THE GORGE — The Gorge Technology Alliance (GTA) and the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub, who share the mission of ensuring equitable access to quality STEM experiences for all students, are again collaborating to sponsor competitive robotics t by providing much-needed grant funds to our region’s competitive robotics teams. Last school year, nearly $24,000 in grant funding provided support to 200 students across 40 teams. Many of the Gorge robotics programs are coached by parents, community members or educators who volunteer their time and typically cover the necessary costs related to team competitions. For a second year in a row, coaches are invited to apply for mini-grants to support team-related expenses. Grant funds were donated by GTA members and STEM Hub funds earmarked specifically for robotics programs. The Columbia Gorge STEM Hub, a department within Columbia Gorge Education Service District, relies on partner organizations and local donors to enhance their impact and provide students with every possible opportunity to experience STEM learning. “The STEM Hub is grateful to the Gorge Technology Alliance and all its members for their support of robotics programs in our region,” said STEM Hub Director Julie Cucuel. “Thanks to the GTA’s contributions, more students can engage in competitive robotics removing the financial burden from schools and volunteer coaches. We are fortunate to be part of a community that consistently supports students and the dedicated volunteers who help cultivate their interests and future in STEM.” “The GTA is thrilled to support grants for robotics coaches, and all the STEM Hub’s vital work in promoting STEM education and engagement in the Mid-Columbia region,” said Jason Hartmann, project manager with GTA. “Through working with STEM Hub, we hope to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders and contribute to the continued growth of our region’s technology sector.” To learn more about the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub, apply for a robotics grant, or to donate to this program, visit www.gorgestem.org .

Matt Gaetz (Picture credit: Reuters) Former US representative Matt Gaetz announced on Thursday that he is withdrawing his name from consideration for President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general position , citing ongoing federal sex trafficking investigations that raised concerns about his suitability for the role. Gaetz said that his potential confirmation was becoming a distraction from the important work of the Trump/Vance transition. "I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. 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. 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," Gaetz posted on the social media platform X. However, this isn't the first time Gaetz has faced controversy. From inviting an internet troll to Trump 's state of the union address to his clashes with White House leader Kevin McCarthy, Gaetz has frequently made headlines. Here are some of his most notable controversies: When Matt invited an internet troll to Trump's state of the union address One of Gaetz's early controversial moments came in 2018 when he invited Charles C Johnson, a notorious internet troll, to attend Trump's first state of the union address. Gaetz explained to The Daily Beast that the invitation happened because Johnson "showed up at my office." Despite backlash, Gaetz defended Johnson—who had previously questioned the death toll of 6 million Jews during the Holocaust—telling Fox Business that Johnson was "not a Holocaust denier" and "not a white supremacist." Backlash over personal attack on Michael Cohen On the eve of Michael Cohen 's testimony before the House Oversight Committee in February 2019, Gaetz launched a sharp personal attack on X. "Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends? Maybe tonight would be a good time for that chat," Gaetz tweeted. "I wonder if she'll remain faithful when you're in prison. She's about to learn a lot." The tweet sparked outrage among House Democrats, prompting Gaetz to delete it and issue a rare apology. "While it is important to create context around the testimony of liars like Michael Cohen, it was NOT my intent to threaten, as some believe I did," Gaetz wrote, referencing then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s criticism of his comments. "I'm deleting the tweet & I should have chosen words that better showed my intent. I'm sorry." Democrats called for an ethics investigation into the incident. While the House Ethics Committee later cleared Gaetz of wrongdoing, it criticized him for conduct that did not "reflect creditably upon the House of Representatives." The Florida Bar, which also reviewed the matter, reached a similar conclusion, clearing Gaetz while condemning his actions. Sex-trafficking allegations against Gaetz In the final months of the Trump administration, the US justice department launched an investigation into sex-trafficking allegations involving Gaetz and a 17-year-old girl. The investigation, which lasted nearly three years, sought to determine whether Gaetz had paid for the girl's travel in violation of sex trafficking laws, among other allegations. According to Gaetz's colleagues, the congressman had boasted about his sexual encounters and even showed off nude photos of women. However, Gaetz denied all allegations of wrongdoing. His office said in 2023 that prosecutors had informed him he would not face charges. When Gaetz's 'Wingman' was sentenced to 11 years Joel Greenberg , a convicted fraudster who cooperated extensively with the justice department’s sex-trafficking investigation into Gaetz, was sentenced to 11 years in prison by a federal judge in Florida in 2022. Gaetz had referred to Greenberg, the former Seminole County tax collector, as his "wingman." Greenberg had previously pleaded guilty to charges including underage sex trafficking, wire fraud, stalking, identity theft, producing a fake ID, and conspiring to defraud the US government. The