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WASHINGTON — Matt Gaetz withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer. The announcement caps a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being tapped last week to lead it. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth , who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz, a Florida Republican who one day earlier met with senators in an effort to win their support, said in a statement. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he added. Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” He did not immediately announce a new selection. Last week, he named personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior roles in the department. Another possible contender, Matt Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. The withdrawal, just a week after the pick was announced, averts what was shaping up to be a pitched confirmation fight that would have tested how far Senate Republicans were willing to go to support Trump’s Cabinet picks. The selection of the fierce Trump ally over well-regarded veteran lawyers whose names had circulated as possible contenders stirred concern for the Justice Department's independence at a time when Trump has openly threatened to seek retribution against political adversaries. It underscored the premium Trump places on personal loyalty and reflected the president-elect's desire to have a disruptor lead a Justice Department that for years investigated and ultimately indicted him. In the Senate, deeply skeptical lawmakers sought more information about Justice Department and congressional investigations into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls, which Gaetz has denied. Meanwhile, Justice Department lawyers were taken aback by the pick of a partisan lawmaker with limited legal experience who has echoed Trump's claims of a weaponized criminal justice system. As Gaetz sought to lock down Senate support, concern over the sex trafficking allegations showed no signs of abating. In recent days, an attorney for two women said his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. One of the women testified she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to the attorney, Joel Leppard. Leppard has said that his client testified she didn’t think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, stopped their relationship when he found out and did not resume it until after she turned 18. The age of consent in Florida is 18. "They’re grateful for the opportunity to move forward with their lives,” Leppard said Thursday of his clients. “They’re hoping that this brings final closure for all the parties involved.” Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The Justice Department’s investigation ended last year with no charges against him. Gaetz’s political future is uncertain. He had abruptly resigned his congressional seat upon being selected as attorney general, a move seen as a way to shut down the ethics investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He did win reelection in November for the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, 2025, but he said in his resignation letter last week to House Speaker Mike Johnson that he did not intend to take the oath of office. He transmitted a similar letter to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as the state launched a special election process to fill the vacancy. Republicans on the House Ethics Committee declined this week to release the panel's findings, over objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee did agree to finish its work and is scheduled to meet again Dec. 5 to discuss the matter. As word of Gaetz's decision spread across the Capitol, Republican senators seemed divided. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, called it a “positive move." Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” Others said they had hoped Gaetz could have overhauled the department. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close ally of Trump, said he was “disappointed. I like Matt and I think he would have changed the way DOJ is run.” Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said he hoped that Trump will pick someone “equally as tenacious and equally as committed to rooting out and eliminating bias and politicization at the DOJ.” Gaetz is not the only Trump pick facing congressional scrutiny over past allegations. A detailed investigative police report made public Wednesday shows that a woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth, the former Fox News host now tapped to lead the Pentagon, after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared,” Hegseth told reporters Thursday at the Capitol, where he was meeting with senators to build support for his nomination. Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report.GAME THREAD: West Virginia vs. Texas Tech

