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NASA's 2 stuck astronauts face more time in space with return delayed until at least late MarchCaribbean Matters is a weekly series from Daily Kos. Hope you’ll join us here every Saturday. If you are unfamiliar with the region, check out Caribbean Matters: Getting to know the countries of the Caribbean . Ahead of the presidential election, there was a concerted effort from punditry to preemptively point fingers at and blame Black men for abandoning Vice President Kamala Harris. Some— including President Barack Obama —predicted that Black men’s misogyny would never allow them to vote for or accept a Black woman (or any woman) in charge. This has been vociferously debunked by exit poll data , since after Black women, Black men were Harris’ strongest supporters—just as they were in 2020 and in 2016 . Some of those faux charges got me to thinking about Black female heads of state—both elected and appointed in our neighboring countries of the Caribbean. If there had been some cultural norm that is specifically Black male-related, these countries would have openly revolted when a woman took the helm, or never elected them to it. Am I saying that machismo, male chauvinism, and patriarchy are absent in our island neighbors? No. It’s a global phenomenon, and it can be deadly . But while our supposedly Democratic society hasn’t managed yet to “put a woman in charge,” we in the States have been left in the dust by our more advanced neighbors. Gender equity in government is an issue being tracked by the United Nations , with the goal of “achieving gender parity in political life globally.” So let’s meet some of the Caribbean women who have broken glass ceilings that we have as yet, failed to achieve. By now, readers of this series should be familiar with Mia Mottley, who is not only the p rime minister of Barbados , but has also achieved world prominence, particularly around issues of climate change. Mottley’s impressive work has been featured frequently in “Caribbean Matters.” Caribbean Matters: Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados is a force to be reckoned with Caribbean Matters: 'Listen to Mia' highlights a message to the world from Barbados PM Mia Mottley Caribbean Matters: Barbados PM Mia Mottley viewed as top choice for future UN secretary-general Caribbean Matters: Barbados' Mia Mottley stuns the world again, this time at COP26 Caribbean Matters: At COP27, Barbados PM Mia Mottley is a powerful voice addressing climate change Caribbean Matters: The world celebrates Barbados PM Mia Mottley's response to reporter's question Caribbean Matters: Barbados PM Mia Mottley to deliver keynote at U.S. reparations convention Iif you haven’t met them already, let’s meet some other groundbreaking women leaders of the Caribbean. Pictured at the top of the story is the first female prime minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson-Miller, when she hosted President Barack Obama in 2015. Encyclopedia.com has Simpson-Miller’s biography. In 2006, Portia Simpson Miller became the first woman to lead a government in the West Indian island nation of Jamaica. She had campaigned on pledges to reduce crime, poverty, and unemployment, and during her first few months in office she scored record-high approval ratings in public- opinion polls . A writer for the Economist magazine described the career politician as "something of a breath of fresh air for a country whose politics has long been dominated by elderly men," adding that Simpson Miller, often referred to by Jamaicans as Sista P, had celebrated her 60th birthday by the time she took office yet "looks younger and has an easy, magnetic charm." Simpson Miller was born on December 12, 1945, in Wood Hall in the parish of St. Catherine on Jamaica, and attended Marlie Hill Primary School. She studied at St. Martin's High School for Girls, and was first elected to office in her late 20s when she ran for a local councilor's seat in the Trench Town West constituency of the Kingston & St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), as the combined parish governments are known. Trench Town West was a notoriously poor district and had been a Jamaican Labour Party (JLP) stronghold for many years. Simpson Miller's victory in the 1974 local election marked the first time a member of the country's other leading political organization, the People's National Party of Jamaica, or PNP, had won there. Simpson-Miller’s rise to the Prime Minister’s seat in Jamaica is an extraordinary story — detailed in the 2019 documentary “Journey, Break Every Rule. Marcia Rowe reviewed it for The Jamaica Gleaner : Simpson Miller said that she was intrigued by the title, ‘ Break Every Rule’ as she has indeed broken some rules in being a fierce defender of the poor, Jamaica’s first female leader of government, and Jamaica’s first female prime minister. Her journey, she said, was influenced by a number of persons, including her father, when she was growing up in Wood Hall, St Catherine. Fittingly, Journey, Break Every Rule begins in Wood Hall with a young Portia writing her autobiography. She draws stick people to illustrate her family. The journey to the city is captured in a moving bus. Subsequently, through still shots and video footage, her sojourn into politics takes shape. Her triumphs and successes, from being a councillor of South West St Andrew to being prime minister of Jamaica, inform the 52 minutes documentary. Watch “Journey, Break Every Rule” in its