology, central to this initiative, offers unique advantages over traditional lithium-ion systems. Utilizing graphene-based, solid-state cells, the batteries are safer, longer-lasting, and faster-charging. They integrate seamlessly with the complex’s rooftop solar array, enabling EV charging and critical power supplies even during outages. This innovative design reflects Wiikwemkoong’s commitment to green energy and resilience. The project has been made possible through partnerships and funding from the IESO Indigenous Energy Support Program (IESP), NRCAN’s ZEVIP program, and in-kind contributions from Vortex. The IESP has supported over 170 Indigenous communities with $74 million since its inception, funding initiatives in renewable energy, storage systems, and microgrid development.The program underscores the role of Indigenous leadership in driving Ontario’s energy transition. Brian Walters highlighted, “This installation showcases how our technology can enhance EV charging and emergency power systems, reinforcing Wiikwemkoong’s leadership in sustainable innovation.” The project is more than infrastructure—it’s a vision for the future. The 24/7 accessible chargers will attract visitors to explore Wiikwemkoong’s cultural and ecological offerings while supporting a shift to cleaner transportation. By commissioning the chargers in mid-2025, the community will further its goals of environmental stewardship and energy independence. Wiikwemkoong’s initiative sets a national example, blending green innovation with cultural leadership to create lasting benefits for its people and the planet. -30- No media for this story

Washington • Matt Gaetz, who faced a torrent of scrutiny over allegations of sex trafficking and drug use, abruptly withdrew his bid to become attorney general Thursday in the first major political setback for President-elect Donald Trump since his election this month. Gaetz has consistently denied the allegations, but his prospective nomination ran into trouble in the Senate, where Republicans were deeply reluctant to confirm someone to run the same Justice Department that once investigated him on suspicion of sex trafficking an underage girl even though no charges were brought. In announcing his withdrawal a day after visiting the Senate, Gaetz insisted that he had strong support among fellow Republicans. But two people with direct knowledge of Gaetz’s thinking said he had made the decision to pull out after concluding that he would not have the votes in the Senate for confirmation. The people asked for anonymity to discuss his private decision-making. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz wrote on social media. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.” He added, “I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.” Trump responded with his own social media post expressing appreciation for Gaetz. “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do,” the president-elect wrote. Trump did not indicate whom he might select as attorney general instead. The collapse of Gaetz’s prospective candidacy just 16 days after the election appeared to be the earliest such failed Cabinet pick in modern history and underscored the haphazard way that Trump has gone about assembling his new administration. He picked Gaetz almost on a whim last week without extensive vetting, knowing that allegations were out there but essentially daring Senate Republicans to accept him anyway. What remained unclear Thursday was whether Gaetz’s withdrawal would embolden Senate Republicans to challenge other contentious Cabinet choices, such as Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News host tapped for defense secretary; or Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the conspiracy theorist and vaccine skeptic selected for secretary of health and human services. Hegseth has been accused of sexual assault but denies it, while Kennedy has been accused of groping a family babysitter, which he has said he does not remember doing. Hegseth was on Capitol Hill on Thursday accompanied by Vice President-elect JD Vance, still serving as a senator from Ohio, to build support for his own nomination. He rejected the allegation that he had attacked a woman at a Republican conference in Monterey, California, in 2017. A police report released Wednesday said that he had blocked a hotel room door when the woman tried to leave and sexually assaulted her. Police did not charge him, and Hegseth has insisted the encounter was consensual, but three years later he paid her a settlement with a nondisclosure agreement. His lawyer has said last week that the woman “extorted him” and that Hegseth paid her because even false accusations would have been damaging to his career. “As far as the media is concerned, I’ll keep this very simple,” Hegseth told reporters on Capitol Hill on Thursday. “The matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared. And that’s where I’m going to leave it.” The storm surrounding Gaetz had drawn attention away from some of the other contested picks that otherwise might have generated more opposition. Few said much, for instance, when Trump named Todd Blanche, his own criminal defense attorney, and two other lawyers who represented him against indictments, to the top Justice Department positions below attorney general. With Gaetz drawing the most fire, it became increasingly clear that confirmation was unlikely. Trump had privately told people that Gaetz had less than even odds of surviving the confirmation process, but he was making calls on his behalf in the hopes of shifting what the Senate would consider acceptable. Gaetz told people close to him that after conversations with senators and members of their staff, he had concluded that there were at least four Republican senators in the next Congress who were implacably opposed to his nomination: Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and the newly elected John Curtis of Utah. Collins said in a statement after Gaetz’s withdrawal that he had “put country first” and had made “the best decision that Mr. Gaetz could have made.” Murkowski declined to answer any questions about the matter. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, said it was “pretty obvious” that Gaetz did not have the votes to be confirmed. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., who had sparred with Gaetz previously but had not indicated whether he would vote against him, said the withdrawal recognized reality. “I think because of the reports that were coming out, it was probably a good decision,” he said. Gaetz, who represented Florida in the House until resigning last week after being tapped by Trump, had been one of the most unpopular Republicans in the Capitol, particularly after instigating the far-right revolt that toppled Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He stepped down from his House seat two days before the House Ethics Committee was slated to produce a report on his activities, bringing an end to the investigation since he was no longer a representative in the panel’s jurisdiction. Republicans on the committee blocked release of the report in a meeting Wednesday. Senators of both parties made clear that they were intent on seeing the report before voting on his confirmation. Gaetz’s withdrawal came a day after The New York Times reported that federal investigators had established a set of payments that he and his associates made in connection with drug-fueled sex parties from 2017 to 2020. Two women who have testified that he hired them for sex were among those who received money from Gaetz, according to a document obtained by the Times. A lawyer for the two women said payments to them totaled around $10,000. Another woman who was 17 at the time she attended one of the parties received a payment from a friend of Gaetz, according to the document. Federal prosecutors ultimately dropped the case against Gaetz, but their chart of payments was obtained by the ethics committee, which was investigating whether Gaetz had sex with the woman when she was underage. Trump disregarded any concerns about the scandals in selecting Gaetz after his advisers deadlocked over other choices, including Andrew Bailey, the attorney general of Missouri; and Robert J. Giuffra Jr., a top lawyer at Sullivan & Cromwell. Gaetz’s selection was pushed heavily by Boris Epshteyn, Trump’s legal adviser, who has helped stock his Justice Department at the top levels. Trump seemed attracted to Gaetz as attorney general especially because of the former congressman’s willingness to blow things up. The president-elect remains deeply angry at the Justice Department’s efforts to prosecute him in connection with his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and hoard classified documents. He has also indicated that he wants to use the Justice Department to go after his political adversaries. Gaetz appeared to be in sync with this thinking. A vocal and bombastic critic of the Justice Department, Gaetz has suggested abolishing the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and even the Justice Department as a whole. He introduced legislation last year to eliminate the ATF, which regulates firearms dealers and fights gun crimes. Gaetz’s decision to resign his House seat right away, rather than wait for confirmation, now leaves him without a position in Washington. While he was just reelected this month, he made clear in his resignation letter last week that he would not serve his new term. “I do not intend to take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress,” he wrote. This article originally appeared in The New York Times .

Suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggles, shouts while entering courthouseJackson had six rebounds and three steals for the Mastodons (6-4, 1-1 Horizon League). Corey Hadnot II scored 13 points, shooting 4 of 11 from the field and 5 for 6 from the free-throw line. Rasheed Bello went 4 of 11 from the field (2 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with 12 points. Alvaro Folgueiras finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Colonials (6-5, 0-2). Robert Morris also got 19 points, four assists and four steals from Kam Woods. Ryan Prather Jr. finished with 14 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Rubrik Stock Jumps On Strong Q3 Print: Key Details

NEW YORK , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Dentsply Sirona Inc. (NASDAQ: XRAY) between December 1, 2022 and November 6, 2024 , both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 27, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

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Preview: Mainz 05 vs. Bayern Munich - prediction, team news, lineupsFEATURED: Introducing Faranga: A new app transforming mobile money in RwandaIn a landmark financial development, Payaza, an African financial services provider, has secured approval for a N50 billion Commercial Paper issuance from FMDQ Exchange. This milestone underscores Payaza’s commitment to becoming Africa’s most trusted payment gateway by delivering seamless, secure, and innovative financial solutions tailored for Africans. The N50 billion Commercial Paper program will significantly enhance Payaza’s liquidity, allowing the company to scale operations, diversify its product offerings, and strengthen its market leadership across Africa. Commenting on the development, Seyi Ebenezer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Payaza, said: “This approval reflects the confidence placed in our vision by key financial stakeholders. It marks a pivotal step in our journey to deliver innovative, accessible, and scalable financial solutions across Africa. With this opportunity, we are well-positioned to bolster liquidity, expand our services, and drive strategic investments that empower individuals and businesses to thrive in a dynamic economy.” Payaza’s recent successes include an investment-grade rating from Global Credit Rating (GCR), an affiliate of Moody’s, a globally recognized risk assessment firm operating in over 40 countries. This rating reflects Payaza’s strong financial structure, operational efficiency, and robust governance, further solidifying its credibility and boosting investor confidence. Renowned for pioneering digital payment platforms and tailored credit solutions, Payaza leverages cutting-edge technology to bridge financial service gaps across Africa. The company’s vision to become Africa’s foremost fintech powerhouse continues to drive its efforts in promoting financial inclusion and delivering sustainable solutions for underserved markets. According to Philips Akinyele, Payaza’s Chief Technology Officer; “The N50 billion Commercial Paper approval is more than a financial milestone; it reinforces our dedication to building innovative solutions that drive economic inclusion and growth across Africa. This move will enable us to deepen our offerings, strengthen infrastructure, and create opportunities that transform lives.” As Payaza advances its ambitious expansion strategy, the company continues to inspire confidence among stakeholders, redefine financial solutions, and lead the transformation of Africa’s financial ecosystem.