Republicans in the US Senate, who are preparing to take control of the congressional chamber after last week's elections, have chosen John Thune as their new majority leader. Mr Thune is set to replace veteran politician Senator Mitch McConnell, who has served as the conservative party's leader for nearly two decades.
It is the turning of a new leaf for a party at the forefront of a sea change in Washington, but for president-elect Donald Trump's “Make America Great Again” movement, Mr Thune's victory is a rare stumbling block.
The 63-year-old South Dakota senator is seen as a fair-minded institutionalist with leadership experience under his belt - in fact, he is already the chamber's number-two Republican.
The Maga branch of the party had been decrying Mr Thune as a symbol of the old guard of conservatism, arguing his ascension would thwart the president-elect's plans.
Trump allies like tech billionaire Elon Musk, former third-party candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr and right-wing media persona Tucker Carlson had endorsed hardline Florida Senator Rick Scott.
“Hours after Donald Trump wins the most conclusive mandate in 40 years, Mitch McConnell engineers a coup against his agenda by calling early leadership elections in the senate,” Carlson posted on X, adding the leadership election “will determine whether or not the new administration succeeds".
"Rick Scott of Florida is the only candidate who agrees with Donald Trump."
But Mr Scott was ousted by the party in its first round of closed-door voting on Tuesday, ultimately leaving the choice between Mr Thune and another like-minded conservative Senator John Cornyn.
Mr Thune vowed in a statement, however, that the new guard of leadership in the congressional chamber is “united behind President Trump's agenda, and our work starts today”.
CREW
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Cagliari v AC Milan (6pm)
Lazio v Napoli (9pm)
Inter Milan v Atalanta (11.45pm)
Sunday
Udinese v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Sampdoria v Brescia (6pm)
Fiorentina v SPAL (6pm)
Torino v Bologna (6pm)
Verona v Genoa (9pm)
Roma V Juventus (11.45pm)
Parma v Lecce (11.45pm)
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
STAR%20WARS%20JEDI%3A%20SURVIVOR
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Honeymoonish
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FOOTBALL TEST
Team X 1 Team Y 0
Scorers
Red card
Man of the Match
MANDOOB
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Remaining Fixtures
Wednesday: West Indies v Scotland
Thursday: UAE v Zimbabwe
Friday: Afghanistan v Ireland
Sunday: Final
Vikram%20Vedha
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