entirety below. x YouTube Video The Jamaica Gleaner posted its own 3-minute feature about Simpson-Miller in 2017 . x YouTube Video The distinction of electing the first-ever woman to the office of prime minister in the entire Caribbean—and the Americas writ large—belongs to voters in the island nation of Dominica. Dominica is often confused with the Dominican Republic, but they are not the same country. Meet Dame Eugenia Charles. x Eugenia Charles, "Iron Lady of the Caribbean," was born #OTD in 1919. First woman in the Americas elected in her own right as head of govt--she served as Prime Minister of #Dominica from 1980-1995, the world's third longest-serving woman prime minister. #WomenInPolitics 🇩🇲 pic.twitter.com/EDyHNWmqcS — Admirable Women (@AdmirableWomen) May 15, 2023 In 2012, CaribNation’s Derrick Deane interviewed Charles’ biographer, attorney Gabriel Christian. x YouTube Video From the CaribNation TV’s video notes : CaribNation's interview with Gabriel Christian, author of the book MAMO! The life and times of Dame Mary Eugenia Charles. Prime minister of Dominica from 1980 to 1995, Mary Eugenia Charles was born May 15, 1919 in Pointe Michel, Dominica. She is a granddaughter of former slaves and one of five children of John Baptiste and Josephine Delauney. Her father was the founder of the Penney Bank. Her three brothers are doctors while her sister is a nun. Charles attended Catholic schools in Dominica and Grenada, then, from 1942 to 1946, she went to the University College of the University of Toronto and received a B.A. in law. She continued her studies of law at the London School of Economics and Political Science. When she returned home in 1949, she became the first woman lawyer on this Caribbean island. Unpacking the Charles legacy is complex. She was Prime Minister when there was an attempt to overthrow the Dominican government in 1981, as detailed in Caribbean Matters: Have you heard of the failed 'Bayou of Pigs' coup attempt? She also stood by and supported U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s invasion of Grenada, covered in Caribbean Matters: Remembering 'Urgent Fury'—Reagan's invasion of Grenada . YouTuber Almira Lewis explores her background, rise to power, and the contradictions in her legacy—in just 12 minutes. x YouTube Video From Almira Lewis- Moments In Time’s video notes: Charles’ administration is credited with facilitating the US "invasion" of Grenada, during the Reagan administration.The invasion was in response to political instability and concerns about the influence of Marxist elements in the Grenadian government. The operation, code-named Operation Urgent Fury, aimed to restore stability and protect American citizens on the island. Eugenia Charles’ endorsement played a role in justifying military action. The invasion resulted in the removal of the Grenadian government and the establishment of a more moderate leadership. Topics covered include Operation Red Dog, Reagan, Hurricane David, and more! Haiti has had two women serve as prime minister. The first was Claudette Werleigh, who served from 1995-1996. x Claudette Werleigh was Prime Minister of Haïti from November 7, 1995 to March 6, 1996. She was Haiti’s first female Prime Minister. #shesthefirst #womenleading #Haiti #girlsinpoliticsinitiative pic.twitter.com/jLOUxCQMGC — Girls in Politics Initiative (@GirlsinPolitics) September 13, 2020 From 2011’s “Biography of a woman peacemaker – Claudette Werleigh ,” from the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice: The daughter of a prosperous business family, Werleigh was brought up on one side of Haiti’s social fabric, but she soon saw the realities of the other side. The structural violence embedded in Haitian society had a profound effect on Werleigh, now known in her life’s work as a staunch advocate for keeping policies and practices firmly rooted in the needs and voices of the grassroots. As a young adult focused on justice for those caught in Haiti’s disparate social structure, Werleigh was drawn to the field of education — specifically adult literacy — and started a school for adults and rural Haitian farmers. Community-owned and run throughout Haiti’s tumult of political violence, earthquakes and epidemics, the school has been open and running for 33 years. Under the dictatorship of Jean-Claude Duvalier, Werleigh served as secretary general of Caritas Haiti for 10 years, coordinating relief assistance, civic education and respect for human rights. The Kroc Institute interviewed Werleigh for its Women’s Peacemaker conference, also in 2011. x Vimeo Video The second woman to serve as Haiti’s prime minister was Michèle Pierre-Louis, who served from 2008- 2009 . Journalist Michael Deibert , interviewed her for InterPress in 2009 . Q&A: “The Elites Are Like a Huge Elephant Sitting on Haiti” PORT-AU-PRINCE, Jul 3 2009 (IPS) - Haitian Prime Minister Michèle Pierre-Louis assumed office in September 2008. Born in the southern city of Jérémie in 1947, she left Haiti with her family in 1964 following a pogrom by dictator François Duvalier against his perceived enemies in her town. [...] IPS: Could you speak a little bit about your background? MPL: I was born in Jérémie, and my parents were people extremely dedicated to the country. My father and my mother were raised during the U.S. occupation, and that whole generation was very nationalistic, it was very important to be proud of your country, to love your country, to know your country. My involvement started very early because I was involved