makati okbet kings Niels Arestrup, who has died aged 75, had been a stalwart of French theatre and cinema since the 1970s, but his profile was raised internationally in the first decade of this century by two films directed by Jacques Audiard . In The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005) , a reimagining of James Toback’s 1978 thriller Fingers, Arestrup was the brutish slumlord now fallen on hard times, and increasingly reliant on a son (Romain Duris) who is torn between a thuggish, disreputable life and his dreams of being a classical pianist. For Audiard’s ambitious thriller A Prophet (2009) , he was cast as another corrosive patriarch, this time a Corsican ruling the roost behind bars and pulling the strings of a vulnerable new prisoner, played by Tahar Rahim. Eventually, the puppet turns the tables on the puppet-master. Arestrup captures acutely the former kingpin’s ignominious decline. “What we see etched on [his] face is pathetic loneliness and the horror of dying alone in prison,” wrote Peter Bradshaw in this paper. Among the nine César awards that went to A Prophet was one for Arestrup for best supporting actor, a prize he had already scooped for The Beat That My Heart Skipped. A third César came his way for Bertrand Tavernier’s political comedy The French Minister (2013). His portrayals of unsavoury bullies were not limited to his films with Audiard. In the harrowing Our Children (2013) , he was again paired with Rahim; this time, they were father and adopted son, with the older man, a physician, exerting an invidious influence on the younger one’s marriage. He was another malign paternal figure in You Will Be My Son (2011) , in which he played the overbearing owner of a prestigious Bordeaux vineyard. His resentful sneer and off-white, nicotine-tinted locks called to mind a down-at-heel department-store Santa. In 2013, the critic Kenneth Turan named him “the most quietly terrifying presence in film today”. The Observer’s Philip French called him “confidently menacing”. That feeling was not confined to his acting. There had long been allegations of violence toward female co-stars: he was accused of slapping Isabelle Adjani and trying to strangle Myriam Boyer, though he never faced any criminal charges. He was born in Montreuil, to a Breton mother, who worked as a typist as well as on an assembly line making radios, and a Danish father, who was a manager at a Testut scales factory. Arestrup was 20 when he found work in Paris, first in a pizzeria, then selling carpets. There was a job waiting for him in his father’s factory, but he happened to take an acting class with Tania Balachova at the Théâtre de la Gâité Montparnasse. She said: “I have nothing special to tell you. You are an actor ... you have nothing to do with it, that’s how it is.” Immediately he was on a new path. “I told my parents that I felt good there, that it was a world that attracted me, [and] it was a worry for them,” he said in 2021. “I took the risk, as they say in poker. I went all-in.” He later studied with the actor Andreas Voutsinas, who coached Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda and Faye Dunaway. Voutsinas approached Arestrup after seeing him in a production of Crime and Punishment. “He suggested that I work with him. He saw my flaws very clearly.” The issue, he explained, was that Arestrup “wanted to seduce, to be strong, to be masculine ... I broke bottles, I hit, I drank a lot. This behaviour was reflected in my work. I was excessive. Voutsinas told me: ‘You don’t have to do this. By simply being yourself ... you will become much more interesting.’” He became established in theatre in the early 1970s. His earliest film appearances came in Alain Resnais’ political drama Stavisky, where he was Trotsky’s secretary Rudolph Klement, and Miss O’Gynie et les Hommes Fleurs (both 1974), in which he played one half of a gay couple whose relationship is threatened by the arrival in their village of a young woman. In the same year, Arestrup was a rough-and-ready Brando-like presence, complete with Stanley Kowalski-style white T-shirt, in Chantal Akerman’s groundbreaking debut Je Tu Il Elle. He played a truck driver who picks up a hitchhiker, played by Akerman, and delivers lewd monologues to her en route. He was cast after Akerman approached him one evening to offer the role. “When do we shoot?” he asked. “Right now,” she replied. The crew was waiting nearby. He was capable of bringing fresh shading to time-worn characters, as he did in Peter Brook’s 1981 stage revival of The Cherry Orchard. The New York Times noted that his Lopakhin was “not the boorish rustic we often find ... but a man of considerable sensitivity ... Lopakhin has suppressed the lyrical side of himself, but the instinct is there. In Mr Arestrup’s portrayal, we saw a man lacking in table manners but not in taste of sympathy. Instead of