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- Hong Kong top court affirms housing, inheritance rights for same-sex couples
- Philippines, China clashes trigger money-making disinformation
- Most Asian markets drop, dollar gains as Trump fires tariff warning
- England 'not quivering' ahead of New Zealand Test challenge
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- Trump vows big tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China
- New Zealand and England to play for Crowe-Thorpe Trophy
- Scheffler, Schauffele and McIlroy up for PGA Player of the Year
- Trump to face less internal pushback in new term: ex-commerce chief
- Extreme weather threatens Canada's hydropower future
- More than 34,000 register as candidates for Mexico judges' election
- Australia ban cycling's Richardson for life after UK defection
- Internal displacement in Africa triples in 15 years: monitor
- 'Remarkable global progress': HIV cases and deaths declining
- Social media firms raise 'serious concerns' over Australian U-16 ban
- Tiger to skip Hero World Challenge after back surgery
- MLB shifts six 2025 Rays games to avoid weather issues
- US women's keeper Naeher retiring after Europe matches
- West Ham stun Newcastle to ease pressure on Lopetegui
- Arteta calls on Arsenal to show 'ruthless' streak on Champions League travels
- Israel bids emotional farewell to rabbi killed in UAE
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- Tottenham goalkeeper Vicario has ankle surgery
- Green light for Cadillac to join Formula One grid in 2026
- Israel to decide on ceasefire as US says deal 'close'
- California vows to step in if Trump kills US EV tax credit
- Special counsel asks judge to dismiss subversion case against Trump
- Ronaldo double takes Al Nassr to brink of Asian Champions League quarters
- Brazil minister says supports meat supplier 'boycott' of Carrefour
- Steelmaker ArcelorMittal to close two plants in France: unions
- Macy's says employee hid up to $154 mn in costs over 3 years
- EU grocery shoppers 'fooled' by 'maze' of food labels: audit
- Awaiting Commerzbank, Italy's UniCredit bids for Italian rival
- Alonso jokes about playing return amid Leverkusen injury woes
- G7 ministers discuss ceasefire efforts in Mideast
- Bayern need to win all remaining Champions League games, says Kane
- Indian cricketer, 13, youngest to be sold in IPL history
- Beating Man City eases pressure for Arsenal game: new Sporting coach
- Argentine court hears bid to end rape case against French rugby players
- Egypt says 17 missing after Red Sea tourist boat capsizes
- Dortmund boss calls for member vote on club's arms sponsorship deal
- Chanel family matriarch dies aged 99: company
- US boss Hayes says Chelsea stress made her 'unwell'
- China's Ding beats 'nervous' Gukesh in world chess opener
- Man City can still do 'very good things' despite slump, says Guardiola
- 'After Mazan': France unveils new measures to combat violence against women
- Scholz named party's top candidate for German elections
- Flick says Barca must eliminate mistakes after stumble
- British business group hits out at Labour's tax hikes
Trump fills out cabinet as divisive picks shock Washington
All eyes were on Donald Trump's transition team Thursday, after a series of provocative and startling cabinet choices that showed the president-elect's preference for absolute loyalty above experience or expertise.
Trump has been rapidly rolling out his foreign policy and national security picks, but he is expected to shift focus over the coming days to key figures to enact his domestic agenda.
The Republican leader has yet to select treasury and commerce chiefs to help set tax and trade policy, a health secretary to oversee abortion, transgender care and a host of other potential flashpoints, or someone for education -- a department Trump wants to abolish.
He told podcaster Joe Rogan in an interview before last week's presidential election that his biggest mistake during his first term in the White House was hiring "bad people, or disloyal people."
His initial recruitment decisions this time around -- including giving the State Department to Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a traditional conservative on foreign policy -- drew praise and expressions of relief.
But Trump, 78, sent shockwaves across the political world Wednesday with picks that dismayed Democrats and even some Republicans -- underscoring how radical he plans to be in his mission to remake the federal government in his second term.
- 'Worst nomination' -
The biggest shock was Matt Gaetz -- a flamethrower on the Republican far right in Congress who was drawn into a years-long criminal probe into sex trafficking -- to be Trump's attorney general.
Gaetz denies wrongdoing and has never faced charges but was still being investigated by the House Ethics Committee.
John Bolton, one of Trump's national security advisors in his first term, told NBC that Gaetz "must be the worst nomination for a cabinet position in American history."
That decision came on the heels of Trump's nomination of former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who has been accused of spreading Russian propaganda, to take charge of the nation's most sensitive secrets as director of national intelligence.
Trump is known to value telegenic looks in his officials -- he recently commented that his new Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was "beautiful" -- and many of his picks appear on conservative-leaning Fox News.
Wednesday's nominations came in the wake of another shock recruitment, as Trump tapped Fox News host Pete Hegseth -- who is a combat veteran but has no experience running large organizations -- to be defense secretary.
Trump returns to Washington in January after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris comfortably last week and becoming only the second Republican this century to win the popular vote.
- 'God tier trolling' -
He and his aides have vowed that much of his second term will be about clearing the deck of federal officials who acted as a restraining influences on his populist, right-wing agenda during his first term.
Democratic Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, who is known for his no-nonsense style, described Trump's latest picks as "god tier level trolling."
Gaetz's appointment would hand Trump the advantage of a fierce partisan at the top of the Justice Department should he pursue his threats of vengeance against perceived foes.
Republicans will likely have a three-seat majority in the incoming Senate, but Gaetz is widely disliked on his own side and will struggle to be confirmed to his new job by the upper chamber of Congress, which rubber stamps presidential appointments.
Trump called Gaetz, who passed the bar exam but has very little practical experience, a "deeply gifted and tenacious attorney."
He said Gabbard, a previous Democratic presidential hopeful who has no experience relevant to her proposed new role, would bring her "fearless spirit" to the intelligence community.
Gabbard has sparked uproar through statements favorable to US adversary Russia, including her suggestion that its invasion of Ukraine was the result of "legitimate security concerns."
She has also been accused by establishment Republican Mitt Romney of "parroting false Russian propaganda" after stating baselessly that Washington was helping Ukraine develop biological weapons.
A.Silveira--PC