in youth groups against Duvalier, which at the time was very dangerous. There were lots of groups that were fighting clandestinely against the dictatorship, and I lost a lot of friends who disappeared. One day you would hear that [the government] got them and put them in jail and you would never hear from them again. So I was marked by this situation, and even when I went to study abroad, Haiti was always in my mind. IPS: How did you find your involvement in the first Aristide government? MPL: It was very exhilarating, at the beginning. Everybody in the world was saying finally Haiti is going to come out, finally democracy is going to be built ... When the 1991 coup occurred, I was probably the first person to give an interview and say, no matter what, the coup was unjustified. Aristide was our president and he was elected democratically and we’re going to fight for him to stay in power. In 2022, the USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health conducted an oral history interview with Pierre-Louis. Here’s a 7-minute clip from the project. x YouTube Video From USC’s video notes : Michèle Pierre-Louis served as Prime Minister of Haiti from 2008 to 2009, the second woman in Haiti's history to hold the position. An economist by training, she has devoted special attention to improving literacy and adult education, held training sessions for traditional midwives, opened libraries, and made public health one of her core priorities. In her full oral history, she covers her years as Prime Minister and as President and founder of FOKAL, la Fondation Connaissance et Liberté, and reflects on her philosophy that has animated her work in public health over the last several decades. The full Pierre-Louis archive includes more from her interview, as well as transcripts. Deibert also wrote about Pierre-Louis’ removal from office in Haiti for AlterPresse in 2009. A few notes on the dismissal of Prime Minister Michèle Pierre-Louis Since she assumed office in September 2008, Pierre-Louis was probably more responsible than any other single individual in beginning to restore some level of confidence in Haiti’s government and in encouraging the stirrings of international investment in a nation of industrious but desperately poor people all-too-often written off as an economic basket case. During her tenure, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the the Inter-American Development Bank collectively canceled $1.2 billion of Haiti’s debt, while the latter institution approved an additional $120 million in grants to aid Haiti to improve such sectors as infrastructure, basic services and disaster prevention. [...] That being the case, one might then ask why Haiti’s senate, dominated by partisans of Préval’s LESPWA political current, chose this moment to oust Pierre-Louis under the almost-laughable rationale that, in her year in office, she had not solved the problems caused by two centuries of what Haitian writer Frédéric Marcelin in 1904 called “civil strife, fratricidal slaughters, social miseries, economic ignorance and idolatrous militarism.” With the ouster of Pierre-Louis spearheaded by such LESPWA stalwarts as Senators Joseph Lambert and Jean Hector Anacasis, and with René Préval himself remaining publicly silent as the plot to remove his Prime Minister came to its inevitable and absurd conclusion, there appears to be an explanation as simple as it is depressing for removing Pierre-Louis at a moment when Haiti finally appeared to be gaining some international credibility: The Prime Minister was standing in the way of some powerful people making quite a lot of money. The University of the Virgin Islands devoted its 2019-20 issue of “Caribbean Perspectives” to the region’s women in power. The special edition, “ Female Leadership in the 20th and 21st Century Caribbean ,” includes excerpts from academic papers. “The Influence and Impact of Women in Leadership Roles” by Jacinth L. Henry-Martin, M.A. “Caribbean Women of Consequence: New Leadership for the 21st Century” by Nandi Sekou, Esq. ”Inspiring a New Generation of Female Political Leadership across the Caribbean by Mutryce A. Williams, Ph.D. “The Case for More Women Leaders in the Caribbean” by Talibah V. O. Byron, Esq. “Biblical Female Leaders: Trailblazers for 21st Century Women” by Valerie Knowles Combie, Ph.D Organizations like Caribbean Women in Leadership are promoting and training women to step into leadership roles to help other women make history and ensure women’s voices are heard in Caribbean nations. CIWiL promotes and strengthens gender equality in the Caribbean by advocating for transformative politics and policymaking, supporting women in leadership and decision making as well as providing education, training and research. Join me in the comments to meet more women who have held, or now hold key positions in leadership across the Caribbean. Here’s hoping that one day soon, the United States will emulate what has been accomplished by our southeastern neighbors.Maid’s employer says, “A grocery store staff shamed their helper by calling her fat multiple times”Santa Fe, N.M., Publishes Crash Reports for Speedy Accessslots game logo 。