A New York woman whose grandparents went missing 44 years ago said on Friday their disappearance haunted her for decades, but the recent discovery of what could be their car submerged in a Georgia pond has her family believing the mystery may soon be solved, according to NBC News . “I never went a day without worrying or thinking about if they had a terrible ending to their life,” Christine Heller Seaman, 60, of Manhattan, said about her grandmother Catherine Romer, who was married to Charles Romer. The couple was reported missing in April 1980. Watch NBC Bay Area News 📺 Streaming free 24/7 “For years and years, we didn’t hear anything. ... It’s something that you held with you every single day of your life ... if they were tortured or harmed,” Seaman told NBC News on Friday in a phone call. Charles Romer, a retired oil executive, and his wife, vanished along with their 1978 Lincoln Continental while traveling home from Miami Beach, Florida. At the time, law enforcement expressed concerns about potential foul play against the couple from Scarsdale, New York, partly because Catherine Romer was wearing approximately $81,000 worth of jewelry. They had checked into a Holiday Inn in Brunswick, Georgia, where hotel employees grew concerned that their bed had not been slept in and reported them missing. But decades later, answers appear to be emerging from a Georgia pond. One human bone was discovered in the submerged Lincoln Continental on Nov. 22, according to a Saturday statement from the Glynn County Police Department . “The vehicle is similar to the description of a vehicle that Charles and Catherine Romer were believed to be driving,” the police department said in the statement posted to Facebook. The car was found in a pond between the Royal Inn Hotel and Interstate 95 on New Jesup Highway in southeast Georgia, police said, adding that the agency is collaborating with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Seaman said a detective informed her family that along with a femur found in the Continental, personal belongings such as jewelry and a license plate bearing the couple’s initials were also discovered in the car. Lawton Dodd, a spokesperson for Glynn County police, said on Friday the human remains have not been identified as belonging to either of the Romers, and the vehicle has not been determined to belong to the couple. Dodd declined to elaborate. 'A happy time' Although a positive identification or identifications are not expected for months, Seaman said the developments have led her family to believe the couple died in some kind of accident rather than falling victim to a vicious crime. Seaman, who spoke from Scotland, said she and her family enjoyed Thanksgiving and reminisced about their missing relatives. “The whole family just shared stories about them. It was a happy time because of this resolve we’re feeling,” Seaman said. “It sort of gave us permission to celebrate their lives and talk about the fun memories without the feeling of dread, sorrow and sadness.” Seaman said she was only 15 when her grandmother and her step-grandfather — Charles was Catherine’s second husband — vanished. She still remembers the look on her dad’s face after he spoke to a detective in Georgia who told them the couple was missing. “We saw his face and he said, ‘Something is very, very wrong.’” Seaman explained that her father was his mother’s only child and he had not heard from her, which was unusual. Seaman described her grandmother as the “life of the party” who was very close to Seaman and her eight sisters. Catherine Romer loved thoroughbred racing and enjoyed traveling with her granddaughters, introducing them to new foods and restaurants, Seaman said. “She was like the celebrity of our house. She was always visiting us. She was very much part of our upbringing,” she said. “She made everyone feel like her favorite child — her favorite granddaughter.” Seaman called Charles Romer a “lovely and generous man.” She expressed gratitude toward investigators and a diving team from Florida, the Sunshine State Sonar team, that found the submerged Continental. “We’re all in shock, but ... we have this gratitude for the people that hunted this whole mystery down,” Seaman said. “People who don’t know us and we’re not related to and are perfect strangers would go to extensive measures to find answers and ... help give a family peace of mind and resolve.” This article originally appeared on NBCNews.com . Read more on NBC News:

No. 24 Louisville women use 16-0 4th-quarter run to beat Colorado 79-71By Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press The NFC’s No. 1 seed will come down to the final week when the Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings. The winner takes the NFC North and gets a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage until the Super Bowl. The loser becomes the No. 5 seed and must play on the road in the wild-card round. The Vikings (14-2) held on for a 27-25 victory over the Green Bay Packers to set up the high-stakes showdown in Week 18. The Lions (13-2) visit the San Francisco 49ers (6-9) on Monday night in a rematch of the NFC title game. Win, lose or tie, they have to beat the Vikings again. Detroit beat Minnesota 31-29 in Week 7. The Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East and locked up the No. 2 seed with a 41-7 rout of the Dallas Cowboys. However, coach Nick Sirianni has a tough decision to make this week. Saquon Barkley is 101 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season record for yards rushing in a season. Sirianni has to decide whether to rest Barkley and most of his starters to prepare for the playoffs or let his star try for the 40-year-old record. The Los Angeles Rams (10-6) were on the verge of clinching the NFC West. They would lock it up Sunday night if the Commanders beat the Falcons. At halftime, Atlanta led 17-7. The outcome of the Atlanta-Washington game has a major impact on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7). If the Falcons win, they’d remain first in the NFC South and would win the division with a victory against Carolina next week. If the Falcons lose, the Buccaneers would take over first place and would secure the division with a victory over New Orleans next week. The Commanders would secure a wild-card spot with a win against Atlanta. If they lose, Seattle stays mathematically alive for a wild card and the Buccaneers could also find a path to the playoffs as a wild-card team. Three teams in the AFC have already secured their seeds. The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) won the AFC West weeks ago and clinched the No. 1 seed. The AFC East champion Buffalo Bills (13-3) are the No. 2 seed. The AFC South champion Houston Texans (9-7) are the No. 4 seed. Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacts as he talks to reporters after an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) AP The Baltimore Ravens (11-5) would win the AFC North and get the No. 3 seed with a win or tie against Cleveland next weekend or a loss or tie by Pittsburgh, which hosts Cincinnati. If they don’t win the division, the Steelers have already clinched a wild-card berth. The Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) also secured a wild-card spot. They’ll be no lower than the sixth seed. The final AFC playoff spot comes down to the Broncos (9-7), Dolphins (8-8) or Bengals (8-8). Denver clinches with a win or tie against the Chiefs. The Dolphins need the Broncos to lose and they must beat the Jets on the road to get in. The Bengals must win and the Broncos and Dolphins have to lose for them to get in. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL More sports news Kane reaches 1,300 points, Red Wings halt four-game slide with 4-2 win over Capitals Darnold gives Vikings another gem with career-high 377 yards in win over Packers Here’s how Eagles’ A.J. Brown made things right after chucking QB’s 1st career TD ball in the stands Penn State Media Day recap: Long-haired TEs, ‘Please Count Us Out’, Abdul Carter’s cheesesteak pick, more

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Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Camila Cabello to perform at College Football National ChampionshipI’m back in the saddle to test-drive four non-invasive skin treatments. First, and least ouchy, is Emface, which is a muscle workout for the face which also uses radiofrequency to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin fibres. The Emface applicators are placed on the cheeks and the forehead, and the energy emitted stimulates the muscles to contract. At first, the sensation feels quite sharp but after a couple of pulses it becomes relaxing. The sessions last 20 minutes and four are recommended at a total cost of around $4000. The results? A more defined jawline, slimmer face, lifted brows, reduced wrinkles and improved skin texture. Try it in Melbourne at ODE and in Sydney at Platinum Dermatology . From least invasive to most, the skincare treatments that could be an alternative to botox. Credit: iStock Next, the NeoGen treatment is also radiofrequency-based and requires between one and six treatments, starting from $425 per session. It smooths fine lines, helps reduce pigmentation and stimulates collagen production. According to the MZ website, NeoGen “uses ultra-high radiofrequency to ionise medical-grade nitrogen gas from a pressurised cylinder, creating nitrogen plasma in the nozzle which delivers a controlled pulse of thermal energy” to the skin. You can dial this treatment up or down depending on your pain threshold as the level of energy delivered to the skin determines the depth of penetration and associated levels of tightening and resurfacing. Results improve over several months. Try it at MZ in Sydney and in Melbourne at Aesthet Studio . Sofwave is a one-shot wonder as it lifts brows and loose neck skin as well as improving facial lines and skin texture. First up is the application of a topical numbing cream for half an hour. The fractional heating stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin, which leads to a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. A full-face treatment takes 45 minutes, costs about $4000 and is long-lasting, with results continuing to improve over the following 12 weeks. Try it at All Saint Skin in Sydney and at Skinline in Melbourne. Finally, we have the Alma Hybrid Laser for skin tightening and resurfacing using fractional plasma and radiofrequency technology to target wrinkles, fine lines, scars and uneven skin tone. It costs about $799 for face and $660 for neck and improves skin elasticity and stimulates collagen production, making it perfect for my tired neck. The treatment creates micro-injuries to the skin, initiating the body’s natural healing response and stimulating collagen and elastin production. Numbing cream is essential as this does hurt, especially over the bony bits of the face. It takes roughly an hour, and skin can be a little red post treatment, with some flaking. Results take a couple of months to come to fruition, but then it lasts and lasts. Try it at The Clinic in Sydney and in Melbourne at the Dermatology Institute of Victoria . ASK STEPH How do I tame flyaway hair during the hot, humid summer months? For hair that is parched and riddled with frizz, the secret to smoothness is to add moisture. Key ingredients to combat flyaways are hyaluronic acid, argan oil, jojoba oil and shea butter. Try Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Strengthening Treatment Oil ($50) and watch it work its magic on dry, damaged and colour-treated hair. Send questions via Instagram, @mrssdarling. Get the best of Sunday Life magazine delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up here for our free newsletter .