wondering, as we sometimes do, why Varya wants to marry such an oaf, we wondered why he wanted to marry her ...” In 1991, Arestrup starred in István Szabó’s Meeting Venus, as a Hungarian conductor at the centre of a chaotic production of Wagner’s Tannhäuser, alongside Glenn Close as the initially icy opera singer who thaws out in his presence. Following the success of A Prophet, Steven Spielberg cast him as the grandfather to a young girl in his adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s first world war novel War Horse (2011). In Volker Schlöndorff’s film of Cyril Gély’s play Diplomacy (2014), Arestrup reprised his stage performance as General Dietrich von Choltitz, who disobeys Hitler’s orders to destroy Paris in the prelude to the allies’ arrival in 1944. In 2021, he starred on stage in 88 Fois l’Infini (88 Times Infinity), a play written by his wife, Isabelle Le Nouvel, whom he married in 2012, and based on an event from his own past: his discovery at the age of 18 that he was not, as he had been led to believe, an only child, but had a half-brother living in Denmark. About his increasing success, he was resolutely unfazed. “I never wanted fame,” he said. “The only topic of conversation that doesn’t interest me personally is me.” He is survived by Le Nouvel and their twins, a son and a daughter. Niels Arestrup, actor, born 8 February 1949; died 1 December 2024

Taylor Swift reportedly “feels horrible” for her close friend Blake Lively after the actress filed a legal complaint last week accusing her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Sources tell The Daily Mail that the “Shake it Off” singer was “startled” by the revelations contained in Lively’s lawsuit. “Taylor is startled by the revelations surrounding the Blake Lively takedown and she is encouraging Blake to get to the bottom of it,” the source said. “She supports Blake and feels horrible that she had to go through all of this.” Lively and Swift have been close friends for years, and the pop star is even the godmother to her three daughters James, Inez, and Betty. Lively’s children, whom she welcomed with husband Ryan Reynolds , are also named in one of Swift’s tracks “Betty” off her 2020 album Folklore . In her complaint, Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and his public relations team for engineering a smear campaign against her over the summer. Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, called the claims “outrageous” and told the Associated Press in a statement, “These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.” Universal Pictures put the speculation to rest on Monday, announcing that director Christopher Nolan’s next film will be The Odyssey , based on Homer’s epic poem and a central story of Greek mythology. “Christopher Nolan’s next film ‘The Odyssey’ is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology,” the studio posted on X. “The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026.” No specific casting has been announced, but the film is expected to star real-life couple and former Spider-Man co-stars Tom Holland and Zendaya along with Matt Damon ( Oppenheimer ), Anne Hathaway ( Interstellar ), Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron. As recently as last week, Holland was being coy about the details of the film, saying in a podcast interview , “To be perfectly honest, I don’t really know what it’s about. I’m super excited, but it’s been pretty quiet about the project. I met with [Nolan] and it was awesome. He kind of loosely pitched what it is, and I’m sure when he’s ready he’ll announce what it’s about.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Neil deGrasse Tyson. Martin Scorsese. Bill and Hillary. Martha Steward. These are just some of the people we are unlikely to meet in person, but at least we can get up close and personal with them by taking their MasterClass online courses —and at a major discount for a limited time. The expert-led platform has a robust library of educational classes on far-ranging topics: science , music, arts , personal empowerment, and more. The classes are taught by industry experts and household names, including Gordon Ramsey, Mariah Carey, David Lynch, Jeff Koons, and many more. Right now, you can score up to 50 percent off on MasterClass subscriptions just in time for last-minute holiday gifting. You do have to take a short quiz to get to the deal, but honestly, it’s worth the 60 seconds. Honestly, whether you waited until the last minute or not, you’ll be gifting the dad in your life with intelligent, cultured content and giving them the opportunity to learn something new from someone famous. A U.S. Navy fighter jet was shot down over the Red Sea on Saturday in an apparent friendly fire incident, authorities have said. Two U.S. Navy pilots ejected safely after it was “mistakenly fired” upon by the USS Gettysburg in a