The Government’s track record in housing is nothing to boast about and it should be realistic about the number of houses it can build. Opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Senator Ryan Walters made the point yesterday as the Senate debated a resolution to vest land at Holders Hill, St James, for a soon-tobe completed housing project. He said Barbadians also had a genuine concern about the level of food security based on the usage of land for housing. “It has been a political issue as well, but it is a genuine concern,” he said, adding that the Government should at least give the country the assurance that agricultural production was safe. That, Walters said, was not too much to ask considering that land use was being shifted and there was a crisis of food and vegetable produce. He said it was an ambitious plan to build 10 000 homes in five years when over the last six years that the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) was in office, fewer than 500 were built, representing an average of 70 a year. “And now . . . they are going to build 2 000 homes a year. It is not ambitious, it is nonsensical,” he said. Barbadians wanted to hear the truth and wanted their leaders to be practical and honest, the Senator told the Chamber. Walters said much had been made of the DLP’s record on housing but the Leader of Government Business Senator Lisa Cummins’ major reference was to a DLP project at Coverley, Christ Church. He listed projects in Marchfield and Work Hall in St Philip, Greens in St George, French Village and Four Hill in St Peter, and Country Park Towers, Valery, the Grotto and others as part of the DLP’s housing projects. Walters said that based on the number of houses constructed so far, the BLP had nothing to show that it could undertake the proposed 10 000 homes. He said the contribution of construction to the gross domestic product (GDP) had declined under the BLP administration as between 2014 and 2018 construction contributed five per cent of GDP. He also criticised the Government over the HOPE programme in which $60 million was spent and the houses were not completed. “Sixty million-plus dollars later, taxpayers’ money have gone unaccounted for with this Government,” he said. There was money to pay the chairman, the CEO, and consultants and management team but there was a lot not known about the project, Walters charged. ( AC) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health Corporation ("CVS Health" or the "Company,"NYSE: CVS ) announced today the applicable Reference Yields and Total Consideration (each as summarized in the tables below) to be paid in connection with the previously announced cash tender offer (the "Maximum Tender Offer" ) for the maximum principal amount of the following series of Maximum Tender Offer Notes (as defined below) for which the aggregate purchase price, not including Accrued Interest (as defined below), payable in respect of such Maximum Tender Offer Notes, does not exceed $1,774,423,242.62 (such maximum purchase price, the "Maximum Tender Offer Amount"): its 2.700% Senior Notes due 2040, the 3.875% Senior Notes due 2047 issued by its wholly-owned subsidiary Aetna Inc. ("Aetna"), its 4.250% Senior Notes due 2050, the 4.125% Senior Notes due 2042 issued by Aetna, its 4.125% Senior Notes due 2040, its 2.125% Senior Notes due 2031, its 1.875% Senior Notes due 2031, its 5.050% Senior Notes due 2048, the 4.500% Senior Notes due 2042 issued by Aetna and its 1.750% Senior Notes due 2030 (together, the "Maximum Tender Offer Notes"). The applicable Reference Yield for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes and the Total Consideration for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes are summarized in the table below: Maximum Tender Offer Notes : The Maximum Tender Offer is being made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated December 2, 2024 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase"), which sets forth a more detailed description of the Maximum Tender Offer. Copies of the Offer to Purchase are available at www.dfking.com/cvs. The Maximum Tender Offer is open to all registered holders (individually, a "Holder" and collectively, the "Holders") of the Maximum Tender Offer Notes. The Total Consideration payable by CVS Health for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes is a price per $1,000 principal amount calculated as described in the Offer to Purchase in a manner intended to result in a yield to maturity or first par call date, as the case may be, equal to the sum of the yield to maturity of the applicable U.S. Treasury reference security specified in the table above as determined at 10:00 a.m. , New York City time, on December 16, 2024 and the applicable fixed spread shown in the table above. Maximum Tender Offer Notes that were tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on December 13, 2024 (the "Early Tender Date") and that are accepted for purchase will receive the applicable Total Consideration, which includes the Early Tender Payment (as defined in the Offer to Purchase). Maximum Tender Offer Notes that are tendered after the Early Tender Date but at or prior to 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on December 31, 2024 (the "Maximum Tender Offer Expiration Date") (unless earlier terminated by CVS Health as described in the Offer to Purchase) and that are not validly withdrawn and that are accepted for purchase will receive only the applicable Tender Offer Consideration (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), which is the applicable Total Consideration minus the Early Tender Payment. The Maximum Tender Offer Withdrawal Deadline of 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on December 13, 2024 has passed and, accordingly, Maximum Tender Offer Notes validly tendered in the Maximum Tender Offer may