NoneTALK OF THE TOWN: A volley of f-words scandalise posh tennis club where Princess Kate and family play By HARRIET KEAN FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY Published: 22:53, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 22:57, 7 December 2024 e-mail View comments Standards are slipping at the swanky West London club where the Princess of Wales and her children play tennis. I can reveal that courts at The Hurlingham, have been taken over by foul-mouthed younger members who unleash four-letter salvos when they lose a point. ‘Older members keep telling them off,’ says my source. ‘They are outraged.’ It’s certainly not words that George, Charlotte and Louis ought to be hearing. Members are also up in arms about plans to replace the club’s beloved dining room with a ‘naff bistro’. The club, which has a pigeon for its crest, seeks members’ suggestions for its name. ‘The Pigeon Dropping?’ said one. Standards have slipped at the posh tennis club where the Princess of Wales plays Courts at The Hurlingham have reportedly been taken over by foul-mouthed younger members who unleash four-letter salvos when they lose a point Older members of Catherine's club keep telling off the foul-mouthed newcomers Catherine playing tennis with US Open champion Emma Raducanu in September 2021 One's not really posh He attended Eton, and lives in a castle after marrying aristocrat Catherine Fitzgerald – but actor Dominic West insists he’s not posh, saying: ‘It’s all relative, isn’t it?’ His wife jokes he can’t convincingly play the upper classes – although she does concede he successfully ‘poshed up’ to play the future King in The Crown, right. Dominic West as the King (then Prince Charles) in Netflix series The Crown Flightmare! Poor Ellen DeGeneres. Ever since the former talk show host left the US for the Cotswolds, she and wife Portia De Rossi have faced one problem after another. Days after their farmhouse was surrounded by flood waters, they have been plagued with the noise of massive troop carriers thundering overhead on exercises to and from nearby RAF Brize Norton. Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi have faced one problem after another after settling in the Cotswolds Good tidings reach me from Eton College with news that headmaster Simon Henderson will return after a prolonged absence. In August, ‘Trendy Hendy’, who has been accused of turning the prestigious school woke, announced he would be taking leave, citing ill health. Rumours began to swirl that he might never return. But now I can reveal Henderson will be back after Christmas. Piers Morgan can’t wait for his pal Donald Trump to move back into the White House – so he can be invited into his inner circle. ‘I wanna be part of the broligarchy,’ says Piers as he was named Santa Rita Boisdale Cigar Smoker of the Year, referring to the likes of Elon Musk and podcaster Joe Rogan. ‘They’re all smart people. It’s time the bros were back in the game. I think women have had a very good run for the last ten years now.’ Piers Morgan (left) with US president-elect Donald Trump Actress Rebel Wilson may be ensconced in a high-profile court drama in Los Angeles but she can still count on chums such as make-up guru Charlotte Tilbury on this side of the Atlantic. The pair, left, took to the red carpet at the British Fashion Awards last week, with Charlotte describing the Aussie star as a ‘dream date’. In California, Rebel is facing a multi-million-dollar defamation case over claims that she made about the producers of her film The Deb, which premiered at the Toronto film festival in September. The Crown Share or comment on this article: TALK OF THE TOWN: A volley of f-words scandalise posh tennis club where Princess Kate and family play e-mail Add comment‘Southern Charm’ Cast Reacts to JT Leaving Show: ‘He Was No Longer Wanted’

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