non-specified location, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. One of the pilots sustained minor injuries and authorities said a full investigation is underway. The F/A-18, was operating from the USS Harry S. Truman, when the guided-missile cruiser—part of the Truman carrier strike group—fired during a refueling operation. The incident happened a day after U.S. forces hit Houthi structural targets in Yemen. The rebel group appeared to try and take credit for the incident Sunday, but it has a reputation for false claims. The U.S. has a presence in the area due to the Iran-backed Houthi campaign of targeting ships in the busy waterway. Kieran Culkin made his film debut at age 8 opposite his real-life brother Macaulay Culkin in the holiday classic Home Alone . Before that, his child acting career got off to an unfortunate start, he revealed in a new episode of the Smartless podcast , when he was cast as a learning disabled kid in a commercial at 6-years-old. “The concept was I’m standing in front of a chalkboard with chalk in my hand and I don’t know how to solve the easy thing in front of me,” Culkin recalled. “And the kids in the class are supposed to be calling me a dummy and stupid, all that.” But when the director, who he declined to name, called action, he started shouting at the young Culkin, “‘Dummy. Idiot. Stupid.’” The unusual approach led the actor to think to himself, “I get it. I’m 6. Stand here and look sad. I’m not f---ing method. I’m 6. What’s wrong with you?” As a child, Culkin went on to star in films like Only the Lonely and Father of the Bride. More recently, he won an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Roman Roy on HBO’s Succession and is a frontrunner for the Best Supporting Actor trophy at the upcoming Academy Awards for his role in the film A Real Pain . Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Every winter, my skin gets chapped, irritated, and downright pissed at me, thanks to the shorter days, colder temperatures, layers of clothes, heaters on full-blast everywhere, and lack of moisture in the air. Usually, I don’t feel the need to reach for a designated ‘night cream’ since the regular moisturizer that I use during the day works just fine, but during the past few weeks, my skin has been screaming for a little extra TLC and hydration. When it comes to any category of skincare , I always look for clinically-proven and medical-grade formulas, if possible, including the most basic creams and moisturizers. While there are a few Korean beauty (K-beauty to the initiated) products I’ve loved for years, the holy grail snail mucin serum I once used religiously has disappeared from my daily routine, as has my former collection of sheet and lip masks. On my quest for a thirst-quenching night cream with added anti-aging benefits, I discovered the luxury medical-grade skincare line, Dr. Rossi DERM MD . The brand’s formulas borrow wisdom from Korean skincare traditions and each of the formulas is powered by Dr. Rossi’s proprietary Bio-Theriac Complex , combining biomimetic sea anemone peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid in an optimized ratio to combat premature aging caused by skin sensitization. Its bestselling, skin-repairing Night Synthesis Cream sounded like exactly what my skin needed (it also doesn’t hurt that the enviably ageless Martha Stewart is reportedly a fan of the concentrated cream.) Without being overly heavy or greasy—two skincare formula characteristics that are absolute dealbreakers as far as I’m concerned—the night cream is still rich, emollient, and brimming with science-backed ingredients that not only keep their complexion-enhancing properties but also rejuvenate lackluster skin fast. When I say this cream is dense, I’m really not joking—when you turn the jar upside down, the formula stays put like a Dairy Queen Blizzard turned upside down. Despite its density and viscosity, I’ve been wearing it under makeup during the day, and the formula absorbs quickly enough that there’s no oil slick of residue lingering, which is another requirement of mine. Within just a week of using the cream , the dehydration-induced fine lines around my crow’s feet and under my eyes have diminished significantly. My skin appears firmer, brighter, and more luminous upon waking. Plus, the broken capillaries, redness, and skin peeling (also likely due to my retinoid use) have almost vanished despite the arid climate and rampant seasonal cedar allergies. Coming in at just under $200, this luxury night cream is definitely an investment but one that is well worth it if your skin, like mine, is crying out for reprieve from these drier winter months. Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos visited Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago last week, according to reports, just the latest in a procession of business elites suddenly seeking face-time with the president-elect. The 60-year-old has previously donated to Democrats including President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, according to Reuters . Sarandos is also married to Nicole Avant, who was Obama’s United States Ambassador to the Bahamas between 2009 and 2011. A dizzying array of high-powered business moguls have tried to curry favor with Trump since his election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. Last week, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos joined Trump for a dinner at Mar-a-Lago that was also attended by Trump’s outspoken cheerleader and Twitter owner, Elon Musk . Fellow social media mogul Mark Zuckerberg also paid a visit to the president-elect’s Palm Beach club last month, while Apple CEO Tim Cook made his visit earlier in December. Zuckerberg’s Meta donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund after his house call, a move that Amazon is also reportedly considering . Trump seems to be thrilled with his newfound popularity, posting last week: “EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND.” Michael Schumacher, the famed F1 star, is going to be a granddad. The news comes after his daughter, 27-year-old Gina, announced her pregnancy. The sports icon’s daughter was just married three months ago, with her dad speculated to have attended the wedding. Gina made an Instagram post, featuring a photo of pink western items, including a pony, with the caption: “Impatiently awaiting the arrival of our little girl.” She tagged her newly-wedded husband, Iain. Schumacher, 55, has not been seen publicly since a skiing accident in 2013, where he sustained a severe head injury. Known to keep his life private, no mobile phones were allowed at the wedding. Jean Todt, a friend of Schumacher, said in the past that he “is no longer the Michael we knew,” according to The Sun . Beside Gina, Schumacher has a son named Mick, who also races. He commented on his sister’s announcement post, writing: “So excited.” Japanese car manufacturers Honda and Nissan have announced a merger, leaving drivers wondering what the phoenix brand will be called. Japan’s second and third biggest automakers, behind Toyota, are pairing up to fight back against the rising threat of Chinese dominance in the electric vehicle market. The two companies signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding in March, committing to collaboration on EVs, and on Monday confirmed the plans to fully merge—alongside Nissan-controlled Mitsubishi. But after the press conference in Tokyo, attention shifted to what the overall holding company might be called when the merger is finished, perhaps as early as late January. “Nissonda or Hondissan?” one X user asked , while another added : “Can’t wait to drive a Nishonda.” One person took a different view, saying : “Hondissan this, Nissonda that. No. Nonda. Or, the objectively more evil Nisson.” A Cathay Pacific flight destined for Boston diverted to Japan because of an unruly passenger who allegedly assaulted people during a midair meltdown. Passengers endured a 15-hour delay and a forced stopover at Tokyo Haneda after flight CX812, which originated in Hong Kong , descended into chaos. The disruptive individual was banned from future flights with the airline, Hong Kong’s flag carrier. Reports suggest the person, who was arrested upon touchdown, assaulted others onboard. Passengers initially departed Hong Kong International Airport 7:40 p.m. local time on Saturday, but after the incident, the were loaded onto a new plane, which departed at 10:45 a.m. and reached Boston at 12:26 p.m. Eastern Time Sunday. They were compensated with meal vouchers and lounge access, while the airline also apologized. Hong Kong’s Aviation Security Ordinance has strict penalties for unruly behavior, including fines of up to around $6,500 and imprisonment for up to five years. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. As any true audiophile already knows, Amazon Music Unlimited has long been a reliable destination for an elevated listening experience. With millions of high-quality songs and an unparalleled collection of top ad-free podcasts, the platform’s catalog is curated to capture both your attention and your imagination. Now, Amazon is raising the bar with an exciting update: Audible is officially joining Amazon Music Unlimited, cementing the brand’s status as an all-in-one audio hub . Audible’s industry-leading catalog of audiobooks features an expansive selection of can’t-miss bestsellers, hot-off-the-press exclusives, and timeless classics to immerse yourself in. As an Amazon Music Unlimited subscriber, you’ll be free to select one book each month (of any length) and listen to it directly in the Amazon Music app . Whether you’re a fiction buff ready to dive into a thrilling new adventure or a non-fiction enthusiast