no longer be withdrawn. The settlement date for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date and accepted for purchase is expected to be December 18, 2024 , the third business day after the Early Tender Date (the "Early Settlement Date"). Although the Maximum Tender Offers is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on December 31, 2024 , unless extended or terminated, because the aggregate purchase price of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to the Early Tender Date exceeded the Maximum Tender Offer Amount, there is not expected to be a Final Settlement Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), and no Notes tendered after the Early Tender Date are expected to be accepted for purchase. In addition to the Total Consideration for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes, Holders of the Maximum Tender Offer Notes accepted for purchase on the Early Settlement Date will receive accrued and unpaid interest ("Accrued Interest") on those Maximum Tender Offer Notes from the last interest payment date with respect to those Maximum Tender Offer Notes to, but not including, the Early Settlement Date. CVS Health expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, subject to applicable law, to amend, extend or terminate the Maximum Tender Offer with respect to any or all series of Maximum Tender Offer Notes at any time if any condition to the Maximum Tender Offer is not satisfied. The Maximum Tender Offer is not conditioned on any minimum principal amount of Maximum Tender Offer Notes being tendered but the Maximum Tender Offer is subject to certain other general conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase. CVS Health has retained Barclays Capital Inc. and Mizuho Securities USA LLC to act as Dealer Managers for the Maximum Tender Offer. D.F. King & Co., Inc. has been retained to act as the Tender and Information Agent for the Maximum Tender Offer. The Offer to Purchase may be accessed at the following link: http://www.dfking.com/cvs . Requests for assistance relating to the procedures for tendering Maximum Tender Notes may be directed to the Tender and Information Agent either by email at [email protected] , or by phone (212) 269-5550 (for banks and brokers only) or (800) 487-4870 (for all others toll free). Requests for assistance relating to the terms and conditions of the Maximum Tender Offer may be directed to Barclays Capital Inc. at (800) 438-3242 (toll free) or (212) 528-7581 (collect) or Mizuho Securities USA LLC at (866) 271-7403 (toll-free) or (212) 205-7741. Beneficial owners may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase, or the solicitation of tenders with respect to, any securities, including the Maximum Tender Offer Notes. No offer, solicitation, purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The Maximum Tender Offer is being made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase made available to Holders of the Maximum Tender Offer Notes. None of CVS Health, the Dealer Managers, Tender and Information Agent or the trustees with respect to the Maximum Tender Offer Notes, or any of their respective affiliates, is making any recommendation as to whether or not Holders should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of their Maximum Tender Offer Notes in response to the Maximum Tender Offer. Holders are urged to evaluate carefully all information in the Offer to Purchase, consult their own investment and tax advisers and make their own decisions whether to tender Maximum Tender Offer Notes in the Maximum Tender Offer, and, if so, the principal amount of Maximum Tender Offer Notes to tender. About CVS Health CVS Health is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer it serves and connecting care so that it works for people wherever they are. As of September 30, 2024 , the Company had more than 9,000 retail locations, more than 900 walk-in medical clinics, more than 225 primary care medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 90 million plan members and expanding specialty pharmacy solutions, and a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than 800,000 patients per year. The Company also serves an estimated more than 36 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including expanding Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company is creating new sources of value through its integrated model allowing it to expand into personalized, technology driven care delivery and health services, increasing access to quality care, delivering better health outcomes and lowering overall health care costs. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of CVS Health. By their nature, all forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and/or quantify. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties described in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section and under the heading "Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2024 , June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on CVS Health's forward-looking statements. CVS Health's forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. CVS Health does not assume any duty to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, uncertainties or otherwise. SOURCE CVS HealthGabe Kidd Calls Out WWE Star Randy Orton