revelations surrounding Greenberg sparked widespread media attention, with journalists investigating Gaetz’s Venmo transactions with Greenberg and other reports detailing his behavior in the Florida House, including a claim about a "Harry Potter"-themed sex competition. When ethics committee launched an investigation The House Ethics Committee launched its investigation into Matt Gaetz's sexual misconduct and other allegations in 2021. While the investigation was initially put on hold due to pending charges from the justice department, the committee resumed its inquiry in May 2023. The committee, known for its discretion, publicly stated it was looking into whether Gaetz had been involved in sexual misconduct, illegal drug use, accepted improper gifts, or obstructed investigations. According to The New York Times, lawmakers were ready to vote on releasing their findings on Gaetz's conduct. However, before they could proceed, the Florida Republican unexpectedly resigned. This came shortly after Trump had selected Gaetz as his nominee for attorney general. Tense confrontation between Gaetz and McCarthy Kevin McCarthy, then-House minority leader, was expected to become the next House speaker after Republicans regained control of the chamber in the 2022 midterms. However, Gaetz and a few other lawmakers had different intentions. Tensions peaked in January 2023 after the 14th vote failed, leading to a confrontation where representative Mike Rogers of Alabama, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, had to be physically restrained after lunging at Gaetz. Gaetz's continued opposition to McCarthy had been a major obstacle to McCarthy securing the speaker's position. McCarthy eventually won on the next ballot, and Rogers later apologised for his actions. McCarthy ultimately secured the speaker's position, but Gaetz and a group of conservative lawmakers continued to hold significant leverage over him. Under House rules, a single member could initiate the process to remove the speaker. In October 2023, Gaetz triggered this process by filing a motion to vacate, and with the support of seven other Republicans and House Democrats, McCarthy was ousted. Gaetz claimed his push to remove McCarthy was driven by policy differences, but McCarthy has consistently argued that his removal was personal and motivated by revenge. McCarthy has also called for Gaetz to be jailed. The tension between McCarthy and Gaetz was also evident at the 2024 Republican National Convention when Gaetz interrupted McCarthy during a TV interview, prompting McCarthy’s team to escort him away. "What night are you speaking?" Gaetz asked, disrupting McCarthy’s conversation.Before Texas and Georgia face off in the Southeastern Conference championship game, the Longhorns earned a surprising victory over the Bulldogs on the recruiting trail. Justus Terry, a defensive lineman from Manchester, Georgia, announced he would be leaving his home state to play for Texas next year. Terry, who also was considering Georgia and Auburn, had been the nation’s top remaining uncommitted 2025 prospect. The addition of Terry gives Texas the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class, according to composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports. “We’re super pumped about this recruiting class,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said, before Terry had announced his decision. “This is a very talented group of players that I think not only fit the physical characteristics of what we’re looking for by position in our program, but I think meet the character and are going to fit nicely into our culture.” Although there will be an additional signing period in February, 247Sports officials said Texas should maintain its No. 1 standing. The overwhelming majority of Power Four recruits already finalized their college plans this week. The top 11 classes include eight Southeastern Conference schools and three Big Ten programs. Alabama is second, with Georgia third, Oregon fourth and Ohio State fifth. Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M, Michigan and Tennessee round out the top 10. Florida is 11th. The highest-rated recruiting classes outside the SEC and Big Ten are Notre Dame at No. 12 and Miami at No. 14. Terry is the nation’s No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 10 overall prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite. His decision gives Texas nine of the 247Sports Composite’s top 66 prospects. Texas’ other recruits rated 66th or better include safety Jonah Williams (No. 8), wide receivers Kaliq Lockett (No. 22) and Jamie Ffrench (No. 32), defensive lineman Lance Jackson (No. 25), all-purpose athlete Michael Terry III (No. 43), cornerbacks Kade Phillips (No. 54) and Graceson Littleton (No. 65), and linebacker Elijah Barnes (No. 66). “I think it’s a really versatile class with a variety of positions, highlighted by high-level players,” Sarkisian said. “As always, we really pride ourselves on recruiting the high school ranks. We think when we can get players in here young, then immerse them into our culture, into our off-season conditioning program, develop them as we go throughout their career, that’s when we really reap the benefits of having these guys in our program. This class is no different.” With the early signing period concluding, the focus on college roster construction now turns to transfers. The transfer portal window officially opens, though numerous college players already went to social media this week to announce their intentions to transfer. The early signing period was moved up a few weeks this year so that high school seniors could get their decisions out of the way before the opening of the transfer portal window. This marked the first signing period since the demise of the national letters of intent that prospects had sent in the past after signing with their respective schools. Athletes now are signing their names to a financial aid agreement that can include name, image and likeness agreements along with the standard tuition and room and board details.NFL reinstates Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers from commissioner's exempt list | Sporting News

Election results: BlueKraft Digital Foundation CEO sees 'demographic shift and Ek hain toh..' as key takeawaysWASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors moved Monday to dismiss the criminal charges against President-elect Donald Trump that accused him of plotting to overturn the 2020 election and to abandon the classified documents case against him, citing longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. The decision by special counsel Jack Smith, who had fiercely sought to hold Trump criminally accountable for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election, represented the end of the federal effort against the former president following his election victory this month despite the election-related cases and multiple other unrelated criminal charges against him and is headed back to the White House. FILE - Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to the media about an indictment of former President Donald Trump, Aug. 1, 2023, at an office of the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) The decision, revealed in court filings, also amounts to a predictable but nonetheless stunning conclusion to criminal cases that had been seen as the most perilous of the multiple legal threats Trump has faced. It reflects the practical consequences of Trump’s victory, ensuring he enters office free from scrutiny over his hoarding of top secret documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Smith’s team emphasized that the move to abandon the prosecutions, in federal courts in Washington and Florida, was not a reflection of their view on the merits of the cases but rather a reflection of their commitment to longstanding department policy. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” the prosecutors wrote in Monday’s court filing in the election interference case. The decision was expected after Smith's team began assessing how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case in the wake of Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The Justice Department believes Trump can no longer be tried in accordance with longstanding policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. Trump has cast both cases as politically motivated, and had vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. President-elect Donald Trump arrives before the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Boca Chica, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Pool via AP) The 2020 election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing the Republican as he vied to reclaim the White House. But it quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of using “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. ___ Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Associated Press writer Colleen Long contributed to this story. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Red Bulls go into MLS Cup final with distinctly Canadian flavour in front office

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) Receives $3.50 Consensus PT from BrokeragesTerry Trowman got the red carpet treatment from his mates when he returned to the Pig & Whistle after an overseas jaunt last year. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED Terry, who collapsed suddenly inside a Fernhill property, has been memorialised with a statue, ‘Man O’ Words’, which stands outside his favourite local watering hole, Pig & Whistle Pub. He assembled an extraordinary number of friends during his 14 years in town whom he’d greet with repeated handshakes and big hugs — in fact the statue’s been tweaked to incorporate an outstretched right hand. "Once you met Terry, he grew on you like moss," one friend says. Testament to his popularity is about 300 people from near and far attended his memorial celebration at the Pig, including his parents Lesley and Tony and brother Mark, from England — the latter helped organise the service. A statue honouring Terry at the front entrance to his regular watering hole. Red carpet was laid out, balloons were flown and a banner read ‘Happy Wednesday Terry’. Lesley, who along with Tony had been due to fly over to see Terry in January, says despite being a social animal he was also the fittest and healthiest member of their family. A friend says "you were always happy when you saw him, he was just smiling, ready for the handshake and saying ‘Happy Friday’ or whatever day it was". "He’d say ‘you’re a legend’ but really, he was the legend." He loved a fancy dress party, but he was also a really hard worker who’d help out any friend who needed a hand. Peter Duerden, another friend, says "upon hearing Terry’s family was heading over to New Zealand on the next available flight, it was a no-brainer to create a GoFundMe that would allow all those who knew and loved Terry a quick and easy way to provide whatever support they could to the Trowman family". "The original goal was $10,000; as it stands, we have raised over $20,000, a figure that if nothing else is testament to how well thought of Terry was and continues to be. "His loss has been felt by a great many people, Queenstowners past and present, but a legacy of handshakes and ‘Terryisms’ will live on always." One ‘Terryism’ was: "We’re only one day away from death, act accordingly." Two friends bought ‘Man O’ Words’ — a corten steel sculpture by Riverton’s Rodger Thompson which Arrowtown’s Birdwoods South had been exhibiting — "because we believe he was a king of men, and every king deserves a statue", they say. "It’s for all of us to remember and for people in town to admire, because if you read it it’s basically everything you should stand for in life, just like ‘our Terry’ — ‘love’, ‘heart’, ‘strength’, ‘family’. Friends are approaching the council to see if it can be installed in a nook by the Ballarat St Bridge, just metres from his favourite place, the Pig.

Until a summery August day, Holocaust survivor Helena Stefaniak wasn’t sure she’d ever see her sister again. Stefaniak and her sister, Barbara Rychlowski, lived in Warsaw, Poland, when Nazis invaded in 1939. After five years under German occupation, she was abducted off the streets and sent to a forced labor camp. Rychlowski was captured soon after and sent to a different camp. They wouldn’t see each other again until 1947, reuniting and immigrating to the United States. After a test of survival, it was time to enjoy life. A Polish-American soldier had convinced his family to sponsor Stefaniak’s move. Stefaniak found herself with her husband, John, in Connecticut, and Rychlowski was in New Jersey. They talked on the phone every day, traveling when they could. However, they grew older. Come 2024, Stefaniak was 100 and her sister was 96. It was hard to travel. Stefaniak’s eyes grew worse, and she moved to Helena to join her daughter. Stefaniak grieved, her daughter Helen Fee remembered. As much as it hurt, Stefaniak accepted she may not see her sister again. And then Fee thought of AARP. AARP, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting older Americans, works with Wish of a Lifetime. Since its inception in 2008, nearly 3,000 gifts have been given, aiming to help America’s elders accomplish dreams. After a nomination, AARP agreed to support Stefaniak. Fee still remembers her mother’s reaction to the news. “I think I have a surprise for you,” Fee had told Stefaniak. It took some time before her mother understood, but the tears came. “My sister,” Stefaniak wept. “My sister.” On AARP's dime, Stefaniak and Fee spent three days in Newark, New Jersey. The reunion was at a hotel, not far from where Rychlowski lived. For a long time, the sisters didn’t speak, Fee said. They held each other as tightly as they could. “I never thought I’d see you again,” Stefaniak told her little sister in Polish. The next days were spent shopping, cooking and talking, talking, talking, Fee said. Neither sister could travel independently anymore, so the chance to go into the world was cherished fun, she said. A fellow immigrant family Stefaniak had supported in Connecticut drove to meet her, bringing a hoard of homemade pierogi and other Polish foods. A good portion now sits in Fee’s freezer — quality Polish food is hard to find in Montana, Fee said with a smile. Their goodbye was uneventful. “I’m glad I got to see you one last time,” Stefaniak said, matter-of-fact. And then, she went home. On Thursday, at an AARP celebration of the completed wish, Fee said just thinking about it brings her to tears. It was hard to describe why. For a time, Stefaniak and Rychlowski were each other’s only family, she said. Their father died in a concentration camp, she said. The sisters witnessed suffering and horrors, and yet strangers would have no idea. Stefaniak’s grandchildren know she survived the Holocaust, but it's not part of their view of her. She’s simply Grandma. The AARP featured multiple speakers, including a social worker who handled Stefaniak’s wish, Connor Downer. They were moved by the sisters final hug, and said they were honored to witness something “distance never destroyed.” Cake was served, and Stefaniak was given a picture book detailing the trip. She cradled the book in her hands and turned the pages. She’d see it later with her magnifying glass, she and family joked. “I never thought this could happen,” Stefaniak said. “To the people that organized this ... Thank you.”Florida 6, Carolina 0

President-elect Donald Trump announced he created a new role for his administration, White House Artificial Intelligence and Crypto Czar. Filling the role will be tech entrepreneur and podcast host David Sacks. Sacks "will guide policy for the Administration in Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency, two areas critical to the future of American competitiveness. David will focus on making America the clear global leader in both areas," Trump said in his announcement. "He will safeguard Free Speech online, and steer us away from Big Tech bias and censorship. He will work on a legal framework so the Crypto industry has the clarity it has been asking for, and can thrive in the U.S.," Trump continued" "David will also lead the Presidential Council of Advisors for Science and Technology," the president-elect said. Sacks is a longtime Silicon Valley ally of Elon Musk and invested in SpaceX. They worked together at PayPal, a company in which Sacks is a co-founder of and later became the COO. During that time, Musk was the CEO until 2000 when Confinity went through a rebrand and became PayPal. Sacks held major fundraisers for the Trump-Vance ticket, including one at his home for Trump in San Francisco, California in June. Trump did an interview with Sacks on his "All In" podcast earlier this year, in which he advocated for "automatically" giving noncitizens in the U.S. green cards when they graduate from college -- not just people who go through the vetting process. " [ What ] I want to do, and what I will do, is you graduate from a college, I think you should get, automatically as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country. That includes junior colleges, too," Trump said during the episode. Trump's response came after one of the hosts, Jason Calacanis, asked Trump if he could promise to "give us more ability to import the best and brightest around the world to America."

This article was originally published on November 30, 2018, but the steamy scenes kept coming. With the return of Outlander for season seven, part two, we’ve updated the list to include the sex scenes from seasons four through seven, part one. Any Outlander fan worth her smelling salts will tell you, rather emphatically, that the Starz drama (and the source material upon which it is based, written by Diana Gabaldon ) is most certainly not a bodice-ripper. And, well, they’re not wrong. Outlander blends historical fiction, action, and, yes, romance to tell the story of former World War II combat nurse Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), an Englishwoman who inadvertently travels through time and falls in love with an 18th-century Highland warrior named Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). And so the series is a bit of a genre-buster, luring male and female viewers in nearly equal numbers. That said, there’s no denying one of the series’ most alluring attributes is its bounty of curl-your-toes sex scenes that leave little to the imagination. (Thank you, premium cable!) And not only are these racy interludes hot (like, really hot), but they also, nearly always, embrace the female gaze. These couplings are less about some unattainable fantasy and more about two adults having an intimate moment that tells us something about them — and almost always leaves both parties satisfied. So, with Outlander ’s seventh season back for part two, Vulture took a deep (deep) dive into the series’ many sex scenes, ranking all 32 using a complicated calculus factoring intensity, duration, mutual satisfaction, and plot advancement (with that last one weighted least heavily, because let’s not kid ourselves, we all know why we’re here). All that’s left to do now is take a good, long look ... 32. Season 2, Episode 7 — “Faith” In one of the series’ most transactional (read: least arousing) sex scenes, our heroine Claire offers up her body to King Louis XV in exchange for husband Jamie’s freedom after he’s caught dueling (a big no-no in 18th-century France). “I closed my eyes and thought of England,” Claire says in voice-over as she lies back on the king’s brocade bedding, fully dressed. Louis placidly thrusts half a dozen times (at least by my count) before finishing. And with that, the pardon is granted, and Claire is so over France. 31. Season 5, Episode 9 — “Monsters and Heroes” Modern cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was introduced in 1960 by engineer William Bennet Kouwenhoven, and by 1966, training in the life-saving technique was widely available to medical professionals and laypeople alike, according to the American Red Cross . This isn’t just a random bit of Jeopardy! trivia but an important piece of context for the next scene on our list. You see, while out on a hunting expedition, Jamie is bitten by a venomous snake and falls gravely ill. So ill, in fact, that Claire is unable to find a pulse. Instead of beginning chest compressions — which she should have been familiar with as a trained surgeon who lived and worked in the future until 1968 — she rips off her nightgown, lies on top of Jamie, and begins giving him a hand job. And that act is enough to revive him! This is hands down Outlander ’s most ludicrous sex scene. 30. Season 2, Episode 2 — “Not in Scotland Anymore” After suffering unimaginable abuse at the hand of Black Jack Randall , Jamie struggles with the thought of ever being intimate with his wife again. So in an attempt to arouse her husband’s passion, Claire indulges in a French spa treatment (a.k.a. a wax), and shows off the results to Jamie. “Your honey pot is bare!” he exclaims. “I thought you’d be intrigued,” she replies. The two begin to make love, but Jamie stops abruptly as visions of Black Jack begin to appear. So instead, they simply go to sleep. It’s a heartbreaker of a scene, demonstrating just how broken a man Jamie has become. 29. Season 5, Episode 1 — “The Fiery Cross” After their hand-fasting ceremony in season four (see No. 7 on our list), Brianna and Roger officially tie the knot at what, for the time, looks like an incredibly lavish affair, with many family members and friends in attendance. And in a curious choice by producers, the couple’s first night as official man and wife is intercut with scenes of two other couples from the wedding party making love in their own quarters: Claire and Jamie, and Murtagh and Aunt Jocasta. Yeah ... it probably would have been best to let the couple of the hour do this one solo. 28. Season 3, Episode 2 — “Surrender” Dysfunctional doesn’t even begin to describe Claire and Frank’s relationship after she returns to him in the future, pregnant with another man’s 18th-century baby. Their love life, as it were, is nonexistent — a state of affairs that would be easy to write off to Claire’s burgeoning belly. But after she gives birth, Frank is less accepting of her disinterest. And so one night, as the two lie in bed, Claire attempts to make amends. “I miss my husband,” she purrs into his ear. (Whether she actually means Frank — and not Jamie — remains to be seen.) She proceeds to straddle him and peel off her nightgown. After just a few moments, however, the scene fades to black before anything particularly interesting can happen — rather metaphorical, I’d say. 27. Season 3, Episode 2 — “Surrender” I’m pairing these two Claire-Frank scenes together since one is really an extension of the other, as conditions continuing to deteriorate at the Randall home. Some time later, as Claire and Frank share a drink next to the fire, Claire again initiates sex, this time slinking out of her underwear and offering herself to Frank. He scoops her up and gently places her on the floor next to the warming blaze. “Look at me,” Frank commands as he attempts to have sex with his wife. “Claire, open your eyes!” He stops when Claire doesn’t acquiesce, accusing her of fantasizing about Jamie. “Claire, when I’m with you, I’m with you. But you’re with him,” he says. And with that final indignity, it seems that the doomed couple’s sex life is, truly, over. 26. Season 4, Episode 11 — “If Not for Hope” Meeting your grown-up time-traveling daughter for the first time — when you presumed 200 years would always separate you — requires an adjustment period, for sure, especially when you’re from two different centuries with vastly different ideas about women and their place in society. Father and daughter clash when Jamie learns that Brianna has been sexually assaulted, and his response is, shall we say, retrograde to the extreme. The situation naturally causes tension between Jamie and Claire too, as the latter has never had to pick sides between her husband and daughter before. But by hour’s end, Claire and Jamie open up about how they’re both feeling and make up the best way they know. 25. Season 6, Episode 8 — “I Am Not Alone” If your home were under siege by a mob of rifle-wielding numbskulls, what would you do? After taking up arms, Jamie and Claire’s second course of action is to find consolation in each other’s bodies. After all, it could be their final taste of freedom — and each other — for a while. And let’s just say they really go out with a bang. (Those close-up shots — wow!) 24. Season 6, Episode 4 — “Hour of the Wolf” Young Ian makes his entry onto the list, and boy this one’s a tear-jerker. We know from earlier episodes that his time with the Mohawk did not end well, and here we see the extent of it told through flashbacks. After joining the tribe, he takes a wife, Wahionhaweh (he calls her Emily), and we watch as the two join together in a softly lit moment, with wonder and awe etched across Young Ian’s face. Alas, their union — and Ian’s happiness — doesn’t last. Wahionhaweh experiences two heartrending miscarriages, and Young Ian is banished from the tribe for not being strong enough to sire a child. 23. Season 3, Episode 2 — “Surrender” Implied sex scenes are a total tease and definitely not what this list is all about. That said, this encounter between a morose Jamie and his sister’s housemaid, Mary McNab, is a meaningful one and bears including. At this point, Jamie has lived for quite some time as Lallybroch’s resident Grizzly Adams (McAdams?), taking up residence in a cave on his ancestral land, growing an unnecessarily long ginger beard, and grieving the loss of his returned-to-the-future wife. He’s become both a burden and a liability for his sister and her family, so he’s devised a plan to have himself captured by the British in order to keep them all safe. And so, the night before his scheme is to take place, Mary comes to him, proffering a basket of shaving supplies ... and her body. He’s reticent, of course, he hasn’t done this in a long time (and as far as we know, with no one other than Claire). But the two are kindred spirits, both sporting deep emotional scars, and Jamie ultimately concedes. And maybe, just maybe, that little intimacy helped him face the uncertain task before him. 22. Season 7, Episode 4 — “A Most Uncomfortable Woman” Few things will make a man want to claim his woman more than knowing another man wants to claim her too. After the crotchety old Tom Christie lands a surprise — and unwelcome — smooch on Claire, Jamie is jealous. (Though he has absolutely no reason to be, Claire assures him.) Jamie accepts Claire’s soothing words but still takes the opportunity to begin undressing his love and walking her toward their bed. Their verbal foreplay soon turns physical as the camera pans away from the couple and toward their reflection in the mirror. 21. Season 7, Episode 2 — “The Happiest Place on Earth” Sex is rarely just sex on Outlander . It can be a manifestation of joy. Of pain. Of sorrow. Or all of the above. When Brianna and Roger return to the future to seek medical care for their daughter, Mandy, Claire and Jamie are left bereft. As they lay their heads down for their first night as empty nesters, Claire reaches for Jamie to console herself. But after a few thrusts she pulls away and confides her sorrows to her husband instead. He, predictably, lends a gentle, listening ear. It’s a bittersweet scene that ends with Claire sobbing in Jamie’s arms, wishing she might one day see her family again. 20. Season 6, Episode 8 — “I Am Not Alone” After pitching a tent in the wilderness while on a road trip to Roger’s ordination, he and Brianna settle in under the canvas and proceed to get naked. It’s an intentionally awkward scene (trying to pull your shirt over your head with only a few inches clearance requires Cirque du Soleil–level contortions), but the two lean into it and deliver a pretty juicy moment, all things considered. 19. Season 1, Episode 7 — “The Wedding” They say you never forget your first time, and virginal Jamie’s is, indeed, memorable — though probably not for the reasons one would hope. After exchanging their vows, newlyweds Claire and Jamie retire to their room, both clearly nervous. They prolong the inevitable by eating and drinking (and drinking some more), getting to know each other in the process. (Remember: They’ve been acquainted for mere weeks at this point.) After a well-intentioned interruption from Angus and Rupert to see if the deed has been done, Claire is the one to finally make the first move: “It’s getting rather late. Perhaps we should go to bed?” she asks. “To bed ... or to sleep?” Jamie replies with a waggle of his eyebrows. They tentatively start to unlace, unbutton, and untie each other (so many layers!), but before they can even dispense with all of their garments, Jamie grabs Claire and whirls her around so her back is to him (like the horses do it!). She rights herself, Jamie thrusts a few times, and it’s all over. Claire’s face is twinged with a mix of disappointment and embarrassment, though she later tells Jamie she enjoyed it. Thankfully, they will have a much more satisfying go of it the second time around (later on the list). 18. Season 6, Episode 1 — “Echoes” The appearance of former prison mate Tom Christie on the Ridge has Jamie reminiscing about his time at Ardsmuir — and how though he had little hope of ever seeing Claire again, she was always with him. “I think you’re an angel, Claire,” Jamie tells her. “Would an angel do this?” Claire responds as she straddles him and begins kissing and undressing him. “Maybe I’ve died and gone to heaven,” he responds. Okay, so maybe this isn’t top-shelf dialogue, but it’s hard not to get swept away in their tenderness and clear affection for each other. As Claire later traces the scars on Jamie’s back, it’s a reminder of how much this couple has had to fight to be — and stay — together. 17. Season 4, Episode 1 — “America the Beautiful” Fresh off the boat in the new world, and Claire and Jamie have already had to contend with the death of a loyal shipmate, hung at the gallows for a crime that was ultimately a terrible misunderstanding. In their grief, Claire and Jamie come together, as few things are quite so life-affirming as sex. Camped out next to a crackling fire, they take comfort in one another. It’s a sweet scene, but hardly the series’ steamiest four seasons on. 16. Season 1, Episode 11 — “The Devil’s Mark” After nearly being burned at the pyre on charges of witchcraft, Claire finally reveals her true identity as a time-traveler to Jamie. And with that confession, Jamie knows what he must do — the next day, he will take Claire back to the stones so she can return to her own time and place. But tonight, in the untamed wilderness, he will say his good-bye. He carefully pulls up Claire’s skirt, but Jamie refuses — tonight is about Claire’s pleasure. So he uses his skilled Scottish hands, knowing it may be their very last time together. Jamie is nothing if not a giver. 15. Season 3, Episode 6 — “A. Malcolm” It’s a moment 20 years (or, like, six episodes) in the making: After decades (and also centuries) apart, Claire and Jamie reunite in 18th-century Scotland. But their reunion isn’t exactly the stuff of legend. Despite their desire for one another (“I have burned for you for so long,” Jamie says), the pair’s chemistry is a little off. See: their awkward head butt as they fall in bed together. But the urgency never falters. “Do it now and don’t be gentle!” Claire commands and things do indeed get steamy. Their second romp later that evening goes more smoothly (and produces far less bruising): This time, they lie on their sides facing each other, going slow and steady. It’s good to have them back. 14. Season 2, Episode 4 — “La Dame Blanche” After weeks of quiet desperation, Jamie finally opens up to Claire about his sexual assault by Black Jack Randall. He’s not sure he can be the man Claire needs anymore, but Claire is having none of it. They argue and retire to separate sleeping quarters for the night. But under the moon’s glow, Claire tip-toes to Jamie’s room, doffing her sleeping gown, and beckoning Jamie to “find her.” She (and her baby bump) straddles him and he’s present — present in a way he hasn’t been for months, as if Claire’s love can exorcise his demons. And, well, it seems to do just that. 13. Season 5, Episode 11 — “Journeycake” Who knew the faintest whiff of manure could be such an aphrodisiac? Claire, apparently, because even though Jamie smells of the barn, she dabs on her favorite perfume in anticipation of a hot evening. Instead, he falls asleep without touching her, eventually waking to find her at the window having a very different type of steamy moment (a hot flash!). He makes up for his earlier grievance by hoisting sweaty Claire up onto the open windowsill, sliding her nightgown up her legs, and diving in face first. It’s not the series’ best oral-sex scene (that’s still to ... come), but it’s always good to see a woman getting her pleasure. 12. Season 5, Episode 7 — “The Ballad of Roger Mac” It’s sunup on Jamie’s 50th birthday, and Claire catches her husband taking stock as they lie in bed. Everything on his person is more or less in working order. (Or as Jamie so eloquently puts it, “My cock still stands up by itself in the morning!”) Claire can see that for herself and mounts Jamie, leaning in close to deliver a breathy, Marilyn Monroe–inspired serenade of “Happy Birthday, Dear Colonel.” (This was before U.S. presidents, after all.) The cultural reference is lost on Jamie, but that doesn’t make the moment any less cheeky. 11. Season 1, Episode 7 — “The Wedding” After several attempts at making love on their wedding night — with varying degrees of success — Jamie gets out of bed and begins rifling through his belongings, finally finding what he’s looking for: his mother’s Scotch pearls. He presents the necklace to his new bride, placing it around her bare neck. She’s touched by the gift — it’s a meaningful token as its one of the last remnants Jamie has of his deceased mother — and Claire wears it proudly as she sits atop Jamie. The scene doesn’t have the same heat as their second pairing (later on this list), but it arguably has more emotional import. It’s the beginning of ... something . 10. Season 1, Episode 1 — “Sassenach” Here is Outlander ’s opening statement — the first sex act depicted in the series debut. Claire and husband Frank have embarked on a honeymoon to the Scottish Highlands in order to rekindle their romance after war. As they tour the ruins of an ancient castle (where, unbeknownst to the former combat nurse, she will later hold court as a healer in the 18th century), Claire playfully hops atop a table and begins unbuckling her garter. “Why, Mrs. Randall,” Frank says, amused. “I didn’t know you left your undergarments at home.” Claire hitches up her skirt and pushes Frank’s head down, down, down. It’s a brief scene, to be sure, but a vital one as it establishes Outlander ’s bona fides: This is a TV show in which women get as good as they give. 9. Season 2, Episode 13 — “Dragonfly in Amber” With the disastrous Battle of Culloden looming, Jamie insists that Claire and their unborn child travel through the stones back to the future where they’ll be safe — with Frank. Of course, strong-willed Claire puts up a fight, but Jamie won’t relent. “Lord, you gave me a rare woman — I loved her well,” he muses as the two say their good-byes at the foot of the stones. Knowing he will never see his bride again, Jamie takes her quickly, urgently — a lifetime’s worth of passion dispensed with in a fleeting moment or two. And as the guns fire and canons blast in the distance, Claire disappears through the stones. 8. Season 1, Episode 1 — “Sassenach” What’s the worst possible topic of conversation one could raise while on their honeymoon? After Aunt Bertha’s bunion surgery, I’d reckon it to be your wife’s completely hypothetical infidelity. Yep, Frank decides to use the occasion of the couple’s romantic getaway to inquire whether Claire ever took “comfort” in other men during their separate tours of duty. This, obviously, does not go over well with Claire — especially considering that she has been nothing but faithful to Frank up to this point — and the two have quite the row. Yet, just minutes later, they drop trou. “Sex was our bridge back to each other,” Claire explains in voice-over. And here is the series’ first full-blown sex scene, complete with naked bodies jauntily writhing. Perhaps the fight was worth it after all ... 7. Season 4, Episode 8 — “Wilmington” Brianna and Roger’s first attempt at sex didn’t go so well — he essentially slut-shamed her for agreeing to sleep with him but not agreeing to marry him. (As you can imagine, he didn’t get any that night!) Later, after following Brianna through the stones to the 18th century, she makes an about-face, agreeing to a “hand fasting” — a Highland ritual binding two people together — to give their coupling credence. Her reasoning: “How could I say no to a man who pursued me for 200 years?” With a fire crackling in the hearth of their room at the inn, the “newlyweds” begin disrobing each other and getting down to business, in what may very well be one of the series’ longest sex scenes since Claire and Jamie’s own wedding. It feels weird comparing the two, but the young lad and lass hold their own. (We won’t get into the row that occurs right after, though.) 6. Season 3, Episode 13 — “Eye of the Storm” One of two nautical naughties on this list, here we find Claire and Jamie on the high seas, attempting to chart a course back home to Scotland after rescuing Jamie’s nephew Young Ian . As Jamie grooms himself in their cabin he tells Claire that he has “given much thought about what I want to do with you when we reach dry land.” And then, well, he does it all — with narration! Now, I have no idea whether this is historically accurate (when was dirty talk even invented?), but I’ll take any anachronism this arousing. 5. Season 1, Episode 9 — “The Reckoning” There’s no clearer signal that social mores are a tad bit different in the 18th century than when Claire is spanked by husband Jamie after disobeying one of his orders. And, no, we’re not talking BDSM here. Claire receives multiple lashes to the bottom after wandering off from where Jamie told her to stay put. By episode’s end, the couple have reached an understanding — Jamie swears to never hit Claire again. But Claire wants to make sure. So as the two begin to have sex by the fire, Claire gets on top of Jamie and grabs for his dagger. She raises it to his throat — never once losing her rhythm — and warns him: “If you ever raise a hand to me again, James Fraser, I will cut your heart out and have it for breakfast. Do you understand me?” He agrees, declaring that Claire is his. While we do not condone nonconsensual knife play, it’s thrilling to see a woman stand her ground when she’s been wronged. 4. Season 1, Episode 10 — “By the Pricking of My Thumb” If you happen to be heavy-handed with the fast-forward button, you may have missed this moment all together, as producers hardly let the credits roll before throwing Claire and Jamie into bed. And at first, you may not even know what you’re seeing. It looks as though Claire is simply lying in bed sleeping. But then she begins to stir and moan and you realize something entirely different is going on. You realize what, exactly, when the camera pans down Claire’s torso and you see the flaming crown of Jamie’s head. A knock comes at the door, but Jamie will not stop, whispering “No! No! No!” And with a flourish, he finishes the job before answering the door to a sheepish Murtaugh. Anyone else sweating? 3. Season 7, Episode 7 — “A Practical Guide for Time-Travelers” Let’s be honest: The sex playlist options for Outlander have always been rather limited and provincial. ( “Do we go with the melancholy bagpipes here or the jovial ones?” ) So it’s a fun surprise when the soundtrack veers into 20th-century soft rock for an ’80-set scene. Alone in the temporary living quarters of their trailer, Roger and Brianna exchange some flirty banter before the Scotsman lifts his bride off her feet and throws her onto the mess of their mustard-yellow floral bedding — just as the beat drops in “In the Air Tonight.” Thanks to this classic Phil Collins earworm and the actors’ growing comfort with scenes such as this, dare I say this is Brianna and Roger’s hottest moment yet? 2. Season 3, Episode 11 — “Uncharted” In this fan-favorite moment from the book Voyager , a feverish Claire, drunk on turtle soup, instructs Jamie to “bolt the door” of their ship cabin. She then clumsily pushes him onto the desk. “This must be what it’s like making love in hell!” Jamie quips. As the two disrobe and begin going at it, a knock at the door heralds their shipmate Willoughby, who’s come to inquire if Claire wants seconds on the broth (alleged to be an aphrodisiac). Jamie tries to muzzle the inebriated Claire, and Willoughby finally gets the hint. It’s one of the more fun and playful sex scenes in the whole series — a welcome bit of levity from the usual bedroom dramatics. 1. Season 1, Episode 7 — “The Wedding” If there’s one thing we learn about Jamie in “The Wedding” it’s that he’s a very quick study, illustrated here by his and Claire’s second time in the sack. Where the first was hurried and fumbling, the couple take their time, prolonging the foreplay. They strip for each other, slowly sizing up the other’s body, really appreciating it for the work of art that it is. Jamie eventually picks Claire up and drops her onto the bed. And this time, Claire’s cries of passion are so intense that Jamie worries he’s hurt her. When she climaxes, well, he’s still a little confused. “Does it happen every time?” he asks. “Only if the man is a very good lover,” Claire explains, breathless, right before biting his chest and going down on him. And that, dear readers, is the Outlander sex scene that will always leave us breathless.Shinde emerges heir to Sena legacyScheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2