looking to expand your horizons, Audible’s expansive collection is sure to have the right title that matches your tastes. Plus, when you’re ready to take a break from the book, you can seamlessly swap back to your favorite tunes and podcast episodes —all without having to leave the app. It’s all the audio that you’ll ever need, all in one place! Best of all, this game-changing update is arriving just in time for the holiday season: start a new subscription , and enjoy your first three months of Amazon Music Unlimited, completely for free. Audio art, conversation, and storytelling—all in one place. What’s not to love? Sign up today and get lost in the sound . The governor of Nebraska, Jim Pillen , is facing Christmas in hospital after he was bucked off a horse. The Republican state leader, who turns 69 next week, was out riding with family members when the horse, which was described as new, sent him flying. His office said he “is alert and is in continuous touch with his team,” after the incident Sunday. However, it added that he was expected to remain in hospital “for several days.” This means Pillen could spend Christmas Day in the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he was transported “out of an abundance of caution” after initial treatment at Columbus Community Hospital, according to his office. “Gov. Pillen and his family are very appreciative of the thoughts and prayers given to them by Nebraskans and they wish all Nebraskans a very merry Christmas,” his office added in the statement. More than 170 skiers and snowboarders experienced the stuff of nightmares over the weekend when they were left stranded for several hours on a ski lift whose structure had cracked, the Colorado Sun reported. A gondola lift at Winter Park Resort—located about 70 miles west of Denver , Colorado —was halted on Saturday just after noon after technicians discovered the crack. Over the course of about five hours, ski patrollers climbed into each gondola and lowered the riders’ equipment to the ground. They then used swinging ropes with seats attached to them to lower the 174 riders. No injuries were reported during the evacuation, which wrapped up around 6 p.m. Videos posted to social media showed the surreal rescues, which apparently used a belay system similar to the kind used in rock climbing. Officials were still investigating on Sunday to try to determine what had caused the structure to crack. The ski lift’s system detected the malfunction and automatically stopped, according to the resort. In the meantime, the resort’s other 21 lifts remained open. COLORADO: A cracked ski lift at Colorado's Winter Park Resort left 174 skiers stranded. Riders were lowered by ropes over 5 hours after the lift auto-stopped. The cause is under investigation. pic.twitter.com/QY1knqxwm5Polls close in Uruguay’s election, with ruling coalition and opposition headed for photo finish

Riding a 3-game win streak, the Bengals cling to playoff hopes with the Broncos nextBy ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weeks-long delay. The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transiton of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them. Teams of investigators have been standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers. “This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day,” said Susie Wiles, Trump’s designate to be White House chief of staff. The announcement comes a week after the Trump transition team signed an agreement with the Biden White House to allow transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office on Jan. 20. The White House agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House had issued both public and private appeals for Trump’s team to sign on. Security clearances are required to access classified information, including on ongoing operations and threats to the nation, and the Biden White House and outside experts have emphasized to Trump’s team the importance of having cleared personnel before Inauguration Day so they could be fully briefed and ready to run the government. Republican Senators have also insisted on FBI background checks for Trump’s nominees before they face confirmation votes, as has been standard practice for decades. Lawmakers have been particularly interested in seeing the findings of reviews into Trump’s designated nominee for defense secretary, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. “That’s why it’s so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review of extensive questions and questionnaires, and a public hearing,” said. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine on Monday. John Thune, the incoming Senate Republican leader, said the Trump team “understands there’s going to have to be a thorough vetting of all these nominees.” AP congressional correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed.

AP Business SummaryBrief at 5:20 p.m. EST

By JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, center speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, speaks with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, before testifying at a hearing, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Sept. 12, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Vance is taking on an atypical role as Senate guide for Trump nominees The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Mar-a-Lago scene is a far cry from Vance’s hardscrabble upbringing Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. Related Articles National Politics | Matt Gaetz says he won’t return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general National Politics | Attorneys want the US Supreme Court to say Mississippi’s felony voting ban is cruel and unusual National Politics | Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees? National Politics | Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad National Politics | Trump gave Interior nominee one directive for a half-billion acres of US land: ‘Drill.’ On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” Vance is making his voice heard as Trump stocks his Cabinet While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance will draw on his Senate background going forward Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.Advisors Asset Management Inc. Purchases 497 Shares of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LECO)

'It's Not an End to Itself': Daniel Horowitz Makes a Point About PopulismPHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have no plans to pitch prized prospect Andrew Painter in spring training games as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have no plans to pitch prized prospect Andrew Painter in spring training games as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have no plans to pitch prized prospect Andrew Painter in spring training games as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The 21-year-old Painter hurt his elbow during spring training in 2023 and had surgery that July 25 with Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Painter was the 13th overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft and signed for a $3.9 million bonus. “He’ll throw but not plan on pitching” in games, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Monday. “We’re going to push the innings back.” Dombrowski said Painter will build up at some point in the minor leagues and could make his major league debut at some point in the summer. Painter made six starts and allowed four runs in the Arizona Fall League. He struck out 18 batters in 15 2/3 innings after he sat out each of the last two seasons. Painter sprinted through Philadelphia’s system in 2022, going 6-2 with a 1.48 ERA in 26 appearances spread across two Class A teams and Double-A Reading. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB Advertisement

Election challenges remove two candidates in MilanHowever, the N-Dubz star has since left the jungle following a public vote but viewers of the show are shocked at her actions since. Before heading into the Australian jungle, celebrities often share pictures of themselves in their camp uniforms and the ITV show also shares videos and images of them while they’re in there which they share to their own personal accounts. However, viewers noticed the lack of Instagram posts about Tulisa’s time in the jungle following her exit. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, fans of the show noticed the singer has deleted her posts about the ITV show and her involvement. After leaving the show, Tulisa would’ve been given her phone back so it’s likely she deleted the posts herself. One viewer said: “Why has Tulisa deleted everything from her socials in relation to #ImACeleb”. Another commented: “Why has Tulisa deleted all traces of I’m a celeb off her socials?” A third called the singer out, saying: “So grateful you delete all trace of I’m a Celeb on your Instagram ey Tulisa?” After public votes, three celebrities have been eliminated from the ITV show so far. Loose Women star Jane Moore was the first to leave while Dean McCullough, a BBC Radio 1 presenter, was the second to be reunited with loved ones. N-Dubz star Tulisa was the third to leave the jungle and said: “It is tough in there, leaving is still a happy thing.” Speaking about her I'm A Celebrity experience, she added: “I just think you're more grateful for everything, the you eat, being around the people you love, the home comforts, just makes you very appreciative of life.” Tonight (December 3), another celebrity will leave the jungle.

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba indicated Tuesday that his ruling party would endorse members implicated in a slush fund scandal for next year's House of Councillors election, provided they explain themselves in parliament. The scandal, involving some Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers failing to properly report income from fundraising parties, eroded public trust in politics, leading the ruling coalition to lose its majority in the House of Representatives in the Oct 27 election. While Ishiba has remained in power, he faces significant challenges, as he must seek opposition support to pass budgets and bills while unifying and rebuilding the party ahead of the upper house election scheduled for the summer of 2025. Ishiba's remarks came as 27 members who belonged to a powerful faction previously led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have expressed willingness to testify before the upper house ethics committee over the scandal, signaling a shift in their stance. Of that total, 15 members will draw particular attention, as the others are not up for reelection this time. In Japan, half of the 248-member upper house is replaced every three years and the chamber is currently controlled by the ruling coalition. To decide whether to endorse scandal-hit members in the October election, the LDP considered factors such as whether they had fulfilled their accountability by attending the political ethics committee, or the types of intraparty punishments they had received. Party heavyweights with close ties to Abe, including former education minister Koichi Hagiuda and industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, ran as independents but joined the LDP-related group in the lower house after the election. Opposition lawmakers are expected to intensify their criticism of Ishiba during the current extraordinary Diet session, which will end later this month, and the regular session from January. Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, said at a press conference, "Even if the lawmakers in question attend the political ethics committee, this does not mean everything will be fine afterward." The LDP and Komeito have been exploring policy cooperation with Tamaki's party.By TOM KRISHER, Associated Press DETROIT (AP) — For a second time, a Delaware judge has nullified a pay package that Tesla had awarded its CEO, Elon Musk, that once was valued at $56 billion. On Monday, Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick turned aside a request from Musk’s lawyers to reverse a ruling she announced in January that had thrown out the compensation plan. The judge ruled then that Musk effectively controlled Tesla’s board and had engineered the outsize pay package during sham negotiations . Lawyers for a Tesla shareholder who sued to block the pay package contended that shareholders who had voted for the 10-year plan in 2018 had been given misleading and incomplete information. In their defense, Tesla’s board members asserted that the shareholders who ratified the pay plan a second time in June had done so after receiving full disclosures, thereby curing all the problems the judge had cited in her January ruling. As a result, they argued, Musk deserved the pay package for having raised Tesla’s market value by billions of dollars. McCormick rejected that argument. In her 103-page opinion, she ruled that under Delaware law, Tesla’s lawyers had no grounds to reverse her January ruling “based on evidence they created after trial.” On Monday night, Tesla posted on X, the social media platform owned by Musk, that the company will appeal. The appeal would be filed with the Delaware Supreme Court, the only state appellate court Tesla can pursue. Experts say a ruling would likely come in less than a year. “The ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs’ lawyers run Delaware companies rather than their rightful owners — the shareholders,” Tesla argued. Later, on X, Musk unleashed a blistering attack on the judge, asserting that McCormick is “a radical far left activist cosplaying as a judge.” Legal authorities generally suggest that McCormick’s ruling was sound and followed the law. Charles Elson, founding director of the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware, said that in his view, McCormick was right to rule that after Tesla lost its case in the original trial, it created improper new evidence by asking shareholders to ratify the pay package a second time. Had she allowed such a claim, he said, it would cause a major shift in Delaware’s laws against conflicts of interest given the unusually close relationship between Musk and Tesla’s board. “Delaware protects investors — that’s what she did,” said Elson, who has followed the court for more than three decades. “Just because you’re a ‘superstar CEO’ doesn’t put you in a separate category.” Elson said he thinks investors would be reluctant to put money into Delaware companies if there were exceptions to the law for “special people.” Elson said that in his opinion, the court is likely to uphold McCormick’s ruling. Experts say no. Rulings on state laws are normally left to state courts. Brian Dunn, program director for the Institute of Compensation Studies at Cornell University, said it’s been his experience that Tesla has no choice but to stay in the Delaware courts for this compensation package. The company could try to reconstitute the pay package and seek approval in Texas, where it may expect more friendlier judges. But Dunn, who has spent 40 years as an executive compensation consultant, said it’s likely that some other shareholder would challenge the award in Texas because it’s excessive compared with other CEOs’ pay plans. “If they just want to turn around and deliver him $56 billion, I can’t believe somebody wouldn’t want to litigate it,” Dunn said. “It’s an unconscionable amount of money.” Almost certainly. Tesla stock is trading at 15 times the exercise price of stock options in the current package in Delaware, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas wrote in a note to investors. Tesla’s share price has doubled in the past six months, Jonas wrote. At Monday’s closing stock price, the Musk package is now worth $101.4 billion, according to Equilar, an executive data firm. And Musk has asked for a subsequent pay package that would give him 25% of Tesla’s voting shares. Musk has said he is uncomfortable moving further into artificial intelligence with the company if he doesn’t have 25% control. He currently holds about 13% of Tesla’s outstanding shares.

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