Sydney MP’s bombshell election moveWASHINGTON — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced a bid Friday to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, the latest example of generational shakeup that is beginning to ripple across the Democratic Party in the wake of their election losses this year. The New York lawmaker, who at 35 would by far be the youngest to serve in the post, threw her hat in the ring in a letter to colleagues, saying this “is not a position I seek lightly.” “The responsibility of leading Democrats on the House Oversight Committee during Donald Trump’s second term in the White House is a profound and consequential one,” she wrote. “Now, more than ever, we must focus on the Committee’s strong history of both holding administrations accountable and taking on the economic precarity and inequality that is challenging the American way of life.” Related Story: Generational Reckoning Within the Democratic Party It’s just the latest example of a generational reckoning within the party as leadership and rank-and-file members seek a new approach to governing ahead of Trump’s return to the White House. Earlier this week Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland took on senior New York Rep. Jerry Nadler to lead the House Judiciary Committee. Nadler, 77, abandoned his bid a day later. Other top committee posts are also being contested The Oversight position, in particular, is prized because the committee is among the most high-profile in Congress, with sweeping jurisdiction over the government and subpoena power to conduct investigations. Republicans returning to the majority next year are pledging to open investigations into Democrats they believe are part of the “weaponization” of the federal government. Related Story: Competition for the Top Spot To win the job, however, Ocasio-Cortez will have to defeat Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, who is vying for the top spot after serving on the Oversight Committee for the past 16 years. The 74-year-old told reporters this week that he feels comfortable about his chances. “We must expose and dismantle bad faith Republican efforts to promote conspiracy theories, intimidate witnesses, and undermine democratic processes,” Connolly wrote in a letter to his colleagues, announcing his bid for the job. Related Story: Democratic Party’s Seniority System Under Scrutiny House Democrats are expected to begin the selection for ranking members and committee assignments next week. The party has traditionally honored the seniority system, allowing veteran members to remain in top committee posts without limit. But the Democrats’ adherence to the seniority system has started to crack. And it will certainly be put to the test in the race between Connolly, the seasoned investigator, and Ocasio-Cortez, a national star who often goes viral for her questioning of GOP witnesses.

Banking and Fertilizer stocks drive KSE-100 index near 100k markCanadian Prime Minister Trudeau flies to Florida to meet with Trump after tariffs threat WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has flown to Florida to have dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Trump's picks for commerce secretary, interior secretary and national security adviser, and the three men's wives. From the Canadian side, the dinner guests included Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security. Trump’s transition did not respond to questions about what they had discussed or whether the conversation alleviated Trump’s concerns about the border. A smiling Trudeau declined comment upon returning to his West Palm Beach hotel late Friday. Emboldened 'manosphere' accelerates threats and demeaning language toward women after US election CHICAGO (AP) — An emboldened fringe of right-wing “manosphere” influencers has seized on Donald Trump’s presidential win to justify and amplify misogynistic derision and threats online. Many have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice,” and have been using it publicly on college campuses and even in public schools. While none of the current online rhetoric is being amplified by Trump, experts say many young men see the former president’s return to the White House as vindication of their views on women. For many women, the words represent a worrying harbinger of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive rights and women’s rights. Syrian insurgents are inside Aleppo in a major setback for Assad as government forces regroup BEIRUT (AP) — Thousands of Syrian insurgents have fanned out inside Syria's largest city Aleppo a day after storming it with little resistance from government troops. Syria's army said troops have redeployed to prepare for a counteroffensive. Witnesses said insurgents were seen Saturday at landmarks in Aleppo for the first time since 2016, when they were expelled by government forces backed by Russia and Iran. The surprise offensive is a major embarrassment for Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has regained total control of the city eight years ago. Israel says it struck Hezbollah weapons smuggling sites in Syria, testing a fragile ceasefire TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Israeli military says its aircraft struck Hezbollah weapons smuggling sites along Syria’s border with Lebanon. The strike was the latest test of a fragile, days-old ceasefire that halted months of fighting between the sides but has seen continued sporadic fire. The military said it struck sites that had been used to smuggle weapons from Syria to Lebanon after the ceasefire took effect, which the military said was a violation of its terms. The Lebanese army had no immediate comment, although it has accused Israel of violating the terms of the truce. In Gaza, an Israeli strike on a car killed five people, according to a senior Palestinian health official. Fishers at a Lebanese port hope ceasefire with Israel means normal life is returning TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah brought hope for normality back to many in southern Lebanon on Friday. That includes fishers who’ve long launched their single-engine wooden boats into the Mediterranean at dawn. During the last two months, Israel imposed a siege that kept hundreds of fishers at this ancient Phoenician port on shore. That upended their lives in a major hit for the industry. The port siege also cut people off from the key ingredients for traditional Lebanese dishes. As war devastated their country, the loss of fish damaged a deep association with home. The possibility of renewed fishing is helping fuel hope. How Brazilian police say Bolsonaro plotted a coup to stay in office SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Federal Police have formally accused former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others of plotting a coup to keep him in office. The plot was allegedly comprised of several components and substantiated by evidence and testimony in the agency's 884-page report. The pieces of the puzzle include laying the groundwork by systematically sowing distrust of the electoral system among the populace. It also includes drafting a decree to give the plot a veneer of legal basis and pressuring top military brass to go along with the plan. Bolsonaro and his main allies have denied any wrongdoing or involvement and accuse authorities of political persecution. More than 100 arrested as Georgian police clash with protesters over suspension of EU talks TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — More than 100 demonstrators were arrested overnight in Georgia as protesters clashed with police following the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union, the country’s Interior Ministry said. Friday marked the second straight night of protests after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the country’s ruling Georgian Dream party announced the suspension the previous day. The Associated Press saw protesters in Tbilisi being chased and beaten by police as demonstrators rallied in front of the country's parliament building. The violence follows Georgian Dream’s disputed victory in the Oct. 26 election, which was widely seen as a referendum on the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. Romania's parliamentary vote risks being overshadowed by presidential race chaos BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians are preparing to go to the polls in a parliamentary vote that will determine a new government and prime minister to lead the European Union and NATO member country. However, Sunday's vote is sandwiched between a two-round presidential race and is overshadowed by controversies and chaos following the outcome of the first vote. While the president has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security and foreign policy, the prime minister is the head of the nation’s government. Sunday’s vote will determine the formation of the country’s 466-seat legislature. North Korea's Kim vows steadfast support for Russia’s war in Ukraine SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country will “invariably support” Russia’s war in Ukraine as he met Russia's visiting defense chief. A Russia military delegation led by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday as international concerns about the two countries’ expanding cooperation deepened after North Korea sent thousands of troops to Russia. During a Friday meeting, Kim and Belousov reached “a satisfactory consensus” on issues on how to further boost strategic partnership and defend each country’s sovereignty and security interests, state media said. Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest forecast to be hit with snow and dangerous cold into next week BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The first big snow of the season has the potential to bury towns in New York along lakes Erie and Ontario during a hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend. Forecasters says winter storm conditions could persist into next week and cause hazards in the Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest regions. Forecasters predict 4 to 6 feet of blowing and drifting snow could fall in Watertown and other areas east of Lake Ontario through Monday. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a disaster emergency in affected areas.Realme GT Neo7 might be launching very soon, know what to expect

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Anthony Richardson received a hefty fine from the NFL on Saturday. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback was fined $22,511 for unnecessary roughness after lowering his helmet and making contact with Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch while running with the ball during the Lions' lopsided 24-6 win over the Colts in Week 12 (via NFL Network's Tom Pelissero). It's the first time Richardson has been fined during his brief career, per Spotrac . This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis. For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app , homepage and social feeds—including Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok .None