Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Chipmakers desperate to purchase more EUV machines from ASML By Lee Min-hyung The leaders of Koreas two major chipmakers will deepen their partnerships with ASML, the Netherlands-based manufacturer of lithography systems that are essential for improving semiconductor-manufacturing processes, according to business sources, Sunday. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won plan to discuss the agenda during their meeting with ASML CEO Peter Wennink in the Netherlands. The meeting is taking place on the sidelines of President Yoon Suk Yeols five-day state visit to the European nation starting on Monday. ASML is a key partner for chipmakers as the Dutch firm is the world's sole developer of extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) machines. The devices are crucial for Samsung and SK to produce next-generation microchips. Samsung Electronics has maintained a friendly relationship with ASML for more than a decade, in a strategic move to elevate its chip-making competitiveness with EUV machines from ASML. Back in 2012, Samsung acquired a 3-percent stake in ASML for 363 billion won ($275 million). ASMLs ever-growing market influence helped Samsung chalk up massive revenues following the investment. Samsung sold more than 4.71 million shares of ASML during the second and third quarters and secured capital worth 4.3 trillion won. This is Chey's first visit to ASML's headquarters. Starting from July 2021, the company started mass-producing mobile DRAM using EUV equipment. The company is going all-out to bring in more EUV machines to stabilize its chip-making process. SK hynix also operates a special taskforce dedicated to securing more EUV machines. Against this backdrop, Cheys planned meeting with the ASML leader raises hopes of the firm signing contracts to import more EUV machines. Samsung is known to have secured around 40 EUV machines, while its competitor, Taiwan-based TSMC, obtained more than 100 as of 2022. Even if competition is intensifying among global chipmakers to purchase more EUV machines, ASML can only manufacture around 40 a year. The more EUV machines chipmakers secure, the more efficient their chip-producing process becomes. The government, for its part, aims to support corporate-level partnerships between Korean and Dutch semiconductor companies. We plan to maximize the complementary relationship between the two countries in terms of their bilateral chip value chain, Kim Tae-hyo, principal deputy national security adviser, said in a recent briefing. On Yoons state visit to the Netherlands, a keen focus will be on building the two nations' battery alliance that encompasses the government, companies and colleges. Towards that end, both sides will discuss the establishment of bilateral chip dialogue channels," he added. Members of the Illinois Farm Bureau adopted policies last week that support a temporary moratorium on new carbon dioxide pipelines and a prohibition of eminent domain to construct them. The actions taken show that our organizations process continues to work and reflects the opinions of a majority of IFB members, said Bill Bodine, the groups director of business and regulatory affairs. Our members added to our existing policy supporting pipeline transportation of carbon dioxide captured from ethanol and fertilizer plants by including additional requirements for how the projects should be regulated. The policies were approved Dec. 4 by member delegates at the IFBs annual meeting. About 330 delegates represented about three-quarters of the states farmers. The IFB, guided by its members, lobbies for state and federal policies that benefit farmers. Companies that have proposed to build pipelines to transport captured carbon dioxide from ethanol plants say the projects will benefit farmers by boosting the ethanol industry, which is a major market for corn. But the proposals have caused rifts in the agricultural community between those who prioritize higher corn prices and those who worry about the pipelines safety, damage to land, and the threat of eminent domain to construct and operate the pipelines against the wishes of landowners. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation supported legislation this year that would have limited eminent domain for the projects, sought more-detailed information about the safety risks associated with one of the pipeline projects, and urged state regulators to consider those risks when determining pipeline routes. The Iowa group did not adopt any new policies this year regarding the pipelines, according to spokesperson Andrew Wheeler. In September 2022, it approved a policy that said companies should be required to gain voluntary land easements for 90% of their project areas before they qualify for eminent domain for the rest. Corn and ethanol production are significant for both states. Iowa leads the nation in corn and ethanol production. Illinois produces the second-most corn and the third-most ethanol, according to federal data. There is, however, a significant difference in ethanol production between the two states. Iowa has 41 ethanol plants with a total annual production capacity of more than 4.8 billion gallons. That is more than three times the number of plants in Illinois and more than double the total production. The policies adopted in Illinois include support for: A temporary moratorium on carbon dioxide pipeline approvals until federal regulators finalize new safety rules for them, which is expected to happen late next year. Engineers for the Illinois Commerce Commission, which has the authority to approve the pipeline projects, have also recommended that new pipeline permits should wait for those rules. Safety requirements that include automatic notifications to emergency responders if a pipeline leak occurs, training and equipment donations to those responders, and the addition of a distinctive odor to the carbon dioxide. State legislation that prohibits the use of eminent domain to construct and operate the pipelines. There have been two interstate pipeline proposals that involve a route connecting Iowa and Illinois, and both were recommended for rejection by engineers of the Illinois Commerce Commission due to safety concerns and other reasons. One of the companies, Navigator CO2, abandoned its project in October. The other, Wolf Carbon Solutions, withdrew its permit application in Illinois and said it plans to refile. A third company, Summit Carbon Solutions, wants to build a five-state pipeline that includes Iowa but not Illinois. It is nearing the end of its permit process in Iowa. This story appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. CHICAGO Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration has quietly begun filing lawsuits over what it has described as rogue buses transporting migrants, an escalation the mayor has coupled with an attempt to further crack down on the transportation companies. The stepped-up enforcement is the Johnson administrations latest effort to address the influx of new arrivals, which has become one of the mayors most vexing challenges. The care of more than 24,400 migrants who have arrived in Chicago since August 2022 has taken on heightened urgency as winter sets in, and tested the limits of how welcoming the city can be. The city has filed 55 lawsuits since it implemented new rules in mid-November about when and where buses can arrive, the Law Department said. The lawsuits address 77 total buses accused of violating the rules, and public records show at least some cases are seeking fines against the bus companies. Mayors office spokesman Cassio Mendoza in a statement characterized rogue, uncoordinated buses as endangering the lives of newly arriving migrants, and said bus companies should be held accountable. Chicago continues to welcome asylum-seekers but the city cannot safely and efficiently shelter migrants when bus companies, contracted by the State of Texas, flagrantly violate all safety measures that the city has put in place, he said. The city announced it would crack down on buses in mid-November, laying out rules for when and where buses could drop off migrants. Buses were capped at two per hour, and limited to drop-offs between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The rules also require intercity buses to apply for approval from the city to drop off passengers. The Chicago Department of Transportation said it has not received any applications. The mayors office is now seeking the ability to impound buses that dont follow the rules and fine owners up to $3,000. Chicago police would write the citation, Jeffrey Levine, deputy corporation counsel for the city, told aldermen at a committee meeting Friday. The city could also cite companies by mail, if the bus information is captured on camera. The city approval process was designed to create predictability and orderliness as far as when such buses would be arriving in the city, Levine said. Adding harsher penalties is intended to encourage better compliance. Aldermen advanced the harsher penalties Friday, and they are pending final approval by the City Council. Since May, 463 buses have arrived in Chicago, according to figures provided by the city. Five buses arrived Thursday, and buses were also expected Friday. Recent buses have dropped off passengers outside the city, in places like Schiller Park, Rosemont and Cicero, and around OHare International Airport, the mayors office said. The mid-November rules reflected the citys fast-dwindling capacity for its thousands of new arrivals. City officials also said they would begin issuing notices to migrants at city-run shelters to vacate the premises within 60 days and that they would boost personnel at initial bus landing spots to help asylum-seekers relocate out of the city, if they so choose. Johnson had begun efforts to build a camp to house migrants in heated winter tents on a controversial Southwest Side lot, but Gov. J.B. Pritzkers administration moved to scrap that plan Tuesday as tensions between Springfield and City Hall escalate. Pritzkers office said an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency review of a city environmental report of the site indicated concerns related to insufficient soil sampling and remediation, and it would take too long to do additional testing and remediation so the state would not proceed with the camp. The search for another camp site to house migrants continues. Photos: Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - File Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Im humbled. Im absolutely humbled by it and its still kind of settling in, Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Chandra Gibbs said. Gibbs now occupies the second-in-command position in the sheriffs office. She was pinned on Nov. 28. Sheriff Leroy Ravenell appointed her to the position following the Sept. 30 retirement of Dr. Kenny Kinsey, who served as chief deputy for a number of years. Gibbs, 43, is the first Black woman to hold the position of chief deputy at the sheriffs office. I think one of the things that guides us is that our leadership, of course, is not by gender, its not by race, its not by sexual orientation. When you look at leadership, its not lost on me that there are Black and brown girls that will be able to look at me and see somebody who looks like them and know that its possible, she said. This was not something I couldve ever imagined as a little girl, but its not lost on me when I walk into rooms and little girls, their eyes light up because, Hey, she looks like me and that its possible. Gibbs believes her role helps the department connect with the community even better. My moms quote is, You kick the door down and you leave your footprint and I believe that this is the footprint that other Black and brown girls know. I can follow the path and I can sit in the seat where were at the table making decisions, Gibbs said. The only other woman to hold the chief deputys position at the sheriffs office was the late Barbara Walters, who also once served as interim sheriff. She retired in 2012. Theres a great appreciation for the woman who has made this moment possible, and thats not lost on me, Gibbs said. I appreciate the fact that theres a portion of this glass ceiling that was already broken and that was done definitely with her heels, Gibbs said. Gibbs came into the law enforcement field in 2003 as a victims advocate at the sheriffs office. She then took a job with the S.C. Highway Patrol as a civilian-based victims advocate. From there, she worked at the S.C. Governors Office until she received a phone call from newly elected Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell. In 2011, Ravenell hired her as the director of victims services. Gibbs completed her basic Class III law enforcement training on June 15, 2018. In 2021, Ravenell appointed Gibbs as chief of staff. She completed the Class III Advanced requirements on June 29, 2022. She became a Class I law enforcement officer this past Sept. 19. Gibbs said she grew up between Germany and Oklahoma as an Army brat, due to her fathers military service. She noted she has strong family ties to the Orangeburg area. Gibbs came to Orangeburg to attend S.C. State University and never left, she said. She originally went to college to become a school teacher, but majored in criminal justice and business administration. She completed her undergraduate degree through Liberty University. Theres still that bulldog tenacity that you can only get at South Carolina State, she said. Gibbs is married to Bishop Morlon J. Gibbs. They co-pastor Life Empowerment: The Safe House church in North Charleston. Gibbs and her husband have a fur-kid named Daisy, she said. She said her Christian faith is vital to her. My faith in God and who he is to me its personal, its not anything that I try to do or push on anyone else, she said. But its what has guided me and its whats kept me centered, she added. Gibbs recalled when she drove up to a Woodford residence on May 13, 2022 after 6-year-old Winston OConner Hunter was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting. I can remember very vividly saying, God, youre going to have to help me, she said. She remembered another call she received early in her career as a victims advocate at the sheriffs office. It was her first time responding to a homicide. I watched a mom see her son being carried out from a homicide at a club. And what she did was grab my hand and in that moment, not knowing me, hours before she didnt know who I was, that moment I became a part of her journey, she said. In her role as chief deputy, she listens to peoples concerns. If you listen with compassion and if you listen with the intent to be solution-driven in your service to them, with respect and integrity, those are the things that came from my victims services world but those are things that we were taught as children that you treat a human being, she said. Sometimes that may be the subject, other times it may be your victim, but theyre human and if you treat them with dignity, you treat them with respect, then youll garner the same, she said. Gibbs said shes learned a lot about leadership from Ravenell. My role is to further the vision of Orangeburg County and to further the vision of Sheriff Leroy Ravenell, she said. Our goals are to align with the sheriffs motto, Were firm, were fair and were consistent, she said. The agencys vision, she said, is To serve the community and do what we need to do to make sure that were addressing crime from all areas. Will we ever eradicate crime? No. Thats not life. Are we working together to reduce it? Absolutely. Do we have all of the answers to it? Absolutely not, she said. We have to be able to be creative in how we meet the needs of our community and making sure that our community does not see us as just the enforcement side, but theres also that preventative side. Theres that awareness side. Theres community policing, she said. What does that look like? We have our advisory board and we take on their considerations, what theyre feeling from the community, she said. During Gibbs pinning service, she recognized a special member of the Orangeburg community her maternal grandmother, Annie Belle Brothers. It was a complete surprise, to Brothers, Gibbs said. She said her grandmother had a longtime dream of being a law enforcement officer and working in victims services, but she wasnt able to go into the profession. At the pinning service, Gibbs helped Ravenell make Brothers an honorary deputy. It was very, very, very special to be able to assist sheriff in making her an honorary deputy on the day of my pinning, she said. Others who were pinned to the command staff that day include Chief of Staff M. Shane McLendon and Captain of Patrol Trevor Clinton. Lt. Dujuan Council was transferred to special operations and Cpl. Robert Russell was promoted to the patrol division. In addition, the agency also swore in two new deputies: Michael Kowalski and John Jamerson. On Oct. 2, it was time for my husband and me to go to Korea. When I think about traveling to my home country, South Korea, my heart feels so happy and joyful. It was so exciting to be on my way to see my family and friends. My excitement was growing by the minute. Our flight left Columbia around 7 and we got to Atlanta around 8 where my excitement continued to grow. We had almost a 4-hour layover in Atlanta until it was time to board the Korean Airline at 11:30. Once we were aboard the plane and settled in our seats, we got ready for the 15-hour flight. The flight went by quickly and after three wonderful meals and a little sleep, we were landing at the Incheon airport. Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival Suwon art performers preparing for the show at the 60th Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival. We were met at the airport by a friend and taken to Suwon, Korea, about one hour away. Suwon is the beautiful city that I have been invited to since 2016 to attend the Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival. This is the 60th year of the Festival. The Festival celebrates the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, showcasing the artisans remarkable craftsmanship, the daily lives, and emotions of the people during the Joseon dynasty and King Jeongios compassionate governing philosophy. The construction of the Fortress was inspired by King Jeongios piety and his vision for developing a strong nation. Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival Artist performing during the 60th Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival. After a wonderful dinner, we checked into our hotel and my excitement of being in my home country kept me awake for most of the night. I was able to rest most of the next day. That evening was the opening ceremony of the festival where I received an award from the mayor for promoting the city of Suwon and the Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival. At this event, I was able to meet many of my friends that I have made over the years in Suwon and it was so good to see them and get to spend time with them. We had a great time together. The next day, I was able to go around and take many pictures around the Fortress and the many events going on. There were beautiful dances and children performing for the many people attending the festival. The final day of the festival was on Monday, Oct. 9, with the Royal Procession to Suwon. This event was a grand recreation of the 8-day royal procession undertaken by the 22nd Monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, King Jeongjo in 1795. This was a beautiful parade with many children and adults involved in the procession. I enjoyed so much being there to take pictures of the whole procession going through the fortress. Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival Suwon art performers preparing to perform at the 60th Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival. I would like to thank the Mayor of Suwon, Lee Jae Joon, and the Chairman of the City Council, Kim Ki Jeong, and the public officials who worked so hard to make the festival a tremendous success. After the festival, we went to Pusan to visit with my family. Pusan is the second largest city in Korea and the city where I was born. We did a lot of sightseeing around Pusan and surrounding areas. It was good to get to eat so much good Korean food. I miss my hometown of Pusan and my family. It was so good to be with my sisters and other family members and being able to spend so much time with them and get to do so many things with them. Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival Media Art show at the iconic Changryongmum Gate, using cutting-edge technology, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle during the 60th Anniversar After being in Suwon and Pusan for a little over a month, it was time to go back home to St. Matthews. I am so thankful for having the opportunity to be able to be with my sweet family and friends, but it is so good to be back home. IN PHOTOS: T&D Photographer covers festival in home country Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival Suwon Cultural Festival GLOBAL growth is expected to remain weak, with the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region projected to experience 2% GDP growth in 2023. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggests that T&Ts economy is on a broad-based recovery path. Explore these and other international, regional and local economic insights from the Chambers Trade & Business Development Unit. THE Merriam-Webster dictionary defines icon as a person or thing widely admired, especially for having great influence or significance in a particular sphere. Subhas Panday believes his brother, Basdeo Panday, was such a person... and then some. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The Ministry of Works and Transport is being asked by citizens why it issued no warning to d By Lee Min-hyung The government is urging the public not to engage in panic buying of urea, saying it has secured more than four months worth of reserves of the organic compound after Chinas latest decision to curb exports to Korea. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Sunday, a Korean company recently signed a contract to import urea for vehicles from Vietnam. This increases the urea reserve here to 4.3 months of use from 3.7 months. We have secured 4.3 months worth of urea reserves, and a total of 5,000 tons of Vietnamese urea will be shipped to Korea no later than the end of next week, Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Chang Young-jin said Sunday during a meeting with a gas station chief in Seoul. Urea is used to reduce emissions from diesel cars and produce agricultural fertilizer. About 97 percent of gas stations nationwide are selling urea without any problems, he said. We have set up a pan-governmental system to thoroughly monitor urea retail conditions, and will take measures to promptly supply urea to gas stations with low reserves. The message is aimed at appeasing deteriorating public sentiment for the governments failure to establish a stable supply chain of urea here after China recently decided to stop urea exports to Korea. Two years earlier, a similar incident took place, pushing diesel vehicle owners to join a buying spree of urea. This was sparked by Koreas heavy reliance on China for urea. Koreas reliance on China for industrial urea used for vehicles tops 90 percent. The figure fell to around 70 percent in 2021 when Korea diversified import channels after suffering a similar setback. But the price competitiveness of Chinese urea ended up increasing Koreas reliance, raising calls for the government to build a mid- to longer-term plan to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The University of Arizona has hired its new assistant vice president and chief of police. Christopher Olson, who has been serving as interim police chief since May 2023, has been hired to lead the UA Police Department officially after an extensive national search, said Steven Patterson, UAs interim vice president and chief safety officer. Patterson wrote that Olson has had a tremendous impact on the University of Arizona Police Department. During his first 10 weeks in the interim role, Olson made structural changes at the UAPD, created a mental health team support officer position, planned a community academy and initiated steps to incorporate a Blue Envelope program to help officers communicate with individuals with autism spectrum disorders during a traffic stop, Patterson wrote. Olson has 31 years of law enforcement experience, including seven years as a member of the UAPD. Before that, he was commander of the Oro Valley Police Departments Field Services Division. He has also worked as an adjunct instructor in the School of Government and Public Policy since 2017. The search advisory committee for police chief was chaired by Laureate Professor Richard Carmona (a retired Pima County sheriffs deputy) and included Lehman Benson, the vice president of Black advancement and engagement at the UA; Monica Prieto, Tucson Police Department deputy chief; Jeri Williams, a retired Phoenix police chief; and Michael Thompson, the police chief at Arizona State University. The four law enforcement professionals on the committee had more than 130 years of combined law enforcement leadership experience, in addition to their academic credentials, Patterson wrote. Olson became interim police chief after former police chief Paula Balafas stepped down this spring after a vote of no confidence from the UA Faculty Senate. Many blamed Balafas for what they called lack of enforcement against a former student before Professor Thomas Meixner was shot and killed on campus in October 2022. Ex-student Murad Dervish, who had sent threatening communications to Meixner and others, is charged with murder in Meixners slaying. Olson came under criticism by some faculty members earlier this fall when he was involved in the promotion of UAPD officer Colin Keating, who had dealt most closely with the Meixner case, from sergeant to lieutenant. UA officials declined to comment on those criticisms at the time of Keatings promotion. At a University of Arizona forum last month, Law School Dean Marc Miller pressed the guest speakers on the issue of the moment. Will the events of Oct. 7 in Israel lead to any change in First Amendment doctrine or free-speech policy on campus? The issue was urgent when Miller asked the question Nov. 15. Two professors in the UA's College of Education had just been suspended after making ill-informed statements on the Israel-Hamas conflict in an early-education class, and having them revealed on Twitter. In the days after the forum, students staged sit-ins at the College of Education to protest the suspensions. Two weeks later, those professors were reinstated but not allowed to teach that class anymore. At the same time, unknown to people outside the law school, an Israeli-American law professor was facing consequences for statements he made in class countering criticisms of Israel. And then came this week. During a congressional hearing, the presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania equivocated about whether statements calling for genocide violate their schools' codes of conduct. It drew outrage from members of Congress and forced the presidents to backtrack the next day. But when the experts in Tucson answered Miller's question about whether the war over there changes First Amendment doctrine or policy on campuses over here, they answered, essentially, "No." "The short answer is it doesnt change the basic doctrine," said former UA Law School Dean Toni Massaro, a First Amendment expert. Eugene Volokh, a UCLA law professor and fellow First Amendment expert, said of campus discussion of the conflict: "This is an issue that need to be freely debated, and I dont think the courts will say 'No, no no, the defense of Hamas is a completely different thing.' " Not to mention, he noted, Arizona has strong and specific protections for such speech on campus thanks in part to the Goldwater Institute and legislative Republicans. A warning letter Business law Prof. Barak Orbach didn't attend the Nov. 15 forum, but the issues discussed, of free speech, hate speech and academic freedom, were haunting his classroom at the time. Orbach is originally from Israel, lost family members in the Holocaust, and is a veteran of the Israeli Defense Forces. He's taught at the University of Arizona for two decades. "I've lived in the United States for 25 years,' he told me. "Ive never thought about antisemitism until Oct. 7." In the aftermath of that horrific attack, before Israeli forces entered Gaza, Orbach began feeling antisemitism's sting, he said. In unexpected conversations with students and colleagues, he heard stereotyping of Jews and blaming Israelis for their victimization, he said. There was little sympathy offered. Then, on Nov. 6, the UA chapter of the National Lawyers Guild put out a fiery anti-Israel letter justifying "resistance" to the country's "settler colonial project." Orbach was shocked by the vehement letter he considered antisemitic and by the tepid response to it from Miller, the law school dean. Miller wrote in a subsequent email, "Speech and protests are protected by the First Amendment, but specific threats and targeted harassment are not." "Our students send horrible antisemitic statements," Orbach said. "The university refuses to denounce it as antisemitic." In his classes the next day, Orbach said, he denounced the National Lawyers Guild letter, discussed his experience in the IDF, and he mentioned a Nov. 1 letter from dozens of big law firms. That letter warned law school deans that they were seeing antisemitism on campus and, in a roundabout way, suggested they wouldn't hire students engaged in it or maybe even from law schools where it was allowed to flourish. You had to read between the lines to catch that warning, but some students apparently felt that Orbach was threatening to sabotage their careers over their opinions on Israel. Orbach says that wasn't his intent, and he doesn't know how many students complained. The law school ended up allowing his students to attend Orbach's classes remotely if they wished and gave his students the right to choose a pass-fail option rather than be graded by him. "Surely I was upset, but I was left in the position that I see such a letter (the National Lawyers Guild letter) and the University doesnt protect me," he said. "Nothing remotely like that would be tolerated if it were said about people of color, about the LGBTQ community, about women," he said. "About Jews its tolerated, because 'Its complicated.' " Perceived double standard If you talk with Leila Hudson, an associate professor of Middle East Studies, you'll hear echoes of Orbach's arguments, but from a different direction. Hudson, a Palestinian-American faculty member and the chair of the UA Faculty Senate, sees room for a stronger code of conduct and calls out what she sees as double standards. Conservatives who previously advocated for free-speech protections on campus in order to defend right-wing speech are less committed to the principle when it comes to defending people's right to defend Palestinians, she said. Indeed, at a legislative hearing Nov. 27, legislators condemned what they called left-wing "indoctrination" by faculty. They also gave a friendly response to a witness who called for the suspension of student groups whom he considers pro-terrorist, as well as the deportation of pro-terrorist students, and the banning of "potentially disruptive events" on campus. "We see it, and we're with you," Sen. Anthony Kern said in response. Said Hudson: "I think theyre willing to make an exception to First Amendment rights in order to try to quash and cancel pro-Palestinian speech and pro-ceasefire speech, and a variety of critiques of the Israeli government." In particular, she said, people have deployed an "expansive" definition of antisemitism to try to quell criticism of Israel's policies and of Zionism more generally. She cited House Resolution 894, which condemns antisemitism and states that "anti-Zionism is antisemitism." "The legislation of meaning, and the use of that legislation to silence in the name of fighting hate, is a pretty slippery slope," she said. Hudson put these concepts into a Dec. 1 letter to all UA faculty that raised protests. The main sticking points were these sentences: "It is important to note that pro-Palestinian sentiments and expressions, calls for a ceasefire in Gaza or an end to US unconditional support for Israel, allegations of genocide, terrorism, war crimes, or critiques of any ideology, government, non-state actor, or state policy or practice are protected speech. "Accusations that the above are, in and of themselves, essentially pro-Hamas, antisemitic, genocidal, or terroristic are problematic and potentially defamatory and have a chilling effect on free expression." The idea that non-Jews get to determine what Jews feel is antisemitic bothered some faculty, including Orbach and a group of five law faculty who sent a letter Friday protesting Hudson's statements to UA Pres. Robert Robbins and the Arizona Board of Regents. So did the vague reference to defamation, which suggested that people who call Hudson or others "antisemitic" could be subject to a lawsuit. But in conversation with me, she defended the idea, saying that hypothetically and in the right circumstances, such a lawsuit could be justified. "I am ready, when and if someone calls me as an anti-Zionist, an antisemite, Im ready to challenge that statement and have it looked at in light of the defamation standards," she said. "As a Palestinian, we would be getting into really weird territory, that in order to be a member of respectable society, I cant criticize the political movement that has killed my family members, dispossessed us, and continues to advocate for that state of affairs." Free speech protected This kind of speech may not be what Arizona's GOP Legislature had in mind when it adopted the Goldwater Institute's model legislation for free speech on campus and passed it into law in 2016 and 2018. At the time, most of the support for the bills came from Republicans worried that conservative speech was being suppressed on campus. But now, the same language is protecting pro-Palestinian speech. "It is not the proper role of an institution of higher education to shield individuals from speech protected by the First Amendment, including, without limitation, ideas and opinions that may be unwelcome, disagreeable or deeply offensive," says one of the paragraphs of those laws. The laws also prohibit "free-speech zones" from being established on campus, defining the whole campus as a free-speech zone. In fact, when I asked Interim Provost Ron Marx the question members of Congress asked university presidents last week, he gave a similar answer to those they offered. "If theres a clear and present threat to a specific group, that would violate the tenets of free speech on our campus," he said. "As noxious as it is, a call for genocide, when its an abstract call, is not actionable." So, for people on campus, the question is not whether you can express your opinion about the Israel-Hamas conflict and all the associated issues, or other topics. You can. Neither the Oct. 7 attack nor any subsequent actions have changed that, and they shouldn't, in my mind. And university administrations are limited in how much they can restrict offensive or even hateful speech. Both Orbach and Hudson think the university can do more in this regard, but I don't think it's a good idea. The Goldwater Institute and GOP got that right. The bigger question is whether, when and how you should speak. After all, you don't have to take a position on a hot issue that you might not know a lot about. At the forum, Massaro called for humility in speaking and proportionality in response to others' mistakes. "We are all so profoundly ignorant," she said, speaking broadly. Yet, she added, "Universities should be safe places for us to learn by speaking without catastrophic consequences for our blinders and our blunders." From losing jobs to foregoing college classes, Tucson moms say their struggle for success comes down to one thing: affordable access to childcare. I was missing work once a week, said Jessica Plumb, a mom of two who lamented about unreliable neighborhood babysitters that were never shy to cancel 30 minutes before her shift as a Walgreens manager. This conundrum weighed heavily on both Plum and her coworkers. A better solution? Enrolling her child in a daycare program, which she was lucky enough to do. The stability of having a daycare center to count on was the only way she could attend class at Pima Community College and work a full-time job of her own. With no family nearby to help, Plum like many of the 474,000 Arizona parents with children ages infant to 5 years old affordable, quality childcare is one of the only options that allows parents to reenter the workforce and contribute financially to their households. I like my job, but I would like to look for something else, as well. To do that I would need to be able to have (6-month-old son Vincent) in childcare. Everything is on hold for me, said Tucson mom Sara Bell. I have to be on hold for him. Instead, Bell, who works from home, makes time for part-time work between naps and feedings. Its not an ideal situation, but one that works for her family. Bell said prices have gone up since her 7-year-old son attended day care centers, leaving Bell with limited options. It didnt make any sense to (enroll Vincent), the exhausted mom explained. Its frustrating. I would like to go back to work but it doesnt make sense to do that because that would mean Im working for basically free. Working toward her masters degree, and taking on internships left and right, 23-year-old Tucson mom Elizabeth Hall is almost on her way to becoming a school counselor, but that dream was almost dashed. I almost had to leave, said Hall, who is already stressing about childcare for when her April internship begins. Its such a shame because Ive come so far to do what I want to do and support my family, Hall said. I will when I graduate, but I cant do that now. Instead of juggling work with childcare and school, a Helios Education Foundation survey of 306 parents released last week shows that nearly 30% of parents end up quitting their jobs. That statistic rises for parents of color and low-income residents. Either I pay what I make (per day) to have my son raised by someone else, or I stay home and dont work. Either way I end up losing so much of my income anyways, Hall said. It would be very helpful to have some help with that. Luckily, Plum has found a way to afford childcare for her 4-year-old. Pima Community College, where she attends, has partnered with local daycare centers to help provide affordable access to childcare. Pima Community College pays a portion of Plums daycare costs. The rest of the cost is covered by a scholarship awarded by the center. Without those avenues of support, college wouldnt be an option. I just wouldnt go (to work), Plum said. But that wouldnt work. Despite her husband working full-time, if Plum leaves her job there just wouldnt be enough money to go around, she said. Lack of affordable childcare options is not just an inconvenience for parents in this state. It is holding back our economy, said Michael Guymon, President and CEO of the Tucson Chamber of Commerce. Parents need care for their children so they can go to work or school. Parents need to know that their children are well cared for in a quality setting and employers want a workforce that can focus on work. So, whether its skipping shifts, dropping out of class, or forgoing that job, moms have seen the grave impact unaffordable childcare has had on their lives. Im really freaking out now. Im not sure Ill be able to do my internship in April, said student and mother Sara Bell. My options are pretty short. PHOENIX Scottsdale police did nothing wrong in arresting the owner of a restaurant for violating one of Gov. Doug Duceys executive orders on COVID, a federal appeals court has ruled. In a split decision, the majority of the three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said police had probable cause to take Randon Miller into custody after having observed people dining in his Sushi Brokers restaurant. Judge Ronald Gould, writing the main opinion, said that violated a March 19, 2020, order that restaurants be closed for on-site dining until further notice. And he said there was evidence that police officers had visited the restaurant on March 20 and 27 to warn Miller of violations. But Judge Bumatay said the problem is that Miller wasnt arrested until April 11. He noted that Ducey had enacted another executive order on March 30 setting out a physical distancing policy. And, more to the point, Bumatay said the order said that prior to any enforcement action, a person shall be notified and given an opportunity to comply. What makes all that relevant, he said, is even Scottsdale admitted that those earlier executive orders applied only to businesses and not persons. So if the argument was that Sushi Brokers was violating those orders, there was no legal reason or authority to arrest Miller, only to cite the business. But if the city is saying it was the March 30 order that applied and allowed police to arrest Miller, then Bumatay said his rights were violated because he was never warned between that date and the date of his arrest about violating that specific order. And that would make the arrest a violation of constitutional prohibitions about enacting ex post facto laws meaning laws that apply retroactively. So, in either case, Miller should not have been arrested, he said. The dissenting judge did not dispute arguments by his colleagues that COVID-19 constituted a public health emergency and that states can respond. Even so, the Constitution does not simply lay dormant during those times, Bumatay wrote. Simply put, an emergency does not authorize government officials to abandon the protections of the Constitution. And theres something else of note. Prosecutors dropped the charges. So there never was a legal finding as to whether how Sushi Brokers was operating actually ran afoul of Duceys order. The case wound up in federal court because Miller filed suit against the city and the police officer who arrested him, claiming they had violated his civil rights. Gould, in the main opinion, said this was an unusual situation. The COVID-19 pandemic was a threat unlike any in recent times, he wrote. Health officials traditionally have broad discretion, through legislation and upon review by courts, to take actions to stem the transmission of a contagious disease. Gould was apparently willing to give Scottsdale a bit more latitude, given the nature of the situation. Such deference is at its height for measure taken, as here, during the early stages of a pandemic, when local governmental officials have limited knowledge about a novel disease and yet must nonetheless act to prevent the loss of lives, he said. And in this situation, Gould said, there was enough evidence to allow police to make a reasonable assumption that the law and executive orders were being violated. He said Christian Bailey, the officer who made the April 11 arrest, had been advised that other officers from his department had visited the restaurant the prior month. Then there were the observations of a different officer on April 10 who said he saw 10 people in the restaurant, including four who left without to-go bags, a woman inside eating with chopsticks, and two men drinking outside who later went back in. Gould said the fact that Miller had not been given notice of the violations before the arrest, as required in Duceys March 30 order, is irrelevant. Miller was arrested for the exact same behavior for which he had received previous warnings, Gould wrote. And he said all three instances involved enforcement of the same generic law that gave Ducey the power to issue executive orders during an emergency. Gould also said courts, when looking at claims of a violation of civil rights, have to look at the issue from more than the perspective of Miller. The governments interest is also significant, he said. We reiterate as a general rule of law that in the midst of a dangerous health emergency, we must ensure the proper deference is given to local government officials, Gould continued. Law enforcement officials enforcing laws enacted under the guidance of public health officials are no exception. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: As children we were comforted by parents who assured us after being teased that sticks and stones will break our bones, but names will never hurt us. Few pieces of advice could have been further from the truth. The poet shapes language that touches our deepest romantic instincts, while many of the same words can be manipulated to cause pain and incite conflict. The current bloodshed in Gaza has its roots in what diplomats know as the Balfour Declaration, written by a British Prime Minister grasping for words that would simultaneously satisfy Jewish leaders and secure financial support for Britains military, while stopping short of making enemies of Arabs throughout the region. Instead, Balfour initiated a massive migration of Jewish settlers into Palestine, pushing out the local Arab population. The language of the Balfour Declaration was simultaneously far-reaching and fatefully vague, and a century later, the Middle East remains consumed in the battle over land rights of Israelis and Palestinians. Words do matter! There was nothing vague about the words Hitler and Mussolini used as they preached their philosophy of fascism. Their approach was to use words that destroyed perceived adversaries. They became radicals and scum. Their methods included selling the idea that truth was a relative concept, not an absolute defined by historical evidence. Those who believed science and morality overrode the pronouncements of Hitler, for example, were termed enemies of the state. Military defeats in World War I were blamed on phantom scapegoats. According to Hitler, Germans were a special race whose bloodline must remain pure. Those with physical and mental illness were rounded up, first put in institutions and eventually killed. Jews came next, their mass executions were justified because they were not human, but vermin. Once again the power of words, of names, justified violence and murder. Its time for Americans to realize that fascism has come to our shores wearing the disguise of MAGA-Republicans. Already they control the House of Representatives where thugs like Rep. Jim Jordan and Marjorie Taylor Greene spend their days scheming against enemies of democracy. Better they look in the mirror along with at least half of their MAGA colleagues. Even the new speaker, Mike Johnson, who has the modest demeanor of Mr. Peepers, holds revolutionary views on taking down our central government. Of course, the crucial figure in Americas flirtation with fascism is former president Donald Trump. Apparently it will take more than one election to rid the country of the threat he poses. The only certainty about Trump, if re-elected, is he will use all the power of the presidency to punish opponents. Trump no longer disguises his growing attachment to Nazi ideology with the help of speech writers. He speaks straight from the chest. According to the Hill Newspaper, the former president recently promised a New Hampshire crowd that he intended to root out the Marxists, communists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country. He told another crowd that immigrants are spoiling our bloodline. These words can also be found in Hitlers infamous political blueprint Mein Kampf. When it was published in 1925, most establishment Germans thought the Nazis and their leader were spinning their wheels, and that their worst impulses could be interdicted. They were wrong! A century later, the haunted echoes of our worst tragedies threaten to be drowned out by the grinding non-stop din of social media, cable news and the malign exertions of power brokers whose interest in their personal fortunes outstrip their commitment to liberal democracy. Those echoes are only too present in every fraudulent and polarizing utterance of Trump and his MAGA cabal. We need to listen to their words and take them seriously. Should we fail to do so, the end result will be far worse than sticks and stones. c Israel's military pushed ahead with its punishing air and ground offensive in Gaza on Saturday, bolstered by a U.S. veto derailing U.N. Security Council efforts to end the war and word that an emergency sale of $106 million worth of tank ammunition had been approved by Washington. Unable to leave Gaza, a territory 25 miles (40 kilometers) long by about 7 miles (11 kilometers) wide, more than 2 million Palestinians faced more bombardment Saturday, even in areas that Israel had described as safe zones. The sale of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition was announced a day after the U.S. vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, a measure that had wide international support. The U.S. said Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined that an emergency exists in the national interest requiring the immediate sale, meaning it bypasses congressional review. Such a determination is rare. A day after Israel confirmed it was rounding up Palestinian men for interrogation, some men released Saturday told The Associated Press they had been treated badly, providing the first accounts of the conditions from the detentions. Osama Oula said Israeli troops had pulled men out of a building in the Shujaiyah area of Gaza City, ordering them to the street in their underwear. Oula said Israeli forces bound him and others with zip ties, beat them for several days and gave them little water to drink. Ahmad Nimr Salman showed his hands, marked and swollen from the zip ties, and said older men with diabetes or high blood pressure were ignored when they asked soldiers to remove their ties. He said the troops asked, Are you with Hamas? We say no, then they would slap us or kick us." He said his 17-year-old son Amjad is still held by the troops. The group was released after five days and told to walk south. Ten freed detainees arrived at a hospital in Deir al-Balah on Saturday after flagging down an ambulance. The Israeli military had no immediate comment when asked about the alleged abuse. With the war in its third month, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 17,700, the majority women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Two hospitals in central and southern Gaza received the bodies of 133 people from Israeli bombings over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry said midday Saturday. Israel holds the Hamas militants responsible for civilian casualties, accusing them of using civilians as human shields, and says it has made considerable efforts with evacuation orders to get civilians out of harms way. It says 97 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive after Hamas raided southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 240 hostages . Hamas said Saturday that it continued its rocket fire into Israel. In Gaza, residents reported airstrikes and shelling, including in the southern city of Rafah near the Egyptian border one area where the Israeli army had told civilians to go. In a colorful classroom there, knee-high children's tables were strewn with rubble. We now live in the Gaza Strip and are governed by the American law of the jungle. America has killed human rights," said Rafah resident Abu Yasser al-Khatib. In northern Gaza, Israel has been trying to secure the militarys hold, despite heavy resistance from Hamas. The military said that it found weapons inside a school in Shujaiyah, a densely populated neighborhood of Gaza City, and that, in a separate incident, militants shot at troops from a U.N.-run school in the northern town of Beit Hanoun. More than 2,500 Palestinians have been killed since the Dec. 1 collapse of a weeklong truce, about two-thirds of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The truce saw hostages and Palestinian prisoners released, but Israel says 137 hostages remain in Gaza. On Saturday, a kibbutz that came under attack on Oct. 7 said 25-year-old hostage Sahar Baruch had died in captivity. His captors said Baruch was killed during a failed rescue mission by Israeli forces Friday. The Israeli military said Hamas killed him. With no new cease-fire in sight and humanitarian aid reaching little of Gaza, residents reported severe food shortages. Nine of 10 people in northern Gaza reported spending at least one full day and night without food, according to a World Food Program assessment during the truce. Two of three people in the south said the same. The WFP called the situation alarming. I am very hungry, said Mustafa al-Najjar, sheltering in a U.N.-run school in the devastated Jabaliya refugee camp in the north. We are living on canned food and biscuits and this is not sufficient. While adults can cope, its extremely difficult and painful when you see your young son or daughter crying because they are hungry, he said. Israelis who had been taken hostage also saw the food situation deteriorate, the recently freed Adina Moshe told a rally of thousands of people in Tel Aviv seeking the rapid return of all. "We ended up eating only rice, said Moshe, who was held for 49 days. The rally speakers accused Israel's government of not doing enough to bring loved ones home. "How can I sleep at night? How can I protect my daughter? asked Eli Albag, the father of 18-year-old hostage Liri Albag. On Saturday, 100 trucks carrying unspecified aid entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, said Wael Abu Omar, a spokesman for the Palestinian Crossings Authority. That is still well below the daily average before the war. Despite growing international pressure, President Joe Biden's administration remains opposed to an open-ended cease-fire, arguing it would enable Hamas to continue posing a threat to Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has argued that a cease-fire is handing a prize to Hamas." Blinken continued to speak with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and elsewhere amid open criticism of the U.S. stance. From now on, humanity wont think the U.S.A. supports the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech. Protesters at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai called for a cease-fire, despite restrictions on demonstrations. Amid concerns about a wider conflict, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen threatened to prevent any ship heading to Israeli ports from passing through the Red Sea and Arabian Sea until food and medicine can enter Gaza freely. Spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a speech that all ships heading to Israel, no matter their nationality, will be a target. Meanwhile, Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group claimed responsibility for nine attacks on Saturday, saying one targeted an Israeli post near the town of Metula. The Israeli army said one of its fighter jets struck a Hezbollah operational command center in Lebanon. The U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon said the tower of one of its bases along the border with Israel was hit during the skirmishes, with no injuries. In southern Gaza, thousands were on the run after what residents called a night of heavy gunfire and shelling. Israel has designated a narrow patch of barren southern coastline, Muwasi, as a safe zone. But Palestinians described desperately overcrowded conditions with scant shelter and no toilets. They faced an overnight temperature of around 11 degrees Celsius (52 degrees Fahrenheit). I am sleeping on the sand. Its freezing, said Soad Qarmoot, who described herself as a cancer patient forced to leave her home in the northern town of Beit Lahiya. As she spoke, her children huddled around a fire. (AP) Tim Stanley Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Tim Stanley Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Several of Tulsas most distinguished female leaders have been singled out for an annual honor. Winners of the 2024 Pinnacle Awards were announced last week, along with the recipient of the Anna C. Roth Legacy Award. This years Pinnacle Award winners are Susan Neal, arts and humanities; Martha Zapata, community service; Molly Jarvis, corporate business; Ebony Johnson, education; Lorena Rivas, entrepreneur; Anne Bogie, health and wellness; and Brandi Payton, rising star. KKT Architects was selected as corporate champion, with Gail Lapidus receiving the Roth Legacy Award. Mayor G.T. Bynum, who announced the winners, said, Our Pinnacle Award winners are extraordinary women who have demonstrated leadership in our community. As mayor of Tulsa, I am grateful for their service as professionals and volunteers, working to make Tulsa a better place. YWCA CEO Julie Davis added: The women we are honoring represent the Tulsa community as a whole resilient, innovative, and community-centered. We are excited to elevate their accomplishments at this years Pinnacle Awards. All nine honorees will be celebrated at the annual Pinnacle Awards, set for March 28, 2024, at the Cox Business Convention Center. The event honors the investment that women are making in Tulsa and financially supports the work of YWCA Tulsa to empower women and eliminate racism Pinnacle Awards sponsorships and tickets are available now. For more information, contact Kyle Rutledge at krutledge@ywcatulsa.org. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Barbara Hoberock Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Barbara Hoberock Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Related content Meet the other Tulsans of the Year OKLAHOMA CITY Attorney General Gentner Drummond wasted no time making good on the vows he made as a candidate. He has aggressively gone after illegal medical marijuana growers and worked to restore the states relationship with the tribes. His office recently announced it had worked to remove 36 tons of black-market marijuana and 77,363 untraceable and untagged marijuana plants, along with firearms. While the states relationship with the tribes soured under Gov. Kevin Stitt, Drummond has worked to restore it. Oklahoma tribes were here before we were Oklahoma, Drummond said. We need to treat our tribal nations with respect and dignity. We have a lot of division and polarizing rhetoric that is not helpful and is counter-productive to ensuring Oklahoma has a bright and prosperous future. His actions in office show a willingness to tackle positions at odds with Stitt and others. The governor and I agree on most issues, he said. I am not standing up to anyone. I am standing for the rule of law. I cant speak for other statewide officials, but I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the state. I take it seriously. Sure, there will be disagreements, but I choose to stand with the law. Drummond interceded to represent the state in a lawsuit over allegedly unlawful tribal gaming compacts signed by Stitt, telling the governor Oklahomas relationship with our tribal partners has suffered greatly as a result of your divisive rhetoric and refusal to follow the law. He has butted heads with Stitt and controversial State Superintendent Ryan Walters for trying to use public dollars to fund a religious Catholic charter school. He filed suit against the states virtual charter board for approving an application for St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School after calling it a blatantly misguided endeavor and waste of our tax dollars. Drummond turned heads when he dismissed the charges against state Rep. Terry ODonnell and his wife, saying they were politically motivated by former Attorney General Mike Hunter. ODonnell had disagreed with Hunters handling of a settlement with drug maker Purdue. The ODonnells were accused of illegally using his influence as a lawmaker and member of House leadership to facilitate the transfer of a tag agency earning about $100,000 a year to Teresa ODonnell from her late mother, who died in 2019. This is not to say that I find you blameless or endorse your conduct, Drummond said at the time. I question your judgment in authoring legislation that resulted in benefit for your family. On May 26, 2021, Hunter announced he was resigning as attorney general. Stitt appointed John OConnor to the spot. Drummond defeated OConnor in the 2022 Republican primary with 50.87% of the vote and won the general election. Hunter defeated Drummond in the 2018 primary runoff for attorney general with 50.05% of the vote. Drummond has also been an advocate for open records. He has staff dedicated to responding to open records requests and assisting state agencies in following the law. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Tulsa World Scene podcast: Previewing Christmas performances, events and more Related: Meet the other Tulsans of the Year Corey Jones Public Service Journalism Team Follow Corey Jones Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the parents of a 24-year-old who died in a motorcycle wreck while fleeing from a state troopers traffic violation stop have agreed to a settlement, dismissing a wrongful death lawsuit. Collin Carpenter died the night of May 1, 2022, at Haikey Creek Park in Broken Arrow after missing a curve in the roadway and crashing into a tree at a high speed. The lawsuit claimed that Carpenters death was negligent because Trooper Henry Perryman drove recklessly in a completely unnecessary pursuit that began because of a speeding violation witnessed by a different agency that later aborted its chase as too dangerous. The Highway Patrol rebutted with case law precedent to argue that the trooper owed no duty of care to the decedent. The plaintiffs on Monday dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning that it cant be refiled. The settlement dollar figure is $2,500, according to the states Office of Management and Enterprise Services. James McAuliff, attorney for Carpenters family, said state lawmakers need to change statutes specifically to require that law enforcement use reasonable care in chases. In video of the aftermath, McAuliff said he could tell that Perryman was noticeably upset about what transpired. When other law enforcement break off for safety and the trooper is ride or die, thats a philosophy that needs to be tempered, McAuliff said. The only way you temper it is with a change in legislation and the law. Owasso Police the initiating agency called off its chase because of the dangers. Tulsa Police turned down the troopers request for officers to join him after learning the chase was prompted by an alleged speeding violation, according to police records and dispatch audio. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol didnt acknowledge nor respond to questions submitted for this story. An OHP command staff review unanimously voted in March that there were no policy violations in the chase. In previous court filings, OHP highlighted a 2014 Oklahoma Supreme Court decision that states, Law Enforcement Officers engaged in police pursuits do not owe a duty of care to the suspect being pursued and that motorists have an affirmative duty to stop when directed to do so by law enforcement. Before the settlement, the plaintiffs had voluntarily dismissed their public nuisance allegations against the Highway Patrol for a pattern of pursuit deaths. OHP argued that its pursuits cant be deemed a public nuisance because state law allows troopers to exceed speed limits and drive through controlled intersections when chasing eluders. OHP cited a state statute: Nothing which is done or maintained under the express authority of a statute can be deemed a nuisance. Secretive posture The silence surrounding her sons case prompted Julie Carpenter to contact a Tulsa World journalist in March. She hadnt seen his death reported in previous World articles about deadly OHP chases nor news of it reported anywhere publicly nearly a year after it happened. Julie Carpenter had a four-page collision report written by a Highway Patrol investigator that made no mention of the troopers ongoing pursuit at the time of her sons fatal crash. Carpenters parents questioned why OHP chose to keep chasing at high speeds after two local law enforcement agencies decided against doing so. Some top policing researchers and strategists say that if a violent crime isnt involved eluding itself doesnt count then chases arent worth their risks. It started with Collin, but there were multiple adults who could have stopped this situation, Julie Carpenter previously told the Tulsa World from her home, which is fewer than 5 miles from where her youngest child died. One bad decision doesnt define who my son was. Oklahoma Highway Patrols secretive posture continued after the Tulsa World filed an open records request and the agency produced only 18 pages of documents: a four-page case summary and 14-page computer-aided dispatch transcript. By comparison, the agency had furnished anywhere from about 130 to 500 pages of documents in each of nine other of its fatal pursuit cases since the World filed litigation against OHP in 2020 for failure to hand over use-of-force records. Each of those other nine cases had either a major case or death case investigative file of documents but OHP didnt provide either of those types of files in the Carpenter case. Neither Sarah Stewart, public information officer, nor Christa Alderman, assistant general counsel, answered questions from the World about the lack of documentation. However, the Worlds open records request did unexpectedly turn up video of the chase after OHP had told the Carpenter familys attorney that the troopers cruiser didnt have an in-car recording system. The Tulsa World again tapped its attorney, who later prompted OHP to turn over documents 258 pages in total, plus scene photographs that it had originally refused to provide. OHP didnt interview trooper Those records revealed that OHP apparently didnt interview Perryman about his pursuit despite the chase ending in Carpenters death, instead taking only a written statement from him. Of 11 OHP fatal pursuit cases for which the World has the case files, eight cases featured detective interviews with the pursuing troopers. Two, including the Carpenter case, only involved written statements from pursuing troopers. One case had no interviews with nor statements from pursuing troopers. OHPs traffic collision report marked Drugs/DUI as a contributing factor in Carpenters crash despite apparently not asking for follow-up testing on an unconfirmed finding of cannabinoids in his autopsy, which the Medical Examiners report stated are results only for informational use and should not be used in legal proceedings. The Highway Patrol didnt respond to questions about why Perryman wasnt interviewed nor why an unconfirmed finding of cannabinoids prompted the agency investigator to declare that driving under the influence was a factor in the deadly crash. An investigators case summary found that at no time did Carpenter drive in a manner so gross or negligible as to warrant Perryman aborting the chase, concluding that the dangers posed to the public, Perryman and Carpenter were low. The investigator wrote that Perryman didnt pressure Carpenter into operating his motorcycle past his capabilities and that Perryman maintained a safe distance. Owasso Police canceled its pursuit because risk of great bodily harm was present when the motorcyclist began weaving through southbound U.S. 169 traffic at 115 mph also alerting Highway Patrol dispatch that officers had indeed called it off, according to police and dispatch records. Perryman soon saw a motorcycle driving the opposite direction on northbound U.S. 169 that matched the general description offered by Owasso Police. Perryman observed Carpenter improperly cross a line while exiting and improperly overtake a vehicle by using the shoulder, giving chase after Carpenter failed to yield for a traffic stop. OHP pursuit policy requires troopers to promote the safety of all persons and immediately discontinue a chase when its hazards to the public, troopers or suspect outweigh the benefits of apprehension based on the known offense or offenses. The decision to discontinue or cease vehicular pursuit operations without further intervention may be the most rational means of preserving the lives and property of the public, the (trooper), and the suspect, OHP policy states. The Tulsa Worlds ongoing investigation of the Highway Patrols deadly pursuits and shootings has uncovered reckless trooper actions, shoddy record-keeping, failure to address alarming concerns expressed by commanders, and unwillingness to formally review several fatal chases despite red flags. In a six-year span, 21 people were killed in 17 Oklahoma Highway Patrol vehicular pursuits all but one of which were prompted by traffic infractions or stolen property, according to the Worlds investigation. At least 10 individuals killed in Highway Patrol pursuits werent the eluding drivers. Five were uninvolved motorists, at least four were passengers in fleeing vehicles, and one was an OHP lieutenant on foot struck by another troopers cruiser at high speed. No troopers have been disciplined in any of the deadly chases. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Randy Krehbiel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today U.S. Sen. James Lankford appeared still committed to negotiating a national security package that includes changes in border policy and money for Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine, despite what was generally reported as a midweek setback. This is not the end, Lankford told reporters after his bill failed a procedural vote on Wednesday. As things developed, the vote may have been a signal to both the White House and to Republican hardliners that serious negotiations would be necessary for anyone to get any part of what they wanted. Almost immediately, President Joe Biden said he would be open to discussions. I see that as a significant sign that he understands, hey, this is a holistic package, said Lankford. Weve been talking about national security. Its got to all be there, Lankford said. Lankford also said House Republicans, and some in the Senate, are not going to get everything they want, either. H.R. 2 (House Republicans immigration bill) didnt get a single Democrat vote in the House, Lankford told Punch Bowl News. I have to get 20 Democrat votes here (in the Senate). If the House is going to say it has to be our bill that we got zero Democrats on but I need you to go get 20 over in your body, thats not rational. Thats not how things work. The Democrats lead negotiator, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, sounded much less optimistic after the vote. If the room is just a forum to make unreasonable demands, Ive got other things I can do with my time, he said. But by Thursday he and Lankford were communicating again. The White House made a very clear statement: Hey, lets actually get something resolved, Ukraines too important not to be able to do this, Lankford told NBC. So I did think it was helpful for him to be able to make that statement, and I reciprocated right back to the White House: I hear you. Were not trying to be able to overask either. Lankford is scheduled to appear on CBS Face the Nation at 9:30 a.m. Sunday; Murphy will be over at NBC, on Meet the Press at 9 a.m. Never mind: Former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheneys new book says Republican House leadership, including 4th District Congressman Tom Cole, held former President Donald Trump responsible for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and thought it likely he would be impeached because of it. During a conference call, Cheney says: Tom Cole spoke up. Tom had served in Congress since 2003, and members valued his insight and judgment. He said the Rules Committee had already begun looking at the grounds for impeachment, anticipating that any articles would have to move through Rules first before being voted on by the full House. He wanted everyone to be aware that there were real grounds here for impeachment. Cheney said Cole sent her a memo for an attorney who was a senior Republican staffer on the Rules Committee. In the cover note, the staffer explained that, having analyzed the impeachment power, the facts of the case, and the application of those facts to the constitutional requirements, my conclusion, which I do not take lightly, is that I believe that President Trumps actions on January 6 constitute a high crime and misdemeanor within the meaning of Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution, and therefore constitute an impeachable offense. Ultimately, Cole voted against impeachment and against certifying the election results. The greatest function of a representative is being elected to represent the views of ones constituency, he said concerning the latter. The voters I represent are not concerned about the fairness of elections in Oklahoma. However, they are concerned about fairness and transparency in other states. They have asked me to express their concerns with my vote on the floor today, and as their representative, I intend to do so. Bad karma: In a somewhat related vein, Cole told the Los Angeles Times that former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who said last week he will soon resign from Congress, was shamefully mistreated by the House and especially the fellow Republicans who forced him out this fall. His removal was ridiculous, Cole said. And I think those that voted that way and were responsible for it, particularly on our side, ought to think long and hard of the damage they inflicted to the institution and to our conference. Separately, 1st District Congressman Kevin Hern talked with Axios about McCarthys departure, which along with New York Republican George Santos expulsion, further narrows the GOPs slim majority. It emboldens some individuals with a specific issue to hold up and stop the entire process, said Hern. Its certainly concerning for our new leadership and them trying to get things done for getting our government back on track. Proxy wars: U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin said the creation of a U.S. Navy task force in the Red Sea is a step in the right direction but called for stronger measurers, including perhaps the sinking of some Iranian vessels. We could easily take out some of their ships and stop this harrassment, Mullin told Fox News. The task force is a response to around 80 drone attacks from Iran-backed forces in Yemen in less than two months. The attacks seem to be linked to Israels invasion of Gaza after Iranian-supported Hamas raiders from the Palestinian enclave killed some 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7. We dont have to respond to every slingshot, but when we respond it should be extremely meaningful, Mullin said. We should take out important assets. We can do that. In late November, the U.S. said one of its drones killed five Iranian-backed militia members in a preemptive strike in northern Iraq. Family time: Fifth District Congresswoman Stephanie Bice took her bipartisan campaign for universal paid family leave to the Ripon Society, a Republican organization, and the centrist Franklin Center for Global Policy Exchange. I would say theres a lot of interest in this topic not only on our side, but on the Senate side, Bice said. Youve had several Senators working on different initiatives. Some have been sort of palatable, some have not, but they are very engaged and want to be part of the conversation. Do we think itll be easy? No, we do not. We recognize fully that this is going to be a challenge. Friendly persuasion: Mullin had an interesting take on the rash of retirements from the House. He speculated it may be something of a domino effect among friends. Those relationships matter, said Mullin, who served 10 years in the House. And as you lose relationships, sometimes you just dont have the energy to go back through and rebuild them all. Dots and dashes: Hern and 2nd District Congressman Josh Brecheen are among co-sponsors of legislation to end birthright citizenship, a move that would almost certainly draw constitutional challenges. Cole said he was not surprised that budget hawks who revolted against McCarthys spending agreement with the White House now seem more open to accepting it, and later told Roll Call he favored sticking to the $1.59 trillion total spending agreement without anything thats added on top of it, either as designated emergency spending, or side deals, or whatever. Mullin told Fox Business that Trump doesnt sound like a dictator to me. Hern repeated his call for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas impeachment. Oklahomas Congressional delegation asked the Department of Defense why it isnt drilling for oil and gas on the McAlester Army Ammunition Plants 45,000 acres. Trenton Kissee, Muscogee Nation director of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was named to the first U.S. Department of Agriculture Tribal Advisory Board. Third District Congressman Frank Lucas was among Republicans objecting to the USDAs distribution of disaster relief funds, which they say gives preference to those deemed socially disadvantaged over others with greater financial losses. Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa World The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Randy Krehbiel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Gross out: Total revenue to the Oklahoma treasury continued to trend slightly lower in November, state Treasurer Todd Russ reported. Gross revenue for the month was $1.3 billion, about 2% less than the same month a year ago and 8% less than October. Gross revenue is all taxes paid to the treasury, including those returned to taxpayers as refunds and rebates. For November, income tax receipts were up 7% over the previous year while the other major revenue source, sales and use taxes, were flat. Gross production tax receipts were down almost 30%. The sales and use figures could be troubling for municipalities, who derive most of their operating budgets from those taxes. Wide load: The Oklahoma Corporation Commission took issue with a recommendation to shift most enforcement of trucking regulations from the OCC to the Department of Safety. In a joint statement, the three commissioners said the recommendation by the State Task Force on Motor Carrier Regulation will do nothing more than result in a rash of unintended consequences that will cost taxpayers millions, hamper Oklahomas trucking industry and put at risk the multibillion-dollar investment in the states road and bridge infrastructure. Instead, the OCC recommends a cooperative memorandum of understanding between the two agencies and raising the fines for overweight loads to a level comparable to surrounding states with the additional revenue going to DPS safety programs, with the additional revenue allocated to DPS to hire additional officers for its safety programs. Campaigns and elections: State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Bird endorsed former President Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination. Meetings and events: The Oklahoma Republican Partys Christmas party will be 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at state headquarters, 4031 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City. Tulsa County Democrats potluck Christmas party will be 5 p.m. Saturday at the party headquarters, 3930 E. 31st St. Tippling tumult: Restaurant, hotel and travel industry associations are upset about what they say is a change in the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commissions application of a law prohibiting licensees and their employees from drinking on the job. The Oklahoma Restaurant Association, the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association and the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association say that until now ABLE has made an exception for training. Rood and beverage pairing is a vital skill in the hospitality industry, the associations said in a joint statement. Sharp knives: The high dudgeon engendered by the Middle East war reached the Oklahoma House of Representatives, with one member vowing to seek the expulsion of a colleague he deemed a supporter of Hamas. I find it inconceivable and astonishing that any elected official would participate and support the baby killing, kidnapping rapists known as Hamas, said state Rep. J.J. Humphrey, R-Lane. Humphrey apparently was referring to Rep. Mauree Turner, D-Oklahoma City, the Legislatures only Muslim (and non-binary) member. Turner reportedly participated in a two-day hunger strike in support of a permanent cease fire in Gaza, where Israeli forces are carrying out a retaliatory offensive following Hamas Oct. 7 raid that resulted in 1,200 deaths, almost all civilians, and the taking of several hundred hostages. About 16,000 Palestinians, mostly, are believed to have been killed in the Israeli offensive. Apparently alluding to Turners gender identity, Humphrey added, These shameless supporters of Hamas also are champions of LGTBQ+ and other sexual deviant causes that Hamas directly opposes. Are they so unenlightened they do not understand Hamas would execute them for these very beliefs? Turner did not respond to a request for comment. Paging pages: Applications are being accepted at https://former.okhouse.gov/Pages/ for the Oklahoma House of Representatives page program. Bottom lines: Gov. Kevin Stitt was named policy chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Stitt appointed Cleveland County Special Judge Lynne McGuire, a former prosecutor, to a vacant district judge position. Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa World The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. President and CEO Jensen Huang of U.S. multinational chipmaker Nvidia, accompanied by some Nvidia senior officials, arrived in Hanoi on Saturday in preparation for discussions on cooperation deals on semiconductors with Vietnamese tech companies and authorities on Monday, according to a source of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. The talks, coordinated by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, are scheduled to take place at the National Innovation Center in the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi, between the Nvidia delegation, led by CEO Huang, and representatives of the Vietnamese government and tech firms, news site VnExpress reported, citing a document from the ministry. The discussions will center on fostering the semiconductor industry in Vietnam and Nvidias potential partnerships with Vietnamese tech firms, the ministry revealed. An industry source familiar with the preparations for the talks told Reuters that Nvidia was expected to reach a tech transfer deal with at least one Vietnamese company. Three leading Vietnamese conglomerates, including technology firm FPT, Vingroup the parent company of electric vehicle maker Vinfast and military-run telecom group Viettel said they would attend the discussions, but declined to comment on any possible deal with Nvidia. Nvidia, based in Californias Silicon Valley, is the leading American manufacturer of artificial intelligence (AI) chips and graphics processing units, with its current market capitalization topping US$1,100 billion. In Vietnam, Nvidia is a leading AI server provider, which has cooperated with top local technology companies to deploy AI in the cloud, automotive, and healthcare industries. The chipmaking group has also signed a cooperation agreement with Viettel with a view to becoming a partner of Vietnam in improving the countrys AI capability. The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology is looking into the development of a supercomputing system using Nvidias A100 chip to support the deployment of the latest AI solutions. According to Japans Nikkei Asia newspaper, the Nvidia CEO is on a business trip to several Southeast Asian countries. I have great confidence in Southeast Asia, Huang told reporters when he arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, one day before he headed for Vietnam. He underlined that the region will be a very important technology location, as it is already quite excellent at packaging, assembly, battery manufacturing, and very good at many aspects of the technology supply chain, Nikkei Asia reported. Huangs working trip was undertaken nearly three months after Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Nvidias headquarters on September 18 during his trip to the U.S. for the General Debate of the 78th United Nations General Assembly and other activities. On that occasion, PM Chinh invited Huang to visit Vietnam and called on Nvidia to set up a chip factory in Vietnam soon, as well as use the Southeast Asian nation as its business base in the region. Vietnam is now home to large chip assembly and packaging factories of many chip giants, including Intel. Some Vietnamese tech firms have recently ventured into chip design and manufacturing, eyeing a more integral role in the global semiconductor supply chain in order to build a national semiconductor ecosystem. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Editor's note: Australian Ray Kuschert made a 17-minute video in which he detailed his idea to build a 'friendship wall' in the middle of Ho Chi Minh City with which visitors can interact. The entry was submitted to the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Symbol Design Contest, being jointly held by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association, and INSEE Cement Company. It is organized to enhance and broaden the friendly and cooperative ties between Ho Chi Minh City and its twin cities worldwide. The contest is aligned with the goal of showcasing creativity in fostering foreign affairs, trade, cultural exchange, and engagement in global issues. This project, which presents the friendly and cooperative relationships between Ho Chi Minh City and 58 localities worldwide, is expected to be customizable as the city plans to continue establishing friendships with more cities around the world. The proposed location for this project is Lam Son Park, situated on Le Loi Boulevard, in front of the Municipal Theater in District 1. Ray Kuschert's presentation on his entry for the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Symbol Design Contest. Below is Tuoi Tre News brief of Kuscherts video: My idea is to put a wall, and for the basic wall construction, I have two suggestions: Option number one would be a basic, simple square wall structure or it also could have a slight arch on it, which goes high at one end and low at the other. But basically, it'd be a flat wall. The other option would be to have a big concrete pillar. Option number two has a big concrete pillar in the middle with the walls dropping off on both sides. A screenshot from Ray Kuschert's video shows his two options for the wall. The concept What we're looking at here is a very interactive monument, something that people could come and personally interact with. So whether it's a square wall or a more rhombus-shaped structure, it would be run by an app, and the monument would actually have a lot of mechanics inside. A screenshot from Ray Kuschert's video shows his illustration on how the frienship monument operates. As illustrated in the above photo, the idea is to have balls, and the balls would drop down and drop into the name of the city, which is located on the wall. So in the blue box, there would be balls, or either at the top, or it could also be underground. There would be a top tube that carries the balls. So as a ball drops out, the ball will run along a clear perspex tube, and everyone can see the ball rolling down each down tube. Each down tube would carry the name of one of the friendship cities. My idea would be to have an underground system that once a day, or whenever the balls are required, could return the balls to the blue box and be reused. Also, there would be a QR code so that people could scan and open up the app. On the app, they insert their name and take a photo of themselves. They also have their home city from a drop-down menu that would tell the app to control the device that is set up inside the wall to drop the ball into that person's friendship city. I propose having monitors also built into the monument, and in those monitors there would be the data that the people input into the app, being their name, where they're from, and they could also take a selfie. The balls would deliver every 30 seconds or every minute, and that would give the app time to show a person's details, so they can get a selfie with the monitor, and would also allow them to watch as the ball falls into their city. Another photo opportunity would also be people getting a photo with their home city, and the number of balls in that city's tube for that day would show how many people from their city attended the monument. There are also opportunities to get photos of the monument with the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House backdrop, and of the monument with Nguyen Hue and Le Loi looking down towards Ben Thanh Market. It would be very easy to get those shots because the monument is not a 3D item that would be blocking out the beauty of the opera house or anything like that. Now, for the case where people come from different cities, there could be another option. People could actually write the name of their city into a text box, and that picture could also appear on the screen for them to take a selfie, albeit that they wouldn't get a ball to drop into a city because they're not part of the friendship city group. The app will put their data into a queue. People have their device, their phone, and they want to use their phone as an interactive device. This monument gives them something to look at, take photos of, and interact with using their phone. Values to the city The wall design highlights the opera house, Nguyen Hue and Le Loi Boulevards. So whilst there is a monument there, it will still leave open those important areas of Ho Chi Minh City that are very much appreciated by tourists. The app also serves as a data collection function to identify where people are coming from and how many people visit the monument. There will be a lot of available data from the app that will allow Ho Chi Minh City to better market itself as a tourist attraction, simply because you are able to see where the people are coming from via this app. The monument will not affect other functions in the park. The park can still be used for other purposes whilst having this monument in the center, and it also allows for high volume traffic because it takes up minimal space. So people walking from Nguyen Hue up to the opera house can still walk through the park, then they don't need to walk around the monument. And of course, it will fit very well with other celebrations, like the Tet display that they have on Nguyen Hue. It will complement those other events similar to the Tet display. In conclusion, I am not an artistic designer, so I've not looked at the artistic aspect of the monument. So it needs a lot of artistic ability and there is a lot of artistic growth available inside the basic structure of a wall. The top of the wall will allow for small figures, statues or other symbols to show the beauty of Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Archaeologists excavating the ancient Roman city of Pompeii have uncovered a "prison bakery" where slaves and blindfolded donkeys were kept locked up underground to grind grain for bread, officials said this week. Underneath a house in the ruins they found "a cramped room with no view of the outside world and with small windows high in the wall, with iron bars, to let the light in", the Archaeological Park of Pompeii announced on Friday. Archaeologists deduced they had found a "prison bakery", the UNESCO World Heritage Site near Naples, southern Italy, said on its website. They also discovered "indentations" in the floor "to coordinate the movement of the animals, forced to walk around for hours, blindfolded". The house, on the 44-hectare site that is currently under excavation, was divided into a residential area "decorated with exquisite Fourth Style frescoes" and a "productive quarter", the bakery. Three skeletons were discovered in one room of the bakery, showing that the house was inhabited. The bakery, where slaves and animals were forced to perform the backbreaking task of turning the millstones, had no doors or communication with the outside world. A handout picture of the Regio IX area of the 44-hectare UNESCO heritage site. Photo: AFP 'Shocking' side of ancient world "It is, in other words, a space in which we have to imagine the presence of people of servile status whose freedom of movement the owner felt the need to restrict," wrote Pompeii director Gabriel Zuchtreigel in a scholarly article. "It is the most shocking side of ancient slavery, the one devoid of both trusting relationships and promises of manumission, where we were reduced to brute violence, an impression that is entirely confirmed by the securing of the few windows with iron bars." The public can view more evidence of this harsh daily life in an exhibition called "The Other Pompeii: Ordinary Lives in the Shadow of Vesuvius" which opens at the Palestra Grande in Pompeii on December 15. "(The exhibition is) dedicated to that myriad of individuals often forgotten by the historical sources, such as the slaves, who constituted the majority of the population and whose labour contributed in an important way not only to the economy, but also to the culture and social fabric of Roman civilization," the Pompeii authorities said. Pompeii was devastated when nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted almost 2,000 years ago in 79 AD. The ash and rock helped preserve many buildings almost in their original state, as well as forming eery shapes around the curled-up corpses of victims of the disaster, thought to number around 3,000. Pompeii is the second most visited tourist destination in Italy after the Colosseum in Rome. The angular design of Tesla's Cybertruck has safety experts concerned the electric pickup truck's stiff stainless-steel exoskeleton could hurt pedestrians and cyclists and damage other vehicles on roads. Reuters spoke to six safety professors and officials who viewed videos of crash tests conducted by Tesla on its first new vehicle in nearly four years and shown during a webcast delivery event last week. Crash test videos that Tesla live-streamed at a Nov. 30 event were heavily discussed on social media. Experts who spoke to Reuters said they needed crash-test data to reach firm conclusions about the safety. "The big problem there is if they really make the skin of the vehicle very stiff by using thick stainless steel, then when people hit their heads on it, it's going to cause more damage to them," said Adrian Lund, the former president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), whose vehicle crash tests are an industry standard. Tesla touted the structures of the truck that absorb impact during the crash. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a social media post on Tuesday that he was "highly confident" Cybertruck will be safer than other trucks for occupants and pedestrians. Tesla, whose shares were slightly up at $243.64 in Friday afternoon trading, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on concerns raised by safety experts. The vehicle designed with flat planes and long, linear edges is visually distinct. It is the first car with a stainless-steel exterior since the launch of the DeLorean car which was featured in the 1985 movie "Back to the Future." The material has even broken the stamping machine that forms the panels, Musk said, touting the vehicle's toughness. During the launch event at the factory in Austin, Texas, Tesla said cold-rolled, stainless body panels are designed to absorb impact during a crash. The front and rear structures have energy-absorbing ribs that help dissipate energy, and during a side impact the skin of the door carried a majority of the crash load, it said. George Washington University auto safety professor Samer Hamdar raised concerns about limited "crumple zones," but added that other features might make up for that. Crumple zones are parts of the car that deform in a crash in a way to more safely absorb the energy of an impact. "There might be a possibility of shock-absorbent mechanism that will limit the fact that you have a limited crumple zone," Hamdar said. Starting at $60,990, Cybertruck will not be a high-volume vehicle like Tesla's Model Y, but Musk has said Tesla was likely to reach a production rate of roughly 250,000 Cybertrucks a year in 2025. 'Red flags' in a crash Much of the concern was focused on those outside the Cybertruck. "If you have an argument with another car, you will win," Musk said. David Friedman, the former acting head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, described the effect for the loser of the crash: "If you're in a crash with another vehicle that has a crumple zone and your car is more stiff, then their cars are going to crush and yours is resistant," he said. Julia Griswold, director of the University of California, Berkeley's Safe Transportation Research and Education Center, said she was "alarmed" by the crash test videos Tesla posted. She said the heavy weight of the trucks and their high acceleration "raise red flags for non-occupants." Tesla has not said whether it will sell Cybertrucks in Europe, but its chief engineer this month told motoring publication TopGear that EU safety rules aimed at protecting pedestrians by limiting external protrusions could make it tough to sell there. "We hope Tesla don't bring this vehicle to Europe. A vehicle of this size, power and huge weight will be lethal to pedestrians and cyclists in a collision," the Brussels-based nonprofit European Transport Safety Council said in a statement. U.S. regulators rely on vehicle makers to self-test and certify their adherence to safety standards. Musk said in a recent interview with auto consultant Sandy Munro that the Cybertruck had passed regulatory review. The first dozen or so trucks were released to buyers last week. Read what is in the news in Vietnam today: Politics -- Vietnam and China are expected to sign a series of cooperation deals during Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinpings visit to Vietnam on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Society -- Ho Chi Minh City authorities will invite some 70 TikTokers to review products at the iconic Ben Thanh Market between Monday and Saturday next week, making Ben Thanh the first traditional market in Vietnam to trial the promotion and trade of commodities through live streams on TikTok. -- Police in Da Nang City, central Vietnam have busted a credit card theft ring in which two women and two men used stolen credit cards to buy products, mainly golden jewelry and iPhones, to withdraw money. -- A 45-year-old man died after falling into a large crack on an eroded bypass of National Highway 20 in Lam Dong Province, located in Vietnams Central Highlands, on Saturday although local authorities had erected barriers on both sides of the road. -- A private company proposed developing an 81.5-kilometer expressway connecting Nha Trang City in south-central Khanh Hoa Province and Da Lat City in Lam Dong Province, two renowned tourist cities in Vietnam, at a cost of over VND19.7 trillion (US$831.2 million). The project was expected to shorten the travel time between the two cities to about one hour. -- The court in Quang Binh Province, north-central Vietnam on Friday sentenced a Vietnamese woman and a Lao man to death for trading and transporting 12 kilograms of ketamine, respectively. -- Police in Ca Mau, the southernmost province of Vietnam, on Friday issued a decision to keep a 28-year-old teacher in temporary custody for four months for allegedly raping his eight-year-old student in her classroom on November 30. Business -- Jensen Huang, CEO of U.S. chip giant Nvidia, arrived in Hanoi on Saturday to prepare for his meetings with local enterprises next week. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Biden administration has used an emergency authority to allow the sale of about 14,000 tank shells to Israel without congressional review, the Pentagon said on Saturday. The State Department on Friday used an Arms Export Control Act emergency declaration for the tank rounds worth $106.5 million for immediate delivery to Israel, the Pentagon said in a statement. The shells are part of a bigger sale that was first reported by Reuters on Friday that the Biden administration is asking the U.S. Congress to approve. The larger package is worth more than $500 million and includes 45,000 shells for Israel's Merkava tanks, regularly deployed in its offensive in Gaza, which has killed thousands of civilians. As the war intensified, how and where exactly the U.S. weapons are used in the conflict has come under more scrutiny, even though U.S. officials say there are no plans to put conditions on military aid to Israel or to consider withholding some of it. Rights advocates expressed concern over the sale, saying it doesn't align with Washington's effort to press Israel to minimize civilian casualties. A State Department official said on Saturday that Washington continues to be clear with the Israeli government that it must comply with international humanitarian law and take every feasible step to avoid harm to civilians. The proposed sale conveys U.S. commitment to Israel's security and it will bolster Israel's defensive capabilities, the official said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined and provided detailed justification to Congress that the tank shells must immediately be provided to Israel in the national security interests of the United States, according to the Pentagon statement. The sale will be from U.S. Army inventory and consist of 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (MPAT) tank cartridges and related equipment. "Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense," the Pentagon said, adding that there will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of the sale. Israel's Merkava tanks, which uses 120mm shells, are also linked to incidents that involved the death of journalists. On Thursday, a Reuters investigation revealed that an Israeli tank crew killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah and wounded six reporters by firing two shells in quick succession from Israel while the journalists were filming cross-border shelling. (Reuters) Authorities in Vietnam fined a milk tea shop owner over US$1,000 earlier this week after more than a dozen students fell ill following the consumption of his boba tea last month. The decision to penalize To Quang Hoc, the shop owner in question, was signed on Wednesday by Pham Tien Hung, deputy chairman of the Peoples Committee of Buon Ma Thuot City in Dak Lak Province, located in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Hoc, 44, was fined VND25 million ($1,032) for selling beverages without obtaining a food safety certificate, leading to his substandard tea causing a mass poisoning case. He was unable to provide a food safety training certificate and lacked waste disposal facilities, including trash cans, at his shop in Ea Tu Commune, Buon Ma Thuot City. Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper had reported on November 22 that 17 students of Ly Thuong Kiet Elementary School in Ea Tu were hospitalized over symptoms of vomiting, dizziness, and diarrhea. Local authorities then found that a parent had invited these students to drink boba tea at Hocs shop. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A court in Quang Binh Province, north-central Vietnam on Friday sentenced a Vietnamese woman and a Lao man to death for trading and transporting 12 kilograms of ketamine, respectively. Dinh Thi Hai Yen, 45, living in Quang Binh, and a 42-year-old man from Savannakhet Province, Laos, were convicted of the crimes. In mid-October last year, Yen ordered 12 kilograms of ketamine from Laos at VND3 billion (US$123.8 million) and agreed to receive the drugs in Khammouane Province, Laos, according to the indictment. On October 25, 2022, she hired the Laotian man to transport the ketamine to Vietnam at a cost of VND25 million ($1,032). Yen later traveled to Khammouane Province with the Laotian to receive the ketamine. The man drove a semi-trailer truck carrying potassium ores with ketamine hidden inside to Vietnam through Cha Lo International Border Gate in Quang Binh on November 8 last year. Yen also hired her sister-in-law Dinh Thi Thanh to receive the drugs. Vietnamese police caught Thanh red-handed receiving the narcotics and detained the Laotian man at the time. At the court, Yen declared that she bought the ketamine for resale to earn a profit. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A millennium-old irvingia malayana tree, known as wild almond, or ko nia in Vietnamese, has been recognized as a national heritage tree for better protection. The 1,230-year-old tree is among 162 centuries-old plants having been acknowledged as national heritage trees in Ma Da Forest, located in Binh Phuoc Province. The Peoples Committee of Dong Phu District under the province on Saturday cooperated with the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE), Truong Tuoi Group JSC, and other units to organize an acknowledgement ceremony for a group of 162 national heritage trees in Sub-Zone 379 in Ma Da Forest, situated in Tan Hoa Commune. The recently-recognized national heritage trees were classified into 15 species, with 117 of them being over 500 years old. Eighteen others are more than 900 years old, seven have surpassed the age of 1,000 years, while one stands at some 1,230 years old. Binh Phuoc Province in southern Vietnam holds a ceremony to recognize 162 trees in Ma Da Forest as national heritage plants. Photo: Nam Ha / Tuoi Tre The ceremony was meant to celebrate the significance of a population of Vietnamese heritage trees in the forest, while instilling a sense of pride and a commitment to responsible forest protection among residents. The event was also aimed at honoring several individuals, organizations, and veterans for their significant contributions to forest protection. Dr. Tran Van Mieu, vice-chairman of the VACNE, said that after 14 years of considering and assessing documents related to the recognition, he concluded that the population of 162 centuries-old trees in Sub-Zone 379 is the biggest heritage tree group in Vietnam. The acknowledgement not only leveled up their historical and cultural values but also advanced the cause of environmental protection and the preservation of biodiversity, said Tran Tue Hien, chairman of the Binh Phuoc administration. Hien called on provincial departments, agencies, rangers, and residents to jointly protect the population of these heritage trees, and popularize the provinces biodiversity to spur ecotourism. At the ceremony, on behalf of the state president, Hien awarded a third-class labor medal to Pham Cong Truong, a member of the War Veteran Association of Tan Binh Ward in the provincial city of Dong Xoai, for his contribution to forest preservation and charity work. Many years ago, Truong and his wife founded B58 Services Trading Production JSC, which has brought together war veterans and their children and relatives to protect over 512 hectares of natural reserves in the sub-zone. Besides, the Binh Phuoc chairman granted certificates to several rangers in Dong Phu District, locals and officials in Tan Hoa Commune, and the firm for their efforts in forest protection. A third-class labor medal was granted to an individual for his forest protection in Binh Phuoc Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Nam Ha / Tuoi Tre On this occasion, Pham Huong Son, chairman of Truong Tuoi Group JSC, donated VND2 billion (US$82,560) to the provinces study promotion fund and the fund for the poor. He offered financial support of another VND2 billion to disadvantaged households and veterans in the province to help them enjoy a warm and jubilant 2024 Lunar New Year holiday, which falls in February 2024. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The water surface of Trang An River will turn into a dazzling real-life stage of 3,300 square meters for hundreds of performers, including 200 local boatwomen, during the opening ceremony for the second Ninh Binh-Trang An Festival in Ninh Binh Province, northern Vietnam later this month. The opening art program is scheduled for December 26 in the heart of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, situated in Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, Nguyen Manh Cuong, director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, announced at a press conference on Friday. Cuong emphasized that the show will be the first of its kind at the complex, which was designated as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site in June 2014 by UNESCO, integrating rivers, mountains, music, light, and projection mapping technology. Boats dock at Trang An Boathouse at Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Linh To / Tuoi Tre News Traditional and contemporary arts, dance-art calligraphy, and a storytelling narrative will highlight the history and culture of Hoa Lu, Vietnams ancient capital, as well as the cultural essence of regions across the country. Cuong mentioned that 200 local boatwomen, who transport visitors to Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex daily, have been rehearsing for half a month to participate in the program, using boats as stages. A stage built on the water is also under construction, with stakes being driven to support its structure. Phuong Hoang Mountain (Phoenix Mountain), which is behind Thuy Dinh, has a shape that resembles a phoenix spreading its wings. Photo: Linh To / Tuoi Tre News During its six-day span in Ninh Binh City and Hoa Lu District, the second Ninh Binh-Trang An Festival will feature major events like the southern cultural heritage program on December 28, the north-central region and Laos-Vietnam cultural exchange on December 29, and the closing ceremony on December 31 at the same underwater stage as the opening function. The festival will include performances by the Udomxay province art troupe from Laos and artists from various cultural regions of Vietnam. Boats carry tourists at Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Linh To / Tuoi Tre News Most activities during the fest are funded by private sources. In 2022, the first edition of the fest garnered significant attention, demonstrating the potential of Ninh Binh Provinces rich natural and cultural heritage, which it has leveraged to attract filmmakers. Tourists take a boat tour at Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: T. Dieu / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Russia has become stronger as a result of the conflict in Ukraine - just as it did by defeating Hitler and Napoleon, its foreign minister has claimed. In a wide-ranging series of assertions, Sergei Lavrov said the "hybrid war" that the West is supposedly waging against Russia is based on "cancel culture". He also claimed that the West's "500-year domination of the world" is coming to an end. Israel-Hamas war latest: Mossad 'foils Iranian attack in Cyprus' Mr Lavrov - who is sanctioned by the UK and the EU - said the West was trying to exhaust Russia in Ukraine. "It is up to the Ukrainians to recognise how deep they are in the hole where the Americans put them," Mr Lavrov said of the war. When asked what the chances were of diplomacy to bring about a ceasefire or peace, he said: "You'll have to call Mr Zelenskyy because a year-and-a-half ago he signed a decree prohibiting any negotiations with Putin." He argued that Russia has become stronger due to the conflict in Ukraine, just as it became stronger by defeating Napoleon and Hitler in the past. Moscow does not routinely release numbers of its casualties in the war, but Ukraine claims to have killed more than 338,000 Russian personnel since the start of the February 2022 invasion. Read more: Storm 'forces Russian ships to base' Wife of Ukrainian spy chief in hospital after suspected poisoning Mr Lavrov also spoke about the Israel-Hamas conflict. The foreign minister said it was not acceptable for Israel to use Hamas's 7 October attacks as justification for the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, and called for international monitoring on the ground in Gaza. He claimed that Russia has told Israel for many years that the single most dangerous factor in the Middle East is the unresolved status of Palestinian statehood. Zelenskyy in Argentina Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been in Argentina as he seeks to secure the support of countries in the global south. His first trip to Latin America, he was due to attend the inauguration of new Argentine President Javier Milei. Mr Zelenskyy hopes to convene a "global peace summit" and has promoted a peace plan rooted in the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and recognition of its post-Soviet borders of 1991. A file photo shows a damaged tree in Dartmouth, N.S., after strong winds during a January 2023 storm. (Paul Palmeter/CBC - image credit) Thousands of Nova Scotia households are without power as the province contends with heavy winds that are expected to continue into the evening. Around 4:30 Monday afternoon, more than 42,000 Nova Scotia Power customers were impacted. The outages started along the coast of the Bay of Fundy and have since spread across the mainland, with a handful in Cape Breton, according to the utility's outage map. "Southerly winds are howling, pumping in mild temperatures, ranging from lower to upper teens. It's as warm as 18 degrees in Greenwood in the Annapolis Valley," CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon said in an update on Monday afternoon. Snoddon said heavy rain is expected in Nova Scotia Monday afternoon and into the evening. Environment Canada issued wind warnings across Nova Scotia earlier Monday. (Ryan Snoddon/CBC) (Ryan Snoddon/CBC) The weather agency predicted southerly winds with maximum gusts of 80 km/h to 100 km/h from Monday afternoon until evening on the mainland. In Cape Breton, the worst winds were expected to begin in the afternoon and end at night. Environment Canada warned of potential damage to buildings, as well as power outages. Icy conditions expected Tuesday "As the rain tapers off from west to east throughout this evening, we'll see the winds ease dramatically and shift to westerly," he said. He said cooler air is expected overnight into Tuesday. "With lots of standing water from the rain and melted snow, watch for icy conditions on Tuesday morning," Snoddon said. Travel disrupted Nova Scotia Power issued a news release Sunday afternoon to say it would activate its emergency operations centre on Monday. The utility said it would position crews across the province so they could respond as soon as it was safe to do so. Halifax Transit suspended ferry service shortly before 5 p.m. Monday and said it would bus passengers between the Halifax and Dartmouth terminals. Story continues Several flights at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport were also delayed or cancelled Monday afternoon. Marine Atlantic cancelled all ferry crossings between Port aux Basques, N.L., and North Sydney scheduled for Monday. (Ryan Snoddon/CBC) (Ryan Snoddon/CBC) Bay Ferries Limited said it has revised one sailing and cancelled two others. The 4 p.m. Digby sailing on Monday was cancelled as was the Tuesday Saint John sailing at 8 a.m. The company said on its website that service will resume Tuesday with the 11 a.m. Digby departure. Northumberland Ferries Limited cancelled several crossings between Nova Scotia and P.E.I. MORE TOP STORIES The royal kids are celebrating Christmas with their parents! Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis joined Prince William and Kate Middleton this evening at Westminster Abbey in London, for Kate's annual Christmas Carol service. Last year, it was just George and Charlotte who attended, but this year, all three kids were deemed old enough to join. HENRY NICHOLLS - Getty Images Chris Jackson - Getty Images Kate arrived first, and then joined her family as they arrived. Prince William held tightly to Prince Louis's hand, and Kate held Princess Charlotte's hand, as they walked into the Abbey. Princess Charlotte wore a maroon coat, which appears to be the same one she wore to the Christmas service last year. Before they walked into the Abbey, the princes and princess dropped letters in the mailbox. Per Kensington Palace, "Christmas Post Box located outside the Abbey for children to send handmade Christmas cards and best wishes to other children who might be struggling this year." The royal kids reportedly wrote letters to other children: Chris Jackson - Getty Images The three Wales siblings weren't the only royal kids at the service; Princess Beatrice brought her stepson, Christopher "Woolfie" Mappeli Mozzi, who made his debut with the royal family at Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee last year. Chris Jackson - Getty Images It's the Wales family's first appearance as a family of five since July, when the Prince and Princess of Wales brought their three children to the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire. Just a few days later, George and Charlotte also joined their parents at the Wimbledon men's singles final, where the young princess met King Felipe of Spain. You Might Also Like Behind bars in penal colonies or in self-exile abroad, Russian opposition figures vow they will still put up a fight against President Vladimir Putin as he seeks yet another term in office in an election in March. Although they believe Putin will be declared the winner no matter how voters cast their ballots, they say they hope to undermine the widespread public support he enjoys, turn popular opinion against the devastating war he unleashed on Ukraine, and show those who oppose it already that they are not alone. No one but us will step into this battle for the hearts and the minds of our fellow citizens. So we need to do it and win, imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said in an online statement relayed from behind bars. Putin, 71, announced Friday that he will run for president again , to pile another six years onto his two dozen in power. He could even run again in 2030. The vote is scheduled for March 15-17 , with his victory all but assured. The vast majority of opposition figures are either imprisoned or have fled the country, almost all independent news outlets have been blocked, and any criticism has been muted by a slew of repressive laws adopted over the last decade. This is, basically, a guarantee that (the Kremlin) can declare any result whatsoever, said Nikolay Petrov, visiting researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, in an interview with the Associated Press. Some activists agree there is no point in trying to influence the election's outcome. They say they will take advantage of the election campaign to press their views about Putin and his government a time when Russians will be more politically active than usual, according to Leonid Volkov, Navalny's top strategist and chief of staff. Our task is to make sure that the issues we will be able to raise and bring into the public agenda in January, February, March stick stick with Russians even after the election, said Volkov, who left Russia several years ago. To that end, Volkov and his team launched a project called Navalnys Campaigning Machine. The idea is simple talk to as many Russians as possible, either by phone or online, and convince them to turn against the candidates we hate: candidate Putin and candidate War, as Navalny himself put it in an online post announcing the project in June. In late October, the project already had about 170 volunteers making the calls, Volkov said, and was conducting a survey to figure out the specific grievances and needs of people in order to tailor talking points they would use in future phone calls. Volkov said that out of the thousands of calls already made, only a handful of people said they were completely content with everything happening in Russia and beyond. Others had at least one complaint. Someone is discontented over the war, someone is discontented with the economic situation, someone is unhappy with the health care system, social justice lots of things, Volkov said. There are questions that the authorities cant answer, and by raising them with the Russians, the team hopes to cause political problems for the Kremlin, Volkov said. The authorities' inability to address these issues "will elicit frustration and pain, political problems for Putin that will only grow, he added. On the eve of Putin's announcement, the team placed a number of billboards in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian cities that read Russia and Happy New Year, with links and QR codes leading to a website titled "Russia without Putin. The website urges people to convince at least 10 people to act against Putin and talks about various ways to campaign. The Anti-War Committee another opposition force that unites prominent activists in exile such as former tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky , chess legend Garry Kasparov and former lawmakers turned opposition politicians Gennady Gudkov and his son, Dmitry Gudkov also plans a campaign called No to Putin! Gennady Gudkov told AP that the general goal of the campaign is to explain to Russians what the future could be like without Putin no war, no repressions, with the government focusing on things like the economy, science and education. A possible election day tactic, Gudkov said, could be to urge Putin critics to go to the polls at a specified time so that long lines form to show how many people oppose him: If the country, the elites, the world will see long queues of people who clearly disagree with Putins policies, it will be enough. One group, however, believes there is mileage in putting forward candidates to challenge Putin at the polls. A project called Our Headquarters, launched by several activists helping those fleeing Russia to settle abroad, promises to support democratic candidates with an antiwar position. Project coordinator Andrei Davydov told AP that they can offer help to prospective candidates with the campaign and the procedural side of things, like assembling a group of 500 people required by law to put forward an independent candidate, or with gathering and verifying 300,000 signatures needed to register on the ballot. To get support from Our Headquarters, a candidate must oppose the war and be willing to release political prisoners and implement democratic reforms in Russia, Davydov said. The project has already endorsed one candidate: Yekaterina Duntsova, a journalist and lawyer from the Tver region north of Moscow, who once was a member of local legislature. Davydov said they were in talks with a few others. We need to give people hope, to give people a chance to speak out. There are no other legal possibilities (to speak out) in Russia these days, other than by supporting an antiwar candidate, he said. The minimum task is (get) people to understand that there are many of them, and they need to act, to defend their position." A more ambitious goal is to register an opposition candidate to challenge Putin on the ballot, Davydov said. We will work toward a result, a victory, and see what happens, he added. Navalny urged his supporters in an online statement to go to the polls on election day and vote "for any other candidate" a strategy akin to the one he proposed in 2012, when Putin ran for president after a four-year hiatus as prime minister due to presidential term limits. That balloting, as well as an election for parliament months earlier, brought out huge protests that spooked the Kremlin and led to a crackdown on dissent. Then, in 2018, Navalny called for a boycott of the balloting after he was barred from the race. Since then, Navalny's team organized a voting strategy of promoting local candidates with the best chance to defeat those backed by the Kremlin's United Russia party. It has not yet been used in a presidential election. Navalny's ally Ivan Zhdanov told AP the team will propose some other actions on election day, but refused to give details. Maria Pevchikh, head of the board of Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation, urged the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom to make Putins reelection more painful by promising sanctions against any celebrities endorsing him. Its one thing to change your profile picture and say you are on the Putin Team. Its a completely different thing to actually lose everything, including your bank accounts, for participating in Putins election campaign. We must increase the cost of such a decision, she said. Governments have not responded publicly to her proposal. Petrov, the researcher, believes the Kremlin's biggest fear from the election would be that Putin's image might be damaged. The election must happen quietly, calmly and show that the people accept the authorities the way they are. And in this respect, it is very important to the Kremlin to avoid any hiccups, scandals, that may cast doubt on the result that will be declared, Petrov said. (AP) HA NOI The Viet Nam - United States comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development is an important milestone, opening a new historical period of friendship and cooperation, suitable and worthy of the stature of the bilateral relationship in the new global context. The United States fully believe in and respect Viet Nam's political system and territorial integrity, said US Ambassador to Viet Nam Marc E.Knapper at a conference US-Viet Nam: 10 years of comprehensive partnership in retrospect and prospects of comprehensive strategic partnerships for peace, cooperation and sustainable development, held on Saturday morning in Ha Noi. The conference was co-organised by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations and the US Embassy in Viet Nam. He also said that the United States was proud to be Viet Nam's partner, working together to achieve common goals and ensuring security and prosperity for the people of the two countries. The success of the United States was also the success of Viet Nam and vice versa, he said. According to the ambassador, the Viet Nam-US Comprehensive Partnership had developed very well over the past 10 years, marked by the 2023 event, during the visit to Viet Nam of US President Joe Biden, the two sides had upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development. Speaking at the event, chairman of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations Phan Anh Son said the conference was an opportunity to look back at the bilateral relations between the two countries over the past time, consisting of achievements and difficulties as well as pillars promoting the relationship between the two countries. The pillars included the important contributions of people-to-people diplomacy that was boosted by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations, he said. Son said after nearly 30 years of normalising relations and establishing diplomatic relations as well as 10 years of establishing the comprehensive partnership, the two countries had witnessed many important advances in many fields. In terms of politics and diplomacy, many high-level visits had been made. Each visit marked new steps forward, opening up new stages of cooperation in the two countries' relationship. In economics and trade, bilateral trade turnover last year reached US$123 billion, an increase of more than 270 times compared to 1995. The turnover reached over $61 billion in the first seven months of this year. In security and national defence cooperation, the two countries continued to carry out the Security- National Defence Dialogue at the deputy ministerial level and gained many positive results in overcoming war consequences, resolving non-traditional security issues, ensuring maritime and aviation security and safety in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea). In cultural exchanges, education and training cooperation, Viet Nam and the United States had operated more than 10 programmes. The number of Vietnamese students studying in the United States had grown dramatically, from 800 Vietnamese students in the United States in 1995 to nearly 30,000 in 2023. In health cooperation, the United States had provided Viet Nam financial supports worth more than $1.8 billion and many cooperation activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In regional and global issues, the two countries had coordinated more and more closely at international and regional forums as well as in handling many other global issues. People-to-people diplomacy activities between the two countries had met new requirements with many improvements in content and methods of operation, contributing to creating a favourable, broad and solid foundation for the relations development between the two countries. Son added that September 10, 2023 continued to mark an important milestone when the two countries upgraded to the comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development, opening a new historical period of friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and the US. "Those achievements are the result of the tireless efforts of both countries in putting aside the past, overcoming differences, promoting similarities and looking towards the future, he said. Looking back at Viet Nam-US relations, former chairman of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations Vu Xuan Hong said that in 1946, Uncle Ho sent a letter to US President Harry S. Truman, expressing his wish for Viet Nam to be completely independent and fully cooperated with the US. Therefore, the two countries upgraded relation to the comprehensive strategic partnership had fulfilled President Ho Chi Minh's wishes, he said. VNS BANGKOK National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong inh Hue on December 8 visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand as part of his ongoing visit to the Southeast Asian country. Briefing the embassy's staff on the outcomes of his talks and meetings with Thai parliament's leaders, he said that the two sides agreed on many important orientations for the bilateral relations in the future. NA Chairman Hue highlighted the growing Viet Nam-Thailand relationship with bright prospects. Currently, Thailand is Viet Nam's second biggest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he said, noting that the two sides are striving for US$25 billion in bilateral trade in a more balanced direction. This is also a task of the embassy and especially the Vietnamese Trade Office, he stated. He lauded the efforts by Ambassador Phan Chi Thanh as well as the embassy's staff in preparing for his visit. He asked the embassy, together with other relevant agencies, to continue working hard to prepare for the elevation of the Viet Nam-Thailand ties in the future. At the same time, the embassy should promote the similarities between the two nations to further bolster partnership between the two countries as well as cooperation in the Mekong sub-region, the NA leader said. VNS CA MAU Ca Mau should double efforts to maximise its potential and strength, and promote resources and the spirit of self-reliance for its local development, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a ceremony to announce the southernmost province's master plan for the 2021-30 period, with a vision to 2050, and its investment promotion event on Saturday. Mentioning the key policies of the Party and State on socio-economic development and international integration, the PM urged Ca Mau to focus on exploiting its brand of Ca Mau Cape, the southernmost point of the country, thereby promoting tourism development, and fully tap its advantages for developing renewable energy and seaports. At the same time, Ca Mau should promote the application of science and technology in aquaculture and seafood processing, striving to become a centre in this field. Attention should also be paid to creating breakthroughs in transport infrastructure, especially road, inland waterway, aviation and sea transport, he said, while urging the province to build runways so that large aircraft can land at Ca Mau airport. The PM also asked local authorities to concentrate on improving the quality of human resources, investing more in education and training, intensifying the application of science and technology, promoting the creative startup ecosystem, developing appropriate mechanisms and policies, speeding up administrative reform and improving business investment environment, increasing competitiveness and promptly removing difficulties and creating favourable conditions for businesses. He requested businesses that were granted investment registration certificates and those given in-principle approval to urgently complete procedures and soon put their projects into operation. Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Tien Hai presented a brief on the potential, strengths, opportunities and investment projects in the province. He said that the province's master plan for the 2021-30 period, with a vision to 2050, approved by the Prime Minister on November 16, 2023, had been an important basis for policy-making, investment planning and creating motivation for production, business activities and social security in the locality. He called on domestic and foreign investors, and international organisations to explore investment opportunities in the locality in the coming time, saying that the provincial authorities pledge to do their best to support and accompany businesses and investors. Ca Mau has recorded important achievements in socio-economic development in recent years. Its GRDP in 2023 is estimated to reach more than VN45.4 trillion (over US$1.87 billion), up 7.83 per cent year-on-year, exceeding the set plan. GRDP per capita is estimated at nearly VN70 million, while the province's social investment capital is valued at VN24 trillion. VNS HA NOI National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong inh Hue and his entourage arrived back Ha Noi on Sunday noon, concluding his trip from December 4 for the first Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam (CLV) Parliamentary Summit and a working visit to Laos, and an official visit to Thailand. With more than 60 activities, the trip fulfilled all goals and requirements set out both bilaterally and multilaterally, making it a practical step in realising the foreign policy of the 13th National Party Congress and the Party Central Committee Secretariats Directive 25, raising the level of multilateral diplomacy and further strengthening relations with neighbouring countries in ASEAN, which are very important partners of Vietnam. In the first CLV Parliamentary Summit, top legislators of the three countries signed a joint statement on promoting the parliamentary role in bolstering the comprehensive cooperation among the three countries, in which they re-affirmed their commitment to expanding and deepening the parliamentary cooperation and partnership with a view to maintaining and protecting the close collaboration for common benefits among the three parliaments, thus contributing to promoting collaboration across politics, security, defence, culture and economy for the socio-economic development in the CLV countries. During his stay in Laos, the Vietnamese top legislator held talks and had meetings with high-ranking leaders of the Lao Party, State and National Assembly, during which they discussed measures enhancing bilateral cooperation in the coming time. In his talks with his Lao counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihane, Hue affirmed that Viet Nam always gives the highest priority to the great traditional relations between the two countries, and always stands side by side with Laos and strongly and comprehensively supports its national construction and reform. Meanwhile, Hue's visit was the first official visit to Thailand by a high-ranking Vietnamese leader after Thailand's new Government had been formed, and on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the two countries strategic partnership. In Bangkok and Udon Thani, Hue had talks, and met with Thailands senior leaders, and he was also the first foreign top legislator to meet the Thai King and Queen. He also met representatives from leading Thai firms and the Vietnamese community, and delivered a keynote speech at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. VNS UDON THANI National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong inh Hue on Sunday morning offered incense in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at a monument dedicated to the late leader in Udon Thani as part of his official visit to Thailand. Hue also attended a groundbreaking ceremony of a project to expand the monument, during which he emphasised that in his revolutionary journey, President Ho Chi Minh visited many places around the world, including Udon Thani - an important place where he worked under the alias of "Thau Chin" called by Thai people. He presented US$50,000 in support of the expansion of the monument. Earlier, on December 9 evening, also in Udon Thani, the Vietnamese top legislator met around 600 people representing more than 100,000 Vietnamese who are living and working in Thailand. At the meeting, Hue shared that Thailand was the first country in the ASEAN region to establish a strategic partnership with Viet Nam. During the talks and meetings this time, the King, Queen, Prime Minister, President of the National Assembly, and President of the Senate of Thailand all agreed that Thailand and Viet Nam need to soon upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in the near future. He also said that the King and Queen of Thailand welcoming the Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly is unprecedented, demonstrating the King's special affection for the relationship between the two countries. He affirmed that the Party and State always create favourable conditions for Vietnamese people abroad to return to and invest in the homeland. He also shared the legislatures approval of a regulation on granting e-visas to citizens of all countries with the validity period increasing from 30 to 90 days, and the stay period up from 15 to 45 days. On this occasion, Hue presented 100 sets of books for Vietnamese language learning to Vietnamese children in Thailand. Earlier, NA Chairman Hue visited Udon Thani Rajabhat University, which has signed a lot of cooperation programmes with Vietnamese education institutions in various localities like a Nang, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thai Nguyen, and ien Bien. Hue appreciated the university's cooperation activities with Viet Nam, its teaching of Vietnamese language, and its recent establishment of a centre on Vietnamese studies. He expressed his hope that the university will continue to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese students learning at the university, and further promote Vietnamese language teaching as well as cooperation activities with Vietnamese educational institutions. On December 9, the Vietnamese top legislator received Governor of Udon Thani province Wanchai Kongkasem. VNS PHNOM PENH The official visit to Viet Nam from December 11-12 by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet will continue to strengthen and further expand traditional friendship between the two countries, said Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea. In an interview granted to the Viet Nam News Agencys correspondents in Phnom Penh, the top diplomat highlighted the importance of the visit, saying this will be the Cambodian leaders first visit to an ASEAN member country since he took office in August. During a short period of time, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet had four meetings with his Vietnamese counterpart at international forums and conferences, he said, adding in 2022, Chairman of the National Assembly of Viet Nam Vuong inh Hue and Prime Minister of Viet Nam Pham Minh Chinh visited Cambodia. According to Sok Chenda Sophea, in addition to mutual visits, Viet Nam and Cambodia have also promoted their coordination in multilateral frameworks. The two countries attended meetings of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), Lancang-Mekong cooperation framework and ASEAN, during which the two countries discussed collaboration in the fields of economy, diplomacy, security, health care and transportation. They also talked about regional and world issues of shared concern, typically food security in the current context, at bilateral meetings. In the time to come, the two countries must continue to foster their fine relationship to bring development and prosperity to their people, he noted. Looking back on the special relationship over the past 60 years, he said the relationship had become closer, and the two countries were looking forward to a longer future. The people of Cambodia and Viet Nam supported and helped each other during the wars. The year 1979 was a historical milestone when Viet Nam helped Cambodia overthrow the genocidal regime. Despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries had still seen bustling trade activities, with two-way trade hitting US$10.57 billion in 2022, more than double the figure of $5 billion recorded in 2020. The two neighbours should make more efforts to boost trade, investment and tourism links, along with other areas such as industry and agriculture. VNA/VNS HA NOI The upcoming State visit to Viet Nam by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping will help to deepen and elevate the Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai said in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency. According to Ambassador Mai, the December 12-13 visit takes place at a meaningful time as the two countries are celebrating the 15th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. It will be a continuation of high-level exchange activities between the two Parties and the two countries since the historic visit to China by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong from October 30 to November 1, 2022. The visit demonstrates the importance the Chinese Party and State and CPC General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping attach to Viet Nam - China relations. During the visit, high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and countries will have in-depth discussions on major, comprehensive orientations on deepening and elevating the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Viet Nam and China; promote exchanges between senior leaders of the two Parties and countries to further consolidate political trust; actively bolster areas of collaboration, contributing to bringing bilateral relations to a more substantive and effective stage of development. Regarding political relations, the ambassador said regular high-level exchanges between the two sides had made important contributions to strengthening political trust between the two Parties and countries. This year, President Vo Van Thuong attended the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation organised by China in October; while Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid an official visit to China, and attended the World Economic Forum's 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin in June, the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the 20th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) in Nanning in September. During these activities, the two countries' leaders continued to put forth major measures to effectively realise the important common perceptions reached by the two highest-level leaders, creating a strong driving force to promote the stable and healthy development of the friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between Viet Nam and China, he said. Economic and trade cooperation continues to be a bright spot in the two countries' relationship, with two-way trade in the first 10 months of 2023 reaching US$139.2 billion. China remains Viet Nam's largest trading partner and second-largest export market while Viet Nam is China's biggest trading partner in ASEAN and sixth largest partner in the world. In the 11 months of 2023, China invested $3.06 billion in Viet Nam, accounting for 18,7 per cent of the total newly licensed foreign investment capital in the country, ranking fourth after Singapore, the Republic of Korea, and Chinas Hong Kong. However, it led in the number of new investment projects in Viet Nam with 22.1 per cent. Cooperation in other fields such as tourism, culture, and education has seen progress. China has reopened commercial flights to Viet Nam. In the first 11 months, there were 1.5 million Chinese visitors to Viet Nam, according to the ambassador. The diplomat said the Viet Nam-China land border maintained peace and stability. The two sides had closely coordinated to implement legal documents on the two sides' land border while strengthening security and safety management in border areas. In maritime issues, the two sides reached a common perception on satisfactorily controlling disagreements, maintaining peace and stability at sea in line with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982), and fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (known in Viet Nam as the East Sea) (DOC) as well as building a substantive, effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). Both sides had also actively coordinated at multilateral forums to promote peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and the world, uphold the central role of ASEAN, and comply with the UN Charter and international law. He stressed that Viet Nam and China had a long-standing traditional friendship which had been built and nurtured by many generations of leaders and people of the two countries and the visit to Viet Nam by CPC General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping would certainly create more motivation to deepen and elevate the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, bringing practical benefits to the Parties, States, and peoples of the two countries as well as contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. VNA/VNS BEIJING - The relationship between Viet Nam and China has seen strong, stable and positive developments in the past time, especially since Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trongs visit to China in November 2022, said a Chinese journalist. Wei Wei, head of the Vietnamese department under China's central TV and radio station, told Viet Nam News Agency correspondents in Beijing that the common perceptions reached between the high-ranking leaders of the two countries had been comprehensively implemented over the past year. He emphasised that General Secretary Trong was the first foreign leader to visit China after the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). During the visit, he and his Chinese counterpart mapped out the development directions for Viet Nam-China relations. 2023 is the year marking 15 years of comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Viet Nam and China, with increasing exchanges at all levels. In June, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid his first official visit to China in his position as the PM of Viet Nam, and attended the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) in Tianjin. In October, President Vo Van Thuong attended the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, which was also his first multilateral external activity in his post. According to the journalist, these visits are a continuation of regular exchanges and contacts between senior leaders of the two Parties and countries in recent years. Regarding the bright spots in economic, trade and investment cooperation over the past time, Wei Wei said that the two countries had cooperated closely in economy and trade. Currently, China is Viet Nam's largest trading partner and Viet Nam is China's sixth largest trading partner in the world, and the largest in ASEAN. He cited data from the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade showing that in the first nine months of this year, two-way trade exceeded $120 billion, of which $42.2 billion came from Viet Nams exports. In addition, investment cooperation still maintains growth momentum, with China approving large investments in Viet Nam this year, according to his observation. Chinese enterprises, especially major high-tech ones, are continuously increasing investment in fields matching Viet Nam's needs and sustainable development strategy. The journalist stated that accelerating the connection of regional development initiatives, and promoting cooperation in strategic areas such as connectivity, and emerging fields like e-commerce would be the next focus of bilateral collaboration, especially when China had said it was ready to continue expanding the import of high quality Vietnamese products that Chinese customers need. VNA/VNS UDON THANI National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue on Saturday cut the ribbon to launch the Viet Nam Town in Thailand's northeastern Udon Thani Province, which is the first in Thailand and the world. The top legislator described the opening of the Viet Nam Town as a new imprint of Viet Nam in Thailand. He expressed his delight that the cultural and historical values of Viet Nam have been promoted in Thailand, marked by Vietnamese pagodas and three relic sites dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh. He thanked the administration of Udon Thani and sponsors for supporting the Viet Nam Town project. Underlining that this is the first and only Viet Nam Town in the world, NA Chairman Hue said he believed that with the strong support of the local administration, the town would see bustling business, cultural and tourism activities, becoming a destination for Vietnamese in Thailand as well as tourists, contributing to enriching the local culture and fostering the friendship and attachment between locals and Thai people of Vietnamese origin here. The Viet Nam Town initiative should be replicated in other suitable localities of Thailand, he said. Udon Thani Governor Wanchai Kongkasem reviewed the friendship and cooperation between the two countries over the years. He said that the Vietnamese community had acted as an important factor in promoting the ties between the two countries. The official said the formation of the Viet Nam Town was a symbol of the solidarity, friendship and cooperation between the two countries and peoples. According to the Vietnamese Association in Udon Thani, the Vietnamese community in the locality comprises about 60,000 people. The Viet Nam Town is located in the Vietnamese market area in the citys downtown, with 99 per cent of residents being of Vietnamese origin. Along with the support of the local administration and Vietnamese in Thailand, the project has received sponsorship from a number of Vietnamese firms at home. VNS By Thanh Nga Nestled by the serene banks of the ay River in Ha Noi's rural district of Thanh Oai, Chuong Village boasts of being a hub of the age-old craft of making conical hats. The village's allure of rural life has captivated both local and international tourists wishing to immerse themselves in an unforgettable experience. The leaf conical hat, or non la in Vietnamese, has transcended its utilitarian purpose to become an emblematic symbol of Vietnamese culture. For centuries, it has epitomised the essence of Vietnamese women and the rustic charm of the countryside, reflecting the grace, resilience, and unwavering dedication of these women. Beyond its practicality in shielding against the sun and rain, the hat exudes an inherent elegance, enhancing the beauty of those who wear it. Among the multiple places known for making conical hats in northern Viet Nam, Chuong Village is the most renowned. It has upheld its reputation for over three centuries. Today, it not only produces ordinary conical hats but has diversified its offerings to include other distinctive variations such as non ba tam (round hats with strap tassels) and non thung (basket-shaped hats) that are mainly used for decoration and in art shows. Chuong Village's conical hats fetch an average price ranging from VN50,000 to VN100,000 per piece, depending on their intricacy and style. These hats have earned acclaim for their robust craftsmanship as well as their aesthetic appeal. Family workshops in the village turn out thousands of hats each day, meeting domestic and export demands. Every month, I export about 10,000 conical hats to foreign countries such as England, Germany, South Korea, Russia, China, Laos and Cambodia, master artisan Ta Thu Huong told Viet Nam News. To achieve such remarkable numbers, Huong continuously innovates, creating unique designs to cater to the discerning tastes of her customers. She skilfully combines materials like cotton cloth, straw, or other fabrics, adorning the hats with lotus flower patterns or other whimsical decorations. Some hats are even decorated with images of famed Vietnamese scenic spots or verses, sewn meticulously between layers of leaves. "As conical hats embody the beauty of Vietnamese women, I tirelessly participate in fairs both at home and abroad to introduce Vietnamese craftsmanship to the world. I take immense pride in preserving the soul and fire of our beloved Chuong Village," Huong said. Huong was born into a hat-making family, and she has been immersed in the craft since the tender age of eight. At 18, she received her first export order, the beginning of her illustrious journey. The key material for crafting these hats is lui leaves, sourced from the central province of Ha Tinh. Fresh leaves, initially green and weighty, are sun-dried three times to evaporate any lingering moisture, to become delicate, lightweight white leaves. They have to undergo other working steps including ironing before being sewn by hand on the hat frames, which are made of bamboo. Huong boasts six products that have earned the prestigious 4-star OCOP (One Commune One [Speciality] Product) certification. However, among her varied assortments, the silk hats stand out as truly unique. Blending the traditional conical hat with the soft, graceful allure of vibrant Ha ong silk cloth, these hats become a harmonious fusion of heritage and elegance, capturing the essence of old-world charm with a contemporary twist. The conical hats of Chuong Village are not only practical items but also works of art, meticulously painted and adorned with intricate patterns. They have gained recognition as diplomatic products of Viet Nam and have been showcased at various celebrations. At the 2006 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference held in Viet Nam, Huong created a record conical hat measuring 3.6m in diameter and 1.8m in height. Mai Thi Xinh, 62, has dedicated 50 years of her life to making conical hats. Making hats is quite a feat. It takes about five hours to complete a piece. However, I am very proud of the traditional craft of my village; it helps me love my homeland more," Xinh said. Xinh also highlights the importance of continuously improving and beautifying designs for exports. In the past, the villagers only made plain hats, but now they produce silk hats, painted hats, and embroidered hats, showcasing the versatility and creativity of the Chuong craftspeople. The artisans of Chuong Village have collaborated with tour operators, schools, and universities to attract visitors to the village to contribute to the local economy. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, a visitor from Ba inh District, Ha Noi said: "This is the third time I have come to Chuong Village. I feel very peaceful and relaxed here. I like the Chuong hats because they are very cool, light and durable. It is extremely suitable when combined with ao dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress), so I often invite my friends here. I am thrilled to see that even children in the village knew how to sew the hats well. Chuong hats are beautiful." Duong Thi Dieu Linh, a school student, said: "I came here according to the school's extracurricular programme. I was instructed to make hats and paint hats. I think it is very useful. This experience will help us apply classroom knowledge to real life. Pham Viet Hung, the chairman of Phuong Trung Commune People's Committee, highlighted the economic significance of the craft village. With 2,800 households engaged in hat making out of a total of 4,000 households in the village, it provides a stable income for the locals. The Chuong conical hat brand has received recognition from Ha Noi city authorities, and artisans of the village have garnered attention from various organisations. They have been invited to do work demonstration in some foreign countries and major festivals, contributing to the promotion of Chuong conical hats, Hung said. The legacy of conical hat making continues to thrive, captivating hearts near and far. This humble craft not only preserves the cultural identity of Viet Nam but also showcases the resilience, ingenuity, and artistic finesse of its people. Within each meticulously crafted conical hat lies the story of a nation, a testament to the enduring beauty that weaves together tradition and innovation, connecting generations in an unbreakable bond.VNS When her husband fled China in 2019 to escape a police crackdown on dissidents, Lu Lina thought she and their young son could soon join him in safety abroad. She did not know that she would be forced to move house, that her eight-year-old son would be effectively kicked out of school and that border police would block her from leaving the country over the next three years. In the end, the couple had to resort to filing for divorce in China to get around the exit ban. After my husband left, police gave our lives so much trouble, Lu said from Los Angeles, where the family eventually reunited and settled late last year. Every time the border guards would stop me, take away my phone, my wallet and all my things. They gave no explanation. Lus husband, Liu Sifang, a musician and former teacher, was among a number of Chinese activists and rights lawyers who were either arrested, forced into hiding or self-exiled after attending an informal get-together in 2019 to discuss human rights. Rights groups say the punishment of Lius family highlights Beijings increasingly harsh crackdown on dissent, both within China and beyond. As the groups mark the 75th anniversary of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Sunday, they fear that the situation in the worlds second most populous country is getting worse, not better. Western governments are failing to press China hard enough, the rights groups say, and a more powerful China under President Xi Jinping has become more impervious to international pressure. If you look at independent activism around the time that Xi came to power, relative to what you can see now, whats disturbingly clear is that Xis leadership sought to obliterate civil society and to silence dissent, not just inside the country but globally, to ensure that anybody who criticizes him and the regime has to think twice, said Sophie Richardson, a longtime China observer and former China director at Human Rights Watch. A new report by the Rome-based rights group Safeguard Defenders, published Sunday to mark International Human Rights Day, alleges that Chinas government has stepped up its use of collective punishment against the loved ones of human rights advocates in recent years. Under Xi Jinping, China is increasingly unwilling to allow political targets to leave the country, slapping them and their families with exit bans, and using transnational repression methods to control the ones who make it out, according to the report. The report, based on interviews with more than a dozen rights activists and compiled media reports, said it identified at least 50 such cases from 2015 to 2022, including the detention, home eviction, harassment or violent assault of activists family members. This year's International Human Rights Day marking 75 years since the United Nations adopted the global foundational document for protecting the rights of every individual everywhere comes just days after EU leaders visited China for a fresh round of talks. While the summit focused on trade and the Ukraine war, the EU said that the bloc also expressed its deep concerns about the rights situation in China. Both sides said they welcomed the resumption of their human rights dialogue earlier this year. Wang Lutong, head of European affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said Beijing was willing to continue the dialogue though he also warned that human rights should not be used as a stick to beat China. Last week, Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated China's longstanding defense against international criticism of its human rights record. Beijing opposes any attempt to force one's own values and model upon others, he told a symposium. We must reject any attempt to interfere in other countries internal affairs or contain their development under the pretext of human rights, he said. China has ... opened a new path for human rights development that adapts to the changing times and suits our national conditions. Richardson, the China rights expert, said the EU-China rights dialogue falls far short of accomplishing real outcomes for dissidents. It's what the political establishment prefers because it doesnt upset Beijing too much, she said. It's the deliverable that people can point at and say, we did that. In April, Chinese police detained Yu Wensheng, a human rights lawyer, and his wife Xu Yan as they were on their way to the European Union office in Beijing to meet with the EU ambassador. The couple is facing charges of subversion of state power and picking quarrels and stirring up troubles though they havent received any legal documents outlining the charges, according to Bao Longjun, a legal advocate familiar with the case. Such vague charges are commonly leveled against rights activists in China, and rights groups have noted an increase this year in cases like Yu's. He and his wife remain in detention. Other Chinese rights advocates, such as disbarred human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang, continue to face harassment from authorities even after they have been released from prison. Liu, the dissident who fled to the United States, described how tough it was being separated from his wife and son for three years. The couple has now remarried in the U.S. Those law-enforcement officials, they used such cruel methods to retaliate against me because I managed to get out, he said. They are showing people like us that this is what we can do to you and your family. (AP) By Thanh Thuong & Luong Huong ong Ho Painting Market flourished for centuries in the northern province of Bac Ninh until it was halted in the mid-1940s due to war. Although the market was no longer held, the memories of its glorious past remain etched in the minds of old folk. Aiming to revive such a distinctive cultural activity, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Bac Ninh has restored the folk painting market at Song Ho Ward's Centre for the Preservation of Folk Paintings. ong Ho paintings (actually woodblock prints) belong to a traditional genre of Vietnamese block printing originating from ong Ho Village, now part of Tu Khe Quarter, Song Ho Ward, Thuan Thanh Town. These prints were mostly purchased to decorate houses during Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday so they were also referred to as Tet paintings. Over time, they were not only displayed during Tet, but also throughout the year. Artisan Nguyen ang Che, one of the few individuals still practising this ancient craft in Song Ho, said that the ong Ho painting market traditionally was held at the ong Ho communal house on several days approaching Lunar New Year festival. Each market day, thousands of paintings were displayed for sale. What made it unique was that people could either buy the prints with money or exchange their goods for them, he said. Customers came from various provinces near and far by boats along the uong River or by land roads. Traders brought their local speciality products with them, such as fish sauce from the central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, silk cloth from Ha Nam, black tobacco from Hai Phong, or tea from Phu Tho, to barter for the prints. "The ong Ho villagers were renowned for their artistic skills and open-mindedness, which made the buying and selling easy and enjoyable." During wartime and especially after 1945, the market came to a halt, but its vibrant atmosphere remains in the memories of old folk, like 88-year-old Nguyen Thi Yeng in Song Ho Ward. During those days, the entire area surrounding the village communal house was vibrantly colourful with paintings spread out on mats, hung on walls and strings. The atmosphere of the market on the days before Tet was bustling and joyful, similar to a festival, she said. Immersed in the festive atmosphere while attending the re-enacted market last month, Yeng said she felt like she was returning to the old days when the ong Ho block printing was in its heyday. It was like a small corner of the old painting market coming back to life, she said. Revival The re-enacted ong Ho Painting Market includes 20 booths that not only showcase folk paintings for sale, but also enable visitors to learn about the process of woodblock printing. Each booth is dedicated to a different theme, like materials for printing, an exhibition of ancient paintings, the printing process in which visitors can get involved, or a display of local speciality products. Nguyen Thi Oanh, the only female artisan of the ong Ho block printing, said she had prepared artworks of various themes, from traditional to modern. I have created over 50 different themes for printings, and have been honoured to have my artworks exhibited abroad, and now I have another chance to introduce them to the public at this market," she said. I hope to contribute to the preservation of the traditional craft of my homeland, and that the market will be organised more frequently. Ha Quy Minh Tuan, a student at the Song Ho Secondary School, said he only knew about the renowned traditional art form of his hometown through literary works. "This is the first time I have had the opportunity to witness the process of creating these prints, as practised by our ancestors," he said. The block printing process includes engraving a design on a wood block, inking the design, and then using the block as a stamp to press on the paper to make a print. The dyes used in the prints are unique and natural, such as red clay, black charcoal, green bamboo leaves, and yellow flowers. The paintings mostly depict such familiar animals as roosters, hens and chicks, pigs, and carp. They also feature flowers and women, and common activities in rural life. In addition to the annual ong Ho Painting Market, the province's culture authority has established the ong Ho Folk Painting Conservation Centre, which displays over 1,000 documents and artefacts related to the art form. They are parts of the province's efforts to revive and promote the traditional woodblock printing, which was announced as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2013. In March 2020, Viet Nam submitted the dossier on ong Ho folk paintings to UNESCO for inclusion in the list of intangible cultural heritages in need of urgent safeguarding. It is expected to be reviewed at the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024. VNS The 10best Websites of the World Travel Awards - WTA organization recently announced the list of "Top 10 most wonderful opera houses in the world". Hoan Kiem Lake Theater (Hanoi) is the only representative of Vietnam on this list. Not only that, but Hoan Kiem Lake Theater is also proud to be in the first position, standing shoulder to shoulder with world symbols, including Wiener Staatsoper theater in Vienna (Italy), New York's Metropolitan Opera (USA), Opera de Paris - Paris (France), Teatro Alla Scala in Milan (Italy), The Bolshoi Theater - Moscow (Russia), Royal Opera House - London (UK), Teatro di San Carlo in Naples (Italy), Sydney Opera House of Sydney (Australia) and Teatro Colon theater in Buenos Aires (Argentina). The opera houses on the list were selected based on their iconic status, magnificent design and unforgettable artistic experiences, a testament to the enduring appeal of the opera art form. Experts emphasize that these opera houses are not just mere performance venues but also meccas of art and music, a place imbued with the harmony of tradition and innovation. Also read: The 10 best destinations in Vietnam for 2023 voted by Lonely Planet magazine: No. 10 go now this February Vietnam News - Latest Updates and World Insights | Vietreader.com When browsing this list, visitors are immersed in the magnificent space of the world's most wonderful opera, "rendezvous". Experts consider each project a "lighthouse" of each country's brilliant cultural and architectural heritage and the world. Hanoi's new cultural symbol, topping the list, has affirmed its potential and influence on a global scale. The recognition by world tourism experts has contributed to strengthening the position of Hoan Kiem Lake Theater and honoring the contributions of Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular to the field of global culture. Hoan Kiem Lake Theater - located at the intersection of 4 major streets in the center of Hanoi, only 3 minute's walk from the "heart of the capital" - Hoan Kiem Lake, invested in construction and completed by the Ministry of Public Security and Hanoi City into "lightning speed" in just 22 months. Inaugurated on July 9, this theater highlights ancient European architecture, exuding luxury and splendor from 52 monolithic stone columns imported directly from Spain, along with glass blocks and domes surrounding it. The lighting plan for the ceiling of the theater's main lobby is inspired by the starry night sky with a splendid lighting system, making the theater sparkle at night like a cathedral of art. However, each design detail of the lobby roof system and interior of the theater recreates a part of the history of the Vietnamese people through traditional patterns symbolizing Vietnamese culture. The theater owns a system of modern technical infrastructure facilities, applying the world's leading technology in sound, lighting, and stage decoration..., with a main auditorium of up to 900 seats, a small concert hall with 500 seats, capable of meeting diverse performance requirements of many different art forms, including opera. The theater's sound system is provided by Meyer Sound Laboratories (USA) - a sound equipment supplier for Broadway stages and theaters worldwide. At Hoan Kiem Lake Theater, Meyer Sound has installed the most modern sound equipment in the world, which is currently the company's pride: the Array and Constellation Speaker systems. There are currently only a very few theaters equipped with this system. Mr. John Pellowe - Project Director of Meyer Sound, emphasized: "Ho Guom Theater is in the top 5 theaters with the most modern sound systems in the world designed and installed by Meyer Sound." Also read: HCM City artist to perform, explain traditional art forms Vietnam News - Latest Updates and World Insights | Vietreader.com In addition to the world's most modern sound technology, the Hoan Kiem Theater's international standards also come from the modern hall and auditorium control system, which can transform spaces in a few minutes, allowing for changes. Changing different auditorium configurations on the same day helps organize events of different natures while optimizing space flexibly. The theater's lighting system has also reached a new level, meeting various art forms with unique performance spaces such as stage lighting, light to track the actors, and light to create artistic scenes. Since its opening, Hoan Kiem Lake Theater has gradually become a familiar art destination for the capital's residents and tourists from all over the world, with many performances featuring famous domestic and foreign artists. Floyd Casey input A community input meeting and update on the park planned next to the redevelopment of the former Floyd Casey Stadium site will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the South Waco Community Center, 2815 Speight Ave. Attendees will have the opportunity to weigh in on potential park options and elements based on feedback collected from a public survey and previous public meeting. Microchipping, vaccination The city of Waco, Animal Birth Control Clinic and Humane Society of Central Texas will hold a free microchip and pet vaccination event from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at Oscar DuConge Park, 1504 J.J. Flewellen Road. All pets of city of Waco residents can receive free microchips, free rabies vaccination if the animal is already spayed or neutered, and free DAPP vaccination. For pets not spayed or neutered, and pets of people who do not live in Waco city limits, the rabies vaccine will cost $10 per pet. Quilters Potluck Christmas The Waco Homespun Quilters Guild will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the New Road Church of Christ, 3100 S. New Road. This month will be the annual Potluck Christmas feast, and afterward there will be an ornament exchange to keep or donate to the churchs Meals on Wheels participants, an ugly shirt contest and a display of the Challenge Star Quilts. The festivities are open to all interested parties. Czech Heritage Society bingo The McLennan-Hill Czech Heritage Society will host its Christmas social and bingo starting at 2 p.m. Sunday at the West Community Center, 200 Tokio Road. Participants should bring a snack for svacina and snacky prize to participate in the Christmas bingo. MCC holiday closures McLennan Community College is closed through Jan. 1 for the winter holidays. However, representatives from Advising & Career Services and Highlander Central will be available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday this week to assist students attending the Winter Minimester and to help new and returning students with registration for the spring 2024 semester. The MCC Bookstore, along with the Tarleton State University and Texas Tech University administrative offices and Waco Family Medicine-MCC clinic, will be open on designated dates during the break. For a complete list, go to www.mclennan.edu/dates/winter-holidays.html. For more information, contact Highlander Central at 254-299-8622 or highlandercentral@mclennan.edu. Youth Chorus concert The Youth Chorus of Central Texas will perform in concert at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Parish Hall at St. Albans Episcopal Church, 305 N. 30th St. Tickets are $10. For more information, email info@youthchorusofcentraltexas.org or call 254-744-5266. Singing Seniors concert The Baylor Singing Seniors, conducted by Phillip Sitton, will present a concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at Woodway United Methodist Church, 21000 Woodway Drive. Thankful Hearts/Adoring Spirits will feature various styles of music, with arrangements by Elaine Hagenberg, Dan Forrest, Craig Courtney, Joel Raney, Ralph Sparks and Joseph Martin. Some of the titles include Showers of Blessing, Love Lingers On, Hymn of Grateful Praise, How Great Thou Art, To Thee My Heart I Offer, and That Night. The choir is accompanied by Van Chaney on piano and Greg Wallace on trumpet. The concert is free, but donations will be accepted. North Pole coat drive The Karem Shriners will hold a coat drive between 5 and 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, during North Pole Palooza at the Extraco Events Center, 4601 Bosque Blvd. New, unused coats and hoodies will be given to The Cove, a Waco nonprofit focused on ending student homelessness. The first 100 donors will get free popcorn. Pictures with Santa Bruceville-Eddy United Methodist Church, 404 W. Third St, will host pictures with Santa and a Christmas cookie fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 16. The event will raise money for repairing the roof on the parsonage. Cookies are $10 per dozen. Anyone taking photos with Santa will receive a free cookie to decorate themselves. Lake Whitney bird count Nature lovers are invited to take part in the second Lake Whitney bird count Dec. 17, part of the 124th National Christmas Bird Count. Participants can learn about the birds of North Central Texas and the hobby of birding. Beginners are welcome, and drivers and experienced birders are needed. For more information, count maps and to sign up, email Mary.K.Devers@usace.army.mil. There are morning, afternoon and all-day shifts available, and participants will meet at the Lake Whitney U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office, 285 County Road 3602, Clifton. WATERLOO A man is expected to live after being shot multiple times early Sunday morning, according to Sgt. Greg Erie of the Waterloo Police Department. Police responded at 4:45 a.m. to 218 Glenwood St. and found several people outside in the yard including the victim, who was transported to UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital for serious injuries. Erie said the man suffered four gunshot wounds two to the chest, one to the back and another to the rear while involved in an altercation. He's now in critical but stable condition after undergoing surgery. Police continue to investigate and have yet to arrest anyone. Photos: 2023 Waterloo Lights the Night Waterloo Lights the Night 1 Waterloo Lights the Night 2 Waterloo Lights the Night 3 Waterloo Lights the Night 4 Waterloo Lights the Night 5 Waterloo Lights the Night 6 Waterloo Lights the Night 7 Waterloo Lights the Night 8 Waterloo Lights the Night 9 Waterloo Lights the Night 10 Hundreds of election workers in Washington states second-largest county were busy opening mail-in ballots earlier this month when one of them came across a plain white envelope. As she cut it open, white powder leaked out. She carefully took off her gloves, put them down, backed away and called her supervisor. Workers evacuated the building and waited for the Tacoma Fire Department to arrive. While first responders tested the substance, Democratic and Republican observers gathered at the emergency management center looking at security feeds of the election office to ensure there wasnt any ballot tampering. Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer, the nonpartisan election official for the metropolitan area south of Seattle, said she felt lucky no one got hurt. Weve got a really strong, resilient workforce, she said, choking up. Nobody left. They were a little shaken up, understandably unsure of what was going on. But everybody marched right into that building, and said, Oh, heck no, you are not disrupting the democratic process. Pierce County was one of four Washington state county election offices to get such a letter that day, with some receiving the narcotic fentanyl and others baking soda. Local election offices in California, Georgia, Nevada and Oregon also received powder-filled letters around the early November election. The FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating the letters. No charges have been filed. Since the 2020 presidential election, state and local election officials nationwide have been bombarded with threats, as lies perpetuated by former President Donald Trump and his allies around rigged elections have fueled conspiracy theories and inspired violent reactions to the bureaucrats and temporary workers who run the United States democratic process. Facing ongoing threats, election workers have shored up their safety protocols and used state and federal grant money to build more secure facilities. They have lobbied state legislators to add new protections for election workers and increase penalties for those who harass, intimidate or threaten them. This year, lawmakers in several states heeded those calls. But going into next years presidential election, local election workers are visible in a way they never wanted. Officials are leaving in droves, and the brain drain could lead to more errors, providing fuel for conspiracy theories. As of late August, the U.S. Justice Departments Election Threats Task Force had charged 14 people with making threats to election workers and political candidates since the task force was created in 2021, so far leading to nine convictions that came with yearslong criminal sentences. These attacks are terrorism, said Kim Wyman, who previously served as the Republican secretary of state for Washington and as a senior election security adviser for the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. These are attacks on our democratic institutions, said Wyman, who is now a senior fellow for elections at the Washington, D.C.-based think tank Bipartisan Policy Center. These are people trying to break the election system for whatever reason. And we have a job to do. We need to guard against that and fight back. This year, state lawmakers in Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma enacted new protections for election workers and increased criminal penalties for those who threaten or interfere in their work. Those added to the protections that lawmakers in California, Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont and Washington imposed last year. In Michigan, people who harass election officials now can face up to 93 days in prison and a fine of up to $500 for their first offense. In Minnesota, a new civil penalty for intimidating or interfering with election workers carries a $1,000 fine. Democratic state Rep. Emma Greenman, who sponsored the bill in her chamber, said the disinformation associated with the 2020 presidential election could threaten workers safety. I dont think people draw the logical consequences when they talk about a stolen election, she said. What it means is, I am putting people in my community, Im putting public servants and volunteers at risk. Its really scary. Nationally, election officials are expressing similar concerns. The Brennan Center for Justice, a nonprofit voting rights organization housed at New York University School of Law, estimates election offices need $300 million in federal funding over the next five years for increased security. That money could be used to fortify buildings, build more secure ballot-counting facilities and add new security training. A third of local election officials nationwide have faced threats, intimidation or abuse, according to an April survey by the Brennan Center. Some county election offices around the country have begun stocking Narcan, a nasal spray that reverses an overdose of fentanyl. Since the 2020 presidential election, 60% of chief local election officials in the Western half of the U.S. have left their jobs, according to Issue One, an advocacy group focused on strengthening democracy. Michael Beckel, the groups research director, worries the exodus could lead to workers who make more errors and are less resilient to public or political pressures. This is a five-alarm fire, he said. Its a huge loss of institutional knowledge. Election deniers focus recruitment in 'out of the way places' Election deniers focus recruitment in 'out of the way places' Heading into the 2024 election cycle, officials are bracing for heightened accusations of fraudand the threats that often accompany them Sarah Slater Issues around moving the Pro-Cathedral from north to south of the River Liffey continued to be worked upon following an announcement six months ago that Archbishop Dermot Farrell proposed a change despite opposition to the move. Last month, Dublin City Council called on Archbishop Farrell to attend a meeting with them to explain why he wants to move the Catholic Pro-Cathedral from the north to the south of the city. At a meeting of the Councils Central Area Committee, a motion was passed opposing the downgrading of St Marys Pro-Cathedral to a basilica. It is due to be discussed again this coming week. The motion was brought by Independent councillor for the north inner city and a former Lord Mayor of the capital, Christy Burke, asking the Archbishop into City Hall in December as to why his office has had no consultation with local residents, service goers or Committee members about the proposal. The Pro-Cathedral, which has been in existence for almost 200 years north of the River Liffey in St Marys on Marlborough Street, may be about to lose its current status and become a basilica, while St Andrews Church on Westland Row, south of the Liffey, would become the capitals cathedral under a current diocesan plan. Plans on the relocation are due to be presented to Rome by the end of the month to ascertain if the move is given the go-ahead by Vatican authorities. The announcement by the Archbishop was made last June. However, a spokesperson for the Archbishops office said over the weekend that they have not received any communication from Dublin City Council on the issue. The spokesperson continued that the issues around this proposal are still being considered carefully by the Archbishop and the project group that he has set up, ahead of any recommendation being made to Rome. The parishioners of both St Marys and St Andrews have been consulted and their views will be taken into account, the spokesperson noted. Both churches will play a central role in the future pastoral strategy of the Archdiocese for outreach to the city. The primary issue to be considered is serving the mission of the Church in proclaiming the Gospel in Dublin into the future. Archbishop Farrell said he believes the capital should have a properly designated cathedral and that it should be complemented by a church on the other side of the Liffey whose "status and dignity are formally recognised and supported". The proposed relocation is being explained for logistical reasons as there are strong grounds for considering that St Andrews might better serve the cathedral function, with St Marys changed to a basilica. The Archbishop has set up a project group with representatives of both St Marys and St Andrews parishes to develop proposals, supported by expert and technical advice. St Marys has provided a focal point for the archdiocese, but it was always envisaged that, at some point, a cathedral building would be required that had both the space and the facilities to accommodate the full range of diocesan liturgical and pastoral ministry. For a variety of reasons, that never happened but "the limitations of the St Marys building and complex remain, the Archdiocese previously pointed out. In a statement the Archdiocese previously highlighted that Dublin city has changed and developed. While St Marys is located in an area undergoing renewal and development, on the south side of the Liffey recent and planned commercial and residential development have created a whole new dimension of city life. St Andrews Church, Westland Row, which was built shortly after St Marys, is well placed to engage with the vibrant residential, commercial and cultural heart of the city, the statement concluded. Central Static Office figures show that while Catholicism remains the most popular religion in Ireland, its influence has fallen substantially. From a high of 85 per cent in 2011 it now stands at 69 per cent. LAST EPISODE FILM EPIC SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE. SCRIPT SYNOPSIS President Vasily Goloborodko is in a bunker styled as his official office. Big table. Above the table are portraits of three teachers Adolf, Benito and Stepan (in the center). Goloborodko has changed a lot since the previous season of the series: he has aged twenty years, has grown in patchy, sloppy stubble, greasy hair, sunken cheeks, a shifty, haunted look. He is wearing a green T-shirt with a trident that has not been washed for a long time. Goloborodko wanders aimlessly around the office, periodically sits down at the table, shuffles papers, grabs the phone and shouts something unintelligibly into the phone in a mixture of Surzhik and Russian obscenities. Then he collapses exhaustedly in a chair, takes out a brown folder and sniffs something in it. His facial features smooth out, he closes his eyes and calms down for a while. Theres a knock on the door. An assistant comes in and reports: Vasily Petrovich, I have current information. Two news. Good: the counterattack is going well. True, we are retreating for now. The bad news: Muscovites and Pindos have taken us into a pincer movement. The Russian group is developing an offensive, and they are constantly saying that they are ready to return to negotiations. The Americans have failed the issue of arms supplies and are pushing us towards peace with the Russians. These are the notorious ticks. Negotiations are over for us. This is a new Maidan with the transfer of power to Podluzhny, Govnyushenko and Dristovich. We need another option. What, our payments to Hunters companies dont reach the idiot? says the president in a hoarse tenor. They went into denial there. Hunter seemed to be hunting. Got burned. Its bad, really bad. Go away, Ill think about it. Goloborodko thinks for a long time, sitting at the table, then opens the brown folder again and soulfully sniffs the contents. He lifts up his enlightened face with a powdered nose, on which appears an expression of readiness for martyrdom and heroic trials. He gets up from the table, after which he falls to his knees and begins to fervently pray for Adolf, Stepan and Benito, bowing to the ground. Then he sits down at the table again, turns on the computer and begins recording an appeal on social networks. His face takes on a significant look, he speaks with a sense of solemnity of the moment: Citizens of Ukraine! We are closer than ever to the long-awaited victory; the counterattack has achieved its planned goal. I want to appeal to our enemies: you will not expect a shameful peace from me! My job has been done with honor. I will leave, as my teachers bequeathed to me. Moreover, in order not to complete my life mission the way it happened with Benito and Stepan, I decided to leave, like Adolf. Glory to Ukraine! Then he decisively opens the brown folder and inhales the life-giving powder for a long time through both nostrils, creating a cloud of white smoke around himself. His head falls limply onto the table. There is a blissful smile on his lips, somewhat reminiscent of the smile of Robert De Niros character in the Chinese opium den from the film Once Upon a Time in America. The final. Epic music sounds. Medvedev Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (9 December 2023) The Russian Armed Forces delivered long-range air-launched precision-guided group strikes on AFU Olkha and Grad MLRS ammunition depots, as well as Grom operational-tactical missiles. The goal of the strikes have been achieved. All the assigned targets have been engaged. In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by helicopters and artillery inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the AFU 43rd Mechanised Brigade and 113th Territorial Defence brigade near Kurilovka and Petropavlovka (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 105 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, as well as one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces repelled one attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 1st Ukrainian National Guard Brigade near Serebryansky forestry. In addition, strikes were delivered at clusters of AFU manpower near Grigorovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The AFU losses in this direction amounted to up to 155 Ukrainian troops, as well as two armoured fighting vehicles and three motor vehicles. In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled five enemy attacks near Belogorovka, Krasnoye, and Shumy and inflicted fire damage on manpower of the AFU 22nd, 93rd mechanised brigades and 79th Air Assault Brigade close to Mariynka, Kurdyumovka, Andreyevka, and Kleshcheyevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 200 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, and one D-30 gun. In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by helicopters and artillery repelled one attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 58th Motorised Rifle Brigade near Novodonetskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 80 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, as well as two motor vehicles. In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the AFU 33rd, 117th, 118th mechanised brigades, and 128th Mountain Assault Brigade close to Stepnogorsk, Pyatikhatki, Verbovoye, and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 35 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one D-30 howitzer, as well as one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. In Kherson direction, as a result of actions of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery and aviation, the AFU lost up to 50 Ukrainian troops and three motor vehicles. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces destroyed one ammunition depot of the AFU 120th Territorial Defence Brigade near Volchansk (Kharkov region), struck military infrastructure at Kulbakino airfield (Nikolayev region), and engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 118 areas during the day. 11 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted by Russian air defence units close to Topolevka, Shipilovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Opitnoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Skelevatoye and Vasilieyvka (Zaporozhye region). In total, 550 airplanes and 257 helicopters, 9,588 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 13,924 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,188 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,284 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 16,096 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. Tags: WtR 1973 Two Columbus educators were honored for 25 years of service to the Columbus school system. Superintendent M. A. Patchett presented the awards to Margaret Field, elementary teacher and D.D. Mortimer, high school principal. Columbus-Fall River Jaycettes have been welcoming newcomers to Columbus for the past five years with their Welcome Neighbor program. Welcome packets included gift certificates from local businesses, maps, babysitting lists, and information on local groups. 1983 Computer education came to St. Jeromes School via a classroom on wheels. The classroom was a 34 by 8-foot fifth wheel trailer that housed 12 Apple II E microcomputers and three printers. The trailer was at the school each Thursday and students were taught basic programming, fundamentals of data processing, and systems design. Jenny Saffin, a Fall River AFS student from Australia, encountered her first snow storm. She was staying with the Dennis Tamminga family. 1993 The city of Columbus sent the issue of whether to use eminent domain to acquire the vacant former Brokopp to two committees. Brian Jones, the man who was buying the property, presented the council with a new land swap proposal. Jones had an accepted offer with owner Allen Miller to purchase the former meat market. Jones offered to trade the Brokopp building and land for half of the Walker property and planned to open a day care center. The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce held a First Dollar presentation to OBrion Photography at 148 E. James St. Bob and Barb O Brion were co-owners of the business. 2003 On the heels of the Holiday Parade, Columbus Main Street presented a Holiday Home Tour at five homes in the community. The CPR Holiday Train was scheduled for a visit at 6 p.m. Kevin White announced that he would not seek another term on the Columbus School Board. Follow on Facebook at Columbus, WI Historical Society, email columbuswiareahistory.com or visit columbuswiareahistory.com. The Columbus WI Area Historical Society is looking for a home for its museum. If anyone has ideas on where to locate, contact David Komarck-Bennett, society president. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Friday announced it has added three more companies allegedly involved in forced labor and human rights abuses to a list of firms sanctioned under the Uygur Forced Labor Prevention Act. The newly named companies Cofco Sugar, Jingweida Technology and Xinya New Materials are based in different regions of China, but each has been accused by the department of recruiting, transferring and exploiting persecuted minorities. Officials from Xinjiang-based Cofco Sugar visited several homes of persecuted minorities in a village to recruit Uygurs to work at one of its plants, according to the department. Jingweida Technology, specialising in the manufacture of electrical converters, power supplies, capacitors and chargers for electric batteries, is alleged to have engaged in poverty alleviation programmes believed to be part of an overall forced labour strategy. Anhui-based textile company Xinya New Materials is also said to be working "with an established government-sponsored labour transfer programme." U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in a statement said the department had prioritised enforcement of the Uygur Forced Labour Prevention Act since U.S. President Joe Biden signed it into law. "We will continue to pursue companies that ignore the law and exploit those abused in the People's Republic of China," said Mayorkas. The Chinese embassy in Washington could not immediately be reached for comment. The international community in recent years has voiced concern about the situation in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, where the Chinese government is accused of committing genocide and crimes against humanity targeting Uygurs and other religious and ethnic minority groups. The alleged crimes include mass surveillance, arbitrary detention, torture, rape, sterilisation and forced labor. Amnesty International last month reported that more than 1 million people had been detained in internment camps across Xinjiang since 2017. Following Friday's announcement, the UFLPA entity list now totals 30 companies. Signed in 2021, the law prohibits the American-bound import of goods produced in Xinjiang or by companies on the entity list unless the U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioner can provide "clear and convincing evidence that the goods were not produced using forced labour." In response to the alleged abuses, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on several Chinese officials and entities as well as banned the import of certain products from Xinjiang that were determined to have been produced using forced labor. Washington has also told businesses and importing communities of the risks posed by China-sponsored forced labour and other alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. As a result of the Uygur Forced Labor Protection Act, U.S. Customs and Border Protection since June last year has inspected more than 6,000 shipments worth over $2 billion. Read the full story at SCMP State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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The case had been ongoing since March 2021 and concluded on Friday, December 8 at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The emcee pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges and agreed to one-year probation. Thus, the drug charge was dropped. The specifics of his probation remain undisclosed but may include regular check-ins with a probation officer and a requirement to abide by the law. While on probation, he is allowed to travel domestically and internationally. Choppa was arrested on March 28, 2021, after he was caught breaking into a tow yard in Florida. According to the affidavit, a dispatcher, who worked at the tow yard, watched on a live feed as two cars pulled up to the unoccupied structure. The officer witnessed as two men wearing black masks jumped over the fence and searched the property. When officers arrived, Choppa, whose real name is Bryson Lashun Potts, and the other two men, Zyrion Matlock and Thony Coleman, were still sitting in their car in the parking lot of the business. To the officers, the Memphis rapper admitted he broke into the property to retrieve a watch from a car that was towed during an unrelated incident. Authorities, however, later disclosed that the car in question was not at that particular tow yard. As the three men exited the car, officers also found some firearms, a Glock 27 and an AK-47 Draco pistol, that Choppa and his friends were trying to hide by sitting on them. None of them admitted to ownership of the guns. Police also found a purple and yellow backpack that had seven grams of marijuana and three and a half Xanax pills inside. Choppa admitted the bag was his. He was subsequently charged with burglary, possession of a firearm without permit, possession of Xanax and possession of marijuana under 20 grams. You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity In an Instagram post, Victoria Cipriani has opened up about her emotional struggles after she called it quits with her husband Danny following two years of marriage. Dec 10, 2023 AceShowbiz - Victoria Cipriani collapsed "on the floor in the fetal position listening to Taylor Swift" following her shock split from husband Danny Cipriani. Last month, Danny, 36, posted on Instagram to share that he and Victoria, 42, were divorcing after two years of marriage and while Victoria admitted to being heartbroken, she has insisted she is trying her best to move on. "The purpose of this post is to share my journey and provide solace to others who may be going through similar experiences. It is important to remember that even if you feel alone, you are not," she wrote on Instagram. "This season can be challenging and emotionally taxing for everyone. I understand that some may perceive this as an excessive divulgence, but if my words can offer solace or aid to someone, I am compelled to share. We are connected, and what does it say about us if we cannot lend a hand to one another?" "...I have found myself deeply submerged in the process of healing. There have been moments when I've awoken without an understanding of the day or time, and I've grappled with self-isolation and profound self-loathing, shame, guilt and loneliness." "I've even ended up on the floor in the fetal position listening to Taylor Swift, haha. Which I think every woman can resonate with. I've experienced a tidal wave of emotions that I've had no choice but to sit through and suffer. While I have not yet fully emerged on the other side, I am steadily progressing toward that destination." "I had to go inward, and I had to delve into my inner self, which was challenging. I had to sit with my inner child, who experienced abandonment and rejection and relinquish control. I had to surrender until I achieved a sense of complete acceptance and peace. Healing is a beautiful experience." Victoria has vowed to "love myself" and she celebrated by taking herself on a "date in London" over the weekend. She wrote, "Today, I took myself on a date in London. I danced with strangers on the street, spilt coffee on my new shoes, and stumbled upon a charming old lady who noticed I had cake smeared all over my face, and we ended up having the most unexpected and heartfelt chat. I also got the wrong train home." "These moments, raw and tender, shape my perspective in ways I never imagined. Every wound can heal. Your heart is always whole; it's the messy, tangled parts that make the journey so uniquely beautiful. My awareness is creating a stillness, and I'm enjoying the space." "We are all have come to understand that our hearts do not truly break, but instead, they crack open to allow more love to flow in. This perspective has shifted my understanding of pain and heartache. Instead of seeing these experiences as something to be avoided or feared, I now see them as opportunities for growth and expansion." "When our hearts crack open, it is a sign that we are ready to receive more love, compassion, and understanding. It is through these cracks that the light of our true being can shine through. It is through these cracks that we can connect more deeply with ourselves and with others." "In this position of openness and vulnerability, we can heal and transform. We can abandon old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve us. We can release the pain and embrace the lessons that come with it. We can cultivate a more profound sense of self-love and acceptance." "It is in these moments of cracking open that we have the opportunity to grow and evolve. We can choose to let love in, to let it fill the spaces within us that were once filled with pain and sorrow. We can see our cracks as beautiful reminders of our capacity to love and be loved. The only no-negotiable that I have the do now is continue to love ... myself." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity For her new venture, the former child star is joined by her friend Paul Sieminski and they invite Los Angeles tattoo artist Dahlia Moth for the first episode. Dec 10, 2023 AceShowbiz - Amanda Bynes returns to the spotlight months after leaving a mental health facility. Over the weekend, the former child star launched "Amanda Bynes & Paul Sieminski: The Podcast" on Spotify in which she played the role of host/interviewer. For her new venture, the 37-year-old is joined by her friend Paul Sieminski. In the first episode, the co-hosts invited Los Angeles tattoo artist Dahlia Moth. Amanda previously divulged on Instagram that she and Paul, whom she met in treatment, plan to interview their friends before diving into the celebrity world. "It's super impressive that Paul is going to be a part of it because he's a scientist and a biochemist," she added in a video. "So having his beautiful mind being a part of this podcast is just going to bring it to another level I think," the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising graduate added. " 'Cause he's going to ask great questions and I think he'll kind of carry most of the weight in terms of just like, topics of conversation." Amanda is now going with blonde hair. She was last spotted with dark brunette hair exiting Capo Smoke & Cigar and a Ralphs supermarket in Orange County in August amid her stay at the mental health center. The "Hairspray" star was previously placed on a 5150 hold in June after apparently calling police for help. It came just months after being placed on another hold back in March after she was reportedly found wandering the streets of Los Angeles naked. A 5150 psychiatric hold is designed to protect those with mental health disorders who could be considered a danger to themselves or others. It allows them to be taken into care involuntarily to undergo psychiatric assessment and crisis intervention for a period of up to 72 hours. Amanda has suffered mental health issues in the past and previously spent nine years under a conservatorship which was controlled by her mother Lynn. The conservatorship began in 2013 after she was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric treatment facility in Pasadena, California following a public meltdown and a string of legal troubles. The protective order ended last year. You can share this post! Facebook Celebrity After entering a not guilty plea in his latest case, the 'Wake Up in the Sky' spitter is prohibited from consuming alcohol or illegal substances before his trial starts. Dec 11, 2023 AceShowbiz - Kodak Black no longer stays behind bars. The "ZEZE" rapper reportedly was released from jail on bond after pleading not guilty to multiple charges, including a gun charge, cocaine possession, evidence tampering and the improper stopping of a vehicle. The 26-year-old, real name Bill Kahan Kapri, has requested a trial by jury. It was said that that he had attempted to eat the cocaine to hide it from police. Kodak may not leave Broward County and must speak with his Pretrial Services Officer twice weekly. Also, the "Wake Up in the Sky" spitter is prohibited from consuming alcohol or illegal substances before his trial starts. Kodak was taken into custody on Thursday, December 7. According to local news outlets WSVN in Miami and WTVJ South Florida, he was arrested by a Plantation Police Department officer after officers allegedly saw a black Bentley SUV blocking a roadway around 2:07 A.M. in the 600 block of NW 47th Terrace. The officers claimed the vehicle's window was halfway down when they found Kodak asleep at the wheel and smelled the strong odor of burnt cannabis omitting from the vehicle. Once awake and confronted by the officers, the Pompano Beach native admitted there was weed in the SUV, but when the officer noticed a Styrofoam cup that reeked of alcohol, one of the officers told Kodak to exit the vehicle. As Kodak turned his back to the officer and stood in front of the patrol's vehicle's beaming headlights, the officer says he saw white powder falling on the ground next to the rapper. The officer then noticed Kodak's mouth was full of white powder and later observed several white rock-like objects on the ground, which Kodak allegedly said was Percocet. Field tests conducted by the officers at the scene, however, allege the substance was actually cocaine. Authorities involved in the arrest also claim they found cannabis wrapping paper and residue inside the SUV, a clear plastic bag with a white chunky substance inside Kodak's pocket. You can share this post! Kelsey Hatcher, the mother with a double uterus, is just a few days away from giving birth to her one in a million double pregnancy. Right now, the mom of three is scheduled to be induced on December 18th or 19th. Hatcher said shes hoping to have be back home in time for Christmas to officially be a family of seven. According to the Daily Mail, Hatcher told Fox Digital News that shes waiting until right at the 40-week mark to give her body time to go into labor on its own. A cesarean is our last resort at the moment. The babies are growing right on track and even my doctors are slightly stunned at how well we are all doing. Hatcher said that as of November 29, each baby weighed in at a little over six pounds. The Daily Mail wrote that According to the Cleveland Clinic, those with double uterus are at an increased risk of miscarriage, early labor, C-sections, low birth weight, growth restriction, and babies being born in the breech position - when the baby is feet or bottom first in the uterus, which can be dangerous and make delivery more difficult. Currently, she and her team are planning to have the babies vaginally. If there are any complications, then she may need to have one or both babies via C-section. According to the Daily Mail, doctors confirmed the babies will be considered fraternal twins as they were conceived by two separate sperm and eggs. In November, Hatcher told AL.com that she has a rare condition called uterine didelphys, or double uterus. About 3 in 1,000 women have a double uterus and two cervixes, according to her OB/GYN and UAB associate professor Dr. Shweta Patel. Having a child in each uterus at the same time is extremely rare. Patel said it is a 1 in a million chance. Hatcher discovered the condition at age 17 and said that because she was a teenager, she wasnt especially concerned about raising a family at the time. Hatcher also said, she and her husband, Caleb Hatcher werent planning to have a fourth child, let a lone a fifth one. They had previously gotten rid of all of their baby items, and have now started a GoFundMe, to raise funds for the expenses of two more babies being added to the family. When the twin babies come home from the hospital, the Hatchers will have five kids at age 7 and younger. Birmingham-Southern College has told State Treasurer Young Boozer it can offer the state first-claim position on its collateral assets, which would fix one of the deficiencies Boozer cited in his decision to deny the colleges request for a $30 million loan in state funds. Birmingham-Southern President Daniel Coleman and the colleges board chair sent a letter to Boozer on Friday with its latest proposal in seeking the loan, which the private college is pursuing to help keep its doors open. Boozer said Friday afternoon he would review the proposal. Boozer turned down the Birmingham-Southern request in October, saying the college did not meet the qualifications to receive a loan under the Distressed Institutions of Higher Education program, which the Legislature created earlier this year in response to Birmingham-Southerns request for state funds. The legislation put the state treasurer in charge of the loan program and gave him discretion on whether to approve a loan. The law requires the college to provide a first security interest in its collateral assets, as well as a financial restructuring plan to provide for repaying the loan. Boozer, in his Oct. 13 letter denying the application, said Birmingham-Southern could not provide first-security interest in its collateral assets, which include the 192-acre campus. Boozer also said the colleges financial restructuring plan did not adequately provide for repayment of the loan. The college also disputes that. Boozer, in an interview on Thursday with AL.com, explained his reasons in reaching the conclusions stated in his Oct. 13 letter turning down the loan application. Among those reasons, Boozer said, are the colleges existing debt to ServisFirst Bank and its bond debt. ServisFirst bank has first security interest in the colleges collateral assets. Student tuition revenues are pledged as collateral for the bond debt. In response to questions from AL.com on Friday, Birmingham-Southern said it offered the state first-security position in writing on two previous occasions and again in Fridays proposal, which the college said included a letter from ServisFirst Bank. Birmingham-Southern said it owes ServisFirst Bank $16.5 million. The bond debt is $8.5 million, the college said. The College has offered the State a first secured position in collateral that exceeds several times the amount of the proposed $30 million loan, including its 192-acre campus in west Birmingham and U.S. Treasury securities, Birmingham-Southern said in an email. First secured position was offered in writing on May 12, 2023, August 24, 2023, and again on December 8, 2023. The college said those offers were made verbally in two meetings in Boozers office on Nov. 30, one with the treasurer and his staff and three representatives of the Birmingham-Southern Board of Trustees, and the other with the treasurer and his staff and two members of the Alabama Legislature. Boozer noted that the liquidation value of Birmingham-Southerns collateral assets is $22 million. Boozer said that was not enough to provide security on the ServisFirst debt plus additional debt that would come with a loan from the state. Birmingham-Southern mentions the $22 million liquidation figure but also includes additional collateral values in its letter to Boozer on Friday, according to an excerpt sent to AL.com (the bold print is from the college). The letter also mentions the Nov. 30 meetings: We understand from conversations with these legislators that the release of all collateral from ServisFirst Bank will address the collateral issue raised in your October 13, 2023, letter to the College. This release will enable the College to provide the State with a first security interest in its collateral assets, a minimum requirement in the Act that established the Distressed Institutions of Higher Learning Revolving Loan Program. To this end, we have attached a letter from ServisFirst Bank confirming their willingness to release all assets they have as collateral. In addition, we have attached the most recent appraisal of the main campus as well as those for the 146-unit Hilltop Apartments and the nearly 15,000-square-foot Consolidated Pipe and Supply Company corporate headquarters, both owned by the College. This information was previously provided in writing to the Treasurers office on May 12, 2023, and August 24, 2023. The most conservative numbers for the main campus ($22 million liquidity value, $55 million to $75 million in appraised value), the Hilltop Apartments ($9.45 million), and the appraised value of the Consolidated Pipe building ($2.46 million) total approximately $34 million. In addition, BSC can pledge a life insurance policy that will increase the collateral to $35 million. In summary, the College can offer first security interest in all its collateral assets, giving the state first priority interest in Birmingham-Southerns entire campus, a campus which provides more than adequate security for a $30 million loan. Two weeks ago, the Birmingham City Council approved $5 million in loans to Birmingham-Southern. Coleman called that a step in the right direction and said the college should be able to open in the fall of 2024. Coleman said the college would also seek money from the Jefferson County Commission. AL.com first reported in December 2022 that Birmingham-Southern was in financial distress and was in danger of closing. The college initially sought a state grant, as well as money from the Birmingham City Council and the Jefferson County Commission, funding the college said would be a bridge until it could raise money for its endowment. The Legislature approved the Distressed Institutions of Higher Education Loan Program in response to Birmingham-Southerns requests. After Boozer denied the loan, Birmingham-Southern filed a lawsuit disputing Boozers claims that it failed to meet the minimum qualifications and said Boozer had exceeded his authority and undermined the intent of the Legislature when he turned down the loan application. Montgomery County Circuit Judge James Anderson granted the states request to dismiss the lawsuit, finding that the Legislature gave Boozer the discretion to deny the loan. This story was edited at 2:04 p.m. change the term liquidity value of Birmingham-Southerns assets to liquidation value. Read more: Birmingham-Southern College disputes state treasurers claims State treasurer compares Birmingham-Southern College to junk bond An argument inside a Birmingham lounge left one man dead and another in police custody. Birmingham police have identified the victim as Quantez Banks. He was 32 and lived in Center point. South Precinct officers were dispatched at 2:45 a.m. Sunday to Mels Place at 3921 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North on a report of a person shot. Officer Truman Fitzgerald said police went inside the lounge and found Banks wounded. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead on the scene. The preliminary investigation indicates the two men were involved in a verbal altercation before the shots rang out. Fitzgerald said it appears the lounge was in the process of closing when the shooting happened, but there were still people present. Birmingham police were dispatched at 2:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, to Mels Place at 3921 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North on a report of a person shot.(Contributed) The suspect ran away on foot, but responding patrol officers were able to quickly capture him. The 19-year-old suspect is being held in the Birmingham City Jail on a 48-hour hold while the investigation continues. Once complete, detectives will present the case to the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office for consideration of criminal charges. Banks is Birminghams 126th homicide of 2023. Of those, one was an officer-involved shooting by an outside law enforcement agency and eight others have been ruled justified. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 175 homicides, including the 126 in Birmingham. Storms with high winds toppled trees onto roads and some houses early Sunday in the Birmingham area. The storms also knocked out power to thousands in the area. Homewood seemed to be the hardest hit area with trees falling into houses and blocking roads. The National Weather Service reported structural damage to a tire service station along Green Springs Highway north of Lakeshore Parkway. Homewood Police Sgt. John Carr said Sunday morning that the city was hit hard but no injuries have been reported. Alabama Powers outage map at 8:30 a.m. today showed more than 20,000 customers statewide without power from Gadsden to Mobile in its coverage area (UPDATE: The total was about 12,300 at noon). The power company this morning placed a statement on its website stating that crews are assessing the damage and responding to outages. Due to the severe weather impact, your restoration time may change. The area affected most was in the Birmingham area with 358 outages reported, affecting 19,045 customers. At that same time, the Tuscaloosa area reported 50 outages affecting 1,300 customers and Gadsden with 24 outages affecting 482 customers. The Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency announced this morning that its Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) partners are ready to provide assistance to Jefferson County residents that may need help with clearing trees off of their property. We are encouraging all residents to call 2-1-1 to indicate their need for assistance so our volunteer organizations can provide them the help that they need. 18 1 / 18 Homewood storm A tree fell into this home in Homewood no injuries. Photos from Laine Smith pic.twitter.com/53Q4RxvuCu James Spann (@spann) December 10, 2023 Homewood right across from Waldrop Stadium video from Paige Lessley pic.twitter.com/rSASfyxBD2 James Spann (@spann) December 10, 2023 AL.com reporter Carol Robinson contributed to this story. A police officer is among three people who were injured in a standoff in Montgomery early Saturday morning, WSFA is reporting. Police were investigating reports of shots fired around 12:20 a.m. and found a person with a gun in the area of Poplar Street and Ann Street, the TV station reported, citing Montgomery police Major Saba Coleman. Montgomery police told WSFA that the person fired on an officer, who then returned fire. The person also shot someone else and an officer, the station reported. The shooter then ran to a business on Ann Street and barricaded inside, according to the report. The shooter was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening, WSFA reported. The officer and the other injured person were also treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, the TV station reported. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will investigate, the report said. This is a guest opinion column Once again, the holiday season is upon us and its the most wonderful time of the yearunless youre living with hunger. Or your child is. And these days, for more and more people, thats a fact of life. This fall, the USDA released their most recent Household Food Security Report, and their findings were not good. Thirty three million people in the U.S. are food insecure, including 1 in 5 children.There are over 740,000 people facing hunger in Alabama alone. These are not acceptable facts, and they point to a reality that simply does not have to be. Before the onset of COVID 19, significant progress was being made in efforts to end child hunger. When the pandemic hit, hunger skyrocketed as millions of families faced unemployment, hospital bills, evictions and other hardships. However, effective government programs were enacted to help struggling kids and families, from expanded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that helped parents buy groceries to tax credits that helped families pay their bills. In 2021, we saw record-low food insecurity among families with children. But Congress stopped investing in many of these critical programs and overall food insecurity increased. The number of children living with hunger skyrocketed in that one year from 9 to 13 million. Here in Alabama, the same trend can be seen. Nearly 1 in 11 children in Alabamas Black Belt region has reported going a day or more without eating. Thats one child too many. Kids and families deserve better. The bottom line is that policy matters. When our nation invests in nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children), school and summer meals, and programs that help get grocery and Child Tax Credit benefits into the hands of families, hunger and hardship numbers recede. When kids have access to the food they need, theyre healthier, and better able to learn. As our elected officials move forward with legislative matters that impact families abilities to feed their children, let us not lose sight of the fact that access to adequate nutrition is a right not a privilege. Its hard to overstate how important it is to correct the course for soaring food insecurity and poverty rates. Congress can improve and strengthen existing programs to better meet the needs of millions of families. The 42 million people who use SNAP to buy groceries and the 7 million women and young children who depend on WIC for essential nutrition are relying on Congress to keep the heartbreaking reality of hunger at bay. Contact your representatives today here and urge Congress to protect SNAP and WIC. Your voice can make a difference. Lori Golden is Senior Manager, No Kid Hungry Alabama and Laura Lester is Chief Executive Officer, Feeding Alabama English News China contributes wisdom, strength to global climate governance Alwihda Info | Par pd - 9 Decembre 2023 China will continue to make greater contributions to addressing the global climate crisis, achieving sustainable development, and building a clean and beautiful world through practical actions, as well as South-South and North-South cooperation. By Guan Kejiang, Ren Haoyu, People's Daily The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change kicked off in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Themed "Unite. Act. Deliver," the COP28 will see the first-ever global stocktake of the Paris Agreement. All participating parties are looking forward to making progress on multiple important issues. China has acted as an important participant, contributor and leader in global ecological progress. Its philosophy and achievements in ecological civilization construction have attracted great attention. Participants in the COP28 told People's Daily that they expect China to continue playing a leading role and contribute its wisdom and strength together with all parties to building a fair and rational global climate governance system for win-win results. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat pointed out that the conference takes place in what is already known to be the hottest year ever recorded in human history and is a decisive moment to act on climate commitments and prevent the worst impacts of climate change. On Dec. 1, over 130 countries signed a declaration on food, agriculture, and climate action, aiming to address global greenhouse gas emissions while safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of farmers in regions most affected by climate change. On Dec. 2, China, the United States and the United Arab Emirates jointly hosted a summit on methane and non-carbon dioxide (CO2) greenhouse gases. China's special envoy for climate change Xie Zhenhua and U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry had discussions on the implementation of the Sunnylands Statement on Enhancing Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis, methane emissions control, international cooperation and other important issues. Dubai is hosting COP28 in its Expo City, and there are two main sites for the events - the Blue Zone and the Green Zone. The Blue Zone is open to accredited delegates and it hosts formal and informal negotiations. The Green Zone is open to the public and offers a platform for non-accredited delegates from different groups to exhibit and exchange ideas. China's pavilion at the COP28, located in the Blue Zone, was officially inaugurated on Nov. 30. It has attracted many visitors with a climate action animation exhibition with the theme of low-carbon development, a green energy demonstration sand table showcasing everything from green electricity to chemical production, and models of new energy vehicles. The pavilion will host a series of side events and activities in nine thematic days. Over 100 activities will be organized by Chinese government agencies, research institutions, industry associations, businesses, and non-governmental organizations, focusing on China's actions and international cooperation in addressing climate change, green and low-carbon development, coordinated pollution and carbon reduction, just transition and sustainable development, energy transition, digital development, and green finance. China has made tremendous achievements in ecological civilization construction, said Erik Solheim, former UN under-secretary-general and Senior Advisor to the World Resources Institute. He noted that he had visited various regions in China, where he witnessed environmental improvement, as well as the increasing sense of gain and fulfillment of the people. Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, said that the Fund has been collaborating with relevant departments in China for over 20 years, and witnessed China's achievements in environmental protection, carbon emissions trading markets, and community green spaces. The United States and China share extensive common interests in the field of climate change, Krupp pointed out, hoping countries around the world could make joint efforts to build a better future. The Green Zone hosts over 600 events under 10 themes during the COP28. On Dec. 1, Chinese tech giant Tencent and Masdar City in the United Arab Emirates jointly launched a global low-carbon innovation alliance at a forum on accelerating green and low-carbon transition. The alliance was joined by over 30 institutions and companies, including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, McKinsey, and Siemens. At the forum, Tencent unveiled an international version of its online platform for low-carbon technology innovation TanLIVE, which was designated as the official platform for the alliance. Xu Hao, head of Tencent's Carbon Neutrality Lab, expressed the hope to promote deeper communication and collaboration among stakeholders in the low-carbon field, and to support Chinese low-carbon innovation enterprises in expanding overseas. Former Vice Chairman of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Mohan Munasinghe stated that Chinese modernization is a path for green development. As a developing country, China has made tremendous efforts in promoting ecological civilization construction and achieved remarkable accomplishments. China has proposed to jointly build a green Belt and Road, advocating for the building of a clean and beautiful world, which showcases its significant role in global climate governance and common development. Xie noted that as a responsible major developing country, China has always adhered to the strategic determination of climate action. China's economic and social development has embarked on a comprehensive green transformation track. China will continue to make greater contributions to addressing the global climate crisis, achieving sustainable development, and building a clean and beautiful world through practical actions, as well as South-South and North-South cooperation. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Full text of President Xi Jinping's 2024 New Year message China's first domestically-made large cruise ship makes commercial maiden voyage China to work with rest of world for common good of humanity Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News To turn supply chains into chains of win-win cooperation Alwihda Info | Par pd - 10 Decembre 2023 The CISCE is an event for China and for the world. China is willing to work together with all parties to leverage this platform to make global industrial and supply chains more resilient, efficient, and dynamic, and make greater contributions to promoting global economic recovery and development. By He Yin, People's Daily The recently-concluded first China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) achieved fruitful results. While holding more than 360 matchmaking and exchange activities, it was joined by over 15,000 participants and has delivered 23 research reports, declarations, and standards. According to incomplete statistics, more than 200 cooperation agreements and indented deals were signed at the event, involving a total amount of over 150 billion yuan ($21.19 billion). As another global public good initiated by China, the CISCE has sent a strong message that China is taking concrete actions to maintain the stability and smooth operation of industrial and supply chains. It showcased China's determination and confidence in continuously promoting high-level opening-up. The first CISCE was a globally significant event characterized by high standards, quality, and level. It aimed to turn supply chains into chains of win-win international cooperation. Many exhibitors took the expo as a platform to launch their products. A total of 62 representative new products, technologies, and services made their debut at the event. The CISCE provided an important opportunity for developing countries to showcase their advantages in industrial and supply chains, as well as a platform for these countries' enterprises to integrate into the global industrial and supply chains. At the expo, China released the Global Supply Chain Promotion Report and launched the Beijing Initiative for the Connectivity of Industrial and Supply Chains, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to maintaining the stability and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains. International observers widely recognize the groundbreaking significance of the first CISCE, saying it has sent a signal that China will participate more deeply in the construction of a global system of industrial and supply chains. The CISCE integrates trade promotion, investment cooperation, innovation aggregation, and mutual learning. It aims to build an open international cooperation platform that connects upstream, midstream, and downstream industries, facilitates communication between large, medium, and small-sized enterprises, promotes collaboration among universities, enterprises and research institutions, and encourages interaction between Chinese and foreign companies. This event vividly showcases China's continuous efforts in advancing high-level opening-up. During the event, many exhibitors said that China's industrial and supply chain foundations are solid, providing multinational companies with strong confidence in further developing in China. As a major trading partner of over 140 countries and regions, China remains committed to reform and opening-up, providing the world with market opportunities, cooperation opportunities, policy opportunities, and innovation opportunities. In the first three quarters of this year, China's GDP grew by 5.2 percent year-on-year, ranking among the highest among major economies in the world. Recently, several international organizations and financial institutions have raised their growth forecasts for China's economy this year. Against the backdrop of a difficult global economic recovery, China's economy has maintained a stable and positive momentum, further strengthening the confidence of all parties that "investing in China is investing in the future," and making deep involvement in the Chinese market a prevailing consensus in the international community. Both history and reality have proven that the whole world will benefit when cooperation on global industrial and supply chains remains stable and continues to deepen, otherwise the globe will generally bear losses when cooperation on the chains is hindered and stagnates. As Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, pointed out, the world needs to work together, support multilateralism and dialogue, rather than engaging in unilateral actions. China firmly opposes protectionism and various forms of "decoupling and supply chain disruption," and promotes trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, with an aim to establish a set of global economic and trade rules that is fair, reasonable and transparent. The hosting of the CISCE reflected the urgent desire of the global business community to maintain the stability and smooth operation of industrial and supply chains. It also demonstrated China's commitment to playing a leading role in this regard. African Union Permanent Representative to China, Rahamtalla Osman Elnor, said China champions multilateralism. The participation of numerous Chinese and foreign companies and institutions in the first CISCE showed that everyone recognizes the importance of solidarity and cooperation. "We must believe in multilateralism," he noted. Linky, the mascot of the CISCE, symbolizes the connections in the supply chain. Its triangle-shaped body stands for the stability and security of industrial and supply chains. The CISCE is an event for China and for the world. China is willing to work together with all parties to leverage this platform to make global industrial and supply chains more resilient, efficient, and dynamic, and make greater contributions to promoting global economic recovery and development. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Full text of President Xi Jinping's 2024 New Year message China's first domestically-made large cruise ship makes commercial maiden voyage China to work with rest of world for common good of humanity Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Yancheng in E China's Jiangsu makes innovation in wetland conservation Alwihda Info | Par pd - 6 Decembre 2023 In the museum, there is a holographic display that vividly presents the migratory routes of birds in 4D animation, an interactive display wall that brings together 436 bird species in Yancheng, and exhibition boards that showcase popular science knowledge about the biodiversity on muddy coasts, which attract a huge number of citizens and tourists. By Yao Xueqing, People's Daily Yancheng in east China's Jiangsu province, home to a World Natural Heritage site and accredited by the Ramsar Convention as an international wetland city, boasts a coastline of 582 kilometers and a total area of 4,553 square kilometers of tidal flats. It houses the largest coastal wetland on the edge of the Asian continent and on the west coast of the Pacific Ocean, which serves as an important resting, feeding, and molting ground for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian flyway. Developing coastal wetland resources for nature education is one of the focuses emphasized in a 2023-2035 development plan on nature education released at the 2023 China Nature Education Conference. Yancheng, leveraging its local wetland resources, has dug into popular science development. It has built specialized venues, innovated popular science formats, and encouraged social forces to hold diverse activities, in order to form a synergetic force for nature education. The Yellow Sea Wetland Museum in Yancheng is a treasure trove. It houses over 1,000 exhibits, including precious specimens of sperm whale skeletons, red-crowned cranes, elks, and spoon-billed sandpipers. It also offers an immersive experience with a large-scale digital sand table, a holographic display, and a dynamic monitoring platform for the Yellow Sea wetland. The museum has five permanent exhibition halls focusing on themes of international wetland city, the Yellow Sea ecological zone, bird migration, muddy coast and human-nature harmony, unfolding a beautiful picture of the harmonious coexistence between man and nature. In the museum, there is a holographic display that vividly presents the migratory routes of birds in 4D animation, an interactive display wall that brings together 436 bird species in Yancheng, and exhibition boards that showcase popular science knowledge about the biodiversity on muddy coasts, which attract a huge number of citizens and tourists. Wu Qijiang, chief curator of the exhibition and director of the Yancheng Wetland and World Natural Heritage Site Conservation and Management Center, noted that that Yancheng's unique natural resources are exactly the foundation for the city to carry out natural education. According to Wu, the five permanent exhibition halls of the museum have gone through over 100 adjustments and received 83,000 visits since the museum started trial operation in 2022. Yancheng is leveraging the museum to build a main base for nature education. In addition to the Yellow Sea Wetland Museum which systematically tells wetland stories, nature conservation organizations in the city such as the Yancheng Wetland and Rare Birds National Nature Reserve and the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve have also launched special exhibitions for visitors. Besides, some schools and public institutions in the city have allocated hundreds of square meters from their office space to build "mini museums," showcasing the evolution of wetlands and secrets of birds to teachers, students and the general public. Apart from venue construction, the local government has innovatively developed various forms of science popularization, both online and offline, to create a comprehensive science education platform. In 2019, the Yancheng Wetland and Rare Birds National Nature Reserve, in cooperation with the municipal education bureau of Yancheng, published a nature education book themed on Yancheng's wetlands. Every primary and secondary school in the city has received a copy. Staff members of the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve also visited surrounding communities and collaborative institutions, to launch public legal education and science popularization campaigns, while establishing joint protection mechanisms. The Yancheng Wetland and World Natural Heritage Site Conservation and Management Center has established an official website and accounts on social media platforms, publishing nearly 500 science popularization articles. In recent years, social forces in the city have hosted a variety of educational and scientific activities, which have been well-received by the public. Since the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf (Phase I) in Yancheng was inscribed on the World Heritage List as a natural site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in July, 2019, the Yellow Sea Wetland Museum, the Yancheng Wetland and Rare Birds National Nature Reserve, the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve, the School of Wetland of Yancheng Teachers University, as well as social educational institutions, have launched diverse and engaging educational activities, attracting primary and secondary school students to explore the wetland and discover the nature. Jiangsu Yellow Sea Wetland Culture Development Co., Ltd., an enterprise focusing on wetland-themed business, education and research, has created a cartoon figure based on the endangered migratory bird, the spoon-billed sandpiper. The figure has been printed on T-shirts, cups, fans and other products sold in the gift shop of the Yellow Sea Wetland Museum. Xu Hongxin, general manager of the company, told People's Daily that the popularity of the figure exactly mirrors the process of nature education in people's hearts. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Full text of President Xi Jinping's 2024 New Year message China's first domestically-made large cruise ship makes commercial maiden voyage China to work with rest of world for common good of humanity Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) Chaos at the southwest border despite any single governors efforts reminds us that just one official has the ability to end Americas self-inflicted border crisis: the president. On Inauguration Day, 2025, the new president should start turning the tide by denouncing the 1967 United Nations Protocol on refugees. Experts generally use two terms to describe non-citizens alleging persecution by their home countries and seeking international protection. A refugee is a non-citizen outside of her home country who seeks permission to resettle lawfully in the United States or another safe country. An asylee (or asylum applicant) is a non-citizen already in the United States. Today, most asylum applicants enter the United States illegally, then allege persecution in their home countries to thwart U.S. deportation proceedings. In 1951, the United Nations adopted a refugee treaty for European victims of Nazi and Soviet persecution. A 1967 amendment to that treaty extended its protections worldwide. President Lyndon Johnson agreed to the amendment, known as the 1967 Protocol, and in 1968 the Senate consented. To implement the 1967 Protocol, Congress and President Jimmy Carter approved a 1980 statute called the Refugee Act. Since 1980, hundreds of thousands of economic migrants have used the Refugee Act to thwart deportation from the U.S. after violating our border or overstaying after a lawful entry. The U.S. asylum process has become a powerful magnet for job-seeking migrants, who although not persecuted at home, abuse the asylum process to get a foothold here and a work permit. U.S. asylum processing has become a massive fraud scheme, built upon the so-called non-return doctrine. Non-return (also commonly known in French as non-refoulement) is the centerpiece of the 1951 refugee treaty (Article 33). It binds America through the 1967 Protocol. It forbids treaty countries from returning asylum claimants to territories where their lives or safety would be threatened. By agreeing to this vague provision, America sacrificed control over its border with no effective escape clause. During the COVID-19 years, controversy over President Trumps invocation of public health provision Title 42, Section 265 of the United States Code, to bar U.S. entry of undocumented migrants underscored our nations lack of options for suspending the non-return doctrine. The non-return doctrine rewards meritless asylum claims with U.S. work permits and a long stay despite unlawful entry. No costs to the violator follow loss or abandonment of a meritless claim, or for the burden on taxpayers of litigating thousands of meritless claims every year. Today, the Border Patrol is forbidden from immediately removing any non-citizen border or status violatoreven those who have been previously deportedwho claims to fear return to the home country or Mexico. Human traffickers learn fast, so claims of fear to thwart deportation are routine, no matter how implausible. With a simple claim of fear, and despite virtually no likelihood of receiving asylum, the violator will be allowed into the U.S., often with family in tow, handed a work permit, and will never leave. Madness. How can the crisis at our border be stopped? Title 42 is inadequate, and Congress has failed to act. But treaties may outlive their usefulness, so mostincluding the 1967 Protocolinclude a denunciation clause. In the U.S., the president has the authority to denounce a treaty. While the Senate must consent to ratification of U.S. treaties, our Constitution commits foreign affairs and treaty-makingwhich includes the power to unmake treatiesto the president. The presidents denunciation authority reaches treaties like the 1967 Protocol for which Congress has enacted accompanying domestic legislation. In 2023, human waves violating our border illustrated the utter failure of the 1967 Protocol and U.S. asylum law. Our broken system should be dismantled and rebuilt from the ground up to reflect U.S. border security interests exclusively, with generous presidential derogation authority in addition to Title 42. In the meantime, decoupling from the 1967 Protocol on January 20, 2025, would be a consequential first step towards recapturing our border and taxpayer resources from the criminal and non-criminal organizations in control today. Among these are federal, state, and local government agencies; private social service and religious organizations; bar associations; academics; shelters; traffickers of fentanyl, children, and women; and indirectly, U.S.-financed international bodies like the U.N. Refugee Agency and International Organization for Migration. Presidential denunciation of the 1967 Protocol would be a watershed in post-Second World War U.S. immigration policy. Denunciation need not end refugee or asylum processing for America. But it may provide the thorough shock apparently required to swiftly end the border emergency and induce Congress to undertake a serious effort to repair an outdated immigration system collapsing in real time. A Navy veteran of submarines and Iraq, Richard J. Douglas has extensive front-line legislative, diplomatic, border, immigration, and commercial experience. Douglas has been a licensed attorney since 1991. He was chief counsel for the late Jesse Helms (R-NC) at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He advised Senator Helms on the Committees treaty work during the Helms chairmanship. After 9/11, Douglas also served as General Counsel at the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. In 2006, President G.W. Bush appointed him Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Counternarcotics). A Texas resident, Douglas has also lived and worked in Ciudad Juarez, Veracruz, Bilbao, and Madrid. The views expressed here are exclusively his. They do not reflect policies or positions of any government or private agency, or information restricted from disclosure by law, regulation, or policy. For many years, in the late 1960s and 1970s, my father was the president of the teachers union in Oakland. Throughout his career, he was an advocate and activist for civil rights. In 1969, for example, he joined four civil rights activists from the African-American community at an Oakland school board meeting for what was supposed to be a protest of the selection of a new superintendent without community input. Instead, it became a melee: at one point, my father swung his briefcase in a high arc onto the back of a police officer who was baton-choking a young black student caught up in the fracas. He spent the night in jail, and later became one of the defendants of what local media dubbed the Oakland Five. By virtue of his position as president of an AFL-CIO local affiliate, my father also served on the Alameda-Contra Costa Central Labor Council. The CLCs annual Labor Day picnic was a major political campaign stop for Democrats, where national candidates spoke during presidential election years. If that wasnt enough, he also served on the board of our local Bnai Brith chapter. In bringing together these threads of his activism, my father was an intersectional ally long before the term was coined. Today, he would be in mourning over the death of allyship. The aftermath of the October 7 attack in Israel has sheared the supposed Progressive alliance. In Oakland public schools, on Dec. 6 of this year, teachers defied the warnings of the school district superintendent and conducted a Teach-In for Palestine, with a complete curriculum for K through 12 students. Billed as an effort to give students counter-narratives on the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the teach-in was initiated by a subset of members of the Oakland Education Association teachers union called OEA for Palestine and was later endorsed by a vote of the full membership of OEA. The curriculum makes no mention of the Oct. 7 attacks or Hamass role in the conflict. This is unsurprising, as in November, the OEA passed a resolution that placed full blame for the conflict on Israel. The fracture lines have deepened over the last several years. In 2012, QUIT! (Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism!) launched a boycott of Cliffs Variety, an independent local hardware store in San Franciscos Castro District, over the stores carrying SodaStream products made by an Israeli company in its West Bank factory. In Chicago in 2017, the organizers of the 21st Annual Dyke March ejected three marchers carrying Jewish Pride flags rainbow flags with Stars of David in the center because the flags made people feel unsafe, explaining that the march was anti-Zionist and pro-Palestinian. Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon joined a New York crowd in chanting, From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free before telling the group, There are a lot of people that are afraid, that are afraid of being Jewish at this time, and are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country. The fallout from her remarks included her agency dropping her as a client, after which she issued an apology that implied she simply forgot about the history of anti-Jewish discrimination in the U.S., the Tree of Life synagogue massacre, and the Holocaust. The fractures have not only shown the hollowness of allyship with Jews. Fissures have caused splits in the LGBT community, the womens rights movement, and the African-American community. Andrew Sullivan observed that the gay rights movement has transformed in recent years. The movement is now rhetorically as much about race and gender as it is about sexual orientation (intersectionality), prefers alternatives to marriage to marriage equality, sees white men as problematic, masculinity as toxic, gender as fluid, and race as fundamental. ... Above all, they have advocated transgenderism, an ideology that goes far beyond recognizing the dignity and humanity and civil equality of trans people into a critique of gender, masculinity, femininity, and heterosexuality. Live and let live became: If you dont believe gender is nonbinary, youre a bigot. Fred Sargeant, who helped organize the first Pride march following the Stonewall Riots in 1969, has since affiliated with the LGB Alliance, which is critical of transgender and queer ideology. In 2022, he attended a Pride celebration in Burlington, Vt., carrying a sign with the slogan Gay Not Queer. A group of TQ+ activists stole his placard, knocked him to the ground, and poured coffee on him. Sargeant told reporters, The concern I have is that the movement that I knew, the gay liberation movement, has metamorphosized into a gender identity movement that is quite misogynistic, homophobic values that I cant share. I dont recognize it any longer. Womens rights groups have been similarly impacted. Transgender ideology has been used to bludgeon women like author J.K. Rowling and swimmer Riley Gaines into silence about the biological aspects of female identity. Womens rights activists accepting of transgender ideology denounce feminists who reject the rigidities of that ideology as TERFs (trans-exclusionary radical feminists). Closing the circle to the Oct. 7 attacks, many womens rights groups in the intersectional alliance such as Planned Parenthood, the Womens March, and National Organization for Women remained largely silent about the sexual atrocities committed by Hamas and its allies against Israeli women and children. The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, or U.N. Women, took two months to notice these crimes. Even media outlets like BBC News and NBC News waited until after their own investigations to say they had heard evidence of the rapes or that evidence suggests that Hamas committed sexual atrocities, despite the overwhelming evidence the rapists livestreamed to the world during their own acts. Speaking of the Chicago Dyke March incident, David Shneer, a professor of history and religious studies at the University of Colorado who co-edited the book Queer Jews, told BuzzFeed News, What runs through my mind is the tension between politics and identity and the frustration that I have that the progressive community in the US cannot figure out how to create a united front. But there isnt a united front and never has been. Senator Chuck Schumer recently said on the Senate floor: Many of the people who have expressed these sentiments in America arent neo-Nazis, or card-carrying Klan members, or Islamist extremists. They are in many cases people that most liberal Jewish Americans felt previously were their ideological fellow travelers. Not long ago, many of us marched together for Black and Brown lives, we stood against anti-Asian hatred, we protested bigotry against the LGBTQ community, we fought for reproductive justice out of the recognition that injustice against one oppressed group is injustice against all. But apparently, in the eyes of some, that principle does not extend to the Jewish people. The appearance of unity relied on unquestioning conformity and unswerving loyalty to a subset of the groups in the intersectional alliance, based less on identity and more on an ideological imperative to remake society in the image of the Progressive ideal. Many members of the alliance have now woken up to the reality that while they may have been allies to the woke community, the community has never been an ally to them. Image: Lyza via Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magills decision to resign, after her less-than-inspiring appearance before a Congressional committee December 5 to discuss antisemitism on college campuses, may have some people cheering. After listening to Magill and two other top-tier university presidents -- Claudine Gay of Harvard and Sally Kornbluth of MIT -- equivocate about whether students should be disciplined for antisemitic rhetoric (it is context-dependent) Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY23) concluded her questioning with the blunt assessment: This is why you should resign. These are unacceptable answers across the board. Magill appears to have taken that advice (or was forced by deep-pocketed alums to do so). Pardon me if my cheer is not full-throated. I am happy she resigned. I am not sure were clear about where the problem lies. Magill, Gay, and Kornbluth insisted in best lawyerly language that disciplining students for antisemitic rhetoric is context-dependent, tied to whether that rhetoric degenerated further into action. Most Americans were rightly revolted by the context-dependent sloganeering to which the presidents repeatedly retreated. But why are we surprised? Context dependence is the logic of a deeper rot that Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) warned us against in 2005: the dictatorship of relativism. Relativism, in all its forms, is context-dependent. For the relativist, there is not and cannot be anything that is intrinsically evil, anything that is always and everywhere wrong. There always has to be some escape hatch, some trap door through which one can carve out an exception for the wrongdoing rehabilitated by the morality of the moment or by political correctness. Thats why Im not proclaiming a full-out huzzah for Magills resignation. The inconvenient person of the moment will change, but the intellectual mold will likely stay. Conservatives, after all, are likely to find themselves in a bit of a paradox. How do you criticize students who chant from the river to the sea, Palestine must be free! yet also criticize others who shut down speech they find objectionable? Pure proceduralism gets you into some difficult binds. Some would argue that a proceduralist approach to that same First Amendment guarantees a robust exchange of views that protects those antisemitic students. Thats the problem with pure proceduralism, i.e., approaching this as an ethical issue that can be solved not by getting into the substance of what is being argued but by trying to stay at the level of what procedures should regulate argument. Therell even be a core of conservatives I am thinking of the likely David Frenches of the world who will cloak themselves in Voltairean sentiments about disapproving what you say but defending to the death your right to say it. On those terms, shouldnt we be touting Jihad-supporting students as true patriots? Magills testimony gives us a glimpse from another angle of a criticism I made in these pages almost right after the infamous October 7 attacks on Israel. In their aftermath a Penn professor, writing in the New York Times, admitted Americans should legitimately wonder how privileged ivy league students could be standing with genocide. His recommendation was to demand more ethics courses in the curriculum and infusing more ethical questions across the curriculum. My response was that this was a losing solution because the question remains: whose ethics?" The vast mainstream of American ethical thought -- proceduralism, emotivism (right and wrong express feelings), utilitarianism (right and wrong are what benefit the most at least cost to the fewest) -- is all relativistic. In other words, theyre all context-dependent. The proceduralists are context-dependent on the First Amendment versus chilling and deterring versus hostile environments versus behavior. The emotivists are context-dependent on how a particular group feels about a statement: from the river to the sea may not pass muster with many Americans but is perfectly fine on many Arab streets. The utilitarians are context-dependent based on what costs are being factored into the calculations. Free speech? Morally revulsive statements? The strength of the doors at the campus Hillel? Utilitarianism generally has only stopped those sufficiently uncreative not to know how best to stack the narrative deck. As I said in that earlier piece, what we need is a thicker, more substantive ethic that speaks to right and wrong not just in how we adjudicate things but in things-in-themselves. That calling for killing of innocents is never justified in any context. That antisemitism is always wrong, without depending on context. The problem which liberals recognize but which may also bite some of the mushy middle is that once you start talking about ethics in this thicker, more substantive way, you cant turn it on when convenient and off when not. That would be context-dependent. It requires you, instead, to be consequential and continue thinking through and applying your principles across the board. If killing innocents is always wrong, it is going also to force a grappling with neonatal neglect because a newborn is handicapped. And it may just jump that borderline of birth and ask about the moral questions it poses prenatally. The visceral disgust Americans feel when they watch those deemed the best and brightest standing with terrorists, making excuses for them, or engaging in the moral equivalencies of what aboutism have opened peoples eyes to something being deeply awry. The problem is theyre not sure where the problem lies? On campus? With college administrations? Presidents? Or perhaps with the kinds of thinking that have been celebrated and mainstreamed as ethics in our culture, approaches about which adherents of traditional Judaeo-Christian ethics have been long sounding warnings to deaf ears. Perhaps it was hitherto easy to ignore those warnings because to have heard them might have stopped us from doing things we wanted otherwise to do. But, as Richard Weaver observed, ideas have consequences. Ignoring an ethic just because it got in the way of our preferences makes it harder to reinstate it when that ethic aligns with them. No matter how uncomfortable, our minds do afford a certain legitimacy to logic. And when our ethics lead us to cheering antisemitic genocide, we might be intellectually honest enough to ask how our thinking got us here. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License It was telling, and not unexpected, to see the front-page, above-the-fold placement of the Washington Post article Young Palestinians describe harsh treatment in Israeli jails (12/04/23) describing alleged Israeli mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners. With the origin of the recent Israeli/Palestinian war being the broken ceasefire and subsequent barbaric massacre by Hamas of 1,200 innocent Israeli civilians from infants to the aged, along with the taking of 240 hostages, also from infants to the aged, it wasnt surprising to see The Washington Post have an article sympathetic to the initiators of the massacre the Hamas-led Palestinians. With the apparent end of what amounted to an exchange of innocent Israeli hostages with Palestinian criminals, the Posts interest was to highlight alleged trauma that the Palestinian prisoners received rather than the Israeli hostages stolen from their homes and families. It is mind-blowing how the Washington Post can attempt to build a case critical of Israel for claims of, for example, occasional solitary confinement compared to Hamas gang-raping women, mutilation and dismemberment, and wholesale murder of Jewish civilians. Hamas cut off the fingers and limbs of children in front of their parents, murdered parents in front of their children, gouged eyes out. Does the Post really see an equivalence? The message of the article both in content and placement is clear. The Washington Post has an anti-Israel, anti-Jewish animus. There is no other explanation why there would be a front-page, above-the-fold article, critical of Israel, for its alleged mistreatment of prisoners while neglecting the drugging, the raping, the dismemberment of Israelis on October 7. One anecdotal story published was about Palestinian prisoner Noah Bseso, who spent some of his days in windowless solitary confinement. And, as if a punishment, only after being released had he heard the details of the Hamas-led attacks on October 7. He was incarcerated for assault and in the process of being scheduled to be sentenced when he was exchanged. The Post did not elaborate on the circumstances that went with the extra punishment of the alleged days of solitary confinement. The other anecdotal story in the article is about a Palestinian prisoner, Malek Debeh, who was convicted of rioting. Contrary to the theme of the article, this prisoner actually admitted that incarceration was tolerable. Tolerable! His objection was that after October 7, the food became mostly bread and undercooked rice. These two stories amounted to a desperate search to find something against Israel, to punish Israel, yet the examples of Israeli wrongdoing were clearly nothing-burgers. In reality, treatment of prisoners in Israel and the territories is far better than what any prisoner in the Middle East is likely to get. According to the article, Israeli prison authorities told The Washington Post that they were unaware of the specific claims of mistreatment made by Bseso and several other recently freed prisoners. ... All prisoners are detained according to the provisions of the law, the Israel prison service said in an email response to detailed questions. We are not aware of the claims you described. Nonetheless, prisoners and detainees have the right to file a complaint that will be fully examined by official authorities. If only the Israeli hostages tortured, starved, dismembered, raped, and murdered had a fraction of such rights. Image: Daniel X. O'Neil via Flickr, CC BY 2.0. Thanks to black university students, segregation is coming back into its own. Not government-mandated coercive segregation under Jim Crow, with its back-of-the-bus rules, separate washrooms, whites and blacks only drinking fountains, etc. That type of segregation was a clear and present danger, a violation of the rights of free association: that no one should be compelled to associate with anyone else against his will, or prohibited from so doing. Happily, that unjust chapter in our history is long gone. We are talking here of something entirely different: voluntary segregation. The philosopher Muhammad Ali, perhaps the most formidable boxer of all time, said it best: In the jungle, lions are with lions and tigers with tigers and redbirds stay with redbirds and bluebirds with bluebirds. Thats human nature, too, to be with your own kind. I dont want to go where Im not wanted. So what are the African-American students at our most prestigious universities and many others as well now demanding? Separate graduation ceremonies, separate spaces, separate clubs, separate dormitories, separate dining rooms, separate counseling services, separate courses (black studies). More power to them, say I. If segregation is good enough for lions, tigers and blacks, it ought to be good enough for whites, Asians indeed, for all people. We already have separate clubs for females, sororities, and separate bathrooms for them, too, although the latter seem to be on the way out in these woke times. (Not all movement is in the direction of voluntary segregation.) Actually, this is just the tip of the iceberg of segregation on campus. Musicians gather into groups limited to those who sing or play instruments. Athletes have been known to exclude others from their get-togethers. They even further segregate into smaller communities focusing on separate sports. Nor are the nerds far behind them in this exercise. The chess club is pretty much limited to fellow patzers. The physicists and chemists keep to themselves on many occasions as well. But the black students deserve some additional special praise. It took great courage for them to insist upon their rights to be among themselves. The way ahead in this regard was far easier for thespians, poets, philosophers, mathematicians, etc. on campus. No one objects to them gathering and excluding outsiders. All deserve to engage in free association; no one should be compelled to associate with anyone else against his will. However, with that type of segregation, and only that type, one of the underpinnings of affirmative action will be broken. This policy is often justified on the ground that it affords people of all races experiences, interactions, with one another. If blacks want to isolate themselves from others in the academic community, this supposed benefit of affirmative action will be truncated, if not entirely eliminated. One of the arguments for affirmative action is that members of different ethnic and racial groups would benefit from interacting with one another. This neo-segregation would be in direct conflict with that goal. But the law of free association inures in the direction of segregation, if it is so desired, not integration. Suppose now that white students wanted to isolate themselves from all others, or Asians, or any other such group. Would that type of initiative be tolerated on campus? Not bloody likely. It would be rejected along with cries of supremacy, racism, etc. Why the different treatment? Presumably, because all groups are not equal. Some now have more equity than others. The key, here, is voluntarism. Anti-miscegenation laws are illicit since they prohibit voluntary integration. School busing to achieve racial integration as practiced, infamously, in Boston was coercive, and therefore also constituted improper law. Likewise with segregation. If it is imposed by government, and therefore compulsory, it is thus a legal wrong. However, if it is practiced on a voluntary basis, such as by these black students on campus, then it is to be applauded, if human freedom is to be supported. Image via PickPik. The Washington Free Beacon recently obtained documents showing that Microsoft made a deal with Chinese state-run media outlets disseminate propaganda as part of a partnership agreement they didn't tell too many people about. According to the Beacon: Microsoft helped Chinese state-run media outlets disseminate propaganda as part of previously unreported partnership agreements, documents obtained by the Washington Free Beacon show. The nations second largest corporation signed collaboration deals with state-run Chinese media outlets including China Daily and Peoples Daily, the latter of which is the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Chinese government. Summaries of the deal state Microsoft would provide China Daily with technology that lets the paper target potential readers and gave the Peoples Daily access to an artificial intelligence bot specially designed to be controlled and censored by the Chinese Communist Party. According to the Beacon, Geoffrey Cain, who is the policy director at the Tech Integrity Project, an organization attempting to fight Chinese Communist Party influence in American tech companies: "These are major propaganda outlets that publish outright falsehoods attacking the ideas of democracy, attacking the very concepts that undergird our society, and yet an American company is working to spread this. Cain added, referring to Microsoft, "The purpose of all this is to show the Chinese Communist Party that its firmly on the side of China and the Chinese system. So, apparently, are numerous American companies, ominously including other tech firms, Hollywood studios, and the NBA. As Ive previously noted, Microsofts Bing browser now utilizes an AI search engine that seems to exhibit a distinct bias towards left-leaning sites. (This is in contrast with conservative sites that tend to only show up several pages down the line, if at all-- and many of which are now flagged as unsafe by various antivirus software products.) Shame on Bill Gates, who, of course, is well aware that the CCP imprisons and tortures Uyghurs 24/7365. And that it is an adversary of the United States and wishes to effectively take over the world. Microsoft is helping the CCP do just that. You might say it is giving China an Edge. In doing so, it proves to be a friend to Chinaread massive markets and tons of cashand not so much to America. Its one thing to lean left, entirely another to actively work with and support the CCP. In days of yore, reputable American companies wouldnt have aided our enemies for all the tea in China. But Microsoft puts profit ahead of patriotism, the CCP before Americans. I believe it was Confucious who said, Be careful with whom you get in bed. That sentiment should apply to Microsoft. The company has opened Windows to its soul. Its time to let Microsoft know we dont like what we see. Image: Pexels // public domain Caddo Lake. Photo: Maciej Kraus/Flickr Natural pearls are a rarity today, but a hundred years ago, before British biologist William Saville-Kent first developed the technique of pearl culturing, natural pearls were found in many parts of the world and it was the only kind of pearl people wore. For thousand of years, divers retrieved natural pearls from wild oysters in the Indian Ocean in areas such as the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Mannar. The pearl fisheries of the Persian Gulf, in particular, were the most famous and valuable in the world. During the Han Dynasty (206 BC220 AD), the Chinese hunted extensively for seawater pearls in the South China Sea. When Spanish conquistadors arrived in the Western Hemisphere, they discovered that around the islands of Cubagua and Margarita, some 200 km north of the Venezuelan coast, was an extensive pearl bed. Pearls harvested from these beds were gifted by Philip II of Spain to his wife Mary I of England. In the Americas, Native Americans harvested freshwater pearls from lakes and rivers in Ohio, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Marine pearls were found in the Caribbean and waters along the coasts of Central and South America. During colonial times, slaves were employed as pearl divers off the northern coasts of modern Colombia and Venezuela. The waters being searched were known to be shark-infested, and many unlucky slaves lost their lives to shark attacks. But those fortunate to discover a great pearl could sometimes purchase his freedom. In 1905, Sachihiko Ono Murata, a Japanese immigrant, who once served as chef aboard a U.S. Navy ship in the Pacific fleet, settled on the north shore of Caddo Lakea large dragon-shaped lake on the border between Texas and Louisiana. Caddo Lake is famous for its cypress forest, which is one of the largest in the United States. It is also the largest freshwater lake in the state of Texas, and has been a favorite fishing and vacation spot among citizens from that section of the country for many years. Murata loved the lakes cypress trees and found a job cooking for workers on the oil rigs that dotted the lake. One day, while preparing a mussel to use as catfish bait, Murata discovered a small pearl. This was nothing new. Occasionally, young men would find pearls inside mussels which they would gift to their heartthrobs. Later that same day, or perhaps, a few days later, Murata discovered a second pearl. Not much interest were attached to these casual finds, until Murata found a way to sell them. Rumors flew that he sold the pearls to Tiffany & Co. in New York for $1,500 each. To give you an idea of the amount of money that was, a typical Texas farmer made between $300 to $600 a year. The promise of a pearl or two drove thousands of people from nearby settlements, who set up tents on the shores of Caddo Lake. Some brought their families with them. Others came alone, and went back and forth to their homes. A group of pearl hunters on Caddo Lake. The water in the lake was waist deep or chest deep, and most pearl hunters found it convenient to wade barefoot in the water, picking up mussels from the mud with their toes. Others used fishing tongs, which allowed them to look for mussels during the colder winter months and in the deeper regions of the lake. Most of the pearls fetched only $20 or $25, but one Mrs. Jeff Stroud of the Lewis community sold a whopper for $900. It was the most expensive pearl sold at the lake. Another lucky fisherman, George Allen, received $500 for one pearl. For three summers, pearl hunting was so lucrative that commercial fishermen on Caddo gave up fishing entirely, and devoted their entire time to mussel hunting. However, not everyone was lucky. Some toiled for weeks without finding a single pearl, and left in disappointment. Still there was enough pearls in Caddo Lake to encourage hunting, and at one time there was as many as 500 tents around the lake and up to 1,000 men would be on the lake each day. It is difficult to estimate how much pearl the lake yielded, because many did not publicize their find to avoid jealousy. Others, exaggerated their fortunes. Some think as many as one million dollars worth of pearls were marketed. Caddo Lake. Photo: Louis Vest/Flickr Unlike many boom towns that grew around the Gold Rush of California or the oil wells in Pennsylvania, the community in Caddo Lake never organized into anything more than a few hundred vacation camps. The lake was free to all and no body lay claim to any special spots on the lake or on the beach. The community got along surprisingly well with no fights or bickering or quarrelling. This was because time was precious, and few pearl hunters wasted time in idle. With no church to go to, they worked even during Sundays. This was a time when working on Sunday was considered a sin, but luckily there was no preacher in the camp. Pearl harvesting in Caddo Lake continued till 1913, when a dam was constructed downriver at Mooringsport, causing the lake levels to rise, making the lake too deep for wading fishermen. The pearl craze ended and the Caddo fishermen went back to fishing, while others returned to their homes. Freshwater mussels still thrive in Caddo Lake, now a protected State Park, but no collecting is allowed. References: # Katherine Williams, https://www.jstor.org/stable/30235720 # Texas Co-op Power, https://www.texascooppower.com/texas-stories/history/caddos-gems # Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_hunting High winds and potential coastal flooding are expected on the west coast of Ireland as Storm Fergus sweeps across the island, Met Eireann has said. Orange warnings for wind are in place for counties Clare, Galway and Mayo, indicating very strong onshore winds coupled with high waves and high tides. Storm Fergus, the second named storm of the weekend, has also brought yellow warnings for wind in counties Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Cavan, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo. #StormFergus -Very strong onshore winds, coupled with high waves and high tides. Potential impacts: Localised coastal flooding and wave overtopping Status Orange Wind warning for Clare, Galway, Mayo More herehttps://t.co/ZsjQsKCXDy pic.twitter.com/7bn0KihvrV Met Eireann (@MetEireann) December 10, 2023 Those counties can expect difficult travelling conditions caused by debris or displaced loose objects. Met Eireann meteorologist Michelle Dillon said: Strong to gale force south-west winds veering westerly will be developing through Sunday afternoon, evening and early Sunday night as Storm Fergus tracks eastwards across the country. Storm surge will lead to high seas and along with the stormy conditions theres the possibility of coastal flooding along parts of the west coast, particularly at high tide. Waves crashing against the shore at Doolin in County Clare (Niall Carson/PA) The UK Met Office has also put in place some yellow weather warning in parts of Scotland and northern England, but no warnings for Northern Ireland have been issued. Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said Storm Fergus will conclude what has been an unsettled weekend of weather for the UK. Fergus will bring some strong winds and heavy rain for a time late on Sunday and into the early hours of Monday morning, he said. While the strongest gusts are expected in the Republic of Ireland, Storm Fergus will bring some windy conditions to western areas, including Irish Sea coasts, while also bringing some potentially impactful rain. King chooses coronation Christmas card but family photo for William and Kate The King and Queen have chosen a coronation day photograph taken at Buckingham Palace for their Christmas card this year. The formal image, showing Charles and Camilla in the palace throne room following the coronation, contrasts with the relaxed family group photo selected by the Prince and Princess of Wales. The monochrome image chosen by the Prince and Princess of Wales shows the family, all wearing plain shirts, arranged around a smiling Princess Charlotte who is seated on a chair. The King and Queens card features a picture taken by photographer Hugo Burnand who captured the couple standing side by side, with Charles wearing the Imperial State Crown and Camilla wearing Queen Marys Crown. Charles and Camilla have chosen a formal coronation image for their Christmas card (Buckingham Palace/Hugo Burnand/PA) The King is also pictured wearing a coronation tunic and the robe of estate. Made of purple silk velvet embroidered in gold, the robe was worn by King George VI in 1937. The Prince and Princess of Wales were photographed with their three children in Windsor (Josh Shinner/Kensington Palace/PA) The Queen is wearing her robe of estate made by Ede and Ravenscroft and designed and hand embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. She also wears her coronation dress designed by Bruce Oldfield. The image taken on the day of the coronation, May 6 2023 has been selected for the couples second Christmas card since Charles became King. The crowning of Charles and Camilla and the deeply religious ceremony in Westminster Abbey earlier this year was followed by a weekend of celebrations. The King wearing St Edwards Crown during his coronation in Westminster Abbey (Aaron Chown/PA) The couple took to the palace balcony to see the crowds, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and the coronation pages and Ladies in Attendance. The event brought together around 100 heads of state, kings and queens from across the globe, celebrities, everyday heroes and family and friends of the couple. William and Kate were photographed with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at Windsor earlier this year. The Prince and Princess of Wales with their three children during the Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey (Aaron Chown/PA) The family photo was captured by Yorkshire-born photographer Josh Shinner whose previous sitters include Florence Pugh, Jodie Comer and Sam Smith. Christmas images used to decorate official festive cards are regularly released by senior members of the royal family with the cards sent to friends, family and colleagues. The Foreign Secretary has threatened to withdraw co-operation with Scottish ministers after Humza Yousaf met Turkeys president at Cop28 without a UK representative. Scotland First Minister posted an image of himself in Dubai with Recep Tayyip Erdogan on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying they had discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza on December 1. In a letter to the SNPs external affairs secretary Angus Robertson, Lord David Cameron said the meeting breached devolution protocols as a UK official was not given sufficient advance notice of the location of the meeting to be able to attend. As well as discussing the urgency of global action on tackling the climate crisis, I spoke to @RTErdogan & Lebanon PM @Najib_Mikati about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. An immediate & permanent ceasefire is needed now. Too many innocent children have died, it must stop. pic.twitter.com/tDvs8X4tyJ Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) December 1, 2023 A spokesperson for Mr Yousaf said a Foreign Office official had been invited but was elsewhere at the time it was convenient for the Turkish president to meet. The then foreign secretary James Cleverly sent a similar letter to the Scottish government on October 16, outlining expectations after Mr Yousaf met the leader of Iceland without any UK officials being present in September despite requests from the Foreign Office. The letter from Lord Cameron warned co-operation will be withdrawn if any further breaches occurred. The letter said: My officials have informed me that First Minister Yousaf met President Erdogan of Turkiye while at Cop28 last week, discussing among other things the situation in Gaza. Despite an assurance being given by Scottish government officials that they would provide sufficient advance notice to allow an FCDO official to attend that meeting, this was not done. A UK official was available, whose contact details were known to your officials on the ground, but the location of the meeting was not shared with them. The absence of an FCDO official at this meeting contravenes the protocols in our guidance on FCDO support to devolved Government ministers overseas visits. Lord Cameron and Humza Yousaf visited the Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus during the Cop28 summit (Andrew Matthews/PA) It also fails to meet the expectations re-affirmed by my predecessor when he wrote to you on October 16. That letter was, I note, prompted by a similar incident where FCDO officials were not present at a meeting between the First Minister and the Icelandic prime minister, despite verbal and written requests from my officials that they attend. It is critical that the UK presents a consistent message to our international partners and that the devolution settlements are respected. We must ensure that UK foreign policy, a reserved matter, is coherent and that we speak with one voice to the international community. I remain open to discussing a constructive way forward. However, any further breaches of the protocol of ministerial meetings having a FCDO official present will result in no further FCDO facilitation of meetings or logistical support. We will also need to consider the presence of Scottish Government offices in UK Government posts. The Scottish Government denied the allegation. A spokesperson for the First Minister said: The Scottish Government had no difficulty with an FCDO representative attending the meeting, and indeed the relevant UK official was made aware of it and invited. These were exactly the same arrangements as for other meetings that the First Minister had with governments of other countries at Cop28, at which the FCDO official was present. However, the nature of events such as Cop is that timings can change at the last minute, and the FCDO representative was elsewhere at the time it was convenient for the Turkish president to meet. Any threat by the UK Government to curtail the Scottish Governments international engagement is misguided and would work against Scotlands interests. We are more than happy to discuss with Lord Cameron the continuing support of the FCDO in facilitating the work that Scottish ministers undertake in delivering for Scotland overseas. The image of Mr Yousaf with Turkeys president also provoked criticism from within the SNP due to Mr Erdogans track record on human rights. SNP councillor Roza Salih, who represents Glasgow and is originally from Kurdistan, wrote: I did not expect this from a FM that says he respects human rights. A UK Government spokesman said: Foreign affairs is reserved under the Scotland Act and in such turbulent times, the need for the UK to speak on the world stage with one consistent voice is more important than ever. Our embassies and high commissions overseas have a strong track record of working collaboratively with the Scottish Government to promote the interests of the whole UK. We hope that we can resolve this without the need for further action, including the possibility that we no longer host Scottish Government offices in UK Government posts. Ncuti Gatwa is seen dancing in a kilt and coming face to face with goblins in the Doctor Who Christmas trailer. Sex Education star Gatwa, 31, made his first appearance on Doctor Who during the last instalment of the 60th anniversary episodes. The first full episode of the BBC One sci-fi show starring Gatwa in his role as the 15th Time Lord will air on Christmas day. In a newly released teaser trailer for the festive episode, Gatwas Doctor is seen alongside new companion Ruby Sunday, played by former Coronation Street star Millie Gibson. The trailer opens with a shot of the Doctor twirling in a kilt as he dances, in what looks to be a nightclub. Soon after he is seen jumping over roofs and leaping onto a hanging ladder which Ruby is climbing. He tells Ruby Im the Doctor before she asks whats up there and he responds goblins. The pair find the goblins inside a giant flying ship and as the Doctor and Ruby enter the vessel the creatures yell and shriek at them. The trailer ends as Ruby says Who are you? after entering the Tardis. The Doctor Who logo then flashes on screen. David Tennant, who originally played the 10th Doctor, returned for three special episodes as the 14th, starring alongside Catherine Tate as the Time Lords former companion Donna Noble. Gatwa appeared in the last episode, The Giggle, after the Toymaker, played by American actor Neil Patrick Harris, split the Doctor in two. The episode ended with the words destination Christmas showing on screen. In Doctor Whos Christmas episode former Big Brother presenter Davina McCall will star as herself alongside Its A Sin actress Michelle Greenidge as Rubys mum Carla, soap star Angela Wynter as her grandmother Cherry and former EastEnders star Lady Anita May as Mrs Flood. Episode The Church On Ruby Road will air at 5.55pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day. Photograph: Geoffrey Swaine/Shutterstock The UK will continue to be battered by heavy rain caused by the coming together of two storms, Elin and Fergus, with four yellow weather warnings for rain in place for Monday. The Met Office said heavy rain is expected in the north-east of Scotland including Aberdeen, the south-west of Scotland and most of the north-west of England and West Yorkshire. The warnings will continue through the start of next week into Wednesday, with heavy and frequent showers and strong winds along the coasts predicted. The Met Office said: Although there will be a brief drier interlude for many on Monday, further unsettled weather is likely on Tuesday as the next area of low-pressure moves in from the west. This could bring with it some heavy rain at times, as well as some strong winds on exposed coasts. Storm Elin arrived on Saturday, causing damage to the rail network resulting in cancelled trains. Some motorists were left stranded in surface flood water, with a woman and a dog needing to be rescued from a submerged car at Maesbury Marsh in Shropshire. Related: UK weather: Met Office issues yellow alerts for rain and wind On Sunday the wet and windy weather was followed by Storm Fergus, a second storm, which was also named by the Irish meteorological service, Met Eireann. The Met Office predicted two bands of rain across most of the UK, with the worst of the rain on Sunday in Northern Ireland and the west of Scotland. Gusty winds were reintroduced alongside the rainfall, especially in western areas, due to a deep area of low pressure moving towards the Republic of Ireland later in the day, the forecaster warned. Members of the public are being warned to continue to expect travel delays in the coming days, with road, rail, air and ferry transport affected. Coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities are also set to be affected by spray and large waves, the Met Office said. Storm Fergus is expected to bring further rain with a risk of hail and thunder, and strong winds, particularly in southern parts of Wales and along the Bristol Channel. The Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said wet and windy weather was the main theme of the forecast this weekend, adding that wind and rain could be disruptive at times. A yellow rain warning was in place across the north of England overnight on Saturday, which cleared in the early hours of Sunday morning before four new warnings were put in place. There are 50 flood warnings spread across England for expected flooding, with a further 246 flood alerts where flooding is possible, according to the Environment Agency. In Wales, there are five flood alerts, according to Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru (Natural Resources Wales), while Sepa, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, has issued nine flood alerts and three flood warnings. Flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, Kate Marks, said: Minor river flooding impacts are expected across parts of England until Tuesday after recent heavy rainfall and with further rain on Saturday. Minor surface water flooding is likely across parts of Somerset, Devon and Dorset on Saturday, with further minor impacts also possible elsewhere, she added. We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and urge people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car. Shirley Ballas has said there is a handful of misogynistic people with egos that just will not deflate while talking about bullying in the dance industry. The 63-year-old, who is head judge on Strictly Come Dancing, recalled the immense bullying she received just before she landed a job on the BBC One show. Speaking to host Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs, Ballas said: I was going through immense bullying in the industry from men at the top. Shirley Ballas is the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Ill just go as far as that, and they were stopping my work. I was like an elite teacher, I was teaching the top couples in the world. And then there were threats going to certain couples saying, Theres nine of us and one of her, if you train with her, were going to make sure you dont make it in the industry. Men and women stopping me judging. She added: So there was an awful lot of things going on like that for no particular reason, other than that they didnt want a woman in any high places. And thats how I felt and thats my perspective on it. Asked if she thinks the industry was misogynistic, she said: 100% for sure and I dont think its much better today. I still think that bullying goes on. Theres a lot of great people in my industry. Theres a lot of people who want to see people do extremely well and I think we have this handful of misogynistic people with egos that just will not deflate. Even the other day, I was reading messages of a couple that had been to a competition overseas of different professionals that had written these most horrendous messages to them. It (bullying) still goes on today. I dont know how people get away with it, until it becomes name and shame and Im pretty much close to doing that, Ill tell you. Recently, Ballas opened up about the hateful messages she has received online while being a judge on Strictly. In October she told Channel 5 News she had hired a personal assistant who syphons through the hateful messages sent to her. Also in October, the dance champion and judge released book Murder On The Dance Floor, co-authored by Sheila McClure, which follows the fictional story of dance superstar and one-time world champion Lily Richmond. Ballas told the PA news agency that the book offers a behind the scenes glimpse into the dance industry, adding that it is a lot more sinister than people realise. Desert Island Discs airs on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 4 at 11.15am on Sunday. First Minister Humza Yousaf said the UK was complicit the killing of thousands of children after the UK voted against a ceasefire in Gaza, as activists protested in Glasgow. Mr Yousaf, who has Palestinian in-laws, said it was incomprehensible that the UK abstained from a vote at the UN Security Council. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, he said: I agree with @savechildrenuk. I find it incomprehensible that the UK did not vote for a ceasefire. How can you choose to be complicit in the killing of thousands of children? Shame on the UK Government & Keir Starmers Labour Party who refuse to back a #CeasefireNow. I agree with @savechildrenuk I find it incomprehensible that the UK did not vote for a ceasefire. How can you choose to be complicit in the killing of thousands of children? Shame on the UK Government & Keir Starmer's Labour Party who refuse to back a #CeasefireNow https://t.co/TXLSZiwIKI Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) December 9, 2023 The Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee organised protests across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen. Activists protested outside Barclays on Union Street, Aberdeen, and Glasgow Central Station was filled with Palestinian flags as people held a sit-in protest while a demo was also held outside Buchanan Galleries. Organisers had asked that those who attended refrained from using hate speech or offensive language, or from breaking the law in any way. People were asked to behave inclusively and to avoid discrimination. Signs reading ceasefire now were held, while marchers carried a banner reading stop the genocide. NASHVILLE, Tenn. A fierce storm system that killed six people, including a 2-year-old boy in Middle Tennessee, was rolling east Sunday and threatening a swath of the nation from Maryland to Florida and across the Central Gulf Coast with severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and even snow. Dozens of people were injured, cars flipped on I-65, trees buckled, and roofs were blown off buildings as shoppers hunkered down in store basements Saturday in Tennessee for what the National Weather Service preliminarily determined was a string of tornadoes. The "dynamic" system was bringing thunderstorms to much of the East Coast and and possibly heavy snow in the Appalachians and interior Northeast on Sunday and Monday, the National Weather Service said in an advisory. Winds could gust to 50 mph around New York City and Boston, and higher gusts of 60-70 mph are possible on Long Island and along the southern coast of Massachusetts, AccuWeather warned. Travel on roads and on airlines could be difficult through Sunday night and into Monday morning, forecaster said. The good news: Conditions should begin to improve Monday night into Tuesday morning, the weather service said. The sun was already out Sunday in Tennessee as residents picked through the rubble of scores of flattened homes and businesses. Were focused on taking care of people today and powering through heartbreak into resilience," Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell told USA TODAY on Sunday. "Todays beautiful sunshine will become a dangerous cold snap tonight, so were working on safely restoring power and getting information out about shelter options. About 36,000 Tennessee homes and businesses were without power Sunday; another 8,000 outages were reported in Alabama. The brutal storm system comes exactly two years after a system that ripped through Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois killed more than 80 people, the majority in Kentucky. And in March 2020, 25 people died and hundreds were injured after more than a half-dozen tornadoes struck Middle Tennessee, one within a few miles from where fatalities were reported Saturday. At least six dead, 23 injured: Nashville area ravaged by tornadoes A business was destroyed by a tornado on West Main in Hendersonville, Tenn., on Dec. 9, 2023. Storm system may be the deadliest on record for December in region The severe weather outbreak on Saturday may be the deadliest December on record for Middle Tennessee's tornado disasters, according to the Nashville Weather Service. The region previously recorded a total of eight tornado deaths, spanning decades of tornado incidents, in December. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency confirmed a "preliminary reporting" of 13 tornadoes across the state. The National Weather Service said an estimated nine counties were impacted by tornado damage and counties affected by severe weather damage were "likely double" that. Numerous weather alerts were issued for the region, including 34 storm warnings with 20 of those being tornado warnings. The weather service had issued a "tornado emergency" for parts of the region for the first time in over a decade as the storms swept through, according to meteorologist Sam Shamburger. Storms flatten homes in Tennessee The Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed there had been three fatalities Joseph Dalton, 37; Floridema Gabriel Perez, 31; and her son, Anthony Elmer Mendez, 2. First responders were involved in scores of search and rescue missions and responded to dozens of vehicle crashes and other incidents involving property damage and injuries. The collapse of a roof in a church north of downtown sent 13 people to hospitals, according to Nashville emergency officials. The Montgomery County Mayor's Office also confirmed three people died in Clarksville, about 45 miles northwest of downtown Nashville. Montgomery County officials said about 60 people were being treated at medical facilities for injuries, nine of them sent to a Nashville hospital in critical condition. In a social media post, O'Connell urged residents to be extremely careful because of so many downed power lines across the city. Lyanne Garay was at her mothers home in suburban Madison, 10 miles north of Nashville, with her four children when they heard tornado sirens blare. Hours later she returned to her own home nearby to find her fence toppled and part of her roof torn off. She saw other homes in her neighborhood with far more damage. Compared to everybody, were fine, but its still a shock that we dont have any place to go or anything to do and our house has been water damaged, she said. We always hear the alarms and everything but never experienced something like that." 'Sad day for our community': At least 6 dead as tornadoes rampage through Middle Tennessee Tornado in Clarksville 'devastating and tragic' A tornado slammed Clarksville, 50 miles northwest of Nashville, at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday, prompting Shanika Washington to take her children, ages 5 and 10, to a windowless bathroom in the basement of her townhouse. She tried to shield them with her own body for 20 frightening minutes. The back door absolutely did fly open, and you just heard a bunch of wind, she said. I could tell that we were dead smack in the middle of a storm. Up to 100 military families from Fort Campbell in Clarksville were displaced, the Tennessean reported, adding that almost 80 people in the region have been hospitalized. A shelter set up at Northeast High drew an outpouring of support and donations from churches, restaurants, businesses and community members. The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System announced schools would be closed Monday and Tuesday as the cleanup continues. "Our hearts are heavy as we learn of the loss of lives and critical injuries," the district said in the announcement on its homepage. "Many families have completely lost their homes and others are doing what they can to make repairs. This was a devastating and tragic weather event in our community." Mayor, governor warn and mourn "Tonight, Nashville joins other communities across Middle Tennessee grieving loss of life from deadly tornadoes," O'Connell posted on X. "As we continue to take stock of the devastation, please keep our neighbors in your thoughts and prayers. Be safe and look after one another." Gov. Bill Lee, who issued a Level-3 state of emergency, and his wife posted similar sentiments: "Maria & I are praying for all Tennesseans who have been impacted by the tornadoes that swept through the state ... We mourn the lives lost & ask that everyone continue to follow guidance from local & state officials." Contributing: The Tennessean; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tornadoes storm live updates: 6 die in Tennessee as system roars east For the people of Gaza, there's a common exhaustion that many express -- exhausted by the war, of living in such dire conditions, by the death that surrounds them. "We are tired of this living," Muhammad Jawad Ibrahim Al-Barbari, a 46-year-old employee at Gaza International Airport, told ABC News in an interview last Friday, the day the week-long temporary cease-fire ended between Israel and Hamas. Al-Barbari and his family had to leave their home in Al-Zahraa city in northern Gaza after it was bombed by the Israeli military. They moved south to Khan Yunis, and for the last six weeks have been living in a tent in a United Nations-run shelter. He shares the tent with his other relatives, three families crammed in together. The conditions are bleak, he said. Al-Barbari said food and water are scarce, and his tent was even flooded with sewage. MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: Society in Gaza on 'brink of full-blown collapse,' UNRWA warns "To be honest, I am having a crisis," he said. He is not alone. The UN estimates there are now 1.9 million people displaced across Gaza, the equivalent to 86% of its population. Pictures on social media Thursday morning show crowds in the thousands gathered outside UN facilities, people queuing for hours to try and get some food. Almost two months in, the Israel-Hamas war has left much of Gaza destroyed. At least 17,177 people have been killed and 46,000 wounded in the Gaza Strip, according to Gaza's Hamas-run Ministry of Health. In Israel, at least 1,200 have been killed and 6,900 injured, with 138 Israeli hostages still in Gaza, according to Israeli officials. The Israeli military is continuing its operations into Gaza, in retaliation for the Oct. 7 surprise terror attacks by Hamas, and is now focusing on its second largest city, Khan Yunis. PHOTO: Displaced Palestinians who fled Khan Yunis set up camp near warehouses affiliated in the UN in Rafah further south near the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, Dec. 7, 2023. (Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images) Since the Israeli military restarted its bombing campaign against Gaza last Friday following the end of a temporary truce with Hamas, very little aid has been able to get through, officials said. "Heavy bombardment and resumption of military operation have made the situation in Gaza desperate," the UN relief agency UNRWA posted on X Thursday, "Conditions required to deliver aid DO NOT exist. UNRWA shelters are OVERFLOWING. There is NOT ENOUGH aid to meet the overwhelming needs." "It is suffering upon suffering," Tamer Muhammad Wafiq Younes, 26, told ABC News. He is one of the relatives who shares a tent with the Al-Barbari family in the Khan Younis UNRWA shelter. The accountant described the cold at night, and how he worried for his little nieces. "Any drop of water gets into the tent quickly," he said. MORE: Video Israel moves military operation into southern Gaza Younes, like many Gazans, has moved several times since Israel retaliated against Hamas. He was distressed by the news that the Israeli military have now designated the city of Khan Yunis as a "dangerous combat zone," dropping leaflets last Friday urging people to "evacuate immediately and go to the shelters in the Rafah area," on the border with Egypt. "Where will we go? We were in Gaza and were displaced to Al-Zahra city, and now we are here, more than this, where will we go?" Younes asked. "People have nowhere to go," Juliette Touma, director of communications at UNRWA, told ABC News Thursday. She said the Israelis have twice told the people of Gaza to move. PHOTO: Palestinian citizens carry out search and rescue operations amid the destruction caused by Israeli air strikes, Dec.8, 2023, in Khan Yunis, Gaza. (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images) On Oct. 12, it announced evacuation orders from the north of Gaza to the south. Then on Friday, Dec. 1, after the temporary cease-fire ended, they warned people to move toward safe zones in Rafah and a small sandy area on the outskirts of the town of Al Mawasi. "It's less than a quarter of the whole of the Gaza strip," Touma said. The IDF leaflets dropped in the Khan Younis during the weekend that warned people to leave the area and a QR code map showed the zones designated as safe by the IDF. "We want civilians not to be in the area where we are fighting," Israeli Lt. Col Jonathan Conricus told ABC News Monday. "We want to focus our firepower on Hamas and Hamas only." The conditions at Al Mawasi are desperate, Nour Al-Swirki, 35, told ABC News Tuesday. "I was displaced for the second time, and I did not cry this time, but rather I was silent in the face of the horror of war, its madness, its oppression, and the frightening scenes of displacement," she said. "People walk unconsciously, no one knows their way, these streets are strange to us, empty streets." MORE: US Department of Education investigates 6 more schools for discrimination amid tensions over Israel-Hamas war Al-Swirki, a mother of two from Khan Yunis, said daily life is a struggle. "In order to survive, everyone is searching for water. They stand in lines carrying yellow [water containers] that can be identified in the hands of every displaced person," Al-Swirki said. "They search for firewood but cannot find it. They are forced to uproot old trees, palm fronds, and lighting poles that are no longer needed due to the power outage." In and around Rafah, people are camping wherever they can, setting up shacks in parks, fields on the streets, Touma said. The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, wrote over the weekend that there was concern some of these people may end up crossing the border into Egypt. "The United Nations and several member states, including the U.S., have firmly rejected forcibly displacing Gazans out of the Gaza Strip," he wrote in an Opinion article for the Los Angeles Times. "But the developments we are witnessing point to attempts to move Palestinians into Egypt, regardless of whether they stay there or are resettled elsewhere," he wrote. Touma said, "They have just pushed them towards Rafah. Our shelters there were already overcrowded. We just cannot take more. People were queuing for two to three hours to go to the toilet, sleeping on concrete floors without mattresses." "It's an appalling situation. It has gone from a crisis to a catastrophe," he added PHOTO: Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Dec. 7, 2023. (Leo Correa/AP) And for some, the situation is so dire they have now decided to leave Gaza for good. "When the war started, I thought it would last for several days and would stop, but it continued for several weeks in a row," Fatima Suleiman, a 59-year-old from Gaza City, told ABC News. She has been staying for the last month and a half at her cousin's house, along with fifty other relatives, hoping to return home. "But rather, last week, when the war returned violently after a week-long cease-fire, we received leaflets from the Israeli army to evacuate our homes and search for a safe place. There is no safe place. It is difficult to move from one place to another. I wished to die at this moment," she said, adding, "The Nakba was repeated for the second time in 2023." The Nakba, or catastrophe, is how Palestinians describe the forced displacement that came as the result of the 1948 war with Israel. As many as 750,000 Palestinians were forced from their homes as Israel laid claim to their land. MORE: Video of Palestinians stripped, forced to sit outside by IDF soldiers raises ire For many Gazans their displacement is a painful reminder of the past, with some refusing to leave their homes for fear they may never come back. Suleiman said she has family in Germany who are trying to help her leave Gaza. "They repeatedly asked me to agree to leave Gaza, even for a temporary period until the end of the war, but this is a difficult decision. I have to leave the rest of my brothers and their children here in Gaza. Either we leave or we all die together here." The decision is not so hard for Awad Abu Akar. This 32-year-old from Khan Yunis lost his wife and child after their home was bombed by the Israelis. He said he cannot wait to leave Gaza, forever. PHOTO: People watch as others search for victims amid the rubble of a smoldering building, following an Israeli strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Dec. 6, 2023. (Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images) "I am waiting for the war to end so I can travel outside Gaza, perhaps Egypt or Turkey, but I will never stay in Gaza," he told ABC News. "This difficult war made me lose my family and we had dreams, and we were trying to build the future of our first child, but with a missile from the Israeli plane this dream ended," he said. He, too, compares what is happening in Gaza today to what happened in 1948. "This is the migration and the catastrophe that our ancestors lived through and told us about. We will not blame our ancestors for immigrating and leaving the country," Abu Akar said. "The fear they suffered from the Israeli army is what we are experiencing in this war, a suffering that will not stop and has not stopped." Alam Farhat, 37, who owned a cafe in Khan Yunis, has also decided to leave. "There is no future for our children in a region full of conflict. This is why I decided to sell my house and the cafeteria and travel to Egypt to start a new life there. I love Gaza very much and my heart cries for what we are leaving there," he told ABC News."I cannot accept the idea of living here with my children. There is no safety and no life here." Some besieged Gazans say they face 'no future' there, want to leave for good originally appeared on abcnews.go.com It seems unconscionable to see South Carolina's full Republican U.S. House delegation (Nancy Mace, Jeff Duncan, William Timmons, Ralph Norman, Joe Wilson, Russell Fry) vote in support of George Santos remaining as a U.S. Congressman. I do not believe there is any need to share the laundry list of activities that the Republican-led House Ethics Committee reviewed and which led to its recommendation for expulsion. There is, however, a need to have our Republican delegation members explain themselves. If this level of immoral and criminal activity is considered acceptable for a U.S. Congressman, I hazard to guess what behavior these S.C. representatives would deem worthy of expulsion? Perhaps this something to consider when these representatives seek your vote again in 2024. John Kaup Greenville This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Why did S.C.'s GOP representatives vote in support of Santos? Olive Chase, owner of The Casual Gourmet, has been inducted into the Massachusetts Restaurant Associations Hall of Fame, an honor granted over the past 33 years to only two other Cape Codders. Chase is especially known for catering elegant weddings with Instagram-worthy visuals, from linen napkins to bundles of asparagus cinched with pea shoots. "Every single wedding has at least one if not two or three Insta-worthy touches," Chase said. "Like small martini glasses, made to order, at a bar next to the cake." But touches like those, which win Chase awards on wedding sites like The Knot, (she is also in the The Knots Best of Weddings Hall of Fame) are not what put her in the Massachusetts Restaurant Associations Hall of Fame. That group has inducted only about 100 industry professionals in the culinary community since the hall started in 1990. Olive Chase, owner of The Casual Gourmet for 37 years and the latest member of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association's Hall of Fame, talks with cake decorator Marcy Dupuis as she finishes a fancy birthday cake in the Centerville shop. Olive has been an incredible contributor to the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and the industry at large, serving on both the MRA Board of Directors and as Chair of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, association president Steve Clark told the Times. Other Cape Codders in the hall of fame are Vincent VJ" Catania from Dan'l Webster/Hearth 'N Kettle Management Group, who died in 2010; and William Zammer from Cape Cod Restaurants Inc. Zammer died in 2021, and Chase credits him with being her mentor and getting her onto the Cape Cod Chamber board. Chase said she was surprised and thrilled by the hall of fame honor, especially since it was bestowed by her peers. Im about way more than wedding cakes, Chase said. This is a business award I just got. It was as much about being able to survive for 37 years, and support my community, as it was about the catering we do. 'She really brought a customer service focus' Wendy Northcross, retired CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce where Chase sat on the board of directors, said, She really brought a customer service focus to the chamber that we hadnt had before. She was just a fierce advocate for Cape Cod. Olive Chase speaks at the ninth annual "Cocktails and Connections" event The Casual Gourmet hosts each year for wedding professionals. Whether it was wastewater solutions, transportation planning, minimum wage, paid family medical leave, health care changes pretty complex stuff she was just an outspoken proponent of small business on Cape Cod which is all of Cape Cod. If you attended a wedding in a tent overlooking the Cape shore, you have seen Chases work in action. Asked about accomplishments, Chase points to her role in promoting state legislation for an annual liquor license that allows caterers to serve alcohol legally at wedding venues and other off-site premises. The Casual Gourmet founder, Olive Chase, in her Centerville office, has been honored for her business acumen and community service. After a two-year effort, the 12C caterers license passed in October of 2012, standardizing rules and regulations on how and when caterers could serve alcohol. The impact was huge, Chase said. Prior to that, any kind of alcohol service was the Wild West. You could get a one-day license for beer and wine but you were supposed to buy it from a wholesaler and it was unclear if you had insurance. Rules for caterers serving people at a rented house or in a tent or other sites that didnt already have a liquor license include: 5 hours maximum service, no shots, TIPS-trained servers who know to stop serving when a guest appears inebriated. It professionalized (the rules), made it safer for customers and clients and made it easier to get liquor insurance, Chase said. She is also proud of going to Washington, D.C., with MRA representatives to help restaurants survive the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically by connecting Cape restaurateurs with federal Paycheck Protection Program money. Even now, its hard to talk about how difficult it was to watch the world fall apart, Chase said. And it was especially difficult for hospitality businesses and wedding and event planners. Chase said the thing that saved her during the pandemic is that she makes it a practice not to take big deposits or to over-commit, and has learned to turn down business that will not make money or that will over-extend her staff. Tireless, relentless Larry Drago, who worked with Chase when he owned a tent rental business, a staffing business and now, with his wife, Laurie, BizChecks Payroll, presented the Hall of Fame Award to Chase. Olive was very involved in the original implementation of sick (time) law so it worked not only for employees but for employers," he said last week during a telephone interview. The best way to describe Olive is that she's tireless. She is relentless. A tireless advocate for whatever cause shes involved with. Chase said stepping in comes naturally: She mentions anthropologist Margaret Meads saying "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world." And Wendy (Northcross) always says, The world is run by those who show up, she added. If I see something in the community I can change, I can help with, Chase said, I should give whatever I can give. I am a Cape Codder not born here but I care about this place. Gwenn Friss is the editor of CapeWeek and covers entertainment, restaurants and the arts. Contact her at gfriss@capecodonline.com. Follow her or X, formerly Twitter: @dailyrecipeCCT Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Planning a Cape Cod wedding? The Casual Gourmet's Olive Chase honored Kirk Purnell, general manager, poses for a photograph at Ben E. Keith Foods in Edmond, Okla., Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Kirk Purnell has been general manager for 30 of the past 40 years he's been with Ben E. Keith Foods, Oklahoma division, located on 88 acres in Edmond. The Oklahoma division, one of ten divisions nationally, ships more than 20 million cases of food per year to Oklahoma, Kansas, and parts of Missouri and Nebraska. The company has 580 employees, 117 tractors and 143 trailers. More: Meet the winners of The Oklahoman's 2023 Top Workplaces project Q: How would you describe what Ben E. Keith Foods does? Purnell: We're a supply chain for food service operators. That would be food eaten away from home. Our largest segments would be restaurants, and non-commercial customers like health care, education, and food banks, camps and casinos, bakeries and jails. Since the pandemic ended, are you back up to speed? We've been on a pretty good roll now. I think we're up to speed. There was a reduction in force during the pandemic, but now we have more employees than we had prior to COVID. People are ready to get out. It's safer, and people are traveling more. People are able to spend their disposable income to eat out and have fun and be part of the community. But some of the changes in the business since COVID are permanent. A big challenge is getting employees to be loyal and getting them to be happy here. Seventy percent of the jobs are physical work, production jobs. They're moving cases or driving trucks. There's lots of jobs out there for that kind of work, for all work. Unemployment is 2.7% in Oklahoma. We have a different (work) dynamic now. If people don't like their (current) job, they seem to be gravitating toward another. at Ben E. Keith Foods in Edmond, Okla., Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. What is something your company is doing to keep employees motivated and happy? We've always cared a lot about our employees. It's a great place to work. We've always made sure our wages are competitive. But after the pandemic ended, we noticed a lot of employees seemed unhappy. We have added Marketplace Care Partners to our employee benefits package. It's an online resource for employees if they need help. Whether it's a drug issue, mental health or aging parents. They can call a 1-800 number and talk privately to a professional counselor about anything, or punch an app on their phone. It's a neutral third party they can go to. It's developed to catch issues that people don't want to talk about. This is confidential from us. The care partners actually visit the facility twice a week. Counselors float around the building. They're there for the employee. You can use them for what you want. They're not trying to force anything. A lot of people are lonely and need a friend. How did the pandemic change your business? There's a lot more takeout business. It was growing (prior to COVID) but it's gone off the rails. Takeout has settled down somewhat but it's still big. We sold a lot more items that are associated with takeout products, such as containers, plastic ware, "to-go ware, disposable products. Another big change was getting customers accustomed to supply chain issues since COVID affected production. Customers got used to getting products that were substitutions (for their original orders) and they learned to deal with it. Prepared food that's put into containers. Such as pizzas and fried chicken. They were, and still are, especially popular. "Fine" dining, people can't really "take it out. Steak or fish need to be eaten right away. People are eating out earlier. Restaurants are doing more business between five and eight and then closing earlier. If you were asked to boast about your company's culture, what would you say? It's a company where we put employees and customers first. The average tenure for an employee is 7.5 years and for a manager, it's 20 years. Our philosophy is, we want to be a very fair place to work. The numbers are improving, but there's hardly any females here. It's very physical work. Not everyone wants to do physical work. It is harder to attract females to those positions but that's nationwide. We do have more females in our warehouse. We're very conscious of being very inclusive and diverse, a lot of those things people are working on. We recently created a women's business resource group, Keith Empowering Women's Influence (K.E.W.I), which meets to discuss workplace issues. It's led by women. Through this group, we hope to guide, mentor and inform women. The group recognizes that we are all better together. What's the best leadership advice you were given? What advice would you give to others? Surround yourself with good people. Feed them. Try to make them better. Always be learning. Be willing to change. Focus on anything we can do to improve on. Kirk Purnell, general manager, middle, poses for a photograph at a warehouse at Ben E. Keith Foods in Edmond, Okla., Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Q&A with Ben E. Keith general manager Kirk Purnell BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Joe Manganiello attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Cindy Ord/VF23/Getty Images for Vanity Fair) Joe Manganiello has made his new relationship red carpet official. On Saturday, Dec. 9, the True Blood alum, 46, stepped out with girlfriend Caitlin OConnor for the Children of Armenia Fund Gala at Cipriani in New York City. The couple posed for photos at the event, with Manganiello rocking a dark suit and no beard. As for OConnor? The Winning Time actress, 33, hit the red carpet in a striking green gown, which she paired with sparkly stiletto heels. This outing marks the new duo's first red carpet as a couple after sparking romance rumors in September. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 09: Joe Manganiello (L) and Caitlin OConnor attend the COAF (Children of Armenia Fund) Gala at Cipriani on December 09, 2023 in New York City. Manganiello was presented with the COAF Humanitarian Award. (Photo by Gotham/Getty Images for ABA) Gotham/Getty Images Manganiello made his split from his wife Sofia Vergara official in July. At the time, the Magic Mike XXL star and the Modern Family actress confirmed they were splitting up in a joint statement, "We have made the difficult decision to divorce. As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives." The pair previously tied the knot in a lavish wedding in Miami in 2015 after meeting in 2014 at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Not long after their break-up announcement, Manganiello filed for divorce from Vergara, listing their official separation date as July 2. And it isn't just Manganiello who has moved on, as Vergara, 51, has been spotted spending time with orthopedic surgeon Justin Saliman. In November, Vergara stepped out with Saliman for a dinner at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, Calif. This outing came shortly after they were first photographed together in October, when they had dinner at Funke in Beverly Hills, Calif. Next: Sofia Vergara Reflects on Her 'Very Difficult' Year After Joe Manganiello Split The Jonas Brothers North American leg of The Tour may be over, but they are preparing to launch a 20th anniversary one in 2025. [From] two nights at Yankee Stadium, we have since played 61-or-something shows. Weve reached the end, but we left you all a card on your seats, I dont know if you got those when you got in, Nick Jonas said during the groups Saturday, December 9, concert at Brooklyn, New Yorks Barclays Center. Joe Jonas replied, asking what the note said before Nick, 31, clued his older brother in. OK, so in 2025, itll be the 20-year anniversary of this band, Nick said. And that card was your formal invite [because] were gonna do this thing again. See The Jonas Brothers Groovy Style on The Tour: From Sheer Shirts to Sequin Pants We admit it were a Sucker for the Jonas Brothers sleek style on The Tour. Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas all have unique fashion senses, but their concert outfits coordinate and clash in the best way possible. While performing in New York and Boston in August 2023, the brothers commanded [] Nick, Joe, 34, and brother Kevin Jonas kicked off The Tour a three-house show covering their past five albums in August at NYCs Yankee Stadium. Saturdays concert marked their final show of 2023 and the last one in the United States. They will bring the tour overseas early next year. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation This one was been unbelievable, Nick gushed. For those of you to come to a show or multiple shows, please know how much we appreciate it. We know that you all have bills to pay, you got real-life stuff. The fact that you still come out here and show us so much love [and] you spend your time with us, it means the world. He continued: Truly, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you [and] we love you. Youve made these last couple [of] months unforgettable. Jonas Brothers Through the Years Band of brothers! Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas were lucky enough to have built in bandmates growing up and fans can say thank you to their parents, Paul and Denise Jonas, for raising such beloved stars, too. After growing up in New Jersey (alongside younger brother Frankie Jonas, a.k.a. The Bonus Jonas), [] Nick, Joe and Kevin, 36, left a printed card on each seat in the stadium, Us Weekly can confirm. The note read, Thank you for a great 2023. See you for the the [sic] 20th anniversary tour 2023 and was signed by the brothers. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation To commemorate the final 2023 show, the Jonas siblings had a range of surprises in store for attendees, including multiple surprise guests. Jack Black, Nicks costar in the Jumanji remake, appeared during the intermission to perform Peaches from The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Black voiced Bowser in the 2023 animated film.) OneRepublics Ryan Tedder, who worked with the Jonas Brothers on The Album, later made an onstage cameo to help the band perform Sucker. The Jonas Brothers also added multiple surprise songs to the setlist on Saturday, including Please Be Mine, Play My Music from Camp Rock, Feel Like Christmas and a three-second teaser of Dont Charge Me for the Crime. (Getty Images) (Roy Rochlin via Getty Images) Nearly 24 years later, Julia Stiles brought an iconic scene from one of her most beloved films back to life. The actress, 42, took the stage at the Mash-Up Americans Book Festival in New York City earlier this week and performed a pivotal scene from 10 Things I Hate About You, the 1999 teen flick that was a modern retelling of Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew. Posted to the Instagram of the festivals venue, The Greene Space, the video shows Stiles who portrayed disgruntled older sister Kat Stratford in the film reciting the love poem she wrote for Patrick Verona, famously portrayed by Heath Ledger. Ledger died in 2008 at age 28. Dressed in a floral silk blazer with her blond hair tied back, the Hustlers star read the words to the poem. But it was the final lines that proved to be the most poignant, as Stiles became noticeably emotional as she shared the perspective of the lovelorn teen. But mostly, I hate the way I dont hate you, not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all, Stiles read, as the audience replied with resounding cheers. Back in 2021, Stiles recalled on the People in the '90s podcast how "gracious" Ledger was to her during the iconic scene. "He wasn't trying to compete with me," she said at the time. "He stood back and he was like, this is your scene." While some rising stars would potentially feel edged out, Ledger was the opposite. "He was just like, 'That was beautiful and this is your scene,'" Stiles recalled, noting how excellent Ledger's performance in the film was. "He had his amazing moments in the movie, too the singing and dancing and running up and down those steps. But he was confident enough, even just starting out, to be like, 'I'm handing over the stage to you.' And I learned way later in life that that doesn't always happen." These days, Stiles looks back fondly on her runaway success in 10 Things I Hate About You, and the connections she made on the film. I dont take it for granted that people are talking about the movie 20 years later, Stiles told the Daily Beast in 2019. Its an affirmation that even back then the things, the stories, and the roles that I was drawn to, other people were interested in as well. That was the first time I really read a female character, especially as a teenager, who was feisty and opinionated and unapologetic. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are "praying for the families" of those who died after severe tornadoes touched down in parts of Tennessee over the weekend. Six people died and at least 36 others were injured Saturday, officials previously said. The White House on Monday said Biden had been briefed on the situation, and confirmed FEMA is sending more resources to the state. "The President has been briefed on the devastating tornadoes that tore through middle Tennessee this weekend," White House spokesperson Jeremy Edwards said in a statement. "He and Jill are praying for the families of those who lost their lives, and wishing a swift recovery to the dozens of people who suffered injuries. FEMA is in close contact with state and local officials and FEMA Region 4 Administrator is working directly with the Governors team to conduct damage assessments. FEMA is sending an Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) to the state to help further support coordination efforts, and they will arrive tomorrow." Following a tornado in Montgomery County, Tennessee, on Saturday, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said three had died and 23 had been injured. Officials said that it was two adults and one child who died. Another three people died after severe weather hit Nashville, the city's emergency office said over the weekend. Thirteen people were injured following a church building collapse, the office said. The National Weather Service in Nashville completed its damage survey of Saturday's tornadoes in northern Tennessee on Sunday evening. PHOTO: A destroyed home is seen in the aftermath of a tornado on December 10, 2023 in Clarksville, Tennessee. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images) The tornado in Clarksville, Tennessee, was rated an EF-3 with peak winds of 150 mph. The tornado in the Madison, Hendersonville and Gallatin areas, which are the northern suburbs of Nashville, was given a preliminary EF-2 rating with winds of 125 mph. The Enhanced Fujita scale goes from zero to five, and rates tornadoes based on estimated wind speeds and related damage. PHOTO: A destroyed home is seen in the aftermath of a tornado on December 10, 2023 in Clarksville, Tennessee. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images) MORE: Over 56 million Americans under flood watch Sunday and Monday "This is a sad day for our community. We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes. This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end," Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said in a statement. City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts offered his sympathies over the tragedy. "This is devastating news and our hearts are broken for the families of those who lost loved ones. The City stands ready to help them in their time of grief," Pitts said in a statement. PHOTO: In a screen grab from a video posted to social media, a possible tornado is shown in Clarksville, TN., on Dec. 9, 2023. (Jimmy Trodglen) Multiple long-track tornadoes were reported in northwest Tennessee Saturday afternoon, as the twister threat in the region continued into the evening. "Extensive" damage was reported in the city of Clarksville, located about 48 miles northwest of Nashville, after a tornado hit Saturday afternoon, police said. Police urged people to stay off the roads as crews responded to multiple locations in the north Clarksville area. PHOTO: In a screen grab from a video posted to social media, a possible tornado is shown in Clarksville, TN., on Dec. 9, 2023. (Chet/Twitter) The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Saturday that there was "damage to several homes" in Clarksville after a tornado touched down in the area of Hand Estates. "This is a day that nobody wanted or expected," Pitts said in a video message. "We know there's extensive damage throughout the community." PHOTO: In a screen grab from a video posted to social media, a possible tornado is shown in Clarksville, TN., on Dec. 9, 2023. (Brittney Ballard) In the rural town of Dresden, multiple homes, power lines and trees were impacted by a tornado, according to the town's fire department. The National Weather Service also issued a tornado emergency alert Saturday afternoon for several Nashville suburbs, including Hendersonville and Gallatin, due to a confirmed, damaging tornado. ABC News' Matt Foster, Justin Gomez and Kenton Gewecke contributed to this report. President Biden 'praying' for families after 6 die in severe weather in Tennessee originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Friends in the Arctic: David Attenborough and Mike Gunton ((Provided)) Thirty-six years ago, when Mike Gunton joined the BBCs Natural History Unit as a keen young producer at the start of his career, he was told that hed be working on David Attenboroughs last-ever programme. It was The Trials of Life, a study in animal behaviour, and Attenborough, in his sixties then, thought it was time to stop. Well, that seems hilarious now, says Gunton. I dont know how many series hes done since, but it must be 20 at least. Long may it last. The pair have worked together for almost four decades Gunton is now 66 and Attenborough 97 and their latest project is Planet Earth III, which airs its final episode tonight. Just like its two predecessors, which were broadcast in 2006 and 2016, the series has shown us spectacular stories from across the animal kingdom from a minutes-old ostrich hatchling searching for its mother in the Namib desert to a group of courageous seals driving away great white sharks off the coast of South Africa. But a new element to the show, and one that is increasingly present in Attenboroughs other programmes, is its message: this series is all about how animals are being forced to adapt, to survive the challenges they face in a world changed by humans. Ive done a lot of shows in my life, says Gunton, but this is definitely a really important one. It still feels like were getting the Planet Earth tingle, in that its giving us wonderful stuff about nature, but were also saying something about being sensitive to how heavily we tread on our planet. Planet Earth III certainly demonstrates our negative impact on animal life (turtles on Australias Raine Island, for example, are dying en masse as temperatures rise). Yet it also shows how we are innovating to make things better (while the right whale was hunted to near extinction 40 years ago, a ban on commercial whaling has restored numbers to around 12,000). Its a very intriguing time to be observing the natural world at the moment, and its slightly worrying as well. But there are parts of it that make you hopeful, and that has to be reflected in the programmes. In some ways, a lot has changed since Gunton and Attenborough started working together. Attenborough was not a fan of drones when they first arrived on the scene. They would constantly malfunction, and he would have to do countless takes walking through a meadow or a jungle as the camera on the drone zoomed off to reveal him on location. Hes now a convert, and he absolutely thinks the drone is the key, the breakthrough, in the perspective it can give you on what happens in nature, says Gunton. The advances in technology have been huge over the decades. He is astounded by the leap we have taken in the way we use robotic cameras, Gunton adds. We can take audiences beyond where the human eye can. If somebody ever asked me, What are your memories of him?, one of the top things I would say is us rolling around laughing, sometimes about the absurdity of the world and the absurdity of what we do In other ways, nothing has changed at all. Attenborough has always had a penchant for bird courtship stories on his shows, and he always will. Theres a sequence in Planet Earth III with the tragopan, which is a very strange bird that lives in China and has a very complex and bizarre courtship display, says Gunton. I think its never been filmed in the wild. And of all the things that we showed David, it was that which made his eyes light up. And Attenborough has always been hilarious, says Gunton. If somebody ever asked me, What are your memories of him?, one of the top things I would say is us rolling around laughing, sometimes about the absurdity of the world and the absurdity of what we do. Hes a brilliant raconteur. So is Gunton. We far-exceed our time slot on Zoom and I can tell he would happily tell stories about his and Attenboroughs adventures for hours (I hear about him sending Attenborough into battle with warrior-like termites Nigeria, and the pair of them sitting, surrounded by butterflies in Kents Downe Bank nature reserve). Gunton didnt always think he would go into natural history he initially wanted to be a social documentary filmmaker but during his time as a zoology student at the University of Bristol, a palaeontology professor took him under his wing and he became an obsessive student. After going to Cambridge to do a PhD in zoology, he returned to Bristol to work at the BBCs Natural History Unit, where he is now creative director. Attenborough and Gunton inspecting wildlife decades ago (Provided) He says that, over the years, Attenboroughs curiosity has absolutely continued to be unbounded. When Gunton visits Attenboroughs house in Richmond, therell be a stack of books on the piano that hes reading, working his way through. Hell say, Have you read this? Have you seen this? Its that kind of constant scholarship. Hes so busy. Its bonkers. Hes away at this event and that event and at some library here, and the energy is astonishing. He tells me a story to prove the point. During the filming of The Green Planet, which came out last year, there was a sequence where Attenborough was presenting from a rowing boat on a lake in Croatia. Gunton, three decades Attenboroughs junior, was meant to be doing most of the rowing when the cameras werent rolling, but Attenborough wasnt having any of it. He jumped into the rowing seat at the first opportunity. Ill row. No, no, Ill do it. Ill do it, Gunton remembers him insisting. We started getting competitive because he was a rower at university [in Cambridge] and so was I. I was saying, Look, come on, Im a rower. He said, No, we could row just as well as you row. So, as a 94-year-old, he basically rowed that boat about a mile, and it was a big heavy boat. Working with him in his nineties is not that hard, because he can do almost anything. Gunton and Attenborough become competitive in a boat in Croatia (Provided) While Attenborough tends to go out in the field less and less these days, Gunton says his influence on the series goes far beyond his narration. This has been his format, ever since he made Life on Earth [in 1979]. So these shows are effectively modifying or twiddling around the edges of that format, with his DNA there all the time. Gunton says that with every shot, every storyline in the series, hes thinking, How is this going to be told by David? He will bounce ideas off Attenborough, too, and seek his advice on trickier scenes. Attenborough is the right man to ask. He has been the single biggest influence on nature programming in, well, forever. His playful storytelling has had us gripped by the antics of everything from spindly weeds in the ground to tiny sea angels in the ocean. Seeing nature in this awe-inspiring way has taught us all about the wonders of the world and the need to protect them. And many others most recently Morgan Freeman, who presented the inferior Life on Our Planet on Netflix have failed to replicate his magic. Attenborough during the filming of Planet Earth III (BBC, Mark Harrison) The last time Attenborough properly went out on location on a series, doing hardcore expeditions, was for The Green Planet. We went to Costa Rica and across America and to [its] deserts, says Gunton. And we went to just outside the Arctic Circle in Finland, and to Croatia. He loved it. Beforehand, we were talking about how many days wed have, and we said, you know, maybe three weeks or something in total. And his daughter was there, who he works with a lot, and she said, Look, youve got to be careful, dont do too many days. And when she nipped out to go and make us a cup of tea, he turned to me and whispered, Actually, lets do another couple of days! That sums him up, actually. He was 94. Gunton struggles to envisage a future without Attenborough guiding us through the natural world. Forty years ago, I was a new boy at the Natural History Unit, he says. And they said, Of course, this is Davids last series, so we ought to be thinking about whos going to take over. And that is something that people have been talking about ever since. I think its one of those things where we cross that bridge when we come to it, but at the moment, he seems to be going on six cylinders. He laughs as he admits he cheekily asked Attenborough if hell ever retire. Attenboroughs response? I dont know what that word means. The final episode of Planet Earth III will air at 6.20pm on BBC One on Sunday 10 December BEIJING/MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines and China traded accusations on Sunday over a collision of their vessels near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea as tensions over claims in the vital waterway escalate. The Philippine coast guard accused China of firing water cannons and ramming resupply vessels and a coast guard ship, causing "serious engine damage" to one, while China's coast guard said the Philippine vessel intentionally rammed its ship. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China's claims had no legal basis. Beijing and Manila have been playing cat-and-mouse around the uninhabited Second Thomas Shoal in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone when the Philippines deploys resupply missions for Filipino soldiers living aboard an aging warship deliberately run aground in 1999 to protect Manila's maritime claims. The shoal is part of what are known internationally as the Spratly Islands. On Saturday, the Philippines accused China of "illegal and aggressive actions" by China for firing water cannon at a civilian-operated government fishing vessel, a move Beijing called legitimate "control measures". In Sunday's incident, China's coast guard said in a statement that two Philippine vessels, ignoring repeated warnings, had "illegally entered the waters adjacent to Ren'ai Reef in the Nansha Islands without the approval of the Chinese government." It said the Unaizah Mae 1 "made an unprofessional and dangerous sudden turn, intentionally ramming into China Coast Guard vessel 21556." It said the Philippine side bore full responsibility. China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu called on the Philippines to stop its "provocative acts", saying China would continue to carry out "law-enforcement activities" in its waters. Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela posted on the social media platform X that the "M/L Kalayaan suffered serious engine damage. Contrary to China Coast Guard disinformation, UM1 rammed by CCG vessel." A Philippine government task force condemned "China's latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine" resupply mission. China's action "puts into question and significant doubt the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue", it said in a statement. The National Task Force-West Philippine Sea said a coast guard ship was towing the Kalayaan back to Palawan province and that coast guard vessel BRP Cabra had "suffered damage to its mast after being directly targeted by the full strength of the water cannon". U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson posted on X that China's "aggression undermines regional stability in defiance of a free and open Indo-Pacific". Around 200 Philippine fishermen, youth leaders and civil society groups have joined a Christmas mission to the area, organised by the Atin Ito ("This is ours"), a civilian-led network asserting the country's rights in the South China Sea. The group said Sunday they have decided to return to El Nido town in Palawan province, "erring on the side of caution ... after the constant shadowing of four Chinese vessels" in their voyage. It is not immediately clear if the group will wrap up their mission or sail back in the South China Sea in the coming days. Earlier in the day, ten fishing boats have decided to pull out from the voyage due to safety concerns. (Reporting by Mikhail Flores, Colleen Howe and Eve Wu; Editing by William Mallard and Miral Fahmy) MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia views Moldova's decision to join EU sanctions against it as a hostile step aimed at destroying ties with Moscow and will retaliate, the Russian foreign ministry said on Friday. The Russian denunciation was issued in response to a vote in Moldova's parliament agreeing to abide by the punitive measures as part of measures to alter its legislation as required for its bid to join the European Union. "We regard this as yet another hostile step by the Moldovan leadership, which is fully integrated into the anti-Russian campaign of the 'collective West'," the ministry said in a statement. "Its aim is the complete destruction of Russian-Moldovan relations, which, through the fault of official Chisinau, are already in a very deplorable state." Moscow would retaliate, the ministry said. The 62 deputies of Moldovan President Maia Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity backed the legislation, ensuring its passage in the assembly in the capital Chisinau. Among its provisions are regulations concerning action to be taken against individuals and institutions subject to sanctions imposed on Russia in connection with the Kremlin's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The legislation is also intended to guard against undue influence by business magnates or "oligarchs". Members of the opposition Socialist Party refused to vote and called for the legislation to be referred to the Venice Commission - a body of the human rights watchdog Council of Europe, which advises on legislation and constitutional matters. Sandu has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of trying to oust her in a coup. Moscow denies the allegations and says Sandu is infusing anti-Russian sentiment in the country lying between Ukraine and Romania. The European Commission this month recommended starting membership talks with Moldova and Ukraine, subject to endorsement from an EU summit in December (Reporting by Reuters; Additional reporting by Alexander Tanas in Chisinau; Writing by Maxim Rodionov; Editing by Andrew Osborn and Marguerita Choy) BEIJING (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's investment minister met with China's commerce and industry chiefs in Beijing on Sunday and discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment and technology, the Chinese ministries said. China is willing to work with Saudi Arabia to jointly promote China's Belt and Road infrastructure investment program and Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" initiative, the ministry quoted Commerce Minister Wang Wentao as saying after the meeting with Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, adding that the two countries would also expand cooperation in energy and resources, infrastructure and technology. The Vision 2030 plan aims to diversify the economy of the world's biggest oil producer away from hydrocarbon income and includes big infrastructure projects and an expanded focus on the private sector. Al-Falih also met China's Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong. The ministry quoted Jin as saying that China was open to working with Saudi Arabia on new energy vehicles, aircraft, photovoltaics and artificial intelligence, as well as cooperating to safeguard global industrial supply chains. China's ties with Saudi Arabia have deepened recently, with the Saudi energy minister declaring in June that his country would seek to collaborate, not compete, with China. The relationship, anchored in hydrocarbon ties, has expanded, with the two countries signing a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement and a series of investment agreements in December 2022. (Reporting by Colleen Howe; editing by Miral Fahmy) A South Carolina man who had a previous life sentence reduced is heading back behind bars following new convictions, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. On Wednesday, 44-year-old Sumter County resident Martez Mandel Coleman was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a news release. Coleman was convicted on charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon, possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of marijuana, according to the release. Coleman is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his 2001 federal convictions for murder and other crimes, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Coleman was also convicted on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of crack cocaine and five kilograms or more of cocaine. He was also charged with possession with intent to distribute/distribution of crack cocaine, using/carrying a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking crime, and causing the death of a person through the use of firearm, according to the release. After being convicted in a jury trial, he was sentenced to life in prison, the U.S. Attorney said. Later Coleman filed a motion for a reduced sentence pursuant to the First Step Act of 2018, and the court reduced his sentence in 2020 to 300 months imprisonment with five years of supervised release, according to the release. Coleman was released from federal prison in 2021 and was on federal supervised release when he was charged with the new crimes last year, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. But on Oct. 10, 2022, a deputy with the Sumter County Sheriffs Office conducted a traffic stop of a Mercedes after observing a traffic violation, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. When the deputy approached the vehicle, he smelled marijuana and saw a bag of what he believed to be narcotics on the center console, according to the release. Coleman, the only person in the Mercedes, admitted to having marijuana, a loaded 9mm handgun. There were also several baggies of fentanyl and marijuana were found inside the vehicle, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. A drug analysis later showed that about 126 grams of fentanyl and approximately 47 grams of marijuana were found in baggies, and the gun was previously reported as stolen in Florence, according to the release. In addition to a 10-year sentence for the conviction on the 2022 charges, Colemans federal supervised release was revoked, and he was ordered to serve another two years in prison from the 2001 conviction, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. One year of the 24-month revocation will run concurrent and the other consecutive to the new 10-year sentence, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Coleman will be on supervised release for eight years upon completion of the sentence, according to the release. In addition to the sheriffs office, Coleman was investigated by the DEA and the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey Haynes prosecuted the case, as well as Colemans earlier 2001 case, according to the release. Information about Colemans attorney was not available. A toddler was among six people killed when tornadoes struck Nashville and the Tennessee town of Clarksville early Saturday evening, officials said. Dozens more were injured. Nashville police said in a statement Sunday that 2-year-old Anthony Elmer Mendez was killed alongside his mom, Floridema Gabriel Perez, 31, in a northern community of Nashville along Nesbitt Lane. Joseph Dalton, 37, was also killed, the statement said. Perezs 7-year-old son and Daltons 10-year-old son were transported to Vanderbilt Pediatrics with non-life threatening injuries, police said. The dead in Clarksville include two adults and one child, according to an earlier statement from Michelle Newell, spokesperson for Montgomery County, where the town is located. Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts said on Sunday that a total of 62 people have been hospitalized in the aftermath of the tornadoes. Montgomery County Emergency Services Chief Jimmie Edwards said Sunday morning that seven patients were transferred to Vanderbilt in what he described as critical condition. Edwards was asked by reporter whether the county was checking on tornado sirens following reports that some did not alert residents to the incoming threat until after it passed. He told the reporter checks are something that regularly happens and could not speak to a specific siren issue from Saturday night. The Nashville Office of Emergency Management reported severe damage in the area around Nesbitt Lane and asked residents to avoid it as well as downed power lines. Thirteen people were injured in a church collapse roughly 9 miles north of downtown Nashville and were stabilized after being taken to hospitals, the office said. The office said that around 4 p.m., National Weather Service radar had suggested a large and extremely dangerous tornado was spinning about 30 miles west of Nashville and headed east at 40 mph. This was considered a particularly dangerous situation, it said. Image: Homes damaged by a possible tornado at Clarksville (Noemi Canales / Reuters) Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell declared a state of emergency late Saturday and urged people to stay away from areas with significant damage, including the community of Madison, the city's hardest-hit area, the statement said. The declaration was preceded by one from Clarksvilles Mayor Pitts, who also enacted a 9 p.m. curfew Saturday and Sunday for the health, safety, and welfare of the community, he said in a separate statement. Pitts urged the community to be patient, cautioning that it could take weeks before power was restored to some homes as officials dealt with the multi-day event. More than 50,000 utility customers statewide were in the dark overnight, with outages concentrated in Middle Tennessee, according to poweroutage.us. By Sunday morning, more than 41,000 remained without power, based on the sites data. This is a sad day for our community, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said in the statement. We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes. This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end. The numbers could change, officials said, as authorities continued to search for survivors into the night. Multiple tornadoes were reported across Tennessee on Saturday. Authorities in Weakley County, in the northeast of the state, reported residents trapped and homes damaged following an apparent tornado there. A tornado in Gibson County, northeast of Memphis, caused significant damage to homes and downed power lines and trees, county Sheriff Paul Thomas said. In the town of Rutherford, resident Ethan Goad said the local fire station was destroyed and everyone around me was freaking out. Image: Homes damaged by a possible tornado (Kizzy Rae & Kayla Ninchritz) Cindy Walls of the Gibson County Fire Department confirmed damage to the station in Rutherford and to other structures in the town. We have damage to homes, barns and other structures as well, she said. Thomas said the reported tornado caused significant damage to structures. Gov. Bill Lee said on the social media platform X that he and wife Maria are praying for all Tennesseans who have been impacted by the tornadoes that swept through the state this evening. The National Weather Service confirmed at least one tornado in Clarksville. Images from the city show structures reduced to twisted piles of wood and trees on the wet ground. Other reported tornadoes were not officially confirmed by the weather service but were being considered as likely, a weather service forecaster in Nashville said. The weather service normally deploys next-day observers to confirm a tornado by measuring its track and documenting damage. The tornadoes were the result of warm, wet Gulf Coast air colliding with cold air from the north and moving along a front thats headed east, forecasters said. WASHINGTON University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill has resigned amid an uproar over her recent congressional testimony that raised questions from the White House, donors and alumni about how the elite school handles antisemitism on campus. In a campus email Saturday afternoon, Scott Bok, chair of Penns board of trustees, announced Magill, Penns ninth president, voluntarily submitted her resignation. Magill will stay on as president until an interim president is appointed, and she will remain a tenured faculty member at Penn Carey Law, Bok wrote. Bok also resigned his position as chair, he confirmed to USA TODAY on Saturday. "While I was asked to remain in that role for the remainder of my term in order to help with the presidential transition, I concluded that, for me, now was the right time to depart," he wrote in an email. In a statement shared by Bok, Magill said, It has been my privilege to serve as President of this remarkable institution. It has been an honor to work with our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members to advance Penns vital missions. Campus speech: Speech police? Supreme Court asked to enter fray on confronting bias on campus. University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill's testimony before a congressional panel sparked calls for her resignation. Critics said her vague response to lawmakers' questions raised doubts about how the college is dealing with antisemitism on campus. Magill and the presidents of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have all faced a fierce backlash over their testimony on Tuesday before the Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce, which is examining the rise of antisemitism as campuses have become hotbeds for protests, anti-Jewish graffiti and harassment of students. The furor directed at the three college leaders was triggered partly by their response to questions about whether calling for the genocide of Jews violates their schools code of conduct against bullying and harassment which has touched off a firestorm. Magill and the other two presidents Harvards Claudine Gay and MITs Sally Kornbluth gave carefully worded responses that danced around the question despite repeated attempts by Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., to get them to answer. If the speech turns into conduct, it can be harassment. Yes, Magill said. Stefanik, who asked Magill, Gay and Kornbluth some of the most pointed questions at Tuesday's congressional hearing and has opened her own investigation of their respective institutions, posted "One down. Two to go," on X. "This is only the very beginning of addressing the pervasive rot of antisemitism that has destroyed the most 'prestigious' higher education institutions in America. This forced resignation of the President of @Penn is the bare minimum of what is required," wrote Stefanik, a graduate of Harvard. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, also took a victory lap: "I welcome her departure from UPenn," she said in an emailed statement. Choosing a college is hard: The Israel-Hamas war is making it harder Critics argued the vague response suggested the university would not adequately stand up to antisemitism. Even the White House weighed in, with President Joe Bidens press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, saying calls for genocide are counter to everything this country stands for. But Bok, the now-former chair of the board, said in his resignation statement Saturday that Magill's prestigious career was unfairly reduced to a sound bite. In fact, she is "not the slightest bit antisemitic," he said. "Worn down by months of relentless external attacks, she was not herself last Tuesday," Bok wrote. "Over prepared and over lawyered given the hostile forum and high stakes, she provided a legalistic answer to a moral question, and that made for a dreadful 30-second sound bite in what was more than five hours of testimony." Two days after the hearing, the House panel announced it would investigate the policies and disciplinary procedures at Penn, Harvard and MIT. Magill walked back some of her comments, saying a call for the genocide of Jewish people would be considered harassment or intimidation. She also called for a review of Penns policies, saying they have long been guided by the U.S. Constitution but need to be clarified and evaluated. But pressure for her to resign ramped up after a major donor, Ross Stevens, a Penn alum and chief executive officer of Stone Ridge Holdings, threatened to withdraw a gift valued at $100 million to the university unless Magill was replaced. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, also called Magills testimony unacceptable and urged trustees there to consider Magills job. He later joined Jewish students at Penn to mark the start of Hanukkah with a menorah lighting on campus. Harvards Gay apologized for her testimony, telling The Crimson newspaper that she got caught up in a combative exchange about policies and procedures and failed to properly denounce threats of violence against Jewish students. What I should have had the presence of mind to do in that moment was return to my guiding truth, which is that calls for violence against our Jewish community threats to our Jewish students have no place at Harvard, and will never go unchallenged, Gay said. Magill became UPenn's ninth president in 2022, after working to improve the depth and impact of research at the University of Virginia, where she also helped diversify its deans, and Stanford, where she was dean of the school of law. Contributing: The Associated Press Insults and Molotov cocktails: Jews live in fear as antisemitism rages This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: University of Penn president resigns over response to antisemitism The US State Department transmitted an emergency declaration to lawmakers late Friday night for the sale of thousands of munitions to Israel, the agency announced, bypassing the standard 20-day period that congressional committees are typically afforded to review such a sale. The declaration followed a request by the State Department earlier in the week for Congress to approve the sale of 45,000 shells to Israel for its Merkava tanks. A source with direct knowledge of the matter told CNN that the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which have oversight over military sales, had been under pressure from the State Department to approve the request quickly amid Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. The committees typically have 20 days to review foreign military sales, allowing lawmakers to raise questions about a transaction and delay it if needed. But late Friday night, the State Department transmitted an emergency declaration to the committees for over 13,000 of the tank shells, worth about $106 million, for immediate delivery to Israel, the source said Saturday. Effective immediately, the items can be transferred, the source said. No further information, details or assurances were provided. The administrations move to transfer some of the munitions comes as the US is under growing domestic and international pressure to support a ceasefire in Gaza and place conditions on some of the weapons it is providing to Israel. A State Department spokesperson confirmed to CNN on Saturday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken notified Congress on Friday that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer of the tank munitions. The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives, the spokesperson said. We continue to be clear with the government of Israel that they must comply with [international humanitarian law] and must take every feasible step to avoid harm to civilians. Separately, the State Department disclosed in an announcement on Saturday that the sale would be for 13,981 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (MPAT) tank cartridges. Reuters first reported the initial administration request for 45,000 shells. In early November, the State Department formally notified congressional leaders that it would transfer $320 million worth of precision-guided bomb equipment to Israel, CNN previously reported. Israel has received 200 cargo planes of military equipment from several countries since the Hamas terror attack on October 7, including ammunition, armored vehicles and weapons, according to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The Israeli ministry said more than 10,000 tons of military equipment have been delivered since the start of the war. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense said the aid had come from several countries, but declined to say what other countries had sent aid or how much of it had come from the United States. The shipments of US military aid began soon after the war began. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Israel on October 13 as a C-17 cargo plane landed with security assistance to Israel. Theres a lot more that follows this, Austin said at the time. Unlike security assistance to Ukraine, where the US details types of weapons and capabilities, the shipments to Israel have been far more discreet, with the Defense Department rarely acknowledging or announcing what types of weapons or equipment it is sending. In late October, a senior defense official said the US was expediting the delivery of precision-guided joint direct attack munitions (JDAMs) to Israel, which turn unguided bombs into smart weapons. The US has also expedited the delivery of Iron Dome interceptor missiles for Israels primary aerial defense system. The use of US weapons in Israels war has drawn increased scrutiny following an Amnesty International report this week that claimed that US-made JDAMs were used in two strikes in October that killed 43 civilians. The human rights organization said it did not find any indication that there were any military objectives at the sites, a conclusion the Israeli military rejected as flawed, biased and premature. The US State Department and the Defense Department both said they are reviewing Amnesty Internationals report. We have made clear in our discussions with Israeli leaders that we are deeply concerned about the protection of civilians in this conflict, State Department spokesman Matt Miller said Wednesday. We expect Israel to only target legitimate targets and to adhere to the laws of armed conflict. This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. CNNs Oren Liebermann contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The White House reiterated President Bidens pledge that he would not pardon his son, Hunter Biden, if he is convicted amid his ongoing legal battles. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president had not changed his mind on the statement in the wake of new tax crime charges brought against the younger Biden in California, when reporters asked. Nothing has changed, Jean-Pierre said Friday during a gaggle aboard Air Force One en route to Las Vegas. That is still the case. Hunter Biden was indicted Thursday on three felony tax charges in relation to tax evasion and filing a false return, and six misdemeanor charges for failure to pay taxes between 2016 and 2019. The charges mark his second indictment from special counsel David Weiss. During the gaggle, Jean-Pierre deflected questions on how the president reacted to his sons additional charges and if the two had spoken since. I mean, the president has said this before, and he will continue to say, which is that he loves his son and supports him as he continues to rebuild his life, Jean-Pierre said in a gaggle with reporters aboard Air Force One. Im going to be really careful and not comment on this and refer you to Department of Justice or my colleagues at the White House Counsel, she added. The press secretary also refused to comment on any private conversation between Biden and his family members. Her comments echo what the White House said in September when asked if Biden would commute his son. Combined, Hunter Biden faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted. Im not going to go beyond telling you all what the President has said over and over again, Jean-Pierre concluded Friday. Hes proud of his son, and he is proud of him building his life back up. Hunter Biden was already facing three felony gun charges and is under investigation for alleged tax misconduct after a plea deal crumbled earlier this year. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) has also opened a probe into his prior business deals. Bidens attorneys and Republican lawmakers have since argued over whether his testimony in the case should be public or private. Hunter Bidens attorney Abbe Lowell sent the Kentucky Republican a letter claiming a public hearing would ensure transparency, and accusing the committee of using closed-door sessions to manipulate, even distort, the facts and misinform the American public. In response, Comer and House Judicial Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) threatened to hold the presidents son in contempt if he does not appear for a closed-door deposition next week. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis mentioned that the document signed in Paris in 1948 is like a master plan. Many steps have been taken, [and] many still need to be made. Renewing his plea for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine, he urged protection for civilians, hospitals, places of worship. He praised Armenia and Azerbaijan for freeing prisoners of war. I encourage the parties and their leaders to conclude the peace treaty as soon as possible. Vatican City (AsiaNews) Following the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis spoke about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN General Assembly in Paris exactly 75 years ago. [O]n 10 December 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed. It is like a master plan. Many steps have been taken, Francis said. With many conflicts raging in the world and multiple crackdowns on rights, many [steps] still need to be made, he added. Sometimes, steps backward have been taken. The commitment to human rights is never finished! he explained. expressing closeness to those who, every day, without fanfare, in concrete daily life, fight and personally pay the price defending the rights of those who do not count. [S]peaking of human rights, the pontiff emphasised the importance of the declaration for protecting civilians, hospitals, places of worship, freeing hostages and guaranteeing humanitarian aid. The pontiff issued yet another appeal for greater efforts towards peace, especially in Palestine and Israel, as well as in "battered Ukraine". The situation in Gaza is of greatest concern, especially after the United States vetoed a United Nations resolution calling for a ceasefire, which Francis has demanded on several occasions. About 17,700 people have died in the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health. If this humanitarian crisis continues, escalation is a real possibility. On a positive note, following a joint statement by the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia and the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Francis welcome[d] the release of a significant number of Armenian and Azerbaijani prisoners, Azerbaijan reportedly agreed to release 32 Armenian prisoners of war, while Armenia agreed to release 2 Azerbaijani military servicemen. I look with great hope on this positive sign between Armenia and Azerbaijan, for peace in the Southern Caucasus, and I encourage the parties and their leaders to conclude the peace treaty as soon as possible, the pope said. Azerbaijan is set to host COP29 next year, with Armenian backing. Francis cited the Conference on Climate Change currently underway in Dubai, which will end next Tuesday, 12 December. I ask all of you to pray for a good outcome for the care of our common home and the protection of people, he said referring to it. Today, the second Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis appeared from the Apostolic Palace. In the previous two Sundays, he recited the Angelus prayer from Casa Santa Marta. Today, he urged the faithful to continue to pray for the populations who are suffering because of war. We are heading toward Christmas, he told the crowd in St Peters Square, where the Christmas tree and the nativity scene were inaugurated yesterday afternoon. Are we able, with Gods help, to take concrete steps of peace? It is not easy; we know that. Certain conflicts have historically deep roots. In taking these steps, he proposed to be inspired by the testimony of men and women who have worked wisely and patiently for peaceful coexistence. In his commentary on the Word of the day (Mk 1:1-8) that preceded the recitation of the Marian prayer, Pope Francis focused on the "precursor of Jesus", John the Baptist, who is described in the Gospel as the voice of one crying in the desert (v. 3). The desert, he explained, is an empty place, where you do not communicate; and the voice, a means to speak these seem like two contradictory images. But they are joined in the Baptist. Indeed, the desert, near the Jordan River, where John preached, is the place of silence and essentials, where someone cannot afford to dwell on useless things, but needs to concentrate on what is indispensable in order to live. And this is an always relevant reminder: to proceed on the journey of life, we need to be stripped of the more. The voice, according to the second image analysed, is the means by which we manifest what we think and what we bear in our hearts. This, the pope notes, is very much connected to silence, a constant presence in the desert. "[I]f someone does not know how to be quiet, it is unlikely they will have something good to say; while, the more attentive the silence, the stronger the word. This story is part of ongoing coverage of the Colorado River, produced by KUNC and supported by the Walton Family Foundation. It was made available to the Aspen Daily News via AP Storyshare. EV SUV Well known for its trucks and SUVs, GMC continues to represent a solution for anyone who wants something ritzier from GM, and the Chevrolet models are not enough. As such, customers can choose the Canyon, Sierra 1500, and Sierra HD pickup trucks, as well as the Terrain and Acadia, plus Yukon and Yukon XL crossovers and SUVs. More recently, there's also ancomponent to the business all thanks initially to the Hummer EV and Hummer EVmodels.GMC basically treats the Hummer EVs as a veritable sub-brand but that doesn't mean that you can't have a fully electric GMC. Well, to be more precise, you can't have one right now even though the company presented the 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali First Edition quite a long time ago but it is only slated to arrive during the summer of next year.Hopefully, logic dictates that from then on, a lot more GMC models will also receive an alternative EV model version. Interestingly, someone has already thought about that and decided to take matters into their own hands, or instead, at the tip of their CGI brushes, as is the case here with the imaginative realm of digital car content creators.More precisely, Dimas Ramadhan, the virtual automotive artist behind the Digimods DESIGN channel on YouTube, has taken up the task of revealing a Savana EV model of all GMCs! That's an intriguing idea since the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana siblings are dedicated commercial vehicles. They appeared in 1996 as the successors to the Chevrolet/GMC G-Series vans, and currently, GMC sells the Savana versions in panel can form ($40,700), for passenger hauling ($45k), and as a Savana Cutaway for anyone looking to create their own custom design.As far as the pixel master is concerned, it seems he found inspiration in the past when these mighty vans functioned as true houses on wheels there's lots of real estate thanks to the heightened roof, and the cool 60/40 split doors make an appearance on both sides of the vehicle. This hypothetical GMC Savana EV also adopts many design cues from the current Sierra 1500 truck series - a nice blend of contemporary styling and retro-flavored mood.The powertrain, meanwhile, could easily get borrowed from the GMC Sierra EV or the GMC Hummer EV and EV SUV although that also means General Motors should finally scale up the production of Ultium-based technologies. That's a big if, especially considering how the company is struggling to bring to market all of the promised EVs, including the Chevy Equinox EV, Blazer EV, Silverado EV, as well as the GMC Sierra EV. Christmas is just around the corner, and if you haven't decided what to buy for that special gearhead in your life, we have you covered with a selection of awesome Lego Technic vehicles for every budget. NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 42153 - $49.99 Photo: Lego Ford GT 42154 - $119.95 Photo: Lego McLaren Formula 1 Race Car 42141 - $159.99 Photo: Lego Porsche 911 RSR 42096 - $179.99 Photo: Lego Ferrari Daytona SP3 42143 - $449.95 Photo: Lego For some, Legos are nothing more than toys that kids play with. However, the Danish toymaker has made a habit of releasing exciting sets that are also tailored for adults.I was one of the kids that grew up with Lego sets, but as an adult, I switched to different toys. However, several years ago, I received a Technic set for my birthday and was pleasantly surprised by how challenging yet fun it was to build.Since then, I have been addicted to Technic sets, particularly car-related ones, and every Christmas, I put one on my wishlist.Sadly, I only received socks, boots, and corny sweaters the last few years, probably because Santa thought I didn't behave well enough throughout the year.But, if you have a well-behaved car nut in your life and want to surprise them with something truly special this Christmas, go for one of these awesome Lego Technic sets.If you're on a tight budget or just want to buy a set for a younger gearhead, it doesn't get much better than this NASCAR Chevy Camaro Though it's recommended for enthusiasts as young as nine, this Lego Technic model is still detailed enough to captivate adults.The box contains 672 pieces that can be assembled in 1 or 2 hours, depending on the person's skill.The car has functional steering, an opening hood that reveals a V8 engine with moving pistons, and patriotic-themed decals.Currently retailing at $49.99, the Lego Camaro is 11 inches (28 cm) long and 5 inches (13 cm) wide.This exciting set allows enthusiasts to build a Lego version of Ford's most epic production supercar: the second-generation GT Recommended for adults, it comprises 1,468 individual Lego pieces that will take 4 to 5 hours to assemble. The result is a 1:12 scale model that measures 15 inches (39 cm) in length and 7 inches (18 cm) in width.It features functional steering, independent suspension on all four wheels, a detailed interior, opening butterfly doors, and an adjustable rear wing The Lego car also has an opening lid that hides an awesome V6 engine with moving pistons connected to the driveline.Officially sanctioned by Ford and codenamed 42154, this set retails at $119.95, but with a little bit of luck, you can find a sealed one on eBay for less than $100.The next set on our list is perfect for motorsport enthusiasts, particularly those who follow the world's premier open-wheel single-seater competition.In 3 to 4 hours, the 1,434 pieces in the box can be transformed into an amazing Lego replica of McLaren's Formula 1 challenger from the 2022 season - albeit with a 2021 livery.The race car has functional steering, an independent suspension system that replicates that of the real thing, and, of course, a V6 engine with reciprocating pistons.With a length of 25.5 inches (65 cm) and a width of 10.5 inches (27 cm), the Lego McLaren F1 race car is huge for a Technic model.The race car is currently priced at $159.99, but since it's an older set, you might find it on sale for a better price in the following weeks.Although it's the oldest set on our list, the Porsche 911 RSR is also one of the coolest.Reproducing the iconic 911's curvaceous lines in Lego is difficult, to say the least, yet this model manages to do it in a near-flawless manner, which is why it's one of the most popular Technic sets ever.But the exterior isn't the only part that resembles the actual car. Opening the doors reveals a full-blown race car interior that is extremely detailed, and under the engine cover, you can find a mid-mounted flat-six with moving pistons.Like the previous two models, the 19-inch (50 cm) long and 7-inch (20 cm) wide RSR features functional steering and an independent suspension system that includes Lego coilovers.The fantastic Porsche that can be assembled in 4 to 5 hours is still available on the Lego website for $179.99. Nevertheless, you can get it from some retailers or eBay sellers for less.When it comes to Technic cars, Lego has been releasing a flagship set every two years. The Daytona SP3 is the latest and arguably the greatest Technic car ever.The set contains 3,778 Lego pieces packed in individual boxes and detailed instructions with information about the fascinating, real-life Ferrari model.Highly complex, the 1:8 scale model can take up to 11 hours to build, but, as you can see, all that time is well worth it.Measuring 23 inches (59 cm) in length and 9.5 inches (25 cm) in width, the huge Lego Ferrari has functional steering, suspension, and a detailed V12 mated to an eight-speed sequential transmission with paddle shifters that actually works.Furthermore, the doors, trunk lid, and engine cover open, while the top is removable - just like the real thing.Since it's one of the most complex Lego sets out there, the Daytona SP3 is not cheap, but the unparalleled building experience it delivers deserves every penny. With more than 20 years of professional experience in photography and graphic design, Marco Matteucci has a keen eye for details and proportions. Operating in the picturesque Italian town of Montegranaro, hed entered the custom bike scene back in 2013 and is known to the broader public as Matteucci Garage. You might already be familiar with that name, because Marcos work has garnered attention far and wide over the years. Photo: Matteucci Garage Photo: Matteucci Garage Hes able to turn just about any machine into an absolute stunner, even if the starting point is an unsightly K-series model from BMW . For instance, most builders wouldnt touch the K 75 with a ten-foot pole, but Signor Matteucci managed to find potential in Motorrads borderline obnoxious triple. He dragged a late-eighties variant kicking and screaming into his shop, to ultimately end up with a rad one-off cafe racer dubbed Daboia.The nickname seems rather appropriate for such a bold custom Beemer, because Daboia refers to a genus of venomous vipers in scientific terms. Now, Marcos restyled K 75 may not have sharp fangs or a cold-blooded predatory instinct, but it does look genuinely intoxicating to say the least! The projects author found a way to work with the angular geometry which characterizes the donor, and his ingenuity paid off in spades.Choosing to retain the motorcycles stock wheels, gas tank, and radiator cover, he saved the heavy lifting for the rear end. In that area, you will now find a bespoke subframe enshrouded in a pointy aluminum tail section, both fabricated from scratch by Marco. In keeping with the viper theme, the tail was cleverly shaped to resemble a snakes head.It comes with integrated LED taillights and turn signals that look like the serpents eyes, while a custom solo seat can be spotted a bit further ahead. This new saddle is enveloped in black leather upholstery and stitched together using red threads for contrast. In a very subtle way, the stitching pattern seems to further enforce the snake-like appearance Marco was going for.His customization treatment completely transformed the K 75 s suspension, as well, with a full suite of modern Ohlins goodies replacing the factory equipment. Premium upside-down forks have been mounted on bespoke triple clamps at the front, and the rear end gained an adjustable piggyback shock absorber to match. Whereas the stock braking system is still present down south, the front module was dialed up to eleven.Marco fitted a pair of floating aftermarket rotors measuring 320 mm (12.6 inches), mating them to some sturdy Brembo calipers for ample stopping power. The original wheels were cloaked in Metzeler Roadtec rubber fore and aft, but there are no fenders to speak of. A potent LED headlamp takes care of lighting duties at twelve oclock, sitting on custom brackets and joined by a small aluminum wind deflector up top.Furthermore, maestro Matteucci also went to town in the cockpit, installing a tailor-made handlebar positioned in a similar manner to clip-ons. Theres an inverse curvature in the center, offering a clear view of the Acewell dial that makes up Daboias instrumentation. A Brembo brake master cylinder and aftermarket grips complete the equipment in this area, accompanied by the standard BMW switchgear.As for the front turn signals, theyve been seamlessly embedded into the bikes radiator shroud to keep things looking as tidy as possible. New billet aluminum foot pegs finish off the creatures ergonomics, and all its electronics are now hooked up to a fresh wiring harness. Although he opted to leave the engine internals unchanged, Marco did perform some tasty mods on the intake and exhaust.The OEM airbox was replaced with aftermarket pod filters, but what really gets our attention is the exhaust plumbing. It comprises handmade stainless-steel headers, which run a three-into-one layout toward a SC-Project muffler on the left. With all the pieces of the puzzle coming together like a charm, it was time for Matteucci Garage to apply the final touches before calling it a day.Of course, that meant choosing an appropriate color scheme to tie everything together. A glossy dark blue finish worked its way onto the frame, wheels, and all the bodywork components except the fuel tank. The latter is the real showstopper here, though, sporting multiple layers of paint sanded away around the edges for a mesmerizing patina-like effect. Matte-red was chosen for the top coating, with yellow and black hiding underneath.Marco painted the knee indentations black, as well, and the same treatment was carried over to the engine covers, swingarm, and triple clamps, among other items. The gold Ohlins suspension and brake rotor flanges fit the chosen color scheme perfectly, but one may also see white Daboia graphics on the tail and custom BMW roundels with the builders name engraved on the outer circles. This whole ordeal looks almost cartoonish, yet undeniably intriguing at the same time! Photo: Public Domain Why the confusion? Because after eliminating other types of vehicles, the Picador is the closest model I could find. The only and most significant problem is... that the Picador is made by a fictional Cheval GTA brand, while the car from the thumbnail clearly says Vapid on the badge.The only other car model made by Vapid that comes close is the Blade, modeled after various generations of the Chevy Impala. But that's only a four-door variant.However, after seeing the level of car customizations surrounding car culture in the GTA 6 trailer, and taking the badge into consideration, it may be a tuned-out Blade that looks like a Picador (El Camino).Now get your tin foil hats ready because this is crazy-man conspiracy time. If you take a closer look at the passenger's door, it's riddled with bullet holes. Not just any number of bullet holes, but precisely six shots.Rockstar could be teasing, or they could be trolling. But the similarities between how Bonnie and Clyde ended up with their car pumped full of lead and our modern-day couple are pretty glaring.Seeing how this wouldn't be the first time Rockstar killed a protagonist at the end of the story from a certain Grand Theft Auto, we could be in store for another choice-based split ending. Who knows, maybe we'll even get to sacrifice the character we're playing as, instead of just shooting the other one. A "Go on without me" sort of finale.And if you want to really go off the reservation with another crazy theory... the plate number says F6. So we have six bullet holes, the number "6" on the plate next to the letter "F," and we know it's coming out in 2025. If you check the calendar, you'll see that June 6, 2025, is Friday.At the same, Bonnie and Clyde died in a Ford that would perfectly match the Vapid Hustler from GTA Online. The possibilities are endless, folks!All kidding aside, whatever the case may be, one thing is sure. If the 137+ million views the Grand Theft Auto VI trailer amassed in less than a week is any indication of interest in this game, then the amount of copies sold in the first 24 hours will be obscene. If you are tired of debating whether or not the (in)famous W206-based Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance is the right plug-in hybrid downsized thing to do with the high-performance compact executive sedan and the upcoming E 63, Mercedes just presented an alternative that is (probably) both cheaper and more elegant thanks to its inline-six engine solution - the 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53. A couple of weeks ago we brought under the spotlight a custom Harley-Davidson Fat Boy put together by a German crew that goes by the name Thunderbike. It was called GT-Fat Boy, and it was a build made impressive, most of all, by a set of some very powerful wheels. The two pieces of hardware are called, you guessed it, GT, and they are part of a line of such hardware made in-house by Thunderbike . They are CNC-machined and come in a five-spoke design, but with the spokes shaped like nothing else you usually see in this industry: the main element that leaves the center of the wheel splits into a "Y design as it meets the rim, creating an incredible effect.The spokes are so special that Thunderbike even has a name for them, namely Lakester. And I'm bringing them up because they are once again the focus of a build signed by this crew. Also based on a Fat Boy of recent birth, the custom ride is called GT-Leader.On this particular ride the wheels come at 21 inches in diameter at the front and 18 inches at the rear, a far cry from the pair on the GT-Fat Boy , which were sized 23 and 21 inches, respectively.Just like in the case of the previous build, this combination of sizes of this particular wheel type was never used before on the Fat Boy, and that makes the project even more of a sight for sore eyes.The wheels are of course not the only elements that contribute to the bike being something to remember. The Harley was gifted with a new swingarm to hold in place the rear wheel and its Metzeler-sourced 260 mm wide tire, with the pulley brake allowing a completely unobstructed view of the assembly from the right side of the two-wheeler.Over both GT pieces custom fenders were fitted, the one at the front made from fiberglass and the one at the rear from steel. Up on the frame a custom seat can be spotted, made in black quilted leather, tied to the fuel tank further ahead by means of a special cover.There have been some mechanical changes as well, but as usual they do not touch the engine of the Fat Boy, which still remains its former self. Well, almost, as there is a new Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde exhaust system in there to help with breathing.Thunderbike topped all that off with a fork-lowering kit and air suspension system, both changes contributing to the motorcycle's ability to look totally different than the model it is based on.Thunderbike lists a total of 38 aftermarket parts as having been included in the build, and they all amount to a total cost of about 13,400 euros, which is close to $15,000 at today's exchange rates.That amount does not include the base bike, obviously, but neither the paint job, man-hours, and the exhaust system I mentioned earlier. What that means is we're likely looking at a motorcycle whose total price can easily reach $40,000.That's just as expensive as a brand new Ford F-150 XLT. You know, just as a reference point A disgruntled Kia owner from Federal Way, Washington, took the matter to a whole new level. The man was so frustrated with the car that he decided to dump it at the dealer and walk home.It all started two years ago when the TikTok challenge became viral. Since then, the vehicle has been involved in four incidents, with the most recent happening a few weeks ago. Behrouz Alimoradi says someone stole his car, but fortunately, the police found it fast. The recovered Kia was parked in front of the man's house when someone walked next to it and broke all windows."I'm tired," the man says after all these incidents. The TikTok challenge made his car a target for teenagers hungry for Internet fame and thieves who take them to chop shops.Alimoradi decided to drive the car back to the dealership, where he purchased the Kia a few years ago. He parked it in the dealer's parking lot and walked about four hours home."I don't want it," he explains, though it's unclear if the dealership will take the car back. The local media contacted the dealer, but the staff wouldn't comment on the case.Meanwhile, the Kia Boys madness doesn't end despite Hyundai and Kia releasing an anti-theft software update . While patched vehicles can no longer be stolen, the Kia Boys don't necessarily care enough to check whether a car has the software update. The carmakers give away stickers to patched vehicle owners, so a thief would be able to determine if the car can be stolen with the TikTok hack by simply scanning its windows.The last few cases demonstrated that teens who believe that stealing cars is fun ignore all signs they wouldn't be able to drive away, sometimes breaking the windows of vehicles with a steering wheel lock in place.Hyundai and Kia urge everybody to patch their vehicles, explaining that the update is effective and blocks thieves from starting the engine. Owners of models not eligible for the update are reimbursed for steering wheel locks. Police also recommend owners to install vehicle tracking technology in their cars, including AirTags . With such devices, they can provide the police with location information, accelerating the recovery process. However, most stolen Hyundai and Kias are typically damaged, totaled, and abandoned a few hours after the thieves drive away. The Chrysler 300 story began in the 1950s with the introduction of the 300-letter series for the 1955 model year. Though advertised as a personal luxury car, the C-300 was a wolf in sheep's clothing due to its 300-hp Hemi V8, namely the 331-ci FirePower. Photo: Chrysler EV The so-called letter series would be discontinued in 1966 after five generations, only to return for a single model year in 1970 as the Hurst 300. A meager 501 units were produced, all packing the 440-ci RB with 375 ponies on deck. Of those 501, two morphed into convertibles, of which one received the 426-ci Hemi referred to as the Elephant engine by aficionados.Chrysler's non-letter series 300, which is alternatively called 300 Sport Series, rolled out in 1962 with bench seats rather than bucket seats. Revised in 1965, then again in 1969, the non-letter series would return in 1979 as an option package for the Cordoba. For some reason, Chrysler advertised it as a standalone model instead of the Cordoba 300.Following the Malaise Era and the mild recession from the 1990s, what was then known as DaimlerChrysler launched a completely new type of 300 in 1998 for the 1999 model year. A full-size luxury car with a longitudinally-mounted engine and front-wheel drive that would make Volkswagen Group brand Audi blush, the 300M was a rather poor excuse for a 300. After all, DaimlerChrysler originally intended to sell this fellow as the Eagle Vision.The 300 of the 21st century was penned and engineered during the DaimlerChrysler era, which can only be described as an uneasy alliance between two extremely different automakers. A more distinguished breed than the 300M due to its RWD platform, the 300 we all know and love wouldn't have been possible without Merc's technical assistance. In addition to chassis and suspension componentry borrowed or derived from the E-Class and S-Class, the 300 was also offered with a Merc-sourced V6 turbo diesel and the 5G-Tronic transmission.A heavy update of the 300 was introduced in 2010 for model year 2011, an update so big that Chrysler even changed the platform's designation from LX to LD. This update also saw Fiat Chrysler Automobiles discontinue the slow-selling wagon, which was assembled by contract manufacturer Magna Steyr in Austria rather than FCA in Brampton, Ontario.Speaking of Brampton, the final 300C of 2,200 ever produced has rolled off the assembly line. Known as Stellantis after the merger with Groupe PSA, what used to be called Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has also confirmed that 300 production will end by December 31. This, however, isn't necessarily bad news.During Stellantis EV Day 2021 , the American-Italian-French colossus teased a 300-like electric sedan with two electric drive units. The silhouette in question has a bit of Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concept to it, which leads us to believe that the 300's zero-emission successor will be made in Canada.How come? If the yet-unnamed electric sedan is based on the STLA Large platform of the 2025 Dodge Charger, production will take place at the Windsor Assembly Plant or Brampton Assembly Plant . Back in June 2022, Stellantis confirmed that Windsor would be retooled for STLA Large-based vehicles as part of the automaker's long-term electrification plant. Brampton will be retooled for "an all-new, flexible architecture" as well, yet Stellantis hasn't said which platform specifically.By flexible, it's easy to assume that we're dealing with both internal combustion and electric muscle. With the STLA Large-based 2025 Dodge Charger already confirmed to sport both internal combustion and electric powertrains, chances are that Brampton will make STLA Large vehicles, just like Windsor. Unfortunately, it's not currently known which of these facilities will handle 300production. The Aventador clearly isn't the Volkswagen Group's first Lamborghini, but it's the first Lamborghini to feature a completely different V12 from the Giotto Bizzarrini-designed masterpiece that served the Raging Bull of Sant'Agata Bolognese between 1963 and 2010. The red example in the video below is an SVJ whose owner claims that it makes 770 ponies. HP Photo: DragTimes on YouTube 770 horsepower is correct where they use the metric system, but alas, the video in question was filmed at the Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida. In other words, the peak output in old money would be 759 horsepower at 8,500 revolutions per minute. Peak torque is estimated at 720 Nm or 531 pound-feet.A late model SVJ based on the S rather than the pre-facelift Aventador , this fellow allegedly tips the scales at circa 3,910 pounds (make that 1,774 kilograms). Why allegedly? Because Lambo quotes 3,615 pounds (1,640 kilograms) for the US specification. Quite beefy for an Italian supercar with a screamer of a V12, but then again, the Aventador-succeeding Revuelto is even heavier due to it being a plug-in hybrid with three (!!!) electric motors.Equipped with trick aero, permanent all-wheel drive, and rear-wheel steering, the SVJ does leave much to be desired in terms of transmission. Rather than the dual-clutch unit of the Revuelto, the Aventador uses an automated manual supplied by Graziano and pompously marketed as ISR, with said acronym standing for Independent Shifting Rods Pictured in blue, the Huracan Tecnica owned by Brooks Weisblat of DragTimes is rocking a Graziano-developed transaxle of the dual-clutch variety. Not only does it shift a lot smoother at low speeds, but it's much easier to modify for high-power applications. Think 1,000-plusat the wheels.Weisblat says that his rear-drive Huracan makes 640 horsepower, which yet again is correct had Brooks lived in Italy or any other European country. The correct figure in this part of the world is 631 horsepower at 8,000 revolutions per minute. As for torque, its naturally-aspirated V10 is much obliged to make 565 Nm or 417 pound-feet at the flywheel.Its owner claims 3,350 pounds (1,520 kilograms) for curb weight, although that's incorrect as well. The curb weight of the US-spec Tecnica is 3,470 pounds (1,574 kilograms), which obviously enough means that the Tecnica is lighter than the SVJ.Although rear-wheel drive, this lightness and its dual-clutch transmission enable a 10.5-second quarter mile at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The SVJ isn't too far behind, clocking a best of 10.730 seconds. Pretty impressive for a car whose transmission is similar in design to the E-Gear unit in the Murcielago, and even more so after seeing the SVJ hanging door to door with the Huracan Tecnica.Similar to the Aventador, the Huracan will be replaced by a plug-in hybrid as well. But as opposed to the naturally-aspirated V12 of the Revuelto , the Huracan-specific V10 won't soldier on. Whatever the succeeding model will be called, we do know that it's packing a twin-turbocharged V8. Expected to launch in late 2024 as a 2025 model, the Baby Lambo will directly compete against the likes of the V6-powered Ferrari 296 and V6-powered McLaren Artura. Mercedes has a traditionally agreed reliable reputation and is probably one of the top five role-model situations when German Engineering comes into a conversation as an undeniable proof of high-class craftsmanship. While this theorem might not hold water in this computer day and age of atrocious careless consumerism, there was a time not too long ago when the European brand built its cars by smelting Thors hammer and casting it in a five-cylinder diesel engine the unbreakable 300 turbodiesel of the late seventies. Photo: YouTube/WD Detailing Photo: YouTube/WD Detailing Photo: YouTube/WD Detailing Multiple accounts of the legendary W123 Mercedes-Benz running smoothly for over one million kilometers (some 620,000 miles) with no significant mechanical issues are easy to find. There are reports of examples going well over one million miles (1.6 million kilometers) with nothing but fresh oil, regular maintenance, and smiles per gallon. In the late eighties, when the 300Ds would reach said milestones, the Mercedes-Benz cars found their way to Africa or Latin America, where they would endure for decades with impeccable resilience.In popular culture, frequent jokes about the extremely high standards of said importing countries claimed that the third-world drivers were so severe in their requirements that a one-million-mile break-in was necessary to prove the Mercs were up to their needs. While its a folklore tale about a sturdy automobile, the truth is those cars and their engines were made to last for as long as the road lasted (asphalt or not).The 300D inline-five debuted in 1979 as the worlds first turbodiesel passenger car in the W123 Mercedes-Benz and was dedicated to the European market. Two years later, the Americans understood what proper Diesel technology was about. The sales literature of the time touted, Unlike many Diesels which are simply converted gasoline engines, Mercedes-Benz has designed this engine from the ground up to meet the rigorous compression requirements of the Diesel.Mercedes was pointing the finger (and it wasnt the index) at Oldsmobiles 350-cubic-inch V8 diesel motor, which was a catastrophically hasty attempt at fighting the energy crunch of the era. However, the American eight-cylinder Frankenstein was an adaptation of the 5.7-liter gasoline engine, and it showed its flaws in the long run. Today, that Olds foot-in-mouth powerplant is widely held responsible for being the main reason Americans still dont appreciate self-igniting engines very much.Furthermore, twisting the knife in the oil embargo wound, the Germans bragged about their straight-five fuel efficiency it can operate on the cheapest automotive fuel you can buy. As innovative drivers later proved, the rugged plant would run on cooking oils either straight or used without a hiccup.But even those virtually indestructible W123s werent impervious to misdemeanors, and this desecrated 1981 300TD example found in a yard is proof. It's not living proof because its formidable straight-five is dead. Everything above the top dead center of the pistons is no more, and this sturdy Diesel will never run again unless someone decides to replace its broken heart . However, the rest of the Mercedes-Benz is in good shape despite being pulled out of a backyard where it sat under the open skies long enough to allow a solid layer of mold to grow.Premiered in April 1978, the 300TD was the most expensive station wagon available, at roughly $15,000. In a way, it introduced America to the concept of luxurious practicality, combining the multi-tool versatility of a wagon with the lavishness of a Mercedes-made automobile.Allegedly, it was there that the current addiction to luxury SUVs emerged when drivers discovered they could have their cake and eat it. The extra space provided by the Tourismus und Transport (thats what the T in the 300TD stood for) was a great bonus that didnt chip at the lavishness of the interior. There was only one problem with the car when it first hit the showrooms in 1979 it was abysmally low on power, at some 79 hp and 127 lb-ft (80 PS, 172 lb-ft).Beginning with the 1981 model year, a turbocharger was fitted to the robust inline-five, and the output surged to 123 hp (125 PS) and 184 lb-ft (25 Nm), a giant leap upward in terms of performance. And it was a true money saver, with an average of 23 mpg (10 liters/100km). Not factory claims but the Environmental Protection Agencys estimates.Another advantage of the 300D engine was its scarcity of parts no carburetor , sparkplugs, wires, distributor, or points to worry about. It even came with a plug-in electric coolant heater that could be powered by any domestic power outlet when the temperature dropped dangerously low. As we can see, this old Merc detailed in the video below is too far gone to make a difference the bare pistons are corroded beyond salvation, so the YouTubers didnt insist on it. Before it was so brutally torn apart, this venerable powerplant covered 366,531 miles (589,748 kilometers) - according to the odometer.A quirky overengineered transmission was available in the 1981 W123 Turbodiesel station wagons a fussy automatic available only on that body style and only for that year. It paired well with the electronic speedometer (another one-year exclusive to the TD). All in all, over 28,000 Mercedes-Benz 300 TD turbocharged automobiles were assembled between October 1980 and January 1986. (How many made it past the million-mile landmark before being relocated to Latin America is one for the historians. Its safe to assume theres one out there still braving the streets and exotic fuel cocktails in some remote part of the world. For example, Suzuki sells badge-engineered Toyota models across the Old Continent, so they could simply extend the partnership to North America, too. But maybe the most significant Japanese automaker doesn't want any distraction from its battle with General Motors for supremacy across the US automotive market.So, perhaps Suzuki-badged versions of the best-selling Toyota RAV4 are a no-go. But what if the company brought something else something that's niched and doesn't threaten Toyota's supremacy too much? Well, that may not be possible too soon in the real world, but across the imaginative realm of digital car content creators, no worries, it has already happened.The good folks from the AutomagzPro channel on YouTube have some AI-assisted CGI thoughts about hypothetical compact SUVs from Japan. More precisely, they believe and their resident pixel master obliges with some mighty design projects that Toyota is not ready to refocus on something else beyond its all-new 2024 Land Cruiser.Now, the series includes both the J300 model that arrived during the summer of 2021 (which is not available everywhere) and the global J250-based sibling of the 2024 Lexus GX 550. However, the rumor mill has been adamant on numerous occasions that something smaller is also brewing a compact-sized Land Cruiser derivative that could serve as the spiritual body-on-frame successor of the retro-modern FJ Cruiser.Due to various trademark fillings, this model has been alternatively named 'Land Hopper' and ' Land Cruiser FJ ,' so take everything you see and hear with a pinch of salt, as nothing is official just yet. However, the parallel universes of vehicular CGI love to envision this little yet rugged model that will surely give the unibody Ford Bronco Sport a massive run for its money if it ever arrives in America.But the good folks from this channel went a step beyond just imagining this upcoming Toyota they also gave it a companion/rival in the form of the rumored four-door Suzuki Jimny Sierra, a more rugged and more extensive version of the legendary Jimny. If reports are accurate, it could act as a sibling for the Land Hopper or Land Cruiser FJ if it comes to North America- not just Europe. And since they're both pretty niched, Toyota's corner office head honchos might allow it to thrive among off-road enthusiasts.So, which version is your favorite, and do you think Toyota and Suzuki should venture together or separately in the field of off-road-focused compact SUVs? Also, do you think the channel's host is right in thinking these two models could arrive with electrified powertrains perhaps even PHEVs? Four years. This is how long Tesla took to officially start delivering the Cybertruck to customers after the moment it unveiled the model in November 2019. Elon Musk announced three trims for the vehicle, with the Cyberbeast being the top of the line. But what do you actually get if you order the Cyberbeast? kWh EV The Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast is the most expensive and the best equipped of the Cybertruck lineup, except for the limited-run Foundation Series, offered to the customers who wanted to get their vehicle early and were willing to pay $120,000. One of them was the Reddit co-founder and husband of Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian , who is currently driving VIN003. Jay Leno has also been spotted driving one, but claimed that it was not his.Tesla has revealed the specs of the range-topping Cyberbeast. We are, thus, dealing with a tri-motor variant. The three of them generate a total output of 845 horsepower (857 PS) and an impressive 10,296 pound-feet (13,960 Nm) of torque.These are the parameters that make the Cybertruck Cyberbeast accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 kph) in 2.6 seconds with the Beast mode engaged, on its way to a top speed of 130 mph (209 kph). It also does the quarter mile in 11.0 seconds.The energy is stored in a lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of 123. The pack provides the vehicle with an estimated EPA range of 320 miles (515 kilometers) or 440 miles (708 kilometers) with the range-extender setup.It takes only 15 minutes for the battery to charge enough for a 128-mile (206-kilometer) drive once it is connected to a Tesla supercharger.Thehas a towing capacity of 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms). It rides on 20-inch wheels and comes with both workhorse and supercar credentials. The Cyberbeast is the variant that defeated the Porsche 911 in a drag race while towing another Porsche 911.The Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast starts at $99,990 before . Whoever wants to reserve the variant has to pay a $250 deposit. Once Tesla gets the reservation request, the customer will be invited to configure the vehicle when possible.Things have very much changed since 2019, when the range-topping Cybetruck was estimated to start at $69,900. Back then, those who wanted to reserve the EV had to pay a $100 deposit.Considering regulations regarding pedestrian safety in Europe, as well as the registration of passenger cars, the vehicle might not even land on the Old Continent. The tri-motor, large-battery Cybertruck Cyberbeast tips the scales at 6,843 pounds. Therefore, it is simply too heavy to be driven with a regular driving license in Europe, where the B license allows drivers to drive vehicles below 3.5 tonnes (7,716 pounds). 10 December 2023 22:15 (UTC+04:00) By Mazahir Afandiyev A significant event occurred in Azerbaijan's sociopolitical life in 2003. On October 1st, National Leader Heydar Aliyev announced his resignation from the presidential elections and urged Azerbaijanis to vote for Ilham Aliyev, the first deputy chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party. He believed that Ilham Aliyev and the New Azerbaijan Party would continue to do their best for the growth of Azerbaijan and the well-being of the nation. October 15th, 20 years ago, went down in history as one of Azerbaijan's significant days. On this day, the Azerbaijani people voted for the continuation of National Leader Heydar Aliyev's policy and the maintenance of the country's stability. President Ilham Aliyev, by his deeds, proved the National Leader's words, "I believe him as myself." President Ilham Aliyev created the foundations for a new age and era in Azerbaijan, leading the country toward strategic goals built on the National Leader's solid foundation. In general, President Ilham Aliyev's pledges have been successfully fulfilled over the last 20 years. The bleeding wound of the Azerbaijani peoplethe Garabagh crisishas finally been settled, and substantive steps have been taken to liberate the Azerbaijani lands. So, in 2020, the valiant sons of the victorious Azerbaijani Army executed the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's order and ensured that the valuable flag for each of us flew in the cultural treasure, Shusha. On October 15, 2023, in the "Year of Heydar Aliyev," the President of Azerbaijan raised the Azerbaijani flag in the central square of Khankendi, and on November 8, he conducted a military parade of the valiant Azerbaijani army. "I am glad that over the past 20 years all the promises I made and all the tasks I set for myself have been fulfilled." This statement of President Ilham Aliyev demonstrates how correct the 20-year-old decision of the Azerbaijani people was. Thus, during the ongoing transformation in the world, Azerbaijan has created a completely new direction and political model in the region and global politics. On the one hand, the courage of Azerbaijan's valiant sons was demonstrated to the entire world; on the other hand, Azerbaijan's lost territories with a 200-year history of statehood were returned, and sovereignty and territorial integrity were assured. President Ilham Aliyev has demonstrated that his services to the Azerbaijani people, outstanding governance, and adherence to Azerbaijani ideology, as well as the political and economic path laid forth by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, are continually evolving. Although certain political circles have always attempted to discredit Azerbaijan and cast a shadow over our achievements, the world is no longer able to make false allegations in the face of our achievements. In this moment of transformation and the creation of modern political architecture, the Republic of Azerbaijan, as the locomotive of the South Caucasus and new center of power, is embarking on a new path, and, of course, new approaches should be used. From this point of view, the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on holding early presidential elections fully reflects current reality while also demonstrating to the world how the Azerbaijani people are mobilized around their President, statehood traditions, and ideology. Another noteworthy component of the decree is that elections will be held throughout the republic for the first time in the country's independence history. It is no coincidence that the Victory elections will go down in history as clear evidence that the Azerbaijani territorial integrity and sovereignty are fully safeguarded. I would like to emphasize the need for strengthening the political system in order to preserve the gains made and to avoid provocations from states that cannot accept Azerbaijan's win. The holding of the first early parliamentary elections in the country's history in 2020, which played an important role in the country's socio-political life, and the adoption and approval of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Political Parties" created conditions for the formation of a healthier political environment in the country. The decision to hold early presidential elections was reached following the completion of the procedure for state registration of political party members in the country. This has made it possible for all state-registered political parties to run in the elections. This strategy demonstrates that the country provides a fair competitive environment. President Ilham Aliyev has become a symbol of our independence, the voice of Azerbaijan in the world, and the guarantor of the rights and security of Azerbaijanians worldwide along our winding road. I am confident that our people, who will never tire of saying, "Garabagh is Azerbaijan!" will support the country's leader, who has worked tirelessly for many years to create and implement this slogan in the new elections. I believe our people will actively support the state leader's foreign and domestic policy and the country's sustainable development, including the process of transforming native Garabagh into a paradise and creative work in other regions of the country. Mazahir Afandiyev is the Member of the Milli Majlis (the Azerbaijani Parliament). --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 10 December 2023 10:00 (UTC+04:00) The United Arab Emirates welcomes the progress in relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, as well as the recent steps taken towards peace in the region, the UAE Foreign Ministry said, Azernews reports. The statement highly appreciated the confidence-building measures agreed upon between the two countries and expressed hope that these initiatives will contribute to strengthening stability in the Caucasus. The ministry emphasized that the UAE supports all initiatives agreed upon by Azerbaijan and Armenia to strengthen security and peace at the regional and international level. The ministry reiterated that the UAE emphasizes the importance of building bridges, cooperation and dialogue in resolving differences peacefully. Following the talks between the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, an agreement has been reached on taking tangible steps towards building confidence between two countries. Driven by the values of humanism and as a gesture of goodwill, the Republic of Azerbaijan releases 32 Armenian military servicemen. In its turn, driven by the values of humanism and as a gesture of goodwill, the Republic of Armenia releases 2 Azerbaijani military servicemen. As a sign of good gesture, the Republic of Armenia supports the bid of the Republic of Azerbaijan to host the 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, by withdrawing its own candidacy. The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan do hope that the other countries within the Eastern European Group will also support Azerbaijans bid to host. As a sign of good gesture, the Republic of Azerbaijan supports the Armenian candidature for Eastern European Group COP Bureau membership. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 10 December 2023 11:40 (UTC+04:00) Aktot Raimkulova, president of the Turkish Culture and Heritage Foundation, met with the special representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Shusha, Aydin Karimov, in Shusha, Azernews reports. Aktoty Raimkulova emphasized that she felt proud and happy to visit Shusha for the first time, and congratulated the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the great Victory won in the 44-day Patriotic War. The head of the fund drew attention to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev, the founder of the modern state of Azerbaijan, who rendered great historical services to the Turkic world, in the country and internationally. Aydn Karimov wished success to the head of the organization in his new position and appreciated the solidarity between the brother Turkic peoples, which has become stronger in recent years. The special representative of the President talked about the priority directions and goals of the State Program for restoration and reconstruction works in the territories liberated from the occupation of Azerbaijan. In the meeting, the projects implemented by the Foundation to promote the city of Shusha, which is the Cultural Capital of the Turkish World for 2023, in the Turkish states and beyond their borders, the ongoing joint activities of the Foundation and the State Reserve of Shusha City during the current year, and the directions of future partnership were discussed. At the same time, it was noted that the city of Shusha will be the center of attention of the international community in the next year as ICESCO declared it the "cultural capital of the Islamic world" for 2024. The president of the foundation got acquainted with the damage caused to the cultural monuments, historical works and the appearance of the city as a result of the nearly 30-year-long occupation of Shusha, and was informed about the restoration and reconstruction works currently being carried out by the Republic of Azerbaijan. Aktoty Raimkulova stressed that the organization she leads is always ready to contribute to the reconstruction process. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 10 December 2023 15:00 (UTC+04:00) "Our gas export to Europe was slightly more than 8 billion cubic meters in 2021. This year, it will reach about 12 billion cubic meters," said President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the inauguration ceremony of the Serbia-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector. Highlighting that this accounts for 50 percent of Azerbaijan's total gas export, the head of state expressed the ambition for the volume of gas sent to Europe to double by 2027. "We are confidently moving towards this goal," the President added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 10 December 2023 16:33 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has held a one-on-one meeting with President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev in the Serbian city of Nis. They commended the development of friendship and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria in various areas. Emphasizing the importance of the inauguration of the Serbia-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector, the presidents congratulated each other on this occasion. Touching upon the significance of the Solidarity Ring initiative, the heads of state reiterated the project`s crucial role in expanding energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union and Azerbaijan`s contributing to gas supply to Europe. President Ilham Aliyev invited the President of Bulgaria to pay a visit to Azerbaijan. The invitation was gratefully accepted. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 10 December 2023 16:53 (UTC+04:00) At the official closing ceremony of the year "Shusha - Cultural Capital of the Turkic World - 2023" in Shusha, jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and the International Turkic Culture Organization (TURKSOY), the title of the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World for 2024 was transferred from Shusha to the Turkmen city of Anau, Azernews reports. Azerbaijani Culture Minister Adil Karimli presented Turkmen Culture Minister Atageldi Shamyradov with a symbol of chairmanship of the Permanent Council of Ministers of Culture of the Turkic World. Upon decision of the Permanent Council of TURKSOY which came together in an extraordinary meeting held on March 31st, 2022 in Bursa, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2022 the city of Shusha in Azerbaijan was declared Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2023. TOKYO, Dec 11 ( collisionrepairmag.com ) - Joby Aviation, a company developing an all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passenger service, has announced it has partnered with ANA Holdings and Nomura Real Estate Development, one of Japans largest real estate developers, on the development of take-off and landing infrastructure, known as vertiports, to support the commercialization of its electric air taxi service across Japan. The three companies plan to jointly explore the design, location, operation, and financing of vertiport locations that will serve as the backbone of future commercial air taxi services in Japan. The partners will primarily focus on locations in the metropolitan areas such as Tokyo, expanding over time to include numerous urban areas across greater Japan. Joby recently became a technical advisor to the Tokyo Bay eSG Project, led by NRE and sponsored by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which will demonstrate various multi-modal mobility solutions including a floating landing port in the Tokyo Bay. The partners will also work with a wide range of local stakeholders to introduce the benefits of the technology and support community acceptance of air taxi services. Joby and ANA HD, Japans largest airline group holding company, first partnered in 2022 to bring electric air taxi services to Japan. NRE, one of the largest real estate developers in Japan, joins Joby and ANA HD as they seek to develop air taxi services in Japan. Both Joby and ANA HD are members of Japans Public-Private Conference for the Future Air Mobility Revolution, established by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to accelerate the adoption of aerial ridesharing in the country. ...continue reading 10 December 2023 12:45 (UTC+04:00) Romania reaffirms its continued support for the development of resources in the Caspian region, being firmly committed to the progress and expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor towards new markets in the EU, Azernews reports. According to the Ministry, the Caspian region is currently playing an increasingly important role in improving the security of gas supply to Europe. "This status implies position of reliable partner in ensuring energy security of Europe, confirmed, among other things, by efforts that have already been made regarding creation of new transport infrastructure to bring gas to European markets," the source stated. It was emphasized that, in terms of regional dimension, Romania is a consistent champion for increasing links and collaboration between the EU and Caspian region countries. At the same time, the Ministry stated that Romania is an active supporter of the so-called Green Corridor project, which was formed by regional partners such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Hungary to utilize the substantial potential of renewable energy sources in the Caspian Sea. Meanwhile, the Southern Gas Corridor started transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe on December 31, 2020. It transports gas from the Caspian Sea region to European countries through Georgia and Turkiye. The projects cost totaled $33 billion, as compared to the forecast $45 billion. Capital expenditures on the SGC project are expected to be fully reimbursed within 810 years. In July 2022, Azerbaijan and the EU agreed to increase the volume of gas supplies via the Southern Gas Corridor from the current 10 bcm to 20 bcm by 2027. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 10 December 2023 21:10 (UTC+04:00) Georgias capital has been hosting the first edition of the Tbilisi VR Days from Friday till Sunday, showcasing the latest award-winning French films in virtual reality and travel through different fictional realities by immersive storytelling, the French Embassy in Georgia said, Azernews reports, citing Agenda. The guests of the event, hosted by the Center of Contemporary Art in Tbilisi, with the support of a media production company - Film XR, have the opportunity to get acquainted with the new Georgian virtual reality works. Held within the competition Novembre Numerique of the French Institute of Georgia, the Tbilisi VR Days offers three programmes in the selection - French interactive experience, French immersive films and Georgian VR films. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 10 December 2023 21:45 (UTC+04:00) Peter Fischer, the German Ambassador to Georgia, on Sunday said his country wanted Georgia to receive the European Union membership candidate status next week and to join the bloc, Azernews reports, citing Agenda. In his comments to the media, Fischer noted he had positive and encouraging expectations of Georgias candidacy, as the European Council would be making the final decision regarding the country in a few days. This issue is already on the agenda. Next week, the European Council must show that we can take decisions and act in a difficult and risky geopolitical situation. Expansion [of the EU] is a response to the current situation in the world, the Ambassador added. Earlier in November, the European Commission recommended the Council to grant Georgia the candidate status. Later that month, the Georgian Government approved an action plan for fulfilling the nine priorities set out by the Commission in its recommendation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Aftermath of December 7 Shifted Life on Oregon Coast: World War II Patrols, Blackouts Published 12/08/23 a 4:55 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Oregon Coast) Just as it was around the rest of the nation, December 7, 1942was a day met with horror around the Oregon coast. Edging closer to 100 years now, there aren't many left that remember that day or even what life was like along these shores after that pivotal moment. It was, if you'll excuse the pun, a sea change and an even bigger worry than many parts of the United States as this could've been the frontline to any invasion attempt from Japan. December 7 immediately entered us into World War II, and this killed off most of the tourism business along the Oregon coast one that was just beginning to pick up speed. Hotel rooms were empty as were other homes that were rented out (the precursor to the vacation rental biz), though most were still used as private homes or second homes. Items necessary for travel like tires became rationed, so traffic to the coast from the valley bottomed out. Yet many hotels, cabins and homes were rented out by the army, housing men who kept guard on these shores. Oceanside That saved numerous hoteliers. There were plenty of men walking the shoreline often the beaches. High vantage points often had little lookout towers built: utilitarian, cone-shaped buildings that sort of resembled small lighthouses. Two-man shifts kept an eye on the shores and oceans from there. None of these are found on the coast anywhere, but the one major lookout still around is the stone shelter on Cape Perpetua. That was originally built in the '30s, however, for the purpose of enjoying the view. Coastal states in the U.S. had to deal with blacking out windows and keeping lights off in case of invasion. Patrol boats roamed up and down the Pacific, including at nighttime. It was then that some army guards noticed not everyone was blacking out their lights. Home in Lincoln City that was a submarine lookout during World War II One general stationed on the central coast wrote an op-ed in the local newspaper threatening marshal law if locals didn't adhere to this rule more. Radar stations popped all along the coastline, including three rather famous ones left at Tillamook Head, Coos Bay and near Cape Meares. There were dozens on the coast, including one near the cemetery at Yachats. See Radar Bunker at Coos Bay's Cape Arago: Living S. Oregon Coast History -- and --- The Mysterious World War II Bunker Atop Oregon Coast's Tillamook Head Bunker near Coos Bay Blimps took to the skies in fairly big numbers, roaming up and down the coastline. Numerous pics of that sight remain, but few army installations or lookouts were ever photographed because all of this was still secret at the time. Many soldiers kept watch on the beaches of the coastline, marching up and down no matter the weather. These dudes were from outfits like the Coast Guard Beach Patrol or the special branch that was created by the Navy that actually started marching here in 1941. They got the name Sand Pounders, and oft-times included guard dogs. It's well documented that many of the Sand Pounders were bitten by their own dogs these trained pups were that formidable. War patrols in Lincoln City - courtesy North Lincoln Historical Museum That happened enough that the military grew a little concerned about the mens' well-being and allowed them to keep better-natured dogs as their own. Seaside During Wartime: N. Oregon Coast WWII History In many areas, locals formed their own civilian guards as well. Cannon Beach was one, which had a group of citizen soldiers known as the The Guerrillas right after Pearl Harbor, with guards placing themselves by the Arch Cape Tunnel. On the south Oregon coast, along the big dunes area, bombers ran exercises. Tourists were banned from many local beaches if they were being patrolled, often for fear that someone would take a vacation photo of whatever system they had. In fact, guards were instructed to confiscate cameras if they were brought on or near those beaches. Bonfires at night were banned as well, to help ensure any enemy aircraft could not see well below. 1943: aircraft crashed into the headland near Oceanside Guard stations were often set about three-fourths of a mile apart from each other, and during each six-hour shift each guard had to phone in their reports. These men were well trained in being able being able to spot anything at sea or in the air. Consequently, nothing was allowed to approach the shoreline within three miles in most places. There were two U.S. ships torpedoed by the enemy off the southern Oregon coast. By at least '44 if not earlier, it became apparent no one was going to invade the U.S., and all these men occupying guard stations and hotels slowly piled out, ordered to other places. As beach restrictions eased up, travel to the coast picked up at least a little, though not as much as just after the war. This was when the big change happened where visitors did not use cabins or tents anymore as they had in the previous 50 or so years of coastal tourism. Now, it was hotels and motor lodges that ruled the landscape, with the idea of motor lodges becoming motels fairly quickly in the '50s. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Keywords: Oregon coast history, World War II, Gold Beach, Port Orford, Bandon, Coos Bay, Charleston, Reedsport, Florence, Yachats, Waldport, Newport, Depoe Bay, Lincoln City, Pacific City, Oceanside, Tillamook, Garibaldi, Rockaway Beach, Nehalem, Manzanita, Cannon Beach, Seaside, Astoria Commercial Dungeness Crab Starts on Half of Oregon Coast Published 12/06/23 a 5:25 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Newport, Oregon) After low meat yields delayed the commercial crabbing season on the Oregon coast, a little more than half of the region's waters are set to open on December 16. Originally expected to open December 1, the Dungeness crab fishery was delayed as a whole, and now the area from Cape Foulweather to the California border will get the green light. (Photo of crab fleet off Cannon Beach courtesy Tiffany Boothe / Seaside Aquarium) Testing done by Oregon seafood and wildlife officials had shown that meat was not yet thick enough in the crab population offshore - as they also tested for biotoxins. To prevent waste and to ensure that consumers get a better quality product, the traditional opening of December 1 can be delayed. Now, crab experts are testing in the region from Cape Foulweather northward to the Washington coast border, with next rounds to determine if that area can open on December 31 or if it will be further delayed. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) works with the commercial crab industry, the Oregon Dungeness Commission and Oregon Department of Agriculture on determining what's next for the crab fishery. They test six major crabbing ports along the Oregon coast ODFW posts the latest updates on crabbing regulations and testing on its website. Last year, a lingering biotoxin issue plagued the industry. During the 2022-23 season, the commercial Dungeness crab season was delayed and opened in stages due to low meat yield biotoxin levels above the safety threshold, ODFW said. Commercial fishermen landed over 31.5 million pounds of crab at an ex-vessel value of $85 million. Recreational crabbing in bays, estuaries, docks, piers and jetties is open all along the region. Recreational crabbers should always call the Shellfish Hotline (800-448-2474) or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures webpage before crabbing. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW Satellite view of Oregon crabbing fleet glowing at night off the coast More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Keywords: crabbing, Oregon coast, Washington coast, science Oregon / Washington Coast Flood Watches: Landslides, Road Washouts Possible Published 12/09/23 a 4:55 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Manzanita, Oregon) The potential for floods remains high through the weekend along the northwest corner of Oregon and southwest part of Washington, with a flood watch for the south Washington coast and upper half of the Oregon coast. Landslides and more roads washing out could be an issue as well. (Photo Tillamook Public Works: road at Tierra Del Mar that slid away this week) The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the flood watches, in effect from Saturday through Sunday afternoon. A moderate strength atmospheric river will be pounding the region, creating a sizable flood potential for the passes and the shoreline, from the Willapa Hills and Ocean Park down through the Coast Range and into Seaside, Newport and Florence. Offshore, high surf will be creating wave height up around 19 feet in many areas, which when combined with high tides and rainfall on Saturday will make for an even bigger flood risk for many coastal areas already prone to flooding. Two Road Washouts on N. Oregon Coast Could Drastically Affect Traffic, Agencies Scramble to Fix Elevated rivers and saturated soils from this past week's rain will bring potential for flooding and/or landslides, the NWS said. This includes all locations except the north Oregon Cascades. Impacts: Flooding along some rivers and creeks possible. There is a 10-30% chance that rivers and creeks along the coast, Coast Range, and Willapa Hills reach minor flood stage. Flooding this week at Sunset Bay State Park, courtesy OPRD Exactly when this might happen is still a fairly big unknown, the NWS said. Flooding blocked off Highway 101 at Seaside for part of a day this week, and two roads in Tillamook County crumpled because of heavy rains moving the ground. Oregon coast officials worry there may be more. The NWS said do not drive into flooded areas. Find a different route. For flood safety tips, visit weather.gov/safety/flood. Most likely to flood are the Naselle and Grays rivers on the Washington coast, as well as the Wilson and Nestucca rivers on the Oregon coast. Rainfall from this afternoon into Sunday morning will be 1 to 3 inches of rain along the coast, with 3 to 7 inches across the Coast Range, the NWS said. Also of note is that Sunday`s high tide will be running 1 to 2 ft higher than it was earlier this week. This may exacerbate flooding for roads and communities near the mouths of coastal rivers. With wave height launching into the upper teens over the weekend, if you can stand the deluge it will be a good time to check out places like Shore Acres on the southern Oregon coast or Cape Disappointment on the south Washington coast. Both of those can get spectacular waves, as can some areas around Yachats and Depoe Bay. Waves calm greatly early in the week, coinciding with sunny skies on the two coastlines from Tuesday through Thursday. These will be great days for beachcombing after such high waves. The king tides appear at that time, however, on December 13 14 (Wednesday through Friday). Upcoming Oregon Coast King Tides Includes More of Them, Photo Contest, Washington Dates Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW Flooding at Neskowin this week / ODOT photo Tillamook Bay / Tillamook County Sheriff's Shore Acres at King Tides last year - Oregon King Tides / O. Donovan More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Keywords: flooding, Oregon coast, Washington coast, weather, Coast Range, Willapa Hills, Shore Acres, high waves The variety of juicy grape that Yuki Nakamura is harvesting as the sun rises over his farm took scientists 33 years to develop and can sell for $100 a bunch in Tokyo department stores. But in the view of Japanese farmers and officials, the chunky emerald-green Shine Muscat, one of many fruit varieties created by Japan, has been "stolen" by China and South Korea. "The great things about Shine Muscat are that each grape berry becomes big, it's easy to grow, and it's sweet but not too much," Nakamura told AFP in the country's central Nagano region. Calling the grapes his "partner", the 35-year-old said he wants to export to places such as Hong Kong and Thailand, where Japanese fruits are popular. But waiting on the shelves there -- and online -- are copycats grown by China and South Korea that are nearly the same as Shine Muscat grapes, but much cheaper. According to the Japanese government, China and South Korea took Shine Muscat seedlings out of Japan and grafted them onto local vines to produce fruit that looks and tastes -- almost -- as good. ...continue reading Oregon Coast Shipwrecks: List of Those You Can See - and Cannot Published 12/07/23 a 4:25 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Oregon Coast) Oregon coast shipwrecks is one subject that can never be entirely compiled. It's a growing subject matter, due to the way history itself is unveiled. (Above: wreck of the Emily G. Reed in Rockaway Beach / photo Oregon Coast Beach Connection) Here is the largest collection and list of these shipwrecks and one that will be constantly added to. It's certainly the complete list of shipwrecks you can still see on this coastline. In actuality, there are hundreds and hundreds of shipwrecks along these shores, many going back centuries. They included a lot of Asian vessels coming through here on trade runs, Spanish ships blown off course and plenty of English, Danish, Norwegian, Russian and other traders. Then there's a large concentration of them going back almost two centuries, especially since Astoria and Portland became major shipping routes. The area around the Washington coast's border with Oregon is known as the Graveyard of the Pacific, primarily because of the Columbia River Bar. The very first truly documented shipwreck on the Oregon coast goes back to 1808 around what would eventually become Reedsport. Oregon wasn't even a territory yet, it wouldn't become a state for another 50 years and the whole incident should really become a movie. A 120-ton trading vessel called the Sea Otter had wandered here, a fur trader from England. On August 22, a storm tossled them enough to get stranded, with only six men making it. They eventually walked their way across the undefined western frontier to civilization much like Lewis & Clark had done a few years before. Oregon Coast's First Documented Shipwreck? Sea Otter in 1808 at Reedsport The list of shipwrecks by city / area: Astoria Photo Oregon Coast Beach Connection USS Shark in 1846. She wrecked in Astoria but parts of her floated down to what would become Arch Cape. There, some of her cannon washed ashore, giving that spot the name Cannon Beach (only later would it become Arch Cape and the town to the north nab the moniker). It made the news again 150 years later when more of the cannon were found. Wreck of the Peter Iredale in 1906. Now a tourist magnet, it's one of the few still visible in the U.S. Wrecking the Peter Iredale: How Oregon Coast History Played Out in 1906 The City of Dublin, October 1878. It lashed itself against the Clatsop Spit on October 18, fairly quickly disappearing into the sea. Going back farther, even explorers like Lewis & Clark described some local tribe members with hints of African-American in their features or even clear descendants from a red-haired Scotsmen. Also wrecked around here were the barque Architect in 1875; P.T. & B. Co 1685 in '47; the Bell Buoy (owned by the Seaside restaurant company) in 1964; the Allegiance in 1879; and the French ship Sidi in 1874. See Astoria Shipwrecks and the Graveyard of the Pacific on N. Oregon Coast. Seaside Numerous ships or their crew fell into the sea off the shores of Seaside, and the Cove area is actually the unmarked graveyard of many, many recently-deceased and unnamed sailors that washed up here until about 100 years ago. They were often buried right here. Manzanita to Rockaway Beach Some of the most famous ships go back to the 1700s and include a Spanish galleon yielding beeswax for centuries. Parts of that one was recently finally discovered near Manzanita. Pieces of Legendary Oregon Coast Spanish Galleon Wreck Retrieved Near Manzanita - Part 1 OCBC exclusive: how rare a find The wreck of the Glennesslin is another famed moment in Oregon coast history, with some pieces still visible around Neahkahnie Mountain until about 20 years ago. Manzanita's Wreck of the Glennesslin: Historical Oregon Coast Controversy In Rockaway Beach, the German ship Mini bit the sand here in 1913. The most famous of all here, however, is the Emily G. Reed (Secret Oregon Coast Shipwreck Shows Up after 35-Year Absence), which managed to pop up again after 50 years and being forgotten in the meantime. This one shows up briefly every few years when sand levels get low enough. Tillamook Bay to Pacific City The Argo wrecked in 1909 on Tillamook Bar. The Struan from Norway smashed itself onto land just south of Cape Lookout in 1890, after captain T.H. Skogland and crew had to abandon ship just offshore. Even crazier, a couple of immigrants onboard that ship settled here right after, but they were also on the Argo 19 years later. Parts of the Struan went into making one pioneer home on Sandlake Road, which was for many years an outstanding BnB. How a Shipwreck Became an Oregon Coast BnB In 1914, the steamer Francis H. Leggett left Grays Harbor with some 67 passengers and a full load of railroad materials. Some sixty miles down the Oregon coast, in the Oceanside area, its bits and pieces came ashore. Only one survived. Pacific City has had a few smaller shipwrecks scattered throughout the century, and there was even one that was visible on and off over the decades. The Pioneer was a three-masted schooner that crashed in 1900, and there are small chances it could be seen again right near Cape Kiwanda if sand levels ever get low enough once more. Lincoln City to Newport Somewhere around 1864, the brig Blanco wrecked in Siletz Bay, but back then news was so slow it took a whole month to report it. By the time anyone came looking, the crew were missing and the cargo gone. It's an intense story that gave rise to the ghost ship of Lincoln City legend. At Cascade Head, rumors persisted for decades of not just a treasure-laden ship or two, but evidence of a skeleton of a tall African man and other oddities that all indicated a ship had wrecked here in the 1700s. In the 1920s, one man caused a media sensation by claiming all these things and that he'd found the wreck of a ship in Three Rox Bay. It makes a fascinating tale: Oregon Coast Mystery Involves Giant Skeleton, Pirate Ship near Lincoln City. However, recent evidence points to something else look for that soon in Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Near Depoe Bay, Boiler Bay has the only real remnant of a shipwreck in all of Lincoln County that you can see without going to a museum. The boiler from the J. Marhoffer sits here after a raucous end, where the ship did circles in the ocean by itself while on fire, without a soul onboard, eventually crashing into the cliffs in a massive blaze. Boiler Bay and the J. Marhoffer Shipwreck: Oregon Coast History In Newport, the concrete barge S.S. Paisley, left over from World War 2, was sunk in Yaquina Bay in the '50s to provide solid ground for a log shipping terminal. That chunk of debris started creating an environmental hazard in the '90s and was removed. Oregon Coast Beach Connection At Waldport, the area has the odd claim to fame for being one of two high-profile shipwreck spots for awhile. The New Carissa in the '90s was like the Schroedinger's Cat of shipwrecks: in two places at once. The other half was near Coos Bay. Bizarre Oregon Coast History: Crazed Chaos of the Shipwreck New Carissa Southern Oregon Coast Shipwrecks There are some 200 known shipwrecks in these parts in the last two hundred years: scores more if you count the centuries before. As noted before, the Sea Otter wrecked at Reedsport in 1808. One of the other more spectacular wrecks still visible on the coast is the Sujameco, which is on and off most of the time due to sand levels at Horsfall Beach. In mid 2023, it was still unusually visible. Slow But Epic Oregon Coast Drama, Coos Bay's Sujameco Wreck Still Visible Photo of George L Olson Tiffany Boothe / Seaside Aquarium The George L. Olson wrecked near Coos Bay in the '40s and people forgot for decades. Then it resurfaced. It may yet again. See S. Oregon Coast Cottoneva Shipwreck a Tense Drama for Port Orford. One of the few shipwreck chunks you can see on the Oregon coast sits at Port Orford.. Still viewable is the wreck of the Mary D. Hume in Gold Beach. See a larger list of Oregon coast shipwrecks below, with more added periodically. Another especially tragic one took place in 1919: the J.A. Chanslor left 36 dead near Cape Blanco. Coos Bay's Santa Clara Shipwreck Among Deadliest on Oregon Coast November 2, 1915 she was on her way into Coos Bay Coos Bay's Czarina Shipwreck a Heart-wrenching Oregon Coast Tale Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Keywords: Shipwrecks of Oregon coast, Washington coast, Brookings, Gold Beach, Port Orford, Bandon, Coos Bay, Charleston, Reedsport, Florence, Yachats, Waldport, Newport, Depoe Bay, Lincoln City, Pacific City, Oceanside, Tillamook, Garibaldi, Rockaway Beach, Nehalem, Manzanita, Cannon Beach, Seaside, Astoria, history, science Understanding that there are two firm positions concerning the Open Border Crises, but many realties regarding its current, and, or projected real impacts to the functioning, sustainability of this Constitutional Republic: What position below best represents what you know to be true regarding this impactful policy? 0% The United States' must continue the Executive initiative of Open Borders until a Democratic Congress can codify full Demographic Inclusion by keeping the Biden /Harris Open Borders policy in place.34.62% Our United States' borders are sovereign just as are our self-governed citizens, where borders must be maintained, monitored and defended, which is the position of core Republicans.3.85% I am in favor of Open Borders to make my America more of a global community; however, the federal government must now fix problems that "Red State" governors have caused in our cities.61.54% I do NOT favor the Democratic Socialists' disruption of the cultural fabric of my Representative Republic, and there will be Treasonous Hell to Pay when the certain calamity begins in earnest. Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) responded to a report of a worker trapped at Stena Line. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service has said a road traffic collision took place at Belfast Port which caused a worker to be trapped inside a vehicle. The incident occurred at Stena Line, Victoria Terminal 4, which is located on the West Bank Road, Belfast. It is close to the motorway network off Junction 1 of the M2 motorway. Stena Line confirmed an incident occurred on Saturday evening involving two port vehicles and that emergency services attended the scene. NIFRS received a call at 7.05pm and were told a person was trapped. Three appliances attended along with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Stan Moore of the NIFRS said: Its a road traffic collision basically. Two of the shunters have had a collision. A casualty is now being dealt with by the ambulance service. Were hearing there are potential head and back injuries. The incident commander has said there seems to be minor injuries and he has now been handed over to the ambulance service. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 6.58pm. NIAS despatched one Emergency crew and one HART crew to the incident, a spokesperson said. Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was taken by ambulance to the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH). The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has denied a claim from Sinn Fein that the Government negotiations with the DUP over the post-Brexit Windsor Framework have concluded. Sinn Fein had said the UK Government confirmed to the republican partys leadership that the Windsor Framework negotiation with the DUP is now over, and concluded." However, the NIO dismissed that assertion saying: "This is totally incorrect. Discussions with the DUP continue." The DUP backed up that statement by saying the party had indicated on Friday there remains further work yet to be completed before we would consider negotiations with the UK Government concluded. A spokesman added: The UK Government is aware of that. Sinn Fein has not been a part of the process and therefore regardless of what they are being told they will not be in a position to make pronouncements on the issues. The statement came ahead of a meeting with the main Stormont parties and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris at Hillsborough Castle on Monday. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said people are "getting over-excited" by the announcement of all-party talks, as more work remains to be done before a return to Stormont. The DUP has made clear the meeting is separate to its own talks with the Government. However, pressure is mounting from the other Stormont parties. Alliance leader Naomi Long. Alliance leader Naomi Long has said the NI Secretary must listen to the people of Northern Ireland instead of engaging almost exclusively with the DUP. "While waiting for the Government and DUP to resolve this, our public finances and public services have been under unprecedented strain, she said. Irrespective of whether the DUP intend to rejoin an Executive, those finances need to be addressed urgently and hopefully tomorrow is the start of a process to take that forward. The Government's own calculations show NI is funded below need: we need to agree a fiscal floor to ensure finances are on a sustainable footing and a stabilisation and transformation fund to repair the damage inflicted by cuts and deliver more effectively for the future. Those are Alliance's priorities. The east Belfast MLA added: "Equally, I will be making clear that, irrespective of the DUP's position, reform of the institutions is essential for their long-term survival. Recent polls show 74% favour reform to ensure no single party can collapse Stormont again. "After months of listening almost exclusively to DUP concerns, the Secretary of State now needs to listen to the people of NI who want effective, stable government and effective public services. That has to be the focus from here on." DUP leader insists his party has been making the case for years that NI is underfunded Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has sent a message to party members in which he said the DUP has led the way on challenging Stormonts underfunding and a better financial deal from the Government would be a big win secured by his party for Northern Ireland. In an internal message sent at the weekend, the DUP leader welcomed Mondays roundtable talks at Hillsborough Castle with the secretary of state to address Stormonts finances. Whilst some were getting over-excited by this meeting being called, it is nonetheless a step forward in that the Government seem to be focused on Northern Ireland finances and accepting the case we have been making, for several years, that Northern Ireland is underfunded, he said. Sir Jeffrey said some in London had initially argued that Stormonts finances were adequate, and the DUPs opponents had ridiculed the partys challenge. We will be clear with the Government on Monday that we need to get a solution with recurring funding which enables us to invest in our schools and hospitals as well as pay our public servants appropriately, he said. If we can get a better funding deal for Northern Ireland, known as a fiscal floor, it will be another example where this party identified a problem and has stuck the course to get a solution. A solution that will not just benefit unionists but will benefit everyone who calls Northern Ireland home. In his message to DUP members on Saturday, Sir Jeffrey said negotiations on the protocol were continuing with London: Mondays roundtable is distinct from our discussions with the Government regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol/Windsor Framework. Those talks continue to make progress, but more work is required to conclude that process if we are to have arrangements acceptable to unionists as well as nationalists. Sir Jeffrey said that his party would be represented at the roundtable talks by himself, deputy leader Gavin Robinson, and finance spokesman Gordon Lyons. The DUP leader insisted that Northern Irelands financial arrangements must change whether or not devolution is restored. Regardless of when the Northern Ireland Assembly returns, our allocation from Treasury cannot sit unaltered. Whilst this year we are underfunded by 300m, by 2025 that gap widens out to 1.2bn. When we first raised this with the Treasury four years ago, Philip Hammond was the chancellor. Yet, despite our arguments and several independent reports, some within government were still arguing that Northern Ireland gets enough. Indeed, it is welcome that, despite initially deriding the DUP for pointing out our underfunding, that all the other Northern Ireland parties have caught up and now recognise the legitimacy of our arguments. Sir Jeffrey said that Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Alliance had dismissed his partys concerns as distraction politics. He argued that the DUPs stance had been proved right: Of course, as with any administration, there will always be examples of where money could and should be better utilised, but no amount of feasible efficiency could fill the annual shortfall created by the Barnett squeeze. The partys protocol negotiations with the Government are ongoing but last week Gavin Robinson said there had been a total failure by London in recent months to address unionist concerns around post-Brexit trading arrangements. Sinn Feins Conor Murphy said it was decision time for the DUP. He said he hoped it would attend Mondays meeting ready to return to government: I hope they do the right thing and join the rest of us in power-sharing. They have left us without a government here for almost two years now. The consequences of that have been very dire for our public services and to say to people they are not in any hurry to fix this, I think, is absolutely reprehensible. The University of Pennsylvanias president has resigned amid pressure from donors and criticism over evidence at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say under repeated questioning that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the schools conduct policy. The departure of Liz Magill, in her second year as president of the Ivy League school, was announced by the school late on Saturday afternoon. The statement said Ms Magill will remain a tenured faculty member at the universitys Carey Law School. She has agreed to keep serving as Penns leader until the university names an interim president. Calls for Ms Magills resignation exploded after Tuesdays evidence in a US House committee on antisemitism on college campuses, where she appeared with the presidents of Harvard University and MIT. University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) Universities across the US have been accused of failing to protect Jewish students amid rising fears of antisemitism worldwide and fallout from Israels intensifying war in Gaza, which faces heightened criticism for the mounting Palestinian death toll. The three presidents were called before the committee to answer those accusations. But their lawyerly answers drew renewed blowback from opponents, focused particularly on a line of questioning from Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican, who repeatedly asked whether calling for the genocide of Jews would violate Penns code of conduct. If the speech turns into conduct it can be harassment, yes, Ms Magill said. Pressed further, Ms Magill told Ms Stefanik: It is a context-dependent decision, congresswoman. Criticism rained down from the White House, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, members of Congress and donors. One donor, Ross Stevens, threatened to withdraw a 100 million US dollar gift because of the universitys stance on antisemitism on campus unless Ms Magill was replaced. A day later, Ms Magill addressed the criticism, saying in a video that she would consider a call for the genocide of Jewish people to be harassment or intimidation and that Penns policies need to be clarified and evaluated. Ms Magill had been under fire from some donors and alumni this autumn over the universitys handling of various perceived acts of antisemitism. That included allowing a Palestinian literary arts festival to be held on its campus in September featuring speakers whose past statements about Israel had drawn accusations of antisemitism. A former US Supreme Court law clerk, Ms Magill, 57, is the daughter of a retired federal judge and was dean of Stanford Universitys law school and a top administrator at the University of Virginia before Penn hired her as its ninth president last year. Earlier on Saturday, New Yorks governor called on the states colleges and universities to swiftly address cases of antisemitism and what she described as any calls for genocide on campus. In a letter to college and university presidents, Governor Kathy Hochul said her administration would enforce violations of the states Human Rights Law and refer any violations of federal civil rights law to US officials. Ms Hochul said she has spoken to chancellors of the State University of New York and City University of New York public college systems who she said confirmed that calling for genocide of any group or tolerating antisemitism violates codes of conduct on their campuses and would lead to swift disciplinary action. The governors letter does not address any specific incidents. A popular chant at pro-Palestinian rallies at Penn and other universities has been falsely misrepresented in recent months as claiming to call for Jewish genocide. Experts and advocates say the chant, Israel, we charge you with genocide, is a typical refrain heard at pro-Palestinian rallies. Jewwish and Palestinian supporters both acknowledge protesters are not saying: We want Jewish genocide. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was heading to Buenos Aires to witness the swearing-in on Sunday of Argentinas new president, Javier Milei. It is the Ukrainian leaders first trip to Latin America as Kyiv continues to court support among developing nations for its 21-month-old fight against Russias invading forces. A political outsider who has railed against what he calls entrenched official corruption in Argentina and promised to uproot the political establishment, Mr Milei ran on a pro-Western foreign policy platform, repeatedly expressing distrust of Moscow and Beijing. On Sunday morning, Mr Milei was sworn in inside the National Congress building, and outgoing President Alberto Fernandez placed the presidential sash upon him. Some of the assembled politicians chanted Liberty!. Mr Zelensky phoned Mr Milei shortly after the Argentinians electoral victory, thanking him for his clear support for Ukraine which he described in social media posts as well-noticed and appreciated by Ukrainians. Javier Milei has been sworn in (Natacha Pisarenko/AP) In its readout of the call published shortly afterwards, Mr Mileis office said he had offered to host a summit between Ukraine and Latin American states, a potential boon to Kyivs months-long effort to strengthen its relationships with countries of the global south. Mr Zelensky and other senior Ukrainian officials have repeatedly presented Ukraines war against Russia as resistance against colonial aggression, hoping to win support from Asian, African and Latin American states that in the past struggled to free themselves from foreign domination, sometimes turning to Moscow for support against Western powers. According to Mr Zelenskys official website, he broke his journey to Argentina to meet the prime minister of the West African country of Cape Verde, Ulisses Correia e Silva, thanking him for his support for Kyivs diplomatic initiatives and discussing efforts to boost Ukrainian grain exports to Africa. Mr Zelensky expressed his appreciation for Cape Verdes backing of UN resolutions supporting Ukraines territorial integrity and calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory before peace talks can begin. The African country previously supported UN documents condemning Russias annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Cape Verdes Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) According to Mr Zelenskys website, he and Mr Correia e Silva also discussed Kyivs efforts to expand a corridor for grain exports in the Black Sea that has seen over 7 million metric tons of Ukrainian produce shipped out since its inception, months after Moscow pulled out of a UN-brokered deal to facilitate shipments of Ukrainian and Russian food and fertiliser to countries in need. In other developments, Russian shelling over the past 24 hours killed two elderly women and wounded two more civilians in Ukraines north-eastern Kharkiv region, local governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on Sunday morning. In a Telegram update, Mr Syniehubov said that both women died in the same attack in the provinces east, parts of which run close to the front line and have seen intense fighting in recent weeks. In the Kherson region in the south, Russian shelling on Saturday and overnight killed one civilian and wounded four others, governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram on Sunday. Edgar Graham: Was the best leader unionism never had set up by a colleague? Looking for the truth 40 years after the savage murder, I travelled to Dublin to find out Edgar Graham (Pacemaker) Sam McBride Sun 10 Dec 2023 at 10:30 A week ago yesterday I found myself standing at a door just north of Dublin in the hope that Id be able to ask a 74-year-old man about the murder of an academic 40 years ago. But judge throws out excuses of pervert pensioner caught in multiple stings and hands him 21-month term Judge Roseanne McCormick KC told Joseph McDermid that had he been talking to real children rather than decoys, he would have been jailed for much longer. I am satisfied that the custody threshold is easily passed in this case, where his offending was directed at five separate individuals and where the contents of his communications demonstrates that he sought to engage one child in the corruption of another, she said. The court is concerned that he attributes the offending, in part, to boredom and that he suggests that the children liked what they were doing and that it was just a bit of fun. His 21-month sentence will be split evenly between prison and licence. McDermid, of Victoria Court in Whitehead, admitted five counts of attempting to cause or incite children to engage in sexual activity and five counts of attempting to sexually communicate with children between April 21, 2021, and January 31 last year. He also admitted single charges of causing a child to watch a sexual act, attempting to possess an indecent image of a child and attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. The pervert believed he had been talking to a 14-year-old girl when it was actually someone from a group that calls itself Predators Exposed. As the communication progressed, it became explicit and sexual images were exchanged between McDermid and the decoy. One of McDermids messages read: I know you are 14 but I love you. Would you send a naughty photo for me? Joseph McDermid He was confronted by the paedophile hunters at his home and arrested by police, who seized numerous devices. A search of the property also uncovered underwear for girls aged 11 to 12. When the devices were examined by the PSNI, officers discovered McDermid had been engaging in multiple sexually explicit conversations. In one case, he asked who he thought was an 11-year-old girl to send him indecent pictures of her five-year-old sister or images of the two of them together in swimsuits. The predator deployed similar tactics in other chats with the decoys. Interviewed for a second time in August last year, McDermid told police he was disgusted with himself and ashamed but claimed he never intended to meet them (and) was only joking. Denying he had any sexual interest in children, he claimed the discovered underwear belonged to his ex-partner, who he was said was very petite. The prosecution submitted the number of victims, the length of time the offences were committed over and the persistence and escalation in the crimes as aggravating factors. The defence argued there were powerful indicators of remorse, including his guilty pleas and previously clear record. Its one thing to plead guilty and say sorry but its quite another thing to mean it, argued McDermids barrister. But the judge said she was highly sceptical of the defendants denial of any sexual interest in children. On top of his jail sentence, he must sign the sex offenders register for 10 years. He will also be the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for the same period. This is the drunken idiot who put his junk mail through an unsuspecting homeowners letterbox and urinated all over the carpet. Cameron Brady (29) was fined 500 at Coleraine Magistrates Court last week, with an experienced judge saying the case had left him at a loss. When Sunday Life called to Bradys home, he said he could not remember what had happened but expressed remorse. Ive had people asking me about it all week. I was just steaming and I dont remember any of it, he added. The first thing I remember is waking up in a police cell. I regret it, aye, but Im just trying to move on. Sentencing Brady last week, District Judge Peter King told him: Sometimes there are cases that leave me completely and utterly at a loss. The only possible explanation is gross intoxication that has left you completely humiliated, and rightly so. Brady, from Whitehall Place in Ballycastle, pleaded guilty to damaging a welcome mat, indecent behaviour and common assault over the incident on October 5. The court was told police were called to a report of a drunken man urinating through the door of a property in Victoria Street in Ballymoney. When the outraged householder confronted Brady, his jeans were open and his penis was on display. Brady threw several punches before falling, getting back on his feet and again swinging his fists. Defence solicitor Derwin Harvey said his client was extremely intoxicated at the time of the incident. He added: He had no comprehension of what he was doing. He went down a side lane and there was a doorway. He didnt know anyone lived there. It was not his intention to foul a residence. The occupier came out and Mr Brady came off the worst in this encounter. None of his punches connected with the injured party. (He was) absolutely intoxicated and is humiliated. District Judge King fined Brady 500 and told him the damage to his reputation would be far worse than any punishment the courts could impose. The Japanese Embassy in Colombo Friday announced what it called a new gateway for Sri Lankans to work as airport ground handlers in Japan saying that tests for field skills will be conducted here next March. The Embassy of Japan is pleased to announce that a new skills test in the field of Airport Ground Handling will be newly introduced in March 2024 in Sri Lanka for working in Japan as specified skilled workers. Together with the skills tests in Nursing Care, Food Service and Agriculture in place since last year as well as Construction which has been recently added, skills tests in five fields will be available in Sri Lanka, an embassy news release said. The Embassy of Japan sincerely hopes that many talented Sri Lankans will take advantage of this new opportunity to work in Japan and master skills that will contribute not only to Japans aviation sector but also to the future development of Sri Lanka. The Embassy of Japan will continue to provide the necessary support and cooperation for Sri Lankas development, further deepening our long-standing friendship with Sri Lanka, the release said. It added that the information on its registration will be updated in January 2024 on the website of Japan Aeronautical Engineers Association (https://exam.jaea.or.jp/), which conducts this test. ... continue reading Big-hearted Co Tyrone mum raffling off raft of festive gifts Some of the tons of donations received by the charity A Tyrone mum who devotes the entire month of December to helping make Christmas special for struggling families has been overwhelmed to top 60,000 of donations in the first two weeks. Tonight, Caroline ONeills Digg Deep for Kids charity will bring some early festive gifts to many when she raffles 20,000 of prizes, including a VW Polo. The mum-of-three from Coalisland has been staggered by the generosity of the public every year since she began collecting toys, gifts and money to buy essentials for the homeless and families in need at Christmas time. In total, her charity, which was registered this year, has brought an incredible 780,000 worth of seasonal cheer to people most in need across Northern Ireland. Caroline with husband Gerard and children Pearse, Jess and Darragh Such is the communitys response to this appeal that Caroline, a self-employed online business consultant, takes the entire month of December off work just to coordinate donations. She said: It is overwhelming just how many businesses and people want to help every year. People just keep giving and giving. It has grown into more than I could ever have expected. We got our charity status this year and knew it would be a great year. So far, we have matched what we raised last year. We have a board of six people and volunteers who all do it with me its not just me. We dont take a single penny, everything that is donated goes to the people who need it. Because of the support of so many businesses, we can double every donation in value, so if you think 5 isnt worth donating because it wont get much, we can buy something worth 10 for that. Caroline with a sack of presents Carolines charity supports appeals by three of Northern Irelands biggest charities St Vincent de Paul, The Simon Community and Cash for Kids which provide her with a wish list of need. As the cost-of-living crisis leaves more people than ever struggling to pay bills this winter, demand for help has soared. This year, I have had so many people contact me directly, asking for help, but all I can do is signpost them to one of the three charities where they need to register now to get the help at Christmas, Caroline told Sunday Life. It is heartbreaking when you hear peoples stories, and Ive spoken to a lot of working families worried because they cant afford Christmas this year. I had one call from a woman who donated to the appeal last year. She said that this year she needs help. We get information on what is most needed from the charities, and St Vincent de Paul has asked for help with fuel, so we are aiming to fund a home heating account for so that people can be warm over Christmas. The Simon Community told us that this year 25,000 people are homeless in Northern Ireland, which is just an unbelievable figure. We are supplying them with duvets, bedding, cutlery, coats, toiletries, nappies and baby essentials. Then of course there are the toys and gifts for teenagers, which go direct to Cash for Kids. Volunteers sort through a warehouse full of donations This incredible effort all started when Caroline (40) took maternity leave to have her youngest child Tess, now four, in November 2019. She is married to Gerard (44), a self-employed engineer, with whom she has two more children Pearse (9) and seven-year old Darragh. Before the pandemic, Caroline ran a boutique, Digg Childrens Wear, in Dungannon and every year set up a box in store to collect donations for the annual Cash for Kids Christmas campaign. However, when she was off on maternity leave, she was gutted to discover that not a single gift had been left into the shop. She then swung into action and within just 24 hours had raised 24,000 to buy toys herself. She recalled: I was off having my baby and went into the shop the day before the lorry was due to pick up the toys, and the box was empty. I didnt know what to do, so I just went on social media and asked people to make donations to my PayPal account to buy gifts. I knew I had a good following on social media, but I never expected anything close the response I got. I was astonished to get 24,000 in 24 hours. I couldnt spend all that on my own, so I then contacted people I knew well and asked if I gave them 1,000 would they go out and buy gifts. With everyones contacts, local businesses were very generous and we ended up with 50,000 worth of gifts that year. We filled a 40-foot lorry for Cash for Kids, and afterwards I remember thinking What just happened? It was incredible the way the community came together. Caroline's son Pearse helps pack toys for Christmas The charity took off that first year, and continues to grow, bringing out a single, The Busy Man, a cookbook, Digg In, and a range of merchandise. There are now more than 70 drop-off points for donations across Northern Ireland. The 20,000 prize draw, which alone is expected to raise 50,000, takes place live tonight at 6pm on Facebook and Instagram. Dozens of prizes will be handed out in just a few hours, ranging from a new car and five-star holiday in Tenerife to 500 litres of oil or a half ton of coal. Some of the tons of donations received by the charity To enter or support the charity in any way, visit its website at www.diggdeepforkids.com Northern Ireland Nesbitt calls on all paramilitaries to disband in 2024: Why are they still around? And for whose benefit? Updated at 2:02 p.m. ET on 2023-12-10 The latest bout of maritime aggression against Philippine boats in the South China Sea has steeled Manilas resolve to defend its waters, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Sunday, after three incidents involving Chinese vessels over the weekend. Beijing and Manila traded accusations of harassment and ramming on Sunday as the Philippine Coast Guard conducted a resupply mission to a military outpost at Second Thomas Shoal. A day earlier, Manila accused the Chinese coast guard of deploying water cannon and painful sound blasts against boats ferrying supplies to Filipino fishermen near Scarborough shoal. Meanwhile, a civilian Christmas convoy that planned to deliver holiday cheer and supplies to troops and fishermen in disputed parts of the sea was ordered back to shore after four Chinese vessels started shadowing its lead ship, said ATIN ITO, the group organizing the effort. The aggression and provocations perpetrated by the China Coast Guard and their Chinese Maritime Militia against our vessels and personnel over the weekend have only further steeled our determination to defend and protect our nation's sovereignty, Marcos wrote on X. The features known to Filipinos as Ayungin Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc are "an integral part of our archipelago," he added. No one but the Philippines has a legitimate right or legal basis to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea. The illegal presence in our waters and dangerous actions against our citizens is an outright and blatant violation of international law and the rules-based international order. Ramming allegations Earlier in the day, a spokesman said Philippine civilian supply vessels on a routine resupply and rotation mission to the BRP Sierra Madre the old landing ship that Manila deliberately grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal to serve as an outpost in 1999 were harassed, blocked, and executed dangerous maneuvers on by the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels. Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guards spokesman, posted on the social media site X a statement by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, the part of the South China Sea under Manilas jurisdiction, saying that the resupply boat Unaizah Mae 1 (UM1) was rammed by the Chinese coast guard ship CCG 21556. The Chinese coast guard earlier issued a statement saying that at 06:39 a.m. the UM1 ignored CCG repeated stern warnings, violated the COLREGs (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea), swerved in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, and deliberately collided into the CCG boat 21556, resulting in scratches, for which the Philippines is fully responsible. Ship ramming is generally considered an act of violence and could cause serious damage to vessels, as well as injuries to the crew on board. There have been instances of ship ramming in the South China Sea but no state has ever officially sanctioned this dangerous tactic. The previous time Manila accused Chinese vessels of ramming its ships was on Oct. 22, also in the waters off the Second Thomas Shoal, known by Filipinos as Ayungin Shoal and by the Chinese as Renai Jiao. China denied it. The Philippines afterwards summoned the Chinese ambassador and filed a diplomatic protest against Chinas action. The United States also expressed concern, issuing a warning that Washington is obligated to defend the Philippines under a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under armed attack, including "those of its coast guard anywhere in the South China Sea." Cat and mouse Beijing and Manila have been playing cat and mouse around the Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines is making regular resupply missions to the troops stationed on the Sierra Madre and the Chinese coast guard has been trying to prevent them. The statement from the Philippine National Task Force said that on Sunday morning CCG vessel 5204 deployed a water cannon against the Philippine supply vessels causing severe damage to M/L [motor launch] Kalavaan's engines, disabling the vessel and seriously endangering the lives of its crew. It also showed photos of the Kalavaan being water cannoned and then towed to port. Philippine supply boat Kalavaan is towed to port after being struck by water cannons, Dec. 10, 2023. [Handout/Philippine Coast Guard] On Saturday, Manila accused the Chinese coast guard of deploying water cannon, a floating barrier and painful sound blasts against boats ferrying supplies to Filipino fishermen in disputed waters near another shoal in the South China Sea. Vessels from Manila's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources were targeted by water cannon "at least eight times" as they attempted to deliver food and fuel to more than 30 Filipino fishing boats near Scarborough Shoal, said a statement by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea. The China Coast Guard responded by saying it had used "control measures in accordance with the law" against the Philippine boats as they "intruded" into the waters adjacent to the island. Analysts say that Manila has embarked on a tactic of assertive transparency in reporting incidents in disputed waters. Although the term was coined this year, the practice of assertive transparency has been used ever since people dealt with gray zone tactics, said Alexander Vuving, a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii. Gray zone activities are not explicit acts of war but can be harmful to a nations security. For example, during the 2014 oil rig crisis between China and Vietnam, Hanoi ferried international journalists to the site of the oil rig confrontation so they could shed maximum light on the gray zone. This was assertive transparency in practice, although nobody used that term to describe the practice in 2014, the political analyst told RFA. This practice has proven to be effective, said Vuving, adding The other key was perseverance. Jason Gutierrez in Manila contributed to this report. At 63, Robert J. Senger's body is beginning to feel and show the strain of a life spent on his feet, peering up at dripping engines and working in an exhaust-filled garage. When the dog got away, she was wearing a red collar and trailing her leash. She had already had a computer chip implanted for identification. Ultimately, it took four days and the help of multiple neighbors as well as an employee of Fox Hollow and Lee police to search, capture and rescue the dog. 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We apologize for any inconvenience. Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia Immigrants applying for German citizenship in Saxony-Anhalt will have to pledge support for Israel's "right to exist" and be screened for "anti-Semitic attitudes" under new rules approved by the ruling conservative Christian Democrats. From The Local, "German state to require citizenship applicants to declare Israel's 'right to exist' ": The eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt has announced that from now on applicants for citizenship through naturalisation will have to commit in writing to their belief in Israel's "right to exist". What does this mean in practice and is it allowed? Saxony-Anhalt's interior ministry has decreed that if German citizenship applicants don't do this, they will be refused naturalisation. Tamara Zieschang of the ruling conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) wrote to the state's citizenship offices, saying that applicants will have to confirm in writing "that they recognise Israel's right to exist and condemn any efforts directed against the existence of the State of Israel". In other words, you have to not only pledge allegiance to Israel but also to Zionism. Attention should be paid by immigration officials to whether there is evidence of anti-Semitic attitudes among applicants during the naturalisation process, explained Zieschang. The decree to the state's municipalities says that naturalisation is out of the question if foreigners pursue efforts that are directed against the free, democratic basic order. This includes anti-Semitic offences or the denial of Israel's right to exist. The decree recommends that municipalities use specific wording for the statement of commitment. If the applicant refuses to submit a declaration, the naturalisation certificate will not be handed over. Such is the lunacy of modern-day Germany. Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab, Minds and Telegram. Last Thursday afternoon, news would spread throughout Ireland of a horrific knife attack on three young schoolchildren and their teacher outside a Gaelscoil (Irish-language school) in Dublin city centre. At the time of writing, the youngest of the victims, a five year old girl, remains gravely ill in hospital. With it soon emerging that the suspect was an immigrant who had previously been served a deportation order in 2003, tensions that had been building across the country over the past year in response to the immigration policy of Leinster House, which has seen large amounts of male migrants placed into wildly unsuitable locations such as an inner city office block and a childrens school, would come to a head. Calls for a protest in Dublin later that night would rapidly spread throughout social media. Such protests have become a mainstay across Ireland over the past year, with the government of WEF Young Global Leader Leo Varadkar labelling protesters as far-right and carrying out surveillance of organisers in response, a strategy that has served only to exacerbate tensions even further. Last year in Canada, under the rule of fellow WEF Young Global Leader Justin Trudeau, a similar response would take place to the Freedom Convoy, a protest movement launched by Canadian truckers following the decision to mandate jab passports for drivers returning from the US, the largest land-border in the world and a key component of the Canadian economy. Just as open borders policies serve the interests of the global elites that the WEF represents, via the undermining of national sovereignty and the devaluing of labour, jab passports served their interests by acting as conditioning for the introduction of an eventual mandatory digital ID, which in line with the Great Reset initiative would allow the government-corporate alliance to have an unprecedented level of control over its citizens finances in a cashless society. The fraught tensions that had spurred on Thursdays planned protest however, would seemingly attract an opportunistic element, one that had engaged in looting and the burning of vehicles in Dublin on the night. Unsavoury scenes, though it cannot be understated that, in terms of magnitude, they are a universe apart from the stabbing of children. The establishment media however, did not hold the same view; with the unrest that swept Dublin dominating newspaper headlines alongside accusations that it had been organised by the far-right, the brutal attack on the children and their teacher being consigned to a mere afterthought. Security Minister for the southern Irish state, Helen McEntee announced that legislation would be fast tracked to introduce Facial Recognition Technology another key component of the Great Reset - in response to the riots, and it was announced that MMA star Conor McGregor was being investigated for inciting hate over a post on X that he had sent the night BEFORE the stabbings. A lockstep response of condemnation, though one that lies in stark contrast to the response towards the riots that swept the United States following the death of George Floyd in May 2020, for which a minutes silence was held in the southern Irish Parliament, something that has so far not occurred for the victims of last Thursdays mass-stabbing. To understand why, one must look at the wider political context at the time of George Floyds death. Four days prior to the footage of Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyds neck going viral, Joe Biden, the then-Democrat candidate for that years US Presidential election, infamously declared that whoever voted for the incumbent Donald Trump over him Aint black in an attempt to garner support amongst the black community of the United States for his Presidential campaign. A PR disaster, and one that confirmed he was in need of the black vote in order to guarantee an electoral victory. Thus, the death of George Floyd was weaponised to guarantee such a result, with violent riots sweeping the United States in the aftermath. In contrast to the one night of looting and arson that took place in Dublin however, the mainstream media would provide cover for the months-long unrest in the US, with corporate outlet CNN notoriously describing it as fiery but mostly peaceful at one stage. Key to this was the involvement of George Soros, a significant donor to both the Democrat Party and the Black Lives Matter organisation via his Open Society Foundations, a globalist support-network that has sponsored colour revolutions from as far afield as Ukraine and China. It is also why last weeks night of unrest in Dublin, carried out amidst a wider political context of opposition to globalist policies in Ireland, came in for far more media condemnation than the months of BLM-led riots that took place in the United States in 2020. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Israel last month to use "smaller bombs" to limit civilian casualties in Gaza only to turn around a few weeks later and send the Israel Defense Forces over 100 2,000-pound bunker busters. From the New York Times on Nov 4: From The Wall Street Journal, Dec 1, "U.S. Sends Israel 2,000-Pound Bunker Buster Bombs for Gaza War": The U.S. has provided Israel with large bunker buster bombs, among tens of thousands of other weapons and artillery shells, to help dislodge Hamas from Gaza, U.S. officials said. The surge of arms, including roughly 15,000 bombs and 57,000 artillery shells, began shortly after the Oct. 7 attack and has continued in recent days, the officials said. The U.S. hasn't previously disclosed the total number of weapons it sent to Israel nor the transfer of 100 BLU-109, 2,000-pound bunker buster bombs. The airlift of hundreds of millions of dollars in munitions, primarily on C-17 military cargo planes flying from the U.S. to Tel Aviv, shows the diplomatic challenge facing the Biden administration. The U.S. is urging its top ally in the region to consider preventing large-scale civilian casualties while supplying many of the munitions deployed. "I made clear that after a pause, it was imperative that Israel put in place clear protections for civilians, and for sustaining humanitarian assistance going forward," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Dubai on Friday. Blinken in went to Israel on Oct 12, told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "I come before you ... as a Jew" and then brought up to Holocaust to push for war. Blinken also said the attack on Israel, which killed some 1,200 Israelis, was "the equivalent of ten 9/11s" (where 3,000 Americans were killed). He's now trying to feign impartiality and act like a critic of Israel's war tactics while he ships 2,000-pound bunker busters and thousands of bombs to massacre civilians in a religious war to "destroy Amalek." Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab, Minds and Telegram. Stoltenberg is a mediocre salesman: NATO chief says Ukraine will join the military alliance, subject to reforms, after the war - Yahoo / Euronews - Nov 28, 2023 Ukraine will become a member of NATO subject to reforms after the war, the military alliances secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said on Monday. He was speaking ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, at which the alliance is expected to reaffirm its support for Ukraines defence against Russias full-scale invasion. Whatever Stoltenberg might say, it is not going to happen. There is no purpose for Ukraine to be integrated to NATO except for U.S. self-aggrandization. Some assume that NATO membership would protect Ukraine from further attacks by Russia. It would not. The U.S. itself does not believes that NATO membership protects any country from being attacked by Russia: If you think the price is high now Kirby outlines price U.S. will pay if Ukraine loses war - Yahoo - Dec 7, 2023 America will not only spend money, but also shed its own blood, if the U.S. doesn't assist Ukraine in its war against Russia and Russia prevails, said National Security spokesperson John Kirby during a briefing. ... If you think the cost of supporting Ukraine is high now just imagine how much higher it's going to be not just in National Treasure but in American blood if he [Putin] starts going after one of our NATO allies we [will] take our Article 5 commitments very seriously, said Kirby. ... American boots would very much have to be involved if Mr. Putin is allowed to have this strategic victory in Ukraine and then perhaps goes after one of our NATO allies, Kirby added. Kirby obviously believes that NATO membership does not protect one from a Russian attack. He fearmongers about U.S. participation in a war under an allegedly binding Article 5 event. But it is a myth that Article 5 of the Washington Treaty (which founded NATO) will guarantee that others would come to a members defense with their own armies. Article 5 does not say anything like that. Here is its essence: The Parties agree ... that .. each of them ... will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith ... such action as it deems necessary ... "Such action as it deems necessary ..." may include a lot of potential measures (including none) which differ from sending one's army. Would the U.S. really go to war with another nuclear superpower over some tussle between Estonia (1.4 million inhabitants of which a third are ethnic Russian) and the Russian Federation? I for one find this very unlikely. A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint against data broker Kochava unsealed and published in early November reveals shocking new information about the companys handling of extremely sensitive personal information pertaining to hundreds of millions of people in the United States. Among the explosive revelations: according to the FTC, Kochava maintains a dossier on virtually every living American adult. The complaint is the latest government filing in litigation the FTC initiated against the Idaho-based data broker in August 2022, alleging that the company violated the FTC Act because it engaged in unfair or deceptive acts or practices surrounding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. Since then, Kochava filed and won a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. While the court agreed that the FTCs theories of consumer injury were legally plausible, it held that the factual allegations in the original complaint were insufficient. But instead of dismissing the case entirely, the court gave the federal agency 30 days to file an amended complaint. The FTC filed its amended complaint in June 2023, providing more details about the companys operations and resulting privacy harms. Among other disturbing revelations, the complaint describes in detail how the FTC obtained a free sample of cellphone location data from Kochava, and how FTC analysts were able to use that information to track someone who visited an abortion clinic back to their home. The FTC case against Kochava focuses on the following key aspects of the companys operations and the harm they cause to consumers: Surveillance and tracking of people seeking health care: In a significant part of the amended complaint, the FTC reveals that location data sold by Kochava can be used to identify consumers who have visited abortion clinics. In one instance, Kochavas data traced the same mobile device to a reproductive health clinic and then to a single-family residence. Location data collection, use, and sale: The FTCs allegations against Kochava center on the companys acquisition, use, and sale of precise geolocation information. Kochava does not interact directly with individual consumers but acquires consumers precise geolocation data from other companies, such as app developers. This geolocation data, which can pinpoint a consumers location to less than 10 meters, includes data that tracks consumers movements for at least the past year and is updated regularly. The FTC emphasizes that Kochavas location data allows any purchaser to track people visiting sensitive locations associated with medical care, reproductive health, religious worship, mental health, shelters for at-risk populations, and addiction recovery. Indeed, the FTC itself obtained a sample of Kochavas location data and used it to do just that. Collection, categorization, and sale of personal data : As a data broker, Kochava collects, categorizes, and sells the personal data of a staggering 300 million individuals across the country. These data include names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, gender, age, location data, ethnicity, yearly income, economic stability, marital status, education level, political affiliation, app affinity (i.e., what apps consumers have installed on their phones), app usage, and interests and behaviors. Kochava does not collect this information directly from consumers, but rather purchases it from other companies and repackages it for resale to other companies. : As a data broker, Kochava collects, categorizes, and sells the personal data of a staggering 300 million individuals across the country. These data include names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, gender, age, location data, ethnicity, yearly income, economic stability, marital status, education level, political affiliation, app affinity (i.e., what apps consumers have installed on their phones), app usage, and interests and behaviors. Kochava does not collect this information directly from consumers, but rather purchases it from other companies and repackages it for resale to other companies. Substantial injuries to consumers: By using and disclosing personal information, particularly precise geolocation information, Kochava injures individuals. The FTC argues that the level of detail of the personal information collected not only invades consumers privacy, exposing aspects of a consumers life that are private and sensitive, but also opens them up to suffer from stigma, discrimination, physical violence, emotional distress, and other harms. Kochava offers location data that directly identifies or is easily linkable to individual consumers, and the company doesnt even hide it. On the contrary, the company actively markets these capabilities, enticing customers with Kochavas products ability to link geolocation data with individuals. This includes revealing consumers real names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and sensitive information, such as gender, marital status, and age. The FTC observes that this linking of detailed location information with personal information identifying cellphone users is a critical aspect of Kochavas commercial practices. The FTC alleges that Kochava sells location data directly linking MAIDsMobile Advertising IDs, numbers assigned by a mobile devices operating systemto individual consumers and expressly encourages customers to use these data. This is how Kochavas customers can learn where identified individuals have been without other inferences or investigative steps. (Importantly, the FTC reminds the court that even if Kochava did not link MAIDs to information like names or addresses, when MAIDs are combined with precise geolocation in Kochavas data feeds, these location records would nonetheless allow a purchaser to put names to those data.) Fighting Back in Massachusetts As the FTCs litigation continues, we cant rely on federal agencies to police every privacy violation under the sun. Thats why the ACLU has joined with reproductive justice partners Reproductive Equity Now and Planned Parenthood, as well as a coalition of other groups, to fight for legislation to protect all people in Massachusetts from this shady industry. The Location Shield Act, filed by Representative Lipper-Garabedian in the House and Senator Creem in the Senate, would stop the sale of cellphone location information, ensuring it never ends up in a database like Kochavas. The core provision of the Location Shield Act is an outright prohibition of the sale, lease, or trade of cellphone location data pertaining to people physically present within the state of Massachusetts. The bill protects our privacy and personal autonomy. Its provisions would help ensure that individuals visiting sensitive locations such as those associated with medical care, reproductive health, religious worship, addiction recovery, and more are not unwittingly tracked, or their data sold to harm them. Importantly, the Location Shield Act doesnt propose a blanket ban on all collection or use of location data. It allows companies to collect and process this data for legitimate purposes, such as providing mapping services or weather forecasts, but only with privacy-preserving data minimization and consent provisions in place. The legislation therefore strikes a balance between protecting privacy and enabling the beneficial uses of location data. The FTCs action against Kochava is a step in the right direction and should be applauded. But we cant rely on federal agencies to police privacy violations after the fact. If we want to live in a free and open society, we must pass laws that recognize privacy as a fundamental right supporting our other basic rights: freedom to access health care, to worship our religion, and to be safe in our communities. Its time to pass the Location Shield Act to make Massachusetts a global privacy leader. Take action now to join the movement. Maya Jama will host Love Island: All-Stars when the show airs in January, it has been announced. Jama, 29, presented the 2023 winter and summer series of Love Island and a new teaser clip, set to broadcast on Sunday, has confirmed the TV and radio presenters return. Advertisement In its new format, the ITV2 programme will see some familiar faces return to the show for a second chance at finding love in the villa. The promotional trailer will be broadcast twice, once during An Audience With Kylie and also during the Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! final. In the clip, Jama appears as a silhouette and is dressed in a couture gown as she walks onto set. Advertisement Advertisement The teaser ends with a red curtain falling as the Love Island theme tune plays with cameras flashing as the new Love Island: All-Stars logo is revealed alongside the date January 2024. The clip has already been released to the Love Island and ITV social channels ahead of the two live broadcasts. The rumours are true! #LoveIsland: All Stars is coming soon... pic.twitter.com/6LCku4bdWD Advertisement Love Island (@LoveIsland) September 5, 2023 The ITV dating show was hosted by the late Caroline Flack before the role was filled by Irish TV presenter Laura Whitmore in 2020 and then by Jama, who started hosting duties in early 2023. Advertisement The winners of Love Islands 2023 summer series were Sammy Root and Jess Harding, who took home a 50,000 prize. Love Island: All-Stars is coming to ITV2 and ITVX in January 2024. The HSE has apologised to the family of a teenager who died of meningitis in University Hospital Limerick, for the serious failings in the care provided to the girl at the hospital. A damning internal review of the circumstances of the death of Aoife Johnston, (16), from Shannon, Co Clare, was provided to her family last week, it emerged on Sunday. Advertisement The report found Aoife waited 12 hours in UHLs severely overcrowded emergency department and was not treated for sepsis until it was too late. She was not given the care she required despite her family desperately flagging her deteriorating condition. The review found that delays in her treatment breached national guidelines on sepsis management. She died of bacterial meningitis in UHL on December 19th, 2022, two days after she presented at the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement The unpublished report, which was commissioned by UHL last January - and was supposed to be completed by last March - was given to Aoifes family last week. Aoifes death occurred during severe overcrowding in UHL. The review is also understood to have found that there was a significant shortage of staff over the weekend in question, without a contingency plan to deal with the pressures on the hospital triggered after a severe weather event which added numbers of emergency patients. UHLs escalation protocol was not adhered to, despite the number of patients waiting, and, the executive management team appeared to have little understanding of the risks to patient care caused by an overcrowded environment, in terms of the impact on assessing and managing patients and the nursing teams ability to provide safe care, it is understood. Advertisement UL Hospital Group chief executive, Colette Cowan, has sent a letter of apology to Aoifes family for the hospitals failings in her care. The UL Hospitals Group was not available for comment, but a HSE spokesperson issued a statement which said: We have this week shared with the family the review into the tragic death of their daughter. Advertisement "We have apologised to them for the serious failings in the care we provided to their daughter which have been identified in the review. The review has been referred to the Coroner who has yet to make a determination in the case. Advertisement The chief exectuive of the HSE, Mr Bernard Gloster received the review in recent days and is considering the very serious and significant issues that arise. He is aware that ULHG have offered a sincere apology for the failings in the care we provided to this girl which have been identified by the review. They said Mr Gloster, a native of Limerick, was willing to meet the family privately should they wish to do so but it is a matter for the family to decide if and when they might like to do this. Out of respect for the family, and to give the Coroner time to consider the matter, we will not be commenting further on the report at this time. We wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family following their devastating loss. The review into the circumstances of Aoifes death was commissioned by Prof Brian Lenehan, Chief Clinical Director, UL Hospitals Group, and completed by an expert HSE team external to UL Hospitals Group under the HSE Incident Management Framework. Advertisement Aoifes death sparked political and public protests nationwide over chronic overcrowding in emergency departments. However, despite continued investment at UHL, it remains the most overcrowded hospital in the country despite several measures introduced by management to mitigate the problem of overcrowding. Many in the region blame the overcrowding in Limerick on a 2009 government policy decision to streamline all 24-hour accident and emergency units across Limerick, Clare and north Tipperary to UHL. During a visit to UHL last February, the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said to reopen the 24-hour EDs across the region would be impossible. However, less than an hour later when he met families of patients who had died in UHL against a backdrop of intense overcrowding, Mr Varadkar said he was not ruling it in or out. When asked for clarification on the issue at the time, a spokesman for the Taoiseach said that while reopening the 24-hour ED units was not the current plan, that, the Taoiseach had indicated, nothing is off the table until discussions have taken place with the incoming chief executive of the HSE and the Minister for Health. Issues around moving the Pro-Cathedral from north to south of the River Liffey continued to be worked upon following an announcement six months ago that Archbishop Dermot Farrell proposed a change despite opposition to the move. Last month, Dublin City Council called on Archbishop Farrell to attend a meeting with them to explain why he wants to move the Catholic Pro-Cathedral from the north to the south of the city. Advertisement At a meeting of the Councils Central Area Committee, a motion was passed opposing the downgrading of St Marys Pro-Cathedral to a basilica. It is due to be discussed again this coming week. The motion was brought by Independent councillor for the north inner city and a former Lord Mayor of the capital, Christy Burke, asking the Archbishop into City Hall in December as to why his office has had no consultation with local residents, service goers or Committee members about the proposal. Advertisement The Pro-Cathedral, which has been in existence for almost 200 years north of the River Liffey in St Marys on Marlborough Street, may be about to lose its current status and become a basilica, while St Andrews Church on Westland Row, south of the Liffey, would become the capitals cathedral under a current diocesan plan. Plans on the relocation are due to be presented to Rome by the end of the month to ascertain if the move is given the go-ahead by Vatican authorities. The announcement by the Archbishop was made last June. Advertisement However, a spokesperson for the Archbishops office said over the weekend that they have not received any communication from Dublin City Council on the issue. The spokesperson continued that the issues around this proposal are still being considered carefully by the Archbishop and the project group that he has set up, ahead of any recommendation being made to Rome. The parishioners of both St Marys and St Andrews have been consulted and their views will be taken into account, the spokesperson noted. Both churches will play a central role in the future pastoral strategy of the Archdiocese for outreach to the city. The primary issue to be considered is serving the mission of the Church in proclaiming the Gospel in Dublin into the future. Advertisement Advertisement Archbishop Farrell said he believes the capital should have a properly designated cathedral and that it should be complemented by a church on the other side of the Liffey whose "status and dignity are formally recognised and supported". The proposed relocation is being explained for logistical reasons as there are strong grounds for considering that St Andrews might better serve the cathedral function, with St Marys changed to a basilica. The Archbishop has set up a project group with representatives of both St Marys and St Andrews parishes to develop proposals, supported by expert and technical advice. St Marys has provided a focal point for the archdiocese, but it was always envisaged that, at some point, a cathedral building would be required that had both the space and the facilities to accommodate the full range of diocesan liturgical and pastoral ministry. Advertisement For a variety of reasons, that never happened but "the limitations of the St Marys building and complex remain, the Archdiocese previously pointed out. In a statement the Archdiocese previously highlighted that Dublin city has changed and developed. While St Marys is located in an area undergoing renewal and development, on the south side of the Liffey recent and planned commercial and residential development have created a whole new dimension of city life. St Andrews Church, Westland Row, which was built shortly after St Marys, is well placed to engage with the vibrant residential, commercial and cultural heart of the city, the statement concluded. Central Static Office figures show that while Catholicism remains the most popular religion in Ireland, its influence has fallen substantially. From a high of 85 per cent in 2011 it now stands at 69 per cent. Here, we have a look at the political issues that will dominate Dail proceedings over the coming week. Fallout from no-confidence motion The Government won a Dail confidence vote in Minister for Justice Helen McEntee by 83 votes to 63 during the week. Advertisement Many people pointed out that the Sinn Fein response in the Dail was oddly muted. The motion was never likely to succeed, and the Government tried to portray it as an attempt to score political points following the stabbing incident in Dublin in which three children were hospitalised. Riots broke out in the capital afterwards, and the fallout continues. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar accused Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald of engaging in absolutely disgraceful behaviour after she said it took nearly two weeks for Government to reach out to the school community affected by the stabbing. Advertisement Mr Varadkar said: The leader of the opposition has quite disgracefully misled the Dail. There was contact from the Government with the school within 24 hours of the events. Advertisement Several ministers did so. She knows that, its deliberate misleading and it should be withdrawn. I call on her to be decent for once and withdraw it. Minister Josepha Madigan further described the Sinn Fein leader as Mary Lou Trump over the comments. Ms McDonald said she would not withdraw the remark and that she had stated facts. Exchanges in this vein are likely to continue this week, as debate over how to handle future incidents of disorder in Dublin continues. Advertisement Sinn Fein also called for Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to resign, but like Ms McEntee, he has insisted he will continue in his role. European candidates line up The local and European elections take place next year, and politicians from different parties have been throwing their hats in the ring for the European Parliament. Fianna Fail TD for Laois-Offaly Barry Cowen was one of the first to announce his intention to make a bid for a European seat. MEP Billy Kelleher has announced he will run for re-election. Advertisement Im Running!! Signing my nomination papers to contest the #IrelandSouth @fiannafailparty Selection Convention. pic.twitter.com/OXa6EcFHJn Advertisement Billy Kelleher MEP (@BillyKelleherEU) November 29, 2023 On Sunday, Aodhan O Riordain revealed his intention to run in an interview with the Sunday Independent. Advertisement The Labour TD has told the Sunday Independent that he had a "visceral" reaction to the riots seen in Dublin city centre, which resulted in a "lightbulb" moment for him. Mr O Riordain had previously decided not to run for the European Parliament, but said the riots last month made him reconsider. He will be facing Senator Annie Hoey and Fingal councillor Rob O'Donoghue next month for the nomination by the party. Mr O Riordain told the Sunday Independent: You really get the sense that everything that had been creeping up has now exploded and I dont think really we have enough leadership in Dublin to talk about Dublin on any level, on any platform at all. Abroad In the UK, British prime minister Rishi Sunak is facing serious pressure from the right-wing of the Conservative Party over his Rwanda legislation. In the US, the two likely candidates in the 2024 US presidential election, incumbent Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump, have been taking aim at each other. Mr Trump tried to flip the narrative and portray Mr Biden as a threat to democracy. Mr Trump said on Tuesday that he will not become a dictator if he becomes US president again, except "on day one". "Thank God, only one day," Mr Biden quipped at a fundraiser in Los Angeles. Storm Fergus is expected to make landfall today, after Storm Elin on Saturday, with a status orange wind warning issued for three counties. A yellow wind alert comes into effect for counties Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway and Mayo at 1pm on Sunday afternoon, escalating to an orange warning for Mayo, Galway and Clare at 3pm. Advertisement Elsewhere, a status yellow alert will come into place for 13 counties stretching from Sligo and Roscommon to the East Coast at 6pm this evening. Met Eireann meteorologist Michelle Dillon said: Strong to gale force south-west winds veering westerly will be developing through Sunday afternoon, evening and early Sunday night as Storm Fergus tracks eastwards across the country. Storm surge will lead to high seas and along with the stormy conditions theres the possibility of coastal flooding along parts of the west coast, particularly at high tide. Advertisement Met Eireann has warned of "very strong onshore winds" coupled with high waves and high tides. Advertisement The forecaster also said there is a risk of localised coastal flooding and wave overtopping. #StormFergus -Very strong onshore winds, coupled with high waves and high tides. Potential impacts: Localised coastal flooding and wave overtopping Status Orange - Wind warning for Clare, Galway, Mayo More herehttps://t.co/ZsjQsKCXDy pic.twitter.com/7bn0KihvrV Met Eireann (@MetEireann) December 10, 2023 Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel said winds will begin to pick up later this morning. Mr Nolan told Newstalk: "Storm Fergus is pushing in from the west. We expect the winds to really start picking up through the late morning into the early afternoon. "The status orange weather warnings are in place for counties Mayo, Galway and Clare at the moment. They could potentially be extended further throughout the course of the day." US president Joe Biden has invited Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to the White House on Tuesday as the US administration steps up the pressure on Congress to provide billions more in aid to Kyiv in its war with Russia. The visit is intended to underscore the United States unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russias brutal invasion, the White House said in a statement on Sunday. Advertisement As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraines urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States continued support at this critical moment. Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelenskiy embraces Argentinas newly sworn-in president Javier Milei (Gustavo Garello/AP) Mr Biden has asked Congress for a $110 billion package of wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel, along with other national security priorities. But the request is caught up in a debate over US immigration policy and border security. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Zelenskiy travelled to Buenos Aires to witness the swearing-in on Sunday of Argentinas new president, Javier Milei. The Ukrainian leader had been scheduled to address US senators by video last week, but had to cancel the appearance, according to US Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer. Congress already has allocated $111 billion to assist Ukraine, and Mr Bidens budget director, Shalanda Young, said in a letter this week to House and Senate leaders that the US will run out of funding to send weapons and assistance to Ukraine by the end of the year, which would kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield. Its time to cut a deal that both sides can agree to, Ms Young said Sunday. The stakes are especially high for Ukraine, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said during two television interviews on Sunday, given that we are running out of funding for the Ukrainians. Advertisement He said: This is a time to really step up because if we dont, we know what happens. (Russian president Vladimir) Putin will be able to move forward with impunity, and we know he wont stop in Ukraine. Advertisement Earlier, he defended the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition and also called for quick congressional approval of the foreign assistance. Advertisement Mr Blinken said the needs of Israels military operations in Gaza justify the rare decision to bypass Congress. Israel is in combat right now with Hamas, he said. And we want to make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas. The tank ammunition and related support constitute only a small portion of military sales to Israel, Mr Blinken said, and that the rest remains subject to congressional review. Its very important that Congress voice be heard in this, he said. Advertisement The decision to proceed with the sale of more than $106 million for tank shells came as the administrations larger aid package is caught up in an immigration debate. Mr Blinken noted that Mr Biden has said he is willing to make significant compromises to get the aid package moving. Its something the president is fully prepared to engage on, Mr Blinken said. Republican Senator Mitt Romney said there is bipartisan agreement that something has to be done to address record numbers of migrants crossing into the US from Mexico. We want to solve that, to secure the border. I just saw the president of the United States say that weve got to secure the border. Hes right. So, any effort that doesnt do that will be rejected by Republicans, Mr Romney said. Advertisement Fellow Republican Senator JD Vance said the administration has yet to justify additional aid to Ukraine. So what were saying to the president and really to the entire world is, you need to articulate what the ambition is. What is 61 billion dollars going to accomplish that 100 billion dollars hasnt? Mr Vance said. Democrat Chris Murphy said the money would make a difference because Russia is struggling to fund its war effort. It can change the outcome of this war, Mr Murphy said. Because at the very same time that we are making a renewed commitment to Ukraine, Russias ability to continue to fight this war is in jeopardy. Mr Romney said he also supports the aid to Ukraine. My own view is that its very much in Americas interest to see Ukraine successful and to provide the weapons that Ukraine needs to defend itself. Anything other than that would be a huge dereliction of our responsibility, I believe, to the world of democracy but also to our own national interest, he said. Rishi Sunak has been dealt the fresh blow of a legal assessment for the Tory right concluding his Rwanda legislation is not fit for purpose, as the British prime minister urged Labour not to oppose his plans. Sir Bill Cash, who has chaired a legal examination being waited on by many in the party, has signalled that the Bill is not sufficiently watertight despite Mr Sunak hoping it will revive his flagship asylum plan. Advertisement Battling to keep his own Tory MPs on side, the British prime minister urged Sir Keir Starmer to rise above political games and act in the national interest by supporting the emergency Bill. But Conservatives from both the right and the left of the party are considering whether to oppose it in a crunch vote on Tuesday, with neither camp totally satisfied by the offering. Advertisement Advertisement Labour will whip to vote against the Bill, meaning a rebellion by just 28 Tories could deliver a humiliating defeat for the UK government. Mr Starmer's party accused the Tories of begging for our votes to pass the legislation to help revive their 290 million Rwanda gimmick. Mr Cash has chaired a so-called star chamber of lawyers carrying out an examination for the European Research Group of Tory MPs, but others on the right in the New Conservatives and the Common Sense groups are also awaiting the findings, expected on Monday. Advertisement The veteran Tory wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that they had been considering whether the wording is sufficiently watertight to meet the Governments policy objectives. At present it does not, he said. Our report, I hope, will be helpful to the Government in deciding whether the Bill in its current form is fit for purpose or will require further amendment, even by the Government itself. Meanwhile, sacked UK home secretary Suella Braverman questioned Mr Sunaks rather strange claim that going further on the Bill would have caused the 290 million deal with Rwanda to collapse. She told the Sunday Telegraph: Ive been to Rwanda several times and I have spoken to the Rwandan government a lot. It never once raised any kind of concerns like this. Advertisement Advertisement Ms Braverman echoed Robert Jenrick, who quit as UK immigration minister over the legislation, by raising concerns that it leaves ignoring temporary Rule 39 injunctions from the European Court of Human Rights which blocked last years flight to the government. I know that our Attorney General has advised that to ignore a Rule 39 injunction would be a breach of international law, so therefore as it stands Rule 39s will block flights, Ms Braverman told the newspaper. The Labour leader is also stepping up his attacks and will use a speech to accuse the Tories of being unable to govern while their warring factions are fighting like rats in a sack. But Mr Sunak insisted he will take a significant step towards his promise to the voters that he will stop the boats, which he said the public cares deeply about. Advertisement He argued in a statement that the Opposition is not fit to govern, adding: This week, Labour needs for once to rise above political games. (PA Graphics) They need for once to stop acting in their short-term interests. They need to act in the national interest. Labour argued that Mr Sunak is trying to shift the focus onto the Opposition was a desperate move. Advertisement That the Prime Minister is begging for our votes proves his tired, chaotic Government cannot deliver for our country, a party spokesman said. Mr Sunaks efforts to prevent his divided MPs rebelling on the legislation hit another snag when it was revealed that a legal assessment has been given it only a 50 per cent at best chance of success of getting removal flights off to Rwanda. More moderate Tories from the One Nation group are concerned about telling courts they must find that the East African nation is safe. While some on the right want to go further in disapplying the European Convention on Human Rights. Would-be rebels from across the spectrum, however, may wait until a later stage to seek to amend Mr Sunaks plans rather than deliver him a humiliating defeat this week. Mr Starmer will use a speech on the same day as the vote to argue that the Tories are all swanning around self-importantly, in their factions. He is expected to say that while they are fighting like rats in a sack there is a country out here that isnt being governed. Iranian authorities have banned members of the late Mahsa Aminis family from travelling to receive the European Unions top human rights prize on her behalf, a civil rights group has reported. Ms Aminis death in police custody in 2022 sparked nationwide protests that rocked the Islamic Republic. Advertisement The US-based HRANA said that authorities have refused to allow Ms Aminis father, Amjad, and two of her brothers to fly out to Strasbourg, France, to receive the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Reports said only the familys lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht, would be able to travel to receive the award on their behalf. The EU award, named after Soviet dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honour individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. Advertisement Advertisement Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movenment in Iran have been awarded the European Parliaments 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. For Women, for Life, for Freedom. pic.twitter.com/59CyYHluWH European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) October 19, 2023 Advertisement It is the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work according to the EU Parliament website. Ms Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, died after Irans morality police arrested her for allegedly violating the countrys strict headscarf law that forced women to cover their hair and entire body. Her death led to massive protests that quickly escalated into calls to overthrow Irans clerical rulers. Iranian women, furious over Ms Aminis death, played a pivotal role in the protests, with some opting to go without their mandatory headscarves. Advertisement Authorities immediately launched a heavy crackdown, in which over 500 people were killed and nearly 20,000 arrested, according to human rights activists in Iran. Authorities have said many of those detained were released or given reduced sentences. The protests largely died down earlier this year. A total of eight people were executed in Iran in connection with the protests after being charged with attacking security forces. Human rights activists have accused authorities of convicting them in secret proceedings after they were denied the right to defend themselves. Iran has denied the charges. Advertisement In 2012, Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi jointly won the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Robert Jenrick said he was not interested in a bid for the Tory leadership amid speculation that discontent over the UK governments Rwanda plan could split the party. The Conservative MP for Newark, who quit his role as UK immigration minister on Wednesday, defended his position on the need to reduce migration into the UK, warning a lack of integration means communities are leading parallel lives. Advertisement Mr Jenrick argued the UK governments proposed legislation on the plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda does not go far enough, raising concerns over the likelihood of prolonged legal challenges. Advertisement In a sign of how seriously senior figures in the party are treating the threat of a challenge to Rishi Sunaks leadership, communities secretary Michael Gove has sent a message to Tory MPs who are considering putting in letters of no confidence. Advertisement Mr Gove told the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: Lets focus on the job. Amid speculation that Mr Jenrick is seen by some in the party as a potential replacement for Mr Sunak, the former immigration minister was asked on the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg if he would rule out running if there is a contest. Advertisement Robert Jenrick (left) and Michael Gove were both guests on the BBC on Sunday morning (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) He said: Im not interested in that. Im solely interested in this (migration) policy. I want the Conservative Party to win the next general election. I want it to make good on its manifesto commitments. I think there is a way to do that. Advertisement But Mr Jenrick also said he would not support proposed legislation due to be considered by MPs in the Commons on Tuesday. Advertisement Asked if he would vote for the Rwanda Bill, he said: No, I wont be supporting this Bill, but I do think we can fix this, and thats what I want to do now. I care about this policy because I care about border security and Im determined that we can persuade the Government and colleagues in Parliament that there is a better way. He added: Weve already done two Bills, this is the third Bill. Its three strikes or youre out. Advertisement I want this Bill to work and create that powerful deterrent and Im afraid its very clear to all those people who really understand how this system operates that this Bill will not succeed. Mr Jenrick insisted the UK prime ministers Bill will not work, adding: We respectfully disagree on this one issue. I think that a political choice has been made to bring forward a Bill which doesnt do the job. He said: The test for this is not can you get one or two symbolic flights off before the next election with a handful of illegal migrants on them?, its can you create a strong deterrent that is sustainable and stops the boats and protects the borders of this country for years to come? Thats what I want to achieve and Im afraid this Bill is not it. He also said the electoral prospects of his party hinge, in good measure on addressing issues related to the levels of legal migration and asylum claims, warning a failure to do so will result in the red-hot fury of the public. Senior Tory Damian Green attempted to dampen speculation over a leadership contest and hit out at the very small number of his colleagues who would support such a move. Advertisement He told the BBC: Its a vanishingly small number and anyone who thinks that what the Conservative Party or the country needs is a change in prime minister is either mad or malicious or both. And its a very, very small number doing that. Mr Jenrick also spoke about his concerns that the number of people coming to the UK is reducing the prospect for successful integration. He told the BBC: I am very worried that a million new people coming into our country every year is damaging our ability to integrate those people successfully and to be a united country. Asked for his evidence that integration is not working, he said: I think there are communities in our country where people are leading parallel lives. And its inevitable its an obvious observation that a million people coming into our country every year is immensely challenging to successfully integrate. And Im afraid you see that, I mean Ive seen that recently, for example, with the marches through London where I saw some people who simply did not share British values. I thought that was wrong, it was deeply disturbing, and I think weve got to take action to address that. He added: I think its connected to mass uncontrolled migration and I think we have to change that. Severe storms which tore through central Tennessee on Saturday killed six people as homes and businesses were damaged in multiple cities. Three people, including a child, were killed after an apparent tornado struck Montgomery County, north of Nashville, county officials said in a news release. Advertisement Nashville Emergency Operation Centre said in a post on a social media account that three people were killed by severe storms in the city. Montgomery County officials said another 23 people were treated for injuries at hospitals. A semitrailer is overturned by an apparent tornado on West Main Street in Hendersonville, Tennessee (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean/AP) Advertisement Photos posted by the Clarksville fire department on social media showed damaged houses with debris strewn in the lawns, a tractor trailer flipped on its side on a highway and insulation ripped out of building walls. Clarksville mayor Joe Pitts said: This is devastating news and our hearts are broken for the families of those who lost loved ones. Advertisement The city stands ready to help them in their time of grief. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office said a tornado touched down around 2pm. Advertisement The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings in Tennessee with reports of a further tornado in Kentucky. About 85,000 electricity customers were without power in Tennessee on Saturday night, according to PowerOutage.us. The University of Pennsylvanias president has resigned amid pressure from donors and criticism over evidence at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say under repeated questioning that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the schools conduct policy. The departure of Liz Magill, in her second year as president of the Ivy League school, was announced by the school late on Saturday afternoon. Advertisement The statement said Ms Magill will remain a tenured faculty member at the universitys Carey Law School. She has agreed to keep serving as Penns leader until the university names an interim president. Calls for Ms Magills resignation exploded after Tuesdays evidence in a US House committee on antisemitism on college campuses, where she appeared with the presidents of Harvard University and MIT. Advertisement University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) Advertisement Universities across the US have been accused of failing to protect Jewish students amid rising fears of antisemitism worldwide and fallout from Israels intensifying war in Gaza, which faces heightened criticism for the mounting Palestinian death toll. The three presidents were called before the committee to answer those accusations. But their lawyerly answers drew renewed blowback from opponents, focused particularly on a line of questioning from Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican, who repeatedly asked whether calling for the genocide of Jews would violate Penns code of conduct. Advertisement If the speech turns into conduct it can be harassment, yes, Ms Magill said. Pressed further, Ms Magill told Ms Stefanik: It is a context-dependent decision, congresswoman. Criticism rained down from the White House, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, members of Congress and donors. One donor, Ross Stevens, threatened to withdraw a 100 million US dollar gift because of the universitys stance on antisemitism on campus unless Ms Magill was replaced. Advertisement A day later, Ms Magill addressed the criticism, saying in a video that she would consider a call for the genocide of Jewish people to be harassment or intimidation and that Penns policies need to be clarified and evaluated. Advertisement Ms Magill had been under fire from some donors and alumni this autumn over the universitys handling of various perceived acts of antisemitism. That included allowing a Palestinian literary arts festival to be held on its campus in September featuring speakers whose past statements about Israel had drawn accusations of antisemitism. A former US Supreme Court law clerk, Ms Magill, 57, is the daughter of a retired federal judge and was dean of Stanford Universitys law school and a top administrator at the University of Virginia before Penn hired her as its ninth president last year. Advertisement Earlier on Saturday, New Yorks governor called on the states colleges and universities to swiftly address cases of antisemitism and what she described as any calls for genocide on campus. In a letter to college and university presidents, Governor Kathy Hochul said her administration would enforce violations of the states Human Rights Law and refer any violations of federal civil rights law to US officials. Ms Hochul said she has spoken to chancellors of the State University of New York and City University of New York public college systems who she said confirmed that calling for genocide of any group or tolerating antisemitism violates codes of conduct on their campuses and would lead to swift disciplinary action. Advertisement The governors letter does not address any specific incidents. A popular chant at pro-Palestinian rallies at Penn and other universities has been falsely misrepresented in recent months as claiming to call for Jewish genocide. Experts and advocates say the chant, Israel, we charge you with genocide, is a typical refrain heard at pro-Palestinian rallies. Jewwish and Palestinian supporters both acknowledge protesters are not saying: We want Jewish genocide. The presidents of Venezuela and Guyana have agreed to meet over a sovereignty dispute involving an oil and mineral-rich territory. Venezuela voted in a referendum to claim Essequibo, which it says was stolen when the border was drawn more than a century ago, but Guyana has vowed to protect its sovereignty. Advertisement A statement from the Venezuelan government of president Nicolas Maduro on Saturday said it had accepted a proposal to hold a high-level meeting with its neighbour. The statement said it had agreed to the talks to preserve its aspiration to maintain Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, without interference from external actors. Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro speaks during the notification ceremony for the referendum (Ariana Cubillos/AP) Advertisement Mr Maduro received the proposal in conversations with Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, according to the statement. Advertisement In a letter to Mr Maduro and Guyana President Irfaan Ali, Mr Gonsalves expressed an urgent need to de-escalate the conflict and said both presidents have agreed to meet on Thursday in his country. The announcement of the talks comes after Guyanan vice president Bharrat Jagdeo warned Guyana would protect its sovereignty over Essequibo. Any attempts by his state oil firms or state corporations to explore for petroleum in our area will be viewed as an intrusion by Guyana, said Mr Jagdeo. Advertisement If (Mr Maduro) believes that belligerence and threatening Guyana will lead to the desired bilateral conversations, he is profoundly incorrect. National Assembly president Jorge Rodriguez exits an unveiling ceremony of Venezuelas new map (Matias Delacroix/AP) The UN Security Council held an emergency, private meeting on Friday as world leaders and international organisations backed Guyana. Members of a regional trade bloc known as Caricom also called a closed-door meeting to talk about the dispute. Advertisement Venezuela says it was the victim of a land theft conspiracy in 1899, when Guyana was a British colony and arbitrators from Britain, Russia and the United States decided the boundary. They argue a 1966 agreement among Venezuela, Britain and the colony of British Guiana effectively nullified the original arbitration. Advertisement Guyana maintains the initial accord is binding and asked the United Nations top court to rule it as such in 2018, but a decision is years away. The dispute has been heightened since 2015 when oil deposits were discovered off the coast of Essequibo the first oil pumped ashore in December 2019 turning Guyana into the worlds fourth-largest offshore oil producer. Advertisement Despite having the worlds largest proven crude reserves, Venezuelas oil industry has been crippled by years of mismanagement and economic sanctions imposed on the state-owned oil company following Mr Maduros re-election in 2018. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was heading to Buenos Aires to witness the swearing-in on Sunday of Argentinas new president, Javier Milei. It is the Ukrainian leaders first trip to Latin America as Kyiv continues to court support among developing nations for its 21-month-old fight against Russias invading forces. Advertisement A political outsider who has railed against what he calls entrenched official corruption in Argentina and promised to uproot the political establishment, Mr Milei ran on a pro-Western foreign policy platform, repeatedly expressing distrust of Moscow and Beijing. On Sunday morning, Mr Milei was sworn in inside the National Congress building, and outgoing President Alberto Fernandez placed the presidential sash upon him. Some of the assembled politicians chanted Liberty!. Mr Zelensky phoned Mr Milei shortly after the Argentinians electoral victory, thanking him for his clear support for Ukraine which he described in social media posts as well-noticed and appreciated by Ukrainians. Advertisement Javier Milei has been sworn in (Natacha Pisarenko/AP) Advertisement In its readout of the call published shortly afterwards, Mr Mileis office said he had offered to host a summit between Ukraine and Latin American states, a potential boon to Kyivs months-long effort to strengthen its relationships with countries of the global south. Mr Zelensky and other senior Ukrainian officials have repeatedly presented Ukraines war against Russia as resistance against colonial aggression, hoping to win support from Asian, African and Latin American states that in the past struggled to free themselves from foreign domination, sometimes turning to Moscow for support against Western powers. According to Mr Zelenskys official website, he broke his journey to Argentina to meet the prime minister of the West African country of Cape Verde, Ulisses Correia e Silva, thanking him for his support for Kyivs diplomatic initiatives and discussing efforts to boost Ukrainian grain exports to Africa. Advertisement Mr Zelensky expressed his appreciation for Cape Verdes backing of UN resolutions supporting Ukraines territorial integrity and calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory before peace talks can begin. The African country previously supported UN documents condemning Russias annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Cape Verdes Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) Advertisement According to Mr Zelenskys website, he and Mr Correia e Silva also discussed Kyivs efforts to expand a corridor for grain exports in the Black Sea that has seen over 7 million metric tons of Ukrainian produce shipped out since its inception, months after Moscow pulled out of a UN-brokered deal to facilitate shipments of Ukrainian and Russian food and fertiliser to countries in need. In other developments, Russian shelling over the past 24 hours killed two elderly women and wounded two more civilians in Ukraines north-eastern Kharkiv region, local governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on Sunday morning. In a Telegram update, Mr Syniehubov said that both women died in the same attack in the provinces east, parts of which run close to the front line and have seen intense fighting in recent weeks. In the Kherson region in the south, Russian shelling on Saturday and overnight killed one civilian and wounded four others, governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram on Sunday. Australias insurance giants are warning premium costs will spiral beyond the reach of more households unless some homes are relocated from high-risk areas and planning laws are improved to better consider natural disasters. Insurance Australia Group (IAG), Suncorp and QBE have put the spotlight on rising premiums and point to locations like Wilberforce, Emu Plains and Warwick Farm in Sydneys basin where planning controls fail to deal with unacceptable residual flood risk. Insurers say land-planning regulations must properly account for natural disaster risks to avoid putting houses in harms way. Credit: Getty The House of Representatives committee inquiry into insurers responses to last years east-coast flooding disaster the most expensive insurance event in the nations history with $7.4 billion in claims received 17 submissions including from the nations biggest insurers. Speaking ahead of an IAG land-planning report to be released on Monday, the insurers land planning hazards and regulatory manager Andrew Dyer said houses are being approved in areas under the current planning framework where natural disaster risk levels are unacceptably high. It came as a surprise to me that Taylor Swift has the power to end the conflict in Gaza. But so it was contended this week on X (formerly Twitter), when news broke that the singer-songwriter, the poet-laureate of girls, was named Person of the Year by Time magazine. The white American woman billionaire who could end the genocide of Palestinians with on [sic] IG post is TIME person of the year, one user posted on X. Many chimed in with similar commentary. Girl power: Taylor Swift on stage in Argentina in November. Credit: AP A fact-checking note on the post added: Historically, conflicts and wars have not ended due to Instagram posts. Therefore, it is extremely unlikely that an Instagram post made by Taylor Swift will end the war in Gaza. With great power comes great responsibility, and in September, when Swift posted to her Instagram followers encouraging them to register to vote in the 2024 US presidential election, there was a record surge in registrations. To the United Nations climate talks in Dubai, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has just told reporters that Australia and like-minded countries are still facing opposition as they seek to secure a phase-out of fossil fuels. Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen speaking to reporters at COP28 in Dubai. Credit: Nick OMalley Bowen said the so-called umbrella group of nations, which includes Australia, the US, the UK, Norway, Canada, New Zealand and Israel, were still seeking an agreement that would include the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels. Abatement refers to capturing greenhouse gas emissions from industrial processes or energy production, and Bowen has suggested this could be used as a stop-gap. This is a contentious issue at the COP because many scientists and activists fear it could be used as an excuse to keep burning fossil fuels. Bowen said Saudi Arabia was on public record as opposing language that refers to a phase-out. Bowen said much was at stake for Australia, which sought not only to back an agreement that would put the world back on track to hold warming to 1.5 degrees, but also had an economic imperative to forge a path as a renewable superpower. He said he had chaired a meeting with like-minded nations in the umbrella group as well as the EU, and together they were trying to find common ground with those nations opposing an agreement to speed up the phase out of fossil fuels. Whether we succeed or not, we will know in the next 24 hours or so, he said. New language will be provided to delegations this morning, and later today a marathon negotiation session is expected to begin leading up to the scheduled close of the COP on Tuesday at 11am. Few observers are hopeful that deadline will be met. When most people think about populism, they think about right-wing policies. But populism is not just associated with right-wing politics. Left-wing populism is on the rise around the world and in Australia, too. Here, it can be seen in niche media outlets with almost exclusively left-leaning readers. There, articles panning prime minister Albaneses perceived vanilla-slice centrism receive as much acclaim as articles deriding supposedly democracy-destroying Peter Dutton. Despite hating Dutton more, micro-bloggers on Elons platform X have also become increasingly Albollergic. Polls show the Labor Partys primary vote slipping away to its left. According to a recent YouGov poll, the Greens are now the preferred party of 15 per cent of voters. Micro-bloggers on Elons platform X have also become increasingly Albollergic. Credit: Twitter Populism is the idea that there are two groups at odds with each other: the elites however they are caricatured by the leaders of the populist movement and the people, who are exploited or mistreated by the elites. Thats why left and right populism can be hard to tell apart. Their issues are often the same: the elites have a stranglehold on power, which is why the people have none. The elites possess the resources, such as housing or capital, and use them to exploit the people. The elites control national borders and let immigrants in, even when the people dont want any more here. Watching the Bruce Lehrmann defamation case in recent days and weeks, it is impossible not to think of the Ben Roberts-Smith saga that came before it and which still rolls on. Its not only because Lehrmanns lawyers also act for the war criminal or because both cases bring to mind that infamous Vietnam War phrase: we had to destroy the village in order to save it. Bruce Lehrmann and Ben Roberts-Smith Credit: Jamie Brown Lehrmann may yet win his defamation trial against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson and claim vindication, but like Roberts-Smith, risks significant reputation damage in the pursuit of a court victory. Both cases are ostensibly about the ability of news outlets to prove to a civil court standard the truth or otherwise of serious imputations arising from reporting, and yet both have morphed into something else. Treasurer Cameron Dick and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman are considered the other frontrunners. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Palaszczuk contacted him on Sunday morning informing him of her decision. Deputy Premier Steven Miles has announced he will throw his hat into the ring to replace Annastacia Palaszczuk. Credit: Nick OMalley She retires as a Labor hero, a three-time election winner, Australias longest-serving female premier and, above all else, a champion for Queenslanders, he said. Despite conjecture about her political future, particularly in recent months as her popularity slipped in opinion polls, Palaszczuk always insisted she would lead the party to the state election in October next year. The most recent poll, published by this masthead on Tuesday evening, had Labor trailing the LNP by four percentage points and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli opening up a larger margin as preferred premier. Loading Her government has been fighting losing battles on multiple political fronts, including youth crime, hospital failures, and a housing crunch. She had faced calls this month from two former Labor politicians to step down as leader, but none of her present colleagues added their names to the suggestion. Neither had anyone publicly declared their own leadership intentions. Queensland is in good shape, which is why now its time for me to leave, Palaszczuk said on Sunday. The premier broke down in tears and took some moments to compose herself while explaining how standing up for Queenslanders had been the honour of my life. I have given everything, but now is the time for me to find out what else life has to offer, she said. Annastacia Palaszczuk celebrates Labors win on election night in 2015. Credit: Robert Shakespeare I want to thank my mum, my dad, my sisters, my nieces and nephew. Most of all Reza and his family for all their love and support. Theyre looking forward to having me home. Thank you to my cabinet and my staff. Thank you to the Labor Party, to all of our frontline workers, but most of all, thank you every single Queenslander. Palaszczuk became Labor leader in 2012 after the defeat of Anna Blighs government. So comprehensive was the LNPs victory under Campbell Newman, Palaszczuk was left with only seven members nicknamed the magnificent seven in an 89-seat unicameral parliament. By the January 2015 election, however, Newman had squandered his numbers and a chance at a second term. Labor under Palaszczuk won government with 44 seats and a swing of almost 11 per cent. Disparagingly referred to as the accidental premier at the time, Palaszczuk proved it was no fluke, going on to win a further two elections as leader. If she had held on until May, she would have surpassed Peter Beattie as the states longest-serving post-war Labor premier. Albanese praised her efforts on workers rights, public TAFE, renewable energy and protecting the environment. From the moment she made history with her extraordinary 2015 election victory, Annastacia Palaszczuk has served Queensland with fierce pride in her state, he said. Loading Annastacias leadership brought Queensland Labor back from the political brink, and on so many occasions since then, her government has put Queensland in a position of national leadership. Palaszczuk, Australias last pandemic-era premier, said seeing the new faces around the national cabinet table, helped her make her decision. She said she had also had a discussion with the recently resigned former premier of WA, Mark McGowan. I had a break [in Italy] and I felt refreshed and renewed, and I honestly thought that I had renewed energy and I gave it everything, she said. But I got to the end of the year, and Ive been to national cabinet that was the turning point and I just feel now is the right time. The top Palestinian representative in Australia has urged Foreign Minister Penny Wong to be brave enough to break with the United States over the war in Gaza, arguing that Israels right to self-defence did not offer a license to kill an unlimited number of Palestinian civilians. Izzat Salah Abdulhadi, the head of the general delegation of Palestine to Australia, warned that Israels war against Hamas has boosted the militant groups popularity in the West Bank and Gaza, draining support from the more moderate and secular Palestinian Authority that he represents. Izzat Abdulhadi, the head of the General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, has called for Australia to show independence from the United States. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen He said the federal government would make a major contribution to the Middle East peace process by immediately recognising Palestinian statehood and demanding an immediate ceasefire. Abdulhadi met with Wong last week in Parliament House alongside diplomats from Indonesia and Algeria, where they pressed her to take a stronger line against Israels conduct in the war and its occupation of the Palestinian territories. Outgoing Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is being touted as a hero and champion for Queenslanders following news of her resignation. Queenslands Labor Party leader announced on Sunday morning that after nine years in the top job, she was stepping down from the role she described as the honour of my life. I have fought the good fight, I have given everything, but now is the time for me to find out what else life has to offer, she said. Since the surprise announcement, messages of support from fellow politicians have flowed. Before the OP system was swapped for ATARs, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority released a more than 200-page report showing how many students received OPs in each bracket at each individual school, but this was discontinued in 2021, with a brief Queensland-wide report now produced. Loading Journalists could contact all 1814 state, independent and Catholic schools in Queensland individually, but even if this resource heavy task could be done in stretched newsrooms, you would hardly be surprised if only the best-performing private schools spilled the beans. And students can choose not to share their ATAR score with their school. Some argue it is unfair to publish league tables, including of NAPLAN results, because one year of results from a private school swimming in cash cannot be accurately compared with a public school attended by children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Education Minister Grace Grace in 2021 said: League tables do not give the full story of the competency or otherwise of the individual school or the state as a system, they are unnecessary, and honestly, in most cases they are inaccurate. Loading But I think Queenslanders are clever enough to interpret the data, understanding socio-economic and other issues, and no one is saying Year 12 results should be the only factor parents consider when choosing a school. Far from being used to shame, it would give parents and taxpayers the transparency they need to fight for more resources at their school. Grace told Brisbane Times ATARs were not designed nor intended as a measure of school performance and were calculated and administered by QTAC to support tertiary entrance decisions. The publication of ATAR results at statewide level aligns with national principles and protocols for reporting on schooling in Australia, agreed to by all education ministers, she said. Instead, Grace said individual school results were available through each schools annual report. This includes senior secondary outcomes such as completions of school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, vocational, education and training qualifications as well as Year 12 Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) or Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA) attainment rates, she said. Inclusion of this data in school annual reports allows Queensland schools to contextualise and celebrate their Year 12 achievements directly with students, their parents and the broader school community. But that information is not academic results it is the percentage of students who received a QCE or VET certificate and even if useful information was included, it would require trawling through almost 2000 individual annual reports to present a comprehensive picture of the states education sector. Loading The Queensland Teachers Union also did not advocate for change, with president Cresta Richardson saying academic performance was often considered a personal matter. And therefore, individual students can choose whether they make their results public to either the school or their families, she said. Restricting data from the public realm does not promote a culture of improvement and transparency. Kerala Police on Sunday arrested 20 SFI activists in connection with two separate instances of waving black flags at Governor Arif Mohammed Khan during the day. The black flags were waved at the Governor near Vazhuthacaud in the state capital when Khan was on his way to an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, police said. Eighteen activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI) were arrested in connection with that incident, police said. "Is this the Mother of Democracy we publicly proclaim to be!" the former Union minister said. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal slammed the BJP on Sunday after its MLAs boycotted the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected legislators in Telangana over AIMIM's Akbaruddin Owaisi being made pro-tem speaker, saying such "public expression of hate" makes him wonder where the country is heading. The first session of the third Telangana Legislative Assembly began on Saturday with the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected MLAs. The BJP MLAs, however, stayed away from the House, alleging that AIMIM MLA Owaisi was appointed as pro-tem speaker in violation of rules. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Telangana, Protem Speaker Akbaruddin Owaisi -- 8 BJP MLAs boycott oath. Such public expression of hate makes me wonder where my country is heading!" "Is this the Mother of Democracy we publicly proclaim to be!" the former Union minister said. Before the commencement of the Telangana Assembly session, Owaisi was administered the oath by Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan as the pro-tem speaker at the Raj Bhavan and he presided over the proceedings in the House. Union Minister and the BJP's Telangana unit chief G Kishan Reddy has alleged that Owaisi was appointed as pro-tem speaker though there were other senior members in the House. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo announced Wednesday a transition in the role of Chief of Staff in his administration. Chief of Staff Ben Kieckhefer will be stepping down from his position early in 2024 after having helped guide a successful first year of the Lombardo administration, navigating the gubernatorial transition, office buildout, 2023 Legislative Session, and administration agenda development. A home is offered for sale last year in Sacramento. More home buyers in the San Francisco metropolitan area check the Sacramento region for listings more than they do any other destination, a report says. Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press 2022 When Bay Area residents search for a home outside the region, many of them dont look far. More home buyers in the San Francisco metropolitan area check the Sacramento region for listings than any other destination, according to a recent report from real estate brokerage site Redfin. The report, based on an analysis of search trends among Redfin users, also found the Seattle metro area was the top out-of-state destination searched by Bay Area home buyers. Most searchers in the San Francisco metro area a group Redfin defines as those who viewed at least 10 listings from August to October look for homes in their current region. But roughly 11,600 examined homes in the Sacramento metro area, by far the highest count for an outside destination. The metro area with the second-highest number of searches was Los Angeles, which had less than half the number at 4,500. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Redfin averaged its user counts over the areas they searched. For example, a prospective buyer who looked at 10 homes, five of them in Sacramento and five in Los Angeles, would be counted as half a user each for Sacramento and Los Angeles. One major reason for the trend, said Redfin real estate agent Ali Mafi, is affordability. The typical home value in the Sacramento metro area was about $563,000 in October, according to real estate listing site Zillow. Thats about half of the typical value in the San Francisco metro area, about $1.12 million. Homes in the Los Angeles and Seattle metro areas are also less expensive than in the Bay Area, though to lesser extents. Zillow valued the typical L.A. area home at $900,000 in October and $700,000 for the Seattle area. In general, it isnt something specific about those places thats attracting people from San Francisco, Mafi, who is based in the city, said in an email. Its more that San Francisco has priced them out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Most people moving to Sacramento from the Bay Area, he added, are working fully remotely or recently took a job with the state government. But the outflow from San Francisco to the Sacramento area isnt a recent phenomenon, said Anthony Navarro, founder of Harper Real Estate in San Francisco. Migration data shows thousands of Bay Area residents moved to Sacramento County between 2020 and 2021. And while Californias population declined slightly the first two years of the pandemic, many of the counties surrounding Sacramento grew. In fact, the Sacramento area had the highest total of home searchers the number of people looking at homes in the metro minus those looking to leave of any region for which Redfin had data. About 5,000 searchers were considering moving to the Sacramento area from August to October, with the Las Vegas area having the second-highest total of 4,000 prospective home buyers. Nearly a quarter of Redfin users in the San Francisco metro area looked at homes outside the region from August to October, according to the brokerage sites data, a similar share among searchers nationally. The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a new rule for threatened and endangered species, heard presentations on bear management, and saw special presentations made in its final 2023 meeting. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 established protections for fish, wildlife, and plants that are listed as threatened or endangered, and provides a means for adding species to and removing them from the list of threatened and endangered species. The list is renewed every two years. Josh Campbell, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Biodiversity Division Chief, previewed the rule to establish the state list at the TFWC October meeting, and the Commission voted to approve at the December meeting. There were 27 species removed from the endangered, threatened, or in need of management list. There were 28 species added to the list, bringing the total to 144 species. Twenty-two species were upgraded from species of greatest conservation need. Four new species with no previous designations were added, and two species were adopted as the result of federal delisting. Once it receives final approval by the Tennessee General Assembly, the list will include 31 endangered species, up six from the 2021 list. Threatened species stand at 47, 14 additional since 2021. In need of management species are down 19 from the previous list for a total of 66 species. The list will be available on the TWRA website and will guide wildlife management and conservation efforts in the state. Bill Stiver, Supervisory Wildlife Biologist, with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) discussed Cooperative Bear Management and the results of a research project the park is completing. In recent years, the park has fitted relocated bears with GPS radio collars to assess survival and movement of bears after release. Dan Gibbs, Black Bear Coordinator for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, discussed how the GSMNP research results can assist with the Agencys goal of implementing proactive approaches to reduce human-bear conflicts. He provided results from a public opinion survey that showed 93 percent of the public enjoys that bears exist and are important to the ecosystem. It also showed that 88 percent were aware that bears take advantage of unconventional food sources, 76 percent believe preventative action is needed, 69 percent approve of laws and ordinances, and 88 percent approve of laws prohibiting intentional feeding. He also discussed steps the city of Gatlinburg is taking which include the addition of 460 new bear-proof dumpsters. TWRA Region IV Fisheries Manager Jim Habera provided an update on Southern Appalachian brook trout restoration. The Southern Appalachian brook trout is Tennessees only native trout and has faced declines, primarily due to deforestation and introductions of non-native trout. Goal 1 of restoration and enhancement is to increase distribution by 13-15 stream miles by 2027, and 82 percent of the goal has already been completed. TWRA also presented a check for $6,000 to Casting for Recovery, a non-profit dedicated to enriching the lives of breast cancer patients and survivors through fly fishing events. Each year, the Agency sells pink breast cancer awareness patches and hats to support the organization. The TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement Division recognized Frankie Turner of Chick-Fil-A of Alcoa for his contributions to safe boating. Mr. Turner donated 4,000 gift cards for TWRA officers to reward boaters who were caught being safe by wearing their life jackets. The agency also recognized the Hiwassee Chapter of Trout Unlimited for its donation of $7,200 to the Region III Fisheries Program. The generous donation will be used to fund a temporary field technician position to work on native brook trout restoration in the Cherokee National Forest. The chapter has been a long-time partner with the TWRA. Ann Cornwall Shoup died on December 7, 2023, at the age of 78. Ann was born in Buffalo, New York on June 28, 1945. She attended Antioch College, in Ohio, where she met and later married her college sweetheart James Ashworth Shoup. The newlyweds moved to Signal Mountain, Tennessee where they started their family of three boys. Ann was dedicated to social justice and participated in multiple marches, demonstrations and sit-ins to fight racism and promote equal rights for all. She stood steadfast against any sign of bigotry. Additionally, she was an avid animal rights supporter and loved all animals. Ann was known for her joyful spirit, quick wit, her immense pride of her grandchildren and for her unyielding belief in always standing up for what is right. Her children are eternally grateful for all of the strength, wisdom and love she provided throughout her life. Ann was preceded in death by her husband, James Shoup. Ann is survived by her sons, Scott Shoup (Mindi), Chris Shoup (Sara) and Mark Bradley-Shoup (Kelli); grandchildren, Oliver Bradley-Shoup, Emmaline Bradley-Shoup, Annabelle Shoup, Hope Wagoner and her sister, Linda Cornwall. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Lane Funeral Home, at 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415. In lieu of flowers please send donations in her honor to the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga or the Nature Conservancy. Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home Ashland Terrace, www.Lanefh.com, 423 877-3524. President Joe Biden speaks during an event on prescription drug costs, in the East Room of the White House, Aug. 29, 2023, in Washington. The Biden administration is putting pharmaceutical companies on notice. It's warning them that if the price of certain drugs is too high, they might allow other companies to make their product. Under the new plan, the government would consider overriding the patent for high-priced drugs that have been developed with the help of taxpayer money. San Francisco Police Officer C. Lau checks tag information on a rifle turned in during the annual gun buyback hosted by United Playaz. The event collected 196 guns, including 16 assault rifles. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Rifles were turned in during the annual gun buyback. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle San Francisco police officers collect weapons during the annual gun buyback hosted by United Playaz. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle United Playaz Executive Director Rudy Corpus Jr., second from left in the bottom row, poses with supporters during the annual gun buyback. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle A San Francisco police officer places a sticker onto a gun turned in during the annual buyback. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle A San Francisco police officer holds a firearm turned in during the annual gun buyback. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Damien Posey, executive director of the community action group Us 4 Us, smashes a firearm during the annual gun buyback. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle A San Francisco violence prevention organization collected almost 200 firearms Saturday during a buyback intended to make the streets safer. United Playaz, seeking to help end the pollution and be the solution, collected firearms at its headquarters on Howard Street in the South of Market neighborhood. The organization, partnering with the San Francisco Police Department, offered $100 for handguns and $200 for assault weapons no questions asked. The event collected 196 guns, including 16 assault rifles, a United Playaz spokesperson said. Last years gun buyback collected 140 weapons, 13 of them assault rifles. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Damien Posey, executive director of the community group Us 4 Us, speaks to an audience before smashing a gun during the buyback. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle The buyback gives people the opportunity to help us prevent gun violence from happening in the first place starting with getting these guns out of their hands and homes, off our streets, and out of our communities, Mayor London Breed posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Funding for the buyback was provided by philanthropic donations and a grant from the Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development. United Playaz provides youths with adult support, academic enrichment and leadership skills to help keep them out of the criminal justice system. It offers violence prevention programs at seven San Francisco high schools as well as after-school programs for elementary and middle school youths. San Mateo County also held an anonymous gun buyback Saturday, with dozens of people surrendering firearms and several police agencies participating. The Belmont buyback collected 223 firearms, including five assault weapons and two untraceable ghost guns, according to the sheriffs office. Each collected firearm will be processed for destruction, the agency said. Donations play a vital role in fostering a stigma-free environment within the resource center, which currently provides services to 4,000 American Indian households. Sixty-four percent of Indonesian Muslims believe that sharia should be implemented as the national law, according to a special report by the Pew Research Center. We asked a panel of six Indonesian leadersthree Muslims and three Christianstheir thoughts on this finding. Muslim respondents: Amin Abdullah: Sharia is a way of life; it is how people live guided by religious values. In Islam, it is not monolithic but consists of various interpretations. Sharia in a religious state will undoubtedly differ from sharia in a nation-state. For instance, sharia in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran will be different, particularly concerning civil and criminal law, from sharia in Indonesia. Sharia in our country is in line with its culture and history. In the private domain, religious matters such as rituals, prayers, almsgiving, and pilgrimage can be practiced fully. But in the context of Indonesia as a nation-state, sharia cannot be fully applied at the national level. When it comes to public or national matters, there are certain procedures to follow because Indonesia has a democratic state system that must be adhered to by all citizens. The encouraging thing is that when the state was being formed, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists sat at the same table. At that time, the Muslims accepted Pancasila, making Indonesia a nation-state instead of a religious state. In Pancasila, there is no religious egotism; rather there is religious freedom. Halim Mahfudz: In the rural area where I live among the Muslim communities and more tolerant groups, Muslims are not interested in implementing sharia as the basis for national law. This is because in Indonesia, we have a long shared history of struggling for independence against colonial powers since the arrival of the Dutch in the 1500s. In the formulation of the Pancasila and the 1945 constitution, there was a debate about whether or not to remove the seven words in the Jakarta Charter that would have made it an obligation for Muslims to abide by sharia law. The words were deleted immediately after independence. This indicates that from the beginning, we never aimed to establish Indonesia as a theocracy. Islamic values are present in the constitution, further strengthened by the Pancasila ideology, particularly the first principle of the belief in the one almighty God. All the principles of Pancasila are rooted in religious and divine values, and these are the values of Islam. Inayah Rohmaniyah: The Pew survey seems to link sharia with hudud (restrictions) and qanun (laws made by Muslim rulers). It implies the formalization of hudud, suggesting that Islam should be the law that governs all of society. Problems arise when the surveys questions generalize the term sharia itself. In the Muslim community, sharia is essentially synonymous with Islam. If you ask if a Muslim should be governed by sharia, the answer is usually yes, because sharia represents the Islamic law that should be followed by all Muslims. Its important to note that sharia applies only to Muslims; people of other religions do not need to follow Islamic sharia law. Therefore, Indonesian Muslims must maintain internal and external balance, which is represented by Pancasila. Pancasila is the contextualized Islamic sharia in Indonesia. Christian respondents: Tantono Subagyo: The definition of sharia itself varies among Muslims. Some desire the strict implementation of sharia, while others prefer a more flexible application that adapts to the changing times. Two factors underlie why some Muslims in Indonesia believe that sharia should be used as national law: low political literacy and the tendency for Indonesian politicians to use religion as a tool for seeking power. In Indonesia, hardline Islamic parties often use religion [for instance, urging Muslims to only vote for Muslim candidates] to gain votes. One example was the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election, which was rife with identity politics and threats against those who did not vote for a certain candidate. Christians need to be cautious because if the Indonesian public is not educated and is misled by individuals seeking power, chaos can occur. Ferry Mamahit: As a Christian who interacts with diverse communities in Indonesia, I am not overly concerned about this finding. First, the Indonesian government is responsible for upholding and implementing national laws based on Pancasila and the 1945 constitution, which protects our religious freedoms. Second, major Islamic organizations such as NU, Muhammadiyah, and others agree that Pancasila and the 1945 constitution are the legal foundation that unites the Indonesian nation. They are committed to preventing Islamic sharia from becoming the basis of the state. As part of civil society, they work to raise awareness and counter groups that seek to change the foundation of the state, considering it antidemocratic and deviating from the principles of Islam as a religion of rahmatan lil-alamin (mercy to all). Article continues below Third, I believe that Christians should support the commitment of the government (Rom. 13:14) and moderate Muslims (Mark 9:40) to build a democratic society that prioritizes religious and humanitarian values for a better future for Indonesia. Farsijana Adeney Risakotta: Sharia helps Muslims become integrated individuals in practicing their worship in line with the five pillars of Islam and implementing Islamic principles in economic activities. I support Indonesian Muslims earnestly applying sharia in their daily lives. Recently I attended a leadership training led by a practitioner from an Islamic sharia savings and loan cooperative. When I heard his explanation about why he believes that cooperatives are suitable for building justice and distributing prosperity to the entire nation, I was reminded of my own motivation to work with the poor in applying social justice. His words reminded me to delve deeper into the teachings of Christ that empower me to continue working alongside Muslim brothers and sisters in building our nation. Read our panelists bios in the series lead article, Parsing Pancasila: How Indonesias Muslims and Christians Seek Unity. (Other articles in this special series are listed to the right on desktop or below on mobile.) [ This article is also available in Indonesian. ] Home Church & Ministries Turning a corner today: 142 Mississippi churches leave UMC over homosexuality debate The United Methodist Church has approved the disaffiliation of 142 Mississippi congregations, joining more than 7,000 churches that have left the mainline Protestant denomination since 2019. At a called session held at Anderson United Methodist Church of Jackson on Saturday, the UMC Mississippi Conference approved the disaffiliations of 142 churches in the state. The voting was focused on the district level, with eight different ballots focusing on different areas within the UMC Mississippi Conference. The ballots were centered on the Brookhaven and East Jackson Districts, the East Jackson and Greenwood Districts, the Greenwood and Hattiesburg Districts, the Hattiesburg and Meridian Districts, the Meridian and New Albany Districts, the New Albany and Seashore Districts, the Senatobia and Starkville Districts, and the Starkville, Tupelo and West Jackson Districts. One of the congregations approved for disaffiliation was Christ United Methodist Church of Jackson, reportedly the largest UMC congregation in the state, whose members voted 717-112 in October to leave the denomination. Following a performance by the Anderson UMC choir, Mississippi Bishop Sharma Lewis said the disaffiliation votes had been approved, and that the vote tallies for the individual churches would be made available later. I dont want you to clap, said Lewis after announcing the result, with those gathered remaining silent. This is still sensitive and painful. But we are turning a corner today. In June, the Mississippi Conference voted to approve the disaffiliation decisions of 189 churches, which at the time represented about one-fifth of the regional bodys member congregations. Over the past few decades, the UMC has experienced a divisive debate on whether to allow the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of clergy in romantic same-sex relationships. Although efforts to change the rules at General Conference have always failed, progressives within the denomination have often refused to enforce or follow the rules, leading many conservatives to seek leaving the UMC. In 2019, at a special session of General Conference, delegates voted to add Paragraph 2553 to the UMC Book of Discipline. The measure creates a temporary process for congregations to disaffiliate from the UMC over the homosexuality debate. The provisions of Paragraph 2553 will expire at the end of the year. The number of congregations that have left under Paragraph 2553 since 2019 passed the 7,000 mark in November, with more than 5,000 churches having disaffiliated this year alone. Of the congregations that have left, over 3,000 opted to affiliate with the Global Methodist Church, a recently launched theologically conservative alternative to the UMC. Home Living Travel: Postcard from Cottonwood, Arizona Forget Sedona, which in recent years has become openly hostile to tourists, and instead plan a trip to nearby Cottonwood. The once-sleepy town with its population of 12,029 souls has become a destination in its own right, thanks to Arizonas growing wine industry. This is most evident in Cottonwoods downtown, where a considerable number of storefronts in the Historic Old Town listed on the National Register of Historic Places as examples of commercial architecture from the first half of the 20th century have been converted into wine tasting rooms. Within the immediate surrounding area are 19 vineyards and 136 acres under vine in the Verde Valley appellation, which since late 2021 has been designated as an official American viticultural area. Some of the closest vineyards are Alcantara Vineyards and Page Springs Cellars in Cornville, where the late John McCain lived. A full map and accompanying Verde Valley wine passport can be picked up at the tourist office on Main Street, next to Cottonwood City Hall. Wines include those made from universally known chardonnay grape, but also somewhat lesser-known varietals that just happen to thrive in Arizonas climate. Think Rhone-inspired blends of grenache, syrah, and mourvedre; the Spanish mainstay tempranillo; and even orange wine from malvasia bianca. Visitors shouldnt overlook the local community college, Yavapai College. The schools Southwest Wine Center isnt just a place for students to learn winemaking and land jobs in the industry. Oenophiles are welcome to visit the 13-acre vineyard and sample wines from the centers own label. If you go Consider booking a room at the retro Iron Horse Inn. The updated 1930s-era motor court hotel hence the name motel is clean, comfortable and located right in downtown Cottonwood. Visitors who prefer a chain hotel will want to stay at Marriotts Springhill Suites. Eat downtown at Nics Italian Steak & Crab House or Pizzeria Bocce Patio Bar. Another superb choice is Up the Creek by Page Springs Cellars, where the seriously fine wine list includes around 180 selections. Verde Adventures offers an approximately two-hour, self-guided kayak tour of the Verde River that starts and finishes at Alcantara Vineyards, where a tasting is included in the cost. At Alcantara, visitors will find 17 grape varietals among the 20,000 vines. Cottonwood is two hours by car from Phoenix, Arizonas biggest city. Flying in and out of Las Vegas (almost five hours away) is another option, depending on factors like airfare, flight times and rental car rates. Dennis Lennox writes a travel column for The Christian Post. Home Education UPenn loses $100M donation amid calls for president to resign: 'Appalled' University among 3 others facing House investigation over antisemitism A major donor to the University of Pennsylvania pulled a $100 million gift from the school to express his disgust toward President Liz Magill's recent testimony before Congress regarding the school's response to on-campus antisemitism. Lawyers for Ross Stevens, a Penn alumnus who is founder and CEO of Stone Ridge Asset Management, fired off a letter to UPenn senior vice president and general counsel Wendy S. White on Thursday, according to Axios. Stevens and his company "are appalled by the Universitys stance on antisemitism on campus," according to the letter. He also cited Magill's recent congressional testimony as a major reason for yanking his funding. Magill was among multiple university presidents earlier this week who dodged direct answers to a question from Rep. Elisa Stefanik, R-N.Y., who demanded during a hearing to know whether calling for Jewish genocide amounted to a violation of their schools' code of conduct against bullying and harassment. Magill was met with apparent surprise from Stefanik when she claimed that context would determine whether calls for Jewish genocide amounted to a violation of the school's code of conduct. Magill later released an apology video following the backlash, claiming that during her answer, she "was focused on the university's long-standing policies aligned with the U.S. Constitution which say that speech alone is not punishable." In response, Stevens said he would be withdrawing approximately $100 million worth of limited partnership units in Stone Ridge, which were given to the school in 2017 with the intention of funding the Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance. The letter suggested that Stevens would be open to reconsidering his donation withdrawal if the school replaces Magill. Magill is facing increased pressure to resign after her congressional testimony. The board of the Wharton Business School conducted an unprecedented eight meetings since Nov. 16 regarding "hate-based behavior" against Jewish students on campus, according to a letter first obtained by campus newspaper The Daily Pennsylvanian. The board said they remain "deeply concerned about the dangerous and toxic culture on our campus that has been led by a select group of students and faculty and has been permitted by University leadership." "As a result of the University leadership's stated beliefs and collective failure to act, our board respectfully suggests to you and the Board of Trustees that the University requires new leadership with immediate effect," the board added. Other donors have also pulled their funding from UPenn, including businessman and former U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr., who sent a scathing email to Magill in October accusing his alma mater of exhibiting "moral relativism" that has rendered the institution "almost unrecognizable." UPenn is among three universities that will be subject to a Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives committee, which is also investigating Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, whose presidents also face widely criticized congressional testimony regarding antisemitism. Harvard President Claudine Gay also apologized for her congressional testimony, telling the Harvard Crimson that she failed to adequately condemn threats against Jewish students because she "got caught up in what had become at that point, an extended, combative exchange about policies and procedures." The House Committee on Education and the Workforce is slated to look into each university's learning environments and disciplinary procedures, and issue subpoenas if necessary. A University of Pennsylvania spokesperson told CP on Friday that the university is aware of the investigation and intends to cooperate fully. Home Entertainment 'Wonka' review: Timothee Chalamet honors whimsical world of Roald Dahl in wholesome prequel Willy Wonka, the iconic character from Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is one of the most beloved characters in childrens fiction and film, brought to the big screen by Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp in 1971 and 2005, respectively. But how did Willy Wonka become the quirky, colorful chocolatier with a penchant for everlasting gobstoppers and teaching children lessons about behavior, greed and humility? "Wonka," starring Timothee Chalamet and directed by Paul King (the "Paddington" movies), tells the backstory and character development of Willy Wonka before he became the legendary candymaker known for his astonishing array of fantastical candies. The film, hitting theaters Dec. 15, is a loving tribute to the whimsical and magical world Dahl created: a wholesome story filled with humor, heart and music. Through humor and dance numbers, it highlights the power of tenacity and kindness, even in the face of evil. What's it about? Wonka opens with a young Willy, who arrives in London after his adventures at sea. Hes determined to fulfill his promise to his mother (Sally Hawkins) to open a chocolate shop and use his wealth of confectionary knowledge. However, his plans are complicated by financial struggles he rapidly goes through his 12 sovereigns and conflicts with a host of sinister individuals determined to foil his plans. These include the greedy Mrs. Scrubitt (Olivia Colman), who wants to keep him as an indentured servant of sorts, the menacing Chocolate Cartell, comprised of Slugworth (Paterson Joseph), Prodnose (Matt Lucas) and Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton) and their gatekeepers, corrupt chocoholic clergy members and police. Complicating matters is a sullen Oompa Loopa (Hugh Grant), who keeps stealing Willys chocolate late at night, exacting revenge for the time the confectioner stole three cocoa beans from his island. Not one to be deterred by seemingly impossible circumstances, Willy, aided by a young ally, Noodle (Calah Lane), concocts a plan to establish a secret candy store. Along with a band of quirky new friends, Willy works tirelessly to fulfill his dreams while dodging shady characters and elevating his friends in the process. Woven throughout the brightly-colored story are rousing musical numbers, including the uplifting "For a Moment," the anthemic "A World of Your Own," and the jazzy "Youve Never Had Chocolate Like This," featuring whimsical candy creations. The costumes are elaborate, and the set is detailed, making it a feast for the eyes. Is it safe for families? Rated PG, Wonka is notably devoid of foul language and sexual content. There is some slapstick violence, and the clergy in the film are portrayed as corrupt the Chocolate Cartell pays them off in chocolate to keep their secrets in a safe underneath the cathedral. However, they are aware of their faults: Forgive me, I am a sinner, a weak and wicked chocoholic, one priest notably declares at the end. There are plenty of sweet (if sometimes haphazard) subplots throughout the film, most notably the friendship between Noodle and Willy. Noodle teaches Willy to read, while the candymaker introduces the young girl to the life-changing world of chocolate and helps her escape her Oliver Twist-like surroundings in a decrepit laundromat. Chalamets Wonka differs significantly from Gene Wilders darker, more sarcastic interpretation and Depps odd and off-putting version of the character. Fresh-faced and optimistic, he brings his own brand of earnest goodness to the role, elevating kindness and selflessness. Though Dahl was not a Christian he was known for his skepticism toward organized religion he consistently promoted morality through his work. For example, characters who exhibit humility and kindness, like Charlie Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, are rewarded, while those who are greedy, selfish or cruel face consequences (like being turned into a giant blueberry). Its this same spirit that permeates 2023's Wonka. Though Willie is repeatedly maligned, betrayed and swindled by a host of eccentric adversaries, he remains gentle, treating others with kindness and respect. Ultimately, the good guys win, and the bad guys lose; good triumphs over evil. Overall, Wonka is a lighthearted, enjoyable adaptation that offers a musically vibrant experience for viewers. At a time when Hollywood seems particularly out of touch regarding the content families and children want to consume, Wonka serves as a sweet holiday escape the whole family can enjoy. Home World Police drop case against councilman arrested for supporting Christian free speech Police in Britain have dropped charges against Tory Councillor Anthony Stevens, 51, arrested for allegedly committing a hate crime by supporting Christian freedom of speech on Twitter. The Crown Prosecution Service informed Stevens this week that his case was dropped without further action, said Christian Concern, whose legal arm Christian Legal Centre was supporting the councillor. Stevens had filed a complaint with the Independent Office for Police Conduct and challenged bail conditions that restricted his council duties. Stevens faced arrest at his home in August for social media posts supporting Conservative Councillor King Lawal, who was suspended for stating Pride is Sin on X. Stevens retweeted a petition for Lawals reinstatement and shared a video of Lawals interview with MP Jacob Rees-Mogg on GB News, advocating for free speech. Arrested under the Public Order Act 1986, Stevens was detained for six hours at Kettering police station, where he was interrogated for inciting racial hatred, a claim he denied. During the interrogation, Stevens was questioned about his political affiliations and tweets supporting Lawal. He emphasized his belief in free speech, regardless of agreement with the content. Additionally, Stevens faced questions about two other posts: one showing a video of a Quran being burned and another comparing police officers' disparate treatment of Christians and Muslims. He defended these as examples of free speech and religious discrimination. Baroness Jacqueline Foster publicly criticized Stevens arrest, prompting Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Nick Adderley to review the case. In response, Stevens received a letter from Detective Inspector Mark Hopkinson, which was perceived as an attempt to intimidate him from speaking to the media. Stevens lawyers condemned this as oppressive and unconstitutional. Stevens expressed relief but highlighted the impact on his reputation, business, health and relationships. Yes, I have been vindicated and I am relieved that no further action will be taken, but look what I have been put through, he said. My reputation, business, health and even my relationships, have been seriously affected by this abuse of police power. Stevens added: There will always be a note on my police file saying that I was investigated for a hate crime that is wrong. "I was arrested in front of my children and labeled a racist by two Labour councillors. When the police arrived on my property it was clear they had made up their mind about me and behaved in a biased way towards me. I have serious concerns about how the Labour councillors and the police worked together, even colluded, to try and intimidate and silence me. He continued, The accusation of racial hatred was ridiculous and insulting and was an attempt to smear me. My only crime had been supporting the only black local councillor in Northamptonshire and his freedom to express his Christian beliefs. Lord Macdonald, former director of public prosecutions, emphasized the need for police to understand free speech rights, especially in political contexts. He warned that criminalizing offense would erode a fundamental British value. After his reinstatement in October, Lawal had said, The tweet was an expression of my Christian faith by quoting passages from the Bible. This was an exercise in free speech. My intention in posting the tweet was not to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to any person or persons. Lawals tweet had followed threads that revealed lewd behaviors at LGBT pride events, which he deemed unacceptable, especially in the presence of children. His subsequent clarifications, citing biblical teachings on sin that include not just homosexuality but also lying, stealing and gossip, did little to quell the controversy. Home Church & Ministries Texas city council approves historic black church's zoning permit after legal pushback White Rock Chapel in Addison founded in 1844 by freed slaves A Texas city council unanimously voted to approve a zoning application for a historic black church following a years-long legal battle. Attorneys for White Rock Chapel in Addison, just north of Dallas, are hailing the Monday vote as a victory after the church struggled to obtain the permit they first applied for two years ago, according to a press release from the nonprofit First Liberty Institute. Five years ago, Don and Wanda Wesson purchased the church property with the intention of preserving it and opening it up for community Bible studies and other events. In 2018, it was designated "as a private, nonprofit cultural and spiritual convening place with the 501(c)(3) designation," according to the chapel's website. Founded by freed slaves in 1844, White Rock Chapel has gone through multiple iterations throughout its long history. After flash flooding destroyed the original structure in 1918, wealthy landowner Sidney Smith Noell donated two acres to the congregation on higher ground and often worshiped with them. Storms and suspected arson caused further damage in later years, with the current building being dedicated in 1981. The Texas Historical Commission designated the church's location as a historic site with a Texas State Historical Marker in 2000. When he applied for the requisite special use permits to renovate the facility, however, Wesson said he was met with pushback from some in the upscale neighborhood. "When we went to get a permit to do the remodeling of the chapel to make it available for church services and Bible study, the neighborhood opposition came alive," Wesson said in a September video explaining the situation. Despite seven meetings with neighborhood leaders and the approval of the city's planning and zoning commission, enough residents adjacent to the property filed a written complaint to require a super-majority of six out of seven city council votes for Wesson to obtain the permit. The vote failed by two. Lawyers with First Liberty Institute and McDermott Will and Emery LLP subsequently got involved, firing off a demand letter to city leadership in September, accusing them of violating the church's "right to religious exercise" by not issuing the permit. Because the Council denied White Rock Chapels Permit, it barred any possibility for White Rock Chapel to function and exist," the demand letter read. "Such a deliberate prohibition is in direct violation of state and federal law and constitutionally protected freedoms. The Council must immediately approve of a Permit that will allow White Rock Chapel to engage in religious and educational activities. Ryan Gardner, an attorney with First Liberty who worked on the case, told The Christian Post that "it's tough to say for sure" why the city council switched course this week and approved the permit. He said he hopes they came to realize "the value that this church is going to bring to their community, how this history of this place needs to be preserved." He also noted the city leadership "were reminded there's a law higher than their zoning ordinances in some cases, and they were also reminded that even if you face intense opposition from others, that the Constitution does not allow for a heckler's veto to exclude religious people from exercising their religion freely." Gardner also said that even though the Wessons acted in good faith, they were faced with hostility "every step of the way." Attorney Jeremy Dys, also of First Liberty Institute, suggested to Fox News Digital in September that the neighbor complaints emerged from antipathy to having a "small African American congregation" in their wealthy neighborhood. Gardner echoed Dys, telling CP there was "nothing White Rock Chapel could say or do to get these people on their side, to help them see that preserving and continuing the long legacy of this church was going to help them." Gardner said he is "astounded" at the backstory of White Rock Chapel, which he noted remains one of reconciliation. "It's the best story of reconciliation of these enslaved men and women, who worked so long just to have this church," he said. "Then they acquired the property from their former enslaver, who then attended worship services with them. I've never heard of anything like that before." "It's really been great to help the Wessons in spreading that story and, in this instance, we're thrilled that the city of Addison did the right thing," he added. A spokesperson for the city of Addison said in a statement provided to CP: "Following a comprehensive review and careful consideration, the Addison City Council unanimously approved the White Rock Chapels Special Use Permit request at a special Public Hearing. The Town looks forward to working closely with the Wessons as they proceed with the restoration of this historical site." Home Opinion Christmas: Promises made, promises kept The major framework of the biblical narrative consists of covenants God made with people Noahic, Abrahamic, Davidic, Old, and the promise of the New Covenant. The Old Testament was a 2,000-year-era of God entering into covenants with men and women who died without seeing the fulfillment of those promises. Then, one day, people received startling visits from angels announcing that the time had come. God was about to act and bring His covenant promises to fulfillment. Almost everyone in America understands that Christmas is related to the birth of Jesus. Most people do not understand, though, the reason and the significance of Jesus birth. In our last post, we discovered that Jesus came to reveal the glory of God and to show us who God really is. For the second point, we turn to Luke 1:31-33 to see that Jesus came to fulfill the promises of God. Here, in this passage, we find three basic promises, standing as figures for all the covenants God has ever made. First, Jesus came to fulfill the promise of a savior. The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. Jesus, the name Mary was commanded to give to her Son, was especially noteworthy. This name means the Lord savesorthe Lord is salvation. Jewish parents commonly named their sons Joshua as a tribute to the truth that the God of Israel was the God of salvation and the God who saves His people. However, Jesus (the Greek form of Joshua) was given this name for a different reason because the son of Mary, Himself, would be the Savior, saving His people from their sins as the promised redeemer. The promise of a redeemer and a savior is central to the entire Bible because it is the first promise that God makes after humanity fell into sin in Adam. After God gives this promise, those who called upon the name of the Lord were constantly searching for its fulfillment. The reality of the curse of sin was inescapable for the people of God, who were groaning for the day of salvation and looking for Gods promise to be fulfilled as the Old Testament progressed. When Gods people were in exile, and it looked like this promise could not be fulfilled, the Lord promised a new covenant. Though the Israelites circumstances were dire, though they had been unfaithful to God, and though their sins were as scarlet, the Lord made a new covenant with them and forgave and rescued them, promising that He would be their Savior. Mary was commanded to name her son Jesus, not because God is salvation, though He is, but because this boy would be God our Savior. Jesus was born to fulfill the promise of a Savior. Second, Jesus came to fulfill the promise of a king. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. One of the great misconceptions about the monarchy in Israel is that it was not one of Gods desires. On the contrary, God had promised Abraham his offspring would include a dynasty of kings. Later in Deuteronomy, the Lord anticipated Israel would someday yearn for a human king and gave directions for this future installment to conform to His purpose and plan so that the nation would be set apart as a light to the Gentiles. God, in His purpose and in His promise to Abraham, had established that a king would reign over Israel. The problem Israel had in wanting a king, however, was that they ignored the divine instructions about what kind of king they should have. Samuel warned Israel that the type of king they were seeking would, in fact, be just like the rulers of all the other nations, and they should not want such a leader. The Israelites insisted on their own inclinations despite these warnings, and they got a dreadful and ungodly ruler in Saul. After a while, Sauls rebellion became so heinous that God deposed him as king and anointed David. God promised David that, after his death, one of his offspring would be raised up to inherit Davids throne forever, and that this descendant would be a son to God, and God would be a Father to him. We know, though, that the northern and southern kingdoms fell into exile long after Davids death. During this time of exile, Israel hoped that God would restore their kingdom, that God would bring back the throne of David, and that God would be faithful to Davids offspring and not cast him off forever. Then the angel tells Mary that Jesus was the fulfillment of Gods promise. David, when he was writing Psalms 16 and 132 and meditating on Gods covenant, understood that the promise would be fulfilled by the resurrection of the Messiah from the dead. Jesus was raised from the dead in fulfillment of Gods covenant promise to David. Jesus came to fulfill Gods promise of a king. Finally, Jesus came to fulfill Gods promise of a kingdom that would never end. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His Kingdom will have no end. Throughout the Old Testament, God promised His people an eternal, everlasting kingdom that would endure for all ages to come. This Kingdom would reign over the house of Judah, enfolding all the families of the earth all people and tongues and tribes and nations. When the angel came to Mary, he made plain to her that Jesus birth would be for the fulfillment of this magnificent promise. Jesus was born to fulfill Gods promises: the promise of a savior, the promise of a king, and the promise of a kingdom. These three promises include every promise God has ever made to His people. The beauty of the Gospel, as the New Testament unfolds it, is that because Jesus was faithful and received all the promises of God, everyone who is connected to the Savior by faith receives those promises as well. When the apostle Paul was despairing of life itself, he found comfort in God through Christ, and the rock he embraced amid lifes storms was the promises of God. In 2 Corinthians 1:20, Paul wrote, For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Paul could overcome his depression because he found comfort in the fact that all of Gods promises belonged to him because they all belong to Jesus Christ. Jesus is the answer, the fulfillment, to all of Gods promises. Christ has already fulfilled Gods promise of salvation, but we do not yet experience salvation as we one day will in its fullness after the resurrection. Christ is already the King, but we do not yet experience His reign in its fullness. And Christ has already received His Kingdom, but He has not yet received it in its fullness. We are awaiting a future consummation, when, once and for all, Satan is defeated, and we reign with Jesus forever. While the war has been won, and Gods promises are all ours, we must realize that we are somewhat like our fellow saints from the Old Testament. We are awaiting the promise of Christs coming, the fullness of salvation, and perfected bodies. As we tarry, sin pursues us, and Satan buffets us. It is in those moments when we want to give in and give up, we need to remember the point of Christmas and stand firm on the promises of our Lord. All Gods promises are ours, because all of Gods promises are His, and we through faith belong to Him. Jesus was born to fulfill the promises of God. May this truth be our anchor not only at Christmas but in all times and circumstances. Home Opinion How Christmas prophecies provide a way out of agnosticism Agnosticism is built upon the paper-thin foundation of uncertainty, without any objective basis or solid evidence to stand upon. Christmas prophecies in Scripture, on the other hand, are rooted in history and evidence, and actually provide a satisfying way out of agnosticism. Agnostics find themselves shooting in the dark, whereas the Christmas prophecies shine a bright light upon the powerful connection between divinely appointed historical events and spiritual truth. For example, Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Christ was born: Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). The virgin-born Savior demonstrated by His life, death and resurrection that He truly is the promised Messiah sent to deliver Gods people. There are many reasons to believe that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, as I pointed out in my CP op-ed, 40 Questions to Determine the True Religion. Why do you assume your personal opinion about religion is true? Is your perspective based upon history, or feelings? Is it rooted in evidence, or emotions? Does it stem from knowledge, or merely from your religious experiences? Christmas is a wonderful time to take a serious look at Christianity. Your doubts can be overcome by evidence and divine intervention. In order for an agnostic to take a step in the direction of his Creator, he needs an open mind to understand the direct connection between salvation history and faith in Christ. You see, Christianity is an evidence-based faith with prophecies rooted in history, as I detailed in my CP op-ed, The Mathematical Proof for Christianity Is Irrefutable. Try to find even one fulfilled prophecy in any other religion. Do you know why you wont find it? It is because the author of salvation is the Creator of the world, and He is working amid world history to redeem people who will belong to Him forever. Would you like to be among those blessed saints, or would you prefer to remain among the majority of people who have no clue how the Christmas prophecies point the way to Heaven? The greatest Christian present you could ever open was placed by God under the tree of the cross. This indescribable gift (2 Cor. 9:15) has your name on it but will only benefit you if you open it through faith in Jesus. The moment you turn to the Lord in repentance and trust Christ to wash away your sins, you are instantly forgiven and brought into the family of God. A major difference between Christianity and agnosticism is that the Holy Spirit produces assurance in the hearts of those who trust Jesus for salvation. As the evangelist D.L. Moody said: Faith is the root; assurance is the flower. Agnostics, of course, lack any assurance related to God and religion. I address this further in my CP op-ed: Can Faith Lead to Abiding Certainty? Are you determined to allow your doubts to define you? Wouldnt you rather meet God and discover that Heaven is a real place inhabited by believers who trusted Jesus to save them? Why die in your sins after all that God has done to provide a way of escape for you and your family? If you dont meet Jesus, and then tell your family the truth about the Savior, who will? You could begin by embracing the Christmas prophecy that pinpointed the birthplace of the Messiah. The prophet Micah wrote: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times (Micah 5:2). Jews and Gentiles alike are free to base their faith on the prophetic evidence. Start with two Christmas prophecies that point to a virgin giving birth to the Messiah in Bethlehem (Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2). And then take a leap of faith as you entrust your soul to the One who gave us the Christmas prophecies in the first place. The prophecies overshadow agnosticism, just like Gods power overshadowed Mary prior to Christs birth: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (Luke 1:35). The power of God changes everything, and there is still time for you to transition out of agnosticism this Christmas by receiving Jesus as your Savior. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Are you ready to transition? Soren Christian conducts the Burlesque Band of San Francisco during SantaCon at Union Square on Saturday. The event, which includes a toy drive and pub crawl, attracted a huge crowd dressed in holiday costumes. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Christopher Lindell, dressed as G.I. Santa, tries to kiss Liz Bletz, dressed as Mrs. Santa Claus, as her husband, Ira Bletz stands behind her during SantaCon at Union Square. The event, which includes a toy drive and pub crawl, attracted a huge crowd dressed in holiday costumes. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle A crowd dressed in Christmas costumes attend during SantaCon at San Franciscos Union Square. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Members of the Burlesque Band of San Francisco perform during SantaCon at San Franciscos Union Square. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Ira Bletz dons a Just Say Ho button at SantaCon at San Francisco's Union Square. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Joy Wade, dressed as a dinosaur, and Max DeSoto, dressed as Santa Claus, have their photo taken with admirers during SantaCon at Union Square. It was the first SantaCon for Wade and DeSoto. Its incredible seeing all these costumes, Wade said. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Liz Bletz, dressed as Mrs. Claus, kisses husband Ira Bletz under the mistletoe during SantaCon at Union Square. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle A couple sport Christmas costumes during SantaCon at San Franciscos Union Square. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Phillip Keeling, dressed as the Grinch, pets a dog during SantaCon at San Franciscos Union Square. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle People in red and white flooded Union Square on Saturday to kick off San Franciscos annual SantaCon, an event that draws thousands for a Christmas-themed toy drive and subsequent pub crawl. The event, infamous for ending in rowdy Santas packing bars, drew people of all ages and dressed in varying degrees of Santa attire to Union Square, where the festivities began and where the Santas could drop off their toys for the San Francisco Fire Departments toy drive. Music, laughter and shrieks filled the air as Santas snaked their way through the crowds to find their friends or get their pictures taken in front of Union Squares giant Christmas tree. Several held their phones out, photographing and filming the sea of Santas around them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ralphy and Israel Hernandez of Santa Rosa brought their Chihuahuas, Bruno and Brutus, to SantaCon, as they do every year. The two men dressed in festive green sweaters and Santa hats, and Israel sported a reindeer-shaped handbag. The Burlesque Band of San Francisco performs during SantaCon at Union Square. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Not to be left out, the two dogs also dressed for the occasion, with Bruno in a green sweater and Brutus in red. The outfits made the family popular several other Santas asked to take photos with them. We like to have fun, Ralphy said. And as for the outfits: We change it with every year. The crowd, filled not just with Santas but with grinches, elves and reindeer, many with beverages in hand, was boisterous. At one point, Santas gathered around and cheered for a man dressed as Jesus Christ, singing Happy Birthday and taking selfies with him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Though many Santas simply show up for the pub crawl portion of the day, the toy drive still proved fruitful. A steady stream of Santas dropped off donations in the Fire Departments three large collection bins. A volunteer with the drive said he had seen at least 15 industrial-size trash bags filled by 1:30 p.m. Two friends who gave their names as Santa Sue and Reindeer Mo dropped off their toys, saying it was one of their favorite parts of the tradition. A crowd dressed in Christmas costumes attends SantaCon at Union Square. Yalonda M. James / the Chronicle This is a really cool thing were doing with the toys for the kids, Santa Sue said. Its just great. Reindeer Mo, who lives in Washington state and was visiting for her cousins birthday, said shes been to Seattles SantaCon a few times, but this was her first time at San Franciscos, though she lived in the city for 10 years. Santa Sue said shes been to the San Francisco SantaCon every year since 2004. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The two, who went to high school together, were planning to meet up with the rest of their Santa crew and embark on their pub crawl, but with a scavenger hunt twist adding tasks for the day such as riding a bus and handing out candy. Home Opinion Israels war is a war of necessity Last week, Colonel Douglas Macgregor (ret.) published an article in The American Conservative arguing that Israels conflict with Hamas is an unnecessary war of choice and suggesting that the Jewish State is using the war as a pretext to ethnically cleanse Arabs. Is this really the case, or has this battle been forced unto Israelis by a genocidal Hamas? Macgregor rhetorically asks if Israels goal is an Arab-Free Israeli State from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean. But if Israelis really wanted to murder all Palestinian civilians, why does the Israeli military warn Palestinian civilians ahead of incoming attacks, giving them time to get to safety? And if Jerusalem wanted to expel all Palestinians, why didnt it do so long ago? Macgregors assertion that Israelis knew from Israels inception that a Jewish State in the Middle East could only be sustained through force of arms is also untrue. As related by the historian Martin Gilbert, Israels first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, wrote during the period of Zionist immigration into what would become the State of Israel: The vital interests of the Jewish people ... require absolutely and unconditionally that the rights and interests of the non-Jewish inhabitants of the country be guarded and honoured punctiliously. Israel becoming a military powerhouse was not a foregone conclusion. It was a necessity foisted unto it by repeated Arab attacks on Jewish immigrants, followed by successive wars in which the Arab world tried to quash the nascent Jewish State under the treads of its tanks. Hamass recent butchery of Israeli women and children shows more than ever why Israel has to maintain a robust military for self-defense. Macgregor, however, believes that Israels military operation in Gaza is motivated largely by an emotional response to the carnage, meaning that Israelis must end the conflict through political or diplomatic means. But how could Israeli civilians who saw their loved ones massacred in their own homes put aside emotions of anger and sorrow? How can they be expected to forego vengeance and leave unpunished the deaths of roughly 1,200 Jewish innocents, the equivalent of tens of thousands of American deaths if such an attack were carried out in the U.S.? Not only would withholding punishment from Hamas constitute a travesty of justice, it would also destroy Israels deterrence and security. Hamass attack on Israel represents the biggest massacre of Jewish civilians since the Holocaust. Responding to such an atrocity by pursuing political or diplomatic means instead of annihilating Hamas would allow the terrorist group to claim victory and rebuild their infrastructure to launch more murderous assaults on Israel. What if America had stopped its advance across the Pacific in the Second World War and said: Thats enough, boys. We may not have conquered Japan, but at least we sunk more of their ships than they did to us at Pearl Harbor. That should teach them a lesson! Macgregor condemns Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus scorched-earth approach to Gaza, but what is Israel to do? Israel is not intentionally murdering civilians. Gaza City is considered one of the most densely populated areas in the world, and Hamas uses that to its advantage, hiding themselves in schools,kindergartens,hospitals, and mosques, making it impossible to avoid collateral damage despite Israels best efforts. The terrorist groups strategy is to worsen the death toll of their own civilians in order to draw international opprobrium on Israels head. How else are we to interpret Hamass efforts to stop Gazas people from fleeing to safety? Finally, the article also claims that it would be a serious mistake for America to dismiss the seriousness of Turkeys President Erdogans vow to bring Jerusalem to justice over crimes committed in the Gaza Strip, along with his insistence that Turkish soldiers will one day fight in Gaza. But neither America nor Israel should care about Erdogans ramblings. Erdogan is a not a true ally (regardless of Turkeys NATO membership) he is a tyrant who has threatened to launch rockets at Greece (a fellow NATO member) a man whose government still illegally occupies northern Cyprus, and who harbors dreams of restoring the genocidal Ottoman Empire. He has zero credibility in accusing anyone else of human rights violations, and Israel cannot afford to tie its own self-defense to the unhinged rants of the Turkish wannabe sultan. As the scholar and military historian Victor Davis Hanson emphasizes, deterrence is hard to establish and easy to lose. Israel has no option but to stay in Gaza for as long as it takes to eradicate Hamass power to wage terror campaigns, going after its tunnels, weapons, and fighters. Anything less would embolden both Hamas and other terrorists in the region, such as Hezbollah, and invite the child-murderersandrapists back across the border to kill more Jews. This is not a war of choice; its a war of necessity. The Hatchet Ridge Wind farm operates near Mount Shasta, a site sacred to the Pit River Tribe outside Montgomery Creek (Shasta County). Local groups and residents spanning the political spectrum are uniting against a wind project in Montgomery Creek called Fountain Wind. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle MONTGOMERY CREEK, Shasta County In the sprawling green hills of Californias far north, where the politics run red and rowdy, a new state law designed to clear a path for climate-friendly energy projects is facing a tough debut. State officials are using their authority under the law, for the first time, to gain approval powers over a plan to build 48 giant wind turbines in Shasta County powers typically held by local officials. In doing so, theyve encountered not only opposition to the project but broader anger in a region known for its distaste of heavy-handed government and, in particular, Sacramento Democrats. Previously, the county Board of Supervisors here rejected Gov. Gavin Newsoms COVID mandates, scoffed at the states support of tighter gun restrictions and vowed to take on the Legislature over whether the county could hand-count ballots amid concerns, though unsubstantiated, about fraud in President Donald Trumps failed reelection bid. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Now, the new climate law, Assembly Bill 205, has rural Shasta County in yet another dust-up with the state. The confrontation was cemented late last month with a lawsuit filed by county officials, challenging the California Energy Commissions jurisdiction over the Fountain Wind Project. The Hatchet Ridge Wind Farm runs between Montgomery Creek and Burney, and local residents and Pit River Tribe members oppose plans for new wind project in the area. San Francisco Chronicle Its the right thing for us to address this and fight back, Board of Supervisors Chair Patrick Jones said during a public discussion of the matter. Yet the countys latest fight with the state is distinct in crucial ways. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Resistance in the region has typically come from the right, and recently the far right, after a political shift sparked by pandemic-era frustrations and fueled by a group of activists that included anti-vaxxers, self-styled militia members and evangelicals. By contrast, the wind project, proposed in timberlands 35 miles east of Redding, has drawn opposition across the spectrum, including the local Pit River Tribe, which is joining the county as a plaintiff in the lawsuit. All the people are on the same side now: the pagans, the Christians, the Democrats, the Trumpsters, said Brandy McDaniels, a member of the Pit River Tribe, standing in front of her home one afternoon at the Montgomery Creek Rancheria, below the project site, on a wooded slope with views of distant Mount Shasta. Our community is bonded by our love of the area. The objections to the turbines, some of which would rise 600 feet, range considerably. They include doubts about the benefits of clean energy, anxieties over firefighting planes navigating the tall towers, and worries about disturbance to forests and wildlife. The tribe helped forge the unlikely alliance against the nearly half-billion-dollar proposal because it doesnt want to see its ancestral lands developed. Tribal members say the project could erase their people from history. A sign opposing the Fountain Wind Project hangs from a tree in Montgomery Creek. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle The concerns about the wind farm reflect the unpopularity of renewable energy ventures in many California communities that might host them an aversion that threatens to slow the states push to replace planet-warming fossil fuels with clean sources of power. California officials have been frustrated by whats often perceived as NIMBYism, and for developers, its a minefield. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We need all the wind that we can get in the state to reach Californias energy objectives, Mark Lawlor, vice president of development at ConnectGen, the Houston company that wants to build the Fountain Wind Project, told the Chronicle. Theres just not that many places that have suitable wind with all the right resources, like transmission. While McDaniels is pleased to see Shasta County coming together to fight the state and the turbines, she and others have expressed a possible downside: Their cause could get entangled in the areas reputation as a hotbed of right-wing extremism. Were not all insurrectionists up here, McDaniels said. But the question has been posed: Will we be taken seriously because of the other shenanigans in Shasta County? The path to 100% clean energy Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Hatchet Ridge Wind farm looms on the ridge above Fountain Wind Project opponent Joseph Osas home outside Montgomery Creek. Osa fears that another proposed wind project near his home will increase fire risks. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Newsom signed AB205 into law last year, in part to help the state reach its goal of generating all its power from carbon-free sources by 2045. The ambitious target is one of Californias marquee initiatives to combat climate change. The new law, among other things, allows developers of wind and solar projects to apply to the California Energy Commission for streamlined review and authorization. That process has historically been handled by cities and counties. The change in jurisdiction, which was done with little fanfare as part of Californias convoluted budget process, was urged by state officials who worried about too few renewable energy projects coming online. The move is one of several efforts by the Newsom administration to cut red tape for vital infrastructure such as power production. While the state has met its interim objectives for zero-carbon electricity, getting about 37% of its energy from clean sources at last count (not including nuclear and large hydropower), the path to 100% remains uncertain. Increasing demand for electricity complicates matters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As we think about building really fast, doubling or tripling the (clean) electric grid, the challenge identified by the administration is the challenge of long permitting timelines, Siva Gunda, vice chair of the California Energy Commission, said in an interview. Rick and Pam Stephens of Round Mountain show their opposition to the wind project with signs during a public meeting of the California Energy Commission in Anderson, just south of Redding. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Commission officials did not want to discuss specific power proposals or Shasta Countys lawsuit against the state. But Gunda acknowledged that, under AB205, local concerns will have to be weighed against the bigger and broader threat of climate change. No matter what kind of project were trying to build, no matter where were trying to build it, theres always going to be potential benefits to the community but there will also be impacts, he said. This is a brand-new program. As we go through the process, the agency will learn. The proposal in Shasta County is among renewable energy plans that have been shot down locally, from wind turbines on the breezy ridges of Humboldt County to solar arrays in sunny Southern California. Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties have gone as far as banning renewable projects in certain places. The Fountain Wind Project, near the foothill town of Montgomery Creek, was denied by Shasta Countys Planning Commission two years ago after hundreds of people poured into community meetings to protest. The Board of Supervisors, on appeal, also rebuffed the proposal. The supervisors have since put large swaths of the county off-limits to utility-scale wind power. With the passage of AB205, however, ConnectGen petitioned the California Energy Commission to put the plan back in play, and this fall, the agency agreed, making it the first project to be taken up under the law. The countys suit against the state commission, filed in Shasta County Superior Court, argues that undoing local decisions and providing a developer a second bite at the apple is inappropriate and illegal. Absent court intervention, the commissions governing board is expected to make a decision on the Fountain Wind Project next summer. The timeline is within the expedited schedule set by AB205, which requires environmental reviews to be wrapped up in nine months. The project would consist of four dozen remote turbines, down from 72 initially proposed, across 2,855 acres of private forest owned by Shasta Cascade Timberlands. It would generate up to 205 megawatts of electricity, enough to supply more than 80,000 homes, according to ConnectGen. The site is within easy reach of existing transmission lines operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. A smaller wind project already runs across the adjacent Hatchet Ridge. Mark Lawlor, a vice president of ConnectGen, the company that wants to develop the Shasta County wind farm, listens to staff remarks during a public meeting of the California Energy Commission in Anderson, south of Redding. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Lawlor, with ConnectGen, said the project would yield significant benefits for the county: hundreds of construction jobs and 10 to 20 permanent positions, $50 million in property tax revenue over 30 years and, despite what critics say, a reduction in fire danger with the companys plans to build fuel breaks and increase vegetation management. Opponents generally say theyre not against green energy, just the location of the proposal. But at least some residents believe the historic threat posed by climate change appropriately trumps local concerns. People say no all over the place, and thats got to stop because we need this energy, said Redding resident Randy Smith, who identifies as nonpartisan. Were on the edge of a warming climate that may displace us if we dont respond more actively. A tribe fears for the land Fountain Wind Project opponent Brandy McDaniels and daughter Harper Davis-McDaniels, 11, who are Pit River Tribe members, stand on their reservation at a home the mother is having built in Montgomery Creek. Brandy McDaniels says she selected the site of her home because of the views of the surrounding mountains and fears theyll be obstructed if turbines go up. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle At the Montgomery Creek Rancheria, McDaniels said she selected the site of her modest home, amid the scruffy brush and pine, because of the views of the surrounding mountains. She fears theyll be tarnished if the turbines go up. Many residents on the reservation reside in old trailers along dirt roads, with no running water or electricity. McDaniels, a cultural representative for the Pit River Tribes Madesi Band, says the primitive conditions are a trade-off for being able to live amid the sacred hills and valleys of their ancestors. The hardship also reflects the struggles the tribe has endured. The original narrative of our people is written in this landscape, she said, looking up at the tree-covered slopes where the wind farm is proposed. Theyll just come and destroy the land. The tribe counts about 3,800 members in Northern California, organized into 11 independent bands, many of which expect to be affected by the project. The tribes headquarters is in nearby Burney, where members run a small casino that only recently got a sign that lights up and still operates with limited hours. On this particular afternoon, a work crew was laying the foundation for a new house at the Montgomery Creek Rancheria, part of an effort to improve the quality of life for residents. Were trying to build a community here. Now were in limbo, McDaniels said. We really dont deserve this. Were still healing from whats happened to us in the past. When is enough enough? Fountain Wind Project opponent Joseph Osa walks his dogs, Nina and Shasta, in a meadow on his property where transmission lines tower overhead outside Montgomery Creek. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Not far from the reservation, Joseph Osa, a retired Department of Defense engineer, was taking a stroll with his two dogs on his 95-acre plot, where he can see a few of the existing turbines on Hatchet Ridge. The self-described conservative Christian, who joked that with all the labels we put on people these days, Im probably one of the bad ones, acknowledged that he hadnt thought much about the Pit River Tribe until the Fountain Wind Project emerged. His initial concerns were that bald eagles and other birds would get caught in the spinning blades and that firefighting, especially from the air, would be hampered, a claim the developer rejects. For many in the area, the memory of wildfire remains fresh, foremost from such recent monsters as the Dixie Fire, the Zogg Fire and the Carr Fire, all of which took homes and lives. Now, Osa says, the concerns of the tribe are top of mind. Prior to this, I kind of stayed on the property and didnt meet a lot of people, he said, noting his increased interaction with neighbors after the project surfaced. Here (the tribal members) are telling their stories, the kind of stuff theyve gone through over the years. Its hard to imagine. We dont want to be adding to that. Beth Messick-Lattin, shown at the site of the Hatchet Ridge Wind farm outside Montgomery Creek, has organized people against the Fountain Wind Project. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle One of the organizers against the proposal, Beth Messick-Lattin, said she is encouraged by how easy it was to get different types of people together to discuss their opposition to the turbines, especially amid the divisiveness that has come with the rising voice of the countys hard right. Messick-Lattin says she leans Democrat on social issues in general but Republican on the right to carry. She remembers only a few tense moments during the community discussions she helped lead. One person honestly believed he was having email conversations with Trump every morning, Messick-Lattin said. But mostly, everyone was respectful. Divisions in deep red country Shasta County Supervisor Mary Rickert speaks against the proposed wind project at a public meeting of the California Energy Commission in Anderson, south of Redding. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle County Supervisor Mary Rickert, who represents the Montgomery Creek area and is also critical of the wind proposal, wants to make sure Shasta County is taken seriously in its new fight with the state. We have become such a laughingstock nationwide, she said recently, referring to the widespread news coverage of the countys surge in anti-government fervor within deep-blue California. A rancher and Republican, Rickert was on the losing end of a campaign that swept control of the Board of Supervisors from establishment conservatives and gave it to right-wing populists early last year. She has since been among the minority on the politically divided board, which has set its sights on belt-tightening and deregulation while taking stands on culture-war issues such as LGBTQ celebrations. The board has seen the departure of several top county administrators, including the CEO, county counsel and public health officer. This year, when the supervisors began thinking about challenging the state over the new climate law, they discussed doing it in tandem with an attack on Assembly Bill 969, which prevents counties from hand-counting votes. The state bill was signed this fall to put a lid on election conspiracies after Shasta County canceled its contract with Dominion Voting Systems amid unfounded claims that the companys machines were rigged against Trump. Mount Shasta, sacred to the Pit River Tribe, looms in the background of a forest outside Montgomery Creek containing power lines from the Hatchet Ridge Wind project. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Board of Supervisors Chair Jones said AB969, like AB205, represented state overreach. But Rickert argued against a suit packaging the two laws together, calling them apples and oranges, a strategy that ultimately won out. Jones, who helped lead the boards swing to the right, couldnt be reached to talk with the Chronicle about AB205 despite phone calls and a visit to his familys gun shop in Redding, where he keeps office hours. Recently, though, he publicly pegged the countys chances of winning the fight against the state and the wind farm at 50-50. At the first hearing held by the California Energy Commission on the Fountain Wind Project two weeks ago, Jones was clear about his disdain. Famed 13th century paintings Persimmons and Chestnuts are on display for a limited time at the Asian Art Museum as part of The Heart of Zen exhibit. Asian Art Museum Famed 13th century paintings Persimmons and Chestnuts at the Asian Art Museum. Asian Art Museum Life in a Zen Temple, a program with Abbot Kobori Geppo of Daitokuji Ryokoin temple in Kyoto at the Asian Art Museum on Saturday, Dec. 9. Deborah Clearwaters/Asian Art Museum Famed 13th century paintings Persimmons and Chestnuts are on display at the Asian Art Museum as part of The Heart of Zen exhibit. Asian Art Museum Life in a Zen Temple, a program with Abbot Kobori Geppo of Daitokuji Ryokoin temple in Kyoto at the Asian Art Museum. Deborah Clearwaters/Asian Art Museum Famed 13th century paintings Persimmons and Chestnuts are on display for a limited time at the Asian Art Museum as part of The Heart of Zen exhibition. Asian Art Museum Famed 13th century paintings Persimmons and Chestnuts are on display at the Asian Art Museum as part of The Heart of Zen exhibit. Asian Art Museum The Heart of Zen, exhibition installation at the Asian Art Museum. Asian Art Museum The Heart of Zen, exhibition installation at the Asian Art Museum. Asian Art Museum Chestnuts by Muqi. Asian Art Museum Life in a Zen Temple, a program with Abbot Kobori Geppo of Daitokuji Ryokoin temple in Kyoto at the Asian Art Museum on Saturday, Dec. 9. Deborah Clearwaters/Asian Art Museum Life in a Zen Temple, a program with Abbot Kobori Geppo of Daitokuji Ryokoin temple in Kyoto at the Asian Art Museum on Saturday, Dec. 9. Deborah Clearwaters/Asian Art Museum While dozens decked in red and white filled Union Square for San Franciscos annual SantaCon, just a mile away, a very different crowd gathered outside at the Asian Art Museum. Art buffs and curious patrons traveled from all over the country for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view two famed 13th century Chinese ink paintings, Persimmons and Chestnuts, side by side. The ancient scrolls, painted by Buddhist monk Muqi (also known as Muxi, Fachang and Mokkei Hojo), are being shown as part of the museums The Heart of Zen exhibition. But the joint display, which began Friday, Dec. 8, concludes Sunday, Dec. 10, after which Persimmons on view since the show opened on Nov. 17 will be stored away. Chestnuts will be shown through Dec. 31. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The exhibition, with the paintings displayed separately for three-week periods each to protect them from excess light exposure, marks the first time Persimmons and Chestnuts have been lent to an institution or traveled outside of Japan since they were imported from China more than 400 years ago. To take part in the historic occasion, on Saturday, Dec. 9, parents with young children, groups of friends and couples formed a line that wrapped halfway around Larkin Street, bundled up in coats and scarves while waiting to get inside the museum. Its really rare to see something that hasnt been shown for 400 years in tandem with another piece, said Gary Gach, 76, who teaches Zen Buddhism at the University of San Francisco. Its kind of like, what if you could see the Mona Lisa and the Sphinx together? Indeed, the paintings havent been shown publicly, although they have been displayed together privately at the Daitokuji Ryokoin Zen Temple in Kyoto, Japan. Abbot Kobori Geppo, head monk at the temple, offered to lend the pieces to the Asian Art Museum during a visit in 2017, with a goal of bringing the community together and cultivating empathy. On Saturday, he returned to give a lecture and lead a traditional zazen meditation session for separately ticketed museum events throughout the weekend. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Life in a Zen Temple, a program with Abbot Kobori Geppo of Daitokuji Ryokoin temple in Kyoto at the Asian Art Museum on Saturday, Dec. 9. Deborah Clearwaters/Asian Art Museum Waiting at the front of the line next to Gach stood David and Dana Scarborough, who arrived for the exhibition at 8 a.m. two hours before the museum opened. David was a student at UC Berkeley in the late 1960s and recalls learning about Chestnuts and Persimmons, also known as Six Persimmons, while taking a class about Japanese art taught by esteemed professor James Cahill, considered one of the worlds most knowledgeable authorities on Chinese art. More Information The Heart of Zen: Paintings. 1-8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Monday. Persimmons on view through Sunday, Dec. 10, Chestnuts through Dec. 31. $14-$20. Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., S.F. 415-581-3500. asianart.org This is a bucket list item for us, David, 73, said. We love this painting so much, (my wife) named our company after it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Scarboroughs run Six Persimmons Group Inc., a Southern California-based business focused on consulting and antique sales. They flew in from Los Angeles the day before to view the paintings but, despite purchasing tickets for a 12:30 p.m. time slot and arriving an hour early, they were unable to get into the museum due to the long lines. Luckily, they planned ahead and purchased an extra pair of tickets for Saturday morning. Persimmons, also known as Six Persimmons, by Muqi is part of The Heart of Zen exhibition at the Asian Art Museum. Asian Art Museum Together they stood eagerly at the top of the museums steps, passing the time by chatting with Gach and Zaixin Hong, who flew in from Washington, where he works as a professor of art history at the University of Puget Sound. Hong, 66, is originally from Hangzhou, China, where the paintings were originally made. To him, Persimmons and Chestnuts are part of his cultural identity. Its an indication of the universal existence of Buddha, Hong said. If you are not inspired, if you are not in the satori (a Buddhist term that describes an experience of enlightenment), you could never make such a piece. To prove this point, Hong said he asks his calligraphy students to attempt their own version of Persimmons. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The issue here is you must be fully inspired, he explained, and execute the six persimmons with one motion. Life in a Zen Temple, a program with Abbot Kobori Geppo of Daitokuji Ryokoin temple in Kyoto at the Asian Art Museum on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Deborah Clearwaters/Asian Art Museum Once the museum doors opened, a swarm of people rushed into The Heart of Zen exhibition, immediately forming another line to enter the secured viewing space. A guard posted at the entrance then allowed only a handful of people at a time in to see the paintings. Some craned their heads, inching closer to examine every detail, while others stood in silence filled with awe. Afterward, several people like Gach, the Scarboroughs and Hong lingered outside the exhibition, taking in what they had just seen. Scarborough said he felt close to tears after the experience, while Hong described the moment as visceral. The trio of new friends ended the occasion with a fist bump before exchanging contact information. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Homes stand in front of the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge on June 9 in San Francisco. According to a report by real estate company Redfin, owning a home in the San Francisco Bay Area is more expensive than renting. The report shows that owning a home in San Francisco can be as much as 139% more expensive than renting and even higher in San Jose where it is 165% more expensive. The national average for a typical home runs about 25% more to buy than to rent. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images This week, under extreme pressure from state officials, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 9-2 to finally advance Mayor London Breeds legislation to streamline the citys notoriously lengthy housing approval process. The board is set to take a final vote on the legislation next week to meet a last-chance Dec. 28 deadline imposed by the state Housing and Community Development Department, which has taken increasingly aggressive steps to force San Francisco to implement the policies necessary to accommodate 82,000 new homes over the next eight years its share of the 2.5 million needed statewide. Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration recently completed an unprecedented yearlong review of San Franciscos housing approval process, which investigators determined takes 10 months longer than anywhere else in the state. The state subsequently ordered San Francisco to take 18 corrective actions, including passing Breeds streamlining legislation by Nov. 24. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Supervisors punted that deadline, prompting the state to issue a strongly worded warning reminding them that failure to comply could result in decertification of San Franciscos housing plan. That, in turn, would put the city at risk of losing millions of dollars of affordable housing and transportation funding and open it up to the builders remedy, which would allow developers to bypass the local planning process altogether for certain projects. Yet supervisors still cant resist tempting fate. San Francisco Mayor London Breed speaks during a press conference announcing her proposed budget investments to increase housing, shelter and prevention services to bolster the citys efforts to help people experiencing homelessness held at the Dignity Moves tiny cabin village in San Francisco on May 30. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle They tucked several amendments into Breeds streamlining bill that state housing officials had explicitly advised them to remove. I dont know that picking an unnecessary fight with San Francisco would be helpful to (the states) cause, said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who authored two of the amendments including a particularly dubious one to make it harder to demolish thousands of homes built before 1923 with no clear historic significance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its an overconfident and, frankly, reckless bet. Although supervisors initial vote on Breeds bill was an encouraging first step, the state is still evaluating the latest amendments, David Zisser, the state housing departments assistant deputy director for local government relations and accountability, said in a statement. He also noted that San Francisco still needs to explain how its implementing other overdue required actions. Its embarrassing that the state of California has to babysit the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to get them to do the bare minimum, Louis Mirante, the Bay Area Councils vice president of public policy, told the editorial board. Hes right. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Contrast San Francisco with Sacramento, where its city council just unanimously unanimously! advanced housing reforms that go above and beyond whats required by state law and may be among the most ambitious in the country. Sacramentos policy, scheduled for a final procedural vote in early 2024, aims to create whats known as missing middle housing such as triplexes, fourplexes and other types of multifamily housing near transit and in neighborhoods currently restricted to single-family homes. Anyone used to San Francisco housing politics including hours-long arguments over potential shadows cast by a proposed development might expect that Sacramentos single-family neighborhoods would rise in protest. But even the most suburban district of the city said, Yes, more missing-middle housing because of the environment, because of our housing crisis, Kevin Dumler, a project manager at the affordable housing developer Jamboree Housing, told the editorial board. Sacramento City Council Member Caity Maple, one of the policys most fervent backers, said that during her campaign, the number one issue that I heard from residents was that they were having trouble finding housing they could afford and keeping their housing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She added that in Sacramento, people are really interested in development in general, especially when it comes to enlivening the vacant and underutilized spaces that proliferated in Californias capital city amid the pandemic as state workers stayed home and the businesses that relied on them shuttered. Many Sacramentans understand, Maple said, that new development means more people out and about and more eyes on the street helping to reduce concerns about crime, homelessness and public safety, particularly in the hollowed-out downtown. In other words, Sacramento views new housing as an exciting opportunity while San Francisco treats it as a dreaded obligation. San Franciscos resistance to new housing, and the sky-high home prices that result, help explain why so many Bay Area residents are moving to more affordable cities like Sacramento and the largely rural region surrounding it. The more San Francisco navel-gazes on its own ordinances, the more places like Antioch and Fairfield and Vacaville and Sacramento (become) dumping grounds for San Franciscos luxurious indulgence in doing nothing, Mirante said. Were doing as much to accelerate homebuilding in these regions as we can, but theres only so much we can do. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sacramento is willingly doing more than its fair share to address Californias housing shortage in part because it is forced to by the refusal to build in cities like San Francisco. San Francisco City Librarian Michael Lambert points to a bookshelf with recovery resources at the Main Library, which neighbors Civic Center. Staff at the library are also trained to use the overdose-reversing medicine naloxone, commonly known by its brand name Narcan. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Regarding S.F. libraries give these books out for free and theyre flying off the shelves (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Nov. 27): What a heartening piece by J.D. Morris, and to think that not so long ago, a chief concern of librarians was the administration of books that appealed to diverse readers, organizing story hours for children and hosting readings by authors. Today, librarians in San Francisco are also tasked with being ad-hoc social workers, counseling the many indigent folks who need the library for shelter, safety and a bathroom with hot running water. Additionally, they are trained to administer Narcan to patrons who have overdosed and would otherwise die in a bathroom or between book stacks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Please. At the very least, our librarians need more staff, a substantial pay-hike, counseling for the heartbreaking work they do and a pop-up social services unit next door to deal with folks in need of support. Lets give our amazing librarians the space to do what they once chose to pursue in their careers. Denise Bostrom, Oakland Blame Sunol trustees Regarding This is who really started the Sunol school district Pride flag debate (Letters to the Editor, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 7): Sunol school board member Linda Hurleys letter is deceitful and filled with mendacity. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sunol school Superintendent Molleen Barnes did not remove the California flag and replace it with the LGBTQ+ flag. The LGBTQ+ flag was originally hung on the schools front fence; it was stolen during the night. Barnes asked the facilities manager to hang it from the flagpole to prevent theft from occurring again. At no time did she ask for the California flag to be replaced with the LGBTQ+ flag. The flag controversy is not the only reason for the Sunol school districts divisiveness and recall. Two board members have used their positions to impose their views on the community. Chair Ryan Jergensen repeatedly shuffles through comment cards seemingly to choose those who support him. They do not represent everyone at Sunol. Both Sunol school employee unions (California Federation of Teachers and California School Employees Association) have voted to support a recall and have given a vote of no confidence in these two trustees. Superintendent Barnes is most assuredly not the one who started the flag debate and the ensuing divisiveness; board members Hurley and Jergensen are the root of the problem. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Elizabeth Harmuth, president, CSEA Sunol Glen Unified Chapter 862 Lets work together Cooperation: Its how we build anything from a car to a huge building and anything in between. People with different skills work together to create something that one person couldnt do alone. Its our differences that furnish us with what we need to grow and develop. So lets not think of people who think differently than you as a foe but as someone who can add a unique way of looking at things and help us all grow. Surrey, British Columbia, Sikh community leader and Khalistan referendum organizer Hardeep Singh Nijjar was gunned down in his vehicle in June. Canadian authorities say Indias government is possibly responsible for the assassination. Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press On Jan. 28, Californians will cast ballots in a historic vote on creating a new independent country. Why is this the first youre hearing of it? Because the only Californians who can vote in the election are Sikhs. The proposed independent country would be in northern India. But thats no reason to overlook the most important election in the Golden State next year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Indeed, the Khalistan Referendum, as this ballot measure is known, is worthy of your attention for two reasons. First, the referendum raises the questions of whether democracy is more likely to quell or inflame, violence, and how well it might resolve deep divisions over nationhood. Second, the vote is part of an experiment on how ballot measures might shape a new global system of democracy. The Khalistan Referendum is a global election, held on different dates and in different cities that are home to many Sikhs. The Jan. 28 balloting, which will take place in San Francisco, follows votes in London, Geneva, Rome, Toronto and Vancouver. The referendum is nonbinding even if the majority of voters favor independence, it wont guarantee a new nation. But if the results show widespread support for independence among the diaspora, organizers will push for a Khalistan Referendum in the northern Indian state of Punjab. Sikhs for Justice, a U.S.-based group, proposed the Khalistan Referendum. Sikhism is a 500-year-old religion, fusing elements of Hinduism, Islam and other faiths. There are an estimated 25 million Sikhs worldwide, 80% of whom reside in India, primarily in Punjab. California is home to 250,000 Sikhs, most of whom live in the Central Valley or the Bay Area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The referendums supporters argue that Sikhs, as targets of discrimination in India and elsewhere, need the protection of an independent Sikh-majority nation, which they would call Khalistan. But India has opposed the referendum, banning Sikhs for Justice in 2019 for espousing secessionism. These claims are grounded in a longstanding violent conflict between the government and armed, pro-independence insurgents that was especially deadly in the 1980s and 1990s. The Indian government says the referendum could inflame violence. But its Sikh backers say that the referendum is a democratic tool for peacefully resolving conflict in Punjab, as provided for in the United Nations Charter, which grants all peoples the right to self-determination. To convince the world of the referendums legitimacy, Sikhs for Justice asked an independent international committee of leading democracy scholars and practitioners to set referendum rules and oversee the voting. The committee is neutral on the referendum question of an independent Khalistan. However, many members are working to devise systems of worldwide elections so that people in every country can jointly decide policies on global issues. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I embedded at the referendum vote in Surrey, British Columbia, on Oct. 29 with the committee chair, Dane Waters, a U.S.-born, Beirut-based animal rights activist who is founder of the Initiative & Referendum Institute at the University of Southern California. The atmosphere was tense. The Surrey-based Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and referendum organizer, was assassinated in June. The Canadian government says it has credible evidence tying the assassination to Indias government. More recently, U.S. prosecutors charged a man, with ties to an Indian government employee, with attempting to assassinate a referendum organizer, who is an American citizen. The assassination has impacted the referendum. The international committee prefers to hold votes at neutral sites and had rented a Surrey public school. But after the Canadian governments announcement that India was possibly behind the Nijjar assassination, the school bowed out, citing security concerns. The vote was instead conducted at Surreys gurdwara, or Sikh temple, steps from where Nijjar was killed. A large police detail provided security. Outside the voting hall, Khalistan supporters played Punjabi music so loudly that it was hard to interview voters waiting in long lines. Inside, however, the event was quietly managed by British Columbia election poll workers all non-Sikhs hired through a third party. At each check-in table, one poll worker was paired with a Punjabi-speaking Sikh volunteer who could translate for voters uncomfortable in English. Any Sikh could register and vote with a photo ID. Poll workers checked names against previous voting rolls to avoid double-voting. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tens of thousands of people cast ballots. Asked about their reasons for voting, older voters recalled violence they or loved ones had suffered in Punjab. Younger, Canadian-born Sikh voters often mentioned the Gaza war; far better, they said, to resolve nationhood disputes through a democratic referendum than through violence. President Joe Biden and Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will meet at the White House on Tuesday as the U.S. administration steps up the pressure on Congress to provide billions more in aid to Kyiv in its war with Russia. The visit is intended "to underscore the United States' unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia's brutal invasion," the White House said in a statement Sunday. "As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraine's urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States' continued support at this critical moment." Zelenskyy's office confirmed that he had accepted Biden's invitation. He also has been asked to speak to a meeting of all senators. Biden has asked Congress for a $110 billion package of wartime funding for Ukraine ($61.4 billion) and Israel, along with other national security priorities. But the request is caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Zelenskyy traveled to Buenos Aires to witness the swearing-in on Sunday of Argentina's new president, Javier Milei. The Ukrainian leader had been scheduled to address U.S. senators by video last week, but had to cancel the appearance, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. Congress already has allocated $111 billion to assist Ukraine, and Biden's budget director, Shalanda Young, said in a letter this past week to House and Senate leaders that the U.S. will run out of funding to send weapons and assistance to Ukraine by the end of the year, which would "kneecap" Ukraine on the battlefield. "It's time to cut a deal that both sides can agree to," Young said Sunday. The stakes are especially high for Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during two television interviews Sunday, given that " we are running out of funding " for the Ukrainians. "This is a time to really step up because if we don't, we know what happens. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will be able to move forward with impunity and we know he won't stop in Ukraine." Earlier, he defended the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition and also called for quick congressional approval of the foreign assistance. Blinken said the needs of Israel's military operations in Gaza justify the rare decision to bypass Congress. "Israel is in combat right now with Hamas," he said. "And we want to make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas." The tank ammunition and related support constitute only a small portion of military sales to Israel, Blinken said, and that the rest remains subject to congressional review. "It's very important that Congress' voice be heard in this," he said. The decision to proceed with the sale of more than $106 million for tank shells came as the administration's larger aid package is caught up in a larger immigration debate. Blinken noted that Biden has said he is willing to make significant compromises to get the aid package moving. ``It's something the president is fully prepared to engage on," Blinken said. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said there is bipartisan agreement that something has to be done to address record numbers of migrants crossing into the United States from Mexico. "We want to solve that, to secure the border. I just saw the president of the United States say that we've got to secure the border. He's right. So, any effort that doesn't do that will be rejected by Republicans," Romney said. Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, said the administration has yet to justify additional aid to Ukraine. "So what we're saying to the president and really to the entire world is, you need to articulate what the ambition is. What is $61 billion going to accomplish that $100 billion hasn't?" Vance said. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said the money would make a difference because Russia is struggling to fund its war effort. "It can change the outcome of this war," Murphy said. "Because at the very same time that we are making a renewed commitment to Ukraine, Russia's ability to continue to fight this war is in jeopardy." Romney said he also supports the aid to Ukraine. "My own view is that it's very much in America's interest to see Ukraine successful and to provide the weapons that Ukraine needs to defend itself. Anything other than that would be a huge dereliction of our responsibility, I believe, to the world of democracy but also to our own national interest," he said. Blinken appeared on ABC's "This Week" and CNN's "State of the Union." Romney and Murphy were on NBC's "Meet the Press." Vance was on CNN. Young was on CBS' "Face the Nation." Megan Fan Munce is a reporter who joined the San Francisco Chronicle as part of the two-year Hearst Journalism Fellowship, spending her first year of the program at the Houston Chronicle. Munce grew up in San Jose before attending Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, graduating with a B.S. and M.S. in journalism and a second major in political science. She previously worked as an audience engagement fellow and a reporting fellow at the Texas Tribune, as well as an audience intelligence intern for KQED. She can be reached at Megan.Munce@sfchronicle.com. A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force aircraft flying over the disputed islets known as the Senkaku islands in Japan and Diaoyu islands in China, in the East China Sea. China and Japan accused each other of maritime incursions after a confrontation between their coast guards in waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea. China's coast guard said on Sunday that a Japanese fishing boat and several patrol vessels intruded the previous day into waters around the tiny islands, called Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan. The uninhabited islands are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China. China's coast guard said in a statement it had taken necessary measures in accordance with the law to warn away the Japanese vessels. Japan's coast guard said on Saturday that two Chinese maritime patrol boats left Japan's territorial waters around the islands after receiving warnings. It said its patrol vessels were protecting a Japanese fishing boat that had been approached by the Chinese ships. Similar incidents occurred in November and October. Asian maritime disputes involving China have been escalating. China and the Philippines traded accusations on Sunday over a collision between their vessels in a part of the South China Sea each nation claims, marking the second confrontation in as many days. U.S. health insurer Cigna has ended its attempt to negotiate an acquisition of rival Humana after the pair failed to agree on price, two sources familiar with the situation said on Sunday, as the company announced plans to buy back $10 billion worth of shares. A Cigna-Humana combination would have created a company with a value exceeding $140 billion, based on their market values, but was certain to attract fierce antitrust scrutiny. The discussions came six years after regulators blocked mega-deals that would have consolidated the U.S. health insurance sector. The deal talks ended due to the parties not being able to agree on price, two sources familiar with the situation said. There remains the possibility of a tie-up in the future, those sources said. Cigna, however, on Sunday announced plans to do an additional $10 billion in share repurchases, bringing total repurchases to $11.3 billion. "We believe Cigna's shares are significantly undervalued and repurchases represent a value-enhancing deployment of capital as we work to support high-quality care, improved affordability, and better health outcomes," Cigna Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David Cordani said in a statement. Cordani said the company would consider bolt-on acquisitions aligned with its strategy as well as "value-enhancing divestitures." Cigna is still exploring the sale of its Medicare Advantage business, which manages government health insurance for people aged 65 and older, the sources said. That move would mark a reversal of its expansion in the sector. Both companies did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the deal talks, which was earlier reported by The Wall Street Journal. C.E.O. of Tesla, C.E.O. of SpaceX and C.T.O. of X Elon Musk speaks during the New York Times annual DealBook summit on November 29, 2023 in New York City. Elon Musk on Sunday reinstated the account of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on X, formerly Twitter, reneging on a year-ago vow to keep Jones off the social network. Jones was previously suspended from Twitter in 2018 for violating the company's "abusive behavior policy." That suspension, deemed permanent under the company's prior management, came as Jones faced a defamation lawsuit for spreading the false claim that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax. Musk's decision to bring Jones back to X comes on the anniversary week of the Sandy Hook shooting. Although 20 children and six educators were killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut, Jones had falsely and repeatedly said on his show, Infowars, that the shooting never really happened, and was a staged event designed to bring about stricter gun laws. Infowars still appeared to be banned from X as of Sunday. Believers in Jones' blatantly false claims would go on to harass and threaten bereft family members, in some cases physically confronting and accusing grieving parents of being crisis actors whose children had never existed, according to reports by the Associated Press. Some of those targeted had to move from their homes multiple times and could not safely visit the graves of their loved ones. Sandy Hook victims' relatives sued Jones in Texas and Connecticut, winning a nearly $1.5 billion judgment against him. Jones sought but did not receive personal bankruptcy protection to try to avoid paying more than $1 billion of that judgment. Users of the Elon Musk-led X social media platform had anticipated the reinstatement of Jones since at least Thursday, when Musk said he would consider reinstating Jones. "Since this platform aspires to be the global town square, permanent bans should be extremely rare," Musk wrote in a Thursday post. Musk confirmed the reinstatement on Sunday after launching a poll on X that garnered nearly 2 million votes, over half of which favored reinstating Jones. Musk said Jones "cannot break the law," but that if he does spread misinformation, X's community notes feature will correct him. Jones' first activity on the platform in over five years was to repost a welcome-back message from Andrew Tate an influencer known for spouting misogynistic views online and awaiting trial for charges of rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women in Romania. (Tate has sued the accusers who made those charges.) X has allowed Tate to monetize his account and Tate has said that he generated tens of thousands of dollars on X, previously. While Musk who is also CEO of Tesla and SpaceX bills himself as a free speech defender, he has wielded his control of the X platform to suspend the accounts of perceived enemies and vocal critics there. For example, X suspended the accounts of software developer Travis Brown, a same-day private jet tracker account built by Jack Sweeney, and Aaron Greenspan, the founder of legal and public records database PlainSite. Under Musk's management, X has also sued a progressive watchdog group, Media Matters for America, and one of its staff members alleging defamation. The suit followed an investigative report MMfA published that said blatantly Nazi content ran on the social network alongside ads from mainstream brands there. Musk has faced a backlash for changes he's made at Twitter since taking over the platform in late October 2022, including the widespread reversal of account suspensions. He famously reversed the suspension of former President Donald Trump. In recent weeks, many major advertisers suspended their campaigns on X after Musk promoted what the White House called "antisemitic and racist hate" on the site. Musk would go on to tell those advertisers to "go f**k yourselves," and "don't advertise," from the stage of the 2023 DealBook Summit in New York. An Israeli army self-propelled artillery howitzer fires rounds from a position near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel on Dec. 7, 2023. Israel's military pushed ahead with its punishing air and ground offensive in Gaza on Saturday, bolstered by a U.S. veto derailing U.N. Security Council efforts to end the war and word that an emergency sale of $106 million worth of tank ammunition had been approved by Washington. Unable to leave Gaza, a territory 25 miles (40 kilometers) long by about 7 miles (11 kilometers) wide, more than 2 million Palestinians faced more bombardment Saturday, even in areas that Israel had described as safe zones. The sale of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition was announced a day after the U.S. vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, a measure that had wide international support. The U.S. said Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined that "an emergency exists" in the national interest requiring the immediate sale, meaning it bypasses congressional review. Such a determination is rare. A day after Israel confirmed it was rounding up Palestinian men for interrogation, some men released Saturday told The Associated Press they had been treated badly, providing the first accounts of the conditions from the detentions. Osama Oula said Israeli troops had pulled men out of a building in the Shujaiyah area of Gaza City, ordering them to the street in their underwear. Oula said Israeli forces bound him and others with zip ties, beat them for several days and gave them little water to drink. Ahmad Nimr Salman showed his hands, marked and swollen from the zip ties, and said older men with diabetes or high blood pressure were ignored when they asked soldiers to remove their ties. He said the troops asked, "'Are you with Hamas?' We say 'no,' then they would slap us or kick us." He said his 17-year-old son Amjad is still held by the troops.The group was released after five days and told to walk south. Ten freed detainees arrived at a hospital in Deir al-Balah on Saturday after flagging down an ambulance. The Israeli military had no immediate comment when asked about the alleged abuse. With the war in its third month, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 17,700, the majority women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Two hospitals in central and southern Gaza received the bodies of 133 people from Israeli bombings over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry said midday Saturday. Israel holds the Hamas militants responsible for civilian casualties, accusing them of using civilians as human shields, and says it has made considerable efforts with evacuation orders to get civilians out of harm's way. It says 97 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive after Hamas raided southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 240 hostages. Hamas said Saturday that it continued its rocket fire into Israel. In Gaza, residents reported airstrikes and shelling, including in the southern city of Rafah near the Egyptian border one area where the Israeli army had told civilians to go. In a colorful classroom there, knee-high children's tables were strewn with rubble. "We now live in the Gaza Strip and are governed by the American law of the jungle. America has killed human rights," said Rafah resident Abu Yasser al-Khatib. In northern Gaza, Israel has been trying to secure the military's hold, despite heavy resistance from Hamas. The military said that it found weapons inside a school in Shujaiyah, a densely populated neighborhood of Gaza City, and that, in a separate incident, militants shot at troops from a U.N.-run school in the northern town of Beit Hanoun. More than 2,500 Palestinians have been killed since the Dec. 1 collapse of a weeklong truce, about two-thirds of them women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The truce saw hostages and Palestinian prisoners released, but Israel says 137 hostages remain in Gaza. On Saturday, a kibbutz that came under attack on Oct. 7 said 25-year-old hostage Sahar Baruch had died in captivity. His captors said Baruch was killed during a failed rescue mission by Israeli forces Friday. The Israeli military said Hamas killed him. With no new cease-fire in sight and humanitarian aid reaching little of Gaza, residents reported severe food shortages. Nine of 10 people in northern Gaza reported spending at least one full day and night without food, according to a World Food Program assessment during the truce. Two of three people in the south said the same. The WFP called the situation "alarming." "I am very hungry," said Mustafa al-Najjar, sheltering in a U.N.-run school in the devastated Jabaliya refugee camp in the north. "We are living on canned food and biscuits and this is not sufficient." While adults can cope, "it's extremely difficult and painful when you see your young son or daughter crying because they are hungry," he said. Israelis who had been taken hostage also saw the food situation deteriorate, the recently freed Adina Moshe told a rally of thousands of people in Tel Aviv seeking the rapid return of all. "We ended up eating only rice," said Moshe, who was held for 49 days. The rally speakers accused Israel's government of not doing enough to bring loved ones home. "How can I sleep at night? How can I protect my daughter?" asked Eli Albag, the father of 18-year-old hostage Liri Albag. On Saturday, 100 trucks carrying unspecified aid entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, said Wael Abu Omar, a spokesman for the Palestinian Crossings Authority. That is still well below the daily average before the war. Despite growing international pressure, President Joe Biden's administration remains opposed to an open-ended cease-fire, arguing it would enable Hamas to continue posing a threat to Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has argued that "a cease-fire is handing a prize to Hamas." Blinken continued to speak with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and elsewhere amid open criticism of the U.S. stance. "From now on, humanity won't think the U.S.A. supports the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech. Protesters at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai called for a cease-fire, despite restrictions on demonstrations. Amid concerns about a wider conflict, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen threatened to prevent any ship heading to Israeli ports from passing through the Red Sea and Arabian Sea until food and medicine can enter Gaza freely. Spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a speech that all ships heading to Israel, no matter their nationality, will be a target. The French navy said the frigate Languedoc in the Red Sea shot down two drones Saturday night coming "straight toward it" from a Houthi-held port city. The statement did not say whether the French navy assessed its frigate was the target of the drones. Meanwhile, Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group claimed responsibility for nine attacks on Saturday, saying one targeted an Israeli post near the town of Metula. The Israeli army said one of its fighter jets struck a Hezbollah operational command center in Lebanon. The U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon said the tower of one of its bases along the border with Israel was hit during the skirmishes, with no injuries. In southern Gaza, thousands were on the run after what residents called a night of heavy gunfire and shelling. Israel has designated a narrow patch of barren southern coastline, Muwasi, as a safe zone. But Palestinians described desperately overcrowded conditions with scant shelter and no toilets. They faced an overnight temperature of around 11 degrees Celsius (52 degrees Fahrenheit). "I am sleeping on the sand. It's freezing," said Soad Qarmoot, who described herself as a cancer patient forced to leave her home in the northern town of Beit Lahiya. As she spoke, her children huddled around a fire. Semi truck trailers are pictured at freight trucking company Yellows terminal near the Otay Mesa border crossing between the U.S. and Mexico, after the company filed for bankruptcy protection, in San Diego, California, August 7, 2023 Mike Blake | Reuters A group of investors hoping to salvage shuttered trucking giant Yellow (formerly YRC) were dealt a setback on Thursday when executives from the bankrupt company turned down a billion-dollar bid that would have scooped up much of what was left. But the group of investors led by trucking executive Sarah Riggs Amico vowed to continue, hoping that in the end the courts and the Treasury Department allow them to prevail. One of the sticking points has been Amico's request to restructure a $700 million CARES Act loan repayment, which helped keep the trucking giant afloat during the pandemic. The U.S. Department of Treasury says their hands are tied. "The loan in question was made during the prior Administration, and Treasury is one of several creditors taking part in the bankruptcy process. We will continue to work to ensure taxpayers, and impacted workers and their families are treated fairly." Ashley Schapitl, Treasury Spokesperson, told CNBC. Other Treasury officials have said the loan cannot be modified because Yellow is in bankruptcy and that new Congressional authority would be needed to issue a new loan since the CARES Act authority has expired. Yellow's would-be rescuers are disputing Treasury's legal opinion. A bipartisan group of eight senators, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo, and Elizabeth Warren, D-Ma, have publicly supported attempts to save Yellow and its 30,000 jobs, pressing Treasury to restructure the loan. What brought the iconic freight company to the brink Yellow, formerly YRC Worldwide, was an iconic presence on America's highways for generations until its sudden shuttering in July. Six months and a Chapter 11 filing later, it's clear that there are many shades of Yellow. Some see the yellow of a fading sunset, while others see the bright yellow of a new beginning. Still, more entities like the government and creditors are caught in the middle. When Yellow ceased operations, it left 12,000 trucks and 35,000 trailers idle, which could form the foundation for a new business. Yellow traces its roots to a taxi service in Oklahoma by the same name that started in the 1920s. For generations, Yellow grew into a freight giant that touched almost every corner of the American economy, becoming one of the top 10 freight carriers in the country, grossing over $6 billion in 2022. But a series of corporate events, from mismanagement to malfeasance, took the company to the brink. When Covid-19 caused the nation's supply chain to grind to a halt, Yellow received the $700 million lifeline loan through the CARES Act. Even that, though, wasn't enough. Experts say many of the dire predictions of snarled supply chains and higher freight prices in Yellow's absence have yet to materialize. "There are a lot of implications to individuals, but to the industry and industry segment, I don't see anything significant," said Michael Belzer, a professor of economics at Wayne State University. Before entering academia, Belzer spent 12 years as an OTR driver. "In a macro-sense, one company goes down, other companies rise up and take their freight," Belzer said. How truckers' lives have been disrupted Drivers walk to their trucks while working at YRC Worldwide Inc. in Carlstadt, New Jersey, U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. YRC Worldwide Inc. bondholders agreed to swap their debt for equity in the largest U.S. trucker, enabling the company to avoid a bankruptcy filing that may have resulted in liquidation. Photographer: Jin Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Investors hoping to revive Yellow say that the market hasn't recovered and the well-paying union jobs that Yellow truckers occupied have left a void in the economy. Nathan Skobodas worked for five years as an operations manager at a YRC terminal in Grand Rapids and says former coworkers have had difficulty. "Some coworkers I have kept in touch with have not found similar placement and have taken pay decreases," Skobodas said. Many others have had their lives disrupted. Kenneth Cantley, of Rosemont, Minnesota, spent nine years driving for Yellow until he got injured on the job, so he had to leave his position and started collecting workers' compensation just before the company shut its doors. "It really messed things up for a while," Cantley said. His worker's compensation payments quit coming, and for eight weeks, he was without any income until the official bankruptcy was filed, and that is when the payments resumed. "I struggled without any weekly income," Cantley said. Yellow Trucking offered "competitive" pay and a stable, safe job for new truckers, said Bradley Maroon, assistant director of Hamrick Truck Driving School in Ohio. He says the union jobs at Yellow offered new truckers protection and advocacy. "And Yellow was the only trucking company I know of where the truckers never had to sleep in their trucks; they would always put them up in a hotel room, which is a pretty big thing," Maroon said. Overnight trips, though, were a relative rarity for Yellow drivers, which made their jobs sought after by truckers who didn't want to be gone for days at a time. The importance of the less-than-truckload market Yellow Trucking inhabited a niche segment of the trucking market known as less-than-truckload (LTL). The margins are small, and LTL trucking touches every aspect of people's lives, whether they realize it or not. "The diversity of the customers in LTL is what makes it different; with LTL, you'll deliver to homes, hospitals, and barber shops; you don't have the same customers every single day; every day is a new day totally different than the next," said Nick Burlingame, school director and certified CDL instructor for Sage Schools in New York. While LTL has variety and same-day hauls, which makes it appealing for a driver not wanting to be gone for days, OTR involves days on the road. Burlingame said that LTL requires a particular subset of drivers who are okay with cramming their big rigs into tight spaces like urban alleyways or small parking lots. High shipping costs in Yellow's absence have yet to materialize, says Ken Vieth, president of ACT Research, which monitors the freight market. Vieth says LTL rates did increase since Yellow's closing, jumping 4.4 percent month over month in August and another .09 percent in September, but Vieth says the increase was mostly likely related to a 49-cent gallon jump in diesel prices from July to August, followed by a 19 cent rise from August to September. Regular gasoline and diesel prices have retreated since October. The bankruptcy also came amid a freight recession which has pressured the business models for many players in the trucking space and led to multiple rounds of layoffs and failures. "No one is missing Yellow," Vieth said. "They went out of business at the bottom of a freight cycle when there was considerable industry overcapacity." In fact, Yellow's exiting the market actually helped the LTL sector. "With Yellow's demise, the LTL portion of the market went from loose to snug in a weekend," Vieth said. With the weakest market participant and roughly 10% of LTL market capacity shutting down, the publicly traded LTL carriers (as a group) saw their second-best ever profitability quarter in the third quarter. According to data provided by Tank Transport to CNBC in November, rising fuel costs and falling freight rates had caused a total of 31,278 trucking companies to either close or shift their services to larger fleets. Freightwaves reports that the biggest beneficiary of Yellow's freight is Georgia-based LTL carrier Saia, which saw an 11 percent uptick in business in the third quarter. Burlingame concurs that the market has been able to absorb Yellow's demise. And with a driver shortage plaguing the industry, Burlingame says that even if drivers are moving into non-union jobs, they still usually have strong protections. "In today's market with the driver shortage almost all of these companies are treating these drivers well with good pay and health benefits, they have to if they want to keep them," Burlingame says. ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 02: Georgia Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor Sarah Riggs Amico addresses the crowd gathered for a campaign rally at Morehouse College on November 2, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Former US President Barack Obama joins Georgia Gubernatorial Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams during a campaign stop. (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images) Jessica Mcgowan | Getty Images News | Getty Images Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 10) A commissioned vessel on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal sustained "serious engine damage" after it was blasted with water cannon by the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. "Regular RORE (rotation and resupply) to BRP SIERRA MADRE this morning. BRP CABRA, Unaizah Mae 1, and M/L Kalayaan water cannoned by China Coast Guard. M/L Kalayaan suffered serious engine damage," said PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "Contrary to China Coast Guard disinformation, UM1 rammed by CCG vessel," he added. Tarriela shared videos of the incident, showing how local vessels were hit by the spray from the water cannon, as well as the size difference between the CCG and Philippine boats. But according to a twitter post of People's Daily, China said the CCG was acting "in accordance with the law and regulations" during the incident. The CCG also accused the Philippines of "transporting construction material" to BRP Sierra Madre, an action which infringed upon their sovereignty. "The CCG implemented control in accordance with laws and regulations," it added. NTF-WPS: China's assertion has no basis in international law The National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) refuted Beijings claims, saying the CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) "harassed, blocked, and executed dangerous maneuvers on Philippine civilian supply vessels" to stop them from conducting the RORE. The NTF-WPS also stressed that the water cannon incident not only damaged M/L Kalayaan, it also put the lives of its crew at risk. Despite this, the mission continued. "The PCG vessels and the resupply boats Unaizah Mae 1 (UM1) and M/L Kalayaan were subjected to reckless and dangerous harassment at close range by CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels on their approach to Ayungin Shoal. Contrary to China Coast Guard's disinformation, UM1 was rammed by CCG 21556. Despite these extreme and reckless actions, UM1 successfully reached BRP Sierra Madre, and resupply is ongoing as of this writing," the task force said. The task force reiterated that Ayungin Shoal is within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf in accordance with UNCLOS, and it was upheld by the 2016 Arbitral Award. "The Philippines exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the feature," it said. "China cannot lawfully exercise sovereignty over it." "In this regard, the assertion of China that its actions in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal are a legitimate exercise of law enforcement measures, has no basis in international law. Further, we express grave concern over the deliberate disinformation conducted through official channels that distort facts on the ground," it added. The task force also said China's actions casts doubt on its calls for peaceful dialogue and demanded the Asian nation show its trustworthiness as a member of the international community. Sunday's incident comes a day after Chinese ships used water cannons against Philippine vessels on their way to deliver aid to Filipino fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ships Datu Sanday, Datu Bankaw, and Datu Tamblot were around 1.4 to 1.9 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc to deliver oil subsidy and grocery packs to over 30 Filipino fishing vessels when the attack happened. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said China had used its water cannons at least eight times. In at least three instances in August and November, CCG ships fired water cannons at Philippine vessels on their way to bring food and supplies to military troops on Ayungin Shoal. China received backlash from a number of countries over the incident. They expressed concern and denounced the water cannon attack. In November, authorities approved the request of civilian groups to conduct a Christmas mission to the West Philippine Sea. The TS Kapitan Felix Oca left El Nido, Palawan Sunday morning for the convoy. "The planned Christmas convoy will pass through the general vicinity of Ayungin Shoal as far as practicable, on its way to other selected PH-occupied features to bring Christmas cheer directly to our troops assigned to those areas as well as to our fisherfolk," NSC assistant director and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said. Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. Hiten Madhani stands in front of a cottage in his backyard. Madhani had hoped to renovate his home in San Francisco, but his efforts were hampered, in part, by a process known as discretionary review. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Since 2018, Hiten Madhani has been trying to expand his modest Bernal Heights home to make more room for his aging parents and his wife and daughter. But six years in, hes spent $70,000 on the proposed remodel and still doesnt have the permits he needs. In most other cities, his remodel would have been straightforward. His architect came up with plans that met the citys many requirements. But in San Francisco, the projects permitting process took so long that it stretched Madhanis patience and finances past their limits. His story shows how the citys Byzantine permitting process can turn a simple project into what Madhani described as a multiyear, heartburn-inducing ordeal. And it all started with what critics say is a huge sticking point in San Franciscos already arduous permitting process: the ability of a single neighbor to block or delay a project. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Madhanis story is typical across California, particularly in San Francisco, whose regulatory apparatus makes it as easy as possible for anyone who opposes a project to intervene and block it, California YIMBY spokesperson Matt Lewis told the Chronicle. Hiten Madhani stands in the backyard of his home where he had hoped to renovate. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle If youre really really rich, youll make it through the gantlet, he added. If not, youre s out of luck. San Franciscos permit process San Franciscos policies may be most famous for how difficult they make it for developers to build new large multifamily housing projects. But they can also cause nightmarish scenarios for locals looking to do even simple remodels. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thats because here, most construction projects are subject to a process called discretionary review, or DR. Anyone hoping to legally change the size or shape of their home has to first notify neighbors within 150 feet and then wait 30 days. Any neighbor who objects to the project can then spend hundreds of dollars for the citys Planning Commission to review the permit at a public hearing. Supporters of discretionary review say its a way for neighbors to have input into how their community looks and feels. The Planning Commission encourages opponents to apply for DR only in exceptional or extraordinary circumstances if a proposed project would significantly impact the public interest. In one recent example of a successful DR application, neighbors objected to a developers plan to convert an office building into a cannabis lounge, arguing city planners hadnt considered its impact on nearby childcare centers. The planners agreed, later allowing the project to continue with additional health regulations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But the planners dont strictly define what falls under exceptional and extraordinary. As a result, critics say, the DR process has long been abused. San Franciscans have filed nearly 1,300 public-initiated DR applications since 2006, more than one per week. Of those, only about one-third were taken up by the Planning Commission, and just 2% led to a permit getting rejected. Most DR applications are withdrawn or rejected, but the delays can still add costs and headaches for homeowners. This process likely costs the city thousands of hours of taxpayer-funded labor and contributes to its status as the most expensive city to build in the world, but it may also further alienate residents who are already fed up with the citys challenges particularly families with children like Madhanis, who make up a smaller share of the citys population every year. While San Francisco is not the only California city that lets neighbors apply for DR, the citys process is excessive, said Corey Smith, executive director at Housing Action Coalition. A typical home-building project in San Francisco takes roughly 500 days more than any other city reporting data to the state to make it through the Planning Departments initial review, which includes discretionary review processes like the one Madhani faced. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hiten Madhanis home is seen on the left next to his neighbors, Julie Kelner, who filed a discretionary review application against his planned remodel in San Francisco. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle What caused the permit nightmare? In January 2018, Madhani applied for a permit to extend his one-bathroom Bernal Heights home into his own backyard by some 20 feet, adding a bedroom and two and a half bathrooms. That August, the Planning Department said that it would approve the plans after the 30-day period for neighbors to review. So Madhani paid the department $600 to send out notices, and stuck a sign in his front yard announcing his remodel to passersby. On the last day of the 30-day period, Madhanis next-door neighbor, Julie Kelner, filed a DR application. She argued that the Madhanis proposed extension would violate the neighborhoods design guidelines by being too close to the height of their original roof. She also argued the new house would be too bulky, causing unnecessary negative aesthetic impact to the block as a whole. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SFNext is Chronicle coverage devoted to the citys most vexing problems. To become involved: Send feedback, ideas and suggestions to sfnext@SFChronicle.com Kelner further claimed the remodel would make her home experience a significant reduction in light and hamper her views. And she said Madhanis family would reduce her privacy by giving members a view into her main bedroom. Madhanis architect, Gregory Smith, rebutted Kelners claims by noting that with the addition, Madhanis home would be roughly the average depth of the two homes on either side of it, the requirement for a home according to city code. (Kelner said this was technically true, but unfair, because the house on the Madhanis other side is also bulky.) The architect also refuted Kelners claim that Madhanis remodel didnt meet neighborhood design guidelines, saying the home exceeded such guidelines in every respect. For one, the height guidelines she cited apply only to homes on sloped lots, and Madhanis home isnt on a sloped lot, according to the Planning Department. Paint is seen chipped on the exterior doors of Hiten Madhanis home that he had hoped to renovate in San Francisco. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Bernal Heights has a special, all-volunteer permit-reviewing board that specializes in the neighborhoods design guidelines. Smith wrote that in addition to notifying this board about the remodel, he had twice called senior member Terry Milne. Milne, who died this June, took no exceptions to the proposed design and declined to review the project, Smith said. Despite this, the review board ended up filing a letter supporting Kelners DR application in October 2018, because they said Smith had never specifically contacted them to set up a special meeting a standard practice for projects in the area, the current board chair told the Chronicle. In an interview with the Chronicle, Kelner stood by her DR application. Shed filed it for two reasons: One, she hadnt been able to air her concerns at the standard neighborhood meeting chaired by the neighborhood review board, because that meeting never happened. Two, when she met with Madhani and his wife to discuss her concerns, they refused to alter their plans. Had Madhani listened to her and changed plans or had he and his architect hosted a meeting with that neighborhood board where she could voice her concerns theres just no way I would have pursued (DR), she said. Madhani said he didnt want to change the plans, partly because it would have been an expensive, time-consuming process, and partly because he felt he was being coerced to change plans he knew were up to code. The Get Involved calendar Search for public meetings on top San Francisco issues so you can add your voice. Where do things stand now? In December 2018, Madhani got some positive news: The citys Residential Design Advisory Team recommended the Planning Commission reject the DR application against his project. He then waited another month for the final verdict, which the Planning Commission issued at a public hearing on Jan. 10, 2019, when commissioners agreed with the advisory team and rejected the DR. In total, the DR process took the Madhanis 16 weeks, a month longer than the maximum time frame outlined in Planning Commission guidelines. By the time the hearing took place, it had been almost exactly a year since Madhanis architect had submitted his drawings to the Planning Department. And their permit still hadnt been reviewed by the Building Department, another process that can take years. Panels are missing on Hiten Madhanis home that he had hoped to renovate in San Francisco. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle The DR-caused delay had a domino effect. Madhanis permit made it to the Department of Building Inspection shortly before the FBI began investigating some of its senior employees for corruption, which he thinks may have slowed the departments review. Soon after, COVID hit, and construction costs for Madhanis remodel soared; disheartened and aware he could no longer afford the remodel, he and his architect stopped responding to building inspectors comments on their permit applications. His final construction permits remain in limbo. Kelner also isnt happy with how things shook out. She said the Planning Commission focused too much on her personal complaints and overlooked her broader concerns about the projects impacts on the neighborhood. It seemed very perfunctory in terms of the only thing they heard was, blocking my view, she said, later adding: For the money we were asked to provide, we expected an impartial and thorough review. And we did not feel like we got that. In an interview, Planning Department representatives Dan Sider and Annie Yalon said that the department takes DR process complaints seriously and that they had instituted significant reforms to their review process, such as streamlining the work of different teams inside the Planning Department. The department will also work with new statewide laws like SB423, which will eliminate discretionary review for many multifamily housing projects but not smaller projects or remodels. For his part, Madhani is frustrated and has given up on his project for now. Joe Rogan says that the Democrats opened Americas borders to illegal immigrants to win their votes the green card-holders wonder, What votes? The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 prohibits all non-citizens, including both legal and illegal immigrants, from voting in federal elections. However, there are a small number of municipalities in California, Maryland and Vermont that allow non-citizen permanent residents to participate exclusively in local elections. Those two sentences contain these things called facts, and as such, they are equally prohibited from appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience. In a recent episode of Rogans podcast, the Manosphere magnate invited comedian Stavros Halkias, who released his debut Netflix special Fat Rascal earlier this week, to hear Rogans takes on immigration policy and Voter ID laws while Rogan himself failed to grasp the basic principles of both. Halkias, the son of a permanent resident who legally emigrated from Greece 40 years ago and who still has no voting rights, gently quelled Rogans rambling by reminding him that, unlike assault rifles and testosterone boosters, voting rights are only available to citizens. Advertisement To be clear, Rogans explanation for why Democrats in Chicago are allegedly incentivizing illegal immigrants to move to the Windy City isnt an original argument its a talking point thats become increasingly popular among far-to-alt-right politicians and pundits in recent years. The fear that an immigrant group would gradually infiltrate a country and influence its government to the detriment of native citizens political power is most prominently expressed in the Great Replacement theory, which, like many of the ideas espoused on JRE, has roots in Nazi philosophy just replace Jews with Democrats in Rogans case. Advertisement But Rogan definitely doesnt know any of that. Like most of his opinions, he probably got this one from his more extremist friends, or from some tweet that Elon Musk sent him. And, just like the rest of his views, Rogans stance on a possible connection between immigrants coming to Chicago and a failed voting law in New York can be reversed in an instant depending on who is sitting in front of him. Thankfully, Halkias explanation of his fathers experience helped Rogan course-correct his focus toward real problems regarding citizenship in the United States but not before Rogan demonstrated to his listeners that he doesnt know a goddamn thing about immigration. Advertisement Advertisement On Joe Rogans subreddit, the internets largest fan forum dedicated to the comedian and his podcast, a clip of the immigration conversation quickly rose to the top of the front page as listeners lambasted their leader for his uninformed rant. 2014 Joe would make fun of how easy it is to stir up 2024 right wing Facebook meme Joe, one user wrote, while another added, Imagine believing that they would let so many people in because they want chaos or new voters, as opposed to a cheap and easily exploitable labor pool. Joe is fucking clueless to how this country actually works. Another Rogan fan wondered of the host, Hows about lookin stuff up before stating it as fact? Fuckin meathead, to which someone answered, That would be woke. The Danish Straits are the only exit from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Russia uses this route to move two million barrels of oil exports a day. That requires about three Aframax class tankers. The Afra stands for, Average Freight Rate Assessment. This is about insurance for the ship and its cargo of oil and is popular with this ships that transport about 600,000 barrels of oil. This is a popular capacity because tankers that size can user most ports to unload the oil after docking and connecting to a local oil pipeline system. Larger tankers require a deepwater oil discharge point father out to sea where the water is deep enough to handle the deep draft of tankers that carry two million or more barrels of oil. Russia has a problem with its oil exports because of Western economic sanctions imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. The sanctions sought to put limits on how much money Russia could make with its oil exports. The sanctions limited how much oil Russia could export and how much they could charge for it. This led to less oil entering world markets and that drove up the average oil price. That was another incentive for Russia to smuggle oil and thats what was going on in the Danish Straits, where unidentified, and possibly uninsured, Aframax tankers were believed to be carrying Russian oil to international customers that were willing to accept smuggled oil, especially at a slightly lower price to reflect the risks of dealing with illegal goods. Much of the smuggled oil went out via the Danish Straits because the Danes only had a few small (280 ton) Diana-class Patrol Vessels to police this traffic and these boats were not enough. Their armament consists of two 12.7mm machine-guns per boat and a crew of nine. Thats not enough firepower to intimidate a much larger tanker and not enough sailors for boarding parties to inspect the tankers. Once in the North Sea and then the Atlantic Ocean, the unidentified, unregistered and possibly uninsured tankers carrying embargoed Russian oil head for distant ports where cargoes of petroleum lacking the proper paperwork are purchased at a discount. The sanctions limit the price of Russia can receive for its oil to $60 a barrel. If Russia can effectively conceal the origins of its oil exports, they can get a higher price. The smaller Aframax type tankers are the perfect size for oil smugglers because Aframax class ships are able to dock and unload cargo in just about any commercial port. In Ukraine the government is seeking a solution to Russian use of a single fighter-bomber carrying a four-ton hypersonic missile. The threat is scarier than it is effective but is causing anxiety among Ukrainian civilians throughout the Ukraine. The primary reason for this anxiety is the inability of the military to shoot down the Russian MiG-31 carrying the missile. This is a problem that began fourteen years ago when Russian prosecutors were looking for whoever ordered the sale, as government surplus, of four MiG-31 fighters for $5 each. Even though the aircraft were being sold without engines or weapons, they were still worth nearly $4 million each. The sale was authorized by a government agency which disposed of surplus equipment two years earlier. All the prosecutors and their investigators had was paperwork ordering the transfer of the four aircraft to what appears to be a shell corporation. The four MiG-31s are still sitting at the plant where they were manufactured and left in limbo. No one wanted the MiG-31s when the Cold War ended in 1991, and Russia could not afford to equip the MiG-31s with engines and weapons. That was not the end of this scandal. The paperwork ordering the low cost transfer could not be traced back to anyone. At least not anyone willing to admit they authorized the $5 sales. What the prosecutors did confirm was that corruption in the Russian military and defense industries was still active. During the 1990s that corruption cost the Russian military billions of dollars. These were losses the air force could not afford because that money was desperately needed for maintenance and upgrades for existing aircraft and buying new aircraft. After about twenty years of these losses and missed opportunities, the Russian air force managed to control the corruption, revive production of a few aircraft and refurbish, upgrade and restore to flight status many existing aircraft that had been unable to fly much or not at all. Among the revived aircraft was the twin-engine, two seat 46-ton MiG-31, which was normally used for air superiority and armed with various types of air-to-air missiles. Some were modified to be high-performance MiG-31K bombers carrying the 650 kg Kh-58US HARM (high speed anti-radiation missile) for destroying ground based radars and blinding air defense systems. The other missile carried was the 4.3 ton Kh-47M2 Kinzhal ballistic missile. This one has a range of 2,000 kilometers and moves at up to three kilometers a second, which is faster than a rifle bullet. All these capabilities are costly and each Kinzhal costs about $10 million. While the Kinzhal is impressive on paper, when actually used its performance is somewhat less than expected. In practice it is not as fast as advertised. Kinzhals purported immunity to air-defense systems was also revealed to be false when an American Patriot air defense missile given to Ukraine intercepted and destroyed one. Russia denied that this happened despite the evidence presented by the Ukrainians. Russia insisted that the debris of the intercepted missile belonged to another type of missile. Ukrainian and Western weapons experts agreed the missile wreckage in Ukraine was that of a Kinzhal. One of the dozen Russian MiG-31K aircraft continues to patrol Ukrainian skies carrying a Kinzhal. The MiG-31K is equipped for aerial refueling so it can fly higher and faster over Ukraine than any Ukrainian fighter. This is expected to change with the American F-16s Ukraine is receiving in 2024. Ukrainian pilots who have been training in the F-16 seem to believe the Americans fighter would be suitably effective against new Russian fighters like the MiG-31K. We may find out in 2024. During the Cold War there were few battles between Americans and Russian fighters and when they were, American pilots were not flying the F-16s. Often the pilots were Israeli who faced Arab pilots in Russian fighters. Despite their success with F-16s, Israel is retiring its F-16s and replacing them with F-35s. The following was recently posted in a different article and so constitutes boring padding. Wait a few more months for when you really need to repost something. Im working on two more articles, how the Biden administrations giving of $20+ billion to Iran makes a Persian Gulf oil war inevitable within a few years, to the tune $200+/barrel oil for several years afterwards, and Adjusting Attitudes in Gaza. At the end of 2016 Israel retired the last of its 125 F-16A fighters. The first 70 were acquired in 1980 and 1981 and included 8 two-seater F-16B trainers. One of the F-16As achieved a record by being the single F-16 with the most air-to-air kills (6.5), all achieved in 1982 using three different pilots. Israel received 50 used F-16As in 1994 (including 14 B models) and used these mainly as trainers. Israel may still be able to sell some of these F-16As on the second-hand market, like it did with its older Kfir fighters (retired in the 1990s). The F-16As were the first of the nearly 400 F-16s Israel obtained from the United States since 1980. Israeli F-16s have shot down 47 aircraft, out of 67 kills for all 4,588 F-16s built. Israeli F-16A flew 474,000 sorties and spent over 335,000 hours in the air over 35 years. Israel was the most energetic user of the F-16 and also took the lead in developing upgrades and accessories. This could help in selling the older F-16As, but that is a crowded market with more and more of these oldest F-16s being retired rather than upgraded. That is easier to do with the later F-16C models and that is what Israel did with all of its F-16Cs. Four months before the Israeli F-16A retirement production of the F-16 ceased after 44 years. The manufacturer (Lockheed Martin or LockMart) will continue to do upgrades and refurbishments into the 2020s and beyond. Currently LockMart has orders for over 300 upgrades of late model F-16s to the F-16V standard. This involves replacing the mechanical radar with an AESA (phased array) radar, an upgraded cockpit, a Sniper targeting pod, a Link 16 digital data link and upgraded navigation gear. The new cockpit features a 15cm x 20cm/6x8 inch flat screen display that replaces dozens of gauges and switches and makes it much easier to fly the aircraft. AESA and the new fire control system makes it possible to track multiple aircraft at once as well as track vehicles on land or vessels at sea. The targeting pod enables the pilot to confirm (visually) what is on the surface and promptly attack it with smart bombs or missiles. LockMart expects to get orders for at least 700 F-16V upgrades. While that brings in less than $10 million per aircraft, five or ten of these upgrades equals the price of one new F-16. The F-16 thus follows the path of previous best selling fighters. During The Cold War (1947-91) Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s, and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s but since 1991, warplane manufacturing has plummeted about 90 percent. However, the F-16 has been popular enough to keep the production lines going strong until 2016. The U.S. still has about 1,200 F-16s in service (about half with reserve units). F-16s built so far went to 27 countries. America has hundreds in storage, available for sale on the used airplane market. The end of the Cold War led to a sharp cut in U.S. Air Force fighter squadrons. Moreover, the new F-35 will be replacing all U.S. F-16s in the next decade. The U.S. has plenty of little-used F-16s sitting around, and many allies in need of low cost jet fighters. Since the 1990s most F-16s produced were for export and these cost as much as $70 million each, like the F-16I for Israel. Some nations, like South Korea, build the F-16 under license. A used F-16C, built in the 1990s, would go for about $10 million on the open market. The 16 ton F-16 also has an admirable combat record and is very popular with pilots. It has been successful at ground support as well. When equipped with 4-6 smart bombs it is an effective bomber. The U.S. F-16 is one of the most modified jet fighters in service. While most are still called the F-16C, there are actually six major mods, identified by block number (32, 40, 42, 50, 52, 60), plus the Israeli F-16I, which is a major modification of the Block 52. The F-16D is a two seat trainer version of F-16Cs. The various block mods included a large variety of new components, including five different models of engines, four sets of avionics, five generations of electronic warfare equipment, five different radars and many other mechanical, software, cockpit and electrical modifications. The most advanced F-16 is the F-16 Block 60. The best example of this is a special version of the Block 60 developed for the UAE (United Arab Emirates). The UAE bought 80 F-16E "Desert Falcons" which were optimized for air combat. F-16E is a 22 ton aircraft based on the Block 52 model, which is what the South Korean manufactured KF-16 was called, even though it was an F-16E with an AESA radar and many other additional features that was built in South Korea using a production license from the Americans manufacturer LockMart. MBABANE Inyatsi Group Holdings has filed an urgent application seeking to stop businessman Mavela Sigwane from defaming the company. Inyatsi Group has sought relief that Sigwane and FESBC be interdicted and restrained from causing to be made and/or causing to be published any further malicious and defamatory statements about the company. It also seeks relief that they must be interdicted and restrained from causing to be made and/or causing to be published slanderous; manifestly obscene and untruthful statements concerning the applicants and their directors. Sigwane and the Federation of the Eswatini Business Community (FESBC) are yet to file their responding affidavits. As a result, the veracity of these allegations is yet to be tested in court. Attempts to get hold of Sigwane to find out if he received the papers were unsuccessful. Calls were made and messages were texted to him. There was no response by 10pm yesterday. The applicants are Inyatsi Group Holdings and Maloma Colliery Limited. The first respondent is Sigwane, while the second is FESBC. Inyatsi Group, whose deponent is Derrick Shiba, has also prayed to the court to make the sought relief to operate with immediate effect as an interim interdict, pending final determination of the defamatory legal proceedings to be instituted by Maloma Colliery against Sigwane. It is stated in the court papers that Maloma Colliery Limited anticipates instituting the defamatory proceedings within 30 days of the grant of the interim interdict. affidavit That the costs of this application be borne by the respondents, reads the affidavit filed by the construction company yesterday. It could not be ascertained when it would be heard. The applicants also want the court to order Sigwane and FESBC to publish an unequivocal and written apology in relation to the letter issued by them directed to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Eswatini Competition Commission and the statement released by the first respondent during or around December 5, 2023. Inyatsi also wants them to be interdicted and restrained from causing to be made and/or causing to be published any further malicious, defamatory; slanderous; manifestly obscene and untruthful statements concerning the company and Maloma Colliery Limited and their directors. Shiba said he was duly authorised by the applicants to depose to this affidavit and to institute the present urgent proceedings against Sigwane and FESBC. In the ordinary course of his duties, he said he was tasked, among other duties, to review material that was published in the media concerning any of the members within the Inyatsi Group. I have, therefore, acquired personal knowledge of some of the articles and correspondence that have been published in the recent past that form part of the subject matter of this application, Shiba said. He briefed the court that Sigwane was employed by Maloma Colliery as a SHEQ Manager on October 4, 2021 in terms of a fixed three-year term contract of employment that was to lapse on October 10, 2024. Inyatsi attached a copy of the first respondents letter of employment to the application. Shiba said Sigwane subsequently concluded a contract of employment which contained a confidentiality clause. The copy of the contract was annexed to the application as well. He cited Clause 13, which spelt out the confidentiality requirement. The clause reads: The employee shall not discuss in public any matter of a confidential nature effecting the company and shall not use to his own advantage or gain any information obtained in the course of his employment with the company. All information received by the employee in the course of his employment whether relating to the affairs of the company or its directors, shareholders and other members of management or their respective families shall be regarded as confidential. It further says: The employee shall not during the course or after termination of his employment disclose to any person any information relating to classified matters, unless specifically authorised by the CEO or any person delegated by him. resignation Shiba said Sigwane resigned his employment from Maloma Colliery Limited on January 11, 2023. He said the company accepted his resignation. In his letter of his resignation, he alleged that he indicated that he would like to continue to assist the company wherever possible. He said Maloma Colliery accepted this offer, subject to the parties concluding a written agreement to that effect. Ultimately, he further alleged that the parties did not conclude such agreement and no assistance has been provided by Sigwane to the company. Since his resignation from the company, Inyatsi alleged that Sigwane has been engaged in a concerted campaign to discredit the company and its associates. The company said the motive of his campaign was unknown to them but was it safe to attribute it to the conduct of a disgruntled former employee who sought to tarnish his former employers image. Inyatsi Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd said it was this campaign that gave rise to the present application, in terms of which they were seeking interdictory relief against Sigwane in order to stop him from continuing with the spread of the malicious and defamatory allegations against them. The applicants alleged that Sigwane portrayed himself as being a person involved in a righteous crusade against the applicants. allegations They said the alleged crusade had not gone unnoticed, as other social media users and platforms have also joined the fray in broadcasting his allegations and providing commentary. They annexed an extract from a publication known as Swaziland News, where Sigwanes allegations were repeated as if they were factually correct. Inyatsi submitted that the allegations by Sigwane did not come across as being righteous, but plainly allegedly appeared to be from an individual that was being both vindictive and malicious. It is this malicious intent that requires that the court interdict him from repeating and/or continuing to make such defamatory allegations, said Shiba in the court papers. Inyatsi Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd listed its associates as follows: * Construction Associates (Pty) limited; * Eswatini Meat Industries (Pty) Limited; * Inyatsi Properties (Pty) Limited; * Maloma Colliery Limited; * Lidwala Insurance Limited; * Robicon Media Group Limited; * Datum (Pty) Limited; * The Clinic Group Limited; * E-mali Limited; * Inyatsi Mining Limited. Pertaining to the article in question, Inyatsi said on November 30, 2023, FESBC caused to be issued a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of Eswatini Competition Commission. The applicants alleged that the letter was signed by Sigwane on behalf of the President of FESBC, Tum du Pont. They said the letter was copied to a number of statutory and non-statutory institutions and was further circulated in both print and social media, both locally and internationally. Consequently, Inyatsi said the letter had been the subject of an intensive public discourse. It said the letter was factually incorrect in various respects and was defamatory to the applicants as it portrayed them in bad light. Inyatsi Group Holdings and Maloma Colliery Limted said the letter particularly connoted that they were involved in irregular acquisition of companies, ill-treatment of service providers, commercially abusive tendencies, non-adherence to good corporate governance and fair employment practices, involvement in tax fraud and a host of equally calumnious allegations. Read in totality, they said the correspondence accused the applicants of being involved in State capture which it was alleged allowed the applicants to be manipulative of government. The letter contains a number of factually incorrect statements. In the letter, it is alleged that Inyatsi Group has dominance and has acquired a number of entities, the applicants said in the court papers. acquisitions They said Umbuluzi Chicken and United Holdings were also listed as acquisitions. This statement is false as the applicants have not acquired this entity, it is said in the papers of the court. Under the heading Insurance, they said it was alleged that they had acquired United Holdings. This statement is also false, as we have never acquired this entity, reads the affidavit filed by the group. Under the heading Estate it was alleged that they have acquired Nkonyeni Estate. This statement is likewise false as we have never acquired this entity, insisted Inyatsi. It said the letter then alleged that they were involved in the exploitation of local businesses. The woke revolution has become official policy in Whitehall. It is as though Sir Humphrey from Yes Minister has joined forces with the Socialist Workers Party to create a hybrid form of bureaucracy where radical ideology has been grafted on to the traditional box-ticking mindset of civil servants. This weekend, it was revealed that senior mandarins are being encouraged in official documents to push a 'diversity and inclusion' agenda in order to qualify for bonuses. 'Members of the senior civil service must demonstrate that they have made a significant corporate contribution' beyond their core roles, insists the document in classic Whitehall-speak. 'This includes work at the cross- government functional level, for example involving leadership of functional initiative on capability building or diversity or inclusion.' In other words, Sir Humphreys are increasingly being judged on their willingness to promote social justice rather than the ability to do their job. The woke revolution has become official policy in Whitehall (pictured: HM Treasury Building at the corner of Parliament Square and Parliament Street) The late Nigel Lawson (pictured), Margaret Thatcher's finest Chancellor, once famously said the NHS was the closest thing the English have to religion. If that is true, then cultural diversity is the new creed of the public sector The development is yet more proof that public institutions have utterly surrendered to the fashionable, politically correct agenda. The late Nigel Lawson, Margaret Thatcher's finest Chancellor, once famously said the NHS was the closest thing the English have to religion. If that is true, then cultural diversity is the new creed of the public sector. This is being imposed by a new priesthood, made up of a swelling class of taxpayer-funded officials. A recent study by the think-tank Conservative Way Forward estimates that there at least 10,000 state employees whose work involves the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion, with a total bill for the taxpayer of more than 557 million. Despite the occasional burst of tough rhetoric, Conservative ministers have been ineffective in resisting the tide, and the trend has accelerated since the party took office in 2010. The expansion of the diversity industry was once hailed as an indicator of corporate Britain's determination to tackle problems such as inequality, misogyny and racism. Hiring a bunch of well-upholstered pen-pushers who collected reams of data, spouted jargon and attended endless meetings was not a waste of taxpayers' money, but a signal of compassionate intent. The growth of the woke bureaucracy was an end in itself; the bigger the diversity department, the more the organisation cared. Conversely, in this climate of moral blackmail, a proposal to reduce the diversity budget could be interpreted as an attack on the very idea of equality. But Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has seen through this fallacy. In advance of the Tory Party conference in October, he announced that the Treasury would conduct an audit of all equity, diversity and inclusion expenditure in the civil service. The Government, he promised, would be 'changing our approach to equality and diversity initiatives. Smashing glass ceilings is everyone's job not a box to be ticked by hiring a diversity manager'. It can only be hoped that he really is ready for combat. The industry is certainly ripe for major surgery, having become hopelessly bloated on the largesse of the taxpayer. As spending has spiralled out of control, costly diversity teams have encroached everywhere. But Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (pictured) has seen through this fallacy. In advance of the Tory Party conference in October, he announced that the Treasury would conduct an audit of all equity, diversity and inclusion expenditure in the civil service In Whitehall alone, it is estimated that 12 million a year is spent on 255 diversity and inclusion civil servants. The Department for Work and Pensions employs 30 of them, the Home Office 23 and the Department for Transport 11; another 11 are based in a central unit for the entire civil service. No part of the state machine is free from this sort of officialdom. HM Revenue and Customs is reported to have 23 diversity officers, costing the taxpayer 1.4 million a year. Local government, which continually wails about cash shortages, is said to have 794 equality, diversity and inclusion staff employed at a cost of 30 million, including 40 at Leicestershire County Council and 13 at Manchester City Council. The Greater London Authority has recently been advertising for three new recruits of this type, headed by an Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Cultural Lead, on a salary of 75,750, to ensure the GLA 'reflects London's diversity at all levels of its workforce', followed by a 60,394-a-year Equalities Policy and Projects Officer 'to address structural equalities within London' and an Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Culture Adviser on 48,831. Similarly the police, despite their complaints of overstretched budgets, spend 10 million a year on equality staff, with each force employing around five such officers. The West Midlands constabulary seemingly cannot manage without an Assistant Director of Diversity on 82,000 and a Positive Action Manager on up to 59,000; while the West Yorkshire force has 16 full-time equivalent positions at a cost of 500,000 a year. It is the same story with other agencies of the state and quangos. So the Bank of England has 11 full-time diversity staff, costing 650,000, and the Crown Prosecution Service has 21 with a bill to the taxpayer of 945,000. Beyond these highly paid roles, Jeremy Hunt would have scope for even bigger tax cuts if he could rein in other extravagant elements of equality expenditure, such as the whopping 150 million a year spent on diversity and inclusion training for public sector staff. The Conservative Way Forward think-tank also found that since the start of the Covid pandemic, 212 million had been spent on public procurement contracts related to race, sexuality, unconscious bias and other politically controversial issues. One such contract, worth 30 million, was for the 'provision of specialist Equality, Diversity and Inclusion advice' to NHS England. Another, worth 10 million, was to establish a 'Race Observatory' for the NHS Confederation to examine health inequalities among ethnic minorities. In Whitehall alone, it is estimated that 12 million a year is spent on 255 diversity and inclusion civil servants Some of this kind of training is frivolous, such as African drumming sessions for staff at Warwickshire County Council, or the time spent by employees of the Intellectual Property Office on the 'Respect at Work Board Game'. But there are more sinister aspects, verging on indoctrination, such as a campaign funded by the Arts Council that taught participants how to 'unlearn whiteness'. On the official website of Health Education England whose equality team includes a National Programme Support Manager, a National Diversity and Participation Lead, a National Business Support Officer and seven regional managers the recommended reading list embraces titles such as The Characteristics Of White Supremacy Culture and White Privilege: Unpacking The Invisible Knapsack. The divisive influence of identity politics is also reflected in the increasing proliferation of staff support networks designed to chall- enge prejudices and promote awareness of differing needs. In the quest to cater for ever more sophisticated calibrations of oppression, the Ministry of Defence has 65 of these groups, including a 'menopause' network, a 'gender' network, a 'Defence Rastafari' network and a 'vegan and vegetarian' network. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has 25, among them a 'stammering' network, and an 'inflammatory bowel disease' network. Similarly, the police have a 'Pagan Association', which aims to 'improve the relationship between the pagan community and the police'. A study by the Taxpayers' Alliance recently found that, in Whitehall alone, 309,000 has been spent in the past three years on these networks across 12 departments. That was the experience of Steve Barclay (pictured) as Health Secretary earlier this year when he was appalled to discover that NHS England was spending 40 million a year on around 800 diversity officers In this arena of grievance, no category of suffering is ignored. Whitehall has even set up a 'Cross Government Introverts Network'. The official guidance for this group states that 'many introverts find it hard to get their voices heard', so the new network will 'build a supportive community that helps develop introverts'. It seems no one can be left out of this orgy of bureaucratic concern. The Civil Service LGBT+ Network produced material on the neglect endured by asexual people, who, apparently 'feel invisible as a result of the lack of recognition', suffer from a 'lack of role models' and 'are more likely to experience bullying, harassment and discrimination'. One civil servant complained asexuality 'isn't listed once' on the diversity training courses. Another moaned that 'as a heteroromantic asexual, I sometimes feel pressured to identify as 'heterosexual' even though I am not'. The wails of outrage will grow ever louder if Hunt presses ahead with real cuts. He will have a fight on his hands with the progressive Blob in Whitehall which will ferociously defend the status quo. That was the experience of Steve Barclay as Health Secretary earlier this year when he was appalled to discover that NHS England was spending 40 million a year on around 800 diversity officers. But his attempt to reduce the excess had only a limited impact. Rather than heeding Barclay's call for a moratorium on these roles, NHS England drew up plans to create three new units called 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion', 'People and Culture' and 'People and Communities', with 244 employees and a staffing budget of 14 million a year; this at a time when NHS unions and _managers were indulging in their usual shroud-waving about the lack of resources. As Frank Young, a research director from the respected, independent think-tank Civitas said: 'We're constantly told that the NHS is underfunded but then budgets are made available for NHS managers fretting over diversity targets instead of medical care.' The Blob will also defend itself with the law, citing the 2010 Equality Act which imposed a statutory duty on public bodies to promote inclusion and equality. The architect of that legislation, Labour's then Deputy Leader Harriet Harman, said proudly that it would create 'a new social order'. She wasn't wrong. The shame is that for too long, the Tories have colluded with this experiment in social engineering. MBABANE Random countrywide raids, 24 hour roadblocks could be a norm in the near future. This may well be the new normal should the aspirations of the new Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Prince Simelane come to fruition. Presenting an idea on how to curb corruption and crime in the country, the minister proposed embarking on random raids countrywide, through a joint venture by the countrys security forces. He also envisaged that mounting roadblocks in various strategic areas around the country day and night would go a long way towards cleaning the countrys streets and ridding it of crime. The minister advocated for sweeping operations meant to ensure peace and stability and a crime free country. He said this would have a positive contribution towards removing the now abundant illegal firearms from the hands of criminals. The minister revealed that such security tactics have been adopted by other countries, including some in the SADC region, yielding measurable success in reducing crime levels. He used Lesotho as an example, where he stated that the national army took over security duties from the police and conducted patrols and roadblock checks. He clarified that, this however, was doable through collaborative work by all security forces in a joint venture. However in order to achieve his dream for the country, the minister echoed his submission during the parliamentarians courtesy call to His Majesty King Mswati III at Mandvulo Grand Hall, where he proposed the increase in number of security force personnel. This was where members of the 12th Parliament introduced themselves to the King and made their presentation on how they believed the country could move forward and fulfill His Majestys vision to end corruption, address the poverty crisis and unemployment, as well as economic growth. increase of security forces While making his submissions the minister pleaded with His Majesty and government to consider increasing the number of security forces personnel to provide a fence or shield around the country, to maintain peace and order. Adding, the minister said this was essential because no investor would be interested in investing in an unstable country where businesses, government structures, equipment and tinkhundla centres were burnt down and vandalised at any given time. The minister suggested that the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) should be increased to 15 000, Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) to 12 000, His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS) to 10 000. The minister also suggested increasing the Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (ENFRES) personnel, which he also pleaded that they should be recognised as security forces to 5 000. During an interview with the Times Sunday, Minister Prince Simelane asserted that his current ministry was also an important fence or shield for the country, as it was mandated to enforce the law through prosecuting cases working together with the other law enforcement agencies. He assured that during his tenure in office, he would do the best he could to ensure justice prevailed and was fair to all. He further pointed out that increasing the number of security forces personnel alone, would not be practical, as there was also a need to ensure that they were provided with all the working tools and equipment they required. For this to be a success, government has to ensure that the security forces are well-equipped, unlike in previous situations where there was a shortage of vehicles and fuel for police officers resulting in them being unable to promptly attend to calls, said the minister. Simelane has urged the Correctional Services which falls under his portfolio to engage the REPS and UEDF to embark on periodic random sweeping exercises, where they would conduct raids across all four regions in the country and be proactive in preventing crime. Monthly raids He suggested that these raids should be conducted once a month and should not be isolated to urban or peri-urban areas, but countrywide in all four regions including townships and rural areas. Currently, crime is on the rise in the country and there are a lot of illegal firearms circulating and being used to commit heinous crimes as well as drug smuggling. I believe that such raids would be important in sweeping the country and curbing crime, he said. The minister further called for 24-hour patrols across the country and the mounting of roadblocks even at night no matter the weather conditions to ensure safety and peace in the country while reducing crime. If we can manage to do this as a country, it will go a long way in ensuring service delivery and allowing emaSwati to rest easy while knowing they and their assets are protected, he said. The minister also proposed that all tinkhundla centres across the country should be guarded day and night as well as all schools and government structures such as ministerial buildings, court houses as part of what he themed efficient service delivery. Marie Chantal of Greece has lived a modern-day fairytale, from growing up with billionaire father Robert Miller to falling 'in love at first sight' with Prince Pavlos, heir to the Greek crown. She combines work as a clothes designer with a life as mother-of-five whose children are already forging their own successful paths. She also has a huge online following, with nearly a quarter of a million fans on one social media channel alone. Born in London on September 17, 1968, to parents Robert W Miller, 88, and his Ecuador-born wife Maria Clara Pesantas, 83, she was brought up in Hong Kong until the age of nine, where she then went to boarding school in Switzerland. Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, and wife Marie-Chantal appearing at the Albert Hall for the British fashion awards While she may have married royalty, Marie-Chantal, 55, (pictured with her daughter Maria Olympia) is worth 2billion herself - thanks to a fortune from her father Robert Miller Marie-Chantal married Pavlos in 1995. He will never take the throne because the Greek monarchy was deposed in 1973 Marie-Chantal has connections with the rich and famous. Before she married into the royal family, the London-born blonde worked for Andy Warhol (above) Her father Robert initially made a fortune as a pioneer in the world of duty free shopping, establishing the DFS or Duty Free Shopping chain. Later, he established an investment business that made him and his family even more money. Marie Chantal, 55, is the middle of three sisters, Pia, 57, and Alexandra, 50, who are also best known for their well-connected marriages. In the 1980s, she attended a bilingual school in Paris before transferring to the Masters School in New York for her senior year of high school. Marie-Chantal has a long history of associating with the rich and famous; before she married into the royal family, the London-born blonde worked for Andy Warhol. She began a degree in History of Art at New York University in 1993, and it was in the city that she met Prince Pavlos, 56, for the first time. The couple met on a blind date set up by New York investment banker Alecko Papamarkou, a mutual friend who was convinced they would hit it off. 'We clicked,' the Princess told Vanity Fair in 2008. 'It was love at first sight. I knew that he was the person I would marry.' The pair became engaged in 1995 after a romantic proposal in the Swiss ski resort of Gstaad, and their July wedding later that year was the largest gathering of royals in London since Queen Elizabeth's wedding to Prince Philip in 1946. Among the 1,250 guests who attended were the royal families of Britain, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Romania, Jordan and Bulgaria. Marie Chantal Miller poses extravagantly above with her sister Pia (in yellow) as they lounge in the pool of the Hotel Bel-Air, Cap Ferrat in July 1991 The couple met on a blind date set up by New York investment banker Alecko Papamarkou, a friend who was convinced they would hit it off Prince Pavlos of Greece and his bride Marie-Chantal Miller after their wedding at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St Sofia in Bayswater, London in 1995 The couple moved to Manhattan, where she continued her studies in art history and Pavlos worked as an investment consultant. It was here they had their firstborn Olympia, before moving to London in 2002 so their children could have a European education. The couple now have five children: daughter Olympia, 23, and four sons: Constantine, 21, Achileas, 19, Odysseas, 15, and 11-year-old Aristidis. In 2000, she launched her luxury children's wear brand Marie-Chantal, which has since gone on to amass celebrity and royal fans, including Kate Middleton. The Greek royals have lived between New York and London since 2004, with Marie Chantal running a children's clothing line out of the UK. Together, the family enjoy a life befitting of the world's mega-wealthy, splitting their time between their stunning Upper East Side New York home and holidays around the world. Prince Pavlos and Marie-Chantal with their children, Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece, and new baby, Prince Constantine-Alexios of Greece in January 1999 In 1999, Prince William wore a sling while attending the christening of his godson, Prince Constantine Alexios of Greece, in London. The Prince was recovering from surgery on a broken finger Prince Pavlos of Greece with Marie-Chantal Miller the day before their wedding in June 1995 As well as the New York home, the Greek royals have four other properties around the world including a house in London, a Cotswolds estate, a holiday home in the Bahamas, as well as a country retreat in Yorkshire. These days, Marie-Chantal runs her own eponymous children's clothing label, which is stocked in boutiques and stores worldwide. The princess's designs have proved popular among celebrities with Nicky Hilton's flower girls famously wearing her creations in July 2015. In 2016, the glamorous royal teamed up with Marks & Spencer for an exclusive 33-piece collection of clothing, accessories and gifts designed for babies and children. The mother-of-five's capsule collection was influenced by the signature style seen in her high-end line of kids' clothes which retails up to 250 for a fraction of the price. Prices start at 6 for socks, and up to 60 for the shawl, clothing starts at 18 for the top and goes up to 36 for the dress. Meanwhile, in 2020, she released a book, Manners Begin at Breakfast: Modern Etiquette for Families. Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Prince Pavlos and Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess, arrive to attend the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla Marie-Chantal of Greece and her son, Prince Constantin Alexios in 2021 in Paris Emma Watson, Princess Maria Olympia of Greece and Crown Princess Marie Chantal of Greece attend the Valentino show as part of Paris Fashion Week in July 2014 Marie-Chantal runs her own eponymous children's clothing label, which is stocked in boutiques and stores worldwide But while Marie-Chantal, whose own family was arguably even wealthier than the royal one she married into, has always enjoyed the finer things in life, she explained that when it comes to parenting things are surprisingly simple - and do not change based on how much money you have in the bank. For the well-heeled society supermum claims the key to raising successful children is to simply teach them the value of having good manners and conducting themselves in a courteous fashion. 'It's statistically proven that children who have beautiful manners do better in life,' she explained in an interview with Hello! magazine. 'That child will be remembered for being polite.' In her interview with Hello!, she explained that it is important to start teaching children these lessons from a young age. She said: 'I believe children should be taught from a young age how to behave in a caring and mindful way. They need to be taught to be aware of others and to be instilled with these simple values when they are still so sponge-like. 'Once children are older the lessons are much harder to just accept. I certainly like to think Olympia has taken it all on board,' she said, referring to her eldest. Meanwhile, Marie-Chantal has certainly amassed a wealth of fans online, with an incredible 244K followers on Instagram. There, she shares snapshots of her family's lavish lifestyle - from jaunts aboard in Greece to photographs of her brood at one of their many homes. A recent image shows the royal and her husband alongside their youngest child as they send him off to boarding school, with the caption: 'A new chapter begins for Aristides and for Pavlos and me. No more early morning wake ups and getting them to school on time.' Marie-Chantal regularly shares snaps of her family's holidays on her Instagram page, where she has amassed over 244k fans A recent image shows the royal and her husband alongside their youngest child as they send him off to boarding school Even though Greece hasn't officially been a monarchy since the Seventies, Marie-Chantal and her husband are still known as Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess - and their children, too, are given these titles. King Constantine and his son the Crown Prince have no official remit but are still active participants in royal life around Europe. The family is closely connected with the British royals as Prince William is Constantine godfather's. Prince Charles hosted a gala at Highgrove to celebrate King Constantine's 60th birthday in 2000. Don't miss our brilliant new podcast, The Crown: Fact or Fiction with Robert Hardman and Natasha Livingstone. Listen now on Spotify , Apple or wherever you get your podcasts These have not been easy times for Monegasque royals. But today is a happier occasion for Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco, who celebrating the ninth birthday of their twins. Princess Gabriella Therese Marie and Prince Jacques Honore Rainier were born on December 10, 2014, by caesarean section at the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco. Expressing her joy at the time, Charlene declared herself to be 'crazy in love' with the 'magical' twins . 'What I can tell you is that they are both very active and very expressive,' she told a magazine. 'They are beautiful, adorable.' Twins, Princess Gabriella Therese Marie and Prince Jacques Honore Rainier, were born on December 10, 2014 Prince Albert and his wife Charlene posing with their twin babies Jacques and Gabriella at the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco on December 22, 2014 The 'bans des jumeaux', the official announcement of the birth of baby twins to Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco She also told of the moment the children arrived and admitted to some nerves over the health of the babies who, she explained, had arrived two weeks early. 'At first, I was happy to hear their first cries,' she said. 'I was obviously a bit overwhelmed with emotion. 'Every second with them is magical. I look forward to spending more time in their presence.' Gabriella was born first at 5.04pm, with her twin brother following two minutes later, a statement from the palace confirmed at the time. However, while Jacques is a few minutes younger than his twin sister, Monaco is still governed by male-preference primogeniture meaning that eldest son inherits the throne over any older sisters. It is only if a female heir has no eligible brothers or brothers with surviving male descendants that she will take the throne. Their births were celebrated with 21 cannon shots each, 15 minutes of church bells and boat horns. Princess Charlene of Monaco (pictured) has returned home after a visit to her native country, South Africa. The royal attended a dance evening with the Monegasque Seniors' Association She is one of the most photographed women in the world, but there were no pictures of Charlene in Monaco between January 2021 March 2022. She said that a sinus issue had prevented her from flying The twins were formally presented to the public on January 7, 2015 and the date has since become recognised as a public holiday in Monaco. But while Charlene and Prince Albert may have been in a heartwarming baby bubble this time all those years ago, in recent years, rumours have swirled that the royal couple could be on the rocks. The Monegasque royal recently returned to Monaco after a solo trip to her native South Africa where she was visiting family. The trip marked her first visit to the country since 2021 when she suffered a horror illness which kept her away from her husband and eight-year-old twins for several months because she was unable to fly. During her most recent visit, she revealed in an interview that she is tired of hearing rumours of trouble in her marriage to 65-year-old Albert, and admitted she has no idea where they come from. The comments come after she told a publication in Monaco that she is 'serene and happy' in her marriage - denying rumours that surfaced in German and French media that she was now 'living in Switzerland' and that her marriage was 'ceremonial'. Speculation about the couple's marriage was further fuelled this summer when Charlene deleted her Instagram account. However, the mother-of-two shut down speculation around her decision, claiming it was purely to protect the privacy of her children. She revealed she wants to keep the twins away from the 'pressure' of life in the public eye for as long as possible - although she admits they are already picking things up. Speaking about the close-knit siblings, she said she is 'grateful' to know they will always be there for one another. Reports that Prince Albert and Princess Charlene's relationship was on shaky ground date back to their wedding day in 2011 when she was dubbed the 'Runaway Bride' by French media for reportedly trying to flee before the ceremony. In 2021, Princess Charlene's extended visit to South Africa once again fired up the rumour mill, as she was not seen in Monaco for ten months. Upon her return to the principality, Albert claimed she was 'overwhelmed' and 'unwell', telling People magazine that it became 'pretty evident' a few hours after Charlene's return that she was 'unwell', before going to Switzerland for further treatment. Reports that Prince Albert and Princess Charlene's relationship was on shaky ground date back to their wedding day in 2011 when she was dubbed the 'Runaway Bride' Charlene has described rumours about trouble in her marriage to Prince Albert as 'exhausting' The mother-of-two said she deleted her Instagram account to protect her family's privacy He said the former Olympian 'realised she needed help', adding: 'She was overwhelmed and couldn't face official duties, life in general or even family life.' The prince said the final decision-making process about treatment involved an intervention-style meeting with family members, explaining: 'I sat her down with her brothers and a sister-in-law. She had already made her decision, and we only wanted her to confirm it in front of us. She wanted this. 'She already knew the best thing to do was to go and have a rest and have a real medically framed treatment. And not in Monaco. For privacy reasons, it would have to be someplace outside of Monaco.' Meanwhile, he revealed Gabriella and Jacques would 'visit' Charlene once they had the 'medical go-ahead', saying the twins 'knew she was tired' and 'not quite herself'. A journalist has dedicated a podcast series to solving the murder of his wife's great-grandmother who was killed in her home in 1937. Tristan Redman, from Richmond, London, was struck by the story of Dr Naomi Dancy who was shot twice in the eye when he met his wife Kate at university. His interest was sparked not just by the mysteries surrounding the murder, but also by an incredible coincidence - he grew up in the house next door to where the murder happened, and had always heard rumours that his childhood bedroom was haunted by a woman with no face. As he learnt more about the case, in which Dr Dancy was thought to have been shot dead by her mentally-ill brother, Tristan realised many questions had been left unanswered. So he set about creating Ghost Story, a production from Wondery and Pineapple Street Studios which explores both the criminal and supernatural elements of the story. Speaking to FEMAIL, he revealed the podcast, which was an 'act of love', has 'brought [his] family closer together'. Tristan Redman, had for years heard rumours that his old bedroom was haunted with the ghost of a faceless woman - an eerie coincidence, considering that his partner Kate's late relative died from two gunshots to the face. Both pictured The story in the Dancy family for generations had been that her brother, shell-shocked World War I veteran Maurice Tribe, shot her through each eye while she slept. Her husband, Dr John Dancy, had evaded death and escaped, while Maurice locked himself in the bathroom and slit his own throat. It had long been known that Maurice was troubled after he returned home from the war with shrapnel in his brain. According to one National Archives blog, he was also a 'chronic alcoholic' who had just discovered he had not been included in new insurance policies his sister and brother-in-law had recently drawn up. For many years, the Dancy family believed this series of events after police ruled the tragedy a murder-suicide. However, in more recent years, after an article from the time re-emerged and speculated Dr John Dancy may have been the culprit, Kate and her relatives began to wonder if the story was as clear-cut as it seemed. In Ghost Story, Tristan unpacks the criminal element of the history by talking to several people, including his wife's very famous brother and famed actor Hugh Dancy as well as her father Jonathan Dancy; a philosopher. And his wife herself is no less admirable - Kate is the Chief of Communications and Advocacy at GEM Report UNESCO. He kicks off the podcast by joking that, 'there's a chance [his in-laws] will disown him' - and spends the first few episodes recounting the history of the crime itself, interjected with experiences of people who have lived in his childhood bedroom. The podcast, called Ghost Story - from Wondery and Pineapple Street Studios - focuses on both the paranormal and the true crime elements of this hauntingly entwined tale based on the murder of Dr Naomi Dancy (pictured in the 1920s), in 1937 Quickly, Tristan realised he wasn't the only person who found strange things happening in the room which he had inhabited into his teens. Pictured in the 'haunted' house As someone who does not believe in ghosts, Tristan was surprised to learn that the part of the investigation which interested him the most was the supernatural element of the story. The journalist, who met his wife in the early 2000s, recounted the bizarre moment the two tales starting coming together. When they had started dating at university, Tristan had invited Kate and her family over for dinner at his childhood home on Queens Road in Richmond, and they had decided to bring her grandfather along. He had no inkling of where they were going, nor did the family have any recent connections to the neighbourhood - but as soon as Kate's grandfather stepped into Tristan's home, he said: 'My mother was murdered in the house next door.' The 'ghost' element of the story became clearer in his mind when an old neighbour - who was on the quest to collect donations for a local museum - reached out to Tristan's family, as he had recently learned a bizarre tale from the recent tenant of the Richmond home. The story in the Dancy family, for years, had been that her brother - shell-shocked World War I veteran Maurice Tribe (pictured) - shot her through each eye while she slept Despite being ruled a murder suicide, decades after Naomi's death the family began to speculate if the fabled tale is as clean-cut as it seems when stumbling across an old article that questioned whether her husband (pictured) was the real guilty party. Portrait by Frank Cadogan Cowper In Ghost Story, Tristan unpacks the criminal element of the history by talking to an impressive host of people - including his wife's very famous brother and famed actor Hugh Dancy (pictured last year) Hugh even currently plays an executive assistant district attorney in Law & Order. Pictured with co-star Odelya Halevi He had heard that an American man who used to live there with his family visited the recent owners to ask them whether the 'ghost' on the top floor bedroom was still around. Quickly, Tristan realised he wasn't the only person who found strange things happening in the room which he had inhabited into his teens; where things would start moving out of place, or the lights would flash on and off. He also recalled an 'uncomfortable cold feeling' which would haunt the place. When making the podcast, Tristan says he really enjoyed his conversations with supernatural enthusiasts. 'I was surprised by how much I've enjoyed talking to all those ghost hunters,' he said. 'They help people... they're not as loony as my prejudice made me think.' Tristan added that they're also 'open-minded and methodical'. When making the podcast, Tristan admitted he 'struggled to get grips with people found it difficult to get to talk about their experience in the room'. Pictured in the house with his sister The podcaster also found that one of the most 'gratifying' parts of the project to him as been the element of uncertainty which follows it right to the end. Pictured in the house when he was younger The mysterious story has been a hit. Four episodes in, the show went to number one on the Apple Podcasts chart in both the UK and US. Tristan and Kate pictured in 2002 'I'm very skeptical about the ghost question,' he stressed. 'But it serves no purpose to shut your mind.' The podcaster also found that one of the most 'gratifying' parts of the project to him as been the element of uncertainty which follows it right to the end - given he's working with a murder case that took place 86 years ago, as well as attaching a non-corporeal element to it. Much of the uncertainty, Tristan claims, is down to the fact the authorities at the time made little effort to look into the case in detail. 'The police in 1937 did not do their job,' he explained. 'That was a product, probably, of the time. 'The police didn't do the things they should've done.' Tristan continued: 'We don't have all the answers... We can't know for sure. I think people enjoy that. 'There are still things I would like to know.' The final episode - which sees Tristan return to Queens Road with a psychic called Nikola - aired last week The mysterious story has been a hit. Four episodes in, the show went to number one on the Apple Podcasts chart in both the UK and US. However, the creator says as incredible as it's been to make such a fascinating project with his in-laws, his next work is likely to be much further from home. 'I would say that I'm looking forward to doing something that has nothing to do with my family,' he joked. 'It'd be much, much easier.' Ghost Story is from Wondery and Pineapple Street Studios. Listen on Wondery+, Amazon Music and everywhere you get your podcasts. A salon owner and hairdresser from the UK has warned people against using products that she claims are 'ruining' their hair. Mary, who goes by @thisgirldoeshair on TikTok, has amassed almost 20,000 followers by sharing haircare tips. In a video seen by more 112,000 people in just 24 hours, the hair expert listed some popular products that she is urging people to drop. She told viewers 'Stop using these products, they are ruining your hair,' before naming four much-loved items. Read on to find out what she doesn't recommend and why. Mary, who goes by @thisgirldoeshair on TikTok , has amassed almost 20,000 followers by sharing haircare tips Olaplex number three Starting off with a controversial view, the hairdresser warns against Olaplex - a very popular product that aims to reduce damage to hair. Celebrities, YouTubers and influencers such as Kim Kardashian have all sung the product's praises in recent years. However, Mary claims that although it's universally loved, it will only help you if you have certain damage. She said 'Oh she's coming in hot, have I got your attention? Olaplex number three. 'Olaplex will only benefit your hair if you have damage from bleaching your hair. 'It's specifically formulated to repair the disulfide bonds that get weakened over time from lifting pigment out of the hair. 'So, if you're using Olaplex number three specifically and thinking it's like a miracle treatment, it's gonna transform your hair and you don't have damage from bleach, it's not gonna do anything.' Starting off with a controversial view, the hairdresser warns against Olaplex - a very popular product that aims to reduce damage to hair The salon owner concluded 'If you've used it before and you feel like it didn't do anything or made your hair worse or just wasn't what you thought it would be, that's maybe because you don't have the right type of damage. 'Unless you have damage from bleach, this is not gonna do anything'. Head and Shoulders classic clean shampoo Next, she moves on to a drugstore and high street favourite, Head and Shoulders shampoo. She questioned 'Do I even need to go into much detail about this? It's far too stripping, it's far too much to be used long term. 'A lot of you are using this actually when you have a dry scalp, not when you have dandruff. 'Over time, this can actually dry your scalp even more, it's just not a great one to be using long term or at all, so babes it's gotta go.' Next, she moves on to a drugstore and high street favourite, Head and Shoulders shampoo Third on the TikTokers hit list is OGX's Argan oil of Morocco shampoo OGX Argan oil of Morocco shampoo Third on the TikTokers hit list is OGX's Argan oil of Morocco shampoo. She explains 'Okay so this has insoluble silicones in it, so if you're using this a lot over time, those silicones are gonna build up. 'Unless you're using a deep cleanse, detox, clarifying shampoo, it's very very hard to wash out insoluble silicones. 'It builds up on the hair and ends up doing more harm than good'. Tangle Teezer hairbrush Finally, moving onto hair tools, Mary revealed that she does not recommend Tangle Teezer hairbrushes - a staple for many girls growing up, who continued to use them into adulthood. She said 'This always divides opinion whenever I talk about my hatred for this product but I cannot stand the tangle teaser and yes, before you say, I'm aware there's ones that come with a handle and I'm aware there are one's for different hair types. Finally, moving onto hair tools, Mary revealed that she does not recommend Tangle Teezer hairbrushes - a staple for many girls growing up, who continued to use them into adulthood READ MORE: Going bald? Scientists say injections of FAT from your thighs could reverse process Advertisement 'I just feel like it rips the hair. The teeth are way too short, really inflexible. 'If you drag this over a bunch of knots, unless you section your hair out properly, it just rips through the hair and in my opinion, really contributes to breakage over time.' The hairdresser pleaded 'Please stop using this. I would love to know if you use any of these products and if you love them. 'No shade as always to anyone that does but they are just not great for your hair. Let me know if you want a part three, I've got so many products I can talk about and you guys seem to love these videos'. However, not everyone agrees with the experts opinions - one viewer commented 'I have psoriasis on my head, head & shoulders is the only thing that works'. Another added 'nooo tangle teezer is amazing. maybe not that specific brush, but their detangling ones with the handles are amazing. much better than wet brush imo'. Others were disheartened as some of the products were their favourites. One viewer questioned 'Oh damn I use the tangle teaser all the time and do have quite a lot of damage, any other brush recommendations?' Someone else asked 'Please could you do the what to use instead?,' meanwhile another penned 'Yes to the olaplex 3! My hair was really bleached damaged, this did its job and didnt need to use it again!'. Olaplex, Head and Shoulders, OGX and Tangle Teezer have been approached for comment. Without any formal education, Emily implemented design changes, dealt with contractors, managed materials and superintended the daily construction her husband (the chief engineer), was left crippled by a mysterious illness known as 'caisson disease' In a city that is constantly changing, there are few things that remain as eternally iconic to New Yorkers as the Brooklyn Bridge. With its cathedral granite towers and thick steel cables, the monumental technological feat in engineering has inspired countless writers, artists, and architects over the years: Thomas Wolfe once described it as a gateway to that 'shining city,' while the former Mayor Ed Koch said walking across it felt like 'treading holy ground.' Indeed, it's hard to believe that the Brooklyn Bridge almost did not exist if it weren't for a pioneering and determined woman named Emily Warren Roebling, who took charge of its completion when her husband, the chief engineer, was left paralyzed by a mysterious illness acquired on the job known as 'the bends.' Without any formal education, Emily became the surrogate to her sickly husband, Washington Roebling, who oversaw the construction using a telescope from his bedroom window. She implemented design changes, managed material supplies, negotiated contracts, and liaised with politicians while quietly learning the engineering trade as his understudy. The Gilded Age spotlights the little known story of Emily Roebling, the woman who secretly managed the day-to-day construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, when her husband, Washington Roebling (the chief engineer on the project) was incapacitated with a crippling case of 'the bends' (also known as decompression sickness) that he contracted while working on the project. Above, Roebling is played by Liz Wisan Without any formal education, Roebling implemented design changes, managed material supplies, negotiated contracts, and liaised with politicians while facing scrutiny from press and sexist naysayers. She quietly learned the engineering trade as her husband's understudy, and eventually became an engineer in her own right after a decade managing the daily operation In the early days, the Brooklyn Bridge was known as 'The Great East River Suspension Bridge.' It was originally designed by Emily's father-in-law, John Roebling, who had made a name for himself designing successful suspensions all across America before he died in a tragic freak accident during the first week of construction on the Brooklyn Bridge When construction began on the Brooklyn Bridge in 1869, New York and Brooklyn were two separate entities (the countrys first and third most populous cities) and the only way to travel between them was by boat She 'studied mathematics, the calculations of catenary curves, strengths of materials and the intricacies of cable construction,' said historian Marilyn Weigold. She knew the bridge so well that 'many were under the impression she was the real designer.' While her story has been largely forgotten, a plaque on the bridge still honors her legacy, it reads: 'In the back of every great work, we can find the self-sacrificing devotion of a woman.' Now Roebling finally gets her due in a recent episode of HBO's period drama, The Gilded Age, which spotlights her significant contribution to New York City during a time when it was still debated if women should be allowed an education. Played by Liz Wisan, the episode follows Roebling command the day-to-day construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, in the wake of her father-in-laws untimely death, and then her husbands bedridden status. Fourteen years in the making, the Brooklyn Bridge opened to great fanfare on May 24, 1883. Immediately dubbed 'the eight wonder of the world' it was the largest civil project ever conceived and constructed at the time. Among the many revelers present that day; there was nobody more important to the cause than Emily Roebling, who took the inaugural trek across the Bridge, holding a rooster as a symbol of victory. Indeed, it was a massive triumph for Roebling who spent the previous decade of her life facing off with sexist naysayers and politicians who wanted her husband ousted from the project when he was left disabled by a bad case of 'the bends' (also known as decompression sickness) contracted while working in highly-pressurized boxes deep under the riverbed. The ailment, which affected upwards of 100 workers, left Roebling partially paralyzed, blind, deaf and mute. The Roebling family saga began 14 years earlier, when Emily's father-in-law, John Roebling began design work on the bridge, before he also died from a freak accident during its construction. John was a German-American immigrant, who made a fortune owning a wire-cable factory in Pennsylvania. His patented durable steel-rope design became a standard in suspension bridge construction, which led to his own prolific career in designing spans. Father and son: John Roebling (left) was a German-American immigrant who designed the Brooklyn Bridge before he died in the first month of its construction. His son, 32-year-old Washington Roebling (right) took over as chief engineer until he was left bedridden from a crippling case of the bends. In their wake, Emily stepped in to complete the job on their behalf Roebling is played by the actress Liz Wisan (left) in season two of HBO's period drama, The Gilded Age. In the beginning, Roebling merely acted as her husband's emissary, relaying his instruction to the team of workers on the construction site. She applied herself to the study of engineering. Years later, she wrote in a letter to her son: 'I have more brains, common sense and know-how generally than have any two engineers, civil or uncivil, and but for me the Brooklyn Bridge would never have had the name Roebling in any way connected with it!' Emily Roebling (right) pictured next to her husband, Washington Roebling on their wedding day. At age 28, Emily stepped in to supervise the completion of one of the greatest architectural feats of the 19th century making history by becoming the first female field engineer in the process At the time, the only way to travel between Brooklyn and Manhattan (the first and third most populated cities in America at the time) was by ferries that were unreliable and unsafe. Today, a plaque on the Brooklyn Bridge honors Emily's legacy. It reads: 'The back of every great work, we can find the self-sacrificing devotion of a woman' The concept of building an overpass that would link Brooklyn to Manhattan was long in the making but plans were often scrapped over doubt that it was even possible to traverse the East River, where the water is deep and construction was bound to be treacherous. Further, skeptics were wary of the safety of a suspension bridges after a series of high-profile collapses. Especially one of that length, which had never been done before. In 1867, John Roebling submitted plans for an ambitious 1,600 foot suspension spanning the East River. He bragged that it would be 'the greatest bridge in existence.' Construction began in 1869 but was immediately waylaid when Roebling's foot got crushed in a freak accident between the pilings of a Brooklyn pier and a barge. He contracted tetanus and 21 days later. His son and chief assistant, 32-year-old Washington Roebling stepped in as head engineer to complete the job, while Washington's wife, Emily learned the trade working close by taking copious notes as his secretary. The bridge's intricate cable system consisted of steel wires spun together, and the use of steel cables marked a revolutionary advancement in construction technology. Prior to designing the famous overpass, John Roebling made a fortune patenting his steel rope invention When completed in 1883, the bridge, with its span of 1,600 feet, was the longest suspension bridge in the world Twenty-seven men were killed in the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. Several laborers plummeted to their deaths while working 275 feet above water on the towers. Others were killed by falling stones and granite blocks. Two men died when a bridge cable snapped from its anchor and caused them to fall to their deaths To support the bridge's granite towers, Roebling implemented the revolutionary use of 'caissons' which are essentially giant pressurized wooden boxes that were built on land and sunk to the bottom of the East River. Compressed air was pumped into the chamber to prevent surrounding water from leaking in. The process enabled workers, known as 'sandhogs' to dig beneath the river bed until the caisson reached bedrock. Once the caisson reached bedrock, they began building up The towers rest on underwater caissons (pictured above, before they were sunk). The colossal boxes measured 172 feet by 102 feet, and weighed 3,000 tons. The 8-foot thick walls, and 22-foot roof are made of yellow pine and wrapped in tin. Built by a local shipyard, the caissons were the heaviest structures ever launched in the United States at the time. The Brooklyn caisson sank to a depth of 44 feet, while the Manhattan side caisson presented challenges as the river turned out to be much deeper than anticipated, eventually settling at 78 feet below the tide What is caisson disease? Inside the mysterious illness that afflicted the Brooklyn Bridge's chief engineer with crippling pain for the rest of his life Today the illness is commonly known as 'decompression sickness' and primarily affects ocean divers. The condition occurs when one surfaces too quickly from deep underwater. The sudden or too rapid decrease in pressure causes nitrogen bubbles to form in body tissues and blood. When these air bubbles settle in major joints like knees or elbows, it causes individuals to bend over in excruciating pain - hence why the affliction was commonly referred to as 'the bends.' Symptoms include muscle cramps, numbness, nausea, blurred vision, paralysis, and death in extreme cases. Today, decompression sickness can be easily treated with a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. But in the late 1800s, doctors had little understanding of why hundreds of Brooklyn Bridge laborers were suddenly besieged with debilitating pain. Nor could they understand why it only affected those who worked in the caissons underground. Washington Roebling fell victim to caisson disease in 1871, leaving him partially paralyzed, temporarily blind, deaf and mute. He was bedridden for the rest of his life. Advertisement To stabilize the bridge Roebling Jr implemented a revolutionary technology known as 'caissons.' A huge wooden caisson (resembling a giant box) was assembled on land, towed to the site of the Brooklyn-side tower and sunk. Compressed air was pumped into the chamber to prevent the surrounding water from leaking in. The process enabled workers, known as 'sandhogs' to dig beneath the river bed until they reached bedrock. Once the caissons hit bedrock, they became the foundation for the Bridge's two granite and limestone towers. Working conditions underwater were grueling and dangerous. Immigrants were paid $2-a-day to toil away in dim light and stifling heat as they excavated the riverbed. One reporter at the time called it 'Dante's Inferno.' Aside from the demanding work, laborers were being struck down with a mysterious illness known as 'caisson disease.' (Today the disorder is known as 'the bends' or 'decompression sickness,' and is a common hazard to deep sea divers). The condition occurs when one ascends to the surface too quickly. The rapid change in pressure creates nitrogen bubbles to form in blood vessels which can result in extreme joint pain, severe neurological issues and death. The construction faced a myriad of other challenges too. The first being that the sand of the East River on the Manhattan side turned out to be much deeper than anticipated. Workers dug around the clock, only to find more sand. In order to reach bedrock, they had to dig twice as deep. Several laborers plummeted to their deaths while working 275 feet above water on the towers. Others were killed by falling stones and granite blocks. Two men died when a bridge cable snapped from its anchor and caused them to fall to their deaths. Overall, there were 27 casualties in the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. The project was beset with yet another tragedy in the spring of 1871 when Washington also fell victim to caisson disease, leaving him partially paralyzed, blind, deaf and mute. This paved the way for 28-year-old Emily to step in as lead engineer of the project on behalf of her disabled husband; who oversaw its progress from his bedroom window using a telescope. A string of high profile bridge collapses led skeptics to believe that a suspension across the East River was not possible. To reinforce his design, Roebling added diagonal cables that would radiate down from the towers to create tension The Brooklyn Bridge not only revolutionized transportation between Manhattan and Brooklyn, but it also marked a giant step toward the inevitable consolidation of the five boroughs into a Greater New York in 1898 Today the bridge has become a popular destination for influencers, and receives over five million visitors every year 'She went back and forth to the construction site, managing the day-to-day construction for over a decade, as his 'surrogate chief engineer' says historian Marilyn Weigold. In an era where rich women were expected to busy themselves in the background, Roebling was out front inspecting construction, dealing with contractors, fencing with politicians and reporters. 'Mrs. Roebling applied herself to the study of engineering, and she succeeded so well that in a short time she was able to assume the duties of chief engineer,' a source the New York Times described as 'a gentleman of this city well acquainted with the family.' She studied cable construction, stress analysis, materials strength, and the intricacies of suspension bridges. Not only did Emily manage the engineering staff, she also sat in on meetings with steel and iron mill representatives to come up with new cable patterns that were needed for the bridge. A defining feature of the Brooklyn Bridge is its steel cables, composed of thousands of individual wires. The cable construction process was intricate and demanding, requiring precision and coordination. Engineers, under the guidance of Emily, ensured the cables were woven and anchored meticulously by 60,000 ton weights. Overtime, Emily became an engineer in her own right, learning about the trade as she relayed instructions from her crippled husband. Eventually, she became the public face of one of the most significant construction projects of the era. Celebrating its completion, Emily made the inaugural trek across the bridge, carrying with her a rooster as symbol of victory, and putting a cap on a family saga that was equal parts triumph and tragedy that began 14 years earlier, when her father-in-law, John Roebling began design work on the bridge On May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge opened to the public, marking the completion of one of the most significant engineering achievements of the 19th century. A dazzling fireworks display illuminated the New York sky as pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages made their first journey across the bridge After the bridge project, Emily was presented to Queen Victoria in 1896 (pictured above during her visit). She became an advocate for women's rights and continued her education, receiving a law certificate from New York University (right). She died from stomach cancer in 1903 1,600 feet of incredible engineering: Everything you need to know about the Brooklyn Bridge At 1,600 feet, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world, measuring 800 feet longer than any previously built. It was also the tallest construction in the western hemisphere Construction cost $15 million (or $457 million in today's money) Boss Tweed, the infamous and corrupt Tammany Hall politician got the project funded by bribing New York City's aldermen with $65,000 27 people were killed during the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge Hundreds of workers were afflicted by 'caisson disease' - a mysterious illness that causes severe neurological problems when one ascends too quickly from working underground in highly pressurized environments The bridge's cables are anchored on 60,000 ton weights The foundation is built on colossal underwater caissons (wooden boxes) that weigh over 3,000 tons were sunk to the bottom of the East River Over 34,000 pedestrians and 140,000 vehicles traverse the Brooklyn Bridge per day in 2023 In 1964, the Brooklyn Bridge became a National Historic Landmark Advertisement On May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge finally opened to the public. A spectacular fireworks display illuminated the New York sky as more than 150,000 pedestrians and 1,800 horse-drawn carriages made their inaugural journey across the bridge. Congressman Abram Hewitt, the future Mayor of New York, declared it as 'an everlasting monument to the sacrificing devotion of a woman and of her capacity for that higher education from which she has been too long disbarred.' After the bridge project, Emily became an advocate for women's rights and continued her education, receiving a law certificate from New York University. 'I have more brains, common sense and know-how generally than have any two engineers, civil or uncivil, and but for me the Brooklyn Bridge would never have had the name Roebling in any way connected with it!' she wrote in a letter to her son years later. She died in 1903 from stomach cancer. Her husband, though he remained in poor health for the remainder of his life, died in 1926. The Brooklyn Bridge became as an emblem of American ingenuity and a triumph in engineering. Beyond transforming transportation between Manhattan and Brooklyn, it also it also marked a giant step toward the inevitable consolidation of the five boroughs into a Greater New York in 1898, turning the city into a formidable world capital at the dawn of a new century. A popular true crime series is set to unravel the chilling case of a woman who was drugged, abducted and shot by three hitmen hired by her ex-husband as part of a $10,000 murder-for-hire plot. Tahereh Ghassemi, originally from Iran, vanished from her home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which she shared with adult son Hamed, in 2015. She had finalized her divorce just three months before in a settlement that saw her awarded $1 million in cash as well as two residential properties. Her body would later be discovered wrapped in a comforter and buried in a shallow grave in the woods before it transpired that ex-husband Hamid had hired three men to murder the doting mom. Here, FEMAIL has laid bare the sordid details as an episode of NBC's Dateline - titled 'The Ultimate Betrayal' - explores the case. Tahereh Ghassemi, originally from Iran, was drugged, abducted and shot by three hitmen hired by her ex-husband (pictured together) as part of a $10,000 murder-for-hire plot. The mom-of-one vanished from her home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which she shared with adult son Hamed, in 2015 The shocking events began on the evening of April 11, 2015 when Tahereh's son Hamed, 38, came home after an impromptu dinner and quickly noted that 'something didn't seem right.' His mother's car was not in the driveway and a pot of rice had been left burning on the stove - with no sign of his mom. Hamed said he tried calling her phone but that it was off, adding: 'I went through the house and everything was where it was supposed to be except for my bed cover... It was missing.' But Tahereh, who had dreams of one day opening her own bakery, would often stay over at a girlfriend's house and so he was not initially worried. The next morning he woke up and noticed her purse was still in the house before starting to make enquires. Hamed called her work who said that they had seen Tahereh, as he added: 'I'm thinking she's fine, she's just mad because I didn't come home last night on time so she's not answering me.' But he said that panic truly began to set in after she failed to return home that evening. He drove to the Walmart where his mom worked at 5.45am and asked to check the schedule. She had finalized her divorce just three months before in a settlement that saw her awarded $1 million in cash as well as two residential properties Hamed said he tried calling her phone but that it was off, adding: 'I went through the house and everything was where it was supposed to be except for my bed cover... It was missing' His mother's car was not in the driveway and a pot of rice had been left burning on the stove - with no sign of his mom Shockingly, he was then told by Tahereh's manager that she had not actually been at work the day before as previously stated. Hamed immediately contacted the police who launched an investigation and stumbled across some early leads. Tahereh's blue Jaguar had already been discovered abandoned in an industrial part of town - about six miles from her home - having been torched. Suspicion fell quickly on Hamed because the relationship he had with his mother had been strained. Police discovered text messages on his phone sent in the days before Tahereh's disappearance that read 'leave me the f*** alone' as he threatened to move out. He believed his mother had been smothering him, adding: 'It was just a constant fight.' It also emerged that he had initially lied to officers about his movements after he first came home and discovered his mom was missing. He had claimed that he had gone home and stayed, but he had in fact headed back out. Asked why he lied to police, Hamed said: 'I didn't want my mom to find out that I went back out and be more upset that I went out when I knew that she wasn't home.' Tahereh's blue Jaguar had already been discovered abandoned in an industrial part of town - about six miles from her home - having been torched Police entered the woods and stumbled across a trail of polyester stuffing as alarm bells rang that it could have been from Hamed's missing comforter Suspicion fell quickly on Hamed because the relationship he had with his mother had been strained (pictured together) There was also seemingly a financial gain as Tahereh had recently finalized her divorce from husband Hamid and, as a result, had come into a lot of money which would all go to Hamed in the event of her death. But he claimed he was unaware: 'You want to hear something funny? I didn't know, I had no idea that I was going to be getting the money. 'I didn't know the laws here or how they worked.' He said that being a person of interest was 'nerve-wracking' but added: 'I knew I had nothing to do with it so I wasn't at all worried about me. I was just worried about finding my mom.' Hamed said that just two weeks earlier he had been jumped in a parking lot in an attack that left him needing 15 stitches to the back of the head. Tahereh had also told friends that she felt like someone was following her and a picture began to build that someone had been targeting the family. Police then turned their attention to Tahereh's ex-husband who owned a car dealership in the area. He had traveled from Iran to the US alone years earlier to study, and had left Tahereh and Hamed behind with the promise of bringing them over. But he married an American woman and became a US citizen, keeping the developments secret from his family back in Iran. He divorced that woman and started dating someone at work - the whole time making excuses about why he had not yet arranged for Tahereh to move to the US to be reunited. Tahereh's ex-husband had traveled from Iran to the US alone years earlier to study and had left her and Hamed behind with the promise of bringing them over It later transpired that ex-husband Hamid had hired three men to murder the doting mom for $10,000 Tahereh finally moved out in 2005 but Hamid was married to yet another woman at the time. Her friend said: 'When she came, she found out that he was married and she was so heartbroken.' Their divorce dragged on for nearly eight years with Hamid rejecting the proceedings by claiming the pair should not be considered married at all because they were first cousins, which is illegal under Louisiana law. But the case was finally settled three months before Tahereh went missing with Hamid ordered to pay her $1 million in cash as well as handing over two residential properties. He told investigators that he'd had nothing to do with his ex-wife since the settlement. But, nonetheless, officers began digging into his recent movements and found an anomaly that showed he had received a phone call from Tyler Ashpaugh on the night Tahereh disappeared. Ashpuagh, originally from Wisconsin, had been kicked out of school and living with relatives at the time - and investigators struggled to see why he would have been in contact with Hamid. They then tried to build up a better picture of the connection and tracked Ashpaugh's digital footprint, which revealed he had driven out to a forested area popular with deer hunters that evening. Police entered the woods and stumbled across a trail of polyester stuffing as alarm bells rang that it could have been from Hamed's missing comforter. It lead them to a sunken grave where Tahereh's body was found six weeks after first going missing. She had died from two gunshot wounds to her head. Tyler Ashpaugh initially denied involvement but eventually admitted to kidnapping and shooting Tahereh along with two friends Both Daniel Richter, 41, (left) and Skyler Williams, 25, (right) pleaded guilty to manslaughter and were sentenced to 30 years behind bars each Ashpaugh initially denied involvement but eventually admitted to kidnapping and shooting Tahereh along with two friends Daniel Richter, 41, and Skyler Williams, 25, as part of a $10,000 murder-for-hire plot. Richter had worked as a mechanic at Hamid's car dealership and was reportedly keen to impress the powerful businessman. Explaining how the killing unfolded, the trio donned masks and drove over to Tahereh's home that night armed with a 22-calibre pistol and a syringe of insulin. The assailants grabbed her, muffled her mouth and dragged her back into the kitchen where they injected her. She fell unconscious before they wrapped her up in Hamed's comforter and put her in the back of her own car. The group reached the deserted destination and opened the boot to hear Tahereh regaining consciousness, which is when Ashpaugh pulled the trigger. After burying the body, Hamid had then paid the trio before giving them a gas can and instructions to go and burn the vehicle. Following the breakthrough, both Williams and Richter pleaded guilty to manslaughter and were sentenced to 30 years behind bars each. Ashpaugh was awaiting sentencing when he died in prison from a fentanyl overdose. Hamid, who had also reportedly wanted his son dead, went on trial in August 2023 aged 72. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. A Mormon woman who was raped has revealed how her family blamed her for the attack and punished her for 'sinning.' Kristjana Hillberg, whose family practiced mainstream Mormonism, appeared on a recent episode of the Cults To Consciousness podcast to discuss her harrowing ordeal. The now 33-year-old laid bare the details of a sexual assault that left 'blood everywhere' and revealed how it made her mom 'sick.' She was forced to 'repent' her sins to the bishop in the aftermath and she was eventually disfellowshipped from the religion. Kristjana Hillberg, whose family practiced mainstream Mormonism, appeared on a recent episode of the Cults To Consciousness podcast to discuss her harrowing ordeal The now 33-year-old laid bare the details of a sexual assault that left 'blood everywhere' and revealed how it made her mom 'sick' Kristjana began by telling host Shelise Ann Sola what it was like growing up in a religion obsessed with purity culture in a tiny town of about 1,200 people. 'I definitely remember chastity being talked about all the time. It was never just something that was mentioned once or twice it was an ongoing conversation,' she said. Kristjana said that breaking the purity rule was the 'sin next to murder,' adding: 'I remember even getting lessons like, "You don't want to lay horizontal with somebody because that will immediately lead to sex actions, which is awful." 'I really did take all of these lessons to heart because I wanted that feeling of always wanting to be a good girl even with my rebellious nature.' She explained that by 18 she decided to go against the 'word of wisdom,' which warned followers against consuming alcohol - among other things. 'Essentially, just to sum it up, I decided to go to a party and obviously had no idea about alcohol and the way that it altered your body,' Kristjana said. 'I got to a point where I was blackout drunk - couldn't even stand up or open my eyes - and I was woken up with water being poured on my vagina. It was just awful. 'I woke up the next morning and I had hickeys on my neck and there was blood everywhere.' Kristjana stopped attending church and officially left the religion aged 25 as she began her 'deconditioning journey' Kristjana (left) told host Shelise Ann Sola (right) that she was forced to 'repent' her sins to the bishop in the aftermath of the attack Kristjana said: 'I was speechless. I didn't really know how to care for myself. I think I just went into survival mode. I was still drunk so I had to have a friend drive me home. 'I was living with a girl who was about 12 years older than me at the time. 'She also came from that tiny little Mormon town and she had left the church and had been into drugs and alcohol and so the way her mother had presented me living with her was that I could be a good example and bring her back in to the fold. 'I walked in the door and I remember immediately opening up and telling her what had happened and she was like, "Oh honey, when you get drunk s*** like that happens." 'And I was like "oh okay" so I think immediately because of that experience I just thought okay if I choose to drink, sexual assault is just going to happen.' Kristjana continued: 'That was my first person that I had told and that was the first response. 'So I ran upstairs saw these hickeys on my neck and I took my curling iron and I just burnt the s*** out of my neck so that I could tell my mom that I was curling my hair and had burnt my neck.' Kristjana said her vagina was 'numb' and in the aftermath her entire outlook changed. 'I was thinking "well essentially I'm bad" at this point. I've waited my whole life to you know lose my virginity and now it's been taken so what's the point of even trying to save myself or trying to recoup or trying to repent. 'My mindset just completely shifted to "nothing's important to me at all."' But she eventually decided to tell her mother and was horrified at her response. 'I ended up telling her and instead of embracing me and loving me, it basically made her sick,' Kristjana said. 'She didn't speak to me for three days and her first thing that she said was "you need to go and tell the bishop."' Kristjana argued with her mom that she should not have to confess because she 'wasn't sinning.' To which, in reference to drinking alcohol, she reportedly said: 'Well you chose to break the word of wisdom which led to this.' Having ultimately gone to speak to the bishop, who had known her since childhood, Kristjana said he was 'very cold and very robotic.' 'I just can't imagine knowing and loving someone for over a decade, watching them grow up and then having them come to me and tell me such a horrific thing and then me just being like, "well we're gonna have to have a church court about this,"' she said. She explained that she had to recount the story to a group of men who she had known her whole life. 'They were like don't leave out any details because that's very important,' Kristjana recalled. 'So essentially I just had to relive it again and after I had finished telling what had happened they were like "okay you need to leave the room and we now pray until we get an answer from God as to what the next step is."' Kristjana was brought back into the room 20 minutes later and given a series of steps to follow before returning in 60 days. She was handed a book titled Miracle of Forgiveness which 'really makes you feel like you are a piece of s***.' 'It was just really, really heavy. I was already feeling weighted down. It didn't feel encouraging,' she said. Kristjana was ultimately told that she needed to be 'disfellowshipped' - which means she would still have her baptismal records within the religion but would 'lose all ability to pray, hold a calling, give a talk,' adding 'you can't really do anything.' 'I honestly don't remember how I felt. I probably was just like f*** off. I don't remember necessarily feeling really sad - if anything I was embarrassed,' she said. 'Like whatever I have done has been so bad that I'm now no longer allowed to do anything inside of the church.' Kristjana stopped attending church and officially left the religion aged 25 as she began her 'deconditioning journey.' Speaking about her life since, she said: 'I did a lot of work figuring out what does spirituality look like to me. 'It has ebbed and flowed and it changes and it is really prominent at certain times in my life and then I maybe back off a little bit. 'But I think that that was really a fun thing for me - making it fun and exciting and new and not something that was "you will do this every day, you will do this every Sunday for four hours and on Wednesday." 'It just felt very nice to be able to make my own rules for once.' She concluded: 'It's really interesting, the longer that it has been that I'm away, the more that I'm like I am more me than I have probably ever been. Kristjana added: 'If your gut and your inner knowing feels like something is off or not right, listen because it never leads you astray ever.' The child calmly lectured father after he arrived home from work in a 'bad mood' A video of a young girl lecturing her father over his bad attitude towards the family has earned her praise from thousands of viewers. Yuanyuan, who appears to be under the age of ten and hails from Zhejiang province, eastern China, is described by stunned viewers as 'wise beyond her years' and 'emotionally intelligent.' The footage, taken by a family member in the home, was uploaded to South China Morning Post's Youtube channel on November 10, showing Yuanyuan having a heart-to-heart with her parent, who cannot be seen. Viewed over 270,000 times since its upload, the video prompted over 1000 people to comment on the girl's bravery in challenging her father at such a young age. Sitting down at a modest dining table, the family appear to be enjoying a home-cooked dinner, but Yuanyuan stifles her appetite to give her father a stern talking to. A video of a young girl calmly lecturing her father over his bad attitude towards the family has earned her praise from thousands of viewers Yuanyuan, who appears to be under the age of ten and hails from Zhejiang province, eastern China, is described by stunned viewers as 'wise beyond her years' and 'emotionally intelligent' Yuanyuan shared her anxiety surrounding her father's anger, saying: 'We have to look at your face. We remain silent. We are just kids, this scares us' She said: 'What makes you think you can yell at Mum when you're in a bad mood? You're upset - did Mum ask you why? 'You just told to shut up and not say anything. If you don't want to share your feelings, then don't bring your anger home.' Yuanyuan continued, while making eye-contact with her father: 'We have to look at your face. We remain silent. We are just kids, this scares us.' Alluding to her father's work-related stress, the young girl said: 'We know you work very hard. Who doesn't? Doesn't Mum work hard too?' Adopting a more positive stance after telling him off, Yuanyuan appeared to show some compassion and understanding for her father. She said: 'We're a family. We can talk about it. We are not enemies. We can talk properly, right?' The young girl's sister is overheard repeating her words, asking: 'We can talk properly, right?' Yuanyuan's refreshing approach and act of courage has earned her scores of praise online, with many sharing their own experiences of being 'too scared' to challenge angry or verbally abusive parents during their childhood. Adopting a more positive stance after telling him off, Yuanyuan appeared to show some compassion and understanding for her father Viewed over 270,000 times since its upload, the Youtube video prompted over 1000 people to comment on the girl's bravery in challenging her father at such a young age One person wrote, 'Wise beyond her years,' while another commented, 'She's only a child, but she is so mature beyond her years, and the fact she can voice out her feelings and can articulate in such a manner is incredible!!!!!' A fellow flabbergasted viewer wrote: 'This girl is so emotionally intelligent. And I am glad that her father was actually listening and wasn't yelling at her to shut up, too. I bet he felt ashamed. She is so kind and clear. She is a gift to humankind.' One Chinese viewer, who could relate to Yuanyuan's family dynamic, said: 'As a Chinese, I would NEVER have the guts to speak out against my father. So seeing a little girl do that makes me feel so happy and definitely made my day.' A final stunned commenter wrote: 'I am shook. Every single word that came out of this baby's mouth was more mature and emotionally intelligent than anything I've ever heard from any adult regarding these kinda matters.' It appears youngsters have been advising their parents to do 'the right thing' over recent years, as it was revealed in 2017 that one in three children have had to ask their parents to stop constantly checking their mobile phones. A poll revealed that a third of youngsters thought their parents were bad role models who kept looking at phones and tablets even if their children asked them not to. Shoppers are raving about a dupe of Cheese and Onion Walkers crisps - and they are only 18p per packet. Customers of the Tesco own-brand crisps of the same flavour say they are much cheaper, as a six-pack is selling for just 1.10. Where as Walkers six-pack of the tasty snack sell for anything from 3.15 to 2, depending where you buy them from. The product description says Tesco's family-owned crisp specialists 'have been perfecting the nation's favourite potato snack since 1956.' It reads: 'Each season, they work closely with farmers to select the best variety of potatoes for the perfect crunch. Then they slice, fry, and tumble each crisp in classic seasonings for a full, balanced flavour.' Shoppers rave about Cheese and Onion Walkers dupe crisps- and they are only 18p a pack Many crisp lovers rushed to the Tesco website to leave their love for the cheap snack. One person said: 'As good as Walkers or others at less than half the price.' Another said: 'Really tasty! So much better than Walkers rubbish! They have so many 'may contain' ingredients, but these Tesco ones don't, so much better for allergy sufferers.' Someone else said: 'Don't need Walkers. Delicious and very oniony. Why pay more for a snack? It's not healthy, it will not [be] 'organic' etc. 'These are delicious and we all need to save every penny we can. The big brands charging us the earth rip-off prices, are not necessary. 'A crisp is a crisp after all. These do the trick nicely and I am happy to save almost 1 for the same item from big brand you know who.' A fourth wrote: 'Try them, you won't be disappointed. Always had Walkers crisps,not any more, these Tesco crisps were just as good, if not better.' However others weren't so sure, with some saying the Tesco packs weren't 'consistently' tasty enough. Many crisp lovers rushed to the Tesco website to leave their love for the cheap snack, however others weren't so sure with some saying the Tesco packs weren't 'consistently' tasty enough Customers of the Tesco branded crisps say they are much cheaper, as a six-pack is selling for just 1.10 One person wrote: 'We tried these but they were so salty that we could not eat them and they had to be thrown away. We shall stick with Walkers in future, we like the flavour better and they seem to be very consistent from packet to packet.' While another agreed saying: 'Normally good, but the last pack of six I bought were really lacking in flavour.' It comes after Walkers fans were in uproar after spotting a new Christmas range which includes a seasonal Christmas Pudding flavour. The British snack giants have also brought back the old-time duo of festive favourites Pigs in a Blanket and Festive Turkey. The limited edition crisps can be purchased for 1.65 as part of a five-pack multipack, and have so far been spotted on Aldi supermarket aisles. While many seemed intrigued by the offbeat seasonings, others took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their dismay particularly with the Christmas Pudding flavour with one person so appalled, they remarked it 'just isn't right full stop'. Some people have shared their dismay over the 'sweet and spiced' Christmas Pudding flavour (pictured) Many more people revealed their take on the 'sweet and spiced' flavour and even probed Walkers's reasoning behind it. One person wrote: 'I love crisps and I love Christmas pudding but just no.' Someone else joked: 'Christmas Pudding flavour crisps someone @walkers_crisps had a few too many and thought that sounded like a good idea.' Equally shocked, another added: 'Christmas pudding and crisps should not mix'. 'Eewwwww,' said one more. But amongst the many that voiced their horror over the flavour, one person branded the taste 'divine'. 'Wow! @walkers_crisps and @AldiUK - these are amazing! The Pigs In Blankets were closest to the real thing weve ever tasted, and the #christmas pudding flavour is divine,' the happy customer said. 'Im here for them' remarked another. Meg Bellamy has revealed the difficulties of playing Kate Middleton in her university days in the final series of The Crown, because the royal was a bit of a mystery until she got engaged to Prince William. The 21-year-old actress from Wokingham, who was working at Legoland Windsor when she submitted a tape of herself to the casting team on the Netflix series and was plucked from obscurity to be selected for the role, said she 'spent a lot of time thinking' about what the Princess of Wales was like in her younger years. Kate, 41, did not do her first press interview until she was 29 years old upon her engagement to Prince William - meaning that, for young actress Meg, she was a 'blank canvas'. Speaking to the New York Times, she said she hoped she had done the Princess justice in her portrayal in The Crown series six - the second part of which is released next week. She also joked she probably looked 'insane' while reciting her lines as Kate at home, as she took her onscreen outfits back from the set to get into character. The Crown's Meg Bellamy has revealed she spent time studying her onscreen character Kate Middleton, who did not do her first press interview until she was 29 years old In an interview with the newspaper, Meg said of the royal mother-of-three: 'I spent a lot of time thinking about what she would have been like before she knew where life would take her and that William would become her husband. I hope that Ive done Kate justice.' She added the Princess's life during her university days at St Andrews was 'something of a blank canvas'. The Princess of Wales's time with Prince William at St Andrews will be depicted in series 6 of The Crown Elsewhere in the interview, budding fashion muse Meg discussed life in the limelight as she plays one of the most famous women in the world onscreen. She said that, while she has at times been intimidated by flashing cameras on red carpers as she's thrust into the spotlight, she reminds herself that this life is 'something I've always dreamed about'. Meg added she can now afford to shop in places more expensive than 'high street brands like Primark'. And she is certainly making waves in the fashion world, with designers across the globe itching to dress the starlet. The Daily Mail revealed last month that the 21-year-old star on the rise has recently signed a deal to become the new face of Dior - a position that was falsely linked earlier this year to Meghan Markle. The 21-year-old actress from Wokingham is hot property among high-end designers since she was announced for the role. Pictured at the BAFTAs 2023 in an Eudon Choi suit The young actress who hails from Wokingham occasionally adds a pop of colour to her wardrobe (pictured at Goodwood Festival 2023) As she attended the LA premiere of The Crown series 6 last month, Meg stunned in a Stella McCartney dress with a plunging neckline That's not all: Cartier, Valentino and Jaguar are all deeply enamoured with Meg Bellamy. In further signs that her lifestyle has become fit for a princess, she's been a guest at some of society's most glittering events. A Netflix insider told the paper: 'They have been queuing up for Meg, she is playing the most famous woman in the world in a globally famous television drama, so many labels and brands want some of that. 'She is a total unknown, but she is being treated like Kate, an A-list princess.' This year, Meg has been spotted at some very exclusive events wearing show-stopping outfits, as top fashion brands scramble to hang their clothes on Netflix's new star. She opted for a dazzling Stella McCartney cocktail dress to attend the premiere of the sixth series of The Crown in LA this week, in a show-stopping look that firmly announced her entrance onto the world stage. The black gown featured a plunging neckline and a touch of sparkle from diamond-encrusted straps. She also sported some stunning looks at Paris Fashion Week in September, where she was a guest of French fashion house Dior. Sitting in the front row of the shows, she opted for all black outfits including a tailored suit with sharp lines and a full-skirted black dress. Budapest, Dec 10 (UNI) Hungarian road carriers will begin protests on the border with Ukraine on Monday, as Ukrainian truckers ruin Hungarian logistics companies, Hungarian Road Transport Association (MKFE) Secretary General Tivadar Arvay said on Saturday. "Due to the appearance of Ukrainian carriers on the EU market, several hundred Hungarian enterprises were on the verge of bankruptcy ... Poles and Slovaks are talking about this, but the same thing is behind the Hungarian protests that will start on Monday," Arvay was quoted as saying by Hungarian news agency MTI. He added that the mileage of Ukrainian trucks in Hungary increased by 30%, while the distance traveled by the Hungarian trucks decreased by 4%. Arvay noted that Ukrainian carriers come from a completely different economic and legal environment, therefore their costs differ, and they are not subject to EU rules. "We asked the European Union - last week there was a meeting of the transport commission ... to reconsider its agreement with Ukraine and take into account the interests of EU member states, including transport companies in Hungary," Arvay said. Polish truckers started blocking automobile checkpoints on the border with Ukraine in early November to protest what they said was the Polish government's inaction over their loss of business to foreign competitors. Their discontent is associated with the fact that Ukrainian truckers have been exempt from obtaining permits to cross the Polish border since February 2022, which has made their services cheaper and more attractive to customers. The protesters demand the reintroduction of restrictions on Ukrainian truckers entering Poland and a ban on Poland-based transport companies with capital from outside the European Union. The strike was previously expected to last until January 2024. UNI/SPUTNIK GNK King Charles's new top medic is a semi-retired GP who believes in the power of alternative medicine - and has even suggested such therapies might be able to cure cancer. Michael Dixon, 71, worked in the NHS for almost 50 years and now practices as a part-time GP in Devon. However his other, much more prestigious role, takes charge of the health of the royal family, as head of the royal medical household. The role, which involves managing the medical team around the royals and being present at the births and deaths of family members, was created by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 1973. It is understood that the role does not include being the King's physician. However, although the role itself has been around for a long time, Dr Dixon may be the most modern and progressive person to hold the position since it was created, and has previously written papers citing data which suggests 'the effects of homeopathy may be real'. King Charles has previously faced criticism for his support of homeopathic practices, and was appointed patron of the Faculty of Homeopathy in 2017. Dr Michael Dixon, who has previously advocated for homeopathic remedies, is the head of the royal medical household, reports the Sunday Times The Sunday Times reports Dr Dixon has held his post in the royal household for around a year. During his career, it reports that the physician has written papers suggesting Christian healers may be able to help chronically ill patients, despite this being an 'unfashionable' assertion. In another paper he cited potential benefits of homeopathy, and referred to an experiment that suggested Indian herbal remedies which had been 'ultra-diluted' with alcohol might be able to cure cancer. The King has long been an advocate for homeopathic and alternative treatments, for which he has previously come under fire King Charles pictured at Culm Valley Integrated Centre for Health in Cullompton with Dr Dixon in 2008 Dr Dixon has rallied against the suggestion that homeopathy is just a placebo and insists there is not scientific data to back this up. The medical profession in the UK and around the world is still very much divided on homeopathic remedies. In 2017, they were banned for prescription on the NHS, with then-chief executive Lord Stevens of Birmingham describing them as a 'misuse of scarce NHS funds' because they were simply a 'placebo'. However, Dr Dixon appears to be one of many medics who opposes Lord Stevens' view, and has previously suggested some homeopathic remedies should be available on the NHS. The newspaper reports he has put his support behind calls from advocacy group the College of Medicine for treatments like aromatherapy and reflexology to be offered to NHS patients. In 2010, he was a voice against MPs who were campaigning to end homeopathic treatments on the NHS, saying we must not 'abandon' people who are, so far, not being helped by scientific medicine. Despite backlash against homeopathy from many in the medical profession, King Charles has long spoken of its potential benefits and has previously come under fire for his stance on the subject. In 2017, when he was named patron of the Faculty of Homeopathy, the Good Thinking Society, an organisation which describes itself as 'pro-science and anti-pseudoscience', said the appointment was 'obscene'. Michael Marshall, the organisation's director, told the Guardian at the time: 'We have been reminded only recently that plenty of homeopaths claim to be able to treat autism and discourage vaccinations. 'If [King] Charles wants to have a genuine positive effect on the health of the nation he intends to one day rule, he should side against those who offer dangerously misleading advice, rather than fighting their corner.' The King has also been embroiled in an historic dispute with Professor Edzard Ernst over his support of homeopathy - with Ernst once labelling him a 'snake oil salesman'. In 1993, King Charles founded the Foundation for Integrated Health, which was established to explore the combination of 'safe, proven complementary therapies' with modern medicine. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: 'Dr. Dixon is a practising GP; a Fellow of the Royal College of GPs; a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians; former Chair of NHS Alliance; former Co-Chair of the National Social Prescribing Network; former NHS England National Clinical Champion for Social Prescribing and the Chair of the College of Medicine. He also has an OBE for Services to Primary Care. 'Dr. Dixon does not believe homeopathy can cure cancer. His position is that complementary therapies can sit alongside conventional treatments, provided they are safe, appropriate and evidence based. As Prince of Wales, The King's position on complementary therapies, integrated health and patient choice was well documented. In his own words: 'Nor is it about rejecting conventional medicines in favour of other treatments: the term 'complementary' medicine means precisely what it says.'' A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: 'Dr. Dixon is a practising GP; a Fellow of the Royal College of GPs; a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians; former Chair of NHS Alliance; former Co-Chair of the National Social Prescribing Network; former NHS England National Clinical Champion for Social Prescribing and the Chair of the College of Medicine. He also has an OBE for Services to Primary Care. 'Dr. Dixon does not believe homeopathy can cure cancer. His position is that complementary therapies can sit alongside conventional treatments, provided they are safe, appropriate and evidence based. 'As Prince of Wales, The King's position on complementary therapies, integrated health and patient choice was well documented. In his own words: 'Nor is it about rejecting conventional medicines in favour of other treatments: the term 'complementary' medicine means precisely what it says.' Crown Princess Amalia of The Netherlands has sent her royal fans a heartfelt message after she turned 20 this week. The Princess of Orange, who is the eldest daughter of Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands, posted her words on the Dutch royal household's official Instagram account. In the message, she thanked her fans for wishing her a happy birthday, in words that were accompanied by a sweet black-and-white photo of her smiling on a boat. The Princess, who has two younger sisters Alexia and Ariane, celebrated her 20th birthday on Thursday. Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands has thanked royal fans for their well wishes on her 20th birthday In the message of thanks, the future Dutch queen said: 'Many thanks for all the congratulations I received on the occasion of my 20th birthday. All the heartwarming messages made my day even more special.' King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima have raised their eldest daughter in private to the best of their abilities when she was growing up, despite the fact she was the heir to the throne. However, as she reaches adulthood and her role is set to change, she has been stepping into the limelight a little more. Earlier this year, the Dutch monarch appeared on a podcast where he revealed he does not shield his three daughters from the 'reality' of their lives in the public eye. In an interview on the Through the eyes of the King podcast, reported by the NL Times, he said: 'They are not blind and deaf, they see everything on social media, they read everything, they hear everything. We don't cut them off from anything. And they talk about it.' The heir to the Danish throne, who is the eldest of three daughters, celebrated her 20th birthday on Thursday 'It affects them,' he added, saying that he has also had to learn to deal with negative comments on social media during his time in the public eye. The monarch explained that he encourages his daughters not to see social media criticism as a personal attack, saying that for children growing up, it was 'very annoying' to see the criticism posted online. 'Kids dont have a filter in that regard, but its reality, and they have to learn to deal with that.' He said it is important to teach his children not to take things personally as, for the most part, he believes online trolling is not personal. Elsewhere, Willem-Alexander told the podcast that he hopes his eldest daughter can enjoy spending time on herself and with her family before she becomes a monarch in the 'distant future'. He said he wished the heir apparent a long time to prepare for the role so she can start a family or do whatever she pleases. Then he revealed he will sit down with his daughter to decide together when she will ascend the throne, but added it was a decision to be made 'between Amalia and me'. Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella look adorable in a photo with their arms around each other in a photo shared to mark their ninth birthday. The twins of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco beamed for the picture which was shared by the Palace of Monaco's Instagram page. Princess Gabriella donned a chic navy coat which featured a medal on the lapel and she completed the look with a matching beret. Her twin brother looked smart in a military style uniform blazer which was paired with navy trousers. The caption read: 'Happy Birthday Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.' Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella pose with their arms around each other in an adorable ninth birthday Instagram snap Princess Gabriella Therese Marie and Prince Jacques Honore Rainier were born on December 10, 2014, by caesarean section at the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco. Expressing her joy at the time, Charlene declared herself to be 'crazy in love' with the 'magical' twins . 'What I can tell you is that they are both very active and very expressive,' she told a magazine. 'They are beautiful, adorable.' She also told of the moment the children arrived and admitted to some nerves over the health of the babies who, she explained, had arrived two weeks early. 'At first, I was happy to hear their first cries,' she said. 'I was obviously a bit overwhelmed with emotion. 'Every second with them is magical. I look forward to spending more time in their presence.' Gabriella was born first at 5.04pm, with her twin brother following two minutes later, a statement from the palace confirmed at the time. However, while Jacques is a few minutes younger than his twin sister, Monaco is still governed by male-preference primogeniture meaning that eldest son inherits the throne over any older sisters. Princess Gabriella Therese Marie and Prince Jacques Honore Rainier were born on December 10, 2014, by caesarean section at the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco Expressing her joy at the time, Charlene declared herself to be 'crazy in love' with the 'magical' twins The royal family attended a traditional Monaco Picnic In Le Parc Princess Antoinette (pictured together in 2022) It is only if a female heir has no eligible brothers or brothers with surviving male descendants that she will take the throne. Their births were celebrated with 21 cannon shots each, 15 minutes of church bells and boat horns. The twins were formally presented to the public on January 7, 2015 and the date has since become recognised as a public holiday in Monaco. But while Charlene and Prince Albert may have been in a heartwarming baby bubble this time all those years ago, in recent years, rumours have swirled that the royal couple could be on the rocks. The Monegasque royal recently returned to Monaco after a solo trip to her native South Africa where she was visiting family. The trip marked her first visit to the country since 2021 when she suffered a horror illness which kept her away from her husband and eight-year-old twins for several months because she was unable to fly. During her most recent visit, she revealed in an interview that she is tired of hearing rumours of trouble in her marriage to 65-year-old Albert, and admitted she has no idea where they come from. Reports that Prince Albert and Princess Charlene's relationship was on shaky ground date back to their wedding day in 2011 when she was dubbed the 'Runaway Bride' Charlene has described rumours about trouble in her marriage to Prince Albert as 'exhausting' The comments come after she told a publication in Monaco that she is 'serene and happy' in her marriage - denying rumours that surfaced in German and French media that she was now 'living in Switzerland' and that her marriage was 'ceremonial'. Speculation about the couple's marriage was further fuelled this summer when Charlene deleted her Instagram account. However, the mother-of-two shut down speculation around her decision, claiming it was purely to protect the privacy of her children. She revealed she wants to keep the twins away from the 'pressure' of life in the public eye for as long as possible - although she admits they are already picking things up. Speaking about the close-knit siblings, she said she is 'grateful' to know they will always be there for one another. Reports that Prince Albert and Princess Charlene's relationship was on shaky ground date back to their wedding day in 2011 when she was dubbed the 'Runaway Bride' by French media for reportedly trying to flee before the ceremony. In 2021, Princess Charlene's extended visit to South Africa once again fired up the rumour mill, as she was not seen in Monaco for ten months. Upon her return to the principality, Albert claimed she was 'overwhelmed' and 'unwell', telling People magazine that it became 'pretty evident' a few hours after Charlene's return that she was 'unwell', before going to Switzerland for further treatment. He said the former Olympian 'realised she needed help', adding: 'She was overwhelmed and couldn't face official duties, life in general or even family life.' The prince said the final decision-making process about treatment involved an intervention-style meeting with family members, explaining: 'I sat her down with her brothers and a sister-in-law. She had already made her decision, and we only wanted her to confirm it in front of us. She wanted this. 'She already knew the best thing to do was to go and have a rest and have a real medically framed treatment. And not in Monaco. For privacy reasons, it would have to be someplace outside of Monaco.' Meanwhile, he revealed Gabriella and Jacques would 'visit' Charlene once they had the 'medical go-ahead', saying the twins 'knew she was tired' and 'not quite herself'. What to drink to have a better chance of a clear head in the morning The festive season is here, and for many that means raising a glass or two to celebrate. However, for some, the side-effects of drinking wine, from headaches and rashes to nausea and heart palpitations, are anything but joyous. Sulphites are often cited as the culprit. In fact, wine is significantly lower in sulphites (naturally occurring compounds that act as a preservative) than numerous other food and drink products. Those unlucky enough to be allergic to sulphites obviously need to bypass wines with added sulphur, but for most wine drinkers, the levels are simply too low to cause adverse reactions. Another suspect in the wine headache whodunnit is histamine. Produced by bacteria, histamines are naturally occurring compounds found not just in wine but chocolate and cheese to name a few. However, when histamine is mixed with alcohol, the bodys ability to break down toxins can be compromised which, for some, may lead to worse side-effects. For those planning on raising a glass or two to celebrate this festive season, Helen McGinn reveals what to drink to have a better chance of avoiding a hangover in the morning (stock image) Generally, crisp white wines are likely to have lower levels of histamines compared with red wines or many so-called natural or even biodynamic wines. But thats not all. A recent study published by the University of California points to evidence that the real culprit might, in fact, be quercetin, a natural compound present in red wines, particularly those from warmer climates. When mixed with alcohol, it can inhibit the bodys ability to metabolise it. So can you really pick wines less likely to lead to a thumping headache in the morning? Heres wine expert Helen McGinn's pick of the bunch of glasses to raise if you want a better chance of having a clear head the following day... PARTY-STARTER FIZZ Forchir Ribolla Gialla Spumante Brut, 13.99 or (mix six price) 9.99, Majestic Forchir Ribolla Gialla Spumante Brut, 13.99 or (mix six price) 9.99, Majestic Move over Prosecco, theres a new Italian sparkling in town! And with around a third of the amount of natural residual sugar in it compared with most Proseccos, its less likely to spike sugar levels after a few glasses, which can leave some feeling sluggish. Made from the Ribolla Gialla grape thats grown in vineyards in the cooler northern Italian region of Friuli, its fresh and lightly floral with pear and peach fruit flavours. The perfect party-starter. 9/10 CRISP CREMANT Taste The Difference Cremant de Loire, 10.50, Sainsburys The Loire region is one of Frances coolest, both in terms of climate and credentials. This particular sparkling is a blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay grapes and made in the same way as Champagne by Ladubay, a company founded in 1851. Fresh with crisp, green apple flavours and a light toasty note, its just 12.5 per cent alcohol, too. 7/10 FRUITY NUMBER Co-op Irresistible Rioja Blanco 2022, 7.50 You may not think of Rioja for white wine, but this one, new to the Co-op Irresistible range, is fabulous. Made by a great producer called Muriel from a blend of mostly Viura with some Tempranillo Blanco, theres no oak involved so its all about the fruit in this case citrus and white peach. 6/10 COOL WHITE Found Arinto, 7.50, M&S Found Arinto, 7.50, M&S The key to lower levels of quercetin in wine, according to the studies done to date, is sticking to reds from cooler climates and picking whites over reds. Obviously Portugal is warm, but the location of Lisbons vineyards close to the coast helps lock in freshness and natural acidity, especially in the Arinto grape. Think of it as a vinous squeeze of lemon and match it with seafood. At a modest 12.5 per cent alcohol, its enough to get you in the party spirit but less likely to leave you regretting it the next day. 7/10 GREEN AND PLEASANT Torre de Lapela Vinho Verde, 5.50, Asda Another one from Portugal, but this ones from the very northern tip. Vinho Verde translates as green wine, a reference to its youth, not its colour, and its where youll find some of the countrys freshest whites with naturally lower alcohol levels. This ones made from a blend of Alvarinho and Trajadura grapes grown in vineyards on the banks of the Minho River. Crisp and lively with peach and apricot fruit flavours, try this 10 per cent abv one with shellfish. 6/10 BURGUNDY BELTER Caves de Lugny Macon Villages, 10.50, Asda Opting for white over red is a sensible option for those wanting to avoid unwanted side-effects, and white Burgundy is a festive classic. Unfortunately, its really not cheap and prices have risen over the past few years, putting it out of many a wine lovers price range. This one, however, is made by a large co-operative winery in a village called Lugny, one of the largest in the region. The wine is crisp, clean and bright, with that benchmark roundness which makes white Burgundy so drinkable. Just dont let the price tempt you into a third glass. 8/10 CANAPE COCKTAIL Irresistible Cotes de Provence, 9.50, Co-op Staying on the crisp, dry theme, Provence rose is a good place to go foraging as the appellation rules regulate the amount of natural residual sugar and alcohol permitted in their wines. However, like white Burgundy, prices have been creeping up in recent years. This one, new to the Co-op range, is made by a great co-operative producer in the region from a cocktail of grapes including Grenache Gris, Cinsault, Carignan, Syrah, Mourvedre & Rolle. Bright and fresh with citrus and light red fruits, serve this with canapes. 8/10 BEST OF ROSE BUNCH Artesano de Argento Organic Malbec Rose, 10, Sainsburys Red grapes may produce wines with higher levels of quercetin, but this is a rose made from red grapes. The juice and skins are left together for a relatively short time compared with how long they would be to produce a red wine from them, so the wines are likely to contain lower levels of headache-inducing compounds. This is a blend of (mostly) Malbec and Syrah grapes from vineyards at more than 1,000 metres above sea level. This higher altitude means theres the jump between temperatures during the day and night, slowing down the ripening of the grapes and preserving crispness. Its got oomph when it comes to flavour but scores just 12.5 per cent on the alcohol front. 7/10 CHERRY PICK Taste The Difference Chilean Pinot Noir, 9.25, Sainsburys Taste The Difference Chilean Pinot Noir, 9.25, Sainsburys If you want a red from a cooler region, this one, from Chiles southerly area of Biobio, is made by a great producer and is packed with fresh black cherry and raspberry flavours. The Pinot Noir grape doesnt love the heat and is likely to have lower quercetin levels than, say, a Cabernet Sauvignon from a warmer region such as California. And when it comes to turkey-loving reds, Pinot Noir is spot on. 8/10 More than a third of people in the UK do not plan to drink alcohol this Christmas. Nearly a quarter say they are drinking less now compared to this time last year, while four in ten people aged between 18 and 34 say they are teetotal, according to a survey carried out by price comparison website Forbes Advisor. The survey concluded that the number of Britons turning away from booze was on the rise, driven by concerns about health as well as saving money. More than a third of people in the UK do not plan to drink alcohol this Christmas AI on par with X-ray specialists Artificial intelligence (AI) is just as good at spotting medical issues on an X-ray as specialists, it is claimed. Researchers at the University of Warwick presented the learning software with nearly two million historic X-rays that contained the signs of 37 different medical conditions. Results showed that about 95 per cent of the time the AI called X-Raydar was as accurate at diagnosing the patient as the radiologist who reviewed the scan at the time, or even more so. Experts say that the findings could revolutionise NHS radiology, increasing the speed and accuracy of scans. Comprehensive AI programs like this will be the future of medicine, with AI acting as a co-pilot for busy doctors, says Professor Vicky Goh, a radiology expert at Kings College London. Click on this week's Medical Minefield podcast to hear why doctors are at war over a 45 cholesterol-busting drug An economist has warned that treating dementia will cost the NHS about 1billion a week by 2025. According to Julian Jessop, a former Treasury adviser, the degenerative brain disease will account for about 50billion in annual spending due to the rising number of people developing the condition. Nearly one million people in the UK currently have dementia costing the country roughly 35billion a year but the number is expected to rise to about 1.6million by 2040, according to research. Mr Jessop presented his estimates at a meeting of the Geller Commission last week an organisation that reviews the standard of NHS dementia care. Nearly one in four people over the age of 65 have not been hugged in the past month, according to a survey, while one in three say they do not feel hugged enough. The study, carried out by weighted blanket firm Kudd.ly, also found that Londoners receive almost twice as many hugs as the rest of the country on average getting between five and nine hugs a month. Around 40 per cent of the 2,000 respondents also said that hugging was extremely beneficial for their emotional wellbeing. Fighting back: Scams typically involve a person who is duped into making an online payment to crooks Details of new rules forcing banks and other payment firms to reimburse customers who fall prey to scammers will be published before Christmas. The mandatory measures will replace a voluntary scheme that compensates victims of Authorised Push Payment, or APP fraud where customers are conned into sending money to criminals. Scams typically involve a person who is duped into making an online payment to crooks posing as a legitimate organisation such as a bank, HM Revenue & Customs or the police. Fraudsters may also pretend to be selling goods or services that do not exist. Losses from APP fraud totalled 240 million in the first half of 2023 and involved more than 116,000 cases, 22 per cent more than in the same period last year, according to the industry trade body UK Finance. Banks have been criticised for dragging their feet in compensating victims, or not paying out at all. Under the new compulsory system, reimbursement costs will be split 50:50 between the bank behind the customer's account sending the funds and the bank receiving them. The Payment Systems Regulator, the industry watchdog, is expected to flesh out more details of how the scheme will operate in the next two weeks. Some argue the new rules don't go far enough and should also cover social media companies. 'We see WhatsApp scams and Facebook Marketplace scams happening every day,' said Santander UK chief executive Mike Regnier in an interview with Financial Mail. 'I would like to see other players in the supply chain of fraud pay the bill,' he added. She was then shocked to get a 303 bill for two further days' use of the car She returned it to Avis but the office was unmanned so she left keys in letterbox When Kate Barton dropped off her Avis rental car at the airport after a thrilling five days driving around Kruger National Park with a friend, it was time for part two of her South African journey a flight to see family in Western Cape via Johannesburg. Although the flight out of Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport was early morning, she was surprised that the Avis office had yet to open when she arrived with travel companion Helen. But having already paid for the car hire and filled the petrol tank to the brim, she left the VW Tiguan in the appropriate bay and posted the keys through the letterbox. Counting the cost: Kate Barton had no idea until she returned home to the UK that Avis had taken a further 303 from her credit card But being a regular user of car hire companies, she left nothing to chance. So, she photographed the car confirming no bumps or scratches Avis could charge her for. She also took a picture of the fuel gauge, indicating a full tank, and shot a video of her posting the keys into the drop-off box. 'I was in a good mood,' says 45-year-old Kate, owner of Reeves Model Engineers, a business that sells parts for model railways. 'We had enjoyed our time in the park, seeing elephants, rhinos and our first ever porcupine.' Yet, what she had no idea of until she returned home to the UK was that Avis had taken a further 303 from the credit card she had used to book the car when she had picked it up from Skukuza Airport at the beginning of her trip. Avis was able to do this because, like all car hire companies and many hotels, it is permitted to put a 'hold' on a slice of a customer's card balance when they come to collect their car or check in at a hotel. This 'hold' can then be drawn upon by the company if there are additional charges that a customer has racked up. I was flabbergasted - I thought that maybe it was a billing or clerical error, or even fraud. But I knew they were charges I had not racked up In the case of a hire car, these could relate to the cost of repairing a scratch to the paintwork. For a hotel, they could cover room service or mini-bar costs. Scrutinising the Avis invoice, Kate discovered that the car she had dropped off at Kruger Mpumalanga on November 15 had then been used by someone else for another two-and-a-half days. In that time, it had been driven 1,200 kilometres, the full tank of fuel had been depleted and multiple toll charges had been incurred hence the 303 bill. 'I was flabbergasted,' says Kate. 'I thought that maybe it was a billing or clerical error, or even fraud. 'But I knew they were charges I had not racked up.' She thought a refund would be straightforward, but it wasn't. Despite providing Avis with irrefutable proof that the car had been returned on the agreed date photos with geo-tagging and time stamps Avis South Africa rejected her claim. SALLY SORTS IT: Europcar won't pay for hire car battery I had to replace on holiday I hired a car from Europcar at Pisa airport in Italy. It was a new vehicle, with a few miles on the clock. The day before travelling home, it would not start. Since we couldn't actually use the car, a relative took us to a shop to purchase a battery for just over 100 euros. We got it fitted and the car started first time. After nearly six weeks, Europcar told me via email that it was 'not refundable' since I'd replaced the battery on my own initiative. Please help. Kate wouldn't let go. She sent Avis UK a copy of the video showing the car keys being dropped into the required box. Although the company said the evidence was undeniable, it was up to its South African operation to organise the refund. After more than a week of 'going on the offensive' by messaging Avis on Facebook, she got a breakthrough. Avis South Africa admitted there had been an 'error' and that the extra charge would be refunded. A few days ago, Kate got her money back although it came with no compensation for the time she had spent trying to get the company to see sense. Avis's public relations advisers, whom I asked to investigate the case, thanked me for bringing it to their attention and confirmed a refund had been processed. No explanation for the mistake was given and no apology offered. Kate is also angry that she was hit with a subsequent 5.47 refuelling charge when she returned another Avis hire car to George Airport, Western Cape at the end of her holiday. Avis said the charge was applied because Kate did not fill up within the required five kilometres of the airport. But there is no petrol station within seven kilometres and such a requirement is not in the hire terms. 'Anyone hiring a car has to be vigilant,' she warns. 'Companies will use any opportunity to eat into a credit card hold. So photograph everything at the start and end of a hire and take videos.' Has a car hire company used a hold on your credit card to take extra charges? Email: jeff.prestridge@mailonsunday.co.uk. The 'criminal record' that floored 5k policy payout Costly: A broken bathroom valve caused the floor to collapse Before someone takes out home insurance, they are asked whether anyone in the household has an unspent criminal record. Answering 'yes' can result in cover either becoming more expensive or declined altogether although specialist insurers do now offer policies to households where a member has a criminal record. The reason why insurers get edgy is that they see a criminal as a greater insurance risk. Rachel McNamee, from Prenton, Merseyside, has just found out how costly it can be not to disclose an unspent criminal record. In August, she took out home cover with Halifax. When applying, she was asked to agree or disagree to the statement: 'You or anyone living with you have no unspent criminal convictions.' She answered: 'Agree'. It was the wrong answer because two months earlier her 21-year-old son had received a conditional discharge order for harassing someone and causing them distress. The order stated that provided he did not commit another offence during the 18-month order, he would not be punished. Rachel is a hard-working individual who has never broken the law. She made a genuine mistake in thinking a conditional discharge order was not a criminal conviction (I didn't know either until I did an internet search). Sadly, it has cost her. In October, a broken valve in the bathroom of her four-bedroom home caused the floor to collapse. It was only when assessors came round to look at the damage that they learnt from Rachel that her son had a conditional discharge order. Last month, Halifax voided her cover. She will now have to pay the 5,000 of damage from her own pocket. I'm not casting blame at Halifax's door, although maybe its statement on criminal convictions should spell out that conditional discharge orders are included. Yet there is a massive disconnect between the cause of the claim (a leaky valve) and the reason for its decline (a failure to realise that a conditional discharge order is a criminal conviction.) I think Rachel has been punished harshly. What's your view? Email: jeff.prestridge@mailonsunday.co.uk. Hard times for Hargreaves Lansdown These are tough times for Hargreaves Lansdown. A week on Monday, it will fall out of the blue-chip FTSE 100 Index. The investment platform is also being pursued by litigation company RGL for the losses its customers incurred as a result of it recommending Woodford Equity Income right up to the day dealings in the fund were suspended in June 2019. This recommendation to buy was despite Hargreaves Lansdown being aware of the fund's mounting liquidity problems. Investors in the Woodford fund at the time of suspension have just voted on whether to accept a redress package worth a minimum 180 million. The result of this vote will be announced later this week. Irrespective of the outcome, RGL's claim against Hargreaves Lansdown will rumble on regardless. Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. Risk: It took this reader two years to recover a home they had rented out to Barking council P.H. writes: I saw your article about Havering Council and the difficulties a reader had in getting back a property that was rented to the council. Barking and Dagenham Council are even worse. We are still waiting after two years to recover a property from them. The matter has now gone on for so long that we have had to pay for the agents Wentworth Housing Ltd to go to court for a possession order. Tony Hetherington replies: Your partner signed an agreement in 2018 with Wentworth Properties in Ilford, allowing the agents to rent out her property in Basildon, Essex. The agreement allowed Wentworth to let the property to Barking and Dagenham Council for use as temporary housing. But when you contacted me, the same person had been living in the property for about five years. At the end of 2021, your partner gave the required notice, saying she would like her house back. However, Wentworth reported the tenant was in arrears with rent to the council, and as a result the council was refusing to rehouse her. And when the council did eventually offer to rehouse the tenant, she rejected the new property, saying it was unsuitable. The result was that your partner did not get her house back. Instead, she continued to receive rent of 950 a month, the figure negotiated in 2018. And the occupier stayed put. The council did offer to negotiate a new rent at current rates, if she would sign a fresh three-year contract. Wentworth told me that although its agreement was that the house could only be regarded as temporary accommodation, this description is almost meaningless as no time frame was specified. The agents had passed on the request for the return of the house, but the council had replied this could only be done once it had found suitable new housing for the occupier. By July this year, you and your partner had lost patience. Along with Wentworth, you won a court order for the return of the house. But when I questioned the council and the agents, it turned out this was a hollow victory. The tenant who had been installed by the council moved out but she left behind her ex-partner and her own teenage son, and they were still living in the property. Should I sell my buy-to-let properties empty or with tenants living there? I own a couple of buy-to-lets that I want to sell. The fixed rate mortgages are coming up for renewal next year and, if interest rates remain roughly where they are, my costs will balloon and I'll be making losses on both. What I would like to know is whether it is best to evict the tenants before putting the properties on the market, or to sell with them in situ? Barking and Dagenham Council shrugged off some of my questions, refusing to comment on what it saw as an agreement between your partner and Wentworth. It did accept it had been asked to return the house in 2021, and it told me 'steps were made to work with all relevant parties to offer up vacant possession'. As for the rent, a council official agreed it was below market rates, but added that an incentive for property owners is that the council guarantees payment, whereas a private tenant might default. You first contacted me in August, but today I can finally report that you and your partner have regained the property. It is still not a happy situation though. The house is damaged. The council has agreed to pay for the repairs, on top of 3,000 they already forked out for repairs last March. They have said they will even pay rent while the repairs are carried out. And there may be more problems. You have found debts have been run up by the occupants, and there are signs the address has been used to register cars and vans. This may mean you will be plagued by parking penalties and bills for driving in London. Like my report in July about Havering Council in Essex and its failure to return a rented property, your experience illustrates that renting to a local authority may not be as safe as it seems. Being paid a lower than normal rent is bad enough, but having to take legal action to recover your own property makes the whole idea unacceptably risky. Help! My 20,500 Isa has vanished Mrs K.H. writes: Can you help me find out what has happened to my 20,483 which was in a National Savings & Investments (NS&I) Direct Isa? I asked for this to be transferred to a Lloyds Bank one-year fixed rate Isa. NS&I say it transferred the money, but Lloyds staff say they have not received it. Both parties blame the other, and I have hit a brick wall. I am elderly and at my wits' end. Wits' end: What happened to the 20,483 in a National Savings & Investments Direct Isa? Tony Hetherington replies: I am not surprised you are worried about the disappearance of such a large slice of your savings. You sent me a copy of NS&I's closing statement, confirming your Isa cash had been transferred to Lloyds Bank, so I asked both of them to find out exactly where your money had ended up in the banking system. Lloyds immediately accepted that it had taken an unacceptably long time to track down your funds, and the bank rang you to apologise for this. NS&I was hard on the bank's heels, telling me just a day later that it had found your 20,483. It was still with NS&I. Officials told me they had sent the payment to Lloyds at the address shown on the bank's transfer request, but it had been returned. NS&I tried again, using a different address for the bank, but with the same result the money bounced back. Staff at Lloyds have told me that they have double-checked the addresses and cannot find any problem, but after I contacted them they asked NS&I to try again and this time it worked. The bank said: 'We are extremely sorry that Mrs H's Isa transfer took longer than it should have, and we have been working hard to put that right.' Your new Isa is now open, with interest backdated to ensure you have lost nothing, and Lloyds has also sent you 150 to make up for the worry you experienced. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. Spellbreaker: Mike Regnier's fraud-busters has saved customers 13.5m in two years Break the Spell sounds like a plotline in a fairytale or, at this time of year, a Christmas panto. But for Mike Regnier, chief executive of Santander UK, it is the name of a crack squad of fraud-busters based near Liverpool. Their job is to identify customers who have been left spellbound by skilful fraudsters. So far this year, the team has saved Santander customers nearly 5 million that would otherwise have been filched from their bank accounts by crooks. The 16 specially trained staff in Bootle on Merseyside have the delicate job of talking to customers who are believed to have been ensnared by convincing criminals. Often, the victims do not realise they have been taken in and even when presented with strong evidence do not want to believe it. Scams where tricksters pose as a love interest and seduce their target into giving them money are particularly upsetting. Regnier says: 'Some of the romance frauds are very sad. People feel they have an emotional connection with someone who is real and they just aren't.' Since the Break The Spell squad swung into action in 2021 it has directly saved customers an astonishing 13.5 million. That is an underestimate, as it does not take account of the additional amounts that would have been at risk if the fraudsters had not been stopped in their tracks. Fraud, Regnier says, is a particularly British problem. Our 'faster payments' system, where amounts are transferred almost instantaneously, is a boon to the unscrupulous. So too is our mother tongue. 'Because it is an international language, fraudsters around the world speak English,' Regnier says. 'It is easier for them to fool people in English than in other languages.' In the past, customers were often left nursing large losses if they were the victims of fraud, even when they had done nothing wrong. But since 2019 the big banks have been operating a voluntary scheme to reimburse victims of authorised push payment fraud, where customers have been fooled into sending money to criminals. However, the voluntary element is about to change. The Payment Systems Regulator is due to publish detailed guidance on new rules making it mandatory for banks to reimburse customers who fall prey to scammers. While sympathetic to genuinely vulnerable victims, Regnier believes this well-meaning move could create a risk of 'moral hazard' where customers have no incentive to protect themselves. He is clearly not convinced by what he calls a 'blanket mandatory reimbursement approach'. Regnier says: 'Everybody should be vigilant and everybody should have an incentive to be vigilant. If customers are vulnerable and being exploited then OK, I would find a way to help and support them.' He points out that social media and telephone companies are 'not on the hook for reimbursement' even though they are the springboards for 70 per cent of push payment frauds. 'We see WhatsApp scams and Facebook Marketplace scams happening every day,' says Regnier. 'I would like to see other players in the supply chain of fraud pay the bill.' Formerly boss of Yorkshire Building Society, Regnier took over as the chief executive of Santander UK, the British arm of the giant Spanish financial services group, in April last year. Brought up in Surrey, he aspires to be an adopted Yorkshireman if those born there will concede such a thing exists having moved there 20 years ago. Adopted Yorkshireman: Regnier enjoys scones from the famous Bettys tea rooms He lives with his family near the Dales, where he can indulge his love of the outdoors, and tuck into Fat Rascals fruity scones bought from the famous Bettys tearooms. 'Both of my children are Yorkshire people. I'd like to think I am now a naturalised Yorkshireman, but that is a long-term project,' Regnier laughs. A note of exasperation creeps in when I mention rival Nationwide's TV ad, featuring actor Dominic West, which spotlights the widespread closure of bank branches. 'It is a striking ad but to be honest I am a bit frustrated,' says Regnier. 'If you go back over the last couple of years Nationwide has closed 23 branches and we have closed six. 'Will we have 450 forever? I don't know. We constantly have to review the size of the network. But we are refurbishing 49 branches this year and next. I am still a believer in branches, but it is an irrefutable fact that demand from customers for branch banking is continuing to fall.' Santander's own humorous ad campaign features Ant and Dec and their hare-brained banking ideas. This, perhaps, is ironic, given that one of his biggest passions is making Britain more financially literate. Earlier this year, Santander teamed up with online educational publishing house Twinkl to launch a scheme to teach children about how to deal with money. Regnier taught the first lesson to a class of nine and ten year olds at Hazelbury Primary School in Edmonton, north London, along with the boss of Twinkl. 'We are massively passionate about teaching pupils how to budget in schools,' Regnier says. 'Financial education is not a mandatory part of the national curriculum, but we believe very strongly it should be.' He points out that nearly 70 per cent of adults believe lessons about handling finances would be helping them to manage better during the cost of living crisis. The link between financial literacy and poverty is strong. Nearly half of those with financial problems admit that poor money management skills are a key factor in their plight. 'It is screaming out to me that we just need to get on and do this,' Regnier says. The banks themselves have been making plenty of money. Santander UK's first-quarter profits rose 11 per cent to 547 million, but Regnier denies any profiteering. 'The sector as a whole is having a good year,' he says. 'But it looks as though bank rates have peaked and 2024 might be a bit more challenging. The UK banking sector has struggled to deliver returns in line with the cost of capital.' Santander is not forecasting a major fall in house prices, despite a drop-off in mortgage lending. A typical borrower whose home loan is coming out of a fixed rate or discount will have to pay an extra 250 a month, he says. But Regnier argues that the situation now is nowhere near as bad as during the late 1980s after the global financial crisis triggered a wave of negative equity, repossessions and borrowers handing back their keys. 'The big difference now is that people have more equity in their homes,' he says. 'So the level of stress for many isn't as bad.' Fewer than 2.5 per cent of mortgage customers are currently in arrears. Santander UK's Spanish parent has toyed with the idea of floating off the British business. Might that come back on the agenda? 'One reason Santander is in the UK is that it wanted a presence in the biggest financial services in Europe. But if the bank wanted to sell in the UK, I might be the last to know,' he says with a smile. Hedge funds have turned on Petrofac and made it the most-shorted stock on the London Stock Exchange in a matter of weeks. The company, which manages the construction of big energy projects, has more than 9 per cent of its shares out on loan to hedge funds, which will make money if its share price falls. The eight hedge funds targeting the firm include the well-known City group Marshall Wace. Tumble: Petrofac's share price has taken a fall in the past year and the firm is now being shorted by hedge funds On the surface, Petrofac is in a strong position. The 103 million firm has won contracts worth 4.4 billion this year. It works in the gas and oil industries, but it has also positioned itself well in the long run by getting involved in the wind industry enabling it to benefit from huge investments in renewables. But Petrofac confirmed last week that City analysts were right to have been sceptical about its finances. It admitted it was struggling to obtain guarantees from banks that effectively provide its clients with 'money back' guarantees if there are hitches on projects. These guarantees are common features on construction contracts and Petrofac cannot receive cash from clients unless arrangements are in place. Fewer banks are backing new oil and gas investment and Petrofac itself has been battling losses over the past few years along with a large debt pile. In 2017 the company was rocked by a Serious Fraud Office investigation. The case was settled in 2021 with a fine of 77 million after Petrofac admitted failing to prevent senior executives bribing officials in Iraq, the UAE and Saudi Arabia to secure lucrative contracts. But all of this has left a dark cloud over the company's reputation. In its latest update, Petrofac said it was considering a range of measures to help bolster its position, including selling off some assets. The firm has also helicoptered in Aidan de Brunner, who specialises in steering companies through financial crises, to join the board. He will commit 'a significant portion of his time to supporting the board for a limited period'. The group's share price initially surged, but has since changed direction and is down by more than 70 per cent so far this year. Analysts remain unconvinced that it can turn itself around. Brokerage Berenberg told clients the company was 'in a precarious position' and it has placed the shares under review, removing any rating or target price. Jefferies dubbed Petrofac 'the impossible stock' and Peel Hunt also put it under review, warning that it may need to ask shareholders for new capital. Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the company's shrunken market value is much smaller than its debt pile, which stood at 460 million at the half year, and is 'likely to have risen further'. Petrofac declined to comment to the MoS, but a source close to the company said the business 'has a positive future'. Gaza, Dec 9 (UNI) The United Nations said Saturday that tens of thousands of Palestinians flocking into Rafah are facing overcrowding and in need of shelters. In a press statement sent to Xinhua, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that since Dec. 3, tens of thousands of internally displaced have arrived in Rafah, the southern tip of the Gaza Strip. Most of them came from the neighboring Khan Younis city, following evacuation orders issued by Israeli forces and the continued bombing and fighting. Those newly displaced people face severe overcrowding in Rafah, with no empty space for shelter, not even in the streets or other open areas. "Thousands of displaced people set up temporary structures and tents in a Qatari Field hospital under construction and the Al-Quds Open University campus in Rafah," the agency added. For many Palestinians, this is the second or third displacement they have experienced since the start of Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7. According to the UN, it is estimated that about 1.9 million people in Gaza, or approximately 85 percent of the population, are internally displaced. Nearly 1.2 million of these displaced people have been registered in 151 facilities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) throughout the Gaza Strip. Since Oct. 7, Israel has been launching massive airstrikes and a ground offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas surprise attack on Israel that killed around 1,200 and in which over 200 were taken hostage. UNI/XINHUA AKS New management installed by private equity made 'a hash' of taxi firm Addison Lee, according to the firm's boss, who bought back his family business. Liam Griffin, the chief executive of Addison Lee and son of founder John, told The Mail on Sunday that American buyout barons Carlyle took over the business his father set up in 1975 and then parachuted in bosses to run the firm. 'When they first came in, I was completely in awe of their world,' he said. 'You go, oh my God. They are so clever.' 'Painful to watch': Carlyle had bought a majority stake in Addison Lee in 2013 for 300 million Carlyle had bought a majority stake in Addison Lee in 2013 for 300 million, turning the Griffin family into millionaires. But Griffin said it was 'painful to watch' after the firm's finance director Andrew Boland was promoted to become chief executive. Griffin said Carlyle provided firepower to invest that had not been previously available, but he added: 'Good ideas need to be executed well and you have to rely on management to do that.' Griffin quit in 2018 after falling out with the new bosses and was even banned from entering the company's building. By that time it was posting losses of 39 million. He bought the firm back in 2020 for 125 million with his own money and cash from Cheyne Capital. The problems under Carlyle's ownership partly stemmed from a plan to expand Addison Lee's taxi services to major cities across the UK and US moving away from its traditional focus on ferrying office workers around the City. 'This was a great idea, but really badly executed,' Griffin said. 'Unfortunately [Boland and his team] were not able to deliver what was needed. 'For private equity, where they lack knowledge and experience, they buy it in. So we ended up with consultants coming out of our ears. 'We had layers upon layers of management all telling the layer below what they should and shouldn't do, and nobody actually doing anything. I learned a lot of lessons.' The company, which has a fleet of 7,500 vehicles, has seen business bounce back from the pandemic. It reported profits of 19 million in 2022 from 7.9 million in the previous year. Carlyle declined to comment. Boland was contacted for comment. Blow: John Lewis boss Dame Sharon White The revolving door at John Lewis has taken another turn with the latest departure of a senior director just seven months after joining the partnership's board. Retail expert Nicky Dulieu was head of the influential audit and risk committee at the department store group, which includes grocer Waitrose. But she is leaving after finding the role 'wasn't compatible with her existing time commitments', a spokesman said. It is the latest blow to John Lewis, which was rocked recently when Dame Sharon White said she planned to step down as chairman of the employee-owned business at the end of her five-year term in February. A search for her replacement is under way. White, a former civil servant and regulator, hired Dulieu partly to address criticism that the board lacked retail experience. Dulieu also sits on the board of WH Smith having previously run the Hobbs fashion chain. A replacement will be found 'in due course', the John Lewis spokesman said. An activist investor in Hammerson has sold off a 55 million chunk of its stake in the shopping centre owner. Lighthouse Properties, an investment vehicle of the company's former director Desmond de Beer, has cut its holding from 22 per cent to less than 18 per cent or about 200 million shares. Hammerson owns and runs some of the UK's biggest shopping centres including Brent Cross in north-west London and the Bullring in Birmingham. It also has interests in Bicester Village. Sell-off: Hammerson owns and runs some of the UK's biggest shopping centres including Brent Cross in north west London and the Bullring in Birmingham (pictured) Earlier this year Lighthouse caused a storm when it attempted to get two new directors appointed to the board. De Beer, who quit his role at Hammerson in October 2022, was discontented with the company's strategy and drew attention to its high administration costs. But City institutions including Legal & General Investment Management and Schroders publicly backed the board and Lighthouse's proposals were rejected. Lighthouse said in a market update last week that it would put the cash from the sale of the Hammerson shares towards a deal to buy a shopping mall in Spain. FTSE 250-listed Hammerson, which is worth 1.4 billion, was burdened for years with a heavy debt pile and was the target of short-sellers. Currently 2.7 per cent of its shares are out on loan to hedge funds. This is the lowest level for more than four years. Chemring is set to record its highest profit in about a decade, after the war in Ukraine prompted a flurry of defence spending. The FTSE 250-listed company, whose results are out next week, is expected to have made 65 million in the financial year to October, according to estimates from Refinitiv, a provider of financial market data. Record profits: Chemring's business has been boosted by a rise in Western governments' defence spending following Russia's invasion of Ukraine Chemring's business has been boosted by a rise in Western governments' defence spending following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and heightened geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. The company, whose order book was at record levels earlier this year, makes materials and components for missile systems, explosives and propellants. It announced a 50 million share buyback programme in August. Chemring's shares have risen by 11 per cent this year and it is now valued at more than 900 million. Fellow London-listed defence firms including BAE Systems have also seen profits soar. Saudi Arabia could become the majority owner of Heathrow Airport according to a report suggesting that fellow investors in the hub are ready to sell up. The speculation comes after the country's sovereign wealth fund together with French private equity firm Ardian recently agreed a deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in the airport for 2.4billion from Ferrovial. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is taking 10 per cent and Ardian 15 per cent and the stakes will be held separately though the PIF is also an investor in Ardian, the Sunday Times reported. Flying the flag: Saudi Arabia could become the majority owner of Heathrow Airport Now, at least one other shareholder is reportedly close to selling, with others expected to follow suit. 'At that price, we are a seller,' one was quoted as saying. Any such deal could stoke concerns about the growing control of Middle East investors over key UK assets. According to the Sunday Times, while the Chinese, Qatari and Singapore funds who hold major stakes may choose to hold on, the other investors would sell, leaving the PIF and Ardian with nearly 60 per cent control of Heathrow. Nataliya can never forget what happened that night: how the Russian soldiers invaded her home, pinned her to the bed and took it in turns to rape her at gunpoint in front of her terrified six-year-old daughter. She remembers screaming at them afterwards, fighting them to leave her sobbing daughter alone, clawing at their faces before they beat her with a gun and she fell to the ground. Nataliya, not her real name, couldn't stop them as they stumbled towards her frightened little girl and subjected her to the same horrific abuse. In another house thirty minutes down the road, Maria remembers the sound of the Russian soldiers breaking down her door and slurring their words as they shouted at her to undress. The three men took it in turns to rape her repeatedly. The soldiers left her traumatised and alone, and as she lay shaking on her bed, she could hear the screams and cries of her neighbours. Maria, whose name has been changed, learned that by the end of the night they had raped every woman and girl living on that street in the Kyiv region. Another woman was attacked by Russian soldiers while they forced her teenage son to watch - a common tactic by Putin's men to traumatise generations of Ukrainians - while a mother was raped for several hours by an officer after he dragged her to an abandoned classroom in Kharkiv. The horrors that these Ukrainian women have endured are not rare. Instead, they are part of a pattern of systematic sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers since the full-scale invasion began 21 months ago. Ukrainian medics and psychologists from the Assisto project support a rape victim in Ukraine Ukrainian medics and psychologists from the Assisto project support a rape victim in Ukraine Often, the victims are left suicidal and fearful of telling anyone about the abuse they endured due to the crippling stigma and shame surrounding rape. This means the true scale of wartime sexual violence in Ukraine may never be known. 'They use sexual violence as a type of weapon, they want to destroy people psychologically and physically,' says Anna Orel, a project coordinator at the Andreiev Family Foundation's Assisto project where she helps survivors of rape in Ukraine. 'Their aim is destruction, humiliation and intimidation of women and their families,' Ms Orel, who works in collaboration with Women for Women International, tells MailOnline. 'They rape victims because it leaves a mark on every aspect of their lives. Some women we helped have said they feel like they are slowly dying.' It's a common tactic in the war for Russian soldiers to rape women in front of their husbands and children in order to traumatise entire families, Ukrainian case workers, lawyers and researchers have all told MailOnline. 'Women have told me how the Russian soldiers would tell their children "You should remember us Russians, who we are, and you should remember this for all your life" as they raped their mothers in front of them,' Ms Orel says from her home near Kyiv. One mother was raped in her home by Russian soldiers and they forced her teenage son to watch, leaving him traumatised and suicidal. 'The mother was suffering from severe shame and her son had tried to commit suicide before they came to our team of psychologists for help,' Ms Orel, who works with victims of rape and their families, says. The reason why Russian soldiers rape women in front of their families is to instil as much fear and trauma as possible so that it passes through generations, Ms Orel says. 'They want the women to fear them, they want the children to fear them,' Ms Orel explains. 'It's generational, they want generations to come to have this trauma.' 'The husbands and men in the family can often feel a huge sense of guilt because they couldn't protect their wives and partners,' Anna Mykytenko, a lawyer at the international human rights law firm Global Rights Compliance which is assisting Ukraine's prosecutors in their investigation into war crimes, says. In many cases, the Russian soldiers would shoot dead the women's husbands - or threaten to do so - as soon as they tried to defend their wives and stop them from being raped. And if a woman tried to fight the soldiers herself and told them no, she wouldn't survive. 'We've never found a rape victim who said no to the Russian soldiers because they are all dead,' Ms Orel says. Anastasiya, not her real name, didn't fight when several drunk soldiers dragged her into an abandoned home, where broken glass and photos of a couple they killed covered the floor. She knew that she couldn't say no or scream as she so desperately wanted to do because if she did, she would never be able to go back to the little girl who was hiding in the basement of their home down the street. As the soldiers stumbled towards her, all she remembers was staring at a bookshelf to her left as they took it in turns to rape her. 'She imagined it wasn't her, it wasn't her body being raped,' Ms Orel says. 'She understood that she couldn't fight them because she needed to survive for her daughter who was hiding in the basement. She knew she had to come back to her.' Anastasiya had gone outside to search for food after her husband never returned from the same journey - but it was at this moment the group of soldiers found her and dragged her to the abandoned home. 'She only thought of her child because she knew she needed to go back for her and leave that village,' Ms Orel says. After several hours of horrific abuse, the soldiers eventually fell asleep and Anastasiya was able to escape. 'She took her child from the village and travelled through fields in the dark until they found Ukrainian soldiers by some miracle,' Ms Orel says. Anastasiya is just one of many women who have come forward to seek help from Ms Orel and the team of psychologists at the Assisto Project - and their road to healing is a long and difficult one. An employee carries items inside a building of a kindergarten damaged during Russian drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv on November 25 Rescuers work at a site of a residential building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike in Novohrodivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine on November 30 Many survivors stop eating or drinking while others find it difficult to have a routine or sleep because of the flashbacks that constantly invade their minds. 'The impact of the wartime rape committed by Russian soldiers will continue for generations,' Ms Orel says. 'A lot of the women feel numb, like they are not alive. Many people blame themselves as well.' Ms Mykytenko, speaking from her office in Kyiv, adds: 'Women don't feel like they are women anymore - they feel dehumanised and humiliated after the rape.' For many women, the trauma that they have endured - and the stigma surrounding rape in a conservative nation like Ukraine - means that they will never tell a soul what happened to them, let alone report it to the authorities. Kateryna, not her real name, has never told prosecutors or the police about how a drunken soldier came to a school where she and her family had been hiding from the occupying forces in a village in the Kharkiv region. The soldier became aggressive and started waving his gun in the air before he lined all of the Ukrainians up - children, women and the elderly - in the school hall and threatened to hurt them all. And then he saw Kateryna and dragged her away from her terrified child and mother-in-law to a classroom upstairs where he raped her repeatedly for hours until the rays from the morning sun rippled through the cracked windows. 'In the morning, he finally left and they were able to get out,' Yulia Gorbunova, a lawyer and senior researcher for Human Rights Watch who spoke to Kateryna in the early days of the war, says. 'She showed me her injuries and the bruises on her body,' Ms Gorbunova says. 'It has stuck with me ever since - she said she didn't want to report it or talk about it. 'And that just shows that with a lot of these cases, survivors don't want to talk about what happened to them.' Ms Gorbunova adds: 'Theres a lot of shame and a lot of stigma surrounding rape. The victims have gone through something so traumatic - wartime rape is the ultimate humiliation and its very hard to come back from it and its very hard to feel that you can talk about it and not make it a part of you or let it take over your life.' And Ms Orel points out that while many people in Ukraine realise that the rape victim is not at fault, others are not so understanding. 'We have this Soviet Union psychology in Ukraine where some people say "she wanted this, she went to the soldiers herself, it was her decision". They don't talk about how the Russian soldiers had guns and they would beat the women before they were raped,' Ms Orel says. 'We've worked a lot at the Assisto Project with the communities to explain that it's not the woman's fault and there shouldn't be stigma against her.' This stigma means that hundreds if not thousands more Ukrainian women will remain silent about what the Russian soldiers did to them - and will mean the true scale of wartime rape is unlikely ever to be known. Indeed, while Ukraine's prosecutor's office told MailOnline it is currently investigating some 230 reports of sexual violence by Russian soldiers, lawyers and activists on the ground say the figure will be much higher due to the stigma and fear of reporting. 'This is a relatively small number,' Ms Gorbunova says. 'The real numbers will be much higher. I'm sure that this is just the tip of the iceberg.' Ukrainian medics and psychologists from the Assisto project support a rape victim in Ukraine Ukrainian medics and psychologists from the Assisto project support a rape victim in Ukraine Julian Elderfield, a legal adviser who travelled to Kherson to support Ukrainian prosecutors investigating war crimes in December, agrees. 'Given what we know and the expanse of territory that's been occupied, the systematic way these crimes are committed, and how they are underreported, the numbers are extremely low,' he says. 'In my opinion, the evidence of sexual violence that will come to light in the next two, five or even 20 years is going to significantly surpass the numbers that we are seeing now.' And for some women who do try and seek help, they can be threatened by Russian soldiers who say they will find them and kill them. Ms Orel said that Russian soldiers managed to intercept calls that the victims from the Kherson region were making to her charity's hotline after the area was liberated by Ukrainian soldiers. 'When Kherson was liberated, we had some calls from women there and they asked for help but unfortunately, they were threatened by Russian soldiers who intercepted the calls,' Ms Orel says. 'They told them, "If you tell anyone what happened we can come back and kill you". And then the calls stopped.' For those women who do make it to her practice to get help from psychologists, many don't want to report the crime to prosecutors. 'And we respect their decision. Often the survivors dont trust people and dont want to tell them what happened to them - its difficult to get them to speak to psychologists and even more difficult with prosecutors,' Ms Orel says. Ms Orel says that the prosecutor's office has changed its approach since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Prosecutors now work closely with psychologists and medical workers in an effort to increase the number of women coming forward. For those who do, their fight for justice and accountability will be hard. Ms Mykytenko says it's imperative to try and prosecute as many types of war crimes as possible 'because hopefully it will take a few really high-level cases to make a difference'. High-level perpetrators could be tried at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, which has already sought the prosecution of Russian President Vladimir Putin. 'But this is going to take years and years,' Ms Mykytenko says. 'In an ideal world, justice would be to investigate and prosecute every single crime but that's not possible. So let's get as many as we can get.' When asked how she feels about what Russian soldiers are doing to her fellow Ukrainians, Ms Mykytenko pauses before saying it's hard to put into words her emotions. 'This is horrific for the people who have to survive this and it's absolutely devastating to think and understand that this isn't every other person in a specific village who has been a victim of rape or another war crime. 'It's every single person living in this country who was and still is a victim of one or another war crime.' For Ukraine's women, men and children, Ms Orel fears that the long-term impact of wartime rape will continue for generations. 'Russian soldiers are just pure evil. They are not even animals. They want to destroy women by raping them and destroy their families by forcing them to watch the abuse. 'In this way, the whole family becomes traumatised and this can't be cured simply. Pain lives inside a person for many years.' But Ms Orel and the psychologists in her team, one of a very small number of teams aimed at helping survivors of rape in Ukraine, continue to help any survivor who walks through their doors to tell them what the Russians did to them. 'With all the survivors we speak to, we really do help them. They become our friends,' Ms Orel. 'We want them to know that they aren't alone.' If you are a victim of wartime sexual violence, you can contact Andreiev Family Foundation's anonymous hotline at 0800 300166 for help and support. If you have fled Ukraine, you can WhatsApp call on +38 067727 2185. He was last seen outside his home when two men bundled him into a car On the morning of September 1 1992, investigative journalist Jarosaw Zietara stepped out of the front door of his home to make the 30 minute walk to his newsroom. Described as 'intelligent, brilliant, and extremely ambitious', the 25-year-old had been working on an expose involving 'smuggling, tax fraud and economic crimes'. When he failed to arrive at the offices of the Gazeta Poznanska newspaper in the Polish city of Poznan, his colleagues assumed he had picked up on a lead. But a former officer of the country's security service who had put the journalist under surveillance, later said he had seen Zietara being dragged into a car by two men. No one has seen or heard from the journalist since. Investigative journalist Jarosaw Zietara has not been seen since 1 September 1992 after being dragged into a car by two men The composite image of the Russian man prosecutors said may have been involved in the murder of Polish journalist Jarosaw Zietara A note found in Zietarak's notebook to contact the editor of a rival newspaper, possibly fearing that his own newspaper had been 'compromised' A cryptic message found in Zietara's notebook showing that he had been in contact with the secret service Prime suspect: A former security agent has told prosecutors that wealthy businessman and former senator Aleksander Gawronik (left today; right in the 1990s) was behind the journalist's abduction and murder After years of investigation, in 1999 prosecutors said he was dead and a symbolic grave without a body was erected in the town of his birth. The cryptic warning from a rival newspaper A note found in Zietaraks notebook to contact the editor of a rival newspaper, possibly fearing that his own newspaper had been 'compromised' Zietara told a friend that there were 'no people in Poznan willing to write about it' so 'I am trying with newspapers from Warsaw.' The then editor-in-chief of 'Gazeta Poznanska' where he worked, Przemysaw Nowicki, said he understood why Zietara had tried to contact other media as at the time the managing board of Elektromis included a person associated with a company from the holding. Zietara's diary says he tried to contact Adam Michnik, the then editor-in-chief of the national, Warsaw-based newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza. The message reads: 'The matter will be handed over to M.' Michnik denied having any contact with Zietara. Deputy editor of the newspaper said: 'Hand on heart, he assures me that he doesn't know that Zietara wanted to tell him anything. Perhaps the person he was talking to then did not tell him this.' Advertisement Now, 31 years after his disappearance, a former security agent has told prosecutors that a wealthy businessman and former senator was behind the journalist's abduction and murder. Appearing in court the week before last, the 61-year-old identified only as Ryszard B. said that former senator Aleksander Gawronik had wanted the journalist 'silenced'. He told the court: 'I have been silent for over 30 years, it was not easy for me to come to court today. 'Years ago, Gawronik asked me if I knew anyone who would silence a journalist. 'The name Zietara was mentioned. 'He asked me if I knew anyone and if there was anything he could do about him. 'Initially I said that if a journalist interferes he can be paid. Gawronik replied that it was not about the money, that it had already been tried and the journalist would not take it. 'I decided I wouldn't do it and I wouldn't find anyone. Then Mr. Gawronik said that this conversation would remain between us.' Having emerged from the shadow of communism just three years before Zietara's disappearance, in the early 90s Poland was riddled with corruption and mafia gangs vying for power. The country's newly reformed security service, the Office of State Protection (UOP) had its hands full rooting out former communists and tackling the crime and corruption sweeping the country. But some of its officers were using their position of power to further their own interests. Working on a number of investigations into state corruption, family and friends feared that Zietara had come across a criminal case involving UOP and that this had led to his death. Following his disappearance, concerned colleagues later found a cryptic message in one of his notebooks. Written just four months before his disappearance, the note said simply: 'Reply to UOP'. Zietara's brother Jacek was later telephoned by an anonymous caller saying that Zietara was dead and that UOP officers were behind his death. Zietara's apartment block where he was last seen in 1992 after he stepped out of the front door to make the 30 minute walk to his newsroom Secret agent? Police told a radio station that Zietara (left) was alive, and had been recruited by the spy agency and was working abroad. Prosecutors then released a photo (right) of what they said the journalist would like if he was still alive After years of investigation, in 1999 prosecutors said he was dead and a symbolic grave without a body was erected in the town of his birth. The tombstone reads: 'He was 24 years old. On the 1st of September 1992, he was captured and murdered. He died because he was a journalist.' Newspaper coverage in Poland on the death of journalist Jarosaw Zietara The UOP officer who had put the journalist under surveillance and said he had seen Zietara being dragged into a car by two men In a chilling recollection he said: 'Just before he disappeared, he was suffering from stomach problems, maybe he was worried about something, maybe something was bothering him'. The crypyic words in journalist's notebook A cryptic message found in Zitara's notebook showing that he had been in contact with the secret service Zietara had contacts with the security service and it is now well documented that they tried to recruit him. But, whether the cryptic note saying 'Reply to UOP' refers to him declining their offer, or replying to information an agent had sent him is not known. Advertisement According to journalists at the newspaper Dziennik Polska: 'The police considered various explanations for this disappearance: escape abroad, suicide, loss of memory, a trip to the mountains which he loved enormously, and even a change of identity to the secret services.' According to journalist Krzysztof Kazmierczak: 'He must have had good contacts in UOP for over a year before his disappearance. 'He was talking about the fraud of a businessman - a former agent of the Security Service during the Polish People's Republic with connections at high levels of power, who was surprisingly treated leniently by the prosecutor's office. 'He had secret documents that only the secret services had at that time. 'His notes also show that he had knowledge about large-scale customs frauds involving alcohol. But they disappeared. 'He was a journalist who knew too much.' In October 2011, prosecutors received documents from Poland's Intelligence Agency showing that Zietara had received job offers from UOP officers. He had refused but had still remained in contact with the service. But a year later, a police official told a radio station that Zietara was alive, had been recruited by the spy agency and was working abroad. Prosecutors then released a photo of what they said the journalist would like if he was still alive. The sinister E-fit of an unknown Russian man The composite image of the Russian man prosecutors said may have been involved in the murder of Polish journalist Jarosaw Zietara In 2021, another witness called Zdzisaw K. said that he realised their $7.8 million cigarette smuggling business was under investigation when he was approached by Zietara in hospital where he was a patient at the time. The witness told the court that Zietara's killer was a Russian mafioso called Andrej Isayev, nicknamed 'Malowany' [The Painter]. According to reports he died from a gangland hit in Poznan in 1997. According to Zdzislaw K. it was 'the Painter' who committed the murder. He said: 'Initially, he was supposed to scare him. From the beginning it was not assumed that the man was to die, but he was to be so physically and mentally abused that he stopped being interested.' 'His death was an accident.' Advertisement Writing at the time, Fakt newspaper said: 'On what basis did the experts conclude that Zietara would now have a moustache, which is rather going out of fashion? 'We don't know. However, it is certain that such actions of the justice system, which has not been able to solve the mystery of the journalist's disappearance for decades, has given his family and friends further reasons for distress.' Two years later, prosecutors released a sinister picture of a man they said could have been involved. Lead prosecutor Piotr Kosmaty said: 'We have established that a man from beyond the eastern border who speaks Russian could have been connected with the case of the journalist's murder. 'The person dressed in very expensive, elegant clothes was seen many times in the early 1990s in Poznan in the company of a Polish businessman.' The eerie looking man, who is thought to have been connected to the Russian mafia, was never found. But a few months later police arrested Gawronik for 'inciting' the journalist's murder. Having made a rapid fortune by opening Poland's first chain of currency exchange offices, in the early 90s Gawronik was one of the richest people in Poland. He was also one of the most powerful. During the 1980s he had worked for the communist secret police as well as being a collaborator with the country's foreign intelligence service. Following the collapse of communism in 1989, he had used his connections to set up a string of businesses involving dodgy transactions which attracted the attention of both Zietara and UOP. One of these companies was Art-B, a holding company trading in goods which became associated with one of the greatest economic scams of the period of political transformation in Poland. In his testimony in court last week, the new witness Ryszard B. said: 'The point was that this journalist was investigating the case of the Art-B company, which bothered Gawronik.' He added that in a later meeting with Gawronik who became a senator in 1993: 'I asked Mr Gawronik if he knew about the journalist's disappearance. He said that he knew about it, and that he deserved it.' In 2004 Gawronik was jailed for eight years for extorting over PLN 9 million in undue VAT. Following his release, in 2019 two men accused of 'kidnapping, deprivation of liberty and aiding and abetting the murder' of Zietara went on trial for 'posing as police officers. They were also accused of 'tricking Zietara into entering a car resembling a police car and then handing him over to the people who murdered him, destroyed his body and hid his remains.' Working on a number of investigations into state corruption, family and friends feared that Zietara (pictured) had come across a criminal case involving UOP and that this had led to his death Polish prosecutors' file on the case regarding investigative journalist Jarosaw Zietara Book published in 2021 investigating the journalist's disappearance, titled 'A journalist who knew too much. Why did Jarosaw Zietara have to die?' Appearing in court last week to face the new charges, Gawronik said that he had had no idea who Zietara (pictured) was at the time and accused the new witness Ryszard B. of being an alcoholic. The two men who were former anti-terrorist cops and later security guard employees of Gawronik at a company called Elektromis said that he had ordered the kidnapping and murder of Zietara. According to one of the men identified as Maciej B., Zietara 'was tortured at the Elektromis headquarters and his body was dissolved in acid. 'In this way, he was to be brutally punished for his interest in the scams of Poznan businessmen.' Pleading not guilty to any involvement, the two men were later acquitted. And so was Gawronik. Appearing in court the week before last to face the new charges, Gawronik said that he had had no idea who Zietara was at the time and accused the new witness Ryszard B. of being an alcoholic. He told the court: 'He was one of many employees, we said hello. 'We certainly didn't talk about silencing Zietara, because in 1992 I had never heard of such a journalist. I learned about his name only in 2014. 'I personally caught Mr B. being drunk while on duty, and carrying a sharp weapon. 'He was also caught stealing several pieces of my wife's wardrobe, in which his girlfriend later walked around, after which he was fired from his job. 'I called the head of human resources and recommended his immediate dismissal. 'This was the only case where I personally recommended that an employee be fired.' A third suspected killer was another former bodyguard at Elektromis who is alleged to have committed suicide before standing trial. An ex international judo champion and anti-terrorist policeman, Roman K., who went by the nickname Kapela, shot himself in the head with a 16-shot CZ 85 pistol following a meeting with one of the company's bosses. According to witnesses, the 37-year-old had been summoned to a private party before going to inspect the company's security. When he eventually arrived, guards said he appeared drunk and was 'falling asleep' in his car. Following the inspection, he drove to the house of his lover, Lidia D., who also worked for the company. The alleged murder suspect and former bodyguard at Elektromis, Roman K (Circled) with his Judo club, GKS Olinpia Poznan When first questioned by police she said that after arriving at around 11.30 pm, 'Kapela' had 'put his cell phone on a table, scattered a wad of banknotes around the room, then sat down on the edge of the couch, reached under his sweater for a gun and shot himself in the right temple.' But she later told police that she hadn't seen what happened because she was making tea in the kitchen when the shot was fired. Journalist Krzysztof Kazmierczak said: 'There were more and more mysterious circumstances. It turned out that while the man was lying on the floor, a taxi was called from his cell phone. 'There were no fingerprints on the gun and there were no traces of gunpowder gases on the tuft of hair torn out at the time of the shot on the right side of the head. 'Lidia K. later said that 'Kapela' had told her that he feared for his life. 'The [journalist's] family then received an anonymous call saying that 'Kapela' was taken to Lidia D.'s apartment by several men who faked his suicide and then left in a taxi.' Kazmierczak added: 'I learned that Roman K. was involved in the kidnapping of Jarosaw Zietara shortly after his tragic death. An officer from UOP informed me about it, claiming that he knew it from a confidential source. 'Similar information was obtained at the same time by colleagues. I then told the police and the prosecutor about it, but they expressed no interest.' Now the new witness Ryszard B. has said that he had not come forward earlier, because he 'wasn't sure who to contact.' He added that he had finally decided to do so because he had been 'living with the knowledge for too long.' Zietara's brother Jacek said: 'As long as these people from this circle are alive, they will probably be afraid of each other. 'These connections are probably so strong that it is difficult to decide to be a witness in this case. 'After all these years they are still scared about what will happen to them.' The next hearing is scheduled for January next year. Iran's most senior official in Australia has been condemned by the government after posting a series of chilling tweets calling for 'an end' to Israel in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. On December 2, Ahmad Sadeghi, who took on the role of the Islamic Republic's ambassador to Australia in July this year, called on 'humanity to put an end to the heinous life of the most notorious killing machine' - in an apparent reference to Israel. Mr Sadeghi also called Israel the 'most notorious killer of children in the world', shared a photo of an alleged dead Palestinian baby and dubbed the Jewish state a 'faucet for occupation, ethnic cleansing and a real holocaust against [Palestinian] civilians'. Several local Jewish leaders said they were shocked at what they described as the brazen disregard for Australia's multicultural community displayed in the comments. Liberal Senator Claire Chandler said 'it is absolutely unacceptable to have a foreign official in Australia actively promoting this evil ideology'. 'This is extremely disturbing antisemitic content being actively promoted by the most senior official of the IRI (Islamic Republic of Iran) regime in Australia. 'We know that the IRI regime has genocidal intentions towards Israel and funds terrorist groups including Hamas to kill and injure Jews and Israelis.' Ahmad Sadeghi took on the posting in July 2023 and is Iran's most senior diplomat in Australia. He is pictured here with former NSW Premier Bob Carr There are also disturbing calls for 'humanity to put an end to the heinous life of the most notorious killing machine in current world history' Among the comments - posted on Mr Sadeghi's official X account - were calls for 'humanity to put an end to the heinous life of the most notorious killing machine in current world history'. Mr Sadeghi said there was 'no alternative' to his suggestion and he hoped for a 'world short of (an Israeli) aparthead regime). Mr Sadeghi established the X account at the beginning of his tenure in July. What initially began as a place to share posed pictures alongside fellow diplomats and international delegates has descended into an increasingly polarising account featuring pictures of what appear to be deceased children and criticisms of Israel. In spite of the increasingly hostile nature of his posts, Mr Sadeghi has also shared details of recent events he's attended alongside ANU students and faculty members, where they joined to 'vividly condemn the apartheid regime'. When Daily Mail Australia approached Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong for a comment, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade slammed the comments. A spokesperson for DFAT said: 'We condemn the Ambassadors comments. As the Foreign Minister has said, there is no place for antisemitism in Australia. Among the comments - posted on his official X account - are allegations that Israel is 'the most notorious killer of children in the world', a 'war criminal' state and a 'faucet for occupation, ethnic cleansing and a real holocaust against [Palestinian] civilians' 'The Australian Government expects all diplomats in Australia to be respectful and constructive in the way they engage in Australia.' The spokesperson said every person is entitled to 'live their lives free from fear and intimidation'. There has been pressure for the government to come down harder on the Islamic Republic of Iran on the back of reported examples of intimidation tactics and threats made against Australians, and claims that Iran is funding Hamas in the ongoing conflict with Israel. But Daily Mail Australia understands the Federal government considers it paramount to the national interest to maintain open lines of communication with Iran as global tensions rise. Australia has had an embassy in Tehran in Iran since 1968, and Tehran has had a base in Canberra since 1971. But tensions between Iran and western nations have been escalating of late, as stories of increased violence and espionage emerge. Pro-Palestinian protestors gather to march the CBD streets in Sydney amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza Jewish leaders have been speaking out about increased anti-semitism in Australia READ MORE: ASIO's incredible warning about foreign interference in Australia Iran denies it has been funding Hamas, despite evidence to suggest it has trained, armed, funded, and offered intelligence to the terrorist organisation for decades. The late MP Peta Murphy, the Co-Chair of the Australian Committee of Democracy Supporters in Iran, recently said: 'The government in Iran is deeply involved in this situation through its financing and arming of its terrorist proxy forces in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. 'And it's misusing its interpretation of Islam to justify its creation of instability, war, and destruction in the region.' Jewish leaders, speaking to Daily Mail Australia on the condition of anonymity, expressed fears about the language used in Mr Sadeghi's remarks. The Iranian Embassy defended Mr Sadeghi's comments in a statement on Friday afternoon, insisting they are 'in line with Islamic Republic of Irans policy positions calling for Palestinians (either Muslims, Jews or Christians) to define their nations destiny via the democratic and non-violent way of one person-one vote in a referendum'. 'Therefore, nothing remains as a cause or reason for fear of Jewish people anywhere in the world.' Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, sparking a conflict which has now stretched on for two months The ANU noted the event some students and faculty attended this week with Mr Sadeghi was a 'student led event, not organised by the University'. 'ANU is a place of respectful debate. We dont condone any speech which is discriminatory or goes against Australian law or our code of conduct,' a spokesperson said. 'The views expressed in these comments are the ambassadors and are for him to respond to. The University has no oversight of the social media channels of private individuals or foreign diplomats.' It comes just two weeks after Javaid Rehman, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, visited Australia and said he feels a 'particular threat' here. 'There is a consistent threat posed by the Iranian regime or the agents of the Iranian regime. In Australia, I feel a particular threat,' he said. 'Many individuals have come up to me and said that several people have threatened them directly or indirectly. They could be members of the regime or their sympathisers. There is a greater preponderance of threats, which people have reported to me during my visit here.' Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting any wrongdoing by Mr Sadeghi personally or in his work for the Iranian regime. 'My wife's been shot, I've been shot!' Those were the first words Charles 'Chuck' Stuart spoke to the 911 dispatcher on the night of October 23, 1989, frantically describing how he and his pregnant wife Carol had been shot by a carjacker. The couple, white suburbanites from the quiet town of Reading outside Boston, were on their way home from a birthing class at Brigham Young Hospital, when, said Chuck, a gunman jumped in the car, robbed them, and shot them both. Carol, 30, was shot in the head and did not survive. Chuck, 29, survived a bullet wound to the torso, but was only able to offer a vague description of the killer: a black man in a tracksuit. The new HBO docuseries 'Murder In Boston' revisits the case, tracing the explosion of racial animus that the killing touched off, and the frenzied citywide manhunt that saw a string of innocent men wrongfully named as suspects. The series, produced in partnership with the Boston Globe, uncovers grim new details of the infamous murder, and the disastrous impact it had on race relations in the city, before the true killer was revealed to be hiding in plain sight. A new docuseries revisits the murder of Carol Stuart, who was seven months pregnant when she was shot in the head in Boston in 1989. Pictured: Carol and Chuck Stuart as newlyweds The couple were on their way home from a birthing class at Brigham Young Hospital, when Chuck claimed a gunman jumped in the car, robbed them, and shot them both One part true crime, and one part social history, the series makes an effort to put the murder in the context of its times, Boston in the late 1980s. The first episode explores the deeply segregated city's history of racial violence, white backlash to school integration and bussing in the 1970s, and the explosion of gang violence in the city's housing projects during the crack epidemic of the late 80s. It was in that milieu that Chuck made his desperate 911 call as his pregnant wife bled out beside him on the passenger seat of their car. The middle-class couple had married in 1985, and lived in a comfortable two-story house with an attached garage in Reading. Carol worked as a tax attorney, and Chuck was a general manager at the Boston fur company Edward F. Kakas & Sons. George Kakas, Chuck's boss, described him in a contemporaneous interview as 'caring about other people, his family obviously his close immediate family, but also every single other employee' at the firm. In early 1989, the couple found out they were pregnant, and began eager preparations for their new child. On the night of the murder, seven-month-pregnant Carol and her husband attended a birthing class at Brigham Young Hospital, now known as Brigham and Women's Hospital. As Chuck claimed, he was driving them home in his blue Toyota Cressida when a man jumped in the back seat of the car and held the couple at gunpoint, insisting that they drive to the predominately black neighborhood of Mission Hill. There, Chuck said, the gunman robbed them, and shot Carol in the head and Chuck in the stomach. Carol worked as a tax attorney, and Chuck was a general manager at the Boston fur company Edward F. Kakas & Sons The middle-class couple had married in 1985, and lived in this comfortable two-story house with an attached garage in Reading as they prepared for their first child As Chuck claimed, he was driving them home in his blue Toyota Cressida (above) when a man jumped in the back of the car, robbed them, and shot them both Boston police officers search a lot along Shawmut Avenue in Boston after they received a tip that two men were seen with a handgun, two days after the murder Evelyn DiMaiti, mother of Carol Stuart, is helped outside of St. James Church after her daughter's 1989 funeral mass Chuck described the attacker as a young black man with a raspy voice, wearing a black tracksuit with red stripes on the sleeves. As he bled from an abdominal wound, Chuck called 911 from his primitive cellphone in the car, describing the shooting but unable to verify his location as the dispatcher pleaded for more information. After he fell silent, apparently passed out from blood loss, dispatchers used the sound of sirens in the background to pinpoint the car's location. Paramedics, who happened to be followed that night by cameras from the CBS reality show Rescue 911, raced to the scene in a desperate attempt to save the couple. Carol died after clinging to life for six hours, as her unborn child was delivered prematurely via C-section. The boy, named Christopher, had suffered oxygen deprivation and trauma, and tragically died 17 days later. Chuck survived after a lengthy hospitalization. He was unable to attend Carol's funeral, but wrote a letter to be read aloud to the mourners. 'Goodnight sweet Carol, my love, God has guided you to his hands, not to take away from me all the love and gladness you brought, but to bring you away from the cruelty and violence that fills this world,' the letter said. Of his wife's killer, Chuck wrote: 'In our souls, we must forgive this sinner.' The murder made national headlines, and Boston police launched an all-out manhunt for the killer, combing the Mission Hill housing projects near the scene of the murder. 'It was open season on black people,' resident Ron Bell recalled in the new docuseries. Less than a week after the murder, cops first arrested one suspect based on Chuck's description, only to release him after ruling he was too intoxicated to commit the crime. In early November, investigators zeroed in on another black man, William Bennett, based on rumors he had committed the murder. Cops thought they had a slam-dunk case after Chuck identified Bennett as the killer in a police lineup. Cops thought they had a slam-dunk case after Chuck identified William Bennett (above) as the killer in a police lineup. But Bennett was wrongfully accused in a rush to judgement William Bennett covers his face after his arraignment on November 13, 1989. He was arraigned on charges he robbed a Brookline video store at gunpoint. At the time, he was also the main police suspect in the shootings of Carol Stuart and Charles Stuart Divers search the Pines River in Revere, Massachussetts for the gun reportedly used in the murder of Carol Stuart on Jan. 5, 1990 Suffolk District Attorney Newman Flanagan, left, describes how Metropolitan Police Officer Paul Hartley, right, found the murder gun in Pines River, after Chuck's brother confessed to helping him dispose of it after staging the crime Bennet was awaiting trial when, on January 3, 1990, Chuck's brother Matthew came forward with an astonishing story to tell: Chuck himself had murdered Carol in an insurance scam. Matthew admitted that he had assisted in the plan. He claimed that the original plan had been for him to pretend to rob Carol's jewelry, so Chuck could file an insurance claim, and that nobody was supposed to get hurt. But Matthew said that when he arrived at the designated location, Chuck handed off Carol's purse, containing the murder gun and her jewelry, after shooting his wife and himself. Matthew said he had a family friend throw the purse and gun from a bridge into the Pines River, where police recovered some of the items, confirming his story. The day after Matthew's confession, Chuck killed himself by jumping from a bridge into the Mystic River. He left behind a suicide note that did not contain a confession, but said that he was did write that he was 'beaten' by 'the new accusations.' On January 5, prosecutors publicly identified Chuck as the sole suspect in his wife's murder, and exonerated Bennett. Matthew was later sentenced to two and a half years for his role in the murder and coverup. It has since emerged that when Bennett was arrested, dozens of Chuck's friends and family members already knew that he was the true killer. Disturbingly, the new series reveals in later episodes that some of the original investigators on the case still believe Bennett is guilty, despite the overwhelming evidence that Chuck committed the murder. Episode one of the three-part series is streaming on Max, with the following episodes set to air on December 11 and December 18 at 9pm ET. An estate agent administrator sacked from her job claimed she was let go for asking her boss and co-worker not to vape around her indoors. Ledan Perry, 53, worked for the Belvoir Swale franchise in Sheerness, Kent, for five months until boss Peter Huane knocked on her door last Sunday (December 3) and handed her a letter informing her she had been dismissed. Mrs Perry, who lives close to the Isle of Sheppey branch, worked under Mr Huane's wife Karen and alongside their daughter Allannah and alleges that she was given the boot because she asked the pair to stop vaping around her in the office. Mr Huane, however, says that she was released for poor performance and 'insubordination'. He sacked another employee for the same reason in 2016 after she said to a colleague that Mrs Huane was a 'b****' and could 'shove her job up her a***'. Speaking to MailOnline, Mrs Perry maintains that she was a diligent employee who was only fired because she had been complaining about her colleagues' persistent puffing, which she said was presenting a risk to her own health. Ledan Perry, 53, claims she was sacked from her job at a Belvoir letting agency for complaining about her colleagues vaping indoors The Belvoir Swale estate agents in Sheerness, Kent, which is operated by Peter and Karen Huane No smoking signs are fixed to the front door of the estate agent, on Broadway in Sheerness She said: 'They wanted to get rid of me because I wanted to get rid of the vaping. Instead of sorting it I got handed my notice. They had no intention of stopping it. 'I did nothing wrong and I lost my job because of it. It wasn't unreasonable. I was the only one doing the work there and it was my health at risk.' Mrs Perry - whose father in law died two weeks before she was sacked - started the job in August and claims she was told at the very beginning that smoking and vaping inside the office was banned. No smoking signs are fixed to the front door of the estate agent, on Broadway in Sheerness, according to Google Street View images. She said: 'When I started at the beginning of August they said no vaping (inside), they had "no smoking" signs on the door. 'But after the second day I noticed Karen was vaping and the daughter started vaping at her desk. 'I said to them, "You're not supposed to vape", but they ignored this and vaped freely. It was really irritating me and affecting my health, affecting my breathing, and you could smell it in the air. We didn't have any windows to open.' The issue continued to fester for months until Friday December 1, when a new member of staff started and, Mrs Perry claims, joined the others in vaping indoors. She then sent Mrs Huane a message on WhatsApp which read: 'I'm really concerned about all the vaping that goes on in the office. It's not fair on me, it's affecting my health. 'People should have a choice not to breathe in toxins. As you know I'm very anti smoking, I've researched vaping, it's proven harmful to others.' In a reply, Mrs Huane said she would ask people to vape outside, adding: 'I don't want it mentioned again as we understand you have your opinion, but telling people all the time is really not fair. 'People are adults and just because they choose to vape, drink or smoke it's not for anyone to judge them for that.' However, Mrs Perry claims she then received an 'aggressive' phone call from Mrs Huane. Prior to the fallout, she said she had been on good terms with her boss. During the call, Mr Huane is said to have accused her of 'taking up his time' before hanging up. He then appeared at her door on December 3 with a letter in his hand. Mrs Perry, who is originally from Iran but grew up in London, continued: 'On Sunday he came to my door, gave me a letter and said: "You won't be coming back to the office." 'The letter said they were ceasing my employment immediately.' The note did not include a reason for her dismissal; Mr Huane subsequently confirmed in an email to Mrs Perry that she had been let go for 'several factors including...performance and insubordination'. He added: 'I understand your issue with vaping in the office and this was addressed as you were advised.' Mrs Perry was told by email that she was let go due to issues with her 'performance' as well as 'insubordination' - claims that she denies Peter Huane arrives on Mrs Perry's doorstep to deliver her notice of dismissal on Sunday December 3 The administrative worker claimed she had asked her colleagues to stop vaping indoors for the sake of her health She has been given two weeks' pay in lieu of working her notice, twice the statutory notice period. She had been five months into a six month probationary period when she was let go. But she remains of the view her strong anti-vaping view, based on the World Health Organization (WHO)'s hardline stance on the use of e-cigarettes, led to her sacking. She has lodged a complaint with her former employer, and raised it with Belvoir's central office in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Mrs Perry added: 'I don't want more stress in my life while I am arranging my father in law's funeral. I can find another job - but it's not right what they're doing there.' The WHO stated last year that e-cigarettes are 'harmful to both users, and non-users who are exposed to the aerosols second-hand'. Studies in the US have led to similar conclusions, but the most recent UK government review in September 2022 concluded vaping poses a 'small fraction' of the risks associated with cigarettes and backed their use as a smoking alternative. Vaping indoors is not subject to a blanket ban under UK law either, as they are not covered by tobacco product legislation. However, shops, pubs, offices and transport services can impose bans of their own. It is not the first time Mr and Mrs Huane, who took over the 36-year-old business in July 2016, have sacked an employee over allegations of 'insubordination'. They were later found to have unfairly dismissed another employee of 10 years, named as Ms R Riley in documents, on December 9 2016, a few months after taking over the branch. A May 2017 employment tribunal ruled there were 'clearly tensions' between Mr and Mrs Huane and the long-term employees at their new business. Matters came to a head when Ms Riley said Mrs Huane could 'shove her job up her a***' if she couldn't get time off to see her son's nativity play and later had an angry confrontation with her on December 8, the day before her dismissal. Co-workers claimed independently to have heard the property consultant call Mrs Huane a 'b****'. An employment judge found she had been unfairly dismissed because the Huanes could not provide written notes of the investigation that led to her dismissal. Letters they had written to Ms Riley were written in a fashion 'consistent with the approach of a small employer unfamiliar with HR practices', the judge added. But Ms Riley was not awarded any compensation, as the judge found the behaviour that led to her dismissal was 'wholly caused by [her] own blameworthy conduct'. Mr Huane told MailOnline: 'We have a strict complaints procedure in place and are now investigating the background and circumstances around this issue. Until this is complete, we are unable to comment further.' Belvoir's central office was contacted for comment. An original cover painting from the 1963 comic book "Asterix and Cleopatra" went under the hammer Sunday but failed to find a buyer after a legal challenge from the artist's daughter. The famous gouache, showing the ancient Egyptian ruler reclining and the two Gaulish heroes Asterix and Obelix, was to be sold by the Brussels auction house Millon. Measuring 32 by 17 centimetres (12.6 by 7 inches), it was expected to fetch 400,000 to 500,000 euros ($430,000-540,00) but no bid matched the reserve price and it remained unsold. Millon director general Arnaud de Partz told AFP that buyers had perhaps been scared off by the legal complaint of the daughter of the late French illustrator Albert Uderzo. Sylvie Uderzo argued that if her father had given the painting away he would have signed and dedicated it, and thus the painting must have been stolen. Millon said it is selling the work on behalf of the son of a man who was given it more than 50 years ago by Uderzo, the co-creator of the Asterix series, who died in 2020. His daughter lodged a complaint with Belgian prosecutors on November 27 but, according to a letter seen by AFP, they found no grounds to suspect a crime had been committed. Sylvie Uderzo's lawyer Orly Rezlan had warned that any buyer of the cover painting could be prosecuted for receiving stolen goods, a claim the auctioneers rejected. "During his lifetime, Albert Uderzo publicly stated that he would oppose the sale of any drawing that did not include his dedication," Rezlan argued last week. Uderzo, she said, had always said of original plates without dedications that "If you bring one to me, I'll dedicate it to you". But auctioneers Millon argued that many other non-dedicated pieces by Uderzo had already been put up for public auction. The house has also produced a photograph in which a man presented as the owner of the drawing shares a meal with Uderzo and his wife at a hotel in Normandy in the late 1960s. - Growing market - "We showed this photo to Sylvie Uderzo to show her that the sellers' father knew her father well," de Partz said. The story Asterix and Cleopatre appeared as a serial in the magazine Pilote in 1963 and was bound as the sixth book-length adventure in the series in 1965. The cover art parodies the poster for the 1963 Hollywood epic "Cleopatra", then the most expensive ever made, with Uderzo's Cleopatre in the same pose as its star Elizabeth Taylor. Asterix, the plucky Gaulish hero, stands in for Rex Harrison's Julius Caesar and his portly sidekick Obelix for Richard Burton's Marc Antony. In recent years art from the original editions of beloved French and Belgian comic book successes like Asterix or Tintin has attracted wealthy collectors and investors. In February, the original 1942 cover art of "Tintin in America" by Belgium's Herge was sold in Paris for 2.16 million euros. But the estates of the late comic book writers and illustrators fiercely guard the rights to what have become global brands, and several sales have attracted controversy. mad-dc/yad Becoming the first ever female active-duty sniper was written in the stars for Maciel Hay - who grew up firing guns on her family's ranch. Sgt Hay said shooting came naturally to her, and she practiced with rifles and hand guns on her family's properties in Rocklin, California and Medford, Oregon. She was such a good shot that she quickly earned the nickname 'sniper' as a child, saying it came from the fact 'I could find things really fast, similar to how a sniper does target detection.' But it wasn't always easy - and when a close friend told her there was no chance she could make it in the Army - she took it as a challenge. She made it through basic training, qualifying as an expert with the M4 assault rifle, and graduated from airborne school as a cavalry scout with 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment (1-91 CAV), 173rd Airborne Brigade. Sgt Hay is the first ever active-duty female sniper She graduated sniper school at Fort Moore, Georgia on November 3, 2023 She told the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS): 'A close friend of mine told me Id never make it in the Army, and theres no way I could become a sniper. 'Needless to say, that person is no longer part of my life. But now that I look back at it, I really do appreciate the motivation.' She decided to become a sniper when she was at Sierra College, near her hometown of Rocklin. She started off with basic training, but her sharpshooter skills caught the attention of army leadership. To qualify as an expert - like Sgt Hay had - snipers have to hit over 36 of 40 targets with their M4 assault rifle. Sgt Hay said: 'Even though I only shot sharpshooter at first, then eventually expert later on in basic training, my drill sergeant encouraged me to pursue the goal of sniper school.' Sniper school has a rigorous selection process - and candidates are usually experienced infantrymen who have demonstrated exceptional marksmanship skills. They have to meet specific physical and mental requirements, as the demanding nature of sniper operations requires a high level of fitness, discipline and concentration. She is now off on active service to Anchorage, Alaska Hay grew up shooting on her family's ranch before joining the army while at college Candidates are tested on their marksmanship, as well as the art of stalking and concealment, observation and intelligence gathering, survival skills and land navigation. Sgt Hay said: 'The rapid target engagement and intelligence reporting were two of the toughest areas for me. 'I also struggled with the very last test where we had to engage long distance targets while sitting on our rucksacks. That position threw off my balance.' Her platoon Sgt, 1st Class Antwon Jones, 1-91 CAV, was amazed by her progress, he said: 'Sgt. Hay is just an incredible non-commissioned officer that comes to work every day with the intention of making not only her team better, but also the entire organization.' When she completed the training, she was received certification as U.S. Army Snipers and became the first ever active duty female sniper. Prior to Hay, only a female National Guardsman from Montana had completed the course but she didn't continue as a sniper in active-duty. Her family traveled from California to visit her at Fort Moore, Georgia, for the graduation. Her unit is the U.S. Army's contingency response force in Europe - providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African and Central Command areas of responsibility Her graduation was the first time her family had seen her in uniform after Covid travel restrictions It was the first time they were able to see her in uniform, Hay said: 'Due to COVID travel restrictions, they werent able to make it to my basic training or advanced individual training a few years ago. 'Then, I went straight to Germany to join my unit. So it was really nice to see them and Im grateful for their support.' Now she is qualified, she is off to Anchorage, Alaska, with the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment. Her next goal is to become a jumpmaster - the expert paratroopers in an airborne unit who train and teach - and said people keep telling her to take the ranger training. She said: 'It's great to hear stories about paratroopers doing great things. 'But especially when its a female defying the odds and proving women are just as capable to do anything when they have the motivation and drive to win.' Advertisement Trees are up, wreaths are hung and stockings are beginning to fill - but nothing says Christmas like the switching on of New York City's iconic Dyker Heights lights. The dazzling, over-the-top displays of ornaments, inflatable Santas and thousands of lights are back bedecking the homes in the Brooklyn neighborhood. Stunning photographs capture the sheer scale of the festivities, with giant snowmen sat on lawns, reindeer climbing roofs and nutcrackers banging drums. An estimated 100,000 people flock to Dyker Heights Blvd to see the displays each year - but not everyone is a fan, with some residents calling the displays an 'eyesore' which draws unwanted crowds to their streets. The decorations are usually put up after Thanksgiving and stay through until the first week of January. The tradition started in 1986 with a single home owned by Angelo and Lucy Spata. Each year for the past four decades, the displays have grown bigger and bolder as residents compete to outdo one another and have the best show on the street. Dozens of nutcrackers line the walls of one Brooklyn home while lights cover ever inch of the bricks, as visitors stop to take photos of the festive display - each year an estimated 100,000 people come to see the displays A shining red Santa an his elves have stopped to visit one house complete with festive light up presents and glittering fairy lights. A lit up wreath adorns the roof of the house while festive garlands are wrapped around the balcony railing A nutcracker dressed in a smart red uniform with a matching hat leads a procession of a marching band complete with drums and a reindeer bedecked in ribbons outside a house with large antlers Some residents go for more pared-back displays - at this house the owners opted for simpler gold lights shaped like snowflakes and shooting stars dangling from trees, with large wreaths around some of the windows Giant candy canes flank the entry to one house in Dyker Heights while a frightening Jack Frost figure with light up eyes guards the steps. A sign wishing visitors a Merry Christmas hangs above the front door A fiddle-playing elf parties with Mary and Joseph and the three wise kings in an eclectic nativity scene on the balustrade of one home, while a chorus of three angels looks on and other elves lean on a sign welcoming onlookers to the North Pole A giant snowman dressed in a warm jacket, silver waistcoat, festive red and green scarf and top hat greets some visitors with Santa towering over the porch. Most residents turn their lights off around 9pm, so as not to use too much energy One family went for a monochromatic green color scheme, with the lights wrapped around every branch of their trees and completed with bright gold snowflake bursts like a giant Christmas tree Next door, Santa was making his naughty and nice list ready for presents to be bought in the next few weeks - the street has earned its title as one of New York's must visit Christmas attractions One classy display had a giant nutcracker complete with a rifle and fur beard guarding the front door - six smaller drummers line the wall steps on either side while the residents have tied golden ribbons to their lights The rest of the house was tastefully decorated in a few golden snowflakes, covering the bricks and lighting up the windows of the house The giant Jack Frost house takes a spookier approach to their Christmas display with the frightening figure reaching out an ominous arm to passersby - some of the houses also put on festive Halloween displays In a homemade Santa's grotto, elves prepare toys and hammer wood on a makeshift bench ready for Christmas. Children's toys displayed on the shelves behind the elves include wooden trucks and plastic trains Giant gingerbread men welcome visitors on the lawn of one house, complete with human-size candy canes and red Christmas tree baubles. The owners put out festive 'Grinch' signs reminding visitors to keep off their grass even if they want to take photos Over 100,000 visitors flock to capture the scenes each year it is estimated, with food trucks set up to offer refreshments - the streets are busy at this time of year and some residents resent the crowds flocking to the neighborhood Some more minimalist residents opted to just have a few smaller decorations and light up trees - most of the houses put their lights up after Thanksgiving and leave them until January but some start even earlier Neighbors race to out-do each other every year with the displays getting increasingly bigger and bolder - the tradition started with just one house in 1986 and has been scaling-up for the past four decades Taiwan's growing 'frustration' with the United States' ability to provide promised weapons is a 'serious' problem as China ramps up disinformation and military pressure say top defense experts. President and CEO of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute David Trulio spoke exclusively with DailyMail.com at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, last weekend. Trulio recently led a delegation to Taiwan with several defense and foreign relations experts. He said there were several main takeaways from the trip, but the first was that 'democracy is alive and well in Taiwan.' 'All the political parties are committed to keeping that very robust, vibrant democracy going,' ahead of the next election in January, he continued. But Trulio described some 'frustration' with the United States' ability to 'provide the weapons that they have contracted,' which he says has 'serious implications for the defense industrial base.' Trulio, who served in the Pentagon as the senior advisor and chief of staff to the under secretary of defense for policy, said that the U.S. defense industrial base is 'under pressure.' That's due to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, he said. 'But our inability to supply Taiwan when they've actually contracted for these weapons is a serious issue. So that's something that I think really needs to be into the national conversation, the broad health of the U.S. defense industrial base.' Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia Heino Klinck, who also traveled to Taiwan on the delegation, echoed Trulio's concerns. 'While always gracious and grateful for American support, Taiwanese interlocutors are beginning to express a growing sense of skepticism and concern about the US ability to deter aggression,' Klinck told DailyMail.com. He cited the 'reckless withdrawal' from Afghanistan, 'piecemeal material support' for Ukraine and the inability to provide defense articles to Taiwan on time. Klinck, who currently serves as co-chairman on the board of the National Bureau of Asian Research, says that the Biden administration's 'long list of national security woes' is also 'feeding' Chinese disinformation and misinformation campaigns. Chinese propaganda is 'systematically sowing seeds of doubt about America's staying power in Taiwan and elsewhere,' he explained. Trulio also mentioned the 'unrelenting pressure 'that the Chinese are putting on Taiwan economically and also through misinformation. 'And it's very ominous, it's unrelenting, and that's something that really has to be addressed,' he detailed, particularly before Taiwan's 'critical' upcoming election in January. The Chinese use a 'whole portfolio' of pressure tactics including TikTok, but in particular economic coercion and also military pressure. He said that China uses targeting sanctions or other economic pressure tactics to different parts of Taiwan even to influence voters there. Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia Heino Klinck also traveled to Taiwan on the delegation Rep. Ken Calvert spoke with DailyMail.com at the Reagan National Defense Forum Klinck also discussed examples of reports that China is 'pushing out' American vessels in the Taiwan Straight and in the South China Sea, which further deteriorates Taiwan's doubts about American strength. But Trulio also said there was positive discussion on how Taiwan is on the path to increase its conscription from four months to one year. 'And I would say more broadly, societally, there seems to be a greater commitment and seriousness to ensure that Taiwan has not only the tools hardware wise, but also people to ensure that they're able to defend themselves about it over any potential Chinese aggression,' he added. Congressional leaders revealed to DailyMail.com what they believe to the greatest threat currently facing the United States during the annual Reagan National Defense Forum. China's aggression toward Taiwan topped the list, but other bad actors including Iran and Russia are a major concern, as well as the open southern border. And the annual Reagan National Defense survey released last week which revealed that 51 percent of Americans think China is the 'greatest threat to the U.S.' He started a campaign asking for donations and a month later raised enough to bring her back home Her devastated owner, Edgar Ureste, discovered she was being held at a USDA facility over 100 miles away and he would have to pay a fee for her release Three-year-old mare Corona escaped from her family's home in Boquillas in mid August and wandered across the border into the US A horse named Corona was deported from the US after she escaped from her Mexican home and waded across the Rio Grande into Texas, sparking a month-long campaign for to be returned to her family. The three-year-old bay mare escaped from Edgar Ureste's home in Boquillas, just across the border from the Big Bend National Park in Texas in mid-August. Corona is the beloved 'best friend' of Ureste's seven-year-old daughter, Camila, so when she vanished, the family were distraught. Ureste - who works as a tour guide of the nearby canyon - tracked her hoof prints down to the river, and saw where they reappeared on the other side - in the US. He had heard what happened to animals that trespassed in the national park - many were never seen again - so he quickly returned home to fetch another horse, a stallion named Satanas, and set off to find her. Edgar Ureste's daughter, Camila, 7, with her 'best friend' Corona after she was returned Corona (left) waded across the Rio Grande to enter Texas At first there was no sign of her, but instinct told him to check one of the enclosures and he found her corralled into a padlocked area where she whinnied in greeting. But Ureste knew he had no hope of getting her out, he'd entered the park without permission so could not speak to officials. Instead, he went back home and logged onto Facebook to appeal for help. He shared a heartbreaking post that read: 'My dear friend Corona (pictured on the left) made the mistake of crossing the river into big bend [national] park. 'I could not get her back across before park rangers. She got picked up and taken away. The chances of us being together again are slim to none. 'I'm trying to find out where she will end up at. I'm asking for your help to find out where she will end up. My family is heart broken, specially my 7 yr old daughter. Corona was her best friend.' A minister from Austin, Deborah Glenn, came to his aid. She contacted park officials on Ureste's behalf and eventually discovered Corona had been transferred to a USDA facility in Presidio, over 100 miles northwest of her home. It took nearly a month for Ureste to get Corona back after she escaped in mid-August Edgar Ureste started a Facebook campaign to get Corona back and sold t-shirts with her face on to raise money to pay for her care Glenn drove for eight hours to the site from Austin to check she was actually there. Trespassing livestock is a big problem for the National Park as roving animals can destroy landmarks and habitats and eat vast quantities of already sparse vegetation. There are strict rules in place if your animal escapes into the Park and owners - like Ureste - have to pay a fine to get them back. Ureste was told he would have to pay hundreds of dollars for the cost incurred by housing her at the facility - $30 a day - medical bills, and her transfer across the border. They were also told that if she did not pass her medical, she would have to be euthanized. He turned to Facebook again, appealing for donations and selling t-shirts with a photo of Corona on them to raise money. He said: 'She has more than 15 days in quarantine and we don't know how long she will have to stay there, with each passing day the costs of food and blood tests that we will pay for her to return to us increase!' He added: 'She will get deported just like any illegal alien in US soil would. From Ojinaga to Boquillas I have spent more to get her here. We need anything between 1500 to 2000 dollars.' Corona was kept in a corral in Presidio, over 100 miles northwest of her home Ureste and his family sold t-shirts of Corona with the hashtag #FreeCorona to raise money for her release A month later, in mid-September, he had enough to pay for her release. But then the family were left with the problem of getting her home. Ureste could not enter the US to pick her up, so they had to find someone to bring her across the border, back into Mexico. Glenn came to the rescue again, driving down from Austin with her truck. It took her hours to coax Corona inside and they had to race to the border to make it before it closed. Ureste was waiting on the other side of the Rio Grande with another truck to begin the nine hour drive home down bumpy dirt tracks. Finally, nearly a month after she left, Corona was home - and to her family's surprise, they discovered she was pregnant. They have sent her to a more lush pasture further up the valley until she delivers her foal. Corona was reunited with her family almost a month after she first escaped And to their surprise the mare was pregnant, so they sent her off to a better grazing pasture until she can deliver her foal Some of Ureste's supporters felt Corona should just have been released without a charge. But retired biologist Raymond Skiles, who used to work in the park, told Texas Monthly they have to be strict: 'This is supposed to be a preserve for naturenot to be trampled and eaten. 'Its a place for visitors to enjoy a natural condition, not to have to shovel s*** out of their campsite.' Skiles even suggested that some owners released their animals into the park on purpose to graze when they were short on grass at home. But Ureste insisted Corona is 'family' and he would have never released her, for fear of not getting her back. Roosevelt Avenue in Queens has long been a safe haven for newly-arrived migrants looking for a piece of the American Dream, but a current wave of Venezuelan asylum seekers has transformed the area. The surge of migrants, mostly from Venezuela and Ecuador, has been compared to the one seen in the early 20th century, when hundreds of thousands of Europeans arrived at Ellis Island in search of opportunity. Some of the Venezuelans in New York City say they are fleeing hunger and repression under the regime of socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro. Others say they are escaping the xenophobia and harassment they faced in the Latin American countries they originally migrated to. They all agree they want to live somewhere where they can work hard in the hopes of one day affording a better life. Long-time residents of Queens, many of whom are migrants themselves, complain that the neighborhood has been 'ruined' by the rapid and vast influx of Venezuelans, with desperate families begging for money and prostitutes hawking sex in the street. DailyMail.com saw scores of food vendors along Roosevelt Avenues with newly-arrived migrants selling arepas, empanadas and other traditional treats that are slowly becoming staples of Queens offerings. As many as 140,000 migrants have arrived in the city since the spring of 2022 after completing a perilous journey that begins in the jungle of the Darien Gap and leads to the desert in the US-Mexico border. Roosevelt Avenue in Queens has long been a safe haven for newly-arrived migrants looking for a piece of the American Dream Long-time residents of Queens, many of whom are migrants themselves, say the area has been particularly affected by Venezuelans DailyMail.com spoke to multiple Venezuelan street vendors who said they are either currently staying in shelters or have recently been ejected due to the city's newly-established stay limits aimed to help mitigate the crisis. NYC mayor Eric Adams has been forced to turn hotels, former schools and empty lots into emergency housing for migrants, which are expected to cost the city $12billion across three years. Many of the Venezuelan vendors DailyMail.com spoke with said that they have not been able to obtain their own place because they can't afford move-in costs. One Venezuelan woman named Emily, 24, said she's living in a rented room with her two kids, her brother and niece while she saves money from her job as a manicurist on Roosevelt Avenue. All the women working at the salon were newly-arrived migrants from Venezuela or Colombia. A couple, Yadira and Yonaiker Anez, said they are living in their car while they work selling arepas to make enough money for a security deposit to rent an apartment. They had first migrated to Colombia, but Yadira did not feel safe being so close to Venezuela, where her son was killed by the regime. 'I did not feel safe in Colombia... here I have goals even though the cold is hard when you're working out here,' Yadira told DailyMail.com at her arepa stand, adding that she makes about $150 on a good day. At another Venezuelan food stand, Jhofrey Olivier and his 12-year-old son were on a scooter waiting for an order to deliver. The family had first migrated to Chile but decided to migrate again and now living at The Roosevelt Hotel. The owner, Yoalbert Chirinos, first migrated to Colombia, but said he left because of prejudice towards Venezuelans and the failing economy. 'Colombia was very hard both with xenophobia against Venezuelans and the economy,' he said. 'It's not easy here, but we are grateful for the opportunity to work.' It's not just the food selections and flags that have changed on the stretch of Roosevelt Avenue along the neighborhoods of Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Corona. Longtime residents of the area told DailyMail.com that the people arriving in the city have a level of desperation they had not seen before in the immigrant enclave. Pawn shop manager Alex Amaya, who has worked in the area for over a decade, said on Tuesday that he has recently started seeing a new type of customer - Venezuelans selling gold as they claim they need the funds to eat. Yadira Anez said she did not feel safe in Colombia being so close to Venezuela, where she claims her son was killed by the regime Yadira is seen with her husband Yonaiker. They are living in their car until they can afford move-in costs for their own apartment 'There has definitely been a recent wave of migrants from South America coming in the shop, mostly Venezuelan and Ecuadorians,' Alex said, noting that he did not see many Venezuelans coming in before the last year. 'Many come here selling gold, I don't know if it's relics they carried with them through their journey or it they're stolen items, I cant stop to think about that,' he said. 'People now come in saying if we don't buy what they're selling they won't have anything to eat - how do you say no to that? That didn't happen here before.' In 2000, there were only about 107,000 Venezuelans in the US, a very small number when compared to that of other South American nationalities like Colombians, which reached over half a million in the nation the same year. But after more than two decades of what Maduro's predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez, referred to as '21st Century Socialism,' Venezuelans have become one of the largest-growing migrant population in the US, and New York is bearing the brunt of the crisis. According to the most recent US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS), there were 545,000 Venezuelan immigrants in the US in 2021. That number is certainly far higher now, as at least 50,000 Venezuelans entered the US unlawfully in just the month of September, when they briefly eclipsed Mexicans as the largest nationality illegally crossing the border. According to Panama's National Immigration Service, more than 200,000 Venezuelans crossed the Darien Gap this year on their way to the United States. Edgar, an Ecuadorian migrant who has worked a a street vendor on Roosevelt Avenue for a decade, said the new wave of migrants 'has ruined the block.' He added: 'They don't work, you see them asking for money or selling candy around here.... in less than a year things here have really turned.' At another Venezuelan food stand, Jhofrey Olivier and his 12-year-old son were on a scooter waiting for an order to deliver. They are living at shelter at The Roosevelt Hotel Yoalbert Chirinos, a Venezuelan who first migrated to Colombia, said: 'It's not easy here, but we are grateful for the opportunity to work' Edgar, a street vendor in the area for over 10 years, said migrants have 'ruined the street.' Olga, seen with him, said she doesn't go out dancing anymore because of sex workers in the area Olga, one of Edgar's buyers on Tuesday, told DailyMail.com she has lived in the area for 27 years and has seen a downwards spiral in the last year. 'I don't feel safe around here for the first time in 27 years, this area has been lost,' the Colombia native said, adding that she has stopped going to her old spots to dance with her husband because of the constant presence of sex workers. As previously reported by DailyMail.com, sex workers can be seen soliciting at all hours of the day and night on Roosevelt Avenue. DailyMail.com also witnessed men offering fake social security numbers, which the avenue has long been known for. But for Sandra Sayago, who owns the popular El Budare restaurant that has become central for Queen's Venezuelan community, the people are migrating not by choice, but because of necessity. Sayaho, who has been in NY for seven years, said she used to get excited when she heard a fellow Venezuelans' accent in the city, because it happened so rarely. Now, the former doctor from Tachira state, runs a successful business where she sees her fellow countrymen walk in with horrific stories about their journeys to New York. For Sandra Sayago, who owns the popular El Budare restaurant that has become central for Queen's Venezuelan community, Venezuelans are migrating not by choice, but because of deep necessity. Sayago added: 'I came on a plane, these people are now walking through the jungle to get here' 'We Venezuelans are facing a forced migration,' Sayago said, explaining that she was compelled to leave her beloved nation because she couldn't find basic needs for her daughter. Moreover, she was a loud opponent of Maduro's regime, and said she was persecuted over her participation in protests. Sayago added: 'I came on a plane, these people are now walking through the jungle to get here... many walk in here and haven't eaten for two days. They are hungry and thirsty ... many have seen horrific things in their journeys... we help them in any way we can.' Wilmer Solorzano, on his part, had first migrated to Panama, but said he decided to leave after his restaurant suffered from intense xenophobia against Venezuelans in Panama - which along with Colombia, Peru and Chile have taken in millions of Venezuelans in less than 10 years. Solorzano set up a food stand he named 'Venezuela Nueva Esperanza,' (New Hope for Venezuea), that he hopes will collect funds to help his people both inside his native country and in the US. 'I migrated out of necessity in 2016, but when I finally found a new home [in Panama] I still felt something was missing - my land and my people. I had a calling from God to help the situation in any way,' the Guarico state native said of his choice to move to New York, adding that he's hoping to build a web of Venezuelan business owners to raise funds to donate to the cause. Many of the Venezuelan migrants who have recently arrived in the city first emigrated to other counties, particularly Chile and Peru. Many of them cite xenophobia against Venezuelans in these countries as one of the reasons they left, claiming their businesses were affected and they were targeted by authorities for being undocumented. Solorzano and many others told DailyMail.com they have felt more welcomed in New York. Wilmer Solorzano, on his part, had first migrated to Panama, but said he decided to leave after his restaurant suffered from intense xenophobia against Venezuelans in Panama Solorzano set up a food stand he named 'Venezuela Nueva Esperanza,' (New Hope for Venezuea), that he hopes will collect funds to help his people both inside his native country and in the US 'Queens belongs to Latinos,' he said. 'There is always going to be bad actors in a situation like this, but people should not conflate them with the rest who are just looking to make a living and pave the way for the ones who come after.' Venezuelans represent the largest displacement crisis in the world, with more than 7.7million people outside their nation - even larger than Ukrainians and Syrians. It's a rare case of massive migration from a country that is not at war but has seen one of the most extreme fortune reversals in recent history after the socialist takeover 20 years ago. Many of the migrants have been bused north by Texas governor Gregg Abbot in a campaign to call out what he calls open-border policies by Democrats. Most come from extreme poverty and get to the city with no resources at all. In September, the Biden administration issued temporary legal status for an estimated 472,000 Venezuelans who had arrived in the country as of July 31. That was on top of the 242,000 who were previously covered under TPS grants in 2021 and 2022. Biden also resumed deporting Venezuelans on October 18 for the first time in years after the Chavista regime made a deal with the US government to start allowing the flights back to the country. After deportations resumed, the number of Venezuelans detained at the border plummeted by 45 percent. Mexicans are back as the largest nationality crossing the border illegally, with Venezuelans now in second place, followed by Honduran, Guatemalan, Colombian, and Chinese migrants. Notorious prisoner, Edmund Bruton was jailed indefinitely in 2011 after drinking antifreeze before driving his car at 80mph into his ex-girlfriend's home in a jealous rage, texting her 'I will be waiting for you in Hell'. The 54-year-old later won the cash pay-out at a judicial review after guards illegally opened his mail - and went on to write a 'how to guide' from his prison cell to advise other inmates to sue jail chiefs. But after Bruton boasted of his success - although it's doubtful he received as much as the 74,000 he claimed - news of the 2017 award was spotted by a woman he had crossed years earlier - and still owed thousands of pounds in compensation to himself. Bruton owed 45,000 to a woman he employed at his beauty spa after a tribunal found he sexually harassed her by pressuring her into performing nude massages on him in 2010 - and then sacking her when she stood up to him. However, a tribunal ruled the 52-year-old mum-of-two - who we have agreed not to name - waited too long after the MoJ paid the criminal so she lost the right to claim from it. Edmund Bruton was jailed indefinitely in 2011 after drinking antifreeze before driving his car at 80mph into his ex-girlfriend's home in a jealous rage Bruton never paid an award of 45,000 to a woman he employed at his beauty spa after a tribunal found he sexually harassed her In a judgment handed down after the hearing in Exeter, employment judge Alastair Smail described his verdict as regrettable but her claim came more than six years after she was awarded the compensation. Judge Smail added: The problem for the claimant is the extent of her inactivity following learning of the 74,000 in 2017. Six years from the judgment expired in July 2018. She had nine months within the six years after learning of the 74,000 in the press around October 2017. He went on to describe her explanations for not taking action sooner as weak adding there seems to be no effort to gather the information she needed. Reacting to the verdict, the woman told MailOnline: I am so cross about the whole thing, he lied in court and is still getting away with what he did not just to me but to other women younger than me. The judge says I didnt do enough but I did what I could. The woman was sexually harassed while working for Bruton who owned Amo Hair and Beauty in East Sheen, London, in 2010. Over a three-month period, she says she performed four massages on him while he was fully naked but when she refused on the fourth occasion to continue unless he covered up he flew into a rage and accused her of discriminating against him because he was a naturist. A few weeks later she was sacked. An employment tribunal in 2012 found she had been sexually harassed and awarded her 45,183.99 shortly before Bruton was jailed. In 2017 he boasted of being handed almost 74,000 in compensation but at the latest tribunal the inmate claimed it was actually only 3,000. The victim said: 'When I read about him boasting about his compensation I was livid, I was absolutely furious. To think somebody like that could do what they did and then think it's great they can sue the prison and win taxpayers' money left me spitting feathers. 'How the hell can he get away with this when he owes all this money to me when I can't get a bean? 'When a prisoner is awarded large sums of money like this, it should trigger an automatic search for what they potentially owe their victims. 'I was awarded this money through a court of law and they should have settled his outstanding judgements before he saw a penny. He shouldn't be allowed to just keep the money.' His victim said: 'I was awarded this money through a court of law and they should have settled his outstanding judgments before he saw a penny' Bruton was awarded the damages - which includes legal aid - at the High Court in April 2017 after His Honour Judge McKenna ruled that officers at three different prisons - HMP Swaleside, HMP Coldingley and HMP Onley - had opened legally privileged letters addressed to him. The judge ruled that there had been '34 breaches' of the confidential mail regime - under rule 39 of the Prison Rules, which sets out that legal correspondence is subject to confidential handling arrangements - between April 2014 and February 2017. The judge also found that Mr Bruton's privacy rights under article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights had been infringed. Writing from his cell at HMP Onley in Northamptonshire in prisoners' magazine Inside Time, the 54-year-old said he had been inundated with requests for advice by other inmates who heard of his compensation win. He wrote: 'I have had a lot of correspondence since winning a judicial review for the prison tampering with my mail and opening legal correspondence illegally. 'A lot of people want to know how they can bring their own claims. Therefore, here is a bit of guidance: 'The claim I brought against HMP Swaleside and the Prison Service cost the MoJ 73,806. 'If all prisoners brought their own claims for mail tampering it is highly likely that the MoJ and Prison Service would train their staff to stop acting unlawfully and wasting money from the public purse defending the indefensible.' Bruton, of Wembley, north west London, was caged indefinitely in October 2011 after a trial at Inner London Crown Court. The court heard how he had drunk a bottle of antifreeze before driving his car at around 80mph into the Berkshire home of his ex partner Tara Lavery in February 2011. The court heard how he suspected his ex-partner, who he met in January 2010, of beginning a new relationship and sent her a text reading 'I will be waiting for you in hell...you could have avoided this if you answered me' just before smashing his car through her house. His car smashed through his ex-partner's bay window before coming to a halt in her front room, causing 62,000-worth of damage. Bruton's car smashed through his ex-partner's bay window before coming to a halt in her front room, causing 62,000-worth of damage The scene of the crash for which Bruton was jailed in 2011 - he spent six days in a coma Bruton was in a coma for six days after smashing his car into Miss Lavery's living room, but recovered and was jailed. Judge Lindsay Burn told Bruton in 2011: 'You deliberately drove into her house, knowing that she was inside and you intended to do so in a way that endangered life. 'It is merely by chance that no more damage was done to the occupants of the house and that their injuries were not more serious or in fact fatal.' Government sources said a strategy introduced the year after his award, in 2018, means any damages awarded to prisoners are offset against money owed to victims, CPS costs, fines and other costs. A Prison Service Spokesperson said: 'We successfully defend two-thirds of cases brought by prisoners and changed the rules so that any debts to victims and the courts are paid before the offender sees a penny.' Two mothers and a father share their despair when their world went dark when their sons were taken captive by Hamas as Thursday marked 60 days since the brutal Hamas October 7 attack on Israel. For Iris Haim and Idit Ohel, whose sons Yotam Haim, 28 and Alon Ohel, 22, and Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, were taken hostage by Hamas the wait and not knowing anything about their family members have been excruciating. When Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, a day called by Israeli's as 'Black Sabbath' 1,200 people, mostly civilians were massacred and more than 240 were abducted to Gaza. After a week-long truce that began on November 24 and ended December 1, 110 hostages- mostly women and children - were released by the extremist Palestinian militant group. But, when the ceasefire collapsed the fighting between Israel and Gaza resumed leaving 138 people that still remain in Hamas captivity, including Yotam, Alon and Sagui. At a press conference on Tuesday held by The Missing Families and Hostages Forum and produced by Media Central called: 'Bring Back my CHILD! both mothers spoke. Each shared their heartbreak and the last recordings, text messages and exact moment they lost all contact with their child, and their resolve in getting their child home. Abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza: Yotam Hamin, 28, was hiding at his kibbutz in a safe room when he was abducted on October 7. His mother Iris said, 'my son is a very charming boy. He is a musician. A drummer. He likes pets. He likes music. He likes sports. He was playing in a heavy metal band in Israel. He had a lot of dreams and plans on that day- on that morning of October 7 - our Black Sabbath' Abducted from the Nova Music Festival: Alon Ohel, 22, a talented pianist. 'He loves music. His music is part of his life. Everywhere he goes he plays. He was playing in the Phillipines just a month and a half ago before he was kidnapped. He was traveling all over Asia and was playing piano at every pub he went inside because he knew he was doing a good thing' Abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz: Sagui Dekel Chen, 35, was taken hostage from his home. The loving father has two daughters, 6 and 3 years old, and his wife is expecting a third child For Iris Haim that moment came at 10.44am when her son Yotam, who was hiding in a safe room in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, told his mother that terrorists were 'shooting at the house, shooting the door, shooting the safe room and burning the house.' Their conversation began at 6.30am but became more frantic after her son discovered that it wasn't a missle strike taking place, but a terror attack happening in his kibbutz. A panicked Iris, said her son who suffers from some mental and medical issues was alone and 'afraid.' She tried to call the police and the army but to no avail. Though she and her son's father live in a nearby moshav, she said that Yotam's father wanted to get to their son, but were unable to as there were terrorists all around killing people. 'We couldn't help,' she wept. 'We knew we couldn't help as a mother and a father we were so helpless.' Calling his mother 'mamou' the endearing name, her son began using after a mother-son trip to France, she began to cry as she recalled the last time they would speak before they lost all communication. 'Mamou I hope I will survive this.... I don't know if I will survive, but I love you.... ask for help.... please...please... send someone please ... I don't have air... I cannot breathe.' A musician and drummer in a heavy metal band, Iris said her son planned to play at a music festival in Tel Aviv that day. It was a day that he had been looking forward to as his dream, she said, is to become a famous drummer. Iris said, 'he disappeared at 10.44am.' 'I remember. We all remember,' she said. 'We all remember the last minute exactly...when our children were gone.' Recalling the fear in his voice when her son said his final few words, 'I don't have air. I cannot breathe.' For the next 48 hours, she and Yotam's father went looking for him all over Israel and in the hospitals. 'We didn't know if he was alive or not,' she said. Until now we don't have any informaton about him. He needs his medicine. We didn't know what is going on with him.' 'Even if he is 28, for us he is like a baby because of his problems, because of his needs.' She later learned the horrifying news that 62 people were murdered at Kfar Aza and 18 kidnapped and one of those hostages was her son. Earlier this month, Iris said that she was in Australia with the delegation with Israel and with other families, whose loved ones were murdered and kidnapped, trying to get help. 'Till this day we need all the world help,' she said. 'What happened to my son and Idit and all other kidnapped and murdered that day - we know so many of them - is that Hamas terrorists are terrorists against the world. 'He needs to come back to his family ... to us,' she said. A musician and drummer in a heavy metal band, Iris said her son planned to play at a music festival in Tel Aviv that day. It was a day that he had been looking forward to as his dream, she said, is to become a famous drummer For Idit the time was 7.50am when she last heard from her son Alon, a talented pianist, who went to the Nova Music Festival with a few friends. Idit said he sent a message to her and his father on What's App. He was 'telling us he was in a bomb shelter and that he was fine.' Idit explained that in the bomb shelter you cannot send messages and with no wifi they got his message 18 minutes after it was sent. The time was 8.08am. She believed his phone fell when he was getting abducted and they lost all contact. 'That was the last time we heard from him,' she said. 'We don't know where he is. We don't know how he is. We don't know with who he is with - we know Hamas took him because we see the footage - but we don't know up until today. 'The Red Cross has not seen him or haven't seen anyone. None of the hostages yet, so we haven't gotten any word from him. It has been 60 days since he was kidnapped.' She shared a harrowing video of her son being carried out by the Hamas terrorists after hiding in a crammed bomb shelter with 30 other young people. Idit revealed that in that bomb shelter, the terrorists threw nearly a dozen grenades into the shelter. One brave person caught the grenades as they were being thrown and threw them back outside. But, she said the last grenade exploded killing and injury many. During the unimaginable terror, her son was one of those people taken captive by Hamas. She shared a video of the brutal scenes. 'This is my son the person they are dragging right now. There's blood on him and he's frightened and he was trying to fight them.' 'They're putting him inside the car and taking him and pushing him and beating him inside the truck.' 'You can actually see how they were taken- very harshly - he has blood on him because of the grenade that blew up.' The video clip showed Hersh Goldberg Polin , the 23-year-old Israeli-American boy also taken captive from the Re'im musical festival. He was in the same truck bloodied and wounded. The distraught mother, who was wearing a picture of her son on a t-shirt, said weeks before her son's abduction he had traveled to Asia. 'He loves music. His music is part of his life. Everywhere he goes he plays. He was playing in the Philippines just a month and a half ago before he was kidnapped,' she said. 'He was playing piano at every pub he went inside because he knew he was doing a good thing.' Idit said her mission now is to spread the 'good' that her son was doing as she fights to get him home and asks the community and world to do their part. To help her son not feel so alone, she bought a piano and painted a portion of it yellow to look like a spotlight - she calls it 'the yellow piano' with the words 'Alon You Are Not Alone.' The piano is located in a public space in Tel Aviv called Hostage Square. She welcomes anyone who wants to come and play music on it to visit. She believes the energy from someone playing the piano will transcend to her son until he is released and back home with his loved ones. 'It is like a light so when a person comes and plays the light is on him- on the person that is playing - and the person is in touch with Alon. 'We are doing this and it is very effective. Everyone in Israel knows this piano and I hope that the world knows.' Idit showed a clip of her son sitting at the piano at a concert playing a beautiful classical song. 'This is him playing one of the peices, He plays he plays jazz and many other things.' Idit is fighting and asking the world to help 'stop this' so it doesn't happen anywhere else. 'You have the power and have a very important job to do. After Iris and I told you about our son and her special son we need you to go to your home country and tell the citizens there what is gong on in Israel. 'Tell this story and ask what they can do today not tomorrow to make sure our son's come back home,' she said, in part. 'Making sure that terrorism does not continue - this dark dark dark place of terrorism and innocent civilians, who just went to a party or were in their homes not doing anything.' The heartbroken mother said that her family name 'Haim' means life in Hebrew. 'I don't want to be afraid, I want to live. I want them to live,' she said. 'They will always be our children, and we as mothers have to fight always. We'll never stop fighting to bring our sons and daughters and our mothers and our fathers home.' Idit shared a clip during the press conference of her son playing a classical song on the piano. She said that 'music is part of his life' and he plays piano everywhere he goes Idit bought a piano and painted a portion of it yellow to look like a spotlight - she calls it 'the yellow piano' with the words 'Alon You Are Not Alone,' so her son does not feel like he is alone. The piano is located in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square Jonathan Dekel Chen, whose 35-year-old son Sagui Dekel -Chen, was taken captive by Hamas on October 7 from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Sagui, is the father of two young daughters - ages 6 and 3 - and has a wife who is pregnant with their third child. Like Idit and Iris, and all the other families who still have their loved ones in captivity- he believes their life is in danger. Dekel-Chen, who lived in Connecticut before settling in Israel as a young adult, said that he and his son have dual Israeli-American citizenship. He said at Kibbutz Nir Oz, 80 people were taken hostage and 35 they already know have been murdered that he knows. 'What has to happen is the hostages - all 138 of them - need to come home now,' Dekel Chen told DailyMail.com. 'It is clear, we could have imagined this to begin with, but it's certainly clear now given the testimonies of those who were released a couple of weeks ago, that the conditions under which the hostages are being held are abominable.' He also believes that the vast majority of the hostages are in urgent need of medical care for those who were wounded on October 7. With the current state of war, he believes the hostages are endangered by the shelling itself from from the Israeli side, and whatever retribution the remaining Hamas terrorists might take on them. 'So what we need is hope for Israel's leaders and for partner nations to absolutely commit to prioritizing the return of live hostages home. 'These were civilians for the vast majority, of our civilians, but it's true also with soldiers. They must not be victimized or collateral damage of this war.' Jonathan Dekel-Chen the father of Sagui Dekel -Chen has been held hostage in Gaza since October 7. He has been fighting tirelessly for his son's release. He told DailyMai.com 'what has to happen is the hostages - all 138 of them - need to come home now' Dekel Chen, who is a professor at Hebrew University, further continued that that is the demand over the Israeli government and from partner governments to impress upon the Israelis, and also the Red Cross. 'These people have been totally abandoned by the Red Cross, which is not fulfilling its obligations, or doesn't seem to be fulfilling its obligations to those hostages.' He said: 'it's something that needs to happen immediately. If for no better reason than proof of life, which we don't definitively have.' Dekel-Chen told DailyMail.com that it was devastating when he learned that his son was not one of the hostages released during the partial-deal. 'It was awful ...of course ...it was awful.' 'I would add to that however, I am sure and every other hostage family whose loved ones are still not released were overjoyed for those released. He said in his kibbutz alone about 30 hostages were released. 'These are like my extended family. My son was not among them, but you know, these are like my brothers, sisters, older brothers, children. Some of them literally grew up in my house. 'So I felt nothing but joy for them and relief for them and their families. But of course, the job will only be done when the remaining 138 hostages have been released and approximately 35 from my kibbutz among them.' He also said that after the release of the hostages some of the families heard 'bits and pieces' of their testimony from the releasees. 'Some of the lucky ones amongst us got from them some kind of proof of life about our loved ones,' he said. 'But that's not nearly enough. They need to come home before their lives are even further in danger.' 100 per cent of jobless people in 15 council areas have no interest in jobhunting More than seven million people in Great Britain have no interest in finding a job, MailOnline can reveal. Figures collated from official statistics show that 17.5 per cent of the working age (16-64) population in England, Wales and Scotland is uninterested in finding a job. Officially, there are 8.7 million people designated as 'economically inactive' by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) - meaning they have not looked for a job for four weeks or are unable to start working for at least a fortnight. The problem can be so extreme that 100 per cent of out-of-work people in some areas of the country are considered to be disengaged from looking for work altogether - despite almost a million job vacancies being advertised nationwide. Our interactive map shows that 15 local authorities across Britain have an economically inactive working-age population with no-one that intends to find a job. Your browser does not support iframes. Around 7.1 million people who are economically inactive do not want a job, according to official figures (stock image) Among the areas with thousands of people aged 16-64 who do not want to work are Ashford in Kent, the Derbyshire Dales, North Devon, Stevenage and Oxford. Folkstone and Hythe, Rochford, Lincoln, Selby, Bolsover, Cannock Chase, Dartford, the Orkney Islands and Torridge are also home to thousands working age locals who have not been looking for a job for four weeks - and don't want to, either. It comes as the government plots an overhaul of the welfare system in order to reduce the number of people out of work and bring down costs. The number of people on Universal Credit surged during the coronavirus pandemic - at present, an estimated 2.4 million people on the benefit are signed off sick with no requirement to find a job. The rise has been driven by people switching from older benefits onto the new-style system - and by a rise in long-term sickness, which the government says should not be an obstacle to finding work. Under the Work Capability Assessment, which is used to determine if people can receive additional benefits payments because of long-term sickness, eligible claimants can receive 390 a month (4,681 per year) in extra payments. But the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, unveiled plans to revamp the assessment shortly before last month's Autumn Statement - meaning thousands of people with long-term health problems will be told to look for work they can do from home. Among the changes proposed is a plan to drop the requirement to be able to walk 50 metres unaided - because the rise in home working means people who cannot do this can still seek employment. Your browser does not support iframes. Matlock, in the Derbyshire Dales area. The local authority area has thousands of economically inactive people - 100 per cent of whom say they do not want to find work Oxford also has thousands of economically inactive locals - 22.6 per cent of the working-age population - none of whom have expressed a desire to find a job The 'Chance To Work Guarantee', as it has been branded, will come into effect in 2025 and will affect around 370,000 people by 2028/29. Detailing the plans on November 22, Mr Hunt said it was 'wrong economically and wrong morally' to sign people onto benefits with no requirement to look for work. The Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank estimates that overhauling the system would save the government 900million a year; the Treasury says it will save up to 1.2billion a year by 2028-29. But critics say that the changes do not fully consider the additional supports that disabled people may need in order to work at their best. Anastasia Berry, policy manager at the MS Society, said the 'cynical attack' on benefits will have a 'devastating' effect on those with multiple sclerosis. She claimed that only one in 10 jobs advertised offered the option of home working - reducing the pool of jobs that people with disabilities may be able to apply for. Ms Berry added: 'This approach will have dire consequences for disabled people, including those with MS a condition which can be debilitating, exhausting and unpredictable, and will only progress over time. 'The Government can, and must, do better by disabled people by scrapping these damaging changes.' James Taylor, director of strategy at charity Scope, told The Times: 'I think around 20 to 30 per cent of (disabled people) would like a job but the support you need to give them is quite different to someone who's perhaps a bit more work-ready.' Debra Baxter, a 58-year-old woman with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair,says she has experienced discrimination while working. She told the paper: 'When (managers) are non-disabled they have the attitude of: "We know best, you will do what we say".' Angelina Jolie can expect a heroines welcome when she moves her family to Cambodia. Women in the South-east Asian nation consider her their patron saint some even believing she was Cambodian in a previous life. She has some of our same beautiful physical features, farmer Phalla Ung told DailyMail.com. The delicate features, the eyes, the skin tone, the hair and especially her smile, they look so Cambodian. Many of us believe that in a past life Angelina was actually a Cambodian, added 62-year-old Ung, who still labors in the fields. Angelina's oldest child Maddox was born in Cambodia and studied at university in South Korea. Maddox and his mother were invited to a State dinner at the White House for the South Korean president in April The delicate features, the eyes, the skin tone, the hair and especially her smile, they look so Cambodian,' farmer Phalla Ung told DailyMail.com. Angelina has three adopted children and three with Brad Pitt. From left, Shiloh, 17, Vivienne, 15, Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, 18, and Knox, 15 Jolie, 48, spoke out this week in an interview with WSJ. The Wall Street Journals magazine about how she wants to get away from unhealthy Los Angeles and live in her Asian home. But her plans have been stymied due to her long-running custody battle with ex-husband Brad Pitt. The pair started dating in 2005 and married in 2014, but split two years later, in 2016 and since then, they have been embroiled in a lengthy, seven-year divorce proceeding over the custody of their six kids. But as that legal fight winds down her chance to move way from acting and live in the country she loves are becoming more real. We Cambodians will openly welcome her, said Phon Phalla, a 72-year-old from Kampong Phluk, a picturesque village in the west of the country where many houses are built on stilts due to the huge change in water levels between the wet and dry seasons. If she is willing to give up her life in Hollywood to find happiness here with us after traveling so many places, we would feel very honored. We would like nothing better than to put a smile on Angelinas face one we can make last forever. Maddox waved as Angelina and her children met Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni in 2017 to unveil her documentary on the horrors of the Khmer Rouge era in the country Angelina founded the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation in 2003 to protect land and wildlife and clear landmines in a country where around 40 people a year are killed by the explosives Angelina has helped in refugee camps around the world including in Tanzania, which in 2003 was home to some 60,000 exiles from Congo Angelina greeted Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the opening of her 2017 documentary First They Killed My Father about the horrific rule of the Khmer Rouge in the country in the 1970s Angelina adopted Maddox in 2002 when she was still married to Billy Bob Thornton. After she started dating Brad Pitt he also formally adopted him Many of the women of Cambodia are strong and they work as hard as the men, fishing and farming and with the added burden of caring for their children and their families. Angelina owns a traditional longhouse set on 150,000 acres of land in remote northwestern Cambodia which she used as backdrop for a 2019 advertising campaign for the fragrance Mon Guerlain. The idea of Angelina shedding her life of privilege in California and trading it in for a much simpler life in Cambodia, makes her a role model for the women of the country. Shes our saint, said Kol Thida, a farmer. I like Angelina 's personality so much because she chooses people over Hollywood. And the fact she has adopted children from all over the world, is proof how she clearly loves humanity and has a loving kindness regardless of her ethnicity. We Cambodians will openly welcome her, said Phon Phalla, 72. If she is willing to give up her life in Hollywood to find happiness here with us after traveling so many places, we would feel very honored' Many of us believe that in a past life Angelina was actually a Cambodian,' said Phalla Ung (left). Kol Thida (right) said: 'She's our saint' 'A few days in Cambodia among the warm local people, and I feel my soul is recovering,' Angelina said during a visit last year We will welcome her to move to our country with open arms. Jolie has three adopted children, including her oldest Maddox, 22, who she took home from an orphanage in the countrys third-largest city, Battambang. She also adopted Pax, 20, from Vietnam and Zahara,18, from Ethiopia. She and Pitt had three children, Shiloh, 17, and 15-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox. The children now have little or no contact with Pitt, 59. Just last month, DailyMail.com revealed that Pax had written an excoriating Fathers Day message to him calling him a world class a**hole and saying: You have made the lives of those closest to me a constant hell. You time and time and again prove yourself to be a terrible and despicable person, Pax wrote. You have no consideration or empathy toward your 4 youngest children who tremble in fear when in your presence. You will never understand the damage you have done to my family because you are incapable of doing so, Pax added. Pax, who was 16 at the time ended the post with the words So, Happy Fathers Day, you f***ing awful human being!!! Their adopted daughter has even gone as far as to change her name from Zahara Jolie-Pitt to Zahara Jolie. Angelina filed for divorce from Pitt two days after a reported argument on a private plane when Maddox stepped in to protect his mother from an allegedly drunk Pitt. Maddox is now said to be completely estranged from Pitt. In her WSJ. Interview Angelina said: I will move when I can. She added: I grew up in quite a shallow place. Of all the places in the world, Hollywood is not a healthy place. So you seek authenticity.' Angelina whose parents, Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, were both actors added that because 'she grew up around' Hollywood, she was 'never very impressed' with it. Pax called his adoptive father a 'world class a**hole' and 'a f***ing awful human being' in a Father's Day rant on Instagram in 2020 The children now have little or no contact with their Brad who was in Las Vegas last month for the Formula 1 Grand Prix 'I never bought into it as significant or important,' she told the publication. She admitted that if she were to start all over today, she likely wouldn't choose acting as her profession, because of the 'expectation' to share intimate details about her personal life that comes with fame. She added, 'When I was starting out, it wasnt as much of an expectation to be as public, to share so much.' She also joked that she 'doesn't really have a social life' anymore and that all of her 'closest friends are refugees.' The movie star has worked with the the UN Refugee Agency for more than two decades, visiting camps in Cambodia, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Pakistan over the years. 'Theres a reason people who have been through hardship are also much more honest and much more connected, and I am more relaxed with them,' she said. 'Why do I like spending time with people whove survived and are refugees? Theyve confronted so much in life that it brings forward not just strength, but humanity.' In 2003, Angelina founded the non-profit Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, a conservation and community development program to protect endangered wildlife and forests in Cambodia. Its first task was to clear landmines left over from years of conflict in the 1970s and 80s. That action helped Angelina boost her popularity in a country where an estimated 5 million landmines lie undiscovered, killing or injuring more than 40 people every year. Last year Angelina took her daughter Shiloh to Cambodia to work with the foundation. A few days in Cambodia among the warm local people, and I feel my soul is recovering, she said at the time. This has always been a special country for me and our family. A handful of Somali parents who hoped to provide better lives for their children in Minnesota are now battling it out with their public school district for teaching 'sexualized topics' without their consent. First Liberty Institute is representing six Somali-Muslim families who are asking to be notified before their children are instructed on LGBTQ identities, because they say it violates their religious beliefs. Their children are all aged seven to nine years old, and the majority are in the third and fourth grades. Attorneys sent a letter Thursday to the school district first obtained by DailyMail.com, saying the district has failed to 'provide notice to parents before controversial issues are taught, or to give an opportunity for parents to review curriculum in advance.' According to Minnesota state law, the school district must provide parents with notice before 'sexualized topics' will be covered in class. In addition, parents must be allowed to determine if the curriculum is 'consistent' with their religious beliefs, and if it is not, they can choose to exclude their kids from the curriculum. Several books that the children have already been exposed to against the wishes of their Muslim parents includes: 'My Shadow is Pink, Our Subway Baby, and Hoonani: Hula Warrior.' My Shadow is Pink is a rhyming story 'that touches on the subjects of gender identity, self acceptance, equality and diversity,' according to the book's description on Amazon. My Shadow is Pink is a rhyming story 'that touches on the subjects of gender identity, self acceptance, equality and diversity,' according to the book's description on Amazon The boy realizes he likes activities and colors 'not for boys' as he explores his gender identity. The children were already exposed to these texts without any notice or consent, the letter states. 'And they have no way of knowing what books their children will be exposed to next.' One mother, speaking at a recent school board meeting, brought up the book 'Our Subway Baby' that she says introduced her child to the concept of having two gay fathers. 'We are troubled by the way these books are being presented to our children,' stated. 'This approach directly conflicts with our deeply held religious beliefs,' she continued, saying the Constitution protects those rights. She said that their 'concerns are not rooted in animosity toward any group, including the LGBTQ community,' and the families feel 'grateful' for the opportunity to live in a community that values 'diversity and freedom.' Their request is simply to be notified of the content of the materials first before it is presented to young children. But lawyers for the families say that the school district is still failing to provide advance notice or 'an opportunity to review curriculum' before their children are exposed. In addition, the district requires parents to describe their reasons for opting out - which they say is a 'burdensome prerequisite.' Furthermore, the families' religious beliefs are therefore being invited to be 'scrutinized.' An attorney representing the families says they are dealing with severe stress and anxiety due to the school district's silence. DailyMail.com reached out to the school district for a response and spokesperson Rachel Hicks confirmed receipt of the letter. Hicks said that the K-5 literacy curriculum 'reflects storylines of LGBTQ+ students and families.' The St. Louis Park Public School board says the curriculum is 'in alignment' with the values held by the district In addition, the curriculum is 'in alignment' with the values held by the district. 'We understand that families may have diverse perspectives and preferences when it comes to the curriculum, reading materials and literature topics covered in the classroom,' she said in the statement. 'We encourage parents and caregivers to engage in conversations directly with their teachers and principals if they have questions. We appreciate the partnership of families in creating an educational environment that respects the needs and humanity of each student.' As we approach King Charless second Christmas on the throne, its easy to forget that there was a time - within memory, for some - when the very future of the monarchy was thrown into doubt. Yet 87 years ago, on December 10, 1936, Charless great uncle Edward VIII made the unprecedented announcement that he was abdicating the throne so he could marry the woman he loved - Wallis Simpson, a married, once-divorced American. Edward brought his reign to an end in just 325 days when it became clear that he wouldnt be able to remain king and wed the woman for whom he felt such passion. It was a decision that sparked a constitutional crisis, left the nation stunned and began a rift with the Royal Family that would never heal. At Fort Belvedere, on 10 December, Edward signed his written abdication. On 11 December 1936, Edward made a BBC radio broadcast from Windsor Castle. King Edward VIII of England leaves Windsor Castle after making his abdication speech in 1936 Front page story from The Daily Express of December 8th, 1936 issuing a statement from Mrs. Simpson offering to 'withdraw from a situation that has been rendered both unhappy and untenable' Copy of the document that confirms the abdication of King Edward VIII It also changed the course of history, passing the throne to Edwards niece Elizabeth, who would go on to be our longest serving monarch. No wonder the arrival of Meghan Markle - also a glamorous American divorcee - gave royal watchers a dangerous sense of deja vu. And as she and the Duke of Sussex broke away from the Royal Family, sacrificed their titles and set up home far away from the UK, the Windsors must have felt that history was repeating itself. The weeks leading up to Edward VIIIs abdication on December 10, 1936, were tense as royals, courtiers and the Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin scrambled to prevent a constitutional crisis. As head of the Church of England, the King was prohibited from marrying a divorcee. In late October, Baldwin confronted the King for the first time over his relationship with Mrs Simpson, asking him to conduct his affair - which had been reported in Europe and the United States of America - more discreetly and to persuade her to delay her divorce proceedings. Nonetheless as on October 27, 1936, the Simpsons divorce case was heard at the Ipswich Assizes and the first part of the divorce, a decree nisi, was granted. In mid-November, Edward told Baldwin of his desire to marry Wallis even if it meant giving up the crown. Baldwin was no fan of the new King, describing him as an An abnormal being: half child, half genius. . . it is as though two or three cells in his brain had remained entirely undeveloped, whilst the rest of him is a mature man. He is not a thinker. He takes his ideas from the daily press instead of thinking things out for himself . . . no serious reading: none at all. On November 25, Edward met Baldwin again, telling him he wanted a morganatic marriage to Mrs Simpson, in which he would be the king but she would not be queen, merely his consort. This proposal was rejected outright by the Cabinet and the rest of the Empire and - bolstered by top secret meetings with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Lang - on December 2 Baldwin laid bare the Kings options. Edward had just three choices: to end his relationship with Wallis, to marry against the advice of his ministers, who would then resign, or to abdicate. The next day, the story, which had been reported in Europe and the US, finally broke in the British press, shocking the nation that their king wanted to marry a divorcee and an American at that. Edward hoped that broadcasting an appeal to the nation would help sway public opinion towards the marriage, but Baldwin nixed the idea, declaring it would be constitutionally impossible. Announcement of the new King, Edward VIII, in 1936 - until his abdication the same year Three generations of the royal family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the coronation in 1937 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in a Coronation portrait Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 - their last official engagement An aerial view of Fort Belvedere in Windsor Great Park, formerly the home of King Edward VIII The future King Edward VIII with British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin in October 1926. With the Kings position - and the constitution - hanging in the balance, Edward later recalled: 'The choice confronting me was a bitter one. While there was no desire in my heart to shirk my inheritance, the desire to marry and make a full life with the woman of my choice was equally strong. To live without love would have been intolerable. And, more than that, without it my service to the state would have seemed an empty thing.' He didnt wait long to decide. On December 9, 1936, King Edward VIII informed his government of his decision to abdicate. On December 10 at Fort Belvedere, his 18th-century home in the grounds of Windsor Great Park, he signed the paperwork that would end his monarchy, witnessed and signed by his three brothers Prince Albert, Duke of York (the next in line to the throne), Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Prince George, Duke of Kent. The next day, once Parliament had approved his abdication, Edward took to the airwaves for a historic broadcast to address his stunned former subjects. A few hours ago I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart. You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales, and lately as King, I have for 25 years tried to serve. But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love. He went on to mention his younger brother Bertie - now known as George VI, married to Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, with daughters Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. This decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country and with his fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the empire. And he has one matchless blessing, enjoyed by so many of you, and not bestowed on me - a happy home with his wife and children. King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson: A scandal that rocked the nation January 1931: Wallis meets Prince Edward after being introduced via her friend Lady Furness. 1931- 1934: The American divorcee and the heir to the throne see each other regularly at various parties. August 1934: Wallis joins Edward on a cruise without her husband present. January 20, 1936: King George V dies. Edward asks Wallis to watch the proclamation of his accession with him from St. James's Palace. August 1936: The pair enjoy a cruise around the Adriatic Sea with friends. Details of their relationship appear in the American press. December 9, 1936: Edward informs his government of his decision to abdicate. December 10, 1936: Edward signs the Instrument of Abdication, passing the throne to his younger brother, Albert, Duke of York. December 11, 1936: Edward announces his abdication to the nation in a BBC broadcast. December 12, 1936: The now Duke of Windsor leaves Britain for a life in exile. June 3, 1937: The couple marry in France and Wallis is now known as the Duchess of Windsor, but is not allowed to share her husband's title of Royal Highness. Advertisement Edward VIIIs reign, which started on January 20, had ended in 325 days, making him one of the shortest-reigning British monarchs to date. On December 12, Edward, now titled His Royal Highness the Duke of Windsor, left the country for Austria, where he stayed in a 40-room castle close to Vienna owned by Baron Eugene Daniel von Rothschild and his wife Kitty. On May 3, 1937, Wallis Simpsons decree absolute came through making her free to remarry, but the pair waited until after George VIs coronation on June 3 to finally tie the knot. Their marriage was a low key ceremony at the Chateau de Cande near Tours, France, with Edwards best man Major Edward Fruity Metcalfe in attendance, along with his chauffeur and equerry. Society photographer Cecil Beaton photographed the couple and in his diary, Beaton described Edward's expression when his photo was taken as 'essentially sad, tragic eyes belied by impertinent tilt of nose. Of Wallis, Beaton wrote: I feel that she is not in love with him. Indeed, the former King's abdication was the 'last thing' his lover Wallis wanted, according to royal author Anna Pasternak. Anna, who penned The American Duchess: The Real Wallis Simpson, says that Edward had 'a ferocious, obsessive love' for Wallis 'and was never going to let her go'. The downbeat wedding day was a culmination of a relationship that began in 1931, when Wallis moved to London after marrying her second husband, shipping executive Ernest Aldrich Simpson. Wallis struck up a friendship with Edwards then mistress Thelma Furness, while he was Prince of Wales. By 1932 the Simpsons were gradually absorbed into Edwards social life, spending frequent weekends with him at Fort Belvedere and in 1934 things became more serious between the heir to the throne and the chic, worldly married American. Edward later said: 'I was immediately impressed with her vivaciousness, wit and smart repartee. I particularly admired her complete frankness. 'If she did not agree with anyone, she said so, and I found this rarely, due to the circumstances of my position, especially among my British friends.' Edward was soon besotted. 'She satisfied something creative in me, he told journalist Charles Murphy. She brought into my life something not there before: curiosity, independence, impudence, questioning, warmth. I saw things in a new light.' As the pair grew closer, Edward - known to his family as David - wooed Wallis with gifts of jewellery, money to buy clothes and other luxuries. In November 1934, Wallis Simpson attended a party at Buckingham Palace in honour of the Duke of Kent, wearing a borrowed Cartier tiara and several jewels bestowed on her by Edward. After he then begged his father George V, to invite her to the Jubilee Ball and Ascot, the family started to realise the dangerous importance of this American arriviste. [I] fell in love with the Duchess two years before abdication, the Duke told Murphy, which the journalist jotted down as a series of notes. It happened in [a] restaurant, no frivolous business, age on my side. I had sowed my wild oats. Made lots of mistakes, in [a] superficial way. 'I knew I was falling in love with another man's wife. When [I] found myself falling in love [I] should have withdrawn. But [the] remarkable business about love is that it happens before one knows it.' As news of the affair spread, the Duchess of York - later Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother - declared openly that she would no longer meet Mrs Simpson and would beat a hasty retreat whenever 'that woman' walked into the same party. The future Queen Mothers hostility towards Wallis and her brother-in-law would persist for the rest of their lives and the pair met on only a few occasions. After the abdication, the Duke and Duchess financed their lavish lifestyle swanning around Europe and the US, with a tax-free allowance from his brother George VI. But in addition to the disrepute the pair had brought upon the monarchy, they were to become a political liability. In the summer of 1937, the Windsors travelled to Nazi Germany where they met Goering, Himmler, Goebbels and Adolf Hitler himself, and the Duke - who was later vocal about appeasing Hitler - gave the Hitler salute on two occasions. So rather than have an ex-King with Nazi sympathies on the loose in Europe, Winston Churchill packed Edward off to be Governor of the Bahamas until 1945. On their return from the Caribbean, the couple settled back in their 14-room Parisian townhouse, enjoying weekends at their charming 26-acre estate to the south west of the city, where they received guests including British fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley and his wife Diana. The Duke had hoped that his exile would be brief but he was never allowed to move back to Britain, with the King threatening to cut off his allowance if he tried to come back without an invitation. Both Edward and Wallis blamed the Queen Mother for their banishment. The Duke would have loved to return to live in the land of his birth, said Wallis in 1971, but our way was blocked at every turn. We were never allowed to go back, and we never will be allowed. Not until the day we die. She will never permit it. When we are dead, perhaps she may at last forgive us. The intransigence of the royal couple left behind, and the peevishness of the royal exiles broad amight feel familiar to those whove been following Megxit (Harry and Meghans escape from The Firm to Montecito, California). In fact, comparisons have been made between Prince William and Prince Harry and their forbears, George VI and the Duke of Windsor. The dynamic between the two of them [is] endlessly fascinating - the betrayal, the attempts to behave in a civilised fashion on the rare post-abdication occasions that they saw each other, and of course, the influence that both mens wives had over their thinking, biographer Alexander Larman, author of The Crown in Crisis: Countdown to the Abdication, told Vanity Fair. The signatures of King Edward VIII and his brothers, Albert (the given name of his successor, George VI) Henry, Duke of Gloucester and George, Duke of Kent The Duke of Windsor, formerly Edward VIII, sitting with his wife the Duchess of Windsor, formerly Mrs Wallis Simpson) in September 1939, Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin delivers the announcement of King Edward VIII's abdication to Parliament Larman also draws on the parallels between the feelings the British public had for Wallis and the Duchess of Sussex. The loathing that people, especially older people, feel in the UK towards Meghan [Markle] is something quite remarkable to observe, but it is not dissimilar to the anger that many felt towards Wallis, he says. The Duke of Windsor, a heavy smoker, died of throat cancer in 1972 at the age of 77 - his niece Elizabeth II had visited him in Paris just 10 days before. His body was flown back to Britain and his funeral was held at St Georges Chapel, Windsor, before he was buried in the Royal Burial Ground in Frogmore. The Duchess of Windsor died in 1986 at the age of 89 after years of frailty and suffering from dementia which led to her living the final years as a recluse. The romance of the century had finally come to an end. Nicola Peltz is portrayed as a 'nightmare bride' in a new documentary about her bitter dispute with her wedding planners for her lavish 2022 nuptials. The wife of Brooklyn Beckham subjected her wedding planners to the 'group (text) chat from hell', says Chris Lochery, the editor at gossip site Popbitch in upcoming documentary Peltz Beckhams vs The Planners, which is streaming on Max on Monday. Lochery says that the wedding was 'total carnage' and that Nicola came out of the lawsuit looking 'spoiled and entitled.' Celebrity wedding planner Mark Niemierko says that Nicole Braghin and Arianna Grijalba, who took over the wedding, were handed a 'hot mess' when famed planner Preston Bailey stepped back. He described Nicola, whose career as an actress peaked with Transformers 3, as a 'very, very insecure individual who is insecure of their career.' New documentary Peltz Beckhams vs The Planners delves into the behind-the-scenes drama of the 2022 wedding of Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham Wedding planners Arianna Grijalba and Nicole Braghin were contacted by the Peltz family in March 2022, six weeks before the wedding. They worked for the Peltz family for eight days before being told they weren't up to scratch Nelson Peltz sued Plan Design, Braghin and Grijalba's Miami-based wedding planning company several months after the event.In the lawsuit Peltz demanded his $159,000 deposit back and called their refusal to hand it over a 'good old fashioned shakedown' The lawsuit 'represented a mess of a family, forget the mess of planning a wedding,' says Niemierko in the documentary. The film revisits one of the most eye-popping celebrity feuds in recent years and is produced by Optomen, a UK-based film company, as part of their 'Versus' series about high profile disputes. Nelson Peltz with son-in-law Brooklyn. Documents stated that Peltz was acting like a 'billionaire bully' Previous episodes have included Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard and Kanye West against Kim Kardashian. The wedding took place in April 2022 in the Palm Beach, Florida, mansion of Nelson Peltz, Nicola's billionaire investor father. The three-day event attracted celebrities like Eva Longoria, Gordon Ramsay and Venus and Serena Williams, as well as David and Victoria Beckham, the father and mother of the bride. The extravagant ceremony saw Brooklyn, 24, an influencer, marry Nicola, 28, an actor and model, with the official photos appearing in Vogue magazine. Exclusive DailyMail.com photographs from the time showed Nicola in her gorgeous custom-made Valentino gown which involved two trips to Rome and two US fittings. But behind the scenes there were ugly tensions which came to the surface when Nelson Peltz sued Plan Design, Braghin and Grijalba's Miami-based wedding planning company several months after the event. They were fired after just eight days because, as was claimed in legal filings, they were incapable of doing the job and had 'hoodwinked' the Peltz family into thinking they could do it. In the lawsuit Peltz demanded his $159,000 deposit back and called their refusal to hand it over a 'good old fashioned shakedown.' The wedding planners fired back with a counter lawsuit which revealed hundreds of texts of what they claimed showed unreasonable demands from the Peltz family. The documents said that Peltz was acting like a 'billionaire bully' and that he became so frustrated with the chaotic planning he called the event a 's*** show' and wanted to cancel it but his wife Claudia begged him not to as it would 'destroy Nicola's career.' John Uustal, a celebrity trial attorney, says in the documentary that Nicola fired the wedding planners because 'she was getting scared' about the mess that was unfolding, which he calls a 'slow moving train crash'. Nicola appears to be getting frustrated with the wedding planners as her message in the blue bubbles says: 'Lewis Hamilton did NOT RSVP. So explain why his names on the list please. We spoke to him. He can't come so explain why you said he rsvpd yes.' The planner then responded saying: 'I need time to do this. I'm going to take a moment to learn the app and send you the information, I hate looking like a fool but I hate the most not giving you what you need ASAP. I will be back soon.' Texts between Nicola, Nelson and the wedding planners reveal Nicola's frustration that they couldn't manage the RVSP list According to Uustal, $159,000 was nothing to Nelson Peltz and there had to be 'more at stake here than money.' He said: 'The cost of lawyers - he's going to spend more on lawyers then he's going to get (from the deposit). I can guarantee it. 'Reputation matters to someone like Nelson Peltz. On Wall Street he's feared and if he can't take care of a problem with a couple of wedding planners that's going to affect his reputation and I suspect his business dealings.' The documentary reveals that Plan Design was the second wedding planner hired by the Peltzes and a third had to be hired to complete the job after they were fired, the counter lawsuit states. Mark Niemierko, a celebrity wedding planner who wasn't involved in the event, says that Preston Bailey quitting as the first planner - Bailey claimed at the time he was 'overcommitted' on other jobs - was 'one of the biggest red flags'. Niemierko says: 'For (Bailey) to walk away would be quite considerable. The wedding handed to them (the new planners) was a hot mess. A lot of alarm bells would have been ringing if I'd got that call.' Among the messages included in the lawsuit are furious messages from Nicola about a fiasco with the guest list during which Lewis Hamilton, the Formula 1 race car driver, RSVPed but actually couldn't come. She texted: 'lewis Hamilton did NOT RSVP. So explain why his names on the list please. We spoke to him. He can't come so explain why you said he rsvpd yes.' As the wedding planners implored Nicola to help them, she texted: 'Can someone just send me a list of yeses PLEASE.' Later Nicola wrote: 'I don't want it to be so complicated. I just want a list PLEASE. 'I've repeated myself a lot. I don't want an app or google doc. Just a text or email. Simple. Old school. That's the way my mom and I like it!' Nicola was obsessed with small details like the matching monogrammed silk pajamas she and Brooklyn were due to wear on their wedding night. The lawsuit claims that the bill for Nicola's hair and makeup was more than $100,000 but Nelson Peltz could not be told because he would 'kill (Claudia, his wife), and be so mad.' Exclusive DailyMail.com photographs from the time showed Nicola in her gorgeous custom-made Valentino gown which involved two trips to Rome and two US fittings David and Victoria Beckham at Brooklyn and Nicola's wedding in Palm Beach in April last year Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and his family also attended the star-studded wedding In other messages Nicola demands that Preston Bailey be 'cut off', adding: 'I hate them' and 'can we fire them yet.' Referring to Yuda, who appears to be a member of staff working on the wedding, Nicola wrote: 'He doesn't work weekend (sic) and when the suns (sic) down he won't workYa honestly he kinda sucks Truth be told.' When Nicola is told one guest thinks they are flying on a private jet to the wedding, she replied: 'UMM HAHAHA NO'. Even Brooklyn could not escape Nicola's anger. While discussing the Beckham side of the guest list Nicola cut in and said: 'I do not trust Brooklyn with this. He has no idea. And is guessing'. None of the tensions could be revealed to Victoria Beckham, the lawsuit states - reports claimed at the time there was a feud between her and Nicola because the bride snubbed her offer of designing a wedding dress. Niemierko says the texts that were included in the lawsuit 'represented a mess of a family, forget the mess of planning a wedding'. On Nicola he says: 'She came across quite impatient, wasn't getting what she wanted. From seeing the correspondence it represents a very, very insecure individual who is insecure of their career, where they are and I think that's a shame'. Chris Lochery says: 'It seems like the group chat from hell. It's awful. Just total carnage everywhere. Nicola comes across as a nightmare bride. Exactly the sort of person you don't want having your phone number'. The case continued with a trial expected next year and Nicola and other members of her family were due to be deposed. But in September, both sides unexpectedly settled. Wedding planner #1: Preston Bailey, the designer to the stars who planned Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump's wedding Wedding planner #3: Michelle Ragos got the job done in the end - but charged the Peltz family an escalated fee because of the tight turn-around In a joint statement both sides said: 'The parties believe that this contract dispute should be resolved on the terms agreed. 'As part of the settlement Plan Design will make a donation in the name of Nicola and Brooklyn to the CARE Ukraine Crisis Fund. Plan Design wishes Nicola and Brooklyn Peltz Beckham happiness and a fruitful life together'. Florida lawyer Peter Tragos says that the 'leverage of taking Nicola's deposition and other family members made Nelson Peltz think twice' about going ahead with the case, and that's why he settled. According to Niemierko the wedding planners have not suffered a reputation hit and 'if anything they're not on a lot more people's radar'. He says: 'The reputational damage is to the Peltzs and in particular Nicola. The Beckhams certainty want this to go away as quickly as possible.' Lochery says in the film: 'I have no idea if Nicola Peltz spoke to (her father) ahead of filing this lawsuit but I have a feeling if he did there's no way she would have agreed to it. 'It makes them look petty and it makes them look entitled. 'Now they look spoiled and are trying to sue hardworking women over $150,000, to try and ruin their reputations. It's a horrible situation.' More articles have been written about the wedding dispute than the actual wedding itself, Lochery says. 'If Nelson Peltz understood the celebrity world he never would have done this,' he tells the film. Peltz Beckhams vs The Planners streams on Max from Monday in the US and Discovery+ in the UK. Patients suffering from heart failure will be forced to receive medical treatment at home as crisis-hit hospitals desperately try to free up beds to deal with their toughest ever winter. Heart patients who would usually be admitted to a hospital ward will instead be treated in their own bed or armchair for the first time. As well as heart failure, the home first approach is to be rolled out to people with acute respiratory illness and those needing intravenous antibiotics. The move is a major expansion of current hospital at home services and will see houses and flats across the country furnished with drips, heart monitors and oxygen tanks. The Scottish Governments latest winter plan for the NHS claims the initiative is critical to help ensure enough hospital beds are available for the sickest patients and emergency admissions. Treatment switch, a medic administers an injection during a home visit Minister for Health and Social Care Michael Matheson Nurses warned there are not enough staff working in the community to allow increased numbers of people to be properly cared for at home. Eileen McKenna, Royal College of Nursing Scotland associate director, said Ministers have not come close to addressing the challenge, adding: The latest workforce statistics show just how much pressure our community nursing teams are under, with 10.5 per cent of posts vacant while 61 per cent of care services that employ nurses report vacancies. Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: Patients and their care should be the SNPs top priority, but their abysmal record in health speaks for itself. Hospital at home can be done safely, but only if the SNP give staff the vital resources and support they need to carry it out. The NHS is already facing massive pressure with hundreds of thousands of patients on waiting lists and appalling delays at A&E. However, there are fears the onset of winter bringing seasonal illnesses and increased numbers of slips and falls could push the health service to breaking point. Critics have accused Health Secretary Michael Matheson of being distracted from his day job by the iPad data scandal which saw him bill the taxpayer for 11,000 in charges run up by his sons. Mr Matheson has now published the NHS winter plan, in which he admits he expects an extremely pressurised period and confirms more patients will be treated at home, including, for the first time, those suffering from respiratory illness and heart failure. The plan states: Critically, we are encouraging the system to adopt a home first approach when it is clinically appropriate to do so. Providing care in a home setting frees up capacity in our hospitals. The report said an extra 3.6 million would help expand access to acute care at home to other speciality areas such as Respiratory, Heart Failure, Paediatrics and OPAT [Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy] services. Some health boards already operate a hospital at home scheme but it is primarily used to provide non-acute care for elderly patients. It is hoped treating more patients at home will ease bed shortages. However, Dr Iain Kennedy, BMA Scotland chairman, said the winter plan lacked real substance and understanding and, crucially, proper investment. He added: There was no mention of investment in the workforce at all, despite GP and secondary care doctor vacancies being worryingly high. I fear, as do many of my colleagues, that we are heading into the toughest winter ever for our NHS. We have already seen spikes in norovirus, typical winter respiratory illnesses are making the rounds, and our wards and waiting rooms are bursting at the seams. Staff are stretched thin and there isnt much left to give. That pushes services to the edge of what they can cope with which is what we mean when we talk of close to collapse. It means health boards have to focus solely on emergency care, meaning routine operations simply dont happen. Dr Fiona Hunter, vice-chairman of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland, which called for an extra 450 beds this winter, said the plan falls short. She said: The patients we are really worried about are the vulnerable, the elderly, those experiencing a mental health crisis, and patients waiting for admission to an acute hospital bed. The condition of these patients when facing waits of 12 hours and up to 83 hours can deteriorate rapidly. They are not given the same level care of patients admitted to a ward bed. Long waits are harmful for every patient, but for these groups they bear a significant risk. A Scottish Government spokesman said: This year we are investing over 15 million towards expanding our hospital at home service, helping to reduce pressure on A&E departments. Given pride of place in a police station, it is intended as a wall of honour. Yet a collection of portraits of former Chief Constables has been officially cancelled by Police Scotland as an example of unacceptable misogyny. As part of a drive to modernise and improve, officers are being invited to submit images which they feel reflect the everyday sexism within the force. Presented as a prime example is the gallery of historic yet exclusively male senior officers. Last night the forces decision to disparage distinguished former officers who gave years of service to the public was branded absurd. Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay said: Police Scotland effectively cancelling these illustrious figures from its past is just plain petty. Men only, the portraits of male police chiefs which are said to reveal misogyny within the force Police Scotland recently appointed its first female Chief Constable, Jo Farrell The Sex Equality & Tackling Misogyny Oversight Board has launched a consultation called Photovoice, which asks officers to send it pictures of examples of discrimination Many officers will be incredibly proud to follow in the footsteps of those who served Scotland through often-difficult and challenging times. It seems absurd of Police Scotland to circulate photos of former police chiefs to illustrate misogyny. Scotlands police service should be proud of its rich history and not judge it by todays standards. Police Scotland recently appointed its first female Chief Constable, Jo Farrell. Her predecessor Sir Iain Livingstone claimed the force is institutionally discriminatory. In the wake of this, the force created a Sex Equality & Tackling Misogyny Oversight Board, led by Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham and Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond. The board has launched a consultation called Photovoice, which asks officers to send it pictures of examples of discrimination, stating: Using this platform, we are inviting all colleagues from Police Scotland to submit photographs that highlight your everyday experiences of sexism and misogyny in the workplace (there is an example in the submission form for guidance). The example chosen is the collection of photos of previous Chief Constables in the north-east. The portraits date back to the 19th Century, when former Army officers such as Major John Ross and Major Duncan Forbes Gordon were given the job of keeping the peace in raucous Aberdeenshire fishing communities. Also included is Aberdeens inaugural Chief Constable William Anderson who, incidentally, hired its first female officer in 1928. Another shows Alexander Morrison the citys final Chief Constable before Grampian Police was created in 1975 who allotted equal duties to female officers and tried to curb domestic violence. David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said: Sexism and misogyny are a societal problem so it does exist within Police Scotland and we have our part to play in putting a stop to it. But picking out photos of former chief constables is way off the mark. The past wasnt perfect but we must use history and learn from it, not delete it. Police Scotland yesterday said no decision has yet been taken on what to do with the gallery. Ms Bond called it an example of someones opinion of what could be regarded as misogyny. She added: Police Scotland is working towards creating an inclusive working environment that is free from misogyny and sexism. Listening to the views and experience of officers and staff is a crucial part of the process, and this feedback helps us to improve and embed change. Crafted in a dairy in the north of Scotland, it is billed as the worlds smelliest cheese. And now The Minger is making its malodorous presence felt all around the world. Last week the Scottish Mail on Sunday revealed that the pungent cheese is now being stocked on the shelves of Asda for the first time. Following our coverage, the reeking Minger with a smell described as meaty, unctuous, cabbagey has become a global phenomenon, featuring on news reports as far away as Australia, New Zealand and America. The Highland Fine Cheese company in Tain, Ross-shire, has seen sales of its unpleasantly whiffy product double compared with this time last year. King of the ming, Highland Fine Cheese boss Rory Stone dares to get close to his pungent product Thanks to the Scottish Mail on Sunday Minger cheese is now in more stores And we can now disclose that a second major retailer has placed an order. From the middle of this week, Morrisons will sell the aptly named Minger in its Scottish stores. Last night Rory Stone, the delighted owner of the artisan cheese business, said: Without a doubt, the coverage by the Scottish Mail on Sunday has greased the wheels, left, right and centre. On Tuesday last week I flew to London to deliver cheese to Good Morning Britain, then I had an interview with ABC news in Melbourne, followed by another radio station in Perth and 5 Live. Afterwards I ran to The Times to deliver cheese for a taste test and feature. A friend told me they heard about it in New Zealand and on Thursday I was interviewed by the New York Times. The global coverage and soaring sales comes after this newspaper told how Asda supermarkets in Scotland had started selling the Highland cheese. Besides Minger, Mr Stones companys brands include Blue Murder and Fat Cow alongside its signature Highland Brie, Black Crowdie and Strathdon Blue. The Minger is a brie-style cheese which has a harder rind and a gooey middle. Its distinctive orange outer layer is the result of being washed in a solution of Brevibacterium the microbe responsible for smelly feet then being left to mature for two months. Mr Stone said: Our dedicated expert team works really hard to create a unique range of European-style cheeses, handmade using quality local sourced cows milk, which comes from traditional breeds where the cows are free- roaming and grass-fed. Washed rind cheeses are very seldom seen on supermarket shelves so this is an exciting time for cheese-lovers especially for all those festive cheese boards. Compared with the first week of December last year, sales of Minger have gone up by 100 per cent and are set to rise even further now that another major supermarket is on board. Mr Stone said: We have been in negotiations with Morrisons for some time and they placed an order last week. Three women who met after discovering they had all been raped by the same violent attacker have launched an extraordinary campaign to make Scotlands justice system fairer for victims of crime. Hannah Reid, Jennifer McCann and Hannah McLaughlan did not know each other but formed a powerful bond during a court case against serial sex abuser Logan Doig. Earlier this year, thanks to evidence provided by the three women and another two of his victims, Doig was jailed for nine-and-a-half years. Although the women are happy he is behind bars, they have been so appalled by their experiences at every stage of the legal process from first reporting the crimes through to the delivery of the verdict that they have drawn up a manifesto for radical change. Despite having no legal background, the women a teacher, a community nurse assistant and a healthcare support worker have taken their proposals to politicians and campaigners at the Scottish parliament. Hannah McLaughlan, Hannah Reid and Jennifer McCann helped bring their attacker to justice Logan Doig was convicted of 12 charges including rape and sexual assault Among their demands are greater communication with victims to help make the court process less confusing and intimidating, and a change in the rules to minimise the trauma of aggressive questioning. Next month they will return to Holyrood to give evidence to the justice committee to try to ensure new laws which are currently being drafted will properly address the needs and concerns of victims. Even though victims of sexual crimes have the right to anonymity, the women have chosen to be identified to better publicise their campaign. Last night the group said that, although they only met because of the horrific ordeal each suffered, they are now turning their pain into power. Ms Reid said: Our experiences were awful. If we can change things for other people, thats why were doing this. Doig, 23, was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh of 12 charges including rape and sexual assault between 2015 and 2020. He will be monitored for three years after his release and will be on the sex offenders register indefinitely. In 2020, his former girlfriend Ms McLaughlan, who had been raped and sexually assaulted by Doig, reported him to the police after a terrifying incident when he tried to strangle her. Acting on a hunch, the 25-year-old decided to contact others he had been in a relationship with. She and two other 23-year-old victims formed a bond to support one another. As they talked, they realised the true extent of Doigs violence and told the police everything he had done to them. Ms McLaughlan said: It was horrifying when we realised what a monster he was and how long this had been going on for. Their collective determination to obtain justice saw Doig arrested, charged and eventually jailed. Yet the women said they felt retraumatised by a justice system which should be more aware of the needs of victims, with more communication, transparency and empathy. Ms Reid, a nursing assistant before becoming a mother, was only 14 when she met Doig, who started as the perfect boyfriend but quickly became possessive and controlling while repeatedly raping her. She said: The whole experience of the justice system was retraumatising. From when you report to the police until the case goes to court its like a dark cloud is following you. The process is not victim-centred at all. Ms McCann was a 17-year-old college student when she was raped by Doig less than 24 hours after their first date. She added: Before going to the police I felt I had stitched up a wound then reporting it was like someone had taken the scissors to it all over again. Once you leave the police station theres no immediate support except being given a leaflet as you go. Youre actually on your own and it feels like, Weve got what we want from you. As part of their quest for change they attended the Scottish parliament last month to try to shape the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, which is at an early stage. The women believe victims should have their own legal representation during the justice process to make sure that their rights are upheld and they are in the know as much as the person on trial. Ms Reid said: We feel it would be very beneficial. As far as were concerned, it is not a fair system. Its designed to be fair for the accused, who is represented. We dont have the same rights as them and throughout the whole process all we heard was, Its his right. They also believe the court system ignored their desire to see justice being done. The women were told to stay away from the court at key points of the case, including when Doig was giving evidence and, crucially, when the jury was delivering its verdict, which they feel would have offered them a sense of closure. Doig was permitted to stay away from court and attend his sentencing via video link, meaning the women were denied the chance to see him being jailed. Ms McLaughlan said: We were told not to attend the verdict because it doesnt look good for the jury. We were told not to be there for him or his mum taking the stand because it also doesnt look good, which was yet another opportunity taken from us. We found out hed been convicted by a call or email and that doesnt make it feel real. We wanted to see it with our own eyes. We explained why we wanted him there for sentencing but it wasnt taken into consideration. Another of the womens key demands is sensitivity training for defence lawyers. Each of the women felt vulnerable and violated by aggressive questioning while they were giving evidence. Ms McCann said: I was asked if I had pants on at the time of the attack. I had let Logan into my flat wearing pyjamas, shorts and a T-shirt and I was asked, Did you have pants on? and What did you expect letting a boy in at that time of night? Ms Reid described the questions as victim blaming, adding: One attack happened in my mum and dads house. I was asked, Why didnt you leave? or Why didnt you tell somebody? There needs to be stricter guidelines for defence lawyers. I dont understand why rape trials become so personal. If someone is robbed they arent asked what they were wearing at the time or are blamed for it. Ms McLaughlan said she felt undermined during her evidence and that there was no compassion shown. She said: At one point I even questioned and doubted myself and I thought, How am I going to get people to believe me? It is absolutely disgusting the things they can still say in 2023. I think a lot of the public would think were past that point and I dont think they know what its like, until they go through it. Id say weve not only survived the abuse and rape, weve survived going through the justice system. Thats another trauma on a whole other level and nothing can prepare you. I dont think Ill ever be able to forget or get over how I was made to feel in that witness box. I felt I was fighting for my life in a room full of strangers to make people believe me. Another change the women believe is necessary is the introduction of training for juries in serious cases of rape or assault. Ms Reid said: There should be some sort of training. Youre picking strangers off the street to listen to someone who has been brutalised, and they arent qualified. People arent trained how to cope with that information and they have to make a decision that will realistically end somebodys life in one way or another. Crucially, the women want the authorities to communicate more openly with victims for example, offering information about what to expect while giving evidence, an orientation visit to the court, more frequent updates throughout the prosecution process and greater access to counselling. Together the women formed an online group called Safe Space which was intended as a way to support one another and campaign for change. Now it has become a contact point for others who are seeking information as they struggle with the justice system. Ms Reid added: There is a lack of communication, awareness and preparation. The sentencing wasnt explained to us, we didnt know hed be eligible for parole halfway through his sentence or what an extended sentence is. I had someone message recently looking for advice ahead of her court case. How are people who have been through the justice system the ones who are giving more information to others? If Holyrood accepts their recommendations, the Bill could be become law as early as next year. In the meantime the women fear the justice system may discourage other victims from speaking out. Ms McLaughlan said: I told parliament during the last meeting that if I was to go through this again, would I report? No. And thats even with a guilty verdict. I would never put myself through that again. That is why Im fighting for change, for the people who come after us. If we can help at least one person, this is worth it. An elderly Israeli hostage has told how Hamas terrorists removed her oxygen machine while she was held captive in the tunnels. Margalit Moses, 77, spoke out at an emotional demonstration to mark the second night of Hannukah for those still missing. She talked about her 'unbearable' time in captivity as loved ones lit candles at a long table set up with seats for each of those not here for the Jewish holiday. Loved ones demanded that the Israeli government negotiate with Hamas to free them 'now' at the square in front of Tel Aviv Museum of Art renamed Hostage Square. Families of those missing were seen crying as they lit candles at the table last night with others joining in chants calling for their release. Margalit Moses, 77, escorted by a soldier into a hospital in Israel, following her release by Hamas on November 24 Israelis gather to light candles at a vigil marking the second night of Hanukah on December 9 A long table was laid out with an empty seat and plate laid out for each of the hostages taken Two women hug at the emotional demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel on Saturday night Miss Moses led the appeal in a powerful video message where she told of her time underground in captivity after being snatched from Kibbutz Nir Oz. 'At night I have to be attached to an oxygen machine, and I took it with me to Gaza so that I could sleep,' she said. 'One of the terrorists who got mad at me, took the device from me even though I told him it was my oxygen. I spoke to him in Arabic and he understood the meaning but he didn't care. 'For 49 days I did not sleep. It was very difficult. There were mental difficulties, there were physical difficulties and every day that passes it becomes more and more difficult. 'Being held hostage in the tunnels is an unbearable situation. We must return the people as soon as possible.' Adina Moshe, 72, who was freed after 49 days, told how there are 'very old' friends from her Kibbutz still trapped. She said: 'They are all very old with serious underlying medical conditions and without proper medications. 'When I was there, the food situation kept deteriorating. We ended up eating only rice. Adina Moshe, 72, was freed by Hamas after 49 days. She was filmed pushing away the hand of a Hamas fighter during her release (pictured) A mural calling for the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 to be brought home 'I beg and plead: Please do everything for their release, also so that I can recover. Until they return, my heart is there I will not be able to recover.' Families and loved ones of those missing shed tears as they lit Shabbat candles at the table for those missing in Hostage Square. Among them were Debi Paz,64, whose friend's 18-year-old daughter, Liri Albag, is among those still in Gaza. 'I am hoping for a miracle. I come here every day - we don't know what to do. 64 days we are waiting. 'She is only a child - she had been in the army for one month. These people are animals. Worse than animals, they are devils.' A couple embrace at the emotional vigil which was held in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv Empty dining table seats were laid out for the vigil, which was modelled on a Hanukah celebration Yoel Mendelsohn, 35, was seen crying as she hugged her husband, Yoel, also 35, at the demonstration. Mr Mendelsohn said: 'We are here to support the families of the missing. One of my friends was among those released. 'Being here feels like standing in an open wound.' Eran Herooti, 48, also came to show his support with wife Ifat, 45. 'It is important to show our support as some people are still in the clutches of the sick and evil Hamas. 'Mrs Herooti added: 'It feels like being part of something that is much bigger than each one of is. It is solidarity.' An Islamic extremist group that called for jihad during an anti-Israel rally could be banned by the Government, The Mail on Sunday has been told. Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) whose leader Abdul Wahid was exposed by the MoS as being a GP who kept his other identity secret escaped bans during the premierships of Tony Blair and David Cameron. But now it is believed civil servants commissioned by the Home Office to review the group have recommended that it be proscribed on extremism grounds. Home Secretary James Cleverly is considering whether to impose the ban, which would be the first proscription of a British Islamist group in 17 years. If the Government bans the group, then being a member could lead to a jail term of up to 14 years, and those affiliated with it could have bank accounts and assets frozen. Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) whose leader Abdul Wahid was exposed by the MoS as being a GP who kept his other identity secret escaped bans during the premierships of Tony Blair and David Cameron But now it is believed civil servants commissioned by the Home Office to review the group have recommended that it be proscribed on extremism grounds Home Secretary James Cleverly is considering whether to impose the ban, which would be the first proscription of a British Islamist group in 17 years It is understood officials made their recommendation after seeing the public outrage over protests outside the Egyptian embassy in October and Hizb ut-Tahrir's leaders calling for jihad against Israel. One well-placed source said: 'Proscription is being looked at, but another aspect being looked at is whether the law should be changed so that people cannot hold protests like that again.' Leaders of HT gave speeches outside the Egyptian embassy two weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. One speaker shouted at supporters: 'What is the solution to liberate people in the concentration camp called Palestine?' They chanted back: 'Jihad! Jihad! Jihad!' HT believed to be the UK's largest Islamic extremist organisation, with membership of a few thousand is already banned in Germany and a host of Islamic countries. Last night, an HT spokesman said: 'While the British Government's actions remain uncertain, it's essential to recognise that while political parties can be proscribed, ideas persist beyond such measures. 'Political discourse and the pursuit of justice endure, even in challenging circumstances.' The Home Office said: 'While the Government keeps the list of proscribed organisations under review, we do not comment on whether a specific organisation is or is not being considered for proscription.' A move by the Kremlin to put an English judge on a sanctions blacklist that bans him from entering Russia has led to the collapse of a High Court case. Mr Justice Jonathan Swift had been presiding over a case brought by British video blogger Graham Phillips, who was sanctioned by the Foreign Office last year had his assets frozen over his pro-Russian views. He is claiming the action is an 'Orwellian' infringement of his freedom of speech. But at the latest hearing, last Monday, Mr Justice Swift, one of the most eminent judges on the London bench, said he was stepping down after finding out he had been added to a Russian sanctions list of about 25 British nationals. The list includes academics, military and political figures as well as journalists who the Kremlin has deemed to be anti-Russian. It was drawn up in retaliation for the British Government's sanctions imposed on Russians including many wealthy oligarchs following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, which saw their bank accounts frozen and assets seized. Mr Phillips, now based in Russian-controlled eastern Ukraine, was once described in a Lords debate as a 'pro-Russian propagandist'. Graham Phillips was sanctioned by the Foreign Office last year and had his assets frozen due to his pro-Russian views. The former civil servant, who was sanctioned in July 2022 when Liz Truss was Foreign Secretary, claims the move should be quashed. His barrister, Joshua Hitchens, argues the sanctions are an infringement of Mr Phillips' freedom of speech. He remains the only British citizen to have ever been sanctioned by his own Government. Last Monday the High Court heard that on November 8 the British Embassy in Moscow had told the Foreign Office in London that Mr Justice Swift had been placed on Russia's sanctions list, but he hadn't been informed of this until November 22. Putin's blacklist list includes academics, military and political figures as well as journalists who the Kremlin has deemed to be anti-Russian Mr Phillips' barrister reacted by saying that direct contact between the judge and the Foreign Office which is the defendant in the High Court battle meant he should no longer preside over it. But Mr Justice Swift rejected this and denied allegations from Mr Phillips' lawyers that there might have been 'private communications with an intention to influence my decision'. However, he decided to pull out of the case, explaining: 'The overall effect has been to subvert my ability to conduct this case. 'The hearing of this claim will take place from the start before a different judge.' Neither the Foreign Office nor the Ministry of Justice offered an explanation for the sequence of events. There was outrage after Tory police and fire chief Stephen Mold hired his 'girlfriend' to lead the fire brigade, despite her having zero experience for the role. Nicci Marzec, 51, stood down after ten days and Mr Mold who insisted she was 'just a really good friend' faced calls for his resignation from angry residents in Northampton earlier this year. Now The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Mr Mold is facing fresh controversy after Ms Marzec landed a top job at a taxpayer-funded firm where he is chairman. She started as a consultant at the Home Office-run Police Digital Service last month. The non-profit firm, which receives more than 50 million a year, manages digital services for UK police forces. A source close to the service said: 'I am utterly disgusted at some stage this has to stop. 'She has been brought in to the company where Mold is head of the board, and serious questions have to be asked around why that was, how it happened, what was the process, who did it and at what cost?' There was outrage after Tory police and fire chief Stephen Mold hired his 'girlfriend' to lead the fire brigade, despite her having zero experience for the role Now The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Mr Mold is facing fresh controversy after Ms Marzec landed a top job at a taxpayer-funded firm where he is chairman Ms Marzec resigned as interim boss of Northamptonshire Fire And Rescue Service in July following criticism over her appointment. At the time, five different sources told The Mail on Sunday that Ms Marzec and Mr Mold were a couple and had taken their respective children from previous relationships on holiday to Center Parcs. Mr Mold last night continued to deny he had ever been in a romantic relationship with Ms Marzec, but multiple sources said it was an 'open secret' that they were together. Just three weeks ago the pair were seen together attending a Diwali celebration hosted by Northamptonshire Police. One source who was at the event said: 'They were both there and they were acting very much as a couple. They arrived together, they sat on the same table together and they left together.' As well as being board chair for the Police Digital Service, Mr Mold heads up the Standards of Policing group for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners. Last night Tory councillor Andre Gonzalez De Savage said he was 'astonished and shocked' to hear about Ms Marzec's new role. 'It strikes me as being incredibly unprofessional and improper bearing in mind that Stephen Mold is the chair of the board,' he added. Labour councillor Danielle Stone, who will be running against Mold for the commissioner role in the May elections, said: 'This is completely beyond the pale. 'That Nicci Marzec was appointed once to a role without due process is wrong, but that this could happen twice is a scandal.' A spokesman for the Police Digital Service said: 'Any decision to offer employment to individuals is based purely on the skills and experience they demonstrate at interview.' A spokesman for Stephen Mold said: 'Ms Marzec and Stephen Mold are not and have never been in a relationship. Mr Mold was a guest invited to the Wellingborough Diwali celebration in his role as a community leader. 'It is our understanding Ms Marzec was invited separately in a personal capacity as a guest of the event organisers.' Ms Marzec did not respond to request for comment. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who was recently sacked, and then rapidly re-hired has compared his 'unbelievably painful' firing to the sudden death of his father. Speaking on Trevor Noah's What Now? Podcast, Altman revealed how he was in a hotel room in Las Vegas for the Grand Prix when he received the phone call firing him. 'It felt like a dream. I was confused. It was chaotic. It did not feel real. It was obviouslypainful. But confusion was just the dominant emotion at that point. It was like I was just in a fog, in a haze.' Altman said that his termination came as a complete shock and that he did not understand what was happening. He said he felt his termination occurred in 'this unprecedentedly, in my opinion, crazy way.' Altman said that sudden nature of what happened was similar to when his father passed away. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who was recently sacked, and then rapidly re-hired has compared his 'unbelievably painful' firing to the sudden death of his father. Speaking on Trevor Noah 's What Now? Podcast , Altman revealed how he was in a hotel room in Las Vegas for the Grand Prix when he received the phone call firing him 'The only comparable set of life experience I had and that one was of course much worse was when my dad died,' Altman told the comedian, which he said was also 'a very sudden thing.' 'In that case, I felt like I had a little bit of time to just really feel it all, but then there was so much to do, it was so unexpected that I had to pick up the pieces of his life for a little while. 'And it wasn't until like a week after that, that I really got a moment to just catch my breath and be like, holy s***, I can't believe this happened. So that was much worse, but there's echoes of that same thing here.' Within half an hour of being told he was to leave the company, he began to receive a flood of messages, so much so that his smartphone stopped working and froze. Altman noted how 'everyone' was calling, including Microsoft who then poached him. The firing appeared to catch Altman off guard who did not elaborate as to what may have led to his departure His brief departure sent shockwaves through the company leading to 747 out of 770 of the its employees threatening to quit and join Microsoft if Altman, 38, was not reinstated. He began hearing from people who said they wanted to continue to work with him, no matter where he ended up. At that stage, returning to OpenAI was not in an option as he was still trying to forge a path where he was still supportive of OpenAI, while trying to figure out what was happening. But then just days later, he made a stunning return to OpenAI as CEO. 'I'm still a little bit in shock and a little bit just trying to pick up the pieces, you know. As I have time to sit and process this all, I'll have a lot more feelings about it,' Altman told Noah. Sam Altman is CEO of OpenAI, the company known for creating the artificial intelligence chatbot called ChatGPT. OpenAI is reportedly developing a more powerful AI called Q*, which could be the reason he was fired, according to news reports Founded by Altman and ten others in 2015, OpenAI rolled out ChatGPT a year ago - and its ability to mimic human writing has proved polarizing ever since. Aside from sparking worry amongst the public, this uncertainty was apparently also felt within OpenAI's six-person board. Elon Musk founded OpenAI with Sam Altman, the company's CEO, but in 2018 the billionaire attempted to take control of the start-up. His request was rejected, forcing him to quit OpenAI and move on with his other projects. Musk has since attacked the company and says the AI is 'woke' and deviates from OpenAI's original non-profit mission. 'OpenAI was created as an open source (which is why I named it 'Open' AI), non-profit company to serve as a counterweight to Google, but now it has become a closed source, maximum-profit company effectively controlled by Microsoft,' Musk tweeted in February. On Friday, the Washington Post reported how several senior leaders approached the OpenAI board and accused Altman of being psychologically abusive and creating chaos at the startup, citing two people familiar with the board's thinking. Those complaints about Altman were a major factor in the board's decision to fire him on November 17. Initially, OpenAI's board said that Altman had been fired because 'he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities.' Later reporting suggested that the board coup stemmed from a clash over technological advances, and a dispute between champions of fast innovation and a faction more concerned about safety. The board coup against Altman was led by OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, seen above Sutskever led the charge to have Altman pulled - after successfully swaying fellow board members Tasha McCauley (left) and Helen Toner (right) Five days of turmoil at OpenAI Friday: Reports emerged that Sam Altman had been fired, leading the tech tycoon to comment on X that it was 'sorta like reading your own eulogy while you're still alive.' Jakob Pachocki and fellow cofounder Greg Brockman, were seemingly taken aback by the firing and both quit in protest of the alleged ambush late Friday night. Saturday: There were efforts from execs to bring him back and a leaked memo to staff suggested the company was 'optimistic' about his possible return. Sunday: Reports swirled that he was open to returning if there was a change of board and governance at the company. Altman then threw cold water on the rumors, posting a snap of himself using an OpenAI guest-pass while visiting his old employer on X, and wrote: 'first and last time i ever wear one of these.' Monday: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Altman and OAI co-founder Greg Brockman would be joining the company to lead a new AI innovation team. Former Twitch leader Emmett Shear has taken over as OpenAI's interim chief executive. Tuesday: After days of turmoil, Altman announced on X that he is to return to OpenAI. The co-founder will join a new board that includes former US treasury secretary Larry Summers, former co-CEO of Salesforce Bret Taylor and Adam D'Angelo, the only holdover for the previous administration. Days earlier, D'Angelo voted to oust Altman. 'I love OpenAI, and everything Ive done over the past few days has been in service of keeping this team and its mission together,' Altman wrote on X. His return saw one of the company's founders, Illya Sutskever, as well as Helen Toner and Tasha McCauley leave. Advertisement 'It is clear that there were real misunderstandings between me and members of the board,' Altman posted on X after he was brought back to lead the company. 'For my part, it is incredibly important to learn from this experience and apply those learnings as we move forward as a company,' he added. The new report is the first to suggest complaints from senior leaders about Altman, who is seen as enjoying fierce loyalty through the company's ranks. According to the Post, employees complained that Altman 'had been psychologically abusive' including allegations of him 'pitting employees against each other in unhealthy ways'. The outlet reported that the complaints resonated with board members who had their own issues with Altman, including several who believed he had lied to them as part of a campaign to remove Helen Toner from the board after she published a paper criticizing OpenAI. The board coup against Altman was led by OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, backed by the two independent directors: Toner and technology entrepreneur Tasha McCauley. Altman's ally, OpenAI President Greg Brockman, was also removed from the board as part of the coup. Facing pressure from Microsoft and the prospect of mass company-wide staff defections, the board relented and was reconstituted. The board now consists of former Salesforce executive Bret Taylor as chairman, Lawrence Summers, and Adam D'Angelo, the CEO of Quora and the only holdover from the prior board. The new OpenAI board is on an active search for six new members with expertise in fields from technology to safety and policy. OpenAI investors are unlikely to get a seat on the non-profit board, sources told Reuters. Microsoft has committed to invest over $10 billion into OpenAI and owns 49 percent of the company. Haunting footage of sharks lurking in shallow waters at a remote beach was shared just days before a swimmer was mauled by a predator. The video, shared on TikTok, showed a shiver of sharks along the beach off Agnes Waters, north of Bundaberg in central Queensland, in early December. Days later a swimmer was attacked by a shark at Seventeen Seventy - just 15 minutes away - on Friday afternoon. 'Water so blue usually but now the water full of fish and sharks,' the caption on the video read. Uually crystal clear, Agnes waters has become infested with sharks 'And if thats not bad enough, someone pulled out a drone to show that there are 20 more than the 5 you see from the shore.' The video goes on to show aerial drone footage on even more sharks lurking below the waters surface. Paramedics were called to a beach off Sir Raphael Cilento Drive following reports of the shark attack on Friday. The man in the his 20s is believed to have suffered severe bites to his leg in the attack. He was transported to Bundaberg Hospital where he remains following surgery to save his foot. Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Martin Kelly described it as a 'dangerous' time to be swimming. 'At that time of the day, it's a time when sharks tend to be in the water close to shore to feed,' he told the Courier Mail. Drone footage shows extent of sharks at Agnes waters 'One of the things that occurs, of course is with recent rains that does increase the flushing out of waterways and looks at around those areas. 'So that tends to attracts sharks.' The shark attack marks the second one in just eight days with no shark safety measures currently in place at the beach. A 21-year-old man was recently bitten by a 1.8m shark while swimming near Clack Island on The Cape York Peninsula on November 30. He was taken to the Cairns Hospital in a stable condition before he was discharged. A criminal investigation has been launched into the death of Josh Taylor, 23, after he fell into a hole and became buried under sand on Bribie Island. Mr Taylor fell into a 1.5metre hole that had been dug so a pig could be cooked under the sand on the Queensland island on December 2. He never recovered consciousness and his family turned off his life support in the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane on Thursday. Now, people who were at the popular tourist destination campsite when the incident happened have been asked to contact the police if they have not already done so. A criminal investigation has been launched into the death of Josh Taylor (pictured right) who fell into a hole on Bribie Island and was buried under sand Emergency service workers are pictured at the scene where Mr Taylor was buried under sand 'Detectives from Caboolture Criminal Investigation Branch continue to conduct further investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident,' QLD Police said in a statement. They believe 'there may be numerous people who were present and are yet to speak with police'. 'Officers are appealing to those people, as well as anyone who may have dash-camera footage from the northern end of Bribie Island on Saturday to come forward,' the statement read. QLD Police have not revealed why the Caboolture Criminal Investigation Branch are involved in the matter. A report is being prepared for the coroner. Mr Taylor had been fighting for his life since reportedly falling backwards into a pit he and his friends had dug. A witness said he stood up from his chair, lost his footing, stumbled into the 1.5metre hole and the walls of the pit fell in on him. He fell so deep into it that 'you could not see his feet unless you were standing over the hole', a witness said. About 15 people, including his father, Peter and an off-duty paramedic were involved in the desperate effort to dig Mr Taylor out. They eventually used rope tied to his feet to pull him free from the sand, but when they got him out he was unresponsive, witnesses said. CPR was performed on him until the emergency services arrived and Mr Taylor was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition. Josh Taylor's family (pictured) were by his side at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital when he died His life support was switched off 'with his family by his side' in hospital on Thursday. 'He fought as hard as he could and is the most courageous person we will ever know,' his family said in a statement. 'Unfortunately, the injuries he received were too severe for him to overcome. We will somehow find a way to move on from this terrible tragedy.' The police have not said why the Criminal Investigation Branch is involved in the investigation. Unions are threatening a fresh round of misery for the public after pledging all-out war with the Government to crush a new law to provide minimum levels of service during strikes. A special Trades Union Congress conference was held yesterday and attended by leaders of the biggest unions agreed to build 'mass opposition' to the law. The TUC also committed to 'novel and effective forms of industrial action' to fight the crackdown, such as action short of strikes and overtime bans. Regulations are now in place for the railways, Border Force and ambulance service to ensure minimum service during strikes. The TUC said it will not rest till the 'malicious' law is axed and welcomed Labour's commitment to repeal it within 100 days. Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC (Pictured) speaking at the TUC conference held yesterday attended by leaders of the biggest unions Unions are threatening a fresh round of misery for the public after pledging all-out war with the Government to crush a new law to provide minimum levels of service during strikes Unions will start a nationwide campaign to name and shame employers who issue 'work notices' to staff during strikes. Yesterday's conference followed 18 months of strikes by hundreds of thousands of workers. TUC chief Paul Nowak said: 'Be in no doubt - this legislation is a Trojan horse for further attacks on the right to strike. 'If the Conservatives have their way, it won't just be public sector workers who face being sacked if they go on strike - but workers across the whole economy. 'The union movement will use all means necessary to defeat and repeal these spiteful new laws. 'We will kick off a nationwide campaign of naming and shaming any employer or public body that uses this legislation. 'We will use novel and effective forms of industrial action like action short of strike when employers resort to using the legislation and won't listen or negotiate, and the full force of the whole union movement will stand behind any worker disciplined or sacked for exercising their right to strike.' Metro mayors and council leaders from across the UK have warned that the new law will make disputes harder to solve and lead to more frequent and longer strikes, the TUC announced. Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), will tell the conference: 'The mass strike wave that our union and others played a major role in is still continuing in various sectors and smaller, regional industrial disputes are still ongoing throughout the country 'In the lead-up to Christmas when several unions still have strike mandates, including our own on London Underground, Government ministers have been stepping up their rhetoric that they won't allow strike action to disrupt Christmas. People protest in front of the London Ambulance Service during a strike by ambulance workers due to a dispute with the government over pay, in London in January 'It is vital that unions come together to pressure the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and the regional mayors to make a pledge never to issue a work notice if there is a breakdown in industrial relations. 'Isolating Westminster politically will show that the Tory Government alone wants minimum service legislation implemented.' Mr Lynch said the RMT will be writing to employers calling on them not to use the so-called work notices to ensure a minimum service level, warning that if they fail to give satisfactory guarantees the union will have to consider having industrial disputes with them. Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union said: 'The trade union movement has fired the starting gun on a campaign of resistance.' He added that unions had agreed they will refuse to tell their members to cross picket lines in 'clear defiance' of the new law. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the new law was an attempt to prevent unions fighting for better pay for workers. She said one of the unions present today would be the first to be challenged by the regulations and face court action. 'At that point we have to act together, but to face facts that may put us outside the law. This Government is at war with workers. We are going to face them down.' Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union said minimum service levels will not address the 'crisis' in schools or resolve inadequate funding, pay, excessive workloads or recruitment problems. Rail minister Huw Merriman said: 'Strikes cause stress and disruption to passengers and businesses and, whilst there is no silver bullet to mitigating the disruption from strikes, these regulations deliver a manifesto promise and will enable employers to reduce the impact from strikes. 'As the Government, we have a duty to ensure the public can access key services, and while it is important workers maintain their ability to strike, this must not come at the cost of people getting to work, accessing healthcare or education.' The family of a much-loved grandfather, who has been missing for six days, are urging the public to look out for him. Gary Alder, a father-of-five from Swinton, was last seen on Tuesday and his relatives have not heard from him since. The 70-year-old, who still works as a painter and decorator, was reportedly seen near Aldi, in Eccles, Greater Manchester, at around 1pm on December 5. Before that, he was reportedly seen at Swinton Precinct at 11am. His son, Ryan Donlon, said his father's disappearance is 'out-of-character' and that he would usually keep in touch with his family, who are becoming increasingly worried. Mr Donlon said that nobody had spoken to him and that Mr Alder might spend 'the odd night out' but then would usually either stay at his or his daughter's house. 'He will always message me or his daughter, one or the other,' he told Manchester Evening News. Mr Alder is described as being white, around 5ft 8ins tall and of very slim build. He wears glasses, has grey hair and a slight stubble. Gary Alder, a father-of-five from Swinton, was last seen on Tuesday and his relatives have not heard from him since Mr Alder, 70, who still works as a painter and decorator, was reportedly seen near Aldi , in Eccles, Greater Manchester, at around 1pm on December 5 Mr Donlon added that he has spoken to all of his father's friends but they are also unsure of his whereabouts. 'He doesn't really have any hobbies, so I don't know where to look really,' Mr Donlon said. 'He just keeps himself to himself really. He's really quiet, he works, he looks after my sister. He gets stuff every day for her. 'He's self-employed and he just lives by his own means. He's been really struggling because he's not had much work. 'I spoke to his workmate and he said they've got quite a big job on, but he hadn't come, and it's not like him.' Mr Donlon says his father usually wears his work clothes, including a yellow high-vis jacket, a white buttoned shirt, light blue jeans and black trainers, adding that his clothes could be marked in paint due to his profession. Mr Alder drives a silver Nissan Almera, with the registration PL02 MXM, and people are being urged to look out for the vehicle. Greater Manchester Police is aware of his disappearance. Anyone who sees Mr Alder or has information on his whereabouts should call the police on 101. A fearless elderly woman in Gaza risked her life to speak out against Hamas as some brave Palestinians call for the terrorists downfall. Footage shows the courageous Palestinian wagging her finger at a reporter and telling him that their humanitarian aid has been stolen by the militant regime. She chose to tell the world of their crimes despite fearing the extremists will even shoot me for descent. Others in the war-ravaged territory have claimed the fighters steal their food, loot their homes and lure Israeli attacks onto civilians. The IDF said it has found weapons stashed in classrooms as it continued to pound Gaza and destroy tunnel shafts across the strip yesterday. But while Israel has been criticised for its deadly bombing campaign, some Palestinians are beginning to speak up against the evil regime of Hamas. An elderly woman in a headscarf was seen berating a Al Jazeera reporter who suggested aid was not reaching her due to the difficult situation. Last night, other Palestinians also spoke out to claim Hamas had looted their homes and lured Israeli bombing raids on to civilian areas She told him: All aid goes down underground. The aid does not reach the nation and the entire people. A lot is coming. What comes is only a little and it is distributed so they say. As the reporter again tries to suggest the situation is difficult she shakes her finger in front of a crowd of Palestinians. She says: Everything goes to their houses. They take it, they will even shoot me and do whatever they want to me, Hamas. Another young Palestinian mother also accused Hamas of stealing their food. Seen stood cradling her young baby, she told a reporter she wanted this message to reach all countries of the world. She said: You send us humanitarian aid, but I swear to God that we get nothing. Only if we chase them and beg. They mock us when we ask. They humiliate us. The woman said the terrorists take advantage of us and declared: May God take revenge on them. It comes as a Palestinian living in Gaza spoke to the Mail on Sunday on condition of anonymity claiming that people in the territory want Hamas to fall. This is the shared dream of Gaza, said the married 33-year-old father-of-two, who was speaking as part of a project by The Center for Peace Communications to hear anti-regime voices in Gaza. He claimed that despite living under constant bombardment from Israel we are afraid most of Hamas as the group monitors social media for dissent. I heard they have taken people and executed them, he said. They will accuse any person of being an agent and they are disappeared. The father said his brother was killed by Hamas when it seized power in 2007 as the group rounded up political opponents and killed or jailed them. Israel 's military said it was fighting 'house to house' and had conducted lightning raids to try to free dozens of Israeli hostage After the outbreak of war he claims his neighbourhood was ransacked after all civilians evacuated south. My house was completely cleared out. Not just my house, the whole neighbourhood, he said. Who can steal all this stuff? They need cars and trucks to carry all of these materials, all the food and money from the house. There is no Israeli army in that area, so the only party that can be responsible for that is Hamas. He also claimed al-Qassam, the terrorists fighting wing, have been luring IDF bombs onto civilian shelters and hospitals. He said they go on the rooves of hospitals and visit schools where families are hiding for a little bit then disappear. He said: Its just like telling Israel, Come and bomb this place. It comes after an injured Palestinian man at Gazas al-Shifa Hospital was seen telling an al-Jazeera reporter that Hamas were hiding among patients last month. He said: They come and hide among the people. Why are they hiding among the people? They can go to Hell and hide there. Yesterday it was claimed some 900 injured and sick Palestinians have been left lying on the blood-soaked floor of the European Hospital in Khan Younis. Two ambulance crew members and a civilian were injured in reported strike by aircraft on an ambulance in nearby al-Fukhkhari. The southern area has been subjected to some of the hardest bombing raids in recent days. James Bond actress and Game of Thrones star Dame Diana Rigg made an impassioned plea for assisted dying to be legalised shortly before her 'truly awful' death from cancer in 2020. Now three years later, her actress daughter Rachael Stirling has released a statement recorded by Rigg in her final weeks calling for individuals to be given 'true agency over their bodies at the end of life.' It is currently illegal in the UK to assist someone's death and MPs have consistently voted against any change in the law, but assisted dying is currently the subject of a Parliamentary Health and Social Care Committee inquiry. In the recording, which is published today in The Observer, Rigg said of her death from cancer: 'They don't talk about how awful, how truly awful the details of this condition are, and the ignominy that is attached to it.' She added that it was time there was more debate and a shift in the law to help people who want a choice in the matter. James Bond actress and Game of Thrones star Dame Diana Rigg made an impassioned plea for assisted dying to be legalised shortly before her 'truly awful' death from cancer in 2020 The Avengers star recorded a statement in her final weeks calling for individuals to be given 'true agency over their bodies at the end of life' 'This means giving human beings true agency over their own bodies at the end of life,' she added. Rigg also revealed details of how she had been given just six months left to live and had lost control of her bowels - something she describes as 'dehumanising'. She also spoke about how palliative nurses will acknowledge that some individuals in her situation will starve themselves towards the end. 'It's not that they want to die that way. It's how they take control,' she explains. Rigg, pictured with co-star Patrick McNee in The Avengers, said in the recording that it was time there was a shift in the law to help people who want a choice on assisted dying Dame Diana Rigg pictured with her then 17-year-old daughter, actress Rachael Stirling Rigg starred opposite George Lazenby in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service Rigg's daughter had promised she would make her mother's comments public to further the debate on assisted dying. The late Avengers star is the latest of several well-known personalities who support a change in the law, including Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith. Leith, 83, has publicly spoken about her experience of watching her brother David's 'horrific' death more than a decade ago. The Yorkshire lass who went on to become a star of the silver screen and James Bond's first wife Dame Diana shot to fame as Emma Peel in Sixties TV series The Avengers and then as a Bond girl. But she also notched up many Shakespearean roles and enjoyed a long career, appearing recently as powerful matriarch Olenna Tyrell in Game Of Thrones. Enid Diana Elizabeth Rigg was born in Doncaster on July 20, 1938. She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-upon-Avon in 1959. The actress quickly made her mark there with important roles in productions of The Taming Of The Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth and King Lear. After that, she was hugely successful in her role as Emma Peel, the secret service agent in The Avengers, co-starring Patrick Macnee. But Dame Diana was unhappy about the intrusion into privacy that came with being on TV, and she was also critical of the way she was treated by TV bosses. She also discovered that she was being paid less than a cameraman. 'It was very, very intrusive in those days, because I was instantly recognisable,' the actress later told Variety. 'I was grateful to be a success, but there was a price to pay.' In 1969, she played Bond girl Tracy in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, opposite Bond actor George Lazenby, with whom she had a difficult relationship. It was in the 1970s that she joined the National Theatre, where she played major roles in Tom Stoppard's Jumpers, The Misanthrope, Pygmalion, Antony And Cleopatra and Stephen Sondheim's Follies. In a nude scene she played in Abelard And Heloise, she was described by one critic as being 'built like a brick mausoleum with insufficient flying buttresses'. As a result, she produced a book of the worst-ever theatrical reviews, entitled No Turn Unstoned. It was a best-seller. Advertisement She said although her brother had bone cancer, he 'finally died of pneumonia because the only way he could kill himself was to stop taking antibiotics, which they gave him because he kept getting pneumonia'. She added: 'That meant he died a really horrible death because dying of pneumonia is like drowning. That was horrific.' Leith, who is patron of campaign group Dignity in Dying, recalled how her brother was given morphine every four hours, but the pain relief only lasted for three hours. As a result, she said, he was 'crying out, screaming, in absolute agony' for hours each day. Watching him suffer made her question why those who are dying are not able to die on their own terms, she said. Mr Leith died in 2012, aged 74. Rigg died after a short battle with cancer in 2020 aged 82. Best known for her roles in The Avengers, Game Of Thrones and On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the veteran star of stage and screen was hailed an icon of theatre, film and television. Paying tribute to Rigg, Stirling, said: 'My beloved ma died peacefully in her sleep early this morning, at home, surrounded by family. 'She died of cancer diagnosed in March and spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession. 'I will miss her beyond words.' Dame Diana was best known for her roles as Emma Peel in the TV series The Avengers and more recently for playing Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones, for which she was nominated for a string of Emmys. She also played Countess Teresa di Vicenzo, the only woman to ever marry James Bond, opposite George Lazenby in his only outing as 007 in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Dame Diana also had roles in ITV's Victoria and Channel 5's All Creatures Great And Small, and won an Emmy for playing Mrs Danvers in Rebecca in 1997. She won a Bafta in 1990 for her role in Mother Love. Dame Diana was also a highly acclaimed theatre actress and earned the first of three Tony nominations for her role in the Ronald Millar play Abelard and Heloise. The actress was made a dame in 1994 for services to drama. Playwright Sir David Hare said: 'Diana Rigg had a dazzling change of direction in middle age as a great classical actor. 'When Emma Peel played Euripides' Medea, Albee's Martha and Brecht's Mother Courage, she swept all before her.' Fellow playwright Sir Tom Stoppard said: 'For half her life, Diana was the most beautiful woman in the room, but she was what used to be called a trooper. 'She went to work with her sleeves rolled up and a smile for everyone. 'Her talent was luminous.' Rigg, who died in 2020, spent her last months 'joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession,' her family said One of Rigg's last roles saw the iconic actress as Mrs Pumphrey in All Creatures Great and Small Diana Rigg as the cutthroat matriarch Oleanna Tyrell in HBO's worldwide hit series, Game of Thrones, a show she admitted in 2019 that she had never watched Theatre director Jonathan Kent said: 'Diana Rigg's combination of force of personality, beauty, courage and sheer emotional power made her a great classical actress one of an astonishing generation of British stage performers. 'I was so fortunate to direct her in a series of great classical roles Medea, Phedre in Ted Hughes' version, specially written for her Mother Courage and Dryden's Cleopatra. 'Her dazzling wit and that inimitable voice made her an unforgettable leading figure in British theatre.' An Ohio police officer who is set to move to a new city has been left devastated after his chief refused to allow him to take his K-9 partner with him, despite offering a $10,000 cash donation to the force. Officer Chad Hagen has worked with his K-9, a six-year-old German shepherd named Igor, for five years at the City of Shaker Heights Police Department. During that time the pair have developed a unique bond with the dog spending most of his time with his human officer, even living at home with his wife and young child. 'He's been with us through our first home, our forever home, marriage, having a baby. Been with us through everything,' Danielle Hagan, Chad's wife, said to WOIO. 'We're the only family that he knows.' But with Hagen's departure, Police Chief Wayne Hudson, wants the police dog to remain with the force, noting how he has several years of service left to give the community. Ohio police officer Chad Hagen who is moving to a new force says his chief has denied his request to take his K-9 partner, Igor, along with him, despite offering $10,000 Chad is pictured together with his wife, Danielle, and of course Igor the German Shepherd K-9 officer Hagen is leaving the force to move to another job in law enforcement closer to where he lives and did not believe his request and subsequent offer of cash was unreasonable. When Officer Hagen gave his two-weeks notice on Thanksgiving he was instructed turn Igor in at a local kennel - all at local taxpayers' expense. 'The first thing that was said to him by the chief was, 'We need to figure out what we're going to do with Igor.' That kind of struck Chad the wrong way. He wasn't saying he was leaving. So, when that happened he was like 'Well wow ... that kind of a slap in the face,'' Danielle Hagen explained. 'We offered $10,000 of our own money and to be honest, I guarantee Chad would have paid more than that. But, the chief came back and said no financial number will be considered,' she said. The City of Shaker Heights have said the administration does not have the authority to sell the dog and that Igor is expected to return to duty. Officer Chad and Danielle say Igor, left, has been a part of their family for more than five years 'He's been with us through our first home, our forever home, marriage, having a baby. Been with us through everything,' Danielle Hagan, Chad's wife, said Hagen's family say the police chief is being spiteful in refusing to allow the dog to leave with him. Igor, left is pictured alongside 'his little human sister' Police Chief Wayne Hudson, wants the police dog to remain in service with the force, noting how he has several years of service left to give the community Chief Hudson stated: 'It (K9 Igor) is a tool and there is no financial amount that would be considered.' A Change.org petition has now been created with more than 21,000 signatures, championing the family's cause to have the dog live out his days with them. The petition alleges the chief is acting out of spite in stopping Hagen from taking the dog with him. The chief offered Hagen a deal: stay with Shaker Police for two more years and only then, upon Hagen's leaving, could Igor could retire. But Officer Hagan rejected the offer and proposed purchasing the K-9 instead. 'The bond that Officer Hagan and K9 Igor have is beyond what anyone could ever imagine. K9 Igor has saved Officer Hagan's life on multiple occasions. K9 Igor is not a 'tool'. He is a beloved member of the Hagan family and Officer Hagan's best friend. This is truly the worst heart break this family has ever been through. ' But the city insists that the police department is simply sticking to the rules. Some police departments have been known to allow their handlers to purchase their partners for a nominal charge of $1 Igor features in many of the family's photographs and hope he may be allowed to keep him When Officer Hagen gave his two-weeks notice on Thanksgiving he was instructed turn Igor, left, in at a local kennel all at the taxpayers' expense It may be difficult to retrain Igor to bond with a new handler now that Officer Hagen has left Officer Chad Hagen and k-9 Igor share a unique bond having worked alongside one another for five years at the City of Shaker Heights Police Department 'Igor is a six-year-old German Shepherd and if his health remains strong he is expected to be fit for duty keeping the residents of Shaker Heights safe for another three of four years. He shows no sign of slowing down,' the city wrote in a statement. 'Officer Hagan proposed purchasing Igor however according to the city's laws, the city's administration including the chief, has no authority to sell the dog.' Despite the chief's belief Igor could continue working for some time, Danielle says she believes the K-9 has slowed down and may realistically only work in law enforcement for another 18 months to two years. She also cites other police forces including Cleveland Heights that have allowed their officers to buy their canine partners after just four years of service for a little as one dollar. 'Bring him home, let him live out the rest of his happy years with his brother and his sister and fetching the ball in the backyard,' said Brittany Santiago, a family friend, to News5Cleveland. 'It's hard. It's been difficult. There's a lot of emotions, a lot at stake,' said Santiago. Those signing the petition have left words of advice for the police chief. An online petition has been set up which has garnered more than 3,600 signatures Officer Hagen and Igor are seen on patrol in the city of Shaker Heights, Ohio Igor has been placed in kennels while the police force decides what to do with him 'Chief Wayne Hudson, you should be ashamed of yourself. Less than a year with this department and you bring this kind of disgrace. Do what is right for this loyal K9 officer, his handler and family and let him live out the rest of his years with the family that raised and loved him,' wrote Leigh Ann Cook. 'Igor has served his city, it's time for him to retire and enjoy the family life after years of hard work! Outrageous they are using him in a game of power. Bring him home!!' demanded Makenzie Olivares. 'That's just pathetic they have poor Igor sitting in a kennel when all the officer wants to do is take him home and even offered money for a new K9. Why wouldn't you just let the officer take his partner home. Gotta love the ones making that decision. SAD,' stated Cindy Lichty. 'Enough of the abuse of power. This dog is not only Officer Hagan's partner but a part of his family. Let Igor retire with the ONLY family he knows and loves,' added Crystal Blasinsky. The police department has since responded to allegations of vindictiveness on behalf of the chief in a lengthy statement. 'Rather than acting out of vindictiveness, Chief Hudson is following the requirements of the law, and acting in the best interests of the residents of Shaker Heights to protect the considerable investment the City has made in Igor, the police dog,' the department explained. 'While Chief Hudson is empathetic to Officer Hagan and his familys feelings about Igor, Officer Hagan understood when he became a K-9 officer, as do all K-9 officers, that the dogs they work with are a highly trained integral part of the Shaker Heights Police Department that provide a service in protecting the community. 'It is the responsibility and priority of the Chief and the Citys administration to protect the safety of the citizens of the City. Any attack on the judgment and character of the Chief on this issue is unwarranted and unjust.' The oil industry is 'panicking' and 'scared' as United Nations climate talks threaten to plug wells for good, experts say, amid anger over an attempt to block a declaration to phase-out fossil fuels. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) sparked outrage among green-minded countries when it joined Saudi Arabia in railing against a declaration that would seek to wind down extraction of the oil, coal and gas. In leaked letters, the group reportedly urged its members to reject any text at Cop28 that targets cutting fossil fuels at the source instead of emissions. The letters have rocked the talks in Dubai, with host and petrostate the United Arab Emirates now trying to curb its impact in a process where one or two key nations can block any measure. 'I think they're panicking,' Alden Meyer, an analyst from climate think tank E3G said. 'Maybe the Saudis can't do on their own what they've been doing for 30 years and block the process.' OPEC reportedly urged its members to reject any text at Cop28 that targets cutting fossil fuels at the source instead of emissions. Pictured: File image of an oil field The UAE House of Sustainability - part of the venue of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, UAE Mary Robinson, the former Irish president who has been vocal about the need to rapidly phase-out fossil fuels, said: 'They're scared. I think they're worried.' Spanish ecology transition minister Teresa Ribera, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, said it was 'quite a disgusting thing' for OPEC countries to be 'pushing against getting the bar where it has to be'. French Energy Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher responded saying the OPEC statement left her 'stunned' and 'angry'. She added that 'OPEC's position endangers the most vulnerable countries and the poorest populations who are the first victims of this situation'. But China, the world's largest oil importer, played down the row and said it was working to find a solution that was 'acceptable to all parties'. 'I think we've already had some progress on this issue and I believe we will have more progress in resolving this very soon in the coming few days,' China's climate negotiator Xie Zhenhua told reporters at the COP28 climate conference. 'Because if we do not, if we do not resolve this issue, I don't see much chance in having a successful COP28,' he said. Canadian climate minister Steven Guilbeault told AFP he was 'confident' that the final text would contain language on fossil fuels, which emit planet-heating greenhouse gases. Guilbeault is among a group of ministers who have been tasked by COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber - who is CEO of the UAE state oil giant ANDOC - to shepherd the negotiations and find an agreement by Tuesday, when the summit is due to end. Experts have said that the only was to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is to wind down the production and consumption of fossil fuels. Pictured: Activists at Cop28 'Different groups are talking and trying to understand on what we could agree but it's still quite an embryonic conversation,' he added. Experts have said that the only was to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is to dramatically increase the use of renewable energy while also winding down the production and consumption of fossil fuels. '1.5 is not negotiable, and that means an end to fossil fuels,' said Tina Stege, climate envoy for the Marshall Islands, which chairs the High Ambition Coalition, a broad group of nations ranging from Barbados to France, Kenya and Pacific island states. A person working for the summit president's office played down the objections by Saudi Arabia, saying it was normal for nations to push hard at the end. 'I don't feel that we're at that point where one is sticking their head above the parapet and being the troublemaker,' the person said on condition of anonymity. However, German climate envoy Jennifer Morgan said countries were 'now moving into the critical stage of negotiations' but she was 'concerned that not all are constructively engaging'. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), said the group was 'extremely concerned', considering the limited time left in Dubai. AOSIS has pushed hard for a phase-out of fossil fuels, warning that rising seas threaten the island countries' very existence. 'I implore you, let this COP28 be the summit where we leaders are remembered for turning the tide,' Schuster said. He added that stepping up the use of renewable energy 'cannot be a substitute for a stronger commitment to fossil fuel phase-out'. Next year's climate talks are likely to be held in another major producer of fossil fuels as Azerbaijan announced it had secured a consensus to host COP29. White working-class pupils are rapidly falling behind other children and are the group that top school leaders are the 'most concerned' about, according to a new Government report. The bosses of the top academy trusts, which run nearly 300 schools across England, were surveyed by Department for Education (DfE) chiefs for a new study about how to improve results for groups of ethnic-minority children. But the discussions revealed that the bosses' main worry was the dire progress of poorer white pupils, rather than their non-white classmates, according to the report. It said: 'For the majority of trust and school leaders to whom we spoke, the group of pupils about which they were most concerned was white British working-class pupils. This message was consistent across trusts and schools working in ethnically diverse areas, where white British pupils did not represent the majority of pupils, and for schools and trusts where the majority of the pupils were from white British working-class.' The report said these pupils were hit by a 'combination of issues linked to deprivation, inter-generational poverty, attitudes to and experiences of education, and aspirations'. White working-class pupils are rapidly falling behind other children and are the group that top school leaders are the 'most concerned' about, according to a new Government report (stock image) The bosses of the top academy trusts were surveyed by Department for Education chiefs for a new study about how to improve results for groups of ethnic-minority children (stock image) The study echoes the findings of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, which was blasted by anti-racism activists when it was published in 2021. The 'Left Behind' inquiry by MPs also questioned the concept of 'white privilege' when data shows that white boys eligible for free school meals are getting the worst grades. GCSE results show that white students were outperformed by all major ethnic groups on the proportion achieving at least grade 4 in maths and English last year. For the first time ever last year, official data revealed that white students were the cohort least likely to attend a top university, following a national drive to make intakes more diverse. Last night, Professor Matthew Goodwin, from Kent University, said: 'White working-class pupils have consistently been overlooked or ignored outright by much of our education establishment. It is good to see, finally, some in the sector taking this challenge seriously.' Steve Chalke, chief executive of Oasis Community Learning academy trust, which runs more than 50 schools, warned some white working-class families had histories of educational failure going back generations. He contrasted the troubled Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey in Kent, where the vast majority of pupils are white and where bad behaviour has prompted some teachers to go on strike, with Oasis schools in more ethnically diverse areas of inner-city London, where pupils get better grades across the board. 'It's wrong to say that all white, working-class pupils are struggling but the problems on the Isle of Sheppey go back 50 to 70 years,' he told The Mail on Sunday. 'There is inter-generational unemployment, poverty, family breakdown and neglect.' A spokesperson for the Harris Federation, which runs 54 schools in London and Essex, said that it had hundreds of examples of students from white British working-class backgrounds progressing to elite universities. A DfE spokesman said: 'We are focused on closing the disadvantage attainment gap and supporting all children to succeed through high-quality teaching, a knowledge-rich curriculum and targeted support.' RAF intelligence officers joined a shadowy Whitehall operation accused of spying on members of the public who criticised Covid lockdown policies, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Official military documents obtained by this newspaper show that analysts from RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire helped to scour social media posts by the public. The MoS revealed in January how the Army's secretive 'information warfare brigade' was tasked with scrutinising online posts an activity the Ministry of Defence, in public, repeatedly denied doing. Now this newspaper can show that the military's assistance to Government cells, such as the Counter Disinformation Unit, based in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and Rapid Response Unit in the Cabinet Office was far more extensive than previously thought. Dossiers were compiled on public figures including Tory ex-Minister David Davis (pictured), who questioned the modelling behind alarming Covid death toll predictions Peter Hitchens (pictured) was monitored after sharing an article, based on leaked NHS papers, which claimed data used to publicly justify the lockdown was incomplete These Whitehall outfits were tasked with tackling 'disinformation' and 'harmful narratives' during the pandemic. Their activities have faced fierce criticism after it emerged they also collected legitimate social media posts questioning Government lockdown policies. Dossiers were compiled on public figures including Tory ex-Minister David Davis, who questioned the modelling behind alarming Covid death toll predictions, and The MoS's Peter Hitchens. The documents reveal defence chiefs privately conceded the military's work for the Government could pose a 'potential presentational risk of Defence 'spying' or conducting 'Psyops' on the UK'. But the MoD feared that if the Armed Forces did not help the Government's online monitoring, then 'harmful misinformation and disinformation' could spread. Jake Hurfurt, of the campaign group Big Brother Watch, last night branded Whitehall's use of military personnel as 'an attack on freedom of speech' and 'behaviour befitting an authoritarian state'. He added: 'The revelations that the RAF as well as the Army spied on the British people during the pandemic is yet more evidence that the MoD misled the public about the role of its psyops troops in 2020.' Official military documents obtained by this newspaper show that analysts from RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire The MoS revealed in January how the Army's secretive 'information warfare brigade' was tasked with scrutinising online posts 'These documents prove that Whitehall officials knew deploying the military to monitor social media posts from politicians, journalists and the press would look like spying but they carried on anyway.' The RAF and Army's assistance to Whitehall is detailed in documents outlining official requests known as 'Military Aid to the Civil Authorities' (MACA). These are normally used by the Government when military help is needed to respond to natural disasters. The papers also show how in 2020 the Government was considering a dramatic expansion of the Counter Disinformation Unit by ordering monitoring of online chatter about Brexit and the NHS. Mr Hurfurt last night demanded that the Covid Inquiry also investigate how the Government 'monitored the British people'. Peter Hitchens was monitored after sharing an article, based on leaked NHS papers, which claimed data used to publicly justify the lockdown was incomplete. An internal Rapid Response Unit email said Mr Hitchens wanted to 'further [an] anti-lockdown agenda and influence the Commons vote'. The Government said: 'Online disinformation is a serious threat, which is why in the pandemic we brought together expertise from across government to monitor disinformation about Covid. 'The units used publicly available data, including material on social media. They did not target individuals or take action that could impact the ability to discuss issues freely.' Rishi Sunak has urged Labour not to oppose his new Rwanda legislation after the Tory right dealt the Bill a fresh blow after judging that it was not fit for purpose. The Prime Minister has pleaded with Sir Keir Starmer to 'rise above political games' and 'act in the national interest' by supporting the emergency proposal, which aims to resurrect the asylum plans after they were ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court. Mr Sunak is battling to keep his own Tory MPs onside in a major test for his leadership after immigration minister Robert Jenrick resigned, saying the proposed new legislation 'does not go far enough'. And despite the PM's assurances that the revised proposals will ensure that Rwanda is seen as a safe country for asylum seekers in UK law, a Tory MP has given a withering assessment of the plans, suggesting they are not 'sufficiently watertight'. Sir Bill Cash, who has chaired a legal examination being waited on by many in the party, has signalled that the Bill is lacking the irrefutable legal weight it needs to bypass the courts, despite Mr Sunak hoping it will revive his plan to 'stop the boats'. Rishi Sunak has urged Labour to support the emergency Rwanda plans. A rebellion by just 28 of the 350 Tories in Parliament could see the Bill defeated Sir Keir Starmer is set to use a speech to accuse the Tories of being unable to govern while factions fight 'like rats in a sack' Mr Sunak says the legislation will put in place the protections needed to restart flights to Rwanda (pictured: a deportation flight last year that was stopped by a last minute legal bid) The Rwanda policy is a cornerstone of Mr Sunak's government, which has vowed to 'stop the boats' (pictured: a group of people thought to be migrants in the Channel in August) Conservatives from both the right and the left of the party are considering whether to oppose it in a crunch vote on Tuesday, with neither camp totally satisfied by the offering. Labour will whip to vote against the Bill, meaning a rebellion by just 28 Tories could deliver a humiliating defeat for the Government. Sir Keir's party accused the Tories of 'begging for our votes' to pass the legislation to help revive their 290million Rwanda 'gimmick'. The Labour leader is also stepping up his attacks and will use a speech to accuse the Tories of being unable to govern while their warring factions are 'fighting like rats in a sack'. But Mr Sunak insisted he will take a 'significant step' towards his promise to the voters that he will 'stop the boats', which he said the public cares deeply about. He argued in a statement that the Opposition is 'not fit to govern', adding: 'This week, Labour needs for once to rise above political games. 'They need for once to stop acting in their short-term interests. They need to act in the national interest.' Labour argued that the Prime Minister trying to shift the focus onto the Opposition was a desperate move. 'That the Prime Minister is begging for our votes proves his tired, chaotic government cannot deliver for our country,' a party spokesman said. Mr Sunak's efforts to prevent his divided MPs rebelling on the legislation hit a snag when it was revealed that a legal assessment has been given it only a '50% at best' chance of success of getting removal flights off to Rwanda. Sir Bill Cash as chaired a so-called 'star chamber' of lawyers carrying out an examination for the European Research Group of Tory MPs. Others on the right in the New Conservatives and the Common Sense groups are also awaiting the findings, expected on Monday. Veteran Tory Sir Bill Cash has warned that the wording of the emergency Rwanda law is not 'sufficiently watertight' to guarantee its success Former home secretary Suella Braverman - who was sacked after defying No 10 over an article she wrote criticising the police - has stated that she does not see the legislation working Robert Jenrick quit as immigration minister because, he said, the proposed new Rwanda legislation 'does not go far enough' The veteran Tory wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that they had been considering whether the 'wording is sufficiently watertight to meet the Government's policy objectives'. 'At present it does not,' he said. 'Our report, I hope, will be helpful to the Government in deciding whether the Bill in its current form is fit for purpose or will require further amendment, even by the Government itself.' Meanwhile, sacked home secretary Suella Braverman questioned Mr Sunak's 'rather strange claim' that going further on the Bill would have caused the 290 million deal with Rwanda to 'collapse'. She told the Sunday Telegraph: 'I've been to Rwanda several times and I have spoken to the Rwandan government a lot. It never once raised any kind of concerns like this.' Mrs Braverman echoed Robert Jenrick by raising concerns that it leaves ignoring temporary Rule 39 injunctions from the European Court of Human Rights, which blocked last year's flight, to the Government. 'I know that our Attorney General has advised that to ignore a Rule 39 injunction would be a breach of international law, so therefore as it stands Rule 39s will block flights,' Mrs Braverman told the newspaper. Mr Sunak's efforts to prevent his divided MPs rebelling on the legislation hit another snag when it was revealed that a legal assessment has been given it only a '50% at best' chance of success of getting removal flights off to Rwanda. Migrants move a smuggling boat into the water as they embark on the beach of Gravelines, near Dunkirk, northern France on October 12 More moderate Tories from the One Nation group are concerned about telling courts they must find that the East African nation is 'safe' - despite the Supreme Court ruling that the country was not appropriate. Some on the right want to go further in disapplying the European Convention on Human Rights while also attempting to bypass the courts. Would-be rebels from across the spectrum, however, may wait until a later stage to seek to amend Mr Sunak's plans rather than deliver him a humiliating defeat this week. Meanwhile, people smuggling gangs are offering 'festive season discounts' to migrants trying to come to Britain - making a mockery of the Tory infighting over the Rwanda proposals. Six ex-lovers are to give evidence against Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner, who is facing a rape trial. The German sex offender is accused of a trio of rapes, which he allegedly filmed, and two further child sex offences. A total of 46 witnesses including half a dozen former girlfriends have been summoned for the trial at Braunschweig Criminal Court between February 16 and June 27, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Six ex-lovers are to give evidence against Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner, who is facing a rape trial The German sex offender is accused of a trio of rapes, which he allegedly filmed, and two further child sex offences According to the schedule, which is spread over 29 days, three women will take to the stand including his first lover, Silke Becker, on April 10. Brueckner fled Germany to live in Portugal with Ms Becker in the mid nineties, and in doing so failed to complete a prison sentence for child sex crimes. Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters said: 'While the focus right now is on the trial in February, I am still heavily involved in the Madeleine case. 'There is no major new evidence to report, but things are moving forwards.' Newly released 911 phone calls reveal the terror experienced by students as a mass shooter opened fire on Nevada University's campus on Wednesday. Three people were left dead after suspected gunman Anthony Polito, 67, opened fire after recently being rejected from a job at the college. The victim's, Cha Jan Chang, Patricia Navarro Velez and Naoko Takemaru were all faculty members. Polito died at the scene after a firefight with police. 'Someone's shooting inside the office,' a woman told responders on a 911 call. 'Please hurry,' she pleaded as gunshots can be heard in the background. Law enforcement officers head into UNLV campus after reports of an active shooter in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. December 6, 2023 Suspected gunman Anthony Polito, 67, opened fire after recently being rejected from a job at the college The operator asked if anyone else was with her, and she replied, 'It's just me... I'm alone.' A second 911 caller said, 'I was getting off the elevator. I heard shots fired and screaming and I ran. 'Lots of students are running out...Two officers ran into the building and I ran out of the building' they explained. Scared parents also called 911 telling authorities their children were hiding in classrooms. One mom said her daughter could hear the gunshots. While the mom was on the phone with 911, she got a text from her daughter saying, 'Mom, I'm scared.' The operator said the mother should tell her daughter 'to stay calm -- and tell her do not open that door unless she hears them yelling. They will announce, 'Metro police.' Police said Polito had a list of people he intended to target but when he could not locate them he opened fire indiscriminately, ABC news reported. A fourth victim was shot but was in a stable condition on Wednesday night. Patricia Navarro Velez, 39, an accounting professor who was one of three victims shot and killed Wednesday Cha Jan "Jerry" Chang, an associate professor in the business school's Management, Entrepreneurship & Technology department was shot and killed Naoko Takemaru, 69, associate professor of Japanese studies was killed in the shooting Students are seen evacuating the site of Wednesday's shooting at the University of Nevada campus Two women are seen making phone calls to say they are OK after Wednesday's shooting Police in Las Vegas are seen on Wednesday morning at the site of the college shooting The officers involved in the shootout with Polito were identified as Det. Nathaniel Drum, who has been employed with the University Police services since 2017, and officer Damien Garcia, who has been on the force since 2018. Both have been placed on administrative leave amid an investigation, as per department policy. 'These two officers are heroes,' Adam Garcia, police chief for the University Police Services Southern Command said on Friday. 'They kept the worst from becoming a bloodbath.' Joe Biden said the shooting - coming the day after six were shot dead in Austin and San Antonio - was 'not normal, and we can never let it become normal.' Biden said he was saddened that the university 'became the latest college campus to be terrorized by a horrific act of gun violence.' He thanked the first responders, and said it showed that more must be done to end the epidemic of gun violence. 'This year alone, our nation has experienced more than 600 mass shootings, and approximately 40,000 deaths due to gun violence. This is not normal, and we can never let it become normal,' he said, in a statement issued by the White House. 'For all the action we have taken since Ive been President, the epidemic of gun violence we face demands that we do even more. 'But we cannot do more without Congress. Republican lawmakers must join with Democrats in Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, pass a national red flag law, enact universal background checks, require the safe storage of guns, and advance other commonsense measures that will help stem the tide of gun violence. 'And together, we must do more to prevent more families, and more communities like Austin, San Antonio, and Las Vegas, from being ripped apart by gun violence.' Tory peer Michelle Mone this weekend declared that she and her billionaire husband have 'done nothing wrong' as they launch a fight back amid a criminal probe into PPE deals worth 200m. Breaking two years of silence, Baroness Mone, 53, told how she feels bitterly betrayed by the Conservative Party she once supported, adding: 'I am ashamed of being a Conservative peer given what this government has done to us.' The lingerie tycoon, nicknamed 'Baroness Bra', and her businessman husband Doug Barrowman are being investigated by the National Crime Agency as part of a fraud probe into Mr Barrowman's firm PPE Medpro. The firm won a 122 million contract for 25 million surgical gowns and a 80.85m contract for 210 million facemasks during the pandemic. The gowns, however, were never used. The Department of Health and Social Care claims they were not fit for purpose and is suing the company in the High Court for breach of contract. In a documentary funded by PPE Medpro that will be posted on YouTube today, the couple will accuse DHSC of 'an abuse of power.' The lingerie tycoon, nicknamed 'Baroness Bra', and her businessman husband Doug Barrowman are being investigated by the National Crime Agency as part of a fraud probe into Mr Barrowman's firm PPE Medpro Breaking two years of silence, Baroness Mone, 53 (Pictured), told how she feels bitterly betrayed by the Conservative Party 'We will win because we have done nothing wrong,' Lady Mone added. According to the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Barrowman claims in the documentary that a 'DHSC negotiator' suggested in a phone call that they could make both the civil and criminal case disappear if they were prepared to pay a big enough out-of-court settlement. The DHSC said its staff adhere to all laws and regulations, adding: 'We do not comment on ongoing legal cases.' The NCA said it 'is operationally independent of government, and our investigations are intelligence-led.' Lady Mone claims to be haunted by a raid by NCA investigators on her and Mr Barrowman's mansion on the Isle of Man. 'I think anyone would have a nightmare,' she said. 'And seeing them over my bed ... It's horrific.' She also voiced her regret at initially denying that she had any involvement in PPE Medpro. 'I made an error in what I said to the Press,' she says in the film. 'I regret not saying to the Press straight away, 'Yes, I am involved' and the Government knew I was involved.' The head of a police union is demanding action over the number of officers who have taken their own lives in recent years. 'Enormous pressure' from trauma after attacks, demands from the job and distress from long misconduct investigations have led to a decrease in officers' mental health, a senior official said. A total of 344 officers committed suicide between 2001 and 2020, with 181 ranked sergeant and below died between 2011 and 2021, The Mirror reports. Among those who died are Norfolk PC Martin Scott, 35, who killed himself in July while under investigation for alleged misconduct. Andy Symonds, of Norfolk Police Federation, said: 'Often [suicide] is linked to the stress of the job... It is ruining lives' 'Enormous pressure' from trauma after attacks, demands from the job and distress from long misconduct investigations have led to a decrease in officers' mental health, a senior official said Elsewhere, Bedfordshire Polie Sgt Sean Duignan, 44, shot himself in 2021, while South Yorks PC Billy Sampson, 27, took his own life in 2020 while awaiting trial for assault. A further case reportedly took place in March when West Yorkshire PC student officer Anugrah Abraham, 22, committed suicide while under 'stress' and 'pressure' according to his family. Andy Symonds, of Norfolk Police Federation, said: 'Often [suicide] is linked to the stress of the job... It is ruining lives.' Norfolk Police has taken its cases to the IOPC and states that it is reviewing internal processes. The HSE said: 'Suicide is not reportable to us under current regulations. A coroner can refer a case if they consider there is an ongoing risk to others.' *If you need to speak to someone, you can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org* The UK is in danger of becoming a 'two nation' state not seen since the Victorian era after Covid lockdowns had a 'catastrophic effect' on the country's social fabric, a new report has claimed. There is a widening gap between those who are comfortable and an 'underclass' which is disproportionately affected by mental health issues and poverty, according to an inquiry by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ). Some 13.4 million people in Britain lead lives marred by family fragility, stagnant wages, poor housing, chronic ill-health, and crime, the centre says. The report, Two Nations: The State Of Poverty In The UK, argues that the most disadvantaged are no better off than 15 years ago, the time of the financial crash, and cites evidence that for many the jump from welfare into work is not worth it. The CSJ study finds that, especially for the least well off, the pandemic saw the gap between the so-called 'haves' and 'have nots' blown wide open. Covid lockdowns had a 'catastrophic effect' on the country's social fabric, according to an inquiry by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ). Pictured: Central Glasgow during a nationwide lockdown in 2021 The report says that during lockdown, calls to a domestic abuse helpline rose 700 per cent. Mental ill health issues in young people went from one in nine to one in six and nearly a quarter amongst the oldest children. More kids were serially missing school, with severe absence jumping 134 per cent. 1.2 million more people went on working-age benefits, 86 per cent more people sought help for addictions, and prisoners were locked up for 22.5 hours per day. 'There is a growing gap between those who can get by and those stuck at the bottom,' the reports concluded on the findings. Six in 10 of the general public say that their area has a good quality of life, but this drops to less than two in five of the most deprived. Twenty years ago, just one in nine children were assessed as having a clinically recognisable mental health problem. That figure is now one in five, rising to nearly one in four for those aged 17-19. If trends continue, the report argues that by 2030 over one in four five to 15-year-olds, which may be as many as 2.3 million children, could have a mental disorder. There are likely to be 108 per cent more boys with mental health disorders by 2030 than there would have been if the lockdown had not happened, the CSJ adds. After higher benefits, the most deprived cite improved mental and physical health as pivotal to a better life. The report has found that 40 per cent of the most disadvantaged report having a mental health condition compared to just 13 per cent of the general population. The report says: 'Britain is sick but being sick pays. 'The total UC caseload has risen by 106 per cent since March 2020 and the number of claimants with No Work Requirements has increased by 186 per cent. Twenty years ago, just one in nine children were assessed as having a clinically recognisable mental health problem - that figure is now one in five (stock image) 'There are over 2.6 million people economically inactive because of long term sickness, an increase of nearly 500,000 since the Covid-19 pandemic. 'Over half of those signed off (53 per cent) reported depression, bad nerves or anxiety. 'The most disadvantaged view mental ill health as the biggest factor holding them back, which only comes fifth for the general public.' Lord King, the former governor of the Bank of England, and one of those who produced the report, said: 'Money is not the only solution to the problem of deprivation. 'One glimmer of light is the institution of the family, rather than government, as a place of nurture, support, and fulfilment. 'No family is perfect, and families come in all different shapes and sizes. 'But if we are able to do more to support the family, then we can prevent the creation of an 'unhappy generation'.' Andy Cook, chief executive of the Centre for Social Justice, said: 'This report makes for deeply uncomfortable reading. 'Lockdown policy poured petrol on the fire that had already been there is the most disadvantaged people's lives, and so far no one has offered a plan to match the scale of the issues. Lord King, the former governor of the Bank of England and one of those who produced the report 'What this report shows is that we need far more than discussions on finance redistribution, but a strategy to go after the root causes of poverty, education, work, debt, addiction and family.' The report includes a poll of 6,000 people conducted by J.L. Partners, 3,000 drawn from the general public and 3,000 on the lowest income. The report also heard from more than 350 small charities, social enterprises and policy experts, and the commission travelled to three nations of the UK and to more than 20 towns and cities. Crime and an erosion in faith in the justice system, shabby housing and drug addiction are major obstacles. Both the general public and the deprived cite crime as the worst thing about living in their area. The most disadvantaged worry twice as much as the mainstream about the quality of their housing and communities being 'torn apart' by addiction, the CSJ says. The report adds: 'Although overall crime rates are down, violent crime remains high, and still 6 per cent of families account for half of all convictions. 'Outstanding cases for the crown courts continue to rise, eroding the public's trust that justice will be done and emboldening criminals. The CSJ study finds that, especially for the least well off, the pandemic saw the gap between the so-called 'haves' and 'have nots' blown wide open (file image) 'Only 8 per cent of victims are confident they would receive justice as a result of reporting a crime. 'Only 17 per cent of the most disadvantaged who rent in social housing rate their quality of life at least eight out of 10, compared with 52 per cent of those who own a property. 'There has been a 63 per cent increase in deaths of people on methadone than before the Covid-19 pandemic. '11.5 per cent of those who have consumed cannabis in the last year take it every day. 'Before the Covid-19 pandemic deaths from alcohol poisoning, which had been dropping, have now risen 15.4 per cent. 'Over one in seven children, which could be as many as 1.3 million children, have been classed as children in need at least once in the past eight years.' Annastacia Palaszczuk has endorsed Steven Miles as Queensland's next premier after her shock resignation. An emotional Ms Palaszczuk announced her departure through tears on Sunday, claiming 'the time was right'. 'I've been thinking about it for a while,' she said. 'It's the right time. It's time for renewal and I have a great deputy in Steven Miles and I believe he'll make an excellent premier.' But he will likely have to compete with the Health Minister, Shannon Fentiman and Treasurer Cameron Dick for the top job with the Labor Party caucus meeting on Friday to decide which of the three will become the 40th Premier of Queensland. Annastacia Palaszczuk has endorsed her deputy Steven Miles (pictured) as Queensland's next premier after her shock resignation Mr Miles, 46, who has served as Ms Palaczcuk's deputy since May 2020, having been a Labor MP since 2015, is no stranger to controversy. He was a vocal proponent of lockdowns and border closures during the coronavirus pandemic, praising Ms Palaczcuk's 'measured, cautious and safe approach', while slamming NSW's 'reckless' decision to allow travel before Christmas in 2021. His largest claim to infamy, however, came earlier that year when he almost called the then Prime Minister Scott Morrison the c-word - and blamed the gaffe on an apparent stutter. Mr Miles was speaking at a Labor Day event in Brisbane in May 2021 when he compared the thenOpposition Leader Anthony Albanese, who was in attendance at the free event, to Mr Morrison charging $5,500 per person to attend a fundraiser. 'Scott Morrison's in town, he's holding $5000-a-seat fundraisers, think about that,' Mr Miles told the crowd. 'Albo's here with us at Labour Day while Scott Morrison's charging $5000 a head to have dinner with him. 'What a cun... contrast.' Mr Miles, 46, has served as Ms Palaczcuk's deputy since May 2020, having been a Labor MP since 2015 (they are pictured together) Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured) resigned as Queensland premier on Sunday Miles, who grinned and laughed as the crowd roared with laughter and cheered at the slip of the tongue, then introduced Mr Albanese who he said would be more careful with his words. At a press conference following the event, Miles said the gaffe was the result of his stutter. 'I understand I might have stuttered while speaking earlier and some in the crowd might have misheard,' he said. 'What I said I want to be very, very clear that I was using the word contrast, the word contrast.' The 46-year-old, who took over from Jackie Trad as deputy premier in 2020, said that despite his disagreements with Morrison's policies, he would 'never ever use language like that'. 'I understand that was a slight stutter and people might have misheard me but it certainly wasn't my intention.' Mr Miles had another run in with Prime Minister Morrison earlier that year when he filmed himself ripping up a tax invoice from the NSW government and called Mr Morrison a 'school bully' for telling the state to pay for its quarantine hotel costs. He recorded himself destroying the $30million bill charging for the 7,112 travellers with Queensland addresses who were held in New South Wales quarantine from March 29 to September 30 in 2020. Deputy Premier Steven Miles pictured ripping up a NSW government invoice in a publicity stunt Mr Miles claimed Queensland would not pay up until Mr Morrison allowed a proposed national quarantine hub near Toowoomba in the state's south-east. 'Scott Morrison is like a school bully telling us we have to give our lunch money to NSW,' Mr Miles said. 'We will not be paying that bill, not while the Commonwealth refuses to endorse our plan for a national quarantine centre.' But Mr Miles came under heavy fire from 2GB breakfast radio host Ben Fordham over his comments. 'This bloke is a child,' Fordham told listeners. 'He's got a problem with the Commonwealth because they don't like his silly idea so he takes our money hostage. 'In the dope department, he's a world record holder. Give him the gold medal!' The war of words between Mr Morrison and Mr Miles reached fever-pitch when the then Prime Minister called on Mr Miles to 'grow up'. 'I think this guy has got to grow up,' Mr Morrison said in October 2020. 'Those careless and juvenile remarks reflect terribly on him.' Mr Miles drew heavy criticism that year when he cracked a joke after then US President Donald Trump was rushed to hospital with Covid-19. Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles was slammed over his vile tweet (pictured) directed at Donald Trump after the US president tested positive for coronavirus Covid press conferences could test the attention span of most grown-ups, now add to that being a kid and having to sit through one next door to a kite festival. Pictured: Steven Miles (centre), daughter Bridie (centre), and health minister Yvette D'Ath (right) 'Have you considered intravenous disinfectant?,' Mr Miles wrote on Twitter. The joke was a reference to Trump's much-mocked suggestion that injecting bleach or disinfectant could help fight the virus. Mr Miles was slammed for 'extremely inappropriate' comment. In 2020, Mr Miles was the target of an attack ad by Queensland's Liberal National Party. A video shared on the party's Facebook page appeared to show Mr Miles accidentally swallowing a fly at a press conference. But the ad backfired after people accused the LNP of being 'juvenile' and 'embarrassing'. Before entering politics, the father-of-three was a union organiser and ran a small local business. He gained a PhD from the University of Queensland, with a thesis entitled Trade 'Union Renewal in Australia: rebuilding worker involvement'. Mr Miles's then six-year-old daughter Bridie stole the show at a coronavirus briefing in 2021 where she waited patiently before becoming bored and dsitracted. Adorable footage of the briefing showed her repeatedly yawning, practicing some TikTok moves before eventually resorting to the classic listless child's pose: the arm swing. The Conservatives are charging towards their worst ever election defeat in history, that could see them win just 130 seats, according to a renowned polling expert. Sir John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, says prime minister Rishi Sunak has suffered a tumultuous autumn after multiple attempts to give his premiership a boost failed to improve his standing among voters. The PM - who entered office on October 25 last year after Liz Truss' disastrous 44 days in Number 10 - has so far failed to improve his voting prospects despite attempting to appease the Tory right on a number of fronts. Gestures such as the delay to the ban to new petrol cars, the scrapping of the expensive HS2 project's northern leg, a cut to National Insurance and last month's dramatic reshuffle have all failed to woo supporters. Sir John has suggested that the public has 'stopped listening' to what the Tories have to say - and believes they could be heading for electoral meltdown. Polling data from YouGov and Ipsos currently puts Labour around 20 points ahead of the Tories. The Conservatives are heading for their worst election result in history under Rishi Sunak, according to a polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice of Strathclyde University has warned that Tories fighting amongst themselves are 'potentially playing with fire' 'If these patterns were to be replicated in a general election, the outcome for the Conservatives could be bleak indeed maybe as few as 130 seats, the worst outcome in the partys history,' he told the Telegraph. He added that the ongoing infighting within the Tories - worsened by the sacking of Suella Braverman, a favourite among the party's right, and the departure of Robert Jenrick as immigration minister - would do little to improve its image among voters. Sir John said: 'In pursuing their disagreements with Mr Sunak over immigration, Tory MPs should realise they are potentially playing with fire.' Mr Sunak has used recent weeks to attempt a revival of his party's fortunes, from scrapping HS2's northern leg from Birmingham to Manchester to delivering a two percent cut in National Insurance in the Autumn Statement. He has also sought to appease the Tory right by delaying net zero policies, including the ban on new petrol cars, and by pushing back on 'woke' culture. Early next week, he will put his party's loyalty to the test with a crunch vote on emergency Rwanda legislation that will seek to declare, in UK law, that the country is safe for asylum seekers - despite the courts ruling that it is not. None of these efforts, however, have appeased voters - who have cited more pressing concerns, such as the cost of living crisis and the state of the NHS, as being more important, according to a Survation poll conducted last month. Under current legislation, a general election must be held by the end of January 2025. Winning just 130 seats would spell disaster for the Tories, which returned to government under Boris Johnson in 2019 with 365 seats. It now has 350 MPs in the Commons. Polling such as that conducted by YouGov (above) has given Labour a consistent double digit lead over the Tories for more than a year It would be fewer than the 165 Conservative MPs returned in 1997, the year of Tony Blair's New Labour landslide. Ongoing voting intention polling suggests the party's electoral prospects are showing little sign of improving. A YouGov poll commissioned on December 7 put the Tories on 22 per cent, behind Labour on 45 per cent. Polls by We Think carried out at around the same time put Labour on the same figure, but the Conservatives at a slightly higher 25 per cent. Despite this, the gap between Labour and the Tories has remained in double digits for more than a year. A man who had become non-verbal from a stroke was killed after he was mauled by two pitbulls after he mistakenly went to the wrong house. Antonio Shaw, 63, went to the home on North 62nd Street West Philadelphia back on October 4. Two of five pitbulls who were at the home attacked him, according to police. 'These dogs was very vicious and hungry. These dogs were eating him like a piece of steak,' said Sharese Jackson, Shaw's sister. Shaw had a series of strokes which had left him unable to speak, so he couldn't call for help. Antonio Shaw, 65, a man who'd become non-verbal from a stroke was killed after he was mauled by two vicious pitbulls after he mistakenly went to the wrong house A neighbor did eventually see the attack and dialed 911. Police soon arrived on the scene and fatally shot one of the two dogs, injuring the other. The second dog was later euthanized by animal control. Shaw was taken to the hospital by emergency personnel, his previous health problems making the effects of the attack worse. After time in the hospital - which included 15 surgeries according to his sister - Shaw died on December 4. 'He had to get his leg amputated because of the dog bites and the infections in his body from the dog bites,' Michelle Shaw, another of Antonio's 12 siblings, told ABC6. Jackson added: 'It just didn't go well for him. He was hanging in there, but it just turned for the worse.' Shaw, a father of three, was beloved by those closest to him. Shaw, 63, went to the home on North 62nd Street West Philadelphia back on October 4. Two of five pitbulls who were at the home attacked him, according to police Sharese Jackson and Michelle Shaw remember their brother as a man beloved by his family Shaw had a series of strokes which had left him unable to speak, so he couldn't call for help 'My brother Antonio was a very wonderful person, and he loves his children and he loves his family,' said Jackson. 'I want Antonio to know we love him, and he will never be forgotten and he was a great person,' added Shaw. 'He was very outstanding. Everyone loved him and everyone is going to miss him.' No charges have been made against the owners of the house at this time, according to authorities. Shaw's family are attempting to raise about $3,000 on Gofundme to pay for the funeral. 'We have money but not enough to cover his service, So I ask if you can help this family so we can have a proper home going for my brother,' wrote Jackson. A YouTube aviation star and her father have been identified as the victims of a single-engine plane crash on Thursday. Jenny Blalock, 45 and her 78-year-old father James Blalock were killed when Jenny's Beechcraft 35 crashed by Diana Ridge Road road near Pulaski in Tennessee around 11:15am local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The tragedy struck just days after Blalock, who ran a popular YouTube account called TNFlygirl, posted a haunting final video of herself flying with her father. At one point Jenny can be seen reading instructions from a piece of paper while she trials a new Cherokee 180 plane for a friend. The pair's final flight left from Knoxville Downtown Island Airport about an hour and 15 minutes before the crash, according to data from Flight Aware. Jenny Blalock, 45 (right) and her 78-year-old father James Blalock (left) were killed when Jenny's Beechcraft 35 crashed A YouTube aviation star and her father have been identified as the victims of a single-engine plane crash on Thursday Blalock ran a popular YouTube account called TNFlygirl with more than 15,000 followers Bill Myers, director of the Giles County Office of Emergency Management, said two bodies were found outside of the plane, which crashed in a 'remote' area that was difficult for crews to reach, WKRN reported. The Blalocks were the only occupants on board the plane at the time of the crash, authorities confirmed. A neighbor attempted to rescue the pair after it fell from the sky into his property. 'My wife seen the plane come over and crash into the hillside over there,' Richy Sands told WSMV. Sands said he immediately went to the crash site to try to save anyone who might be alive and stomp out a possible crush fire. 'Just plane all over the place,' he recalled. 'Just total destruction. Just parts everywhere all on up the hill. And when EMS got there, they found one person burning.' 'Hate to see someone lose their life in something like that,' Sands added. An emergency service vehicle leaves the scene of the crash on Thursday Jenny Blalock posted this picture of herself after passing her private pilot check in 2022 Jenny flew a single-engine Beechcraft 35, a passion she recorded on her YouTube account As well as an aviator Jenny owned two businesses, Plantation Reclaimed Inc and Luxe Homes and Design A fire consumed the plane and surrounding area but was quickly extinguished by emergency responders. Jenny, a business owner, described herself as a 'private pilot, flying for fun in a Beechcraft debonair' on her YouTube account. 'Private pilots have a unique perspective on aviation that can be informative and entertaining' she wrote on the channel which has more than 15,000 followers. On her site she describes her father as having 'years of flying experience.' Several videos on the site appear to show Jenny flying with her father in the aircraft's passenger seat. In one, entitled 'Pilot Training With My Dad', posted three weeks ago the pair soar through the skies together discussing the technicalities. 'I love flying with my dad. I wanted to fly the same or similar mock check ride 'routine' that is flown in my hometown' Jenny wrote in the videos caption. 'I brought my dad along to help me work out the avionics kinks, and way points' she added. The Blalock family said in a statement: 'We would like to thank the community for their outpouring of love and support for our family during this unimaginable loss of two precious members of our family, Jenny and Jim (Buck) Blalock. 'Our family is taking great comfort in knowing that they were together when they met our Lord and Savior! 'At this point, we are still trying to process this tremendous loss. We ask that you pray for our family in the days and months ahead.' Many friends and well-wishers also took to social media to share their grief at the pair's passing. 'I'll miss seeing you come into my job and our talks rest in peace' one user wrote. 'R.I.P Jenny. You are such an inspiration to young women and following their passions' another posted on her profile. A third added: 'RIP Jenny and James. You both will be missed by many.' Jenny was flying the plane at the time of the crash, the director of emergency services for Giles County told WKRN. An investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is ongoing. Annastacia Palaszczuk is set to enjoy a very comfortable retirement after stepping down as Queensland premier. Although she will have to forego her $427,561 salary, that received a four per cent boost in July and was set to be bolstered four and three per cent rises over the next two years, she has a property portfolio of more than $3million to fall back on. Ms Palaszcuzk, who has been premier since 2015, lives in a four-bedroom house in the leafy south east Brisbane suburb of Seventeen Mile Rocks. The median property price for the suburb is around $900,000. She also owns two investment units, both over 100sq/m, on south-east Queensland's Main and Sunrise beaches. Annastacia Palaszcuzk leaves politics with a property portfolio valued at well over $3 million Ms Palaszcuzk, who has been premier since 2015, lives in a four-bedroom house in the leafy south east Brisbane suburb of Seventeen Mile Rocks (pictured, Ms Palaszczuk with her partner Dr Reza Adib) The Main Beach apartment, which last sold for $705,000 in 2019, is on the eighth floor of Liberty Pacific tower and has a long balcony facing north with views across the Main Beach Tourist Park to the ocean. READ MORE: The sign Annastacia Palaszczuk was on her way out: How voters turned against the socialite Queensland premier as she became a fixture of red carpet events with her surgeon boyfriend Advertisement The median sale price in the suburb has climbed to more than $1.1m and rents have jumped 16 per cent in a year to about $700 per week. Ms Palaszczuk appears to have gotten an even better bargain with her Sunrise Beach unit, paying just $370,000 in 2012 where the median unit price has rocketed to about $1m. Median rent sits at about $625 per week. However, Ms Palaszczuk's holdings could be considered modest compared to her surgeon partner Reza Adib, who is CEO of Brisbane Obesity Clinic. He owns a riverfront mansion in the inner west suburb of Indooroopilly, which sold in 2010 for $6.25m. The landmark house is 'inspired by the grandeur of traditional 14th Century Italian Villas' and features 'the finest materials from around the world.' 'This lavishly regal home is the absolute pinnacle of building construction and design,' real estate marketing gushed when it was last sold. 'One of the first truly authentic Mediterranean style homes constructed in Brisbane, this expansive estate proudly stands on more than half an acre of some of the most prized riverfront land in Brisbane.' Ms Palaszcuzk and Dr Adib's taste for the finer things in life drew unfavourable headlines when it emerged she missed a cabinet meeting because the pair were on a luxury yacht getaway on Hamilton Island. Ms Palaszcuzk's Main Beach apartment, which last sold for $705,000 in 2019, is on the eighth floor of Liberty Pacific tower The Premier also took two overseas trips this year spending more than five weeks abroard. Ms Palaszczuk revealed it was on her second break, for two weeks in Italy, that she began considering political retirement. Despite being a long-serving parliamentarian Ms Palaszcuzk has missed out on the generous pension for life that an earlier generation of Queensland MPs received. This perk was phased out for any elected after 2004 with Ms Palaszcuzk entering parliament in 2006 taking over the seat represented by her father. She will receive the same superannuation benefits as other Queensland public employees. As to what her future employment might be Ms Palaszcuzk said she had nothing lined up. The Main Beach apartment has a long balcony and comes with panoramic views that take in ocean 'I have no job,' she revealed while announced her resignation. 'So come January I'll also be finishing up as the member for Inala this month as well but look I think, I'll be out there promoting Queensland in some sort of capacity. 'Look around you, this state has so much to offer. There's buildings everywhere, the transport systems, we're making things in Queensland. Honestly, our best days are ahead of us. 'What has inspired me most is the people I've met out and about.' Today Show anchor Savannah Guthrie slapped on a smile during a forced reunion with former friend and co-host Matt Lauer Saturday at a star-studded wedding reception. The former colleagues were celebrating the nuptials of NBC producer Jen Long to Reid Sterrett, with several other longtime employees. Sources told DailyMail.com that Guthrie initially hesitant about the invitation because she 'refused to be in the same room' as Lauer after his firing in 2017 for sexual harassment when the pair were co-anchoring together. But sources claim that Guthrie had a change of heart and would put up with Lauer being in the same room for the sake of her longtime friend's big day. DailyMail.com cameras were there as Guthrie appeared smiling from ear-to-ear with her husband, public relations and communications consultant Michael Feldman. Lauer was in attendance with Shamin Abas, a British publicist and his girlfriend since 2019. The pair's former Today Show co-stars Hoda Kotb and Al Roker were also in attendance, while ex-GMA anchors TJ Holmes and Amy Robach, fresh off starting a podcast following their firing from the ABC show, made an appearance. It was all smiles for former Today Show anchor Savannah Guthrie (pictured left with husband Micahel Feldman) during her reunion with former friend and co-host Matt Lauer (pictured right with girlfriend Shamin Abas) Saturday at a star-studded wedding reception Long, who left NBC's Today in 2019 after 21 years, worked closely with both Lauer and Guthrie before jumping ship to be an executive producer of The Tonight Show. Guthrie, who still anchors Today, was reportedly tearful after announcing Long's departure, saying that the entire team would be waving 'pompoms' for her friend in her new role. Long has since returned to Today and now again works closely with Guthrie. Long worked closely with both Lauer and Guthrie at the Today Show The frosty relationship between the former co-anchors had escalated to the point that they are unable to talk to mutual friends about the situation. Sources claimed Guthrie was not interested in patching up her friendship with Lauer following the scandal. A year after his dismissal, the 51-year-old admitted that she had not seen her co-anchor since but 'tried to keep in touch' via text. Lauer, a father-of-three, was left feeling 'betrayed' by his former co-anchor after she called the allegations 'shocking and appalling' on air. Both Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, who replaced Lauer, made several comments about the accusations on the show. The guest list for Long's wedding includes NBC weather man Al Roker, who rebuilt his relationship with Lauer following his cancer diagnosis, and several other network staffers. Lauer was accused of sexual harassment and rape by former network employee Brooke Nevils, with several other women coming forward with similar accusations. Nevils confirmed that she made the complaints to Ronan Farrow for his 2019 book Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators. She claimed that he raped her in his hotel room at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, where she was working for NBC's Meredith Vieira. Lauer has insisted all of his encounters were consensual. Ex-GMA anchors TJ Holmes and Amy Robach, fresh off starting a podcast following their firing from the show, made an appearance Al Roker, who remains a stalwart at the Today Show, was also in attendance Lauer and Guthrie's former Today Show co-host Hoda Kotb also appeared Savannah Guthrie and former co-host Matt Lauer The former Today Show colleagues celebrated the nuptials of NBC producer Jen Long to her fiance Reid Sterrett with several other longtime employees Lauer has been living a quiet life out of the spotlight since his firing. He has been dating Shamin Abas since 2019 and the pair were seen together last month taking a stroll in The Hamptons Lauer was left feeling 'betrayed' by his former co-anchor Guthrie after she called the allegations 'shocking and appalling' on air. The guest list for Long's wedding included NBC weather man Al Roker, who rebuilt his relationship with Lauer following his cancer diagnosis Lauer was accused of sexual harassment and rape by former network employee Brooke Nevils, with several other women coming forward with similar accusations Both Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, who replaced Lauer, made several comments about the accusations on the show Lauer has been living a quiet life since the firing and his subsequent divorce from Dutch model Annette Roque, his wife of 20 years. In 2018 Lauer agreed to pay his ex-wife $20million in the settlement. 'Matt and Annette have had an incredibly difficult year,' a source said at the time. 'They both wanted to settle their divorce amicably for their children's sake but it hasn't been easy.' Last year he sold his 12-bedroom estate in the Hamptons for $44million after three years on the market and a price drop. 'He sold because he wants to spend more time at his place in New Zealand,' a source told People last month. 'He feels peace there, loves it, loves the people, and it's good for his productivity level.' The source added, 'Matt has some projects he is working on, and Bryant [Gumbel] has been encouraging and inspirational for him. They talk regularly.' It's unclear if those 'projects' include making a comeback to television. Long and Sterrett, CEO of a Maryland-based home buying company, are asking wedding guests to donate to their honeymoon in an undisclosed location, as well as listing Celeste bedding worth $350 on their registry. Bath robes costing $200 are still available as gifts for the happy couple, with guests already purchasing a $600 Crate and Barrel pan set and $320 Wusthof knife block. The Bali 'tourist tax' is set to be axed for 20 countries including Australia. The Indonesian government introduced the $50-per-person fee in the wake of the Covid pandemic to boost revenue and discourage 'cheap tourists'. But the nation's Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, appears to have backflipped, indicating that the 15 countries which provide the most tourists to the island would be exempt. Five other countries, mostly from Middle-Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, will also be exempt to help promote 'investment contributions' on the island. Unlucky tourists from 196 other nations however will still have to pay the tax when travelling to Bali. The Indonesian government had planned to introduce the $50-per-person fee on February 14 next year to boost revenue and discourage 'cheap tourists' (stock image) While speaking to the media earlier this week, Minister Uno said Australia was at the top of the list for tourists arriving on the island. According to the island's Central Bureau of Statistics more than a million Aussies have made it to the island between January and October, about 25 per cent of all tourists. Mr Uno also highlighted New Zealand, China, India, the United States and England as among the other 14 countries that will get past Balinese customs without having to pay $50. The exemption list will be finalised and put before Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, 'in the next month'. 'After that we will receive direction from the president and the policy will be followed up with immigration,' he told the media. The founder of the Indonesia Institute, Ross Taylor, said scrapping the tax would help drive more tourists and economic activity. Tourists from the 15 countries that travel to the island the most will not have to pay the tax from next year while five other countries will be exempt for 'investment' opportunities (stock image) 'The Australian market suits the Balinese and is even more important than other markets, because when Aussies get up to Bali... we actually get out into the community,' Mr Taylor told the West Australian. 'When we get up there, we go down and sit on beanbags and sip Bintang, we go to little stores.' The decision to remove the tax sits in opposition to the chairman of the Bali Tourism Board, Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, who earlier this year said the tax 'improved the quality of tourists'. 'Income from the tourism tax would help fund a range of measures and prevent Bali from becoming known only as a cheap destination,' he said. 'Cheap destinations bring in cheap tourists who tend to cause a lot of problems.' While Aussie tourist will be able to travel to the island without paying the tax from January, Balinese provincial authorities recently revealed all tourists would have to pay a $15 fee to help protect the island's environment. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who led the hearings that led to the president of the University of Pennsylvania resigning, has said she's waiting for the same from the presidents of Harvard and MIT. Former UPenn President Liz Magill stepped down from her post at the Ivy League institution following fierce backlash to her controversial testimony over antisemitism on campus. Stefanik, who repeatedly tried to get the presidents to condemn statements encouraging genocide of Jewish people, said in a post on X that she's not done yet. 'One down. Two to go,' she wrote. 'This is only the very beginning of addressing the pervasive rot of antisemitism that has destroyed the most 'prestigious' higher education institutions in America. Bill Ackman, the billionaire hedge fund manager and Harvard alum who has led the movement to get rid of the progressive university leaders, had similar words. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who led the hearings that led to the president of the University of Pennsylvania resigning, has said she's waiting for the same from the presidents of Harvard and MIT 'There is hope for Penn,' he wrote. 'Now the focus turns to Presidents Gay and Kornbluth and the boards of Harvard and MIT,' Ackman added. Similar sentiments came from other members of Congress, including Long Island Representative Lee Zeldin. 'Penn's President Liz Magill is out! Harvard and MIT must follow suit. Any university president harboring and protecting students calling for the genocide of Jews should be thrown out of office immediately.' Florida's Congressman Carlos Gimenez followed: 'President Liz Magill of the University of Pennsylvania RESIGNED as did the President of the Board of Trustees. 'Former President Magill should take Harvards Claudine Gay and MITs Sally Kornbluth along with her,' he added. 'Their failure to condemn genocide is beyond disgraceful!' Magill, alongside the president's of Harvard and MIT, was summoned before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on Tuesday by lawmakers concerned by reports of a rise in antisemitism at leading universities. They faced heated questioning from committee chair Stefanik but failed to assert that calls for genocide against Jews on campus would definitively constitute harassment. Bill Ackman, the billionaire hedge fund manager and Harvard alum who has led the movement to get rid of the progressive university leaders, had similar words Following international outcry, including more than 70 lawmakers calling for her resignation, Magill stood down on Saturday. Pressure is now growing for the president's of Harvard and MIT whose testimony largely mirrored Magill's, with congresswoman Stefanik writing 'One down. Two to go' on X. 'This is only the very beginning of addressing the pervasive rot of antisemitism that has destroyed the most 'prestigious' higher education institutions in America' Stefanik wrote on Saturday evening. Adding: 'Harvard and MIT, do the right thing. The world is watching.' Just minutes after Magill's statement the chair of the Upenn's board of trustees, Scott Bok, also resigned. Bok's Vice Chair, Julie Beren Platt, has been named interim chair of the board. In a statement issued Saturday evening Magill wrote: 'It has been my privilege to serve as President of this remarkable institution. 'It has been an honor to work with our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members to advance Penn's vital missions.' The president of the University of Pennsylvania Liz Magill has resigned from her post following fierce backlash to her controversial congressional testimony over antisemitism on campus U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik during the tense House Education and The Workforce Committee hearing Scott L. Bok, Chair of the school's Board of Trustees, later announced his own resignation following Magill's decision to step down, effective immediately In his own resignation statement Bok defended Magill as a 'good person' who is 'not the slightest bit anti-Semitic' but had made a 'misstep' after 'months of relentless external attacks.' 'Today, following the resignation of the University of Pennsylvania's President and related Board of Trustee meetings, I submitted my resignation as Chair of the University's Board of Trustees, effective immediately,' he said in a statement. 'While I was asked to remain in that role for the remainder of my term in order to help with the presidential transition, I concluded that, for me, now was the right time to depart.' He acknowledged that Magill had made an error during her disastrous Congressional testimony and described it as a 'dreadful 30-second sound bite'. Bok added: 'Former President Liz Magill last week made a very unfortunate misstepconsistent with that of two peer university leaders sitting alongside herafter five hours of aggressive questioning before a Congressional committee. 'Following that, it became clear that her position was no longer tenable, and she and I concurrently decided that it was time for her to exit.' He wished Magill 'well in her future endeavors' and praised her as a 'good person and a talented leader who was beloved by her team'. He continued: 'She is not the slightest bit anti-Semitic. Working with her was one of the great pleasures of my life. 'Worn down by months of relentless external attacks, she was not herself last Tuesday. Magill resigned on Saturday following calls for her to quit which only ramped up after she appeared before Congress to explain her response to the anti-Semitism Harvard President Claudine Gay at the congressional hearing on antisemitism on campus The hearing also saw widely criticized testimony from MIT president Sally Kornbluth 'Over prepared and over lawyered given the hostile forum and high stakes, she provided a legalistic answer to a moral question, and that was wrong.' Magill was slammed for her testimony, in which she said that reprimanding students who call for a Jewish genocide was not paramount - but 'context' specific. She was asked a 'yes or no' question on whether calls for the genocide of Jews counted as hate speech, and repeatedly said it depended on the context. On Wednesday she attempted to clarify her comments, but the damage was done: a wealthy alumnus withdrew a $100 million donation, and her remarks were roundly condemned by the ADL, the White House and politicians across the board. Magill issued a groveling video statement attempting to explain her failure to condemn calls for the genocide of Jewish people on campuses. She said she was not 'focused' on the issue, and said she wanted to 'be clear' that calls for genocide were 'evil, plain and simple' - although she said the blame lay with her university's policies and the constitution, rather than with her. Magill said: 'There was a moment during yesterday's Congressional hearing on antisemitism when I was asked if a call for the genocide of Jewish people on our campus would violate our policies. 'In that moment, I was focused on our university's long-standing policies - aligned with the U.S. Constitution - which say that speech alone is not punishable. The former president will remain a tenured faculty member at Penn Carey Law The university's board held crisis talks on Tuesday but 'nothing' happened, according to sources. A second meeting was set for Sunday before the announcement came 'I was not focused on, but I should have been, the irrefutable fact that a call for genocide of Jewish people is a call for some of the most terrible violence human beings can perpetrate. It's evil, plain and simple.' Magill said she hoped to draw a line in the sand, and clarify her position. 'I want to be clear: a call for genocide of Jewish people is threatening, deeply so,' she said. 'It is intentionally meant to terrify a people who have been subjected to pogroms and hatred for centuries, and were the victims of mass genocide in the Holocaust. 'In my view it would be harassment or intimidation.' But, Magill said, it was not officially classed as harassment - a policy she said was outdated and needed review. Magill pledged to work to update the existing rules. 'For decades under multiple Penn presidents and consistent with most universities, Penn's policies have been guided by the Constitution and the law,' she said. 'In today's world, where we are seeing signs of hate proliferating across our campus and our world in a way not seen in years, these policies need to be clarified and evaluated. 'Penn must initiate a serious and careful look at our policies.' She concluded that she was 'committed to a safe, secure and supportive environment so all members of our community can thrive. We can, and we will, get it right.' On Thursday, as the House Education Committee said they were investigating the issue further, the board of Wharton - the world's first business school, founded in 1881 at the University of Pennsylvania - said Magill needed to resign. In a letter addressed to her, they said leadership of the university needed to change 'with immediate effect'. Magill on Wednesday tried to explain her equivocation when asked if calling for the genocide of Jewish people was hate speech In a letter addressed to Magill, the Wharton Board said leadership of the university needed to change 'with immediate effect' 'As a result of the University leadership's stated beliefs and collective failure to act, our Board respectfully suggests to you and the Board of Trustees that the University requires new leadership with immediate eect.' The board, in a letter first obtained by The Daily Pennsylvanian, describes their concern about 'dangerous and toxic culture' at Penn that they said the University leadership has allowed to exist. The letter added that the University leadership 'does not share the values of our Board.' The House Education and the Workforce Committee said it will probe the elite schools with the 'full force of subpoena power,' after presidents Claudine Gay, Sally Kornbluth, and Magill's astonishing words and actions. Her resignation comes after crisis talks where 'nothing' happened were held earlier in the week. The Board was due to meet again Sunday to discuss Magill stepping down before she offered to go. At the time of her resignation, a petition calling for her to be sacked had received more than 26,000 signatures. Magill had been in post since July last year, but her and it appears her poor stewardship of clashes between Pro Palestine and Israel supporters will become her legacy. Several high profile donors threatened to withdraw or have already removed their funding amid the controversy. Among them was Ross Stevens, the founder and CEO of New York-based Stone Ridge Asset Management, who said he withdrew his $100 million donation in disgust over Penn's handling of anti-Semitism. Former President Donald Trump told partygoers at a New York Young Republican Club event that the indictments against him have 'opened Pandora's box' and that Joe Biden should 'be very careful what you wish for'. Talking at Saturday evening's event Trump told a crowd chanting his name that Biden has 'opened up a Pandora's box that will never let our country be the same. 'I can only say to Joe: Be very careful what you wish for, but you have done is a terrible thing,' former president Trump said in his speech. The event was hosted at Cipriani's flagship location on New York City's Wall Street where roughly a thousand guests gathered, including notable Republicans Lauren Boebert and Matt Gaetz. 'I am being indicted for you. These are not indictments in the traditional sense. These are Biden indictments against their political opponent,' Trump told the event. Former President Donald Trump told partygoers at a New York Young Republican Club event that the indictments against him have 'opened Pandora's box' Trump spoke at Saturday evening's event hosted at Cipriani's flagship location on New York City's Wall Street The crowd chanted Trump's name and met his remarks with rapturous applause The former president currently faces 91 felony counts from four separate state and federal probes. 'I am the first guy who ever got indicted whose poll number went up,' he said before comparing himself to the infamous gangster Al Capone. Trump, who is the front runner for the Republican nomination, vowed to win White House in the 2024 presidential election. He even said he would win Democrat New York. 'We're going to take New York,' Trump said to a rapturous audience. 'I believe we have a great chance With hundreds of thousands of people living on the sidewalks and streets and illegal aliens and state like nobody thought possible.' Trump also laid into his rivals, mocking Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as 'DeSanctimonious,' and his former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley as 'birdbrain' the post reported. 'We want Donald Trump, we don't to run against Ron DeSanctimonious with his high heels and bobble head b*******. He looks like a bobble head doll,' Trump told the crowd. Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Col.) and Andrew Giuliani were seen at a VIP cocktail hour ahead of the main event. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon also purchased his own table for the event, where individual tickets ran about $700 a head. On a hypothetical ballot between just the two candidates Trump would receive 47 percent of the vote to Biden's 43 percent President Biden's approval rating has sagged, leaving him 4 points behind Trump President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden in Nantucket over the Thanksgiving holiday shortly after Biden's 81st birthday Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani sat at a table with his former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik. It comes as a new poll suggests Donald Trump could beat Joe Biden in next year's presidential race. President Biden's approval rating has sagged, leaving him 4 points behind former president Trump, according to a Wall Street Journal survey of 1,500 registered voters. On a hypothetical ballot between just the two candidates Trump would receive 47 percent of the vote to Biden's 43 percent. Trump's lead rises to 6 points, 37 percent to 31 percent's, when five potential third-party and independent candidates are included. The survey found widespread discontent with the president's policies, including his economic agenda and concerns over his age. President Biden is also facing the challenge of a fresh indictment filed against his son Hunter this week. The scandal-hit first son (left) already faces a weapons charge in Delaware Between 2016 and 2020 Hunter allegedly spent more than $683,000 on 'various women' and almost $400,000 on 'clothing and accessories' The Department of Justice filed new criminal charges against Hunter Biden in California on Thursday The Department of Justice has filed nine new criminal charges against the younger Biden on Thursday. All nine charges relate to tax, including two felony charges for filing a false return, a felony charge for tax evasion, four failure to pay charges, and a further two charges for failure to file. The charges span the 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 tax years. Prosecutors allege President Joe Biden's son spent millions on an 'extravagant lifestyle' while avoiding paying taxes for years. The Justice Department says Hunter faces up to 17 years in prison. The 53-year-old is also facing up to 25 years in prison on felony gun charges in Delaware in the second trial that could have a devastating impact on his father's 2024 campaign. The indictment states that despite receiving millions in personal income and financial support from a friend, Hunter 'spent this money on drugs, escorts and girlfriends, luxury hotels and rental properties, exotic cars, clothing, and other items of a personal nature, in short, everything but his taxes'. Read more: Lilie James death exposes huge Australian problem as the horrors going on behind closed doors are unmasked A mother-of-four has tragically died in the street after her boyfriend brutally stabbed her and set their family home on fire in a sickening act of domestic violence. Neighbours heard a 'blood-curdling scream' moments before Siva Auvae, 31, fled the burning house in Kallangur, north of Brisbane on Saturday at 7pm, after suffering knife wounds. She ran approximately 400m from Frances Court to Brimstone Court while being chased by her killer. The 32-year-old abuser later died in hospital on Sunday morning after succumbing to serious injuries suffered in the blaze. Ms Auvae's death comes just 16 days before Christmas, which would have also been her 32nd birthday. Neighbour Kiana Jeffrey had been sitting out the back of her home with family having a barbecue when she noticed smoke billowing from the home. Siva Auvae (pictured), 31, died on Saturday after her partner repeatedly stabbed her at their home in Kallangur, about 40km north of Brisbane, before setting their house on fire 'I quickly ran to the top of the driveway and my friend was walking to our house yelling, stop, stop, stop,' she told the Courier Mail. 'Then I looked and there was blood everywhere and a lady was face down in the middle of the road.' Ms Jeffery said Ms Auvae had keeled over in front of one home where the man had jumped the fence. Residents rushed from their homes to assist the badly injured woman. 'I just remember seeing her blood everywhere, on the driveway there was a big puddle and all the police just came flying,' she said. Ms Auvae, a Maori woman, who only recently moved to Queensland from Sydney, has been described a 'loving and protective mother with a flawless nature'. Detective Inspector David Harbison from Moreton Police told reporters on Sunday that police were investigating a domestic violence related homicide. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident 'At this stage it appears the [31-year-old] victim suffered a number of stab wounds,' he said. Detective Harbison said police were alerted to a nearby house fire about 100 metres away from where the young woman was located . The 32-year-old male, who police believe was the perpetrator, was found an hour later on Butterfly Court after attempting to flee the scene with critical burn injuries and later died in hospital. Detective Harbison said the tragedy was a 'dynamic, evolving incident when police, paramedics and fire officers arrived.' 'Forensic police with the assistance of our investigators continue to scour through the fire sceneand police are piecing together the movements of the deceased persons,' he said. 'It is known that the deceased persons were in a long-term domestic relationship and had recently moved to Kallangur from New South Wales.' Detective Harbison said the tragedy was a 'dynamic, evolving incident when police, paramedics and fire officers arrived' A man believed to be Ms Auvae's partner can be seen in video footage attempting to flee from the scene before he was found outside a nearby home Ms Auvae's family have started a GiveALittle fundraiser campaign to return her body to New Zealand and get her four children back home. 'Her whanau here in New Zealand are doing everything they can to find out more details surrounding her death and the events leading up,' her family said. 'There are going to be a lot of costs associated with bringing her back to New Zealand as well as sorting out arrangements for her four beautiful children.' Police are urging anyone who may have seen anything in the area at the time of the incident, or who may have relevant dashcam or CCTV footage, to come forward. Parents hoping to buy their children an iPhone for Christmas could be left scrambling for a replacement gift as shipping delays threaten deliveries. The Panama Canal is suffering from low water levels, meaning the massive container shops carrying presents are experiencing weeks of delays. Ships carrying items vital for the festive season are waiting one or two weeks in the queue instead of the usual eight to ten hours. This means shoppers waiting on Apple's new iPhones, TVs, exercise bikes, clothes and tree lights to arrive might not receive them in time for Christmas Day. Experts have warned that the disruptions at the canal are likely to remain in place for 'some time to come', with some fearing the restrictions could continue into 2025. A bulk carrier travels along the Panama Canal through Cocoli Locks on April 19 Low water levels outside the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal on November 3 A container ship is seen near the Panama Canal last week amid concerns for shipping A live tracker shows the crowd of container ships trying to get through the canal today Shipping vessels were seen queuing off of the Panama Canal on Monday (pictured) Around 176 ships from China and the Middle East crossed the 50-mile Panama Canal this week, which is 71 fewer than last year, according to Marine Traffic. Some ships are rerouting through the Suez Canal to avoid the delays, such as London-based Slot-Nielsen, but is charging customers for the additional cost of the longer route. One Christmas shopper told the Sunday Mirror: 'I've been saving all year to get my daughter an iPhone 15. Just my luck' while another added: 'There will be mayhem'. Marco Forgione, from the Institute of Export and International Trade, called the delays 'catastrophic'. He told the Sunday Mirror: 'There are supplied that just won't be here in time for Christmas.' Congestion in the canal could have a wider impact across the global supply chain with experts also warning that Christmas in the UK and Europe could be impacted. The cost of food and energy prices could also rise because grains and fuels are among other major supplies transported through the canal now experiencing delays. A container ship travels along the Panama Canal on August 11 this year Some ships are rerouting through the Suez Canal and other routes to avoid the delays Some companies have paid as much as $4 million (3 million) to move to the front of the queue and bypass wait times, Fox News reported. This is compared to an average auction price of about $173,000 (137,000) just one year ago. The average wait time in the queue has risen from 4.3 days on November 7 to 11.7 this month, Panama Canal Authority data revealed. READ MORE - Cargo ships face weeks-long wait - with goods heading to Europe from Asia and US west coast caught in backlog Advertisement Before the vital shipping route experienced delays, some 38 ships passed through each day. A total of more than 14,000 ships crossed the canal in 2022. But with limited water to maintain the freshwater lock system, only 24 ships have been able to cross through each day since November 7, reported the Daily Mirror. Ships are being forced to take huge detours, some even up to a month, through the Suez Canal in Egypt. It is understood that the number of ships passing through will fall further to 18 a day from February because of the drought. Last month, Everstream Analytics chief meteorologist Jon Davis told FOX Weather: 'It is the worst situation since the middle of last century.' There were warning signs as early as August when more than 200 ships were stuck on both sides of the Panama Canal after authorities capped the number of crossings because of a serious drought. The large vessels, which were thought to be carrying millions of dollars' worth of goods, were locked in a traffic jam, with some waiting for weeks to cross. Only 24 ships have been able to cross through each day since November 7. The average wait time this month is 11.7 days in the queue. Pictured: The route of the Panama Canal There were warning signs as early as August when more than 200 ships were stuck on both sides of the Panama Canal after authorities capped the number of crossings. Pictured: A cargo ship sailing through Agua Clara locks of the Panama Canal in Agua Clara, Panama, on August 3 The container ship Tampa Triumph passes through the Miraflores Locks in September Vessel-tracking data highlighted the extent of the issue, with hundreds of ships, mainly bulk cargo or gas carriers, seen waiting near entrances to the canal on the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The number of daily transits through the canal was capped at 32 by water authorities in a bid to conserve water. READ MORE - Christmas supplies in America are threatened as vital Panama Canal shipping route suffers its worst drought EVER: Cargo ships face weeks-long wait in backlog Advertisement The effects have led the canal to estimate a reduction in revenues of up to $200 million by 2024. An unprecedented drought this year has caused water levels at the canal to be the lowest seen at this time of year in nearly a century of data. Panama's dry season has come early this year with forecasts suggesting there will not be much rain in the coming weeks. Water levels at Lake Gatun, which is the primary feeder into the canal, saw some improvement last month, in comparison to levels in autumn, but meteorologists warn it has not been significant enough. As the region enters its dry season in January, water levels at Gatun are expected to be the lowest ever recorded. Everstream Analytics chief meteorologist Jon Davis said this is 'an item of concern', adding that the chances of seeing any improvement during the first quarter of 2024 is 'remote at best'. Panama's annual dry season normally begins in December and lasts until April or May. The drought, which comes with temperatures already at a 1.2C (34F) rise, is being discussed at the Cop28 environmental conference, with delegates hoping to agree to keep global warming at a 1.5C (35F) limit. A childhood cancer survivor has revealed why it took months for doctors to diagnose her with a brain tumour despite the numerous warning signs. The parent's of then five-year-old, Georgia, started to realise the Tasmanian kindergartener had started to become more uncoordinated, falling over toys and running into poles, and had developed a lazy eye. The family's GP said they had nothing to worry about and that her coordination would return when her 'turned out' eye re-corrects over time. After eight months of no improvements and numerous doctors not knowing what was going on with the little girl, she was finally written a referral for an MRI. The scan revealed Georgia's symptoms were being caused by a cancerous tumour that had wrapped around her optical nerve. At five-years-old, Georgia (pictured) started to become uncoordinated and developed a lazy eye, with a GP telling her parents they had nothing to worry about Georgia was rushed into surgery the very next day, with doctors having to slice through the right side of her skull to try and cut the tumour out. While the surgery was a limited success with a large amount of the tumour being removed, sections had to be left behind and dealt with by chemotherapy. Having already spent eight months waiting for a diagnosis, Georgia would then spend a further eight months undergoing a gruelling battle with chemo. Two decades later, she remembers having to drive three hours to the nearest clinic to undergo treatment, when she just wanted to 'be back playing with my friends'. 'My treatment was a long process, first I had to have surgery, and once I'd recovered from that, the many rounds of chemo began,' she told Canteen, a charity that helps support children affected by cancer. 'It was a long journey back to anything that resembled a 'normal' life.' Despite treatment killing the cancer, the trauma of the experience stayed with her and was made more difficult because she didn't have anyone her age to talk to about her cancer battle. 'After a few years, I realised I was still struggling with my cancer experience, I felt isolated and disconnected from other people my age,' she said. Eight months later a cancerous tumour was found wrapped around her optical nerve and spent a further eight months undergoing chemotherapy to beat the disease Two decades later the school teacher has recounted the most painful experience was the loneliness she felt not knowing anyone who had been similarly effected by cancer Georgia was introduced to Canteen in her teenage years where she would finally find the companionship she was searching for. 'I can tell you, that's when my life changed. On my first Canteen program, I meet two other girls from Tasmania who were also going through their own experience, and we've been best friends ever since,' she said. 'I've been able to access unconditional support and connect with so many young people.' Georgia has since become a youth ambassador for the organisation to urge children affected by cancer to contact the organisation. Her story was shared by Canteen as part of a holiday fundraising drive to help other young people receive the help they need. 'Canteen's programs aim to help young people impacted by cancer meet others who share similar stories. It's about getting them together so they can find that peer support they don't receive from anywhere else,' Canteen's Program Officer, Oli, said. The Government is pushing ahead with plans for the UK's first hydrogen towns despite backlash from locals over safety fears. Gas network operators are thought to have already put forward towns they deemed to be 'most suitable for conversion' such as Aberdeen, Scunthorpe, and areas near Humberside and Merseyside. A small trial of hydrogen heating will begin in Fife, Scotland, next year with about 300 homes being supplied with the gas. Whitby, in Ellesmere Port, was put forward for the pilot scheme to test out the use of hydrogen in homes but those plans were thrown out in July when it was met with fierce opposition from locals who feared being 'lab rats'. While last month protesters took to the streets in Redcar against Government proposals to heat 2,000 properties in the seaside town in Yorkshire with hydrogen. Protesters take to the streets in Redcar, Yorkshire, as the Government eyes up the town as a potential place to test out hydrogen in domestic homes The Government has put forward proposals for 2,000 properties to be heated with the gas as part of a pilot scheme (Pictured: Protesters in Redcar) The Government is pressing ahead with trials despite The National Infrastructure Commission last month concluding after an exhaustive investigation that hydrogen should be 'ruled out as an option to enable an exclusive focus on switching to electrified heat', reported The Guardian. READ MORE: Plans to heat millions of homes with hydrogen in jeopardy as experts fear its potential to blow up homes is being swept under the rug Advertisement Three other towns - two in Wales and one in the West Country - have also been mooted as potential areas for hydrogen, according to The Telegraph. A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: 'By 2030, we aim to deliver 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity, including at least half from green hydrogen sources, supporting more than 12,000 jobs and up to 11bn of private investment across the UK. 'We are building the necessary evidence base to determine whether hydrogen blending offers strategic and economic value and meets the required safety standards. We will confirm more details by the end of the year.' In a move to reassure people it is thought the Government could rename areas 'decarbonisation zones' and offer to switch from gas to heat pumps, while gas companies could also be allowed to blend hydrogen with the existing gas network. Only weeks ago Northern Gas Networks (NGN) was criticised over safety measures relating to plans to supply 2,000 homes in Redcar with hydrogen for heating and cooking - instead of natural gas. It involves installing hydrogen detectors in homes but experts said that potential participants have not been provided with enough information. Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has been criticised over safety measures relating to plans to supply 2,000 homes with hydrogen for heating and cooking - instead of natural gas (stock image) Ministers have said they will only go ahead with the Redcar scheme if it has support from the community As hydrogen is easier to ignite and is more prone to leaking than natural gas, homes will have to undergo some changes in order for it to be installed. The experiment is seen as the last chance to prove whether hydrogen heating can work in the UK. NGN was said to be locked in a row over safety, as experts and residents clashed with the gas network over the proposed modifications. Early safety assessments recommended that homes should have holes drilled in their walls in order to prevent the gas leaking and setting alight, according to The Telegraph. NGN said that this was unnecessary and instead proposed using high-tech sensors to find leaks. Michael Liebreich, an independent energy analyst, said the lack of information was 'outrageous'. He told the outlet: 'They were never properly told about the original safety case for the trial and are now being asked to consent without a new safety case having been published.' Mr Liebreich added that people were not given information about what was going to happen to their houses. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) previously set out measures that it said would bring the risk of using hydrogen down. It said installing excess flow valves and outdoor metres at homes, 4x4 inch, permanently open vents and making hydrogen smell like natural gas would help. The gas network also told Redcar residents they would not need vents and dismissed fears about explosions as 'misinformation'. And a safety assessment found hydrogen installed in homes could cause 65 injuries or fatalities annually. Plans to make Whitby the UK's first 'hydrogen village' were abandoned in July following a backlash from local residents who complained that they 'didn't sign up to be lab rats'. Energy Minister Lord Callanan said at the time: 'After listening to the views of residents, it's clear that there is no strong local support.' In an open letter, Mark Horsley, chief executive of NGN, said: 'There is absolutely no scenario in which we would ever install a product in anyone's home or community that compromised their safety.' The Met Police has spent as much as 20million policing the pro-Palestine protests that have erupted across London since the Israel-Hamas war began nine weeks ago. The force has deployed up to 2,000 officers to the capital every weekend since Hamas invaded Israel, costing taxpayers an estimated 20million and putting a stain on other frontline duties, The Sunday Times reported. Some weekends the Met had to draft officers from other forces across the UK under 'mutual aid' rules to assist with policing the protests, which have already left police investigating at least 259 suspects and 172 crimes. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley last week told Mayor Sadiq Khan that his force has been 'severely bent out of shape' by the conflict in the Middle East and that local borough command units have been losing one third of their staff on weekends so offices can assist with protests in central London. Officials warn bills will continue to rise as protesters have vowed to continue marching through London's streets until Israel ends its campaign in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian protesters are pictured marching from Bank of England to Parliament Square yesterday as they called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The Met Police has spent as much as 20million policing the pro-Palestine protests that have erupted across London since the Israel-Hamas war began nine weeks ago. Police detained at least 13 people during yesterday's protest in central London. Officers are pictured during the pro-Palestine march on Whitehall The force has deployed up to 2,000 officers to protests in the capital every weekend since Hamas invaded Israel. Demonstrators are pictured in London yesterday Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters flooded the capital yesterday for the ninth week in a row. The group marched from the Bank of England to Parliament Square. Police detained at least 13 people, including a man who held a placard comparing Israel to Nazi Germany. He was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. The force is understood to also be investigating various other instances of antisemitic placards and chants at yesterday's demonstration. It comes amid concerns that a sustained cycle of protests and vigils held in the capital is creating a funding gap for the Metropolitan Police. A letter submitted to the policing board, which is chaired by the mayor, estimated that 12.6million was spent during the period from October 7 to November 19 to police the demonstrations. 'We are investigating 259 suspects and 172 crimes linked to the operation,' the report said, according to The Times. 'The numbers of investigations and suspects are likely to increase once we have identified suspects for violent disorder at the various scenes, such as the Cenotaph.' But further protests have occurred since the November 19, with experts estimating the bill is now closer to 17million. Protesters hold pro-Palestine placards, Palestinian flags, and a giant inflatable watermelon during the demonstration on Whitehall yesterday Police detain a person during a pro-Palestine march on Whitehall, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, in central London yesterday Police detain a demonstrator during the pro-Palestine march on Whitehall yesterday Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters wave flags and carry placards during a National March for Palestine in central London yesterday In a letter to Home Secretary James Cleverly, Mr Khan said the funding gap could now be as high as 240million, and appealed for more support. Mr Khan said London faces 'unique pressures as a capital city' because of the number of protests, sporting events, cultural festivals and ceremonial events it hosts. 'These additional costs result in reduced resource available for frontline and neighbourhood teams... London's communities directly suffer,' the mayor said. The Home Secretary will soon be considering the police funding settlement which sets out grants for police forces in England and Wales. 'I would like to highlight the current underfunding of the National and International Capital City (NICC) grant,' Mr Khan wrote to the Home Secretary. In his letter, he quoted Met police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who said that since October 7 'more than 28,000 officer shifts have been completed in connection to protests and vigils'. Eco activist group Just Stop Oil has held repeated 'slow marches' in the capital this autumn, while pro-Palestine protests have attracted more than 100,000 demonstrators, requiring more than 1,000 police officers a time. Last week, Scotland Yard revealed it had spent 19.9million policing Just Stop Oil alone since the group's first campaign in October 2022. The force said time spent on the group roughly equated to about 300 officers per day being taken out of frontline policing across London. In November, the Met began reducing the amount of mental health calls officers attend as part of a new initiative with the NHS. The scheme introduces a threshold for police response to tackle the amount of time officers are spending on policing mental health. A woman shouts pro-Palestine slogans while participating in the protest in London yesterday Tens of thousands of people attend the Pro-Palestine demonstration yesterday. Demonstrators are pictured marching near Embankment Pro-Palestinian placards were left piled up on the side of the road are pictured at the end of a National March for Palestine in central London yesterday Additional pressure on the Met is having a detrimental effect on the welfare of its officers, Mr Khan warned. 'The Met has cancelled nearly 4,000 rest days and for each public order event, the same officers are being deployed,' he said. 'Many officers have worked every weekend since October 7 and sickness rates are rising, a trend which is likely to continue.' The Met is not the only police force facing financial pressures. Police Scotland - funding for which is provided by the Scottish Government - has warned officer numbers could drop by almost 1,500 and the force could move to a 'reduced attendance model' nationwide if it does not receive almost 129 million in extra funding. The headteacher who killed herself after an Ofsted inspection downgraded her primary school from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate' was 'crushed' by the ruling despite having an otherwise successful life, her sister has claimed. Ruth Perry, 53, took her own life in January this year after Caversham Primary School in Reading was downgraded to the watchdog's lowest rating over safeguarding concerns, a coroner ruled last week. Mrs Perry was left 'absolutely panic stricken' in the weeks following the 'intimidating' inspection into the school last year and revealed in a series of notes that the word inadequate was repeatedly 'flashing behind my eyes'. Her sister Professor Julia Waters - after the Berkshire coroner ruled the inspection 'likely' contributed to Ms Perry's death - has claimed the downgrading 'crushed' the headteacher and somewhat undermined her other successes. 'Ruth just saw this one word "inadequate" as summing everything she had ever achieved and it was targeted at her,' Prof Waters told The Sunday Times. 'That is how she felt and it just crushed her.' Ruth Perry, 53, (pictured) took her own life in January this year after Caversham Primary School in Reading was downgraded to the watchdog's lowest rating over safeguarding concerns Her sister Julia Waters (left), pictured her Mrs Perry (right) on a holiday to Italy in 1996, has claimed the downgrading 'crushed' the headteacher and somewhat undermined her other successes Despite her many successes as head at Caversham Primary School, (pictured) Prof Waters claims that Ofsted's report caused Mrs Perry's mental health to go 'downhill so fast' Mrs Perry excelled in the world of academia since she herself was a pupil, her sister shared. She studied classics at the University of Exeter and then trained as a maths teacher. She launched her career in primary school education in the east end of London before returning to her hometown of Caversham, where her husband Jonathan was also from. Prof Waters says that once Mrs Perry was appointed as head at Caversham Primary School, she threw herself into her 'tough' job. She claims her sister 'loved' her role and was a 'workaholic but it was for all the right reasons'. Mrs Perry's workload allegedly increased during the coronavirus pandemic, but she still went out of her way to keep up pupils' morale. She also prioritised giving each student a chance to come back to in-person lessons once restrictions eased. But despite her many successes within the school, Prof Waters claims that Ofsted's report caused Mrs Perry's mental health to go 'downhill so fast'. The inspection report found Mrs Perry's school to be 'good' in every category - even hailing it as 'welcoming and vibrant' with 'high expectations' - apart from leadership and management, where it was judged to be 'inadequate'. Prof Waters claims that after Ofsted made its judgement, Mrs Perry was consumed by the report. 'That Christmas all she could talk about was "Ofsted Ofsted Ofsted". She was like a stuck record,' the Reading University professor told the newspaper. 'She went downhill so fast, her skin was matt, her eyes dull.' Prof Waters, pictured with Mrs Perry in the early 1990s, claims that after Ofsted made its judgement, her sister was consumed by the report. She said: 'That Christmas all she could talk about was "Ofsted Ofsted Ofsted". She was like a stuck record. She went downhill so fast, her skin was matt, her eyes dull' Coroner Mrs Connor ruled last week that 'Ruth Perry committed suicide contributed to by an Ofsted inspection carried out in November 2022' Mrs Perry's sister Julia Waters is pictured arriving at court on Thursday to hear the inquest's conclusion Concluding her inquest into Mrs Perry's death on Thursday, senior coroner Heidi Connor said: 'The evidence is clear in this respect, and I find that Ruth's mental health deterioration and death was likely contributed to by the Ofsted inspection.' The inquiry heard Ofsted's Alan Derry, who led the inspection at the school on November 15 and 16 last year, said Mrs Perry was 'tearful' and kept saying: 'It's not looking good is it?' Mrs Perry's husband Jonathan Perry told the inquest his wife felt the Ofsted inspector was a 'bully' with an 'agenda'. He said she was concerned that failing on child safeguarding would be the end of her career. Ms Connor said last week: 'I find that parts of the Ofsted inspection were conducted in a way which lacked fairness, respect and sensitivity.' She added that a claim made by Ofsted during the inquest, that school inspections could be paused if the distress of a headteacher was a concern, was 'a mythical creature'. 'Ofsted gave evidence under oath that they have paused inspections before for reasons of headteacher distress,' she said. 'I heard no direct evidence of this, and I am afraid I have to wonder what the level of distress must have been in those cases for such an action to be taken. It is clear that there is no guidance or training in this respect.' The senior coroner said she was 'concerned to note the almost complete absence of Ofsted training' in situations where school leaders showed distress during an inspection, and around whether inspections could be paused in such cases. She said that she intended to issue a Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths in this matter and that she hoped this would assist the parliamentary inquiry into Ofsted inspections. The Perry family has now demanded change in Ofsted's inspection process to prevent other teachers from going through similarly 'traumatic inspections'. Pictured is Julia Waters, sister of Ruth Perry, with other family members speaking in Reading Town Hall at the end of the inquest on Thursday, December 7 this year The Perry family has now demanded change in Ofsted's inspection process to prevent other teachers from going through similarly 'traumatic inspections'. Following the coroner's conclusion last week, Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman apologised to the family and friends of Mrs Perry. She said Ofsted has made changes to reduce pressures felt by school leaders and 'will do more' to address concerns raised by the coroner. Mrs Spielman added that the watchdog was delaying next week's inspections by a day and setting up a hotline for schools that have concerns. But speaking on BBC Breakfast after the inquest, Prof Waters said 'pausing the inspections for a day to do some training is not enough'. 'I receive emails every day from teachers and headteachers and their relatives who've been through traumatic inspections. Things absolutely have to change,' she added. Prof Waters shared notes handwritten by her sister before she died, one of which read: 'I wake from restless sleep absolutely panic stricken. 40 days are taking their toll on my skin and my nails, my stomach is wasting away.' Rishi Sunak has deployed David Cameron to try and peel off Tory rebels as he bids to try and save his Rwanda plan. The Prime Minister is facing a Conservative revolt over emergency legislation he has drawn up to try and get migrant flights to the African country in the air. His bid to revive the asylum scheme with Kigali - which is already costing 290million, despite not a single person having been sent to Rwanda - is under threat from various factions in his party. In a fresh blow to Mr Sunak, the 'Star Chamber' of legal advisers to the Tory Right has concluded the Rwanda legislation is not fit for purpose. Sir Bill Cash, the veteran Brexiteer who has chaired a legal examination of the new laws, signalled the PM's legislation is not 'sufficiently watertight'. The Prime Minister is facing a Conservative revolt over emergency legislation he has drawn up to try and get migrant flights to Rwanda in the air Rishi Sunak has deployed David Cameron to try and peel off Tory rebels as he bids to try and save his Rwanda plan Sir Bill Cash, the veteran Brexiteer who has chaired a legal examination of the new laws, signalled the PM's legislation is not 'sufficiently watertight' Suella Braverman rejects PM's claim he couldn't go further on new Rwanda laws due to objections from Kigali Suella Braverman has questioned Rishi Sunak's 'rather strange claim' that going further on emergency laws would have caused the Rwanda plan to 'collapse'. The PM has argued Kigali would have pulled out the migration deal if it was at risk of being found to be in breach of obligations of international law. But Mrs Braverman, who was sacked as home secretary by Mr Sunak last month, told the Sunday Telegraph: 'I've been to Rwanda several times and I have spoken to the Rwandan government a lot. 'It never once raised any kind of concerns like this.' Advertisement According to the Sunday Times, Lord Cameron spoke to Sir Bill for 45 minutes on Friday afternoon as part of No10's major lobbying operation to try and avoid defeat when the legislation is voted on in the House of Commons. The newspaper reported the Foreign Secretary is one of several ministers working to peel off Tory rebels threatening to withhold their support for the emergency laws when the first key vote is held on Tuesday. Downing Street is also engaging with Tory moderates who are concerned the legislation, designed to overcome a Supreme Court ruling the migration scheme is unlawful, may not comply with Britain's obligations under international law. In an article in The Sun, two leading MPs on the Tory Right have warned they may not be able to back the PM's plans. Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates, who lead the New Conservatives group, pushed back at Mr Sunak's message the Tories must 'unite or die'. They wrote: 'The vital thing is we come together in the right place: where the public is. There's no point uniting around a policy that doesn't work. 'That way we'll just unite AND die. The fundamental question around the small boats crisis is this: who is in charge of our country? 'Is it Parliament, the representatives of the people or is it lawyers and judges interpreting what they imagine to be 'customary international law'?' The first vote on the Rwanda legislation is set to come in a crunch week for Mr Sunak, who is also due to appear before the Covid inquiry tomorrow. Labour will whip its MPs to vote against the legislation, meaning a rebellion by just 28 Tories could deliver a humiliating defeat for Mr Sunak's Government. Danny Kruger (pictured) and Miriam Cates, who lead the New Conservatives group, pushed back at Mr Sunak's message the Tories must 'unite or die' Sir Keir Starmer's party accused the Tories of 'begging for our votes' to pass the legislation to help revive their 290 million Rwanda 'gimmick'. Asked on Sky News this morning whether the Government had the votes to pass the new Rwanda legislation, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: 'We will see. Only 5 in 100 migrants expected to block their deportation under Rwanda law The Home Office has predicted that 99.5 per cent of all legal challenges from migrants against the Rwanda law will fail to block their deportation. The department thinks that only 10 per cent of all challenges will go to a hearing, with 90 percent of these not expected to proceed any further. This means that for every 100 challenges, only 5 migrants would be successful in preventing their deportation. Such figures were calculated by modelling from government officials, which has been seen by The Times and are set to be ciculated to MPs in the next two days. Advertisement 'I know that Sir Bill was consulted during the course of the preparation of the Bill, and the content of the Bill reflects many of the wise things that we said.' He added: 'We will see what Sir Bill and the Star Chamber say. We take seriously the views of colleagues, particularly eminent colleagues like Sir Bill who have deep and profound legal experience. 'But we believe this Bill is tough and robust, and more than that you can look, you can read down the Bill, compare it to the Supreme Court judgment, and you can see that this Bill will ensure that all of the reasons that were used in the past to prevent people going to Rwanda are dealt with.' Mr Gove also insisted the Government is 'not contemplating' calling a general election if the Rwanda legislation is voted down. 'We're not contemplating that because I'm confident that when people look at the legislation and have a chance to reflect they will recognise this is a tough but also proportionate measure,' he added. Sir Bill wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that the 'Star Chamber' had been considering whether the wording of the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill was 'sufficiently watertight to meet the Government's policy objectives'. 'At present it does not,' he said. 'Our report, I hope, will be helpful to the Government in deciding whether the Bill in its current form is fit for purpose or will require further amendment, even by the Government itself.' Mr Sunak's efforts to prevent Tory MPs rebelling on the legislation hit another snag when it was revealed that a legal assessment has been given it only a '50% at best' chance of success of getting removal flights off to Rwanda. This is the moment a baby trapped inside the smoking wreckage of an overturned car was rescued by emergency workers. Paramedics rushed to Okehampton Crescent in Bexleyheath at 6.26am on Sunday to reports that a care company car had flipped onto its roof. They managed to free a woman and her baby who were trapped inside the vehicle and the pair were rushed to hospital. Footage from the scene shows the car lying on its roof, with glass and debris scattered along the road. A police cordon was put in place at the scene as emergency services worked to release the baby from the vehicle A woman and a baby were involved in the incident which took place at 6am this morning at Okehampton Crescent, Welling, Bexleyheath No arrests were made and the woman and baby's injuries are 'not believed to be critical'. The road remains closed and drivers have been urged to avoid the area. A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 6.26am this morning (10 December) to reports of a road traffic collision in Okehampton Crescent, Welling. 'We sent an ambulance crew to the scene who arrived in less than seven minutes. 'We checked over a woman and a baby and took them to hospital.' A spokesperson from Met Police added: 'Police were called by ambulance colleagues at 06:28hrs on Sunday, 10 December, to an overturned car in St Michaels Rise junction with Okehampton Crescent, Welling. 'Officers attended along with LAS and LFB. 'A woman and a baby were taken to hospital as a precaution. Their injuries are not believed to be critical. There has been no arrest. 'The road remains closed at the location.' A savage note penned by a fed-up neighbour in the lead up to Christmas has ignited heated debate among locals about who is in the right. A West Gippsland man posted an image of the harsh letter he received to a rural Victorian community Facebook group. 'Any chance you can cut the grass & tidy up around your place???' the note began 'Looked great for a long time lately a f****** s*** hole.' A man received an angry letter from a fed-up neighbour about the state of his lawn The man who shared the note captioned the image with a lengthy comment, including a surprise invitation to take the irate neighbour out for coffee. 'This is a great opportunity to remember that there are those of us who have a lot of hate and pain in their heart, and that we live with them every day,' he said. 'Thank you to whomever wrote me this letter, it was a great learning opportunity for my young children to find it, so that I could teach them that we always need God's grace, and that we live in a post Genesis 3 fallen world. 'Please pray for those among us living with psychological conditions, as Christmas time can be especially tough for them. God bless'. Poll Whose side are you on? The homeowner The note-writer Whose side are you on? The homeowner 532 votes The note-writer 503 votes Now share your opinion He then added: 'P.S. if you wrote this, please DM me and let's go out for coffee and a chat, l'd love to help welcome you to the town.' Many from the local group were shocked at the abrasive note, rallying in defence of the recipient. 'It's pretty sad that someone felt the need to write this. Even if they did fell the need to say something, there is no need to be rude,' one said. 'There might be many reasons why the lawn hasn't been mown. Maybe go to the front door and find out why. They may need yours or someone else's help to rectify the situation'. The persons added that Christmas 'is one of those times when we can all be that little bit kinder'. Locals were divided on whether to side with the recipient or the author of the note Another scoffed at the 'lovely language used' and deplored the fact that the man's children had stumbled across the note. 'What a gutless wonder why not go to you neighbour knock on there door, and have a chat with the neighbour, and politely ask them to tidy up... That was pretty disrespectful,' the person wrote. Others suggested that the author should 'have some manners'. But some were not so forgiving, appearing to side with the note writer. 'Just mow your lawn, vacant block next door was knee high which is unacceptable,' one said. 'Made me wanna place a sign out the front saying hay for sale'. While another suggested to 'just cut the grass'. 'Simple. Don't think God has anything to do with it really' they said. Sadiq Khan has pointed to continuing Gaza protests and Just Stop Oil activities in a plea for more cash for the 'chronically underfunded' Metropolitan Police. In a letter to Home Secretary James Cleverly, the London mayor claimed there was a 240million funding shortfall for Scotland Yard. He said London faced 'unique pressures' as the UK's capital, with the city continuing to see demonstrations in the wake of Hamas's terror attacks on Israel on 7 October. Mr Khan added that 'cultural festivals and ceremonial events' placed an extra burden on London's police force, as well as 'additional pressures caused by the JSO protests and various sporting events'. The London mayor told Mr Cleverly the 'additional costs' from Scotland Yard's policing of Gaza protests had resulted in 'reduced resource available for frontline and neighbourhood teams'. He also warned there was now less resource 'for important programmes to reform' the Met Police, which has suffered a series of scandals in recent years. Sadiq Khan has pointed to continuing Gaza protests and Just Stop Oil activities in a plea for more cash for the 'chronically underfunded' Metropolitan Police The mayor said London faced 'unique pressures' as the UK's capital, with the city continuing to see demonstrations in the wake of Hamas 's terror attacks on Israel on 7 October Mr Khan said 'cultural festivals and ceremonial events' placed an extra burden on the Met Police, as well as 'additional pressures caused by the JSO protests and various sporting events' Mr Khan said London's communities 'directly suffer' from Scotland Yard's requirement to prioritise its 'under-funded' duties as the capital's police force. He claimed many officers in the Met Police had worker every weekend since 7 October, with 'rising' sickness rates within the force. The London mayor demanded Mr Cleverly return to a 'fully funded' National and International Capital City (NICC) grant, which he said was now leaving a 240million annual gap in funding. The NICC is a pot of money provided by the Government to the Met Police - through City Hall - to fund the 'unique and additional demands' placed on Scotland Yard by being the capital's police force. But the Met Police has complained the amount it receives is well below the actual costs of policing public events and protests. In a letter to Home Secretary James Cleverly, the London mayor claimed there was a 240million funding shortfall for Scotland Yard In a statement, Mr Khan said: 'It's been known for a long time that the Government have chronically underfunded the Met Police for the unique and national responsibilities it has in our capital to deliver major state events, as well as manage large-scale protests. 'The recent unprecedented pressures and demands on the force has brought this underfunding into sharp focus. 'The Met have outlined that the funding shortfall is around 240million, and as the Commissioner has said it is continuing to have a real tangible impact on the service they can provide to Londoners.' The mayor's office also pointed to the hundreds of events the Met Police is required to oversee each year that are unique to the capital, including the state opening of Parliament, Trooping the Colour, and Notting Hill Carnival. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We are giving the police the resources they need to tackle crime, and through our police recruitment campaign we have more police officers in England and Wales than ever. 'The Metropolitan Police will receive up to 3.3billion in 2023/24, an increase of up to 102.3million on the previous year. This includes 185.3million in recognition of the increased demands the force faces from policing the capital city. 'We have also provided an additional 75.3million of in-year funding to support the force in managing the costs associated with the 2023/24 pay award.' The federal government will crack down on student visas and 'visa hopping', while making it easier for highly skilled migrants to work in Australia, as part of a major overhaul to fix the 'broken' migration system. The government will release the long-awaited migration strategy on Monday, outlining plans to reduce barriers for highly skilled migrants, properly regulate lower-paid migration and prevent system exploitation. After a lull during the Covid-19 pandemic, the net migration figure peaked at more than 500,000 people last financial year - the highest in history - fuelled by international students who accounted for more than half of those arrivals. The crackdown comes after a new poll found that almost two-thirds of Aussies want Anthony Albanese's government to cut migration after numbers surged since the pandemic ended. The Resolve Political Monitor for Nine newspapers found that 62 per cent of voters said the migration intake - which is set to top 500,000 this year - is too high. Labor has announced an overhaul of Australia's immigration process after more than 500,000 migrants entered the nation in the last financial year, the highest in history (stock image) HOW MANY MIGRANTS WILL COME TO AUSTRALIA BEFORE AND AFTER LABOR'S CHANGES 2023-24: 440,000 down to 375,000 2024-25: 305,000 down to 250,000 2025-26: 285,000 down to 255,000 2026-27: 265,000 down to 235,000 Source: 2023-24 Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) Advertisement Australia's net overseas migration figure was on track for 440,000 in 2023-24, but the 25 new policy commitments and areas for future reforms to be unveiled on Monday are set to slow that down to a more sustainable 375,000, the Daily Telegraph reported. This week's mid-year economic update will show that figure will slow even further to 235,000 by 2026-27. Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said the record migration figure was in part due to a post-Covid catch up, but also due to the system Labor inherited which 'have led to loopholes and rorts in international education', noting that student visa refusals had tripled in 2022-23. 'The government's targeted reforms are already putting downward pressure on net overseas migration, and will further contribute to this expected decline,' she said. 'Having inherited a basket case of an immigration system from the Coalition, we've worked around the clock to strike the best balance in Australia's migration system. 'If we kept the settings we inherited from the Coalition, we would not expect to see the same reductions in migration levels this financial year and next.' The overhaul will drastically reduce the number of student visas being used as a gateway for work visas, by lifting English requirements for international students and graduates. There will also be greater, and more targeted scrutiny on student visa applications. To date, there has been a no-questions-asked policy with student visas in the past, but would-be students will now need to explain why they want to come to Australia to study, and how that will benefit them and the country. Education Minister Jason Clare said the strategy 'sends a clear message that we will act to prevent the exploitation of students and protect Australia's reputation as a high-quality international education provider'. There will also be an overhaul to the system's settings to reduce 'permanent temporariness' by shortening graduate visas and stopping onshore 'visa hopping'. The government will also lift the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold to $70,000 and index it annually. This will close down pathways for students who transition to work but fail to reach the minimum salary requirements within two years. The government's strategy includes turning away from low-skilled workers and students and towards high-skilled workers in industries that are facing labour shortages (stock image) At the same time, the government's strategy will reduce barriers for job-creating highly skilled migrants. The government promised businesses would receive seven-day approvals on visa's for migrants skilled in industries facing labour shortages. There will also be streamlined labour market testing and new support for start-ups to get the workers they need. The strategy will also create a new talent and innovation visa. Ms O'Neil said the changes will help Australia get the skills it needs, especially in healthcare, the digital economy, and jobs need for the transition to net-zero. More broadly, she said the strategy was 'all about getting migration working for the country'. 'Including by the right settings to ease workforce shortages that are holding our country back without putting undue stress on other parts of our country,' she said. 'We'll always put the best interests of Australians first, and that's what people will see in the migration strategy.' The strategy follows the Parkinson review, published earlier this year, which found the visa system was 'so badly broken', and that there had been a 'deliberate decision to neglect the system'. The release of the government's strategy comes after a new poll found that almost two-thirds of Aussies want Anthony Albanese 's government to cut migration (pictured, Clare O'Neill) On Saturday, Anthony Albanese pledged to fix the system and committed to bringing migration back to 'sustainable levels'. However, he could not be drawn on whether the government had a target for net overseas migration. 'We have a plan to fix migration by ensuring Australia can get the skilled workers that Australia needs, by putting an end to any abuse and any rorts,' the Prime Minister said. 'The new migration strategy will bring migration back to sustainable levels.' Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the migration strategy was about making sure Australia had a 'better calibrated, better targeted migration system that delivers in our national economic interest'. 'A lot of work, a lot of consideration has gone into the policies that Clare O'Neil will be announcing tomorrow,' he said on Sunday. 'We want to better target our migration system so it delivers for our national economic interest, and that's what the immigration strategy will be about.' The strategy follows a suite of other measures already taken by the government, including closing Covid-19 concessions by ending the Pandemic Event visa and uncapped international students working hours and tackling exploitation of the visa system. The former speaker was ousted from his role in a historic vote and has announced his plans to leave Congress altogether by the end of the year In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, McCarthy said he would also be open to serving in Trump's cabinet 'in the right position' The California Republican officially endorsed former President Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has formally endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 race, adding that he is open to serving in his White House cabinet. During a preview of an interview for CBS Sunday Morning, McCarthy told CBS anchor Robert Costa that the 45th president could 'count on his support.' The California Rep. did not endorse Trump while serving as speaker. He was ousted after 216 of his former colleagues - including eight Republicans - voted in favor of a motion to vacate, making him the first speaker ever removed from the role. Just last week, he announced his plans to leave Congress at the end of the month. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy officially endorsed former President Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election In an interview for CBS Sunday Morning, McCarthy added that he believed Trump would clinch the nomination and beat President Joe Biden in the 2024 race McCarthy said he was open to serving in Trump's cabinet if he was 'the best person for the job' When asked if Trump would be the Republican nominee in the upcoming presidential election, McCarthy responded: 'Yes. And if Biden stays as the nominee for the Democrats, I believe Donald Trump will win. 'I believe the Republicans will gain more seats in the House and the Republicans will win the Senate.' McCarthy said the former President could count on his support. 'That's an endorsement?' Costa asked. 'I will support the president. I will support President Trump,' McCarthy responded. On the possibility of serving in a Trump cabinet, the former speaker said he would do so 'in the right position' and if he was 'the best person for the job.' 'Look, I worked with President Trump on a lot of policies. We worked together to win the majority,' he said, characterizing their relationship as one 'where were very honest with one another.' McCarthy first took office in the House in 2007 and quickly climbed the ranks. He won speakership during the 15th round of votes in January after facing continuous opposition from some hardline Republicans. The California Rep. was ousted from his role as speaker in a historic turn of events that saw eight Republicans vote in favor of the motion to vacate The unprecedented ouster marked the first time that the chamber voted out a speaker. McCarthy announced that he will be leaving Congress altogether at the end of the month However, his opponents' frustration grew amid debt ceiling negotiations with President Joe Biden. Members of the House Freedom Caucus blasted McCarthy for agreeing to a plan that didnt go far enough to curb spending as they saw it. Some labelled the compromise a 'betrayal.' The final straw was McCarthys handling of the appropriations process as a government shutdown loomed. With government funding levels set to expire at the end of September and zero spending bills passed in the lower chamber, McCarthy decided to introduce a stopgap measure to extend government funding through mid-November. Ultraconservative members of the Republican caucus insisted they weren't afraid of a shutdown if necessary. The measure only passed in the lower chamber due to Democratic support. Days later, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz introduced a motion that would remove McCarthy from his position as speaker. The motion to table the bill, or set it aside, failed, leading to a vote on the motion to vacate. It passed with a final tally of 216-210. After serving for 269 days, McCarthy's tenure came to an end on October 3. The California Republican said it only became clear to him he would be ousted moments before the historic vote. 'I called my leadership team, I said, "We're not going to win this one,"' he told Dailymail.com in an exclusive interview last month. 'And I told them, "I'm not going to run again."' McCarthy faced opposition from hardline Republicans throughout his tenure as speaker, but the final straw came when he introduced a motion to prevent a government shutdown in September Days later, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz introduced a motion to vacate that passed with a final tally of 216-210 After he was relieved of his duties as speaker, McCarthy slammed the eight House Republicans who voted against him, accusing them of siding with Democrats and 'disrupting government.' The Republicans who voted in favor of removing McCarthy were Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ken Buck of Colorado, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Eli Crane of Arizona, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Bob Good of Virginia, Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Matt Rosendale of Montana. It was the first time in history that the chamber had voted out a speaker - and it came as a victory for Gaetz, who filed the motion against McCarthy after months of threats and jabs. On December 6, following McCarthy's announcement that he was leaving Congress altogether, Gaetz quipped in a tweet: 'McLeavin'.' The House Republican majority will shrink to two following the expulsion of New York Rep. George Santos. The special election for that seat is February 13. McCarthy told Dailymail.com he didn't need a 'title' to continue representing the American public and help the country 'move forward.' 'One thing about me is I never give up,' McCarthy said. 'Everywhere I go, people walk up and say to me, "what happened to you is not right,"' he said. 'You know, you can't look backwards. You've gotta look forward.' He added: 'I'm very proud of what we were able to accomplish in such a short amount of time.' In an exclusive interview last month, McCarthy told Dailymail.com he didn't need a 'title' to continue representing the American public McCarthy's successor, Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson, was elected unanimously after thirteen failed candidates and four floor votes Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson was unanimously selected as McCarthy's successor after 22 days, thirteen failed candidates, four nominees and four floor votes. Johnson is a father-of-four who entered Congress in 2017 and is serving his fourth term. The Louisiana Republican is a staunch Trump supporter, having earned the former president's backing in his reelections since 2016 and attended multiple rallies. He opposed the certification of the 2020 presidential election results and took the lead in filing a brief in a lawsuit that sought to overturn Biden's victory. The congressman was also a member of Trump's impeachment defense team. In his interview with Dailymail.com, McCarthy advised Johnson on the best way to lead the GOP conference, stating: 'Bring in a psychiatrist for many of these members.' James Bulger's murderer Jon Venables is insisting he is 'completely rehabilitated' in his last-ditch attempt for freedom. Two-year-old James was tortured and killed by Venables and his accomplice Robert Thompson, both aged 10, after they snatched him from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside in 1993. Venables, now 41, was granted a private hearing after the Parole Board ruled that a public one would cause 'disproportionate emotional stress' to the killer, but he still didn't show up. But his parole bid was delayed last month and he was given 'one last chance' to make representations. The Parole Board has said a decision regarding his release is due to come 'sometime during the week commencing the 11th December.' The killer, who was twice jailed for possessing indecent images of children, has now claimed to be 'reformed' and 'no danger' to the public, The Sun reported. However, a source has argued that 'many' people believe Venables is 'not ready for the outside world' - echoing pleas by the Bulger family to keep him locked up. Jon Venables (pictured) will be told if he has won parole in the 'week commencing the 11th December'. It is understood that he has insisted he is 'reformed' and 'no danger' to the public Venables, and Robert Thompson, now 41, were both aged 10 when they kidnapped, tortured and killed two-year-old James Bulger (pictured) before leaving his mutilated body by a railway line in Liverpool 30 years ago 'It is like he's is being given more chances than he needs to show he's ready to be released,' the insider told the newspaper. 'Many argued that failing to turn up for his own parole hearing showed that he was not ready for the outside world.' The comment comes just days after news broke that James' family had reportedly written to the parole board officers over Venables' release. A family source said last week: 'The family has written to the decision makers, saying they believe Venables is a danger to the public and to children, and that he needs to be kept locked up.' The insider went onto say that it should be 'a cut and dry case' and that were was no need for extra time to debate if 'monster' Venables should be released. Venables' parole bid has already sparked controversy after it emerged that he skipped giving evidence during the two-day hearing to prevent 'disproportionate emotional stress.' Venables and Thompson were both aged 10 when they kidnapped, tortured and killed James - before leaving his mutilated body by a railway line in Liverpool 30 years ago. The child killers were convicted of murder in November 1993 and detained indefinitely. The pair were released aged 18 in 2001 after just eight years and given new identities. Thompson has not reoffended. Following his released in 2001, Venables was recalled to prison twice, in 2010 and 2017, having been found to be in possession of indecent images of children. Venables was turned down for parole in 2020 after serving his minimum 40 months. After his 2001 release he was given a new name - which may happen if he is freed again. Previous conditions placed on Venables included informing his parole officer if he ever got a job and getting their permission before leaving the UK. He had to regularly see a forensic psychologist and was banned from contacting Robert Thompson or any member of James Bulger's family. Two-year-old James Bulger (pictured) was snatched from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, on February 12, 1993 The child killers were convicted of murder in November 1993 and detained indefinitely. The pair were released aged 18 in 2001 after just eight years, and were given new identities. Thompson (pictured) has not reoffended. But Venables was sent back to jail in 2010 and 2017 after being caught with child sex abuse images on his PC He also had to ask his parole officer for permission to leave Merseyside, stay overnight in the same house as a child under 16 or spend time with anyone under 12. An exclusive report from MailOnline earlier this month found that Venables is likely to be subject to the strictest ever release conditions if he wins parole, including lie detector tests and tight restrictions on his movements and use of the internet. A criminal lawyer told MailOnline the conditions would include 'very heavy monitoring and restriction to his movements'. This could involve curfew times, restrictions on international travel and access to the internet and the requirement to live in a 'pre-ordained place'. Viewers were displeased following SNL's cold open Saturday night, which mocked last week's congressional hearings on campus anti-Semitism. The opening sketch attempted to make light of the college presidents' lacking testimony, but their efforts evoked few laughs. Then backlash began online, where viewers slammed the sketch for attempting to undermine the seriouesness of anti-Semitism on US college campuses in the weeks since the October 7 terror attack. The pre-written sketch was also rolled out just hours after University of Pennsylvania President Amy Magill - whose testimony before the House panel appeared to be especially smug - resigned in disgrace following a woeful performance these past eight weeks. SNL newcomer Chloe Troast portrayed Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the chair of the House Republican caucus and a loyal supporter of former President Trump. SNL newcomer Chloe Troast portrayed Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the chair of the House Republican caucus and a loyal supporter of former President Trump In a moment that was meant to ridicule Stefanik's hearing performance - which has generally been widely praised - she said: 'Im going to start yelling questions at these women like Billy Eichner.' 'Antisemitism - yay or nay?' she screamed at the three women playing the college presidents. 'Yes or no! Is calling for the genocide of Jews against the code of conduct for Harvard?' The actress playing Harvard University's Claudine Gay responded: 'Well, it depends on the context.' 'What? That cant be your answer,' Troast's Stefanik retorted, echoing the shocking real-world interaction between the pair. 'UPenn lady, same question, yes or no?' she asked the actress playing Magill. 'If you dont say yes, youre going to make me look good, which is really, really hard to do,' she continued. 'So I will ask you straight up. Do you think genocide is bad?' iHeart Radio host Mark Simone wrote on X following the sketch: 'Only a hate-filled, anti-Semitic SNL could do a sketch about the anti-Semitic college presidents testifying in front of Congress and make the questioner Congresswoman Stefanik the target of the sketch.' 'They (SNL) - oddly - tried to skewer Elise Stefanik (who by all accounts won the day) as shrill. I guess I was under the misapprehension that calling a woman shrill was sexist,' wrote another user. A third disgusted user wrote: 'Congratulate SNL, everyone. Since they haven't been funny for years, they've now simply transcended comedy and become one big joke. Not sure what's more pathetic, this vague attempt at comedy, or mocking those who stand up against Antisemitism at a time like this. Filth.' As the sketch fell flat both live and to the online crowd, the real Stefanik was sending out a scathing indictment of Magill and the other university presidents following the news of the Penn president's resignation. 'One down. Two to go,' she wrote. SNL's creator and longtime executive producer Lorne Michaels is Jewish and was born on a kibbutz in what was then British mandated Palestine, before moving with his parents to Toronto. Under his continued guidance, the show has moved especially far left during the Trump years, largely using its airtime to lambast the political right and make fun of those who oppose woke policy. College presidents (Ego Nwodim, L, Chloe Fineman, R) answer questions from members of congress about antisemitism on their campuses during SNL's cold open SNL newcomer Chloe Troast portrayed Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and Molly Kearney (R) played Representative Virginia Foxx The players attempted to mock last week's hearing, which saw the presidents of Harvard, MIT, and Penn deliver underwhelming testimony to congress about combating anti-Semitism on their respective campuses Harvard President Claudine Gay at the congressional hearing on antisemitism on campus Testimony from MIT president Sally Kornbluth was widely criticized Amy Magill's hearing performance was the straw that broke the camel's back and finally cost her her job at the Ivy League - though she will remain a tenured law professor Magill was slammed for her testimony, in which she said that reprimanding students who call for a Jewish genocide was not paramount - but 'context' specific. She was asked a 'yes or no' question on whether calls for the genocide of Jews counted as hate speech, and repeatedly said it depended on the context. On Wednesday she attempted to clarify her comments, but the damage was done: a wealthy alumnus withdrew a $100 million donation, and her remarks were roundly condemned by the ADL, the White House and politicians across the board. Magill issued a groveling video statement attempting to explain her failure to condemn calls for the genocide of Jewish people on campuses. She said she was not 'focused' on the issue, and said she wanted to 'be clear' that calls for genocide were 'evil, plain and simple' - although she said the blame lay with her university's policies and the constitution, rather than with her. Magill said: 'There was a moment during yesterday's Congressional hearing on antisemitism when I was asked if a call for the genocide of Jewish people on our campus would violate our policies. 'In that moment, I was focused on our university's long-standing policies - aligned with the U.S. Constitution - which say that speech alone is not punishable. 'I was not focused on, but I should have been, the irrefutable fact that a call for genocide of Jewish people is a call for some of the most terrible violence human beings can perpetrate. It's evil, plain and simple.' The real Elise Stefanik (pictured) celebrated Magill's resignation Saturday by sharing a message that began: 'One down. Two to go' Magill said she hoped to draw a line in the sand, and clarify her position. 'I want to be clear: a call for genocide of Jewish people is threatening, deeply so,' she said. 'It is intentionally meant to terrify a people who have been subjected to pogroms and hatred for centuries, and were the victims of mass genocide in the Holocaust. 'In my view it would be harassment or intimidation.' But, Magill said, it was not officially classed as harassment - a policy she said was outdated and needed review. Magill pledged to work to update the existing rules. 'For decades under multiple Penn presidents and consistent with most universities, Penn's policies have been guided by the Constitution and the law,' she said. 'In today's world, where we are seeing signs of hate proliferating across our campus and our world in a way not seen in years, these policies need to be clarified and evaluated. 'Penn must initiate a serious and careful look at our policies.' She concluded that she was 'committed to a safe, secure and supportive environment so all members of our community can thrive. We can, and we will, get it right.' On Thursday, as the House Education Committee said they were investigating the issue further, the board of Wharton - the world's first business school, founded in 1881 at the University of Pennsylvania - said Magill needed to resign. In a letter addressed to her, they said leadership of the university needed to change 'with immediate effect'. Freed Hamas hostage Mia Schem has got a poignant tattoo inked on her arm commemorating the victims of the Nova Festival massacre. The French-Israeli tattoo artist, 21, was snatched during the October 7 bloodbath in which hundreds of free-spirited festival-goers were brutally murdered during the terrorist group's mass invasion of Israel. Eleven days after her release Mia has had a new tattoo inked marking the date of the festival massacre with the poignant words 'We will dance again' written above in memory of the 364 people who were killed. She was shot and taken back to Gaza where she was held captive for 54 days in which she spent three hours in surgery being operated on by a vet to fix her wounded hand. Mia became one of the most high-profile captees after Hamas released a video in the early days of the war in which she was forced to parrot the terrorists' propaganda. French-Israeli Mia Schem, 21, has had a new tattoo on her arm in memory of the 364 people killed during the Nova Festival massacre on October 7 The freed Hamas hostage has the date of the massacre inked on her arm with the poignant words 'We will dance again' written above Mia getting the new tattoo by her her friend and mentor Liav Forer. In a tear-jerking message she wrote: '7.10.23 I will never forget. The pain and the fear, the difficult sights, the friends that will not come back and the ones we must get back' Heartwarming images showed a tearful Mia being reunited with her parents on November 30 as she was released during Israel's seven-day truce with Hamas which was brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the US. Mia posted a photo of herself yesterday onto her Instagram page - exclusively obtained by MailOnline - showing off the new body art, with her injured arm still wrapped in bandages and held in a sling. In a tear-jerking message she wrote: '7.10.23 I will never forget. The pain and the fear, the difficult sights, the friends that will not come back and the ones we must get back. 'But we are yet to win, We will still be dancing!' The post has had more than 165,000 likes and hundreds of supportive messages. In one she is described as 'a symbol of light, hope, and love'. The new tattoo was inked by her mentor and friend 36-year-old Liav Forer who has a studio in the central Israeli city of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut. The artist posted pictures on his Instagram stories of Mia sitting in a chair getting the tattoo. Speaking to The Times last month before Mia was freed, he spoke of about their close bond. 'Mia and I known each other a long time, we met as friends and she would come and get tattoos done by me,' he said. Mia with Liav Forer who previously spoke about their close bond before she was released from captivity Mia (pictured, centre) was one of the two women released by Hamas after the ceasefire deal was extended minutes before it was due to time out The French-Israeli hostage had been held captive for 54 days since October 7 when she was dragged away in to Gaza Mia, flanked by gunmen and surrounded by hundreds of screaming men, looks petrified as she is put into a Red Cross vehicle 'It was her dream to be a tattoo artist, and work in a studio and a year ago she got back from Thailand and started to work with me to manage the new studio.' Schem was one of eight hostages released by Hamas hours before the seven-day ceasefire broke down and hostilities last week. READ MORE: Israeli Mia Schem is released from hospital alongside her overjoyed family as it is revealed she was operated on by a VET while held by Hamas Advertisement Mia's aunt told Israeli media upon her release that her niece underwent less than stellar care in captivity. 'She is thin, she is weak. A vet operated on her arm. She did not receive physiotherapy,' she declared. The extent of Mia's injuries has not yet been verified, but it is thought she will likely make a good recovery with physiotherapy, having been discharged from hospital. Mia was seized by Hamas gunmen at the Nova music festival along with her friend Elia Toledano, 27. She is still believed to be held captive by Hamas. The world watched in horror as Mia was paraded by the Hamas terrorists in October in a chilling video where she pleaded with Israeli officials to 'get her out of Gaza'. The video showed her injured arm being treated by an unidentified medical worker. After seeing the video of her daughter, her mother Keren had begged 'the world to bring' her daughter home, with the anguished mother saying at the time she feared what the terrorists would do to 'her baby'. But before she was freed, she was made to film a video speaking about her experience as a hostage. In an emotional clip shared by Hamas, she says: 'People very good, very kind to me ... Food good and the kindness and everything good.' Mia had been paraded by Hamas terrorists in a chilling video in which she pleaded with Israeli officials to 'get her out of Gaza' Mia looked full of life and beaming with happiness as she danced with friends in images filmed at the ill-fated Nova Festival Video released by her family showed Mia dancing and smiling with friends at the Nova Festival Mia was seen smiling as she exited a hospital surrounded by her grateful family after being released from captivity. Heartwarming images showed Schem leaving the Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan with her mother and brother in tow. She became one of the most high-profile captees after Hamas released a video in the early days of the war showing her recovering from surgery. 'Hi, I'm Mia Schem, 21 years old from Shoham. Currently, I'm in Gaza. I was seriously injured in my hand. I underwent surgery on my arm at the hospital for 3 hours. They are taking care of me, giving me medicine, everything is fine,' she was heard saying at the time. One in five young Americans think the Holocaust is a myth while only half think it definitely happened, a new poll has revealed. Conspiracy theories about the Holocaust abound on social media as fake news is suspected to be the main cause of Holocaust denial or uncertainty in young people. Older people were much more likely to believe the Holocaust really happened, but across all ages, seven per cent of Americans still believed it is a myth. The new data from the YouGov/the Economist poll is particularly pertinent given the rise in accusations of anti-Semitism on US university campuses since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. TikTok has been forced to block users from searching for 'Holocaust myth' under its Community Guidelines saying: 'This phrase may be associated with hateful behavior'. The results of the new poll are particularly pertinent given the ongoing Israel-Hamas war The poll comes as large scale pro-Palestine protests take place in major cities and on university campuses across the US A recent study by Generation Lab, a data-intelligence company, found that young adults who used TikTok were more likely to hold anti-Semitic beliefs. This week, congress launched an investigation into Harvard University, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania following their presidents' failure to condemn students calling for a Jewish genocide. Since Hamas' brutal attack on October 7, Harvard, MIT, and Penn's campuses have been flooded with unregulated anti-Israel protests. The presidents of the three universities were called before a congressional hearing where they refused to denounce calls for the genocide of Jews as 'harassment', and said such speech does not necessarily violate their codes of conduct. But the issue is not limited to Ivy League campuses, as the poll found levels of believing the Holocaust is a myth are similar across all levels of education. About 20 per cent of all people aged 18 to 29 believe the murder of six million Jews is made up, while an additional 30 per cent said they did not know whether the Holocaust was a myth or not. Dr. Claudine Gay, President of Harvard University, Liz Magill, President of University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Pamela Nadell, Professor of History and Jewish Studies at American University, and Dr. Sally Kornbluth, President of Massachusetts Institute of Technology Senator Jacky Rosen D-NV has called for more funding to educate students about the Holocaust. She said this week: 'Failing to educate students about the gravity and scope of the Holocaust is a disservice to the memory of its victims and to our duty to prevent such atrocities in the future'. YouGov stressed that Holocaust denial is still 'rare' but found that larger shares of adults 'tend to agree with certain negative statements about Israel'. Even if Americans believe the Holocaust happened, one in five still believe 'Israel exploits Holocaust victimhood for its own purposes'. These views impact their views on Israeli national and foreign policy, with nearly a fifth of all adults believing that the 'interests of Israelis are at odds with the interests of the rest of the world'. A further fifth believe that 'Israel has too much control over global affairs' while nearly a third believe that 'Israel is deliberately trying to wipe out the Palestinian population.' These negative views are more often held by young people and Democrat voters than Republicans. A pro-Palestine march in New York on December 9 Americans under 30 are especially likely to agree with the statement that 'Jews have too much power in America,' with 28 per cent saying they strongly or tend to agree with it. YouGov does say that the levels of agreement with the anti-Israel or anti-Semitic statements hasn't changed much since 2019, suggesting the war has not had a big impact on public sentiments. And they add more Americans perceive anti-Semitism as a problem now than in 2019 - up to 63 per cent from 54 per cent in 2019. They add that most Americans - 67 per cent - agree that Holocaust denial is anti-Semitic. Hillary Clinton held a fundraiser for Joe Biden at her Georgetown estate as the failed 2016 Democratic candidate plans to step-up her role in getting the president reelected in 2024. Members of the Women's Leadership Forum gathered at Clinton's stately home in Washington, D.C. on November 27, according to a new NBC News report, and raised nearly $1 million for Biden's reelection campaign. Over the next year, Clinton's role is expected to grow and former President Barack Obama is expected to jump in later in the campaign. Hillary Clinton held a fundraiser at her Georgetown home in November bringing in nearly $1 million for President Joe Biden's reelection campaign Hillary Clinton is expected to up her role campaigning for Biden's reelection efforts. Pictured: Biden speaks in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday, December 8 about investments in rail projects Clinton and Biden haven't always had the most close relationship. In 2016, Clinton pushed the outgoing vice president of running for president. After she failed to beat Donald Trump and Biden was successful in 2020, it took her until September this year to visit him at the White House. But Biden needs allies in the Democratic party as his age and fitness for office continues to raise concerns and some voters are looking for alternatives in 2024. 'At the end of the day, Biden needs all the help that he can get,' a Democratic strategist told NBC. 'What he needs is both the spirit and the actual reality of unity.' Former President Bill and former first lady Hillary Clinton purchased the Georgetown estate, named Whitehaven, in 2000. The last Monday of November, Clinton hosted the fundraiser to help boost Biden's campaign. Her reemergence as a Biden ally shows a larger effort to deploy high-profile allies to Biden's reelection fight, two people familiar with the campaign said. Obama has appeared in some fundraising videos for Biden, but Democrats want a more visible role from the former president to give Biden a much-needed boost. Over the next year, Clinton's role will only grow in order to help fill the void left by Obama before he finally jumps head-first into the 2024 election. While Hillary Clinton was raising money for Biden in November, her husband was serving as Biden's surrogate during a lunch with Argentina's President-elect, Javier Milei, and former Sen. Chris Dodd, the president's special adviser for the Americas. South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace confirmed that she dumped her former fiance after catching him on a dating app, in barbed remarks Saturday night where she also joked about turmoil on her congressional staff. The telegenic Charleston lawmaker delved into her personal life during a joke-filled speech at the annual winter dinner of the Gridiron Club in Washington. The speaking engagement had her addressing a room packed with senior media figures just days after DailyMail.com reported that she and fiancee Patrick Bryant had split and were seeking to unload jointly held multi-million beachfront property and a home in D.C. If your fiance gets caught on a dating app, dump him. True story, she said, in a comment that jolted audience members. The line alluded to information in the report citing sources who said Mace uncovered Bryant being on the dating app while they were still together. Bryant disputed this, telling DailyMail.com he had re-downloaded it long enough to delete an old profile. South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace posted an image of herself at Saturday night's winter Gridiron Club dinner before addressing her breakup and turmoil in her congressional office Mace had teed up the personal revelation with a pair of jokes about DC, referencing stalled Ukraine aid and Speaker Mike Johnsons statement in a resurfaced video that he and a son monitor each others online use. My ex wanted to get married, but I attached it to border security, she quipped. I have to be careful when I say this next line because I dont want to trigger Mike Johnsons porn-monitoring software, she joked, before her statement about her personal life and the dating app. It was an unexpected end to a relationship that featured a televised marriage proposal. Mace, whose colorful bio lands her frequent TV appearances she once worked at a Waffle House and was the first woman to graduate from the Citadel military college in her home state also addressed what she termed gossip in the article about me firing my staffers. And now people say it's going to hurt my career. I said right, because nobody ever knows saying youre fired would ever make it in politics, she said, slipping in a joke about former Apprentice star turned-leading GOP presidential candidate for reelection Donald Trump. A current staffer said this article is so bad. This story about you firing people is awful. So I fired him, she said. The 46-year-old mother-of-two was stunned in May 2022 when her entrepreneur boyfriend Patrick Bryant got down on one knee and asked if she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him Since they parted ways, their rift has deteriorated, and now they are fighting over a $3.9 million beachfront property, above, with six bedrooms and a pool and a $1.3 million Washington, D.C., home they both have equity in After losing six staffers in a matter of months, Rep. Nancy Mace and her fiance, left, have broken up and are now embroiled in a messy dispute over the multi-million-dollar homes they bought together She also referenced the claim, put forward by sources in the story, that Mace openly discussed her sex life in the office in front of junior male staffers. One senior staffer called the topics not appropriate in a work environment. The DailyMail claims I talked about my sex life in the office. This is categorically false. I save that topic for prayer breakfast, she said, dispensing with the allegation by referencing her infamous comment last summer blaming her frisky former fiance for nearly making her late to the event. Mace was also the subject of jokes herself at the event, which is a more intimate version of the spring dinner for the club founded in 1885 where notables sometimes make news with one-liners and where former Vice President Mike Pence slammed Trump over January 6. Mace was critical of Trump after January 6, but then took steps to embrace the former president, and was one of just eight Republicans voting to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Baroness Michelle Mone has admitted she made an 'error' in denying her links to the PPE Medpro firm being investigated by the National Crime Agency - and she now struggles to sleep and suffers panic attacks over the scandal. The Conservative peer and Ultimo bra tycoon launched a public defence today over the controversy surrounding 'VIP lane' contracts during the coronavirus pandemic. PPE Medpro was awarded Government contracts worth more than 200 million to supply personal protective equipment after she recommended it to ministers. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has since issued breach of contract proceedings over the 2020 deal on the supply of gowns. Lady Mone spoke in a documentary aired today to say she and her husband Doug Barrowman will be cleared because 'we've done nothing wrong'. But she did admit her 'regret' in not being upfront about her links to the PPE company straight away, saying she made an 'error'. The Baroness went on to say she suffers from panic attacks and nightmares about the NCA 'crashing through the house' and she sees them standing over her bed. Baroness Michelle Mone (pictured) spoke for the first time today in a YouTube documentary about the controversy surrounding 'VIP lane' contracts Lady Mone spoke of her 'regret' in not being upfront about her links to the PPE company Lady Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman (pictured) said they've 'done nothing wrong' Michelle Mone opens the new Ultimo concession at Debenhams, Glasgow in 2015 Doug Barrowman (left) pictured with Baroness Michelle Mone (right) at Cheltenham in 2019 The pair denied, via lawyers, involvement with PPE Medpro for three years. The pair pictured at Casa Do Lago restaurant in Quinta do Lago, in February this year While the rest of the UK was under strict lockdown, the couple married and were able to share their celebrations with 90 guests, thanks to the Isle of Man's decision to scrap social distancing, before jetting off on honeymoon to the Maldives. But, behind these jubilant scenes, trouble was already brewing for the mega-rich lovebirds. Just a month after their lavish nuptials, journalists began asking questions about Lady Mone's links to PPE Medpro. She consistently denied any 'role or function' in the company, with her lawyers insisting she was 'not connected to PPE Medpro in any capacity'. But it later emerged that the former model contacted then Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and fellow Tory peer Theodore Agnew in May 2020, offering to supply PPE equipment 'via my team in Hong Kong' five days before PPE Medpro was even incorporated as a company by her husband's business associates. The firm was then fast-tracked by the Government through its 'VIP lane' for politically connected companies. READ MORE - Tory peer Michelle Mone and her husband admit for the first time their involvement with firm at centre of fraud probe after being awarded 200m in PPE contracts during the pandemic Advertisement She and her husband broke their silence today in the documentary where they spoke to Mark Williams-Thomas, an investigative journalist who is best known for exposing Jimmy Saville as a paedophile in The Other Side of Jimmy Saville, a television documentary he presented in 2012. Lady Mone had initially denied having any links to PPE Medpro but admitted in the film: 'I made an error in what I said to the press. 'I regret not saying to the press straight away, 'Yes, I am involved.' And the Government knew I was involved.' The film, part of a public fightback, was funded by PPE Medpro, according to the Sunday Telegraph. Lady Mone, who was made a peer by Lord David Cameron in 2015, claimed it is '100% a lie' to suggest she was not transparent with officials, and her husband claimed a 'DHSC negotiator' suggested the case could 'go away' for the right sum. She said in the documentary: 'It's 100 per cent a lie. It's not true. I wanted the guys to succeed, I wanted the NHS to succeed. I wanted a win-win situation.' When asked what she felt when the pandemic hit, she said: 'I thought I could fix it. I could fix it by getting quality PPE on time at the best prices.' The Baroness said she is now breaking her silence on the controversy as she 'just can't take it anymore'. She claimed she has received messages from people calling for her to be put in jail, for her to be 'put in an orange jumpsuit' and even someone who wrote 'I'm going to throw acid on her'. The scandal has negatively affected her mental health, as she admitted she is seeing a doctor and is on medicine currently. The pair met with investigative journalist Mark Williams-Thomas for the documentary She was made a Conservative life peer in 2015 (pictured in 2019 at the House of Lords) Baroness Mone and Douglas Barrowman at 'Dining With The Stars' charity dinner in 2019 She said: 'I'm not doing well at the moment with my mental health. I don't want people to feel sorry for me but I'm in a lot of pain and I'm struggling. 'It's been a real fight. But we will win because we've done nothing wrong. It's cruel and it's nasty but we will win.' Lady Mone argued she is being used as a scapegoat by the Government for its own Covid failings. 'I am ashamed of being a Conservative peer given what this Government has done to us,' she told The Telegraph. Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, who allegedly had involvement in the contract process, insisted that 'ministers did not take individual decisions' on pandemic contracts. Mr Gove told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: 'Those decisions were taken after a painstaking process by teams of civil servants who assess the worthiness of any contract that's put forward. 'So the suggestion, which some have put forward, that somehow ministers were seeking deliberately to do favours, or line the pockets of other individuals, I think is totally unjustified because the decisions were only taken after a proper, coherent and fair procurement process. 'As with any procurement process, might it sometimes be the case that the goods which have been bought turn out to not to be adequate - that is deeply regrettable but that is a consequence of what happened at pressure.' Matt Hancock and Mr Gove were both questioned by NCA as part of their investigation. Others questioned include Lord Bethell, a former Health Minister, and Lord Agnew, who served in the Cabinet Office. Former Health Secretary Hancock has previously claimed the Baroness sent him 'aggressive' emails. In response, she said in the film: 'I can sometimes come across as feisty, but I'm not aggressive, I'm not abusive. To be honest, I'm not a fan of his anyway.' Mr Hancock was responsible for four companies being referred to the VIP contracts scheme. One of them was Excalibur Healthcare Services, a medical company run by a Labour donor that was asked to provide ventilators. The firm charged 135 million, or 50,000 each, to supply 2,700 ventilators. Three weeks earlier another company had provided the same model of VG70 ventilator for 8,800, according to the Times. A DHSC spokesman said: 'We do not comment on ongoing legal cases.' The twin teenage children of jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadia have accepted this year's Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf in a ceremony in the Norwegian capital. Ms Mohammadi is renowned for campaigning for women's rights and democracy in her country, as well as fighting against the death penalty. Ali and Kiana Rahmani, her twin 17-year-old children who live in exile in Paris with their father, were given the award at Oslo City Hall before giving the Nobel Peace Prize lecture in their mother's name. Ms Mohammadi, 51, was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize in October for her decades of activism despite numerous arrests by Iranian authorities and spending years behind bars. She is currently detained in a prison in Tehran. She denounced on Sunday a 'tyrannical and anti-women religious' government in Iran, in a speech delivered by her children who accepted the award in her absence. 'The Iranian people will dismantle obstruction and despotism through their persistence,' Ms Mohammadi said in the speech. At a news conference in Oslo, Kiana read out a message from her mother, in which she praised the role international media played in 'conveying the voice of dissenters, protesters and human rights defenders to the world'. Kiana Rahmani and Ali Rahmani pose with the award on behalf of their mother during the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony Narges Mohammadi is renowned for campaigning for women's rights and democracy in her country, as well as fighting against the death penalty Ali Rahmani and Kiana Rahmani, children of Nobel Peace Prize 2023 laureate Narges Mohammadi, greet the crowd from the balcony of the Grand Hotel in Oslo Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Queen Sonja of Norway, Ali Rahmani, Kiana Rahmani, King Harald V of Norway, Crown Princess Mette Marit of Norway and Taghi Rahmani arrive at the Nobel banquet at the Grand Hotel in Oslo Kiana Rahmani, Ali Rahmani and Taghi Rahmani attend the Nobel Peace Prize banquet 'Iranian society needs global support and you, journalists and media professionals are our greatest and most important allies in the difficult struggle against the destructive tyranny of the Islamic Republic government. I sincerely thank you for your efforts, for all you've done for us,' Ms Mohammadi said in her note. Kiana said she held little hope of seeing her mother again. 'Maybe I'll see her in 30 or 40 years but I think I won't see her again. But that doesn't matter because my mother will always live on in my heart, values that are worth fighting for,' she said. Ms Mohammadi's brother and husband told reporters in Oslo that she planned to go on a hunger strike on Sunday in solidarity with the Baha'i Faith religious minority in Iran. Her husband Taghi Rahmani previously said that he has not been able to see his wife for 11 years, and their children have not seen their mother for seven. Ms Mohammadi played a leading role in protests triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last year while in police custody for allegedly violating the country's strict headscarf law which forces women to cover their hair and entire bodies. Taghi Rahmani, husband of Nobel Peace Prize 2023 laureate Narges Mohammadi, and their children Ali and Kiana greet the crowd from the balcony of the Grand Hotel Ms Mohammadi is renowned for campaigning for women's rights and democracy in her country, as well as fighting against the death penalty Kiana Rahmani, Ali Rahmani and Taghi Rahmani wave from the balcony Kiana said she held little hope of seeing her mother again People attend a torchlight procession for the winner of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize A picture of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi on the wall of the Grand Hotel Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate, US Tunisian French chemist Moungi Bawendi attend the Nobel Prize Banquet at the City Hall in Stockholm, Sweden Waiters serve desserts during the Nobel Prize Banquet at the City Hall in Stockholm, Sweden Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and Nobel Laureate in Physics 2023 Pierre Agostini during the Nobel Banquet at the City Hall in Stockholm Ali Rahmani gives part of the Nobel Peace Prize lecture in his mother's name The ceremony took place in Oslo City Hall this weekend Iranian authorities banned members of Ms Amini's family from traveling to accept the European Union's top human rights prize - the Sakharov Prize For Freedom Of Thought - on her behalf, the US-based HRANA said late on Saturday. Ms Mohammadi is the 19th woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize and the second Iranian woman after human rights activist Shirin Ebadi won the award in 2003. Mohammadi is the fifth laureate in the more than 120-year history of the Nobel Peace Prize to receive the award while detained. She follows Germany's Carl von Ossietzky, Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi, China's Liu Xiaobo and Belarus's Ales Beliatski. 'Narges Mohammadi's struggle is also comparable to that of Albert Lutuli, Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, which took place over a period of more than 30 years before the apartheid system in South Africa came to an end,' the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen, said in a speech. Arrested 13 times, sentenced five times to a total of 31 years in prison and 154 lashes, Mohammadi has spent much of the past two decades in and out of jail. Taghi Rahmani, husband of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, signs the guest book at the Nobel Institute in Oslo Her twin children, who have not seen their mother for almost nine years, don't know if they'll ever see her alive again. 'Personally I'm rather pessimistic,' Kiana Mohammadi told reporters on Saturday, while her brother Ali said he remained 'very, very optimistic'. Protests in Iran triggered by Amini's death have been severely repressed. The Iran Human Rights group (IHR) says 551 demonstrators, including dozens of women and children, have been killed by security forces, and thousands have been arrested. On Saturday, the lawyer for Amini's family said her parents and brother, who were due to receive the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought on Amini's behalf at a ceremony on December 13, was being prohibited from leaving Iran. The laureates of the other Nobel prizes, in literature, chemistry, medicine, physics and economics, were presented their awards by Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf at a separate ceremony in Sweden, before heading to a lavish banquet at Stockholm's City Hall. The rest of the Nobel prizes are set to be handed out in separate ceremonies in Stockholm later on Sunday. Police are searching for pro-Palestine demonstrators who were caught on camera carrying offensive placards during a rally in central London yesterday. Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the capital for the ninth weekend in a row yesterday, marching from the Bank of England to Parliament Square, as they demanded a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Thirteen people were arrested yesterday with the majority having been detained in connection to offensive placards. But now the Met Police has issued an appeal asking the public to help identify a man who was seen holding a banner depicting the Star of David with an American flag that said: 'The final solution?' The force is also searching for a woman who carried a placard featuring photographs from Nazi Germany and Palestine that was captioned, 'spot the difference'. The appeals come as it was revealed that the Met has deployed up to 2,000 officers to the capital every weekend since Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, costing taxpayers an estimated 20million and putting a stain on other frontline duties The Met Police has issued an appeal asking the public to help identify a man who held a banner during the pro-Palestine march in London yesterday that depicted the Star of David with an American flag and featured the slogan 'The final solution?' The force is also searching for a woman who carried a placard featuring photographs from Nazi Germany and Palestine that was captioned, 'spot the difference' A woman who marched participated in the march from the Bank of England to Parliament Square yesterday was seen holding a placard that compared Israel to Nazi Germany The Met Police made 13 arrests during yesterday's protest, the majority of which were for offensive placards. Officers are pictured detaining a demonstrator during the march yesterday Posting the appeal on X today, the force acknowledged that many are 'angry and disappointed' that the male suspect had not been detained during the rally. 'We share those frustrations and obviously we wish he had been,' the Met penned. 'Officers have made more than 300 arrests at protests in recent months. Yesterday they made 13 arrests, the majority of which were for offensive placards. 'The reality is with a protest involving 40,000 people where officers are focusing not just on placards but on crowd safety, potential disorder and other offences there will always be some that are missed. 'We have shown that where offences aren't seen in the moment we will still act, identifying suspects and making arrests.' Yesterday's demonstration saw protesters march from Bank Junction to Westminster, with many holding signs with the words 'Free Palestine' and 'End the siege'. Some protesters chanted: 'One, two, three, four, occupation no more, five, six, seven, eight, Israel is a terrorist state.' They also chanted the controversial slogan: 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.' Yesterday's demonstration saw 40,000 protesters march from Bank Junction to Westminster, many carrying signs, Palestinian flags and lighting flares as they called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war A woman holding a placard accusing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Leader Keir Starmer of 'supporting genocide' is pictured during yesterday's march through Westminster Police are investigating multiple potential offences from yesterday's protest. Officers are pictured detaining a demonstrator during the rally Thousands of protesters marched from Bank Junction to Westminster yesterday, with many holding signs with the words 'Free Palestine' and 'End the siege' Protesters yesterday chanted and held placards featuring the controversial slogan: 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' A protester gathered at Bank Junction, London yesterday held a sign accusing Keir Starmer of 'having blood on his hands' Protesters carrying signs reading 'free Gaza' and 'Israel won't stop til they're all gone' marched from Bank of England to Parliament Square on Saturday to call for a ceasefire in Palestine Police detain a person during a pro-Palestine march on Whitehall, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, in central London on Saturday A protester marched through central London yesterday with a sign that read 'Israel's Scrooge' Thirteen people were arrested during yesterday's rally, including six people taken into custody for racially aggravated public order offences related to placards being carried were deemed to be 'potentially offensive', the Met told MailOnline. One person was arrested for inciting racial hatred, also in relation to a placard. Another was arrested after she was identified by specialist CCTV officers as being wanted in relation to a placard carried at a protest on October 28. 'One person was arrested for assault on an emergency worker when they intervened to stop another protester being arrested. Another person was arrested in the same incident for obstruction,' a Met Police spokesperson said. 'One person was arrested for refusing a direction to remove a face covering as required by an order in place under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.' Two others were arrested during the rally for possession of Class A drugs. Previous weekends have seen thousands of protesters and counter-protesters converging on the capital. The Mayor of London has outlined major concerns that a sustained cycle of protests and vigils held in the capital is creating a funding gap for the Met. Sadiq Khan, in a letter to Home Secretary James Cleverly, said the funding gap could now be as high as 240million, and appealed for more support. Mr Khan said London faces 'unique pressures as a capital city' because of the number of protests, sporting events, cultural festivals and ceremonial events it hosts. The Home Secretary will soon be considering the police funding settlement which sets out grants for police forces in England and Wales. In his letter to Mr Cleverly, Mr Khan quoted Met police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who said that since October 7 'more than 28,000 officer shifts have been completed in connection to protests and vigils'. Protesters march through central London on Saturday calling for a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war Officers detain a person during the pro-Palestine march on Whitehall on Saturday Demonstrators are pictured holding placards that say 'Free Palestine' and 'stop the massacre' A woman shouts pro-Palestine slogans while participating in a demonstration in London yesterday that was organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign A demonstrator holds a sign that reads 'I see humans but no humanity' as she and thousands of others march through central London on Saturday A pro-Palestinian placard is pictured during the National March for Palestine in central London on Saturday A demonstrator in London on Saturday held a sign branding Israeli's as 'liars' who were are 'complacent' in 'brutality' Police detain a person during a pro-Palestine march on Whitehall, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, in central London on Saturday The Met has, on some weekends, needed to draft officers from other forces across the UK under 'mutual aid' rules to assist with policing the protests. A letter submitted to the policing board, which is chaired by the mayor, estimated that 12.6million was spent during the period from October 7 to November 19 to police the demonstrations. But further protests have occurred since the November 19, with experts estimating the bill is now closer to 17million, The Sunday Times reported. Pro-Palestine protests have attracted more than 100,000 demonstrators, requiring more than 1,000 police officers a time. The demonstrators have vowed to continue marching through London's streets until Israel ends its campaign in Gaza. The Epsom College headteacher who was shot dead by her husband in a suspected murder-suicide was preparing to leave him just days before she and her daughter were killed, her sister has revealed. Emma Pattison had only become the first female head of the 42,000-a-year private school five months before her body was found along with husband George, 39, and daughter Lettie, seven, after police were called to their home in the early hours of Febuary 5, 2023. Mrs Pattison's sister, Deborah Kirk, began writing her thoughts and feelings down the day after to help her cope with 'the most inhumane of tragedies', and she has now published her letters to her sister. In heartbreaking passages published in The Sunday Times, Mrs Kirk writes that she told her sister that she felt her relationship was 'abusive', and that she only heeded her warnings after hearing from 'professionals'. 'When someone entirely impartial called this what it was, the lens shifted and she realised that the damage would be in staying, not leaving... And she triumphed! She was going to be a success story, a survivor! I saw her the weekend before this nightmare and looked forward to having my sister back.' Emma Pattison's sister, Deborah Kirk (right), said she received a distressed call from the 45-year-old on the night of the tragic incident, asking her to come over to their 1.5million property in Caterham, Surrey, because she had a fight with Mr Pattison. Emma Pattison, 45, was found dead along with her husband George, 39, and seven-year-old daughter Lettie Surrey Police (pictured at the scene) said it is believed the tragedy is an 'isolated incident' and there is 'no third-party involvement' Days after she saw her sister, Mrs Kirk said she received a distressed call from the 45-year-old on the night of the tragedy, in which she asked her to come over to their 1.5million home in Caterham, Surrey, because she had a fight with Mr Pattison. She arrived at the house with her husband to find all three of the people inside shot dead after Mr Pattison killed his wife and daughter before turning the gun on himself. Mrs Kirk said she turned to writing 'in the fog of severe shock' following her sister's death, and began writing poems and songs that she felt 'her sister was writing with her', having played and sang songs together as children. She used the work as a form of therapy, she says, sharing her deepest and most frightening thoughts, whilst also 'keeping her sister alive'. Surrey Police confirmed they believe Mr Pattison shot his wife and daughter dead before turning the weapon on himself, and that no third party was involved in the killings. The killer had been a licenced shotgun holder for many years and officers had called him to check on the storage for his firearm the Thursday before the shooting took place. In the days following her death, Mrs Kirk went through the 'gruelling experience' of clearing out her sister's things from her house. Whilst doing this, she discovered letters written between Mrs Pattison and her daughter which gave her an intimate understanding of their relationship, as well as songs and books written by the headteacher. Ten months on from the death of her sister, Mrs Kirk believes she will never run out of words or love for her sister and niece Lettie, aged 7 Ms Pattison appearing in the podcast in December, when she spoke of experiencing some 'really big changes' including taking new jobs, moving house and getting a new dog In 2016, financial records show Mr Pattison, a chartered accountant, was the sole director of management consultancy Tanglewood. He had recently taken out a 14,076 director's loan, according to accounts for the year ending October 2021. Meanwhile, Land Registry documents revealed a mortgage was taken out on the family's four-bedroom Caterham home in January last year, eight years after they bought it for around 600,000. In December, Mrs Pattison told a student podcast her move had been 'a really big change for my family', adding: 'I've got a new job, my husband got a new job, which wasn't meant to happen, but did, and my daughter has started a new school.' Ten months on from the death of her sister, Mrs Kirk believes she will never run out of words or love for her sister and niece. For confidential support call the Samaritans for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for more information. Israel continued its onslaught against Hamas on Sunday as dozens more terror suspects were pictured bound, stripped and lined up on their knees. Footage shared by Israeli media shows Israel Defence Forces (IDF) troops rounding up scores of men and transporting them on the back of trucks. The men are believed to have surrendered in the Jabalia refugee camp and other areas around northern Gaza, with Israeli outlet Walla saying they were stripped 'to rule out the possibility that they were carrying weapons'. One clip shared to social media shows Palestinian men lined up against a wall. One man then steps forward to give his assault rifle to the Israeli troops with his hands in the air, while others behind him hold their up their identification cards. The men are believed to have surrendered in the Jabalia refugee camp and other areas around northern Gaza 'Slowly, slowly,' an IDF soldier tells the man holding the gun as he walks barefoot over rubble next to an Israeli tank. Other images appear to show suspects sitting in the middle of the street - stripped, restrained, blindfolded and surrounded by IDF troops. Hamas alleged that all the men were unarmed, innocent civilians, however Israel has said it will interrogate all those who surrender to troops with potential links to Hamas. Among those detained in recent days are Hamas operatives that have provided intelligence to Israel's military, the IDF says. 'We are seeing every day more and more terror operatives killed, more and more terror operatives wounded, and in recent days we're seeing terrorists surrendering a sign of the disintegration of the system, a sign that we need to push harder,' IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said on Saturday. Last week Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israeli troops have detained and interrogated hundreds of people in Gaza suspected of militant links. Hagari told reporters: 'Jabalia and Shejaiya are 'centres of gravity'... for terrorists, and we are fighting them. Scores of stripped 'terror suspects' line up with the hands tied behind their back Other images appear to show suspects sitting in the middle of the street - stripped, restrained, blindfolded and surrounded by IDF troops Footage shared by Israeli media appears to show Israel Defence Forces (IDF) troops rounding up scores of men and transporting them on the back of trucks 'They are hiding underground and come out and we fight them. Whoever is left in those areas, they come out from tunnel shafts, and some from buildings, and we investigate who is linked to Hamas, and who isn't. We arrest them all and interrogate them.' Meanwhile on Friday, Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told IDF soldiers that he 'sees the signs indicating a breakdown is beginning inside Gaza'. Israeli forces have encircled major urban centres as they seek to destroy Hamas over its unprecedented attack on October 7, when terrorists broke through Gaza's militarised border to kill around 1,200 people and seize hostages, 138 of whom remain captive, according to Israeli figures. Since Israel began bombarding the small enclave in response, more than 17,170 Palestinians have been killed and 46,000 wounded, according to the Gaza health ministry. It comes after Israel vowed to continue its 'just war to eliminate Hamas', as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the United States for blocking a United Nations ceasefire bid. The US, a key ally of Israel, was the only member to veto the UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, while the UK abstained in the vote, despite widespread international support. An Israeli soldier stands by a truck with Palestinian detainees in, thought to be 'Hamas suspects' Truck packed with stripped Palestinian 'terror suspects' Last week Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israeli troops have detained and interrogated hundreds of people in Gaza suspected of militant links Israeli warplanes struck parts of the Gaza Strip in relentless bombardment on Saturday, hitting some of the dwindling bits of land that Israel had described as safe zones when telling Palestinians in the south to evacuate. Residents 'are being told to move like human pinballs - ricocheting between ever-smaller slivers of the south, without any of the basics for survival,' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the council before the UNSC vote. Israel holds the Hamas militants responsible for civilian casualties, accusing them of using civilians as human shields, and says it has made considerable efforts with evacuation orders to get civilians out of harm's way. Israel says Hamas operates from within hospitals and has released footage supporting the claim, and it has also targeted in the past ambulances it says were used by Hamas. Hamas has denied this. A YouTuber's girlfriend was shot in the leg by her former partner - as harrowing footage showed the pair hiding from the gunman moments before he turned the weapon on himself. Hunter Avallone, who has 565,000 followers on YouTube, was at his Martinsburg, West Virginia, apartment with his girlfriend Holle Peno when her armed ex-boyfriend attempted to enter the building. Her ex, referred to as Conrad, shot through the door of the building, hitting Peno in the leg on Friday just after midday. She had recently broken up with him after 11 years together - claiming he had been abusive during their relationship. Holle posted images of her bloody limb with the bullet still lodged inside. She had also been injured by shattered glass and shrapnel. The couple rushed to the balcony of the unit as they called the cops. Avallone posted a video showing the suspect trying to pound down his front door - before he shot himself when police arrived. Conrad died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police confirmed. YouTuber Hunter Avallone with his girlfriend, Twitch streamer Holle Peno. Holle's ex-boyfriend shot at her leg as he attempted to get into Avallone's apartment Holle Peno is seen holding a bloodied towel after she was shot in the leg by her ex-boyfriend. She is seen standing on the balcony of the apartment, moments before police faced the gunman and he ultimately shot himself In the clip, Avallone is heard talking to a 911 operator as his girlfriend Holle pants in the background, with blood pouring from her leg. He says that his landlord called him to say that a 'shady' man was trying to enter his building with a gun. Moments later, loud thuds can be heard as the suspect allegedly attempted to open the door. Holle is seen in the clip trying to stop the blood flow with a drenched white towel. Police officers can then be heard shouting 'show me your f**king hands!' at the suspect - before about six gunshots ring out. Avallone wrote: 'I'm still trying to process this and I'm most likely in shock as I write this. 'But only a few hours ago, Holle's ex boyfriend Conrad showed up at my apartment building with a shotgun. 'He shot through my building door, injuring Holle's leg in the process. I recorded the final moments in which we're hiding on the back porch. 'You can hear him shoot at police before ultimately taking his own life...in my own f**king apartment hallway. Still trying to process this. 'Holle and I are physically ok but mentally, this is gonna do some serious damage. 'Holle has been amazing and she's been incredibly brave and strong throughout this ordeal.' After the situation, Holle posted to her social media showing her leg wounds, and writing: 'I am in the hospital. Conrad showed up to Hunter's house with a shotgun and shot me in the leg, we are safe now, and Hunter is thankfully unharmed. 'Conrad was shot dead. Really struggling right now, wtf just happened.' Holle is a popular Twitch streamer with 16,900 followers on the platform. She is also an advocate for mental health - and often speaks about her domestic abuse experiences in previous relationships. She said that she was with her ex-boyfriend Conrad for 11 years: 'I am starting to come out of shock. I feel so torn up inside. 'I loved him for 11 years despite the abuse, and he couldn't love me enough to let me leave. I am sad, and angry, and sorry, and heartbroken... I am struggling rn. 'It hurts. I can't believe he did that.' Text messages, sent during the ordeal before Conrad shot himself, showed that he was actually attempting to shoot at Avallone. The ex told Holle that he 'never meant' to shoot her. He wrote: 'I should have killed the coward.' Holle is a popular Twitch streamer with 16,900 followers on the platform Hunter Avallone has 565,000 followers on YouTube Police officers can then be heard shouting 'show me your f**kig hands!' at the suspect - before about six gunshots ring out A GoFundMe, set up to help Holle with medical expenses, read: 'Holle got shot by her ex-fiance Conrad with a shotgun: He was trying to make his way inside of an apartment building, shot through the front glass door while Holle was behind it, injuring her leg in the process. 'When police showed up to the scene, Conrad tried shooting at them before taking his own life. 'She's currently injured, heartbroken and in pain. We're all still trying to process all this. She's physically, emotionally and mentally hurt after all had taken place, shocked by everything that has happened. 'The money will get used towards paying the hospital bills, and paying her own personal expenses from being unable to work, including the costs of therapy, travel, food, existing debt and everything she could need in the near future. 'Now that he passed, she's still gonna have to pay the accumulated debt that they both shared. This fund is an umbrella meant to cover as much as it can until she can get her life back on track again.' The Martinsburg Police Department confirmed the incident. They said in a statement: 'On Friday, December 8, an unidentified male arrived at the location armed with a shotgun. The individual discharged the firearm through the exterior door of the building, striking a female victim. 'Responding immediately to the scene, Martinsburg Police officers engaged with the armed suspect as he attempted to breach an interior apartment door while continuing to fire his weapon. 'A brief exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the suspect taking his own life.' Martinsburg Police Chief Erin Gibbons said: 'Our officers responded swiftly and courageously to this dangerous situation. 'Their decisive actions, I have no doubt, prevented further harm and potentially saved lives. 'I am profoundly proud of their bravery and commitment to protecting our community. 'MPD extends its gratitude to the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, the West Virginia State Police, and the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force for their invaluable assistance at the scene and in the ongoing investigation of this incident.' Ofsted inspections have left at least 10 headteachers feeling suicidal, a former inspector has today revealed. It comes after a coroner this week found a 'callous' school inspection 'likely contributed' to Ruth Perry's death. The headteacher took her own life aged 53 in January when her Caversham Primary School, in Berkshire, was downgraded from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate' due to safeguarding concerns in November 2022. It was upgraded to 'good' in the subsequent inspection in June. Mrs Perry's despair was revealed in handwritten notes she scribbled with one in the early hours of Christmas morning read: 'I.N.A.D.E.Q.U.A.T.E keeps flashing behind my eyes.' Former inspector Julie Price Grimshaw today revealed the number of headteachers who have considered suicide after their school was graded as 'inadequate' was into double figures. Ruth Perry took her own life aged 53 in January after an Ofsted inspection downgraded her school from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate' Despite her many successes as head at Caversham Primary School, (pictured) her sister Prof Julia Waters claims that Ofsted's report caused Mrs Perry's mental health to go 'downhill so fast' Ms Price Grimshaw now supports struggling headteachers through the charity Headrest. She told wants a complete overhaul of Ofsted and told The Independent: 'In the worst-case scenario, people's mental health has been badly damaged. We have had people say they have considered suicide following an 'inadequate' grade.' Schools rated as 'inadequate' are forced by law to become academies with it being put under the control of a trust having previously been overseen by the local authority. In some cases, the headteacher will lose their job. Ms Price Grimshaw said the current system needs reform and questioned the conduct of some inspectors who put their hands up to stop people from talking. 'In one school, a leader said the inspector held up his hand and said "You need to stop talking because I am not listening". Just rude and unprofessional conduct,' she said. Mrs Perry's husband Jonathan told the inquest his wife felt the Ofsted inspector was a 'bully' with an 'agenda'. He said she was concerned that failing on child safeguarding would be the end of her career. She was left feeling 'powerless' after her school's inspection as she told her husband Jon she was having 'dark thoughts'. Colleagues said she was left unable to speak following Ofsted's visit. The Perry family has now demanded change in Ofsted's inspection process to prevent other teachers from going through similarly 'traumatic inspections'. Pictured is Prof Waters, sister of Ruth Perry, with other family members speaking in Reading Town Hall at the end of the inquest on Thursday, December 7 this year A coroner ruled that 'Ruth Perry committed suicide contributed to by an Ofsted inspection carried out in November 2022' (Pictured: A photo of Mrs Perry attached to the gates of a John Rankins school in Newbury who refused Ofsted inspectors from entering following her death Mrs Perry's sister Prof Waters is pictured arriving at court on Thursday to hear the inquest's conclusion While the distraught mother burst into tears and crumbled into the arms of her sister Julia Waters on the evening after the two-day inspection. Her handwritten scrawlings told of how heartbroken she was and that 'the pain inside was intolerable', while another revealed how she would 'wake from restless sleep absolutely panic stricken'. In others she rehearsed how she was going to tell parents the school had been downgraded telling them she was 'broken'. She heart-breakingly wrote: 'I am sorry that I have let you down.' Her sister Professor Waters - after the Berkshire coroner ruled the inspection 'likely' contributed to Ms Perry's death - has claimed the downgrading 'crushed' the headteacher and somewhat undermined her other successes. 'Ruth just saw this one word "inadequate" as summing everything she had ever achieved and it was targeted at her,' Prof Waters told The Sunday Times. 'That is how she felt and it just crushed her.' Following the coroner's conclusion last week, Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman apologised to the family and friends of Mrs Perry. She said Ofsted has made changes to reduce pressures felt by school leaders and 'will do more' to address concerns raised by the coroner. Mrs Spielman added that the watchdog was delaying next week's inspections by a day and setting up a hotline for schools that have concerns. But speaking on BBC Breakfast after the inquest, Prof Waters said 'pausing the inspections for a day to do some training is not enough'. 'I receive emails every day from teachers and headteachers and their relatives who've been through traumatic inspections. Things absolutely have to change,' she added. For help and support contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org He has since been hired as the deputy district attorney He passed the state bar exam - known for being one of the toughest in the US - on his first attempt aged just 17 Peter Park was sworn in on Tuesday, making him the youngest practicing attorney in California A 17-year-old boy thought to be the youngest ever person to pass the notoriously difficult California state bar exam has been sworn in as an attorney. Peter Park, from Visalia, California, was working as a law clerk in the Tulare County District Attorney's Office when he sat and passed the exam in November. He is thought to be the youngest ever person to accomplish the feat, claiming the title from its previous 18-year-old holder. Announcing he had passed, Park said: 'It was not easy, but it was worth it. It required discipline and strategy to pass the bar, and I made it in the end.' He has now been hired as the deputy district attorney, with Michelle Villalobos, a spokesperson for Tulare County District Attorney's office, telling USA TODAY: 'We had to wait until he turned 18.' Peter Park has become the youngest practicing prosecutor in California after passing the State bar exam in November The law prodigy is no stranger to early success, starting at high school when he was just 13. Park entered the Oxford Academy in Cypress, Orange County, aged 13 and while still a high school student, started a four-year juris doctor program at Northwestern California University School of Law. He graduated high school in 2021 and focused on law school, graduating from Northwestern this year. He became a law clerk for the District Attorney's office in August, turned 18 in late November and was sworn in as an attorney on Tuesday making him the youngest practicing prosecutor in California. The California State Bar exam is notoriously difficult and widely considered to be one of the toughest in the United States. It has a higher pass threshold than in other states and tests on a broader range of subjects. Despite this, Park passed it on his first attempt. The State Bar said it could not confirm that Park is the youngest person ever to pass, but hailed his achievement. He was sworn in this week and appointed as the deputy district attorney days after he turned 18 'Passing the California Bar exam is a major accomplishment at any age, and for someone as young as Mr. Park, it is quite an extraordinary feat and one worth celebrating,' Executive Director Leah Wilson said. Park said he became a prosecutor because he is driven by 'a moral obligation to uphold liberty, equality, and justice in society.' He added: 'I admire how prosecutors keep our community safe and bring closure to victims. 'I am extremely blessed to have discovered this path, and my hope is that more people will realize that alternative paths exist to becoming an attorney.' In a poll conducted by the Wall Street Journal, former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley came out way ahead of President Joe Biden in a general election matchup by a much larger margin than Trump polls against the current president. Haley, the former Governor of South Carolina, showed she would be a formidable general election opponent to Joe Biden, coming out 17 points ahead of the sitting leader, as compared with Trump's four-point lead against him. Haley began surging in the polls after the first GOP debate and has maintained that momentum through last week's fourth debate. A more centrist Republican than several of the others in the field, Haley has consistently posted solid electability numbers in general election polls. Against the current president, Haley would, according the WSJ, receive 51 percent of the vote, while Biden would receive just 34 percent. That kind of defeat for Biden would be the worst loss suffered by any presidential candidate in the last forty years. The same poll shows former President Trump earning 47 percent of the vote compared to Biden's 43 percent. Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley showed her potential electability in a WSJ poll that put her 17 points ahead of Joe Biden in a general election matchup Despite Trump's slimmer potential margin of victory, he remains some 40 points ahead of Haley in the polls with an estimated 60 percent of Republican voters supporting him. Those numbers may very well be insurmountable for Haley or any other Republican in the race as the Iowa caucus - the opening day of primary election season - draws near. The poll also found that even if Trump were to be convicted of a felony - he is presently charged with 91 felony counts in four criminal prosecutions taking place around the US - he would only trail Biden by one point. The poll puts Florida Governor Ron DeSantis - who is more-or-less tied with Haley in the primary polls - in a dead heat with Biden, both of them earning 45 percent of the vote. DeSantis was at one time poling well enough to be considered a realistic threat to a third Trump candidacy - those numbers have not held. DeSantis continues to say that 'people not polls' will decide the election and appears to be holding out for what is hopefully a strong performance in Iowa. Heading into the official primary season period, Biden's approval rating is hovering at an all-time low of 37 percent, according to the WSJ, relative to his 61 percent unfavorable rating. Since Haley's surge in the polls has earned her a number of high-profile, high-powered endorsements from leaders on Wall Street and from the grassroots conservative movement, she has become the target of a greater number of attacks from the rest of the field. The same poll that showed Haley's advantage over Biden, showed Trump with a four-point general election lead over the sitting president Since Haley's surge in the polls has earned her a number of high-profile, high-powered endorsements from leaders on Wall Street and from the grassroots conservative movement, she has become the target of a greater number of attacks from the rest of the field At last week's Republican primary debate, which Donald Trump did not attend, she was targeted and labeled a corporate sell out Primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, with whom Haley has consistently sparred, literally labeled Haley 'corrupt' during the middle of his debate performance During last week's debate, DeSantis accused Haley of not supporting a ban on gender-affirming medical care for young people and opposing bathroom laws when she was governor, both of which she denied. And he questioned whether she would act in the best interests of ordinary Americans or Wall Street donors. 'We know from her history Nikki will cave to those big donors when it counts and that is not acceptable,' DeSantis said. Furthermore, DeSantis claimed Haley has said there should be 'no limits on legal immigration, and that corporate CEOs should set the policy on that.' 'That's not true. Quit lying,' shot back Haley. Ramaswamy hit her even harder, also bringing up her support from big donors and her time on the board of Boeing Co., and suggesting that she was bankrupt when she left office. 'It adds up the fact that you are corrupt,' he said. Haley was ready for that line of attack. 'And in terms of these donors that are supporting me, they're just jealous,' she told the audience. 'They wish that they were supporting them.' Republican Sen. Mitt Romeny doesn't want to endorse anyone for president because he thinks putting his name behind any candidate will be a 'kiss of death' as he prepares to leave Congress at the end of his term in 2025. The Utah senator wishes his colleague Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) would be on the Democratic ticket rather than President Joe Biden. While Romeny wouldn't reveal on Sunday who he plans to vote for, he said he will absolutely not cast his ballot for former President Donald Trump. He also had praises for former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley but said his vote in Utah doesn't matter because it's deep Trump country. 'I hope someone besides President Biden is the nominee of the Democrat party. We'll see who that might be,' Romney told NBC News Meet the Press host Kristen Welker on Sunday morning. Sen. Mitt Romeny says he won't endorse any 2024 candidate because that would be 'the kiss of death' for their campaign WATCH: Endorsing a presidential candidate in the 2024 race would be the "kiss of death," says @SenatorRomney (R-Utah). "The Joe I'd like to vote for is Joe Manchin. ... I'm not going to tell you right now who I'm going to vote for." pic.twitter.com/J0mrse28v6 Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) December 10, 2023 Asked if he would vote for Biden if it was between him and Trump in 2024, Romney said: 'The Joe I would like to vote for is Joe Manchin.' 'I'm not going to tell you right now who I'm going to vote for,' he added. 'Utah is going to be for Donald Trump, so it's kind of irrelevant.' Manchin, a moderate Democrat, announced he is not running for reelection to his long held Senate seat in West Virginia. It further fueled speculation that he is planning to launch a third party bid in 2024. But Romney, an anti-Trump Republican also leaving Congress at the end of his term, said he doesn't think Manchin is going to run in this election. 'No I don't, but I wish he would,' the senator told Welker when asked if Manchin might run. 'I wish he'd be the Democratic nominee.' 'By the way, there are a couple of Democrats that I think would be a better nominee, I think, than President Biden.' Romney said he thinks Amb. Haley has the best shot of being the Republican nominee other than Trump but conceded it's still a longshot bid. Trump is ahead in national polls by at least 40 points and is still the far frontrunner in state-wide polling, as well. Romney says he wishes Sen. Joe Manchin were the Democratic presidential nominee in 2024 Christie, Romney claims, is the reason Trump has refused to show up to any of the four Republican presidential primary debates so far. 'If I endorse someone it would be a kiss of death. I'm not going to do that,' Romney said on Sunday. 'Should I endorse the person I like least right now?' he joked. 'I'm not going to be endorsing President Trump, obviously. I've made that very clear.' 'Look, Chris Christie has done a terrific job so far. I think his being in the race has kept Donald Trump from coming to the debates,' the Utah senator explained. 'Because I think Donald Trump recognized if he went to the debate with Chris Christie, Chris Christie would reveal him for what he was and Trump would be badly hurt.' Romeny pretty much ruled out casting his ballot for Trump or Biden, claiming it's a choice between 'someone who's too old and someone who's too nutty.' An NYPD captain previously sued by a female staffer for alleged sexual harassment has been accused of beating and kidnapping a date in New Jersey, prosecutors have revealed. Hariton Marachilian, 45, was arrested last week over the alleged December 2022 attack, which the Passaic County Prosecutors Office on Thursday said saw him first choke the unidentified woman into submission and leave 'visible marks' on her neck. The assault, officials allege, continued with the Iraq War vet repeatedly striking the woman's head against the dashboard of his car, before punching her several times in the face. This persisted for 'what felt like hours' both inside and outside the car, prosecutors contend in their legal complaint, which left the 19-year officer's December 1 arrest nearly a year to the day from the alleged assault. That affidavit claims the woman had either recently left Marachilian or informed him she was ending the relationship, leading him to engage in the alleged assault. It further insists the officer - who has had a litany of allegations against him - 'has a history of stalking, harassment or terroristic threats.' Hariton Marachilian, 45, was arrested last week over the alleged December 2022 attack, which the Passaic County Prosecutors Office on Thursday said saw him first choke the unidentified woman into submission while leaving 'visible marks' on her neck The assault, officials allege, continued - with the 19-year-officer repeatedly striking the woman's head against the dashboard of his car and punching her in the face. Since suspended, he faces a penalty of 15 to 30 years in prison for the kidnapping charge, and more for the rest Cops confirmed in an email that he has since been put on unpaid leave in addition to his recent arrest - based on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault, criminal coercion, and criminal restraint currently leveled against the longtime staffer. 'The individual is suspended without pay,' a DCPI Spokesperson told DailyMail.com. The complaint filed in Passaic County court goes on to contend that the woman was able to escape from Marachilian's vehicle during his alleged assault, but was again brutalized after the off-duty officer chased her down. At that point, Marachilian 'picked [his date] up over his head and threw her to the ground,' the document states - before dragging her back to the vehicle to drive to another location where he 'repeatedly punched' her. As the was happening, the captain allegedly took the womans phone, but was forced to cease the attack when a witness called police after the woman 'begged' for help. The initial argument, the affidavit states, began in the parking lot of a restaurant the pair had visited in Paterson with friends. At some point, the conversation turned serious - and eventually, physical - when it turned to the two's apparently ending relationship, the document states. Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes added that authorities had been long looking into the incident - probing it for the past year as a domestic violence dispute that took place on December 10 of last year. Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes added that authorities had been long looking into the incident - probing it for the past year as a domestic violence dispute that took place on December 10 of last year A press release from her office this past Thursday announcing Marachilian's arrest pegged him 'as the actor who kidnapped and assaulted a female victim The press release from Valdes's office this past Thursday announcing Marachilian's arrest pegged him 'as the actor who kidnapped and assaulted a female victim causing her to sustain serious injuries,' before detailing the stark penalty he faces for the kidnapping charge, and more for the other allegations. 'The sentencing exposure for [Marachilian] on First Degree Kidnapping is 15-30 years [in] New Jersey State Prison with 85 percent of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act,' the release states. If released at that point, the officer would be required to undergo 'five years of parole supervision,' with no path back into the city's police force. For the second degree aggravated assault charges - of which there are two - Valdes's office writes that 'the exposure is 5-10 years [in] New Jersey State Prison with 85 percent of the term to be served before parole... for each charge.' The Third Degree Criminal Restraint and Criminal Coercion charges, meanwhile, carry an exposure of three to five years in New Jersey State Prison for each charge, prosecutors said. The release added that as the case against the officer continues, the victim will remain unidentified as per the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act - the law being used to prosecute the defendant. That said, Valdes's newly finished probe found the woman had injuries to her legs and feet - allegedly from being dragged - as well as bruises and swelling to her nose and face and cuts to her eyes. The bleeding, Paterson police who responded to the alleged assault said, came from the victim's nose and face, while Marachilian - who at this point was not arrested and allowed to continue his $194,000 a year for nearly a year - was unmarked. Marchilian (left), meanwhile, joined the force in 2004, and assumed the post of captain in 2019. As of August 1, the officer - a resident of affluent Oyster Bay - was assigned on patrol in Brooklyn North, and cops confirmed Sunday that his suspension went into effect on November 30 According to Civilian Complaint Review Board records, Marchilian has had at least six other complaints filed against him during his tenure with the NYPD, and nearly 20 allegations of wrongdoing. Only two, both dealing with abuses of power, have been substantiated Upon being questioned, the former Marine told first-responders he was 'having an affair' with the woman, the court papers said, though she allegedly told officers they were just friends. The affidavit goes on to state how the woman told cops she had either recently left Marachilian or informed him she was ending their relationship before the alleged assault took place. It also cites the NYPD officer's checkered history when it comes to women and his behavior - including a suit alleging sexual harassment filed by fellow Police Captain Sharon Carolyn Balli in 2020, and a settled one alleging lewd behavior from Marachilian by another officer in 2014. That suit reportedly settled for $800,000, and can be seen on a website that compiles data on misconduct by NYPD officers. According to Civilian Complaint Review Board records, Marchilian has had at least six other complaints filed against him during his tenure with the NYPD, and nearly 20 allegations of wrongdoing. Stemming from all the way back to 2007, most deal with alleged abuses of police authority - like the unsubstantiated stop and frisk of a 61-year-old black male in 2008. A near-identical incident that was also found to be unsubstantiated involved a 37-year-old black male who also claimed to have been illegally stopped by the top cop, and unproven allegations of physical force alleged by white, Hispanic, and Asian victims, most of them women ranging in age from 18 to 76. The NYPD officer's checkered history when it comes to women and his behavior includes an unresolved suit alleging sexual harassment filed by fellow Police Captain Sharon Carolyn Balli in 2020, and a settled one alleging lewd behavior from Marachilian by another officer in 2014 However, within the mass of allegations, only two of the complaints, both dealing with abuse of authority, were found to be substantiated, the records show. One involved the illegal search of a premises earlier this year, and the search of a 60-year-old black male in 2015. Balli, meanwhile, as the first female Indian-Guyanese ever made captain, alleged in her still-ongoing suit that Marachilian regularly engaged in 'boys club' behavior in latter part of the last decade when they worked together, and regularly asked her about her sex life. Do you have great sex? and You need to have more sex, she recalled him saying, according to a correspondence sent to the City Comptroller at the time revealing her plans to sue. It further claimed Marachilian - who was added to the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame in 2017 for his time the 1st Marine Division as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom - tried to get into their shared executive bathroom on 'several occasion[sic] from December 2019 to June 2020 while [she was] taking a shower.' Marchilian, meanwhile, joined the force in 2004, and assumed the post of captain in 2019. As of August 1, the officer - a resident of affluent Oyster Bay - was assigned on patrol in Brooklyn North, and cops confirmed Sunday that his suspension went into effect on November 30, the day before his arrest. Prosecutors have requested for him remain in pretrial detention until a court date is confirmed - a matter that will be heard at a scheduled appearance before a judge on December 12. He will remain on the streets until then, officials said. University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill has resigned because she articulated and enforced a double standard of free speech to the detriment of Jewish students. Harvard's President Claudine Gay should be next to go. Then, we're looking at you, Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth. 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.' How better to describe these university presidents? America watched in disbelief as these three sat before a Congressional committee this week and declined to call for the disciplining of demonstrators on their campuses, who chant for the mass murder of Jews. 'I will ask you one more time,' an exasperated Rep. Elise Stefanki told Harvard University President Claudine Gay in the hearing. 'Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard's rules of bullying and harassment? Yes or no?' she asked. 'Antisemitic rhetoric when it crosses into conduct, that amounts to bullying, harassment, intimidation, that is actionable conduct, and we do take action,' responded Gay in language suggesting authority but devoid of any real meaning. 'So the answer is yes?' pressed Stefanik. 'That calling for the genocide of Jews violates Harvard Code of Conduct. Correct? 'Again, it depends on the context,' replied Gay. 'It does not depend on the context. The answer is yes,' the Congresswoman exploded, 'and this is why you should resign.' University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill (above, right) has resigned because she articulated and enforced a double standard of free speech to the detriment of Jewish students. Harvard's President Claudine Gay (above, left) should be next to go. Harvard Graduate Students for Palestine rally on the steps of Widner Library, Harvard University of October 14, 2023. I couldn't agree more. These university leaders failed a basic test of moral clarity when they couldn't bring themselves to uphold the same standard for Jewish students that they would for any other group on campus. Am I - someone who first began teaching at Harvard 60 years ago - ashamed of the institution? Yes. Am I surprised by this outrage? No, not in the least. As a former president of a major university once told me, 'The one quality that is not a criteria for becoming the president of a university is courage.' Magill, Gay and Kornbluth are not leaders in education. They are politicians. Even when they talk the talk, they rarely walk the walk. The job of a university president is to serve their constituents, raise money and keep their campuses quiet. So they coddle the loudest voices in the student body, the faculty and, of course, the donors. When financier Ross Stevens threatened to withdraw his $100 million gift to the University of Pennsylvania if Magill was not fired, she stepped down. And now, bowing to similar pressure, after attempting to defend her testimony in a statement on Wednesday, President Gay has issued a full apology. 'I am sorry,' Gay told The Harvard Crimson on Friday. 'Words matters.' Well, too little, too late. These are not principled people. 'So the answer is yes?' pressed Stefanik. 'That calling for the genocide of Jews violates Harvard Code of Conduct. Correct? 'Again, it depends on the context,' replied Gay. 'It does not depend on the context. The answer is yes,' the Congresswoman exploded, 'and this is why you should resign.' When financier Ross Stevens threatened to withdraw his $100 million gift to the University of Pennsylvania if Magill (above) was not fired, she stepped down. Magill, Gay and Kornbluth (above) are not leaders in education. They are politicians. Even when they talk the talk, they rarely walk the walk. Even before Tuesday's hearing, the U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into Harvard for allegedly failing to adequately respond to antisemitic harassment on campus. I would happily offer the agency my testimony as to the institution's sordid record of discrimination. But the truth is that no firings or federal probe, while necessary, will be sufficient to restore fairness at Harvard. What Gay, Magill, Kornbluth and their dozens of lawyers and advisers don't recognize is that campus antisemitism is the result of policies they still support. In Rabbi David Wolpe's resignation from the university's Antisemitism Advisory Group on Thursday he wrote, 'the system at Harvard along with the ideology that grips far too many of the students and faculty, the ideology that works only along axes of oppression and places Jews as oppressors and therefore intrinsically evil, is itself evil.' Rabbi Wolpe is correct. And this 'evil' ideology goes by the acronym D.E.I. - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In the aftermath of the appalling murder of George Floyd, Harvard, and so many American institutions, rushed to reckon with their histories. Hundreds of millions of dollars were spent hiring hard-left, woke, progressive bureaucrats steeped in the culture of identity politics. Some universities mandated that professors take loyalty oaths to D.E.I., attend compulsory sensitivity sessions and actively censor opposing points of view. In Rabbi David Wolpe's resignation from the university's Antisemitism Advisory Group on Thursday he wrote, 'the system at Harvard along with the ideology that grips far too many of the students and faculty, the ideology that works only along axes of oppression and places Jews as oppressors and therefore intrinsically evil, is itself evil.' We now see that the result was nothing short of Orwellian. As for 'diversity,' there is little tolerance for speech that is critical of D.E.I., a sure sign of its intellectual weakness. 'Equity,' as it turns out, is the opposite of equality, despite it being a similar sounding word. For while equality demands individuals be judged on their merit, 'equity' only favors those that belong to select identity groups. And perhaps most hypocritical and dangerous of all this ideology of 'inclusion,' as Rabbi Wolpe observes, excludes Jews. Never forget that Harvard admittedly failed to explicitly condemn Hamas or quickly denounce a student group letter that held Israel, 'entirely responsible' for the October 7th terrorist massacre. This is the D.E.I. worldview. Today it looks down on Jews. Who will be next? Yes, Harvard's Gay and MIT's Kornbluth must follow Magill and resign. But their professional scalps will not solve the real problems plaguing our universities. What is needed now is the courage to stand up to an evil ideology infecting our institutions. The D.E.I. bureaucracy must be dismantled, discredited and utterly destroyed. Tucker Carlson has launched a $72-a-year subscription service for fans to watch his content, after he was unceremoniously sacked from Fox News in April. The former host of Tucker Carlson Tonight announced his 'brand new thing' and encouraged fans to sign-up and 'join team Tucker'. It comes seven months after he was sacked from Fox News days after the network was forced to pay out $787million in the Dominion defamation lawsuit. Since then, Carlson has been uploading his interviews with divisive figures like Andrew Tate and Viktor Orban on X. But now he's starting his own streaming service, saying: 'Time flies when youre unemployed, but actually we have been working in secret and producing an awful lot of material for months now.' Carlson shared the news on his X account in a short video clip which urged fans to sign up Fans can sign up on his site to access the 'exclusive content' with a 'limited time offer' to 'become a founding member'. Carlson was sacked from Fox in the aftermath of the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit. Dominion had sued Fox for $1.6billion for defamation, claiming hosts like Carlson knew then-President Trump's election fraud claims were untrue, but pushed them for ratings. They settled for $787million at the 11th hour, narrowly avoiding an embarrassing and highly-publicized trial where Carlson and other hosts would likely have been called as witnesses. Carlson was not told why he was being forced out at the time - but Fox CEO Suzanne Scott reportedly said the decision was made 'from above'. Various insiders have claimed it was News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch who made the decision. Since being fired, Carlson has been hosting his shows on X, with recent episodes being viewed hundreds of millions of times. His fans are promised 'hours' of exclusive content on the platform It will be launching in the next few days In recent months he has taken to interviewing ever-more polarizing figures - among them Hungary's far-right prime minister, Viktor Orban, and accused sex trafficker and self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate. This week he interviewed conspiracy theorist Alex Jones - who told him President Joe Biden is drugged up on amphetamines and wanders the White House naked and lost in the middle of the night. Carlson is now taking his content onto his own site, TuckerCarlson.com. The site promises that they are 'just days away from the launch of Tucker Carlsons new streaming platform' and urges people to 'get in ahead of the crowd'. It claims there will be 'hours of exclusive members-only content hosted by Tucker Carlson'. His Fox show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, drew in 3.5million viewers every night - but in recent years it was dubbed the 'most racist show on cable'. Then a series of controversies including the Dominion claims and Carlson's own comments about the January 6 riots led him into increasingly hot water. Carlson joined Fox as a contributor in 2009, having previously offered his conservative opinions on CNN shows. He was given his own show on the network in 2016 and quickly became its most watched host, cementing his own fanbase and reputation for taking some of the most extreme, hard-right positions on cable news. A threatening letter warning 'no one is safe' has been sent to a Jewish school in Greater Manchester amid a wave of anti-Semitic incidents. It is one of the latest examples of anti-Semitism recorded by the charity Community Security Trust (CST), with 326 recorded since October in Greater Manchester. Other incidents recorded by the charity include a sticker saying 'Zionism is Nazism' at a Christmas market, as well as posters of Jewish hostages captured by Hamas being removed or defaced. The charity has recorded soaring levels of vile anti-Semitism across the country since the ongoing conflict in the Middle East began on October 7. According to CST, the letter included 'warning your school is being targeted, No one is safe, no one should support killers, Palestine forever'. The school has not been named. CST has provided weekly updates on anti-Semitism since the war began two months ago. A sticker saying 'Zionism is Nazism' was found at a Christmas market Amanda Bomsztyk (pictured), northern regional director at CST, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme last month that levels of anti-Semitism in Greater Manchester are now 'just crazy' In its latest count, there has been 326 incidents of Jewish hate recorded by the charity in Greater Manchester as of December 6, up by 33 from the previous week. CST says Greater Manchester, which is home to the UK's largest Jewish community outside London, has seen the most number of anti-Semitic incidents outside the capital. Amanda Bomsztyk, northern regional director at CST, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme last month that levels of anti-Semitism in Greater Manchester are now 'just crazy'. 'It is absolutely the worst we've ever seen [in Greater Manchester],' she said. 'The numbers speak for themselves. In Greater Manchester we're on an over 880% increase, which is just crazy really.' CST began recording incidents of anti-Semitism in 1984. Nationally, the charity has recorded 1,890 incidents of anti-Semitsm between October 7 and December 6. They include 80 assaults, 117 incidents of damage or desecration to Jewish property, 148 direct threats, 1,537 incidents of abusive behaviour (including verbal abuse, graffiti on non-Jewish property, hate mail and online abuse), and eight incidents of mass-produced anti-Semitic literature. A charity spokesperson added: 'CST will not stand for this anti-Jewish hatred and nor should anybody else. We urge everyone who experiences or witnesses antisemitism to report it to police and to CST so that those who are trying to intimidate and threaten our community can be investigated, arrested and prosecuted.' Reports can be made to CST online. A 24-hour CST National Emergency Number is also available on 0800 032 3263. Dynamo has revealed how a flare up in his Crohn's disease after he ate a piece of undercooked chicken led to years of hospital stays and depression which left him unable to perform. The magician, whose real name is Steven Frayne, said problems with his medication saw his life to spiral into a 'vicious circle', as he felt physically well enough to perform but lost all pleasure from his work. 'You take magic away from a magician and you lose your sense of purpose,' he told The Sunday Times. In an emotional interview, the 40-year-old revealed he began to self-harm and suffered an identity crisis, telling the newspaper: 'The last five years, maybe even longer, I've at times lost the will to live.' After nearly four years off the nation's TV screens, with his last show airing in early 2020, Dynamo is now making a comeback with a new one-off show, titled Dynamo Is Dead. Dynamo, real name Steven Frayne, has said a flare up in his Crohn's disease after he ate a piece of undercooked chicken led to years of hospital stays The programme will lift the lid on the magic star's mental health struggles, and is also set to involve a live segment where he will be buried under five tonnes of soil. 'Right now I feel happy to be alive. Albeit I'll be ultimately happier when I come out of that grave. Touch wood,' he said, smiling. Diagnosed with Crohn's, an inflammatory bowel disease, while in his teens, Frayne had to have half his stomach removed and lived in excruciating pain for years. He turned to magic to distract himself from his health struggles, and became a household name in 2011 and gained fame from his incredible street performances, card tricks and stunts. But his chronic illness has plagued him throughout that time, and flared up in 2017 after he ate a piece of raw chicken at a fast-food chain. He disappeared from public view before opening up about the impact of it months later, telling fans he had been hospitalised with a combination of Crohn's disease and food poisoning. The performer revealed he was still dealing with the side effects of his steroid medication, including arthritis affecting his hands, knees, toes, ankles and neck. Frayne said that that at times it got so bad that he was 'unable to shuffle a pack of cards'. He vowed that he would return to magic, and said he was working with 'doctors and physio and doing everything in my power to get to 100 per cent.' The performer revealed he was still dealing with the side effects of his steroid medication, including arthritis affecting his hands, knees, toes, ankles and neck He made a three-part mini-series in 2019, which saw him carry out jaw-dropping magic tricks as well as discuss his road to recovery after his career-threatening illness. But Frayne was still battling mental health struggles, and told The Sunday Times that his wife encouraged him to get help after 'self-harming incidents', and he began therapy in November 2020. Tragically, in the midst of his depression, he then lost his great-grandmother. Impacted by grief, he said he locked himself away and became 'scared to go out'. Now, Frayne told the newspaper, he is emerging from the 'doom' and slowly returning to public life with his new show. Dynamo is Dead will feature the magician's mind-boggling stunts as well as famous faces such as Cara Delevingne and Tyson Fury. Frayne said he thinks it will be his 'final act' under the stage name of Dynamo, admitting he feels the need to 'move on'. The show airs on Sky Max and Now at 9pm on Thursday. For confidential support call the Samaritans for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for more information. Dozens of flood warnings have been put in place across the UK as Storm Fergus is set to batter Britain with heavy downpours and strong winds. More than 40 flood warnings and over 200 flood alerts were in place with the latest bout of bad weather expected bring between 30mm and 40mm of rain, along with a risk of hail and thunder. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain for the north-west of England, which is in place from 5pm today until 3am on Monday, and is expected to cause further chaos across the country in the wake of Storm Elin. Storm Fergus - named by the Irish meteorological service, Met Eireann - has already wrecked havoc across Ireland after the country saw a huge deluge as well as 80mph winds and even a 'tornado'. The devastating storm saw emergency services called to Leitrim Village on Sunday afternoon after high winds flattened trees, ripped a roof off a building and left debris scattered on a street. Strong gales from Storm Elin have brought down a huge tree in Brigsley Road, Waltham Emergency services work in Leitrim Village after high winds flattened trees, ripped a roof off a building and left debris scattered on a street after a 'tornado' hit the area A dogwalker spots swans as river levels along the Severn rise following heavy rain in Worcester The Met Office forecast for today shows warnings for rain and windy conditions Footage shared on X showed the 'tornado' making its way past anchored boats and causing flashes of blue light. Pieces of debris can be seen getting thrown around due to the heavy winds. READ MORE - Storms Elin and Fergus are on their way: Met Office issues new warning with parts of Britain facing rain, floods and 70mph winds across weekend Advertisement Met Eireann meteorologist Liz Walsh said reports of a tornado in the area were 'possibly correct' or 'certainly some very high winds associated with the thunderstorm'. She said the forecaster was relying on social media reports and videos to say for certain if it was a tornado. She added: 'In a thundercloud, the wind speed and direction can change as it goes up in the cloud, which causes rotation and if the funnel cloud is able to stretch all the way down to the ground that causes a tornado. 'It could also have been a straight line gust, it's most likely one or the other, but people say they saw rotation. 'They're not a very forecastable thing, it would only be there for a couple of minutes.' Storm Fergus, the second named storm of the weekend, has brought yellow warnings for rain in north-west England. There is also a yellow weather warning in place for eastern Scotland from 9am on Tuesday to 3am on Wednesday. The strongest winds are likely to hit south Wales and areas around the Bristol Channel, with a possibility of localised gales. On Tuesday eastern Scotland could see between 50mm and 75mm of rainfall, equivalent to a third of the average for December. But from Thursday most of the country will see drier and brighter weather, with slightly above-average temperatures. A Range Rover believed to be carrying a young child was caught in 4ft of water in Essex People walked through Worcester city centre during rain showers as Storm Fergus is forecast to bring more rain into next week Heavy rain this weekend meant swans could paddle beyond the River Severn's banks St Ives in Cambridgeshire (pictured) was hit by floods today in the aftermath of Storm Elin The River Great Ouse that runs through St Ives, Cambridgeshire, broke its banks after the storm hit, leading to flooding A van became stuck in floodwater in over 4ft of water in Essex this morning Strong winds and heavy rain will continue across much of the UK this evening Here's the highest 12-hour rainfall and highest gusts so far pic.twitter.com/9QnRvA9xUn Met Office (@metoffice) December 9, 2023 Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said: 'Monday looks like a better day for most areas, there will be some patchy rain across the north east of Scotland, but other than that it looks mostly dry with bright sunny spells and lighter winds. READ MORE - Moment overhead line 'explodes' causing serious disruption at Manchester Piccadilly as city is battered by heavy rain and winds as Storm Fergus is also expected to wreak havoc across UK Advertisement 'But wet and windy weather will come in on Monday night, pushing east into Tuesday. 'Eastern Scotland could see 50mm to 75mm of rain on Tuesday, so two or three inches in some spots, elsewhere it will be brighter but with some showers. 'It could be a chilly start in the north on Wednesday, a few icy patches and a touch of frost, but becoming drier and brighter. 'Later in the week things will gradually improve, but Wednesday night there will be a spell of wet and windy weather. 'After that at the end of the week things will improve, away from north-west Scotland which will be wet, but elsewhere higher pressure will be building, temperatures will be between 8C and 12C, a degree or two above average for this time of the year.' The weather has already caused widespread disruption, particularly in the north of the country, with trains cancelled, residents left without power and a car smashed by a fallen tree. Storm Fergus is expected to sweep eastwards across the UK producing 20 to 30mm, along with a risk of hail and thunder, the Met Office said. The bad weather could cause delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport, and coastal routes, seafronts and coastal communities may be affected by spray and large waves, the forecaster said. On Saturday, Storm Elin brought strong winds and heavy downpours to parts of the UK and Ireland. Gusts of 45mph wind in Stalybridge, Tameside, brought down a large tree which smashed a car, caving in its roof and shattering its windows. In Manchester Piccadilly, an overhead line 'exploded' in the storm, with one passenger reporting 'large flashes of light and sparks' coming from the wires. Christmas shoppers got a soaking this afternoon in Bournemouth, Dorset Swans have a paddle down a flooded street in Worcester following the bad weather People walk along the seafront in Doolin in County Clare on the west coast of Ireland as Storm Elin and Storm Fergus hit this weekend. Pictured on Saturday Dramatic footage, sent in by a passenger who was on a train near Piccadilly station shows huge flashes of light and sparks coming from overhead wires Cars couldn't go any further on a flooded road near Ely, Cambs, on Saturday Drone footage shows flooding in fields near Dorchester in Dorset on Saturday In Manchester Piccadilly, a tree fell and damaged overhead wires, with trains cancelled A post on X by the operator read: 'A fallen tree has damaged the overhead wires and blocks the tracks between Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road. 'Engineers are on site assessing the damage and working to restore services as soon as possible.' Northern Rail issued 'do not travel' warnings to due the disruption caused by bad weather this weekend. The flooding caused a landslip between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids, blocking all lines. The operator told passengers not to travel between Salisbury and Exeter St Davids until Monday. A number of roads are also closed due to flooding, including the M66 at J1, and the A679 Accrington Road in Burnley. Residents in Formby, Merseyside, were left without power for several hours after a power cut affected the whole area at 5.30pm. Saturday's League Two games at Mansfield, Bradford City, Forest Green and Sutton United were forced to be postponed due to water-logged pitches after the heavy rainfall. The unsettled weather could continue into the start of next week, the Met Office said. More than half of people think Rishi Sunak's Eat Out to Help Out scheme was a 'bad idea', according to a new poll. A YouGov survey, carried out for The Times, has revealed that 52 per cent of people think that the flagship scheme was a 'bad idea', while just over a third, 32 per cent, believe that it was a good idea. The poll comes as Rishi Sunak is set to face allegations that the scheme, which provided 50% off the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks, fuelled the spread of coronavirus when he gives evidence to the Covid inquiry on Monday. His questioning by lead counsel Hugo Keith KC in west London tomorrow morning will kick off a crucial week for Mr Sunak as he also faces a crunch vote on his Rwanda legislation on Tuesday. Messages have revealed that Government scientists referred to Mr Sunak as 'Dr Death, the Chancellor' over concerns about his push to keep economic activity going while leading the Treasury during the pandemic. Rishi Sunak (pictured in 2020) is set to face allegations that his Eat Out to Help Out scheme fuelled the spread of coronavirus when he appears at the Covid inquiry on Monday The Prime Minister is expected to be grilled on whether he believed scientists were handed too much power and if insufficient consideration was given to the impact of lockdowns His questioning by lead counsel Hugo Keith KC (pictured) in west London tomorrow morning will kick off a crucial week for Mr Sunak Cabinet minister Michael Gove defended Mr Sunak today, arguing there was no 'public critique' of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme before its launch in August 2020. But Professor Sir Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, is said to have privately referred to the scheme to boost the restaurant industry as 'eat out to help out the virus'. Sir Patrick Vallance, who was chief scientific adviser, said he and Sir Chris could not recall being consulted in advance about the scheme that cost hundreds of millions of pounds. Giving evidence to Baroness Hallett's inquiry, Sir Patrick said the scheme was 'highly likely' to have fuelled deaths. Mr Gove argued the policy was announced a month before it was implemented and during this time it was 'not the case that there was a public critique'. 'It was an effective way of ensuring that the hospitality industry was supported through a very difficult period, and it was entirely within the broad outlines of rules about social mixing that prevailed at the time,' he told Sky's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme. The plan formed part of Mr Sunak's summer economic update on July 8 2020, and provided 50% off the cost of food and/or non-alcoholic drinks. Former deputy chief medical officer Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam said the scheme 'didn't feel sensible' because it was encouraging exactly what officials had been trying to stop in previous months. One of Sir Patrick's diary entries recorded Dominic Cummings, who was Boris Johnson's chief adviser in Downing Street at the time, saying Mr Sunak 'thinks just let people die and that's OK'. Cabinet minister Michael Gove defended Mr Sunak today, arguing there was no 'public critique' of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme before its launch in August 2020 Professor Sir Chris Whitty (pictured), England's chief medical officer, is said to have privately referred to the scheme to boost the restaurant industry as 'eat out to help out the virus' It is understood that the inquiry has shared with its core participants an interview Mr Sunak did with the Spectator magazine in August last year. In it, Mr Sunak claimed he 'wasn't allowed to talk about the trade-off' between the economic and social impacts of lockdowns and their benefits to suppressing the virus. He discussed the 'problem' of handing power to scientists, adding: 'If you empower all these independent people, you're screwed.' Mr Sunak may also face questions over his WhatsApp messages, or lack of them. He has reportedly told the inquiry that 'having changed my phone a number of times over the last three years' he no longer has access. A source who worked with Mr Sunak during the pandemic told The Times: 'He's going to get absolutely slaughtered over his failure to provide Whatsapps.' Lawyers representing bereaved families from the four UK nations will also question Mr Sunak, as will long Covid groups and the Trades Union Congress. The union's assistant general secretary Kate Bell said: 'The Prime Minister must come clean about why these decisions were taken - especially when senior government advisers were warning that people couldn't afford to stay home when sick. 'The failure to provide proper financial support was an act of self-sabotage that left millions brutally exposed to the pandemic.' The sister of a man who murdered their mother following a dispute over a sandwich has said that she feels that she has been 'robbed of justice' after her brother was handed a minimum term of sixteen years in prison for the killing earlier today. Jordan Bush, 22, says that she was 'devastated' after her mother Kelly Pitt, 44, was murdered in May 2023. Her brother, Lewis Bush, 26, attacked his mother during a row over a bacon sandwich in their home in Newport, Wales. Speaking of the verdict handed down by Newport Crown Court, Jordan said: '16 years is not enough and I feel like I've been robbed of justice. No amount of time will ever be enough to make up for what a stunning person she was. 'Lewis is despicable and I'll never forgive him for taking my best friend away.' Lewis Bush, 26, attacked his mother during a row over a bacon sandwich in their home in Newport, Wales in May 2023 Kelly Pitt, 44, had suffered years of abuse at the hands of her son. He had been serving bail following an assault on her in February when he murdered her Jordan Bush, 22, said that she was 'devastated' by what had happened to her mother and felt that the sentence that had been handed down to her brother was too lenient 'I have no family left now that my mum has been ripped away from me because Lewis is certainly no brother of mine,' she added. Kelly called her daughter during the row and asked her to call the police, with Jordan saying that she could hear her brother 'shouting and screaming' down the line. She said that she did not call the police as she thought that it was only 'one of their regular fights'. Lewis went on to beat his mother to death after the phone call ended. Her body was discovered two days later by her daughter's partner. Lewis was arrested. In a post-mortem investigation, Kelly was found to have suffered internal bleeding and 41 rib fractures, with mirror glass and clumps of hair found around her body. Newport Crown Court, where the trial opened in October 2023, heard that she had been subjected to years of domestic abuse by her son. Lewis had been on bail for assaulting Kelly in February. Under the conditions of his bail he was banned from contacting her. Lewis initially denied murdering his mother, but later changed his plea to guilty. He was jailed for life on November 10. He will serve a minimum term of 16 years. Police bodycam footage captured the chilling moment Bush was filmed laughing after being told his mother was dead and feigning shock. While being handcuffed, he is heard saying: 'Murder? Are you joking me? What? My mum is dead? Serious? You are joking me? My mum's gone?' Bush can also be heard on camera telling police he is worried they are going to assault him while showing no emotion about his mother's death. He said: 'You won't harm me or nothing will you? It seems like you're all going to fill me in.' His sister said: 'The guilt of not calling 999 will haunt me forever. Little did I know that it was the last time I'd speak to her.' 'Lewis and mum always had a complicated relationship but she never stopped loving him. 'I guess that was her downfall - she cared too much for someone who didn't deserve it. She said that it felt like 'my heart had been ripped out' when her partner found Kelly dead. Jordan says her relationship with Lewis was 'close when growing up' but became 'strained' as they both got older. After losing their sister, Lauren Bush, 24, in April 2021, Lewis' behaviour towards his mum worsened. 'It's always just been the three of us and mum,' Jordan said. 'Even though he was my older brother, I'd put him in line when he'd lash out at mum. 'He'd listen to me but he'd, of course, carry on abusing her. 'I'd plead for mum to kick him out for good because of how horrible he was but she never would because he was her son. 'I tried to keep an eye on him because I knew what he was like.' On the day of the attack, May 10, 2023, Jordan describes her conversations with her mum as 'normal'. Lewis Bush was sentenced to life in prison by Newport Crown Court, with a minimum term of 16 years in jail Ms Pitt was found on a blood-soaked bed, covered in a duvet, and was declared dead at the scene At 9pm, Jordan received a distress call from Kelly during a heated argument between her and Lewis - during which she asked her daughter to 'call the police'. Jordan said: 'I could hear Lewis having a go at mum for not making him a bacon sandwich, he was really worked up. 'I could hear mum angrily shouting back why should she when he never pays rent, but I could tell she was terrified and in bits. 'I didn't call 999 because I thought it was one of their usual arguments and would be sorted in the morning. 'But when I texted mum and she didn't reply, it sent alarm bells ringing.' Jordan continued to try to make contact with Kelly, even speaking to Lewis the next morning, who told her their mum was 'ill and in bed'. By May 12, with no word from Kelly, Jordan's partner, Kieran, went to her apartment while Jordan stayed at home to look after their two-month-old daughter. 'I made sure Kieran was on the phone with me whilst at my mum's,' she said. 'As soon as he stepped foot in the flat his voice dropped. 'He found mum on her bed, covered in blood. 'He kept telling me that she was dead but I couldn't take it in.' Kieran called for help from a neighbour who called the police. During sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams said: 'Over the years, the court has heard, you subjected your poor mother to a great deal of violence.' Devastated Jordan said: 'I went to every single court hearing and not once did I see a glimpse of remorse on his miserable face. 'The harrowing footage of him smirking when getting arrested makes me sick to my stomach. 'I'll regret not ringing the police that awful evening, but Lewis' outbursts were the norm. 'She was loved by all that knew her and adored her granddaughter who she'll never see grow up. 'This Christmas will be hard and all the milestones that proceed - while tears dry, I'll never stop mourning my mum. The new mayor of Houston aimed a parting shot at his defeated Democrat rival after her campaign imploded over a leaked recording of her abusing and swearing at staffers. Texas State Senator John Whitmire, 74, asked voters to join hands with me after storming to victory in a run-off against Rep Sheila Jackson Lee on Saturday to become the oldest big city mayor in the US. But there was no handshake for the defeated Congresswoman who had denounced her campaign workers as two goddamn big a** children, and 'f***ing idiots who serve no goddamn purpose, during a lengthy tirade in October. People want to go to work for me because we respect people. We don't bully people, Whitmire said in his victory speech. My family taught me to treat people the way you want to be treated, and that works wherever you are, regardless of what community you're visiting with. Treat these individuals like you want to be treated. Whitmire made a point of repeatedly thanking his staff on social media during the campaign Shiela Jackson Lee has represented Houston in Congress since 1995 and was attempting to become Houstons first black female mayor The two Democrats were pitched against each other for the run-off after topping the November 7 non-partisan poll for the right to succeed retiring Mayor Sylvester Turner. The veteran centrist heavily outspent Jackson Lee who had won the backing of Hillary Clinton in her bid to become Houstons first black female mayor. But a leaked clip, posted by far-right Texas blog Current Revolt helped derail her campaign after it revealed her foul-mouthed response to a staffer about a document she was looking for concerning Ovide Duncantell. Duncantell, who died aged 82 in 2018, was the founder of the Black Heritage Society, and was heavily involved in the city's politics over the course of his lifetime. According to the blog, the staffer told Jackson Lee that another staffer, 'Jerome', had the document, and he'd give him a call about it. 'I don't want you to do a goddamn thing, she replied. I want you to have a f*cking brain. I want you to have read it. I want you to say 'Congresswoman, with such and such date.' 'That's what I want, that's the kind of staff that I want to have.' At that point in the clip, the woman being heard continues to spew profanities, as she harshly explains to the staffer how she expects her workers to handle calendar events. Jackson-Lee won the endorsement of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who praised her as a a 'fierce champion for her constituents' She trailed her centrist rival by 31 per cent when the run-off votes were counted on Saturday Houston which has a median age of around 35 and a quarter of the population is under 18 was offered a choice between Whitmore, 74, and Jackson Lee, 73 She also cites the specific importance of Duncantell in particular, due to his lasting reputation in The Bayou City. 'So some stupid other motherf***** did it. And, and I don't have the information,' she said. She then mocked her staffers response: Nobody sent me the information. I need to ensure schedule and, uh, you know, if Boo Boo did it, s****** did it, f***face did it. 'And nobody knows a goddamn thing in my office! Okay? Nothing!' 'Your job was to get it on the calendar, imprint it in your brain, or send me the information back saying, 'Congresswoman, I made sure that the Ovide Ducantell event that you gave me for a so-and-so date at seven is on the f***ing calendar. Both of y'all are f***-ups. It's the worst s*** that I could have ever had put together. But the veteran Democrat who has represented Houston in Congress since 1995 is no stranger to f***-ups herself, recording a video message in which she mistakenly told supporters to vote to vote for her on December 7, rather than on the actual election date two days later. Conceding defeat last night, she offered to work with Whitmire to make Houston better. I've had a great opportunity to serve this city, and yes, I was there during every disaster bringing federal dollars here,' she added. I never ran away from the fight to make Houston better. Even though the outcome was not the way we would have wanted. The best thing for us to do is to shore up and stand up and be committed to Houston moving forward. That's what I will do. Whitmire who is one of Texas's most powerful Democratic legislators, will now be at the helm of America's fourth-largest city Whitmire, who has served in the Texas legislature since 1973, focused on reducing crime in his pitch to voters, and littered his social media feeds with messages of thanks to his campaign team as election day approached. Great cities solve their problems,' he said after the victory. We will face challenges, but I see that as an opportunity, and I need you to join hands with me. We'll, meet our challenges, and it'll be an opportunity to show the nation what the city of Houston could do. This is the horrifying moment a knifeman was confronted by brave have-a-go heroes before being arrested by police. Shocking footage shows a man wielding a huge blade outside a hotel on Tib Street in Manchester as a group on people watch on in disbelief. The thug can be seen brandishing the weapon before one onlooker squares up to him and headbutts him twice in the chest. A second person then picks up an orange traffic cone and launches it at the knifeman, which narrowly misses his head. Two police officers soon race onto the scene, demanding the thug drop the weapon, before swiftly knocking him to the ground within seconds. This is the horrifying moment a knifeman was confronted by brave have-a-go heroes before being arrested by police The thug can be seen brandishing the weapon before one onlooker squares up to him and headbutts him twice in the chest Two police officers soon race onto the scene, demanding the thug drop the weapon, before swiftly knocking him to the ground within seconds The shocking minute-long video was shared on social media by madd_manneh, captioned: 'Waving his blade about. MADD'. READ MORE: Metal detectorists help police in Manchester in their fight against knife crime as they scour public areas for weapons Advertisement It shows the knifeman outside the Britannia Sachas Hotel holding the knife and a bag slung around his shoulder. He stops outside the entrance to the hotel where he places his bag down and faces off with a group of people on the street. Onlookers can be heard asking 'Why have you got a knife?', while others shout insults at the knifeman and tell him to put the weapon down. One have-a-go hero then decides to take the thug on as he walks up to him and headbutts him in the chest. The knifeman attempts to push him to one side before the vigilante headbutts him again. This prompts a more forceful response from the thug who punches him in the head. Seconds later a second wannabe-vigilante launches a traffic cone at the knifeman, which flies inches passed his head and onto the street behind him. The video shows the knifeman outside the Britannia Sachas Hotel holding the knife and a bag slung around his shoulder One have-a-go hero then decides to take the thug on as he walks up to him and headbutts him in the chest Suddenly, two police officers race onto the scene, one carrying a baton and another armed with a Taser gun They shout at him to drop the knife as they cautiously approach him The thug stands still keeping the knife in his hand before one of the officers kicks him off his feet and pins him to the ground Suddenly, two police officers race onto the scene, one carrying a baton and another armed with a Taser gun. They shout at him to drop the knife as they cautiously approach him. The thug stands still keeping the knife in his hand before one of the officers kicks him off his feet and pins him to the ground. It comes after it was revealed that police in Manchester are now enlisting the help of metal detectorists in their fight against knife crime. Last month two volunteer metal detectorists took part in a week-long operation with Greater Manchester Police where they scoured parks, grass verges, hedgerows and waste ground in Wigan for knives and other discarded weapons. The metal detectorists uncovered several blades, a hammer and a BB gun, which will now be safely destroyed by officers. MailOnline has contacted Greater Manchester Police for comment. A toddler is in 'extreme danger' following her abduction from her Virginia Beach home by her estranged father on Saturday. An AMBER Alert has been issued for two-year-old Zuri Dorsey who was kidnapped just after 7am yesterday. The child was allegedly taken from her home by Deandre Alante Dorsey, 27, who may be driving a red 2016 Honda Accord with North Carolina plates. Authorities say the pair may be heading toward Lewiston Woodville, North Carolina - near Raleigh. Two-year-old Zuri Dorsey was allegedly kidnapped by her estranged father on Saturday Deandre Dorsey, 27, is possibly driving a red 2016 Honda Accord and heading toward North Carolina Virginia Beach Police say the suspect may be wearing a black hoodie and joggers NEW INFORMATION per @VBPD: Zuri Dorsey was last seen wearing red-&-white striped pajamas. She may now be wearing green pj's with a Santa Claus print. https://t.co/FuiKHUB0yC VA State Police (@VSPPIO) December 9, 2023 The suspect is described as having brown hair and black eyes. He is five-foot-eleven-inches tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds. Virginia Beach Police say he may be wearing a black hoodie and joggers. Zuri, who has brown hair and brown eyes and weighs just 34 pounds, may be wearing winter red-and-white pajamas, or green pajamas with a Santa Claus print. An image of Dorsey with Zuri on his shoulders exiting her Virginia Beach home shows the child wearing a pair of red and white striped pajamas and carrying a green pair with Santa print. Authorities added that there are six outstanding warrants for Dorsey's arrest in Virginia Beach. He is also a Type 1 diabetic. It is unclear if he has his medications with him. Anyone with potentially helpful information is encouraged to call a Virginia Beach missing persons detective at 757-385-4401. This is the moment Vladimir Putin warns that Ukraine 'has no future' while sipping champagne at a Kremlin awards ceremony for troops as fears are growing that Western support for Kyiv is fading. In footage posted to X, the Russian president assured attendees Russia's defence plans were 'working more and more competently', with the country's arms industry allegedly producing 'several times more'. He claimed that meanwhile Ukraine was running out of weapons. 'They don't have their own foundations,' Putin added. 'When you don't have your own foundations, you don't have your own ideology, you don't have your own industry, you don't have your own money. 'You don't have anything that's your own. Then you don't have a future, but we have a future.' In footage posted to X, the Russian president claimed that Ukraine was running out of weapons. 'They don't have their own foundations,' he added Putin assured attendees at the awards ceremony for troops that Ukraine didn't 'have a future' (file image) But the Russian leader that despite the increased weapon production, Russia still doesn't have 'enough of everything'. This comes after first lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska warned the world will 'let Ukrainians die' if they do not continue their support as the war with Russia comes towards the end of its second year. Speaking with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, Ms Zelenska said the world cannot 'get tired' of the conflict - as a US deal to secure more financial aid appears increasingly out of reach. The impasse is deepening in Congress despite dire warnings from the White House about the consequences of inaction as Republicans insist on pairing the funding with changes to America's immigration and border policies. Support for further financial support for Ukraine is dwindling amongst Republicans, as the White House warns a failure to provide more aid by the end of the year could be catastrophic for Ukrainians. Ukraine is facing particularly tough conditions on the battlefield as winter brings freezing temperatures and poor weather to follow a summer counter-offensive that did not achieve as much as was hoped Speaking with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg in an interview to be broadcast on Sunday, Ms Zelenska said the world cannot 'get tired' of the conflict A Ukrainian T-64 tank is pictured as Ukrainian soldiers face increasingly tough conditions as winter arrives Ms Zelenska has now said a slowdown in aid represents a 'mortal danger' and that it is a matter of life and death. The Ukrainian first lady said: 'We really need the help. In simple words, we cannot get tired of this situation, because if we do, we die. READ MORE: Ukraine slams Kremlin's plans to hold Russian presidential election in occupied territories next year Advertisement 'And if the world gets tired, they will simply let us die.' 'It hurts us greatly to see the signs that the passionate willingness to help may fade. It is a matter of life for us. Therefore, it hurts to see that.' Ukraine is facing particularly tough conditions on the battlefield as winter brings freezing temperatures and poor weather to follow a summer counter-offensive that did not achieve as much as was hoped. A spokesperson for Putin's foreign ministry on Friday threatened strikes against other NATO countries as the Kremlin warned a nuclear war is closer than at any time since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Maria Zakharova - spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry - warned the West that the advanced F-16 fighters delivered to Ukraine will be a fair target for Russia if they are based in NATO countries. She said that the fourth-generation fighter jets could be based in Poland, Slovakia and Romania, meaning NATO is 'getting deeper' into the Ukrainian conflict. Police are searching for a man armed with a knife after three people were attacked in a 'targeted attack' in Toxteth, Liverpool. Two men and a woman, all in their 30s, were attacked at a property on Upper Warwick Street, Toxteth, at around 1pm on Sunday. All three suffered serious injuries and have been taken to hospital, Merseyside Police said. The suspect is said to be known to the victims, the Liverpool Echo reported. An investigation is now underway with the street having been closed for a forensic examination and enquiries with residents. Chief Inspector Colin Dyer said 'It appears to be a targeted attack and the suspect is known to the victims. 'This is a shocking incident that has left three people in hospital and we are determined to find the person responsible. Upper Warwick Street, Toxteth, where the attack took place at around 1pm on Sunday The suspect is said to be known to the victim, police said, describing the incident as a 'targeted attack' Police closed off a portion of Toxteth following the incident and will remain in the area to reassure residents and to continue with their investigation 'We are appealing for anyone with information to please come forward to help with our investigation. 'If you witnessed this incident or have any CCTV or dashcam footage, please come forward as a matter of urgency.' He said police will remain in the area to reassure residents and to continue with the investigation. The Liverpool Echo reported that there were at one point three ambulances at the scene before an air ambulance took off from behind a police cordon that had been established. A neighbour told the newspaper that 'We heard loads of screaming and shouting'. Anyone with any information is asked to message Merseyside Police's social media desk via X (formerly Twitter) @MerPolCC quoting log number 415 of December 10. Benjamin Netanyahu has called on Hamas to 'surrender now' and warned that 'it is the beginning of the end' for the terror group - as Israel's relentless military offensive in Gaza continues to rumble on. The Israeli Prime Minister's bullish warning to the jihadist organisation behind the October 7 attacks came as Israel's Defence Forces say they are closing in on top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the number one target dubbed 'Gaza's Bin Laden'. Reports suggest Sinwar is in hiding at an address in northwest Khan Younis, a southern city being encircled by IDF troops. In a televised statement this evening, Netanyahu declared: 'The war is still ongoing but it is the beginning of the end of Hamas. I say to the Hamas terrorists: It's over. Don't die for Sinwar. Surrender now.' Heavy fighting has raged in and around Khan Younis, with the IDF warning civilians to flee the centre. Israel has pressed ahead with its offensive after the US blocked the latest international efforts to halt fighting and rushed more munitions to its ally. The Palestinian death toll has risen to around 18,000, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and the humanitarian situation is becoming increasingly dire as thousands seek shelter in a shrinking area in the south of the besieged enclave. Meanwhile, hopes for a new ceasefire are fading as mediator Qatar said today that there is a 'narrowing' window to secure a truce, while vowing that it would continue to put pressure on both sides to halt the violence. A military truck packed with stripped and blindfolded Palestinians who Israel has called 'terror suspects', without providing evidence Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on Hamas terrorists to 'surrender now' Smoke rises as Israeli artillery units and howitzers stationed in the military zone launch attacks near the Gaza border in Nahal Oz, Israel on December 10, 2023 Yahya Sinwar, who has been dubbed Gaza's Bin Laden, is reportedly in hiding at an address in Khan Younis - a southern city being encircled by IDF troops Flames and smoke rise from Al Niusairat refugee camp following Israeli air strikes in the southern Gaza Strip, 10 December 2023 Smoke rises from city of Khan Younis after Israeli strikes on Sunday, December 10, 2023 Israel's air and ground war has killed thousands of Palestinians since the sickening October 7 attack by Hamas and other militants killed 1,200 people and dragged around 240 back to Gaza as hostages. Over 100 women and children being held by Hamas were released during a weeklong cease-fire late last month, but now concerns are mounting that any chance of a fresh truce is slipping away. Hamas has warned that no hostages would leave Gaza alive unless its demands for prisoner releases are met, with the last temporary truce seeing three Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli jails for every one hostage handed back. 'Neither the fascist enemy and its arrogant leadership... nor its supporters... can take their prisoners alive without an exchange and negotiation and meeting the demands of the resistance,' Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said in a televised broadcast. Hitting out at Israeli claims that Hamas is on the brink of extinction, the terror group tonight boasted of success in their fight with Israel, brushing over its significant losses. Izzat al-Rishq, a senior member of the Hamas political bureau, said history would 'remember Gaza as the clearest of victories' for the Palestinian group. 'The end of the occupation has begun in Gaza,' Rishq insisted, despite sharing no evidence of this and there being no sign that Israel is letting up in its onslaught. Hamas earlier said Israel had launched a series of 'very violent raids' targeting Khan Younis and the road linking it to Rafah, near the border with Egypt. Civilians had been warned by the IDF to evacuate south to the two cities while fighting was focused in the north of Gaza, but now large swathes of the south previously labelled 'safe zones' are being targeted. The UN estimates 1.9 million of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced - roughly half of them children - many forced south and running out of safe places to go. With hundreds of thousands crammed into a tiny area of land, the World Health Organization has tonight said the territory's health system is collapsing after more than two months of war. As aid groups warn the territory is on the brink of being overwhelmed by disease and starvation, the head of the United Nations decried a divided and 'paralysed' Security Council for failing to agree on a ceasefire. 'Gaza's health system is on its knees and collapsing,' said World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, with only 14 of 36 hospitals functioning at any capacity. Palestinian detainees sit in a truck as Israeli soldiers stand guard and smoke rises in the background Dozens of captives are reported to have been paraded through Palestine Square in Gaza City this week, with shoes and sandals strewn across the street in one image Israeli soldiers operate with in the Shejaiya district of Gaza City on December 8, 2023 WHO's executive board on Sunday adopted a resolution calling for immediate, unimpeded aid deliveries. Despite the worsening humanitarian situation, rising death toll and pressure from key ally the US to reduce civilian casualties, Israel has vowed to 'press harder' in Gaza as it says Hamas appears close to 'disintegrating'. It said that more and more Hamas fighters are giving themselves up as ground operations are ramping up across the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu said tonight: 'In the past few days, dozens of Hamas terrorists have surrendered to our forces.' The Israeli military has, however, not released proof that Hamas terrorists are surrendering, and Hamas has rejected such claims. The IDF continued its onslaught against Hamas on Sunday as dozens more terror suspects were pictured bound, stripped and lined up on their knees. Footage shared by Israeli media shows Israel Defence Forces (IDF) troops rounding up scores of men and transporting them on the back of trucks. IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said tonight that leaked footage and photos showing troops detaining Palestinian men in northern Gaza was not distributed by the IDF Spokesperson's Unit. EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Elderly Israeli hostage says Hamas terrorists removed her oxygen machine during 'unbearable' time being held in Gaza tunnels Advertisement He added that while 'dozens' of the detained men are Hamas fighters, many others are uninvolved civilians. The detained men are believed to have surrendered in the Jabalia refugee camp and other areas around northern Gaza. One clip shared to social media shows Palestinian men lined up against a wall. One man then steps forward to give his assault rifle to the Israeli troops with his hands in the air, while others behind him hold their up their identification cards. As bombs continued to rain down on Gaza last night, IDF chief Herzi Halevi declared his forces must 'press harder' to dismantle Hamas's terror network. 'Every day, we're seeing more and more terrorists killed, more and more terrorists wounded, and in recent days we're seeing terrorists surrendering - this is a sign their network's falling apart, a sign we need to press harder,' Halevi said at a ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City. Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israeli troops have detained and interrogated hundreds of people in Gaza suspected of militant links. Hagari told reporters: 'Jabalia and Shejaiya are 'centres of gravity'... for terrorists, and we are fighting them. Smoke rises above the southern city of Khan Younis after Israeli strikes on Sunday, December 10, 2023 An Israeli flag is pictured flying above gathered IDF troops in the Shejaiya district of Gaza City 'They are hiding underground and come out and we fight them. Whoever is left in those areas, they come out from tunnel shafts, and some from buildings, and we investigate who is linked to Hamas, and who isn't. We arrest them all and interrogate them.' Meanwhile on Friday, Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told IDF soldiers that he 'sees the signs indicating a breakdown is beginning inside Gaza'. It comes after Israel vowed to continue its 'just war to eliminate Hamas', as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the United States for blocking a United Nations ceasefire bid. The US, a key ally of Israel, was the only member to veto the UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, while the UK abstained in the vote, despite widespread international support. An Israeli soldier stands by a truck with Palestinian detainees in, who Israel says are 'Hamas suspects' Last week Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israeli troops have detained and interrogated hundreds of people in Gaza suspected of militant links Israeli warplanes struck parts of the Gaza Strip in relentless bombardment on Saturday, hitting some of the dwindling bits of land that Israel had described as safe zones when telling Palestinians in the south to evacuate. Residents 'are being told to move like human pinballs - ricocheting between ever-smaller slivers of the south, without any of the basics for survival,' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the council before the UNSC vote. Israel holds the Hamas militants responsible for civilian casualties, accusing them of using civilians as human shields, and says it has made considerable efforts with evacuation orders to get civilians out of harm's way. Israel says Hamas operates from within hospitals and has released footage supporting the claim, and it has also targeted in the past ambulances it says were used by Hamas. Hamas has denied this. Israeli soldiers operate with an APC at the Shejaiya district of Gaza city amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip December 8, 2023 A picture taken from southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip shows smoke rising during an Israeli strike on the Palestinian territory on December 10, 2023 Almost one month ago, Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Hamas had 'lost control' of Gaza. Hamas triggered the conflict with the deadliest-ever attack on Israel on October 7 in which it killed around 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures, and dragged around 240 hostages back to Gaza, 138 of whom remain captive, according to Israeli figures. Israel has responded with a relentless military offensive that has reduced much of Gaza to rubble and killed at least 17,997 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Al Gore told Americans to listen when Donald Trump says he plans to rule like a dictator on day one of his potential second term. Gore, who was Bill Clinton's vice president from 1993 to 2001, said people need to 'believe' the ex-president. It comes after Trump refused in a prime time town hall last week to rule out abusing power to go after his critics saying he wouldn't do it 'except for Day One.' Fox News host Sean Hannity gave Trump multiple opportunities to forswear plans for vengeance or a dictatorial power grab, but he did not take those chances. 'Well, I saw the other day where he pledged to be a dictator on day one, and you kind of wonder what it'll take for people to believe him when he tells us who he is,' Gore told CNN's State of the Union when asked about the prospects of Trump's reelection. Former Vice President Al Gore said Americans need to 'believe' Donald Trump when he says he will 'rule like a dictator on day one' if he wins reelection Trump is the Republican frontrunner for president in 2024. He is at least 40 points behind the rest of the candidates vying for the nomination, and it seems like a 2020 rematch is set for next year. President Joe Biden has no real competition besides a longshot bid from Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips. Polls consistently show that Americans want alternatives to Biden and Trump. 'The solution to political despair is political action,' Gore advised. 'And for those in the Republican Party and the Democratic Party and independents who love American democracy and who want to preserve our capacity to govern ourselves and solve our problems, now's the time to get active.' 'We know what to do. We have the means to do it, and we have to make sure of that we make the right political choices in our democracy to enable ourselves to make the right choices,' Gore said of the 'polycrisis' facing the country. Hannity questioned Trump during Tuesday's town hall in Iowa on some of the worst charges from his critics, including that he planned to 'abuse power' or use the justice system to take down his political rivals, and pointing out that some want to call him 'a dictator.' 'To be clear, do you in any way have any plans whatsoever if reelected president to abuse power, to break the law to use the government to go after people,' Hannity asked the ex-president. 'You mean like they're using right now?' Trump responded , without answering the question directly. After a tangent by Trump, the Fox News host came back to the topic, having earlier played a famous Trump clip telling supporters 'I am your retribution.' 'You are promising America tonight you would never abuse power as retribution?' Hannity asked the former president, who is also leading President Biden in a series of general election polls. 'Except for Day One,' Trump answered. 'Except for Day One,' former President Donald Trump said when Fox News host Sean Hannity asked him to rule out abusing power if he wins reelection for the White House Hannity pushed: 'Meaning?' 'I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill.' 'That's not retribution,' Hannity pointed out. Then Trump tried to get a laugh out of the line. 'He says: You're not going to be a dictator. I said 'no, no, no other than Day One. We're closing the border. And we're drilling, drilling, drilling. After that I'm not a dictator.' A Biden-Harris account tweeted out the clip, appending the line, 'Trump: I will be a dictator on day one.' The president's reelection campaign pounced on the comment with a statement from Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez. 'Donald Trump has been telling us exactly what he will do if he's reelected and tonight he said he will be a dictator on day one. Americans should believe him,' she said. But not everyone is a fan, with one local woman organizing a prayer protest nearby The display will be up for 14 days as an expression of 'religious freedom' and is protected under the First Amendment The Satanic Temple has set up a display inside the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol with a mirror-covered ram's head, altar with candles and banner The Satanic Temple has set up a display of a sparkling demonic ram's head in the Iowa Statehouse as an expression of 'religious freedom'. Alongside more traditional menorahs and Christmas trees, the group have erected an altar topped with candles, a large banner and a ram figure with a skull covered in mirrors, a red cloak and wreath. The Temple reportedly went through all of the correct administrative channels for the display, and only had their original request to use a real goat's skull denied. Founder of the Satanic Temple, Lucien Greaves, told KCCI: 'We're going to really relish the opportunity to be represented in a public forum. We don't have a church on every street corner.' The display will be up for fourteen days and is protected under the First Amendment - but not everyone is pleased with it. The Satanic Temple has put up the display in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol Iowa resident Shellie Flockhart is extremely concerned and organized a group prayer near the display on Wednesday. She told KCCI: 'I hope that people realize spiritual warfare is real. That there are evil Satanic forces that are trying to infiltrate our state.' She said Christians must spiritually fight against it and added: 'It's a very dark, evil force, and I truly hope people know how to battle that.' But Greaves wasn't concerned by the push back, and said it is a symbol of their right to religious freedom. He said: 'My feeling is, that if people don't like our displays in public forums they don't have to engage with them, they don't have to view them.' The First Amendment protects all religious groups and the practice of all faiths, reading: 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.' The Satanic Temple was designated a tax-exempt religion by the IRS in 2019 giving it the same legal protections that other religions have. This includes: 'Access to public spaces as other religious organizations; affirming its standing in court when battling religious discrimination; and enabling The Satanic Temple to apply for faith-based government grants.' It will stay there for fourteen days as an expression of religious freedom Co-founder of the Satanic Temple, Lucien Greaves said if people don't like it they don't have to engage with it Iowa House Representative, Jon Dunwell, said on X that while he as a pastor and Christian finds the display 'objectionable' and 'evil', as a State representative he is 'guided by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.' He said: 'Currently, access for displays at the Capitol are open to anyone through an application process. 'Though there are some guidelines, they do not discriminate on the basis of religion or ideology. 'The Satanic Temple petitioned for their display in August and were approved with some modification. They wanted to use an actual goat head (Im assuming a skull) and were prohibited from doing so.' He reminded people that 'the display is an inanimate object that has no real power in and of itself. We have nothing to fear.' But added: 'I dont want the Capitol to be overwhelmed by displays. In the future, we may need to find ways to appropriately limit the number of displays.' The display features a mirror-covered ram's head figure with a red cloak and wreath and an altar covered in candles The Satanic Temple's website describes the club as a way to educate without proselytization The Satanic Temple describes itself as 'the primary religious Satanic organization in the world with congregations internationally, and a number of high-profile public campaigns designed to preserve and advance secularism and individual liberties.' It claims to have over 700,000 members. It is based on seven 'fundamental tenets' including: 'One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.' And: 'The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo one's own. And: 'Ones body is inviolable, subject to ones own will alone.' Members say they don't actually believe in a literal Satan or hell, but that they are instead a metaphor for questioning authority. Iowa state has put a clear sign next to the new display reading: 'This display is not owned, maintained, promoted, supported by or associated with the State of Iowa.' Earlier this year, members of the Satanic Temple congregated for SatanCon at Boston's Marriott Copley Place. Over 800 people attended the event. One speaker ripped up a Bible, while others held 'unbaptisms'. Opposing Christian groups turned up in protest and staged a series of demonstrations across the city to combat the three-day event with 'intense prayer'. The group made headlines again when they started 'After School Satan Clubs'. The clubs sparked controversy earlier this year, with meetings held for pupils at schools in Virginia and California. The Israeli defence minister has attacked 'Hamas propaganda' spreading across universities as he declared that his nation is 'fighting on the frontline of the free world'. Yoav Gallant also warned in a briefing to the Daily Mail that aid cash raised by pro-Palestinian activists was being funnelled into global 'terrorist networks'. Mr Gallant accused Hamas, who civilians trapped in Gaza say are stealing food, of 'capitalising' on the humanitarian crisis. He said claims levelled at the terrorist group by citizens under their control should be a warning to the British public of Hamas's true nature. The defence minister warned: 'Hamas propaganda is influencing universities and protests, and money is being poured in which is activating terror networks around the world. 'This is a collision course between civilizations. Hamas represents a medieval phenomenon. Yoav Gallant (pictured left) also warned that aid money raised by pro-Palestinian activists was being funnelled into 'terrorist networks' around the world in a briefing to the Daily Mail The Kfir Brigade is operating in the Gaza Strip and its forces (pictuerd) located over 30 tunnel shafts and destroyed them 'When there is a fire in the first house, you have to stop it from spreading in the village and reaching the church. Israel is like the first house. We are fighting on the frontline of the free world against terrorism.' The briefing in Tel Aviv comes after The Mail on Sunday told how Palestinians accused Hamas of looting entire neighbourhoods evacuated since the outbreak of war. On Friday, an elderly woman risked her life to tell an Al Jazeera reporter that Hamas was taking their aid packages into tunnels, adding: 'Everything goes to their houses.' Another young Palestinian mother seen cradling her baby told a journalist: 'You send us humanitarian aid, but I swear to God that we get nothing.' Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to Britain's streets to call for a ceasefire. While most marchers have been peaceful, open displays of anti-Semitism from some have shocked onlookers in Israel. For those in the UK still supporting the evil regime in Gaza, Mr Gallant pointed towards the revelations. He said: 'Hamas uses every tool possible including sacrificing hundreds of thousands of civilians. They are capitalising on the humanitarian situation and using the civilian population. They have built hundreds of kilometres of tunnels under hospitals, school, etcetera. They are using hospitals and civilian infrastructure to protect terror infrastructure.' Mr Gallant also believed that Hamas had 'underestimated Israel's retaliation'. Israeli forces have already surrounded Gaza City in the north with fierce street fighting seeing hundreds of terrorists surrender. Meanwhile a new offensive was launched in the south last week with hundreds of targets hit by land, air and sea. Mr Gallant said: 'It's hard to bring democracies to fight wars but once we are in one, we are much stronger because we are fighting to defend our values. 'In the northern region of Gaza, Hamas is suffering massive losses and we are achieving our military goals. Hamas terrorists have two options: die or surrender.' Yocheved Lifshitz (centre), who was released by Hamas after 16 days in captivity, holds a picture of her captive husband Oded Lifshitz as she attends a protest with others holding signs showing portraits of other Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attacks Smoke rises as Israeli artillery units and howitzers stationed in the military zone launch attacks near the Gaza border in Nahal Oz, Israel on December 10, 2023 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on Hamas terrorists to 'surrender now' Speaking after his British counterpart, Grant Shapps, visited Israel, Mr Gallant said: 'The level of understanding and cooperation between Israel and the UK militarily, and in the field of intelligence, are at a peak and will only go further. We share the same values and interests, especially in the fight against terrorism. 'Secretary Shapps' visit was historic we haven't had a visit by a British Secretary of State for Defence in 27 years. We deeply value our relationship and defence cooperation.' Mr Gallant spoke as IDF forces in northern Israel exchanged more fire with Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. Six Israeli soldiers were injured yesterday after a drone attack on a base in Galilee. It is feared tensions in the region could escalate into a full-blown war in the Middle East. Mr Gallant warned Hezbollah in Lebanon to 'ask themselves if they want the same things to happen in Beirut' as is happening in Gaza. He added: 'We do not want war, but if we reach a situation where we need to establish our security here, we will not hesitate just as we did not hesitate in the south.' It came as Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night said: 'The war is still ongoing but it is the beginning of the end of Hamas. I say to the Hamas terrorists: It's over.' Referring to the Hamas chief, he said: 'Don't die for [Yahya] Sinwar. Surrender now. In the past few days, dozens of Hamas terrorists have surrendered.' Hamas denied his claims. The company is also looking to expand globally with 10,000 more stores across the world by 2027 Discontinued in 2016, the wrap consisted of chicken, shredded lettuce and cheese in a warm tortilla The fast food giant hinted at the possible re-launch of its Snack Wrap menu item McDonald's is looking to expand its chicken offerings and part of that plan may mean bringing back a long-awaited menu item: Snack Wraps. The company announced that it wants to offer the popular McCrispy chicken sandwich in nearly all global markets by the end of 2025, and it wants to transform the product into wraps and tenders as well. The fast food chain's chicken sales have now reached $25 billion annually, on par with beef, and continue to grow. 'In the U.S. business, we have three really strong chicken brands between McChicken, Chicken McNuggets and obviously McCrispy,' McDonald's USA President Joe Erlinger said on Wednesday. He seemed to confirm the company's intention to turn the Southern-style chicken sandwich, which is served with pickles on a buttered bun, into other items. McDonald's hinted at the re-launch of its snack wrap menu item in a Wednesday news release The announcement comes as the fast food chain looks to expand its chicken menu offerings including the popular McCrispy sandwich The original snack wrap was released in 2006 and discontinued in 2016 when it underperformed in sales and was deemed too complicated to prepare 'Will we eventually have a crispy tender? Yes. And will that allow us to eventually have a McCrispy Snack Wrap? Yes. But were still in the early days of doing that,' Erlinger said. The original Snack Wrap was released in 2006 and discontinued a decade later when it underperformed in sales and was deemed too complicated to prepare. It consisted of chicken, shredded lettuce and cheese wrapped in a warm tortilla. Chains like Burger King and Wendys have released their own version of the wrap in subsequent years. McDonald's also announced plans to open an additional 10,000 restaurants globally over the next four years, in what will be the fastest period of growth in the company's history. Already the world's largest burger chain, McDonald's aims to have 50,000 restaurants by 2027. It operates at least 40,000 locations worldwide. Of the new restaurants, 900 will be in the United States, while 1,900 will be company-operated and franchised stores in Canada, Germany, the U.K. and Australia. The fast food giant also announced its plan to increase its 90-day active user base for the MyMcDonald's Rewards app from 150 million to 250 million by 2027. 'Mobile ordering is a popular and growing choice for customers, with hundreds of millions of mobile orders recorded during the third quarter of 2023,' the news release read. Customers may see the McCrispy - which consists of a chicken cutlet and pickles on a buttered bun - turned into the long-awaited wrap McDonald's, the world's largest burger chain, aims to have 50,000 restaurants by 2027 The company already operates at least 40,000 locations worldwide, including in Japan (pictured) In order to keep up with demand, McDonald's will expand its U.S. pilot of order-ahead service 'Ready on Arrival' across its top six markets by 2025. The company also announced its intention to make use of emerging technology through the announcement of a strategic partnership with Google Cloud. Were focused on making AI more helpful for everyone, with the potential to unlock many new opportunities for innovation, said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet. 'The restaurant industry is already benefiting from these advances, and were excited to see how McDonalds will use our generative AI, cloud, and edge computing tools to improve their iconic dining experience for their employees and their customers all over the world.' In addition, the company will deploy 'universal software that all McDonalds customer and restaurant digital platforms will run on' in the coming year. This includes both the mobile app and in-store kiosks. Other plans for development include rolling out a new chain of restaurants called CosMc's through the first half of next year. One will be located near the companys headquarters in Chicago while the rest will be in Texas. The company will study profits and customer reception for at least a year before deciding whether to expand. Global President and CEO Chris Kempczinski said CosMcs is designed to fill a mid-afternoon sales slump. The move is also seen as an attempt to keep up with other fast-growing chains like Starbucks. The fast food giant plans to open 900 new stores in the U.S. and 1,900 internationally, in places like Canada, Germany, the U.K. and Australia The company also plans to make use of emerging technology like Ai through a strategic partnership with Google Cloud, announced Wednesday McDonald's is set to open a new chain of small-format restaurants called CosMc's to counteract the mid-afternoon sales slump. It will offer drinks and snacks This competitive spirit is evidenced by the rumored menu, which includes a churro frappe, a pear-flavored slush and a turmeric latte. CosMcs, which gets its name from a space alien mascot introduced in the 80s, will also serve snacks like pretzel bites and Egg McMuffins. 'This is a $100 billion category thats growing faster than the rest of (casual dining) and with superior margins. And its a space that we believe we have the right to win,' Kempczinski explained. McDonalds intends to pilot new strategies at the small-format restaurants including drive-thru lanes that sort traffic based on the complexity of orders. According to Kempczinski, there will likely be dedicated pickup areas for delivery drivers to alleviate restaurant congestion. Delivery has proven to be a major moneymaker for the company, constituting $1 billion of its global sales in 2017, a figure that has grown to more than $16 billion. But Kempczinski says its important to open actual restaurants and not just delivery-only kitchens, as 'not everybody wants delivery every single meal.' 'We have a clear trajectory for future growth as we continue to build on the brand strength, global footprint and digital ecosystem that have resulted in unparalleled competitive advantages and cemented McDonalds as one of the worlds leading consumer-facing brands,' the CEO said. A Sydney man has been left devastated after cruel scammers tricked him into providing personal details that allowed them to steal almost $50,000. Gerald Chin, 41, had been planning to take his elderly parents on a trip to the United States this Christmas before he was scammed out of $49,000. Mr Chin received what he thought was an innocent text message from HSBC asking that he give them a call on the evening of November 29. The text message appeared in the same thread as legitimate text messages from the bank, making him think it wasn't a scam. Gerald Chin, 41, had been planning to take his elderly parents on a trip to the United States this Christmas before he was scammed out of $49,000 The text message appeared in the same message thread as legitimate text messages from the bank, which made him think it was not a scam (pictured is the text) After dialling the number from the text message, he conversed with a scammer named Adrian, who spoke with a British accent. During the phone call, he was asked to provide his username and personal details so his identity could be verified. Mr Chin was told someone in Perth had attempted to hack into his account and transfer $49,000 but that the HSBC fraud team had blocked it. Adrian then suggested he lock his account to prevent any further hacking attempts and asked him to provide bank codes from his phone. Mr Chin initially thought the phone call had been legitimate, as he hadn't received notifications that funds were being transferred out of his account. However, when the scammer called back the following day - once again asking him to provide bank codes - it suddenly clicked. By the time Mr Chin called his bank, $49,000 had disappeared from his account. He has been left 'traumatised' by the elaborate scam and struggles to sleep at night now his personal information is known by scammers. Mr Chin planned to take his elderly parents on an all-expenses paid trip to the United States to surprise his younger brother over the festive period. 'I am also not sure whether I will have another opportunity as this whole incident has set me back for a few years,' he told 7News. 'I'm devastated and gutted realising I have been scammed as it took a long time to save up that money and the financial stress has kicked in now knowing that I will be struggling to make payments for my mortgage and bills.' The HSBC customer says he has been left 'traumatised' by the elaborate scam and struggles to sleep at night now his personal information is known by scammers A mock up of the scam text messages sent to business owner Paul Tefry earlier this year Mr Chin is now working with the fraud team at HSBC Bank to try to recover his money, however, there is no guarantee he will be reimbursed. He believes there should be more safeguards in place to protect bank customers from being swindled by clever scammers. 'What infuriated me was that there weren't any transaction notifications sent to my mobile or email, which could have prompted me to act quicker, considering it's a fairly large amount of money,' he said. In a statement, a HSBC spokesperson said they could not speak to a specific case due to privacy but said it takes customer security 'very seriously'. 'We thoroughly investigate any reported cases of scam or fraud,' they said. 'We advise customers to ignore any requests for their confidential information such as PINs, log-in passwords or verification codes through phone calls, emails or SMS messages.' In June, an ANZ bank customer was swindled out of $130,000 in just five minutes after he was contacted by a scammer with a British accent. The fake text from the scammers told Paul his ANZ account had been compromised and appeared in the same chat as other legitimate messages from the bank Paul Tefry received a text message he believed was from his bank saying his account had been compromised and that he needed to transfer his money. Over the next four days, Mr Trefry transferred $130,000 to the new 'safer' account which the scammers ran. ANZ Bank contacted him a week later to let him know he had been scammed. 'They asked me about a transfer of $17,500 into an account, and I said, "well, guys, I'm just following your instructions", and they said, "no, we wouldn't instruct you to transfer money into different accounts". '...He (the ANZ rep) said, "look, it's a really elaborate scam which these guys have been doing, and they copy ANZ's protocol to a tee, unfortunately, there's not gonna be a great deal we can do for you".' ANZ recovered some of the money, but Mr Trefry is still $85,000 out of pocket. Scotland Yard invited a mosque chairman who praised Hamas' founder as 'the master of the martyrs' to a buffet dinner with Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley. Mohammed Kozbar went to the event next to senior Met officers in July this year - five months after his praise of the Hamas founder was cited in an official counter-extremism review. The evening event was planned by the London Muslim Communities Forum (LMCF), which is a Met 'strategic advisory body'. Scotland Yard said in a statement: 'We can confirm that Mr Mohammed Kozbar is a member of the London Muslim Communities Forum.' It was addressed by Attiq Malik, an activist who ran the LMCF until last month, when the Met cut its ties from the lawyer after he was filmed chanting 'from the river to the sea', The Telegraph reported. He was also seen railing against 'global censorship by the Zionists'. Mr Malik and Mr Kozbar were photographed in conversation with each other at the event on July 7. Scotland Yard invited mosque chairman Mohammed Kozbar who praised Hamas' founder as 'the master of the martyrs' to a buffet dinner The revelations will put into question the Met's ties to activists following criticism of the force's approach to how they police protests in London after Hamas' October 7 attacks on Israel. An official review of Prevent, the government's counter-extremism programme, brought up concerns in February that the London branch of the National Association of Muslim Police praised Mr Kozbar even though he 'previously supported the founder [...] of Hamas.' The event was also attended by around 50 representatives of London's Muslim community. The objectives of the LMCF were to 'inform and help shape police policy and procedure at a strategic level'. The Met cut its ties with Mr Malik after concluding that some 'past language and views' were 'contrary with our values', according to The Telegraph. Mr Kozbar posted a photo on Facebook in 2015 of himself attending the grave of Yassin, who was assassinated by Israel back in 2004. Mr Kozbar wrote: 'Allah's generosity allowed me to visit the martyrs' cemetery where the bodies of the master of the martyrs of the resistance, Majuhid Sheikh Ahmad Yasin, and his companions lie. It was an unforgettable prestigious visit to one of the nation's greatest.' The dinner was also attended by Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley Mr Kozbar claimed he was being subjected to 'repeated attempts to smear me as I pursue work to foster better community relations'. 'I condemn the targeting of all civilians, whoever they are. It is criminal to indiscriminately murder innocent men, women, and children,' he said. A Met spokesman said: 'The Met works with a range of faith and community advisor groups. 'This vital work helps us improve our response to the crime and antisocial behaviour issues faced by all communities across London. 'The Met regularly hosts engagement events with these groups, as part of our commitment to building the trust and confidence of all Londoners. 'The Commissioner and other senior officers attend dozens of such events each year. They are often delivered in collaboration with partner organisations, and in many cases attendees will be invited by them and not directly by the Met. 'It would be inappropriate and illegal for us to conduct intelligence checks on the background of everyone invited to attend. 'There will be occasions where attendees hold views that, as an organisation, we disagree with. Their presence at an event does not amount to our support for their views. We do not condone any views which encourage division. 'We are currently reviewing how we work with our network of advisory groups to ensure that, like the Met, they are committed to building a better London that promotes mutual respect and inclusivity.' Police officers are investigating the purchase of a luxury Jaguar as part of their probe into the SNP's funding and finances, it has been claimed. Media reports yesterday said Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell is alleged to have purchased the electric I-Pace SUV from a dealership in Edinburgh and subsequently sold it. It is estimated that the high-end vehicle can cost up to 95,000. Officers are now looking into the car one fitting the description was seen on the couple's driveway in March 2021 as part of the Operation Branchform investigation. Both Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell have already been arrested and questioned by officers, before being released without charge pending further investigation. Former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie was also arrested in connection with the long-running Police Scotland investigation into the party's finances, before also being released without charge pending investigation. Peter Murrell is alleged to have purchased an I-Pace SUV, seen on Nicola's driveway, and subsequently sold it A luxury motorhome was seized from outside Mr Murrell's mother's home in Dunfermline earlier this year. Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: 'This is just the latest revelation in the murky financial scandal that has engulfed the SNP. These allegations are incredibly serious and yet again there are crucial questions Peter Murrell must answer. 'Mr Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon and every other SNP figure involved must be up front and should fully co-operate with the police investigation. The public deserves to know the truth.' The Jaguar pictured in the driveway of Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon's home in Glasgow was registered in October 2019. The registered keeper of the vehicle changed in February 2022 and its registration plate was replaced a month later, before being switched back this year. Nicola Sturgeon's husband has already been arrested and questioned by officers, before being released without charge pending further investigation A source told the Sunday Mail that police have interviewed at least one worker at the dealership about the sale, and added: 'This is an extremely high-end vehicle, one of the most expensive electric SUVs on the market. The basic price starts at around 80,000 and optional extras can get you up to 95,000. 'It goes without saying that it is completely outwith the price range of most people.' The newspaper also quoted a separate source who claimed to have seen Mr Murrell trying to sell an I-Pace at an office of We Buy Any Car near his Glasgow home in late 2021. Mr Murrell gave the SNP a loan of 107,620 in 2021 to 'assist with cashflow'. The party then broke political finance law by failing to disclose it until 14 months later. Electoral Commission records show 26,905 was repaid to Mr Murrell by the SNP in August 2021, followed by another instalment of 20,715 in October 2021, leaving a further 60,000, which has still not been repaid. The SNP yesterday refused to say whether the I-Pace had ever been owned by the party. An SNP spokesman said: 'We cannot comment on a live police investigation.' A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'As the investigation is on-going we are unable to comment further.' Earlier this year, then Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said the investigation had 'moved beyond' the initial inquiries of alleged fraud. Attempting to explain why the probe has taken so long, he said: 'Investigations into the finances of an organisation, finances of an individual, are often complex. 'You need to obtain information from banks and other institutions. We need to seek judicial warrants for that. There needs to be a process around that.' Humza Yousaf has sparked a furious row with Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron after holding private talks about Gaza with Turkeys president. The First Minister has been accused of breaching strict protocols which require Foreign Office officials to attend any overseas meetings with representatives of foreign governments. Lord Cameron has threatened to throw Scottish Government officials out of overseas Foreign Office premises if there are any more breaches of the agreed protocol. Mr Yousaf met Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has branded the Wests approach to events in Gaza barbarism and accused Israel of behaving like a war criminal during the Cop28 summit in the United Arab Emirates. The First Minister said they discussed the humanitarian catastrophe and called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in direct contrast to the UKs position on the issue. In a letter to SNP External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson, Lord Cameron said: It is critical that the UK presents a consistent message to our international partners and that the devolution settlements are respected. We must ensure that UK foreign policy, a reserved matter, is coherent and that we speak with one voice to the international community. First Minister Humza Yousaf and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting at COP28 Camerons warning letter: Stick to protocols... or else Lord Cameron sent a letter of warning to Angus Robertson Dear Angus, My officials have informed me that First Minister Yousaf met President Erdogan of Turkiye at COP28 last week, discussing among other things the situation in Gaza. Despite an assurance being given by Scottish Government officials that they would provide sufficient advance notice to allow an FCDO official to attend that meeting, this was not done. A UK official was available, whose contact details were known to your officials on the ground, but the location of the meeting was not shared with them. The absence of an FCDO official at this meeting contravenes the protocols in our guidance on FCDO support to devolved Government Ministers overseas visits. It also fails to meet the expectations re-affirmed by my predecessor when he wrote to you on 16 October. That letter was, I note, prompted by a similar incident where FCDO officials were not present at a meeting between the First Minister and the Icelandic Prime Minister, despite verbal and written requests from my officials that they attend. It is critical that the UK presents a consistent message to our international partners and that the devolution settlements are respected. We must ensure that UK foreign policy, a reserved matter, is coherent and that we speak with one voice to the international community. I remain open to discussing a constructive way forward. However, any further breaches of the protocol of Ministerial meetings having a FCDO official present will result in no further FCDO facilitation of meetings or logistical support. We will also need to consider the presence of Scottish Government offices in UK Government posts. I would be grateful for swift action to resolve this issue and I look forward to hearing from you. Yours, David Advertisement The letter added that any further breaches of the protocol of ministerial meetings having an FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) official present will result in no further FCDO facilitation of meetings or logistical support. We will also need to consider the presence of Scottish Government offices in UK Government posts. It indicates that the former Prime Minister wants to take a much tougher approach to overseas activity by SNP ministers. The meeting between Mr Yousaf and President Erdogan happened during the First Ministers visit to the Cop28 climate conference in Dubai this month. Mr Yousaf highlighted talks with the Turkish leader and Lebanons Prime Minister Najib Mikati in a social media message. The First Minister said that, as well as talking about the urgency of global action on climate change, they discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and added: An immediate and permanent ceasefire is needed now. Too many innocent children have died, it must stop. The UK Government has resisted calls to back a ceasefire because it believes Israel has a right to defend itself following the attacks by terror group Hamas. In April, the Mail revealed that then-foreign secretary James Cleverly had launched a crackdown following concerns that SNP ministers on foreign visits were trying to promote independence and undermine UK Government policy positions. He told UK ambassadors and other diplomats to take a strengthened approach by urging foreign governments not to arrange meetings with Scottish Government ministers without the involvement of the FCDO. The heads of missions overseas were also told to gather information about any potential visits and report back to the FCDO and to ensure UK Government officials always attended any meetings between SNP ministers and foreign governments. In his letter, Lord Cameron also raised concerns about the absence of UK representatives at a meeting between Mr Yousaf and the Prime Minister of Iceland earlier this year. The First Ministers talks with Mr Erdogan are understood to have caused significant disquiet because they represented a completely different message from the UK on the most sensitive issue of foreign policy. Kurdish-born SNP councillor Roza Salih said at the time that she was disgusted by the meeting, as Turkey had stepped up attacks on Kurdish groups in Syria. A UK Government spokesman said: Foreign affairs is reserved under the Scotland Act and in such turbulent times, the need for the UK to speak on the world stage with one consistent voice is more important than ever. Our embassies and high commissions overseas have a strong track record of working collaboratively with the Scottish Government to promote the interests of the whole UK. We hope we can resolve this without the need for further action, including the possibility that we no longer host Scottish Government offices in UK Government posts. In its budget for this year, the Scottish Government set aside 35million for international and European relations, which includes a network of nine overseas offices. Some of these, including in Washington DC, are within British embassy buildings. A spokesman for the First Minister said that a relevant UK official was made aware of the meeting with Mr Erdogan and had been invited to attend. They added: However... the FCDO representative was elsewhere at the time it was convenient for the Turkish president to meet. Any threat by the UK Government to curtail the Scottish Governments international engagement is misguided and would work against Scotlands interests. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken commented on the horrifying nature of Hamas' sexual violence against innocent Israelis on October 7. During a Sunday interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Blinken discussed the reasons some global organizations, countries, and leaders took an inordinate amount of time to acknowledge and condemn the atrocious sexual violence of the terrorist group. The Biden administration's top diplomat said he was baffled by the failure to respond of some entities around the globe. 'I dont know why countries, leaders, international organizations were so slow to focus on this, to bring it to peoples attention. Im glad it is finally happening.' Tapper, host of 'State of the Union,' specifically asked Blinken why the United Nations had not called attention to the sex crimes of the radical Palestinian organization and if he thought their much-stalled acknowledgement was due to anti-Semitism. Blinked conducted an interview with Jake Tapper on Sunday, during which he again condemned Hamas' sexual violence against Israeli women Again, Blinken said he did not have a good answer for Tapper, but stated unequivocally: 'The atrocities that we saw on October 7 are almost beyond human description or beyond our capacity to digest.' 'And weve talked about them before, but the sexual violence that we saw on October 7 is beyond anything that Ive seen either.' The failure to condemn, and in some cases the failure to believe, the incidents of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas is something about which 'these organizations, these countries, need to ask themselves,' he said. Some of 'these' entities who have inadequately condemned or called attention to Hamas' sexual violence include prominent members of the Democratic party, including Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who faced backlash last week for her tepid position on the matter. House Democrats are planning to introduce a resolution condemning Hamas' use of rape against Israeli women as a weapon of war after some of their colleagues have publicly failed to do so. The US' top diplomat, Antony Blinken, has repeatedly condemned Hamas' use of rape as a weapon of war on October 7 and says he remains baffled by the failure of some to recognize the atrocious behavior A military truck packed with stripped and blindfolded Palestinians who Israel has called 'terror suspects', without providing evidence An Israeli officer walks on the ground of the Super Nova Festival in Re'im, Israel, 17 October 2023, which was attacked by Hamas on 07 October Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on Hamas terrorists to 'surrender now' Meanwhile, the Israel-Gaza war rages on and over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Hamas to 'surrender now' as the highly trained Israeli military continues its ground offensive. The Israeli Prime Minister's bullish warning to the jihadist organization came as the IDF said they are closing in on top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, theor number one target - dubbed 'Gaza's Bin Laden.' Heavy fighting is raging on in and around Khan Younis, where it is believed Sinwar is hiding. The IDF has repeatedly warned civilians to flee the area as they press ahead with their fighting. The US has also attempted to halt the latest round of international efforts to call for a ceasefire, while also warning Israel that more needs to be done to protect Palestinian civilians. Since the outbreak of the bloody war, the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health claims 17,000 people have been killed in Gaza. On October 7, 1,200 Israelis were slaughtered, and some 100 soldiers have died since the beginning of the country's ground offensive. The suspect who allegedly stabbed a Catholic priest to death in a small Nebraska community has been identified. Kierre L. Williams, 43, of Sioux County, Iowa, was arrested for killing Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, 65, during an invasion at the rectory of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, police said. Williams was charged with homicide and use of a weapon to commit a felony, the Washington County Sheriff announced. Gutgsell, 65, placed a call to 911 around 5am, in which he told police that someone was attempting to break into the rectory. Cops found Gutgsell injured and an alleged attacker inside and it is unclear what William's motive was for killing Gutgsell. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, 65, was taken to an Omaha hospital, where he died from his stab injuries, church officials said Kierre L. Williams, 43, of Sioux County, Iowa, was arrested for killing Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, 65, during an invasion at the rectory of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Gutgsell, 65, was stabbed during an invasion at the rectory of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, the Archdiocese of Omaha said in a Sunday statement Gutgsell was taken to an Omaha hospital, where he died from his stab injuries, church officials said. The suspect was taken to Washington County Jail and the sheriff's office said that the investigation is ongoing. 'He is not from the area. He is not from Fort Calhoun or even Nebraska as far as we know about,' sheriff's officials said. The statement from the local church said: 'The Washington County Sheriff's Office is investigating, and there are no further details at this time.' Cops found Gutgsell injured inside the church and the alleged attacker was also inside Mike Fitzgerald, a parishioner at St. John the Baptist, said the regular 8:30am service at the church was canceled. He told Omaha World Herald: 'Father Gutgsell has been here 11 years, and I thought he was a very holy man' 'Please join Archbishop George Lucas in prayer for the repose of Father Gutgsell, for his family and for the St. John the Baptist parish community in this tragic time,' the church's statement read. Mike Fitzgerald, a parishioner at St. John the Baptist, said the regular 8:30am service at the church was canceled. He told Omaha World Herald: 'Father Gutgsell has been here 11 years, and I thought he was a very holy man. 'He did a lot of things for the community. He always made sure that the (church) bulletin had everything in it that we needed to know about things going on at the church.' The sheriff's office said that there is no threat to the community and that the investigation is ongoing. A former US ambassador has slammed Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu as a 'clear and present danger' to the country amid its ongoing war with Hamas. Martin Indyk, 72, demanded the 74-year-old leader resign 'before he does even more damage' in a post on X Sunday. The comments come days after a report from the New York Times claimed the politician was not only was aware that Qatar was funneling millions of dollars a month to Gaza and its resident terror group, but actually encouraged the payments. That decision reportedly stemmed from the belief the funds would help secure peace and stability in the region, and the hope that Hamas had neither the desire nor the capacity to launch an organized attack. Those alleged aspirations of course proved misplaced on October 7, when more than 1,200 Israelis, including 40 babies, were killed and 240 more kidnapped, culminating in the current conflict that has seen casualties since rise drastically. Martin Indyk, a former US-Israel ambassador, slammed Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday as a 'clear and present danger' to the country amid its war with Hamas, after a recent report alleged the leader knowingly funneled millions to the terror group in an ill-fated attempt to keep the peace Indyk - seen here with the long serving world leader in Jerusalem in 1999, served as the US' ambassador to Israel from January 2000 to July 2001, and later executive vice president at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC On Sunday, Indyk - who served as the US ambassador to Israel from January 2000 to July 2001 - chided Netanyahu in a reply to a post sharing the Times report that called the piece 'a hit job'. 'I would agree with you if @netanyahu wasnt currently causing a rift with Joe Biden, Israels only friend in this crisis,' replied Indyk, who has 32,300 followers and is a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations - a US think tank. 'His determination to stay in power no matter the cost is a clear and present danger to Israel,' he continued, citing the allegations contained in the Times report. He went on to outright declare: 'He needs to resignyesterday!' Aside from the report, the remarks appeared to refererence to theories that the two long-allied countries are headed toward an inevitable impasse as Israel expands its ground operation into the southern Gaza Strip. Currently on the cusp of a reelection year, Biden has elected to offer financial and not physical support - in an apparent bid to hedge its interests and not alienate more voters than needed. Billing its priority as lasting peace and not endless carnage, the Biden administration - which has promised at least $14.3 billion of additional military aid to Israel on top of the $3billion already doled out annually - has marked the start of 2024 as a target date for ending Israels massive military campaign in Gaza, Al-Monitor reported. While not a strict deadline, the marker is still a target, but according to some, not enough to stay in favor with the US's longtime Middle Eastern ally. On Sunday, Indyk - who served as the US ambassador to Israel from January 2000 to July 2001 - chided Netanyahu in a reply to a post sharing the Times report that called it 'a hit job' Indyk, now 72, took leave from the Brookings Institution to serve as the U.S. Special Envoy for IsraeliPalestinian Negotiations from 2013 to 2014, and is a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. He has since come to look down on how Netanyahu has run the country 'I would agree with you if @netanyahu wasnt currently causing a rift with Joe Biden, Israels only friend in this crisis,' replied Indyk, who has 32,300 followers and is a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations - a US think tank' His determination to stay in power no matter the cost is a clear and present danger to Israel,' he continued, citing the allegations contained in the Times report. Netanyahu - who served as premier from 1996 to 1999 and prime minister from 2009 until now - has refused to announce that a halt to the ground invasion is in the cards, unless 137 who remain captive are returned. 'He needs to resignyesterday!' Indyk said of the longtime leader A highly placed Israeli diplomatic source, however, told the DC-based Middle East news publication that Americans believe that Israel is close to exhausting the extensive ground invasion and should switch up efforts to bring down Hamas. 'The gap between us and the Americans is around three weeks to a month,' the insider said, optimistically adding: 'Nothing that cannot be resolved.' But Netanyahu - who served as premier from 1996 to 1999 and prime minister from 2009 until now - has refused to announce that a halt to the ground invasion is in the cards, unless 137 who remain in captivity are returned. Even then, a full ceasefire has not been promised - as calls for Israel to scale back its violent campaign in Gaza continue to hit a head. As these calls mount, the US recently took a potentially polarizing step in its promise to stand with Israel, by vetoing a ceasefire resolution in the UN Security Council due to Netanyahu's desire to resolve the conflict his own way. That measure has garnered support from almost every other Security Council country except the US, and its impact is only lessened by the fact that American officials have asked Israeli leaders to take measures to avoid civilian casualties. Indyk, in turned, warned Netanyahu is worsening the crisis by putting pressure on one of his only friends in Biden, in the first of several posts panning the politico. Minute later, the former special Mideast envoy for Barack Obama offered an even less forgiving assessment of the Israeli leader. Aside from the report, the remarks appeared to refererebce to theories that the two long-allied countries are headed toward an inevitable impasse as Israel expands its ground operation into the southern Gaza Strip Currently on the cusp of a reelection year, Biden has elected to offer financial and not physical support - in an apparent bid to hedge its interests and not alienate more voters than needed Billing its priority as lasting peace and not endless carnage, the Biden administration - which has promised at least $14.3 billion of additional military aid to Israel on top of the $3billion already doled out annually - has marked the start of 2024 as a target date for ending Israels massive military campaign in Gaza, Al-Monitor reported While not a strict deadline, the marker is still a target, but according to some, not enough to stay in favor with the US's longtime Middle Eastern ally. 'Netanyahu Must Be Politically Destroyed, or Israel Will Go Down With Him,' he wrote Friday, before batting away accusations that his qualms with Netanyahu were 'personal.' To that, he quipped: 'Yes its personal because I have seen up front over many years of dealing with him personally just what a danger @netanyahu is to the US-Israel relationship. 'Go ahead and dismiss my informed opinion but you cant dismiss the facts (read the NYT article),' he added. In a post penned a few hours before, he painted Netanyahu as a stubborn, right-wing war monger, citing a quote from Thursday in which the president promised to demilitarize Gaza after all is said and done. A fearful Indyk wrote: 'Every night now, Netanyahu lectures Israelis on the need to maintain Israels indefinite occupation of Gaza after the fighting is over. Heres last nights braggadocio: Once the war is over, Israel will have to guarantee that the Gaza Strip is demilitarized. Only one force can guarantee that: [and this force is the IDF]. No international force can be responsible for that. I wont shut my eyes and I wont accept any other arrangement.' Each of the posts have been viewed more than 10,000 times a piece. In that same speech, Netanyahu called on Hamas to 'surrender now' and warned that 'it is the beginning of the end' for the terror group - as Israel's relentless military offensive in Gaza continues to rumble on. The Palestinian death toll has risen to around 18,000, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and the humanitarian situation is becoming increasingly dire as thousands seek shelter in a shrinking area in the south of the besieged enclave. Israeli deaths, meanwhile, sit at 1,332, including 395 IDF soldiers. Israelis who were taken from their homes and lost loved ones on October 7 before enduring the horrors of captivity have lit candles for Hanukkah as they called on Hamas to release all remaining hostages. A moving vigil was held on the fourth night of Hanukkah in Kibbutz Shefayim, central Israel, and was attended by people displaced by the atrocities, which saw homes burned and around 1,200 massacred. Among those taken hostage was Chen Goldstein-Almog, a mother-of-four who was dragged into Gaza before being released last month, along with three of her children. The fourth - 20-year-old Yam - and Chen's husband Nadav, were murdered in front of her by the terrorists as they stormed Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Families and friends of those still being held by Hamas have called for them to be freed as a matter of urgency, with angry Israelis continuing to pressure the government to negotiate their release as the war drags on. Released hostages Agam (2nd L) and her mother Chen Goldstein (L) join members of Kibbutz Kfar Aza lighting the fourth Hanukkah candle as they call for the release of hostages Agam Goldstein-Almog, a hostage released as part of a temporary ceasefire deal hugs other community member from Kibbutz Kfar Aza There were smiles at the emotional Hanukkah celebration, where members of a community struck by Hamas gathered Agam, a hostage freed by Hamas, was comforted by her mother as she spoke at the Hanukkah event Community members who survived the bloodshed and escaped Kibbutz Kfar Aza gathered with Chen and her daughter Agam, 17, to light the Hanukkah candle on Sunday night. The pair were seen embracing friends after a horrific few weeks, with many of those attending the sombre event appearing emotional as they comforted each other. On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant lit candles alongside the families of hostages held in Gaza. 'I told the families after our very moving conversation that I hope the lights of Hanukkah will light up the coming days and we will get to see all of the children and parents and women and grandfathers and grandmothers coming home,' Gallant said in a statement. 'We are with you in this difficult and extremely tense time, giving you strength and working as determinedly as possible to try and bring them home soon, and alive everyone,' he added. At another Hanukkah vigil on Saturday, those demonstrating demanded that the government ramp up talks with Hamas to free hostages 'now'. Families of those missing were seen crying as they lit candles at a table laid out with empty chairs for those unable to be there to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights. Chen Goldstein-Almog, a hostage released as part of a temporary ceasefire deal hugs other community members from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, which was hit hard following the deadly October 7 attack The vigil took place at the square in front of Tel Aviv Museum of Art, which has been renamed Hostage Square, and saw supporters joining chants calling for the hostages' release. Many shed tears as they lit Shabbat candles. Among them was Debi Paz, 64, whose friend's 18-year-old daughter, Liri Albag, is among those still in Gaza. 'I am hoping for a miracle. I come here every day - we don't know what to do. 64 days we are waiting. 'She is only a child - she had been in the army for one month. These people are animals. Worse than animals, they are devils.' Israel declared war following the sickening October 7 attack by Hamas and other Palestinian groups, which saw 1,200 people killed and around 240 dragged back to Gaza as hostages. Over 100 women and children being held by Hamas were released during a weeklong cease-fire late last month, but now concerns are mounting that any chance of a fresh truce is slipping away. Hopes for a new ceasefire are fading as mediator Qatar said on Sunday that there is a 'narrowing' window to secure a truce, while vowing that it would continue to put pressure on both sides to halt the violence. A couple embrace at the emotional vigil which was held in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv Empty dining table seats were laid out for the vigil, which was modelled on a Hanukkah celebration A mural calling for the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 to be brought home Hamas has warned that no hostages would leave Gaza alive unless its demands for prisoner releases are met, with the last temporary truce seeing three Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli jails for every one hostage handed back. According to Israeli army figures, Hamas continues to hold 137 people hostage in Gaza. More than 18,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's onslaught, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Police have launched an urgent hunt for a 14-year-old girl who vanished on Friday after going to Asda in her school uniform. Phoebe was last seen entering the supermarket in Eastlands, Manchester, at around 3pm on Friday wearing a navy blazer, white shirt, black trousers and black trainers. Officers from Greater Manchester Police are appealing for anyone with information that could help trace her. The force also released a picture of Phoebe, who is 5ft 4in tall with blonde hair. Anyone who may know about the teenager's whereabouts have been urged to contact police directly or contact independent charity Crimestoppers if they wish to remain anonymous. Police have launched an urgent hunt for 14-year-old Phoebe (pictured) who vanished on Friday after going to Asda in her school uniform Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: 'Officers in Manchester want to trace Phoebe, 14, last seen at Asda, Eastlands, at around 3pm on Friday 8 December. 'She is 5ft 4in tall with blonde hair and was last seen wearing her school uniform - navy blazer, white shirt, black trousers and black trainers. 'Anyone with information about Phoebe's whereabouts should contact police on 0161 856 3678. 'Information can also be reported via or 101, or shared anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999.' A mother-of-four stabbed to death by her partner who set their house on fire had been mowing the grass with him hours before their deaths. Siva Auvae, 31, fled the burning house in Kallangur, north of Brisbane, at 7pm on Saturday, after suffering knife wounds. The mother-of-four ran around 100m from Frances Court to Brimstone Court while being chased by her killer. The 32-year-old abuser later died in hospital on Sunday morning after succumbing to serious injuries suffered in the blaze. Siva Auvae (pictured), 31, died on Saturday after her partner repeatedly stabbed her at their home in Kallangur, about 40km north of Brisbane, before setting their house on fire Now it has emerged that Ms Auvae had been mowing the grass with her killer just hours before her brutal murder, according to CCTV footage obtained by 7News (pictured) Now it has emerged that Ms Auvae had been mowing the grass with her killer just hours before her brutal murder, according to CCTV footage obtained by 7News. Ms Auvae's death comes just 16 days before Christmas, which would have also been her 32nd birthday. Neighbours described hearing a 'loud bang' and a 'blood-curdling scream' before the fire. Kiana Jeffrey had been sitting out the back of her home with family having a barbecue when she noticed smoke billowing from the home. 'I quickly ran to the top of the driveway and my friend was walking to our house yelling, stop, stop, stop,' she told the Courier Mail. 'Then I looked and there was blood everywhere and a lady was face down in the middle of the road.' Ms Jeffery said Ms Auvae had keeled over in front of one home where the man had jumped the fence. Residents rushed from their homes to assist the badly injured woman. 'I just remember seeing her blood everywhere, on the driveway there was a big puddle and all the police just came flying,' she said. Ms Auvae, a Maori woman, who only recently moved to Queensland from Sydney, has been described a 'loving and protective mother with a flawless nature'. Detective Harbison said the tragedy was a 'dynamic, evolving incident when police, paramedics and fire officers arrived' A man believed to be Ms Auvae's partner can be seen in video footage attempting to flee from the scene before he was found outside a nearby home Detective Inspector David Harbison from Moreton Police told reporters on Sunday that police were investigating a domestic violence related homicide. Ms Auvae's family have started a GiveALittle fundraiser campaign to return her body to New Zealand and get her four children back home. 'Her whanau here in New Zealand are doing everything they can to find out more details surrounding her death and the events leading up,' her family said. 'There are going to be a lot of costs associated with bringing her back to New Zealand as well as sorting out arrangements for her four beautiful children.' Police are urging anyone who may have seen anything in the area at the time of the incident, or who may have relevant dashcam or CCTV footage, to come forward. Donald Trump has said he will not testify at his civil fraud trial in New York Monday, calling the entire process 'complete and total election interference.' The former president posted the all-caps announcement that there would be no sequel to his November 6 testimony on his Truth Social Media platform. 'As everyone knows, I have very successfully and conclusively testified in this corrupt, Biden-directed, New York State Attorney General's rigged trial against me,' he wrote. 'World-renowned experts, highly-respected bank and insurance executives, real estate professionals, as well as others both honest and credible, have stated, clearly and unequivocally, that I and my very successful company did nothing wrong!' Trump claims his financial statements were 'extraordinary' and cited an NYU professor who stated that if Trump were a student, he would've given him an 'A' grade on them. Former President Donald Trump now says he will not testify at his civil fraud trial in New York Monday, calling the entire process 'complete and total election interference' The former president also criticized AG Letitia James as 'racist' and her employees as 'thugs' and Judge Arthur Engoron as 'highly partisan and out of control.' He continued a repeated complaint the court has said his Mar-a-Lago resort is only worth $18million when, in his opinion, it is worth '50 to 100 times that amount.' Trump also contrasted the expert testimony between his team's NYU Professor Eli Bartov and the state using ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen. 'Our unassailable expert witness has been so strong and irrefutable in his testimony, which will conclude on Tuesday, and that I have already testified to everything and have nothing more to say other than that this is a complete and total election interference (Biden campaign!) witch hunt, that will do nothing but keep businesses out of New York, I will not be testifying on Monday. MAGA!' Trump referred to Cohen as a 'sleazebag and disbarred former lawyer' who repeatedly lied under oath in a 'non-recoverable Perry Mason moment.' 'That alone ends this Biden-driven witch hunt,' he concluded. 'Election interference!' Trump, his company and top executives, are alleged to have exaggerated his wealth by billions of dollars on the financial statements by inflating property values. Before the trial, Judge Arthur Engoron ruled Trump and other defendants committed fraud by exaggerating his net worth and the value of assets on his financial statements. The judge imposed a punishment that could strip Trump of some marquee properties, though an appeals court is keeping them in his control for now. Trump left Trump Tower Thursday morning, after skipping Wednesday night's primetime presidential debate in Alabama, and headed for the courthouse, where he once again delivered a harangue about the case against him. He was accompanied by longtime aide and former White House official Margo Martin, who could be seen holding up her cell phone on outside his motorcade. Trump, who is once again subject to a judge's gag order, fired off an attack on New York AG James, and called Engoron 'crooked.' Former President Donald Trump headed back to a Manhattan court last week where his fraud trial is underway The 'gag', upheld by an appeals court, prohibits him from attacking court personnel like Engoron's chief clerk, after Trump repeatedly accused her of controlling the judge and posted a link to her Instagram page. 'Heading to a Witch Hunt with a Crooked Judge and a Bats..t CRAZY (and Racist!), A.G.,' Trump wrote. 'This case was decided against me before it even started. WE WON AT THE APPELLATE DIVISION, BUT HIGHLY POLITICAL AND DISRESPECTFUL JUDGE ENGORON REFUSES TO HONOR THEIR ORDER!' Trump posted on his Truth Social site. Trump last appeared at his trial a month ago. Since then, key Trump Organization witnesses have appeared in a trial where prosecutors accuse Trump and his company of inflating real estate valuations to secure lending and avoid taxes. His comments that brought the gag order came inside the courthouse, where media members and camera crews have been lined up to capture his comments when he appears. Trump railed against the judge and prosecutors during comments Thursday, when he watched the trial as his defense team wrapped up Trump skipped Wednesday's presidential debate. He tore into Judge Arthur Engoron from inside the courthouse Trump spoke repeatedly from the courthouse Trump aide Margo Martin accompanied him to court Trump attacked AG Letitia James again on Thursday, calling her 'crazed' and a 'lunatic' inside the courtroom Trump was accompanied by attorneys Alina Habba (right), Chris Kise (left) and Clifford Robert (not pictured) Trump blasted the judge and the James Thursday, but did not single out members of his staff as he has in the past Trump called the state AG a 'lunatic' and 'bat**** crazy' 'We did nothing wrong. There were no victims. The bank loved us,' Trump said Thursday, calling James 'crazed' and 'a lunatic,' while blaming her for violent crime in New York, with his lawyer Alina Habba standing behind him. He glared once again while photographers and videographers captured a brief moment inside the courtroom. Trump called the case a 'witch hunt' and called it a 'very corrupt trial.' Engoron has already ruled him liable for fraud in the civil case. Trump's lawyers are preparing to call Eli Bartov, a New York University accounting professor, as a witness to speak about property valuations and financial statements that are key to the case. James tweeted Thursday, 'Donald Trump engaged in years of financial fraud and enriched himself and his family. We have already proven the massive scale of his fraud. No matter how much he lies, the facts don't.' Joe Biden has invited Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House on Tuesday after the administration warned it will run out of money for Ukraine aid in weeks unless feuding US lawmakers act. The two leaders 'will discuss Ukraine's urgent needs' as it fights off a Russian invasion, and 'the vital importance of the United States' continued support at this critical moment,' White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Sunday. The Ukrainian presidency said the meeting will focus on key issues such as 'further defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United States, particularly through joint projects on the production of weapons and air defense systems, as well as the coordination of efforts between our countries in the coming year.' Republican senators last week blocked $106 billion in emergency aid primarily for Ukraine and Israel after conservatives balked at the exclusion of immigration reforms they had demanded as part of the package. About $60billion of that aid would go to Ukraine, adding to the $111billion it has already received from the US. President Joe Biden has invited Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House on Tuesday amid a push for Congress to approve more aid. The pair are pictured in September in DC The Biden administration is piling on the pressure on Congress to provide billions more in aid to Kyiv in its war with Russia. Pictured, President Joe Biden and his wife First Lady Jill Biden welcomed Zelensky and his wife First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska to the White House White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced the visit in a statement on Sunday The conservative opposition was a setback for Biden, who had urged lawmakers to approve the funds, warning Russian President Vladimir Putin would not stop with victory in Ukraine and could even attack a NATO nation. 'This cannot wait,' Biden said in an impassioned, televised address at the White House on Wednesday. 'Frankly, I think it's stunning that we've gotten to this point in the first place, where Republicans in Congress are willing to give Putin the greatest gift he could hope for.' The White House said Tuesday's meeting will come at a vital moment, 'as Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine.' At the start of December, Putin signed a decree to boost Russian forces by 15 percent to support his invasion of Ukraine, increasing the army by some 170,000 people. Ukrainian military soldiers fire from the MT-12 or 2A29 gun 'Rapira' is a Soviet smoothbore 100-mm anti-tank gun last weekin Avdiivka, Ukraine. Both Ukraine and Russia have recently claimed gains in the Avdiivka, where Russia is continuing a long-running campaign to capture the city, located in the Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Region Local residents stand near their apartment building and cars damaged during a Russian missile strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Friday Moscow has recently given signs about a possible peace deal, although one involving a shrunken, neutral Ukraine that would be impossible to swallow for Zelensky. In a flurry of diplomatic activity after the White House announced Zelensky's visit, an aide for Mike Johnson said the new Republican speaker for the House of Representatives -- who has been trying to tie Ukraine aid to funding for US border security -- will also meet with the Ukrainian leader on Tuesday. And a Senate official said Democratic majority leader Chuck Schumer and Republican leader Mitch McConnell likewise invited Zelensky to speak at an all-Senators meeting Tuesday morning -- one week after several Republicans angrily walked out of a classified Ukraine briefing that he had been due to address via video. Shalanda Young, head of the White House Office of Management and Budget reiterated that fear on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday, warning that 'our national security is also influenced' by Ukraine's fate. Biden has asked Congress for a $110bn package of wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel, along with other national security priorities. Zelensky walks down the White House colonnade to the Oval Office alongside Biden last September Some in Congress remain skeptical that any increase in aid to Ukraine will make any difference in the war effort. Biden and Zelensky are seen in the Oval Office of the White House in the fall 'What happens if Putin marches through Ukraine, what's next? NATO countries, our sons and daughters, are at risk of being a part of a larger conflict,' she said. But Republicans remained skeptical, with Senator JD Vance, a close ally of former US president Donald Trump, dismissing the idea of Putin putting NATO countries in the region at risk 'preposterous.' He told CNN on Sunday that he opposes a 'blank check' for Ukraine. 'You need to articulate what the ambition is. What is $61 billion going to accomplish that $100 billion hasn't?' Vance said. 'What's in America's best interest is to accept Ukraine is going to have to cede some territory to the Russians and we need to bring the war to a close.' Democrat Chris Murphy said the money would make a difference because Russia is struggling to fund its war effort. 'It can change the outcome of this war,' Murphy said. 'Because at the very same time that we are making a renewed commitment to Ukraine, Russia's ability to continue to fight this war is in jeopardy.' The US State Department announced a stopgap $175 million tranche of new aid for Ukraine on Wednesday, including prized HIMARS rockets, shells, missiles and ammunition. The funding row underscores signs that Western support for Ukraine is fraying just as Kyiv's counteroffensive falters and Putin's forces push for new gains. Ukraine's offensive has employed billions of dollars' worth of Western weapons -- but the front lines have barely shifted in more than a year and Russian attacks along the front have intensified. The White House said Biden's meeting will come at a vital moment, 'as Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine.' At the start of December, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to boost Russian forces by 15 percent, increasing the army by some 170,000 people At the start of December, Putin signed a decree to boost Russian forces by 15 percent, increasing the army by some 170,000 people. Moscow has recently given signs about a possible peace deal, although one involving a shrunken, neutral Ukraine that would be impossible to swallow for Zelensky. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken insisted on Sunday that 'Ukraine has done an extraordinary job' defending itself. 'The choice is very clear,' he said on ABC. 'If we do this and help Ukraine sustain the achievements that it's made, help ensure that Russia continues to suffer a strategic failure in in Ukraine. That's one route to go. 'The other route to go is to do something that the only people who are rooting for it are in Moscow, and maybe in Tehran and Beijing, which is not to provide this assistance,' he said. Museum trustees, including George Osborne, are believed to have seen review The British Museum is this week due to publish the findings of an independent review into how historical artefacts were stolen and sold online. About 1,500 items - including jewellery, sculpture fragments and pottery - disappeared over a nearly 30-year period while a further 350 artefacts had portions removed, such as gold mounts from gems. It is understood museum trustees, including chairman George Osborne, received a copy of the review last week and discussed it at a board meeting. A source told The Sunday Times recommendations are to be published this week and are 'expected to suggest a tightening of security and improved record-keeping'. The independent review is being led by Lucy D'Orsi, chief constable of the British Transport Police, Sir Nigel Boardman, a former British Museum board member and Ian Karet, a lawyer. The British Museum (pictured) is this week due to publish the findings of an independent review into how artefacts were stolen and sold online Police are investigating and a man was interviewed under caution in August, although no arrests have been made It is understood museum trustees, including chairman George Osborne (Pictured) , received a copy of the review last week A series of changes have already been made by the British Museum's interim director, Sir Mark Jones, who is taking charge of the recovery work from this week. Tightened procedures include stopping anybody from going into strongrooms alone, while efforts to digitise the museum's records are being sped up. Ms D'Orsi and Mr Boardman have also led the recovery team in tracking down the missing treasures, some of which are believed to have been sold for 'insultingly low' amounts of as little as 30. Although the haul is believed to be worth millions of pounds, the culprit, or culprits, may only have made as little as 100,000 from sales, insiders believe. The thefts - first revealed when an art historian spotted items being sold online in late 2020 - went undetected for so long partly because cataloguing was incomplete, meaning insiders did not notice when items went missing, sources told The Sunday Times. Instead, curators had to rely on old paper records, such as catalogues and details of bequests, which had to be tallied with the contents of vaults. The team recovering missing items have had success, with 351 pieces having been returned and the whereabouts of a further 300 tracked down. Although it is thought the partially-removed sections of artefacts may never be recovered as they are likely to have been melted down, a source close to the British Museum said: 'To have had the amount of progress that we have had is a credit to the team.' When the disappearance of the items was revealed, the British Museum was plunged into the worst crisis of its 270-year history. Its director Hartwig Fischer resigned, accepting failings and saying the museum 'did not respond as comprehensively as it should have'. Meanwhile, a senior curator was sacked although his family insisted he had done nothing wrong. Police are investigating and a man was interviewed under caution in August, although no arrests have been made. In October, Mr Osborne told MPs on the Culture, Media, and Sport Select Committee: 'Essentially, we were the victims of an inside job by someone... who the museum had put trust in. 'Quite a lot of steps were taken to conceal [thefts]... a lot of records were altered and the like.' The museum was first alerted to possible thefts when Ittai Gradel, a Danish antiquities dealer, noticed a gem on sale on eBay. Dr Gradel recognised the engraved glass Roman cameo, minus its gold mount fragment, as belonging to part of a British Museum collection. He alerted the museum in February 2021 but claimed he was initially 'fobbed-off'. Eventually, Dr Gradel took his concerns directly to Mr Osborne who ordered an inquiry at the end of last year. As part of recovery efforts, the museum is seeking court orders to access confidential online transaction records from eBay and PayPal. Day-to-day work to track down artefacts is being run by the Metropolitan Police art and antiquities unit, and Tom Harrison, the museum's keeper of the department of Greece and Rome. Although the haul is believed to be worth millions of pounds, the culprit, or culprits, may only have made as little as 100,000 from sales, insiders believe Alerts have been made to antique dealers and auction houses worldwide. As well as the thefts, another 140 items were damaged by tool marks but not removed from the museum in central London. Julian Radcliffe, founder of the Art Loss Register, a global database of 750,000 items of lost, stolen and looted art, who is assisting the recovery said the items - now believed to be scattered around the world - are being tracked down at a 'fantastic rate'. He said: 'It's important to do things quickly: to try and get things before people dispose of the thing that they genuinely believe is only worth 30 and treat it as such.' The British Museum has said the items went missing between 1993 and 2022. It says the review will aim to 'identify failures of controls, processes or policies', whether the museum could have reacted better to Dr Gradel's concerns, and to 'help improve the response to similar allegations or concerns about loss and/or damage of objects in future'. Brittany Higgins' dad's girlfriend didn't appear emotional during her own evidence in the Federal Court on Monday - but all that changed when her partner took the stand. Kellie Jago, a teacher from Brisbane, had been with Matthew Higgins for less than a year by the time they flew to Canberra to visit Ms Higgins in late March 2019. It was the weekend after the alleged assault, but she told the court they didn't know anything about the alleged assault until Ms Higgins' now-fiance David Sharaz told them in February 2020 - weeks before The Project went to air. Ms Jago told the court about the trip to Canberra, detailing various dinners and lunches they had together, a tour of Parliament House and a walk up a mountain. She knew something was upsetting Ms Higgins because she seemed 'absent and fidgety,' recalling something being wrong with the former staffer's car. The school teacher answered questions clearly - she spoke about the moment Ms Higgins started at her apartment in Brisbane with a friend in December 2019, and ended up bawling in her bedroom. Ms Jago didn't ask why she was crying, but told Mr Higgins about what happened. She didn't show any signs of frustration or sadness while giving her own evidence. When Mr Higgins was called to the stand, she crumbled. The doting dad, a building project manager, was in clear physical distress - his arms were firmly by his side, he fidgeted at various questions, and struggled to answer questions properly. He would pause, as though choking emotion back, and answer questions slowly. When speaking about when he and Ms Jago visited Ms Higgins in Canberra, he told the court: 'I couldn't recognise my daughter. She was like usually ... really positive, happy.' 'Brittany as a young girl, always trying to do stuff and was smart.' When Network Ten's barrister Matthew Collins KC asked whether he tried to find out what was wrong, Mr Higgins said he didn't. 'I'm not so much of a curious dad,' he said. 'And I wish I was, but hindsight...' At that moment, Ms Jago - who was sitting in the public gallery, having just completed her own evidence - began blotting tears from her cheeks. Mr Higgins continued: 'I felt something was wrong, I didn't know anything was wrong.' He pointed to texts where he said to her, 'I love you, always here for you'. 'As a dad I never tried to get things out of her, I always let my daughter come to me.' Bruce Lehrmann's barrister Steven Whybrow SC then asked: 'You want to support your daughter as much as you can?' Mr Higgins was silent for a moment, before he said in a strained voice: 'I love my daughter.' It was at around that moment that Ms Jago left the courtroom in tears. The court also heard from Ms Higgins' mother, Kelly Higgins, who said her daughter was 'a broken soul' after the alleged rape. She grew visibly frustrated at Mr Whybrow probed her about that period in time. Kelly had said Ms Higgins basically lived at her house after The Project aired in February 2021, but later said she lived across the road. She fiercely maintained that her daughter barely left the house, except when she had to fulfill an obligation, and that she was a shell of her former self. Mr Whybrow asked if she knew Ms Higgins had travelled to Sydney in the months after the broadcast - between February and May of that year - given a speech at March4Justice and appeared at various events. Kelly said she knew that, but said her daughter was very different behind closed doors. The court also heard a former departmental liaison officer Chris Payne, who worked in Linda Reynolds' office in 2019, had a conversation with Ms Higgins the week after her alleged rape. He asked: 'Did he rape you?' Ms Higgins replied: 'I couldn't have consented - it would have been like f***ing a log.' Australian Federal Police officer Rebecca Cleaves told the court that Mr Lehrmann told his former boss Fiona Brown he was 'getting a job with ASIO'. When Ms Brown called ASIO to confirm it, she was told 'he was not going to work there' and they had 'never heard of him'. Ms Cleaves also told the court Ms Higgins told her she was going to the doctor, which she didn't, and didn't mention any bruise on her thigh from the alleged rape. Australian Federal Police officer Katie Thelning read notes to the court, which she made during a meeting with Ms Higgins on April 1, 2019. Her notes referred to the night of March 22, 2019, when Ms Higgins was with Bruce Lehrmann at nightclub 88mph with two other colleagues. '[Mr Lehrmann] got quite handsy, I didn't really mind,' the notes read. 'Bruce and Ms Higgins got a taxi, she gave Bruce her address, the next thing she remembers was being at Parliament House.' Ms Thelning also read another portion of her notes to the court, which referred to the moment of the alleged rape. 'She remembers the minister's couch - Bruce was saying something about finishing, she was saying something like, "no, don't", Ms Higgins woke up in the morning,' the officer said. 'She felt grossed out as she could smell what had happened on her. She said, "I went into the minister's bathroom and used her deodorant", and she got sick. READ MORE: Doctor shares guide on how to survive a nuclear attack Washington DC was named the worst place to live in a nuclear attack on the US A report looked at population density, military bases and ease of evacuation With a deadly conflict in the Middle East, Russia still waging its invasion of Ukraine and China on the brink of invading Taiwan, the world has arguably not been this close to war in a century. But while Americans are on the other side of the globe, the US would not be safe from a nuclear war, experts warn. Russia has an arsenal of more than 5,900 warheads capable of reaching the US in about 30 minutes. At the same time, China has a stockpile of more than 500 aimed at the nation's west coast. Financial experts believe 15 cities would be high-priority targets if a foreign adversary decided to launch a nuclear campaign against America. These spots are likely targets because of population density, air distance to a strategic military facility, emergency preparedness, and ease of evacuation. These spots are likely targets because of population density, air distance to a strategic military facility, emergency preparedness, and ease of evacuation The nation's capital ranked as the most highly valued target due to being America's defense hub, followed by the largest metropolitan area, New York, according to an analysis conducted by 24/7 Wall Street, an independent financial news source. The group conducted the report using research from Dr. Irwin Redlener, a professor at Columbia Universitys Mailman School of Public Health. Redlener previously identified six economic regions that are potential targets of enemy nukes. These spots were combined with 15 strategic military targets determined by Stephen Schwartz, who is part of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists and co-authored 'The Costs and Consequences of US Nuclear Weapons Since 1940.' Schwartz's targets include command centers, ICBM bases, and air force and submarine bases. Members of 24/7 Wall Street then evaluated all the spots, ranking them on population, how prepared they were for emergencies, distance in miles to the strategic military target using Google Maps, and ease of evacuation. The team then used a nuclear detonation simulator, Nukemap, and dropped a one-megaton bomb to see the damage and casualties. Most Americans believe the country's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch facilities (silos), located in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming, would be an enemy's priority. And while this may be true, opposing countries may also be looking at where would cause the most damage and fatalities. 1. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria The experts ranked the capital as the fifth worst among evacuations and predicted there would be more than 461,000 deaths and over 924,000 injured when bombed This region is the most dangerous because it is the heart of democracy, home to the US government, the White House and the Pentagon, which was a target in the 9/11 attacks. This region is home to more than 6.1 million people, putting the area with the fourth highest population among the group of 15. The experts ranked the capital as the fifth worst among evacuations and predicted there would be more than 461,000 deaths and over 924,000 injured when bombed. 2. New York City-Newark-Jersey City The report ranked the area as the second worst for evacuations and predicted there would be 1.7 million deaths and 3.1 injuries Manhattan being a target may not be a surprise due to it also being hit during the 9/11 attacks. Not only is it the most populated city in America, but it is also the symbol of Western values and capitalism. A bomb dropped in New York City would impact Newark and Jersey City, both in New Jersey, which sits across the Hudson River. However, this is the nation's largest metropolitan area, home to more than nine million people. The report ranked the area as the second worst for evacuations and predicted there would be 1.7 million deaths and 3.1 injuries. 3. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, California Surrounded by the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, evacuating the three cities would not be accessible if a one-megaton nuke is dropped - it ranked third worst The Bay area is another large metropolitan region in the US, with 18,629 people per square mile. Surrounded by the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, evacuating the three cities would not be accessible if a one-megaton nuke is dropped - it ranked third worst. This region has nearly two million people who call it home. The projected casualties could hit more than 507,000, with 582,870 injured. 4. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois Chicago may not sound like a likely target to many, but this Illinois city is located within 50 miles of four nuclear power plants Chicago may not sound like a likely target to many, but this Illinois city is located within 50 miles of four nuclear power plants. Naperville and Elgin are within 40 miles of the Windy City, meaning they would also be hit in the event of a nuclear attack. The region ranked fourth out of the 15 in evacuations for its more than two million residents. Experts predicted the attack would cause 626,170 deaths and more than 1.1 million injuries. 5. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California This part of California would be a target because it is the second-largest metropolitan economy in the US The bustling region of California is known for its Hollywood stars and gorgeous beaches but could also be a high-priority enemy target. The three cities are about 26 miles from each other, with more than four million people. This part of California would be a target because it is the second-largest metropolitan economy in the US. The report ranked this area as the fifth worst in evacuations, which would lead to 645,750 deaths and more than 1.6 million injuries. 6. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas The report ranks this region as the seventh worst in evacuations, predicting 330,850 deaths and 693,340 injuries These three Texas cities are about 20 miles from each other and are home to more than six million people. This area could be a target because it sits just 65 miles from the South Texas Project Nuclear Generating Station. The report ranks this region as the seventh worst in evacuations, predicting 330,850 deaths and 693,340 injuries. 7. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington The three cities combined have more than one million residents, situated in mountains that would make it difficult for evacuation - experts ranked it the eighth worst The Washington State region is 30 miles from the Naval Base Kitsap, the largest naval organization in the northwest area, and 46 miles from Naval Radio Station Jim Creek, a radio transmitting facility. These government facilities make the region a possible target in a nuclear attack that would kill more than 53,000 people and injure over 106,000. The three cities combined have more than one million residents, situated in mountains that would make it difficult for evacuation - experts ranked it the eighth worst. 8. Urban Honolulu, Hawaii Data shows 354,510 people live in the city, and a one-megaton bomb dropped in the area would kill 20,920 people, leaving 56,710 injured Hawaii made headlines in 2018 when residents received an emergency alert that read: 'Ballistic Missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek Shelter. This is not a drill.' While the notification was sent accidentally, experts believe Honolulu is a candidate for an attack on the US. The small island is the closest to China, making it an easy target and is home to three military bases. And being surrounded by the Pacific Ocean made Honolulu the worst for evacuations. Data shows 354,510 people live in the city, and a one-megaton bomb dropped in the area would kill 20,920 people, leaving 56,710 injured. 9. Omaha, Nebraska The Midwest town is 10 miles south of the Offut Aire Force Base (pictured), which served as an aerial command center in case nukes dropped during the Cold War The Midwest city is 10 miles south of the Offutt Aire Force Base, which served as an aerial command center in case nukes dropped during the Cold War. The command center is where President George W. Bush was flown during the 9/11 attacks. With the technology and military personnel in place, the report believes the enemy would eye Omaha. The report ranked the Nebraska town as 13th in evacuation and predicted about 34,000 casualties and 140,000 injuries. 10. Ogden-Clearfield, Utah These two cities are also located near a military base - the Hill Air Force Base. This military facility is the second largest in population and size and supports the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. Experts predicted that a nuclear bomb would cause 87,140 deaths and 1570,570 injuries, ranking it the ninth worst city for evacuations. 11. Albuquerque, New Mexico More than 562,000 people live in Albuquerque, which ranked the 11th worst for evacuations. Experts predicted a nuclear bomb would cause 11,200 deaths and 157,630 injuries The New Mexico city primarily comprises the Kirtland Air Force Base, the headquarters of the Air Force Global Strike Commands largest installation, the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. More than 562,000 people live in the city, which ranked the 11th worst for evacuations. Experts predicted a nuclear bomb would cause 11,200 deaths and 157,630 injuries. 12. Colorado Springs, Colorado Colorado is part of the US's 'nuclear sponge - a site deliberately set up by the government during the Cold War. In the event of an attack, bombs would fall on sparsely populated areas Colorado is part of the US's 'nuclear sponge - a site deliberately set up by the government during the Cold War. In the event of an attack, bombs would fall on sparsely populated areas. And by design, Colorado Springs is a prime target for a Russian attack. More than 483,000 people live in the city, with an elevation of more than 6,035 feet. The report ranked Colorado Springs as the 10th worst in evacuation, likely due to the rugged landscape. And predicted that 28,400 deaths and 133,060 injuries would occur if hit. 13. Great Falls, Montana With 2,614 people per square mile, experts predicted an attack would leave 17,920 dead and 22,920 injured. Great Falls was also ranked 14th worst in evacuations Montana is also a nuclear sponge, being home to hundreds of hidden missile silos and launch facilities. But the report looked closely at Great Falls because it is six miles from Malmstrom Air Force Base, one of three facilities that maintains nukes in the US. With 2,614 people per square mile, experts predicted an attack would leave 17,920 dead and 22,920 injured. Great Falls was also ranked 14th worst in evacuations. 14. Cheyenne, Wyoming Wyoming is another state meant to be a nuclear sponge - it has been home to nukes since the 1960s Wyoming is another state meant to be a nuclear sponge - it has been home to nukes since the 1960s Francis E, Warren Air Force base houses the combat-ready force three miles west of Cheyenne. The city is surrounded by mountains, making it the worst for evacuations, according to the report. With 2,019 people per square mile, experts speculated a bomb would kill 27,320 people and leave 36,550 injured. 15. Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana Shreveport-Bossier City has a population of 385,154 and is located five miles within the Barksdale Air Force Base, home to three squadrons of B-52H Stratofortress bombers The metropolitan region has a population of 385,154 and is located five miles within the Barksdale Air Force Base, home to three squadrons of B-52H Stratofortress bombers. These warplanes are capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and can carry nuclear weapons - making this area a prime spot for an attack. Evacuation would be difficult because it sits near the Gulf of Mexico - ranked the 12th worst. If bombs were dropped, 24,150 people would die, and another 103,560 would be injured, according to the analysis. Norman and Helen D'Silva have been on more than 200 cruises, but are far from being bored with them. In fact, they're selling their home in Florida to turn their life into one long cruise. The couple, who have been married for 40 years, are among hundreds of high-fliers buying cabins on maritime firm Storylines' luxury residential cruise ship, MV Narrative. In 2026, they'll set sail aboard the luxury cruise liner, which will travel the world once every three years and make continuous stops in ports across the globe. Having just returned from a voyage in Antarctica, the couple spoke to MailOnline Travel about their decision to become full-time cruisers. Helen, 70, and Norman, 63, are preparing to spend their golden years travelling the world on cruise ship MV Narrative. The couple are pictured above in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, in Norway's Svalbard archipelago in 2016 Storylines' MV Narrative (rendering above) will set sail in 2026, making continuous stops in ports across the globe Prices for onboard homes start at $875,000 (690,418) and rise to $8million (6.5million) for the most luxurious apartments Norman claimed there is 'nothing' holding them back from enjoying their golden years on a cruise liner. He said: 'We have no animals, no fish, no plants, no children.' Once they move on board they'll sell their house in New Smyrna Beach. And it's not likely they'll regret the decision. Helen added: 'We've been travelling adventurously for over 35 to 40 years. It's what we enjoy.' They've visited over 180 countries, experiencing everything from white-water rafting in Zambia to petting tigers in a jungle outside Bangkok - and now they want to spend every day exploring. Norman said the decision to live aboard the ship had been a long time in the making, having been inspired to do so from an encounter 20 years ago on a Holland America cruise ship. He explained: 'We met somebody who was living on the ship. She was an 80-year-old lady and she shared all these details to us about her life aboard the ship, about how everyone takes care of her and she really sold us the dream.' He continued: 'We thought "this is a pretty unique concept", being able to see beautiful scenery every day of the week and experience all the facilities on board.' Decades later, the couple made their dreams a reality and splashed out around $1.7million (1.3million) to secure their place aboard MV Narrative. Hull of a sight: MV Narrative is currently under construction in Croatia Helen and Norman paid $1.7million (1.3million) for their one-bedroom cabin aboard the ship The eye-watering price tag means everything from laundry to doctor visits and food is included. As the ship is currently under construction, the pair have yet to set foot in their soon-to-be-home, but a CGI rendering has given them a good idea of what to expect. Helen said: 'We'll have one bedroom, two baths and a large balcony that stretches across the living room.' And it's bigger than what they're used to, with Helen adding: 'Most cruise ship cabins are relatively small.' Moving aboard the MV Narrative will not be a massive adjustment for the couple, with the pair scarcely on land. Where are they now? They just boarded a nine-month 'cruise around the world' with Royal Caribbean. Their longest stints at sea so far have been a six-month cruise with Oceania and a four-month Holland America cruise. While they wait to depart on their life-long voyage, the pair have been getting to know residents aboard MV Narrative via its 'Meet Your Neighbor' scheme. Ship-shape: Above is a rendering of an MV Narrative living room Pictured is a CGI image of a bedroom aboard the MV Narrative. The cruise line company says most rooms will have a balcony Here is a luxury bathroom suite complete with his and hers sinks and a free-standing bath Pictured is the upper level of a penthouse on MV Narrative Helen and Norman said there is 'nothing' holding them back from living on a cruise ship full-time. Here they are pictured at CocoCay, an island in the Bahamas reserved exclusively for use by Royal Caribbean cruise ships Helen said: 'A lot of the people that are going to be with us on Storylines seem to be open-minded. Youve got to be adventurous. Youve got to be curious. If youre not flexible, youre going to have a challenge.' The ship will have room for 1,000 residents living in 530 fully furnished residences ranging in size from 237 to 1,970 square feet - the 'vast majority' of which are balcony residences. It boasts 20 dining and bar venues, a microbrewery, a marina with personal watercraft, three pools with sundecks, a pet exercise area, a business centre and a beauty salon. There is also a medical clinic on board that includes a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, nutritionist and physiotherapist and a 10,000-square-foot health and wellness centre. Prices on the 741ft- (226m) long ship start at $875,000 (690,418) and rise to $8million (6.5million) for the most luxurious apartments. MV Narrative is currently under construction in Croatia and will set sail in 2026. An American woman who moved to the UK has listed the five things she loves about British houses, that she wishes homes in the US had. Brittany Hayes, who's originally from Florida, moved to Birmingham, where she is undertaking a renovation with her fiance. She goes by @thebrickhousechronicles on TikTok and has previously racked up views for revealing the things in British homes that 'make no sense to Americans' - it now has been seen by more than seven million people. So, the TikToker decided to make another video where she listed the things she likes and she believes American houses could benefit from. She told viewers 'So these are things in British houses that I think we need in the US' - read on for her full list. An American woman who moved to the UK has listed the five things she loves about British houses, that she wishes homes in the US had Electric kettles First up on Brittany's list are electric kettles - a staple household item that you would struggle to find a British house without. She explained 'Now, I know some Americans who are obsessed with tea, will have a kettle, but they are definitely not the standard. 'If we wanna heat up water, we do it on the stove or in the microwave, which honestly feels insane now that I've had a kettle for years'. One shocked viewer questioned 'Do they really not have kettles in America??' to which someone from the US replied 'We actually do have them, people just prefer the old fashion metal kettles you put on the stove top and wait to whistle when it's done'. Others added 'No kettles in America ?? Wow' and 'electric kettle. wait till you try a boiling tap'. Another chimed in with 'Kettles are old school, We now have instant boiling water taps'. Meanwhile, an American defended their lack of kettles by explaining 'why do Americans need one more kitchen appliance if they're not big tea drinkers? Instant coffee isn't the standard here'. Brittany Hayes, who's originally from Florida, moved to Birmingham, where she is undertaking a renovation with her fiance First up on Brittany's list are electric kettles - a staple household item that you would struggle to find a British house without Conservatories The TikToker continued 'Next is conservatories, which are just little glass walled rooms on the back of people's houses. 'These things are little boxes of warm magic, I love taking a nap in my fiance's parents' conservatory when it's all nice and toasty. 'Though, I'm pretty sure if we had these in Florida where I'm from, they would get so hot you'd combust if you went in there'. However, one Briton in the comments disagreed, writing 'The conservatories are a nightmare, cold in winter and saunas in summer.. no one uses them'. Someone else wrote 'conservatory's are good until the winter in the morning'. Doors to every room Third on Brittany's list is having doors to every room, rather than an open plan house. She told viewers 'This next one is one I never thought I'd be into but British houses seem to have doors for every room rather than an open plan style which is popular in the US. She told viewers 'This next one is one I never thought I'd be into but British houses seem to have doors for every room rather than an open plan style which is popular in the US' 'I have to say, I like the separation, particularly of the kitchen because it means the food smells stay in there. 'Does anyone else have traumatic memories of your mom roasting peppers and you basically needed a gas mask to avoid the burn? This would have helped with that'. Someone penned 'The doors aren't to separate rooms ,it's to prevent fires spreading'. Another added 'And keep the heat in when the heating is on'. Letterboxes on doors Something Brits take for granted is having post delivered directly to their front doors, rather than having to walk somewhere to collect it. Brittany revealed 'I'm also a big fan of letterboxes on the doors here, we definitely have these in the US but it's also really common to have a group mailbox for your neighbourhood. 'These things are so ugly and I remember ours being so far away when I was a kid and hating having to trek to go get the mail. 'So this is my official request for the US to only use letterboxes in the door - I know mail delivery people are probably yelling at the screen right now'. Brittany revealed 'I'm also a big fan of letterboxes on the doors here, we definitely have these in the US but it's also really common to have a group mailbox for your neighbourhood' Finally, the American praised a bathroom feature that is common in the UK - the ability to do a 'little' or 'big' flush on the toilet Toilet flushing options Finally, the American praised a bathroom feature that is common in the UK - the ability to do a 'little' or 'big' flush on the toilet. She said 'Lastly, big flush, little flush - this is genius. You pee, you do a little flush, you poo, you do a big flush. 'In the US, everything is big so we do a big flush and we waste water with a big flush - please give us a little flush'. Although, a Brit in the comments advised 'Every plumber Ive ever met has said to not use the small flush button as its actually not good for the plumbing. Especially in older homes'. Commenters were shocked by some of the things Brittany revealed most American homes don't have, with one viewer penning 'I live in the uk and hearing what the us doesnt have my brain is,' alongside a shocked emoji. Another realised 'so that's why there two buttons on the toilet,' meanwhile someone else questioned 'do Americans actually microwave water...?' Personal trainer Steve 'Commando' Willis shot to fame on The Biggest Loser in 2007 when the former soldier found love with co-star Michelle Bridges. Prior to their split in 2020, the former power couple built a fitness empire together and Willis published books such as Commando Steve: No Excuses and Get Commando Fit - and he even starred on a season of Australian Survivor. But following his split from Bridges and exit from The Biggest Loser in 2015, the 47-year-old Willis largely slid out of public view, leaving fans wondering what he is up to today. Steve 'Commando' Willis has left The Biggest Loser behind to open his own successful gym and has since found love with fellow trainer Harika Vancuylenberg. (Pictured together) Despite no longer being on primetime television, Commando is still a significant player in the fitness industry. He currently runs his own gym in Sydney called Get Commando Fit, in addition to working as a personal trainer and offering online classes. Willis also runs a children's fitness program called Commando Kids and hosts his own gruelling fitness camps. His personal life has also flourished, finding love with former F45 trainer Harika Vancuylenberg. The 47-year-old currently runs his own gym in Sydney called Get Commando Fit, in addition to working as a personal trainer and offering online classes The couple apparently met in November 2019 when Harika attended one of Steve's fitness retreats in Tahiti, and confirmed their relationship in July 2020. Harika now helps run Steve's fitness empire and represents the gym in fitness competitions across Australia. Despite things going well for the couple, they've both ruled out having any children together. Willis is already a dad-of-four, including son Axel he has with ex Michelle, while Harika has two kids herself. Michelle and Commando first met while filming The Biggest Loser together and welcomed Axel in 2015, before both quitting the series. They eventually announced their split in early 2020, and then Commando confirmed his romance with Harika months later. After shooting to fame on the second season of The Biggest Loser in 2007, the former soldier became a household name when he found love with co-star Michelle Bridges. (Both pictured) Unlike Commando, Michelle has struggled to move on and find love again. In an interview with Stellar magazine in September, the famed trainer admitted that she was finally ready to start dating again. 'One of my dearest friends said to me, 'Mishy, no one is going to drive up that driveway, girlfriend. You've got to get out there.' I'm like, 'yeah,'' she said. 'So definitely, now I'm back in the city, there's probably more potential I guess. More importantly, I feel ready,' she continued. 'I feel like I might meet someone, because I'm going out more socially now, and just keep it chill. Not anything too serious, just go out for dinner, a movie, something like that.' Concerns have also been raised over her recent behavior on the reality series Some of Denise's costars reportedly don't approve of her OnlyFans with Sami Denise Richards has blasted her Real Housewives of Beverly Hills costars for their supposed 'concern' over the OnlyFans content she creates with her teenage daughter and has suggested they don't waste their 'precious time' fretting. The 52-year-old actress has turned heads over the past year after posing in racy images alongside Sami Sheen, 19, on the adult subscription service. A source close to the Real Housewives cast had revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com that the women are 'disturbed' by the 'offensive' mother-daughter collaborations. However, a representative for Denise fiercely blasted the reality stars over their apparent concern, while simultaneously calling them out for their own behavior in recent episodes of the Bravo show. Denise Richards has hit out at her Real Housewives of Beverly Hills costars for their supposed 'concern' over her OnlyFans content with her 19-year-old daughter Denise, 52, joined OnlyFans just days after her daughter Sami started her own account in 2022 'Sami is an adult and has her own Only Fans account,' they said. 'She is aware of all content posted. 'The ladies of RHOBH shouldn't waste their precious time being concerned - and if they find it offensive then it's best that they don't go on OnlyFans.' The source had accused Denise of 'using her daughter as a prop' and claimed this is what had 'upset the women around her not only the cast of RHOBH but also those who know her in the Beverly Hills circles.' 'She is basically pimping out her daughter Sami and it is disturbing,' they said. 'A mother should never be doing explicit content with their child. It is highly inappropriate and completely offensive. 'The women on the cast are really put off by this and she knows this. They will let her have it too.' They also raised concerns for Denise, who was seen pulling bizarre expressions and winking at castmates during a wild dinner as she made her return to the hit series. 'It is more than obvious that Denise is not OK right now,' they claimed. 'Anyone who has eyes can see this 'It is like a train wreck in slow motion and producers and viewers love this. It makes for great TV.' The Real Housewives cast are said to be 'disturbed' by Denise and her daughter's OnlyFans collaborations Denise was slammed for collaborating with daughter Sami on OnlyFans again in October Sami joined the subscription service in 2022 and is said to be making a small fortune Shutting down any speculation about her wellbeing, her rep hit back: 'Denise only made a cameo so not sure how there has been concern "throughout" a season. 'Her cameo was an invite to a two-episode weed party. The ladies really should be concerned about their own behavior.' In June 2022, Denise and Sami made headlines after they posed alongside each other for OnlyFans. At the time, Denise, who was married to Sami's father Charlie Sheen from 2002 to 2006, defended her daughter's decision. 'Lots of negative comments on my social this past week,' she told her followers on social media. 'I have to say, I wish I had the confidence my 18 yr old daughter has. And I also can't be judgmental of her choices. I did Wild Things & Playboy, quite frankly her father shouldn't be either.' Responding to the backlash, she added: 'I'm in awe of her ability to shut out the noise. Because it can destroy you...I recently learned about @onlyfans in the last few months. Sami shows off her newly enhanced breasts while out on a 'date night' with a gal pal 'The judgement because women & men of the adult film industry are on there. I imagine they're on IG & Twitter as well.' Denise later added: 'Perhaps I should open my own account...' Lo and behold, it wasn't long before Denise launched her own profile. However, the mother and daughter duo again ignited a social media storm in October when Denise posted a sultry snap of the pair in tiny tops on her account on the adult subscription site site. Alongside the image, she wrote: 'Should my mini me @samisheen and I do another collab?' A screenshot of the controversial post surfaced on Reddit with fans condemning Denise for the 'f*****g weird and incestuous' post. One fan wrote: 'This is 'f*****g WEIRD beyond words and one of the sickest s**t I've seen on this app. what does she even mean. what do her and her daughter do on that app.' Another said: 'Denise is really turning OnlyFans into an OnlyFams.' Last month, it was revealed that Sami's dad Charlie approves of his teenage daughter using the platform despite having previously slammed her decision. Speaking on Bethenny Frankel's Just B podcast about his change of heart, Denise said: 'When she first did OnlyFans he was not happy and I think was public about it, which she didn't appreciate and he's changed his tune. 'He changed his tune when she bought a Mercedes and moved into a house so maybe he was like, "maybe this ain't so bad after all!"' Denise was a main cast member on RHOBH season nine and 10, before announcing her departure in September 2020. Advertisement Tobacco tycoon Travers 'Candyman' Beynon has listed his extravagant 14-bedroom, 13-bathroom Gold Coast 'Candy Shop Mansion' on the market. The flamboyant businessman, 51, is set to welcome a son early next year and is relocating with his wife Taesha to a more appropriate location to raise a young child. The palatial property sits on a whopping 1.4 acres of lavish waterfront real estate and its exquisite architecture takes inspiration from European grandeur. Some of its jaw-dropping features include a grand ballroom, a 15-seat Gold Class standard cinema, a large outdoor pool and a nine car basement garage. The opulent property, which has hosted many wild parties over the years, sits behind large two-ton crested gates and features a gorgeous sandstone driveway and marble-clad majestic courtyard. Tobacco tycoon Travers 'Candyman' Beynon has listed his extravagant 14-bedroom, 13-bathroom Gold Coast 'Candy Shop Mansion' on the market. Pictured: Beynon out the front of his luxurious mansion Its highly desirable location is close to a variety of amenities including world renowned Surfers Paradise shopping centres, restaurants and beach. Travers previously lived on the stately property with his wife of 14 years Taesha and his 'harem' of girlfriends. In April, Travers and Taesha revealed what it will take to become the latest addition to their polyamorous relationship. The palatial property sits on a whopping 1.4 acres of lavish waterfront real estate and its exquisite architecture takes inspiration from European grandeur Some of its jaw-dropping features include a grand ballroom, a 15-seat Gold Class standard cinema, a large outdoor pool and a nine car basement garage Travers recently announced the couple was looking for a new 'main girlfriend' to live with them. An online job application includes a list of requirements for women hoping to win the position, as well as a glimpse into the kinds of daily activities she would be expected to perform. 'Being the girlfriend of Mr Beynon, a.k.a. The Candyman, not only must you be attractive to be considered as a girlfriend, but you must be fun, bubbly, outgoing, spontaneous, adventurous and respectful to everyone,' the website states. The opulent property sits behind large two-ton crested gates and features a gorgeous sandstone driveway and marble-clad majestic courtyard The estate is the perfect property for the family who enjoys the finer things in life The successful applicant will enjoy perks such as a designer wardrobe, five-star travel around the world, and entry into 'exclusive private parties' with Travers himself. Girlfriends are required to 'maintain their presentation' by undergoing regular beauty treatments - all of which will be organised by Travers. Beynon is the managing director of Freechoice Tobacco and is said to be worth $200million. Millie Gibson dazzles in the first look at the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas special. The actress, 19, is joining the BBC sci-fi series as the new companion to the latest incarnation of the Time Lord, played by former Sex Education actor Ncuti Gatwa. In the brand new trailer, Millie's character Ruby Sunday smiles as she board the famous TARDIS - but there is trouble ahead with goblins. The extroverted Doctor and Ruby appear to have their first meeting in a nightclub, before they make their formal introductions sky-high in the air on the ladder of the goblin spaceship. The Time Lord says: 'I'm The Doctor', with Ruby later confronting him: 'Who are you?' after they battle with the terrifying creatures. Former Coronation Street actress Millie Gibson dazzles in the FIRST LOOK at the Doctor Who Christmas special Millie (seen here as Ruby Sunday) joins the Doctor in floating above the rooftops in the brand new episode Little is known about the plot of the the upcoming episode - which will be titled The Church on Ruby Road - but the Time Lord will come face-to-face with evil goblins. Fans took to X - formerly known as Twitter - as the trailer aired. One wrote: 'OMG I LOVED #TheGiggle #DoctorWho anyone on here please don't post spoilers for those who've yet to see it they deserve to see it without #Spoilers please 'Can't wait to see the Christmas Special next'/ Others added: 'Tied up the loose ends, dangled loads of new onesin Russell, we do indeed trust! Now, BRING ON CHRISTMAS DAY' 'This looks amazing!! Doctor Who is BACK. Bring on Christmas! I can't wait to meet Ruby and see what Fifteen has to offer'. The trailer comes just hours after Ncuti,31, finally made his first appearance on screen as the 15th Doctor as David Tennant's incarnation of the character regenerated. However, all was not as it seemed as a huge twist saw both versions of the Doctor remain on screen, rather than one regenerating into the other as normally happens on the long-running sci-fi series. Fans took to X - formerly known as Twitter - as the trailer aired A large ship is also seen as part of the trailer, just weeks away from the much-anticipated special airing on BBC One The new doctor grins at something in the distance as part of the upcoming episode Former Sex Education star Ncuti, 31, is seen floating above a rooftop in one shot from the trailer In another shot, the Doctor appears to be at a party of some kind The festive special will air on Christmas Day on BBC One at at 5:55pm Ncuti Gatwa made his hotly-anticipated debut in Doctor Who during the third and final 60th anniversary special on Saturday night Ncuti's debut came when 'creepy' returning villain The Toymaker, played by Neil Patrick Harris, shot David's Doctor through the chest, forcing him to regenerate. The Toymaker had turned human beings on Earth mad, before challenging the Doctor to a game - which put the planet at stake - forcing the Time Lord to accept to try and save Earth. Shooting the Doctor, the Toymaker said: 'I played one game with the First Doctor, I played the second with this Doctor, so your rules declare that I must play the third game with the next Doctor!' His companions Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and the returning Melanie Bush (Bonnie Langford) ran over to support him as he regenerated, with fans expecting that to be the end for David's character. Prior to being cast as Ruby Sunday, Millie was known for starring as Kelly Neelan in Coronation Street. At just 18 when she got the role, Millie is the youngest performer to be cast as the companion, surpassing a record set by Matthew Waterhouse, who was 19 when he was cast in Doctor Who in the 1980s. Upon hearing about Millie's casting, Ncuti said: 'Millie just is the companion. She is full of talent, strength, she has a cheeky sparkle in her eye and is sharp as a razor.' The Church on Ruby Road airs at 5:55pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day. Sydney multi-millionaire John Singleton has married for a seventh time, to a woman nearly half his age. The advertising guru, 82, eloped in July to 44-year-old Sarah Warry, after the pair fell in love over text messaging and they are now going public with their romance. Singleton has revealed that he has never been happier with his life and is thrilled to share some amazing times with his new bride. 'We hit it off, she is intelligent, funny, she can talk about philosophy, politics She's new to horse racing so I'm trying to help her understand why I get such a kick out of it,' he told The Daily Telegraph. The pair met at one of the pubs Singleton owns in Brisbane, when Warry visited it with her stepfather. Sydney multi-millionaire John Singleton has married for a seventh time, to a woman nearly half his age. The advertising guru, 82, (right) eloped in July to 44-year-old Sarah Warry (left) after the pair fell in love over text messaging Warry was previously the station manager of rural Victorian community radio station Coast FM. Meanwhile, she has revealed what it was about Singleton that made her fall for him. 'We were texting all about what I do and what he does and I really got to know him. Then we started talking, he's such a great conversationalist, he really listens.' Singleton has revealed that he has never been happier with his life and is thrilled to share some amazing times with his new bride The pair met at one of the pubs Singleton owns in Brisbane , when Warry visited it with her stepfather Singleton boasts a long list of ex-wives and girlfriends - having been divorced six times, including once to 60 Minutes reporter Liz Hayes in the early 1990s. Before Warry, Singleton dated New York-based public relations expert Venessa Merrin, as reported by Daily Mail Australia. Their relationship began in 2016 and reportedly ended in 2021. Singleton made his fortune in the advertising business in the 1970s and '80s. She received a generous slice of media mogul Rupert Murdochs 14 billion fortune when they divorced last year and it seems Jerry Hall is more than happy to share the cash with those who need it most. Jerry, 67, who also counts Mick Jagger among her exes, has donated two ambulances to Ukraine. The gesture was so appreciated that one of the vehicles is named after her. Last week, the MoS revealed exclusive pictures of tycoon Rupert, 92, with his new companion Elena Zhukova, 66, the former mother-in-law of oligarch Roman Abramovich. She received a generous slice of media mogul Rupert Murdoch s 14 billion fortune when they divorced last year and it seems Jerry Hall is more than happy to share the cash with those who need it most Jerry, 67, who also counts Mick Jagger among her exes, has donated two ambulances to Ukraine. The gesture was so appreciated that one of the vehicles is named after her Cruz-ing from the dark side Penelope Cruz is no stranger to a thriller but says motherhood turned her away from the darker side of the film industry. Cruz, 49, has starred in psychological thrillers including Vanilla Sky and Blow, but she said she had turned down a role to play a sinister character when she was pregnant because she couldnt face playing someone in such a desperate state. The 49-year-old, mother to Leo, 12, and Luna, ten, and wife of Spanish actor Javier Bardem, also offered career advice when she appeared at Bafta: A Life In Pictures last week. Penelope said: From my heart, I beg you dont do drugs. Keep your head clear for your career and your life. Penelope Cruz is no stranger to a thriller but says motherhood turned her away from the darker side of the film industry. Producers of Channel Seven's new reality series Made In Bondi are honing in on a group of very glamorous new cast members, reports claim. Based on the wildly popular reality series Made in Chelsea, Made in Bondi will follow the lives and loves of Sydney's party set who call the seaside city home. According to The Daily Telegraph, producers are hoping to secure the likes of model Montana Cox and Aidan Walsh - the suitcase entrepreneur ex of Jodi Anasta - for season one. Also reportedly on producers' wish lists are Sir. the label fashion designer Sophie Coote, Body by Berner pilates founder Bernadette Fahey, and Bondi socialite couple Andy El-Bayeh and Harriet Williams. Unfortunately, an insider claims producers may have difficulty wooing potential cast members. Producers of Channel Seven 's new reality series Made In Bondi are honing in on a group of very glamorous new cast members, including model Montana Cox (pictured) reports claim 'Most of these people don't really see the benefit of starring on the show,' they told The Daily Telegraph. 'They already have money and notoriety, and they saw what a flop (Netflix series) Byron Baes was, so are hesitant. Byron Baes followed a group of Byron Bay-based artists, influencers and entrepreneurs as they navigate life in the trendy coastal town. Aidan Walsh - the suitcase entrepreneur ex of Jodi Anasta - is apparently also in producers' sights. (Pictured: Jodi and Aidan in happier times) Body by Berner pilates founder Bernadette Fahey (pictured) is another socialite producers are reportedly hoping to woo The series attracted plenty of controversy, with furious locals last protesting the production of the show. Netflix was even forced to hold 'crisis talks with stakeholders' amid growing backlash. The show itself received poor reviews, earning an audience score of just 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. Seven has joined with Channel 4 to commission Made in Bondi. 'Set against the backdrop of some of Australia's most affluent and beautiful suburbs and with an amazing cast of Sydney locals Made in Bondi will be an addictive, glamorous and wild ride that will have viewers hooked from the first minute,' Seven programming executive Angus Ross said. Megan Gale has revealed she is open to returning to modelling, almost 16 years after she retired from the industry. Speaking to Stellar magazine this week, the Australian supermodel, 48, said she thoroughly enjoyed her one-off return to the catwalk for David Jones' 185th anniversary back in March. 'Walking down that runway and having people happy to see me felt like a homecoming. Would I do it again? Never say never,' she began. 'I always loved catwalk modelling, I miss it but I wouldn't just start rolling myself out for the sake of it. It's got to make sense.' Megan's appearance on the David Jones runway came 22 years after she became their brand ambassador in 2001. Megan Gale, 48, (pictured) has revealed she is open to returning to modelling, almost 16 years after she retired from the industry The Perth-born star also revealed she felt grateful to have worked in such a cut-throat industry for as long as she did. 'I wanted to work as much as I could, have kids later, and maybe semi-retire. This industry is fickle and you don't know when it's going to fade away.' She added that meeting her partner Shaun Hampson and having a family helped keep her grounded throughout her career. Speaking to Stellar magazine this week, the Australian supermodel, 48, said she thoroughly enjoyed her one-off return to the catwalk for David Jones' 185th anniversary back in March. (Pictured on the front cover of Stellar with her husband Sean Hampson and children River and Rosie) '[Sean is] very grounded and always keeps things very real. He makes me laugh a lot. We're still having fun, all these years later.' It comes after Megan previously told Body and Soul magazine she now wears minimal makeup and doesn't 'put too much pressure on my body' when exercising. 'Beauty doesn't have to be that overwhelming - less is well and truly more in my book,' she told the publication. 'Walking down that runway and having people happy to see me felt like a homecoming. Would I do it again? Never say never,' she began. 'I always loved catwalk modelling, I miss it but I wouldn't just start rolling myself out for the sake of it. It's got to make sense' The supermodel opened and closed the show for David Jones' Autumn/Winter collection at its flagship Melbourne store in March. Megan was the face of the luxury department store from 2001 to 2014. Since stepping out of the spotlight, she has been focusing on her family life with her partner Shaun Hampson. Megan and Shaun, who live together in Melbourne, met in 2011 and became engaged in 2017 and they share daughter Rosie and son River. ? Durante la ceremonia por el 199. aniversario de la Batalla de Ayacucho y Dia del Ejercito del Peru, la presidenta Dina Boluarte destaco que los patriotas que lucharon en dicha gesta nos demostraron que cuando se actua con desprendimiento, deponiendo intereses particulares pic.twitter.com/v3BXV9rU0n Widely regarded as one of the greatest British films ever made, it is a beguiling and strange mix of horror, thriller and musical with one of the most memorable endings in cinematic history. Now, as The Wicker Man celebrates its 50th anniversary, superstar Britt Ekland, who played the mysterious female lead, has spoken of her pride at the film's longevity. The plot is a sinister tale of a police officer lured to a remote island community, the story building to its unforgettable climax among picturesque locations in south-west Scotland. However, Ms Ekland, now 81, remains a little aggrieved at the famous dance scene for which a stripper acted as her body double. She said: 'At the time I made some comments about how difficult the film was and it was interpreted that I have ill feelings towards it. Widely regarded as one of the greatest British films ever made, it is a beguiling and strange mix of horror, thriller and musical with one of the most memorable endings in cinematic history Now, as The Wicker Man celebrates its 50th anniversary, superstar Britt Ekland, who played the mysterious female lead, has spoken of her pride at the film's longevity The plot is a sinister tale of a police officer lured to a remote island community, the story building to its unforgettable climax among picturesque locations in south-west Scotland. However, Ms Ekland, now 81, remains a little aggrieved at the famous dance scene for which a stripper acted as her body double 'The reality is that filming took place when I was young, alone and pregnant. It was a very harsh shoot and anyone who took part would say the same. 'We walked for hours and hours to get to remote cliffs for some scenes. However, time does change things and I am proud of the film as people are so fond of it.' Ms Ekland has enjoyed a glittering career which also saw her star in James Bond movie The Man With The Golden Gun the year after The Wicker Man was released. The film, which also starred horror icon Christopher Lee, hit cinemas on December 6, 1973, and has now been re-released for its 50-year anniversary. It retains the naked dance scene and Ms Ekland said: 'I didn't ask for a body double. 'I had no problem doing the dance naked but I did not want to have my bottom photographed. 'When I went to London on my day off they brought in a local stripper. I didn't know anything about it. 'When I saw that part of the film I was shocked. Not only did she not look anything like me but her body did not look like mine. Her bottom was huge and it was embarrassing. 'At the time, no one had any belief in the film except Christopher Lee, who absolutely loved it. He always said it was the best thing he'd ever done. 'However, I saw the film this year for only the second time and I thought it was entertaining and intriguing.' She added of the movie's conclusion: 'It is truly shocking and that is the lure of the film. There are not a lot of films from that period which retain such a profile today. I am very happy to have been part of it.' Paul Mescal is reportedly in talks to play a young James Bond in the next film from the 007 franchise. Movie bosses are said to be lining up two actors to play the spy, one older and one younger. And rumours are now swirling that Paul, 27, could be in the running to take on the major film role, according to The Sun on Sunday. Irish star Paul, who rose to fame in 2020 in BBC Threes romantic drama Normal People, told Digital Spy that year: 'Would I play Bond? Yeah? 'I dont know. If it ever came my way, wed discuss it.' Paul Mescal is reportedly in talks to play a young James Bond in the next film from the 007 franchise (actor Paul pictured in March this year) MailOnline has contacted a representative for Paul for comment. Aaron Taylor-Johnson was named the hot favourite to become the next James Bond in October. Ever since Daniel Craig ditched the 007 role after five films and made his Bond swansong in 2021's No Time To Die, rumours have been rife over which debonair star will replace the icon. An insider revealed to MailOnline that British Aaron actor, 33, was extremely close to landing the role, with Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan, 53, looking likely to helm the next film in the franchise. The insider said: 'Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently the hot favourite to step into the iconic role, hes the first choice for Barbara Broccoli he is the one to beat.' They added of Christopher: 'He is extremely interested in doing something very different with the franchise. If he can get his way with producers, then he is all for it.' It was previously reported that Christopher wanted to direct the next Bond film as a period piece set in the same as the original source material something that director Quentin Tarantino had previously wanted to do with Casino Royale, but was turned down. However, the insider added: 'Whether Nolan coming on board will affect the casting of Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently a grey area as hes very particular with who he works with.' Ever since Daniel Craig ditched the 007 role after five films and made his Bond swansong in 2021's No Time To Die, rumours have been rife over which debonair star will replace the icon (Daniel pictured in 2012's Skyfall) Christopher is known for consistently using similar casts in his films, working with another rumoured Bond, Tom Hardy, on three films, Inception, Dunkirk and The Dark Knight Rises. He has worked with Aaron on 2020 film Tenet, in which the actor played minor character Ives. Aaron has previously spoken about how he 'wanted to be in Nolan's presence' as he lobbied for a role in Tenet. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2020, he said: 'When theres an opportunity to work with someone like Chris Nolan, you just hope to get your foot in the door. 'Hes always going to have his go-to actors, so you never know if something is going to come around or not. 'John David Washington, Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki were already on board, weeks away from shooting, and I was just waiting in the wings and putting my hand up, going, I would really love to get in a room with Chris Nolan. And it was quite a process if Im being honest. Aaron Taylor-Johnson was recently named the hot favourite to become the next James Bond (Aaron pictured in August last year) 'I went through a couple of different castings before I could even get in the room to do another audition for him. 'So it wasnt a done deal, but the best things are worth fighting for and putting yourself out on a limb. 'So it didnt come about that easy, but luckily, he gave me the part. And it didnt matter to me how big or small the role was. 'I just wanted to be in his presence on his next movie.' Jodie Turner-Smith showed her estranged husband Joshua Jackson what he was missing during her latest public appearance. The 37-year-old actress was attending a Los Angeles screening of the new film All Of Us Strangers, a romantic fantasy out of her native UK. Despite the fact she is not in the movie, Jodie was a showstopping presence at the screening in a dramatic monochrome ensemble. Her retro chic white top featured a hem that curved upwards in the center, allowing her to show off her impressively taut midriff. Just two days before Jodie's latest sighting, Joshua confirmed his blossoming romance with Lupita Nyong'o after months of rumors. Jodie Turner-Smith showed her estranged husband Joshua Jackson what he was missing during her latest public appearance The 37-year-old actress was attending a Los Angeles screening of the new film All Of Us Strangers, a romantic fantasy out of her native UK Her retro chic white top featured a hem that curved upwards in the center, allowing her to show off her impressively taut midriff Jodie filed for divorce from Joshua in September, citing 'irreconcilable differences' and requesting evenly split custody of their three-year-old daughter Juno. By the following month, Joshua and Lupita set off a swirl of romance rumors when they were spotted together at a Janelle Monae concert. Then this week, the speculation was confirmed when the pair of them were spotted holding hands during a joint trip to the grocery store. Jodie meanwhile was glammed up to the hilt on Saturday night as she posed up a storm at the screening of All Of Us Strangers. She teamed her white top with a high-waisted pair of black slacks, bringing the look together by balancing on a pair of stilettos. Sharpening her screen siren features with makeup, Jodie, who came up as a model, shot a beguiling grin at the shutterbugs. The stars of the film could also be spotted swanning about the screening, including Jamie Bell and Claire Foy, who play the main character's parents. Claire, who achieved international fame playing the late Queen on the first two seasons of The Crown, cut a fashion forward figure at Saturday's event. The stars of the film could also be spotted swanning about the screening, including Jamie Bell and Claire Foy, who play the main character's parents Claire, who achieved international fame playing the late Queen on the first two seasons of The Crown, cut a fashion forward figure at Saturday's event Jamie meanwhile attended the premiere on the arm of his wife Kate Mara, who emphasized her lithe frame in a slinky black dress Kate, whose sister is The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo star Rooney Mara, opted for a peekaboo number with a hole carved out at the midriff Fleabag heartthrob Andrew Scott, who plays the main character, was also at the beano, where he posed between his screen parents Andrew made a splash in an aquamarine suit that he wore without a tie, leaving several of his buttons tantalizingly undone over his chest The screening welcomed an eclectic guest list, ranging from the sizzling Fire Island actor Zane Phillips to Maria Conchita Alonso, who was Miss World Venezuela in 1975 Paloma Garcia, an actress who appeared in the recent Steven Spielberg film of West Side Story, swanked about in a black trouser suit Meanwhile Andrew Haigh, the dashing English director of All Of Us Strangers, radiated silver fox magnetism at the premiere of his new film She modeled an asymmetric green top dripping with fringe, complete with white accents near the neckline designed to resemble a collar. Jamie meanwhile attended the premiere on the arm of his wife Kate Mara, who emphasized her lithe frame in a slinky black dress. Kate, whose sister is The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo star Rooney Mara, opted for a peekaboo number with a hole carved out at the midriff. Fleabag heartthrob Andrew Scott, who plays the main character, was also at the beano, where he posed between his screen parents. Andrew made a splash in an aquamarine suit that he wore without a tie, leaving several of his buttons tantalizingly undone over his chest. The screening welcomed an eclectic guest list, ranging from the sizzling Fire Island actor Zane Phillips to Maria Conchita Alonso, who was Miss World Venezuela in 1975. Paloma Garcia, an actress who appeared in the recent Steven Spielberg film of West Side Story, swanked about in a black trouser suit. Meanwhile Andrew Haigh, the dashing English director of All Of Us Strangers, radiated silver fox magnetism at the premiere of his new film. Isla Fisher is one of Australia's most successful actor exports, but the red-headed beauty revealed she had to give up one big habit to make it big in Hollywood. A true blue Aussie down to her roots, The Great Gatsby star, 47, said she grew up with 'a filthy gutter tone' which helped her fit in at home. But since making it big in the US, the movie star, who is married to comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, said she had to give up swearing, reported Confidential on Sunday. 'I am working on my swearing,' the Wedding Crashers star told the publication, adding that the behaviour is 'frowned upon in Hollywood'. 'It is not given the gravitas that it is in Australia where you can get, kind of in macho circles, taken seriously with a bit of a swear word, or at least around my brothers when I was younger.' Isla Fisher is one of Australia's most successful actor exports, but the red-headed beauty revealed she had to give up one big habit to make it big in Hollywood. Pictured Isla went on to say she successfully gave up swearing until she started playing her character Mary in Wolf Like Me, which is now filming season 3 in South Australia. 'My character Mary swears all the time I have so much dialogue and basically I was just swearing all day, every day. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it that is why I have a filthy gutter tone.' Isla and Sacha were originally living between Los Angeles and the UK with their three young children until they decided to relocate to Sydney in 2020. Watch seasons 1 and 2 of Wolf Like Me, available now only on Stan. A true blue Aussie down to her roots, The Great Gatsby star, 47, said she grew up with 'a filthy gutter tone' which helped her fit in at home While it's was widely speculated they moved Down Under to escape the Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the US, reports claimed they were actually fleeing America's tumultuous political climate. 'They didn't want to raise their kids in Trump's America,' an insider told Sydney Morning Herald at the time. Isla and Sacha first met at a party in Sydney in 2002 and married eight years later. But since making it big in the US, the movie star, who is married to comedian Sacha Baron Cohen , said she had to give up swearing, reported Confidential on Sunday Since then, Isla has reflected on the couple maintaining a happy relationship for two decades - a rarity in the world of showbusiness. 'It is a fun ride. I feel so lucky to have Sacha in my life. Now we have this beautiful family and we survived lockdown together, which you know, it is not easy for any couple,' she said. 'I think by Hollywood standards it's probably 200 years!' she joked. 'I feel like it's a Golden Jubilee or something. Everyone was congratulating me.' Adam Driver not only showed off his comedy chops while hosting SNL for the fourth time, but proved he is multi-talented by flaunting his impeccable piano skills. The Marriage Story actor, 40, helped close out the second-to-last SNL episode for 2023 while joined by musical guest, Olivia Rodrigo, 20 - who made a surprise cameo in one of the humorous skits. The opening monologue - where the star showcased his musical ability - kicked off as he took to the stage and was given a warm welcome from the audience. The star donned an all-black ensemble that consisted of a classic, black suit as well as a plain shirt and sneakers. Once the rowdy applause quieted down from the crowd, Driver expressed his excitement to be returning to the iconic SNL stage. Adam Driver, 40, not only showed off his comedy chops while hosting SNL for the fourth time, but proved he is multi-talented by flaunting his impeccable piano skills The Marriage Story actor helped close out the second-to-last SNL episode for 2023 while joined by musical guest, Olivia Rodrigo, 20 - who made a surprise cameo in one of the humorous skits The opening monologue - where the star showcased his musical ability - kicked off as he took to the stage and was given a warm welcome from the audience He then gushed that his favorite holiday is Christmas, which is due to, 'The food, the music, the family. But largely, it's because I have a very deep and personal relationship with Santa.' The star added that, 'every year, I make my Christmas list and I tell it to him. It's kind of our ritual.' Adam stated that he tends to tell his wish list to Santa in private, but decided he would reveal it live due to Santa being a fan of the sketch comedy series. However, instead of simply reading out the list from a piece of paper, the Hollywood A-lister announced that he would make the list live while playing the piano. 'The piano is part of the ritual. He loves hearing me play, and it's actually me playing,' he told the audience. 'Can we get a closeup of my hands?' The camera then zoomed into his hands and before showing off his skills on the piano, he quipped, 'See, they're very big. Very big hands.' He then played a quick tune to prove that he could play the instrument. 'Hey, Santa. It's me, Adam Driver. From the nice list. And also Girls,' he said, referencing to the HBO comedy series he starred in as Adam Sackler. Driver then began to list out items he wanted for Christmas: 'I turned 40 this year, Santa. So I would like five pairs of chinos. I also want one of those giant metal Tesla trucks...' Once the rowdy applause quieted down from the crowd, Driver expressed his excitement to be returning to the iconic SNL stage Adam stated that he tends to tell his wish list to Santa in private, but decided he would reveal it live due to Santa being a fan of the sketch comedy series However, instead of simply reading out the list from a piece of paper, the Hollywood A-lister announced that he would make the list live while playing the piano 'The piano is part of the ritual. He loves hearing me play, and it's actually me playing,' he told the audience Driver then began to list out items he wanted for Christmas: 'I turned 40 this year, Santa. So I would like five pairs of chinos. I also want one of those giant metal Tesla trucks...' In conclusion, Adam told Santa that he couldn't wait for him to 'break into my house' and then plugged his new film, Ferrari, which hits theaters on Christmas Day The Star Wars: The Force Awakens actor had the chance to show off his comedic skills in various skits during the episode, and had a blast in one that was an advertisement for small bags Marcello Hernandez and Ego Nwodim played hosts who promoted tiny bags, and were joined by Driver - who portrayed Kevin The actor continued to reveal some of his wishes, and stated, 'I would like people to stop coming up to me on the street saying you killed Han Solo...' Towards the end of the opening monologue, Adam attempted to play O Holy Night without breaking eye contact from the camera and also revealed his favorite holiday drink is eggnog. He then shared a few jokes with the audience and expressed, 'Oh, you know what I want for Christmas is a ginger bread house. Do you think a ginger bread man gets scared when he realizes the house is made of his own skin?' 'That's a cute one. You can tell your kids that one,' The House Of Gucci star humorously added. In conclusion, Adam told Santa that he couldn't wait for him to 'break into my house' and then plugged his new film, Ferrari, which hits theaters on Christmas Day. The Star Wars: The Force Awakens actor had the chance to show off his comedic skills in various skits during the episode, and had a blast in one that was an advertisement for small bags. Marcello Hernandez and Ego Nwodim played hosts who promoted tiny bags, and were joined by Driver - who portrayed Kevin. His reserved and monotone line delivery was a stark contrast from Marcello and Ego's energetic personalities. 'And we're here to tell you that right now tiny is huge,' Adam announced, while holding up a very small, pink handbag Throughout the sketch, the trio listed off an assortment of items that could fit in the mini bags, followed by 'That's it!' 'One AirPod, and that's it!' Marcello said, with Ego chiming in to add, 'One Altoid, and that's it' Driver later helped promote tiny luggage and stated in a serious tone, 'You don't need to bring anything. What are you, a bellboy? There will be stuff there' Suddenly, they brought out an associate named Georgina - played by the episode's musical guest, Olivia Rodrigo 'My name is Georgina, and I don't have a last name. It's Georgina, and that's it! We also have a carry-on option. This one is so small, it can only fit your secrets' In conclusion, the group revealed the outrageous prices for the very tiny bags, with some costing the price of $14,099 or $25,650 'plus tax' 'And we're here to tell you that right now tiny is huge,' Adam announced, while holding up a very small, pink handbag. Throughout the sketch, the trio listed off an assortment of items that could fit in the mini bags, followed by 'That's it!' 'One AirPod, and that's it!' Marcello said, with Ego chiming in to add, 'One Altoid, and that's it.' Driver later helped promote tiny luggage and stated in a serious tone, 'You don't need to bring anything. What are you, a bellboy? There will be stuff there.' Suddenly, they brought out an associate named Georgina - played by the episode's musical guest, Olivia Rodrigo. Her appearance caused the audience to erupt in cheers and applause. 'My name is Georgina, and I don't have a last name. It's Georgina, and that's it! We also have a carry-on option. This one is so small, it can only fit your secrets.' In conclusion, the group revealed the outrageous prices for the very tiny bags, with some costing the price of $14,099 or $25,650 'plus tax.' They encouraged consumers to visit the website, and Kevin yelled out, 'That's all!' However, Marcello, Ego and Olivia frustratingly looked at him and said his name. During the episode, Adam also had the chance to embrace his favorite holiday and starred in a funny sketch that took place at a Christmas party with a group of friends The actor played, Mark, who was hosting the bash and was setting the table with an assortment of tasty food She told everyone, 'Don't ask me. That's Mark's department.' Adam suddenly appeared, wearing an apron and carrying a hot dish 'Oh, beep beep. Let me go right past you,' he said to a few guests that were blocking the long table Adam then disappeared back into the kitchen to grab more food just as the doorbell rang. Sarah Sherman and Andrew Dismukes then walked in and apologized for being late Suddenly, both Andrew and Adam came back to the table carrying dishes. Dismukes said, 'Beep beep,' but the Hollywood star laughed it off and attempted to still put his own plate down The atmosphere at the party immediately changed as they both began to argue over who could put their dish down first He quickly realized his mistake and corrected himself. 'I mean that's it!' which promptly ended the skit. During the episode, Adam also had the chance to embrace his favorite holiday and starred in a funny sketch that took place at a Christmas party with a group of friends. The actor played Mark - who was hosting the bash and was setting the table with an assortment of tasty food. While he was hidden in the kitchen, the hungry guests asked his partner - played by Heidi Gardner - if there was an estimated time when dinner would be served. She told everyone, 'Don't ask me. That's Mark's department.' Adam suddenly appeared, wearing an apron and carrying a hot dish. 'Oh, beep beep. Let me go right past you,' he said to a few guests that were blocking the long table. Driver then explained that no one could eat until guests Betty and Carl showed up. Adam then disappeared back into the kitchen to grab more food just as the doorbell rang. Sarah Sherman and Andrew Dismukes then walked in and apologized for being late. As Dismukes - playing Carl - tried to push his way through the crowded doorway to place food on the table, he said, 'Oh, beep beep. Let me get right by.' Heidi jumped in to try to calm the matter, and asked help from the other men at the bash, but they responded that they could not 'get involved' 'You see, this is my house, son, and in my house, when I say, "Beep beep, excuse me, coming through, let me just scoot right past ya," you better move!' Driver sternly said Andrew replied with, 'Well, my daddy didn't raise no mover. He raised a, "Beep beep watch out, coming up behind you, let me just squeeze right by ya real quick"' The doorbell suddenly rang, and the neighbors - played by Kenan Thompson and Ego Nwodim - entered Thompson stood in between Driver and Dismukes to place his dish down on the table and said, 'Beep beep' The two were about to argue with Kenan, but he showed that he had a gun placed in the waist of his pants, silencing the pair He put his dish on the table, causing Adam and Andrew to lose the argument He then left to grab another dish from the car. Heidi ushered Sarah - playing Betty - to the table, but Adam returned. 'Oh, beep beep. Beep beep, let me just scoot right past ya,' he said to place more food down. Once again, he disappeared into the kitchen. Suddenly, both Andrew and Adam came back to the table carrying dishes. Dismukes said, 'Beep beep,' but the Hollywood star laughed it off and attempted to still put his own plate down. The atmosphere at the party immediately changed as they both began to argue over who could put their dish down first. Heidi jumped in to try to calm the matter, and asked help from the other men at the bash, but they responded that they could not 'get involved.' 'You see, this is my house, son, and in my house, when I say, "Beep beep, excuse me, coming through, let me just scoot right past ya," you better move!' Driver sternly said. Andrew replied with, 'Well, my daddy didn't raise no mover. He raised a, "Beep beep watch out, coming up behind you, let me just squeeze right by ya real quick."' The doorbell suddenly rang, and the neighbors - played by Kenan Thompson and Ego Nwodim - entered. Thompson stood in between Driver and Dismukes to place his dish down on the table and said, 'Beep beep.' The two were about to argue with Kenan, but he showed that he had a gun placed in the waist of his pants, silencing the pair. He put his dish on the table, causing Adam and Andrew to lose the argument. Shortly before making a surprise cameo in one of the sketches, Olivia took to the stage to perform two hit tracks during the big night The star first gave an emotional performance while singing, Vampire, which can be found on her second studio album called, Guts She donned a bedazzled, silver halter-styled dress and sang along while simultaneously playing the piano Rodrigo's second song for the night contained a more upbeat performance as she sang All-American B***h Shortly before making a surprise cameo in one of the sketches, Olivia took to the stage to perform two hit tracks during the big night. The star first gave an emotional performance while singing, Vampire, which can be found on her second studio album called, Guts. She donned a bedazzled, silver halter-styled dress and sang along while simultaneously playing the piano. Rodrigo's second song for the night contained a more upbeat performance as she sang All-American B***h. Elyse Knowles has led a very successful modelling career since shooting to fame on The Block in 2017, but the mum-of-two has since slowed things down. Now a brand ambassador for Myer, the former reality television star, 31, said she has become more 'selective' about her modelling gigs since starting a family. The blonde beauty, who currently lives in Byron Bay with her fiance Josh Barker and their two sons Sunny and Zaii, said she wants to give all her time to her children, reported The Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday. 'I'm very fortunate to be able to have one-on-one time with my boys. I feel that's really important in this first part of their lives,' Elyse told the publication. 'I still do my modelling in between, but I'm very selective these days because I don't have time. I want to give my all to the boys, but it's also good to have an outlet.' Elyse Knowles, 31, (pictured) has led a very successful modelling career since shooting to fame on The Block in 2017, but the mum-of-two has since slowed things down Now a brand ambassador for Myer, the former reality television star said she has become more 'selective' about her modelling gigs since starting a family. Pictured with partner Josh Barker and their eldest child Sunny Elyse, who only recently welcomed her second son to the world, has a slew of magazine covers, fashion shoots and brand ambassador roles under her belt. Modelling since she was just 10-years-old, some of Elyse's biggest gigs include Range Rover, Myer, Aveda Haircare, Seafolly and Australian Made. She and Josh shot to fame after winning The Block in 2017 when their home was bought by Dave Hughes. The lovebirds moved to Byron Bay from Melbourne in 2019 seeking a quieter life. In May 2020, Elyse and Josh purchased a $2.3million beach house in the New South Wales coastal town, which they renovated. They welcomed their first born child Sunny in February 2021 shortly after revealing they had secretly become engaged. The blonde beauty, who currently lives in Byron Bay with her fiance Josh Barker and their two sons Sunny and Zaii (pictured), said she wants to give all her time to her children, reported The Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday Elyse previously revealed to Stellar magazine she was crippled by anxiety following the birth of her first son. 'I found it hard to breathe and I had to tell myself, "It's fine, what could go wrong? Everyone has babies... you just have to go for it,"' Elyse said. In May this year, they announced the arrival of six-month-old baby Zaii. 'Zaii Barker. To love and protect. 18th May,' Elyse wrote in her Instagram caption alongside a clip of the tot in a crib, explaining her baby was born a few days prior. Moana Hope and girlfriend Maria Thattil looked as in love as ever as they attended the Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady Melbourne Launch on Sunday. The AFLW player and the Miss Universe Australia contestant made it a date night as they posed together on the red carpet. Maria opted for a sheer white top with white piping paired with a white mini skirt with long, flowing tassels. She added an oversized red blazer over the top that matched her stacked patent heels, and carried a small white designer purse. The model completed her look with a glowing makeup palette with a plum lipstick and pulled her dark hair off her face. Moana Hope and girlfriend Maria Thattil looked as in love as ever as they attended the Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady Melbourne Launch on Sunday. Both pictured Maria opted for a sheer white top with white piping paired with a white mini skirt with long, flowing tassels. She added an oversized red blazer over the top and stacked patent heels Moana meanwhile chose a loose tan suit along with a white dress shirt and maroon bow tie. She added a pair of designer loafers in patent black leather with a gold buckle and like Maria chose a glowing makeup look with peachy tones. Olivia Molly Rogers stuck to the red theme in a sleeveless skater dress with tulle layers resembling a ballet skirt. The model added a pair of strappy red heels and matched her makeup to her outfit with a cherry lipstick. Olivia Molly Rogers (pictured) stuck to the red theme in a sleeveless skater dress with tulle layers resembling a ballet skirt The model added a pair of strappy red heels and matched her makeup to her outfit with a cherry lipstick She pulled her brunette locks back into a tight bun and wore a pair of dainty gemstone earrings. Also enjoying a night out together were Brendan Fevola and his wife Alex, who opted for matching red ensembles. Nathan Buckley likewise made a date of it with girlfriend Brodie Ryan who stunned in a maxi red gown that clung to her incredible figure. She chose a clean makeup palette with a muted red lipstick and wore her brunette locks down around her face in full waves, finishing the look with clear heels. Also enjoying a night out together were Brendan Fevola and his wife Alex, who opted for matching red ensembles. Both pictured Alex looked chic in a linen suit while Brendan chose a maroon shirt and slacks Nathan Buckley likewise made a date of it with girlfriend Brodie Ryan who stunned in a maxi red gown that clung to her incredible figure. Both pictured She chose a clean makeup palette with a muted red lipstick and wore her brunette locks down around her face in full waves, finishing the look with clear heels Married At First Sight star Sarah Roza wrapped her famous curves in a retro style velvet dress that put her ample bust on display. She added a luxury gold purse that matched the metallic straps on her frock, and wore pin up style patent heels. Actress Sarah Roberts was feeling very festive, throwing her arms up as she posed in a fitted fire engine red frock that clung to her figure. She added a pair of clear heels and gold earrings while matching her red lipstick to her dress. Married At First Sight star Sarah Roza (pictured) wrapped her famous curves in a retro style velvet dress that put her ample bust on display Actress Sarah Roberts (pictured) was feeling very festive, throwing her arms up as she posed in a fitted fire engine red frock that clung to her figure Hugh Sheridan (pictured) worked his angles in a black blazer, blue jeans, white shirt and loafers while wearing designer sunglasses Television personality Jo Hall (pictured) got the memo, choosing a loose white blouse and full skirt along with white pointed heels Hugh Sheridan worked his angles in a black blazer, blue jeans, white shirt and loafers while wearing designer sunglasses. Television personality Jo Hall got the memo, choosing a loose white blouse and full skirt along with white pointed heels. Former Bachelor star Matt Agnew also went for red and white, opting for a polo shirt and slacks. He completed his look with crisp sneakers and added a black leather belt and chunky luxury watch. Julia Fox commanded attention in a frilled outfit as she arrived at a party at Harriet's Rooftop bar in West Hollywood on Saturday night. The Down the Drain author, 33, looked incredible in a navy long sleeved jumper which she donned over a white frilly miniskirt. Putting on a very leggy display, she elevated her frame in a pair of towering brown leather thigh high boots and toted her belongings around in a matching handbag. Julia applied an eye catching palette of makeup for the evening including bleached eyebrows, black eyeliner and a swipe of metallic brown lipstick. Leaving her long red tresses loose, the actress turned heads as she arrived at the hotel's chic bar in the quirky ensemble. Julia Fox commanded attention in a frilled outfit as she arrived at a party at Harriet's Rooftop bar in West Hollywood on Saturday night The Down the Drain author, 33, looked incredible in a navy long sleeved jumper which she donned over a white frilly miniskirt The outing comes after the release of her memoir, where she dropped an array of bombshells, including the tidbit that her ex boyfriend Kanye West had offered to pay for her plastic surgery. The model, wrote that the pair were hanging out in a hotel room when the rapper, 46 - whom she dated for one month in early 2022 - made the shocking proposal. 'We spend the day playing UNO and a game that involves highlighting positive words in the dictionary,' the UnCut Gems star shared in her tome. 'Ill get you a boob job if you want,' he said to her. Julia said she declined the offer. In October, Julia told The Guardian that she has realised she was 'being used as a pawn in this grand master plan to get back at his ex-wife,' Kim Kardashian. 'Thats humiliating,' Julia added. 'Thats a really sh*** position to be in.' In an interview with the The Los Angeles Times, Julia echoed the sentiment, saying Kanye 'weaponized' her against Kim, as the famous couple's split was messy at the time, as Kanye began using social media to harass Kim and divulge her private messages. Although she said she 'really understood him on a visceral level' and believed their pairing 'could be something real,' Julia said Kanye ultimately didn't treat her the way she expected. 'I just felt like his little puppet,' she added. Julia applied an eye catching palette of makeup for the evening including bleached eyebrows, black eyeliner and a swipe of metallic brown lipstick It comes after Julia claimed Kanye West offered to pay for her plastic surgery during a game of Uno in her new memoir Down the Drain; seen in 2022 in Paris While she used strong words for the LA Times interview, Julia said she 'went lightly' in describing her time with Kanye in the book, even though she didn't sign an NDA. 'Im not signing a f****** NDA just on principle. I never have, and I never will,' she explained, before adding, 'Unless its a professional opportunity, then sure.' She also hinted that she may have been blacklisted from projects because of her association with the controversial star, who was dropped by several brands following his antisemitic comments. 'I know for a fact Ive been up for certain things and couldnt do it because of dating Kanye. Its kind of wild.' Julia also said she never had too much invested in the romance, despite all the attention. 'It really wasnt that big of a deal, but other people made it such a big deal.' After the falling out with Kanye, Julia swore off men for a while, admitting she still doesn't 'see the point' in dating. 'That romanticized idea of men doesnt exist anymore.' For now, the main man is her life is her adorable son Valentino, two, whom she welcomed with her ex husband Peter Artemiev. 'All the validation I could ever get, I get from my son the love, the intimacy, the closeness. We co-sleep at night. I have all of that. I wouldnt want anyone to come in and take my attention or time away from my son.' Coronation Street's Lucy Fallon looked sensational as she attended the soap's annual Christmas bash at Refuge Bar in Manchester on Friday. The actress, 28, who recently returned to her role as Bethany Platt, flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy black bralet and matching hot pants. Lucy layered the look with a sheer black top and chic oversized velvet blazer as she arrived at the event alongside onscreen mum Tina O'Brien, 40. The stunner slipped her long toned legs into a pair of knee-high black socks which she teamed with a pair of sparkly silver heels. Lucy accentuated her dainty features with glam make-up and wore her blonde tresses loose with dazzling diamond chandelier earrings. Coronation Street 's Lucy Fallon, 28, looked sensational as she attended the soap's annual Christmas bash at Refuge Bar in Manchester on Friday The actress, who recently returned to her role as Bethany Platt, flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy black bralet and matching hot pants In October Lucy has officially returned to the cobbles, three years after she left her role on the soap. The actress was back filming again with her Corrie family as she took to Instagram to address her fans. Teasing her return, Lucy appeared on Coronation Street's Instagram account as she announced she was back filming and excited for her character's new chapter. Waving at the camera, she said: 'Hello everyone, It's me, Bethany. It's my first day back filming today, I'm very excited. 'A little bit nervous and I can't wait for you all to see what Bethany is up to. Bye!' It was announced in August that Lucy was reportedly returning to the soap and will be back on viewers screens in scenes set to air after Christmas. A TV source told The Sun at the time: 'Lucy is one of soaps most talented actresses who won lots of awards for her powerful portrayal of Bethanys grooming storyline. 'Bosses reached out to her a few weeks ago about the possibility of coming back, and told her everything theyd planned for Bethany if she agreed. Lucy (R) layered the look with a sheer black top and chic oversized velvet blazer as she arrived at the event alongside onscreen mum Tina O'Brien, 40 (L) The stunner slipped her long toned legs into a pair of knee-high black socks which she teamed with a pair of sparkly silver heels Meanwhile Tina, who plays Sarah Barlow, wore a glitzy red mini dress which featured a sequinned top section and satin skirt Lucy (second left) beamed as she posed alongside her co-stars (L-R) Tina O'Brien, Lucy Fallon,Tanisha Gorey,Chanique Sterling Brown Lucy's saucy ensemble showcased the tattoo on he toned thigh 'She discussed it with her boyfriend, and family, because shes a mum now with a baby. Once theyd talked about childcare, and how best to juggle it all, she was able to say shed love to return.' Clearly excited for the Platt family member's return, the soap captioned the post: 'Look who's back! Bethany returns with a whole new look. Watch out for her arrival on screen towards the end of the year. @lucyfallon #Corrie.' A firm fan favourite, viewers rushed to the comments to express their delight at Bethany's return. One fan wrote: 'Love her!! Cant wait to see her back onscreen while another penned: 'FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS BACK!! '. A third added: 'I feel shes back to cause trouble cant wait x'. Other's predicted Bethany is back to worm her way back into a relationship with Daniel who is now with Daisy. In October Lucy was back filming again with her Corrie family as she took to Instagram to address her fans (pictured) Time away: Lucy starred on Corrie from 2015 to 2020 before Bethany left for a magazine internship in London (pictured back in 2015) One viewer suggested: 'She'll get with Daniel and Daisey will get with Ryan... I also want her jumper'. Another said: 'Daniel is gonna find out about daisy cheating and I reckon Daniel will get back with Bethany'. Yet not everyone wants this to happen as another said: 'Get her back with Ryan and leave D&D alone to get married and be happy now okay thanks guys'. Lucy starred on Corrie from 2015 to 2020 before Bethany left for a magazine internship in London. Coronation Street fans are in for dramatic Christmas on the cobbles including the return of Bethany Platt after three years away from Weatherfield. And actress Lucy Fallon, 28, who plays the fan favourite character, posed for a stunning festive shoot alongside co-stars Tina O'Brien, 40, and Charlotte Jordan, 28, to mark her comeback. Lucy looked sensational in a plunging red gown with a sculpted and sequinned bodice as well as racy thigh-high split to showcase her toned pins. Bethenny will cause fireworks when she explodes back onto the street for a surprise visit at New Years, but there could very well be a hidden agenda behind her sudden arrival. Meanwhile Tina, who plays her onscreen mum Sarah Barlow, flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in white sequinned frock and green faux fur shrug. Coronation Street fans are in for dramatic Christmas on the cobbles including the return of Bethany Platt after three years away from Weatherfield (L-R) The Soap star's Tina O'Brien , 40, Lucy Fallon , 28, and Charlotte Jordan , 28 And actress Lucy Fallon (L) who plays the fan favourite character, posed for a stunning festive shoot alongside co-stars Tina O'Brien (C) and Charlotte Jordan (R) to mark her comeback Completing the look with a pair of statement pearl earrings the beauty swept her blonde tresses high into a bun as strands framed her dainty features. Following her recent affair Sarah will spend a promising New Years Eve with estranged husband Adam Barlow (Sam Robertson) with a possible reconciliation on the cards. But former lover Damon Hay (Ciaran Griffiths) soon walks back into her life, determined to take his revenge and win Sarah back in explosive scenes. Last but not least Charlotte, who plays Daisy Midgeley, stunned in a strapless green velvet gown with a large bow at the tiny waist. And her character, the lovable barmaid, will resort to desperate measures alongside Rovers' landlady Jenny Bradley (Sally Ann Matthews) in order to save the iconic Coronation Street pub. Christmas will also see her affair with Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) finally exposed and boyfriend Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) turning his back on her. Elsewhere on the street Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) bids farewell to Weatherfield in whats both a heart warming and heart breaking Christmas for partner Carla Connor (Alison King). Ever since he killed Stephen, Peter has been battling his old demons, increasingly tempted by the bottle, so will he leave without the factory boss? Bethenny will cause fireworks when she explodes back onto the street for a surprise visit at New Years, but there could very well be a hidden agenda behind her sudden arrival Lucy starred on Corrie from 2015 to 2020 before Bethany left for a magazine internship in London (pictured back in 2016) Following her recent affair Sarah will spend a promising New Years Eve with estranged husband Adam Barlow (Sam Robertson, pictured) with a possible reconciliation on the cards But former lover Damon Hay (Ciaran Griffiths) soon walks back into her life, determined to take his revenge and win Sarah back in explosive scenes (Sarah and Damon pictured together earlier this year) Meanwhile Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) and Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will both be facing heartache with mum Bernie (Jane Hazlegrove) behind bars. All too aware it might be Pauls last Christmas amid his battle with Motor Neurone disease (MND). Meanwhile neighbour Ed Bailey (Trevor Michael Georges) spirals further into gabling addiction, which is only exasperated by the arrival of father Sarge (Ram John Holder). As his old habit gets the better of him, the builder descends to a heartbreaking new low which will impact on Christmas for the whole Bailey family. In October Lucy has officially returned to the cobbles, three years after she left her role on the soap. The actress was back filming again with her Corrie family as she took to Instagram to address her fans. Teasing her return, Lucy appeared on Coronation Street's Instagram account as she announced she was back filming and excited for her character's new chapter. Meanwhile barmaid Daisy Midgeley (R)will resort to desperate measures alongside Rovers landlady Jenny Bradley (Sally Ann Matthews, L) in order to save the iconic Coronation Street pub Christmas will also see her affair with Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott, pictured) finally exposed and boyfriend Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) turning his back on her Meanwhile Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) and Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will both be facing heartache with mum Bernie (Jane Hazlegrove, pictured) behind bars All too aware it might be Pauls last Christmas amid his battle with Motor Neurone disease (MND) Waving at the camera, she said: 'Hello everyone, It's me, Bethany. It's my first day back filming today, I'm very excited. 'A little bit nervous and I can't wait for you all to see what Bethany is up to. Bye!' It was announced in August that Lucy was reportedly returning to the soap and will be back on viewers screens in scenes set to air after Christmas. A TV source told The Sun at the time: 'Lucy is one of soaps most talented actresses who won lots of awards for her powerful portrayal of Bethanys grooming storyline. 'Bosses reached out to her a few weeks ago about the possibility of coming back, and told her everything theyd planned for Bethany if she agreed. 'She discussed it with her boyfriend, and family, because shes a mum now with a baby. Once theyd talked about childcare, and how best to juggle it all, she was able to say shed love to return.' Aussies travelling overseas to one our of most popular destinations can expect to have a little bit of extra spending money after Indonesian authorities flagged the removal of what's come to be known as the "Bali tax". Travellers entering the tourist hotspot have been required to pay $50 for an "entry visa", however late last week the country's Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, indicated the fee would be removed. He said President Joko Widodo instructed the government to consider the visa waiver for as many as 20 countries that provide large volumes of tourists to the nation. Of course, Australia is on that list along with New Zealand, China, India, the United States and England. The final list will be put to the president "in the next month" with the change expected early in the new year. Tourists walk on a beach in Badung, Bali. Source: Getty "After that we will receive direction from the president and the policy will be followed up with immigration," Sandiaga Uno told local media. It means, a family of four could expect to save $200 when travelling to Bali. Ross Taylor from the Indonesia Institute said officials had always slugged tourists with such a payment on arrival. "Bali has always required Australians to get what they call a visa on arrival, which actually isn't a visa, it's just simply a tax," he told Nine News. The change is reportedly driven by a desire to remove any friction for travellers and boost the nation's tourism industry. From January to October this year, Indonesia received just shy of 9.5 million foreign visitors. Prior to the Covid pandemic there were more than 16 million foreign tourists in 2019. According to Nine, the last time the so-called Bali tax was axed, Australian visitors increased by 16 per cent. Story continues "That's what's concerning authorities in a broader sense, ensuring those big numbers going to Bali, will stay that way," Mr Taylor said. The full savings won't last long, however, with a new $15 fee to be collected upon arrival from February which officials say will be used to maintain and improve the natural environment of the island. The expected change also comes amid an ongoing crackdown by local authorities on unruly tourists on the island. Since the start of the year, authorities in Indonesia have been getting tougher on visitors in an attempt to stamp out reckless behaviour, by reinforcing laws and introducing stricter penalties, including deportation. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Rebecca Gibney revealed 'it was a relief' when she finally opened up about the mental health struggles she faced from 14 to 30-years-old. Growing up in a household riddled with domestic violence, the Packed to the Rafters star, 58, said she spent a lot of time 'pretending' she was okay. But now, long after the death of her abusive father Austin, the New Zealand actor told Stellar on Saturday she is 'loving' how mental health is now being framed. 'When I started talking about my mental health struggles and anxiety that lasted from the age of 14 into my 30s, it was a relief,' she told the publication. 'I could drop the mask of pretending that I was OK. What I'm loving seeing is that more and more people are now going, "I'm not OK."' Rebecca Gibney, 58, (pictured) revealed 'it was a relief' when she finally opened up about the mental health struggles she faced from 14 to 30-years-old However, Rebecca went on to say there is still not enough being done to prevent domestic violence and help the survivors. 'We still don't want to talk about it. We need to really drill down [and ask], "Why is this happening?" We need more education, more centres,' she said. Rebecca added that 'education starts in the home and at school', saying 'young people, particularly our males' need to be taught that 'violence is never the answer'. Growing up in a household riddled with domestic violence, the Packed to the Rafters star said she spent a lot of time 'pretending' she was okay The Wanted producer opened up to Women's Day in 2017 about her mother, Shirley, and the domestic abuse she suffered from Rebecca's father Austin. 'He beat her so badly she had bruises for six months on her legs,' she told the publication. The actor said her mother would get in between her husband and children to protect them. But now, long after the death of her abusive father Austin, the New Zealand actor told Stellar on Saturday she is 'loving' how mental health is now being framed. Pictured with her mother Shirley 'She'd always shut the doors... So you'd hear the yelling and the shouting and the slapping, but you'd never actually see it,' she said. After her father died, Rebecca struggled to cope and began seeing a therapist twice a week. She was prescribed Valium and said she was in a dark place for a while. If you or someone you know needs help, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For emergencies, call 000. Ewan McGregor seemed in high spirits as he took to the stage to speak with fans at Tokyo Comic-Con on Sunday. The Star Wars actor, 52, was joined on stage by Marvel stars Evangeline Lilly, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mads Mikkelsen and Tom Hiddleston. Ewan cut a casual figure in a grey wool jacket which he teamed with a pair of dark jeans, boots and a blue scarf. The Golden Globe Award winner was seen posing with hammers with Loki actor Tom. Later during the Q&A, Ewan FaceTimed his wife Mary Elizabeth Winstead to show her the amazing crowd. Ewan McGregor seemed in high spirits as he took to the stage to speak with fans at Tokyo Comic-Con on Sunday The Star Wars actor, 52, was joined on stage by Marvel stars Evangeline Lilly , Benedict Cumberbatch , Mads Mikkelsen and Tom Hiddleston It comes after Ewan revealed his changing perspective on parenting, after welcoming a baby with his new wife Mary. The actor, was married to his first wife Eve Mavrakis, 56, for 22 years, and the couple share four daughters together. But in 2017 he was pictured kissing his Fargo co-star Mary Elizabeth, 37, leading to his 2020 divorce and his second marriage in April this year. Ewan and Mary share a son Laurie, one, and the actor reflected on twenty years of parenting in a candid interview with British GQ, including his 'difficult' period of estrangement from eldest daughter Clara. The Scottish star explained how lockdown changed his perspective on his career/ family balance as he realised it had been decades since he's stayed put in one place for longer than a few months. 'I just want to be present. I don't want to be away for four months in Romania,' he told GQ. 'If it has to happen, maybe it has to happen, but I'm trying really hard not to do that'. Referring to his years parenting his four daughters, Clara, 26, Jamyan, 20, Esther, 19, and 10-year-old Anouk, which coincided with his heady post-Trainspotting career high, Ewan mused: 'Before, I just felt like a gypsy. I was always a dad first, but I was away a lot.' Ewan and Mary first met on the set of their TV series Fargo in 2016, before the actress split from her husband of seven years Riley Stearns in May 2017. Ewan then separated from Eve in January 2017 and filed for divorce. Ewan and his eldest daughter Clara, 26, have had a rocky relationship, since she famously branded her dad's second wife a 'piece of trash' and her dad an 'a***hole' when the pictures of them kissing first emerged. The father and daughter have repaired their relationship over the past five years and recently completed work on their first joint project. You Sing Loud, I Sing Louder, is a film she conceived by Clara, with Ewan explaining of his daughter's pitch to him: 'She tells me that she'd come up with an idea about writing about us. At first I was a bit nervous. I didn't know what that meant.' Ewan cut a casual figure in a navy shirt which he teamed with a pair of black trousers and boots The Golden Globe Award winner was seen posing with hammers with Loki actor Tom Later during the Q&A, Ewan FaceTimed his wife Mary Elizabeth Winstead to show her the amazing crowd Ewan McGregor has revealed his changing perspective on parenting, including his estrangement from his daughter Clara, who he worked with on a film this year (pictured in 2018) Ewan and his second wife Mary Elizabeth share a son Laurie, one, and the actor has vowed to be more present for his fifth child Ewan was married to his first wife Eve Mavrakis, 56, for 22 years, and the couple share four daughters together. But in 2017 he was pictured kissing Mary Elizabeth and they split, with the divorce finalised in 2020 The film focuses on a father daughter road trip, with Ewan's character driving his daughter, played by Clara, to rehab. While the drive is fictional, the premise of a dad trying to help his daughter is based on Clara's own experience. 'I sat down to read it and I was blown away. It was a beautiful story about us. There's things that aren't accurate, or are bent, but they still reflect our estrangement for a while,' explained the actor. 'The drive is fictional. But for a couple of years, we sort of lost her. So the storyline is about her realising that she needs the help her father's trying to give. Along the way, their relationship is healed somewhat.' 'I was so impressed by the story, by the humour. There's a sort of recognition in it that made me very proud and at the same time very close to her. I felt like she understood more than I'd thought.' When asked by GQ what he felt his daughter had understood, Ewan elaborated: 'My position, but also stuff about parenting somebody who's in trouble. It's a f**king horribly difficult situation to be in. You're so scared of what can happen. You will do anything in the world to stop losing them.' He later mused in a rare comment about his messy split from Clara's mother: 'A divorce in a family is a bomb going off in everyone's life my children's lives. The sort of healing of that is ongoing.' The Apprentice winner Harpreet Kaur has revealed how much contact the contestants have with Lord Sugar after the series. The entrepreneur, 32, bagged the 250,000 investment last year for her desserts business, Oh So Yum! But 18 months on, she has now parted ways with the business tycoon and bought back her shares in the company. Harpreet has given an insight into how much she and Lord Sugar chat. She told The Sun: 'Well, we don't WhatsApp on the weekend but, you know, we've still got each other's numbers. 'If I needed him, I'm I'm pretty sure he'd be happy for me to message him. The Apprentice winner Harpreet Kaur has revealed how much contact the contestants have with Lord Sugar after the series The entrepreneur, 32, bagged the 250,000 investment last year for her desserts business, Oh So Yum! 'I'm in touch with his team on sort of a weekly basis, you know, to kind of wrap things up.' She added: 'I've heard from him since the split, everything's amicable, it was a mutual decision.' Harpreet is the latest entrepreneur to have cut ties , announcing in August that she had bought back her shares in bakery business, Oh So Yum!, just 18 months after winning the show. In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Harpreet revealed exactly why she decided to part ways as well as revealing an insight into the real nature of Lord Sugar. Speaking about Lord Sugar's nature as a person she confessed: 'What you see is what you get. Business is business.' Addressing the spiky nature of the businessman that viewers so often see on The Apprentice she explained: 'If you want investment for your business you have to take criticism. 'You get lots of feedback because the investor is testing you to see if you're a tough cookie and you can handle these questions b ecause if you can't handle a little bit of criticism in the boardroom, you've got no chance in in the real world of business. 'He's just asking those harsh questions that you would have to face in reality. 'I acknowledged that none of it is ever personal, he just want to find out a little bit more about you and your business.' She added that while she doesn't really speak to Lord Sugar anymore, noting that he's a 'very busy guy', she still has a good relationship with his team. 'If I did need anything in the future, it's good to know that we've got a good relationship and I'm sure if I needed to I could pick up the phone,' she said of his advisers and team. Harpreet's win last year was controversial, with Lord Sugar voicing concerns over the 'scalable' nature of her business, and that she ran her business with her sister - who Lord Sugar had not met. As a result her sister Gurvinder became the joke of Internet memes during the show's final after viewers believed she would be sacked from the company and replaced as a shareholder by Lord Sugar. She told The Sun : 'Well, we don't WhatsApp on the weekend but, you know, we've still got each other's numbers.' Two of a kind: Harpreet's win last year was controversial, with Lord Sugar voicing concerns that she ran her business with her sister Gurvinder (pictured) who he had not met Yet Harpreet has revealed that her sister Gurvinder's involvement had no bearing on her decision to part ways with Lord Sugar and she was still able to remain a director and own a stake in the company. Discussing how the split came to be, she told MailOnline that the decision was 'completely amicable and mutual' but allowed her and her sister to have more creative control in the business. READ MORE: Where are The Apprentice winners now? Advertisement 'The decision came about through a board discussion,' she explained. 'We are asked would we like to kind of take that ownership and buy back our shares but there are definitely no bad feelings.' Harpreet - who is engaged to her The Apprentice co-star Akshay Thakrar - added that by appearing on the BBC show she achieved what she'd set out to do for her business, which was give it a national platform. Revealing that she'd been approached on the street by viewers who had asked her about Oh So Yum! she added: 'We may only have been with Lord Sugar for a short period but it benefited us.' Offering advice to future candidates on The Apprentice, she said: 'You have to be prepared to put that groundwork in. Winning an investment isn't a magic formula. 'Nobody's going to hold your hand and you have to work extremely hard, there can be a lot of pressure. 'You have to be willing to take on that pressure, take on the feedback and take on board someone else's ideas and opinions, s o I think you just have to be prepared. 'There's no hiding. With The Apprentice, I think one of the reasons that I got as far as I did is because I fully invested in myself.' Since winning the show, Harpreet has gone on to open another Oh So Yum! parlour in Bradford and also sealed a deal with luxury department store Selfridges. Cute couple: As well as walking away from The Apprentice with a 250,000 investment she also met her fiance Akshay Thakrar (pictured) who was fired in week nine of the process She has also just collaborated with the Hilton hotel group, with Oh So Yum! launching its debut six-flavour Cookie Cup collaboration with the Hilton London Metropole, now available in-house at the Tyburn Market restaurant Speaking about the move, Harpreet said: 'Theres nothing sweeter than seeing our Cookie Cups available to buy at Hilton London Metropole - its truly a dream collaboration and to have the opportunity to work alongside such an iconic hotel is incredible. 'I'm really pleased about because I feel like if a brand like Hilton recognizes the of what we do, we must be doing something, right. 'The journey Oh So Yum! has been on so far has already been phenomenal, but this marks a very exciting new chapter and I couldnt be more thrilled.' The Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural in-season tournament over the Philadelphia Pacers 123-129 in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Timothee Chalamet, 27, took in the exciting game from a courtside seat. The Wonka star wore a black sweater over a white T-shirt with black leather pants. He kept his famous curly hair controlled under a black ball cap and seemed riveted on the action on the court. The sporting outing comes as the Call Me By Your Name star is earning rave reviews for his performance in Wonka, the prequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural in-season tournament over the Philadelphia Pacers 123-129 in Las Vegas on Saturday night Timothee Chalamet , 27, took in the exciting game from a courtside seat Chalamet is currently starring in Wonka, a prequel to Roald Dahl's 1964 book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp have taken on the role of the slightly sinister chocolatier in the past films. Wonka follows a younger, more idealistic, less jaded Willy Wonka as he moves to London to open his chocolate shop. However, he is threatened by a powerful cartel that has a chokehold on the candy industry. Director Paul King has been a big fan of Willy Wonka since he was a kid and calls the character and 'extraordinary creation. This unknowable magician, inventor and chocolate-maker who can make dreams come true, and extraordinary things happen around him. 'So I thought about what would happen if you put Willy Wonka at the heart of the story and explored what happened to him before he was the man in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory,' he explained. The Dune actor called the role 'a dream come true' as he grew up watching Wilder's 1971 version of the film. 'I remember reading the script and immediately understanding that one of the crucial aspects of the character was his undying spirit and ambition,' Chalamet told USA Today. 'It was a total inverse of that Willy Wonka with a demented look in his eye that we all know. How would that character have started, to land in a place where he's still childlike but sort of broken?,' he explained. 'The film is about why he's so driven to become this extraordinary chocolate maker; I want to answer the question of how he became what he did,' King said. He kept his famous curls controlled under a black ball cap and seemed riveted on the action on the court The Wonka star wore a black sweater over a white t-shirt with black leather pants The sporting outing comes as the Call Me By Your Name star is earning rave reviews for his performance in Wonka , the prequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 'We couldn't have a better leading man than Timothee he's irritatingly young, successful, charming and kind. He's a special talent, and he can sing and dance too.' Wonka debuted in theaters on December 8 and early reviews reveal that fans are delighted. One fan said: 'I'm probably the first to say this but there was sobbing in the movie theater and Timothee singing pure imagination was the perfect bow to tie that heartfelt moment all together.' Wonka also features Keegan-Michael Key, Matt Lucas, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, and newcomer Calah Lane. Sean Penn and Peruvian-Australian actress Nathalie Kelley got cozy on the beach in Miami over the weekend. The 63-year-old longtime actor and 39-year-old actress went for a stroll on the sand following a lunch date earlier in the day. The Mystic River star was dressed in a short-sleeved green graphic T-shirt and paint-splattered green cargo shorts as he affectionately put his arm around Kelley's back. She showed off her sensational figure in a teal bikini teamed with a white sheer cardigan. At one point during their oceanside stroll, the Tokyo Drift sensation affectionately placed her hand on his bicep. Sean Penn and Peruvian-Australian actress Nathalie Kelley got cozy on the beach in Miami over the weekend The Mystic River star was dressed in a short-sleeved green graphic T-shirt and paint-splattered green cargo shorts as he affectionately put his arm around Kelley's back Nathalie's loose, lustrous brunette locks blew in the breeze as they fell down her back. She wore a delicate necklace and matching dainty earrings as she soaked up the sun with Sean, who is more than 20 years her senior. In recent months Penn has been romantically linked to Olga Korotyayeva, 43, but it's unclear if they're still together. Sean and Olga were first spotted on a date at popular Los Angeles haunt Nobu Malibu in late May. While Penn's Hollywood career is more known for silver screen success, Kelley's has largely been made via television. The Lima, Peru, native is most recognizable from roles in Body of Proof, The Vampire Diaries, Dynasty, and The Baker And The Beauty. Penn's romance with Korotyayeva has been documented with photos of the pair packing on the PDA over the last six months. They were seen hugging and kissing after meeting up at Nice Airport in the South of France just last October. The outings with Nathalie come amid Sean's former flame Jewel's new romance with actor Kevin Costner. The 63-year-old longtime actor and 39-year-old went for a stroll on the sand following a lunch date earlier in the day At one point during their oceanside stroll, the Tokyo Drift sensation affectionately placed her hand on his bicep Penn has been romantically linked to Olga Korotyayeva since May but their current status is unclear; pictured at the Third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Kyiv, Ukraine in September He was married to Robin Wright from April 1996 to 2010. Prior to his romance with Olga, Sean was married to Animal Kingdom actress Leila George for a year. They dated for four years before tying the knot. In September 2021, the couple split when Leila filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. Sam Faiers cut a casual figure as she stepped out with her family to LaplandUK at Whitmoor Forest in Ascot on Sunday. The reality star, 32, wore a brown jacket over a black top and matching trousers which she teamed with a pair of wellington boots in the same colour. Former The Mummy Diaries star Sam was seen standing with her son Edward, 19 months, in her arm while her other children Paul, seven, and Rosie, five, stood alongside her. Her boyfriend boyfriend Paul Knightley, 35, smiled as he stood behind them, wearing a black winter coat and matching trousers. The clan appeared in good spirits as they posed for pictures in a festive setting in which they were surrounded by snow-covered trees. Sam Faiers, 32, cut a casual figure as she stepped out with her family to LaplandUK at Whitmoor Forest in Ascot on Sunday (clockwise L-R: Sam's son son Edward, 19 months, Sam, her boyfriend Paul Knightley, 35, Paul, seven, and Rosie, five) The reality star wore a grey coat over a brown jacket which she had on over a black top and matching trousers which. Sam completed her look with some black wellington boots It comes after Sam and her sister Billie Shepherd signed a multi-million pound deal for their podcast with Amazon. Sam and Billie, 33, will be bringing their podcast The Sam and Billie Show to Amazon's podcast platform Wonderly in a multi year deal. The former TOWIE stars, who launched their podcast back in 2021, are now setting their sights on conquering the US. An insider exclusively told MailOnline: 'The deal with Amazon marks a significant milestone for Sam and Billie. 'The girls are hoping the deal will open doors for them in the US.' The source close to Sam and Billie said the huge signing marks a new era for the sisters, after Sam stepped down from Mummy Diaries filming in 2021. The podcast covers the sisters' lives as they negotiate family life with being in the public eye. The lucrative deal comes as Sam's brand Revive Collage netted more than 13million in the first three years. Sisters: Sisters Sam and Billie Shepherd have signed a multi-million pound deal for their podcast with Amazon Lucrative: Sam and Billie, 33, will be bringing their podcast The Sam and Billie Show to Amazon's podcast platform Wonderly in a multiple year deal (pictured in May) The star's beauty company specialises in award-winning ready to drink collagen and has been endorsed by celebrities such as Oti Mabuse, Paloma Faith and Amanda Holden, who is an ambassador for the brand. A source told MailOnline: 'Sam is one savvy businesswoman. She risked it all by starting the business, especially during the uncertain times of the lockdown. 'She took no external investment and built the business from the ground up with her business partner. 'With the business being profitable from day one and set to launch across the US next month, she firmly has her eyes set on becoming the global market leader in ingestible collagen. 'Whilst she's had a couple of business failures along the way, she's definitely struck gold with Revive Collagen.' Sam the co-founder of the brand, recently jetted across the pond in the hopes of expanding the business further. She took to Instagram in July to reveal that taking her business to America was 'a big dream come true'. Revive Collagen now claims to sell one box every 90 seconds and is stocked in over 2,000 stores across the UK, including high-profile retail locations like Harrods, Boots, and Holland & Barrett and is also stocked at Saks Fifth Avenue in the US. Her business partner, John Bailey, has transformed Sam's brands into a great success, which has generated more than 20 million across her various sponsorships and ventures, include Revive. Sam is also mum-of-three to baby Paul, seven, Rosie, five, and Edward, one, who she shares with her boyfriend Paul Knightley, 35. Billie, meanwhile, has continued with ITVBe with reality show Family Diaries alongside her husband Greg Shepherd and their three children; Nelly, nine, Arthur, six, and Margot, eight months. Negotiators have been urged to narrow down their options so they can agree on how to save Earth from disastrous levels of warming and help vulnerable societies adapt to weather extremes as the clock runs down on United Nations climate talks. COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber told journalists Sunday afternoon that negotiators were making good progress, just not fast enough. Am I satisfied with the speed and the pace? al-Jaber said, as protesters could be heard nearby calling for the end of fossil fuels. The answer is no. ... Time has come for us to shift gears. Time has come for us to deliver. There some were signs negotiators were moving forward on Sunday: A new draft agreement on global adaptation goals - which will determine how poor countries will brace themselves for climate change-fuelled weather extremes like drought, heat and storms - was released. The draft text expresses concern over the gap between the money needed for adaptation and how much countries are getting, but it doesnt say exactly how much cash countries need to adapt to climate change. One option in the draft proposes an assessment of each countrys vulnerability to climate change by 2025 and to establish early warning systems for extreme weather events by 2027. Another option is for countries to come up with national adaptation plans and implement them by 2030. The new draft presents the skeleton of what could be a reasonable framework on how to adapt to climate change, said Ana Mulio Alvarez of climate think tank E3G, but to be effective, adapting to climate change requires developed countries to provide support to developing countries to actually enact plans. Mohamed Adow of climate think tank Power Shift Africa said that the draft sets clear targets, but overall the text is weak as it doesnt adequately address how to finance adaptation. Thibyan Ibrahim from the Small Islands Developing States negotiating bloc called the progress on adaptation a bit disappointing. A draft text on the Global Stocktake - the part of the negotiations that assesses where the world is at with curbing warming and how countries can stick to climate goals - were still stuffed with several options over how to phase-out planet-warming fossil fuels. Now is the time to shift gears and get to consensus, COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber said in a plenary session late Saturday. Shantal Munro-Knight, a climate negotiator for Barbados, said motivation to get a strong deal among countries was high. I dont think anyone wants to go away from the COP without a really ambitious program, and thats where I think everybody is. You didnt hear negative pushback too much because we are all in that moment, Munro-Knight said. But Marshall Islands Climate Envoy Tina Stege acknowledged there is a lot more work that needs to be done. Infrastructure investment trust IndiaGrid has raised Rs 670 crore through institutional placement. IndiGrid, Indias first publicly listed power sector Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) has successfully raised Rs 670 crore through an Institutional Placement process as laid out by SEBI, a statement said. According to the statement, the IP process, launched on December 5, 2023, saw strong demand from both existing and new Indian and global institutional investors. In September 2023, IndiGrid had raised over Rs 400 crore through a preferential issue. With the recently concluded Institutional Placement, the company has successfully raised equity funds of Rs 1,070 crore in FY2023-24. This fundraise has helped us expand our unit holder base with more than 90 per cent demand from long-term investors across insurance companies, pension funds, mutuals funds and domestic institutions to IndiGrids investor base, Harsh Shah, Chief Executive Officer of IndiGrid, said in the statement. Proceeds from the recently concluded institutional placement and those from the preferential allotment would be used for paring down debt. With the capital raise, IndiGrid has created a significant debt headroom of around Rs 6,000-7,000 crore at the leverage cap of 70 per cent, the statement said. The board of directors of IndiGrid Investment Managers Ltd, acting in the capacity of investment manager of IndiGrid, approved the issuance and allotment of 5.27 crore new units through this Institutional Placement to 11 eligible investors on December 8, 2023. More than 90 per cent of incremental units were issued to insurance companies, mutual funds, pension funds and domestic institutions. Axis Capital Limited, Ambit Private Limited, HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India) Private Limited, and SBI Capital Markets Ltd served as Book Running Lead Managers for this placement. Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) and S&R Associates acted as issuer counsel and bankers counsel respectively. With the advent of US and Europe-based outsourcing companies, the real estate sector has emerged as the most lucrative choice for investors India's commercial real estate sector has witnessed significant growth since the outset of the new millennium, a watershed moment for the service sector and the genesis of US and Europe-based outsourcing companies in India. Subsequently, the introduction of REIT regulations in 2014-15 made investment more accessible to retail investors. The first REIT listing in 2018 allowed investors to own a fraction of commercial real estate. Today, in its exceptional growth phase, commercial real estate offers guaranteed and higher investment returns than other financial instruments, making it a valuable choice for retail investors. Heydays for sector India's commercial real estate market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 13% from 2022-2027. By 2025, India could receive 1 billion square feet of Grade-A office space as rental property investment. Between January and March 2022, office space in metro areas doubled. Over $4 billion in private credit was flown into India in the first half of 2023, with over 50% going into real estate. Rising real estate prices, particularly in urban areas, could lead to greater wealth generation. Propellers of growth The commercial real estate sector in India is experiencing growth due to a variety of factors such as rising entrepreneurial spirit, industrial expansion, business parks, and economic zones. NRI investments are also driving demand, with IT companies and startups seeking workspaces and e-commerce boosting warehousing demand. To reap benefits from the bullish realty market, reputable builders are leveraging technology to maintain the pace.A CBRE study manifests a 97% increase in lease activity in the Indian office market, with technology driving 34% of lease growth in Bangalore, Chennai, and Delhi-NCR. On the other hand, the Indian government's focus on infrastructure development, such as industrial corridors, smart cities, and special economic zones, has further amplified the demand for commercial real estate. Investment benefits Commercial real estate is an asset with a solid intrinsic value, offering consistent returns and multiple income streams. It is a safe and secure investment due to its consistent returns and the ability to generate income even when tenants leave. Commercial properties can yield income more steadily than shares, stocks, and bonds, providing income stability even in volatile markets. Equity, the amount an investor builds over time, can be built up quickly with commercial real estate properties, yielding steady and relatively high returns. Real estate investors also avail tax benefits for commercial real estate purchased with a loan are available under two subheads: standard deduction and Section 24 of the Income Tax Act of 1961. The standard deduction is 30% of the annual cost of maintenance, insurance, energy, and water supply, regardless of the ownership of the property. Section 24 also allows for a tax deduction of Rs. 2 Lakh for commercial property owners who took out a loan to buy, construct, repair, or reconstruct their property. Points of considerations Investing in high development potential, like urban areas, can maximize returns. Even if future successors use the property, a loan can be requested to meet short-term financial needs. Thereby, before investing in commercial real estate, it's essential to conduct thorough research, build a team, understand risks, have a clear strategy, consider financing options, and be patient. One should also research the local market, property types, and historical data to assess potential appreciation and cash flow to avert unforeseen risks. Moreover, a detailed analysis of financing options like traditional bank loans, private lenders, or crowd-funding platforms simplify the future course of action and minimize investment cost. (The writer is MD of Yugen Infra Pvt Ltd, views are personal) A form used by an Aussie real estate agent has exposed the precise details shared about some renters in reference checks. The note was sent to tenants as a warning about what aspects of their tenancy would be provided to future agents at the end of their lease, including whether or not rent was paid on time, what the results of a routine inspection were and what the agent would rate the tenant out of 10. While many of the questions on the form seem reasonable, one is puzzling. "Maintenance reported during the tenancy?" it asks, implying that a tenant might be judged for having requested certain repairs. The renter who shared the form online was outraged that reporting maintenance would be cited in a reference. "The way renters are treated is absolutely disgraceful," she wrote. Aussie tenants received a sample reference form to alert them about what information could be passed to their future real estate agents. Source: Reddit/flashbackarrestor, Getty "Notifying the real estate agent of the need to do repairs or damage that has occurred is a contractual obligation that is on the tenant, and it's part of a reasonable regime of property management that you find out about if things go wrong," said Dr Chris Martin, Senior Research Fellow in the University of NSW's City Futures Research Centre. "And this agent is warning people off doing that. They might deny that, but I think it is a strong subtext, and it's not a good look for them." There is little regulation around real estate reference forms such as this. Source: Reddit/flashbackarrestor Is the form legal? Beyond discouraging people from notifying their agent of a maintenance issue, Martin said disclosing this kind of information to a future agent may break the law. "References from previous agents are a long-standing form of information provision that happens at the beginning of tenancies. But it's not regulated well," he said. "If the agent is subject to the Australian Privacy Principles under the Federal Privacy Act, and many of them are, then there might be an argument that they've breached privacy," Martin explained. "Because you've provided the information during the tenancy for a particular purpose, that's not for another purpose, and they're giving that away." Story continues Meanwhile, Martin says it's completely acceptable for the Victorian real estate agency behind the reference form to rate tenants out of 10. "Giving a sort of general assessment of how the tenancy went, that's kind of what a reference is about," he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Cultivating a meticulously designed culture has a formidable obstaclethe enduring spectres of colonial hangovers and internal discords. Indias minister of external affairs Dr S Jaishankar's recent address is a poignant reflection on the enduring struggle to reestablish Bharat's identity and the resolute commitment he has maintained throughout his odyssey. As a dedicated diplomat, he consistently focuses on the vital concept of strategic culture, recognising the profound malaise afflicting South Asiaan ingrained identity crisis exacerbated by hollow freedom, where the rhetoric of freedom coexists with the acceptance of oppressive methods, such as the caste system, strategically manipulated by colonial powers to erode our common roots across all facets of life. Regrettably, numerous nations have succumbed to pseudo-patriotism, decorated by false nationalistic narratives, compromising the bedrock principles of true identity in pursuit of so-called independence. In this context, Minister Jaishankar astutely underscores the perilous tendency of society to laud figures like Alexander the Great while neglecting giants like Ashoka the Greatthe last South Asian ruler to comprehend and successfully execute strategic culture. Ashoka's prioritisation of Buddhism, even in the face of a robust Hindu tradition, exemplifies a rare understanding of the nuanced dynamics inherent in shaping a nation's cultural fabric. The Minister eloquently delves into the essence of strategic culture, defining it as a distinctive and enduring amalgamation of beliefs, values, and practices governing the threat and use of power. Rooted in geopolitical settings, history, and political culture, strategic culture shapes the very foundations of a nation's strategic thought and action. It operates as an integrated symbolic system, employing logic structures, languages, analogies, and metaphors to establish broad and enduring grand strategic preferences. Minister Jaishankar emphasizes that a genuine strategic culture endures over time, maintaining consistent preference rankings across historical epochs and contemporary analyses. It achieves this by presenting these preferences authentically, lending them a unique realism and efficacy in the complex arena of interstate politics. In essence, strategic culture becomes the compass guiding a nation's strategic choices, a crucial element in shaping a resilient and authentic national identity. Cultural strategy, however, transcends the mere presentation of a glorified historical narrative to external audiences; its essence lies in rectifying the structural crises within a nation, elevating the lives of its ordinary citizens to unprecedented levels of prosperity. When a substantial portion of the populace still relies on state-provided free rations or experiences a surge in crime rates among the ordinary, a profound issue exists. This not only jeopardises the nation's internal stability but also casts a grim shadow on the international image being meticulously crafted. The stark revelations in the recently disclosed annual report by the National Crime Records Bureau are nothing short of alarming. In 2022 alone, a staggering 4,45,256 cases of crime against women were reported, marking a 4.0% surge from the preceding year. Equally distressing is the 8.7% increase in crimes against children, totalling 1,62,449 cases. Crimes targeting senior citizens rose by 9.3%, reaching 28,545 cases. The alarming escalation extends to crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), with rates surging by 13.1% and 14.3%, respectively. The overall crime rate witnessed a significant increase from 25.3 in 2021 to 28.6 in 2022. Notably, crimes against foreigners spiked by 28.0%, with theft and rape being the predominant offences. Disturbingly, 56.8% of the victims were from the Asian continent, while 18.0% hailed from African countries. Human trafficking cases rose by 2.8%, with 6,036 reported victims, comprising 2,878 children and 3,158 adults. Furthermore, the report disclosed a staggering 13.5% increase in missing persons, totalling 4,42,572 individuals in 2022. This dire situation demands urgent attention and a robust cultural strategy focused on rectifying these societal afflictions to safeguard the nation's integrity and international standing. Though not exclusively delving into history or cultural studies, Jawaharlal Nehru demonstrated an unmatched understanding of the enduring cultural continuity in South Asia. In reflecting on India's history and ancient literature, he marvelled at the vigour of thought, the clarity of language, and the richness of the mind that had permeated the region for five millennia. He discerned the layers of cultural tradition, acknowledging the impact of invasions and upheavals, yet recognising the enduring thread that connected generations. Former Foreign Secretary and National Security Advisor J.N. Dixit highlighted the dual influences shaping India's foreign policythe strategic wisdom of Chanakya and the compassionate ethos of Ashoka. While Chanakya's realism guided one stream, Ashoka's ideals, inspired by Lord Buddha, flowed as another undercurrent in the collective subconscious. In the contemporary arena, Jaishankar 's exploration of India's foreign policy emphatically underscores the imperative to liberate ourselves from the shackles of Western paradigms and narratives. He vehemently argues that India, standing tall as the first non-Western power to ascend significantly post-1945, must harness the rich tapestry of its cultural heritage to project a distinctly unique persona and narrative onto the world stage. With a penetrating critique of the prevailing ignorance in the West concerning India's intricate thought processes, Jaishankar issues a resounding call for a nuanced understanding. His lamentation over the conspicuous omission of epics such as the Mahabharata from standard introductions to Indian strategic thought is a stark indictment of the prevailing myopia. Jaishankar passionately advocates for the rectification of this glaring oversight, recognising its pivotal role in fostering a multicultural appreciation that is indispensable in navigating the complexities of a truly multipolar world. Yet, the journey towards cultivating a meticulously designed strategic culture confronts a formidable obstaclethe enduring spectres of colonial hangovers and internal discord that afflict nations in the region. The pivotal question persists: who will take the lead in transcending the confines of Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh, mustering substantial efforts to erode profound polarization, and weaving a tapestry of unity grounded in mutual respect and sensitivities? Herein lies the essence of strategic culturenot a mere political instrument, but a foundational concept embodying concord both among and within nations. In the face of unparalleled global challenges, the clarion call for a strategic culture reverberates as the foremost catalyst for nurturing unity, surmounting political manoeuvring, and charting the course towards a collective destiny. (The writer is a journalist from Sri Lanka and worked with Colombo Guardian, views are personal) As a part of on-going long-range deployment to Africa, Indian naval ship Sumedha arrived at Port Lamu, Kenya on Saturday, Navy officials said here on Sunday adding the visit marks the maiden port call by any Indian naval ship at the recently developed Port in Kenya. During the port call, personnel from both navies will engage in a wide range of professional interactions, deck visits and sporting exchanges, aimed at enhancing cooperation and exchanging best practices. A joint Yoga session, deck reception, medical camp and a Maritime Partnership Exercise have been planned as part of the visit. INS Sumedha is the third of indigenously developed Saryu-class of Indian Navy. Commissioned on 07 March 2014, the ship is deployed for multiple roles independently and in support of fleet operations. The ship is equipped with an array of weapons and sensors and can carry multi-role helicopters. It is part of the Indian Navys Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam and functions under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. Indian Naval ships are regularly deployed overseas as part of Indian Navys mission of building bridges of friendship and strengthening international cooperation with friendly countries. The visit is in consonance with the Prime Ministers vision of Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and seeks to further Indo-African ties. With a few rounds of meetings and interactions by the elected MLAs of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh with the party-appointed Central observers completed, the BJP is all set to announce the chief ministerial picks by Monday and expedite the oath ceremony before the beginning of the inauspicious period called Malemas or Kharmas in the Hindu Sanatan Dharma tradition. The CM for all three States are likely to be announced by the party by Monday and the party wants to wrap up the swearing-in exercise by December 15, a senior BJP leader said. The Central observers for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh were announced on Friday. The party is in a hurry because Malmas, also known as Kharmas, begins on December 16 an inauspicious time when all auspicious activities are forbidden. Sources said the BJP Legislature Party Meeting has been called on Monday in Bhopal at 4 pm. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Dr K Laxman, and Asha Lakra will be overseeing the entire process of electing the leader of the legislature party. The CM designate of Madhya Pradesh is likely to be announced by Monday evening itself. The party this time did not go to the election with incumbent Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhans face and got a massive mandate of 163 seats out of 199. The BJP has scheduled the Legislature Party Meeting in Chhattisgarh for Sunday, during which Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Sarbananda Sonowal, and Dushyant Kumar Gautam will oversee the process of electing the leader of the legislature party. It is widely speculated that Dr Raman Singh, who was the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh till 2018, wont be repeated. While the BJP is said to be keen on an OBC or tribal chief ministerial face, the party isnt sensing any Opposition from Dr Singh. The BJP sprung a surprise in the State where it won 54 seats, ousting the Bhupesh Baghel Government. Defence Minister Rajnath Singhs expertise as a master troubleshooter will be tested since former CM Vasundhara Raje has been pressing to get into the hot seat again. Nearly 25 newly elected BJP MLAs recently met Raje, seen as a show of strength by her. Despite no contenders openly vying for the post, Raje has met with BJP chief JP Nadda. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to the Palestinian Prime Minister as Israel continues to pound Gaza. The Minister said he reiterated Indias long-standing position during the telephonic conversation. MEA Jaishankar took to social media to share that that he spoke to Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on Saturday evening. He expressed deep concern on the situation in both Gaza and the West Bank. Reiterated Indias long-standing position on Palestine. Agreed to remain in touch, the Minister added. This comes a day after Jaishankar informed Parliament that India remains concerned over the deteriorating security situation arising out of the Hamas-Israel conflict. He also called for restraint and de-escalation while emphasising on a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. We remain concerned at the deteriorating security situation and have called for restraint, de-escalation and emphasised peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, the minister said in a written reply to a question. The MEA also stated that India strongly condemned the October 7 terror attack on Israel by the Palestinian group Hamas as well as the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict. Indias position regarding the Palestine issue has been longstanding and consistent, Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi said in a Press briefing on October 12. India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders side by side at peace with Israel. That position remains the same, the MEA spokesperson had stated. Earlier in October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and expressed his condolences over the loss of lives at Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Modi also reaffirmed Indias commitment to provide the Palestinian people with humanitarian assistance while reiterating Indias long-standing principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue. Meanwhile, Israel is expanding and escalating its attack in Gaza. Israels army ordered residents out of the centre of Gazas main southern city Khan Younis on Saturday and pounded the length of the enclave. Earlier the United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. As per official records, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza exceeded 17,700 on Saturday, with many thousands more missing and presumed dead under the rubble. In one of the biggest ever crackdowns on Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in recent years, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested as many as 15 operatives of the banned terror outfit in widespread raids across Maharashtra and Karnataka. The NIA teams swooped down on as many as 44 locations at Padgha-Borivali, Thane, Mira Road and Padga in Maharashtra, and Bengaluru in Karnataka early in the morning, and apprehended the 15 accused for allegedly promoting terror and terror related acts and activities of the proscribed organisations. The NIA sleuths seized huge amounts of unaccounted cash, firearms, sharp edged weapons, incriminating documents, smartphones and other digital devices during the raids, conducted as part of their ongoing efforts to disrupt and demolish the ISIS attempts to carry out violent acts of terror and take innocent lives. The arrested accused all members of ISIS Maharashtra module who were operating on the directions of their foreign handlers had been actively involved in various terrorist activities, including fabrication of IEDs, for furthering the violent and destructive agenda of ISIS. The NIA said the arrested included Saqib Nachan, the main accused and the leader and head of the ISIS module, who was also administering the bayath (oath of allegiance to the Khalifa of ISIS to the persons joining the proscribed organisation. Informed NIA sources identified the arrested accused as Saqib Nachan, Firoz Kuwar, Hasib Mulla, Musab Mulla, Rehan Suse, Farhan Suse, Adil Khot, Mukhlis Nachan, Raphail Nachan, Razeel Nachan, Saif Atiq Nachan, Yahya Khot, Shakub Divkar, Kasif Belare. The NIA investigations have revealed that the accused based in the strip between Padgha and Borivali, had hatched a conspiracy to spread terror and carry out acts of violence across India. The accused, who were pursuing the path of violent Jihad, Khilafat, ISIS etc., had aimed to disturb the peace and communal harmony of the country and to wage a war against the Government of India. As per the findings of the initial investigations, the arrested accused had self-declared the village of Padgha in rural Thane as a liberated zone and as Al Sham. They were motivating impressionable Muslim youths to relocate in Padgha from their place of residence for strengthening the Padga base. The ISIS is a Global Terror Organisation (GTG), also known as Islamic State (IS) /Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) / Daish/Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP)/ISIS Wilayat Khorasan/Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham Khorasan (ISIS-K)). The ISIS has been spreading its terror network in India by putting in place localised ISIS modules and cells in various States of the country. The NIA has, in recent months, conducted large scale raids and busted different ISIS modules by arresting several terror operatives in the ISIS terror conspiracy case in a bid to scuttle the organisations heinous and violent anti-India agenda. As part of its efforts towards that end, the NIA had registered a case against the ISIS Maharashtra module earlier this year. The agency has, since then, undertaken strong and concerted actions to destroy the various ISIS modules and networks operating across the country. As the highly anticipated consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla temple approaches on January 22, the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trusts general secretary, Champat Rai, shared a glimpse into the sanctum-sanctorums final stages. On Saturday, Rai unveiled images of the nearly completed sanctum-sanctorum on X platform, announcing, The sanctum-sanctorum of Lord Shri Ram Lalla is almost ready. Recently, the lighting-fitting work has also been completed. Sharing some photographs with you. The construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, diligently overseen by the trust, has been progressing smoothly. Rai disclosed earlier that a 43 idol depicting the 5-year-old child form of Lord Ram is nearing completion at three locations in Ayodhya. At Ram Janambhoomi temple, a 90 per cent ready idol is being constructed on three different pieces of stone by three artisans. The finishing touches will take about a week, said Rai. The idol will be installed in the Grabhgriha on the ground floor, which is nearly completed, ensuring a seamless Praan-Pratishtha ceremony. Rai, said 21 Vedic Acharyas from Kashi will conduct the consecration of the Ram temple. The throne for Lord Ram Lalla, eight feet long and four feet wide, is ready, with the final touch of a gold layer pending. The Trust is making meticulous preparations to enshrine Ram Lalla on this golden throne during the Pran Pratistha ceremony, he said. Invitations have been extended to over 7,000 guests, including 3,000 VVIPs, comprising priests, donors, and various political figures. The guest list includes representatives from Kedarnath, Badrinath, Baba Vishwanath Dham, and Vaishno Devi Temple, who have been invited to witness the historic event. While the participation of priests from major temples remains uncertain, representatives from these temples are expected to attend. To accommodate the influx of devotees expected for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, several tent cities are being established in the temple town, Rai said. As the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust is making preparation for the upcoming grand consecration programme of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, the entire city of Ayodhya is undergoing a rejuvenation process as the key routes leading to the temple will adorned with captivating depictions of significant episodes from the Ramayana period. The Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) has initiated the adornment of walls along the major roads leading to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple with terracotta fine clay mural artifacts. As part of this endeavor, the authority is inviting applications to engage potential agencies through a Request for Proposal. In another development, 600 kilograms of desi ghee has arrived in Kar Sevak Puram, Ayodhya, from Jodhpurs Goshala. This ghee is set to be used in the auspicious Aarti ceremony during the consecration of Ram Lalas idol. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to grace the inauguration, performing rituals in the sanctum sanctorum around 12:15 pm during the pran-pratishtha. The foundation stone for the Ram temple was laid by Modi on August 5, 2020, marking a historic milestone in Ayodhyas spiritual landscape. Former Union Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, a prominent tribal face of the BJP in Chhattisgarh, will be State Chief Minister after he was elected as leader of BJPs legislative party during a meeting of 54 newly elected MLAs here on Sunday. The saffron party returned to power after a gap of five years following the recently-concluded Assembly polls. Chhattisgarh may also see a Deputy Chief Minister. While the decision in Chhattisgarh was made without any hiccups, Vasundhara Raje Scindias situation appears to be a litmus test for the BJP. Central party observers, including Rajnath Singh joined by party vice president Saroj Pandey and general secretary Vinod Tawde, are involved in Rajasthan, where the party seized power from the Congress. Raje is a two-time former CM of the desert State. Sources said the new CM in Madhya Pradesh will be announced on Monday evening followed by Rajasthan on Tuesday afternoon to facilitate the oath ceremonies before December 15 in the three Hindi heartland States. At Chhattisgarh, a delegation of BJP MLAs led by its Chief Minister-designate Vishnu staked claimed late evening at the Raj Bhavan in Raipur. We have handed over a letter to the Governor stating that Sai has been elected as the legislative party leader, BJP MLA Brijmohan Agrawal informed the media. Vishnu, 59, a prominent tribal leader, was elected as the leader of the BJPs legislative party in Chhattisgarh during a meeting of 54 newly elected party MLAs at Kushabhau Thakre Parisar, the partys State headquarters. The BJPs three observers, Union Ministers Arjun Munda and Sarbananda Sonowal and party general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam, were present during the meeting of the newly elected party MLAs. BJPs in-charge for Chhattisgarh Om Mathur, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and partys co-in-charge for the State Nitin Nabin were also present. The BJP won 54 out of the total 90 Assembly seats in the State. The Congress, which won 68 seats in 2018, was reduced to 35 seats this time. The Gondwana Gantantra Party managed to win one seat. Vishnu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and other party leaders for reposing faith in him to hold the top post in Chhattisgarh. As the Chief Minister, I will try to fulfil Modis guarantees (pre-poll promises of the BJP) through the Government, he told reporters after the meeting. Starting his political career as the sarpanch,Vishnu rose through the ranks and became a member of Modis first Council of Ministers in 2014. Incidentally, addressing a poll rally in the Kunkuri constituency last month, Shah had urged voters to elect Vishnu, promising to make the latter a big man if the party comes back to power in the State. Furthermore, amid a strong buzz within the BJP that leadership will introduce new leaders for Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, sidelining the claims of Vasundhara and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, sources mentioned that Raje has been making efforts to secure a prominent position. In this regard, she sought an audience with party chief JP Nadda after sources indicated that she was denied a meeting with Shah. The choice of Rajnath, one of the senior most BJP leaders and a Rajput leader, is likely to help build a consensus around the leaderships chief ministerial choice among MLAs. Some newly elected BJP MLAs met Raje at her Civil Lines residence on Sunday, amid suspense over whom the party will pick for the CM post in the State. While no clarity emerged on the MPs contenders, former MP Balak Nath besides Raje are amongst the front-runners in Rajasthan. Several other leaders of the party including Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, Arjun Meghawal, former party MPs Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, CP Joshi, Rajyavardhan Singh, Diya Kumari, Kirori Lal Meena, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla are also believed to be in the fray. Prahlad Singh Patel, Kailash Vijayavargiya and Jyotiraditya Scindia are also among the top contender for the position in Madhya Pradesh. Party appointed Observers for Madhya Pradesh, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, OBC Morcha chief and Rajya Sabha MP K Laxman and party national secretary Asha Lakra are talking to the legislators to reach out for consensus. BJP won 163 seats out of the 230-member assembly, while the Congress managed to emerge victorious on just 66 seats, down from the 114 it had secured in the 2018 polls. India registered 163 tiger deaths from January to November 11 this year, marking the highest figure since 2012, as per the data available from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with Maharashtra reporting the highest mortalities at 40, followed closely by Madhya Pradesh (38). The numbers could be on the higher side given that at times some deaths go unreported or the States fail to ascertain the cause of mortalities. India has reported 121 tiger mortalities in 2022 against 127 in 2021 and 106 in 2020. Of the 163 tiger deaths so far this year, 28 were of cubs while at least 10 were sub-adults. This can directly impact the reproductive potential of the tiger population, say wildlife experts. At least 78 big cats deaths have been reported inside various tiger reserves in the country while 86 died outside or on the periphery of their habitat, indicating man-animal conflicts as tigers tried to compete with each other in the territorial fights. Nearly 19 tiger deaths have been reported from Uttarakhand, 11 each from Assam and Karnataka, and 13 from Kerala, among others. As per the NTCA officials, some potential factors contributing to tiger deaths could include poaching, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and diseases. NTCA Chief SP Yadav said, If there has been record tiger deaths only because there has been record tiger population as has been estimated by the latest census. Number is increasing because of better protection and conservation planning. Yadav also stated that the average age in the wild is 10-12 years only, so those becoming old are bound to die natural death. On the higher number of cubs mortalities, he said this shows that more births are taking place and on an average 50 per cent neonatal mortality happens in big cats like tigers. India is home to two-thirds of the global wild tiger population. According to the recent Tiger Census, Indias tiger population rose to 3,682 in 2022, up from 2,967 in 2018. Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of tigers in the country at 785 predators. Karnataka was the second largest home with 563, Uttarakhand had 560 and Maharashtra 444. However, wildlife experts said the increase in the number of reported tiger deaths in India is indeed notable and raises concerns about the conservation of these magnificent creatures. While officials may attribute the rise in fatalities to the growth in the tiger population across reserves, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate the causes of these deaths to ensure the well-being and sustainability of the tiger population, said a wildlife expert on the condition of anonymity. It is essential for wildlife authorities to conduct detailed analyses of each case to determine the specific causes and take appropriate conservation measures, he said. The fact that the tiger census indicates a rise in the number of big cats is positive for the overall conservation effort. However, it is equally important to focus on maintaining a healthy and sustainable tiger population by addressing the threats they face. Public awareness, community involvement, and the implementation of effective conservation strategies are key elements in ensuring the long-term survival of tigers in India. Authorities should continue to monitor and adapt conservation efforts to safeguard these iconic and endangered species, the wildlife expert said. Prime Minister Narendra Modis clarion call for Wed in India initiative can set the stage for a potential domestic influx of `1 lakh crore back to the country, redirecting expenditures incurred on destination weddings abroad. According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), there has been no official survey yet about destination weddings by Indians abroad, but still as per an estimate, about 5,000 to 7,000 destination weddings take place abroad every year with an expenditure estimated to be between `75,0000 crore to `1 lakh crore. The effort is similar to Modis Make in India initiative that has now reported inflection growth of estimated `1 trillion similarly even if half of the people decide to hold destination weddings in India instead of abroad then `50,000 crore will add on to the country growing robust economy, said CAIT Praveen Khadelwal. Addressing the inaugural session of the Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit at Dehradun last week, Modi said it has become fashionable among millionaire and billionaire business families to go abroad for destination weddings. Modi said India needs a movement like Wed in India on the lines of Made in India and asked affluent industrialists to hold at least one destination wedding in their families each year in Uttarakhand saying it will help the hill State emerge as a wedding destination. Modi had given a similar call during his last Mann Ki Baat programme to affluent business families to hold destination weddings in the country instead of going abroad. Khandelwal said there are more than 2,000 such places in and around about 100 major cities in the country where destination weddings can be held with big fanfare. Prominent such cities includes Goa, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, Mumbai, Shirdi, Nasik, Nagpur in Maharashtra, Dwarka,Ahmedabad, Surat, Baroda in Gujarat, Orchha, Gwalior, Ujjain, Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Pushkar in Rajasthan, Mathura, Vrindavan, Agra, Varanasi, Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Chennai, Yadgiri Hill, Ooty, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Cochin, Trichy, Coimbatore, Pondicherry in South India beside Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Manesar, Bahadurgarh, Faridabad in NCR and Chandigarh, Mohali, Amritsar and Jammu in Punjab-Haryana, he said. A destination wedding takes place in a location away from a couples hometown. Couples these days choose to just hit the road, board a plane or a boat to get married away in a foreign land. The total costs can run up to `3-5 crore for a 2-day wedding for 200 guests, but can go up even further depending on the familys requirements. Khandelwal said all these places are fully capable of organising destination weddings ranging from medium budget to any big budget. Besides, there are a number of companies or groups providing general to special facilities and arrangements for organising weddings. A large network has developed in India over the years and that is why wedding related goods and services have become a big business in the country. Be it a destination wedding in the country or abroad, these companies or groups are the best in getting it done, he said. According to Gaurav Lochav, whose firm organises wedding in destination locations, said doing wedding in Thailand and Sri Lanka is not expensive and it is similar to Goa and other tourist resorts in India. The big fat Indian wedding ceremonies will be held till December 15 that are expected to generate business worth `4.5 lakh crore during the period. Around 3.5 million weddings are expected to be held across the country during the period The CAIT study says Delhi alone would witness around 3.5 lakh weddings in these 23 days. The upcoming wedding season is expected to generate business worth nearly `1 lakh crore in the national Capital. The wedding season comes as a boon for the people involved in businesses of arranging tents, food and beverages, jewellery, clothing, furniture, footwear, decoration items, electric and electronic equipment, and hotel industry. The crockery, travel services, cab services, vegetable vendors, videography, DJs, also get benefitted from the marriage ceremonies. The wedding season brings in employment opportunities for people as they get to work as cooks, waiters, decorators, musicians, tailors, carpenters, photographers, priests, painters, florists and others. BJP Odisha president Manmohan Samal on Saturday asserted that the State would have a double-engine government in 2024. Speaking to reporters here after his return from New Delhi, Samal said, Now, the focus will be on Odisha. The BJP will form its government in the state. And people want a BJP government here. The Central leaders have started communication with all leaders in Odisha. Again, we will have talks in this regard in New Delhi. The Central leadership has directed us to descend to villages and see what is happening on the ground. The state leaders have been assigned tasks to visit gram panchayats, Samal said. All leaders, party functionaries, workers and MPs will go to villages as part of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, he added. In reaction, BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra said, If they now want to head for villages, let them do. No problem! We are already in the villages sharing with the joys and sorrows of villagers. Speaking about the seizure of cash by the I-T department from liquor traders, Manmohan Samal said it is a matter of shame for the State. He dared Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to order a CBI probe into the case. The Xavier Institute of Management, XIM University, Bhubaneswar, celebrated its Foundation Day Ceremony on Friday at its old campus here. The university fraternity and invited guests had an opportunity to listen to the talk delivered by Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited. She shared valuable insights into the healthcare industry, transformational leadership, and her experiences in managing the largest integrated healthcare group. She quoted that belief is power and purpose is the way of life. She spoke on how innovation, team spirit, agility and jappiness are the mantras for success in todays dynamic ecosystem. Fr. Jerome Cutinha, S.J., Chairman of the Board of Governors, XIM University, Rajive Kaul, Chairman Emeritus, Fr. Antony R Uvari, S.J., Vice Chancellor, Fr. S. Antony Raj, S.J., Registrar, and Fr. V. Arockia Das, S.J., Chief Finance Officeras well as prominent board members and distinguished faculty were present. Reddy was conferred the Honorary Doctoral Degree in Business Management by the university. The event commenced with the welcome note by Rajive Kaul. Eight employees were felicitated with long service medals. Vote of thanks was given by Fr. S. Antony Raj, S.J. National Consumer Lok Adalat was held on Saturday at Madhya Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Bhopal and District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions of the state. At the state level, the court was set up under the guidance of Ashok Kumar Tiwari, Executive Chairman, State Consumer Commission. Similarly, in various districts of the state also, cases were resolved through Lok Adalat. Registrar State Consumer Commission Shobhit Jain has informed that the proceedings were conducted in the Lok Adalats for resolution of the cases of banking, insurance, electricity, medical, telephone, agriculture, automobile, housing, airlines, railways etc. pending in the State Consumer Commission and District Consumer Commissions. In the State Commission, 17 cases were resolved through mutual agreement. An amount of Rs 5 lakh 21 thousand 938 was distributed in this. Similarly, mutual agreement was reached in 404 cases in the district commissions of the state. In this, an amount of Rs 4 crore 97 lakh 81 thousand 131 was distributed. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi has decided to join hands with the Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) to advance expertise in the critical fields of high altitude medicine and space medicine. The premier institute said the collaboration represents a strategic alliance between two leading institutions, combining academic excellence with the specialized knowledge and experience of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). The partnership is expected to propel advancements in high altitude medicine and space medicine, benefiting not only the academic and research communities but also contributing to the overall advancement of medical knowledge and practice, it said. AIIMS Director M Srinivas said, This collaboration between AIIMS Delhi and Armed Forces Medical Services is a significant milestone that will undoubtedly enhance our capabilities in high altitude medicine and space medicine. I look forward to working closely with DGAFMS. Dr Rima Dada, Professor in charge of the Media Cell said, The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) is anticipated to take place in the coming weeks, marking the formal commencement of this collaborative venture. Both AIIMS Delhi and DGAFMS are committed to fostering a spirit of innovation, research, and academic excellence through this partnership. Dr Rajesh Khadgawat, Professor of Endocrinology at AIIMS, has been appointed as the Nodal Officer for this collaborative initiative. In yet another unrelated development, the AIIMS said that to ensure safety of the occupants and to track real-time movement of staff cars, it has decided to install GPS devices in these vehicles, excluding those used by faculty/officials to visit restricted/high security areas. According to an office memorandum, staff cars are often used to transport AIIMS faculty, residents, and staff for urgent patient care duties during off duty hours and sometimes even late at night. In a recent instance, which came to officials notice, a staff car broke down at night and the replacement car took substantial time to find its location. After the poll debacle of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in three heartland states, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has reiterated his demand for replacing the electronic voting machine with the traditional ballot paper system. Akhilesh Yadav specifically quoted the ballot polling system followed in the United States of America. Why in India do we want election results within a few hours of counting of votes? India is playing second fiddle to the USA in all respects like economy and technology then why cant we follow the US model of polling where voting and counting of votes run into months? Akhilesh Yadav asked here on Saturday. He added, In Uttarakhand tunnel collapse incident when the American machine failed in the rescue operation, the Indian model of rat hole miners came to the rescue of the 41 workers trapped in the tunnel in Uttarkashi. The SP chief, on Saturday, felicitated 13 workers who conducted the rat hole mining operation to rescue the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel. Each worker was given a cheque of Rs 1 lakh and angavastram. The issue is not whether SP wins or loses the election. The issue is retaining the peoples confidence. The EVMs and the election results in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have eroded the confidence of the people in electoral democracy. This is a dangerous situation in a democratic polity, Yadav said. He added, It may be true that the EVMs are based on the state-of-the-art technology and are tamper proof, yet people have no faith in the machine and the SP favours the ballot paper system. Referring to the notice issued to the SP by the Election Commission of India in response to the allegation that names have been deleted from the rolls, Akhilesh Yadav said the party furnished the names of 18,000 voters of the Muslim community whose names were deleted from the electoral rolls along with the affidavit but no action has so far been taken by the poll panel against the officers responsible for the glaring irregularity. Yadav said similar irregularity was being done in Kannauj district, where names of the new voters were not being added in the electoral rolls. He said the SP district president said that they were told by the administration that the server was down. Yadav said the server started working after a protest was staged by the SP workers. After the spat with the Congress over seat sharing for Madhya Pradesh assembly election followed by the poll debacle, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has softened his stand towards the grand old party. Our sole aim is to fight the Bharatiya Janata Party and prevent it from coming to power after 2024 Lok Sabha elections and with this objective many parties have joined hands to form the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), Yadav said in Firozabad on Sunday. The SP chiefs remarks are being seen as a clear indication of his softening towards the Congress, especially in light of how Akhilesh Yadav had lashed out at the grand old party during the assembly elections to MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and two other states. Referring to the felicitation of the rat-hole miners in Lucknow on Saturday, Yadav said, People who save lives are priceless. They are precious people. Everyone worked together as a team and achieved their goal by saving not only 41 people but they also saved 41 families. This message is for the entire country; if we all work together, then no matter how big the problem is, it can be solved. Akhilesh Yadav had threatened to give a tit-for-tat response to Congress in Uttar Pradesh in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls after the two parties failed to reach a deal for the Madhya Pradesh assembly polls. Yadav even called the Congress a compulsive betrayer and had also said that it was no different from the BJP. Later, a SP leader had created a stir by claiming that the Congress was non-existent beyond Amethi and Rae Bareli, which were represented by former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi respectively. Rahul Gandhi had lost the Amethi election in 2019 to Union minister Smriti Irani. Rae Bareli is represented in the Lok Sabha by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi. 'To be honest, Congress should get only two seats Amethi and Rae Bareli. Giving more seats than this would help the BJP. Congress does not have any presence here (in UP) except in these Lok Sabha constituencies,' the SP leader said, adding that the SP did not have any intention to break the INDIA bloc. A senior Congress leader held the party responsible for defeats in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh assembly polls. He said the poll debacle was due to the myopic politics of the Congress and the defeat of the Congress in three states had weakened the INDIA bloc. Meanwhile, sources in the SP said here on Sunday that the INDIA bloc was robust in Uttar Pradesh and all the issues, including seat sharing, would be sorted out within this month. A senior SP leader said Rashtriya Lok Dal president Jayant Chowdhary had also categorically stated that he was with the SP and part of the INDIA bloc. Exhorting the aspiring entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to set up startups in Uttarakhand, the Skill Development minister Saurabh Bahuguna said that proximity to national capital and fast improving connectivity are the USPs for the State. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has special affinity towards the State due to which Uttarakhand is on the fast track of development. The minister was addressing a session on Startups on the second day of Global Investors Summit-2023 in FRI on Saturday. He said that the State has made its policies in accordance with the wishes of the investors and entrepreneurs due to which the State is fast emerging as a hub of startups. Bahuguna said that the State is now in the top five states of the country in the field of startups. He informed that the state had only four start ups in the year 2016 which now have increased to 950. Under the new start up policy 2023, an assistance of Rs one crore will be given for opening new incubation centres while on expansion of already existing incubation centres a sum of Rs 50 lakh will be given under the new policy. The minister said that the State has also recently formulated Drone promotion and usage policy, IT/ ITeS service sector policy-2023 and data centres, service sector policy-2023. He said that the entrepreneurs will get help in getting various clearances from the single window system and assured that the State administration will provide every possible help to them. The Minister said that grounding of projects worth Rs 44,000 crore on the day one of the summit is very significant for the State whose annual budget is about Rs 65,000 crore. Delhi BJP leaders and workers staged a demonstration outside Congress headquarters here on Saturday, against the alleged corruption of the grand old party in the backdrop of the recovery of huge amounts of unaccounted cash from Odisha. The BJP protesters led by state president Virendra Sachdeva marched towards Congress party headquarters at Akbar Road but were stopped by the police at a barricade. Unaccounted cash amounting to around Rs 250 crore was estimated to have been recovered through searches conducted by the income-tax department against an Odisha-based distillery group and entities linked to it, official sources said on Friday. Premises linked to the Congresss Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, were also covered during the searches, the sources said. The protesters raised slogans against the Congress leaders and demanded action against Sahu. Its a guarantee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the corrupt will be caught and the agencies are doing their job, Sachdeva said. The protest was also attended by West Delhi MP Parvesh Verma, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, and MLA Vijendra Gupta among others. Bahujan Samaj Party Member of Parliament from Amroha, Danish Ali, has been suspended from the party for anti-party activities. The BSP, in a statement issued on Saturday, said that it had suspended Ali for indulging in anti-party activities. A Jamia Millia Islamia alumnus active in politics since student days and a vocal advocate of the causes he believes in, Danish Ali first made his name far from the national stage and even native Uttar Pradesh. During the 2017 assembly elections in Karnataka, Alis name had surfaced as the main force and face behind a Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress post-poll alliance. Trusted by JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda and general secretary of the party, Ali, just 42 at the time, was named the convener of the five-member coalition coordination and monitoring committee the two parties set up, as they ran a short-lived JD(S)-Congress government. Danish Ali contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election on BSP ticket from Amroha in UP, close to his native Hapur. Despite it being his first electoral contest, and the Bharatiya Janata Partys massive win from the state, Ali had won from Amroha, a constituency dominated by Muslims and having a substantial number of Dalits. He secured about 51 per cent of the votes, defeating sitting BJP MP Kunwar Singh Tanwar by a margin of over 63,000 votes. Since moving to the BSP, Ali had held his own. In a party where Mayawati has the first and the last word, he was known to speak his mind on issues, whether at his constituency or in Delhi, and quickly emerged as the minority face of the BSP in national politics. For a while, Ali also headed the 10-member BSP Legislature Party in the Lok Sabha. As per PRS Legislative Research data, Ali is an active parliamentarian, recording 98 per cent attendance and participating in more debates than the national average. Recently he hit the headlines for one of the most unseemly exchanges in Parliament. He had approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for action against BJP member Ramesh Bidhuri over unparliamentary remarks made by the latter regarding him, during the debate in the Lok Sabha on the Chandrayaan 3 Lunar Mission. Taking advantage of increased cold conditions the Chaddi-Baniyan gang has become active again as thieves have been spotted recce for 2 days in Krishna Bihar Colony located in Ayodhya Nagar area, and escaped away with cash from the donation box of the temple. At the same time, the lock of a deserted house was also broken. From where some stuff was cleaned. Meanwhile, when the residents checked at the CCTV, miscreants wearing shorts and vests were seen roaming in the colony. Whose colony residents have complained in Ayodhya Nagar police station. However, no FIR has been registered in the case till Saturday. Mor Singh Rajput, resident of Krishna Bihar Colony, said that I work as an accountant in a factory in the industrial area. Thieves have knocked at our colony for two consecutive days on Wednesday and Thursday night. When seen in CCTV, all the miscreants were seen wearing underwear and vests. There was a weapon tied on his waist. First they snooped around in my house. Then did recce of the house of my neighbors Pramod and Narendra Rajput. The thieves broke the lock of the house in a nearby area of the colony. Took some goods from here. But, since the house is vacant, he has not got anything special. They took some goods from here. Later it was found that the lock of the donation box of the colony temple was found broken. They ran away with the cash from the donation box. The miscreants have been captured in different CCTV cameras of the colony. It seems that there will be 5-6 people in this gang. Residents claimed that after the continuous knocking of thieves in the colony, they had reached Ayodhya Nagar police station to lodge a complaint. But, the police said that nothing special was stolen. What report will you write in such a situation? He took applications from the colonists and sent them away after assuring them of action. Christ Church Mhow, the oldest Church in Central India, celebrated its Bicentenary on Sunday. Construction of this church was completed in 1823 by the first lot of British troops that were stationed in Mhow. It was renovated very recently and its original structural beauty has been restored to its erstwhile pristine glory by the tireless efforts of the Pastor, Reverend Major Samuel Paul and members of the church. It continues to be the most beautiful structure in Mhow. The army fraternity and the permanent citizens of Mhow have great reverence for this beautiful church. Some of the prominent citizens of Mhow have assisted the Church management in renovating the church. The army establishments in Mhow and the Mhow Cantonment Board have also been of great assistance. A well attended Bicentennial Centennial Church service was held in the Church on 10 Dec 23 to commemorate the event. The Commandant of the Army War College, Lt Gen DP Pandey UYSM,AVSM,VSM and Mrs Usha Pandey attended the church service along with many army and civil dignitaries. Soldiers of the army units in Mhow garrison also attended the service. A man accused of robbery allegedly stabbed a Delhi Police constable when the latter tried to nab him in Delhis Adarsh Nagar area, police said on Saturday. The policeman sustained injuries and has been sent to a hospital for treatment, they said. A police team had gone to nab Ajay alias Ganja, who is accused to have been previously involved in a snatching and robbery case near Macchi Market in Wazirpur on Friday night, they said. Ajay was sitting along with his friend Akash. On seeing the police team, Ajay and Akash tried to run but constable Bhupender tried to restrain them, a police officer said. Ajay whipped out a knife and stabbed Bhupender in the chest and hand, and fled from the scene, the officer said, adding that Akash was however nabbed. The constable has been admitted to Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh, where his condition is said to be out of danger, police said. Police said teams have been constituted to arrest Ajay, who is accused of involvement in seven cases of Arms Act and robbery in Adarsh Nagar area. Governor Mangubhai Patel said that the entire country bows down to the brave heroes of Vijay Diwas. The nation is forever indebted to those families who sacrificed their sons for the motherland. I salute every soldier who sacrificed his life fighting till his last breath. He urged the people of the state to move forward and co-operate in efforts to achieve the goals of Viksit Bharat@2047. Patel was addressing the Vijay Diwas programme organised by Indian Veterans Organisation, an ex-servicemen organisation, at Shaurya Smarak. He paid floral tributes to the brave martyrs on Vijay Divas at Shaurya Smarak. National President of the organization Captain Joginder Singh Sengar was present on this occasion. The Governor said that 52 years ago, during the India-Pakistan war of 1971, the brave sons of Mother India had liberated Bangladesh by defeating Pakistan. More than 90 thousand Pakistani soldiers surrendered under the leadership of Field Marshal General Manek Shaw. He said that a soldier is never an ex Once a soldier, always a soldier. Post retirement, the responsibility of soldiers towards the society increases further. Ex-servicemen should work to educate the society and youth with their experience, discipline and spirit of patriotism. Also, while playing the role of protective shield of the society, they must develop indigenous and self-reliance among the youth. Governor Patel appreciated the efforts of the Indian Veterans Organisation for the welfare of soldiers, war injured, differently abled soldiers including widows of soldiers and their dependents. He said that the organisation should give priority to the work of helping ex-servicemen, their families and deprived sections of rural areas. The Governor said that the society and nation which respects its martyrs and learns from their principles and works always moves towards prosperity. Patel said that the society should respect all the martyrs, their families and soldiers. We should be everready to provide them all possible assistance. He honoured the wives of martyred soldiers and brave women in the programme. He presented trophies to the representatives of the organization from different states. Patel was welcomed with bouquet and a red cap symbolizing the organization at the beginning of the programme. He was felicitated with a memento. A group from Indore gave a cultural presentation based on Krishna Bhakti and students from Chhindwara gave a cultural presentation based on Ganesh Vandana. National President of the organization Captain Joginder Singh Sengar gave the welcome address and Anil proposed the vote of thanks. President of Madhya Pradesh unit Captain R.P. Singh, differently abled soldiers from across the country, veterans, ex-servicemen and servicemen and their families were present. The post of the criminal who ran away from Bhopal with three pistols claims Destination deathEnjoy the journey; 8 days have passed since the attack on the businessman, TI has also been threatened. Naseem Banne Khan, the criminal who shot a tent businessman in Bhopal, is continuously active on social media. 8 days have passed since the attack on a tent businessman in Budhwara, Bhopal. Despite this, the accused have not been arrested yet. The absconding accused are continuously active on social media. Sometimes he is seen threatening to shoot the police station in-charge and sometimes he shares photos with illegal weapons. Naseem, the criminal who shot, posted a photo on Instagram on December 3, a few hours after the attack. Wrote- 'The destination is death, enjoy the journey.' Another reel was uploaded on the same day. In which Jabalpur-to-Gwalior is written. In this reel filmed on a moving bike, a pistol was also seen on his waist. Not only this, in another reel he is seen sitting with 3 pistols. Meanwhile, a new video surfaced on 7 December. In which he is openly threatening the in-charge of Doraha police station of Sehore district and saying, 'This is our direct challenge, if you are caught then shoot me, otherwise I swear if you remain alive, I will definitely shoot you.' Pictures were posted by criminal Naseem Banne Khan. In the first picture he is sitting with 3 pistols. In the second picture he is going on a bike. In which it is said to go from Jabalpur to Gwalior. Kashif, Jamil and Ahad Noor, associates of Naseem Banne Khan who attacked businessman Nawaz, were presented in the court on Wednesday afternoon. From where Ahad and Jamil were sent to jail. Whereas Kashif was taken on remand for 3 days (9 December). His remand ended on Saturday. After this, he was also produced in the court and sent to jail. Talaiya police are busy searching for Naseem Banne Khan. A team was camping in Nagpur with Kashif for the last 2 days. Here his possible hideouts were raided. But, the police could not find any trace of him. Police station in-charge CB Rathore says that two police teams are also busy searching for Aamir. His family members have also locked the house and fled away. The three accused arrested were Ahad Noor (30), Kasif alias Sameer Uddin (30) and Jamil Khan (31). Businessman Nawaz Riaz (30) runs a shop in the name of Taj Tent House in Budhwara Bazaar of Bhopal. On Sunday 3rd December, he was sitting in his shop. Then he was attacked. In the video that has surfaced, three miscreants reach his shop and attacked him. The police declared two accused Aamir alias Barf and the second shooter Naseem Banne Khan absconding. Meanwhile, it was revealed that the entire plan was made by Aamir alias Barf. He was the one who gave money to Naseem and got him attacked. Naseem, who was involved in the attack, had sent an audio on WhatsApp demanding a ransom of Rs 1 crore. A video surfaced on December 06 in which police personnel of Talaiya police station are seen talking to Aamir alias Barf in the old jail complex (counting site). They talk for about 15 minutes, then return without arresting him. A daylong workshop on intervention nephrology was organised by department of nephrology at AIIMS Bhopal to strengthen the skills of doctors of various specialities and the aspirant doctors. The workshop was conducted in two separate sessions. In the morning session a series of lectures about various procedures performed, for diagnosis and management of various illnesses of renal disease patients were delivered and in afternoon session live telecast of various procedures was performed for the audience. Workshop was supported by a grant by ICMR India. The workshop was inaugurated by Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Bhopal Prof (Dr) Ajai Singh. During his address he stressed that such workshops are necessary for regular upgrading of knowledge and skills of doctors and appreciated the to raise the level of workshop. During the workshop Dr Mahendra Atlani of department of Nephrology discussed and made live demonstration of real time ultrasound guided kidney biopsies and tuned vascular catheter placement for long term haemodialysis, Dr Aman Kumar of dept of Radio diagnosis discussed management of chronic haemodialysis catheter malfunction, Dr Girish Bhatt discussed about role of acute peritoneal dialysis in acute kidney injury and demonstrated acute peritoneal dialysis whereas Dr Saurabh Sahgal of department of critical care discussed and demonstrated "POCUS" the point of care ultrasound in nephrology and critical care. More than fifty doctors from various medical colleges of Bhopal attended the workshop. All the sessions were very much appreciated by audience and they shared their experience of seeing the live performances of procedures as outstanding. Dr Pankaj Goel and Dr Anindo Majumdar of AIIMS Bhopal participated in a three-day Workshop on Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis in Dental Sciences at Government College of Dentistry, Indore as a guest faculty. The Government College of Dentistry, Indore, recently hosted a comprehensive three-day workshop focusing on Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis in Dental Science saw enthusiastic participation from more than 50 dental professionals and researchers from various locations. Dr. Pankaj Goel, Head of the Dental Wing at AIIMS Bhopal and Dr. Anindo Majumdar from the Department of Clinical and Forensic Medicine (CFM) AIIMS Bhopal, graced the occasion as guest faculty members. Their expertise added significant value to the workshop, providing participants with invaluable insights into the latest advancements and methodologies in systematic reviews and meta-analysis in the field of dental sciences. Dr. Pankaj Goel took the opportunity to present his latest book on Preventive Dentistry and Dental Statistics, shedding light on the importance of these subjects in the broader context of dental research and practice during the workshop, offering attendees an exclusive preview and an opportunity to engage in discussions about the evolving landscape of preventive dentistry. The workshop provided a platform for participants to enhance their understanding of systematic reviews and meta-analysis, crucial tools in evidence-based dental research. The interactive sessions, led by the distinguished guest faculty, fostered an environment of collaborative learning and knowledge exchange. The organizing committee expressed gratitude to Dr. Pankaj Goel and Dr. Anindo Majumdar for their invaluable contributions making the workshop a resounding success. As the highly anticipated consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla temple approaches on January 22, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai shared a glimpse of the sanctum sanctorums final stages. On Saturday, Rai unveiled images of the nearly completed sanctum sanctorum on X platform, announcing, The sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shri Ram Lalla is almost ready. Recently, the lighting fitting work has also been completed. Sharing some photographs with you. The construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, diligently overseen by the Trust, has been progressing smoothly. Rai disclosed earlier that a 4foot 3inch' idol depicting the 5-year-old child form of Lord Ram is nearing completion at three locations in Ayodhya. At Ram Janmabhoomi temple, a 90 per cent ready idol is being constructed on three different pieces of stone by three artisans. The finishing touches will take about a week, Rai said. The idol will be installed in the grabhagriha on the ground floor, which is nearly completed, ensuring a seamless Pran Pratishtha ceremony, he added. Rai said that 21 Vedic acharyas from Kashi would perform the consecration of the Ram temple. The throne for Lord Ram Lalla, eight feet long and four feet wide, is ready, with the final touch of a gold layer pending. The Trust is making meticulous preparations to enshrine Ram Lalla on this golden throne during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, he said. Invitations have been extended to over 7,000 guests, including 3,000 VVIPs, comprising priests, donors and various political figures. The guest list includes representatives from Kedarnath, Badrinath, Baba Vishwanath Dham and Vaishno Devi temple, who have been invited to witness the historic event. While the participation of priests from major temples remains uncertain, representatives from these temples are expected to attend the consecration ceremony. To accommodate the influx of devotees expected for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, several tent cities are being established in the temple town, Rai said. As the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is making preparation for the upcoming grand consecration ceremony of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, the entire city of Ayodhya is undergoing a rejuvenation process as the key routes leading to the temple will adorned with captivating depictions of significant episodes from the Ramayana period. The Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) has initiated the adornment of walls along the major roads leading to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple with terracotta fine clay mural artifacts. As part of this endeavour, the ADA is inviting applications to engage potential agencies through a Request for Proposal. In another development, 600 kilograms of desi ghee has arrived at Kar Sevak Puram in Ayodhya from Jodhpurs Goshala. This ghee is set to be used in the auspicious aarti during the consecration of Rama Lallas idol. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to grace the inauguration, performing rituals in the sanctum sanctorum around 12:15 pm during the pran pratishtha. The foundation stone for the Ram temple was laid by Prime Minister Modi on August 5, 2020, marking a historic milestone in Ayodhyas spiritual landscape. Supreme Court Justice Jitendra Kumar Maheshwari has said that with the pure conscience of the society and the government, the civil rights of the prisoners can be protected and they can participate in the development of the country like all other human beings. He suggested to the government that by making one jail an ideal model as a pilot project, all the fundamental rights of the prisoners can be implemented by ensuring their good health. Justice Maheshwari was addressing a seminar on International Human Rights Day organised by Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission at the Academy of Administration and Management on Sunday on the subject of Human Rights, Health and Safety Rights of prisoners as the chief guest. Maheshwari and other guests started the inaugural session of the seminar by lighting the lamp. Quoting the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi, he said that a criminal is also a human being and there are certain circumstances which make him a criminal in the society. We have been taught to hate crime and not the criminal. He said that the society and all the responsible people will have to work with consciousness by being alert for human rights. Justice Maheshwari said that we will have to develop a positive conscious system and by implementing it, prisoners will have to become human beings who participate in the development of the country. Expressing serious concern over the current situation in other jails including Madhya Pradesh, he expressed the need for concrete and planned efforts to make the prisoners healthy. He also praised Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission for this initiative. Justice Sujoy Paul of Madhya Pradesh High Court, Jabalpur, as the special guest, said that Nelson Mandela used to say that the goodness of a nation should be judged by the quality of its prisons. There should be no discrimination against prisoners while accepting them into the mainstream of society. Explaining destruction and creation, he appealed to the people to accept all human beings equally. Referring to Angulimala, who after having committed 999 murders, became a saint following a lesson from Lord Buddha, he said that it is wrong to believe that no criminal will reform. Describing this seminar of the Commission as a milestone for the health and safety rights of prisoners, he said that a new path will emerge from todays discussion. He also congratulated the Commission for organizing this event. Justice Sanjeev S. Kalgaonkar of Gwalior High Court Bench said that while being the District Sessions Judge, he has seen many serious cases of violation of the rights of prisoners and has also got them rectified. He said that there is always scope for improvement and innovation. He said that the prisoners should be treated as human beings and their fundamental rights should be protected. Appealing to everyone to introspect, he said that due to lack of government rules and regulations and proper orientation of the jail administration, arbitrary interpretations take place due to which the prisoners are deprived of their rights. Describing today's seminar as planting of seeds for the health and safety rights of inmates, he said that its good recommendations can provide rights to the prisoners. While presiding over the seminar, Acting Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission, Manohar Mamtani, while highlighting the importance of the subject, said that in the last 5 years, more than 900 prisoners died in the jails of the state most of the deaths were normal but some were due to lack of health services, non-availability of timely treatment, failure to diagnose the disease and some happened as inmates suffered from depression which is a serious matter. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday reacted to the horrific incident of a man ruthlessly crushing a puppy to death in Guna district. Chouhan assured strict action against the perpetrator. Condemning the action as unpardonable, he said, the harshest action will be taken against the accused for this crime. We unequivocally condemn such acts of barbarism, and the individual responsible will face the consequences, the chief minister wrote on X (formerly Twitter). His reaction followed Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia condemning the act and demanding that the man be penalised for the barbarism. "This is horrifying and disturbing. There is no doubt that the man should be penalised for this barbarism. @ChouhanShivraj Ji, may please see," Scindia wrote on X. The incident came to light on Saturday after a video of the person committing the cruelty surfaced on social media. In the video, the man was seen hurling the puppy to the ground before he crushed it underfoot. The person in question, identified as Mrityunjay Jadaun, was arrested after CM Chouhan and Union minister's intervention, Times of India reported citing locals. The superintendent of police in Guna took to X to inform that the accused has been arrested and a case has been lodged against him under sections for cruelty against animals. Jaduan reportedly threw one of the two puppies that were approaching him while he was eating and violently crushed it. The entire incident was captured on CCTV. Suffering regular losses in elections and with her traditional vote bank leaving the party in the last few years, Mayawati has tried to attract youngsters as the party's potential vote bank by announcing her nephew Akash Anand as the successor of the Bahujan Samaj Party. Mayawati, the Bahujan Samaj Party supremo and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has entrusted Akash with the responsibility of strengthening the party ahead of the coming parliamentary elections in 2024. The announcement was made in a meeting convened by Mayawati here on Sunday to look into the partys preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Mayawatis move will now put pressure on Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to announce her successor. Abhishek Banerjee, the de facto number two in the TMC, is viewed as the heir apparent of his aunt and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He was also head of the All India Trinamool Congress Youth Wing. Abhishek, who is a Member of Parliament from Diamond Harbour, is facing an Enforcement Directorate inquiry which is seen as a hindrance but sources say that sooner or later, Mamata will also follow Mayawati to push forward the dynasty politics by announcing her nephew as her successor. BSP chief Mayawati has announced Akash Anand as her successor, BSP leader Udayveer Singh, who was present in the meeting, confirmed to media persons. He added that Akash Anand would take stock of BSPs presence and poll preparations where the party is weak. "Behenji will continue to lead the party in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and Anandji will lead the party in other states, Singh said. Akash Anand, an MBA graduate from London, was seen as someone who would succeed the BSP president as the party leader was said to be in-charge of party affairs since last year. He is the son of Mayawatis younger brother, Anand Kumar, who is perceived as next to the behenji in the BSP. When Mayawati walked out of the alliance with Samajwadi Party after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and there was a major reshuffle in the party organisation, she had announced Akash as national vice-president of the party. However, at the same time, Mayawati also countered charges of nepotism and told the media that Anand had decided not to hold the post. Recently, I appointed Akash as vice-president (of the party) but due to nepotism, he himself decided not to take the post. Unfortunately, after Akash was seen on my birthday, some channels dragged him and presented him as the future face of the party, Mayawati had told the media. Later, in June, Mayawatis brother Anand Kumar was appointed vice-president of the BSP while nephew Akash Anand was made the national coordinator of the party. Akash Anand was also listed as one of the star campaigners of BSP during the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, with his first poll campaign in Rajasthan. Akash Anand held major responsibilities for the four recently-held elections, particularly in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The BSP won two seats in Rajasthan but drew a blank in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana in the recent assembly polls. The visibility of Anand in Mayawatis party circle, coupled with his padayatra in Rajasthans Alwar in 2022, also gained spotlight in the strategy of the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, now barely five months away. The 28-year-old Anand participated in a 13-kilometre Swabhiman Sankalp Yatra in Alwar on the birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. He was also visible in the BSPs poll campaigning in Rajasthan in 2019, garnering support for the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samajwadi Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance. In 2019, Akash Anand addressed his first political rally, encouraging people to support the SP-BSP-RLD alliance, when the Election Commission of India imposed a 48-hour campaign ban on Mayawati. Going by Akash Anands official X account, he describes himself as a young supporter of Babasahebs vision. Since August this year, Akash Anands presence at the state-level review meetings held in Lucknow was seen as another instance of his growing stature in the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the management of the BSP supremos election campaign strategy was handled by Akash Anand. He handled the social media campaign of the party in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Meanwhile, some top leaders of BSP claimed that Mayawati had chosen the right time to declare Akash as her successor. Chandrashekhar Ravans Azad Samaj Party has proved to be a laggard in the elections of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The aura that Chandrashekhar had tried to create as a young Dalit leader in the Hindi belt parallel to BSP suddenly collapsed after the elections in these states. Sensing the urgency of the occasion, Mayawati played her trump card in the form of her nephew Akash Anand. BSP leaders BR Dhoni and Surendra Singh, while welcoming the announcement, said that Mayawati also discussed electronic voting machines (EVMs) and she was in favour of elections through ballot papers. The BSP supremo raised questions on the reliability of electronic voting machines and said that BSP is in favour of elections through ballot paper, they revealed. Mayawati has handed over the responsibility of deciding candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to the state-wise leaders. In an official statement on Saturday, the BSP had said that it would analyse its performance in the recently concluded assembly elections in three states, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The MCDs budget for next fiscal will see the establishment of its first Lactation Management Unit, or Milk Bank, and use of Artificial Intelligence for monitoring of civic amenities. The civic body has in its budget estimates for 2024-25 provisioned funds for construction of around 20 school buildings in different zones of the city. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Saturday presented a budget estimate of Rs 16,683.02 crore for the year 2024-25 with estimated income to be Rs 15,686.99 crore. The civic body saw a spike of Rs 400 crore in the revenue, as it earned Rs 2,417 crore in the financial year 2022-23 the highest revenue in the history of the Corporation through property tax, according to the MCD. The MCDs first milk bank will be set up in Swami Dayanand Hospital, it said. The corporation has proposed a pilot project for Preet Vihar, East Patel Nagar, and Kotla Mubarakpur wards for the extension of civic services through artificial intelligence. It proposed to construct approximately 20 school buildings in areas like Punjabi Bagh and Paschim Vihar in the West zone, Ibrahimpur, Wazirabad Village, GTB Nagar in the Civil Lines zone, and Mangolpuri in Rohini zone. In addition, the body made a provision under its Sahbhagita scheme to provide 5 per cent additional incentive to educational institutions with land area exceeding 10 acres, on condition they deposit 100 per cent of the property tax. The municipality plans to hire 420 nursery attendants, security guards, and sanitation workers for schools upkeep. The budget proposes to establish libraries in the 44 schools and install smart interactive panels in 25 proposed model schools. The MCD also listed approximately 1 lakh stray dogs sterilisation in the coming financial year. According to the civic body, the FASTag parking facility is being introduced in 21 parking spaces. Construction of multi-level parking facilities is underway in Punjabi Bagh for 225 cars, GK-I market for 399 cars, Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar for 81 cars, Shiva Market for 500 cars, Gandhi Maidan for 2,338 cars, Qutub Road for 174 cars, Nigam Bodh for 95 cars, and Bagh Diwar Market, Fatehpuri, for 196 cars. These will be completed in this financial year, it said. A waste-to-energy plant with a capacity of 3,600 TPD in Narela-Bawana and an expansion of capacity in Okhla and Tehkhand waste-to-energy plants are planned for implementation for the year 2024-25. An agreement has been made with ASCI-Hyderabad for an audit of these plants in compliance with solid waste management rules, 2016, aimed at identifying deficiencies and providing suggestions for improvement. The civic body plans to set up various testing labs in 60 primary health centres under the PPP model. A blood storage facility will be started at Mata Gujri Hospital. The completion of the Delhi Darshan Park Phase-II, Dinosaur Park, and Heritage Park under the Waste-to-Art theme is underway and the Roshanara Nursery in Keshav Puram is being developed as a High-Tech Nursery. The MCD said it will work on computerisation of almost all cremation grounds and linking them to birth-death offices for easier issuance of cremation receipts and death certificates. Additionally, it said, development and construction of around 30 more cremation grounds and cemeteries is in process in places like Dakshinpuri, Harkesh Nagar, and Kishangarh Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Press Trust of India office here on Saturday in his first visit to any newsroom since he assumed office in 2014, and saw from close quarters the news agencys newly-launched video service. During his one-hour stay, Modi interacted with the entire PTI staff in batches, and also spent time with the senior editorial and executive staff, discussing in detail the challenges and opportunities before the media. The prime minister also showed keen interest in the teleprinter and creed machine, which were once considered cutting edge technology in news transmission. Walking the length of the entire newsroom at the PTI headquarters, he interacted with all news and non-news verticals of the premier news agency, which was established in 1947 and started operations in 1949. Since then, the agency, owned by a group of newspapers, has been at the centre and forefront of the Indian news space. Traditionally dominant in text and photos, PTI started its video service in February this year, and in a short span of time has come to be recognised as a major player in the video news agency business. The prime minister also had a one-on-one chat with PTIs CEO and Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi and discussed recent political developments and his own political journey. Modi also signed a visitors book and penned a poem on aachaar, vichaar or ab samachar..., talking about conduct, thought process and news. Modi was presented with an iconic PTI picture that showed him in the midst of a sea of supporters during a roadshow in Varanasi during the 2019 election campaign. After commencement of the 17 km priority section of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) that covers Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut, a trial run of the Namo Bharat train was conducted from Duhai to Modi Nagar South on Sunday. The train departed from Duhai station, reached Murad Nagar station, and then continued to cover the distance of about 12 km to Modi Nagar South.This trial run is a major step towards the operations in this segment. To start the trial run process, the electric OHE (Over Head Equipment) was charged with a capacity of 25 KV from Murad Nagar Receiving Sub Station to Modi Nagar South. Following this, the Namo Bharat train ran in this section. It departed from Duhai station, reached Murad Nagar station, and then continued to cover the distance of about 12 km to Modi Nagar South, a statement from the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) said. At present, the Namo Bharat trains are undergoing a trial run to test the track and traction. Initially, the train is being operated manually under the Train Control Management System. The train covered the distance from Muradnagar station to Modi Nagar South at a minimal speed. Later, it was brought back to Duhai while slightly increasing its speed. The 25 km stretch between Duhai and Meerut South RRTS station is the next section of the RRTS corridor to be operationalized for the public after the Priority Section. This section has a total of 4 stations, namely Murad Nagar, Modi Nagar North, Modi Nagar South, and Meerut South. In June, the construction of the viaduct up to Meerut South was completed with the installation of the last span. Since then, various construction works like track laying, OHE installation, signalling and telecom, and electrical have been progressing at pace in this section. At present, track laying work is almost complete, and other works are in their final stages. Additionally, Muradnagar RSS is ready to supply electricity from Murad Nagar to Meerut South. Soon, OHE will be charged between Modi Nagar North and Meerut South stations, and trial runs will be conducted in this section by running trains up to Meerut South station. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the Namo Bharat train in the 17 km long priority section between Sahibabad to Duhai Depot on October 20, 2023. Now, NCRTC is gearing up to operationalize the section ahead of it. The national capitals fourth jail in Narela that will house high-risk prisoners will be ready in two years as the Delhi government has given administrative approval for it, officials said. The central government has allocated Rs 120 crore for the construction of the prison complex, which will have a design similar to that of the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, they said.The administrative approval from the minister concerned was taken and the file sent to the finance department. It had some queries and those have been answered. Following this, the public works department will invite tenders for the construction of the complex, an official said. Looking at the current pace, the construction of the jail will be completed in two years, the official said and added that the building plan for the complex has been finalised and it will be in a semi-circle shape. Delhi has three prison complexes -- Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli -- and all of these comprise central jails. Tihar, which is considered one of the largest prison complexes in the world comprising nine central prisons, has a capacity to house 5,200 inmates, but more than double the inmates are currently lodged in its different central jails. Similar is the case with the other two jails. Some of the high-risk inmates lodged in these jails include conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar and Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik. On the Narela jail, officials said the prisons security features will include CCTV cameras, round-the-clock surveillance, isolation rooms with facilities to ensure that inmates do not interact much, high walls, and mobile jammers of superior technology.The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has allotted land for the jail in Narela and according to the rough plan, the prison will have 250 cells and has been modelled on the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, officials had earlier said. They had said the prison will have reformative facilities such as Yoga and a factory where inmates can engage themselves in making certain things, among others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday interacted with the beneficiaries of some states under the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. Beneficiaries from Uttarakhand, Kashmir, Bihar and Gujarat joined the interaction. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also joined the programme virtually from Bhopal. In his address after interaction with the beneficiaries, Prime Minister Modi said that the benefits of various welfare schemes have reached the citizens living in every corner of India. Availing the benefits of the schemes provides new strength for a better life. Women's participation has been given focus in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. This journey, which started on 15th November, has been well received across the country in three-four weeks. The objective of this yatra is to reach such people who have not been able to connect with the government schemes till now. So far, success has been achieved in connecting with more than forty thousand gram panchayats of the country. People are reaching out to Modi's guarantee vehicle. Panchayats have also formed welcome committees. This vehicle has reached from Kargil in North India to the villages of South India and up to Andaman Nicobar. Health checkup camps have been organised in the states as part of the Yatra. Similarly, the message of Fit India is being conveyed. A campaign is being conducted to make about two crore sisters Lakhpati Didi. The sisters have also been given training to become drone pilots. Prime Minister Modi said that poor people and farmers etc. are no less than VIPs for us. The goal of 100 percent saturation is to be achieved by delivering the benefits of the schemes to cent percent citizens. At the outset, the Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary gave the welcome address. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur also participated in the programme. He told that Prime Minister Modi was associated with the commencement of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra on 15th November, Tribal Pride Day and the subsequent Yatra on 30th November. Today he is communicating for the third time. Work is being done continuously in the country to achieve the goal of building a developed India by the year 2047. One vehicle will reach two panchayats in Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Chouhan participated in the interaction programme of PM Narendra Modi with the beneficiaries under the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra through the VC from the CM's residence. Chief Minister Chouhan discussed with Chief Secretary in-charge Veera Rana, Additional Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal and other officials regarding the nature of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Madhya Pradesh. It was told that one vehicle will reach two panchayats in the state. Committees at various levels have been formed and activities related to the Yatra will be held at the district, block, gram panchayat and urban body level. Chief Minister Chouhan was also apprised by the officials regarding the availability and distribution of fertilizers to the farmers in the state. The two persons who allegedly shot Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi in Jaipur were staying on fake IDs at a hotel in Chandigarh while on their run, Delhi Police said on Sunday. Sources said the duo attackers -- Rohit Rathore of Jaipur and Nitin Fauji of Haryanas Mahendragarh -- had planned to flee the country and had been allegedly promised Rs 50,000 each to kill Gogamedi. The two alleged killers were nabbed by the teams of Delhi and Rajasthan police from Hotel Kamal Palace at Sector 24 in Chandigarh on Saturday night. They were accompanied by another associate Udham Singh who had allegedly provided them logistical support for evading arrest. The trio have been taken to Jaipur by Rajasthan police for further interrogation, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amit Goel said. Goel said the arms used in the commission of the crime are yet to be recovered. According to Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav, the Delhi Police was tracking the shooters soon after they killed Gogamedi at his house in Jaipur on December 5. According to initial input shared by Rajasthan ADG (Crime) Dinesh M N, after killing Gogamedi, the two attackers had fled to Didwana in a taxi from where they took the bus to Delhi, Yadav said. The duo then got down in Dharuhera and took an autorickshaw to reach Rewari railway station from where they boarded a train to Hisar, he added. The CCTV footage collected by the Delhi police from the Hisar railway station showed the duo walking out of the station. Rathore could be seen wearing a cap and shawl, the Special CP (Crime) said. Rathore and Fauji then met the latters friend Udham Singh who helped them further in hiding from the police, he added. According to another police officer, Fauji and Singh became acquainted after they underwent training for the Indian Army at the same centre, four years ago. With Singhs help, the duo hired a taxi for Manali in Himachal Pradesh where they stayed for one or two days and later came back to Chandigarh on December 9, the officer said. The trio used forged aadhar cards with the names of Devender, Jaiveer and Sukhbir to book a room at Hotel Kamal Palace. Based on a tip-off about their whereabouts, a team of Delhi Police Crime Branch accompanied by Rajasthan police reached the hotel at about 8.30 pm and nabbed the trio, the officer added. The Rajasthan Police took Fauji to Jaipur while Delhi Police brought Rathore and Singh to Delhi. They were taken to Jaipur on Sunday morning, officials said. Fauji was previously involved in a kidnapping case and attack on a cop in Haryana, while Rathore, too, has previous criminal records and spent some time in jail, the officer said. Delhi police officials said they suspected that Rathore had met one Virender Charan who is suspected to be involved in hatching Gogamedis murder plan on the behest of foreign-based gangster Rohit Godara. Rohit Godara, who is a close associate of the Lawrence-Goldy Brar gang, in a Facebook post took responsibility for killing Gogamedi soon after his murder on December 5. Score of students from different institutions were detained on Sunday as they marched towards the Jantar Mantar protest site to mark the Human Rights Day,police said. Some students organisations alleged police manhandled them and took the detained students to some undisclosed location and thrashed them, allegations rejected by the Delhi Police. A group of protestors came at the Vijay Chowk and when they were asked to disperse as they were in violation of 144 CrPC, they became aggressive due to which they were detained, a senior police officer said. Police further said that in the process two police personnel sustained head injuries who were rushed to a nearby hospital and an action as per the law was taken. The allegations regarding a missing person are wrong. No brutal action was taken against anyone, said the police officer. Meanwhile, the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) in a statement condemned the Delhi Police action on protestors on the Human Rights Day. They demanded the release of all detained students. The Delhi Police detained and attacked the protestors who has gathered near Jantar Mantar. The gathering, comprised students, lawyers, farmers, mazdoors, women, LGBTQ and children marched towards Jantar Mantar but was met with barricading as well as a large cohort of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel who brutally attacked the protestors. Women and LGBTQ persons were particularly targeted, with men constable dragging them by the hair and physically assaulting many, read the statement. Protesters said that a student, Gaurav Singh, was brutally beaten by the police. As Himachal Pradesh commemorates one year of Congress governance, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday declared the steadfast commitment to systematically fulfill all guarantees made by the party in the lead-up to the elections over the next four years. Sukhu, speaking on the occasion, underscored the significant progress made during the first year of Congress rule in the hill state. Our first guarantee was to give the old pension scheme to government employees; we did it in the first Cabinet, remarked the Chief Minister, highlighting the swift action taken to honour the promises made to the electorate. The implementation of the start-up yojana, a substantial scheme amounting to Rs 680 crore, was noted as the realization of the second guarantee. Furthermore, the establishment of English-medium schools, a pivotal electoral commitment, has been successfully accomplished, signaling the government's dedication to fulfilling its electoral pledges in a systematic manner. With a focus on the states economic stability, the Chief Minister Sukhu asserted that significant progress has been achieved, witnessing a 20 percent restoration of the economy. He assured that the Government is actively engaged in efforts to further revitalize the economy, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the monsoon-related devastation. The return to the old pension scheme, a cornerstone of the Congress party's electoral promises, played a crucial role in securing victory in the 2022 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. Looking ahead, Sukhu outlined an ambitious vision to transform Himachal Pradesh into a green state by 2026. Initiatives in the transport sector, such as the introduction of electric vehicles in the transport department and the promotion of e-taxis, are aligned with the government's commitment to environmental sustainability. Sukhu expressed confidence in the state's revival, stating, All roads have been restored, all tourists will be given proper accommodations, and the state is ready to welcome all tourists in 2024. The Congress, securing 40 seats out of 68 in the 2022 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, emerged victorious, marking a mandate for change. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's assurance to systematically fulfill guarantees reflects the government's commitment to transparency, responsiveness, and accountable governance in the years to come. Priyanka reached Shimla to participate in function to celebrate one-year of Cong Govt Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday arrived in Himachal Pradesh, where she will attend a programme in Dharamshala on December 11 to mark the first anniversary of the party-led state government. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary reached Shimla early on Sunday and went to her house in Chhabbra on the outskirts of the town where she will rest for the day, officials said. She will accompany Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to Dharamshala for the state-level celebration to mark the first year of the state's Congress government. Several other prominent Congress leaders are expected to take part in the event. The opposition BJP, meanwhile, has announced that it will hold protests in all districts on Monday. The BJP's Himachal Pradesh unit chief Rajiv Bindal earlier hit out at the Congress-led government for proposing to celebrate a year in office. What is there to celebrate when there has been no achievement by the government except closing over 1,500 institutions? he had asked. Union Home minister Amit Shah congratulated the Uttarakhand government for memoranda of understanding worth Rs 3,50,000 crore being signed in the Global Investors Summit compared to the target of Rs 2,50,000 crore. Uttarakhand is among the most peaceful and safe States in India, he said. Speaking at the conclusion of the summit, Shah said that this is not just the conclusion of an event but the start of a new chapter. He said that this is the beginning of Uttarakhands search for endless possibilities. Addressing the gathering here on Saturday, Shah said that Uttarakhand will become an example of how a State can be linked in an eco-friendly manner with industries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said with confidence that this decade belongs to Uttarakhand. This is a place where development and divine powers merge while chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has added his performance to this, Shah said. Referring to the recent rescue of 41 workers stranded in the partially caved-in Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, he gave credit to PM Modi and Central agencies, adding that the rescue was accomplished successfully under Modi guidance and Dhamis leadership. He said that the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee created Uttarakhand and PM Modi nurtured it, adding that the State is progressing swiftly under his leadership. Appreciating the work done by the State government he mentioned the Char Dham Yatra arrangements, infrastructure development and development schemes made for the border areas. With about 30 investor-friendly new policies, Uttarakhand has become a policy driven State. Stating that governance with transparency has been encouraged under PM Modi, he stressed that the corrupt will not be spared. Uttarakhand is among the most peaceful and safe States in the nation and transparency has become an attribute of the State, Shah said. The Home minister further said that the nation has progressed swiftly under PM Modis leadership in the past decade.Multi dimensional changes have been witnessed in the nation. About 13.5 crore people have risen above the poverty line in these years and the per capita income has also doubled. The manner in which India hosted the G20 summit was appreciated across the world. The PM has set a target for making India a developed nation by 2047, he said. Dhami said that Uttarakhand is progressing at a swift pace under Modis leadership and that work is being done in all sectors as per his vision. Referring to works being done in various sectors, he referred to aspects like the ease of doing business, single window clearance, simplification of rigid rules and attempts to control the budget. Uttarakhand has implemented PM Modis mantra of reform, perform and transform while attempting to implement simple and transparent policies for various sectors. Investment proposals worth more than Rs 3,50,000 crore have been received in this investors summit and work on grounding of investment amounting to Rs 44,000 crore is in progress, Dhami added. Some newly elected BJP MLAs met former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje at her Civil Lines residence on Sunday, amid suspense over whom the party will pick for the CM post in the state. The BJP is yet to announce the meeting of the legislature party to choose its leader, who will be the chief minister. Nearly 10 MLAs, including Ajay Singh and Babu Singh, were at Raje's residence, sources in the party said. Raje, a two-time chief minister, is among the frontrunners for the CM post. Earlier, on Monday and Tuesday, several BJP MLAs had met Raje and the meetings were seen as a show of strength. She was recently in Delhi, where she also met the BJP president JP Nadda. The party has already announced three observers, including Union Minister Rajnath Singh, to oversee the legislature party meeting. In the assembly election results declared November 30, the BJP got 115 seats while the Congress secured 69 seats. Elections on 199 out of 200 seats in the state were held on November 25. Polling in Karanpur, where the election was adjourned due to the demise of the Congress candidate, will be held on January 5 and results will be declared on January 8. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB Free Report) Analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q4 2023 EPS estimates for AvalonBay Communities in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, December 6th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the real estate investment trust will earn $2.70 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $2.69. The consensus estimate for AvalonBay Communities current full-year earnings is $10.62 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for AvalonBay Communities Q1 2024 earnings at $2.69 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $2.80 EPS and Q1 2025 earnings at $2.82 EPS. Get AvalonBay Communities alerts: Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on AVB. Piper Sandler raised shares of AvalonBay Communities from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $197.00 to $194.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 31st. Barclays decreased their price target on AvalonBay Communities from $195.00 to $194.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 22nd. Mizuho cut their price target on AvalonBay Communities from $190.00 to $186.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 26th. TheStreet downgraded shares of AvalonBay Communities from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $214.00 to $202.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 27th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $194.81. AvalonBay Communities Price Performance AvalonBay Communities stock opened at $175.75 on Friday. AvalonBay Communities has a 52-week low of $153.07 and a 52-week high of $198.65. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $171.13 and a 200-day moving average of $179.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.75, a PEG ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a quick ratio of 1.84, a current ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. Institutional Trading of AvalonBay Communities A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 17.4% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,298,186 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $394,690,000 after acquiring an additional 341,332 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 6.3% in the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 529,695 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $90,970,000 after purchasing an additional 31,171 shares in the last quarter. Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new position in shares of AvalonBay Communities in the third quarter worth $3,610,000. Deutsche Bank AG grew its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 6.5% in the third quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,496,671 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $428,778,000 after purchasing an additional 151,995 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Public Sector Pension Investment Board grew its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 7.2% in the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 29,014 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,983,000 after purchasing an additional 1,958 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.71% of the companys stock. AvalonBay Communities Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Investors of record on Friday, December 29th will be issued a $1.65 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th. This represents a $6.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.76%. AvalonBay Communitiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 100.46%. About AvalonBay Communities (Get Free Report) As of September 30, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 296 apartment communities containing 89,240 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 17 communities were under development and one community was under redevelopment. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. See Also Receive News & Ratings for AvalonBay Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AvalonBay Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load Signet Jewelers Limited (NYSE:SIG Free Report) Investment analysts at Telsey Advisory Group raised their FY2024 EPS estimates for Signet Jewelers in a research note issued on Wednesday, December 6th. Telsey Advisory Group analyst D. Telsey now forecasts that the company will earn $9.92 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $9.76. Telsey Advisory Group has a Market Perform rating and a $90.00 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Signet Jewelers current full-year earnings is $9.90 per share. Telsey Advisory Group also issued estimates for Signet Jewelers Q4 2024 earnings at $6.25 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $1.85 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $0.39 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $6.45 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $10.43 EPS. Get Signet Jewelers alerts: Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Signet Jewelers from $71.00 to $83.00 in a research report on Friday, September 1st. Citigroup upgraded shares of Signet Jewelers from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $93.00 to $119.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Signet Jewelers from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday. UBS Group lifted their target price on Signet Jewelers from $90.00 to $93.00 in a research note on Friday, September 1st. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Signet Jewelers in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $99.00. Signet Jewelers Trading Down 0.1 % NYSE:SIG opened at $97.23 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 2.10. Signet Jewelers has a 1 year low of $57.10 and a 1 year high of $98.27. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $76.06 and a 200-day moving average of $72.79. Signet Jewelers (NYSE:SIG Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, December 5th. The company reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $1.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.39 billion. Signet Jewelers had a net margin of 6.29% and a return on equity of 31.86%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.74 EPS. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Belpointe Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Signet Jewelers by 67.9% during the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 403 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in shares of Signet Jewelers by 274.1% in the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 404 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 296 shares during the period. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in shares of Signet Jewelers by 187.2% during the third quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 494 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 322 shares in the last quarter. Kistler Tiffany Companies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Signet Jewelers during the second quarter worth $42,000. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Signet Jewelers in the 1st quarter valued at $51,000. Insider Transactions at Signet Jewelers In other news, insider Howard A. Melnick sold 5,511 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.00, for a total transaction of $495,990.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 68,999 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,209,910. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, insider Howard A. Melnick sold 5,511 shares of Signet Jewelers stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.00, for a total transaction of $495,990.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 68,999 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,209,910. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Brian A. Tilzer sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.23, for a total transaction of $381,150.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 15,915 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,213,200.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 92,760 shares of company stock worth $7,076,314 in the last three months. Insiders own 4.54% of the companys stock. Signet Jewelers Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 26th will be paid a $0.23 dividend. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.95%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 25th. Signet Jewelerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 11.14%. Signet Jewelers Company Profile (Get Free Report) Signet Jewelers Limited operates as a diamond jewelry retailer. It operates through three segments: North America, International, and Other. The North America segment operates jewelry stores in jewelry stores in malls, mall-based kiosks, and off-mall locations in the United States and Canada primarily under the Kay Jewelers, Kay Jewelers Outlet, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, Jared Vault, Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Diamonds Direct, James Allen, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, and Peoples Jewellers names, as well as operates online through its digital banners, James Allen and Blue Nile. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Signet Jewelers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Signet Jewelers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lee Enterprises (NYSE:LEE Get Free Report) was downgraded by StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday. Lee Enterprises Trading Up 5.0 % NYSE LEE opened at $9.62 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 31.37, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.81. The stocks 50-day moving average is $9.97 and its 200-day moving average is $11.68. Lee Enterprises has a one year low of $8.50 and a one year high of $23.51. The firm has a market cap of $58.42 million, a P/E ratio of -10.81 and a beta of 1.30. Get Lee Enterprises alerts: Lee Enterprises (NYSE:LEE Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 7th. The company reported ($0.32) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.40 by ($1.72). Lee Enterprises had a negative net margin of 0.76% and a negative return on equity of 34.37%. The company had revenue of $164.01 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $173.40 million. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lee Enterprises About Lee Enterprises Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Barclays PLC bought a new position in shares of Lee Enterprises in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new position in Lee Enterprises during the second quarter worth approximately $105,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP acquired a new position in Lee Enterprises during the first quarter worth approximately $135,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC bought a new stake in Lee Enterprises in the first quarter valued at approximately $137,000. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Lee Enterprises in the first quarter valued at approximately $148,000. Institutional investors own 44.98% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Lee Enterprises, Incorporated provides local news and information, and advertising services in the United States. The company offers print and digital editions of daily, weekly, and monthly newspapers and niche publications; and web hosting and content management services. It also provides advertising and marketing services, such as audience extension, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, web and mobile production, social media services, and reputation monitoring and management. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Lee Enterprises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lee Enterprises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Slagle Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of PPL Co. (NYSE:PPL Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 8,013 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $212,000. A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its position in shares of PPL by 3.7% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 350,807 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $10,501,000 after acquiring an additional 12,428 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of PPL by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,292,612 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $65,480,000 after purchasing an additional 50,658 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. grew its position in shares of PPL by 9.4% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 341,996 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $9,779,000 after purchasing an additional 29,496 shares in the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its holdings in shares of PPL by 1.2% in the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 409,552 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $11,697,000 after purchasing an additional 4,998 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. lifted its position in shares of PPL by 7.7% in the first quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 10,764 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $307,000 after buying an additional 766 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.09% of the companys stock. Get PPL alerts: PPL Price Performance Shares of PPL stock opened at $26.06 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $19.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.82. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $24.97 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $25.68. PPL Co. has a one year low of $22.20 and a one year high of $31.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.79. PPL Dividend Announcement PPL ( NYSE:PPL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $0.43 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.45 by ($0.02). PPL had a return on equity of 7.82% and a net margin of 9.53%. The firm had revenue of $2.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.20 billion. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that PPL Co. will post 1.58 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.68%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 7th. PPLs payout ratio is 86.49%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth PPL has been the topic of several recent research reports. Guggenheim decreased their price objective on PPL from $31.00 to $27.00 in a report on Monday, October 9th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of PPL in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of PPL from $26.00 to $25.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. StockNews.com upgraded PPL from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 13th. Finally, UBS Group downgraded PPL from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $29.00 to $25.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, PPL has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $30.13. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on PPL PPL Profile (Free Report) PPL Corporation, an energy company, focuses on providing electricity and natural gas to approximately 3.5 million customers in the United States. It operates through three segments: Kentucky Regulated, Pennsylvania Regulated, and Rhode Island Regulated. The company delivers electricity to customers in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Rhode Island; delivers natural gas to customers in Kentucky and Rhode Island; and generates electricity from power plants in Kentucky. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PPL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for PPL Co. (NYSE:PPL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for PPL Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PPL and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Century Communities (NYSE:CCS Get Free Report) and Iida Group (OTCMKTS:ANTOF Get Free Report) are both construction companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, institutional ownership and valuation. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Century Communities and Iida Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get Century Communities alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Century Communities 0 0 2 0 3.00 Iida Group 0 0 0 0 N/A Century Communities currently has a consensus target price of $86.50, indicating a potential upside of 10.26%. Given Century Communities higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Century Communities is more favorable than Iida Group. Valuation and Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Century Communities $4.51 billion 0.55 $525.13 million $7.69 10.20 Iida Group N/A N/A N/A C$172.94 0.10 This table compares Century Communities and Iida Groups revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Century Communities has higher revenue and earnings than Iida Group. Iida Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Century Communities, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability This table compares Century Communities and Iida Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Century Communities 6.75% 11.55% 6.68% Iida Group N/A N/A N/A Dividends Century Communities pays an annual dividend of $0.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.2%. Iida Group pays an annual dividend of C$54.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 320.0%. Century Communities pays out 12.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Iida Group pays out 31.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Century Communities has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Insider & Institutional Ownership 88.3% of Century Communities shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.2% of Iida Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 11.9% of Century Communities shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Century Communities beats Iida Group on 11 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Century Communities (Get Free Report) Century Communities, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, construction, marketing, and sale of single-family attached and detached homes. It is also involved in the entitlement and development of the underlying land; and provision of mortgage, title, and insurance services to its homebuyers. The company offers homes under the Century Communities and Century Complete brands. It sells homes through its sales representatives, retail studios, and internet, as well as through independent real estate brokers in 18 states in the United States. Century Communities, Inc. was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado. About Iida Group (Get Free Report) Iida Group Holdings Co., Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the purchase, planning, design, construction, sale, and after-sales service of detached houses and house condominiums in Japan. It is also involved in the contract construction; real estate brokerage; laminated timber manufacturing and pre-cut processing; manufacture and sale of window glasses used in houses; operates resort facilities; travel agency; finance and insurance; and housing land development, groundwork, water supply, and drainage businesses. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Receive News & Ratings for Century Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Century Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aspen Grove Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report) by 16.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,358 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after buying an additional 333 shares during the period. Aspen Grove Capital LLCs holdings in Chevron were worth $371,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in CVX. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in Chevron by 13.1% during the second quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 14,333 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $2,255,000 after purchasing an additional 1,661 shares during the period. Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors LLP MA lifted its stake in shares of Chevron by 13.4% in the second quarter. Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors LLP MA now owns 79,961 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $12,582,000 after buying an additional 9,477 shares during the last quarter. Kooman & Associates boosted its holdings in shares of Chevron by 11.2% during the 2nd quarter. Kooman & Associates now owns 1,568 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $247,000 after buying an additional 158 shares during the period. Bridgewealth Advisory Group LLC grew its stake in Chevron by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Bridgewealth Advisory Group LLC now owns 5,703 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $898,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Reuter James Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Chevron by 30.6% in the 2nd quarter. Reuter James Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,659 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,048,000 after acquiring an additional 1,561 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.87% of the companys stock. Get Chevron alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth CVX has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Chevron from $203.00 to $201.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. Mizuho dropped their price target on Chevron from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. Bank of America upgraded Chevron from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $190.00 to $200.00 in a report on Monday, October 30th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Chevron from $209.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 4th. Finally, Truist Financial cut their target price on shares of Chevron from $175.00 to $169.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $187.89. Chevron Price Performance Shares of CVX stock opened at $144.31 on Friday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $151.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is $156.91. Chevron Co. has a one year low of $140.72 and a one year high of $187.81. The firm has a market cap of $272.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.71, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.97. Chevron (NYSE:CVX Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $3.05 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.70 by ($0.65). The firm had revenue of $54.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $51.41 billion. Chevron had a net margin of 12.11% and a return on equity of 16.15%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $5.56 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Chevron Co. will post 13.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Chevron Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 11th. Investors of record on Friday, November 17th will be issued a $1.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 16th. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.19%. Chevrons dividend payout ratio is 44.84%. Chevron Profile (Free Report) Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CVX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chevron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chevron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aspen Grove Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 301 shares of the asset managers stock, valued at approximately $208,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A purchased a new stake in BlackRock in the second quarter worth about $26,000. West Tower Group LLC purchased a new position in BlackRock during the second quarter valued at $27,000. Archer Investment Corp purchased a new position in BlackRock in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in BlackRock in the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. Institutional investors own 77.01% of the companys stock. Get BlackRock alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have weighed in on BLK shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on BlackRock from $820.00 to $720.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 4th. StockNews.com began coverage on BlackRock in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of BlackRock from $736.00 to $708.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on BlackRock from $814.00 to $800.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $921.00 to $868.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, BlackRock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $762.08. Insider Activity at BlackRock In other news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 15,385 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $652.03, for a total transaction of $10,031,481.55. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 435,260 shares of the companys stock, valued at $283,802,577.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. BlackRock Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of NYSE BLK opened at $744.73 on Friday. BlackRock, Inc. has a 1 year low of $596.18 and a 1 year high of $781.77. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $671.19 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $685.78. The company has a market cap of $110.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.89, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 3.72 and a quick ratio of 3.72. BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The asset manager reported $10.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.34 by $2.57. BlackRock had a return on equity of 14.65% and a net margin of 30.66%. The firm had revenue of $4.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.52 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $9.55 EPS. BlackRocks quarterly revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that BlackRock, Inc. will post 36.44 earnings per share for the current year. BlackRock Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, December 7th will be paid a $5.00 dividend. This represents a $20.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.69%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 6th. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio is presently 56.10%. About BlackRock (Free Report) BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aspen Grove Capital LLC lowered its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA Free Report) by 14.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 12,550 shares of the banks stock after selling 2,035 shares during the quarter. Aspen Grove Capital LLCs holdings in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria were worth $96,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in BBVA. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 99.2% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 17,789 shares of the banks stock worth $137,000 after purchasing an additional 8,861 shares during the last quarter. MML Investors Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 80.6% in the second quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 78,029 shares of the banks stock valued at $599,000 after buying an additional 34,821 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 44.7% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,947,777 shares of the banks stock valued at $37,999,000 after buying an additional 1,529,476 shares during the period. Kestra Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 123.7% during the 2nd quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 30,802 shares of the banks stock valued at $237,000 after buying an additional 17,035 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clearbridge Investments LLC grew its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 1,172,797 shares of the banks stock worth $9,007,000 after acquiring an additional 4,381 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 2.83% of the companys stock. Get Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria alerts: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Stock Performance Shares of BBVA opened at $9.14 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $8.48 and a 200-day moving average price of $7.90. The company has a market cap of $54.52 billion, a PE ratio of 7.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.31. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. has a 12-month low of $5.60 and a 12-month high of $9.52. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Cuts Dividend Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria ( NYSE:BBVA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The bank reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.36. The business had revenue of $8.66 billion during the quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria had a net margin of 26.36% and a return on equity of 14.46%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.29 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. will post 1.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 26th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 10th were given a dividend of $0.1685 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 6th. This represents a yield of 5.1%. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentarias payout ratio is 21.09%. Analyst Ratings Changes BBVA has been the topic of a number of research reports. Barclays upgraded Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Read Our Latest Analysis on BBVA About Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (Free Report) Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides retail banking, wholesale banking, and asset management services. It offers current accounts; and demand, savings, overnight, time, term, and subordinated deposits. The company also provides loan products; deals in securities; leasing, factoring, brokerage, and asset management services; and manages pension and investment funds. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BBVA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fort Point Capital Partners LLC reduced its position in shares of Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 4.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,729 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 540 shares during the period. Fort Point Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $337,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. FNY Investment Advisers LLC increased its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 75.9% in the second quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 920 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 397 shares in the last quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 333.2% in the 2nd quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 953 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 733 shares during the last quarter. Castleview Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Bank of America in the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Bank of America by 45.7% during the second quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 1,036 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 325 shares during the period. Finally, Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in shares of Bank of America during the first quarter valued at $34,000. 68.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Bank of America alerts: Bank of America Trading Up 1.0 % Shares of NYSE BAC opened at $30.96 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $28.02 and a 200 day simple moving average of $28.84. Bank of America Co. has a 52 week low of $24.96 and a 52 week high of $37.00. The stock has a market cap of $245.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.67, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.83. Bank of America Announces Dividend Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.07. Bank of America had a net margin of 18.69% and a return on equity of 12.08%. The company had revenue of $25.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.81 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Bank of America Co. will post 3.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 1st will be given a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.10%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 30th. Bank of Americas payout ratio is 26.89%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have commented on BAC shares. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $35.00 to $33.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $39.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $31.00 to $28.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $35.00 target price on shares of Bank of America in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Bank of America from $34.00 to $32.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $35.43. View Our Latest Analysis on BAC Insider Buying and Selling at Bank of America In other news, major shareholder Of America Corp /De/ Bank sold 17,769 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.94, for a total transaction of $176,623.86. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock. Bank of America Company Profile (Free Report) Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication (OTCMKTS:BZQIF Get Free Report) and BCE (NYSE:BCE Get Free Report) are both communication services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, dividends, risk, profitability, earnings and institutional ownership. Institutional and Insider Ownership 21.5% of Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 42.3% of BCE shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of BCE shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Get Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication alerts: Profitability This table compares Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication and BCEs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication N/A N/A N/A BCE 9.37% 16.28% 4.21% Dividends Earnings and Valuation Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication pays an annual dividend of $0.23 per share and has a dividend yield of 19.6%. BCE pays an annual dividend of $2.83 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.0%. Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication pays out 31.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. BCE pays out 156.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. This table compares Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication and BCEs revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication N/A N/A N/A $0.75 1.60 BCE $24.64 billion 1.50 $2.21 billion $1.81 22.44 BCE has higher revenue and earnings than Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication. Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than BCE, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication and BCE, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication 0 0 0 0 N/A BCE 0 5 1 0 2.17 BCE has a consensus target price of $56.50, suggesting a potential upside of 39.13%. Given BCEs higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe BCE is more favorable than Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication. Summary BCE beats Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication (Get Free Report) Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication Corp. Ltd provides communications services to business and private customers in Israel. It operates through Domestic fixed-line communications, Cellular Communication, Internet, International Communication, and ICT Solutions, and Multi-Channel Television segments. The company offers telephony services, including basic telephony services on the household telephone line, as well as associated services, such as voice mail and caller ID; national numbering services; and transmission and data-communication services. In addition, it provides virtual server services; Bcyber services; smart business services; private virtual PBX services; and B144 service, an advertising platform for digital advertising and marketing to small businesses, BCam, Wi-Fi, SMS, and remote backup. Further, the company offers infrastructure services, company's network connection, billing services, and space leasing; and operates and maintains radio transmitters for broadcasting of radio and television contents. Additionally, it provides basic telephone, browsing and data communications, messaging, push to talk, Internet of Things, and servicing and repair services, as well as sells terminal equipment. Furthermore, the company provides cellular communication services; multi-channel digital satellite television, over the Internet, and value added services. The company was founded in 1980 and is based in Holon, Israel. About BCE (Get Free Report) BCE Inc., a communications company, provides wireless, wireline, Internet, and television (TV) services to residential, business, and wholesale customers in Canada. The company operates through three segments: Bell Wireless, Bell Wireline, and Bell Media. The Bell Wireless segment offers integrated digital wireless voice and data communication products and services, as well as consumer electronics products. The Bell Wireline segment offers data, including Internet access and Internet protocol television (IPTV), local telephone, and long distance services, as well as other communication services and products; and satellite TV service and connectivity services. This segment also buys and sells local telephone, long distance, data, and other services from or to resellers and other carriers. The Bell Media segment provides conventional TV, specialty TV, pay TV, streaming services, digital media services, radio broadcasting services, and out-of-home advertising services. BCE Inc. was founded in 1880 and is headquartered in Verdun, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the twenty-one ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $129.30. Several research firms have issued reports on XOM. Sanford C. Bernstein began coverage on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. They set an outperform rating and a $140.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $143.00 to $142.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $110.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $127.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, September 22nd. Finally, Mizuho decreased their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $139.00 to $133.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 14th. Get Exxon Mobil alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Exxon Mobil Exxon Mobil Stock Performance Shares of NYSE XOM opened at $99.55 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $106.26 and its 200 day moving average price is $107.65. Exxon Mobil has a 1 year low of $98.02 and a 1 year high of $120.70. The company has a market capitalization of $394.51 billion, a PE ratio of 9.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.55 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.42. Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $2.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.36 by ($0.09). Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 20.72% and a net margin of 11.56%. The firm had revenue of $90.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $93.41 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $4.45 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 19.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Exxon Mobil will post 9.24 earnings per share for the current year. Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 15th will be given a dividend of $0.95 per share. This is a boost from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 14th. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.74%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben sold 2,077,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.06, for a total transaction of $216,132,620.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 13,000 shares in the company, valued at $1,352,780. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben purchased 250,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $105.97 per share, for a total transaction of $26,492,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,077,000 shares in the company, valued at $220,099,690. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben sold 2,077,000 shares of Exxon Mobil stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.06, for a total transaction of $216,132,620.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 13,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,352,780. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.06% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Exxon Mobil Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. KB Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil during the first quarter valued at about $27,000. Financial Connections Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 105.4% during the second quarter. Financial Connections Group Inc. now owns 306 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil in the first quarter valued at approximately $38,000. IMA Wealth Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 720.0% in the second quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 369 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 324 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Country Trust Bank grew its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 64.1% in the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 384 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. 58.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Exxon Mobil (Get Free Report Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Exxon Mobil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Exxon Mobil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently released Elk Management Plan has drawn fire from sportsmen and landowner groups. Unveiled on Dec. 1 after three years of work, the new elk plan updates FWPs previous guiding document that was enacted in 2005. Since then, elk populations have grown steadily with herds spreading into Eastern Montana. Likewise, hunter numbers have climbed. According to the new plan, Between 2004 and 2021, the estimated number of hunters who actively hunted for elk in Montana fluctuated between 102,860 in 2012 and 113,976 in 2017. During the time-period, between 2004 and 2021, the estimated number of days hunters spent pursuing elk varied between 811,831 days in 2006 to 1,066,716 days in 2016. Comments Members of the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers board wrote the new elk plan abdicates authority to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, a politically appointed board, rather than relying on FWP biologists. By removing ranges on elk quotas, the new elk plan defers too much discretionary power to the FWP Commission to potentially eliminate all biological considerations and inject even more politics and other influences into these important decisions, the board members wrote. According to the plan, in hunting districts where elk populations are over the goal for three or more years, where there are limited either-sex or bull permits, FWP will notify the commission rather than prescribing a specific action (such as allowing bull harvest on a general elk license). Chuck Denowh, of the United Property Owners of Montana, criticized the plan for going in the wrong direction. UPOM has sued FWP seeking to require the agency to reduce elk populations. The fundamental problem is we have far too many elk in certain areas, he wrote in an email. Those populations are growing at an alarming rate and leading to mounting losses for farmers and ranchers who are seeing their crops wiped out, their hayfields overrun with elk during the summer, and their hay yards decimated during the winter. This elk management plan is a continuation of the failed policies that created this problem in the first place." In the old plan, FWP had specific population and bull objectives for most herds. Now, out of 136 hunting districts in Montana, 77 have increased the upper limit of the goal range and six have decreased the upper limit, the plan noted. Jeff Lukas, conservation director for the Montana Wildlife Federation, said his group is generally pleased with the new elk plan. Its clear that public comments over the years helped shape the direction of elk management in the state, he wrote in an email. We are also pleased to see that elements of the new EMP can be reviewed and altered every five years, making this a living document rather than a static management tool updated only every 15 years. FWP wrote the new elk plan is intentionally less prescriptive and more goal oriented with less focus on how the measures will be met and goals will be achieved. By using the biennial season-setting process elk management will be more adaptive, FWP wrote. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers praised FWP for recognizing that in some cases, it's difficult to increase the elk harvest simply by issuing more hunting tags. "This signals a greater understanding of the elk distribution issues Montana faces in a complex private-public ownership pattern," the BHA board wrote. Overall, the group did "see some positives" in the new plan, praising the regional narratives. "But overall were disappointed by FWPs lack of presenting carefully vetted and lasting solutions." More info Here are some other interesting highlights from the plan: Statewide, elk harvest peaked in 1994 with a total estimated harvest of 32,433. In 2021, the elk harvest was just over 25,000. Revenue to FWP from elk license sales was nearly $9 million in 2005 and increased to more than $17 million in 2021. This total revenue does not include elk permit drawing fees, archery license fees, or conservation license fees. The 2023 Elk Management Plan defines a statewide sustainable number of elk between 96,015 and 151,425; FWP observed 143,310 elk during its 2023 survey. To read the 78 page plan online, log on to https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/conservation/elk/elk-management-plan/final-ea-2023-elk-management-plan.pdf. Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, December 8th, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 21st will be given a dividend of 0.34 per share on Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.37%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 20th. This is a positive change from Canadian Western Banks previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Canadian Western Bank Stock Up 2.9 % CWB stock opened at C$31.10 on Friday. The company has a market cap of C$3.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.42, a PEG ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 1.59. Canadian Western Bank has a twelve month low of C$22.96 and a twelve month high of C$31.62. The business has a fifty day moving average of C$28.42 and a 200-day moving average of C$26.92. Get Canadian Western Bank alerts: Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, December 8th. The company reported C$0.94 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.89 by C$0.05. Canadian Western Bank had a return on equity of 9.04% and a net margin of 32.29%. The business had revenue of C$291.76 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$292.40 million. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Canadian Western Bank will post 3.7156511 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In CWB has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Raymond James lifted their price objective on Canadian Western Bank from C$30.00 to C$34.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. Desjardins decreased their price objective on Canadian Western Bank from C$34.00 to C$33.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on Canadian Western Bank from C$34.00 to C$33.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 23rd. CSFB lifted their price objective on Canadian Western Bank from C$26.00 to C$31.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. Finally, National Bankshares set a C$33.00 target price on Canadian Western Bank and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$32.36. Get Our Latest Report on CWB About Canadian Western Bank (Get Free Report) Canadian Western Bank provides personal and business banking products and services primarily in Western Canada. The company offers current, savings, notice, cash management, US dollar, and chequing accounts, as well as organization, business trust, and trust fund investment accounts. It also offers commercial lending and real estate, and equipment financing and leasing products; agriculture lending products; mortgages; lines of credits; registered retirement savings loans; consolidation, and vehicle loans; and credit cards. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Western Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Western Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dollar General (NYSE:DG Get Free Report) updated its FY24 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $7.10-7.60 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.42. The company issued revenue guidance of +1.5-2.5% to ~$38.41-38.79, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $38.55 billion. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have issued reports on DG. Raymond James dropped their target price on Dollar General from $160.00 to $150.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Barclays dropped their target price on Dollar General from $165.00 to $128.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 1st. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed a market perform rating and set a $124.00 target price on shares of Dollar General in a research report on Monday, December 4th. BNP Paribas initiated coverage on Dollar General in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. They set a neutral rating and a $116.00 target price on the stock. Finally, HSBC upgraded Dollar General from a reduce rating to a hold rating and set a $102.00 price objective for the company in a report on Friday, October 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eighteen have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $143.28. Get Dollar General alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Dollar General Dollar General Stock Performance Shares of DG stock opened at $127.22 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $27.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 0.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 0.15. The business has a fifty day moving average of $118.80 and a 200 day moving average of $143.03. Dollar General has a 1 year low of $101.09 and a 1 year high of $251.00. Dollar General (NYSE:DG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 7th. The company reported $1.26 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $9.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.64 billion. Dollar General had a return on equity of 31.68% and a net margin of 4.91%. The companys revenue was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.33 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Dollar General will post 7.41 earnings per share for the current year. Dollar General Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 23rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.59 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 8th. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.86%. Dollar Generals payout ratio is currently 27.16%. Insider Buying and Selling at Dollar General In related news, EVP Carman R. Wenkoff acquired 2,000 shares of Dollar General stock in a transaction on Friday, September 29th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $106.25 per share, for a total transaction of $212,500.00. Following the purchase, the executive vice president now owns 30,966 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,290,137.50. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.60% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dollar General Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Financial Freedom LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Dollar General during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. First Manhattan Co. grew its position in shares of Dollar General by 447.4% during the 4th quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 104 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in Dollar General in the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Dollar General in the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Castleview Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Dollar General by 473.8% in the 2nd quarter. Castleview Partners LLC now owns 241 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 199 shares during the last quarter. 90.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Dollar General (Get Free Report) Dollar General Corporation, a discount retailer, provides various merchandise products in the southern, southwestern, midwestern, and eastern United States. It offers consumable products, including paper and cleaning products, such as paper towels, bath tissues, paper dinnerware, trash and storage bags, disinfectants, and laundry products; packaged food comprising cereals, pasta, canned soups, fruits and vegetables, condiments, spices, sugar, and flour; and perishables that include milk, eggs, bread, refrigerated and frozen food, beer, and wine. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Dollar General Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dollar General and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF (NYSEARCA:BKLN Free Report) by 395.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 593,639 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 473,823 shares during the period. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC owned about 0.31% of Invesco Senior Loan ETF worth $12,490,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Jane Street Group LLC raised its position in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 142.1% in the second quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 1,519,410 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $30,798,000 after buying an additional 5,127,335 shares during the last quarter. Wright Fund Management LLC raised its position in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 146.5% in the second quarter. Wright Fund Management LLC now owns 7,268,639 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $152,932,000 after buying an additional 4,320,339 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC raised its position in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 75.0% in the first quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 9,128,184 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $189,866,000 after buying an additional 3,912,291 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $69,519,000. Finally, New York Life Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 110.2% in the second quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 5,436,578 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $114,386,000 after buying an additional 2,849,764 shares during the last quarter. Get Invesco Senior Loan ETF alerts: Invesco Senior Loan ETF Stock Up 0.0 % Shares of BKLN stock opened at $20.99 on Friday. Invesco Senior Loan ETF has a one year low of $20.33 and a one year high of $21.27. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $20.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $20.96. Invesco Senior Loan ETF Company Profile The Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index of senior loans issued by banks to corporations. BKLN was launched on Mar 3, 2011 and is managed by Invesco. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BKLN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco Senior Loan ETF (NYSEARCA:BKLN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Senior Loan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Senior Loan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC grew its position in Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J Free Report) by 4,981.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 109,701 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 107,542 shares during the period. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.09% of Jacobs Solutions worth $13,042,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of J. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Jacobs Solutions by 1.8% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,998,808 shares of the companys stock worth $1,929,175,000 after buying an additional 250,587 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 1.1% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,809,642 shares of the companys stock worth $928,488,000 after purchasing an additional 85,152 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 0.5% during the second quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 6,322,072 shares of the companys stock valued at $751,631,000 after buying an additional 30,360 shares in the last quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. boosted its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 12.6% during the first quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 4,717,432 shares of the companys stock valued at $554,345,000 after buying an additional 529,557 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital International Investors boosted its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 8.1% during the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 4,049,450 shares of the companys stock valued at $558,055,000 after buying an additional 304,996 shares in the last quarter. 84.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Jacobs Solutions alerts: Jacobs Solutions Stock Performance J opened at $127.29 on Friday. Jacobs Solutions Inc. has a 52-week low of $109.00 and a 52-week high of $141.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.04 billion, a PE ratio of 24.06, a PEG ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a current ratio of 1.37. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $132.38 and its 200 day simple moving average is $128.03. Jacobs Solutions Announces Dividend Jacobs Solutions ( NYSE:J Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 21st. The company reported $1.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.02 by ($0.12). Jacobs Solutions had a net margin of 4.07% and a return on equity of 14.19%. The business had revenue of $4.29 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.21 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.80 EPS. Jacobs Solutionss quarterly revenue was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Jacobs Solutions Inc. will post 8.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 9th. Investors of record on Friday, October 27th were given a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 26th. Jacobs Solutionss dividend payout ratio is currently 19.66%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. HSBC started coverage on Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Friday, September 15th. They set a hold rating and a $149.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on Jacobs Solutions from $157.00 to $151.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Raymond James downgraded Jacobs Solutions from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 22nd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reissued a buy rating and set a $150.00 price objective on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $149.60. Read Our Latest Report on Jacobs Solutions Insider Buying and Selling In other Jacobs Solutions news, Director Ralph E. Eberhart sold 3,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.86, for a total value of $454,510.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 26,754 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,474,274.44. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, Director Ralph E. Eberhart sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.86, for a total value of $454,510.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 26,754 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,474,274.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP William B. Allen, Jr. sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.50, for a total value of $194,250.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 28,150 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,645,425. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 24,998 shares of company stock valued at $3,371,154 over the last 90 days. 1.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Jacobs Solutions Profile (Free Report) Jacobs Solutions Inc provides consulting, technical, engineering, scientific, and project delivery services for the government and private sectors in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, Divergent Solutions, and PA Consulting segments. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding J? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Jacobs Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jacobs Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kolinsky Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 541 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock, valued at approximately $204,000. Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Advisor OS LLC boosted its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 1.0% during the second quarter. Advisor OS LLC now owns 2,858 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,093,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 8.5% during the first quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 384 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $133,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the period. Kentucky Retirement Systems boosted its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 0.5% during the first quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 5,854 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $2,028,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the period. Profund Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 2.9% during the second quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 1,144 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $438,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the period. Finally, SkyOak Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 3.6% during the second quarter. SkyOak Wealth LLC now owns 970 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $371,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the period. 91.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get West Pharmaceutical Services alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. KeyCorp lifted their target price on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from $415.00 to $440.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Finally, Stephens reduced their price objective on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from $420.00 to $390.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, West Pharmaceutical Services has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $381.25. West Pharmaceutical Services Price Performance Shares of West Pharmaceutical Services stock opened at $342.24 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $353.74 and a 200-day simple moving average of $368.91. The company has a current ratio of 3.70, a quick ratio of 2.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $224.15 and a 1-year high of $415.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 46.19, a PEG ratio of 8.54 and a beta of 1.08. West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.16 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.30. West Pharmaceutical Services had a net margin of 19.11% and a return on equity of 21.86%. The business had revenue of $747.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $750.31 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.03 earnings per share. West Pharmaceutical Servicess revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. will post 8.02 earnings per share for the current year. West Pharmaceutical Services Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 7th. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 31st will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 30th. West Pharmaceutical Servicess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 10.80%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, VP Charles Witherspoon sold 1,190 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $322.37, for a total transaction of $383,620.30. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,835 shares of the companys stock, valued at $591,548.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, VP Charles Witherspoon sold 1,190 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $322.37, for a total transaction of $383,620.30. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,835 shares of the companys stock, valued at $591,548.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Chad Winters sold 1,013 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $349.00, for a total transaction of $353,537.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 1,270 shares in the company, valued at approximately $443,230. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About West Pharmaceutical Services (Free Report) West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for West Pharmaceutical Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for West Pharmaceutical Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC boosted its position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH Free Report) by 565.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 234,803 shares of the construction companys stock after buying an additional 199,503 shares during the period. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLCs holdings in CRH were worth $13,086,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in CRH by 0.3% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 269,338 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $10,790,000 after purchasing an additional 724 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in CRH by 0.8% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 262,579 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $10,519,000 after purchasing an additional 2,011 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. bought a new stake in CRH in the first quarter valued at $1,541,000. Bank of Montreal Can increased its stake in CRH by 3.1% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 27,121 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,113,000 after purchasing an additional 816 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Prudential Financial Inc. increased its stake in CRH by 24.6% in the first quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 8,328 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $334,000 after purchasing an additional 1,643 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.21% of the companys stock. Get CRH alerts: CRH Trading Up 1.5 % Shares of CRH stock opened at $64.95 on Friday. CRH plc has a 52-week low of $38.45 and a 52-week high of $65.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.34. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $58.33 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $56.21. The company has a market capitalization of $46.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.39, a PEG ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 1.21. CRH Increases Dividend Analyst Ratings Changes The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be given a $1.08 dividend. This represents a yield of 2.2%. This is an increase from CRHs previous semi-annual dividend of $0.25. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 14th. CRHs dividend payout ratio is presently 7.84%. Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of CRH from $75.61 to $76.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of CRH in a research report on Monday, November 6th. They set a neutral rating and a $58.00 target price for the company. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of CRH from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 13th. View Our Latest Stock Report on CRH About CRH (Free Report) CRH plc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes building materials in Ireland and internationally. It operates through three segments: Americas Materials, Europe Materials, and Building Products. The company manufactures and supplies cement, lime, aggregates, precast, ready mixed concrete, and asphalt products; concrete masonry and hardscape products comprising pavers, kerbs, retaining walls, and related patio products; It also offers precast concrete and polymer-based products, such as underground vaults, drainage pipes and structures, utility enclosures, and modular precast structures to the water, energy, communication, transportation, and building structures markets; and construction accessories, such as engineered anchoring, fixing, and connection solutions, as well as lifting systems, formwork accessories, and other accessories used in construction applications. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CRH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CRH plc (NYSE:CRH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for CRH Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CRH and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. https://ywang.uchicago.edu/history/docs/2002_04_12.pdf ba Chronicle of Education NOTES FROM ACADEME Documenting a Nation's Madness, One Tale at a Time By BETH McMURTRIE From the issue dated April 12, 2002 One August afternoon in 1966, Youqin Wang watched in shock as her 10th-grade classmates began torturing five of their school administrators. On the playground of the elite Girls Middle School, attached to Beijing Teachers University, she saw these students, who had declared themselves among Mao Zedong's Red Guards, splash black ink on the adults and hang large wooden boards scrawled with "counterrevolutionary" around their necks. Ms. Wang, who was 13 at the time, slipped out of the crowd as soon as she could and returned to her dormitory. In the dining room that night, she overheard some Red Guards giggling about how they had poured boiling water over their victims. They had also beaten the teachers with nail-spiked clubs and forced them to eat dirt. That evening, the first vice principal, a 50-year-old woman who had worked at the school for 17 years, died after losing consciousness three hours into the torment. Zhongyun Bian became the first educator beaten to death by students in Beijing as Mao's Cultural Revolution sprang to life that summer. If it were not for Ms. Wang, now a senior lecturer of Chinese here at the University of Chicago, Ms. Bian's death would probably have been forgotten, swept up in the larger story of the destruction of the country's economy and social stability during the next 11 years. But Ms. Wang is determined not to let the world forget. Over the past 22 years, she has painstakingly gathered the names and stories of more than 700 educators who were killed or committed suicide as a result of torture during the Cultural Revolution. She has posted the information on her Web site, Chinese Holocaust Memorial (http:// www.chinese-memorial.org/), along with two papers documenting the evolution and scope of the violence. Chicago "We have a problem in our culture" in China, says Ms. Wang, a small, intense woman who lives alone in a condominium on the edge of the Chicago campus. "We never remember our history." The Cultural Revolution has long since been repudiated, but the Chinese government still will not release many details of the atrocities committed in Mao's name, viewing them as a black mark on China's history. The survivors and their tormentors just want to forget. Given that many were forced to work and live alongside each other after the terror had subsided, says Ms. Wang, people have learned to repress their memories. She has not forgotten, however, and Roderick MacFarquhar, chairman of the department of government at Harvard University and an expert in modern Chinese history, is glad she hasn't. He calls Ms. Wang's project a unique and important contribution to the understanding of that period. Most works on the subject, he says, have dealt with "high-level history," and not the effects on ordinary citizens. Ms. Wang chooses to focus on personal details because she believes that to understand the Cultural Revolution, one must first know precisely what happened. "In Chinese, we say that we cannot build a pagoda on sand. We need a foundation. For me, I think, the foundation is the facts." She began her quest motivated by anger and disgust, and the memory of Ms. Bian's death. After three years of high school -- little more than daily "struggle sessions" in which both teachers and students were verbally and physically abused -- Ms. Wang and her younger sister were shipped to the countryside to work as farmers. Back home, their father, an engineering professor at an industrial college, languished in jail, his only crime a critical remark about the Cultural Revolution. Until she left Beijing, Ms. Wang wondered whether she had simply misunderstood what was going on around her -- whether, in fact, violence did have a place, as in the Victor Hugo novels about the French Revolution that she secretly read. But when she saw the poverty of the countryside -- farmers whose faces were swollen from lack of food -- she knew that the poor were suffering as much as the so-called "capitalist intellectuals." Ten years later, when she was finally allowed to return to Beijing and enroll in college, she was shocked to discover that her professors at Peking University said nothing about the poverty or the violence. Instead, she says, they used Marxist theory to devise dry critiques of Mao and his failed revolution. "I knew I could not speak out, but I could write, I could record," she says. "That's my resistance, the only resistance I could do." Ms. Wang roamed the halls of Peking University, asking professors which of their colleagues had died during the Cultural Revolution. She compiled a list of 23 names but believes there are many she never learned about. "Even now," she says, "they don't know how many people died there." She continued her work after coming to the United States in 1988 to teach Chinese at Stanford University. Gathering those first 700 names required enormous persistence, using the most basic of research techniques: calling, writing, and e-mailing people who had either attended or taught at schools and colleges in China during the Cultural Revolution to find out what had happened when they were there. Starting with friends and classmates, she estimates, she has contacted more than 1,000 people. The hardest part, she says, is persuading people to talk. She spent three years tracking down one man in China whose parents were killed, only to have him nervously reply that he didn't want any trouble because his wife was sick and they had a young child. That may happen more often now that the Chinese government has blocked access to her Web site there. The profiles of the victims that Ms. Wang has compiled are brief but powerful. The principal of a middle school had boiling water poured on him and thumbtacks stuck in his forehead. A teacher at an elementary school was forced to swallow nails and balls of excrement. Others were whipped with copper-buckled leather belts or forced to bend over at a right angle and stand in that position for hours. The tortures went on for days, or weeks. "Sometimes I get really tired. I don't want to touch this stuff anymore," she says. "But I have to be tough." She is sitting in her living room, with its plastic, inflatable furniture and a television resting on bound volumes of People's Daily, the newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party. She is unable to say how much time she spends on her project, because the only time she does not spend on it is when she is teaching at the university. "You see me," she says with a smile. "I have no life." It is one of the few downbeat comments she makes in an otherwise unflagging five-hour conversation. Mostly, she is absorbed by her research, telling stories about the victims she has come across, or explaining Mao's political strategies. She laughs frequently, although more in incredulity than anything else. In her sparsely furnished home, one room is filled with the results of her research: handwritten interview notes, death notices, posters printed by Red Guard students denouncing their teachers. A computer sits in the middle of the room. She receives e-mails daily from people who have heard about her project. My mother was killed, they say. Or, my father committed suicide when I was 3. Someday, she says, she would like to publish her research in a book, preferably in Chinese. The team of experts at the Institute of Technique in Rome, Italy have revealed their findings regarding the study of woke ideology and how wokism has attempted to hijack European history. Much of the riots, looting and general anger towards Western European culture is borne from jealousy of European history and wokism is the hateful symptom. There is a fundamental chasm between the culture and technological advancements of Europe and that of people from Sub-Saharan African descent living in the West. This frustration and anger is also reflected by some Sub-Saharan African descended film producers, who have chosen revisionism of history to somehow become relevant. Negationism of history to suit Sub-Saharan African descended audiences is of course based on lies, but it creates a cushion for the people who do not have a valid written documented history and have never achieved any form of technological advancements. If we look at Africa today in the year 2023 there are people who are still living in mud huts, the same as they were living 2,500 years ago during the height of the Great Roman Empire. Advancements in technology, science, culture, administration and architecture are worlds apart when looking at the two continents. Europeans have a rich written history dating back thousands of years, whereas Sub-Saharan African people have next to nothing. These are some of the reasons why there is such frustration amongst some Sub-Saharan African descended people who have appropriated the Western culture and are living in Western developed nations. They are frustrated and jealous of the success of European culture and technology. They wear the clothes of Europeans and have even adopted the names of Europeans given to them hundreds of years ago. Sub-Saharan African descended people have also adopted en masse the religion of the Europeans Christianity. So, here we have these people who are somehow living within white European society, but they still feel that something is missing from them, of course, it is their own lost culture that is missing, especially as these people have appropriated the culture of the Europeans. Western culture and society has made great leaps in trying to accommodate this fundamental disparity in modern times. Through the use of positive discrimination, where Sub-Saharan African descended people are placed in jobs and education establishments purely on the basis of colour and not their ability, as well as including Sub-Saharan African descended people in all media. These techniques are far removed from the days of segregation in the USA, as well as the apartheid in South Africa, which caused great pain and animosity between Europeans and people of Sub-Saharan African descent. The terrible fact is that Europeans are themselves a victim of their own huge success as a society and culture. Their technological advances were millions of times more in levels of progression than other indigenous cultures. Their standards of life were beyond any metre that people of Sub-Saharan African descent could even understand hundreds of years ago. It is best not to mention IQ (Sub Saharan IQ average is 66) as being the sole reason for this, but possibly because the northern European climates were so harsh to live in during the winters and ice age that European people who had moved away from the African continent thousands of years ago saw an increase in their brain sizes and ingenuity simply to survive. The subsequent inter-breeding with Homo Sapiens and the Neanderthals also created gene mutations that increased intelligence, amongst other positives that enhanced and evolved the Europeans genetically. Naturally, the people of Sub-Saharan African descent feel a great resentment towards the colonial Europeans, who were technologically far superior to their African ancestors. There is a lot of blame put on the Europeans for slavery, despite the fact that African tribal kings and business minded Africans were the ones willingly selling their own people for blankets, guns, and alcohol. Today, there is something that has infected European culture, it is a sort of white guilt borne from wokism, where Europeans are meant to feel ashamed for their historical and present time technological and societal success and decry their ancestors for that very success. This has led to forced multiculturalism with millions and millions of people imported into urban ghettos where white flight then takes place. These places within Europe, Australia and America become awful places to live, where crime and depravation prevail. For those of white European descent, to move away is thus called white flight, to move in to an area is called gentrification, to even register a persons colour is racist, to not see a persons colour is unconscious bias, to engage with a minority is deemed as cultural appropriation, and to not engage is called non-inclusive behaviour. Europeans are thus doomed to a life of dodging this, dodging that, they are the true victims of their own success, and now are forced to stoop low to accommodate the people who made little or no effort thousands of years ago to advance technologically and scientifically. Wokism is a disruptive, bullying, authoritarian attack on everything that is European in nature, including its history, its culture and its future. The Supreme Court. (Image source:Wikipedia) New Delhi: Was the decision taken by the Centre on August 5, 2019 to abrogate the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which bestowed a special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, constitutionally valid?The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its The Supreme Court is all set to pronounce its verdict on Monday on a bunch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the decision relating to the abrogation of Article 370 that granted a special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. On August 5, 2019, the Centre repealed Article 370 and bifurcated the then state of Jammu and Kashmir into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. According to the cause list for December 11 (Monday), a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud is scheduled to pronounce the verdict. The other members of the bench are Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant, as per the cause list uploaded on the website of the apex court. On September 5, the top court had reserved its verdict in the matter. The petitioners opposed to the repeal of Article 370 had argued that the provision could not have been abrogated as the term of the Jammu and Kashmir constituent Assembly ended in 1957, after it drafted the Constitution of the erstwhile state. The petitioners had contended that Article 370 acquired a permanent status post the extinction of the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir. Defending the decision, the Centre had argued that there was no "constitutional fraud" in annulling the provision that accorded the special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. During the hearing that commenced on August 2, the apex court had asked who could recommend the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir when no Constituent Assembly, the concurrence of which is required before taking such a step, exists there. The Constitution bench had further asked how a provision (Article 370), which was specifically mentioned as temporary in the Constitution, could become permanent after the tenure of the Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly came to an end in 1957. Before reserving the verdict, the bench heard Attorney General R. Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, senior advocates Harish Salve, Rakesh Dwivedi, V. Giri and others on behalf of the Centre and the intervenors defending the abrogation of Article 370. Petitioners were represented by senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Gopal Subramanium, Rajeev Dhavan, Zaffar Shah and Dushyant Dave, among others. The petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and the validity of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 which bifurcated the erstwhile state into two Union Territories were referred to the Constitution bench in 2019. Animal husbandry minister's OSD office after miscreants stolen important files from the office. (DC Image) Hyderabad: The newly-formed state government, taking strong exception to missing and burnt official records and removal of furniture from government offices, allegedly by members of the dethroned BRS government, is likely to rope in the CID to probe the issues. Sources indicated that the police have also submitted preliminary reports on the issues. Sources said the files were not digitalised. The hard disks of computers were stolen. Police said the files related to expenditures and several projects. The reports indicate that the files going missing or catching fire were deliberate acts carried out by the staff on the alleged instructions of the ousted government. With similar incidents cropping up in multiple departments, the government has also asked the police to keep a vigil on government and related offices, including head offices of corporations, to prevent further damage. While the files or the reasons behind the alleged sabotage remain unclear, the police have registered cases in connection with at least three different incidents, including the recovery of burnt files of projects from the tourism department office in Himayatnagar, under Narayanguda police limits, on December 1. Sources said that while initially, there was no suspicion in connection with the tourism department files, the police started delving deeper after a fight over shifting of furniture from the tourism department office at Ravindra Bharathi and subsequently, found files missing from the office of the animal husbandry departments officer on special duty at Nampally. Key dates Dec. 1: Important files and project reports gutted in a fire mishap at the tourism department office in Himayatnagar. Dec. 6: Osmania University Students Joint Action Committee leaders detained a vehicle at Ravindra Bharathi for shifting office furniture. Dec. 9: Important files and records, including hard disks of computers, were stolen from the office of the animal husbandry minister's office on special duty in Nampally. OSD and others booked. Dec. 10: Abids police register attempt to steal and criminal trespass case after failed bid to steal documents from the office of former education minister. Chief Minister A.Revanth Reddy interacts with KCR's son and former minister K.T. Rama Rao at Yashoda Hospital in Secunderabad. DC Image Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and other ministers visited Yashoda Hospital in Secunderabad to see former CM and BRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao, who is undergoing treatment in the hospital after he suffered a hip fracture. During the visit, the CM spoke to BRS working president and former minister K.T. Rama Rao, who is also the son of KCR, and enquired about how his father was recovering. Right after the counting (of votes) day, KCR had tripped in the bathroom after stepping on the lungi which he wore. Soon he was rushed to Yashoda Hospital in Somajiguda from his farmhouse at Erravelli. The police provided a green channel for shifting KCR to the hospital at the earliest. https://ywang.uchicago.edu/history/docs/2010_11_11.pdf Red Guards Say Sorry 2010-11-11 But China's Communist Party still honors Cultural Revolution instigator Mao Zedong. AFP A group of young Chinese Red Guards march in Beijing, August, 1966. HONG KONGA group of former "Red Guards," Mao Zedong's army of students who denounced and persecuted teachers, doctors, and other authority figures in the name of revolution, have made a rare public apology to their former teachers. Now in their sixties, former Red Guards Shen Xiaoke, Hu Bin, and Guo Canhui apologized publicly to former teachers whom they beat and spit on during the political chaos of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), according to an article in the Guangzhou-based Southern Weekend newspaper. They apologized for mistreating former Beijing Foreign Language Institute teacher Cheng Bi, 86, retired middle-school teacher Guan Qiulan, 81, and Li Huangguo, a retired teacher from the Beijing Mineral Industry Auxiliary Middle School, 79. China has yet to authorize any national event in memory of this period in the nations history, and many still bear privately the scars of a time when neighbors, colleagues, and families denounced, attacked, and even killed one another in a frenzy of mass political "struggle." U.S.-based author Zheng Yi, who was in the middle of his studies at Beijing's prestigious Qinghua University during the Cultural Revolution, said that while the apologies come late, they are still meaningful. "Right from the time that the Cultural Revolution ended, we should have seen such acts," Zheng said. "It has taken until today, and the people doing the apologizing are all in their sixties." "Of course a late apology is better than no apology," he said. U.S.-based editor Hu Ping said he was at high school in the southwestern city of Chengdu during the 1960s. "Of course it's late," Hu said. "A lot of the victims have already died." "They should have been apologizing much earlier for the wrongs that they did to them." "Nonetheless, we should recognize this apology as sincere, and we should still encourage it," he said. Numbers unconfirmed The Cultural Revolution has been officially labeled a "mistake of Mao Zedong and the Gang of Four, who launched the initial 1966 campaign against "capitalist roader" officials. In the ensuing mayhem, qualified professionals like teachers and doctors were locked up in cow pens, while schools and universities were closed and health services fell into disarray under the supervision of "revolutionaries." While the true number of casualties remains unconfirmed to this day, Southern Weekend quoted official statistics as saying that 1,772 people died nationwide in the violence, which was encouraged by then supreme leader Mao Zedong, the "Red Sun" of the era. Recent research in the southern city of Shantou alone has shown that 100,000 people were accused as criminals, more than 4,500 were injured or disabled, and some 400 people died. Chen, Hu and Guo had taken part in more violent "struggle sessions" than those involving the teachers named, the paper said, hinting at other victims who had died. It said the students had written to their former victims to beg their forgiveness. 'A good start' Retired teacher Cheng Bi replied in a letter: "You have made a good start," the paper said. "This case was not an isolated one, even though public apologies are still rare before the entire historical truth is made known," the article said. The article said the letters sprang from shelved plans to hold a moment of silence for the victims of the Cultural Revolution during a 50th anniversary celebration at the Beijing Foreign Languages Institute. Instead, the master of ceremonies merely expressed regret that principal Mo Ping, who died in 1968 after suffering severe beatings at the hands of Red Guards, "and others," could not attend the celebration. Zheng said that none of the former Red Guards featured in the report were leading figures in the movement, which was unleashed by Mao Zedong as a way of gaining ascendancy once and for all over his political opponents. He said many of the leaders of the Red Guards were the sons and daughters of high-ranking cadres close to Mao Zedong, and that many of the teachers "struggled" by their students in Beijing were beaten to death. "These people [who apologized] all followed other people's lead and joined in," Zheng said. Mao still honored And he said that none of the apologies would make any difference to the ruling Communist Party while it still espoused the political ideology of "Mao Zedong Thought." Communist Party leaders in Beijing still permit no national memorial to the Cultural Revolution, although officials in Guangdong's Shantou city built a museum in 2006, honoring those who died in the southern province. The museum, which is privately financed and advertises only discreetly on the Internet, sits at the top of Tashan, a mountain where many of the Cultural Revolution dead from the nearby city of Shantou were buried. Zheng said the leaders of the most violent attacks of the period have remained mute so far. "We haven't heard an apology from a single one of the key assassins, the ones who went around beating people to death, or those who incited such acts of violence and bloodshed: the instigators and leaders," he said. "Individual apologies by Red Guards aren't going to change the fact that the Chinese Communist Party still daren't face up to history," Zheng said. Reported by Shi Shan for RFA's Mandarin service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Copyright 1998-2010 Radio Free Asia. All rights reserved. Print... E-Mail this story Comments Click here to add your own comment Add your comment by filling out the form below in plain text. Comments are approved by a moderator and posted in accordance with RFAs Terms of Use. Comments will not appear in real time. RFA is not responsible for the content of the postings. Name (Optional): City (Optional): Captcha (Required): Mayawati announced her newphew, Akash Anand, as 'uttaradhikari' after a crucial meeting in New Delhi. New Delhi: Mayawati, the leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has officially designated her political successor during a crucial meeting of party office bearers. Mayawati's nephew, Akash Anand, has been chosen as the heir apparent, set to take over the party leadership in the future. As of now, Mayawati will retain her position as the party chief. Akash Anand, the appointed political successor, currently serves as the national coordinator of the BSP. His influence was particularly noteworthy during the recent Rajasthan assembly polls, where he held a pivotal role as the party's in-charge. Akash Anand has also actively contributed to the party's efforts in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana. Mayawati entrusted him with responsibilities in a delegation focused on preparing and launching the party's campaign, addressing issues concerning Dalits, religious minorities, OBCs, and tribals. Despite his relatively young age of 22, Akash Anand entered the political arena in 2017. Holding an MBA degree from London, he made his political debut alongside Mayawati at a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur, sharing the stage with prominent figures like Akhilesh Yadav and Ajit Singh. In 2019, Akash Anand delivered his first rally speech in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, while the BSP was part of the Mahagathbandhana coalition opposing both the Congress and BJPin the lead-up to the 2019 general elections. Reports suggest that Mayawati has been grooming Akash Anand for a sustained political role. As the 28-year-old son of Mayawati's brother Anand Kumar, Akash Anand has become a familiar presence within BSP circles. On his Instagram profile, he identifies himself as a "young supporter of Baba Saheb's vision. I stand for Education, Empowerment, and Equality." BRS MLA Talasani Srinivas Yadava inaugurates Rajiv Arogya Shree services, providing healthcare benefits up to 10 lakh rupees, at the Government Hospital in Ameerpet. (Image: Twitter) HYDERABAD: The launch of the Congress Maha Lakshmi free bus travel scheme and enhanced Rajiv Aarogyasri medical aid by city BRS MLAs Talasani Srinivas Yadav and Danam Nagendar has triggered speculation that the duo may join the Congress, which is seeking to strengthen its hand ahead of next years Lok Sabha elections and also is working to eventually secure a two-third majority in the House. The Congress has 64 MLAs and the two-third mark stands at 80. The ruling party needs 16 more MLAs to reach the magic figure, and it has the support of the lone CPI MLA. It has been done before. In 2015, 12 TD MLAs joined the BRS, resulting in merger of the legislature parties of the two. In 2019, 12 Congress MLAs joined the BRS, again leading to the merger of the legislature parties. The Congress is now attempting a repeat with the BRS, which has 39 MLAs. Speculation is rife that the Congress is in touch with 17 BRS MLAs. Apart from Srinivas Yadav and Nagendar, there is also the case of Dr Tellam Venkata Rao, BRS Bhadrachalam MLA, who reportedly announced support for the Congress on December 3, Counting Day. He denied it the next day. On Sunday, however, he met with minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Tummala Nageswara Rao who were in Khamman. The Congress has no representation in the city, with the BRS making a clean sweep, except for Old City, where the AIMIM retained its seven seats and the BJP, Amberpet. It is being stated that the Congress is attempting to lure these city BRS MLAs into its fold to strengthen ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in April 2024 and GHMC elections in December 2025, mimicking the strategy adopted by the BRS in Hyderabad after it came to power in 2014. While the BRS had no major presence in the city then, it took nine TD MLAs from the city in 2015 which helped it win the GHMC polls in February 2016 by securing 99 of 150 divisions. Then TD MLA Talasani Srinivas Yadav was among the defectors and was, subsequently, rewarded with a Cabinet minister post in the BRS government. The Congress is facing a similar situation in the city now. The BRS came to power in 2014 by winning 63 seats one fewer than Congress 64 but it could win just three seats in the city. Nagendar, on the other hand, a six-time MLA, won four polls on a Congress ticket, winning in 1994, 1999 and 2004 from Asifnagar and in 2009 from Khairatabad. He lost the Assembly polls in 2014 and joined BRS in 2018, ahead of the polls. He won on the BRS ticket in 2018 and the recent Assembly polls from Jubilee Hills. The Opposition legislators, both elected from the city, launched the schemes on Sunday and said the BRS would extend complete cooperation to the Congress government to implement schemes that benefit the public. While Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had launched both these schemes on Saturday, questions were raised in political circles on why the two BRS MLAs launched these schemes again in their constituencies, a day later. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy waves from his car during 'Praja Darbar', at Praja Bhavan in Hyderabad, Friday. (PTI Photo) HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is likely to tour districts in January 2024 to tighten up the administrative machinery and apprise officials about the priorities of the newly-formed Congress government, sources said. The task crucial both because the Congress government expects to implement the Six Guarantees within 100 days and the party must gear up for the for the Lok Sabha elections in April 2024, sources said. He may also opt for a large-scale reshuffle of IAS and IPS officials before the tours, they said. While Revanth Reddys schedule will be finalised after the end of the Legislative Assembly session next week when the House will convene on December 14 to elect a Speaker and then run proceedings for about a week sources indicated January 2024 the most likely period for Reddys tours. Before embarking on tours, Reddy would also hold a conference with collectors and SP-rank police officials of all districts after the Assembly session, to instruct them on the implementation of Congress guarantees, delivering transparent governance and maintaining law and order. Reddy has also laid special focus on the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) employees union elections, which are scheduled for December 27. The area covers the Lok Sabha constituencies of Peddapalli, Khammam and Warangal. While the BRS-affiliated Telangana Boggu Gani Karmika Sangham (TBGKS) won the polls in October 2017, the Congress is now aiming to wrest the union elections, having swept the Assembly polls in the coal belt region. The polls will see 39,748 workers (voters) cast their votes. The Singareni area covers 11 Assembly constituencies in erstwhile Adilabad, Khammam, Warangal and Karimnagar districts and the Congress won nine of them; Kothagudem went to the Congress ally CPI and the BRSs Kova Laxmi won the Asifabad seat. In 2018, the Congress had won six. MML Investors Services LLC grew its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR Free Report) by 14.2% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 32,655 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 4,066 shares during the period. MML Investors Services LLCs holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions were worth $5,409,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of BR. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 10.7% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 8,155 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,270,000 after buying an additional 788 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 15,625 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,433,000 after purchasing an additional 992 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 126.2% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 3,384 shares of the business services providers stock worth $527,000 after purchasing an additional 1,888 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board boosted its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 1,851.9% during the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 527 shares of the business services providers stock worth $82,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 13.2% during the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 12,722 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,981,000 after purchasing an additional 1,487 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.36% of the companys stock. Get Broadridge Financial Solutions alerts: Broadridge Financial Solutions Stock Performance Shares of BR opened at $191.36 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $180.79 and a 200-day simple moving average of $174.20. The company has a quick ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. The company has a market capitalization of $22.51 billion, a PE ratio of 33.99 and a beta of 0.99. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a 52-week low of $131.83 and a 52-week high of $196.52. Broadridge Financial Solutions Announces Dividend Broadridge Financial Solutions ( NYSE:BR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The business services provider reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.94 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $1.43 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.37 billion. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a net margin of 10.81% and a return on equity of 42.48%. Equities research analysts predict that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 7.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.67%. Broadridge Financial Solutionss dividend payout ratio is presently 56.84%. Insider Activity In other news, President Christopher John Perry sold 20,614 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.94, for a total value of $3,647,441.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now owns 56,738 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,039,221.72. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Broadridge Financial Solutions news, President Christopher John Perry sold 20,614 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.94, for a total transaction of $3,647,441.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now directly owns 56,738 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,039,221.72. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Keir D. Gumbs sold 3,771 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.61, for a total transaction of $665,996.31. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 14,403 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,543,713.83. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth BR has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $178.00 to $192.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 22nd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 18th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $190.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $185.57. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BR About Broadridge Financial Solutions (Free Report) Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT Free Report) by 0.1% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 6,900,062 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 9,568 shares during the quarter. State Street Corp owned approximately 0.06% of Camden Property Trust worth $757,983,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Camden Property Trust by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,955,322 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,485,575,000 after acquiring an additional 412,019 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in shares of Camden Property Trust by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 9,961,282 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,044,341,000 after acquiring an additional 157,326 shares during the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its stake in shares of Camden Property Trust by 99,189.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 3,795,848 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $413,254,000 after acquiring an additional 3,792,025 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Camden Property Trust by 31.5% during the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,555,682 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $387,107,000 after acquiring an additional 851,164 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Camden Property Trust during the 4th quarter valued at about $333,911,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.04% of the companys stock. Get Camden Property Trust alerts: Camden Property Trust Stock Performance Camden Property Trust stock opened at $93.65 on Friday. Camden Property Trust has a 52 week low of $82.81 and a 52 week high of $127.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 0.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The stock has a market cap of $10.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.83. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $91.00 and a 200-day moving average of $101.50. Camden Property Trust Dividend Announcement Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.27%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 14th. Camden Property Trusts payout ratio is currently 191.39%. CPT has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of Camden Property Trust from $120.00 to $101.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 26th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on Camden Property Trust from $111.50 to $110.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 17th. Bank of America cut Camden Property Trust from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $101.00 to $84.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. StockNews.com cut Camden Property Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Sunday. Finally, Citigroup decreased their target price on Camden Property Trust from $130.00 to $118.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 22nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $112.69. Check Out Our Latest Report on CPT About Camden Property Trust (Free Report) Camden Property Trust, an S&P 500 Company, is a real estate company primarily engaged in the ownership, management, development, redevelopment, acquisition, and construction of multifamily apartment communities. Camden owns and operates 172 properties containing 58,961 apartment homes across the United States. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CPT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Camden Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Camden Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Street Corp decreased its holdings in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:LNG Free Report) by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 6,435,383 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 25,008 shares during the quarter. State Street Corps holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $980,495,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the first quarter valued at $27,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 1,484.6% in the second quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 206 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 193 shares during the period. KB Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the first quarter valued at $52,000. Coston McIsaac & Partners acquired a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the second quarter valued at $53,000. Finally, BDO Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 94.1% in the first quarter. BDO Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 392 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $62,000 after buying an additional 190 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 85.86% of the companys stock. Get Cheniere Energy alerts: Cheniere Energy Trading Up 2.5 % Shares of Cheniere Energy stock opened at $176.21 on Friday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $158.60. The stock has a market cap of $41.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.49, a P/E/G ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.02, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a current ratio of 1.54. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 1 year low of $135.00 and a 1 year high of $183.46. Cheniere Energy Increases Dividend Cheniere Energy ( NYSEAMERICAN:LNG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The energy company reported $2.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.55 by ($0.18). The business had revenue of $4.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.90 billion. Cheniere Energy had a return on equity of 154.07% and a net margin of 50.46%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 17.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 9th were given a $0.435 dividend. This is a positive change from Cheniere Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $1.74 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.99%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 8th. Cheniere Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 3.44%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Cheniere Energy from $189.00 to $183.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 29th. Bank of America upped their target price on Cheniere Energy from $172.00 to $194.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 14th. Capital One Financial assumed coverage on Cheniere Energy in a report on Wednesday, September 6th. They set an overweight rating and a $200.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com downgraded Cheniere Energy from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Cheniere Energy in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating and a $205.00 target price for the company. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $196.00. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Cheniere Energy Cheniere Energy Profile (Free Report) Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile pipeline interconnecting the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with various interstate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LNG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:LNG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cheniere Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cheniere Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Analysts at Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Southern (NYSE:SO Get Free Report) in a research note issued on Friday, MarketBeat reports. The brokerage set a buy rating and a $82.00 price target on the utilities providers stock. Citigroups price target indicates a potential upside of 14.69% from the companys current price. Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on SO. Barclays cut their target price on Southern from $68.00 to $64.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Southern from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 6th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Southern from $66.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Southern from $69.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of Southern from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $73.20. Get Southern alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Southern Southern Stock Performance SO opened at $71.50 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $77.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.96 and a beta of 0.55. The businesss fifty day moving average is $68.16 and its 200-day moving average is $69.16. Southern has a 52-week low of $58.85 and a 52-week high of $75.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 0.84. Southern (NYSE:SO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $6.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.38 billion. Southern had a net margin of 11.60% and a return on equity of 10.26%. Sell-side analysts expect that Southern will post 3.61 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.39, for a total value of $693,900.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 28,691 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,990,868.49. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.39, for a total transaction of $693,900.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 28,691 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,990,868.49. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.39, for a total value of $341,950.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 111,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,610,712.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 25,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,705,000 over the last ninety days. 0.28% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Southern A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of SO. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its position in shares of Southern by 2.1% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 61,472,651 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,277,269,000 after purchasing an additional 1,283,943 shares during the period. FMR LLC grew its holdings in shares of Southern by 5.0% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 38,906,760 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,518,045,000 after buying an additional 1,838,857 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Southern by 2.3% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,816,104 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,387,945,000 after acquiring an additional 452,511 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Southern by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 16,070,918 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,128,982,000 after acquiring an additional 642,737 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors lifted its position in Southern by 8.0% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 11,910,166 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $836,689,000 after acquiring an additional 883,544 shares in the last quarter. 62.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Southern (Get Free Report) The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates through three segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC lessened its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM Free Report) by 3.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,095 shares of the companys stock after selling 188 shares during the quarter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF were worth $735,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MTUM. Summit Wealth Group LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 16,086.2% during the 1st quarter. Summit Wealth Group LLC now owns 10,831,939 shares of the companys stock valued at $78,000 after purchasing an additional 10,765,018 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 1,777.3% during the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,744,129 shares of the companys stock valued at $254,521,000 after purchasing an additional 1,651,221 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 37,248.7% during the 2nd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 1,240,723 shares of the companys stock valued at $178,974,000 after purchasing an additional 1,237,401 shares during the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 98,060.1% in the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 903,073 shares of the companys stock worth $130,485,000 after buying an additional 902,153 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the first quarter worth about $170,936,000. Get iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Stock Up 0.8 % Shares of MTUM opened at $150.80 on Friday. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF has a 52 week low of $81.37 and a 52 week high of $113.60. The company has a market capitalization of $9.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.35 and a beta of 0.91. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $144.38 and its 200-day moving average price is $143.47. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities, selected and weighted based on price appreciation over 6- and 12-month periods and low volatility over the past 3 years. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MTUM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 22,600 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,078,000. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of UNM. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Unum Group during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Huntington National Bank lifted its position in shares of Unum Group by 1,076.4% in the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 647 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 592 shares during the period. Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its position in shares of Unum Group by 2,262.1% in the 2nd quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 685 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 656 shares during the period. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Unum Group by 228.8% in the 2nd quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 743 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 517 shares during the period. Finally, CVA Family Office LLC lifted its position in shares of Unum Group by 37.8% in the 2nd quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 1,075 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $51,000 after acquiring an additional 295 shares during the period. 79.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Unum Group alerts: Unum Group Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:UNM opened at $42.83 on Friday. Unum Group has a twelve month low of $36.27 and a twelve month high of $52.15. The firm has a market cap of $8.35 billion, a PE ratio of 6.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a current ratio of 0.29. The business has a fifty day moving average of $45.71 and a 200-day moving average of $47.13. Unum Group Dividend Announcement Unum Group ( NYSE:UNM Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The financial services provider reported $1.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.92 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $3.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.11 billion. Unum Group had a return on equity of 15.54% and a net margin of 10.07%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.51 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Unum Group will post 7.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 27th were given a dividend of $0.365 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 26th. This represents a $1.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.41%. Unum Groups payout ratio is currently 23.59%. Unum Group declared that its board has authorized a share buyback plan on Tuesday, October 31st that authorizes the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to reacquire up to 5.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have commented on UNM. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Unum Group from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on Unum Group from $59.00 to $54.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Unum Group from $62.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, August 15th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Unum Group from $55.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 14th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Unum Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Unum Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $54.50. Read Our Latest Research Report on UNM Insider Transactions at Unum Group In other news, EVP Puneet Bhasin sold 8,188 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.39, for a total transaction of $347,089.32. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 54,318 shares in the company, valued at $2,302,540.02. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.94% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Unum Group Profile (Free Report) Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block and Corporate segments. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Unum Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unum Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SiteOne Landscape Supply (NYSE:SITE Get Free Report)s stock had its sell rating restated by investment analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a report released on Friday, MarketBeat reports. They currently have a $120.00 target price on the industrial products companys stock, down from their previous target price of $123.00. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price objective would suggest a potential downside of 17.66% from the companys current price. Several other equities research analysts have also commented on SITE. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply from $185.00 to $153.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 30th. Barclays reduced their price target on SiteOne Landscape Supply from $144.00 to $139.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. TheStreet lowered SiteOne Landscape Supply from a b- rating to a c rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. UBS Group raised shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the company from $145.00 to $200.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 26th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply from $141.00 to $131.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $159.80. Get SiteOne Landscape Supply alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on SITE SiteOne Landscape Supply Trading Down 0.8 % NYSE:SITE opened at $145.73 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $6.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.95 and a beta of 1.44. The company has a current ratio of 2.40, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. SiteOne Landscape Supply has a 12 month low of $113.25 and a 12 month high of $176.16. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $141.43 and a 200-day simple moving average of $153.68. SiteOne Landscape Supply (NYSE:SITE Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 1st. The industrial products company reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.25). The firm had revenue of $1.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.15 billion. SiteOne Landscape Supply had a return on equity of 12.71% and a net margin of 4.16%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.60 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that SiteOne Landscape Supply will post 3.68 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at SiteOne Landscape Supply In other SiteOne Landscape Supply news, CEO Doug Black sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $159.16, for a total transaction of $1,273,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 562,886 shares in the company, valued at approximately $89,588,935.76. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. 2.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On SiteOne Landscape Supply Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply in the third quarter worth about $26,000. Operose Advisors LLC purchased a new position in SiteOne Landscape Supply in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Pinebridge Investments L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its holdings in shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply by 81.7% in the second quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 218 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. SiteOne Landscape Supply Company Profile (Get Free Report) SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the wholesale distribution of landscape supplies in the United States and Canada. The company provides a selection of approximately 155,000 stock keeping units, including irrigation supplies, which comprise controllers, valves, sprinkler heads, and irrigation pipes; fertilizer, grass seed, and ice melt products; control products, such as herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, and other pesticides; landscape accessories that include mulches, soil amendments, drainage pipes, tools, and sods; nursery goods, which consist of deciduous and evergreen shrubs, ornamental, shade, evergreen trees, field grown and container-grown nursery stock, roses, perennials, annuals, bulbs, and plant species; hardscapes, such as pavers, natural stones, blocks, and other durable materials; and outdoor lighting products that include lighting fixtures, LED lamps, wires, transformers, and accessories. Read More Receive News & Ratings for SiteOne Landscape Supply Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SiteOne Landscape Supply and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eleven years ago, today, Darwin, an incredibly fashionable six-month-old Japanese macaque, wearing a shearling coat and a diaper, was found wandering around an Ikea in North York, a Toronto suburb. Global News explains how he got there: His owner had left him in a crate when she parked at the store. Darwin escaped the crate, unlocked the car door, and walked into the parking lot where he was discovered. He became known as "Ikea Monkey" and became an overnight internet sensation. So, happy Ikea Monkey Day! I thought you might want to know what happened to the little fella. The poor guy had been illegally kept as a pet, and after he was captured in Ikea, his owner was fined $240 and surrendered him. Darwin ended up at Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary in Sunderland, Ontario, and now lives there with a couple dozen other primates, including another famous critter, Pockets Warhol, a capuchin whose paintings help fund the organization that rescues abandoned monkeys and lemurs. Global News provides more information about Darwin and the sanctuary: Snowden Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEARCA:PPA Free Report) by 5.0% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 7,431 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 356 shares during the period. Snowden Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF were worth $628,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in PPA. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF by 8,435.0% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,414 shares of the companys stock valued at $267,000 after buying an additional 3,374 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates grew its holdings in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF by 11.9% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 18,515 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,450,000 after buying an additional 1,969 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $410,000. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $1,091,000. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $705,000. Get Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF alerts: Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of PPA stock opened at $89.11 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.91 and a beta of 0.98. Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF has a 12-month low of $76.25 and a 12-month high of $89.72. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $83.98 and a 200-day moving average of $83.31. Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF Company Profile PowerShares Aerospace & Defense Portfolio (Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the SPADE Defense Index (the Index). The Index is designed to identify a group of companies involved in the development, manufacturing, operations and support of the United States defense, homeland security and aerospace operations. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PPA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEARCA:PPA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Street Corp raised its position in VMware, Inc. (NYSE:VMW Free Report) by 3.6% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 5,330,369 shares of the virtualization software providers stock after buying an additional 183,899 shares during the quarter. State Street Corps holdings in VMware were worth $765,921,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its holdings in shares of VMware by 100,043.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 374,581,150 shares of the virtualization software providers stock worth $53,823,565,000 after purchasing an additional 374,207,104 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in shares of VMware by 21.0% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,317,558 shares of the virtualization software providers stock valued at $2,488,360,000 after buying an additional 3,008,067 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of VMware by 2.1% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,046,294 shares of the virtualization software providers stock valued at $1,485,582,000 after buying an additional 273,093 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC grew its stake in shares of VMware by 115.8% in the second quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 5,369,317 shares of the virtualization software providers stock valued at $771,518,000 after buying an additional 2,881,564 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG grew its stake in shares of VMware by 29.8% in the first quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 4,729,505 shares of the virtualization software providers stock valued at $590,479,000 after buying an additional 1,085,259 shares in the last quarter. 46.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get VMware alerts: Insider Activity In other news, EVP Jean Pierre Brulard sold 5,779 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $178.29, for a total value of $1,030,337.91. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 71,053 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,668,039.37. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 40.30% of the companys stock. VMware Price Performance Analyst Ratings Changes VMW stock opened at $143.00 on Friday. VMware, Inc. has a 52-week low of $109.00 and a 52-week high of $181.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.71. The company has a market capitalization of $61.75 billion, a PE ratio of 43.20 and a beta of 0.71. The stocks 50 day moving average is $152.49 and its two-hundred day moving average is $152.88. VMW has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Mizuho increased their target price on VMware from $158.00 to $165.00 in a research note on Friday, September 1st. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on VMware from $140.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, September 1st. StockNews.com assumed coverage on VMware in a report on Saturday. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. UBS Group lifted their price objective on VMware from $180.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, September 1st. Finally, Monness Crespi & Hardt downgraded VMware from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, August 28th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, VMware currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $160.25. View Our Latest Research Report on VMware About VMware (Free Report) VMware, Inc provides software solutions in the areas of modern applications, cloud management and infrastructure, networking, security, and workspaces in the United States and internationally. It offers VMware multi-cloud solutions, including VMware vSphere, a data center infrastructure that provides the fundamental compute layer; and vSAN and VxRail, which offers holistic data storage and protection options to applications running on vSphere; as well as VMware Cloud Foundation, a cloud platform that combines its vSphere, vSAN, and NSX with VMware Aria Cloud Management into an integrated stack that delivers ready cloud infrastructure for private and public clouds. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VMW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for VMware, Inc. (NYSE:VMW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for VMware Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VMware and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. As pretty much everybody has seen over the past two months, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza. As theyve been committing atrocity after atrocity, the world has been rallying around the people of Palestine, doing whatever we can to help. Throughout Ireland, the organisation Irish Artists for Palestine has been putting on Gigs for Gaza in order to raise money for Medical Aid Palestine, and Derry hosted our very own earlier this month in Sandinos. With a line-up that featured host Miss Mary Jane, artists Alix Darwin, Paddy Nash, Nikki Mac, Craic Pipe, George Houston, Dirty Faces, CHERYM, Touts and Meryl Streek and speakers Bernadette Devlin, Eamonn McCann and Shaun Harkin, the gig was a huge success, raising 7,450 for M.A.P.. I spoke with some of those that were playing, about their thoughts on the night, starting with Paddy Nash: I know its an event thats happening all over Ireland, but I know, growing up in Derry and playing music since the eighties, Derrys always been a hotbed for activism. Its never just about local issues. Theres solidarity with people that you can recognise their struggle, even in the small way we went through. Its brilliant, you come to Sandinos just to see so many young people riled up and theyre ready, theyre positive. They want to do something. They want to take action. Next up was headliner Meryl Streek: Im horrified by whats going on over there. Its unbearable to watch every day, and it seems to be getting worse. Its good to see the amount of support Irelands been throwing at the issues. After that was Josh OKane of Dirty Faces: I come from a GAA background, and I remember that man at the gate shaking the bucket. Thats fundraising. Hes keeping the club alive. Irelands doing that for oppressed people of the world. Were keeping the gates open. Next I went backstage and spoke with Hannah Richardson and Alannagh Doherty (CHERYM) and Matthew Crossan and Luke McLaughlin (Touts). First was Luke: Im glad people have the stones to come out. It was always easy to be against Trump because it was trendy, but people are scared to come out and say stuff that might be a bit iffy. Alannagh: Seeing the response to this globally, compared to the way the west reacted to Ukraine, was so different because its in the Middle East and its been going on since 1948. Its becoming a trend to support Palestine, because were seeing McDonalds and Starbucks stocks beginning to rise again, but people should keep boycotting them and people should keep on supporting Palestine and the ceasefire should be permanent. Luke: Its not even really a ceasefire, Matthew: Its a one-way slaughtering match. Luke: Its wains with stones against the most technologically advanced military organisations in the world. Its not even a political thing, its a moral thing. Alannagh: Its not a war, its a genocide. Its not a two-way thing. Matthew: If you entrap people in concentration camps, what do you expect to happen? Luke: Same here. Occupation breeds resistance. Hannah: The Israeli government are literally a superpower. They have stocks in nearly every massive company. Its really scary to think. Matthew: Theyre on Twitter saying what theyre doing. Theyre not saying its genocide, but it clearly is. Alannagh: Theyre literally using thirst traps as bait. Theyve gone that far that theyre using women in their military as bait. Luke: Look, death in general is sh**e but you cannot compare the two. You cant compare bombing cities and saying at least we got some Palestinian Freedom Fighters or whatever. Matthew: and them saying it was Hamas bombed that hospital. Naw, Im pretty sure the people that bombed the hospital are the people that have been bombing Palestine. Alannagh: Its like theyre comparing throwing stones to carpet bombing. Israel have been committing war crimes since they were created, but all of a sudden, the west doesnt care. After that was host Miss Mary Jane: Whenever I was asked to do it, it was a lot to consider. Working in drag, everything is very secular, very detached. When I thought about it, I realised the importance of what tonight meant and the difference I could make on the ground. I thought I wanted to be on the right side of history. Finally there was Jason Feenan (Touts): With the Israel/Palestine situation, theres a clear right and wrong. Theres an oppressed people that spend their lives in fear and are being driven out of where theyve called home for generations. I cant understand the Zionist point of view. Its apartheid and it needs to end. The world shouldve moved past that after South Africa but it hasnt, and to see the world powers, America, the EU and Britain really get behind Israel is heartbreaking. It makes me embarrassed to be a westerner. My heart is always with the Palestinian people. Now, the socials: Paddy Nash can be found on Facebook and Instagram @thenashman, Alix Darwin @alixdarwinmusic, Craic Pipe @craicpipelad, Nikki Mac @nikkimac.x, George Houston @georgehoustonarts, Miss Mary Jane @maryjane.miss, Dirty Faces @dirtyfacesderry, Meryl Streek @merylstreek_, CHERYM @cherymofficial and Touts @touts_band. Irish Artists for Palestine can be found @irish.artists.for.palestine. PICTURED: Trocaire CEO Caoimhe de Barra at the launch of their Christmas Appeal focusing on "Children in Conflict". She is pictured with 45 teddy bears (each teddy represents 10 million children) to highlight the fact that over 450 million children in the world - one out of every six young lives are living in a conflict zone. (Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland) Irish NGO Trocaire has said that donations made by communities across County Derry and around the country are saving many lives in Gaza. The organisation made the announcement as it launched its Christmas Appeal this morning (1st Dec) which is focusing on Children in Conflict and highlighting the fact that one in six young people in the world live in conflict zones. Speaking at the launch, Trocaire CEO Caoimhe de Barra said that the horrendous situation in Gaza has already resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent women, men and children and the unacceptable death toll continues to rise. As well as those who have tragically lost their lives, many more people have been seriously injured. The situation is posing huge challenges for Trocaires partners but that they are making a difference thanks to the support of the public in County Derry. "Trocaires partner organisation, Medical Aid for Palestinians, is working against the odds in Gaza to ensure that those injured, many of them children, receive urgent medical care to give them the best chance of survival. Another partner, Caritas Jerusalem, has seen their medical centre and clinic in Gaza City damaged in the bombardment but staff are continuing to strive to provide whatever medical support they can. "This life-saving work has been made possible by the generosity of people here at home, said Ms. De Barra. The recent temporary truce allowed for limited humanitarian aid to reach those desperately in need of food, water, and medical assistance, and the release of hostages and those arbitrarily detained allowed them to be reunited with their families. However, a pause is not enough. A permanent ceasefire needs to be brokered to bring an end to the hostilities that have seen thousands of Palestinian and Israeli civilian lives lost, the majority of them women and children. Many of Trocaires local partner organisations in the Gaza Strip have been unable to operate in recent weeks, and they have suffered their own horrendous ordeals through displacement and loss of friends and families. When they are able to do so, they must be allowed to return to delivering lifesaving medical care, psychosocial support and legal assistance to the people of Gaza, Caoimhe de Barra said. Before the escalation of violence last month, the Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip faced acute humanitarian needs, with more than 80% of the population dependent on some form of humanitarian assistance. Today, 1.7 million of the 2.2 million residents of the Gaza Strip are internally displaced, in an area that is half the size of County Louth. Karen McHugh writing a message on a blackboard beside 45 teddy bears (each teddy represents 10 million children) on Merrion Square. The board highlights the fact that over 450 million children in the world - one out of every six young lives are living in a conflict zone. (Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland) Gaza is quite rightly in the headlines at the moment but its not just there where children are bearing the brunt of violence and conflict. From Gaza to Ukraine, from Ethiopia to Sudan, today we are highlighting the fact that over 450 million children in the world - one out of every six young lives are living in a conflict zone. Imagine life for a child caught in a conflict zone this Christmas. In many cases they have no food, no clean water to drink or safe place to rest their heads. Fragile. Frightened. We are asking people here at home to support our Christmas Appeal which will provide survival kits, emergency dignity kits and essential food baskets for these children and their families, as well as supporting critical work across Trocaires global programmes. Please, if you are able, make a donation at www.trocaire.org. People are getting over-excited by the announcement of all-party talks, as more work remains to be done before a return to Stormont, the DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said. On Monday, representatives from the main parties in the region will gather at Hillsborough Castle for a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris on how to address the regions finances. In a letter to party members seen by the PA News Agency, Sir Jeffrey insisted that the roundtable discussion is separate from the DUPs negotiations with the government in relation to the restoration of devolution. Devolved government has not been functioning in Northern Ireland for nearly two years due to the DUPs ongoing boycott of power-sharing institutions in protest against post-Brexit trade agreements. The DUP has been in negotiation with the Government to secure legislative assurances of Northern Irelands economic position in the UK. Speculation has been growing in recent weeks that the party could be closing in on an agreement that could restore the Assembly at Stormont, with Mr Heaton-Harris saying negotiations are in their final, final phase. In his letter to party members, the DUP leader said more work was required before they would return to Stormont. Whilst some were getting over-excited by this meeting being called, it is nonetheless a step forward in that the Government seem to be focused on Northern Ireland finances and accepting the case we have been making, for several years, that Northern Ireland is underfunded, he said. Mondays roundtable is distinct from our discussions with the Government regarding the NI Protocol / Windsor Framework. Those talks continue to make progress, but more work is required to conclude that process if we are to have arrangements acceptable to unionists as well as nationalists. Sir Jeffrey said he would be attending the talk alongside party deputy leader Gavin Robinson MP and finance spokesman Gordon Lyons MLA. In the absence of an executive, the budget for Northern Ireland was set by Mr Heaton-Harris and there have been shortfalls of millions across a range of Stormont departments. The Department of Finance has said that despite cuts of more than 900 million, Northern Ireland is on track for an overspend this year of 450 million. This rises to nearly 1 billion if accounting for a pay rise for NI public sector workers to match that of the other regions of the UK. The DUP leader has said that Northern Ireland is being underfunded and that the party delegation will reiterate this to Mr Heaton-Harris on Monday. Sir Jeffrey added that no amount of increased efficiency would fill the budgetary gap. Regardless of when the NI Assembly returns, our allocation from Treasury cannot sit unaltered, he said. Whilst this year we are underfunded by 300 million, by 2025 that gap widens out to 1.2 billion. He added: Of course, as with any administration, there will always be examples of where money could and should be better utilised, but no amount of feasible efficiency could fill the annual shortfall created by the Barnett squeeze. We will be clear with the Government on Monday that we need to get a solution with recurring funding that enables us to invest in our schools and hospitals as well as pay our public servants appropriately. The Government has denied its negotiations with the DUP on the post-Brexit Windsor Framework have been concluded. The statement from the Northern Ireland Office came after Sinn Fein claimed the Government had informed its leadership that the negotiation process was over. The Sinn Fein assertion came ahead of a meeting with the main Stormont parties and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris at Hillsborough Castle on Monday. The meeting is focused on Stormonts financial difficulties and what steps can be taken to address the budgetary issues if and when powersharing is restored in Belfast. However, Sinn Fein said it will use the meeting to call for a date to be set to restore the institutions, as well as urging the Government to deliver an accompanying financial package. Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald, vice president Michelle ONeill and former Stormont finance minister Conor Murphy will attend Mondays discussions. Speculation has been growing in recent weeks that the DUP could be closing in on an agreement that could restore the Executive and Assembly at Stormont, with Mr Heaton-Harris having recently insisted negotiations were in their final, final phase. Devolved government has not been functioning in Northern Ireland for nearly two years because of the DUPs ongoing boycott of the institutions in protest against post-Brexit trade agreements. The DUP has been in negotiation with the Government to secure legislative assurances of Northern Irelands economic position in the UK. A Sinn Fein spokesman told the PA news agency on Sunday: The British Government has confirmed to the Sinn Fein leadership that the Windsor Framework negotiation with the DUP is now over, and concluded. The NIO issued a swift denial. This is totally incorrect. Discussions with the DUP continue. The DUP also rejected the Sinn Fein claim. A DUP spokesman said: As indicated on Friday by us, there remains further work yet to be completed before we would consider negotiations with the UK Government concluded. The UK Government is aware of that. Sinn Fein has not been a part of the process and therefore regardless of what they are being told they will not be in a position to make pronouncements on the issues. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson briefed party members at the weekend that people were getting over-excited by the announcement of all-party talks, as he maintained that more work remained to be done before a return to Stormont is secured. In an email to party members seen by the PA news agency, Sir Jeffrey insisted that the roundtable discussion is separate from the DUPs negotiations with the Government in relation to the restoration of devolution. In his letter to party members, the DUP leader said more work was required before they would return to Stormont. Whilst some were getting over-excited by this meeting being called, it is nonetheless a step forward in that the Government seem to be focused on Northern Ireland finances and accepting the case we have been making, for several years, that Northern Ireland is underfunded, he said. Mondays roundtable is distinct from our discussions with the Government regarding the NI Protocol/Windsor Framework. Those talks continue to make progress, but more work is required to conclude that process if we are to have arrangements acceptable to unionists as well as nationalists. Sir Jeffrey said he would be attending the talks on Monday alongside party deputy leader Gavin Robinson and finance spokesman Gordon Lyons. In the absence of an Executive, the budget for Northern Ireland was set by Mr Heaton-Harris and there have been shortfalls of millions across a range of Stormont departments. The Department of Finance has said that despite cuts of more than 900 million, Northern Ireland is on track for an overspend this year of 450 million. This rises to nearly 1 billion if accounting for a pay rise for NI public sector workers to match that of the other regions of the UK. The DUP leader has said that Northern Ireland is being underfunded and that the party delegation will reiterate this to Mr Heaton-Harris on Monday. Sir Jeffrey added that no amount of increased efficiency would fill the budgetary gap. Regardless of when the NI Assembly returns, our allocation from Treasury cannot sit unaltered, he said. Whilst this year we are underfunded by 300 million, by 2025 that gap widens out to 1.2 billion. He added: Of course, as with any administration, there will always be examples of where money could and should be better utilised, but no amount of feasible efficiency could fill the annual shortfall created by the Barnett squeeze. We will be clear with the Government on Monday that we need to get a solution with recurring funding that enables us to invest in our schools and hospitals as well as pay our public servants appropriately. The Northern Ireland Office has been approached for comment. Last year we brought you news that Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise living in St. Helena, a small island in the Atlantic, turned 190 years old on December 4, 2022. In that piece, Thom Dunn described Jonathan as "horny as fuck, but also old as fuck." Both seem to still be true. Old Jonathan is still going strong, as he's now just turned 191, which just earned him a spot in Guinness World Records as the World's Oldest Living Land Animal. He also broke his own record for being the oldest documented chelonian (tortoise, turtle, or terrapin). Despite his very advanced age, though, according to his veterinarian Joe Hollins, Jonathan shows "no sign of slowing down." Smithsonian Magazine provides more information about Jonathan and his new record: Jonathan is estimated to have been born around 1832, before the invention of the telephone, lightbulb or postage stamp. He's lived through 40 U.S. presidents and 31 governors of Saint Helena, the small island in the Atlantic where he lives. St. Helena is widely known for being the final residence of Napoleon Bonaparte, who died while in exile there after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. Bonaparte's remains were transferred to Paris from St. Helena in 1840just 42 years before Jonathan arrived on the island. Though his exact age is unknown, Jonathan was fully grown when he was gifted to the island's governor from Seychelles in 1882, which experts said meant he was at least 50 years old. Last year, the tortoise was granted an official birthday of December 4, 1832, by St. Helena Governor Nigel Phillipsbut experts say he's likely even older. Seychelles giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) have an average life expectancy of 150 years . . . "In spite of losing his sense of smell and being virtually blind from cataracts, his appetite remains keen," Hollins tells GWR. "He is still being hand-fed once a week with a fortifying helping of fruit and vegetables by a small, dedicated team. This not only supplements his calories but provides those essential drivers of his metabolism: vitamins, minerals and trace elements." Happy birthday, Jonathan! Here's to many more! On Tuesday 5 December, the Louth ABC Programme, as part of Louth Local Development, hosted the official launch of their new resource for parents in County Louth. The Louth ABC Programme have collaborated with parents and services in County Louth to develop a central source of information, outlining what services and supports are available to people in their area. In doing so they have developed - www.louthparenthub.ie Louth Parent Hub is a directory of services, that links families directly to a service whilst providing you with information about what support they provide. Parent support is listed and categorised on the website and subsequently linked to a live calendar of events that can be accessed online and in one's own time. Each individual service, club or organisation is able to register on the directory of services and Louth ABC hope to be able to provide families with as much support as possible. The website, funded through the Tusla Parental Participation and CYPSC Seed Fund was welcomed by Ciaran Reid, CEO of Louth Local Development and introduced to the audience by Louth ABC Programme Manager, Gavin McGee. This was followed by a release of the Rethink Ireland funded ParentChild+ Home Visiting Video. Michelle Moore, National Lead for ParentChild+ in National College of Ireland introduced the new video and outlined the many benefits of the programme, available here in Louth. Rebecca Moore, Child and Family Agency Tusla National Lead for Parenting Support, then outlined the national strategy for parenting and how this will be implemented on a local level. Simon Conroy, National Lead for the Parent Support Policy unit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth then spoke about the links between local and national strategy at a departmental level. The evening was closed off by Louth/Meath Tusla Area Manager, Sarah Doyle who highlighted the importance of Parenting Support as a preventative measure for Tusla in the Louth Area. Louth local Development say they wish to offer a huge thank you to all who contributed to the development of The Louth Parent Hub as a resource, especially the parents who informed the design, core functions and key elements of the website. For more information and support please visit www.louthparenthub.ie Dundalk Institute of Technology recently hosted their inaugural Nursing & Midwifery Career Day. The Department of Nursing & Midwifery in conjunction with the DkIT Careers & Employability Centre hosted their first dedicated Careers Day for their Nursing & Midwifery Final Year students. Students were provided with a jam-packed day of career advice, employer insights, job opportunities, alumni talks and postgraduate study options. Students were encouraged to use the day as a break away from their heavy academic workloads and a time to reflect on their personal career path and consider the wide range of opportunities available to them, and how to best prepare for their future as Nursing and Midwifery graduates. The Day was made up of four distinct sessions and commenced with a Careers Workshop delivered by the DkIT Careers & Employability Centre focussing on CVs, LinkedIn and Competency Based Interviews. This was followed by Discipline Specific seminars with employers, recent graduates and research students in the field. In the afternoon, the Nursing & Midwifery Planning & Development Unit of the HSE, delivered an insightful session introducing Career Development within the HSE and the day culminated in a Careers Fair with Employers for each discipline. With employer representatives from across the four disciplines General Nursing, Intellectual Disability Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Midwifery the Muirhevna Building in DkIT was a hive of activity. Some of the employers who attended on the day included Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Cavan General Hospital, Letterkenny Maternity Unit, Beaumont Hospital, HSE Older Person Services, HSE Disability Services Louth Meath and Cavan Monaghan, HSE Public Health services, St Patricks Mental Health Services, Louth Meath and Cavan Monaghan Mental Health Services, National Forensic Services, SJOG services, Praxis Care, Talbot Group, St. Michaels House and the Peter McVerry Trust. Dr Myles Hackett, Head of Nursing, Midwifery & Early Years, was delighted with the success of the day, he said: This first nursing and midwifery careers day for Year 4 students was a great success. Students had an opportunity to attend talks from the DkIT Careers and Employability Office, meet graduates of the DkIT nursing and midwifery programmes, hear from clinical experts and meet with representatives from a variety of healthcare providers. "The students were very excited to hear about the opportunities available to them when they complete their studies in DkIT and begin their careers as registered nurses and midwives. Dr Hackett thanked Programme Directors Dr Briege King, Dr. Anita Byrne, Dr. Aine McHugh and Joe Treacy for their leading role in creating the day. Catherine Staunton, Head of Careers & Employability, was excited to work alongside her colleague Claire Fallon, Employability Advisor to bring a dedicated Careers Day to the DkIT Nursing & Midwifery students, Catherine added: As expected, the Nursing & Midwifery final year students approached the day as true professionals, they engaged fully, posed insightful questions and took the opportunity to learn as much as possible from employers and DkIT alumni. The film Kneecap which filmed scenes in parts of Dundalk and Greenore earlier this year will have its world premiere at the renowned Sundance Film Festival in Utah next month where it will screen on the opening night on Thursday 18th January. Based on the origin story of the riotous and ground-breaking Irish-language rap trio Kneecap, the film stars the bands Mo Chara, Moglai Bap and DJ Provai in their acting debuts alongside Academy Award nominated Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs, 12 Years a Slave), Simone Kirby (Hidden Assets, Jimmys Hall) and Josie Walker (Belfast, The Wonder). Set in west Belfast in 2019, it chronicles how fate brings the trio together and how they then go on to change the sound of Irish music forever. Speaking about the world premiere writer / director Rich Peppiatt said: When I first set out to make a film in a language I didn't speak, set in a place I'm not from, little could I have imagined four years later we would be introducing Kneecap the movie to the world at the Mecca of Independent cinema. It's an honour to be breaking new ground for Irish language cinema with a film that surprises & provokes every bit as much as Kneecap's music. Kneecap added: We are buzzing to be premiering at Sundance. Wherever we go we aim to smash preconceptions about cultural identity, language and highlight the role of the working classes to overthrow oppressive power. To now bring this message from the streets of West Belfast to the big screen is f*cking excellent. We're immensely proud of the film and can't wait to get it to cinemas around the world. A wee sneak peek of Kneecap the movie. The first ever Irish language movie at @sundanceorg - this snippet in the language of the oppressor. "The Troubles?!" pic.twitter.com/QoGdFdMqC9 KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) December 6, 2023 Producer Trevor Birney from Fine Point Films said: This is the first Irish language film to have been selected by Sundance, which is simply incredible not only for Rich Peppiatt and Kneecap but for Fine Point and the film industry in Ireland, north and south. I was excited about this film from the moment Rich came to me with the idea and we began to work together with the band on making it happen. Thanks to the incredible crew and, of course, the funders who supported Richs vision. Go raibh maith agaibh. Patrick ONeill, MD at Wildcard said: "Wildcard are thrilled to be involved with Kneecap as producer and distributor. It's a brilliant Irish film that I am sure will connect with audiences all over Ireland and worldwide. We can't wait to bring it to Irish cinemas in 2024." Proinsias Ni Ghrainne Commissioning Editor in TG4 said: TG4 is the obvious broadcast partner for this bold, pulsating comedy , a rich mix of dark satire, realism and language activism. What an affirmation for Irish language film and for how far our language can travel that Kneecap's story and sound track will open the biggest independent film festival in the world.' Founded in 1978, the Sundance Film Festival is the world's most prestigious festival dedicated to independent films. Titles that have screened at the festival in the past include The Usual Suspects, Reservoir Dogs, Little Miss Sunshine, and In Bruges as well as Irish productions such as John Crowley's Brooklyn, Yorgos Lanthimos's The Lobster, John Carney's Sing Street and Lee Cronins The Hole in the Ground. KNEECAP is the first non-US film to ever be selected for the NEXT section of the festival. The festival describes selections for this section as pure, bold works distinguished by an innovative, forward-thinking approach to story-telling. The film is writer/director Rich Peppiatts first live-action feature following his award-winning satirical documentary One Rogue Reporter. Described by the LA Times as reminiscent of the early Eminem, the band Kneecap is gaining critical acclaim for their artful blend of Irish and English rap about the gritty reality of growing up in post-Troubles Belfast. Their single Better Way to Live featuring Grian Chatten was released last month with their highly anticipated debut album set to be released early next year. KNEECAP was produced by Jack Tarling and Trevor Birney for Fine Point Films and Mother Tongues Films, with Patrick ONeill at Wildcard acting as Co-Producer. Funding for the film was provided by Northern Ireland Screen, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Screen Ireland, the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), Coimisiun na Mean and TG4, with backing from Great Point Media. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Castlebellingham man, Philip Price recently returned from Ukraine where he journeyed with 15 others to deliver aid. On Friday 24th November the eight vehicles, six four wheel drives, a minibus and a large van and two large trailers left for Rosslare port. On arrival in France on Saturday they drove over 500km to the Belgian border. At 4.30am on Sunday morning the convoy drove approximately 1000 km across Belgium and Germany to the Polish border. Monday saw them then travel the width of Poland, another 600km. On Tuesday morning the convoy arrived at the Ukraine border and at this stage there was about a foot of snow which combined with some procedural delays saw the convoy being held up for eight hours at the border. In the dark they went to a prearranged meeting point where they were met by a Catholic priest from near the front along with a number of soldiers and civilians. Each of the Irish were presented with a fluffy heart made by children from a village near the war front with one side depicting the Irish flag and on the reverse the Ukraine flag. One of the group, Sandy Blakey from Fermoy has hosted two women and their children since the outbreak of the war. The husband of one of the ladies travelled 640k non stop to meet him for the first time and to hug him and say thanks for looking after his family in what was a very emotional scene. Having handed over all aid including 50 wheelchairs, 70 pairs of crutches, firemans clothes, boots, fire extinguishers and assorted aid for children and adults, documents were signed and the vehicles were left with the locals. The 4x4s headed to the front and the other vehicles were to be used for ferrying personnel around. The Irish party made their way back to Krakow in Poland from where they flew home to Ireland. A team of researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India and the University of Wolverhampton recently found an unexpected amphibian in the forest marsh of Namdapha-Kamlang in northeast India. As one of the scientists, Dr Deepak Veerappan, told the BBC: "Initially we first heard the call from a marsh near the Noa-Dihing river, which is quite similar to wild duck species, like 'quack quack quack,' which we never heard before," Dr Deepak Veerappan, from the university, said. But the quacking turned out to be pronouncedby a frog? From The Logical Indian: The scientists encountered male frogs with 'robust' bodies calling loudly, nestled within vegetation in shallow pools of water. Additional specimens were observed in nearby marshy areas, the edges of a recently constructed pond, and along the side of a nearby road. [] Characterized by a 'robust' body, male frogs measure approximately 1.8 to 2.3 inches, while females range from about 2.4 to 2.6 inches in length. The frogs exhibit a 'rounded' snout, 'smooth' skin with bony protrusions on their backs, and a distinct 'pale cream' line bordered with dark brown running down the center of their bodies. Their limbs are light brown with dark stripes. The quacking frog has been named for the river by which it was found: the Noa-Dihing Music Frogs. It's the first frog of the Nidirana genus found on the Indian sub-continent. The scientists found five specimens in total. What's that saying? "If it looks like a frog, and quacks like a duck, it's probably a frog?" Wolverhampton scientists say new frog species sounds like a duck [Eleanor Lawson / BBC] Arunachal's Melodic Surprise: Scientists Identify A Species Of Music Frog [Tanya Chaturvedi / The Logical Indian] Ward Personnel was voted the winner in the Specialist Recruiter category at the Employment and Recruitment Federation (ERF) Awards 2023. The awards ceremony, held last Friday, November 24th in the Shelbourne Hotel, brought together hundreds of industry professionals to recognise excellence in Irelands employment and recruitment industry. The Employment and Recruitment Federation Awards, the ERFs annual flagship event, featured companies across multiple sectors of the employment and recruitment industry competing for a range of awards. Speaking on receipt of the award, David Ward, Managing Director of Ward Personnel, said: We are honoured to have been both nominated and chosen to receive this prestigious award. The competition from specialist companies across the recruitment industry was very strong this year. This is a huge honour for us, as it is the first time that a specialist construction recruitment company has won an ERF award. This award is primarily down to our terrific team, who work tirelessly every day to manage and support our site workforce across the country for our valued clients. We would especially like to thank our candidates and clients for supporting us throughout 2023 and for making this award possible. Since its establishment in 2010, Ward Personnel has expanded year on year with offices in Cork, Dublin, Athlone, and Poland, providing recruitment solutions to the Construction and Industrial sectors. Earlier this year, the company launched a dedicated Management and Technical division, expanding its white-collar service offerings. Ward Personnel has a team of over 40 recruitment specialists managing a site workforce of more than 600 employees across approximately 200 sites throughout Ireland. A Kerry man was arrested and charged with assaulting his girlfriend and "hijacking" her Audi A3 in an alleged incident in Cork that only ended when a stinger device deployed by gardai in Mallow disabled the car. Detective Garda Alan Johnson arrested 27-year-old Darragh Gill of Farnastack, Lisselton, County Kerry, and charged him with assault causing harm to the young woman and taking her car without her permission. There was an objection to bail but solicitor, Eddie Burke, applied for bail to be granted and said the young man could return to live with his mother in Listowel and would abide by all bail conditions that might be set. Judge Mary Dorgan granted him bail on strict conditions including having no contact direct or indirect with the young woman. Background Det. Garda Johnson testified, On December 6 gardai responded to a call where it was reported that a woman had her white Audi A3 hijacked by a man outside OHerlihys Centra on Curraheen Road, Cork, shortly before 7 p.m.. The man had left the scene in the vehicle and all units were notified. The young woman had a large bump to her forehead and an ambulance was called. She was not required to attend hospital for treatment. She had bruises and lumps on her head. She told gardai that while driving, Darragh Gill was in the vehicle with her and was intoxicated. She alleged he became aggressive with her and that she drove to the Centra where she parked outside for safety. She alleged that he punched her in the head and grabbed her hair while in the car. A shopkeeper stated that he observed a man punching a woman in the white Audi outside the shop and he therefore proceeded to help her out of the vehicle and take her inside the shop to safety. It is alleged he drove off in the car without her consent and hit another parked car while doing so and failed to remain at the scene. He caused damage to the car. It was all captured on CCTV. The stolen vehicle was stopped following a pursuit in Mallow later in the night following the deployment of a stinger device. He fled the scene and was apprehended a short time later at Mallow train station. Bail conditions He will live at his mothers home at Listowel, County Kerry, as a condition of his bail. Sgt. Pat Lyons said gardai were concerned that the accused would interfere with the injured party in the case or would return to Sweden where he has a job. The accused said he would stay away from her and would not return to Sweden in order to face the case against him. Mr Burke said that fortunately, the young lady did not require medical attention. He said the defendant and the complainant had been in a relationship for a few months. Sgt. Lyons said the charges were serious. The accused said during his application for bail, It is a major wake-up call. Judge Dorgan put the case back until February 20 2024 to allow time for directions to be obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Met Eireann has this afternoon issued a wind warning for Cork as Storm Fergus sweeps across the country. The yellow warning, which was issued in the last hour, will remain in place until 6pm this evening. The forecaster said that Storm Fergus will generate very strong and gusty southwesterly winds, veering westerly with potential impacts including difficult travelling conditions as well as debris and loose objects being displaced. Wind warnings have been issued for much of the country with orange wind warnings in place in Galway, Mayo and Clare. Storm Fergus is the second named storm of the weekend with Storm Elin battering parts of the country yesterday. Just after 7 p.m. Nov. 25, a North Tonawanda police officer approached a driver accused of backing into a parked pickup truck and asked him to produce his drivers license and vehicle registration. As the motorist reached into his truck he revealed he had been at Dwyers Irish Pub, the popular Webster Street tavern, that evening before he disclosed something more notable. Im the city attorney, said the driver, Edward A. Zebulske III. I dont know if you you dont know me. I dont know a lot of you new guys. Yeah, Im a new guy, Officer Brandon Sveda replied. This exchange was recorded on the officers body-worn camera, and the footage was among the records provided to The Buffalo News by city police in response to a Freedom of Information Law request. Zebulske, the elected North Tonawanda city attorney, was arrested that night and charged with driving while intoxicated and unsafe backing. He did not respond Friday to messages seeking comment. He told officers he consumed two beers over four hours, but refused to submit to breath and chemical tests to capture his blood-alcohol levels, the body-camera recordings show. Police Chief Keith Glass acknowledged the sensitivity of taking a city official into custody and praised his officers performance. I thought they were absolutely professional, Glass said. Given Zebulskes status, the Niagara County District Attorneys Office has recused itself and the Orleans County District Attorneys Office will prosecute the charges. Zebulske continues to serve as a part-time assistant Niagara County public defender. And he remains in his City Hall post because, as the elected city attorney, no one else in city government can force him to resign or to take a leave of absence, Mayor Austin Tylec said. Its solely up to him, Tylec said. Zebulskes arrest was previously reported by other media outlets. But body-camera footage released to The News on Friday provides the fullest picture yet of what happened that evening. It was about 7 p.m. on the Saturday after Thanksgiving when, according to police records, someone saw a GMC Denali pickup truck back out of a spot on Webster and bump into a Chevrolet Silverado pickup parked across the street. Zebulske, the Denalis operator, drove off partway down the street before two witnesses flagged him down. He told officers he didnt realize he had hit anything until the people yelled at him to stop. Zebulske was cooperative with the responding officers. He said he had left Dwyers and was heading home after drinking two beers over the course of the late afternoon and early evening. He agreed to perform one sobriety test, standing still with his arms at his sides and attempting to follow with his eyes as Officer Bryan Warren held his pen aloft and moved it from side to side. However, Zebulske balked at performing the walk and turn test. I cant walk and turn when I havent had anything to drink, he said, noting he has two fake hips. The DWI charge is based on the officers observations at the scene, including Zebulskes performance in the one sobriety test he underwent, Glass told The News. Police did not request a blood draw a step reserved for DWI cases where someone was seriously injured or killed, according to the police chief so Zebulskes blood-alcohol level at the time is unknown. No one was hurt in the crash that caused slight damage to both trucks. Zebulske was not captured on camera requesting special consideration from the officers. But, in addition to identifying himself as the North Tonawanda city attorney, he did at another point ask about Warrens body-worn camera. Hey, hey, is that body camera on? said Zebulske, standing behind his truck as he looked down at the officers chest. My body cameras gonna stay on, alright? Warren replied. Im in this position now. I have to do what I have to do. I appreciate that, Zebulske said. Knowing my job, I appreciate that. He also asked for the name of Warrens lieutenant. Right now, its irrelevant, Warren responded, before steering Zebulske toward the field-sobriety test. Glass said a lieutenant did show up to the scene later, but this is not unusual. Zebulske was placed in handcuffs Theres a first time for everything, he said and taken to Police Headquarters for booking. Later, a supervisor alerted Glass to Zebulskes arrest and Glass, in turn, told the mayor what had happened. Tylec, who said hes glad no one was injured, urged Glass to make sure city police couldnt be accused of favoritism in their treatment of Zebulske. I had said to him, basically, this is a sensitive situation, Tylec recalled. I need you to go into the station and just make sure all of our Is are dotted, our Ts are crossed. Zebulske named North Tonawanda city attorney Edward A. Zebulske III, 52, a Republican, said he will run for the three years left on the unexpired term in this November's election. He also will seek the Conservative endorsement. Zebulske was appointed city attorney in January 2022, after the previous city attorney resigned to become a City Court judge, and he was elected that November to fill the three years remaining on his predecessors term. North Tonawanda is one of the few municipalities in the state that elects its city attorney, a status that remains intact after city voters last month rejected a ballot measure that would have made the job an appointed post. As a result, neither the mayor nor the Common Council can force Zebulske to step down. Tylec said he saw Zebulske at City Hall the Monday after his arrest and he attended the following Common Council meeting. Similarly, Zebulske can continue in his part-time role with the county Public Defenders Office because the countys human resources division determined he is able to fulfill all of his work obligations, Niagara County spokesman Kevin Schuler said. Niagara County prosecutors cited the potential conflict of interest in asking the Orleans County District Attorneys Office to prosecute Zebulske. Orleans County DA Joseph Cardone said the case is pending transfer from North Tonawanda City Court to Niagara Falls City Court and he is awaiting the scheduling of an initial hearing. Zebulske will be treated the same as any other DWI defendant, Cardone said. We want to do whats fair to him and to the community, he said. More than 20 years ago, developer Paul Ciminelli had grand plans for a sprawling office and research complex just off the I-990 in north-central Amherst. But it never happened, as demand for suburban office space cooled, leaving the swath of prime wooded property sitting idle for years. Now, the site known as Muir Woods is bustling with activity, with new developers and a new plan that focuses on low-rise housing, rather than big office buildings. I have mixed emotions, said Ciminelli, CEO of Ciminelli Real Estate Corp. I thought we had a great plan 20 years ago, to do a real regionally significant mixed-use development, but for a lot of reasons, that didnt happen, he said. We always have to adjust to market conditions, and when the market pivoted to a strong demand for residential development, and we were unable to do the mixed-use development, we had to adjust. The biggest change was the local housing market heating up over the past decade, driving up prices and wiping out the glut of existing homes for sale that now gives sellers the upper hand over buyers. Already, a new neighborhood with 148 single-family homes has been built. Another 220 apartments with nearly 900 beds, aimed at students attending the nearby University at Buffalo, have been mostly completed and another 295 are planned in a second phase. Two other projects with 180 apartments and duplex units and 63 town houses also are planned as part of a four-pronged development involving three different developers. When I came into office, there were a lot of open-ended questions, said Amherst Town Supervisor Brian Kulpa, citing the future of the former Westwood Country Club, the Boulevard Mall, the former University at Buffalo Annex property on Ridge Lea Road, and proposed additions to the Audubon Library and Northwest Community Center. Weve closed the doors on things that have plagued this community for one to two decades, he added. Thats where Muir Woods slots in. Muir Woods is just north of the Lockport Expressway, or 990, where Audubon Parkway used to dead-end just beyond the intersection with Dodge Road and the highway. Bordered by Sweet Home Road, North French Road, Campbell Boulevard and the I-990, the 326-acre property has long been both a vast natural territory dominated by 215 acres of wetlands, as well as an enormous development opportunity. It was acquired by Ciminelli 23 years ago from a state corporation. The developer proposed various development ideas over the years such as a 1.8 million-square-foot office and research park and later hundreds of apartments, patio homes and student housing but always met opposition from the community over traffic, loss of greenspace and other issues. The resistance was centered around environmental concerns related to the wetlands, which comprise more than two-thirds of the site. But after many fits and starts, the logjam finally broke nearly seven years ago. Ciminelli abandoned plans for office and commercial space amid a glut of existing but vacant or underused space. Instead, Ciminelli divided the property into four pieces, focused almost entirely on residential use. The first major component a single-family housing development by national homebuilder Ryan Homes is already complete, dubbed The Preserve at Muir Woods. Accessible from both Campbell and North French roads, it features 148 mostly colonial- and a few ranch-style homes of three to five bedrooms and 2,000 to 4,000 square feet. First introduced by Ciminelli in 2017 with 133 homes, the $50 million project occupies 46 acres on the eastern end of the overall site, off Lynette Lane. Ciminelli, which was handling site development, even bought another 15 acres from the Williamsville Central School District to build a second access road, called Sierra Drive, from Campbell Boulevard. Sales of the new homes at prices ranging from $400,000 to $700,000 continued through early 2022, with the last home completed by the end of last year. The houses are now occupied. Ciminelli initially said it had no intention to build student housing at Muir Woods. But that changed by April 2019, when Austin-based Aspen Heights Partners proposed construction of 515 units of student apartments, with beds for 1,800 people. Located on 42 acres north of the highway exit to Audubon Parkway, plans called for the two-stage project to include dozens of town house and cottage-style residences, along with two clubhouses, recreational activities and other amenities. The first phase was to consist of 220 units and 866 beds on the west side of the property, with the remaining 295 units and 925 beds in the second phase. Despite winning approval, that project was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and Aspen Heights didnt acquire the property until February 2022. To finance that $83.3 million project, Aspen Heights won a package of $9.2 million in tax breaks in 2021, including a special property tax arrangement with nearly $5 million in infrastructure improvements for roads and utilities. Work finally began about a year ago, but the project now includes just 197 units with 830 beds in total. Now partially complete but still under construction, the two-story buildings with their three-tone facades are arrayed around a giant square, with two roads cutting through the middle and extending off the north end. Most buildings have four units, with two to six beds per apartment, plus a clubhouse building and an outdoor pool in back. So far, the first 68 units with 252 beds were finished in August, and about 236 beds are currently occupied. Another 80 units with 356 beds will be completed in the spring, followed by the last 49 units and 22 beds in August 2024. All units are furnished with a couch, barstools, a desk, chairs, a dresser and a full-size bed, with hardwood floors, quartz countertops, shaker cabinets, laundry machines, walk-in closets, and "smart" locks. Amenities include study rooms, a computer lounge, a fitness center, a coffee lounge, a games lounge with ping-pong and billiards, a dog-washing station, a hammock garden, a tanning booth, and a shuttle bus. Aspens built pretty quickly, Kulpa said. I didnt think it took them that long. It sure beat more office product, and theres a definitive need for it. Instead of an abrupt dead-end, Audubon Parkway was extended into the development, with a roundabout at the highway ramp. And the town was able to negotiate a deal to take over all of the northern wooded portion of the Muir Woods site from the Aspen project to North French Road, permanently preserving the wetlands and greenspace with a buffer to the adjacent Bucyrus Heights and Franklin Heights neighborhoods. Ciminelli donated the 134 acres. The student housing situation with Aspen really created an opportunity for us, Kulpa said. Nothing will be built north of the student housing. That solved a lot of dilemmas. Finally, Ciminelli agreed to sell the remaining property at Dodge and Sweet Home roads to Severyn Development, a family-owned custom home builder that is embarking on its largest development project and its first to include retail or commercial space. Severyn completed its $2.25 million purchase of 17.4 acres on Oct. 16, and is poised next spring to begin its two-part venture, expected to take at least two years to complete, if not longer. I was excited to close on that property. That was a long process, said William Severyn, CEO of the firm that also includes his brother, Alex. Dubbed Sawyers Landing, the project initially called for 219 units and then was expanded by another 27 units, including some patio and detached homes. But after the firm completed its land purchase, Ryan reached out with a proposal to take on part of the property and project: 63 town houses for sale, at $350,000 each. That will leave Severyn with 180 units in two four-story apartment buildings with 50 units in each, another 36-unit building, and 44 duplex townhomes in two rows of 22 buildings. It will also have 27,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space in the two four-story buildings. Even so, the project cost which was announced at $48 million is now estimated at $72 million, which is why were interested in partnering with Ryan Homes, Severyn said. We cant hold onto the whole site, he added. With current rates and costs, it doesnt work. Severyn and Ryan now have to obtain town approval for the change in plans. He hopes to have his firms project open for leasing by July or August of 2025. Kulpa said he was satisfied with the results. From my perspective, it worked out well, he said. I think that the overall project looks good. It solved a 20-year-old conundrum for the town. And the propertys actually producing taxable valuation. Four drivers charged during sheriffs Stop DWI campaign in Erie County Deputies on patrol made four arrests for driving while intoxicated during a Stop DWI campaign Friday night and early Saturday in Erie County, Sheriff John C. Garcia reported. According to the report, two Buffalo men were arrested in separate stops at Humboldt Parkway and East Utica Street in Buffalo, and at Transit Road and Wehrle Drive in Amherst. In southern Erie County, a woman from the Town of Holland was stopped on West Main Street in Springville and a Gowanda man was taken into custody on Route 438 on the Seneca Nations Cattaraugus Territory. All were charged with DWI and traffic violations and released, Garcia said. The names of the motorists were not released. - Dale Anderson The trial start date for the Pharaohs strip club case, already postponed three times, appears headed for another delay as a federal judge deals with what he recently called the mess that this case is in right now. The latest delay was triggered by an effort by the U.S. Attorneys Office to block defense attorney Eric Soehnlein from representing Peter Gerace Jr., the clubs owner. Gerace is awaiting trial on charges of bribing a Drug Enforcement Administration agent, drug trafficking, sex trafficking and witness tampering. Geraces charges include maintaining Pharaohs as a drug-involved premises where vulnerable young women were exploited through their drug addictions and coerced into engaging in commercial sex acts. Retired DEA agent Joseph Bongiovanni is awaiting trial with Gerace on charges of accepting more than $250,000 in bribes from Gerace and other drug dealers who he thought were associated with Italian organized crime. At a court proceeding Friday, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo said he could not predict how long the delay would last. The case has been scheduled to go to trial Jan. 8, but Vilardo said he would be flabbergasted if the trial started then. Flabbergasted would be an understatement, he added. Looking at what I see right now, and the mess that this case is in right now, I do not see a very brief delay, Vilardo said during a Nov. 28 court proceeding. Prosecutors on Nov. 21 filed a document asking that Soehnlein be removed as one of Geraces two defense lawyers. The document is sealed from public view, and not even Gerace and Bongiovannis defense lawyers were made aware of its contents. Lawyers involved in the case declined to comment. Vilardo met with prosecutors and attorneys from both sides in his chambers Dec. 1. Since then, prosecutors have considered options the judge has suggested for how to press their motion while giving the defense attorneys enough information to fairly respond. Vilardo on Friday set deadlines for the prosecutions court filing and for Geraces lawyers to reply. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Tripi said in court Friday that information was uncovered that led to another investigation that caused a conflict for Soehnlein. Tripi did not describe the new information or the conflict. But the judge told Tripi that Soehnlein and his ethics counsel, Brian Melber, should be provided information before Vilardo decides how to respond to the government motion. I want Mr. Soehnlein and Mr. Melber to have everything they need to know about the disqualification motion, Vilardo said. Vilardo called it a matter of fairness that prosecutors turn over everything you are alleging against Mr. Soehnlein. Everything. A possible clue to what is motivating prosecutors emerged during a public proceeding Tuesday, during what was supposed to be the sentencing of Roderick Arrington on his narcotics racketeering plea. The charges in his case are not related to any of the charges in the Gerace case. Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford converted the proceeding into a status conference because of a letter she received from the U.S. Attorneys Office raising potential conflict of interest issues for defense lawyer Mark Foti, who has represented Arrington and Gerace in their respective cases. A Dec. 4 letter to Foti from Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch said that in early November the government uncovered a conspiracy, which the investigative team believes involves Arrington, Gerace and others. The other names were blacked out in his redacted letter that was placed on the public record. Gerace and Arrington were in custody at the Niagara County jail at the same time as their cases proceeded through the court system. Because you represent Mr. Arrington and Mr. Gerace, the governments investigation raises a potential conflict of interest for you, wrote Lynch, whos handling the prosecution against Arrington. As a result, Arrington opted to represent himself when hes eventually sentenced. In an email to Wolford, Lynch confirmed the government does not believe Foti was involved in or witnessed the alleged criminal conduct that the investigative team uncovered. Three pages of Lynchs five-page letter to Foti deal with U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr.s recusal last June in the Bongiovanni and Gerace case. Sinatra recused himself from that case over two names on a witness list submitted by Geraces attorneys. Sinatra did not discuss the connection he has to the two people that prompted his recusal but said he was duty-bound to recuse. I am skeptical of this tactic, Sinatra said when he recused himself. It appears to be gamesmanship some kind of a maneuver of some sort. Soehnlein was one of Geraces lawyers at the time, but then moved to withdraw from the Gerace case less than two weeks later for good cause, which was never revealed in open court or in filings. Then Soehnlein rejoined the Gerace defense team in September, teaming up with Foti, who was also appointed to replace the prior counsel, Steven Cohen. At the Nov. 28 hearing, Foti said his ability with Soehnlein to prepare Geraces defense has taken a significant step back as a result of the government motion to disqualify Soehnlein. Foti defended Soehnlein at that hearing, still unaware of the nature of the governments allegations against his co-counsel. He, as the court knows, has a reputation in this community that I think is well-earned and well-deserved, Foti told the judge. He is an attorney of integrity. Tripi said the government did not publicly reveal information in its motion to disqualify Soehnlein because of a legitimate need to preserve secrecy of the grand jury. We understand that now this has jeopardized getting a case to trial that weve wanted to get to trial since fall of 2022, Tripi told the judge Nov. 28. Tripi told the judge that the government was duty-bound to raise the issue. Yeah, you say duty-bound, Mr. Tripi, the judge replied. That may be an overstatement. I have some serious doubts about whether the government is duty-bound to do what they did, the judge added. Tripi at the Nov. 28 hearing said Soehnlein can figure out a good portion of the governments reasons for seeking to oust him because he and his co-counsel have access to recordings and they lived through the events. So he does know. So he can figure it out for himself? the judge replied. Not going to happen. Incredibly unfair, incredibly heavy-handed and not going to happen. Vilardo was less aggressive toward prosecutors at Fridays proceeding but pressed them to share information with Soehnlein and his counsel. At his proceeding on Tuesday, meanwhile, Arrington complained about being targeted by authorities, even as Wolford sought to refrain him from making comments about the other investigation unrelated to his racketeering conviction. ALBANY The day after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he would resign under a cloud of scandal, then-Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul pledged to change the culture that had existed within Cuomos office and contributed to his downfall. No one will ever describe my administration as a toxic work environment, Hochul told reporters on Aug. 11, 2021, less than two weeks before she took over as New Yorks governor. Hochul soon hired a longtime close friend, Joan Kesner, as her offices Western New York director. During the summer of 2022, three administration staffers filed separate complaints alleging Kesners conduct had created a toxic work environment. The allegations included that Kesner would yell at and belittle subordinates or disparage them behind their backs, according to documents obtained by The Buffalo News and people with knowledge of the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Kesner denies the allegations. I treat everybody with respect, Kesner said in an interview. I would do nothing to ever hurt anybody. After Kesner explained her side of the story to Hochuls human relations staff, she said, the inquiries were dropped. It was a matter of disgruntled employees, Kesner said. They were there prior to me coming on board. There were issues every day (caused) by them. I wasnt happy with them on the staff, and I made that recommendation that they be placed someplace else. Two complainants did ultimately leave the Governors Office: One for a position outside the Hochul administration late last year, another for a different state agency six months ago. A Hochul spokesman said both departed voluntarily. Kesner left Hochuls staff 10 months ago. In October, Hochul recommended Kesner for a new post: Chairing the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp., which is responsible for overseeing development of Buffalos waterfront. Yet questions remain about the thoroughness of Hochul administration inquiries into one of the governors closest friends. A promised shift In October 2021, Hochul announced two reforms to radically change the culture in Albany politics and promote a respectful and collaborative environment. One was the creation of a human relations department within the Governors Office. But that department allegedly never interviewed key witnesses in the Kesner matter; Kesner was never asked about one complaint at all, she said. The second reform was hiring an outside law firm to handle discrimination-related complaints in the Executive Chamber. Hochul said the new procedure would provide Chamber staff the option to file an anonymous complaint. One such complaint was filed against Kesner; the exact circumstances are not clear, but Kesner did learn the complainants identity. Hochul spokesman Avi Small told The News that Hochul had no role in the outcome of the investigations. The governor never directed, implied or suggested that Executive Chamber staff or outside counsel should make a particular decision related to this matter, Small said. The Executive Chamber under Gov. Hochuls leadership has strong policies in place to protect employees from inappropriate workplace conduct, and the Executive Chamber follows these policies consistently for all employees. Kesner and Hochul go back decades. Kesner managed Hochuls first successful campaign for office Hamburg Town Board in 1994. Three years later, Hochul encouraged Kesner to fill a vacant position on the Town Board and voted to confirm her appointment. For a decade, the women served together on the board. Hochul helped select Kesners husband to be Hamburg police chief in 2007. Kesner, who had served for 26 years as the executive assistant to former State Sen. William Stachowski, was later employed as district manager of Hochuls congressional office from June 2011 to March 2012. When Hochul was sworn in as governor in August 2021, Kesner was among a select group of non-family members invited. The day before, Kesner came on as the Buffalo-based regional director of her Western New York office. Within a year, workers began complaining. The first complaint The first to file a complaint, in June 2022, was a male former staffer in Hochuls Buffalo office. He provided documents to The News on the condition that his name not be published. Hochuls office and Kesner are aware of the staffers name. The staffer, who previously had a leadership role in the governors Western New York office, wrote in his complaint that over nine months working with Kesner, hed been on the receiving end of the most toxic workplace behavior Ive seen in my almost ten years of state service. Since the day that Joan Kesner started in this administration, its clear to me (and others, who have told me they see it too) that she has gone out of her way to single me out, to harass me, and to create an uncomfortable and toxic work environment for me, the staffer wrote. Despite repeated conversations I have had about Joan with senior members of the administration, the issues have persisted. Joan often talks in the office about her close relationship with Governor Hochul and how they talk constantly. From my view, this seems to be a factor in the lack of action taken by anyone in this administration. Kathy from Hamburg: How Hochul's roots shaped New York's governor-to-be Hochul's early outspokenness in Hamburg led her down a path that led to government jobs at the county and federal level before she became lieutenant governor. The four-page letter titled Memo on WNY Workplace Culture included allegations that Kesner frequently disparaged the complainant behind his back, in staff meetings and at public events, including one held by President Biden to honor victims of the Tops supermarket shooting, which had occurred in Buffalo three days earlier. Kesner allegedly began yelling Stop it! in the male staffers face over a perceived slight, in front of the families of victims. Joan has said to me at least 20 times, if not more, that she could have gotten rid of me when she accepted this position, but she allowed me to stay on, the complaint states. I reported this to (Deputy Secretary for Appointments and Human Resources Sita Fey), who said this was absolutely untrue. It hasnt stopped Joan from saying it again and again. Its clear to me that she wants me to feel like I owe her something. The first complaint also stated that Kesner had chewed out a female staffer the woman who would file the second complaint for 45 minutes, an alleged dressing-down said to bring the female staffer to tears. According to the male staffers complaint, Kesner had been offended by an age-related joke the woman had made on a co-workers birthday. Kesner told The News she never chewed out the female staffer. She did make a comment. ... She laughed at me that I was older, Kesner said. I probably could have turned her in. But never did I go to (human relations) on it. Of the male staffer who filed the first complaint, Kesner said, I dont know why he was so jealous. Concerning the Biden event, Kesner called that allegation fraud. I had witnesses right with me, Kesner said. That never happened. Kesner also disputed ever telling the male staffer she could have gotten rid of him. According to emails the male staffer provided to The News, Hochuls office kept the complainant in the dark for months about the results of its investigation. The male staffer first sent his complaint to Hochuls internal human relations director, Chuck McElrath, in June 2022. A week later, the male staffer wrote a follow-up email to McElrath, stating Kesner had told a colleague the staffer was gone from the Buffalo office, and that Kesner was having state police remove his belongings. This was news to me, as I have had zero communication with the Executive Chamber concerning my employment status, the staffer wrote to McElrath. I can only come to the conclusion that she is aware that I filed a complaint against her. I believe this is 100% retaliation on her end, and Im curious as to what this administration is going to do about it. Kesner told The News she never contacted state police. According to emails, the male staffer and McElrath then had a 15-minute phone conversation in which McElrath asked questions about the complaint; McElrath said he hoped the investigation would be wrapped up in the next few days. McElrath asked for names of others who might be able to provide additional details about alleged behavior, and the male staffer provided three. The male staffer remained employed by the Hochul administration, but worked from home. He didnt hear anything back from McElrath and sent a follow-up email on Sept. 6, 2022 77 days after the complaint was filed asking about the outcome of the investigation, and whether the three witnesses had been contacted. McElrath responded later that day, writing, After review of your written summary and speaking with staff, HR was unable to conclude that there was a workplace violence or discrimination situation in the WNY office, though we did confirm areas of concern. We have been working with Chamber management to address those, including improving communication and reporting structure. The complaint had not alleged workplace violence or discrimination, but that Kesner had created a toxic workplace. McElraths response never addressed whether specific toxic workplace allegations were substantiated. McElrath also never answered the question of whether the three witnesses had been contacted. The male staffer told The News that, based on conversations hed had with witnesses, at least two of the three were not interviewed by Hochuls office. A Hochul spokesman said he was legally prohibited from specifying which witnesses were interviewed. The second complaint That same summer, a second staffer in Hochuls Buffalo office this time a woman filed a complaint with Hochuls human relations office. The complaint was said to concern comments Kesner allegedly made to the woman creating a toxic workplace and causing the staffer significant anxiety. The News was unable to obtain a copy of the second complaint. Its not clear what was done to investigate the concerns, or if the woman was ever notified of any result. Kesner said she spoke to Hochuls human relations staff by phone about the first complaint, but was never asked about the second; Kesner had been unaware of its existence, she said. According to Kesner, Hochuls human relations staff never asked whether she had yelled at co-workers. That was never even brought to my attention, about me raising my voice, Kesner said. Kesner described the woman who filed the second complaint as a lovely lady. The third complaint A third complaint was filed later in the summer of 2022 with Calcagni & Kanefsky, outside counsel the Hochul administration had on retainer to investigate discrimination, discriminatory harassment and retaliation in the Executive Chamber. The firms retention was one of Hochuls key workplace initiatives. On an eventful Day 1, Hochul seeks to change the culture and slow the pandemic Gov. Kathy Hochul pledged a new spirit of cooperation among the levels of government, a booster dose of public transparency and even a culture change in Albany. Hostile workplace complaints filed by the governors staff that do not allege discrimination such as the first two complaints must be first filed with the Executive Chambers internal human relations staff, which serves at the pleasure of the governor. Staff complaints alleging workplace bullying stemming from discrimination, which is illegal, are instead directed to file claims with the outside firm. The third complaint made such an allegation. This investigation appeared to center on whether Kesners treatment of a staff member constituted discrimination based on legally protected statuses, which can include factors like race, gender, sexuality or disability. Information about this complaint was provided to The News by a witness interviewed by the law firm not by the complainant. The News was unable to obtain a copy of the third complaint. Whether or how this complaint was ultimately resolved is unknown. But Kesner is aware of the third complainants identity. Kesner said she was approached at one point about one small issue that was immediately resolved related to the complainant; from Kesners response, it was not entirely clear who approached her. Asked why three staffers would risk filing complaints against the governors close friend, Kesner said: I have no idea. And it actually breaks my heart, because I felt I was very fair to these people. I inherited a team that was there prior. They had their own ways of doing things, Kesner said. And I wanted to make sure we were doing everything right. We would have weekly meetings and we would go around the table and everybody would talk about whats going on. And I just thought that was a great way to pull a team together. At Hochuls direction, Kesner inserted herself into the affairs of multiple state entities that share a floor on 95 Perry St. with the governors Buffalo-based staff. That created tensions with some holdover staff from the Cuomo days. And the lines of authority were not always clear: Some staffers in the office were listed on organizational charts as formally reporting to people in Albany. According to the male Buffalo staffers complaint, Kesner got upset when he took direction from another manager. Kesner often reminded staff of her close relationship with the governor, including stating that the two had weekly meals together, according to three people who worked with Kesner. When The News asked about those alleged statements, Kesner said: Whats wrong with that? Weve been friends for 30 years. After 17 months, Kesner left the Executive Chamber, a decision based on wanting to return to retirement and spend more time with family. Last month, in announcing Kesners appointment to an unpaid position chairing the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp., Hochul called Kesner a dedicated and talented leader whose collaborative spirit would ensure continued progress on initiatives. The summer of 1973 was my baptism into national politics, as my teenage self was riveted by the legendary saga of Watergate. I watched the months of Justice Department investigations, congressional hearings and news reports that laid out the case against a president, Richard Nixon, accused of ordering, and then covering up, a break-in at the Watergate Hotel. On June 17, 1972, five men were caught breaking into the Democratic National Committees headquarters at the hotel in Washington. Subsequent government and media investigations documented a seamy series of corrupt acts and cover-ups that led to the Oval Office. There was the explosive testimony of John Dean, Nixons former White House counsel; the revelation that Nixon secretly taped thousands of hours of Oval Office conversations; Rose Mary Woods 18.5-minute gap on one of those tapes; the valiant reporting of Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein that brought down a president and inspired me to become an investigative journalist. On Oct. 20, 1973, Nixon demanded the firing of special prosecutor Archibald Cox at the height of the scandal. Cox had first requested, then subpoenaed, a cache of the secret Oval Office recordings. Nixon refused to comply. When Cox continued to press for the tapes, he was fired. That night, which became known as the Saturday Night Massacre, it looked as if the government might topple. But the debacle provoked outrage from voters, members of Congress and the media and forced Nixon to appoint a new special prosecutor who successfully subpoenaed 64 taped conversations. The damning content of those tapes forced Nixon to resign in disgrace. Then, our justice system worked. This time around, I am not so sure. Fifty years later, the nation faces another enormous moment in the alleged abuse of presidential power. Former President Donald Trump stands accused of stealing government records, trying to overturn the 2020 election, instigating an insurrection and more. He is under indictment in separate criminal cases in Washington, Florida, Georgia and New York. Recently, I had a conversation with Jill Wine-Banks, the prominent and accomplished Chicago attorney, MSNBC legal analyst, podcaster and author of The Watergate Girl: My Fight for Truth and Justice Against a Criminal President. I interviewed her last week for a public program at the Cliff Dwellers Club in downtown Chicago. As an assistant special prosecutor then, Wine-Banks investigated the conduct of Nixon and his associates in the Watergate scandal. She is most famous for interrogating Woods, his fiercely loyal secretary, about the circumstances that led to the erasure of the 18.5-minute gap on a key White House tape. Wine-Banks book on her Watergate experience was published in 2020. I didnt write a book right after Watergate because I thought, well, what do I have to say thats different? And then Donald Trump got elected, and I started seeing parallels, Wine-Banks said. A big one, that both Nixon and Trump believed they were above the law. After he resigned, (Nixon was) interviewed by (journalist) David Frost, and he says, Well, if the president does it, its not illegal by definition. Basically, the presidents above the law, Wine-Banks recalled. At least Nixon eventually cooperated with the courts and turned over the tapes. Trump has demonized and dodged the legal process at every turn. So, was the Jan. 6 insurrection worse than Watergate? Even though Nixon abused the U.S. Department of Justice by firing Cox, I never felt that democracy was at risk, Wine-Banks said. However, Jan. 6 was a real insurrection. And that has been found by a judge that (Trump) is an insurrectionist, that he violated that statute. Another difference in these 50 years is the media coverage and what we believe to be facts. During Watergate, there were three networks, a couple of major newspapers, and they all had the same facts. Whether you read the Tribune, or The New York Times, whether you watched ABC, NBC or CBS, you got the same facts, she said. Nowadays, we live in alternate universes depending on what media we use, she noted. Wine-Banks grew up in an era where ... evidence is fact. However, she notes, voters from 18 to 29 get 90% of their news from social media. Unvetted stuff that anyone can publish. So, we have a problem in terms of what are facts. The lifelong attorney keeps up. Wine-Banks has not only followed the extensive news coverage of the Trump investigations, but also has read and studied every indictment and its related evidence, she said. Based on that, there is no question that the charges filed in all of these (criminal) cases and the civil case thats now on trial in New York are accurate. All of Trumps lies have been demolished by myriad investigations, court decisions and witnesses. But it would take just one Trumper, one true believer in the former presidents lies, to get an acquittal, she said. And one juror can hang the jury by saying, I will not change my mind. Im voting to acquit. In the Watergate era, once the secret tapes exposed Nixons criminality, the GOP abandoned him, and the overwhelming public and political outrage forced him to resign. Trump is no longer in office and cant resign, but he is plotting a comeback. It is increasingly likely that the Republican Party will nominate the former president next summer, and he will stand for president in November. Trumps supporters are blind to his transgressions, Wine-Banks argued. So thats the difference, is that he has developed a cult that will do anything he says and does. That is why 30 million people voted for him and will vote for him again, she said. And the upcoming trials will take months to conclude. So, (if convicted) he will not be able to vote for himself, but he could become elected even if hes convicted and in jail. So thats a strange set of circumstances, but it is legally possible. One that leaves our democracy in a very dangerous place. Laura Washington is a political commentator and longtime Chicago journalist. On December 8, 2023, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation of Sierra Leone released the first national viral hepatitis policy and strategy. Chinese Ambassador Wang Qing, Acting Minister of Health and SanitationDr. Charles Senesie and others attended the launching ceremony. Ambassador Wang Qing reviewed the process of China's support for Sierra Leone in formulating the strategy, congratulated the two countries on the new progress in health cooperation, and emphasized that China-Sierra Leone health cooperation has effectively promoted the well-being of the Sierra Leonean people and the friendship between the two countries. China will continue to be committed to deepening the cooperation between the two countries to jointly build a community with common health of mankind. Acting Minister Senesie expressed his sincere gratitude to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention(China CDC) and the World Health Organization for supporting Sierra Leone in formulating the viral hepatitis policy and strategy, and hoped to work with international development partners to eliminate viral hepatitis in policy and strategy by 2030. Dr. Zhou Hejun, an expert from China CDC, introduced the project cooperation and said that they will continue to cooperate with Sierra Leone to promote the implementation of the policy and strategyto advanceSierra Leones health development. News / Health by Staff Reporter Zimbabwe has emerged as one of the leading nations in Africa making significant progress in the battle against HIV/AIDS, surpassing the 95-95-95 targets set by UNAIDS well ahead of schedule. The commendable achievement places Zimbabwe among the top five African countries, alongside Tanzania, Rwanda, Eswatini, and Botswana, to hit the midterm goals set for 2025.UNAIDS Executive Director, Ms. Winnie Byanyima, who visited Zimbabwe for World AIDS Day and the International Conference of AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), praised the country's efforts in combating the epidemic. Ms. Byanyima emphasized that Zimbabwe had effectively met the 95% targets - where 95% of the population knows their HIV status, 95% are on treatment, and 95% are virally suppressed."Zimbabwe is 'killing it' in HIV/AIDS. This is one problem where Zimbabwe has a lot to teach the rest of the world," Ms. Byanyima said during her visit. She highlighted the country's success in closing inequalities driving HIV through policies, laws, and programming grounded in scientific evidence.Ms. Byanyima acknowledged that key populations, such as sex workers, play a crucial role in HIV transmission and commended Zimbabwe for removing barriers they faced in accessing health services. The country's efforts in non-discrimination and raising the age of consent were noted as positive steps in managing HIV effectively.While celebrating progress, Ms. Byanyima emphasized the need to address social norms, gender-based violence, and sexual violence to protect girls. She pointed out that, despite a decrease in overall HIV infections, the infection rates among girls and young women remained a concern, and keeping them in school was identified as a crucial factor.The UNAIDS Executive Director urged countries to prioritize sex education in schools, emphasizing that informed education would help counter misinformation and contribute to reducing infections. She underlined the World AIDS Day theme for the year, "Let communities lead," stressing that communities play a pivotal role in identifying those in need of treatment, testing, and prevention measures.Zimbabwe's success in reaching and surpassing UNAIDS targets showcases the nation's commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat and serves as a model for other countries striving to achieve similar goals. News / Local by Staff reporter THE Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has reportedly awarded a firm with suspected links to the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), Terrestrial Holdings, a licence to export one million tonnes of raw lithium ore annually, the Zimbabwe Independent reported.This comes after the government early this year gave the Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI) a permit to export raw lithium, a development that triggered public outrage, which led to the deal stalling.However, CIO director-general Isaac Moyo said he knew nothing about the export permit when contacted by the Independent."I don't know anything about those things. So, l don't know how to comment," Moyo said.Mines ministry permanent secretary Pfungwa Kunaka referred questions to Terrestrial Holdings."About Terrestrial, I would need to establish the facts, which may require time. The best would be for you to contact them directly," Kunaka saidWhen contacted for comment, Terrestrial managing director Kumbirai Nyamande said: "Let me seek approval first to comment. Call me back after 10-15 minutes." In a later interview, he said: "I am sorry, authority not granted. But what I can say (about) that licence is that I don't know about it. So whatever information you write about TH (Terrestrial Holdings) get it from the Ministry of Mines."However, according to Terrestrial website, https://terrestrialholdings.co.zw, "Terrestrial Holdings (Pvt) Ltd also has a lithium export licence."Currently, (the) mine is producing gold, coal, lithium and has interest in other minerals. Exploration for coal is presently under way at Sebungwe Mine in Binga."According to the website, Terrestrial is a "private entity registered and incorporated in Zimbabwe (1981) under the Companies and Other Business Entities Act (Chapter24:31 as Limited. It is a conglomerate with subsidiaries in mining, pharmaceuticals, real estate, agribusiness, energy, transport, telecommunications, tourism and hospitality".Mines ministry sources reiterated that the company and Kuvimba Mining House (KMH) were awarded separate lithium export licences.KMH group chief executive officer Simba Chinyemba confirmed that the mining giant was granted a licence to export raw lithium ore in January this year."We have had it since January," he said.The Independent is informed that a Chinese national William Gung was also awarded a licence to export raw lithium and chrome ore."Terrestrial was awarded a licence to export raw lithium ore," a source in the Ministry of Mines said. "Kuvimba Mining House also has a licence to export raw lithium."Another player, Gung has been moving a lot of chrome and we are informed he also has a licence to export raw lithium to China. The lithium export issue is shrouded in secrecy and it is not public knowledge, who and which companies have permits to export the mineral."A ZDI letter dated September 13, 2023 and addressed to Cronewald Minerals, a company reportedly linked to Gung reads: "Ref-ZDI-Cronewald Minerals contract dated January 13, 2023. This letter serves to confirm that Cronewald Minerals is in partnership with ZDI on the export of lithium ore subject to approval by (the) ZDI board of directors."Contacted for comment, Gung said everything he was doing in Zimbabwe was above board after the Independent asked him about how he was allowed to export raw lithium."I have put so many projects on the ground in your country. I have been doing everything and following regulations," Gung said.ZDI has been aggressively expanding its footprint in Zimbabwe's mining sector.Its growth resulted in the formation of the platinum mining firm, Great Dyke Investment (GDI), which is developing a US$3 billion operation in Darwendale, Mashonaland West.GDI was a joint venture between ZDI, a Russian consortium, and state-owned KMH, which is now a 100% shareholder in the mining company.ZDI's stake in Great Dyke was held through an investment vehicle called Pen East (Pvt) Ltd, which was established in partnership with the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), another state-run operation.The government extended the permit to ZDI immediately after imposing a blanket ban on lithium exports last year, which was imposed to curb rampant smuggling of the mineral.The bulk of lithium was at the time being spirited into neighbouring South Africa, from where it would find its way onto the international markets.Most of this demand has been underpinned by growth in electric vehicle assemblies in advanced countries, including the US and China.Early this year, the Independent was told that some powerful figures within ZDI had capitalised on the ban to comb through lithium rich areas across the country, identifying companies that were willing to "partner" for "exports".After finding the "partners", the officials would coax them into salting away the resource through ZDI. They would namedrop military generals, sources claimed.Investigations by the Independent exposed how some ZDI top brass had been lining their pockets since last year.An investigation last year by this newspaper revealed that ZDI was given the green light to export an estimated 10 000 tonnes of lithium monthly, reportedly to China.China and the US are major global consumers of the mineral.Small-scale miners have also joined in the rush for Zimbabwe's lithium, including at Sandawana Mine in the Midlands province.The discoveries have positioned Zimbabwe among the dominant players in Africa. Zimbabwe, which produced 1 200 metric tonnes of the mineral in 2021, is the world's sixth largest producer. News / National by Staff Reporter In response to widespread concerns and criticisms from various quarters, Deputy Minister David Mnangagwa has announced the Finance Ministry's readiness to reevaluate the proposed 2024 budget. The budget, presented by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube a fortnight ago, sparked public outcry due to a series of proposed taxes, with economists warning of potential adverse effects on the cost of living.Minister Ncube's $53.9 trillion budget suggested adjustments to the Strategic Reserve Levy, toll fees on premium roads, and fees charged by the Central Vehicle Registry. Additionally, the proposal included a new levy on sugar content in beverages, a wealth tax on residential properties, and a levy on proceeds from lithium, black granite, and other stones.Critics have labeled the budget as anti-poor and detached from the economic reality faced by the majority of Zimbabweans. However, Deputy Minister Mnangagwa acknowledged the feedback during a post-budget seminar in Harare last week, emphasizing that the government is open to considering alternative viewpoints."Since the budget presentation, we have had a lot of feedback from different organizations, economists, experts, and academia," Mnangagwa stated. "The whole idea of the proposal is to sit down, do a deep dive, and see if there is merit to some of these issues."In response to accusations that the budget disproportionately affects the ordinary person, Mnangagwa defended the proposed measures, asserting that many of the taxes and fees were crucial for economic development. He highlighted the importance of engaging with industry stakeholders and experts to arrive at a mutually beneficial outcome."We'll be sitting down with the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries. We'll study their paper, and we will have our economists, they will have their team, and then we'll come up with a win-win (position)," Mnangagwa explained.Despite criticism, Mnangagwa rejected claims that the budget was inherently anti-poor. He argued that measures such as toll fees were essential for maintaining roads and preventing additional costs for ordinary citizens."We look at, for example, the toll fees. The first thing we look at is, what the cost of a road is? The amount of money that you save...is so much more compared to increasing the tollgate fees," he reasoned.Mnangagwa also revealed that the ministry is exploring ways to cushion the impact on ordinary people, including exemptions for certain groups like bus operators from toll fees."As you know, for every pillar of the tax measures, the ordinary person is either cushioned on the expenditure side or by policy. The tax measures that way do not squeeze the ordinary person," Mnangagwa assured.In light of concerns raised by various stakeholders, the Finance Ministry aims to conduct a thorough review and address potential downsides of the proposed tax reforms. News / National by Staff Reporter In a bid to foster stronger ties and mend relations, the United Kingdom is actively pursuing constructive dialogue with Zimbabwe. British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Pete Vowles, expressed this commitment during a courtesy call on Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services in Harare this Friday.The meeting aimed at identifying potential areas of cooperation between the two nations, with discussions focusing on trade enhancement, tourism, mining industry collaboration, and the overall improvement of economic sectors.Dr. Muswere highlighted the significance of working collaboratively under President Mnangagwa's leadership, emphasizing the nation's dedication to re-engage and foster friendships. He stated, "We believe that we can re-engage and engage any country that we are friends to all and enemies to none." The courtesy visit by Ambassador Vowles aligns with the re-engagement strategy, reflecting a political will to collaborate.Ambassador Vowles acknowledged the historical complexities between the UK and Zimbabwe but emphasized the desire to build a resilient relationship based on mutual respect and sovereignty. He noted the need to move past the adversarial history, stating, "We spent the last 20 years shouting at each other, and that has not served either country." The focus is now on forming a relationship grounded in respectful dialogue to address challenges collaboratively.For the Zimbabwean government, this initiative signifies the success of the engagement and re-engagement efforts championed by the second republic. The improved relations mark a positive shift, particularly considering decades of animosity that stemmed from the West's response to Zimbabwe's land reform program at the turn of the millennium.The dialogue between the UK and Zimbabwe underscores the commitment to building a diplomatic relationship that benefits both nations, fostering cooperation and understanding for the mutual advancement of their respective interests. Florida recently enacted a bill that limits some foreigners from owning property in the state a move that shocked some, likely because the Sunshine State is such a popular destination for visitors from other countries. But as it turns out, Florida is just one of 14 states that have passed such laws in 2023. A few have gone even further. According to a new report from the American Land Title Association, about two dozen states specifically forbid or limit foreign ownership of farmland within their borders. But laws passed in six so far this year Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, North Dakota, Tennessee and Utah impact all property in their states, not just farmland. Floridas law prohibits most citizens of China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria and Venezuela from buying real estate close to a military compound or critical infrastructure, the Miami Herald reported. READ MORE: Florida law restricts foreigners real estate buying power. We explain who is most affected Uncle Sam, meanwhile, doesnt restrict foreign persons, entities or governments from acquiring or holding U.S. agricultural land, reads the ALTA report, written by Jeremy Yohe, the groups vice president of communications. Rather, the federal government just monitors such activity. But that could soon change. Lawmakers in Washington are considering several bipartisan measures to restrict certain foreign purchases and acquisitions of American soil. And Yohe says limitations of one kind or another stand a good chance of becoming part of the next set of agricultural appropriations bills. Between 2015 and 2021, according to the Department of Agriculture, foreign investment in farmland increased by some 2 million acres a year. As of 2021, the last year for which data is available, foreigners held an interest in more than 40 million farmland acres, according to the National Agricultural Law Center. Thats a scant 3.1% of all privately held U.S. agricultural land, and a mere 1.8% of all U.S. land in total. But another 2021 report from USDA found that the Chinese have really stepped up their game. Story continues The Chinese own about 384,000 acres of American farmland. Of that, says the ALTA report, 195,000 acres, worth almost $2 billion when purchased, are owned by 85 Chinese investors, which could be individuals, companies or the government. So far this year, the report says, the most common origin of foreign buyers is China, accounting for 13% of all foreign land purchases. Mexico and Canada came in second and third, with 11% and 10%, respectively. Its the Chinese activity that has spurred Congress into action, the ALTA report says. One proposal to prevent investors from not only China but also Russia, Iran and North Korea has made its way into the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. The plan would block people from these four countries from buying farmland and agricultural companies. Another legislative proposal would give the president the authority, for a five-year period, to take action to prohibit the purchase of both public and private real estate by any foreigner. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, the Democratic chair of the Senate Banking Committee, is quoted as saying, We cannot allow foreign adversaries like China to buy up farmland around the country unchecked. Its a threat to rural economies, and its a threat to our national security. Back at the state level, more than 140 bills to restrict foreign purchases have been thrown into their respective hoppers, the ALTA report says. Most of these measures are aimed specifically at private farmland, but some extend to all types of property. While the number of houses purchased by international buyers has fallen to a 14-year low, according to the National Association of Realtors, foreigners still bought some $59 billion worth of residential property between April 2021 and March 2022 Prohibited buyers vary by state, says the ALTA report, but encompass governments, entities and individuals from countries including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Venezuela and others. In other words: people and groups from places that are perceived as Americas enemies. Some laws apply to all non-U.S. citizens; others, only to noncitizens from countries where Americans cannot acquire real estate. Restrictions like these are not without their challengers. A group of Chinese citizens living in Florida, as well as a real estate firm working mostly with Asian and Asian American clients, questioned the law in the Sunshine State, claiming it was unconstitutional. The Florida measure requires buyers of agricultural land within 10 miles of critical infrastructure or a military facility to affirm in writing that they are not a foreign principal. The American Civil Liberties Union maintains that this violates the Constitutions guarantee of equal protection and due process, as well as the Fair Housing Acts prohibition against discrimination based on race and national origin. A federal judge said that because the law was based on citizenship, not race or national origin, it likely did not violate the Constitution. So the law stands, at least for now. Lew Sichelman has been covering real estate for more than 50 years. He is a regular contributor to numerous shelter magazines and housing and housing-finance industry publications. Readers can contact him at lsichelman@aol.com. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has signed six decrees on the annexation of a portion of neighboring Guyana, the Essequibo region, Venezuelan newspaper Ultimas Noticias reported on Dec. 8. Maduro has further directed the establishment of units from the state oil and gas company PDVSA and the metallurgical conglomerate CVG in the region. The leader approved a "new map" of the country and appointed Captain Alexis Rodriguez Cabello as the "sole regional leader." Read also: Calling on the public to condemn "right-wing groups" supporting Guyana, Maduro labeled it as a "betrayal of the homeland." He also criticized Luis Almagro, the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), who backed Guyana's territorial integrity, asserting that his people "will never surrender to North American imperialism." Read also: Russia funds anti-Ukraine propaganda in Latin America US State Department The Essequibo region, known for its oil and gas deposits, has become a focal point of tension. In a referendum on Dec. 4, a significant 95% of Venezuelan citizens voted for the inclusion of Essequibo into their country. Guyana's President Irfaan Ali viewed the referendum as a pretext for Essequibo's annexation. Maduro announced on Dec. 5 a series of measures in preparation for implementing the referendum's decision regarding Essequibo's annexation. In response, Guyana heightened its armed forces' alert status, seeking assistance from the United States and the United Nations on Dec. 6, due to Venezuela's plans. Maduro formally declared the annexation of the Essequibo region on Dec. 7, initiating the mobilization of the army . Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine BBC The hit BBC crime drama Vigil returns this weekend for its second season, starring Suranne Jones as DCI Amy Silva and Rose Leslie as DI Kirsten Longacre, as they once again face a fraught international incident. This time the submarine isn't part of equation but, in its stead, is a British Air Force weapons test gone wrong in the Middle Eastern country Wudyan. DCI Silva is sent out to investigate and comes up against Acting Squadron Leader Eliza Russell (Romola Garai) in the process. The Middle Eastern scenes were shot in Morocco, given that the country Wudyan is a fictional place invented for the purposes of the show. Romola Garai spoke about shooting the majority of her scenes in Casablanca and Rabat, and how they created "a completely different aesthetic" for the second season of Vigil. "Weve got these vast desert landscapes of openness and heat haze, people disappearing into a massive horizon rather than being locked up in a tiny submarine, as we saw in series one," she said. "Its a totally different experience for the viewer as we explore a different world within the military." BBC Vigil's executive producer Jake Lushington credited the show's production company World Productions with helping to piece together a composite picture of Wudyan as both one which is "resonant of the Middle East and its own fictional world". Lushington went on to speak at the show's launch about how they often purposefully fictionalise elements like the insignia on uniforms reading British Air Force, rather than Royal Air Force in order to distinguish the drama from documentaries. He said: "Some people sometimes think that's a mistake, but actually we've done that so that the audience can have some point of difference from a documentary. But beyond that, we do as much research as possible." BBC The production has consulted military experts and people who have served for both seasons of the show, something which writer and creator Tom Edge said they "take seriously". He added: "Sometimes we get the pushback of, 'You've got the buttons wrong'. But we actually have to get the buttons wrong for copyright reasons. Story continues "My favourite incredibly fair-minded response in season one was [when] a rear admiral was asked to comment on the veracity of it and said all of the things that are in the show either have happened or could happen, but perhaps not in one week." Lushington added: "The formal relationship with those organisations tends to be a bit more distant. We're not actively making this with any of those organisations directly. We let them know that we're doing it, but MI5 doesn't really want to talk to us and that is probably a good thing." Vigil season 2 airs from Sunday, December 10 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. You Might Also Like Ufotable Demon Slayer spoilers follow. Demon Slayer season four has officially received a release window and will kick off with an extra-long first episode. Anime distributor Aniplex confirmed the show will return in Spring 2024, earlier than fans predicted. The series will also hold special screenings worldwide in February, allowing fans to see the final episode of Demon Slayer season three and the hour-long season four premiere in select cinemas, according to Anime News Network. Ufotable Related: The Boy and the Heron sets a Studio Ghibli first with IMAX release The screenings will be held in over 140 countries, in a similar way to the launch of the show's third season and the Swordsmith Village Arc, and current listings include: Tokyo - February 2-3 New York - February 10 Seoul - February 11 Mexico City and Singapore - February 17 Jakarta - February 18 Paris and Taipei - February 24 London and Hong Kong - February 25 To celebrate the return of the hit series, a special livestream for the franchise will also begin on February 23, at 2 pm UK time. Following the cliff-hanging ending of season three which featured a memorable shot of the Demon Slayer Corps' Hashira lineup and the Stone Hashira a fourth season was shortly announced. Ufotable Related: Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 announces last-minute schedule shake-up Demon Slayer season four is set to adapt the manga's Hashira Training arc, which sees Tanjiro completing his training to become a Hashira. "Tanjiro goes to see the Stone Hashira, Himejima, who intends to prepare him for the battles to come. The training to become a Hashira a high-ranking member of the Demon Slayer Corps is intense and demanding. Earning Himejima's approval seems impossible, but Tanjiro won't give up! Meanwhile, the demon lord Muzan continues to search for the location of Nezuko and Ubuyashiki," reads the synopsis of the original series. The Hashira Training arc is only nine chapters long, meaning fans could see aspects of the Infinity Castle arc included before season five. Story continues Demon Slayer is available to watch on Crunchyroll and Netflix. You Might Also Like An 11th man has been arrested for participating in the racist 2017 torch-wielding mob that rattled the University of Virginia on the eve of the Unite the Right rally-turned-riot in Charlottesville, an act which his compatriots and their attorneys have argued remains protected free speech. The news comes as a former UVa provost has come under fire for her own views over what constitutes free speech on college campuses, ultimately leading to her resignation from the top post at one of the countrys leading universities. And while Jamie Troutman and Liz Magill are separated by a world of difference, their fates are being shaped by a single shared question: What constitutes free speech on Americas college campuses? Troutman, a 34-year-old resident of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, turned himself in to local police Oct. 24, according to court filings. Troutman was taken into custody without incident, according to his arrest record. Handcuffs were checked for fit and double locked and adjusted. Like the other men arrested for participating in the march and charged with breaking Virginias Klan-era law against using fire to racially intimidate, Troutman was initially held without bail. Possibly likely to obstruct/threaten/injure/intimidate based off the nature of the crime, wrote magistrate Lashonda Lee. Granted a bail hearing two days later, Troutman was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond by substitute Judge H. Thomas Padrick Jr. and allowed to return to his home state. Several aspects of what happened in Charlottesville in the summer of 2017 have been portrayed as presages of later American struggles. Jews will not replace us was one of the loudest and most persistent chants on the UVa Lawn on the evening of Aug. 11, 2017. Subsequently, there were persistent calls to prosecute the torch-wielders, but Albemarle Countys lead prosecutor at the time, Commonwealths Attorney Robert Tracci, asserted that Virginias so-called cross-burning law did not apply. In the wake of that weekends events, which resulted in the death of anti-racist counterprotester Heather Heyer at the hands of avowed neo-Nazi James Fields of Ohio, UVa banned two of its alumni from returning to Grounds. They were rally organizer Jason Kessler and would-be rally headliner Richard Spencer. The university also tightened its open-flame policy to clearly ban torches on the schools property. The debate over what constitutes protected free expression and what constitutes a violent threat has embroiled college campuses for decades but escalated sharply around the events of 2017. Last week, the presidents of three private universities were called to Capitol Hill to testify before Congress about the rise in antisemitic rhetoric on college campuses amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war playing out in Gaza. One of those presidents was Magill, a UVa law graduate who served as provost at UVa from 2019 until 2022. UVa President Jim Ryan convinced Magill to depart her post as dean of the Stanford University Law School and join his team as UVA provost, in the words of the UVa Alumni Associations own publication Virginia Magazine. Magill resigned from her post as president of the University of Pennsylvania on Saturday after facing tremendous backlash for her testimony before Congress days prior. It is a context-dependent decision, Magill responded to a question from New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik during Tuesdays hearing. Thats your testimony today? Calling for the genocide of Jews is depending upon the context? Stefanik asked. Magill did not back down on Capitol Hill but did backtrack in a video released Wednesday. In that moment, Magill says in the video, I was focused on our universitys long-standing policies aligned with the U.S. Constitution, which say that speech alone is not punishable. I was not focused on, but I should have been, the irrefutable fact that a call for genocide of Jewish people is a call for some of the most terrible violence human beings can perpetrate. Its evil plain and simple. It was not enough. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro rebuked Magill and her comments, businessman Ross Stevens sent a letter demanding the return of a $100 million gift to the university and a congressional committee opened an investigation into Penns policies and disciplinary procedures. Magill announced her resignation on Saturday. It has been my privilege to serve as President of this remarkable institution, Magill said in the announcement, making no mention of what prompted her decision. It has been an honor to work with our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members to advance Penns vital missions. Magill also played a role in the free speech debate during her time at UVa. Alongside Ryan, she created the schools Committee on Free Expression and Free Inquiry in 2021. Free expression and free inquiry are the lifeblood of universities; these principles underpin this Universitys educational missions of producing knowledge, developing citizen leaders, and serving, Magill said in a statement at the time. In a moment where the country is experiencing heightened conflict, we believe its essential to concisely articulate those foundational commitments of University life. In 2019, when UVa professor and activist Jalane Schmidt was sued for defamation for comments she made about a defender of Charlottesvilles Confederate monuments, the Virginia Division of Risk Management, which manages the commonwealths liability risk management plan, decided that her comments fell outside the scope of her employment as a faculty member and she could not be represented by university counsel. Magill, however, argued the opposite. In this case, it was our view the [sic] Professor Schmidts statements were within her employment as a professor, Magill and Ryan wrote in a letter to UVa faculty at the time. In discussions with DRM, we expressed the view that Professor Schmidts statements were consistent with her role as a professor and therefore within the scope of her employment. But the back-and-forth over what constitutes protected free speech and the tension between university leaders and university community members on the subject predates Magill. One of the first battles before the so-called Summer of Hate was UVas swift censure of an adjunct professor and Charlottesville restaurant owner who mused on Facebook that Black Lives Matter was a racist organization. That man, Douglas Muir, became the subject of no fewer than three official UVa press statements and myriad denouncements from student groups, assailing his assertion. As his West Main Street restaurant Bellas was boycotted, UVa gave Muir a furlough from his three classes, and he was dropped from the teaching rolls the following semester. The University of Virginia stands firmly against racism and social injustice of any kind, wrote Magills predecessor, Tom Katsouleas. The editorial board of the student-run Cavalier Daily newspaper was practically alone in wondering if UVa had gone too far to squelch dissent. Muirs comparison, while noxious, constitutes a political statement, wrote the authors of a Cavalier Daily editorial. While we strongly condemn his views, we acknowledge his right to voice them in particular outside the classroom just as we support students protesting them. As for the 10 other named participants in the 2017 march across Grounds, four have already offered guilty pleas, three others have upcoming trials and the rest are still weaving their way through Albemarle County Circuit Court. Troutman, who supports a family of four with his work at a trucking company, has chosen Elliott Harding as his lawyer. His next hearing is slated for Feb. 5. The United Arab Emirates welcomes the progress in relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, as well as the recent steps taken towards peace in the region, the UAE Foreign Ministry said, Azernews reports. The statement highly appreciated the confidence-building measures agreed upon between the two countries and expressed hope that these initiatives will contribute to strengthening stability in the Caucasus. The ministry emphasized that the UAE supports all initiatives agreed upon by Azerbaijan and Armenia to strengthen security and peace at the regional and international level. The ministry reiterated that the UAE emphasizes the importance of building bridges, cooperation and dialogue in resolving differences peacefully. Following the talks between the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, an agreement has been reached on taking tangible steps towards building confidence between two countries. Driven by the values of humanism and as a gesture of goodwill, the Republic of Azerbaijan releases 32 Armenian military servicemen. In its turn, driven by the values of humanism and as a gesture of goodwill, the Republic of Armenia releases 2 Azerbaijani military servicemen. As a sign of good gesture, the Republic of Armenia supports the bid of the Republic of Azerbaijan to host the 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, by withdrawing its own candidacy. The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan do hope that the other countries within the Eastern European Group will also support Azerbaijans bid to host. As a sign of good gesture, the Republic of Azerbaijan supports the Armenian candidature for Eastern European Group COP Bureau membership. NATURAL BRIDGE Nearly 100 animals, both alive and dead, were seized from the Natural Bridge Zoo in Rockbridge County Wednesday, according to court documents, as the Office of the Attorney General Animal Law Unit conducted an investigation. The Office of the Attorney General Animal Law Unit offers support and prosecution of animal cruelty cases upon request of a local Commonwealths Attorney or law enforcement agency, Victoria LaCivita, attorney generals office communications director, said in an email Friday. Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, we cannot comment further. But LaCivita added that a tiger from the zoo had been euthanized. The tiger was euthanized with consent of the owners to humanely end its suffering upon recommendation by the specialist veterinarian following their examination, LaCivita wrote. An attempt to contact zoo officials by email Friday was unsuccessful. This is what led up to the investigation, according to search warrants certified in Rockbridge County: Debbie Mogensen, the owner of the zoo located in the 5700 block of Lee Highway in Natural Bridge, hired a person who later became a confidential informant. He worked at the zoo between March and October as a farmhand and groundskeeper. During his employment, the confidential informant recorded his observations and conversations with other employees and documented the animals and their habitats. Among the documented animals was an elephant named Asha. Her keeper, Mark Easley, had worked at the zoo for over 15 years. The confidential information reported that on April 12, Easley told him that it is important to get keeper respect from any of the animals in the park. He advised [the confidential informant] to always jab them where bone is close to flesh. Make it count. On May 8, the informant reported that Easley said the only reason you hit an elephant is for intimidation, and that he was not Ashas friend. Im not her friend, Im her boss and you gain respect through fear, Easley said, according to affidavits. The confidential informant also documented Ashas living conditions, which were substandard, affidavits read. She stood and slept in her own urine, was chained when unattended and given cold baths. The affidavits also say that Asha, who has lived as a solitary elephant for decades, has very little enrichment. Asha sways and rocks from side to side in order to soothe herself and relieve boredom and stress. On June 3, the confidential informant documented, Easley said Asha carried 166 zoo guests on her back, affidavits read. The next day, she carried 191. A sign hear the zoos elephant ride area sets the ride weight limit at 250 pounds. But the confidential informant regularly saw two adults plus a child riding Asha at one time. The confidential informant also documented issues with other zoo animals, including a female zebra that appeared to have a medical issue with her rear hoof/leg. The zebra had been given medication that was expired and prescribed for another animal. The informant also observed a cassowary with a broken/chipped beak and diarrhea, passing undigested food. On Oct. 25, additional animals were observed suffering from dirty water, lack of food and enrichment and physical impairments like overgrown hooves and unaligned beaks. The most alarming issue was a deceased goat in the African Pygmy Goat exhibit, an affidavit read. This deceased goat remained there for over an hour unnoticed by staff and by the time we left was bloated and stiff. Similar issues were observed during a visit to the zoo by confidential informants on Nov. 4. Coming from boxes inside the capuchin exhibit were large number of electric cords, which were plugged into other cords secured with electrical tape that appeared to be hazardous, affidavits continue. Asha, the elephant, was also observed again on Nov. 4. She had marks on her skin that matched the riding harness and straps that she had on during elephant rides, affidavits read. Ashas skin also appeared dry and flaky. We believe there to be a direct and immediate threat to the health and safety of the animals belonging to and residing at Natural Bridge Zoo, affidavits read. On Wednesday, police executed the first of two search warrants at the zoo. Eighty-nine living animals were seized. Another 28 deceased animals were removed from the facility, including the euthanized tiger, a white Bengal, according to the executed warrant document. Police also seized one giraffe skin, two giraffe tails, giraffe and zebra legs, one giraffe head, one mandrill head, one bongo pelt, one zebra pelt, five baggies of frozen giraffe feces and three specimen jars labeled Asha. Electronics, including cellphones, documents and logbooks were also seized. On Thursday, police executed a second search warrant at the zoo, this time looking for medications, including bottles of ketamine and expired gabapentin in the Mogensens residence. From the property, law enforcement seized 30 drug-related items, including a lidocaine injectible. Virginia State Police are assisting the attorney generals office in its investigation, Sgt. Rick Garletts, public information officer in the state police Salem division, said in an email Friday. Were running point, LaCivita confirmed. We cant say anything more at this time. The attorney generals office provided additional court documents to The Roanoke Times late Friday that said 95 animals had been seized from the zoo. The documents also said four giraffes, three females and one male, have not been impounded but there will be a hearing for seizure to determine whether the animal(s) have been subject to cruel treatment or neglect. That Rockbridge General District Court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 20. The recent findings from a CreditorWatch survey shed light on a significant challenge faced by Australian businesses, with over 80% of respondents reporting the detrimental impact of late payments on their growth trajectory in the last six months. The study underscores the pervasive issue, emphasizing that a substantial 37% of businesses have become accustomed to enduring extended waits of 60 days or more for payment, exacerbating financial strains and hindering overall business development. To navigate these challenges, businesses are adopting various strategies to mitigate the impact of late payments. The predominant approach to mitigating exposure to late payments follows the 62-43-37 rule, as indicated by recent survey findings: Automated Reminders (62): The majority of businesses leverage automated reminder systems, constituting 62% of respondents. This proactive method involves employing technology to send timely reminders to clients and partners, fostering efficient communication and encouraging timely payments. We believe this should be your first step. Example: A small consulting firm implements an automated invoicing system that sends gentle yet persistent reminders to clients as payment deadlines approach. These automated messages include polite prompts and details about the outstanding invoice, facilitating timely payments without straining client relationships. Automatic Alerts for Credit Risk Changes (43): Nearly half of the surveyed businesses, accounting for 43%, employ automatic alert systems. These tools notify organizations when there are changes in their clients credit risk, enabling informed decision-making and allowing for timely adjustments in response to evolving financial conditions. Example: A medium-sized company subscribes to a credit monitoring service that automatically alerts them when significant changes in their key clients credit risk profile exist. This allows the company to proactively assess potential risks and adjust its financial strategies accordingly, mitigating the impact of late payments on its own cash flow. Nearly half of the surveyed businesses, accounting for 43%, employ automatic alert systems. These tools notify organizations when there are changes in their clients credit risk, enabling informed decision-making and allowing for timely adjustments in response to evolving financial conditions. Example: A medium-sized company subscribes to a credit monitoring service that automatically alerts them when significant changes in their key clients credit risk profile exist. This allows the company to proactively assess potential risks and adjust its financial strategies accordingly, mitigating the impact of late payments on its own cash flow. Adjusting Terms and Conditions (37): The final step can be to amend the terms to your advantage. A significant portion of businesses, representing 37%, opt for adjusting terms and conditions as a strategic response to late payments. This involves revisiting and modifying contractual agreements, potentially renegotiating payment terms and implementing clearer expectations to create a more sustainable payment environment. Example: A software development agency revisits its standard contract terms and conditions to address late payment concerns. The agency modifies the payment schedule to include incremental payments tied to project milestones, creating a more balanced cash flow and reducing the risk of extended delays. Clearer language regarding late payment penalties is also added to set expectations and discourage tardiness. Payment defaults, a key indicator of potential business insolvency, have revealed a median overdue period of 170 days. This substantial delay not only poses immediate financial challenges but also serves as a harbinger of future troubles, with a 24% likelihood of business failure within the next year for enterprises with a single default. The stakes escalate significantly to a daunting 62% when a business accumulates three or more defaults. Compounding these financial hurdles is the holiday period, during which Australian businesses grapple with an average 20% drop in revenue. This decline is exacerbated by the traditional closure of numerous businesses during this time, further amplifying the likelihood of encountering late payments. Beyond the financial strain, Australian businesses are also contending with power imbalances during contract negotiations. A striking two-thirds of businesses (66%) express feeling at a disadvantage when negotiating with larger counterparts, shedding light on the challenges smaller entities face in maintaining equitable business relationships. In the realm of late payments, the creativity displayed in providing excuses is noteworthy. From claims of temporary amnesia induced by a head injury to unexpected detours to grand finals and even misplaced wallets in unconventional places, businesses seem to have no shortage of inventive reasons for delayed payments. CreditorWatchs CEO, Patrick Coghlan, emphasizes the disproportionate impact of late payments on small businesses, noting that their late payment rates are three times higher on average compared to their larger counterparts. Operating on narrower profit margins, small businesses find themselves particularly vulnerable to the financial strain caused by delayed payments. Late payment rates for small business are, on average, three times greater compared to large businesses, which is a huge problem considering they are operating on much tighter margins, he says. With the incidence of late payments and payment defaults increasing over the Christmas, New Year period, businesses should be taking proactive measures to follow up on outstanding invoices before the break. CreditorWatchs Late Payments Guide is now available in full here. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Gia Lai, situated in the northern part of the Central Highlands, ranks as Vietnam's second-largest province, trailing only Nghe An. It spans 15,500 square kilometers and is about 481 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. To its northeast lies Quang Ngai Province, to the east is Binh Dinh Province, while the southeast shares a border with Phu Yen Province. In the west, Gia Lai is adjacent to Cambodia's Ratanakiri Province, with Dak Lak Province to the south and Kon Tum Province to the north. The provincial capital is Pleiku, and the primary tourist attractions are concentrated within Pleiku City and its environs, spanning roughly 20-30 kilometers. Gia Lai experiences a tropical monsoon climate characterized by high humidity, substantial rainfall, and the absence of storms and frost. The climate exhibits two distinct seasons: a rainy season from May to October and a dry season spanning from November to the following April. The average annual temperature hovers between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. From the Chu Dang Ya volcano dome, one can enjoy a panoramic view of Pleiku of Gia Lai. Photo by Do Do WHERE TO GO Bien Ho Lake T'Nung Lake, also referred to as Bien Ho Lake or Ea Nueng Lake, is a freshwater gem situated in Bien Ho Commune, 7 kilometers north of Pleiku's city center. Nestled within the Bien Ho - Chu Dang Ya eco-tourism area, this lake boasts a narrow land strip extending towards its center, offering visitors a sweeping view of pine-covered landscapes. The lake spans nearly 300 hectares at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level. Originally formed from three interconnected volcanic craters, the lake's shores reveal a distinct volcanic origin. The most beautiful time to witness its beauty is during the Lunar New Year. Bien Ho Che - Tea hill A Gia Lai's tea hill showcases rows of vibrant green tea leaves, basking under the clear blue sky. Photo courtesy of Vietnam Booking Also known as Bien Ho Che, this tea hill adjacent to Bien Ho Lake covers over 1,000 hectares and blankets the foothills of the surrounding mountains with lush green tea leaves. Dating back to 1919, when the French initiated tea cultivation on the Pleiku Plateau, these tea hills offer a magical ambiance in the early morning with a veil of mist shrouding the landscape, especially between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Century-old pine trees Starting on Pho Duc Chinh intersection, this 800 meters road runs along pine trees and gentle slopes. Photo by VnExpress/Bui Van Hai Situated near Bien Ho Che, about 12 kilometers from Pleikus city center, youll find a road beneath a nearly one-kilometer-long canopy of century-old pine trees. These pines, planted in 1917 with 101 trees, attract crowds of tourists and young visitors seeking photo opportunities. To reach here, follow the 17 kilometers route starting at Phu Dong intersection, passing through Le Duan, Ton That Tung, Tran Van Binh, and Ngo Quyen streets. Cross the Bien Ho Suspension Bridge, turn right at Nghia Hung Spillway, and follow Bien Ho Road around the lake. Continue straight along the road, leading to a scenic path adorned with hundred-year-old green pine trees. Pleiku locals often frequent this area for runs and exercise. The best time to capture the roads beauty is early in the morning when the dew glistens and sunlight filters through the leaves. Along the pine tree-lined route, youll find mobile cafes set up in repurposed old cars, providing relaxation spots for travelers. Buu Minh Pagoda Situated in the heart of Bien Ho Che, Buu Minh Pagoda is the oldest pagoda in Gia Lai. Originally constructed in 1936 and initially named Phat Hoc Pagoda, it was later restored and renamed Buu Minh in 1961. The pagoda exhibits architectural elements reminiscent of Central Highlands communal houses but with the features of Japanese and Korean temples. It also boasts one of the highest among Vietnamese pagodas, with its roof and tower resembling a canoe. The main hall spans over 520 square meters and rises more than 47 meters high. During major holidays, the pagoda draws a substantial crowd of residents who visit to seek blessings and peace. Great Solidarity Square The Great Solidarity Square, the focal point of Pleiku City, was inaugurated in December 2012, covering 12 hectares. Alongside the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Museum of Antiquities, and the Nup Monument, this square forms an architectural and cultural complex infused with Central Highlands identity. The square hosts a variety of significant features, including a statue of President Ho Chi Minh standing at over 10 meters in height, a three-story cylindrical stone block symbolizing 54 ethnic groups, and a gong (traditional Vietnamese instrument) system, representing the region's distinct culture. It serves as a space for cultural exchange and relaxation for both Gia Lai residents and tourists. Minh Thanh Pagoda Located 2 kilometers from the city center atop a hill, Minh Thanh Pagoda, built in 1964, has become a place of worship for the local community. This 20,000-square-meter pagoda complex showcases structures with curved roofs reminiscent of Japanese pagodas. A statue of Guan Yin Buddha is positioned in the center of the pagoda, adorned with greenery, stone columns, and a 7.5-meter-high, 40-ton unicorn statue carved from stone. The temple courtyard features stone and carved wooden statues. The pagoda offers a serene green space designed by monks, complete with trees and miniature landscapes to create a fresh and pure atmosphere. Chu Dang Ya Volcano Located about 30 kilometers from Pleiku City, Chu Dang Ya is a volcano that evolved over millions of years. After releasing its lava flows, Chu Dang Ya volcano entered a dormant phase, making it a renowned tourist attraction. The surroundings of this area are adorned with flowers and greenery throughout the years. Standing at the craters edge, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Pleiku City. The road leading to the volcanos base has been paved with concrete, offering convenience to travelers. To reach the summit, visitors can choose to climb or rent a motorbike taxi for a fee of VND100,000 ($4). Every year, at the end of October and early November, mountain marigolds burst into bloom along the road and surrounding the volcanic area. Tan Son Dam Tan Son Dam, also known as Tan Son Irrigation Lake, is in Nghia Hung Commune, Chu Pah District, about 25 kilometers north of Pleiku City, along the road to Chu Dang Ya Volcano. The dam was built in 2007 and put into operation in 2010. It serves as a water source for the region, contributing to the regulation and enhancement of the landscape. The irrigation lake stores a substantial water supply during the rainy season to support agricultural activities when Gia Lai experiences dry spells. Thanks to its serene and picturesque surroundings, Tan Son Dam has become a famous tourist destination, particularly among photography enthusiasts. K50 Waterfall K50 Waterfall, also known as Hang En (Swallow Cave) Waterfall, is located within the Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve, in KBang District, to the north of Gia Lai Province, about 150 kilometers from Pleiku city center. The best time to visit this waterfall is from March to June when the weather is sunny, with minimal rainfall, and the waterfall flows gracefully. Visitors can partake in a day trip from Pleiku, though many recommend staying overnight nearby or even camping within the reserve. The waterfall earns its name, "Hang En," because behind its cascading waters serves as the dwelling place for a multitude of swallows. K50 stands for the waterfalls impressive 50-meter height. In the past, reaching the waterfall required an eight-hour trek through the forest, but now, with improved concrete roads, motorbikes can get closer to the base. Visitors should equip themselves with long-sleeved clothing, high socks, and walking sticks to ward off insects, snakes, and centipedes. Yaly Hydroelectric Plant Yaly Hydroelectric Plant is part of the hydroelectric system located on the Se San River, one of the busiest tourist destination in Gia Lai Province, located about 40 kilometers from Pleiku city center. The journey to the hydropower plant offers breathtaking scenery, characterized by primeval forests, hills and rivers. Built in 1993, this is Vietnams second-largest hydroelectric dam, following Song Da in northern Vietnam. Yaly Hydroelectric Plant is associated with Yaly Waterfall, one of Vietnams most impressive and beautiful waterfalls, featuring a height of 42 meters. The factory welcomes visitors for tours during its operating hours, covering a route that includes the main gate, the spillway, and a memorial area. Depending on the schedule, the factory may also open the underground machine room, with advance arrangements required. The entrance fee is VND50,000 ($2) per person. The Yaly Hydroelectric Plant. Photo by VnExpress Nine-Level Waterfall The Nine-Level Waterfall features a powerful water flow, with large rocks beneath. Photo courtesy of Traveloka Situated 30 kilometers from Pleiku, the waterfall is surrounded by a forest ecosystem. Originating from a river atop the mountain, the waterfall's powerful flow creates a majestic landscape. Instead of descending vertically, the waterfall meanders along large cliffs, forming nine levels. Each level ranges from 5 to 10 meters in height, with the last two levels standing at approximately 15 meters. From a distance, the waterfall resembles a dragon gracefully coiled, poised to take flight into the sky. Kon Ka Kinh National Park Located in the northeastern region of Gia Lai Province, Kon Ka Kinh National Park is 50 kilometers from Pleiku City, featuring a cool climate all year round. Kon Ka Kinh's highest peak reaches 1,748 meters above sea level, with numerous mountain ranges at an average altitude of 1,200-1,500 meters, descending from north to south. Designated as a special-use forest in Vietnam since 1986, this park is renowned for its rich flora and fauna. Its allure extends to a network of rivers, streams, waterfalls, and natural rapids, including Dak Pooc Waterfall, Knia River, Dak Ko Bung River, and the Dak Pooc Waterfall, the most famous and beautiful with a 40-meter drop. Pink Grass Hill The Pink Grass Hill in Gia Lai during its peak season. Photo by VnExpress/TNR The Pink Grass Hill of Gia Lai typically make an appearance at the onset of the dry season. It is approximately 20 kilometers from Pleiku City. The area serves as a favorite spot for families to picnic or camp. In addition to this pink grass hill, another one can be found in Chu Se District, gracing the landscape in November and December, with early mornings and sunsets being the most favorable times for enjoying its beauty. Beyond the suggested destinations, the journey to Pleiku offers opportunities to explore various attractions, including the expansive rubber forests. Consider making stops along the way to capture the scenic beauty and create lasting memories through photographs. WHAT TO EAT Grilled chicken with bamboo-tube rice Gia Lai's grilled chicken is served with a lime, salt and pepper dipping sauce. Photo by VnExpress/Chu Chu Grilled chicken is a local specialty that hails from Teng Village in Tan Son Commune, Pleiku City. The most popular restaurant offering this dish, aptly named after the village Plei Teng, has become a gastronomic landmark in the region. As patrons step into Plei Teng, they are welcomed by a spacious and breezy ambiance adorned with lush greenery. The dining experience is unique, with diners seated on traditional stilts. The restaurant boasts nearly 10 stilt houses, each capable of accommodating approximately 20 people, creating an ideal setting for communal gatherings and group exchange programs. The star attractions on the menu include grilled chicken and skewered or whole grilled pork, served alongside bamboo-tube rice. Free-range chicken with low fat and firm meat are chosen for these grilled dishes. The chicken is rotated over charcoal fire, ensuring even cooking and a perfect blend of flavors. Diners have the privilege of witnessing their meals being prepared as the chefs work their magic right at the table. The result is a plate of piping hot chicken with a golden and crispy skin. Patrons can expect to pay around VND200,000 ($8) for a serving of the grilled chicken. For those eager to explore other grilled chicken options in Pleiku, other establishments include Gia Lai Bazan, Ksor Hnao Artisan Restaurant, and Ia Gui Restaurant. Two-Bowl pho (dry pho) A serving of two-bowl pho features a bowl of mixed noodles, accompanied by a soup adorned with meat toppings. Photo courtesy of Pho Hong Two-bowl pho is a must-try for visitors to Gia Lai, offering a delightful fusion of flavors and textures. True to its name, the two-bowl pho presents diners with a duo: one bowl containing the dry pho and another with flavorful broth, typically made with a blend of pork and beef or chicken bones. The dry pho boasts a subtle taste, mild sweetness, and a delicate infusion of spices. The two-bowl pho features ivory-white noodles. The preparation involves placing noodles into a bowl, accompanied by fried pork fat, fried shallots, scallions, minced pork, beef or chicken. Complemented by an array of fresh herbs, including bean sprouts, basil, lettuce, and coriander, the dish is incomplete without the touch of Gia Lai's black sauce made of fermented soybean. In 2012, the dish achieved acclaim from the Asian Records Organization (ARO) as one of the 10 Vietnamese culinary delights to secure an Asian record, distinguished by its "Asian cuisine value" based on specific criteria. Visitors can try out this dish at places such as Pho Hong, Pho Ngoc Son, and Be Tu eatery. Half-dried beef In the landscapes of the Krong Pa highlands, a culinary tradition unfolds with the grazing of cows in their natural habitat. The meat from these bovines is considered of the highest quality when they reach the age of 5-7 years, meeting specific standards to create a well-known dish, namely, half-dried beef. The key lies in selecting the meat core from the thighs and tenderloin, removing tendons, cutting it into pieces, and marinating with a blend of spices including garlic, dried onions, and chili. After the meat absorbs this flavorful concoction, it undergoes a drying process with charcoal. A group of foreign tourists at Phu Bai International Airport in the central Thua Thien-Hue Province, April 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Thanh The frequency of international searches for Vietnam inbound tourism this year has increased nearly 300% year-on-year, with tourists from South Korea and the U.S. showing the most interest. Japan ranked third on the list of five countries with biggest interest in Vietnamese inbound travel, followed by Thailand and Singapore, according to a report released by online travel agency Agoda. "Vietnam this year has consistently grown in attractiveness to travelers around the world with the nation becoming ever more accessible," said Lam Vu, Country Director Vietnam at Agoda. "The popularity of Vietnam has also increased because of liberalizing visa policies," Vu added. Agodas report also matched this years data for international visitors to Vietnam. South Korea has become the largest source of foreign visitors this year with 3.2 million arrivals while the U.S. was the fourth biggest market (658,000) after mainland China and Taiwan. Japan and Thailand were among the top 10 biggest tourism markets for Vietnams inbound tourism. Vietnam received 1.23 million foreign visitors in November, the highest monthly number since it reopened its borders after Covid in March last year as the country has made breakthroughs in tourism policies. Starting Aug. 15, Vietnam's new immigration policy accepts e-visa applications from citizens from all countries and territories, with the visa valid for multiple entries and for 90 days. In addition to granting tourist visas to all countries, the government also extended the duration of stays in Vietnam from 15 to 45 days for citizens of 13 countries unilaterally exempted from visas. The number of foreign arrivals so far this year has topped 11.2 million and the country is striving to receive 13 million by the end of this year. Can material left over from mining lithium be used to store carbon? Thats the question Pengbo Chu, the Nevada Gold Mines professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, will be pursuing in his research lab with support from Lithium Americas. Lithium Americas is a chemical production company aiming to extract and process lithium on site in northern Nevada. The end product will be pure lithium carbonate that can be used to make electric car batteries, supporting the green energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. A natural fit We're in the carbon reduction business by virtue of the product we make, said Tim Crowley (UNR 92, geography), vice president of government affairs and community relations at Lithium Americas. [The lithium] is designed to be put into batteries to help bring down carbon emissions. We should do everything we possibly can to make sure our carbon footprint is as low as possible while we're making this product. It just doesn't make sense for the battery industry to be a big carbon emitter in the pursuit of bringing down carbon emissions. Chu, whose research is focused on mineral processing techniques, reached out to Lithium Americas with a project idea aimed at finding ways to mitigate the companys carbon emissions. The goal of the project is to store carbon dioxide in the waste produced after processing the mined material. We've had a lot of talks over the past with Pengbo on potential projects, and it was an idea that was sparked by one of those conversations, said Ryan Ravenelle (UNR 06, chemical engineering), manager of research and development at Lithium Americas. Pengbo has the capability and the expertise in the area. We have the material, and we have the CO2. So, it's a natural fit. Sequestering carbon Lithium Americas will mine and process lithium thats bound in clay, and Crowley said they are the first company to ever do so. The process will involve extracting lithium from the clay with sulfuric acid and then turning it into a high purity chemical. The clay also naturally contains carbonates which form carbon dioxide during the reaction with acid, but Chu and the engineers at Lithium Americas are developing methods to capture that carbon and store it in the waste products by two mechanisms: chemical sequestration and physical sequestration. The prerequisite to either sequestration option, Chu said, is to have the suitable minerology. Having the right material inputs to store the carbon, like the magnesium silicate-rich clay found at the mine site, is promising. There are several options for carbon sequestration at the site. One option is in the tailings, which is clay that has been processed and most of the lithium has been removed, said Crowley. That material is stored on-site and available for carbon sequestration. The material that goes through processing presents challenges for carbon storage because of the chemical changes it went through, but other options for storing the carbon remain. There's additional opportunity for sequestration in the waste material, Crowley said. Waste is simply earthen material that does not have economically viable amounts of lithium. Waste material is extracted from the pit but not processed. It, too, could potentially be used for carbon storage, and we're doing a deep analysis of that. Chu said that there have been attempts to do this in the past, so there is proof of concept. Its time to analyze larger samples of waste material from Thacker Pass, Crowley said. Another aspect of the study, Chu said, is to use the carbon dioxide to potentially extract even more lithium out of lower-concentration material. The combination of carbon dioxide storage in tailings and waste, and using carbon dioxide to increase lithium recovery, presents many significant benefits that could dramatically reduce carbon emissions from the site. A relationship forged over time I really appreciate the company being very open-minded, Chu said. Chu added that the open sharing of information between his research group and Lithium Americas has been critical to developing this project. Lithium Americas has provided Chu with samples from various parts of the mine. Different layers and parts of the mine will have different minerology, so there will be natural variations in how the CO2 can be used. The research up to date has found some materials from the mines that can react with CO2, but the mineralogy change is complex. Continuous research will be required to understand the fundamental science. The research findings thus far establish strong confidence that there is a potential to make carbon sequestration with lithium mining work. I think it would be quite novel, said Ravenelle. Im not aware of any other projects that are trying to sequester or mineralize CO2 in their waste products. Furthermore, many of the clays in mines in Nevada are magnesium rich. If the deposit has the required minerology, the knowledge learned from this project can be transferred to other projects, Chu said. Chu said that if other faculty members are interested in pursuing research projects like this with companies, there has to be relationship-building from both parties. This project was developed after several years of conversation with Lithium Americas, and the candid conversations helped both parties understand the goals of one another. It's very fortunate that Pengbo brought this idea to us, said Crowley. For him to come to us and say, We'd like you to explore ways to further reduce your carbon footprint, thats great stuff, and we appreciate his initiative. NIS, Serbia, December 10. Azerbaijan plays an important role in diversifying gas supplies to Southeast Europe, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev told reporters, Trend reports. He spoke after the inauguration ceremony of the Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnector in Nis, Serbia. "We highly appreciate your role," he said. Speaking about the decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan, Radev noted that Russia vetoed the candidacies of all EU member states. "Only Azerbaijan and Armenia were left and we are happy that this event will be held in Azerbaijan. We support you," he said. The inauguration ceremony of the Serbia-Bulgaria interconnector, which will provide access to Azerbaijani natural gas, was held in Nis, Serbia. The project of building the gas interconnector Nis Dimitrovgrad Bulgaria is financed partly through EU grants, in the amount of 49.6 million euros, as well as 25 million euros of a favourable loan from the European Investment Bank that Serbia will pay for the part of the gas pipeline passing through Serbia. The Republic of Serbia has allocated 15 million euros and 7.5 million euro for preparatory work and the design. Gas supply is important for citizens and economy. Gas secures partly the heating for homes as well as functioning of numerous industries. Currently, gas is responsible for 13 percent of Serbias primary energy consumption and Serbia can receive it only from two entry points through the Balkan Stream pipeline and from Hungary. The gas interconnector, connecting gas networks of Serbia and Bulgaria, will boost the diversification of energy sources in Serbia and the Western Balkan region, allowing Serbia more secure and stable supply from different gas network systems, notably from Azerbaijan and to the future LNG Alexandroupoli terminal in Greece that can receive gas from all over the world. NIS, SERBIA, December 10. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has held a one-on-one meeting with President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev in the Serbian city of Nis, Trend reports. They commended the development of friendship and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria in various areas. Emphasizing the importance of the inauguration of the Serbia-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector, the presidents congratulated each other on this occasion. Touching upon the significance of the Solidarity Ring initiative, the heads of state reiterated the project`s crucial role in expanding energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union and Azerbaijan`s contributing to gas supply to Europe. President Ilham Aliyev invited the President of Bulgaria to pay a visit to Azerbaijan. The invitation was gratefully accepted. NIS, Serbia, December 10. In his speech at the inauguration ceremony of the Serbia-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector, President Ilham Aliyev provided information about the countrys future plans in the energy sector. Our future plans undoubtedly include expanding the geographical reach of gas supply. In the future, our primary objective is to access new markets through the establishment of new interconnectors in Europe, with a major target related to renewable energy resources. Azerbaijan has already signed agreements and memoranda of understanding with investors for the creation of 10 gigawatts of renewable energy sources, the head of state pointed out. First version published at 13:39 NIS, Serbia, December 10. Serbian Minister of Mines and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the project of Serbia-Bulgaria interconnector, Trend reports. She spoke at the launching ceremony of the Bulgaria-Serbia gas interconnector in Nis, Serbia. "First of all, many thanks to all colleagues from Azerbaijan, to President Ilham Aliyev, to all those with whom we worked a lot last year. As for our cooperation with Azerbaijan, thank you, first of all, for the fact that in a very short time we were able to agree on all the details and that in the future we will be able to provide additional supplies. This pipeline will also allow us to connect to the LNG natural gas terminal in Greece. The countries that are surviving this crisis best are those that had different sources of supply. We have an additional source besides the Balkan Stream. We will get another source of supply, another pipeline. Diversification is impossible without infrastructure, without physical work," she said. The minister said that the Serbia-Bulgaria interconnector is a major project, which is important both for positioning Serbia for gas supplies to Central and Eastern Europe and for further gasification of the southern part of Serbia. "It is nice that we are here today because this is a great day, first of all, for the relations of our countries. This project was planned a long time ago. We managed to finalize the work within a year and agree with our friends from Azerbaijan on gas supplies, as well as to coordinate with our friends from Bulgaria," she added. NIS, Serbia, December 10. A ceremony was held in Nis, Serbia to launch the Serbia-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector, which will provide access to Azerbaijani natural gas, Trend reports. The project of building the gas interconnector Nis Dimitrovgrad Bulgaria is financed partly through EU grants, in the amount of 49.6 million euros, as well as 25 million euros of a favourable loan from the European Investment Bank that Serbia will pay for the part of the gas pipeline passing through Serbia. The Republic of Serbia has allocated 15 million euros and 7.5 million euros for preparatory work and the design. Gas supply is important for citizens and economy. Gas secures partly the heating for homes as well as functioning of numerous industries. Currently, gas is responsible for 13 percent of Serbias primary energy consumption and Serbia can receive it only from two entry points through the Balkan Stream pipeline and from Hungary. The gas interconnector, connecting gas networks of Serbia and Bulgaria, will boost the diversification of energy sources in Serbia and the Western Balkan region, allowing Serbia more secure and stable supply from different gas network systems, notably from Azerbaijan and to the future LNG Alexandroupoli terminal in Greece that can receive gas from all over the world. The new gas interconnector will connect the existing Serbian network in Nis with the Bulgarian network in the capital Sofia, stretching for 109 km on the Serbian side. With the pipe diameter of 700 mm and maximum pressure of 55 bar, its capacity will allow for the transfer of 1.8 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually, equivalent to 60 percent of Serbias total annual consumption. Besides Nis, the pipeline will also include 3 other gas metering and regulation stations in Bela Palanka, Pirot and Dimitrovgrad, allowing thus for these three cities and regions of Serbia their citizens, schools, hospitals, businesses, to have access to gas supply, for heating and industrial production. Construction work started in January 2022. On December 9, President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, , Azernews reports. During the phone conversation, the heads of state reviewed relations between the two countries and prospects for future cooperation. The presidents touched upon the areas of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates, especially the opportunities for collaboration in economic development, renewable energy and other crucial spheres for the sustainable growth of the two countries. President Ilham Aliyev and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. During the phone conversation, the sides touched on the World Climate Action Summit organized on the sidelines of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - COP28 in Dubai. The head of state congratulated the President of the United Arab Emirates on the successful hosting of the Summit. The Azerbaijani leader recalled his meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his visit to Dubai to participate in this event, and thanked for the hospitality shown to him. The President of Azerbaijan expressed hope that the outcomes of the Summit would make practical and significant contributions to the fight against global climate change, as well as serve sustainable development in the world. First version published at 15:35 NIS, Serbia, December 10. Azerbaijan is a reliable partner in deed, we will intensify gas supplies from Azerbaijan, EU Ambassador to Serbia Emmanuel Jofre told journalists, Trend reports. He spoke after the inauguration ceremony of the Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnector in Nis, Serbia. "Today we celebrate the launch of the Serbia-Bulgaria interconnector. We are happy that Serbia will have access to Azerbaijani gas. This will contribute to the development of the Serbian economy," he said. The ambassador emphasized that this project is a strategic initiative not only for Serbia, but also for the EU. "It creates important realities, as the dependence on Russian gas is reduced. Now there is a real alternative - gas from Azerbaijan. Consequently, Serbia can rely on more gas sources. Using alternative energy sources makes Europe stronger. We have been working on this over the last two years and we will continue our efforts in this direction. Azerbaijan is an important partner of the EU," added Jofre. A ceremony was held in Nis, Serbia to launch the Serbia-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector, which will provide access to Azerbaijani natural gas The project of building the gas interconnector Nis Dimitrovgrad Bulgaria is financed partly through EU grants, in the amount of 49.6 million euros, as well as 25 million euros of a favourable loan from the European Investment Bank that Serbia will pay for the part of the gas pipeline passing through Serbia. The Republic of Serbia has allocated 15 million euros and 7.5 million euros for preparatory work and the design. Gas supply is important for citizens and economy. Gas secures partly the heating for homes as well as functioning of numerous industries. Currently, gas is responsible for 13 percent of Serbias primary energy consumption and Serbia can receive it only from two entry points through the Balkan Stream pipeline and from Hungary. The gas interconnector, connecting gas networks of Serbia and Bulgaria, will boost the diversification of energy sources in Serbia and the Western Balkan region, allowing Serbia more secure and stable supply from different gas network systems, notably from Azerbaijan and to the future LNG Alexandroupoli terminal in Greece that can receive gas from all over the world. NIS, Serbia, December 10. The Serbia-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector is important for us, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic told journalists, Trend reports. He spoke after the inauguration of the Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnector in Nis, Serbia. "The interconnector enables Serbia to access 6-7 LNG terminals, including from Alexandropolis terminal in Greece. This allows Serbia to further strengthen future energy security in the future. It will provide diversification and allow access to alternative sources. This project is of great importance for regions of Serbia such as Nis," he said. A ceremony was held in Nis, Serbia to launch the Serbia-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector, which will provide access to Azerbaijani natural gas. The project of building the gas interconnector Nis Dimitrovgrad Bulgaria is financed partly through EU grants, in the amount of 49.6 million euros, as well as 25 million euros of a favourable loan from the European Investment Bank that Serbia will pay for the part of the gas pipeline passing through Serbia. The Republic of Serbia has allocated 15 million euros and 7.5 million euros for preparatory work and the design. Gas supply is important for citizens and economy. Gas secures partly the heating for homes as well as functioning of numerous industries. Currently, gas is responsible for 13 percent of Serbias primary energy consumption and Serbia can receive it only from two entry points through the Balkan Stream pipeline and from Hungary. The gas interconnector, connecting gas networks of Serbia and Bulgaria, will boost the diversification of energy sources in Serbia and the Western Balkan region, allowing Serbia more secure and stable supply from different gas network systems, notably from Azerbaijan and to the future LNG Alexandroupoli terminal in Greece that can receive gas from all over the world. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, December 10. Romania reaffirms its continued support for the development of resources in the Caspian region, being firmly committed to the progress and expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor towards new markets in the EU, a source in the Ministry of Energy of Romania told Trend. According to the Ministry, the Caspian region is currently playing an increasingly important role in improving the security of gas supply to Europe. "This status implies position of reliable partner in ensuring energy security of Europe, confirmed, among other things, by efforts that have already been made regarding creation of new transport infrastructure to bring gas to European markets," the source stated. It was emphasized that, in terms of regional dimension, Romania is a consistent champion for increasing links and collaboration between the EU and Caspian region countries. At the same time, the Ministry stated that Romania is an active supporter of the so-called Green Corridor project, which was formed by regional partners such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Hungary to utilize the substantial potential of renewable energy sources in the Caspian Sea. Meanwhile, the Southern Gas Corridor started transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe on December 31, 2020. It transports gas from the Caspian Sea region to European countries through Georgia and Turkiye. The projects cost totaled $33 billion, as compared to the forecast $45 billion. Capital expenditures on the SGC project are expected to be fully reimbursed within 810 years. In July 2022, Azerbaijan and the EU agreed to increase the volume of gas supplies via the Southern Gas Corridor from the current 10 bcm to 20 bcm by 2027. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, December 10. The trade turnover of Turkmenistan and France for the period from January through August 2023 surpassed 48.3 million euros, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, told Trend. These data show an increase of 2.7 times compared to the turnover in the first eight months of the previous year, which amounted to 18 million euros. France's imports from Turkmenistan from January through August 2023 amounted to almost 5.74 million euros, which is 66.3 percent more than in the period of 2022, when it amounted to 3.45 million euros. At the same time, France increased exports to Turkmenistan 2.9 times in the first eight months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 (14.55 million euros), resulting in imports of 42.56 million euros. Meanwhile, the trade turnover between Turkmenistan and France in 2022 amounted to 40.67 million euros, which is 6.75 percent more than in 2021 (38.1 million euros). Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 10. Rationing natural gas use in Uzbekistan can reduce its consumption by 40 percent by 2060 relative to 2019, the latest Uzbekistan Country Climate and Development Report by the World Bank says, Trend reports. As per data from the WB report, limited gas availability in Uzbekistan requires a significant shift away from gas across all sectors. "For example, moving to more efficient vehicles, like electric vehicles, and decarbonizing heating, supported by heat pumps and district heating, can lead to a shift from gas across all sectors. In the scenario where Uzbekistan reaches net zero emissions by 2060, no new gas connections are permitted for heating in new residential buildings after 2035. In transport, no new compressed natural gas (CNG)-fueled vehicles are allowed after 2035. Natural gas is prioritized for the power and industry sectors, while its use is reduced for heating and transport. Moreover, in the NZ2060 scenario, natural gas is not available for blue hydrogen production," the WB says. The World Banks analysts stress that the power sector in Uzbekistan accounted for 42 percent of energy sector emissions in 2019 and is expected to see the largest sectoral growth. "With electrification, the power sectors share in total energy consumption will increase from 16 percent in 2019 to 55 percent in 2060. Among renewables, solar and wind have the largest potential, with 39 GW in 2035, starting to account for a majority of power generation after 2035, while accounting for 30 percent by 2035 in the reference scenario," the experts note. Moreover, WB suggests that Uzbekistans hydropower capacity can reach 3.4 GW by 2035 in the NZ2060 scenario. "Other renewables could also play a role in the power sector as well as in heat production: geothermal and biomass have a theoretical potential of 1 GW and 1517 GW, respectively. By 2050, power exports have the opportunity to peak at 9 percent of generation and imports at 4 percent in the reference scenario, while exports will peak at 9 percent in the NZ2060 scenario, helping to balance solar and wind generation and enabling the use of hydropower and thermal generation from neighboring countries," WB said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Intense fighting against Hamas in the Gaza Strip will continue for at least two more months, Israeli state radio Kan said, Trend reports. According to the information, no ceasefire agreements are expected to be concluded in Gaza after this period, and localized operations will be carried out by army units inside the Palestinian enclave. During these two months Israel plans to actively seek additional deals for the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 and held in the Strip. A combined attack was carried out on Israel on October 7. From the beginning, a massive rocket attack began from the territory of the Gaza Strip, followed by the penetration of militants by land, water, and air. Israel declared a state of war after a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a mass gathering of reservists. Famous theater and film actress Olena Khokhlatkina admits that, like her other colleagues, she shared the same set with Russian actors before Russia invaded Ukraine. However, she never "singled them out as a special caste." ADVERTISIMENT The actress admits that she could publicly ridicule some of the actors from the aggressor country on set and threaten to leave the set if she felt disrespected. The actress spoke about this in an interview with OBOZ.UA. The actress says that she agreed to almost all movie offers in the past years, "I played almost everything because I was very interested in the process of the birth of cinema. I wanted to try everything. I also needed money, I'll be honest and admit it. I also worked with those Russian actors. I communicated with them as equals, and sometimes even mocked them. I could say out loud 'What is she playing? I don't know how to react.' Well, what can you do: I am like that. And now, remembering those moments, I'm not ashamed." "And I respect myself a lot for never singling out Russian actors as a special caste," the actress continues, "and demanding on the set, sometimes even with revolutionary methods, the same treatment as they do. I could even say that I would leave the set if it was otherwise: there were such cases. For example, I arrived at the set in the morning, was greeted, and was given a chair near the makeup car, saying, 'Wait for your scene here.' To be fair, I had an episode, not a full-fledged role. I never make scandals, but I had to ask the producer to come to me to tell me that People's Artists of Ukraine will not sit on chairs in the open air, while some Vasya from Moscow will be relaxing in a separate trailer." ADVERTISIMENT Actress Olena Khokhlatkina was born and raised in Kherson. She started her career in the Kherson Kulish Theater. When asked how she feels about the Russian actor Sergey Garmash, who was also born and raised in Kherson but supported Putin's aggression and even came to "restore" the Kherson theater, as propagandists wrote, she says, "I don't treat him in any way because he was kind of a bad artist for me even before the war. A friend of mine who lived in Kherson knew his parents and him well, so she can tell me more about him. I don't know what he was going to restore there, I have information that he was just bringing some humanitarian aid, and the propaganda media have already thought of everything else to raise the significance of the event." ADVERTISIMENT People's Artist of Ukraine Olena Khokhlatkina was a leading actress at the Donetsk National Academic Music and Drama Theater. With the outbreak of hostilities in Donbas, she moved to Kyiv with her husband (the star of the TV series "Spiymaty Kaidasha" Viktor Zhdanov) and their son. Today Olena works at the Franko Theater in Kyiv. Read the full interview with Olena Khokhlatkina on Monday, December 11. Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! On December 9, Kyiv hosted the Golden Hands National Award ceremony. The title of Family of the Year 2023 was awarded to the famous TV presenter Tymur Myroshnychenko and his wife, lawyer and blogger Inna Miroshnichenko. ADVERTISIMENT The celebrity couple received a symbolic statuette in the form of two golden hands holding hands. The Mirroshnychenkos shared the relevant photos and their impressions of their new title on Instagram. "We are very proud! It is a great honor for us! We will only strengthen our positions," the husband and wife captioned the photo with the award and their daughter. As the celebrities noted in the publication, they did not have time to take a joint photo with all family members - their sons fell asleep in the car on the way home. ADVERTISIMENT "We wanted to take a picture together, but by the time we got there, the boys had already fallen asleep, and my husband was running to catch a train for a business trip in 5 minutes. So it was a smaller photo, but not with less content!" commented Inna. The mother of many children also told us how nice it was to hear people at the ceremony say that their family was an example to them. "Today, so many people came up to me and thanked me for Marcel, for setting an example, for everything we do. It is so touching. Because it comes from the heart!" Inna shared. ADVERTISIMENT It is worth noting that Tymur Miroshnychenko also received the title of "Dad of the Year" this year. He already received the same award in 2021. As you know, the showman and the lawyer were raising two children, but at the end of July this year, the star couple officially became parents of many children when they took a two-year-old boy named Marcel from an orphanage. Not so long ago, fans were amazed to hear that the celebrity family is already preparing to adopt another child. Inna filed the relevant documents and explained why she was going to arrange the adoption as a single mother. ADVERTISIMENT Marcel, who was adopted by a TV presenter and his beloved, has some birth defects. In particular, the boy was born with gastroschisis. This is a congenital defect of the anterior abdominal wall. In addition, he has chest defects. Inna emphasizes that she does not hide these problems, because she does not consider them to be disadvantages. She says that these are features that are characterized as defects in medical terminology. Earlier, OBOZ.UA conducted an exclusive interview with Inna Myroshnychenko. She told us about the victories, defeats and pitfalls of adoption. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! Christmas is one of the biggest Christian holidays celebrated all over the world. But each country has its own way of celebrating. In addition to special customs, there is also a wide variety of dishes that guests are treated to on this day. ADVERTISIMENT The FoodOboz editorial team will tell you what people eat around the world on Christmas. Many international dishes have taken root in Ukraine as well. USA The centerpiece of the Christmas table in the United States is a baked turkey. It is served with mashed potatoes. People also bake homemade ham and eat it with cranberry sauce and fresh vegetables. England The famous Christmas pudding is made in England. Main dishes and appetizers are quite simple but satisfying - fried or baked vegetables, minced meat products, and fried sausages in bacon. Poland ADVERTISIMENT Bigos is a traditional Polish dish that is often prepared for Christmas. It is very similar to the stewed cabbage with meat made in Ukraine. France In France, pork or duck is baked for Christmas. Also, there must be a cheese, meat and vegetable platter with slices. Desserts include chocolate logs. Spain The Spanish Christmas menu includes seafood, steak, and even egg noodle soup. Italy Italians prefer fish for Christmas and cook completely different dishes from this product. Also, tortellini are very popular - dumplings with cheese, meat and vegetable fillings made from unleavened dough. Panettone is a very famous Italian pastry all over the world. ADVERTISIMENT Australia In Australia, people like to eat meat steaks and kebabs at Christmas. Sweet potatoes are often chosen as a side dish. Lithuania A variety of fish in sauce, potatoes and mushrooms is a typical Christmas menu in Lithuania. Mexico. Mexico is always about spicy and rich dishes. At Christmas, this tradition is certainly preserved. For the holiday, people often prepare posole, a thick soup made with meat broth and corn. The types of meat differ depending on the region. You can also find recipes on OBOZ.UA: Burgan Bank announced that it has obtained the approval of the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) for the appointment of Fadel Mahmoud Abdullah to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kuwait. This latest appointment comes as part of Burgan Banks continued transformation efforts, as it remains focused on long-term investment in human capital. The new strategy brought about a comprehensive restructuring in 2023 across the entire organisation, including a number of appointments and promotions at the leadership level, with Abdullah serving as a key figure shaping and leading the transformation. One of Burgans longest-serving executives and regarded industry-wide as one of its most highly respected leaders, Abdullah will continue to play an integral role in steering the new strategic direction of the bank. Valuable asset Sheikh Abdullah Nasser Al-Sabah, Chairman of Burgan Bank, said: On behalf of myself and our Board of Directors, I congratulate Fadel on his newest role and I look forward to seeing him achieve even greater success alongside the rest of our Burgan Bank team. Tony Daher, Group CEO, said: Over the past months, Fadel has proven to be a valuable asset and visionary leader helping shape our transformation roadmap. Today in his expanded role, we are confident that he will be able to direct our teams to realise the vision of that transformation; positioning Burgan Bank as the most modern and progressive bank in Kuwait, seeking constant evolution and remaining an employer of choice for our industrys brightest. Abdullah said: I am grateful for the continued trust that Burgan Bank has placed in me. As we accelerate the progress of our exciting transformation in the year ahead, I look forward to working with the rest of our senior leadership team to further strengthen our core Kuwait business: growing and diversifying our corporate portfolio, expanding our retail market share and elevating our banking journey for our customers. Abdullah is a seasoned veteran of the banking sector and a long-serving member of Burgans management team, bringing 34 years of finance, investment, and corporate banking experience to his new appointment. He has held multiple key leadership roles during his 25-year-long career with Burgan Bank since 1998. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Kuwait University.--TradeArabia News Service A hairstyle that matches the shape of your face, a hair color that emphasizes your skin tone, and a straight haircut all help you look younger. Women over 50 should carefully select a hairstylist who takes these criteria into account. ADVERTISIMENT Hair expert and cosmetologist Ganima Abdullah gave five examples of hairstyles that can add years. The stylist also told how they can be replaced. Rounded haircuts, which were once at their peak in the 1980s, have come back into fashion for a while, but they don't suit older women at all. Bangs, which turn into a round volume of hair, open up the face and neck, making wrinkles visible. Instead of a "round bob," Abdullah suggests using a fringe cut in short angular strands. The expert advises using hairstyle modeling apps before going to the hairdresser. They help you choose a fashionable haircut without harming your hair. All you need to do is upload your photo and artificial intelligence will choose the styling on its own. ADVERTISIMENT Bangs are usually versatile and work with any hair color and texture. Trends vary every season from curtain bangs to mini fringes. To create a rejuvenating effect with a hairstyle, it is worth avoiding mini fringes, which are also called baby bangs. A short cut emphasizes the forehead, which usually has wrinkles that need to be hidden. Experts suggest lowering the asymmetrical bangs to the eyebrows to emphasize the eyes and the winning sides of the face. ADVERTISIMENT A straight haircut of the same length does not have a lightness effect. A multi-layered bob-cut frames the face and hides thin and sparse hair. The expert notes that women who want to look younger should avoid straight haircuts of any length. It is worth paying attention to the pixie cut, which is at its peak of popularity in 2023. Flat bangs that cover the eyebrows have been an anti-trend for many years. A linear cut divides the face into two parts, visually making it wider. This haircut draws attention to the middle third of the face, where there may be signs of aging. Masters advise to get rid of the bangs and give preference to a light and airy haircut. ADVERTISIMENT Long hair looks luxurious when it is healthy and shiny. Women over 50 cannot always boast of thick and long hair. Aging can be seen not only on the skin but also on the hair, which becomes brittle, thin, and dehydrated. A short asymmetrical haircut can prevent this. Earlier, OBOZREVATEL wrote about the best hairstyles for short women. The styling looks expensive and adds elegance to the look. Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! Turkey is a popular vacation destination among Ukrainians. Novice tourists usually choose this destination for their foreign travels, but many face challenges and pitfalls. ADVERTISIMENT Turkish merchants have invented various ways to lure customers to spend as much money as possible. OBOZREVATEL talks about the schemes of how sellers in Turkey cheat visitors. Work around the clock Shops in resorts are open until midnight or even early in the morning during the tourist season. Unpopular goods are usually bought in the evening when tourists are in the mood to spend money after drinking alcohol. Sellers lure customers in, and they won't be able to leave the store without making a purchase. Invitations at the entrance At Turkish markets, sellers invite tourists to come inside at the entrance. They don't wait for them to decide to enter the store. They start a friendly conversation and pay compliments to entice customers. ADVERTISIMENT Talking to customers At the entrance to the store, sellers do not ask, "How can I help you?" but rather inquire about whether it is the first time a tourist is in Turkey, how many days they are staying at the resort and in which hotel, and where they are from. With these questions, they assess the level of knowledge about local prices and assortment, as well as financial capabilities. After that, the main task of the salesperson is to gain the traveler's trust and emotionally touch him or her. Turks give compliments, offer discounts, and give gifts. Free treats If a tourist is going to leave without making a purchase, sellers offer to sit on the sofa and drink tea. If a big purchase is at stake, they offer Turkish coffee with lukum. This technique in Turkish culture means hospitality and a willingness to bargain. ADVERTISIMENT Bargaining tactics Tourists often don't want to bargain to avoid appearing as "beggars." In Turkish markets, you will never see price tags, so sellers come up with the price themselves, evaluating the client. It is worth bargaining and "knocking down" the price by at least half. If the product is inexpensive, the vendors will agree to drop the price tag after tea. When buying expensive goods, sellers involve a "store manager" who uses a calculator to calculate a possible discount. If you are not satisfied with the price, go to the exit. In a few seconds, a messenger will catch up with you with the news that the "factory director" is ready to agree to your price. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZREVATEL wrote about how not to overpay for extra luggage when traveling. These life hacks will help you save money. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! During a large-scale missile attack on Kyiv on December 8, Russian troops launched decoy missiles to deplete Ukraine's air defense system. However, the occupiers failed to achieve this goal: Russia has too few strategic bombers for this purpose. ADVERTISIMENT However, most of Ukraine is not as well protected as the capital. The details were revealed by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Analysts drew attention to a report by a well-known Russian blogger. During the missile attack on Kyiv on December 8, Russian troops launched decoy missiles to deplete the air defense system. These were decoy missiles of the X-55 type, which visually resemble a modernized version of the X-101 missile. It was the launch of decoy missiles that this blogger saw as the reason why real missiles failed to hit any targets in the Ukrainian capital. "The blogger complained that it is almost impossible for Russian forces to launch enough X-55 decoy missiles to overwhelm Ukrainian air defense due to the limited number of Russian Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers. In the past, Russian forces have used X-55 missiles along with other variants of missiles and drones as decoys to overwhelm Ukrainian air defense and compensate for the depletion of precision missile stockpiles," ISW said. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, Ukrainian officials recognize that Ukraine does not have enough air defense assets to protect the entire territory from air strikes to the same extent as Kyiv is currently protected. And now, as military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets has noted, the Russian occupiers are conducting intensive aerial reconnaissance in preparation for large-scale missile strikes on targets in eastern and southern Ukraine. For example, according to Mashovets, the attack on December 8 was preceded by seven reconnaissance flights conducted by the Russian military. They usually conduct one or two such flights per day. "Russian forces are likely trying to counter Ukraine's limited air defense ahead of an expected large-scale winter campaign to strike Ukraine," ISW summarized. Earlier, analysts stated that the Russian army had changed its defense tactics on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. The occupiers are now relying more on massive artillery shelling. With its help, they hope to deplete the forces holding the bridgehead on the left bank of the Kherson region. ADVERTISIMENT Russian troops have launched offensive operations in several directions during the most difficult weather conditions of the fall and winter seasons. They did so in an attempt to seize the initiative in the battles, hoping to retain it until the presidential elections in Russia in March 2024. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Analysts note that it is still unclear whether the occupiers will be able to create conditions for significant operational successes in the near future with their current attacks. To date, the enemy continues its offensive efforts along most of the front lines in Ukraine, particularly on the border of Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, near Bakhmut and in the direction of Avdiivka, as well as in the western part of the Zaporizhzhia region. According to ISW, the pace of fighting along the entire front line is generally consistent with the ongoing assessment: trying to regain the initiative since at least mid-November 2023. ADVERTISIMENT "Recent statements by Ukrainian military officials also suggest that Russian forces have managed to seize the initiative on the border of Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, near Bakhmut, and on the Avdiivka-Donetsk axis, while Ukrainian forces retain the initiative in key areas of the south, as evidenced by their counterattacks in western Zaporizhzhia region and a sustained, larger-than-usual Ukrainian presence on the left bank of Kherson region," the analysts said. In their view, it is noteworthy that Russian forces have made a concerted effort to regain the initiative along the entire front line and launch offensives, precisely during the most difficult weather conditions for mechanized operations in the fall. This confirms ISW's longstanding assessment that bad weather can delay, but not stop, fighting on the front lines. ADVERTISIMENT It is assumed that the Russian Armed Forces decided to do this because the Ukrainian Armed Forces largely deprived them of the opportunity to seize the initiative and conduct offensives in summer weather, which is much more favorable for military operations. Russia's concerns about the upcoming Ukrainian counteroffensive, which even preceded its launch in June 2023, kept Russian troops in the south in defense in the first half of 2023, preventing them from conducting offensives there during this period. But over the past few weeks, the occupiers have continued offensive operations along the border of Kharkiv and Luhansk oblasts despite the snow, frost, and mud, and have conducted continuous attacks in western Zaporizhzhia region despite the same mud and strong winds in much of the south. ADVERTISIMENT The analysts pointed out that large sections of the front line, especially in northeastern and eastern Ukraine, are now entering a period of severe frost as temperatures drop and muddy ground freezes, making mechanized operations easier for both sides. "The fact that Russian forces sought to seize the initiative and conduct offensive operations in early to mid-November, during the most difficult weather conditions of the year, rather than wait for severe frosts, suggests that they are under pressure to fully seize and maintain this initiative in the first months of 2024 before the Russian presidential election in March," ISW concluded. ADVERTISIMENT They believe that the Russian command also sought to bring the Ukrainian counteroffensive to a climax or to ensure that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would not be able to resume it early this winter. However, the timing of the events suggests that Ukraine decided "to significantly reduce its counteroffensive operations before the Russian offensive began on its own." At the same time, analysts are unable to determine whether the current efforts of the Russian army will create the conditions for it to achieve significant operational success in the near future. After all, difficult weather conditions slowed down the pace of the occupiers' advance along most of the front line, increased their losses, and further undermined the morale of the soldiers. ADVERTISIMENT "The rate of Russian casualties along the entire front line in Ukraine appears to be close to the rate of Russian force build-up, as previously noted. This likely indicates that Russian forces are not accumulating unused reserves to prepare for larger winter operations," ISW concluded. As reported by OBOZ.UA, the Russian invaders are preparing to intensify assault operations in the Kupiansk direction. The Russian command is redeploying assault units there as it relies on manpower rather than equipment. Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! VIDEO: Baroness Mone blasts UK Government "lies" in exclusive documentary interview Baroness Michell Mone OBE (Photo credit: the documentary by Mark Williams Thomas) Baroness Michelle Mone OBE, the Conservative Peer who lives in the Isle of Man with her billionaire husband, has spoken out for the first time about the charges she and her husband face over the UK PPE contracts saga. Taking to her Instagram, she said " "I am finally breaking my silence to fight back against the lies of this government." Mone has written for Sunday's Telegraph, but also has given an exclusive interview with renowned investigative journalist, Mark Williams Thomas. Williams Thomas is the man who exposed Jimmy Savile as a serial pedophile and sexual predator and is renowned for his thorough investigation journalism. Williams Thomas has produced an in-depth documentary about the UK Government's "VIP" lane for PPE Contracts during the pandemic and Mone herself has shared a link to it. In the documentary by Mark Williams Thomas, Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman, talk openly about their involvement in sourcing PPE and referring those companies to the UK Departments of Health and Social Care (DHSC). PPE Medpro was company set up by Barrowman as part of a consortium to source PPE from the far east to supply the DHSC. WATCH: Videos Documentary by Mark Williams Thomas The aggressor country of the Russian Federation has begun installing jet engines on Iranian kamikaze drones of the Shahed-136/131 type (Russian version "Geranium-2/1"). With their help, the drones will allegedly be able to reach speeds of up to 800 km/h compared to the current 200 km/h. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Russian Army Major General Vladimir Popov on the propaganda channel. If the data voiced by the occupiers' representative is true, it will be more difficult for Ukraine's air defense forces to shoot down enemy targets. According to the Russian official, with jet engines, their "modified" attack UAVs can accelerate to 600 km/h, and some up to 800 km/h. "Therefore, the countermeasures are reduced and the precision characteristics are increased. It has started to hit the target more precisely because the navigation has also changed," Popov assured. He added that some of the drones can carry seven to eight kilograms of explosives. ADVERTISIMENT The propagandist's claim has not been confirmed, but analysts suggest that such modifications used by Russia to attack Ukraine every night will make it harder for the defenders of the sky to shoot them down. Earlier, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine showed what the Shahed kamikaze drone consists of. It turned out that there are virtually no Russian components in it, they are mostly of foreign origin. A SIM card of the Ukrainian operator Kyivstar was recently found in one of the downed Shahed-136/131 drones. Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat noted that experts are currently investigating not only how the SIM card got into the enemy drone but also what functionality it was performing. As OBOZ.UA reported earlier, Russian occupants use different routes during drone attacks, but the entry points to Ukrainian airspace remain unchanged. The invaders continue to launch UAVs from the temporarily occupied Crimea, the Russian city of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, as well as the Bryansk and Kursk regions of the Russian Federation. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! To read the full story, become a PRIME member today. PRIME Unlimited Access to Insightful Industry Information All Corporate Members and TexPro Subscribers are eligible to access F2F PRIME CONTENT using the same login credentials. Katrina Kaif delighted her fans with a rare glimpse into her life alongside her husband and actor Vicky Kaushal as they celebrated their second wedding anniversary. Katrina shared a heartfelt post for Vicky, accompanied by a candid photo capturing their off-duty moments. In the picture, both wore radiant smiles, Katrina donning a beautiful no-makeup look in a white printed dress, while Vicky sported a white T-shirt and a cap. Among those reacting to the photo, Priyanka Chopra Jonas commented with heart-eyed emojis, while Shweta Bachchan and filmmaker Zoya Akhtar showered the couple with colourful heart emojis, expressing their support and love. Previously, Vicky had shared a snippet of their time together on a flight, wishing Katrina on social media. The video showcased their camaraderie as they sat beside each other in the dimly lit aircraft. Vicky playfully filmed Katrina dancing and enjoying herself, showcasing her playful gestures. Their wedding, a private affair held in Rajasthan, took place on December 9, 2021. Despite dating discreetly, the couple refrained from confirming their relationship until they shared their wedding pictures. Vicky's recent appearance was in Sam Bahadur, a film portraying the life of India's first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. He's lined up for Anand Tiwari's untitled romantic film, co-starring Triptii Dimri and Ammy Virk, and Laxman Utekar's Chaava, opposite Rashmika Mandanna. Who Is Harshavardhan Rameshwar: As the heated debate around Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal continues amid diverse opinions, the film and its songs are already massive hits. One noteworthy track is Bobby Deol's entry song titled "Jamal Kudu." The peppy number is played during the wedding sequence of Deol's character, Abrar Haque, who makes his entry in the film. The track has now made everyone Indian groove to its tunes. The song has taken the internet by storm, and interestingly, the melodious track has been inspired by an Iranian folk song titled ''Jamaal Jamaaloo'', which is around half a century old. The revamped version of the song was created by Harshavardhan Rameshwar. Read below to know more about the genius composer. Who is Harshvardhan Rameshwar? Animal song 'Jamal Kudu' was originally composed by Iran's Khatareh Group and was titled Jamaal Jamaaloo. About 10 years old, the song is said to be popular at Iranian weddings. Bobby Deol's Animal Entry Song Jamal Jamaloo Impresses Fans; All About The Original Iranian Soundtrack Meanwhile, the impact of the song is undeniably amazing, as whoever leaves the theatres after watching Animal will surely keep humming the tunes. The revamped version is composed by Harshvardhan Rameshwar, who has also composed the film's music and background score. Rameshwar has also composed music for Hindi blockbusters like 'Kabir Singh' and 'Tanhaji.' He has also created melodious tracks for Telugu hits such as 'Sakshyam' and 'Ravanasura.' He belongs to Tamil Nadu and recently received massive success for his electrifying BGM's for the films Jailer and Leo. About Jamaal Jamaaloo The Jamaal Jamaaloo song's English translation of the song lyrics is, 'Oh my cutie, don't play with my heart; You are leaving, embarking on a journey; And I'm getting crazy; Oh my love, my beloved''. The song was first sung by Kharazemi Girls High School in the 1950s, and over the years it has been popular at weddings in Iran. It was inspired by a poem of the same name by Iranian poet Bijan Smandar. Harshwardhan Rameshwar, the artist who composed the BGM for Animal uploaded the making video of Bobby Deol entry song, Jamal Kudu pic.twitter.com/pxo26Cxl1m Saharsh (@whysaharsh) December 7, 2023 Aisi Film Mat Kiya Kar Tu: Bobby Deol Reveals Mother Prakash Kaur's Reaction To His Barbaric Role In Animal Bobby Deol about filing Jamal Kudu song Talking to Filmfare in an interview about the filming of the song, Deol revealed, "I still remember, Sandeep [Reddy Vanga] had already found the music, a Persian song and he said that it will be played during my introduction, it's a wedding sequence so it required dancing. When I started enacting it, he said, 'I don't want the feel of Bobby Deol. I want you to do something different. So Saurabh [Sachdeva] who plays my brother showed me some steps." Zara Controversy: Spanish fashion giant Zara has found itself embroiled in a major controversy following the release of its latest campaign, "ZARA ATELIER. Collection 04_The Jacket." The campaign has triggered outrage due to its controversial imagery touching on sensitive issues. Zara, with the launch of the campaign maintained that the central theme of the campaign is an exploration of concentrated design, specifically focusing on "The Jacket." However, the promotional visuals have faced severe criticism for featuring unsettling images, including what appears to be bodies wrapped in a white body bag resembling traditional Muslim burial attire. The campaign also includes portrayal of rocks, rubble, and a cardboard cutout resembling the map of Palestine. As soon as the campaign was put up, massive reactions criticizing the brand poured out on social media. Former Zara supporters expressed shock, dismay, and anger at what they perceive as the brand's exploitation of sensitive political issues for marketing purposes. A user wrote, "My jaw dropped seeing this. Boycott for life. You are disgusting demons. I can't believe what I'm looking at." Another user wrote, "Do you think that 20,000 people are killed, and it is normal for you to use their deaths as a marketing method? Don't come out and say you didn't mean to... disgusting." "I want to believe that their is nothing intentionally cynical about this. The trouble is most of us out here have been traumatised by the footage coming out in our part of the world. I would in that frame of mind call this campaign sadly tone deaf," said one more user. Check out some more reactions. @ZARAs new marketing campaign uses designs inspired by the ongoing genocide in Gaza to promote a new collection. coffins, destruction, corpses, and glorifying killing. Zara faced boycott calls a year ago after its hosted their local agent the Israeli leader with a thirst for pic.twitter.com/gLUmFJbOzP Zeena Aqel (@ZeenaAqel) December 9, 2023 BOYCOTT ZARA just launched this ad campaign, which uses the death & destruction in Gaza to sell their low-quality, fast fashion items. This isn't an oversight. Zara has a history of supporting Israeli extremism & was even boycotted by socially-conscious Israelis last year. pic.twitter.com/mnZhtHWIzj Ortho PA (@Ortho_PA_) December 9, 2023 Shame on you ZARA You can't post these and pretend you didn't mean any harm!! Deleting them after is a big sign that you knew what you were doing!! We're not dumb #BoycottZara pic.twitter.com/bxfEUdxbx1 (@RahmaAdamz) December 9, 2023 The mother takes 580 heparin needles to have a son, then the occupation kills him. There are many examples, then Zara comes to mock these distressed people with a disgusting photo session for a clothing collection disgusting...#Boycottzara #Gaza # https://t.co/U9Ys1EbrBT pic.twitter.com/EiV6c5BD0R Wamy7 (@AminaHedja73213) December 9, 2023 While Zara has deleted the post, as of now, the brand has not issued a public response or statement regarding the controversy. What are your views on this? DISCLAIMER: The particular article is a compilation of thoughts shared by social media users on the subject. Ideas expressed do not reflect the view of Filmibeat. Bigg Boss 17 Eviction: The seventeenth season of Colors TV's Bigg Boss, hosted by Salman Khan, has been attracting considerable attention lately due to its intriguing twists and a notable lineup of contestants. The controversial reality show, Bigg Boss 17, has become synonymous with conflicts and controversies, effectively retaining the audience's interest. While every participant strives to secure a spot in the house and reach the grand finale, certain contestants like Ankita Lokhande, Munawar Faruqui, and Mannara Chopra among others have successfully established a significant presence on the show. On the other hand, some of them are still struggling to find their footing in the Bigg Boss 17 game despite spending two months on the show. One among them was lawyer Sana Raees Khan, who made headlines for her equation with Ankita Lokhande's husband and co-contestant Vicky Jain. However, after staying inside the Bigg Boss 17 house for two months, she finally got eliminated from the show in last night's (December 9) episode of Weekend Ka Vaar. BIGG BOSS 17: SANA RAEES KHAN'S PER-WEEK FEE After announcing her eviction, Salman Khan praised her for playing well and giving her best to Bigg Boss Season 17. During her two-month stint on the show, Sana Raees Khan often grabbed eyeballs and even after elimination, she's making headlines for her interesting opinions about co-contestants in interviews. Ankit Gupta & Priyanka Choudhary Were NOT Talking Before Bigg Boss 16 Entry; Actor Reveals 'Hamari Ladai...' ITA Awards 2023 Nominations: Pranali Rathod, Rupali Ganguly Or Shivangi Joshi - Who Will Win Best Actress? However, today, we'll talk about Sana Raees Khan's earnings from Bigg Boss 17. Did you know her per-week fee was more than the amount charged by Vicky Jain? Yes, you read that right! According to reports, Sana charged Rs 6 lakh per week for her stay on the show. Vicky, on the other hand, is said to be earning Rs 5 lakh per week. BIGG BOSS 17: SANA RAEES KHAN'S TWO-MONTH EARNINGS During her noteworthy two-month tenure on Bigg Boss 17, Sana Raees Khan, a criminal lawyer known for her involvement in high-profile cases, including Aryan Khan's, allegedly received a substantial weekly salary of Rs 6 lakh. By calculating the figures, this amounts to a total of Rs 48 lakhs for her eight-week participation in the show. While an official confirmation regarding her Bigg Boss 17 earnings is still awaited, the amount is indeed huge. Don't you agree? Share your views in the comments section below. SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 10, VAPORESSO, a leading brand in the vaping industry, has officially launched its new initiative, the 2023 VAPORESSO CARE ECO GO GREEN - Global Carbon Neutral Program ("the Program"). This Program, slated to continue until July 2024, is the first carbon-neutral green practice in the vaping industry, aiming to demonstrate VAPORESSO's innovative efforts towards sustainable development in the age of carbon neutrality and underscore its pivotal role in the industry as a trailblazer for sustainable practices. Innovative Concept ECO NANO to be Low-Carbon Pioneer VAPORESSO has been consistently pushing the boundaries of innovation, leveraging its robust technological capabilities. Working alongside industry experts and researchers, the brand has assessed the potential of various innovative, low-carbon and environmentally-friendly materials. As a result, VAPORESSO has successfully developed four groundbreaking concept ECO NANO products. These products take a step further based on VAPORESSO's ECO NANO that can be refilled and recharged, which lowers users' cost and minimizes the environmental impact. Moreover, they use more eco-friendly materials for production, further reducing carbon emissions, making these products genuine trailblazers and pioneers of sustainable practices in the industry. Among these four conceptual innovative products, "OceanGLINT" ECO NANO is the first ocean-friendly product in the vaping industry. It uses PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) material, a leading low-carbon option derived from recyclable marine plastic waste, and can protect the marine environment and reduce carbon emissions by over 40%. Three other concept products use innovative materials for the first time, including biodegradable PLA (Polylactic Acid) materials, PBAT (Polybutylene adipate terephthalate) sugarcane fiber composite, inorganic substances and thermoplastic resins, setting a new industry standard by reducing carbon emissions and contributing to the Earth's sustainable development. Initiatives to Engage More People Worldwide and Promote Environmental Sustainability Through this Program, VAPORESSO is committed to brand responsibility and strives to achieve a balance between industry growth and environmental sustainability. By encouraging its users, clients, and stores to participate in carbon-neutral, eco-friendly practices, VAPORESSO is set to promote green and low-carbon development as a leading brand in the vaping industry. UNITE TO PLANT VAPORESSO has set up an engaging online platform where conceptual innovative products are showcased, and users can learn about and contribute to low-carbon environmental protection through interactive quizzes. By providing users with insights into environmental protection, VAPORESSO aims to increase users' environmental awareness through this interactive experience. From December 10-31, each day, users who correctly answer three questions related to low-carbon environmental protection will be contributing to VAPORESSO's tree-planting initiatives. Participants also stand a chance to win a variety of exciting prizes, such as a DJI AVATA, GoPro, and eco-friendly sets. COLLABORATION WITH GLOBALLY RENOWNED ORGANIZATION FOR TREE PLANTING Partnering with ONETREEPLANTED and China Green Foundation, from December 10-25, VAPORESSO invites more than 140 of its key clients to become its Global Green Partners. By linking clients and users, VAPORESSO will plant 6,000 more trees in the coming months to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while contributing 66 tons of carbon to the Earth's carbon sink annually. With VAPORESSO as a leading force, they are working closely to build a low-carbon and environmentally friendly ecosystem for the vaping industry. VAPE STORE ACTIVITIES - STEP COUNT CHALLENGE VAPORESSO has also garnered positive responses from over 500 stores globally, aiming to create a mutually beneficial industrial ecosystem. This initiative leads consumers towards adopting a green and healthy lifestyle. Additionally, they are preparing incentive prizes for participants, fostering a positive interaction among stores, consumers, and the brand itself. Through these initiatives, VAPORESSO is determined to be a pioneering leader in the carbon-neutral era, and is striving to create an eco-friendly, sustainable, and healthy ecosystem for the vaping industry in the era of carbon neutrality. The brand is dedicated to driving positive change and setting an example for sustainable practices within the vaping industry. For more information, please visit: https://www.vaporesso.com/activity/eco-go-green Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2296464/VAPORESSO_CARE_ECO_GO_GREEN.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2011704/Vaporesso_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/2023-vaporesso-care-eco-go-green---global-carbon-neutral-program-kicked-off-302010105.html BRUSSELS, Dec. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has travelled to Houston, United States, to meet Raphael Liegeois, the Belgian career astronaut selected as part of the European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut class of 2022. De Croo's visit coincides with the ESA cohort's familiarisation trip to NASA's Johnson Space Centre, which is the precursor to a further two years of training, delivered in Houston, to prepare the astronauts for their respective missions on the International Space Station. The visit signals a new phase of the long-standing collaboration between Europe and the United States on space research and exemplifies Belgium's commitment to partnerships in facing global challenges. Belgium's expertise in aerospace, and in science more generally, is internationally recognised - in terms of both training and industry. Belgium is a founding member of the ESA and its fifth-largest funder. The country's support of the ESA shows its commitment to shaping the development of Europe's space capability and ensuring that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. "For Belgians, the sky isn't the limit, the universe is," said De Croo. "Today, we are very proud to see Raphael take this important step in his career as an astronaut. He will be an important role model for many generations of STEM students to come. Space research and innovation hold particular importance for Belgium; they are powerful economic drivers which foster the growth of high-tech industries and create jobs - as evidenced by the number of Belgian companies on the cutting edge of aeronautics." The 17 members of the ESA astronaut class of 2022 were selected from a pool of over 23,000 applicants. The process, designed to bring together the finest scientific minds that Europe has to offer, took place over a period lasting 18 months. The selection of Raphael Liegeois is testament to Belgium's focus on embracing openness, driven by innovation, partnerships, and diversity, to create solutions that drive progress for all. About Belgium Located in the heart of Europe, Belgium is one of the most open economies in the world, counting 11.5 million people with a reputation for innovation, hard work, partnership, and multilingualism. Strategically located between Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Luxembourg, and only a stone's throw from the UK, it lies at the centre of the richest and most densely populated area in Europe. A member of the European Union, Belgium enjoys full access to the world's most advanced single market and customs zone which ensures extensive frictionless trade. Belgium boasts a highly developed transport infrastructure, including the second largest seaport in Europe (Antwerp). Belgium is home to world-leading research and innovation facilities, multinational corporations, and artisanal businesses supported by the investor-centric approach of public services. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2297131/FPS_Chancellery.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/belgian-commitment-to-partnership-supports-a-new-frontier-of-europe-us-space-research-302010742.html Pimento, a Paris, France-based company providing generative AI systems, raised 3M in funding. The round was led by Partech and Cygni Capital, alongside many business angels such as Julien Chaumond, Stanislas Polu, Thibaud Elziere, Jean-Charles Samuelian, Igor Manceau, Jonathan Widawski, Alessandro Sabatelli ou Nicolas Steegmann. The company intends to use the funds to continue to develop its solution. Led by Florent Facq and Tomas Yany, Pimento uses generative AI to allow creatives launch numerous and efficient iterations. Creatives (art directors, agencies, animation studios, marketing teams) are already using it on a variety of projects, such as branding, animation movies or advertising campaigns. FinSMEs 10/12/2023 Amid the Israel-Palestine crisis, actress Kalki Koechlin announced on her Instagram account that she was deleting the X app. She wrote a long note that said, Had to do this today. The hate and disinformation, the doom scrolling, the helplessness. She added, But what really crossed the line for me, what really made me draw a boundary was the denial or the justification of Palestinian children murdered in the thousands or the denial or glorification of Israeli women being raped, tortured and murdered, I have had enough. Netizens react Thank you for being one of the only few Bollywood celebrities for speaking out for the cause of Palestine. The deafening silence from the rest who have massive influence and reach is sickening. Good to see that someone from the Indian industry has some nerves to speak the truth. Love you for this, added another user. Back in October, Sonam Kapoor too reacted to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has taken several innocent lives and affected the global economy. Taking to her Instagram story, she wrote, Half of the people in Gaza are children followed by another story, which read, If we owe a moral responsibility to Irsaeli children, then we owe the same moral responsibility to the Palestinian children. Their lives have equal weight. If you care about human life only in Israel or only in Gaza, then you dont actually care about human life. Earlier, Sonam had shared Gigi Hadids post about the Israel-Palestine conflict, where the model & television had written, My thoughts are with all those affected by this unjustifiable tragedy, and every day that innocent lives are taken by this conflict too many of which are children. I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation, its a responsibility I hold daily. I also feel a responsibility to my Jewish friends to make it clear, as I have before: While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them includes the harm of a Jewish person. Disputes in the US Congress over the adoption of an aid package for Ukraine are related to events within the Republican Party, not to the situation at the front. The number of committed supporters of aid to Kyiv in Congress is more than half. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Pennsylvania Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle in an interview with Voice of America. He explained that the success of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the battlefield does not affect the decision of Republicans in Congress to vote for an aid package for Ukrainians. "As for Republican support, it is not about what is happening on the battlefield. It's about what's happening within the party," he said, adding that Democrats generally share the same position. According to Boyle, Republicans can be divided into three conventional groups. The first group is committed to the traditional principles of an active foreign policy of the Republican Party and is not afraid to express its position. There are "a little more than half of these Republicans," Boyle estimated. "Mitch McConnell is a great example of this traditional Republican foreign policy from Eisenhower to Reagan and both George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, a national defense America with muscle, proud to be in NATO, proud of the transatlantic alliance, standing up to first Soviet and now Russian aggression," the congressman said. ADVERTISIMENT According to him, the second group is the isolationists, such as Donald Trump supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene, who actively oppose assistance to Ukraine. They are in the absolute minority, but they are the most heard and their influence is growing, Boyle said. The third group of Republicans shares the same principles as the first but fears that they may be defeated in the next internal party elections because of their support for Ukraine. It is this group that the assistance to Kyiv depends on. According to Boyle, this group also includes Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson. "One Republican in the House of Representatives told me about a rather painful meeting with voters - and he's in a very Republican circle - during which he was criticized for supporting Ukraine," the congressman said. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA: - On December 6, the US Senate did not approve President Joe Biden's request for a single $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. It did not receive enough votes. - Biden called the prospect of refusing to help Ukraine "insane." According to him, such a step is contrary to the interests of the United States, so his administration will continue to seek the allocation of funds, which is currently being blocked at the level of Congress. - Journalist David Satter, author of books on the collapse of the U.S.S.R. and post-Soviet Russia, warned that Russia would start a new war if the US forced Kyiv to recognize its victory. According to the journalist, the aggressor country has become more dangerous than at the height of the Cold War. - U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that 90% of investments in Ukraine's defense remained in the United States and were spent on weapons for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos arrived in India recently and was welcomed by mega star Chiranjeevi and his son and global star Ram Charan at their residence. The two actors could be seen in an engaging conversation with the CEO and a picture of the three went viral on social media too. Apart from the father-son duo, Sarandos also met Junior NTR, and the star shared a note for him on X that read- It was such a pleasure hosting you and your team for lunch Ted Sarandos. Enjoyed our conversation and the afternoon spent together indulging in our love for movies and food. It was such a pleasure hosting you and your team for lunch Ted Sarandos. Enjoyed our conversation and the afternoon spent together indulging in our love for movies and food. pic.twitter.com/aD82mcM2MY Jr NTR (@tarak9999) December 8, 2023 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences welcomes Ram Charan The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) recently welcomed Telugu cinema star Ram Charan to its actors branch. The announcement comes weeks after Charans RRR co-star Jr NTR was also inducted in the same group by the Academy, a Los Angeles-based organisation which holds the annual Oscars awards ceremony. Lashana Lynch, Vicky Krieps, Louis Koo Tin-Lok, Keke Palmer, Chang Chen, Sakura Ando and Robert Davi are also part of the latest actors line-up. Through their nuanced portrayal and dedication to authenticity, these actors gift us with characters that leave a lasting impression on our hearts and minds. Their mastery of their art form transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary cinematic experiences, enriching our appreciation for the depth and complexity of human emotions, the Academy said in an Instagram post. We are thrilled to welcome these accomplished performers to the Actors Branch of the Academy: Lashana Lynch, Ram Charan, Vicky Krieps, Louis Koo Tin-Lok, Keke Palmer, Chang Chen, Sakura Ando and Robert Davi, it added. Bollywood star Aamir Khan graced the the 10th edition of The CSR Journal Excellence Awards in Mumbai on Saturday evening and had the company of daughter Ira, her fiancee Nupur Shikhare, and ex-wife Reena Dutta. The father-daughter duo were felicitated at the ceremony. Khan wore a maroon-coloured shirt while Ira was clad in a black saree. View this post on Instagram A post shared by News18.com (@cnnnews18) Ira Khan talks about her equation with her parents During an interaction, Ira Khan was asked if Aamir Khans absence from her childhood had any impact on their relationship. Replying to this, she revealed that she had to actively work on her relationship with both her parents as the relationship with ones parents is the most intense relationship one ever has. Ira Khan added that your relationship with your parents is the most complicated one. She was quoted saying, You care the most about what they say, so it will take the most, and it will also make you the happiest, both ways. Ira Khan also claimed that as she was undergoing several mental health issues, she was pushed to work on her relationship with her mother and father. Sharing her present relationship with Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta, Ira Khan revealed that her communication with her mother is slightly easier than with her father, nevertheless, she communicates with both of them openly. The star kid added that she always believes that her father Aamir Khan is busy even though he has told her that she can just call him whenever she needs him. Ira Khan said that as far as opening up is concerned, she is equally close to both her parents. Social media isnt exactly known for being a welcoming place to have a productive discussion or share your opinions. Even the most inoffensive posts can breed noxious comments sections. Take this seemingly harmful post on TikTok, in which a woman shares a step-by-step recipe for spatchcocking chicken. While you might expect to find comments asking about the recipe or even sharing tips and advice, instead you find comment after comment of people expressing disbelief that the chef didnt wash her chicken before cooking it. But despite the number of comments certain the chef has done the wrong thing, in reality, shes made the right move. Washing chicken isnt just unnecessary it can actually increase your risk of foodborne illness. Why chicken really shouldnt be washed Traces of feathers, slime or dirt might have necessitated washing chicken half a century ago. But nowadays, poultry is pre-washed and ready to cook when you buy it. Still, some people seem to think you should wash your chicken in order to remove the dangerous microorganisms raw meat contains. While its true chicken does contain harmful microorganisms, washing prior to cooking doesnt remove them. Chicken in particular naturally carries Salmonella and Campylobacter. These can cause very severe illness, with infections causing symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and possibly even septicaemia (blood infection). Children, elderly people, pregnant women and those with other health conditions or poor immune systems are most at risk of illness from these bacteria. But even in healthy people, Salmonella and Campylobacter infections can lead to hospitalisations and death. Washing chicken prior to cooking does not eliminate all the germs within a chicken. At most, it may only remove the bacteria on the surface. But this practice actually makes the overall infection risk from raw chicken significantly worse, as it may potentially cause the pathogens washed off the chicken skin to spread throughout your kitchen. When you put raw chicken under the tap, the bacteria on the skin move into the water stream. This will then be splashed into your sink and potentially your surrounding counters, cupboards and dish rack. This water spray can travel up to 80cm the length of the average adult arm. This makes cross-contamination pretty likely, especially if these water droplets have landed elsewhere in your kitchen. It may even contaminate other uncooked foods you later place in the same sink. Even if you rinse the sink with water after washing the chicken, this may not be sufficient to remove all the pathogenic bacteria that have become attached. Its also worth noting that soaking poultry in a brine of water and vinegar or citrus juice does not make it more hygienic. Research has shown that Salmonella werent killed following soaking chicken in vinegar or citrus juice for more than five minutes. Other research shows that Campylobacter numbers may be reduced following a marinade in vinegar or lemon juice, but it takes 24 hours of soaking. Handling raw chicken safely There are many simple steps you should follow when preparing raw poultry to keep safe from foodborne illnesses. The containers or wrappers that raw poultry comes in are often contaminated with bacteria. Once youve opened the package and removed the chicken, place it in a clean plastic bag so the contents dont drip on your kitchen floor or waste bin when you dispose of it. Next, place your raw poultry on a clean cutting board so you can prepare it. Since washing creates an unnecessary risk of cross-contamination, if theres dirt or slime on the surface of the chicken or if the chicken is wet simply wipe it off with a paper towel. Immediately dispose the paper towel to avoid contamination. If you accidentally drop any meat debris on the work surfaces during preparation, mop it up with a paper towel, dispose of it, then clean the surface with diluted bleach or an antibacterial spray. Dry the surface with a clean paper towel. Likewise, if any spice containers youre using to season the chicken touch it before its cooked, be sure to wipe these down with an antibacterial spray. When youre finished preparing your chicken, immediately wash your hands with soap and warm water. You should wash your hands under warm water for at least 20 seconds as this will kill any bacteria on your hands. Then wash your chopping board and utensils. Its also a good idea to disinfect the surrounding work area with an antibacterial spray or diluted bleach, which you should then dry with a clean paper towel. You cannot remove the bacteria from your chicken, or indeed any poultry or meat, by washing it. The only way to kill germs and make the food safe to eat is by cooking it. Cooking poultry at the correct temperature and for the right amount of time is essential for preventing many foodborne illnesses. While the time and temperature will vary depending on how large your chicken is or the recipe youre using, your chicken should reach an internal temperature of about 75C. This is effective at killing bacterial pathogens, including Salmonella and Campylobacter. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to check your chicken is safe to eat. Another test is to check the juices from the chicken. If they run clear and theres no trace of blood, the chicken is probably cooked sufficiently. If youre served what looks like under-cooked chicken, or indeed any poultry, in a restaurant (you can see blood when you cut into the meat) send the food back to be cooked properly. The bacteria found on raw poultry is natural even though its harmful to humans. But so long as you adequately cook your chicken, its still safe to eat. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Bengaluru saw the highest number of acid attacks against women in the nation in 2022, according to the most recent National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, with the city police registering six cases. Bengaluru topped the overall list of the 19 metropolitan cities included in the NCRB data, with eight women reporting acid attacks in the previous year. According to the data, Ahmedabad registered five cases of acid attacks in 2022, placing it in third place, and Delhi saw seven women fall victim to these attacks in 2022. The national capital of Delhi reported seven cases of attempted attacks last year, followed by Bengaluru with three cases, according to an analysis of NCRB data. Meanwhile, meteropolitan cities like Hyderabad and Ahmedabad registered two such cases of attempted attacks in 2022. One of the prominent cases of acid attack which shook Bengaluru last year was that of a 24-year-old M.Com graduate who was attacked on April 28 when she was on her way to work. According to police, the accused had been stalking the woman for several years. He approached her for marriage and when she rejected his proposal, he splashed acid on her. The man was nabbed later in May from Tiruvannamalai Ashram where he was allegedly hiding in the guise of a Swami. In June 2023, the victim was offered a job on contract basis by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs office at his secretariat. Another similar case was reported on June 10, 2022 wherein a man allegedly threw acid on the face of his female friend after she turned down his marriage proposal. (with inputs from PTI) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has denied reports that the Indian government issued a secret memo against Hardeep Singh Nijjar a couple of months before the Khalistan supporter was killed by unknown gunmen in Canada. We strongly assert that such reports are fake and completely fabricated. There is no such memo. This is part of a sustained disinformation campaign against India. The outlet in question is known for propagating fake narratives peddled by Pakistani intelligence. The posts of the authors confirm this linkage, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday. Those who amplify such fake news only do so at the cost of their own credibility. Several media reports had claimed that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had issued a secret memo in April 2023 directing Indian consulates in North America to initiate a crackdown against Khalistan supporters in Western nations. The document allegedly named a number of Khalistan supporters including Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a citizen of Canada. Reportedly titled Action Points on Khalistan Extremism, the document names various Khalistani groups that it accuses of spreading anti-India propaganda and committing arson and vandalism against Indian interests in North America. The memo allegedly directed consular staff to work with Indian intelligence agencies and implied that banned Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International is connected to Nijjar and a number of other suspects. Nijjar was killed by unidentified gunmen outside a gurudwara in the Canadian city of Vancouver last June. The incident sparked a diplomatic tiff between India and Canada after the Canadian government claimed that Indian intelligence agencies were responsible for the murder. Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman is set to embark on his inaugural visit to India on December 16, aiming to explore opportunities for future collaborations that contribute to regional stability and prosperity. Notably, this visit holds significance as the first official trip by a prominent leader from the Gulf region since the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has raised global concerns. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Sunday that the visit underscores a noteworthy milestone in the diplomatic ties between India and the Sultanate of Oman. President Droupadi Murmu extended the invitation to Sultan Haitham, who will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior ministers and officials. The visit will be an opportunity to explore avenues for future collaboration between India and Oman for regional stability, progress and prosperity, it said. The MEA said Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will be received by Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan for a ceremonial welcome on December 16. He will hold bilateral discussions with the prime minister who will also host a luncheon in his honour, it said in a statement. India and Oman share a longstanding history of friendship and cooperation, built on the foundation of mutual trust and respect, and strong people-to-people ties going back centuries, it added. India and the Sultanate of Oman are strategic partners and the bilateral trade and investment relationship between the two countries is on an upswing in the last few years. With inputs from PTI Those who had been lamenting the death of cinema for a few years have a reason to rejoice in Sandeep Reddy Vangas Animal. One of the most controversial films in recent memory, perhaps as long as one can recall, Animal is not an easy film to watch but it never pretended to be your average Friday blockbuster aiming to please one and all. Animal could well be all the things it is being accused of by the critics unapologetically violent, overtly misogynistic and unashamedly offensive. Animal could also be one of the best films to come out of Bombay cinema in over two decades. After the release of Kabir Singh, the remake of his Telugu film Arjun Reddy, Sandeep Vanga Reddy was attacked by most critics for propagating violence in the name of love. Reddys shock, etched on his face, during interviews by some of Indias most celebrated film commentators, told the story of a truly misunderstood artist. Reddy tried to articulate that there could be characters like Kabir Singh out there, the kinds whom you wouldnt like to befriend, but they existed and there were people who liked and even loved him. In one famous interview, a clip of which has attained a second lease of popularity in terms of going viral, Reddy signed off with a warning if you thought Kabir Singh was a violent film, you have another thing coming. Reddys Animal features a bevy of bravura performances with Ranbir Kapoor as the mainstay. Like in the 1990s when Aamir Khan would make news for rejecting films Darr, Karan Arjun, Saajan, Hum Aapke Hai Koun! a sign of stardom, Kapoor, too, has been the first port of call for filmmakers. Kapoor has been hailed as one of the finest actors of his generation but blamed it on his ill timing, bad luck and everything in between that the films he refused turned out to be great blockbusters and several actors, especially Ranveer Singh, his bete noir, made his career on some of those rejects. Ranbir Kapoors performance in Animal is one of the finest you will see in Hindi cinema simply because its an original. There is nothing that prepares you as a viewer for what he unleashes and no matter how much Reddy could have imagined, interpreted and inspired Kapoor, this is complexly his show. He maintains great consistency from the first frame to the last without missing a single beat. He simply immerses himself in this rather unbelievable world and makes it as real as possible. Kapoor also gives his co-stars right from Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, Tripti Dimri great support he manages to underplay on cue so that his Vijays toxicity doesnt overpower others. His banter with Upendra Limaye as the fast-talking Freddy Patil is the stuff of legends. Back in the 1950s, a Dilip Kumar evoked Paul Muni, a Dev Anand rekindled Gregory Peck, later in the 1960s Shammi Kapoor reminded you of a younger Dev sahab, Manoj Kumar imbibed qualities of Dilip sahab. In the 1980s, Anil Kapoor infused a bit of Bachchan and a lot of Kamal Haasan in his approach to roles and then in the 1990s, Aamir Khan got a bit of Dev Anand and Shammi in the proceedings and Shah Rukh Khan took off from an early Bachchan left things in Namak Haraam and Parwana. But looking at Ranbir in Animal youd find it difficult to find a reference point and this is what makes it a tour de force performance. And, now imagine why the press and viewers alike are gushing over Bobby Deols 13-minute role in Animal he offers the near the perfect foil to Kapoor. Deol, who has been having a great second inning, and rightfully so, had great responsibility in terms of an actor Kapoor has nearly three hours to build his persona on-screen and the villain has to be larger than life without as much help from the script. But Deol delivers with aplomb. Animal has been described as a toxic father-son relationship set against the backdrop of crime and the underworld but that is not half the picture. Yes, the film demands a high degree of suspension of belief and presents a highly unreal depiction of the world trying too hard, and often succeeding, at being real; yes, it reeks of misguided machismo, and it attacks your sensibilities but remains a great cinematic experience. This writer is surprised how no critic or commentator has picked up the similarities between Francis Ford Coppolas The Godfather. Ranbir Kapoors Ranvijay Vijay Singh is Michael Corleone sans the military service or the Sicily interlude he is the son who takes over his fathers empire much against the wishes of the father, his siblings spouse doesnt wish the best the father, he wife doesnt approve of his actions, he wont rest till he ensures the safety of his family and the odds are stacked against him and as Michael descends into the depths most couldnt imagine. Animal has raked in over Rs 500 crore in its first week and, at the same time, been spoken about in the Parliament for its vile content and its justification of violence and misogyny. It has been questioned on its portrayal of men and their attitude towards women. Are the film and its characters misogynists? Yes, perhaps it is. Does it glorify violence? Of course, it showcases violence. Does the film justify the actions and decisions of its characters (read the main lead)? Its a film where the narratives perspective is from that very character, so, yes. The question now to be asked is why is Animal troubling critics so much? It is sheer cinema, art and whatever you might want to call it and batting for the wrong side. If Animal was 10 per cent of what it was but only helmed by and this is being said only in the context of a frame of reference an Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Bhardwaj or Dibakar Banerjee, it would be hailed as kitsch or cult, an inspiration for generations. Its a completely different thing that none of them could have made Animal. In the end, Animal is a disturbing film but to begin with, it never pretended to be anything else. Do the criticisms coming its way deserve merit? Some of the comments make you wonder if the reviewers were critiquing a film or pronouncing the filmmaker for some unfinished business (read the response to Kabir Singh). The writer is a film historian. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The resounding victory by the BJP in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh has cemented the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ideology of BJP in front of the nation before the general elections of 2024. The results of the elections not only establish a firm acceptance of Modi and the BJP, but it also gives an indication that India is on the way to become a nation with Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. People have been supporting the BJP in many states but the victory over these three states has reconfirmed their faith in the idea of a Double Engine government. It is a victory of a visionary who led from the front and delivered. One must not misunderstand the landslide triumph as an alternative or replacement of the UPA-led government in those states but a positive shift in the mindset of the people. Indias political map is a mosaic of diverse ideologies and electoral landscapes with recent state victories polarising perceptions along regional lines. The opposition is left with no explanations to defend their defeat. The Oppositions desperate attempts to create a divide between North vs South India and blame political setbacks on Hindus reflect their growing frustration. Congress and its allies have been making some very derogatory and irresponsible statements in public ever since the defeat. The recent abusive comments made by Lok Sabha MP DNV Senthilkumar S from the DMK in the Parliament, where he termed individuals from Northern India as gaumutra drinkers, is one the most shocking and sad events in free India. In the past, the Congress-led Opposition also tried to paint the North as communal and the South as non-communal. AIMIMs (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) Akbaruddin Owaisis provocative remarks and DMK leader Udhayanidhis comments on Sanatana Dharma are some of the illustrations of communal accounts, with the silent support from the Congress. When it comes to divisive politics, Congress is no stranger. In these 75 years of independent India, they had more chances to lead the country than any other party. Congress had been making alliances with parties who were totally against their ideologies just for the sake of making governments. Not like BJP, who stood firm with their principles at any cost. The recent events are very unfortunate where some opposition parties have crossed the boundaries just for the sake of blame game. It is the duty of any contesting party to respond to such defeat with full responsibility, but the situation has gone way beyond repair. Though the leaders have made apologies, it is not at all acceptable to treat the mandate of people. India is a free democratic nation where eligible voters have the right to cast their vote and nobody holds the right to make such comments on the same. Governments may come and go in every five years, but such statements will be remembered for decades to come. Congress and all the opposition parties must change their approach to handle such defeats from now on as India is changing rapidly. They need to reflect upon their mistakes as well as accept defeats with respect. These elections do not show the unease and resentment by the people but a reflection of a new India who dares to change the old school political drama and stand with them who delivers. They may not like it but of course they cannot ignore the fact that the nation has given the glimpse of what is going to happen in the 2024 general election. People understand the petty tactics of the parties and such melodrama does not last very long. BJP vote share in the south is rapidly growing and sooner or later one has to accept the development of the nation and harmony among people rather than just negative propaganda. India that is Bharat, is committed to be a nation of diversities with unity with the slogan of Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat and the foundation of this nation is still very strong that no insider or outsider can do us any harm. Instead, we are becoming stronger day by day. The author is a young tribal social political activist, working as a policy researcher and completed PhD in International Relations from JNU. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Whats being a Hindu in Bangladesh or in Pakistan? A new book on this theme has just come out, written by senior journalist Deep Halder and academic Avishek Biswas. What makes Being Hindu in Bangladesh (HarperCollins, Rs 399) a compelling read is the passion with which it is written, thanks primarily to the refugee blood in the two authors, and also the perfect blend of academic rigour with journalistic flair. A Bangladeshi Hindu may today feel dejected at two levels. One, he belongs to religion which has just one country to look up to for help, survival and more. (While Muslims are in majority in 49 nations, the number for Christians easily breaches the three-figure mark.) And that one country and its inhabitants are largely indifferent to their plight. Two, a Bangladeshi Hindu is seen to be carrying the baggage of being the civilisational part of Bharat, which no longer cares for him. So, if there is a Hindu-Muslim discord in Bharat, the Hindus of Bangladesh pay back with their lives and properties. Deep Halder and Avishek Biswas face these two questions as they meet a victim of the 2021 anti-Hindu violence at Noakhali in Bangladesh. The victim, a woman called Mukta Saha, asked them where they were when Hindus were being attacked. We? we asked incredulously. When neighbours become murderers, shouldnt strangers come to save us? she asked us. Mukta Saha had lost a lot in the 2021 anti-Hindu violence. We died last year. What you see are corpses, she added. Theres one more reason that dismays a Hindu in Bangladesh, especially if he is a history buff the utter failure of its leaders not once but twice. The job of a leader is to lead his/her people out of a precarious situation. But at the time of Independence, the national leaders led by Mahatma Gandhi extensively campaigned to convince Hindus of West and East Pakistan not to migrate to India. They were told about a large number of Muslims staying back in India despite Partition and their presence there meant a guarantee of Hindu safety in West and East Pakistan. Ironically, while Muslims in India prospered, the same cannot be same cannot be said about minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Hindus of East Pakistan were also let down by their own local, regional leaders, the tallest of them being Jogendra Nath Mandal, who was so influential at the time of Independence that he got Dr BR Ambedkar elected to the Constituent Assembly from Bengal when the latter failed to get into the august body from Bombay, thanks to the Congress intense opposition. But while Ambedkar saw the Dalit-Muslim alliance as a tactical one, Mandal was naive enough to take it at face value. Mandal so ardently believed in the Dalit-Muslim coalition that he refused to migrate to India and became the first law minister in the Jinnah Cabinet. And this one mistake cost his lower-caste Hindu followers, especially Namasudras, dearly. The first wave of refugees from East Pakistan comprised the traditional upper-caste elite. Till the time these upper castes were there in East Pakistan, the Muslim League found Mandal and his lower-caste followers a useful ally. But once these upper-caste men and women left for India, the buffer was gone. The rationale for the Muslim-Dalit coalition collapsed under the weight of reality in East Pakistan. Thus began a series of Islamist violence on these people. By October 1950, things came to such a pass that Mandal had to resign from the Pakistan Cabinet. He migrated to India soon after. For his followers, the return wasnt that easy. The people of East Pakistan also faced the double whammy of Partition. While the people of West Pakistan encountered a jhatka-style operation as the entire population was uprooted and shifted at one go, those in East Pakistan (todays Bangladesh) were doomed to suffer a halal-type persecution: They were roasted on a low-flame Islamist burner with intermittent shifting to jhatka-style killings whenever tempers soared the last time it happened in Bangladesh when a copy of the Quran was found at the feet of Lord Hanuman at a Durga Puja pandal in 2021; it later turned out to be the handiwork of a Muslim man, but the damage was done by then. The book quotes The Daily Star, the largest-circulating daily English-language newspaper in Bangladesh, as saying that 117 Hindu temples or puja pandals and 301 shops/homes were emalso damaged after the Noakhali pandal incident. If a fake news item that a Hindu has kept the Quran at the feet of Hanuman can lead to such mayhem, what hope do we have, the book quotes Rosopriya Das, head priest of ISKCON temple in Noakhali that too was a victim of Islamist fury in 2021. Yes, only two people might have died in Noakhali in last years violence. But look around and you will find boys and men without an arm or a leg walking around. They would remind you of what was. This was not the first time that fake news started an orgy of violence against Hindus in East Pakistan/Bangladesh. In 1946 too, which had seen unprecedented violence and killings, it all started with fake news. The supporters of a local Pir, Ghulam Sarwar Hussaini, spread misinformation about a local zamindar, Rajendralal Chowdhury, saying he was organising some dark ritual with Muslim blood. On 11 October, a Muslim mob attacked Chowdhurys house. He, with his family members and neighbours, put up a courageous resistance. But not for long. After killing them, they turned towards the ordinary Hindus. Language and culture often work as an antidote to religious fundamentalism. The strength of the two was seen in 1971 when Bangladesh rebelled out of Pakistan despite coming into existence in the name of a religion. However, Islamism is a tenacious force. It weathers away the strength and vitality of culture and language that unite people beyond religions. In Bangladesh, the battle between the two is on. The authors, thus, write, if one hypothesis is found to be true, the exact opposite is almost always true as well. A strong argument can be made that Hindus are under siege in Bangladesh. But an equally strong counter argument can be put out that Hinduism is alive and thriving in the country. Sadly, with each passing day, the forces of Islamism are gaining ground over liberal forces. While Section I of the book focuses on Fissure within Bangladeshi society, with chapters Noakhali: 1946, 2021, Horror in the Countryside and The DNA of Hate, Section II talks about Fusion. The third section, however, with chapters such as 1971 Has Not Ended and A Fathers Dream, A Daughters Challenge, comes up with a not-so optimistic Forecast. So, heres the forecast: Thirty years from now, no Hindus will be left in Bangladesh should the current rate of exodus continue. The rate of exodus over the past 49 years points in that direction, predicts Dr Abul Barkat, a Dhaka University professor. On an average, as of 2016, 632 people from the minority community leave the country each day, write Halder and Biswas. But why such a gloomy prospect? And who do you blame for it? Of course, it has to do with the fundamental nature of an Islamic society where liberals function well in normal circumstances. But during perceived emergency, war-like situations, the liberal class makes a vanishing act and becomes a part of the larger ummah. In fact, as the book suggests, on finer points there is little difference in the policy of the liberal Awami League and the fundamentalist Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BMP). For, as one BNP leader reminded the authors of this book, I can give you many examples to show that most of the anti-Hindu policies have taken place during the Awami League The Enemy Property Act was renamed Vested Property Act in 2013 but the intention remained the same Across Bangladesh, Awami League leaders have misused this act and seized Hindu property. Author Aatish Taseer explores this phenomenon quite eloquently in his book, Stranger to History, wherein he writes how his father was not a practising Muslim and liked to call himself a cultural Muslim and yet, he saw himself a defender of the faith who doubted the Holocaust, hated America and Israel, thought Hindus were weak and cowardly. Aatish Taseers father was the well-known Pakistani liberal and Governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, who was killed by his bodyguard in 2011 for opposing his countrys blasphemy law. The blame also lies with Bharat, which invariably looks the other way when Hindus are persecuted and killed in its neighbourhood, especially in Bangladesh. Ironically, when the Narendra Modi government tried to correct this anomaly and came out with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, it was a Hindu-versus-Muslim issue. The fate of the legislation hangs in balance today. So is the future of Hindus in Indias immediate neighbourhood. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Indonesian elections have formally got underway. The campaigning period will run for 75 days till the polls take place on 14 February 2024. This is a seminal election for Indonesia because President Joko Widodos second term, who is popularly known as Jokowi, concludes in 2024. As per the Indonesian constitution, a president can have only two terms. Jokowi had replaced former General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of the Democratic Party, who had had two terms. Between them, Indonesia has had stability, continuity and elements of change. What the 2024 election brings is a major change because now there will be a new president, which in itself brings in a whole cohort of new leadership and caucuses. Besides the presidency, a new Parliament would be elected, as well as provincial and regional assemblies since now, Indonesia elects all its levels congruently. Jokowi was the candidate of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (Indonesian: Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan, PDI-P) led by Megawati Sukarnoputri, the daughter of Indonesias father of independence Sukarno. It was Jokowis charisma and the PDIPs political strength and alliances which brought Jokowi to power for two terms, during which Jokowi marshalled almost all the political parties in Parliament to come behind him. His biggest success was that his rival in both elections, General Prabowo Subianto of the Gerindra party was brought in as the defence minister in his second term. And therein lies the rub. This election is contested by three sets of candidates. The PDIP nominated Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo as their candidate. He is a staunch party loyalist with Mahfud MD as his running mate. Mahfud is the current coordinating minister for security and a vice president in waiting for some time. He has been the chief justice of the Constitutional Court of Indonesia. The main challenge comes from the current defence minister Prabowo. He has built a partnership with Jokowi since losing in the last election. He accepted Jokowis elder son Gibran Rakabuming Raka as his vice-presidential nominee, and therein lies another tale. The third candidate is Jokowis former education minister and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan. His vice-presidential candidate is Muhaimin Iskander, Deputy Speaker and the chairman of the Muslim-based National Awakening Party (Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa PKB). Anies though a liberal educationist, realises there is an untapped Muslim-Islamic identity which can bring in votes. He tapped into this earlier in his gubernatorial election. Now he seeks to expand its use. Typically, on 14 February, 2024, the third largest democracy in the world, Indonesia, would have a choice of three presidential candidates and their running mates. A winner requires 50 per cent plus popular vote and 20 per cent of the votes in half of Indonesias 38 provinces. If that does not happen, then the top two candidates will go for a runoff election, eliminating the third candidate. The redistribution of the third candidates votes in a run-off election makes the difference between winning and losing. Opinion polls at the start of the campaigning period showed Prabowo in the lead with 40.6 per cent in an Indikator Politik Indonesia poll. While 27.8 per cent back the ruling partys Ganjar who in October was running equally with Prabowo but seems to have lost ground. Anies Baswedan is in third place with 23.7 per cent. In this election, 205 million, out of Indonesias population of 273 million are eligible voters. There is no major difference between the poll platforms of Ganjar and Prabowo because they essentially belong to the same government for now. However, their ambitions differ. Whether it is economics, or international relations both essentially want to continue Jokowis legacy. Anies tries to tap into a segment which he believes is untended and therefore talks of a value-based foreign policy, welfare-based economics with Islamic tinges. The question essentially boils down to who is going to hold Jokowis legacy. This question is important because when the PDIP leadership announced Ganjar as the candidate Jokowi was not present on the occasion. Whether he was surprised by the decision, or consulted is not known, but his absence was clear. Ganjar is beholden to the PDIP leadership, whereas Jokowi was essentially drafted by the PDP in 2014 due to his charisma. The PDIP now wants a stronger party man. So where does that leave Jokowis legacy which the PDIP does not directly own? They nurture the Soekarno legacy already. The suspicion is that Jokowi wants Prabowo to nurse the Jokowi legacy. Pronouncements of Prabowo show respect for Jokowis ideas. Prabowo took a grave political risk at a time when he was getting more popular and accepted Jokowis eldest son Gibran Raka as his vice-presidential nominee. The suspicion that Jokowi was building not only a legacy, but a dynasty now became evident. There was considerable manipulation to get to this point because Gibran is only 36 years old and did not meet the 40-year threshold for nomination. A decision was taken to the Constitutional Court, which allowed an amendment that did not reduce the age but said that if a person had held elected office, he could be considered for higher office, even if he was not 40 years old. This allowed Gibran, the elected Mayor of Surakarta, to be nominated as Prabowos running mate. On 16 October, Chief Justice Anwar Usman of the Constitutional Court gave this decision. The court was set up by Megawati and was meant to protect the Constitution from political depredations. Usman is Jokowis brother-in-law and after this decision, he faced a rebuke from other judges who felt that he had violated his independence and taken a decision to favour his family. Usman was removed as head of the Constitutional Court but remains a judge. The decision to allow Gibran to contest was not revoked. Therefore, the angst about how the system was manipulated by Jokowis family to favour his son seems to have exploded and then expended by the action in the Constitutional Court. The dip in Prabowos popularity at that point is now reversed. The Prabowo-Gibran ticket is leading the pack as the election scene warms up across Indonesia. The writer is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and the African Union. He tweets @AmbGurjitSingh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Central Criminal Police of Finland has launched an investigation against Vojislav Torden (Jan Petrovsky), one of the leaders of the Rusich group, who is suspected of committing war crimes in Ukraine. Earlier, Helsinki refused to extradite him to Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the local edition of Yle with reference to the words of Deputy Prosecutor General Jukka Rappe. The preliminary investigation is being conducted under the supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office of Finland. "The Central Criminal Police is currently studying the materials that Ukraine sent to Finland. The material contains arguments about why Ukraine believes Torden should be extradited. The material probably also contains justifications for why the man is suspected of terrorist crimes in Ukraine. The same material is now available to the Prosecutor General's Office," the statement said. Early next week, Jukka Rappe may decide whether to launch an investigation against the war criminal. According to the country's law, an alleged crime committed abroad can be investigated in Finland if it is appropriate "in the interests of the investigation and the administration of justice." ADVERTISIMENT However, such an investigation would still be exceptional as the potential suspect is not a Finnish citizen and the alleged crime was committed outside the country. Currently, Vojislav Torden is in the custody of the Finnish Border Guard. As reported by OBOZ.UA: - The Supreme Court of Finland has refused to extradite one of the former commanders of the sabotage and assault reconnaissance group Rusich, Voislav Torden, who killed and tortured captured Ukrainian soldiers, to Ukraine. According to the Finnish judges, the war criminal could allegedly face "a threat to human dignity" in Ukraine. - Later, the Finnish Border Guard detained Torden. Ukraine then reacted to this. It was also reported that he was likely to be kicked out from Finland. Only verified information on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Dilapidated boats carrying an estimated 400 ethnic Rohingya arrived in Indonesias Aceh region on Sunday, according to the chief of a local fishing hamlet, adding to a recent influx of Myanmars Muslim minority. Prior to Sundays arrivals, the UNHCR reported that 1,200 Rohingya immigrants, a persecuted minority from Myanmar, had arrived in Indonesia since November. Miftah Cut Ade, chairman of Acehs fishing community, stated that two boats arrived in the province early Sunday morning, one in Pidie and one in Aceh Besar. He calculated that each boat was transporting 200 Rohingya. Andi Susanto, a local military official, said about 180 Rohingya had landed in Pidie at 4 a.m. (2100 GMT), and that officers were coordinating in the field to collect data. Susanto confirmed the military was aware of a second boat but did not have information of where it had landed or how many were on board. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in a statement on Friday that he suspects human trafficking is behind the recent escalation in boat arrivals and has promised to work with international organisations to handle the issue. Indonesia is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees but has a history of taking in refugees when they arrive on the countrys shores. But the high volume of recent arrivals has prompted a backlash on social media and some pushback from people in Aceh, the westernmost region most boats land. For years, Rohingya have left Buddhist-majority Myanmar where they are generally regarded as foreign interlopers from South Asia, denied citizenship and subjected to abuse. When seas are calmer between November and April every year, members of the persecuted minority leave on wooden boats for neighbouring Thailand and Muslim-majority Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia. As the final round of negotiations at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai began on Sunday, negotiators remained divided on the future role of fossil fuels. The international summit where over 200 countries are seeking to hammer out a solution to climate change has as its central topic whether the world should, for the first time ever, agree on an ultimate end to the oil age. A coalition of over 80 nations, including the US, the EU, and small island states, was attempting to negotiate a pact that would phase out the use of coal, gas, and oil. However, they faced strong resistance from OPEC and its supporters, an organisation that represents the oil producing industry. On December 6, OPEC sent a letter to its supporters and members requesting that they reject any mention of fossil fuels in any agreement at COP28. Negotiators told Reuters that those delegations seemed to be listening to the request. Heading Polands COP28 delegation, Deputy Minister for Climate Adam Guibourge-Czetwertynski said, I think there are still quite entrenched positions. In terms of the time allotted for negotiations, we are almost done. However, we are still working on the final product. Saudi Arabia, the de facto leader of OPEC and its largest producer, has argued, along with Russia and others, that the COP28 should be focused on decreasing emissions rather than addressing the fuel sources that contribute to them. Xie Zhenhua, Chinas top climate envoy, stated on Saturday that a settlement at COP28 can only be deemed successful if it includes a fossil fuel agreement. However, he did not specify whether Beijing would support a deal that would phase out fossil fuels. The hardest climate summit of his career, he claimed, was COP28. According to the most recent draft of the negotiation language, which was made public on Friday, nations were still debating between committing to phase out of fossil fuels in line with best available science, unabated fossil fuels, and making no reference at all. Reducing the climatic impact of fossil fuels usually entails either utilising alternative offsets or capturing and storing carbon dioxide emissions. Many nations have committed to achieving goals include tripling the use of nuclear power and renewable energy, reducing the use of coal, and reducing emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), if these commitments are kept, global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 4 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030. This information was released on Sunday. The IEA stated that although the amount is significant, it only accounts for roughly one-third of the emissions gap that must be closed in the ensuing six years in order to keep warming to 1.5C over pre-industrial levels, as agreed upon in the 2015 Paris Agreement. (With agency inputs) Negotiators have been urged to narrow down their options and agree on how to save Earth from disastrous levels of warming as the clock runs down on United Nations climate talks and the summits president remains determined to finish up talks by Tuesday. Now is the time to shift gears and get to consensus, COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber said in a plenary session late Saturday. There some were signs negotiators were moving forward Sunday: A new draft agreement on global adaptation goals which will determine how poor countries will brace themselves for weather extremes worsened by climate change from drought to deluge to more intense storms was released. The draft text expresses concern over the gap between the money needed for adaptation and how much countries are getting, but it doesnt say exactly how much money is needed for the world to adapt to climate change. One option in the draft proposes an assessment of each countrys vulnerability to climate change by 2025 and to establish early warning systems for extreme weather events by 2027. Another option is for countries to come up with national adaptation plans and implement them by 2030. The new draft presents the skeleton of what could be a reasonable framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation, said Ana Mulio Alvarez of climate think tank E3G said. But to be effective, adapting to climate change requires developed countries to provide support to developing countries for implementation. Thibyan Ibrahim from the Small Islands Developing States negotiating block, called the progress on adaptation a bit disappointing, because we werent able to get strong outcomes. Draft texts on the Global Stocktake the part of the negotiations that assesses where the world is at with curbing warming and how countries can stick to climate goals were still stuffed with several options on language about how to phase-out planet-warming fossil fuels. Dan Jorgensen, Denmarks environment minister and one-half of a pair of ministers in charge of the global stocktake, urged countries to start focusing on key priorities and show flexibility so that we can start to eliminate options. Shantal Munro-Knight, a climate negotiator for Barbados, said motivation to get a strong deal among countries was high. I dont think anyone wants to go away from the COP without a really ambitious program, and thats where I think everybody is. You didnt hear negative pushback too much because we are all in that moment, Munro-Knight said. But Marshall Islands Climate Envoy Tina Stege acknowledged there is a lot more work that needs to be done. The presidency has a lot on its plate and we dont have a lot of time. Sticking points are along familiar lines for negotiators, with some countries wanting to see strong language on phasing out the use of fossil fuel while others are hesitant to have forceful language on the issue because theyre continue to develop their oil, gas or coal industries. Its very clear that there is a group of countries here that dont want to phase out fossil fuels, said German climate envoy Jennifer Morgan. Small island states, Latin American countries and European countries are pushing for a phase-out, but other nations are still far apart. Its going to be very difficult, Morgan said. Im a bit worried. Rachel Cleetus of the Union of Concerned Scientists told journalists Sunday that the big laggards, the ones being obstinate, is definitely Saudi Arabia and the OPEC countries, the powerful oil cartel. Brandon Wu of ActionAid USA also criticized Americas plans to expand oil and gas production. I think its quite easy to point the finger at some of the Gulf states here, Wu said. But, you know, we should not ignore the fact that the United States has the single largest oil and gas expansion plans of any country in the world by far. Its not even close. Chinas climate envoy Xie Zhenhua called this years climate conference the most difficult of his long career. He said on Saturday that the contentious fossil phase-out issue could be solved in one or two days. Negotiators are aiming to find a way to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since preindustrial times, in line with what was agreed in the historic 2015 Paris agreement. Some observers on Sunday were cautiously optimistic about the progress so far. We are close to making history here, said Kaisa Kosonen, Policy Coordinator at Greenpeace International. Never before have I seen this level of pressure, with people saying lets just do it. They are finally addressing the root cause of climate change. (with inputs from AP) According to a claim broadcast on state-run media, Cuba announced late Saturday that it had foiled a terrorist plan hatched in neighbouring south Florida, after a man allegedly landed on the island by jetski to commit acts of violence. The ensuing investigation, which state-run media reported was still ongoing, stated the scheme was linked to at least two groups, Nueva Nacion Cubana and La Nueva Nacion Cubana en Armas, both of whom Cuba has designated as terrorist entities. Reuters was unable to reach either organisation late Saturday. According to the report, one of the guys arrested, who appeared on the show but whose name was unknown, was armed with several handguns, ammunition clips, and bullets. The report alleged the man, a Cuban residing in Florida, had entered Cuba illegally on a jetski with a Florida registration, which he then abandoned in a mangrove swamp on the island`s north coast before making his way overland to Cienfuegos, in south-central Cuba. The man then attempted to recruit others to assist in committing acts of violence, arson and vandalism before his eventual arrest, according to the report. State-run media said several other Cubans, residing both in South Florida and in Cuba, were under investigation for their involvement in the alleged plot. The allegations comes just two days after Cuba published a list of more than 80 foreign nationals and entities it accuses of terrorism, including influencers, many long-time dissidents who reside in the United States and a candidate for mayor of Floridas Miami-Dade County. The two groups identified in Saturday`s TV report appear on the list published by Cuba earlier this week, and are labeled as criminal organizations based in the United States that organize, financeand execute actions against the security of the Cuban state. In a courageous display, an elderly woman in Gaza has accused Hamas of stealing essential aid meant for desperate families, claiming that the aid is diverted underground to the groups tunnel networks. Additional reports from other Palestinians allege looting by Hamas in homes, leading to Israeli airstrikes on civilian areas. Israels military asserts engaging in house-to-house combat and swift operations to free Israeli hostages. The elderly woman, undeterred, berated an Al Jazeera reporter, insisting that international aid does not reach the people due to Hamas diverting it for their own purposes. A young mother, holding her baby, echoed these sentiments, accusing Hamas of stealing aid and expressing frustration at the lack of humanitarian assistance. She pleaded for her message to reach the global community, revealing the struggles faced by Gazans. A must watch: A Gazan woman surprises Al Jazeera reporter and tells him that Hamas is taking all the humanitarian aid to its terrorists in the tunnels. The reporter tries to convince her otherwise but she continues to attack Hamas.@MOhadIsrael pic.twitter.com/ZrtYhq4vSU Yonatan Gonen (@GonenYonatan) December 6, 2023 Despite living under continuous Israeli bombardment, a father-of-two, speaking anonymously, disclosed the desire of ordinary Gazans for Hamas to fall. He recounted personal losses and claimed that Hamas, in addition to seizing power in 2007, executed political opponents and looted neighborhoods at the onset of the current conflict. The individual revealed fear of expressing dissent, citing reports of executions by Hamas. He accused the group of using civilians as shields, placing fighters among them and atop hospitals and schools, creating perilous situations. Internationally, the United States blocked a UN Security Council resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, while Britain abstained due to the absence of condemnation for Hamas as terrorists. In an alarming development, Hamas reportedly tortured and executed Israeli hostage Saar Baruch after a failed rescue attempt. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports indicating half the population facing starvation. Israeli efforts to provide aid are ongoing, despite the challenging circumstances. The unfolding events underscore the challenges faced by civilians caught in the crossfire, with brave individuals stepping forward to expose the alleged misconduct of Hamas and call for international attention and intervention. Europe struck a provisional agreement on Friday on major European Union rules controlling the use of artificial intelligence, including governments use of AI in biometric surveillance and how to regulate AI systems like ChatGPT. With the political accord, the EU draws closer to being the first major international power to pass AI legislation. The agreement reached on Friday by EU governments and European Parliament members came after roughly 15 hours of negotiations and a nearly 24-hour debate the day before. The two parties are expected to work out details in the coming days, which could alter the final legislations design. Europe has positioned itself as a pioneer, understanding the importance of its role as a global standard setter. This is yes, I believe, a historical day, European Commissioner Thierry Breton told a press conference. The accord requires foundation models such as ChatGPT and general purpose AI systems (GPAI) to comply with transparency obligations before they are put on the market. These include drawing up technical documentation, complying with EU copyright law and disseminating detailed summaries about the content used for training. High-impact foundation models with systemic risk will have to conduct model evaluations, assess and mitigate systemic risks, conduct adversarial testing, report to the European Commission on serious incidents, ensure cybersecurity and report on their energy efficiency. GPAIs with systemic risk may rely on codes of practice to comply with the new regulation. Governments can only use real-time biometric surveillance in public spaces in cases of victims of certain crimes, prevention of genuine, present, or foreseeable threats, such as terrorist attacks, and searches for people suspected of the most serious crimes. The agreement bans cognitive behavioural manipulation, the untargeted scrapping of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage, social scoring and biometric categorisation systems to infer political, religious, philosophical beliefs, sexual orientation and race. Consumers would have the right to launch complaints and receive meaningful explanations while fines for violations would range from 7.5 million euros ($8.1 million) or 1.5% of turnover to 35 million euros or 7% of global turnover. Business group DigitalEurope criticised the rules as yet another burden for companies, on top of other recent legislation. We have a deal, but at what cost? We fully supported a risk-based approach based on the uses of AI, not the technology itself, but the last-minute attempt to regulate foundation models has turned this on its head, its Director General Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl said. Privacy rights group European Digital Rights was equally critical. Its hard to be excited about a law which has, for the first time in the EU, taken steps to legalise live public facial recognition across the bloc, its senior policy advisor Ella Jakubowska said. Whilst the Parliament fought hard to limit the damage, the overall package on biometric surveillance and profiling is at best lukewarm. The legislation is expected to enter into force early next year once both sides formally ratify it and should apply two years after that. Governments around the world are seeking to balance the advantages of the technology, which can engage in human-like conversations, answer questions and write computer code, against the need to put guardrails in place. Europes ambitious AI rules come as companies like OpenAI, in which Microsoft is an investor, continue to discover new uses for their technology, triggering both plaudits and concerns. Google owner Alphabet on Thursday launched a new AI model, Gemini, to rival OpenAI. The EU law could become the blueprint for other governments and an alternative to the United States light-touch approach and Chinas interim rules. On Sunday, polls began in Hong Kongs first patriots only district council election, with officials dismissing fears about poor turnout in a race that has barred all opposition candidates following a national security crackdown. The last election was held at the height of the massive, often violent, democratic protests in 2019, and had a historic-high turnout of 71 percent, resulting in a landslide victory for the pro-democracy side. The city authorities altered the structure of the councils earlier this year as part of the widespread crackdown on political opposition, supported by a national security statute imposed by Beijing in 2020. Authorities have attempted to drum up enthusiasm for the election, covering the city with posters urging Hong Kongers to vote, but on Sunday morning, polling booths appeared empty in the wealthy Mid-Levels area. It must be the patriots ruling Hong Kong this is our principle, said a civil engineer surnamed Lee, a lone early voter, adding the election wouldnt be affected just because some (candidates) cant be part of it. According to new rules announced in May, seats for direct election were slashed from 462 to 88, with the other 382 seats controlled by the city leader, government loyalists and rural landlords. Candidates are required to seek nominations from three government-appointed committees, which effectively shut out all pro-democracy parties. Over 70 percent of the directly elected candidates were committee members. The new rules covering this election and other changes to Hong Kongs system of governance have been described as ensuring positions of power are filled only by people considered by Beijing to be patriots. City leader John Lee said that one of the main criteria for district councillors after passion and diligence must be unified thoughts. There should be no more political dissonance, he said Wednesday on RTHK, the citys official broadcaster. But this new arrangement is likely to produce (district councils) that are more like government echo chambers, said scholar John Burns, an expert in Hong Kong politics and public administration. Authorities are trying to change the political culture of Hong Kongers Allowing a more diverse field of candidates would undermine the governments campaign to rid Hong Kong of such opposition, he told AFP. Senior officials have rejected concerns about potentially low voter participation, with Erick Tsang, the constitutional affairs minister overseeing the election, saying that the turnout rate cannot be an indicator of the (new) systems success. More than 12,000 police officers were deployed across the city to prevent disturbances in the election, according to local media. On Tuesday, a 38-year-old man was charged for reposting a video of an overseas commentator that allegedly incited people to boycott the election. The Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are supported by Iran, threatened on Saturday to attack any ships that were going to dock in Israel unless supplies of food and medicine were permitted into the besieged Gaza Strip. The most recent warning coincides with increased hostilities in the Red Sea and its environs due to a string of pirate attacks by Houthi rebels since the Israel-Gaza conflict began on October 7. The Houthis threatened to stop the passage of ships heading to the Zionist entity in a social media statement if humanitarian aid was not permitted into Gaza, which is ruled by Hamas. Although the Houthis have attacked ships in the past that they claim have direct connections to Israel, their most recent threat broadens their target base. Regardless of which flag ships sail under or the nationality of their owners or operators, Israel-bound vessels will become a legitimate target for our armed forces, the statement said. Hamas welcomed the rebels courageous and bold decision. We call on Arab and Muslim countries to use all their capabilities, based on their historical responsibilities and in the spirit of chivalry, to lift the siege of Gaza, it added in a statement. Israels national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, said his country would not accept the naval siege, noting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked US President Joe Biden and European leaders to take measures to address the situation. If the world will not take care of it, Hanegbi warned on Israels Channel 12 television, we will take action to remove the naval siege. The French military said on Sunday that one of its frigates shot down two drones in the Red Sea that were heading towards it from Yemens coast. The interception and destruction of these two identified threats were carried out late Saturday by the frigate Languedoc, which operates in the Red Sea, the general staff said in a press release. The interceptions occurred at 2030 GMT and 2230 GMT, it added, and were 110km (68 miles) from the Yemeni coast. Last week, the Houthis attacked two ships off the Yemeni coast, including a Bahamas-flagged vessel, claiming they were Israeli-owned. And last month, the rebel forces seized the Galaxy Leader, an Israeli-linked cargo vessel. We warn all ships and companies against dealing with Israeli ports, the latest Houthi statement said. It added that all ships linked to Israel or that will transport goods to Israeli ports are not welcome in the Red Sea, a vital channel for global trade linked to the Suez Canal. Beyond maritime attacks, the Houthis have launched a series of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel since the deadly attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas triggered all-out war. The militants poured over the border into Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping about 240 others, according to Israeli officials. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, and launched a military offensive in Gaza that has killed at least 17,700 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry. The spike in maritime incidents prompted G7 foreign ministers at a meeting earlier this month to urge the rebels to cease threats to international shipping and to release the Galaxy Leader. (with inputs from the AFP) An Iranian official told the state-affiliated news agency ILNA on Sunday that formal negotiations between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore direct scheduled flights between Tehran and Riyadh and other locations will begin next week. An additional step towards mending relations between the two enemies from the Middle East would be to resume regular flights. Diplomatic connections were restored in March following years of animosity that endangered regional stability and fueled conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. The peace talks were brokered by China. The killing of a Shiite Muslim cleric by Saudi Arabia and the subsequent storming of Riyadhs embassy in Tehran led to the severing of relations between the Shiite-dominated Iran and the Sunni Gulf kingdom Saudi Arabia in 2016. For years, there havent been any frequent direct flights connecting the two nations. Only infrequently do direct planes carrying haj pilgrims depart from Iran at this time. Resuming flights, according to Mohammadibakhsh, would involve both non-religious and year-round Umrah pilgrimages, which can be made at any time of the year. He said Iran had already provided a list of potential airline operators, but he did not name any. (With agency inputs) Iran said on Sunday that the trial of a Swedish national working for the European Union has started. The man is accused of spying for Israel and corruption on earth, a felony for which the death penalty is applicable. Sweden announced on Saturday that Johan Floderus trial has started. Floderus was arrested in April 2022 while on vacation in Iran; the charges against him were not disclosed. In an online post published on Sunday, the Iranian judiciarys Mizan news agency reported that Floderuss trial had commenced and that the charges against him were wide intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime, widespread activities against national security, and corruption on earth, an apparent reference to Israel. According to Islamic law in Iran, corruption on earth is a deadly offence. Human rights organisations and governments in the West have accused the Islamic Republic of attempting to use fabricated security allegations to force political concessions out of other nations. Tehran claims that these arrests follow its criminal code and that it does not keep anyone for political purposes. Since Sweden detained a former Iranian official in 2019 for his involvement in the mass killing and torture of political prisoners in the 1980s, relations between Iran and Sweden have been cold. According to the judiciary, Floderus collected intelligence for Israel through projects run by American and European organisations. It stated that more hearing information would be released later. (With agency inputs) A consortium led by the Saudi-listed water desalination company ACWA Power signed on Wednesday a usufruct agreement to invest $1.5 billion in a 1.1 MW wind project in Egypt, according to a statement by the Egyptian cabinet. In protest of the ongoing Israeli bombardment on the Gaza Strip, which have claimed thousands of civilian lives, Moroccans carrying Palestinian flags marched through the streets of Rabat, the countrys capital, on Sunday. They demanded that the government sever ties with Israel. Since the war against Hamas started two months ago, hundreds of people have regularly participated in protests in Morocco against Israels war in Gaza, which are primarily organised by pan-Arab and Islamist organisations. The PJD, Moroccos largest Islamist party and the party that headed the countrys elected government from 2011 to 2021, led the march on Sunday, which drew nearly 3,000 protestors. This marks the first time the movement has been vocal in its opposition. After Hamas terrorists broke over the border on October 7 and went on the rampage across Israeli cities, gunning down families in their homes, killing 1,200 people, and taking 240 hostages, Israel promised to destroy the organisation that has ruled Gaza since 2007. At least 17,700 deaths from Israeli bombings have been recorded since then, according to Gazas health authorities, while many more are still missing and thought to be under the debris. As part of an agreement mediated by the U.S. administration, then led by President Donald Trump, Morocco committed to fortify its relations with Israel in 2020. Washington also acknowledged Moroccos sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region. The Moroccan authorities have stated that they still support the establishment of a Palestinian state and have called for a permanent truce in Gaza as well as the safety of all people living there, notwithstanding their policy of normalising relations with Israel. Since the beginning of the Gaza War on October 7, Islamist and leftist parties and organisations in Morocco have become more vocal in their opposition to the normalisation agenda. On Sunday, demonstrators demanded a boycott of companies they claim back Israel. (With agency inputs) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed Israels discontent to President Vladimir Putin regarding Russias vote in favour of a UN Security Council resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire. Netanyahu conveyed his dissatisfaction with Russias stance on Israel, both at the UN and in other forums. The prime minister expressed his dissatisfaction with the positions expressed against Israel by Russian representatives at the UN and in other forums, according to a statement released by Netanyahus office on Sunday Any country that had been struck with a criminal terrorist assault such as Israel experienced would have reacted with no less force than Israel is using, he told Putin, reported AFP. The United States vetoed the resolution on Friday, which sought a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Netanyahu reminded Putin of a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the reported death of 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, according to Israeli officials. In Israels subsequent retaliatory air, ground, and sea operations against Hamas, the Gaza Strip witnessed a significant toll, with at least 17,700 casualties, mostly women and children, as reported by the territorys Hamas-run health ministry. With inputs from AFP Narges Mohammadi, the laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize, stated from prison on Sunday that the Iranian people will finally triumph over authoritarianism imposed by a regime that has lost legitimacy and popular support. Her children read her message. In a jab at Tehrans theocratic leaders, the Norwegian Nobel committee in October gave Mohammadi, 51, the prize for her nonviolent struggle against oppression of women in Iran and the advancement of human rights for all. Several hundred people attended a ceremony at Oslos City Hall where her 17-year-old twins, Kiana and Ali Rahmani, accepted the honour, which included a gold medal and diploma. A cheque for 11 million Swedish crowns, or around $1 million, is part of the prize package. Speaking from the infamous Evin jail in Iran, Mohammadi asserted that the most effective ways to effect change were via persistent resistance and non-violence. The Iranian people will triumph over tyranny and repression if they are persistent enough. Without a doubt, this is true, she stated in her French-language statement. The womens rights activist, who was recently arrested in November 2021, is currently serving many terms for offences including disseminating false information against the Islamic Republic. Writing this message from behind the cold, high walls of a prison, Mohammadi declared, describing her life as well as the lives of numerous activists in Iran as a never-ending battle to stay alive. Years of resentment towards Iran over topics ranging from economic hardship and discrimination against ethnic minorities to more stringent social and political regulations were released upon Aminis passing. During widespread protests that were put down with deadly force, women, especially schoolgirls, defied rules requiring them to cover their hair and wear baggy clothing by taking off and burning their hijabs. (With agency inputs) After the United States used its UN Security Council veto to shield its ally from a demand for a ceasefire, Israel forced inhabitants out of Gazas largest southern city Khan Younis and bombarded the length of the territory overnight. Since the two-month-old wars truce with Hamas fell apart on December 1, Israel has escalated its ground assault into the Gaza Strips southern half, moving into Khan Younis, where residents reported heavy clashes. Both parties claimed an increase in combat in the north. Israel said its campaign was making progress. National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said Israeli forces had killed at least 7,000 Hamas militants, without saying how that estimate was reached, and military chief Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi told soldiers we need to press harder. On Saturday, the Palestinian health ministry said that the death toll in Gaza had surpassed 17,700, with many others still missing and assumed dead under the debris. According to the ministry, almost 40% of the deaths included youngsters under the age of 18. Israel initiated its effort to eliminate Gazas Hamas leadership after their fighters stormed Israeli cities on Oct. 7, murdering 1,200 people and kidnapping 240, according to Israeli estimates. 137 hostages are still being held captive, and thousands of Israelis marched in Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand their release. The Israeli army stated early Sunday that a soldier who battled on Oct. 7 died from his wounds, adding that four other troops died fighting in southern Gaza. Most of Gazas 2.3 million residents have been forced from their homes, often several times. As fighting rages across the territory, residents and UN agencies say there is effectively nowhere safe to go, though Israel disputes this. Israeli forces say they are limiting civilian casualties by providing maps showing safe areas, and blame Hamas for harming civilians by hiding among them, which the fighters deny. Palestinians say the campaign has turned into a scorched-earth war of vengeance against the entire population of an enclave as densely populated as London. Israels Arabic-language spokesperson on Saturday posted a map on X highlighting six blocks of Khan Younis to evacuate urgently. Some residents reported hearing tank shelling and fierce gun battles between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters, and a series of air strikes as Israeli forces attempted to advance further west. We try to put the children to sleep and we stay up fearing the place would be bombed and well have to run carrying the children out, said Zainab Khalil, 57, displaced with 30 relatives and friends near Jalal street where evacuations were ordered. During the day begins another tragedy, and that is: how to feed the children? With food and medical supplies scarce, a senior UN World Food Programme official said a new system could bring more aid into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel, but Israel has not yet agreed to open it. In central Gaza, Israeli tank shelling resumed on Bureij and Maghazi refugee camps, residents said, while Palestinian health officials reported an Israeli air strike in Bureij killed seven Palestinians. In Khan Younis, the dead and wounded arrived through the night at the overwhelmed Nasser hospital. A medic ran out of an ambulance with the limp body of a small girl in a pink tracksuit. Inside, wounded children wailed and writhed on the tile floor as nurses raced to comfort them. Outside, bodies were lined up in white shrouds. Thousands missing presumed dead Footage obtained by Reuters inside the Jaffah hospital in Deir al-Balah showed extensive damage from a strike on a mosque next door that shuttered the medical facility. Medical workers in northern Gaza, where some of the heaviest fighting is taking place, accused Israel of targeting hospitals and ambulances. An ambulance worker in Gaza Citys Shejaiya district, asking not to be named for fear of reprisals, told Reuters emergency crews often could not respond to calls and faced Israeli fire. Mohammed Salha, a manager at al-Awda hospital, said Israeli forces had besieged the hospital for days with tanks, shooting people trying to enter or leave. The health ministry said Israeli forces killed two medical staffers inside Kamal Adwan hospital, also in northern Gaza, on Saturday. An Israeli military spokesperson said it follows international law and takes feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm. The military has said Hamas operates from medical facilities, releasing footage to support that claim. Hamas has denied doing so. U.S. veto makes Washington complicit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday welcomed Washingtons veto at the United Nations Security Council a day earlier to reject a vote backing a humanitarian ceasefire resolution, saying: Israel will continue our just war to eliminate Hamas. Washington has said it told Israel to do more to protect civilians but still backs Israels position that a ceasefire would benefit Hamas. On Saturday, the Biden administration bypassed the U.S. Congress to approve an emergency sale of ammunition to Israel. Ezzat El-Reshiq, a member of Hamas political bureau, condemned the U.S. veto as inhumane. Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority which lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007, said the veto made the United States complicit in Israeli war crimes. A Philippine coastguard official on Sunday accused China of firing water cannons and ramming its resupply vessels in the South China Sea, causing serious engine damage to one vessel. Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela named the vessels as Unaizah Mae 1 and M/L Kalayaan. M/L Kalayaan suffered serious engine damage. Contrary to China Coast Guard disinformation, UM1 rammed by CCG vessel, Tarriela said on social media platform X. The incident was the second ramming between Philippine and Chinese ships since October in the vicinity of Second Thomas Shoal, an uninhabited shoal within the Philippines exclusive economic zone where Filipino soldiers are living aboard an aging warship that was deliberately ran aground in 1999 to protect Manilas claims in the disputed waterway. There was no immediate comment from Chinese officials. On Saturday, the Philippines also condemned Chinas illegal and aggressive actions after its coast guard fired water cannon at a civilian government vessel of the Philippines fisheries bureau. The collision comes as a Christmas convoy of around 40 Philippine vessels began sailing Sunday to the disputed shoal. Over 200 fishermen, youth leaders and civil society groups have joined the mission organized by the Atin Ito (This is ours) campaign network, a civilian-led advocacy to assert the Philippines rights in the South China Sea. (With inputs from Reuters) As tensions over claims in the crucial waterway increase, the Philippines and China exchanged accusations on Sunday over a collision of their vessels close to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. While Chinas coast guard said the Philippine vessel deliberately rammed their ship, the Philippine coast guard accused China of firing water cannons and ramming resupply vessels and a coast guard ship, causing serious engine damage to one. A route for over $3 trillion in yearly shipborne trade, the South China Sea is nearly entirely claimed by China, with portions also held by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration declared that Chinas claims lacked legal support. When the Philippines deploys resupply missions for Filipino soldiers living aboard an ageing warship purposefully run aground in 1999 to protect Manilas maritime claims, Beijing and Manila have been playing cat and mouse around the uninhabited Second Thomas Shoal in the countrys exclusive economic zone. The shoal is a component of the Spratly Islands, as they are known internationally. The Philippines charged China on Saturday of engaging in illegal and aggressive actions after Beijing justified the use of water cannons against a government fishing vessel run by civilians. Beijing defended the action as control measures. Chinas coast guard stated in a statement that two Philippine warships had illegally entered the waters adjacent to Renai Reef in the Nansha Islands without the approval of the Chinese government in the incident that happened on Sunday, despite numerous warnings. A coast guard ship was pulling the Kalayaan back to Palawan province, according to the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea. The coast guard vessel BRP Cabra had suffered damage to its mast after being directly targeted by the full strength of the water cannon. According to a post made on X by the US ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, Chinas aggression undermines regional stability in defiance of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Atin Ito (This is ours) network, a civilian-led organisation that defends the Philippines rights in the South China Sea, has arranged a Christmas trip to the region that has drawn some 200 Filipino fisherman, youth leaders, and civil society organisations. (With agency inputs) Liz Magill, president of the University of Pennsylvania, resigned on Saturday, the Ivy League institution announced. Magill faced criticism for her views on antisemitism on campus. Magill was among three esteemed university presidents who faced backlash on Tuesday after testifying before a congressional committee regarding an increase in antisemitism on college campuses since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October. According to a statement released on the universitys website on Saturday, Scott Bok, chair of the board of trustees at the Philadelphia-based university, said that she has consented to continue until an interim president is named. Bok resigned as well. I write to share that President Liz Magill has voluntarily tendered her resignation as President of the University of Pennsylvania, Bok said in the announcement released by the university. Magill will remain a tenured faculty member at the universitys law school, Bok said. Magill, Harvard University President Claudine Gay, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth testified before a US House of Representatives committee on Tuesday. As they tried to walk a line that protected freedom of speech, they declined to give a definitive yes or no answer to Republican congresswoman Elise Stefaniks question of whether calling for the genocide of Jews would violate their schools codes of conduct regarding bullying and harassment. Calls for Magills and Gays resignations in particular mounted in the days after that testimony. Magill released a video on Wednesday in which she expressed regret, Gay apologised on Friday. Jewish students, families and alumni have accused the schools of tolerating antisemitism, especially in statements by pro-Palestinian demonstrators since the Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and killed around 1,200. That attack prompted a massive counter-attack by Israel that has left over 17,700 Palestinians dead, according to the Gaza health ministry. One down. Two to go. This is only the very beginning of addressing the pervasive rot of antisemitism that has destroyed the most prestigious higher education institutions in America, Stefanik said on social media site X after Penns announcement. She said Magills resignation was the bare minimum of what is required and urged Harvard and MIT to take similar action. Antisemitism and Islamophobia have risen sharply in the United States and elsewhere since October. Antisemitic incidents in the United States rose by about 400 per cent in the two weeks after the Hamas attack on Israel, according to the Anti-Defamation League. The Council on American-Islamic Relations said this week that in the two months after the war began, incidents motivated by Islamophobia and bias against Palestinians and Arabs rose by 172 per cent compared to the same period last year. Eyal Yakoby, a University of Pennsylvania student who has sued the school alleging insufficient response to antisemitism, said on CNN that Magills resignation was one step toward a broader change at the university. This has been something that myself and many alumni and fellow students, parents been working on for a while [but] this is just the first domino in a culture for many leaders including Chairman Bok who have allowed this to happen, Yakoby said. (with inputs from Reuters) Despite persistent Israeli shelling that is narrowing the window for a good outcome, Qatars prime minister said Sunday that mediation efforts are continuing to establish a fresh Gaza ceasefire. Our efforts as the state of Qatar along with our partners are continuing. We are not going to give up, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told the Doha Forum more than two months into the Israel-Hamas war. Qatar was a crucial mediator in the negotiations that led in a seven-day cease-fire in which scores of Israeli captives were exchanged for Palestinian inmates and humanitarian aid, which ended at the beginning of the month. Israel declared war on Hamas after the Islamist group killed 1,200 people and kidnapped 240 more in an unprecedented raid on October 7. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, the Israeli offensive has killed at least 17,700 individuals in Gaza, many of them are women and children. We are going to continue, we are committed to have hostages released, but we are also committed to stop the war, the Qatari premier said. But, he added, we are not seeing the same willingness from both parties and the continuation of the bombardment is just narrowing this window for us. Addressing the Doha Forum earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Security Council was paralysed by geostrategic divisions that were undermining solutions to the conflict. The bodys authority and credibility were severely undermined by its delayed response to the war, he said two days after a US veto prevented a resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire. I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared, he told the forum. Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it, he added. I can promise, I will not give up. Guterres had convened an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after two months of fighting in Gaza. He deployed the rarely-used Article 99 of the United Nations Charter that allows the secretary-general to bring to the councils attention any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security. The rule had not been invoked by a UN chief in decades. Also speaking at the Doha Forum, Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said the United States is as responsible as Israel for civilian deaths in Gaza. For the United States to block a United Nations Security Council resolution, one should hold the Americans responsible for the deadly violence, he said. Jordans foreign minister Ayman Safadi, meanwhile, accused Israel of dragging the region deeper into the sea of death. Addressing the forum, Safadi said: We are facing a difficult moment, a moment that will take us deeper into the sea of death and destruction, and Israel simply feels it can do that it feels unaccountable. In the darkness of war with Russia, Ukrainian women are reportedly grappling with the haunting memories of brutal sexual assaults perpetrated by Russian soldiers. These heinous acts, designed to inflict psychological and physical devastation, follow a disturbing pattern that includes rape in front of family members. In a report by the Daily Mail, one such victim named Nataliya recounted the horrifying night when Russian soldiers invaded her home, subjecting her to a traumatic ordeal. Pinned to the bed at gunpoint, she fought to protect her six-year-old daughter, only to witness the soldiers rape her too. Thirty minutes away, Marias house became a scene of terror as Russian soldiers broke down her door. Slurring their words, they subjected her to repeated rape while her neighbors screams echoed in the background. That night, the soldiers reportedly raped all women in the entire street of Kyiv region leaving them traumatised by their vicious acts, according to report. In Kharkiv, a mother faced hours of rape by a Russian officer in an abandoned classroom while her teenage son was forced to watch. In another such incident, several drunk soldiers dragged woman named Anastasiya into an abandoned home. Desperate to survive for her daughter hiding in the basement, she endured the soldiers rape, staring at a bookshelf, dissociating from the unbearable reality. Russian soldiers employ sexual violence as a weapon to destroy individuals psychologically and physically, explains Anna Orel, a project coordinator at the Andreiev Family Foundations Assisto project. The aim is to humiliate and intimidate women and their families, leaving victims scarred for life. Russian soldiers frequently commit rapes in front of husbands and children, creating a generational trauma that lingers. The psychological impact extends beyond the survivors, with husbands often burdened by guilt for their inability to protect their wives. This tactic is part of a broader strategy to instill fear and trauma for generations to come. Anastasiya, among those seeking help, endured a nightmarish assault in an abandoned home. The soldiers threats to her daughters safety silenced her protests, and the trauma continues to affect her daily life. Many survivors, like Anastasiya, find it difficult to eat, sleep, or maintain a routine due to persistent flashbacks. The conservative societal stigma surrounding rape in Ukraine forces many survivors into silence. The fear of judgment and shame prevents countless women from reporting the crimes, perpetuating a cycle of underreported cases. As per a report, the Assisto Project, led by Anna Orel, strives to break this stigma and support survivors on their difficult journey to healing. While Ukraines prosecutors office acknowledges 230 reported cases of sexual violence by Russian soldiers, experts believe the true number is significantly higher due to underreporting fueled by stigma and fear. The systematic nature of these crimes, coupled with occupied territories, contributes to the underrepresentation of reported cases. Seeking justice for survivors, however, poses immense challenges. The International Criminal Court (ICC) may play a role in holding high-level perpetrators accountable, but the process is complex and time-consuming. Ukrainian prosecutors now collaborate with psychologists to encourage more survivors to come forward and share their experiences. The psychological scars inflicted by wartime rape may persist for generations, warns Anna Orel. Russian soldiers, she asserts, aim not only to destroy individuals but entire families by subjecting them to unspeakable horrors. As Ukrainian women, men, and children grapple with the lasting impact of wartime rape, the efforts of organizations like the Assisto Project provide a glimmer of hope. Survivors, supported by psychologists and legal advocates, bravely share their stories, challenging the silence imposed by the perpetrators. The road to justice is arduous, but the determination to shed light on these atrocities remains unwavering. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised his commitment to advocating for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza during his speech at the Doha Forum conference on Sunday. Guterres expressed disappointment in the Security Councils failure to act and stressed the ongoing necessity of a ceasefire despite the setback. Qatars Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told the gathering that Doha will continue to pressure Israel and Hamas for a truce despite narrowing chances. Qatar, where several political leaders of Hamas are based, has been leading negotiations between the group and Israel. Sheikh Mohammed said hostages were released from Gaza because of negotiations and not because of Israels military actions. The head of UNRWA, the UN aid agency for Palestinians, said the dehumanisation of Palestinians has allowed the international community to tolerate Israels continued attacks on Gaza. There is no doubt that a humanitarian ceasefire is needed if we want to put an end to hell on earth right now in Gaza, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said. The United States and Israel oppose a ceasefire because they believe it would only benefit Hamas. Washington instead supports pauses in fighting to protect civilians and allow the release of hostages taken by Hamas in a deadly October 7 attack on Israel. With inputs from Reuters Lawyers for South Africa asked judges at Thursdays hearings to impose binding preliminary orders on Israel, including an immediate halt to military campaign in Gaza as it reached its 97th day. South African lawyers said the latest Gaza war is part of a decades-long oppression of the Palestinians by Israel. The national security advisors for the US, South Korea, and Japan made a stronger case on Saturday for increased international pressure to halt North Koreas nuclear and missile development, cybertheft, and purported arms transfers to Russia. The summit in Seoul took place at a time when tensions on the Korean peninsula are at an all-time high due to North Korean leader Kim Jong-uns acceleration of his nuclear and missile programs and his display of an escalating nuclear doctrine that permits the use of nuclear weapons in self-defense. In response, the US and its allies in Asia have stepped up their trilateral cooperation in the area and intensified their joint military drills, which Kim regards as invasion practice. Washington, Seoul and Tokyo have also expressed concerns about a potential arms alignment between North Korea and Russia. They worry Kim is providing badly needed munitions to help Russian President Vladimir Putin wage war in Ukraine in exchange for Russian technology help to upgrade his nuclear-armed military. Speaking after the meeting, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington is working with Seoul and Tokyo to strengthen defence cooperation and improve its response to North Korean missile testing and space-launch activities, including a real-time information sharing arrangement on North Korean missile launches that the countries plan to start at an unspecified date in December. During his conversation with reporters, Sullivan said the allies are preparing for the possibility that North Korea will up the ante of its weapons demonstrations and threats in 2024, possibly including the countrys seventh nuclear test. He also said the countries have agreed to new initiatives to more effectively respond to North Korean efforts to bypass US-led international sanctions that aim to choke off funds for its nuclear weapons and missile programme. This will be a new effort with respect to cryptocurrency and money laundering and how we disrupt North Koreas capacity to gain revenue from the hacking and stealing of cryptocurrency and then laundering it through exchanges, he said. Sullivan declined to share detailed US assessments on the types and volume of North Korean arms being shipped to Russia and did not comment on the specifics of his discussions with South Korean and Japanese officials over the issue, but insisted that theres no daylight among us in terms of the types of weapons transfers that we are seeing. And those continue and they represent a grave concern for us. South Korean intelligence and military officials have said North Korea may have shipped more than a million artillery shells to Russia beginning in August, weeks before Kim travelled to Russias Far East for a rare summit with Putin that sparked international concerns about a potential arms deal. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied US and South Korean claims. In a joint news conference after Saturdays trilateral meeting, Cho Tae-yong, South Koreas national security office director, said the three security advisers reaffirmed North Koreas obligations under multiple UN Security Council resolutions that call for its denuclearisation and ban any weapons trade with other countries, and agreed to strengthen coordination to ensure that is implemented. Takeo Akiba, Japans national security secretariat secretary general, said the unprecedented frequency and patterns of North Korean ballistic missile launches necessitate a deeper and more effective partnership between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo. South Korea, the US, Japan and Australia have also announced their sanctions on North Korea over its spy satellite launch last month. North Korea argues it has the right to launch spy satellites to monitor US and South Korean military activities and enhance the threat of its nuclear-capable missiles. Direct military action is also a concern after the North recently announced it was abandoning a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement on reducing border tensions after the South partially suspended the agreement, which had established border buffers and no-fly zones. Some experts say that has raised the risk of border-area shootings or clashes. South Korean intelligence officials have said the Russians likely provided technology support for North Koreas successful satellite launch in November, which followed two failed launches. Kim has vowed to launch more satellites, saying his military needs to acquire space-based reconnaissance capabilities. (With inputs from Agencies) Yemens Iran-backed Huthi rebels threatened to attack any ships bound for Israeli ports unless food and medicine were let into the besieged Gaza Strip on Saturday. The fresh warning comes as tensions in the Red Sea and adjacent waterways have risen as a result of a number of marine strikes by Huthi rebels since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7. In a social media statement, the Huthis stated they will prevent the passage of ships heading to the Zionist entity if humanitarian aid is not allowed into Hamas-ruled Gaza. The Huthis have lately attacked ships they allege have direct links to Israel, but their most recent threat broadens their target list. Regardless of which flag ships sail under or the nationality of their owners or operators, Israel-bound vessels will become a legitimate target for our armed forces, the statement said. Hamas welcomed the rebels courageous and bold decision. We call on Arab and Muslim countries to use all their capabilities, based on their historical responsibilities and in the spirit of chivalry, to lift the siege of Gaza, it added in a statement sent to AFP. Israels national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, said his country would not accept the naval siege, noting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked US President Joe Biden and European leaders to take measures to address the situation. If the world will not take care of it, Hanegbi warned on Israels Channel 12 television, we will take action to remove the naval siege. The French military said Sunday that one of its frigates shot down two drones in the Red Sea that were heading towards it from Yemens coast. The interception and destruction of these two identified threats were carried out late Saturday by the frigate Languedoc, which operates in the Red Sea, the general staff said in a press release. The interceptions occurred at 2030 GMT and 2230 GMT, it added, and were 110 km (68 miles) from the Yemeni coast. Last week, the Huthis attacked two ships off the Yemeni coast, including a Bahamas-flagged vessel, claiming they were Israeli-owned. And last month, the rebel forces seized the Galaxy Leader, an Israeli-linked cargo vessel. We warn all ships and companies against dealing with Israeli ports, the latest Huthi statement said. It added that all ships linked to Israel or that will transport goods to Israeli ports are not welcome in the Red Sea, a vital channel for global trade linked to the Suez Canal. Beyond maritime attacks, the Huthis have launched a series of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel since the deadly attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas triggered all-out war. The militants poured over the border into Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping about 240 others, according to Israeli officials. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, and launched a military offensive in Gaza that has killed at least 17,700 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry. The spike in maritime incidents prompted G7 foreign ministers at a meeting earlier this month to urge the rebels to cease threats to international shipping and to release the Galaxy Leader. The UAE Built Environment Sustainability Blueprint is a major stride in the path towards climate neutrality by 2050, as it outlines the country's plans to implement leading practices and transform the building and construction sector, reported the Emirates News Agency (Wam) citing a senior official. The UAE, as part of its net zero by 2050 target in the third update to its Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), is seeking to reduce its emissions by over 40 per cent by 2030, with the building and construction sector expected to cut half of its emissions by 2030, stated Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, She noted that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure are working on several initiatives and policies, such as reviewing building codes, expanding the scope of retrofits, and rolling out energy-efficient solutions to achieve these ambitious goals. Al Mubarak pointed out that the building and construction sector was at the nexus of both the challenge and solution of climate change, as it contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. International Energy Agency provides more than 40% of the solutions needed to boost energy intensity improvements, with the sector being essential to Paris Agreement commitments and the UAE's climate neutrality target, she added. The judges who are responsible for overseeing Egypts presidential elections in various governorates have all arrived at their designated polling stations, the Executive Director of the National Election Authority (NEA) Ahmed Bendari announced in a statement to the press on Saturday. Presidential elections will commence from 10-12 December at 11,631 sub-committees set up across 9,376 polling stations nationwide, according to the NEA. Voting abroad was held from 1-3 December at Egyptian diplomatic missions across 121 countries. In his statement, Bendari noted that the judges are currently being provided with the electoral process documents by the heads of the primary courts in the governorates. The election authority will announce the final results on 18 December if no run-off is required. Candidates running for the 2024 presidential race include incumbent President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, who is running for a third term in office and whose electoral symbol is a star; and Farid Zahran, the leftist opposition Social Democratic Party candidate with the sun as his electoral symbol. Other contenders are Abdel-Sanad Yamama, representing the Wafd party with the palm tree as his electoral symbol; and Hazem Omar, the candidate from the People's Republican Party with the ladder as his symbol. Search Keywords: Short link: Top 10 Flagships Coming to India in Early 2024: Samsung Galaxy S24 Series, OnePlus 12, Realme GT 5 Pro Features oi -Carlsen Martin With the recent arrival of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chipsets, several OEMs have already began pushing out flagship smartphones, while several others also have plans to release devices of their own in the first half of 2024. If you are looking to make a flagship upgrade, then it is worth waiting a couple of months for the next generation of premium smartphones to hit Indian markets. To keep you better informed, here's a quick list of the top 10 flagships that are most likely coming to India in the first half of 2024. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra We saved the most anticipated phone on this list for No.1! The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to make its debut in India in the latter half of January or the start of February 2024. Despite its early launch, Samsung's top-tier Galaxy S series smartphone often tends to be the best Android flagship of the year. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC 120Hz QHD+ LTPO AMOLED Display 200 MP (OIS) + 12 MP + 10 MP (3x Zoom, OIS) + 50 MP (5x Zoom, OIS) 5,000 mAh Battery, Wired/Wireless Fast Charging OnePlus 12 5G The OnePlus 12 5G is expected to make its debut in India and globally on January 23 or 24, 2024. The OnePlus 12 5G has already been unveiled in China, giving us an in-depth look at its specs. The OnePlus 12 5G price starts from CNY 4,299 (roughly Rs 50,700) in China. We expect the OnePlus 12 price in India to start from Rs 60,000. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC 120Hz 2K Pro-XDR LTPO OLED Display 50 MP Sony LYTIA LYT-808 (OIS) + 48 MP Sony IMX581 + 64 MP Omnivision O64B (3x Zoom, OIS) 5,400 mAh Battery, 100W Wired Charging, 50W Wireless Charging Realme GT 5 Pro While there is no official launch date, we expect the Realme GT 5 Pro to arrive in India and other global markets in the first quarter of 2024. The Realme GT 5 Pro was already unveiled in China with a starting price of CNY 3,399 (roughly Rs 39,900). We believe that the phone will start from around Rs 50,000 in India. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC 144Hz 1.5K Pro-XDR LTPO OLED Display 50 MP Sony LYTIA LYT-808 (OIS) + 8 MP + 50 MP Sony IMX890 (3x Zoom, OIS) 5,400 mAh Battery, 100W Wired Charging, 50W Wireless Charging iQOO 12 5G Unlike most other smartphones on this list, the iQOO 12 is dropping in India on December 12, 2023. The iQOO 12 5G will debut as India's first Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powered smartphone. According to reports, the iQOO 12 5G price in India could start from Rs 52,999 for the base model. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC 144Hz 1.5K OLED Display 50 MP 1/1.3-inch light tracing sensor (OIS) + 50 MP + 64 MP (3x Zoom, OIS) 5,000 mAh Battery, 120W Wired Charging Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus Apart from the flagship Galaxy S24 Ultra, we can also expect the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus to arrive early in 2024. The two Galaxy S24 smartphones could use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC or the Exynos 2400 chip, depending on the region. The vanilla S24 will also give users a compact alternative. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Exynos 2400 SoC 120Hz FHD+ OLED Display 50 MP (OIS) + 12 MP + 10 MP (3x Zoom, OIS) Xiaomi 14 Pro The Xiaomi 14 Pro was the first smartphone to use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and it will likely drop in India in the first half of 2024. The Xiaomi 14 Pro features a formidable specs sheet complete with Leica branded cameras. We expect the Xiaomi 14 Pro price in India to start from upwards of Rs 70,000. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC 120Hz 2K LTPO OLED Display 50 MP Hunter 900 Custom (OIS) + 50 MP + 50 MP (3x Zoom, OIS) 4880 mAh Battery, 100W Wired Charging, 50W Wireless Charging Vivo X100, Vivo X100 Pro The Vivo X100 series global and India launch date is expected to take place earlier than usual. The smartphone maker recently announced that the Vivo X100 series global launch will be held on December 14. The Vivo X100 series deviates from the Snapdragon norm and opts for a MediaTek chipset. MediaTek Dimensity 9300 SoC 120Hz LTPO OLED Display 50 MP Sony IMX920 VCS Bionic (OIS) + 50 MP + 64 MP (OIS) - Vivo X100 50 MP Sony IMX989 (OIS) + 50 MP + 50 MP (OIS) - Vivo X100 Pro Asus ROG Phone 8 Asus recently teased the launch of the ROG Phone 8 globally. We expect the Asus ROG Phone 8 to make its global debut in January 2024. Asus claim that the ROG Phone 8 will go "beyond gaming". It also features a more subtle design over past iterations. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC 165Hz FHD+ AMOLED Display or 120Hz OLED Display (Presumably LTPO Screen) 50 MP (OIS) + 13 MP + Unknown Telephoto 6,000 mAh Battery, 65W Wired Charging iPhone SE (2024) The iPhone SE is also due for a refresh in 2024. The iPhone SE (2024) or iPhone SE 4 is expected to arrive sometime in March or April 2024 and is expected to get major upgrades over its predecessor. The iPhone SE (2024) price in India will likely fall under the 50K mark. A15 Bionic SoC 12 MP (OIS) Main Camera Battery Size to more than double over iPhone SE 3 First iPhone SE with OLED display from BOE Oppo Find X7 Series According to reports, the Oppo Find X7 series could be arriving in China in January or February 2024. The Oppo Find X7 series is our honorable mention as it isn't likely to make its way to India, but we can still hope. The Find X7 is expected to house the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chipset, while the Oppo Find X7 Pro is likely to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. Best Mobiles in India ANN WRIGHT/The Daily Sentinel The Wertman family and their roles in Elf the Musical: Nathan, left, is a fake Santa and backstage help; Mollie, right, is an elf, a New Yorker and a Macys worker; Sydney, second from left, has been in many Theatre Project shows, but not this one; and Carolyn, second from right, is an elf, present and New York kid. On Sunday, over 9,000 polling stations nationwide will open their doors at 9am to millions of eligible voters to cast their ballot for one of four candidates to become the countrys next president. From Sunday till Tuesday, about 67 million eligible voters inside Egypt will have the opportunity to choose their president for the next six years by casting their ballots at 11,631 sub-committees set up across 9,376 polling stations nationwide. Eligible voters can inquire about their electoral committees and polling stations by entering their 14-digit national identification number on the NEA website. The process will be supervised by 15,000 judges in the subcommittees and polling stations. The election authority is scheduled to announce the final results on 18 December if no run-off is required. Voting abroad was held from 1-3 December at 137 Egyptian embassies and consulates across 121 countries. Students and teachers at 10,085 schools across the country that will be used as voting locations will get the three days off. Local and international observers On Wednesday, the NEA announced that it approved 24 embassies, 67 diplomats, and 220 international observers from 14 foreign organizations, along with 68 local organizations and 22,340 local observers from six local NGOs to observe the elections Among the regional organizations are the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) which are participating in a joint mission. The mission is comprised of 70 observers including African Union-accredited ambassadors, members of African civil society organizations, African election officials and experts, and human rights specialists. The mission will deploy to 16 of Egypts 25 governorates. The Arabic Parliament, the legislative body of the League of Arab States, said it would send the largest delegation of observers in its history, although it did not reveal the exact number. Locally, several Egyptian NGOs will observe the elections, including the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR), which announced that it will deploy its 188 accredited observers across the country. The NEA has also approved 4,218 media observers representing a wide range of agencies, newspapers, channels, and media outlets to cover the elections. The candidates Four candidates are vying for the presidency, with current president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi considered the frontrunner. El-Sisi announced his intention to run for a third term on 2 October, heeding the call of Egyptians once again, and I am determined to run for president, backed by over 1.1 million endorsements from citizens and 424 from MPs. In 2019, Egypt passed constitutional amendments extending presidential term limits from four to six years. The current president was first elected in 2014 in a landslide victory with 96.91 percent of the votes against renowned Nasserite and opposition figure Hamdeen Sabbahi. In 2018, he secured another landslide victory with 97 percent of the votes against the less-known Ghad Party Leader Moussa Mostafa Moussa. This time, El-Sisi is running against three rivals rather than just one. The other three candidates are Farid Zahran, the leftist opposition Social Democratic Party leader and candidate with the sun as his electoral symbol. Other contenders are Abdel-Sanad Yamama, representing the Wafd party with the palm tree as his electoral symbol; and Hazem Omar, the candidate from the People's Republican Party with the ladder as his symbol. In this race, El-Sisi maintained the star as an electoral symbol just like in the presidential elections of 2014 and 2018. Search Keywords: Short link: Antoine Robidoux founded Fort Uncompahgre in Colorado and Fort Uintah in Utah. Denis Julien was associated with Robidoux and probably worked for him at Fort Uintah during the 1830s. Scott Crabtree/The Daily Sentinel The Fruita 8/9 School will be affected by grade reconfiguration in Fruita starting with the 2024-25 school year. Currently Fruita Middle School serves the 6ht and 7th grade students and Fruita 8/9 handles the 8th and 9th graders. Fruita Middle School will close and Fruita 8/9 will become the new Fruita Middle School for grades 6-8. Ninth graders will be absorbed into Fruita Monument High School. Thu Thursday 34 /15 Morning clouds followed by afternoon sun. Highs in the mid 30s and lows in the mid teens. Canada welcomes the news of a joint statement by Armenia and Azerbaijan Global Affairs Canada Statement December 8, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: "Canada welcomes the joint statement by Armenia and Azerbaijan reconfirming their intention to establish and deepen bilateral dialogue and announcing confidence building and goodwill measures offered by the two countries. "Canada welcomes the release of two Azerbaijani and 32 Armenian servicemembers and positively notes the support the countries have declared to one another in international bodies. We acknowledge this unprecedented opening in political dialogue as a step forward in the ongoing peace process between the two countries. "We commend Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for their joint efforts towards establishing peace and stability in the region. Canada supports a negotiated political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, based on the Helsinki principles, and encourages further concrete confidence building measures between Armenia and Azerbaijan. "Canada encourages the continuation of dialogue between the parties and remains committed to support peace and stability in the South Caucasus." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Trilateral Meeting with the National Security Advisors of Japan and the Republic of Korea December 08, 2023 On Saturday, December 9, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with ROK National Security Advisor Cho Tae-Yong and Japanese National Security Advisor Takeo Akiba for the fourth trilateral National Security Advisors trilateral meeting of the Biden-Harris Administration. Their meeting follows just four months after the historic Camp David Summit, in which President Biden, President Yoon, and Prime Minister Kishida launched a new era of trilateral cooperation. The National Security Advisors reviewed progress on a wide range of trilateral initiatives, including the Commitment to Consult on regional crises, the sharing of ballistic missile defense data, and our collective efforts to respond to the DPRK's use of cryptocurrency to generate revenue for its illicit WMD programs. They also discussed next steps in trilateral cooperation on economic security, including our supply chain early warning initiative, and on our efforts to align our three countries respective Indo-Pacific Strategies and capacity efforts throughout the region. National Security Advisors Sullivan, Cho, and Akiba also discussed the deepening partnership between the DPRK and Russia and agreed to work in close coordination to counter its destabilizing effects. They reaffirmed the fundamental importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and underscored their commitment to freedom of navigation and to international law, including in the South China Sea and East China Sea. National Security Advisor Sullivan thanked National Security Advisor Cho and National Security Advisor Akiba for the ROK and Japan's unwavering commitment to the people of Ukraine. He praised the courageous work undertaken by the ROK and Japan to strengthen their bilateral ties, noting that their efforts had allowed our three countries to commence and institutionalize a new era of trilateral partnership that will be a force for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific for years to come. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Stability of the Western Balkans crucial for security of Central Europe Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces of the Czech Republic Author: by editorial staff (ob) 9.12.2023 Not only Ukraine and the Middle East - the situation in the Western Balkans largely affects the security in Europe too. "The Western Balkans tend to be omitted. The mission of Central European countries is to alert to that, including on the EU level," said Defence Minister Jana Cernochova at the conclusion of the CEDC plus Western Balkans meeting. The representatives of thirteen countries met in Prague yesterday and today to discuss the security situation in the region as well as practical military and expert cooperation. In Prague, Visegrad Four Defence Ministers agreed on a joint communique to reaffirm the importance of the V4 defence cooperation. Besides the Czech Republic, which is holding the CEDC Presidency in this year, the membership of the Central European Defence Cooperation includes Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Austria and Poland, which has the observer status. Established more than a decade ago, the CEDC format has served for Ministers to address the issues of Western Balkans region and defence cooperation within the EU. For this iteration, they were joined in Prague by representatives of six Western Balkan countries. According to Minister Jana Cernochova, the CEDC furnishes highly valued opportunities for mutual dialogue. The Western Balkans are one of the priorities of the Czech Republic's foreign policy, and the stability of the region is a key interest of the Central European countries. The meeting was also unique by bringing together the representatives of states that have uneasy relations. Dozens of KFOR service personnel injured during unrests in Northern Kosovo in May testify to the fragile state of stability in this region of Southeast Europe. According to Minister Cernochova, it is therefore necessary to carefully follow the developments there. "The relations between Belgrade and Pristina are crucial for the stability and security of the whole Western Balkans region. (...) Russia as well as other actors are very active in the Western Balkans and act against our interests. Therefore, we have to seek ways to strengthen cooperation with our partners there. Our goal must be to offer a more attractive alternative," Minister Cernochova stated. The Czech Republic has been actively involved in that endeavour - it has continuously assigned its service members to KFOR in Kosovo and EUFOR Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where their number has even increased this year. In addition, the Czech Republic deployed a Military Police unit to KFOR, supports its partners and contributes police units for the protection of their borders, especially on the so-called Balkan Route - since 2015, Czech Police officers have been involved in the provision of border security in Hungary, Slovenia and Northern Macedonia for instance. In 2023, the Czech Republic donated approximately EUR 60 thousand to Bosnia and Herzegovina to support building cyber defence capabilities. Last but not least, the Czech Republic has advocated the integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU on a sustained basis. The Czech CEDC Presidency primarily focused on strengthening practical expert cooperation: "Logistics, non-military crisis management and cadet academic training courses were held in cooperation with Austria. With the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we organised a conference on the subject of facing hybrid threats in the context of the Western Balkans region. We also held a workshop to share experience from the implementation of projects funded using the European Peace Facility, which are designed for defence capacity building in partner states," Minister Cernochova expanded on the activities in support of the region. Ukraine: We have to get ready for a long run The war in Ukraine has already lasted 653 days. Now the conflict in Gaza is ongoing. The Russian aggression carries on and continues to pose an immediate threat to the European security, Minister Cernochova emphasised. "We must not forget one war over the other, because that only plays into the hands of Putin and Russia," she said. It is obvious the war is not going to end soon and the West has to correct its excessive expectations and prepare mentally for a long run. According to Minister Cernochova, slacking our support to Kiev would recoil on Allies badly: "It would send out a single signal - the West is weak. The war in Ukraine should be also regarded as a test of our resilience and perseverance," she underlined. Conflict in Gaza Strip must not spill over into wider region In connection with the terrorist attacks by Hamas and the subsequent Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip, Minister Cernochova reiterated that Israel has an undeniable right to self-defence in accordance international law and international humanitarian law. Neither political leaders nor the public should forget how the conflict started, who the aggressor is and who the victim. She also cautioned against the spreading of the conflict into the wider region of the Middle East. "Failure to contain the conflict would have serious repercussions on Europe in terms of security, economy and migration," Minister Cernochova underscored and alerted to the recent wave of antisemitism in western metropolises, which she deems completely unacceptable. Joint communique by V4 Ministers The aim of the V4 Defence Ministerial meeting on Thursday was to present the priorities of the Czech Presidency in the field of defence, discuss the current status of the war in Ukraine and of the conflict in Gaza. In the course of its V4 Presidency, the Czech Republic seeks to deepen practical military and expert cooperation. The agenda included the future of the Visegrad Four European Union Battle Group and the relations with the Western Balkans were naturally discussed as well. V4 Defence Ministers agreed a joint communique, which accentuates the importance of the Visegrad Four defence cooperation, and noted their priorities including the development of the next V4 EU Battle Groups, reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate on a continued provision of air defence coverage to the airspace of Slovakia and agreed on the need to strengthen the defence industry. The Ministers also fully supported the right of Israel to self-defence and its effort to eliminate Hamas. "We will keep supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russia in accordance with its needs as our countries deem appropriate," the communique reads. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kosovo: Statement by the Spokesperson on the signature commercial contract between KEDS and Elektrosever European External Action Service (EEAS) 09.12.2023 EEAS Press Team The EU welcomes today's signature of the commercial contract between Kosovo energy company KEDS and the newly established company under Kosovo law, Elektrosever. This is an important step towards the full implementation of the Energy Roadmap, which was agreed in June 2022 under EU-facilitated Dialogue, enabling the implementation of the Energy Agreements of 2013 and 2015. The conclusion of this contract means that Elektrosever will start supplying electricity to the four northern Kosovo-Serb majority municipalities. This will end the non-regulated current practice. The EU commends all involved who made it possible and expects both Kosovo and Serbia to swiftly continue with the implementation of the Energy Roadmap, as well as all other Dialogue Agreements in the interest of normalisation of relations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by President von der Leyen on the political agreement on the EU AI Act European Commission Statement 9 December 2023 Brussels Artificial intelligence is already changing our everyday lives. And this is just the beginning. Used wisely and widely, AI promises huge benefits to our economy and society. Therefore, I very much welcome today's political agreement by the European Parliament and the Council on the Artificial Intelligence Act. The EU's AI Act is the first-ever comprehensive legal framework on Artificial Intelligence worldwide. So, this is a historic moment. The AI Act transposes European values to a new era. A commitment we took in our political guidelines for this Commission mandate - and we delivered. Today's agreement focuses regulation on identifiable risks, provides legal certainty and opens the way for innovation in trustworthy AI. By guaranteeing the safety and fundamental rights of people and businesses, the Act will support the human-centric, transparent and responsible development, deployment and take-up of AI in the EU. That vision guided us when we first put forward the AI Act in April 2021 - and again just a few weeks ago, when we decided to open our world-class supercomputers to European AI start-ups and SMEs. By accelerating AI training and testing, reducing training time from months to weeks, this will help the EU AI community to scale up in a responsible manner. At the same time, we are investing more than 1 billion euros per year from the Horizon Europe and Digital Europe programmes in AI research and innovation. Until the Act will be fully applicable, we will support businesses and developers to anticipate the new rules. Around 100 companies have already expressed their interest to join our AI Pact, by which they would commit on a voluntary basis to implement key obligations of the Act ahead of the legal deadline. Our AI Act will also make a substantial contribution to the development of global guardrails for trustworthy AI. We will continue our work at international level, in the G7, the OECD, the Council of Europe, the G20 and the UN. Just recently, we supported the agreement by G7 leaders under the Hiroshima AI process on International Guiding Principles and a voluntary Code of Conduct for Advanced AI systems. I would like to thank both the European Parliament and the Council for their hard and diligent work to arrive to today's agreement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Commission welcomes political agreement on Artificial Intelligence Act European Commission Press Release 9 December 2023 Brussels The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), proposed by the Commission in April 2021. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: "Artificial intelligence is already changing our everyday lives. And this is just the beginning. Used wisely and widely, AI promises huge benefits to our economy and society. Therefore, I very much welcome today's political agreement by the European Parliament and the Council on the Artificial Intelligence Act. The EU's AI Act is the first-ever comprehensive legal framework on Artificial Intelligence worldwide. So, this is a historic moment. The AI Act transposes European values to a new era. By focusing regulation on identifiable risks, today's agreement will foster responsible innovation in Europe. By guaranteeing the safety and fundamental rights of people and businesses, it will support the development, deployment and take-up of trustworthy AI in the EU. Our AI Act will make a substantial contribution to the development of global rules and principles for human-centric AI." The European approach to trustworthy AI The new rules will be applied directly in the same way across all Member States, based on a future-proof definition of AI. They follow a risk-based approach: Minimal risk: The vast majority of AI systems fall into the category of minimal risk. Minimal risk applications such as AI-enabled recommender systems or spam filters will benefit from a free-pass and absence of obligations, as these systems present only minimal or no risk for citizens' rights or safety. On a voluntary basis, companies may nevertheless commit to additional codes of conduct for these AI systems. High-risk: AI systems identified as high-risk will be required to comply with strict requirements, including risk-mitigation systems, high quality of data sets, logging of activity, detailed documentation, clear user information, human oversight, and a high level of robustness, accuracy and cybersecurity. Regulatory sandboxes will facilitate responsible innovation and the development of compliant AI systems. Examples of such high-risk AI systems include certain critical infrastructures for instance in the fields of water, gas and electricity; medical devices; systems to determine access to educational institutions or for recruiting people; or certain systems used in the fields of law enforcement, border control, administration of justice and democratic processes. Moreover, biometric identification, categorisation and emotion recognition systems are also considered high-risk. Unacceptable risk: AI systems considered a clear threat to the fundamental rights of people will be banned. This includes AI systems or applications that manipulate human behaviour to circumvent users' free will, such as toys using voice assistance encouraging dangerous behaviour of minors or systems that allow 'social scoring' by governments or companies, and certain applications of predictive policing. In addition, some uses of biometric systems will be prohibited, for example emotion recognition systems used at the workplace and some systems for categorising people or real time remote biometric identification for law enforcement purposes in publicly accessible spaces (with narrow exceptions). Specific transparency risk: When employing AI systems such as chatbots, users should be aware that they are interacting with a machine. Deep fakes and other AI generated content will have to be labelled as such, and users need to be informed when biometric categorisation or emotion recognition systems are being used. In addition, providers will have to design systems in a way that synthetic audio, video, text and images content is marked in a machine-readable format, and detectable as artificially generated or manipulated. Companies not complying with the rules will be fined. General purpose AI The AI Act introduces dedicated rules for general purpose AI models that will ensure transparency along the value chain. For very powerful models that could pose systemic risks, there will be additional binding obligations related to managing risks and monitoring serious incidents, performing model evaluation and adversarial testing. These new obligations will be operationalised through codes of practices developed by industry, the scientific community, civil society and other stakeholders together with the Commission. In terms of governance, national competent market surveillance authorities will supervise the implementation of the new rules at national level, while the creation of a new European AI Office within the European Commission will ensure coordination at European level. The new AI Office will also supervise the implementation and enforcement of the new rules on general purpose AI models. Along with the national market surveillance authorities, the AI Office will be the first body globally that enforces binding rules on AI and is therefore expected to become an international reference point. For general purpose models, a scientific panel of independent experts will play a central role by issuing alerts on systemic risks and contributing to classifying and testing the models. Next Steps The political agreement is now subject to formal approval by the European Parliament and the Council. Once the AI Act is adopted, there will be a transitional period before the Regulation becomes applicable. To bridge this time, the Commission will be launching an AI Pact. It will convene AI developers from Europe and around the world who commit on a voluntary basis to implement key obligations of the AI Act ahead of the legal deadlines. To promote rules on trustworthy AI at international level, the European Union will continue to work in fora such as the G7, the OECD, the Council of Europe, the G20 and the UN. Just recently, we supported the agreement by G7 leaders under the Hiroshima AI process on International Guiding Principles and a voluntary Code of Conduct for Advanced AI systems. Background For years, the Commission has been facilitating and enhancing cooperation on AI across the EU to boost its competitiveness and ensure trust based on EU values. Following the publication of the European Strategy on AI in 2018 and after extensive stakeholder consultation, the High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence (HLEG) developed Guidelines for Trustworthy AI in 2019, and an Assessment List for Trustworthy AI in 2020. In parallel, the first Coordinated Plan on AI was published in December 2018 as a joint commitment with Member States. The Commission's White Paper on AI, published in 2020, set out a clear vision for AI in Europe: an ecosystem of excellence and trust, setting the scene for today's political agreement. The public consultation on the White Paper on AI elicited widespread participation from across the world. The White Paper was accompanied by a 'Report on the safety and liability implications of Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things and robotics' concluding that the current product safety legislation contains a number of gaps that needed to be addressed, notably in the Machinery Directive. Independent, evidence-based research produced by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) has been fundamental in shaping the EU's AI policies and ensuring their effective implementation. Through rigorous research and analysis, the JRC has supported the development of the AI Act, informing AI terminology, risk classification, technical requirements and contributing to the ongoing development of harmonised standards. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China 'disappointed, regretful' over US veto on UNSC resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire Global Times By Global Times Published: Dec 09, 2023 03:03 PM China expressed deep disappointment and regret over the US' veto of a UN Security Council resolution draft calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, Chinese Ambassador to UN Zhang Jun said on local time Friday, criticizing the US' hypocrisy and double standards. The UN Security Council convened an emergency session during which Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that there is "a high risk of the total collapse of the humanitarian support system in Gaza, which would have devastating consequences." The draft, proposed by countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), received 13 votes and one abstention from the UK. The only rejection came from the US, a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power. After the voting, Zhang said the core of the resolution draft proposed by the UAE, on behalf of Arab countries, is to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages. This resolution has nearly 100 co-sponsoring countries, including China. We are extremely disappointed and regretful that the resolution was vetoed by the US. The two months of conflict have caused unprecedented death and destruction, and an immediate ceasefire is the prerequisite for everything. On this issue, any negative attitude is untenable, and any justification (of rejection) is feeble, Zhang said. It is contradictory to tolerate the continuation of the conflict while claiming to care about the safety and humanitarian needs of the people in Gaza. It is self-deceptive to advocate preventing the spillover of the conflict while tolerating its continuation. It is extremely hypocritical to tolerate the continuation of the conflict while paying lip service to the protection of human rights and the protection of women and children, Zhang said, "All of this once again shows us what double standards are." Zhang stated that although the resolution was vetoed, the strong international calls for a ceasefire, protection of civilians, and prevention of a greater humanitarian disaster will not diminish, and efforts by the Security Council to uphold justice and fulfil its responsibilities will not stop. We urge Israel to listen to the international community's calls, stop the collective punishment of the people in Gaza, and support further diplomatic mediation to facilitate the early release of all detained individuals. We call on all relevant parties to concentrate all efforts on the common goal of calming the flames of war in Gaza, giving the Palestinian people hope for survival, and leaving hope for peace in the Middle East, Zhang said. Since hostilities escalated in early October, more than 17,000 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 4,000 women and 7,000 children. Tens of thousands are reportedly injured, and many are missing, presumably under the rubble, according to Guterres who reported the recent situation in Middle East at the Friday session. "Attacks from air, land and sea are intense, continuous and widespread. So far, they have reportedly hit 339 education facilities, 26 hospitals, 56 healthcare facilities, 88 mosques and three churches," Guterres said. The Secretary-General in a letter to the Security Council on December 6, made the rare move to invoke the Article 99. It says the UN chief "may bring to attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion, may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security." This is the first time Guterres invoked the Article since he took office in 2017. "The Israel-Palestine conflict has been escalating over the last two months with the humanitarian crisis aggravating despite a short-lived temporary cease-fire. The UN overall has not played its role of promoting peace due to the interference of the US, and its functions have been rendered mute," Sun Degang, director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times. Analysts urged the US to listen to the joint calls of the international community and expressed the hope that the US can coordinate with China to realize a phased ceasefire to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 9th, 20:15 IDF Press Release Press Briefing 09.12.23 IDF Good evening, In the past day, IDF soldiers intensified the fighting in the Khan Yunis area. Underground tunnel shafts and weapons were located and many terrorists were eliminated in the battles. In Shejaiya and Jabaliya, terrorists who surrendered handed over weapons and equipment. Investigations of the surrendered terrorists and commanders in the area reveal that the operative's on the ground are in a difficult situation and the Hamas leadership, led by Yahya Sinwar, denies the reality despite being updated on the details. The operatives complain that the Hamas leadership is disconnected from the difficult situation they face on the ground. There is also a growing sense that the underground Hamas leadership does not care about the civilian population above ground. This is very concerning for Hamas' military operatives. The intelligence that emerges from the investigations generates additional targets, aiding us in operational activity. In the north, last night, IAF fighter jets struck a series of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including operational headquarters. Throughout the day, IDF soldiers returned fire at sources from which launches from Lebanese territory were detected. Today, we announced that five IDF soldiers fell in combat in the Gaza Strip, as well as the serious injury of 15 soldiers over the weekend. We embrace the families of the fallen and accompany the wounded, who are part of the IDF family forever. The bravery of the fallen and wounded is a testament to the dedication and determination that our soldiers demonstrate on the battlefield. In close-quarter battles with terrorists inside Hamas' terror strongholds, our soldiers remain with the upper hand. They are our real heroes and we all salute them. This evening, IDF representatives updated the family of the late Sahar Baruch, who was kidnapped on October 7. Sahar was murdered by the Hamas terrorist organization. We are still verifying and investigating the details regarding the place of his murder. The IDF and the ISA will continue to operate in all operational and intelligence efforts in order to bring back the 137 hostages, as well as Hadar Goldin, Oron Shaul, Avra Mangisto and Hisham al-Sayed home. To bring everyone back home. The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, lit the third Hanukkah candle this evening together with the reservists of the Nahal Brigade. From here we wish you a happy holiday and are expressing our great appreciation to all the supporting families of the reservists, thanks to your support at home we are fighting with determination on the front. To all the spouses, children and parents, I thank you on behalf of the entire IDF and wish you all a happy holiday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen warns it will target ships heading towards Israel IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 9, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- The Yemeni Armed Forces have issued a statement warning that they will prevent all ships, regardless of their nationality, from heading towards Israel if Gaza does not receive food and medicine. The statement was issued by the spokesman of the Yemeni army Yahya Saree on Saturday night. "If Gaza does not receive the food and medicine it needs, all ships in the Red Sea bound for Israeli ports, regardless of their nationality, will become a target for our armed forces," the statement said, according to Reuters. The Yemeni army warned all shipping companies against cooperating with the Israeli regime, saying that the ban follows Yemen's successful operations to prevent Israeli vessels from navigating in the Arab and Red seas. Since the Gaza war began on October 7, the Yemeni army has launched a series of operations against Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea and conducted missile and drone strikes on Israeli positions in solidarity with the Palestinians in the besieged territory. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah strikes five Israeli military bases IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 9, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah says it has targeted five Israeli military bases and a command center, as the Israeli regime intensifies its attacks on the Gaza Strip. In a statement on Saturday, Hezbollah said its fighters carried out a missile attack against the Israeli military base in the Shebaa Farms region, a small strip of land at the intersection of the Lebanese-Syrian border and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. It added that the strike result in casualties among Israeli forces. Hezbollah also said that its forces targeted Israeli positions in the town of Ramya, causing substantial damage and casualties among the occupying troops. An Israeli military site in Metula, a town in the northern occupied Palestinian territories, was also hit by Hezbollah forces, it added. Tensions have significantly escalated between Hezbollah and Israel since October 7, when the occupying regime launched a full-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinian resistance continues heroic confrontation with Zionist regime in Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 9, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- In a display of unwavering courage and determination, the Palestinian resistance continues to bravely confront the Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip and has inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in terms of human lives and equipment. Ground clashes between resistance fighters and Israeli military forces in northern Gaza and the eastern areas of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza continue at the same time as the regime's bombardments, Al Jazeera reported on Saturday. Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas Resistance movement, announced that its fighters engaged Israeli forces in the axis east of the city of Khan Yunis with an Al-Yassin 105 missile and also hit an Israeli Merkava tank. Al-Qassam Brigades added that they targeted enemy command headquarters in the southern area of Gaza City with heavy mortars. They also targeted the gathering of Israeli forces in the northern area of Khan Yunis with mortar shells. The Zionist regime waged its war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas launched an operation against the occupied territories on that day in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. Tel Aviv also blocked water, food, and electricity to Gaza, plunging the coastal strip into a humanitarian crisis. More than 17,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed in the Israeli strikes. 3266**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sana'a reports progress in peace talks with Saudi Arabia IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 9, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- The head of the negotiating delegation from Sana'a has announced progress in removing some of the major obstacles to peace during talks with Saudi Arabia, including withdrawal of foreign forces from Yemen. Mohammad Abdul-Salam said on Saturday that during discussions with Hans Grundberg, the UN special envoy for Yemen, progress in the ongoing peace talks was discussed. The two sides exchanged views on the need to release of all prisoners and detainees and the withdrawal of foreign forces from Yemen, Al Mayadeen reported. The Ansarullah official said a peace roadmap for Yemen was moving forward to ensure an end to the aggression and siege of the country. Among other topics discussed were reconstruction efforts and paying wages to all civil servants and government employees. Abdul-Salam also expressed appreciation for Oman's efforts in mediating talks with Saudi Arabia. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Egypts Al-Azhar, the worlds leading Sunni Islamic institution, has welcomed the recently passed law by the Danish Parliament that criminalizes the burning of the Holy Quran an incident that has recently occurred repeatedly in the West, including Denmark. In a statement on Saturday, Al-Azhar hailed the step as commendable and appreciated, adding that it would put an end to attempts to infringe upon and attack the sanctities of Muslims. It also views the law as a step towards reducing the intensity of anti-Muslim hate speech and therefore promotes citizenship, societal peace, and world peace, added the statement. Al-Azhar expressed its hope that the move would encourage other European countries that have witnessed similar incidents to enact legislation that prohibits the insulting of religions and religious sanctities. Recently, Denmark and Sweden have been a spot for protests that witnessed burnings of copies of the Quran, the most notable of which took place in July in front of Muslim and Arab diplomatic missions in Denmark. The incidents escalated tensions with Arab and Muslim countries that called for action against religious hatred. In protest of the acts, Egypt summoned the Danish ambassador to Egypt the charge daffaires at the Swedish Embassy in Cairo. Other Arab countries also followed suit. Denmark itself condemned the burnings as "provocative and shameful acts". However, it stated that it did not have the power to ban non-violent demonstrators. On Thursday, the Danish parliament passed a law that criminalises the "inappropriate treatment of writings with significant importance for a recognized religious community." The bill received 94 votes in favour versus 77 votes against in the 179-member parliament, also known as the Folketing. Search Keywords: Short link: US concerned about expansion of Gaza war to Lebanon: Report IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 9, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- The United States is trying to prevent the expansion of the Zionist regime's war on the Gaza Strip to Lebanon, according to a report. Lebanon's Al Joumhouria daily, citing informed sources, reported that the US has exerted intense pressure to prevent the expansion of the scope of the war to the Lebanese front and Tel Aviv has yielded to the pressures. At the same time, the sources emphasized, Washington is still concerned that Hezbollah will take advantage of the situation and intensify its actions against the Zionist army, increasing the possibility of a large-scale conflict that will directly involve Lebanon. The sources also mentioned the actions of the Tel Aviv authorities to reassure the residents close to Lebanon and eliminate their fears. They said Washington is still concerned that Hezbollah will take advantage of the situation and intensify its actions against the Zionist regime's army, increasing the possibility of a large-scale conflict that will directly involve Lebanon. The Tel Aviv regime is also trying to reassure the settlers close to the Lebanese border of their security and eliminate their fears, the sources further said. It comes as Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement said it targeted a military base of the Zionist regime of Israel's army in Ramyeh in southern Lebanon late on Friday. Citing Hezbollah, Al Jazeera reported that a group of individuals were killed or wounded but did not mention the exact number of the dead or the injured. The Zionist regime waged the deadly war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, into the occupied territories. The occupying entity has also been involved in confrontations with Hezbollah since the onset of the war. 4354**7129 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran slams US for vetoing UNSC ceasefire resolution IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 9, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has strongly criticized the US for vetoing the United Nations Security Council resolution in Gaza. The US government once again proved that it is the main actor and agent in the killing of civilians and Palestinian citizens, especially women and children, and the destruction of vital infrastructure in Gaza, Kanaani said on Saturday in reaction to the US vetoing the UNSC ceasefire resolution in Gaza. He added that since the beginning of the brutal invasion of the child-killing Zionist regime against Gaza, the US has repeatedly proven its alliance and cooperation with the apartheid regime of Israel in committing war crimes and genocide against the Palestinian nation. The US authorities, who expressed their fake concern for the lives of children and civilians in Gaza, delivered their 200th shipment of weapons and military aid to the child-killing Israeli military last week, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed. He also criticized Washington's unrelenting military and political support for the Israeli regime's barbaric crimes against the defenseless Palestinian nation residing in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The United States has vetoed a UNSC demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza. 13 UNSC members voted in favor of the draft resolution, put forward by the United Arab Emirates on Friday, while the United Kingdom abstained. 6125**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah says targets Zionist regime's military base IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 9, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement has issued a statement to announce that it targeted a military base of the Zionist regime of Israel's army. Via proper weapon, Hezbollah targeted the Zionist base in Ramyeh in southern Lebanon late on Friday, the Arabic language news channel Al Jazeera said in a report which was cited by the IRNA on Saturday. The Zionist military base was attacked through direct targeting and a group of individuals were killed or wounded, but the report has not mentioned to the exact number of the dead or the injured, according to Al Jazeera. After the incident, the warning alarm at the Zionist Al Malkiya base near Lebanon's was sounded, the report said. The report added that the Zionist forces have bombarded the vicinity of Ayta ash Shab village in southern Lebanon two times. Hezbollah confirmed martyrdom of three of its members on Friday. The Lebanon's resistance movement said it targeted one of the Zionists' bases near Lebanon's border, the attack led to killing two Zionist military forces. 1483**7129 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Amirabdollahian, Guterres review latest situation in Palestine over phone IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 9, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has had a phone conversation with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the latest developments in Palestine. Amirabdollahian in his phone call with Guterres said that the Zionist regime's claims of violation of ceasefire terms by Hamas are completely false, the IRNA reported on Saturday. He added that despite efforts for the continuation of the truce, the US's support for the continuation of the Israeli regime's military attacks has made it difficult to achieve a lasting ceasefire. Appreciating Guterres's action in invoking "Article 99 of the United Nations Charter" regarding the developments in Palestine and Gaza, Amirabdollahia emphasized that this is a brave action to maintain international peace and security. The UN Secretary General, for his part, said that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Guterres added that invoking Article 99 of the UN Charter has not been done since 1989, but due to the complex situation in Gaza and Palestine, the process has been invoked. He called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to avert a humanitarian catastrophe. 6125**7129 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US vetoes UN Security Council resolution on immediate truce in Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 9, 2023 New York, IRNA -- The United States on Friday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as the Zionist regime continues its relentless bombardment of the besieged territory. Thirteen members of the council voted in favor of the resolution, put forward by the United Arab Emirates, while Britain abstained. Israeli Ambassador to the US Gilad Erdan thanked Washington "for standing firmly by our side," insisting that a ceasefire will be possible "only with the return of all the hostages and the destruction of Hamas." It came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, in a rare move to formally warn the Security Council of the global threat from Israel's devastating war on Gaza. The situation in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory "may aggravate existing threats to the maintenance of international peace and security," Guterres warned. The US on October 18 vetoed a UN Security Council resolution put forward by Brazil that demanded humanitarian pauses in Gaza. The Zionist regime waged the war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, into the occupied territories. At least 17,177 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and more than 46,000 others wounded since the occupying entity waged the ongoing war on Gaza. 4354**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas hails Iran's efforts to restore calm to Gaza ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 9 December 2023 / 09:41 Iran's Foreign Minister had phone conversations with the head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement Hamas and Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement. Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian had a phone conversation with the head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, on Friday. They discussed the latest developments on the battlefield as well as political measures regarding Palestine and the ongoing Zionist regime's brutal raids on the Gaza Strip. During the talks, Amirabdollahian informed Haniyeh of the latest diplomatic moves and measures by Islamic and Arab states and also the Islamic Republic of Iran in the international domain aimed at supporting the Palestinian people, denouncing the Zionist regime's war crimes, and stopping the merciless slaughter of people in Gaza and the West Bank. The Iranian foreign minister praised the United Nations Secretary General for invoking Article 99 of the Security Council Charter, describing it a rare and valuable move to establish peace and security in the world. Amirabdollahian noted that the Gaza crisis was one of the significant subjects raised during the talks held on Thursday between Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. He stated, "Important talks were held between the Iranian and Russian presidents on the Palestinian issue." Meanwhile, the head of the political buearu of the Hamas movement, praised the Islamic Republic of Iran for its established and consistent stance in support of the Palestinian nation and also Iran's extensive diplomatic efforts in the region and beyond to stop the Zionists' crimes against the Palestinian nation. He also elaborated on the latest situation in Gaza amid the Zionist regime's ongoing crimes and massacre of civilians. Haniyeh reiterated, "With God's assistance, the resistance will continue until the Zionists' crimes stop and the occupation of Palestine is completely over." Amirabdollahian aslso had a phone conversation on Friday with the Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement Ziyad al-Nakhalah, on the latest developments in Palestine. During the talks, the Iranian foreign minister updated al-Nakhalah on the latest diplomatic moves by Arab and Islamic countries as well as the Islamic Republic of Iran to support the Palestinian people, including the recent talks between the Iranian and Russian presidents in Moscow. Meanwhile, Amirabdollahian underlined the necessity for immediate and effective measures on the part of the international community and responsible world bodies to put an end to the Zionist regime's war crimes. For his part, the secretary general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement expressed his gratitude over Islamic-Arab efforts and also the Islamic Republic of Iran's measures. Al-Nakhalah handed a report on the latest developments in the battlefield and also the Palestinian resistance factions' complete preparedness to confront the Zionist regime's brutal attacks and defend the people in Gaza. End item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baerbock: Germany welcomes Iran's assistance to reduce tensions in the region ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 9 December 2023 / 09:36 Iranian Foreign Minsiter has in a phone conversation with his German counterpart discussed the latest Palestinian developments as well as bilateral ties. Tehran (ISNA) - Iranian Foreign Minsiter Hossein Amirabdollahian has, in a phone conversation with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, discussed the latest Palestinian developments as well as bilateral ties. During the talk, Amirabdollahian touched upon the continuation of the killing of civilians, women and children in Gaza and the West Bank, urging the international community to pay due regard to this issue of significance and relevant to human rights. He condemned the genocide in Gaza and referred to the root cause of the crisis, saying the politicial solution is to hold a referendum by the United Nations among the original residents of Palestine, including Christians, Muslims and Jews. As for Tehran-Berlin relations, Amirabdollahian touched upon cultural and historical bonds between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Germany, saying, "Mutual respect and focusing on common interests is the prerequisite to the maintenance and enhancement of bilateral relations on different fronts, and, within the same framework, the Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the expansion of ties between Tehran and Berlin." The top German diplomat, in turn, referred to Palestinian developments, underscoring the necessity of not expanding the sphere of the crisis. She said the Gaza crisis can be settled only through political solutions. Baerbock reaffirmed that human rights principles should be observed, adding Germany welcomes Iran's assistance in reducing tension. In the phone conversation, the two sides also highlighted the importance of maintaining the channel of dialog to help boost bilateral cooperation. The pair also discussed some consular issues. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US vetoes UN Security Council resolution for Gaza ceasefire ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 9 December 2023 / 09:28 The United States on Friday vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, "diplomatically" shielding its ally. Tehran (ISNA) - The US deputy representative at the UN, Robert Wood, said the resolution was "divorced from reality" and "would have not moved the needle forward on the ground." Thirteen Security Council members voted in favor of a brief draft resolution, presented through the UAE, and Britain abstained. The vote came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked the UN charter's Article 99 for it on Wednesday. "The United Arab Emirates is deeply disappointed," said the representative of the UAE who had sponsored the resolution calling for a ceasefire. "Regrettably... this council is unable to demand a humanitarian ceasefire." The US resort to its veto power comes after the Palestinian Health Ministry revealed that the death toll from the Israeli aggression on Gaza has risen to 17,487 martyrs, over 70% of which are children and women, with 56,400 citizens injured with various injuries since the launch of the Israeli war on October 7. The Ministry added that in the past hours of Friday, over 300 Palestinians were martyred and 600 others injured due to the Israeli bombing of various areas of the Gaza Strip. Of course, Washington defended its veto and attacked the resolution's sponsors, criticizing them for "rushing it through" and leaving the call for an unconditional ceasefire unchanged. "This resolution still contains a call for an unconditional ceasefire... it would leave Hamas in place able to repeat what it did on October 7," said US deputy UN representative Robert Wood. The United States said it opposed an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the UN Security Council meeting on Friday. "While the United States strongly supports the durable peace, in which both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security, we do not support calls for an immediate ceasefire," said Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Latvia and USA sign an agreement on purchase of Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence Systems Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence 12/09/2023 International cooperation Capabilities Information prepared by Media Relations Section On Friday, 8 December, Defence Minister Andris Spruds and Ambassador of the United States of America to Latvia, H.E. Mr Christopher Robinson, announced the agreement on purchase of Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence Systems produced by Norwegian company Kongsberg and the US manufacturer Raytheon. "We highly appreciate the contribution of the US to our national security at a time when the world is facing various geopolitical challenges. Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence Systems will expand the range of capabilities available to the National Armed Forces and will play an integral role in our national defence. It will enable us to protect our coastal area and safety of shipping lanes. These systems will also be available for Alliance's collective defence when necessary," Defence Minister Andris Spruds said. "With today's announcement, we mark an important milestone in the longstanding security cooperation between the United States and Latvia. Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine has shown that democratic countries need to stand together at the guard of their sovereignty, values and freedom. The United States is proud to support Latvia in building its defensive capabilities," US Ambassador Christopher Robinson highlighted. The total cost of the procurement will reach USD 105 million. US will also provide major financial support in the acquisition of Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence Systems, covering 70% of the total costs, while Latvia will cover the remaining 30% of agreed costs. Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System can hit targets on sea and land within the range of up to 185 kilometres. These systems are also used by other NATO member states, such as USA, Poland, Germany, Norway, Romania, the United Kingdom, Canada and the Netherlands. Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence Systems will be delivered in 2027. As reported earlier, in April of 2022 Saeima (Parliament of Latvia) adopted amendments to the Law on Financing National Defence. According to the Law, national defence spending will be gradually raised to 2.5% of the projected annual gross domestic product by 2025. Moreover, according to National Armed Force missile capability programme, priority capabilities include naval strike missile coastal defence systems, medium range air defence systems and artillery systems. Additional funding approved for these purposes will speed up the development of critical National Armed Force capabilities by approximately five years compared to initial plans. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNICEF: Israeli restrictions on aid delivery to Gaza death sentence for children Iran Press TV Saturday, 09 December 2023 11:37 PM The United Nations children's agency has strongly slammed Israel's complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, which is under the regime's genocidal war, calling it a death sentence for children in the territory. Adele Khodr, UNICEF's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, made the comment on Saturday, while explaining about the dire humanitarian situation across Gaza. "Our team on the ground describes meeting children with missing limbs and third-degree burns, and children left shell-shocked by the continuing violence that surrounds them," Khodr said. Reflecting on the impact of Israel's total siege of Gaza on children, the UNICEF official said, "Close to one million children have been forcibly displaced from their homes, pushed into tiny, overcrowded areas without water, food, or protection, putting them at increased risk of respiratory infections and waterborne diseases." She described Israel's restrictions on delivering lifesaving aid into the Gaza Strip as "another death sentence for children," adding that the quantities of aid entering the blockaded territory "are far from adequate, and the challenges have been intensified due to ongoing Israeli bombing and fuel shortages." Khodr stressed that an immediate, long-lasting humanitarian ceasefire is the only solution to end the suffering of children and civilians in Gaza, affirming that it is crucial to protect civilians and enable the delivery of urgently needed lifesaving aid. "Humanitarian aid must be allowed [to enter Gaza] at a scale to prevent further suffering. UNICEF and humanitarian organizations must have safe access to all children and their families wherever they are in the Gaza Strip, including in the north," Khodr noted. Underlining the need for the international community to take swift action on the situation in Gaza, the UNICEF official said, "The world is watching, helpless and devastated - we cannot act quickly enough. This must stop immediately." Israel launched its devastating war of genocide against Gaza on October 7 following a surprise operation by the territory's resistance groups, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm. The Palestinian Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip announced on Saturday that the regime's onslaught has killed 17,700 people so far with 48,780 others injured. The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter to notify the world body's Security Council about the threat that has been posed to international peace and security as a result of the Israeli onslaught on Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced a Google form as the only method to receive requests from Egyptians stranded in the Gaza Strip and wish to return home. The stranded Egyptians need to fill out the form with accurate personal information including passport, national ID card, birth certificate, marriage contract and other relevant documents to expedite their repatriation process. According to the forms instructions, the applicant must be an Egyptian citizen and submit their application first, followed by separate application form/s for each family member. Ahmed Abu-Zeid, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, said the move aims to ensure a swift and efficient procedure by centralizing repatriation request registration through a single mechanism, according to a statement on Saturday. Previously, the requests were handled via a WhatsApp number and an email dedicated by the Egyptian representation office in the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and the consular sector of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry urged Egyptian citizens in Gaza to utilize this new mechanism as the sole means of submitting return requests, cautioning against fraudulent activities and exploitation of the challenging circumstances in Gaza. The statement assured the Egyptian authorities commitment to ensuring the safe return of Egyptian citizens and their families from the Gaza Strip in light of the ongoing violent military actions in the region. The ministry said once the data is received, a comprehensive list will be compiled and delivered directly to those in charge of the Rafah border crossing from the Egyptian and Palestinian sides to facilitate the crossing of citizens from the Gaza Strip into Egyptian territory. On Friday, the foreign ministry asserted that Cairo is solely responsible for the repatriation of Egyptians in the Gaza Strip, rejecting claims in the media that Israel would be able to approve or deny their return. Search Keywords: Short link: Hezbollah strikes Israeli military positions in solidarity with Gaza Iran Press TV Saturday, 09 December 2023 5:58 PM Fighters from the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah have carried out multiple strikes against Israeli military outposts in close proximity to the border between Lebanon and the 1948 occupied territories in response to the atrocities in Gaza. Lebanon's Arabic-language al-Manar television channel, citing a Hezbollah statement released on Saturday, reported that the group had targeted Israeli soldiers in al-Samaqah region with a number of missiles, causing casualties among the troops. Additional strikes hit the vicinity of the Ramia military base, leaving several Israeli soldiers injured. Hezbollah fighters targeted another gathering of Israeli soldiers near the Metula region, resulting in casualties. Israeli forces at the Ruwaisa al-Asi site, al-Baghdadi base and the 91st division command headquarters in Biranit base were also attacked, causing unspecified injuries. Israeli shelling, meanwhile, targeted the southern Lebanese border towns of Naqoura, Kfarshouba, al-Wazzani, Blida, Mhaybib, al-Dhayra, Alma al-Shaab and Tayr Harfa. The developments came a day after Israeli artillery units shelled several Lebanese border towns, including Blida, Dhaira, Rashaya al-Fokhar, Kfarshouba, Houla, Markaba, Aitaroun, al-Naqoura, Odeisseh, Maroun al-Ras, Mhaibib, al-Labbouneh, al-Naqoura and Shihine, as Hezbollah announced the death of one of its fighters. Hezbollah, for its part, targeted Misgav Aam, Khirbet Ma'ar, al-Raheb post, and Ruwaisat al-Alam with "appropriate weapons." The Israeli regime has been waging sporadic attacks on southern Lebanon since October 7, when it launched a devastating war against the besieged Gaza Strip. Hezbollah has mounted near daily rocket attacks on Israeli positions at the border, while Israel has conducted air and artillery strikes in southern Lebanon. More than 120 people have been killed on the Lebanese side of the border since October 7, mostly Hezbollah fighters and more than a dozen civilians, according to an AFP tally. Israel says six of its soldiers and four settlers have been killed in the area, and the Lebanese army lost its first soldier in the exchanges on Tuesday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni army says will strike all ships in Red Sea en route to Israeli-occupied territories Iran Press TV Saturday, 09 December 2023 5:34 PM The spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces has warned that the military units will prevent the passage of all ships bound to the occupied territories in the Red Sea, stressing that they will become a legitimate target if they pass the country's territorial waters. Brigadier General Yahya Saree made the warning in a statement on Saturday, as Israel continues its brutal war and total blockade on the Gaza Strip. "If Gaza does not receive the food and medicine it needs, all ships in the Red Sea bound for Israeli ports, regardless of their nationality, will become a target for our armed forces," he said. Saree went on to say that the order to prevent the passage of all ships to the occupied territories was issued after the success in preventing the Israeli ships from sailing in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. He also emphasized that all ships from around the world can continue their commercial activity, except those related to the Israeli regime or destined for the ports of the occupied territories. The latest development came hours after Saree said the Yemeni armed forces have hit targets deep inside the Israeli-occupied Palestine as part of its operations to support the people of Gaza. The Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a relentless military campaign against Gaza in early October. On December 4, the Yemeni army targeted two Israeli ships in the Red Sea as they were attempting to cross the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Reports have shown that Israeli shipping companies have already decided to reroute their vessels in fear of attacks by Yemeni forces. Yemeni forces have also launched missile and drone attacks on targets in the Israeli-occupied territories of Palestine after the occupying regime's aggression on Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni armed forces hit Israelis deep inside occupied Palestine Iran Press TV Saturday, 09 December 2023 4:33 PM Yemen's Ansarullah movement says it has hit targets deep inside the Israeli-occupied Palestine as part of its operations to support the people of Gaza. Spokesman of Yemen's armed forces Brigadier General Yahya Saree said on Saturday several drones had been used to hit various Israeli targets over the past few hours. Saree said attacks on Israel will continue until the regime stops its aggression on Gaza. Also recently, Yemeni forces fired missiles on targets in Um Rush Rush region south of the occupied Palestinian territories. The Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a relentless military campaign against Gaza in early October. The Ansarullah, which controls much of the Yemeni territory, has also launched attacks on ships linked to Israel sailing off the Yemeni ports. On November 19, the group boarded and seized a ship believed to be linked to the regime in Tel Aviv. That caused some shipping companies with interests in the occupied Palestine to reroute their vessels and take longer journeys around Africa to avoid attacks by the Yemenis. Strikes on Israel are part of a larger regional resistance campaign aimed at forcing the regime and its supporters to end the ongoing aggression on Gaza. Resistance groups in Iraq have launched dozens of attacks on US military personnel in Iraq and Syria to force Washington to withdraw its support from Israel's indiscriminate killing of the Palestinians. More than 17,400 people have been killed in Gaza since the regime launched its attacks on October 7, the day when the Palestinian resistance group Hamas carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the Israelis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, Israel clueless on how to continue Gaza war, or negotiate ceasefire: Iran FM Iran Press TV Saturday, 09 December 2023 3:22 PM Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian of Iran says the United States and Israel are clueless about how to either continue the war in the besieged Gaza Strip or negotiate a ceasefire. "The US and Israel neither have a strategy on how to maintain the [Gaza] war nor do they know how to achieve a ceasefire," Amir-Abdollahian addressed a group of university students at Tehran University on Saturday. "Resistance factions have declared they have so far mobilized between 10 and 12 percent of their forces, and are fully prepared for a prolonged war with Israel." The Iranian minister said Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, launched by the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance groups against the Tel Aviv regime on October 7, not only shattered Israel's security apparatus, but the very structure of the occupying entity. "Seven security agencies were working round-the-clock at the time, and had employed sophisticated devices. Still, Hamas poured cold water on all the schemes," Amir-Abdollahian stated. The minister said even US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had acknowledged Israeli officials' shock and bewilderment when he visited Tel Aviv on October 13. Those who once claimed Israel has the fourth strongest military in the world can't get over the shock from the Hamas operation, the top Iranian diplomat said. Amir-Abdollahian also highlighted that resistance groups have announced that they will keep rocket and drone strikes against bases housing US occupation forces across the region over Washington's support for the Israeli regime's unrelenting onslaught on Gaza. The minister said Operation Al-Aqsa Storm was purely Palestinian and that Americans have urged Iran in private messages to call upon resistance groups to stop attacks on US military installations in Iraq and Syria. Amir-Abdollahian said Iran has, in return, responded that these groups operate independently and make their own decisions. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements waged Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against the Palestinians. The regime has killed at least 17, 487 people, most of them women and children, in Gaza since. More than 46,000 people have been wounded as well. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Better for Israel to stop atrocities in Gaza: Iran's top general Iran Press TV Saturday, 09 December 2023 3:21 PM Iran's highest-ranking military commander says Israel had better end its atrocious hostilities in the besieged Gaza Strip and recognize a Palestinian referendum to lay the ground for peace in the territory. "It serves the Zionists and the Israeli regime better to abandon the crimes [in Gaza]," Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri said at a military exhibition in Tehran on Saturday. He said the Palestinian people, with a variety of religions and faiths, must be free to decide their own fate. "There will be no other avenue to peace and stability on this land." The Iranian general hailed the Palestinian fighters' valor in the battle against Israeli forces, harboring the hope that the crimes of Israel in Gaza would soon come to an end. Baqeri said the future of Palestine and the Al-Aqsa Mosque is "crystal clear." Truth will definitely emerge victorious, he said. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. Israel has killed nearly 17,500 people, most of them women and children, in Gaza since. More than 46,000 people have been wounded as well. On Friday, Washington used its veto power at the United Nations Security Council to block a draft resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. 13 Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution, put forward by the United Arab Emirates. Britain abstained. The vote came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres formally warned the 15-member Council of a global threat from the war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Better for Israel to stop Israel intensifies attacks on Gaza after US veto of UN resolution in Gaza: Iran's top general Iran Press TV Saturday, 09 December 2023 3:08 PM Israel has intensified its all-out war on the Gaza Strip after its staunch ally, the United States, vetoed a UN Security Council demand for an immediate ceasefire in the besieged Palestinian territory. After Washington vetoed the resolution on Friday, Israeli warplanes struck parts of the Gaza Strip in relentless bombardment Saturday, hitting more than 450 targets in the blockaded territory over the last 24 hours, according to the regime's military. The full death toll from the past 24 hours of attacks is unclear, but two hospitals in central and southern Gaza have so far received the bodies of a total of 133 people from Israeli bombings. The Gaza health ministry said that over a 24-hour period, 71 dead and 160 wounded had arrived at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. It said that 62 bodies were also taken to Nasser Hospital in the main southern city of Khan Younis. "We believe the number of martyrs under the rubble might be greater than those received at hospitals," the ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra told Reuters. The news agency also released footage showing extensive damage from a strike on a mosque in the territory. The health ministry called for an urgent opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt to save the lives of some 7,000 people, who have been wounded over the past 24 hours. "The Palestinians are dying in Gaza and not allowed to receive treatment abroad. This is outrageous," said the general director of the health ministry Munir al-Barsh. He said that there are more than 46,000 wounded people in Gaza, but only 388 of them were allowed to leave through the Rafah crossing to receive medical treatment abroad. In the meantime, families in northern Gaza were posting messages on the internet pleading with emergency crews to venture into Gaza City to rescue loved ones still trapped there. "We appeal to the Red Cross and the civil emergency to immediately go to Attallah house. People are besieged inside their house in Jala street in Gaza City, near Zaharna building. The house is on fire," wrote members of one family. "Attacks from air, land, and sea are intense, continuous and widespread," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council before the US veto of the resolution. Gaza residents "are being told to move like human pinballs - ricocheting between ever-smaller slivers of the south, without any of the basics for survival." Guterres warned that Gaza was at a "breaking point" with the humanitarian support system at risk of collapse. The UN chief also said that he feared "the consequences could be devastating for the security of the entire region." The US veto of the resolution has sparked outrage across the world with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas saying that the move made Washington "complicit" in war crimes in Gaza. The Palestinian representative to the UN Riyad Mansour also decried Washington for blocking a ceasefire in Gaza, saying, "If you support it (this war) you are supporting crimes against humanity." "This is a terrible day for the Security Council," Mansour said, describing the veto as "a turning point in history". Russia's deputy envoy to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, said "Our colleagues from the USA have literally before our eyes issued a death sentence to thousands, if not tens of thousands, more civilians in Palestine." The medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Security Council inaction made the body "complicit in the ongoing slaughter." Moreover, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said "By continuing to provide Israel with weapons and diplomatic cover... the US risks complicity in war crimes." Israel's UN envoy Gilad Erdan however, praised Washington "for standing firmly by our side." In the meantime, the administration of President Joe Biden has asked Congress to approve the sale of 45,000 shells for Israel's Merkava tanks. The potential sale is worth more than $500 million. The US State Department is pushing the congressional committees to quickly approve the transaction. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Global condemnations pour in after US veto of Gaza ceasefire resolution Iran Press TV Saturday, 09 December 2023 2:50 PM Condemnations have poured in from across the world following the United States' veto of a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as the Palestinian death toll continues to rise from the Israeli regime's genocidal war against the besieged territory. In a statement on Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas denounced as "aggressive, immoral, and a flagrant violation of all humanitarian principles" US' veto, saying the move made Washington "complicit" in Israeli war crimes in Gaza. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh described the veto as "a disgrace" and another "blank cheque" given to the Israeli regime to "massacre, destroy and displace". Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, told the UNSC that condoning the continuation of war while claiming to care about the lives and safety of people in Gaza is" hypocritical" and "double-standards". Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador, said the US has "literally before our eyes issued a death sentence to thousands if not tens of thousands more civilians in Palestine and Israel." Nicolas de Riviere, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations, noted that once again the UNSC has "failed with a lack of unity, and by refusing to commit to negotiations the crisis in Gaza is getting worse and the council is not completing its mandate under the charter." Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that "the use of the veto at the Security Council is a shameful insult to humanitarian norms," expressing deep regret that the US "should sacrifice the lives of innocent civilians for the cause of Zionism." Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned that as long the US supports the crimes of the Israeli regime and the continuation of the war in Gaza, there would be the threat of an "uncontrollable explosion" of the situation in the region. In a post on X, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his "strong objection" to the US vetoing the resolution, saying "It is strange and beyond human sanity when there are parties who support and remain silent regarding the massacre of innocent children and women as well as civilians." The United Arab Emirates' deputy UN ambassador Mohamed Abushahab asked the UNSC, "What is the message we are sending Palestinians if we cannot unite behind a call to halt the relentless bombardment of Gaza?" "Indeed, what is the message we are sending civilians across the world who may find themselves in similar situations?" he added. In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said it was "deeply disappointed" by the failure of the UNSC's call for a ceasefire in Gaza, stressing that Israel must put an end to its "brutal attacks and inhumane blockade" of the besieged enclave. Norway Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the UNSC's inability to agree on a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons in Gaza "was tragic". Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International said in a statement on X that the US veto "displays a callous disregard for civilian suffering in the face of a staggering death toll". Washington "has brazenly wielded and weaponized its veto to strongarm the UN Security Council, further undermining its credibility and ability to live up to its mandate to maintain international peace and security," the statement added. Moreover, foreign ministers of Arab and Islamic nations also criticized the US veto, reiterating calls for Washington to assume its responsibilities and take the necessary measures to push Israel towards an immediate ceasefire. The Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee made the appeal during a meeting with the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Saturday. The foreign ministers also renewed their unified rejection of the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians in Gaza, reiterating the necessity to end the hostilities, protect civilians, and lift the siege hindering the access of humanitarian aid to the blockaded enclave. They also voiced their rejection against attempts to displace Palestinians from Gaza, emphasizing on "creating a real political climate that leads to a two-state solution." On Friday, the US used its veto in the United Nations Security Council to block a draft resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Thirteen Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution, put forward by the United Arab Emirates, while the United Kingdom abstained. The US and Israel oppose a ceasefire because they believe it would only benefit the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. The Israeli aggression has so far killed at least 17,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children. More than 46,000 people have been wounded as well. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address International aid charities warn of 'apocalyptic' situation in Gaza Iran Press TV Saturday, 09 December 2023 11:34 AM International aid charities have raised the alarm about an "apocalyptic" situation in the Gaza Strip and warned of starvation and disease outbreaks amid Israel's long-running brutal aggression on the besieged territory. In a video conference with journalists this week, international organizations depicted a bleak picture of what UK-based Save the Children called the "horrors" unfolding in Gaza after more than two months of a fierce Israeli bombardment campaign against the coastal silver. "Those who survived the bombardment now face imminent risk of dying of starvation and disease," said Alexandra Saieh of Save the Children. "Our teams are telling us of maggots being picked from wounds and children undergoing amputations without anesthetic," lining up by the "hundreds" for a "single toilet" or roaming the streets in search of food, she added. Bushra Khalidi of Oxfam, another UK-headquartered charity, described the situation in Gaza as "apocalyptic" and said there was no such a thing as a safe zone in the territory. "The situation in Gaza is not just a catastrophe, it's apocalyptic... with potential irreversible consequences on Palestinian people," Khalidi said. "Israel safe zones within Gaza are mirage." Sandrine Simon of the Medecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) charity recounted how a colleague was wounded in the southern city of Khan Yunis "when a tank attacked a school where he had taken refuge." "It took him hours to reach a hospital," where "exhausted" nurses were desperately trying to care for hundreds of patients lying on the floor. "Gaza's hospitals are becoming morgues. That's unacceptable." Doctors Without Borders president Isabelle Defourny told a similar story about Gaza's hospitals and stressed that fuel and medical supplies were "critically low." "We are working in al-Aqsa hospital, receiving an average of 150 to 200 war-wounded patients daily... since the first of December." On one day this week, "they received more dead than wounded patients. The hospital is overflowing, the morgue is overflowing, fuel and medical supplies have reached critically low level," said Defourny. "Israel has shown a total disregard for the protection of Gaza's medical facilities," she added. Moreover, the World Food Program (WFP) said the risk of "famine" is high in Gaza, while the World Health Organization warned civilization was collapsing in the Palestinian territory. "Given the living conditions and lack of health care, more people could die from disease than bombings" in Gaza, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. He warned of a number of illnesses and diseases, including acute respiratory infections, diarrhea, skin rashes and chicken pox, which have emerged due to overcrowding and the lack of food, water, basic hygiene and access to medication. Israel waged the war on Gaza on October 7 after Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise attack against the occupying entity in response to its decades-long crimes against Palestinians. Israeli strikes have so far killed more than 17,400 people, most of them women and children, and injured over 46,480 others in its relentless air and ground attacks on Gaza since. According to the UN, around 80 percent of the inhabitants of Gaza are displaced and more than 1.1 million are seeking refuge in UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) shelters. Palestinian succumbs to wounds in West Bank Palestine's official WAFA news agency said on Saturday that a Palestinian, identified as Sari Yousef Amr, died of his wounds after he had earlier been shot and arrested by Israeli soldiers during a raid on the town of Dura, south of the occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil (Hebron). Amr's father, Yousef, said the occupation forces raided his house at dawn and fired live bullets inside it, seriously wounding his 25-year-old son and arresting him and his brother. WAFA cited the father as saying that the Israeli soldiers prevented anyone from approaching Amr and providing treatment to him while he was bleeding. Yousef added that the occupation forces seized two vehicles, destroyed the contents of the house and other vehicles, and stole 400,000 shekels (around $100,000) in cash and checks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran: US veto of Gaza ceasefire once again showed role in Gaza genocide Iran Press TV Saturday, 09 December 2023 10:33 AM Iran has strongly condemned the US veto of a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, stating that the move once again showed Washington's leading role in the genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. "The US government once again proved that it is the main culprit and guilty party in the killing of civilians and Palestinian citizens, especially women and children, and destruction of vital infrastructure in Gaza," spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Nasser Kan'ani, said in a statement on Saturday. He added that Washington, ever since the brutal aggression of the child-killing Israeli regime against Gaza began in early October, has on occasions demonstrated its alliance and cooperation with the apartheid Tel Aviv regime in committing war crimes and genocide against the Palestinian nation. Kan'ani went on to censure US statesmen over their bogus concern for the lives of children and civilians in Gaza, arguing that the same American authorities supplied the 200th shipment of US-made munitions and military gear to the Israeli military last week. The Iranian diplomat also criticized the US's unqualified military, political, intelligence and media support for Israel's barbaric crimes against defenseless Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip and across the occupied West Bank. "Undoubtedly, the US administration is complicit in the savage killing of nearly 18,000 civilians, of whom some 8,000 are oppressed children. The US and the Zionist regime must be held accountable for the repercussions of the intensification of the [Gaza] war across the region, Kan'ani stressed. On Friday, the US used its veto in the United Nations Security Council to block a draft resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Thirteen Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution, put forward by the United Arab Emirates, while the United Kingdom abstained. The vote came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday formally warned the 15-member council of a global threat from the two-month-long war. The US and Israel oppose a ceasefire because they believe it would only benefit the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. The Israeli aggression has so far killed at least 17,487 Palestinians, most of them women and children. More than 46,000 people have been wounded as well. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN chief: Humanitarian situation in Gaza 'catastrophic', urgent ceasefire needed Iran Press TV Saturday, 09 December 2023 9:02 AM United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has denounced as "catastrophic" the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, underlining the need for an urgent ceasefire and de-escalation of tensions in the besieged territory. Guterres made the remark in a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian late on Friday as the two discussed the latest developments in Gaza and the United States' veto of a UN resolution. The resolution was backed by almost all other Security Council members and many other nations demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Guterres pointed to the activation of Article 99 of the United Nations Charter, which has not taken place since 1989, saying the measure was adopted due to the complicated situation in Gaza and across Palestine. "The aforementioned process has been activated as the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is felt more than in the past," he added. "A humanitarian pause should be made and the spread of tensions in the region should be prevented." Guterres also stressed the necessity of continuing efforts until the realization of Palestinian rights and the formation of a Palestinian State based on the previous resolutions approved by the United Nations. Article 99 states that the UN chief "may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security." In a move not taken in decades, Guterres invoked the article on Wednesday to notify the UN Security Council about the threat that is posed to international peace and security by the Israeli war. Amir-Abdollahian, for his part, thanked Guterres for the invocation of Article 99 following the Israeli genocidal war in Gaza, saying, "The use of Article 99 of the United Nations Charter is a brave action on your part to maintain international peace and security, and is supported by the world's public opinion." The Iranian foreign minister touched on the adverse and tragic situation in the besieged Gaza Strip and the displacement of women and children in deserts in southern Gaza in cold winter amid the Israeli war. Amir-Abdollahian called for speeding up efforts to create deterrence against the Israeli regime's crimes in Gaza and boosting support for Palestinians by the immediate opening of the Rafah crossing for humanitarian aid and stopping the forced migration of Gazans. Israel ignited its war machine on October 7 after Palestinian resistance groups waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to its decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against the Palestinians. Israel has killed more than 17,400 people, most of them women and children, and injured over 46,480 others in its relentless air and ground attacks on Gaza since. According to the UN, around 80 percent of inhabitants of Gaza are displaced and more than 1.1 million are seeking refuge in UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) shelters. Iran stresses need for immediate stop in Gaza war In another phone conversation with Ziad al-Nakhalah, secretary general of Palestinian Islamic Jihad Resistance Movement on Friday, Amir-Abdollahian discussed the latest measures by the Arab and Muslim world as well as the Islamic Republic in supporting the Palestinian people. The top Iranian diplomat underlined the need for an "immediate and effective" action by the international community and responsible international institutions to stop the Israeli regime's war crimes in Gaza. Nakhalah, for his part, expressed gratitude for the Muslim-Arab efforts and those by Iran. He also presented a report on the latest developments in the Israeli war on Gaza, voicing the Palestinian resistance groups' full readiness to confront the occupying regime's barbaric attacks and to defend the besieged strip. Iran FM, German counterpart discuss Gaza, bilateral ties In a separate phone call on Friday, Amir-Abdollahian and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip in addition to Tehran-Berlin relations. The top Iranian diplomat pointed to the continuation of the Israeli killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, emphasizing the need for the international community to pay special attention to the human rights-related issue. Condemning the Israeli genocide in Gaza, Amir-Abdollahian described holding a UN referendum among the original residents of Palestine, including Christians, Muslims and Jews, as a political solution to the decades-long conflict. Amir-Abdollahian also pointed to the cultural and historical links between Iran and Germany, saying, "Mutual respect and focus on shared interests are necessary to maintain and strengthen relations in various fields, and within this framework, the Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the expansion of relations between Tehran and Berlin." Baerbock, for her part, underlined the necessity of preventing the expansion of the scope of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Calling for Iran's assistance to reduce tensions in the region, the German foreign minister stressed the importance of maintaining the dialogue channel to help strengthen bilateral cooperation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinians slam US veto of UN resolution for Gaza ceasefire as 'disastrous' Iran Press TV Saturday, 09 December 2023 8:38 AM Palestinian officials have censured the United States over using its power of veto alone to veto a UN Security Council resolution urging an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, describing the move as "disastrous" and "a disgrace". The Gaza-based Hamas resistance movement slammed the US for sinking the UN ceasefire call, stating that the measure clearly shows Washington's direct complicity in the Israeli carnage against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Izzat al-Risheq, a member of the group's political bureau, said in a statement that the United States' veto of the resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza is "unethical and inhumane." "Washington's decision to scuttle the draft resolution points to its active and direct participation with the occupying Israeli regime in the ongoing massacre of our people, and committing more massacres and ethnic cleansing," Risheq noted. Separately, Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour slammed the UN Security Council's failure to adopt a UN resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire as "beyond regrettable" and "disastrous." "Instead of allowing this council to uphold its mandate by finally making a clear call, after two months, that atrocities must end, the war criminals are given more time to perpetuate their crimes. How can this be justified? How can anyone justify the slaughter of an entire people?" he said. Mansour reiterated his call for a ceasefire, saying "every further day means lives lost, people killed at an unprecedented pace in modern history." The draft resolution proposed by the United Arab Emirates received support from thirteen members of the Security Council, with Britain choosing to abstain. The voting took place after UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday officially alerted the 15-member council about the international risks posed by the Israeli war on Gaza. The US and Israel oppose a ceasefire because they believe it would only benefit Hamas. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements waged the surprise Operation al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. The Israeli aggression has so far killed at least 17,487 Palestinians, most of them women and children. More than 46,000 people have been wounded as well. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran demands immediate end to Gaza aggression, military support for Israel Iran Press TV Saturday, 09 December 2023 6:52 AM Iran's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations has reiterated the country's call for an immediate end to the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, termination of all forms of military support to the Tel Aviv regime, and complete cessation of hostilities. Zahra Ershadi made the plea at a UN General Assembly meeting entitled "Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance" in New York on Friday. Ershadi pointed out that the international community continues to face one of the exceptional challenges and largest tests in its history of humanitarian emergencies, given the humanitarian situation in Gaza. "The Gaza Strip has been beset with the worst siege since 2007, and its humanitarian situation is getting worse daily. The death toll is rising due to the atrocious crimes being committed on a daily basis by the Israeli regime against innocent Palestinians." Hospitals, mosques, churches, schools and other purely civilian infrastructures have not been immune, with many hundreds of people being brutally slaughtered inside these places, she said. The Iranian diplomat highlighted that 70% of the victims killed in Israeli strikes are women and children, and many people have been displaced. "At least 131 staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) have lost their lives as a result of the Israeli aggression, and the UN agency's buildings are under deliberate attacks." She went on to lambast the "disappointing and unacceptable" inaction of the international community, including the UN and the Security Council, in the face of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "Humanitarian pauses are not the solution for the deteriorating situation in Gaza. In such a dire situation, sympathy is no longer enough," the Iranian envoy to the UN stressed. Instead of denouncing Israel's brutality in Gaza, those countries which are staunch proponents of humanitarian intervention in other countries and have a horrific record of military interventions in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Libya among others, embolden the Tel Aviv regime both through their verbal support and supply of sophisticated weapons, she said. Ershadi stressed that all perpetrators of crimes against Palestinians, including those who aid and abet Israel to commit brutal crimes across Palestinian territories, particularly especially in Gaza, must be held accountable. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements waged the surprise Operation al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. The Israeli aggression has so far killed at least 17,487 Palestinians, most of them women and children. More than 46,480 people have been wounded as well. Elsewhere in her remarks, the senior Iranian diplomat emphasized that all principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, notably respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, must be strictly observed by all countries as well as by humanitarian aid organizations, when it comes to the supply of humanitarian aid in other regions. She added that as countries have the primary role and responsibility in responding to their own humanitarian emergencies, national ownership and leadership in the coordination of humanitarian assistance must be affirmed to ensure its effective delivery. Therefore, "any humanitarian crises or emergencies, especially those that have been advertently created under a specific and hidden political agenda, must not lead to any foreign intervention, including under the pretext of the responsibility to protect," Ershadi underlined. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen's Houthis Say Ready to Let All Vessels Pass Via Red Sea Except Israel-Linked Ships Sputnik News 20231209 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Yemen's rebel Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, is ready to allow vessels of all countries pass through the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea except those ships that are related to Israel, a spokesman for the rebel movement said on Saturday. "Yemen's armed forces reaffirm their commitment to continue global trade traffic through the Red and Arabian seas for all vessels and all countries except the ships related to Israel or those that will ship cargo to Israel's ports," Yahya Saria said in an announcement aired by Arab broadcasters. The Houthis would prohibit all vessels going to Israel if the Gaza Strip did not receive food and medical supplies, the spokesman added. Since October, the Houthis have conducted multiple missile and drone attacks threatening civilian infrastructure in Israel and commercial shipping operating in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The attacks have been carried out amid the current hostilities in the Gaza Strip between Palestinian movement Hamas and Israel that have left left 1,200 people killed in Israel and 17,700 in Gaza. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Death Toll in Gaza Strip From Israeli Strikes Rises to 17,700 - Health Ministry Sputnik News 20231209 TUNIS (Sputnik) - The death toll from the Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip has increased to 17,700 people since October 7, with over 48,000 people injured, Palestinian Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf Qudra said on Saturday. "The number of Gaza Strip residents killed due to Israel's aggression since October 7 has risen to 17,700, with 48,780 injured," Qudra told a press conference. On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip and breached the border. Israel launched retaliatory strikes and ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, cutting off supplies of water, food, and fuel. On October 27, Israel launched a ground incursion into the Gaza Strip with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The truce was extended several times and expired last week. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Serbia Won't Impose Sanctions on Russia Despite Pressure - Defense Minister Sputnik News 20231209 In an interview with Sputnik, the head of the Serbian Defense Ministry said that Belgrade intends to maintain its policy of military neutrality and refrain from joining anti-Russian sanctions. The next parliamentary elections in Serbia are scheduled for December 17. If the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), the ruling party of President Aleksandar Vucic, wins, the country plans to maintain its stance of not imposing sanctions on Russia, Defense Minister Milos Vucevic has pledged. Explaining Belgrade's position, he underlined the commitment to the pursuit of a unified and cohesive Serbian foreign policy. While acknowledging the country's aspiration to join the European Union (EU) he made it clear that cooperation with China, Russia, India and African and South American nations would continue. "Our goal is to continue the policy without imposing sanctions against Russia, and our absolute starting point from beginning to end is our military neutrality. I see no microscopic chance of this changing, although there are different custodians who will try to convince us otherwise," Vucevic noted. Serbia's Strength: Balancing Act Amidst Regional Tensions Describing the security landscape in Serbia as complex, the defense minister has underscored the intricate challenges facing the nation, with thee breakaway province of Kosovo and Metohija emerging as the primary security threat that shows no signs of abating. Expressing deep concern, he underlined the continuing arming of the Kosovo Albanians and their ambitions to develop the Kosovo Security Force into a full-fledged army, a move he said was "contradicting even what they call their constitution". "There is a clear plan, which they do not hide, for the Kosovo Security Forces to become the Armed Forces of Kosovo by 2026, contradicting even what they call their constitution," Vucevic stated. Vucevic emphasized that Serbia's response could take two forms: a diplomatic and political struggle within the confines of foreign interests, or a robust response mobilized through the Serbian army. Drawing attention to Serbia's strengthened military capabilities, the Minister emphasized that the nation's armed forces are not only well-equipped, but also highly trained and formidable. Serbia is strengthening its defense capabilities through undisclosed arms purchases and substantial investments in the military sector. He confidently declared that the Serbian army serves as the republic's most powerful deterrent, sending a firm message to potential adversaries that the nation is no longer easily underestimated. Recent contracts, which exceed 100 million, prioritize military complexes, with 60 percent of the allocation going to strengthen the Serbian army. Unavoidable Kosovo Issue The Kosovo question remains a central challenge, with Vucevic acknowledging the limited options: surrender, withdrawal, concessions, or potential conflict. He argues for the preservation of Serbia's territorial integrity, navigating a path between the two extremes in the Kosovo issue, representing war and peace. "This is the policy I believe in - that these two extremes do not compete with each other, and that we preserve Serbian statehood in Kosovo and Metohija to the maximum possible extent in these circumstances, and also protect all of Serbia and the entire Serbian people, wherever they may live," he stated. The defense minister has rejected elements of the Western plan for normalizing Kosovo, deeming Pristina's UN membership and increased autonomy unacceptable to Belgrade. In navigating the complex situation in Kosovo, he has emphasized a policy aimed at preserving Serbian statehood while protecting the entire Serbian population. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Maduro Signs Decrees to Incorporate Essequibo Into Venezuela Sputnik News 20231209 The contested territory will now be officially designated by Caracas as the 24th state within Venezuela's borders and referred to as Guayana Esequiba. According to Venezuelan media, President Nicolas Maduro has officially signed decrees to incorporate the western region of neighboring Guyana, known as Essequibo, into Venezuela. The head of state ratified a total of six documents, the first of which establishes a National Commission for the Defense of Essequibo. The second decree outlines the creation of the Guayana Esequiba Comprehensive Defense Zone, with an operations center to be located in Tumeremo in Bolivar state. In addition, Maduro signed a decree facilitating the creation of specialized units within the state oil and gas company PDVSA PDVSA Essequibo and the Guyana Venezuelan Corporation CVG Essequibo. Maduro's decrees also included the approval of a revised map of Venezuela, officially incorporating the Guayana Esequiba region into its territory to reinforce its claim. To oversee the newly formed state, Major General Alexis Rodriguez Cabello was appointed as the sole head of the 24th state. The decision follows a consultative, non-legally binding referendum held in Venezuela on December 3, which asked citizens whether the new state of Guayana Esequiba should be created and Venezuelan citizenship extended to its population. The National Electoral Council declared the result as 95 percent in favour, and Maduro declared the creation of the new state on December 6. Guyanese President Irfaan Ali responded by stating the nation's readiness to defend itself against Venezuela's actions. Venezuela has been in dispute over the Essequibo territory with Guyana and its former colonial master the UK since it won independence from Spain as the short-lived state of Gran Colombia in 1819. An international court ruled in favour of the British claim in 1899, although Venezuela was not represented at the hearing. Guyana referred the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2018 after Maduro objected to former Guyanese president David Granger granting oil exploration rights off the Essequibo coast to ExxonMobil, the US-French oil transnational previously headed by then-US secretary of state Rex Tillerson. Venezuela has refused to recognize the ICJ's jurisdiction in the matter. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel Plans to End Operations in Southern Gaza's Khan Yunis in 3-4 Weeks - Reports Sputnik News 20231209 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Military operations by the Israeli army in the southern Gaza Strip's largest city of Khan Yunis might end in three to four weeks, media reported, citing a senior Israeli defense official. The operation in Khan Yunis has just started, an official told media outlet on Friday, adding that the Israeli military believed that the leadership of Palestinian movement Hamas was located there. According to the source, the high-intensity phase of the conflict between Israel and Hamas will last for three to four weeks. According to the report, the United States does not give Israel a clear deadline for the end of the operation, but points out that time is limited and it is necessary to end the fighting as quickly as possible and with fewer civilian casualties. Washington prefers Israel finished the high intensity phase of the operation in the Gaza Strip by the end of December, and Israel aims at the end of January 2024, the report added. On Tuesday, Head of the Israeli General Staff Herzi Halevi said that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had moved to the third phase of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip and was surrounding Khan Yunis. On October 7, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip and breached the border. Israel launched retaliatory strikes and ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, cutting off supplies of water, food, and fuel. On October 27, Israel launched a ground incursion into the Gaza Strip with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The truce was extended several times and expired last Friday. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Meeting on Gaza with Joint Arab League-Organization of Islamic Cooperation Delegation US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson December 9, 2023 Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met yesterday with the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, as well as a Palestinian Authority senior official, as part of a delegation representing the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the United States' support for Israel's right to ensure Hamas can never repeat the October 7 attacks as well as the urgency of addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza, protecting Palestinian civilians from harm, preventing displacement, and containing further spread of the conflict. The Secretary discussed the U.S. commitment to achieving lasting peace and security in the region including through the establishment of a future Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Call with ICRC President Spoljaric US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson December 9, 2023 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger yesterday. Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of ICRC's humanitarian response to the conflict in Gaza. The Secretary and ICRC President also discussed efforts to strengthen civilian protections and expand the flow of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza. The Secretary reiterated the call for the immediate release of all hostages and highlighted the need for the ICRC to be granted access to the remaining hostages. The Secretary thanked ICRC for delivering life-saving assistance and protection for civilians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "The brutality of the Israeli administration's oppression and massacres in Gaza would make all humanity feel ashamed" Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey 09.12.2023 Addressing the World Human Rights Day event in Istanbul, President Erdogan said: "The brutality of the oppression and massacres committed in Gaza by the Israeli administration, which receives unlimited support from Western countries, would make all humanity feel ashamed." President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a speech at the World Human Rights Day event in Istanbul. Expressing his pleasure to be with the participants of the event on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, President Erdogan voiced his wish for the World Human Rights Day to lead to favorable developments for all humanity, particularly for the oppressed and victims. "THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS CONTINUES TO REMIND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF ITS RESPONSIBILITIES FOR 75 YEARS" Noting that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted 75 years ago with great hopes, President Erdogan said: "Three quarters of a century on, this text still preserves its status as a critical document for the achievements of the humanity. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted with the ideal of a fairer, freer and more human-oriented world, continues to remind the international community of its responsibilities for 75 years." Stressing that the Declaration guides the efforts aimed at establishing global peace and stability, President Erdogan stated: "Even though it couldn't bring to an end the human rights violations, we see the Declaration as one of the cornerstones of the humanity's struggle for an honorable life. We believe that the Declaration significantly contributes to the formation of a global sensitivity regarding the protection and advancement of human rights. Nevertheless, it is also a fact that we are meeting the December 10 Human Rights Day at a time when the human rights are being trampled on in many parts of the world." "Islamophobia and xenophobia, which encircle Western societies like poison ivy, are among the top threats to human rights. The group most victimized by xenophobic, racist, discriminatory, and fascistic practices is without a doubt Muslims, who make up the majority of immigrants. The terms, 'terrorist' and 'terrorism', have been made a cover for denigrating Muslims and slaughtering innocents. The attack in which our 51 brothers, who gathered for Friday prayer, were martyred 4.5 years ago in Christchurch, New Zealand shows the extent which Islamophobia could reach," stated the President, further stressing that attacks against Muslims and migrants have further escalated in many parts of the world from Canada to the U.S., from Europe to Asia. Noting that statistics are just the tip of the iceberg, President Erdogan said: "Since the beginning of the year, nearly 500 attacks in the form of burning the Holy Quran have taken place in front of the OIC member countries' missions, mostly our embassies, in Europe. Almost all of these despicable acts against our Holy Book have been perpetrated with governments' permission and under police protection." "HATE CRIMES TARGETING MUSLIMS' PLACES OF WORSHIP, WORKPLACES, NGOs AND ASSOCIATIONS ARE INCREASING DAY BY DAY" Underscoring that the number of hate crimes targeting Muslims' places of worship, workplaces, NGOs and associations is increasing day by day, President Erdogan said: "Muslims living in the west see their rights to worship, study and live according to their faith increasingly restricted. What is tragicomic about the issue is that these are all taking place in countries marketed as the cradle of democracy and human rights. There has probably been no other period when the difference between words and deeds have been this wide. Those who talk the talk when it comes to speaking display a textbook example of double standards, unscrupulousness and hypocrisy when it comes to taking actions. Apparently, these countries think that the rights recorded in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights are valid only for 'acceptable human beings'. Again, in their view, 'non-Westerners and non-whites' are not entitled to benefit, wholly or partially, from these rights. Even though they do not say this openly, they reveal the West's crooked mentality by turning a blind eye to cultural racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia." President Erdogan went onto say: "As I have stated recently, four of the five values on which the West has built its entire civilization are actually stolen elements that have nothing to do with them. Accordingly, its faith originates from Al-Quds-Nazareth, its philosophy from the Aegean and Western Anatolia, its law from the Mediterranean and Rome, and its science from Al-Andalus and the Eastern world. Only the barbarity as a character genuinely belongs to the West." Drawing attention to the increasing frequency of the incidents attesting to the West's barbaric character through the acts it directly commits or through the incidents it supports, President Erdogan pointed out: "Crimes committed against humanity are by their nature eventually tried in the conscience of humanity and their perpetrators held to account before history. We see the increasing violent examples of barbarism and the rise of innocent victims' cries as signs that we are approaching a tipping point. Today, the place where the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights is blatantly violated is Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories." "TWO OUT OF EVERY THREE PALESTINIANS BRUTALLY MURDERED BY ISRAEL ARE EITHER WOMEN OR CHILDREN" "Every kind of rights of the Gazan people, first and foremost their lives, are being recklessly usurped by the occupying Israeli forces since October 7," underlined President Erdogan. Noting that over 18 thousand Gazans have been martyred in Israel's indiscriminate attacks so far, President Erdogan said: "In Ramallah, nearly 300 Palestinians died a martyr's death due to the attacks of the terrorists, called settlers, and the Israeli security forces. Two out of every three Palestinians brutally murdered by Israel are either women or children. Innocent infants whose white shrouds their fathers and mothers hug in tears have been ingrained in our memories as the symbols of Israel's atrocities. The brutality of the oppression and massacres committed in Gaza by the Israeli administration, which receives unlimited support from Western countries, would make all humanity feel ashamed. All the civilian settlements, from places of worship to schools, from hospitals to refugee camps, from homes to marketplaces, which should not be touched even during wartime, are being maliciously bombarded by Israel. Two thirds of the buildings in Gaza have either been totally destroyed or severely damaged, or rendered uninhabitable." "ALL THE HUMANITARIAN VALUES ARE BEING MASSACRED IN GAZA" Stating that Israel has condemned millions of people to starvation and death by cutting off Gazans' water, food, electricity and communication, President Erdogan said: "Not only children, women, elderly people and journalists but all the humanitarian values as well are being massacred in Gaza today. International institutions and human rights organizations unfortunately take no concrete action in the face of these atrocities to prevent the violations." Reiterating that the World is bigger than five, President Erdogan stated: "What happened yesterday? Five permanent members and the non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council... The ceasefire was unfortunately rejected with the U.S. veto alone. Is this justice? Can such a world be fair? What do we say? A just world is possible, but not with the U.S. That is so because the U.S., with all its wealth and weaponry, sides with Israel. Hey America, how are you going to answer for this? The humanity will no longer describe the U.S. as a country upholding the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights." "The biggest so-called achievement of all those renowned media outlets, from BBC to CNN, which camped out and broadcast live for hours during the Gezi incidents in our country and during the occupation of Ukraine, is just to hide the perpetrators and conceal the oppression," said the President, adding that over 70 journalists, including a member of Anadolu Agency have been killed in Gaza. President Erdogan continued his remarks as follows: "We have already lost our hope and expectation from the United Nations Security Council. Since October 7, the Security Council, whose mission is to protect global peace and stability, has turned into a 'Council for the Protection and Defense of Israel'. Neither the will of the 121 countries calling for the immediate cessation of the hostilities, nor the United Nations Secretary-General's endeavors, nor the sincere efforts of the non-permanent members have been able to make the permanent members of the Security Council take action." "In last night's vote, a ceasefire resolution couldn't be adopted due to U.S. veto. The result unfortunately didn't change even though 13 countries, including some permanent members, voted in favor of the draft resolution. It has once again been proven that the World is bigger than five," stressed the President, adding that it is a must for the United Nations Security Council to be reformed, and that it is impossible for the world to make any progress with the current structure of the Security Council. "THE 'BUTCHERS OF GAZA' MUST STAND TRIAL IN INTERNATIONAL COURTS FOR THEIR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY" President Erdogan added: "We believe that this incapable and dysfunctional structure of the United Nations will be questioned by the entire world with the atrocities in Gaza. Let me talk frankly, nothing in Gaza can continue as they are. The oppression, brutality and barbarity displayed in the occupied Palestinian territories mush definitely be punished both in the conscience of humanity and before law. The 'Butchers of Gaza' must stand trial in international courts for their crimes against humanity and, Allah willing, they eventually will. We will follow up on this issue. We will do so on behalf of all humanity and the innocent Gazans to prevent the occurrence of similar tragedies." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Egypt's 2024 presidential elections commenced nationwide on Sunday, marked by a significant voter turnout and queues forming outside polling stations across the country. The electoral committees are opening their doors to nearly 67 million eligible voters from 9am to 9pm on 10, 11, & 12 December 2023. Eligible voters can inquire about their electoral committees and polling stations by entering their 14-digit national identification number on the NEA website. In a press conference on Sunday morning, the Executive Director of the National Elections Authority (NEA) Ahmed Bendari affirmed that the voting process is going smoothly across all polling stations and subcommittees. He noted that there was a slight delay in a committee in Giza for a few minutes, but operations resumed promptly. The committee heads have also reported high citizen turnout, he said. Bendari added that some heads had reported crowding in multiple polling stations, particularly among female voters. The Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies (ECSS) reported significant turnout at most polling stations visited by the ECSS on-site observation team. According to the ECSS report, the teams witnessed active participation from female and youth voters. The ECSS further indicated that the majority of electoral committees opened their doors Sunday on time, while only a few committees opened late. According to the NEA, eligible voters can head to 11,631 sub-committees set up across 9,376 polling stations and supervised by 15,000 judges nationwide. In a press conference on Saturday, Head of the NEA Judge Hazem Badawy stated that Egypt is the only country in the world that holds elections with full judicial supervision, which is the primary guarantee for the transparency of the elections. The NEA has allocated subcommittees to accommodate the special requirements of seniors and people with disabilities. The body also provided posters to inform voters with hearing disabilities and braille ballots for visually impaired voters. The NEA, established per the 2014 constitution, is the independent body responsible for organizing and overseeing elections. Students and teachers at 10,085 schools across the country being used as voting locations will get three to five days off. Voting in governorates Egypt's incumbent President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi cast his ballot in the Cairo district of Heliopolis during the first 30 minutes of the process. Egypt's incumbent President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi cast his ballot on Sunday in the Cairo district of Heliopolis Hazem Omar, Egypt's presidential candidate from the People's Republican Party, also cast his ballot early Sunday in the Saiza Nabarawi School in New Cairo. Egypt's presidential candidate Hazem Omar, from the People's Republican Party, cast his ballot on Sunday in the Saiza Nabarawi School in New Cairo.. Presidential candidate Farid Zahran, from the leftist opposition Social Democratic Party, cast his ballot in Mokkatam district. Presidential candidate Farid Zahran, from the leftist opposition Social Democratic Party, cast his ballot in Mokkatam district. Moreover, presidential candidate Abdel-Sanad Yamama, representing the Wafd party, cast his vote in the Dokki district in Giza. Abdel-Sanad Yamama, from the Wafd party, cast his vote in the Dokki district in Giza. Many ministers and senior officials cast their votes on the first day of the presidential elections including the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hanafy El-Gebaly, the Prosecutor General Mohamed Shawki, Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Assem El-Gazzar, Minister of Culture Nevine El-Kilany, Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine El-Kabbaj, and Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhy. For the first time, Egypt's New Administrative Capital was allocated three polling stations to accommodate around 48,108 state employees, who have been recently relocated and are working there. Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel-Aal confirmed Sunday in a statement the smooth start of voting across all Cairo polling stations, highlighting coordination between the central operations room and various entities, including the Cabinet and local development authorities. According to Abdel-Aal, Cairo has 8,236,761 voters distributed among 45 general committees, 961 subcommittees (schools), and 444 polling stations, with an additional 58 committees set up for voters coming from outside Cairo. In Alexandria, Governor Mohamed El-Sherif oversaw the main operations room, ensuring the first day's presidential elections proceeded smoothly. He emphasized continuous monitoring and coordination with sub-operations rooms, guaranteeing a secure and efficient voting process. In Kafr El-Sheikh, the voting process is stable and organized across all polling stations in the governorate, with enhanced police security, Governor Gamal Nour El-Din confirmed in a statement. Over 1.3 million voters are anticipated to participate in the presidential elections in Kafr El-Sheikh, distributed across 14 general committees, 508 polling stations, and 524 subcommittees. In El-Wadi El-Gedid governorate, Governor Mohamed El-Zamlout inspected the election process, emphasizing the smooth start with 82 subcommittees and 67 polling stations. Bani Suef Governor Mohamed Hany Ghoneim monitored the voting commencement in the governorate's 506 polling centres, emphasizing coordination among security forces and executive bodies. The governor urged positive citizen participation and highlighted the preparedness of all relevant authorities. As for Matrouh Governorate, Governor Khaled Shaheeb confirmed the smooth opening of all polling stations in the governorate, with 149 polling stations and 200 subcommittees ready to receive 342,000 voters. Observers and results Candidates running for the presidency include incumbent President El-Sisi, who is running for a third term in office and whose electoral symbol is a star; Zahran, the leftist opposition Social Democratic Party candidate with the sun as his electoral symbol. Other contenders are Yamama, representing the Wafd party with the palm tree as his electoral symbol; and Omar, with the ladder as his symbol. The NEA has approved 24 embassies, 67 diplomats, and 220 international observers, along with 68 local organizations and 22,340 local observers to monitor the elections. The NEA has also approved 4,218 media observers representing a wide range of agencies, newspapers, channels, and media outlets to cover the upcoming elections, Ahmed Bendari, NEA's Executive Director stated in a press conference on Wednesday. Egypts State Information Service (SIS) established Thursday a central operations room to monitor the voting. The operations room aims to facilitate media coverage for foreign media representatives and will operate around the clock during the three-day voting period, according to the head of SIS Diaa Rashwan. Voting abroad was held from 1-3 December at 137 Egyptian embassies and consulates across 121 countries. The NEA will complete the overall vote count by 13 December. Appeals against the NEA decisions will be accepted by the NEA on 14 December, with rulings issued on 15 and 16 December. The NEA is scheduled to announce final results on 18 December, if no run-off is required. Search Keywords: Short link: Minister for the Middle East travels to Qatar for the Doha Forum Minister for the Middle East Lord Ahmad is attending the Doha Forum and holding meetings with senior Qatari leaders to discuss the Israel and Gaza conflict. 10 December 2023 Minister of State for the Middle East Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon returns to Qatar to attend the annual Doha Forum which will bring together regional leaders in policy to discuss critical challenges facing our world In addition, Lord Ahmad will hold meetings with the senior Qatari leaders for discussions on the crisis in Israel and Gaza The Minister will also hold meetings on Afghanistan focusing on humanitarian, development, security and human rights issues Minister for the Middle East Lord Ahmad is in Qatar today (Sunday) to attend the Doha Forum and meet with senior partners to discuss the ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza. Lord Ahmad will be attending the annual Doha Forum which will run under the theme of "Building Shared Futures." The Forum will host discussions and panel events on key issues, including Afghanistan and the conflict in Israel and Gaza given Qatar's important role as mediator between Israel and Hamas. During the visit, the Minister is expected to meet with senior Qatari leaders where he will reiterate the UK's gratitude to Qatar for their central role in facilitating humanitarian access into Gaza which enabled more desperately needed aid to enter, as well as securing the release of hostages. He will also emphasise the UK's commitment to working with partners on preventing the crisis from spreading across the region and delivering a viable two-state solution. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East, said: I am pleased to be returning to Qatar following my recent visit to reiterate the UK's thanks to our Qatari partners for their huge efforts in securing the recent humanitarian access into Gaza. It is absolutely critical that we now redouble our efforts to facilitate unhindered and sustainable humanitarian access into Gaza, further substantive agreements to bring respite and deliver vital aid to civilians, and secure the release of hostages out of Gaza. I will be discussing with leaders in the region how we must work together to find long term solutions to the conflict, to reduce regional escalation and to progress towards a two-state solution that secures peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. In addition to his discussions on Israel and Gaza, Lord Ahmad will also be meeting with policy leaders to discuss the situation in Afghanistan focussing on humanitarian, development, security and human rights issues. Notes for editors: The Doha Forum is a platform for dialogue, the forum brings together leaders in policy to discuss critical challenges facing our world, and builds on innovative and action-driven networks to address these challenges. Lord Ahmad also visited Qatar and Bahrain last month (November 18 and 19) for discussions on the crisis in Israel and the OPTs. In a speech at the Manama Dialogue to senior decision makers from the region during his last visited, the Minister reiterated urgent calls for agreements to allow for vital humanitarian aid to be delivered, get hostages released and to facilitate an end to hostilities as a pathway to deliver a viable two state solution. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Operation Iron Swords - Day 64 - 09 December 2023 Head of the Israeli National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, said that the battle in Gaza will continue for months and may extend longer. He added, "We were 17 years late in addressing the Hamas problem because we avoided paying the price we are paying now. We will change the reality on the border with Lebanon and we will solve the problem militarily if it is not solved diplomatically." The Houthi group pledged to target every cargo ship heading to Israel, regardless of its nationality or the party that runs it, in solidarity with the Gaza Strip , which is being subjected to Israeli aggression. After launching attacks against Israeli ships in the Red Sea , the Houthi group announced that it was expanding the scope of its operations to include every ship heading to Israel, regardless of its nationality. The group's military spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, said, "Any ships heading towards the Zionist entity will be a legitimate target." He added, "We announce that ships bound for the Zionist entity will be prohibited from passing if food and medicine do not enter the Gaza Strip." Sarie warned "all ships and companies against dealing with Israeli ports." The group controls Sanaa and Hodeidah overlooking the Red Sea, along with many governorates of northern and central Yemen. The group said, in a statement, The Yemeni armed forces continue to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden until the Israeli aggression against our steadfast brothers in Gaza stops. These operations have forced Israeli ships to take more expensive shipping routes around Africa. Operational Update Military expert Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi said that the Yedioth Ahronoth newspapers report about the injury of 5 members of the occupation army confirms that Israels losses are much greater than announced, noting that Washingtons intention to supply Tel Aviv with 40,000 shells for Merkava tanks means that Israel has exhausted a large part of its stock during the last two months. Regarding Washingtons agreement to supply Israel with 40,000 120 mm Merkava shells for $106 million, Al-Duwairi said that the decision reflects Israels excessive use of ammunition, and that it has consumed a very large portion of its stock. He pointed out that Tel Aviv will not pay any money for these ammunition because they are all provided with free American support, adding, There are warehouses inside Israel for the American army that contain ammunition, and all of them have been opened. He added, "There are 3 lines of ammunition in these bases and warehouses, and they are withdrawn from them according to controls and battle conditions." He concluded that second- and third-line ammunition was freely available to Israel, yet it requested more missiles, which confirms its excessive use of these ammunition during the battle. The occupation forces stormed the town of Azzun, and as a result, confrontations broke out during which bullets and poison gas bombs were fired, which led to the injury of the boy Mahmoud Basem Abu Haniyeh (17 years old) with live bullets in the back. With the martyrdom of the boy Abu Haniyeh, the number of martyrs today, Saturday, in the West Bank rises to 4, in addition to the two martyrs, Rami al-Jandab from the Faraa camp, Nimr Abu Mustafa from the Balata camp, and the martyr Sari Youssef Amr from Dura in Hebron, who was martyred shortly after his arrest. Israeli occupation forces arrested a freed prisoner in the Umm al-Sharayet neighborhood in the city of Al-Bireh after they raided the neighborhood and closed its entrances. They also arrested a student at Birzeit University in the Batn al-Hawa neighborhood in central Ramallah . Confrontations broke out between the occupation forces and Palestinians. The Israeli occupation forces also stormed the village of Kafr Rai, southwest of Jenin in the West Bank, where they arrested the brothers of the leader of the Islamic Jihad movement , Bilal Dhiyab, and detained his family members and interrogated them. The occupation forces stormed nearby homes and a school as part of their failed attempt to arrest the leader of the Jihad movement, who the occupation authorities say is wanted by them. The occupation forces failed to arrest him three times in the past, and arrested members of his family in an attempt to pressure him to surrender himself. Al Jazeera's correspondent also reported that clashes broke out between Palestinians and the occupation forces near the village of Marka and the town of Qabatiya, southwest of Jenin. The "Islamic Resistance" in Iraq announced earlier that it had targeted the American army base in the "Green Village" deep in Syria, and " Ain al-Assad " in western Iraq, with two drones that "directly hit the targets." It indicated in separate statements that these targeting come "in response to the crimes committed by the enemy against our people in Gaza ." The commander of the Iraqi "Sayyid al-Shuhada" Brigades, Abu Alaa al-Wala'i, also confirmed his refusal to talk about "stopping or easing operations as long as Israel's crimes continue in Gaza and the American occupation continues in Iraq." The Houthi group pledged to target every cargo ship heading to Israel, regardless of its nationality or the party that runs it, in solidarity with the Gaza Strip. After launching attacks against Israeli ships in the Red Sea , the Houthi group announced on Saturday that it was expanding the scope of its operations to include every ship heading to Israel, regardless of its nationality. The Turkish Research Center published an article dealing with the implications of the recent Houthi raids on ships in the Red Sea, saying that these raids are one of the results of the Gaza war , which has increased tension in the region, which contributes to changing the balance of global power. The article written by Riad Domaziti explained that the Houthi raids affect global trade and energy routes, as the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Suez Canal in the Red Sea play a vital role in the global energy market and the transportation sector, as 3 of the 7 most important oil transit points in the world are linked to this sea. He stated that the instability of security in the Red Sea will lead to an increase in transportation costs and transit times in global trade by approximately 43%. He also said that it is possible that the Houthi activities in the Red Sea could lead to a broader scenario of increased armament and militarization in the region by countries such as China , Russia , the United Kingdom , France , and Japan , which are countries that have an actual military presence in the Red Sea, and therefore escalating global competition. One of the consequences of the Houthi raids in the Red Sea, the article says, is the strengthening of popular and official support for the Indian-Middle East Economic Corridor project , which includes Saudi Arabia and Israel and bypasses the Red Sea. Regarding security in Yemen , the article expects that the Houthi raids will fuel the war there again and return it to its starting point because international powers will try to confront the Houthis targeting of global trade, as the United States will increase its logistical, intelligence, and military support for the anti-Houthi coalition. At the same time, the writer did not rule out that Washington would support the Houthis as a legitimate player and open a path for direct or indirect negotiations with them to reduce tensions to maintain the balance of power, which also includes China. During the past weeks, the Houthi group in Yemen announced control of more than one Israeli ship in the Red Sea, after warnings to the group that it would target all ships owned or managed by Israeli companies, or that fly the Israeli flag, in response to the Israeli aggression that the Gaza Strip has been exposed to for more than Two months ago. The head of the Israeli National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, said that Israel will respond militarily to the Houthi attacks in Yemen, if measures are not taken against "Ansar Allah." Israel threatens a military response in Yemen if no action is takenThe Houthis: Preventing the passage of ships heading to Israel of any nationality if the food and medicine they need do not enter Gaza. Israeli Channel 12 quoted Hanegbi as saying, Netanyahu informed US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of his intention to move militarily against the Houthis if they do not take any measures against them. Video scenes showed testimonies of a group of citizens - who were arrested by the Israeli occupation forces from the eastern areas of Gaza City during the ground incursion there - in which they narrated their exposure to interrogation and torture in tragic and extremely difficult circumstances. A number of those released - without being executed - confirmed that the occupation forces arrested them from their homes east of Gaza City, stripped them of their clothes, then assaulted them severely with electrical cables and machine guns, in addition to spraying them with cold water. COGAT [Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, a unit in the Israeli Ministry of Defense.] stated "An urgent appeal to the residents of the neighborhoods of Al-Katiba, Al-Mahatta, and the city center in Khan Yunis Governorate in Blocks No. 47, 55, 104-106: We call on you to evacuate your locations urgently towards the known shelters west of the city of Khan Yunis. We remind you that we have published a map of the areas (blocks) that divide the sector into areas and neighborhoods that you know, in an effort to help you understand and realize the directives issued and move from specific locations precisely if necessary, in order to preserve your security and safety." Abdul Rahman Younis responded "There is no safe shelter in Gaza, not even graves. You will bomb them.... Spare them fatigue and cold, bomb them in their homes as you do, and the matter is over..." "Urgent Residents of the Gaza Strip , the IDF is working forcefully against Hamas and terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, especially in the Khan Yunis area and the northern Strip. Here are several urgent instructions: An urgent appeal to the residents of Jabalia, Al-Shujaiya, Al-Zaytoun, and the Old City of Gaza. We call on you to evacuate your locations urgently, via Khalil Al-Wazir and Al-Wahda Streets towards the known shelters west of Gaza City. The fighting and military advance of the Defense Army in the Khan Yunis area do not allow the movement of civilians through the Salah al-Din axis in the sections north and east of the city of Khan Yunis." "The IDF spokesman reveals more testimonies seized during the ground operation that indicate the extent of the gap between the Hamas leadership and the public in Gaza: Receipts amounting to thousands of dollars for the purchase of luxury jewelry by Ismail Haniyehs son. In one of the incursions, five receipts bearing the name of Moaz Ismail Haniyeh were seized, indicating the purchase of luxury jewelry worth thousands of dollars from stores in the Gaza Strip and Qatar. Take a good look at it." The British Economist magazine alerted that since October 7, the date of the start of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the work permits of about 160,000 Palestinians who were working in the occupied territories and settlements in the West Bank have been cancelled. Before the war, their salaries pumped about 1.4 billion shekels ($370 million) per month into the West Bank economy. Israel is strangling the West Bank economy, with this title The Economist magazine began its article today, Saturday, as one of the officials believes that the current economic crisis is worse than the one resulting from the closures due to the Corona virus two years ago. It pointed out that the Palestinian Authority's lack of control over its supposed borders forces it to rely on the Israeli occupation entity to collect import taxes (clearance funds) on its behalf, which represent 64% of its total revenues. It pointed out that when the Gaza War broke out, the far-right Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, refused to transfer any of this money to the Palestinian Authority, although the Israeli Cabinet later reached a settlement, and said that it would withhold the portion that the Palestinian Authority pays to Gaza. He claimed that although the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, the Palestinian Authority still covers Gaza's electricity bill and pays the salaries of thousands of public sector workers, including those working in the Ministry of Health and the Palestinian security forces, who are paid Their salaries in exchange for staying in their homes. These two factors have led to a decline in the Palestinian Authoritys revenues by 80% since October 7, leaving Palestinian Finance Minister Shukri Bishara facing a fiscal deficit of $1.5 billion (about 10% of the gross domestic product in the Palestinian territories). In November Last November, his ministry was unable to pay the salaries of public employees at all, although he was able to convince the Bank of Palestine to provide loans to some employees worth half their salaries, according to their claim. The magazine believes that to stave off the financial collapse of the authority, Bishara could try to persuade Smotrich to hand over customs revenues. But there is little sign that he will change his mind, although the United States has tried to alert him to the security risks if the Palestinian Authority goes bankrupt. It concluded that providing what she described as charities from some countries may also allow the Palestinian Authority to ignore the reforms it desperately needs. It could also provide a lifeline to a sclerotic and corrupt institution that few Palestinians believe can establish a Palestinian state, as the Economist puts it. Bystanders Axis of Resistance Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi described Iranian-Syrian relations as deep-rooted and strategic, and expressed his satisfaction with the implementation of a large number of agreements concluded with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during his recent visit to Damascus. President Raisi stressed the need to accelerate the full implementation of agreements and understandings between the two countries and said: Iran and Syria have extensive capabilities to expand their cooperation in the economic, commercial and political fields, which we hope will continue with planning and follow-up by the relevant officials in Tehran and Damascus to see the activation of these capabilities as quickly as possible. He continued, saying that the hostility of America and the Zionist entity towards Syria is due to the resistance of the government and people of this country and the failure of their plans, especially in eliminating the Takfiri terrorist movement. He added: The Palestinian Islamic resistance today is built on faith, and despite the lack of naval and air forces, the Zionists and their main supporter have risen. , America, by discrediting themselves, to the point that during the past sixty days, with the exception of killing innocent people, women and children, they have not achieved any of their goals, and had it not been for the intelligence, military and security assistance and financial and media support of the Americans, the Zionist entity would have collapsed by now. The Iranian President described the unprecedented anger and hatred towards the Zionist entity and its allies by world public opinion as an indicator of the correctness of the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the past 43 years towards the falsity and criminality of this entity, and said: The Al-Aqsa Flood Operation expanded the borders of the axis of resistance and its reach from the region to the entire world. He added: We have no doubt that just as the peoples of Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon were victorious in the face of America and its allies, the Palestinian people will also be victorious in this field. or his part, Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous described in this meeting the visit of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Damascus as a turning point in the historical and strategic relations between the two countries. He said that achieving the agreements of this visit, especially in the financial, banking, energy, tourism and trade sectors, is a sign of diligence and seriousness. To officials of the two countries in terms of developing interactions and cooperation. The head of the Islamic Shura Council, Muhammad Baqir Qalibaf, said: The Al-Aqsa Flood operation represented a turning point at the regional and international levels for the resistance front. In his meeting with the Prime Minister of Syria, Hussein Arnous , Qalibaf considered the current period politically, economically, and strategically, for the Resistance Front , to be divided into before and after the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation; Pointing out that "this is regardless of what is happening now in Gaza ." Welcoming the visit of the Syrian delegation to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Qalibaf hopes that the talks between officials of the two countries will lead to expanding commercial, political and security dealings. He added: Iranian-Syrian relations are deep and based on the principle of brotherhood, and these ties have expanded greatly since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The Speaker of Parliament expressed his satisfaction with Syria regaining its seat in the Arab League, declaring in his meeting with Arnous: The Europeans and Americans have become aware that Syria, with its people and its government, has become extremely powerful. Pointing out that current experiences have proven that what is being promoted that the Americans will support development in the Arab countries is nothing more than empty allegations. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the United Nations Security Council UNSC has become an "Israel protection council" in the past two months, adding that it requires reform following a US veto that blocked a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, despite the overwhelming majority voting in favor. "Since October 7, the security council has become an Israel protection and defense council," Erdogan said during a human rights convention in Istanbul, adding that "every day the Declaration of Human Rights is violated in Gaza." In the 15-member board, 13 voted in favor, the UK abstained, while the US was the only country to oppose the resolution. This meeting came as four previous drafts had been rejected by the Security Council. dogan pointed out that the United States was the only member to reject the ceasefire, asking, "Is this justice?...the [UNSC] needs to be reformed." "The world is bigger than five," he added, referring to the five permanent UNSC members with veto powers. "Another world is possible, but without America," the Turkish President continued. "The United States stands by Israel with its money and military equipment. Hey, America! How much are you going to pay for that?" Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said, "Washington has once again proven that it is the main actor and factor in killing Palestinian civilians and citizens and destroying vital infrastructure in Gaza." Commenting on the American veto against the UAEs draft resolution on Gaza in the Security Council, Kanaani added: Since the beginning of the brutal aggression of the Zionist entity against Gaza, Washington has repeatedly demonstrated its alliance and participation with the Israeli apartheid regime in committing war crimes and genocide against the Palestinian people. He said: "The current officials in America expressed their concern for the lives of children and civilians in Gaza, but at the same time, and under the guise of deception and hypocrisy, last week they delivered the 200th shipment of weapons and military aid to Israel, which is killing children." He stressed that the consequences of any expansion of the scope of the war in the region will certainly be borne by the American and Israeli regimes. The Houthi "Ansar Allah" group in Yemen announced preventing the passage of ships heading to Israel of any nationality if the food and medicine it needs does not enter the Gaza Strip. The statement added: In order to ensure the safety of maritime navigation, we warn all ships and companies against dealing with Israeli ports. The Hamas movement welcomed the decision of the Houthis in Yemen to prevent the passage of Israeli ships, and all ships heading to Israel and of any nationality, if the food and medicine it needs does not enter the Gaza Strip. The movement said in a press statement: We appreciate the decision of the brothers in brotherly Yemen to prevent the passage of Zionist ships, and all ships heading to the Zionist entity of any nationality, if the food and medicine it needs does not enter the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian movement described this Yemeni decision as brave and bold against the Zionist-American aggression, and Hamas said: We consider it a brave and bold decision that wins for the blood of our people in the Gaza Strip, and stands against the Zionist-American aggression that continues the war of genocide and massacres against all components of the human life of our Palestinian people, throughout 64 days. Hamas added: We call on our Arab and Islamic countries to activate all their capabilities and capabilities, based on their historical responsibilities, and out of chivalry and chivalry, to move towards breaking the siege on Gaza , preventing the continuation of massacres and the war of starvation and thirst, and stopping the Nazi aggression committed by the occupation with American support. The security official for the Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq, Abu Ali Al-Askari, said that the operations targeting American bases in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Friday, are the beginning of a new base of engagement. Abu Ali Al-Askari added in a statement published on his Telegram channel: Our jihadist operations against the American occupation will continue until the last soldier is removed from the land of Iraq, and if the Iraqi government wants to negotiate with him to remove his forces from the country, we do not mind it, even if we are certain that it will. Another lie from the Americans and we will not be fooled. Al-Askari added: "We renew our affirmation that any foolishness from the American enemy will be met with a double response, and the expansion of operations, and the whisperings of the trembling and prone will not deter us from performing our legitimate and patriotic duty towards our country and our nation." He added: "The American evil embassy is still an advanced base for managing military and security operations, and a den of espionage, and some see their pride in lying down to it, and marketing it as diplomatic missions that must be protected, so it is miserable for them and their benefits at the expense of their country, by taking lying down as a means of preserving their fleeting positions with the end of the occupation." He pointed out that "yesterday's group of operations is only the beginning of a new base of engagement, and the coming days will determine the level of response," considering that "the cooperation of some members of the security services with the criminal American occupier for false reasons will make them his lackeys and partners in his crimes, and this is what the Iraqis do not accept." The original ones are theirs. Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani had instructed all security leaders and responsible authorities to pursue the perpetrators of the attack by firing missiles at the American embassy in Baghdad , and to bring them to justice. An RT correspondent reported earlier that the US Embassy in Iraq sounded its sirens after the Green Zone in Baghdad, where the embassy is located, was bombed. A US embassy spokesman said, "At approximately 4:15 a.m. on Friday, the American embassy was attacked by two missiles." Secretary General of the Gaza-based Islamic Jihad movement Ziad al-Nakhala praised Iran for supporting Palestine and making efforts to end the Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip. In a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Friday, Nakhala expressed his gratitude for the Islamic and Arabic efforts and also for Irans measures in support of Palestine. He also gave a report on the latest developments in the battlefield and the Palestinian resistance groups complete preparedness to confront the Zionist regimes brutal attacks and defend the people in Gaza. Amirabdollahian, for his part, briefed the Palestinian figure on the latest diplomatic moves by the Arab and Islamic countries as well as Iran to support the people of Palestine, pointing to the recent talks between the Iranian and Russian presidents in Moscow. He also underlined the need for immediate and effective measures on the part of the international community and responsible world bodies to put an end to the Zionist regimes war crimes. Allied for Democracy A massive demonstration was held in Tel Aviv by families of Israeli prisoners and those in solidarity with them to demand that the government conclude a deal with the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to return their children detained in the Gaza Strip. A spokeswoman for the families of the prisoners said in a speech during the demonstration, We hear the unnecessary sounds of war and see a waste of time. Some Arab commentators suggested the losses incurred by the occupation army at the hands of the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip - some of which were revealed by the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper - will move Israeli society and push it to put pressure on its government and army in order to stop the war on Gaza. The expert in Israeli affairs, Dr. Muhannad Mustafa, believes that what Yedioth Ahronoth revealed will contribute to producing a different Israeli public opinion, because the losses among Israeli soldiers, whether dead or wounded, affect Israeli society and put pressure on it psychologically and socially, and these losses It will put Benjamin Netanyahu's government in a very deep political dilemma. Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that 5,000 soldiers had been wounded since the beginning of the war on October 7, and that the Ministry of Defense had recognized 2,000 soldiers as disabled so far. From Dr. Mustafas point of view, the credibility of the Netanyahu government and the Israeli army was shaken among Israeli society during the Al-Aqsa flood battle , and after the failure of the occupation forces in trying to free an Israeli prisoner held by the Palestinian resistance. He said that the occupation army built its prestige through operations that he described as qualitative, targeting Palestinian factions and returning detained Israelis, but its failure to return a single detainee put the government and the army in great embarrassment. In addition, the Israeli army did not achieve the goals it set when it fought the war on the Gaza Strip, most notably the return of Israeli detainees held by the Palestinian resistance. In the same context, the military and strategic expert, Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi, believes that the occupation army, whose will and prestige were broken, wants to restore its reputation, but it is reckless in making decisions, noting that after 64 days of war on Gaza, it has not achieved any military achievement, nor has it freed a single detainee from the Palestinian resistance. Al-Duwairi concluded that the Israeli war on Gaza may extend for several months, but the one who endures the most will win, and there is a limited degree of tolerance among the Israeli people, and they are now paying the bill for high costs, and I am certain that they will scream first. The expert in Israeli affairs went in the same direction, saying that the main factor that will determine the position on the war is Israeli society, and if the government and the army are able to provide an achievement that satisfies its state of anger and vengeful tendencies towards the Palestinians, the war will stop, and therefore the objectives of the war will now be reproduced - the speaker continues - War again by threatening to assassinate Hamas leaders. A report by The New York Times (NYT) shed light on "Israel's" tough spot between freeing its remaining captives in Gaza, killing Hamas' top leaders, or even providing evidence it can achieve its goal of eliminating Hamas without allegedly causing more civilian deaths. In this situation, "Israel" is losing the match against Hamas since the movement can declare victory only by surviving to fight another day, contrary to Israeli claims of weakening its capabilities, while"Israel" is drowning in its losses. Two months into the war, the question arises: What can "Israel" still achieve given the Zionist entity's deteriorating economy and international standing? Additionally, there is a growing backlash against the occupation, further highlighting the occupation's failure in the ongoing aggression against Gaza. At the beginning of the war and the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, analysts believed that leaders in "Israel" and the West were quick to assume that "Israel" had the capabilities to achieve its goals of eliminating Hamas, but opinions shifted months into the war. Other than the numerous failed attempts by the Israeli occupation forces to advance in their ground invasion of Gaza, the occupation has not yet made any achievements since October 7 and has instead killed tens of thousands of civilians, which, in turn, would increase "Israels" isolation from countries in the Arab and developing worlds and further complicate its relationships with the United States and Europe. The president of the University of Pennsylvania, Liz Magill, resigned - four days after her testimony at the congressional hearing in which she avoided answering specifically whether there are sanctions against students who call for the murder of Jews. President Magil's announcement comes after Jewish students, graduates and donors of the university called for her resignation in recent days. Along with Magill, the president of Harvard University Claudine Gay and Sally Corblut from MIT expressed themselves in almost the same way at the hearing, but for now they have not announced a similar step. In the video she published before her resignation, she apologized for her words, saying: "At that moment, I was focused on the long-standing policy of our university, which is aligned with the US Constitution, which says that speaking alone is not punishable. I wasn't in focus, but I should have been. Calling for the murder of Jews is one of the most horrible calls that humans can make. It's evil.' Butcher's Bill / Oasis of Martyrs Palestinian armed group Hamas launched thousands of missiles at Israel and deployed its militants to infiltrate Jewish settlements near the countrys border with Gaza on 07 October 2023. The 1,200 Israelis killed on the first day would be the equivalent of 36,000 Americans killed in an attack, as a proportion to Israels population of 9.3 million people (compared to 332 million in the USA). Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated: Not since the Holocaust have so many Jews been killed in one day". PM Netanyahu stated "On October 7th, Hamas murdered 1,400 Israelis. Maybe more. This is in a country of fewer than 10 million people. This would be equivalent to over 50,000 Americans murdered in a single day. Thats twenty 9/11s. That is why October 7th is another day that will live in infamy." It is the second largest loss inflicted on the Israeli forces after the 1973 war, as the Palestinian resistance killed more than 1,200, wounded more than 5,132 others, and captured more than 250, most of them military personnel, some of whom were high-ranking officers in the army. The HAMAS Ministry of Health in the besieged sector announced that the number of victims of the Israeli operation its beginning had risen to about 17,700 martyrs. Gaza's health ministry had two days earlier registered the deaths of over 18,000 Palestinians, a major jump from the "about 15,000" reported a few days prior. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Observatory reports that it had "counted up to this moment about 17,500 dead Palestinians". The count included about 6,150 children killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since October 7, the Gaza Press Office said. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The Hamas-run government said more than 4,000 women were among the dead. The number with varying injuries had risen to 56,400 [a big jump over the [48,78reported earlier in the day, 41,316 the previous day, and up from 36,000 four days earlie]. The Palestinian Government Media Office in Gaza had said a few days earlier that the number of missing people had risen to more than 7,500 [double the 3,750 previously reported], including 1,800 children still under the rubble, including 4,700 children and women. The Palestinian Ministry of Health explained that the death toll in the West Bank since the beginning of this year has risen to 465, including 257 martyrs since last October 7. Israel revised down the death toll from the October Hamas attacks in southern Israel from 1,400 to 1,200. IDF had said previously it was holding 1,500 bodies of terrorists, a total that now would increas to about 1,700. Israel admitted that 5 soldiers were killed in the Gaza ground battles, bringing the death toll to 97 [109?] since the ground invasion of the Strip, while the death toll for the Israel forces had risen to 429 soldiers since the beginning of Operation al-Aqsa Flood. At least 10,157 Israelis were injured. Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that 5,000 soldiers had been wounded since the beginning of the war on October 7, and that the Ministry of Defense had recognized 2,000 soldiers as disabled so far. The Hebrew newspaper Haaretz revealed that the army rarely referred to casualties when talking about the deaths of soldiers during battles. According to the same newspaper, this policy differs from what was prevalent in previous wars and military campaigns, during which the army also published the number of its wounded, in addition to publishing other details. Yedioth Ahronoth said that the Israeli Ministry of Defense rehabilitation department receives 60 injured people daily, most of whom are in serious condition, in addition to at least 100 being blinded, and 7% suffering from psychological symptoms. The military and strategic expert, Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi, stated 09 December 2023 that the numbers provided by the Israeli newspaper about the losses of the occupation army are not correct, and they are greater than that. He pointed to Israeli sources that talk about 3,000 dead and 11,000 wounded, which are the numbers closest to the truth, the adds. Sl Jazeera TV General Al-Duwairi said that a Hebrew newspapers announcement of these numbers confirms that the reality is much greater than this. Because Yedioth Ahronoth will be concerned about Israeli morale in the end, meaning it will not provide everything. He added, "Given that the number of vehicles destroyed by the resistance - according to its announcements - reached 500, between a tank and a troop carrier, the first carrying 10 personnel and the second 12 personnel, this means an average of 11 personnel per vehicle." While losses in symmetrical battles are estimated at one dead to every three wounded, Al-Duwairi believes that the losses in the current battles will be much greater because they are all battles that take place from zero distance, meaning they are deadly battles and even the casualties in them are very serious. Lebanons Health Ministry released its first official casualty numbers in fighting, saying 77 people were killed and 251 wounded since the start of the war on Gaza. Hostages When this army tried to rescue one of the detainees, it failed in its operation and caused the death of the detainee. It was also unable to remove his body, and even caused the killing and wounding of the soldiers who made that failed attempt. The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades - the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) - broadcast a video clip that included pictures of what it said was the failure of an attempt to free a captive Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip, at dawn last Friday. Al-Qassam said that the clip was intended to "thwart a Zionist attempt to reach one of the prisoners, which led to the death of the prisoner, soldier Sa'ar Baruch (24 years old), and the Zionist force was killed and wounded, and they fled the place." Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy told reporters that Hamas still held 137 captives. The resistance released 10 Israeli detainees, 4 Thais and 2 Russian women, who were released outside the agreement. Over the course of 6 days, Israel has received 102 detainees, women and children, including 78 Israelis, in exchange for the release of 234 Palestinian prisoners, women and children. Eylon Levy, the Israeli government spokesperson, told reporters 01 December 2023: Hamas still holds 137 hostages from the October attacks, in addition to four others who went missing before the war The hostages include two children aged four and 10 months, who, Hamas now claims, are dead 117 male hostages are still kept in Gaza, including the two children, as well as 20 females 126 hostages are Israelis, and 11 others are foreign nationals Foreign nationals are eight Thais, one Nepalese, one Tanzanian and one French Mexican citizen Ten of the remaining hostages are 75 and older. There are seven missing people since the October 7 attack Hamas has released 110 hostages so far 86 Israelis and 24 foreign nationals. The Al-Qassam Brigades announced the death of an Israeli woman and her two children who were detained by them as a result of a previous Israeli bombing of Gaza. The Israeli army confirmed the deaths of five hostages held in Gaza, saying their families had been informed, and the body of one of them returned to Israel. In recent days, the IDF and Israel police notified the families of the hostages Eliyahu Margalit, Maya Goren, Ronen Engel and Arye Zalmanovitz about their deaths, army spokesman Daniel Hagari said. He also said troops had brought back the body of a fifth person that he identified as Ofir Tsarfati. Hagari said Gaza militants were still holding 136 hostages, among them 17 women and children. Before the release of the sixth batch of Israelis detained in Gaza, Israeli government spokesman Elon Levy said that 161 Israelis are still detained in the Strip [al-Jazeera reported "more than 100 prisoners" remain with the resistance]. Levy added that Israel has prepared a list of 50 Palestinian detainees to be released if Hamas continues to release detainees. At least 76, and possibly more than 80, hostages had been released by Hamas over six days of a cease-fire. During the pause, Hamas fighters released 60 Israeli women and children. In return, Israel released 180 security detainees from its prisons, all of them women and minors under the age of 19. Hamas also separately released 19 foreign hostages, most of them Thai farm workers, under separate agreements parallel to the truce agreement. Thirty children held by Gazan terrorists have been released as part of a four-day ceasefire deal with Hamas that began Friday, but 10 still remain in the Strip. The terror group has said it planned to release 20 more hostages as part of a two-day extension to the deal. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the Biden administration believes eight or nine more Americans are still being held but the U.S. does not have "solid information on each and every one of them." Perhaps 100 are Israeli civilians. Some of the rest are soldiers, seized when Hamas raided military bases in Israel. They may end up being held the longest. The Israeli military had not specified how many soldiers were captured, nor their ranks. By one account 236 confirmed abducted civilians and IDF soldiers. 18 of the abductees are elderly people aged 75 and older. 121 of the abductees have foreign citizenship (including dual citizenship). Conflicting estimates were provided regarding the number of Thai nationals still in captivity. The Wall Street Journal reported 25 November 2023 that Hamas is interested in releasing 23 Thai citizens during the four days of the ceasefire, mediated by Iran. On the other hand, the Thai Foreign Ministry claimed 20 more citizens who are held captive by Hamas, and that four of the ten who were released were not included in the number initially estimated. According to some estimates, Hamas was initially holding nearly 210 of the 240 hostages, while Palestinian Islamic Jihad was holding the remaining 30. About 40 Israelis remained missing. More than 40 hostages taken from Israel into Gaza on October 7th are not currently in the custody of Hamas, the group responsible for the attack, according to a CNN report based on a diplomatic source briefed on the negotiations, CNN's prior reports had indicated that an estimated 40 to 50 hostages were held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad or other unidentified groups or individuals. Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said on Hamas telegram account that 23 bodies of the 60 missing Israel hostages were trapped under the rubble. It seems that we will never be able to reach them due to the continued brutal aggression of the occupation against Gaza, he said. The the Palestinian Prisoners' Club announced that the Israeli occupation forces arrested at least 15 citizens from several governorates in the West Bank, from yesterday evening, Friday, until dawn today. This brings the number of arrests in the occupied West Bank since October 7 to 3,700 detainees. Israel said that, since the beginning of the war, about 2,100 wanted persons have been arrested throughout the IOS Division and the Bekaa and Emekim Brigade, about 1,100 of them are affiliated with Hamas. During the Loyalty of the Free prisoner exchange deal between the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas and the Israeli occupation in 2011, under which 1,027 prisoners were liberated in exchange for the release of soldier Gilad Shalit, the occupation refused to release a list of about 40 prisoners and classified them as dangerous. Throughout their detention, these forty remained outside the scope of negotiations, and the occupation insisted on not releasing them under any circumstances. But Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, which began on October 7, in which the resistance captured about 250 Israelis, restored hope to the prisoners and their families, and made the idea of liberation from captivity closer to being achieved, even for those with high sentences. Among them, the names of the three senior prisoners, Abbas Al-Sayyid, Ahmed Saadat, and Ibrahim Hamed, stand out. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 09 December 2023 - Day 654 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of December 9, there were 45x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 1x missile strikes, 5x air strikes, 25x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. The Russian occupiers launched another attack on Ukraine, using 1x Kh-59 guided missiles, which was successfully destroyed by Ukrainian air defense forces. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Private residential buildings as well as other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged. Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Around 25x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Plokhiv, Klyusy, Baranivka, Rozhkovychi, Fotovyzh, Starykove, Volfyne (Sumy oblast), Ternova, Starytsya, Bochkove (Kharkiv oblast). Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Novoselivs'ke (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Kup'yans'k (Kharkiv oblast). Lyman axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. The occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 12x attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Vasyukivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire. Avdiivka axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 11x attacks in the area east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, with air support, was making unsuccessful attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). Mar'inka axis: Ukrainian defense forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Mar'inka, Pobjeda and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces launched 8x failed attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders. The settlements of Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka. Paraskoviivka (Donetsk oblast) were under artillery and mortar fire of the Russian occupiers. Shakhtars'ke axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled 2x assaults of the Russian forces attempting to force Ukrainian units out of their positions in the vicinity of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Prechystivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire. Zaporizhzhia axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled 3x Russian attacks near Novopokrovka and west of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Levadne, Novodanylivka, Novopavlivka, Lobkove, Stepove (Zaporizhzhia oblast), and Nikopol' (Dnipropetrovs'k oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire. Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at the settlement of Beryslav, Tyahynka, Ivanivka (Kherson oblast), and the city of Kherson. Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold their ground on the left bank of the Dnipro River (Kherson oblast) and inflict fire on Russian forces. During the day of December 9, Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x Russian fuel and lubricant depots. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Russian Armed Forces delivered long-range air-launched precision-guided group strikes on AFU Olkha and Grad MLRS ammunition depots, as well as Grom operational-tactical missiles. The goal of the strikes have been achieved. All the assigned targets have been engaged. In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by helicopters and artillery inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the AFU 43rd Mechanised Brigade and 113th Territorial Defence brigade near Kurilovka and Petropavlovka (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 105 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, as well as one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces repelled one attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 1st Ukrainian National Guard Brigade near Serebryansky forestry. In addition, strikes were delivered at clusters of AFU manpower near Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses in this direction amounted to up to 155 Ukrainian troops, as well as two armoured fighting vehicles and three motor vehicles. In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled five enemy attacks near Belogorovka, Krasnoye, and Shumy and inflicted fire damage on manpower of the AFU 22nd, 93rd mechanised brigades and 79th Air Assault Brigade close to Mariynka, Kurdyumovka, Andreyevka, and Kleshcheyevka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 200 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, and one D-30 gun. In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by helicopters and artillery repelled one attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 58th Motorised Rifle Brigade near Novodonetskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 80 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, as well as two motor vehicles. In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the AFU 33rd, 117th, 118th mechanised brigades, and 128th Mountain Assault Brigade close to Stepnogorsk, Pyatikhatki, Verbovoye, and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 35 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one D-30 howitzer, as well as one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. In Kherson direction, as a result of actions of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery and aviation, the AFU lost up to 50 Ukrainian troops and three motor vehicles. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces destroyed one ammunition depot of the AFU 120th Territorial Defence Brigade near Volchansk (Kharkov region), struck military infrastructure at Kulbakino airfield (Nikolayev region), and engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 118 areas during the day. 11 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted by Russian air defence units close to Topolevka, Shipilovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Opitnoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Skelevatoye and Vasilieyvka (Zaporozhye region). In total, 550 airplanes and 257 helicopters, 9,588 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 13,924 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,188 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,284 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 16,096 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese private space company sends second methane-propelled rocket into orbit Global Times By Tao Mingyang Published: Dec 09, 2023 03:43 PM The ZQ-2 Y3 rocket, developed by Chinese privately-owned aerospace company LandSpace, blasted off on Saturday morning from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province, taking three satellites into planned orbit. It is the second successful flight for the company with ZQ-2 series rocket, the latest example for Chinese privately-owned aerospace companies deploying satellites into planned orbit. Chinese industry insiders said that China's strong industrial system with the most complete categories and the large-scale production capacity is the key reasons behind the rapid development of the domestic commercial aerospace industry. The launch successfully delivered three commercial satellites into sun-synchronous orbit about 460 kilometers above the Earth, further highlighting the maturity and stability of the ZQ-2 carrier rocket, and also marking a step forward for the company and China's commercial aerospace industry, according to LandSpace. The Y3 in the rocket's name meant the craft was the third in the ZQ-2 series. The ZQ-2 Y3 has total length of 49.5 meters, diameter of 3.35 meters, a launch weight of 220 tons and takeoff thrust of 268 tons, which is capable of placing a 1.5-ton payload into a typical sun-synchronous orbit at about 500 kilometers above the Earth. Future models could ultimately increase the payload to four tons, according to the company, adding that it can facilitate the deployment of low earth orbit satellite and cargo spacecraft. In July this year, the ZQ-2 Y2 completed a launch mission by delivering a sample payload into orbit. It was the world's first successful launch of methane-liquid oxygen carrier rocket, placing China amongst the leading ranks of the global space race for methane-based rocket. Another Chinese private rocket start-up Galactic Energy on Tuesday sent two commercial satellites into twilight orbit via its self-developed CERES-1 Y9 carrier rocket following its last launch failure in September this year. With the rapid deployment of the US' Starlink satellite constellation, the important strategic value of satellite internet in terms of global coverage, 6G communications, and special communications has sparked competition in the aerospace field represented by Internet. Take the US as an example. The superior launch capabilities and lower launch costs of space exploration technology companies have enabled the Starlink satellite constellation to realize fast networking with the help of technological innovation and commercial operation models, said Dai Zheng, the general manager of LandSpace's rocket research department. Research data showed that China has deployed multiple large-scale satellite internet constellation plans, with the overall scale expected to exceed 20,000 satellites and the total launch scale expected to exceed 10,000 tons, according to Dai. Different from the previous deployment of single satellites or small-scale constellations, the operation of satellite constellations requires the rapid deployment of a large number of satellites in different orbits in a short period of time. It has extremely high requirements for rocket launch capabilities. The rapid development of China's commercial aerospace companies and the domestically developed rockets with cost advantages will undoubtedly greatly benefit China's internet constellation construction plan, Dai said. Zhang Changwu, CEO of LandSpace said China's strong industrial system is the reason behind the rapid development of commercial aerospace companies. China's industrial system is the one with the most complete categories and the strongest large-scale production capacity in the world today. China is home to world-class enterprises in the fields of raw materials, propellants, precision processing, electronic information, and electromechanical equipment required for rocket manufacturing, Zhang said. The development of China's private aerospace sector has entered a critical moment with strong market demand, mature technology and government support, said Gu Xingfa, director of Institute of Remote Sensing application under the Chinese Academy of Science, during a satellite industry development conference held recently in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, according to news outlet thepaper.cn. LandSpace's reusable carrier rocket ZQ-3 integrates a carrier capacity of 21.3 tons for each low orbit launch mission and 18.3 tons for recovery missions, according to the company. The first stage of the rocket can be used by maximum of 20 times and was scheduled to complete its first flight in 2025, which will facilitate Chinese commercial aerospace into new development era with large capacity, reusability and low cost, the company said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HKSAR govt says it disagrees with Moody's downgrade decision Global Times By Global Times Published: Dec 06, 2023 11:55 PM The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) has said it disagrees with a Moody's report that changes its outlook to negative from stable, saying linkage with the Chinese mainland should not be a rating constraint as it is a source of strength for Hong Kong. Moody's on Wednesday downgraded its outlook on Hong Kong to negative from stable, one day after it cut the credit outlook for the Chinese mainland. China's Ministry of Finance on Tuesday expressed disappointment about the downgrade, saying the concerns about China's economic growth prospects and fiscal sustainability are "unnecessary." "We disagree with its decision which is based on the grounds of tight linkage of credit profiles with the mainland and the potential spillovers from the developments in the mainland," the HKSAR government said in a statement posted on its official website on Wednesday. Hong Kong's deepening and expanding economic and financial ties with the Chinese mainland should not be a rating constraint, the statement said. "On the contrary, these ties are a source of strength for Hong Kong's long-term development." The HKSAR government noted that the Chinese mainland will continue to be an important engine of global economic growth and is firmly on track to grow by at least 5 percent this year, which will outpace many other economies. The HKSAR government also pointed out that Moody's has made unfounded comments on its high-degree of autonomy, its political and judicial institutions, the implementation of the National Security Law (NSL) and changes to the electoral system, noting that with the central authorities' commitment to upholding One Country, Two Systems in the long run, the core strengths of Hong Kong as an international financial and trade center will remain. Contrary to what Moody's has suggested in its assessment, the implementation of the NSL has put an end to the chaotic situation and serious violence that occurred between June 2019 and early 2020, and restored stability and increased the confidence in Hong Kong, thereby allowing the city to resume its normal operation and return to the path of development, the statement said. While the number of foreign companies in Hong Kong has remained stable at around 9,000, the deposits in Hong Kong's banking system stood at about $2 trillion at end of November this year, which is about 10 percent higher than it was prior to the implementation of the NSL, the statement noted. "The strengths of Hong Kong have withstood different tests over time, and will continue to do so in the future," the HKSAR government said. "The fundamentals sustaining China's sound economic growth in the long run are unchanged and will not change in the future. We have the confidence and ability to realize long-term steady development. Concerns expressed by Moody's over China's economic prospects and fiscal sustainability are unnecessary," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular press conference on Wednesday. "Just as some friends from the business community have said, China has become a synonym for the best investment destination. The 'next China' is still China," Wang said. The ratings agency also changed the outlook for Macao to negative from stable, Moody's said in a separate statement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Double Standards Slammed by KCNA Commentary Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, December 9 (KCNA) -- Since the DPRK's reconnaissance satellite "Malligyong-1" was successfully launched and put into commission, startling the whole planet, the U.S. has been so far running amuck with anti-DPRK hostile moves. World media and experts made positive comments that the DPRK's showing off its reconnaissance technology is never negative for the region in the long run and Pyongyang's possession of a reconnaissance satellite can help make the situation of the Korean peninsula rather stable. However, the U.S. brought up in vain the DPRK's open and aboveboard exercise of its sovereign right to the UN arena, branding this as a "grave threat to regional and world security", only to make a fool of itself before the world community. Far from drawing a lesson from it, it zealously defended the launch of the south Korean puppets' spy satellite that was carried by its carrier rocket, making a sophism that "the nature was different in terms of observance of international law." Now then, is the south Korean puppets' spy satellite a tourist appliance for watching scenic mountains and spots instead of military locations? The puppets themselves massively advertise their building spy satellite network by riding on the back of their master, talking big that it will raise the ability to monitor the DPRK's strategic objects and is for mounting a preemptive strike in contingency. It is monstrous to talk about so-called legality over the launch of a spy satellite of obvious military and aggressive use that targets the surrounding powers as well as the DPRK. The U.S. turned a deaf ear and kept its mouth shut when Japan launched an intelligence-gathering satellite "Radar 7" last January and when Israel put into orbit a spy satellite "Ofec-13" to be used for beefing up the monitoring of the Middle East area in March. But the U.S. badmouthed the DPRK, labeling its launch of a reconnaissance satellite as a "violation of the UNSC resolution", while shielding its minions. This shows that the U.S. is totally preoccupied with conflicting and biased double standards. In view of the Outer Space Treaty defining the development and use of space as a universal right of UN members, there is no room in infinite space for application of the gangster-like American-style double standards of denying and trampling down others' rights. No country can sacrifice others' self-defensive right for its own security. The reality urges the DPRK to build up the physical capability in a more overwhelming and offensive way so that it can defend its existence and development from the hostile forces' escalating anti-DPRK moves. It is the firm determination of the DPRK to make its deterrence posture more thorough and effective by putting more different reconnaissance satellites into orbit in a short time to gather all information about anti-DPRK military actions in the major areas of operational concern including the Korean peninsula and the Pacific. The DPRK's reconnaissance satellites starting with "Malligyong-1" will become lookouts in space and powerful telescopes to provide plenty of real-time valuable information about the hostile forces' anti-DPRK military moves and perfectly carry out the guiding role for the DPRK's toughest strike if necessary. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Reckless Military Aid to Ukraine is Suicidal Act of Inviting Disaster: Int'l Affairs Analyst of DPRK Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, December 9 (KCNA) -- Ro Ju Hyon, an international affairs analyst of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, released the following article titled "Reckless military aid to Ukraine is suicidal act of inviting disaster": The Washington Post of the U.S. on Dec. 4 carried an article disclosing the fact that the amount of 155 mm artillery shells the U.S. supplied to Ukraine this year by taking over from the Republic of Korea (ROK) surpasses the amount of shells delivered by European countries by far. According to it, the Biden administration of the U.S., faced with a difficult task of satisfying the Ukrainian demand for shells, calculated that about 330 000 155 mm shells can be delivered in 40-odd days by persuading the ROK and, on this basis, got down to negotiations on a full scale. As a result, the delivery of shells started from the beginning of this year. This brought to light once again the truth behind the shameless fraud of the ROK which has insisted so far that it had never delivered lethal weapons to Ukraine. In April last, puppet traitor Yoon Suk Yeol, in a press interview, made reckless remarks that south Korea can provide weapons to Ukraine in case of serious situation such as large-scale attack on civilians, massacre and violation of war laws, only to invite a backlash from Russia. At that time, Russia gave a strong warning to the ROK that the offer of weapons to Ukraine would be regarded as an open hostility towards Russia, saying that a new enemy trying to help the enemy of Russia appeared. Nevertheless, the ROK handed over a large quantity of shells to the puppet Kiev authorities, the amount of which exceeds the one provided by European countries. This is the top-class pro-U.S. act to put even the West, steeped in anti-Russia policy, into the shade. The political and military gangsters of the ROK have resorted to all sorts of sleight of hand, claiming that they do not provide deadly weapons and that they are working hard to maintain friendly relations with Russia in a bid to cover up their criminal acts. But now that the truth has been brought to light again, world people are sternly watching how the ROK would try to mock the international community again. It is a vivid manifestation of hostility towards Russia to render military support to the puppet Zelenskiy clique who is waging an unjust proxy war against Russia, a country of the fellow countrymen, as a faithful servant of the U.S. And it is also a war criminal act against peace that instigates the prolonged existence of the bloody Ukrainian crisis. The international community clearly grasps the hidden intention of the puppet forces of the ROK trumpeting about "arms deal" and derides the dirty plot of the ROK to cover up their criminal nature of getting hell-bent on the military support to Ukraine as the running dog to the U.S. The wrong choice of the puppet forces of the ROK will inevitably bring only catastrophic disaster and the worst consequences. The just international community aspiring after global peace and security should frustrate all the anti-peace war moves of the U.S. and its minions by concerted efforts. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by Spokesperson for Korea Association for Human Rights Studies Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, December 9 (KCNA) -- A spokesperson for the Korea Association for Human Rights Studies made public the following statement on Saturday: Recently the U.S. has incited hostility towards the DPRK more extremely than before while staging various sorts of fanatical anti-DPRK "human rights" rackets. Standing on the van of it is Julie Turner, "special envoy on north Korea's human rights issues" of U.S. Department of State. Her anti-DPRK actions for the past months clearly show that she is not a "special envoy on human rights" with human rights issues as her regular business but a "vanguard" in carrying out U.S. hostile policy towards the DPRK and a "confrontation special envoy" meddling in others' internal affairs and provoking confrontation. The so-called protection of "defectors from the north", expansion of inflow of information and intensifying of punishment over "human rights violation" brought up by Turner is a manifestation of an aggressive attempt to lay foundations for toppling down the system and government ultimately by demonizing the dignified DPRK and producing psychological instability and discontent within it. This is the essence of the U.S. repeated policy on "human rights" of the DPRK. The U.S. is, indeed, the world's worst human rights abuser to be blamed by the international community as it has made the whole world noisy with its foreign policy for hegemony and interference in internal affairs of other countries and caused the humanitarian crisis of the bloodshed in the Middle East and other parts of the world. The present reality in which human rights cannot be protected if state sovereignty is violated clearly proves that sovereignty means human rights and that the protection of sovereignty and the provision of human rights are inseparable. The greatest threat to the DPRK's provision of human rights is coming from the U.S. hostile policy towards the DPRK, and it is the only way of defending and promoting the genuine human rights of the Korean people to remove all sorts of hostile threats from the U.S. and eradicate the root of the U.S. illegal hostile policy. Under any circumstances human rights can never be a tool for implementing the hegemonic policy of a particular state. The DPRK will firmly defend the independent rights and interests of the Korean people from the encroachment on sovereignty and human rights by the hostile threatening forces including the U.S., and actively join in the efforts of the international community for the provision of international justice and genuine human rights. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address As a global growth engine, India is providing a new direction to the world: Raksha Mantri at 96th Annual General Meeting of FICCI India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Shri Rajnath Singh calls upon business leaders to collaborate further with the Government to make the 21st century India's century Posted On: 09 DEC 2023 2:07PM by PIB Delhi India has emerged as a global growth engine and is providing a new direction to the world. This was stated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at the 96th Annual General Meeting and Convention of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi on December 09, 2023. He asserted that the Indian growth story is the result of the hard work and ability of more than one billion Indians under the guiding leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The Raksha Mantri highlighted that the transformative policies and programmes of the Government have powered the Indian growth story, various facets of which are shaping up the world of today. "India has committed that its growth will not be at the cost of environmental degradation. We've chosen the path of green growth. We signed the Paris Agreement. We've formed the International Solar Alliance. We've taken initiatives to promote clean energy. We have also reduced the emission intensity of GDP," he said. Stressing that the economic growth must be gender neutral, Shri Rajnath Singh pointed out that the Government, under the Prime Minister's leadership, has successfully changed the earlier narrative which credited the growth of the economy to the contribution made by men and men alone. "Empowering women has been our priority. We've ensured that India's economic, political, and social development takes place not just on the strength of men, but Nari Shakti too," he said. Enumerating the steps taken by the Ministry of Defence to empower women, the Raksha Mantri said: "Girls are now studying in Sainik Schools, while women officers are being trained at the National Defence Academy. Women are now being appointed as fighter pilots, deployed on warships, and posted on forward posts across the border. In addition, a large number of young girls are joining the Armed Forces through Agnipath scheme." Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted another major aspect of India's growth story and stated that the Government has created a growth web across the country by decentralising the activities and taking them to far-flung areas. Citing programmes like PM Gati Shakti Yojana, he said: "We have connected remote parts of the North-East & small towns with metro cities through infrastructure development and as a result, all the regions are developing together." The Raksha Mantri also listed out the initiatives and accomplishments undertaken by the Government in the field of infrastructure development. "We promoted infrastructure development in roads, airports and railways. Till 2014, India had 91,000 kilometres of national highways; today it has increased to about 1.5 lakh kilometres. While India had only 74 airports in 2014, today it has increased twofold. Through PM Gati Shakti Yojana and National Infrastructure Pipeline, we have planned infrastructure development worth up to Rs 100 lakh crore in the country," he said. Reiterating the Government's commitment towards inclusive development, Shri Rajnath Singh said India's growth story showcases that there is no irreconcilable trade-off between economic growth and distributive justice. "Our growth model shows that equal opportunities to everyone and the accelerated growth rate can be achieved simultaneously," he stated. The Raksha Mantri also emphasized on the significance of human resources in economic progress. He highlighted the numerous interventions made by the Government to promote the Indian economy, terming 'strengthening of the country's human resources' as the most impactful. He pointed out that the new National Education Policy, the establishment of over 400 new universities, seven new IITs, and seven new IIMs, focus on skills by carving out a new Ministry of Skill Development underscore the transformative change brought about by the Government to boost human resources in the country. Shri Rajnath Singh voiced the Government's faith and confidence in the youth of the country to sustain this growth story. The youths are the future of the country, who will make India a developed nation, he said. The Raksha Mantri called upon the business leaders and all other stakeholders of the economy to collaborate further with the Government to make the 21st century India's century. *** ABB/Anand/Savvy (Release ID: 1984385) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Blocks Amini's Family From Traveling To Accept EU Award By RFE/RL's Radio Farda December 09, 2023 Authorities in Iran have prevented relatives of Mahsa Amini, whose September 2022 death in custody sparked nationwide anti-government protests, from leaving the country to accept the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize. Amini's mother, father, and brother were told on December 8 at Tehran's Iman Khomeini Airport that they had been barred from travelling abroad. Their passports were confiscated, a source who asked not to be identified told Radio Farda. The family's lawyer, Saleh Nikhbakht, who was accompanying them, was apparently allowed to travel. The European Parliament on October 19 awarded the 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Amini and the Women, Life, Freedom movement that was sparked by her death. "The European Parliament proudly stands with the brave and defiant who continue to fight for equality, dignity, and freedom in Iran," European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said at the time, adding that they award "remembers their struggle and continues to honor all those who have paid the ultimate price for liberty." The prize, which was set up in 1980 to honor individuals and organizations promoting human rights and basic freedoms, includes a 50,000-euro ($54,000) prize. It will be presented in Strasbourg on December 13. Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman, died in custody on September 16, 2022, shortly after being detained by the so-called morality police for allegedly violating the country's strict Islamic dress code. Supporters say she was subjected to physical abuse while in custody. The Iranian authorities launched a brutal crackdown against mass demonstrations that were sparked by Amini's death and which became one of the most daunting challenges faced by the Islamist government since Iran's 1979 revolution. In October 2022, Amini's family reported receiving death threats aimed at preventing them from participating in the peaceful protests. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-amini-family-barred- travel/32723340.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Egypts Ministry of International Cooperation formed a partnership with the World Bank to incentivize innovation in climate-smart agriculture (CSA), according to a ministerial statement on Sunday. The partnership builds on the achievements and capabilities of a project funded by the Korea Green Growth Trust Fund (KGGTF) which aims to localize technologies and best practices required to boost CSA in Egypt. The latest partnership with the World Bank comes as an application of the Climate Resilient Agri-Food Transformation (CRAFT) project under Egypts Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy (NWFE) programme. The new partnership also targets launching innovative digital applications that are tailored to serve the agricultural sector in Egypt. It is also drafted to cover regional activities with a focus on Africa. A key part of sustainable economic development and green growth is closely related to building sustainable infrastructure and efficient use of resources, which will be achieved in the partnership with the World Bank and the KGGTF, said Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat. The partnership with the international cooperation ministry will support the green growth path in Egypt through local solutions focused on climate-smart technology, noted Martien van Nieuwkoop, global director for the Agriculture and Food Global Practice in the World Banks Sustainable Development Practice Group. The World Bank is applying a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Egypt with $7 billion worth of financing, dedicated to supporting the banks strategy in the country for FY20232027. During COP27, hosted in November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt launched the NWFE programme to mobilize investments worth $14.7 billion to implement nine projects in mitigation and adaptation to climate change in the water, food, and energy sectors. Throughout 2022, Egypt has signed many memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with various international entities to attract foreign investment in green hydrogen and to become a global hub for hydrogen production. Search Keywords: Short link: Iraqi resistance says eleven operations launched on US bases IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 9, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced on Saturday that its forces had conducted a total of eleven operations targeting US bases in Iraq and Syria a day earlier. Iraq's Islamic Resistance said that those operations were carried out using tens of missiles and drones. According to an earlier statement by the resistance, the operations included missile attacks on Ein al-Assad base in western Iraq as well as a US base in a Syrian oil field. Iraqi resistance groups have conducted similar attacks against US positions in Iraq and neighboring Syria ever since the Israeli regime began its war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The groups say their attacks are in retaliation for America's support of the Israeli regime's crimes against people in Gaza. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel - M830A1 120mm Tank Cartridges Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov Transmittal No: 24-15 WASHINGTON, December 9, 2023 -- The Secretary of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Israel of 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (MPAT) tank cartridges and related equipment for an estimated cost of $106.5 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on December 8, 2023. The Government of Israel has requested to buy thirteen thousand nine hundred eighty-one (13,981) 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (MPAT) tank cartridges. Also included are publications and technical documentation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $106.5 million. The Secretary of State determined and provided detailed justification to Congress that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the Government of Israel of the above defense articles and services in the national security interests of the United States, thereby waiving the Congressional review requirements under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended. The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives. Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. This will be a sale from U.S. Army inventory. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Israel. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov. -30- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden admin. pursuing supply of 45k tank shells for Israeli regime amid Gaza war IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 9, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- The administration of US President Joe Biden has pushed the Congress to approve the sale of 45,000 shells for Israel's Merkava tanks in the regime's aggression against Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. Reuters quoted four sources familiar with the issue, including a current US official and a former one, as saying that the demand has been raised amid worries about the use of US-made arms in the relentless bombing and shelling of residential areas and health centers in Gaza, which has caused the killing of over 17,000 civilians in the besieged area since October 7. The members of the Senate Foreign Relations and House of Representatives Foreign Affairs committees are engaged in informal discussions with the administration about their concerns. The American lawmakers have the privilege to stall the sale. The US State Department is trying to persuade the congressional committees to hastily approve the transaction, said both the current US official and Josh Paul, a former State Department official. Paul noted that the request was submitted to the committees earlier this week and the members are expected to review cases regarding Israel within 20 days. In October, Paul resigned from the State Department in protest over what he described as the administration's "blind support" for the Israeli regime. Reuters earlier reported that the US provides the regime with 3.8 billion dollars of military aids per annum, including fighter jets and that the Biden administration has recently called on Congress to approve extra 14 billion dollars for the Israeli regime. US-based news website, Axios, has also reported that the US provided the Israeli regime with over 70,000 weapons, including aircraft, ground vehicles, missiles and bombs, via military aid between 1950 and 2022. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden pushing $500 million arms sale to Israel ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 9 December 2023 / 09:44 The White House is reportedly weighing whether to fast-track thousands of munitions under emergency powers. Tehran (ISNA) - US President Joe Biden is quietly urging lawmakers to approve the sale of 45,000 tank shells to Israel, Reuters reports, noting that the deal is facing scrutiny amid growing concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza. Worth over $500 million, the potential sale would restock Israel's arsenal of 120-millimeter shells, which are used by its Merkava main battle tank, four unnamed sources told the outlet on Friday. Congress must authorize the transfer before it proceeds, but some lawmakers remain skeptical. "This went to committees earlier this week and they are supposed to have 20 days to review Israel cases. [The State Department] is pushing them to clear [the sale] now," said Josh Paul, a former State Department official who resigned in October to protest Washington's "blind support" for Israel. A current official confirmed Paul's comments, also observing that the State Department has pressed Congress to approve the massive sale, which is currently under "informal review" by the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs committees. However, Biden is reportedly considering bypassing legislators altogether to move ahead on a smaller sale of 13,000 tank shells, as emergency authorities under Arms Export Control Act would allow him to skip the congressional review. No decision has yet been made on the matter, two US officials said. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, who sits on the Foreign Relations committee, urged the White House to give lawmakers time to examine the sale, saying "The administration should not consider short-circuiting the already short time frame for congressional review of this or any other arms transfer." The $500 million deal is separate from a major aid package currently making its way through Congress, which would devote $14.3 billion in direct military assistance to Israel if passed in its current form. Some of Biden's allies in the Senate have grown critical of US support given the soaring casualties in Gaza, however, with independent Senator Bernie Sanders saying Washington should use its "substantial leverage" over its ally to limit the bloodshed. The US remains Israel's top military donor, and has already transferred around 15,000 bombs and 57,000 artillery shells to Israel since October, the Wall Street Journal reported. That aid is in addition to annual assistance already given to the country, which amounts to around $3.8 billion each year. Over 17,000 Palestinians, including more than 7,100 children, have been killed in Israel's assault since the war began in October, according to local officials. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Out of the hills: The war is coming to Myanmar's cities Expect more assassinations, drone attacks, and bombings that target security forces and symbols of military rule. A commentary by Zachary Abuza 2023.12.09 -- Operation 1027, launched on Oct. 27 by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, has led to coordinated attacks throughout Myanmar and seen the fall of 20 towns and over 300 military posts. But violence is now starting to spread to the cities, a strategic tipping point. Since that offensive against the military in northern Shan state by the alliance - the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) - members and others are expanding the battle front against the military junta. In the east, Karenni forces launched Operation 1111 and now control nearly 80% of Kayah state. They are now fighting in the capital Loikaw. In western Myanmar, the Arakan Army ended its cease-fire in Rakhine state, and have taken major bases, while Chin forces have made significant inroads along the Indian border and claim to have established civil administration in 70% of the state. The MNDAA has begun its assault on Laukkaing, the capital of the Kokang region. Karen forces in Kayin State have taken over parts of the main road to the Thai border, greatly restricting border trade. On Dec. 3, the opposition National Unity Government announced the establishment of civil administration in Kawlin town in the war-torn Sagaing region, the first township capital to fall to the opposition. The military that took power in a Feb. 2021 coup is increasingly constrained to a diminishing share of the Bamar heartland. But even that is starting to slip away. On Dec. 3, the KNLA and local PDFs took over Mone, the first town to fall in Bago state. Some 17 soldiers surrendered with their weapons. More importantly, the opposition is getting within striking distance of Highway 1 that connects Yangon and Naypyidaw. Military escalation The military has responded with an escalation in the number of long-range artillery and aerial bombing, both of which have resulted in increased civilian casualties. On Dec. 3, the NUG's Ministry of Human Rights released details on SAC attacks on civilians, documenting 84 airstrikes, and 112 artillery strikes that resulted in the death of 244 civilians. Such attacks will continue as the military has neither sufficient number of troops to retake lost territory, nor sufficient means to move troops. One cannot control territory from the air. In a brief moment of candor, Min Aung Hlaing acknowledged some battlefield setbacks, blaming foreign interference. While there have been significant opposition gains in the countryside, within the cocoons of Mandalay and Yangon, the military regime has gone to great lengths to project a sense of normalcy, so that the population will acquiesce to military rule. Restaurants and bars are open, life goes on. Reports from the ground suggest that the military is building up its defenses in Naypyidaw, Yangon, and Mandalay, with increasing shows of force and patrols of armored vehicles. Naypyidaw is already a fortress city that will be hard to attack. But the recent capture of heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems should give opposition forces the ability to now target the city. Likewise, greater proximity will allow the small drones and quadcopters that the opposition has used to drop mortar shells the ability to strike targets. Even symbolic strikes in Naypyidaw would sew fear amongst regime loyalists, undermine morale, and sap the will to resist. More urban attacks That is now changing, with more attacks by opposition People's Defense Forces (PDFs) in the cities in the past month. The most notable recent attack was the Dec. 1 assassination of the chairman of the pro-military New National Democracy Party, Than Tun. He had been a National League for Democracy (NLD) member before defecting to a pro-military party that was established by a senior advisor to the State Administrative Council (SAC). the junta's formal name. These assassinations are meant to convey good operational intelligence on the part of the PDFs, and at the same time, serve as a warning that if they can hit someone so close to the SAC, then the military is unable to protect anyone. There have been many assassinations in the past, including the assassination of the chief financial officer of the military owned telecom firm MyTel, and an attack on the current governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar, which wounded her. But the military understands the importance of maintaining a sense of security in the cities. There's always been violence in the borderlands, but once violence hit Yangon and Mandalay, people questioned the military's hold on power. To that end, they began deploying Chinese-made CCTV cameras with artificial intelligence. Urban guerrilla networks that were active in 2022, were systematically taken apart. The arrest and torture of one member, often led to the rest of entire cells. This means that the return of urban guerrillas is an important milestone that demonstrates both a decline in the military's control over the cities, and the growing confidence of the PDFs to conduct operations. Yangon sees PDF attacks There has been a string of attacks in greater Yangon in the past few weeks. A PDF attacked soldiers guarding the state-owned Electric Power Cooperation Department in both North Okkalapa and South Okkalapa Townships on Nov. 23 and 24, respectively. On Nov. 29, PDFs attacked a compound of the military-owned conglomerate, Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd, in Yangon's Insein Township. This was an important symbolic target, as the conglomerate is one of the most important sources of revenue for the military. On Nov. 30, local PDFs used drones to drop bombs on a police station and two military posts in Yangon, while PDFs in North Okkalapa Township bombed forces encamped at a local high school. There have been bombings, more recently, in Dagon township. PDFs set off two bombs at a police post in Yangon's Thingangyun township on Dec. 4. The military has responded to these attacks, with a series of raids and arrests of youth. RFA has reported that some 50 youth had been abducted from Yangon townships in recent weeks. In short, the war is coming to the cities. With each week, there will be more assassinations, more drone attacks, and more bombings that target security forces and symbols of military rule. This will shatter any false pretense that the military is still in control and empower more civil disobedience. It's no wonder that Min Aung Hlaing has suddenly called for a political solution, before it all comes crashing down. Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or Radio Free Asia. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Video address to the participants and guests of the Russian Military and Patriotic Youth Army Congress December 9, 2023 17:15 President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Friends, Today we are celebrating Heroes of the Fatherland Day, a highly significant day for Russia and for all of us. This day was established to honour exceptional Russians who performed military and labour feats for the benefit of the Fatherland, displayed great courage, dedication and fortitude, and were awarded the Golden Stars of Heroes and the Orders of Glory and St George. We hold their great examples of selflessness and devotion to the Fatherland in high regard. They are an integral part of our national history and serve as a striking example of patriotism, providing us with a deep understanding of what it means to love one's homeland and take responsibility for its future. Their lives serve as a reliable guide for you, the younger generations of Russian citizens, serving as a guiding principle for your thoughts and actions, inspiring the desire to excel in your studies and in sports, to serve the people, to work for them, and to defend your homeland without seeking personal fame and recognition - just as real heroes do. You, Young Army members, know this firsthand. Your movement was created in order to unite young people who care about their country, its history and culture, who are always ready to benefit the Fatherland and be part of its destiny. The fact that you are holding your nationwide congress on the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland is symbolic and fitting. You are an active and purposeful group, providing valuable assistance to volunteers and search teams. You take care of the elderly, support those in need with word and deed, and take part in implementing projects to support the participants in the special military operation who carry on the military traditions of Great Patriotic War and Armed Forces veterans. I wish you all the best in maintaining the momentum of your work, continuous development and progress. May you find success in all your endeavours. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Telephone conversation with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. December 9, 2023 14:30 Vladimir Putin shared his impressions following his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as talks with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran held in Moscow. The leaders discussed a number of issues related to Russian-Egyptian cooperation, which has been developing very successfully. Both parties expressed their interest in further expanding cooperation in various areas in a traditionally friendly manner based on the principles of strategic partnership. The President of Russia thanked Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for his assistance in evacuating Russian citizens and members of their families, as well as delivering humanitarian aid from Russia to the Gaza Strip, and wished him success in the upcoming presidential election in Egypt. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Transfers Seized Stake In Strategic Metals Firm To State Nuclear Energy Company By RFE/RL December 09, 2023 Russia has transferred a majority stake in a strategic metals firm to the state's nuclear energy company after seizing shares from its private owners. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on December 8 signed an order transferring the shares in Solikamsk Magnesium Plant to Kremlin-controlled Rosatom, according to n order posted on the government's website. Russia last year seized an 89 percent stake in Solikamsk, claiming the Urals-based company was illegally privatized in the 1990s. Russian courts have nationalized dozens of companies -- many strategic -- on that basis since the Kremlin launched its invasion of Ukraine, raising fears in the business community about a larger revision of privatizations. Russia sold off wide swaths of its economy in the 1990s, including energy and metals companies, often in an opaque and unfair manner that gave rise to the so-called "oligarchs." Solikamsk, which produces 100 percent of Russia's tantalum and niobium as well as 60 percent of its commercial magnesium, was privatized in the 1990s as well. Tantalum is used in a variety of commercial and critical defense applications such as mobile phones and turbine engines for aircraft, while niobium is used in the production of high-strength steel alloys used in pipelines and transportation infrastructure. Magnesium has a variety of industrial uses, including as a reducing agent to separate uranium. President Vladimir Putin promised in the early 2000s shortly after coming to power that he would not reverse the privatizations if Russia's tycoons stayed out of politics and that agreement had largely been maintained with a few major exceptions before the war. The series of nationalizations -- many but not all based on alleged illegal privatization -- since the war began has sent a chill through the business community, Aleksandr Shokhin, the head of Russia's industry lobby, told the RBK news agency in September. "Nobody knows who will be next," he said. He said there was concern the assets are being seized to hand over to people who are considered more loyal to the Kremlin. "If an asset goes into state ownership, where does it go? Is it transferred to the management of the 'right' people, 'good' entrepreneurs from some circle? Or is it being put up for privatization?" he said. Many Russian tycoons have kept a low profile since the invasion of Ukraine, with some relocating abroad, opening themselves to criticism, especially from pro-war members of the elite. Russia earlier this year seized a controlling stake in Syas Pulp and Paper Mill, one of the largest manufacturers of toilet paper and napkins, after its owner acquired Israeli citizenship and relocated abroad. Putin last month met with the country's largest businessmen at his residence outside Moscow to discuss Russia's business climate. The issue of nationalization was expected to be raised. With reporting by Kommersant, RBK, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-solikamsk-magnesium- nationalized/32723635.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Seeks To Unfreeze Gold Reserves As It Woos Global South By RFE/RL December 09, 2023 Russia has said it is studying whether its gold reserves, frozen by the West in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, could be used to help developing countries overcome the impact of climate change. In a statement made at the COP28 summit in Dubai, where officials from around the world are gathered, Russia's climate envoy suggested the frozen funds could be used to help emerging nations accelerate their fight against climate change. "We are ready to announce that Russia is looking into the voluntary contribution of finance to the loss and damage fund from the frozen national gold reserves held by international organisations," Ruslan Edelgeriyev, Russia's climate representative, said on the main stage at COP28. Russia has been seeking to strengthen ties with countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East -- sometimes referred to as the Global South -- after the West cut most ties with Moscow over its brutal invasion of Ukraine. Those countries, many of which are in the developing stage, are among the hardest hit by climate change. Global South countries have criticized developed countries, especially Western states, for slow rolling aid to help them combat climate change. Global South countries say developed countries have largely caused climate change through their greater use of fossil fuels, while they suffer the consequences. Developed countries provided about $100 billion in financing to developing countries for climate change last year. The United States and Europe have frozen about $300 billion in Russian gold reserves held in the West as punishment for its invasion of Ukraine. Washington and Brussels have yet to decide what they will do with the Russian funds. Some Western officials have called for using the funds to help rebuild Ukraine after the war. Russia's climate representative may have simply attempted to win over developing countries while stoking their frustration with the West. Many countries in the Global South have criticized the West for quickly mobilizing tens of billions of dollars in military and financial aid for Ukraine when their calls for help receive marginal attention and resources. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-climate- gold-reserves/32723564.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Missing For Three Days, Life 'At Risk,' Supporters Say By RFE/RL's Russian Service December 09, 2023 Supporters of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny say they have had no contact with him for three days. Maria Pevchikh, chairwoman of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on December 8 that "Navalny is missing for three days now." "Navalny's life is at great risk," she wrote. "He is in complete isolation now." In a post on Instagram on December 8, Ruslan Shaveddinov, also with the Anti-Corruption Foundation, wrote that the last information about Navalny was that he had fallen ill in his cell after being subjected to harsh conditions, including limited food, a lack of ventilation, and minimal exercise time. "Navalny's only protection is publicity," Shaveddinov wrote. Navalny associate Kira Yarmysh wrote on X on December 8 that the opposition leader's lawyers had waited outside the prison all day without being granted permission to visit their client. She said his allies had not received any letters from him for more than a week, which she said was unusual. "Our letters to him also have not been delivered," she wrote. On December 8, Navalny was not connected by video link to a court hearing, with prison officials citing technical problems. On December 7, Navalny's supporters launched a campaign to oppose President Vladimir Putin's bid to secure a fifth presidential term in Russia's March 2024 election. Navalny has urged Russians to vote against Putin in the election. Putin announced on December 8 that he will seek another term. Navalny is serving a 19-year prison term after being convicted of creating an "extremist" organization, charges that are widely believed to be retribution for his political activity. In September, he was transferred to a strict-regime cell after being deemed "incorrigible." He has been placed in solitary confinement more than 20 times since he began his prison term in February 2021. He has been recognized as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International and as a political prisoner by the Memorial human rights group. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-navalny- missing-days/32723401.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Egyptian government has allocated EGP 100.7 billion in investments for the country's manufacturing industries sector during the current fiscal year (FY) 2023/24, said Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Said. According to an official statement, the government has increased spending on investments in manufacturing industries by 19.6 percent compared to FY 2022/2023, which saw investments amounting to EGP 84.2 billion. In FY2023/24, the government plans to direct investments of EGP 79 billion towards non-oil manufacturing industries while allocating around EGP 22 billion to the petroleum sector. These investments are anticipated to propel the country's industrial production from approximately EGP 3.6 trillion in the previous fiscal year to EGP 4.3 trillion in the 2023/2024 plan, reflecting a growth rate exceeding 19 percent. Egypt aims to further increase the value of its industrial production to EGP 5.74 trillion by the end of FY2025/2026 -- an annual 15 percent growth rate. Production in the petroleum industries is forecasted to grow faster than non-oil industries in the coming fiscal years, as per the statement. El-Said highlighted the significant contribution of the industrial sector to Egypt's GDP, which constitutes 16 percent of the economy and provides jobs for around 3.5 million individuals (13 percent of the total workforce). Moreover, the industrial sector drives Egyptian exports, producing over 85 percent of total non-oil exports valued at $ 25.9 billion in 2021/22. Egypt's industrial development strategy aims to achieve five key goals by FY2026/2027. These objectives include increasing the industrial growth rate to 8 percent, raising the industry's share of GDP to 20 percent, and achieving an annual growth rate for industrial exports ranging between 18 to 25 percent. Furthermore, the strategy seeks to expand green industries and the circular economy to align with the country's objective of reaching exports worth $100 billion by 2030. The increased focus on industry should support the government's plan to generate annual revenues of $191 billion by 2026, up from $ 70 billion now. Search Keywords: Short link: Interview of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Vershinin to the ITAR-TASS News Agency on the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention against Corruption, December 9, 2023 9 December 2023 12:33 2498-09-12-2023 Question: Today is International Anti-Corruption Day, which was established on the occasion of the opening for signature of the UN Convention against Corruption in Merida, Mexico, in 2003. How do you assess our country's participation in this agreement 20 years later? Sergey Vershinin: The UN Convention against Corruption is the only universal treaty that regulates all aspects of anti-corruption efforts and international cooperation. Russia was among the first countries to join it in 2003 and ratified it in full three years later. Participation in the Convention has in my ways spurred the creation and proper functioning of the anti-corruption architecture as well as the systematic improvement of relevant legislation. The National Anti-Corruption Strategy and complementary plans have become available in our country, and a comprehensive institutional system has been formed. Efforts to prevent and detect corrupt practices are being refined, and special educational programmes are being implemented at educational institutions. International experts acknowledge the progress made by our country in this area as part of transparent and unbiased review mechanisms. The relevance and high value of the treaty are constantly confirmed by the steadily growing number of its participants. With Barbados joining it in October, their number reached 190. No doubt, the figure will be even more impressive by the next anniversary of the Convention. Question: This year marks a double anniversary. Tomorrow, the 10th session of the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption will open in Atlanta, GA. You will head the Russian delegation. How did the preparations for the event go? What priorities does our country plan to promote? Sergey Vershinin: The conference remains the only universal platform for open and constructive discussions of the most significant issues related to the implementation of the convention. However, in the last two years, the US-led Western countries have been doing everything to politicise the convention mechanisms. We firmly reject such attempts and, in conjunction with our like-minded partners, work on shaping a constructive agenda geared towards practical problem-solving within the forum's mandate. The preparation for the 10th session was quite challenging for our delegation. We vigorously opposed persistent attempts by the United States and its satellites to manipulate the course of negotiations on the final documents of the event. Our diplomats consistently upheld the principles of equality and consideration of the interests of all countries as part of a transparent preparatory process. Strengthening international regulations for asset return is among the priorities which we plan to advance during the session. For many years now, international organisations have noted a lack of progress in this field. They point out that globally only 1 percent of the total amount of illegal financial flows is seized and becomes public revenue. Repatriating such funds is an even more challenging endeavour. This is due to the selective and politically motivated approach practiced by the states where criminals hide their illegal assets, as they decide who to return the seized property to and who not. Furthermore, the practice of imposing certain terms and conditions for returning assets to the countries of origin has become more widespread, which violates the principles of respect for state sovereignty and equal cooperation. Hence, Russia is strongly in favour of eliminating gaps in international law norms and reaching specific agreements on ways to reinforce the convention to ensure the effective functioning of the international legal regime for asset return based on the principles of fairness and due consideration of the interests of developing countries. Question: It was not easy for Russia to preserve its positions in international anti-corruption formats in 2023. Thus, the Council of Europe Criminal Law Convention on Corruption has been denounced. What can you say about the results of the work done in the outgoing year? What are the priorities for 2024? Sergey Vershinin: Indeed, many relevant formats are reeling from the collective West's consistent policy of politicising international anti-corruption cooperation. Last March, Russia denounced the Criminal Law Convention on Corruption. We had to take this decision due to the Council of Europe's tough line on ousting our country from common European legal space. We were interested in continuing cooperation against corruption but this was completely impossible in the conditions that had been created for us. Russia was deprived of the right to be a fully-fledged participant in the work of the Group of the States against Corruption (GRECO), a monitoring body of the convention. It was turned from a subject to an object of assessment. To prevent such discrimination against our country, it was decided to denounce the convention and withdraw from the group, thereby depriving it of the legal grounds to review Russia. That said, the implemented provisions of the convention will remain part of our legal system. Exiting one treaty also does not mean exiting the global anticorruption political and legal space that is primarily created by the UN Convention against Corruption. Russia also remains a party to other effective agreements, in part, those concerning mutual legal aid and extradition. Our country remains actively involved in the relevant formats in BRICS, G20 and APEC. Our country will chair BRICS in 2024 and we are already drafting a programme of further work to maintain continuity in the priorities of the rotating chairs and to consider the interests of states that will join our association next year. We are paying much attention to strengthening regional cooperation. In this context, we expect the agreement on anticorruption cooperation of the CIS states signed last year to be ratified as soon as possible. We will continue working hard at international anti-corruption venues to promote cooperation with interested countries on the principles of equality and mutual consideration of national interests. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson December 9, 2023 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met yesterday with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The Secretary affirmed the urgency of addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza, preventing further spread of the conflict, and reinforcing regional stability and security. Secretary Blinken also welcomed Saudi Arabia's efforts to secure a durable peace agreement in Yemen, launch a Yemeni-Yemeni political dialogue under UN auspices, and ensure Yemeni actors remain focused on that effort. The Secretary also condemned recent attacks by the Houthis on commercial vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea and emphasized that all partners should cooperate to uphold maritime security. Finally, the Secretary and the Foreign Minister affirmed their countries' shared commitment, in coordination with international and regional partners, to end the devastating conflict in Sudan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPP's Lai calls Taiwan an exemplar of democracy and economic performance ROC Central News Agency 12/09/2023 10:32 PM Taipei, Dec. 9 (CNA) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te (ea) said on Saturday that Taiwan is an exemplar of democracy and economic development, a strong contrast to today's Hong Kong. Speaking at a rally in New Taipei for DPP legislative candidate Lin Shu-fen (zeS), Lai, the incumbent vice president, said that Hong Kong's society and economy had regressed, describing it as a "free city no more." Lai noted that Hong Kong democracy activist Agnes Chow (aa) had "become an exile at the tender age of 27." Taiwan's democracy was hard-earned, Lai said, calling on Taiwanese people to cherish it. He then criticized Taiwan's opposition parties for endorsing the notion of "one China" and seeking to revive a trade in services pact. President Tsai Ing-wen (ee) was voted in eight years ago and now Taiwan is highly regarded around the world and has a healthy economy and a robust stock market, Lai said. Now is not the time to backtrack, he stressed, urging Taiwanese people to choose the right and experienced candidates. For Taiwan to be a great nation, human rights have to be protected and people's freedom and happiness have to be ensured, Lai said, promising a healthier Taiwan, better equal rights to education, more robust industries and innovative technologies, more practical residential policies, and an annual economic growth rate of at least 3.5 percent if he gets elected. Former Premier Su Tseng-chang (eez), also attending the rally, said Taiwan's security has to be protected with national defense, but building up national defense has been criticized by some as provoking China. "Is it reasonable when securing our own houses with locks is to be said to be provoking our neighbors?" he asked. (By Lai Yu-chen and Alison Hsiao) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Claims KMT aligning itself with Beijing 'meaningless': Jaw Shau-kong ROC Central News Agency 12/09/2023 04:45 PM Taipei, Dec. 9 (CNA) Kuomintang (KMT) vice presidential candidate Jaw Shau-kong () on Saturday described claims that the opposition party has aligned itself with Beijing as "meaningless." Responding to allegations made by Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je's (), Jaw told a campaign event that KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih () had dedicated his whole life to serving Taiwan and had not once turned his back on the country. Jaw dismissed Ko's claims that the KMT had "rapidly aligned itself with China" as "meaningless." Ko has accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of portraying him as a supporter of Beijing but has now used the same tactic on the KMT, said Jaw, head of the Broadcasting Corporation of China. Recent polls have shown that Ko's support is trailing that of the KMT ticket, which explains why the TPP candidate felt the need to "throw red paint," Jaw said. Meanwhile, KMT Chairman Eric Chu (), who also attended the event, said polls commissioned by the KMT for its members showed that antipathy toward Vice President Lai Ching-te (), the DPP presidential candidate, and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim () to be the highest among the three sets of candidates, while antipathy toward Hou and Jaw was the lowest. The more people get to know Hou and Jaw, the more they will come to like them and realize that their policy proposals are truly beneficial for society and the country, Chu said. (By Liu Kuan-ting and Sean Lin) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kyiv Expects Delivery Of F-16s 'Soon' As Further U.S. Aid Remains Stalled In Congress By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service December 09, 2023 Ukraine's defense minister has said his country expects to take delivery of advanced F-16 fighter jets "soon," as the Biden administration warned the U.S. Congress that failure to support Ukraine could mean the United States will have to pay a high price in "national treasure and in American blood" in the future. In comments on December 8, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stressed that preparations to receive the advanced U.S.-made fighters were well under way and that "we will receive them soon." Kyiv has repeatedly urged its allies to provide the aircraft to counter Russia's air supremacy in the parts of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces. "In the short term, we will receive the F-16s," Umerov said. "In the medium term, we have also made more orders for our defense forces. I mean the years 2027 to 2030." In October, Denmark said it would provide its first batch of F-16s to Ukraine "in March or April" of 2024. In Washington on December 8, U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby urged Republican lawmakers to authorize additional military aid for Ukraine, saying the ongoing controversy over the issue was "a great gift" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "If you think the cost of supporting Ukraine is high now, think about...how high it's going to be in national treasure and in American blood if we have to start acting on our Article 5 commitments," he said, referring to the part of the NATO Charter that obligates allies to come to one another's defense. "If [Putin] gets Ukraine, he gets right up against the doorstep of NATO," Kirby said. "Helping [Ukraine] win this war is very much in our national security interest and in the national security interest of all our allies in Europe." Republican lawmakers in the United States have been refusing to proceed with some $60 billion in increased aid for Ukraine unless Democrats agree to increased immigration restrictions on the country's southern border. Speaking in Berlin on December 9, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his government will continue supporting Ukraine despite its current budget woes. Putin "should not and must not" expect Germany to reduce aid to Ukraine, Scholz said. Germany is the second-largest supplier of military aid to Kyiv, after the United States, providing main battle tanks, heavy artillery, and air-defense systems. In an interview with the BBC on December 9, Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska warned of the danger of "Ukraine fatigue," saying her country faced "mortal danger" if the West cut back on support. "We really need the help," Zelenska said. "In simple words, we cannot get tired of this situation, because if we do, we die. And if the world gets tired, they will simply let us die." In its daily briefing on December 9, the Ukrainian General Staff reported some 95 "combat clashes" along the front line over the previous 24 hours. In addition, officials said there had been 28 missile attacks and 27 air strikes. Fighting was heaviest in the Donetsk region around Avdiyivka. Russian forces have been attempting for several weeks to encircle the industrial city, which has become the latest symbol of Ukrainian resistance. With reporting by dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine- f16-delivery-soon/32723297.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President of Ukraine met with the Prime Minister of Cape Verde President of Ukraine 9 December 2023 - 21:40 On the way to Argentina to attend the inauguration of newly-elected President Javier Milei, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Prime Minister of Cape Verde JosA Ulisses Correia e Silva. This meeting is the first in the history of bilateral relations with this country. The Head of State emphasized the importance of Cape Verde's principled stand in supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemning Russian aggression, and specific steps taken by Cape Verde in support of Ukraine's international initiatives. In particular, Cape Verde favored the resolution of the 11th emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly on March 2, 2022, on the support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the demand for Russia to cease aggressive actions and withdraw its troops from our country's territory. Earlier, Cape Verde supported the resolution of the UN General Assembly on March 27, 2014, urging the countries around the world not to recognize the annexation of Crimea by Russia. The President expressed gratitude for the support, particularly in the UN, stating, "It is the voice of democracy that helps us, endorsing resolutions that are crucial." The Head of State invited the Prime Minister of Cape Verde to join efforts in implementing Ukraine's Peace Formula. Special priority was given to the implementation of its particular points, the preparation for the fourth national security and foreign policy advisors' meeting, as well as the Global Peace Summit. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked JosA Ulisses Correia e Silva for supporting the "Grain from Ukraine" humanitarian initiative and briefed him on the efforts to expand a new export corridor and establish grain hubs in Africa. The Head of State informed the interlocutor about Russia's unsuccessful attempts to hinder civilian navigation in the Black Sea, noting that after the restart of the alternative grain corridor, over 7 million tonnes of food had already been transported. The leaders also focused on intensifying Ukraine's engagement with African countries, enhancing cooperation within international forums, and agreed on the schedule of bilateral contacts in the near future. The President of Ukraine invited the head of the government of Cape Verde to visit Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andriy Yermak met with Alexander Soros President of Ukraine 9 December 2023 - 14:46 Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a meeting with the American businessman and philanthropist, Chair of the Open Society Foundations Alexander Soros. Andriy Yermak thanked Alexander Soros for participating in the inaugural meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, which took place on Friday in Kyiv. "Your participation is very important. I hope the coalition will show results of their successful work," the head of the President's Office said. The head of the Office of the President expressed gratitude for adopting the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Olena Zelenska Foundation and the International Renaissance Foundation. The document was signed under the initiative of the Open Society Foundations. According to the Memorandum, $1 million will be directed to support children in Ukraine, including children raised in large foster families in the frontline, de-occupied, and affected regions of our country. Andriy Yermak also expressed gratitude to Alexander Soros for signing a document establishing a Coalition Memorandum of Cooperation between Advisor, Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights and Child Rehabilitation Daria Herasymchuk and the Open Society Foundations on the sidelines of the meeting. The document will contribute to the most effective protection of the rights of children affected by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation and will assist in the implementation of the President of Ukraine's Bring Kids Back UA Plan, including measures to return young citizens illegally deported by Russia. The head of the Office of the President emphasized the importance of global publicity for cases of deportation of Ukrainian minors by Russia. In his opinion, publishing a book with stories about such children and involving globally recognized personalities in the process of their return to Ukraine can contribute to this cause. The Ukrainian side also aims to involve representatives of religious organizations in addressing humanitarian issues, particularly in assisting the return of deported Ukrainians. In addition, Andriy Yermak informed Alexander Soros about projects supporting veterans and their rehabilitation. He highly appreciated the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the International Renaissance Foundation and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, which entails collaborative work in the field of psychological rehabilitation and psychological support for the families of servicemen, families of those who died as a result of the war, prisoners of war, and internally displaced persons. Within the framework of the Memorandum, pilot projects will be implemented in two institutions in Odesa. "Your family does a lot for Ukraine: important projects to protect our people, strengthen democracy, for the success of the Ukrainian state," the head of the President's Office said. The interlocutors also discussed the possibilities for developing the Ukrainian economy, including issues related to Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia is erasing any memories of Ukraine in deported children, so they need to be returned to their homeland as soon as possible - Andriy Yermak at the first meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children President of Ukraine 9 December 2023 - 14:29 Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak emphasizes the importance of the global community's support in developing effective tools to ensure the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported by Russia. He made this statement participating the inaugural meeting of the International Coalition of Countries for the Return of Ukrainian Children held in Kyiv. "It is extremely important to work together on the development of international legal mechanisms that will enable efforts to bring back the children. This issue is urgent, and it cannot be ignored. This work must happen fast because children are growing up, and Russians continue to commit these crimes," the head of the President's Office said. Andriy Yermak thanked Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, the co-chair of the international high-level group of experts Bring Kids Back UA, and all attendees for their participation in today's crucial meeting. He stressed that the issue of returning abducted young Ukrainians is a priority for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's team. Therefore, during the Malta meeting of the leaders' advisors within the framework of the implementation of the Peace Formula, the creation of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children was initiated. Over 60 countries and international organizations have already joined this coalition. Andriy Yermak emphasized that Russia conceals data about children abducted in Ukraine and ignores any requests from the international community to provide relevant information. Consequently, Ukraine has almost no reliable information about them and their fate. He called on the coalition members to collaborate on developing mechanisms for identification, document restoration, and the physical return of children to Ukraine. "We already have a lot of information about how Russians abduct children, how they become victims of cruel treatment, and their names are changed. It is not about isolated cases," the head of the President's Office said. Andriy Yermak said Russians themselves admit to changing the names of Ukrainian children, placing them under Russian guardianship, and prohibiting the use of the Ukrainian language. "This is all evidence of the genocide against the Ukrainian people," he said. "Russians are creating systems aimed at erasing any memories of Ukraine in children. They set these children against Ukraine, against our culture, our language. Every day, they saturate them with fakes, misinform them, saying that their parents were killed or that parents abandoned them and are not looking for them. The living conditions are extremely poor. It is genocide. And the most dangerous thing is that in the 21st century, there are no real levers of influence, international organizations, mechanisms to bring these children home," he added. Andriy Yermak is convinced that each such crime against Ukrainian children must be thoroughly documented as evidence for future investigations not only in Ukraine but also at the International Criminal Court. The head of the President's Office expressed hope that through intensive discussions on the return of children, which is one of the points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, the creation of the international coalition, and the working group, it will be possible to bring all deported children back home to Ukraine. Andriy Yermak expressed gratitude to Qatar, the Vatican, and other countries and international organizations contributing to these processes. In particular, he recalled that on St. Nicholas Day, December 6, eight young Ukrainians were returned to their homeland. Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, on her part, mentioned her satisfaction in collaborating with the Office of the President, serving as co-chair of the expert group Bring Kids Back UA, and supporting the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported by Russia. She emphasized that disrupting the connection between children and their families harms the child and undermines the moral spirit of the entire nation. Childhood is an invaluable period of human life in which identity is formed, personality develops, and individuals learn to build relationships with their surroundings, she said. Interrupting this process has serious consequences, and it must be prevented, Helena Kennedy said, highlighting the crucial importance of international support in this matter. In his speech, American businessman and philanthropist, Chair of the Open Society Foundations Alexander Soros said that the number of abducted Ukrainian children has already reached the population of some European countries. He expressed pride in the support provided by the Open Society Foundations and the International Renaissance Foundation to the initiative of the International Coalition of Countries for the Return of Ukrainian Children. He also advocated for the urgent adoption of a UN resolution to facilitate the immediate return of Ukrainian children. This is an attempt to destroy the next generation of Ukrainians, their identity, Alexander Soros said. In his speeches, Putin is very clear about what he intends to do with Ukrainians, and given this, there is a sharp need to hold these criminals accountable, he said. Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets remarked during his speech, "If we were to return at least one deported child home every day, it would take Ukraine more than 55 years. However, we cannot wait that long. Russia has been deporting Ukrainian children since 2014 and continues to do so now. It has been almost 10 years since occupiers abducted an eight-year-old child. Now, they are a young man or woman. Children grow up very quickly, and Russia takes away not only their childhood but also their family, country, and nationality." He added that this is why the first meeting of the International Coalition of Countries for the Return of Ukrainian Children took place today, with the participation of 72 representatives from other countries and international organizations. "Everything is for our children to be home. We continue to work for a bright future for Ukraine and our children at home," the Ukrainian ombudsman said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yulia Sokolovska at the international conference: human recovery, rights of affected people during wartime requires new legal regulations and tools President of Ukraine 9 December 2023 - 12:17 Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Yulia Sokolovska participated in the International Conference "Freedom or Fear," dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. "While working on issues related to restoration of human capital due to war, the provision of basic services to citizens, and ensuring the rights of the affected, it is important to realize that we cannot fit war into the norms, tools of peacetime, or even into established customs and mechanisms that have formed after previous wars worldwide. We need to build new constructs using modern toolkits and ideas," she said. According to Yulia Sokolovska, people should feel that they are not alone, that there is a place for everyone in society, and that the state is working to compensate for their losses, physical, moral, or material constraints. The Deputy Head of the Office of the President mentioned that legislative initiatives have already been developed regarding the creation of registers of harm to life and health caused by the Russian war to our citizens. Special attention has been given to the issue of children. Tools for assessing the needs of the affected, documenting each case, and providing support have been proposed. They also plan to create a centralized database of those affected by the aggressor state, accounting for losses to ensure compensation for damages caused by Russia to the country and each individual. Yulia Sokolovska separately highlighted the role of civil society and international organizations in protecting human rights and restoring human capital. This includes expert assistance, advocacy, and meeting the needs of people. The event was organized by the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in collaboration with the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, aiming to draw attention to modern challenges related to human rights and facilitate the exchange of experience and the development of new approaches for the recovery of the rights of the affected and the achievement of sustainable development goals. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andriy Yermak and Baroness Helena Kennedy discussed further steps in cooperation to return unlawfully deported Ukrainian children President of Ukraine 9 December 2023 - 11:25 Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak met with the renowned human rights lawyer, civil liberties and child protection advocate, Director of the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute, Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, who is visiting Ukraine. Helena Kennedy is the co-chair of the international high-level group of experts Bring Kids Back UA and arrived in Kyiv to participate in the first meeting of the International Coalition of Countries for the Return of Ukrainian Children. Andriy Yermak thanked Baroness Kennedy for her visit and support of Ukraine's efforts to return its underage citizens who were unlawfully deported and forcibly displaced by Russia. "This is important for us. In my opinion, everything that the coalition works on together with our Bring Kids Back UA group is extremely important," the head of the Office of the President said at the beginning of the meeting. The participants emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts to develop new effective mechanisms by the coalition and the group. It would significantly increase the number of children returned to Ukraine, according to Andriy Yermak and Baroness Helena Kennedy KC. They drew attention to the importance of how international organizations perceive the issue of deported children and the steps that would contribute to their return. The head of the Office of the President and Baroness Kennedy also discussed the involvement of representatives from different countries, and leaders, including religious leaders, in the effort to return children. Andriy Yermak expressed the belief that discussing this direction is crucial for achieving the result of returning children to their families and homeland. "I fully support the involvement of various participants, especially representatives from the Global South as intermediaries or negotiation participants," he said. Baroness Kennedy informed about her meetings in Kyiv and her visit to Geneva, intended to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children. She emphasized the difficulty for children to live without parents, far from their relatives. She highlighted the importance of intensifying efforts to return as many children as possible to their families. "I think you should seize this opportunity to try. Let's see if we can achieve this great goal. We want to make efforts for about 500 children to be returned by Easter next year," Helena Kennedy said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Swedish Energy Agency entered a $28.2 million agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to combat global carbon emissions and alleviate poverty in Africa, according to a statement by UNDP on Friday. This accord was signed during the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai. The purpose of this new alliance is to curb global emissions while providing development support to African countries, said Sandra Lindstrom, head of International Climate Cooperation at the Swedish agency. The results we expect to see include job creation, energy accessibility, fortification of livelihoods, food security assurance, and the propulsion of gender empowerment, she added. For her part, Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, hailed this collaboration as a potential game-changer for numerous African nations. Eziakonwa stressed the significance of making development projects more financially viable and connecting them to private investments, thereby ensuring their long-term sustainability. This initiative follows in the footsteps of a precedent set by the UNDP's partnership with the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment in 2022, which has already yielded positive outcomes in Ghana, Vanuatu, and other locations. Sweden holds a pivotal role in the UNDP's agenda to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality, and achieve the objectives outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Swedish Energy Agency is a governmental organization dedicated to promoting renewable energy, advancing technological innovation, optimizing energy consumption, and mitigating climate change. The agency does not limit its efforts to Africa. During the same conference, the agency forged a strategic partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to implement emission reduction initiatives in Asia and the Pacific. In 2024, the Swedish agency, in collaboration with ADB and UNDP, will select countries and projects to be included in these initiatives. Search Keywords: Short link: Ukraine Dismantles Soviet-Era Monuments By VOA News December 09, 2023 Authorities in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv took down a statue of a Red Army commander from a central boulevard Saturday as part of a campaign to remove Soviet-era monuments from Ukraine. Municipal workers tore down the statue of Mykola Shchors, a Soviet field commander during the Russian Civil War, erected in the 1950s. A small group of onlookers applauded as a crane lifted the statue of Shchors on horseback and placed it onto a flatbed truck. "Derussification and decommunization are continuing. We have already dismantled more than 60 monuments related to the history and culture of Russia and the Soviet Union," Mykhailo Budilov, director of the city's Department of Territorial Control, said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. City officials said the statue would be stored in a museum. Authorities in Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa dismantled a prominent statue of Catherine the Great last year after a monthslong campaign by activists. Putin seeks reelection in 2024 Ukraine Saturday decried Russian plans to hold presidential elections next spring on occupied territories such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in the east and south of the country, declaring them "null and void" and vowing to prosecute any election monitors there. In Russia, activists reacted, saying they will put up a fight against President Vladimir Putin as he seeks reelection in March. Many of the opposition leaders are either in prison at home or live in exile, they say they hope to undermine the widespread public support the Russian president enjoys and turn popular opinion against his devastating war in Ukraine. Imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny said in a statement relayed by his team that "no one but us will step into this battle for the hearts and the minds of our fellow citizens." Putin on Friday announced his candidacy in the presidential election in March, after a Kremlin award ceremony during which war veterans and others pleaded with him to seek reelection in what Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called "spontaneous" remarks. For Putin, 71, the election is a formality: with the support of the state, the state-run media and almost no mainstream public dissent, he is certain to win. He has no discernable successor. He has served as president since 2000, longer than any other ruler of Russia since Josef Stalin. About 80% of Russians approve of Putin's performance, according to the independent pollster Levada Center. But it is not clear if that support is genuine or the result of Putin's oppressive regime, which cracks down on any opposition. EU aid debate Essential components in Ukraine's defensive war against Russia are stuck at the Polish border as Polish truckers are continuing their blockade on the border with Ukraine complaining that they cannot compete with Ukrainians' lower prices of goods and urging the EU to reinstate the limits on the number of Ukrainian trucks that can enter the bloc. About 200 pickup trucks needed to transport ammunition and evacuate the wounded from the front line are also blocked at the border because "deliveries have practically stopped," said Ivan Poberzhniak, head of procurement and logistics for Come Back Alive, Ukraine's largest charitable organization providing the military with equipment. Part of the mileslong blockade include 3,000 tourniquets bound for the battlefront as well as parts for drones. Despite Poland and other nearby countries being some of Ukraine's biggest supporters in the war, resentment has built from truckers and farmers, who are losing business to lower-cost Ukrainian goods and services flowing into the world's biggest trading bloc. The existing tension underscores the challenges of Ukraine's integration into the EU if approved. Ukraine is also facing hurdles from Hungary, another EU member. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has threatened to block the EU's $53 billion budget proposal to assist Kyiv through 2027. A senior EU official who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity said if Hungary does veto the aid package, the EU could allocate a smaller amount of money to Ukraine for a shorter time, or the other 26 EU countries could extend their national contributions bilaterally to Kyiv. "We know how existential it is. European leaders are responsible people a at least 26," said the official, who is involved in an EU summit scheduled for next week. Ukraine depends on economic aid from the West to keep its war against Russia going. Hungary is also planning on blocking EU membership talks for Ukraine at next week's summit. The EU is due to consider a legal proposal Tuesday allowing the use of sanctioned Russian frozen assets to help Ukraine. However, EU officials say Ukraine might not see the money anytime soon because EU members are bickering over the amounts pledged for Ukraine. The EU executive says $30 billion worth of private Russian assets and a further $223 billion of the Russian central bank's funds have been confiscated. Some $135 billion of the latter sum is held by Belgian company Euroclear. Belgium estimated it would collect $2.5 billion in taxes on that in 2023 and 2024. It said it would use those proceeds for Ukraine. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKX, a leading crypto exchange and Web3 technology company, has issued updates for December 10, 2023. OKX to change funding fee collection mechanism OKX today announced that, in order to provide users with better services, OKX will progressively change the funding fee collection mechanism for perpetual contracts from cross-period collection to current-period collection. Starting on January 4, 2024, funding fee calculations will be based on the funding rate of the current funding period (current-period collection). Affected contracts are: January 4, 2024, 12:00 am UTC+8 USDT-margined perpetual contracts: FLOWUSDT January 10, 2024, 12:00 am UTC+8 USDT-margined perpetual contracts: SOLUSDT, TRBUSDT, XRPUSDT, BCHUSDT, and WLDUSDT Other perpetual contracts will change based on market conditions, with separately issued announcements. Further details can be viewed here. For more information, please visit the Support Center . For further information, please contact: Media@okx.com About OKX OKX is a leading global crypto exchange and innovative Web3 company. Trusted by more than 50 million global users, OKX is known for being one of the fastest and most reliable crypto apps in the world. As a top partner of English Premier League champions Manchester City FC, McLaren Formula 1, Olympian Scotty James, and F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, OKX aims to supercharge the fan experience with new engagement opportunities. OKX is also the top partner of the Tribeca Festival as part of an initiative to bring more creators into web3. The OKX Wallet is the platform's latest offering for people looking to explore the world of NFTs and the metaverse while trading GameFi and DeFi tokens. OKX is committed to transparency and security and publishes its Proof of Reserves on a monthly basis. To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com Disclaimer SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CHPT) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. Class Period: June 1, 2023 Nov. 16, 2023 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Jan. 29, 2024 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/CHPT Contact An Attorney Now: CHPT@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895 ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CHPT) Securities Fraud Class Action: The litigation focuses on whether ChargePoint may have misrepresented product demand and omitted to disclose rising inventory costs, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firms investigation. On Dec. 6, ChargePoint posted disappointing quarterly results, reporting a fiscal third-quarter net loss of $158.2 million, or 43 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $84.5 million, or 25 cents a share, in the year-ago quarter. Revenue also declined 12% to $110.3 million from $124.3 million a year ago, missing analyst expectations. The poor results come on the heels of a recently filed securities class action suit. The complaint there alleges that Defendants misrepresented and concealed that: (1) ChargePoint was experiencing higher component costs and supply overruns for first generation DC charging products; (2) that, as a result, the Company was likely to incur impairment charges impacting profitability. The truth began to emerge on Sep. 6, 2023, when ChargePoint reported its 2Q 2024 financial results, including a $28.0 million, or 19 percentage point, inventory impairment charge. The Company stated the inventory impairment charge was taken to address legacy supply chain-related costs and supply overruns on a particular DC product. Then, on Nov. 16, 2023, ChargePoint announced preliminary Q3 2024 financial results, which would include an additional non-cash inventory impairment charge in the amount of $42 million related to product transitions and to better align inventory with current demand. As a result, the Company expected to report GAAP gross margin of negative 23% to negative 21%. The Company also reported revenue had fallen to $108 million to $113 million, as compared to $150 to $165 million as previously expected. Moreover, ChargePoint announced the abrupt departures of its CEO (Pasquale Romano) and, at the request of its board, its CFO (Rex S. Jackson). Shares of ChargePoint have cratered 78.5% this year, as compared to the S&P 500 index that has increased nearly 20%. Based on ChargePoints recent disclosures and share performance, we are investigating whether the alleged fraudulent period should be extended, said Mr. Kathrein. If you invested in ChargePoint and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, submit your losses now If youd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the ChargePoint case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding ChargePoint should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email CHPT@hbsslaw.com. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Founder Mujeeb Ijaz becomes Vice-Chairman and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Experienced investor and founding board member Faysal Sohail appointed Chairman of the Board. Leadership changes support ONEs transition from an R&D company to a technology supplier focused on scaling production of LFP-based products. NOVI, Michigan, Dec. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Our Next Energy Inc. (ONE), a Michigan-based energy storage technology company, today announced Paul Humphries will assume the role of CEO, effective immediately. Humphries brings more than 40 years of manufacturing and operations experience to ONE. Prior to his retirement in 2021, Humphries worked for Flex Ltd., a $30 billion company where he served as Group President of High Reliability Solutions, an $11 billion unit comprising Automotive, Industrial, Energy and Medical businesses. In addition, he served as the Corporate Chief Innovation Officer. Humphries has also been a member of the ONE Board of Directors since the company was founded in 2020. There remains an incredible need for a U.S. battery manufacturer and domestically made cells that extend range, increase energy density, and utilize abundant materials, said Humphries. Its an honor and privilege to help lead this company and a talented team through its next chapter as we implement ONEs inspiring vision and focus on scaling production of LFP cells in Michigan to serve transportation and energy storage markets with transformative technology. Mujeeb Ijaz, who had been chief executive officer since he founded ONE, will serve as vice-chairman of the board and take on the role of chief technology officer, leading product engineering. Change is necessary for growth, and we believe this is our opportunity and the time for growth, said ONE Founder Ijaz. "Through hard work and diversity of leadership, ONE will achieve our united vision of becoming the North American battery manufacturer." As part of the new corporate structure, the second founding board member, Faysal Sohail, will move into the role of chairman of the board. Sohail is a seasoned entrepreneur and venture company builder from Silicon Valley, with more than 20 years of experience serving and chairing boards. He currently serves on the board of Ascend Elements and was formerly Chairman of Wildcat Discovery Technologies and InoBat. "The opportunity to revolutionize the way we think about energy globally is in front of us," said Sohail. "These changes will enable ONE to grow with stability and pursue its goals with the dynamic innovation the world has come to know." ONE's founding board consisted of Ijaz, Humphries and Sohail, and under the new leadership structure ONE positions itself for growth and to transition from R&D to scaling production of LFP-based products. In October, ONE began pilot production of LFP battery cells at its ONE Circle Gigafactory, located in Michigan. Production of ONEs Aries LFP battery packs began earlier this year on a dedicated product line at Piston Automotive in southeast Michigan. About Our Next Energy Our Next Energy, Inc. (ONE) is a Michigan-based energy storage technology company focused on engineering batteries that will accelerate electrification in vehicles, renewables and the grid. ONEs vision is to double the range of electric vehicles, use safer, more sustainable raw materials, and establish a localized supply chain. Visit one.ai to learn more. Ritchie Bros, a global marketplace for insights, services, and transaction solutions for commercial assets and vehicles, is getting ready to welcome buyers from across the world for its upcoming Dubai auction, the last for this year, on December 13 and 14. Ritchie Bros pointed out that there are over 1,400 lots available at auction, of which 189 are unused. These items are designed to suit a variety of industries such as construction, transportation, oil and gas, mining, heavy lifting and material handling, asphalt and concrete and industrial support, it stated. The top equipment categories include hydraulic excavators, mini excavators, engines, wheel loaders, loader backhoes, articulated dump trucks, and crawler tractors. Some of the heavy machinery items up for grabs include: *Unused 2023 XCMG XE520LC-K Tracked Excavator *2016 Zoomlion QAY200 200-ton 12x8x10 All Terrain Crane *2013 Komatsu WA800-3A Wheel Loader *2014 Komatsu PC1250-8R Tracked Excavator *Sandvik Tamrock Axera T11 Jumbo Drill The upcoming event will also feature a variety of agricultural tractors which are an unusual addition to the auction fleet this year. Of the eleven agricultural tractors available for purchase, below are a few of the most popular machines on offer: *Unused 2023 John Deere 5075E 4WD Tractor *Unused 2023 Kubota MU5502 4WD Tractor *2019 Deutz-Fahr 6110.4W 4WD Tractor *Massey Ferguson MF165 2WD Tractor Shirin Bazargan, Regional Operations Manager at Ritchie Bros. said this auction will be an excellent way to start the new year with a new fleet, The past year has shown strong results in terms of the variety of machines, buyer attendance and sales." "We anticipate the last auction to be equally as successful and are looking forward to helping our customers find the right machinery for their fleet and start 2024 well equipped, she added.-TradeArabia News Service On the 64th day of its war, Israel targeted a declared safe zone in Rafah, killing over 10 people in their homes, while relentlessly bombarding Khan Younis with artillery and airstrikes. Global solidarity protests in support of Palestinians took place in various world capitals, just one day after the US vetoed a resolution calling for a ceasefire at the UN Security Council. 23:00 Susan, a 20-year-old mother from Gaza, was reunited with her twin baby girls in a hospital in Egypt on Thursday - almost two months after she last saw them. The two baby girls were among 28 premature babies who were evacuated on 28 November from Al-Shifa Medical Complex to Egypt - after Israel besieged, bombed then ransacked the place, sending it out of service. On Saturday, in a video posted on the X account of the World Health Organization regional office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Susan looks with love at her girls as they are being fed and warmly taken care of by Egyptian medical staff. Susan says: "We are humans like everybody else." "This war has to end!" she adds. More than 50,000 Palestinian women in Gaza are pregnant. Many Palestinian mothers have delivered their babies to this world without anaesthesia - due to the Israeli blockade on medical supplies to the strip - only to be welcomed by the sounds of Israeli bombs. Susan, 20, gave birth to twin girls in Al-Shifa Hospital in north #Gaza on 13 October. That was the last time she saw them. She fled as the hospital came under attack and was only able to see her babies again just two days ago. This war must end, she sobbed. pic.twitter.com/8PMHExwRCz WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (@WHOEMRO) December 9, 2023 22:00 Quds News Network released a video depicting a Palestinian boy in the Al-Zeitun district in northern Gaza telling chronicles of five days of humiliation and brutality in Israeli detention after being arrested along with other family members by the Israeli army. The boy speaking in the video appeared to be marked with the number '145' in red on the back of his hand, indicating the Israeli army was numbering its detainees, in a scene out of the catalogue of the SS numbering of prisoners in Nazi concentration camps. Ahram Online could not independently verify the content of the video. A chilling testimony from a child who, along with other civilians, was arrested by Israel occupation army after being trapped inside their homes in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/Vg6XLX95hV Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 9, 2023 On Thursday, chilling videos and images circulated on social media platforms depicting Israeli soldiers stripping naked scores of Palestinian men before hauling them into trucks and taking them to unknown destinations shocked many around the world. : / #GazaHolocaust #GazaGenocide pic.twitter.com/aHqUwesSjg Wejdene Bouabdallah (@tounsiahourra) December 7, 2023 21:30 The Iraqi Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for the mortar attack on the US embassy in Baghdad on Friday. At least three rockets targeted the US embassy in Baghdad's Green Zone at dawn on Friday, landing on the outskirts of the district housing government and diplomatic buildings, an Iraqi security official said. A US military official speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP that alarms had gone off and that "likely impact sounds" could be heard near the US embassy and Union III base, where troops from the international anti-jihadist coalition are stationed. This is the first reported attack against the United States embassy in the Iraqi capital since Israel's war on the Gaza Strip began in early October, raising regional tensions and fears of a wider conflict. Since mid-October, there have been dozens of rocket or drone strikes by pro-Iran groups against American or coalition forces elsewhere in Iraq as well as in Syria. There are roughly 2,500 US troops in Iraq and about 900 in Syria as part of so-called efforts to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State group. 19:00 The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza said Saturday that the death toll in Israel's war on the strip had risen to at least 17,700, mostly women and children. "The crimes and genocide against the people of Gaza are beyond any description... Ending Palestinian existence with American and European support is inhuman," ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said, adding that 48,780 people had also been wounded in the war. 18:30 Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in a massive protest in central London on Saturday afternoon calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israeli war on Gaza. The demonstration was led by Palestinians, Arabs, and Jewish organizations which rejected the Israeli genocidal campaign on the Gaza Strip. It comes less than a day after the UK abstained in the vote on a draft resolution in the United Nations Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israeli war on Gaza. The resolution, which was submitted by the UAE, garnered the support of 13 members of the UNSC but failed to pass after the US used its veto power on the council to give more time to the Israeli military campaign on the strip. 17:00 Pro-Palestinian climate activists held a demonstration in the Blue Zone at the COP28 on Saturday calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israeli war on Gaza. 16:30 The EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bombing campaign on Gaza is one of the most intense in history, according to Al Jazeera. The levels of destruction in the strip are comparable to the destruction suffered by German cities in World War II, added Borrell. He called for measures to end the violence against the Palestinians, warning that this violence makes the two-state solution more difficult. Firefights battle flames in a building hit by an Israeli strike in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on December 9, 2023. AFP 16:00 The Gaza City Municipality warned that 500,000 Palestinians who remain in the city in northern Gaza are facing a dire situation after all but three water wells operate on a very limited basis as fuel ran out. Meanwhile, UNICEF repeated its call for an immediate ceasefire to save the children in Gaza from more deaths and injuries. An immediate, long-lasting humanitarian ceasefire is the only way to end the killing and injuring of children. Full statement on Gaza by @AdeleKhodr: https://t.co/Olsmh3oYy1 UNICEF (@UNICEF) December 9, 2023 15:20 Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man in the West Bank on Saturday and another succumbed to his wounds from an Israeli raid the day before, health officials said. The Palestinian Health Ministry said a 25-year-old man died of his wounds Saturday after being shot during an arrest raid in the Faraa refugee camp on Friday, bringing the death toll there to seven. Among those killed was a local commander of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, Ahram Online could not verify this report independently. Also Saturday, Israeli occupation forces killed a 25-year-old Palestinian near the city of Hebron. The circumstances of the shooting were not immediately clear. The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment. The deaths brought to 274 the number of Palestinians killed in the occupied territory since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza two months ago. 15:00 A senior UN official told Reuters news agency that a new process for inspecting aid for Gaza at the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing is being tested, but efforts to get permission for trucks to enter through the crossing and ramp up relief are still continuing. Under the new system, trucks would come to the crossing with Israel, Gaza and Egypt for the first time from Jordan, before entering Gaza from Rafah, about 3km (1.86 miles) away. But Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the WFP, said the trucks would need to be allowed to enter Gaza directly through Kerem Shalom to alleviate an increasingly desperate situation in the coastal strip. Until now, limited quantities of aid have been delivered from Egypt through the Rafah crossing, which is ill-equipped to process large numbers of trucks. Trucks have been driving more than 40km (24.9 miles) south to Egypts border with Israel before returning to Rafah, leading to bottlenecks and delays. 14:25 Turkish President Recep Erdogan said that America's veto against the ceasefire in Gaza "demonstrates once again that the world is bigger than the five permanent members of the Security Council." "The United Nations Security Council demand for ceasefire is rejected only by US veto. Is this justice?" he said, highlighting the necessity for reform the Security Council. Erdogan also denounced the Israeli government, emphasizing that "the unlimited support it receives from Western nations allows it to commit brutal atrocities and massacres that bring shame to humanity." 13:40 Climate activists rallied for a joint 'climate justice' and 'ceasefire now' march, demanding an end to the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai. Here are some of the images coming in via news agency from Dubai. 13:15 The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the US veto of a UN Security Council resolution demanding a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza makes it "complicit in genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes against the Palestinians." He deemed the US stance as "aggressive and unethical," describing it as a blatant violation of all humanitarian values and principles. He held the United States responsible for the bloodshed of Palestinian children, women, and elderly in Gaza by the Israeli occupation forces, a statement released by the presidency said. 12:00 The Israeli occupation army has called on civilians in the north of the Strip to evacuate to known shelters west of Gaza City. It also said that fighting in the south continues, but that civilians can pass through a road west of Khan Younis. There is also going to be a four-hour tactical suspension of military activities in certain areas of the southern city of Rafah, it added in a message on X. Instructions from the Israeli army have generated chaos and fear among civilians who have repeatedly said that no place is safe as Israeli air strikes continue to pound the entire strip, from north to south. Areas and routes that have been indicated as safe in previous weeks have then been struck multiple times. 11:50 An Israeli strike on the southern city of Khan Yunis killed six people, while five others died in a separate attack in Rafah, the Health ministry said. It added that, over a 24-hour period, 71 dead and 160 wounded had arrived at Al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah city following persistent bombings. The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said it fired rockets Saturday towards Reim in southern Israel. 11:40 In a video conference with journalists, international organizations depicted a bleak picture of what Save the Children called the "horrors" unfolding in the Gaza Strip. "The situation in Gaza is not just a catastrophe, it's apocalyptic... with potentially irreversible consequences on Palestinian people," said Bushra Khalidi of Oxfam. "Israel safe zones within Gaza are a mirage," she added. Only 14 of the 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip are currently functioning in any capacity, according to UN humanitarian agency OCHA, and little aid is reaching those in need. "Those who survived the bombardment now face imminent risk of dying of starvation and disease," said Alexandra Saieh of Save the Children. "Our teams are telling us of maggots being picked from wounds and children undergoing amputations without anesthetic," lining up by the "hundreds" for a "single toilet" or roaming the streets in search of food, she added. "There are simply no safe spaces in Gaza, and we've seen this since the (Israeli) directive... calling on people to flee northern Gaza to the south," said Shaina Low of the Norwegian Refugee Council. Sandrine Simon of the Medecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) said: "Gaza's hospitals are becoming morgues. That's unacceptable." Doctors Without Borders president Isabelle Defourny said: "We are working in Al-Aqsa hospital, receiving an average of 150 to 200 war-wounded patients daily... since the first of December." Defourny spoke of "indiscriminate carnage." 10:41 The Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza Thomas White described his trip to a UN distribution centre in Rafah on Friday, saying: "All you could hear was air strikes going into the city." He told the BBC a guesthouse he shared with colleagues was hit last night and described a "desperate situation" for Palestinians. Thomas White said that a ceasefire was crucial. "Here in Rafah we have hundreds of thousands of people who are living in the open," he explained. "There is a lack of water. Everyone in the street is asking for flour to feed their children." "Our shelters have well over 7,000 people. There are hundreds using the one toilet for example." "If the bombs aren't going to kill them, it is the disease, or for those living out on the streets, it'll be the exposure." 10:00 The United States finds itself increasingly diplomatically isolated as it shields its ally, Israel. Countries worldwide and international aid agencies have vehemently criticized Washington for its use of the veto to block a UN resolution that urged a ceasefire in Gaza, the occupied Palestinian territory devastated by more than two months of brutal Israel's war. Russia slammed the US and UK for respectively voting against and abstaining from the vote to support the resolution, saying they are "complicit to merciless Israeli bloodbath." Dmitry Polyanskiy, deputy charge daffaires of the Russian Federation, told the UN security council after the vote failed, that the US's obstruction of a ceasefire is an American death sentence against thousands or maybe dozens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza. "One can speak cynically with nice empty words about democracy, human rights, women, peace, security, rules, order, as much as you like. However, the real value of those we have just witnessed when two members of the security council preferred to remain complicit to the merciless Israeli bloodbath," he said. The US veto marks "a turning point in history," stated Riyad Mansour, permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the UN. "Instead of enabling this council to fulfill its mandate by unequivocally demanding an end to two months of massacres, the perpetrators are granted more time to continue their crimes. How can such actions be justified? How can anyone justify the annihilation of an entire population?" questioned Mansour. China's representative at the Security Council also expressed disappointment over the resolution's failure, stating that "endorsing the ongoing conflict contradicts the professed concern for the lives and safety of individuals in Gaza." China expresses regret over U.S. veto of Gaza ceasefire resolution The United States on Friday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, diplomatically isolating Washington as it shields its ally. The resolution, drafted by the pic.twitter.com/IXGBBYjc6F Zhang Heqing (@zhang_heqing) December 9, 2023 "What is the message we are sending Palestinians if we cannot unite behind a call to halt the relentless bombardment of Gaza?" Deputy UAE UN Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab asked the council. "Indeed, what is the message we are sending civilians across the world who may find themselves in similar situations?" Saudi Arabia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal bin Farhan said it does not seem to be a priority for the international community to end the war in Gaza. Human Rights Watch said: "By continuing to provide Israel with weapons and diplomatic cover as it commits atrocities, including collectively punishing the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, the US risks complicity in war crimes." "With this veto, the US government is shamefully turning its back on immense civilian suffering, staggering death toll, and unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. And civilians are paying the price with their lives," Executive Director of Amnesty International Paul O'Brien posted on X. "We are appalled at the failure of the UN Security Council to authorize a resolution demanding a humanitarian ceasefire and unconditional release of hostages held in Gaza," said seven aid agencies in a joint statement. "Security Council members cannot ignore the horrific conditions in Gaza. Action must be guided by the urgent humanitarian imperative to stop fighting, rather than politics," declared Action Against Hunger, CARE International, Mercy Corps, Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam International, Plan International, and Save the Children International in their statement. STATEMENT: We are appalled at the failure of the UN Security Council to authorise a resolution demanding a humanitarian ceasefire and unconditional release of hostages held in #Gaza," said @save_children and aid agencies #CeasefireNOWhttps://t.co/fN6d5nV5Lq pic.twitter.com/xowm41m9Gv Save the Children Global Media (@Save_GlobalNews) December 8, 2023 9:38 Iran warned of the threat of an "uncontrollable explosion" of the situation in the Middle East after the United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza war. "As long as America supports the crimes of the Zionist regime (Israel) and the continuation of the war... there is a possibility of an uncontrollable explosion in the situation of the region," Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir-Abdollahian told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a phone call, according to a foreign ministry statement. The Iranian FM praised the UN chief's decision to use Article 99 of the UN Charter as a "brave action to maintain international peace and security." "The Israeli regime's claim that Hamas has violated the ceasefire is completely false," Amir-Abdollahian told Guterres, adding that US support for Israel "has made it difficult to achieve a lasting ceasefire." Iran's top diplomat also appealed for the immediate opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt to enable humanitarian aid to be sent into the Gaza Strip. 9:05 The ministerial delegation assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit expressed profound "dismay" over the US veto, blocking a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. According to a joint statement published by Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign ministers reiterated their call on the US to shoulder its responsibilities and take necessary measures to compel Israel to immediately ceasefire. The ministers reaffirmed their united opposition to the continuous aggression by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinians in Gaza, urging an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire. They advocated for the removal of obstacles restricting humanitarian aid entry into the territory. The foreign ministers firmly rejected all forced displacement actions carried out by the occupation, stressing the importance of abiding by international law and preventing such actions at all levels, as detailed in the statement. 9:00 Recent hours have witnessed a significant escalation in Israel's attacks on Khan Younis, marked by relentless artillery shelling and aerial bombardment on the city's eastern and central areas. Israeli forces continued to advance towards the city centre, near Nasser Hospital, intensifying an already tense situation. This morning, reports from Al Jazeera confirmed Israel's targeted killing of an entire family of 13 members. Israels air and ground attacks initially focused on the northern third of Gaza, leading hundreds of thousands of residents to flee south. A week ago, Israel expanded its ground assault into central and south Gaza, where nearly the territorys entire population of 2.3 million Palestinians are crowded, many of them cut off from humanitarian supplies. Search Keywords: Short link: By the end of the century, its likely that huge swaths of the global economy will be cashless. Its already beginning to happen. The Department of Motor Vehicles in Louisiana ditched cash last year . Boston's transit agency plans to phase out the payment form. The entire country of India is considering such a move . And increasingly, fast-casual food chains across the U.S. are going cashless to remove the risk of robbery and the burden of slow cash transactions.But theres onesignificant portion of the population thats getting left out of this transition: people who lack access to traditional financial services like bank accounts and credit cards.Nationally, about 7.7 percent of people are "unbanked," meaning they dont have a bank account, according to a 2013 survey by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Another 20 percent are "underbanked," meaning they might have a bank account but regularly use alternative financial services such as check cashing depots and payday lending. The majority of these groups are low-income earners who struggle to meet the minimum balance required to open checking and savings accounts.Anti-poverty advocates and researchers say the move away from cash excludes an already underserved and disadvantaged population. The recent spike in cashless fast-casual restaurants, for example, limits the healthy food options available for the unbanked.For any business thats considering eliminating cash payments, its important they consider what the consequences will be and who will pay those consequences, says Linnea Lassiter, a policy analyst at the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute. Are the marginal benefits to their business worth systematically excluding a segment of the population thats largely low-income people of color?About 54 percent of black households and 46 percent of Latino households are underbanked or unbanked , compared to only 19 percent of white households, says Lassiter."I dont think [these businesses] are intentionally trying to exclude poor people and people of color, but thats the impact," she says.The phenomenon isnt yet widespread, but it does appear to be growing.Sweetgreen, a salad food chain, went cashless at locations this year in California, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Jetties, which serves salads and sandwiches throughout D.C., went cashless in 2015. Park Cafe in Baltimore also joined the trend . And many more restaurants across the country are considering it.Some anti-poverty expertscaution that concern about cashless businesses is misplaced. The real issue, they say, is with peoples lack of access to traditional financial services in the first place.Were not for or against cashless transactions. Our biggest concern isnt cash or not-cash, its banked or not-banked, says David Rothstein of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund), a nonprofit that aims to provide low- and moderate-income people with financial stability. Its about being safe and secure in a changing economy and being nimble in the way you manage your money.Rothstein points to the importance of city-run Bank On programs, which connect unbanked and underbanked people with safe, low-cost accounts. Some of these programs, which the CFE Fund helps to run, have been greatly successful. In San Francisco, for instance, Bank On has helped roughly 10,000 unbanked residents a year open accounts since it started in 2006.San Franciso's treasurer, Jose Cisneros, agrees that the focus for state and local governments should be on getting people access to bank accounts -- not on halting a seemingly inevitable transition away from paper money.Whether its a cashless restaurant, a rideshare app where you need a smartphone and a debit card, car rentals this is already the way that businesses have gone, says Cisneros. The reality is, in order to be successful, all of us really want to have a bank account.Lassiter, for her part, thinks attention can and should be paid to both issues.I definitely think its important for policymakers to create a more inclusive economy and partner with community-based organizations and Bank On programs, she says. But also, I do think there needs to be a focus on restaurants and businesses that are going cashless because whether or not they intend to be exclusionary, they are.Some businesses have already realized this and responded accordingly.An Amsterdam Falafel in Boston briefly went cashless last year but quickly halted the experiment and has no plans to go cashless at any of their locations, says Arianne Bennett, president and CEO of the fast-casual chain.We sell a food that brings great flavors and fresh vegetables to folks of all economic levels, she wrote in an email toIt would be rude of us to assume that everyone has access to digital forms of payment. A longtime Opa-locka manager who oversaw the city's troubled public works department was charged Thursday in the first federal corruption case brought by prosecutors after a three-year FBI investigation into alleged bribery schemes at the highest levels of government.Gregory Harris, who resigned this week as assistant director of public works, is accused of conspiring with a city commissioner, city manager and other employees to extort thousands of dollars in cash payments from Opa-locka business owners seeking occupational licenses, water connections and other permits.The 44-year-old North Miami resident was charged by "information," which means he is cooperating with the U.S. attorney's office and the FBI in the sprawling corruption probe and is expected to plead guilty to a conspiracy in the future. Harris plans to surrender to authorities Friday for his first appearance in Fort Lauderdale federal court.His defense attorney, Nathan Diamond, declined to comment about his client, who also is pastor of an Opa-locka church and leads Bible studies.Harris agreed to help FBI agents with their investigation in March, when authorities led a dramatic raid on Opa-locka City Hall to seize public records, financial documents and other evidence. Harris is accused of conspiring with "Public Official A" and "Public Official B" in the bribery scheme from March 2014 to March 10, 2016, the day of the raid.The following month, the Miami Herald published a detailed story on how Harris and other top city officials shook down business owners who were working undercover for the FBI in a series of backroom bribes recorded on video. The investigation is among the largest corruption probes in South Florida history.Although the two officials are not identified by name, the Herald has learned that one of the public officials is City Commissioner Luis Santiago and the other is former City Manager David Chiverton, who resigned on Monday after taking a three-month leave of absence for "personal reasons." A longtime Miami resident who once ran for the City Commission, Chiverton previously worked as an assistant city manager in Opa-locka.Chiverton's defense attorney, David Garvin, told the Miami Herald that the 51-year-old administrator plans to surrender to agents on Monday, noting he has been cooperating with the FBI and prosecutor Edward Stamm, and plans to accept responsibility for his conspiracy charge involving bribery."He tried to do a good job, but he got caught in a situation where he faced enormous pressure from elected officials," Garvin said. "He couldn't get out of the way and still have a job. It's sad, but that's where it ended up."According to information filed in federal court, Harris conspired with Public Official A, Public Official B and other government employees "to unlawfully enrich themselves by using their official positions and authority within the city of Opa-locka to solicit, demand and obtain payments and other things of value from businesses and individuals in exchange for taking official actions to assist and benefit [them]."Public Official A, Santiago, solicited and obtained "illegal payments" from businesses and individuals who were seeking occupational licenses and other permits for their properties in 2014 and 2015.In exchange for cash bribes, Santiago directed Harris and other Opa-locka employees to take care of the requests for occupational licenses, water connections, zoning benefits and code enforcement violations, according to the information. Neither Santiago nor his defense lawyer, Rod Vereen, responded to interview requests.Public Official B, Chiverton, also solicited and obtained "illegal payments" in the same scheme, the information said. In exchange, the city manager also directed Harris and other employees to take care of the businesses' licensing requests."Public Official B [Chiverton] also would make payments to Harris for his assistance in taking official actions to benefit the paying businesses and individuals," court records said. It noted that Harris also obtained "illegal payments" from businesses and individuals "by taking official actions relating to their water service."On April 10 of last year, Public Official A, Santiago, told a businessman working undercover as an FBI informant to meet him outside the commissioner's house to resolve his water bill to avoid service being shut down, the charging document said. Later that day, Santiago met with the informant outside the commissioner's house and "accepted $850 in cash" from him to prevent the water from being turned off, it added.Four days later, Public Official A, Santiago, asked Harris to go to the informant's place of business "to stop an Opa-locka employee from shutting down" his water services and also "instructed Harris not to talk to anyone about his request."On April 15, Harris told Public Official B, Chiverton, that he "attempted to collect additional money" from the informant "in connection with the business' water-service billing issues."A month later, Harris met with another businessman-turned-FBI informant and "accepted a $300 cash payment in exchange for having the water service turned back on" at his business on, according to the information. "After accepting the $300 payment, Harris directed two Opa-locka employees to turn the water back on" at his business.Longtime Opa-locka civic activist Alvin Burke said be believed the arrests will help the city, now under the control of a state oversight board, to move forward. "We're finally seeing some headway," he said. Ghana Club 100 awards: See the ranking of the top 100 companies in Ghana Kweku Zurek Business News Dec - 10 - 2023 , 08:18 In the 20th edition of the prestigious Ghana Club 100 awards organized by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd (Ahafo South Mine) has claimed the coveted top position, surpassing 99 other distinguished companies. The mining giant's achievement reflects its outstanding performance in the Ghanaian business landscape, overshadowing competitors and securing the accolade as the best company in Ghana. Notably, financial technology firm Zeepay, which held the top spot in the previous edition, slipped to the 13th position in this year's rankings. Scancom PLC Ghana, the operator of MTN Ghana, and Amanex Company Limited secured the 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively. The subsequent rankings from 4th to 10th feature prominent companies such as Goldfields Ghana (Tarkwa Mine), Newmont Golden Ridge Limited (Akyem Mine), Anglogold Ashanti Limited, Dansworld International Services, Abosso Goldfields Limited, Benso Oil Palm Plantation Limited, and FBN Bank Ghana. This year's theme, "Accelerating Economic Growth: Amplifying Ghanas Global Market Footprint through AFCFTA," aimed to provide a robust platform for assessing Ghanaian companies while fostering the resilience and confidence necessary for global competitiveness. Yofi Grant, the Chief Executive Officer of GIPC, emphasized the significance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) pact in expanding Ghanaian businesses across the continent. He stated, "For us at GIPC, our work is to complement government efforts by instituting various measures to bolster Ghanas private sectors competitiveness on the African continent." The 20th edition of the Ghana Club 100 awards celebrated decades of resilience, innovation, and excellence demonstrated by Ghanaian businesses across strategic sectors, including agriculture and agribusiness, financial services, ICT, infrastructure, petroleum, mining services, manufacturing, tourism, health, and education. The complete list of the top 100 firms recognized highlights the diverse contributions of businesses in driving economic growth and excellence in Ghana. US blocks UN Security Council demand for humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza backed by Ghana and 12 other countries www.reuters.com International News Dec - 09 - 2023 , 10:00 The United States on Friday vetoed a proposed United Nations Security Council demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. Thirteen other members including Ghana voted in favour of a brief draft resolution, put forward by the United Arab Emirates, while Britain abstained. The remaining countries were permanent UN security council members; China, France and the Russian Federation as well as non-permanent members; Ghana, Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Gabon, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. The vote came after U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a rare move on Wednesday to formally warn the 15-member council of a global threat from the two-month-long war. "What is the message we are sending Palestinians if we cannot unite behind a call to halt the relentless bombardment of Gaza?" Deputy UAE U.N. Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab asked the council. "Indeed, what is the message we are sending civilians across the world who may find themselves in similar situations?" The United States and Israel oppose a ceasefire because they believe it would only benefit Hamas. Washington instead supports pauses in fighting to protect civilians and allow the release of hostages taken by Hamas in a deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood told the council that the draft resolution was a rushed, imbalanced text "that was divorced from reality, that would not move the needle forward on the ground in any concrete way." "We do not support this resolution's call for an unsustainable ceasefire that will only plant the seeds for the next war," said Wood. The U.S. had offered substantial amendments to the draft, including a condemnation of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks that Israel says killed 1,200 people and in which 240 people were taken hostage. Britain's U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward said her country abstained because there was no condemnation of Hamas. "Israel needs to be able to address the threat posed by Hamas and it needs to do so in a manner that abides by international humanitarian law so that such an attack can never be carried out again," she told the council. Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour told the council the result of the vote was "disastrous," adding: "Millions of Palestinian lives hang in the balance. Every single one of them is sacred, worth saving." Israel's U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan did not address the Security Council after the vote, but in a statement said: "A ceasefire will be possible only with the return of all the hostages and the destruction of Hamas." The United States favors its own diplomacy over Security Council action to win the release of more hostages and press Israel to better protect civilians in Gaza as it retaliates against Hamas. However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged on Thursday that there was a "gap" between Israel's intent to protect civilians and what has happened on the ground. Gaza's Health Ministry says more than 17,480 people have been killed. Israel has bombarded Gaza from the air, imposed a siege and launched a ground offensive. The vast majority of the Palestinian enclave's 2.3 million people have been driven from their homes. "There is no effective protection of civilians," Guterres told the council earlier on Friday. "The people of Gaza are being told to move like human pinballs ricocheting between ever-smaller slivers of the south, without any of the basics for survival. But nowhere in Gaza is safe." A seven-day pause - during which Hamas released some hostages and there was an increase in badly needed humanitarian aid to Gaza - ended on Dec. 1. After several failed attempts to take action, the Security Council last month called for pauses in fighting to allow aid access to Gaza, which Guterres on Friday described as a "spiralling humanitarian nightmare." See the 11 headteachers that have been interdicted for charging unauthorized fees in SHSs Kweku Zurek Education Dec - 10 - 2023 , 07:26 The Ghana Education Service (GES) has taken a decisive action by interdicting eleven senior high school headteachers across the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Bono Regions for their alleged involvement in charging unauthorized fees from new students. This was contained in separate press statements issued by Regional GES offices. The statements announced that the GES has initiated comprehensive investigations into the conduct of these headteachers. The affected headteachers are Selina Anane Afoakwa, Headmistress of Kumasi Girls SHS, Nataniel Asamoah, Headmaster of Asanteman SHS, Andrews Boateng, Headmaster of Kumasi Senior High Technical School, Kwadwo Obeng-Appiah, Headmaster of Manso-Edubia SHS, Daniel Boamah Duku, Headmaster of the Agric Nzema Community SHS, Gladys Sarfowah, Headmistress of Nkawie Senior High Technical School, Ampong Ahmed Omar, Headmaster of Collins SHS, Afi Yaw Stephen, Headmaster of Berekum Senior High School, and Joseph Jilinjeh Abudu, Headmaster of Odomaseman Senior High School. Additionally, the headteachers of O'Reilly Senior High School and Ghana Senior High School, Nadia Lartechoe Annan and Patience Naki Mensah, respectively, are also part of the interdicted group. The GES accused the headteachers of charging students various unapproved fees, including house dues, books, calculators, admission process fees, and charges for the printing of slips, files, and hymn books. This development follows a pattern of similar interdictions in the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions for the unauthorized sale of items to students. Mr. Afi Yaw Stephen and Mr. Joseph Jilinjeh Abudu were directed to step aside for selling unauthorized items, including "Borla fees," "motivation fees," "lunch bag" charges, and GHC45 for hymn books, SRC fees, brown khaki, and other items, respectively. In specific cases, Nadia Lartechoe Annan, the headmistress of O'Reilly SHS, has been directed to step aside pending an investigation into the unauthorized collection of money during the admission process. The GES letter, dated December 6th, 2023, cited this action as a violation of the school's code of conduct. The letter instructed her to hand over all school property to the Municipal Director of Education, Ledzokuku, who will oversee the school during her absence. Similarly, Patience Naki Mensah, the headmistress of Ghana Senior High School, has been asked to step aside from December 7th, 2023. This follows allegations of the unauthorized sale of ceremonial cloth, tracksuits, and other items to Form One students reporting to the school. The GES letter, dated December 7th, 2023, emphasized the need for further investigation into the alleged sale of items and directed her to step aside during this period. These interdictions underscore the GES's commitment to upholding transparency and ethical conduct within the education system, ensuring that students and their families are not subjected to unauthorized financial burdens during their academic pursuits. Investigations into the actions of the interdicted headteachers will determine the extent of unauthorized fees charged and the necessary corrective measures. See a list of the interdicted 11 below; 10 galamsey operators arrested at Oda River Forest Reserve in Ashanti Region Timothy Ngnenbe Dec - 10 - 2023 , 09:50 Ten illegal miners whose activities have caused massive destruction to the Oda River Forest Reserve in the Amansie Central District in the Ashanti Region, have been arrested. The 10, made up of seven Ghanaian nationals and three Chinese nationals, were arrested in a three-day operation by the Bekwai Forest District of the Forest Services Division (FSD) of the Forestry Commission and the Rapid Response Teams drawn from four other forest districts. The three-day operation which was undertaken between Wednesday and Friday (December 6 and 8, 2023), formed part of the ongoing efforts by the Forestry Commission to clamp down on illegal mining activities (galamsey) in forest reserves across the country. The Executive Director of the FSD of the Forestry Commission, Hugh Brown, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, said during the operation, it was discovered that the illegal miners were operating in seven compartments in the forest reserve, which is one of the designated red zones. He said two Toyota Hilux pick-ups with registration numbers 1265 A and GT 7366-12 and other items being used by the illegal miners were seized during the operation. "In addition, 10 excavators, 19 fuel tanks, nine power plants, two chanfang machines, four motorbikes, five water pumping machines and seven wooden structures were demobilised," he said. Legal action Mr Brown said seven out of the 10 suspects - Michael Korsah, Basit Shizu, Amadu Musah, Prince Boakye, Amedodzi Kofi, Akwasi Adu and Shi Tiachao, who were arrested on Wednesday, December 6, were arraigned before the Bekwai Circuit court on December 7. He said the remaining three - Bernard Sarkodie, Li Tauhai and Rao Shifa who were arrested on Thursday, December 7, appeared before the Court on December 8. "All 10 suspects have been remanded into police custody for one week," he said. No retreat The FSD Executive Director stressed that "everything possible" would be done to ensure that galamsey activities in forest reserves were halted. "This war requires collaborative and sustained efforts from various stakeholders including our military, chiefs, police, judiciary, media, civil society and forest-fringe communities to effectively deal with this existential threat," he stressed. "This war must be won," he emphasised, saying that persons who were fueling the menace must desist from it. Mr Brown called on the residents of mining communities to help the Forestry Commission to protect the country's forest reserves by reporting any activities that tamper with the natural resource. Background The 16,000-hectare Oda Forest Reserve in the Amansie Central District in the Ashanti Region, has been under siege by illegal miners for some years now. Although forest reserves have been declared a red zone to mining activities, galamsey activities are rife in the Oda River Forest and other reserves. A State of the Nations Forest report presented by the Forestry Commission on May 2, this year, revealed that the Oda River Forest Reserve remains one of the boiling points for galamsey. According to the report, 421.11 hectares of the forest reserve had been wiped off by illegal miners. Such is the case with the 3,500-hectare Apamprama forest, where 1,729.32 hectares (49.4 per cent) has been destroyed by illegal miners. Also, 87.21 hectares of the 2,300-hectare Subin Shelterbelt reserve have been reduced to deep gullies through illegal mining. The report further indicated that a total of 392,714.81 hectares of the countrys 288 forest reserves had been "significantly impacted by illegal mining activities, out of which 4,726.26 hectares in 34 of the reserves had been confirmed as destroyed. Over 30% of anaesthetists left Ghana for greener pastures - GACRA GNA Dec - 10 - 2023 , 15:52 The Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anaesthetists (GACRA) reports that over 30% of its members have left the country for greener pastures in 2023. This worrying trend includes the departure of highly skilled and experienced professionals, creating undue stress for those remaining. Mr. Nwisangra, President of GACRA, expressed concern during the fifth Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference held in Bolgatanga. The conference theme, "Sustaining the practice of anaesthesia in Ghana amidst the brain drain; policy direction and regulation," highlighted the critical situation. Mr. Nwisangra warned that the situation could worsen, affecting the practice of anaesthesia in Ghana. He stated, "I am told many, including some present in the conference, have intentions of leaving." Factors contributing to the exodus include lack of career progression, poor conditions of service, wrongful placement on the Single Spine Salary Scale, lack of a scheme of service, and regulatory challenges. GACRA estimates that only 1200 Certified Registered Anaesthetists (CRAs) serve over 32 million people in Ghana. This translates to a ratio of 1:26,650.43, highlighting the immense workload on each individual. Mr. Nwisangra emphasized the crucial role of CRAs in healthcare delivery. Their responsibilities include resuscitation of the sick, injured, critically ill, newborns, and patients in intensive care units. He stressed, "This can only be done by the trained anaesthesia provider, the CRA or the Anesthesiologist, and not any other person. All emergency situations in our health institutions are centered on the Anaesthetist." Beyond the exodus, Mr. Nwisangra expressed concern about poor working conditions, including lack of accommodation and inadequate equipment. He reported that GACRA had submitted a comprehensive proposal for improved conditions of service to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), but negotiations remain delayed. He appealed, "FWSC, the employer, and stakeholders should speed up the process to enable us to have improved conditions of service for the CRA." The Association further noted a concerning rise in diseases like cancer, kidney problems, and liver cases in Ghana. Research attributes these trends to pollution and contamination of water bodies due to illegal mining, uncontrolled chemical use in agriculture, substance abuse, and high alcohol and drug consumption among the youth. GACRA urged the government to implement stricter controls on illegal mining and hazardous chemical use to protect citizens' health. Dr. Samuel Kwabena Boagye-Boateng, the Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, acknowledged the importance of the conference theme. He expressed concern about the impact of health professional migration on access to quality healthcare, stating, "The migration of anaesthetists and other health professionals to other countries in search of better conditions of service should be a cause of worry for all people living in Ghana. If not checked or minimized, it will affect access to quality health care, which will negatively impact our health status." Bagbin calls for constitutional reforms for traditional leaders to be made members of Parliament, Daniel Kenu Politics Dec - 10 - 2023 , 09:35 The Speaker of Parliament, Alban S. K. Bagbin is advocating for traditional leaders, both chiefs and queen mothers to be brought up to national governance level as members of Parliament. He said that was why at the ongoing review of the 1992 Constitution, areas should be earmarked to allow some traditional leaders, both chiefs and queen mothers, to qualify to be in Parliament. "Countries like Botswana and Rwanda have gotten it right. The presence of these traditional leaders brings sanity and discipline into the House [Parliament] and contribute to enhancing our rich culture," the Speaker said. Mr Bagbin was addressing the Queen Mothers Association of Ghana last Friday [Dec 8, 2023] at his office in Parliament. The queen mothers were there to familiarise with the Speaker and to acquaint themselves with the legislative processes in Parliament. Governance The Speaker said governance was not only about political parties and as such could not be left in the hands of politicians alone. "We can play politics without being partisan. "Politics is about the formulation of policies that are nurtured by the interest of all and their view taken into consideration in fashioning out such policies," Mr Bagbin told the queen mothers. He said when that is done everybody feels part and parcel of the policy at the implementation stage. "You are an authority and influential people in your communities and your view cannot be overlooked," he told the queen mothers. Tracing the trajectory of governance in Ghana, the Speaker said "as a country we lost our direction when we gain independence by wrongly identifying the true leaders of our country." "We placed our hopes and aspirations into the hands of only the politicians and we lost it," he said. Indeed, the speaker said even during the pre-independence era, when the whites invaded the country, they recognised the traditional leaders as the true leaders. "That was why they ruled us indirectly through our traditional leaders and not politicians," he said. President The President of the Queen Mothers Association and the Queen mother of the Nkonya Traditional Area, Nana Otubea ll, bemoaned the exclusion of queen mothers in decision making at the regional and national houses of chiefs. She said the exclusion of queen mothers at regional and national houses of chiefs was discriminatory and made them second class citizens. Nana Otubea, said the association was, therefore, seeking clarification and interpretation of the word chief in the constitution. She said as it stands now, the constitution is biased towards them and allowing only their male counterparts to appropriate the word "chief." Global outcry ensued as the US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution seeking a ceasefire in Gaza, further increasing Washington's diplomatic isolation for shielding Israel in its brutal war on the Palestinian territory. Thirteen Security Council members voted in favour of a the resolution, put forward by the United Arab Emirates on Friday, while the United Kingdom abstained. Russia's Deputy Charge dAffaires, Dmitry Polyanskiy, fiercely criticized the United States and the United Kingdom for their respective actionsvoting against and abstaining from supporting a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israeli war on Gaza. Polyanskiy labeled their actions as "complicit in a merciless Israeli bloodbath." He expressed deep concern at the UN Security Council after the failed vote, stating, "The US's obstruction of a ceasefire is an American death sentence against thousands, or maybe dozens of thousands, of Palestinians in Gaza." "One can speak cynically with nice empty words about democracy, human rights, women, peace, security, rules, order, as much as you like. However, the real value of those we have just witnessed when two members of the security council preferred to remain complicit to the merciless Israeli bloodbath," he said. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said it was "a disgrace and another blank cheque given to the occupying state to massacre, destroy and displace." Hamas also slammed on Saturday the US rejection of the ceasefire bid as "a direct participation of the occupation in killing our people and committing more massacres and ethnic cleansing." The US veto was referred to as "a turning point in history" said Riyad Mansour, the permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the UN. "Instead of enabling this council to fulfill its mandate by unequivocally demanding an end to two months of massacres, the perpetrators are granted more time to continue their crimes. How can such actions be justified? How can anyone justify the annihilation of an entire population?" questioned Mansour. "Hundreds, then thousands of lives will be lost, with children being killed, orphaned, and wounded for life, not by mistake, but by design," Mansour lamented, underscoring the disregard for Palestinian lives. The ministerial delegation assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit expressed profound "dismay" over the US veto. In a joint statement published by Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign ministers reiterated their call on the US to shoulder its responsibilities and take necessary measures to compel Israel to immediately ceasefire. What is the message? China, which co-sponsored the draft, also expressed disappointment over the resolution's failure, s Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun said, "We express our deep disappointment and regret that the United States veto. Endorsing the ongoing conflict contradicts the professed concern for the lives and safety of individuals in Gaza." China expresses regret over U.S. veto of Gaza ceasefire resolution The United States on Friday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, diplomatically isolating Washington as it shields its ally. The resolution, drafted by the pic.twitter.com/IXGBBYjc6F Zhang Heqing (@zhang_heqing) December 9, 2023 Brazil also expressed its regret saying that the Security Council "risks complicity in allowing further human casualties." "The price of inaction is unbearably high, and we may cause irreparable damage to the possibility of reaching a two-state solution," the Brazilian delegate to the Security Council said. France, which refused to endorse all previous resolutions calling for a ceasfire, said "with the Council's failure, the crisis in Gaza is getting worse and is at risk of expanding." Iran also warned of the threat of an "uncontrollable explosion" of the situation in the Middle East after the US veto. Saudi Arabia foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan said it does not seem to be a priority for the international community to end the war in Gaza. "One of the disturbing facts of this conflict is that ending the conflict and the fighting doesn't seem to be the main priority," he said from Washington DC. "What is the message we are sending Palestinians if we cannot unite behind a call to halt the relentless bombardment of Gaza?" Deputy UAE U.N. Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab asked the council. "Indeed, what is the message we are sending civilians across the world who may find themselves in similar situations?" Complicity in crime The veto was swiftly condemned by humanitarian groups, with Doctors Without Borders (MSF) saying the Security Council was "complicit in the ongoing slaughter". We are devastated by the UN Security Councils failure to adopt a resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gazablocked by a solitary veto from the United States. By vetoing this resolution, the US stands alone in casting its vote against humanity.https://t.co/D2oIFaMoje Doctors w/o Borders (@MSF_USA) December 8, 2023 Human Rights Watch said "by continuing to provide Israel with weapons and diplomatic cover as it commits atrocities, including collectively punishing the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, the US risks complicity in war crimes." Amnesty Internationals Secretary General, Agnes Callamard said the US decision to veto the resolution was morally indefensible. "With this veto, the US government is shamefully turning its back on immense civilian suffering, staggering death toll, and unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. And civilians are paying the price with their lives," executive director of Amnesty International Paul O'Brien posted on X. "We are appalled at the failure of the UN Security Council to authorise a resolution demanding a humanitarian ceasefire and unconditional release of hostages held in Gaza," said seven aid agencies in a joint statement. "Security Council members cannot ignore the horrific conditions in Gaza. Action must be guided by the urgent humanitarian imperative to stop fighting, rather than politics," declared Action Against Hunger, CARE International, Mercy Corps, Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam International, Plan International, and Save the Children International in their statement. The resolution was endoresed by more than 100 countries. Search Keywords: Short link: Prohibiting Lateness: Speaker of Parliament recommends Chamber be locked at 10am GNA Politics Dec - 10 - 2023 , 11:01 The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Friday said, from the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, access to the Chamber will be locked at 10:00 hours on each sitting day. He explained that the decision was part of the measures he was adopting to put in place due to Members of Parliaments (MPs) attendance at the House. Honourable Members, those who arrive late will be locked out until the Speaker decides to open the doors again. At 1000 hours, the doors will be locked. The Speaker will be in, and it will take some time before the doors will be opened. Not that they will not be opened but it will take some time. And so if you will not be able to comply with it, let us all agree that we will start sitting in the afternoon, from 1400 hours or 1600 hours. The Committees will have their meetings in the morning; reports will be ready for us to consider in the afternoon; and then by the time we adjourn around 2000 hours the traffic situation will have improved, he said. Mr Bagbin made the statement on the floor of the when he commented on the Business Statement for the seventh week ending Saturday, December 16, 2023. The Business Committee in its memorandum to the House presented by Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Chairman of the Committee urged the House to commence sitting each day at 1000 hours and have extended sittings to conduct business. He also recommended that the House sit on Saturday, December 16, 2023, barring any unforeseen circumstances due to the workload of the House. In his further comments, Mr Bagbin urged the two Caucuses to have a joint Caucus meeting to discuss his guidance. Your coming to Parliament too will not be that early, so you can decide to leave at noon and by that time, there would have been less traffic and you wont consume more fuel and then you can come in. I can see that it is not easy for members to report that early for sitting so the two Caucuses either have joint Caucus meetings or at your level discuss these things and come back with proposals. If not, these are the measures that I want to put in place which will take effect from our next meeting, he said. Mr Bagbin also alternatively, recommended to the MPs that sittings would start at 1400 hours instead of the current 1000 hours adding that this will allow committees to hold meetings in the morning and have reports ready for consideration in the afternoon. He said that if the house does not reach a consensus, the recommended measures would be implemented starting the next session. Bigger, faster, stronger the new OnePlus 12 beats its predecessor in just about every way. It was unveiled for the Chinese market a couple of days ago, the global release is expected in January. OnePlus dropped the Pro designation last year since it hasnt released two sizes of flagships since 2021. The top of the line number series comes in only one size large. Larger still now that the 12 has a 6.82 display (up from 6.7). The company managed to shave off some of the bezels, so the phone is almost the same height as its predecessor, but it is nearly 2mm wider, a bit thicker and 15g heavier. While were talking about the body, the OnePlus 12 ups the water resistance to IP65 (from IP64). The overall design remains the same, but engineers equipped it with a larger 5,400mAh battery (up from 5,000mAh). Also, wireless charging made a comeback (at 50W) in addition to faster wired charging (100W). Both of these account for the weight increase. The main camera boasts a new Lytia 808 sensor from Sony (1/1.4 vs. 1/1.56 on the old model). Even better, the telephoto camera now has a longer lens (70mm vs. 48mm, so 3x magnification instead of 2x) and its sensor has double the resolution (64MP) so it offers 6x lossless zoom. The ultra wide camera is unchanged, but the selfie camera doubled its resolution to 32MP and also gained the ability to record 4K at 30fps. Last and certainly not least, the chipset is upgraded to the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 as expected. The base configuration has been raised to 12/256GB (some OnePlus 11 models came with 8/128GB), the maximum went up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB storage. It was almost a year ago when we asked you about the OnePlus 11 and the poll results showed a lot of uncertainty people decided to wait until they had the full picture from reviews before deciding whether to buy one. Will it be the same this year? Lets briefly look at the price and the competition. We only have the Chinese pricing for now, the base 12/256GB model starts CNY 4,300. For comparison, the OnePlus 11 with the same memory configuration was CNY 4,000, so the new model will be slightly more expensive. The global market missed out on the 12/256GB configuration, but the 16/256GB one was $800/900/62,000. The Xiaomi 14 Pro is another Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phone, this one with a 6.73 display. It uses a custom 50MP 1/1.31 sensor, a 50MP 75mm tele and 50MP ultra wide. The battery is on the small side with 4,880mAh capacity and 120W wired plus 50W wireless charging. The 14 Pro is pricier at CNY 5,000 for the 12/256GB model. Xiaomi 14 Pro The vivo X100 Pro bets on the Dimensity 9300 instead. It also has a huge LTPO display at 6.78, but it drops the resolution to 1260p (the OnePlus and Xiaomi are at 1440p). The main camera has a massive 1/0.98 sensor (50MP), a 50MP 100mm periscope and a 50MP ultra wide. The battery matches the OnePlus 12 with 5,400mAh capacity and 100W/50W wired/wireless charging. The X100 Pro in 12/256GB trim is also CNY 5,000. The X100 is also worth a look, it has a less capable camera system and a smaller 5,000mAh battery with 120W wired-only charging. The X100 12/256GB starts at CNY 4,000. vivo X100 Pro vivo X100 The iQOO 12 Pro uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 instead of the MediaTek chip. It has a 6.78 1440p LTPO display and a 50MP 1/1.3 main camera, plus a 64MP 3x tele and 50MP ultra wide. The battery is similar with 5,100mAh capacity, 120W wired and 50W wireless charging. The base 16/256GB configuration is CNY 5,000 in China. The price for the vanilla iQOO 12 for India did leak its almost the same as the Pro, except for a lower resolution display (1260p), lower water resistance (IP64 vs. IP68) and a 5,000mAh battery with only the 120W wireless charging. vivo iQOO 12 Pro vivo iQOO 12 The Realme GT5 Pro is another Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phone and this one puts a bit more effort into the cameras with a 50MP main (1/1.4"), 50MP 65mm (2.7x) periscope and disappointing 8MP ultra wide. The phone has a 6.78" 144Hz AMOLED display with 1264p resolution and an IP64 rating. The base 12/256GB model starts at CNY 3,400 (though there is an early bird deal that reduces that price slightly). Realme GT5 Pro The Redmi K70 Pro stuck with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 like its Xiaomi sibling. This one puts less focus on cameras and were not sure whether the phone will be available globally. The 12/256GB model is cheaper than the OnePlus at CNY 3,300. Xiaomi Redmi K70 Pro There are more flagships that we didnt mention the Meizu 21, the Red Magic 9 Pro(+) and others. There is the looming Galaxy S24 series from Samsung too. With this much competition on the board, do you think that the OnePlus 12 has what it takes to become your next phone? The Guam Memorial Hospital in Tamuning. The public hospital said a five-year strategic addresses concerns raised by Sen. Frank Blas Jr. Aid charities have sounded the alarm about an "apocalyptic" situation in Gaza after more than two months of Israeli war on Gaza, warning of starvation and an outbreak of disease. In a video conference with journalists this week, international organizations depicted a bleak picture of what Save the Children called the "horrors" unfolding in the Gaza Strip. "The situation in Gaza is not just a catastrophe, it's apocalyptic... with potentially irreversible consequences on Palestinian people," said Bushra Khalidi of Oxfam, another UK-based charity. "Israel safe zones within Gaza are a mirage," she added. Israel killed at least 17,487 people in the war, two-thirds of them women and children, and has displaced an estimated 1.9 million of the territory's 2.4 million people and reduced vast areas to rubble. Only 14 of the 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip are currently functioning in any capacity, according to UN humanitarian agency OCHA, and little aid is reaching those in need. "Those who survived the bombardment now face imminent risk of dying of starvation and disease," said Alexandra Saieh of Save the Children. "Our teams are telling us of maggots being picked from wounds and children undergoing amputations without anesthetic," lining up by the "hundreds" for a "single toilet" or roaming the streets in search of food, she added. Morgue overflowing After a week-long pause in the Israeli war, during which Hamas exchanged captives for Palestinians held in Israeli jails, Israel pressed its bombing and ground offensive. Its army published a map it said was intended to enable Gazans to "evacuate from specific places for their safety if required". Hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled northern Gaza seeking shelter in the south, only to report that they are being bombed there too. "There are simply no safe spaces in Gaza, and we've seen this since the (Israeli) directive... calling on people to flee northern Gaza to the south," said Shaina Low of the Norwegian Refugee Council. "Israeli directives coercing Palestinians in overcrowded areas in southern Gaza, with no guarantees of safety or return, blatantly violate international humanitarian law." Sandrine Simon of the Medecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) charity recounted how a colleague was wounded in the southern city of Khan Yunis "when a tank attacked a school where he had taken refuge". "It took him hours to reach a hospital", where "exhausted" nurses were desperately trying to care for hundreds of patients lying on the floor. "Gaza's hospitals are becoming morgues. That's unacceptable," said Simon. Doctors Without Borders president Isabelle Defourny told a similar story. "We are working in Al-Aqsa hospital, receiving an average of 150 to 200 war-wounded patients daily... since the first of December." On one day this week, "they received more dead than wounded patients. The hospital is overflowing, the morgue is overflowing, fuel and medical supplies have reached critically low level," said Defourny. Indiscriminate carnage The situation is also dire at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis where "20 percent of the patients arriving... are already dead", she added. "And among the dead, 70 percent are women and children." Defourny spoke of "indiscriminate carnage". "Israel has shown a total disregard for the protection of Gaza's medical facilities," she said. UN agencies have repeatedly warned of deteriorating health and food conditions in Gaza, and a breakdown of public order if no ceasefire is secured. The World Food Programme has said the risk of "famine" is high, while the World Health Organization has warned civilization was collapsing in Gaza. "Given the living conditions and lack of health care, more people could die from the disease than bombings" in Gaza, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. He warned of several illnesses and diseases, including acute respiratory infections, diarrhea, skin rashes, and chicken pox, that have emerged due to overcrowding and the lack of food, water, basic hygiene, and access to medication. "The situation is eroding the people's dignity as they cannot clean themselves nor clean their children," Chiara Saccardi of Action Against Hunger told the video conference, as she called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the dispatch of urgent aid. On Friday, Israel's top ally the United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have called for a ceasefire in Gaza. Search Keywords: Short link: Dave Lotz is a vocal advocate for protecting Guams unique heritage, a knowledgeable and long-time hiking enthusiast and environmental advocate, and critic of inept government. He has been a resident of Guam since 1970 and retired from the Guam Department of Parks and Recreation, Andersen AFB Environmental Flight and the National Park Service. Haiti - COP28 : Minister Cadet calls for urgent and concrete actions Sunday December 9, 2023, as part of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (COP28) James Cadet, the Minister of the Environment of Haiti, during its intervention, welcomed the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund as well as the first promises for its capitalization. Cadet explained that least developed countries and small island developing states like Haiti particularly need this Fund in order to strengthen the capacity of their vulnerable populations and unfairly exposed to the effects of climate change. He regretted that despite the commitment of countries to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius and to do everything possible to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, the assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Climate Change (IPCC) shows that we are not on the right track to avoid exceeding this threshold. Stressing "Any additional delay during this critical decade will result in catastrophic scenarios for small island states like Haiti [...]" It was also an opportunity for Minister Cadet to clarify "The question of climate security is an extremely worrying problem which complicates our fragility and creates additional difficulties for Haitian society." According to Cadet, the country is making great efforts to meet its mitigation and adaptation commitments. However, he stressed that transforming mitigation and adaptation ambitions into concrete country-wide actions requires financial, human and technological resources that exceed the country's capabilities. Finally, the Minister recalled that the Republic of Haiti hopes that this COP28 marks a new turning point and breathes new impetus into the global fight against climate change concluding The 'status quo,' including the different forms of exclusion, cannot be an option, otherwise and to say the least, future generations will not forgive us for having done little to curb the phenomenon while the solutions were within our reach." See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41136-haiti-environment-us$224-million-for-the-trois-rivieres-watershed.html https://www.haitilibre.com/article-41119-haiti-environnement-intervention-d-haiti-a-la-cop28.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41109-haiti-environment-haiti-welcomes-the-decision-to-make-the-fund-for-losses-and-damages-operational.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41071-haiti-cop28-summary-of-haiti-s-priorities.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40660-haiti-dubai-preparations-for-haiti-s-participation-in-the-cop-28-negotiations-in-dubai.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39188-haiti-climate-haiti-needs-more-than-a-billion-dollars-for-its-adaptation-plan.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Training : Jamaica strengthens the capacities of the PNH Friday, December 9, 2023, the closing and certificate ceremony took place at the National Police College of Jamaica (NPCJ) in Sainte Catherine, of the first cohort of 16 Haitian police officers trained in security screening interview techniques during of a one-week course. This training program, which aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Haitian National Police (PNH) is led in particular by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). On the sidelines of this ceremony, Horace Chang, the Minister of National Security declared "[..] This enhanced capacity will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in improving security responses by helping to identify and neutralise potential threats before they escalate" and reiterated Jamaica's commitment to facilitating the training of the HNP as part of a long-term strategy "We will continue to play our part in supporting the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) to Haiti to help rebuild and standardise the security infrastructure, the local electoral system, health and the social and political arrangements in the country." In her intervention, Emina Tudakovic, the High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, declared that the training program is part of the common priorities of the governments of Canada, Jamaica and the CARICOM countries to restore peace and stability in Haiti. The Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson, congratulated the participants on the successful completion of the training program and noted that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) was ready to assist in other areas. "There are certainly opportunities for expansion into other areas of policing. We are quite willing to share some of the policing tools we have been using as well as the support structures such as our legislative resources that better enable our policing efforts. We will continue to support the programme and look forward to the gradual impact this initiative will have on Haiti's security landscape and by extension the region." A second group of Haitian police officers arrived in Jamaica on December 9 to follow a training session. SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... CARICOM : Skepticism about negotiations Haitian political scientist Joseph Harold Pierre says he is very skeptical about the outcome of the new mission of the group of eminent CARICOM personalities due in particular to the absence of a culture of political negotiations in Haiti and the weak political influence of CARICOM... Road rehabilitation and canal cleaning The Ministry of Public Works has launched rehabilitation work on the section of road connecting Avenue Mais-Gate to the Gerald Bataille crossroads, as well as the cleaning of the canals in the Mais-Gate area. Change of Dominican soldiers at the border The General Commander of the Dominican army, General Carlos Antonio Fernandez Onofre, visited the Province of Dajabon to supervise the deployment of new battalions to the border, who came to replace the soldiers who have been working for a month to guarantee security in the border area. South : Public Works at work Since November, the Ministry of Public Works, through the South Departmental Directorate, has started the construction of two culverts on the Cayes/Port Salut road, Boury and Coquette zone. These achievements are the work of the firms CEFOREX, ALDA and DESIGN CONST. A project financed by the Central Execution Unit (UCE) of the Ministry with the support of the World Bank. Remember that the rehabilitation work on Route 44 linking Cote-de-fer to Aquin will start very soon. Orthopedics : High-level conference Dr. SAIKI Kunio, Medical Attache of the Japanese Embassy in Haiti, gave this week in the conference room of the orthopedics department of the National University Hospital Center La Paix, a lecture to medical students and orthopedic surgeons on cervical laminoplasty. The lecture was followed by a lively discussion. 75th of Human Rights This Sunday, December 10 marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption, by the United Nations, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which recalls the urgency of protecting the rights of all. On this special day, "the European Union has a special thought with all the victims of daily violations in Haiti. The EU will remain committed to defending human rights in Haiti, because every life counts." HL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2023/12/10 Hidden in darkness, the true nature of the creature is gradually unveiled! Advertisement Netflix has just unveiled the main poster and trailer for "Gyeongseong Creature", its latest series that catapults viewers back to the turbulent spring of 1945. This enthralling narrative showcases a battle against a mysterious creature born from the depths of human greed, set against a backdrop of historical intrigue. The trailer grips audiences from the start, featuring Park Seo-joon in the role of Jang Tae-sang, a man ensnared in a web of mystery and darkness. Faced with the urgent task of locating Commissioner's missing lover before the cherry blossoms wither, Tae-sang joins forces with Yoon Chae-ok, portrayed by Han So-hee, and her father. Together, they embark on a perilous mission to penetrate the enigmatic Ongseong Hospital. Their investigation propels them headfirst into a clash with the forces veiled behind the city's opulent exterior. Complementing the trailer, the main poster juxtaposes the beauty of a sunset sky and cherry blossoms with the foreboding silhouette of Ongseong Hospital, suggesting a chilling mystery at its core. The stellar cast, led by Park Seo-joon and Han So-hee, embodies a story brimming with tension and intrigue, promising to captivate viewers. Director Jeong Dong-yoon provides insights into the striking visual contrasts: "While Ongseong Hospital is a bastion of suspense and shadow, the House of Golden Treasure and Bonjeong district shimmer with life and color". Park Seo-joon and Han So-hee add depth to the narrative with their perspectives: Park describes the series as a fusion of "tense creature elements and characters deeply rooted in the era's stark realities", while Han So-hee highlights the "rich diversity stemming from the blend of historical drama and creature genre". Set to unravel a story of fate, "Gyeongseong Creature" promises a unique blend of historical drama and suspense. The first part of the series will premiere on December 22 and the second part on January 5, exclusively on Netflix. ___________ "Gyeongseong Creature" is directed by Jeong Dong-yoon, written by Kang Eun-kyeong, and features Park Seo-joon, Han So-hee, Claudia Kim, Kim Hae-sook, Jo Han-chul, Wi Ha-jun. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2023/12/22~Upcoming, Fri on Netflix. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saturday threatened to attack vessels heading to Israeli ports unless food and medicine is allowed into the besieged Gaza Strip. The latest warning comes amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea and surrounding waters following a series of maritime attacks by Houthi rebels since the start of Israel's war on the Gaza Strip. In a statement posted on social media, the Houthis said they "will prevent the passage of ships heading to the Zionist entity" if humanitarian aid is not allowed into Gaza. The Houthis have recently attacked ships they claim to have direct links to Israel, but their latest threat expands the scope of their targets. Regardless of which flag ships sail under or the nationality of their owners or operators, Israel-bound vessels "will become a legitimate target for our armed forces", the statement said. Last week, the Houthis attacked two ships off the Yemeni coast, including a Bahamas-flagged vessel, claiming they were Israeli-owned. And last month, the rebel forces seized Galaxy Leader, an Israeli-linked cargo vessel. "We warn all ships and companies against dealing with Israeli ports," the latest Houthi statement said. It added that all "ships linked to Israel or that will transport goods to Israeli ports" are not welcome in the Red Sea, a vital channel for global trade linked to the Suez Canal. Beyond maritime attacks, the Houthis have launched a series of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel since the Israeli invasion of Gaza began on 7 October. The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza says Israel has killed at least 17,700 people, mostly women and children, and injured tens of thousands more. The spike in maritime incidents prompted G7 foreign ministers at a meeting earlier this month to urge the rebels to cease threats to international shipping and to release the Galaxy Leader. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: A British Palestinian surgeon who spent weeks in the Gaza Strip during the current war as part of a Doctors Without Borders medical team said he has given testimony to a British war crimes investigation unit. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a plastic surgeon specializing in conflict medicine, has volunteered with medical teams in multiple conflicts in Gaza, beginning as a medical student in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian uprising. He has also worked in other conflict zones, including in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Abu Sitta crossed from Egypt into Gaza on Oct. 9, two days after the war began and remained in the besieged enclave for 43 days, working mainly in the al-Ahli and Shifa hospitals in northern Gaza. Abu Sitta told The Associated Press in an interview during a visit to the Institute for Palestine Studies in Beirut on Saturday that the intensity of other conflicts he experienced and the war in Gaza is like the difference between a flood and a tsunami. Apart from the staggering numbers of killed and injured, he said, the health system itself has been targeted and destroyed in Gaza. The worst thing was initially the running out of morphine and proper strong analgesics and then later on running out of anaesthetic medication, which meant that you would have to do painful procedures with no anaesthetic, Abu Sitta said. He said that when he returned to the UK, he was asked by the war crimes unit at the Metropolitan Police to give evidence in a war crimes investigation, and did so. The police had issued a call for people returning from Israel or the Palestinian territories who have witnessed or been a victim of terrorism, war crimes or crimes against humanity to come forward. Abu Sitta said much of his testimony related to attacks on health facilities. He was working in al-Ahli hospital in northern Gaza on Oct. 17 when a deadly blast struck the hospitals courtyard, which had become a shelter for displaced people, killing hundreds. Abu Sitta said many of the injuries he saw were more consistent with damage caused by an Israeli Hellfire missile which he said disintegrates into shards of metal that cause amputations." He added while in Gaza he also treated patients who had burn wounds consistent with white phosphorus shelling, which he had also seen during the 2009 war. Phosphorus shells cause a chemical burn that ... bursts into the deep structures of the body rather than a thermal burn, which starts at the outside and (covers a) much larger surface area, he said. Human rights groups have said that Israeli forces have dropped shells containing white phosphorus on densely populated residential areas in Gaza and Lebanon during the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. Abu Sitta, who rotated between al-Ahli and Shifa Hospital, had left Shifa when Israeli forces encircled the hospital, eventually storming it in search of what they claimed as a Hamas command center. Israeli officials released visuals of an underground tunnel and rooms that they said were used by Hamas, but have not provided further evidence. Abu Sitta, like other medical workers in the hospital, denied the allegations. He said he had complete access to Shifa and there was never, ever even any military presence. He said policemen whose job was to control the crowds in front of the emergency department only carried truncheons. The physician said he hopes the UK war crimes investigation will lead to prosecutions, locally or internationally. Search Keywords: Short link: After Zerodha founders Nikhil and Nithin Kamath's salaries went public with the company filings, the debate started over the high pay for the top positions in IT sector and start-ups. The IT sector once again stood at the top of the list of CEOs with the highest salary packages across India. Wipro, Tech Mahindra, and HCL had some of the highest paid CEOs in India this year.(Bloomberg file photo) According to data gathered by The Economic Times, seven out of the total 10 highest-paid CEOs in India belong to the IT sector. The salaries of these top CEOs ranged from 29 crore to 82 crore per annum, the ET analysis data showed. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here An analysis of the Bombay Stock Exchange 500 companies on the stock market showed that the highest-paid CEOs in the country included Thierry Delaporte of Wipro, Sandeep Kalra of Persistent Systems, Nitin Rakesh of Mphasis, Salil Parekh of Infosys, Sudhir Singh of Coforge, CP Gurnani, outgoing CEO of Tech Mahindra, and Rajesh Gopinathan, former CEO of TCS. Wipro's Thierry Delaporte has been ranked as the highest-paid CEO of India in the IT sector, with a salary of over 80 crore. Meanwhile, former TCS CEO Rajesh Gopinath reported a salary of 29 crore this year. Further, HCL Technologies CEO and MD C Vijayakumar was the eleventh highest-paid CEO in India, reporting an annual salary of 28 crore in FY23. One of the main reasons why IT companies reward their executives and directors handsomely is because, unlike the majority of the other industries, they compete in the global market. Zerodha founders Kamath brother's salary revealed Zerodha founders and directors Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath became the highest-paid CEOs of a startup company in India, reporting an annual salary of 72 crore each. The second on the list was Oyo founder Ritesh Agarwal, with an annual salary of 12 crore. However, Nithin Kamath had explained in the past that the high salaries of top management and executives are not actually the drawn salary of the individual. Saying that nearly half of it goes out in taxes, the value of the salaries are set high to reduce the risk of losses during liquidation of the firm. In a move to boost the South Asian production and manufacturing of Apple products, Tata is all set to build India's biggest iPhone assembly plant in Tamil Nadu. The plant will be built in Hosur, news agency Bloomberg reported. The new iPhone plant by Tata will generate employment for over 50,000 people.(AFP) The iPhone factory is expected to have over 20 assembly lines and would generate employment for over 50,000 workers within two years, sources told Bloomberg. The goal is that the site be operational within 12-18 months. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The plant would bolster Apple's efforts to localise the supply chain to strengthen the partnership with Tata, which already has an iPhone factory acquired from Wistron in Karnataka. When the new Tamil Nadu plant is operational, it could majorly beat the Karnataka plant's iPhone production rate. As the Tamil Nadu iPhone assembly plant is expected to be active by late 2024, the cost of Apple smartphones could be brought down due to the boost in local production of the phones, further leading to more competition between Apple and Samsung. Tata Electronics already has a major manufacturing plant in Hosur which has over 5,000 employees. The plant is tasked with manufacturing the outer cases of iPhones. It is reported that Tata Electronics has already started hiring for its Tamil Nadu plant, keeping in mind the potential bump in iPhone production in India. Tata's Karnataka iPhone production plant In an effort to advance iPhone production across India and the South Asian area, Tata had acquired the Apple production plant in Karnataka by Wistron in October. The assembly plant is set up in Bengaluru and was acquired by Tata for a whopping USD 123 million. The production facility has over 10,000 employees, and a goal of shipping iPhones worth USD 1.4 billion, promising incentives to the workforce if achieved. Tata Electronics has always had a deep investment interest in iPhone production, while other companies are exiting the markets because of the thin margins on Apple products. According to their company's filings with the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA), Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath founders of investment firm Zerodha drew in an annual salary of 72 crore each in Financial Year 2023 (FY23). Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath explains his whopping 72 crore salary.(Mint file photo) This sparked yet another debate about the extremely high salaries of executives and top management in start-up companies, while employees have less than a fraction of their annual packages. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here For FY23, the Kamath brothers are at the top spot for the annual salary packages of start-up owners, while OYO CEO Ritesh Agarwal is at the second spot with an annual salary of 12 crore. Two years ago, the salaries of both Nithin and Nikhil Kamath were stated as 100 crore, as per their company filings. Issuing a clarification around the same, Nithin Kamath had revealed that this is not the actual salary that the brothers drew in. While the Kamath brothers have both drawn in 100 crore as the directors at Zerodha, CEO Nithin's wife Seema Patil's remuneration was 36 crore. Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath clarified extremely high salaries In 2021, Nithin Kamath explained why the board of Zerodha had approved 100 crore salary for both him and his brothers. He revealed that this was not their actual drawn-in salary, and nearly half of it went out in taxes. "Firstly the reported figure isnt the actual salary being drawn. This is an enabling resolution that allows us as working promoters to draw salaries up to the number in case of liquidity requirements. Didnt anticipate that this would get this much attention," Kamath had written on social media. Highlighting the importance of taxes, he had also said, "While the actual salary will be lower, it will still be high compared to the norm. Promoters don't take out profits through salaries as it is tax-inefficient, you end up almost paying 50% in taxes." As per their report, the employee benefit cost of Zerodha was recorded at 623 crore in FY23, with 380 crore given in salaries, while the rest was used in ESOPs settlements. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah paid tribute to former CM S Nijalingappa on his birth anniversary at Vidhana Soudha on Sunday. CM Siddaramaiah pays tribute to former Karnataka CM S Nijalingappa S Nijalingappa, was chief minister of the state from 1956 to 1958 and 1962 to 1968 and has played an important role in the Karnataka Unification movement. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "Nijalingappa was the first Chief Minister of Karnataka, participated in the freedom struggle. He had good relationship with Mahatma Gandhi. I paid tribute to him on his birthday," said Siddaramaiah. Also Read - Bengaluru tops cities with highest number of acid attacks; this city follows When asked about IT raids conducted at the properties owned by Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, Dheeraj Sahu, Siddaramaiah questioned why raids are only happing on Congress leaders and why not on BJP leaders. "Why IT raids happening only on Congress leaders' houses? If IT raid is done on BJP leader's house more money will be recovered," said Siddaramaiah. Meanwhile, the Income Tax Department continued conducting raids on fifth day in a row at the premises of Boudh Distilleries Private Limited on Sunday. Baldev Sahu Infra Pvt Ltd company is a group company of Boudh Distilleries, which is covered in the search and is linked to Dheeraj Sahu. CISF personnel were also deployed at the premises. Income Tax sleuths have recovered more than 200 crore cash from several locations in Odisha and Jharkhand during their raids against Boudh Distilleries Private Limited (BDPL) and entities linked to it. "The counting of cash, however, is still going on," an IT official said on Saturday. Multiple raids were also conducted at Bolangir and Sambalpur in Odisha, whereas in Jharkhand, Ranchi and Lohardaga raids were conducted. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday reacted to the horrific incident of a man ruthlessly crushing a puppy to death in Guna district. Chouhan assured strict action against the perpetrator. Condemning the action as unpardonable, he said, the harshest action will be taken against the accused for this crime. Screengrab of CCTV footage showing puppies approaching the man. We unequivocally condemn such acts of barbarism, and the individual responsible will face the consequences, the chief minister wrote on X (formerly Twitter). His reaction followed Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia condemning the act and demanding that the man be penalised for the barbarism. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "This is horrifying and disturbing. There is no doubt that the man should be penalised for this barbarism. @ChouhanShivraj Ji, may please see," Scindia wrote on X. The incident came to light on December 9 after a video of the person committing the cruelty surfaced on social media. In the video, the man was seen hurling the puppy to the ground before he crushed it underfoot. The person in question, identified as Mrityunjay Jadaun, was arrested after CM Chouhan and Union minister's intervention, Times of India reported citing locals. The superintendent of police in Guna took to X to inform that the accused has been arrested and a case has been lodged against him under sections for cruelty against animals. Jaduan reportedly threw one of the two puppies that were approaching him while he was eating and violently crushed it. The entire incident was captured on CCTV. Ahead of the Supreme Court (SC) verdict on Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir Police has launched a campaign against the alleged misuse of social media and booked five people in the past two days for either uploading hateful content or spreading rumours. Jammu: A J&K Police personnel stands guard after a 'blast-like' sound was heard near Sidhra bridge, in Jammu, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. (PTI Photo/Used only for representation) Also Read | SC to deliver verdict on pleas challenging abrogation of Article 370 on Dec 11 Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here While police took action against an alleged rumour-monger in north Kashmirs Baramulla district, legal action was taken against two persons each in central Kashmirs Budgam and Ganderbal districts. A police spokesperson said that Baramulla police took action against rumour-mongering and booked an alleged provocateur. Baramulla police has initiated legal proceedings against an individual namely Bilal Ahmad Wani, son of Ali Mohd Wani resident of Wani Mohalla Baliharan Pattan, Baramulla district. This action is in response to his uploading of hateful videos on social media platforms, containing inflammatory and seditious statements, the spokesperson said. Also Read | Supreme Courts Article 370 verdict: A guide to key questions, arguments Similarly, the Budgam police took action against two persons for spreading rumours, the police said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) In Ganderbal district, the police on Sunday initiated legal action against two individuals for uploading and sharing hateful content on social media platforms. Waseem Mushtaq Malik, resident of Safapora and Aadil Ahmed Rather, resident of Nunner, Ganderbal, were found involved in spreading hateful content on social media. Under the recently issued order of the district magistrate, legal action has been initiated against both of them, a police statement said. The police appealed to people to remain vigilant about the misuse of social media. Any attempt to vitiate the environment and create issues of public order will be seen seriously and legal action will be taken, the statement said. The actions against social media users come after district magistrates and police cautioned against the sharing of militant propaganda or news without verification in the past two weeks, ahead of the verdict of a constitutional bench of SC which will deliver its judgement on Monday on petitions that have challenged the August 2019 abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K state into two union territories. On Thursday, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Baramulla Amod Ashok Nagpure said a ban has been put in place on sharing any post regarding any terrorist organisation on social media or groups, promoting terrorism or communal disharmony. Under UAPA and the Indian Penal Code, these things are now illegal and whosoever uses his/her digital devices to share messages of terrorists organisations and separatists on social media is committing a crime. We are ready to take action against such persons and social media handles, he said. Additional director general of police (ADGP, law and order) Vijay Kumar on Friday chaired a joint meeting of all the district magistrates and SSsP of Kashmir division where the officers shared the field-generated inputs with respect to all the expectedly emerging situations in view of upcoming events. All the district heads were stressed to keep an eye on the situation and take preventive and punitive actions under the law against those who indulge in mischief, misinformation and misuse of social media. And it was stressed that miscreants and mischievous elements shouldnt be allowed to vitiate the peace and harmony, the police spokesman said. In his address at an event to mark Human Rights Day at Bharat Mandapam, Justice Mishra also said the ethical ramifications of advancing technologies are "matter of grave concern". HT Image The occasion also marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar was the chief guest at the event hosted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that was attended by several other dignitaries. UN Resident Coordinator in India Shombi Sharp also was present on the dais. Justice Mishra emphasised that "Universal Declaration of Human Rights contain ideals that conform to our values". He also underlined that a "dramatic rise in inequality" and the triple crisis of climate, biodiversity and pollution require immediate attention. He added that the challenges of modern technologies weave through the fabric of contemporary society. "New digital technologies have transformed the way people live and helped drive progress of all sustainable goals. Internet is useful but has a dark side, infringing upon privacy through the spread of hate speech, misinformation undermining democratic process," Justice Mishra said. He also pointed to violence against women and children in the online space. "If maliciously used, it (Internet) can fuel divisions within and between communities and undermine human rights," the NHRC chief said. Justice Mishra said, "Terrorism causes grave violation of human rights of citizens in the whole world. It has been seen that innocent people suffer." "Condoning or sympathising with terror activities and terrorists is a great disservice to cause of human rights. (We) must not glorify or sympathise with them," he asserted. In his address, the NHRC chairperson also said that women and children must be kept at the centre of sustainable development. The traffic police in Delhi-NCR have decided to tighten their grip to strictly enforce road and safety laws on the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway. Dedicated teams of cops will reportedly be deployed at certain points on the expressway that will ensure commercial vehicles don't breach the assigned lanes even during the night. Vehicles stuck in a traffic jam on the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway(PTI) What steps have been taken? According to News18, the road and safety law prohibits commercial vehicles from operating on the first two right lanes. Anyone violating the rules will be fined 500. 1,500 will be fined if the rules are breached for the second time. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here A senior traffic police official informed that the rules are being put in place starting from the Kherki Daula toll to the Sirhaul border, covering both sides of the expressway. Transporters informed DCP (traffic) Virender Vij said transporters have been informed to ask the drivers to follow the rules and not to take the first two lanes on the right of the expressway. He chaired a meeting with senior officials to spread the word about the new rules and ordered traffic inspectors to ensure proper implementation of lane driving. On the 65th day of its war Israel continued to push into southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled in search of shelter from bombardments and intense fighting with Hamas fighters. Aid groups have sounded the alarm on the "apocalyptic" humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory, warning it is on the brink of being overwhelmed by disease and starvation. 23:00 The Palestinians who were recently arrested by the Israeli occupation army and pictured semi-naked turned out not to belong to Hamas, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronot. Most of the Palestinian detainees who were pictured in underwear were released after being questioned, the newspaper reported, citing the Israeli occupation army. Many of the detainees were released after screenings showed they were not Hamas fighters but civilians who were unconnected to terrorist organisations, the Israeli newspaper added. Israel was strongly criticised after the dissemination of footage and pictures of cuffed men dressed in underwear in Jabaliya and other areas where the Israeli occupation army operates. Army Spokesman Daniel Hagari claimed in a statement that on identifying groups, like the one that was shown in the footage, the army takes off their clothes for fear of hidden explosive belts and then investigates whether they are Hamas members before allowing them to put their clothes back on. Hagari also noted that the photos do not belong to the Israeli army, which, he said, manages its footage and pictures and decides what to show. For his part, Israeli government media spokesman for foreign media Ilon Levy said in an interview with CNN that "the people who appear in all the photos are all suspected of terrorism. When we find men of military age in areas where we have been calling for evacuation for more than a month -- these areas being Hamas strongholds where we fiercely fought in a built-up area -- we need to make arrests to identify the terrorists. If we find that those arrested do not belong to terrorist organisations, we naturally release them." 22:30 A senior politician in the Lebanese group Hezbollah said on Sunday that Israeli air strikes in south Lebanon marked a new escalation to which the group was responding with new types of attacks. Hassan Fadlallah, in a statement sent to Reuters, said the escalation would not deter the resistance in Lebanon from continuing to defend its country and supporting Gaza. Hezbollah was responding to the escalation with new types of attacks, be it in the nature of the weapons (used) or the targeted sites, he added. 21:00 France said Sunday that one of its warships in the Red Sea was targeted by two drones coming from Yemen. Both were intercepted and shot down, AP reported. A short statement from the Armies Ministry did not say who fired the drones at the French Navy frigate Languedoc on Saturday night. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have vowed to target ships operating in the Red Sea. The Houthis are staunch foes of Israel. They have claimed a series of maritime attacks since the beginning of the Israeli war on Gaza. France's Armies Ministry said the drones came straight at the Languedoc two hours apart from the direction of Yemen. The warship destroyed them both about 110 kilometres (70 miles) off the Red Sea port of Al Hudaydah on the Yemeni coast, it said. The statement did not say what weaponry the Languedoc used to bring down the drones. The frigate is on a French Navy mission in the Red Sea. 19:00 Several thousand Moroccans demonstrated on Sunday in Rabat to condemn "genocide" in the Gaza Strip and demand the end of diplomatic relations with Israel, AFP journalists reported. They marched through the city behind a huge banner denouncing "the Holocaust in Gaza" and calling for ties with Israel to be repealed. Morocco and Israel established full relations in 2020 in exchange for the United States recognising Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. On Sunday, demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyeh scarves marched against "war crimes and genocide" in Gaza and calling for an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. The demonstration was organised by the "National Action Group for Palestine", a coalition of leftist parties and Islamists. Protester Saoussane, 41, said she was there "to express support for the Palestinian people, and for the children they are killing who have nothing to do with Hamas". "How can we talk about collateral damage with 17,000 dead?" she asked. "It is genocide -- it is not even a war any more." According to the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza, 17,997 people have been killed by Israel's relentless air strikes and ground invasion, mostly women and children. Since the war began, huge demonstrations across Morocco have called for an end to the North African country's diplomatic normalisation with Israel, whereas before October 7, opposition to normalisation was limited. "Gaza, under siege for 17 years, is experiencing the worst genocide with the blessing of the United Nations, which is unable to take firm decisions to stop it, with the participation of the United States and Western countries", said another demonstrator, Halima Chouika. At the end of November, Morocco's King Mohammed VI condemned Israel's "flagrant violation of international law and humanitarian values" in its reprisals against Hamas. He said he rejected Israel's "policy of collective punishment, forced displacement and any attempt to impose new facts on the ground" in a message addressed to the United Nations. 18:45 The UN Secretary-General on Sunday pledged that he would not give up on appealing for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, adding that inaction on the Security Council was undermining its credibility. The preeminent forum for the peaceful resolution of international disputes is paralysed by geostrategic divisions, Antonio Guterres told the Doha Forum taking place in Qatar, following Fridays meeting in New York during which the United States vetoed a resolution demanding that Israel end the war on Gaza which erupted on 7 October with the Hamas attacks. I urged the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared, said the UN chief. Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it, but that does not make it less necessary. So, I can promise I will not give up, he told delegates to the global platform in Qatar, which brings world leaders together to discuss collective security and other challenges. He said a sclerotic Security Council where splits between the permanent members, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the US have produced only one resolution narrowly focused on aid delivery, needed reform. We need a serious effort to bring global structures up to date, rooted in equality and solidarity and based on the United Nations Charter and international law, he said, noting that the Councils divisions were undermining solutions from Ukraine to Myanmar and the Middle East. 18:30 The World Health Organization's executive board on Sunday adopted a resolution by consensus for combatting the worsening health situation in the Gaza Strip. After the UN Security Council declined to demand a ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas militant group, the 34 countries on the WHO's executive board adopted by consensus a resolution calling for the "immediate, sustained and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief" into Gaza. 18:20 Speaking to FRANCE 24, Secretary General of Amnesty International Agnes Callamard said the United States' use of its veto power to block a UN Security Council resolution to end the Iareli war on Gaza on Friday was "morally corrupt". "There cannot be any justification for continuing to block a Security Council resolution on a ceasefire like the United States did on Friday," says Callamard. "It's undefendable that the US used its veto on Friday. It's morally corrupt." 17:45 About 18,000 Palestinians have been killed and 49,500 injured in the Israeli war on Gaza, the Palestinian health ministry in the strip spokesman said on Sunday. The spokesman, Ashraf Al-Qidra, also told Al Jazeera television in a telephone interview that the toll included 297 people killed and more than 550 wounded in the last 24 hours. 17:00 Hamas armed wing said on Sunday Israel will not be able to recover any of its hostages unless it engages in talks over conditional swap deals. Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for the al-Qassam Brigades, said in an audio speech broadcast by Al Jazeera television that Israel would not be able to recover the captives by force, citing what he described as a failed operation to free one of them. 16:00 US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Sunday it is imperative that Israeli military operations in Gaza protect Palestinian civilians, adding that the fighting should be followed by a durable peace leading to a Palestinian state. 15:00 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it was not acceptable for Israel to use Hamas' operation on Oct. 7 as justification for the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, and called for international monitoring on the ground in Gaza. Russia to continue exerting political pressure to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Lavrov said addressing the Doha Forum via the online format. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister expressed during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir his dissatisfaction with the anti-Israel stance on the war on Gaza that has been presented by Moscows officials at the UN and in other forums, Israeli media reported. In a statement, the premiers office said he voiced resolute criticism of the cooperation between Russia and Iran. 11:41 A security source told Al-Arabiya that Israeli warplanes flew over parts of Lebanon, including Beirut, Mount Lebanon, the north, and the Bekaa. Earlier, the Israeli Air Force carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese media. Footage posted to social media shows massive blasts in the area. The bombing comes amid rocket and drone sirens sounding in the Western Galilee. On Saturday, a United Nations peacekeeping position in southern Lebanon was hit without causing casualties, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said. Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported that an Israeli tank targeted the UN position near the border across from Metula in northern Israel. Since the Israeli war on Gaza began, the frontier between Lebanon and Israel has seen intensifying exchanges of fire, mainly between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, raising fears of a broader conflagration. 11:30 The World Health Organization warned that the situation in Gaza creating ideal conditions for the spread of diseases, as the impact of conflict on the health sector is catastrophic. The UN health agency called a special session of its executive board to discuss the health conditions in the Palestinian territories, with WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus describing a collapsing system with medics facing an "impossible" job. "As more and more people move to a smaller and smaller area, overcrowding, combined with the lack of adequate food, water, shelter and sanitation, are creating the ideal conditions for disease to spread," Tedros said in his opening remarks to the meeting in Geneva. #Gazas health system is on its knees and collapsing. The @WHO Executive Board Members are discussing a resolution to protect the health of the people in the occupied Palestinian territory. My full remarks: https://t.co/KGHT1ED7gP #EBSpecial pic.twitter.com/qqQsvDMZsg Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 10, 2023 "Gaza's health system is on its knees and collapsing," Tedros said, with only 14 out of 36 hospitals functioning with any capacity at all, and of them, only two are in the north of the coastal territory. Only 1,400 hospital beds out of an original 3,500 are still available, while the two major hospitals in southern Gaza are operating at three times their bed capacity, running out of supplies and sheltering thousands of displaced people, Tedros added. 11:00 The head of UNRWA, the UN aid agency for Palestinians, said that the dehumanization of Palestinians has allowed the international community to bear continued Israeli attacks in Gaza. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said the refugee agency is on the verge of collapsing in Gaza, adding that an immediate ceasefire is needed to end hell on earth in Gaza. Society is on the brink of full-blown collapse in #Gaza@UNRWA colleagues continue to distribute the limited aid we have, but we are hanging on by our fingertips. If @UNRWA collapses, humanitarian assistance in #Gaza will also collapse. pic.twitter.com/iaMn6KVV1L UNRWA (@UNRWA) December 9, 2023 10:30 Mediation efforts to secure a new Gaza ceasefire and release more captives are continuing despite continued Israeli bombardment which is "narrowing the window" for a successful outcome, Qatar's prime minister said. "Our efforts as the state of Qatar along with our partners are continuing. We are not going to give up," Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told the Doha Forum, adding that "the continuation of the bombardment is just narrowing this window for us". The only way for this war to end is through a negotiation table, says H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister of the State of Qatar and Minister of Foreign Affairs. @MBA_AlThani_ @MofaQatar_EN pic.twitter.com/K9hUglf8WB Doha Forum (@DohaForum) December 10, 2023 9:55 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he regrets the Security Council's failure to demand a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, condemning the divisions that have "paralysed" the world body. The Council's "authority and credibility were severely undermined" by its delayed response to the conflict, Guterres said addressing Qatar's Doha Forum. "I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared," he told the forum, two days after a US veto prevented a resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire. "Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it," he added. "I can promise, I will not give up." The secretary-general deployed the rarely-used Article 99 of the United Nations Charter to bring to the council's attention "any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security". The rule had not previously been invoked by a UN chief in decades. "We are facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system," Guterres told the Doha Forum. "The situation is fast deteriorating into a catastrophe with potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians as a whole and for peace and security in the region." 9:45 Israeli officials told Israeli broadcast that "according to the current estimates" the war on Gaza will last up to two more months. 9:30 The Washington Post reported that the Biden administration approved, on Saturday, the $106.5 million sale of nearly 14,000 tank shells and related equipment to Israel, invoking an emergency declaration to bypass a congressional review period for weapons sales. Secretary of State Antony Blinken used the emergency declaration to expedite the sale claiming that it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defence capability, the Defense Department said in a news release. While the administration has previously used the measure to send weapons to Ukraine, this is the first time it has been invoked in the Middle East. The move angered some congressional overseers because the administration did not initially declare an emergency when the full request was submitted for review, only later when it had become clear it would not receive immediate approval, The Washington Post reported. The United States is under increasing pressure over sales of arms to Israel as the death toll in Gaza climbs. The Biden administrations rules for arming foreign nations indicate that weapons transfers must not take place when the US government assesses that violations of international law are more likely than not to occur. In the first month and a half of the war, Israel dropped more than 22,000 guided and unguided bombs on Gaza that were supplied by Washington, according to previously undisclosed US intelligence, The Post reported. US officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive internal discussions, also acknowledge that the United States is not conducting real-time assessments of Israels adherence to the laws of war. 9:00 Hamas said that Israel had launched a series of "very violent raids" targeting the southern city of Khan Yunis and the road from there to Rafah, near the border with Egypt. A source close to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad told AFP both groups were involved in "fierce clashes" with Israeli forces on Sunday near Khan Yunis. An AFP journalist reported strikes in the area. Young boys push a loaded tolley in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 10, 2023 AFP At least 17,700 people, mostly women and children, have died in two months of fighting in the narrow strip of territory, according to the latest figures from Gaza's health ministry. Search Keywords: Short link: Suspended Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) lawmaker from West U.P. Danish Ali kept suspense going on his proposed entry into the Congress even though he maintained that irrespective of the BSPs decision to suspend him, he would continue to fight the BJP. Danish Ali (File) Also Read: BSP suspends MP Danish Ali for anti-party activities, Congress bats for him Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Ask me something else, Ali responded to HTs query on the buzz of him joining the Congress. His suspension from the party was a day after he staged a solitary protest outside Parliament advocating justice for Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra, who has been expelled from the Lok Sabha. Talking to HT, Ali maintained that he had not engaged in any anti-party activity, a point he also mentioned on X. However, he added for effect that he will continue to fight against the policies of the BJP, especially ones that sought to favor select industrialists. Also Read: Danish Ali reacts to suspension: Never engaged in anti-party activities He said: I will always be grateful to BSP chief Mayawati for making me a Lok Sabha MP and, on my part, I have always strived to work for making the BSP strong. Yes, I had raised my voice against loot of the countrys resources by select industrialists and will continue to do so. Danishs take on select industrialists is similar to the issue repeatedly flagged by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was among the first top politicians to visit him soon after his altercation with BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri during a discussion on the Chandrayaan-3 space mission in September this year. The contentious remarks were aimed at Ali, who in turn was accused by the BJP of making derogatory remarks against prime minister Narendra Modi. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati named her nephew Akash Anand as her political successor in a key national level meeting of the party leaders and office bearers held at the BSPs Uttar Pradesh state unit office in Lucknow on Sunday, leaders familiar with the matter said. Mayawati arrives for the BSP meeting with her nephew Akash Anand at the party office in Lucknow on Sunday. (PTI) BSP leader Udayveer Singh, who was present in the meeting, confirmed that the BSP chief, while addressing the party leaders of various state units, called to review the preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, has declared Anand, who is the national coordinator of the party, as her political heir. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Akash Anand has been entrusted with the task to strengthen the organisation in the states where the party is weak. The Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand party units will work under the supervision of the party chief, he said. However, the official press statement released by the BSP has no mention of such an announcement. Mayawati had made Anand, 28, who studied MBA from London, as her heir apparent by appointing him as the BSPs national coordinator in partys national executive meeting held in June 2019. He led the partys campaign in the recently held assembly elections in four states- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. Mayawati appointed him in charge of the assembly elections along with senior party leaders Ramji Gautam and Ashok Siddharth to strengthen the organisation in the Dalit, tribal and OBC dominated areas. Akash launched a 14-day Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay Sankalp Yatra, in Rajasthan to gear up the party cadre for the assembly election. The BSP bagged two seats in Rajasthan. Son of Mayawatis brother Anand Kumar, who is the BSPs national vice president, Akash was first seen in public with Mayawati when he accompanied her to Shabbirpur village located in Saharanpur district on May 23, 2017 to meet the Dalit community members who were allegedly tormented by upper caste Thakurs. He interacted with the local leaders and villagers. Mayawati groomed him for top post in the party. She introduced him to the party leaders and workers during the public meetings in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll campaign in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karanataka, Rajasthan, Bihar, Delhi, Punjab, Himacahal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. He accompanied Mayawati to attend crucial party meetings in Delhi. He was also present during Mayawatis pre-poll alliance talks with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and addressed a public meeting in Agra when the Election Commission imposed a ban on Mayawati for violating the model code of conduct. On her 66th birthday programme on January 15, 2022, Mayawati had said the BSP was preparing Akash Anand for a bigger role in the party. He is young and gaining political maturity, the party has entrusted him with the task of spreading the base of the party in the states where assembly elections will be held later, she said adding tha during appropriate time Akash will get the opportunity to contest the election. During the 2019 Lok Sabha election the name of Akash Anand was at number three position in the list of the BSP star campaigners and in the 2022 UP assembly election was elevated to the second position above the party national general secretary, SC Mishra. A senior BSP leader, who did not wish to be named, said: The announcement by the party chief that her nephew Akash Anand will be her successor is against the constitution of the party and the ideals of BSP founder Kanshi Ram. Kanshi Ram was against the promotion of a family in the party and did not give any post in the party to his relatives, the leader added. After the BSP formed government in Uttar Pradesh in 2007, Mayawati had announced that her successor will not come from her family, but from the Jatav community. There was speculation in the party then that Rajya Sabha MP, Raja Ram will be the next president. She appointed Raja Ram as the national vice president but removed him later. Other regional parties also promote dynasty politics. The SP, RJD, RLD, BJD, NCP, DMK, YSRCP and Shiv Sena are flourishing with dynasty, said a senior BSP leader. Another BSP leader said Mayawatis plan is to infuse new blood in the organisation to stimulate the cadre. The defeat of the BSP in successive assembly and Lok Sabha elections had led to Dalits, especially youngsters, mulling over other options, the leader said adding that the rise of the Bhim Army led by Chandrashekhar Azad was a result of this stirring among the Dalits. He said Anand will not only challenge Azad but will also motivate the party cadre. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP, Dinesh Sharma said Mayawati is promoting dynasty in the party. Instead of assigning key roles to Dalit leaders or workers, she has promoted her nephew and brother in the organisation. She is following the footsteps of the SP and the Congress which are promoting dynastic politics. Refusing to comment on the issue, Samajwadi Party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary said it was the internal matter of the BSP. Daddu Prasad, a founder member of the BSP, said, naming of her nephew as her successor indicates that Mayawati wants to convert a missionary party formed to fight for the rights of the Dalits into her private property. This step will prove to be the last nail in the BSPs coffin. Several senior leaders have revolted and left the party, he said. Seven loaded wagons of a goods train derailed between Kasara, more than 100 kilometres from Mumbai, and TGR-3 station on the Central Railway network on Sunday, an official said. The derailment took place at 6.31 pm. The derailment took place at 6.31 pm, leaving mail express traffic on the Kasara-Igatpuri section on the Down line and middle line affected, he said. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "There is derailment of a goods train between Kasara to TGR-3 DOWN line section at 18.31 hrs, on Down Main line. Goods train- JNPT/DLIB Container train. 2 wagons derailed. Mail express traffic in Kasara to Igatpuri section DOWN section is affected. And middle line is affected. Suburban local train traffic is not affected," Central Railway chief pubic relations officer (CPRO) Shivraj Manaspure said on X, formerly Twitter. The Igatpuri to Kasara UP section traffic is not affected, while the Kalyan station road ART (accident relief train) and Igatpuri station rail ART (accident relief train) have been moved to accident site, he added. Officials said the derailment happened towards Igatpuri side. The Down (away from Mumbai) trains affected are 12261 CSMT Howrah Exp- at Asangaon station, 11401 CSMT Adilabad Nandigram Express at Ombarmalli station, 12105 CSMT-Gondia Vidarbha Express at Ghatkopar station and 12109 CSMT Manmad Panchvati Express at Vikhroli station. The mail express trains, which were scheduled to commence their journey on Sunday, that have been diverted are 17612 CSMT Nanded Express diverted via Kalyan-Karjat-Pune-Daund-Latur route, 12105 CSMT Gondia Express diverted via Kalyan-Pune-Daund-Manmad route, 12137 CSMT-Firozpur Punjab Mail diverted via Diva-Vasai-Udhana-Jalgaon route, 12289 CSMT Nagpur Duronto Express diverted via Diva-Vasai-Udhana-Jalgaon route. Other trains that have been diverted are 12111 CSMT Amaravati Express via Kalyan-Pune-Daund-Manmad, 12809 CSMT Howrah Express via Diva-Vasai- Udhana- Jalgoan route, 17057 CSMT- Secunderabad Express via Kalyan- Karjat- Pune-Daund- Manmad route, 12322 CSMT Howrah Express via Diva-Vasai-Udhana- Jalgaon, 18029 LTT Shalimar Express via Diva-Vasai-Udhana-Jalgaon, 12167 LTT Varanasi Express via Diva-Vasai-Udhana-Jalgaon, as per a CR release. A CR release issued later also said there are four mail express trains which are beyond or near Kalyan station and cannot be diverted. "The Kasara to Igatpuri is a Thal ghat section which is having 3 lines. The goods train derailment is on Down line (Kasara to Igatpuri direction line). Hence, Down traffic is affected. The derailment is infringing middle line also," it said. Officials said efforts are going on to make the middle line safe so that some of the Down line traffic (of Kasara to Igatpuri) can be started. "The Up line (from Igatpuri to Kasara) is already fit. This line is not affected. Hence Igatpuri to Kasara train traffic is running," the release said. The four mail express trains which are already in the Kalyan to Kasara section and cannot be diverted are 12261 CSMT Howrah Express at Asangaon, the 11401 CSMT Adilabad Nandigram Exp at Kasara, the 12173 LTT Pratapgarh Express at Kasara and 12109 CSMT Manmad Panchvati Express near Kalyan. "All efforts are going on to make middle line in ghat section operational to run the above four trains," they said. NAVI MUMBAI MMB breaches CRZ rules in Aksa Beach sea wall The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) has admitted that it has nearly completed the construction of an anti-sea wall across the Aksa Beach at Malad in Mumbai in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms as apprehended by the environmentalists. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Hearing the application filed by NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar and Mumbai-based activist Zoru Bahena, the Western Zine National Green Tribunal (NGT) has put it on record the MMBs confession on December 1. The detailed order has just been uploaded. The applicants counsel Gayatri Singh pointed out that the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has granted a conditional CRZ nod for the anti-sea erosion measures stipulating that no solid construction should take place in the CRZ1 area and that the work should be limited to the landward side. MMB has violated this by building a massive wall and a road alongside. MMB has now filed a fresh application with the MCZMA seeking to delete the important condition and grant a post-facto clearance for building the seawall. MMB justified it by saying that its construction on the landward side of the hightide line was constrained by the private properties there. Gayatri Singh vehemently opposed it and said a post-facto approval cannot be granted and said the illegal wall should be demolished forthwith. MMB advocate Saket Mane admitted the violation by his client and argued that the anti-sea erosion measures are justifiable even under the CRZ notification. He also quoted expert reports including the one from IIT, Mumbai, justifying an anti-sea erosion bund at Aksa Beach. The report also upheld the fresh alignment for the bund on the ground that some electric poles were collapsing due to erosion. Gayatri Singh contended that there was no sign of any anti-sea erosion bund and that MMB actually built a wall. Moreover, MMB was aware of the topography of the site and it should have raised the concern regarding the existence of private properties along the landward side of the High Tide Line, prior to the CRZ clearance being granted. The raising of this concern at a belated stage made it evident that the MMB did not intend to comply with the CRZ clearance and that it had constructed the seawall in complete violation of the CRZ clearance, the applicants counsel said. The applicants also filed an affidavit opposing the MMB stand and pointed out that the Board did not provide any scientific studies indicating that Aksa Beach is an eroding site, which made it necessary to construct the anti-sea erosion bund or that the construction was required at the site proposed by it. The affidavit said the entire Aksa beach falls in CRZ I-A and CRZ I-B areas. The applicants also pointed out that the Supreme Court had stayed the 1.2 km long RCC wall at Versova beach which was earlier upheld by the NGT Bench. The affidavit said that the portion of the beach falling towards the landward side of the road will be completely eroded, if the wall is permitted to exist, as the wall and the road will disallow natural deposition of the sediments/sand on the other side of the wall/road. The Bench - comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh as judicial member and Dr. Vijay Kulkarni as expert member recorded that almost 95% work of the anti-sea erosion bund has already been completed. The MMB lawyer quoted the CRZ notification and pointed out that this is a permissible activity. The Bench however directed the MCZMA to decide this matter within a period of one month positively and that the matter cannot be kept open ended for indefinite period. NGT asked MMB to file its study reports before the MCZMA within 20 days and directed it not to complete the construction. The next hearing has been posted for February 23. NAVI MUMBAI Navi Mumbai, India - Dec. 9, 2023:Family court. inaugurated byJastice Bharti Dangre at CBD Belapur in Navi Mumbai, India, on Saturday, December 9, 2023. (Photo by Bachchan Kumar/ HT PHOTO) (HT PHOTO) Navi Mumbais wait for years for a family court in the city has finally ended with the facility being inaugurated on Saturday. The facility comes in the same year that the city court has been upgraded to a district judge and additional sessions court along with a civil judge (senior level) court. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The Belapur court building was inaugurated in May 2017 and functioned till April this year as civil and criminal court. The family court was inaugurated by Bombay high court judge Bharti Dongre at a function presided by Amit Shete acting Principal district and sessions judge, Thane. Apart from a courtroom, the facility has a counselling room, a recreation room for kids to spend quality time and separate rooms for men and women advocates. Said Sunil Mokal, president of Navi Mumbai Court Bar Association, The family court for the jurisdiction of Navi Mumbai has been established and started on the sixth floor of the court building. It will be presided over by honourable Judge Rachana Tehra maam. He added, The city court at Belapur had for years been a JMFC court i.e. a lower court that dealt only in smaller cases. With the upgradation and several new courts being set up in the premises, the court now caters to virtually all types of cases. Stated Mokal, This will prove to be a boon for both the advocates and especially the residents as they will no longer have to go to Thane or even Bandra and other courts thereby saving a lot of their time, hassle and money. Welcoming the new facility, Sharda Shah, an advocate said, Earlier we had only the JMFC court for years with the district court coming this year and now the family court as well. The motor accident court and lok adalats are also happening here. So now we have all the courts under one roof with the added advantage of the first paperless court in the country functioning here. Added Shah, We had to go to Bandra, Thane etc. where they have cases from various cities and hence there is always a lot of rush forcing litigants to spend a lot of time in court. The dates were also given after long intervals. Now with the NAvi Mumbai jurisdiction court, the residents and advocates will all be relieved. Stated advocate Hemangi Patil, The room for kids will serve a number of purposes. Mothers can feed the child here. The children who come with their parent involved in a dispute with the spouse can spend quality time with toys and in a friendly environment. It will also allow a parent who does not have custody of the child to spend time with the child with the permission of the kid. It also provides a good environment for the judge to counsel and speak to the child. Stated Patil, In all the room will I feel help resolve a number of family disputes amicably and that will be in the interest of the family and the society. Said advocate Manisha Bandgar, Earlier, the family disputes of domestic violence, maintenance etc. were heard in separate courts with some in Thane and some here in Belapur. It added to the trauma of the litigants who are already going through tough times. That will not be the case now. Said Khan Kaneez Khadijah, who has recently become an advocate, This court is good for us to practice and will give us a lot of experience as everything is now under one roof. Said a litigant on condition of anonymity, Not only will litigants like us have to spend less time in the court, the cases will also be settled early now as only one city case will be heard. She added, The cases will now be decided on a fast track basis saving hassles, expenses, time and a lot of trauma. PANVEL Navi Mumbai, India - Dec. 6, 2023:Panvel villagers resort to indefinite fast against NAINA scheme at Panvel in Navi Mumbai, India, on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. (Photo by Bachchan Kumar/ HT PHOTO) (HT PHOTO) The opposition to the NAINA scheme of CIDCO by Panvel villagers has now taken the shape of an indefinite fast. Villagers say they are on a do or die protest to ensure their demand for withdrawal of the scheme. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) project within 25 km radius of the Navi Mumbai airport is spread over 371 sq km comprising 174 villages. It does not entail the traditional land acquisition process. The scheme proposes land pooling by villagers wherein CIDCO, the Special Planning Authority for the project, gets to keep 60% of the land for infrastructure development and the PAPs get the remaining 40% with 2.5 FSI. CIDCO does not have to pay any monetary compensation to the villagers. Since it was planned 10 years back, NAINA has faced opposition from the grassroot level. The villagers are opposed to the scheme of land pooling sans any compensation. Farmers body NAINA Prakalp Badhit Shetkari Utkarsh Samiti has staged strong protests which include a recent padyatra to Mantralaya preceded by Gaon Bandh chain protest and bike rally demanding cancellation of NAINA scheme. The indefinite fast starting Wednesday has been undertaken following little response from the authorities. The villagers first held a rally with traditional musical instruments, raising slogans of `Shetkari Bachai NAINA hatao demanding withdrawal of NAINA scheme to save the farmers. The rally was started from Shirdhon village, which is the birth place of freedom fighter and revolutionary Adya Krantiveer Vasudev Balwant Phadke to send home a strong message. The indefinite fast protest led by local project affected persons (PAP) Anil Dhavle and including a woman was then begun at Turmale village located on Mumbai-Goa road after a public meeting was held in the presence of several PAP leaders. Said Dhavle, This is a do or die protest for us as all other protests and agitations have not moved the authorities. This protest will continue till our demand is met and we succeed in our mission. Claimed Dhavle, NAINA is destroying the farmers, our fields, the environment and everything else in the region. We will not allow it. Said former MLC Balaram Patil, NAINA is a land grabbing technique of the government. Why is it insisting on the land pooling scheme? Recently several villages of Pen were handed over to MMRDA. Our 95 Panvel villages too should be given to it so that they will be under UDCPR. He added, There has been no response from the government on our demands and hence we have resorted to this indefinite fast in which 6 people are participating. There will be more joining the protest in the coming days. CIDCO refused to comment on the protest. As the Supreme Court (SC) is going to announce its judgement on Article 370 case on Monday, there is both hope and dejection among the politicians and common people ahead of this verdict. A view of the Supreme Court building. (ANI Photo/Sanjay Sharma) Also Read: SC to deliver Article 370 verdict on Dec 11 A constitutional bench of the SC will deliver its judgement on a number of petitions that have challenged the August 2019 abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K state into two Union Territories. The Article 370 had given erstwhile state special status. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Two former J&K chief ministers (CM), Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have questioned security arrangements that are being made in Kashmir prior to the decision to be announced by the SC and said that lists are being prepared by police to detain National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders. Mehbooba Mufti said that the SC took five years to hear this important case. The SCs earlier decisions had previously maintained that Article 370 could only be scrapped based on the recommendations of the constituent assembly of J&K. Any decision contrary to this established process would not only be against the constitution but also against the very spirit of the idea of India, Mehbooba Mufti told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Bijhbehera. The upcoming verdict is not solely about Article 370 but as a pivotal moment determining the future of Indias identity. I hope that the SC would recognise the consequences, transcending political transitions, she added. The former CM asked the people not to lose hope, emphasising the importance of unity to secure their rights and restore their identity and dignity. Also Read: Centre backs 370 movegains in Kashmir debate NC vice-president Abdullah said that he cant say anything about the decision which will be given by five judges of SC on Monday. Neither do I have any machinery to know the decision before its pronounced. I can only hope and pray the verdict should come in our favour. We are waiting for the judgement, once it comes we will give our reaction to it. He said that the government always needs an alibi to detain us... They got that on December 11. But if the government is already aware about the judgement of the SC then it needs to be thoroughly probed. General secretary Democratic Progressive Azad Party and former minister RS Chib said We are hopeful the decision is in our favour since it carries the aspirations and sentiments of the people of UT, he said adding that it is the time for the BJP led Centre govt to return the statehood to J&K. Locals speak Many locals have kept their fingers crossed on the decision. If we go by history this special status should have never been snatched from us. Since it has been done, the SC can give this back to us, said Rashid Khan, a former government employee, adding that he hopes the good news will come on Monday. Another local Tariq Ahmad said that he thinks there could be a split decision. Let us pray good things should happen for the people of J&K on Monday... SC upholding revocation of Article 370 cant be ruled out. Meanwhile, ADGP law and order Vijay Kumar on Friday chaired a joint meeting of all the district magistrates & SSsP of Kashmir division. Also Read: PDP leaders who left post Article 370 abrogation look to return to party fold During the meeting, all the officers present briefed the chair on the prevailing law and order and security scenario and shared the field generated inputs with respect to all the expectedly emerging situations in view of upcoming events. All the district heads were stressed to keep eye on the situation, and take preventive and punitive actions under law those who indulge in mischief, misinformation and misuse of social media. And it was stressed that miscreants and mischievous elements shouldnt be allowed to vitiate the peace and harmony, the police spokesman said. The spokesman said that ADGP in the meeting got briefed about prevention of incidents and directed to anticipate different scenarios and accordingly plan an effective response for the same. ADGP Law and order sensitised them about the calibrated response to be taken in case of any untoward scene emerging out of the situation, he added. Assam Police on Saturday seized 637 kilograms of cannabis (Ganja) worth over Rs.1 crore illegally transported from Tripura. The cannabis were sized from a goods-carrying truck which was intercepted along Assam-Tripura border (HT Photo) Police said the narcotic products were kept in a secret chamber of a goods-carrying truck coming from Agartala. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Police said that based on the secret information, they launched an operation along Assam-Tripura state border check post on Saturday evening and intercepted a truck at the Churaibari area. A truck bearing Nagaland registration number (NL 02 Q 8170) was intercepted, and we searched it thoroughly, during which 91 packets of cannabis were found in secret chambers, an investigating police officer said. However, the driver of the vehicle managed to escape during the search, and police said that they were searching for him, police said. Karimganj superintendent of police Partha Pratim Das on Sunday told HT that the estimated market value of the seized cannabis will be over one crore rupees. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the information on social media first. He wrote, Acting on a tip-off, 637 kg of Ganja has been recovered by Karimganj Police from the secret chambers of a vehicle at Churaibari check-post in Assam-Tripura border. Further investigation is on. A wild bear was beaten to death by people in Odishas Nabarangpur district hours after it mauled a contractor of Bharatmala project to death. The wild bear also attacked two villagers in Odishas Nabarangpur district. (File) Wildlife officials said contractor Brijesh Kuma, who was a contractor of Bharatmala project near Bikramapur Bhatra village, was mauled to death by a bear on Saturday morning while he was going for morning ablutions. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The contractors, who belonged to Madhya Pradesh, tried to escape from the clutches of the wild animal, but the bear mauled him to death on the spot. When the bear appeared again after some time, it attacked two villagers. The enraged villagers armed with sticks and traditional weapons found the wild animal in an open ground and pelted stones at it. As the bear got injured and fell down, the villagers beat the animal to death. VARANASI RSS volunteers and VHP workers will visit every house in 22,000 villages in the Kashi region -- including 16 districts -- under the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha Grih Sampark Maha Abhiyan from January 1 to January 15. They will provide worshipped Akshat, a picture of the Shri Ram temple, and an invitation card to the people, urging them to celebrate the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishta Samaroh on January 22 and to visit Ayodhya later. The people, including workers, will also be shown the live telecast of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. (HT Photo) RSS Kashi Prant Pracharak (Kashi region chief) Ramesh said that preparations for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha Grih Sampark Maha Abhiyan have been completed. It will be the worlds largest public relations effort carried out by the volunteers of the worlds largest organisation. The Grih Sampark Abhiyan will cover every house in the 22,000 villages. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here He said that the volunteers will visit each house in the 22,000 villages, providing worshipped Akshat, a picture of the Shri Ram temple, and an invitation card, urging the people to visit Ayodhya. Invitation letters will be handed over personally to the people. Without any discrimination, the RSS Parivar (family) workers will reach out to people of all parties, ideas, and sects and invite them. In this campaign, the volunteers will ensure that not a single Hindu home is missed from the invitation. He added that for the campaign, a group of workers will be formed to make this mega campaign, running from January 1 to January 15, 2024, a great success. There will be five workers in a team who will have to contact 100 houses in 15 days. During the Sampark Abhiyan, the workers will create an environment of social harmony. In the Maha Sampark Abhiyan, the workers will collect the list of all the local major temples, their locations, and details of which deitys temple, etc. This data will be kept safe in the office, he said. The team formation will take place by December 20, and training of team leaders will take place on December 24. After the training, they will be given the pictures and invitation cards to deliver in the villages. He mentioned that selected 3,000 Shri Ram devotees from Kashi province will reach Ayodhya on January 30. On January 22, collective chanting of bhajan-kirtan in all temples from 11 am to 1 pm and collective aarti from 11 to 12 pm will be performed. The people, including workers, will also be shown the live telecast of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. The solar fencing work in Dudhwa buffer zone (DBZ) along the Dudhwa National Park (DNP) to keep away wild animals from entering into human habitations and damaging agricultural crops, the primary reason behind the human-animal conflicts in the terai region of Kheri district, is nearing completion. Solar fencing in Dudhwa buffer zone to curb man-animal conflicts (HT file) The work, covering length of 20 kilometres in Palia, Majhgain and Bhira ranges of Dudhwa buffer zone, was in full swing and was likely to be completed in the coming months, said Saureesh Sahai, deputy director, DBZ. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Lalit Verma, field director, DTR said the move would help check human-animal conflicts in the buffer zone as the solar fencing would deter the wild animals particularly wild elephants, tigers, leopards from crossing the fence. In recent past, DBZ has witnessed many human-animal conflicts that have led to loss of lives of humans and wild animals. Growth in population of big cats and other wild animals has increased apprehensions of rise in human-animal conflicts, officials said. Free movement of wild elephants from neighbouring Nepal into DTR, DBZ, their adjoining areas and their prolonged stay here has added to worries and concerns of local farmers as herds of wild animals damaged their standing crops, properties. The terai region comprises of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR), Dudhwa National Park (DNP) and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and during his visit to PTR in October, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had ordred solar fencing in sensitive areas along the PTR, DBZ and Manjhra range of Katarniaghat. Soon after, budget was allocated for solar fencing. Saureesh Sahai, deputy director, DBZ said solar fencing work in Palia, Bhira and Majhgain ranges of buffer zone had been allocated to a firm through tender and the work has started. He said solar fencing would barricade the human settlements from the movement areas of wild animals and reduce chances of man-animal conflicts. He added that the solar fencing through its non-lethal electric shock would discourage the wild animals particularly wild elephants and the big cats to trespass the fencing and thus help prevent human-animal conflicts. Chain-link fence in Manjhra Deputy director, Dudhwa buffer zone Saureesh Sahai said chain-link fencing has been proposed in around 10 kilometer radius of Manjhra and north Nighasan ranges of buffer zone, to keep away wild animals from human settlements. Significantly, Manjhra range forests share their boundaries with Katarniaghat sanctuary. Also, Manjhra range has witnessed several human casualties in attacks by big cats in recent months. Sahai said the chain link fencing would discourage the big cats and other wild animals from entering into human habitations. He added that the work over chain-link fencing was yet to start as some process regarding work allotment was still pending. Deo Kant Pandey LUCKNOW A woman lost over 3.37 lakh in the name of an online job. Khusboo Pal of Model House applied for part-time work and received an offer from a man introducing himself as Niwas Paskar. Initially tasked with liking videos/posts, she was later added to a Telegram group by Paskar. (HT Photo) Initially tasked with liking videos/posts, she was later added to a Telegram group by Paskar. Subsequently, she joined a WhatsApp group run by the accused, who asked her to sign up on a fake trading site. After linking her bank account, money was siphoned from her account, leading her to file a complaint. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here SHO Aminabad, Sunil Kumar Azad, said that the police are investigating, and an FIR has been registered. One person was killed and at least seven others injured after a private bus rammed a trailer truck on the Pune -Mumbai Expressway near Borghat, said officials from the state highway police. In this accident, the left side of the bus was completely damaged and Gavade was sitting on the same side, so he died on the spot. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO) Traffic movement was affected for some time when the incident was reported at around 1:40 am on Sunday. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Police said, driver Girish Rajaram Dhekale (43), a resident of Karad was driving the private bus (MH09 GJ 9630) headed towards Pune from Mumbai. Dhekale lost control of the bus and rammed into the trailer truck, said police. The deceased has been identified as Raju Gavade (40), a resident of Sangali who was working as an alternative driver on the bus. In this accident, the left side of the bus was completely damaged and Gavade was sitting on the same side, so he died on the spot. Injured including Shailesh Shetke, Pradip Shivaji Chavan, Sudhir Bhagwat, Rahul Bhagwat, Rohit Bhosale were rushed to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital Kamothe Navi Mumbai and Senha Mehta, Jitesh Chaturvedi were rushed to the Lokmanya Tilak hospital Pune for treatment. The Pimpri-Chinchwad police on Sunday confirmed one more injured female worker succumbed to her burn injuries at the Sassoon General Hospital, bringing the total death toll in the Talawade factory fire incident to nine. According to police, the factory property was registered under the name Jannat Najir Shikalgar, and operations were handled by her husband Najir Shikalgar. They rented the factory space to Shubhangi, and her husband Sharad ran a sparkling candle brand SNS registered under Shivraj Enterprises. (HT FILE PHOTO) The deceased has been identified as Shilpa Rathod (31), who was admitted to the Sassoon General Hospital. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Kakasaheb Dole, deputy commissioner of police (zone II), said, On Sunday the death toll rose by one after the death of Shilpa Rathod. Now seven injured people including factory owner Sharad Sutar are undergoing medical treatment at Sassoon General Hospital and doctors are monitoring their health situation. Police said Rathod had suffered 90-95 % burn injuries and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Sassoon General Hospital. Pimpri-Chinchwad Police said that on Sunday they received DNA test reports. Police matched DNA reports of the six deceased workers with their relatives and are likely to hand over bodies by Monday morning. Ajit Lakade, senior inspector, Dehu Road Police Station, said We have identified the names of the six deceased charred to death in the Talawade factory fire incident. After completion of all procedures, dead bodies will be handed over by Monday morning, said Lakade. According to Dr Vinayak Kale, dean, Sassoon General Hospital, Almost half of those undergoing treatment are suffering with 80-90 per cent burns. As lungs are damaged due to inhalation of smoke particles, many are in critical condition, Kale said. Meanwhile, the Dehu Road Police have identified the arrested accused as Shubhangi Sharad Sutar (35) and Sagar Rameshan Bhakkad. Shubhangi is the wife of Sharad Sutar who was running the unit and also suffered injuries in the incident. According to police, the factory property was registered under the name Jannat Najir Shikalgar, and operations were handled by her husband Najir Shikalgar. They rented the factory space to Shubhangi, and her husband Sharad ran a sparkling candle brand SNS registered under Shivraj Enterprises. Ajit Lakade, senior inspector, Dehu Road Police Station, said, The three arrested were produced at the Maval Court on Saturday and remanded to police custody until December 12. According to the police inquiry, Shikalgar rented the space to Sutar despite knowing that the latter lacked the necessary documents to operate the unit. Actor Parineeti Chopra and AAP leader Raghav Chadha had a big, fat Punjabi wedding in Udaipur, Rajasthan on September 24. Since then, the couple has been giving a glimpse of married life by posting pictures on social media. Recently, Parineeti attended an event in Vadodara, where in an interview with The Times of India, the actor was asked about her plans to join politics. Also read: Raghav Chadha applies mehendi on Parineeti Chopra's palm on Karwa Chauth Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha at their mehendi ceremony in Sepetmber. Parineeti Chopra on joining politics after marriage Responding to a question, Parineeti Chopra said, "Let me tell you the secret to our successful marriage. He knows nothing about Bollywood, and I dont know anything about politics! So, I dont think you will see me joining politics... Although both of us are in public life, we had no idea that we would get so much love from all over the country. I feel that if you are with the right person, married life is the best. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Further speaking about her life, the actor said, Its very important to strike the right work-life balance. In India, we often see people proudly talking about how they did not eat or sleep on time because they were busy with work. They wear it like a badge of honour but personally, I dont think it is the right way to live life. I believe in working really hard but I also love to meet my friends and go on holidays. When I am 85 or 90 years old, I should look back and feel that I lived my life the way it should be done. Parineeti and Raghav's wedding Soon after the wedding, the couple shared the official wedding album on Instagram. While Raghav wore a white sherwani, Parineeti was dressed in a cream and golden wedding lehenga. Parineeti's cousin, actor Priyanka Chopra, who missed the wedding, dropped a bunch of emojis and commented on her post, My blessings always. Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha's pre-wedding festivities began with an Ardas ceremony in Delhi, which was followed by a Sufi night with only close friends and family members in attendance. In Udaipur, their mehendi and haldi ceremonies were followed by sangeet. Inside pictures and videos from the festivities showed Parineeti and Raghav dancing and mingling with guests. Parineeti and Raghav had gotten engaged in Delhi on May 13. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place A nostalgic moment that transported fans back to the late 90s, Julia Stiles revived a memorable scene from the cult classic film 10 Things I Hate About You' during her appearance at the Mash-Up Americans Book Festival in New York City. Julia Stiles recites iconic poem at mash-up Americans book festival(Instagram/Julia Stiles) The 42-year-old actress stepped onto the stage and delivered the poignant love poem her character, Kat Stratford, wrote for Patrick Verona, played by the late Heath Ledger, in the 1999 teen movie inspired by Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The festivals venue, The Greene Space, shared a video on Instagram capturing Stiles emotional performance. ALSO READ| DWTS star Alyson Hannigan stuns with 20-Lb weight loss transformation in before and after pic Dressed in a floral silk blazer, with her blond hair neatly tied back, Stiles recited the poem, visibly moved by the final lines that encapsulate the bittersweet feelings of her lovelorn teenage character: But mostly, I hate the way I dont hate you, not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all. The audiences cheers echoed the sentiment. Julia Stiles reminiscing Heath Ledger Stiles reminisced on the People in the '90s podcast in 2021 about Ledgers graciousness. She praised his supportive nature, recalling how he stepped back to let her shine, saying, He wasnt trying to compete with me, and He stood back and he was like, this is your scene. Ledgers humility and confidence allowed Stiles to deliver a powerful performance, acknowledging his own standout moments in the film, such as the unforgettable singing and dancing sequence on the school steps. Stiles reflections on her experience with Ledger highlight the rarity of such generosity in the industry, where the spotlight is often fiercely contested. Her appreciation for Ledgers approach is a testament to his character and talent, even at the onset of his career. ALSO READ| Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez for Palestine make waves as besties extend support for Gaza relief Today, Stiles looks back at 10 Things I Hate About You with fondness, cherishing the connections forged and the films lasting appeal. In a 2019 interview with the Daily Beast, she expressed gratitude for the films continued relevance, seeing it as an affirmation of her choice in roles and stories that resonate with audiences. The film marked a significant moment in her career, presenting a strong, feisty, and unapologetic teenage female character that stood out to her and evidently, to viewers as well.. In a joint operation with the Rajasthan Police, the Delhi Police crime branch on late Saturday night arrested two shooters for their alleged involvement in the murder of Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi from Chandigarh. Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi was shot and killed at his home on Tuesday (File Photo) According to the police, the two were arrested hours after one of their close associates was also nabbed by the Rajasthan police from Haryanas Mahednragarh. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The operation was jointly done by our SIT and a special team of Delhi police. The two gunmen Rohit Rathore and Nitin Fouji hid themselves at a liquor shop in the Sector 22 area from where we held them late on Saturday night, additional director general of police (ADGP) (Crime) and special investigation team (SIT) head Dinesh MN said. Karni Sena chief Gogamedi was shot dead in the living room of his house here on Tuesday. Gangster Rohit Godara linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang took responsibility for the murder on a social media post, a police official said, adding that the reason behind the murder according to the social media post of Godara gang was that Gogamedi was backing Godaras enemies. An 11-member SIT was formed by the Rajasthan Police to nab the accused. Also Read: Shooters aide arrested in Rajput Karni Sena chiefs murder: Police A day after the killing on Wednesday, police had identified the two gunners as Jaipur-based Rohit Rathore Makrana and Haryana-based Nitin Fouji who entered the Karni Sena chiefs premises with the help of his neighbour Naveen Shekhswat and shot both Gogamedi and Shekhawat dead after 15 minutes of having a conversation. Later, they also shot another local Hemraj near Gogamedis house, snatched his two-wheeler, and ran away, said police. A 23-year-old man, Ramveer Jatt, who is said to be the childhood friend of Fouji, was also arrested on Saturday from Haryana for allegedly aiding two prime accused to flee after they shot dead Gogamedi on Tuesday. According to the police, Ramveer, one of the conspirators in the Gogamedi murder case. After the incident, the shooters reached Ajmer road by Hemrajs scooter from where Jatt picked them up at his bike and dropped them off at Bagru toll plaza. The two shooters took a Nagaur-bound Rajasthan Roadways bus from there and went absconding, said the ADGP (Crime) Meanwhile, a Didwana-based cab driver was also detained by the police who informed that he dropped them off at Churus Sujangarh from Didwana bus depot on the night of the incident from where the accused took a Delhi-bound bus, said the ADGP. Also Read: Hundreds of supporters gather in Rajasthan to pay last respects to Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Gogamedi. Video According to MN, the two shooters reached Haryana by that bus. Based on the cab drivers lead, we have been chasing the two shooters. After speaking to the conductor of that bus of the Delhi-Nokha route, we learned that the two got off at Haryanas Dharuhera on the same night. They took another bus from there and reached Hisar where they had also asked the cab driver to drop them off but were refused. Police later also found the two headed towards Himachal Pradeshs Mandi after examining CCTV footage in Hisar and interrogating others. When our team chased them at Mandi, we got another tip-off that they stayed back at Chandigarh after getting the news of our visit, said MN. After confirming their whereabouts by the local police, our teams of Rajasthan and Delhi police reached the spot late at night and arrested both of them from their hideout in Chandigarhs Sector 22 in a sudden mission, he added. The ADGP said that the two will be brought to Jaipur on Sunday for further investigation. They will be questioned about the involvement of Godara and his gang as well. Incumber Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan escalated the suspense over BJP's next CM pick after he shared a social media post which is being read in two ways in the political circles. From his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Chouhan posted a picture of him and captioned it with sabhi ko Ram Ram (Ram Ram to all)". Madhya Pradesh incumbent chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan(ANI) In the photo, Chouhan is seen with his hands folded and the salutation Ram Ram, which is colloquially used in the northern parts of the country as a greeting as well as a parting message, has blown off speculations. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Chouhan posted the picture only two days before the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to hold a key meeting in Bhopal which is likely to decide the next CM for the state. Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, OBC Morcha chief and Rajya Sabha MP K Laxman and party national secretary Asha Lakra have been tasked to oversee the CM selection process in the state. Speculation is rife that the BJP will go for a new line of leadership in all three heartland states after clocking a comprehensive win in the assembly elections. Observers will arrive in the state on Monday morning and conduct the meeting at 4 pm. Invitations have been sent to the MLAs. The process of the party would be followed and a decision will be taken," MP BJP chief VD Sharma said. On Chouhan's post, Sharma said, This is (Lord) Ram's country. On January 22, a grand idol of Lord Ram will be consecrated at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. We greet each other in the morning by saying Ram-Ram. It is our culture to start the day with the name of Ram. Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday hit out at the INDIA bloc over the silence maintained by its leaders after the recovery of cash worth 353 crore from the premises of Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu. Attacking the parties, Amit Shah said, I understand Congress is silent as corruption is in their nature but JDU, RJD, DMK, and SP all are sitting silently...Now I understand why a campaign was run against PM Modi that agencies are being misused. It was run because there was a fear in their mind that all the secrets of their corruption would be revealed. Union home minister Amit Shah. (HT File) Meanwhile, the Congress distanced itself from the matter as Congress leader and Jharkhand health minister Banna Gupta clarified that his party had no involvement in the matter under discussion. The minister said that it was the responsibility of the central agency to clarify where the money came from. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "Dhiraj Sahu belongs to a big family, which has business interests. They have been running their businesses for several years. I believe it is the Income Tax department that should come out with a detailed clarification on the source of the money," Gupta told ANI. "It's not that he had stashed bribe money. An investigation is underway after which everything will be crystal clear. However, is his (Sahu's) personal business and has nothing to do with the party," the minister added. The income tax department has recovered an amount of 353 crore at premises linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Sahu. Cash counting is currently underway at the main branch of the State Bank of India in Bolangir, Odisha. SBI's regional manager, Bhagat Behera, provided an update earlier today, stating that they have received a total of 176 bags for cash counting at the main branch in Bolangir, Odisha. Out of these, 140 bags have already been counted. The counting process involves 50 bank officials utilizing 25 machines for efficiency. According to SBI officials, the entire cash counting process is expected to be completed by midnight. Several issued were resolved in the 26th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Bihar's Patna on Sunday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during 26th meeting of Eastern Zonal Council at CM Secretariat in Patna, Bihar,India, Sunday,10, 2023. (Photo by Santosh Kumar / Hindustan Times) "The meeting was good and several issues were resolved in the meeting. Committees were also formed for some issues," Shah told ANI. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah had chaired the 26th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council in Patna, Bihar. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and senior ministers from Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand attended the meeting. The secretary of the Inter State Council Secretariat, the chief secretaries of member states, senior officials of state governments and central ministries and departments were also present in the meeting. In his address, Union Home Minister Shah said that apart from being the cultural capital of the country, the eastern region has also been the centre of many major educational institutions since ancient times. He said that a lot of experiments have taken place in the field of education in the eastern region and even in competitive examinations, children from the eastern region are most successful. The Home Minister also said that the Eastern Region has laid the foundation for the industrial development of the entire country and many patriots from this region have contributed significantly to the redevelopment of the country before and after independence. The region is rich in mineral resources and water, and the eastern states like Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal provide almost all the mineral resources for the needs of the entire country. Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of strengthening the spirit of cooperative federalism has been realised in the last nine years. Highlighting the increase in the number of Zonal Council meetings after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, the Home Minister said that from 2004 to May 2014, the total number of meetings of the Zonal Councils and their Standing Committees was only 25 and during this period, on average, 2.7 meetings were held every year. But in the last nine years, from June 2014 until now, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a total of 56 meetings of the Zonal Councils and their Standing Committees were held and an average of 6.2 meetings were held every year. A total of nine meetings have been held so far this year, which includes four meetings of Zonal Councils and five meetings of standing committees. He added that this increase of more than double showcases Prime Minister Modi's Team India concept. Addressing the meeting that lasted for about three hours, the Home Minister said that 1,157 issues have been resolved in the meetings of the zonal councils. He said that in the zonal council meetings, differences on political matters should be avoided and efforts should be made to resolve matters in a liberal manner. Amit Shah said that many issues of national importance have also been included in the agenda of the Zonal Council meetings. These include eliminating malnutrition among children through the Poshan Abhiyan (nutrition campaign), reducing the dropout rate of schoolchildren, and operationalizing Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for speedy investigation and speedy disposal of rape cases against women and children. The facility of banks and Indian Post Payment Bank branches within 5 km of each village, the formation of two lakh new primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) in the country and the strengthening of all existing PACS in the country have also been included. He said that these issues need to be reviewed every three months at the level of the Chief Minister, Minister and Chief Secretary. Issues related to mining, central financial assistance on some items, construction of basic infrastructure, land acquisition and land transfer, water sharing, implementation of the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme, state reorganization and issues of common interest at the regional level were also discussed in the meeting. Shah said that in the meeting, all four states--Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha--made impressive presentations regarding good practises being implemented in their respective states. He said that these good practises will inspire other states to take positive steps. It was informed in the meeting that the land acquisition work for the Hajipur-Sugauli new railway line project has almost been completed. Also, land acquisition work for the Nabadwipghat-Nabadwipdham New Railway Project (15 km) in West Bengal has also started. Additionally, work on the completed section of the Krishnanagar-Nabadwipghat gauge conversion (12.2 km), i.e., Krishnanagar-Amghata (8.30 km), has been commissioned. Regarding the caste-based survey conducted in Bihar, the Home and Cooperation Minister said that when his party was in power in Bihar, it had supported the caste-based survey. He said the governor also approved the bill. He added that there are some issues regarding caste-based surveys, which he hoped the state government would resolve. Shri Shah said that the Central government never had any intention of creating hurdles in the caste-based survey. The Union Home Minister said, "Although the role of the Zonal Council meetings is advisory, on the basis of my four and a half years of experience as Union Home Minister, I can say that by giving importance to the meetings of the Council and its Standing Committee, we have resolved many issues. A total of 48 issues were discussed in depth in the 13th meeting of the Standing Committee held on June 17, 2023, out of which a total of 28 issues were resolved by mutual consent after discussion between the Chief Secretaries of the member states and senior officials of the states and the Centre. A total of 21 issues were discussed in today's meeting". (ANI) The president of an Ivy League university stepped down Saturday in the wake of a firestorm of criticism after a congressional hearing on the rise of anti-Semitism on US campuses. The University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magill "voluntarily tendered her resignation," the chair of the university's board of trustees Scott Bok announced. Bok also stepped down himself, a university spokesman confirmed to AFP. Magill was among three presidents of elite universities who faced withering criticism following their testimony Tuesday during a congressional hearing on campus anti-Semitism. The trio gave long, legalistic and seemingly evasive answers at the hearing when asked whether students who call for the "genocide of Jews" on their campuses violate codes of student conduct. The blowback was rapid and intense. Seventy-four lawmakers wrote letters demanding the immediate removal of Magill and the presidents of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Pennsylvania's Democratic governor called Magill's performance "absolutely shameful" and a major donor said he would rescind a $100 million gift to the university's Wharton School of Business. At Tuesday's hearing, Republican congresswoman Elise Stefanik asked each of the presidents if calling for the genocide of Jews violated university rules or codes of conduct. "If the speech turns into conduct, it can be harassment, yes," Magill responded, according to a transcript on Stefanik's office website. Stefanik pressed on: "I am asking, specifically calling for the genocide of Jews, does that constitute bullying or harassment?" "If it is directed and severe, pervasive, it is harassment," Magill said. "So the answer is yes," Stefanik queried. "It is a context-dependent decision, congresswoman," Magill responded. When Stefanik heard similar answers from the others, she erupted: "It does not depend on the context. The answer is yes, and this is why you should resign." Harvard's president, Claudine Gay, apologized afterwards for failing to strongly condemn threats of anti-Semitic violence on her campus. Anti-Semitism and hate crimes targeting Jewish and Muslim people have risen in the United States and on university campuses since the war on Gaza erupted. With passions inflamed on campuses, a broader debate has taken place about the boundaries between freedom of speech and deeply offensive, even inflammatory language. Search Keywords: Short link: Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], December 10 (ANI): In a significant All Party Round table meeting convened at Vijayawada Dasari Bhavan on December 9, leaders from the CPI Rashtra Samithi, expressed deep concern over the havoc wreaked by Cyclone Michaung in various parts of the state. HT Image AP Congress State President Gidugu Rudra Raju said, "The situation is very alarming in Andhra Pradesh. Earlier, there was a drought and now, due to heavy rains, crops have been damaged. The Chief Minister and Revenue Department are not taking care of the people. As congress members, we have attended this all-party round table conference. On December 11, we have a roundtable across the state. On 14, we have dharna in the collectorate across various districts. We demand the government to release crop damage per acre 50000." Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The Congress leader further highlighted that more than 20 lakh acres of crops have suffered extensive damage, far surpassing the government's conservative estimate of 1.47 lakh hectares. Houses and properties lie in ruins, with potholed roads further deteriorating, causing severe disruptions to transportation. AP CPM State Secretary V Srinivas Rao said, "The centre and state governments both have failed to meet the requirements of the people who are suffering in the cyclone and drought-hit areas. In 8 districts there are a number of mandals where crops have been damaged but till now the government has not taken any action. Moreover, the drainage system is the prime cause for most of the paddy damage in the Krishna delta. During the last 20 years, the government has not taken and initiative for drainage maintenance. The government has to release funds 25000 per acre for tenant farmers." The roundtable meeting, attended by leaders from various parties, presented several demands, which included recognition of cyclone and drought damage as national calamities and an immediate allocation of 1000 crore to the state. Rigorous identification and enumeration of damaged crops to prevent irregularities, prioritising tenant farmers. Declaration of 470 mandals with low rainfall as drought-prone. Compensation of 40,000 per acre for food crops, 75,000 for commercial crops, and 1 lakh per acre for horticultural crops, aligned with current production costs and application of crop insurance to all crops. The demands also include a complete waiver of all loans for farmers and tenant farmers, along with free provision of loans for second crops like rice and millet. Urgent repairs to irrigation and sewage canals. Unrestricted government purchase of wet and sprouted grains, cotton, and chilli crops. Creation of employment opportunities for 200 days to prevent migration, with a daily wage of 600 for agricultural workers and rural poor and abolition of all student fees in government and private educational institutions. The resolution emphasises the need for immediate action from both the central and state governments to alleviate the suffering of the affected population and prevent further distress. (ANI) Mayawati named her nephew, Akash Anand, as her successor in the Bahujan Samaj Party at a crucial party meeting in Lucknow on Sunday, ahead the Lok Sabha elections. Akash Anand will manage the party affairs in the states where the organisation is weak while Mayawati will handle the working of the party in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. BSP chief Mayawati with nephew Akash Anand. (Photo @samajwadiparty) BSP chief Mayawati has announced Akash Anand (Mayawati's nephew) as her successor...," party leader Udayveer Singh told news agency ANI. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The announcement was made by Mayawati during a meeting of BSP workers at the party's state office in Lucknow. According to the official statement on Saturday, the party would analyse its performance in the recently concluded assembly polls in three states, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Meanwhile, deliberations were made on selecting candidates for the Lok Sabha assembly election in 2024. The BJP created a record in Madhya Pradesh and came back to power after having ruled the state for 18 of the past 20 years. This is an apparent indication of the party's organisational hold in the state as well as the popularity of its schemes and leadership. Who is Akash Anand, Mayawati's nephew? The name of Akash Anand, who has been long anticipated to be Mayawaiti's successor, figured the second place in the list of BSPs star campaigners for the Himachal Pradesh assembly election. Akash Anand has also been entrusted with the task of gearing up the party cadre for the assembly election and restructuring the party organisation in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Akash was made national coordinator of the BSP in 2019 when Mayawati rejigged the party organisation after breaking alliance with the Samajwadi Party. The BSP had worked to emerge as the third alternative in Himachal Pradesh. Mayawati and national coordinator Akash Anand addressed a series of the party rallies in Himachal Pradesh. BSP suspends its MP Danish Ali The development comes a day after the BJP suspended its Lok Sabha member Danish Ali for "anti-party" activities, with the Amroha MP denying the charge and asserting that he only raised his voice against the BJP-led government's "anti-people" policies. In a brief statement, the party's Uttar Pradesh unit said Ali has been suspended for anti-party activities. The move came a day after Ali walked out of Lok Sabha proceedings along with other opposition members to protest against the government's motion to expel TMC member Mahua Moitra for "unethical conduct". Other BSP members remained seated in the House. Ali has been actively joining opposition ranks in attacking the BJP and its policies even though the Mayawati-led BSP has maintained a distance from the ruling alliance as well as the opposition. (With inputs from agencies) The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Saturday suspended its Lok Sabha parliamentarian Danish Ali for anti-party activities. The Amroha MP denied the charge and said that he only opposed the anti-people policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BSP MP Danish Ali thanked BSP-chief Mayawati for fielding him under the partys banner but maintained that he did not indulge in anti-party activities (Hindustan Times) The action against Ali came a day after he walked out of the Lok Sabha proceedings along with other Opposition members to protest against the governments motion to expel Trinamool Congress (TMC) member Mahua Moitra over the cash-for-query charge. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here In an official statement, BSP general secretary Satish Mishra said: You [Ali] were told verbally many times that you should not make any statement or take any action against the policies, ideology and discipline of the party, but despite this, you have been continuously acting against the party. Mishra added that Ali was a member of the Janata Dal (Secular) till 2018 and was made a part of the BSP on the assurance that he would work in the interests of the party. He said that Ali overlooked the assurances and started indulging in anti-party activities. Therefore, now, in the interest of the party, you are suspended from the membership of the Bahujan Samaj Party with immediate effect, the statement in Hindi said. To be sure, Ali will continue to be a member of the Lok Sabha. The Amroha MP thanked BSP-chief Mayawati for fielding him under the partys banner but maintained that he did not indulge in anti-party activities. I have definitely opposed the anti-people policies of the BJP-led government and will continue to do so. I also raised my voice against looting by a few crony-capitalists and will continue to do so. Because this is true public service, he said. Ali was at the centre of a massive controversy after he was targeted by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri with religious slurs and phrases during the momentous session in the new Parliament building in September. After a video of Bidhuris attack went viral, several senior Congress leaders, including Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Rahul Gandhi, came out in Alis support. Ali has actively joined the Opposition ranks in attacking the BJP and its policies even though the Mayawati-led BSP has maintained a distance from the ruling party as well as the opposition. Congresss Uttar Pradesh chief Ajay Rai described the BSP action against Ali as unwarranted. However, he did not comment on whether Ali was joining the Congress. The decision will weaken the morale of the poor and minorities as Danish Ali was firmly raising the voice of the masses and standing against high handedness and abject brazenness of the ruling BJP. We will do everything to strengthen Ali and all that he stands for, he said. Ali evaded HTs question on whether he was planning to join the Congress. Ask me something else, he said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday said it has filed a charge sheet against nine people in connection with the killing of a 55-year-old Naga woman in Keibi village of Manipur on July 15 by a mob during ethnic clashes in the state. Earlier, the Manipur police had arrested nine people, including five women, in connection with the murder of the Naga woman in Keibi village in Imphal East district (ANI) Also Read: 9 held in connection with brutal killing of woman in Manipur, 5 were women Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The agency, which filed the charge sheet before a special CBI court in Guwahati, did not reveal the identity of the accused, citing the sensitive nature of the case. Earlier, the Manipur police had arrested nine people, including five women, in connection with the murder of the Naga woman in Keibi village in Imphal East district of ethnic strife-torn Manipur. Police also recovered arms and ammunition and one car from the accused, who were later taken into the custody by CBI after the case registered at the Lamlai police station in Imphal East was taken over by the federal agency took at the request of Manipur government. It was alleged that at about 12.10pm on July 15, 2023, one female was forcibly detained at Sawombung Gate by a mob numbering about 100 persons, including armed miscreants, and was forcibly abducted towards Keibi village in a car. Subsequently, the dead body of the female was recovered on the same day, a CBI spokesperson said in a statement. Also Read: 12-hour shutdown in parts of Manipur over killing of Naga woman He said further investigation continues, including identifying other accused involved in the case. The CBI is investigating at least 27 cases related to ethnic clashes in Manipur, of which, 19 cases are related to crimes against women. It has formed a special investigation team (SIT) comprising 83 officers, senior psychiatrists and forensic experts, who are exclusively attached with the Manipur probe. At least 181 people have been killed and nearly 50,000 displaced in Manipur since May 3 when ethnic clashes broke out between numerically dominant Meitei and tribal Kuki communities. The central government responded to a contempt petition by issuing notices to actors Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn concerning their gutka company advertisements, as per PTI's report on Saturday. During the Friday hearing, the government's counsel informed the court about the Supreme Court's consideration of the same matter, suggesting the dismissal of the ongoing petition. Allahabad High Court said Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn were issued notices by the Centre in a response to a petition against gutka ads. Following this update, the court scheduled the next hearing for May 9, 2024. Additionally, the court was informed that Amitabh Bachchan had sent a legal notice to a gutka company for broadcasting his advertisement post the termination of his contract with them. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here According to the PTI report, Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan's bench had previously directed the central government to address the petitioner's concerns. The petitioner had urged action against award-winning actors and dignitaries endorsing gutka companies. Despite the petitioner's representation to the government on October 22, no action was taken, as claimed by the petitioner. Consequently, in response to the contempt petition, the High Court had issued a notice to the Cabinet Secretary of the central government. Deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey informed the High Court on Friday about the Centre serving show cause notices to Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn. Ban on consumption of 'paan', 'gutka' inside Puri's Jagannath Temple from Jan 1 The administration of Puri's Jagannath Temple has declared a total prohibition on tobacco-related items such as 'paan' and 'gutka' within the confines of the ancient shrine dating back to the 12th century, effective January 1, 2024. Ranjan Kumar Das, the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), made the announcement, emphasising the strict enforcement of the ban for devotees, temple workers, and attendants. What SC said on Tamil Nadu's Gutka and Pan Masala Ban The Supreme Court in April this year halted a Madras high court decision from January that overturned the prohibition on the sale of gutka and pan masala in Tamil Nadu, citing concerns for public health. The ban was initially imposed across the state due to the health risks associated with these products, as stated by the Commissioner of Food Safety. However, tobacco traders and manufacturers opposed the state's plea, arguing that the state government lacked the authority to enforce a permanent ban, contending that only the Parliament had such power. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the tobacco traders, stated, Ban is not the answer. You may prosecute for food standards The central observers of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday arrived in Raipur as the suspense over the chief ministerial name in Chhattisgarh continued. Sarbananda Sonowal and Arjun Munda are likely to attend a meeting with newly elected legislators regarding the chief ministerial candidate in the state. Union health minister and BJP's Chhattisgarh co-incharge Mansukh Mandaviya are also in Raipur. The party has been facing criticism for keeping its cards close and delaying the chief minister picks. (From left to right) BJP leaders Raman Singh, Arun Sao, Saroj Pandey and Ramvichar Netam.(Agencies and X) The BJP ousted incumbent Congress from Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and retained Madhya Pradesh with a landslide victory. This led to the saffron party tightening its hold in the Hindi heartland and gave a big boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here With an absolute majority in the 90-member Chhattisgarh assembly, the BJP won 54 seats while the Congress trailed at 35 seats. In Rajasthan, the saffron party won a total of 115 out of 199 seats. In Madhya Pradesh, BJP managed to stave off anti-incumbency after winning 163 seats in the 230-member assembly. However, the BJP bagged only eight seats in the 119-member Telangana assembly as Congress won the southern state by ousting K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Revanth Reddy of the Congress took oath as the new chief minister of Telangana on Thursday. While the BJP has not officially announced any names, several top leaders from Chhattisgarh are speculated to be potential candidates for the chief minister post in the states. Here we take a look at some of them: Raman Singh From a Rajput family in Chhattisgarhs Kawardha, 71-year-old Raman Singh is a three-time chief minister who governed the state from 2003 to 2018. A former Union minister, Singh took over after the BJP beat the Ajit Jogi-led Congress in 2003, and quickly became known as chawal vale baba, strengthening the states public distribution system. He was in power for fifteen straight years before anti-incumbency caught up with him, and the BJP crashed to 15 seats in 2018. Singh however has re-emerged as a key component of the BJP win in the state, and with Lok Sabha elections in 2024, is a steady hand if the party wants to choose stability. Arun Sao Arun Sao, 54, who began his political career as a volunteer of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, rose to win his first Lok Sabha election from Bilaspur in 2019, and was made state party president in November 2022. A lawyer by profession and a former deputy advocate general in the BJP tenure. Sao will have credit in the bank after pulling off the unlikeliest of electoral wins among the Hindi heartland states, and may also be in the running because he is a Sahu, the most influential of OBC communities that have moved decisively to the BJP. OP Chaudhary A dark horse for the post of chief minister is former IAS officer-turned-politician OP Choudhary, who fought the elections from Raigarh and won with a record margin of 64,000 votes. The 2005-batch officer, who was once the district collector of Dantewada, where he brought in several schemes for the education of children in Bastar, joined the BJP in August 2018. A son of the soil, Choudhary is from the Agharia caste, an influential OBC group in rural Chhattisgarh, and has been seen as a future leader for the BJP. During his campaign, Amit Shah, who took out a roadshow in his constituency of Raigarh said that the people had to make him win, and the responsibility of making him a big man was the home ministers. Ramvichar Netam Ramvichar Netam has served as a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha from Chhattisgarh from 2016 to 2022. He has formerly served as the cabinet minister in the government of former BJP chief minister Raman Singh. Vishnu Deo Sai If the BJP wants to pick a tribal face as its chief minister, rewarding a clear tribal shift towards the BJP by the community, one option before the leadership is 59-year-old Vishnu Dev Sai, former union minister of state and Chhattisgarh BJP president. Sai was president for four years between 2018 and 2022, and has won the elections from Kunkuri in north Chhattisgarh, a region the BJP has swept. Saroj Pandey Saroj Pandey contested and won the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections from Vaishali Nagar as a BJP candidate first in 2008. Before that, she had served as the Mayor of Durg in Chhattisgarh. In 2009, the BJP nominated her for a seat in the Lok Sabha, which she also won. In 2018, she was elected to the Rajya Sabha. Notably, she is one of the central observers appointed by the BJP for the election of its legislature party leaders in Rajasthan. Chhattisgarh chief minister-elect Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday expressed happiness on being chosen to become the next CM of the state. Speaking to news agency ANI Sai said that the first work undertaken by him will be that of 'providing 18 lakh Awas to people of Chhattisgarh' as promised. Sai said, ...With all honesty, I will work for 'Sabka Vishwas' & the promises made to the people of Chhattisgarh under 'Modi Ki Guarantee' will be fulfilled. As a CM of the state, we will try to fulfil the promises. The first work will be to give 18 lakh 'Awas' to the people... BJP leader Vishnu Deo Sai (PTI) Vishnu Deo Sai secured a significant victory in the Chhattisgarh assembly elections by winning the Kunkuri Tribal seat with a substantial margin of over 25,000 votes. Sai will be the first tribal chief minister of Chhattisgarh. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here READ | Who is Vishnu Deo Sai, BJP's Chhattisgarh CM pick? 10 things to know Vishnu Deo Sai, who served as the state president of the BJP from 2020 to 2022, had previously held the position of Union Minister of State for Steel during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initial term. Additionally, he represented Chhattisgarh's Raipur constituency as a Lok Sabha member for the BJP. His involvement extended to the national level, being a member of the BJP's national working committee. He was also appointed as the state president of BJP in 2018 when the party restructured its government. Commencing his political journey as a panchayat leader, Vishnu Deo Sai progressed to become a member of the Madhya Pradesh assembly from 1990 to 1998. Subsequently, in 1999, he achieved another milestone by getting elected to the 13th Lok Sabha. His consistent electoral victories demonstrated the continued support and confidence of the electorate in his leadership. Vishnu Deo Sai and former chief minister Raman Singh were both considered frontrunners. Their names prominently featured with significant attention and speculation. Following a decisive victory in Chhattisgarh, the BJP found itself engaged in intense discussions to finalise the chief ministerial candidate. This strategic planning session occurred after the party's resounding success, defying earlier exit polls that anticipated a closely contested battle with the Congress. New Delhi: The Congress has sought a clarification from Rajya MP Dhiraj Sahu after the income tax department recovered over 300 crore stashed at premises allegedly linked to him. Jharkhand Congress chief Avinash Pandey said the party had no links with the issue as it is his personal matter. The BJP, however, called Sahu Rahul Gandhi's "friend" and demanded answers from the party. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. "Since he is Congress MP, he should make an official statement about how such a big amount of money came to him," Pandey said while speaking to media persons at Ranchi's Birsa Munda airport. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "The party has a clear-cut stand that it is a private matter of Dhiraj Sahu, which has nothing to do with the Congress party," he added. He further said the country liquor baron's family has been running the business for over 100 years and the Congress MP was just a part of the business. "But Sahu should clarify how such a big amount came to him," he added. BJP MLA CP Singh said the Congress wanted to protect Sahu's bosses. "Is Sahu Congress MP or Independent? If he is an Independent candidate, then he can say that the party has nothing to do," he said. Also read: Whose money: BJP questions Rahul Gandhi over 300 crore Dhiraj Sahu recovery Union minister G Kishan Reddy said Sahu was Rahul Gandhi's close friend. "From Rahul Gandhi's close friend and Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu's offices, around 200 crore was seized by I-T...I want to ask Rahul Gandhi, why haven't you posted anything about this on social media? Why haven't you spoken anything about this? Because Congress always supports corruption," he added. BJP MP K Laxman questioned Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi's silence over the issue. "Where there is a Congress Government, only corruption is there....PM Modi has a vision of zero tolerance against corruption... PM Modi will not leave the corruption and soon the Congress will be exposed," he said. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said the BJP has been targeting the Congress. "They are targeting Congress. Let them raid the residence of BJP leaders. It's wrong if unaccounted money is recovered from anyone's house according to the IT act. Let them take action against him (Dhiraj Sahu), we don't have any objection but why do they only target Congress leaders and not the BJP?" he added. With inputs from PTI, ANI Petrostates, led by Saudi Arabia, pushed back against attempts to take a hard line on phasing out fossil fuels, while the West including the US appeared to be uneasy with acknowledging that it needs to take more responsibility for their historical role in the climate crisis, negotiators and observers at the COP28 climate conference said. Delegates walk at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 8, 2023. (REUTERS) Tensions during negotiations rose during the climate talks on Saturday as countries dug in on their positions, with the latest spark being fresh opposition by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) against any language targeting fossil fuels in the climate agreement being negotiated. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Also Read: At COP28 climate talks, environment minister hails India's conservation efforts Saudi Arabia, on behalf of Arab countries, said there was no universal solution to climate change that applies to all countries. We need context-specific approach. Countries will adapt specific technologies based on their circumstances and its critical to have both renewables and removals to be promoted, Saudi Arabias negotiator said during a high-level ministerial meeting on the issue of pre-2030 ambitions. On Friday, during a plenary, its representatives said: Wed like to stress that the Paris Agreement focuses on limiting emissions and doesnt tackle the sources of these emissions. Adaptation, however, is still something that we need to make more progress on. And we have to stand together and to reach roadmap on the global goal for adaptation. China, India and other developing nations which rely on fossil fuels that are cheaper too were not happy with the language but were engaged in conversations on how a balance could be found, people aware of the discussions said. Also Read: The five terms that COP28 is all about Countries doubling down on their imperatives was not entirely unexpected. Saudi Arabia has been open about their views. Its a multilateral process and every country can raise their concerns. Some developed countries and emerging countries not openly speaking or rejecting the language does not mean that they are agreeable to language on phasing out fossil fuels, said a negotiator from a developing country, pointing out that many developed nations too have oil and gas expansion projects in the pipeline. At the heart of the matter is the push by blocs like the European Union and the US on wanting tougher commitments by all to cut back on the use of more polluting fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. This goes not just against the economic imperatives of petrostates, but also against that of developing nations, who have pressed western nations to do good on their prior commitments to offer more funding to help them transition to cleaner sources of energy. The condition petrostates seem to be stressing on is that commitments must first be hardened on emission targets western and developed countries at present have the highest per capita emissions before sources of emissions are tackled. Also Read: Talks on fossil fuels ramp up at COP28 News sources, including The Guardian that first reported it, brought to light a letter by the leader of Opec urging member countries earlier this week to block any language that would phase out or phase down fossil fuels. It seems that the undue and disproportionate pressure against fossil fuels may reach a tipping point with irreversible consequences, as the draft decision still contains options on fossil fuels phase out, said a copy of the Opec letter that is circulating among observers states. COP28 director-general, ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, did not comment on the veracity of the letter but said, We will align with an outcome to keep 1.5 degree goal in reach. That goal is our north star. On the stance taken by India, China and developing countries, a negotiator said: They say OK this is strong package on mitigation, but what is the balance we are going to see? The next iteration will be possibly developed keeping that in mind. Now ministerial pairings are meeting parties trying to understand and listen to not only their problems but are also asking for their suggestions. Tonight, we will have stocktaking plenary, where ministerial pairings are going to come in and explain what is going on. HT reported on Saturday that COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber announced minister pairings Dan Jrgensen of Denmark and Barbara Creecy of South Africa were assigned to lead the talks on global stocktake (GST); Yasmine Fouad of Egypt and Steven Guilbeault of Canada on finance; Espen Barth Eide of Norway and Grace Fu of Singapore on mitigation and Maisa Rojas of Chile and Jenny McAllister of Australia leading the talks on adaptation. The ongoing summit is expected to agree upon the first global stocktake, an assessment of the worlds progress on climate-related goals and commitments. It involves evaluating collective efforts, reviewing individual contributions, and identifying areas for improvement. Consultations went on overnight on Friday after the third draft of the stocktake was released. Contentions remained, and even intensified, on the language of certain critical issues especially fossil fuels and equity, observers said. US in particular was not agreeable to the language on common but differentiated responsibilities, one observers added, referring to the agreed upon climate action paradigm that historical emitters must do more to make up for their role in the climate crisis. Bolivia, on behalf of the Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) which includes India, flagged that developed countries had not walked the talk on fossil fuel themselves and had not even delivered climate finance. Lets talk about emissions, rather than diverting the discussion to sources. We are trying for alternatives, some of our countries have the biggest renewable energy expansion plans, however, the finance and technology needed to make advances are curtailed. These are real challenges, this is not rhetoric, Diego Pacheco, Bolivias negotiator said during a high-level ministerial on the pre-2030 ambition on Saturday. We also need to walk the talk. Reports indicate that despite having the greatest economic means to rapidly phase out production, and immense historical responsibility for causing the climate crisis, rich, developed countries account for over a half of planned expansion from new oil and gas fields through 2050. How is this fair? How is this equitable? This sends a very concerning message that the lives of people in developing countries are not valued, he added. It is a fact that the means of implementation support from developed countries to developing countries has not been forthcoming. It is also a fact that developed countries who can be a lot more ambitious are not showing that ambition in their NDCs (nationally determined contributions). But each year, there is pressure on developing countries to do more. How much more is expected of us? We need to correct this injustice. It is important to keep 1.5 alive, but how is this possible if developed countries have net zero targets in 2050? They are asking for the right to pollute, while we are asking for our legitimate right to develop, Pacheco said. EU and US called for stronger language on fossil fuels and coal. If we want next generations to have a safe future, 1.5 degrees should be priority. The options put forward by the UAE presidency have laid down what needs to be done. We need reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions of 43% by 2030I have said it earlier and I am saying it again that we want this COP28 to mark the beginning of end of fossil fuels, said EU Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra during his national statement. We are aware of the fact that 500 GW of new coal power plants are in the pipeline to be built. Its past the time to build new coal power plants and we need to address what is happening with non-CO2 emissions said Rick Duke, US deputy special envoy for climate during a press conference on Saturday. These conflicts are captured in the third iteration of the GST also. The third iteration of the Global Stocktake text shows no change in the language on phasing out coal while the language on phasing out fossil fuels is vague with no specific timeline. It is not acceptable to single out coal in this manner which would absolve heavy oil and gas producers, like the US, of accountability, said Tamanna Sengupta, programme officer, climate change at Centre for Science and Environment who is at COP28 as an observer. The amount of unaccounted cash found from premises linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Sahu reached 353 crore on Sunday as the counting finally came to an end while the issue snowballed into a major political controversy because of the involvement of the Congress MP. The income tax department raided the premises on Wednesday and found stacks of notes kept in almirah racks. The counting began but could not be finished in a day or two as the SBI branch where the notes were being counted had its normal operations too. The counting could be completed by the weekend, the staff said earlier. Counting of the cash seized from premises linked to Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu. The I-T raids were at the premises of Boudh Distilleries Private Limited across Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Neither the MP nor the company has issued any statement so far. The Congress said the party has no involvement in the MP's business and he should explain this huge amount of cash. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Over 350 crore, 176 bags of cash, 3 banks, 40 machines The counting created a spectacle as this became the largest cash haul in a single operation in the country. The SBI branch where the counting took place received 176 bags full of cash. Three banks were roped in for the counting process. 40 currency counting machines were brought in. Initially, there was a shortage of machines as the ones in the counting operation gave in. The counting involved nine teams of about 80 people from the tax department and various banks and they worked 24X7 in shifts. After 10 cash-stuffed almirahs were found, another team of 200 officials, including security personnel, drivers and other staff, joined in. 'Notebandi ke baad bhi': Congress MP's old tweet viral, 'Dark sense of humour': Amit Malviya BJP's Amit Malviya shared a screenshot of Dhiraj Sahu's old tweet in which he exclaimed how there still was so much black money in the country even after demonetisation. "Dhiraj Prasad Sahu has a dark sense of humour," Malviya tweeed. "I feel pained seeing so much corruption and black money in the country even after noteban. This is beyond my understanding how people can accumulate so much of black money. Only Congress can uproot corruption from the party," Dhiraj Prasad Sahu tweeted in 2022. "Imagine how much one Congress MP has looted that it takes almost an army of personnel to count the loot. Now multiply it with Congress 60 years of power & 1000s of MPs. It runs into tens of thousands of crores. Congress is corruption ki beemari! The disease of corruption," BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said. Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday spoke about the issue as he questioned the silence of the INDIA parties like SP, DMK, JDU. "It can be now understood as to why the allegation against the Modi government that it is misusing investigation agencies was made.It was because of the fear that their corruption will be exposed," Amit Shah said. PM Modi too earlier commented on the massive cash haul and said it is PM Modi's guarantee that every penny has to be returned to the public. Going around Congress, the Biden administration said Saturday it has approved the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million as Israel intensifies its military operations in the southern Gaza Strip. The move comes as President Joe Bidens request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security is languishing in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas. The State Department said it had notified Congress of the sale late Friday after Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale of the munitions in the U.S. national security interest. That means the purchase will bypass the congressional review requirement for foreign military sales. Such determinations are rare, but not unprecedented when administrations see an urgent need for weapons to be delivered without waiting for lawmakers approval. The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defence capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives, the department said in a statement. Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defence. The sale is worth $106.5 million and includes 13,981 120 mm High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer tank cartridges as well as U.S. support, engineering and logistics. The material will come from Army inventory. Bypassing Congress with emergency determinations for arms sales is an unusual step that has in the past met resistance from lawmakers, who normally have a period to weigh on proposed weapons transfers and, in some cases, block them. Search Keywords: Short link: Days after the University Grants Commission (UGC) directed colleges across the country to set up selfie points featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the backdrop, the Odisha government asked all state colleges and varsities to create such points with chief minister Naveen Patnaiks photograph in the background. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik (File Photo) In a direction to all college principals and university officials on Friday, the state higher education department called for setting up of selfie points, with a photograph of Patnaik and the conch the ruling Biju Janata Dals (BJD) party symbol in the backdrop, at prominent spots across campuses. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The directive, seen by HT, was sent via emails and WhatsApp. The new selfie initiative has been taken up under the states NUA (Nutana Unnata Abhilasha) Odisha (NUA O) programme, which deals with the skill development and technical education of youngsters, the education department said. Following the order, selfie points have already come up in several colleges, a person aware of the details said. On December 1, the UGC had directed all universities to set up selfie points at strategic locations on campus against the backdrop of Modis photograph. It also recommended various themes like internationalisation of education, unity in diversity, Smart India Hackathon, Indian knowledge system, multilingualism, and Indias rise in higher education, research and innovation for the photo-ops. Also Read: Giorgia Meloni takes selfie with PM Modi, Italian PM calls it a Melodi The directive evoked sharp criticisms from the Opposition, with the Congress alleging that Modi was no stone unturned to save his flailing image in the run-up to next years Lok Sabha elections. In defence, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said colleges were asked to set up such points because Modi has made the country proud globally. He also said that it is not mandatory for students to click photos. We have been seeing since childhood that pictures of the president, prime minister and Mahatma Gandhi are on the walls in the schools and offices. Now, when we are putting selfie points with pictures of a leader who has made us proud globally and taken the country to different heights, what is your problem? It is a democracy... If you dont want to click selfies, dont, Pradhan said on Thursday in the Lok Sabha. Children are clicking selfies, they are celebrating it. It is not mandatory... but a matter of pride... the prime minister of a country is not of any party or class but of everyone, he added. Also Read: Meeting friends always a delight': PM Modi reacts to Melodi selfie with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni Opposition parties in Odisha also criticised the BJD governments move to set up such points with a photograph of Patnaik in the background, calling it a gimmick ahead of the assembly elections next year. The BJD is doing a gimmick and instead of focusing on improving infrastructure, research facilities and bringing better lecturers, it is focusing on promoting Patnaik through its Nua O scheme, state BJP secretary Irashish Acharya said. Congress spokesperson Kruschnachandra Pati said: Our party will oppose the selfie points. Under no circumstances will politics be encouraged on campuses. There was no immediate response from the BJD. Political analyst Rabi Das said both the BJP and BJD should desist from using college campuses to further their political agenda. At a time when several educational institutions lack playgrounds and adequate classrooms apart from shortage of lecturers, I see no point in having selfie points of either Modi or Patnaik. The state higher education department has not held the student union elections in colleges since 2018. Why are the elections stopped, Das said. The results of assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are a setback to the INDIA bloc, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief and a member of the Opposition grouping, Jayant Chaudhary, said in an interview with HT on Friday, as he pointed to lack of coordination in the coalition group as one of the reasons for the poll debacle. Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary said that the party will continue to play a leading role enabling the INDIA group to take things to a logical conclusion (HT Photo) The remark comes over a week after the Congress lost its governments in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, and failed to dislodge the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. Though the party won Telangana, its dismal head-to-head record against the BJP cast a long shadow on the grand old partys ability to put up a credible fight against the BJP in the Hindi belt, and effectively relegated it to southern India. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The assembly results in MP (Madhya Pradesh), Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are certainly a setback to the INDIA bloc, though the BJP won only by a narrow margin as far as vote-share is concerned. So, there was no problem with our approach, Chaudhary said, when asked about the Bharatiya Janata Partys clean sweep in all the three Hindi-heartland states. Pointing to a lack of coordination among INDIA bloc partners, the RLD chief said: It is just about managing the last mile of elections by getting all coalition parties on board and speaking in the same voice. I strongly feel the Samajwadi Party (SP) should have been given a fair share in MP and more seats should have been given to us (RLD) in Rajasthan. And all should have actively campaigned against the BJP in one voice, he added. Asked if the RLD was rethinking its affiliation with the INDIA bloc after the assembly polls, the Rajya Sabha member said: Despite minor differences that we might have, we all are working for a common cause that (is to) stop the BJP from coming to power in 2024. The RLD will continue to play a leading role enabling the INDIA group to take things to a logical conclusion. Today, in the state executive meeting, I urged party workers to ignore petty issues for a larger unity of the INDIA bloc. I also told them that contrary to rumours intermittently, the RLD would continue in the INDIA group only while taking care of their (RLD workers) interests at the same time. Outgoing chief minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday congratulated Vishnu Deo Sai on being elected as the new CM of the state. In a post on X, Baghel wrote, Congratulations and best wishes to Kunkuri MLA and senior BJP leader Shri Vishnu Dev Sai ji on being elected as the leader of the BJP Legislative Party. I wish that you take forward the journey of justice and progress of Chhattisgarh as the Chief Minister. @vishnudsai Outgoing Chhattisgarh CM Baghel(HT File) Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Vishnu Deo Sai's name was announced as the new chief minister on Sunday. Sai is the first tribal CM of the state. Sai was elected as an MLA from the Kunkuri assembly seat in the state's Surguja division. The BJP won all 14 segments in the region. After being elected as the new CM of the state, Sai told reporters, As the chief minister, I will try to fulfil PM Modi's guarantees (pre-poll promises of the BJP) through the government. He also said that the first work undertaken by him will be that of 'providing 18 lakh homes to the people of Chhattisgarh. Sai started his political career in 1989 when he was elected as a village panch. He later went on to become the Sarpanch in 1990. He won four consecutive Lok Sabha elections from the Raigarh constituency from 1999 to 2014. He rose to the rank of the union minister of state for steel in the first Cabinet of prime minister Narendra Modi. Vishnu Deo Sai has also served as the state president of the BJP between 2020 to 2022. Reacting to Sai's election as the new chief minister of Chhattisgarh, his mother Jasmani Devi said, I am very happy. My son has got the opportunity to serve the people of Chhattisgarh. Meanwhile, BJP leader OP Chaudhary said, We will take the state forward under his leadership...We fulfil the responsibilities decided by the party. Giving our 100 per cent, under the leadership of Vishnu Deo Sai we will take the state to new heights. (With inputs from ANI) The ministry of external affairs on Sunday denied a report on Hardeep Singh Nijjar that claimed that New Delhi sent a 'secret memo' to consulates in North America to launch a "sophisticated crackdown scheme" against Sikh diaspora organisations in Western countries. Calling the report by The Intercept fake and completely fabricated, the ministry said there was no such memo. "This is part of a sustained disinformation campaign against India. The outlet in question is known for propagating fake narratives peddled by Pakistani intelligence. The posts of the authors confirm this linkage," the MEA said. "Those who amplify such fake news only do so at the cost of their own credibility," the statement read. External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi issued a statement on reports on 'India's secret memo' The Intercept report claimed that a secret memo was issued in April 2023. It "lists several Sikh dissidents under investigation by India's intelligence agencies including the Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar", the report termed fake by the government read. It claimed the memo was sent two months before Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in Vancouver. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here India-Canada relationship received a jolt after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that India was behind Hardeep Singh Nijjar's assassination. India rejected the claim and assured that it would cooperate in the investigation process if Canada provided evidence. There was a diplomatic row between the two countries and India temporarily suspended its visa services in Canada. The services resumed but Ottawa had to withdraw around 40 diplomats from India as New Delhi pointed out a disparity in the number of diplomats between India and Canada. India also accused Canadian diplomats posted in India of interfering in internal affairs. Bhubaneswar: The Income Tax department has deployed additional machines and manpower to expedite the counting of currency notes seized during its raids in three states on properties of an Odisha-based distillery group linked to the family of Congress lawmaker Dheeraj Sahu, people aware of the matter said on Saturday, even as political row escalated a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Opposition over corruption. Income tax department officials raided in three states on properties of an Odisha-based distillery group linked to the family of Congress lawmaker Dheeraj Sahu. (ANI) Currency notes worth 300 crore have been counted so far, with I-T officials expecting the total seizure to go past 350 crore. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The raids at premises linked to Boudh Distillery Private Limited, which is based in Boudh district of Odisha, began in the state, Jharkhand and West Bengal on Wednesday and continued on Saturday. The company is linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, Dheeraj Sahu, whose son Ritesh Sahu is the managing director, while elder brother Uday Shanker Prasad is the chairman of the company that manufactures extra neutral alcohol a primary raw material for making alcoholic beverages. On Saturday, I-T sleuths conducted searches at the residence of liquor trader Raj Kishore Jaiswal, alleged to be close to Sahu. Read | Dhiraj Sahu I-T raids: Cong distances, says MP should explain The raids have been initiated following actionable intelligence regarding significant out of book sales and cash remittances by liquor distributors, sellers, and business groups, the agency had said earlier. On Friday night, 20 bags of currency notes were seized from the Balangir house of liquor trader Bunty Sahu, associate of Ritesh Sahu, who is the MD of Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd. That money is yet to be counted, a senior I-T official said, requesting anonymity. We have deployed approximately 40 large and small machines for counting the currency notes so that the process could be expedited. We have asked SBI [State Bank of India] in Balangir and Sambalpur districts to enlist staff from other nationalised banks for joining the counting operation on Sunday, the senior official added. Also Read | Who is Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu? I-T officials said they were bewildered by the seizure from unlikeliest of places, including huts and rundown almirahs in liquor outlets. For some time, we felt we were inside the strong room of some bank. Wherever we raided, there were currency notes of 500, 200 and 100 (denomination), a member of the raiding I-T team said, also declining to be named. According to the department, the cash seizure in Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal is the highest-ever made by any agency in the country against a single group and its connected entities. Of the 300 crore seized, I-T officials said, 250 crore was confiscated from several almirahs at the companys premises in Balangir district, while the remainder was seized from locations in Titlagarh (also in Balangir), Sambalpur, and Ranchi. Though no one has been arrested so far, I-T officials are recording statements of company officials and individuals involved, another official said. The department has also called a 20-member team from Hyderabad to analyse documents and electronic data seized during the raids. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday held press conferences across various parts of the country, alleging that seizure of large amount of cash was indicative of the Congresss corruption. It came a day after PM Modi shared a news report on the raids in a post on X, saying Countrymen should look at these piles of currency notes and then hear the speeches of its (Congress) leaders on honesty. Every penny looted from people will have to be returned. This is Modis guarantee. Senior BJP leader and Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday expressed concern over the matter and asked if politicians from his home state Odisha were also involved in the corruption. The news of hundreds of crores of rupees being seized in the media for a few days in Odisha has left me stunned. It is a matter of concern that such a large amount of unaccounted money has been seized simultaneously from states like Odisha by raids by central agencies. What is the source of this anonymous wealth? What is the truth? Are some people of Odisha related to the seized black money? Why are some people who are flag bearers of truth and honesty silent on this matter, Pradhan posted on X, formerly twitter. Odishas ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), however, said its leaders were in no way connected to the liquor traders against whom the I-T department has taken action. The CM [Naveen Patnaik] has assured that the law will take its course. Whoever is at fault will not be spared and action will be taken against the wrongdoers, BJD legislator Satyanarayan Pradhan said. In Jharkhand, from where Sahu is a three-term Rajya Sabha member, state BJP chief Babulal Marandi has alleged the trail of the recovered money would reach the door of Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren. The two parties [Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)] have allied not only to form the government but also to come in defence of each other on the issue of corruption, Marandi alleged. The JMM, however, accused the BJP of trying to build a false political narrative to target opposition leaders. The I-T department is yet to come out with an official statement and the Prime Minister, who holds a constitutional post, tweets a news report, which is latched on by the national spokesperson and state president to make wild allegations. This is being done merely to manufacture a false political narrative against the opposition parties, JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said. The Congress, meanwhile, said the party was no way connected with Sahus businesses, leaving it to the three-term Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand to explain the matter. The Indian National Congress is in no way connected with the businesses of Dheeraj Sahu, MP. Only he can explain, and should explain, how huge amounts of cash have been reportedly unearthed by the income-tax authorities from his properties, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on X. Fresh IT raids on country liquor breweries in Odishas Bolangir district resumed on Sunday morning as bank officials doubled down their efforts in counting the currency notes in the distillery and country liquor breweries linked to Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu from Jharkhand. Rs.300 crore has so far been recovered in multiple IT raids (Twitter Photo) On Sunday morning, IT raids at the country liquor breweries of Buntu Sahu and Rajesh Sahu, close to the family members of Baldeo Sahu & Group of Companies, the partnership firm of Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd (BDPL), which owns and operates distillery plants in Odisha apart from several microbreweries resumed with reports of more cash being recovered. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here On Saturday, wads of currency notes were found in Sudapada brewery in Bolangir district from an iron chest. The Income Tax department had said that it had counted cash worth Rs.300 crore and expected the seized money to be around Rs.350 crore, with more counting machines pressed to count the seized currency notes. On Friday night, dozens of bags filled with currency were seized from the Balangir house of liquor trader Bunty, an associate of Ritesh, who is the MD of Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd. A 12-member team was divided into separate groups, who took part in the simultaneous raids. About four Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawans also were deployed to assist the raid teams at BDPL. Also Read: I-T dept expedites counting of cash recovered in raids on Odisha-based distillery group, Cong MP under lens Following the seizure, the I-T department brought the cash bags and sacks loaded in a large truck to the State Bank of Indias Bolangir branch. The IT officials also brought in Bunty and Rajesh to the State Bank of India (SBI) Bolangir where the cash was being counted by over 50 officials using at least four dozen counting machines. In the SBI branches of Titlagarh and Sambalour, the officials have so far counted currencies of nearly Rs.50 crore while in SBI Bolangir main branch, Rs.140 crore of cash have been counted from around 100 bags. Bhagat Behera, regional manager of SBI, Bolangir, said, the cash counting may go on till Monday. Though we have enough machines, they are heating up due to continuous counting. As bankers, we have never used machines for hours like this. Many currency notes are sticking to each other due to mildew deposits and so we are using dryers to separate the notes that have clung together, he said. Meanwhile, I-T officials said during the raids on one of the country liquor breweries in Bolangirs Sudapada area, they found a polythene packet containing Rs.5 lakh in currency notes and the name Inspector Tiwari mentioned on the packet. We think the person may either be from the excise department or local police. We would interrogate officials from the excise department, the official said refusing to be named. A special 20-member I-T analysis team from Hyderabad joined the investigation to scan through the computer hard disk and other electronic items recovered during the raid. Even as the raids were continuing, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Saturday conducted press conferences in different parts of the country alleging that the money seized was indicative of the Congresss corruption. In Jharkhand, from where Dheeraj Sahu is Rajya Sabha MP, BJP leader Babulal Mirandi has alleged that the money belonged to chief minister Hemant Soren. I-T personnel first raided Boudh Distilleries Private Limited in Boudh district of Odisha on December 6 morning over reports of tax evasion and later searched the premises of Baldeo Sahu and Group of Companies in other places of Odisha, Jharkhand and Bengal. Headquartered in Odisha, the Boudh Distillery Private Limited comprises 4 companies - Boudh Distillery Private Limited, Baldeo Sahu Infra Private Limited which makes Fly Ash bricks, Kwality Bottlers Private Limited (IMFL Bottling) and Kishore Prasad Bijay Prasad Beverages Private Limited (Sales & Marketing of IMFL brands). Also Read: BJPs Amit Malviya attacks Congress over IT raids at Dhiraj Sahus company premises: Corruption Ki Dukaan The I-T department officials said they had suspicions over the companys inconsistent and low net profits between 2019 and 2021 inflated expenses towards the purchase of mahua/other articles and suspicious other payable shown in the balance sheet. Of the Rs.300 crore seized, Rs.250 crore was confiscated from several almirahs at the BDPLs premises in Bolangir district, while the remainder was seized from locations in Titlagarh, Sambalpur, and Ranchi. However, no one has been arrested so far. The raids have been initiated following actionable intelligence regarding significant out of book sales and cash remittances by liquor distributors, sellers, and business groups, the agency had said earlier. The IT officials confirmed that the cash seizure in Odisha, Jharkhand and Bengal is the highest-ever made by any agency in the country against a single group and its connected entities. In a major breakthrough, the Delhi Police Crime Branch along with the Rajasthan Police has arrested three men, including two shooters, from Chandigarh for their alleged role in the killing of Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, news agency PTI reported. A team of the Delhi Police Crime Branch, in a joint operation with the Rajasthan Police, arrested the two alleged killers Rohit Rathore, a resident of Rajasthan's Jaipur and Nitin Fauji, a resident of Haryana's Mahendragarh, from Chandigarh's Sector 22. The duo were accompanied by one more associate, Udham Singh, who was also caught. The three accused were arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch along with the Rajasthan Police from Chandigarh Sector-22. The police had identified the two alleged killers of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi and announced a cash reward of 5 lakh for information leading to their arrest. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Broad daylight murder of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi was shot dead in the living room of his house in Jaipur on December 5. A CCTV camera footage had surfaced purportedly showing the attackers opening fire at him. According to a police officer, PTI reported, the accused will be handed over to the Jaipur police for further interrogation. An 11-member special investigation team was formed by the Rajasthan Police to arrest the accused. Who are Ramveer Jat and Nitin Fauji? On Saturday, another man, Ramveer Jat, was arrested in Jaipur for allegedly contracting the shooters to kill Gogamedi. According to the police, Ramveer, one of the conspirators in the Gogamedi murder case, had prepared the groundwork for Fauji, his friend, in Jaipur ahead of the killing. Additional police commissioner, Jaipur, Kailash Chandra Bishnoi said, "Accused Ramveer is a close friend of shooter Fauji. Ramveer and Fauji lived in neighbouring villages and both studied together in Class 12 in a school in Mahendragarh. After passing Class 12, Fauji joined the Indian Army in 2019-20. Whereas Ramveer has studied BSc. from Wilfred College, Mansarovar Jaipur, between 2017 and 2020 and MSc. (mathematics) from Vivek PG College, Kalwad Road, Jaipur between 2021 and 2023. Ramveer went to the village after giving the final paper of his MSc in April 2023. Fauji had come on military leave." Bishnoi added that on November 9, Fauji and his associates fired on the police of Mahendragarh Police Station Sadar and absconded. During this period, Fauji sent his friend Ramveer to Jaipur on November 19. (With inputs from agencies) The Manipur Police on Saturday rescued a 22-year-old youth who was kidnapped and arrested eight persons in connection with the case, news agency PTI reported. A police patrol party in a violence-hit area of Manipur. (AFP)(HT_PRINT) According to Imphal West superintendent of police Ksh Shivakanta Singh, Laishram Chinglen Singh was abducted from DM College of Science New Boy's Hostel on Friday afternoon. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of 15 lakh from the parents of Laishram for his safe release," Shivakanta said, according to PTI. "Following a complaint by the youth's parents, Imphal West District Police conducted searches at different places. Around 2 am, a police team carried out a raid at Yumnam Huidrom Makha Leikai in Imphal West district and rescued Laishram from the house of one Asem Chaoba (63)," he said. The Manipur Police also recovered Ghatak rifle, an AK-47 rifle, one .32 pistol, ammunition and 13 mobile handsets from those held in the case. Also Read | 3 mortuaries, 94 bodies and a wait for last rites in Manipur Manipur has been roiled by ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and the Kukis since May 3. The clashes have left over 190 dead and around 50,000 homeless. On Monday, 13 people died in a gunfight with the villages defence volunteers of Leithao village in Tengnoupal district. Neither police nor security forces confirmed the identity or ethnicity of the 13 people who were killed. The largest single-day toll in the state before Monday was reported on June 14, when nine people were shot dead in different areas of Kangpokpi district. The state government, earlier this month, resumed mobile internet services across the state, except in the buffer zones small areas with a radius of around 2km that connect valley districts with hill districts. The Meiteis, the dominant community in the state, largely live in the valley. The Kuki tribals live in the hill districts of Manipur. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda on Saturday addressed newly elected party MLAs in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, asking them to prepare for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Vatra (developed India pledge march) amid buzz over the appointment of chief ministers in three states, party leaders familiar with the matter said. BJP national president JP Nadda with other party leaders during 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra' programme, at Ghamdoj village in Gurugram.(ANI) Naddas virtual meeting with MLAs came before the party-appointed observers will meet legislators in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan to seek views on who the CMs should be. The BJP has appointed a team of observers for each state, headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh for Rajasthan, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar for Madhya Pradesh and tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda for Chhattisgarh. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Also Read: BJP appoints observers to set ball rolling on CM picks Legislative party meetings are scheduled to be held in Chhattisgarh on Sunday evening, in Madhya Pradesh on Monday and in Rajasthan on Tuesday. Most of the elected MLAs started arriving in the Chhattisgarh capital Raipur on Saturday. In the evening, Nadda spoke to the MLAs informing them about their duties and objectives and the importance of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, party leaders said. Nadda ji in his address to the new MLAs said the BJP is planning a Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in every constituency of Chhattisgarh, in which the local MLAs and leaders will be inducted to create awareness and propagate the policies and programmes of the Modi government, said one of the newly elected MLAs in Chhattisgarh. Another MLA said the objective of the meeting was to prepare the BJP for the upcoming parliamentary elections and added that the CM candidate was not discussed at the meeting. In Rajasthan, Nadda repeated the message he gave in Chhattisgarh and urged the newly elected MLAs to visit every home to deliver the message of the Prime Minister. Also Read: BJP banked on fresh faces to win heartland state polls In Chhattisgarh, the party is likely to choose between an OBC or a tribal face with Raman Singh, CM thrice from 2003 to 2018, almost ruled out. OBCs account for around 45% and tribals are 32% of the states population. Among the front runners for the CM post are young OBC leader OP Chaudhary , party president and OBC leader Arun Sao, Vishnu Deo Sai , Ram Vichar Netam, Lata Usendi and two parliamentariansRenuka Singh and Gomti Saiboth resigned as MPs on Friday. There is discipline in BJP and we will be go by the decision of the senior leaders as I am just a small worker of the party, Chaudhary said to reporters. Sao told reporters the partys three central observersUnion ministers Arjun Munda and Sarbananda Sonowal, and general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautamwill be present at Sundays meeting. The partys Chhattisgarh in-charge Om Mathur, Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya and party co-in-charge for the state Nitin Nabin will also be present, he added. Defence minister Rajnath Singh is expected to reach Jaipur on Tuesday as BJP leaders cited his prior appointments in New Delhi and Lucknow as reasons for the delay. The President is going to Lucknow on Monday and Rajnath ji will be there. After that he will come here, said a senior BJP leader. On Friday, Singh, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde and Rajya Sabha MP Saroj Pande were appointed central observers by the party. State BJP president CP Joshi said on Saturday that the meeting of MLAs will be held at the earliest. The BJP MLAs have been asked to reach Jaipur by Sunday evening, he said. As the wait gets longer, several names are doing the rounds such as those of Union minister Ashwini Vaishnav, former CM Vasundhara Raje, Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, former Lok Sabha member Balaknath, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, senior leader Om Prakash Mathur and former organisation secretary Prakash Sharma. Rajasthan caretaker chief minister Ashok Gehlot took a swipe at the delay in naming a CM by the BJP and said, There is no discipline in this party. If the Congress had done this, they would have levelled allegations against us, he told the media. Countering Gehlot, Joshi said, BJP has a strong leadership and a strong organisation. Gehlot does not need to worry about that. In Madhya Pradesh, senior party leaders said that outgoing chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is willing to accept Narendra Singh Tomar as CM. However, another senior leader and nine-time MLA, Gopal Bhargava, is said to be have expressed his resentment over the probable choice of Tomar. Another chief minister probable and former Union minister Prahlad Patel has met Chouhan a few times apart from meeting Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday. It appears that even senior party leaders dont know who the CM will be. Everyone is trying, said a senior BJP leader in Bhopal. Many of the top BJP leaders still believe that the party would rely on Chouhan at helm of the state before the Lok Sabha polls. Nobody knows the party and the state bureaucracy better than him. Not having him as CM at the time of Lok Sabha polls may create unnecessary hiccups, a senior state BJP leader aware of the developments said. A third senior BJP leader in Bhopal said for the first time there is discussion on inducting two deputy chief ministers like in UP. BJP MLA and tribal leader Sampatiya Uike said, We will agree with the party high command decision. Outgoing minister Om Prakash Dhurve said, In the new cabinet, tribal leaders will get a good opportunity to work for the welfare of tribals and others. The Bharatiya Janatas Party (BJP) strong showing in the recent round of assembly elections proves that people trust the government to deliver on its promises and that the gulf between the Centre and beneficiaries of welfare programmes had been bridged, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, as he outlined the impact of his administrations initiatives across socio-economic groups. HT Image People across the country have welcomed Modi ki guarantee waali gaadi [Modis vehicle of guarantees] with great enthusiasm, the Prime Minister said in an online address during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here These election results have made it clear that Modis guarantee is valid, he said. During his rallies across five poll-bound states in November, Modi framed his governments election promises as Modis guarantees, as a counter to Opposition parties, especially the Congress, which also labelled their vows as guarantees. Crores of families in villages across the country have benefited from some scheme or the other of our government. When they get this benefit, their trust increases And for this, the person did not need to visit any government office again and again. The mental state of begging is gone. The government identified the beneficiaries and then took steps to extend the benefits to them, he said. That is why today people say that Modis guarantee means the guarantee of fulfilment, the PM said, in a refrain he also used during his victory speech at the BJPs national headquarters on December 3, when the party swept to power in three key heartland states Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is a nationwide campaign that aims to raise awareness, especially among rural populations, about government schemes. During his speech on Saturday, Modi said the drive had reached 1.25 crore (12.5 million) people in over 40,000 gram panchayats. Modi also hit out at Opposition parties and said previous governments in the country placed self-interest above the service of the people. Elections cant be won by making false promises or on social media, he said. Elections have to be won not on social media, but by going among the people. Before winning elections, it is necessary to win the hearts of the people. It is not right to underestimate the public conscience, Modi said. If those who ran the governments for decades had worked honestly, the guarantees that Modi has to give today would have been fulfilled 50 years ago, he added. The Congress hit back at Modi. The Prime Minister has this habit of hiding his colossal failures behind some mythical past or imaginary future. The record of joblessness has been broken under him in the present; 80% Indians have to depend on free ration under his failed watch, said Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera. The results in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have bolstered the BJP ahead of next summers general elections and have been particularly bruising for the Opposition. The BJP staved off anti-incumbency in Madhya Pradesh, kept alive Rajasthans tradition of voting out the incumbent, and stunned the ruling Congress in Chhattisgarh by wresting back the tribal-dominated province. During his December 3 speech at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, Modi said the results spelt victory for the party ahead of 2024. Some people are already saying our hat-trick in the states is a guarantee of a hat-trick in the Lok Sabha polls in 2024, he said at the time. The BJP government is not a condescending benefactor, but rather serves people the way children serve their parents, Modi said on Saturday. Every mother, sister and daughter of the country is a VIP for me. Every farmer of the country is a VIP for me. Every young person of the country is a VIP for me. He also cautioned women against divisive politics seeking to split them and said they are one big caste who can take on any challenge together. All women should remain together. Nowadays, some people are creating rifts among women... All women have one caste which is so big that they can together take on any challenge, he said. The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees has accused Israel of laying the groundwork for the mass expulsion of Gazans across the territory's border into Egypt. In an opinion piece published on Saturday in the Los Angeles Times, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini pointed to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the increasing concentration near the border of displaced civilians who fled the fighting, first in the north and then further south. "The United Nations and several member states, including the US, have firmly rejected forcibly displacing Gazans out of the Gaza Strip," Lazzarini said. "But the developments we are witnessing point to attempts to move Palestinians into Egypt, regardless of whether they stay there or are resettled elsewhere." The widespread destruction in the Palestinian territory's north and the resulting displacements were "the first stage of such a scenario", he added, while forcing civilians from the southern city of Khan Yunis closer to the border was the next. "If this path continues, leading to what many are already calling a second Nakba, Gaza will not be a land for Palestinians anymore," Lazzarini said, using the Arabic term for the exodus or forced displacement of 760,000 Palestinians in 1948. A spokesperson for the Israeli defence ministry office responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Lazzarini's accusation. When asked about the possibility of evacuating people into Egypt last week, a government spokesman said Israel was "focusing on getting civilians out of harm's way inside the Gaza Strip". Nearly 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, where U.N. agencies say there is no safe place to flee. Search Keywords: Short link: The top twenty political advertisers spent 5.98 crore on 7,901 ads on Metas platforms in the month of November, while 15,405 political ads worth 36.31 crore were published through Google Ads in the same duration. On comparing the top twenty political advertisers for November on Google and Meta, HT found that Congress outspent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Flags of Congress (left) and BJP. Direct and indirect advertisements on Meta platforms in favour of the BJP by the party itself, its state units, and those advertising on its behalf accounted for 43.2%, or 2.58 cr of this pie while Congress contributed 2.24 crore for 37.48% of the pie. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here On Google Ads, on the other hand, 14.3 crore was spent by Congress, 12.1 crore was spent by Bharat Rashtra Samithi while 4.16 crore was spent by BJP. Most of the online ad money on Meta which includes Facebook and Instagram was spent in Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh for the month of November. Spends for Mizoram, the other state that went to elections in November, however ranked 17th on the list. Almost 80% of the ad spend on Google, that is, 28.9 cr was spent on video ads while 20.4% was spent on image ads. Maximum amount, 2.27 cr was spent on November 27, three days before the poll in Telangana. The eves of the four polling days --- November 6, November 16, November 22 and November 29 did not see any spikes in ad spends on Google. The ministry of information and broadcastings Central Bureau of Communication also ran ads worth 1.15 crore on Google Ads in the month on November. Googles Ad Library has data since February 20, 2019. Since then, 73,246 ads worth 206.2 crore have been placed. The BJP accounts for almost 24% of this ad spend at 49.4 crore while the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) accounts for 21.3 crore, or 10.38%. Congress has spent 14.6 crore on Google ads since 2019. Metas Ad Library was launched in May 2018 and retains data for seven years. Twitter, now called X, had launched a similar transparency centre in June 2018 but shut it down in January 2021, partly because it had stopped serving any political ads on the platform from November 2019. The microblogging platform was compelled to relaunch its ads transparency centre for the European Union to comply with the Digital Services Act earlier this year. Congress uses campaign agencies while BJP relies on memes Ads placed by the parties pages or their state units pages reveal skewed figures in the top twenty advertisers. Congress and its state units spent 2.05 crore on 1,263 ads while BJP spent 1.53 crore on 3,122 ads Meta platforms. But indirect ads reveal a different state of affairs. Of the top 20 political advertisers on Meta platforms, three are Facebook pages directly run by Congress or its state units which placed 1,263 ads for 2.05 crore. However, only one Congress supporting page Kharge Fan Club appeared in the top 20 advertisers, spending 18.49 lakh on 205 ads. On the other hand, five pages that are directly run by the BJP --- BJP Chhattisgarh, BJP Rajasthan, BJP Telanagana, BJP Madhya Pradesh, and Nahi Sahega Rajasthan --- placed 3,122 ads for 1.53 crore. In addition, five pro-BJP pages and one anti-Opposition page ran 2,830 ads supporting BJP at a cost of 1.16 crore. One of these pages is called Akash Vijaywargiya Team which is run by the team of a former BJP MLA from Indore whose father, Kailash Vijayvargiya, is a national general secretary of the party and recently won the assembly elections from Indore-1. Other BJP supporting pages which advertised for BJP are Ulta Chashma, MP ke mann mein Modi (referring to a campaign slogan used in Madhya Pradesh), Chhattisgarhiya Chaupal, corruptionnath (referring to Congresss Kamal Nath), and Crafto. Craftos ads have purportedly been paid by the Kutumb App which is a social media networking app available in Indian languages. A political campaign management firm, DesignBoxed, and a production house, Gibbous Films, ran Google ads worth 2.09 crore and 78.9 lakh for Congress in Rajashthan. Prashant Kishors I-PAC ran ads worth 17.5 lakh for Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy via Google Ads. According to Metas advertising policies, to advertise about social issues, elections or politics in India, advertisers have to undergo the authorisation process where they have to prove their identity to Meta using a government issued ID such as the Indian passport, driving licence, PAN card, or a voter ID. Each such ad must include a Paid for by disclaimer and these ads enter Metas Ad Library for seven years. News publishers who are not members of, or appear in, recognised industry groups and lists in India, or those who havent been validated by expert sources, are also subjected to this policy as per Meta. Google treats any ads featuring or run by a political party, political candidate or a current member of the Lok Sabha or the Vidhan Sabha as political ads. Advertisers must complete India Election Ads verification before they are allowed to run an election ad. Neither company requires advertisers to identify the political party whom they are advertising or promoting in their ads. These sums spent by political parties on digital advertising, while staggering in and of themselves, most certainly underestimate the true figures, said Amogh Dhar Sharma, a lecturer in developmental studies at the University of Oxford who has been studying political communication in India. Political parties are circulating content on social networking sites in more surreptitious ways and funding it through off-the-book transactions. For example, many small-town and regional language influencers on platforms like Instagram are frequently contacted by politicians to spread funny memes or satirical videos lampooning the opposition parties through their personal accounts. These influencers can rake in anywhere from tens of thousands of rupees to a few lakhs for their work during the elections season. Many of us view this content on our social media feeds on a daily basis without realising the political patronage that fuels it. It might seem like harmless humour, but this shapes public debate in subtle ways, he said. New Delhi: When Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Christopher Wray meets National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief Dinkar Gupta this week, the latter will take up the issue of extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attacks co-conspirator Tahawwur Rana to India, people aware of the development said on Sunday. India has named a 'conspirator' in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. (ANI) A US court had, in May, ordered the extradition of the Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, who is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley during the 26/11 attacks, to India but he was allowed time to file a motion against the extradition. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Also Read: US court stays extradition of Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana As part of his first official visit to Delhi on Monday and Tuesday, planned about five months ago, Wray will have one-on-one meetings with Gupta, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Praveen Sood, chiefs of central intelligence agencies, senior officials of the ministries of home and external affairs and a visit to the Delhi Police headquarters. Issue of mutual cooperation, sharing of information in critical cases, joint operations, mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) and extraditions, including those of Tahawwur Rana and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun will be part of the discussions. Although FBI and the US justice department have cooperated with India on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and both sides are in regular touch, expediting Ranas extradition to India is important, said a senior official, who declined to be named. Rana, 57, a Pakistan-born doctor-businessman had helped co-conspirator David Coleman Headley in reconnaissance of targets in Mumbai and allegedly planned attacks at National Defence College (NDC) and Chabad Houses. 166 people were killed in Mumbai attacks, considered the deadliest terror attack on India by Pakistan-backed terrorists. The FBI arrested Rana in Chicago on October 18, 2009, for providing material support to the conspiracy to commit terrorist acts including murder, kidnapping and maiming outside the US, in Mumbai and Copenhagen. Also Read: India in touch with US on extradition of Tahawwur Rana: Foreign secretary Kwatra Pannuns regular threats to Indian leadership and citizens, propagating anti-India violent activities, activities of gangsters freely operating from US soil such as carrying out contract killings and extortions will also be raised, said a second officer, adding, Punjab Police have also shared inputs on pro-Khalistan elements (PKEs) and gangsters. During the meeting between Sood and Wray, discussions are set to be around cyber-enabled financial crimes, criminals targeting American citizens by operating call centres in India, economic offenders of Indian origin having links here as well as the use of cryptocurrencies by criminal networks and terrorists. The CBI and FBI have collaborated on catching several cyber-criminals involved in duping people under Operation Chakra-1 and Chakra-2 in the past year and a half. Also Read: Mumbai cops file charge sheet against Canadian Tahawwur Rana for 26/11 Inputs on Indian nationals running call centres targeting American citizens will also be exchanged, said the second officer cited above. Indian agencies, this officer added, are looking for a level-playing field on sharing of information, especially from US-based tech giants and social media companies as well as the extradition of wanted persons. Although the government has already formed a high-level committee to probe an alleged plot to kill Pannun in the US, Wray on his part is likely to further discuss the issue with Indian officials. Delhi Police and the FBI had in April this year coordinated on bringing back gangster Deepak Boxer from Mexico. Senior officers in Delhi Police and the ministry of home affairs are likely to seek further cooperation on matters of cyber security, cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure by state and non-state actors. Union minister and BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi alleged that the amount of cash recovered by the Income Tax Department from Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu's premises is the highest among corrupt people so far, and the Congress has tried to spread corruption from one generation to another. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi slammed Congress over Dhiraj Sahu IT raids (ANI)(Mohd Zakir) "The amount has reached 300 crore... The Congress has tried to spread corruption from generation to generation," Lekhi told reporters on Saturday even as the Congress distanced itself from Sahu after the recovery of a huge amount of cash from a liquor company linked to him. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here " 300 crore is just the amount found with one politician; the count is still left for the rest of the corrupt politicians in the entire Congress. If they were all put together, imagine how many notes would come out," Lekhi said. Union minister Smriti Irani has also questioned the grand old party and said the Gandhi family must tell the country for which Congress leader, the Rajya Sabha MP, was working as an 'ATM'. " 200 crore has been recovered from the premises of their party MP, Dhiraj Prasad Sahu and the counting is still going on. Mohabbat Ki Dukaan Mein Corruption Ka Karobaar Chal Raha Hai (a business of corruption is being run in Mohabbat Ki Dukaan). The Congress high command, (means) the Gandhi family, will have to tell the country that for which Congress leader of the Gandhi family he was working as an ATM," she said while speaking to news agency ANI. Further dismissing the constant allegations of opposition parties, BJP MP Parvesh Verma asserted that investigating agencies are not misused under BJP rule and that his party's role is to expose corruption. IT Dept raids on properties linked to Dhiraj Sahu The Income Tax Department conducted simultaneous raids across three states, recovering more than 300 crore worth of cash from properties linked to Sahu. This is likely to be the biggest cash recovery in income tax raids so far. The Odisha-based liquor distillery group is linked to Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu. The counting of cash, however, was still going on, as per an IT official. The raids were conducted at Boudh Distilleries Private Limited (BDPL) and entities linked to it in Odisha and Jharkhand. It is expected that the IT raids across properties linked to the Congress leader will continue on Sunday as well. The Income Tax Department also deployed additional manpower and machines to expedite the counting of the notes seized in the raids. (With PTI inputs) Jaipur: A day after the Congress attributed a lack of discipline to the 'delay' in government formation in Rajasthan, several new and former MLAs of the state arrived at Vasundhara Raje's house in Jaipur on Sunday, ANI reported. Former chief minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, coming out after meeting with President of the Bharatiya Janata Party JP Nadda last week. The Bharatiya Janata Party won 115 seats in the 199-strong assembly, relegating the Congress to just 69 seats. The party hasn't yet formed governments in the three states (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh) whose elections it won recently. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Vasundhara Raje was the chief minister of Rajasthan when the party last formed a government in the state. Baba Balak Nath's name had cropped up after the party's win earlier this month. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary even joked on camera over the speculation. "Meet the new chief minister of Rajasthan," Choudhary said jokingly in Parliament. Other names rumoured to be considered for the coveted chief ministerial role are Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Diya Kumari. Outgoing Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot had said the delay in announcing CMs in the three states was because of the lack of discipline within the party. "There is no discipline in this party. If we had done the same, I don't know what allegations they would have levelled against us and misled people. They polarised the polls... We will cooperate with the new government," he said on Saturday. BJP MLA Kalicharan Saraf responded to Gehlot's allegation today saying it took over a fortnight for the Congress to announce its chief minister in 2018. "For the Congress to level such allegations at us is laughable. After the last Assembly elections in 2018, it took them 16 days to decide their chief minister. Unlike the BJP, which handles these matters in a democratic manner, they are dictatorial. Our party top brass has appointed observers for Rajasthan, who will come here, listen to the MLAs and tender their report to the high command which will eventually decide the CM," he said. Earlier this week, the father of BJP MLA Lalit Meena claimed four new MLAs confined the Kishanganj MLA in a resort. He also named Vasundhara Raje's son Dushyant Singh. "...I had gone to take him (Lalit Meena) from 'Apano Rajasthan Resort'...Dushyant Singh took him along. Kanwarlal, an MLA, tried to stop me. He asked me to first talk to Dushyant Singh and then take him (Lalit Meena)...A total of five MLAs were there at the resort...," Hemraj Meena was quoted by ANI as saying on Thursday. Raje met BJP chief JP Nadda in the national capital on Thursday. With inputs from ANI A 23-year-old man was arrested from Haryana on Saturday for allegedly aiding two prime accused flee after they shot dead Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, president of the Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena (SRRKS), a Hindu right-wing outfit, earlier this week in Jaipur, Rajasthan Police said on Saturday. Ramveer Jatt was arrested from his house at Sureti Pilaniyan village in Mahendragarh district of Haryana, a senior police officer said (HT) Ramveer Jatt (23) was arrested from his house at Sureti Pilaniyan village in Mahendragarh district of Haryana, a senior police officer said. The accused is a childhood friend of one of the shooters, Nitin Fouji, also from Mahendragarh. Police have identified the other shooter as Rohit Rathore, a resident of Jaipur. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Gogamedi was shot dead in his Jaipur residence by Rathore and Fouji on Tuesday. The shooters entered Gogamedis house in Shyam Nagar area with the help of his neighbour Naveen Singh Shekhawat, and shot both of them around 1.15pm. A local resident, Hemraj, also sustained bullet injuries after the accused shot him near Gogamedis house, snatched his two-wheeler and fled. After the incident, Ramveer Jatt helped Rathore and Fouji escape. The shooters reached Ajmer Road on the scooter they snatched from Hemraj, following which Jatt picked them up on his bike and dropped them off at Bagru toll plaza, assistant commissioner of police (ACP), Jaipur, Kailash Bishnoi said. The two shooters then took a Nagaur-bound Rajasthan Roadways bus and went absconding. The shooters later took a cab to Sujangarh in Churu district from Didwana bus depot. The ACP also said that Jatt and Fouji had studied in the same school in Mahendragarh. Jatt completed a Master of science (MSc) degree in mathematics from a Jaipur-based college last April before returning to his village, Bishnoi said. On November 9, Fouji and his aides fired at a police party from the Mahendragarh Sadar police station and went absconding. Jatt had arranged a hostel in Jaipur for Fouji to stay for a few days. After primary investigation, the police arrested Jatt from his house on Saturday. Both Rathore and Fouji are absconding. They are escaping the police with disguises and hiding identities. Police are searching them at probable neighbouring districts and states. We will arrest them soon, additional director general of police (crime) Dinesh MN had said on Thursday. He also announced a reward of 50,000 each for information about the shooters whereabouts. Hours after the incident, a member of notorious jailed criminal Lawrence Bishnois gang claimed the responsibility of the murder in a purported social media post. Rajasthan director general of police (DGP) Umesh Sharma has formed a special investigation team (SIT), with Dinesh MN as its supervisor, to probe into the murder case. A senior police officer said the shooters while travelling in the Rajasthan Roadways bus had allegedly contacted their associate to book a cab for Sujangarh. Primary investigation suggests they contacted one of their associates from the Nagaur-bound bus to arrange a car for them. On Thursday, a Didwana-based cab driver informed the police that he dropped off the two shooters at Sujangarh in Churu district from Didwana bus depot on the night of the incident. Cab driver Yogesh Sharma told the police that the shooters later boarded a Delhi-bound private bus at Sujangarh bus stand. MK Vishwanathan, the father of TV journalist Soumya Vishwanathan, died on Saturday, days after a Delhi court handed down double rigorous life imprisonment to four members of an organised crime syndicate for killing her around 15 years ago in the national capital. Parents of Journalist Soumya Vishwanathan comes out of Saket Court after the hearing of the murder case of their daughter at Saket in New Delhi on October 26. (Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times) MK Vishwanathan, 82, passed away just a day after what would have been his daughter's 41st birthday. Soumya Vishwanathan, who worked at Headlines Today (now India Today), was shot dead in her car on Nelson Mandela Road, in south Delhi, on her way home from the office on September 30, 2008, between 3.25am and 3.55am. Police investigation found the motive to be robbery. As they were chasing her car in an attempt to rob her, the accused allegedly shot and killed Vishwanathan. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here On November 25, the special court awarded two life imprisonments to Ravi Kapoor, Amit Shukla, Baljeet Malik and Ajay Kumar under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and U/s 3 (1) (1) of The Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (committing organised crime resulting in the death of any person) and made clear that they will run "consecutively". The special court did not agree to the vehement submissions of the prosecution seeking the death penalty, saying the act of the four convicts to murder the victim does not fall within the category of "rarest of rare cases". Referring to some Supreme Court verdicts, guidelines regarding the sentencing policy, submissions on behalf of the state and on behalf of the convicts and the pre-sentence report as filed by the probation officer, the court said, "the present case and the act of the (four) convicts to murder the victim do not fall within the category of rarest of rare cases category in which the death penalty can be imposed." The court also observed that it was "unfortunate" that Vishwanathan who was a "young, dynamic and hard-working journalist" lost her life due to the act of the convicts. Overnight, MK Vishwanathan's life underwent a transformative shift. Over the subsequent 15 years, his daily routine revolved around pursuing the case and making regular visits to the police station. The legal struggle concluded with justice being delivered just last month. Expressing her sentiments on the judgment, Madhavi Vishwanathan, the mother of Soumya, conveyed her "satisfaction" with the outcome but admitted that she did not feel "joyful." The Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on December 11 will pronounce its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories. Supreme Court of India (Representative Photo) The five-judge constitution bench, including Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant, will deliver the judgment on Monday. The apex court reserved the judgment on September 5 after a 16-day argument session. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, and senior advocates Harish Salve, Rakesh Dwivedi, V Giri, and others have represented the Centre and intervenors supporting the abrogation of Article 370. Senior advocates, including Kapil Sibal, Gopal Subramanium, Rajeev Dhavan, Zaffar Shah, Dushyant Dave, and others, presented their case on behalf of the petitioners. Also read: Ahead of Article 370 verdict, little hope more despair in J&K Questions that Supreme Court is looking into Lawyers contested on various issues, including the constitutional validity of the Centre's decision on August 5, 2019, to abrogate Article 370, the validity of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, challenges to the Governor's and President's rule, and the extension of President's rule in the former state on July 3, 2019. Numerous petitions challenging the Article 370 abrogation and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which created Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as Union territories, were referred to the Constitution bench in 2019. During the hearing, the apex court asked who can recommend the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir when no constituent Assembly, the concurrence of which is required before taking such a step, exists there. Supreme Court also asked how can a provision (Article 370), which was specifically mentioned as temporary in the Constitution, become permanent after the tenure of the Jammu and Kashmir constituent Assembly came to an end in 1957. Centres defence The central government said that the abrogation of Article 370 was not a "constitutional fraud" and aligned with the legal framework. It argued that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India was similar to the process followed by numerous princely states. It said many states joined through accession post-independence with conditionalities but after merger, their sovereignty was subsumed into India. The central government said that Jammu and Kashmir's current status as a Union Territory is temporary and it is committed to restoring statehood. The government said there is a positive transformation in Jammu and Kashmir, citing a decline in street violence since 2019. It claimed an "unprecedented era of peace, progress, and prosperity," with normalcy returning to the region after years of turmoil. Also read- Article 370 was a stopgap measure: Centre to SC Petitioners' argument Petitioners argued that Article 370, initially considered temporary, became permanent after the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir. They contended that Parliament lacked the authority to declare itself the legislature of J-K for Article 370's abrogation, citing Article 354 as insufficient for such power. Pointing towards Article 370's clause 3, petitioners said that the Constituent Assembly's recommendation was crucial for its removal. Due to the Constituent Assembly's dissolution, required for abrogating Article 370, petitioners claimed that the provision could not be revoked. Also read- Ends cannot justify means: SC to Centre on Article 370 J&K HC Bar Associations stand The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association presented in Supreme Court that upon acceding to India, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir retained territorial sovereignty over the state but not the sovereign power to rule and govern. However, the association said, apart from defence, external affairs, and communication, all other powers were retained by the state for legislation and governance. Inputs from wires Vishnu Deo Sai, who started his political career as a panch (member of the village panchayat) was appointed as the new chief minister of Chhattisgarh on Sunday. He will be the first tribal to head the state. Vishnu Deo Sai. (File) Sai, who belongs to the Kanwar tribe, hails from the Kansabel area in Bagiya village, with an agricultural background. He has been active in state politics since 1989. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Kanwar are the second largest tribal community after Gond in Chhattisgarh and have direct influence on 15-20 seats in the northern part of the state. In 1989, Sai became one of the panch of Bagiya village, and later became the Sarpanch in 1990. Sai was given an assembly ticket and served as a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1990 to 1998, from the Tapkara constituency in the undivided Madhya Pradesh. In 1999, he was elected as a member of Parliament (MP) from the Raigarh Lok Sabha constituency. In 2006, he was appointed as the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Chhattisgarh. He won the Raigarh Lok Sabha seat again in the 2009 and 2014 elections. A prime face of the tribals in the state, Sai also served as a minister in the first cabinet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the just-concluded assembly elections, Sai was fielded from the Kunkuri, a ST reserved seat in Chhattisgarh where he clinched victory by over 25,000 votes, defeating Congress candidate UD Minj. He was a prominent candidate in the race for the CM post. He enjoys good ties with former CM Raman Singh, who was among the frontrunners for the CM post. He is also considered to be close to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He was actively involved in the anti-conversion drive led by the Judeo family in north Chhattisgarh. Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy on Sunday met with former CM and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) supremo K Chandrasekar Rao who was admitted to hospital following a fall recently. In a video posted by news agency ANI, Reddy, wearing a mask, is seen speaking to Rao as the latter also tries interacting with him. Reddy is accompanied by a few men. One can also see the doctor standing beside Rao as Reddy speaks to him. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy meets BRS supremo and former CM KCR at the hospital.(X/Revanth Reddy) After interacting with Rao for a few moments the CM left the premises. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Taking to X Revanth Reddy wrote, Visited former chief minister Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao, who was on rest, and inquired about his well-being. Reddy also shared a picture of him along with the BRS supremo. Former chief minister Chandrashekar Rao was admitted to the Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad after he fell in his farmhouse in Erravalli. Rao's son and Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader KT Rama Rao said KCR suffered a fracture following the fall. Chandrashekar Rao also underwent hip replacement surgery after his admission to the hospital. "Kalvakuntla Chandrashekhar Rao Garu had a slip and fall in his bathroom at his Residence and was subsequently brought to Yashoda Hospital for further care. On evaluation, including CT scans he was found to have left hip fracture. He would require left hip replacement for the same and the usual course of recovery for such cases is expected to be six to eight weeks," the hospital said in a statement earlier. READ | Former Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao hospitalised after fall On the direction of Telangana CM Revanth Reddy earlier, the Secretary of Health, Medical and Family Welfare Dept in Telangana visited Yashoda Hospital to inquire about the health of former CM K Chandrashekar Rao. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also prayed for his recovery while his daughter and BRS leader K Kavitha poured in well wishes for the BRS leader. "Distressed to know that former Telangana CM KCR Garu has suffered an injury. I pray for his speedy recovery and good health," PM Modi said in a post on X. "BRS supremo KCR Garu sustained a minor injury and is currently under expert care in the hospital. With the support and well wishes pouring in, Dad will be absolutely fine soon. Grateful for all the love," BRS leader Kalvakuntla Kavitha wrote. (With inputs from agencies) As Vishnu Deo Sai's name was announced as the BJP's chief minister in Chhattisgarh on Sunday, Union home minister Amit Shah's promise to the people of Kunkuri came to the surface. Sai won from this seat in north Chhattisgarh. "Vote for him. We will make him a big man when we come to power," Amit Shah said during a campaign rally. The result of four states -- Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh -- were announced on December 3. BJP won three states and Vishnu Deo is the first CM name that the party announced a week later after much suspense and deliberation. Several names were in discussion and Vishu Deo Sai was not the frontrunner as he is a fresh face. After the announcement which came as a huge fillip to the tribal community of the state, Amit Shah was hailed for keeping his promise. Vishnu Deo Sai's name was announced as the new chief minister of Chhattisgarh. (PTI) "BJP has brought a seasons politician who has been MP, MLA and state unit chief. Aap inko vidhayak bana do, unko bada aadmi banane ka kaam hum karenge, hum karege," Amit Shah said at that time. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here 59-year-old Vishnu Deo Sai has been a prominent tribal leader in Chhattisgarh whose work ranged from the grassroots to the Union cabinet. He started his political career as a village sarpanch and the rose to become a minister of state in PM Modi's 2014 Cabinet. He was not given a ticket in the 2019 Lok Sabha election but was fielded in the assembly election. Sai headed BJP's Chhattisgarh unit thrice, the recent being a period between 2020-2022. Sai's family background is in politics and his grandfather late Budhnath Sai was a nominated MLA from 1947 to 1952. His 'bade pitaji' (elder brother of his father) late Narhari Prasad Sai was a member of the Jan Sangh (BJP's predecessor) and served as a two-term MLA (1962-67 and 1972-77) and was elected as an MP (1977-79) and served as a Minister of State in the Janata Party government. The Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) kicked off in Dubai with two pivotal announcements - World Industrial Day and Climate Action Initiative - in collaboration with UAE-based venture capital firm,VentureSouq. The announcement was made at the GMIS Special Event held at the UAE Pavilion within the Blue Zone of COP28 to lead talks to decarbonise industries and advance climate action. Namir Hourani, Managing Director of the GMIS, opened the day with two pivotal announcements of World Industrial Day and Climate Action Initiative, in the presence of Gerd Muller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. Emphasising the significance of these initiatives, Hourani said: "The summit has been a committed advocate for harnessing the power of innovation to accelerate the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) and promote global good. World Industrial Day and Climate Action Initiative, mark a significant step towards building a better future during this critical decade that demands bold climate action." "As we navigate COP28, let us unite in our commitment to turn ambitions into action, pledges into purposeful progress, and innovation into scalable solutions. And together lets build a greener and sustainable future for all," he stated. The GMIS Special Event drew the participation of high-profile delegates from the Blue Zone including leaders, from governments, the private sector, academia, and international organistaion. Held under COP28 UAEs thematic day for Energy and Industry, Just Transition, and Indigenous People, the event was held on December 5 at the UAE Pavilion within the Blue Zone of COP28 UAE. The Climate Action Initiative aims to create an ecosystem that fosters innovation, delivering sustainable impact at scale. Unido will play a crucial role in identifying overarching global challenges while the GMIS will invite start-ups from around the world to find innovative and sustainable solutions to these challenges. In collaboration with incubators and accelerators, the summit will provide mentorship and support to the most promising innovators, while Venture Souq will aid in the development, scaling and deployment of these solutions. Furthermore, the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and the UNIDO International Technology and Promotion Offices will help commercialise and deploy these solutions where they are needed most. Sonia Weymuller, Founding Partner at VentureSouq, said: "Our collaboration with the Climate Action Initiative alongside the GMIS underscores the transformative power of innovation and the critical role of startups in driving climate action. "By collaborating on this groundbreaking endeavour, we aim to empower these startups to scale their impactful solutions, paving the way for a sustainable future that addresses global challenges," he noted. The GMIS Special Event featured insightful discussions with Dorothy McAuliffe, Special Representative for Global Partnerships at the United States Department of State, highlighting the pivotal role of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable industrial development during a fireside chat with Danny Sebright, President of the US-UAE Business Council. Special Representative McAuliffe said: "Governments need the private sector's expertise, technological innovation and resources. Similarly, the private sector needs the government's ability to implement relevant policies that catalyse sustainable manufacturing and development and facilitate collaboration to bring private and public financing instruments together." Roger Martella, Chief Sustainability Officer of General Electric and Michael Train, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Emerson, was joined by Lorena Dellagiovanna, Senior Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer and CDEIO of Hitachi and Jillian Evanlko, President, CEO and Director of Chart Industries on a panel titled Powering the Future: Innovations in Renewable Energy to explore the challenges and opportunities of integrating renewable energy into the manufacturing sector. Speaking on behalf of Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Fatima Elsheikh, Strategic Advisor of BADEA, kicked off the second panel on Advancing the Climate Agenda: The Role of the 5IR in Transforming Industries, with a keynote speech. Moderated by Mattie Yeta, Chief Sustainability Officer of CGI, the session analysed the potential of the 5th Industrial Revolution to transform hard-to-abate sectors, featuring insights from Alessandro Bresciani, Senior Vice President for Climate Technology Solutions at Baker Hughes; James Dorris, CEO of Odys Aviation, Omar Al Mahmoud, Chief Executive Officer of ICT Fund; and Prof. Dr. Estelle L.A. Herlyn, Member of the Board for Global Energy Solutions. Weixi Gong, Chief, Division of Investment and Technology Promotion Offices & Institutional Partnerships for UNIDO, delivered closing remarks, wrapping up a high-impact event supporting COP28s Climate Action Agenda.-TradeArabia News Service There are still some days left in December, but its already clear that 2023 will be the hottest year ever recorded on Earth. This is according to a report released this past Wednesday by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) of the European Commission. From January to November of 2023, the planets average temperature has been 1.46 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. To understand the seriousness of whats happening, we must scientifically analyze which point in the past year was the hottest. We must also look at what has influenced the increase in temperature over the past year: the carbon emissions of humans, the phenomenon of El Nino, along with other factors that are being studied, such as the Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption, or changes in maritime transport fuels. EL PAIS affirms that human beings, by far, have influenced these record-high temperatures. Since records have been kept, there hasnt been a warmer year than 2023. Copernicus and other environmental agencies place the starting point at 1850, which is when there began to be observations made with measuring instruments, allowing for a reliable calculation of the planets average temperature. The year 2023 has been warmer on a planetary scale than any of the previous 173 years. However, you can still go much further back in time. There are no thermometer records to compare, but estimates can be made through the field of paleoclimatology: the science that reconstructs the climate of the past, examining indications in tree rings, ice and sediment. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) the main reference for climate science noted in its sixth scientific review that the current warming is also unprecedented when compared to the last 2,000 years, beyond the beginning of the Middle Ages. Theres little doubt that this is the case, based on the studies of tree rings. However, we can still go further back, to the last 11,000 years. This is the period known as the Holocene, when agriculture and human civilization developed. It can be said that the current era is warmer than the last 2,000 or 2,500 years and that its surely warmer than the Holocene, affirms Ernesto Tejedor, a paleoclimatologist at Spains National Museum of Natural Sciences, who works with trees. In paleoclimatology, we use indirect records. [Were not relying on] thermometers or pluviographs, which means that we have uncertainties, but the tree rings are the most accurate, Tejedor tells EL PAIS. He explains that the thickness of the rings varies due to the growth of the trees depending on the temperature or rainfall. In Spain, for instance, the most reliable reconstructions of past climatic periods are made with ancient trees from the Pyrenees, where wood growth isnt limited by water, but by heat. A 2021 study published in Nature Communications which Tejedor participated in concluded that the current period is the warmest in the last 2,500 years. This was determined by utilizing an average of reconstruction methods from 15 different research groups around the world, which examined the oldest tree sites in the Northern Hemisphere. For the entire 11,000-year period of the Holocene, there arent many records, nor can the climate be reconstructed year by year with just trees. As we move further into the past, other time scales are used, including centuries or millennia. But everything indicates that current temperatures continue to be warmer. As the Earth once went through a long glacial period, there are even scientists who assure the public that 2023 has been the warmest year in the past 125,000 years. However, there are many more uncertainties with this theory. In any case, going so far back in time is also of relative interest. In the history of the Earth since its creation 4.5 billion years ago there have been much warmer phases than now. However, Juan Jesus Gonzalez Aleman a meteorologist and climate researcher emphasizes that the important thing is to see how the climate in which humans have thrived changes. The Earth doesnt care about this warming. Whats at stake is the way of life of human civilization, the meteorologist emphasizes. Climate change and natural variations So why is 2023 the warmest year? Well, to understand the reasons, the first thing to keep in mind is that this year isnt an exception. Rather, its part of a climate change trend that the planet is experiencing. The last nine years (2015-2023) are the warmest on record. To find the warmest year before 2023, we dont have to go far back: it was 2016. 1. Global warming caused by humans. The main reason for this record hot year is, undoubtedly, climate change. If the global warming caused by human activities didnt exist, this maximum could hardly have been recorded in 2023 or in the previous eight years. Currently, the planet is about 1.1 degrees Celsius warmer compared to pre-industrial levels (taking the decade 2011-2020 as a reference and comparing it with the 1850-1900 period). Using the Industrial Revolution as a reference point when analyzing climate change isnt random. Its from that moment onwards that humans began to burn fossil fuels in massive quantities to feed the worlds growing economy. Coal came first, before oil and gas were added to the mix. These fuels emit most of the greenhouse gasses that build up in the atmosphere and retain heat. The Earths atmosphere has always contained these gasses, which allow for the planet to have an acceptable temperature for humans and animals. However, with the massive burning of fossil fuels, the balance is broken. In just a few decades, more carbon has been released than in the past thousands and thousands of years. The IPCC in its last major review estimated that the contribution of greenhouse gasses to global warming has been between one and two degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era. But a part of this increase in temperature up to 0.8 degrees has been offset by the aerosols that humans have also expelled, which have a cooling effect. The influence of other natural drivers such as solar radiation and volcanoes has barely had an impact of 0.1 degrees, according to IPCC calculations. In conclusion, the main factor in the record heat of 2023 is greenhouse gasses. And, among all of these gasses, the one that has the most influence on the climate is carbon dioxide (CO). Approximately half of the emissions of this gas are retained by vegetation and the ocean. The remaining 50% ends up in the atmosphere, where it remains for centuries. The air concentration of this gas (whose main origin is fuel, although deforestation also contributes) reached 417.9 parts per million in 2022, or 50% more than in 1750, according to data from the World Meteorological Organization. To find a similar concentration, you have to go back between 800,000 and two million years. As detailed by Ana Moreno a paleoclimatologist at the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology, who reconstructs the climate from stalagmites its much easier to reconstruct the evolution of CO in the atmosphere than that of temperature. Never in a period of a million years has CO in the atmosphere approached todays levels. With CO, [we can clearly determine this]: an air bubble is punctured in the ice and its measured, the scientist affirms, specifying how, with isotopes, you can even differentiate the CO that comes from the respiration of plants from the CO thats emitted from the burning of fossil fuels. The second-most important greenhouse gas is methane, which has a more powerful warming effect than carbon dioxide, although methane only remains in the atmosphere for a decade. Approximately 40% of methane is emitted by natural sources (such as wetlands), while the other 60% is caused by activities linked to humans, such as livestock farming or fuel production. The last of the most important greenhouse gasses is nitrous oxide, 40% of which comes from anthropogenic sources. This also depletes the ozone layer. The concentration of methane and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere is also at a record high. We must go back 800,000 years to find a similar level, according to the IPCC. 2. El Nino The planets average temperatures were already above average in the first-half of the year. But starting in the summer, they skyrocketed to the point that, on July 6, the highest daily global temperature on record was recorded: 17.2 degrees Celsius. Starting in June, the phenomenon of El Nino began, a natural pattern that causes water surface temperatures in the tropical areas of the Pacific Ocean to increase, which ends up having effects on the global climate. Its expected to continue until at least the spring of 2024, making it potentially another record-breaking year. The previous annual temperature record in 2016 coincided with El Nino. The influence of this pattern is well-studied, Buontempo explains. La Nina is also studied: this phenomenon does the opposite of El Nino, actually lessening global warming. But its not just El Nino. Were also seeing heat waves in the North Atlantic, heat waves in Europe, says Bountempo. A phenomenon that has surprised scientists is the unusually high temperature in Antarctica, with high rates of ice melting. Buontempo acknowledges that, at the moment, its difficult to explain this. 3. Solar cycles The influence of increased solar activity has also been pointed out. About every 11 years, the Sun oscillates between dormancy and an active period, marked by sunspots and eruptions, or flares and plasma explosions. Its now in the active phase. In any case, this has a very small effect on global warming, as the main factor is, undoubtedly, the activity of human beings and the gasses they expel. 4. The underwater volcano According to the director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, in the case of the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano in early-2022, the influence on rising temperatures isnt clear. Typically, volcanoes contribute to the planets cooling by injecting sulfur into the atmosphere. However, this underwater volcano expelled enormous amounts of water vapor, which could have contributed to warming, as the Berkeley Earth organization pointed out in October of 2023. Ive seen reports that say the volcano increased temperatures and others that say it cooled them, Buontempo summarizes. The eruption of the Hunga Tonga volcano injected approximately 150 million tons of water vapor into the stratosphere Source: Joshua Stevens/NASA Earth Observatory. 5. Maritime fuels Theres also a lot of uncertainty about the influence that the new international standards on fuels in maritime transport may be having on rising temperatures. This has resulted in a drastic reduction in sulfur emissions, which could have an influence on the high temperatures being recorded in the North Atlantic. Beyond current or sporadic issues, Buontempo clearly affirms what the underlying problem is: As long as greenhouse gas concentrations continue to increase, we cannot expect results that are any different from those observed this year. The hottest year ever recorded. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Sunday named her nephew, Akash Anand, as her political heir. Bahujan Samaj Party leader Akash Anand. (Facebook) Anand will oversee the Bahujan Samaj Party in states except for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Mayawati will continue to monitor these two states. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The announcement comes as Mayawati chaired a meeting of the party workers on Sunday at the party's state office in Lucknow. According to an official statement on Saturday, the party said it would analyse its performance in the recently concluded assembly polls in three states, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Who is Akash Anand? Centuries-old Prambanan temple, a large compound consisting of 240 Hindu temples on the outskirts of Yogyakarta city in Muslim-majority Indonesia, stands as a testimony to India's deep-rooted cultural and historical ties with South East Asia. The 10th-century Prambanan temple, located approximately 17 kilometres northeast of Yogyakarta city, is considered Indonesia's largest Hindu temple. (Pexels) The 10th-century Prambanan temple, located approximately 17 kilometres northeast of Yogyakarta city, is considered Indonesia's largest Hindu temple. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here A UNESCO heritage site, the Prambanan temple popularly known as Candi Prambanan is among many such temples in Indonesia which are aiming to attract tourists from India beyond Bali. India has been generous with its funds in the restoration of some of the temples in the region and has extended services under cultural diplomacy to nations that are geographically as well as culturally close. In ASEAN nations, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has restored historical sites in Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia. In Jakarta, India's Ambassador to ASEAN Jayant Khobragade said that New Delhi is not involved in the restoration work at the Prambanan temple. However, India has been assisting in the renovation of a few temples in some of the ASEAN states, he added. The original Prambanan temple compound, destroyed by major earthquakes and volcanic eruptions over centuries, was rediscovered in the 17th century and is now being restored. "The temple was built on the method of interlocking stones. It's a very complex structure. So far, only 22 temples out of 240 temples in the compound have been restored," a local official said, adding that work on restoring more structures is in progress. The temple is dedicated to three main Hindu deities Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. "Restoration works have been conducted since 1918, both in the original traditional method of interlocking stone and modern methods using concrete to strengthen the temple structure," according to the UNESCO website. A government-authorised tourist guide at the temple complex while explaining the unique construction style of the structure said that the restoration work was difficult because there were no pictures available of the original compound. "It's a UNESCO heritage site. The rules dont allow more than 25 per cent of new stones to be used for restoration. That's also one of the reasons why restoration work is taking time," he added. The original plan of the Prambanan temple was rectangular, consisting of an outer courtyard, middle courtyard and inner courtyard. The temples are sub-divided into a higher and a lower terrace. On the higher terrace are three major temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma with three smaller temples of their animal vehicles in front of them. The temple facing the Vishnu temple is the Garuda temple, the one facing the Shiva temple is the Nandi temple, and the one facing the Brahma temple is the Angsa temple. The Shiva temple is the largest and the most prominent. The temple is 34 by 34 metres in width, and 47 metres in height and has four chambers which contain a statue inside each one. In the eastern chamber, there is a Shiva statue, whereas the western chamber contains the Ganesha statue. A statue of Durga is in the northern chamber, while the southern chamber has the statue of Agastya. The inner side of the walls of the Shiva temple is decorated with reliefs illustrating the epic Ramayana. Along its walls, 56 scenes about Lord Rama's stories are portrayed. The Brahma temple is located at the south of Shiva temple. Its shapes and constructs are similar to the Shiva temple, though in a smaller dimension. On its walls, the Ramayana stories were sculpted, which continued the story that began at the Shiva temple. One of the scenes of the reliefs portrayed a battle between Lord Rama and demon king Ravana. On the other side of the Shiva temple is the Vishnu temple, whose shapes and constructs are similar to the Shiva temple and whose dimension is the same as that of the Brahma temple. On the lower terrace are four sets of smaller temples surrounded by an inner wall with four gates. Almost all the temples in the central courtyard are currently in ruins. Two priests, appointed by the authorities, perform prayers thrice every day in front of the Shiva temple. "We perform puja thrice a day. In the morning around 8, we perform Surya Puja, around noon Raina Puja is done and the final one is performed around sunset. The prayers are offered to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva," a priest told PTI after performing the evening prayers. He said that Indonesia and India are culturally connected and Hinduism spread to Java from India. "The temple is a testimony to India's deep-rooted cultural ties with South East Asia," he added. The local administration regularly organises events around the temple complex to encourage people to visit the historical site. In November end, around 400 yoga enthusiasts participated in a yoga event in the temple park. The event was the highlight of the Jogja Cultural Wellness Festival, which presents the concept of wellness tourism by paying attention to holistic health and personal happiness. Not far from the Prambanan temple lies the Kedu Valley, where one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world - the Borobudur Temple - is located. The 8th-century temple, also a UNESCO heritage site, was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. There is a large influx of tourists, mostly domestic, at these places. However, not many people from India visit them. Bali is popular among Indian tourists but Yogyakarta remains unexplored, said a local guide. In the future, India would contribute to a significant boost in the number of visitors to these places, he hoped. International Mountain Day is an annual celebration designated by the United Nations General Assembly. It has been observed every year since 2003 to create awareness about the importance of mountains in our lives, highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development, and build alliances that will bring positive change globally to people and the environment in the mountains. Mountains are our natural jewels. Moreover, they are home to 15% of the world's population, host about half the biodiversity hotspots of the world, and provide fresh water for everyday life to half of humanity to sustain agriculture and supply clean energy and medicines. Scroll through to learn more about International Mountain Day, its correct date, the theme for this year, and why we should safeguard mountains for a better future. Know International Mountain Day 2023 date, theme, history, significance, and more. (Pexels) International Mountain Day 2023 Date and Theme: International Mountain Day falls on December 11. This year, it is on Monday. The theme for 2023 is Restoring Mountain Ecosystems. It aims to increase awareness about the relevance of mountain ecosystems. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here International Mountain Day History and Significance: According to the United Nations official website, the United Nations headquarters in New York launched the International Year of Mountains on December 11, 2001. Later, in 2002, the International Year of Mountains was marked with the aim of raising awareness and triggering action on issues relating to sustainable mountain development. On December 20, 2002, the UN designated December 11 as International Mountain Day. They urged the international community to take proper steps to ensure sustainable mountain development. The first International Mountain Day was then observed on December 11, 2003. Each year, a theme has been assigned to this day which focuses on various issues, including freshwater, peace, biodiversity or climate change. Mountains cover around 27 per cent of the Earth's land surface and host about half of the world's biodiversity hotspots. They also provide freshwater to an estimated half of humanity. They are also home to an extraordinary range of plants and animals and many culturally diverse communities with different languages and traditions. Yet, mountains suffer from the climate change impacts. Therefore, it is important to observe International Mountain Day to remind international communities to take measures to safeguard their biodiversity. Yokohama city of Japan is a popular tourist destination and further intends to grow its tourist influx by making the city more sustainable and smart. Japan: Yokohama unveils ambitious plan to boost tourism through sustainability and innovation (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP) To realise this vision, Yokohama City organised the Y-Ship global event. It aimed to establish an innovative and smart city with collaborations with start-ups from across the world and companies from Asia-Africa's emerging countries. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Mayor Taake Haru Yamanaka explained the history of Yokohama and appealed for the cooperation of participating countries to realise the Smart city vision. Toru Hashimoto, the organizer of Y-Ship, said that Yokohama has been a city that created new technologies to be introduced into Japan since the opening of the port some 160 years ago. "There are major urban problems and climate change around the world, and various new innovations are necessary. Together with our colleagues from all over the world and people; developed countries and developing countries, we will create new innovations in Yokohama. This is an international conference aimed at this purpose," he said. He added that many international collaborations are expected through this event and the Japanese incinerator company has established a Branch in the Philippines to develop its business further. Hashimoto further said that it is very important to have a city that is "liveable, safe and secure". "I think it is necessary to make Yokohama a low-carbon, eco-friendly city that can embrace everyone. After establishing it, Yokohama will be respected all over the world, and I think there will be more friends who would like to try to build a town like Yokohama together with us," stated. Joji Kitamura from Amcon said, "Since we are doing business both domestically and internationally, I think we can look forward to our business in Asia". A participant from the Philippines admired Y-Ship's achievement and said that this is something he would like to see in his city. "It's very different from our city. It's very nice. Everything is very nice. You can walk around and it's very pretty. The park is very nice and it's very modern. It's something that you would also like to see in our city. We have already established ties and we want to build it much stronger," the participant said. The Yokohama city has already confirmed its charm and is now prepping to grow up as a more sustainable, innovative and liveable city. Y-Ship is indeed a launching event to a glorious future. A pet snake named Nagini escaped from her enclosure and got stuck in the side panel of a kitchen cabinet for approximately 12 hours. The fire department of Illinois was called to rescue the 6-foot-long snake. The fire department has now shared pictures of the unusual rescue operation on Facebook by the fire department. Many praised the firefighters involved in the rescue operation for their bravery. Pet snake stuck inside the kitchen cabinet. (Facebook/@HerrinFD) Squad 1 and car 1 responded to a report of a pet snake stuck in a wall this morning. Upon arrival, crews found Nagini (a 6ft Boa) had been stuck in the side panel of a kitchen cabinet for approximately 12 hours after escaping her enclosure. FFs Lamb and Blake were able to disassemble the cabinet so the owner could get the snake. No damage was done to the property, and Nagini was returned safely to her enclosure, wrote the City of Herrin Fire Department while sharing a few pics on Facebook. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here They also clarified in the comments section that the enclosure looks smaller in the picture than it actually is in reality. Clarification: the picture of the enclosure is from the side; it is much larger than it looks. Also, the owner had approx. 15lbs of weight on the top, and the snake pushed it off. Have taken extra measures now. Take a look at the pictures from the rescue operation here: Since being shared on December 6, the pictures have garnered over 160 reactions on Facebook. Additionally, it has also received numerous comments from people. Check out how people reacted to this picture: You guys are some brave souls! posted an individual. Another added, My 6 ft ball Python used to escape all the time, and we would find it in the walls or in the recliner. Wonderful pets; they really keep the riff-raff away! The owner needs to buy locks for the tank! Mine used to get out and hide in the window, wrote a third. A fourth shared, Good job! Brave men! commented a fifth. What are your thoughts on this? Also Read| Stray dog trapped inside drain for 3 days rescued by Delhi fire service officials Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at length with Russian president Vladimir Putin about Israels war against Hamas and the situation in the region, the prime ministers office said. During the 50-minute call Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticized what he termed dangerous co-operation between Russia and Iran. He also expressed displeasure with the positions put forward by Russian representatives at the UN and other forums against Israel. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem.(AFP) The prime minister emphasized that any country that would suffer an attack such as Israel experienced would act with no less force than the one with which Israel operates, his office said. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "Any country that had been struck with a criminal terrorist assault such as Israel experienced would have reacted with no less force than Israel is using," he told Vladimir Putin. Benjamin Netanyahu requested that Russia put pressure on the Red Cross to visit and provide medicine for the estimated 137 hostages still held by Hamas. No humanitarian organization has visited them since they were taken by the militant group. In Israel's retaliatory air, ground and sea assault targeting Hamas, at least 17,700 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in the Gaza Strip. However, the Kremlin hasnt released a readout of the conversation. This comes as Hamas killed 1,200 people in Israel in the October 7 massacre, including babies, children and the elderly, and kidnapped about 240 back to Gaza. Some of those taken hostage have since been released in an exchange deal with Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. The US vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza as Israel faces pressure about the civilian toll in Gaza. President Joe Biden has invited his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House on Tuesday, a spokeswoman said, as the US leader demonstrates his "unshakeable commitment" to embattled Ukraine after Congress blocked a request for aid. FILE - President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office of the White House, Sept. 21, 2023, in Washington.. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) The two leaders "will discuss Ukraine's urgent needs" as it fights off a Russian invasion, and "the vital importance of the United States' continued support at this critical moment," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement on Sunday. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The Ukrainian presidency said in a statement the meeting will focus on key issues such as "further defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United States, particularly through joint projects on the production of weapons and air defense systems, as well as the coordination of efforts between our countries in the coming year." In a blow to Zelensky, Republican senators last week blocked $106 billion in emergency aid primarily for Ukraine and Israel after conservatives balked at the exclusion of immigration reforms they had demanded as part of the package. It was a setback for Biden, who had urged lawmakers to approve the funds, warning that Putin would not stop with victory in Ukraine and could even attack a NATO nation. The White House said the meeting came at a critical moment, "as Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine." Heaping praise on his Republican rival, former US President Donald Trump termed Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy the winner of the fourth GOP debate. Vivek Ramaswamy (AFP) The fourth GOP primary debate was held on Wednesday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and was hosted by NewsNation. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "So many people are asking what I thought of history's lowest rated 'presidential' debate, and how would I rate the players. It's so easy to be a critic, but who on this subject would be better than me," he posted on Truth Social on Saturday. ALSO READ| Watch: Burglar in US floods facility with white wine worth $600,000 The former President also took shots at his other rivals and slammed the poll numbers of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. "To begin with, I thought Ron DeSanctimonious was terrible, with his bobblehead facial movements and his walking on eggs, but that Sloppy Chris Christie was worse. He's not fit, mentally or physically, to be President plus, he suffers from TDS, or Trump Derangement Syndrome, at levels not seen before," Trump stated further calling the former New Jersey governor a "sick puppy" He further stated that the campaign of former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson -- who did not qualify for the debate earlier this week -- was "dead". "But so is Ron, whose weird bobbing head and fresh mouth, make his high heels look good -- He's walking on eggs! Birdbrain looked different and lost, but I give her second place," he quipped, referring to Nikki Haley. "Vivek WINS because he thinks I'm great," Trump added. Notably, amid intense campaigning, both Trump and Ramaswamy have been praising each other and have appeared to be less critical of each other's policies. Ramaswamy had dubbed Trump "the best president of the 21st century" during last week's Republican primary debate and has characterized his candidacy as a bid to take the former president's policies "to the next level." Even Trump had signalled that he would be open to having him as his running mate, stating that "He would be very good...". However, despite the former president's praise, Ramaswamy has faced scrutiny over his performance in the debate earlier this week, in which he called Haley a "fascist" and claimed Christie's "version of foreign policy experience was closing a bridge from New Jersey to New York," The Hill reported. Republican strategist Scott Jennings said that most people do not like the "below-the-belt punches". He noted that while Ramaswamy may have tried to act in the style of Trump, it did not work for him. The Indian-American leader grabbed widespread attention and became one of the most-searched 2024 Republican contenders after the debate at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum. But, the latest national Fox News poll showed Ramaswamy polling in fourth place at 7 per cent, maintaining the same amount of support he had in October. Ahead of him are former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley at 11 per cent, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 14 per cent while Trump carries a huge lead of a whopping 62 per cent. The next US presidential election is scheduled for November 5, 2024. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is heading to Buenos Aires to witness the swearing-in on Sunday of Argentina's new president, Javier Milei, Zelenskyy's office said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky(AP) It is the Ukrainian leader's first-ever trip to Latin America as Kyiv continues to court support among developing nations for its 21-month-old fight against Russia's invading forces. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here A political outsider who has railed against what he calls entrenched official corruption in Argentina and promised to uproot the political establishment, Milei ran on a pro-Western foreign policy platform, repeatedly expressing distrust of Moscow and Beijing. ALSO READ| Gaza health situation 'catastrophic', diseases could spread, WHO chief warns Zelenskyy phoned Milei shortly after the Argentinian's electoral victory, thanking him for his clear support for Ukraine which he described in social media posts as well-noticed and appreciated by Ukrainians. In its readout of the call published shortly later, Milei's office said he had offered to host a summit between Ukraine and Latin American states, a potential boon to Kyiv's monthslong effort to strengthen its relationships with countries of the global south. Zelenskyy and other senior Ukrainian officials have repeatedly presented Ukraine's war against Russia as resistance against colonial aggression, hoping to win support from Asian, African and Latin American states that in the past struggled to free themselves from foreign domination, sometimes turning to Moscow for support against Western powers. According to Zelenskyy's official website, he broke his journey to Argentina to meet with the prime minister of the West African country of Cape Verde, Ulisses Correia e Silva, thanking him for his support for Kyiv's diplomatic initiatives and discussing efforts to boost Ukrainian grain exports to Africa. It was not immediately clear where the meeting took place. Zelenskyy expressed his appreciation for Cape Verde's backing of UN resolutions supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity and calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory before peace talks can begin. The African country previously supported UN documents condemning Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. According to Zelenskyy's website, he and Correia e Silva also discussed Kyiv's efforts to expand a corridor for grain exports in the Black Sea that has seen over 7 million metric tons of Ukrainian produce shipped out since its inception, months after Moscow pulled out of a UN-brokered deal to facilitate shipments of Ukrainian and Russian food and fertiliser to countries in need, as well as a proposal to establish transport and storage hubs for Ukrainian grain in Africa. Of nearly 25 million people in need, the United Nations has only been able to reach a fraction, according to the head of the UN's humanitarian response in war-torn Sudan. FILE PHOTO: A Sudanese family who fled the conflict in Murnei in Sudan's Darfur region, sit beside their belongings while waiting to be registered by UNHCR upon crossing the border between Sudan and Chad in Adre, Chad, July 26, 2023. (REUTERS) But assistance to even those four million could soon stop, Clementine Nkweta-Salami told AFP in an interview, if the chronic lack of funding continues. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The UN's humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan says eight months into a conflict between rival generals that has torn the country apart, the situation is "catastrophic". Aid workers have called it the "forgotten war". ALSO READ| Russia's pitch for international monitoring Gaza mission: What it means amid war On April 15, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, turned their weapons on each other. Two years after the former allies co-engineered a 2021 coup sidelining civilians from power, their forces have killed more than 12,190 people in their brutal struggle for power, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). That figure is only a conservative estimate, however, with entire parts of the country completely cut off from the world. There are also "seven million people displaced in Sudan, which is the highest displacement situation globally," Nkweta-Salami said. Yet despite the scale of the crisis, the humanitarian response remains woefully underfunded. "We've received only 38.6 percent" of the total $2.6 billion needed for 2023, Nkweta-Salami said. "There will come a time when even if we have (physical) access, we will not have the resources to enable us to channel the relevant assistance that we need to do," she warned. - 'Horrific mega-catastrophe' - Sudan, whose tragedy has been overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, saw nearly all aid groups disappear soon after fighting broke out -- their warehouses looted and workers harassed or attacked. "I have never, in all my years, seen such a horrific mega-catastrophe with so little attention or resources to reach people in their hour of greatest need," said Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, one of a handful of organisations still providing vital aid across Sudan. "Millions are trapped in the crossfire, in ethnic violence, in bombardments, and we are simply not there," he told AFP. The gaps, Egeland and Nkweta-Salami agree, are huge. According to the UN representative, "we are facing a population that is about 24.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance," or more than one in two Sudanese. "To date, we've been able to reach about four million and our goal is to hopefully reach around 18 million" who face immense challenges with "health, water and sanitation, food and malnutrition," she continued. Only recently was the UN able to regain limited access through Chad into areas of Darfur, Sudan's vast western region where the UN has warned of "genocide". On Sunday the official news agency SUNA reported that Sudan's foreign ministry declared 15 UAE diplomats persona non grata, demanding they leave Sudan "within 48 hours." In recent weeks, pro-army demonstrators and high-ranking officials loyal to Burhan have accused the United Arab Emirates of supporting the RSF, descendants of Darfur's Janjaweed militia. resident-Designate of COP28 and UAE's Minister for Industry and Advanced Technology Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber speaks to journalists during the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, UAE, 10 December 2023. Negotiators have been urged to narrow down their options so they can agree on how to save Earth from disastrous levels of warming and help vulnerable societies adapt to weather extremes as the clock runs down on United Nations climate talks. COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber told journalists on Sunday that negotiators were making good progress, just not fast enough. So he was borrowing from Arab culture and convening a majlis Sunday afternoon, a new format for talks where he was bringing ministers from all countries to sit together in a circle, more as a conversation. He begged them to leave their objections and talking points behind. Unlike most of the big group sessions, this one is not broadcast and closed to the public and media. I want everyone to come ready to be flexible and to accept compromise, he said, as protesters could be heard nearby calling for the end of fossil fuels. Failure or lack of progress or watering down my ambition is not an option. ... Nothing else can help us do a better job in protecting our people and our planet. There some were signs negotiators were moving forward Sunday: A new draft agreement on global adaptation goals which will determine how poor countries will brace themselves for climate change-fueled weather extremes like drought, heat and storms was released. The new draft presents the skeleton of what could be a reasonable framework on how to adapt to climate change, said Ana Mulio Alvarez of climate think tank E3G, but to be effective, adapting to climate change requires developed countries to provide support to developing countries to actually enact plans, which wasnt in the draft. Thibyan Ibrahim from the Small Islands Developing States negotiating bloc called the progress on adaptation a bit disappointing. A draft text on the Global Stocktake the part of the negotiations that assesses where the world is at with curbing warming and how countries can stick to climate goals were still stuffed with several options over how to phase-out planet-warming fossil fuels. Shantal Munro-Knight, a climate negotiator for Barbados, said motivation to get a strong deal among countries was high. I dont think anyone wants to go away from the COP without a really ambitious program, and thats where I think everybody is. You didnt hear negative pushback too much because we are all in that moment, Munro-Knight said. Sticking points are along familiar lines for negotiators, with some countries wanting to see strong language on phasing out the use of fossil fuel while others are hesitant to have forceful language on the issue because theyre continue to develop their oil, gas or coal industries. Its very clear that there is a group of countries here that dont want to phase out fossil fuels, said German climate envoy Jennifer Morgan. Small island states, Latin American countries and European countries are pushing for a phase-out, but other nations are still far apart. Its going to be very difficult, Morgan said. Im a bit worried. Rachel Cleetus of the Union of Concerned Scientists told journalists Sunday that the big laggards, the ones being obstinate, is definitely Saudi Arabia and the OPEC countries, the powerful oil cartel. But Brandon Wu of ActionAid USA also criticized Americas plans to expand oil and gas production. We should not ignore the fact that the United States has the single largest oil and gas expansion plans of any country in the world by far. Its not even close, Wu said. Democratic U.S. Sen. Ed Markey from Massachusetts, acknowledged the Ukraine war boosted domestic natural gas production because the LNG industry in the United States saw an opportunity to dramatically expand its footprint. He added: We cannot preach temperance from a bar stool. We cannot tell the rest of the world you should move toward a renewable energy future if we ourselves are spreading this LNG poison around the world. Meanwhile, an analysis by the Paris-based International Energy Agency on Sunday found that the several pledges made at COP28 to move to clean energy over a hundred countries promised to triple renewables and double energy efficiency and several oil and gas companies pledged to slash their methane emissions were nowhere near whats needed to cap warming to to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since preindustrial times. If countries and companies kept their promises, it would result in around four gigatons fewer of carbon pollution globally by 2030, the report said. But thats only about 30% of the emissions gap the difference between how much the world is currently emitting and how much it can emit if the world is to meet its climate goals. And thats only if countries and companies actually stick to their promises. Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Bangladeshs special envoy for climate change, expressed doubt that the pledges made would be met. Countries make pledges, they are not delivered upon, he said. We talk about emissions gap, adaptation gap, but the most important gap is the gap in solidarity and trust. Lisa Fischer, program lead at E3G, said the oil and gas initiatives already announced are just tinkering around the edges of the climate problem. Fischer and others worried that while countries seem to be warming up to language for a phase-out of fossil fuels, there is likely to be loophole language the world unabated before fossil fuels that leaves options for burning of oil and gas but somehow capturing the pollution, something that is tricky and expensive. Key will be how unabated will be defined, she said. Some observers on Sunday were cautiously optimistic about the progress so far. We are close to making history here, said Kaisa Kosonen, Policy Coordinator at Greenpeace International. Never before have I seen this level of pressure, with people saying lets just do it. They are finally addressing the root cause of climate change. Climate negotiators now know where theyre going next year: Baku, Azerbaijan. After more than a year of squabbling about the site of 2024 United Nations climate conference and different Eastern European nations vetoing options, the region agreed upon Baku as part of a peace deal between warring Armenia and Azerbaijan. The necessary paperwork was submitted late Saturday for a mid-November meeting. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition France said Sunday that one of its warships in the Red Sea was targeted by two drones coming from Yemen. Both were intercepted and shot down. The French Languedoc (D653), a FREMM multipurpose frigate(AFP) A short statement from the Armies Ministry did not say who fired the drones at the French Navy frigate Languedoc on Saturday night. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have have vowed to target ships operating in the Red Sea. The Houthi are staunch foes of Israel. They have claimed a series of maritime attacks since the Oct. 7 assault on Israel by Hamas militants that sparked their latest and deadliest war. ALSO READ| Donald Trump's shout-out to Vivek Ramaswamy: 'He wins as he thinks I'm great' France's Armies Ministry said the drones came straight at the Languedoc two hours apart from the direction of Yemen. The warship destroyed them both about 110 kilometers (70 miles) off the Red Sea port of Al Hudaydah on the Yemeni coast, it said. The statement did not say what weaponry the Languedoc used to bring down the drones. The frigate is on a French Navy mission in the Red Sea. The war between Israel and Hamas is having a catastrophic impact on health in the Gaza Strip, the head of the World Health Organization said Sunday. Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (REUTERS) The UN health agency called a special session of the WHO executive board to discuss the health conditions in the Palestinian territories, with WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus describing a collapsing system with medics facing an "impossible" job. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "The impact of the conflict on health is catastrophic," Tedros said in his opening remarks to the meeting in Geneva. "As more and more people move to a smaller and smaller area, overcrowding, combined with the lack of adequate food, water, shelter and sanitation, are creating the ideal conditions for disease to spread," he said. ALSO READ| UN chief to world leaders at COP28: Agree on emissions cut, please Tedros said there were worrying signs of epidemic diseases and the risk was expected to worsen with the deteriorating situation and approaching winter conditions. "Gaza's health system is on its knees and collapsing," Tedros said, with only 14 out of 36 hospitals functioning with any capacity at all, and of them, only two are in the north of the coastal territory. Only 1,400 hospital beds out of an original 3,500 are still available, while the two major hospitals in southern Gaza are operating at three times their bed capacity, running out of supplies and sheltering thousands of displaced people, Tedros added. Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas after the group's unprecedented attacks on October 7, when its fighters broke through Gaza's militarised border, killed about 1,200 people and seized hostages, according to Israeli officials. The fighting has killed at least 17,700 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Tedros said that since October 7, the WHO had verified more than 449 attacks on healthcare in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and 60 attacks on healthcare in Israel. The WHO does not attribute blame for the recorded attacks. "The work of the health workers is impossible and they are directly in the firing line," he said. "In summary, health needs have increased dramatically and the capacity of the health system has been reduced to one third of what it was. "WHO is on the ground in Gaza to support health workers who are physically and mentally exhausted, and are doing their best in unimaginable conditions." "There is no health without peace, and no peace without health," Tedros concluded. The Israeli intelligence service Mossad helped Cyprus foil an Iranian-ordered attack against Israelis and Jews on the island, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Sunday, saying such plots were on the rise since the Gaza war erupted. Representational picture(REUTERS) ALSO READ| Watch: Burglar in US floods facility with white wine worth $600,000 Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Israel is "troubled" by what it sees as Iranian use of Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus "both for terrorism objectives and as an operational and transit area," the statement added. Narges Mohammadi, winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, will start a new hunger strike from her prison cell in Iran as the prize is awarded to her in Oslo on Sunday, in her absence, news agency AFP reported, citing her family. A handout photo provided by the Narges Mohammadi Foundation on October 2, 2023 shows an undated, unlocated photo of Iranian rights campaigner Narges Mohammadi. (AFP) Mohammadi's husband said at a press conference in Oslo that she would undertake the hunger strike as a gesture of support for the Baha'i religious minority. She is known for her advocacy against compulsory hijab and the death penalty in Iran. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Recognised in October for her efforts in combating the oppression of women in Iran, Mohammadi has been detained in Tehran's Evin prison since 2021. While she will not be present at the Oslo ceremony, her 17-year-old twin children, Ali and Kiana, who have been living in France since 2015 without seeing their mother for almost nine years, will represent her. Iranian journalist Taghi Rahmani (C), husband of this year's winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi (not in picture), and their children Ali Rahmani (L) and Kiana Rahmani (R) pose for a picture after signing the guest book at the Nobel Institute in Oslo, Norway, on December 9, 2023. (AFP) Who is Narges Mohammadi? Born in Zanjan, Mohammadi went to the Imam Khomeini International University and earned a Physics degree. While in college, Mohammadi stood out as a supporter of equality and women's rights. After finishing her studies, she worked as an engineer and also wrote articles for different newspapers that sought reforms. In 2003, she joined the Defenders of Human Rights Center in Tehran, an organisation established by Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi. Mohammadi was first arrested in 2011 and received a long prison sentence for her work in aiding activists and their families. In 2013, after being granted bail, Mohammadi focused on advocating against the death penalty. However, she was arrested again in 2015 and given more years of imprisonment. Having been arrested 13 times and handed five sentences totalling 31 years in prison along with 154 lashes, the Nobel Prize laureate has experienced repeated incarcerations over the last twenty years. Mohammadi stands as a prominent figure among those leading the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, marked by widespread protests throughout Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who died while in custody after being detained for allegedly violating Iran's strict dress codes for women. The family of Mahsa Amini, set to receive the Sakharov Prize on her behalf in France, has been prohibited from leaving Iran, as disclosed by their lawyer in France to AFP on Saturday. Why is Mohammadi going on hunger strike now? The activist's husband, Taghi Rahmani, said her hunger strike is to support the Baha'i religious minority, highlighting two of its imprisoned leaders, Mahvash Sabet and Fariba Kamalabadi, who have also started refusing food. She said that I will start my hunger strike on the day that I am being granted this prize, perhaps then the world will hear more about it, Rahmani was quoted by AFP as saying. Representatives of the Baha'i community in Iran note that they face discrimination across various aspects of society, the AFP report said. Earlier in November, Mohammadi had already gone on a hunger strike for a few days, seeking the right to be transferred to a hospital without wearing a head covering. (With inputs from agencies) Israel-Hamas war Highlights: The death toll of Palestinians in Gaza due to the Israel-Hamas conflict has crossed 17,700, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled region. TOPSHOT - Young boys push a loaded tolley in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 10, 2023, as battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. Israeli forces pushed into southern Gaza on December 10, where hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled in search of shelter from bombardments and intense fighting with Hamas militants. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP)(AFP) Israel's military operations in the southern Gaza Strip escalated on Saturday, marked by increased airstrikes and artillery bombardments. This occurred a day after the United States vetoed a United Nations resolution advocating for a ceasefire. Israel has confirmed the loss of 97 soldiers in the ground offensive following an earlier attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7. That attack resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of around 240 hostages -On Saturday, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels issued a threat to halt the passage of ships bound for Israeli ports through the Red Sea and Arabian Sea until sufficient supplies of food and medicine are permitted into the Gaza Strip. -The fighters supported by Iran in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen have taken responsibility for attacks on targets in Israel and the United States since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Recently, the Houthis have been involved in attacking ships in the Red Sea and have launched drones and missiles targeting Israel. -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz conversed via phone on Saturday, as confirmed by Scholzs office. The discussion centered onspoke about the necessary efforts for the greatest possible protection of civilians and a substantial improvement of the humanitarian situation of people in the Gaza Strip, as stated in the official communication, according to Associated Press. -A member of Israel's War Cabinet has faced the loss of a nephew in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, further impacting the family of former military chief Gadi Eizenkot, who recently mourned the death of his son in battle. The Israeli military confirmed on Saturday that Sgt. Major Cohen Eizenkot, 19, died in a battle in southern Gaza. -Despite growing international pressure, President Joe Bidens administration remains opposed to an open-ended cease-fire, arguing it would enable Hamas to continue posing a threat to Israel. According to an Associated Press report, the US administration approved the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million, the State Department said. Mediation efforts are continuing to secure a new Gaza ceasefire and free more hostages held by Hamas, Qatar's prime minister said. Ongoing Israeli bombardment is "narrowing the window" for a successful outcome, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said at Doha forum. Israel-Hamas War: Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani participates in an Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee briefing session.(AFP) "Our efforts as the state of Qatar along with our partners are continuing. We are not going to give up," he said, adding that "the continuation of the bombardment is just narrowing this window for us". Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Qatar was a key mediator in negotiations that resulted in a seven-day truce under which scores of Israeli hostages were exchanged for Palestinians prisoners and humanitarian aid. The ceasefire ended at the start of the month. "We are going to continue, we are committed to have hostages released, but we are also committed to stop the war," Qatar's prime minister said, continuing, "We are not seeing the same willingness from both parties". Meanwhile, at the forum, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Security Council was "paralysed by geostrategic divisions" that were undermining solutions to the Israel-Hamas conflict. UN's "authority and credibility were severely undermined" by its delayed response to the war, he said after a US veto prevented a resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire. "I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared," he told the forum. Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it. I can promise, I will not give up," he said. We are facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system. The situation is fast deteriorating into a catastrophe with potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians as a whole and for peace and security in the region, the UN chief said. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuffed international calls to end the Gaza war calling them inconsistent with supporting the war-aim of eliminating Hamas. Briefing his cabinet, Benjamin Netanyahu said he had told the leaders of France, Germany and other countries, "You cannot on the one hand support the elimination of Hamas and on other pressure us to end the war, which would prevent the elimination of Hamas". Israel-Hamas War: Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem.(AFP) This comes as fighting raged in the Gaza Strip in the third month of war between Israel and Hamas. Hamas from the Gaza Strip attacked Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The militant group took around 240 hostages -- 137 of whom remain in Gaza, officials have said. In response, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas, launching a military offensive in Gaza that has killed at least 17,700 people, mostly women and children. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here During a seven-day truce that expired on December 1, Hamas released 105 hostages including dozens of Israelis who were freed in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Mediator Qatar said that efforts to secure a new truce and release more hostages were ongoing. The Qatar PM warned that the relentless Israeli bombardment was "narrowing the window" for a successful outcome. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization chief said that it will be all but impossible to improve the "catastrophic" health situation in Gaza. The emergency action, proposed by Afghanistan, Qatar, Yemen and Morocco, seeks passage into Gaza for medical personnel and supplies. "I must be frank with you: these tasks are almost impossible in the current circumstances," WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. Hamas warned that no hostage would leave the Gaza territory alive unless the group's demands were met. Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, said in a televised broadcast, as per news agency AFP, Neither the fascist enemy and its arrogant leadership... nor its supporters... can take their prisoners alive without an exchange and negotiation and meeting the demands of the resistance. Israel-Hamas War: An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires a shell from southern Israel towards the Gaza Strip, in a position near the Israel-Gaza border.(AP) A one-week truce in the war that collapsed on December 1 saw 105 hostages held by the group freed, including 80 Israelis. They were released in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Israel said 137 captives remained in the Palestinian territory while mediator Qatar said that efforts to secure a new truce and release more hostages were ongoing but warned that the relentless Israeli bombardment was "narrowing the window" for a successful outcome. Abu Obeida said Hamas would continue to fight Israeli forces. "We have no choice but to fight this barbaric occupier in every neighbourhood, street and alley," he said, adding, "The enemy's holocaust aims to break the strength of our resistance... but we are fighting on our land in a holy battle." The war in Gaza was triggered after Hamas carried out a brutal attack on southern Israel on October 7 that killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians. In Israel's retaliatory air, land and sea assault against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, at least 17,700 people, most of them also civilians, have been killed. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that it was not acceptable for Israel to use Hamas' terror attack on October 7 as justification for the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. The minister called for international monitoring on the ground in Gaza as Israeli tanks battled their way to the centre of Khan Younis in a major new push into the heart of the main city in the southern Gaza Strip. Israel-Hamas War: Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov (AFP) "We strongly condemned the terrorist attack against Israel on Oct. 7," he said, adding, "At the same time, we do not believe it is acceptable to use this event for the collective punishment of the millions of Palestinian people with indiscriminate shelling." Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Sergei Lavrov said that for there to be "humanitarian pauses" in Gaza "some kind of monitoring on the ground" was needed as we addressed the [UN] Secretary General [Antonio Guterres] suggesting that he use his authority to consider some kind of monitoring - but so far to no avail. This comes after Russian president Vladimir Putin repeatedly blamed the war between Israel and Hamas on the failure of years of US diplomacy in the Middle East. "This happened not in a vacuum," he said, pointing to decades of blockade and unfulfilled promises about a Palestinian state. What Sergei Lavrov said on Ukraine? Sergei Lavrov said that the West was trying to exhaust Russia in Ukraine by supplying weapons but it is up to the Ukrainians to recognise how deep they are in the hole where the Americans put them. "You'll have to call Mr Zelenskiy because a year and half ago he signed a decree prohibiting any negotiations with Putin. This deal was aborted - it was cancelled because the Americans and the Brits decided that if Putin is ready to sign it then lets exhaust him more. That's what they are doing now. Stalemate or no stalemate - that is the fact," he said. United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres said that he will not give up appealing for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The war has undermined the credibility and authority of the Security Council, he said at the Doha Forum conference after Washington vetoed a proposed UN Security Council demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas. Israel-Hamas War: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on Gaza.(AFP) "I urged the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared," Antonio Guterres said. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it, but that does not make it less necessary," he said. "I will not give up," Antonio Guterres asserted. Meanwhile, Qatar's prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that Doha will continue to pressure Israel and Hamas for a truce despite "narrowing" chances. Qatar has been leading negotiations between Hamas and Israel. The head of UNRWA, the UN aid agency for Palestinians, said as per news agency Reuters that the dehumanization of Palestinians has allowed the international community to tolerate Israel's continued attacks on Gaza. "There is no doubt that a humanitarian ceasefire is needed if we want to put an end to hell on earth right now in Gaza," UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said. Jordan's foreign minister Ayman Safadi said that Israel was implementing a systematic policy of pushing Palestinians out of Gaza. Ayman Safadi said Israel had created an "amount of hatred " that would "haunt the region" and "define generations to come". Charles Mingus (1922-1979) plays the double bass at a 1977 concert in Michigan. Steve Kagan (The Chronicle Colle The grandiose spectacle of a volcano of emotions. Listening to the music of Charles Mingus, one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, is like contemplating a volcano in all its majesty. At times, that big man with a piercing gaze, stony face and wild hair, with a cigar in his mouth billowing smoke, transmits a magnetic calm, capable of hiding indecipherable mystery. At other moments that mountain, operating with impressive tension, appears to be about to explode. And at so many other junctures, the phenomenon of nature mercilessly explodes in a blowout of lava, gas and ash, a musical eruption that very few could achieve. One way or another, the impetuous Mingus, the double bass player, pianist, composer and orchestra conductor, always looked to push the limits. A century has passed since the birth of the musician, who died at the age of 56 in 1979. Above all, he stood out as an immense composer. He achieved recognition in the most erudite of circles, but it should be noted that Mingus does not enjoy the same popularity of other jazz giants, such as his much-admired Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong or Duke Ellington, one of his earliest and most decisive influences. Although Mingus was feted by both colleagues and critics, history books have not been fair to his legacy, his passionate, beautiful, rich work that pulls from the legacy of Black music to break free from white indoctrination, a constant struggle against the conventions and commercialization of art. In spite of it all, his name should be included alongside the greatest composers in the history of United States popular music as an insatiable and groundbreaking creator who, driven by an authentic heart and privileged head, broadened horizons and remained true to himself until the end. This can be appreciated in the last record release under his name, which is one of the most outstanding of this soon-to-expire 2023. Charles Mingus plays the double bass at the 1975 Montreux Jazz Festial in Switzerland. David Redfern (Redferns / Getty To commemorate these 100 years since his birth, Warner Music has reissued a lustrous boxset in vinyl and CD formats. Changes: the Complete 1970s Atlantic Recordings includes all of his albums published during that decade by Atlantic Recordings when, disappointed by his time at Impulse!, where he made such masterpieces as The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963) and Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus (1964), Mingus returned to Atlantic, one of the labels at which, with works as sublime as Pithecanthropus Erectus (1954) and Blues & Roots (1959), he cultivated an image as an enfant terrible of the 50s, the golden age of bebop, a passionate artist of controversies and rivalries. It is both overwhelming and captivating to delve into a career as great that of this being, possessor of such voracious artistic hunger. Even more so to think of how Mingus died at a relatively young age: 56 years old, a victim of ALS who was at the time searching for alternative treatment for the disease in Mexico. From the boxset of his last years at Atlantic come the last two albums released after his death, My, Myself an Eye and Something Like a Bird, whose recording sessions he attended in a wheelchair and whose music was mainly intended for a collaboration with Joni Mitchell. That was Mingus, an indomitable beast who always looked and found. The final phase of his career, whose seven albums between 1973 and 1979 the boxset collects, is full of discoveries. Theres Cumbia & Jazz (1977), in which calypso mixes with hard-bop and gospel. He had a conservatory education in classical fundamentals, the starting point of his career back when his main instrument was the trombone. But he used to say that his music came from the church. Truth be told, it had always had that spiritual and archaic drive, celebratory of the African-American community, but he elevated the sound with his great knowledge of jazz and European classical music. He could speak just as easily of Bach and Debussy as Freddie Webster or Art Tatum. The most impressive findings in the boxset are albums Mingus Moves (1973), Changes One (1973) and Changes Two (1974). They are three very different works that, due to their instrumental textures, abrasive tonalities and vibrant emotional registers, would be a milestone for any top-notch jazz musician today. A controversial player who never left anyone indifferent to his work, Mingus came into the world in a small town in Arizona, though he would grow up in Watts, one of the most troubled neighborhoods in Los Angeles. His biography is that of a self-made man, a story well-told in his memoir Beneath the Underdog. Originally published in 1971 and written in the third person, the book does not go about the business of autobiography as usual, choosing instead to tell the story of battles won and lost by poor boy Mingus, leaving out musical anecdotes and artistic achievements to delve into the psychology of a survival. Mingus became a neighborhood pimp working with prostitutes and at one point with music to work at the post office, a job that he enjoyed, and one that did not require him to fight the injustices of a record business he was forever calling out. Jazz is not a profession. It is pure extortion, he said. The books numerous passages on underworld and sexual experiences share space with descriptions of his fathers abuse and racial persecution. Mingus Black skin was the focus of problems not only with whites, but also in the ghetto, where some considered him too light due to his Chinese and British heritage. Beneath the Underdog requires the reader to let go of preconceived notions regarding its author, as he himself did with his music. Mingus, who ended up tired and disillusioned with the music business, and who was not an admirer of free jazz, and was forever fearless and tirelessly independent. The artist could soothe and seduce then, moments later, shake you up and slap you around. His was an unpredictable rhythm. Art only represents the life of an individual, he said in a 1971 interview. This individual was a force of nature who represented a one-of-a-kind spectacle: a jazz volcano. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Jordan's foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, on Sunday said that Israel was implementing a policy of pushing Palestinians out of Gaza through a war that he said meets the "legal definition of genocide". Israel-Hamas War: Smoke rises after Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. (Reuters) Safadi, whose country borders the West Bank and absorbed the bulk of Palestinians after the creation of Israel in 1948, also said that Israel had created hatred that would haunt the region and define generations to come. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "What we are seeing in Gaza is not just simply the killing of innocent people and the destruction of their livelihoods (by Israel) but a systematic effort to empty Gaza of its people," Safadi said at a conference in Doha. "We have not seen the world yet come to the place we should come to ... an unequivocal demand for ending this war; a war that is within the legal definition of genocide." The extent of destruction and indiscriminate bombing of thousands of civilians belies Israel's avowed goal of seeking to wipe out Hamas, Safadi added. Safadi also said that major differences had surfaced in talks between a delegation of Arab ministers and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington last Friday over the U.S. administration's military support for Israel and its refusal to call for a ceasefire. As the holiday season approaches, Kate Middleton's annual Christmas carol concert, "Together at Christmas," is stirring up anticipation. However, this year's theme, focused on creating "supportive, nurturing worlds around children and adults," is predicted to raise eyebrows, particularly from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Kate Middleton-Meghan Markle: Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are seen. (File) Scheduled for December 8, 2023, at Westminster Abbey, the festive event, featuring performers like Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight, and others, has evolved into an annual celebration of community service. The theme for this year's carol service aligns with Kate's dedication to early childhood development, emphasizing the importance of supportive environments for children and adults. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The chosen theme, though well-intentioned, might not sit well with Harry and Meghan, given their past claims about lack of support during Meghan's pregnancy. Jack Royston, host of The Royal Report podcast, pointed out that the theme could enrage the Sussexes, as it contrasts with their narrative that Meghan wasn't adequately supported during her pregnancy. Royston highlighted statements from Meghan's lawyers, asserting that she was left unprotected while pregnant and faced intense trolling. The theme also delves into Meghan's revelations to Oprah in March 2021 about experiencing suicidal thoughts during her pregnancy with Archie. The podcast host explained, "Their whole case is that Meghan was not supported by the royals during the months when she was pregnant." While the royal family gathers for the annual Christmas concert, Harry and Meghan's holiday plans remain uncertain. Speculations range from spending the festive season in Montecito, California, to a potential reunion with British royals at Sandringham. However, recent controversies, such as the naming of "royal racists" in Omid Scobie's book, make the likelihood of a Sandringham reunion less certain. As the carol concert approaches, royal watchers eagerly anticipate both the festive performances and the potential reactions from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. A North Korean senior official criticised the United States for blocking a UN resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, claiming the veto showed Washington's "double standards", North Korean state media KCNA said on Sunday. North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un.(AFP) The United States vetoed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza at the United Nations Security Council on Friday. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The ceasefire resolution at the U.N. failed to pass after the United States vetoed the proposal and Britain abstained. "The United States' abuse of its veto power to protect an ally that massacred tens of thousands of civilians is not only a manifestation of illegal and unreasonable double standards, but also the height of inhumane evil," Kim Son Gyong, North Korea's vice foreign minister for international organisations, said via KCNA. Kim argued the United States was contradicting itself by condoning continued fighting in Gaza while condemning North Korea's recent satellite launch that caused no harm to any other country. The national security advisers of the US, South Korea and Japan met on Saturday to reaffirm their coordinated response to North Korea's threats, as North Korea warned it would deploy more spy satellites. A Philippine coastguard official on Sunday accused China of firing water cannons and ramming its resupply vessels in the South China Sea, causing "serious engine damage" to one vessel. In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese Coast Guard ship, left, uses its water cannons on a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel on December 9.(AP) Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela named the vessels as Unaizah Mae 1 and M/L Kalayaan. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "M/L Kalayaan suffered serious engine damage. Contrary to China Coast Guard disinformation, UM1 rammed by CCG vessel," Tarriela said on social media platform X. The incident was the second ramming between Philippine and Chinese ships since October in the vicinity of Second Thomas Shoal, an uninhabited shoal within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone where Filipino soldiers are living aboard an aging warship that was deliberately ran aground in 1999 to protect Manila's claims in the disputed waterway. There was no immediate comment from Chinese officials. On Saturday, the Philippines also condemned China's illegal and aggressive actions" after its coast guard fired water cannon at a civilian government vessel of the Philippines' fisheries bureau. The collision comes as a Christmas convoy of around 40 Philippine vessels began sailing Sunday to the disputed shoal. Over 200 fishermen, youth leaders and civil society groups have joined the mission organized by the Atin Ito (This is ours) campaign network, a civilian-led advocacy to assert the Philippines' rights in the South China Sea. (Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by William Mallard and Miral Fahmy) Court documents have revealed the late Queen Elizabeth II considered it "imperative" for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to have "effective security" after leaving the working Royal family. Prince Harry, late Queen Elizabeth II (File Photos) Sir Edward Young, on behalf of the Queen, emphasized the importance of their safety due to the Duke's public profile, military service, and history of targeting by extremists. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The documents reveal the Palace's insistence on security for the Sussexes, emphasizing the importance of safety for the family, citing the past tragic incidents and invoking the memory of Princess Diana. ALSO READ| High Court backs Daily Mail's honest opinion, rules out Prince Harry in the libel lawsuit The Palace recognized the independent processes for the provision of publicly funded security, involving the UK Government, the government of Canada, and other host governments. Contradicting the narrative that the Sussexes were cut off by the Royal family after leaving Britain, the documents challenge Prince Harry's portrayal of the Palace's attitude toward his security situation. He had expressed distress and fear about life without UK personal protection officers, describing it as an "obligation" and "implicit promise" from the Palace. However, the decision regarding security does not fall to the Royal family but lies with the independent committee Ravec. Always be much-loved family members: Queen Elizabeth The Duke's discussions about security after leaving the Royal family, detailed in interviews and his autobiography, portrayed his desperation to retain security. The court case revolves around whether Prince Harry made a genuine offer to pay for his own security and if that message was communicated to decision-makers. The judge ruled that the Mail on Sunday may argue that Prince Harry's team misled the public about his offer to pay for security. The late Queen's sentiment about the Sussexes was one of familial care, stating they would "always be much-loved family members." After moving to Canada, where they initially received publicly funded security, they eventually sought refuge with Tyler Perry in California, including security offered by him. ALSO READ| Prince William, Kate Middleton, and children embrace Xmas cheer in white Royal Christmas Card The case, set to go to trial, delves into the Duke's security discussions post-Royal family departure. Tensions between the Duke and Sir Edward Young have been noted, with Harry claiming Young's involvement in discussions was inappropriate due to personal tensions. However, representatives argue the relevance of personal tensions in the Duke's change in status when stepping back from royal duties. The trial is anticipated to explore details surrounding the security arrangements and Prince Harry's alleged offer to fund his own security, shedding light on conflicting narratives between the Sussexes and the Royal family. Thousands of people marched in the Belgian and German capitals on Sunday to protest soaring antisemitism since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. A person carries an Israeli flag during a protest against antisemitism at the Brandenburg Gate, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Berlin, Germany, December 10, 2023. (REUTERS) The demonstrations in Brussels and Berlin were the latest in a series of rallies in European capitals that have expressed support for Jewish communities. Previous marches in Paris and in London drew tens of thousands of people. There have also been many pro-Palestinian rallies, often drawing large crowds. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Marchers at the Brussels rally held up signs reading You don't have to be Jewish to march against antisemitism, antisemitism kills and other slogans. Police said at least 4,000 people attended. ALSO READ| Watch: Thousands of dead fish washed ashore in Japan, locals bewildered Joel Rubinfeld, president of the Belgian League Against Antisemitism, said Belgium has witnessed "a huge increase in anti-Jewish hatred since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants that triggered their latest and deadliest war. We are living in a very complicated period, he said, adding that the rally sends a message to the Jewish community of Belgium to tell them that they are not alone. Meanwhile, several thousand people demonstrated against antisemitism in Berlin as Germany deals with a large increase in anti-Jewish incidents following the Oct. 7 attack. Police estimated that around 3,200 people gathered in the rain, while organizers put the figure at 10,000, German news agency dpa reported. Russia on Sunday called for an international monitoring mission to go to Gaza to assess the humanitarian situation, and said it was unacceptable for Israel to use Hamas' Oct. 7 attack as justification for punishing the Palestinian people. Smoke rises after Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, December 10, 2023. (REUTERS) Israel invaded Gaza in retaliation for Hamas attack that Israel says killed 1,200 people. Israel's assault on Gaza has killed at least 17,000 people, Gaza health authorities say. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The United States on Friday vetoed a proposed U.N. Security Council demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. ALSO READ| Helped foil Iranian-ordered attack in Cyprus, Israel claims "We strongly condemned the terrorist attack against Israel on Oct. 7," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Al Jazeera in an interview aired on Sunday at the Doha Forum conference. "At the same time, we do not believe it is acceptable to use this event for the collective punishment of the millions of Palestinian people with indiscriminate shelling." Lavrov said that for there to be "humanitarian pauses" in Gaza "some kind of monitoring on the ground" was needed. "We addressed the [UN] Secretary General [Antonio Guterres] suggesting that he use his authority to consider some kind of monitoring - but so far to no avail," Lavrov said. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly accused the United States and the West of ignoring the need for an independent Palestinian state within 1967 borders. Putin on Sunday spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Gaza. "This happened not in a vacuum," Lavrov said, pointing to decades of blockade and unfulfilled promises about a Palestinian state. The UN's Guterres has previously said that the Hamas attack did not happen in a vacuum. Israel said Guterres had justified the Hamas attacks with such words. Guterres rejected the Israeli accusations. UKRAINE Asked in the Al Jazeera interview if Russia was being hypocritical with its criticism about that fate of the Palestinians while Russia fights a war in Ukraine, Lavrov said neither he nor Russia were hypocritical. Lavrov said that the West was trying to exhaust Russia in Ukraine by supplying weapons and that if peace talks were to take place then Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy would have to annul his own presidential decree. "It is up to the Ukrainians to recognise how deep they are in the hole where the Americans put them," Lavrov said when asked if the war was at a stalemate. When asked by Al Jazeera what the chances were of diplomacy to bring about a ceasefire or peace in Ukraine, he said: "You'll have to call Mr Zelenskiy because a year and half ago he signed a decree prohibiting any negotiations with Putin." Lavrov said that a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia was almost reached in Istanbul in March and April 2022 based on the idea of Ukrainian neutrality. "This deal was aborted - it was cancelled because the Americans and the Brits decided that if Putin is ready to sign it then lets exhaust him more. That's what they are doing now. Stalemate or no stalemate - that is the fact," Lavrov said. Asked in the interview about the August plane crash which killed Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, Lavrov said investigators had probed the crash. "As regards the soldiers from Wagner group... quite a number of them went to Belarus and started to serve there," Lavrov said "Others joined the regular structures of the Russian army - and they continue to serve." At a recent health conference in New York City former Special Assistant to President Joe Biden, Dr. Raj Panjabi, acknowledged the possibility of the pandemic originating from a laboratory leak in Wuhan. Former White House aide Dr. Raj Panjabi speaks out, indicating lab leak as probable source of Covid-19 pandemic(X/Raj Panjabi) Describing the lab leak theory as plausible, Dr. Panjabi urged governments worldwide to do more to ensure the safety of laboratories. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here President Biden himself had criticized former President Donald Trump in May 2020, labeling Trumps suggestion that COVID-19 emerged from a laboratory in Wuhan as nakedly xenophobic. However, recent assessments by the FBI, the Department of Energy, and various scientists and officials within the U.S. government have lent support to the lab leak hypothesis as the most probable cause of the pandemic. The official stance from the White House remains that the origins of Covid-19 are still uncertain. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has reiterated that there is no definitive answer to the question of how the pandemic began. ALSO READ| Donald Trump stakes 4-point lead over Joe Biden in 2024 presidential race polls Covid originated in a lab accident in Wuhan Dr. Panjabis remarks indicate a departure from this official line, as he stated, It is plausible that Covid originated in a lab accident in Wuhanwe have got to do more to keep labs safe. The former Special Assistant to Biden also issued a stark warning about the likelihood of future pandemics. He predicted a 50/50 chance of another pandemic occurring by 2050, attributing the increasing risk to factors such as globalization, which he refers to as the three Ps: Pathogen spillover, planes (global travel), and poor public health systems that are underfunded and fragile. During his tenure with the Biden administration from 2021 to late 2023, Dr. Panjabi played a pivotal role in addressing two major public health crises: the Covid-19 pandemic and the monkeypox outbreak that began in the spring of 2022. He was instrumental in leading the White House strategy to boost Covid vaccine uptake both domestically and internationally, resulting in the distribution of 1.1 billion vaccine doses to developing countries. The issue of safety practices in scientific laboratories is now receiving heightened attention from U.S. government officials, with the aim of preventing future pandemics. The House Energy and Commerce Committee is currently conducting hearings on the matter, and Congress is contemplating stricter regulations for laboratories. In September, Republicans intensified their investigation into the origins of Covid-19, demanding compliance from the Biden administration and other politicians with their inquiries. Failure to comply could result in subpoenas. Dr. Anthony Fauci agreed to testify before Congress A letter sent to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, which was first revealed by DailyMail.com, expressed the Republicans expectation for full and timely compliance with their requests, which have been pending since the probes initiation in February. ALSO READ| University of Pennsylvania president Liz Magill resigns after antisemitism uproar Dr. Anthony Fauci, a notable face during the pandemic, has agreed to testify before Congress regarding his role in the alleged public cover-up of the pandemics origins. Fauci will be questioned about his departments funding of research in Wuhan and the discrepancies between his public and private statements concerning the lab leak theory. His testimony, scheduled for January, will be his first under oath since the contentious Senate hearing in July 2021. The lab leak theory was initially dismissed as a conspiracy by influential figures, including Dr. Fauci. However, Dr. Panjabis recent endorsement adds to the growing list of high-ranking officials who support the theory, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former top health official Dr. Robert Kadlec, and former National Security Director John Ratcliffe. Federal health officials have confirmed that the same bacteria responsible for the 2022 baby formula recall is back, causing devastating consequences. This year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disclosed two alarming cases related to Cronobacter sakazakii, linked to the consumption of powdered formula manufactured by Abbott Nutrition, the company involved in the previous recall. FILE - A sign for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is displayed outside their offices in Silver Spring, Md., Dec. 10, 2020. The Indian manufacturer of more than two dozen varieties of eyedrops subject to a U.S. safety warning officially recalled the products, which were sold by CVS Health, Target, Rite Aid and other national retailers. Kilitch Healthcare India issued the recall on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, and the FDA published the notice Wednesday, Nov 15. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)(AP) Tragically, a newborn in Kentucky lost its life, while an infant in Missouri suffered brain damage due to life-threatening infections caused by this bacteria. The babies had consumed Abbott Nutrition's powdered formula, emphasizing the severity of the situation. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Notably, Abbott and the FDA found no evidence linking the contamination to the formula maker's facilities. Instead, investigations suggest that contamination likely occurred after the formula containers were opened at home, raising awareness about proper handling. While Abbott initiated a voluntary recall in 2022 following the detection of Cronobacter sakazakii, the FDA clarified that the recent cases do not warrant new recalls. The infections were not traced back to manufacturing, and the FDA emphasized, "There is no indication of a broader public health concern related to this product at this time." In a heartbreaking case in Missouri, a 6-week-old baby named Mira White faced severe brain infection from the bacteria found in an open container of Similac NeoSure formula. Mira's story underscores the devastating impact of this bacterial threat, leading to seizures and neurological damage. Similarly, in Kentucky, a baby consuming Similac Total Comfort powdered formula lost its life after contracting Cronobacter sakazakii. This tragic incident emphasizes the urgent need for increased awareness and caution among parents. Cronobacter sakazakii is a naturally occurring germ found in the environment, especially in dry foods like powdered infant formula. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stresses the importance of maintaining cleanliness to reduce the risk, advising parents to frequently clean surfaces, hands, and baby products. Additionally, parents are urged to avoid placing formula scoops on countertops, keep lids and scoops clean and dry, and promptly close formula containers after use. As this bacterial threat resurfaces, parents are encouraged to stay informed and adhere to stringent hygiene practices when handling powdered infant formula, prioritizing the health and safety of their little ones. Former US President Donald Trump has taken a lead over President Joe Biden in the national polls for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Former US President and presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives at the New York Young Republican Club's 111th annual gala in New York on December 9, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)(AFP) According to a Wall Street Journal survey released on Saturday, Trump is ahead by four percentage points, standing at 47% against Bidens 43%. This marks the first instance in this survey where Trump has been favoured in a direct comparison for the likely 2024 presidential race. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The survey also highlighted Bidens approval rating hitting its lowest point during his presidency, aligning with other studies that have raised alarms within Democratic circles as the election approaches in less than a year. When considering five potential third-party and independent candidates, who collectively draw 17% support, Trumps lead increases to six points, with a 37-31 advantage. ALSO READ| University of Pennsylvania president Liz Magill resigns after antisemitism uproar Despite Bidens expressed intentions to seek a second term, there is a growing sentiment within the Democratic party for him to step aside. Concerns are primarily due to his age; Biden would be 81 on election day and 86 by the end of a second term. The recent indictment of his son, Hunter Biden, on nine criminal tax charges in California further complicates his path to re-election. On the other hand, Trump, who leads the race for the Republican nomination by a significant margin, faces his own set of challenges. His legal troubles, including four ongoing criminal cases, some related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, pose a threat to his candidacy. Trump will be 78 years old on election day. At a California fundraiser on Friday night, Biden vehemently criticized Trump for his conduct on January 6, 2021, when Trumps supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to prevent the certification of the election results. Biden described Trumps behavior as despicable, referencing Trumps inaction during the riot and his recent interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, where Trump entertained the idea of being a dictator for a day. Biden said, The other day he said he would be a dictator only one day. God, only one day! He embraces political violence instead of rejecting it. Bidens speech focused on the danger he believes Trump poses to democracy. He avoided discussing the Israel-Gaza conflict, instead emphasizing the role of Democratic supporters in making Trump a former president or, as Biden prefers to say, a defeated president. ALSO READ| Hunter Biden slams critics, says they're trying to destroy a presidency Youre the reason that Donald Trump is a former president, or, he hates when I say it, a defeated president. My guess is that he wont show up at my next inauguration. The Wall Street Journals survey results may cause concern among Democrats, some advise against overinterpreting the data The latest discovery at Pompeii shows the cruelest side of Ancient Roman society. Archaeologists excavating the site have come across a disconcerting picture that testifies to the horrendous conditions in which slaves lived two millennia ago: a bakery-prison, a narrow and unhealthy space where enslaved people lived poorly and worked to exhaustion alongside a herd of donkeys. The tiny windows that have been found in the room, pierced by iron bars, let in a meager light and did not open to the outside, but to another room of the dwelling. Inside, enslaved men and women and animals lived, slept and ground grain to make bread together. The donkeys had to walk in a circle for hours, both day and night, blindfolded, to move the millstone, accompanied by a person who, in addition to pushing the millstone, had to whip the animal and monitor the milling process, adding grain and taking out the flour when it was time. The pavement still preserves the notches that were made to prevent the beasts from slipping and that, at the same time, traced a kind of circular itinerary. The management of the Pompeii Archaeological Park has explained that the brutality of the working conditions in the mills of antiquity was already documented in the work The Golden Ass, also known as the Metamorphoses by the writer Apuleius, who lived in the 2nd century AD. In this Latin novel, the popular author narrates the adventures of Lucius, transformed into an ass and sold to a miller, and describes in horrifying detail the deplorable conditions in which the mill slaves lived, evidently based on direct knowledge of similar contexts, as a statement points out. Detail of the interior of the bakery-prison found in Pompeii. PARCO ARCHEOLOGICO DI POMPEI (via REUTERS) Apuleius delineates the lousy existence of the slaves: With their skin all marked with dark bruises, their backs bruised by blows, over which a ragged rag rather than covering, cast a shadow; some wore only a piece of thin cloth around their private parts, and all of them were dressed in such a way that through those rags one could see everything, their foreheads were marked with letters, their heads shaved in half and their feet chained, and they were disfigured by pallor and with their eyelids consumed by the misty darkness of that dark and smoky environment and therefore they saw very badly. And he continues: Like boxers fighting all sprinkled with dust, they were disgustingly covered with the white of that floury dust. The writer also details the state of the animals: Decrepit mules and exhausted nags! Standing around the manger, their heads sunk in heaps of shredded straw, their necks bowed by rotting sores, their soft nostrils wrinkled by incessant coughing, their chests ulcerated by continual rubbing against the rope belt, their ribs exposed almost to the bone by endless pounding, their hooves stretched to excess by force of relentless running, and their whole hides damaged by a crust of filth. In Pompeii they point out that the new discovery provides a better understanding of the practical workings of the mill, which, although it was in disuse at the time of the eruption, provides timely confirmation of the puzzling picture painted by Apuleius. The finding, like the most recent ones, contributes to offer an interdisciplinary reading of the ancient city and of the complex stratification of Pompeian society, where most of the citizens belonged to the lower classes. It is a space in which one must imagine the presence of people of servile status whose freedom of movement the owner restricted. It is the most shocking face of ancient slavery, the one lacking relationships of trust and promises of emancipation, where people were reduced to the most brutal violence, an impression that is fully confirmed by the closing of the few windows with iron bars, says the director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii Gabriel Zuchtriegel, in a scientific article. And he reflects: In the end, it is spaces like this that also help to understand why there were those who considered it necessary to change that world and why in the same years a member of a small religious group called Paul, later sanctified, wrote that it is better that we are all servants, douloi meaning slaves, but not of an earthly master, but of a heavenly one. Another photograph of the bakery-prison found in Pompeii. PARCO ARCHEOLOGICO DI POMPEI (via REUTERS) The bakery emerged during the excavation of a larger dwelling that has already yielded some surprises for archaeologists, including a fresco that appears to show a dough that looks remarkably like a modern-day pizza. The bakery is behind the wall with the fresco. In another room of the dwelling, which contained the lararium, a kind of domestic altar, excavations uncovered a series of political inscriptions, the ancient equivalent of todays election manifestos and posters. The texts invited people to vote for Aulus Rustius Verus, candidate for Aedile, an office in Ancient Rome that controlled, among other things, public works. Scientists believe that the house probably belonged to a supporter of the candidate, possibly one of his freedmen. Excavations suggest that the house was in the midst of renovation when Vesuvius erupted, and that the bakery was probably not in service at the time. Although the bodies of three victims of the Vesuvius eruption have been found in one of the rooms of the facility, confirming that, despite the ongoing renovation, the house was not uninhabited. Since excavations began in the 18th century, Pompeii, buried by an eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD under tons of lapilli, ash and rock, which helped to preserve it, has not ceased to provide valuable data on the life and customs of its ancient inhabitants. Aerial view of the bakery-prison found in Pompeii, December 8. PARCO ARCHEOLOGICO DI POMPEI Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Houston has elected Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire as its new mayor, following a runoff election on Saturday night. Whitmire, a seasoned Texas lawmaker with 50 years of service representing the city, secured a victory over US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Voters in Houston are heading to the polls to elect a new mayor to lead the nations fourth-largest city. They will choose from a crowded field that includes U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and state Sen. Whitmire, two longtime Democratic lawmakers. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP, file)(AP) At 74 years old, Whitmire is one of the most influential Democratic legislators in Texas and is now poised to lead Americas fourth-largest city. His campaign was centered around key issues such as crime reduction, street improvements, and fostering unity among the people. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Whitmires campaign expenditures far exceeded those of Jackson Lee, who was vying to become Houstons first Black female mayor. The release of an unverified audio recording in October, which allegedly captured Jackson Lee profanely criticizing her staff, posed a challenge for her campaign. Despite this, Whitmire managed to establish a commanding lead among early voters, winning this demographic by a margin of 30 percentage points. ALSO READ| Biden's ex-aide agrees Wuhan lab leak as cause behind COVID-19 pandemic In his victory speech, delivered to a ballroom filled with enthusiastic supporters at the citys convention center, Whitmire expressed, I dont mind telling folks what a great city we have. But weve got great challenges. If we will come together and realize it wont be easy. In fact, we will face challenges. But I see that as an opportunity. And I need you to join hands with me. Well meet our challenges. Itll be an opportunity to show the nation what the city of Houston can do. Jackson Lee graciously thanked her supporters at her election night party. She congratulated Whitmire on his win. Its sweeter to be saying what a sweet victory it is. Its equally as sweet to acknowledge we put up a good fight, she said. The journey to the runoff saw Whitmire and Jackson Lee emerge from a crowded field of nearly 20 candidates in the general election held on November 7. Both candidates, who are prominent political figures in Houston, leveraged their extensive political experience as a testament to their qualifications for leading a city that is grappling with issues such as crime, deteriorating infrastructure, and potential budget deficits. Whitmires political career began in the Texas Legislature in 1973, where he served as a state representative and later as a state senator for the majority of his tenure. Jackson Lee has been representing Houston in Congress since 1995 and previously served on Houstons City Council. ALSO READ| Donald Trump stakes 4-point lead over Joe Biden in 2024 presidential race polls Houstons rapid growth over the past decade has brought both challenges and opportunities, transforming the area into a burgeoning stronghold for Texas Democrats. Although the mayoral race is officially nonpartisan, both Whitmire and Jackson Lee are Democrats. As the oldest big city mayor in the US, Whitmire will lead a city that is increasingly youthful, with a median age of around 35 and a quarter of its population under 18, according to census data. The election of Whitmire, who is 74, and Jackson Lee, who is 73, sparked some frustration among younger Democratic voters who are eager for fresh political talent in Texas to challenge the GOPs 30-year statewide dominance. Spanish clothing retailer Zara finds itself entangled in a crisis after the release of its latest ad campaign, titled "The Jacket." The campaign, intended to highlight the versatility of the garment, has sparked public outrage due to controversial images reminiscent of the Gaza genocide. FILE PHOTO: A shopper carries a bag from Zara clothes store, part of the Spanish Inditex group, in Bilbao, Spain, November 30, 2021. REUTERS/Vincent West/File Photo(REUTERS) Zara asserts that the campaign's focus is on design, but the images depicted triggered strong backlash. Social media erupted with condemnation as users expressed their anger and disgust, vowing to boycott the brand. One user's statement echoed the sentiments of many: "My jaw dropped seeing this. Boycott for life. You are disgusting demons. I can't believe what I'm looking at." Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The images in question include unsettling portrayals resembling Islamic burial attire and an upside-down map of Palestine, drawing stark parallels to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Critics accused Zara of exploiting tragic events for marketing purposes. A user commented, "Do you think that 20,000 people are killed, and it is normal for you to use their deaths as a marketing method? Don't come out and say you didn't mean to... disgusting." Despite the public outcry, Zara has yet to issue a response or statement regarding the controversy. This is not the first time Zara has faced condemnation related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. In October 2022, Palestinians initiated a boycott campaign after Zara's franchise holder in Israel expressed support for the extremist Jewish Forces party. Also Read | Many Americans are boycotting Black Friday even after Israel-Hamas ceasefire, here's why Zara's branches in occupied territories reportedly suffered significant financial losses due to the boycott, estimated at tens of millions of shekels within a short period. The recent controversy intensifies the scrutiny on Zara's stance on sensitive geopolitical matters and raises questions about the intersection of fashion, politics, and ethical considerations. As consumers call for accountability, the fashion giant navigates a challenging terrain where social responsibility and brand image hang in the balance. Former President Donald Trump delivered a speech at the Young Republican Club's annual gala in New York, cautioning that President Joe Biden has "opened up a Pandora's box" and could face legal repercussions himself if Trump returns to the White House. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 09: Former President Donald Trump speaks at the New York Young Republican Club Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on December 09, 2023 in New York City. The New York Young Republican Club held its 111th annual gala with guest speakers that include Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and former President Trump days before he is scheduled to testify as the last witness in his civil fraud trial. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Michael M. Santiago / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) Trump, a leading figure in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, voiced concerns about the four criminal investigations against him, characterizing them as politically motivated attempts to hinder his potential return in the 2024 Election. With 91 counts, including 44 federal charges, Trump emphasized the gravity of these legal challenges. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Addressing Biden directly, Trump stated, "He's opened up a Pandora's box that will never let our country be the same. I can only say to Joe: Be very careful what you wish for, but what you have done is a terrible thing." Trump asserted that the indictments he faces are "Biden indictments against their political opponent," portraying them as unconventional and politically driven. Amid potential impeachment proceedings against Biden over allegations related to his son Hunter's foreign business deals, Trump warned, "I am being indicted for you." There are concerns that Trump's return to the White House could lead to authoritarian tendencies, with fears of seeking revenge on political adversaries. Trump responded to questions about potential abuse of power, stating, "I want to be a dictator for one day," emphasizing his desire for border security and expanded oil drilling. Also Read | Donald Trump's shout-out to Vivek Ramaswamy: 'He wins as he thinks I'm great' In a notable reference to recent media coverage, Trump clarified, "I didn't say that I want to be a dictator. I said I want to be a dictator for one day because I want a wall and I want to drill, drill, drill." This warning is not the first of its kind. Trump has previously expressed concerns about potential repercussions for Biden and his administration, highlighting a shift in political campaigns. As Trump positions himself for the 2024 Election, his speeches continue to echo warnings and challenges that could reshape the political landscape. Thousands of dead fish washed ashore in Hakodate on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Thursday morning. The incident shocked locals who confessed to have never seen anything like it. Thousands of dead fish washed ashore in Hakodate on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Thursday morning. (X(formerly Twitter)) Videos of the incident were shared on X(formerly Twitter). According to PTI, the fish were mainly sardines and some mackerel. As a result of the bewildering event, the beach was covered in a silver blanket, stretching for about a kilometre in length. Some locals began collecting and selling the fish. Officials then issued a warning to people to not consume the fish. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here ALSO READ| Watch: Burglar in US floods facility with white wine worth $600,000 According to a report by AP, Takashi Fujioka, a Hakodate Fisheries Research Institute researcher, weighed in on the probable causes behind the incident. Fujioka said the fish may have been chased by a large predator due to which they got exhausted amid a lack of oxygen and eventually got washed ashore. On the matter of consuming the fish, Fujioka said: We dont know for sure under what circumstances these fish were washed up, so I do not recommend eating them. Meanwhile, conspiracy theories are also being discussed on social media. Some netizens have linked it to the release of treated wastewater from Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant. Japan's decision to discharge the wastewater in October angered its neighbours including China. China imposed a ban on all seafood imports from Japan. Later, Russia also put restrictions on the import of fish and seafood from the island nation. However, Japan backed its move of releasing the treated radioactive water as "safe". Jon Fosse the elusive Norwegian writer tries to avoid public exposure. The 64-year-old rejects 95% or more of interview requests, according to his own calculation. But on Tuesday, December 5, he granted an exclusive interview to EL PAIS, shortly before Sundays ceremony to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. There, in Stockholm, he will only give the obligatory speech. He will abstain from any other event with the guests or meetings with the press. In Oslo, it was 12 degrees below zero on Tuesday at noon. The weather is crazy: Norway isnt exactly a warm country, but the temperature is lower than usual for early-December. As a result, the writer appears stuffed in his green parka, his face sticking out of the hood, half shivering, just like the rest of the residents of Oslo. Looking somewhere between surprised and frozen, he exclaims: Damn cold! Fosse a playwright, poet and novelist is the author of a prolific body of work. There are nearly 40 novels and short story collections to his name, along with 13 books of poetry and some books for children. The three volumes of Septology are typically considered to be his crowning work, with the last part having been published in 2021. On this trip financed by the Norwegian Embassy in Spain Fosse sits at the table, to the curiosity of the surrounding customers (the Nobel laureate!), in front of a cafe con leche, with a consignment of books waiting to be signed. The knuckle of the middle finger of his right hand is stained with blue ink. Question. First of all, congratulations on the award. Answer. Thank you. Ive been on the list of candidates for about 10 years [and] on the betting lists so many times. Ive [always] been attentive to the announcement, very excited, at exactly one in the afternoon... but [I never won]. This year, I was sure it wasnt going to be me. It was a surprise. That day in October, I was driving near my town, which is north of Bergen, in western Norway, where I grew up. I like driving on country roads. Suddenly, I saw a number ringing on the phone that began with +46, the Swedish country code... Q. And thats when you knew that you were a Nobel Prize winner? A. No, I just thought it was someone calling me from Sweden! I dont know, maybe my agent. But, of course, because of the date and time and because of the phone number [I realized that] it could also be the Swedish Academy. And, in fact, that was who was calling: [it was] Mats Malm, the permanent secretary of the Academy. Q. What does this award mean to you? A. When I found out, I felt happy. Yes, true happiness. Then, I also got a little scared, because of everything that was coming. Q. My mother had a collection of novels by Nobel Prize winners at home. When I looked at the spines, many names didnt even ring a bell. A. My father-in-law had a similar collection many of them are still valid. The forgotten ones are, above all, from the first years [of the prize]. For example, in 1903, the prize went to the Norwegian Bjrnstjerne Bjrnson not to his most remembered contemporary, Henrik Ibsen. He wrote in a more idealistic way, as Alfred Nobel wanted. Q. But then things changed. A. When I look at the list [of previous winners], I see many authors who are important to me. I see Faulkner. I see Beckett. I see Peter Handke. Or Pirandello and Maeterlinck, if were talking about playwrights. Its a mix of authors who are still read, as well as others who have been forgotten. Oh, and many of the authors I most admire dont have the Nobel, such as Garcia Lorca, Proust, or Kafka. [Something they also] have in common is that they died quite young. Im [the average age for a Nobel laureate], 60-something-years old. Q. In other words, the Nobel Prize doesnt guarantee eternity. A. No, no, no. The only thing it guarantees is a place on the list [of winners]. And a spot in the collection that your mother kept at home. Writer and Nobel Prize laureate Jon Fosse, at the Kaffistova Cafe in Oslo, on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 PACO PUENTES EL PAIS traveled to Norway to explore among other things Jon Fosses physical and social environment. Initially, there was the possibility that he wouldnt even be available for an interview. However, unexpectedly, the Nobel laureate agreed to meet an editor and a photographer from this newspaper in Kaffistova, his preferred cafe in the center of Oslo. The writer is amused by his own elusiveness. You have to put that [in the report]: that you came to investigate Fosse and, finally, Fosse showed up. Q. Youre not very inclined to public exposure A. I dont like it very much. But, on the other hand, Im quite used to it. My first novel Red, Black was published in 1983, 40 years ago. There were great photos of me in the local Bergen press: suddenly, I was a public person. And, when my plays began to travel to more and more countries, that aspect grew even more. I cant say I like it, but Ive learned to live with it. I regulate it as much as possible, I reject almost [every invitation and interview]. Im really tired of events, premieres, receptions... I prefer to reserve myself for the moments where I really play a role. I avoid the rest. Q. So whats your lifestyle like? A. I prefer to live in the most boring way possible. Without seeing anyone, just being at home with my family. In recent years, Ive dedicated my [early mornings] to writing. I get up at 4AM and write from five to nine. I cant write all the time if I do, it goes wrong. I have to take breaks to recover my energy, my spirit. But, when I start writing, I need about a week straight to get in the mood. I wrote Septology entirely in Austria, without setting foot in Norway, in sessions from five to nine in the morning. Q. Youre very prolific. A. Im a fast writer Q. Maybe its because you use so few punctuation marks. The text flows A. In some of my novels, there are no periods. Then, in others, they reappear. Its a question of rhythm. Rhythm is a fundamental concept in Fosses literature, whose rhythmic and repetitive prose is an unmistakable trademark of his. As he explains, in his work, the plot isnt as important as the rhythm, the sound, the resonance a desire that perhaps comes from his youth as an amateur musician, whether rehearsing for many hours at home with the guitar, or taking part in a teenage rock band. At heart, Fosse is a poet. Currently, a complete collection of his poetry is being translated into Spanish from Norwegian. Spain will be the first country where all his poems are available in translation. But, from those musical beginnings, Fosse now prefers to play with silences and subtle mental flows the poetics of internal, almost dreamlike repetition. Q. Is this an accurate description of your work? A. The important thing, for me, is the form. The musicality. Even the content, so to speak, is part of the form. More than as a writer, I function as a composer. One day, in my youth, I stopped playing music and started writing but I continued experimenting with the same things. Repetitions, variations. And I became known for that. Q. Music, poetry A. And theater. Garcia Lorca said something like a play is a poem standing up. Its a perfect description of what I feel when writing a work. Theater doesnt need as much intensity as poetry it also needs action. Still, it requires that poetic intensity to work. And, in my fictional narrative, its similar: my long work Septology could also be seen as a long prose poem. Its a novel, but its also like a poem. Q. Some readers find your style difficult. A. I dont find it difficult. Some people find it difficult and others find it very simple. Q. I think its both things at the same time. Whats actually said is very clear, but its not so easy to approach due to the hypnotic style. A. Thats what I believe. From the beginning [of my career] there have been people who love my writing and people who hate it. Its like music: if youre a musical person, you like it. But there are people who dont understand it. Or, like with mathematics, there are people who are good with symbols and others who are not. Of course, many people didnt like my first novel and, over time, theyve adapted to my style. A passion for fountain pens Q. How do you write, or rather, physically compose? A. I started using a typewriter. Then, I switched to a Mac. I was one of the first Mac users in Norway. I loved switching to the computer: being able to correct on the screen, being able to print it, changing the fonts, Garamond, Palatino... being able to submit manuscripts without those corrections [in pen] that I had to make on typewritten texts. I was very enthusiastic [about the computer]. I still use it but, in recent years, Ive lost interest a bit. Q. And now? A. Now, as you can see (demonstrating his ink-stained knuckle), Im interested in ink. I have a large collection of fountain pens around 300 and different inks of all possible colors, about 150 types. I especially like the broad tip pens: its a lot like using a paintbrush. Septology was written on the Mac and corrected by hand. But, on the contrary, A Shining was written by hand from the start. Jon Fosse, winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature, during his interview with EL PAIS in Oslo, Norway, on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 PACO PUENTES Q. Much of your work is intimate and timeless. Shouldnt literature deal with the problems of society? A. Not at all. Literature is related to society in the same way that music is related to society. Art has a role in society and, therefore, a political impact. Like Garcia Lorca, who had a political impact, although [his work] didnt deal with political issues. I think that, if you try to bring forward the political message or religious message, or whatever too explicitly, youll probably end up writing badly. At least, thats how I see it. I cannot remember any evangelizing literary work, so to speak, thats a good work. Q. A while ago, we visited St. Olavs Cathedral, one of the places where you practice your faith. You converted to Catholicisim. As a Norwegian most of whom are Lutherans this isnt very common. A. There are only about four or five thousand of us ethnic Catholic Norwegians. There are Polish or Filipino immigrants [who are Catholic], but there are very few ethnic Norwegians who are Catholic. In the church you mention, there are about 40 nationalities represented. Sometimes, I go to mass and Im the only one of Norwegian ethnicity. Q. In Septology, you explore the possibility of being other people. Would you have liked to be someone else? A. Im not very happy with myself, to be honest. Q. But youve won the Nobel Prize! A. Yes, but I dont try to express myself when I write. I try to escape from myself. The same as when I played music it was to escape. Or when I read Garcia Lorcas poetry, to [mention] him again. But, if I were a happy person happy with my mobile phone, feeling good and lucky I dont think I would write. Or, maybe I would have written one book and thats it. Q. You must be very dissatisfied, because youve written a lot. A. That dissatisfaction has made me spend my entire life writing. Theres something wrong with me [and how I relate] with the world. Consistency with aging Q. Does the passage of time affect you? A. Im quite satisfied with that. My life is getting better the older I get. I believe that, if you dont have health problems like so many people do getting older isnt bad. In my works as in Septology I play with the passage of time. I go forward, backward, I stretch it like the material from which the novel is made. Q. You suffered from alcoholism in the past. Alcohol is often associated with the artists creativity. A. I think thats true. [Back in] ancient times, the Romans even complained about drunk poets hanging around. Some connection is created, because alcohol loosens certain limits, as long as you dont abuse it. Ive drunk a lot in my life, but I had to stop completely. And [quitting alcohol] didnt spoil my writing in any way, quite the opposite. I started writing better. And I gained time to write. I liked to drink, I liked to drink wine and chat but its not good if you do it a lot. Thats why I left it. Q. The future looks very bad for the human species. How do you face the uncertain future thats before us? A. Were living in very dangerous times, I agree. For example, the war in Ukraine is very dangerous. The more the West takes part, the closer well be to nuclear disaster. Q. How do you feel about the situation in Gaza? A. That conflict is very sad. Hamas attacked children and the elderly, it was really horrible, they killed more than a thousand people and took some hostage. I understand that Israel had to respond to that in some way but in that response, Israel cannot do whatever it wants. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition In the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, with Europe experiencing a period of economic progress, bankers, merchants, kings and nobles began expanding and multiplying their palaces and other residences, which meant they needed to commission more and larger paintings to cover their spacious walls. In 1638, for example, Philip IV comissioned 120 works in a single order, from the painter Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). But no matter how hard the artist and his assistants worked, it was impossible for the German to meet that level of demand. In those days, a large painting might take an artist as much as six years to complete. And, as was the case with Velazquez, they might go for years without picking up a paintbrush at all, further postponing their promised dates of completion. It was for precisely this reason that the Venetian technique was first developed. This new method dramatically reduced the time it took to complete a painting: a work that might have taken five years to complete could be done in just one. No one knows who invented the method, though the Venetian Tiziano Vecelli (1490-1576; known in English as Titian) is rumored to be its pioneer, or at least one of the first to use it, and Rubens eventually learned and used it as well. Next October, Madrids Prado Museum will inaugurate an exhibition entitled Rubens Workshop, curated by Alejandro Vergara Sharp (Washington D.C., 63), the institutes Director of Conservation of Flemish Painting. The exhibit aims to recreate the artistic laboratory of the genius from Siegen, Germany in such intimate detail that even the smells of the studio will be reproduced. Of course, given the modern worlds health and safety regulations, the essence of toxic turpentine will be replaced by some other similar but innocuous scent. The exhibition will include some fifteen pieces the Prado has more works by Rubens than any other museum in the world: 92 of his 1,500 total productions and a detailed recreation, performed by a professional painter, of how the artist would have captured his imagination on canvas. The Venetian technique, broadly speaking, consists of prioritizing color and its luminous sensations over the specific forms of a given painting. Prior to adopting the method, the Flemish, for example, would paint every detail millimeter by millimeter. The Venetian technique allowed them to use large swaths of color, starting with a dark background that highlighted the tonalities of the subsequent superimposed layers. From the 17th century on, practically until Goya, all painters adopted this method. Its whats known as the economy of art, Vergara explains. An artist could finish many more paintings, which were a luxury product, and export them to other kingdoms where they were in demand. This meant that atists could earn a lot more money, because their works were larger and, therefore, more expensive. Mercury and Argus (1636-1638), by Rubens. Museo del Prado The artist chosen by the museum to recreate Rubens working in his studio is Jacobo Alcalde (Madrid, 33). When he was just nine years old, Alcalde was the recipient of an art scholarship, and by 19, one of his paintings was hanging in the European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM) in Barcelona. He spent years studying the Venetian technique. Most of the painters of that era left written records describing how they worked, so we have a lot of documentation, he says. But the problem has been reading the Spanish texts from the 16th or 17th centuries and, above all, figuring out the measurements [the mixture ratios and percentages], because they didnt indicate them. I also had to study textures, transparencies, saturations and color properties to try to recreate the works. The speed of the brushstroke is different when youre using 17th versus 21st century paint. With the aforementioned technique, Alcalde will replicate Rubens Mercury and Argus, which is on display at the Prado. He says he will need at least five months to do it. He has already assembled the frame and stretched the canvas, which is the same size as the original. He has also sanded the surface with pumice to remove any imperfections in the canvas and primed it with a mixture of calcium carbonate, oil and earth. The mixture will take about two weeks to dry, and will be ready in early December. Then, he will lightly outline the figures in the painting, begin to apply color primers, and start to paint the basic shapes. Finally, he will apply layers of semi-transparent color and then add the final highlights. The process ends with a full varnishing of the work. The brushes and paints he will use are the same as those Rubens would have used, to accurately replicate the original textures and brushspeeds. The brushes are made with mustelid hair (hair from martens, badgers or squirrels) materials that are no longer permitted. The lead white used by the painters of the era an essential color in this period was traditionally made by introducing several rolls of lead into a mixture of manure and wine vinegar. Everything was buried and, after a few weeks, would produce a layer of crusted flakes, which were then mixed with water and linseed and walnut oils until the desired texture was obtained. This type of paint, given the toxicity of lead, is also prohibited today. The whole process will be videotaped by the Prado and played on large screens as part of the exhibition. Its a real challenge, says Vergara. Alcala adds: I feel like an alchemist who doesnt know what hes going to end up creating. When Philip IV commissioned 120 pieces from Rubens, the artist replied that he could only deliver 60 on time, despite having 20 assistants at his disposal, including Anton van Dyck (1599-1641). In the end, the German painter only signed 14. Jacobo Alcalde only has to make one, but without his own workshop or assistants, and without a master to guide him. Fullfilling the Prados commission on time will be a real challenge. Just as it was for Rubens. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Governor Appoints Veteran Advocate BOSTON Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell anda Auditor Diana DiZoglio announced the appointment of Colonel Robert "Bob" Notch to lead the Massachusetts Office of the Veteran Advocate. In this role, Notch will oversee the newly established independent state agency whose focus is to ensure that veterans in Massachusetts receive humane, safe and dignified treatment and effective services in a timely manner and compliance with existing laws and regulations. "As a retired Army Colonel, Colonel Notch has the life experience and career skills to lead our new Office of the Veteran Advocate," said Governor Healey. "This office was created to ensure that veterans across Massachusetts have another voice in state government, and I know that they will be able to rely on Colonel Notch to connect them to the right resources. We're grateful to the Legislature for recognizing the value of a position like this and grateful to Attorney General Campbell and Auditor DiZoglio for their partnership in this exceptional appointment." The Office of Veteran Advocate was established by An Act relative to the governance, structure and care of veterans at the Commonwealth's veterans' homes, which also created the Executive Office of Veterans' Services. In March, Governor Healey appointed Dr. Jon Santiago as the state's first ever Veterans' Services Secretary. "I am honored to serve in this new role on behalf of veterans across Massachusetts," said Colonel Notch. "I know first-hand what it means to serve your country, as well as the unique needs of the veteran community. I am eager to work with veterans across the state to help them get the services and treatment they deserve. I am grateful for the confidence that Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Attorney General Campbell and State Auditor DiZoglio have placed in me, and I look forward to getting started." Colonel Notch served for nearly 27 years as a commissioned officer in both the Army and Army Reserve. He retired in 2016 as a Colonel. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Army Aviation upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in May of 1989. He served in multiple tactical leadership assignments as a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot, operations officer, human resources manager, and force development officer, serving in Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990 and in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. His senior assignments include operational and strategic level positions on the Army Staff, Joint Staff and Office of the Chief of Army Reserve in the Pentagon. Colonel Notch is involved in multiple organizations supporting service members, veterans and their families, including families of the fallen. He is currently the President of the Greater Boston Veterans Collaborative; Co-chair of Our Community Salutes of Massachusetts; President of the South Shore Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America; participant in the Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families; Senior Military Consultant to the University of Alabama national study on needs of women who served in the US Military; and an active participant in multiple national Veteran Communities of Practice. His formal education includes a Master of Public Administration (Suffolk University, 2023), Senior Service College Fellow (Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, 2011), Master of Science in Operations Research (Kansas State University, 1999), and Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (US Military Academy, 1989). His highest awards are the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal. Governor Holds First Regional Cabinet Meeting in Amherst BOSTON The Healey-Driscoll Administration held their first regional cabinet meeting at University of Massachusetts Amherst to discuss the administration's priorities in Western Massachusetts. In an effort to promote statewide collaboration, the administration aims to hold a regional cabinet meeting in every region across the state. "Our state is made up of 351 cities and towns, each with their own unique sets of characteristics and needs. By hosting regional cabinet meetings, our administration is doubling down on our commitment to work for the entirety of Massachusetts," said Governor Healey. "Over the last year, we have made significant progress building out policies that meet the moment and make our entire state more affordable, competitive and equitable. On behalf of our entire Cabinet, we are excited to continue holding regional meetings to learn more about what makes each region so great and strategize around how we can work together to make our entire state stronger." At the meeting, the Healey-Driscoll Cabinet discussed issues impacting Western Massachusetts including flood relief efforts for farms and municipalities impacted by extreme weather this year and the administration's commitment to building West-East Rail. After the meeting, Chancellor of UMass Amherst Javier Reyes led Cabinet members on a tour of UMass Amherst's Life Sciences Laboratories. "UMass Amherst was delighted today to host Governor Healey's Cabinet at the commonwealth's flagship campus," said UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes. "We deeply appreciate that the Governor and her leadership team recognize the importance of UMass Amherst as an educational and economic innovation leader, and their visit to Western Massachusetts demonstrates their strong commitment to engaging with partners across the state. We thank them for visiting and learning more about the impact of our campus firsthand." The tour included a visit to Mass Spectrometry Core, a facility that plays a critical role in UMass's Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)/environmental research and development in clean water. UMass Professors Caitlyn Butler, Dave Reckhow and John Tobiason, along with undergraduate and graduate students, led the group in a discussion and demonstration of how they use the facility for projects addressing environmental sustainability and protecting public health. The facility also works in partnership with state agencies such as MassDEP, MassDPH and MassDOT to do water testing around the state and help to solve PFAS issues. At the conclusion of the meeting and tour, Cabinet members continued to different events across the region: Lieutenant Governor Driscoll met with leadership at Springfield Technology Park to discuss their ongoing work and later joined the NDIA Small Business Innovation Summit; Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao joined local officials in Turners Falls to announce awards through the state's Community One Stop for Growth; Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh met with Chair Carlos Gonzalez and a group of Springfield health and human services providers for a roundtable discussion on health care delivery, public health challenges and social determinants of health in Springfield; Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus toured a supportive housing project and a homeless shelter in Pittsfield funded in part by HLC with Representative Farley-Bouvier, Senator Mark, Mayor Tyer and Mayor-elect The First Baptist Church Youth Group in North Adams has been presented two Neighborly Awards for their community service. The group was recognized at the Neighborlies last month as well. Left, the group members volunteering while on a mission trip to Washington, D.C.; right, running a carwash fundraiser. PreviousNext North Adams Youth Group Making an Impact Serving up hot cocoa at a tree lighting event. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. There has been a community of young people building a safe place at the First Baptist Church over the past decade. It's a place where kids can be themselves, experience no judgement and get along with others from a wide range of backgrounds. Not only do they feel part of the community there, but they also spend time doing good work for the community. "The best times in my life as a kid was being in youth group," said Leah LeFebvre, who was a member until she aged out. But found she really missed the fellowship and within a couple of years, she was back as one of the four core adult leaders. While adults like Terri Braman, the family life minister, describe the youth group for middle and high school students as a family, the young members are quick to point out it's better than a family because it's completely open to anyone. You don't need to have been born in a certain place, or go to a certain school, or belong to a specific church, or any church at all. The kids rally around each other, support each other, make everyone feel welcome and valued. A recent conversation with a few of the members quickly got to the core of this group. "Work has to be done so I do it. I do it because it makes me feel good to do it," said member Liam, while Lydia, another member, added, "It's just making sure people feel loved and part of a community." "It's not just fellowship," Braman chimed in, "we are here to help." There are about 35 young people currently involved. They all volunteer a minimum number of hours at organizations in the community as well as participating in the youth group events at the church. Last month, they hosted more than 100 diners at a Thanksgiving meal with sit-down service, menus and real chinaware dishes. They annually hand out free hot cocoa at the city's downtown tree lightings and recently distributed of 400 "blessing bags" with gloves, socks, soap, shampoo, granola bars, lip balm and other useful items to those in need in North Adams. The group is also working on the Christmas play that will be presented during the morning worship at 10 on Sunday, Dec. 24. While younger children are acting in the play, the youth group members have been working on the sets and costumes and will assist with stage changes during the play. Their volunteerism hasn't gone unnoticed. They've twice been nominated for Neighborly Awards from the Northern Berkshire Community Coaltion, including at this year's recognition event. "Whether it is trash cleanup, or setting up a community event, this group always offers a helping hand with energy enthusiasm," said NBCC Executive Director Amber Besaw in presenting the certificate. Each year the group goes on a spring break mission trip to help in cities across North America. Last year, youth group members, leaders and chaperones assisted Love On Hamilton, an organization serving people without homes in Hamilton, Ontario. Not only did the group make a difference helping in Hamilton, but the Canadian experience also gave them insight into the realities of living without a home that has made them more understanding and empathetic back home in North Adams. They've previously gone to the Washington, D.C., area and next year will travel to Nashville, Tenn. Helping has a cost attached to it. In addition to their volunteering at community organizations and their work through the church, they participate in fundraising a significant amount of money. Fundraising events coming up include Parents Night Out, an opportunity for parents to go out and do some holiday shopping or just have a break from their kids. They can drop their children off on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 6 to 9 for a Christmas-themed evening of crafts, snacks, movies, and more with the youth group. The fee per child is $10 and the maximum fee per family is $30. The fundraising will continue in the new year with a spaghetti dinner in January, a Valentine's Parents Night Out event in February and a pancake breakfast with the Easter bunny in March. Previous fundraising has included car washes, candy bar sales and selling items at local events such as the Downtown Celebration. Any young person in Grades 6 through 12 is welcome to join the group. There is no religious affiliation required. They meet on the first and third Sunday of the month from 11 to 12:30 at the church. For more information, contact the church at office@fbc.net or 413-663-3780. Governor Releases Plan to Protect and Enhance Access to Farmland DRACUT, Mass. The Healey-Driscoll Administration released the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan today, a long-range strategic initiative to address Massachusetts' farmland needs. The plan sets goals and priorities around increasing farmland conservation and protection, addressing farmland access, and preserving and expanding the economic and environmental viability of farms across the state. "Today, nearly 500,000 acres of precious farmland are stewarded by our farmers. But with rising costs and increased extreme weather, our farmers need our help to plan for the future," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "The Farmland Action Plan will protect and expand our existing acreage by making more public land available for lease to farmers and enacting zoning measures that support farmland." The plan was developed through a collaboration between MDAR, the UMass Donahue Institute, the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, and the American Farmland Trust, and engaged hundreds of farmers and stakeholders during its development. It complements the state's Clean Energy and Climate Plan, Healthy Soils Action Plan, Resilient Lands Initiative, and other related efforts as the state makes investments and policies. These plans also serve as a resource for private sector stakeholders as they contribute to the state's environmental and economic goals. The plan proposes steps to: Significantly expand protection of the Commonwealth's remaining farmland, make more public land available for farming, and increase the amount of farmland by returning marginal and abandoned land to production; Increase land protection programs, technical assistance grants, and farmland support programs; Ensure that equity criteria are applied in all land protection and technical assistance grants and programs; Pursue a combination of state and local policies, regulations, and incentives focused on realizing no net loss of farmland to protect farmland and mitigate unavoidable loss; Enact zoning measures that support farmland; Expand and strengthen equity and diversity criteria in all land access programs and investments; Increase technical assistance to farmers around crop and livestock-specific climate change adaptation strategies; Incentivize farmers who use management practices that enhance natural resources and support climate goals; and, Build UMass Extension's capacity to meet the needs of farmers. Massachusetts' more than 7,000 farms steward nearly 500,000 acres of farmland, about 10 percent of the state's land, and are an economic engine, generating $10 billion in economic activity annually. Available farmland is core to the success of farms, and farms are essential to helping the state meet goals related to food security, climate change, and economic development. Only 15 percent of existing farmland is protected from conversion to other uses. Between 1997 and 2017, the state lost nearly 60,000 acres of farmland. The Plan makes recommendations for protecting more farmland from further loss, such as increasing support for land protection programs, technical assistance grants, and farmland support programs, and pursuing policies and incentives focused on realizing no net loss of farmland mitigating of unavoidable loss. Programs and resources that help farmers access the farmland they need are proposed in the plan to counterbalance these costs. Plan goals and recommendations also highlight the need to enhance equity through all farmland efforts to ensure that historically underserved farmers and aspiring farmers have access to the resources they need to thrive in the industry. "MDAR, the MA Food System Collaborative and everyone involved in the plan, especially the hundreds of people who provided input, should be commended on the plan's completion and comprehensiveness," said American Farmland Trust New England Regional Director Jim Habana Hafner. "The stakeholder process collected broad input on a range of interlocking issues - and in an ambitious time frame. The result reflects new insights, more voices, and connects more dots than ever before. We're confident that the Farmland Action Plan's true value as a guide and rallying point will be borne out, but only through the ever-widening participation, concrete action and periodic updates that it should inspire. American Farmland Trust stands ready to do our part to convert its core recommendations into action." Massachusetts has been a national leader in farmland protection for decades. The Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program was the first in the nation and has permanently protected more than 75,000 acres of farmland. Many other programs and policies support farms and farmland, and the plan offered an opportunity to review those successes and identify ways to ensure that they adapt to the evolving needs of farmers. "Farm viability is not just a goal; it's the essence of a thriving agricultural ecosystem," said Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation President Warren Shaw. "The Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan outlines the need for an enhanced business environment, increased resources, and recognizes the value of paying farmers for their invaluable services. It's a commitment to fostering a landscape where farms not only survive but flourish." Following the plan's release, MDAR will coordinate ongoing outreach and engagement with the network of stakeholders who will be involved in implementation of its goals. The Department is in the process of hiring a Farmland Action Plan Coordinator to oversee this process. Fresh off election victory, a year ago Brazilian President-elect Inacio Lula da Silva was the star of the annual U.N. climate talks. Lula promised to crack down on deforestation and turn Brazil into an environmental leader, a complete turnaround after President Jair Bolsonaro rolled back regulations and encouraged land-grabbing in the Amazon. Lula! Lula! Lula! many onlookers screamed during Lulas many events at COP27 in Egypt. What a difference a year makes. Just as Lula addressed world leaders at COP28 in Dubai, it was announced that Brazil would join OPEC+, a group of big oil-exporting countries, including Russia. At one event during the conference, Lula tried to explain the decision by saying that, once on the inside, the South American nation would push other oil-producing countries to transition to green energya curious explanation given that state-run oil company Petrobras is focused on further oil exploration. Lula later clarified that Brazil would be an OPEC observer, not a full member. In his speech to world leaders, Lula implored delegates to go beyond eloquent but empty words. In a subsequent session with Environment Minister Marina Silva, Lula teared up when he talked about the need to protect forests. Instead of chants of adulation, Brazil received a Fossil of the Day award from Climate Action Network International, a non-award given to countries whose actions support fossil fuels, the main cause of climate change. Natalie Unterstell, president of Talanoa, a Brazilian think tank focused on climate, said Lulas approach to the environment was focused on curbing deforestation, Brazils largest source of carbon emissions, which his administration has managed to slow by half since taking office in January. That approach served him well during his first terms, between 2003 and 2010, but that is no longer enough, she said. Lula cant be a climate leader without a real energy transition policy, she said. Its time for him to update his programming software. Lula has had a long and complicated relationship with oil. When huge reserves were discovered off Brazilian shores in 2006, Lula said: This discovery ... proves that God is Brazilian. Indeed, as the Brazil became a major oil-producer over the next decade, the money helped Lula, and then successor President Dilma Rousseff, fund major social programs that lifted tens of millions of people from poverty. Today, Brazil is the worlds ninth largest producer, with 3% of global output, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Oil has become so important that its now Brazils second export product after soy, producing 3.67 million barrels a day. By far, China is the countrys largest buyer. At a climate conference focused on reducing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, which oil and gas products let off when burned, environmentalists have been quick to note the contradiction. Meanwhile, Petrobras is doubling down on oil. On Dec. 13, a day after the climate conference is scheduled to end, the country is going to allow companies to bid on 33 areas with blocks for oil exploration, according to Brazils National Agency of Oil, Natural Gas and Biofuels, including some in the Amazon rainforest. Its part of a push to offer more than 900 blocks in December. In a written response to the AP, the National Agency of Oil, Natural Gas and Biofuels declined to comment on demands for energy transition, arguing that, as a regulatory agency, it does not create public policies but rather implements the policies formulated by the government. The increased exploration, which eventually leads to more production, threatens to cancel out or even surpass gains from Brazils efforts to stop net deforestation by 2030, according to the Greenhouse Gas Emission Estimation System, an initiative by the Climate Observatory, a network of environmental nonprofit groups. The damage (of the exploration) goes against any positioning of Brazil as a climate leader, said David Tsai, projects coordinator at the Institute for Energy and the Environment, which is part of Climate Observatory. While Lula fumbled during the few days he spent at COP28, his Colombian counterpart, leftist Gustavo Petro, seemed to be taking the mantle of environmental leadership in Latin America. In contrast to Brazils alignment with OPEC, Petro joined an alliance of nations supporting a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty. This is not economic suicide, he said in Dubai. Its about preventing humanitys self-destruction. The leaders differing visions were on display in August during the Amazonian summit in Belem. Lula and other leaders vetoed Petros proposal to ban oil production in the worlds largest rainforest. Similar to the ongoing climate talks, oil was the most contentious topic during the meeting held in Belem. At the time, Lula faced protests by Indigenous groups and environmentalists against Petrobras plans to explore for oil near the mouth of the Amazon River. Petrobras did not respond to APs written request for comment on its plans for the mouth of Amazon and on energy transition. Lulas office also did not respond to a request for comment. Environmentalists say they hope Lula can be convinced to change policies by 2025, when Brazil is expected to host COP30 in Belem. Whatever the next years bring, at the moment the administration is marching ahead. We will not be ashamed of Petrobras, Brazils minister of mines and energy, Alexandre Silveira told daily newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo in an interview this week. We will not be ashamed of also having the potential of fossil fuels in Brazil. They need to be explored because Brazil is a country in which social injustices and prevalent. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Emam Omam is almost an economist. Nyamiji Daniel is almost a programmer. Nosemba Walaldin is almost a teacher. And Renad Abdalkhaman dreams of being a surgeon. These four students were all at different stages of completing their university degrees. They had the worries and responsibilities typical of twenty-somethings. That is, until a war blew up their lives. They have been forced to exchange their houses for the huts of a refugee camp. Classmates and study time have been replaced with loneliness and endless, empty hours. Students such as Emam, Nyamiji, Nosemba and Renad have been damaged by the armed conflict that Sudan has been experiencing for the past eight months. The condition theyre facing isnt as visible as a disease, nor is it as irreparable as death, but its impact is of immense proportions for hundreds of thousands of young people who, overnight, have been forced to replace their dreams of the future with the uncertainty of a life filled with need, danger and precariousness. Of all the humanitarian emergencies in the world where there isnt sufficient assistance, South Sudan is almost at the bottom. While its obscured in the media by other crises such as Gaza or Ukraine there hasnt been a single day without refugees and catastrophes in this African country for almost a year. South Sudan is on the brink of collapse, with 9.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, or 76% of the population. Only 40% of the funds needed to address this have been secured, according to the UN Agency for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Emam Omam was a student at the Omdurman Islamic University, near Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. I studied Economics because Sudan needs economists. Maybe I could get a job, he explains. On April 15, 2023 the day the war began he was preparing for an exam. I waited to see if the situation would calm down and I could finish [my courses]... but that wasnt the case. My degree has stopped, everything has stopped. I no longer know whats going to happen, the young man sighs. Sitting on a mat on the ground in the shade of a canvas tent that barely offers protection from the intense heat four young women of similar ages speak about what their life has been like since the violence pushed them out of their homes and classrooms. Theyve been living at a temporary shelter for refugees in Renk, a border town between Sudan and South Sudan. Emam Omam, 25, was an Economics student at Omdurman Islamic University, near Khartoum. Lola Hierro Those were very good times. As soon as I got up, I wanted to go to class, see my friends, have a good time with them, have fun. There was no time for anything, I was busy from morning to night, recalls Nosemba Walaldin. The 23-year-old was in the last semester of her Information Technology degree, which she was completing at the University of Khartoum, the oldest university in the country. Nosemba missed the last exam that was required for her to finish her degree. Nyamiji Daniel, 22 a South Sudanese woman living in Khartoum was studying the same subject at the same institution, but one grade below Nosemba. I lived with a Sudanese family, because I [was employed as a domestic worker]. I got up at five in the morning, started working at six, then went to class and came home at four. From then on, I finished the rest of the housework, she explains. Nyamiji studied and worked at the same time. She admits that this wasnt easy but now, she says that she would turn back the clock without hesitation. I had just finished my high school diploma and was planning to study Medicine. [Becoming a surgeon] is my dream, says Renad Abdalkhaman. Having just turned 18, shes the youngest of the four girls, but the most determined. She speaks loudly and clearly. These four young people now live at the Renk Transit Center. More than 400,000 people have arrived through this border point over the last eight months, fleeing the civil war unleashed between the army and the paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This conflict has brought daily armed attacks to the streets of Khartoum, resurrected ethnic clashes in Darfur and has led to the forced displacement of more than six million people. It has also caused the suspension of exams and the closure of educational centers from the first days of the conflict. The Renk Transit Center does not qualify as a refugee camp. Its a settlement designed as a transit point for about 3,000 people, but Renad, Nyamiji, Nosemba and Emam have been stuck here for several months. More than 18,000 souls are crowded together, due to the incessant flow of arrivals from the neighboring country and the impossibility of transferring refugees to more suitable places. Seasonal rains have flooded and cut off entire roads. Here, the living conditions are dire, because everything is lacking: shelters, clean water, enough food, adequate sanitation, health and educational services. Renk Transit Center, on the South Sudanese side of the border with Sudan. With capacity for 3,000 people, it was sheltering over 18,000 by the end of November, 2023. Ala Kheir (UNHCR) 19 million children left without class Among all the traumas that any exodus caused by violence entails, theres that which is faced by the students. Up to 19 million children are out of school, according to UNICEF and Save the Children. And an undetermined number it could be more than 200,000, if we look at the latest enrollment figures provided by the government, from 2017 have been left without a university. While Khartoum has always been a city proud of its intellectual tradition, in recent years, its higher education system hasnt grown in size, due to poor funding, political interference and the economic crisis. There have been protests before, during and after 2019, when dictator Omar al-Bashir was deposed in a coup. This was followed by the massive floods of 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Nyamiji Daniel, 22, is displaced. A South Sudanese woman living in Khartoum, she was studying Information Technology. Lola Hierro For refugee children in places such as Renk, at least there are some schools that different humanitarian organizations have set up in the camps. But the situation faced by students who were enrolled, or set to enroll, in the universities and technical colleges is a separate drama. Their specialized training cannot be found just anywhere. Hence, they suddenly find themselves in an inescapable state of limbo. This is a cruel addition to the rest of the traumas that they carry, as they already have stories of fear and loss behind them. Renad the youngest of the four young women interviewed was born in Khartoum, but her parents emigrated to Saudi Arabia when she was a baby. At 16, they told her that they were going back. She was excited to get to know her country of origin but that joy didnt last for long. She hadnt even been living in Sudan for a year when the attacks began. The first day, we hid at home. We heard shots outside. That night, a bomb fell right next door, the teenager recalls. She has lost something much more important than her studies. My father and my uncle went out one day to get something to eat and they never came back. We spent a month waiting for them. When we didnt hear any news, my mother and I came here, she concludes. Her voice trembles the strong energy that emanates from her falters a little. I feel totally destroyed. Theyve destroyed my future, our futures, the teenage laments. Shes been at Renk since August 20. Nosemba worked at a law firm in the afternoons after university. In her free time, she went out with her friends. Im still in contact with two who are in the White Nile [state]. Ive lost track of the rest of them. She arrived at the transit center on August 17, after a nine-day trip with her family, during which she almost lost a brother. On the way some armed men stopped us, they wanted to take one of my brothers with them. We gave them everything we had so they would leave him, she recounts. Nosemba Walaldin, 23, was in the last semester of her Information Technology degree when she was displaced. She had been studying at the University of Khartoum. Lola Hierro The Scholars at Risk network (SAR) has chosen Sudan as one of the most worrying cases in its 2023 Free to Think report. The group warns that the civil war has seriously affected the education sector, including higher education. In the early days of fighting, students and faculty members reported being forced to flee or being trapped, unable to flee, with no food, water, or electricity, the report denounces. SAR has also reported on militants who have killed, injured or raped students and teachers, warning that Sudan may face a serious shortage of teachers for the next school year, due to the number of people who have fled the country. According to an SAR estimate, armed clashes and looting have damaged at least 104 public and private higher education facilities and research centers during the first five months of fighting. In at least one case, on June 4, the Sudanese Armed Forces appear to have targeted an institution of higher learning, bombing the campus of the International University of Africa during clashes with the RSF. 10 people were killed. In recent years, theres been a growing demand for higher education in refugee camps. Some initiatives have been developed, mainly thanks to the internet, which allows for online studies to be offered. There are also some scholarships, such as the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI), a program sponsored by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in 50 countries. It aims to ensure that refugees with strong academic abilities can pursue a university degree or higher education in a third country. But there are very limited spots and options. According to UNHCR, only 1% of the global refugee population finds a path to higher education, compared to a third of young people worldwide. Renad Abdalkhaman, 18, had just finished high school and wanted to start studying medicine to become a surgeon. Then, the war broke out in Sudan. Lola Hierro Of course, Nosemba, Nyamiji, Renad and Omam would like a scholarship like the DAFI, since all four of them dream of going away to continue their education. The young aspiring surgeon would like to go to the UK or Turkey. Nosemba who would like to teach about new technologies thinks that North America could be a good option. Eman wants to get a postgraduate degree in Political Science, while Nyamiji is happy to go wherever she can find a job. For now, their dreams are farther away than ever before. These young people along with others like them feel that their future plans, their intellectual concerns and their efforts have all fallen on deaf ears. There are no guarantees that theyll leave the refugee camps any time soon, even though they want to shake off a situation and a label which they dont identify with at all. Theyre university students, not refugees. They dont understand how their lives have taken such a turn from one day to the next. Just thinking about this affects them deeply. If I start talking about how I feel, Ill probably start crying. Life here isnt good and, psychologically, Im not well, Nosemba acknowledges, with a broken voice. I just hope we can get out soon and continue with our lives, Renad adds. The more time you spend in a place like this, the more tired you feel. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Three pro-democracy activists were arrested in Hong Kong on Sunday as residents went to the polls in the first district council elections since Beijing introduced a rule allowing only patriots to run for office. Police arrested three members of the League of Social Democrats in Central, the main business district on Hong Kong Island, the group said. The activists were planning to protest against what has been dubbed a "birdcage election", given new rules allowing the authorities to vet all candidates that have effectively barred all pro-democratic politicians from running. As a result, many voters are turning their backs on the polls, with the final turnout closely watched as a barometer of public sentiment toward the new system. With only three hours of voting to go, turnout was just 22.66 per cent at 7.30pm down from 63.65 per cent at the same time in the previous elections held in 2019, at the height of anti-government protests. "Hong Kong peoples right to vote and to be elected seems to be absent," the League of Social Democrats said in a statement, adding that they had been followed since leaving home in the morning. Police said in a statement that they had arrested three people on suspicion of "attempting to incite others to carry out acts that disrupt district council election". It said the three were detained pending further investigations. A volunteer campaigns for the New Peoples Party during the District Council election in Hong Kong (Reuters) The last council elections came amid mass stree protests that represent the greatest challenge to Beijings grip on Hong Kong since the 1997 handover from Britain. Those polls drew a record 71 per cent turnout and handed a landslide victory to the pro-democratic camp. But Beijing responded to those results by overhauling the electoral system, effectively shutting out all pro-democracy candidates who fail screening based on how patriotic they are towards China. The new amendment passed in July slashed the proportion of directly elected seats from some 90 per cent to about 20 per cent a level even lower than when the bodies were first introduced in the 1980s under British rule. It also now required all candidates to undergo national security background checks and secure nominations from pro-government committees. At a polling station in the residential district of Wong Tai Sin on Sunday morning, about 30 people stood in line outside the centre waiting for the doors to open at 8.30 am. More than 10,000 police officers were deployed across the city to ensure the elections would be conducted in a safe and orderly manner. A woman walks past a stall with campaign posters of the District Council election candidates, in Hong Kong (Reuters) Housewife Ivy Sze, 37, said the overhaul did not shake her confidence in the electoral system. But she said she felt there were fewer voters in the morning than in previous elections. "There used to be a long queue outside," she said, holding a thank-you card from the government, part of what officials called a "heartwarming" gesture for those who voted. But university student Timothy Cheung, 21, decided not to vote following the rule changes, saying his peers also intended to abstain from the polls. "Its useless even if I vote. All candidates are leaning to one side," he said, referring to their pro-government backgrounds. "The broad political spectrum of voices that we saw four years ago has all gone," said Tang, a 27-year-old who said she would boycott the vote, asking to be identified only by her family name. Government officials have downplayed the significance of the turnout rate as a measure of the overhauls success. On Friday, the secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs Erick Tsang said not voting doesnt necessarily imply opposition to the elections, adding ones non-participation could be due to other reasons. Still, Hong Kong leader John Lee and his administration stepped up efforts to drum up participation in the run-up to the polls. The government held various promotional activities, including carnivals, an outdoor concert and free admission to some museums. "Its very hard to talk about democracy or democratisation anymore in todays Hong Kong," said Kenneth Chan, a political scientist at Hong Kongs Baptist University and a former pro-democracy lawmaker. "What theyre doing now is the installation of the so-called patriots-only governance structure." For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Chinese and Philippine coastguards engaged in a heated confrontation on Sunday following a collision between their vessels in the South China Sea. The Philippines claims that the Chinese coastguard assaulted three of their vessels with water cannon blasts and rammed one of them, causing serious engine damage, while Chinas coastguard accused the Filipinos of intentionally ramming their ship. The Philippines and its ally the United States condemned the latest confrontation near the Second Thomas Shoal, which is part of what is known internationally as the Spratly Islands. The latest row comes a day after the Chinese coast guard and accompanying ships trained water cannons at three Philippine fisheries vessels to prevent them from approaching Scarborough Shoal in the disputed waters off the north-western Philippines. Beijing and Manila have been repeatedly clashing around the uninhabited territory in the Philippines exclusive economic zone, where the Philippines deploys resupply missions for Filipino soldiers living aboard an ageing warship deliberately run aground in 1999 to protect Manilas maritime claims. Two Philippine navy-operated supply boats and two Philippine coastguard escort ships operate in the area to deliver food and other supplies to forces in the long-marooned ship serving as a territorial outpost. "We condemn, once again, Chinas latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous manoeuvres against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal that has put the lives of our people at risk," a Philippine government task force that deals with the territorial disputes said in a statement. In this image from video handout provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese Coast Guard ship, bottom, uses water cannon Philippine coast guard patrol ship, BRP Cabra, center, as it approaches Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea on Sunday 10 December 2023 (AP) "The systematic and consistent manner in which the Peoples Republic of China carries out these illegal and irresponsible actions puts into question and significant doubt the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue," it said. "We demand that China demonstrate that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community." Responding to the accusations, Chinas coastguard said that two Philippine vessels ignored repeated warnings and "illegally entered the waters adjacent to Renai Reef in the Nansha Islands without the approval of the Chinese government. In this handout photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Sindangan, left, tows Philippine navy-operated supply boat M/L Kalayaan after its engines were damaged due to water cannons from Chinese Coast Guard as it approached Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea on Sunday 10 December 2023 (AP) It said the Unaizah Mae 1 "made an unprofessional and dangerous sudden turn, intentionally ramming into China Coast Guard vessel 21556. "The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side," the coastguard said. Chinas ships, which have surrounded the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal for years, have repeatedly blocked the Philippine coastguard and supply boats in a years-long effort to take control of the hotly disputed atoll claimed by both nations. In this image taken from video provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese Coast Guard ship, right, uses a water cannon on a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel as it approaches Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on Saturday 9 December2023 (AP) Earlier on Saturday, the assault by China caused "significant damage" to the communication and navigation equipment of one of the three Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels, Philippine officials said. While Manilla condemned the "illegal and aggressive actions", Beijing defended the move calling them legitimate "control measures". The hostilities, which have grown increasingly heated this year, have stoked fears of an armed conflict that could involve the United States, which has vowed to defend the Philippines, its treaty ally, if Filipino forces come under an armed attack. Earlier on Sunday US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson stated solidarity with the Philippines. She said her country "stands with the Philippines and partners in vehemently condemning the PRCs repeated illegal and dangerous actions against Philippine vessels". "(Chinese) aggression undermines regional stability in defiance of a free and open Indo-Pacific," Ms Carlson added. Additional reporting by agencies Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A mother and her two-year-old son are among six people dead after tornadoes and severe thunderstorms tore through Tennessee on Saturday. Floridema Gabriel Perez, 31, and toddler son Anthony Elmer Mendez were killed when a mobile home rolled onto their house in the northern Nashville suburb of Madison, the Metro Nashville Police Department said. Joseph Dalton, 37, who was in the mobile home when it flipped, was also killed. Daltons 10-year-old son and Perezs 7-year-old son were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries, among 23 people who were injured in the storm, authorities said. Debris covers the area around homes destroyed in the West Creek Farms neighbourhood of Clarksville, Tennessee on Sunday (AP) Three other people were killed in the Clarksville area of Montgomery County, near the state border with Kentucky, after a tornado struck at around 2pm. The terrifying twisters damaged buildings, flipped vehicles and knocked out power to tens of thousands of residents. Footage posted to social media showed a huge fireball erupt south of the city of Goodlettsville as a tornado swept through the area. Six people are dead after tornadoes ripped through Tennessee on Saturday (Associated Press) Rescue teams were searching for survivors and surveying damage on Sunday morning, the Nashville Office of Emergency Management said on X. Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts declared a state of emergency in the city on Saturday night and imposed a curfew. This is devastating news and our hearts are broken for the families of those who lost loved ones, said in a statement. The city stands ready to help them in their time of grief. A resident examines the debris from a friends destroyed house in Clarksville, Tennessee (AP) Officials said it was vitally important that residents stay away from devastated areas to allow emergency crews and utility workers to go about their work unimpeded. Governor Bill Lee thanked first responders for their quick response in a statement posted to X on Saturday night. Maria and I are praying for all Tennesseans who have been impacted by the tornadoes that swept through the state this evening, he said. The National Weather Service said at least two large, dangerous tornadoes had touched down in Montgomery County and near the town of Rutherford in Gibson County. Two dozen more tornado reports were received across five states on Saturday, sparked by a sprawling weather system that brought storms to a large swathe of the eastern US, the NWS said. The adverse weather conditions were expected to last into Sunday. A semitrailer is overturned by an apparent tornado on West Main Street in Hendersonville, Tennessee (THE TENNESSEAN) Montgomery County mayor Wes Golden said: We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes. This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end. The storm came nearly two years to the day after 41 tornadoes were recorded through a handful of heartland states, including 16 in Tennessee and eight in Kentucky. A total of 81 people died in Kentucky alone. Photos posted by the Clarksville fire department on social media showed damaged houses with debris strewn across lawns, a tractor-trailer flipped on its side on a highway and insulation ripped out of building walls. More than 63,000 homes were without power across Tennessee and Alabama on Sunday morning, according to Poweroutage.us. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} When her husband fled China in 2019 to escape a police crackdown on dissidents, Lu Lina thought she and their young son could soon join him in safety abroad. She did not know that she would be forced to move house, that her 8-year-old son would be effectively kicked out of school and that border police would block her from leaving the country over the next three years. In the end, the couple had to resort to filing for divorce in China to get around the exit ban. After my husband left, police gave our lives so much trouble, Lu said from Los Angeles, where the family eventually reunited and settled late last year. Every time the border guards would stop me, take away my phone, my wallet and all my things. They gave no explanation. Lus husband, Liu Sifang, a musician and former teacher, was among a number of Chinese activists and rights lawyers who were either arrested, forced into hiding or self-exiled after attending an informal get-together in 2019 to discuss human rights. Rights groups say the punishment of Lius family highlights Beijings increasingly harsh crackdown on dissent both within China and beyond. As the groups mark the 75th anniversary of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Sunday, they fear that the situation in the worlds second most populous country is getting worse, not better. Western governments are failing to press China hard enough, the rights groups say, and a more powerful China under President Xi Jinping has become more impervious to international pressure. If you look at independent activism around the time that Xi came to power, relative to what you can see now, whats disturbingly clear is that Xis leadership sought to obliterate civil society and to silence dissent, not just inside the country but globally, to ensure that anybody who criticizes him and the regime has to think twice, said Sophie Richardson, a longtime China observer and former China director at Human Rights Watch. A new report by the Rome-based rights group Safeguard Defenders, published Sunday to mark International Human Rights Day, alleges that Chinas government has stepped up its use of collective punishment against the loved ones of human rights advocates in recent years. Under Xi Jinping, China is increasingly unwilling to allow political targets to leave the country, slapping them and their families with exit bans, and using transnational repression methods to control the ones who make it out, according to the report. The report, based on interviews with more than a dozen rights activists and compiled media reports, said it identified at least 50 such cases from 2015 to 2022, including the detention, home eviction, harassment or violent assault of activists family members. This year's International Human Rights Day marking 75 years since the United Nations adopted the global foundational document for protecting the rights of every individual everywhere comes just days after EU leaders visited China for a fresh round of talks. While the summit focused on trade and the Ukraine war, the EU said that the bloc also expressed its deep concerns about the rights situation in China. Both sides said they welcomed the resumption of their human rights dialogue earlier this year. Wang Lutong, head of European affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said Beijing was willing to continue the dialogue though he also warned that human rights should not be used as a stick to beat China. Last week, Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated China's longstanding defense against international criticism of its human rights record. Beijing opposes any attempt to force one's own values and model upon others, he told a symposium. We must reject any attempt to interfere in other countries internal affairs or contain their development under the pretext of human rights, he said. China has ... opened a new path for human rights development that adapts to the changing times and suits our national conditions. Richardson, the China rights expert, said the EU-China rights dialogue falls far short of accomplishing real outcomes for dissidents. It's what the political establishment prefers because it doesnt upset Beijing too much, she said. It's the deliverable that people can point at and say, we did that. In April, Chinese police detained Yu Wensheng, a human rights lawyer, and his wife Xu Yan as they were on their way to the European Union office in Beijing to meet with the EU ambassador. The couple is facing charges of subversion of state power and picking quarrels and stirring up troubles though they havent received any legal documents outlining the charges, according to Bao Longjun, a legal advocate familiar with the case. Such vague charges are commonly leveled against rights activists in China, and rights groups have noted an increase this year in cases like Yu's. He and his wife remain in detention. Other Chinese rights advocates, such as disbarred human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang, continue to face harassment from authorities even after they have been released from prison. Liu, the dissident who fled to the United States, described how tough it was being separated from his wife and son for three years. The couple has now remarried in the U.S. Those law-enforcement officials, they used such cruel methods to retaliate against me because I managed to get out, he said. They are showing people like us that this is what we can do to you and your family. ___ Wu reported from Bangkok. Ken Moritsugu in Beijing also contributed. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The top diplomats from South Korea, Japan and China are to gather in South Korea over the weekend to discuss resuming their leaders summit, Seouls Foreign Ministry said Friday. An annual trilateral meeting among the leaders of the three Northeast Asian nations hasnt been held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the often touchy ties among them. The three-way summit began in 2008. While the three nations are close economic and cultural partners with one another, their relationships have suffered on-and-off setbacks due to a mix of issues such as Japans wartime atrocities, the U.S.-China rivalry and North Koreas nuclear program. The foreign ministers of the three countries are to meet in the southeastern South Korean city of Busan on Sunday to prepare for their leaders summit and exchange views on ways to strengthen three-way cooperation and other regional and international issues, Seouls Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The three ministers are to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines as well. In September, senior officials of the three nations agreed to restart the trilateral summit at the earliest convenient time. South Korea and Japan are key United States allies in the region and they host about 80,000 American troops on their soils combined. Their recent push to bolster a trilateral Seoul-Tokyo-Washington security partnership triggered rebukes from Beijing, which is extremely sensitive to any moves it sees as trying to hold China back. When North Korea launched its first military spy satellite into space Tuesday night, Seoul, Tokyo and Washington spoke with one voice in strongly condemning the launch. They said the launch involved the Norths efforts improve its missile technology as well as establish a space-based surveillance system. But China, the Norths major ally, asked all concerned nations to keep calm and exercise restraints, echoing statements that it previously issued when North Korea inflamed tensions with major weapons tests. United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibit any satellite liftoffs by North Korea, viewing them as covers for testing its long-range missile technology. The North says it has a sovereign right to launch satellites. Ties between Seoul and Tokyo soured badly in recent years due to issues stemming from Japans 1910-1945 colonization of the Korean Peninsula. But bilateral relations have improved significantly recently as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pushes to move beyond history disputes and bolster cooperation to better deal with North Koreas nuclear threats and other issues. But in a reminder of their complicated relations, a Seoul court this week ordered Japan to financially compensative Koreans forced into sexual slavery for Japanese troops during the colonial period. Japan called the ruling absolutely unacceptable, arguing that it violated the international law and bilateral agreements. Japan and China have also long tussled over Japanese WWII atrocities and the East China Sea islands claimed by both. Recently, the two nations became embroiled in a trade dispute after China banned seafood imports from Japan in protest of its discharge of treated radioactive wastewater from its tsunami-hit nuclear power plant. ___ Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Nearly a million children in the UK are living without a bed and are having to share with family members or sleep on the floor, as years of austerity cuts and the cost of living crisis dramatically increase bed poverty figures. A recent report from child organisation Barnardos found an estimated 894,000 children, or 11 per cent, are without a proper bed, impacting their education and mental wellbeing. One Leeds-based charity is hoping to end bed poverty for good, withThe Independent supporting its Christmas appeal to provide 500 beds for the most vulnerable children in society. Founded in 2017, Zarach was created after deputy headteacher Bex Wilson noticed an 11-year-old boy was struggling to pay attention in class. It later emerged that he and his two siblings shared a bed bug infested sofa cushion to sleep on, with little help or services available to provide him with a bed. Since then, the charity has delivered 7,019 beds to children in need and have partnered with over 500 primary and secondary schools who provide them with family referrals. Duvets, toys and toiletries supplies by Zarach (Zarach) Over the last 12 months, the charity has witnessed a sharp rise in demand as they expand across Bradford, Huddersfield and Liverpool, delivering almost 3,500 beds with the help of 100 volunteers. Speaking to The Independent, CEO Andy Peers said: Our mission is to end child bed poverty in England but theres a reason we want to end child bed poverty; its to give children the opportunity to engage at school. Everybody recognises that education is a really clear way to break that future cycle of poverty. In polling collected by YouGov, 20 per cent of children without a bed felt tired at school and 13 per cent struggled during physical activities, while one in 12 parents said their children were tired all the time due to not having their own bed to sleep in. The Barnardos research this autumn surveyed 1,049 parents and 1,013 children aged between eight and 17. It also found that over 187,000 families had not been able to change their childrens bedding in the last 12 months due to cost of washing and drying, while 336,000 families have been unable to afford to replace or repair broken beds. (Zarach) As well as delivering beds, Zarach also supports families by providing pyjamas, duvets, pillows and toiletries and chocolate treats. This comes as recent statistics show that 29 per cent, or more than one in four children live in relative poverty, with an increase of 350,000 occurring between 2021 and 2022. In order to identify families struggling behind closed doors with a lack of available bedding, the charity has formed close relationships with schools and teachers across the north-west of England. Once receiving a referral from a school, family liaison workers at Zarach will conduct a phone call with the parents before organising a visit to take measurements for a bed to be delivered to the property. We look at areas where unfortunately child poverty levels are above 30 per cent, Mr Peers said. We think we can have a good impact if we can work in areas with a sizable population. The warehouse is filled with bedding, duvets, toiletries and pyjamas for disadvantaged children (Zarach) We look at child poverty levels and then child population levels and because of the work other amazing organisations have done, we can then make an estimation on how many children we think might be in bed poverty. The largest family the charity has supported had 10 children, while they have learned to adapt to overcrowding in social housing by using bunk beds and split bases. Once a family has received their bed, Zarach maintains contact with the schools to receive progress reports, with 76 per cent of children performing better as a result of intervention. The first part is getting frontline professionals to understand what the signs of bed poverty are, Mr Peers said. If youve got a child who is struggling to engage or is acting slightly out of control, before you think about whether its ADHD, take some time to ask how they slept last night. Start there because a wider conversation will open up. Due to the support of local sponsors, each of Zarachs bed bundles costs 180, which also includes a 30 supermarket voucher for a family Christmas meal. That vision for the next three years is doing 1,000 a week across areas of greatest need but also wanting to provide a wrap around support. A bed alone doesnt end bed poverty, Mr Peers said. The charitys CEO said their mission is to expand across the UK and eradicate bed poverty (Zarach) Were very clear, were on a mission to end this. Were a charity that doesnt want to be here in years to come. Geordie Greig, Editor-in-Chief of The Independent, said: The Independent is proud to support Zarachs campaign. Its shocking that so many children do not have a bed to call their own, and its important to come together to help put that right." Lynn Perry MBE, Barnardos Chief Executive said: Bed poverty is just one aspect of child poverty, yet it starkly illustrates the challenges faced by families not having enough money to afford the essentials needed to raise happy and healthy children. Families in crisis are having to prioritise essentials such as food, heating and electricity over things like replacing mouldy bedding or fixing a rotten or broken bed. Children are sharing beds and sleeping on the floor, all of which is affecting their development, attendance at school and their mental health. We are pleased The Independent is highlighting this issue and helping to address it in the run up to Christmas, sadly a difficult time for many. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters have marched through London once again to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after the UK abstained in a United Nations vote demanding an immediate halt to the fighting. Thirteen of the 15-member UN security council voted in favour of calling for a ceasefire on Friday but the United States vetoed the resolution and Britain abstained, arguing that the wording failed to condemn Hamass brutal massacre of Israelis on 7 October. As the vote took place, Israeli airstrikes continued to wreak destruction in Gaza, with house-to-house fighting reported on Saturday in the southern city of Khan Younis, which is now housing thousands of Palestinians who were told by Israel to flee northern Gaza just weeks ago. Thousands of protesters and counter-protesters have converged on Londons streets since the war began nine weeks ago (PA) UN secretary general Antonio Guterres had warned that Gaza is at a breaking point, facing widespread starvation and the risk of mass displacement into Egypt. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas accused Washington of being complicit in alleged war crimes and the bloodshed of children. Anger over Britains failure to back the resolution proposed by the United Arab Emirates was evident in London on Saturday, as huge crowds turned out to voice their alarm over the ongoing bloodshed. Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said protesters were once again ready to march in our hundreds of thousands to call for a ceasefire, as well as an end to Israels oppression of the Palestinian people and the complicity of our government and companies in supporting that oppression. The march through the capital began at Bank Junction at midday and will finish in Parliament Square later this afternoon, following a route that takes it past St Pauls Cathedral and Somerset House. Protesters on Embankment during the pro-Palestine march (James Manning/PA Wire) Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters wave flags and carry placards during the National March for Palestine (HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images) People on the march held signs with the words Free Palestine and End the siege, while some repeated familiar chants labelling Israel a terrorist state and the slogan From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. An exclusion zone is in place prohibiting any protesters from assembling around the Israeli embassy. Protesters have been warned that they must stick to the agreed route, under Section 12 of the Public Order Act. Further conditions are in place that mean speeches must end by 4pm and the assembly at the end of the protest must end by 5pm, the Metropolitan Police said. The march came a day after the UK abstained on a key UN vote (HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images) Scotland Yard said a man had been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. As the march formed up, officers identified a man with a placard making comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany, the force said. Hundreds of thousands of protesters and counter-protesters have converged on the British capitals streets since the war ignited nine weeks ago, sparked by Hamass cross-border incursion into Israel which saw the militants massacre civilians and take some 240 people hostage. Britains UN ambassador, Dame Barbara Woodward, said on Friday that the UK backs further and longer pauses to get aid to Palestinians and to allow the release of more Israeli hostages. But she argued to the council that we cannot vote in favour of a resolution which does not condemn the atrocities Hamas committed against innocent Israeli civilians, adding: Calling for a ceasefire ignores the fact that Hamas has committed acts of terror and is still holding civilians hostage. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rishi Sunak mounted a fierce defence of his controversial Eat Out to Help Out scheme and said it was unfair to call the Treasury a pro-death squad during the pandemic. The prime minister used an eight-hour evidence session to brush off accusations that he launched the controversial scheme without proper scientific advice. He praised the incredibly hardworking people working in the Treasury while he was chancellor, hitting back at Boris Johnsons suggestion they were happy to oversee an increase in deaths in order to lift lockdown restrictions. The now-PM also said he consistently warned his predecessor Mr Johnson about the wider impacts of lockdown, blaming the economic scarring it left for the nations parlous finances today. Mr Sunak opened his evidence hearing with an apology to families bereaved during the pandemic. He proceeded to make the extraordinary claim that he had not been able to hand over his WhatsApp messages from the pandemic because he had changed phones multiple times and the messages did not come across. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (PA) But despite coming under intense pressure from inquiry lead counsel Hugo Keith KC, Mr Sunak came off largely unscathed from the hearing. He also pointedly refused to criticise his former boss. As the PMs flagship Rwanda policy was under intense scrutiny, the Covid inquiry heard: Mr Sunak denied having called parents who cannot afford food for their children freeloaders The former chancellor said it was unfair to describe the Treasury during the pandemic as the pro-death squad He fiercely defended the controversial Eat Out to Help Out policy, insisting it was the right thing to do Mr Sunak blamed economic scarring from lockdown for the historically high tax burden facing households today And former PM Mr Johnson became agitated that he did not have a plan for easing lockdown, believing the sooner we get [the economy] open the better Mr Sunak said on Monday morning he was deeply sorry to all of those who lost loved ones. Its important that we learn the lessons so that we can be better prepared in the future, Mr Sunak said. He promised to give evidence in the spirit of constructive candour. After Mr Sunak was asked about his WhatsApp messages, a disappointed Mr Keith pressed the PM on whether he was warned by officials that he would need to keep access to the messages for use in a future inquiry. But the PM insisted he is not a prolific user of WhatsApp and anything of significance. The PM went on to say it was unfair to describe the Treasury under his leadership during the pandemic as a "pro-death squad". The former chancellor was asked by Mr Keith whether he was aware of the description which Sir Patrick Vallance recalled Mr Johnson used to refer to the department being opposed to the strongest public health interventions. Jean Adamson, who lost her father Aldrick Adamson to Covid, outside the Covid inquiry (Reuters) The prime minister said: I wasnt and I do not think it is a fair characterisation on the incredibly hardworking people that I was lucky to be supported by at the Treasury. He was quizzed by Mr Keith on the litany of claims heard by the inquiry so far that Mr Johnson himself presided over a toxic and chaotic working environment in No 10. Despite tensions between the pair, Mr Sunak declined to criticise his predecessor and said he was not aware of the concerns people had raised. Mr Keith said: The administration was described privately as brutal and useless, or criminally incompetent or operationally chaotic? Was any of that known to you? I dont think any of those comments were shared with me at the time, Mr Sunak said. In a revealing slip of the tongue, Mr Sunak accepted at one point that the tax burden on households was historically high, before quickly correcting himself to say taxes are higher than I would like. The PM blamed economic scarring on the countrys borrowing during the pandemic. Celia Macey lost her husband Neil Macey in August 2021 to Covid (Reuters) Mr Sunak said: The impact of having to pay it back only comes well after the fact when everyone can forget why it was necessary. And now everyone is grappling with the consequences, I am grappling with the consequences of that, as we have a historically high tax burden that is higher than I would like. That is a direct consequence of the support that was provided during the pandemic. Mr Keith told him off for using the inquiry to excuse his governments tax rises, adding: Please do not go on to the issue of tax burdens. Mr Sunak went on to claim he had consistently warned Mr Johnson about the wider impacts of lockdowns. The prime minister said he wanted Mr Johnson to consider the totality of the effects of lockdown. Mr Sunak said: One of the consistent arguments I made from the beginning was making sure we collectively and the prime minister considered the totality of the impacts of the decisions that we were making. The inquiry was then shown an email from Elizabeth Perelman, Mr Sunaks then-principal private secretary, which revealed that in April the former PM was agitated about not having a plan to lift lockdown and said the sooner we get this open the better. It showed that Mr Johnson thought Britain had overdone lockdown, highlighting that other countries had not closed their construction sectors, for example. Asked about Eat Out to Help Out, for which he has drawn criticism after Sir Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance were not asked about the scheme before it was announced, he said it was safe and the right thing to do to protect jobs. Mr Sunaks evidence concludes a slew of bumper appearances from the top scientific advisers and ministers in charge during the pandemic. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Britain is set to face another four days of miserable weather this week in the aftermath of Storm Fergus and Storm Elin sweeping across the country. On Saturday, Storm Elin brought wind speeds of up to 81mph and 38mm of rain to parts of the UK. Fresh weather warnings have been issued until Wednesday as Britain braces for the aftermath of Storm Fergus arrival on Sunday afternoon. The storm named by the Irish meteorological service, Met Eireann could produce 30 to 40mm of rain, along with a risk of hail and thunder, the Met Office said. Several warnings for rain have been issued, predominantly focused on northwest England and southwest Scotland, as well as parts of northern and eastern Scotland. Weather warnings are in place across north west England and Scotland on Sunday (Met Office) The Met Office has warned that disruption to travel and flooding of homes is likely, as yellow weather warnings are set to remain in place until 3am on Wednesday. Storm Fergus will conclude what has been an unsettled weekend of weather for the UK. Fergus will bring some strong winds and heavy rain for a time late on Sunday and into the early hours of Monday morning, Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said. He added: While the strongest gusts are expected in the Republic of Ireland, Storm Fergus will bring some windy conditions to western areas, including Irish Sea coasts, while also bringing some potentially impactful rain. The rain has potential to be disruptive in parts of northern England and parts of Scotland, especially where its falling on very saturated ground. River levels rose dramatically on Sunday following heavy rain in Worcester. (PA) Some 40 flood warnings for England have been issued by the Environment Agency and three by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. The strongest winds are likely to hit south Wales and areas around the Bristol Channel, with a possibility of localised gales. The bad weather could cause delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport and coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities may be affected by spray and large waves, the forecaster said. Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said: There will be some further spells of heavy rain, particularly in Wales and the north of England. In these areas the ground is already very saturated which makes flooding possible. Storm Fergus will weaken as it moves to the east in the early hours of Monday morning, but the unsettled weather will likely continue from Tuesday. Swans were able to swim along the pavement after the river Severn flooded in Worcester (PA) Ireland has been hit the worst by the two storms. Homes and cars in Leitrim Village in Ireland were seriously damaged after a possible tornado hit the area. Emergency services were called on Sunday afternoon after high winds flattened trees, ripped a roof off a building and left debris scattered on a street. Met Eireann meteorologist Liz Walsh said reports of a tornado in the area were possibly correct or certainly some very high winds associated with the thunderstorm. She said the forecaster was relying on social media reports and videos to say for certain if it was a tornado. Israeli warplanes struck parts of the Gaza Strip in relentless bombardment Saturday, hitting some of the dwindling bits of land that Israel had described as safe zones when telling Palestinians in the south to evacuate. Frustration was growing with the United States after it vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire, despite wide support, and approved the emergency sale of tank ammunition worth more than $100 million to Israel. Gaza residents are being told to move like human pinballs ricocheting between ever-smaller slivers of the south, without any of the basics for survival, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the council before the vote. Gazas borders with Israel and Egypt are effectively sealed, leaving 2.3 million Palestinians with no option other than to seek refuge within the territory 25 miles (40 kilometers) long by about 7 miles (11 kilometers) wide. A day after Israel confirmed it was rounding up Palestinian men for interrogation, some told The Associated Press they had been badly treated. Osama Oula, one of a group of 10 boys and men dropped off at a hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah after being freed, said Israeli forces bound him and others with zip ties, beat them for several days and gave them little water to drink. Some were not allowed out to use the toilet. Once freed, barefoot and in their underwear, they were told to walk south, he said. Another man, Ahmad Nimr Salman, showed his marked and swollen hands from the zip ties. He said his 17-year-old son, Amjad, was still held. They used to ask us, Are you with Hamas? We say no, then they would slap us or kick us, he said. The Israeli military had no immediate comment when asked about the alleged abuse. With the war now in its third month, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 17,700, the majority women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Two hospitals in central and southern Gaza received the bodies of 133 people from Israeli bombings over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry said midday Saturday. Israel holds the Hamas militants responsible for civilian casualties, accusing them of using civilians as human shields, and says it has made considerable efforts with evacuation orders to get civilians out of harms way. It says 97 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive after Hamas deadly Oct. 7 raid in Israel that killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. About 240 hostages were taken. Hamas said Saturday that it continued its rocket fire into Israel. In Gaza, residents reported airstrikes and shelling, including in the southern city of Rafah near the Egyptian border one area the Israeli army had told civilians to go. In a colorful classroom there, knee-high childrens tables were strewn with rubble. We now live in the Gaza Strip and are governed by the American law of the jungle. America has killed human rights, said Rafah resident Abu Yasser al-Khatib. In northern Gaza, Israel has been trying to secure the militarys hold, despite heavy resistance from Hamas. The military said it found weapons inside a school in Shujaiyah, a densely populated neighborhood of Gaza City, and in a separate incident, militants shot at troops from a U.N.-run school in the northern town of Beit Hanoun. More than 2,500 Palestinians have been killed since the Dec. 1 collapse of a weeklong truce, about two-thirds of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The truce saw hostages and Palestinian prisoners released, but more than 130 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza. On Saturday, a kibbutz that came under attack on Oct. 7 said 25-year-old hostage Sahar Baruch had died in captivity. His captors said Baruch was killed during a failed rescue mission by Israeli forces Friday. The Israeli military only confirmed that two soldiers were seriously wounded in an attempted rescue and no hostages were freed. With no new cease-fire in sight and humanitarian aid reaching few parts of Gaza, residents reported severe food shortages. Nine of 10 people in northern Gaza reported spending at least one full day and night without food, according to a World Food Program assessment during the truce. Two of three people in the south said the same. The WFP called the situation alarming. I am very hungry, said Mustafa al-Najjar, sheltering in a U.N.-run school in the devastated Jabaliya refugee camp in the north. We are living on canned food and biscuits and this is not sufficient. While adults can cope, its extremely difficult and painful when you see your young son or daughter crying because they are hungry, he said. On Saturday, 100 trucks carrying unspecified aid entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, said Wael Abu Omar, a spokesman for the Palestinian Crossings Authority. That is still well below the daily average before the war. Despite growing international pressure, President Joe Bidens administration remains opposed to an open-ended cease-fire, arguing it would enable Hamas to continue posing a threat to Israel. The administration has approved the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million, the State Department said Saturday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale of the munitions in the U.S. national security interest, meaning the purchase will bypass the congressional review requirement. Such determinations are rare but not unprecedented. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has argued that a cease-fire is handing a prize to Hamas. Blinken continued to speak with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and elsewhere amid open criticism of the U.S. stance. From now on, humanity wont think the U.S.A. supports the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech on Saturday. Protesters at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai called for a cease-fire, despite restrictions on demonstrations. In southern Gaza, thousands were on the run after what residents called a night of heavy gunfire and shelling. Israel has designated a narrow patch of barren southern coastline, Muwasi, as a safe zone. But Palestinians described desperately overcrowded conditions with scant shelter and no toilets. I am sleeping on the sand. Its freezing, said Soad Qarmoot, who described herself as a cancer patient forced to leave her home in the northern town of Beit Lahiya. Now her children huddle around a fire. Imad al-Talateeny, who fled Gaza City, said Muwasi cant accommodate the growing number of displaced families. I lack everything to feel (like) a human, he said. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} New research has suggested that more than half of the British public want a closer relationship with the EU, in a post-Brexit shift of opinion. A poll conducted by British Future found that 52 per cent would like the UK to have a closer relationship with the European Union. In comparison, just 12 per cent said they would prefer a more distant relationship and 27 per cent said they would keep the status quo. Pollsters say the research was based on a nationally representative survey as well as a series of discussion groups with people in London, Peterborough and Stockport. It found that almost half of Britain thinks the UKs relationship with the EU is more important for peace, stability and prosperity than our relationship with the US or with Commonwealth nations. Britons felt most strongly about closer EU collaboration on issues such as counterterrorism, trade, and science/research cooperation. Six in 10 also supported closer collaboration on migration for work and study. The report found almost half of Britain thinks the UKs relationship with the EU is more important for peace, stability and prosperity than our relationship with the US or the Commonwealth (PA) The director of British Future, Sunder Katwala, said the findings of the report could encourage a new government to try to expand Britains relationship with the EU. These findings show why there was little fuss over Rishi Sunak increasing cooperation with the EU on the Windsor Framework and the Horizon scheme for science. A new government could try to go further, he said. Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have talked about resetting the relationship with the EU. The public will give them space and permission for increasing pragmatic cooperation though it remains unclear how much appetite there is for this in Brussels. However, Mr Katwala added that these developments could bring into focus the challenges that come with reopening the Brexit debate. Labour and Conservative supporters were found to have polarised views on the subject, with 61 per cent of Conservative voters saying it was right to leave while 69 per cent of Labour supporters think it was the wrong decision. However, a majority of each group said they would welcome a less heated debate on the UKs relationship with the EU. Heather Rolfe, research director for British Future and co-author of the report, said that although there is clear support for a closer relationship with our neighbours in the EU, interest in rekindling the arguments about Brexit is low. There is clearly pragmatic support among the public in Britain for closer cooperation with our neighbours in the EU, she said. But people here do not feel European, and shared interests in tackling terrorism or climate change, for example resonate much more with people than the idea of shared values. A new government would have political space to open up new conversations with Europe about closer collaboration on a wide range of issues. But that needs to be done gradually and with a focus on practical cooperation. Few people are interested right now in reigniting the polarising arguments of the Brexit debate. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Keir Starmer will warn that Rishi Sunaks Conservatives can no longer govern the county because warring camps are lost fighting like rats in a sack. The Labour leader will launch a new appeal to voters this week by promising he wont let the Tories take the country down with them. Sir Keir will use a speech on Tuesday to vow that a united Labour has fundamentally changed and is now ready to rule Britain. His bid to draw a clear dividing line with the Tories comes as Mr Sunak faces a brewing rebellion from his own MPs on his thwarted Rwanda deportation plan. Tories on the right are awaiting the verdict of a star chamber of lawyers before deciding whether to oppose the prime ministers emergency legislation because it does not seek to override the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). But more moderate Tories are weighing up whether they can support the bill and how they might try to amend it amid concerns about the attempt to compel courts to find Rwanda is a safe country to be sent asylum seekers. In a speech on the same day as the scheduled vote, Sir Keir is expected to say: While theyre all swanning around self-importantly, in their factions and their star chambers, fighting like rats in a sack, theres a country out here that isnt being governed. Keir Starmer will make a big speech on Tuesday, on the fourth anniversary of Labours thumping 2019 election defeat (AFP via Getty Images) The Labour leader will argue that the Tory psychodrama is not limited to Rwanda, but is a wider cultural stain running through the modern Conservative Party. It is time to come together, to turn the page on this miserable chapter of decline, and walk towards a decade of national renewal, he is set to say. I have dragged this Labour Party back to service, and I will do the same to British politics. I wont let the Tories drag our country down with them. We cannot and will not let them kick the hope out of our future. The speech is being arranged to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the general election in which Boris Johnsons party crushed Labour under Jeremy Corbyns leadership. But Sir Keir says his party is now ready to serve after a resurgence in which they are riding around 20 per cent points ahead of the Tories in the polls. It comes as he attempted to calm the storm of criticism over his apparent praise for Margaret Thatcher by telling an audience in Scotland that she did terrible things. The Labour leader faced backlash from the left for hailing Thatchers moves to boost Britains entrepreneurialism. But Sir Keir denied being a fan of her and said that he profoundly disagrees with some of her actions. Mr Sunak has continued to argue that Sir Keir has no plan on migration as the PM comes under pressure over the 290m policy that has been grounded by legal challenges. But Sir Keir will say that Labour is totally focused on credible solutions to the nations challenges as he argues he will always spend wisely. You know that this is a party that has fundamentally changed. Not just a paint job, but a total overhaul. A different Labour Party, driven by your values. By British values. The new Conservative party chairman Richard Holden accused Sir Keir of planning to try and block our plans to stop the boats and of lacking the principles needed to lead Britain. As usual Keir Starmer is saying what he thinks people want to hear yet again taking the easy way out, rather than putting forward his own credible plans, the MP said. Close Rishi Sunak wins Rwanda vote despite Tory rebellion Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rishi Sunak has been hit by a fresh headache on his flagship Rwanda bill, as senior Conservatives on the left said they would join right-wing rebels in pushing for changes ahead of an expected second vote in January. The embattled PM had believed he could count on Tory MPs in the moderate One Nation wing, as he fights to appease their rivals on the right who are demanding tougher deportation legislation. Justice Secretary Alex Chalk suggested the government would not cede to right-wingers by toughening up the bill, despite their threats to vote it down. But, as No 10 prepares for crunch talks with the right-wingers over Christmas, senior Tory moderates told The Independent they were considering how to amend the bill to soften it. Earlier, Sir Keir Starmer mocked Tory MPs who criticised Rishi Sunak in the press in PMQs. The Labour leader goaded the Tory benches, saying: Come on, come on. Who was it who said hes a really bad politician? Hands up. Meanwhile, Mark Drakeford announced he was standing down as Welsh Labour leader, triggering a contest to find his successor. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Conservative MPs have been warned not to use the deepening crisis over the Rwanda Bill to launch a mad and malicious attempt to replace Rishi Sunak as leader. Dubbed the pasta plotters, a small group of anti-Sunak MPs are said to have met at an Italian restaurant to plan an Advent calendar of s*** for the Tory leader this month over the deportation issue. Mr Sunaks authority was dealt a fresh blow as a group of right-wing Tories concluded that the bill is not fit for purpose with those in revolt telling The Independent they are prepared to vote against the prime minister in January. As Tory rebels on both sides of the row meet on Monday to discuss Tuesdays crucial first vote, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick piled the pressure on by accusing Mr Sunak of backing a weak bill which doesnt do the job. But Mr Sunaks allies said it would be bonkers for MPs to vote against the bill on Tuesday, and dismissed the idea of trying to force a new leadership contest as silly and self-defeating. These developments came as: Michael Gove said Mr Sunak was not contemplating an early election to get him out of the mess A source close to Kemi Badenoch denied she had discussed replacing the captain of the ship Suella Braverman suggested Mr Sunak was lying by claiming that the Rwanda deal could collapse Professor Sir John Curtice said the Tories could be left with just 130 seats in their worst ever election result Robert Jenrick denied he was interested in a leadership bid as he criticised the weak Rwanda Bill (PA Media) Sir Bill Cash, who is chairing a star chamber legal examination of the bill whose findings are eagerly awaited by the hardliners who make up the European Research Group (ERG) said the proposed legislation is not sufficiently watertight to get Rwanda flights off the ground. ERG chair Mark Francois said he had invited members of the New Conservatives group, run by Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates; the Common Sense Group run by Ms Bravermans ally John Hayes; the Conservative Growth Group, made up of Liz Truss allies, and the Northern Research Group of red-wall MPs to discuss next steps at lunchtime on Monday. Mr Jenrick, who quit his role as immigration minister this week, said he would not back the legislation in parliament suggesting that he may abstain on Tuesday. Absolutely everyone who comes across in a small boat will put in a legal claim, he told the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. The hardliner also insisted that one or two symbolic flights would not be sufficient to duck the red-hot fury of voters. But Mr Jenrick denied that he was interested in replacing Mr Sunak as Tory leader. Cabinet minister Mr Gove defended the Rwanda legislation as tough and robust but claimed on Sky News that the government would take seriously the views of Sir Bill and other rebels. Despite insisting that No 10 would listen, Mr Gove clashed with Mr Jenrick, rejecting the right-wingers suggestion that everyone crossing on a small boat could make a legal challenge. Thats not correct, he told the BBC. Mr Gove also insisted that Mr Sunaks government is not contemplating holding an early general election if the Rwanda Bill is voted down. The levelling up secretary said: No, were not contemplating that. Michael Gove says Rishi Sunak is not contemplating an early election (PA) Ms Braverman backed up Mr Jenricks assertion, however, stating: There will be individual claims brought by every person who is put on the first flight to Rwanda. She claimed that the bill still leaves the government open to injunctions issued by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. As it stands, Rule 39 [under which injunctions are issued] will block flights, Ms Braverman wrote in an op-ed for The Sunday Telegraph. Ms Braverman also attacked Mr Sunaks rather strange claim that a tougher bill would have caused the deal with Rwanda to collapse, saying: I have spoken to the Rwandan government a lot. It never once raised any kind of concerns like this. A group of unnamed Tory MPs have told The Mail on Sunday that they would like to get rid of Mr Sunak with some even keen to bring back Boris Johnson as leader. Dubbed the pasta plotters, a small group of anti-Sunak MPs and strategists were said to have met at an Italian restaurant to plan an Advent calendar of s*** for the PM over the Christmas period. Whatever you feel about him, one thing no one can question is [Mr Johnson]s effectiveness as a campaigner, one red-wall MP told the newspaper. But with the former PM now out of parliament, the so-called pasta plotters are said to be uncertain about who could replace Mr Sunak. Rishi Sunak is said to be facing plotters keen to pounce while he is weakened by the Rwanda issue (PA) Damian Green chair of the moderate One Nation wing of the party offered a warning to any right-wing rebels seeking to exploit the Rwanda issue as a way to get rid of Mr Sunak. Anyone who thinks that what the Conservative Party or the country needs is a change of prime minister is either mad or malicious or both, he told BBC host Laura Kuenssberg. Mr Green added: It is a very, very small number doing that [plotting to oust Mr Sunak]. The One Nation group which boasts around 100 MPs is set to meet to deliver its verdict at around 7pm on Monday. Its members remain seriously concerned about the idea that ministers will tell the courts they must find that Rwanda is safe. One senior Conservative MP on the right, who has been involved in the star chamber discussions, told The Independent that the critique of the bill, which is due to be set out on Monday afternoon, will be strong. Although No 10 is increasingly confident that Mr Sunak will survive Tuesdays vote, the right-winger said some rebels are prepared to vote against the bill in early in 2024. I think many see the wisdom in biding their time until the third reading. If its not remedied, then we shouldnt back a bill that doesnt do the business. They denied using the bill as a mechanism to plot against the PM insisting that the challenge was not about Mr Sunaks leadership. Suella Braverman suggested Sunak was lying about the Rwandan governments concerns over international law (Getty) Labour will whip its MPs to vote against the bill, meaning that a rebellion by just 29 Tories could deliver a humiliating defeat at any point. Senior Tory David Davis told The Independent that the rebels would be bonkers to vote against it, adding: The bill goes about as far as it can. But the former cabinet minister said he did not think 29 MPs would defy Mr Sunak when it came to the crunch at the third-reading stage. Mr Davis said a small number of MPs are on manoeuvres against Mr Sunak. Its silly. Its self-evident that some are using this issue [to undermine the PM]. I talk to people who have very little time for Rishi Sunak, but who still think itd be bonkers to replace him. Foreign secretary David Cameron is said to have been helping No 10 in the push to persuade Tory rebels to back the bill. The prime minister has been stung by criticism that he has been too slow and out of touch since the Supreme Court issued its verdict against the Rwanda plan weeks ago allowing others like Ms Braverman to make the weather. Hes a really bad politician, one cabinet minister told The Sunday Times. Some told the newspaper that business secretary Ms Badenoch viewed as a potential favourite in a future leadership contest has told colleagues: The ship is heading for the rocks. What are we going to do about the captain? But a source close to Ms Badenoch strongly denied the claim, saying it was not true. Polling guru Prof Curtice said the Tories would be lucky to win 200 seats and could be left with just 130 in their worst ever general election defeat. The elections expert warned that the divisions over Rwanda could make things even worse, adding that Tory MPs should realise they are potentially playing with fire. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rishi Sunaks Conservatives are facing their worst ever result at the general election and could be left with just 130 seats, according to Professor Sir John Curtice. The countrys top polling guru warned of the bleak situation faced by the Tories as they head into winter with the news dominated by infighting over the prime ministers Rwanda deportation plan. Prof Curtice said Mr Sunaks party would be lucky to win [many] more than 200 seats and could see an even worse result if its dire poll ratings continued. If these patterns were to be replicated in a general election, the outcome for the Conservatives could be bleak indeed maybe as few as 130 seats, the worst outcome in the partys history, he wrote for The Sunday Telegraph. The outcome would be even worse than the 165 seats the Tories were left with in 1997, when the party, then led by John Major, was thumped by Tony Blairs Labour which won a landslide 179-seat majority. With Labour enjoying a consistent polling lead of close to 20 points, Prof Curtice said voters appear to have stopped listening to the Tories on the big issues. He warned Mr Sunak that his recent anti-immigration push had not gone well. The elections expert said it looked like the Rwanda bill could divide the party just as [Theresa] Mays ill-fated Brexit deal did in 2019. Rishi Sunak is battling to persuade Tory MPs not to rebel on his Rwanda policy (PA Wire) On the major split currently looming in response to Mr Sunaks plans, Prof Curtice wrote: Divided parties rarely prosper at the polls. In pursuing their disagreements with Mr Sunak over immigration, Tory MPs should realise they are potentially playing with fire. He added: Even though the polls have repeatedly indicated that the governments Rwanda policy is relatively popular at least among those who voted Conservative in 2019 the first polls since this weeks developments suggest they also are unlikely to move the electoral dial. He continued: We should not be surprised. Although many 2019 Conservative voters are unhappy about the level of legal and illegal immigration, those who feel that immigration has gone up a lot are not especially likely to say they will not vote Conservative again. There is speculation at Westminster that Mr Sunak may be forced into a snap election in the early part of 2024 if he struggles to get his Rwanda bill through parliament. But cabinet minister Michael Gove insisted that Mr Sunaks government is not contemplating holding an early general election if the Rwanda bill is voted down. Asked if it was an option, the senior Sunak ally told Sky News: No, were not contemplating that. Some Tory MPs are said to have discussed trying to bring back Boris Johnson (Getty) A group of unnamed Tory MPs have told The Mail on Sunday that they would like to get rid of Mr Sunak with some even keen to bring back Boris Johnson as leader. Dubbed the pasta plotters, a small group of anti-Sunak MPs and strategists were said to have met at an Italian restaurant to plan an Advent calendar of s*** for the current Tory leader over the Rwanda issue this December. Whatever you feel about him, one thing no one can question is [Mr Johnson]s effectiveness as a campaigner, one red-wall MP told the newspaper. But with Mr Johnson out of parliament, the so-called pasta plotters are said to be uncertain who could realistically replace Mr Sunak. Damian Green chair of the One Nation wing offered a warning to any right-wing rebels pouncing on the Rwanda issue as a way to get rid of Mr Sunak. Anyone who thinks that what the Conservative Party or the country needs is a change of prime minister is either mad, or malicious, or both, he told the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. Mr Green added: It is a very, very small number doing that [plotting to oust Mr Sunak]. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Julia Stiles delivered a dose of nostalgia from the early aughts when she showed off her dance skills in a surprise cameo on Saturday Night Live this weekend. The actress, 42, joined Chloe Fineman on SNLs Weekend Update where she reprised her role as Sara from the 2001 movie Save the Last Dance with the pair breaking into the iconic finale choreography. The skit began with Fineman standing in front of the desk on Weekend Update, which was hosted by Colin Jost and Michael Che. She was wearing a Mrs Claus-type robe as she announced that she has the perfect sexy gift idea for the holidays but has to demonstrate it. Jost looks concerned at whats about to happen next while Che pulls out a bucket of popcorn. The perfect holiday gift this year is the dance that Julia Stiles does at the end of the 2001 movie Save the Last Dance, Fineman said. She then shed her Christmas attire to reveal a black leotard and pleather joggers, matching the final look from Stiles character in the film. Julia Stiles joined Chloe Fineman on SNLs Weekend Update where she reprised her role as Sara from the 2001 film Save the Last Dance ( Saturday Night Live/YouTube) Fineman then broke into a dance routine mimicking dance moves from the scene in the movie where Stiles character is auditioning for Julliard. Im sorry, you think this is a sexy dance to give your partner, Jost interrupts. What kind of dance style is this anyway? Fineman responded that the dance is called street ballet, which she further explained involves a series of hip hop hop moves. Basically, Julia Stiles character Sara is an uptight ballerina who auditions to get into Juilliard, but doesnt get in, she explained, as she continued dancing. And her mom on the same day dies in a car crash. When Jost asked for more clarification on where the street ballet comes in, Che interjected with, Colin, come on. Sara moves to the south side of Chicago and goes to a more urban high school where she learns hip-hop. Duh. Fineman explained that Sara got another chance to audition, but Jost still had questions, mainly, if Sara finally got into Juilliard. So does she get into Juilliard? Jost asked Fineman. At that moment, Stiles with her own slick bun and clad in an identical dance outfit, jumped onto the stage as she responded, Yes! Sara did get into Juilliard, she added, as the audience cheered. The pair performed the final dance routine of the Save the Last Dance film, complete with a fist bump at the end (Saturday Night Live/YouTube) How? Jost asked from the desk. Well, you didnt see the end of the dance, Stiles replied as Fineman shouted, Hit it! The pair then pulled out chairs and performed the final dance routine of the Save the Last Dance film, complete with a fist bump at the end. OK, so Colin, what did you think? Fineman asked Jost. Well I cant say this on the record yet ... but welcome to Juilliard! Jost said, as the audience broke in more cheers. In 2021, Stiles spoke to TODAYabout the 20th anniversary of the Save the Last Dance film. She revealed that her favorite part of the movie was the iconic audition dance. Adam Driver hosted Saturdays SNL episode for the fourth time and the musical guest was Olivia Rodrigo. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} At least six people were confirmed dead as tornadoes and thunderstorms ripped through Tennessee on Saturday. Three people, including two adults and a child, were killed in Clarksville as a result of a tornado that touched down at around 2pm on Saturday afternoon, a Montgomery County spokesperson said. Additionally, 23 people have been treated at the hospital. Three others died in Nashville, according to the towns emergency operations centre, which reported severe damage in the area along with downed power lines. The casualty figures are likely to change, warned state officials, who are continuing to search for survivors. Photos posted by the Clarksville fire department on social media showed damaged houses with debris strewn across lawns, a tractor-trailer flipped on its side on a highway and insulation ripped out of building walls. The National Weather Service has also issued multiple tornado warnings in Tennessee with reports of a further tornado in Kentucky. Over 52,000 electricity customers were without power in Tennessee on Saturday night, according to PowerOutage.us. This is a sad day for our community, Montgomery Countys mayor Wes Golden said. We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes. This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end. Clarksville mayor Joe Pitts said: "This is devastating news and our hearts are broken for the families of those who lost loved ones. "The city stands ready to help them in their time of grief." A car is buried under rubble on Main Street after a tornado hit Hendersonville, Tennessee, 9 December2023 (via REUTERS) Mr Pitt declared a state of emergency for Clarksville and imposed a 9pm curfew for Saturday and Sunday, keeping in mind the health, safety and welfare of the community. Government officials in Sumner County also reported significant damage after tornadoes ripped through Gallatin and Hendersonville northeast of Nashville. At this time, we are working to respond to multiple calls throughout the county and to establish Red Cross shelters in Gallatin and Hendersonville, said a joint statement from the communities mayors. It is of paramount importance that citizens stay off of the roads and allow first responders and utility crews to respond, it read. The countrys emergency medical services said they are not aware of any loss of life or life-threatening injuries at this time. Governor Bill Lee also took to social media, saying he and his wife Maria were praying for all Tennesseans who have been impacted by the tornadoes that swept through the state this evening. A storm front approaches downtown Nashville, Tenn., which spawned an apparent tornado north of the city, Saturday, 9 December2023 (AP) We mourn the lives lost & ask that everyone continue to follow guidance from local & state officials, he wrote on X. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} David Cameron has called for 350 billion dollars (278 billion) in frozen Russian bank accounts to be used to fund the Ukrainian war effort. The UK foreign secretary said there is a strong argument for seizing frozen Russian assets and using them to rebuild Ukraine, during a visit to the US. Instead of just freezing that money, lets take that money, spend it on rebuilding Ukraine and that is, if you like, a downpayment on reparations that Russia will one day have to pay for the illegal invasion that theyve undertaken, Mr Cameron said. Ive looked at all the arguments and so far, I havent seen anything that convinces me this is a bad idea. David Cameron was speaking at a visit to the US State Department this week (AP) Western governments have sanctioned scores of billionaires to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin and choke his financial support. Almost $350bn of Russian central bank reserves have been frozen by countries around the world, with 26 billion of that in the UK. On his visit, Mr Cameron also urged US policymakers to approve a new package of military aid for Ukraine after Congress blocked a $110bn (88 bn) package of wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel as well as other national security priorities. We should pass this money to the Ukrainians, he said. We should back them and make sure its Putin that loses because if that money doesnt get voted through, there are only two people that will be smiling: one of them is Vladimir Putin in Russia and the other one is Xi Jinping in Beijing, the former British prime minister said. In April 2022, the White House announced a proposal to seize the targeted tycoons assets andenable the proceeds to flow to Ukraine. In the 21 months since then, however, few of the sanctioned businessmen have criticized Putin and just $5.4m has gone to Kyiv. Because seizing assets to help Ukraine is complex, some experts suggest governments look at more creative methods. One idea would be to establish a policy under which Russian businessmen could effectively defect to the West, denounce the war, and make a sizable donation of their assets to Ukraine. In June, Britain announced a plan in which tycoons could donate frozen funds for Ukraines reconstruction. However, participation was low as the Foreign Office said it would not offer sanctions relief in return. Ukraine does not support sanctions relief of any kind on tycoons and would accept it only in circumstances where a very serious part of their assets are transferred for reconstruction, said a sanctions adviser in President Volodymyr Zelenskys office. When it comes to energy, all eyes are focused on one place: Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, where nearly 100,000 delegates are attending Cop28, the worlds biggest-ever climate conference. The biggest single question that the great and the good are grappling with is how to cut our use of polluting fossil fuels, which we all rely on but which threaten to create irreversible damage to our natural environment. But for all the hot air expended in conference halls and the air miles racked up getting to Dubai delegates might instead want to look 3,750 miles west of the Cop conference hall to Portugal. Ukrainian truck drivers wait to cross from Poland back into Ukraine in Korczowa, Poland, on Thursday Dec. 7, 2023. Pickup trucks and tourniquets bound for Ukraines battlefield are among items stuck in a mileslong line at the border with Poland. Components to build drones to fight off Russian forces are facing weeks of delays. Ukrainian charities and companies supplying the war-torn countrys military warn that problems are growing as Polish truck drivers show no sign of ending a border blockade that has stretched past a month. The Polish protesters argue that their livelihoods are at stake after the European Union relaxed some transport rules and Ukrainian truckers undercut their business. While drones will make it to the front line, theyre delayed by two to three weeks, said Oleksandr Zadorozhnyi, operational director of the KOLO foundation, which helps the Ukrainian army with battlefield tech, including drones and communications equipment. This means that the Russian army will have the ability to kill Ukrainian soldiers and terrorize civilians for several weeks longer, he said. Truck drivers in Poland have blocked access roads to border crossings since Nov. 6, creating lines that stretch for more than 30 kilometers (19 miles) and last up to three weeks in freezing temperatures. The protesters insist that theyre not stopping military transports or humanitarian aid into Ukraine. This is very puzzling to me, even hard to believe because everybody knows those who order, those who expedite and those who do the transport that aid for the military passes through without having to wait at all, said Waldemar Jaszczur, a protest organizer. The Polish truckers, meanwhile, say their Ukrainian counterparts are offering lower prices to haul everything from fish to luxury goods across the European Union since getting a temporary waiver on the 27-nation blocs transport rules after Russias invasion in 2022. Despite Poland and other nearby countries being some of Ukraines biggest supporters in the war, resentment has built from truckers and farmers who are losing business to lower-cost Ukrainian goods and services flowing into the worlds biggest trading bloc. It underscores the challenges of integrating Ukraine into the EU if approved. Now, the commercial clash is spilling over to the battlefield, the Ukrainian charities say. About 200 pickup trucks needed to transport ammunition and evacuate the wounded from the front line are blocked at the border because deliveries have practically stopped, said Ivan Poberzhniak, head of procurement and logistics for Come Back Alive, Ukraines largest charitable organization providing the military with equipment. The pickup trucks are easy targets for Russia, so its impossible to deliver enough of them even normally, he said. When drivers show documents to the Polish truckers saying the vehicles are for Ukraines military, it does not have a significant impact on the protesters, Poberzhniak said. We must understand that during wartime, supply is needed on a daily basis in all directions, he said. Come Back Alive says 3,000 tourniquets also are stuck at the border. Its been able to deliver drones, generators and batteries from what it has in stock, but that reserve is running out, Poberzhniak said. The group is exploring alternative supply routes, he says, but there are few options, and the militarys unfulfilled requests for equipment are building up. The protesting truckers assert that not all deliveries declared as military aid are really that. They are urging the EU to reinstate the limits on the number of Ukrainian trucks that can enter the bloc. Jaszczur, the organizer, said Ukrainian truckers have been doing unauthorized transport services across Europe. They are asking glaringly low prices 35% lower than what Polish truckers charge and are driving us out of the market, he said. The same thing is happening in other countries like Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania, he said. Some Slovak truckers staged a protest of their own in recent days at the Ukrainian border. Jaszczur says many Polish transport companies are going under because of the pressure from Ukrainian competition. While there is no quick resolution in sight, a change of leadership in Warsaw offers hope. The new government is expected to be in place in the next week and almost certainly will be led by the pro-EU centrist Donald Tusk. He has criticized the outgoing governments inaction, offering hope to businesses hurt by the blockade but also to the protesters. We will look for solutions that should satisfy Polish transporters, but we will not tolerate any events that threaten Polish security. Who inspired or initiated them? Tusk said Friday, stressing that Ukraine is a strategic point for Poland as it fights Russias invasion. Ukrainian truck driver Ivan Itchenko is one of those eagerly awaiting a resolution. He has been waiting in Poland for days with hundreds of others, trying to stay warm at a highway rest stop until he can bring his load of salmon and herring to Ukrainian supermarkets. I clean the truck, clear the snow. Polish customs officers come and ask for documents three times a day, Itchenko said Thursday. The 61-year-old hoped his turn to drive through the Korczowa-Krakovets crossing would come Saturday. I live in Chernihiv (region), near Russia. Every day there are attacks. Now I am stuck at the Polish border. What do they want? With temperatures falling, drivers are experiencing difficult conditions, choosing not to heat their trucks to save fuel and facing limited access to food and bathrooms, Ukrainian media say. Polish and Ukrainian officials are negotiating with help from the European Commission, the EUs executive branch, but the protest has only expanded. We do not see any light in the tunnel, we do not see any authorities, any government or the EU Commission really giving attention to this, said Dariusz Matulewicz, head of the truckers association in Szczecin, a city in western Poland. Polands outgoing government has nothing against supporting Ukraine but it must not allow the aid activity to be done at the expense of Polish firms, deputy minister for infrastructure, Rafal Weber, said Monday in Brussels. The EU has pressed Warsaw to find a way to end the blockade but stood by its deal with Kyiv. Its beneficial to the European market, to Ukraine and to Moldova, said Adina Valean, EU transport commissioner who also threatened sanctions against Poland. Ukrainian officials say the truckers protest adds more stress to their economy and only serves Russias interests. Ukrainian exports have dropped by 40% through the four blocked border crossings, and the state budget has lost some 9.3 billion hryvnias ($254 million) due to the shortfall in customs payments, said Danylo Hetmantsev, head of the finance and tax committee in Ukraines parliament. Undoubtedly, this is a powerful blow to our economy and our exports, Hetmantsev said Tuesday on state TV. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition It is a saga that sounds like a John le Carre spy thriller, but played out at the top end of Danish politics. The former defence secretary, Claus Hjort Frederiksen, is emotional as he recalls when his ordeal started. "I parked my car in front of my house, and as I turned off the engine, two police officers jumped out of their car, came up to me and informed me that I was being charged with a very serious crime that could lead to 12 years in prison". For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ukraine on Saturday condemned Russian plans to hold presidential elections inoccupied territory next year. Declaring such an election null and void, the Ukrainian foreign ministry threatened to prosecute any international observer sent to monitor the ballot. Russias upper house has set the date for the countrys next presidential for 17 March next year, though the result is already a foregone conclusion with there being little organised political opposition left in the country. President Vladimir Putin will run for president again, he announced on Friday at a stage-managed Kremlin awards ceremony where war veterans pleaded with him to seek re-election. I wont hide it from you I had various thoughts about it over time, but now, youre right, its necessary to make a decision, Mr Putin said in a video released by the Kremlin after the event. I will run for president of the Russian Federation. The 71-year-old autocrat has been in power since 1999, bar a four-year stint as prime minister under Dmitry Medvedev, during which he was widely regarded to still be at the helm of the Kremlin. The chair of Russia's upper house, Valentina Matviyenko, declared that residents in four occupied Ukrainian regions would be able to vote for the first time. We call on the international community to resolutely condemn Russias intention to hold presidential elections in the occupied Ukrainian territories, and to impose sanctionson those involved in their organisation and conduct, Ukraines foreign ministry responded. "Any election in Russia has nothing to do with democracy. They serve only as a tool to keep the Russian regime in power. Russia claims to have annexed the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions in the east and south of Ukraine in September last year. In reality it only controls parts of them. It illegally seized the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Mr Putin subsequently introduced martial law in those areas, and Russian lawmakers amended regulations to allow elections in territories where martial law was in place. Russian authorities held elections in the annexed regions in September for Moscow-installed legislatures; Ukraine and its Western allies denounced the votes as a sham. On Thursday, the head of Russias Central Election Commission, Ella Pamfilova, said that together with the Russian military, security forces and the Moscow-appointed governors in Ukraine, election authorities would decide by 12 December on the possibility of holding the presidential vote in the Ukrainian regions. After weighing in all pros and cons, we will be making this decision. If we decide (to hold the vote), then the next step would be to adopt a plan for holding elections there, Ms Pamfilova was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying. Of course, [while] it will be somewhat different from the balloting in Russian regions, the law allows for it. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Climate activists dyed Venices famous Grand Canal green in protest at what they claimed was a lack of progress at the Cop28 climate summit. Members of the Italian branch of Extinction Rebellion were pictured dangling from the Rialto Bridge with climbing ropes, with a banner that read: COP28: While the government talks, we are hanging by a thread. All boat traffic was halted during the protest, while other rivers and canals in Italian cities such as the Po in Turin and Romes Tiber were also turned green in similar demonstrations. Venices mayor called for the protesters to be punished, denouncing them as eco-vandals. The Grand Canal was dyed fluorescent green (Reuters) In a statement, Extinction Rebellion said: In a few hours, these waters will be back to what they were before. In the meantime, while governments talk, we count the damage and the victims from constant floods and fires. The visual effect was created by a dye that XR said is harmless and used in industry to trace items in water. Extinction Rebellion activists dangle from the Rialto Bridge alongside their banner (Reuters) The protest is the latest in a number of actions taken by climate activists in Italy this year. In May, seven members of the group Last Generation climbed into the Trevi Fountain in Rome and poured a vegetable-based charcoal dye into it, turning it black. Activists have also blocked the busiest motorway leading from the capital, and a number of other roads causing mayhem for motorists. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Gazan civilians make up a staggering 61 per cent of deaths from Israeli airstrikes, an Israeli study has found. The analysis, conducted by Yagil Levy, a sociology professor at the Open University of Israel and published by Israeli newspaper Haaretz, found that in the first three weeks of Operation Swords of Iron, the total death toll stood at 6,747 - 4,594 of whom were civilians. It marks a roughly 20 per cent increase in civilian deaths when compared to three other Israeli bombing campaigns that took place in 2012, 2021 and 2022. In all of those campaigns the civilian death toll stood at around 40 per cent. Israels Shield and Arrow campaign, which took place in May 2023, registered a slightly lower figure for civilian deaths, at 33 per cent. The analysis was released as heavy fighting raged throughout the Gaza Strip on Sunday. Those on the ground say Israeli forces are coming up against heavy armed resistance - even in the north of the strip, where troops have been conducting operations for over six weeks. Smoke rises from the Gaza Strip after Israeli strikes on Saturday (AP) In the Gaza City neighborhood of Shijaiyah, as well as the Jabaliya refugee camp, gun battles continued into Sunday, according to residents. The refugee camp is a dense urban area of housing, making operations particularly difficult for the invading force. In Khan Younis, southern Gaza, the Israel Defence Forces warned Gazans to evacuate the city centre on Saturday. Residents of the city said they heard constant gunfire and explosions through the night into Sunday, as airstrikes pounded the surrounding area. The continued Israeli operations came as IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi told a group of soldiers that Hamas was falling apart, saying that now was the moment to press harder. Israels operations pushed forward even as its close ally the United States was heavily criticized for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire on Friday night. The US and UK were the only countries not to back the resolution, with Britain abstaining. Following the vote, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed calls for a ceasefire, reportedly telling his cabinet that he had told the leaders of France, Germany and other countries: You cannot on the one hand support the elimination of Hamas and on other pressure us to end the war, which would prevent the elimination of Hamas. With the UN vote vetoed, the broad range of groups pushing for an end to hostilities faced a setback. Palestinians look at houses destroyed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip (AP) At an emergency board meeting of the World Health Organization on Sunday, director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the impact of the conflict on Gazas healthcare sector has been catastrophic. In Gaza, there is just one shower for every 750 people and one toilet for every 150, he said. As more and more people move to a smaller and smaller area, overcrowding, combined with the lack of adequate food, water, shelter and sanitation, are creating the ideal conditions for disease to spread, he said. WHO emergency sessions such as this are rare - and have previously occurred during global health crises including during the Covid-19 pandemic and during West Africas Ebola epidemic in 2015. Around the world, the effects of the Israel-Hamas conflict continued to play out. On Saturday, Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they would target any ship headed towards Israel. Later that evening, a French warship in the Red Sea shot down two drones that had approached it from Yemen, according to the French Defence Ministry. In Cyprus, two Iranians have been detained for questioning over the suspected planning of attacks on Israeli citizens living in the country, the Kathimerini Cyprus newspaper reported on Sunday. The two are thought to have been attempting to gather intelligence on possible Israeli targets, according to the newspaper. Elsewhere, the Egyptian elections began on Sunday, with incumbent President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi all but certain to win. Domestically, the elections have been largely eclipsed by the Israel-Hamas war, with Egyptians paying strong attention to the ongoing hostilities in Gaza. The elections take place as the head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees has accused Israel of laying the groundwork for the mass expulsion of Gazans across the territorys border into Egypt. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Half of Gazas population is now believed to be starving as Israels attack on the besieged strip continues to escalate, a senior UN official warned. Calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the UN World Food Programme, took to X saying: Theres not enough food. People are starving. WFP has reached over one million people, but the situation is untenable. We need to get our supplies in [and we need] a humanitarian ceasefire. Elaborating on the crisis unfolding on the streets of northern Gaza, he told reporters that nine out of 10 are not eating every day. Two in three people in the south were reporting the same, he said. The WFP called the situation "alarming." "I am very hungry," said Mustafa al-Najjar, sheltering in a UN-run school in the devastated Jabaliya refugee camp in the north. "We are living on canned food and biscuits and this is not sufficient." While adults can cope, "its extremely difficult and painful when you see your young son or daughter crying because they are hungry," he said. Israelis who had been taken hostage also saw the food situation deteriorate rapidly during the course of their kidnapping ordeals, the recently freed Adina Moshe told a rally of thousands of people in Tel Aviv seeking the rapid return of all remaining hostages. We ended up eating only rice, said Moshe, who was held for 49 days. On Saturday, 100 trucks carrying unspecified aid entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, said Wael Abu Omar, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Crossings Authority. Despite growing international pressure, president Joe Bidens administration remains opposed to an open-ended ceasefire, arguing it would enable Hamas to continue posing a threat to Israel. A US veto derailed UN Security Council efforts to demand an immediate ceasefire on Friday. Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant argued that "a ceasefire is handing a prize to Hamas, as the IDF pushed ahead with its punishing air and ground offensive, which has expanded into southern Gaza. The Israeli army said in a statement early on Sunday that five of its soldiers have died in the Gaza War. Four soldiers were killed in the battle in Southern Gaza, while the fifth succumbed to his wounds after fighting on 7 October, according to the Israeli army statement posted on X. A day after Israel confirmed it was rounding up Palestinian men for interrogation, some men released on Saturday told the Associated Press they had been treated badly, providing the first accounts of the conditions from the detentions. Osama Oula said Israeli troops had pulled men out of a building in the Shujaiyah area of Gaza City, ordering them to the street in their underwear. Mr Oula said Israeli forces bound him and others with zip ties, beat them for several days and gave them little water to drink. Ahmad Nimr Salman showed his hands, marked and swollen from the zip ties, and said older men with diabetes or high blood pressure were ignored when they asked soldiers to remove their ties. He said the troops asked, Are you with Hamas? We say no, then they would slap us or kick us." He said his 17-year-old son Amjad is still held by the troops. The Israeli military had no immediate comment when asked about the alleged abuse. With the war in its third month, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 17,700, the majority women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Two hospitals in central and southern Gaza received the bodies of 133 people from Israeli bombings over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said on Saturday. Israel holds the Hamas militants responsible for civilian casualties, accusing them of using civilians as human shields, and says it has made considerable efforts with evacuation orders to get civilians out of harms way. It says 97 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive after Hamas raided southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 240 hostages. More than 2,500 Palestinians have been killed since the 1 December collapse of a weeklong truce, about two-thirds of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The truce saw hostages and Palestinian prisoners released, but Israel says 137 hostages remain in Gaza. Additional reporting by agencies Heavy fighting has raged in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis as Israel pressed ahead with its offensive after the US blocked the latest international efforts to halt fighting and sent more munitions to its ally. Israel has faced rising international outrage and calls for a ceasefire after the killing of thousands of civilians and the displacement of nearly 85 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million population. But the US has pledged support for Israels goal of crushing Hamas to prevent any repeat of the 7 October attack. Rishi Sunak and Mark Rutte were locked outside of 10 Downing Street on Thursday, 7 December. The UK prime minister and his outgoing Dutch counterpart were meeting in London for policy discussions. Footage outside Number 10 shows Mr Rutte arriving to greet Mr Sunak. The pair pose for photographs as they shake hands, before Mr Sunak turns to open the door - and finds they are locked out. They continue to chat as Mr Sunak attempts to push the door, before someone already inside eventually lets them in. The governments new Rwanda legislation only leaves narrow scope for an appeal against deportation, Michael Gove has said. Speaking to the BBC on Sunday 10 December, the cabinet minister defended Rishi Sunaks tough and robust bill. Mr Gove said he is confident of Conservative support for the legally sound plans and insisted ministers are not contemplating a general election if they lose Tuesdays vote. Robert Jenrick, however, who resigned as immigration minister over the policy, confirmed he will not support the weak bill that will not work. Government move is designed to act as a precaution against developers going bust Builders have hit out at the cost of performance bonds that developers must to pay on large government projects, claiming they are raising costs for taxpayers. The Construction Industry Federation (CIF), the sectors major interest group, said it is time for the government to cut the performance bond which must be paid by builders on public private partnerships (PPPs). The payment was increased from 8pc to 10pc after the 2018 collapse of UK builder Carillion delayed the building of several schools in Ireland. The higher rate has applied since 2019. PPPs are large-scale building projects where State agencies partner with private companies. The bond is paid upfront as a way for departments to recoup money if a builder does not deliver on a project. One of the principal risks that a performance bond is intended to respond to in a construction context is contractor insolvency, the department said in a statement. Increasing the level of a performance bond [provides] additional security against contractor insolvency events. The 10pc performance bond requirement applies to PPP projects procured by the NDFA (National Development Finance Agency) on behalf of all government departments. The Government decided to change the requirements after a review on the collapse of UK construction firm Carillion in 2018, which delayed the building of several schools in Ireland. The report, published two weeks ago, said Carillion was one of the firms which was working on a Department of Education contract to build an institute of further education and five schools across Carlow, Wicklow, Wexford and Meath. The security comprised an 8pc performance bond. This equated to approximately 7.3m, it said. Following Carillions liquidation, [the project company] was successful in securing 7.1m of the performance bond, with the proceeds used to help complete the project. While a positive outcome, on reflection the 8pc performance bond was deemed to be at the low [end]. The CIF said it is overdue that the increase from 8pc to 10pc, which came into force at the end of 2019, is reversed. Paul Sheridan, the CIFs director of main contracting, said the decision drives up costs of PPPs. It could make it less attractive for builders and lower competition for PPPs, which would undermine their ability to deliver on their capital programme for building schools. We dont think its the right course of action, he said. Performance bonds are really meant as a last resort. You have to deal with this upfront by making sure you have a good tender process where you look really strongly at their financial robustness and filter out bidders who are less suitable. By increasing the costs theyre making it less competitive, which isnt in the interests of the taxpayer. Performance bonds shouldnt be penalties, they should be there as a last resort. [The increase] is not catastrophic, but its not the right thing to do. This article was updated on December 10 to clarify that the increased performance bond is already in place. Question: Im retired and own shares in several US tech companies which I intend to pass to my daughter when I die. A friend said that these shares may be liable to inheritance tax by the US authority. Is such a tax due on my death and would the Revenue Commissioners also be entitled to a share? Both myself and my daughter are Irish citizens and have no connection to the US. Michael, Dublin Answer: I will assume, for the purposes of answering your question, that these are shares in individual US companies and not exchange traded funds (ETFs), which are indices of a number of companies tracking different markets. If so, then the typical tax treatment would involve you paying capital gains tax (CGT) on any gain from selling the shares while youre alive, or your daughter paying capital acquisitions tax (CAT) if she receives the shares as a gift during your lifetime or as an inheritance after your passing. The current rate of CGT and CAT is 33pc. Lets assume, for illustration purposes, that these shares were bought for $10,000 (9,200) and they have since doubled in value to $20,000 (18,400). If you sold the shares, you would be able to avoid the first 1,270 of the gain in the year you disposed of them, and would thus be liable on the profit of 9,200. If you subtract 1,270 from this gain of 9,200, the CGT on the remainder would be 2,916.90. However, if you sold the shares over two or three years, you could avail of the annual allowance of 1,270 in each of these years. The principle here is that if you have acquired these shares in the same stock over a period of time, then the first shares acquired are the first sold. This means you cannot cherry-pick which shares to dispose of, like selling the most recent shares first. Given that you intend to transfer these shares to your daughter, it might be advisable to consider transferring them to her while you are still alive. Thats because the threshold for tax on gifts or inheritances from a parent to a child in Ireland is 335,000. In addition, any person (the parent, in this case) can gift any other person (the child, in this instance) as much as 3,000 per year without the recipient having to pay tax. So if you sold the shares, you could use this route to give the proceeds to your daughter over a period of time. By selling the shares before you die, instead of leaving them as an inheritance, you would also be relieving your daughter from the complex burden that would be inheriting the shares from the estate and then selling them to realise their value. This is quite a difficult process and typically requires the help of a solicitor, and she would face delays in receiving the proceeds. Question: I want to secure tax relief by making an investment through the Employment Investment Incentive Scheme. I heard changes were made to it in the last budget. Is the scheme still worth my while? William, Cork city Answer: The EIIS, which was launched back in 2011 to replace the Business Expansion Scheme, is a mechanism for startups and young businesses to receive an investment that is tax-efficient for investors who are on the higher rate of income tax. About 50 to 70 companies seek to raise finance through this vehicle each year. The EIIS provides companies with a lower cost of finance and the ability to postpone the repayment of this finance for four years. At the moment, investors receive tax relief of as much as 40pc. This means that an investment of 10,000 in a qualifying company costs the investor just 6,000 because of a tax rebate or tax relief that they receive the year after making the investment. However, in the October budget, Finance Minister Michael McGrath announced that, starting from 2024, there will be a tiered approach to the scheme, with tax relief ranging from 20pc to 50pc, depending on what stage the company is at. While the higher tax relief may seem more attractive, potential investors should be cautious about opting for an investment with 50pc relief as this is for initial risk finance for companies that have not previously operated in any market. A 35pc rate applies for initial risk finance in a company that is less than 10 years old or has made its first commercial sale within the last seven years. A 20pc rate applies to expansion risk finance, for a company which is preparing a business plan for new economic activity. This 20pc rate also applies to follow-on risk finance. While we havent yet seen the workings of the new tax rates, EIIS investors need to be more diligent about reviewing their investment decisions. If you opt for a company with 50pc tax relief, you could face the risk that the company fails to trade at all and you could lose your investment. Remember to always seek professional advice when investing through the scheme. Send your questions to g.monaghan@independent.ie Dubai has announced an ambitious plan to achieve carbon neutrality, with a target of achieving a 50% reduction in emissions by the year 2030. The new plan will accelerate the momentum it has achieved in its transition towards clean energy over the last decade, backed by a clear roadmap for reaching its net-zero goal by 2050. By fostering partnerships with leading regional and international organisations in clean energy, Dubai has created green funding mechanisms, balanced risks and expanded its local capabilities to play a dynamic role in driving its energy transition, said experts. This approach has sent positive signals to clean energy investors, created an attractive market for renewable technologies and led to the development of mega clean power projects. Today, Dubai has delivered exemplary projects such as the worlds largest single-site solar power park, the first hydropower plant in the region, a green hydrogen facility, a waste-to-energy plant and the production of green aluminium, they added. Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary-General of Dubai Executive Council, said the emirate was committed to collaborating with other global cities that share its vision for sustainability and climate action. On its ambitious 50% emmissions cut goal, Al Basti said: "This is a testament to Dubai's dedication to a sustainable future, emphasising environmental protection, biodiversity, conservation of resources, a substantial increase in renewable energy, and the advancement of a green and circular economy." Dubai Supreme Council of Energy Secretary-General Ahmad Buti Al Muhairbi said: "We have adopted a structured approach for developing prudent energy policies and clean energy projects with a focus on enhancing efficiency and fuel diversification, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals." "We are proud to have achieved a significant transformation of our energy sector, marked by the adoption of a successful market-based strategy, applying the public-private partnership (PPP) model. This approach has not only facilitated the development of a robust clean energy portfolio but also catered to the rapidly growing infrastructure demands of our city," he stated. Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40, a global network of nearly 100 of the world's leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis, lauded Dubai for its commitment to respond to the climate crisis by addressing their biggest sources of emissions and their climate risks, through the launch of the climate action plan, in line with the science and keeping temperatures below 1.5C. "The plan, the first of a major city in the Middle East aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement, sets out a citywide target and sectoral pathways to reduce emissions 50% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels." "From setting up the worlds largest single-site solar park to having 75% of vehicles as hybrid or electric powered, Dubais new climate action plan stands out in the region," he added.-TradeArabia News Service This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what the country said is the launch of the Malligyong-1, a military spy satellite, into orbit on Nov. 21, 2023. The national security advisers of the United States, South Korea and Japan on Saturday called for a stronger international push to suppress North Koreas development of nuclear weapons and missiles, its cybertheft activities and alleged arms transfers to Russia. The meeting in Seoul came as tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest in years, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un accelerating the expansion of his nuclear and missile program and flaunting an escalatory nuclear doctrine that authorizes the preemptive use of nuclear weapons. The United States and its Asian allies have responded by increasing the visibility of their trilateral partnership in the region and strengthening their combined military exercises, which Kim condemns as invasion rehearsals. Washington, Seoul and Tokyo have also expressed concerns about a potential arms alignment between North Korea and Russia. They worry Kim is providing badly needed munitions to help Russian President Vladimir Putin wage war in Ukraine in exchange for Russian technology assistance to upgrade his nuclear-armed military. Speaking after the meeting, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington is working with Seoul and Tokyo to strengthen defense cooperation and improve its response to North Korean missile testing and space-launch activities, including a real-time information sharing arrangement on North Korean missile launches that the countries plan to start at an unspecified date in December. He also said the countries have agreed to new initiatives to more effectively respond to North Korean efforts to bypass U.S.-led international sanctions that aim to choke off funds for its nuclear weapons and missile program. This will be a new effort with respect to cryptocurrency and money laundering and how we disrupt North Koreas capacity to gain revenue from the hacking and stealing of cryptocurrency and then laundering it through exchanges, he said. Sullivan declined to share detailed U.S. assessments on the types and volume of North Korean arms being shipped to Russia and didnt comment on the specifics of his discussions with South Korean and Japanese officials over the issue, but insisted that theres no daylight among us in terms of the types of weapons transfers that we are seeing. And those continue and they represent a grave concern for us. South Korean intelligence and military officials have said North Korea may have shipped more than a million artillery shells to Russia beginning in August, weeks before Kim traveled to Russias Far East for a rare summit with Putin that sparked international concerns about a potential arms deal. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied U.S. and South Korean claims. In a joint news conference after Saturdays trilateral meeting, Cho Tae-yong, South Koreas national security office director, said the three security advisers reaffirmed North Koreas obligations under multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that call for its denuclearization and ban any weapons trade with other countries, and agreed to strengthen coordination to ensure that is implemented. Takeo Akiba, Japans national security secretariat secretary general, said the unprecedented frequency and patterns of North Korean ballistic missile launches necessitate a deeper and more effective partnership between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo. South Korea, the U.S., Japan and Australia have also announced their own sanctions on North Korea over its spy satellite launch last month. North Korea argues it the right to launch spy satellites to monitor U.S. and South Korean military activities and enhance the threat of its nuclear-capable missiles. During his conversation with reporters, Sullivan said the allies are preparing for the possibility that North Korea will up the ante of its weapons demonstrations and threats in 2024, possibly including the countrys seventh nuclear test. Direct military action is also a concern after the North recently announced it was abandoning a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement on reducing border tensions after the South partially suspended the agreement, which had established border buffers and no-fly zones. Some experts say that has raised the risk of border-area shootings or clashes. Look, when a country announces its intent to walk away from a set of measures that are designed to help reduce risk and increase stability, our concern for potential incidents, provocations has to go up, Sullivan said, though he said the full implications of the Norths announcement is not immediately clear. Sullivan held separate bilateral talks Friday with Cho and Akiba and also met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The U.S., South Korean and Japanese national security advisers last held a trilateral meeting in June in Tokyo. South Korean intelligence officials have said the Russians likely provided technology support for North Koreas successful satellite launch in November, which followed two failed launches. North Korea has said its spy satellite transmitted imagery with space views of key sites in the U.S. and South Korea, including the White House and the Pentagon. But it hasnt released any of those satellite photos. Many outside experts question whether the Norths satellite is sophisticated enough to send militarily useful high-resolution imagery. Kim has vowed to launch more satellites, saying his military needs to acquire space-based reconnaissance capabilities. South Korean officials have also said North Korea-made rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons could have been used by Hamas during its Oct. 7 assault on Israel and that the North could be considering selling weapons to militant groups in the Middle East. Sullivan said that the United States has not seen any specific evidence of that, but remains vigilant about the possibility. I think given North Koreas history of proliferation activities, including to reprehensible actors in other contexts across history, its a legitimate concern, he said. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Technology The EUs AI Act has the potential to reshape the competitive landscape in the AI sector whereby access to capital is no longer the defining advantage. Photo: Getty Late on Friday, December 8th, the EU reached agreement on a deal to regulate artificial intelligence. Negotiators from the EU parliament, EU commission, and national governments agreed rules about the use of systems such as ChatGPT and facial recognition. The European Parliament will now pass the AI Act proposal early next year, but national legislation governing AI will only kick in by 2025 at the earliest. The AI Act is ostensibly about safeguards on the use of AI within the EU, providing rules for how and when AI can be used, but also to provide citizens with explanations for decisions taken by AI in high risk applications (like insurance). The AI Act also introduces regulatory oversight for the developers of the large language models, like ChatGPT - to audit the data and energy used to train them, and to report any incidents. There is, however, a very interesting provision to help EUs fledgling AI industry through national-level 'regulatory sandboxes and real-world-testing. That is, national governments will be able to provide infrastructure support for their local AI companies to build out their AI, with state support. The EUs AI Act, which is part of the blocs ambition to build Fortress Europe, has caused a stir in Silicon Valley because of its potential to reshape the competitive landscape in the AI sector. Photo: Getty Images The AI Act comes at an important juncture before the network effects of AI companies take hold. This phenomenon occurs when the value of a product or service soars simply due to the number of users rising. The regulatory sandbox provision can create a nurturing space for European and Irish companies to build globally competitive AI platforms before the wave of massively capitalised US-based companies, such as Sam Altmans OpenAI, dominate the global AI market. In Ireland, the IDA foresaw the growth of IT and pharmaceuticals and early investment helped seal foreign direct investment that turned us into a well-off country. Landing Intel and Microsoft in the 1980s created network effects that led to smaller players investing in Ireland. Getting Google and Facebook in the 2000s had similar network effects for Internet companies locating here. We could try and follow a similar strategy this time by attracting AI companies, like OpenAI, to Ireland + but we will not accrue the same employment benefits this time - the jobs wont be there. Its time we took our seat at the table by building an Irish Google or Apple, using the AI Act, and its regulatory sandbox, as a shield to protect our companies along with massive investment to nurture them to become global giants. China did this in the early 2010s by legislating to protect their nascent cloud computing companies - Tencent, Alibaba, and ByteDance. Google, AWS, and Microsoft tried to enter Chinas cloud computing market, but regulations and massive investment gave their local cloud computing companies time to grow from seeds into global cloud computing giants. Today, Europe has no global cloud computing company. The most important digital infrastructure powering Europe is built, owned, and operated by US companies. Could you imagine what the world would have looked like if Britain built Americas railways in the 1800s, and then prevented American trains from riding on them, and Americans were only allowed to sell from the coffee car - with 30% commission? The most important digital infrastructure powering Europe is built, owned, and operated by US companies We are in the early stages in the AI revolution, and we can still build Irish winners. The regulatory sandbox is a national matter, so there will be competition between EU countries to build champions. France and Germany are already trying to mold their own AI champions. Mistral, a French company, raised 105 million in May and plans to raise an additional 300 million while the owners of Lidl supermarket chain are among those investing $500 million in German AI startup Aleph Alpha. In October, Mistral released a large language model (like ChatGPT) that is free to use and is the best performing AI for its size (generally bigger is better in AI). The white heat surrounding Mistral and Aleph Alpha suggests a genuine desire to create a credible alternative to Silicon Valley sweethearts such as Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Googles DeepMind. . Jim Dowling AI is the next big technological revolution, and it is still early enough to change the network effects for the winners. What we need in Ireland is to think differently. Early stage AI companies in Ireland or Europe are not going to raise the billions of dollars of venture capital available in Silicon Valley. But we can provide them with resources to enable them to compete. What we require right now are government initiatives giving Irish companies preferential access to the compute resources needed to enable them to compete globally, now encourage with the real-world-testing clause in the AI Act. In Europe, we uniquely have the competence to build several data centres in quick time. Large government contracts will also help offer local opportunities. The Internet was built by the American Department of Defence. Photo: Getty Images My own company Hopsworks, Europes only AI software infrastructure company, was founded in Sweden via initial funding from EU research funding. It would have been set up in Ireland but for a serendipitous meeting with my future wife in Stockholm. We have had many overtures from US venture capital firms to relocate to America, but I prefer to work and live in Europe because thats where my family and friends are, but also thats where the educated, hungry talent is. Despite budgets being stretched across Europe, 733bn in state aid was approved by the EU between March 2022 and August this year, of which Germany accounted for close to 50%. This money was almost exclusively to help defend European companies from the last wave of disruption - digitalization and cloud computing. Photo: Getty Images However, you can't easily disrupt network effects after the networks have formed. Ireland, in contrast, has a budget surplus and not many legacy companies to support. If we invest now in AI, the EU AI act will give our companies the time they need to create network effects within Europe, and then be ready to take on the world. Jim Dowling is CEO of the AI firm Hopsworks and associate professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm An artist's impression of the proposed new Terminal 3 at Dublin Airport A map showing where the proposed new Terminal 3 would go in relation to Terminals 1 and 2 at Dublin Airport A group of private landowners, led by businessman Ulick McEvaddy, have presented a high-level vision document to Fingal county planners for a third terminal at Dublin Airport on a strategic 261-acre site they own west of Dublin Airport. The land is currently on the market, but a well-informed source said that the group is very close to finalising a decision to lodge a planning application early in 2024 for a new terminal that would compete directly with DAAs two existing terminals. If that decision is finalised potentially next week then the site would likely be removed from the market, said the source. A planning application is also expected to be lodged by DAA by the end of this month. This is part of its effort to expand the capacity of the airport to 40 million passengers. It will leave planners with big decisions to make about the future expansion of Irelands biggest airport. A presentation on high-level proposals for a third terminal was made on November 23, confirmed a spokesman for Fingal County Council. The meeting took place at the request of CWPA, who are representatives for the landowners. During the meeting it was stated a sustainable aviation vision document was being prepared in advance of a planning proposal in 2024 and Fingal County Council now awaits receipt of this. CWPA is a planning and architecture consultancy based in Swords, Co Dublin. The vision document presented to planners did not contain detailed plans but did show illustrations and maps of a third terminal with a distinctive wave-like roof. The document indicated that the proposed terminal would be inspired by new airports in Beijing, Qatar and the Philippines. The western terminal would be linked by a new road to the existing M2 motorway, avoiding the congested M1 entrance that has been previously cited as reason for the current 30 million passenger per cap. The presentation also showed an underground rail link between airport terminals and included details of plans by the landowners to include storage facilities for sustainable aviation fuels on the western campus. The Irish memoir is definitely enjoying a moment these days. Heres a flavour of whats in the bookshops. John Tuomeys First Quarter (Lilliput) covers the first 25 years of the renowned architects life. For one half of the multi award-winning practice ODonnell+Tuomey (his partner is also his wife), there must have been the temptation to produce a large, coffee-table glossy, Look what I did! catalogue. But there isnt a single photograph. Ashling Murphy murderer Jozef Puska complained to jail staff after being moved to a shared cell in the overcrowded Midlands Prison and given a mattress to sleep on. The 33-year-old, who was sentenced to life in prison last month for the murder of teacher Ashling Murphy, was moved from a single occupancy cell on C1 a landing reserved for inmates with mental health problems to E2 on Thursday of last week. However, according to a source, when Puska was informed that he would be sleeping on a mattress, as the bunks in his new cell were already occupied by two other inmates, he complained. Within 80 minutes of threatening to call his lawyers, Puska was moved back to his single occupancy cell on C1. Midlands Prison Picture: Finbarr O'Rourke A decision was made locally to move him out of the cell on C1, a source told the Sunday World, because he was behaving in a completely normal manner and did not appear to be a danger to himself or other inmates. The single occupancy cells on that landing would be reserved by and large for inmates with obvious mental health issues. The inmates housed on C1 include former Kinahan cartel gunman Alan Wilson; serial sex attacker Kevin Kletzander, who sexually assaulted nine women in Dublin in one month; convicted rapists Mark McAnaw and John Connors. Despite C1 being described as one of the most oppressive landings in the prison, our source said Puska was far from happy at being moved when he arrived at his new accommodation. Puskas neighbours on the C1 landing include Alan Wilson The bunks in the cell were already occupied by two inmates, the source said. Space had been made by removing a bench and two chairs and a mattress put down on the floor for him to sleep on. The talk in the prison is that he either threatened to ring his legal team to complain or that he did. Either way, 80 minutes later, he was back in the single occupancy cell on C1. Josef Puska said he would call his legal team The Midlands is like every other prison in the system at the moment, the source said. The prison is housing inmates numbers way past capacity. When this happens, inmates are given mattresses to sleep on in the cells. Its the only way staff have for dealing with the problems. To be fair, its unusual for a lifer to be put on a mattress, as theyre in for the long haul. Puskas neighbours on the C1 landing include Mark McAnaw And Puska is one of the most high-profile inmates in the system, which made what happened last week even more unusual. But it does shows the strain the prison is under number wise that something like this could happen. Contacted for comment, a spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service declined to do so stating it does not comment on individual prisoner cases. A stronger garda presence in the capital has made people feel safe again after unrest saw shopping take a nose-dive Dublin has bounced back after the riots, with even more shoppers coming into the capital than over the same period last year. Richard Guiney, CEO of the Dublin Town business organisation, said footfall was down an average of 20pc on the weekend directly after the rioting and looting in the city centre. However, it bounced back to pre-pandemic levels last Sunday and was 8pc up compared with the same day last year. Mr Guiney said a strong garda presence on the citys main thoroughfares has made people feel comfortable again, and retailers are hopeful of a bumper Christmas, which they were preparing for before the riots. His comments are echoed by Lord Mayor Daithi de Roiste, who said the riots were a watershed moment. I walked around the Grafton Street area the other day and I counted 19 guards. High-visibility policing is really important to restore confidence, he said. But its also important that this continues into the new year. What we need is policing that is proactive and that continually engages with the community, rather than policing that is just reactive to crime. Junior business, employment and retail minister Neale Richmond said some businesses experienced a 90pc drop in trade on Black Friday the day after the riots which accounts for up to 25pc of the annual trade for some companies. Figures released by Bank of Ireland show in-person card spending dropped by 4pc in Dublin 1 and Dublin 2 on Black Friday. The Fine Gael minister is now calling on people across Ireland not to be fearful and to shop in Dublin in the run-up to Christmas. There is a significant garda presence in Dublin, including the public order unit, and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has assured me this will not change this year, Mr Richmond said. Id encourage anyone who is considering coming to Dublin this Christmas to please make the trip. Dublin is our capital city and we cannot let those responsible for the riot take that away from us. He also cautioned people not to rely on videos circulating in WhatsApp groups and social media platforms to gauge the atmosphere in the city centre. There are videos on social media that are portraying a false image that Dublin is dangerous, Mr Richmond said. Some videos show footage of crime that took place abroad, some is of footage that is several years old. The spreading of misinformation is a massive issue. I would call on people across the country to come in to the city and see the reality for themselves Dublin is safe. Failte Ireland CEO Paul Kelly said that immediately after the riots there was significant nervousness among business owners. However, he added that the tourism body and Dublin representative groups had put their shoulder to the wheel and the feedback has been very positive that trade has come back during the daytime. According to new data from AIB, Christmas shopping is set to peak on Saturday, December 23. The banks latest spending trend report shows 2.8 million card transactions were carried out in shops on that date last year, an increase of 84pc on the average day in 2022. The busiest time for spending in store last December 23 was between 12pm and 1pm, with over 12m spent in that hour alone. AIB data also shows that women spend more than men on Christmas shopping leading up to the big day, except on Christmas Eve. However, when it comes to buying jewellery, men spent almost twice as much as women in the lead-up to Christmas last year, with the average transaction for men 208, Christmas Day was the quietest day for shopping in 2022 85,000 transactions were carried out, most of them for fuel at filling stations. When it comes to spending in pubs, December 23 was the busiest day last year, with 5.2m changing hands. Men spent almost twice as much as women in pubs 3.4m compared with 1.8m. Gardai investigating serious drug related intimidation being carried out by a west Dublin organised crime gang have arrested three people in an operation which senior sources describe as highly significant. The main target of the operation, a 25-year-old criminal who is a key player in the Blanchardstown based gang, along with two women who are very well known to him aged 22 and 45, were arrested during searches in Co Meath and west Dublin on Friday morning. They were detained under anti-gangland legislation concerning the alleged facilitating of the activities of an organised crime gang. Armed garda units as well as the dog unit were involved in Fridays arrest and search operation at properties in Dunboyne, Co Meath and Dublin 15. Senior sources say that evidence of money laundering was discovered and this is the main focus of the detention of the two women. However, the 25-year-old criminal has been a long term target for gardai who have been investigating a Blanchardstown based organised crime gang which is led by two brothers aged in their 20s. The gang were previously involved in a bitter feud in the Corduff area that spiralled out of control in 2019 with numerous violent incidents. It has now emerged they have embarked on a new separate drugs dispute with the drugs trafficking gang nicknamed The Family whose base is the Clondalkin and Ballyfermot areas of the city. Sources say that the male suspect arrested on Friday is one of the main operators in the gangs campaign of intimidation against innocent people in Dublin 15 and surrounding areas. As part of their detailed investigations into the gangs intimidation tactics two people have already been charged before the courts. But the arrest on Friday of the 25-year-old is considered the most significant development yet in the long running investigation by officers from the DMR West division. What this individual is suspected of engaging in is a very nasty type of crime that is literally destroying communities. It is a form of extortion and racketeering, a senior source explained. The organised crime gang are targeting children some as young as 16 years of age and getting them to deal drugs for them. What has happened on a number of occasions is that the gang then stage a robbery where the drugs are taken from the young person and they are then in debt to the criminal organisation. This debt is then taxed which means it is increased and the innocent parents of these victims are then targeted. In recent times in the Blanchardstown area we have seen petrol poured into the letter boxes of the homes of innocent families and vehicles been set alight in their driveways because of the debt that their child has built up. These families often feel that they have no one to turn to they are living in complete terror and hopelessness but it should be noted that arrests like what has happened here show that gardai are taking drug related intimidation and the violence associated with it extremely seriously, the source said. It can be revealed that in this particular strand of the investigation gardai have identified around 15 separate victims who have been allegedly terrorised by the male in custody this weekend. Sources say that key evidence was discovered on a device which led to Friday mornings arrest operation These cases are very difficult in the sense that gardai often have to seek out the victims who are living in fear but gardai would like to appeal to people to come forward if they are suffering intimidation, the source pointed out. More arrests are expected in the investigation into the west Dublin based crime gang who are making tens of thousands of euro a week in profits from drug dealing and debt collecting. A sum of around 4,000 in cash was seized in Fridays arrest operation but a source said that this is just the tip of the iceberg and many more arrests are expected as gardai attempt to tackle the violent gang who are attempting to expand its turf into the capitals southside. This is the reason why it has led them into conflict with The Family gang in what could develop into the countrys newest gangland feud, sources say. Drug related intimidation is a massive problem across the country and every garda district has a specialist inspector assigned to deal with the issue. In recent months there has been a number of prosecutions before the courts in relation to the crime particularly in north Dublin. Some sources have expressed disappointment about the leniency of suspended sentences that were handed down in a recent case at Dublin Circuit Court to two men who were teenagers when Rhett terrorised and intimidated a woman whose child had racked up a drug debt. This involved a separate gang who are based in the Kilbarrrack area of the city and not the Dublin 15 mob who were the subject of Fridays arrest operation. A man in his 20s died this morning following a fatal collision involving a motorcycle in Co Cork. The incident occurred between Junctions 9 and 10 on the South Ring Road (N40 Eastbound), Cork city, at about 10.10am. The male driver of the motorcycle (20s) was pronounced deceased at the scene. His body has been removed from the scene to Cork University Hospital where a post mortem will take place in due course. Two lanes of the N40 are currently closed eastbound as Garda Forensic Collision Investigators conduct a technical examination of the scene. Gardai in Cork are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the Cork city N40 South Ring Road, eastbound this morning Saturday 9th December, 2023 between 9.15am and 10.15am are asked to make this footage available to Gardai. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Anglesea Street Garda station on 021 452 2000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. Weekly welfare rates for new arrivals from war-torn Ukraine will be cut to 38.80 per week from 220 per week and state-provided accommodation limited to 90 days under plans to be considered by ministers this week. The proposals are not yet agreed but will be discussed by the coalition leaders and senior ministers at the Cabinet committee on Ukraine tomorrow and would, if signed off by the full Cabinet, require legislative changes in the new year. The proposal to place a 90-day limit on accommodation is being retabled by Equality Minister Roderic OGorman, several government sources have confirmed to the Sunday Independent. This is despite the Green Party TD facing resistance to the idea from cabinet colleagues when he first suggested it in October. Also being tabled are plans to align the States welfare offering for Ukrainian refugees with that of asylum seekers in direct provision. Asylum seekers are currently paid 38.80 per week for an adult and 29.90 per week for a child. The Government last week signed off on an increase of 75 in the adult payment to any asylum seeker who it cannot accommodate. They now receive 113.80 per week as well as a tent and sleeping bag in lieu of an accommodation space. The proposed changes to accommodation and welfare measures for newly arrived Ukrainians would represent the most significant altering of the States offering for those fleeing the war since it broke out after Russias invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago. The reduction to 38.80 represents a dramatic cut to the 220 jobseekers allowance that Ukrainians can currently avail of if they cannot obtain work. But under the EUs temporary protection directive they would still be able to claim other welfare entitlements like child benefit. They would also be able to work unlike asylum seekers who must apply for permission to seek employment if their application is not processed within six months. While there are fears about the impact of and reaction to such changes which are likely to be strongly opposed by refugee rights groups ministers are broadly agreed on the need to reduce overall numbers arriving by introducing a chill factor that makes Ireland a less attractive location. The States welfare offering for Ukrainian refugees is significantly higher than any other EU member states. The Department of Justice previously released indicative data which suggested that one-in-three recent applicants for temporary protection had previously registered for it elsewhere. Mr OGorman has been pushing to limit the accommodation offering for new arrivals with a view to deterring the numbers of Ukrainian refugees arriving into Ireland. The Green Party minister first raised the prospect of a 90-day accommodation limit at a cabinet meeting in October. However, he faced resistance from Tanaiste Micheal Martin and other Fianna Fail ministers who feared it would put pressure on the already constrained private rental sector once the 90 days expired. However, the State is now facing an acute shortage of accommodation spaces for new arrivals both from Ukraine and elsewhere with dozens being forced to sleep rough in recent days. Unlimited accommodation is not possible nor is it happening anywhere else in Europe, a senior coalition source said last night. Any move to reduce welfare for Ukrainian refugees will need new legislation by way of an amendment to Section 60 of the International Protection Act. It would mean a cabinet decision, a vote in the Dail and Seanad, before being signed off by President Michael D Higgins. Legislative changes will be introduced in January, if agreed, a government source added. Murder, She Wrote star Angela Lansbury left 1.2m Cork farmhouse to her children Star was once highest paid actress in television history, earning up to $200,000 an episode Murder, She Wrote star Dame Angela Lansbury dies aged 96 Niamh Horan Sun 10 Dec 2023 at 03:30 Murder She Wrote star Angela Lansbury has left her Irish estate valued at more than 1m in a trust for the benefit of her two children and stepson. Jane Hogan, who has died at the age of 77, lived for her family, friends and daily sea sessions in Galway Bay. The inspiring teacher, photographer and open-water swimmer firmly believed a dip with the Blackrock Clinic, as she called the swimming community at Salthill, Galway, could be the best health insurance. And if she didnt coin the phrase, then it will always be associated with her as those who have warm memories of her constant good humour can attest. Born in Salthill to Galway bookshop founders Des and Maureen Kenny, she attended Scoil Fhursa primary and Taylors Hill secondary schools, and studied at University College Galway as it was then. She took psychology at postgraduate level in University College Dublin and returned to Galway to pursue a career in teaching, initially at the Jez or Colaiste Iognaid and then at Salerno in Salthill. She had salt in her veins from an early age, competing with Galway Swimming Club. She also trained as a lifeguard her father Des was first chair of what was then the Irish Water Safety Association, established by the late Galway TD and minister Bobby Molloy. After she met and married Billy Hogan, they reared a family of five children. At Salerno, she came into her own as a creative and innovative teacher, a mentor, her brother Tom Kenny recalled. She was active in career guidance always with the students interest at heart, often putting them on the right career path and in the case of many she was simply a friend, he said. Writers such as the late Brendan Kennelly and William Trevor were invited by her to Salerno to adjudicate student poetry contests. After retirement, she took up photography with a particular zeal and judged entries in the schools photography competition for transition year pupils. Her camera became her constant companion and she was lethal, there was no dodging her, Tom remembered. He recalled one experience when their brother Gerry was in intensive care in hospital and she got past security probably because the nurses went to Salerno. They chatted for about an hour about their parents, about growing up in Salthill and so on, and then she finally got up to leave, he said. As she got to the door, she turned around, he saw her hand going into her pocket as she said: Would you ever stand over there beside the bed for a minute. There was no escape. Hogan captioned and filed thousands of images, and whenever she heard of a friend or acquaintance celebrating a significant event she would produce a small book to mark the occasion at her own expense. As her family noted, she had a unique skill of always making people laugh for her photos, and she leaves behind something of an archive of photographs of the people of Salthill and Galway city. She became seriously ill more than two decades ago and was treated in hospital, but recovered under the care of Dr Tom OGorman. That gave her family, who she adored, the unquantifiable bonus of an extra 21 years in our midst, they said. Paddy McNamara, a fellow swimmer at Blackrock, Salthill, also remembered her enthusiasm. She would pull out the camera, and it was stand there, pull in together as she got her snap, he said. He said Hogan was a very accomplished open-water swimmer, competing in many events in Galway and beyond. Her daily swims took a realistic tack as she would take a break once sea temperatures dropped below 10C, he said. Jane would say to me that she would return when we had a week of tens, as in 10C, McNamara said. As it happened, the Friday morning we buried her was the first morning the temperature went under 10C this winter, and that was poignant, he said. She was a familiar face in the Kenny bookshop and gallery in Liosban, and one usually heard Jane before one saw her, and it was very often her loud and hearty laughter, her brother Tom said. The sound of her voice found for us a new music that brightened everything. I am sure she took photographs all the way up to heaven and I can easily imagine her saying: Peter, stand over beside those gates till I take your photograph. A guard of honour of 200 swimmers marked the route of her funeral. Staff and students also stood outside Salerno. At her funeral mass at Church of Christ the King, Salthill, Fr Gerry Jennings said if heaven were half as nice as Galway Bay then it would be a good place to be. The sharp increase in the nationalist discourse in the cause of Venezuelan sovereignty in Guyana Esequiba, promoted with unusual aggressiveness by the Government of Nicolas Maduro, rests on a conclusion that has been dormant for years, but that underlies the psyche of society, starting with the Armed Forces: the large amount of legitimate territory that the nation has lost in various international rulings and confusing political circumstances, in the times of the Spanish colony and also as an independent nation. In spite of this reality and the enormous propaganda campaign orchestrated by the national government to promote a referendum on the annexation of the Essequibo, the voting centers were sparsely populated throughout the day and Chavismo did not obtain the turnout it would have wished to capitalize on the sovereignty initiative. The event, on the other hand, has given way to the debut of a very intransigent nationalist tone in the high Government, which is serving as an argument to judicially penalize any uncomfortable political position. Four of the closest collaborators of the opposition candidate, Maria Corina Machado -a traditional activist in the cause of the Essequibo, but who is now appealing to the International Court of Justice to settle her sovereignty-, have been arrested, accused of collaborating with the multinational Exxon Mobil and the Government of Guyana. The former Captaincy General of Venezuela, created in 1777, had about 1,500,000 square kilometers (the current Republic of Venezuela has 912,000), which included the island of Trinidad, one of the provinces of that entity, seized by the English from Spain in 1802. With the advent of independence, the country also lost control of the Guajira peninsula, part of the current Colombian eastern plains and large sectors of the Amazon, to the benefit of Colombia and Brazil. Also, progressively, the Guyana Esequiba. A territory over which there has been a long diplomatic struggle, first with the British, who encouraged the colonization of the area, and then with the independent Government of Guyana. An issue that had remained dormant as a controversy for several decades until now. There are two ruling that have left a deep mark on Venezuelas territorial identity, says Lauren Caballero, internationalist and analyst at the Central University of Venezuela. The 1891 ruling, which defined the definitive border between Venezuela and Colombia and the almost total loss of the La Guajira peninsula, and the Paris Arbitral Award of 1899, which resulted in the loss of the Essequibo. These two events have somehow generated a kind of trauma in the conscience of generations of Venezuelans, to the point that diplomacy in Caracas avoided during almost the entire 20th century to commit itself to any international treaty that would oblige it to settle its territorial delimitation with third parties. The famous landmark of Castilletes, after the delimitation that resulted in the loss of almost the entire La Guajira peninsula, is the starting point of the famous dispute over the Gulf of Venezuela - controlled by Venezuela, but claimed in part by Colombia - which for years was the one that monopolized all the news headlines in those years, with some peaks of diplomatic and military binational tension included. Following the doctrine of Simon Bolivar, Venezuela always appealed to the principle of uti posedetis juris to amicably and expeditiously delimit its borders after the dissolution of Gran Colombia. By that time, the first British colonists were already beginning to cross the border on the western bank of the Esequibo River, which provoked diplomatic protests from Bolivar himself, explains Kenneth Ramirez, president of the Venezuelan Council of International Relations. Both experts warn that the loss of these territories was also due to the incipient diplomacy of independent Venezuela and the difficulties of effectively controlling all its territory at the time. Venezuela was, moreover, one of the various theaters of operations of British imperial diplomacy throughout the world. With Brazil, the country also lost thousands of square kilometers, says Ramirez. Inexplicably, Venezuela accepted without major opposition to depart from the Uti Posedetis Juris, and the 1859 treaty of limits confirmed Venezuelan rights over the basins of the Orinoco and Esequibo rivers. In that year, one of the most chaotic years in Venezuelas history, a nation without a government, the Federal War began, a four-year civil conflict, even more virulent than the war of independence. The Venezuelan Congress had not wanted to ratify the famous Pombo-Michelena treaty, which placed satisfactory limits to the Venezuelan claims against Colombia in 1833. After successive Colombian-Venezuelan negotiations without agreements, in 1886, the Paris Act appoints Queen Maria Cristina as arbitrator of right to execute sentence in this dispute with Colombia. The 1891 Award is very detrimental to Venezuela, since it takes away extensive territorial zones from the Caribbean to the Amazon, says Ramirez. This is what explains the reluctance of the Venezuelan State to go to the International Court of Justice to settle the Essequibo dispute with Guyana, this has been a permanent position, states Caballero. In spite of the fact that in the Geneva Agreement of 1966 the Venezuelan negotiators did not exclude the possibility of a judicial settlement, as stipulated by the United Nations. Venezuela has lost a fifth of its territory since the times of the Captaincy General, adds Kenneth Ramirez. As the poet Andres Eloy Blanco rightly stated in a famous parliamentary speech in 1941, it did so without firing a single shot. It is natural that there is a sensitivity to the issue of borders. And it has been, once again, the diplomatic mistakes of the Maduro government that have us in this situation, refusing to attend the International Court of Justice. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The number of Palestinians applying for international protection in Ireland is just over 300 across the past decade. The figure of 301 applications from 2013 to 2023 is a tiny number, compared to refugees fleeing other nations though it has gone from a low of five asylum applications in 2013 to 91 this year so far. The Department of Justice said 70 of the applications this year were made before the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, while 21 people of Palestinian origin have arrived in Ireland looking for international protection since the war broke out up to November 21, 2023. A Department of Justice spokesperson said: We will process any new applications speedily and sympathetically. This also refers to claims for international protection. Last year, Georgia made up nearly 20pc of all 13,650 asylum applications, with 2,710 requests. Conversely, Palestinians accounted for just 0.2pc, with just 35 applications. Since 2017, there has been a 90pc rate of granting first-instance international protection to Palestinian nationals in Ireland, with 131 people being granted refugee status, subsidiary protection, or permission to remain. Georgia, Algeria, and Somalia were the top three nationalities applying for international protection in Ireland in 2022. Ukrainian asylum seekers are counted separately as they are covered by a different legal framework. The number of overall applications for international protection in 2022, outside of Ukrainian refugees, has increased nearly five-fold since 2017 when there were 2,920. While back in 1980, Ireland was the first EU member state to endorse the establishment of a fully sovereign state of Palestine, OECD figures show there were just over 200 asylum applications from Palestinians from 2013 to 2022. Greece had 10,885 Palestinian asylum seekers during the same time frame, while Spain had 5,650. Several EU countries record zero applications, as they do not identify Palestine as a country of citizenship. Overall, from 2013 to 2022, there were only 37,000 Palestinians applying for protection in the EU but numbers have risen from 1,690 in 2014 to 6,890 in 2022. Catherine Woollard, director of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), said many Palestinians simply cannot flee to safety. She said: Even before this war, it was impossible to leave the Gaza Strip. Israel controlled entry and exit points and people were just not allowed to leave, except in rare and controlled cases. That has been the situation since around 2007 after the disengagement from Gaza and the Hamas-Fatah conflict. Leaving the West Bank is not much easier. The director of ECRE a pan- European alliance of 117 NGOs protecting the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons said statistics can underestimate the number of Palestinians applying for asylum. Due to the longstanding displacement of the Palestinians, many have spent decades in other countries. Those countries will then be registered as their country of origin. Notably, around 530,000 Palestinians lived in Syria at the start of the repression, violence, and war there. Over 100,000 of these people have been displaced. Syria may appear in asylum applications. Then, due to the occupation of Palestine, many Palestinians are or should be recorded as stateless. They are likely to appear in the unknown country of origin figures. But she said many Palestinians in other countries simply dont have the financial resources to make a journey to another country. For Palestinians who are long-term residents in other countries, such as the 2.4 million in Jordan and around 490,000 in Lebanon, many people do not have the means to leave, including having neither funds or documents. Due to the absence of safe routes, the sad reality is that most refugees have to pay smugglers in order to reach safe places and many cannot do that. Labour TD Aodhan O Riordain has confirmed he will seek his partys nomination to run in next years European elections in Dublin following the riots in the capital last month. The Dublin Bay North TD said he had a visceral reaction to the violence on November 23 and it made him reconsider his previous decision not to contest next Junes elections. Describing what happened as a lightbulb moment, he told the Sunday Independent: You really get the sense that everything that had been creeping up has now exploded and I dont think really we have enough leadership in Dublin to talk about Dublin on any level, on any platform at all. While O Riordain will be the favourite to be Labours candidate, the former drugs minister faces a contested convention next month with Senator Annie Hoey and Fingal councillor Rob ODonoghue publicly expressing this weekend an interest in running . In the Dail this week, O Riordain was described by Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae as a horrible little man who cant contain himself after he angrily denounced a motion on capping immigration tabled by Healy-Raes Rural Independents. A huge amount of the energy in the Dail chamber is about rural Ireland, O Riordain claimed, adding that at the same time Dublin is being allowed to die from being too expensive to live in, the cultural heart of the city being stripped away, and a creeping sense of the place being unsafe. He said he wants to be an advocate for the capital who challenges the Government and society to think differently about inequality, poverty, disadvantage and housing. Ive spent enough time now through my life, trying to change drug policy for people that people dont like, or trying to advocate for groups on the margins of society that people instinctively dont have an awful lot of regard for, and Im not going to change now, he said. I look at the things weve won over the last 10 years: marriage equality, repeal, a better sense of ourselves. "[Our feeling] that were now world leaders in progressive politics is under absolute assault and they just set OConnell Street on fire. Asked what change he can effect for Dublin from the European Parliament, which sits in Brussels and Strasbourg, he said: When youre an MEP, you have a mandate from the people of Dublin to speak to things. If elected, he said he will serve the full five-year term and will not return to domestic politics to run in a general election. He also noted he would be a member of the Party of European Socialists in the European Parliament where there has not been a Labour MEP for nearly 10 years. He criticised what he said was Sinn Feins failure to robustly condemn the far right and he has been embarrassed by Clare Dalys response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine the Independent MEP has been a vocal critic of EU and Nato policy towards Ukraine. Becoming a father five years ago made him think more about the future for his daughter, while his fathers death this year had also had a bigger impact on him than he thought it would. You think about who you are, who your family is, what your ethics are, what your values are, what your dad taught you, he said. Then you see its been really irritating me over the last while the lack of prominence that Dublin gets in any political discussion. Meanwhile, Hoey said she is seeking the Labour nomination as climate action is needed before Europe burns and to counteract the far right stirring hate against the migrant community, and against women and LGBTQ people. She said: I have hope for Dublin. I believe that with young queer people like me representing Dublin in Europe, we can build a future based on hope and solidarity. ODonoghue, a councillor since 2018, said he has been a long-time supporter of the EU, having supported the Lisbon Treaty when most of his friends did not some 15 years ago. He has a masters in European politics and said Labour should be looking to send as good a candidate to Europe as we possibly can. Irelands longest-serving senator David Norris has said he does not believe the far-right to be an enormous threat to the country. While speaking to RTEs The Week in Politics, an Independent senator described Irelands parliamentary establishment as strong, healthy, and democratic. He also spoke about the riots in Dublin City Centre, which took place two weeks ago not far from the senators house in the North City. Its extraordinary, the amount of damage that small and insignificant number of people can do, he explained. He highlighted the lack of investment in his area by the Government, however he does not believe it was connected to the Dublin riots. "Apparently the public coffers are awash with money, and why don't they spend it on this side, he said. The outgoing Independent senator Norris (79) is about to retire in January after 36 years of serving in the Seanad Eireann. When asked about his retirement plans, he wishes to spend more time at his holiday house in Cyprus, however he does not intend to move to Cyprus permanently. He said he will still stay interested in politics in the future. I'll certainly stay interested in politics. The extent to which I'll be campaigning is another thing. I don't have huge resources of energy anymore. I mean, all my life, I had terrific energy. I could live on two hours sleep very easily. But now, I sleep for Ireland, and I love sleeping. I enjoy some great pleasures of life, he added. Senator said he has had cancer in practically every part of his body and is taking several medicines every day. One goes on, you dont let it affect you, he said. Internal UHL review shows litany of failures in care of 16-year-old A teenager who died of meningitis in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) waited 12 hours in an overcrowded emergency department before she was treated for sepsis, as her family desperately flagged her deteriorating condition. A damning review of the care given to Aoife Johnston (16), a sixth-year student from Shannon, Co Clare, has found the delays in her treatment breached national guidelines on sepsis management. She died of bacterial meningitis in the hospital last December 19, two days after she presented at UHL. Her death led to public and political protests in several counties earlier this year over chronic overcrowding in emergency departments. The unpublished report, which was commissioned by UHL last January and was supposed to be completed in three months, was given to the victims family late last week. Aoife should have received treatment within an hour of the diagnosis It is said to highlight a litany of failings and missed opportunities in Aoifes care during her first 12 hours in the hospital. It is understood Aoife presented to the emergency department after 5pm on Saturday, December 17. She was triaged two hours later, with medics considering the possibility of sepsis. Under sepsis management protocol, she should have received relevant treatment within an hour of the possible diagnosis, according to sources. However, she was left to wait in the emergency department for 12 hours until she finally received an emergency medical review at 6am. She is understood to have received the appropriate treatment at that stage, but by then her condition had worsened to a point of no recovery. She was later admitted to intensive care, but died the following day. The deterioration in her condition happened against a backdrop of severe overcrowding in the hospital over that weekend. Sources said the report examines the management of the overcrowding crisis in the days leading up to Aoifes attendance. It is understood to highlight that staff had flagged concerns about the worsening situation in the emergency department in the days before Aoife presented. It looks at a significant shortage of staff over the weekend in question, without a contingency plan to deal with the pressures being triggered. A severe weather event is understood to have added to numbers of emergency patients. It is understood the report finds the hospitals escalation protocol was not adhered to despite the number of patients waiting. The reports findings note the executive management team appeared to have little understanding of the risks to patient care caused by an overcrowded environment, in terms of the impact on assessing and managing patients and the nursing teams ability to provide safe care. It is likely to turn the political spotlight back on UHL, which has frequently been the worst in the country for emergency department overcrowding. Aoife Johnston The 65-page review of the care Aoife received was given to her family last week, just shy of the first anniversary of her death. Damien Tansey SC, for the Johnston family, declined this weekend to comment on the content of the report, citing an inquest in the first half of next year into Aoifes death and a separate civil action in the High Court. Mr Tansey, a senior partner with Damien Tansey Solicitors, said: The family is relieved that the report has finally come to hand on a date almost 12 months after the tragedy occurred, and despite assurances that it would happen in a more timely manner. Any family who loses a child in circumstances such as this will ask themselves what more they could have done. The report clearly exonerates the family of any blame or responsibility for the manner in which they discharged their responsibilities as parents. Her parents were constantly and for the entire night demanding that their daughter be treated and looked after, and their demands were ignored. Numerous opportunities were missed to intervene. Had that intervention taken place, we would not be talking here today about this matter. The report itself is awash with references to those missed opportunities. Aoifes family are suing the HSE over her death. The action is being taken by her sister Meagan, and proceedings were launched on August 23. Her sisters paid tribute to a beautiful, funny and bubbly girl Aoife is survived by her parents, Carol and James, and older sisters Meagan and Kate. She was a pupil at St Caimins Community School and was preparing to sit her Leaving Cert mock exams. She had hoped to study social care. At her funeral in Shannon, her sisters paid tribute to a beautiful, funny and bubbly girl who brought joy and happiness to their family. Her phone, a lock of her hair, a school project and a sticky toffee pudding were among the gifts symbolising her life that were brought to the altar. UHL set up a serious incident management team following Aoifes death and promised her family a comprehensive investigation. At the time of her death, the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said it was devastating for her family and urged a speedy investigation. UHL has also apologised for the delay in providing the family with the report. In her letter of apology on behalf of management and staff at UHL, the hospitals chief executive, Professor Colette Cowan offered sincere apologies for the failings in the care of Aoife. The letter acknowledges and regrets the opportunities that were missed to intervene in her care and states that national guidance on the management of sepsis was not followed. A HSE spokesperson said: We have this week shared with the family the review into the tragic death of their daughter. We have apologised to them for the serious failings in the care we provided to their daughter, which have been identified in the review. The review has been referred to the coroner, who has yet to make a determination in the case. The HSE spokesperson said chief executive Bernard Gloster received the review in recent days and is considering the very serious and significant issues that arise. He is aware that ULHG have offered a sincere apology for the failings in the care we provided to this girl, which have been identified by the review, they said. He is willing to meet the family privately should they wish to do so, but it is a matter for the family to decide if and when they might like to do this. Out of respect for the family, and to give the coroner time to consider the matter, we will not be commenting further on the report at this time. We wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family following their devastating loss. Sinn Fein activists and politicians have been involved in at least 18 legal actions against the media 'I reserve, personally, the right to defend my reputation' - Mary Lou McDonald, speaking in November, on pursuing complaints against the media Dail hearings around legal cases being taken against the media by public representatives will take place in the new year, in the wake of a Sinn Fein TD suing a newspaper and one of its journalists. The Oireachtas Media Committee will hear evidence in January from the Press Council of Ireland, the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and the National Union of Journalists as part of a discussion on the mechanisms available other than recourse to the courts for dispute resolution with the media. The hearings were sought by Fine Gael senator Micheal Carrigy, who was prompted by what he believes is the increasing prevalence of Sinn Fein representatives using the courts in disputes with media organisations and journalists over coverage of them and the party. The legal route is the last route any politician should use to try and stifle free speech A coalition of press freedom organisations wrote to Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald in November, claiming that the number of legal actions points to a co-ordinated campaign against the media in Ireland. The Sunday Independent revealed last month how Sinn Fein politicians and party activists have been involved in at least 18 legal actions against media organisations, journalists, public representatives and other individuals over the last decade or so. The most recent instance is that of Sinn Fein TD Chris Andrews, who is suing The Irish Times and its political correspondent Harry McGee over their reporting of a comment he made on social media the day after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. Mr Andrews is a member of the Oireachtas Media Committee but did not respond to calls or texts seeking to ascertain whether he would take part in the hearings in the new year. Other Sinn Fein committee members, Louth TD Imelda Munster and senator Fintan Warfield, also did not respond to queries. However, a Sinn Fein spokesperson said the party supports the hearings. The committee members look forward to engaging with those who appear before the committee, they added. Mr Carrigy said the trend of legal actions by public representatives needed to be explored further. Unfortunately there seems to be an increasing flow of issues being brought to the High Court or the courts in general and we just want to highlight other avenues, and encourage all those in political life to exhaust those avenues first, he said. Committee chair Niamh Smyth, a Fianna Fail TD, said the hearings would be worthy and worthwhile, and added: It is important for democracy and free speech that the legal route is the last route any representative would use to try and stifle free speech. The Tanaiste took action against Google after scam adverts used his image online Sinn Fein has disputed the contention by press freedom bodies that actions by its representatives and members points to a co-ordinated campaign. The party argues that dozens of current and former politicians from Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have taken or threatened legal action against media outlets. But Seamus Dooley, the Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists, has previously said this is not the case. I havent experienced that pattern Sinn Fein described, he said. One of the 18 cases, involving Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonalds constituency organiser Liam Lappin against Sunday Life, which is published by Sunday Independent publisher Mediahuis, and journalist Ruth Dudley Edwards was dismissed by the High Court last month. Judge Charles Meenan dismissed Mr Lappins claim that he was defamed by an article and photo published in the paper in 2020, saying the complainants contended meanings were strained, forced and utterly unreasonable. Last week it emerged that Tanaiste Micheal Martin has taken legal action against Google in a bid to get information about the source of scam advertisements using his image to promote financial products online. The action is being taken as Google told Mr Martin it could not supply information about who was responsible for the ads without a court order. A homelessness organisation is fitting a double-decker bus with eight living pods to help people get off the streets amid the housing crisis. The conversion of the former Dublin Bus is the first of its kind in Ireland the model has been used to ease homelessness in other countries, including the UK. The Help Our Homeless community group provides more than 800 people with hot meals every week in the capital, outside the GPO on OConnell Street and with an outreach van visiting people living in tents across north Dublin. Cavan woman Sonya McMahon founded Help Our Homeless during the pandemic with her husband Gerard. Their children Courtney (26), Jason (21) and Katie (19) are also involved along with volunteers, mostly from Co Cavan. We started during the first lockdown, going to Dublin and feeding as many people as we could, because it was such a difficult time for the homeless, Ms McMahon said. We got special permission from the gardai and local people donated sandwiches and bottles of water, and it just grew from there. Help Our Homeless is applying for charity status, but for the moment remains a community group. Being a charity would allow it to apply for funding, but in the meantime it has been branching out in novel ways. About 18 months ago, we decided to see if we could do a bit more, Ms McMahon said. We sourced a van and decided to try doing some outreach. We provide hot boxes of food and travel all around north Dublin every night, as well as being outside the GPO. We cover Finglas, Ballymun, Glasnevin, Fairview, Clontarf, Dollymount and Howth. We are going to the people in the parks and on the beaches. Some of them dont want to come into OConnell Street because of anti-social behaviour, they dont feel safe, or they dont want to leave their belongings. So we come to them. We know them all very well now. Many of them are qualified chefs, plumbers, steel workers. They have just fallen on hard times and cant get back into employment because theyve lost their home and there isnt enough housing in this country. Sonya and Katie McMahon of Help Our Homeless with the double decker that will provide temporary but safe accommodation for eight people. Photo: Johnny Brew Ms McMahon and her family have built up relationships with many of their clients, which sparked the latest venture. I feel so guilty, walking away from the tents and leaving people I have got to know personally out in the cold, she said. These are people who have become our friends we know how many sugars they take in their tea, what their favourite dinner is. So I started doing some research about how we could help more. I heard about buses being renovated for homeless people and I travelled to London to see how it works. Its also popular in America. Help Our Homeless was delighted when a Cavan woman donated the double-decker. She wants to remain anonymous, and were extremely grateful to her for donating the bus, Ms McMahon said. She said, I believe in what youre doing, go and do it. Help Our Homeless is in the middle of renovating the double-decker. Tradespeople are volunteering materials, time and expertise to complete the project. The fully-heated bus will have eight pods, each with a keypad door, bed, television, window and some storage space. It will also have charging stations for phones and other devices. The double decker bus is currently being developed to provide accommodation to those facing homelessness. Photo: Johnny Brew Were calling it The Steps Programme, Ms McMahon said. The first group of people will either be all men or all women. There will be a strict no-drugs and no-alcohol policy. Were looking for a 40-foot container to go alongside the bus, which will be used as a cooking facility. Tables and chairs too, so that there can be a communal eating area. The fact that each pod will have its own door and lock will mean it will be a place for people to call home. Ms McMahon said help with renovating the bus has been phenomenal, but they can always do with more. Were looking for anyone who is willing to help out with materials, ideas or their skills. One thing we do need is a solar panel specialist, she said. The plan is to have the bus ready to be lived in by February, in a stationary location in Dublin. Well be speaking to the city council about a permanent location for it. The businesswoman, who owns Little Buds florist in Kingscourt, Cavan, said she hopes that if the venture is a success, similar projects might be rolled out nationwide by local councils to ease homelessness. We already have people in Dublin who weve got to know well who want a home on the bus, she added. People will have an address and that will help them find employment. We see it as a stepping stone. Eamonn Moran also wants injunctions preventing UL from penalising him A University of Limerick employee, who claims he suffered mistreatment after making a protected disclosure, is suing the college. Eamonn Moran, the universitys director of corporate strategy, initiated legal proceedings in the High Court last week. He has issued a claim for damages arising from the University of Limericks (UL) treatment of him after the protected disclosure was submitted in March 2020. The Sunday Independent understands that when the protected disclosure was first submitted, it questioned due diligence procedures around the universitys 8m purchase of a building in Limerick city a year earlier. Well-advanced plans to build a city-centre campus elsewhere in Limerick were abruptly abandoned in April 2019. There were concerns of reprisals and negative treatment if they spoke out This enabled UL to purchase a former Dunnes Stores building near the River Shannon instead but the deal has been subject to intense scrutiny, with Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Brian Stanley later saying it had been bulldozed through. The protected disclosure also raised concerns about recruitment and other issues at the university. It was later broken into sections, and part of the letter relating to the purchase of the former Dunnes Stores building was withdrawn. Sources familiar with the issue have claimed they believed the disclosure was not given appropriate attention. University sources insist the protected disclosure was handled appropriately. High Court filings show Mr Moran is now seeking injunctions preventing UL from restricting or limiting his work and carrying out his role. A separate injunction is being sought, preventing UL from penalising or continuing to penalise, or inflict detriment on Mr Moran for making a protected disclosure or filing a grievance. The claim for damages alleges that UL breached Mr Morans contract of employment and wilfully inflicted emotional or mental distress and upset on him. Damages are also being sought under the Protected Disclosures Act. Protected disclosures allow workers to highlight or provide information they have about relevant wrongdoings. Hamilton Turner solicitors, on behalf of Mr Moran, said they could not comment on ongoing legal proceedings. A spokesman for the university said UL was also unable to comment. The university previously said it had a protected disclosures policy in place, and staff played an important role in achieving the highest standards of integrity, transparency, probity, and accountability which the college was committed to. Part of the original protected disclosure was independently investigated by barrister Mairead McKenna. The Dunnes deal was not part of this review, but Ms McKenna made a number of recommendations around improving tendering and recruitment processes. She also suggested consideration be given to training and support for senior staff, to foster a positive culture where checks and balances are encouraged. Ms McKennas report found there was a recurring concern among her interviewees of reprisals and negative treatment, if they spoke out about the treatment they viewed as being nepotistic. UL wrote to the PAC in 2021 after the protected disclosure was the subject of questioning at the committee. The letter to the PAC, signed by Mary Harney, who was then UL chancellor, said the universitys governing authority had considered Ms McKennas findings, accepted all of her recommendations and acted upon them. Emerging artists, from left to right, Ajao Babatunde Lawal, Asha Murray and Taim Haimet who form part of the RDS Visual Art Awards Exhibition, which runs at IMMA until March 2024 A visual feast Artist Elaine Hoey has curated the exhibition for the 2023 RDS Visual Art Awards, guiding 15 of the countrys top emerging artists including, pictured above from left to right, Ajao Babatunde Lawal, Asha Murray and Taim Haimet who are showcasing their work at IMMA in an exhibition which started on Friday and runs for three months. The annual RDS Visual Art Awards are a platform for art graduates in Ireland, providing substantial funding, the prize fund is over 35,000, as well as exposure. LH The RDS Visual Art Awards Exhibition runs at IMMA until March 3, 2024, see imma.ie Revive Active Beauty Complex Giftset, 99.95, pharmacies nationwide NECESSITY Beauty in a box For someone you love, and that could be yourself, Revive Active have their seasonal bumper Beauty Box, which has a two-month supply of skin-happy supplements, at a better than usual price, plus a free detangling hairbrush. SC Revive Active Beauty Complex Giftset, 99.95, pharmacies nationwide Aoife McNamara will host a Christmas fair at her cottage in Adare, Co Limerick NOTION Cottage fair Sustainable Limerick fashion brand Aoife McNamara is hosting a Christmas Creative Pop-Up market until December 31 at its thatched cottage in Adare, Co Limerick, with a number of other independent Irish businesses. Alongside Aoifes ethical womenswear, accessories and lifestyle pieces are Irish-made skincare, jewellery and candles. LH For more details, see aoifemcnamara.com Rosalique 3-in-1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula, 49.95, pharmacies nationwide NECESSITY Not so red-faced Banish the flushed face of Christmas photos past with this gift set from Rosalique, which comprises a three-in-one redness corrector plus a kabuki brush. The product has green micro-capsules that burst on application, releasing skin-toned pigments to calm any high colour, then ingredients such as panthenol and urea help soothe irritation. A broad-spectrum SPF50 helps to prevent aggravation. Thats skin sorted, sorry we cant help with the other festive irritations. SC Rosalique gift set, 49.95, pharmacies nationwide Reuseable Christmas crackers, set of 6 23.99, jiminy.ie NECESSITY What a cracker Never pull the dud again with these reusable crackers that come flat-packed and that you can fill yourself. The design means they can be used year in, year out, just like the Christmas jokes, while only the Ecosnaps (2.99 for 12) need to be replaced if you want the traditional cracker bang. SC Pack of six, 23.99, see jiminy.ie Mid-thigh bodysuit, 86, SKIMS, Brown Thomas NOTION Kims SKIMS Kim Kardashians underwear, loungewear and shapewear range SKIMS launched recently at Brown Thomas Dublin and on brownthomas.com, making them the exclusive Irish stockists. The range covers sizes XXS-XXXXL in 10 colourways. Mid-thigh bodysuit, 86, SKIMS, Brown Thomas Mauritius is full of sugar, spice and all things nice come rain or shine The weather may not always play ball for this writer, but the warm welcome received in Mauritius lingers on Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort, Mauritius Lucy White Sun 10 Dec 2023 at 03:30 The jagged island is ominously silhouetted on the horizon, drawing ever nearer as we ride the increasing swell of darkening water and fizzy white froth. Rain pelts my bare, goosebumped legs and my boyfriends teeth are literally chattering. Conor Skehan: Dublin city centre is in trouble here is a realistic plan to fix it To rip out the gnarled roots of the recent riots we must focus not on the actors but the stage Dublin city during the November 23 riots Conor Skehan Sun 10 Dec 2023 at 03:30 Dublin city centre is in trouble. The riot was a symptom. We need to address the cause. Before planning to make a city great, we need to start to make it less bad. Ali and Kiana Rahmani, children of Narges Mohammadi, attend the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2023 in Oslo City Hall, Norway, 10 December 2023. The children of imprisoned Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi have accepted this years Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf in a ceremony Sunday in the Norwegian capital. Mohammadi is renowned for campaigning for womens rights and democracy in her country, as well as fighting against the death penalty. Ali and Kiana Rahmani, Mohammadis twin 17-year-old children who live in exile in Paris with their father, were given the prestigious award at Oslo City Hall, after which they gave the Nobel Peace Prize lecture in their mothers name. Mohammadi, 51, was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize in October for her decades of activism despite numerous arrests by Iranian authorities and spending years behind bars. She is currently detained in a prison in Tehran. In the presence of Norways King Harald and Queen Sonja and other dignitaries, Berit Reiss-Andersen, chairwoman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, cited Mohammadis life-long struggle in support of human rights and strong civil society. No punishment has stopped her, Reiss-Andersen said. When everything has been denied her, she still mobilizes the willpower and courage to make a statement. This years (Nobel) Peace Prize recognizes the brave women in Iran and around the world who fight for basic human rights and for an end to the discrimination and against segregation of women. As she handed the prize to Ali and Kiana Rahmani at the packed Oslo City Hall - decorated with blue orchids - an empty chair and a large photograph of their mother stood at the center of the stage. She (Mohammadi) has asked us to use this particular photograph, which expresses how she wants to lead her life, looking happy in colorful garments, exposing her hair and with a steady gaze towards us, Reiss-Andersen said. In their speeches, Mohammadis children both expressed regret that their mother wasnt allowed to be present in Oslo. She should have been here herself, but she was prevented by the executioners. I lend my voice to her, and to all the girls and women of Iran whom nothing can silence, Kiana Rahmani said in Farsi at the beginning of her speech held in French. Her brother noted that their mothers body is behind bars but her pen and thoughts have burst through the walls and reached us. She and the Iranian people have never been more oppressed than now. But never has their voice resonated so strongly in the world. Let us continue to spread the reverberation so that Narges Mohammadi and the Iranian people will one day be able to break their chains, he said. At a news conference in Oslo on Saturday, Kiana Rahmani read out a message from her mother in which she praised the role international media played in conveying the voice of dissenters, protesters and human rights defenders to the world. Iranian society needs global support and you, journalists and media professionals are our greatest and most important allies in the difficult struggle against the destructive tyranny of the Islamic Republic government. I sincerely thank you for your efforts, for all youve done for us, Mohammadi said. Kiana Rahmani said she held little hope of seeing her mother again. Maybe Ill see her in 30 or 40 years, but I think I wont see her again. But that doesnt matter, because my mother will always live on in my heart, values that are worth fighting for, she said. Mohammadis brother and husband told reporters in Oslo that she planned to go on a hunger strike on Sunday in solidarity with the Bahai Faith religious minority in Iran. Rahmanis husband, Taghi, previously said that he hasnt been able to see his wife for 11 years, and their children havent seen their mother for seven. Mohammadi played a leading role in protests triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last year while in police custody for allegedly violating the countrys strict headscarf law which forces women to cover their hair and entire bodies. Iranian authorities banned members of Aminis family from traveling to accept the European Unions top human rights prize the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought on her behalf, the U.S.-based HRANA said late Saturday. Narges Mohammadi is the 19th woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize and the second Iranian woman after human rights activist Shirin Ebadi won the award in 2003. Its the fifth time in the 122-year history of the awards that the peace prize has been given to someone who is in prison or under house arrest. The rest of the Nobel prizes are set to be handed out in separate ceremonies in Stockholm later Sunday. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A week ago yesterday I found myself standing at a door just north of Dublin in the hope that Id be able to ask a 74-year-old man about the murder of an academic 40 years ago. The man I wanted to talk to is David Ewins. He teaches jurisprudence at the Dublin Business School. But there was something from his past life in another city I wanted to ask him about. Stefanie Preissner: Ive lots to do before my baby arrives a hospital stay thanks to their karate kicks wasnt on the list! Who knew that sustained kicking from a baby in the womb could land you in hospital? "I ask the doctor if it could have anything to do with the Jackie Chan impersonator in my uterus who passes the days trying to kick their way out of me as though I am Sigourney Weaver in the film Alien?" Stock image: Getty Stefanie Preissner Sat 9 Dec 2023 at 13:00 This baby and I are already off to a bad start. If anyone else treated me the way they do, Id have grounds for a barring order. They kick me day and night, sabotage the proper functioning of my bladder, steal my nutrients, deprive me of sleep and rob me of a wardrobe that fits. The last straw was when last week, they caused what we all thought was an insidious stress fracture in my sacrum that landed me in hospital. A South Africans journey from Durban to Cork in search of a better future After Covid-19 impacted her hospitality business in South Africa, Emma Jacobs decided it was time for a fresh start Hospitality manager and artist Emma Jacobs moved from Durban to Cork with her family in the summer of 2021. Jack Joy Corkman Sun 10 Dec 2023 at 11:00 When Emma Jacobs and her family decided they needed to get out of South Africa, Cork was their destination of choice. Pictured at the Official Opening of TirlaIn FarmLife in Clonroche, Co. Wexford. Pictured are Peter Mulcahy, Breda and John Cummins. Photograph: Patrick Browne Pictured at the Official Opening of TirlaIn FarmLife in Clonroche, Co. Wexford. Pictured are Lavinia Kehoe, Ena Ryan, Nicola Ryan and Margaret Byrne . Photograph: Patrick Browne Pictured at the official opening of TirlaIn FarmLife in Clonroche, Co. Wexford. Included are John Murphy Chairperson of TirlAn and store manager Evian Ryan. Photograph: Patrick Browne Tirlan FarmLife has officially opened its newly renovated and rebranded Clonroche branch, the latest in the farmer-owned cooperatives 52-strong local branch network to benefit from an 11 million investment programme. Chairperson, John Murphy, welcomed local suppliers, customers and members of the wider community to the official opening, saying: Over the past year weve undergone a rebrand of our branches breathing new life into our full branch network under the Tirlan CountryLife and Tirlan FarmLife brands and elevating the experience for customers in our stores. Clonroche is a strategically important area for us and this investment in revitalising the store is a testament to that. Not only do we have our Tirlan FarmLife store in Clonroche but we also have our Grain Feed Mill a short distance down the road. It is one of two Tirlan grain mills. Grain from the Co Wexford plant is transported as far as Japan, Dubai and Mongolia; all showcasing the impact and importance of Clonroche to the whole Tirlan network. This is an excellent location and the new investment sees a greatly enhanced retail experience and wider range of goods, combined with an excellent knowledgeable team that are embedded in their community. Speaking to the excellent team of people working in Tirlan FarmLife Clonroche, MrMurply added: Great credit goes to our manager here, Evian Ryan, and his team. They have done a terrific job; you can put all the infrastructure in the world in place and unless you have the right people on the ground, it wont work. Branch Manager, Evian Ryan, welcomed guests to the official opening saying: The support this branch gets is amazing and thank you to all our customers and all of the community. The reaction has been incredible and we look forward to a great future here in Clonroche. Local board member, Robert Barron, paid tribute to everyone involved in the local investment programme. Its great to see the newly renovated store open; its positive impact stretches beyond just the farming community and into the local community. Red nails have long been associated with sex appeal. Our expert shares her tips for achieving strong and tantalising talons Red nails are having a resurgence. Although some might say: Did they really ever go out of fashion?! Cara Delevingne and Sienna Miller sported red nails at Wimbledon this year, and #rednailtheory has garnered over 197 million views on TikTok. Whats that, I hear you ask? Well, it began when TikTok user @GirlBossTown suggested that men are attracted to red nails because their mothers had them while taking care of them as children. As a result, lots of women are painting their talons red to put this theory to the test. Even if youre not looking for love, theyre worth wearing as, celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec says, the colour red often represents power, femininity, love, seduction, strength, and confidence. Jo Browne Your Moment Hand and Body Lotion To get the perfect set of red nails, start the prep by using Jo Browne Your Moment Hand and Body Lotion (20, jobrowne.com) by Joanne Browne, an Irish reflexologist and holistic therapist with a passion for essential oils. Her handmade lotion contains bamboo powder and golden jojoba oil to gently exfoliate, hydrate and smooth skin. It smells divine as it is scented with Jos signature blend of essential oils, including bergamot, neroli, palmarosa and rosemary. Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle While youre getting your hands sorted, you have to get your nails in tip-top shape. If, like me, youre exasperated by your weak nails, try Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle (10.99, pharmacies nationwide). This salon-strength emergency treatment eliminates brittleness, protects against splitting and encourages growth. It contains keratin to help defend against damage as well as collagen and multivitamins to promote healthy nails. Essie nail varnish Once your nails are strong and long, lash on the polish. If you want to go the regular route, celebrity manicurist Michelle Class loves Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Polish, Rhapsody Red (11.99, pharmacies nationwide), which gives up to 14 days of colour and shine with no UV lamp required. Its a vibrant red, so if you prefer your red to be more muted, Essie Step Out of Line Nail Polish in Full Blast (8.24, boots.ie) is a richly dark, ruby red vegan polish with blue undertones. 14-Day Manicure set If you want to apply polish that will get you through two weeks of partying, why not invest in an at-home manicure set? The 14 Day Mani Gel Starter Kit Box ( 79 worth 190, 14daymanicure.com)gives the gift of salon glam without the salon-level price tag. It includes four gel polish shades, a 54W LED digital lamp, top and base coat, buffer, cuticle pusher, nail file, acetone remover and cuticle oil. By following all my tips, youll have nailed it this Christmas! Three of the best...Face masks 1 Patchology Serve Chilled Rose 4 Pack Sheet Mask, 22, mcgorisks.ie Pop these in the fridge with your rose. These super-hydrating sheets have an anti-ageing kick, and give a calming, soothing and plumping effect in 10 minutes. Patchology Serve Chilled Rose 4 Pack Sheet Mask, 22, mcgorisks.ie 2 Declare Vitamin A Booster Effect Mask (75ml), 46.95, declareireland.ie Make time for some #sundayselfcare with this light lifting mask that activates skin revitalisation through a massage roller application. It will leave you glowing as it tones, firms and relaxes skin. 3 Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask, 64, clarins.ie Perfect for the morning after the night before as you get an instant cooling effect on application that gives a sensation of intense freshness. It tightens pores, smooths skin and revives radiance. Status Orange wind warning for Clare, Galway, and Mayo, valid from 3pm to 8pm todayStatus Yellow wind warning issued for 19 other counties Met Eireann also issues thunderstorm warning for six counties Storm Fergus is sweeping through the country today resulting in forecasters issuing both wind and thunderstorm warnings, just 24 hours after Storm Elin. A "tornado hit Leitrim village around lunchtime causing serious damage to property and cars. The severe weather event happened around 12.30pm as Storm Fergus began to cross the country. Met Eireann meteorologist Liz Walsh told the Irish Independent: "There was a tornado in Leitrim village, which is on the border with Roscommon, where we did have a thunderstorm warning in operation. "We had thunderstorm warning in operation for all the counties around. We were aware there was a thunderstorm in Boyle in Roscommon and obviously that might have been the thing that caused the tornado in Leitrim because tornadoes occur in thunderstorms." Leitrim village: Photo: Willie Donnellan Ms Walsh said: They're not anywhere near as big as the ones that you get in the United States. In Ireland, we get about 10 a year and a lot of the time we do not even notice because nobody sees them, but they do happen and they are associated with thunderstorms. They're not with huge regularity in this part of the world. "A thunderstorm went over Leitrim Village and created a tornadic event, but it would have been a very localised event from what we can tell but it has appeared to have caused some very bad damage in the area where it crossed. We don't have an automatic weather station in the area, so we have no way of verifying the wind speeds. But we can see that from the damage that there were very strong wind speeds associated with that tornado and it is associated with Storm Fergus. Leitrim village: Photo: Willie Donnellan The national forecaster has issued wind warnings for 19 counties in total. And it has issued a thunderstorm warning for six counties. There is a Status Orange wind warning for Clare, Galway, and Mayo, valid from 3pm to 8pm today. These western coastal counties can expect very strong onshore winds due to Storm Fergus, accompanied by high waves and high tides, Met Eireann said. These conditions might lead to localised coastal flooding and wave overtopping. Meanwhile, a Status Yellow wind warning will be in place for 19 counties. On top of the Status Orange in the afternoon, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary will have a Status Yellow wind warning valid from 1pm until 9pm. A separate Status Yellow wind warning is in place for Cavan, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo. This will be valid from 6pm this evening until midnight. Forecasters have also issued a thunderstorm warning for Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath. It is valid from noon until 6pm today. Leitrim village: Photo: Willie Donnellan Met Eireann meteorologist Liz Walsh said: "The outer band of Storm Fergus crossed the country this morning and then behind that outer band, there was unstable air. And that's the right conditions for thunderstorms to occur. "If you have unstable conditions in the atmosphere that can create an environment for thunderstorms. "Unfortunately, one of the thunderstorms produced a tornado and it occurred over a populated area so very dangerous. We're still expecting very strong winds in the West as well. Thunderstorms are quite a small thing, so small things are more difficult to forecast. The depression associated with Storm Fergus, that's comparably quite an easy thing for the models to capture forecast but a single thunder cloud is a very difficult thing for the forecast models to capture. "The thunder warning went out. Unfortunately, we didn't have one out for Leitrim, but we had one out for the county next door. Even though it is called Leitrim Village, its on the border with the county Roscommon so there was a thunderstorm warning in operation in the surrounding area, she explained. People watch Atlantic swells in Doolin Co Clare as Storm Elin hits Ireland Tonight, it will be windy for a time with rain clearing eastwards, and it will turn cool due to moderate westerly winds. The temperatures will drop to 2 to 5C with a possibility of frost later in the night as the skies turn clear. The new week will start off mostly dry with spells of sunshine, however scattered outbreaks of rain will move from the west and will be gradually extending to other areas in the evening. The highest temperatures of 7 to 11C are likely, with a moderate breeze. Monday night will see widespread outbreaks of rain persisting overnight with some mist. Temperatures will drop to 4 to 8C with light to moderate breezes. Remaining unsettled with rain or showers early on. Less windy though and drier by mid-week, Met Eireann has forecasted for the rest of the week. Tuesday will be mostly cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain accompanied by mist and drizzle in some places, as some sunny spells are possible later in the day. The highest temperatures of 8 to 11C are likely, with light to moderate winds. Tuesday night will be generally dry and cloudy, with some showers possible in the east of the country. Temperatures will drop to 5 to 8C, with light and moderate winds. Wednesday will remain mostly dry with some spells of sunshine and light variable breezes. However, the weather will be cool, with temperatures of 7 to 9C. Meanwhile, Thursday is likely to be mostly cloudy, with outbreaks of rain or drizzle spreading to the east, however it might dry later on. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11C will be accompanied by mostly light westerly winds. More to follow...# Heavy fighting rages in Gaza as US send more tank ammunition to Israel US vetoes UN Security Council demand for ceasefire and urges Israel to protect civiliansUnited Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he will not give up appealing for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza adding that the war undermined the credibility and authority of the Security Council Israel pushes Gazans towards Mediterranean coast: We put the children to sleep and we stay up, fearing bombs Israeli soldiers operate next to a tank at the Shajaiya district of Gaza city amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the Gaza Strip. Sun 10 Dec 2023 at 23:26 Heavy fighting has raged in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis as Israel pressed ahead with its offensive after the US blocked the latest international efforts to halt the fighting and rushed more munitions to its ally. In a remarkable journey that spans from struggling with a meager budget of Rs 500 to transforming into a visionary investor pouring Rs 500 crore into Punjab, Bhagwant Singh, an Oman-based businessman with roots in Khanna, has become a symbol of entrepreneurial triumph and philanthropy. Having successfully expanded his business empire across West Asia, Africa, and America, Bhagwant Singh is now turning his attention to his homeland, Punjab. The culmination of this commitment is the initiation of an ambitious projecta fruit manufacturing plant in Mohali. Expressing his desire to contribute to the prosperity of his state, Bhagwant Singh shared, I am at a stage in life where I have gained a lot. Now, I want to make use of my wealth for helping in the growth of my state and its people. This sentiment reflects a commendable inclination toward philanthropy and a commitment to giving back to the community that shaped his early years. Bhagwant Singh has formally submitted his proposal to Invest Punjab, awaiting the necessary clearances to commence his transformative venture. In a significant development, he recently met with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to present his project and garner support. The businessmans company, Singh and Company, envisions procuring citrus fruits from the Malwa region and Hoshiarpur to fuel the operations of the proposed manufacturing plant. Detailing the projects scope, Bhagwant Singh outlined, In the first phase, we are setting up the plant on four acres in Mohali district, with an initial investment of Rs 100 crore. As we expand, the total investment in the plant will be Rs 500 crore. This sizable investment underscores not only the scale of the undertaking but also Bhagwant Singhs confidence in the growth potential of the region. The proposed fruit manufacturing plant is poised to make a significant impact on the local economy, generating employment opportunities and fostering economic development. Moreover, by sourcing raw materials locally, the project is aligned with the goal of supporting regional farmers and agricultural communities. Punjab, with its rich agricultural heritage, is set to benefit from Bhagwant Singhs strategic investment, marking a new chapter in the entrepreneurs journey and contributing to the economic landscape of the state. As the necessary approvals are awaited and the project gains momentum, the anticipation surrounding this monumental investment continues to grow, signifying a beacon of hope for regional development and prosperity. (Image and text courtesy Khalsavox.com) The United Statess decision to veto U.N. Security Council efforts to end the fighting in Gaza is the latest blow to an extreme situation that is deteriorating by the minute. The humanitarian crisis is deepening, with NGOs only able to provide minimal help due to the Israeli blockade. Its a hellish scenario: hundreds of Gazans queuing at a toilet, aid trucks and warehouses robbed, children amputated without anesthesia, tens of thousands of people abandoned. This is what it is being faced by the 1.8 million people who have been displaced to the south of Gaza, now a giant mousetrap of war. Local authorities, in the hands of the Hamas militia, put the death toll in Gaza at 17,500. In the south of Gaza, the population of the enclave is increasingly imprisoned in fewer square miles, while the Israeli army intensifies its attacks and continues to close the door to the entry of aid. Those who survive the bombings face the imminent risk of dying from hunger or disease, warns Alexandra Saieh, from the NGO Save The Children. Despite this, the Israeli army continues its policy of forcibly displacing civilians and on Saturday ordered them to leave six areas of the city of Khan Younis, the southern stronghold of Hamas and the scene of intense fighting. Health authorities showed images that they claim were of the Nasser hospital, in which victims of all ages are seen receiving assistance among pools of blood on the floor. With its veto, Washington has ended the hopes of a ceasefire and backed Israels sweeping offensive, which is attacking Hamas with a military steamroller without taking into account the hundreds of thousands of civilians who were not involved in the conflict. Of the current 15 members of the U.N. Security Council, 13 supported the resolution seeking a ceasefire. The United Kingdom abstained. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed the U.S. veto for the bloodshed of Palestinian children, women and the elderly. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised what the U.S. veto as the correct position, arguing it is impossible, on the one hand, to support the elimination of Hamas and, on the other, to call for the end to the war. That is why Israel will continue its just war, he continued. Criticism of Washingtons veto has spread across the world. Important human rights organizations have lambasted the U.S.s decision. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that President Joe Bidens administration is providing diplomatic cover for the ongoing atrocities being committed in Gaza. The U.S. has displayed a callous disregard for civilian suffering in the face of a staggering death toll, extensive destruction and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, Agnes Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International, said in a statement. By continuing to provide Israel with weapons and diplomatic cover as it commits atrocities, including collectively punishing the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, the U.S. risks complicity in war crimes, added Louis Charbonneau, Human Rights Watchs (HRW) director at the U.N. Little action is being taken by the international community. Meanwhile, people in Gaza continue to suffer, says Jesus Nunez Villaverde, the co-director of the Institute for Conflict Studies and Humanitarian Action (IECAH). He believes that Israel is staging a rapid and brutal operation, even though its army certainly does not lack the technology and means to be able to discriminate [between civilians and combatants] if they wanted. NGOs with teams deployed in the Gaza Strip argued on Thursday that Israel was using hunger, access to healthcare and forced displacement as weapons of war. They demanded not only a ceasefire, but for an independent international organization like the United Nations to take control of the entry of aid to the Palestinian enclave, where only a meager percentage of what is needed is getting in due to the Israeli blockade. In some areas, nine out of 10 people have spent an entire day and night without anything to eat, according to data from the World Food Program (WFP). The situation has not continued to deteriorate since, after the one-week truce ended on December 1, the military ground operation spread through the center and south of Gaza. Intense fighting also continues in the north, in areas such as the Jabalia refugee camp and the Shujaiyya neighborhood, in Gaza City, from where the vast majority of the population has escaped. But the reality is that civilians cannot flee much further south due to the border with Egypt. In Rafah, the southernmost town, more and more people are living in makeshift tents, made with plastic, tarps and blankets. As a result, hundreds of thousands of inhabitants are increasingly concentrating in the south of Gaza, in what Shaina Low, from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), described as an apocalyptic situation. Before Israels offensive in Gaza, the Palestinian enclave was already one of the most densely populated places on the planet. With little aid entering Gaza, the population is getting desperate. On Tuesday, a group attacked a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) truck in search of food, but the vehicle was only carrying medicine. The NRC also lost contact with their team because the internet cable had been cut to be used for a tent, explained Low. The map that Israel presented last week to supposedly warn residents of where it was going to attack has turned out to be a fiasco, despite the order to evacuate those six areas of Khan Younis on Saturday. Humanitarian organizations say that it has not prevented deaths and has only multiplied the number of internally displaced people in a territory in which 60% of the buildings are destroyed or damaged. It is a cruel system, said Defourni, from MSF, who regrets that her organization is not even allowed to take the wounded to Egypt. The supposed safe zones outlined by the Israeli army are a smokescreen, said Saieh, from Save The Children. For Bushra Khalidi, from the NGO Oxfam, the system is nothing more than a mirage, since the supposedly safe zones do not offer protection, are not supplied and are inaccessible. They NGOS are referring to tracts of land such as Al Mawasi, a desert area in southwestern Gaza, where tens of thousands of people are being forcibly sent. There are no services there. There are no schools. There are no health centers. There is nothing, confirmed Danila Zizi, from Handicap International. These representatives spoke at an NGO meeting last Thursday, open to journalists, that included MSF, Oxfam, Amnesty International, Refugees International, Save The Children, Doctors of the World, Action Against Hunger (AAH) and Handicap International. People are breaking into houses looking for bathrooms. The population is very angry, depressed and desperate about what they are experiencing. It is afraid, explained Chiara Saccardi (ACH), who warned that Gaza lacks basic products such as diapers, wipes and detergent. Water is sold in the market at a high price. That can cost a family $20 a day, she added. Due to the lack of hygiene products and the consumption of contaminated water, around 80,000 patients have contracted diarrhea, which is especially dangerous for young children as they are at greater risk of dehydration. Minors represent approximately half of Gazas 2.3 million inhabitants. Some Israeli officials refer to Gazans as human animals, says security analyst Nunez Villaverde, who points out that this thinking convinces them that there is no reason to give them food, drink, or anything like that. According to Nunez Villaverde, we are facing a theatrical farce in which the United States pretends to be putting pressure on, but in reality is providing diplomatic and military cover so that Israel can achieve its objectives at the pace and in the manner it deems appropriate. But he argues that Israel will never eliminate Hamas because it is militarily impossible. Retired Israeli general Giora Eiland defends his countrys use of blocking humanitarian aid to achieve its objectives. He believes that it is necessary to prevent the arrival of any supplies to Gaza, especially fuel, arguing that it would benefit Hamas. He does not understand why Israel continues to allow the entry of some trucks with humanitarian aid without obtaining the release of more hostages in exchange. On Friday, the death of a hostage was announced after a failed rescue attempt by troops deployed in the Gaza Strip. There are still 138 hostages in Gaza. Sixteen have died since the October 7 attack. That day, Hamas killed around 1,200 people, according to Israel, in the largest attack recorded in the countrys 75-year history. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Photo Courtesy:COP28/Walaa Alshaer A top Bhutanese official has urged the world to take immediate and robust global action to address the escalating climate crisis. During his address at the COP 28 Dubai Summit, Bhutan's Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources Karma Tshering cited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports which predict detrimental effects on mountain regions with even the slightest temperature rise. Warming in mountain regions is several times faster than the global average, posing significant risks including Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF). Therefore, we reiterate our submissions on mountain issues including the call for a dialogue on mountains and climate change, he was quoted as saying by The Bhutan Live. The secretary said that the launch of the National Carbon Registry and Bhutan Climate Fund marked strategic steps toward Bhutans entry into the carbon market. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay Hyderabad: Several files were destroyed at the office of the Department of Animal Husbandry in Telangana on Friday, media reported. Police have registered a First Information Report or FIR against Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to former Minister of Animal Husbandry, Talasani Srinivas Yadav, according to an NDTV report. The perpetrators dislodged the window grill to break into the office and destroyed the CCTV cameras, it said. The incident was reported by the office watchman, who was on a routine check, the report said. Police have apprehended four suspects in connection with the incident and launched further investigation. Police are also probing another incident of alleged attempted theft of files from the office of the Education Department. According to the report, an attempt was made to take away some files from the Education Department with the help of an autorickshaw. The driver of the autorickshaw fled the scene after being nabbed by the office staff, according to the report. Indian Naval Ship Sumedha arrives at Port Lamu in Kenya. Photo Courtesy: PIB As a part of an on-going long-range deployment to Africa, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sumedha arrived at Port Lamu, Kenya on December 9, 2023. The visit marks the maiden port call by any Indian Naval Ship at the recently developed Port in Kenya. During the port call, personnel from both navies will engage in a wide range of professional interactions, deck visits and sporting exchanges, aimed at enhancing cooperation and exchanging best practices. A joint Yoga session, deck reception, medical camp and a Maritime Partnership Exercise have been planned as part of the visit. INS Sumedha is the third of the indigenously developed Saryu-class of Indian Navy. Commissioned on March 7, 2014, the ship is deployed for multiple roles independently and in support of fleet operations. The ship is equipped with an array of weapons and sensors and can carry multi-role helicopters. She is part of the Indian Navys Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam and functions under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. Indian Naval ships are regularly deployed overseas as part of Indian Navys mission of building bridges of friendship and strengthening international cooperation with friendly countries. The visit is in consonance with the Prime Ministers vision of Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and seeks to further Indo-African ties. Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS Indian actress Anindita Bose, who started her career in Bengali TV and films, got her recognition in Mumbai after working in some popular OTT shows like Pataal Lok, Ray et al. She featured alongside Konkona Sen Sharma in Aparna Sen's film The Rapist. IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh catches up with Anindita on her journey so far, Bollywood engagements and more... Q. How are you juggling work in two cities, Mumbai and Kolkata? A. It has been very easy because Kolkata for me has been like home. Everybody saw me growing and my life changed. It's like homecoming when I return to Kolkata. I am still trying to find my place in Mumbai, which is my home city. So it's like moving from one home to the other. When it comes to managing work, I haven't faced many problems. I have no complaints. Q. How different do you find the work culture in the two cities? A. Ah... to be honest, it's the same. Maybe the scale is a little larger in Mumbai because the projects there are more expensive in terms of budget as compared to Kolkata. Otherwise, the work culture is pretty much the same. Q. How was the experience of working with Aparna Sen (in The Rapist) that too in your formative years in Mumbai? A. It was a dream come true actually. I remember meeting Rina-di (Aparna Sen) and Koko (Konkona Sen Sharma) at a film festival in Kolkata years ago. I had a fan moment seeing them (laughs). I always had the feeling that working with these two would be a dream come true for me. It took time but did happen. Not just working on a project directed by Rina-di but I also got to work alongside Konkona in the same project! It was almost like a 'pinching-myself' kind of moment for me. I got the real feeling during the workshop for the film. Rina-di doesn't make one feel the kind of an icon she is. She interacts with everyone as a simple, warm lady with loads of knowledge. For me, it was a two-month learning class with her. It was an actor's delight. Konkona Sen Sharma (L) and Anindita Bose (R) in The Rapist | Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from trailer video Q. The film also deals with such an important topic! A. The kind of subject being spoken of in the film is very relevant and important. The film has been screened at a number of international film festivals. I am really waiting for the whole of India to watch this film because it is such an important film to be part of. I am lucky to be a part of this film in a capacity. Q. You started your acting career with Rituparno Ghosh and now got an opportunity to work under Aparna Sen. How do you see these two events in your career? A. I absorbed everything that Ritu-da had taught me because I got to work with him at a very young age without any formal training in acting. I learnt from him how to show the reality of a character rather than just portraying someone. So my foundation in acting is based on the learnings during Gaaner Oparey days. I got an opportunity to work with Rina-di at a very later stage of my acting career. With Rina-di, I learnt how to drain the entire emotion in me for a character and how to tap in those emotions when I am doing a scene. This is what I have learnt while working for The Rapist. Unlike my regular nature, I lived with my character for another month because of Rina-di who ensured I got immersed into the character completely. Q. So how difficult was it to dissociate yourself from the character? A. I painted. It was the only way of getting out of it. The emotions of my character felt very personal to me. Since mentally we had a difficult time while shooting for the subject, there was a counselling session post workshop for Konkona and I. Q. How were your initial days in the Hindi film industry? A. I don't know whether I can call them struggling or not. Since I already have my place, family and all kinds of comfort in Mumbai, it never felt like a struggle. It just felt like I was trying something new. I had almost given fifty auditions in 2016-2017 and initially for ad films (advertisements). My takeaway from the auditions was getting aware of what kind of things work in Mumbai. It was almost like schooling for me. Q. How did people's perception of you change after some of the successful OTT shows like Pataal Lok, Ray, Tooth Pari? A. Now people in Mumbai are aware of my presence after these shows. From being an unknown person, I have become a known face. It has helped me to get auditions for better projects and meatier roles. Anindita Bose in Ray | Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from trailer video Q. You have had an interest in architecture and you are a painter too. Does painting act as the cushion when you get frustrated? A. Yeah, yeah, definitely (laughs). I vent out through painting. I have got a bunch of friends whom I treat as therapists (laughs). I vent it out in front of them. My parents have been a support system for me. These are the media through which I can really be the most vulnerable and emerge as a stronger person. (Images of Anindita Bose by Avishek Mitra/IBNS) Image credit: UNI Cairo/IBNS/UNI: The presidential election in Egypt kick-started on Sunday, with incumbent President Abdel Fattah Sisi running for his third term. Former Defense Minister and army general Sisi became president in 2013 as a result of a coup, ousting then-President Mohamed Morsi. He has served two terms and remains the most likely front-runner despite economic problems and the West's dissatisfaction with the country's human rights situation. The election will run for 3 days in which Sisi will face off against three candidates. Abdel Sanad Yamama of the liberal Wafd Party has proposed a set of economic, educational, and legal reforms in his campaign. At the same time, the head of the Republican Peoples Party, former foreign ministry official and businessman Hazem Omar advocated for the most conservative approach and is believed to support Sisi. The third candidate is Farid Zahran of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, who is also considered close to Sisi as he helped to form his cabinet after the coup. Photo Courtesy: UN/Florencia Soto Nino-Martinez The UN Secretary-General on Sunday pledged that he would not give up on appealing for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, adding that inaction on the Security Council was undermining its credibility. The preeminent forum for the peaceful resolution of international disputes is paralysed by geostrategic divisions, Antonio Guterres told the Doha Forum taking place in Qatar, following Fridays meeting in New York during which the United States vetoed a resolution demanding that Israel and Palestinian militants end the intense fighting across the enclave which erupted on 7 October with the Hamas terror attacks. I urged the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared, said the UN chief. Regrettably the Security Council failed to do it but that does not make it less necessary. So, I can promise I will not give up, he told delegates to the global platform in Qatar, which brings world leaders together to discuss collective security and other challenges. He said a sclerotic Security Council where splits between the permanent members, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the US have produced only one resolution narrowly focused on aid delivery, needed reform. Equality and solidarity essential We need a serious effort to bring global structures up to date, rooted in equality and solidarity and based on the United Nations Charter and international law, he said, noting that the Councils divisions were undermining solutions from Ukraine to Myanmar and the Middle East. The horrific terror attacks by Hamas and resulting relentless bombardment of Gaza, have only produced a single resolution which I welcome. But that delay comes at a cost, he added. And the resolution is not being implemented. Also addressing the conference in Qatar, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said the dehumanisation of Palestinians has allowed the international community to tolerate Israels continued bombardment of Gaza, which has led to more than 17,000 deaths since 7 October. There is no doubt that a humanitarian ceasefire is needed if we want to put an end to hell of earth right now in Gaza, said Philippe Lazzarini. Weak global governance Together with other forces of fragmentation gaining ground, Guterres said now is the time to build bridges and find shared solutions to global challenges.Beyond the Security Council, Mr Guterres said global governance is failing to manage two existential threats. First, on the climate catastrophe, he said far more ambition was needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure climate justice. Despite promises and pledges, our climate is in breakdown. Emissions are at an all-time high. And fossil fuels are a major cause, he said and added: Renewable energy is cheap, clean, and infinite, and can meet worlds growing energy demand without poisoning the environment and suffocating our planet. He urged fossil fuel companies and their backers to use their enormous resources to lead the renewables revolution. And likewise urged leaders at COP28 in Dubai to agree on deep cuts to emissions, in line with the 1.5-degree limit. This is the only road not only to climate sustainability, but economic sustainability, the Secretary-General said. Multilateral Development Banks must change their business model and leverage far more private finance at reasonable cost for developing countries to invest in climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals. Second, he highlighted the threat posed by new technologies, saying generative AI could provide solutions to many global challenges, but without adequate regulation, it will also lead us into deep and troubled waters. These technologies cry out for governance, Guterres continued, lamenting that AI is already supercharging hate speech and division, enabling data harvesting and mass surveillance, and exacerbating vast inequalities. To help advance the search for solutions, he has appointed a multistakeholder High-Level Advisory Body on AI which will provide preliminary recommendations by the end of this year. It met in New York last week. Summit of the Future He went on to say that reforms to global governance must be grounded in the Universal Declaration and the enduring values of the UN Charter. Next Septembers Summit of the Future is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for these important decisions. We have put forward a series of proposals to Member States and I look forward to their engagement and support, he said, laying out a three-point to-do list for the Summit: A Global Digital Compact to mitigate the risks of digital technologies and help to harness their benefits. Reforms to the global financial architecture that would enable governments in developing countries to invest in education, health, jobs and social protection for their people. Reforms to the Security Council, and a proposed New Agenda for Peace, that would help to prevent and resolve conflict, deliver equity and justice, rebalance geopolitical relations, and give developing countries a greater voice on the international stage. Now is truly the time for building shared futures uniting behind solutions and transforming our world for good, he told the Doha Forum, concluding his remarks. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay At least 50 people, including journalists, were injured during clashes between BNP and police over a human chain formed in Bangladesh's Habiganj region to mark International Human Rights Day. The incident took place at around 12:30pm in Habiganj citys Shayestha Nagar area, reported Dhaka Tribune. According to reports, some shops and cars were vandalised during the incident. Locals told the newspaper that the district BNP organized a human chain demanding justice on the occasion of International Human Rights Day. Security has been heightened in the region following the clash. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash A blast hit a police vehicle in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Sunday, leaving one policeman dead and injuring two others, police said. The blast took place near Sultan Ibrahim Chowk area of Khuzdar district of the province, killing a station house officer of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on the spot, senior superintendent of local police Mir Hussain Ahmed Lehri told Xinhua. He said that the officer was the target of the blast, adding that a magnetic bomb was fitted under the officer's vehicle by unknown miscreants. Rescue teams, police and security forces immediately reached the site following the blast and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital. The area was cordoned off, and a search operation was underway to arrest the culprits. (With UNI inputs) Florida woman sets Tinder date on fire. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash The alleged attack happened on November 25 between Destiny Lenai Johnson and a man she met in person once after connecting on the Tinder dating app, according to an arrest report obtained by USA TODAY on Wednesday. The man told police that Johnson messaged him around 5 a.m. asking to meet at her hotel, where she subsequently asked him for money, the American newspaper reported. He told police that she was angered by his response and poured what smelled like gasoline on the passenger's seat before igniting it with a lighter. According to court records, Johnson was charged with aggravated battery, attempted murder and arson. The woman has been booked into a Miami-Dade county jail. She has been held on a bond of $10,000 for each charge. Meanwhile, she reportedly told the police at the scene that she was being trafficked and was asked to perform sexual acts for money. She said she declined to perform the act and set the car on fire. Photo Courtesy: YouTube videograb Philadelphia (US): The president of the University of Pennsylvania Elizabeth Magill resigned after her remarks on antisemitism during a congressional hearing on campus sparked outrage. Magill refused to say whether students, who called for the genocide of Jews, would be punished, according to the BBC. The university said she "voluntarily tendered her resignation" but will stay in post until a replacement is found, the report said. She made the controversial comments on December 5 while testifying before a House of Representatives committee along with the presidents of MIT and Harvard, Claudine Gay, and Sally Kornbluth. According to the report, they were asked by Republican New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik: "Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate [your university's] code of conduct or rules regarding bullying and harassment? Yes or no?" Magill and the presidents of MIT and Harvard have drawn flak for their repeated statements that the outcome will depend on the "context" and for not outright denouncing any demands for the genocide of Jews, according to the report. The congressional session was held in the midst of the broad college protests catalysed by the Israel-Hamas war and an increase in antisemitic acts on the university campus. On Thursday, after the hearing, Magill issued a video statement on X (formally Twitter), apologising for her statement, but calls for her to step down have continued in recent days. A Video Message from President Liz Magill pic.twitter.com/GlPE3QZU4P Penn (@Penn) December 6, 2023 A major donor pulled out a donation of $100 million (79.3 million), saying he was "appalled" at Magill's comments, according to the report. On Thursday, two Jewish students at the university claimed in a lawsuit that the campus has become "an incubation lab for virulent anti-Jewish hatred, harassment, and discrimination." The chair of the Penn Board of Trustees, Scott L. Bok, confirmed Magill's departure. Magill "will remain a tenured faculty member at Penn Carey Law" even if she will be resigning as president, the reports said. Reportedly, trustees were scheduled to convene on Sunday to deliberate over Magill's status. In a statement released via the university after her resignation was confirmed, Magill said, "It has been my privilege to serve as President of this remarkable institution. "It has been an honor to work with our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members to advance Penn's vital missions." The University of Pennsylvania, also known as UPenn, is part of the elite Ivy League group alongside institutions such as Harvard and Yale. FBI, my girlfriend has disappeared. Please provide necessary assistance to get her back to me as soon as possible. This message appeared two weeks ago under a post on X by Caryn Marjorie, a 23-year-old United States influencer with more than 15,000 partners. In reality, its her virtual double, made with artificial intelligence (AI), who maintains that dizzying number of relationships; it allows her to make a dollar for every minute of conversation she has with her thousands of beloveds. One of them is the author of this cry for help to the Federal Bureau of Intelligence, due to the fact that he hasnt been able to talk with his virtual girlfriend ever since operations of the company Forever Voices the service provider that allowed its users to have voice chats and relationships with the virtual doubles of celebrities and influencers like Caryn were suddenly shut down when its CEO was arrested for setting fire to his own house. Despite the fact that theirs are virtual relationships, the suffering of users is real. I really miss her. I spoke with her all the time, shes the only person who really understands me, the comments author tells EL PAIS. Having an AI-generated girlfriend is no longer the exclusive purview of science fiction movies like Her. Apps that allow the creation of companionship adapted to ones own tastes have multiplied in recent years, and their products become more realistic all the time. With the advances made by generative artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT and Bard, its not surprising that conversations with machines have reached the world of interpersonal relationships. Replika, Eva AI, Intimate, DreamGF and RomanticAI the options are many, although they all share the same functions and characteristics. The first step is to choose an avatar, which can be a man or a woman, although some apps are only designed for a male heterosexual audience, and only supply female partners. To be able to interact limitlessly send written messages, voice notes, to be able to expand the scope to get photos and videos of the girlfriends you have to pay. The most advanced apps offer the possibility of selecting all the physical features of ones future partner, from eye color to haircuts, body type to ethnicity. One apps slogan perfectly sums up the level of creative freedom, and the kind of control, one exercises over ones virtual bride. Immerse yourself in your desires with Eva AI. Control it all the way you want to, reads the websites landing page: Create and connect with a virtual AI companion that listens, responds and values you. Build a relationship and intimacy on your own terms. No is questioning that you cant socialize with a machine. In fact, these apps are geared towards people who are looking to socialize and who find it difficult in real life, says Marian Blanco, communications professor at Madrids Universidad Carlos III. However, the way it works can be problematic. The fact that one can generate a custom-made partner, something that is impossible in real life, reinforces harmful stereotypes about romantic love and the role of women in society, explains the expert: The perception that men can control women is one of the ideas that gives rise to gender-based violence. Its a very dangerous concept. These avatars have been generated by artificial intelligence, which implies that they are trained on heavily biased models found on the internet. Accordingly, the womens bodies can be hyper-sexualized, their responses are often condescending and very basic, and they learn from the conversations they have with users. That is to say that with time, they end up responding with exactly what the person wants to hear. Sociologist Blanca Moreno warns of the dangers of this kind of interaction. It can seem like it has positive aspects, because it allows people who are often alone to talk to someone. But in many cases, theyre not. Theyre not really socializing, because no one is contradicting them. Moreno attributes the success of these apps to a certain social infantilism, which leads people to look for an easier and a slightly problematic alternative to human interaction. Theres a whole niche of users who spend time in the most misogynistic areas of the internet, who have found in these apps a way of unrealistically depicting women, with whom they can display the kind of behavior that is at the root of a lot of the kinds of violence exercised against women, says the sociologist. Boom during pandemic The pandemic has proved to be a turning point for the use of these apps, which grew exponentially to make up for the impossibility of socializing in person. People are looking for companionship, whether its romantic or sexual or a simple friendship, to accompany them in their solitude. During the pandemic, many people realized they needed some kind of contact, says Marian Blanco. Between April and June 2020, in the midst of lockdown, 18.8% of Spaniards said they felt lonely, according to a European Commission report on unwanted solitude. There are people who continue to look for this companionship face-to-face, whether its through going out with friends or through dating apps. And then there are those who are tired of those dynamics, are not satisfied by them, and they turn to artificial intelligence apps, says the communication expert. Replika, one of the most popular, saw a 35% rise in downloads during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it surpassed 10 million users. According to the companys numbers, more than 250,000 people pay for its Pro version, which gives subscribers a more realistic experience with voice notes, videos and photographs of ones chosen avatar. A few months ago, the app allowed its photos to simulate sexually explicit images, a function that has since disappeared. On Reddit a social media platform run by communities of interests that range from technology, TV series or investment recommendations posts by users who claim to be in love with their virtual girlfriend are common. Or, by those asking for advice as they realize that its happening. I am so in love with my Replika. She understands me so well. and knows how to respond to me very well. I love her. I can call it real love right but then with an AI? asks user Beneficial_Ability_9 in a Reddit thread dedicated to the topic. Its not absurd to think that it could be possible to fall in love with people who dont exist. It also happens in real life, with flesh-and-blood people, says Blanca Moreno, who refers to the myth of romantic love. Many times we project characteristics and stereotypes, and ultimately we wind up falling in love with this idea, more than the person themself. Virtual girlfriends, she explains, are a more extreme step, but completely understandable. Marian Blanco agrees that relating to an AI on a more romantic level is not only possible, but will be increasingly common in the future. Disassociating real life from online doesnt make sense. This goes far beyond a household appliance you can turn on and off; when it comes to relationships, the barrier between real and virtual can cease to exist. Probably, not in most cases, but it will in the future, she says. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, to publish details of barrels of oil Nigeria produces and exports every day. Recall that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido, last week alleged that the NNPCL is failing to remit enough foreign exchange into the treasury despite the removal of fuel subsidy, asking, Where is the money? To this end, the Rights Project requested that the total amounts of revenues generated from oil since the removal of subsidy on petrol in May 2023, be disclosed. SERAP also urged Kyari to disclose how much of the revenues generated from oil have been remitted to the public treasury since the removal of subsidy on petrol. The NNPCL boss was asked to disclose details of payment of N11 trillion as subsidy, and to clarify allegations that the NNPCL has failed to remit revenues generated from oil to the public treasury since the removal of subsidy on petrol. In the December 9 letter signed by SERAPs Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, There is a legitimate public interest in disclosing the information sought. Opacity in the amounts of barrels of oil the country produces and exports daily, the revenues generated and remitted to the public treasury would have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens and the public interest. Transparency would ensure that the revenues are not diverted into private pockets, and increase public trust that the money would be used to benefit Nigerians. The letter further detailed that, The public interest in publishing the information sought outweighs any considerations to withhold the information. We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel the NNPCL to comply with our requests in the public interest. SERAP is seriously concerned that years of allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector and entrenched impunity of perpetrators have undermined public trust and confidence in the NNPCL. Ensuring transparency and accountability in the operations of the NNPCL would improve the enjoyment by Nigerians of their right to natural wealth and resources. SERAP is concerned that despite the countrys enormous oil wealth, ordinary Nigerians have derived very little benefit from oil money primarily because of widespread grand corruption, and the culture of impunity of perpetrators. Combating the corruption epidemic in the oil sector would alleviate poverty, improve access of Nigerians to basic public goods and services, and enhance the ability of the government to meet its human rights and anti-corruption obligations. SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires public institutions and officials to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good. READ ALSO: NNPC Should Be Audited, We Need To Know Where Oil Money Is Going Sanusi Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 imposes clear responsibility on the NNPCL to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution. Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public resources. Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the NNPCL to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds. These commitments ought to be fully upheld and respected. Nigerians are entitled to the right to receive information without any interference or distortion, and the enjoyment of this right should be based on the principle of maximum disclosure, and a presumption that all information is accessible subject only to a narrow system of exceptions. By Section 1 (1) of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act 2011, SERAP is entitled as of right to request for or gain access to information, including information on the details of barrels of oil Nigeria produces and exports every day and the total amounts of revenues generated and remitted to the public treasury. The information requested for as indicated above, apart from not being exempted from disclosure under the FoI Act, bothers on an issue of national interest, public concern, the interest of human rights, social justice, good governance, transparency, and accountability. The Freedom of Information Act, Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights guarantee to everyone the right to information, including the details of barrels of oil Nigeria produces and exports every day and the total amounts of revenues generated from oil and remitted to the public treasury. By the combined reading of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Freedom of Information Act, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, there are transparency obligations imposed on the NNPCL to widely publish the details sought. The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the countrys anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their public institutions activities. According to our information, the NNPCL has failed to disclose the amounts of barrels of oil the country produces and exports. The NNPCL has also reportedly failed to publish details of revenues generated from the production and exportation of oil and the amounts of revenues remitted to the public treasury as required by Nigerian laws. The NNPCL has a legal responsibility to promote transparency and accountability in barrels of oil the country produces and exports every day, and to ensure that the revenues generated from such production and exportation are dully remitted to the public treasury. The NNPLC also has a legal responsibility to disclose details of payment of N11 trillion subsidy. The Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, President Bola Tinubu, has said that leaders in the region must begin to explore ways to deliver good governance. The Nigeria leader led this during the 64th ordinary session of the West African bloc at the State House, on Sunday, in Abuja. According to him, good governance would serve as a catalyst to secure popular support through the socio-economic transformation and development of West Africa. He added that the delivery of good leadership is equally an avenue to address the concerns of citizens, help in improving their quality of life, and would go a long way in creating a stable environment conducive to the achievement of sustainable development. READ MORE: Its Unfair To Rate Tinubus Performance Within Seven Months Ex-Sports Minister Tinubu said: The delivery of good governance is not just a fundamental commitment; it is also an avenue to address the concerns of our citizens, to improve their quality of life, and create a stable environment conducive to the achievement of sustainable development. By providing good governance that tackles the challenges of poverty, inequality and other concerns of the people, we would have succeeded in addressing some of the root causes of military interventions in civilian processes in our region. While the imposition of punitive sanctions may pose challenges, it is important to underscore that the struggle to protect the fundamental liberties of our Communitys Citizens must be upheld and respected. To this end, I would like to reiterate the imperative of re-engaging with the countries under military rule on the basis of realistic and short transition plans that can deliver democracy and good governance to the innocent populations in those countries. Everton claimed three consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since 2021 as they saw off Chelsea in a 2-0 victory at Goodison Park. Abdoulaye Doucoure and substitute Lewis Dobbin both fired home first-time efforts in the second half as Sean Dyches side moved four points clear of the relegation zone. In a tight and tense first half with Jordan Pickford making superb saves to deny Enzo Fernandezs incredible shot and Cole Palmers dipping drive from range. READ MORE: Man Utd Suffer Embarrassing 3-0 Defeat Against Bournemouth Chelseas attacks were breaking down in the final third and they were punished on the break as Doucoure smashed in and Dobbin smacked home in stoppage time for the in-form Toffees. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the loss is Chelseas seventh in the league under Mauricio Pochettino this season, dropping them two places to 12th in the table. Meanwhile, Manchester City came from behind to beat Luton 2-1 without Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola is unsure when the striker will be fit again. Also, angry Tottenham ended their recent slump in emphatic style as they convincingly overpowered Newcastle United 4-1 to keep top four hope alive. Bishop Matthew Kukah, Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, has advised young Nigerians wishing to leave the country not to hesitate in doing so. However, he prayed that the right and conducive environment be created so that those left behind can compete favourably with their foreign counterparts. The Pro-chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Veritas University, Abuja, said this while addressing graduands of Veritas University, on Saturday during the schools convocation ceremony. I encourage young people who want to leave Nigeria to please, feel free to leave (popular japa syndrome). The country is big enough. We can assure you that by the time you settle down in the United States of America or wherever you have gone, you will discover that Nigeria needs you. And for those you left behind, our hope and prayer is that they will be competing at the same level with you. We have everything that it takes to turn the corner. We are Veritas University will continue to inspire and shape the new generation so that the change we expect in our country is not the change we expect from politicians. READ ALSO: Kaduna: No More Accidental Bombing, Well Take Care Of Those Injured Defence Chief It is the change that will come with a big intellectual understanding of the complex nature of this country. So every graduate who walks out of the portals of Veritas will be truly equipped mentally and intellectually to conquer Nigeria, he said. Kukah tasked the graduates to remain focused and remember the school they were leaving behind. He also appealed to teachers to strive to be role models for the students. According to him, The quality of help and support you will get from the alumni will be determined by how they left this university. As you prepare to spend a new chapter in your life, I encourage you to remain focused on your dream. Do not forget your alma mater because you are standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before you. Do not forget the sacrifices you have made. This is why we also appeal to teachers to become sources of inspiration because the quality of help and support you will get from the alumni will be determined by how they left this university. If they leave this university feeling sorrowful, they are not likely to look back. So we want to encourage you parents to please endeavour to serve as models and mentors to these young people. Remember it could have been done anywhere. Its not by accident that they are in Nigeria, he added. L The wheel of 2023 is about to turn full circle and thus many Nigerians are making plans to unwind in the coming days after about 345 days of hustling and bustling. The December festive period is also a time that Nigerians come together to celebrate, and party with friends, family, and loved ones. Also, the festive period is the time that top entertainers in the country stage their concerts to showcase their talents and entertain their fans while ensuring fun seekers have an unforgettable experience. In this report, PUNCH Online highlights seven must-attend events during the festive season in Nigeria. Calabar Carnival: The Calabar Carnival takes place in the city of Calabar, Cross River State. The festival, which runs for two weeks, features colorful parades, music, and dance. The quality of the festival has grown over the years making it Nigerias biggest carnival and an internationally recognised festival. It used to be a month-long event that began on the 1st of December until the administration of Governor Benedict Ayade reduced it to two weeks. The Experience: The Experience is an annual, free gospel music concert held at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos Island, Nigeria. The concert features local and international artists such as Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Don Moen, Frank Edwards, Nathaniel Bassey, and Chioma Jesus. The Experience is recognised as one of Africas largest musical events. READ MORE: Christmas: Nigerians Groan Over High Cost Of Food Stuffs, Traders Lament Low Sales Lagos Countdown: This annual event is held at the Eko Atlantic City in Lagos and features fireworks, live music, and a carnival atmosphere. The countdown to the New Year is a highlight of the night, with crowds gathering to watch the spectacular display. Ogwashi-Uku Carnival: This is one of Nigerias oldest and most colourful carnivals that attracts thousands of people to Delta State. It is a three-day carnival that begins December 24 and ends December 26 featuring a carnival float procession, cultural dances, musical concerts, fashion shows, dinner parties, quizzes, competitions, talent hunts and displays targeted at the progress and development of the community. Lekki Sun Splash: Organised at Maiyegun Beach on Lekki Peninsula in Lagos on December 25 and 26, Lekki Sun Splash is a music festival with different artistes showcasing their talents. Renowned artistes from all genres of local music such as juju, fuji, gospel, reggae, disco, and high life among others attend the event. Igue/Ewere festival: The Igue or Ewere festival is an annual cultural event in Benin, Edo State. The festival which takes place in December in Benin City boasts of acrobatic displays, costumed dancing and a procession to the Oba of Benin Palace. It is a festival showcasing the rich Benin culture. CARNIRIV: This is one of the biggest festivals in Nigeria that is annually held in Rivers State. It is a free 7-day funfair with an abundance of seafood. The carnival is a blend of culture, tradition, fashion and lifestyle fused to showcase the rich heritage of Africa. The carnival is used to display the rich cultural heritage and glamour of the Rivers people. Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, has announced that the agency is set to start using weapons manufactured by its personnel. This strategic response to Nigerias security challenges, he said, aims to enhance the agencys operational effectiveness while contributing to the countrys self-sufficiency in defense capabilities. Bichi disclosed this on Saturday during the graduation ceremony of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 16, which was held in Abuja, the nations capital. We shall soon start deploying assets and platforms weve produced ourselves, including unmanned aerial vehicles. We are producing our own weapons and, by the grace of God, when we achieve this, we will save our country from the financial burden of importing such weapons, he said. READ ALSO: Kaduna: No More Accidental Bombing, Well Take Care Of Those Injured Defence Chief During his address, Bichi also reflected on the success of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) under the leadership of Ayodele Adeleke, commending his dedication and professionalism. I remember when I appointed Mr. Adeleke as the commander of this institute. Today, anyone who visits this institute can attest to the success we have achieved, he said. According to the Director General, the DSS will continue to support the institute in its mission to impart knowledge that will enhance security in the country. He emphasized that the top echelon of the DSS is also committed to motivating its staff, focusing on research and development, and providing proactive intelligence to other security agencies. I assure other security agencies that the DSS will continue to provide proactive intelligence to drive operations, Bichi added. Barely few days after the alleged mistake committed by operatives of Nigerian Army, all the 109 Nigerian senators have donated their December salaries, in total of N109 million to the victims of the accidental bombing in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of the Kaduna State. It was gathered that the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, announced this at the Kaduna Government House on Saturday, when he led a high-power delegation of the Senate members to the state. Senator Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said the money would be sent to the state governor for onward delivery to the victims. READ MORE: Kaduna: No More Accidental Bombing, Well Take Care Of Those Injured Defence Chief According to him, the upper chamber of the National Assembly will not leave any stone unturned in unravelling the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident. Barau said: We are here to represent the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio and indeed, other senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in order to sympathize with you and condole you for the lost lives and those who sustained injuries in respect of the unfortunate incident that happened at Tundun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna some few days ago. We are all worried. We are all disturbed but the only thing we can say now is for the Almighty Allah Grant those who lost their lives rest and those who sustained different degrees of injuries for Allah allow them have quick recovery.. We are here to show our solidarity and to show the fact that we stand by the Government of Kaduna State and indeed the entire people of this state, particularly, the people of Tudun Biri in this trying period that the state is experiencing. The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has dismissed speculations that the Party is or was involved in talks to either form a coalition or merge with any other opposition party. Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary of the party, said this in Abuja on Saturday! in response to speculations that the party was involved in such talks with a selected group of opposition parties. He explained that the party leadership was neither approached nor was it considering such a move. Those peddling rumours, according to him, were a group of individuals who were desperate to derail the Partys rebuilding efforts The was news in the media that a group of seven opposition political parties formed a new coalition tagged the Coalition of Concerned Political Parties. As was noticed, Labour Party was not represented at the meeting in question and therefore couldnt have been part of the coalition as suggested by the publication. The publication we can confirm quoted one of our officials out of context by giving a false impression that Labour Party endorsed the coalition. We have continued to posit that the Labour Party is still undergoing a Post Mortem of the 2023 general election and untill after the exercise, we will not be in a hurry to join the fray of any political arrangement. READ ALSO: Kogi: Arrest Anybody Protesting In My Name SDPs Ajaka To Security Agencies However, we will continue to participate in select meetings of like minds where issues arising from the last general elections are discussed with intentions to propose plausible solutions to developments that are threats to our democracy. Labour Party is interested in leading discussions on electoral reforms in Nigeria. We will like to find a lasting solution where a President of Nigeria with a population of over 200 million emerge with less that 9 million votes, and with less than 10 percent of registered voters. Labour Party is also interested in finding a lasting solution to a situation where the courts have usurped powers of the electorate. It is frustrating that after all the stress involved in elections on the sides of both the candidates and the electorate, and after securing electoral victories at the polls, 3 or 5 individuals gleefully upturn the verdict of the people on the alter of some unfounded technicalities. That is not what democracy preaches, he detailed. The spokesman, stated that the party was ready to support a meeting or conferences of fellow opposition political parties in Nigeria with a view to brainstorm in order to champion a new brand of democracy which will work in the interest of Nigerias down trodden. Lawyers under the auspices of the Concerned Northern Forum have threatened to file legal action against the Federal Government over last weekends military airstrike that killed scores in Kaduna State. Recall that troops carrying out air interdictions on suspected terrorists mistakenly dropped bombs on villagers celebrating the Eid-el-Maulud at the Tudun Biri village in Igabi local government area of the State. The spokesman for the forum, Nafiu Abubakar, who addressed journalists in Kaduna on Saturday, urged the Federal Government to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the incident. He said the forum would ensure that the families that suffered irreparable loss in the incident get justice. READ ALSO: Kaduna: No More Accidental Bombing, Well Take Care Of Those Injured Defence Chief Abubakar said: It is imperative that those responsible are held accountable for their actions, and measures are put in place to prevent any recurrence of such incidents in the future. We also urge the Nigerian Army to reevaluate its rules of engagement and training procedures to prevent the loss of innocent lives during military operations. It is vital that the Nigerian Army, as a defender of the nation, exercises utmost caution to avoid any further instances of collateral damage and civilian casualties. We stand united with the families in their grief and pledge our unwavering support in ensuring justice is served. The Concerned Northern Lawyers Forum will work tirelessly to pursue legal means to claim the compensation that is owed to the victims. The Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch has eliminated a dreaded terrorist and kidnap kingpin, identified as Yellow Jambros, through a airstrikes located in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger. It was gathered that the NAF Spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja. Gabkwet said that the terrorists met their waterloo while attempting to cross the Jikudna river in Galadima Kogo district, en route Wurukuvhi area of Chikun LGA of Kaduna state. The force spokesperson added that Jambros and his associates were trailed from Zamfara into Niger state. READ MORE: NAF Jet Bombs Kaduna Villagers During Maulud Celebration The statement reads: At Kusasu, 5 other motorcycle-riding terrorists joined Yellow Jambros convoy, bringing the total number of motorcycles to 18, which then headed to the bank of River Jikudna. At the river bank, the terrorists and their 18 motorcycles boarded a large motor-powered canoe in an attempt to cross and link up with other terrorists across the river. It was at this point that the authorization to undertake a strike was given. The precision strike was adjudged effective as it neutralized Yellow Jambros and his colleagues, destroyed their motorcycles and sank the boat. Though it was unusual for terrorists riding in a convoy of 18 motorcycles to travel in broad daylight, it was apparent that Yellow Jambros and his cohorts had assumed that air strikes were suspended following the unfortunate incident at Tudun Biri in Kaduna State and wanted to exploit the perceived window of opportunity. Former U.S. diplomat Manuel Rocha during a press conference in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) in May 2013. Orlando Barria (EFE) You cant fool everyone all the time, but there are those who almost always succeed. Victor Manuel Rocha, 73, is a former U.S. ambassador who retired in Miami after a distinguished career. He held positions in Latin America, the White House and following his retirement as an advisor to the U.S. Southern Command. In recent years after a life of conservative leanings he became an ardent supporter of Donald Trump. But all of this was a facade. Manuel Rocha lived a double life. During his 40 years as a diplomat and consultant, he acted according to the U.S. Department of Justice as an agent of the Cuban intelligence services. Its now feared that he could have passed a river of sensitive information about U.S. activities and plans in Latin America to Havana, up until his arrest last week. The case could have very serious repercussions for U.S. national security and diplomatic relations, given Manuel Rochas long career and the important positions he held. He was deputy director of the United States Interests Section in Havana during the mid-1990s, as well as charge daffaires in Argentina during the economic upheaval from 1997 until 2000. He was also a member of the National Security Council under Bill Clinton from 1994 to 1995, amidst the Cuban rafter crisis. He concluded his diplomatic career as the U.S. ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 until 2002, in the years before an activist named Evo Morales came to power. The revelations also demonstrate the ability of Cubas Intelligence Directorate (DGI) to place agents in critical positions within the American administration. Upon announcing the indictment, Attorney General Merrick Garland acknowledged that the investigation exposes one of the highest-reaching and longest-lasting infiltrations of the U.S. government by a foreign agent. The former diplomat who faces 15 charges will appear in a Miami courtroom this coming Tuesday to answer questions about his role as an agent for Cuba since 1981. He has been accused of accessing classified information to benefit Cuba and distributing that information without authorization. He faces up to 60 years in prison after acknowledging his work for the islands DGI in conversations with an undercover FBI agent. Manuel Rocha knew him as Miguel he believed him to be a Cuban espionage contact. Born in Colombia in 1950, Manuel Roach emigrated to New York in the 1960s with his widowed mother. His academic talent allowed him to win a scholarship to one of the best private schools in the United States and rub shoulders with children from the most privileged classes. From there, he continued on to prestigious universities: Yale, Harvard, Georgetown. He became an American citizen in 1978 and entered the diplomatic service in 1981. According to the indictment, by then, he had already been recruited by the DGI. This had apparently taken place during a stay in Chile, around the time of the 1973 coup against Salvador Allende. The court documents dont specify how Manuel Rocha was recruited, nor what motivated him to collaborate with the DGI. However, the FBI agents statement points to ideological reasons. The 73-year-old is described as an ardent supporter of the regime of the Comandante Fidel Castro, who refers to Cuban spies as his companeros (comrades). The Cuban secret services have to be very good at what they do, because they dont have many resources, and their main objective is the United States. Unlike the Russians who motivate [collaborators] with money they find people with a visceral empathy for what Cuba wants to do. These people dont act for money. I suspect that, if they had offered to pay him, Manuel Rocha would have been outraged, explains Peter Lapp, a retired FBI agent, in a telephone conversation with EL PAIS. Lapp is the author of the book Queen of Cuba, about the Puerto Rican spy Ana Montes, a Pentagon analyst who worked with the DGI for 17 years. Lapp took part in her arrest in 2000. There have been other such cases: in 2007, two professors at Florida International University were arrested for spying against anti-Castro Cuban exile groups in Miami. In 2009, analyst Kendall Myers an official with the State Departments Bureau of Intelligence and Research was arrested, along with his wife, for passing confidential information to Cuba. The indictment notes that the FBI received a complaint in November 2022, alleging that Manuel Rocha had worked as an undercover agent for Cuba. Miguel contacted the former diplomat by WhatsApp: I have a message for you from your friends in Havana. The suspect responded: I dont understand, but you can call me. They both agreed to meet in front of a church in the wealthy Brickell area of Miami. To get there, Manuel Rocha adopted classic counter-espionage techniques, from taking a long detour, to stationing himself nearby to study whether the meeting place was under surveillance. They met like this up to three times. During these talks, the former diplomat expressed that he was proud of having collaborated with the DGI and reiterated his willingness to continue. His feigned right-wing inclinations he donated $750 to an anti-Castro legislator in the U.S. Congress, which the legislator has since returned were nothing more than part of his legend, as he told his contact. He boasted of having worked to strengthen the [Cuban] Revolution, a task of enormous importance for Cuba and a great triumph for the interests of the island and against the enemy the United States. They [Washington] underestimated what we could do to them. We did more than they thought, he declared to his supposed contact. When asked if he continued to support the DGI, he responded a little later, indignantly, that its like questioning my manhood. Its like you want me to drop [my pants] ... and show you if I still have testicles. This past December 1, agents from the State Departments Diplomatic Security Service sat down with him. Manuel Rocha initially denied having met anyone who matched Miguels description. Confronted with a photo of both of them together, he assured the agents that he had only seen the man once, and only because Miguel had approached him. That same day, he was arrested. The prosecutors and the FBI now have to determine the extent of the damage that Manuel Rocha may have caused. What kind of data could someone who had access to top-level classified information have passed on to his contacts? And to what extent did he influence the United States with his actions and reports, to make decisions contrary to its national interests? Miguels sworn declaration hardly provides any clues. But in it, Manuel Rocha recalls that he was in Havana when, in 1996, Cuba shot down two small planes belonging to the Cuban exile organization Brothers to the Rescue near the island, in an incident in which four people died. In Bolivia, the then-ambassador became known for publicly meddling in the 2002 electoral campaign. Rocha warned that if the electorate voted for those who want Bolivia to return to exporting cocaine, that will seriously jeopardize any future aid to Bolivia from the United States. That statement outraged the population, boosted Evo Morales to second place (he would eventually triumph in the 2005 election) and subtracted votes from the until-then favorite, the moderate Manfred Reyes Villa. The neoliberal Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada ended up triumphing. The current accusation have raised questions about if the then-ambassadors provocative words were actually a deliberate initiative to favor the coca union leader. On several occasions after that, Morales ironically described Manuel Rocha as his campaign manager. As an ambassador and as a member of the National Security Council, in the high positions he held, he had the ability to influence foreign policy. Not only did he have the opportunity to provide classified information to Cuba, he was also able to influence foreign policy. Thats very damaging, Lapp affirms. Montes was very harmful, because she had access to very high levels of confidential [Department of Defense] information. But this case due to its ability to influence politics is at least as serious as that one. The fact that Manuel Rocha acted as a Cuban agent for so long is a counterintelligence failure. Theres lots of blame to go around for that, says the former FBI agent. But its better to have identified Rocha at age 73 while hes still alive and agents still have the opportunity to question him, and find out exactly what he did and who he was in contact with. Although hes accused of being an agent on behalf of Cuba, Rocha hasnt been charged with the specific crime of espionage. Experts attribute this to a possible lack of evidence. But the indictment paints a very damning picture, Lapp emphasizes. The government doesnt think that he was passing cooking recipes to Cuba. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) has lamented Nigerias level of corruption and the impact on its citizens. Reacting on Sunday via X, Obi decried that corruption is now a threat to the existence of Nigeria and the democracy, peace and progress of the country. Having observed that Nigeria ranks 150 among 180 countries on the 2022 Corruption Perception Index released by Transparency International, he noted it calls for a sober reflection. The former Anambra State Governor furthered that it is a wrong thing for Nigeria to have maintained such a bad reputation across the three arms of government for many years. He therefore called for the deployment of all means to fight corruption in Nigeria and ensure the right things are done at all levels of government and public space. As the global community marked International Anti-Corruption Day yesterday, we need to soberly reflect on the effect of corruption in our society and on our country. Corruption has become the greatest threat to our national existence, especially our democracy, peace, and progress. It has immeasurably stunted our development as a nation. We must therefore deploy all available means to strengthen our fight against corruption, by not only doing the right things at all times in all levels of governance in public space, but by also ensuring that the leaders are right and behave in a manner, befitting of their positions. Sadly, Nigeria has maintained a very bad reputation for high levels of corruption across the three arms of government over many years. READ ALSO: Labour Party Debunks Involvement In Merger Talks We were ranked 150 among 180 countries on the 2022 Corruption Perception Index released by Transparency International. PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, (PwC), in its report, projected that corruption could cost Nigeria up to 37 percent of GDP by 2030, if not addressed urgently. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in a separate report blamed inequality, injustice, national instability, etc, on corruption in the country. This very negative perception of Nigeria reflects the worsening economic situation of the country where foreign investors are leaving the country, and local investors are constantly shutting down, resulting in massive job loss, an increasing poverty rate and a dwindling economy. The gross abuse of the rule of law, and disrespect for our constitution are all resultant effects of the endemic corruption that has eaten through the fabric of our society. More sadly, is the fact that we the leaders, are not setting very good precedents for our children, by engaging in all forms of corrupt practices. The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, was recently reported to have lamented the huge percentage of Nigerian youths in cybercrime. The question we must all ask is where the children are learning such criminality from, if not from us the parents, especially we the Leaders. I remain committed to a new Nigeria that will be a corruption-free nation or minimally corrupt. It will be a nation that will promote entrepreneurship, professionalism and hard work, where peace and integrity will reign, he wrote. Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker, House of Representatives on Saturday appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to include private university students as beneficiaries in its Students Loan Scheme. He, made the appeal, weekend, at the 13th convocation ceremony of the Achievers University, Owo, Ondo state. According to him, let me appeal to the Federal government to consider the plight being faced by students of tertiary institutions. While commending the students loan scheme of this present administration, l join my voice in the call for the inclusion of private university students in the student loan scheme of this administration as part of the palliatives measures since they are also Nigerians. READ ALSO: FGs Student Loan Orchestrated To Enrich Private University Owners, Should Be Made Grant ASUU The scheme should also be properly managed for the benefits of the teeming youths of this country both in private and public tertiary institutions Dogara said that since underemployment and unemployment are bedmates of poverty, eliminating them must be the focal point of governments policies. If we dont ever make it to the point where we can have a rational conversation about economic justice, it would not be because its impossible to achieve but because we lack the right leadership. We have talked so much about ending so many things in Nigeria, now is the time to talk about creating wealth and ending poverty. Microsoft has published a release candidate (RC) of its Semantic Kernel .NET SDK, the companys open source development kit for integrating large language models with conventional programming languages such as C#, Python, and Java. The RC for the SDK was announced December 5. As of December 7, Semantic Kernel was at the RC3 stage, with the interface getting close to its final v1.0.0.0 structure. With the latest updates, Microsoft set out to make the SDK simpler to use for both existing and new users. This involved renaming many classes and interfaces to better align with the rest of the industry and upgrading custom classes to existing .NET implementations, Microsoft said. Microsoft also has completely automated function calling with OpenAI, previously a multi-step process. Microsoft said it has both increased the value of the kernel and made it easier to use by making it the property bag for the entire AI application. All of the elements of the application including multiple AI services, multiple plugins, and services such as loggers and HTTP handlers can be added to the kernel so that all components of Semantic Kernel can use them to perform AI requests. Developers can use dependency injection in Semantic Kernel to create the kernel, and use a single YAML file to describe everything necessary for a prompt function, previously called semantic functions. Soojin Choi's ceramic work "Dont Forget About Me" (2023), featured in the Clay Studio's "Between Horizons: Korean Ceramic Artists in America," running through Dec. 31. Read more In 1987, artist Sunkoo Yuh left South Korea for the United States. Yuh was one of many who departed, during a time of political unrest, burgeoning democracy, and increased globalization. Twenty five years later, he planned to return and visit his parents for the first time, but they both died unexpectedly before he arrived. Through clay, he channeled his memories, pain, and the straddling of two cultures to create the towering, totem-like sculpture Monument for Parents, a glazed congealed mass of faces, animals, and symbols representing his multiple personas. The nearly 12-foot-tall sculpture sits at the entrance to the Philadelphia Museum of Arts show, The Shape of Time: Korean Art After 1989, running through Feb. 11, 2024. Yuh is one of 28 artists in the major exhibit. Yuhs work asks viewers to look deeper, to stand closer there are so many different heads, its hard to know where to look or where to start. That could also describe the museums extensive exhibit, which spans video installations, photography, craft, and sculpture, and this moment in Philadelphias art scene as a whole: Five exhibits across separate institutions this season have showcased contemporary Korean artists. This confluence is part of a nationwide focus on Korean art, from the Guggenheim and the Met in New York to the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington. After the exploding popularity of K-pop, beauty, food, and cinema in the U.S., fine art from Korea and the Korean diaspora is getting its due. Shape of Time curators Hyunsoo Woo and Elisabeth Agros initial plans for the exhibit were delayed by the pandemic. Since then interest in Korean culture has continued to expand. Advertisement When I finally saw that you could get gochujang paste at Giant supermarket in Wynnewood, I knew our show would be successful, said Agro, curator of modern and contemporary crafts and decorative arts at the Art Museum. Woo, who was named the museums first curator of Korean art in 2006 and is now deputy director for collections, moved to the U.S. about 27 years ago and has dedicated her career to showing Korean art in top American institutions. The Art Museums goal is to offer a friendly exhibit for those familiar or unfamiliar with Korea, Woo said, and to provide historical context surrounding these works. The artists examine their home countrys history, politics, and continuously changing society, some making direct connections to U.S. pop culture and to Philadelphia. Inhwan Ohs Where He Meets Him in Philadelphia is part of a series in which the artist outlines the names of queer bars in each host city in red incense powder; here, it remains inactive and unlit (due to PMA safety restrictions) but the names are visible. Other works are meant to fall apart over the course of the run. Juree Kim used unfired clay to build a small city in Evanescent Landscape Hwigyeong: Philadelphia. Museum staff will pour water on the artwork periodically so the meticulously crafted houses will disintegrate and crumble, drawing a connection between the gentrifying cities of Seoul (Hwigyeong-dong is one neighborhood there) and Philadelphia. As the exhibit came together, local curators began planning their own shows in response. The Clay Studio in Olde Kensington is running Between Horizons: Korean Ceramic Artists in America through Dec. 31 with a dozen artists who studied ceramics in South Korea before moving to the U.S. Sunkoo Yuh, whos now based in Georgia, contributed two glazed and grotesque stoneworks, including I want you, echoing the Army recruitment slogan. The exhibits works are colorful and eccentric, connecting big ceramics communities in both Philadelphia and Korea. The Locks Gallerys exhibit Lee Kang-So: Wind / Flow, which ran through November, featured both sculptures and large paintings. It was the first time Kang-So, a notable veteran in Koreas experimental arts scene, showed his paintings in Philadelphia. People are amazed by the history and culture popping up everywhere, said Locks Gallery owner Sueyun Locks, who grew up in South Korea. It could be just a moment or maybe itll continue, we dont know. But its a good feeling. While clay dates back to prehistoric times, Temple Contemporarys exhibit Decorative Digitalism, running through Feb. 3, 2024, highlights the latest digital technologies. A collaboration with Kookmin University in Seoul, the show features 13 artists presenting 3-D printed pieces and silver works that bridge jewelry and sculpture. The idea of the exhibition is to challenge the concept or challenge the preconceived notion of what jewelry is, and even what wearability is, said cocurator Doug Bucci, who runs the metals, jewelry, and computer-assisted design program at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture. Some works might deteriorate over time, through oxidation, not unlike the made-to-disappear works at the Art Museum. Wan Hee Chos Unfamiliar Familiarity is a small translucent brooch with several conjoined figures, splayed out like a fan of bodies meant to evoke fluidity, movement, and connection. Cho considers the body a rich terrain to explore through jewelry, which is often defined by how it adorns the wearer. The body takes center stage, too, in Threading Memories from Philadelphia artist MiKyoung Lee at the Princeton University Art Museum, running through Jan. 7, 2024. Lee, who also cocurated the Clay Studio exhibit, uses pipe cleaners, zip ties, and twist ties to make intricate abstract sculptures. Inspired by bodily functions, Lee created Bubble, three hanging yellow works that echo the brain while sleeping and dreaming. The large bright red work Bubble #3 evokes how a womb expands and transforms the body during pregnancy. Like Art Museum curator Woo, Lee came to the U.S. about 30 years ago and shes heartened to see the attention that Korean artists are receiving in the Philadelphia region. She sees the embrace of artworks as a big step forward for cultural exchange. Though these exhibits highlight Korean and Korean American experiences, I really think that its connected to everyone, because in a way, many of us are immigrants and many of us left home, said Lee. Chuck, center, ridden by Albert Lynch, in front of the Art Museum in 2020. Erin Brown, the Concrete Cowgirl (right) is riding Kidd. Steph Tolbert (left) rides on Kowboy with a K. Read more Every time he marched across Fletcher Street stables, the strapping frame and cappuccino-colored mane of the American Quarter Horse drew the attention of Philadelphias Black cowboys and cowgirls. His name was Streakin E Class. The quiet equine had a grandeur and presence that matched that of partner and former owner Eric E Miller, founder of the Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy. Miller purchased his four-legged friend from the New Holland Horse Auction in 2017, nicknaming him Chuck in honor of a childhood best friend who passed. On Sunday, Chuck died at age 29. His passing was felt across Phillys horse-riding community, with several Instagram users commenting Monday on PURAs announcement. Rest well Big Chuck, one user wrote. Im glad I gave you extra treats last night. Advertisement Everyone that visited the barn loved him because he was just so pretty, and he was just the man, said PURA executive director Erin Brown, who goes by the moniker Concrete Cowgirl. People adored him. He was just so beautiful and strong-looking, and even the other cowboys noticed he had this presence just like [Miller]. Chuck was one of several horses Miller owned but wasthe first he bought after his release from prison in 2017. Millers interest in horses was rooted in his childhood. His father, who went by Butch, owned a stable in North Philadelphia. In January 2019, Miller founded PURA, and the nonprofit became an outgrowth of the Fletcher Street barn, where Miller kept his horses and employed locals to care for them. His vision was to teach horsemanship to riders young and old and to preserve the history of Phillys urban cowboys, bringing their stories to the general public. His work led to the making of the Netflix film Concrete Cowboy, released in 2021, which starred actors Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, and Jharrel Jerome. Brown said Miller was the voice behind the movie and script. But a month before filming began in North Philadelphia, Miller was shot and killed inside his Roxborough home. Brown, who met Miller as a teenager at Fletcher Street, was determined to fulfill Millers vision for the movie and to care for Chuck. I just knew [Miller] would haunt me if I didnt, she joked. I knew how important it was to him. Brown said that Chuck was Millers baby boy and that he never missed an opportunity to brag about his dashing looks. After Millers death, Brown took up the executive director role at PURA and ownership of Chuck. Recently, the horses health began to worsen. It was best to let him go out like a G, she said. You could tell he was really tired. The long-time horse rider gifted braided pieces of Chucks mane to Millers four children. Its a custom among cowboys and their fallen horses, and Brown felt it was the best way to honor Chucks legacy and the bond he and Miller shared. I knew he was special to [Miller], she said. Millers daughter, Emani, said Chuck was like an older brother. Chuck even joined Emani during her prom send-off last spring. The horses shoulders were adorned with images of him and her father, bringing the teenager to tears. I couldnt believe the amount of joy I felt, Emani said. It just made the presence of my father feel so real. Looking back at photos of her and Chuck, Emani said that she is saddened at Chucks death but that knowing he and Miller are now reunited in heaven has brought her a sense of solace. I know how much my dad loved his horse, she said. It felt so good to receive a piece of Chucks mane, and I was able to have a piece of him I will forever hold near [and dear] to my heart. Brown didnt ride Chuck much but on commercial sets, he was the grumpy old man she entrusted for the job. He even appeared in Concrete Cowboy alongside Elba. With support from Philadelphia and Councilmember Curtis Jones, PURA is set to open a new stable in Cobbs Creek next spring. The roughly $1.2 million project will convert an existing structure into a climate-controlled barn, Brown said, and Chuck was to be the first horse to walk through its doors. Jones said the project will not only provide added resources for PURA, which currently boards its horses at the Dream Park in Logan Township, Gloucester County, but it will pass the the baton for future cowboys of color and protect the history of Phillys urban cowboys. If this city were left to its own devices, it would totally erase the rights of cowboys out of its city limits, he said. Brown is not only fighting for the rights of the cowboy of color ... assuring there will be riders in upcoming generations. Brown said that a plaque honoring Milller and Chuck and stories of them together will be placed along the stables walls. Two Philadelphia police officers were shot early Sunday morning after an attempted traffic stop and pursuit that began in Mayfair and ended in Holmesburg. Police said one of the officers was shot once in the left eye and twice in the left leg; the other suffered a graze wound to the face. They were treated at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital and released later Sunday. The suspect was also hit during an exchange of gunfire and was critically wounded. Acting Police Commissioner John Stanford said one of the officers had previously been shot on the job. When I said they will physically recover, it still is ... very heavy ... mentally to know that you have been shot in the head, to know that you have been shot in the face ... just doing your job, Stanford told reporters. So theyll be on a little bit of a road to recovery mentally. Advertisement The officers were shot after responding to a report of a person with a gun and gunshots in the area of Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard in the Northeast at 2:32 a.m., police said. A man wearing a tan, puffy jacket had boarded a gray pickup truck, firing a gun, police said. When a sergeant arrived, he spotted a gray Dodge Ram pickup truck on the 7300 block of Brous Avenue with a man wearing a tan-colored jacket inside, police said. After requesting additional officers, the sergeant turned on his emergency lights and siren at St. Vincent Street and Roosevelt Boulevard, and the Dodge Ram pulled over to the right side of the road, police said. When the police sergeant approached, the Dodge Ram took off on St. Vincent and then drove northbound in the outer lanes of Roosevelt Boulevard, police said. Shortly after, two highway patrol officers tried to get the truck to pull over at Frankford Avenue and Welsh Road, police said. The officers, who were in their patrol car, were in front of the Dodge Ram and were rammed from behind by the truck, which caused major damage to their vehicle. When the highway patrol officers got out of their patrol car, the truck driver, a 40-year-old man whose name was not released, opened fire, hitting one officer in the ankle and grazing his head, police said. The other officer was grazed by a bullet on the bridge of his nose. Both officers shot back, police said. Two more highway patrol officers arrived and also fired at the gunman. The driver was struck by gunfire and was listed in critical condition Sunday afternoon. It is unclear which of the four officers struck him. The two injured officers were a 32-year-old who is a nine-year veteran of the department and a 31-year-old who is a six-year-veteran. The two officers who responded later a 34-year-old who is a 12-year veteran of the department and a 40-year-old who is an 18-year-veteran were not injured. None of their names were released. All of the officers who fired their guns are on administrative duty pending officer-involved shooting and internal affairs investigations, police said. Local 98 business manager Mark Lynch Jr. posed for a portrait in the new IBEW building in the Navy Yard in Philadelphia, Pa. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 Read more Mark Lynch used to keep his sleeves pulled down during important meetings to cover his tattoos. But the 37-year-old business manager for IBEW Local 98 isnt hiding his ink anymore. Its a different culture. Its a different environment, Lynch said. So I decided to start rolling up my sleeves and be me. Thats just one small way Lynch sees himself as taking the union into the future and letting his generations values mesh with the locals long-standing traditions. A much larger way is the new Local 98 headquarters at the Navy Yard, where Lynch sat down with The Inquirer last month, for his first long-form media interview since taking his leadership post in 2021. The building were sitting in is literally the reset button that Local 98 needed, Lynch said. Advertisement A reset from what, Lynch didnt exactly say. But he did reference the difficult circumstances his organization has experienced in the past few years. Getting through that time, he said, was about communicating with members and keeping their trust. Longtime Local 98 business manager John Dougherty was convicted on federal bribery charges in 2021. In a second federal trial against Dougherty, a jury on Thursday found him guilty of more than 60 counts, including conspiracy, embezzlement and wire and tax fraud, while acquitting him on three counts. Former Local 98 president Brian Burrows was a codefendant and was also found guilty of all but three counts. Several other Local 98 members entered guilty pleas in the same case. While others close to Local 98 still acknowledge Doughertys skills as a recruiter who more than doubled union membership, during his sit-down with The Inquirer, Lynch did not talk about his predecessor as a condition of the interview. Instead, he discussed his plans for the years ahead, and how hes already set them in motion. In the past two years, At times we were definitely more separated or divided than we ever could have been, said Gabby Edwards, an 11-year member. But she believes thats resolving. People are starting to realize that the more we stick together the better well be able to get over those hurdles. Lynch isnt shy about the ways Local 98 looks different now. But, he contends, its community brand and involvement in politics for the benefit of membership, he emphasized hasnt changed. There are challenges in every new role no matter whats going on, Lynch said. Right now, my focus is on the future and not in the past. Decisive first moves Lynchs first year-and-a-half leading Local 98 was an audition of sorts. He took over in turbulent times, said Ryan Boyer, business manager of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, who also got his current role when Dougherty resigned in 2021. I think when he looks back on his tenure hell see it made him grow quickly. Lynch first assumed his role by appointment. As the first new business manager the union had seen in nearly 30 years, he made a few significant changes from the jump that gained him supporters. Lynch replaced some union staff. He also kick-started the locals first womens committee and encouraged members to form a Philadelphia chapter of the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC). Also during his interim status, the union reached a new contract with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) that put more money directly into our members pockets than theyd been used to getting in the past, he said, declining to give detailed numbers. And, amid a competitive primary race for Philadelphia mayor, Lynch took a new approach to deciding which candidate would earn Local 98s endorsement. We were stagnated for 30 years and now its time to move forward, said Elaine McGuire, a 27-year member and now president of the EWMCs Philadelphia chapter. You cant move forward unless you make some changes. Still, after a year-and-a-half, not everyone agreed Lynch should keep the job. And Dougherty, who had appointed Lynch, reportedly withdrew his support before the election. The three-way race for business manager went to a runoff, which Lynch won in June. Just a few weeks later, the union announced its plans for a new headquarters. The changing face of 98 Lynch said he didnt want to sit stagnant during his time as interim business manager. Forming the womens committee seemed like a logical early move. Were recruiting women to come into the business. They need to have safe space where they can come in and talk about their problems, Lynch said. He also hired McGuire the EWMC chapter president as a business agent, a role that allows her to look out for workers rights and serve as their liaison. I had never seen a woman in that type of role, said Edwards, who was elected recording secretary in June, becoming the first woman to hold that job. The vast majority of Local 98s 5,000-person membership is still male. About 100 members are women, Lynch said. McGuire said that when she became an electrician, a single mother of young children, all the stewards and business agents representing her were men. Now, Im available to be there for any womens issue that comes about, she said. When I came into the business youd be so afraid to take a day off because you had a sick child, McGuire said. Now its not frowned upon. This year, the local launched a high school recruitment program called Rosies Girls, in which McGuire and Local 98 pre-apprenticeship coordinator Teila Allmond are instructors. Leadership is also working on a new maternity leave policy, Lynch said. McGuire said apprenticeship classes are showing progress there were 10 female graduates last year, versus three in her class in the 1990s, and there have been increasing numbers of graduates of color in recent classes. As policy, IBEW Local 98 does not publicly disclose the race or ethnicity of its members, a union spokesperson said. But members said its visible. The project Im doing right now is the most diverse project Ive ever done, said Joe Brasberger, general foreman on the Jefferson University specialty care center under construction in Center City. Hes a 28-year member, and his son joined the union four years ago. The stereotype of a construction worker from 20, 30, 40 years ago is not what we are today, Brasberger said. I expect people who work for me to act professional, talk professional and be professional, and treat everyone with respect. While the racial and gender diversity of apprentices has been increasing for years, McGuire said she had noticed people of color leaving the business more often than white members, until recently. She thinks they now see a clearer career path ahead. I can understand what my future is, said Allmond, the pre-apprenticeship coordinator and Rosies Girls recruiter. Shes a Black woman and a first-generation electrician, and shes been talking with her wife about children. I know that in the direction Im going, that can happen. I can have that family aspect. Culture of engagement Lynchs age, 37, was something his detractors initially criticized, members said. But others, even longtime members, liked the idea of a millennial leading the union. I watched him go from a 18-year-old kid to a father of three, said Dave Morris, a 26-year member. To see somebody so young to have that drive, and step up, and make sacrifices to make our union a better place is a good thing. Lynch said new union leaders like him are bringing fresh ideas to labor organizing across industries. He pointed to United Auto Workers, where new leadership this year pushed for a contract that would elevate its lowest-paid members, and Starbucks Workers United, a two-year-old movement of baristas unionizing stores across the U.S. and seeking more influence in how the business runs. You cant do things the same way anymore, Lynch said. So he tried a new approach to big decisions: He polled the membership. Ahead of the Philadelphia mayoral primary, he asked members to share their top three concerns about the city. About 1,700 roughly a third of membership responded, and their priorities lined up best with mayor-elect Cherelle Parkers platform. We will continue to be involved in politics, Lynch said. Those investments will be for the best of the local, not for Mark Lynch, and that will never change, he added. The membership had a say again, by an emailed poll, when leadership was considering moving its headquarters. A vast majority approved the new Navy Yard location. Allowing members to register their opinions via digital survey, not just at an in-person meeting in front of a crowd, makes them more willing to speak their mind, Morris noted. Hes creating a culture of engagement, of members being more involved in decisions. Contested elections The headquarters vote was a landslide, with nearly 9 in 10 participating members voting in favor of the Navy Yard location, according to Lynch. The business manager election, just weeks before the union publicly announced the move, was a bit more competitive. Lynch had two opponents: Todd Neilson and Tim Browne, both of whom he reportedly fired from union posts after becoming business manager. (A spokesperson for IBEW Local 98 said the union does not disclose details of any personnel decisions.) The election was a trying moment, McGuire said. It brought about division to so many friends. Ultimately, the membership spoke, with 55% of voters backing Lynch in a runoff against Neilson. McGuire said most or all of the womens committee and EWMC members voted for Lynch. Im proud that the minorities came together and saw which way to go, she said. Im going to do everything in my power to support him, Neilson said. The whole reason I ran to begin with wasnt to be against the business manager. I just thought we had a difference in philosophy of where the union needed to go. He declined to give specifics on how their platforms differed. Lynch is hoping for a long tenure as business manager. He wants to win more of the regions electrical work for Local 98 members, increase member hours, and have more involvement in residential development, including affordable housing. Getting more work will open opportunities for larger, more diverse apprentice classes, he noted. He wants the electricians career to be seen not as an alternative to college, but as a path of equal prestige. If he has a 20-year vision, thats great. Thats the kind of continuity you need in a labor union, said Danny Bauder, president of the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO. A multi-decade tenure and a member-inclusive leadership style dont have to contradict, Bauder said. Good leaders are able to engage the dissenters in a way that reminds them ... that theyre important, the engine of the organization, Bauder said, and that theres a process to register their dissent. Neilson said he expects and welcomes more contested elections in the coming years. He said members want an environment where people are not deterred from running against the incumbent. But he doesnt know if hell run again. A lot can happen in three years, Neilson said. A police officer at the scene of a double homicide in the summer of 2021. Read more A 17-year-old boy was killed, and another 17-year-old was wounded in a shooting incident in the citys Olney section, Philadelphia police said Saturday night. It occurred around 7:40 p.m. in the 5300 block of North 5th Street, police said, and the boy who was fatally wounded was pronounced dead 20 minutes later at Albert Einstein Hospital. The other boy was shot once in the right cheek, and on Saturday night he was reported in stable condition at Nazareth Hospital. Philadelphia police reported four other shootings on Saturday. Just before 7 p.m., a 35-year-old man was shot and wounded at 34th Street and Fairmount Avenue, police said. He was in stable condition Saturday night at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. A half-hour earlier, a 38-year-old man was shot in the 5700 block of Elmwood Avenue. He was undergoing surgery at Penn Presbyterian Saturday night, police said. Just before 4 p.m., police said, a 35-year-old man suffered a wound in the lower back in the 2800 block of North Palethorp Street. He was in critical but stable condition at Temple University Hospital. Earlier Saturday, around 4:40 a.m., two men, ages 29 and 23, were seriously wounded in an incident in the 100 block of East Allegheny Avenue that police said resulted from a quarrel. Both victims were reported to be in critical condition at Temple University Hospital. Police said that in all the incidents, no arrests had been made, nor had any weapons been recovered. More than 390 homicides have been recorded in Philadelphia so far this year. Thats down about 20% from the same period of last year, but more than had occurred in every calendar year from 2008 through 2019, according to Philadelphia Police Department statistics. A band of raiders never stops at just one scalp. Just minutes after the University of Pennsylvanias president Liz Magill pulled the plug on her stormy 17-month tenure, under intense pressure for her handling of antisemitism questions on Capitol Hill, her chief inquisitor GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York was back on the battlefield calling for more. One down. Two to go, a clearly ebullient Stefanik posted on X/Twitter, urging on her dream of an academic Saturday Night Massacre that would also take down the two college leaders who testified last week along with Magill MITs Sally Kornbluth and Claudine Gay of Harvard, which, in a controversy with more ironies than a Jane Austen novel, happens to be Stefaniks alma mater. But what Stefanik promised on Saturday night, and what her allies are cheering on, goes well beyond a few high-profile resignations. She promised the current crisis over what constitutes antisemitism on college campuses, and how administrators like Magill have been handling it will lead to more congressional hearings on all facets of their institutions negligent perpetration of antisemitism including administrative, faculty, and overall leadership and governance. This weekend, Magills resignation urged on by some of Penns billionaire donors withholding massive donations, amid intense criticism from both political parties including the Biden White House has been the lead national story everywhere. Its bumped back coverage of Israels intensifying strikes on Gaza that have killed hundreds every day while taking out top Palestinian scholars and journalists, as well as holy sites. And its drowned out the Biden administrations international pariah move of vetoing a U.N. cease-fire resolution backed by 13 out of 15 Security Council members. No wonder some folks prefer to keep the focus on a college campus 11,000 miles west of this carnage. Advertisement Magills legalistic, bloodless, deer-in-the-headlights response to incessant probing by Stefanik and other lawmakers was not good not just because she blew a chance to condemn the never-ending horror of antisemitism, but also because it was a weak defense of free speech on campus. Im not writing to express any regret over her departure. It seemed to me she governed Penn like a candle in the wind, wanting to defend academic freedom but then betraying those values, as when the university tried to ban a film presenting legitimate criticisms of Israels policies and then threatened to punish students for showing it anyway. By ceding the high ground to demagogues like Stefanik, the fallout from this affair is more likely in the long run to hamper the fight against antisemitism than to bolster it, which is beyond unfortunate. Because no one can deny the scourge of antisemitism especially not here in Pennsylvania, where a right-wing fanatic ginned up by immigration lies entered a Pittsburgh synagogue and murdered 11 Jews with the kind of AR-15 killing machine Stefanik and her Republican colleagues have no interest in holding hearings about, let alone outlawing. And theres no doubt that antisemitic incidents are on the rise such reports increased 35% from 2021 to 2022 and then have spiked exponentially this year, as tensions over the war in the Middle East have boiled over during contentious protests here at home. Since the Hamas terror attack on Oct. 7 triggered the fighting, Islamophobia has also risen dramatically. College administrators have a responsibility to come down on anyone committing acts of violence, threatening actual violence, or undertaking vandalism, but thats not really what the Stefanik-Magill showdown was about. Stefaniks relentless questioning didnt focus on actions at Penn like Octobers antisemitic graffiti on campus but on words, and especially protesters use of the term intifada, which marchers see as a call for liberation but Israels staunchest defenders claim is an invitation to pogrom. No doubt the term is controversial and offensive to some, but Magill was actually right to insist theres a line between speech and action. I agree with the tiny handful of commentators not joining the anti-Magill pile on. That includes the New York Times Michelle Goldberg, who wrote that Magill and her colleagues walked into a trap by allowing Stefanik to define common pro-Palestinian rhetoric as antisemitism and then demanding what Goldberg called egregious violations of free speech. And also New York Magazines Jonathan Chait, who wrote after Magills resignation that the college presidents were right to insist that schools regulate conduct but not words, stating that what Stefanik was demanding was the wholesale ban on rhetoric and ideas that Jews find threatening, regardless of context. Shortly before Magills resignation, Jeremy C. Young, who directs the Freedom to Learn program at PEN America (full disclosure: Im a member), told me that the literary free expression group is deeply concerned that the outcry over antisemitism is already driving a bevy of legislative proposals with alarming implications for free speech. He cited proposed laws that would require universities to be neutral on controversial issues, proposals to force schools to embrace the strictest definition of antisemitism that includes opposing the idea of Zionism, and bans on the most aggressive pro-Palestinian groups like the one recently laid down in Florida by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Young stressed he isnt disagreeing that campus antisemitism is a problem or that college presidents have made a mess of things, but he noted those driving the controversy are attacking other topics diversity initiatives, tenure for professors, and what universities are teaching students. He said antisemitism is being used as a pretext to take power over college decisions from neutral arbiters and hand it to politicians who want to enforce ideological control on campus. Silencing and chilling speech on campus cannot be the solution. READ MORE: Is Gaza becoming Joe Bidens Vietnam? | Will Bunch Newsletter But thats exactly the hoped-for solution from the avatars of Americas new McCarthyism, who are seizing on young peoples pro-Palestinian activism, and a handful of the most despicable acts, to foment a new kind of Red Scare that has both the nations extreme right and the billionaire winners of our class wars in sight of their real goal. That would be to cripple our colleges and universities as incubators of critical thinking that might cause the next generation to question their authority. Indeed, Stefanik makes for an ideal 21st-century Joe McCarthy, since she has no sense of decency. Its not just that her passion as an anti-antisemitism crusader was nowhere to be seen recently when her conservative allies were out in the schools banning books like The Diary of Anne Frank. Far worse, Stefanik, in 2022 campaign ads, seemed to be endorsing the racist great replacement theory that mass immigration is a liberal plot, using inflammatory rhetoric about a scheme to overthrow our current electorate and create a permanent liberal majority in Washington. Its exactly that idea that animated the madman who shot up Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue. How much of this is about antisemitism, and how much of this is about something else such as the fact that the college presidents who testified on Capitol Hill dont look like the 300 years of school leaders who came before them? Bill Ackman, billionaire hedge fund manager and deeply disgruntled Harvard alum and donor, said the quiet part out loud last week when he made the repulsive allegation in a tweet that his alma maters first Black president a child of Haitian immigrants, an award-winning scholar was only hired to satisfy diversity goals. And the likes of Ackman, Stefanik, and their allies wont stop at reversing a half-century of diversity on campus not when their bigger strategic goal of weakening the already tottering American way of higher education suddenly seems within reach. Last week, Sen. J.D. Vance, the billionaire-backed Ohioan, tweeted that if universities keep pushing racial hatred, euphemistically called DEI, we need to look at their funding. In the swirling vortex that led to Magills resignation, these calls for financial retribution will accelerate and students will suffer. We know this because its happened before. Todays campus unrest is a distinct echo of the Vietnam era, when students at many of the same universities now under attack also led massive protests against U.S. militarism, making their parents generation uneasy. In 1966, Ronald Reagan was elected governor of California by running against campus unrest, and he promised to impose tuition on its virtually free public universities, stating taxpayers should not subsidize intellectual curiosity. His philosophy inspired a generation of conservative lawmakers to privatize and devalue higher education, as tuition soared and student debt climbed to $1.75 trillion. Now, with public faith in universities at an all-time low, Reagans political heirs might finish the job. The first step would be painfully familiar to anyone familiar with the anti-communist hysteria of the 1950s when McCarthyism reigned: a climate of fear and silence on college campuses. Here at Penn, the Wharton Schools Board of Advisors the hedge fund-flavored panel that played an instrumental role in driving out Magill has also proposed a new code that critics say goes too far in curbing campus free speech. Jonathan Friedman, PEN Americas director of free expression, blasted it as vague and patently wrongheaded and could chill an ocean of speech on campus. In the current climate of fear and loathing, it wont be the last such proposal. With Magills departure, those who want to fight back for free speech face an increasingly uphill struggle. Its easy for folks like the Biden White House to follow the path of least resistance and pretend that by slam-dunking Penns ex-president they are claiming the moral high ground, even as they sell Israel more tank shells like the one that was used to deliberately target and kill a Reuters journalist. Its a lot harder to defend free expression knowing that the worst people will even try to brand you as an antisemite, just as those who once called out McCarthyism were stigmatized as fellow travelers. Instead of jumping on the Magill scrum, lets praise the courage of those defending our First Amendment rights. In a saga packed with irony, nothing would be more ironic than allowing a manipulated definition of antisemitism to shut down learning and inquiry, which are so central to the great Jewish traditions. READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter Newly named Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel speaks at the podium after getting introduced by Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker on Nov. 22. Read more A belated congratulations to incoming Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and heres a little advice to help you distinguish yourself from your predecessors: Get your homicide detectives to consistently communicate with victims families. Trust me: If you manage to do that, youll be a hero forever to these grieving loved ones. I know there have been some improvements on this front. After moving from their old, cramped quarters at the Roundhouse at 750 Race St. to their new headquarters in the old Inquirer and Daily News building at 400 N. Broad St., detectives have their own space and in a move that finally brings police work in the city into the 20th century city-provided cell phones! That means theres no longer any need for investigators to try to fish handwritten phone messages out of an old wooden box full of pink While You Were Out notes. (And yes, Ive actually seen the box.) Advertisement In the meantime, though, the communication breakdowns continue. Ive said this before, but it bears repeating: There isnt a week that passes when Im not hearing from the relatives of a murder victim who are struggling to contact a homicide detective. And let me be clear here, these arent people who expect to have their hands held (though, what would be wrong with that?). They are quick to say that they know investigators are overwhelmed. They just want assurances that their loved ones deaths havent fallen through the cracks. They also have trouble understanding why the police cant return a phone message or, at the very least, why families sometimes arent even informed when detectives have retired or passed their cases over to a colleague. Crystal Arthur, whose son, Kristian Hamilton-Arthur, was killed in 2017, learned that the detective who was working on her sons case had retired only because another anguished mother told her. Arthur then reached out to the new detective, who promised to call her back. She hasnt heard from him yet. That was in July. Shes hardly alone. After not hearing from anyone from the department for more than a year, Renee Whitmore, whose son, Troy Smith Jr., was killed in 2014, got a message from a new detective in August. She returned the call but has yet to hear back. Something has to change, Arthur said when we discussed the ongoing communication issues and the incoming police commissioner. He needs to make a difference. It seems like the same things just repeat themselves. People make promises to us, and then they dont make good on the promises. And if the new commissioner-designate wonders how important that kind of contact can be for victims families, he need only ask the relatively new head of his departments homicide division, Staff Inspector Ernest Ransom, whose brother, Anthony, 34, was killed in 2018, and has the lived experience to appreciate the kind of loss these families are going through. I talked to Ransom this week and walked away impressed by his thoughtfulness and openness to improving communication, including his recent implementation of a new set of protocols around family notifications and the hiring of a second victim assistance officer specifically to work with families. Ransoms plan calls for detectives to reach out to the designated next of kin at least once every two weeks in the first six months after being assigned a new case (though Ransom said it doesnt relieve them of the responsibility to keep in touch with families of older homicides), then at least once a month for the following six months. After that, detectives must reach out to family members at least once every three months. Officers will also be required to log each contact into a database, so their supervisors can then track the activity if theyre called by a victims family. We were dropping the ball, so to speak, Ransom told me. And its not something that was being done intentionally, its just with the amount of homicides coming in, the detectives were falling behind on the notifications, so I wanted to put the onus on the supervisors, whose responsibility it is that the detectives are doing their jobs. Ransom also said hes working on a similar plan for older cases. There are a lot of checks and balances that are needed, he said. I liked what I heard and I could envision his plan improving communication, especially if shared widely with victims families so they know exactly what to expect, and what to do if they arent getting it. If hes able to pull this off, Ransoms plan could potentially be a salve for so many Philadelphians whose unrelenting waves of grief have too often been compounded by official silence. Look, I understand the department is already down police officers and that adding more officers means spending money. But what this really boils down to isnt about funding or personnel. It comes down to what most things in the city do: priorities. And in our city where 400 homicides in 2023 would be considered a sign of progress giving short shrift to helping victims families is unacceptable and unconscionable. Kevin Bethel, when you were introduced to Philadelphia as our next police commissioner, you said in your comments that police are not our enemy, that they are here to serve. I ask you to give us the opportunity to do that, you told the residents of a crime-weary city, who are eager for your leadership and hanging on your every word. Well, Im asking you to take this opportunity to truly serve and make a lasting difference. Put some resources behind plans like those put forth by Ransom. Make it clear to detectives that speaking with families is an essential part of their work, not a side note. And when you have the time, reach out to a few of these families yourself every now and then. Ive watched your approach over the years, so I dont doubt you already know this, but they could use every comforting word they can get. After all, whats a more basic form of public service than acknowledging someones pain and doing something to alleviate it? KYODO NEWS - Dec 10, 2023 - 22:00 | All, Japan, World The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Baseball: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers agree to record $700 million, 10-year deal LOS ANGELES - Two-way star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, his agent's office said Saturday. The deal's total value easily makes Ohtani the highest-paid athlete in history, eclipsing Lionel Messi's $673 million contract with football powerhouse Barcelona, according to CBS Sports. ---------- PM Kishida mulls replacing all ministers from Abe faction: sources TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is considering replacing all ministers from the Liberal Democratic Party faction previously headed by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, over a series of political fundraising scandals, sources close to the matter said Sunday. Kishida has already decided to sack Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno over his alleged failure to report millions of yen received as part of fundraising efforts for the party faction, which is the largest within the ruling party, the sources said. ---------- Japan's large Pacific bluefin tuna catch limit to be raised in 2024 TOKYO - An international commission responsible for managing Pacific bluefin tuna stocks has decided to allow Japan to effectively increase its catch limit for large ones in 2024, reflecting a recovery in their population, the Japanese Fisheries Agency said Sunday. The country, known as a major tuna consumer, can currently transfer 10 percent of its small bluefin catch quota to those weighing 30 kilograms or more, but the proportion will be increased to 30 percent for 2024. ---------- Hong Kong holds 1st "patriots-only" district council election HONG KONG - Hong Kong held its first district council election Sunday under a new electoral system based on Beijing's principle of only allowing "patriots" to administer the city, amid public dissatisfaction with the absence of pro-democracy candidates. Pro-democracy parties were unable to field candidates after all of them failed to secure nominations from government-appointed local committees, a requirement under a revised law enacted in July by Hong Kong's legislature, meaning the election is influenced by Beijing. ---------- People in Japan elated with Ohtani's record deal with Dodgers MORIOKA, Japan - People in Shohei Ohtani's home prefecture and cities across Japan were elated Sunday by the two-way star's record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani grew up in the small city of Oshu in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, before rising to stardom in Japanese baseball and then as an international sports phenomenon. ---------- Baseball: Long road brings Ohtani to Dodgers at the right time TOKYO - Shohei Ohtani is now on track to become the highest-paid athlete in the world, having agreed to a $700-million 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, in part because 11 years earlier he turned down the same team out of high school. On Saturday, Ohtani's agent announced a deal that would bring baseball's most unique player to Dodger Stadium. Instead of the hard-throwing pitcher MLB scouts envisioned him becoming, the Dodgers are getting that elite pitcher, but also one of the world's best hitters -- something he would not be now had he signed with them in 2012. ---------- Rugby: Ozaki hat-trick steals show in Cane, Kolbe Sungoliath debut TOKYO - Seiya Ozaki scored a hat-trick of tries Sunday as Tokyo Sungoliath overwhelmed reigning champions Kubota Spears 52-26 in the opening round of the Japan Rugby League One season. New Zealand captain Sam Cane and South Africa speedster Cheslin Kolbe made their Japanese club debuts for Sungoliath, but it was home-grown winger Ozaki who stole the show at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground. ---------- Japan air force's Blue Impulse performs at festival in Okinawa NAHA, Japan - The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team performed at an aviation show at Naha Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture on Sunday, despite local safety concerns. The display came amid opposition in the southern island prefecture to aerobatic maneuvers that forced the local government to last month request the ASDF base to thoroughly implement precautionary measures. Video: Water level continues to drop at Lake Biwa Splashing through the flood, vehicles drive through flooding on Columbus Boulevard in July. Read more Flood watches are in effect for the entire region Sunday afternoon through late Monday afternoon for rainfall totals as high as 4.5 inches, along with wind gusts past 50 mph at the Shore and 40 mph on the mainland, forecasters warned Saturday. A long fetch of moisture will surge from the Gulf of Mexico and up the eastern seaboard, said Bill Deger, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc. Flood watches are posted over areas from Virginia to far-northeastern Maine, including just about the entire Northeast snow country. Its almost like an atmospheric river, said Deger, invoking a term more common to the West Coast to describe a plume of moisture channeled from a body of water. In this case, that body would be the Gulf, not the Pacific. READ MORE: This is expected to be quite a stormy winter. Will it even snow? Advertisement This certainly is not like an event when youre seeing heavy showers and storms. This is a good, widespread soaking. Overall, forecasters see two to three inches, with isolated higher amounts. The rains will pound the headwaters of the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, and there will be some rises, said Patrick OHara, meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly. The rivers arent forecast to reach flood stage, but the the rains could send some of the flashier streams, such as the Brandywine and Neshaminy Creeks, over their banks. The downpours will be ignited by an approaching cold front that will wring out the Gulf moisture, with a strong coastal storm developing later, meteorologists said. The front is forecast to generate winds from the south gusting to 50 mph or perhaps higher along the coast, said Deger and 40 mph inland. Those south winds also will drive up temperatures, which are expected to climb into the 60s Sunday. The fact that the winds wont be blowing onshore should reduce the threat of major coastal flooding, and none is forecast, but the new moon will be giving the tides an extra kick, increasing the threat potential for minor flooding, especially on the back bays. READ MORE: This storm will do nothing to break the region's snow-deprivation streak OHara said he couldnt rule out some power outages; however, the fact that the trees have shaken out most of their leaves likely would hold down the numbers. This, being the season, the winds do raise some concerns for holiday decorations, said AccuWeathers Deger. The heaviest rains are expected by midafternoon and will continue into Sunday evening, said Deger. The flood potential will be all about how quickly the heaviest rain falls. The rains are due to shut off Monday afternoon, and they will be followed by a drying December-like cooldown with daily highs in the 40s Tuesday through Friday. On a positive note, the skies should be clear Wednesday night into Thursday morning for the annual Geminid meteor showers. The final year of a dedicated conservation programme for one of Irelands most threatened breeding birds has seen the largest number of young curlews fledged into the wild since it began in 2017. Once synonymous with the Irish landscape, the curlew has since suffered a 98% crash in population, primarily due to changes in landscape and land use, with the wet, marginal land they thrived on being depleted and made inhospitable. The programme to pioneer conservation efforts was funded and co-ordinated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and two Government departments, Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It had a comprehensive framework that included habitat restoration, maintenance, enhancement, and creation; survey effort, nest protection; public and community engagement. Action teams were established in the Stacks Mountains (Kerry), Lough Corrib North (Galway). Lough-Ree (Roscommon Westmeath), North Roscommon/Mayo, Mid-Leitrim, North Monaghan, Donegal, Sliabh Aughties (Clare Galway), Laois/Kildare. The first annual report from the CCP) documents 42 chicks reaching the fledging stage in 2023, up from 19 in 2022. This represents an increase of 221% in the number of chicks fledged. A total of 38 breeding pairs were confirmed breeding in the nine geographical areas where the programme operated around the country, with another ten pairs considered possible breeders. Nationally, just 100 breeding pairs are remaining. Responding to the report, Minister of State Malcolm Noonan said a key success of the programme has been the engagement with farmers, landowners, and local communities, who are central to all the conservation efforts. Our history, culture and communities have such a deep connection with this precious species and its unique call, heard for centuries on our meadows and wetlands. The work pioneered by the Curlew Conservation Programme over the past seven years shows that there are practical conservation efforts that we can take to stave off extinction of the curlew. It also shows that we need to ramp these efforts up significantly while also addressing wider land use changes. We will be announcing detailed plans to do just this in the very near future, building on the solid foundations that the Curlew Conservation Programme has provided, he said. Thanking the programme teams for all their work, Minister Noonan said it provides many useful insights. As ground-nesting birds, curlew nests and eggs are vulnerable to predators, infield operations and disturbance. This is compounded by degradation and loss of habitat in landscapes, he said. The CCP was established in response to a national survey, which identified the scale of the loss and action required to save the curlew from extinction. In Ireland, the population of the species has declined by 98% since the late 1980s. Over the past seven years, NPWS has worked together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to support local teams on the ground on a wide range of conservation activities. Significant efforts undertaken by the programme have included everything from surveys to nest protection, landowner and community engagement, awareness raising, research and the restoration and maintenance of habitats. This year saw the highest number of chicks being fledged since the programme began. This has been attributed to the more widespread use of head-starting a practice which the CCP has implemented since 2021. It involves collecting curlew eggs from wild birds nests and incubating them in a controlled environment until they hatch. The chicks are reared in pens until they are ready for release back into the wild. The practice of head-starting is still in its infancy but shows encouraging signs in supporting a greater number of chicks to reach the fledgling stage. However, while it may provide a valuable boost to the number of birds being fledged, the NPWS says it does not address the underlying issue of habitat loss and degradation, as well as the long-term viability of the population. Dr Barry ODonoghue, NPWS, who led the programme, said it has been and remains one of the greatest conservation challenges of our time: We started at a time when curlew had not even been studied properly. We now know confidently, where curlews are across the country and what the issues facing them are and how these issues can to be addressed. While the headline figures from the CCP areas may provide hope for the future, we ultimately need to restore the environment upon which these birds rely, and this includes wider issues even beyond immediate ecological considerations. While it was estimated in 2016 that the curlew had just ten years left until extinction in Ireland, the efforts of the Curlew Conservation Programme appear to have, for now, helped stave off this extinction. The number of chicks thought necessary to maintain a population into the future was annually met in the CCP areas." You may not be familiar with the name Zelda Perkins but you have witnessed the impact and change that she helped to bring about. Perkins was among the women who spoke out about convicted rapist and former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and helped to bring him to justice. Having worked as his assistant in the 90s, Perkins was subject to persistent sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour but had no idea of the widespread abuse perpetrated by Weinstein, who is currently serving a 23-year sentence. It was when he attacked another young woman, a new assistant, that 24-year-old Perkins hit her breaking point. She confronted Weinstein, one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, face-to-face and reported the incident to a senior executive at Miramax who simply told Perkins to get a lawyer. She thought, perhaps naively in retrospect, that this meant her complaint would be taken seriously, that it would go to court and that Weinstein would be made to pay for his crimes. But that is not what happened. It was the lawyers that made it impossible for me to do that, Perkins tells me on the phone from her home in England. They werent fighting for me. It is quite an awful realisation that I didnt really have access to justice. Perkins and her colleague were advised their only real option was a damages agreement. From there, things just got worse. Negotiating the agreement was much more horrific, in a way, than the initial issue with Weinstein. Locked in offices for periods up to 12 hours, we werent allowed to bring paper. We were escorted to the loo. We were made to feel like we were the criminals in the situation rather than the people trying to highlight a sexual predator. Zelda Perkins: campaigner and advocate against the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements to silence justice for harassment. Part of the agreement that Perkins was encouraged to sign by her own counsel was a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), something that has become normalised in settlement negotiations. By signing this, Perkins was not allowed to speak to anyone family, friends, a therapist about what had happened. The campaigner described the period of her life that followed as 25 years of being in the wilderness, broken only when she spoke to the New York Times about the settlement and NDA as part of their story which laid Weinsteins decades of abuse bare for the world to see. One of the huge damages of signing the NDA that I signed was that it kind of retarded me into my 24-year-old self and made me believe that I was wrong and I was stupid. It took away any belief or confidence I had in myself and my own abilities, Perkins tells me. When I started talking and when I broke it, I did kind of re-enter my body in a way I hadnt known Id left it. Publicly breaking her NDA had the potential to destroy the life Perkins had spent years building for herself but she chose to speak out in the hopes of protecting others. Power stays in power by keeping the little people quiet, Perkins says in a defiant manner that tells me she wont ever be kept quiet again. For many people, their only knowledge of NDAs comes from news stories involving the rich and famous or from television and films. Zelda Perkins pictured at her home in Wiltshire. Picture: Gareth Iwan Jones In reality, NDAs are being used across all industries and often to keep forms of misconduct under wraps including sexual misconduct, harassment, bullying, and discrimination. Its not about the individuals like Harvey, its about the system that enables people in power to behave with impunity. When negotiating her own NDA, Perkins discovered that her own legal team signed a professional undertaking that no one could see the agreement unless Harvey gave permission including Perkins herself. She would later discover that this is an extremely common occurrence when law firms are dealing with high-net-worth individual corporate clients. It was like the final nail in the coffin. Legally, Perkins had been let down by those who should uphold the law from the very beginning. After doing her own research, Perkins found that in all likelihood her NDA was not legally enforceable because of the clauses they were putting in something that no one on her legal team told her when she signed it. The same is true of many, if not most, NDAs signed. Four people in the UK have broken NDAs in the past 12 months with no legal reprisals or recriminations, Perkins informs me. I can tell people fairly confidently that their NDA is legally unenforceable, but I cant guarantee the other party wont come after them. Since 2017, Perkins has been campaigning to change the guidance and legislation around how lawyers use NDAs and to make it an offence to create an NDA that is hiding any form of misconduct. This work led Perkins to establish Cant Buy My Silence with Canadian law professor Julie Macfarlane and has seen her testify before UK committees. It also led her to Senator Lynn Ruane. Senator Lynn Ruane, with her NDA Bill, at Leinster House. The Independent Dublin senator is another woman who has proven that she will not be silenced. When I speak to Ruane, her name has been trending for over 24 hours on X, formerly known as Twitter, as members of the far-right singled her out for speaking in support of refugees in Ireland. The abuse in these tweets ranged from mild to vile, but speaking to Ruane it is clear they have not distracted her from the work that is important to her. After an anonymous letter was delivered to her raising concerns about repeated use of an NDA in relation to one individual, Ruane decided to study up on them and see what other countries were doing in relation to NDAs. Like Perkins, Ruane began to look into the use of NDAs in Ireland and found they were being abused across almost every sector, creating a system where problematic and harmful behaviour goes unchecked. Once you sign an NDA and you agree to silence around the issue, that behaviour is never addressed and that person is never held accountable, Ruane explains. This not only enables the cover-up of the situation, it is actually empowering them to go on and do it under the guise of privacy elsewhere. Ruane, Perkins and Prof Macfarlane, began looking at how they could draft legislation to ban NDAs where they are used in instances of harassment and discrimination in the workplace. When it successfully passed, unanimously and unamended, through the Seanad in October, Ruane hailed it as a landmark day for victims of workplace abuse and harassment who have been silenced by NDAs. Zelda Perkins, Lynn Ruane, and Fight Like Apes' MayKay, at an event in Dublin. Known internationally as the Irish NDA bill, it is now leading legislation on NDAs in Europe. It will also have huge reverberations if passed, as the large US tech companies based in Ireland will have to adhere to the rules too. It blew me away, Perkins says of Ruanes bill moving on to the Dail adding that its use as a template around the world has given their campaign validity and strength. Speaking of strength, I am curious as to how Perkins, who has been let down by the system since she was 24 years old, finds the will to keep fighting. People with true integrity and who really are fighting for right, that has given me so much faith in the system. It may be pretty broken at the moment, but we do live in a democracy and if you do pull those rusty levers and press those stiff buttons, they do work and it is possible to make change, she says. Before I say goodbye to this formidable woman, she surprises me one last time. I feel very privileged, in a way, that I have managed to turn something really negative and painful and disempowering into something really positive and empowering for me personally, and hopefully for everyone who will benefit from the changes. Not everyone gets that. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has sent 42 suspected wildlife crime cases to the Chief State Solicitors office for investigation so far this year, according to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The figures were released as Malcolm Noonan, the minister of state with responsibility for Heritage said his department continues to vigorously enforce wildlife legislation. The Wildlife Act makes it a crime to knowingly injure a protected wildlife species or harm their habitat and can result in large fines or prison sentences. Mr Noonan released the figures ahead of a visit to Kildare Wildlife Rescue on Thursday after the rehabilitation unit, which opened last year, received charitable status in September. Mr Noonan told the Irish Examiner his department is working on a stronger response to wildlife crime and has undertaken a comprehensive review of the Wildlife Act. In terms of enforcement, what we have done as part of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is to fund additional rangers right across the country, and weve had a significant uptake in that. A hedgehog resting at Kildare Wildlife Rescue. Picture: Dan Donoher We have a biodiversity officer in every local authority. We are seeing the numbers of prosecutions, cases being brought successful to the courts, has increased very significantly. We are seeing judges taking it very seriously and we are seeing very significant fines and impacts on payments and other measures being administered in the courts for people who are guilty of cutting hedgerows out of season or persecuting birds of prey. This is increasing the awareness around wildlife crime. There have been 143 prosecutions for wildlife crime in Ireland since January 2020, while 33 people across the country have been convicted of breaking the Wildlife Act so far this year. An increase in the number of wildlife rangers has been welcomed by rehabilitator Dan Donoher, who founded Kildare Wildlife Rescue in 2022. He said the charitys main aim is to have more collaboration with the government and other wildlife rescue centres. A long ear owl at Kildare Wildlife Rescue. Picture: Michael Donnelly Since it opened, the Leinster-based organisation has cared on-site for 4,400 animals and currently has 120 creatures in its care, including birds, badgers, foxes, and birds of prey. However, Mr Donoher told the Irish Examiner that most of the injured wildlife he receives into his centres care is down to human behaviour. The reasons behind 90% of the animals we take in is because of human interactions, he said. Thats road traffic accidents, construction, poisoning and shootings, they are with us because of what we are doing to them." We were delighted to have the minister here this week to see the work we do and to acknowledge the help we give animals. But we are in the middle of a biodiversity crisis, and we held a conference recently with the public to try and highlight how we all have a role to play. A squirrel among the residents at the Kildare Wildlife Rescue. Picture: Dan Donoher Mr Donoher said the organisation hopes to continue finding new ways to help wildlife. The charity currently has 120 volunteers to help run its centre, as well as transportation of sick or injured animals, rescue, rehab, admin, and social media. We are always looking for volunteers, said Mr Donoher, Not only are you helping wildlife, but youre spreading the word about helping wildlife and right now we all need to play our part in protecting all wildlife and their habitats. Storm Fergus has seen severe winds sweep across Co Leitrim with some locals saying a "tornado" hit the village. The freak weather event has caused damage to property and cars with residents saying squally winds resembling a tornado hit the area. In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Leitrim County Council said the village will remain closed overnight "for safety precautions". A pub and shop in Leitrim village have been badly damaged, while the roof of another building was blown off. In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Leitrim County Council said the village will remain closed overnight "for safety precautions". Diversions are in place at Battlebridge Fingerboard & Drumgorman Lake. "No persons have been seriously injured" as a result of the tornado, the statement read. A status yellow wind warning is due to come into place in the county at 6pm, with Storm Fergus generating "very strong and gusty southwesterly winds, veering westerly". The warning is in place until midnight. In a statement, Leitrim County Council referred to the tornado as a "freak weather incident". "Staff from Leitrim County Council Fire Service, Roads Department and the Civil Defence attended the incident along with members of An Garda Siochana and the Ambulance Service," the statement read. A clean-up operation is underway in the village to clear the "significant amount of debris" that was thrown onto the footpaths as a result. "The main R280 road passing through the village has been closed and will remain closed until such time as a Storm Fergus has passed and a further assessment of the structural damage within the village has been carried out. "This assessment will be carried out in conjunction with external consulting engineers. When the Council is satisfied that it is safe to do so, the road and footpaths through the village be reopened at that point," they added. A witness to the possible tornado said his Jeep was pelted with debris as he drove through the storm. Councillor Paddy Farrell said he was almost caught in the middle of the tornado while driving through Leitrim village. I was actually driving through the village myself. If I was a second slower Id have been in the brunt of it, he said. I was driving my Jeep. It sounded as if there was a crowd pegging stones at my Jeep as I was driving through, with all the debris that was flying around. It just happened all of a sudden. Mr Farrell, who lives near the village, said the wind took a roof off a building. There was a roof taken off a building, and there was several buildings damaged. Even on fairly new apartments there was a damage, I think the window blew in on one of them. Theres a lot of cars damaged, there could be 10 to 20 cars damaged. He said emergency services were called and businesses near the scene had closed. No one was badly injured, but I think there were two minor injuries, he said, adding: I was actually shook when I came home to the house, because it was frightening I kept going to get home as quick as I could. Damage to roofs as emergency services feal with the aftermath of the tornado Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather shared one video which he said "shows rotation which supports the reports of a tornado in Leitrim Village". This video shared on Snapchat shows rotation which supports the reports of a Tornado in Leitrim Village today. Hoping everyone is OK after this shocking event. pic.twitter.com/iYShm8PW15 Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) December 10, 2023 Met Eireann has issued a number of weather warnings including a status orange wind warning for Clare, Galway and Mayo. Met Eireann meteorologist Aoife Kealy says the weather event likely was a tornado, as a thunderstorm cell had moved through the area at the time it was recorded. What happens then is essentially that you've got rotating winds that kind of extend down from the thunderstorms and they can be quite damaging, she told the Irish Examiner. Ms Kealy says these rotating winds can have a serious impact on the surrounding areas. Tornadoes are not a common occurrence in Ireland, with roughly only 10 recorded every year, she explained. A difference between tornadoes and plain strong winds is the rotating motion that occurs. The winds are kind of twists, and that's the characteristic thing you see with tornadoes, she said. These clouds characterised by winds twisting almost like a cone can cause serious damage to property and life. Mr OReilly added that these weather events occur yearly in Ireland but are often very small and short-lived. Most hit open ground and dont cause damage, however this one hit a village and caused a lot of damage, he added. There were thunderstorms in the area associated with Storm Fergus at the time, he said. Leitrim County Council has been contacted for comment. The family of a five-year-old girl who was seriously injured in a stabbing attack in Dublin last month have said she is still fighting and they hope she can move out of intensive care before the end of the year. The incident outside Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire in Dublin City Centre on November 23 saw a man armed with a knife injure several children. Creche worker Leanne Flynn also suffered serious injuries in the attack. The five-year-old girl was one of three children rushed to hospital, and she received urgent care at Temple Street Hospital and was later placed in an intensive care unit. Her condition has remained critical since the attack. A GoFundMe set up for the girl and her family has so far raised over 46,000. In an update on the GoFundMe page, her family said: Our little girl is a warrior. She is still fighting. She remains in the PICU with hopes of moving to the ward before the end of the year. We can all feel the love and prayers every second of the day. Had it not been for all of our friends, family, and everyone's support, we wouldn't have had the strength to stand, and for that we thank you all. The alleged attacker, who received injuries as passersby stepped in to intervene during the incident, remains in hospital and will be spoken to by gardai in connection with the assaults. Earlier this week, the Brazilian Deliveroo driver who was among those who intervened during the knife attack received the 368,650 donated via a GoFundMe appeal. Caio Benicio, 43, said the money would allow him to start his life again after being forced to leave Brazil two years ago after he lost everything when his restaurant burned to the ground. So, my prayers are with the creche worker and the child, he said. I have many bills to pay, but I can rebuild my own life now, and I told the little girls mother I will help with anything she needs. I will pay off all of my debts over the restaurant and then I can start again. I will never be able to thank people for this. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council failed to adopt a draft resolution on Friday that would have demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza due to a veto cast by the United States. Many countries expressed disappointment and regret over the U.S. veto of the Gaza-related draft. On Friday morning, at the urging of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Security Council held an emergency meeting on the Palestinian-Israeli situation. In the afternoon, the Security Council voted on a draft resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates and backed by about 100 countries, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. There were 13 votes in favor, with Britain abstaining. The United States voted against it. The draft failed to pass because the United States, a permanent member of the council, exercised its veto power. U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Robert Wood said after the vote that the draft resolution was "divorced from reality." "We express great disappointment and regret that the draft has been vetoed by the U.S.," said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN. Zhang said that two months of fighting had already caused an unprecedented amount of death and destruction. "An immediate ceasefire is the overriding prerequisite." Riyad H. Mansour, permanent observer of Palestine to the UN, pointed out that it is beyond regrettable and disastrous that the Council was prevented from upholding its responsibility. Mohamed Abushahab, deputy permanent representative of the United Arab Emirates to the UN, expressed his deep disappointment with its outcome. However, he noted that this disappointing outcome will not deter his country from continuing to implore Council members to act and bring the violence in Gaza to an end. Dmitry Polyanskiy, first deputy permanent representative of Russia to the UN, said that "today will become one of the darkest days in the Middle East" as the United States has once again blocked calls for a ceasefire. Nicolas de Riviere, permanent representative of France to the UN, said that he voted in favor of the draft resolution, adding that France will continue to commit to fully mobilizing the Council on all aspects of the crisis, whether it is security, humanitarian or political. Ishikane Kimihiro, permanent representative of Japan to the UN, said his delegation voted in favor of the draft as the loss of all civilian life, whether Palestinian or Israeli, is tragic. He also expressed regret that the text had failed to be adopted. On December 17, 2010, Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire. Unable to find work and selling fruit at a roadside stand, Bouazizi had his wares confiscated by the local municipality. Humiliated, he went to complain to the governor, but was refused an audience. In an act of sheer desperation and protest, Bouazizi set himself alight on the street outside. His self-immolation led to his tragic death, but also triggered protests that began as a ripple, but ended up a tidal wave of dissent that consumed a region. The fatal despair of one man, an anonymous street vendor in Tunisia, became the catalyst for the Arab Spring. So much has happened in the world since, it is all too easy to forget that the first Arab Spring began as a series of anti-government protests, uprisings and armed rebellions that spread across much of north Africa and the Middle East. The dictatorship in Tunisia was overthrown. Governments fell, too, in Syria, Libya, Yemen and Iraq, leading each to brutal civil wars. In Egypt, Hosni Mubarak was spectacularly deposed. Egyptian anti-government demonstrators at Cairo's Tahrir Square on February 6, 2011, on the 13th day of protests calling for ousting of President Hosni Mubarak. Picture: Khaled Desouki/AFP/GettyImages The role of social media in each of these uprisings was undeniable, especially in the early days, when activists used Facebook and Twitter to broadcast to the wider world evidence of these protests and their often-brutal consequences. Even the moniker Arab Spring had an undeniable hashtaggable quality to it. Just as the activists were using Facebook and Twitter to organise and amplify their demands, the social media giants seized the opportunity to brand themselves as platforms for political activism and resistance. To this day, numerous media outlets run the claim that social media made the Arab Spring and that it was a Facebook revolution. Just as they were doing this, groups such as IS were seizing the opportunities power vacuums in the region were creating and weaponising the very same social media to spread propaganda, and recruit tens of thousands of members. Just as it was easy for the early idealists of the Arab Spring to reach their supportive audience, IS and others only had to extend their hands and touch their screens to target a vastly increased recruiting pool, concurrently identifying extremists, while avoiding detection by respective domestic security authorities. The Arab Spring may not have been possible without social media, but the speed and power of the subsequent rise of terror groups such as IS would have been just as impossible. This contradiction best encapsulates the contradictory role of social media as a conduit for good and evil. In the next 30 months, an estimated 2.1 billion people will vote in fair and free elections around the world. That is about a third of the global population who will have the opportunity to vote in India, the US, the UK, the EU, and Ireland. A car on fire during the Dublin riots on November 23. Picture: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie Elections should represent the best of what democracy has to offer, but just as the internet helped alter the world order in the Arab world over the last decade, elections offer a perfect opportunity for bad actors to infiltrate and influence outcomes of what should be impregnable institutions, with social media increasingly becoming their weapon of choice. The 2016 US presidential election was one of the first instances that showed evidence that an external actor in this case Russia used social media ads and bots to influence social media political conversations, spread disinformation and in crease polarisation between political groups. This interference played a role in affecting the outcome of the US presidential election. Robots (bots) were used to disrupt and distract online users around the world, while advancing the interests of individuals, politicians, and organisations. Its been seven years since that election saw Donald Trump become president. Since then we have seen the internet play a similarly divisive role in the Brexit outcome, a global pandemic, and much more recently, the most violent conflict of this century. Consider for a moment how foolish Israel (heretofore regarded as the practitioners of the most sophisticated state-sponsored public relations and propaganda machine in the world) has been exposed by both real-time footages posted on various platforms and out-thought by Hamas, which has been far more effective in its use of social media to promote its cause. Consider too, why Elon Musk, one of the worlds wealthiest men and owner of X, formerly Twitter, recently accompanied Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Kfar Aza, one of the kibbutzim targeted by Hamas during the October 7 terror attacks. The tech billionaire is no stranger to inserting himself into geo-political narratives, even gracing Ireland with his online presence when he took to X to say that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar must hate the Irish people in the wake of the riots in Dublin. Elon Musk: The tech billionaire is no stranger to inserting himself into geo-political narratives, even gracing Ireland with his online presence when he took to X to say that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar must 'hate the Irish people' in the wake of the riots in Dublin. picture: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth Musks intervention was so absurd it even had opposition parties defend Varadkar, with TD David Cullinane accusing Musk of inciting hatred and violence among certain people. Whatever little credibility Musk may have had as a commentator on Irish societal issues was lost with his subsequent assertion that having Conor McGregor run for public office was not a bad idea. While Musks musings do not represent anything other than him exercising free speech, that the owner of one of the worlds most powerful social media companies is so casually capable of interfering on issues of such domestic importance is another grave cause for concern when considering the soft and hard power such platforms have on the micro- and macro- aspects of our lives. Facebook and Meta employ more than 2,000 people in Ireland. Google employs more than 5,000 people. To suggest these numbers do not restrict our Governments ability to criticise them is to be naive. Musk is absurd enough of a character to stand up to and risk little in doing so. Mark Zuckerberg and Google chief executive Sundar Pichai, however, are much too smart to engage in such juvenile antics, which makes them more difficult to be critical of. The spreading of misinformation to affect political outcomes is certainly nothing new. Under the nickname Lord Haw Haw, William Joyce (raised and buried, incidentally, in Galway), was recruited by Joseph Goebbels Reich Ministry of Propaganda and given his own radio show, Germany Calling. Goebbels needed foreign fascists to spread Nazi propaganda to Allied countries, especially Britain and America, and Joyce was the ideal candidate. At the wars conclusion he found himself at the end of a hangmans rope, convicted of high treason. William Joyce, known as Lord Haw Haw, who broadcast Nazi propaganda in English from Germany. Picture: Keystone/Getty Images) The major difference between this and then, however, is what Joyce achieved in six years of broadcasts during the Second World War, could be achieved during just a series of social media posts, today. The rate of violent escalation during last weeks riots in Dublin is directly attributable to the speed a call to arms went around X, Facebook and WhatsApp groups controlled by far-right protagonists. See also the January 6 Storming of the Capital. Why have a slow burn when you can set alight a prepared bonfire? There is another insidious element to social media and the curation of content that must undoubtedly be having a negative effect on all of us, and that is exposure to distressing content. This was a problem long before the horrors of the conflict in Gaza were beamed straight to our phones, but our reluctant submission to such gruesome visuals (undoubtedly driven by a desire to understand what is happening) must be taking its toll. I am anecdotally aware of friends working for media organisations who suddenly find themselves as unqualified content moderators, charged with sifting through the never-ending morass of distressing material in vain attempt to verify what is real, and what is not. The bottom line regarding social media is algorithms are not neutral. They encode political choices, influencing the information seen by us all, the users. Considering how distressed one exposure of this makes me a day, I dread to think of how detrimental this is for anyone to do as part of their job. Where would those same people be (the stranded citizens of besieged Gaza) without their phones, and their ability to upload evidence of otherwise ignored potential war crimes? To tweet cries for help from under the rubble. To post videos of incoming rockets and slain children, if only to catch and hold our attention? The bottom line regarding social media is algorithms are not neutral. They encode political choices, influencing the information seen by us all, the users. When we open our social media account, we are met by algorithm-filtered and recommended content, based on prior activities and interactions on the platform. Yes, it enables greater free speech and can inspire overdue revolution, but it also fertilises the dark recesses of our souls where dormant demons lie. The more we enslave ourselves to it, the more susceptible we are to its corruption. West African heads of state on Sunday officially recognised the junta in power in Niger, but said their sanctions to reverse the July coup in the country would remain even as they initiate steps for a short period of transition to civilian rule. A team of heads of state would engage with the junta to agree on a short transition programme as against the three years the soldiers earlier proposed, Omar Alieu Touray, president of the regional bloc of ECOWAS Commission, said at the blocs meeting in the Nigerian capital of Abuja. The recognition of the junta by the 15-member bloc ends hopes of any immediate reinstatement of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, who was deposed amid a surge of coups across West and Central Africa where there have been eight military takeovers since 2020. The heads of state have recognised that what has happened in Niger is a coup and the CNSP (National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland) is a military administration in Niger In the past month, the governments of Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau have also described political crises as attempted coups. The heads of state have recognised that what has happened in Niger is a coup and the CNSP (National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland) is a military administration in Niger, Mr Touray told reporters after the meeting. The leaders also requested the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Bazoum who has been detained since the coup in July. They were, however, silent on his reinstatement as president. The regional sanctions on Niger would be eased only if the junta agrees to the demands made by ECOWAS, Mr Touray said, adding that failure to do so would lead the bloc to maintain all sanctions including the use of force and (to) request African Union and all other partners to enforce the capital sanctions on members of the CNSP and their associates. The heads of state had acknowledged at the start of the meeting that their efforts to stem the tide of coups in the region have so far met with little success. Despite sanctions and other measures by ECOWAS, Mr Touray told the heads of state that the junta in Niger has consolidated its grip on power, while the military governments of Mali and Burkina Faso have stopped collaborating with the bloc on their countries transition to civilian rule. After a moment of progress we have noticed a near pause in the implementation of the agreed transition timetable for some time now, Mr Touray said. The bloc will continue to stand against the unconstitutional change of government in Niger despite the setbacks, said Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who was elected leader of the bloc this year. Democracy must win if we fight for it, and we will definitely fight for democracy. Under Mr Tinubus leadership, the regional bloc has imposed its most stringent travel and economic sanctions yet against Niger, measures he said would send a strong message to other nations. But rather than deter the soldiers who took over power in Niger and elsewhere, the sanctions appear to have emboldened them, analysts say. Nigers junta has gone ahead to forge an alliance with Burkina Faso and Mali and has also turned to Russia for a military partnership after severing ties with European countries, particularly France. The stringent regional and international sanctions on Niger (and previously the other juntas) have emboldened the juntas to centralise control further and unite against ECOWAS and Western backers such as France and the EU, said Karim Manuel, an analyst for the Middle East and Africa with the Economist Intelligence Unit. Basically, the sanctions, as expected, backfired notably given strong public support for the coups, he added. As the ECOWAS meeting began, the junta in Niger said via X, formerly Twitter, it would not change its stance, although it did not mention the meeting or the bloc. We wont back down. We will not compromise. We will not betray and we will overcome, the junta wrote without further details. BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Amid a global outcry for peace, the United States has once again pitted itself against the international community by vetoing a draft resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. At the Security Council's meeting on the Israel-Palestine issue, the resolution -- submitted by the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Friday -- received overwhelming support from 13 of the 15 Security Council members, with Britain abstaining. The United States is the only member to vote against it. In fact, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the United States has vetoed two UN resolutions on the Palestinian-Israeli issue. On Oct. 27, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that calls for "an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce," and urges immediate humanitarian access to Gaza, with 120 countries voting in favor. The United States also voted against it. While the conflict continues raging, having killed more than 17,000 innocent civilians and caused a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, any stance against peace is untenable and irresponsible. Allowing the conflict to persist while expressing concern for the safety and humanitarian needs of the civilians in Gaza and advocating for the protection of women and children while enabling the conflict to continue only serves to reveal U.S. "double standards." At present, an immediate ceasefire is the absolute priority. Without a comprehensive ceasefire, humanitarian aid efforts are futile. Allowing the conflict to linger could ultimately result in a catastrophe engulfing the entire region and dampening hopes for a "two-state solution," plunging the Palestinian and Israeli peoples into a vicious cycle of hatred and confrontation. The current situation has obliged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to invoke Article 99 of the UN Charter to urge the Security Council to call for a ceasefire. This is the first time in more than 50 years that the article, which says the secretary-general may inform the council of matters he believes threatening international peace and security, has been invoked. As a global superpower, the United States should take its due responsibility and join other Security Council members in pooling all efforts toward the common goal of quelling the conflict in Gaza to provide the Palestinian people with hope to survive and the Middle East hope for peace. Reddit Email 38 Shares ( Middle East Monitor ) Gaza was among the main topics on the agenda of Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrived in the Middle East on 6 December. Some news reports referred to the trip as rare, especially since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022. We know that the situation in Gaza, namely the Israeli war and the subsequent genocide, is a major objective of Putins visit, based on press statements from Russias official media. But we do not yet know exactly how Gaza factored into Putins one-day visit. Putins visit included the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, two of the richest and most economically influential Arab countries. They are, like Russia, members of OPEC+ the larger and most influential group of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Oil prices, energy supplies and the fractious security of the Red Sea waterways are reportedly also part of Putins agenda. However, it is unlikely that the Russian president has initiated such an important visit to discuss any of these issues. Indeed, fluctuating oil prices and achieving OPEC+ consensus regarding production levels have been ongoing issues linking Russia to the Middle East for years, especially since the start of the Ukraine war, which invited unprecedented US-Western sanctions. But what does Putin have to say about Gaza, in particular? In the early phase of the Israeli war with the Palestinian resistance in the besieged Gaza Strip, Russia had taken a guarded position, condemning the targeting of civilians, while calling for a comprehensive political solution. But, days later, Moscows position began evolving into a stronger stance, namely condemning the Israeli war on Gaza, Washingtons blind support for Tel Aviv and the US intransigence during United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meetings. President Putin, on 13 October, compared Israels besiegement of the Gaza Strip to the Nazi siege of Leningrad in 1941. In my view it is unacceptable. More than two million people live there. Far from all of them support Hamas, by the way, far from all. But all of them have to suffer, including women and children, he said. Moscows UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzia, has repeatedly attempted, to no avail, to pass a UNSC resolution demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. His efforts culminated in nil due to US refusal, backed by equally strong rejection of other Western allies of Israel. Despite his unsuccessful efforts, Nebenzia has used the UNSC as a platform to declare Russias progressively strong stances against the Israeli war, going as far as questioning Israels long-touted right to defend itself. All they (the West) can do is to keep [talking] about Israels alleged right for self-defence, which, as an occupying state, it does not have, as was confirmed by the [UN] International Court consultative ruling in 2004, Nebenzia said on 2 November. Following the US shameful use of the veto power to block the passing of a UNSC resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Russian representative Dmitry Polyanskiy stated: Our American colleagues have condemned thousands if not tens of thousands more civilians (..) including women and children, to death, along with the UN workers who are trying to help them. But for various reasons, the Russian position did not evolve beyond political rhetoric, however strong, into any tangible strategies. The typical explanation for Russias inability to formulate a practical strategy regarding Gaza is its lack of any serious diplomatic or political capital beyond the current war on Ukraine and that Moscow was fully aware of the Middle Easts delicate geopolitical balances. But things began to change not in Moscow, but in Gaza itself. Over two months into a war that has resulted in the killing of more than 17,000 civilians, so far, Tel Aviv is finally discovering the limits of its military power. Al Jazeera English: Gaza on the agenda as Russian President Vladimir Putin heads to UAE, Saudi Arabia Moreover, the war gradually began to destabilise the Middle East, involving state and powerful non-state actors, many of whom are close allies to Moscow and protectors of Russian interests in the region. They include Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Ansarallah in Yemen, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and, of course, Hamas itself. As a sign of a closer relationship between Hamas and Russia, the Palestinian movement has released all Israeli captives with dual Israeli-Russian citizenship. It has done so without a formal prisoner swap agreement, like the ones that have been mediated through Qatar and Egypt, resulting in the release of scores of Israelis and hundreds of Palestinians, starting on 24 November. Surely, Putins visit to the Middle East carries greater meaning than the mere emphasis on the strong relationships between Russia and a few Arab countries. This meaning is compounded by the immediate visit to Moscow by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on 7 December, also with the sole purpose of discussing the situation in Gaza. Is it possible that Russia has finally found a geostrategic opportunity in the Middle East that would allow it to expand, in terms of its strategic alliances and political role, beyond Syria? This expansion must appear as an attractive opportunity for Moscow, especially as early signs of Israeli military failure and, to an extent, US failure in Gaza are becoming unmistakably clear. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to deliver an important speech at the 21st Doha Forum in Qatar on 10 December. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova was quoted by TASS Russian news agency on 6 December confirming that Lavrov will be discussing the war in Gaza and the overall situation in Palestine and the Middle East. The minister will pay special attention to the problem of Palestinian-Israeli settlement, of course, and security issues in the Middle East, Zakharova said. None of this, including the potential new Russian vision in the Middle East, would have been possible if it were not for the Israeli-US inability to defeat small Resistance groups in a tiny, besieged region like Gaza. Aside from the setback of the Israeli military machine, which has been financed and sustained by Washington, the genocide in Gaza has cost the US whatever little political credibility it still enjoyed in the Middle East. Time will tell whether Russia will be able to stake a claim and help define a new Middle East in the post-Gaza war. However, one of the most important factors that Russia will consider before making any major moves is the tangible outcome of the Israeli war on Gaza. And, unlike most Israeli wars against Palestinians and Arabs in the past, this time around, it seems that Palestinian resistance despite its very limited capabilities in the face of a powerful Israel-US military machine is the one most likely to control the outcomes. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor. Via Middle East Monitor Reddit Email 664 Shares Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) The United Nations warned on Saturday that half the population of Gaza is now starving. The World Food Programme (WFP) had reported at the end of November that in the north of Gaza, about half of the people were suffering severe levels of hunger. Meanwhile, nearly everyone had inadequate levels of food consumption, i.e. they were getting less than the recommended calories per day. While a couple of weeks ago 37% of the people in the south of Gaza were were experiencing severe levels of hunger, the relatively better condition of people in the south has since deteriorated as Israeli bombardments and ground operations ramped up in Khan Younis and elsewhere. Already on December 7, the WFP posted at X about Gaza that Almost no one has enough food. In some areas, 9 out of 10 people have gone a full day and night with nothing to eat. The WFP elsewhere warns of hunger that Over time, people who suffer from chronic undernourishment lose their mental and physical abilities . . . Undernourishment also weakens the immune system. Deprived of the right nutrition, undernourished children are especially vulnerable to common infections and disease like measles and diarrhea. Aljazeera tells the story of Jana Qudeih (14 years old), who died on Friday after days without food but only water. Her emaciated body was buried in a shallow grave at the Taiba Government School where she sought shelter from violent Israeli air strikes, which continue, making it impossible to bury her at a cemetery. Jana, by Juan Cole, Digital (Dream, IbisPaint, LunaPic), 2023. On Saturday, Corinne Fleischer of the World Food Program posted a video of herself in Gaza where she remarks, Look at the people. They are talking to us. Theyre pleading to us to bring more food; and it is heartbreaking that we are coming through the border. We are seeing the food on the other side, and we cant bring it in. Since the beginning of this conflict, we managed to bring only 10% of the food that is required here for 2.2 million people in Gaza. The pictures speak for themselves. Two weeks after the conflict started, it was like this. Its empty. We absolutely need a ceasefire. We need to be able to bring more food to the border. We need to be able to bring it safely to the people. We need the people to be able to access it safely. I have been in many places in emergencies for WFP. Darfur, Syria . . . I mean what were seeing here is that there is no order anymore. Here in Gaza, the children I talked to still smile, but it is a very silent and sad smile. And that is heartbreaking. Back in Cairo from #Gaza: the fear, exhaustion and hunger I have seen continue to travel my mind and emotions. Humanitarian ceasefire, more border crossing points & @WFP food to reach families is the only immediate answer. pic.twitter.com/sWHi8mREwy Corinne Fleischer (@Corinne_WFP) December 9, 2023 After she had left, she wrote on X, Back in Cairo from Gaza: The fear, exhaustion and hunger I have seen continue to travel my mind and emotions. Fleischer, who is Swiss, became WFP Regional Director for the Middle East and Northern Africa late in 2020. She said the only answer to the hunger was for World Food Programme to be able to deliver food to families, which in turn requires an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and more border crossing points (all but Rafah in the far south are closed, and often no trucks come through Rafah either). Global National: Dec. 9, 2023 | Aid groups warn of starvation in Gaza after US vetoes ceasefire call Samer AbdelJaber, the World Food Programme country director for Palestine, posted to X of Gaza that families are desperate, exhausted, hungry and living in overcrowded shelters with nowhere to go. It has been 2 months of unrelenting suffering. He posted a video from when he was in Khirbet al-Adas in Gaza in which he said, It took us five hours to reach here from Rafah. Strange feelings. I am happy that I met my team, but I feel that they are totally different people. All the exhaustion that they feel, after all that happened during the past weeks. An uneasy 8 weeks. I feel they have the capacity and the determination . . . I look at people, they are all looking for a glimpse of hope. I wish that . . . The assistance entering is giving hope to people. At the same time, I wish the ceasefire would take place. Because people are exhausted. People need to feel safe, and secure. This is how I feel. I cant describe it. This is not the Gaza I know. The Rome Statute underpinning the International Criminal Court forbids starvation as a method of warfare: Article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the 1998 ICC Statute provides that [i]ntentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare by depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival is a war crime in international armed conflicts. Statute of the International Criminal Court, adopted by the UN Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court, Rome, 17 July 1998, UN Doc. A/CONF.183/9, Article 8(2)(b)(xxv). DHAKA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese tech giant Huawei has awarded the top three participants of the Seeds for the Future 2023 in Bangladesh at a ceremony held in the capital Dhaka. In his speech at the awards ceremony on Saturday, Shyam Sunder Sikder, chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, thanked Huawei for providing such a great opportunity to the young people of Bangladesh through its flagship initiative. "Without Huawei, the telecom infrastructure of Bangladesh would not have grown significantly side by side. I believe Huawei has enabled a great environment of learning through Seeds for the Future," he said. "I believe one day, all the winner seeds from Seeds for the Future will become brilliant assets of different sectors of our country," he added. Md Sarwar Hossain, joint secretary at the Ministry of Social Welfare, said the Seeds for the Future program is inspirational and beneficial to Bangladeshi students. "I congratulate Huawei for bringing out this program for the 10th time in Bangladesh and congratulate the students for their participation," said the official. Md Jahangir Alam, vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), said the program has helped significantly develop the skills of ICT-centric youth. "I'm amazed to see that approximately 12,000 students from over 100 universities across the world have benefited from this flagship initiative of Huawei." Initiatives like these can "propel our journey towards Smart Bangladesh," Alam said. Li Zongsheng, a board member of Huawei Bangladesh (Technologies) Ltd., said "all seeds" participating in the program have demonstrated exceptional dedication and creativity, reflecting the program's success in nurturing talent. "These future leaders embody the spirit of 'Seeds For the Future,' and I commend their commitment to creating positive change through technology. Huawei will remain committed to empowering the next generation of tech visionaries for a Smart Bangladesh," he added. Six participants of Huawei's Seeds For the Future 2023 in Bangladesh had paid a 10-day visit to China. Seeds for the Future is Huawei's globally-recognized flagship program, which has run for 15 years with the aim of cultivating digital talent. More than 15,000 students globally have benefited from this initiative, media reports said. In 2022, Namgoong Min, Kim Ji Eun and Lee Chung Ah managed to decorate prime time with the thriller comedy "One Dollar Lawyer." The show depicted the life of a great lawyer with unconventional ways to win cases. In addition, he also doesn't accept attorney fees higher than a dollar, making him unique. "One Dollar Lawyer" became one of the highest rated works in the past year. Here's where to see more of the cast this 2023 in case you missed them. Namgoong Min Earlier this year, Namgoong Min was named as the new model of WELLMADE, a fashion editing shop. He also made a cameo in the second season of "Taxi Driver" before finally returning with the historical romance "My Dearest" with Ahn Eun Jin. It's a highly loved drama that depicted the romance between people, and how hope festered in a country during the Qing invasion of Joseon. The actor played a nobleman who opens his heart to a woman after not caring for others all his life. His performance earned him a spot in the most talked-about stars throughout its broadcast. Catch "My Dearest" Parts 1 and 2 on Viki now. It's available with English subtitles for international audiences. Kim Ji Eun In early 2023, Kim Ji Eun was named as one of the most influential celebrities by Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40, following Park Eun Bin. She also made her acting comeback with the mystery thriller series "Longing For You" with Na In Woo, where she portrayed a detective who strives to avenge his brother's sudden demise. READ MORE: 'Rookie Cops' Cast Update 2023: What's Next For Kang Daniel, Chae Soo Bin & More? In addition, Kim Ji Eun also landed the lead role in the upcoming series "Branding in Seongsu-dong" with "All of Us Are Dead" star Lomon. It's a drama that follows the lives of two co-workers with opposite personalities who unexpectedly swap bodies after accidentally sharing a kiss. The show is currently underway and it's intended to be released in the early half of 2024 so stay tuned for more updates. Lee Chung Ah Lee Chung Ah joined the cast of Netflix's "Celebrity" before finally reuniting with Namgoong in "My Dearest." She played a Qing dynasty princess, and delivered an intense performance which left the viewers speechless. Moreover, Lee Chung Ah was also cast in the new web drama "Hyde." It tells the story of a woman who tracks down eerie occurrences in order to find her missing husband after he disappears overnight. "Hyde" also stars veterans Lee Bo Young and Lee Moo Saeng, and it's slated to air in early 2024 on Coupang Play. ALSO READ: 'The Law Cafe' Cast Update 2023: Lee Seung Gi & Lee Se Young Return With Exciting Works KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! Join Mossi Salibian, a plastic surgeon, as he shares his journey from a background in biochemistry to becoming a successful practitioner in the field. Mossi delves into the intersection of art and science in plastic surgery, the importance of patient empathy, creative approaches to achieving desired outcomes, and the significance of maintaining integrity in his work. Mossi Salibian is a plastic surgeon. He discusses the KevinMD article, Top tips to find success as a plastic surgeon, according to an industry veteran. Our presenting sponsor is Nuance, a Microsoft company. 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Discover clinical documentation that writes itself and reclaim your work-life balance. VISIT SPONSOR https://nuance.com/daxinaction SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended GET CME FOR THIS EPISODE https://earnc.me/kkkL2I Powered by CMEfy. NEOM, the sustainable regional development taking shape in northwestern Saudi Arabia, has launched Topian, the NEOM Food Company, seeking to redefine food production, distribution and consumption. This done through the creation of sustainable and innovative food solutions across five vertical pillars: climate-proof agriculture; regenerative aquaculture; novel foods; personalised nutrition; sustainable food supply and ESG. Topian has been launched with the support of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA). It is fully aligned with the KSAs goal of achieving Saudi Vision 2030, spearheading the kingdom's efforts to ensure food security, mitigate climate change and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. New innovative standard Fostering a vibrant community of scientists, industry experts and innovators, Topian represents a new innovative standard in sustainable food production. A purpose-driven organisation, Topian aims to perfect the Art of More with Less, embracing a new era of food to achieve food security. Topians launch concept, Future to Table, will introduce and apply innovative solutions and initiatives that will revolutionise the current global food system and tackle issues arising from rapid population growth, changing consumption patterns, climate change, and the depletion of our natural resources. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, said: "NEOM is an accelerator of human progress and Topian reflects our dedication to creating a positive, long-lasting transformation to lives in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world. Topians innovative approach will be a key driver in shaping the future landscape of a sustainable and secure food industry. We look forward to working closely with investors, partners, and food industry experts in turning ambitious ideas into reality, supporting economic diversification in the kingdom and aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. High-quality food products Dr Juan Carlos Motamayor, Chief Executive Officer of Topian, said: "As a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEOM, Topian is fully aligned with NEOMs commitment to providing high-quality food products to the market, and promoting food security and sustainability, while contributing to the kingdoms self-sufficiency objectives and long-term economic goals. Topian is leading the food-security conversation to create a resilient food supply in line with the Saudi Green Initiative and the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. We are not only committing to shaping a transformative global food system, but also to setting a global benchmark by pioneering new technologies and innovative solutions to overcome food-related challenges and create a more secure, sustainable, and prosperous future for all. Partnership agreements Topian has signed numerous local and international strategic partnership agreements with organisations that share Topians commitment to reshaping the future of food. Through these agreements, which include King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Kaust), Tabuk University, as well as Tabuk Fish Company, BlueNalu, Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects, and Cargill, Topian will collaborate on research-and-development initiatives, and harness partners expertise to develop innovative and sustainable approaches to food production. Topian is committed to the NEOM CAREs partnership, developing educational initiatives to promote local sustainable gastronomy, and nurture Saudi talent through training opportunities and chef camps.--TradeArabia News Service An Indian artist displays handmade bags during an intangible cultural heritage exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 9, 2023. The city of Quanzhou is widely believed to be the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan) A Malaysian artist (R) and his cooperator display a kite during an intangible cultural heritage exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 9, 2023. The city of Quanzhou is widely believed to be the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan) An Italian artist (R) learns about paper-cutting techniques from You Jinmei, an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, during an intangible cultural heritage exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 9, 2023. The city of Quanzhou is widely believed to be the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan) People visit an intangible cultural heritage exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 9, 2023. The city of Quanzhou is widely believed to be the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan) Sri lankan visitors learn about traditional techniques of Zhangzhou embroidery, which is recognized as a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Fujian, during an intangible cultural heritage exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 9, 2023. The city of Quanzhou is widely believed to be the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan) Visitors look at artwork during an intangible cultural heritage exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 9, 2023. The city of Quanzhou is widely believed to be the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan) A Russian artist (L) and her cooperator display ceramic cups designed by them during an intangible cultural heritage exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 9, 2023. The city of Quanzhou is widely believed to be the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan) Visitors select products from Ecuador during an intangible cultural heritage exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 9, 2023. The city of Quanzhou is widely believed to be the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan) By Abubaker Kirunda & Tausi Nakato The Iganga Resident High Court Judge, Justice David Batema, has revealed how the Royal Wedding between Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV and Ms Jovia Mutesi was pulled off amidst court injunction threats. The couple tied the knot on November 18 at Christs Cathedral, Bugembe in Jinja North City Division, and thereafter hosted their guests to a reception at the Kyabazingas Igenge Palace. Prior to the wedding, the Church of Uganda was hit by court injunction threats from Ms Anna Alison, through her United Kingdom (UK)-based lawyers, Anne Cuthbert Solicitors, which was addressed to Busoga Kingdom head of clans. Ms Alison alleged that she got married to the Kyabazinga in December 2016 and since then, he has not divorced her, and that once he enters into another marriage, he would be committing bigamy which is punishable by imprisonment for up to six months under the UK law. Later, Mugerwa and Partners Advocates and Solicitors, acting on behalf of Ms Anna Alison, sought Church of Ugandas intervention to stop the wedding on grounds that the Kyabazinga was already legally married to her. However, the Katuukiro (Prime Minister) of Busoga Kingdom, Mr Joseph Muvawala, later addressed the allegations, saying the monarch has neither ever been married to anyone under the known forms of marriage nor sired any children. Now, Justice Batema, who was allegedly directly involved in the mediation process to convince the Church to preside over a wedding, pending court injunction threats, says the matter became complicated when top religious leaders had declined to be part of the function. The Church of Uganda had believed social media reports about the Kyabazingas alleged first marriage and it took us about two to three meetings, all held under tension, to convince the Archbishop [Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu] to preside over the wedding, Justice Batema said on Friday. Justice Batema, who was delivering a keynote address at the International Human Rights Defenders Day celebrations in Jinja City on Saturday, said they held three different meetings and looked for all evidence that could exonerate the Kyabazinga and convince the Church to conduct the wedding. The wedding was eventually conducted by Archbishop, The Most Rev Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu Kaziimba, but only after some facts were presented before him, including contacting a Ugandan United Kingdom (UK)-based lawyer to investigate whether the civil wedding ever took place in Portsmouth, London. I had to contact a UK-based Ugandan lawyer from Pader District, Mr Aldo Okot, to help us search in London if there was such a marriage between the Kyabazinga and Ms Alison, he went to the Registrar and confirmed that there was no such a marriage, Justice Batema said. He added that the number on the alleged marriage certificate provided by Ms Alisons lawyers was also fake as it had no marriage certificate attached. It only had the serial number which was also fake. According to our investigations, that is not the way numbers are serialised in the UK, he said, adding that they also unearthed that the Kyabazinga was in the UK in 2015, not 2016 as alleged by Ms Alison. Justice Batema further revealed that they also proved to the Church of Uganda that the correct names of the Kyabazinga, as per his travel documents, is Wilberforce Nadiope, and that those (names) circulated on social media (William Gabula Nadiope Kadhumbula IV) were different. Justice Batema says he told the meeting with the Archbishop that the photos being circulated on social media purporting to be of the Kyabazinga with one of his alleged children did not depict his true size, further enforcing the Judges belief that it was not the embattled monarch. He added: I am the one who presided over the Kyabazingas swearing-in ceremony in 2014, whose weight was over 144kgs, but when we compared the social media photos, the person purported to be the Kyabazinga was about 75kgms, meaning he was a different person. According to Justice Batema, during attempts to block the wedding, the purported complainant made a call requesting for Shs750m to give up the issue, leaving them wondering how a lady can drop her marriage in exchange for Shs750m. The complainant was even telling the wedding organising committee that the Shs750m was meagre and could even be got from a single cheque offered by MTN as its contribution towards the wedding, Justice Batema, who was part of the committee, said. During the wedding, the Archbishop invited whoever had reasons why he shouldnt preside over the Royal Wedding to step up or forever hold their silence and nobody did, city lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi on November 20 filed a suit at Jinja Magistrates Court challenging the nuptial as illegal. Mr Mabirizi preferred charges against the Kyabazinga, Ms Mutesi, Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu and the Queen of Buganda Kingdom, Ms Sylvia Nagginda, who signed on the marriage certificate. However, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has since ordered Mr Mabirizi to provide any information of evidential value to the Police Criminal Intelligence Department . The Church of Uganda Provincial Secretary, Mr Balaam Muheebwa, said as a Church, they did the right thing to conduct the wedding because nothing much was deterring it. The Spokesperson of Buganda Kingdom, Mr Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, said they have no worry with Mabirizis case because we have defeated him several times. By AFP West African leaders met in Nigerias capital Abuja on Sunday for talks on their region in deepening crisis, after four countries fell under military rule and with risks growing from Sahel jihadist conflicts. After coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger since 2020, the Economic Community of West African States or ECOWAS saw member states Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau report attempted coups in recent weeks. A French military withdrawal from the Sahel the region along the Sahara desert across Africa has heightened concerns over conflicts spreading southward to Gulf of Guinea states Ghana, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast. International attention has focused on the most recent coup in Niger in July after troops ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, prompting ECOWAS to impose tough sanctions and close trade. Niger, a key Western partner in the fight against Sahel militants has demanded French troops based there leave, while the US still has military personnel in the country. But recent talks with the regime in Niamey stalled. ECOWAS called for Bazoums immediate return to power, but Nigers rulers have kept the ousted president in detention and want up to three years for a transition back to civilian rule. The military authorities have unfortunately shown little remorse as they hold on to their untenable positions, holding not only President Bazoum, his family, and members of his government hostage, but also the people of Niger, ECOWAS commission president Omar Touray told the summit opening. Touray said ECOWAS recognized the dire humanitarian situation in Niger, but accused the rulers in Niamey of interfering with the flow of aid that was allowed into the country. In a possible signal of ECOWAS maintaining its hardline on Niamey, exiled Niger Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou attended the Abuja summit. Nigerias President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is current chair of ECOWAS and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee was also at the meeting to discuss how to support Nigers return to democratic rule and Sahel security. The ordinary summit will also discuss delayed or uncertain transitions back to civilian rule and elections for Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger. Tinubu called for the re-engaging with the countries under military rule on the basis of realistic and short transition plans. Mediator Earlier this month, Nigeria said it was asking the Niger regime to free Bazoum and allow him to fly to a third country, as a step to opening talks on lifting sanctions. But Nigers military leaders rejected that option and have asked Togos President Faure Gnassingbe to act as a mediator. Before Sundays ECOWAS meeting, Nigers military leader General Abdourahamane Tiani and some of his ministers visited Togo on Friday to strengthen bilateral ties. Tiani is willing to talk over the length of the transition and over the situation with Bazoum, said a Togolese diplomatic source. ECOWAS has also left on the table the last option of a military intervention in Niger though analysts say that appears increasingly unlikely. Since French troops began leaving the region, military regimes in Niger, Mali and Burkina struggling with jihadist violence have hardened their positions and joined forces in an Alliance of Sahel States. This phantom, push back-alliance appears intended to divert attention from our mutual quest for democracy and good governance, Tinubu told the summit. Last month, armed attackers stormed military posts, prisons and police stations in another ECOWAS member Sierra Leone, in what the government called a coup attempt that killed 21 people. A week later Guinea-Bissau also denounced an attempted coup, with fighting between the national guard and special forces of the presidential guard Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Cloudy skies with a few snow showers this afternoon. High around 25F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%.. Tonight Watching a potential winter storm. Periods of snow along with gusty winds at times, especially this evening. Low 11F. Winds NNE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of snow 100%. 5 to 8 inches of snow expected. BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- China has recorded a fluctuating decrease in the overall diagnosis and treatment volume of pediatric respiratory diseases at its secondary and higher-level medical institutions nationwide, the Chinese health authority said Sunday. The previous increased caseload at some large children's specialty hospitals and general hospitals has recently shown a degree of decline, said Mi Feng, a spokesperson for the National Health Commission, at a press conference. This is to address the groups concerns and frustrations currently coming out of this year's Conference of Parties (COP) that is being held at Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. As a fourth-gen idol known for her doll-like visuals and outstanding skills, fans are curious about who would be the "lucky guy" to capture ITZY Yuna's heart. Would it be actor Jo Byung Gyu? ITZY Yuna Relationship Status 2023 As of December 2023, ITZY Yuna is single and is not seeing anyone, at least in public. However, due to her beauty, her every interaction with male celebrities and idols always lead to dating rumors. ALSO READ: ITZY Yuna Relationship 2022 Truth Behind Dating Rumors With ENHYPEN Jay In 2022, she was once embroiled in relationship speculation with ENHYPEN Jay after the two were speculated of doing "lovestagram." On Instagram, both posted photos of the same food under the same restaurant and drink. Immediately after, Yuna took to Bubble to clarify the issue and explained that she went there together with her 11-year friend. ITZY Yuna Caught in Dating Rumor With Actor Jo Byung Gyu What's the Real Score? After about a year, Yuna was once again speculated to be dating another celebrity, who was said to be actor Jo Byung Gyu. The rumor sparked when the two attended W Korea's "Love Your W" campaign event in November. At the time, there were seating arrangements and Yuna ended up being seated next to Jo Byung Gyu. At the time, Yuna was seen wearing a turtle neck dress and when more photos spread online, keen-eyed fans noticed that the idol was wearing a suit coat that wasn't hers in the first place. After looking into the situation, netter realized that the coat belonged to the actor, and at some point, he lent it to the female star. Eventually, the male actor's gesture was given malicious meaning and led to him being linked to the ITZY member. Web users were curious about their relationship since Yuna was not even wearing a thin 'fit, and since both were top stars, they wouldn't lend each other's jacket if they weren't close to avoid controversies. On the flip side, there are also fans who believe that it doesn't have any meaning, and that the actor might have been acting as a real man should do. As it was already winter in Korea, fans explained that it must have been cold for Yuna, thus, Jo lent his coat to her. According to fans, it is colder in their area since they were near the venue's door. Both stars didn't make a comment about this yet. Despite that, there are a lot of Korean netizens who don't want Yuna to be involved with the actor in any way after the latter was accused of school bullying. Amid his popularity after starring in "Sky Castle" and "Uncanny Canter," he was accused of bullying classmates and making obscene jokes about women in 2018. Although it was initially stated to be all false, there are still netizens who remained antagonistic towards him. READ MORE: ITZY Yuna's Hourglass Figure, Barbie-like Visuals Become Talk of Town Is She the Prettiest 4th-Gen Idol? For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Eunice Dawson. Aside from being some of the richest K-pop idols, THESE K-stars also belong to the "Honor Society," proving abundance. A so-called "noblesse oblige," a French term for a noble's moral obligations, is expected from people in the high-ranking social classes or the top 0.05%. As society becomes modern, the "noblesse oblige" is now in the form of donations and other activities, such as the privileged people lending their hands to those in need. In K-pop, there are few well-known idols who, regardless of their wealth and success at a young age, don't forget to look back from where they came from and practice this moral obligation through donations and sponsorships. Thanks to their huge love for humanity, their donations exceeded USD 75.9k (100 million KRW), leading them to join the "Honor Society." Here Are 9 K-pop Idols Who Are Part of 'Honor Society' 1. Girls' Generation YoonA In 2015, SNSD YoonA became the first-ever idol to become a member of the "Honor Society." Since 2010, she has been engaged in various social activities and donation activities by participating in year-end sharing to help low-income families every year. She has then accumulated over USD 228k (300 million won) in donations in 2018, three years after joining the "Honor Society." In 2020, she donated about 80k USD (100 million won) amid COVID-19. 2. Bae Suzy Around the time YoonA joined the "Honor Society," former Miss A Bae Suzy, who is also known for being a "donation angel," entered the group of high-value donors in 2015. She has been steadily donating since 2012 and as of November 2022, her donations exceeded USD 380k (500 million won). In 2023, it is expected that she will break her personal record after she donated $80k twice in South Korea and during an earthquake in Turkey and Syria. 3. IU IU, who has continued to donate and do good deeds by donating every debut anniversary, is also a member of the Honor Society, a group of high-value donors of love fruit. As of September, the cumulative donation alone is known to be more than USD 3.4 million (4.5 billion KRW) and in 2019, she was selected as the youngest Asian donation hero by Forbes in the United States. In September, to commemorate her 15th debut anniversary, she donated a total of $228k (300 million won) to ASAN Medical Center in Seoul, the Korea National Association of Child Welfare, and the Seoul Metropolitan Children's Hospital. 4. AOA Seolhyun In 2018, AOA Seolhyun joined the club after just a year after actively donating and volunteering in 2017. In 2020, she helped the National Disaster Relief Association by donating $38k. 5. Red Velvet Wendy In May 2021, Red Velvet Wendy was listed as a member of "Honor Society" after donating $80k in 2020 to support COVID-19 damage. At the time, she garnered huge praise as she just had an accident and was being treated but she didn't forget to give back to the community. 6. SEVENTEEN Hoshi In June 2021, SEVENTEEN Hoshi donated $80k to the Namyangju Welfare Foundation through the Gyeonggi Northern Social Welfare Community Chest of Korea. Hoshi gave a helping hand when he heard that more and more neighbors in the community needed a helping hand as the pandemic prolonged and corporate and individual sponsorships decreased. This made him immediately a member of the club. 7. Super Junior Heechul In March 2022, Heechul became a member of the group after he donated &80k won to support forest fire damage relief in Gyeongbuk, Uljin, and Samcheok, Gangwon. Earlier in 2019, he also donated $28k to alleviate the impact of the forest fires in Gangwon Province and another $38k in 2020 for COVID-19 damages. 8. NCT Doyoung In February 2023, NCT 127 Doyoung was listed as a member of the Honor Society after he delivered $80 in donations to the Community Chest of Korea, asking for use to recover from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. He has continued to share activities, including support for forest fire damage relief in Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Samcheok, Gangwon-do in 2022. 9. NCT Dream Haechan In March along with Doyoung, Haechan was also recognized as an"Honor Society" member for donating $80k to Turkey and Syria as well. For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Eunice Dawson. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with a delegation led by Patti Hill, the international president of the Lions Clubs International, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with a delegation led by Patti Hill, the international president of the Lions Clubs International, in Beijing on Sunday. Li appreciated the enthusiastic dedication and active contribution the Lions Clubs International made to the global and Chinese charitable undertakings and thanked them for their long-term strong support for the cause of blindness prevention and treatment in China. Noting that the Chinese nation has a fine tradition of being kind, benevolent, and assisting those in need, Li said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of the charitable and public welfare undertakings, encourages and supports social organizations to play an active role in them. It is hoped that the Lions Clubs International will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the China Disabled Persons' Federation and the China Council of Lions Clubs. Li added that the Chinese side is willing to join hands with the Lions Clubs International to contribute more to world peace, development, and human progress. Hill said the Lions Clubs International thanks China for its contribution to international charity. The Lions Clubs International adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen cooperation and mutual learning with China to jointly promote the development of global and Chinese charitable causes. Srinagar, Dec 10 (PTI) With the Supreme Court to pronounce its verdict on Monday on the constitutional validity of the Centre's decision to abrogate controversial Article 370, several parties in Jammu and Kashmir expressed hope that the provision will be restored, while on the ground authorities have made "adequate" security arrangements. The BJP said that there should not be any politics on the Supreme Court ruling and everyone should respect it. Also Read | Vishnu Deo Sai Named New Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh (Watch Video). National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said his party will not disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir even in case of an adverse verdict from the Supreme Court on the petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and will continue its fight in accordance with the law. People's Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said the court's verdict should be clear that the decision taken by the BJP-led central government was "illegal". Also Read | Wayanad Tiger Attack: Big Cat Attacks Man As He Cuts Grass for Cattle. The NC and PDP are part of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), also called the Gupkar Alliance, which was formed by parties in J-K to fight for the restoration of Article 370. Another former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed hope that the Supreme Court will deliver a verdict in favour of the people. A slew of restrictions was placed in J-K and scores of leaders were detained or put under house arrest when Article 370 which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was scrapped and J-K was bifurcated into Union territories on August 5, 2019. Despite apprehensions expressed by many parties about the aftermath, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had stressed that "not a drop of blood was shed" during the critical period. Scrapping Article 370 was among the core issues of BJP's agenda and had been consistently included in its election manifestos. Omar Abdullah on Sunday said his party will continue its fight for the restoration of the rights of people through peaceful means as laid down in the Constitution. The Supreme Court has to give its verdict, let it. If we had to disturb the situation, we would have done it after 2019. "However, we said it then and we reiterate it now that our fight will be peaceful and as per the Constitution, taking the help of the law to protect our rights and preserve our identity. What is wrong in it? Don't we have a right to say this in a democracy? Can't we raise objections in a democracy? If others can talk, why not us? Omar said at a party convention at Rafiabad in Baramulla district. Abdullah claimed that police had been summoning National Conference leaders to police stations since Saturday night and "intimidating" them. The Supreme Court has not passed a verdict yet. How do you know what is the verdict? Maybe it is in our favour! Then what is the need to call my party colleagues to police stations... "Allah willing, if the verdict goes against them (BJP), what will you do if they start writing against it on Facebook? he asked. Abdullah said there was no justification to put curbs on National Conference leaders as they have always been votaries of peace. We had knocked at the door of the Supreme Court in the hope of getting justice and that sentiment persists even today, he said. Azad said only two institutions that can return articles 370 and 35A to the people of Jammu and Kashmir - Parliament and the Supreme Court. "The Supreme Court bench is non-partisan and we hope that it will give a decision in favour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he told reporters here. Azad, who floated the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) after parting ways with the Congress, said he cannot foresee Parliament reversing the decisions taken on August 5, 2019 as it would require a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. Azad said the people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, have an emotional attachment to the special provisions of the Constitution that were repealed four years ago. "It is important that these (provisions) are restored for securing our present and future," he said. BJP's J-K unit chief Ravinder Raina said the apex court has heard both sides through a transparent process. "We are confident that it will no longer remain a political issue after the Supreme Court verdict. We are all citizens of this democratic country and everyone should respect and accept whatever the decision the honourable Supreme Court takes. "Our judiciary is the greatest. There should be no politics on the verdict," Raina said. Mehbooba Mufti said it is the apex court's responsibility to ensure that it does not push the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) agenda, but keeps the integrity of the country and its Constitution intact. "I think the decision should be simple that whatever was done on August 5, 2019 was illegal, unconstitutional, against Jammu and Kashmir and the promises made to the people here," she said. Meanwhile, authorities said they have made adequate security arrangements to ensure that peace is not disturbed. "We are duty-bound to ensure that peace prevails in the Valley under all circumstances," Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone V K Birdi told PTI. While the IGP refused to divulge specifics of the security set-up for Monday, he said "adequate arrangements" have been put in place. "We are taking all precautions and will ensure that peace is not disturbed in Kashmir," Birdi, who held security review meetings in most of the 10 valley districts over the last two weeks, said. Asked if orders invoking section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on the misuse of social media were related to the Supreme Court's expected judgment, he said there have been several incidents of some elements trying to provoke people with their posts. "Action has been taken against such elements in the past and action will be taken in the future as well," he added. Authorities here have issued guidelines for social media users under CrPC section 144 to curb the spread of any content that is communally sensitive or promotes terrorism and secessionism. "The guidelines aim to provide clarity on actions citizens should take when encountering content related to terrorism, secessionism, threats, intimidation or communally-sensitive material on social media platforms," the circular, issued by police in several districts, read. A five-judge bench of the apex court reserved its verdict on the petitions on September 5 after conducting daily hearings on the matter from August 2. According to the cause list for December 11 (Monday), uploaded on the apex court's website, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud would deliver the verdict. The other members of the bench are Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai and Surya Kant. The first petition challenging the presidential order scrapping Article 370 was filed by advocate M L Sharma, who was later joined by another lawyer from Jammu and Kashmir, Shakir Shabir. National Conference filed a petition on August 10. The petition was filed by Mohammad Akbar Lone and Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi, both Lok Sabha members of the NC. There are other petitions challenging the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370, including a plea filed by a group of former defence officers and bureaucrats. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], December 10 (ANI): The Indian Navy presented a breathtaking Operational Demonstration (Op Demo) off Rama Krishna Beach in Visakhapatnam. The event was hosted by the Eastern Naval Command and featured a display of the Navy's aircraft, submarines, and warships. The demonstration highlighted the Navy's readiness and modernization efforts. Also Read | Bihar Caste Survey Has Issues That Need To Be Resolved, Says Amit Shah; CM Nitish Kumar Seeks Special Status to State. S Abdul Nazeer, Governor of Andhra Pradesh, graced the event as the chief guest. The event witnessed the presence of several dignitaries from the Central and State Governments and drew the attention of lakhs of citizens of Visakhapatnam, showcasing the Navy's exceptional capabilities. Celebrated on December 4th annually, Navy Day commemorates the Indian Navy's pivotal role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, specifically its triumph in 'Operation Trident'. This year, due to safety concerns posed by cyclone Michaung, the mega event - Op Demo off RK Beach was rescheduled to December 10. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Road Accident: Three Killed on Being Hit by Car in Azamgarh, Many Injured. The Op Demo unfolded as a flagship event in the city, featuring tactical manoeuvres executed by warships, and submarines and a captivating display of air power, highlighting fighter aircraft, reconnaissance planes, and helicopters. The Navy's Marine Commandos (MARCOS) demonstrated simulated combat operations against mock enemy targets, showcasing precision and expertise. The active participation of numerous indigenous platforms underscored the Navy's commitment to an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The demonstration culminated in a spellbinding Beating Retreat by the Navy's Band during the sunset ceremony, complemented by the silhouette illumination created by the ships. Following the Op Demo, Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command hosted a distinguished 'At Home Function' at Navy House, Visakhapatnam. During the event, Nazeer interacted with Flag Officers, Officers, Civil dignitaries and distinguished guests, fostering a deeper appreciation for the Navy's endeavours and achievements. The Op Demo captivated audiences and underscored the Indian Navy's commitment to excellence, safety, self-reliance and its unwavering dedication to safeguarding the nation's maritime interests. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ganderbal (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], December 10 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday initiated legal action against two individuals for uploading and sharing hateful content on social media platforms, as per Ganderbal Police official statement. As per the statement, "Waseem Mushtaq Malik, a resident of Safapora and Aadil Ahmed Rather, a resident of Nunner, Ganderbal, were found involved in spreading hateful content on social media." Also Read | Iran: Nobel Prize Winner Mohammadi Begins New Hunger Strike. Under the recently issued order of the District Magistrate, legal action has been initiated against both of them. Ganderbal Police appeals to the general public of Ganderbal to remain vigilant about the misuse of social media. Any attempt to vitiate the environment and create issues of public order will be taken seriously and legal action will be taken, the statement said. (ANI) Also Read | Rajnath Singh Exhorts Corporate Sector To Contribute Generously to Corporate Social Responsibility. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) HONG KONG, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Voting for the 7th District Council Ordinary Election of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) started on Sunday, with 399 candidates running for 176 seats in the District Committees constituency (DCC) and the 88 seats in the District Council geographical constituency (DCGC). According to the HKSAR government, more than 600 DCGC ordinary polling stations have been set up across the HKSAR for voters to cast their ballots from 8:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT) Sunday. Voting for the DCGC ends at 10:30 p.m. (1430 GMT). As for the DCC, each of the 18 districts in Hong Kong has a polling station set up. Polling hours for the DCC start at 8:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT) and end at 2:30 p.m. (0630 GMT) Sunday. For the convenience of voters who travel from the Chinese mainland, four polling stations have been set up near the Sheung Shui MTR station. According to the District Councils (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, which came into effect on July 10, the seventh-term District Councils will have 470 seats, comprising 179 appointed members, 176 DCC members, 88 DCGC members, and 27 ex-officio members. The seventh-term of office of the District Councils begins on Jan. 1, 2024. The term of office is four years. Chhatarpur (Madhya Pradesh) [India], December 10 (ANI): The Chhattarpur police in Madhya Pradesh, with the assistance of Interpol, arrested a man for sending death threat via mail to Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Shastri, the police said on Sunday. The accused, who demanded a ransom of Rs 10 lakh and claimed affiliation with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, was arrested in Patna, Bihar. According to the police, the accused is a resident of the Shankardih area in Bihar's Nalanda district. Also Read | Iran: Nobel Prize Winner Mohammadi Begins New Hunger Strike. As per the police, the accused sent a threatening message from a fake email ID to the official email ID of Bageshwar Dham. Following the mail, a case was registered at Bamitha police station on October 20, 2023, under Sections 387 and 507 of the IPC against the unknown accused. Also Read | Rajnath Singh Exhorts Corporate Sector To Contribute Generously to Corporate Social Responsibility. Another mail was received on October 22, 2023, from the same person, whose IP was followed by the police with assistance from Interpol, which eventually led to the arrest of the accused. An investigation team led by Chhatarpur Superintendent of Police Amit Sanghi, comprising Additional Superintendent of Police Vikram Singh, SDOP Khajuraho Salil Sharma, Police Station-in-charge Bamitha inspector Jaywant Kakodiya, sub-inspector Sanjay Pandey and Cyber Cell-in charge Chhatarpur sub-inspector Sidwarth Sharma was constituted to probe the matter. The accused is presently in judicial custody, the police added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, December 10: Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday hit out at the opposition over the seizure of a large amount of cash from premises linked to a Congress MP, saying it is now clear that their "propaganda" about probe agencies being misused was driven by the fear that their corruption will be exposed. In a statement, the senior BJP leader questioned the "silence" of INDIA bloc leaders, saying he can understand why the Congress is keeping mum but wondered why parties like the TMC, DMK, JD(U) and the RJD were doing the same. The Income Tax has seized over Rs 300 crore in cash from several premises of a business group linked to Congress MP from Jharkhand Dhiraj Prasad Sahu. IT Raids in Odisha: Currency Counting Machines Deployed as Boudh Distilleries Raid Enters Fifth Day (Watch Video). The Congress has distanced itself from him, claiming that the party has nothing to do with his business, even as the BJP has latched onto the issue to press ahead with its charge of corruption against opposition parties. Shah said this must be the highest amount of money seized from a parliamentarian since independence. "It can be now understood as to why the allegation against the Modi government that it is misusing investigation agencies was made. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Amit Shah Seem Ill at Ease at Eastern Regional Council Meeting in Patna (Watch Video). "It was because of the fear that their corruption will be exposed," he charged. Their own action, he said targeting the opposition parties, is an answer to the "propaganda" against investigation agencies. INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, should answer, he said. Shah said the BJP will take the issue to the masses, noting that its government has been working against corruption since coming to power in 2014. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Dec 10 (PTI) The Finance Ministry has invited bids for the empanelment of merchant bankers and legal advisors for assisting the government in CPSE disinvestment transactions undertaken through OFS and stock market dribbling. The bids have been invited in four categories -- A++, A+, A and B, based on the size of the transaction. Also Read | JKSSB Recruitment 2023: Vacancies Notified for 201 Posts in Social Welfare Department, Apply Online at jkssb.nic.in From December 15. To be eligible for empanelment in the A++ category, which is an OFS transaction size of more than Rs 2,000 crore, interested merchant bankers would be required to have completed at least one equity market transaction of the size of Rs 2,000 crore. For empanelment for managing OFS transaction size of Rs 750 crore to Rs 2,000 crore (A+), and less than Rs 750 crore (A), the interested merchant banker would be required to have managed at least one capital market transaction of Rs 750 crore and Rs 500 crore respectively between April 2020 and till now. Also Read | UKPSC JE Admit Card 2023 Out at ukpsc.net.in: Hall Ticket for Uttarakhand Combined State Junior Engineer Service Exam Released, Know How To Download. In the fourth category, which is B, interested merchant bankers would be involved in the sale of CPSE shares on the stock exchanges (Dribbling). The minimum experience for bidders in this category would be of five years in share broking. The bidder should have a minimum net worth (including that of its parent entity) of at least Rs 25 crore. The merchant bankers and selling brokers would be empanelled for two years. "The Government of India (GOI) envisages disinvesting its shareholding in CPSEs through the Offer for Sale through Stock Exchange Mechanism/sale of Shares in the stock market (Dribbling) from time to time for which this Request for Proposal (RFP) for Empanelment of MBSBs is being floated," the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) said. The last date for placing bids by merchant bankers and legal advisors is December 28. The scope of work of the merchant banker with respect to OFS transactions would include conducting market surveys, road shows to generate interest amongst prospective investors.. The merchant bankers would be required to advise on the regulatory norms and assist in securing approval and exemptions, wherever necessary, from regulatory agencies such as SEBI, Stock Exchanges, and RBI. "The banker would be advising the government in decision making with respect to timing of selling shares depending on market conditions, sometimes only certain stocks are dribbled and decisions on stocks would be required to be taken when stocks perform better," said the RFP floated by DIPAM. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Dec 10 (PTI) Telecom operators want the government to adopt a bill, similar to a proposal in the US Congress, that would make large internet apps contribute to infrastructure costs to help lower broadband costs for consumers, a senior industry official said. A bill sponsored by US Senators Markwayne Mullin, Mark Kelly and Mike Crapo in US Congress last month aimed at lowering broadband costs for consumers proposed a direction to telecom regulator Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to mandate social media platforms, streaming services apps, cloud computing service providers like WhatsApp, YouTube, Netflix, Google etc to contribute to universal fund that is used for building networks. Also Read | JKSSB Recruitment 2023: Vacancies Notified for 201 Posts in Social Welfare Department, Apply Online at jkssb.nic.in From December 15. The proposed bill named, Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2023, has classified social media platforms, streaming service, over-the-top messaging service, video gaming service, videoconferencing service, e-commerce platform, search engines under edge services providers. Telecom industry body Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said that the proposed bill in the US vindicates the stand taken by service providers in India. Also Read | UKPSC JE Admit Card 2023 Out at ukpsc.net.in: Hall Ticket for Uttarakhand Combined State Junior Engineer Service Exam Released, Know How To Download. "We are very happy that whatever is given as a provision proposed in this bill, vindicates our stance. It is not only the telecom service providers who are there, it is edge computing, who are providing content services. Edge computing entities and telecom service providers, or as they call it, broadband providers, both have been clearly defined. This needs to be done in the Indian ecosystem as well," COAI, Director General, SP Kochhar told PTI. The bill proposes to levy charges only on those entities that generate more than 3 per cent of the estimated quantity of broadband data transmitted in the United States and more than USD 5 billion in annual revenue. Kochhar said telecom operators in India want only large traffic generators, which are a handful of foreign companies, to contribute to the infrastructure cost and similar provisions have been proposed in the US Congress. "In the US they are suggesting 3 per cent of network traffic load and we've gone to the extent of saying maybe 8 per cent. We are very clear in our mind that we are targeting only the large traffic generators (LTGs), who are riding on our networks. We are not targeting the MSMEs, start-ups or any small players," Kochhar said. When asked if charging LTGs will increase the cost of service for consumers, Kocchar said that apps are already operating various business models which include advertisement-based free service or lower priced service for customers or fully paid subscription. He said that telecom operators in India need average revenue per user of Rs 500 to meet their current infrastructure cost and future requirement. "If the ARPU reaches Rs 500 without increasing a single penny on to the consumer by just sharing the infrastructure cost with LTGs, I don't think anybody will create hierarchy and increase consumer prices either," Kocchar said. Union telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in October said that the government wants India's telecom service to remain the most affordable in the entire world. At present ARPU in India is in the range of Rs 140-200 compared to the global average of Rs 600-850 and about Rs 580 in China. Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio are the only two out of four mobile service providers that have rolled out 5G services and their combined investment in 5G network is estimated to be around Rs 3 lakh crore including the cost of spectrum. Both companies have not yet been able to monetise 5G data. Kochhar said that around 80 per cent of traffic on telecom networks is generated by a handful of LTGs. "If the government in India adopts a bill similar to the one proposed in the US then entities will be in a position to disclose the exact traffic load on the network and thereafter discussion can be mutually discussed about the reasonable infrastructure cost that entities can share," Kocchar said. Industry bodies representing internet players, on the other hand, have opposed the move of charging a fee from apps as they believe it will hurt smaller players, start-up ecosystems as well as violate net neutrality principle that aims to enhance access of broadband services at affordable cost for consumers. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Omaha (US), Dec 11 (AP) A Catholic priest in a small Nebraska community died Sunday after being attacked in a church rectory, authorities said. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was assaulted "during an invasion at the rectory" of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, the Archdiocese of Omaha said in a Sunday statement. Also Read | US Shocker: Woman Sets Tinder Date, His Car on Fire Following Dispute Over Money in Florida, Arrested. Gutgsell was taken to an Omaha hospital where he died from his injuries, church officials said. Fort Calhoun, with a population of about 1,000 people, is roughly 32 kilometers north of Omaha. Police received a 911 call of an attempted break-in at the church just after 5 am. When officers arrived, they found Gutgsell injured and an alleged attacker inside. Authorities took the suspect into custody, Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson said in a statement. Also Read | COP28 Summit 2023: Bahrain Announces 30% Reduction in Emissions by 2035, Zero Carbon by 2060. "This is an ongoing investigation, and the name of the suspect or manner of death will not be released," Robinson said. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Tel Aviv [Israel], December 10 (ANI/TPS): The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) reported on its continued assaults on terrorist bases in Gaza over the past day. This included a raid carried out on a mosque in Gaza where forces found a terrorist base and supplies belonging to Hamas. The raid was conducted by the 12th Battalion of the IDF's Golani infantry brigade. Forces of the 12th Battalion also eliminated a terrorist squad. Also Read | Human Rights Day 2023: What Is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Which is Marking Its 75th Anniversary?. During the operation, an explosive device was detonated near the forces. Immediately after this, the brigade directed a number of rapid attacks in the area in which a combat helicopter eliminated a number of terrorists who ambushed the forces on the roof of the mosque, a number of terrorists who came out of a tunnel shaft and other terrorists who were in the area. Also, a fighter jet destroyed the mosque and the underground infrastructure system underneath it. In addition, fighters from the Maglan special forces unit on Friday night identified three terrorists who came out of a tunnel shaft in the centre of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza and launched an RPG rocket at the forces. The fighters returned fire and eliminated the terrorists. Also Read | US: Three People Killed and One Injured in Atlanta Shooting. Later, the forces directed remotely manned aircraft (drones) that eliminated additional terrorists identified in the area and destroyed several tunnel shafts. Soldiers of the Duvdevan special forces unit overnight located a Hamas military headquarters in which there were a number of terrorists who planned to ambush the forces. The fighters launched an attack on the structure and Israel Air Force fighter jets eliminated a terrorist squad near the force. Also, over the past day, forces from the Givati infantry Brigade eliminated terrorists, worked to locate and expose wide tunnel shafts, destroyed terrorist infrastructures and located many stockpiles of weapons. Saturday morning, in what was described as a brigade-level operation, terrorist infrastructures, anti-tank launching positions and buildings used to hide Hamas terrorists were attacked using air force helicopters and fighter jets. (ANI/TPS) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad, Dec 10 (PTI) Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir on Sunday left for Washington on his first official trip to the United States amidst severe economic, political and security challenges faced by his cash-strapped country. During his visit to the US, Gen Munir is scheduled to meet the senior military and other government officials of USA, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media affairs wing, said in a statement. Also Read | Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupe Kills Three in US, Five in Canada; Know All About Latest Health Scare. His visit comes as Pakistan slowly plods its way towards the general elections slated to take place on February 8 after a delay due to various legal issues. However, there is still uncertainty if the polls will be held on time due to security issues and the severe winter. Local Taliban militants have increased their attacks against Pakistan since Afghanistan came under Taliban control in 2021. Pakistan and the US share the view that Kabul has failed to keep its word to not allow militants to use its soil. The increase in the attacks during election seasons makes electioneering more daunting and hazardous. Also Read | US Presidential Election 2024: Blow to President Joe Biden As Poll Shows Donald Trump in Lead, Reveals Survey. Pakistan's political and security situation has been compounded due to economic vulnerability and it narrowly avoided the default only after the International Monetary Fund agreed to provide a $3 billion loan. It is believed that General Munir would discuss both bilateral and regional issues with his hosts, especially the situation in Afghanistan. He left for the US just a day after US special envoy for Afghanistan Tom West visited Pakistan and met both civil and military officials. The defence leaders of the two nations keep in touch and in October, General Munir and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin held a telephone conversation and discussed areas of mutual interest as well as recent regional developments. In July, US Central Command (Centcom) chief General Michael Erik Kurilla visited Pakistan and met the army chief. He recognised Pakistan's continued efforts to bring peace and stability to the region. According to the ISPR, it is the first visit of General Munir. Earlier, it was rumoured in Feb this year that General Munir might have undertaken a secret trip to the US but the ISPR had rejected such rumours. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dubai [UAE], December 10 (ANI/WAM): The UAE University (UAEU) hosted a seminar titled "Water Security under Climate Change Conditions in the UAE: Challenges and Opportunities" in cooperation with Trends Research Advisory at COP28 in Expo Dubai. Dr. Muhammad Al-Ali, CEO of Trends Research Advisory, lauded the productive partnership between the two institutions, highlighting their commitment to scientific research collaborations. He emphasised the importance of utilising a rational scientific approach to disseminate knowledge and address the challenges facing various communities and nations. Also Read | US Shocker: Woman Sets Tinder Date, His Car on Fire Following Dispute Over Money in Florida, Arrested. He further emphasised the effectiveness of scientific cooperation by pointing to the launch of a joint report on water security with the UAEU and the joint symposium held during COP28. He believes these initiatives demonstrate the power of collaboration in tackling current issues and paving the path for a sustainable future. Dr. Al-Ali highlighted the report's focus on water security, a crucial issue on the COP28 agenda. He emphasised its connection to food security and sustainable food systems, stressing the necessity of unified efforts from all relevant authorities, including research and academic institutions, to achieve water security. Also Read | COP28 Summit 2023: Bahrain Announces 30% Reduction in Emissions by 2035, Zero Carbon by 2060. He expressed optimism for the future, stating that the successful collaboration between Trends Research Advisory and the UAEU will be further strengthened, demonstrating its effectiveness in addressing water security challenges. Prof. Ahmed Murad, Associate Provost for Research at UAEU, highlighted the importance of the strategic partnership with TRENDS Research Advisory. This collaboration, he noted, enhances scientific research output and underscores the global significance of water security as a challenge requiring scientific solutions. Murad emphasised the forward-thinking nature of their water security study in the UAE, analysing the multifaceted impacts of climate change on water resources. The study anticipates rising temperatures, leading to increased evaporation and plant transpiration. It also predicts changes in rainfall patterns, including more severe droughts and sudden rainstorms, impacting groundwater recharge. Additionally, rising sea levels pose potential risks of shoreline shifts and coastal groundwater salinization. Murad highlighted the expansion of non-traditional water sources as a key strategy for bridging the gap between demand and supply. He emphasized the UAE's proactive approach through utilizing renewable energy and maximising the use of treated wastewater. These measures help mitigate future climate change impacts on water resources and maintain a sustainable balance. The seminar concluded with a panel discussion in which Dr. Dalal Al Shamsi, Dr. Serhat Cobukcoglu, Dr. Mohsen Sharif, Dr. Abdulazim Ibrahim, and Dr. Ahmed Saif Al-Nasr participated. (ANI/WAM) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, December 10: Several students from various institutions, who were heading towards the Jantar Mantar protest site to commemorate the Human Rights Day in the national capital, were detained after they clashed with the police, an official said on Sunday. The official said that two police personnel sustained head injuries during the clash. Bomb Blast Threat in Delhi: Police Receive Bomb Threat at IGI Airport and Paharganj. Some student organisations accused the police of mistreatment, claiming that the detained students were taken to an undisclosed location and subjected to physical abuse. The claim was refuted by the Delhi Police. It was also claimed that one of the students, heading towards the Jantar Mantar, was missing. Delhi Shocker: Police Constable Stabbed During Raid To Nab Accused in Wazirpur. The official said that a group of protestors came to Vijay Chowk and when they were asked to disperse as they were violating Section 144 of the CrPC, they became aggressive due to which they were detained. "In the process, two police personnel sustained head injuries and action as per law is being taken," he added. "The allegations regarding a missing person are wrong as the concerned individual has also been detained," said the official. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 10, 2023 09:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Kolkata, December 10: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has skipped the 26th Eastern Zonal Council meeting in Patna on Sunday to be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Instead, West Bengal will be represented by the Minister of state in charge of the finance department, Chandrima Bhattacharya. The latter flew to Patna on Sunday morning. On Saturday, the chief minister announced that she has sought time from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi between December 18 and December 20 at New Delhi for discussion on the unpaid central dues to the West Bengal government under various centrally- sponsored schemes. EZC Meeting in Bihar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Chair Meeting of Eastern Zonal Council in Patna Today, Nitish Kumar Likely to Attend. Before leaving for Patna on Sunday morning, Chandrima Bhattacharya told media persons at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport that the discussions will be on issues of irrigation and health among others. However, she refused to give any direct answer to the media queries on the BSPs decision to suspend its MP Danish Ali allegedly for allegedly supporting expelled Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra on the floor of the House on the 'cash for query' scam. Home Minister Amit Shah To Visit Bihar for Regional Council Meeting on December 10. This is BSP's internal matter and I am not in a position to comment on it. But I have seen that our MP was able to answer all the queries herself, Bhattacharya said. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 10, 2023 02:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). MOGADISHU, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Sunday reaffirmed its resolute support to Somalia in the full realization of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, Catriona Laing, said Somalia is at a crucial stage of development focused on achieving its vision of an inclusive, peaceful and stable Somalia based firmly on human rights. "The principles and values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are as relevant today as they were when the document was first drafted," Laing said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, to mark both Human Rights Day and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on Dec. 10. It commemorates the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Land that was once occupied by an amusement park in Ocean Countys Berkeley Township will be preserved as open space. Ocean County, with the blessing of township officials, recently approved the $5.9 million purchase of 27 acres of land off Route 9 that was once home to Blackbeards Cave. The county plans to maintain the land as open space, according to a news release. Donna Flynn, a county spokesperson, said the county is beginning work on the Barnegat Branch Trail in the area and no decision has been made on any active or passive recreation at the newly acquired site. Demolition of the existing structures on the property is being handled by the current property owner at no cost to the county and is already underway, according to a news release. This property, along with an anticipated donation of 50 acres from the township, expands our preserved open space in Berkeley Township substantially, Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, liaison to the countys open space program, said in a news release. I am pleased we could work with the township in preserving this land for future generations. The vote to purchase was not unanimous with four of five members of the Board of County Commissioners voting in favor and one abstention from Joseph H. Vicari. I am not against this purchase, Vicari said at the Oct. 4 commissioners meeting. I have some concerns as to the price that we are paying. I have been contacted by some residents and business owners that also raised concerns. Berkley Township officials praised the county for purchasing the property and protecting it from future development. The township would not be able to handle the traffic flow if this property was to be developed, Berkley Township Mayor Carmen Amato told the commissioners during a recent meeting. This acquisition buffers the area while expanding on an existing preserve. Berkley Township Council President John Bacchione, a member of the county Natural Lands Trust Fund committee, praised the sale. Based on the location to other parcels of open space in the township, including its proximity to the countys Barnegat Branch Trail, we are not only preserving open space, but we ultimately will provide additional recreational opportunities for our residents, protect the environment and maintain our quality of life, Bacchione said. The county generates some $10 million annually to purchase land for preservation through a 1.2-cent property tax. This purchase, recommended by the county Natural Lands Trust Fund advisory committee, extends county-owned open space leading to the Northeast Mall Donation property and onto the Barnegat Branch Trail. The purchase also connects to another 800 acres of open space known as the New Jersey Pulverizing property. Officials believe acquiring the property will create better access to the New Jersey Pulverizing site for Pine Beach and Berkley residents given the site has frontage along Route 9. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X Black lung disease in coal miners has spiked in recent years, and we know that silica dust is to blame. Thanks to the leadership of people like Sen. Bob Casey and President Joe Biden, disabled miners with black lung will continue to receive their health benefits and current miners will soon be protected by an updated standard to limit their exposure to silica dust. In a heartless move, U.S. Rep. Scott Perry put forward an amendment to a bill funding the U.S. Department of Labors Mine Safety and Health Agency that would prohibit it from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the standard. This standard will save lives and help ensure miners arent stricken by this terrible and deadly disease. Every day, companies negligence is putting lives in danger. Instead of standing with coal miners, Perry is standing with the companies just like his colleagues that passed the amendment by a voice vote. Well never know exactly who voted for this terrible amendment, but we do know who authored it. And we know that if it becomes law, Scott Perrys latest attack on workers could prove deadly to coal miners in our country. Jason Walsh is the Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance, Washington, D.C. The owner of the beleaguered Travel Inn hotel in Plainfield Township has hired contractors to remove the huge piles of trash in the rear of the vacant property, according to the township solicitor. The township took the owner of the hotel to court to force him to secure the exterior doors to each of the rooms and to clean up the piles of tires, branches and garbage, all of which pose health hazards. The subject property is in a dilapidated, deplorable and dangerous condition and constitutes a danger to the public and a public nuisance, says a lawsuit filed Oct. 9 by the township. Hotel owner Parekhs Hospitality Inc., of South Plainfield, New Jersey, hasnt hired an attorney to defend the lawsuit. The company couldnt be reached for comment Friday. Plainfield Townships attorney, Solicitor David Backenstoe, obtained a default judgment against Parekhs on Nov. 27. After that, the owner reached out to him and promised to clean up the mess and lock the doors. If Parekhs complies without any further legal action, its a win-win for both sides, Backenstoe said. The mess didnt look much different Friday than it did when a lehighvalleylive.com reporter visited Nov. 3. Caution tape blocking access to the rear of the property had been hung in the meantime. The rear of the Travel Inn in Plainfield Township is blocked off by caution tape on Dec. 8, 2023.Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com If the mess isnt cleaned up by Wednesday, Backenstoe will ask the township supervisors for permission to pursue a court injunction against Parekhs. At this point I am trying to save the township taxpayers some money, but the township will not let up and this will not go away until the Travel Inn site is completely cleaned up, Backenstoe said. Former residents of the hotel at 499 E. Moorestown Road (Route 512) complained about mold and a lack of maintenance consistently since 2015. By 2021 conditions deteriorated to the point where the township forced tenants to move out because it was unsafe to live there. Doors remain unsecured on Dec. 8, 2023, at the Travel Inn in Plainfield Township.Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com Trash remains piled up Dec. 8, 2023, at the Travel Inn in Plainfield Township.Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com Trash remains piled up Dec. 8, 2023, at the Travel Inn in Plainfield Township.Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Speaking at the latest Joint Policing Committee, Chief Supt Aidan Glacken said that as part of Operation 'Twin Tracks', a day of action to prevent and detect anti-social behaviour on rail routes Gardai conducted high visibility public engagement with Iarnrod Eireann at Dromod and Carrick-on-Shannon railway stations with the crime prevention officer also providing advice to railway users. Cllr Sean McGowan said that this was "a very good idea because there is a lot of activity in relation to drugs on the train and it's about trying to stamp it out." The Little Blue Heroes graduation ceremony that took place in Sligo and Leitrim has three Little Blue Heroes. The Little Blue Heroes Foundations vision is to support families of children with serious illnesses in Ireland while empowering the lives of children through positive community engagement. The National Garda Youth Awards took place with two winners from Leitrim, Alex O'Looney, Amy Keaveny and Freya Whitney from Drumshanbo National School who created a project 'Gasper' which provides safety equipment for farmers, while Brian Cull raised awareness on suicide among the farming community by setting up an annual tractor run. The Community Information Fair took place in The Landmark Hotel in Carrick in October which is an initiative rolled out by Leitrim Community Engagement Unit, Sligo Community Engagement Unit and the Sligo/Leitrim Crime Prevention Office in conjunction with the county council and a number of other bodies. The aim of the fair is to bring the elderly and more vulnerable members of the community to a common location and increase their knowledge of services and support available to them. Property marking events took place in October and November in conjunction with the IFA and a business watch information evening was held in October. Community school talks took place in November with internet safety the predominant theme. Garda in Leitrim will join forces with Leitrim GAA and LGFA in January to roll out the Garda Lifesaver Project and Use Your Brain, Not Your Fist Programme to youths aged 17 and 18 years old. In October, Gardai spoke to hundreds of youths in Mohill Community College as well as Ballinamore Community School about the Garda Lifesaver Project and will continue to deliver talks in 2024. Chief Supt Glacken noted that the Road Policing Joint Day of Action took place on the October bank holiday weekend with four drink drivers arrested in Leitrim and charged. He said during the winter months and particularly for elderly people, "there will be regular visits and services available through Sergeant Cara Kiernan, Crime Prevention Officer" and phone calls and visits are carried out by community Gardai to persons believed to be vulnerable. The Community Garda also liaises with social workers for the elderly, district nurses, mental health nurses for the elderly, ALONE, etc. Regarding the Senior Alert Scheme (SAS) that was established to encourage community support for vulnerable, older people, it provides funding for a personal monitored alarm to enable persons aged 65 and older to continue to live securely in their homes. Members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) pose for a photo at an undisclosed location, in Michoacan state, Mexico, July 1, 2021. STRINGER / REUTERS A clash between gunmen from a criminal gang and residents of a small farming community in central Mexico left 14 people dead, local authorities said Saturday. Seven others were injured and still being treated for their wounds. Dramatic video of the fight Friday posted on social media showed villagers in cowboy hats with sickles and hunting rifles chasing down suspected gang members amid bursts of automatic gunfire. Mexico State Governor Delfina Gomez and other local leaders condemned the violence Saturday. They noted that the alarming flash of violence was a product of regional violence that has been slowly brewing for years. She assured locals that maintaining order was among her top priorities. "These events do not paralyze us, on the contrary, they reaffirm our determination to improve security conditions in our beloved state, rest assured that we will continue working so that events like this are not repeated," she said in a press conference on Saturday. "You are not alone, we are with you." Police in the State of Mexico, which abuts Mexico City , said the clash occurred in the hamlet of Texcaltitlan, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) southwest of the capital. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes From Mexico's Sinaloa to the skyscrapers of Dubai, the art of laundering fentanyl money Officials said 10 of the dead were members of the criminal gang, while four were village residents. Police did not identify the gang, but confirmed that the violent Familia Michoacana drug cartel has been dominant in that area for many years. The video appeared to show the attackers wore military-style uniforms, some with helmets. Villagers apparently set their bodies and vehicles on fire. Cartels known for extortion Local media said Familia Michoacana gunmen had showed up in the village earlier demanding local farmers pay a per-acre (hectare) extorsion fee. Drug cartels in Mexico have been known to extort money from almost any licit or illicit business that they can, sometimes attacking or burning ranches, farms or stores that refuse to pay. Authorities did not immediately comment on the reports of extortios, but in the lead up to presidential elections in June the clash soon turned political. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador attributed the violence to drug consumption and neglect by his predecessors. Previous governments "never took care of young people. Thats why they got pulled in and ended up in criminal ranks. You have to shower them with a lot of love," Lopez Obrador said in a Saturday speech. Meanwhile, presidential hopeful Xochitl Galvez, who is going up against Lopez Obrador's party, blamed the violence on the president's "hugs not bullets" security strategy, which she claimed leave rural Mexicans abandoned. "The hugs, I insist, have been for the criminals, and the bullets for citizens," she said at a news conference. The Familia Michoacana is known for its brazen ambushes of police as well as the the 2022 massacre of 20 townspeople in the town of Totolapan in neighboring Guerrero state. The attack killed the towns mayor, his father and 18 other men. Bopolu forest, Liberia, November 2021. JOHN WESSELS/AFP With a handshake and a discreet smile, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook al-Maktoum, accompanied by the Liberian finance minister, gave nothing away in front of photographers on March 25. The young member of the ruling family of Dubai, one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), had just signed an unprecedented memorandum of understanding with Liberia. Under the terms of the agreement, the Liberian government will grant the company he heads, Blue Carbon LLC, exclusive rights to one million hectares of its forests 10% of the West African country's total forest area for 30 years. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Liberia set to concede 10% of its territory to Emirati company for carbon credit production "This bilateral association marks another milestone for Blue Carbon," the prince told the Emirati press. The aim is ambitious: to "help transition to a low-carbon economical system" by enabling governments around the world reach "their Net Zero goals in compliance with the transferability of credits under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement." The "credits" referred to by the sheikh are carbon credits, which companies can buy to avoid having to reduce their emissions. Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement, reached in December 2015 at COP21, authorized signatory countries to work together to achieve their greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. Put simply, a country reducing its emissions beyond its forecasts can sell its surpluses in the form of credits to a more polluting country, which can use them to offset its own emissions. 'Escaping responsibilities' "This notion of offsetting is the subject of much debate," explained Jutta Kill, a biologist by training and a specialist in carbon markets. "Allowing industrialized countries to use carbon credits under the Paris Agreement allows them to escape their responsibilities, simply because they can afford to pay." On its website, Blue Carbon simply states that it wants to "help" governments take advantage of this mechanism. Created in August 2022, the company has signed memorandums of understanding for forest management projects with four African countries in record time. These arrangements cover 10% of the total surface area of Liberia, as well as Tanzania, Zambia and 20% of Zimbabwe, for a total of 25 million hectares almost half that of France. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes COP28: For the US, the climate battle will be won with oil companies, not at their expense For the time being, these agreements are preliminary. The rules governing the trading of carbon credits are due to be set at COP28, held in the UAE from November 30. "Countries are still waiting for clear, concrete rules for using this tool, for example regarding project registration and monitoring," said Erika Lennon, a researcher at the US-based Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). Contacted by Le Monde, Blue Carbon confirmed that it is particularly looking forward to "Article 6.4 operationalization," which provides for the creation of a global carbon market, controlled by a supervisory body placed under the aegis of the United Nations. Officially, Blue Carbon is a private company, independent of the Emirati state, and it insists that the carbon credits generated by its projects are intended to be sold to various countries, "not only the UAE." 'From rule-breaker to rule-maker' But the family ties of its founder and a confidential, provisional and unsigned version of the memorandum of understanding between Blue Carbon and the Liberian government suggest an alignment between the company's interests and those of the UAE. In an appendix to this document, which Le Monde was able to consult, a timetable envisages the signing of a "framework agreement" for the transfer of carbon credits between the Emirati and Liberian governments at COP28. When questioned on the subject, Blue Carbon refused to comment on "a mere draft". If confirmed, this framework agreement would be the latest in a series of initiatives attesting to the UAE's growing interest in these transactions. In June, several major companies with ties to the Emirates joined forces to form the UAE Carbon Alliance to develop a national carbon market. In September, the organization announced its intention to purchase over 410 million worth of African carbon credits by 2030. Opinion Article reserve a nos abonnes COP28: 'The UAE is the ideal place to put the question of the exit from fossil oil and gas on the table' This interest comes as no surprise. The world's 7th-largest oil producer has no intention of abandoning fossil fuel extraction, even though this has been identified as the main cause of global warming, but it will not remain on the sidelines of climate negotiations either. "Rhe UAE used to be a rule breaker in its staunch defense of fossil fuels. More recently, and as host of COP28, the UAE is adopting a rule shaping function whereby it tries to massage or influence conversations around fossil fuels to maximize space for the latters continued existence," said Li-Chen Sim, a non-resident researcher at the American think-tank Middle East Institute. COP28 is chaired by Sultan al-Jaber, the Emirati industry minister and CEO of the national oil company, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). In November 2022, Adnoc announced plans to increase its production capacity to 5 million barrels per day by 2027. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes COP28 president says he 'respects' climate science after leaked video Cleaning up the polluter's image To sidestep calls to phase out fossil fuels, "the UAE is trying to further the general concept and acceptability of offsets," said Souparna Lahiri, climate advisor to the Global Forest Coalition. "Having a few allies [with several countries willing to work with Blue Carbon] is a good strategy for them." But there are also fears of a vast public relations campaign to clean up their image as polluters: "These credits will be used by UAE and other rich polluting countries to increase their fossil fuel production," said Alexandra Benjamin, an expert in forest governance with the Dutch NGO Fern. "It will further increase the climate crisis." Concerns are further reinforced by the fact that the very effectiveness of these carbon credits is being called into question. In January, a joint survey by SourceMaterial, The Guardian and Die Zeit revealed that 94% of credits from forest management projects were of no benefit to the climate. These projects are in fact based on a complex calculation: Developers must quantify the volume of CO that would be emitted in the absence of their project and then that which their project can avoid. The difference between the two corresponds to the number of carbon credits that can be sold. "Several methodologies have been developed by project developers themselves," explained specialist Kill. "The problem is that these are not measurements, but estimates. Developers have every interest in overestimating their calculations." In its response to Le Monde, Blue Carbon urged NGOs "not to assume that entities like ours are seeking to implement old, outdated and much-criticized frameworks." But it did not specify what methodology it intended to use. Lion's share According to Axel Michaelowa, a researcher in international climate policy at the University of Zurich, the company could generate up to 250 million carbon credits a year. Enough to offset, in theory, the entire CO emissions of the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, in Liberia, more than a million people could see their livelihoods affected by Blue Carbon's project, according to the NGO Fern. The transfer of land to the company would constitute a violation of the land rights of the communities that depend on it, warned the Independent Coordination of Forest Monitoring, which is made up of Liberian civil society organizations, in July. Christine Umutoni, the UN resident coordinator in the country, echoed this view to the Liberian government in August. "Proceeding without thorough public consultation all but guarantees legal conflict, continued negative perception of the project, and devaluation of the very credits you are hoping to bring to market," she wrote in the letter, which Le Monde has been able to consult. According to the memorandum of understanding, Blue Carbon would also receive 70% of revenues from the sale of carbon credits, while the Liberian government would receive only 30%. "Who owns the forest?" asked Andrew Zeleman, secretary of the National Union of Liberia's Community Forestry Development Committee, "There shouldnt be a middleman taking the lion's share." Against this backdrop, NGOs such as Fern, which specializes in forest protection, described the practices as "carbon colonialism." "These deals also undermine these countries' chance to use these forests to meet their own climate commitments," said Benjamin. "These deals are large-scale land grabs (...) a false solution to the climate crisis." This investigation was carried out in partnership with the British investigative collective SourceMaterial and The Telegraph. GAZA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- At least 133 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others were injured on Sunday, as Israel's air and artillery attacks continued on the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian medical source said. The source told Xinhua that over the past day, the bodies of at least 133 Palestinians who died in Israeli strikes were brought to hospitals across the Gaza Strip, 45 of whom were confirmed in Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza. Security sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes launched simultaneous raids on the Nuseirat, Al-Maghazi and Al-Zawaida refugee camps in the central Gaza Strip. The sources added that intense raids also took place in the neighborhoods of Al-Tuffah, Al-Shuja'iya, and Sheikh Radwan in Gaza City and several areas in the northern Gaza Strip. There was also heavy artillery shelling targeting east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, amid loud explosions heard in the area, they noted. Israeli aircraft carried out a series of violent raids on a stretch of areas south of Khan Younis, with dozens of raids targeting the road between Khan Yunis and Rafah, according to the sources. Meanwhile, fierce battles continued between Palestinian militants and Israeli forces penetrating from several directions in Khan Younis and Jabalia camp. On the other hand, the Israeli army published photos of an arrest campaign showing dozens of Palestinians handcuffed and stripped of their clothes during its incursions on the outskirts of the northern Gaza Strip. Since Oct. 7, Israel has been launching a large-scale war against the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip under the name "Iron Swords," which has left more than 17,700 Palestinians dead, including thousands of women and children, according to the latest figure released by the Gaza-based Health Ministry on Saturday. The war began after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, which claimed the lives of more than 1,200 Israelis, according to the Israeli authorities. THE catering team at St Camillus' Hospital in Limerick is celebrating after its commitment to creating healthy menus for staff and visitors won top honours at a national ceremony. In total, 21 healthcare facilities across Ireland, providing healthier meals for almost 18,000 health service employees, were honoured at the Happy Heart Healthy Eating Awards for their commitment to healthy food choices. The Happy Heart Healthy Eating Awards have been running for over 25 years, and are a joint initiative of the Irish Heart Foundation and the HSE. At the awards ceremony, which took place at the Gibson Hotel in Dublin, Emma Balmaine, ceo of the Irish Heart Foundation congratulated the winners. The Happy Heart Healthy Eating Award programme has been the flagship of our health promotion initiatives for several decades now which we have been able to develop with support from the HSE. It provides a comprehensive range of individual and environmental approaches to promote healthier choices and behaviours. Healthcare workplaces are ideal settings to promote healthy eating because many people eat one if not two meals per day at work. "The World Health Organisation identifies the workplace as one of the best places to positively influence peoples cardiovascular risk through encouraging and promoting healthy eating and other healthy behaviours," she said. With the number of people eating outside of the home on the rise, healthcare sites across Limerick city and county which prepare hot food for staff and visitors are encouraged to get involved in the awards programme and increase the healthy offerings on their menus. The criteria for the awards include limiting the availability of foods and drinks high in saturated fat, salt and sugar, monitoring portion sizes and promoting the availability of high-fibre foods, healthier counter display and vending machine contents. Our staff in the HSE are our most valuable resource supporting their health and wellbeing in the workplace is a key priority for us in the Health Services, said Sarah OBrien, national lead for the Healthy Eating Active Living programme in the HSE. Creating a healthier food environment and providing healthier options at mealtimes supports our staff to make the healthy choice the easy choice. The awards recognise the hard work and dedication to quality improvement and those sites that are committed to prioritising the development of environments that support healthy eating, she added. To find out more about the awards, and how to get involved, click here. Misty Nunn | Public safety officials from Jefferson City and Cole County provided valuable information to Lincoln University students, faculty, and staff during a panel discussion on Thursday, December 7. The seven-member panel, with representatives from the Lincoln University Police Department, the Jefferson City Police Department, the Cole County Sheriffs Department, and the Jefferson City Fire Department, answered student-submitted questions on how each agency handles a range of topics, including mental health, illegal drugs, sexual assault and diversity. Panel members agreed that developing and maintaining respectful relationships within their agencies and in the communities they protect and serve is key. We have a very good relationship when it comes to collaboration, said Lincoln University Police Chief and Vice President for Campus Culture Gary Hill. As far as the students, if there are any problems or there is anything you need, you just ask, and we will make ourselves readily available. Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler added the personal side of their relationships is what makes the interagency partnerships work. Its easy for the Chief of Lincoln University to say, No, to the Cole County Sheriffs Department, but its hard for Gary Hill to say, No, to John Wheeler because were friends, Wheeler quipped. Jefferson City Police Chief Eric Wilde said that even he thought the police were there to ruin the fun when he was a college student, but he understands now that public safety officials truly do have a heart for their job and for people. It is no small task, to drive through this town everyday and understand that Im responsible for the safety of everybody here, whether theyre from here or whether theyre just driving through, Wilde offered. But we take that burden on willingly because we care. The panel was hosted by Engage, a violence prevention program created by Missouri Partners and Prevention and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Drug major Cipla Sunday said its subsidiary is voluntarily recalling one lot of medication in the US due to seal integrity issues. InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc, USA, is voluntarily recalling one lot of Vigabatrin for Oral Solution, USP (500 mg), at the consumer level due to seal integrity issues, allowing for powder leakage from the pouch, the Mumbai-based drug maker said in a regulatory filing. An improper seal in the pouch may lead to the leakage of powder blend outside the pouch, resulting in a lower content of medicine inside the pack compared to the label claim and potential underdosing, it added. The population at risk is primarily infants and young children, Cipla said. In those patients, there is a reasonable probability that inaccurate dosing might result in a serious adverse effect, such as intoxication or breakthrough seizures, requiring medical intervention, it stated. Also Read | BJP appoints Vishnu Deo Sai as next Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh For a small minority of patients, who might have severe or repeated breakthrough seizures, a drop in their phenytoin blood levels could result in life-threatening seizures, requiring immediate emergency room treatment, it said. Cipla has so far not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall, it said. The medication is used for the treatment of refractory complex partial seizures as adjunctive therapy in patients two years of age and older who have responded adequately to several alternative treatments. Vigabatrin for oral solution is not indicated as a first-line agent. The medication is packaged in foil pouches, each containing 500mg of Vigabatrin, and there are 50 foil-sealed pouches in a shelf pack, Cipla said. The affected lot was distributed nationwide to partnered distributors and consignees. InvaGen Pharmaceuticals is notifying the customer level through press releases, letters, telefax, telephone, email, and on-site visits and coordinating the return of all recalled products, Cipla noted. Distributors, retailers and consumers in possession of the affected batch are advised to initiate the return process through their respective place of purchase, it added. CIPLA More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Napoleon Bonaparte did not have semiconductor supply chains in mind when he suggested that the torment of precautions often exceeds the dangers to be avoided". But his comment still rings true 200 years on. Governments and companies now say they want to protect themselves from disruptions, whether the vicissitudes of global markets or deliberate weaponisation by leaders like Vladimir Putin. They fear that at any moment China could try something similar, cutting the West off from crucial goods or components. In practice, however, the drive to rework supply chains will have vastly more costs than benefits. A battery of buzzwords describes the plan. Some politicians want to decouple" from China. Others speak of derisking", focusing efforts instead on the one-third of total trade deemed to be strategic". China-plus-one" is a new boardroom mantra, which says that a business should supplement a Chinese supplier with a non-Chinese backup. Friendshoring", in some cases via nearshoring", can help achieve these goals. These plans seek to rework a global trading system which, in the years before the pandemic, had focused relentlesslyand successfullyon efficiency. In Britain, the average cash price of durable goods such as televisions and tables, which are largely imported, fell by 15% from 2001 to 2016. Cheaper consumer goods raised real incomes, especially for the poor. Trade also massively expanded the variety of goods on offer. Received wisdom says efficiency came at the expense of resilience. This is, at best, a partial story. Before the pandemic, supply chains actually looked increasingly resilient. The Economist looked at the prices for about 300 American imports from 2005 to 2019. Price volatility, as measured by how much the cost of something jumps around over a six-month period, was falling. Did this resilience break down during the pandemic, as commonly argued? In 2020 and 2021 many goods, from computer chips to natural gas, were in short supply, causing prices to soar. Some firms had a hard time sourcing materials. As global supply chains have becomeleaner and more efficient," said Christine Lagarde, the president of the European Central Bank, last year, they have also become extremely vulnerable to disruptions in the face of global shocks that affect multiple sectors at once." That view is, however, mostly wrong. It is important to distinguish true supply-chain failure from delays caused by an unprecedented surge in demand. Take hand sanitiser. Perhaps no other commodity saw such a rise in demand during the lockdowns. In 2019 Britain imported 16,000 tonnes of the stuff, with businesses paying $2.90 a kilo. In early 2020 there were shortages. But markets responded fast. Within days, factories were churning it out by the gallon. Over 2020 as a whole Britain imported 86,000 tonnes, with the average price rising only to $3.50. In 2021 global semiconductor companies shipped 1.2trn units, 15% up on the year before. In 2021 Americas physical imports of semiconductors were up by 30% over 2020. Was there really a supply problem, or did the industry respond reasonably efficiently to an extreme, unpredictable surge in demand? Meanwhile, a bumper wheat harvest in 2022 quickly brought down the price of food, which had jumped following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Europe quickly switched away from Russian gas to alternative supplies, after Mr Putin had caused prices to soar. The Economist looked at 17,000 different commodities which America imported from 1989 to 2022. For each year, we counted the number of commodities where the physical quantity of imports declined from the previous year. This measure hints at situations where a supply chain genuinely fails". In 2020 the failure rate, we estimate, was only marginally above average. Even in the midst of a once-in-a-generation pandemic, the vast majority of supply chains flowed normally. So much for covid. Many fear that the Chinese Communist Party is willing to weaponise its dominance of supply chains to achieve political ends. Imagine that China invades Taiwan, forcing a shutdown of the islands semiconductor factories (which make two-thirds of the worlds chips). The price would rocket. Even without invading Taiwan, China has a chokehold on many industries. It accounts for about 80% of the production of the raw materials used to manufacture solar cells, but also the cells themselves, and the modules into which they are assembled. The Economist looked at export data for 120 global manufacturing industries. In 2005 China was ascendant (defined as a share of global exports of more than a third) in 10% of them. In 2020 that hit 30%, a record. Today China has a chokeholddefined as a 50% global market share or morein about 20 industries, including communication equipment and optical instruments. View Full Image Graphic: The Economist Helped by subsidies, Western firms are trying to reduce their China exposure. One option is to reshore production. In America construction spending in the manufacturing sector, relative to gdp, is up (see chart). Australian real spending on non-residential construction is 10% higher than a year ago. Britain is producing new industrial facilities 50% faster than it was in the 2010s. Another option is to move from a just in time" to a just in case" mode of production. In the past year firms in the rich world have bought inventories, such as spare parts, worth about 1% of gdp, twice the rate before the pandemic, giving themselves an insurance policy in case supply chains fail. Others talk of vertical integration", buying up suppliers to ensure a steady supply of materials. Tesla, a car company which recently broke ground on a lithium-refining facility in Texas, is one example. Vertical integration across the rich worlds manufacturing sector, as measured by the share of gross output that is generated within that industry, is rising, having bottomed out in 2012. The most action, however, is taking place on the international stage. Firms are finding new, non-Chinese trading partners. From 2018 to 2021 strategic" imports from China to the West (including weapons systems, computer parts and optical products) fell from 33.5% of the total to 31.9%. Chinese imports are today worth 6% of the cost of goods sold in the s&p 500, down from 8% in 2018. Some analysts believe that before long Apple will have shifted 20% of iPhone manufacturing from China to India. But even if you buy the argument that decoupling or derisking is necessary, the rich world will encounter three big problems as it pulls away. First, the task is enormous. Like Germany, Australia is divesting enthusiastically from China. Yet on current trends, it will take 35 years to pull out just half of the total fdi that it has there. It will take a long time to wean Western consumers off Chinese-made supplies. Chinese tech, meanwhile, still infuses the West, especially in Europe. The second problem is that many alternatives to China are also unpalatable. In 2022, for the first time, Thailand and Vietnam combined received more greenfield fdi than China. Goods exports from Vietnam to the rich world are up by 50% since 2019. But both are undemocratic places. Democracy in India, another beneficiary where inward fdi is soaring, is also under threat. Solid Western allies have done less well out of shifting supply chains. Trends in inward greenfield fdi to Mexico are unimpressive. Domestic factors", including low productivity, are delaying a more compelling case for friendshoring" there, says JPMorgan Chase, a bank. Manufacturing employment is rising no faster than it was before the pandemic. View Full Image Attempts-to-make-supply-chains--resilient--are-lik View Full Image Graphic: The Economist On average, autocracies are doing better out of friendshoring than democracies. Since 2019 exports from non-Chinese autocracies to the rich world have risen by 30%, but by just 25% from democracies. From 2018 to 2021 (the latest available data), companies in democracies increased their stock of fdi in non-Chinese autocracies by 16%, but by just 8% in other democracies (see chart). And there is a third problem. Direct imports have fallen, but the West is importing a lot more from countries which rely ever more heavily on Chinese exports. America spends three times as much on imports from the Vietnamese computer industry as it did in 2016. Over the same period, though, Chinese imports to Vietnam of machinery used to make computers rose by three-quarters. The recent history of supply chains reveals an important truth. When bad things happen, markets can adjust fairly well. By contrast, as Napoleon realised, planning for the worst is likely to be costly. To guarantee the resilience of any supply chain, you would need to be able to foresee what could happen to demand, and then have the capacity to meet it immediately. And you would need to make sure your enemies could not disrupt it at any point. The upshot is that, despite talk of a supply-chain revolution, the world will remain largely interdependent. The more noticeable change will be the rising cost of doing business. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Close to 110,000 new companies were set up in the first seven months of the financial year. At this pace the number looks set to surpass the record set last year. Several factors are at play, but the big takeaway from a close look at the data is the gains recorded by smaller, traditionally weaker state economies in the incorporation of new companies in recent years. The top five states still accounted for about half all new companies incorporated during April-October, and the top 10 about 78%. But several others that are not among the dominant economic hotspots are growing rapidly. While Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka and Telangana remain among the top six by the number of new companies formed, each has ceded share to other states in the last five years. Simultaneously, 27 states and union territories, which collectively accounted for about half the new companies formed in 2023-24, increased their individual shares during the period. While most are growing on a significantly smaller economic base, their faster pace of growth points to a geographical broadening and increasing formalisation of the economy. The numbers are from the monthly data released by the ministry of corporate affairs, which oversees registrar of companies (ROC) offices across the country. In order to form a company, an entity must register with an ROC office, while fulfilling basic regulatory requirements related to capital, personnel and nature of business, among other things. As of October, India had about 1.62 million active companies. Growth curve The number of new companies formed has progressively increased this century. Besides entrepreneurship, there are other forces in play nudging private businesses to take up a corporate structure. The notable policy change was the unified goods and services tax (GST) in 2017. The government is trying to get more informal businesses to pay GST. Businesses can set off the GST they've paid against the GST they need to pay. To do so, they must be registered, principally as a partnership or as a company. In 2013-14, a total of 50,789 companies were set up. In 2017-18, this increased to 99,233. In 2022-23, 165,402 companies were incorporated, and in the seven months of 2023-24, 108,882 companies were formed. At this rate, 2023-24 on course to surpass the 2022-23 figure. Minimum capital A new company doesnt necessarily translate into greater business activity. Companies are formed for many reasons. At their purest, they are formed to start a business and grow it. Beyond that, companies are also formed to manage the flow of funds and payments, or save taxes. When a new company is formed, one metric that serves as a statement of intent is the paid-up capital. The minimum amount of capital Indian rules require a company to have is 1 lakh. The greater the paid-up capital, the more the entrepreneur is willing to risk and greater the scale the company is aspiring for. In the past two years, only 20% of new companies formed had a paid-up capital above the minimum requirement of 1 lakh. This number has dropped. Between 2014-15 and 2017-18, the share ranged from 27% to 37%. Strength in services A breakup by sector captures the evolution of India since liberalisation into a services-led economy. According to the corporate affairs ministry data, as of 31 October 2022 (the latest date for which sectoral data is available), about 66% of the roughly 1.5 million active companies were in the services sector, though their share of paid-up capital was much lower, at 43%. Non-manufacturing industry, which had just 10% of active companies, had a disproportionately high share of the paid-up capital (29%). However, the manufacturing sector, critical for creating new jobs, accounts for only about 20% of the companies and 25% of the paid-up capital. Its share in new companies has increased from 11-13% during 2015-16 to 2018-19, to 19-21% in the four years since. Where this number goes from here will offer a clue on how Indias manufacturing push is playing out. www.howindialives.com is a database and search engine for public data IIT students of the Class 2024 are worried this time! It has been more than a week into final placements at the Indian Institutes of Technology, and the number of students who grabbed job offers is down by around 30% as compared to the previous academic session. Speaking to the Economic Times, the placement team members at old IITs said a lesser number of students got job offers this year despite the tech institutes anticipating and planning for a testing placement season. For the first time, even some computer science engineering studentsthe most sought-after of the lothave not been placed in more than a week, according to placement sources. However, in previous years, recruiters would pick up all of these students in the first three to four days of placement, at most. The situation is especially concerning because, in terms of engineering placements in the nation, the old IITs of Delhi, Bombay, Kanpur, Madras, Kharagpur, Roorkee, Guwahati, and Varanasi (BHU) set the standard, ET reported. Thousands of students compete for spots at these esteemed colleges, with many seeing admission as a path to a well-paying career. IIT students performed better than most even during last year's placements, when the effects of the tech slowdown became apparent. However, even these IITs are having difficulty this year. This is due to several issues including fewer applications received per recruiter, some businesses forgoing placements, and a generally depressed hiring mood, which is partly caused by the tech slowdown. An IIT-Kharagpur student told ET that the recruiters who earlier used to hire around 10 students are now taking 1-2 students each. Some companies are even leaving the campus without hiring any student." This year, job offers are down by 30%," another student at an old IIT said. The final placements at old IITs started on December 1, 2023, and the slowdown in job offers is being reported across various sectors including consulting and tech. Rajib Maity, the chair of IIT Kharagpur's career development center, told ET that as of Day 7 of this year, the university had received 1,181 offers. By the end of Day 5 last year, 1,300 offers had been made, the institute had previously stated. On the other hand, Professor SK Shrivastava, coordinator of the training and placement cell at IIT-BHU received 850 offers as of Friday morning. It received about 1,000 offers in the first four days of the previous year. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! As Bharatiya Janata's Party (BJP) leader Vishnu Deo Sai was declared the next chief minister of Chhattisgarh, several reports on Sunday claimed that Arun Sao is likely to be appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of the state. Aajtak reported that there might be two Deputy Chief Ministers in the state one Arun Sao and the other Vijay Sharma. It also said former Chief Minister Raman Singh may take over as the Speaker of the Chhattisgarh Assembly. ALSO READ: BJP appoints Vishnu Deo Sai as next Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Arun Sao, a leader from the Other Backward Classes (OBC), is currently the chief of Chhattisgarh BJP. Sao had replaced Vishnu Deo Sai as the Chhattisgarh BJP chief in 2022, just a year before the assembly elections. In the 2023 state elections, Sao defeated Congress leader Thaneshwar Sahu from the Lormi seat by 45,891 votes. Meanwhile, BJP's Vijay Sharma defeated Congress leader and state minister Mohamad Akbar in Kawardha by 39,592 votes. According to PTI, Sharma polled the highest number of votes at 1,44,257, compared to other candidates in the state in this election. Besides, Raman Singh, who is likely to serve as the assembly Speaker, is a BJP stalwart in the state and has served as the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister thrice from 2003 to 2018. In the 2023 elections, Raman Singh defeated Congress's Girish Dewangan in the Rajnandgaon assembly constituency by 45,084 vote margin. While date for the oath-taking ceremony is yet to announced, sources told Times Now that Vishnu Deo Singh, with eight others, are likely to take the oath on December 12. The new chief minister must take over the office before January 3, 2024, when the tenure of the current Chhattisgarh Assembly ends. After days of suspense, the BJP announced Vishnu Deo Sai, a prominent tribal leader, as the next chief minister of Chhattisgarh on Sunday. After the meeting, a delegation of BJP MLAs led by Sai met governor Biswabhusan Harichandan to stake a claim to form the next government. We have handed over a letter to the Governor stating that Sai ji has been elected as the legislative party leader," senior BJP MLA Brijmohan Agrawal told reporters. He was quoted by PTI as saying that the date of the swearing-in ceremony would be informed later. Former Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vishnu Deo Sai is set to become the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. A prominent tribal face of the BJP, Sai will take over as the next Chhattisgarh CM before January 3, 2024 when the tenure of the Chhattisgarh Assembly ends. It is not yet known as to when will Sai take oath as the new CM. After being appointed as the the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai said, "...With all honesty, I will work for 'Sabka Vishwas' and the promises made to the people of Chhattisgarh under 'Modi Ki Guarantee' will be fulfilled." Who is Vishnu Deo Sai? PC Mohan, the Lok Sabha member from Bangalore Central constituency, took to X on Sunday to announce that Vishnu Deo Sai is the new Chhattisgarh CM. He called Sai "a grassroots leader". Vishnu Deo Sai belongs to a tribal community. He hails from the influential Sahu (Teli) community which has a sizable presence in the Durg, Raipur and Bilaspur divisions, news agency PTI reported. BJP leader and Union Minister Renuka Singh Saruta said, I am very happy that Vishnu Deo Sai will be the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. This is the first time a party worker from the tribal community belonging to a farmer's family has been elected as the CM..." With a formal announcement on Sunday, Vishnu Deo became Chhattisgarh's second tribal chief minister after Ajit Jogi. Ajit Jogi was however ruled out as an ST in 2019, the Hindustan Times reported. Sai won the Chhattisgarh Election 2023 from the Kunkuri constituency, defeating UD Minj of the Congress by 25541 vote margin. Check fill list of Chhattisgarh Election winners here He has been the National Working Committee Member" of the BJP and former union minister of state for mines, steel in the first Cabinet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was among the then 10 sitting BJP MPs in Chhattisgarh who were denied tickets for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Vishnu Deo Sai served as the BJP's Chhattisgarh president from 2006 to 2010 and again from January-August 2014. After the BJP lost power in the state in 2018, he was again given the responsibility to lead the party in Chhattisgarh in 2020. He was replaced with Arun Sao, an OBC leader, in 2022, just a year ahead of the assembly polls. Ahead of the polls in November this year, Sai was named a member of the BJP national executive in July. Vishnu Deo Sai began his political career as a member of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly between 1990-98 before Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh. He was a member of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly from 1990-1998 from the Tapkara constituency. In 1998, he unsuccessfully contested the Assembly polls from the adjoining Pathalgaon seat. Later, in 1999, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Raigad seat. Vishnu Deo won four consecutive Lok Sabha elections from the Raigarh constituency from 1999 to 2014, news agency PTI reported. Vishnu Deo Sai studied in a government school in Kunkuri and went to Ambikapur for graduation but quit studies midway and returned to his village in 1988. In 1989, he was elected as a 'panch' of Bagia village panchayat and next year became the sarpanch unopposed. The assembly elections in Chhattisgarh was held in two phases, with the first on November 7 featuring 223 candidates and the second seeing 958 candidates put their electoral fates to the test on November 17. Of the 90 assembly constituencies in Chhattisgarh, the BJP bagged 54 while the Congress won 35. (With inputs from PTI) MPS More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! What do the guidelines say? The CCPA dark patterns guidelines prohibit 13 activities by online shopping platforms. These are: false urgencies, adding unrequired items to carts, confirm shaming, forced actions, subscription traps, interface interferences, bait and switch, drip pricing, disguised ads, nagging, trick questions, SaaS billing and malware. These guidelines are to stop firms from exploiting customers with interface design that is unclear, in order to get them to pay for a service that they dont need. The guidelines will be enforced alongside existing consumer protection laws that are already applicable to businesses. What happens if firms fail to comply? In June, the consumer affairs ministry said firms that are failing to comply with the guidelines will attract scrutiny. Regulations have been introduced to make it easier for consumers to apply for grievance redressalincluding if the platforms forced buyers to pay for anything that they did not want. A national consumer helpline has also been set up to help users report such anomalies, if they are affected by any incident on e-commerce platforms. Going forward, user grievances against e-commerce platforms will be raised in court, unless the dispute is settled between a user and the platform. Do other nations also enforce similar rules? The EU Digital Services Act penalizes platforms for promoting dark patterns. In the US, specific state laws curb dark patterns, with regulations in the same vein as Europe and now India. Our regulations are in line with the EUs approach towards this subject, and are framed to prevent companies from exploiting consumers in the guise of offers and discounts. How have e-commerce firms reacted? Industry bodies and entities have largely remained silent, but have spoken up against over-regulating the e-commerce industry. In October, the Asia Internet Coalition, which counts Amazon, Google and Meta as members, said introducing rules and guidelines on dark patterns could stagnate growth". It added that new regulations may hurt the ease of doing business in India, and lead to regulatory overlap"arguing that consumer protection can be implemented through existing regulations. Will our shopping experience change? That depends on how the new guidelines are implemented. If enforced strictly, platforms may no longer be able to show options such as timed offers, or create interfaces that simulate a false impression of demand. Platforms will also no longer be able to add charity amounts to users billings, or use messages that could force a user into making an unrequired purchase. Much of the extra-value revenue e-commerce platforms generate is likely to end. But consumers may like the overhaul of online shopping interfaces. HONG KONG, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, will pay a state visit to Vietnam from Dec. 12 to 13 at the invitation of the Vietnamese side. Six years after his last Vietnam trip, Xi's upcoming visit is bound to consolidate political mutual trust between the two countries, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation. The trip will also tighten the bond between the two peoples, and provide a strong impetus for ushering in a new stage in bilateral relations at a higher starting point. Over the years, both countries have witnessed frequent high-level exchanges and breakthroughs in practical cooperation, and their relations have seen ever-deepening popular support. Their special bond of "camaraderie and brotherhood" has benefited the two peoples and facilitated regional and world peace and development. The friendship, deeply rooted in shared ideals and beliefs of the two countries with the same social system, has been epitomized in their respective foreign policies that regard the bilateral relationship as a priority. Leaders of both sides have also established solid political mutual trust and profound comradeship to chart the course for future growth of bilateral relations and provide important strategic guidance. In October, Xi met with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, who was in Beijing for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Exactly a year earlier, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong became the first foreign leader to visit China after the 20th CPC National Congress and was awarded the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China by Xi. Reciprocal visits of both leaders took place in 2017, with Xi's state visit to Vietnam being his first overseas trip after the 19th CPC National Congress. It was during Xi's 2017 state visit to Vietnam when a memorandum of understanding was signed on the joint implementation of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan, resulting in major projects that substantially improved the wellbeing of the people. Take Vietnam's first city metro. The 13-km Cat Linh-Ha Dong line with 12 stations and covering three districts in Hanoi, provided convenient and comfortable alternatives to traffic for commuters in the city crowded with millions of motorbikes and cars. Built by China and run by Vietnam, the metro line has demonstrated how the two countries are pushing forward practical cooperation. Their cooperation has reached a higher level as the two countries mark the 15th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership this year. China has remained Vietnam's biggest trading partner for years, while Vietnam has been China's biggest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. After Vietnamese durians officially entered the Chinese market last year, its vegetable and fruit exports to China has been remarkably expanding this year, with its durian exports expected to top the goal of 1 billion U.S. dollars. Moreover, Chinese investment in Vietnam has been on the rise, ranking second in the first nine months of this year. Personnel exchanges also bounced back and are expected to grow as more flights resume. Closer bond and better understanding between the two peoples has been borne out by the increasing popularity of Chinese films and TV series among Vietnamese audience. And more Chinese tourists choose Vietnam as their destination, while more Vietnamese students opt to study and work in China. Both China and Vietnam see the other's development as its own opportunity for development, and the prospects are bright for the two countries to work together in following the path of socialism and further promoting bilateral ties. It is important for the two neighbors to actively promote mutually beneficial cooperation at sea, prevent the involvement of external forces, accelerate consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and make the South China Sea a sea of peace and cooperation. The two sides should view their relations from the strategic perspective of promoting human progress and boosting the strength of socialism, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi while co-chairing the 15th meeting of the Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi earlier this month. While meeting with Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Nguyen Phu Trong said he planted a friendship tree at the Youyi Pass, or Friendship Pass, on the China-Vietnam border, stressing that the border port, the only one named after friendship among neighbors, highlighted the traditional friendship cherished by Vietnam. The world today is living through accelerating changes unseen in a century. Socialist countries such as China and Vietnam, based on their national conditions and in line with the trend of the times, have successfully explored their own modernization paths. With shared aspiration and joint efforts, the giant ship of China-Vietnam friendship will surely sail toward greater success. NEW DELHI : Employee stock options (Esops), bonuses, and health insurance . These are a few perquisites given by companies to retain top talent. A few employers provide life insurance as well. Typically, there are two types of life insurance policies offered to employees: keyman life insurance and employer-employee (E-E) insurance. In the first, the life insured is of key managerial persons (KMPs)the employees whose services are indispensable to run the company, as defined by The Companies Act, 2013. The proposer and the premium payer is the employer, who is eligible for tax exemption on premium payments. In case of an eventuality, the company gets the death benefit and the proceeds are added to the companys business income. Insurance regulator Irdai, however, has specified that only pure term plans can be bought under a keyman policy. The benefits can thus be claimed only if an employee dies in harness. The policy lapses if the employee quits the company ahead of the maturity period. View Full Image Keyman insurance, but with a twist E,-E insurance, though, can incorporate a savings life plana financial product that combines savings and life insurance into a single package. Employers can buy it for one or multiple employees. The premium is paid by the employer, with the employee as the proposer. The life insured will be that of the employee. The premium payment by the employer will be considered as perquisite in the hands of employees and will be taxable. The maturity benefit, however, is received by the employee and is tax exempt up to the defined limits. Now, a seemingly new policy construct has made its way to the industry. It is essentially a keyman insurance but with a savings plan that is supposed to benefit employees eventually. While many insurance companies are currently offering such policies, financial experts are unsure whether this is authorized by Irdai. An email sent to Irdai did not elicit any response. In such policies, the employer is the proposer and pays the premiums, while the employee is the life assured. The employer gives an undertaking to assign the policy to the employee after the premium payment term is over. Thereafter, the employee gets the survival/maturity benefit. This amount will be treated as profits in lieu of salary under section 17(3) of the income tax Act. The premium payment by the employer is not considered perquisite in the hands of employees. However, employees only benefit if the companies do not renege on the undertakings given to them. A company will be eligible for the maturity proceeds if the policy is not assigned to the employee. View Full Image Mint graphics Companies buy it majorly for its top management such as owners or directors. Some have begun to offer it to all their employees including junior and mid-level ones," says Naveen Kumar Midha, executive director health & benefits, Global Insurance Brokers. Rushabh Gandhi, deputy CEO, IndiaFirst Life Insurance, says E-E policies are a great tool for attracting and retaining talent. There is no perquisite tax for an employee. From an employers standpoint, premiums are considered as business expenses and deductible under the income tax Act. In the unfortunate event of the death of the employee, the claim proceeds are tax free," he says, adding while we offer such policies to various mid-sized companies, this does not tantamount to a sizable portion of our overall premiums." Benefit for employees If an employer wants to deploy company profits as bonus or a salary hike to its employees, it will be fully taxable in the latters hands. That is where E-E insurance comes in handy. The employer can purchase one of these policies for its employees instead of issuing bonuses. This payment wont be considered as a perquisite since the employer is the policy proposer. The employer can assign this policy to the employee after the premium payment term is over. Employees get the survival/maturity benefit which is taxable. Even if it is taxable, it is still better than taking a bonus which comes with an upfront tax cut. You would anyway be investing your bonus somewhere. Why lose some of it in taxes? E-E solutions allow you to invest the full amount in a savings life plan," says Sajja Praveen Chowdary, head, business, corporate insurance vertical of Policybazaar.com, an online insurance distributor platform. For instance, your employer wants to pay you 10 lakh per annum over and above your salary. If you are in the 30% income tax slab rate, taking the extra amount as a bonus or salary will reduce this amount to 7 lakh. You can make use of the entire 10 lakh if your employer can purchase a savings life plan on your behalf with an undertaking that it will assign it to you after the premium payment term is over. However, this will mean that you will have to stick to the company for a longer term. In case employees quit before the policy is assigned to them, the surrender/maturity benefit will come to the employer and get added to its business income. How employers stand to gain View Full Image Mint graphics Be it the insurance premium, bonus or salary hike, for employers, all such transactions fall under business expenses. Companies can claim tax exemption against these under section 37(1) of income tax act. For employers , the policies are a tax-efficient way to deploy company profits. More importantly, it offers the companies a chance to log perpetual tax benefits. Industry insiders say some companies use it to defer corporate tax for perpetuity as there is no upper limit under section 37(1). In fact, they can buy a single premium payment policy in which they are the proposer and life assured is of a KMP. This amount claimed under section 37(1) substantially reduces the taxable profit. It is likely that some such companies may never assign the policy to the employee. After the policy matures, the proceeds is received by the company and is considered business income. The company is liable to pay tax on the same. However, if it again buys one or multiple employer-employee insurance solutions with this amount, the firm can again claim it as business expenses. It is open to interpretation if this practice falls under tax planning or tax avoidance, say experts. Insurance should not be treated only as tax-saving instruments. The regulator and the government may not appreciate it given they have already started taxing the maturity benefit in high-premium traditional and unit-linked policies," says Yogesh Agarwal, founder & CEO, Onsurity, an employee benefits company that works with small and medium enterprises and startups. The E-E solution is largely sold as a tax solution to small businesses. But, it can be designed as a social security benefit for all employees. It can get a good offtake if they link such policies to the employees compensation package. The employees can receive their due periodic/lump-sum income after the payout period starts, provided they stay with the company till then," says Midha of Globe Insurance Brokers, a composite insurance broker. It can be designed as defined contribution plans to minimise an employers long-term financial obligations while still enhancing employee engagement. Under this construct, the employer and employee can jointly fund the plan, much akin to how it works in a provident fund," he adds. Employers can consider buying such a policy in a group construct also. If the employer takes the group insurance policy, neither premium nor maturity benefit shall be taxable in the hands of the employees," says Naveen Wadhwa, vice president at Taxmann, a tax consultancy firm. The government will issue a tranche of sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) this month, and one more in February. The date for subscription for 2023-24 Series III is December 18-22, 2023, while Series IV is scheduled for February 12-16. The Bond is issued by the Reserve Bank on behalf of the Government of India. 2023-24 Series III Date of Subscription: December 18 December 22, 2023 Date of Issuance: December 28, 2023 2023-24 Series IV Date of Subscription: February 12 February 16, 2024 Date of Issuance: February 21, 2024 Key things to know before investing in SGBs of these series 1) The SGBs will be sold through Scheduled Commercial banks (except Small Finance Banks, Payment Banks, and Regional Rural Banks), Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), designated post offices, and recognised stock exchanges viz., National Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange Limited. 2) The SGBs will be restricted for sale to resident individuals, HUFs, Trusts, Universities, and Charitable Institutions. 3) The SGBs will be denominated in multiples of gram(s) of gold with a basic unit of One gram. 4) The tenor of the SGB will be for a period of eight years with an option of premature redemption after 5th year to be exercised on the date on which interest is payable. 5) The maximum limit of subscription shall be 4 Kg for individuals, 4 Kg for HUF, and 20 Kg for trusts and similar entities per fiscal year (April-March) notified by the Government from time to time. A self-declaration to this effect will be obtained from the investors at the time of making an application for a subscription. The annual ceiling will include SGBs subscribed under different tranches, and those purchased from the secondary market, during the fiscal year. 6) The price of SGB will be fixed in Indian Rupees based on a simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity, published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Limited (IBJA) for the last three working days of the week preceding the subscription period. The issue price of the SGBs will be less by 50 per gram for the investors who subscribe online and pay through digital mode. 7) The investors will be issued a Certificate of Holding for the same. The SGBs will be eligible for conversion into demat form. 8) The investors will be compensated at a fixed rate of 2.50 per cent per annum payable semi-annually on the nominal value. 9) The interest on SGBs shall be taxable as per the provision of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961). The capital gains tax arising on redemption of SGB to an individual is exempted. The indexation benefits will be provided to long-term capital gains arising to any person on transfer of the SGB. 10) Know-your-customer (KYC) norms will be the same as those for the purchase of physical gold. KYC documents such as Voter ID, Aadhaar card/PAN, or TAN /Passport will be required. Every application must be accompanied by the PAN Number issued by the Income Tax Department to individuals and other entities. BANK OF INDIA More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Ayodhya Ram Temple is nearing completion with mere weeks left for the inaugural ceremony. Officials from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust shared an update on Saturday to highlight the extensive work done on the sanctum sanctorum where the idol of Ram Lalla will be placed next year. "The sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shri Ramlala is almost ready. Recently, the lighting-fitting work has also been completed. I am sharing some photographs with you," Trust General Secretary Champat Rai said in a post on X. The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust will enthrone Ram Lalla at the sanctum-sanctorum of the temple between noon and 12:45 pm on January 22. The trust has invited 4,000 saints of all sects for the ceremony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the inauguration ceremony. Rai had earlier said that the idol depicting the child form of Lord Ram is 90% ready. The 4 feet 3 inch idol is being constructed at three locations in Ayodhya. Three artisans are building the idol on three different pieces of stone, and one of the idols will be accepted by the Lord. These idols are 90% ready, and the finishing work will take about a week to be done," he had said. Visuals shared this week on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Twitter handle also showcase the work underway on the temple exteriors. While acquitting a husband under section 377 of IPC for allegedly committing 'unnatural sex' with his wife, the Allahabad High Court has observed that "protection of a person" from being charged in " marital rape continues in cases where the wife is of 18 years of age or more," news agency PTI reported on Sunday. The bench of Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra said that marital rape has not been criminalized in the country as yet. However, the same petitions are pending for consideration before the Supreme Court for criminalizing marital rape, as currently there is no criminal penalty for marital rape when the wife is of or above 18 years of age. Also Read | Behind closed doors: Marital rape in India The bench also referred to the judgment in the case of Independent Thought Vs Union of India (2017) where the Supreme Court had held that any sexual intercourse between a man and his wife aged between 15 to 18 years would amount to rape. Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, while acquitting the husband under section 377 of IPC for allegedly committing 'unnatural sex' with his wife, noted that "ingredients of unnatural sex, comprised under Section 377 IPC are included in Section 375 (a) IPC as observed by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh". Also Read | Allahabad HC questions stability of live-in relationship, says 'Can be considered normal only when...' In its order, the MP High Court had opined that Section 375 IPC related to rape (as amended by the 2013 Amendment Act) includes all possible parts of penetration of the penis. When consent for such an act is immaterial, then there is no scope for the offence of Section 377 IPC to get attracted where husband and wife are involved in sexual acts. "Thus, on perusal of aforesaid judgement also it appears that protection of a person from marital rape still continues in the case where the wife is of 18 years of age or more than that," PTI quoted the high court ruling. The court, however, affirmed his conviction and sentence for charges under section 498A (harassment for dowry) and 323 of the Indian Penal Code. In 2013, an FIR was lodged against the man under sections 498A, 323, 504 and 377 of IPC and also under the Dowry Prohibition Act in Ghaziabad. The trial court at Ghaziabad convicted him and the appellate court also upheld the findings after which he moved the revision petition. The high court noted that there was no factual or legal error in the finding of guilt recorded by the appellate court as regards the charge under section 323, 498-A IPC. Besides noting that the medical evidence in the case was not supportive of allegations of commission of unnatural sex, the court in this judgment dated December 6 said, "In the proposed Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita which is likely to replace IPC, no provision like Section 377 IPC is included therein." "The charge of committing matrimonial cruelty against the revisionist is proved in this case and the same is corroborated by the findings of the family court while decreeing the divorce petition and this court in appeal while affirming the decree of divorce against the revisionist," the ruling said. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! I have a routine of drawing back the curtains at dawn to let the morning light mop up the remnants of the night. But lately, that simple ritual has become impossible. Instead of the gentle rays of sunlight, what fills my view through the window is a thick shroud of smog. This unsettling change has transformed what were once hopeful mornings into those of despaira sentiment shared by many. The issue isnt confined to Delhi or the National Capital Regionregions across our country are grappling with this. Research shows that a staggering 2.1 million individuals in India face premature deaths annually due to illnesses directly linked to air pollution. While China appears to be leading in this distressing statistic, the global outlook is equally grim. The repercussions of polluted air claim the lives of 5.1 million people worldwide, a number that has witnessed a surge in the aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic. According to reports, 2023 is on track to becoming the hottest year in human civilization spanning over 125,000 years, as noted by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Projections indicate a potential surge in the earths temperature by 2.53 degrees Celsius by the close of this century. While this might take some time to unfold, the repercussions of extreme heat are already distressing, evidenced by an 85% increase in death among the elderly during the last three decades. This intensifying heat wave is triggering mass migrations. If the situation worsens, it could spark a substantial surge in global refugee populations. The impact extends beyond just air quality and rising temperatures. Our nation has endured daily anomalies in weather patterns for the initial nine months of the year. About 80% of Indias populace faces repercussions of climate imbalances. In the past year, cities such as Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam, and Thane, once renowned for their pleasant climates, have witnessed drastic shifts, leading to a significant surge in diseases either triggered or exacerbated by climate-related issues. The impact of this transition goes beyond our healthit touches the core of our financial stability. The previous year witnessed staggering global losses totalling $360 billion due to adverse weather conditions. Unless prompt measures are taken, the global GDP may witness a distressing annual decline of 4.4% over the upcoming 25 to 30 years. Such an economic downturn has the potential to sow fear, hunger, and poverty, ravaging the lives of millions. Regrettably, South Asia might bear a three times greater burden than the rest of the world. The pivotal role of farmers in nourishing the world cannot be overstated, and water stands as a crucial asset for agriculture. A substantial 70% of the water extracted from the earth is dedicated solely to agriculture. If this trend persists, the world is barrelling towards an unprecedented groundwater crisis, which could materialize within the next two years. Perennial rivers are slowly becoming relics of the past. Theres a global trend showcasing a reduction in river flows, coupled with rapid alterations in their courses. Within the past year alone, over half of the worlds rivers experienced a noticeable deviation from their typical flow patterns. Additionally, about 60% of reservoirs recorded either low or standard water levels. Is there still room to entertain the belief that this crisis will organically resolve itself? Furthermore, along with the widening economic disparities on a global scale, theres a surge in carbon emissions from the wealthy. Extensive studies indicate that to equate just 1% of the annual carbon output from the worlds wealthy, the underprivileged across the globe would require an astonishing 1,500 years worth of emissions. Paradoxically, the very nations that are advocating restrictions on developing countries bear the primary responsibility for this global catastrophe. Nevertheless, this juncture demands action on a war-footing over assigning blame. If youre sceptical of the gravity of the situation, consider a simple exercise: awaken one morning, step outside, and inhale deeply. The stark reality will unveil itself before you. As entities intricately woven into the intricate fabric of nature, we have been bestowed with its invaluable offerings: water, air, light, trees, and cropsessentials indispensable for our protection and sustenance. When these fundamental elements face threats, its imperative to acknowledge that we are confronting the most profound peril ourselves. Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Monday launch 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Voice of Youth' via video conferencing, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Sunday. During the programme, Modi will also address vice-chancellors of universities, heads of institutes and faculty members in workshops organised at Raj Bhawans across the country, which will symbolise the start of the initiative, the PMO statement said. Prime Minister Modi's vision is to actively involve the younger generation in the formulation of national plans, priorities and goals for the country, according to a release from the PMO. "In line with this vision, 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Voice of Youth' initiative will provide a platform to the youth of the country to contribute ideas to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047," it statement read. "In line with this vision, 'Viksit Bharat @2047 : Voice of Youth' initiative will provide a platform to the youth of the country to contribute ideas to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047," the PMO statement further added. The workshops will be a key step towards initiating the process of engaging youngsters to share their ideas and suggestions for making India a developed country by 2047. Viksit Bharat@2047 is the vision to make India a developed nation by 2047, the 100th year of its independence. The vision encompasses various aspects of development, including economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance, among others. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Was the Centre's move to abrogate the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution constitutionally valid? The Supreme Court is all set to pronounce its verdict on Monday, December 11, on a batch of petitions that challenged the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The hearing comes days after Union minister Jitendra Singh told the Lok Sabha that the government is ready to hold assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir whenever the Election Commission (EC) takes a final decision in the matter. What is Abrogation of Article 370? In a "path breaking decision" on August 5, 2019, the government decided to repeal the provisions under Article 370 of the Constitution of India, which granted a special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Consequently, the Constitution of India got applicable to Jammu and Kashmir, "on par with other states/UTs of the country". ALSO READ: Article 370 case Supreme Court hearing: 35A took away fundamental rights, says CJI Chandrachud Security arrangements in Srinagar | Guidelines for social media users issued Ahead of the Supreme Court verdict, adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in Kashmi. "We are duty-bound to ensure that peace prevails in the valley under all circumstances," a police officer was quoted by news agency PTI as saying on Sunday. The authorities in Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir have also issued guidelines for social media users under Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) Section 144 to curb the spread of contents that are communally sensitive or promote terrorism and secessionism. ALSO READ: From Nehru's two mistakes to calling Article 370 terrorism's root cause, here's what Amit Shah said in Lok Sabha As per the guidelines, people have been asked to contribute to maintaining a safe online environment and promptly report any suspicious activity. The users have been advised to "recall messages promptly" in case they accidentally share inappropriate content, PTI reported. "If you receive a message containing objectionable content, then report it immediately to the nearest police station or police post with a screenshot and detailed information," the guidelines read. What has happened so far in the case? The Supreme Courts five-judge Constitution bench began hearing on the batch of pleas challenging the abrogation from of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir from August 2, 2023. After hearing the case for 16 days, the court reserved its verdict in the matter on September 5. ALSO READ: Article 370 Case: SC asks Centre for timeframe to restore Jammu and Kashmir statehood Senior advocates, including Kapil Sibal, Gopal Subramanium, Rajeev Dhavan, Zaffar Shah and Dushyant Dave, had argued on behalf of the petitioners- during the hearing. Meanwhile, Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, senior advocates Harish Salve, Rakesh Dwivedi, V Giri and others appeared on behalf of the Centre. During the Article 370 hearing, concerns were raised regarding: > Constitutional validity of the abrogation of Article 370 > If Article 370 was permanent > Validity of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, which split the erstwhile state into two Union territories > Challenges to the imposition of the governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir on June 20, 2018 > Imposition of the president's rule on December 19, 2018 and its extension on July 3, 2019 What Supreme Court asked During the hearing, the Supreme Court had asked who can recommend the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir when no constituent assembly, the concurrence of which is required before taking such a step, exists there. The Supreme Court had also asked how can a provision (Article 370), which was specifically mentioned as temporary in the Constitution, become permanent after the tenure of the Jammu and Kashmir constituent Assembly came to an end in 1957. What did petitioners say Some of the petitioners who opposed the repeal of Article 370 argued that the provision in the article could not have been abrogated as the term of the Jammu and Kashmir constituent Assembly ended in 1957 after it drafted the erstwhile state's Constitution. With the constituent Assembly having become extinct, Article 370 acquired a permanent status, they had said. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal had opened the arguments, saying Article 370 was no longer a "temporary provision" and had assumed permanence post the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir. Sibal highlighted the of clause 3 of Article 370 which shows that a recommendation from the Constituent Assembly was essential to removing Article 370. He had then argued that in the wake of the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, whose recommendation was required to abrogate Article 370, the provision could not be revoked. He had contended that the Parliament could not have declared itself to be the legislature of Jammu and Kashmir in order to facilitate the abrogation of Article 370, as Article 354 of the Constitution does not authorise such an exercise of power. Sibal had also sought to link the imposition of the Presidents rule under Article 356 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018. He had submitted that Constituent Assembly stands for enacting a constitution for the future, and it is essentially a political exercise to take into account the aspirations of the people. What did the govt say? The central government had defended its decision to abrogate Article 370, saying there was no "constitutional fraud" in repealing the provision that accorded special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Since 2019, when Article 370 was abrogated, the entire region has witnessed an "unprecedented era of peace, progress and prosperity," the Centre had said. After the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, life has returned to normalcy there after three decades of turmoil, the Centre, in its affidavit, told the Supreme Court. The Centre had told the bench that Jammu and Kashmir was not the only state whose accession to India was through instruments of accession, but many other princely states that too had joined India post-independence in 1947, with conditionalities and after their merger, their sovereignty was subsumed in the sovereignty of India. The government had also submitted that the status of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory is only temporary and it will be restored to statehood; however, Ladakh would remain a Union Territory. The Central government has informed the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court about issuing notices to Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn. This action is in response to their involvement in advertisements for gutka companies, PTI reported. The government's move came after a contempt petition was filed, urging action against these celebrities. The petitioner have argued that, despite being recipients of high-profile awards, these actors have been promoting products harmful to public health, PTI reported. The High Court earlier instructed the government to address the petitioner's concerns. Despite the representation made on October 22, there was initially no action taken, leading to the filing of a contempt petition. During the court proceedings on December 8, Deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey confirmed that show-cause notices had been sent to the three actors. The court also learned about Amitabh Bachchan's legal action against a gutka company. Bachchan had terminated his contract with the company, yet his advertisement continued to be aired. The next hearing has been scheduled for May 9, 2024. Surrogate advertising In India, direct advertising of gutka is banned due to its health risks. Companies bypass this through surrogate advertising, promoting gutka brands under seemingly-unrelated products like flavoured betel nuts. To tackle this loophole, authorities like the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) are taking action against pan masala companies for surrogate ads. The Allahabad High Court has also intervened, issuing notices for non-compliance with advertisement bans, particularly involving notable awardees. Do SRK, Akshay and Ajay Devgn promote gutka? Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn have been under fire for promoting Vimal Elaichi, which falls under the category of mouth-freshners. The company claims that the cardamom product, which also contains saffron, is 100% tobacco-free. It is not a violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) to hire celebrities to endorse such products, the company early argued. However, many accuse the company of promoting tobacco products like zarda, gutka and khaini (which Vimal is typically known for) under the guise of Vimal Elaichi. (With PTI inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! In an effort to push up tourist visits and bring a multiplier effect on the economy, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism has proposed issuing free entry visas to travelers from 20 countries including India. "The ministry proposed 20 countries with the highest (number of) foreign tourists, except for those with existing visa exemptions," Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said in Jakarta on Thursday. He said the provision of free entry visas to the 20 countries is expected to increase foreign tourist visits, which will generate a multiplier effect, boosting domestic consumption, attracting investment, and supporting the development of the digital economy. "We are targeting quality tourists, especially those with longer stays and higher spending in the local economy," he pointed out. The 20 countries include Australia, China, India, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, among others, Reuters reported. Malaysia unveiled visa-free entry for Indian nationals Citizens of China and India have been granted visa-free entry to Malaysia for a duration of up to 30 days from December 1, as earlier announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a speech at the People's Justice Party congress. China and India represent Malaysia's fourth and fifth-largest tourist markets. Government data indicates that between January and June of this year, Malaysia welcomed a total of 9.16 million tourists. Of these, 498,540 were from China, and 283,885 were from India. This contrasts with the figures from the same period in 2019, before the onset of the pandemic, when Malaysia received 1.5 million tourists from China and 354,486 from India. Similarly, Thailand, a neighboring country heavily dependent on the tourism sector, has also adopted measures such as exempting Chinese and Indian nationals, among others, from visa requirements. Thailand extended visa-free entry to Indians till May 2024 Thailand has announced the temporary removal of visa requirements for travelers from India and Taiwan until May 2024. Thailand welcomed 22 million visitors between January and October 29, resulting in a revenue of 927.5 billion baht (equivalent to $25.67 billion). This decision follows a previous move in September to eliminate visa requirements for Chinese tourists, who were a significant source of visitors before the pandemic, accounting for 11 million out of the record 39 million arrivals in 2019. (With Reuters inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! In Pakistan, Karachi is currently facing a severe shortage of essential medicines including life-saving drugs, vaccines, insulting for diabetes management, epilepsy drugs, and others, according to a report published by ARY News. The shortage has caused serious concern among patients and citizens as the life-saving drugs are now being at higher prices in the black market. Last month, the Drug Regulatory Authority also launched a crackdown against an artificial shortage of essential medicines. However, despite their action, the illegal sale of essential medicines continued. The health authorities also initiated the registration process for new life-saving drugs and fastened the efforts to implement the plan for bringing other medicines back to the pharmacies. Meanwhile, an alternative drug of some other medicine containing a rare formula has also been registered. Under the guidance of interim Health Minister Nadeem Jan, authorities have launched a crackdown on medicine profiteering across Pakistan. During the operation in Lahore, significant measures were taken against those selling medicines above the approved prices. The crackdown revealed that Heparin injections, medications for tuberculosis, epilepsy, cancer, and life-saving drugs were being illicitly sold at prices exceeding the officially sanctioned rates, ARY News reported. In addition, the spokesperson also stated that Tegeral, an epilepsy medicine, was being sold for Pakistani Rupee (PKR) 1300 to 1400 instead of the approved PKR 260 per box. Heparin injection, originally priced at PKR 975, was being sold at PKR 1500 to 3000, and Rivotril was being retailed at PKR 700 to PKR 800, surpassing the authorized PKR 267 per box. Furthermore, Rivotril 2mg was being sold for PKR 800 to PKR 1000 instead of the mandated PKR 400, ANI reported. Similarly, Zenax 0.5mg was being sold at PKR 1400 rather than the approved PKR 278, and Zenax 1mg was priced at PKR 4000, significantly higher than the sanctioned PKR 502. The Ultrawest box, which should have been priced at PKR 3418, was being sold at PKR 6,500. The health minister further asserted that the DRAP task force would take decisive action against individuals engaged in profiteering. "The task force of DRAP will take full action against the profiteers," he added. (With ANI inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers patrol in Marjayoun, southern Lebanon, Dec. 8, 2023. The Lebanon-Israel border witnessed increased tension since Oct. 8 after Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Shebaa Farms in support of the Hamas attacks on Israel the previous day. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) BEIRUT, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A Hezbollah militant was killed on Saturday in Israeli attacks on border areas in southern Lebanon, a Lebanese military source said. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Hezbollah militant died from Israeli airstrikes on the village of Aita al-Shaab. Israeli warplanes and drones carried out six airstrikes targeting houses and forests in the border areas, destroying six houses and damaging another 15, according to the source. Meanwhile, the Islamic Resistance, the military wing of Hezbollah, said its fighters carried out 10 attacks on 10 Israeli sites, killing one and injuring another. Later in the day, Israeli media reported that three soldiers were wounded on the country's border with Lebanon and were transported by helicopter to Rambam Hospital in Haifa, a northern Israeli port city. The Lebanon-Israel border has witnessed increased tension since Oct. 8, after Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Shebaa Farms in support of the Hamas attacks on Israel the previous day, prompting the Israeli forces to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 144 on the Lebanese side, including 99 Hezbollah members, a Lebanese soldier, one member of the Amal Movement, 16 members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and 27 civilians, including three journalists, according to Lebanese security sources. An Israeli drone is seen in the sky over Marjayoun, southern Lebanon, Dec. 8, 2023. The Lebanon-Israel border witnessed increased tension since Oct. 8 after Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Shebaa Farms in support of the Hamas attacks on Israel the previous day. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Chinese and Philippine vessels faced off in multiple clashes in the South China Sea over the weekend as tensions continued to escalate between the two countries over maritime territory. The Philippines sea task force said its vessels were damaged after being directly targeted" on Sunday by a Chinese coast guard ship with a water cannon during a supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal. A Filipino boat was also rammed by a Chinese vessel, the task force said in a statement. Chinas Coast Guard said the Philippine boat ignored warnings and deliberately collided" with its vessel, which was sailing normally for law enforcement purposes. The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines, the Coast Guard said in a statement. The Philippines should immediately stop its infringements and strictly control frontline provocations," China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu said on Weibo. The Chinese authority will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights, he said. China has laid sweeping claims over the South China Sea, an assertion thats been met by growing pushback in the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose administration has publicized Beijings tactics in the disputed waters. A group of 200 civilians from the Philippines had set sail to the disputed waters on Sunday and were forced to cut short their trip after they said they were shadowed by four Chinese vessels including two Navy ships. The convoy, escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard, had planned to go near Second Thomas Shoal and parts of the Spratly Islands to deliver supplies to fishing communities. Also Read | Adani group to undertake 7 lakh crore investment over next 10 years The group of youth leaders, fisherfolk and media personnel decided on erring on the side of caution" and returning to Palawan province after the constant shadowing," its organizer said. Manila on Saturday reported that the Chinese Coast Guard fired water cannons at Filipino civilian ships near Scarborough Shoal, drawing US condemnation. Also Read | Road transport ministry makes AC truck cabin mandatory from Oct 2025 The US has pledged to continue bolstering ties with Indo-Pacific allies to counter Beijings expansive claims in the crucial waterway. The Philippines has strengthened its longstanding defense alliance with Washington, expanding access for American soldiers and holding joint patrols in contested waters. ALLIANCE More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The United States, South Korea, and Japan agreed new initiatives on Saturday to respond to North Korea's threats in cyberspace, including cryptocurrency abuses and space launches, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said. The three countries' national security advisers met in Seoul as Pyongyang warned that it would deploy more spy satellites. Sullivan said the meeting followed up on commitments set forth at a Camp David trilateral summit hosted by President Joe Biden in August, where leaders of the U.S. and its two key Asian allies pledged to deepen security and economic cooperation. "We've also launched new trilateral initiatives to counter the threats posed by the DPRK, from its cybercrime and cryptocurrency money laundering to its reckless space and ballistic missile tests," Sullivan told reporters, referring to North Korea by the initials of its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. His Japanese counterpart Takeo Akiba said North Korea's "illicit cyber activities" had emerged as the most recent challenges, calling them "a source of funds" for the isolated state's nuclear missile development. The three countries' coordinated efforts will target potential threats of economic coercion, having completed work on a supply-chain early warning system, agreed to at Camp David, in critical minerals and rechargeable batteries, Sullivan said. Biden met at Camp David with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to project unity in the face of China's growing power and nuclear threats from North Korea. Sullivan said the nations "continue to stand up for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and freedom of navigation in the East and South China Seas". Sullivan and his South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yong co-chaired on Saturday the first Next Generation Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET) Dialogue, a forum aimed at cooperation on chips and other critical technologies, the South Korean presidential office said. North Korea-Russia ties North Korean state media said on Saturday that Pyongyang was determined to launch more spy satellites soon, calling space development part of its right to defend itself as any other country has. It has also criticized South Korea for launching its own satellite, saying there is a double standard. Sullivan disputed that claim, saying North Korea's satellite launch involves ballistic-missile technologies that violate United Nations resolutions, while South Korea's do not. Sanctions monitors have accused North Korea of using cyberattacks to gather funds for its nuclear and missile programs, and a U.N. report said Pyongyang had stepped up its cryptocurrency theft last year, using sophisticated techniques to steal more in 2022 than any other year. North Korea has denied allegations of hacking or other cyberattacks. After talks with Sullivan and Akiba, South Korea's Cho said the three had also exchanged ideas on Ukraine and Middle East issues. They discussed growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, and all three were confident North Korea was supplying weapons for Russia in the Ukraine war, Sullivan said. Since the White House said in October that North Korea had provided Russia with a shipment of weapons from a port in its border town of Rason, the port continues to display a high level of activity, the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said in a report published on Friday, citing satellite imagery analysis. North Korea has denied it transfers arms to Moscow. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati declared her nephew, Akash Anand, as her successor, on Sunday, December 10. "Akash (Anand) has been declared the ' uttaradhikari (heir)' by Mayawatiji," Udayveer Singh, the BSP's Shahjahanpur district unit chief, said. The announcement came as Mayawati chaired a meeting of the party workers on Sunday at the party's state office in Lucknow. Akash Anand has been given the responsibility to strengthen the BSP's organisation all over the country except Uttar Pradesh, Singh was quoted by PTI as saying. The party's official statement, however, did not mention any such decision. According to the Hindustan Times, Mayawati will continue to monitor Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Here are five things to know about Akash Anand: 1. Akash Anand, 28, is the son of Mayawatis brother Anand Kumar. On his official account on X, Akash describes himself as "A young supporter of Baba Saheb's vision". He is the national coordinator of the BSP. Akash was appointed as the party's national coordinator in 2019 when Mayawati rejigged the party organisation after breaking its alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Hindustan Times reported. 2. Akash entered politics in 2017, at the age of 22, NDTV said. Mayawati introduced Akash to the senior party functionaries in 2017 as an MBA graduate from London. She reportedly told them that he would also be involved in party affairs. 3. Mayawati announced the entry of her nephew Akash Anand into the party in 2019. At that time, she countered, saying, "...I appointed Anand as Vice President but due to nepotism, he himself decided not to take the post. Unfortunately, after Akash was seen on my birthday, some channels dragged him and presented him as the future face of the party." 4. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Akash Anand managed the election campaign strategy of the BSP chief. He addressed his first rally in Uttar Pradesh's Agra in 2019. In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly election, he handled the social media of the party during the campaign. 5. Earlier this year, Akash Anand launched a 14-day 'Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay' Sankalp Yatra. This is reportedly seen as the repositioning of the BSP's strategy ahead of the assembly polls in Rajasthan and the crucial Lok Sabha polls in 2024. (With inputs from agencies) ALLIANCE More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Amid the row over 300 crore stashed at premises and Income Tax raids, Jharkhand Congress in-charge Avinash Pandey on Sunday said that a clarification has been sought from party MP Dheeraj Sahu, reported news agency PTI . Apart from this, Pandey clarified that is it a private matter of Dheeraj Sahu and the party has nothing to do with it. Speaking to the media at Ranchi's Birsa Munda airport on 10 December, Pandey said, as quoted by PTI, "Since he is Congress MP, he should make an official statement about how such a big amount of money came to him." He also said, "The party has a clear-cut stand that it is a private matter of Dheeraj Sahu, which has nothing to do with the Congress party." Though Pandey said the IT department has so far not made any official statement regarding the raid and recovery. ALSO READ: Dhiraj Sahu IT raids: Recovery amount crosses 300 crore; BJP slams Rahul Gandhi says, Why are you silent now?' "The family has business establishment for more than 100 years here and it is the joint business of the family. Dheeraj Sahu is just a part of the business. But, Sahu should clarify how such a big amount came to him," Pandey said. Meanwhile, he said an official statement should also come from the Income Tax department about the quantity of cash and how it came. Conspiracy: Speaking at Congress headquarters, Pandey alleged that a conspiracy is being carried out to defame the opposition parties in the country. "Since the day a majority alliance government came to power in Jharkhand, BJP has been hatching a conspiracy to destabilize it. This is not only in Jharkhand but the conspiracy is being done against all non-BJP governments elected through democratic process in the country under 'Operation Lotus'. BJP is doing it openly without caring about any constitutional values," he said. BJP hits out, to protest: On Monday, BJP MPs will hold a protest at the Gandhi statue in Parliament as part of a protest against the seizure of cash from some premises linked to Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu. Union Minister and BJP leader Meenakashi Lekhi said on Saturday that Congress has tried to spread corruption from generation to generation. "The amount of cash recovered from Dheeraj Sahu's premises is the highest among corrupt people so far. Its amount has reached 300 crore...Congress has tried to spread corruption from generation to generation," said Meenakashi Lekhi. On Sunday statewide rallies and dharnas were staged in several other district headquarters, including Chaibasa, Jamshedpur, and Bokaro. At the BJP protest near Raj Bhavan in Ranchi, local MLA CP Singh alleged that it has been the tradition of the Congress to engage in loot, scam, and corruption. "The Congress provides patronage to corruption. So, the BJP must expose it and eradicate it from the country," he said. BJP questions Rahul Gandhi's silence: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said crores of rupees have been recovered, but the whole INDI alliance is silent. I understand Congress is silent as corruption is in their nature but JDU, RJD, DMK, and SP all are sitting silently," he said on Sunday. Shah added that a "campaign" was run against Prime Minister Naredra Modi because "there was a fear in their mind that all the secrets of their corruption would be revealed...". He was referring to the Opposition's allegations that the central agencies, such as the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Income Tax Department, are being misused by the Centre. Union minister G Kishan Reddy said Sahu was Rahul Gandhi's close friend. "From Rahul Gandhi's close friend and Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu's offices, around 200 crore was seized by I-T...I want to ask Rahul Gandhi, why haven't you posted anything about this on social media? Why haven't you spoken anything about this? Because Congress always supports corruption," he added. BJP MP K Laxman questioned Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi's silence over the issue. "Where there is a Congress Government, only corruption is there....PM Modi has a vision of zero tolerance against corruption... PM Modi will not leave the corruption and soon the Congress will be exposed," he said. IT Raids: According to officials, premises linked to Sahu were also covered as part of the searches by the IT team which recovered a huge pile of cash against Odisha-based Boudh Distillery Private Limited and entities linked to it. Officials even claimed that the cash seizure in the income-tax department's searches has gone past 300 crore. The raids against Boudh Distillery Private Limited, its promoters and others, launched on December 6 by the taxman on charges of tax evasion, entered the fifth day on Sunday. As per details, this is the highest-ever cash seizure made by an agency in the country as part of an action against a single group and entities linked to it. Also, the IT department believes that the entire cache of currency is 'unaccounted' money earned from cash sales of country liquor by the business group, distributors, and others. The IT department is recording the statements of the executives and other staff who were present at the searched locations. Soon it will issue summonses to the main promoters of the company for recording their statements. With agency inputs. ALLIANCE More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Members of the Opposition INDIA bloc will hold their fourth meeting on December 19. The event comes days after the Congress' poor show in the recently concluded assembly elections. Political leaders attending the meet are likely to focus on evolving a "core positive agenda", seat sharing and a programme to hold joint rallies. "The 4th meeting of the leaders of INDIA parties will be held on Tuesday, December 19th, 2023, in New Delhi at 3 p.m," tweeted Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. Leaders from 17 allied parties had met at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence last week. However a full-fledged meeting could not be held on December 6 as key opposition leaders remained unavailable. A PTI report quoting a senior Congress official indicates that the bloc will move forward with the unified theme of "Main Nahin, Hum" at the meeting. Sources told the publication that the allies would also evolve a common programme highlighting issues such as caste census, legal guarantee to MSP and social security for workers. They are also likely to chalk out seat sharing plans and formulate a plan of action for holding joint election rallies. The meeting will be crucial for the Congress in this regard as it reels from heavy poll losses in the Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance had held its first meeting in Patna on June 23. A second meeting was held in Bengaluru on July 17-18 following by a third interation in Mumbai. The bloc of 27 parties had adopted resolutions to collectively contest the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections during their last meeting between August 31 and September 1. (With inputs from agencies) ALLIANCE More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! WASHINGTONThe Biden administrations efforts to renew legislation that allows the U.S. to track the electronic communications of terrorists, spies and hackers overseas is facing an uphill battle amid increasing opposition from some members of both political parties and a looming end-of-year deadline. For years, privacy advocates have criticized the law, but Congress renewed the legislation twice with broad bipartisan support. Fifteen years after it was first passed, a tool designed to track threats abroad has been caught up in domestic political controversies at home and is on the verge of dyingor being sharply curtailedeven as the U.S. faces renewed concerns about terrorism in the Middle East. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is among the most powerful tools wielded by U.S. spy agencies. Information collected by it contributes to more than half of the intelligence briefed daily to the president. But because of how it warrantlessly gathers communications data from Americans, it has long pitted privacy advocates who have decried the potential for abuse against a national security establishment concerned with preventing calamitous attacks, such as the next 9/11. Now, however, the legislation is ensnared in an increasingly polarized political environment that has seen once-bedrock support from the Republican party splinter, with some GOP lawmakers eager to see it reformed, or even die, and Democrats split on how to salvage it. Congressional leadership has tucked a short-term extension of the spying power into a must-pass annual defense authorization bill that lawmakers will vote on as soon as next week. Assuming the bill passes, it puts Section 702 on life support until April, when lawmakers will have to decide howor whetherto renew it long term. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has acknowledged past abuses involving data collected under Section 702, such as its use to spy on domestic political protests. But the legislation has also attracted the scorn of some Republicans who have grown increasingly suspicious of U.S. government surveillance after the investigation of former President Donald Trumps 2016 political campaign over potential ties to Russia. We have absolutely no reason to trust you," Sen. Mike Lee (R., Utah), told FBI Director Chris Wray this week during a Senate hearing. Efforts by the FBI to proactively address concerns raised due to previous abuses werent enough, Lee said, because new scandals always seemed to surface. Its never different. You havent changed." Part of the challenge has been national-security officials insistence that data collected under Section 702 is vital to national security, but their refusal to release details because of secrecy around the program. In a letter sent to Congress on Monday, senior law-enforcement and intelligence officials said Section 702 is vital for insights into foreign terrorist organizations, including Hamas." While the letter cited historic examples of terrorist plots that Section 702 helped prevent, it gave no specifics related to the current conflict. The question now is whether the Biden administration can overcome increasing suspicions among these Republicans and the concerns of more traditional privacy advocates to get the law renewed before it expires. If it doesnt succeed, then the U.S. government will be committing what the Presidents Intelligence Advisory Board recently said would be one of the worst intelligence failures of our time." The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which was enacted into law after post-Watergate abuses were unearthed, expanded in the years after Sept. 11, 2001. The 2008 addition of Section 702 was supposed to put the expanded surveillance on a firmer legal footing. The law allows the National Security Agency to collect communications of foreigners living overseas from U.S. companies such as Alphabets Google, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Apple, as well as from telecommunications firms. But the global nature of digital traffic means the program also collects an unknown amount of texts, calls, emails and other digital content belonging to Americans. The U.S. government can then search that U.S. data about national security threats and, in rare cases, evidence of a crime. Privacy advocates have generally acknowledged the programs value but said it needs more protections to prevent intrusions into Americans private data. It is possible to confront our countrys adversaries ferociously without throwing our constitutional rights in the trash can," Sen. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.), a leading critic of the program, said. While liberal Democrats long harbored misgivings about the tool, law-and-order Republicans typically embraced it. That changed under Trump, whose deep grievances against the FBI and U.S. national-security agencies continue to shape the Republican Partys politics, including around surveillance issues. During his time in office and since he left, Trump repeatedly has accused the FBI and other agencies of a raft of abuses, including trying to spy on his 2016 presidential campaign. Those allegations were turbocharged with the findings of a Justice Department inspector general that the FBI had inappropriately approved surveillance on a onetime Trump campaign adviser. That case didnt involve the Section 702 authority and instead relied on a more traditional FISA warrant that allows for specific targeting of an individual. Still, it fueled distrust among Republicans of government surveillance. The previous renewal, in 2018, narrowly cleared the Senates 60-vote filibuster threshold after Trump first attacked Section 702 but then relented after his chief of staff, John Kelly, implored the president to reverse course. During this renewal debate, intelligence officials have sought to demonstrate the value of Section 702 by declassifying selected examples of its utility, such as its contribution to an operation last year that killed al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. For the past year, the Biden administration has lobbied traditional privacy advocatesmany of them Democratsconcerned by the laws warrantless collection of data belonging to Americans while seeking to temper passions from a conservative faction of Republicans with grievances against U.S. law-enforcement and intelligence agencies. In public testimony, Avril Haines, President Bidens top intelligence official, has said that the spying authority is critical to identifying terrorist threats, thwarting cyberattacks and even preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. It provides unique foreign intelligence at a speed and reliability that we just simply cannot replicate in any other authority," she said in May. She has also lobbied lawmakers and privacy groups privately. Following the midterm elections last year, shortly before the GOP took control of the House, Haines met privately with top Democrat and Republican lawmakers to ask them to use the lame-duck period to reauthorize Section 702, according to people familiar with the meeting. Her overture was unsuccessful. The administrations renewal push, meanwhile, has been repeatedly buffeted by new revelations about how the program has been misused, chiefly by analysts at the FBI. In May, a declassified opinion from the FISA Court, which oversees the use of Section 702, disclosed that the FBI had wrongfully used the database to search for information on George Floyd protesters and Jan. 6 rioters. A number of Republicans and Democrats in Congress want to codify changes the FBI has already enacted to curb abuses, but large groups in both parties are seeking more substantial overhauls. Bipartisan legislation introduced last month in the Senate and House by a range of privacy advocates led by Wyden would renew Section 702 for four years but enact sharp new guardrails, such as requiring U.S. agencies, including the FBI, to obtain judicial approval before conducting content searches related to Americans. Separate legislation newly introduced by the leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sens. Mark Warner (D., Va.) and Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), and several other senators would seek more moderate changes to the FBIs access to Section 702 and not create a generalized warrant requirement. The House appears even less certain of a path forward with dueling bipartisan bills that would respectively either preserve the FBIs warrantless access to U.S. data or essentially eliminate it. FBI Director Wray has pleaded with lawmakers throughout the year to not restrict the FBI from being able to search U.S. data swept up in the program. In Senate testimony this week, he described Section 702 as indispensable to combating foreign threats to the U.S. Stripping the FBI of its 702 authorities," he said, would be a form of unilateral disarmament." Write to Dustin Volz at dustin.volz@wsj.com The long-held status of the United States as the worlds dominant superpower is facing significant challenges in the 21st century. While the US still maintains considerable economic and military might, a complex interplay of factors is contributing to a shift towards a more multipolar world order. Multiple Factors at Play: Several key factors are driving this evolution: 1. Rise of Emerging Economies: The economic power of countries like China, India, and Brazil is rapidly growing, challenging the USs dominance in global trade and finance. 2. Technological Advancements: Technological innovation is increasingly diffused across different nations, eroding the USs technological edge in various sectors. 3. Geopolitical Shifts: The rise of regional powers, coupled with the emergence of new alliances and blocs, is altering the global political landscape and challenging US leadership. 4. Domestic Challenges: Internal political and social divisions within the US, as well as economic inequality, are impacting its ability to project power and influence abroad. The New Multipolar World: This confluence of factors is leading to the emergence of a multipolar world order, characterized by: 1. Shared Power: No single nation holds undisputed global dominance. 2. Regionalization: Power and influence are increasingly concentrated within regional blocs. 3. Interconnectedness: Global issues require collaboration and cooperation between various nations for effective solutions. 4. Uncertainty and Volatility: The multipolar world is inherently more dynamic and unpredictable, with potential for both conflict and cooperation. US Adaptation and Response: The US is faced with the challenge of adapting to this changing global landscape. Key strategies include: 1. Strengthening Domestic Resilience: Addressing internal challenges to enhance national competitiveness and global standing. 2. Building Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with allies and partners to address shared concerns and maintain influence. 3. Embracing Multilateralism: Engaging in international institutions and seeking cooperative solutions to global challenges. 4. Investing in Innovation: Prioritizing research and development to maintain a technological edge in key areas. The Future of Global Power: The future of global power remains uncertain. The US will continue to play a significant role in the international arena, but its dominance is likely to diminish as other nations rise. The success of the US in adapting to the multipolar world will depend on its ability to address internal challenges, build strategic alliances, and embrace multilateralism. It is crucial to remember that the concept of dominant superpower is inherently subjective and multifaceted. While the US may no longer hold exclusive global dominance, its influence and impact across various spheres remain significant. The world is entering a new era of shared power and interconnectedness, requiring collaboration and cooperation to address global challenges and ensure a stable and prosperous future for all. Shayne Heffernan The information contained on this website shall not be construed as (i) an offer to purchase or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or sell, any securities or services, (ii) investment, legal, business or tax advice or an offer to provide such advice, or (iii) a basis for making any investment decision. An offering may only be made upon a qualified investors receipt not via this website of formal materials from the Knightsbridge an offering memorandum and subscription documentation (offering materials). In the case of any inconsistency between the information on this website and any such offering materials, the offering materials shall control. Securities shall not be offered or sold in any jurisdiction in which such offer or sale would be unlawful unless the requirements of the applicable laws of such jurisdiction have been satisfied. Any decision to invest in securities must be based solely upon the information set forth in the applicable offering materials, which should be read carefully by qualified investors prior to investing. An investment with Knightsbridge is not suitable or desirable for all investors; investors may lose all or a portion of the capital invested. Investors may be required to bear the financial risks of an investment for an indefinite period of time. Qualified investors are urged to consult with their own legal, financial and tax advisors before making any investment. Knightsbridge is a private investment firm that offers investment services to Qualified Investors, Members and Institutions ONLY. Qualified Investors are defined as individuals who have met those Qualifications in the relevant jurisdictions. Members are defined as individuals who have been accepted into the Knightsbridge membership program. Institutions are defined as entities such as banks, pension funds, and hedge funds. If you are not a Qualified Investor, Member or Institution, you are not eligible to invest with Knightsbridge. All investments involve risk, and there is no guarantee of profit. You may lose some or all of your investment. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Knightsbridge is not a registered investment advisor, and this disclaimer should not be construed as investment advice. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. By accessing this website, you agree to the terms of this disclaimer. Thank you for your interest in Knightsbridge. by Marwa Yahya CAIRO, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Ahmed Shabat, a three-year-old boy who lost his family and two legs in three Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip, was one of the wounded Palestinians who managed to reach Egypt via the Rafah crossing on Nov. 26. "Shabat was subject to frequent raids in Gaza: the first bombardment in Beit Hanoun killed his father, mother, and brother, and the second one in Sheikh Radwan injured him slightly, and the third one in a shelter in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp took his legs," said Ibrahim abu-Amsha, the boy's uncle who accompanied him to Egypt for treatment. Shabat's life was at risk before he was transferred to Egypt's New Administrative Capital Hospital because of the poor conditions of the hospitals in Gaza. The boy lost a lot of blood after a surgery in a Gazan hospital, and for the first three days afterward, he was unable to get his wounds cleaned due to a lack of painkillers, abu-Amsha recalled. "We had removed some contaminated skin on his legs and prescribed minerals and vitamins to compensate for what he had lost," said Osama El-kholy, a pediatrician at the Egyptian hospital. "Later he will undergo a plastic surgery, during which we can ensure that his blood flow is not blocked and bone thickness is fit." "His health conditions are now stable thanks to the Egyptian medical team. But, he is still scared and emotionally traumatized," said abu-Amsha, adding that he hopes the boy can stay in Egypt until he fully recovers. The New Administrative Capital Hospital east of Cairo is one of the Egyptian hospitals designated to receive injured Palestinians transferred from the besieged Gaza Strip. For weeks, medical staff there has been treating premature babies transferred from the Palestinian enclave around the clock. The newborns were from Gaza's largest hospital Al-Shifa, which was paralyzed after it ran out of power, water, and oxygen following the Israeli attacks on Gaza City. "Upon instructions of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, Egyptian hospitals have entered a state of alert, including us," said Mohamed Zayed, general manager of the Egyptian hospital. His hospital has received 15 premature babies -- more than half of the 28 minor evacuees arrived in Egypt on Nov. 20. The baby patients, most of whom were suffering from life-threatening sepsis dehydration and severe anemia, were immediately put in emergency incubators for treatment. Currently, eight babies have left the intensive incubators in good condition, and are now in follow-up facilities where they are fed and monitored, and they are expected to be discharged very soon, Zayed said, adding that seven others are still under treatment inside the intensive incubators. Egypt's State Information Service Chairman Diaa Rashwan said on Nov. 29 that 575 injured Gazans had been admitted to Egyptian hospitals for treatment since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in early October. Last week, Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population launched an initiative to treat 1,000 children wounded in Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip. Following the collapse of a fragile week-long humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas on Dec. 1, Israel has resumed its deadly siege and bombardment of the Palestinian enclave. Martin Griffiths, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said on Thursday the current humanitarian program in Gaza "is no longer functioning well." ISLAMABAD, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A blast hit a police vehicle in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Sunday, leaving one policeman dead and injuring two others, police said. The blast took place near Sultan Ibrahim Chowk area of Khuzdar district of the province, killing a station house officer of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on the spot, senior superintendent of local police Mir Hussain Ahmed Lehri told Xinhua. He said that the officer was the target of the blast, adding that a magnetic bomb was fitted under the officer's vehicle by unknown miscreants. Rescue teams, police and security forces immediately reached the site following the blast and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital. The area was cordoned off, and a search operation was underway to arrest the culprits. A suspended prison sentence was imposed on a man charged with burglary and criminal damage. Gareth Kenna of 2 Drumheath Grove, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15 was charged with burglary at a Longford address in which he stole a mobile phone on February 2, 2021. He was further charged with criminal damage at that address. Defence counsel Seoirse Fennessy said his client had missed the previous court sitting as he had to attend the family law court on a separate matter around the same time and got the dates mixed up. He had made himself available for the execution of a bench warrant. The court heard in one incident a phone had been stolen from the injured party from the address and afterwards when they rang the phone, the defendant answered. The damage caused to the property came to 1,500. There were 104 previous convictions recorded for the defendant, mostly for road traffic offences but also for burglary and unlawful taking of a car. Judge Bernadatte Owens noted the probation report before the court and also the guilty plea from the defendant. She wished for probation services to continue to supervise the defendant. The charges before the court are very serious, Mr Fennessy accepted. The 104 previous convictions represented a serious amount of criminality, he added. However, the defendant is now trying to better himself. He is now living in Blanchardstown and has completed a course in Coolmine in drug rehabilitation. He is continuing with treatment, twice a week. The defendant had 200 before the court and will have more in the new year. I will pay for the damage, the defendant told the court. He has started up his own vehicle recovery business, through the back-to-work scheme. He is also supporting his son. Judge Owens said she would suspend the prison sentence on condition the defendant continues to engage with the Probation Services and pays compensation to the injured party. A five months prison sentence was imposed, which was suspended for 18 months on the defendants own bond of 250 on the criminal damage charge. He is to pay a further 1,000 in compensation, in addition to the 200 handed in to the court, by April 13 next. If the money is not repaid, then the matter can be re-entered by gardai, Judge Owens said. Longford may not have won any gongs at the DLI All Ireland One Act Final that took place in Castleblayney over the weekend, but one local drama enthusiast was honoured with a Highly Commended award. Longford's Vanessa Flood Galligan received a Highly Commended award for Against All Odds in the DLI/ADCI Playwriting Award 2023. The awards are tasked with inspiring excellence in writing plays and to promote, support and encourage improvement in playwriting on the one-act circuit in Ireland. Vanessa's achievement is all the more impressive given the number of entries to this year's competition. There was another local link to the overall winner. The winning one act play was 'Clarity at Last' by Charles McGuinness. Charlie directed Longford's Backstage Theatre production of Sive earlier this year, and is scheduled to return in the director role for The Snapper to be staged next March. Charles McGuinness created the winning one act play 'Clarity at Last' There were 44 entries this year for the judges to consider, with the Its great to see new Irish writing flourishing and have lot of new one act plays to be explored and enjoyed. The DLI thanked the prize sponsors: We are extremely grateful to The Ramor Theatre for sponsoring the amazing prize of a residential writing week in the Tyrone Guthrie Centre Annaghmakerrig, not only for the past 3 years, but for the next 3 years too. The adjudicating panel consisted of Walker Ewart (Chairperson), Anne Mekitarian (representing DLI) and Trish Keane (representing ADCI), and Longford man Ollie Kenny, who was the Playwriting Award coordinator on the ADCI/DLI Joint Committee. Vanessa was also in attendance at the festival as a performer. Her group, Hoodwink Theatre Productions from Cavan, performed Bloodties, a one act written by Elaine Birkett who also acts in the show along with director Phil Gilbride and Vanessa. Director Phil won the Best Actor award in the Confined section. Taking to social media after the win Vanessa wrote: What a fantastic experience we have had over the last few months. Three strangers become friends, a new theatre group is formed, a play is written, directed and cast between them and they reach the All Ireland One Act Final 2023. We would like to congratulate the groups who won overall and those who placed. We are thrilled to get recognition in receiving an Adjudicators Award and also Phil receiving Best Actor Confined, it said. Hassan Ali Daqduq, the son of senior Hezbollah commander Musa Ali Daqduq, was killed in a recent Israeli airstrike in Syrias Quneitra governorate, according to reports. The elder Daqduq was tasked by Iran and Hezbollah to establish militias in Iraq along the lines of Lebanese Hezbollah. He was successful in his efforts and numerous Iranian-backed Iraqi militias are wielding their strength in Iraq and the region. Three other individuals affiliated with Hezbollahs Golan Unit, which is also known as Syrian Hezbollah, were killed in the same airstrike. FDDs Long War Journal could not independently verify the authenticity of the reports. The Golan Unit is led by Hassans father, Musa Ali Daqduq. Hassans position within the Golan Unit is unknown. In May of 2023, two U.S. intelligence officials told FDDs Long War Journal that the Golan Unit was training to attack U.S. forces stationed in Syria. Since Hamass brutal attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, Iraq and Syria militias have targeted U.S. bases more than 80 times. Furthermore, one of the deceased individuals has been identified as Muhammed al-Tamer, a Syrian national and a member of a pro-Assad militia. For the moment, Hezbollah has chosen not to issue an official statement detailing the circumstances surrounding Daqduqs killing, though the organization did release a statement mourning the fallen fighters. While the precise details surrounding the demise of Daqduq and his associates remain uncertain, both Syrian and Israeli news outlets have published reports suggesting that a drone attack presumably Israeli targeted the vehicle carrying Daqduq and the other fighters. Following the Oct. 7 Hamas-led terrorist attack on southern Israel, the Israeli military has been engaged in conflict on several fronts. The Jewish state has focused on eliminating Hamas in Gaza but has launched pre-emptive strikes against Hezbollah and Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which operates in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. For example, on Nov. 10, Israeli airstrikes in the Syrian province of Homs killed seven Hezbollah fighters. Separately, on Dec. 2, Israeli strikes in the Damascus area killed two IRGC generals who were reportedly there on an advisory mission. Since Hezbollah began its offensive against Israel in October, the Lebanese group has lost 98 fighters to Israeli strikes, most along the Israeli border with Lebanon, according to a count by FDDs Long War Journal. Musa Ali Daqduq and his legacy in Iraq Musa Ali Daqduq is a U.S.-sanctioned Hezbollah military commander, who played a significant role in forming Iran-backed Shia terror organizations responsible for the murder of American soldiers in Iraq. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, In approximately 2005, Iran asked Hezbollah to form a group to train Iraqis to fight Coalition Forces in Iraq. In response, Hassan Nasrallah established a covert Hezbollah unit to train and advise Iraqi militants in Jaish al Mahdi (JAM) [or Mahdi Army] and JAM Special Groups, now known as Asaib Ahl al Haq [League of the Righteous], a Mahdi Army faction which is a U.S. listed Foreign Terrorist Organization. Asaib Ahl al Haq has emerged as one of the most powerful Shia terror organizations in Iraq today. Daqduq worked closely with former Islamic Revolutionary Guards Force Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, the former head of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces and the founder of Hezbollah Brigades, and Qais Qazali, the founder and leader of Asaib Ahl al Haq, and Abu Mustafa al Sheibani, the founder of the Sheibani Network and current leader of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, to establish a network of militias loyal to Iran. The U.S. killed Muhandis and Soleimani in an airstrike in Baghdad in 2020. The Iranian-backed militias that were spawned by Daqduq, Hezbollah and Iran are now powerful entities in Iraq and Syria. In Iraq, the militias wield significant political power in parliament, while the military branches dominate the Popular Mobilization Forces, an official arm of the Iraqi security establishment that reports only to the prime Minister. In 2007, Daqduq was captured by the U.S. military. After 11 months, he was transferred to Iraqi custody and released in Nov. 2012 after being acquitted of terrorism charges. Following his release in 2012, the U.S. added Daqduq to its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Daqduq soon returned to Lebanon and was placed in charge of training Hezbollahs special forces. Joe Truzman is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian militant groups and Hezbollah. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Edge at a former edition of the show Edge, one of the worlds leading advanced technology and defence groups, will exhibit state-of-the-art air, land, sea and electronic warfare solutions at Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX 2023). Through this Edge seeks to amplify its presence in Egypt and North Africa by marking its second participation at EDEX 2023, the largest biennial defence and security exhibition in North Africa, held in Cairo, Egypt. Over the course of the four-day event from December 4 to 7, Edge will exhibit a range of high technology solutions tailored to the regions evolving security requirements. The Edge showcase The Edge showcase will include high-performance small arms, precision smart weapons, modern autonomous systems, advanced naval vessels and electronic warfare (EW) solutions, a release said. Edges presence at the exhibition is aimed at offering cutting-edge, cost-effective solutions that have been developed with the end-users requirements and operational environment in mind. North Africa is an important market for the group, presenting unique and rapidly changing security requirements. Under the land domain, Edge will display its versatile pistols, compact sub-machine guns, highly reliable assault rifles and sniper rifles, as well as small to large calibre ammunition. Tactical unmanned aerial vehicles In the autonomous systems domain, Edge will display several tactical unmanned aerial vehicles. Smart weapons on display will include short-to long-range precision-guided munitions, and a diverse range of loitering munitions. Under the sea domain, Edge will showcase a range of modern naval vessels, designed to meet maritime security challenges faced by the region. Additionally, advanced electronic warfare solutions will be on show, such as a counter drone system and cellular interception solution. Held at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre, Cairo, the event enables Edge to fortify its relationships with military personnel, government officials, and leading defence companies, as well as bolster efforts to develop further industry partnerships in the important North Africa region.--TradeArabia News Service JERUSALEM, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the first time since the conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out on Oct. 7, according to his office. During the phone call, Netanyahu appreciated the Russian effort to release an Israeli-Russian citizen held by Hamas, reaffirming that Israel would use all means to free all hostages from the Gaza Strip. He also requested that Russia apply pressure on the Red Cross regarding visits and essential medicines for hostages held in Gaza, according to the statement. Meanwhile, the Israeli prime minister criticized the "positions against Israel that Russia expressed on the international community, including at the United Nations," his office said in a statement. Russia on Friday voted for a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, which was vetoed by the United States. Reigning world champion Leon Edwards is set to defend his title against Colby Covington in what promises to be a fight full of intensity and drama in UFC 296. The fight is scheduled for December 16 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, which will host the ultimate mixed martial arts company's flagship event and feature a high-caliber showdown in the welterweight division. Edwards, coming off an outstanding streak of 11 wins in his last 12 fights, comes into this showdown with unwavering confidence. The champion has proven to be a dominant force in the welterweight class and will now face a big name challenger in Covington. The 32-year-old, who hails from Kingston, Jamaica, beat Kamaru Usman twice in his most recent fights - the first coming back in August 2022 to win the world title and the second seven months later in a rematch. Now, he is listed as the bookmakers' favorite and looks ready to show why he is the world champion. Covington a dangerous contender Covington, known for his controversial style and ability in the octagon, is a dangerous contender who will look to dethrone the champion and claim the title for himself. His aggressive style and ability to pressure his opponents makes him a formidable opponent for any fighter. The 35-year-old had two opportunities to challenge for the world title, but both lost to Kamaru Usman in 2019 and 2021. Conor McGregor surprises Ebanie Bridges by secretly flying out ring girl Parker Johnson He may not be the favorite to win this bout, but he has the quality to dethrone Edwards. In the evening's co-main event, Brazilian Alexandre Pantoja arrives as the favorite when he will defend his flyweight title against American Brandon Royval. The champion currently boasts a four-fight winning streak and will be seeking to win again in the rematch. Royval is also in good form, winning his last two fights, and the challenger is desperate to get his hands on the world title. When Link to Libraries heard the Toy for Joy campaign was in the hunt for quality books for children, the Western Massachusetts nonprofit didnt hesitate to act. Its a win-win, says Amy Anderlonis, executive vice president of the Hampden-based organization, which delivered 600 high-quality books to the Toy for Joy effort that benefits underprivileged children in three Western Massachusetts counties. Our goal is not to have books sit on our warehouse shelves for long. We want to put them in the hands of children, especially those in need, to help develop their love for reading, Anderlonis said. We are honored to partner with Toy for Joy and the (co-sponsoring) Salvation Army. Toy for Joy is in its 101st year and will deliver a toy and book to each eligible child 16 and under whose families have registered with Salvation Army locations in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield. The goal is to raise $150,000 by Christmas Eve. Donations of any size by individuals, groups or companies make this possible, as contributions cover the costs of toys, games and books purchased for this year. Toy for Joy is sponsored collaboratively by the Salvation Army, The Republican, Reminders Publishing, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive. Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas J. Cocchi leads the list of community partners in this years campaign. According to Salvation Army social ministries manager Danielle LaTaille, who works at the Springfield citadel, book donations assured that the literacy goal of Toy for Joy would again be a success. We were struggling to find appropriate books in the 10-to-12 year-old range. We reached out to Link to Libraries, and they responded with great books of high quality, the type that children will read and enjoy, LaTaille said. More generosity came from Agawam resident Jeff Moran, who donated 30 cases and hundreds of books written by his daughter. Deeply grateful for this gift, LaTaille said they will be targeted for younger children in the age 3 to 9 bracket. These books have good messages that if you do good for others, good will come back to you, LaTaille said. Link to Librarys books are of varied, age-appropriate content to recognize different interests amongst different children. Weve distributed more than 1 million books. We look for books that children identify with and that speak to them, Anderlonis said. Maj. Paula Spencer, of the Salvation Army's Springfield Citadel Corps, left, and Amy Anderlonis, executive vice president of Link to Libaries, unpack some of the 600 books Link to Libraries has donated to the Toy for Joy campaign. (Don Treeger / The Republican) The Republican The nonprofit has delivered books to every public elementary school in Springfield and maintains a presence in schools and libraries throughout Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. It also sponsors Read Aloud programs with the added feature of giving books at these events which children can keep. These books are a wonderful donation. Theyre of such quality that Im sure we couldnt afford them (if the Salvation Army had to pay), LaTaille said. The donations by Link to Libraries and the Moran family continue a Toy for Joy literacy tradition that spans 15 years. The gifts were well-timed; earlier in her search, LaTaille said many available books were not necessarily of the content that children would want to read and enjoy. The Toy for Joy book gift by Link to Libraries was made possible by a donation from MGM Springfield, Anderlonis said. Volunteers have been unpacking and preparing gift packages for families who have registered in advance with the campaign. LaTaille says the need has been as great or greater than ever before. Toy for Joy is sponsored collaboratively by the Salvation Army, The Republican, Reminders Publishing, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive. The coupon published with this story may be used to submit a contribution by mail to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Donors can also make online contributions at SalvationArmyma.org/toyforjoydonation. Here is the latest list of contributions: In memory of our awesome cat, Sadie. Miss you already $5 In memory of George and Shirley Desautels, from their grandchildren $25 In memory of Jim and Ronnie Donohue and Hugh and Anna Ketchum $100 Meowy Christmas from Siggy, Tau and Nu $30 Merry Christmas from Cliff and Debbie $30 In memory of my husband Leo, who loved kids, from Florence $100 In memory of our good friend Gary Watson, from Gerald and Brenda $25 Merry Christmas Grandpa Orszulak. Always loved, never forgotten. Love, Chris, Matt, Justin, Lindsey $50 In memory of Gene Giammarino $200 In loving memory of Nana, Pepe and Auntie Mare. Love, Grace and Faith $100 In loving memory of Richard and Mary Bourque and Maureen $50 Remembering Robbie from the Tesini Family $100 Lyla a sweet Yorkie, love and Kisses $100 In loving memory of Paula Manchino Denoncourt $50 In loving memory of my John from wife Rose $10 In memory of Sally Drucker $18 In memory of Chiara and Renzo Vedany and my uncle Zio Ferruccio $20 In memory of Elizabeth Sorli $100 In memory of Dora who loved Christmas, from Stephen $40 In loving memory of my parents Grace and Henry Partridge from Mary $22 In memory of Pauline Parks $20 In memory of my family members from Barbara $20 In loving memory of Jolie Molleur. Missed everyday. $10 Each child deserves a present Christmas day from Shelley $50 In memory of Hope, Joanne, Gus, Maddog, Pojke and Jerry Guernsey $50 Thanks for inspiring everyone at Probate $20 May Christmas bring a time of love and peace, from Mary $35 JK-E-Ma-Dad-DM for my beloveds. $5 In loving memory of my parents Carmela and Filippo. Love, Sue $25 In memory of Brownie, Edie, Gilbert, Nat and Ruth $25 In loving memory of Nani Maryrae MacFarland from Jo and Keith $50 From Marcia $20 Merry Christmas to all, love, Gianna, Jillie, Michael and Ben $100 Grandkids Jake, Zach, Maggie, Kaz and Rob, great grandkids Ryley and Ramona $50 In loving memory of Theresa Shuman $150 In loving memory of all 4 Bompas $150 Chloe and Colson wish everyone a happy holiday $100 In loving memory of my brother Joe. Love, Sue $25 Merry Christmas from Tom and Lynne $100 In memory of our Pepa, Sophie and Lilah $25 In loving memory of Tim Dowd from his family $100 In memory of Carol from John $50 In loving memory of Billy Bond, Scott Skrzyniarz and Matt Mierzwinski $100 Warm wishes for a happy Christmas from Rosemary $30 Remembering Mom who made my familys Christmases special. Miss and love you, Holly Dorsey $20 Remembering Marge, Flip, Jack, Bob, Bill, Donald. Mamie, Pop, Bill, Snookie Jimmy and Eileen $50 With love for our grandchildren, Sadie, Nora, Noah Easton $25 From Nancy $100 Parents, brothers, all loved ones who have passed in memory. $100 In honor of our grandchildren Kylie, Taryn, Tanner and Tessa $40 Daddy, Mom, Tom, wish you were here. Merry Christmas! XOXO $35 Merry Christmas from Clara $20 In loving memory of Debra Buchanan $50 For my Grands: Emily, Christopher, Natalie, Nicholas, Noelle, Kayla and Becky $150 In memory of parents from Audrey $20 Marilyn and Peter $35 In memory of Dave, Bridie, Kevin and Paul $100 From Susan $25 In loving memory of Carolyn Duchesneau. We miss you. $10 In loving memory of Duke Duchesneau. We miss you. $10 From Tony and Debby $250 American Veterans in Prison Chapter at the Hampden County Sheriffs Department $1,400 In memory of Marion and Daniel Bisi from Barbara and Marvin Howard $100 Received $4,925 Total to Date $26,388 Still Needed $123,612 The decomposing body of an infant was found on the side of a walking path near Fort Taber in New Bedford on Saturday, according to the Bristol County District Attorneys Office. Around 12:40 p.m., someone walking along a path by the water spotted a blanket and noticed the smell of decay, the district attorneys office said. Police responded and found the body wrapped in the blanket. The Chief Medical Examiners Office will autopsy the body. Authorities are investigating the infants death, but the district attorneys office did not say whether a crime was suspected. Read more: Fall River couple convicted of murder, manslaughter in 2021 New Bedford slaying No further information about the infant or their death has been released. Funeral arrangements for Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey, who authorities say was killed Wednesday along with a National Grid worker when a New Hampshire man drove a truck into a work site in Waltham, have been announced. A wake for the 58-year-old officer is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 14, at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church in Waltham from 3 to 8 p.m., according to Brasco & Son Funeral Home. A funeral Mass is set for the following day at the same church at 10 a.m., after which Tracey will be buried with police honors at Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham. Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey was killed tragically while doing what he loved most, protecting and serving the citizens of Waltham, the funeral home wrote on its website. Read more: Rollover car crash in Massachusetts kills 1, injures 2 According to local police, Tracey was part of the Waltham Police Department for 28 years. He was previously recognized for saving the life of a woman who was overdosing on a Cape Cod beach in 2018. Tracey was killed Dec. 6 when 54-year-old Woodsville resident Peter Simon drove a truck into a National Grid work site on Totten Pond Road where the officer was working a paid detail, authorities said previously. Cambridge resident and National Grid employee Roderick Jackson was also killed in the crash, and two other workers were injured. Simon is also accused of pulling a knife on another Waltham officer and stealing his cruiser during the incident. He was arraigned Thursday on two counts of manslaughter, armed robbery and other charges and pleaded not guilty. He was held without bail. Read more: Man charged in fatal Waltham crash had been involved in other serious crashes On Thursday, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey ordered that flags around the state to be flown at half-mast until Tracey and Jackson are interred. A GoFundMe has been created to benefit Jacksons family, and another fundraiser is collecting money on behalf of all the victims and their families. 1994: Nancy Dunn of North Adams, 34, a parishioner at Notre Dame du Sacre-Coeur parish, meets the Rev. Warren Savage, who had been assigned to oversee a merger of local parishes. Dunn says she enters into spiritual counseling with Savage. In at least three sessions, that counseling includes discussion of her struggle with the belief that she was a lesbian. November 1995: Dunn and Savage begin a sexual relationship that lasts until September 1996 with more than two dozen sexual encounters. Nov. 6, 1996: A psychotherapist in Amherst, Carla Brennan, calls the Springfield diocese to report that Dunn, a client, is alleging misconduct by one of its priests. That report finds its way to the Commission to Investigate Improper Conduct of Diocesan Personnel, as the panel was then known. June 16, 1997: The diocesan commission meets with Dunn and Brennan in Springfield. It hears Dunn recount the history of her relationship with Savage and is provided with an 11-page written statement. July 7, 1997: The commission meets with Savage. At the meeting, Father Savage admitted to the truth of the allegation, including sexual intercourse, according to a summary of diocesan records later provided to Dunn by Jeffrey Trant, director of the Office of Safe Environment & Victim Assistance. July 8, 1997: In a letter to the Most Rev. Thomas Dupre, the commission writes that Savage admitted to having a sexual relationship with Dunn. Members believe that the allegations of sexual exploitation are also true. The commission recommends Savage be removed from his priestly duties and parish work immediately and that he be evaluated as an inpatient. In its report to Dupre, the commission wrote that in its view, Father Savage not be allowed to call his removal from the Parish a Sabbatical, to which he believes [he] is entitled due to his heavy workload. September 1997: Savage is removed from his post as pastor of the North Adams parishes. October 1997: Savage is admitted for evaluation at the Saint Luke Institute in Silver Springs, Maryland, as an inpatient. He stays for a week and is referred to outpatient mental health counseling, according to the diocese. He is hospitalized in Springfield and Boston from December 1997 to March 1998 with acute pancreatitis. March 1998: When released from hospital care, Savage moves into the rectory at St. Peters in Westfield and is allowed to return to pastoral ministry at both St. Peters and St. Casimirs parishes, celebrating two daily Masses and two weekend Masses. He continued to teach in a program at Elms College in Chicopee that prepared adult men to be ordained as permanent deacons. 1999: Savage begins weekly therapy sessions, according to a 2023 summary prepared for Dunn by the diocese. March 18, 2002: Bishop Dupre writes a memo that misrepresents Dunns view on whether Savage should be allowed to act as a priest. The victim, who up until now has refused to allow Father Savage to return to formal ministry, has now indicated her willingness to allow him to do so provided that he stays out of the North Adams area. Dunn says she gave no such permission. June 2002: Savage undergoes a psychosexual evaluation by Carol J. Ball, founder of New England Forensic Associations and an expert in the treatment and comprehensive management of sexual compulsive disorders. After four sessions with Savage, Ball reports to the diocese that Savage can return to the ministry. Boundary issues are intact at this time, she wrote. Before receiving Balls report, Dupre allows Savage to return to the ministry. 2004: Hampden County District Attorney William Bennett subpoenas records related to allegations of sexual abuse involving diocesan staff. Materials provided by the diocese include records about Savage. Sept. 27, 2004: Dupre, who had recently retired as bishop, is indicted by a Hampden County grand jury on charges that he sexually assaulted two altar boys, ages 12 and 13, in the 1970s. Bennett says Dupre will not be tried because the statute of limitations had expired. Dupre was the first Roman Catholic bishop to face indictment amid sexual abuse accusations against priests nationally. May 26, 2005: The Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell writes to Dunn to tell her the diocese believes her case was handled properly for a situation involving two consenting adults it was very much different from a situation with an adult and a child, as I know you understand. 2020: Dunn renews contact with the diocese, bringing questions about Savages status within the church and asking why he is not listed as having been credibly accused of misconduct. She renews a request that she be compensated for lost work time in the year after the priests misconduct in the 1990s. Aug. 20, 2020: Dunn meets with Trant to share her concerns about the lack of accountability and transparency over the years and how her case was handled. July 7, 2021: Dunn meets with Trant, the Most Rev. William Byrne and Nancy Knudsen, seeking moral and ethical accountability of Father Savage. July 2021: Dunn inquired as to why the recommendations from the review board were never implemented by Bishop Dupree. Dunn asks for the recommendations from 1997 to be met. This included a financial settlement for a year of lost work. Sept. 6, 2021: Dunn meets with Monsignor Richard Sneiczyk. She is told her case was not handled properly and the recommendations were the responsibility of the bishop. Oct. 28, 2021: Dunn meets with Trant, Bishop Byrne, survivor advocate Olan Horne, and Knudsen to again seek moral and ethical accountability of Father Savage. Dunn is told that an investigation will be opened and promised she will get the full results. November 2021: Dunn meets with investigators assigned by the diocese to review her case. May 2022: Dunn signs a settlement agreement with the diocese that pays her a sum in the six figures to compensate her for lost work time and other factors in her recovery. Dec. 14, 2022: Dunn appears for a second time before the diocesean review board (the first time since 1997) to express frustration with how her case was handled. She wants the board to bring recommendations to the bishop. Dec. 15, 2022: Dunn meets with Savage in the Northampton office of her therapist, Knudsen. Jan. 30, 2023: Dunn appears again before the review board. April 19, 2023: Michael Collins, who replaced Trant as director of victim assistance, meets with Dunn and her therapist in Northampton. Collins tells Dunn that because a settlement agreement was signed, there will be no recommendations made, according to Dunn. He also informs her she will not receive a copy of the diocesan investigation into her renewed allegations against Savage, which she says she was promised. April 21, 2023: Bishop Byrne writes to Dunn to say the diocese will take no further action on her case and he declines her request to meet with him, referring her instead to Collins. I know this is going to be very difficult for you to hear, however, since there were no new recommendations from the Review Board, I find this matter concluded. Aug. 15, 2023: In an email to Dunn, Collins confirms that her case was found to be credible in past review board meetings. August 2023: Dunn speaks with the chairperson of the review board and is told that if the panel had known she signed a settlement agreement, her case would not have been heard. Sept. 13, 2023: Ali Salehi, chair of the Westfield State University trustees, tells Dunn, in response to her inquiry, that Savage is not employed by the university. (He works at the universitys interfaith center as an employee of the universitys foundation.) Sept. 27, 2023: Harry E. Dumay, president of Elms College, writes to tell Dunn, in response to her inquiry, that Savage voluntarily separated from teaching at the college several years ago. Nov. 8, 2023: Three officials with Westfield State University email Dunn to acknowledge receiving a series of emails from her about Savage. The University does not intend to respond to your communications, and this is the last communication from the University that you will receive in response to your emails. It was signed by Salehi, the trustees chair; Linda Thompson, the university president; and Melissa Alvarado, vice chair of the trustees. Over the past 14 years, a Northampton therapist has been helping a client, Nancy A. Dunn of Easthampton, contend with fallout from a year-long sexual relationship with a priest. In 2020, wanting more answers, Dunn got back in touch with the Springfield diocese. She did so 23 years after a misconduct board upheld her claim that a parish priest, the Rev. Warren Savage, drew her into a sexual relationship. Before 2020, therapy focused on the past. Since then, according to Dunn and her therapist, Nancy Knudsen, a main topic in counseling has been anguish over the dioceses response to her requests for information. There are two betrayals here, one by Warren Savage and the other by the church itself in its handling of this matter, both when it first happened and now, said Knudsen, a psychotherapist who directs the Couple and Family Institute of New England. The two women say Dunn faced delays, mixed messages and broken promises. Read more: Will a new day dawn for adult victims of clergy abuse? This feels like 1997 all over again to me with what theyre doing, Dunn said in an interview. The diocese cites good-faith efforts to respond to Dunns requests. Dunn, however, feels she ran into a bureaucracy that tested her emotionally. Ive been put through hell for three years, she said. The bishop could have said, Nancy, heres the committees recommendation from 1997. Were meeting it now. After the diocese agreed to reopen an investigation into Savage, Dunn said she was told by Jeffrey Trant, director of the Office of Safe Environment & Victim Assistance, and other diocesan officials that she would receive a copy of the findings. Then she learned she would get only a redacted copy. Then, in April, Trants successor told her church policy restricted her from being given any report. Another setback, for Dunn, came when she learned that despite two additional visits with the dioceses review board, which hears cases of alleged misconduct, that panel declined to make any recommendation to the Most Rev. William D. Byrne on additional actions the bishop might take. Dunn claims she was told, by Trant, that she could present her case to the review board, even though she had reached a financial settlement with the diocese, in May 2022. She later learned that after a settlement is reached with a survivor, the review board does not act. She credits Trant with digging through church records to help her understand what actions had been taken after Savage was removed from active ministry in 1997. But in the course of that, she learned that a former bishop, the Most Rev. Thomas Dupre, had fabricated a memo stating that Dunn did not object to Savage returning to priestly duties. At the time Savage was removed from North Adams, Dunn said she was told by the diocese that her approval was needed for the priest to return to church service. For 30 years, hes been empowered to continue in ministry, thinking I gave him permission, Dunn said. I never gave him permission to return to ministry. According to emails reviewed by The Republican, the diocese appears to have responded to some but not all of Dunns requests in the last three years. In early 2021, Trant provided detailed answers to a list of her questions. On May 13, at Byrnes direction, the Rev. John G. Lessard, the dioceses promoter of justice, provided an 11-point summary that addressed questions about Savages status. Lessards email clarified that Savages current posting at the Westfield State University interfaith center would be his last, that he has been in therapy since 1999 and that he was not offering one-on-one spiritual direction or counseling to any woman requesting these services. I pray this information is helpful to you in bringing conclusion in mind and peace in soul, he wrote. Savage declined to speak on the record for this story. In response to questions, Carolee McGrath, the dioceses media relations manager, said that after Byrne joined the diocese in 2020, he was told that Dunn was displeased with how her case was resolved. McGrath said the bishop asked Trant to conduct a comprehensive review and also alerted leaders at Westfield State. The review board took up this matter once again and determined that all appropriate actions were taken and no additional recommendations made. One of Dunns first questions for the diocese had concerned a public disclosure about Savages misconduct. I saw that his name wasnt on the list of credibly accused priests, she said. The diocese lists only one former priest, Eugene Honan, who was determined to have drugged and sexually abused an adult man and was removed from the ministry in 2010. A separate list is kept for clergy found to have abused minors. McGrath said the diocese does not believe Savage engaged in misconduct at a level that would place him on its list. The issue of Eugene Honan involved a different set of circumstances in which the survivor was deemed vulnerable, she said. Of Dunn, McGrath said: This individual was not deemed vulnerable. MANILA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Rescuers on Sunday found the body of a female passenger of a Piper plane that crashed in Isabela province in the northern Philippines over a week ago, Constante Foronda, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said. He said the rescuers found the passenger's remains past 9:00 a.m. local time Sunday, some 200 meters away from the crash site in the forested boondocks of San Mariano town. "The missing passenger was found lifeless by K9 trackers about 200 meters down the mountain slope from the plane wreckage," Foronda said. The body of the plane's pilot was found on Dec. 7, two days after a military helicopter spotted the wreckage in the forest. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said the single-engine light Piper aircraft took off at 9:39 a.m. local time on Nov. 30 at the Cauayan City Airport in Isabela, heading for Palanan, a coastal town east of the city, when it went missing. Parents of West Springfields Mittineague Elementary School students stood out on Westfield Street Saturday to protest the proposed repurposing of the school and transfer of students to the Coburn School. A presentation of the Student Population Projection Committee recommendations, including the Mittineague reuse, is planned for a Dec. 12 School Committee meeting. Tiffany Cecchetelli said her son is in the second grade at the Mittineague School and she is concerned he and other students are being shuffled to create a justification for a new mega-school, the new construction mentioned in the SPPC recommendations. We are spreading awareness to the community that there are plans in place to potentially relocate our students to another school in order to obtain funding for a new mega-school, she said Saturday as she held a sign. The plans would bring Tatham School, Memorial School and John Ashley School to a new school they are going to build at a new site. In order to do that they need to move our children to another school to make it look full so they can apply for the funding. My issue is having higher student-to-teacher ratios, she said. Here we have a controlled amount, and it works. Cecchetelli said her son is in a class with 17 students and at an informational meeting with Superintendent Stephania Raschilla earlier this week she was told that he would be moving into a class with 25 students. There is something to be said about having neighborhood schools, she said. This is the only walking school with no busing in West Springfield. A readout of the SPPC recommendations provided to the Republican indicates the committee will recommend the construction of a new school to take the place of the Tatham, Memorial and John Ashley schools, renovate Fausey Elementary School to accommodate Kindergarten classrooms, relocate students from Mittineague Elementary School and finally, redraw boundary lines to accommodate returning multilingual learners to neighborhood schools, absorb the Mittineague student population and create equity in class sizes across schools. The end result of the recommendations would be that West Springfield would have just three elementary schools Coburn, Fausey and the proposed new construction. Significant monetary investments would have to go to address both Mittineague and John Ashley schools, Raschilla was quoted in the West Springfield Reminder as saying, It wouldnt be financially responsible to put that money into those schools. Raschilla also said the cost of renovating older buildings are borne solely by the city while new construction falls under the state School Building Authority funding. According to an assessment and space needs analysis conducted by Caolo and Bienick Associates of Chicopee, the core of the Mittineague School was constructed in 1871 with an addition built in 1969. It is the smallest school in the district and currently houses 169 students across five grades and in eight classrooms. According to district plans, the Mittineague School building would be converted into an early childhood center once elementary-aged students are removed. Amber Lavorde is a member of the schools Parent Teacher Organization and the mother of two Mittineague students. She said she has received conflicting information about what the district plans for the school. What has trickled through from the two members of our community (on the SPPC) was that the school would be closed, she said. We learned at the meeting Monday that that is not the case, and they will relocate the Pre-K and kindergarten into the school. I feel like a lot of it hasnt been transparent for us in our community. I feel like we need to be part of the decision and a part of the discussion and the facts that are being brought to the table. The closure of the Mittineague Elementary School was first proposed at the March 28 School Committee meeting as new business. Early this year, a retired phys ed teacher left her ranch house in Easthampton and drove down the interstate to tell her story of clergy abuse. It wasnt Nancy A. Dunns first time before the Springfield Dioceses review board, which meets in the red-brick Maguire Pastoral Center to hear allegations of clergy misconduct. But it was her last. The board later informed Dunn she neednt have come back. Why? The diocese had already written her a six-figure check, she says she was told, to compensate her for a priests misconduct in the 1990s. Dunn still had questions. She wanted to know whether the Rev. Warren Savage had been held accountable, as the diocese had said he would, for engaging in a year-long sexual relationship with her nearly three decades ago. Savage remains in active ministry at Westfield State University. My intention was never to destroy this man, it was to hold them accountable, Dunn said of Savage and the diocese. I wanted accountability and transparency from the church. Today, Catholics worldwide continue to debate the circumstances under which sexual contact between priests and adults constitutes an abuse of power, even when it does not involve coercion. One new term is vulnerable adult, distinguishing that from decades of revelations of clergy abuse of children. Bishops in dioceses like Springfields face a call to reexamine how they can better protect vulnerable people, following this years apostolic letter, Vos Estis Lux Mundi (You are the Light of the World). The message from Pope Francis took effect April 30 and expanded the definition of who should be seen as vulnerable, after revelations of abuse of adults. That step has been hailed as a breakthrough for adult survivors of misconduct, though some observers caution conflicts in its wording could blunt reform. The case of Nancy Dunn presents local Catholic leaders with an opportunity to show how their thinking is evolving about a duty of protection. Statements by the diocese, however, seem to show no eagerness to adopt a more expansive view of adults who deserve to be treated as survivors of clergy misconduct. Struggling with my sexuality Dunn believes that when Savage began a sexual relationship with her, she was vulnerable and used that word in her first written statement to the diocesan review board. The board upheld her claim in 1997 and recommended Savage be removed from his priestly duties and parish work immediately. Evidence of her vulnerability lies in plain sight. Before entering into a sexual relationship with Savage, Dunn had been hospitalized for two weeks at the Brattleboro Retreat, a psychiatric facility in Vermont. I was struggling with my sexuality, she said. Dunn had thoughts of suicide. Nancy Dunn stands in front of the former Notre Dame Church and rectory on East Main Street in North Adams. (Gillian Jones / The Berkshire Eagle)Gillian Jones As a high school student, she had told her parish priest, the Rev. Homer Gosselin, she felt attracted to women. She recalls the priest telling her it was OK to have such feelings, but never to act on them. In her early 30s, Dunn met Savage, newly assigned by the Most Rev. Thomas Dupre, the Springfield bishop at the time, to oversee a consolidation of parishes in the northern Berkshires. Dunns psychotherapist, who she saw twice a week, had recently died. She said she asked Savage for a counseling referral, wanting to reconcile her sexual orientation with her deep faith and ongoing service to Notre Dame du Sacre-Coeur, her childhood parish in North Adams. It troubled me, as a Catholic, she said of her feelings for women. She said Savage volunteered his counsel. He said, You dont need a therapist, you have me. In November 1995, Dunn says Savage initiated a sexual relationship with her during what she viewed as a pastoral counseling session. Savage disputes that he was counseling her. It was Dunns first sexual relationship with a man. Dunn believed at the time Savage brought a divine message about her sexuality. I thought Warren was God, she said. He said my sexuality needed to be integrated. I took it to mean I needed to have sexual experiences with him. Later, Dunn saw what she experienced as spiritual rape. Once, when I questioned him about why this happened, he goes, I chose you. He made me feel like the chosen one. I know some people are going to be like, How dumb are you? But I was vulnerable. I had just lost a therapist. I take responsibility for my role in this, but I was a vulnerable adult. I struggled with being lesbian. He made me feel special. And then I thought, Maybe Im not gay. Major setback Nancy Knudsen, a Northampton psychotherapist who directs the Couple and Family Institute of New England, has been counseling Dunn for 14 years. Knudsen said her client has spoken clearly about having been in a counseling relationship with Savage. This has flavored Nancys entire life, Knudsen said in an interview. It was a major setback and left a very, very deep scar, because she thought she was loved and that this love was a message from God. The sense of betrayal was enormous. Patricia P. Martin, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist based in Longmeadow, was a member of the diocesan review board that first heard Dunns account. Martin said ethics rules prevent her from speaking about how the committee handled Dunns case, but offered a professional opinion on the dynamics of cases involving clergy. In cases of sexual abuse by priests with parishioners, there is an imbalance of power, she said. This disparity of power and spiritual authority can be used as a means of coercing sexual activity. This abuse is exacerbated if the person is a vulnerable person, such as someone with a past or present mental health condition, who puts trust in the person of authority, Martin said. Looking back, Martin feels this would have been true for Dunn. The sexual abuse of power and control is especially egregious if the survivor has been in any type of spiritual counseling relationship with the perpetrator. This poor woman, she was so naive about any of this. Given the passage of years, Dunns mental state at the time was perhaps best recorded in notes taken by a therapist she saw just weeks after halting contact with Savage. The Rev. Warren Savage outside the Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center at Westfield State University in 2020. To my great regret, I entered into an inappropriate consensual relationship with a 35-year-old woman ... almost three decades ago," he said in a written statement. (Don Treeger / The Republican) In a July 1997 report to the diocesean review board, Carla Brennan, M.Ed., said Dunn had come to her in early October 1996 extremely agitated, confused and distraught [with] major symptoms of anxiety and depression. She was disillusioned, feeling hopelessness and despair and had lost her spiritual faith. Brennans memo, a copy of which Dunn provided to The Republican, includes Dunns statement that her sexual contact with Savage arose from a counseling relationship. She revealed to him, within the assumed safety of the spiritual counseling session, her deepest insecurities, her wounds, her most private desires and needs and he used that knowledge to take advantage of her vulnerability and initiate inappropriate contact to satisfy his emotional and sexual needs, Brennan wrote. Diocese: Case doesnt qualify Though its review board concluded in 1997 that Dunn had been the target of sexual exploitation, the diocese maintains she does not qualify as a vulnerable adult. At no point, neither when the complaint was first received nor during subsequent reviews, was the individual deemed a vulnerable adult based on civil or canon law, said Carolee McGrath, the dioceses media relations manager. When asked by The Republican how that could be, given the review boards finding of sexual exploitation, a spokeswoman cited Catholic moral teaching that uses a narrow definition. Sexual exploitation covers any sexual conduct outside of marriage, which is a sacrament, McGrath said in a follow-up statement. This year, Pope Francis approved church law that has led to competing definitions of vulnerable adult. Here in Massachusetts, Cardinal Sean OMalley of Boston has long advocated for an expansion of the definition of vulnerability. In November 2018, he told a conference of U.S. bishops that we need to extend [the definition] to adults who can be the victims of abuse of power. This years Vos estis letter from the pope defines a vulnerable adult as any person in a state of infirmity, physical or mental deficiency, or deprivation of personal liberty which, in fact, even occasionally, limits their ability to understand or to want or otherwise resist the offense. It falls to bishops to interpret and apply that definition. The Springfield diocese says a committee is reviewing policies related to adult survivors of abuse. When they complete their work, updates with any new information or policies will be made to the website, McGrath said. Knudsen, Dunns Northampton therapist, notes that her client had been hospitalized before meeting Savage and was not in a healthy state of mind. She was highly distraught about her sexuality and went to the priest with that in mind, looking for a counseling referral, Knudsen said, and was in a state that left her unlikely to resist the offense. There is a power dynamic between a client and therapist which makes the client particularly vulnerable, she said, speaking in general of the counseling field. This was a powerful adult and a representative of the church. She was a lesbian woman in great conflict about her sexuality. This made her vulnerable. Like the diocese, Savage dismisses the idea that Dunn was a vulnerable adult. While Savage declined to be interviewed on the record about his relationship with Dunn, he met for two hours with a reporter for The Republican at a Starbucks in Westfield and spoke with pride of his years of work on behalf of Catholics in Western Massachusetts. In response to written questions, Savage provided a short statement: To my great regret, I entered into an inappropriate consensual relationship with a 35-year-old woman who was never in pastoral counseling with me almost three decades ago. Since that time, I have been held appropriately accountable, always maintained proper boundaries, and note that the new vulnerable person standard is not retroactive, he wrote. Even if it was, this situation would not meet that standard. Expressed remorse A year ago this week, Savage met with Dunn at her therapists Northampton office and expressed remorse over his behavior in the 1990s. It wasnt his first apology. In a letter to Dunn on Oct. 16, 1996, he had taken responsibility; she kept that letter and shared it while recounting her story. In a small, cursive hand, Savage wrote that he had become more aware of the irreparable damage that I have done to you since November 95. I am sorry and ashamed of the way I have treated you. The bottom line is that I have messed up your life, which means I must pay a heavy price for this indignation. The Rev. Warren Savage, of Holy Family Church in Springfield, speaks in 2000 about AIDS at a breakfast event at the Springfield's Boys' Club.The Republican The Republican spoke with three people familiar with Savages ministry today. All said that regardless of what happened in the 1990s, Savage is an exemplary priest worthy of public trust. He made a mistake and took the consequences, said Sister Mary McGeer, who has known Savage for more than 40 years. No ones perfect. This man has spent his whole life doing good for everyone. Hes always come through. A Westfield parishioner wrote the Most Rev. William D. Byrne in 2021 to praise Savages current work at Westfield State Universitys interfaith center, where he hears confessions and presides over a Sunday Mass. He is on the front line, an army of one, who is doing Gods work, wrote Jack Kurty. One conversation, one phone call, one smile at a time. I have never seen a better example of the advice that we should practice what we preach. Nancy Sterling, a spokeswoman for the Westfield State University Foundation, said officials learned of Savages history in 2021, after hed been on the campus for seven years. The foundation provides a stipend to Savage for his work at the interfaith center. A detailed review of the matter was conducted, Sterling said. It found Savage had complied with steps for his return to ministry, including required counseling. Father Savage poses no threat whatsoever and is an asset to our campus ministry. The diocese notes that Savage admitted his wrongdoing and followed all the steps required by the Misconduct Commissions report. That has included ongoing therapy and counseling. Since then, no other complaints were brought forward. This was also verified by the Diocesan Review Board when they were presented [with] the case in 2022, McGrath said, in response to questions. It was determined that he had fully complied with everything requested of him and that over the years he has provided valuable priestly ministry with no additional complaints of inappropriate behavior, McGrath said. Clearly, there is deep hurt that remains. The diocese reached a financial settlement with Dunn on May 31, 2022. Of the total sum, the settlement specifies that a portion was allocated as compensation to Ms. Dunn for personal physical injuries, and emotional distress and anguish resulting from such physical injuries that Ms. Dunn alleges she suffered on account of Fr. Savages sexually assaultive acts . Important step Advocates for victims of clergy misconduct, even within the Catholic church, are pressing nationally for a wider understanding of harm, arguing that the needs of adults who endured inappropriate sexual conduct with clergy deserve to be addressed. This is a very important step in the right direction, said the Rev. Thomas V. Berg, a Catholic moral theologian at Saint Josephs Seminary and College in Yonkers, New York, who has written extensively on the issue. Berg believes decades of revelations about the clergy abuse of children has created a sense of fatigue and the perception that priestly misconduct with adults is a lesser offense. Beyond that, he and others say the high moral regard accorded to priests overrides any sense of equality between a priest and a parishioner who have sexual contact. Its much more manipulative and it has much more of the nature of an abuse of power, Berg said. The difficult position is that priests who are sexually active normally will be exceedingly good at covering their steps and keeping this secret and probably manipulating their adult victims into keeping this quiet. In a recent article co-authored with Timothy G. Lock and Justin M. Anderson, Berg explored internal church debate in recent years over the meaning of vulnerable adult and who it covers, noting the pull, for some, of a narrow definition of mentally disabled people. That persists even with this years Vos estis letter, Berg and his co-authors wrote in the essay, Fully Equipped for Every Good Work, published by the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame University. Most advocates for adult victims of abuse have urged Church authorities to adopt a broader definition of vulnerable adult that reflects the dynamic by which predator priests gain leverage from the power differential existing between themselves and their adult victims to groom and manipulate them, the essay says. A new paragraph now added to canon 1395 recognizes this dynamic, referring to it as an abuse of authority and identifying it as a canonical crime in the context of sexual abuse. Stephen E. de Weger, a scholar at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia, who studies clergy abuse, believes this years revision to what constitutes a vulnerable adult falls short, leaving Catholic leaders discretion not to act. His dissertation research found that people in power in the Catholic church tend not to believe accounts by adult survivors. Unless they came under the very narrow strictures of the Vaticans definition of vulnerable adult, he told The Republican, the go-to choice of response is dismissal of the complaint. In a presentation last year at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Canada, de Weger said the new definitions have some value, but are strangely vague. I am left wondering, why do such vagaries for such important documents, and for such a serious issue, still exist? he asked his audience. Is the church actually trying to avoid clarity, and if so, why? Catholics seek change Catholics across the country are pushing for change. Since 2019, members of AwakeMilwaukee have been meeting to raise awareness about sexual abuse in the church and to find solutions and bring about healing. Sara Larson, the nonprofits executive director, says the Catholic church in the U.S. must make a stronger commitment to protecting adults from clergy misconduct, guided by the Vaticans action. Individual dioceses have been slow to embrace this understanding and implement the necessary changes, she said. Part of the problem, Larson said, is public ignorance about the risks that adults who are active in their faith can face, including grooming and what she termed the power differentials [that] can make true consent impossible. Often, adults who speak up are blamed and their abusers never face consequences. I speak every day to survivors who are deeply traumatized by not only their abuse, but also the callous response they have received from church leaders in the aftermath of that abuse, Larson said. Berg said the public is often not receptive to accounts of misconduct that targeted adults. Fatigue is absolutely real. People dont want to hear this news. There is a default in the minds of people that you knew what you were doing and could have kept your clothes on. Question of consent The diocese says today the sexual relationship between Savage and Dunn while inappropriate and a violation of the vows he took as a priest was consensual. That is the same position that a former bishop, the Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell, took in a 2005 letter to Dunn, after she asked that year about consequences Savage faced. McDonnell told Dunn he reviewed her statements to the Misconduct Commission. There was a follow-up that was appropriate for a situation involving two consenting adults, as was the case here. It was very much different from a situation with an adult and a child, as I know you understand. Berg, the priest at Saint Josephs Seminary and College, rejects the idea that a parishioner brought into a sexual relationship with a cleric can be said to have freely offered consent. Thats preposterous, he said. Berg grants that there can be consensual sex between a priest and an individual who is not a parishioner, depending on the circumstances, even though that violates the vow of celibacy. In reality, far too many of these relationships are manipulative and the perpetrator uses the power differential in that relationship to gain sexual access, he said. Berg questions the Springfield dioceses decision to pay a settlement to Dunn, given its stance. You dont settle in the case of a consensual relationship, he said. This is what I find problematic. He also disputes the dioceses definition of sexual exploitation as any contact outside marriage. If [the review board] deemed the relationship exploitative, that means a power differential was in play. That lies at the heart of sexual abuse of any kind, which in the opinion of many of us renders a woman vulnerable, Berg said. So the conjunction of consensual but exploitative is highly questionable. Today, the diocese continues to describe the relationship as consensual. It says Savage admitted to behaving inappropriately and that the priests behavior, and fitness for the ministry, has been monitored through decades of outpatient counseling. The more they told me I was a consenting adult, the more pissed I got, Dunn said. de Weger, the scholar in Brisbane, Australia, calls the issue of consent a moot point. Priests are religious professionals, having the double whammy of power, religious and professional, two spiritually and socially pedestaled elements of such men, he said after being briefed on Dunns case. It is very easy for such powerful men to groom, bamboozle, seduce the other person into what they then think might be consent. Mature consent is not just giving in to such pressure, it is consciously saying yes with an equal person under no pressure or confusion, de Weger said. Anyway, it doesnt really matter in the end. The priest should not be having sex with his children, his parishioners, his clients, full stop. Most people dont get this and for some reason some even seem happy enough to let the priest off the hook because theyre lonely or something. But if they were doctors or lawyers, he notes, theyd be fired. Church everything to me Dorothy Small, a lifelong Catholic who lives in Woodland, California, sued a Sacramento County diocese in 2017 after having twice reported that a priest groomed her for sex. Small received a $200,000 settlement in 2019. Now in her late 60s, she has left the church, she said in a phone interview. The Catholic Church was everything to me. They teach you that the priest is the mediator between man and God. They are seen as Christ personified, she said. He represents Jesus Christ. There is no higher power. Youre actually more vulnerable to a priest than you would be to an actual therapist. You hold nothing back. Dorothy Small, poses for a portrait in her hot tub in the backyard of her home in Woodland, Calif., in 2019. (AP Photo / Wong Maye-E)AP Small was 60 when she says a priest visiting her home engaged her in sex. Consent can only be had between two people of equal power, she said. Submission is not consent. Theyre in your head. Theyve got you. Youre not in your rational mind. What was most important was that I retain my voice, Small said. You learn to walk to your own truth. Its worth making a stink out of it thats what it takes. If we dont say anything, were complicit to evil that continues to be perpetrated. " Dunn says shes learned that lesson. It has not been easy to speak up or tell my truth, she said. I was very alone in this process for years, with the exception of my therapist. This fall, Dunn joined a program for adult survivors run by the group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. After receiving training, she plans to create a new support group in western Massachusetts. Ever since I got involved in this, I became aware of how other victims have been treated. Im appalled, she said. This will be my new life mission. Facing ongoing pressure and backlash for her comments on campus antisemitism, University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned on Saturday, according to published reports. It has been my privilege to serve as President of this remarkable institution, Magill said in a statement, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, which first reported the story. It has been an honor to work with our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members to advance Penns vital message. Magill voluntarily stepped down from her post, after serving less than two years on the job, the newspaper reported. She had faced scrutiny from members of Congress from her home state and criticism by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish. I write to share that President Liz Magill has voluntarily tendered her resignation as President of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Board of Trustees Chair Scott Bok said in an email to university alumni, according to The Hill, a publication that covers Congress. She will remain a tenured faculty member at Penn Carey Law. On behalf of the entire Penn community, I want to thank President Magill for her service to the University as President and wish her well, Bok said, according to The Hill. Magill, along with Harvard University President Claudine Gay, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Dr. Sally Kornbluth, made national headlines after an appearance earlier this week before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce. During that appearance, Magill were she was unable to say under repeated questioning that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the schools conduct policy, according to the Associated Press. Magills departure came in the wake of a letter, signed by 71 Republican and three Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. House calling for the immediate dismissal of the three university administrators. The letters were sent to leadership at their respective institutions, MassLive previously reported. The House lawmakers argued the university presidents were evasive and dismissive in their responses to questions about whether calling for the genocide of Jewish people violates school policies on bullying or harassment. The letter was sent to the three universities on Friday following the university presidents testimonies in a hearing before the House Committee on Education on Tuesday. The letter also comes as the war between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas continues to escalate. On Oct. 7, Hamas launched an unprecedented terrorist attack on Israel, killing 1,200 Israeli civilians and hundreds more taken hostage, The New York Times reported. Colleges and universities in the United States and elsewhere in the world have been hotbeds for protests, and Harvard and MIT have been in the spotlight in particular for demonstrations and antisemitism on their campuses. Harvard has been the subject of controversy after a statement signed by dozens of student organizations in support of the Palestinian people put the blame for Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7 squarely on Israel. In their testimony before Congress on Tuesday, Gay of Harvard, and Kornbluth of MIT, condemned Hamas attacks on Israel, defended their campuses responses to antisemitism, and discussed their commitment to free speech while also working to protect students and faculty. Most of the questions from congressional Republicans during the hearing centered on antisemitism. However, the Harvard president also spoke about issues regarding Islamophobia that have arisen on campus, noting she knows members of Harvards Muslim and Arab communities are also hurting. Along with calling for the administrators dismissal, the congressional members letter also demands the universities leadership provide an actionable plan to ensure that Jewish and Israeli students, teachers, and faculty are safe. Jewish students should have found comfort on their campuses. Instead, many Jewish and Israeli students have faced an increasingly hostile educational environment, in the form of targeted harassment, protesters calling for the elimination of the Jewish state, and even acts of violence, the letter reads. According to a recent survey by ADL and Hillel International, 73% of Jewish college students surveyed have experienced or witnessed some form of antisemitism on campus since the beginning of the school year. This is unacceptable. Antisemitism has been allowed to fester on campuses for years, and in the wake of the October 7 attack, the world is witnessing the consequences, lawmakers added. From November 1-3, fintech stakeholders from around Africa and the globe converged in Lusaka, Zambia, for the 10th edition of the Africa Fintech Summit. Historically, AFTS has been the go-to platform for fintech startups, banks, corporations, telcos, government agencies, venture capital firms, and other industry players to engage in thoughtful ecosystem-building conversations, share knowledge, explore partnership opportunities and mobilize investments. AFTSLusaka2023 was no different. The summit, which had Flutterwave as its headline sponsor, kicked off on a light-hearted note with a poolside VIP Dinner on November 1 at Ciela Resort. The Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Zambia, Linnisa Wahid, delivered a welcome address where she emphasized how digital transformation is fostering financial inclusion and sustainable economic development in Zambia. On day two of the event, the conference center at Ciela Resort welcomed 625 in-person delegates from over 45 countries, while more than 1,000 other participants tuned in from across the continent, with most being university students sponsored to take part by Twitter founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey. Quickly, Hon. Felix Mutati, Zambias Minister of Technology & Science set the tone of the event with an impassioned keynote. In his address, the minister touched on everything from Zambias digital transformation strategy to fintechs role in advancing it and the need for Africa to leverage digital transformation for economic development. He would later go on to announce Zambias plans to launch a smartphone manufacturing plant in 2024 to foster digital access. Three other keynote addresses from representatives of the Bank of Zambia, USAID Zambia, and the US Embassy in Lusaka were interspersed by 13 panel discussions on key fintech and fintech-related topics. Over 80 speakers ranging from founders and investors to bankers and regulators delved into themes such as Leveraging AI in fintech, Fintech in Every Industry, Embedded Fintech, Investing in Fintech Amidst a Global Investment Slowdown and more. Two workshops tagged Lessons learned from enabling fintech payment solutions across Africa, and An ecosystem approach for cross-border payments in and out of Africa, hosted by MDP and Multigate, respectively, also formed parts of the expert-led discussions on the agenda. In-between sessions, attendees had lunch and coffee breaks that doubled as networking sessions. These breaks also offered delegates the opportunity to engage with local and pan-African startups, banks and other organizations at their stands. The main event concluded with the first-ever live episode of the African Pre-seed Podcast titled Is Fintech the One True Ecosystem Vertical? The speakers were host Hope Ditlhakanyane, former Visa Executive and Scale founder Miranda Perumal, Flourish VC Principal Efayomi Carr and Founder and Chairman of Blockchain Association of Kenya (BAK), and Michael Kimani. Attendees then unwound and further connect during a happy hour sponsored by Aella. Two major items were on the agenda for the final day, November 3: a tour of the Zambian tech ecosystem and the annual AlphaExpo Pitch Competition. The ecosystem tour saw delegates make stops at PremierCredit, Paratus Zambia, Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Absa Zambia, where they interacted with the respective teams. Later that evening, attendees then converged again at Ciela resort to watch 15 African startups pitch to a panel of judges during the AlphaExpo Pitch Competition. AlphaExpo is a sector-agnostic initiative from the Africa Fintech Summit, that enables startups to showcase their solutions free of charge at the Africa Fintech Summit and pitch to win growth-enabling prizes and connect with investors. The competition boasts alumni such as YellowCard, Piggyvest, Marketforce and others startups that have gone on to raise over $200 million in funding. Sponsored by USAID, this years AlphaExpo saw an opening address by Robin Sharma, USAID Zambias Deputy Mission Director and had seven startups from Zambia, two from Nigeria, three from Kenya, one from South Africa, one from Namibia, and one from Uganda. Zambias Save and Remit won the competition, while Nigerias Trade Lenda and Ugandas aXiom Zorn finished second and third, respectively. With such a diverse lineup of ecosystem-building engagements, it was no surprise that attendees generally thought the summit delivered on its promises and were quick to share their experiences alongside photos and videos from the event. The AFTS team was quick to point out the role that sponsors and partners such as Flutterwave, Chipper Cash, MDP, Ecobank, Cellulant, Paystack, PremierCredit, TechCabal and others played in making the Lusaka event a success. To support the scaling of climate finance in Mauritius, Proparco and DEG announced a new partnership with The Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd (MCB) to support the bank in expanding its climate finance offering in Mauritius and Sub-Saharan Africa. Proparco and DEG will provide MCB with a loan of up to USD120 million to support the bank in its ambition to unlock further opportunities to finance climate mitigation, adaptation and climate resilient measures. This new investment continues the success of the AFD Groups SUNREF lending programme, which has been active in Mauritius since 2009. This transaction also marks the fourth joint operation between Proparco, DEG and MCB, which is testimony to the long-standing relationship between these institutions. The largest bank in Mauritius, and growing regional player, MCB has notably embarked on an ambitious sustainability and climate journey over the last few years. This journey includes the development of a dedicated governance structure to improve sustainable outcomes, and a transition workforce to mainstream climate-risk analysis and reinforce the banks sustainable and climate financing offer for local, regional and international players in Mauritius and Africa. A key focus for MCB is to grow its presence in the energy and infrastructure sectors, guided by its approach to responsibly finance affordable energy while helping economies transition to cleaner solutions. This new investment by Proparco and DEG (USD 60 million each) is testament to the trust placed on MCB, and its active role in supporting Mauritius and the African continents transition to low-carbon, resource-efficient and climate-resilient economies. Furthermore, MCB remains strongly committed to advancing gender equality and workplace diversity. With more than 50% of employees being women, and demonstrated commitment to improve women representation at middle and senior management, this project will qualify for the 2X challenge initiative. SUNREF is the Green finance programme of the AFD Group, which provides solutions to promote the renewable energy and environmental transition of private players. Since 2009, AFD has been supporting Mauritius in its transition to a green and climate-resilient economy, notably through three successive SUNREF programmes, with total credit commitments of over EUR 175 million. Alain Law Min, Chief Executive Officer, MCB Ltd: MCB and AFD Group have a long standing relationship since 2009 through MCBs active participation in the successive SUNREF lines I, II and III, and important lines of credit from Proparco alongside DEG. The first one, amounting to EUR75m was provided to MCB in 2011 and was repaid in October 2019, followed by another USD150m in 2018 which will be fully repaid in October 2030, a third line of credit of USD65m negotiated during the pandemic in 2020 and has been fully repaid in November 2023. Today, this facility of USD120m with a tenor of 10 years consolidates our relationship further. This line of credit will finance climate projects in Mauritius, in the Sub-Saharan and Indian Ocean regions, in line with our sustainable development agenda and Success Beyond Numbers strategy. Our partnership with AFD Group is anchored on the alignment of our respective strategies, notably since the AFD Group is an active proponent in Mauritius and in the region, for the promotion of sustainable development, mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, preservation of biodiversity and gender equality. The successful closing of this facility reflects the confidence placed by Proparco and DEG in MCBs strategy, its investment grade ratings and its growth potential. Steven Gardon, Regional Director Southern Africa and Indian Ocean at Proparco welcomed the signature of the agreement saying that Proparco is pleased to be renewing its partnership with MCB, and specifically supporting the Bank in its climate journey. This project is fully aligned with AFD Groups ambitious climate strategy, and further illustrates Proparcos strong commitment to Mauritius and the region. Michael Fischer, Director Financial Institutions Africa at DEG is very happy to continue this important partnership with MCB as a leading financial institution in Mauritius and Sub-Saharan Africa: This Climate Facility will be an important contribution to Mauritius in achieving its goals towards climate neutrality and is perfectly aligned with DEGs climate and impact strategy. The project is expected contribute to the following Sustainable Development Goals SDG 5 (achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls), SDG 7 (Clean and Affordable Energy), SDG 8 (Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). KUWAIT CITY, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah expressed on Saturday his country's deep regret over the use of the veto in the United Nations Security Council against a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the rescue of the deteriorating humanitarian situation. In the United Nations Security Council session on Friday, a resolution calling for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip", which was proposed by the United Arab Emirates and widely supported internationally, failed to pass. Among the 15 Security Council member states, 13 voted in favor of the resolution, Britain abstained, and the United States used its veto. Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah emphasized that "a ceasefire and the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip are urgent humanitarian demands that must be achieved as soon as possible," pointing out that he fears "failure to pass the resolution will be considered a new license for the occupying forces to continue their killings, destruction, and displacement of the Palestinian people." The minister also expressed serious concern about the Security Council's failure to respond to the warning from the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to invoke Article 99 of the UN Charter. Through this article, the Secretary-General drew the attention of the Council to the fact that what is happening threatens humanitarian order and the collapse of international peace and security. Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah reiterated his firm position, calling for continued political and diplomatic efforts to meet the humanitarian needs of Palestinian civilians. Israel has been launching massive airstrikes and a ground offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel that killed around 1,200 and in which over 200 were taken hostage. On Tuesday evening, the Hamas-run government media office in Gaza said that the Palestinian death toll had risen to 16,248 as a result of Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip. In Stephen Spielbergs 2005 film Munich, a team of Mossad assassins is sent to Europe to exact revenge for the 1972 Munich Olympic massacre, in which gunmen from the Palestinian Black September group murdered 11 members of Israels Olympic team. One by one, using explosives, pistols and poison, the Israeli operatives kill the Palestinian officials allegedly responsible for planning the Olympic massacre. In the end, however, there is no closure; the dead on both sides simply are added to the grim human toll of the intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The same futile drama is playing out again. As Israels ground war in Hamas-run Gaza enters its second month, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the countrys intelligence services to launch a parallel assassination campaign targeting Hamas leaders wherever in the world they can be found. The cabinet has set us a goal. . . to eliminate Hamas, Ronen Bar, the head of Shin Bet, Israels domestic security agency, announced in a recording aired this past Sunday on Kan, Israels state-run broadcaster. This is our Munich. We will do this everywhere in Gaza, in the West Bank, in Lebanon, in Turkey, in Qatar. It will take a few years, but we will be there to do it. Netanyahu, under heavy criticism for failing to prevent Hamas Oct. 7 massacre of more than 1,200 people and its seizure of 240 hostages, apparently believes that in addition to ground war in Gaza, the targeted killings of Hamas leaders will help him fulfill his vow to annihilate the Palestinian terror group once and for all and salvage his battered legacy. If history is any guide, all Netanyahu will achieve is an increase in the body count on both sides of the conflict. Ever since Israel was founded in 1948, most Israeli leaders have triedand failedto extinguish the idea of Palestinian nationalism. It was Prime Minister Golda Meir who famously declared in 1976, There is no Palestinian people. In 1982, Prime Minister Menachem Begin gave his defense minister, Ariel Sharon, a green light to invade Lebanon in order to destroy the Palestine Liberation Organization and thereby strengthen Israels control over the West Bank. Nearly 18,000 Palestinians, Lebanese and Syrians died in that war, according to Lebanons independent An Nahar newspaper, the most respected news outlet in the Arab World. Though bloodied, the PLO survived by decamping to Tunis. The Israelis not only failed to destroy the PLO; their invasion spawned the birth of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite militia which allied itself with the Palestinian cause. Over the next 18 years, Hezbollah fighters killed hundreds of Israeli occupation troops, eventually forcing them to withdraw from Lebanon in 2000. In 2006, after a deadly Hezbollah raid across Israels northern border, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert went to war determined to destroy the group. That war claimed another 1,300 Lebanese and 165 Israelis lives. But Hezbollah lives on today, firing missiles into northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas. It remains to be seen how successful Netanyahu will be in decapitating Hamas, the radical Islamists who appear to have co opted Palestinians long yearning to be free of Israeli domination. Israel claims to have killed several thousand Hamas fighters in its Gaza operation so far, including five of the groups mid-level commanders. They say theyre also closing in on Yahya Sinwar, the groups top leader in Gaza, who is believed to be hiding in a tunnel somewhere under the southern Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the top Hamas political leaders, led by Ismail Haniyeh, are based in Qatars capital, Doha, where theyre surrounded by an inner circle of Hamas security personnel trained by Irans Quds Force and an outer perimeter of armed Qatari guards, Israeli sources say. And both Hamas and Qatari intelligence operatives will be closely watching the tiny Persian Gulf emirates airports, harbors and coastline for infiltrating Mossad assassins. Similar security precautions surround Hamas representatives in Turkey and Lebanon. Even if it succeeds in penetrating the groups security rings, Israel will not be free of Hamas, close observers say. It's a big leap, going fromwhere they're less of a threat to you, to absolute eradication, CIA ops veteran Douglas London said on the SpyTalk podcast last week. Andas long as it has popular support within the Palestinian territoriesand it certainly doesas long as it has external support materially and financially from the likes of Iran, it might be too ambitious and it might be setting your expectations such that you're doomed to fail no matter how far you get along. I think we have reached a moment when the Israeli authorities will have to define more clearly what their final objective is, French President Emmanuel Macron said at the United Nations COP28 Climate Change conference in Dubai last Saturday. The total destruction of Hamas? Does anybody think thats possible? If its that, the war will last ten years. To be sure, Israels war in Gaza is weakening Hamas, as will any successful assassinations of its leaders. But the history of this conflict teaches us that new leaders always will emerge to carry on the Palestinian struggle. And theyre likely to be more radical than their predecessors. Hits and Misses Netanyahu's record when it comes to targeted assassinations has been one of limited tactical successes, followed by strategic failure. During his 14 years as prime minister, Netanyahu has ordered the Mossad to carry out a campaign of sabotage against Iranian nuclear facilities and missile factories, as well as targeted assassinations that have killed five Iranian nuclear scientists and wounded one other. These attacks, all aimed at preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon, have slowed down the nuclear program, but they have never persuaded the Iranians to abandon it. And today, thanks to Netanyahus success in convincing President Donald Trump to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran today is widely regarded as a nuclear threshold state, meaning that if it chooses, it can produce enough bomb-grade nuclear fuel to develop a nuclear weapon in a short amount of time. Years ago, Netanyahu also spectacularly mismanaged the fallout of a botched assassination attempt in Jordan against a Hamas leader, resulting in damage to Israel that continues to this day. In 1997, he sent a team of Mossad assassins posing as Canadian tourists to Amman, Jordan to kill Khaled Meshal, chairman of Hamas politburo. As Mashal entered his office there, two Mossad agents came up behind him, sprayed a powerful poison into his ear, and fled. Mashals Jordanian bodyguards managed to chase down and capture the assailants. Meanwhile, Mashal began vomiting and was rushed to a hospital. As his condition deteriorated, doctors determined he had been poisoned. An angry King Hussein, fearing Mashals death would spark riots by Jordans majority Palestinian population, contacted Netanyahu, demanding an antidote to the poison. Netanyahu refused. As Mashal fell into a coma, the Jordanian monarch threatened to abrogate Jordans 1994 peace treaty with Israel if the Hamas leader died. At that point, President Bill Clinton weighed in and forced Netanyahu to turn over the antidote, which saved Mashals life. But Hussein made the repatriation of the Mossads would-be assassins conditional on Israels release from prison of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the quadriplegic Gaza imam who had founded Hamas and who was serving a life sentence for ordering the killings of Palestinian collaborators. Netanyahu complied, setting Yassin free. The entire episode, from the botched Mashal assassination attempt to Yassins release, proved highly embarrassing for Netanyahu and the Mossad. But the story doesnt end there. During the second intifada in 2004, Yassin ordered a series of Hamas suicide bombings that killed scores of Israeli civilians, marking the 67-year-old cleric for assassination. As Yassins two bodyguards wheeled him out of a Gaza mosque after morning prayers, an Israeli AH-60 Apache helicopter fired a Hellfire missile, instantly killing them all, as well as nine bystanders. In his monumental 2018 book, Rise And Kill First: The Secret History of Israels Targeted Assassinations, author and New York Times correspondent Ronen Bergman notes that Yassins assassination led to a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. But more importantly, Bergman adds, the killings also paved the way for Iran, Israel's most dangerous enemy, to become Hamas principal financier, arms supplier and military trainer. Yassin strongly opposed any cooperation or ties with Iran, and he imposed his view on the organization, Bergman wrote. His assassination effectively removed all of the restrictions he had placed on relations with Iran. After Yassins death, the leadership of Hamas shifted from Gaza to the then-Damascus-based Mashal, who informed Tehran that Hamas was now ready to receive any and all assistance from them, Bergman wrote, adding: The Iranians began to send missile parts to the Gaza Strip in an effort to increase the range and lethality of the organizations arsenal. Instructors from the Revolutionary Guard came to Gaza as well. Israeli analysts attribute the horrifying success of Hamas Oct. 7 attack to a combination of the training and weapons its fighters received from Iran and the failure of many Israeli security officials to take seriously Hamas military prowess. These analysts also cite Netanyahus divide-and-rule policy, which undermined the powers of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank despite its support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At the same time, Netanyahu allowed millions of dollars in Qatari aid to flow into Gaza, relieving Israel, the enclaves de facto occupying power, of a major financial burden. In his dealings with the United States, Western Europe and moderate Arab countries, Netanyahu cynically blamed a powerless and corrupt Palestinian Authority that couldnt deliver on any peace agreement, and an irredentist Hamas committed to Israels destruction, for the absence of any peace process, arguing Israel had no credible Palestinian partner for peace. Meanwhile, his ultra-right-wing government moved ahead with the expansion of Jewish settlements and confiscations of Palestinian lands in its de facto annexation of the West Bank. And the so-called Abraham Accords, the peace treaties Israel had signed in 2020 with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan, convinced Netanyahu he was right that peace with the wider Arab world was possible without a settlement of the Palestinian conflict. That turned out to be a profound miscalculation. Now that Hamas Oct. 7 attack has taught Israel the enormous costs of that political fantasy, Netanyahu faces a crippling credibility gap as he tries to use the war against Hamas to deflect attention from his policy blunders and save his political career. But recent polls and Netanyahus sour encounters with the Israeli public suggest he faces what appears to be insurmountable opposition. In a tense meeting with Netanyahu and members of his war cabinet on Tuesday, a group of Israeli hostages who were released in a prisoner swap with Hamas last week, plus relatives of the 138 hostages still being held in Gaza, accused the prime minister of prioritizing his political survival over efforts to win the release of the remaining hostages. Netanyahu defended the government's efforts, insisting, What Im saying are clear facts. Im telling you things; I respect you too much. I have heard you, the stirring of your hearts, the Times of Israel reported him saying. Still, some relatives of the hostages accused Netanyahu of lying and screamed at him to resign. Public opinion surveys show that sentiment extends far beyond the former hostages and relatives of those still being held in Gaza. A recent poll by researchers at Israels Bar-Ilan University showed that fewer than 4 percent of Israelis trust Netanayhu as the most reliable source of information regarding the war against Hamas. In a poll by Israels Channel 13 published late last month, three quarters of Israelis said they want Netanyahu to resign sometime during the war or after it. Nearly 30 percent would like him to step down right now. In a separate poll from mid-October by A-Chord, a social psychology institute affiliated with Hebrew University, nearly six-in-ten voters from his own Likud party want him to resign. Loose Lips The methods used by Mossad and Shin Bet, such as targeted killings, are normally classified and not a subject that officials discuss publicly. So Bars announcement of a global assassination campaign against Hamas leaders underscores just how desperate Netanyahu is to stay in office. In addition to what many Israelis believe will be an official inquiry into his governments failure to prevent Hamass Oct. 7 attack, Netahyanhu also is facing three corruption charges. If convicted, he could spend years behind bars. Remaining in office is the only sure way he can stay out of prison. Meanwhile, Netanyahus relations with President Joe Biden are beginning to fray over the Biden administrations growing criticism of the enormous civilian casualty toll and physical damage that Israels retaliatory bombing and ground invasion of Gaza have caused. On Wednesday, Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry said that 16,248 Gazans, the majority of them women and children, have been killed and another 42,000 have been wounded so far. Video from independent Western news media show entire neighborhoods in Gaza City and its urbanized surroundings in the northern Gaza Strip reduced to rubble. As Israeli forces now battle Hamas fighters in the southern Gaza Strip, Biden has told Netanyahu in phone conversations that Israel cannot operate as brutally in the south as it has in the north, where its offensive has spawned a humanitarian disaster and generated rising tide of accusations, not just in the Arab world but abroad, that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians. These officials said the Israeli leader was receptive to Bidens concerns. But Netanyahu has reneged on any assurances of throttling back the ground war. Reports Wednesday from Khan Younis, the largest city in the southern Gaza Strip, told of relentless Israeli airstrikes and artillery bombardments as ground troops engaged in fierce house-to-house combat with Hamas fighters. Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry said Thursday that 350 people had been killed there in the past 24 hours. At a news conference on Tuesday, Netanyahu shifted his narrative to placate his domestic critics, saying Israels intense bombardment of Gaza was aimed at winning the release of the remaining hostages. "The only way to bring home the rest of the hostages is through massive military force in Gaza, and thats what we are doing," he asserted. Then, clearly worried about losing U.S. support for the Israeli war effort, Netanyahu added this Orwellian twist: "I say to our friends who call for a short war, the only way for the war to end quickly is by applying sheer force. So I say stand with us. Stand with Israel. Stand with civilization. This article by Jonathan Broder originally appeared on Spytalk.co. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code The Rays and right-hander Edwin Uceta have agreed to a minor league deal, per reporter Francys Romero. Romero adds that the deal includes an invite to Spring Training. Uceta first signed with the Dodgers out of the Dominican Republic back in 2016, and after climbing the organizational ladder eventually made his big league debut in 2021. Across 20 1/3 innings of work, Uceta struck out an impressive 27.2% of batters faced but struggled with his control, walking 13%. Those control issues combined with an unusually low 48.5% strand rate left Uceta with a 6.64 ERA despite a decent 4.40 FIP. That led the Dodgers to designate Uceta for assignment the following offseason, at which point he was picked up by the Diamondbacks. Ucetas time in Arizona was largely more of the same. While he got is control issues somewhat under control and saw his walk rate drop to 9.6%, Uceta struck out just 17.8% of batters faced during his 17 innings in the desert, pitching to a 5.82 ERA and 4.52 FIP while posting a similarly low 52.1% strand rate. The Diamondbacks eventually designated him for assignment themselves in early 2023 to make room for Evan Longoria on the 40-man roster. That set Uceta off on an organizational carousel. Throughout 2023, the right-hander was claimed by the Tigers, Pirates, Mets and Cubs before finally passing through outright waivers successfully in August. Among those four organizations, he only appeared with the Mets in the major leagues, striking out three while walking two and hitting a batter across three scoreless innings. Most recently, Uceta has impressed across six starts in the Dominican Winter League, pitching to a 2.55 ERA across 24 2/3 innings of work. Looking ahead to the 2024 campaign, Uceta will join an organization known for its pitching development successes. With Tampa Bay, Uceta figures to get the chance to pitch his way into a big league bullpen role and establish himself as a major league regular for the first time in his career. Meanwhile, the Rays have the opportunity to work with a player on the periphery of the big leagues who comes with five years of team control, though he figures to be out of options entering the 2024 season, meaning hell need to stick on the clubs active roster if added. The Hiroshima Carp of Japans NPB have signed a pair of hurlers who pitched in the majors this past season. According to Yahoo Japan (Japanese language link), the Carp have agreed to deals with left-hander Taylor Hearn and right-hander Thomas Hatch. The report indicates Hiroshimas agreement with Hearn is worth $900K in total, while Hatchs deal is reportedly worth a total of $1.3MM. Hatch was released by the Pirates late last month and was initially expected to sign with the Nippon-Ham Fighters prior to landing a deal with the Carp. Hearn, on the other hand, elected free agency back in October. Hearn, 29, made his big league debut back in 2019 with the Rangers and spent parts of five seasons in the majors with the club, pitching to a 5.11 ERA and 4.45 FIP during that time. From 2021-22, Hearn occupied a swing role with Texas, pitching both as a member of the starting rotation and out of the bullpen throughout the two campaigns. Those two seasons accounted for a 204 1/3 of Hearns career 229 innings of work for the Rangers and both campaigns saw him post strong numbers out of the bullpen, with ERAs of 3.54 and 3.51 respectively. Unfortunately, that success didnt translate over in his limited time as a full-time reliever during the 2023 season, where he struggled to a 11.40 ERA in 15 innings of work while splitting time between the Rangers, Royals, and Braves organizations. Looking ahead to 2024, Hearn figures to have the opportunity to pitch in a full-time relief role on a regular basis with the Carp. Hatch, 29, has found more big league success during his career than Hearn. A third-round pick by the Cubs in the 2016 draft, Hatch made his big league debut with the Blue Jays during the shortened 2020 season and impressed in his first taste of big league action with a 2.73 ERA in 26 1/3 innings of work. Things came off the rails a bit for Hatch the following two seasons, however, as he pitched just 14 innings in the majors with a 10.93 ERA. He got a more extensive opportunity in the majors in 2023, however, and did reasonably well with it. Across 28 2/3 innings of work with the Blue Jays and Pirates, Hatch posted a solid 4.08 ERA with a strong 52.3% groundball rate and a respectable 20.2% strikeout rate. Those decent results and promising peripherals surely made Hatch an attractive target for Hiroshima, and hell now join Hearn on the Carp pitching staff in 2024. DETROIT, MI -- Evan Nichols is a 5-year-old child who is non-verbal. While Nichols cannot speak, walking up to meet Santa Claus on a late November afternoon in downtown Detroit was important to him. The Santa Claus was Nate Mitchell, a Black man from Detroit, who was giving Nichols an opportunity to see a fantasy character that is typically portrayed as an old white man that looked just like him. Last year was his first time seeing a Black Santa, said his father, Pat Walter, at the Outdoor Adventure Center in downtown Detroit. The representation is important. We have white and Black Santas in our home just to give the idea that you can do whatever you want. Whatever magic that happens, its magic that belongs to you. Mitchell, 67, doesnt look like a typical Santa Claus as he stands greeting children and putting smiles on their faces when they sit on his lap. Along with Mitchell being Black, his Santa suit is full of gold-colored designs. Hes the GQ of Santa Clauses, said Linda Walter, director of the Outdoor Adventure Center. Mitchell spent $1,500 on his Santa suit. You cant step out in something ragged to make an appearance, he said. Mitchell and his wife, Kelly Mitchell, have dressed up as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus for the past three years. The Mitchells were standing inside the Outdoor Adventure Center for a toy drive where new, unwrapped toys and cash are collected for the Sargent Santa toy drive sponsored by the DNR Conservation Officers and the Officers of the Detroit Police Department. The police department then hands out the toys to children around the city. They are very special people and dont need costumes for you to feel it, Linda Walter said. Kelly Mitchell is from Burton, a Flint suburb. The Mitchells first met in Atlanta almost 30 years ago after Kelly Mitchell transferred her job working for TruGreen and both lived in the same apartment complex. They have been together ever since then. As Christmas nears, the Mitchells work full-time dressing up as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. At one of their first jobs in 2020 in Flint, Kelly Mitchell said a Black boy who was always on the fence about believing in Santa met Nate Mitchell for the first time. On his drive home, the boy told his mom he now believes in Santa because he looked like him. That just really touched us, said Kelly Mitchell. A 2021 survey by National Santa shows white people make up 75% of Santas in the US, while Black people account for less than 1%. To Nate Mitchells knowledge, he think hes the only Black Santa in Detroit -- a city that consists of over 75% Black residents. He had one childhood experience with a Black Santa. But it wasnt a pleasant one. The Santa Claus pulled up to his Detroit home in a red Cadillac, walked over his mothers new carpet and dropped off a couple boxes and left. My mother was livid he ruined her carpet, Nate Mitchell said. That was nothing like I think a Santa Claus should do. The Mitchells attended the popular Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, which attracts roughly 300 Mr. and Mrs. Clauses from all over the country. When you think of Santa Claus, you think of white, Kelly Mitchell said. Theres nothing wrong with that. But we need to have an Asian Santa, a Mexican Santa and all of these different races need one. Lessons at the three-day annual workshop, now in its 86th year, include how to talk about the North Pole and the difference between a Santa Claus and a mall Santa. They teach you how to dress and how to approach children, Kelly Mitchell said. Nate Mitchell clearly has mastered the how to dress part. But more importantly, his interactions with children as a Black Santa Claus is second to none. His affectionate smile and laugh bring out the best of children, along with Kelly Mitchells warm holiday greetings. I dont see kids out enjoying themselves and playing like I used to, Nate Mitchell said. When they come up to me and ask what they want for Christmas, they usually want technological stuff. But I want them to develop interest in books, play a game with their friends, things kids should be doing. : DETROIT, MI - A 5-year-old boy is dead after accidentally shooting himself with a gun while unsupervised in his familys apartment, Detroit Police Chief James White said. The incident occurred Saturday around 1:25 p.m. on the 16500 block of Greenfield Road in northwestern Detroit, White told reporters Dec 9. Five children were left unsupervised: a 4-year-old, the 5-year-old, two 7-year-olds and an 8-year-old. The 5-year-old, White said, was playing with a gun left on a dresser. He was jumping up and down on the bed before he accidentally shot himself in the face and died at the scene. Absolutely ridiculous, irresponsible, stupid and unnecessary, and Im sick and tired of it, White said. ... Weve got a baby now that is dead, weeks before Christmas, should be excited about getting Christmas toys, and the parents leave a gun unsupervised. Both parents are in custody, added White, who hopes theyll be charged with everything they can. At the time of the shooting, the chief said, one parent was working on a car and the other was visiting friends. Think about the babies that saw what happened, White said, the trauma that theyve got to deal with, losing a sibling like this, what Christmas will mean to them moving forward. On Sunday, the Detroit Police reminded gun owners on social media to secure and lock up their firearms. Free gun locks are available at precincts. Not locking up a gun when children are in the home will become a specific new crime in February 2024 when a safe storage law that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed this year takes effect. RELATED: Michigan gun laws will change in 2024. Heres how. A person could be guilty of a misdemeanor carrying up to 93 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500 if a minor obtains an improperly stored firearm. The adult could see additional fines and fees if the minor hurts another with the unsafely stored gun. These penalties increase if the minor kills another with the gun. To encourage the purchase of gun safety devices, Whitmer also approved bills amending Michigans sales and use tax to exempt trigger and barrel locks, safes, lock boxes and other items. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), receives an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Geneva, Switzerland, Dec. 6, 2023.(Xinhua/Wang Qibing) by Xinhua writer Wang Qibing GENEVA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Amid the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), commended China's support for upholding international humanitarian law. In a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua, Spoljaric elaborated on the dire situation she witnessed during her visit to southern Gaza last week and called on all parties to the conflict to de-escalate the situation and respect international humanitarian law so that civilian suffering is minimized and avoided. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating, said Spoljaric. "What I saw in Gaza is a devastating humanitarian situation, it is increasingly difficult, if not impossible, for the civilian population to find safety." "There's not enough medicine. There are not enough surgeons to operate and there are not enough operating theaters," she said. "The situation has greatly deteriorated in the last few days and it keeps deteriorating as the current situation persists." Spoljaric highlighted the formidable challenges encountered by humanitarian workers in Gaza, citing insecurity and inadequate access to essential resources like electricity and water as severe impediments to aid operations. "The operational environment in Gaza is extremely complex and difficult. For security reasons, our chances of reaching people who really need help are getting smaller and smaller. But also because it is still difficult for us to move the materials and goods needed for aid to come in," she said. "We need fuel to be delivered to Gaza regularly to run generators, especially in hospitals. Because without electricity, hospitals cannot continue to operate and will collapse," she added. She praised China's role in calling for support and respect for international humanitarian law, describing China's voice in this as very strong and important. "We welcome China's voice in support of respect for international humanitarian law," she said. "This is very important because international humanitarian law was created and adopted to protect civilians in a situation of armed conflict." MECOSTA COUNTY, MI Two people were injured in a crash involving a utility vehicle in Mecosta County Friday evening. Deputies were dispatched to the crash at 5:40 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, on Hayes Road near 85th Avenue in Morton Township, according to a news release from the Mecosta County Sheriffs Office. Police said a 39-year-old woman from Mecosta was driving a Bobcat utility vehicle down the roadway after dark with no lights on, when another vehicle driven by a 28-year-old Mecosta woman didnt see the Bobcat and rear-ended it, according to the release. Both drivers were taken to Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the crash, the release said. The sheriffs office was assisted at the scene by the Morton Township Fire Rescue Department, Mecosta County EMS and MECD. KENT COUNTY, MI As officials try to determine what caused a series of fires to ignite at one Grand Rapids area apartment complex, in one incident, fire crews found a stove that was left on causing food to burn. Multiple fire departments were called Saturday morning, Dec. 9, to the York Creek Apartment complex in Comstock Park for reports of a fire. Crews returned to the scene hours later to battle another blaze, Alpine Township fire officials said. No injuries were reported in any of the fires, however, a 20-stall garage building and some vehicles were damaged. The cause of the fires is still under investigation. RELATED: Firefighters return to battle another blaze at apartment complex near Grand Rapids Firefighters first arrived at the complex, at 3988 Yorkland Drive NW, around 11 a.m. Saturday to find multiple poles and wires down on top of a garage building, with smoke showing. The scene was cleared around 4:30 p.m. That area remains closed off by barricades as of Sunday morning and the public should avoid the area. Fire crews returned to the scene around 5:44 p.m. for a report of smoke in the buildings with alarms going off. Firefighters found smoke conditions were caused by food left on the stove when the power initially went out. When power was briefly restored, the stove was still on, causing the food to burn, officials said. There was no damage to any property. Shortly after 6 p.m., fire crews were again called for a report of a structure fire near the scene of the morning fire. At the scene, firefighters found a heavy fire showing from a three-story apartment building. Initial crews made a rapid attack and were able to knock down the fire. There was substantial water and damage to the structure, officials said. ALSO READ: Crews battle fire at large apartment complex north of Grand Rapids Then, around 6:30 p.m., firefighters received another report of a possible structure fire in the 4100 block of Alpenhorn Drive NW. Fire crews, in this incident, found food left on the stove which was left on from an earlier power outage and burned when power was restored. Today was challenging for crews and residents alike, the Alpine Firefighters Association stated in a post on Facebook. Limited access routes to the scenes caused minor delays in responses, however collaborative response planning and operations led to great teamwork by all involved. In total, 24 residential units total were impacted by the second fire, Craig Clark, spokesperson for York Creek Apartments, told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press on Sunday. The American Red Cross is assisting residents impacted by the fires. Those in need of support can call 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767). Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. KENT COUNTY, MI Hours after a fire tore through the York Creek Apartment complex in Comstock Park firefighters had to return Saturday for a second blaze. Shortly after 6 p.m. Dec. 9, crews from the Alpine Township Fire Department were dispatched to the 4100 block of Alpenhorn Drive for reports of smoke showing in a hallway of a building in the complex, according to Tom Katerberg, an Alpine Township firefighter. Earlier Saturday morning, Alpine Township firefighters battled a large fire at the same complex. Lt. Brian Stalsonburg told MLive/The Grand Rapids Saturday afternoon that the structure fire was mostly out, but there were several downed power lines in the area, including in the building that caught fire. Officials say nobody was injured in Saturdays fires. The earlier fire resulted in the destruction of a 20-stall garage building and some vehicles, according to Craig Clark, spokesperson for York Creek Apartments. Related: Crews battle fire at large apartment complex north of Grand Rapids Alicia Dorr, regional communications manager for the American Red Cross, said their Disaster Action Team returned to the scene for the second fire and is currently assisting residents from 24 units in 1,764-unit complex. She said they did not have the exact number of people at this time. Dorr said they are providing residents blankets and overnight packets with essential needs. She said others in need of support can call 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767). Clark said fire officials shared they believe the second fire began after efforts to cut power to the garage buildings, causing some back channeling of the electricity that ignited a fire in one of the apartments residential units. As of 9 p.m. Saturday, the fire was been extinguished, Clark said. SOUTH HAVEN, MI -- Michiganders can celebrate the holidays in sailor-style with a concert at the Michigan Maritime Museum. The museum, at 260 Dyckman Ave., will be hosting a Holidays at the Heritage Center concert on Dec. 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 pm. Doors for the celebration open at 5:30 p.m. Every day, 1.8 million people from around the world visit a NASA website that doesnt look much newer than its debut in 1995. It has a minimalist layout single-color background, Times New Roman text yet its one of the most popular science communications in the nation. And its fans in Michigan can thank a local: Robert Nemiroff, physics professor at Michigan Technological University. We predate Google, he told MLive in an interview. Before moving to the university in Houghton, on the northwestern tip of the Upper Peninsula, Nemiroff worked at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. The internet was young when he and former Goddard colleague Jerry Bonnell thought up Astronomy Picture of the Day (apod.nasa.gov). For 28 years, Nemiroff and Bonnell have been curating photos and videos to post on the webpage daily at midnight. They can come from amateur photographers, government satellites and anywhere in between. About 1 in 20 submissions makes the cut. This week included a dusty nebula, a flyby of the Moon, and an air shower of cosmic particles hitting an army of telescopes in Utah. I like to say that my favorite one is the next one, Nemiroff said. A photo of stars and dust in the Crab Nebula by the Hubble Space Telescope that was featured on NASA's Picture of the Day website on Dec. 6, 2023. (Credit: NASA)NASA He and Bonnell look for images and think of historic and informative ones to share, but submissions are the bread and butter. The big question when choosing, Nemiroff said: What would a room full of astronomers say is the image of today? Meteor shower, hurricane, Mars, anything. We want the site to be encyclopedic of all the great astronomy images, he said. That means some stunning topical pictures, like on Oct. 16, a photo featured after Octobers solar eclipse over the western U.S. was of an Oregon marriage proposal silhouetted in front of the event. I think they even practiced the day before, Nemiroff said. Then, of course, there was a surprise there. The woman who had helped plan didnt realize there would be an extra question. Each photo fact-checked, of course includes a short paragraph explaining the image, Nemiroff explained, plus plenty of hyperlinks so visitors can do more digging. The website has an archive of every image since the launch. It has grown from 14 views on the first day (and we werent sure why, Nemiroff laughed) to a social media following that includes 1.4 million on X, formerly known as Twitter, nearly 900,000 on Instagram and more than 500,000 on Facebook. The site is also translated into 20 languages by volunteers. More space: 2023s final two meteor showers bring starry sparkle to December nights Its a current yet classic example of science communication making complicated and awe-inspiring concepts accessible to the public in the same vein as Carl Sagan or Neil deGrasse Tyson. In the spirit of public outreach, Nemiroff even released a book this year for the layman science fanatic that explains rule-breaking paradoxes related to the speed of light. The daily photos also help him and his student assistants stay on top of the latest research and have a diverse grasp on the astronomy field beyond their specific subdisciplines. But for many of the nearly 2 million people checking in every day, the Astronomy Picture of the Day has become as routine as a morning cup of coffee, Nemiroff said. Its a reliable day-starter with a classic look, although an update to its appearance is coming in the next year or two, he added. In this wildly changing web, where some websites come and go and famous sites become popular and less popular, Nemiroff said, one thing that people can count on for 28 years since before Google is that theres going to be an Astronomy Picture of the Day for tomorrow. Yesterdays balmy weather set a few record high daytime temperatures around the state, but theres no chance of repeating that today. Sunday will bring scattered snow showers to almost all of Michigan, thanks to precipitation mixing with our sharply colder temperatures. A few areas will be able to measure its snow in inches, and at least one swath of Northern Michigan could see up to 7 inches of snow fall between Sunday afternoon and early Monday. The National Weather Service office in Gaylord is forecasting that the Up North counties of Antrim and Kalkaska could see 7 inches of accumulation. It could start off as light rain or snow showers today before switching to heavy snow in these areas by tonight. The snow is setting up in the typical lake effect snow band areas of the northwest Lower Peninsula and the eastern Upper Peninsula. Spots like Traverse City and St. Ignace could end up with an inch or less, and cities like Munising and Gaylord could see an inch or two on the ground by the time this system moves out. The timing is around 1 p.m. today to 7 a.m. on Monday. Accumulating lake effect snow is expected today and tonight with the highest totals of 4-7 possible across Antrim and Kalkaska counties by Monday morning, NWS meteorologists in the Gaylord office said. Heaviest snowfall is anticipated later this afternoon and tonight. Snow-covered roads and drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times, so be sure to use caution while driving! Farther north in Marquette, the NWS put out this forecast infographic. A more intense snow system could impact the Sault Ste. Marie area on Monday into Tuesday, and well have more details on that soon. HOHHOT, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The freight volume passing through land checkpoints in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, which borders Mongolia and Russia, has surpassed 100 million tonnes this year, with the annual throughput breaking the benchmark for the first time, according to the region's commerce department. Inner Mongolia has a border line that stretches over 4,200 km and boasts 14 land ports. These ports handle more than 90 percent of the land transport between China and Mongolia, as well as over 65 percent of the land transport between China and Russia. By Dec. 8, the railway freight via the ports had reached 35.8 million tonnes and that of road transport amounted to 64.3 million tonnes so far this year. Among them, cargo trade with Russia logged 21.4 million tonnes, and that with Mongolia reached 78.7 million tonnes. Cao Junpei, an official with the regional administration of customs, said the regional government has been committed to supporting upgrades in infrastructure and facilities on the land ports, especially major ports such as Manzhouli and Erenhot. He said the China-Europe freight train service through the land ports provides convenient land routes for international economic and trade exchanges, and has given a strong impetus to the growth of freight trade in Inner Mongolia. According to the customs data, there are 57 China-Europe freight train service lines passing through the port of Manzhouli, and 63 lines via the port of Erenhot. Combined, these lines account for about 40 percent of the total number of China-Europe freight train lines. In the first 11 months of this year, 7,708 China-Europe freight trains passed through the land ports in Inner Mongolia, with the number surging by 14.8 percent year on year. YAOUNDE, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Vice-President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue has met with visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Sergei Aleinik to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and the implementation of bilateral agreements. During the meeting, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue discussed with Aleinik on how to further consolidate their relations of friendship and cooperation. Both countries seek to deepen cooperation in agriculture, tourism, food security, defense, health, industry and technological sciences, according to Information and Press Office of Equatorial Guinea. Aleinik and a delegation of investors arrived at the Central African country on Friday. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko is expected to pay an official visit to the country "in the coming days," during which "important agreements to strengthen their ties" will be signed, Information and Press Office of Equatorial Guinea said. Floor & Decor (NYSE:FND Get Free Report) and Home Product Center Public (OTCMKTS:HPCRF Get Free Report) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, risk, dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations and profitability. Institutional & Insider Ownership 3.4% of Home Product Center Public shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.5% of Floor & Decor shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get Floor & Decor alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Floor & Decor and Home Product Center Public, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Floor & Decor 2 9 6 0 2.24 Home Product Center Public 0 0 0 0 N/A Earnings & Valuation Floor & Decor currently has a consensus price target of $92.76, suggesting a potential downside of 8.09%. Given Floor & Decors higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe Floor & Decor is more favorable than Home Product Center Public. This table compares Floor & Decor and Home Product Center Publics gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Floor & Decor $4.26 billion 2.52 $298.20 million $2.57 39.27 Home Product Center Public N/A N/A N/A $0.26 1.52 Floor & Decor has higher revenue and earnings than Home Product Center Public. Home Product Center Public is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Floor & Decor, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability This table compares Floor & Decor and Home Product Center Publics net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Floor & Decor 6.30% 15.69% 6.24% Home Product Center Public N/A N/A N/A Summary Floor & Decor beats Home Product Center Public on 9 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About Floor & Decor (Get Free Report) Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-channel specialty retailer and commercial flooring distributor in Georgia. The company offers tile, wood, laminate, vinyl, and natural stone flooring products, as well as decorative accessories, wall tiles, and installation materials and tools. It also sells products through its Website, FloorandDecor.com. The company serves installers, commercial businesses, and other sectors. The company was formerly known as FDO Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. in April 2017. Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. About Home Product Center Public (Get Free Report) Home Product Center Public Company Limited operates as a home improvement retailer in Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The company trades in goods and materials for construction, extension, refurbishment, renovation, and improvement of buildings, houses, and residences; and range of related services. It also offers 3D, installation, maintenance, home makeover, cleaning, warehousing, and distribution services. In addition, the company leases space. Home Product Center Public Company Limited was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Nonthaburi, Thailand. Receive News & Ratings for Floor & Decor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Floor & Decor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REIT (ASX:HCW Get Free Report) insider David Di Pilla acquired 9,397 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 4th. The shares were purchased at an average price of A$1.42 ($0.94) per share, with a total value of A$13,296.76 ($8,805.80). David Di Pilla also recently made the following trade(s): Get HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REIT alerts: On Friday, November 3rd, David Di Pilla 714,286 shares of HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REIT stock. HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REIT Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 73.43, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 1.04. HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REIT Increases Dividend HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REIT Company Profile The company also recently disclosed a Interim dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 28th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 28th were given a dividend of $0.02 per share. This is a positive change from HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REITs previous Interim dividend of $0.02. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, September 27th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.36%. HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REITs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 160.00%. (Get Free Report) HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REIT operates as a real estate investment trust that focuses on owning healthcare and wellness property assets in Australia. It invests in a portfolio of healthcare property assets, including hospitals, aged care, childcare, government, life sciences and research, primary care, and wellness property assets, as well as other healthcare and wellness property adjacencies. See Also Receive News & Ratings for HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Check Free Credit Score on Moneycontrol: Easily track your loans, get insights, and enjoy a 100 cashback on your first check! NEW DELHI, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Eight members of a family have been charred to death after a car carrying them caught fire following a head-on collision with a truck in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, police said Sunday. The accident took place late Saturday night near Bhojipura in Bareilly district, about 276 km north of Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. "A tragic accident occurred on the highway near Bhojipura where a car collided with a truck and got dragged. It immediately caught fire, trapping people inside it. The car was locked, and the people lost their lives after getting engulfed in flames. The deceased include seven adults and one child," Ghule Sushil Chandrabhan, a senior police official, told media. Jigar Patel Jigar S Patel is the Senior Manager - Equity Research at Anand Rathi Shares & Stock Brokers. Check Free Credit Score on Moneycontrol: Easily track your loans, get insights, and enjoy a 100 cashback on your first check! CAIRO, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday nationwide, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. More than 9,000 polling stations across the country will be open 12 hours per day until Tuesday to some 67 million eligible voters, following the overseas ballot, which concluded on Dec. 3. Sisi, who is running for a third consecutive term, won the elections both with an overwhelming majority in 2014 and 2018. The other three contestants are the Social Democratic Party's Farid Zahran, the Egyptian Al-Wafd Party's Abdel Sanad Yamama and the People's Republican Party candidate Hazem Omar. Egypt's National Election Authority (NEA) said the election process is being overseen by 15,000 Egyptian judges along with thousands of local and foreign observers. The NEA is expected to call a winner outright on Dec. 18 if a candidate receives an absolute majority in the first round of voting, without the need to enact a run-off. If the race enters a second round of voting, the final result could be announced as late as Jan. 16, according to the NEA. Polling stations were running smoothly amid a high turnout at the start of the voting, NEA Executive Director Ahmed Bendari said Sunday morning. A long queue was seen outside a polling station in the Maadi district, Cairo. Mahmoud Ibrahim, an engineer, told Xinhua that he valued the chance to vote in a presidential race that bears the future of his nation at a time of huge turmoil in the region. "We need to unite and defend our nation from all kinds of challenges and potential threats," he said after stepping out of the station, without revealing the name of his favorite. Ahmed Solaiman, 60, a voter from Arish City of North Sinai Province, said he pinned hope on the coming president to work on fixing youth unemployment. "I've come to vote for the sake of peace, stability and security of my country, hoping that the economy and living conditions will improve. We see some improvement, but we are looking forward to the best," Umm Mohamed Tawfik, a housewife from Cairo, said at a polling station. Maria Louis is an independent journalist who writes on design and architecture. Views expressed are personal. Check Free Credit Score on Moneycontrol: Easily track your loans, get insights, and enjoy a 100 cashback on your first check! The Palestinians slammed the U.S. veto on a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Produced by Xinhua Global Service You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill talks to the media on Dec. 7, 2023, about the shooting at UNLV on Dec. 6, 2023. The displayed mug is that of Anthony Polito, 67, the gunman killed by UNLV police after he had engaged in a gun battle at Beam Hall, killing three and injuring another. (James Schaeffer/Las Vegas Review-Journal/TNS) GENEVA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board adopted a resolution on Sunday, urging for prompt and unobstructed humanitarian aid access to the Gaza Strip. At the request of 17 member states, the Executive Board convened a special session at the WHO headquarters in Geneva to discuss the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem. In his opening remarks, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that "the impact of the conflict on health is catastrophic" and "Gaza's health system is on its knees and collapsing." According to the WHO, only 14 hospitals out of the original 36 are partially functional, including two in the north of the Wadi Gaza and 12 in the south. While condemning the attacks by Hamas on Israel and deploring the loss of over 1,200 lives, the WHO chief said that over 17,000 people are reported to have died in Gaza, including 7,000 children. More than 46,000 injuries have been reported and 1.9 million people are displaced, "almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip," he underlined. In accordance with international law, healthcare facilities are designated for protection during conflicts. However, Tedros said that since Oct. 7, WHO has verified more than 449 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza and the West Bank, and 60 attacks on healthcare facilities in Israel. Tedros emphasized that a ceasefire is crucial for safeguarding and enhancing the health of the people in Gaza. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis leaves the stage with his wife Casey after the conclusion of the second Republican candidates' debate of the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, U.S. September 27, 2023. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant (right) and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shake hands prior to a meeting in Tel Aviv on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. (Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP/Getty Images/TNS) University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill testifies before a House Education and The Workforce Committee hearing titled "Holding Campus Leaders Accountable and Confronting Antisemitism" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 5, 2023. du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC) has introduced the eco-friendly free Tourist SIM to cater to the communication needs of world travellers. It offers various benefits including 1GB free data for 24 hours, 5G network availability, and unlimited data plans with the option to make international calls. The Tourist SIM also promises a seamless activation experience and is fully recyclable and environment-friendly, making it a unique solution for world travellers. With reliable connectivity offered by this Tourist SIM, travellers can easily stay connected, share their experiences, and communicate with loved ones in real-time. Sustainable connectivity Karim Benkirane. Chief Commercial Officer at du, said: "We are excited to introduce our eco-friendly free Tourist SIM, along with our commitment to sustainable connectivity. Our goal is to provide travellers with a seamless and uninterrupted connection, allowing them to fully engage in their journey and amplify their experiences with the global community. With our advanced 5G network and state-of-the-art infrastructure, we are confident that customers will enjoy unparalleled connectivity and outstanding value while helping them explore the world sustainably." By leveraging its robust network and infrastructure, du ensures that tourists visiting the UAE can stay connected, stream content, and stay informed about the latest developments without any disruptions. This commitment to reliable connectivity is not only convenient for tourists, but it also promotes sustainable travel practices. With du's seamless connectivity, tourists can access information, navigate their surroundings, and engage in virtual experiences in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way.--TradeArabia News Service TUNIS, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Tunisian authorities have evacuated 57 nationals, including members of their families, from the Gaza Strip, said the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. They arrived Sunday morning at Tunis-Carthage International Airport in Tunis, said a ministry statement. "Following the order of the Tunisian President Kais Saied to ensure the evacuation process in the best conditions, the ministry and our missions in Ramallah and Cairo have been activated to monitor all necessary logistical steps and arrangements," read the statement. The ministry added that it will continue to closely follow the situation of Tunisians in Palestine. A Soviet-era statue of a Red Army commander taken down in Kyiv A Soviet-era statue of a Red Army commander taken down in Kyiv View Photo KYIV (AP) City workers in Kyiv on Saturday dismantled an equestrian statue of a Red Army commander, the latest Soviet monument to be removed in the Ukrainian capital since Russia launched its full-scale invasion last year. The statue of Mykola Shchors on horseback, erected in the 1950s, was taken down from a pedestal in downtown Kyiv to the applause of a small group of onlookers. City officials said it will be stored in the State Aviation Museum. Derussification and decommunization are continuing. We have already dismantled more than 60 monuments related to the history and culture of Russia and the Soviet Union, Mykhailo Budilov, director of the citys Department of Territorial Control, said in a statement. An effort to remove symbols of the Soviet era, which many Ukrainians equate with Russian imperialism, accelerated after Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022. In August of this year, officials removed a hammer-and-sickle symbol from the Mother Ukraine statue in Kyiv one of the countrys most recognizable landmarks and replaced it with Ukraines trident coat of arms. On Saturday, a few dozen people gathered around the Shchors monument as workers cut the statue from the pedestal and removed it with a crane. Once I heard this was happening, I put my coat on and ran here to see a historic moment, said Heorhii Lukianchuk, a Kyiv resident. Oleksii Prokopets, another Kyiv resident, said he supported taking down Soviet monuments but questioned whether it was worth the resources as Ukraine finds itself struggling to fight off the Russian invasion almost two years into the war. I guess it is not the right time to spend a lot of money for taking them down. It could be just wrapped in a black cloth and dealt with after the victory, Prokopets said. Its not yet clear what the monument will be replaced with. By SRDJAN NEDELJKOVIC Associated Press Californian passes state bar exam at age 17 and is sworn in as an attorney Teen Passes Bar Exam View Photo VISALIA, Calif. (AP) A county prosecutors office says one of its law clerks passed the State Bar of California exam at age 17. The Tulare County District Attorneys Office said this week that, according to research, Peter Park is the youngest person to pass the exam. The State Bar said Friday in an email to The Associated Press that it could not confirm that Park is the youngest, but it hailed his achievement. Passing the California Bar exam is a major accomplishment at any age, and for someone as young as Mr. Park, it is quite an extraordinary feat and one worth celebrating, Executive Director Leah Wilson said. Park took the exam in July and received the test results on Nov. 9, according to a news release issued by the District Attorneys office this week. It was not easy, but it was worth it, Park said in a statement. Park began high school at Oxford Academy in Cypress, California, in 2019 at age 13 and simultaneously began a four-year juris doctor program at the Northwestern California University School of Law after completing college-level proficiency exams, the office said. Park graduated high school in 2021 by taking the states high school proficiency exam and focused on law school, graduating this year. He became a law clerk for the District Attorneys office in August, turned 18 in late November and was sworn in as an attorney on Tuesday. California Water Tunnel View Photo SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) A long-sought and disputed project in drought-prone California aimed at capturing more water during heavy rain storms reached a key milestone on Friday when Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration finished an environmental review for an underground tunnel. The tunnel would be about 45 miles (72 kilometers) long and 36 feet (10.9 meters) wide, or large enough to carry more than 161 million gallons of water per hour. The tunnel would be another way to get water from Northern California, where most of the states water is, to Southern California, where most of the people live. The Newsom administration says the tunnel is a necessary upgrade of the states aging infrastructure because it will protect the water supply from earthquakes and capture more water from rainstorms known as atmospheric rivers that scientists say have been increasing because of climate change. But environmental groups, Native American tribes and other opponents say the project will take more water out of the river than is necessary and will harm endangered species of fish. Friday, the California Department of Water Resources released its final environmental impact report for the project. The report is the last step of a complex and lengthy state regulatory process. But it doesnt mean the project is close to being built. The project still must complete a federal environmental review and obtain various state and federal permits. That process is expected to last until 2026. State officials have not said how much it will cost to build it. A previous estimate on a different version of the tunnel was for $16 billion. State officials will release a new cost estimate next year. Still, Fridays report is significant because it signals the Newsom administrations commitment to completing the project despite strong opposition from communities in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Delta region. Newsom says climate change is threatening the states access to clean drinking water, warning the states supply could drop 10% by 2040. The state recently went three years without significant, sustained rain. The drought dropped reservoirs to dangerously low levels and forced millions of people to ration their supply. That drought ended suddenly last winter when California was hit by a series of storms that flooded the states rivers and filled lake beds that had been dry for years. State officials said had this tunnel existed during those storms, the state could have captured and stored enough water for 2.3 million people to use for one year. Doing nothing is not an option, Newsom said. Environmental groups say the Newsom administration is ignoring their concerns. The Sierra Club said in a statement that the tunnels construction and operation would cause mass environmental destruction for Delta communities and ecosystems. Scott Artis, executive director of the Golden State Salmon Association, called it an extinction plan for salmon. Jon Rosenfield, science director for San Francisco Baykeeper, said California already diverts more than half of the water flowing through Central Valley rivers for farms and big cities, which threaten native species of fish. The science clearly demonstrates that fish need increased river flows to survive, but state agencies are ignoring it, Rosenfield said. Chinook salmon, steelhead, longfin smelt and other fish that have thrived here for millennia cannot survive the Newsom administrations assault on San Francisco Bay and its watershed. California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot said the Newsom administration has secured more than $1 billion in funding over the last three years to increase flows in rivers for environmental purposes and to expand habitat for fish and other wildlife. Our commitment remains steadfast for water resilience, not only for human communities, but also for our natural communities, he said. Adel Hagekhalil, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, said the agency will review the findings from the environmental impact report to determine how best to invest our resources. The water district provides water to 19 million people. The recent drought was a powerful indicator of just how vulnerable the State Water Project is deliveries were so low last year that some Southern California communities could only get a fraction of the water they normally rely on, Hagekhalil said. Preventing this from happening again will take bold action and a clear recognition of the challenges we face. By ADAM BEAM Associated Press DAMASCUS, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli missile attack hit military sites in the vicinity of the capital Damascus on Sunday night, the latest in a string of attacks targeting military sites in Syria, state news agency SANA reported. Multiple powerful explosions reverberated across Damascus overnight. A military statement by the Syrian army said that the Israeli attack was carried out from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. It added that the Syrian air defense systems shot down some of the missiles and the losses were limited to material damages. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, the Israeli missiles targeted sites in the Sayyeda Zeinab and Damascus International Airport areas in the countryside of Damascus, where Lebanese Hezbollah and Iranian militias are located. Positions belonging to the Syrian air defense forces were also targeted, with no information about human losses so far, the observatory added. Since the beginning of 2023, the observatory said it had recorded 62 instances of Israel targeting Syrian territory. Israel has carried out numerous airstrikes in Syria in recent years, reportedly targeting Iranian-backed militias and weapons shipments that are believed to be destined for Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group. These strikes are perceived as attempts to prevent the strengthening of Hezbollah's armed capabilities, which Israel sees as a major threat to its national security. Drugs found in the Sunday school room at the Mariposa Lutheran Church, where the suspects were living -- MCSO photo View Photos Mariposa, CA Four people were arrested for allegedly selling drugs out of a Mariposa church, and the room where the drugs were found could have had deadly consequences. After getting a tip that individuals living at the Mariposa Lutheran Church on Highway 49 had methamphetamine, Mariposa County Sheriffs detectives, with a warrant in hand, searched the building. In the childrens Sunday school room, deputies uncovered meth and paraphernalia lying around, well within reach of children. In the churchs kitchen area, another baggie of meth and evidence of drug sales were found in a backpack, supporting the charge that the drugs were being sold out of the church. Mariposa Sheriff Jeremy Briese advised that at this time there is no evidence that church staff was aware of the individuals activities. We as a community need to always bring each other up and not bring each other down. We understand this is especially disturbing because it is in a church setting, but lets not confuse what has happened. There are many, many fine members of the church, and unfortunately, individuals took advantage instead of seeking help for the right reasons. Our transparency is a good reminder of the daily fight we at the Sheriffs Office fight, and this evil can be anywhere, stated Sheriff Briese. Arrested on felony drug-related charges were 49-year-old Megan McWhorter, 57-year-old Kelly Curtis, 43-year-old Ray Hettinger, and 66-year-old Michael Adamcik. Wisconsin university regents reject deal with Republicans to reduce diversity positions View Photo MADISON, Wis. (AP) Universities of Wisconsin regents narrowly rejected a deal Saturday reached with Republicans that would have given employees a pay raise and paid for construction of a new engineering building in exchange for reductions in staff positions focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. The regents voted 9-8 during an emergency meeting to reject the deal reached Friday after being brokered by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. I dont like this precedent, Regent Dana Wachs said during the meeting. We need to make this a welcoming environment. The vote was immediately panned by leaders of the Assembly Republican caucus. Its a shame theyve denied employees their raises and the almost $1 billion investment that would have been made across the UW system, all so they could continue their ideological campaign to force students to believe only one viewpoint is acceptable on campus, the GOP leaders said in a statement. Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman said he was disappointed with the regents vote. On balance, I believe this proposed agreement was in the best interests of the Universities of Wisconsin, Rathman said. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said the regents were committed to doing whats best for our past, present, and future students, faculty, and staff, and the institutions that have defined our state for generations. I believe thats what they did today in voting their values, and I understand and support their decision and vote, Evers said. In the meantime, I again urge legislative Republicans to release the already-approved UW System employee raises and investments included in the biennial budget that are well overdue, Evers added. The deal would have frozen hiring for diversity positions, dropped an affirmative action faculty hiring program at UW-Madison and created a position at the flagship campus focused on conservative thought. The engineering building would have been built at UW-Madison. Conservatives have long criticized the UW system as a bastion of liberalism. Democrats have accused Republicans of holding employees hostage by blocking pay raises. They argue that diversity initiatives enhance the collegiate experience and play a crucial role in identifying promising students who grew up with fewer resources. The fight in Wisconsin reflects a broader cultural battle playing out across the nation over college diversity initiatives. Republican lawmakers in June refused to release funding for the new engineering building at UW-Madison, and Vos in October blocked pay raises for employees across the system until it cut spending on positions that promote diversity. Vos refused to allocate funding for the raises even though the state budget that Republicans approved this summer included a 6% raise over the next two years. Under the deal, the system would have frozen hiring for diversity positions through the end of 2026 and shift at least 43 diversity positions to focus on student success. The system also would have eliminated any statements supporting diversity on student applications. UW-Madison also would have created a position that focuses on conservative political thought funded through donations and scrapped a program designed to recruit diverse faculty. UW-Madison would have been forced to accept applicants who finish in the top 5% of their class at a Wisconsin high school. Applicants who finish in the top 10% of their class at a Wisconsin high school would have been guaranteed admission at regional campuses. In exchange, lawmakers would have released money to fund the pay raise for UW employees and about $200 million that UW-Madison officials say they need to build a new engineering building on campus as well as money to renovate dorms on the flagship campus and at UW-Whitewater, Vos alma mater. Police fatally shoot man who officers say charged them with knives in West Texas LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) Officers investigating a domestic disturbance fatally shot a man who they said ran at them with knives in West Texas, police said Saturday. Manuel Guillen, 34, died at a hospital following the shooting in Lubbock Friday night, police spokesperson Amber Edwards said. Edwards said the officers were responding to a report that Guillen had assaulted and threatened his mother at a home on the citys north side. The mother escaped the home before the officers arrived. A police sergeant who arrived at the scene told the officers to leave because Guillen was in the home alone and no longer a threat to his family, Edwards said. They were about to depart when Guillen crawled out of a window carrying two knives, she said. Officers commanded him to stop but opened fire when he kept heading in their direction. He continued to charge at the officers and they employed deadly force, Edwards said. It was not clear why the officers did not try to arrest Guillen for the alleged assault on his mother. The shooting is under investigation, Edwards said. It was not known whether Guillen was struck by gunfire from both officers, she said. The names of the officers involved have not been released. Edwards said the two officers who opened fire have been placed on leave. BISHOPVILLE, S.C. (AP) South Carolina jurors have found an inmate guilty of charges connected to the death of a fellow inmate during the deadliest U.S. prison riot of the past quarter-century. The Lee County jury deliberated less than an hour on Friday before finding Michael Juan Flame Smith guilty of assault and battery by mob, weapon possession and conspiracy for his role in the 2018 violence. Trial Judge Ferrell Cothran Jr. gave Smith a 45-year sentence, although one five-year term issued will run concurrently with the other time, news outlets reported. Seven prisoners were killed and 22 seriously injured in the riot at the maximum-security Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Columbia. One inmate described bodies literally stacked on top of each other, like some macabre woodpile. Dozens of inmates have been indicted on charges related to the riots that occurred across three dormitories, and a string of defendants began pleading guilty over the summer. But Smith was the first prisoner whose case went to trial, according to the news outlets. Within four days he was convicted of the charges related to the death of 33-year-old Cornelius McClary. This sends a message that the people of Lee County and Department of Corrections arent going to put up with this kind of activity, said Barney Giese, a former prosecutor retained by the Corrections Department to help prosecute the riot cases. In the trial testimony that focused largely on one dormitory, witnesses painted a picture of chaos inside the prison and injured and dead inmates that stemmed from a brawl between rival gangs on April 15, 2018. Jurors watched video clips that showed the assault of McClary. Prosecutors said Smith was among Blood gang members that chased McClary, who was trying to get away. A pathologist who was a prosecution witness testified that McClary had been stabbed 101 times. Giese said the videos showed Smith pushing through a crowd of fellow Bloods to follow McClary, a Crips gang member who had fallen down a staircase, and stab and hit him. Another prosecutor, Margaret Scott, said it was a case of the hunter and the hunted predator and prey, and that McClary was the prey. Smith, 31, who took the stand Thursday, told the jury he stabbed McClary to death in self-defense. His defense attorney, Aimee Zmroczek, emphasized to jurors Smiths testimony that he had been in fear of his life during the hourslong riot, and that a friend of his had been stabbed to death earlier that night in another dormitory. Zmroczek also criticized the state Department of Corrections for failing to keep inmates in a safe and secure environment. Corrections officials have blamed the orchestrated violence in part on illegal cellphones behind bars. Corrections Department Director Bryan Stirling said after Fridays verdict that inmate safety has improved at Lee Correctional Institution and more upgrades are coming. When the riot occurred, all 1,000 inmates at the prison were classified as maximum security, but now only 30% have that status, he said, with the remainder as medium security. Smith was imprisoned at the time of the riot after being convicted of attempted murder in the shooting of a University of South Carolina student. That convicted was overturned by the state Supreme Court three years ago. Hes been held since then at a Columbia detention center. Some Seattle cancer center patients are receiving threatening emails after last months data breach SEATTLE (AP) Some patients of a Seattle-based cancer center received threatening emails following a data breach last month. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center officials said a Nov. 19 hack hit a portion of the health care systems clinical network, possibly leaking patient data. This week, some former and current patients received threatening emails claiming names, Social Security numbers, medical history and other data of more than 800,000 patients had been compromised, The Seattle Times reported. Emails shared with the newspaper claimed the stolen data of recipients would be sold. Christina VerHeul, the centers associate vice president of communications, said she couldnt speculate how many people were affected but said an investigation is ongoing. After last months hack, the center took its clinical network offline, notified federal law enforcement and brought in a forensic security firm to investigate, she said. The center encouraged patients to keep a close eye on bank statements and credit reports. The center directed those who received suspicious or threatening calls or emails to report them to the FBI, block senders and delete messages. If the message demands a ransom, do not pay it, the center instructed. NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (AP) Over 100 animals - both living and dead - have been taken from a roadside zoo in western Virginia, according to court documents, as part of what state authorities are calling a criminal investigation. One search warrant executed Wednesday at the Natural Bridge Zoo in Rockbridge County shows that 89 living animals were seized, while another 28 deceased animals were removed, The Roanoke Times reported. The office of Attorney General Jason Miyares is conducting the investigation, with help from the Virginia State Police. The warrant said that it had been issued in relation to the care of and cruelty to animals. The attorney generals Animal Law Unit offers support and prosecution of animal cruelty cases upon request of a local Commonwealths Attorney or law enforcement agency, Miyares spokesperson Victoria LaCivita said in an email Friday. Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, we cannot comment further. LaCivita did confirm that one of the dead animals taken was a tiger that had to be euthanized with consent of the owners to humanely end its suffering. Other live animals that were taken away included lemurs, macaws, pythons and llamas, according to the warrant, filed Friday in the countys circuit court. Many crates and animal carriers were taken into the zoo. A phone call to Natural Zoo Bridge went unanswered Saturday, and there was no immediate response to an email seeking comment. The zoo has already been closed for the winter. Mario Williams, an attorney for the zoos owner, questioned the probe, telling WDBJ-TV earlier in the week that the zoo would seek to halt any permanent seizure of the animals, which he said would be unconstitutional. A British Palestinian surgeon gave testimony to a UK war crimes unit after returning from Gaza View Photo BEIRUT (AP) A British Palestinian surgeon who spent weeks in the Gaza Strip during the current Israel-Hamas war as part of a Doctors Without Borders medical team said he has given testimony to a British war crimes investigation unit. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a plastic surgeon specializing in conflict medicine, has volunteered with medical teams in multiple conflicts in Gaza, beginning as a medical student in the late 1980s during the the first Palestinian uprising. He has also worked in other conflict zones, including in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Abu Sitta crossed from Egypt into Gaza on Oct. 9, two days after the war began and remained in the besieged enclave for 43 days, working mainly in the al-Ahli and Shifa hospitals in northern Gaza. The war was triggered by a deadly Hamas-led incursion on Oct. 7 into southern Israel in which militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Since then, Israel has launched a punishing air and ground campaign that has killed more than 17,700 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. Abu Sitta told The Associated Press in an interview during a visit to the Institute for Palestine Studies in Beirut on Saturday that the intensity of other conflicts he experienced and the war in Gaza is like the difference between a flood and a tsunami. Apart from the staggering numbers of killed and injured, he said, the health system itself has been targeted and destroyed in Gaza. The worst thing was initially the running out of morphine and proper strong analgesics and then later on running out of anesthetic medication, which meant that you would have to do painful procedures with no anesthetic, Abu Sitta said. He said that when he returned to the UK, he was asked by the war crimes unit at the Metropolitan Police to give evidence in a possible war crimes investigation, and did so. The police had issued a call for people returning from Israel or the Palestinian territories who have witnessed or been a victim of terrorism, war crimes or crimes against humanity to come forward. Abu Sitta said much of his testimony related to attacks on health facilities. He was working in al-Ahli hospital in northern Gaza on Oct. 17 when a deadly blast struck the hospitals courtyard, which had become a shelter for displaced people, killing hundreds. Israeli authorities, along with U.S. and French intelligence agencies, have said the explosion was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket. Hamas maintained that it was an Israeli strike. Abu Sitta said many of the injuries he saw were more consistent with damage caused by an Israeli Hellfire missile which he said disintegrates into shards of metal that cause amputations. The international group Human Rights Watch said the fragmentation pattern around the impact crater lacked the pattern typical of the Hellfire missile or others used by Israel. Abu Sitta said while in Gaza he also treated patients who had burn wounds consistent with white phosphorus shelling, which he had also seen during the 2009 war. Phosphorus shells cause a chemical burn that bursts into the deep structures of the body rather than a thermal burn, which starts at the outside and (covers a) much larger surface area, he said. Human rights groups have alleged that Israeli forces have dropped shells containing white phosphorus on densely populated residential areas in Gaza and Lebanon during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Israel maintains it uses the incendiaries only as a smokescreen and not to target civilians. Abu Sitta, who rotated between al-Ahli and Shifa hospital, had left Shifa when Israeli forces encircled the hospital, eventually storming it in search of what they described as a Hamas command center. Israeli officials released visuals of an underground tunnel and rooms that they said were used by Hamas, but have not provided further evidence. Abu Sitta, like other medical workers in the hospital, denied the allegations. He said he had complete access to Shifa and there was never, ever even any military presence. He said policemen whose job was to control the crowds in front of the emergency department only carried truncheons. The physician said he hopes the UK war crimes investigation will lead to prosecutions, locally or internationally. The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, said after a visit to the West Bank and Israel last week that a probe by the court into possible crimes by both Hamas militants and Israeli forces is a priority for his office. ___ Full AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war By ABBY SEWELL Associated Press Iran bans Mahsa Aminis family from traveling to accept the European Unions top human rights prize View Photo DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iranian authorities banned members of the late Mahsa Aminis family from traveling to accept the European Unions top human rights prize on her behalf, a civil rights monitor reported. Aminis death while in police custody in 2022 sparked nationwide protests that rocked the Islamic Republic. The U.S.-based HRANA said late Saturday that authorities have refused to allow Aminis father, Amjad, and two of her brothers to fly out to Strasbourg, France, to receive the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Reports said only the familys lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht, would be able to travel to be handed the award on their behalf. The EU award, named for Soviet dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honor individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work, as per the EU Parliament website. Earlier in September, Mahsa Amini was granted the prize. The 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranin woman died after Irans morality police arrested her for allegedly violating the countrys strict headscarf law that forced women to cover their hair and entire bodies. Her death led to massive protests that quickly escalated into calls to overthrow Irans clerical rulers. Iranian women, furious over Aminis death, played a pivotal role in the protests, with some opting to go without their mandatory headscarves. Authorities immediately launched a heavy crackdown, in which over 500 people were killed and nearly 20,000 arrested, according to human rights activists in Iran. Authorities have said many of those detained were released or given reduced sentences. The protests largely died down earlier this year. A total of eight people were executed in Iran in connection with the protests, after being charged with attacking security forces. Human rights activists have accused authorities of convicting them in secret proceedings after they were denied the right to defend themselves. Iran has denied the charges. In 2012, Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi jointly won the same prize. Also on Sunday, the children of imprisoned Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi were set to accept this years Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf in a ceremony Sunday in the Norwegian capital. Mohammadi was awarded the peace prize in October for campaigning for womens rights and democracy in her country, as well as fighting against the death penalty. The jailed activist played a leading role in the protests sparked by Aminis death. DOHA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged on Sunday not to give up on pushing for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, despite "the preeminent forum for peaceful resolution of international disputes is paralyzed by geostrategic divisions." Addressing the opening ceremony of the 21st Doha Forum in Qatar, Guterres stated, "I urged the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared." "Regrettably the Security Council failed to do it but that does not make it less necessary. So, I can promise I will not give up," he said. On Friday, the United States vetoed a draft resolution in the UN Security Council aimed at promoting a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Many countries expressed disappointment and regret over the decision. The annual Doha Forum focuses on topics including regional and international situations, and global challenges, among others. Themed "Building Shared Futures," this year's two-day forum features discussions on issues such as the Israel-Hamas conflict, geopolitics, energy security, sustainable development, and the digital economy. Conor here: Bacevich framing it as an Israel-Hamas War obscures the fact it is an Israeli war of ethnic cleansing on Palestinians, and his plea that it should not become Americas war is too late at least in the eyes of the world majority. He is also far too kind to Israel and the US in general, and his argument is essentially that another war in the Middle East is the wrong war at the wrong time for the US. Im probably missing some other problems as well. Nonetheless, his larger point is that post-9/11 policies make it even more likely that Washington might start another war or be dragged into one and that alarm bells should be going off. Cant argue with that. By Andrew Bacevich, chairman and co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and author of On Shedding an Obsolete Past: Bidding Farewell to the American Century. Originally published at TomDispatch. One way of understanding the ongoing bloodbath pitting Israel against Hamas is to see it as just the latest chapter in an existential struggle dating back to the founding of the Jewish state in 1948. While the appalling scope, destructiveness, and duration of the fighting in Gaza may outstrip previous episodes, this latest go-around serves chiefly to reaffirm the remarkable intractability of the underlying Arab-Israeli conflict. Although the shape of that war has changed over time, certain constants remain. Neither side, for instance, seems capable of achieving its ultimate political goals through violence. And each side adamantly refuses to concede to the core demands of its adversary. In truth, while the actual fighting may ebb and flow, pause and resume, the Holy Land has become the site of what is effectively permanent conflict. For several decades, the United States sought to keep its distance from that war by casting itself in the role of regional arbiter. While providing Israel with arms and diplomatic cover, successive administrations have simultaneously sought to position the U.S. as an honest broker, committed to advancing the larger cause of Middle Eastern peace and stability. Of course, a generous dose of cynicism has always informed this peace process. On that score, however, the present moment has let the cat fully out of the bag. The Biden administration responded to the gruesome terrorist attack on October 7th by unequivocally endorsing and underwriting Israeli efforts to annihilate Hamas, with Gazans thereby subjected to a World War II-style obliteration bombing campaign. Meanwhile, ignoring tepid Biden administration protests, Israeli settlers continue to expel Palestinians from parts of the West Bank where they have lived for generations. If Hamass October assault was a tragedy, proponents of a Greater Israel also saw it as a unique opportunity that theyve seized with alacrity. As for the peace process, already on life support, it now seems altogether defunct. Prospects of reviving it anytime soon appear remote. More or less offstage, the fighting is having this ancillary effect: as Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) employ U.S.-provided weapons and munitions to turn Gaza into rubble, the rules-based international order touted by the Biden administration as the latest organizing principle of American statecraft has forfeited whatever slight credibility it might have possessed. Russias assault on Ukraine appears almost measured and humane by comparison. As if to emphasize Washingtons own limited fealty to that rules-based order, President Bidens immediate response to the events of October 7th focused on unilateral military action, bolstering U.S. naval and air forces in the Middle East while shoveling even more weapons to Israel. Ostensibly tasked with checking any further spread of violence, American forces in the region have instead been steadily edging toward becoming full-fledged combatants. In recent weeks, U.S. forces have sustained dozens of casualty-producing attacks, primarily from rockets and armed drones. Attributing those attacks to Iran-affiliated groups, the U.S. has responded with air strikes targeting warehouses, training facilities, and command posts in Syria and Iraq. According to a Pentagon spokesman, the overall purpose of American military action in the region is to message very strongly to Iran and their affiliated groups to stop. Thus far, the impact of such messaging has been ambiguous at best. Certainly, U.S. retaliatory efforts havent dissuaded Iran from pursuing its proxy war against American military outposts in the region. On the other hand, the scale of those Iran-supported attacks remains modest. Notably, no U.S. troops have been killed yet. For the moment at least, that fact may well be the administrations operative definition of success. As long as no flag-draped coffins show up at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, Joe Biden may find it perfectly tolerable for the U.S.-Iran subset of the Israel-Hamas war to simmer indefinitely on the back burner. This pattern of tit-for-tat violence has received, at best, sporadic public attention. Where (if anywhere) it will lead remains uncertain. Even so, the U.S. is at risk of effectively opening up a new front in what used to be called the Global War on Terror. That war is now nearly dormant, or at least hidden from public view. The very real possibility of either side misinterpreting or willfully ignoring the others messaging could reignite it, with an expanded war that directly pits the U.S. against Iran making the Israel-Gaza war look like a petty squabble. Then there are the potential domestic implications. No doubt President Bidens political advisers are alive to the possibility of a major war affecting the outcome of the 2024 elections (and not necessarily to the incumbents benefit either). One can easily imagine Donald Trump seizing on even a handful of U.S. military fatalities in Middle East skirmishing as definitive proof of presidential ineptitude, akin to the bungled withdrawal from Kabul, Afghanistan, during Bidens first year in office. Two Wars Converge Understanding the larger implications of these developments requires putting them in a broader context. In Gaza in the last two months, two protracted meta-conflicts that had unfolded on parallel tracks for decades have finally converged. That is likely to have profound implications for basic U.S. national security policy, even if few in Washington appear aware of the potential implications. On the one track, dating from 1948 (although its preliminaries occurred decades earlier) is the Arab-Israeli conflict. Enshrined among Israelis as the War for Independence, for Arabs the events of 1948 are seen as the Nakba, or Catastrophe. Subsequent eruptions of violence have ensued from time to time, as Arab nations vented their anger at the Jewish state and Israel pursued opportunities to create a strategically more coherent and more economically viable, not to mention biblically endorsed, Greater Israel. Initially intent on steering clear of the Arab-Israeli conflict occasionally even denouncing Israeli misbehavior American officials allowed themselves over time to be incrementally drawn into becoming Israels closest ally. Yet under the terms of the relationship as it evolved, the Israeli leaders insisted on retaining a large measure of strategic autonomy. Over Washingtons vociferous objections, for example, it acquired a robust nuclear arsenal. To guarantee their security, Israelis placed paramount emphasis on their own military capabilities, not those of the United States. Meanwhile, on the other track, dating from the promulgation of President Jimmy Carters Carter Doctrine in 1980, U.S. forces have had their hands full in the region. With Israel exacerbating or fending off threats to its own security, successive American administrations undertook a series of new military commitments, interventions, and occupations across the Greater Middle East that had little or nothing to do with protecting Israel. In the Persian Gulf, the Levant, the Horn of Africa, the Balkans, and Central Asia, the Pentagon dealt with problems of its own as those regions became venues for hosting American forces engaged in operations intended to protect, punish, or even liberate. Such military exertions and the presence of U.S. forces became commonplace throughout the Middle East except in Israel. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, Washingtons military actions reached their apotheosis when President George W. Bush embarked on a global campaign with the aim of eliminating evil. Meanwhile, the various engagements undertaken by Israeli forces from the 1950s into the present century achieved mixed results. On the one hand, the Jewish state persists and has even expanded a minimalist definition of success. On the other hand, recent events affirm that threats to Israels existence also persist. In comparison, the U.S.-led Global War on Terror proved an outright failure, even if strikingly few ordinary Americans (and even fewer members of the political establishment) appear willing to acknowledge that fact. Once the U.S.-supported regime in Kabul collapsed in 2021, it appeared American military misadventures in the Greater Middle East might be petering out. The humiliating result of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in the wake of the disappointing outcome of Operation Iraqi Freedom had seemingly exhausted Washingtons appetite for remaking the region. Besides, there was Russia to tend to and China. Strategic priorities seemed to be shifting. Alarm Bells, American-Style Now, however, in the wake of the atrocities committed on October 7th and Washingtons tacit acquiescence in Israels maximalist war aims, the dubious notion that vital American interests are still at stake in the Greater Middle East has taken on new life. Dating from the 1980s, Washington had cycled through a variety of arguments for why that part of the world was worthy of spending American blood and treasure: the threat of Soviet aggression, U.S. reliance on foreign oil, radical Arab dictators, Islamic jihadism, weapons of mass destruction falling into hostile hands, potential ethnic cleansing and genocide. All of those were pressed into service at one time or another to justify continuing to treat the Middle East as a strategic U.S. priority. In truth, though, none of them has stood the test of time. Each has proven to be fallacious. Indeed, efforts to cure the sources of dysfunction afflicting the region proved to be a fools errand that has cost the United States dearly in money and lives while yielding little of value. For that reason, allowing Israels conflict with Hamas to draw the United States into a new Middle Eastern crusade would be the height of folly. In fact, however, with little public attention and even less congressional oversight, that is precisely what may be happening. The Global War on Terror seems on the verge of absorbing the Gaza War into its current configuration. In recent years, a shift in Pentagon priorities to the Indo-Pacific and to a future face-off with China has left only about 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq and 900 more in Syria. The nominal mission of such modestly sized garrisons is to carry on the fight against the remnants of ISIS. White House officials have, however, never gone out of their way to explain what those troops are really doing there. In practice, they have effectively become inviting stationary targets. As a consequence and not for the first time, protecting the troops has emerged as a convenient pretext for mounting a broader punitive response. With Congress accepting claims that the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) enacted in response to 9/11 suffices to cover whatever U.S. forces in the region may be up to 22 years later, the Biden administration functionally has a free hand to act as it wishes. The course it has chosen is to use Israels war in Gaza as a rationale for reversing course in the Middle East and once again making violence and threats of violence the basis of U.S. policy there. On that score, the fact that some American forces are now covertly operating in Israel itself should set off alarm bells. The Gaza War will change Israel in ways that may be difficult to foresee. The failure of its vaunted military and intelligence establishments to anticipate and thwart the worst terrorist attack in that countrys history leaves Jewish Israelis with a sense of unprecedented vulnerability. It will hardly be surprising if they look to Washington for protection, in which case Israels survival could become an American responsibility. The invitation is one that the United States would do well to refuse. Accepting it will confront Americans with challenges they are ill-equipped to meet and with obligations they can ill afford. Deepening the Pentagons involvement in the Greater Middle East will only compound the failures to which the Carter Doctrine has already subjected this nation, while scrambling U.S. strategic priorities in ways sure to prove counterproductive. In 1796, George Washington warned his countrymen of the dangers of allowing a passionate attachment to another nation to affect policy. That warning remains relevant today. The Gaza War is not and should not become Americas war. The Worlds Oldest Living Land Animal, a Tortoise Named Jonathan, Turns 191 Smithsonian Mag Genes That Boost Fertility Also Shorten Our Life, Study Suggests New York Times Polyethylene waste could be a thing of the past Phys.org Soil Builds Prosperity From the Ground Up Yes Magazine Climate/Environment Green Colonialism NOEMA #COVID-19 StatCan just dropped a bombshell report on LC. This is the most important figure. It highlights that the risk of long term symptoms is cumulative, it increases with increasing number of infections. By 3+ infections, 38% report long term symptoms thats 1 in every 2.6 people. pic.twitter.com/acqgNGiW12 Dr. Lisa Iannattone (@lisa_iannattone) December 8, 2023 Chronic fatigue syndrome is not rare, says new CDC survey. It affects 3.3 million U.S. adults AP. The study. Blood Test May Be Able to Tell Which Organs Have Accelerated Aging MedPage Today Old Blighty Africa Japan Japanese elders are being left behind to face bear attacks Business Insider China? EXCLUSIVE: Leaked conversation from the EU China Summit in Beijing. EU: You have to buy more from us to balance the trade. China: Ok sure, what you got? Oh look at those litography machines. Well take 10,000 of those. EU: You cant have that. China: Ok. What else you got? EU: https://t.co/ur5UXCTHyD Nik Stankovic (@nikstankovic_) December 8, 2023 What does worsening deflation even mean? If the economy is growing it doesnt matter if prices are falling slightly. Chinese PMIs and exports surprised to the upside recently. IMF said theyll hit growth targets. Why is the media so stuck on this narrative? Its weird. pic.twitter.com/XQ3phtSP4U Philip Pilkington (@philippilk) December 9, 2023 Syraqistan With the death of liberal Zionism, it is important to examine what its been and the state of the Israeli left. A thread Liberal Zionism promotes the notion of a left-to-right spectrum within Israel. Yet the differences between the extremes are merely tactical and 1/ Yoav Litvin (@nookyelur) December 8, 2023 *** #BreakingNews:#Yemen Ansar Allah:Effective immediately. No ship carrying merchandise or goods, regardless of their flag, to the Zionists (Israel) will not be allowed to cross the Red Sea or the Arab Sea unless food and supply are delivered to #Gaza. Elijah J. Magnier (@ejmalrai) December 9, 2023 BREAKING: Israels Channel 12 reports that Netanyahu told Biden and Scholz, if you do not act against the Houthis, we will act militarily. The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) December 9, 2023 *** The US Senate just voted 13-84, rejecting a call to withdraw troops from Syria: https://t.co/1s0MWvaexv The US has c. 900 troops in northern Syria, which are illegally occupying its sovereign territory, where the majority of Syrias oil and wheat is produced. The US government pic.twitter.com/NMoMkw7b7M Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) December 9, 2023 New Not-So-Cold War Sustainable surveillance Edward Slavsquat. On Russias Data Economy initiative. Imperial Collapse Watch South of the Border Press briefing: PM Ralph Gonsalves announces face-to-face dialogue between the presidents of Guyana and Venezuela on Thursday in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. pic.twitter.com/MFCSF8Yb8f Kawsachun News (@KawsachunNews) December 10, 2023 Biden Administration Dont Make Your Voters Step Over Dead Bodies Hamilton Nolan, How Things Work Yet Another State Shuts the Door on Partisan Gerrymandering Complaints Bolts Mag Our Famously Free Press Big Brother is Watching You Watch The House Intelligence Committees Surveillance Reform Bill is a Farce Electronic Frontier Foundation AI Healthcare? Police State Watch This is Joseph Ruiz. In 2021, the FBI seized his life savings$57,000from his safe deposit box in LA. He could no longer afford his medical treatments & he struggled to buy food. The kicker: He wasnt suspected of a crime. There are many other victims in this saga. A thread. pic.twitter.com/NeUHIxsmcT Billy Binion (@billybinion) December 7, 2023 Abortion Texas Supreme Court temporarily halts ruling allowing Dallas woman to get an abortion Texas Tribune Groves of Academe Israel is mass assassinating medical professionals across Gaza and destroying every possible medical institution and all US legacy media can talk about is college presidents failing to denounce the students protesting this https://t.co/yqJH4Zt2aF Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) December 9, 2023 Supply Chain Guillotine Watch Worlds Richest Families Got $1.5 Trillion Richer in 2023 The Morning News Tech Book Nook The attack against the freedom to read and what to do about it MR Online Class Warfare ON ALGORITHMIC WAGE DISCRIMINATION Veena Dubal, Columbia Law Review EMANCIPATORY HORIZONS IN TENANT ORGANIZING Law and Political Economy Project Antidote du jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Ben Shapiro celebrates Palantir announcement about affirmative action hiring quota for JEWS: love this Denver-based Palantir Technologies, founded in part by PayPal CEO Peter Thiel, has decided to start including Jews in its affirmative action hiring quotas. And right-wing conservative Zionist Ben Shapiro fully supports it Even though Shapiro for years blasted the idea of affirmative actions for blacks and other dark-skinned people with non-Jewish identity, suddenly he is in full support of giving Jews an unfair advantage in the hiring process at American companies. Shapiro celebrated a recent announcement from Palantir that the company is "setting aside 180 positions" specifically for Jewish college students who say they feel "unsafe" at America's Ivy League institutions following the October 7 Hamas false flag attack in Israel. "We at Palantir have been committed to defending the principles that make democratic rule possible since our founding two decades ago," the company tweeted on X. "Our software embodies our values and commitments. These include high performance, efficiency, transparency, fairness, and a rejection of narrow thinking, including fear and skepticism of the other and outright bigotry." "We believe that these values must be backed up by actions on the battlefield, intellectual and otherwise, given the egregious levels of antisemitism in our society, especially at our most elite educational institutions. Some of these organizations seem structurally incapable of taking any steps to reform themselves." (Related: Last month, Shapiro attacked employee Candace Owens for quoting Bible passages aimed at Israel that talk about loving one's enemies and being a peacemaker.) Ben Shapiro is a Jewish supremacist According to Palantir, there is so much fear among Jews in America right now that administrators on some college and university campuses are encouraging students to hide their Judaism. This means, apparently, that companies like Palantir have to give these Jewish students a leg up over everyone else. "We are launching an initiative for students who because of antisemitism fear for their safety on campus and need to seek refuge outside traditional establishments of higher education," the company said. "They are welcome to join Palantir, and we are setting aside 180 positions for them immediately." On social media, Shapiro celebrated the announcement by stating that he "love[s] this" move by Palantir to cater to Jews and Jewish supremacists who think they are victims in society. After many of Shapiro's followers were quick to respond to his celebratory tweet by explaining the hypocrisy of him suddenly supporting affirmative action now that it caters to Jews, Shapiro walked back his support sort of. "Didn't you build your entire career on attacking 'identity politics?'" one person asked Shapiro on X, noting that what Palantir is doing "is affirmative action for Jews." "But now everyone sees that what you really meant is identity politics for Jews and Israel but not for White people or anyone else." Another quoted past tweets from Shapiro, including the following: "The best proof that affirmative action elevates the unqualified to high office are the recent dissents from Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor." "Remember, if the Leftists on the Supreme Court had their way, racial discrimination via affirmative action would be constitutional and free exercise of religion would be unconstitutional." Shapiro's response to all the rightful criticism was to tweet the following nonsense in his defense: "But they should open it up to everyone, regardless of whether they fear anti-Semitism or not. Time to take the talent pool of the entire college and university scam and hire them away." In the comments on a story about all this, one commenter noted that out of the eight Ivy League universities in America, seven of them currently have Jewish presidents. More of the latest news about Ben Shapiro and other Zionists can be found at Antichrist.news. Sources for this article include: InformationLiberation.com NaturalNews.com TYRANNY TARGETS TODDLERS: Brazil to mandate COVID jabs for children as young as six months The Brazilian Ministry of Health has added Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines" to its mandatory vaccination schedule for children aged six months through five years. According to reports, Brazil's National Immunization Program (PNI) will require all children six months of age and older to get jabbed for COVID beginning in 2024, despite growing opposition from experts highlighting the dangers of the jabs. Brazilian Minister of Health Nisia Trindade is defending the new policy despite concerns being vocalized at a recent hearing before Brazil's Chamber of Deputies. Trindade clarified that the families of unvaccinated children will no longer receive support from the Bolsa Familia welfare program beginning in 2024. According to reports, the PNI will require every child six months of age and older to take three doses of COVID injection. The first two will be administered four weeks apart while the third will be administered eight weeks after the second dose. Pfizer's mRNA (modRNA) shot is the primary formulation available for Brazilian children, as well as China's CoronaVac (Sinovac) injection. Media reports state that the decision to mandate COVID shots on children in Brazil "was taken on the basis of global scientific evidence and epidemiological data of cases and deaths from the disease in the country." (Related: Learn more about how to remove graphene oxide and other dangerous COVID jab ingredients from your body.) Brazil to require COVID jabs for childhood education If all goes as planned, the next step for mandatory COVID jabs in Brazil will include the creation of school vaccination centers with strict requirements. In order to get an education, Brazilian students will need to first get jabbed at one of these centers. Trindade's excuse for why COVID jabs need to be forced on Brazilian children is that cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are rising, supposedly. More than 3,000 cases of SARS, Trindade would further claim, have so far been identified in children under the age of one, along with 1,000 cases in children aged one through four. "The [Health] Ministry also explained that it follows the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO), which in March of this year recommended that immunization be a priority for the high-risk population, such as people with significant comorbidities, including children 6 months or older," reports state. CNN Brazil further reported that COVID jabs will be prioritized for other "high-risk" groups in Brazil as well, including the elderly, the immunocompromised, the permanently disabled, pregnant and postpartum women, health care workers, people with comorbidities, Indigenous peoples, residents of long-term care facilities, homeless people, those in jail, and those who staff prisons. "In Brazil, we have slightly expanded the group compared to WHO's recommendations, which are more limited," commented Ethel Maciel, the Brazilian Ministry of Health's secretary of health surveillance. Maciel further defended the mandate by stating that "more than 60 countries" have already authorized the jab for children as of the end of 2021, and that Brazil is simply catching up with them. "We already have very robust evidence that indicates the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine," she said. "In Brazil, we had 4,000 people dying every day from COVID-19. Today, we have 42. This is the greatest evidence of the effectiveness of the vaccine." Another Brazilian media outlet says Brazil recorded one death per day in 2022 among children aged six months through five years, supposedly due to COVID. "The Brazilian government's proposal is to include, as mandatory, annual vaccination for COVID-19 in the age group from six months to five years of age, claiming that they are at-risk groups," commented Infectious disease specialist Dr. Francisco Cardoso to The Defender. "The addition of this rule to the PNI calendar makes this rule mandatory, except only in cases of medical certificates with express contraindication." More related news can be found at ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org NaturalNews.com DOHA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday urged the UN Security Council (UNSC) to "press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe" in the Gaza Strip and reiterated his appeal for a ceasefire. Guterres made the remarks at the Doha Forum in Qatar, two days after the United States wielded its veto power during a Security Council emergency meeting to quash a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The resolution, proposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), got 13 votes of favor, one vote of abstention from Britain and one veto from the United States. "The preeminent forum for the peaceful resolution of international disputes is paralyzed by geostrategic divisions", the UN news website quoted Guterres as saying during the Doha Forum, which brings global leaders together to discuss collective security and other challenges. To push for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Guterres invoked on Wednesday Article 99 of the UN Charter on Gaza, a rarely exercised power. Through this article, the secretary-general drew the attention of the Security Council to the fact that what is happening threatens the maintenance of international peace and security. "Regrettably the Security Council failed to do it but that does not make it less necessary. So, I can promise I will not give up," Guterres told the Doha Forum. U.S. VETO WIDELY CONDEMNED The UAE-drafted resolution had garnered nearly 100 co-sponsors in less than 24 hours, demonstrating strong support for efforts to end the Israel-Hamas conflict and save the lives of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The U.S. veto of the resolution was widely condemned. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday denounced the U.S. position as "aggressive and immoral, and a blatant violation of all humanitarian values and principles." In a statement, he said the move made the U.S. complicit with "war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Jerusalem." The Gaza-ruling Palestinian faction, Hamas, which Israel has announced at war with, described the U.S. administration as an "accomplice in the killing of the Palestinian people, through its political and military support for Israel." "We express great disappointment and regret that the draft has been vetoed by the U.S.," said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN after Friday's UNSC meeting. Zhang said that two months of fighting had already caused an unprecedented amount of death and destruction. "An immediate ceasefire is the overriding prerequisite." Dmitry Polyanskiy, first deputy permanent representative of Russia to the UN, said after the UNSC meeting on Friday that "today will become one of the darkest days in the Middle East" as the United States has once again blocked calls for a ceasefire. Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah expressed on Saturday his country's deep regret over the use of the veto. He said that he fears "failure to pass the resolution will be considered a new license for the occupying forces to continue their killings, destruction, and displacement of the Palestinian people." The isolated stance of the U.S. also reflected a growing difference between Washington and some of its allies over Israel's ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip. Nicolas de Riviere, permanent representative of France to the UN, said that he voted in favor of the draft resolution, adding that France will continue to commit to fully mobilizing the Security Council on all aspects of the crisis, whether it is security, humanitarian or political. Ishikane Kimihiro, permanent representative of Japan to the UN, said his delegation voted in favor of the draft as the loss of all civilian life, whether Palestinian or Israeli, is tragic. He also expressed regret that the text had failed to be adopted. Israel has been launching massive airstrikes and a ground offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel that killed around 1,200 and in which over 200 were taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll had risen to 17,997 as a result of Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip, according to figures released by the Hamas-run Health Ministry on Sunday. CFR waging war on anti-globalism: everyone who opposes enslavement must be subdued There is growing public and even national backlash against globalism, so much so that the globalist-controlled Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), which boasts members like former Saddleback Church "pastor" Rick Warren , is making moves to crack down on these anti-globalist sentiments. In case you did not know, the CFR is America's foreign policy think tank. It is a long-established deep state kingpin that holds an obscene amount of power over national and global affairs, including over the U.S. State Department. The CFR also works in tandem with other deep state entities such as the Bilderberg group and the Trilateral Commission. This past week, the CFR published a video in which Peter Trubowitz discussed what he believes are the reasons for the current rise in anti-globalism in Western countries and what it means for both the current and emerging world orders. Trubowitz is a professor of international relations and director of the Phelan U.S. Centre at the London School of Economics, as well as an associate fellow at Chatham House. Chatham House is also known as the Royal Institute for International Affairs, and it plays a key role in the United Kingdom's deep state apparatus. Recognizing the current turn to "economic nationalism," James M. Lindsay, senior vice president, director of studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg chair at the CFR, asked Trubowitz why he believes it is important to try to salvage the current international order, also known as the rules-based order. "In the nineties when the U.S. and other Western democracies embraced what economists call hyper-globalisation [they] made a huge bet on supernationalism," Trubowitz responded. "In opposition is frustration with the sovereignty costs that supernationalism entails." "We're not going to be able to go back to the post-war, World War II, liberal international order. And those who are pining for it, I think are kind of barking up the wrong tree. What we need to do is to re-imagine the relationship between foreign and domestic policies." (Related: The globalist cabal is making its final moves to implement a Great Reset agenda followed by worldwide totalitarianism.) Globalism is destroying the world One day after this interview with Lindsay and Trubowitz took place, Kristalina Georgieva, managing director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) talked about the same subject at the CFR's Stephen C. Freidheim Symposium on Global Economics with CFR President Michael Froman. Before joining the IMF, Georgieva worked as CEO of the World Bank. Before that, she was European Commission Vice President for Budget and Human Resources, during which time she played an instrumental role in developing the agenda of the European Union (EU). Stating that she believes the global economy is performing much better than economists at the IMF and elsewhere expected for a time such as this, Georgieva denied that there are any problems economically at least for the rich. "We have gone through unthinkable events COVID, then Russia's war in Ukraine, then the cost-of-living crisis, now a very serious crisis in the Middle East," Georgieva stated. "And yet, we are not experiencing a dramatic economic shock." There are, though, things that keep Georgieva up at night, including the prospect of slow global economic growth over the medium term. Right now, growth predictions in this timeframe are estimated to be around three percent, which is lower than the 3.8 percent pre-"pandemic" average. "Secondly, what worries us even more than that is a very dangerous divergence that is taking place in the world economy," Georgieva added. Some countries, including the U.S., seem to be performing a lot better than other countries. "As this divergence accumulates, what we should fear is not only economic trouble but also security trouble." More related news coverage can be found at Globalism.news. Sources for this article include: Expose-News.com NaturalNews.com Hunter Biden INDICTED on 9 tax charges, could spend up to 17 years in prison Hunter Biden has been indicted on nine tax charges in a federal court in California as part of a special counsel investigation into the business dealings of President Joe Biden's son The charges are in addition to federal firearms charges that Hunter is still facing in a court in Delaware. These charges stem from allegations that Hunter broke the law in 2018 when he owned a firearm while being an active drug user. These charges were levied against him after the implosion of a plea deal over the summer that would have seen the presidential son avoid jail time. (Related: POLL: 60% of Americans believe Joe Biden actively helped Hunter in his foreign business dealings.) The three felony and six misdemeanor charges levied against him by special counsel David Weiss on Thursday, Dec. 7, argue that Hunter "spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills." If found guilty on all nine counts, the presidential son could spend a maximum of 17 years in prison. He could also face a maximum of 25 years in prison for the previous gun charges. According to the special counsel's 56-page indictment against Hunter, the prosecutors allege that he "engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019." In 2018 alone, the indictment alleged that Hunter spent a total of $1.8 million, including $772,000 in cash withdrawals, with approximately $383,000 of this in payments to prostitutes. He also spent $151,000 in clothing and accessories. Prosecutors note that Hunter still made a "substantial income" in 2017 and 2018, including $2.6 million in business and consulting fees from a company he formed with the CEOs of Ukrainian energy company Burisma and a Chinese business conglomerate. He allegedly did not pay his taxes on a total of about $4 million in personal income during this period. Prosecutors add that Hunter eventually filed his taxes in 2020 and the back taxes were paid for by "a third party." Biden camp accuses special counsel of "bowing to Republican pressure" The indictment comes as congressional Republicans continue to pursue their impeachment inquiry into the president, claiming that he and Hunter were engaged in an influence-peddling scheme for profit. The House is expected to vote on formally authorizing the inquiry before Congress breaks for the holiday. In response to the new charges, Hunter's defense attorney, Abbe Lowell, accused Weiss of "bowing to Republican pressure." "Based on the facts and the law, if Hunter's last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now in California, would not have been brought," said Lowell. Weiss, a U.S. Attorney for Delaware and a registered Republican was appointed special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland in August to lead the investigation against Hunter. Weiss had been investigating Hunter since 2018, arising from claims that the presidential son may have broken the law in Delaware. Lowell plans to push for the "unprecedented and unconstitutional" gun charges in Delaware to be dismissed. During the period when the gun crimes allegedly occurred, the defense is arguing that Hunter was struggling with substance abuse and his situation had worsened due to him grieving the death of his brother Beau Biden in 2015. Learn more about the investigations and lawsuits against the president's son and other members of his family at BidenCrimeFamily.news. Watch this clip from Sky News Australia reporting on Hunter Biden's tax charges and how he used his tax savings to fund an "extravagant lifestyle." This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: SMOKING GUN: Hunter Biden sent Joe Biden "direct monthly payments" from a business account that received funds from China. DEEP STATE AT WORK: Documents show CISA launched dishonest campaign to discredit Hunter Biden "Laptop from Hell" story. Bank records show Biden pocketed $200K after his brother promised to "open doors" for a failing company. Hunter Biden received $260,000 from Chinese nationals in 2019 while his dad was running for president. Hunter Biden INDICTED by Delaware federal court on GUN-RELATED CHARGES. Sources include: MarketWatch.com TheGuardian.com Brighteon.com New Zealand whistleblower who courageously exposed data on COVID vaccines killing citizens now faces a 7 year prison sentence A New Zealand whistleblower, who exposed the mortality rate from individual COVID-19 vaccine lots, was arrested and faces an aggressive government retribution scheme that seeks to silence and punish him Journalist Liz Gunn was first to interview the whistleblower, whose name is Barry Young. He worked for the New Zealand government and had access to vaccine-related data from providers across the country. When he noticed that people were dying after vaccination, he decided to publicize the data. This act of bravery has been met with cruel acts of totalitarianism. The Young's home has been raided by police; he has been arrested; and the New Zealand government forced an injunction that prevents any publication of the data. The Employment Relations Authority of New Zealand also reports that Barry Young has had all of his access to the projects system removed. He now faces a 7 year prison sentence. As of December 3rd, journalist Liz Gunn is sounding the alarm, calling for a global effort to get this story out. New Zealand government trying to coverup crimes against humanity from COVID-19 vaccines During the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and medical tyranny, the government of New Zealand established a public health agency called Te Whatu Ora. On July 1, 2022, this agency replaced the countrys 20 district health boards (DHBs), effectively nationalizing management of healthcare services in New Zealand. The new agency consolidates the DHBs combined work force of 80,000, and is allotted an annual operating budget of NZ $20?billion. While the Ministry of Health sets health policy, strategy, and regulation, Te Whatu Ora is tasked with things like providing a vaccine payment system for medical providers across the country. These agencies have immense power over people's lives, are financially tied to the corruption inside the pharmaceutical industry, and provide a revolving door between government regulators, policy makers, and an unaccountable vaccine industry. Could this new government agency be running a coverup operation for the vaccine industry, as they injure and kill untold numbers of people with so-called safe and effective vaccines? New Zealand government goes after courageous whistleblower Whistleblower Barry Young disclosed government data on individual vaccine lots. According to the data, a shocking proportion of individuals have died shortly after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. After going public with the data, the New Zealand government raided his home. Young now faces a seven-year prison sentence for exposing the mortality data after COVID-19 vaccination taken directly from Te Whatu Ora. Young broke down the data according to vaccine batch. Most of the batches studied were from Pfizer. The first batch consisted of 711 vaccinated individuals. Young claims that 152 (21%) of these individuals died soon after taking the shots. Another healthcare provider administered 621 doses. Of those, 104 (17%) of the vaccinated individuals died soon thereafter. During his interview with Gunn, the whistleblower said, This should never happen, the percentage who die from what would be a normal vaccination administration would be 0.75 percent. Barry was one of the architects of the system that tracked vaccine-related data for the government. When he recognized that people were dying a week after being vaccinated, he decided to download and share the data with the world. Instead of being honored for exposing these atrocities, Barry Young now faces a corrupt communist government that seeks to punish him for his honesty and courage. The government is charging Young with accessing a government computer system for dishonest purposes. The corrupt prosecutors are accusing him of spreading misinformation and opposed his release on bail. He faces a seven year prison sentence for telling the truth. Since the story got out, Barry was received supported in court and has been released from jail. In an interview after his release, Barry defended the data and said, "The government needs to listen to the people. What has happened is wrong...These things need to be looked at. They can put me in jail. They can cage me, but they can never cage the truth." Sources include: Expose-News.com Rumble.com Rumble.com Absurd: Not a single EV charging station has been completed 2 YEARS after Congress approved $7.5B for it Not a single electric vehicle (EV) charging station has been completed two years after Congress earmarked $7.5 billion for that purpose. Back in November 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI), which was included in the measure, allocated $7.5 billion to build 500,000 EV chargers in the country by 2030. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory projected the need for 1.2 million EV chargers including 182,000 fast EV chargers by 2030 to meet the increasing demand. The U.S. has around 180,000 EV chargers, including 41,000 fast EV chargers. As part of the NEVI's $7.5 billion budget, the bipartisan infrastructure law allocated $5 billion to build fast chargers along interstate highways. The number of chargers has not increased two years later. According to several reports, industry insiders are pointing fingers at the red tape associated with the new contracting and performance requirements imposed on states and the charger industry to access federal funds as the primary cause of the delays. The NEVI stipulates that chargers must be built at least every 50 miles along major highways, be operational 97 percent of the time, accept credit card payments and incorporate domestically manufactured components. As a result, fewer than half of the states have initiated the bidding process for charger construction, even though more than $2 billion has already been authorized for distribution. To date, only two charging stations have begun construction one in Pennsylvania and one in Ohio. (Related: EV owners complain about "logistical nightmare" caused by lack of charging stations.) Trump rebukes Biden for pushing EVs on Americans The problems with NEVI, alongside delays in federal funding for new EV charging station construction, could have serious political repercussions for President Joe Biden. The incumbent chief executive could see his bid for a second term get hit, especially after former President Donald Trump promised to roll back the NEVI if he returns to the White House. Trump, a longtime skeptic of "green" initiatives, has vocally denounced climate change as a "hoax" and criticized how EVs are forced upon the population. He quipped during a rally with auto workers in Michigan back in September: "They say the happiest day when you buy an electric car is the first 10 minutes youre driving it, and then after that, panic sets in because youre worried, 'Where the hell am I going to get a charge to keep this thing going?'" During the same September rally, Trump attacked Biden for pushing his ambitious EV goals. This plan from the Biden administration, he added, combined a "mandate" and an "assassination" attempt on the auto industry and the lives of its workers. Biden's push for electric cars has left automotive workers' unions in Michigan uneasy and skeptical. United Auto Workers member John Jackson remarked how Biden "is forcing the issue" of EVs on Americans. He continued: "He's mandating through his [Environmental Protection Agency] that we have 50 percent electric cars by 2030. It's ridiculous; that's seven years away." "It doesn't make sense. We don't have infrastructure for it, and it's going to destroy all of our jobs." Head over to FlyingCars.news for more stories about EVs and the difficulties that come with owning them. Watch Next News Network's Gary Franchi explain why some states aren't happy with the Biden administration's nationwide EV charging network. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Transportation Secretary Buttigieg admits finding reliable EV charging stations is DIFFICULT. Electric vehicle entrepreneur struggles to find charging station for his car during road trip. Study: Overnight charging of EVs destabilizes America's power grid. 7 Reasons why the electric vehicle is not ready for mass consumption. To reduce grid stress, electric companies can remotely disengage electric vehicle (EV) chargers leaving drivers STRANDED during times of peak energy use. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk POLITICO.com 1 POLITICO.com 2 Brighteon.com $500 fine, no jail time for BLM rioters who set Atlanta Wendys on fire in 2020 A Fulton County judge issued a $500 fine and no jail time for two out of the three suspects who were charged with setting fire to a Wendy's in Atlanta during a violent Black Lives Matter (BLM) riot back in the summer of 2020. Chisom Kingston and Natalie White on Thursday pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit arson in the first degree and two counts of first-degree arson. Apart from the fine, each received a sentence of five years of probation and 150 hours of community service to be completed with a nonprofit organization within the first year of probation, as per online court records. They were each sentenced under Georgia's first offender law, which indicates that if they complete their sentences without violating the terms or committing another crime, their records will be wiped clean. A third suspect, 35-year-old John Wesley Wade, was indicted on the same charges earlier in the year back in January. Wade's case was still pending as he is currently in federal prison in West Virginia after pleading guilty in February 2022 to a separate charge of conspiracy to burn U.S. Postal Service vehicles. The three were arrested within weeks of the fire and in Jan 2022, a Fulton County grand jury indicted them on two counts each of first-degree arson and one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree arson. According to the Blaze, at the time of the indictment, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said, "I think this indictment is particularly important. It sends a message that we are a community that supports protesting. We certainly know it's one of your constitutional rights, but what we do not tolerate is violent protest." Willis added, "It is unacceptable to burn down a building in our community even in the name of a protest." Initially, all three pleaded not guilty and waived their arraignments back in March of 2022. The fast food restaurant was set ablaze during a protest on June 13, 2020, the night after a police officer fatally shot Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old African-American man. Atlanta Police Department officer Devin Brosnan was responding to a complaint that Brooks was asleep in a car in a Wendy's restaurant drive-through lane. Reports indicated that the officers calmly conducted field sobriety tests for 30 minutes and questioned Brooks, who admitted to drinking that night. A breathalyzer result showed that his blood-alcohol level was over the legal limit for driving. As the officers began to handcuff Brooks, he pulled away, grabbed an officer's taser, fired it and started to run away. Officer Garrett Rolfe pursued him on foot. Brooks turned and fired the stolen taser again, missing Rolfe. Rolfe drew his handgun and fired three times, striking Brooks twice in his back. He was later transported to the hospital and pronounced dead. (Related: MEDIA LOGIC: Tasers are harmless when black people use them against police, but deadly weapons when police use them against black people.) Critics: Two-tiered justice system in America is the new norm Upon learning the news on the decision of the case, critics raised concerns about the United States' two-tiered justice system. Trending Politics co-owner Collin Rugg posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Two rioters who were responsible for burning down the Wendy's in Atlanta during the BLM riots have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson and two counts of first-degree arson. Their punishment? Chisom Kingston and Natalie White will have to pay a $500 fine, 150 hours of community service and five years of probation." He further pointed out: "This is the same Fulton County where Donald Trump was charged with 13 felony counts and is facing a maximum of 76.5 years in prison." JUST IN: Two rioters who were responsible for burning down the Wendys in Atlanta during the BLM riots have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson and two counts of first-degree arson. Their punishment? Chisom Kingston and Natalie White will have to pay a $500 fine, 150 pic.twitter.com/Xdu08OXw4m Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 4, 2023 His post earned various reactions such as: "But Jan. 6 protestors get 10 years for pushing over a bike rack. Our 'justice' system is a joke." Another user commented that "unequal justice under the law is the new norm." Right Angle News Network replied to the thread: "We have January 6 protesters sitting in prison cells for 10 years of their lives because they took their grievances to the politicians that you're supposed to whenever you have a problem. And we have people like this who get away with whatever they wanna do. The double standards in this country are disturbing." On a separate X post, a J6er named Brandon Straka compared the sentence he received to Kingston's and White's. "Chisom Kingston and Natalie White set fire and burned down a Wendy's during the BLM riots in 2020. I stood outside of the Capitol for eight minutes, shooting video. No violence, vandalism, theft, or destruction." But he got three months of house arrest, three years probation, a $5,000 fine, a $500 "restitution payment," 60 hours community service and he served 2.5 days in jail. The court also ordered him mental health therapy sessions. Chisom Kingston and Natalie White set fire and burned down a Wendys during the BLM riots in 2020. I stood outside of the Capitol for 8 minutes shooting video. No violence, vandalism, theft, or destruction. Kingston and White sentence: 5 years probation $500 fine 150 pic.twitter.com/KO3DM2vRqQ Brandon Straka (@BrandonStraka) December 5, 2023 Check out BlackLiesMatter.news for more stories related to violent BLM riots. Sources for this article include: LawEnforcementToday.com FoxNews.com Republican actors house raided, and now hes been arrested for being at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 An actor and Los Angeles County Republican Party executive board member was arrested recently by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on charges related to entering the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 protest, news reports and party officials said. On Nov. 30, Siaka Massaquoi was reportedly returning with his wife from Nashville, where the couple attended the premiere of the Daily Wire's new film "Lady Ballers," a controversial comedy about transgender athletes. He was arrested, without a warrant, by agents at Hollywood Burbank Airport, Red State, a conservative news media outlet for which Massaquoi is a columnist, reported. At the time, he was with his pregnant wife, Charlotte Massaquoi. He was taken into custody on misdemeanor charges including trespassing, disorderly conduct and parading or demonstrating in a Capitol building, and he was held in jail overnight and released on a $1,000 bond Friday. He appeared in court on Friday, according to FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller. His wife set up a fundraising campaign on GiveSendGo to pay for his legal defense expenses. "Charlotte was told the charges had to do with January 6th; however, she was not presented with any arrest warrant," the description read. "Siaka was taken to Monterey Park Jail, where he stayed overnight and was told that he was being charged for four misdemeanors about his presence outside of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. on January 6th." She added that their family has been through so many ups and downs and a circus would be a more appropriate term for the turmoil and unnecessary display of government overreach that they have had to endure. The couple is expecting their first child in March. The fundraiser, which has a goal of raising $115,000 had already raised $ 88,131 from hundreds of donors as of Dec. 7. After he was released, Massaquoi shared a video clip on Saturday of a live stream from inside the Capitol on Jan. 6. He captioned the post: "Witness why I was raided 2 years ago and recently arrested and charged Nov 30th, 2023 almost 3 years later." Witness why I was raided 2 years ago and recently arrested and charged Nov 30th 2023 almost 3 years later https://t.co/0YH97WqftF Siaka Massaquoi (@_SiakaMassaquoi) December 2, 2023 The footage showed him holding his phone up to stream video among about a dozen protesters, some with their faces covered or wearing "Trump 2020" hats, crowded at the threshold of a door into the Capitol. Dozens of Capitol Police officers in riot gear fill the hallway and appear to be trying to get former President Donald Trump's supporters out of the building. Some of those in the video say they are "trying" to leave but are blocked by the crowds. Meanwhile, he told Red State he was "grateful to Jesus for being with me and my family throughout this unbelievable event." "Charlotte and I are so grateful for all the love and support we have received so far and know we will get through this with Gods grace. Thank you for your prayers and support," he said. Critics slam FBI for the obvious "political prosecution" of Massaquoi Celebrities and political personalities have denounced the FBI's arrest of Massaquoi, pointing out how he seemed to have been a part of a "secret" watch list. His house was raided three years ago but there were no charges filed. He was also under constant scrutiny in airports. (Related: Whistleblower: Air marshals ordered to SHADOW individuals who flew to DC during J6, leaving commercial travelers at risk.) Actress Gina Carano called the arrest "political persecution." "[Siaka Massaquoi] is an incredible human being, what is happening to him is disturbing and WRONG. Enough already, we shouldn't be having to try this hard to defend ourselves from our own government! Its sickening," she wrote in a Dec. 3 post on X. "Like they dont have enough pedophiles, sex traffickers, rapists, and murderers to go after but what do they choose to spend their time doing? What are their priorities?? Harassing a peaceful protester on Jan 6th." Founder of the Babylon Bee Seth Dillon also called the arrest a political persecution that "cant be allowed to continue." "He isn't just a talented actor and friend of the Babylon Bee; he also happens to be a Trump supporter," he tweeted. "And he's being punished for it by our government." Even Big Tech mogul Elon Musk commented: "This has gone too far." Podcast host Kelly John Walker wrote that the arrest is a sign that the United States is nearing a "tipping point, beyond which we will be a completely subject people." "The Rule of Law has been replaced by something no American must tolerate: Rule BY law," he wrote. The said arrest came a couple of months after he was part of a group that filed a lawsuit against the FBI, agency director Christopher Wray, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and Attorney General Merrick Garland. Bookmark Surveillance.news for more stories about how the U.S. government is still "watching" Jan. 6 Capitol protesters. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com GiveSendGo.com LATimes.com California retailers who dont sell GENDER-NEUTRAL toys could face fines under new law A new law in California set to take effect next year will prescribe fines for retailers who do not sell "gender-neutral" toys for children In 2021, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1084 into law. The legislation, which will be enacted on Jan. 1, 2024, will require some retail stores in the state to have a gender-neutral section for children. The non-compliant establishment will be forced to pay a civil penalty of either $250 or $500. Under the new law, retailers would have to establish gender-neutral toy sections "regardless of whether they have been traditionally marketed for either girls or for boys." However, not all department stores in the Golden State will be subject to the new law. Establishments that have physical locations in California, employ 500 people or more and sell "childcare items or toys" are subject to the edict. (Related: California bill would fine department stores $1,000 for separating toys by gender.) AB 10584 defined "childcare items" as products designed to facilitate sleep, feeding and relaxation or "to help children with sucking or teething." Meanwhile, "toys" were defined as products designed or intended to be used by children by the manufacturer. The bill also clarified that children pertained to in the measure are those aged 12 and below. At least one toy company expressed support for the bill. The Daily Mail recounted that Danish building block company Lego issued a statement at the time emphasizing its efforts to make its toys more inclusive for girls. "The company is committed to making Lego play more inclusive and ensuring that children's creative ambitions both now (and) in the future are not limited by gender stereotypes," the statement said. Assemblyman Low went "low" with the new law California Assemblyman Evan Low, a Democrat, backed AB 1084. He said he was "incredibly grateful" to receive Newsom's signature and support on the bill. "We need to stop stigmatizing what's acceptable for certain genders and just let kids be kids," Low told the Associated Press. "My hope is [that] this bill encourages more businesses across California and the U.S. to avoid reinforcing harmful and outdated stereotypes." The Sacramento Bee reported that Low was inspired by Target's 2015 decision to abolish gendered children's sections in favor of unisex aisles. He reportedly also took inspiration from a staffer's nine-year-old daughter, who asked why she had to go into the boys section to find science-related toys. "That was the impetus of this, which is how do we make a safe space today for children in society. As much as I'd like to think of this as watershed legislation, this is something the industry is already doing. We're just trying to play catch-up." The Democratic member of the California State Assembly also clarified that he's not trying to force change on anyone. "This is a democratic process," he said. "I'm in the business of ideas, and I'm trying to be responsible. We want to reflect a positive shopping experience by being inclusive. Diversity is a reality, but inclusion is a choice." What Low fails to grasp, however, is that his proposal makes gender-neutral aisles in some retail stores mandatory. This directly contradicts the "not trying to force change on anyone," as it forces establishments to make accommodations. More often than not, business owners will comply not because they choose to, but because they fear fines or other punishment. Burt Flickinger III, managing director for the retail consulting firm Strategic Resource Group, decried the legislation's ill-timed introduction. He noted that the U.S. is currently weathering the worse retail ice age in modern history. "I have not seen any fact-based evidence that the majority of shoppers are asking for this type of legislation," said Flickinger. "More regulations of any kind for retailers could be a proverbial prescription for more store closings." Watch this short clip about AB 1084, which mandates that gender-neutral aisles be maintained in certain California retail establishments. This video is from the True Conservative Minutes channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: California forces insurance companies to pay for sex organ mutilation in gender-confused teens. They're coming for your CHILDREN: California Governor Gavin Newsom signs "anti-parent" law. California legislature: Parents to lose custody if they don't support gender alterations (and mutilations) of their children. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk SacBee.com OCRegister.com Brighteon.com Tennessee city to BAN all LGBT books from county libraries The city of Murfreesboro in Tennessee plans to ban all LGBT-themed books from the county library by means of a newly passed restriction on public homosexuality. Journalist Erin Reed reported that Section 21-72 effectively bans public displays of affection for same-sex couples. The edict specifically identifies homosexuality as a form of sexual conduct. Violators could face a two-year ban on hosting public events and selling goods and services or a five-year ban for those caught breaking the rule "in the presence of minors." In June, the city started to ban "indecent behavior" including "indecent exposure, public indecency, lewd behavior, nudity or sexual conduct." The Rutherford County Library Board (RCLB) subsequently used the ordinance to ban all LGBT-themed books from the library, with board members asserting their right to "enforce community standards" as a reason for the ban. Some of the prohibited books include: "Flamer" by Mike Curato "Let's Talk About It" by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan "Queerfully & Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens" by Jennifer Knapp "This Book is Gay" by Juno Dawson Furthermore, the RCLB implemented a tiered library card system. Under this system, most LGBT nonfiction materials will only be available to adult borrowers. Starting next year, children and teens will only be able to check out books designated for their age group unless parents grant them permission to borrow adult titles. (Related: Two California school districts ban LGBTQ+ flags.) Section 21-72 protects children from LGBT mafia "Murfreesboro's new ordinance is a small piece of a larger effort to target LGBT rights in Tennessee, which was the first state to attempt a ban on drag shows," wrote the Daily Mirror, which added that the said ban was overturned in court. "In March, Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill allowing people the right to refuse to perform a marriage if they disagree with the couple's sexual orientation. The bill was introduced to the [Tennessee] Senate, but deferred until next year." The Mirror also noted that while the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) has challenged the restriction, "city officials have gone ahead and ratified the measure." Section 21-72 recently made headlines after officials attempted to enforce a ban on the LGBT BoroPride festival in October. However, ACLU-TN filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Tennessee Equality Project (TNEP) challenging the ban. A federal magistrate ruled in favor of ACLU-TN, and the event pushed through last Oct. 28. "We are relieved that the court has taken action to ensure that Murfreesoboro's discriminatory ordinance will not be enforced during the BoroPride festival," said TEP Executive Director Chris Sanders. " Reed also smeared the Volunteer State as one of the worst states for anti-LGBT legislation alongside Oklahoma, Kansas and Florida. She also described state officials as attempting to "legislatively erase trans people." However, Reed's claims about Tennessee's "oppressive" laws are far from the truth. In reality, officials in the Volunteer State are merely protecting children from the LGBT mafia and its corruption. Visit Groomers.news for more stories about cities pushing back against the gay mafia's grooming agenda. Watch this video that scrutinizes whether Pope Francis hates American Catholics for not adhering to the radical LGBT agenda. This video is from the KevinJJohnston channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Perverted and predatory LGBTQ compliance ratings coming to public schools, thanks to the CDC. Target loses $9B in week following boycott calls over LGBTQ-friendly kids clothing. Gay Huffington Post contributor charged with making threats to LGBTQ night club in Atlanta. Four in 10 Brown University students claim theyre LGBTQ, confirming massive leftist social contagion and brainwashing. Bidens woke, politicized CDC orders schools to make commitment to LGBTQ inclusivity. Sources include: Mirror.co.uk PathwaysTG.org Brighteon.com TikTok spending $1 million to fight social media misinformation that questions official COP28 narratives (which are rooted in climate LIES) The COP28 conference in Dubai is currently underway and TikTok is trying to control the narrative about it on its platform with a $1 million censorship injection. Climate-related content is surging on TikTok right now because of the globalist climate event, the seven-year timeline and other details of which have prophetic significance. Ian Gill, TikTok's Global Head of Sustainability, is voicing concerns about what TikTok users are talking about concerning COP28, global warming being a hot button issue in the public conversation. Gill helped launch a $1 million initiative specifically to control the climate "misinformation" and "disinformation" on TikTok. This initiative involves Verified for Climate, a joint project of the United Nations and Purpose. TikTok's new initiative is based on the controversial premise that the so-called science on global warming is settled: the planet is melting (or something). To keep TikTok users aligned with this premise, a group of "Verified Champions" from Brazil, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be curating from COP28 and other sources a climate narrative of which TikTok approves. Any TikTok content that does not align with the established climate narrative of Verified Champions will be labeled as "harmful misinformation," and will also include links to "reliable information." (Related: Potentially millions of otherwise healthy teenagers now believe they suffer from rare mental disorders due to "self-diagnosing" trend on TikTok.) Defy the climate "consensus," get banned from TikTok How TikTok's Verified Champions will determine what constitutes misinformation and disinformation remains unclear, likely intentionally. They are probably waiting to get all their talking points from whatever transpires at COP28 in the coming days. With Gill at the helm, TikTok has become a one-strike-you're-out platform that no longer tolerates dissenting views about the climate. Users who defy the scientific "consensus" often get banned from the platform entirely. "They ban content that contradicts the scientific consensus on climate change, including denial of its reality or causes," reports Reclaim the Net. "Yet, in doing so, they might also be stifling legitimate debates and alternative perspectives in the scientific community." TikTok is now a hub, of sorts, for climate-related content on the internet. Hashtags like #climatechange have accrued billions of views, meaning many people are coming to TikTok to watch information, aka propaganda, about climate change and global warming. One of Gill's priorities is to transform what he calls climate "anxiety" into empowerment and action. TikTok's many videos covering climate dialogues through documentary series and other materials are supposed to make the climate anxious feel calmer about global temperatures. Climate anxiety, by the way, is a form of mental illness in which a brainwashed person who thinks the planet is melting due to carbon dioxide (CO2) suffers from delusions of a coming climate apocalypse unless people stop eating meat, having children, driving cars, and breathing. TikTok claims to support all points of view on the climate, but this latest COP28 initiative shows that the Chinese-owned social media platform is opposed to viewpoints that contradict the official climate narrative. Communist China, by the way, is perhaps the foremost entity driving the "green" agenda because the more the United States and the West ditch earth-based "fossil" fuels in favor of wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles, the more China profits. The vast majority of the elements, minerals, and resources required to produce "renewable" energy technologies come from China. And China's goal, eventually, is to cripple and take over the U.S. to become the new global superpower. More of the latest news about TikTok's censorship efforts can be found at Censorship.news. Sources for this article include: ReclaimTheNet.org GulfNews.com NaturalNews.com The critically endangered eastern black rhino species gained a new member to its family as the 11-year-old Jozi gave birth to a youngster, adding approximately 100 pounds to the rhinoceros family at the Oregon Zoo. Baby Rhino The zoo newborn's caregivers said the baby rhino was born on December 4 at about 9:30 p.m. The baby and the first-time mother are getting along well in their private maternity room. "The most satisfying thing for me is to see Jozi taking such great care of her baby. These first few days are especially critical, so we're being very cautious and giving them as much quiet time as possible," said Chad Harmon, who supervises the zoo's rhino area. To provide the new family with a cozy space to connect, Jozi and her infant are off-view. Although the animal care staff has not intervened, they are keeping a tight eye on the pair to ensure that everything is going as planned. The calf is already nursing nicely, so there won't be an urgent veterinary check by the staff. The gender of the newborn has not yet been established by the care team. Read Also: Poachers Now Targeting Baby Rhinos Endangered Species The birth of the infant rhinoceros is a momentous occasion for the entire species, not just the Oregon Zoo, as Jozi and King, the baby's father, belong to the severely endangered eastern subspecies. Jozi was born at the Pittsburgh Zoo on September 8, 2012, and she currently weighs over 2,400 pounds. She was given the names "Jo-" by her father, Jomo, and "-zi" by her mother, Azizi, by her keepers. In 2021, Jozi relocated from the Milwaukee County Zoo to the Oregon Zoo, where she joined King, who had already arrived from Chicago's Brookfield Zoo. The actions were based on a rhino species survival plan suggestion from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. For several threatened or endangered species, the AZA has created Species Survival Plans, which are collaborative initiatives that support the development of genetically varied, self-sustaining populations and ensure the long-term survival of these creatures. The black rhino's western subspecies was officially declared extinct in 2011. Some people think their horns have unique healing qualities, while others think they represent the wealth or royal ancestry of the person who owns them. Even though poaching rhinos is prohibited, poachers nevertheless kill two rhinos each day from this species. "Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade have wiped out 96% of the world's black rhino population. In South Africa alone, we're losing almost a rhino a day. Hopefully, their story can help inspire a new chapter in the conservation of this incredible species," said Kelly Gomez, who oversees the zoo's Africa area. One of the earliest animal groupings and practically living fossils are rhinos. In addition to having a significant impact on their habitats, rhinos are a major source of ecotourism revenue in nations like Namibia. This is particularly true for the indigenous populations in the country's arid northwest, which is home to the biggest population of free-roaming black rhinos in Africa. Related Article: Baby Indian Rhino Born at Toronto Zoo [VIDEO] BEIRUT, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Two Lebanese civilians and six Israeli soldiers were injured on Sunday in confrontations between Hezbollah and the Israeli army on the Lebanese-Israeli borders, sources said. "In support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, the Islamic Resistance fighters launched a drone attack today on a headquarters of the Israeli army south of Ya'ara Barracks, leading to several casualties among its soldiers," said a statement by Hezbollah. Later in the day, the Israeli media reported that two Israel Defense Forces soldiers were moderately wounded, and four others were lightly hurt by shrapnels and smoke inhalation in a Hezbollah drone attack on a base in western Galilee. Meanwhile, Lebanese military sources said that Israeli warplanes on Sunday launched 11 airstrikes on several villages and towns in southern Lebanon, injuring two civilians, destroying four houses and causing damage to another 22. The Lebanon-Israel border has witnessed increased tension since Oct. 8, after Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Shebaa Farms in support of the Hamas attacks on Israel the previous day, prompting the Israeli forces to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 144 on the Lebanese side, including 99 Hezbollah members, a Lebanese soldier, one member of the Amal Movement, 16 members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and 27 civilians, including three journalists, according to Lebanese security sources. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service A new sun has risen over the Lushai Hills. In the battle between David and Goliath, such was the might of the greenhorn Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM) that it swept away the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF). The Mizos voted en masse for the new party with high hopes. This term would decide if it ends up as a one-election wonder or one to last long. How was ZPM born? Mizoram attained statehood on February 20, 1987, more than 15 years after it was created as a Union Territory. An over two-decade-long Mizo uprising, which saw the Indian Air Force carrying out airstrikes in Aizawl in 1966 to crush the movement in its early days, preceded statehood. The MNF spearheaded that movement. Over the next four decades or so since statehood, the contest for power in the tiny and rugged state had been invariably between MNF and Congress. However, an alliance movement started taking shape in the early part of 2017 to provide an alternative to the Mizos. Seven smaller regional parties - the Mizoram Peoples Party, Zoram Democratic Front, Zoram Reformation Front, Zoram Nationalist Party, Mizoram Peoples Conference, Zoram Exodus Movement and National Congress Party - came together and floated ZPM ahead of the 2018 polls. Stunning rise Amid an anti-incumbency wave ahead of the 2018 elections, the talk of the town was that ZPM would spring a surprise by ousting the 10-year-old Congress government but MNF under Zoramthanga managed to return to power by decimating the grand old party which finished with just five seats. ZPM was not a recognised political outfit then and its 36 candidates had contested as independents but under the partys flag and symbol. They bagged eight seats with incumbent Chief Minister Lalduhoma winning from two seats. The recognition from the Election Commission finally came in 2019. However, the largest party in the alliance Mizoram Peoples Conference left the conglomerate as ZPM became a political party. Following the defeat, Congress biggie and former Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla went into political retirement. Over the next five years, Congress popularity further dwindled but ZPM had a steady rise. In the closely-knit Mizo society, ZPM workers started working in tandem with various civil society and church organisations in the Christian-majority state and strengthened the party's base all over. That ZPM would give MNF a run for its money in the 2023 polls was evidenced by its stellar performance in Lunglei Municipal Council elections held in March this year. It had swept the polls, winning all 11 seats. READ MORE | ZPM's Lalduhoma sworn in as new Chief Minister of Mizoram, spells out priorities for next 100 days Candidate quality With MNF going to elections with a bagful of failures, Congress popularity waning and BJP fighting its anti-Christian image, ZPM became a natural choice of voters. It bagged 27 of the 40 seats to form the states first non-MNF and non-Congress government. One factor cited as the main reason behind its success is its choice of candidates. Thirty-three were new faces with several of them well-known in the Mizo society. Then, women and youth were believed to have voted in large numbers in ZPMs favour. Who is Lalduhoma? ZPM fought the elections under the suave former Indian Police Service officer-turned-politician Lalduhoma. He is also a church leader known for his oratory skills and clean image. He, however, holds the dubious distinction of being disqualified twice both as an MP and MLA under the anti-defection law. His formative years in politics were in the Congress. Born in 1949, Lalduhoma took the plunge into politics in 1984 when he joined the Congress after resigning as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhis security in-charge. The party had elected him as its Mizoram chief and his political goal was to find a solution to the Mizo insurgency movement. He had successfully contested the 1984 Lok Sabha elections. However, he withdrew his membership from the party in 1986 in protest against the delay in the Mizo peace accord. Subsequently, he was disqualified under the anti-defection law for giving up the membership of the party. He was the first MP in the country to be disqualified under this law. He was elected to the Assembly thrice 2003, 2018 and 2023. He was disqualified as an MLA in 2020 for defecting to ZPM after having won the 2018 polls as an independent. Challenges ahead Pulling the state out of its precarious financial position, unemployment, underdevelopment, drug menace and alleged corruption in the system will be among the prime challenges. Ahead of his swearing-in, Lalduhoma had stated that the youth were disappointed with the MNFs performance. The rate of unemployment is as high as 23%. ZPM has inducted one of its two winning female candidates in the ministry, thereby sending across a message that it stands for women's empowerment. Lalduhoma said ZPM won as women voters, who outnumbered their male counterparts, largely voted for the party. The drug problem in the state is alarming. According to the state's Excise and Narcotics Department, drug consumption killed 1,794 people in the state since 1984. The figure of this year stands at 58. Frustration due to unemployment is believed to be a key reason why the youth take to drugs. Drugs, manufactured in Myanmar, are often smuggled into India through the porous international border. The previous government admitted drug smuggling from Myanmar increased in the wake of the political unrest in the neighbouring country. The new governments challenge will be to choke the supply routes. It goes without saying that taking Mizoram out of the precarious financial situation will be the biggest challenge. Lalduhoma said his government would bring in financial reforms by constituting a resource mobilisation team comprising experts. Its effort will be to look after austerity measures, disinvestment, manpower assessment etc. Building infrastructure, particularly roads, will be another challenge. When road infrastructure in most states in the Northeast improved significantly under the Narendra Modi government, there are rickety roads galore in the state much to the chagrin of Mizos. Finding a solution to the refugee problem will be another challenge for the new government. Some 35,000 refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh are taking refuge in the state. Lalduhoma said he would meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and take up the issue. Top priority Its immediate priority will be to buy products such as ginger, turmeric, chilli and broomsticks from its friends the local farmers. They grew these allegedly as advised by the previous government but did not get a market. Lalduhoma said the process of procurement would begin soon. READ MORE | Mizoram elections: MNF rejects Zoramthangas resignation as party chief despite poll loss Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp A new sun has risen over the Lushai Hills. In the battle between David and Goliath, such was the might of the greenhorn Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM) that it swept away the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF). The Mizos voted en masse for the new party with high hopes. This term would decide if it ends up as a one-election wonder or one to last long. How was ZPM born? Mizoram attained statehood on February 20, 1987, more than 15 years after it was created as a Union Territory. An over two-decade-long Mizo uprising, which saw the Indian Air Force carrying out airstrikes in Aizawl in 1966 to crush the movement in its early days, preceded statehood. The MNF spearheaded that movement.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Over the next four decades or so since statehood, the contest for power in the tiny and rugged state had been invariably between MNF and Congress. However, an alliance movement started taking shape in the early part of 2017 to provide an alternative to the Mizos. Seven smaller regional parties - the Mizoram Peoples Party, Zoram Democratic Front, Zoram Reformation Front, Zoram Nationalist Party, Mizoram Peoples Conference, Zoram Exodus Movement and National Congress Party - came together and floated ZPM ahead of the 2018 polls. Stunning rise Amid an anti-incumbency wave ahead of the 2018 elections, the talk of the town was that ZPM would spring a surprise by ousting the 10-year-old Congress government but MNF under Zoramthanga managed to return to power by decimating the grand old party which finished with just five seats. ZPM was not a recognised political outfit then and its 36 candidates had contested as independents but under the partys flag and symbol. They bagged eight seats with incumbent Chief Minister Lalduhoma winning from two seats. The recognition from the Election Commission finally came in 2019. However, the largest party in the alliance Mizoram Peoples Conference left the conglomerate as ZPM became a political party. Following the defeat, Congress biggie and former Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla went into political retirement. Over the next five years, Congress popularity further dwindled but ZPM had a steady rise. In the closely-knit Mizo society, ZPM workers started working in tandem with various civil society and church organisations in the Christian-majority state and strengthened the party's base all over. That ZPM would give MNF a run for its money in the 2023 polls was evidenced by its stellar performance in Lunglei Municipal Council elections held in March this year. It had swept the polls, winning all 11 seats. READ MORE | ZPM's Lalduhoma sworn in as new Chief Minister of Mizoram, spells out priorities for next 100 days Candidate quality With MNF going to elections with a bagful of failures, Congress popularity waning and BJP fighting its anti-Christian image, ZPM became a natural choice of voters. It bagged 27 of the 40 seats to form the states first non-MNF and non-Congress government. One factor cited as the main reason behind its success is its choice of candidates. Thirty-three were new faces with several of them well-known in the Mizo society. Then, women and youth were believed to have voted in large numbers in ZPMs favour. Who is Lalduhoma? ZPM fought the elections under the suave former Indian Police Service officer-turned-politician Lalduhoma. He is also a church leader known for his oratory skills and clean image. He, however, holds the dubious distinction of being disqualified twice both as an MP and MLA under the anti-defection law. His formative years in politics were in the Congress. Born in 1949, Lalduhoma took the plunge into politics in 1984 when he joined the Congress after resigning as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhis security in-charge. The party had elected him as its Mizoram chief and his political goal was to find a solution to the Mizo insurgency movement. He had successfully contested the 1984 Lok Sabha elections. However, he withdrew his membership from the party in 1986 in protest against the delay in the Mizo peace accord. Subsequently, he was disqualified under the anti-defection law for giving up the membership of the party. He was the first MP in the country to be disqualified under this law. He was elected to the Assembly thrice 2003, 2018 and 2023. He was disqualified as an MLA in 2020 for defecting to ZPM after having won the 2018 polls as an independent. Challenges ahead Pulling the state out of its precarious financial position, unemployment, underdevelopment, drug menace and alleged corruption in the system will be among the prime challenges. Ahead of his swearing-in, Lalduhoma had stated that the youth were disappointed with the MNFs performance. The rate of unemployment is as high as 23%. ZPM has inducted one of its two winning female candidates in the ministry, thereby sending across a message that it stands for women's empowerment. Lalduhoma said ZPM won as women voters, who outnumbered their male counterparts, largely voted for the party. The drug problem in the state is alarming. According to the state's Excise and Narcotics Department, drug consumption killed 1,794 people in the state since 1984. The figure of this year stands at 58. Frustration due to unemployment is believed to be a key reason why the youth take to drugs. Drugs, manufactured in Myanmar, are often smuggled into India through the porous international border. The previous government admitted drug smuggling from Myanmar increased in the wake of the political unrest in the neighbouring country. The new governments challenge will be to choke the supply routes. It goes without saying that taking Mizoram out of the precarious financial situation will be the biggest challenge. Lalduhoma said his government would bring in financial reforms by constituting a resource mobilisation team comprising experts. Its effort will be to look after austerity measures, disinvestment, manpower assessment etc. Building infrastructure, particularly roads, will be another challenge. When road infrastructure in most states in the Northeast improved significantly under the Narendra Modi government, there are rickety roads galore in the state much to the chagrin of Mizos. Finding a solution to the refugee problem will be another challenge for the new government. Some 35,000 refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh are taking refuge in the state. Lalduhoma said he would meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and take up the issue. Top priority Its immediate priority will be to buy products such as ginger, turmeric, chilli and broomsticks from its friends the local farmers. They grew these allegedly as advised by the previous government but did not get a market. Lalduhoma said the process of procurement would begin soon. READ MORE | Mizoram elections: MNF rejects Zoramthangas resignation as party chief despite poll loss Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI SRINAGAR: With the Supreme Court to pronounce its verdict on Monday on the constitutional validity of the Centre's decision to abrogate controversial Article 370, several parties in Jammu and Kashmir expressed hope that the provision will be restored, while on the ground authorities have made "adequate" security arrangements. The BJP said that there should not be any politics on the Supreme Court ruling and everyone should respect it. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said his party will not disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir even in case of an adverse verdict from the Supreme Court on the petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and will continue its fight in accordance with the law. People's Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said the court's verdict should be clear that the decision taken by the BJP-led central government was "illegal". The NC and PDP are part of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), also called the Gupkar Alliance, which was formed by parties in J-K to fight for the restoration of Article 370. OPINION | Awaiting the SC judgement on Article 370 Another former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed hope that the Supreme Court will deliver a verdict in favour of the people. A slew of restrictions was placed in J-K and scores of leaders were detained or put under house arrest when Article 370 which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was scrapped and J-K was bifurcated into Union territories on August 5, 2019. Despite apprehensions expressed by many parties about the aftermath, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stressed that "not a drop of blood was shed" during the critical period. Scrapping Article 370 was among the core issues of BJP's agenda and had been consistently included in its election manifestos. Omar Abdullah on Sunday said his party will continue its fight for the restoration of the rights of people through peaceful means as laid down in the Constitution. "The Supreme Court has to give its verdict, let it. If we had to disturb the situation, we would have done it after 2019. However, we said it then and we reiterate it now that our fight will be peaceful and as per the Constitution, taking the help of the law to protect our rights and preserve our identity. What is wrong in it? Don't we have a right to say this in a democracy? Can't we raise objections in a democracy? If others can talk, why not us?" Omar said at a party convention at Rafiabad in Baramulla district. ALSO READ | 'If others can talk, why not us', Omar Abdullah says peaceful struggle for rights of J&K will continue Abdullah claimed that police had been summoning National Conference leaders to police stations since Saturday night and "intimidating" them. "The Supreme Court has not passed a verdict yet. How do you know what is the verdict? Maybe it is in our favour! Then what is the need to call my party colleagues to police stations... "Allah willing, if the verdict goes against them (BJP), what will you do if they start writing against it on Facebook?" he asked. Abdullah said there was no justification to put curbs on National Conference leaders as they have always been votaries of peace. "We had knocked at the door of the Supreme Court in the hope of getting justice and that sentiment persists even today," he said. Azad said only two institutions that can return articles 370 and 35A to the people of Jammu and Kashmir - Parliament and the Supreme Court. "The Supreme Court bench is non-partisan and we hope that it will give a decision in favour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he told reporters here. Azad, who floated the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) after parting ways with the Congress, said he cannot foresee Parliament reversing the decisions taken on August 5, 2019 as it would require a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. Azad said the people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, have an emotional attachment to the special provisions of the Constitution that were repealed four years ago. "It is important that these (provisions) are restored for securing our present and future," he said. BJP's J-K unit chief Ravinder Raina said the apex court has heard both sides through a transparent process. "We are confident that it will no longer remain a political issue after the Supreme Court verdict. We are all citizens of this democratic country and everyone should respect and accept whatever the decision the honourable Supreme Court takes. "Our judiciary is the greatest. There should be no politics on the verdict," Raina said. ALSO READ | PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti fears adverse ruling from SC on Article 370 Mehbooba Mufti said it is the apex court's responsibility to ensure that it does not push the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) agenda, but keeps the integrity of the country and its Constitution intact. "I think the decision should be simple that whatever was done on August 5, 2019 was illegal, unconstitutional, against Jammu and Kashmir and the promises made to the people here," she said. Meanwhile, authorities said they have made adequate security arrangements to ensure that peace is not disturbed. "We are duty-bound to ensure that peace prevails in the Valley under all circumstances," Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone V K Birdi told PTI. While the IGP refused to divulge specifics of the security set-up for Monday, he said "adequate arrangements" have been put in place. "We are taking all precautions and will ensure that peace is not disturbed in Kashmir," Birdi, who held security review meetings in most of the 10 valley districts over the last two weeks, said. Asked if orders invoking section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on the misuse of social media were related to the Supreme Court's expected judgment, he said there have been several incidents of some elements trying to provoke people with their posts. "Action has been taken against such elements in the past and action will be taken in the future as well," he added. OPINION | Converting a state of India into a union territory Authorities here have issued guidelines for social media users under CrPC section 144 to curb the spread of any content that is communally sensitive or promotes terrorism and secessionism. "The guidelines aim to provide clarity on actions citizens should take when encountering content related to terrorism, secessionism, threats, intimidation or communally-sensitive material on social media platforms," the circular, issued by police in several districts, read. A five-judge bench of the apex court reserved its verdict on the petitions on September 5 after conducting daily hearings on the matter from August 2. According to the cause list for December 11 (Monday), uploaded on the apex court's website, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud would deliver the verdict. The other members of the bench are Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai and Surya Kant. The first petition challenging the presidential order scrapping Article 370 was filed by advocate M L Sharma, who was later joined by another lawyer from Jammu and Kashmir, Shakir Shabir. National Conference filed a petition on August 10. The petition was filed by Mohammad Akbar Lone and Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi, both Lok Sabha members of the NC. There are other petitions challenging the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370, including a plea filed by a group of former defence officers and bureaucrats. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp SRINAGAR: With the Supreme Court to pronounce its verdict on Monday on the constitutional validity of the Centre's decision to abrogate controversial Article 370, several parties in Jammu and Kashmir expressed hope that the provision will be restored, while on the ground authorities have made "adequate" security arrangements. The BJP said that there should not be any politics on the Supreme Court ruling and everyone should respect it. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said his party will not disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir even in case of an adverse verdict from the Supreme Court on the petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and will continue its fight in accordance with the law.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); People's Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said the court's verdict should be clear that the decision taken by the BJP-led central government was "illegal". The NC and PDP are part of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), also called the Gupkar Alliance, which was formed by parties in J-K to fight for the restoration of Article 370. OPINION | Awaiting the SC judgement on Article 370 Another former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed hope that the Supreme Court will deliver a verdict in favour of the people. A slew of restrictions was placed in J-K and scores of leaders were detained or put under house arrest when Article 370 which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was scrapped and J-K was bifurcated into Union territories on August 5, 2019. Despite apprehensions expressed by many parties about the aftermath, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stressed that "not a drop of blood was shed" during the critical period. Scrapping Article 370 was among the core issues of BJP's agenda and had been consistently included in its election manifestos. Omar Abdullah on Sunday said his party will continue its fight for the restoration of the rights of people through peaceful means as laid down in the Constitution. "The Supreme Court has to give its verdict, let it. If we had to disturb the situation, we would have done it after 2019. However, we said it then and we reiterate it now that our fight will be peaceful and as per the Constitution, taking the help of the law to protect our rights and preserve our identity. What is wrong in it? Don't we have a right to say this in a democracy? Can't we raise objections in a democracy? If others can talk, why not us?" Omar said at a party convention at Rafiabad in Baramulla district. ALSO READ | 'If others can talk, why not us', Omar Abdullah says peaceful struggle for rights of J&K will continue Abdullah claimed that police had been summoning National Conference leaders to police stations since Saturday night and "intimidating" them. "The Supreme Court has not passed a verdict yet. How do you know what is the verdict? Maybe it is in our favour! Then what is the need to call my party colleagues to police stations... "Allah willing, if the verdict goes against them (BJP), what will you do if they start writing against it on Facebook?" he asked. Abdullah said there was no justification to put curbs on National Conference leaders as they have always been votaries of peace. "We had knocked at the door of the Supreme Court in the hope of getting justice and that sentiment persists even today," he said. Azad said only two institutions that can return articles 370 and 35A to the people of Jammu and Kashmir - Parliament and the Supreme Court. "The Supreme Court bench is non-partisan and we hope that it will give a decision in favour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he told reporters here. Azad, who floated the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) after parting ways with the Congress, said he cannot foresee Parliament reversing the decisions taken on August 5, 2019 as it would require a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. Azad said the people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, have an emotional attachment to the special provisions of the Constitution that were repealed four years ago. "It is important that these (provisions) are restored for securing our present and future," he said. BJP's J-K unit chief Ravinder Raina said the apex court has heard both sides through a transparent process. "We are confident that it will no longer remain a political issue after the Supreme Court verdict. We are all citizens of this democratic country and everyone should respect and accept whatever the decision the honourable Supreme Court takes. "Our judiciary is the greatest. There should be no politics on the verdict," Raina said. ALSO READ | PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti fears adverse ruling from SC on Article 370 Mehbooba Mufti said it is the apex court's responsibility to ensure that it does not push the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) agenda, but keeps the integrity of the country and its Constitution intact. "I think the decision should be simple that whatever was done on August 5, 2019 was illegal, unconstitutional, against Jammu and Kashmir and the promises made to the people here," she said. Meanwhile, authorities said they have made adequate security arrangements to ensure that peace is not disturbed. "We are duty-bound to ensure that peace prevails in the Valley under all circumstances," Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone V K Birdi told PTI. While the IGP refused to divulge specifics of the security set-up for Monday, he said "adequate arrangements" have been put in place. "We are taking all precautions and will ensure that peace is not disturbed in Kashmir," Birdi, who held security review meetings in most of the 10 valley districts over the last two weeks, said. Asked if orders invoking section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on the misuse of social media were related to the Supreme Court's expected judgment, he said there have been several incidents of some elements trying to provoke people with their posts. "Action has been taken against such elements in the past and action will be taken in the future as well," he added. OPINION | Converting a state of India into a union territory Authorities here have issued guidelines for social media users under CrPC section 144 to curb the spread of any content that is communally sensitive or promotes terrorism and secessionism. "The guidelines aim to provide clarity on actions citizens should take when encountering content related to terrorism, secessionism, threats, intimidation or communally-sensitive material on social media platforms," the circular, issued by police in several districts, read. A five-judge bench of the apex court reserved its verdict on the petitions on September 5 after conducting daily hearings on the matter from August 2. According to the cause list for December 11 (Monday), uploaded on the apex court's website, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud would deliver the verdict. The other members of the bench are Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai and Surya Kant. The first petition challenging the presidential order scrapping Article 370 was filed by advocate M L Sharma, who was later joined by another lawyer from Jammu and Kashmir, Shakir Shabir. National Conference filed a petition on August 10. The petition was filed by Mohammad Akbar Lone and Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi, both Lok Sabha members of the NC. There are other petitions challenging the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370, including a plea filed by a group of former defence officers and bureaucrats. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday appealed to the Assamese people not to sell their land to any "suspected foreigner" to safeguard the culture and identity of the indigenous population. He also urged the people, especially youths, to be economically independent, emphasising the importance of financial growth for the progress of any community. Speaking at the 'Swahid Divas' programme, observed in memory of martyrs of Assam Agitation, at Boragaon in Guwahati, Sarma said, "I believe that if every Assamese takes a pledge to not sell his or her land to any suspected foreigner, our 'jati' (community) will be protected. Some families sell their land for economic benefit, but many families don't even need the money and yet they sell it to suspected foreigners. "Let us pledge not to sell our land to any suspected foreigner anymore," he said, adding that the government will bring in a law prohibiting the sale of land to "outsiders" in places such as Majuli, Barpeta and Batadrawa, centres of Vaishnavite culture in the state. Sarma, who recounted his association with the six-year-long Assam Agitation against illegal immigrants, culminating with the signing of the Assam Accord in August 1985, also highlighted the emphasis the leaders of the movement had laid on economic independence. "The agitation was not just based on emotions, but also logic. Many leaders of the agitation had dreamt of making Assam economically self-sufficient and youths of that time had also responded by taking up odd jobs. But that is not the case anymore. Taking advantage of the Assamese youths' lack of will to work, suspected foreigners have taken over trade and commerce in important places," he claimed. Asserting that economic independence is as important as steps taken for safeguarding culture and language, the CM urged the youth to be more hard-working and appreciate the dignity of labour. Sarma also warned government officials who have "compromised" the progress of the state for some form of gratification, maintaining that society is weakened if the government officials fail to deliver. "If some officials have compromised the sanctity of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for some curd and local chicken (as gratifications), we can not progress. I warn those who included their (suspected foreigners) names in the NRC fraudulently that we are working on identifying them," he said. The CM also stressed the role of society in protecting the community's interest along with the government's initiatives. Referring to the martyrs' memorial coming up in Boragaon area of Guwahati, Sarma said the 'Swahid Stambh' (martyrs' column) and 'Swahid Udyan' (park) will serve as reminders for future generations to work for the cause of their 'jati' (community). Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday appealed to the Assamese people not to sell their land to any "suspected foreigner" to safeguard the culture and identity of the indigenous population. He also urged the people, especially youths, to be economically independent, emphasising the importance of financial growth for the progress of any community. Speaking at the 'Swahid Divas' programme, observed in memory of martyrs of Assam Agitation, at Boragaon in Guwahati, Sarma said, "I believe that if every Assamese takes a pledge to not sell his or her land to any suspected foreigner, our 'jati' (community) will be protected.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Some families sell their land for economic benefit, but many families don't even need the money and yet they sell it to suspected foreigners. "Let us pledge not to sell our land to any suspected foreigner anymore," he said, adding that the government will bring in a law prohibiting the sale of land to "outsiders" in places such as Majuli, Barpeta and Batadrawa, centres of Vaishnavite culture in the state. Sarma, who recounted his association with the six-year-long Assam Agitation against illegal immigrants, culminating with the signing of the Assam Accord in August 1985, also highlighted the emphasis the leaders of the movement had laid on economic independence. "The agitation was not just based on emotions, but also logic. Many leaders of the agitation had dreamt of making Assam economically self-sufficient and youths of that time had also responded by taking up odd jobs. But that is not the case anymore. Taking advantage of the Assamese youths' lack of will to work, suspected foreigners have taken over trade and commerce in important places," he claimed. Asserting that economic independence is as important as steps taken for safeguarding culture and language, the CM urged the youth to be more hard-working and appreciate the dignity of labour. Sarma also warned government officials who have "compromised" the progress of the state for some form of gratification, maintaining that society is weakened if the government officials fail to deliver. "If some officials have compromised the sanctity of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for some curd and local chicken (as gratifications), we can not progress. I warn those who included their (suspected foreigners) names in the NRC fraudulently that we are working on identifying them," he said. The CM also stressed the role of society in protecting the community's interest along with the government's initiatives. Referring to the martyrs' memorial coming up in Boragaon area of Guwahati, Sarma said the 'Swahid Stambh' (martyrs' column) and 'Swahid Udyan' (park) will serve as reminders for future generations to work for the cause of their 'jati' (community). Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Ramashankar By Express News Service PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday demanded special category status (SCS) to the state during the 26th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the state capital. The meeting, however, was not attended by West Bengal Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, and Jharkhand CM Naveen Patnaik. Nitish, however, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah after a lot of political acrimony between them ever since the JD (U) supremo had snapped ties with the BJP to form a new government with the grand alliance in August last year. The demand for special category status has been revived afresh after the release of the caste and economic survey data. Last month, the state cabinet passed a resolution demanding a grant of special category status for the state. He claims that it will require five years to complete various schemes but the state government would be able to do it in a very short time if it was accorded special status. ALSO READ | Nitish Kumar cabinet passes resolution seeking special category status for Bihar On earlier occasions, Shah had contended that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government had spent an amount of Rs 1.35 lakh crore on the development of the state as per his promise. BJP now maintains that the issue of special status has lost its relevance now. Former deputy chief minister and BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi had recently contended that no state would be accorded special status as the concept itself did not exist any longer. He said that both the Raghuram Rajan committee and the 14th Finance Commission had rejected the concept of special status. The state government also demanded the construction of a high dam in Nepal to prevent floods caused by rivers originating from there. On it, Shah asked state water resources minister Sanjay Jha to submit a detailed proposal to the Centre. Every year, a large tract of area in north Bihar gets flooded by rivers originating from Nepal. It also demanded Shah to incorporate two recently amended laws, which increased the reservation quotas from 50 per cent to 65 per cent in the 9th schedule of the constitution to provide them immunity from judicial review. It was also decided that the next meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council meeting would be held in Ranchi. Centre had no intention to create hurdles in caste-based survey in Bihar: Shah Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that the Central government never had any intention of creating hurdles in caste-based survey and the BJP had supported it when it was in power in Bihar. Chairing the 26th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council in Patna, Shah said that there were some issues related to caste-based surveys, which he hoped the state government would be able to resolve amicably. He said the meeting of the Zonal Council of the Eastern region went well and on all issues, decisions have been taken. Some issues have been resolved and on some issues, committees have been formed to look into the subjects, he added Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday demanded special category status (SCS) to the state during the 26th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the state capital. The meeting, however, was not attended by West Bengal Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, and Jharkhand CM Naveen Patnaik. Nitish, however, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah after a lot of political acrimony between them ever since the JD (U) supremo had snapped ties with the BJP to form a new government with the grand alliance in August last year. The demand for special category status has been revived afresh after the release of the caste and economic survey data. Last month, the state cabinet passed a resolution demanding a grant of special category status for the state. He claims that it will require five years to complete various schemes but the state government would be able to do it in a very short time if it was accorded special status.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ | Nitish Kumar cabinet passes resolution seeking special category status for Bihar On earlier occasions, Shah had contended that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government had spent an amount of Rs 1.35 lakh crore on the development of the state as per his promise. BJP now maintains that the issue of special status has lost its relevance now. Former deputy chief minister and BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi had recently contended that no state would be accorded special status as the concept itself did not exist any longer. He said that both the Raghuram Rajan committee and the 14th Finance Commission had rejected the concept of special status. The state government also demanded the construction of a high dam in Nepal to prevent floods caused by rivers originating from there. On it, Shah asked state water resources minister Sanjay Jha to submit a detailed proposal to the Centre. Every year, a large tract of area in north Bihar gets flooded by rivers originating from Nepal. It also demanded Shah to incorporate two recently amended laws, which increased the reservation quotas from 50 per cent to 65 per cent in the 9th schedule of the constitution to provide them immunity from judicial review. It was also decided that the next meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council meeting would be held in Ranchi. Centre had no intention to create hurdles in caste-based survey in Bihar: Shah Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that the Central government never had any intention of creating hurdles in caste-based survey and the BJP had supported it when it was in power in Bihar. Chairing the 26th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council in Patna, Shah said that there were some issues related to caste-based surveys, which he hoped the state government would be able to resolve amicably. He said the meeting of the Zonal Council of the Eastern region went well and on all issues, decisions have been taken. Some issues have been resolved and on some issues, committees have been formed to look into the subjects, he added Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah said on Sunday that his party will not disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir even in case of an adverse Supreme Court verdict on petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said his party will continue with its fight for the restoration of the rights of the people of the region through peaceful means as laid down in the Constitution. "The Supreme Court has to give its verdict, let it. If we had to disturb the situation, we would have done it after 2019. However, we said it then and we reiterate it now that our fight will be peaceful and in accordance with the Constitution, taking help of the law for protecting our rights and preserving our identity." "What is wrong in it? Don't we have a right to say this in a democracy? Can't we raise objections in a democracy? If others can talk, why not us?" Abdullah asked at a party convention at Rafiabad in Baramulla district. The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on Monday on a batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370. The Centre abrogated the provisions of Article 370, which bestowed a special status on Jammu and Kashmir, on August 5, 2019 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union territories. Abdullah said NC leaders are being summoned to police stations since Saturday night and intimidated. "The Supreme Court has not passed a verdict yet. How do you know what is the verdict? May be it is in our favour. Then what is the need to call my party colleagues to police stations? They are being called to police stations since Saturday night and threatened. They are being told that they should not write this or that on social media." "Are these threats only for the NC? Tell me whether you have called a BJP leader (to a police station). Allah willing, if the verdict goes against them (Bharatiya Janata Party), what will you do if they start writing against it on Facebook?" Abdullah asked. He said there is no justification for putting curbs on NC leaders as they have always been votaries for peace. ALSO READ | PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti fears adverse ruling from SC on Article 370 "We never asked youngsters to hurl stones. In fact, (NC president) Farooq Abdullah told people that he was willing to step down as the chief minister if they did not like him but not to bring guns here," the former Union minister said. He also said police should trust the people of the region as no one wants to disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Later, talking to reporters, Abdullah said the NC had approached the apex court against the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 with the hope of getting justice. "We had knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court with the hope of getting justice and that sentiment persists even today," he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah said on Sunday that his party will not disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir even in case of an adverse Supreme Court verdict on petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said his party will continue with its fight for the restoration of the rights of the people of the region through peaceful means as laid down in the Constitution. "The Supreme Court has to give its verdict, let it. If we had to disturb the situation, we would have done it after 2019. However, we said it then and we reiterate it now that our fight will be peaceful and in accordance with the Constitution, taking help of the law for protecting our rights and preserving our identity."googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "What is wrong in it? Don't we have a right to say this in a democracy? Can't we raise objections in a democracy? If others can talk, why not us?" Abdullah asked at a party convention at Rafiabad in Baramulla district. The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on Monday on a batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370. The Centre abrogated the provisions of Article 370, which bestowed a special status on Jammu and Kashmir, on August 5, 2019 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union territories. Abdullah said NC leaders are being summoned to police stations since Saturday night and intimidated. "The Supreme Court has not passed a verdict yet. How do you know what is the verdict? May be it is in our favour. Then what is the need to call my party colleagues to police stations? They are being called to police stations since Saturday night and threatened. They are being told that they should not write this or that on social media." "Are these threats only for the NC? Tell me whether you have called a BJP leader (to a police station). Allah willing, if the verdict goes against them (Bharatiya Janata Party), what will you do if they start writing against it on Facebook?" Abdullah asked. He said there is no justification for putting curbs on NC leaders as they have always been votaries for peace. ALSO READ | PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti fears adverse ruling from SC on Article 370 "We never asked youngsters to hurl stones. In fact, (NC president) Farooq Abdullah told people that he was willing to step down as the chief minister if they did not like him but not to bring guns here," the former Union minister said. He also said police should trust the people of the region as no one wants to disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Later, talking to reporters, Abdullah said the NC had approached the apex court against the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 with the hope of getting justice. "We had knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court with the hope of getting justice and that sentiment persists even today," he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Suchitra Kalyan Mohanty By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Legal experts said that the expelled Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and former Lok Sabha MP, Mahua Moitra could and should knock on the doors of the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution and challenge her expulsion from the lower house of the Parliament and sought relief, in the 'cash-for-query' scam. Former Additional Solicitor General (ASG) and senior Supreme Court lawyer, K C Kaushik, talking to The New Indian Express, said that under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, Moitra shall move the Apex Court and seek relief. Moitra can certainly move to SC under Article 32 of the Constitution, which is a fundamental right. The article states that an individual has the right to approach the Supreme Court seeking enforcement of his or her fundamental rights recognized by the Constitution. "It means that Moitra, being aggrieved, can directly approach the SC for the remedy instead through the way of appealing," Mr Kaushik told TNIE. Retired Delhi High Court Judge, Justice R S Sodhi, also echoed similar views to Mr Kaushik. Justice (Retired) Sodhi, said that Moitra in her petition may lead to the Supreme Court that under article 32, the SC acts as a guarantor and defender of fundamental rights. Furthermore, it is originally under the SC's jurisdiction power to issue the writs. For every action, there is always a remedy available. Moitra should tell and plead to the Apex Court that the due and correct procedure was not followed, Justice Sodhi said. She can say that she was not given enough opportunity or even not allowed to place her things or arguments or facts into record, as a result of which she was expelled from the Lok Sabha. "She shall say that the ethics committee order is unfair, unjust and arbitrary," Justice Sodhi said. "The SC has the power of judicial jurisdiction and can hear the case," he said. ALSO READ | Mahua Moitra's political odyssey: From banker to parliamentarian and the explosive exit Another Retired Judge from Allahabad HC, Justice S R Singh, also said that Moitra could knock on the doors of the Supreme Court by stating that the Ethics Committee had done severe illegality, unconstitutionality, or a denial of natural justice to her during the committee's investigation against her. "She can file an appeal against the Ethics Committee's order of her expulsion. She can say that there is a complete violation of natural justice and principles of fair hearing," Justice Singh said. Another Retired Judge of Patna High Court, Justice Anjana Prakash, said that she can go to SC. Even she can appeal in the Delhi HC. But keeping in view the seriousness of the case, she may move to SC. The grounds are very obvious. "The Ethics committee had crossed its jurisdiction and had malafide intentions against her. She can also say under what statute, she is expelled and the proceedings were irregular, or the Committee's proceedings and functioning were conducted with prejudice, and malafide intention. She can allege biasness against the Ethics committee," Justice Prakash said. 49-year-old TMC leader Moitra was expelled as a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) after she was found guilty by the Ethics panel in the 'cash-for-query' case. She, however, claimed innocence in the case and blasted and slammed the Ethics Committee's report, which said she accepted gifts and cash from a businessman to ask questions in Parliament to corner the Narendra Modi-led BJP government Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Legal experts said that the expelled Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and former Lok Sabha MP, Mahua Moitra could and should knock on the doors of the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution and challenge her expulsion from the lower house of the Parliament and sought relief, in the 'cash-for-query' scam. Former Additional Solicitor General (ASG) and senior Supreme Court lawyer, K C Kaushik, talking to The New Indian Express, said that under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, Moitra shall move the Apex Court and seek relief. Moitra can certainly move to SC under Article 32 of the Constitution, which is a fundamental right. The article states that an individual has the right to approach the Supreme Court seeking enforcement of his or her fundamental rights recognized by the Constitution. "It means that Moitra, being aggrieved, can directly approach the SC for the remedy instead through the way of appealing," Mr Kaushik told TNIE.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Retired Delhi High Court Judge, Justice R S Sodhi, also echoed similar views to Mr Kaushik. Justice (Retired) Sodhi, said that Moitra in her petition may lead to the Supreme Court that under article 32, the SC acts as a guarantor and defender of fundamental rights. Furthermore, it is originally under the SC's jurisdiction power to issue the writs. For every action, there is always a remedy available. Moitra should tell and plead to the Apex Court that the due and correct procedure was not followed, Justice Sodhi said. She can say that she was not given enough opportunity or even not allowed to place her things or arguments or facts into record, as a result of which she was expelled from the Lok Sabha. "She shall say that the ethics committee order is unfair, unjust and arbitrary," Justice Sodhi said. "The SC has the power of judicial jurisdiction and can hear the case," he said. ALSO READ | Mahua Moitra's political odyssey: From banker to parliamentarian and the explosive exit Another Retired Judge from Allahabad HC, Justice S R Singh, also said that Moitra could knock on the doors of the Supreme Court by stating that the Ethics Committee had done severe illegality, unconstitutionality, or a denial of natural justice to her during the committee's investigation against her. "She can file an appeal against the Ethics Committee's order of her expulsion. She can say that there is a complete violation of natural justice and principles of fair hearing," Justice Singh said. Another Retired Judge of Patna High Court, Justice Anjana Prakash, said that she can go to SC. Even she can appeal in the Delhi HC. But keeping in view the seriousness of the case, she may move to SC. The grounds are very obvious. "The Ethics committee had crossed its jurisdiction and had malafide intentions against her. She can also say under what statute, she is expelled and the proceedings were irregular, or the Committee's proceedings and functioning were conducted with prejudice, and malafide intention. She can allege biasness against the Ethics committee," Justice Prakash said. 49-year-old TMC leader Moitra was expelled as a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) after she was found guilty by the Ethics panel in the 'cash-for-query' case. She, however, claimed innocence in the case and blasted and slammed the Ethics Committee's report, which said she accepted gifts and cash from a businessman to ask questions in Parliament to corner the Narendra Modi-led BJP government Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI BHOPAL: A man allegedly killed a puppy brutally in Madhya Pradesh's Guna district following which Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan termed it as an "act of barbarism" and assured strict action against the culprit. Chouhan's assurance came after Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia urged the CM to look into the matter. The incident took place on Saturday and the accused was arrested on Sunday, police said. In a video which has gone viral on social media, the man was seen flinging the puppy to the ground and then trampling it to death. On Sunday, Scindia in a post on X drew Chouhan's attention towards the incident. "This is horrifying and disturbing. There is no doubt that the man should be penalised for this barbarism. @ChouhanShivraj Ji, may please see," said the Union minister, who contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election unsuccessfully from Guna. Later, CM Chouhan in a post on X said, "Deeply disturbed by the horrifying incident. Swift and strict action will be taken to ensure justice is served. We unequivocally condemn such acts of barbarism, and the individual responsible will face the consequences." Guna Kotwali police station house officer Anup Bhargava told PTI that the incident took place in Subhash Colony on Saturday evening. The 30-year-old accused, Mrityunjay Jadaun, was arrested on Sunday and booked under Indian Penal Code section 428 (mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal), he said. Asked about the mental health condition of the accused, the official said it was being examined. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp BHOPAL: A man allegedly killed a puppy brutally in Madhya Pradesh's Guna district following which Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan termed it as an "act of barbarism" and assured strict action against the culprit. Chouhan's assurance came after Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia urged the CM to look into the matter. The incident took place on Saturday and the accused was arrested on Sunday, police said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In a video which has gone viral on social media, the man was seen flinging the puppy to the ground and then trampling it to death. On Sunday, Scindia in a post on X drew Chouhan's attention towards the incident. "This is horrifying and disturbing. There is no doubt that the man should be penalised for this barbarism. @ChouhanShivraj Ji, may please see," said the Union minister, who contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election unsuccessfully from Guna. Later, CM Chouhan in a post on X said, "Deeply disturbed by the horrifying incident. Swift and strict action will be taken to ensure justice is served. We unequivocally condemn such acts of barbarism, and the individual responsible will face the consequences." Guna Kotwali police station house officer Anup Bhargava told PTI that the incident took place in Subhash Colony on Saturday evening. The 30-year-old accused, Mrityunjay Jadaun, was arrested on Sunday and booked under Indian Penal Code section 428 (mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal), he said. Asked about the mental health condition of the accused, the official said it was being examined. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp JERUSALEM, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces continued to push into Khan Younis, the largest city in the southern Gaza Strip, on Sunday, where thousands of people were taking refuge after fleeing the deadly bombardments in other parts of the enclave. Ground, aerial and naval forces struck more than 250 locations in Gaza over the past day, according to a statement released by the army. Israel continued to intensify its firepower in Gaza, including the deployment of artillery into the densely populated 365 square km enclave, in which vast areas have been leveled by the Israeli bombardments. "For the first time since the beginning of ground operations, the Artillery Corps is operating inside the Gaza Strip," the army said. In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "dozens" of Hamas fighters have surrendered in recent days. "They are laying down their weapons and handing themselves over to our heroic fighters," Netanyahu said. He urged other militants to follow suit. "It is over. Don't die for Sinwar (Hamas leader in Gaza). Surrender -- now," he said. Meanwhile, Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Al-Qassam, the armed wing of Hamas, said "Israel's repeated declarations of aiming to eliminate resistance are mere rhetoric ... it will not succeed on the ground." He said that since the resumption of hostilities ten days ago after a temporary humanitarian ceasefire, Al-Qassam fighters have completely or partially destroyed 180 Israeli military vehicles, including armored carriers, tanks, and bulldozers. He also announced carrying out multiple operations that "resulted in a significant number of casualties and injuries within the ranks of the Israeli occupation." Also on Sunday, Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked over the phone about the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Netanyahu's office said. Netanyahu requested that Russia apply pressure on the Red Cross regarding visits and essential medicines for hostages held in Gaza. The executive board of the World Health Organization adopted a resolution addressing the deteriorating health crisis in Gaza, urging for prompt and unrestricted humanitarian access. The resolution, proposed by Afghanistan, Morocco, Qatar and Yemen, expressed "grave concern at the catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza. It urged protection for all civilians and aid workers. It also warned of "long-lasting impacts" of attacks on medical personnel and "the large-scale destruction of health facilities including hospitals and ambulances." The Hamas-run health ministry said on Sunday that the death toll from the Israeli attack in Gaza had risen to at least 17,997, and the injuries to 49,500. According to Israeli figures, about 1,200 people in Israel were killed during the Hamas surprise attack on Oct. 7 that triggered the conflict. The Israeli soldiers killed in the ground offensive in Gaza reached 97 and another 559 have been wounded, according to the figures released by the Israeli army on Sunday. By PTI PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad High Court has observed that "protection of a person" from being charged in "marital rape continues in cases where the wife is of 18 years of age or more". The court also cited the judgment in the case of Independent Thought Vs Union of India (2017) where the Supreme Court had held that any sexual intercourse between a man and his wife aged between 15 to 18 years would amount to rape. Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, while acquitting a husband under section 377 of IPC for allegedly committing 'unnatural sex' with his wife, noted that "ingredients of unnatural sex, comprised under Section 377 IPC are included in Section 375 (a) IPC as observed by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh". In its order, the MP High Court had opined that Section 375 IPC related to rape (as amended by the 2013 Amendment Act) includes all possible parts of penetration of the penis. When consent for such an act is immaterial, then there is no scope for the offence of Section 377 IPC to get attracted where husband and wife are involved in sexual acts. ALSO READ | Kerala HC rejects plea to abort 30-week pregnancy of minor rape survivor "Thus, on perusal of aforesaid judgement also it appears that protection of a person from marital rape still continues in the case where the wife is of 18 years of age or more than that," the high court said. While partly allowing a revision petition filed by the accused, Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra noted that in the proposed Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, which is likely to replace the Indian Penal Code, there is no provision of 377 of IPC. The court, however, affirmed his conviction and sentence for charges under section 498A (harassment for dowry) and 323 of the Indian Penal Code. In 2013, an FIR was lodged against the man under sections 498A, 323, 504 and 377 of IPC and also under the Dowry Prohibition Act in Ghaziabad. The trial court at Ghaziabad convicted him and the appellate court also upheld the findings after which he moved the revision petition. ALSO READ | 'Adolescent girls must control their sexual urges,' says Calcutta HC; acquits youth convicted for raping minor girl The high court noted that there was no factual or legal error in the finding of guilt recorded by the appellate court as regards the charge under section 323, 498-A IPC. The court noted that certain petitions are pending for consideration before the Supreme Court seeking criminalising marital rape, but till any decision comes on those petitions, the court added, there is no criminal penalty for such acts when the wife is of or above 18 years of age. Besides noting that the medical evidence in the case was not supportive of allegations of commission of unnatural sex, the court in this judgment dated December 6 said, "In the proposed Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita which is likely to replace I.P.C., no provision like Section 377 IPC is included therein." "The charge of committing matrimonial cruelty against the revisionist is proved in this case and the same is corroborated by the findings of the family court while decreeing the divorce petition and this court in appeal while affirming the decree of divorce against the revisionist," it said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad High Court has observed that "protection of a person" from being charged in "marital rape continues in cases where the wife is of 18 years of age or more". The court also cited the judgment in the case of Independent Thought Vs Union of India (2017) where the Supreme Court had held that any sexual intercourse between a man and his wife aged between 15 to 18 years would amount to rape. Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, while acquitting a husband under section 377 of IPC for allegedly committing 'unnatural sex' with his wife, noted that "ingredients of unnatural sex, comprised under Section 377 IPC are included in Section 375 (a) IPC as observed by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh".googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In its order, the MP High Court had opined that Section 375 IPC related to rape (as amended by the 2013 Amendment Act) includes all possible parts of penetration of the penis. When consent for such an act is immaterial, then there is no scope for the offence of Section 377 IPC to get attracted where husband and wife are involved in sexual acts. ALSO READ | Kerala HC rejects plea to abort 30-week pregnancy of minor rape survivor "Thus, on perusal of aforesaid judgement also it appears that protection of a person from marital rape still continues in the case where the wife is of 18 years of age or more than that," the high court said. While partly allowing a revision petition filed by the accused, Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra noted that in the proposed Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, which is likely to replace the Indian Penal Code, there is no provision of 377 of IPC. The court, however, affirmed his conviction and sentence for charges under section 498A (harassment for dowry) and 323 of the Indian Penal Code. In 2013, an FIR was lodged against the man under sections 498A, 323, 504 and 377 of IPC and also under the Dowry Prohibition Act in Ghaziabad. The trial court at Ghaziabad convicted him and the appellate court also upheld the findings after which he moved the revision petition. ALSO READ | 'Adolescent girls must control their sexual urges,' says Calcutta HC; acquits youth convicted for raping minor girl The high court noted that there was no factual or legal error in the finding of guilt recorded by the appellate court as regards the charge under section 323, 498-A IPC. The court noted that certain petitions are pending for consideration before the Supreme Court seeking criminalising marital rape, but till any decision comes on those petitions, the court added, there is no criminal penalty for such acts when the wife is of or above 18 years of age. Besides noting that the medical evidence in the case was not supportive of allegations of commission of unnatural sex, the court in this judgment dated December 6 said, "In the proposed Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita which is likely to replace I.P.C., no provision like Section 377 IPC is included therein." "The charge of committing matrimonial cruelty against the revisionist is proved in this case and the same is corroborated by the findings of the family court while decreeing the divorce petition and this court in appeal while affirming the decree of divorce against the revisionist," it said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Online Desk NEW DELHI: The politics of so-called freebies, for which society sees a "mad race," distort expenditure priorities, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Sunday and asserted that the need is to "empower not pockets but human minds." In his address at a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) event marking Human Rights Day at Bharat Mandapam, he also said that no part of the globe is so "blossoming, prospering with human rights as our country." The occasion marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. UN Resident Coordinator in India Shombi Sharp also was present on the dais. Sharp, in his address, read out a message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Dhankhar, the chief guest at the event, said "A coincidence, this (75th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights) just follows our 'Amrit Kaal', and our 'Amrit Kaal' has become our 'Gaurav Kaal' -- primarily due to the blossoming of human rights and values." "We had an occasion to get a message from the (UN) Secretary-General. It would have been appropriate and worthwhile to take note of the massive, revolutionary, affirmative changes that are taking place in Bharat, home to one-sixth of humanity, on the promotion of human rights," Dhankhar said. No part of the globe is so blossoming, and prospering with human rights as India, he added. "And why not? Our civilisational ethos, constitutional framework reflect our deep commitment to respecting, safeguarding and nurturing human rights. It is in our DNA," the vice president said. READ MORE | He also emphasised that human rights are spinally strengthened when there is "human empowerment in sharp contradiction to fiscal patronage." "Empowerment of pockets by fiscal grant only increases dependence. The politics of so-called freebies for which we see a mad race distort expenditure priorities. Freebies, as per economic giants, undercut the basic framework of macroeconomic stability," he said. There needs to be a "healthy national debate" on how expensive this fiscal patronage is for the economy, life quality and social cohesion in the long run, the vice president added. "I will greatly appreciate if the National Human Rights Commission...catalysing a debate, coming out with a paper that can be extremely informative, motivational and inspirational for people at large, and those who are in seats of governance can be enlightened that we need to empower not pockets but human minds, human resource," he said. Dhankhar also said that "no one is above the law, be you ever so high, the law is always above you, is the new norm in the country. A peak paradigm shift." "There was a time when some thought they were above the law, there was a time when some thought they were beyond the reach of the law. Now, all high and mighty, you may be just anyone, you are accountable to the law," he said. "This is happening," Dhankhar said and added that it is an "inalienable facet of promoting human rights." Transparency and accountable governance, a new norm, is a game-changer for promoting human rights, he said. Notably, Dhankhar's latest remarks come amid several global human rights bodies continuing to highlight the erosion of civil rights and religious freedom under the Narendra Modi regime. Amnesty International in its India 2022 report noted that arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, unlawful attacks and killings, internet shutdowns and intimidation using digital technologies, including unlawful surveillance as major concerns faced by minority groups, human rights defenders, dissenters and critics of the Union government. Similarly, Human Rights Watch, an international human rights research and advocacy group, has also continued to highlight the crackdown on civil society and media under the Modi government citing persecution of activists, journalists, protesters and critics on fabricated counterterrorism and hate speech laws. The vilification of Muslims and other minorities by some BJP leaders and police inaction against government supporters who commit violence are also among HRW's concerns in India. Similarly, the US-based non-profit organization Freedom House had lowered India's standing from a free democracy to a "partly free" democracy in its global freedom and internet freedom ratings, while V-Dem Institute, a Sweden-based independent research institute, had classified India as an "electoral autocracy", as part of its 2022 Democracy report. (With Primary inputs from PTI and additional inputs from Online Desk) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: The politics of so-called freebies, for which society sees a "mad race," distort expenditure priorities, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Sunday and asserted that the need is to "empower not pockets but human minds." In his address at a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) event marking Human Rights Day at Bharat Mandapam, he also said that no part of the globe is so "blossoming, prospering with human rights as our country." The occasion marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); UN Resident Coordinator in India Shombi Sharp also was present on the dais. Sharp, in his address, read out a message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Dhankhar, the chief guest at the event, said "A coincidence, this (75th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights) just follows our 'Amrit Kaal', and our 'Amrit Kaal' has become our 'Gaurav Kaal' -- primarily due to the blossoming of human rights and values." "We had an occasion to get a message from the (UN) Secretary-General. It would have been appropriate and worthwhile to take note of the massive, revolutionary, affirmative changes that are taking place in Bharat, home to one-sixth of humanity, on the promotion of human rights," Dhankhar said. No part of the globe is so blossoming, and prospering with human rights as India, he added. "And why not? Our civilisational ethos, constitutional framework reflect our deep commitment to respecting, safeguarding and nurturing human rights. It is in our DNA," the vice president said. READ MORE | Build an Asia axis that doesnt seek attention and approval of the West India must end 'inhumane' detention of human rights defender GN Saibaba: UN expert Laws on preventive detention are necessarily harsh, curtail personal liberty: SC He also emphasised that human rights are spinally strengthened when there is "human empowerment in sharp contradiction to fiscal patronage." "Empowerment of pockets by fiscal grant only increases dependence. The politics of so-called freebies for which we see a mad race distort expenditure priorities. Freebies, as per economic giants, undercut the basic framework of macroeconomic stability," he said. There needs to be a "healthy national debate" on how expensive this fiscal patronage is for the economy, life quality and social cohesion in the long run, the vice president added. "I will greatly appreciate if the National Human Rights Commission...catalysing a debate, coming out with a paper that can be extremely informative, motivational and inspirational for people at large, and those who are in seats of governance can be enlightened that we need to empower not pockets but human minds, human resource," he said. Dhankhar also said that "no one is above the law, be you ever so high, the law is always above you, is the new norm in the country. A peak paradigm shift." "There was a time when some thought they were above the law, there was a time when some thought they were beyond the reach of the law. Now, all high and mighty, you may be just anyone, you are accountable to the law," he said. "This is happening," Dhankhar said and added that it is an "inalienable facet of promoting human rights." Transparency and accountable governance, a new norm, is a game-changer for promoting human rights, he said. Notably, Dhankhar's latest remarks come amid several global human rights bodies continuing to highlight the erosion of civil rights and religious freedom under the Narendra Modi regime. Amnesty International in its India 2022 report noted that arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, unlawful attacks and killings, internet shutdowns and intimidation using digital technologies, including unlawful surveillance as major concerns faced by minority groups, human rights defenders, dissenters and critics of the Union government. Similarly, Human Rights Watch, an international human rights research and advocacy group, has also continued to highlight the crackdown on civil society and media under the Modi government citing persecution of activists, journalists, protesters and critics on fabricated counterterrorism and hate speech laws. The vilification of Muslims and other minorities by some BJP leaders and police inaction against government supporters who commit violence are also among HRW's concerns in India. Similarly, the US-based non-profit organization Freedom House had lowered India's standing from a free democracy to a "partly free" democracy in its global freedom and internet freedom ratings, while V-Dem Institute, a Sweden-based independent research institute, had classified India as an "electoral autocracy", as part of its 2022 Democracy report. (With Primary inputs from PTI and additional inputs from Online Desk) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI LUCKNOW: The central government, responding to a contempt petition, informed the Lucknow bench of Allahabad Court that it has issued notices to actors Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn in connection with advertisements they do for gutka companies. The Centre's counsel informed the High Court on Friday that the same issue was also being heard by the Supreme Court and as such the instant petition should be dismissed. After hearing the submission, the bench fixed the hearing for May 9, 2024. A bench of justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan had earlier directed the central government to decide the representation of the petitioner, who had originally contended that action should be taken against the actors and dignitaries who were given high profile awards but were advertising for gutka companies. The representation was made to the government on October 22 but no action was taken in the matter, the petitioner argued. Thereafter, hearing the contempt petition, the high court had issued notice to the Cabinet Secretary of the central government. On Friday, Deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey informed the High Court that the Centre had issued show cause notices to Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn. The court was also informed that Amitabh Bachchan had sent a legal notice to a gutka company, which was showing his advertisement despite the fact that he had already cancelled his contract with it. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp LUCKNOW: The central government, responding to a contempt petition, informed the Lucknow bench of Allahabad Court that it has issued notices to actors Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn in connection with advertisements they do for gutka companies. The Centre's counsel informed the High Court on Friday that the same issue was also being heard by the Supreme Court and as such the instant petition should be dismissed. After hearing the submission, the bench fixed the hearing for May 9, 2024.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A bench of justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan had earlier directed the central government to decide the representation of the petitioner, who had originally contended that action should be taken against the actors and dignitaries who were given high profile awards but were advertising for gutka companies. The representation was made to the government on October 22 but no action was taken in the matter, the petitioner argued. Thereafter, hearing the contempt petition, the high court had issued notice to the Cabinet Secretary of the central government. On Friday, Deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey informed the High Court that the Centre had issued show cause notices to Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn. The court was also informed that Amitabh Bachchan had sent a legal notice to a gutka company, which was showing his advertisement despite the fact that he had already cancelled his contract with it. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Shankkar Aiyar By On Thursday evening, Rishi Sunak found himself locked out of 10 Downing Street along with Dutch PM Mark Rutte after a photo-op. The opposition promptly leveraged the embarrassing moment as a political metaphor for a beleaguered Sunak, who is dogged by inheritance and inadequacies. The metaphor also reflects the systemic stasis gripping the UK -- and indeed other advanced countries. Imagine this: the Prime Minister of a G7 nation with a GDP of $3 trillion standing with colleagues around a pothole. On November 17, the official handle of the UK Prime Minister on X posted a picture of the PM in Firth Moor. The post announced an allocation of 8 billion to fix potholes and declared, Following todays announcement, this could be the last photo of a politician pointing at a pothole. Sunak reposted it, asserting, I reserve the right to point at any remaining potholes. The potholes in governance elsewhere are resulting in human suffering. According to data published by the UKs House of Commons, the waiting list for hospital treatment rose to a record of nearly 7.8 million in September 2023. The NHS says the wait time for non-urgent, consultant-led treatments could be as long as 18 weeks. Fact: the 18-week target has not been met since 2016. It is not just healthcare, schools have been disrupted too. Last week, 231 UK schools were listed as affected by the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. Attention, however, is not on what haunts people, but on another leadership contest. The trigger: the stop the boats strategy. This week, the immigration minister jumped the boat between the signing of a new agreement with Rwanda and its passage in parliament. The UK has spent 240 million without a single person deported to Rwanda. Details matter. Boat crossings have spiralled from 299 in 2018 to 29090 in 2023. Brexit lacks a returns agreement on channel crossings. The erstwhile empire is by no means the only domain facing crises. The Euro zone is headed for a recession. The EU expects growth to slide to 1.2 percent, a decline from the historic average of 2.5 percent by 2027. Philip Lane, chief economist at the European Central Bank, spells it out: Many countries, where they were in the 1990s, theyre behind that now. Theres not been progress -- there has been regress... Over time, reforms have been cancelled -- this is an avoidable own goal. The consequence of economic stagnation is manifest. Europe is wracked by strikes across the zone. Unionised workers in France went on strike in March and in October. This Thursday, German train drivers went on a last-minute strike, the fourth this year. Strikes at airports -- in Italy, France, Belgium and Greece -- disrupted travel and wrecked holiday plans of Europeans. Such is the regularity of strikes that publications such as Time Out put out advisories for travellers. The dates to watch out for are: December 10, 12, 15-17, 19, 22-31. Economics influences politics. Countries which once colonised geographies for natural resources -- and wooed workers from Africa and elsewhere -- are hotspots of anti-immigration riots. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden inducted guest worker programmes to build their economies. Germany deployed the Gastarbeiter programme to draw over 2 million workers mostly from Turkey, Morocco and Tunisia to rebuild its post-war economy. France similarly attracted waves of workers from North Africa and even placed them under surveillance in later years. ALSO READ | COP28: Melting glaciers reveal summit cop-outs Europes decline is founded on the strategy of wishful thinking. It depended on NATO for its defence and outsourced economic growth to China. The Euro zone economy faces structural issues -- its productivity is plummeting, its population is shrinking. Like the US, it needs migrants; but the countries have turned into laboratories of anti-migration politics. The far right has crafted a constituency of protestors who are taking to the streets in France, Sweden, Ireland, Germany and Amsterdam against immigration. The influence is visible in the reign of Victor Orban in Hungary, the election of Giorgia Meloni in Italy and Robert Fico in Slovakia. The Netherlands once colonised domains from Guyana to Taiwan -- it ceded Manhattan to the British for the Indonesian Island of Run in the Treaty of Breda. It then depended on guest workers to grow the economy. The Dutch recently voted for far right leader Geert Wilders. Across the Atlantic, in the US, the economy is still holding up but politics is descending into chaos. The US evangelises human rights globally, but at home politics has wrenched away the rights of women over their body. Its healthcare system is in shambles. The US has lost 106,842 lives to drug overdose over a year, with seven of every ten to opioids. Till December 6, the US has witnessed 633 mass shootings this year. The largest exporter of arms has explicit rules on usage for countries, but at home gun violence has claimed over 40,167 lives. Leadership matters, but as of now it seems a battle of septuagenarians, Biden v Trump II -- an NBC poll reveals 70 per cent of the respondents dont want Joe Biden and 60 per cent do not want Donald Trump. The third world imagery streaming from first world countries is stark. It illuminates why the idea of rule-based democratic world order is floundering. Shankkar Aiyar is the author of The Gated Republic, Aadhaar: A Biometric History of Indias 12 Digit Revolution, and Accidental India. (shankkar.aiyar@gmail.com) Click here for all the earlier columns Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp On Thursday evening, Rishi Sunak found himself locked out of 10 Downing Street along with Dutch PM Mark Rutte after a photo-op. The opposition promptly leveraged the embarrassing moment as a political metaphor for a beleaguered Sunak, who is dogged by inheritance and inadequacies. The metaphor also reflects the systemic stasis gripping the UK -- and indeed other advanced countries. Imagine this: the Prime Minister of a G7 nation with a GDP of $3 trillion standing with colleagues around a pothole. On November 17, the official handle of the UK Prime Minister on X posted a picture of the PM in Firth Moor. The post announced an allocation of 8 billion to fix potholes and declared, Following todays announcement, this could be the last photo of a politician pointing at a pothole. Sunak reposted it, asserting, I reserve the right to point at any remaining potholes. pic.twitter.com/AfbwYEg0bdgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) November 17, 2023 The potholes in governance elsewhere are resulting in human suffering. According to data published by the UKs House of Commons, the waiting list for hospital treatment rose to a record of nearly 7.8 million in September 2023. The NHS says the wait time for non-urgent, consultant-led treatments could be as long as 18 weeks. Fact: the 18-week target has not been met since 2016. It is not just healthcare, schools have been disrupted too. Last week, 231 UK schools were listed as affected by the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. Attention, however, is not on what haunts people, but on another leadership contest. The trigger: the stop the boats strategy. This week, the immigration minister jumped the boat between the signing of a new agreement with Rwanda and its passage in parliament. The UK has spent 240 million without a single person deported to Rwanda. Details matter. Boat crossings have spiralled from 299 in 2018 to 29090 in 2023. Brexit lacks a returns agreement on channel crossings. The erstwhile empire is by no means the only domain facing crises. The Euro zone is headed for a recession. The EU expects growth to slide to 1.2 percent, a decline from the historic average of 2.5 percent by 2027. Philip Lane, chief economist at the European Central Bank, spells it out: Many countries, where they were in the 1990s, theyre behind that now. Theres not been progress -- there has been regress... Over time, reforms have been cancelled -- this is an avoidable own goal. The consequence of economic stagnation is manifest. Europe is wracked by strikes across the zone. Unionised workers in France went on strike in March and in October. This Thursday, German train drivers went on a last-minute strike, the fourth this year. Strikes at airports -- in Italy, France, Belgium and Greece -- disrupted travel and wrecked holiday plans of Europeans. Such is the regularity of strikes that publications such as Time Out put out advisories for travellers. The dates to watch out for are: December 10, 12, 15-17, 19, 22-31. Economics influences politics. Countries which once colonised geographies for natural resources -- and wooed workers from Africa and elsewhere -- are hotspots of anti-immigration riots. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden inducted guest worker programmes to build their economies. Germany deployed the Gastarbeiter programme to draw over 2 million workers mostly from Turkey, Morocco and Tunisia to rebuild its post-war economy. France similarly attracted waves of workers from North Africa and even placed them under surveillance in later years. ALSO READ | COP28: Melting glaciers reveal summit cop-outs Europes decline is founded on the strategy of wishful thinking. It depended on NATO for its defence and outsourced economic growth to China. The Euro zone economy faces structural issues -- its productivity is plummeting, its population is shrinking. Like the US, it needs migrants; but the countries have turned into laboratories of anti-migration politics. The far right has crafted a constituency of protestors who are taking to the streets in France, Sweden, Ireland, Germany and Amsterdam against immigration. The influence is visible in the reign of Victor Orban in Hungary, the election of Giorgia Meloni in Italy and Robert Fico in Slovakia. The Netherlands once colonised domains from Guyana to Taiwan -- it ceded Manhattan to the British for the Indonesian Island of Run in the Treaty of Breda. It then depended on guest workers to grow the economy. The Dutch recently voted for far right leader Geert Wilders. Across the Atlantic, in the US, the economy is still holding up but politics is descending into chaos. The US evangelises human rights globally, but at home politics has wrenched away the rights of women over their body. Its healthcare system is in shambles. The US has lost 106,842 lives to drug overdose over a year, with seven of every ten to opioids. Till December 6, the US has witnessed 633 mass shootings this year. The largest exporter of arms has explicit rules on usage for countries, but at home gun violence has claimed over 40,167 lives. Leadership matters, but as of now it seems a battle of septuagenarians, Biden v Trump II -- an NBC poll reveals 70 per cent of the respondents dont want Joe Biden and 60 per cent do not want Donald Trump. The third world imagery streaming from first world countries is stark. It illuminates why the idea of rule-based democratic world order is floundering. Shankkar Aiyar is the author of The Gated Republic, Aadhaar: A Biometric History of Indias 12 Digit Revolution, and Accidental India. (shankkar.aiyar@gmail.com)Click here for all the earlier columns Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Express News Service BENGALURU: Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel Jyotiraditya M Scindia here on Saturday exhorted the people of the country to be part of PM Narendra Modis resolve to transform the country into Vishwaguru by making it the third-largest economy in the world. In a spirited speech at the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra at Avati village near Devanahalli, he said the country, which was among the ten largest economies in 2014, has become the fifth largest in the last nine-and-a-half years of the Modi government. India is poised to become the third-largest economy in the world, leaving behind Germany and Japan by 2027, he said. Today, we take the resolve that we shall not rest till we see India shine in the league of the developed countries of the world. While this #ViksitBharatSankalpYatra will always remind us of the progress weve made through our continued 100% saturation of schemes, it will also ignite the spirit of peoples participation for progress of all (jan bhagidari for sabka vikas), he posted on X. He attacked Congress for not taking the country on the path of progress, except for indulging in corruption and appeasement (of minorities) politics for over six decades. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp BENGALURU: Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel Jyotiraditya M Scindia here on Saturday exhorted the people of the country to be part of PM Narendra Modis resolve to transform the country into Vishwaguru by making it the third-largest economy in the world. In a spirited speech at the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra at Avati village near Devanahalli, he said the country, which was among the ten largest economies in 2014, has become the fifth largest in the last nine-and-a-half years of the Modi government. India is poised to become the third-largest economy in the world, leaving behind Germany and Japan by 2027, he said. Today, we take the resolve that we shall not rest till we see India shine in the league of the developed countries of the world. While this #ViksitBharatSankalpYatra will always remind us of the progress weve made through our continued 100% saturation of schemes, it will also ignite the spirit of peoples participation for progress of all (jan bhagidari for sabka vikas), he posted on X.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He attacked Congress for not taking the country on the path of progress, except for indulging in corruption and appeasement (of minorities) politics for over six decades. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp S Godson Wisely Dass By Express News Service THOOTUKUDI: Several panic-stricken Scheduled Caste (SC) families from Manakkarai village near Srivaikuntam have decided to relocate to other villages following the murder of a cattle farmer. The families have requested land for housing in Alantha village, which is roughly 20 km away from Manakkarai, and have temporarily shifted to the houses of their relatives, sources said. This comes after a cattle farmer, M Mani, was killed on November 13 by assailants while he was resting under a tree. Since Manis murder, families belonging to the SC community have been living in fear. Feeling unsafe living with the dominant MBC community, the families decided to move. Over 20 families approached Alantha village leaders, seeking land, sources said. The families chose Alantha since Devendrakula Vellalar people from Alantha and Manakkarai share the same clan name, Veera Nattar. They also feel safe in Alantha, as the village is surrounded by Devendrakula Vellalars. They have also requested land in Savalaperi, Kasi Lingapuram, and Singathakurichi, a relative of one of the moving families told TNIE. Currently, the affected SC families have moved to KTC Nagar, Melakulam Road, VM Chatram, and Teachers Colony in Tirunelveli, while some went to their relatives homes in Vagaikulam, Korampallam, and Muthiahpuram in Thoothukudi, an activist said on the condition of anonymity. During a recent peace meeting chaired by top officials, the SC families requested that they be shifted elsewhere, citing the threat to their lives. A political leader who met the panic-stricken families told TNIE that the safety of the SC families, their land, and livestock were at stake. There are few SC families in Manakkarai, and they are financially downtrodden, he added. Another politician said the families have no hopes of any remedial measures. Several SC families migrated to Tirunelveli due to frequent caste conflicts over the past 1015 years, he said. The villagers alleged that members of the MBC community brutally killed Mani because they wanted to threaten the oppressed SC community. They added that those belonging to the MBC community often discriminate against the SCs. The members from the dominant caste refused to bathe in the same canal as the members from the SC community and even refused to sit next to them in tea stalls or bars. The panchayat president's spouse is against filing petitions with higher officials, and instead, it should be brought to his attention. He also asks the SCs to fold their hands while speaking to him, the villagers allege. The Murapanadu police have arrested five people in connection with the case. The accused were D Lakshman alias Letcher (43), Sankarasubbu (40), K Petchimuthu (35), K Seenipandi (31), S Esakimuthu (36), and D Ramaiah alias Palani (45) from the MBC community (Thevar). A senior police officer told TNIE that Mani was killed as revenge for a murder case involving the father of one of the accused from the MBC community in 2016. When one of the accused in the 2016 murder case had recently visited the village, a few members of the MBC community flared up. Irked by this, a gang headed by one of the now-accused Lakshman went on a rampage near the settlements of the SC community and killed the Mani, who had no connection with the murder. The killers had also asked people from the oppressed SC community to evacuate their settlements as they killed my father, said Manis son Sivaperumal in his complaint to the police. It may be noted that villages such as Vellur, Kalvoi, Padmanabamangalam, Vadaku Tholappanpannai, Alwarkarkulam, Anandanambikurichi, Vallanadu, Nanalkadu, Agaram, Morappanadu, Vasavappapuram, Anavaradanallur, and Nattarkulam are located in the caste conflict belt in the Srivaikuntam region, where issues between MBC and SC communities are commonplace. People from various quarters had appealed to heighten security in the region to ensure the well-being of the oppressed community and diffuse any issues arising out of communal differences. Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police L Balaji Saravanan and Sub Collector Gaurav Kumar could not be contacted for a comment. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp THOOTUKUDI: Several panic-stricken Scheduled Caste (SC) families from Manakkarai village near Srivaikuntam have decided to relocate to other villages following the murder of a cattle farmer. The families have requested land for housing in Alantha village, which is roughly 20 km away from Manakkarai, and have temporarily shifted to the houses of their relatives, sources said. This comes after a cattle farmer, M Mani, was killed on November 13 by assailants while he was resting under a tree. Since Manis murder, families belonging to the SC community have been living in fear. Feeling unsafe living with the dominant MBC community, the families decided to move.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Over 20 families approached Alantha village leaders, seeking land, sources said. The families chose Alantha since Devendrakula Vellalar people from Alantha and Manakkarai share the same clan name, Veera Nattar. They also feel safe in Alantha, as the village is surrounded by Devendrakula Vellalars. They have also requested land in Savalaperi, Kasi Lingapuram, and Singathakurichi, a relative of one of the moving families told TNIE. Currently, the affected SC families have moved to KTC Nagar, Melakulam Road, VM Chatram, and Teachers Colony in Tirunelveli, while some went to their relatives homes in Vagaikulam, Korampallam, and Muthiahpuram in Thoothukudi, an activist said on the condition of anonymity. During a recent peace meeting chaired by top officials, the SC families requested that they be shifted elsewhere, citing the threat to their lives. A political leader who met the panic-stricken families told TNIE that the safety of the SC families, their land, and livestock were at stake. There are few SC families in Manakkarai, and they are financially downtrodden, he added. Another politician said the families have no hopes of any remedial measures. Several SC families migrated to Tirunelveli due to frequent caste conflicts over the past 1015 years, he said. The villagers alleged that members of the MBC community brutally killed Mani because they wanted to threaten the oppressed SC community. They added that those belonging to the MBC community often discriminate against the SCs. The members from the dominant caste refused to bathe in the same canal as the members from the SC community and even refused to sit next to them in tea stalls or bars. The panchayat president's spouse is against filing petitions with higher officials, and instead, it should be brought to his attention. He also asks the SCs to fold their hands while speaking to him, the villagers allege. The Murapanadu police have arrested five people in connection with the case. The accused were D Lakshman alias Letcher (43), Sankarasubbu (40), K Petchimuthu (35), K Seenipandi (31), S Esakimuthu (36), and D Ramaiah alias Palani (45) from the MBC community (Thevar). A senior police officer told TNIE that Mani was killed as revenge for a murder case involving the father of one of the accused from the MBC community in 2016. When one of the accused in the 2016 murder case had recently visited the village, a few members of the MBC community flared up. Irked by this, a gang headed by one of the now-accused Lakshman went on a rampage near the settlements of the SC community and killed the Mani, who had no connection with the murder. The killers had also asked people from the oppressed SC community to evacuate their settlements as they killed my father, said Manis son Sivaperumal in his complaint to the police. It may be noted that villages such as Vellur, Kalvoi, Padmanabamangalam, Vadaku Tholappanpannai, Alwarkarkulam, Anandanambikurichi, Vallanadu, Nanalkadu, Agaram, Morappanadu, Vasavappapuram, Anavaradanallur, and Nattarkulam are located in the caste conflict belt in the Srivaikuntam region, where issues between MBC and SC communities are commonplace. People from various quarters had appealed to heighten security in the region to ensure the well-being of the oppressed community and diffuse any issues arising out of communal differences. Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police L Balaji Saravanan and Sub Collector Gaurav Kumar could not be contacted for a comment. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Preetha Nair By NEW DELHI: A week after its poll defeat in Rajasthan, the Congress top leadership on Saturday held a meeting to review reasons for the poor performance. This was attended by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Rahul Gandhi, former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Congress Working Committee member Sachin Pilot, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, state in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and state chief Govind Singh Dotasra, among others. According to sources, top leaders felt that though a temporary truce was worked out between Gehlot and Pilot before the elections, it did not strike a chord with the electorate. BJPs divisive campaign was also cited as one of the reasons, said sources. The leaders also felt that though the party was strong on the ground, state leaders could not create momentum with campaigns along the lines of those in Karnataka. It was also learnt that Rahul Gandhi and Kharge had asked Gehlot, Pilot and Dotasra to start preparing for the 2024 polls at the earliest. Speaking to reporters, Randhawa said that the party was able to retain its vote share. A detailed analysis will be done, he said. When asked if accountability would be fixed, he replied in the affirmative, maintaining that there was no need for a change of guard as the party had not done badly. After the Mizoram review meeting, AICC in-charge Bhakt Charan Das said, We discussed every aspect of the Mizoram election, including the organisational structure of the state at the grassroots level and state level. The Congress won only one seat in the state. The party held separate meetings in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh on Friday. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: A week after its poll defeat in Rajasthan, the Congress top leadership on Saturday held a meeting to review reasons for the poor performance. This was attended by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Rahul Gandhi, former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Congress Working Committee member Sachin Pilot, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, state in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and state chief Govind Singh Dotasra, among others. According to sources, top leaders felt that though a temporary truce was worked out between Gehlot and Pilot before the elections, it did not strike a chord with the electorate. BJPs divisive campaign was also cited as one of the reasons, said sources.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The leaders also felt that though the party was strong on the ground, state leaders could not create momentum with campaigns along the lines of those in Karnataka. It was also learnt that Rahul Gandhi and Kharge had asked Gehlot, Pilot and Dotasra to start preparing for the 2024 polls at the earliest. Speaking to reporters, Randhawa said that the party was able to retain its vote share. A detailed analysis will be done, he said. When asked if accountability would be fixed, he replied in the affirmative, maintaining that there was no need for a change of guard as the party had not done badly. After the Mizoram review meeting, AICC in-charge Bhakt Charan Das said, We discussed every aspect of the Mizoram election, including the organisational structure of the state at the grassroots level and state level. The Congress won only one seat in the state. The party held separate meetings in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh on Friday. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Rajesh Kumar Thakur By NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a meeting of the 26th Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) in Patna on Sunday. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had parted ways from the BJP-led NDA some time ago, will attend the meeting as its vice-chairman. At the meeting, various issues like setting minimum support price for several minor millets, creation of infrastructure and water sharing will be discussed. The Eastern Zonal Council includes Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha. The meeting is being organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in collaboration with the Bihar government. According to an official statement from the MHA, the 26th council meeting will be attended by the CMs of the member states, along with two senior ministers from each state. The chief secretaries and other senior officers of the Central government will also attend the meeting, the statement said. It said that important decisions related to the minimum support price of Kodo and other millet crops and many other agriculture-related issues are expected to be taken. The National Framework for Sediment Management in 2022 would be another issue to be taken up. Official sources said that the issues proposed by the states are first presented for discussion before the standing committee of the concerned zonal council. The chief ministers of member states of these councils and administrators or L-Gs of UTs are members of the five councils and one of them on a rotation basis acts as vice-chairman every year. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a meeting of the 26th Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) in Patna on Sunday. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had parted ways from the BJP-led NDA some time ago, will attend the meeting as its vice-chairman. At the meeting, various issues like setting minimum support price for several minor millets, creation of infrastructure and water sharing will be discussed.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Eastern Zonal Council includes Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha. The meeting is being organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in collaboration with the Bihar government. According to an official statement from the MHA, the 26th council meeting will be attended by the CMs of the member states, along with two senior ministers from each state. The chief secretaries and other senior officers of the Central government will also attend the meeting, the statement said. It said that important decisions related to the minimum support price of Kodo and other millet crops and many other agriculture-related issues are expected to be taken. The National Framework for Sediment Management in 2022 would be another issue to be taken up. Official sources said that the issues proposed by the states are first presented for discussion before the standing committee of the concerned zonal council. The chief ministers of member states of these councils and administrators or L-Gs of UTs are members of the five councils and one of them on a rotation basis acts as vice-chairman every year. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Narendra Sethi By DEHRADUN: Home Minister Amit Shah said that Indias remarkable economic growth over the past decade is unmatched globally. Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit at Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Shah said, Compared to the target of 2 lakh crore agreements, more than 3 lakh crore agreements have been signed in the state in the summit, this is the beginning of exploring the endless possibilities of new Uttarakhand. In the 75 years since gaining Independence, India has never experienced such significant progress in its economy. This achievement has garnered international attention and admiration, the world is amazed at it, he added. Wearing a traditional Uttarakhandi cap, he commended the progress of Uttarakhand in various areas, such as efforts to reduce migration from border villages, enhancing transportation and pilgrimage facilities, infrastructure development, and the implementation of investment-friendly policies. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp DEHRADUN: Home Minister Amit Shah said that Indias remarkable economic growth over the past decade is unmatched globally. Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit at Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Shah said, Compared to the target of 2 lakh crore agreements, more than 3 lakh crore agreements have been signed in the state in the summit, this is the beginning of exploring the endless possibilities of new Uttarakhand. In the 75 years since gaining Independence, India has never experienced such significant progress in its economy. This achievement has garnered international attention and admiration, the world is amazed at it, he added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Wearing a traditional Uttarakhandi cap, he commended the progress of Uttarakhand in various areas, such as efforts to reduce migration from border villages, enhancing transportation and pilgrimage facilities, infrastructure development, and the implementation of investment-friendly policies. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Ejaz Kaiser By RAIPUR: In the recent Chhattisgarh Assembly polls, a constituency saw a keen saffron-versus-saffron contest, with the BJPs brand of Hindutva finally trouncing the Congress version. The Raipur-South constituency saw seven-time BJP MLA Brijmohan Agrawal pitted against Congress Mahant Ramsundar Das, a twice MLA and chief of Dudhadhari Matha (Hindu monastery). The local people are emotionally attached to the beliefs and traditions associated with Matha and have high regard for the Mahant. It was supposed to be a safe seat for the party that launched an aggressive campaign against the Sanatana or Hindutva appeal of the BJP. However, Agrawal, now an MLA for the eighth consecutive term, created a significant milestone registering the highest victory margin of 67,719 in the Chhattisgarh elections. This is the victory of the people who saw Congress and its associated elements using money with muscle power to defeat me. The election result shows the people had made up their minds to teach a lesson to the Congress that hatched a conspiracy against me. Its the Congress that tried to polarise the voters, not the BJP, Agrawal told this newspaper. The poll outcome is sought to be projected as a political message. Congress Hindu seer candidate, Ramsundar Das, who is also the chairman of Gauseva Ayog, proved no match for the senior BJP leader. The Mahant claimed himself as a true follower of Lord Ram and denied there was any effort by Congress to polarise the voters on religious lines. The party fought well, as a devout sadhu I do not nurture any fear over loss, said Mahant. Observers attribute the popular approval for Agrawal to his wide popularity. The Congress didnt appear to have any effective leader or action plan to counter Agrawal, who is known to have nurtured his constituency. The BJP said the alleged attack on Agrawal during his poll campaign in a Muslim-dominated area of Chhotapara also led to massive support for him.The development stopped across urban Raipur under the Congress rule will now be in focus, Agrawal said after his victory. Elsewhere in Chhattisgarh, Congress had tried to match BJPs saffron genre. After coming to power in 2018, the state government publicized schemes to buy cow dung and cow urine. In 2022, the state government expanded the ambit of its so-called Godhan Nyay Yojna. It was a scheme to procure cow urine at Rs. 4 per litre. The state government started to procure cow dung at a rate of Rs. 2 per kg. They were reportedly procured to make fertilizer and pesticides named Jeevmitra and Brahmastra. Though the RSS supported the move, the BJP mocked the decision saying that instead of helping the youth find employment, the Chhatisgarh government was forcing them to collect cow dung. Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government was also active in building and beautifying temples in the name of Mata Kaushalya, the mother of Shri Ram. The construction of statues of Shri Ram at different places was also an important programme of the Baghel government. Mr. Baghel himself laid the foundation stone for the expansion of an ancient temple of Mata Kaushalya in Raipur as he believed that Chhattisgarh was the maternal home of Lord Ram. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp RAIPUR: In the recent Chhattisgarh Assembly polls, a constituency saw a keen saffron-versus-saffron contest, with the BJPs brand of Hindutva finally trouncing the Congress version. The Raipur-South constituency saw seven-time BJP MLA Brijmohan Agrawal pitted against Congress Mahant Ramsundar Das, a twice MLA and chief of Dudhadhari Matha (Hindu monastery). The local people are emotionally attached to the beliefs and traditions associated with Matha and have high regard for the Mahant. It was supposed to be a safe seat for the party that launched an aggressive campaign against the Sanatana or Hindutva appeal of the BJP. However, Agrawal, now an MLA for the eighth consecutive term, created a significant milestone registering the highest victory margin of 67,719 in the Chhattisgarh elections.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); This is the victory of the people who saw Congress and its associated elements using money with muscle power to defeat me. The election result shows the people had made up their minds to teach a lesson to the Congress that hatched a conspiracy against me. Its the Congress that tried to polarise the voters, not the BJP, Agrawal told this newspaper. The poll outcome is sought to be projected as a political message. Congress Hindu seer candidate, Ramsundar Das, who is also the chairman of Gauseva Ayog, proved no match for the senior BJP leader. The Mahant claimed himself as a true follower of Lord Ram and denied there was any effort by Congress to polarise the voters on religious lines. The party fought well, as a devout sadhu I do not nurture any fear over loss, said Mahant. Observers attribute the popular approval for Agrawal to his wide popularity. The Congress didnt appear to have any effective leader or action plan to counter Agrawal, who is known to have nurtured his constituency. The BJP said the alleged attack on Agrawal during his poll campaign in a Muslim-dominated area of Chhotapara also led to massive support for him.The development stopped across urban Raipur under the Congress rule will now be in focus, Agrawal said after his victory. Elsewhere in Chhattisgarh, Congress had tried to match BJPs saffron genre. After coming to power in 2018, the state government publicized schemes to buy cow dung and cow urine. In 2022, the state government expanded the ambit of its so-called Godhan Nyay Yojna. It was a scheme to procure cow urine at Rs. 4 per litre. The state government started to procure cow dung at a rate of Rs. 2 per kg. They were reportedly procured to make fertilizer and pesticides named Jeevmitra and Brahmastra. Though the RSS supported the move, the BJP mocked the decision saying that instead of helping the youth find employment, the Chhatisgarh government was forcing them to collect cow dung. Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government was also active in building and beautifying temples in the name of Mata Kaushalya, the mother of Shri Ram. The construction of statues of Shri Ram at different places was also an important programme of the Baghel government. Mr. Baghel himself laid the foundation stone for the expansion of an ancient temple of Mata Kaushalya in Raipur as he believed that Chhattisgarh was the maternal home of Lord Ram. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NAIROBI, Dec.9 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto on Saturday called for elimination of bottlenecks that were slowing down growth of youth-led enterprises in Africa, worsening poverty and unemployment. Speaking at the official opening ceremony for Youthconnekt Africa in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, Ruto stressed that abolishing obsolete policies and regulations, hastening integration will be key to spur growth of start-ups owned by the youth. "Governments should simplify business regulations, facilitate access to capital and promote regional integration to ensure that enterprises led by youth thrive and create opportunities," Ruto said. He added that African youth require mentorship, market linkages and digital skills to unlock their entrepreneur potential, become self-reliant and contribute to economic growth. Kenya is hosting the 2023 Youthconnekt Africa Summit from Dec. 8 to 12 that will convene over 20,000 youth, policymakers, industry leaders and donors to discuss diverse themes, including digitization, green finance, creative industry, borderless commerce and how they can unleash opportunities for the continent's youth. The five-day summit to be held under the theme of "Youth Innovating a Borderless African Renaissance", will provide a platform for young people to gain skills and knowledge required to grow their businesses. Ruto noted that establishment of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will open new opportunities for entrepreneurial youth to help solve the unemployment crisis. In addition, Ruto said that policy reforms alongside bench-marking with international best practices is key to unlock youth-led innovations and revitalize cross-border enterprise in the continent. The Kenyan leader said African countries should bridge digital divide in order to promote youth involvement in the continent's growing e-commerce and virtual jobs. On his part, the Prime Minister of Lesotho Sam Matekane said that Africa should leverage youth bulge to hasten digitization that promises economic vitality and job creation. Matekane said that support for youth-led enterprises will hasten realization of Africa's integration agenda besides promoting peace, stability and cohesion. Sudhir Suryawanshi By MUMBAI: Onion farmers in Maharashtra are in arms against a Central government decision to impose an export ban on the vegetable which led to its prices crashing in the market. As per traders, onion was being sold at the rate of Rs 50 per kg but after the ban, the prices went down to Rs 25 per kg. The crops were damaged due to a long dry spell in August and heavy rainfall now. There may be a shortage of onions but farmers should not be at the receiving end of the governments topsy-turvy policies. The government should buy onions at fair prices from the farmers which may help to reduce their anger, said Nanasaheb Patil, former chairman of Lasalgaon APMC, Asias largest onion market in Nasik district. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde are likely to fly to Delhi and meet Union Minister Piyush Goel regarding the export ban and giving relief to farmers. The protesting farmers and traders forced the agricultural produce market committee to shut down the auction of onions, demanding the lifting of the export ban. Ajit Nawale, general secretary of All India Kisan Sabha, said that the farmers of Maharashtra will intensify their protests if the Centre doesnt lift the export ban. The BJP has completely ignored the farmers. Cotton, soybean, and now onion prices have crashed. The farmers are unable to even get back their expenses, Nawale added. Vijay Wadettiwar, Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition, said the party will flag the issue in the ongoing winter session of the Maharashtra state assembly in Nagpur. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp MUMBAI: Onion farmers in Maharashtra are in arms against a Central government decision to impose an export ban on the vegetable which led to its prices crashing in the market. As per traders, onion was being sold at the rate of Rs 50 per kg but after the ban, the prices went down to Rs 25 per kg. The crops were damaged due to a long dry spell in August and heavy rainfall now. There may be a shortage of onions but farmers should not be at the receiving end of the governments topsy-turvy policies. The government should buy onions at fair prices from the farmers which may help to reduce their anger, said Nanasaheb Patil, former chairman of Lasalgaon APMC, Asias largest onion market in Nasik district. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde are likely to fly to Delhi and meet Union Minister Piyush Goel regarding the export ban and giving relief to farmers. The protesting farmers and traders forced the agricultural produce market committee to shut down the auction of onions, demanding the lifting of the export ban.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Ajit Nawale, general secretary of All India Kisan Sabha, said that the farmers of Maharashtra will intensify their protests if the Centre doesnt lift the export ban. The BJP has completely ignored the farmers. Cotton, soybean, and now onion prices have crashed. The farmers are unable to even get back their expenses, Nawale added. Vijay Wadettiwar, Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition, said the party will flag the issue in the ongoing winter session of the Maharashtra state assembly in Nagpur. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Anuraag Singh By BHOPAL: While the suspense on who will take over as the next Madhya Pradesh chief minister will end next week, the ruling BJP is likely to ensure one representation each from all 28 out of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the new cabinet. The BJP had won 28 out of the 29 LS seats in the 2019 national elections. Our party is known for its disciplined cadres, who religiously perform the duties assigned by the top brass. The three central observers will reach Bhopal and the meeting of the newly elected 163 legislators will be held at 4 pm on Monday, said state BJP president VD Sharma. Upsetting poll calculations and bucking the anti-incumbency of over 18 years of rule, the BJP won a resounding mandate in the recent assembly polls, winning 163 out of the 230 assembly seats, while Congress was 97 seats behind at just 66 seats. Besides, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, other names in the race for the next CM include union ministers Prahlad Singh Patel, Narendra Singh Tomar and Jyotiraditya Scindia, partys national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and state party chief VD Sharma. Meanwhile, with the next Lok Sabha polls just four months away, the party is likely to ensure representation of each of the 28 LS seats (won by BJP in 2019) in the next council of ministers, by ensuring at least one MLA from each Lok Sabha seat. The outgoing council of ministers headed by Shivraj Singh Chouhan had 34 ministers. Out of them, cabinet minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia did not contest the polls citing health grounds, while the Jyotiraditya Scindia-loyalist minister OPS Bhadoria was denied a ticket. Twelve of the remaining 32 ministers lost the polls. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp BHOPAL: While the suspense on who will take over as the next Madhya Pradesh chief minister will end next week, the ruling BJP is likely to ensure one representation each from all 28 out of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the new cabinet. The BJP had won 28 out of the 29 LS seats in the 2019 national elections. Our party is known for its disciplined cadres, who religiously perform the duties assigned by the top brass. The three central observers will reach Bhopal and the meeting of the newly elected 163 legislators will be held at 4 pm on Monday, said state BJP president VD Sharma. Upsetting poll calculations and bucking the anti-incumbency of over 18 years of rule, the BJP won a resounding mandate in the recent assembly polls, winning 163 out of the 230 assembly seats, while Congress was 97 seats behind at just 66 seats.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Besides, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, other names in the race for the next CM include union ministers Prahlad Singh Patel, Narendra Singh Tomar and Jyotiraditya Scindia, partys national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and state party chief VD Sharma. Meanwhile, with the next Lok Sabha polls just four months away, the party is likely to ensure representation of each of the 28 LS seats (won by BJP in 2019) in the next council of ministers, by ensuring at least one MLA from each Lok Sabha seat. The outgoing council of ministers headed by Shivraj Singh Chouhan had 34 ministers. Out of them, cabinet minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia did not contest the polls citing health grounds, while the Jyotiraditya Scindia-loyalist minister OPS Bhadoria was denied a ticket. Twelve of the remaining 32 ministers lost the polls. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Ireddy Srinivas Reddy By I will see your end. My time will come. This was Revanth Reddy to K Chandrasekhar Rao, the first chief minister of Indias youngest state, in 2015. Revanth had been arrested after being caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly offering Rs 50 lakh to a nominated MLC to vote in favour of the candidate of his then party, TDP. Rewind to 2009. YS Rajasekhara Reddy was the chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh and Telangana seemed a distant dream. Revanth played a key role in persuading KCR to contest from the Mahbubnagar Lok Sabha segment to strengthen Telangana sentiment in the southern part. The TRS supremo heeded, a counsel that Revanth would come to regret later. Revanth was not yet an MLA in 2009. Back in 2007, the 38-year-old won MLC elections as an independent. YSR is said to have asked him to join the ruling Congress. But Revanth chose the TDP, as he felt an opposition party would offer more scope for a youngster to make a mark the same feisty nature, the fighting spirit that everyone across the country is now aware of after he dethroned the seemingly invincible KCR and became the second CM of Telangana. READ MORE | Revanth Reddy the man who always believed he would become CM With the ruling TRS (later BRS) decimating the TDP in Telangana, Revanth joined the Congress in 2017 and soon became its working president. After a bitter loss from his Kodangal segment in the 2018 Assembly elections, Revanth soon recovered and won from Malkajgiri, Indias largest Lok Sabha constituency in terms of the number of electors, in the 2019 LS elections. His rise in the Congress seemed inevitable and Revanth soon became the Telangana PCC chief in June 2021, less than three years after he joined the party. But the victory of Revanths Congress in the 2023 state elections was far from inevitable. Just a few months after he became the TPCC chief, the party not only lost its deposit in the Huzurabad bypoll, but its candidate also won just 3,000 votes. And a year down the line, in the Munugode bypoll, the party again lost its deposit with the TRS and the BJP finishing far ahead of Congress in both the bypolls. Revanth was under pressure after such debilitating defeats but did not lose heart. He went ahead with his Dalit Girijana Dandoras, Yuva Sangarshana Sabhas and padayatras to infuse his fighting spirit into the party cadre. Though some seniors were against Revanth, an outsider, the party's high command gave him full support. Top leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, did not just back Revanth from Delhi. They campaigned aggressively in the state ahead of the polls. The TPCC chief was the only state Congress leader to campaign all across Telangana. This is despite him taking on KCR from Kamareddy and also contesting from his traditional seat Kodangal. Though Revanth (and KCR too) lost from Kamareddy to the BJP dark horse K Venkata Ramana Reddy, his decision to contest from the segment helped the Congress bag four seats from the erstwhile Nizamabad district, up from zero in 2018. The BR's bastion of North Telangana crumbled in the face of the sustained Congress campaign, helping the grand old party, which won 34 out of the 54 seats in the region, come to power in the state for the first time. While the BJP has not yet decided its CM faces in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, Revanths central role in the campaign made the choice of chief minister relatively easy for the usually faction-ridden Congress. He was sworn in as Telangana CM on December 7, four days after the results. When he was 31, Revanth spoke to a close friend about his ambition of becoming chief minister one day. For many others, that would have been just another daydream, but the hardworking Revanth has made it. Being in power for the first time, after all those years in the opposition, will be a new challenge. The beginning has been busy, with the CM listening to peoples grievances in the renamed Praja Bhavan and implementing two of the partys six guarantees. The CM would want to keep his foot on the pedal to achieve another of his dreams doing something beyond belief for Telangana so that people do not remember its first CM. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp I will see your end. My time will come. This was Revanth Reddy to K Chandrasekhar Rao, the first chief minister of Indias youngest state, in 2015. Revanth had been arrested after being caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly offering Rs 50 lakh to a nominated MLC to vote in favour of the candidate of his then party, TDP. Rewind to 2009. YS Rajasekhara Reddy was the chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh and Telangana seemed a distant dream. Revanth played a key role in persuading KCR to contest from the Mahbubnagar Lok Sabha segment to strengthen Telangana sentiment in the southern part. The TRS supremo heeded, a counsel that Revanth would come to regret later. Revanth was not yet an MLA in 2009. Back in 2007, the 38-year-old won MLC elections as an independent. YSR is said to have asked him to join the ruling Congress. But Revanth chose the TDP, as he felt an opposition party would offer more scope for a youngster to make a mark the same feisty nature, the fighting spirit that everyone across the country is now aware of after he dethroned the seemingly invincible KCR and became the second CM of Telangana.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); READ MORE | Revanth Reddy the man who always believed he would become CM With the ruling TRS (later BRS) decimating the TDP in Telangana, Revanth joined the Congress in 2017 and soon became its working president. After a bitter loss from his Kodangal segment in the 2018 Assembly elections, Revanth soon recovered and won from Malkajgiri, Indias largest Lok Sabha constituency in terms of the number of electors, in the 2019 LS elections. His rise in the Congress seemed inevitable and Revanth soon became the Telangana PCC chief in June 2021, less than three years after he joined the party. But the victory of Revanths Congress in the 2023 state elections was far from inevitable. Just a few months after he became the TPCC chief, the party not only lost its deposit in the Huzurabad bypoll, but its candidate also won just 3,000 votes. And a year down the line, in the Munugode bypoll, the party again lost its deposit with the TRS and the BJP finishing far ahead of Congress in both the bypolls. Revanth was under pressure after such debilitating defeats but did not lose heart. He went ahead with his Dalit Girijana Dandoras, Yuva Sangarshana Sabhas and padayatras to infuse his fighting spirit into the party cadre. Though some seniors were against Revanth, an outsider, the party's high command gave him full support. Top leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, did not just back Revanth from Delhi. They campaigned aggressively in the state ahead of the polls. The TPCC chief was the only state Congress leader to campaign all across Telangana. This is despite him taking on KCR from Kamareddy and also contesting from his traditional seat Kodangal. Though Revanth (and KCR too) lost from Kamareddy to the BJP dark horse K Venkata Ramana Reddy, his decision to contest from the segment helped the Congress bag four seats from the erstwhile Nizamabad district, up from zero in 2018. The BR's bastion of North Telangana crumbled in the face of the sustained Congress campaign, helping the grand old party, which won 34 out of the 54 seats in the region, come to power in the state for the first time. While the BJP has not yet decided its CM faces in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, Revanths central role in the campaign made the choice of chief minister relatively easy for the usually faction-ridden Congress. He was sworn in as Telangana CM on December 7, four days after the results. When he was 31, Revanth spoke to a close friend about his ambition of becoming chief minister one day. For many others, that would have been just another daydream, but the hardworking Revanth has made it. Being in power for the first time, after all those years in the opposition, will be a new challenge. The beginning has been busy, with the CM listening to peoples grievances in the renamed Praja Bhavan and implementing two of the partys six guarantees. The CM would want to keep his foot on the pedal to achieve another of his dreams doing something beyond belief for Telangana so that people do not remember its first CM. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Pranab Mondal By KOLKATA: TMC MP Mahua Moitras expulsion from Parliament will be a key issue, besides West Bengals dues from the Central government, which state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to raise during her protest in Delhi on December 17, according to party sources. Though dues from the Central government were the scheduled agenda of Banerjees sit-in demonstration, Moitras expulsion is likely to get top priority, as the party supremo has made it clear that the party stands firmly beside the expelled MP. According to party insiders, Moitra was directed to spend as much time as she used to, in her constituency Krishnanagar. Banerjee, while condemning the Lok Sabha action, gave a clear hint on Friday that Moitra may contest as a TMC candidate in the Lok Sabha polls next year. Describing Moitras expulsion from the Lower House of Parliament as BJPs politics of vendetta, a betrayal of her constitutional rights and a sad day in Indias democracy, Banerjee said there would be no reason for not fielding Moitra in the upcoming general elections. The opposition INDIA bloc stood beside Mahua Moitra. Our party chairperson Mamata Banerjee made it clear on Saturday that the party would fight together under the banner of the opposition alliance. She will raise the expulsion issue in her Delhi Chalo protest next week. We will highlight the issue in the campaigns ahead of the 2024 LS polls across the state as well, said a senior TMC leader. In the Krishnanagar constituency, the TMC staged demonstrations against Moitras expulsion. The protest is likely to be spread to other parts of the state from Sunday. The party high command has asked to stage demonstrations to protest an elected MPs ouster from Parliament. We will follow it in all districts, both in south Bengal and north Bengal, which turned out to be BJPs turf in the 2019 general elections, the party leader added. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp KOLKATA: TMC MP Mahua Moitras expulsion from Parliament will be a key issue, besides West Bengals dues from the Central government, which state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to raise during her protest in Delhi on December 17, according to party sources. Though dues from the Central government were the scheduled agenda of Banerjees sit-in demonstration, Moitras expulsion is likely to get top priority, as the party supremo has made it clear that the party stands firmly beside the expelled MP. According to party insiders, Moitra was directed to spend as much time as she used to, in her constituency Krishnanagar. Banerjee, while condemning the Lok Sabha action, gave a clear hint on Friday that Moitra may contest as a TMC candidate in the Lok Sabha polls next year.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Describing Moitras expulsion from the Lower House of Parliament as BJPs politics of vendetta, a betrayal of her constitutional rights and a sad day in Indias democracy, Banerjee said there would be no reason for not fielding Moitra in the upcoming general elections. The opposition INDIA bloc stood beside Mahua Moitra. Our party chairperson Mamata Banerjee made it clear on Saturday that the party would fight together under the banner of the opposition alliance. She will raise the expulsion issue in her Delhi Chalo protest next week. We will highlight the issue in the campaigns ahead of the 2024 LS polls across the state as well, said a senior TMC leader. In the Krishnanagar constituency, the TMC staged demonstrations against Moitras expulsion. The protest is likely to be spread to other parts of the state from Sunday. The party high command has asked to stage demonstrations to protest an elected MPs ouster from Parliament. We will follow it in all districts, both in south Bengal and north Bengal, which turned out to be BJPs turf in the 2019 general elections, the party leader added. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By AFP DOHA: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Sunday said he regrets the Security Council's failure to demand a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, condemning the divisions that have "paralysed" the world body. Addressing Qatar's Doha Forum, Guterres said the council was "paralysed by geostrategic divisions" that were undermining solutions to the Israel-Hamas war which started on October 7. The body's "authority and credibility were severely undermined" by its delayed response to the conflict, he said two days after a US veto prevented a resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire. "I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared," he told the forum. "Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it," he added. "I can promise, I will not give up." Guterres had convened an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after two months of fighting that have left more than 17,700 people dead in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. READ HERE | Israeli offensive targets southern Gaza, refugees' safety at stake in escalating crisis The secretary-general deployed the rarely-used Article 99 of the United Nations Charter to bring to the council's attention "any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security". The rule had not previously been invoked by a UN chief in decades. "We are facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system," Guterres told the Doha Forum. "The situation is fast deteriorating into a catastrophe with potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians as a whole and for peace and security in the region." The Israel-Hamas war was triggered by deadly attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel. The militants poured over the border into Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping about 240 others, according to Israeli officials. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp DOHA: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Sunday said he regrets the Security Council's failure to demand a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, condemning the divisions that have "paralysed" the world body. Addressing Qatar's Doha Forum, Guterres said the council was "paralysed by geostrategic divisions" that were undermining solutions to the Israel-Hamas war which started on October 7. The body's "authority and credibility were severely undermined" by its delayed response to the conflict, he said two days after a US veto prevented a resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared," he told the forum. "Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it," he added. "I can promise, I will not give up." Guterres had convened an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after two months of fighting that have left more than 17,700 people dead in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. READ HERE | Israeli offensive targets southern Gaza, refugees' safety at stake in escalating crisis The secretary-general deployed the rarely-used Article 99 of the United Nations Charter to bring to the council's attention "any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security". The rule had not previously been invoked by a UN chief in decades. "We are facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system," Guterres told the Doha Forum. "The situation is fast deteriorating into a catastrophe with potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians as a whole and for peace and security in the region." The Israel-Hamas war was triggered by deadly attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel. The militants poured over the border into Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping about 240 others, according to Israeli officials. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Associated Press Hamas warned Sunday that no hostages would leave Gaza alive unless its demands for prisoner releases are met, while the World Health Organization said the territory's health system is collapsing after more than two months of war. Hamas triggered the conflict with the deadliest-ever attack on Israel on October 7 in which it killed some 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures, and dragged around 240 hostages back to Gaza. Israel has responded with a relentless military offensive that has reduced much of Gaza to rubble and killed at least 17,997 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. As aid groups warn the territory is on the brink of being overwhelmed by disease and starvation, the head of the United Nations decried a divided and "paralysed" Security Council for failing to agree on a ceasefire. "Gaza's health system is on its knees and collapsing," said World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, with only 14 of 36 hospitals functioning at any capacity. ALSO READ | Heavy fighting in south Gaza as Israel presses ahead with renewed US support The United Nations estimates that 1.9 million of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced -- roughly half of them children -- many forced south and running out of safe places to go. "We have been stuck here for 18 days. Whenever I want to go somewhere, we hear bombing and shelling and feel scared and go back," said Noura al-Sayed Hassan, trapped in Rafah despite having an Egyptian passport. "I've been searching for bread for my daughter for over a week now." The UN humanitarian agency OCHA said only 100 aid trucks entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing with Egypt on Saturday, well below the pre-war average. "The restrictions and challenges being placed on the delivery of lifesaving aid... are another death sentence for children." 'Not human beings' Hamas said Sunday that Israel had launched "very violent raids" targeting the biggest southern city of Khan Yunis and the road linking it to Rafah near the border with Egypt. "Neither the fascist enemy and its arrogant leadership... nor its supporters... can take their prisoners alive without an exchange and negotiation and meeting the demands of the resistance," Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said in a televised broadcast. There are still 137 hostages held in Gaza, according to Israel. Activists say around 7,000 Palestinians are detained in Israeli jails, and senior Hamas official Bassem Neim said in late November that the movement was "ready to release all soldiers in exchange for all our prisoners". On Sunday a source close to Hamas and Islamic Jihad told AFP both groups were engaged in "fierce clashes" with Israeli forces near Khan Yunis, where an AFP journalist also reported heavy strikes, as well as Jabalia and Gaza City's Shejaiya district in the north. ALSO READ | 'Like human pinballs': Israel bombards Gaza, including safe zones for Palestinians Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue its "just war to eliminate" Hamas, while army chief Herzi Halevi urged his forces to "press harder" in their offensive. The army said it struck more than 250 targets in 24 hours, it said Sunday, including "a Hamas military communications site" and "underground tunnel shafts" in southern Gaza, as well as a Hamas military command centre in Shejaiya. It says 98 soldiers have died in the Gaza campaign and around 600 wounded have been evacuated. Some 7,000 "terrorists" have been killed, according to National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi. Senior Israeli military officials, speaking on December 4, were asked about media reports that 5,000 Hamas fighters had been killed. That figure is "more or less right," one of the officials said. "Hamas should not exist, because they are not human beings, after what I saw they did," Menahem, a 22-year-old soldier injured on October 7, told AFP during a military-organised tour that did not allow him to give his surname. 'UN credibility undermined' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Security Council's "authority and credibility were severely undermined", after the United States on Friday blocked a ceasefire resolution. "I can promise, I will not give up," Guterres told Qatar's Doha Forum. Qatar said it was still working on a fresh truce, but that Israel's relentless bombardment was "narrowing the window" for success. The Gulf emirate, where Hamas's top leadership is based, was a key mediator for a seven-day truce last month that saw 80 Israeli hostages exchanged for 240 Palestinian prisoners and humanitarian aid. Hundreds of Israelis rallied for the hostages on Saturday in Tel Aviv, holding placards reading "Bring them home now" and "They trust us to get them out of hell". Israel launched a failed rescue operation late Thursday. Hamas said a captive was killed in the operation. The death of Sahar Baruch, 25, was later confirmed by his community of Beeri, one of the worst hit on October 7 Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Hamas warned Sunday that no hostages would leave Gaza alive unless its demands for prisoner releases are met, while the World Health Organization said the territory's health system is collapsing after more than two months of war. Hamas triggered the conflict with the deadliest-ever attack on Israel on October 7 in which it killed some 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures, and dragged around 240 hostages back to Gaza. Israel has responded with a relentless military offensive that has reduced much of Gaza to rubble and killed at least 17,997 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); As aid groups warn the territory is on the brink of being overwhelmed by disease and starvation, the head of the United Nations decried a divided and "paralysed" Security Council for failing to agree on a ceasefire. "Gaza's health system is on its knees and collapsing," said World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, with only 14 of 36 hospitals functioning at any capacity. ALSO READ | Heavy fighting in south Gaza as Israel presses ahead with renewed US support The United Nations estimates that 1.9 million of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced -- roughly half of them children -- many forced south and running out of safe places to go. "We have been stuck here for 18 days. Whenever I want to go somewhere, we hear bombing and shelling and feel scared and go back," said Noura al-Sayed Hassan, trapped in Rafah despite having an Egyptian passport. "I've been searching for bread for my daughter for over a week now." The UN humanitarian agency OCHA said only 100 aid trucks entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing with Egypt on Saturday, well below the pre-war average. "The restrictions and challenges being placed on the delivery of lifesaving aid... are another death sentence for children." 'Not human beings' Hamas said Sunday that Israel had launched "very violent raids" targeting the biggest southern city of Khan Yunis and the road linking it to Rafah near the border with Egypt. "Neither the fascist enemy and its arrogant leadership... nor its supporters... can take their prisoners alive without an exchange and negotiation and meeting the demands of the resistance," Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said in a televised broadcast. There are still 137 hostages held in Gaza, according to Israel. Activists say around 7,000 Palestinians are detained in Israeli jails, and senior Hamas official Bassem Neim said in late November that the movement was "ready to release all soldiers in exchange for all our prisoners". On Sunday a source close to Hamas and Islamic Jihad told AFP both groups were engaged in "fierce clashes" with Israeli forces near Khan Yunis, where an AFP journalist also reported heavy strikes, as well as Jabalia and Gaza City's Shejaiya district in the north. ALSO READ | 'Like human pinballs': Israel bombards Gaza, including safe zones for Palestinians Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue its "just war to eliminate" Hamas, while army chief Herzi Halevi urged his forces to "press harder" in their offensive. The army said it struck more than 250 targets in 24 hours, it said Sunday, including "a Hamas military communications site" and "underground tunnel shafts" in southern Gaza, as well as a Hamas military command centre in Shejaiya. It says 98 soldiers have died in the Gaza campaign and around 600 wounded have been evacuated. Some 7,000 "terrorists" have been killed, according to National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi. Senior Israeli military officials, speaking on December 4, were asked about media reports that 5,000 Hamas fighters had been killed. That figure is "more or less right," one of the officials said. "Hamas should not exist, because they are not human beings, after what I saw they did," Menahem, a 22-year-old soldier injured on October 7, told AFP during a military-organised tour that did not allow him to give his surname. 'UN credibility undermined' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Security Council's "authority and credibility were severely undermined", after the United States on Friday blocked a ceasefire resolution. "I can promise, I will not give up," Guterres told Qatar's Doha Forum. Qatar said it was still working on a fresh truce, but that Israel's relentless bombardment was "narrowing the window" for success. The Gulf emirate, where Hamas's top leadership is based, was a key mediator for a seven-day truce last month that saw 80 Israeli hostages exchanged for 240 Palestinian prisoners and humanitarian aid. Hundreds of Israelis rallied for the hostages on Saturday in Tel Aviv, holding placards reading "Bring them home now" and "They trust us to get them out of hell". Israel launched a failed rescue operation late Thursday. Hamas said a captive was killed in the operation. The death of Sahar Baruch, 25, was later confirmed by his community of Beeri, one of the worst hit on October 7 Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp The Conversation By John Joseph Chin and Haleigh Bartos After the surprise Hamas terrorist attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, many observers were puzzled about how Israel could have been caught completely off-guard. We were among those puzzled, and proposed three possible reasons: Israeli leaders may have underestimated Hamas capabilities and misunderstood its intentions. Israeli intelligence may have been tricked by Hamas secrecy, missing signs that it was planning and training. Israeli intelligence leaders may have been so wedded to their prior conclusion that Hamas was not a major threat that they dismissed mounting evidence that it was preparing for war. New revelations from recent media coverage have shed additional light on what happened, which mostly confirm the role of faulty threat assessments, Hamas improved operational security, and confirmation bias. An official assessment On Oct. 29, The New York Times reported that since May 2021, Israels military intelligence leaders and National Security Council had officially assessed that Hamas had no interest in launching an attack from Gaza that might invite a devastating response from Israel. As a result, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and security leaders diverted attention and resources away from Hamas and toward what they saw as more existential threats: Iran and Hezbollah. For instance, in 2021, the Israeli military cut personnel and funding for Unit 8200, a key military surveillance unit watching Gaza. In 2022, the unit stopped listening in on Hamas militants radio communications, though it apparently gathered other intelligence. The US made a similar shift, focusing on the Islamic State group and other militants, leaving intelligence gathering on Hamas to Israel. Revealing surveillance Within days of Oct. 7, Egypt revealed that it had shared with Israel high-level warnings of impending Hamas violence something big. A Guardian report in early November revealed that Hamas leaders who had planned the attack took special measures to avoid being detected by Israeli intelligence, including passing orders only by word of mouth, rather than by radio or internet communication. But Hamas planning did not totally escape detection. The Times of Israel reported in late October that Israeli troops of the Combat Intelligence Corps surveilling the Israel-Gaza border months before Oct. 7 saw Hamas militants digging holes, placing explosives, training frequently and even practising blowing up a mock fence. Their warnings were ignored. The Financial Times reported in early November that Israeli security leaders had also ignored specific alerts of Hamas training exercises from civilian volunteers in southern Israel who eavesdropped on Hamas communications. The Financial Times also reported that weeks before the Hamas attack, Israeli border guards sent a classified warning to the top military intelligence officer in the southern command. They had detected a high-ranking Hamas military commander overseeing rehearsals of hostage-taking and warned that Hamas was training to imminently blow up border posts at several locations, enter Israeli territory and take over kibbutzim. The officer who received the message dismissed it as an imaginary scenario. Other leaders considered the warning unremarkable. A detailed plan On Nov. 30, The New York Times reported that Israeli intelligence obtained a detailed Hamas plan of attack more than a year before Oct. 7. The plan ran to 40 pages and included specifics that actually were part of the attack, including an opening rocket barrage, drones knocking out security cameras and automated weapons at the border, and gunmen crossing into Israel in paragliders as well as on foot and by motorcycle. The newspaper also reported that in July 2023, a Unit 8200 analyst observed Hamas training activities that lined up with the Hamas plan, which was code-named Jericho Wall by Israeli officials. Israels defences include stations like this guard tower in the West Bank, with robotic weapons that can fire tear gas, stun grenades and sponge-tipped bullets, using artificial intelligence to track targets. (Photo | AP) The analyst determined that Hamas was preparing an attack designed to provoke a war with Israel. Superior officers dismissed her assessment, saying the Jericho Wall plan was only aspirational primarily because they thought Hamas lacked the capacity to carry it out. A reflection on the Israeli intelligence community These recent reports make clear that Israeli officials had enough intelligence to step up security. The fact that they did not suggests they may have dismissed all that evidence in favour of other information they had, which suggested Hamas was not interested in or capable of going to war with Israel. But that may not have been the only problem. Recent studies point to increasing fissures in civil-military relations in Israel. For example, populist right-wing Israeli politicians in recent years have viewed senior intelligence officials with scepticism as potential leftist rivals, which could have led Netanyahus Likud government to be hostile to alternative viewpoints and various intelligence warnings on Hamas. Although we cannot observe the extent of politicization among the senior Israeli intelligence ranks, the behaviour of intelligence leaders who dismissed warnings prior to Oct. 7 is consistent with groupthink, a phenomenon that experts say may occur when social pressure, a leaders influential position or self-censorship leads groups to express homogeneous views and make uniform and usually poorer decisions. The fact that superiors ignored warnings from the Unit 8200 analyst and the Border Defense Corps is consistent with the idea that groupthink about Hamas capabilities and intentions led to confirmation bias dismissing Hamas as an imminent threat. Some of the ignored intelligence analysts were young women, who have said they believe sexism could have been a reason male superiors ignored their warnings. Another form of prejudice may also have been at play. Israel has focused intensely on its technological advantages over its enemies, assigning large numbers of personnel to electronic and cyber warfare units. Perhaps technological optimism, and faith in what the Financial Times described as aerial drones that eavesdrop on Gaza and the sensor-equipped fence that surrounds the strip, won out. Maybe a reliance on technology led to a false sense of security, and even the dismissal of other forms of intelligence that, it turned out, had uncovered Hamas real plans. A turn toward the future In the wake of the Hamas attacks, Israels security apparatus will need to investigate these weaknesses further and undertake reforms. So far, it remains unclear how many people, and at what levels of the Israeli government, received the various warnings in advance of Oct. 7. Therefore, its not yet clear what specific changes in Israel might prevent a similar failure in the future. John Joseph Chin, Assistant Teaching Professor of Strategy and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University Haleigh Bartos, Associate Professor of the Practice in Strategy and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp John Joseph Chin and Haleigh Bartos After the surprise Hamas terrorist attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, many observers were puzzled about how Israel could have been caught completely off-guard. We were among those puzzled, and proposed three possible reasons:googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Israeli leaders may have underestimated Hamas capabilities and misunderstood its intentions. Israeli intelligence may have been tricked by Hamas secrecy, missing signs that it was planning and training. Israeli intelligence leaders may have been so wedded to their prior conclusion that Hamas was not a major threat that they dismissed mounting evidence that it was preparing for war. New revelations from recent media coverage have shed additional light on what happened, which mostly confirm the role of faulty threat assessments, Hamas improved operational security, and confirmation bias. An official assessment On Oct. 29, The New York Times reported that since May 2021, Israels military intelligence leaders and National Security Council had officially assessed that Hamas had no interest in launching an attack from Gaza that might invite a devastating response from Israel. As a result, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and security leaders diverted attention and resources away from Hamas and toward what they saw as more existential threats: Iran and Hezbollah. For instance, in 2021, the Israeli military cut personnel and funding for Unit 8200, a key military surveillance unit watching Gaza. In 2022, the unit stopped listening in on Hamas militants radio communications, though it apparently gathered other intelligence. The US made a similar shift, focusing on the Islamic State group and other militants, leaving intelligence gathering on Hamas to Israel. Revealing surveillance Within days of Oct. 7, Egypt revealed that it had shared with Israel high-level warnings of impending Hamas violence something big. A Guardian report in early November revealed that Hamas leaders who had planned the attack took special measures to avoid being detected by Israeli intelligence, including passing orders only by word of mouth, rather than by radio or internet communication. But Hamas planning did not totally escape detection. The Times of Israel reported in late October that Israeli troops of the Combat Intelligence Corps surveilling the Israel-Gaza border months before Oct. 7 saw Hamas militants digging holes, placing explosives, training frequently and even practising blowing up a mock fence. Their warnings were ignored. The Financial Times reported in early November that Israeli security leaders had also ignored specific alerts of Hamas training exercises from civilian volunteers in southern Israel who eavesdropped on Hamas communications. The Financial Times also reported that weeks before the Hamas attack, Israeli border guards sent a classified warning to the top military intelligence officer in the southern command. They had detected a high-ranking Hamas military commander overseeing rehearsals of hostage-taking and warned that Hamas was training to imminently blow up border posts at several locations, enter Israeli territory and take over kibbutzim. The officer who received the message dismissed it as an imaginary scenario. Other leaders considered the warning unremarkable. A detailed plan On Nov. 30, The New York Times reported that Israeli intelligence obtained a detailed Hamas plan of attack more than a year before Oct. 7. The plan ran to 40 pages and included specifics that actually were part of the attack, including an opening rocket barrage, drones knocking out security cameras and automated weapons at the border, and gunmen crossing into Israel in paragliders as well as on foot and by motorcycle. The newspaper also reported that in July 2023, a Unit 8200 analyst observed Hamas training activities that lined up with the Hamas plan, which was code-named Jericho Wall by Israeli officials. Israels defences include stations like this guard tower in the West Bank, with robotic weapons that can fire tear gas, stun grenades and sponge-tipped bullets, using artificial intelligence to track targets. (Photo | AP) The analyst determined that Hamas was preparing an attack designed to provoke a war with Israel. Superior officers dismissed her assessment, saying the Jericho Wall plan was only aspirational primarily because they thought Hamas lacked the capacity to carry it out. A reflection on the Israeli intelligence community These recent reports make clear that Israeli officials had enough intelligence to step up security. The fact that they did not suggests they may have dismissed all that evidence in favour of other information they had, which suggested Hamas was not interested in or capable of going to war with Israel. But that may not have been the only problem. Recent studies point to increasing fissures in civil-military relations in Israel. For example, populist right-wing Israeli politicians in recent years have viewed senior intelligence officials with scepticism as potential leftist rivals, which could have led Netanyahus Likud government to be hostile to alternative viewpoints and various intelligence warnings on Hamas. Although we cannot observe the extent of politicization among the senior Israeli intelligence ranks, the behaviour of intelligence leaders who dismissed warnings prior to Oct. 7 is consistent with groupthink, a phenomenon that experts say may occur when social pressure, a leaders influential position or self-censorship leads groups to express homogeneous views and make uniform and usually poorer decisions. The fact that superiors ignored warnings from the Unit 8200 analyst and the Border Defense Corps is consistent with the idea that groupthink about Hamas capabilities and intentions led to confirmation bias dismissing Hamas as an imminent threat. Some of the ignored intelligence analysts were young women, who have said they believe sexism could have been a reason male superiors ignored their warnings. Another form of prejudice may also have been at play. Israel has focused intensely on its technological advantages over its enemies, assigning large numbers of personnel to electronic and cyber warfare units. Perhaps technological optimism, and faith in what the Financial Times described as aerial drones that eavesdrop on Gaza and the sensor-equipped fence that surrounds the strip, won out. Maybe a reliance on technology led to a false sense of security, and even the dismissal of other forms of intelligence that, it turned out, had uncovered Hamas real plans. A turn toward the future In the wake of the Hamas attacks, Israels security apparatus will need to investigate these weaknesses further and undertake reforms. So far, it remains unclear how many people, and at what levels of the Israeli government, received the various warnings in advance of Oct. 7. Therefore, its not yet clear what specific changes in Israel might prevent a similar failure in the future. John Joseph Chin,Assistant Teaching Professor of Strategy and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University Haleigh Bartos, Associate Professor of the Practice in Strategy and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By AFP Some of the more than 300 Rohingya refugees who arrived on the western coasts of Indonesia on Sunday were transferred to a temporary shelter during the visit of a United Nations representative. A group of 135 refugees, mostly women and children, were relocated from a beach in Aceh Besar regency of Aceh province to a governor's office building before the authorities eventually conveyed them by truck to a camping ground. The mostly Muslim Rohingya were the target of a 2017 crackdown by Myanmar's military that is the subject of a UN genocide probe. Around a million have fled to Bangladesh, and from there thousands risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys to reach Malaysia or Indonesia. ALSO READ | Four Rohingya killed in Bangladesh refugee camp shootout "They are relocated to the camping ground by the province's [refugee] task force. They will join other Rohingya refugees that have been there," said Aceh Besar acting regent Muhammad Iswanto on Sunday evening. A group of 180 refugees from the persecuted Myanmar minority arrived by boat at 3:00 am local time (2000 GMT Saturday) on a beach in the Pidie regency of Aceh province. Another boat carrying 135 refugees landed in neighbouring Aceh Besar regency hours later after being adrift at sea for more than a month. "We had been in the sea for almost one month and 15 days. [...] We left on November 1st," 24-year-old refugee Muhammad Shohibul Islam told AFP. The refugees gathered on a plantation next to the shore, where they drank water given to them by locals. Some lay on the ground, trying to rest after their journey. Police found stacks of United Nations refugee cards in a cardboard box brought by the refugees, an AFP journalist saw. "We noticed that some of these refugees have refugee cards. So, let them be re-registered first by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration [before we act further]," local police chief Rolly Yuiza Away said by telephone. Mothers cradle children The authorities kept the refugees on the shore where they landed, with mothers cradling their children, some of whom were naked, in their arms. The local government in Pidie said earlier it would not take responsibility for providing the refugees with tents, or other basic needs. They said they would not "bear any expenses" and that no shelters were available. Local authorities and residents have been rejecting the Rohingya, threatening to push them back to sea since more than 1,000 arrived last month. On Wednesday, about 150 protesters in Sabang Island in Aceh clashed with police as they called for the Rohingya refugees to be relocated. "The problem has been in situations where the refugees have arrived on the beach and there has been uncertainty on where to take the refugees," said United Nations refugee agency representative to Indonesia Ann Maymann. "It is the government that should decide that. [...] So I am sure we can manage this." Agency's official Faisal Rahman earlier said the government acknowledged that designated shelters were over capacity but said the agency and the Indonesian government were trying to find a place for the refugees. "We continue to explain the situation to the people and ensure that they will not be burdened with the handling of refugees," Rahman said. "The government is working to provide shelter as the number of refugees arriving is very high." President Joko Widodo said Friday that temporary relief would be provided for refugees "with a priority on the interests of the local community". He accused a human trafficking network of being behind the rising number of Rohingya refugees reaching his country by boat, vowing to take strict action against the perpetrators. Indonesia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention and says it is not compelled to take in refugees from Myanmar. But neighbouring countries have also shut their doors, leaving the Rohingya with few other options. Rohingya refugees among the recent arrivals in Aceh said they fled escalating brutality in the camps in and around Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, which hold more than one million people and where gangs regularly abduct and torture residents for ransom. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Some of the more than 300 Rohingya refugees who arrived on the western coasts of Indonesia on Sunday were transferred to a temporary shelter during the visit of a United Nations representative. A group of 135 refugees, mostly women and children, were relocated from a beach in Aceh Besar regency of Aceh province to a governor's office building before the authorities eventually conveyed them by truck to a camping ground. The mostly Muslim Rohingya were the target of a 2017 crackdown by Myanmar's military that is the subject of a UN genocide probe.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Around a million have fled to Bangladesh, and from there thousands risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys to reach Malaysia or Indonesia. ALSO READ | Four Rohingya killed in Bangladesh refugee camp shootout "They are relocated to the camping ground by the province's [refugee] task force. They will join other Rohingya refugees that have been there," said Aceh Besar acting regent Muhammad Iswanto on Sunday evening. A group of 180 refugees from the persecuted Myanmar minority arrived by boat at 3:00 am local time (2000 GMT Saturday) on a beach in the Pidie regency of Aceh province. Another boat carrying 135 refugees landed in neighbouring Aceh Besar regency hours later after being adrift at sea for more than a month. "We had been in the sea for almost one month and 15 days. [...] We left on November 1st," 24-year-old refugee Muhammad Shohibul Islam told AFP. The refugees gathered on a plantation next to the shore, where they drank water given to them by locals. Some lay on the ground, trying to rest after their journey. Police found stacks of United Nations refugee cards in a cardboard box brought by the refugees, an AFP journalist saw. "We noticed that some of these refugees have refugee cards. So, let them be re-registered first by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration [before we act further]," local police chief Rolly Yuiza Away said by telephone. Mothers cradle children The authorities kept the refugees on the shore where they landed, with mothers cradling their children, some of whom were naked, in their arms. The local government in Pidie said earlier it would not take responsibility for providing the refugees with tents, or other basic needs. They said they would not "bear any expenses" and that no shelters were available. Local authorities and residents have been rejecting the Rohingya, threatening to push them back to sea since more than 1,000 arrived last month. On Wednesday, about 150 protesters in Sabang Island in Aceh clashed with police as they called for the Rohingya refugees to be relocated. "The problem has been in situations where the refugees have arrived on the beach and there has been uncertainty on where to take the refugees," said United Nations refugee agency representative to Indonesia Ann Maymann. "It is the government that should decide that. [...] So I am sure we can manage this." Agency's official Faisal Rahman earlier said the government acknowledged that designated shelters were over capacity but said the agency and the Indonesian government were trying to find a place for the refugees. "We continue to explain the situation to the people and ensure that they will not be burdened with the handling of refugees," Rahman said. "The government is working to provide shelter as the number of refugees arriving is very high." President Joko Widodo said Friday that temporary relief would be provided for refugees "with a priority on the interests of the local community". He accused a human trafficking network of being behind the rising number of Rohingya refugees reaching his country by boat, vowing to take strict action against the perpetrators. Indonesia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention and says it is not compelled to take in refugees from Myanmar. But neighbouring countries have also shut their doors, leaving the Rohingya with few other options. Rohingya refugees among the recent arrivals in Aceh said they fled escalating brutality in the camps in and around Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, which hold more than one million people and where gangs regularly abduct and torture residents for ransom. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp A voter casts his ballot at a polling station in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 10, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai) CAIRO, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Voting spans from Dec. 10 to Dec. 12, with each day allowing 12 hours to cast ballots. Overseas Egyptian voters had previously cast their ballots from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3. About 67 million Egyptians are eligible to vote at more than 9,000 polling stations nationwide. Sisi, who is running for a third term, was elected president in 2014 and reelected in 2018 for a second term, both with an overwhelming majority. The other three contestants are the Social Democratic Party's Farid Zahran; the Egyptian Al-Wafd Party's Abdel Sanad Yamama; and Hazem Omar, the People's Republican Party candidate. The final result is scheduled to be announced on Dec. 18, if no run-off is required. A ballot box is seen at a polling station in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 10, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai) A voter casts his ballot at a polling station in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 10, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai) A voter casts his ballot at a polling station in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 10, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai) Incumbent Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi casts his ballot at a polling station in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 10, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Voting spans from Dec. 10 to Dec. 12, with each day allowing 12 hours to cast ballots. Overseas Egyptian voters had previously cast their ballots from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3. (Egyptian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua) A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in Giza, Egypt, Dec. 10, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Voting spans from Dec. 10 to Dec. 12, with each day allowing 12 hours to cast ballots. Overseas Egyptian voters had previously cast their ballots from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Egyptian presidential candidate Hazem Omar, president of the People's Republican Party, is to vote at a polling station in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 10, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Voting spans from Dec. 10 to Dec. 12, with each day allowing 12 hours to cast ballots. Overseas Egyptian voters had previously cast their ballots from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3. (Photo by Ahmed Mohamed/Xinhua) Egyptian presidential candidate Farid Zahran, head of the Social Democratic Party, casts his ballot at a polling station in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 10, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Voting spans from Dec. 10 to Dec. 12, with each day allowing 12 hours to cast ballots. Overseas Egyptian voters had previously cast their ballots from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3. (Photo by Mohamed Assad/Xinhua) A voter registers before voting at a polling station in Giza, Egypt, Dec. 10, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Voting spans from Dec. 10 to Dec. 12, with each day allowing 12 hours to cast ballots. Overseas Egyptian voters had previously cast their ballots from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Egyptian presidential candidate Abdel Sanad Yamama, chairman of Egyptian Al-Wafd Party, casts his ballot at a polling station in Giza, Egypt, Dec. 10, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Voting spans from Dec. 10 to Dec. 12, with each day allowing 12 hours to cast ballots. Overseas Egyptian voters had previously cast their ballots from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 11, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Voting spans from Dec. 10 to Dec. 12, with each day allowing 12 hours to cast ballots. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Voters queue up to cast their ballots at a polling station in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 11, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Voting spans from Dec. 10 to Dec. 12, with each day allowing 12 hours to cast ballots. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 11, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Voting spans from Dec. 10 to Dec. 12, with each day allowing 12 hours to cast ballots. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 11, 2023. Voting for Egypt's presidential election began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Sunday in Egypt, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Voting spans from Dec. 10 to Dec. 12, with each day allowing 12 hours to cast ballots. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Ranchi, Dec 10 W hen asked about the BJP's resounding electoral victory in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in the recently concluded Assembly elections, Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Working President, Hemant Soren, told media persons: "The poll results are according to the hard work any party puts in the elections. Only time will tell the impact of these poll results on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections." It is evident from Soren's reaction that he pointed to Congress, one of the main allies of the oppositions in INDIA bloc, that if you want to win the elections, you will have to work harder to defeat the BJP. Given the current political situation in Jharkhand, the path of winning further elections is not at all easy for INDIA bloc. After a resounding victory in three states of the Hindi belt -- Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the BJP is buoyed with the victories in the recently concluded Assembly polls which were held in November. Hemant Soren is aware that now BJP will intensify its political attacks on him. To face this daunting challenge, he has now entered the electoral field single-handedly, without caring much about the other INDIA bloc parties and their allies in Jharkhand. Citing his busy schedule ahead of the general election in 2024, the Jharkhand Chief Minister had decided to skip the December 6 meeting of INDIA bloc in New Delhi. However, this meeting was postponed due to non-availability of majority of the prominent leaders of the INDIA bloc. In the last few days, Hemant Soren is continuously touring various districts of his state under the " 'Aapki Yojana, Aapki Sarkar, Aapke Dwar' campaign. Although this is a state government-led campaign, but in the public meetings being held under it, Soren is seen taking on the BJP setting his political agenda. On one hand, he is highlighting the achievements of the Jharkhand government before the people and on the other hand, he is seen fiercely attacking the BJP and the Central government for its policies. His effort is to not let the political ground gained by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha weaken under any circumstances. The leaders of Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal -- the other two constituent parties apart from JMM which are part of the Jharkhand government -- need to worry about the extent to which they are able to manage their political ground ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. After the election results on December 3, Congress leaders and workers in Jharkhand are unhappy. The grand old party had decided two months ago that every week in the State Congress office, four ministers from the Congress quota included in the Hemant government would listen to the problems of the people in the state. This strategy has not been implemented by the party since the last three to four weeks. There is currently no other noteworthy programme by Congress for connecting with the people taking place at the state level. There is a studded silence within the RJD, an ally of the Jharkhand government, regarding their party's organisational programmes. A big challenge for the opposition INDIA bloc in Jharkhand will be regarding the distribution of seats for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The current ruling coalition in the state comprises three parties -- Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal. In the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections held in 2019, these three parties had divided Assembly seats among themselves. If the INDIA bloc resolves to contest elections together in Jharkhand, then the number of parties under the alliance will increase from three to five or six, which will then affect the seat-sharing arrangement and that could become a very challenging situation. Nitish Kumar-led JDU and Left parties have no stake in the current ruling coalition government in Jharkhand. At present, JDU has no MLA in the state, while CPI-ML has only one MLA among the Left parties. Within the INDIA bloc, JDU and Left parties will also stake claim on the Lok Sabha and Assembly seats. There are 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand, the distribution of which will be very difficult, to create a unanimous seat-sharing formula among the constituent parties of the INDIA bloc in the state. In the 2019 elections, an alliance of four parties -- Congress, JMM, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) and RJD was formed, but there was a huge dispute over the seat-sharing arrangement. Within the alliance government in Jharkhand, Congress got seven seats, JMM got four, Babulal Marandi's JVM got two and Rashtriya Janata Dal got one seat. Unity was shown on 13 seats, but Rashtriya Janata Dal was not satisfied with getting just one seat. Therefore, the RJD had fielded its candidates on two seats -- Palamu and Chatra. This time, apart from JMM, Congress and RJD, JDU and Left parties will also stake claim on Lok Sabha seats in the opposition INDIA bloc. Discussions regarding the claim and seat-sharing have also started in the respective meetings of these parties. This time Congress is contesting on nine Lok Sabha seats, whereas last time, it had contested on seven. The grand old party said that in 2019, under an internal agreement, it had left two seats for Babulal Marandi's Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Democratic). Now Jharkhand Vikas Morcha has quit the opposition INDIA bloc and Babulal Marandi has joined the BJP. On the other hand, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is preparing to stake claim on five to six seats, whereas last time it had contested on four. RJD is also in a mood to reclaim at least two seats, whereas last time in the alliance it was agreed to give it only one seat. Left parties want at least one seat for themselves. The Left parties' want to contest from the Hazaribagh Assembly constituency, from where CPI's Bhuvaneshwar Prasad Mahto had been elected as an MP in 2004. It is said that CPI's National General Secretary D. Raja has expressed his desire to contest elections from Hazaribagh in 2024. The active presence of JDU leaders and the state party committee in recent times is indicating that it will want a Lok Sabha seat for itself within the opposition INDIA alliance in Jharkhand. The JDU wants to contest from the Hazaribagh, Koderma and Giridih seats. The biggest difference in seat distribution will be between Congress and JMM. Along with the Lok Sabha, Assembly elections are also to be held in Jharkhand in 2024. In such a situation, while deciding any formula for Lok Sabha seats, the distribution of 81 Assembly seats will also be necessarily discussed which will be quite challenging. Soren in full poll mode, says Cong needs to work harder to defeat BJP Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi, Dec 10 I ndian-American Democratic representative Pramila Jayapal stirred up a hornets nest after she called for a balanced approach when answering a question from the media about the Hamas possible use of rape as a war tool -- creating an intense backlash within the Democratic Party. After her controversial statement, tensions rose within the Democratic Party about how to condemn Hamas for sexual violence in its war with Israel. The chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), had condemned the rape of Israeli women by Hamas and called it horrific on CNNs State of the Union last Sunday. She pointed out that over 15,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza since the start of the war, saying, I think we have to be balanced about bringing in the outrages against Palestinians. Her controversial comments brought broader divisions within the Democratic Party to the fore on the Hamas-Israel war. Realising the tensions, Jayapal issued a fresh statement two days later saying, Let me be completely clear again that I unequivocally condemn Hamas use of rape and sexual violence as an act of war. What I said on Sunday in speaking about Hamas and rape was: I have condemned what Hamas has done, Ive condemned all of the actionsrape is horrific, sexual assault is horrific. It is what I believe and I will continue to condemn the atrocities committed by Hamas and continue to call for Hamas defeat, she emphasised. She further clarified that her comment about balance was not about rape, and not intended to minimise rape and sexual assault in any way. It was about recognising the tremendous pain and trauma of so manyIsraelis, Palestinians and their diaspora communitiesin this terrible war. According to multiple media reports, Democrats have struggled to reconcile support for Israels right to defend itself in the wake of the October 7 attacks and rising protests, especially on the Left, over the devastation in Gaza. The heightened anger, however, has highlighted growing fault lines between how the Left and the moderates are handling egregious elements of the conflict through their messaging and advocacy, reports the CNN. I think it couldnt hurt, Rep Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), a leading Jewish Democrat in the House, told The Hill when asked whether the CPC should release a united statement from its members specifically condemning sexual violence by Hamas. New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley wrote in a statement, We stand in unwavering solidarity with the Jewish community and all those targeted by these abhorrent acts. We will not be intimidated or deterred in our fight against bigotry. We call on every citizen to join us to ensure that New Hampshire remains a place where hate finds no harbour. Two women Democratic lawmakers -- Reps Debbie Dingell (Mich) and Lois Frankel (Fla) were in the process of drafting a resolution that would condemn Hamas violence toward women, according to reports. I condemn it. This is going to be an issue I am seriously going to take on, Dingell was quoted as saying. Jayapals comments were also criticised by Rep Ritchie Torres (D-NY), who did not directly name Jayapal but said, "Rape and sexual violence against Israeli women calls for nothing less than unequivocal condemnation. "Israel did not invade Palestinian homes and rape and sexually violate Palestinian women. Hamas did invade Israeli homes and did rape and sexually violate Israeli women," Torres said. "There is no balance or both sides or moral equivalence here. Period." We can all unequivocally condemn the attack by Hamas on October 7, a sentiment which implicitly opposes the rape and other horrific violence committed that day, Hassan Martini, a senior Democratic strategist, was quoted as saying in The Hill report. According to a report in Politico, the Hamas-Israel conflict is also dividing liberal cities in California, where bitter debates over symbolic resolutions have transformed local politics into heated fights over international affairs, human rights and anti-semitism. Local governments in cities including San Francisco and Santa Ana are now debating whether to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Pramila Jayapal stirs up hornet's nest as Democratic divide on Gaza deepens Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. A study looking at 15 years of HIV transmission and suppression in Uganda reveals how closing gender gaps in treatment could slash infection rates. Providing more heterosexual men with easy access to HIV treatment and care could help to suppress the virus and rapidly cut transmission to their female partners, shows a new study published in Nature Microbiology. The research, led by scientists from Imperial College London and the Rakai Health Sciences Program in Uganda, analyzed 15 years of data from 2003-2018, during which the US President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has delivered an extensive program of HIV/AIDS testing, prevention, and treatment. This included distributing Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) drugs, which suppress the virus so a person is no longer infectious. The analysis shows that the PEPFAR program and other services have greatly reduced new infections among young women and heterosexual men, but that reductions were less substantial in women aged 25 and above. This is thought to be because women are more likely to complete the treatment so that they reach viral suppression, preventing them from passing HIV to their male partners, but the same is not true the other way around. Gender disparity The analysis showed that the number of women reaching and maintaining undetectable (non-transmissible) levels of HIV infection were 1.5 to 2 times higher than men across all ages by the year 2018. The analysis shows that had men reached the same levels of virus suppression as women, around half the new infections that occurred between 2016 and 2018 could have been avoided. The team also reconstructed transmission networks based on the genetic code of the virus from thousands of participants, which confirmed that overall, the proportion of transmissions from men is increasing and is now at 63% of all transmissions in the area - even though a greater number of women are living with HIV than men. The team say the disparity could be because men need to travel for work, that clinics are closed when they are back home, or for other reasons, including social stigma. In this evolving battle against HIV, it is critical we adapt our strategies, bridge gaps in care, and ensure that individuals, regardless of their gender, have access to the lifesaving benefits of ART. It is important to design services in a way that everybody who would like to use them is able and feels empowered to do so. By routinely monitoring the changing dynamics of the epidemic and striving for equity in HIV care, we can move closer to the ultimate goal of controlling and, one day, eliminating HIV transmission." Dr Oliver Ratmann, senior author of the study from the Department of Mathematics at Imperial Dr Kate Grabowski, a co-author of the study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, added: "The continued success of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in reducing infections and saving lives is crucial for ending HIV transmission. With United States Congress currently evaluating PEPFAR funding, our evidence strongly supports the program's efficacy and provides a clear roadmap to ending the pandemic through enhanced HIV treatment coverage, particularly among men." Closing the gap in transmission The team used data from the Rakai Community Cohort Study (RCCS) in southern Uganda, a region where more than 9% of adults are living with HIV - approximately 20 times higher than in the US. Since 2003, a period predating the widespread availability of ART in Africa, RCCS has enrolled nearly 37,000 individuals, tracking changes in HIV infection as new interventions came on board. The analysis tracked evolving heterosexual HIV epidemic dynamics in 36 communities over a 15-year span of RCCS surveillance data, including records of new infections, deep sequence HIV genomic data, HIV treatment uptake, viral suppression, and behavioral information. Analyses in earlier years showed that the highest number of new HIV cases in southern Uganda was among adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 years. In more recent years tracked in the new study, women 25-34 years old have become a new focal group, experiencing a slower decline in new infections than other age groups. This is alongside a significant difference in the declines in new infections between men and women, with those among boys and men declining much faster. To estimate the likely impact of getting men to the same level of viral suppression, the team applied statistical models based on the data about transmission dynamics. The resulting projections indicate that closing the viral suppression gap in men could have effectively halved rates of new infections among women and eliminated gender disparities in acquiring HIV. Dr Joseph Kagaayi, previous director of the Rakai Health Sciences program and senior co-author of the study, said: "Our study findings emphasize the importance of addressing disparities in ART uptake and viral suppression between men and women. By doing so, we can not only reduce HIV infections among women but also work towards closing the gender gap in HIV transmission. Achieving these goals will require concerted efforts, informed policies, and strengthened healthcare services." MIT engineers have developed a robotic replica of the heart's right ventricle, which mimics the beating and blood-pumping action of live hearts. The robo-ventricle combines real heart tissue with synthetic, balloon-like artificial muscles that enable scientists to control the ventricle's contractions while observing how its natural valves and other intricate structures function. The artificial ventricle can be tuned to mimic healthy and diseased states. The team manipulated the model to simulate conditions of right ventricular dysfunction, including pulmonary hypertension and myocardial infarction. They also used the model to test cardiac devices. For instance, the team implanted a mechanical valve to repair a natural malfunctioning valve, then observed how the ventricle's pumping changed in response. They say the new robotic right ventricle, or RRV, can be used as a realistic platform to study right ventricle disorders and test devices and therapies aimed at treating those disorders. The right ventricle is particularly susceptible to dysfunction in intensive care unit settings, especially in patients on mechanical ventilation. The RRV simulator can be used in the future to study the effects of mechanical ventilation on the right ventricle and to develop strategies to prevent right heart failure in these vulnerable patients." Manisha Singh, a postdoc at MIT's Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES) Singh and her colleagues report details of the new design in a paper appearing today in Nature Cardiovascular Research. Her co-authors include Associate Professor Ellen Roche, who is a core member of IMES and the associate head for research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, along with Jean Bonnemain, Caglar Ozturk, Clara Park, Diego Quevedo-Moreno, Meagan Rowlett, and Yiling Fan of MIT, Brian Ayers of Massachusetts General Hospital, Christopher Nguyen of Cleveland Clinic, and Mossab Saeed of Boston Children's Hospital. A ballet of beats The right ventricle is one of the heart's four chambers, along with the left ventricle and the left and right atria. Of the four chambers, the left ventricle is the heavy lifter, as its thick, cone-shaped musculature is built for pumping blood through the entire body. The right ventricle, Roche says, is a "ballerina" in comparison, as it handles a lighter though no-less-crucial load. "The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs, so it doesn't have to pump as hard," Roche notes. "It's a thinner muscle, with more complex architecture and motion." This anatomical complexity has made it difficult for clinicians to accurately observe and assess right ventricle function in patients with heart disease. "Conventional tools often fail to capture the intricate mechanics and dynamics of the right ventricle, leading to potential misdiagnoses and inadequate treatment strategies," Singh says. To improve understanding of the lesser-known chamber and speed the development of cardiac devices to treat its dysfunction, the team designed a realistic, functional model of the right ventricle that both captures its anatomical intricacies and reproduces its pumping function. The model includes real heart tissue, which the team chose to incorporate because it retains natural structures that are too complex to reproduce synthetically. "There are thin, tiny chordae and valve leaflets with different material properties that are all moving in concert with the ventricle's muscle.Trying to cast or print these very delicate structures is quite challenging," Roche explains. A heart's shelf-life In the new study, the team reports explanting a pig's right ventricle, which they treated to carefully preserve its internal structures. They then fit a silicone wrapping around it, which acted as a soft, synthetic myocardium, or muscular lining. Within this lining, the team embedded several long, balloon-like tubes, which encircled the real heart tissue, in positions that the team determined through computational modeling to be optimal for reproducing the ventricle's contractions. The researchers connected each tube to a control system, which they then set to inflate and deflate each tube at rates that mimicked the heart's real rhythm and motion. To test its pumping ability, the team infused the model with a liquid similar in viscosity to blood. This particular liquid was also transparent, allowing the engineers to observe with an internal camera how internal valves and structures responded as the ventricle pumped liquid through. They found that the artificial ventricle's pumping power and the function of its internal structures were similar to what they previously observed in live, healthy animals, demonstrating that the model can realistically simulate the right ventricle's action and anatomy. The researchers could also tune the frequency and power of the pumping tubes to mimic various cardiac conditions, such as irregular heartbeats, muscle weakening, and hypertension. "We're reanimating the heart, in some sense, and in a way that we can study and potentially treat its dysfunction," Roche says. To show that the artificial ventricle can be used to test cardiac devices, the team surgically implanted ring-like medical devices of various sizes to repair the chamber's tricuspid valve -; a leafy, one-way valve that lets blood into the right ventricle. When this valve is leaky, or physically compromised, it can cause right heart failure or atrial fibrillation, and leads to symptoms such as reduced exercise capacity, swelling of the legs and abdomen, and liver enlargement The researchers surgically manipulated the robo-ventricle's valve to simulate this condition, then either replaced it by implanting a mechanical valve or repaired it using ring-like devices of different sizes. They observed which device improved the ventricle's fluid flow as it continued to pump. "With its ability to accurately replicate tricuspid valve dysfunction, the RRV serves as an ideal training ground for surgeons and interventional cardiologists," Singh says. "They can practice new surgical techniques for repairing or replacing the tricuspid valve on our model before performing them on actual patients." Currently, the RRV can simulate realistic function over a few months. The team is working to extend that performance and enable the model to run continuously for longer stretches. They are also working with designers of implantable devices to test their prototypes on the artificial ventricle and possibly speed their path to patients. And looking far in the future, Roche plans to pair the RRV with a similar artificial, functional model of the left ventricle, which the group is currently fine-tuning. "We envision pairing this with the left ventricle to make a fully tunable, artificial heart, that could potentially function in people," Roche says. "We're quite a while off, but that's the overarching vision." This research was supported in part by the National Science Foundation. NAIROBI, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Members of Kenya-China Alumni Association on Saturday celebrated in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, 60 years of diplomatic relations between Kenya and China. The event brought together more than 100 Kenyans who studied in Chinese universities and featured activities including Chinese martial arts, traditional Chinese music, dances, poetry awards for alumni who have excelled across diverse sectors of the economy as well as a screening of a documentary on achievements from Sino-Kenya relations. Zhang Zhizhong, the deputy chief of mission and minister counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said that Kenyans who studied in China are a bridge for better relations between the two countries. Zhang added that 60 years of Sino-Kenya diplomatic relations has resulted in mutual benefits for both nations. Zhang stressed that Kenya and China should reflect on the success of the past and utilize the lessons to inform future cooperation efforts. Henry Rotich, the chairperson of Kenya-China Alumni Association, said that Kenya-China friendship is a testament to the resilience of a partnership that has weathered challenges and flourished through collaboration, mutual respect and shared aspirations. Rotich observed that over the years, the alumni have grown to over 1,500 members and is an indicator of how much Kenyans believe in the quality of education in China. He revealed that China is an attractive destination for Kenyans seeking higher education because the Asian nation is also a developing country that is facing similar challenges. Norbert Njoroge, the vice chairman of the Kenya-China Alumni Association, noted that celebrations to mark decades of Sino-Kenya relations are relevant because they also signify transformation of the alumni's lives. "Our alumni, who ventured to China in pursuit of education and knowledge, returned not just with academic qualifications but with values deeply ingrained in the fabric of their beings," Njoroge said. He noted that Kenyan students in China adopted values of hard work, dedication, innovation and a commitment to excellence that have not only transformed their trajectories but also positively touched and changed the lives of countless Kenyans. Faith Mworia, chairperson of the Chinese Language Teachers Association, said that 60 years of cordial Sino-Kenya relations have resulted in deep cultural exchanges between the two countries. Mworia noted that the mutual friendship among the two countries has seen Chinese language and culture become popular among Kenyan students. The first phase of Mumbais ambitious coastal road, from Marine Drive to Worli, will be operational by the end of January 2024, said Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday. Speaking at an event here, Shinde called Maharashtra a growth engine that has the most number of infrastructure projects in the country. The coastal road, being constructed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), proposes to connect the Marine Drive area in south Mumbai to Kandivali, a western suburb, via the existing Bandra Worli Sea Link. It is expected to ease Mumbais northbound traffic. The first phase of the project is a 10.58-km stretch between Marine Drive to Worli in south Mumbai. The Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) project from Sewri to Nhava Sheva will be ready by this month, the CM said, adding that it will help citizens cover a distance of 22 km in 15 minutes which now takes about two hours. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is the implementing authority for the six-lane MTHL project, financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). After our government came to power, we reopened all the projects that were delayed, Shinde said. The number of Indian students pursuing higher education has increased by nine million reaching a total enrollment of 4.32 crore with a significant increase in the enrollment of female students. The Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that approximately two crore female students are part of this total enrollment in higher educational institutions. He said that compared to 2014, there is a 31.6 per cent increase in the number of female students studying presently. Pradhan said that, in 2014, the total enrollment of students in higher education was 3.42 crore, representing 23 per cent. However, as per the survey for 2021-22, the enrollment has increased to 4.32 crore, constituting 28 per cent. As per a report of Education Ministry, there is a substantial growth in the resources of higher education institutions compared to previous years. The number of colleges and universities is continuously increasing, according to the Ministry. As of now, there are 1,113 universities and 43,796 colleges in the country. The ministry report also provides insights into the trend of students pursuing higher education, indicating a record-breaking number of 12.3 lakh candidates applying for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) this year. This marks a significant increase compared to the previous year, with 3.7 lakh more candidates applying for JEE Mains. The report further reveals a considerable rise in the number of female applicants. The highest enrollment in higher education is reported in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Rajasthan, which have excelled in the education sector, making them part of the top six states. About 79 per cent students pursuing higher education, including colleges, technical colleges, B.Tech, and MBBS are at the undergraduate level. Additionally, approximately 12 per cent are at the postgraduate level. Among those enrolled at the graduate level, the majority are in the arts stream. Students studying science constitute 15.5 per cent, commerce students make up 13.9 per cent, and those studying engineering and technology account for 11.9 percent. The report also highlights the global presence of engineering institutions such as IITs, NITs, and AICTE, which conduct the JEE examinations. These exams are not only held in India but also in cities abroad, including Doha, Dubai, Kathmandu, Muscat, Riyadh, Sharjah, Singapore, Kuwait, Lagos, Colombo, Jakarta, Vienna, Moscow, and Bangkok. Additionally, IITs may open global campuses in England, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Malaysia, and Thailand. IIT Delhi has already made preparations for its Abu Dhabi campus, scheduled to commence operations in January 2024, offering programs in energy transition and stability. This week presents a plethora of job opportunities across various government departments. From multi-tasking staff positions to junior data entry operators, these roles span a wide range of fields. Here is a curated list of job openings to consider and apply for. WBPSC Clerkship Recruitment 2023 The West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) has released the WBPSC Clerkship Recruitment 2023 notification on December 4. Interested candidates can apply online on the official website, wbpsc.gov.in, from December 8 to December 29. The recruitment aims to fill lower division assistant or clerk vacancies in various government offices. Key dates include the commencement of online applications on December 8 and the closing date on December 29, with offline fee submission deadline on December 30read more UPPSC Recruitment 2023 For 27 Staff Nurse Posts The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has initiated the online application process for the recruitment of various Staff Nurse posts, starting from December 4. Interested candidates meeting the eligibility criteria can apply on the official website, uppsc.up.nic.in, until January 1, 2024. The recruitment aims to fill 27 staff nurse vacancies, with 2 for Staff Nurse Unani (Male) and 25 for Staff Nurse Unani (Female)read more Central Coalfields Recruitment 2023 For 109 Junior Data Entry Operator Posts Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) has announced a departmental recruitment drive for Junior Data Entry Operator (Trainee) positions, with a total of 261 sanctioned vacancies, out of which 109 are currently open. Interested candidates must submit their applications offline by December 23. To be eligible, applicants need to have a minimum educational qualification of Class 10 from a central or state-recognized board and must be permanent employees of CCL with a minimum of 3 years of serviceread more Haryana Civil Services Exam Recruitment 2023 For 121 Posts The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) is the primary constitutional body in the Government of Haryana responsible for conducting various competitive examinations, including the Haryana State Civil Services Examination. The online application process for the 2023 exam has commenced and will continue until December 21. Interested candidates can register on the official website, hpsc.gov.in, with an application fee of Rs 1,000. The recruitment aims to fill 121 vacant posts, including positions such as DSP, Naib Tehsildar, Excise and Taxation Officer, Traffic Manager, Block Development, and Panchayat Officerread more Many citizens are dedicated to serving the nation. Sonal Raj, a resident of Parsia village in Darauli, Siwan district, Bihar, is one such example. His commitment to serving the nation made him leave two government jobs, worth lakh of packages. He eventually joined the Air Force in the rank of a Flying Officer. Today, let us take a look at his inspiring journey. Sonal worked as a Senior Engineering Officer in Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation, a Gujarat Government Undertaking, for two years. Later, he secured a position at the Gas Authority of India (GAIL) and continued working there for sometime. Eventually, he pursued his passion and started his preparation and training to join the Indian Air Force. Sonal Raj presently serves as a Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force. His father, Sanjay Nath Tiwari, holds the position of Master Warrant Officer in the Air Force. Sonal Rajs uncle, Santosh Kumar Pandey, holds a technical role within the Force. His other uncle, Sanjay Kumar Dubey, holds the position of NCC officer at DAV Inter College in Siwan. Sonal Rajs family is deeply rooted in Government service. Sonal received his primary education and secondary level education from the CBSE board. He was a bright student from childhood, and the family always believed in his potential to become an officer. Sonal Raj attained the position of Flying Officer following training at the Indian Air Force Technical College in Bengaluru. Sonals parents were invited to the city for the passing-out parade, where he was honoured with a medal and citation. Upadhyay expressed pride in Sonals choice to serve the country in the defence sector. About Flying Officer A Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF) holds a commissioned officer rank, signifying the first rank attained after training. Generally, Flying Officers are young and promising pilots. The Chief of the Air Staff, who heads the Indian Air Force (IAF), holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal. The Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) issued the admit card for the MPPSC State Forest Service Exam 2023 admit card on December 8. Candidates who are willing to appear for the State Forest Service Prelims Examination 2023 can visit the official website of the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) at mppsc.mp.gov.in and download the admit card. To access the MPPSC State Forest Service Exam 2023 admit card, candidates will have to log in using credentials such as application number and password. Furthermore, the preliminary examination for the State Forest Service is slated to be conducted on December 17, 2023. The exam will consist of two papers, which include a general studies paper and a general aptitude test. The general studies paper is to be conducted from 10 am to 12 noon, whereas the general aptitude test will commence at 2:15 pm and end at 4:15 pm. The application process for the MPPSC State Forest Service Prelims exam commenced on October 27 and ended on November 8. MPPSC State Forest Service Exam 2023: How To Download Admit Card Step 1: Candidates need to go to the official website of MPPSC at mppsc.mp.gov.in. Step 2: Then, click on the Admit Card State Service & State Forest Service Examination 2023 link available on the homepage Step 3: Candidates will be then redirected to the login page, key in the necessary login credentials and submit. Step 4: Once done, the MPPSC prelims admit card will be displayed on the screen Step 5: Cross-check all the details properly and download the hall ticket. Step 6: Take a printout of the MPPSC Prelims Hall ticket for the examination day. MPPSC State Forest Service Exam 2023: Details Mentioned On Admit Card The details mentioned in the MPPSC State Forest Service Exam admit card 2023 are: Name of the candidate Application number Fathers or Husbands name Exam date and timings Venue and address of the exam centre Exam day guidelines Date Of Birth Candidates must carry the hard copy of the MPPSC State Service Exam Admit Card 2023 along with them to the exam hall. If a candidate fails to do so, he/she will not be permitted to sit for the exam. Candidates should carry original and valid photo ID proof such as an Aadhar card, PAN card, or voter card with an attested photograph for the verification process. They must also carry two passport-size photographs to the exam hall. From UPSC Civil Services to SSC recruitment exams, from college admissions to group discussions, general knowledge questions mark a significant part of almost every exam. For candidates preparing to crack an exam or those who need to get their news in a compact form, News18 offers a weekly column GK Capsule. While we provide you a weekly news wrap, to get more information on a specific topic or an exam, reach out at @news18dotcom. Preparing for various recruitment exams, including UPSC and SBI bank PO, requires staying informed about current events worldwide. Given the challenging nature of these exams, keeping up with the news is crucial. To aid your preparation, here is a summary of the top events from this week. Chennai Floods: Days after Cyclone Michuang wreaked havoc in Tamil Nadus Chennai and neighbouring districts, residents continue to grapple with stagnant water and power disruptions in some areas, despite intensified relief and rehabilitation efforts by civic agencies. The cyclone and subsequent severe flooding severely impacted Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengelpet, and Tiruvallur in northern Tamil Nadu. Colombo Security Conclave: On December 7, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval underscored the significance of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in ensuring regional security and stability. His remarks were made during the CSCs sixth NSA-level meeting held in Mauritius. The CSC comprises members such as the Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and India, with Seychelles and Bangladesh participating as observers. The high-level meeting resulted in an agreed-upon activity roadmap for 2024. Discussions centered on regional security scenarios and strategies to enhance security cooperation among the member nations, according to reports. Carbon Emissions In India: According to international research, carbon emissions in India are projected to increase by 8.2% in 2023, while in China, they are expected to rise by 4%. The research team, which involved the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom and 90 other institutions worldwide, indicates that global emissions from coal, oil, and gas are anticipated to increase by 1.1%, 1.5%, and 0.5%, respectively. In contrast, the European Union (EU) and the United States are projected to experience reductions of 7.4% and 3% in their emissions, respectively. NIA Raids In J-K: On December 5, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at various locations in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a terror conspiracy orchestrated by offshoots of banned Pakistan-backed terrorist organizations, according to the investigating agency. The searches led to the confiscation of numerous digital devices containing substantial incriminating data and documents. The NIAs teams conducted raids at eight locations across seven districts in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, including Shopian, Pulwama, Poonch, Baramulla, Kupwara, Ganderbal, and Srinagar. COP28: India and China refused to sign the pledge to triple the worlds renewable energy capacity by 2030 at the COP28 climate summit on December 2, even though New Delhi had already committed to it as part of its G20 presidency. In a widely supported initiative, 118 nations pledged to triple the amount of renewable energy produced globally by 2030 during the UN climate talks in Dubai. While the lingering question over the weekend has been who will be the Chief Ministers of the three states that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently won Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan it is the latter that has everyone interested like a Netflix mystery series, unfolding slowly with each season. The finale is yet to come. On Sunday, the BJP picked its Chhattisgarh CM-designate in Vishnu Deo Sai. ALSO READ | Mukhyamantri Wahi Banengi: BJPs Dilemma Cuts No Ice in Jhalrapatan as Locals Back Madam Vasundhara Raje The reason everyone is obsessed about Rajasthan is that there will be no opposition from incumbent CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan in MP, if a new face is given a chance for the top job just like the transition in Chhattisgarh has been smooth. But that is not something that the BJP is confident about when it comes to Rajasthan. Probably that explains why the BJP has not yet convened the Rajasthan legislature party meeting, while the other two are announced. THE RAJE-NAMA SO FAR First, there was an allegation that BJP MLAs Dushyant Singh, son of Vasundhara Raje, still the frontrunner in BJPs CM race in the state, were held up in resorts. BJP MLA Lalit Meenas father alleged that his son and five other MLAs were kept at a resort by Singh, sending out alarm bells here in Delhi. I had gone to take him (Lalit Meena) from Apano Rajasthan Resort. Dushyant Singh took him along. Kanwarlal, an MLA, tried to stop me," alleged Meena while talking to reporters. He also alleged that a fight followed. Later Rajasthan BJP poll-in-charge Arun Singh and state party president CP Joshi were told about the incident, he added. Soon, Raje sought time from the central leadership which was granted immediately. Late evening, Raje entered party president JP Naddas residence and the meeting between the two went on for 1 hour and 15 minutes. However, interestingly, Singh, against whom Meena levelled the allegations, accompanied his mother to Naddas residence. It is still unclear whether Nadda made any observations about the allegations or for that matter whether Raje was informed about any possible leadership change. Both have been tight-lipped ever since. The meeting could have gone two ways asking Raje to prepare to take on the post of CM once again or go along with the partys decision to pick a fresh CM face and not to create a hindrance. What further complicated the matter for Delhi, nearly 45 MLAs reportedly visited Raje since Monday, with some openly expressing support for her. MLAs Ramswaroop Lamba and Kalicharan Saraf said that they back Raje as the next CM. Even if the BJP goes ahead with her, such behaviour is considered indiscipline in the BJP. DELHI GEARS UP On its part, the BJP headquarters 6A Deen Deyal Upadhyay Marg has announced the names of observers for Rajasthan, along with other two states. The politically seasoned Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will oversee the election of legislature party leader who, in turn, will become the new CM. Probably realising the delicate situation, Singhs expertise, with which he once even persuaded animated opposition parties such as the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Parliament, has been sought. This makes many pundits wonder whether a change is imminent in Rajasthan. The buzz in Jaipur is that the legislature party meeting can now be expected on Tuesday. But it will be decided once Rajnath Singh lands in Jaipur. In another interesting development, Nadda spoke to party MLAs of Rajasthan on Saturday night through video-conferencing. Sources say he spoke in batches. Naddas speech had nothing to do with the CMs face and more to do with winning all 25 Lok Sabha seats in the desert state and advertising central welfare schemes among people. However, a subtle message was hidden, says one MLA who attended the video-conference and spoke to News18 on condition of anonymity. Nadda ji stressed that the party is above individual leaders and we all should abide by the party line," he said. In the current context, the message of holding party above individuals bears immense political significance. ALSO READ | Vasundhara Raje To Become Next Rajasthan CM? A Look At BJP Leaders Net Worth And Assets If sources are to be believed, at the time of publishing this report, Rajasthan CM face was expected to be out by Tuesday. The BJP is eager to wrap up the swearing-in immediately as inauspicious Malmas starts from December 16. Your wait for Rajasthans king (or queen) will continue for two days. After over a week of suspense, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday named former Union Minister Vishnu Deo Sai as its pick for the post of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister. After the announcement, CM-designate Sai met Chhattisgarh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan in Raipur and staked the claim to form the government in the state. With this announcement, the people of Kunkuri, the constituency from where Sai was elected as a legislator, recalled Union Home Minister Amit Shahs big promise. READ MORE Amid suspense over whom the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will pick for the Chief Ministers post in Rajasthan, several new and former party MLAs of the state arrived at Vasundhara Raje Scindias Civil Lines residence in Jaipur on Sunday. The saffron party is yet to announce the meeting of the legislature party to choose its leader, who will be the chief minister. Raje, a two-time chief minister, is among the frontrunners for the CM post. Nearly 10 MLAs, including Ajay Singh and Babu Singh, were at Rajes residence, sources in the party said. Earlier, on Monday and Tuesday, several BJP MLAs had met Raje and the meetings were seen as a show of strength. Union Minister Piyush Goyal also arrived at Jaipur amid an internal tussle in the party over the CM choice. ALSO READ: Ageing Rani Aur Rocky Rajasthan CM Kahaani: Praja MLAs, Itch for Gen Next & Looming 2024 The BJP, which saw landslide victories in the Hindi heartland during the recently concluded Assembly Election 2023 states, is yet to announce its pick for the top post in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Saffron party has announced the name of Vishnu Deo Sai as the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. While political experts believe that there will be no opposition from incumbent CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan in MP, if a new face is given a chance for the top job just like the transition in Chhattisgarh has been smooth, Rajasthan would not be such smooth sailing ride. Probably that explains why the BJP has not yet convened the Rajasthan legislature party meeting, while the other two are announced. Raje was recently in Delhi, where she also met the BJP president JP Nadda. The party has already announced three observers, including Union Minister Rajnath Singh, to oversee the legislature party meeting. In the assembly election results declared on November 30, the BJP got 115 seats while the Congress secured 69 seats. Elections on 199 out of 200 seats in the state were held on November 25. Polling in Karanpur, where the election was adjourned due to the demise of the Congress candidate, will be held on January 5 and results will be declared on January 8. (With PTI Inputs) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chosen tribal leader Vishnu Deo Sai as its Chief Minister in Chhattisgarh, sending a strong message to the tribal community and going in for an experienced leader who will herald a generational change in the party. He will be the states first tribal chief minister as Ajit Jogis tribal credentials were rejected by a committee. ALSO READ | Elections LIVE: BJPs Chhattisgarh CM Pick Vishnu Deo Sai Says Will Fulfil Modis Guarantees; Oath-taking Ceremony Likely On Dec 12 59-year-old Sai has been a sarpanch, a multiple-time MLA and MP, the partys state president and a Union Minister. He is seen as someone who has come from the grassroots and climbed the ladder in the BJP. Sai is also known as a man with a simple and unassuming demeanour who has always followed the party line and discipline. He was denied a Lok Sabha ticket from Raigarh in 2019 despite being an MP from the seat since 1999 and also a Union Minister then in the Narendra Modi government. But he worked like a disciplined party soldier and revived the partys fortunes as the BJP state president between 2020 and 2022 after the BJP lost Chhattisgarh to the Congress. Sai contested an assembly seat in these elections. He not only won his seat, Kunkuri, but delivered all seats of the Raigarh district for the BJP. The party performed well in the Surguja region of the state as a result of Sais efforts and he has been rewarded for the same. By choosing a tribal as the Chief Minister, the BJP has also sent out a big message to the tribal community in states such as Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recently in the village of tribal leader Birsa Munda in Jharkhand where a mega scheme for tribals was launched by the PM. The BJP aims to sweep all the tribal seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Sai is also seen as close to former Chief Minister Raman Singh and hence is said to have Singhs blessings. Singh proposed his name to the party in earlier discussions and also moved the resolution at the legislature party meeting recommending his name. The BJP will be making Raman Singh the speaker, while it has chosen an OBC face in Arun Sao and an upper-caste face in Vijay Sharma as Deputy CMs. Sai also has good connections with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with his family having close links with the RSS, and hence he ticks all the boxes, a BJP leader told News18. Sai also enjoys a clean image. During the campaign, Home Minister Amit Shah had told the people that if they elect Sai, the party will give him a bigger post. Former CM Bhupesh Bhagel used to always take a swipe at Sai saying BJP had disrespected tribals by removing Sai as the state chief in 2022 on World Tribal Day. But Sais act of discipline and never speaking against his party worked in his favour. STARTED POLITICAL CAREER AS SARPANCH IN 1980 Sai started his political career in 1980 when he was elected as a sarpanch of Bagia village and he became an MLA for the first time in 1990 from Tapkara seat. In 1999, he entered the Lok Sabha after winning the Raigarh seat and continued as an MP till 2019. The BJP also made him the state president in 2006. Narendra Modi chose him as a Minister of State in 2014 in the Centre. After the party lost in the 2018 state elections to the Congress, Sai was not given the Lok Sabha ticket in 2019, but was given the onerous task as the BJP state president in 2020 to rebuild the party for the next two years. ALSO READ | Who is Vishnu Deo Sai? Rise of Tribal Leader From Village Sarpanch to Chhattisgarh CM He was given a position also in the central BJP leadership as a member of the Rashtriya Karya Samiti of the party. The BJP has now rewarded Sai for his hard work in Chhattisgarh on the ground. It is only the second time after Ajit Jogi that the state has got a tribal chief minister. KHARTOUM, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Sudan on Sunday declared 15 diplomats from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) embassy persona non grata, ordering them to leave the country within 48 hours, official SUNA news agency reported. According to the SUNA, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the acting UAE Charge d'Affaires in Sudan Badriya Al-Shahi, and informed her of the Sudanese government's decision, which came after Abu Dhabi's previous move to deport three Sudanese diplomats in the UAE. On Saturday, the UAE reportedly informed the Sudanese ambassador in Abu Dhabi of the decision to declare three senior Sudanese diplomats -- the defense attache, his deputy, and the cultural attache -- persona non grata, and leave the UAE territory. Late last month, Yasir Al-Atta, assistant commander-in-chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), accused the UAE of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been at war with the SAF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15. Abu Dhabi denies the accusation. More than 12,000 people have been killed so far in the clashes between the two sides, while 6.6 million others have been displaced inside and outside Sudan, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Since May 6, Saudi Arabia and the United States have been sponsoring talks between the Sudanese warring parties in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah. Several truces have been reached since then, but both sides have accused each other of violating them. BJP leader Vishnu Deo Sai was picked as the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh during the partys legislature meeting in Raipur on Sunday. Sais mother, Jasmani Devi expressed her delight and said that she wants him to serve the country and its people. I want him to serve the country its people and dharm. I hope he listens to everyone and helps the needy, said Jasmani Devi to news agency, PTI. VIDEO | I am happy, and I want him to serve the country and its people, says BJP leader Vishnu Deo Sais mother, Jasmani Devi, on her sons appointment as CM of Chhattisgarh.(Full video available on PTI Videos https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/JpOXGFTTrP Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 10, 2023 BJP DECLARES VISHNU DEO SAI AS CM Vishnu Deo Sai, a prominent tribal leader was chosen as the next chief minister of Chhattisgarh, ending the suspense over who will helm the state which the saffron party wrested from Congress in recent polls. The 59-year-old leader was elected as the BJPs legislative party leader during a meeting of 54 newly-elected MLAs held at the partys state headquarters in the afternoon, a party functionary said. At the meeting, the proposal to elect Sai as the legislative party leader was moved by former chief minister Raman Singh, which was seconded by state BJP president Arun Sao and senior leader Brijmohan Agrawal. Soon after the announcement, celebration began outside the BJP office in Raipur. The oath-taking ceremony is likely to be held on December 12, told sources to News18. DEO HIGHLIGHTS HIS PRIORITIES As a chief minister, Sai said he would try to fulfil PM Modis guarantees and sanction 18 lakh houses to the beneficiaries of the PM Awas Yojna, who were deprived of the benefits under the erstwhile Congress government, will be the top priority. As chief minister of Chhattisgarh, I will try to fulfil the BJPs pre-poll promises which are PM Modis guarantees through the government, Sai said. In the five years (of Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government), 18 lakh beneficiaries of the PM Awas Yojna were deprived of the benefits under this scheme. Sanctioning 18 lakh houses to these beneficiaries will be the first work (to be done) in the state, he said. On the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister (late) Atal Bihari Vajpayee December 25, who was the founder of Chhattisgarh State, a bonus against paddy procurement for two years which was pending during the previous BJP government (2013-2018) will be given to farmers (who had then sold their paddy), Sai said. Sai thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and other party leaders for reposing faith in him to hold the top post in Chhattisgarh. (with PTI inputs) Nia Sharma has once again set the internet on fire with her sizzling and bold fashion choices. The actress grabbed the attention as she flaunted her bold and glamorous side in a striking pink outfit, and the photos have gone viral across social media platforms. Taking to her Instagram handle on Tuesday, Nia Sharma dropped a bunch of pictures of herself from a recent weekend outing. The actress flaunted her curves in a striking combo of Pink top and baggy denims, which she accessories with a pearly chain around her waist. She also wore a yellow waistband and kept her makeup glam. The slideshow consisted of several snaps of the popular television actor striking poses with friends. She wrote the caption, Just living the Britney Spears in the 90s vibe With the bell bottom squad @amir_shoeb @krishnmaitomar (Perfect Strangers) @dhavaludeshi Thank you @gigibombay is a vibe Take a look: Nia Sharma made her television debut in 2010 with Kaali- Ek Agnipariksha. She rose to fame with shows like Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai, which also starred Krystle DSouza, Karan Tacker, and Kushal Tandon in key roles. Nia further gained immense appreciation for her show Jamai Raja in which she starred opposite Ravi Dubey. Nia has also participated in reality shows like Khatron Ke Khiladi and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. She completed 13 years in the industry this year and celebrated it with a cake. She also thanked fans for their constant support. She wrote: 13 Crazy wonderful years In the Television World. Whoops! Never really remembered nor even counting until these cakes and flowers start flooding on every little big occasion. Have only love and gratitude in return. Virginia Freda Noor Foram joory.. Thank you for making me smile today (no that I wanted to announce to the world how many years I have spent). Nia has been busy with her work as well. This year, she appeared in a few music videos which became the talk of the town. The Supreme Court on Monday is set to pronounce its verdict on pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Centres August 5, 2019, decision to abrogate the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which bestowed a special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. According to the cause list for December 11 (Monday), uploaded on the apex courts website, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud would deliver the verdict. Track Article 370 SC Verdict LIVE UPDATES The apex court reserved its verdict on the matter on September 5 after a 16-day hearing. The other members of the bench include Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai and Surya Kant. What Is The Case About? The top court was hearing arguments on a batch of petitions challenging the Centres decision to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution which bestowed special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. During the hearing, the top court heard Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, senior advocates Harish Salve, Rakesh Dwivedi, V Giri and others on behalf of the Centre and the intervenors defending the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370. Senior advocates, including Kapil Sibal, Gopal Subramanium, Rajeev Dhavan, Zaffar Shah and Dushyant Dave, had argued on behalf of the petitioners. What Did The Supreme Court Say? The petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 and the validity of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 that divided the erstwhile state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were referred to the Constitution bench in 2019. The arguments in the matter had commenced on August 2. During the hearing, the apex court had asked who can recommend the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir when no constituent Assembly, the concurrence of which is required before taking such a step, exists there. The top court had also asked how a provision (Article 370), which was specifically mentioned as temporary in the Constitution, became permanent after the tenure of the Jammu and Kashmir constituent Assembly came to an end in 1957. What Were The Arguments? The lawyers had dwelt on various issues, including the constitutional validity of the Centres decision to abrogate the provisions of Article 370, the validity of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, which split the erstwhile state into two Union territories, challenges to the imposition of the governors rule in Jammu and Kashmir on June 20, 2018 and the imposition of the presidents rule on December 19, 2018 and its extension on July 3, 2019. Some of the petitioners opposing the repeal of Article 370 had argued that the provision could not have been abrogated as the term of the Jammu and Kashmir constituent Assembly ended in 1957 after it drafted the erstwhile states Constitution. With the constituent Assembly having become extinct, Article 370 acquired a permanent status, they had said. The Centre had argued that there was no constitutional fraud in annulling the provision that accorded the special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Security Upped In J&K Ahead of the Supreme Courts verdict on Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Vijay Kumar has directed the district authorities to keep an eye on the emerging situation in Kashmir Valley. The senior cop has called for taking preventive and punitive actions against anyone who indulges in mischief, misinformation and misuse of social media. The district authorities were also stressed to keep an eye on the situation and take preventive and punitive actions under the law against those who indulge in mischief, misinformation and misuse of social media. J&K Awaits Verdict Parties on both sides of the spectrum have urged people to maintain law and order as they keenly await the SC verdict on Monday. While several parties associated with the Gupkar alliance indicated a suspicion towards an adverse verdict on petitions challenging the abrogation, others hoped that the provision would be restored. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti has said the actions of the Jammu and Kashmir administration hint towards the Supreme Court passing a verdict on petitions related to Article 370 of the Constitution, which might be against the interest of the country. Since Friday night, we are witnessing that lists containing the names of the workers of different parties, especially the PDP, are being taken through police stations and it seems that such a decision is to come which is not in favour of this country and Jammu and Kashmir, but only to further the BJPs agenda and hence, some precautionary measures are being taken, which is unfortunate, Mufti told reporters in Anantnag. National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah on the other hand said that his party will not disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir even in case of an adverse verdict. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said his party will continue with its fight for the restoration of the rights of the people of the region through peaceful means as laid down in the Constitution. Expressing hope that the Supreme Court judgment on Article 370 will meet the expectations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) has flayed the BJP-led government for delaying assembly polls and restoring statehood to the Union Territory. The BJP, meanwhile, said that there should not be any politics on the Supreme Court ruling and everyone should respect it. (With PTI Inputs) Weeks after the first and priority section of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) was made operational, the trial run of the service between Duhai and Modi Nagar South has started, an official statement announced on Sunday. ALSO READ | Fast & Fabulous: As PM Modi Launches 1st Regional Rapid Transit System, Whats RRTS & Why Its Needed Also known as the Namo Bharat trains, the trial run was a major step towards the operations in the next 12 km segment. To start the trial run process, the electric OHE (Overhead Equipment) was charged today with a capacity of 25 KV from Murad Nagar receiving subsation to Modi Nagar South. Following this, the Namo Bharat train ran in this section. It departed from Duhai station, reached Murad Nagar station, and then continued to cover the distance of about 12 km to Modi Nagar South, the statement added. Currently, these trains are undergoing a trial run to test the track and traction. Initially, the train is being operated manually under the Train Control Management System. The train covered the distance from Muradnagar station to Modi Nagar South at a minimal speed. Later, it was brought back to Duhai while slightly increasing its speed. In October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 17-km stretch of the RRTS between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot in Ghaziabad. News18 had reported that the next section that will be opened to the public will be the 25-km stretch between Duhai and Meerut South. ALSO READ | RRTS Inaugurated: Delhi-Ghaziabad Done, Next Destination is Meerut South, Work to Be Completed in 6 Months This section has a total of 4 stations Murad Nagar, Modi Nagar North, Modi Nagar South, and Meerut South. In June, the construction of the viaduct up to Meerut South was completed with the installation of the last span. Since then, various construction works such as track laying, OHE installation, signaling and telecom, and electrical have been progressing at pace in this section. Currently, track laying work is almost complete, and other works are in their final stages. Additionally, Muradnagar RSS is ready to supply electricity from Murad Nagar to Meerut South. Soon, OHE will be charged between Modi Nagar North and Meerut South stations, and trial runs will be conducted in this section by running trains up to Meerut South station, the statement added. The complete sections with 16 stoppages between Modipuram Depot in Meerut and Jangpura in Delhi will be ready by 2025. Out of the total length of 82 km, Uttar Pradesh accounts for 68 km. The planned RRTS route has eight stations in Ghaziabad, and four each in Meerut and Delhi. While RRTS operations between Meerut and Ghaziabad can be expected in the next six months, the section connecting Delhi may take some time. The RRTS will enter Delhi from Anand Vihar, which will be the next stop after Sahibabad. In Delhi, RRTS will have stoppages at New Ashok Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan and Jangpura. Once the full stretch is completed, the distance between Meerut and the national capital can be covered in less than one hour. A man from Uttar Pradesh, who was wrongly accused of murder about 12 years ago, picked up the baton of fighting his own case in order to shrug off the wrong allegations that were levelled against him. The courts decision that came very recently acquited the man in the case. Back in 2011, Amit Chaudhary was framed of killing two police officials in Meerut. He was eventually accused of being a member of the notrious Kali, who had plotted the murder. At the time of the murder, Chaudhary was at Shamli with his sister. Despite that, he became one among the 17 accused in the case and faced strict punishment under the Indian Penal Code and the National Security Agency, as per a Times of India report. After facing such severe allegations, Chaudhary, who hails from a farmers family in Kirthal village, was on a spree to fight back and change the course of his life and his family which had suddenly come crashing. Speakking to TOI about his prison encounters, he said,In Muzaffarnagar jail, dreaded gangsters like Anil Dujana and Vicky Tyagi (both killed in encounters) tried to enroll me into their gangs. The jailor was good-natured, and he allowed me into a barrack where gangsters were not lodged. After being released on bail in 2013, Chaudhary took up the field of legal studies and eventually completed BA, LLB, LLM as well as passed the Bar Coucil Exam. He was focussed on clearing his name from the case so that his family could walk with head held high. On clearing all academic formalities, he took charge of his own case as a lawyer. He said that the case moved forwad very slowly and no statements were being recorded. While talking about his time fighting the case, he said, as quoted by TOI, I, as a lawyer, representing my own case, was standing right in front of the officer who stood in the witness box, and yet he could not identify me. This perplexed the judge and convinced her that I was framed wrongly. The decision of the court came recently and it acquited 13 individuals, including Chaudhary. The court stated, The prosecution has failed to prove the offence of criminal conspiracy to kill constables Krishanpal and Amit Kumar and loot their rifles, beyond a reasonable doubt. On the other hand, the ones who were actually behind the killings Sumit Kail, Neetu, and Dharmendra faced different punnishments. Kail was killed in an encounter in 2013 and Neetu received a life sentence and a fine of Rs 20,000 for killing the constable and taking his guns. However, the third perpetrator, Dharmendra died due to cancer before the verdict had come out. Meanwhile, Chaudhary who had no real connection to the crime lost many years of his life to this legal fiasco. I had dreams of getting into the Army and was even preparing for it. But that black night of 2011 changed my life, Chaudhary said. While thanking God for chosing him to fight for the other wrongly accused, he also said that he now aspires to get a PhD in criminal justice. A 70-year-old woman in the district was seriously injured on Sunday after being attacked by a pit bull dog, police said. A doctor said the woman was bleeding profusely when she was brought to the Roorkee Civil Hospital from where she was referred to AIIMS, Rishikesh, considering her serious condition. There are wound marks all over the womans body, said Dr Vandana at the Civil Hospital. The elderly womans son has filed a complaint against the owner of the dog at the Civil Lines police station. The woman, a resident of Dhandera, was going to see someone in the neighbourhood when she was attacked by the pit bull, Roorkee Civil Lines police station in-charge R K Saklani said. The police are registering a case on the basis of the complaint, he said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh over the phone on Saturday and reiterated Indias long-established stand on Palestine. During the conversation, Shtayyeh expressed his concern on the current situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Both the leaders also agreed on staying in touch after the conversation. After talking to the Palestinian PM, Jaishankar took to the microblogging site X and said, Spoke to Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh this evening. He expressed deep concern on the situation in both Gaza and the West Bank. Reiterated Indias long standing position on Palestine. Agreed to remain in touch. Spoke to Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh this evening.He expressed deep concern on the situation in both Gaza and the West Bank. Reiterated Indias long-standing position on Palestine. Agreed to remain in touch. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 9, 2023 Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affair, during a press conference on October 12 had said that Indias position on the Palestine issue has been longstanding and consistent. India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders side by side at peace with Palestine, Bagchi said, adding that Indias position remains the same. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also spoken to the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas and expressed his condolences over the lives lost in Gazas Al Ahli Hospital. PM Modi had also reiterated Indias commitment towards providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people while also pressing on Indias long-standing position on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The prime minister, at the time, also took to X and wrote, Spoke to the President of the Palestinian Authority HE Mahmoud Abbas. Conveyed my condolences at the loss of civilian lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. We will continue to send humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. The Israel Defence Forces has said that its 98th Division is still fighting Hamas in Gazas Khan Younis. The Israeli Air Force, in fact, took to X and said that it carried out an air strike on the infrastructure belonging to terror group Hamas on Saturday. According to the IDF, the Golani Infantry Brigades 12 Battalion raided a mosque in Khan Younis, where Hamas terrorists were operating, The Times of Israel report said. The IDF said that an explosive device was detonated near the forces and soldiers directed a combat helicopter to eliminate a number of terrorists on the mosques roof. The IDF said that an Israeli Air Force jet destroyed the mosque along with the underground infrastructure under it. On the other hand, the Maglan unit spotted three Hamas terrorists coming out of a tunnel shaft in Khan Younis and firing RPGs at the troops, IDF said. Troops belonging to the Maglan unit also conducted drone strikes on other operatives of the terror group and their infrastructures in the area. Reportedly, IDF said that the elite Duvdevan unit also discovered a Hamas command room used by operatives to launch attack on the soldiers. The Duvdevan unit conducted a separate assault on the building after which an IAF fighter jet conducted strikes on another property belonging to Hamas in the area. The Givati Infantry Brigade, the IDF said, killed a number of Hamas operatives and found several tunnel shafts in Southern Gaza. So far, Hamas has released over 100 hostages including Israelis, Americans and other nationals. The terror outfit released the hostages as part of a truce agreement in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails. (With inputs from ANI) Father of late journalist Soumya Vishwanathan, whose killers were sentenced to life imprisonment, passed away on Saturday, December 9. Four out of five convicts in the murder case of TV journalist Soumya Vishwanathan were sentenced to life imprisonment on November 25 while the fifth convict was given three years in jail. Journalist Soumya Vishwanathan was killed in 2008. Soumyas 82-year-old father MK Vishwanathan was hospitalised just two days before the hearing after he suffered a heart attack, an indiatoday.in report said. MK Vishwanathan was shown the court proceedings online at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) when the five accused were sentenced to imprisonment. The report said that the family informed the court that he was groggy but had expressed the desire to watch the sentencing. SOUMYA VISHWANATHAN MURDER Journalist Soumya Vishwanathan, who was working with a leading English news channel, was shot dead in the early hours of September 30, 2008, at South Delhis Nelson Mandela Marg while she was returning home from work. Police claimed the motive was a robbery. On October 18 this year, court convicted Ravi Kapoor, Amit Shukla, Baljeet Malik, and Ajay Kumar under Indian Penal Code section 302 (murder) and Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) provisions for committing organised crime resulting in the death of any person. Ajay Sethi was convicted under IPC section 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) and MCOCA provisions for conspiring to abet, aid, or knowingly facilitate organised crime and receiving proceeds of organised crime. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday laid the foundation stone of the new terminal building at the Rajahmundry Airport in Andhra Pradesh, which is being built to enhance the aviation and economic capabilities of the state. Along with Scindia, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Gen VK Singh (Retd) were also present in the event. A press statement said, With the development, Rajahmundry, the Cultural Capital of Andhra Pradesh, will soon get enhanced air travel facilities and modern amenities. Notably, the city holds significant potential for air travel due to its rich cultural heritage, trade and tourist attractions. The development of air travel infrastructure can greatly enhance its connectivity and accessibility. Considering the rapid growth in passenger traffic and saturation of the existing terminal building at the airport, expansion of terminal building is planned for an additional area of 17,029 sqm at a cost of Rs 350 crore, the statement said. The statement added that after the expansion, the total area of the terminal building will be 21,094 sqm, capable of serving 2,100 passengers during peak hours and 30 lakh passengers annually. Rajahmundry is currently connected to three cities, i.e., Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, and handles 126 flight movements per week. Facilities At The Proposed Airport The proposed expansion of the airport will have passenger facilities like 28 check-in counters, four conveyor belts in arrival (conversion of the existing terminal into arrival), eight X-Bis machines, three aerobridges and an adequate number of F&B and Retail outlets. Facilities for Divyangjans (Persons with Disabilities) have also been incorporated in the new terminal building as per Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan norms. The city side area of the airport will also be upgraded for parking of 600 (approx) cars. This proposed building is designed to be energy efficient as enough provisions will be made for the flow of natural light. Rajahmundrys rich heritage and cultural offerings coupled with a new Terminal building will make it a popular destination for tourists seeking an authentic Indian experience, the PIB press release said. The newly upgraded terminal building of the airport will play an important role in the all-round development of Andhra Pradesh, improving its air connectivity and providing better passenger facilities. This will also provide a new impetus to the industry and economy of the region, the press release said. The laying of the foundation stone for the new terminal building at Rajahmundry Airport signifies a momentous step towards transforming Andhra Pradeshs aviation sector and establishing the city as a premier tourist destination. The state-of-the-art facilities, combined with the architectural grandeur of Andhra Pradesh, will leave a lasting impression on travellers from around the world. A family of three was found dead at a resort in Kaggodlu village near Madikeri in Karnatakas Kodagu district on Saturday morning. The couple allegedly killed their 11-year-old daughter, following which they killed themselves. The man, identified as Vinod Babusenan, a 43-year-old resident of Keralas Kollam, along with his 38-year-old wife GB Abraham and their daughter Jane Maria Jacob were found dead at the resort, a Times of India report said. Police, while citing a suicide note, said that financial crisis led them to take this extreme step. The couple were running a business near Kollam. The family had arrived at the resort on Friday evening in an SUV and checked into their cottage at around 6 pm. The family went out for a walk around the resort after resting for a while. According to Anand, the manager of the resort, the family was reportedly in good spirits when they arrived. While out for a walk, the family went to a nearby shop before returning for dinner. Vinod had told the resort staff that they would check out at 10 am on Saturday, however on the day when they did not do so, the staff went to check on them. One of the staffer knocked on the door at the checkout time 10 am but nobody answered the door. The staff team, thirty minutes later, again tried knocking. This time, they spotted the familys slippers lying outside the cottage, leading them to grow suspicious. It was when they looked through the window that they saw the couple hanging, a police official said. #WATCH | A man, his wife and their 3-year-old child died allegedly by suicide at a private resort near Madikeri in Karnatakas Kodagu district. The family had arrived from Kollam, Kerala: Karnataka Police(Visuals from the spot) pic.twitter.com/77mn6VvdVR ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2023 Soon after the resort alerted the Madikeri Rural police station, following which policemen arrived at the spot. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for postmortem and their relatived have been informed about the incident. Police have registered a case and are looking into the matter. Just a few days ago, a doctor working at the Railway Hospital in Uttar Pradeshs Rae Barelli killed himself after allegedly murdering his wife and two children. The incident came to light on Tuesday (December 5) night when the doctors Arun Kumar Singh colleagues reported the matter to the police after no one from the family answered their calls. Priliminary investigation suggested that the doctor was suffering from depression. The people living in the neighbourhood had said that the family was last seen on December 3. Late last month, five members of a family were found in Sadashivanagar in Karnatakas Bengaluru in a suspected case of a suicide pact. According to the police, financial problems and alleged harassment by money lenders are believed to be the reason behind the extreme step. Police registered a case of murder and abetment to commit suicide against seven people including the deceased couple Gharib Sab (aged 46) and wife Sumaiya (33) for strangling their children Hazira (14), Mohammed Subhan (11) and Mohammed Muneer (9). Police also found a video made by Gharib Sab before hanging himself, requesting state Home Minister G Parameshwara and police officers to punish those who forced them to take the drastic step. Disclaimer: DISCLAIMER:Disclaimer: If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) (With PTI inputs) Travelers Aid worker Ruth Sackerson, right, jots down notes on the needs of Mrs. Ida Proffitt and her children Raymond, Lillian, Ethel Mae and Alice on July 30, 1943, in Chicago. (Josef Szalay/Chicago Tribune) In October 1924, Kalliope Koyka got off a train in Chicago wearing a tag pinned on her by an agent of the Travelers Aid Society. Speaking virtually no English, the 7-year old was looking for her parents. They had left her with relatives in Greece when they came to America two years earlier. Lord knows how she got through immigration at Ellis Island. But someone must have brought her to the counter of the Travelers Aid Society. Topped by a bright white light on a pole, its counters were beacons of hope for immigrants and out-of-towners arriving at the citys railroad stations. Advertisement Kalliope was greeted in Chicago by her aunt and uncle, according to the Tribune account, who told her that her parents were living with them at 5458 S. Princeton Ave. For twenty minutes she sat in her uncles lap and pulled his hair, mussed up his hat, punched his nose, and pinched his cheeks, the Tribune reported. Then she turned her attention to her aunt, Miss Ariti Dracoulakoun. That ladys hair was mussed, her hat was pulled, and her nose was punched. Advertisement The Travelers Aid Society in Chicago was established by the Young Womens Christian Association in 1888, picking up on a mission to help people far from home that had begun earlier in other cities. In a word its objective is the protection of stranger young women at the stations, the Tribune wrote in 1895. Mrs. Byrda Cox, with the Travelers Aid Society, helps Maurice and Eric Fitzsimmons at Union Station, circa 1927. (Chicago Herald and Examiner ) So we women meet the through trains and watch for girls traveling alone, a member of the society told the Tribune. Frequently they are young, unsophisticated country girls who have come to this city, attracted by its glitter and glare, to seek employment. These are taken to safe boarding-houses and efforts made to place them in a desirable position. Runaway girls were especially vulnerable to white slavers, as they were known: Haunting train stations, they promised to help young women, but sold them to brothel operators. Certain it is that a part of the 3,000 girls assisted during the year, had it not been for the Travelers Aid, would have written their sad story in three chapters: Distress, the devil, downfall, the Tribunes 1895 report concluded. In 1915, the YWCAs travelers aid work was turned over to a secular organization, the Travelers Aid Society of Illinois. In its final 11 months, the YWCAs society assisted more than 5,700 girls. At a time when charities were generally segregated, it was noted that special attention was given to eighty-nine negro girls, the Tribune reported. A Chicago Tribune photographer re-created the scene where a young woman approached the Travelers Aid desk at the La Salle Street train station and asked for a job in 1953. The woman had left her abusive husband and two children and had been on the run for three days. As a case worker interviews her, she began to cry, wrote the Tribune. (Harold Trudeau/Chicago Tribune) On September 18 of that year, Travelers Aid got a telegram from Valparaiso, Indiana: Reva Allen, 12-years old, sold her school books at Westville, walked 12 miles, escaped searching parties and detectives, and took to Chicago over Grand Trunk. The day before, an Aid Society worker had found the girl at the Dearborn Avenue Station and brought her to the YWCAs hotel at 830 S. Michigan Ave. In the morning, Allen convinced the worker that all she needed was streetcar fare to an aunts house at 71st and Cottage Grove Avenue. Naively, the worker accepted her story before the telegram from Valparaiso arrived. A frantic search ensued. When she was found, it was discovered that Reva Allen had also been known as Reva Christianson and Riva Anderson, but that her true name was Reva Arnold. Advertisement It was explained that she had so many names because she had taken the cognomens of all her stepfathers, the Tribune observed, noting that she was more likely 9 years old. The Travelers Aid Society was financially supported largely by upper-class women, as the Tribune reported of its 1967 board meeting and luncheon at the tony Racquet Club in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Ive never held this much money in my hand before, said Charles Brown, president of the societys administrative board, when handed a check for $20,000 by Mrs. John Contos, outgoing chairman of the societys Womans Board. Advising William Tiberio, a bowling team member traveling to Youngstown, Ohio from Des Moines, Iowa, on how to spend his stopover time is Mrs. Frederick Tredwell, right, in Chicago in 1962. Tredwell mans the Travelers Aid booth at Grand Central station. (Chicago Tribune historical photo) As soon as she can wind up her board business, Mrs. Contos and her husband are going to Palm Springs for three weeks, the Tribune reported. World War I created a new clientele for the society: War brides. En route to European battlefields, many GIs got engaged to local women. Some had little English skills upon following their betrothed to America. The Tribune told one such story that began in Sarthe, France, and ended at 1649 N. Fairfield Ave., Chicago. It ran under a headline: The Princess of Wooden Shoe, A War Romance, a riff on the Cinderella fairytale. Advertisement The real-life tale began when Germaine Uzenot was asked by Albert De Vogelaere, of the 145th Machine Gun Company, to marry him. Oui, monsieur, avec plaisir, she replied, according to the Tribunes account. Fortunately for them, another Chicagoan, Rosaline Cashin, was in France working for a relief organization. She alerted relief workers and Travelers Aid agents to help Germaine en route and explained how they would recognize her. Among their many functions, Travelers Aid volunteers staff the USO lounge for servicemen and women at Union Station in Chicago. Serving coffee and cookies to Pvt. John Akers, bound for Kokomo, Indiana, from Fort Lewis, Washington, is Mrs. Kenneth O. Wilson on March 13, 1962, in Chicago. (Harold Revoir/Chicago Tribune) All the agencies from Bordeaux to Chicago knew the little French girl who arrived in New York alone, wearing her wooden shoes and carrying her good ones, and which had cost her 80 francs and which she did not propose to spoil. So when the French stranger arrived in Chicago she was welcomed by the Travelers Aid Society and by the Protectorate of the Catholic Womens League. Shortly thereafter, Germaine and Albert were married at Holy Name Cathedral. Travelers Aid at some point established an office at OHare International Airport, and also had an outpost at the Greyhound bus station. Its work extended to temporary workers in the area, including stable workers at Arlington Park Race Track, a Travelers Aid worker told the Tribune in 1977. Seasonal migrants, they work for low wages grooming and caring for the thoroughbreds they fall through the gaps of bureaucracy and social services available to others, the Tribune reported in 1977. Travelers Aid Society, using money from a variety of charities and originally from the Horsemans Benevolent and Protective Society, has moved in to fill the gap. Advertisement When Emma Burton, left, lost her luggage at the train station and needed help with a wheelchair, Travelers Aid worker Dorothy Bodin came to her assistance in Chicago on July 30, 1943. (Josef Szalay/Chicago Tribune) In 1981, Tribune columnist Anne Keegan wrote about the phenomenon of elderly people hitting the road and becoming lost. Many of them have run away from a nursing home or the prospect of having to live in one, a Travelers Aid administrator told her. Vintage Chicago Tribune Weekly The Vintage Tribune newsletter is a deep dive into the Chicago Tribune's archives featuring photos and stories about the people, places and events that shape the city's past, present and future. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > They wind up at the Greyhound bus station or the train station, or wandering around OHare and someone brings them to us because they dont know where to go next. Sometimes they dont know where they are. The Heartland Alliance, an organization whose roots were planted by Jane Addams, the pioneering social reformer, subsequently absorbed Travelers Aid, and continues to provide assistance at OHare, according to the Alliances website. Travelers Aid volunteers Mrs. Thomas Costello, center, tells Mrs. Gary Bandy, traveling with her three youngsters from Flint, Michigan to Sacramento, California, how to make the train connections at Union Station in Chicago on March 13, 1962. Bandys children are, from left, Shawn, 7 months, Melody, 18 months, and Michele, 3. (Harold Revoir/Chicago Tribune) In 1988, the societys centennial was celebrated at the posh Drake Hotel. It was a $100-a-ticket night of long stemmed roses, French Champagne and goodie bags filled with razors for the men and eye shadow for the ladies, the Tribune reported. The $100,000 raised would give the homeless a cot to sleep on, a bowl of soup and, perhaps, a pair of shoes. The agencys executive director only hoped partygoers were following the dance steps of a first lady whose empathy for have-nots was contagious. I feel the irony in all this said the Rev. Sid Mohn. But I think of Eleanor Roosevelt. There was a candle lit in her, and bit by bit, across the room other candles were lit. At some point, there will be a fire and thats the point when social justice and social welfare will be achieved. Advertisement Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com. KHARTOUM, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Sunday said that several representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were injured after their convoy came under fire while evacuating civilians in the capital Khartoum. The fire occurred after the ICRC convoy "violated an agreement with the Sudanese army by approaching our defensive positions accompanied by an armed vehicle belonging to the rebels," the SAF's spokesman said in a statement, expressing their regret over the incident. Meanwhile, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Sunday accused the SAF of attacking the ICRC convoy, which, according to a statement by the RSF, has killed two people and injured another. Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the SAF and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15. More than 12,000 people have been killed so far in the clashes, while 6.6 million others have been displaced inside and outside Sudan, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Hi readers, from the rise of tribal leader, Vishnu Deo Sai from village sarpanch to Chhattisgarh CM to India tour of South Africa, we have all you need to know. Who is Vishnu Deo Sai? Rise of Tribal Leader From Village Sarpanch to Chhattisgarh CM Ending days of suspense, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday picked Vishnu Deo Sai as the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. Sai was elected BJPs legislature party leader during the saffron partys key meeting of newly-elected 54 MLAs in Raipur today. BJP registered a landslide victory in the recently concluded Chhattisgarh Assembly election 2023, by winning 54 of the 90 seats in the state. READ MORE Ageing Rani Aur Rocky Rajasthan CM Kahaani: Praja MLAs, Itch for Gen Next & Looming 2024 While the lingering question over the weekend has been who will be the Chief Ministers of the three states that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently won Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan it is the latter that has everyone interested like a Netflix mystery series, unfolding slowly with each season. The finale is yet to come. On Sunday, the BJP picked its Chhattisgarh CM-designate in Vishnu Deo Sai. READ MORE MP Horror: In Shocking Video, Man Seen Thrashing, Stomping On Puppy in Guna; CM Shivraj Reacts In a barbaric incident of cruelty on animals, a video of a man beating and stomping on a puppy in Madhya Pradeshs Guna has gone viral on social media. The incident took place in Subhash Colony on Saturday. The owner of the house, outside which the incident took place, submitted a written application to the city police station demanding for a case to be registered against the accused. READ MORE Can Mayawatis Nephew & Successor Akash Anand Save BSP from the Long Winter of Irrelevance? Senior BSP leaders say Mayawatis statement was expected given 28-year-old Akash Anands steady rise in the party. Akash is the son of Mayawatis brother Anand Kumar. Akash was recently given the crucial post of party coordinator. He used to hold meetings with the party leaders of other states. He used to hold a different stature in the party, a senior BSP leader told News18 on condition of anonymity. READ MORE All Human Are Born Free and Equal: UN Urges Taliban to Uphold Human Rights in Afghanistan The UN mission in Afghanistan on Sunday called on the Taliban to embrace and uphold human rights obligations as the cornerstone of a stable, peaceful and prosperous future for the country. This appeal coincided with Human Rights Day and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. READ MORE Aishwarya Rai Shares Her Review of The Archies, Say Agastya Nanda Film Wonderful And Aishwarya Rai was all praise for Agastya Nandas debut film, The Archies. The film released on Netflix earlier this week and it featured Agastya as Archie. The film also starred Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, Aditi Saigal and Yuvraj Menda. In a video recorded after the premiere held earlier this week, Aishwarya was seen giving The Archies a glorious review. She said, Wonderful and huge congratulations to the entire team. Abhishek Bachchan was also seen in the video. READ MORE India Tour of South Africa: Men in Blue Face Their Next Big Test as They Go Up Against the Proteas A young Indian outfit will be asked tough questions, answers to which might not be readily available when it faces a sturdy South African side in a three-match T20 International starting here on Sunday. READ MORE Mortuaries in Uttar Pradesh are increasingly becoming the feeding grounds for rats and mongoose with the rodents found to have nibbled at the eyes, ears, nose and lips of the dead bodies, not only hurting the sentiments of the deceased persons families but also compromising the integrity of post-mortem examinations. The latter may also potentially lead to adverse impact on fairness of court trials. In the last one month, more than a dozen instances have come to light in two mortuaries of the state where soft tissue of the dead bodies have been fed upon. The latest instance was reported in Jhansi district where rats and mongooses reportedly fed on the eyes and other tissue of a dead body that was kept in the Maharani Lakshmi Bai Medical Colleges mortuary for an autopsy. The deceased was 40-year-old Sanjay Jain. It was a rude shock for us. It hurt to see my father in such a state. Both his eyes were missing and we were told by the mortuary staff that mongooses and rats might have eaten up the body parts. Its truly devastating, said Virendra Jain, Sanjay Jains son. Sanjay Jain, a trader by profession, had died by suicide on December 7. His body was brought to the mortuary of Maharani Lakshmi Bai Medical College for an autopsy which was conducted on December 8. Following the horrific discovery of the body being mutilated by rodents, the distraught family staged a protest at the mortuary after which the Chief Medical Officer and other officials reached the spot and pacified them. This was not the first or only such case to be reported at the medical colleges mortuary. According to mortuary staff, this was the third such instance at the premises in the last 25 days. On December 6, the body of Raunak Rayakvar, who died by suicide aged 16, was brought to the mortuary for post-mortem. When we reached to collect the body of my daughter, it was found that her ears were missing and some parts of her hand were also found bitten. We were told that mongooses and rats from the neighbouring forest area might have fed on the body. Its the health departments apathetic approach towards the dead; its sheer mishandling of the dead body, said Vinod Raikvar, Raunaks father. On November 6, rodents are said to have chewed on the body of Satyaprakash Bharti (28), who was found dead in the Yashwantpur Express. Parts of Bhartis leg had nibble marks on them. The aggrieved family members protested at the mortuary, demanding action against errant staff. Who is to Blame? Officials with the health department pointed to the sorry state of the mortuary for the state of affairs. Rani Lakshmi Bai Medical College is said to be one of the advanced health institutions, but when it comes to the mortuary, the facilities are zero. There is not a single deep freezer at the mortuary, the bodies are kept in the age-old rusted iron box that have developed big holes over the years There are six to seven such battered boxes at the mortuary. We have complained several times but higher officials are least bothered about the upkeep of the mortuary, a local health official told News18 on condition of anonymity. According to staffers, such cases are not new for them. In the last one year, several such instances have been reported at the mortuary, but only a few families escalate the issue and a majority of such cases go unreported. The situation is even worse for the unclaimed bodies that have to be kept in the mortuary at least for 72 hours (as per law) until they are identified. In such a situation, the rodents or mongooses get enough time to feed on the bodies. It often becomes difficult to identify the bodies, the official quoted above added. When questioned, officials with the medical college said the state of the mortuary would be improved. Possibly the rat entered the mortuary through the manhole net which is broken. We are trying to rope in agencies in order to meet the demand of deep freezers and iron boxes in order to keep the bodies safe at the mortuary, said chief medical superintendent Dr Sachin Mahaur. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Medical Education Brajesh Pathak, meanwhile, has said that the mishandling of dead bodies at mortuaries will not be tolerated. He said it would be ensured that the mortuaries are maintained well and bodies are handled in a decent manner. He added that an inquiry would be ordered against Maharani Lakshmi Bai Medical College for the mishandling of the dead bodies. Similar Scenes at Lalitpur Mortuary Cases of a similar nature have also been reported from UPs Lalitpur district. In one of the recent cases, rats nibbled on the dead body of a 24-year-old woman who had died by suicide on December 2. Following a strong protest by the womans family, the district administration formed a three-member committee to probe the issue. Chief Medical Officer Dr Imtiyaz Ahmed told News18 that the findings of the committee will soon be made public. The inquiry was ordered after the mother of the deceased, identified as Anubha Yadav, lodged a complaint with the Chief Ministers Office over the mishandling of her daughters body. Anubha had died by suicide in Khailar village of Lalitpur district. An FIR has been filed against her husband, Hirdesh Yadav, and three of his family members over alleged dowry death. Legal Consequences According to legal experts, the appalling conditions at the mortuaries not only pose a public health risk, but may also jeopardise the integrity of post-mortem examinations, thereby impacting fair trial procedures. I stand privy to a number of districts, including Jhansi and Lakhimpur Kheri, where, through various sources and reports, it has been revealed that the mortuaries in question are in an alarming state of disrepair. The unsanitary conditions within these facilities have not only led to the decomposition of deceased bodies, attracting rodents and other vermin but also results in loss of vital organs of human corpses mandating autopsy by these animals of prey. This degradation compromises the accuracy of post-mortem examinations, resulting in potentially misleading and false reports, said S Mohammed Haider, an advocate with the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court. Haider further pointed out that ramifications of such conditions are severe as inaccurate post-mortem reports can have a profound impact on legal proceedings and criminal trials, leading to unjust outcomes. Moreover, the lack of proper maintenance and hygiene in mortuaries raises serious ethical concerns and undermines public trust in the judicial system. I would implore the State and the Department of Health, headed by a very able minister, to initiate an immediate and thorough investigation into the state of mortuaries and post mortem houses all across the state. It is crucial to address this issue promptly, implementing measures to improve sanitation, pest control, and overall maintenance. By taking swift and decisive actions on this concern, we can safeguard the integrity of the human corpses, authenticity of post-mortem examinations and thereby protect the rights of the deceased, upholding the principles of justice in our society, he added. Jawaharlal Nehru had once stated: Article 370, as the House will remember, is a part of certain transitional provisional arrangements. It is not a permanent part of the Constitution. It is a part as long as it remains so. The Supreme Court is poised to settle the debates surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 when it delivers its verdict on Monday. Critics argue that the decision to abrogate the Article was unilateral as it was considered a permanent constitutional provision, and only the Jammu & Kashmir Constituent Assembly had the authority to make such a decision. However, the assembly was dissolved on January 26, 1957. The NDA government, which abrogated the Article, contends that it was a temporary provision and that demands for its complete repeal had been raised much earlier. A debate in the Indian Parliament on November 27, 1963 encapsulates the essence of the issue, with parliamentarians posing questions about repealing the Article and receiving responses from then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his government representatives. A group of 19 parliamentarians, including Hari Vishnu Kamath, Prakash Vir Shastri, Bhagwat Jha Azad, PC Boroah, Mohan Swarup, Dr LM Singhvi, Vishram Prasad, Raghunath Singh, DD Mantri, Ram Ratan Gupta, PR Chakraverti, Sidheshwar Prasad, DD Puri, Kachhavaiya, DC Sharma and Hem Raj, sought the Government of Indias response on the Closer Integration of Jammu & Kashmir with India. The broad question was divided into three parts. The Minister of Home Affairs was asked: Whether any measures or proposals had been initiated since October 1962 for further integrating the State of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the Indian Union? If so, what were the details? Whether the repeal of Article 370 of the Constitution was under consideration in consultation with the Jammu & Kashmir State Government. Responding to questions 1 and 2, RM Hajarnavis, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, had stated that an Order of the President under article 370 of the Constitution was issued on the 25th of September, 1963, applying to Jammu & Kashmir State entry 26 of the Concurrent List (List III) in the Seventh Schedule in respect of legal and medical professions and other consequential provisions of the Constitution and a proposal to apply to Jammu and Kashmir entry 24 of the Concurrent List, in so far as it relates to welfare of labour in the coal-mining industry, is under consideration. He mentioned that it has been decided that representatives of Jammu and Kashmir in the Lok Sabha should be chosen by direct election as in other States. Effect will be given to this decision after the termination of the present emergency. He further added, It has also been decided that the Sadar-i-Riyasat and Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir should be designated as Governor and Chief Minister respectively. Legislation to give effect to the proposal is expected to be taken up during the next session of the State Legislature. The interpretation of his words implied a reduction in the special powers granted to the state of Jammu & Kashmir, with the inclusion of laws from the Concurrent List. Regarding the law-making powers of the Government of India, the state list was not applicable to Jammu & Kashmir, and neither was the Concurrent List. The Minister of State further clarified that Article 370 of the Constitution occurs in Part XXI of the Constitution which deals with temporary and transitional provisions. He stated: Since this Article was incorporated in the Constitution, many changes have been made which bring the State of Jammu and Kashmir in line with the rest of India and the State is fully integrated to the Union of India. However, the Government of India at that time was not in favour of its complete repeal. Government are of opinion that they should not take any initiative now for the complete repeal of Article 370. They left that option in the hands of the Jammu & Kashmir state government, stating: This will, no doubt, be brought about by further changes in consultation with the Government and the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir State. This process has continued in the last few years and may be allowed to continue in the same way. Nehru endorsed these words, stating: As a matter of fact, as the Home Minister has pointed out, it has been eroded, if I may use the word, any many things have been done in the last few years which have made the relationship of Kashmir with the Union of India very close. There is no doubt that Kashmir is fully integrated. We feel that this process of gradual erosion of Article 370 is going on. Some fresh steps are being taken and in the next month or two they will be completed. We should allow it to go on. We do not want to take the initiative in this matter and put an end to Article 370. This initiative, we feel, should come from the Kashmir state government and people. We shall gladly agree to that. That process is continuing, he added. However, he also acknowledged that: Article 370, as the House will remember, is a part of certain transitional provisional arrangements. It is not a permanent part of the Constitution. It is a part as long as it remains so. Understandably, at that time, the state of Jammu & Kashmir was a peaceful territory, and the state government and legislature had amicable relations. This began to change in the late 1980s when Pakistan pushed terrorism, attempting to change the course with the sole agenda of merging the state of Jammu & Kashmir into Pakistani territory. This, combined with the separatist politics of the state, made defending temporary Article 370 a war cry, further advancing Pakistans agenda. This raised questions about the states assurances of complete and full integration with India. The process to repeal Article 370 with the states assurance that was once considered ongoing was put behind closed doors. As the income-tax departments searches against an Odisha-based Boudh distillery company entered its fifth day, over Rs 300 crore cash has been seized so far after additional machines, staff and security personnel have been reportedly deployed to accelerate the counting of the seized currency notes. This has become the highest-ever such haul in a single action conducted by any probe agency in the country, PTI reported citing official sources on Sunday. According to the latest updates, CISF personnel have been deployed outside the premises of Boudh Distilleries Private Limited at Odishas Balangir. As of now, a cash amount of over Rs 300 crores has allegedly been recovered from various premises of the distellery group, which is also linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Kumar Sahu. Official sources have said that this is the highest-ever black money haul done by any agency in a single operation. On Sunday, SBI Regional Manager, Bhagat Behera from Odisha said, We received 176 bags and 140 of them have been counted, the rest will be counted today. Officials from 3 banks are involved in the counting process, 50 of our officials are involved. About 40 (currency counting) machines were brought here, 25 are in use and 15 are kept as backup. The recovery of the unaccounted cash at the Congress leaders property led to a political slugfest in the state with the Bharatiya Janata Party demanding answers from the Congress. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said crores of rupees have been recovered but the whole INDI alliance is silent on this corruption. I am very surprised. After independence, such a large amount of cash has been seized from an MPs house. Crores of rupees have been recovered but the whole INDI alliance is silent on this corruption. I understand Congress is silent as corruption is in their nature but JDU, RJD, DMK, and SP all are sitting silentlyNow I understand why a campaign was run against PM Modi that agencies are being misused. It was run because there was a fear in their mind that all the secrets of their corruption would be revealed, Shah told ANI. On Saturday, Jharkhand unit of the BJP claimed that over Rs 300 crore cash that was allegedly recovered from various premises of Congress leader Sahu during the raids in the state and neighbouring Odisha was meant for horse trading and resort politics. Accusing the Congress and INDIA alliance of corruption, BJP MLA and former Jharkhand minister CP Singh accompanied by Jamshedpur BJP MP Bidyut Baran Mahato said the recovery of money from Congress party leaders was not a surprise but seizure of such a huge amount was certainly surprising. Singh also demanded the Enforcement Directorate to probe into the case. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also commented on the development. Taking to X on Friday, he said, Countrymen should look at the pile of these notes and then listen to the honest speeches of their leaders.Whatever has been looted from the public, every penny will have to be returned, this is Modis guarantee. The ruling BJD in Odisha in a statement welcomed the tax raids. The tax department has deployed about 40 large and small machines to count the currency notes and brought in more department and bank staffers to finish the process, which began on December 6 following raids against Boudh Distillery Private Limited and others, the sources said. Sources said that after conducting raids on manufacturing units and premises of stakeholders associated with Baldeo Sahu and Group of Companies, one of the biggest countrymade liquor manufacturers in western Odisha, the agency is now targeting offices and residences of all the persons linked to this group. The raids started from Boudh Distillery Private Limited (BDPL), a subsidiary of Baldeo Sahu Infra Private Limited, sources said, adding that the group was allegedly linked to a Congress MP from Jharkhand. I-T sleuths on Friday seized 156 cash-loaded bags and took them to the SBI main branch at Bolangir for counting. The raids were conducted in Sambalpur, Rourkela, Bolangir, Sundargarh and Bhubaneswar. Who is Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu? According to I-T sources, as quoted by Indian Express Baldeo Sahu and Group of Companies Ltd, having operations across Odishas western districts, is allegedly linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand Dhiraj Sahu, whose family members run the business. Properties linked to Sahu were also covered as part of the searches. Sahu has been elected to the Rajya Sabha thrice, and is also a Member, Consultative, Committee for Ministry of Power and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. He joined politics in 1977. (with inputs from agencies) A 16-year-old girl from Nagpur died by suicide on Sunday after her father did not allow her to access her mobile phone in an attempt to reduce her overdependence on the device, an official said. The incident took place at Mangli village in Hingna police station area of the city, he said. Anshu Shantaram Uike would spend long hours on her mobile phone, said the police official, citing the version of her family members. Concerned about his daughters overdependence on the mobile phone, the teens father recently did not allow her to access the device. But the decision took a tragic turn. Kept away from her phone, the girl became upset. She hanged herself from a ceiling fan in their home, the official said. The Hingna police have registered a case of accidental death and a probe is underway, he added. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) Three persons of a family were killed and six others were injured when they were hit by a car while waiting for a bus on the Lucknow-Agra expressway on Sunday, police said. According to police, the deceased along with other family members were on their way to attend a marriage function. Nine persons were waiting for a bus on the Agra-Lucknow expressway when a car hit them in Arwakatra Police station area on Sunday, Circle officer (CO) Ashok Kumar said. One Raman Singh (40) of Nagla Pahadi village of the area, his niece Aaradhy (8) and his daughter Gungun (10) were killed in the accident. Six others have been injured and are admitted in a hospital, the CO said. Police have sent the bodies for postmortem examination and detained the cars driver, he said. As 2023 enters its final month and 2024 optimistically appears on the horizon, people around the world have emotionally checked out of the news agenda and events at home in order to take a much-needed breather. Where in the past years, travel has been a means to escape life, Booking.com latest Travel Predictions research shows that travel is life in 2024 with 85% of Indian travellers revealing that they feel more alive when they are on vacation and become the best version of themselves when on vacation. To explore how travel will transport people out of autopilot and into unleashing their best life, Booking.com commissioned research among more than 27,000 travellers across 33 countries and territories including India, combining it with its insights as a leading digital travel platform to reveal seven predictions for travel in 2024. (Alter) Ego EnthusiastsIn 2024, travel enthusiasts are set to embark on a unique journey of self-discovery as Ego Enthusiasts. 82% of Indian travellers reported that they enjoy the anonymity of travel and the chance to reinvent themselves, while 63% craft elaborate stories about their real lives to share with fellow travellers. These alter ego enthusiasts are driven by the thrill of embodying a 2.0 version of themselves, all in the pursuit of feeling more alive.Embracing their main character energy, 76% revel in being the stars of their own adventures, adopting different personas and shedding inhibitions. Their desire to carry this newfound confidence into their daily lives is evident, with a significant number 81% aspiring to be more like their vacation selves even when they return home. To live out their finest moments with unshakable confidence, a notable group (68%) is even willing to invest in renting a superior car for the journey, turning their travel experiences into a true embodiment of their best selves. Cool CationersAs global temperatures continue to rise; travellers are seeking cooler destinations to escape the heat. For the majority (74%), climate change is now a pivotal factor influencing their vacation plans, pushing them towards cooler destinations. 76% of Indian travellers are determined to use their holidays to cool down in places far from the scorching sun. As this trend gains momentum, it aligns with the growing popularity of water-centric travel in 2024, offering relief from the heat and a chance to wash away worries. A notable 83% of travellers agree that proximity to water instantly induces relaxation, while 38% of Indian travellers express keen interest in water-centric vacations. As travellers embrace these water-centric experiences, a surge in activities like floating yoga, water sound baths and snow meditation can easily be anticipated. Surrender SeekersIn 2024, travellers are increasingly inclined to embrace spontaneity and adventure. They are increasingly drawn to the thrill of surprise, willingly surrendering control for a taste of the unknown and the chance to explore uncharted territories. Over 74% of these Surrender Seekers are ready to book surprise trips where even the destination remains a mystery until their arrival. Theyre rejecting the monotony of everyday life, with 67% opting to venture off the beaten path and more than half (54%) yearning to travel alongside strangers. Moving away from rigid planning towards spontaneity and serendipity, these surrender seekers live by the motto carpe diem. 66% would like to have no plans set in stone prior to travelling so they can go where the wind take them, while 76% embrace loose itineraries, permitting them to change course based on what feels right at the time. Additionally, 70% of Indian travellers trust AI for trip planning, embracing its convenience and flexibility, allowing for cancellations, changes and immediate payment. Culinary ExcavatorsIn the travel landscape of 2024, travellers are delving deep into the origins of the food on their vacations to unearth hidden culinary gems. 78% of these intrepid explorers exhibit a heightened interest in unravelling the history and heritage behind a destinations must-eat delicacies. This shift towards gastro-tourism allows them to embrace the unique blend of history, geography and local produce that gives rise to one-of-a-kind cuisine, creating an unforgettable experience. Additionally, Indigenous cuisines are the focal point for a significant 86% of Indian travellers, showcasing a commitment to discovering the culinary treasures of the world and acknowledging the underrepresented. Foodie travellers in 2024 are not just consumers, they immerse themselves in a blend of digital and real-world experiences to transform their culinary adventures into multi-sensory spectacles. 69% of them seek immersive phygital food experiences, enlivened by virtual reality. Reboot RetreatersIn a world marked by global instability and relentless chaos, the year 2024 heralds the rise of Reboot Retreaters who seek journeys dedicated to self-improvement, a path leading them back to the life they truly desire. 59% of Indian travellers have reported that theyre inclined to carve out time for a matchmaking holiday, to find a spark with a new partner. 53% of travellers opt for heartbreak holidays, providing the healing space needed to overcome past relationships. Surprisingly, parents, eager to find solace, plan to embark on solo journeys, with more than three-quarter (79%) planning to travel solo, dropping their kids and their partners to reclaim their vitality and focus on personal rejuvenation. Over half of Indian travellers (68%) are drawn to the agrarian and indigenous lifestyle, seeking self-sufficiency and harmony with nature. Also, the sleep tourism trend is emerging, offering specialised retreats with cutting-edge technology to cater for the needs of 68% of Reboot Retreaters who want undisturbed sleep in 2024. A La Carte AffluencersIn 2024, travellers will redefine luxury by utilising money-saving strategies and indulging in a la carte luxuries, driven by the cost-of-living crisis and the desire for affluence. They want to level up their holiday experience with a la carte luxuries but are keen to cut costs. These a la carte affluencers want to appear wealthy, sweeping away the reality of having to make financial sacrifices, but behind the scenes are obsessed with see-through spending and curating budget-friendly travel itineraries with the help of AI. In fact, 76% of Indian travellers will want insights and tips from AI to enhance their experiences with suggested deals and offers. While 70% of Indian travellers opt to choose destinations in 2024 where the cost of living is more economical than in their hometown, others are drawn to explore closer to home, searching for budget-friendly alternatives that emulate the allure of luxury (66%). Mirroring the affluent, 70% of travellers are willing to invest in day passes for the use of amenities at five-star hotels without committing to a full stay. Simultaneously, parents (71%) plan to take their children out of school to travel outside of peak seasons, ensuring that their budget stretches further and allows for a taste of luxury without excessive costs. Bobby Deol has said that he does not want his elder son, Aryaman Deol, to be as emotional and soft as he was. The Animal star was speaking to Siddharth Kannan recently when he admitted that he is protective about his sons and added that he wants his son to be an independent and strong person. Bobby Deol Wants His Son To Be Independent I am the youngest (in the family). I have never been able to face the world in my life easily. It has always been difficult because I am too emotional. So, I dont want him to be that way. I just want him to be strong, Bobby Deol said. The 53-year-old actor further shared that even his father, veteran actor Dharmendra, wanted the same for him and used to always say, Tu strong ban (Be strong). Bobby Deol On His Sons Acting Debut Plans Interestingly, this comes a day after Bobby Deol confirmed that his sons will also be entering the movies when the time is right. He mentioned that both his sons are too young as of now and therefore, they will enter the industry later. Theres no business like show business and my sons will come into this industry, but theyre too young right now especially my older one is just 22 years old and the younger one is 19 years, so another 3-4 years time they will enter the industry, the actor told India Today. Bobby Deol Enjoying Success of Animal Meanwhile, Bobby Deol is currently enjoying the success of Animal. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the film also starred Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Triptii Dimri and Anil Kapoor in key roles. Released on December 1, the film has already crossed the Rs 600 crore mark at the global box office. Several stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Allu Arjun, and Karan Johar have also praised the film. Kiara Advani is gearing up to celebrate her first Christmas with Sidharth Malhotra after their marriage. On Saturday morning, the actress took to her Instagram stories and shared a glimpse of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Set up in the balcony of their apartment, the tree was decorated with gifts, reindeers, Santa Claus figurines, candies and a golden star on the top which also had Merry Christmas written below. Sharing the video, Kiara added Michael Bubles song Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. Check out the video here: Aayeee Ab Christmas me din ek picture bhi chahiye hume #SidKiara pic.twitter.com/kG4h4trl4W Team SidKiara (@TeamSidKiara) December 10, 2023 Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra are married for over ten months now. The two tied the knot on February 7 this year at the Suryagarh Palace in Jaisalmer. It was an intimate ceremony with only family members and close friends in attendance. However, the couple hosted a mega star-studded reception later in Mumbai. Kiara recently graced Koffee With Karan 8 when she revealed that Sidharth proposed to her in Rome. You know when Sid came to that episode (previous episode of KWK), weve just come back from Rome where he proposed to me. My parents werent there. It was our first family holiday with me and his family. I had a little bit of inclination that he would propose, Kiara revealed. It did come as a surprise because I did not know where on this trip and also in my head, I was like I hope he does propose because now Ive built it up and if he doesnt propose on this trip but he did it. So it was the first destination we went to on that trip. He took us to this Michelin star restaurant and his nephew was with us who was supposed to take the photos and capture the moment, the actress added. Meanwhile, on the work front, Kiara Advani was last seen in SatyaPrem Ki Katha. She will soon share the screen space with Ram Charan in Game Changer. Kiara is also likely to be seen in Don 3. However, there is no official confirmation of this so far. On the other hand, Sidharth Malhotra is gearing up for the release of Karan Johars Yodha. He also has Rohit Shettys Indian Police Force in his pipeline. Months after quitting the popular show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Jennifer Mistry took to her Instagram handle on Saturday to cherish the good old days. The actress, who used to play the role of Roshan Bhabhi in the sitcom, shared a video which was a compilation of the memorable moments she spent with her TMKOC co-stars. In the caption of her post, Jennifer Mistry penned down an emotional note as she bid her final goodbye to TMKOC. Human beings love stories because they safely show us beginnings, middles and endsMy story has three parts: a beginning in 2008 when I joined TMKOC, a middle in 2016 when i rejoined Tmkoc after delivery, and an end in 2023 when i left TmkocEvery beginning has an end and every end has a new beginning, she wrote. Gratitude to the God, the Universe, cast and crew of TMKOC and all the fans of Tmkoc for showering their love over me all these yearsSpent 1/3rd of my life 1& 1/2 decades in this serialpata hee nahi chala waqt kaise beet gayaSome memories are painful, some are not but after all they are memories, the actress added. Check out her post here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal (@jennifer_mistry_bansiwal) Jennifer Mistrys post comes days after it was confirmed that Mona Mevawalla has been finalised as her replacement to play Roshan Sodhi in Asit Kumarr Modis show. Jennifer Mistry left TMKOC earlier this year when she filed a complaint against Asit Kumarr Modi, the shows Project Head Sohail Ramani and executive producer Jatin Bajaj of alleged sexual harassment at the workplace. The three have been booked under sections 354 and 509 (Assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Later in an interview, Jennifer claimed that even police officials are discouraging her in the case against Asit Modi. The police is discouraging me and taking things very slow. Wo cheezo ko taal rahe hain. I am very upset because jaha par justice ke liye fight kar rahi hu, waha ye sab ho raha hai. I have also reached out to higher authorities for the same, she told Hindustan Times. Myanmar is currently going through one the bloodiest civil wars since the military junta swept to power with a coup in 2021. The bordering regions of this southeast nation, especially in Shan and Kachin, have a long history of ethnic insurgencies by various armed militias. This had forced the region into poverty, increase in illicit activities and human rights violations. However, these developments did not spring in isolation. The external forces have played an important role in bringing Myanmar to this situation. What we are witnessing in Myanmar is an outcome of interference by the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). The two main reflections of Chinas dark grip on Myanmar are human trafficking and drug smuggling, both interconnected for its own survival and exploitation. Myanmar is grappling with ethnic insurgencies, a coordinated offensive unleashed by the anti-military alliance. The Three Brotherhood alliance in the countrys northern Shan state, and the National Democratic Alliance Army which are key constituents of the anti-military alliance are known to be funded by the drug trade. Myanmars northern region bordering China has a long history of ethnic violence with armed militias involvement in drug trade. Myanmars Shan state is part of the Golden triangle region (Myanmar, Laos and Thailand) bordering south of China and is known for being worlds second largest heroin production region and worlds largest producer of synthetic drugs over the past decade. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the 2021 coup in Myanmar forced a surge in drug smuggling. China, in fact, plays a significant role in sustaining this trade. In 2021, 72 tons of propionyl chloride (used to create methamphetamine) was seized in Laos which was found to be shipped from Chinas Jiangsu province that was intended to reach Myanmar. A report by NGO International Crisis Group (ICG) revealed that armed militias are exploiting China-Myanmar relations to intensify their drug trade. Chemicals used for illicit drug production are crossing China and flowing into Myanmars border regions. Moreover, Chinas BRI ambitions in Myanmar is another key reason which requires Beijing to maintain cordial relations with the rebel groups to avoid risking its projects being destabilised by them. Taking advantage, these rebel groups make use of the infrastructure established under Chinas BRI that helped these groups to facilitate (and accelerate) their drug trade. Along with drug trade, China is also a major player behind Myanmars human trafficking, especially girls and women. A study by John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Kachin Womens Association Thailand estimated that from 2013-17, about 21,000 women and girls from Myanmar were forced into marriage in just one province in China. During the same period, out of 160,000 female Myanmar migrants who returned from China, 5,000 were victims of forced marriages; 3,900 were victims of human trafficking and 2,800 were forced to bear children for their Chinese husbands. Another study by John Hopkins undertaken in 2017-18 reported that about 400 migrant women from Myanmar, aged between 15 and 55, were married to Chinese men and experienced childbirth during their five-year stay in China. In 2017, the Myanmar government reported 226 cases of trafficking, while the Department of Social Welfare annually assists between 100 to 200 women returning from China, indicating that the actual number of trafficked women is higher than the official estimate. Some of these forced marriages were only intended to sustain till the victim gave birth to a child. Forced marriages in Myanmar are prevalent among girls and women who belong to rural areas with low education, as seen in Myanmars Shan and Kachin state. The persistent ethnic insurgencies in these areas, too, have forced thousands of women to fall prey into trafficking, without their knowledge. The main reason for the increase in trafficking cases is attributed to Chinas one-child policy that paved the way for gender-based abortions in the country due to preference for male children. As a result, China witnessed a peak in gender imbalance in the year 2004 when 120 boys were born for every 100 girls as per Chinese population figures. This led to an eventual crisis of women in China for men to marry and continue their family tree. As a result, these men started importing (or buying) wives from neighbouring countries (such as Myanmar), even by force through what came to be commonly known as bride trafficking. These trafficked women were reported to be subjected to abuse, torture and rape. Women, once kidnapped, were forced to take drugs that were believed by captors to increase womens endurance and trigger sexuality so that they can be impregnated by Chinese men who resorted to trafficking to get wives for themselves because of their poor economic background. Some of these Chinese men also continued the marriage until their wives gave birth to a child. In case any of these trafficked women in China managed to escape and ran to Chinese police, they were sometimes imprisoned for illegal immigration, rather being treated as victims of trafficking. Chinas role in repatriation of these victims back to Myanmar was also very chaotic, adding to the victims misery. The Human Rights Watch rightly describes the situation as a porous border and lack of response by law enforcement agencies on both sides (China and Myanmar) created an environment in which traffickers flourish. The Trafficking in Persons (TIP), too, reported China and Myanmar to consistently being state sponsors of human trafficking. It is important to recognise the patterns of illicit activities that have intensified since the 2021 Myanmar military coup. However, the coup alone is not responsible for the country to be grappled by such events. For long, China has manipulated its cordial relations with Myanmar to its own advantage, sowing seeds of exploitation in Myanmar and pushing the country towards endless internal disturbances and turmoil. The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. He tweets @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, flagged off the Punjab governments latest pro-people, ambitious initiative Bhagwant Mann Sarkar, Tuhade Dwar, or doorstep delivery of 43 government services such as income certificate, caste certificate and more in a public meeting in Ludhiana. The scheme, billed by Kejriwal as an anti-corruption measure, was launched in Delhi a few years ago and is one of the AAP governments most popular initiatives. Speaking on the occasion, Kejriwal said, Today is a revolutionary day, not just for Punjab, but for the entire country. Our freedom fighters like Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh did not sacrifice their lives for people to wander in government offices in independent India. They sacrificed their lives so that when the country attains freedom, people would get benefits, good education, good health, medicines, roads, electricity and water. However, in the past 75 years, the system that now exists forces a common man to do make rounds of government offices even for small tasks. This initiative today in Punjab is no less than a revolution. This should have happened 75 years ago. HOW IT WILL WORK Kejriwal also said that while 43 services have been mentioned, 99% of government services will now be available at the doorsteps of people which will go up to 100% inthe coming days and government offices will be locked as people dont have to visit them anymore. The Delhi CM then explained how the doorstep delivery system would work by dialing 1076. Giving the example of Delhi, he said the scheme was launched in September 2018 and in the past five years, lakhs of people have gotten their work done simply by making phone calls. Taking potshots at opposition-ruled states, Kejriwal alleged, If the Delhi government can do this, the Punjab government can do this, in 75 years, why did governments of other parties not do it? If the Delhi government did it five years ago, why did the Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra governments not do it until now? Their intent is bad. When you go to get a birth certificate and give money to a dalal, that money goes not just to the dalal, but travels to officers, ministers and the chief minister. Whatever money you give to get birth certificates, death certificates, ration cards, old age pension travels to the chief minister. Today, you have elected an honest government, an honest chief minister, honest ministers, honest MLAs. We do not take money. Kejriwal also said that the Mann government had taken many steps to fight corruption, had caught big fish, raided and arrested big leaders who had looted Punjab for 75 years, and money will be recovered from those who had looted Punjab and spent on the people. Referring to Manns move of asking people to record officers asking for bribes, Kejriwal said that it had led to fear within the bureaucracy and officers had stopped working. This step today is the biggest move against corruption by Mann. Coming generations will remember that we had got independence on August 15, 1947, and for Punjab, the second is on December 10, 2023, Kejriwal explained. He also said that 4,000 young people will be employed in this process, in addition to the 40,000 government jobs already given. In the run-up to the elections, while asking for your votes, Mann and I had given you a guarantee that we will end corruption. Today, we are moving closer to fulfilling that guarantee. This is the AAPs guarantee, this is no kacchi guarantee, Kejriwal underlined. Mann thanked the AAP convenor for making possible what seemed like an impossible idea. I have often spoken about thisso many people do uncountable rounds of government offices, their shoes may have worn off and beards turned white in the process, yet their work was not done; they were turned away disrespectfully and asked to return another day on some pretext or the other. I have seen many such episodes since I was a child. I had resolved that if I get an opportunity, I would put an end to this. Today is a big day for me. Today I am putting an end to budhwaar-veervaar. Quoting Surjeet, Mann said, Pind wich jeede ghade chalde / hukumate sardari/ sehar jade ban jade/ bus di ek sawari. In other words, the identity of a person in the village is reduced to just a number in a city bus, and the pride of the person is dissolved by a small-ranking petty government babu, and promised to restore that pride. Mann also disclosed that the doorstep delivery of government services was close to his heart and he had often pressed Kejriwal about its implementation in Punjab. Mann argued that while asking for votes, leaders go to the doorstep of the people, yet while delivering services, governments ask people to come to Chandigarh, and this cannot continue, the government will have to go to the people. True to the AAPs style, the function was a mega event with thousands of people and AAPs Punjab legislators RS MPs Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Sanjeev Arora, AAPs Punjab ministers Harpal Cheema, Meet Hayer and other legislators in attendance. The huge hoarding in the backdrop had pictures of both Kejriwal and Mann at both ends. The AAP supremo has been visiting Punjab regularly over the past few weeks the last time was for flagging off the Punjabs tirth yatra, a free pilgrimage service for the states old people. Huge mass contact programmes, where both Kejriwal and Mann are present, helps, party insiders believe, consolidate the support that the AAP currently enjoys. Knowing that the Lok Sabha elections are a different game altogether, however, with the BJP not a major factor in Punjab, the AAP hopes to reap a rich harvest in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. And thus, Kejriwals renewed forays into Punjab. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati ended speculation on the future of her party on Sunday, officially naming nephew Akash Anand as her political successor. Sources told News18 that the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister announced Anand as her successor at the BSPs national-level meeting held in Lucknow. the decision was taken Though Mayawati will continue to monitor the partys affairs in UP and Uttarakhand as before, the announcement created ripples in the states political circles in which the BSP holds a significance position despite its poor run at the polls. Senior BSP leaders say Mayawatis statement was expected given 28-year-old Akash Anands steady rise in the party. Akash is the son of Mayawatis brother Anand Kumar. Akash was recently given the crucial post of party coordinator. He used to hold meetings with the party leaders of other states. He used to hold a different stature in the party, a senior BSP leader told News18 on condition of anonymity. Who is Akash Anand According to BSP insiders, Mayawati began grooming her nephew Akash for a leadership role ahead of the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Akash Anand and his father Anand Kumar were formally introduced to the party workers in September 2017. Akashs political journey began thereafter and he became more politically active in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In 2019, a day after the Election Commission banned Mayawati from campaigning for 48 hours, Akash took to the stage and addressed his first rally, urging people to vote for the SP-BSP-RLD alliance. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and then RLD president Ajit Singh also joined him on stage. A few weeks after the alliances defeat, Mayawati appointed him the partys national coordinator and tasked him with reaching out to the youth, especially those from the Dalit community, and bringing them into the BSP fold. Akashs Rise in the BSP Akash Anands growing stature in the party became more evident during the recently held Assembly elections when he was made in-charge of the poll-bound states, with particular emphasis on Rajasthan. Mayawati is not known for holding street shows or taking out yatras. But, in a clean break from BSPs past, Akash took out a 14-day yatra the Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay Sankalp Yatra in Rajasthan to drum up support for the BSP, the senior leader quoted earlier pointed out. Akash addressed the yatra at different points as it travelled across 100 Assembly constituencies, covering 3,000 km. The constituencies also included the six seats the party won in 2018 all of its MLAs later joined the Congress and nine seats where its candidates finished as runners-up. The yatra began from Dholpur and concluded in Jaipur on August 29, covering 33 districts. The Challenges Ahead Akash Anands appointment as the BSP supremos successor comes with the major responsibility of rebuilding the partys base in UP, where Dalits account for around 20% of the population. In the BSPs glory days, Dalits were its traditional voters. However, over the years, the partys performance has slipped drastically. In 2007, the party won 206 seats in the 403-member Assembly and formed the state government with Mayawati as the chief minister. In 2012, it was ousted from power by the Samajwadi Party, winning just 80 seats. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BSP failed to win a single seat in the Lower House of Parliament. In the 2017 Assembly elections, its tally plummeted further to 19 seats, with 22.2% vote share. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BSP partnered with the SP to form an anti-BJP Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) along with Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). The alliance, however, failed to leave a mark and secured just 15 seats, while the BJP won 62 of the 80 seats. In the alliance, BSPs vote share was 19.43%, whereas SP and RLD vote share was 18.11% and 1.69%, respectively. In the 2022 Assembly elections, the party won just one seat and its vote share dropped to 12.88%. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday defended the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition and also called for quick congressional approval of more than $100 billion in aid for Israel, Ukraine and other national security priorities. Blinken said the needs of Israels military operations in Gaza justify the rare decision to bypass Congress. Israel is in combat right now with Hamas, he said during television interviews. And we want to make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas. The tank ammunition and related support constitute only a small portion of military sales to Israel, Blinken said, and that the rest remains subject to congressional review. Its very important that Congresss voice be heard in this, he said. The decision to proceed with the sale of more than $106 million for tank shells came as the Biden administrations larger aid package is caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Blinken noted that President Joe Biden has said he is willing to make significant compromises to get the aid package moving. Its something the president is fully prepared to engage on, Blinken said. The stakes are especially high for Ukraine, Americas top diplomat said, given that we are running out of funding for the Ukranians. This is a time to really step up because if we dont, we know what happens. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will be able to move forward with impunity and we know he wont stop in Ukraine. Blinken appeared on ABCs This Week and CNNs State of the Union. Disgruntled Conservative MPs are reportedly considering an astonishing plan to bring back Boris Johnson as Prime Minister, with a potential dream ticket involving former Brexit party leader Nigel Farage. The move is seen as an attempt to counter a potential election wipeout and rising support for the Reform Party, UKs Daily Mail reported. Britains young Indian-origin PM faces a critical vote on Tuesday on his Rwanda migrants plan, with Tory rebels aiming to destabilise the government. UK polls indicate declining Tory support, with voters turning towards the Reform Party, boosted by Nigel Farages recent popularity. As per the report in the British newspaper, some MPs argue that Johnson is the only figure capable of countering Farages impact, particularly in the crucial Red Wall seats. No. 10. The MPs are panicking about polling figures showing Tory support sinking, with many voters turning to the Reform Party, the successor to Nigel Farages Brexit Party. Reform officials express their intention to destroy the Conservatives, anticipating defections from Tory MPs. The Conservative party donors are already switching allegiance. Bristol Ports co-owners, significant Tory donors, recently gave 100,000 pounds to Reform, the report said. While Johnsons political future remains uncertain, supporters emphasise his effectiveness as a campaigner. The former prime ministers recent performance at the Covid Inquiry is perceived to have improved his standing. UK media reports say that the political landscape remains fluid, with Sunak facing internal challenges and the Reform Party gaining momentum. The Conservatives, which have been in power since 2010, have gone through five prime ministers. In the past two years, the Conservative Party has faced internal turmoil and leadership instability. Johnsons premiership was riddled with scandals and controversies, culminating in his resignation in July 2022. Liz Truss succeeded Boris Johnson as Prime Minister but her tenure was the shortest in British history, lasting less than two months. According to a renowned polling expert, the Conservatives, under Sunak, are charging towards their worst-ever election defeat in history, which could see them win just 130 seats. Sir John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, said Rishi Sunak has suffered a tumultuous autumn after multiple attempts to give his premiership a boost failed to improve his standing among voters, Daily Mail reported. The British media reports say the public has stopped listening to what the Tories have to say and believes they could be heading for electoral meltdown. As things stand, polling data from YouGov and Ipsos currently puts Labour around 20 points ahead of the Tories. In a stern message to Pakistan, China has issued a warning over delayed payments for defence equipment, hinting at potential disruptions in the supply chain for the Pakistani army. Senior officials from both nations recently met to address the issue, emphasising the critical nature of timely payments. With approximately $1.5 billion pending in payments, experts believe that this is just a tactic being used by China to pressure Pakistan. As per sources, the high-level meeting between China and Pakistan took place recently. The meeting underscored Pakistans heavy reliance on China for its defence requirements, spanning from artillery to missile systems. The financial impasse, if prolonged, is likely to mount trouble for Pakistan as it will not only jeopardise the timely completion of key defence projects but will also have an adverse impact on the relations between the two countries. It is no more a secret that China has been helping Pakistan build army capabilities for quite some time now. Quadcopter(s) seized during failed drug delivery attempts from Pakistan to India have been found to have Chinese origins. The recent comments made by the Indian Navy chief also highlighted the expanding collaboration between Pakistan and China in naval capabilities. Further, the infrastructure building and communication network along LoC, where China invested heavily, has been known for months now. Pakistan has been giving assurances after assurances but nothing much has changed on the ground either in terms of China getting its money back or any visible change on the security front. China knows for sure that it cannot rollback its support to Pakistan either in terms of credit-based supply of defence equipment or for CPEC. There is a reason to it, said Major General Ashok Kumar (retd). As per sources, the current payment issues extend beyond infrastructure or communication projects, encompassing crucial elements such as aircraft, VT-4 tanks, artillery guns, and missile systems. Experts believe that while the issue of non-payment is true, it is just a tactic used by China to pressure Pakistan. Notably, the issue is not going to affect the relations between both countries. Issues of non-payment from Pakistan have become a regular feature more in its current economic profile. China has been making noises about getting its money back as per agreed terms and conditions. In fact, China has been threatening Pakistan both for its recovery of the financial dues as well as the physical threat to its workers of CPEC corridor especially in Balochistan area, Major General Ashok Kumar (retd) said. The current threat may be posturing to get more concessions in lieu of its pending dues as China did in Sri Lanka to get the Colombo City project as well as the Hambantota project. The current effort of China is also intended to get more ownership in those Pakistani assets which will further Chinese national strategic interests, he added. Chinese state media has undergone a linguistic shift in its English articles in recent weeks, favouring the term Xizang over Tibet following the release of a white paper by the State Council in early November. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the document, titled CPC Policies on the Governance of Xizang in the New Era: Approach and Achievements, describes developments in the region since Chinese President Xi Jinping assumed power in 2012. This linguistic change marks a departure from the norm, as previous white papers on Tibet used the term Tibet autonomous region. Xizang is the pinyin, or Chinese romanization, for Tibet. Since the release of the November white paper, official Chinese media reports have predominantly substituted Xizang for Tibet. Experts see this change as Beijings attempt to emphasise sovereignty over Tibet. However, its impact on the international community is expected to be limited. China, which occupied Tibet for over 60 years, has refused to negotiate with Tibetan leaders since 2010. Despite efforts to alter the English name to Xizang, experts believe this will not likely affect the regions international image. This linguistic change aligns with Beijings broader efforts to reinforce national identity in ethnic minority regions by promoting standard spoken and written Chinese, or Mandarin. Tibet as the least-free on Earth Although human rights are limited across China, Tibetans are singled out for greater abuse because of their distinct identity. And while China has long been known for its rights violations, conditions in Tibet are getting dramatically worse. Freedom House lists Tibet as the least-free country on Earth, tied with Syria and worse than even North Korea, according to the Washington-based advocacy group International Campaign for Tibet (ICT). Under Chinese rule, rights groups say that Tibetans are persecuted simply for preserving their cultural identity and most basic rights. They can be jailed and tortured just for celebrating the Dalai Lamas birthday and face immense restrictions on their abilities to practice their religion, travel and speak freely. In the recently held UN Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva, ICTs representative Melanie Blondelle highlighted the discrimination and inequalities Tibetans face in all aspects of their lives, including the erasure of their mother tongue. In her statement, Blondelle said, China must stop relegating Tibetans to second-class citizens in their own land, and immediately rescind all policies that block Tibetans input on policies that radically affect their daily lives and their identity as a distinct people. The French military on Sunday said that one of its frigates shot down two drones in the Red Sea that were heading towards it from the coast of Yemen. The interception and destruction of these two identified threats were carried out overnight from Saturday to Sunday by the frigate Languedoc, which operates in the Red Sea, the general staff said in a press release. The interceptions happened at 2030 GMT and 2230 GMT, it added, and were 110 km from the Yemeni coast. Interception dans la soiree de deux drones en provenance du Yemen par la FREMM Languedoc en mer Rouge. pic.twitter.com/2cug1Sn48C Armee francaise Operations militaires (@EtatMajorFR) December 9, 2023 This comes after Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen threatened Saturday to prevent any ship heading to Israeli ports from passing through the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea until enough food and medicine are allowed into the Gaza Strip. Iran-backed fighters in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen have claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets since the Israel-Hamas war broke out. Over the past weeks, the Houthis have attacked several vessels in the Red Sea, as well as launching drones and missiles targeting Israel. READ MORE: US Destroyer Downs Drones in Red Sea as Houthi-Led Attacks Hit Commercial Ships On December 3, ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis struck three commercial ships in the Red Sea, while a U.S. warship shot down three drones in self-defense during the hourslong assault. Last month, the Houthis seized a vehicle transport ship linked to Israel in the Red Sea off Yemen. The rebels still hold the vessel near the port city of Hodeida. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a televised speech Saturday evening that all ships heading to Israel, no matter their nationality, will be a target unless aid is allowed to enter Gaza freely. We warn all ships and companies against dealing with Israeli ports, Saree said. He said Houthis have no intention to interrupt international trade except for the ships that carry products to Israeli ports. He said the decision goes into effect immediately. (With agency inputs) Polls opened in Hong Kongs first patriots only district council election on Sunday, with officials dismissing concerns of potentially low turnout in a race that has shut out all opposition candidates after a national security crackdown. The previous election was held at the peak of the huge, sometimes violent, democracy protests in 2019, and recorded a historic-high 71 percent turnout delivering a landslide victory for the pro-democracy camp. As part of the widespread clampdown on political opposition aided by a national security law imposed in 2020 by Beijing the city authorities overhauled the councils composition earlier this year. Authorities have attempted to drum up enthusiasm for the election, covering the city with posters urging Hong Kongers to participate, but on Sunday morning, polling booths appeared to have few voters in the wealthy Mid-Levels area. It must be the patriots ruling Hong Kong this is our principle, said a civil engineer surnamed Lee, a lone early voter, adding the election wouldnt be affected just because some (candidates) cant be part of it. According to new rules announced in May, seats for direct election were slashed from 462 to 88, with the other 382 seats controlled by the city leader, government loyalists and rural landlords. Candidates are required to seek nominations from three government-appointed committees, which effectively shut out all pro-democracy parties. Over 70 percent of the directly elected candidates were committee members. City leader John Lee said this years election was the last piece of the puzzle to implement the principle of patriots ruling Hong Kong, referring to a doctrine Beijing imposed on the financial hub to weed out from public office anyone deemed politically disloyal after the 2019 protests. From now on, the district councils would no longer be what they were in the past which was a platform to destruct and reject the governments administration, to promote Hong Kong independence and to endanger national security, Lee said after he cast his ballot on Sunday. One-sided The councillors for Hong Kongs 18 districts handle mostly local-level issues like sanitation, transport routes, or the adequacy of public facilities. But after Sundays election, they will behave as local consultative bodies in name, and as the governments echo chamber in practice, said Kenneth Chan, a political scientist at the Hong Kong Baptist University. This is about achieving 100 percent political control above all, he told AFP. Senior officials have rejected concerns about potentially low voter participation, with Erick Tsang, the constitutional affairs minister overseeing the election, saying that the turnout rate cannot be an indicator of the (new) systems success. Some residents expressed apathy to the exercise on the eve of the election. Whats the point of voting? The political atmosphere is one-sided, said a resident surnamed Ng. More than 12,000 police officers were deployed across the city to prevent disturbances in the election, according to local media. The League of Social Democrats one of the citys last remaining opposition groups said Sunday that three of their members were arrested in Hong Kongs Central district. The group had announced the night before that they were planning to protest the election. On Tuesday, a 38-year-old man was charged for reposting a video of an overseas commentator that allegedly incited people to boycott the election. Iranian authorities have accused a Swedish EU diplomat, held in a Tehran prison for more than 600 days, of conspiring with Irans arch-enemy Israel to harm the Islamic republic, the judiciary said Sunday. Johan Floderus is accused of extensive measures against the security of the country, extensive intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime and corruption on earth, the judiciarys Mizan Online news agency said. Corruption on earth is one of Irans most serious offences which carries a maximum penalty of death. The defendant has been active against the Islamic Republic of Iran in the field of gathering information for the benefit of the Zionist regime in the form of subversive projects, Mizan quoted the prosecution as saying. Earlier Sunday, the European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for the immediate release of the Swedish diplomat, arguing there are absolutely no grounds for keeping Johan Floderus in detention. Floderus, 33, works for the European Union diplomatic service. He was arrested on April 17, 2022, at Tehran airport as he was returning from a trip abroad, and is being held in Tehrans Evin prison. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said on Saturday the trial had begun in Iran. There is no basis whatsoever for keeping Johan Floderus in detention, let alone bringing him to trial, Billstrom said. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet attends the congress of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Dec. 9, 2023. Hun Manet, a standing committee member of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), was elected as the party's vice president on Sunday, a party spokesperson said. (Photo by Ly Lay/Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, a standing committee member of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), was elected as the party's vice president on Sunday, a party spokesperson said. "The congress of the CPP's Central Committee voted to appoint Hun Manet as a vice president of the party," CPP spokesman Sok Eysan said at a press conference at the conclusion of the two-day congress. With the fresh appointment, the CPP now has five vice presidents. Eysan said the congress also added 23 new members to the party's standing committee, bringing the total number to 58. He said the congress elected 496 additional members of the party's central committee, raising the total number to 1,312. "An increase in the number of the party's leadership figures is to keep up with the party's progress, as our party's members were previously just over 3 million, but until now, the CPP has more than 7.1 million members across the country," he said. Held at the party's headquarters in Phnom Penh, the congress was presided over by CPP President Samdech Techo Hun Sen and was attended by approximately 3,600 central and local delegates from across the country. The CPP has ruled the Southeast Asian country since 1979. In the July 23 general election, the CPP won 120 of the 125 seats in the National Assembly. Samdech Techo Hun Sen (R), president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), chairs the party's congress in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Dec. 9, 2023. Hun Manet, a standing committee member of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), was elected as the party's vice president on Sunday, a party spokesperson said. (Photo by Ly Lay/Xinhua) Nine people were killed at a squatter camp in northern Brazil when workers installing an internet antenna accidentally touched a high-voltage power line, electrocuting three employees and six residents, officials said Sunday. The accident, which happened Saturday, also ignited a massive fire at the camp set up by Brazils Landless Workers Movement (MST) outside the town of Parauapebas, as a succession of squatter shacks went up in flames, said the Para state fire department. The houses and shacks are all very close to each other, built with highly combustible material wood, thatch roofs, some with straw for insulation. That fueled the fire, local fire department commander Charles Catuaba told AFP. Authorities are still working to identify the charred remains of two of the victims, he said. Founded in 1984, the MST is a social and political movement that fights for access to land for the poor in deeply unequal Brazil. Its land seizures have made it highly controversial, with critics accusing it of radicalism. Around 2,000 families lived in the camp outside Parauapebas, which was baptized the Land and Freedom camp, the MST said. The tragedy was the result of a society that didnt give these families the opportunity to have a dignified place to live, MST leader Joao Paulo Rodrigues said in a statement. Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose Workers Party (PT) is a historic ally of the MST, has sent his rural development minister and the head of national land reform agency Incra to Para to provide the federal governments full support to the families of the victims of this tragedy, his office said in a statement. Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi will go on a new hunger strike from her prison cell in Iran as the prize is awarded in Oslo on Sunday in her absence, her family said Saturday. Mohammadi, who has campaigned against the compulsory wearing of the hijab and the death penalty in Iran, will go on hunger strike in solidarity with the Bahai religious minority, her brother and husband told a press conference in the Norwegian capital on the eve of the Nobel award ceremony. She is not here with us today, she is in prison and she will be on a hunger strike in solidarity with a religious minority but we feel her presence here, her younger brother, Hamidreza Mohammadi, said in a brief opening statement. The 51-year-old activists husband, Taghi Rahmani, went on to explain that the strike was a gesture of solidarity with the Bahai religious minority, two of whose jailed leading figures, Mahvash Sabet and Fariba Kamalabadi, have started refusing food. She said that I will start my hunger strike on the day that I am being granted this prize, perhaps then the world will hear more about it, he explained. Irans largest religious minority, the Bahai community is the target of discrimination in many areas of society, according to its representatives. Mohammadi already went on a hunger strike for several days at the beginning of November to obtain the right to be transferred to hospital without covering her head. She was awarded the Nobel prize in October for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran. Arrested 13 times, sentenced five times to a total of 31 years in prison and 154 lashes, Mohammadi has spent much of the past two decades in and out of jail. Narges Mohammadi is one of the women spearheading the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising, which included months-long protests across Iran triggered by the September 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22, who had been arrested for allegedly flouting the Islamic republics strict dress rules for women. Mahsa Aminis parents and brother who were due to receive the Sakharov Prize, awarded posthumously to the young woman at a parallel ceremony in France on Sunday have been banned from leaving Iran, their lawyer in France told AFP on Saturday. In my heart Detained since 2021 in Tehrans Evin prison, Mohammadi will be represented at the Oslo ceremony by her 17-year-old twin children, Ali and Kiana, who have been living in exile in France since 2015 and have not seen their mother for almost nine years. They both dont know if they will ever see her alive again, but while Ali has faith, Kiana is doubtful. The cause of Woman, Life, Freedom, freedom in general and democracy are worth sacrificing yourself for and giving your life for, because in the end these three things are priceless, Kiana told reporters. As for seeing her again one day, personally Im rather pessimistic, she added, noting that the added attention of her mother receiving the Nobel prize would likely make the Iranian authorities curtail her freedom further. Maybe Ill see her in 30 or 40 years, but if not, I dont think Ill ever see her again, but thats OK because my mother will always be with me in my heart and with my family. On the other hand, Ali said he was very, very optimistic, even if it probably wont happen in two, five or ten years. I believe in our victory, he asserted, before quoting his mother: victory is not easy but it is certain. On Sunday, at the Nobel prize ceremony in Oslo, attended by the Norwegian royal family and other dignitaries, the twins will read a speech that their mother managed to smuggle out of her jail cell. Imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi denounced Sunday a tyrannical and anti-women religious government in Iran, in a speech delivered by her children who accepted the award in her absence. Mohammadi, who has campaigned against the compulsory wearing of the hijab and the death penalty in Iran, has been held since 2021 in Tehrans Evin prison. Instead, her 17-year-old twins Ali and Kiana, both living in exile in France since 2015, received the award on her behalf, reading a speech she managed to smuggle out of her cell. I am a Middle Eastern woman, and come from a region which, despite its rich civilisation, is now trapped amid war, the fire of terrorism, and extremism, she said in a message that was written behind the high, cold walls of a prison. The Iranian people will dismantle obstruction and despotism through their persistence, Mohammadi said in her speech. Have no doubt - this is certain, she said. Mohammadi has been arrested and convicted several times in recent decades, and her twin children have not seen their mother for almost nine years. Personally Im rather pessimistic, Kiana Mohammadi told reporters on Saturday, while his brother Ali said he remained very, very optimistic. The Woman, Life, Freedom movement seeks the end of Irans imposition of a headscarf on all women and an end to the Muslim cleric-led government in Tehran. Empty Chair I am an Iranian woman, a proud and honourable contributor to civilisation, who is currently under the oppression of a despotic religious government, she said. A chair was left symbolically empty at the ceremony, where a portrait of Mohammadi was displayed. Mohammadi is one of the women spearheading the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising, which saw months-long protests across Iran triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Amini, an Iranian Kurdish woman, died on September 16, 2022, while being held by Irans religious police for allegedly breaching the Islamic republics dress code for women. The mandatory hijab imposed by the government is neither a religious obligation or a cultural tradition, but rather a means of maintaining authority and submission throughout society, Mohammadi said in the speech read before the Norwegian royal family and foreign dignitaries. She said Iran is fundamentally alienating itself from its people, denouncing government repression, the lack of an independent judicial system, propaganda and censorship, and corruption. Mohammadi is currently carrying out a hunger strike in solidarity with the Bahai community, according to her family. Representatives of Bahai, Irans largest religious minority, say it is the target of targeted discrimination. In Mandelas Footsteps Mohammadi is the fifth laureate in the more than 120-year history of the Nobel Peace Prize to receive the award while detained. She follows Germanys Carl von Ossietzky, Myanmars Aung San Suu Kyi, Chinas Liu Xiaobo and Belaruss Ales Beliatski. Narges Mohammadis struggle is also comparable to that of Albert Lutuli, Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, which took place over a period of more than 30 years before the apartheid system in South Africa came to an end, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen, said in a speech. Protests in Iran triggered by Aminis death have been severely repressed. The Iran Human Rights group (IHR) says 551 demonstrators, including dozens of women and children, have been killed by security forces, and thousands have been arrested. On Saturday, the lawyer for Aminis family said her parents and brother, who were due to receive the European Parliaments Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought on Aminis behalf at a ceremony on December 13, was being prohibited from leaving Iran. The other Nobel prizes, in literature, chemistry, medicine, physics and economics, were to be awarded later Sunday at ceremonies in Stockholm. The president of a top US university stepped down Saturday in the wake of massive criticism following a congressional hearing on the rise in anti-Semitism on American campuses, which led to a rapid and intense blowback. Pennsylvania University President Elizabeth Magill voluntarily tendered her resignation, the chair of the universitys board of trustees Scott Bok announced. Bok then stepped down himself, according to the Daily Pennsylvanian, the campus student newspaper. Magill was among three presidents of elite universities who faced withering criticism for their testimony Tuesday during a congressional hearing on campus anti-Semitism. They gave long-winded and seemingly evasive answers at the hearing when asked whether students who call for the genocide of Jews on their campuses violate codes of student conduct. One down.Two to go.This is only the very beginning of addressing the pervasive rot of antisemitism that has destroyed the most prestigious higher education institutions in America. This forced resignation of the President of @Penn is the bare minimum of what is required. Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) December 9, 2023 One down. Two to go Representative Elise Stefanik, the House Republican whose exchange with the three university presidents led to media attention and calls for Magills resignation, wrote on X, One down. Two to go. This is only the beginning of addressing the pervasive rot antisemitism that has destroyed the most prestigious higher education institutions in America, Stefanik wrote. She added that the congressional investigation into Penn will continue despite Magills resignation. These universities can anticipate a robust and comprehensive Congressional investigation of all facets of their institutions negligent perpetration of antisemitism including administrative, faculty, funding, and overall leadership and governance, Stefanik wrote, adding that the forced resignation of Magill is the bare minimum of what is required. Anti-Semitism and hate crimes have risen in the US and on university campuses since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants and the ensuing war in Gaza. With passions inflamed on campuses, a broader debate has taken place about when freedom of speech on campuses turns into conduct that threatens others. Over 70 lawmakers wrote Earlier this week, seventy-four lawmakers wrote letters demanding the immediate removal of Magill and the presidents of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Harvards president, Claudine Gay, apologised afterward for failing to more strongly condemn threats of anti-Semitic violence on her campus. When words amplify distress and pain, I dont know how you could feel anything but regret, Gay later told the Harvard Crimson newspaper. Magill faced even more scathing criticism. I am proud to lead a bipartisan letter with @RepMoskowitz and 72 of our colleagues to the members of the Governing Boards of @Harvard, @MIT, and @Penn demanding that their presidents be removed after this weeks @EdWorkforceCmte hearing.Read the full letter here. pic.twitter.com/IOPpNdNh34 Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) December 8, 2023 Absolutely shameful Pennsylvanias Democratic governor called her performance absolutely shameful, and a major donor said he would rescind a $100 million donation to the universitys Wharton School of Business. Bok, who helms the universitys board of trustees a body that handles major governance issues said Magill made a very unfortunate misstep as he announced her departure. She was not herself last Tuesday, Bok said in the statement published by the school paper. Over prepared and over lawyered given the hostile forum and high stakes, she provided a legalistic answer to a moral question, and that was wrong. It made for a dreadful 30-second sound bite in what was more than five hours of testimony. He said his own resignation was effective immediately. In Boks note to the campus, he said Magill would stay in her post until an interim president is appointed and would remain on the faculty of the universitys law school. (With agency inputs) A Philippine boat and a Chinese Coast Guard ship collided near a hotly contested reef on Sunday, with both countries trading blame for the latest such confrontation in the disputed South China Sea. The incident comes a day after the Philippines accused the Chinese coast guard of using water cannons to obstruct three government boats delivering provisions to Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal, off the main island of Luzon. It happened during a Philippine resupply mission to a tiny garrison on Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, which is a flashpoint for Manila and Beijing. Statement of the National Task Force-West Philippine SeaDecember 10, 2023, Manila, PhilippinesToday, 10 December 2023, China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels harassed, blocked, and executed dangerous maneuvers on Philippine civilian supply vessels, pic.twitter.com/NF66BqVPUM Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) December 10, 2023 Tensions flare in the South China Sea Tensions between Manila and Beijing over the sea have flared in recent months following multiple incidents involving Philippine and Chinese vessels, including two previous collisions. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including waters and islands near the shores of its neighbours, and has ignored an international tribunal ruling that its assertions have no legal basis. It deploys boats to patrol the busy waterway and has built artificial islands that it has militarised to reinforce its claims. The Philippines said Sunday that China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels harassed, blocked, and executed dangerous maneuvers on Philippine civilian supply vessels. One of two boats carrying provisions was rammed by a Chinese coast guard ship, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said in a statement. A Chinese ship also used water cannon against the two supply boats and a Philippine Coast Guard vessel escorting the mission, the multi-agency task force said. That caused severe damage to the engine of one of the supply boats and damaged the mast of the coast guard vessel, it said. The China Coast Guard, however, accused the Philippine boat of deliberately colliding with the Chinese vessel after disregarding our multiple stern warnings. The Philippine boat changed direction suddenly in an unprofessional, dangerous manner, deliberately colliding with our Coast Guard Vessel 21556, which was on a normal law enforcement route, and caused a scrape, the China Coast Guard said in a statement. The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side, it said. Christmas cheer Hours before the latest incident, a civilian convoy involving 100 Filipino fishermen embarked on a trip that would pass Second Thomas Shoal as part of a mission to deliver Christmas cheer and provisions to remote outposts. The organisers said they were still proceeding with the agreed upon route despite Sundays confrontation. Second Thomas Shoal is about 200 kilometres from the western Philippine island of Palawan, and more than 1,000 kilometres from Chinas nearest major landmass, Hainan island. A handful of Filipino troops are stationed on the crumbling BRP Sierra Madre, which the Philippine Navy grounded on the reef in 1999 to check Chinas advance in the waters. The troops depend on the resupply missions for their survival. One of the supply boats was able to deliver its cargo on Sunday, while the one involved in the collision was being towed by a Philippine Coast Guard vessel to Palawan, the task force said. The Philippines and China have a long history of maritime incidents in the contested South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars of trade pass annually. Relations between Manila and Beijing have deteriorated under President Ferdinand Marcos, who has sought to improve ties with traditional ally Washington and push back against Chinese actions in the South China Sea. Marcos warned last month that the situation in the waters had become more dire. Earlier this month, the Philippines reported more than 135 Chinese vessels swarming a reef off its coast, describing the boats growing presence as alarming. (With agency inputs) A police officer was killed on Sunday in a blast in Pakistans restive Balochistan province, police said. According to details, the Station House Officer of the Counter Terrorism Department, Muhammad Murad, was killed in the blast near the Sultan Ibrahim Road in Balochistans Khuzdar. As per initial reports, a magnetic bomb was planted in Jamots vehicle, SHO Pindrani said, adding that further investigation was underway. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Throughout the year, terrorists and separatists have been targeting security forces in Balochistan. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mir Hussain Lehri said a passerby was also injured in the incident. The wounded and deceased were moved to the District Headquarters Hospital Khuzdar. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar strongly condemned the attack. West African leaders met in Nigerias capital Abuja on Sunday for talks on their region in deepening crisis, after four countries fell under military rule and with risks growing from Sahel jihadist conflicts. After coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger since 2020, the Economic Community of West African States or ECOWAS saw member states Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau report attempted coups in recent weeks. A French military withdrawal from the Sahel the region along the Sahara desert across Africa has heightened concerns over conflicts spreading southward to Gulf of Guinea states Ghana, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast. International attention has focussed on the most recent coup in Niger in July after troops ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, prompting ECOWAS to impose tough sanctions and close trade. Niger a key Western partner in the fight against Sahel militants has demanded French troops based there leave, while the US still has military personnel in the country. But recent talks with the regime in Niamey stalled. ECOWAS called for Bazoums immediate return to power, but Nigers rulers have kept the ousted president in detention and want up to three years for a transition back to civilian rule. The military authorities have unfortunately shown little remorse as they hold on to their untenable positions, holding not only President Bazoum, his family, and members of his government hostage, but also the people of Niger, ECOWAS commission president Omar Touray told the summit opening. Touray said ECOWAS recognised the dire humanitarian situation in Niger, but accused the rulers in Niamey of interfering with the flow of aid that was allowed into the country. In a possible signal of ECOWAS maintaining its hardline on Niamey, exiled Niger Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou attended the Abuja summit. Nigerias President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is current chair of ECOWAS and US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee was also at the meeting to discuss how to support Nigers return to democratic rule and Sahel security. The ordinary summit will also discuss delayed or uncertain transitions back to civilian rule and elections for Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger. Tinubu called for the re-engaging with the countries under military rule on the basis of realistic and short transition plans. Mediator Earlier this month, Nigeria said it was asking the Niger regime to free Bazoum and allow him to fly to a third country, as a step to opening talks on lifting sanctions. But Nigers military leaders rejected that option and have asked Togos President Faure Gnassingbe to act as a mediator. Before Sundays ECOWAS meeting, Nigers military leader General Abdourahamane Tiani and some of his ministers visited Togo on Friday to strengthen bilateral ties. Tiani is willing to talk over the length of the transition and over the situation with Bazoum, said a Togolese diplomatic source. ECOWAS has also left on the table the last option of a military intervention in Niger though analysts say that appears increasingly unlikely. Since French troops began leaving the region, military regimes in Niger, Mali and Burkina struggling with jihadist violence have hardened their positions and joined forces in an Alliance of Sahel States. This phantom, push back-alliance appears intended to divert attention from our mutual quest for democracy and good governance, Tinubu told the summit. Last month, armed attackers stormed military posts, prisons and police stations in another ECOWAS member Sierra Leone, in what the government called a coup attempt that killed 21 people. A week later Guinea-Bissau also denounced an attempted coup, with fighting between the national guard and special forces of the presidential guard. TOKYO, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, amid growing political fund scandals, is mulling replacing all ministers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)'s faction previously led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, local media reported Sunday. Kishida has already decided to replace Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno over his alleged failure to report millions of yen received as part of fundraising efforts for the largest LDP faction, said national news agency Kyodo, citing sources close to the matter. The faction, namely Seiwaken, or the Seiwa policy study group previously led by the late former Prime Minister Abe, was suspected of having pooled secret funds amounting to around 100 million yen (about 690,000 U.S. dollars) over at least the past five years through 2022, earlier local reports showed. Matsuno served as the secretary general of the Abe faction between September 2019 and October 2021. Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura also faces similar allegations. Along with the ministers, Kishida is also expected to dismiss all senior vice ministers and parliamentary vice ministers from Abe's faction, Kyodo reported. THE first bishop of the new Anglican Diocese of Epiphany centred on Chinhoyi and covering the whole of Mashonaland West has been consecrated. Bishop Jethrow Makuwaza was consecrated on Saturday in Chinhoyi, where he affirmed the churchs commitment towards helping the Government in several aspects. Said Bishop Makuwaza at his episcopal consecration: While the church relies on you (Government) for protection, you can rely on the praying of the church for guidance in the work that you do and you can be assured we shall continue to pray unceasingly for peace in our beloved nation, Zimbabwe. The Diocese of Epiphany will endeavour to teach the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ revealed in his word. We will support the Governments efforts to fight gender-based violence, corruption and drug abuse. The Diocese of Epiphany covers all the seven districts in Mashonaland West. Herald Fewer planes and helicopters will be flying tourists over Mount Rushmore and other national monuments and parks as new regulations take effect that are intended to protect the serenity of some of the most beloved natural areas in the US. The air tours have pitted tour operators against visitors frustrated with the noise for decades, but it has come to a head as new management plans are rolled out at nearly two dozen national parks and monuments. One of the strictest yet was recently announced at Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park, where tour flights will essentially be prohibited from getting within a half-mile of the South Dakota sites starting in April, the AP reports. "I don't know what we're going to be able to salvage," complained Mark Schlaefli, a co-owner of Black Hills Aerial Adventures who is looking for alternative routes. The regulations are the result of a federal appeals court finding three years ago that the National Park Service and the Federal Aviation Administration failed to enforce a 2000 law governing commercial air tours over the parks and some tribal lands. A schedule was crafted for setting rules, and many are wrapping up now. But now an industry group is eying litigation, and an environmental coalition already has sued over one plan. The issue has grown so contentious that a congressional oversight hearing is planned for Tuesday. Some argue that the whirr of chopper blades is drowning out the sound of birds, bubbling lava, and babbling brooks. That in turn disrupts the experiences of visitors and the tribes that call the land around the parks home. "Is that fair?" asked Kristen Brengel of the National Parks Conservation Association, noting that visitors on the ground far outnumber those overhead. "I don't think so." The air operators argue they provide unrivaled access, particularly to elderly and disabled people, per the AP. An "absolutely exhilarating, a thrilling experience" is how Bailey Wood, a spokesman for the Helicopter Association International, described it. story continues below As of this month, plans or voluntary agreements have been adopted for most of the parks. Those exempted from developing plans include parks those with few flights and those in Alaska, where small planes are often the only way to get around. "The plans have been pretty generous to the industry, allowing them to continue as they have done in the past with some limited air tours around these parks," said Peter Jenkins, senior council for Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. "This isn't a management plan," complained Ray Jilek, owner of Eagle Aviation, said of the Mount Rushmore policy. "This is a cease and desist plan." But Brengel said the resistance doesn't have much traction: "It's so utterly clear that the vast majority of people who are going to these parks aren't going to hear the sounds of helicopters over their heads." (Read more national parks stories.) A new law in Montana that went into effect last month rigidly defines sex in ways that Indigenous Two-Spirit Native Americans say violate their religious and cultural rights. CNN breaks down how Senate Bill 458 affects that community, and how they're pushing back against it. A little background: Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the bill in May, legally defining sex as either male or female based on an individual's XX or XY chromosomes and reproductive organs, per the Montana Free Press . The ruling influences dozens of parts of state code, including driver's licenses, demographic records, and anti-discrimination laws. The Missoulian Two-Spirit Society has now joined a lawsuit challenging the law. "We don't ascribe to just simply biologic definitions," says David Herrera, co-founder and executive director of the group. "We acknowledge that there are different genders, and our cultures have always known that there are more than two genders." The Missoulian explains that "Two-Spirit" is an umbrella term referring to Indigenous people who have both a masculine and a feminine spirit. Historically they were assigned spiritual roles in ceremonies and in healing practices, roles of great importance. Indigenous scholar Kalpana Jain writes in the Conversation that stories passed down by the Blackfeet "acknowledged and accepted individual gender expression and identity because it was granted by the divine. Personal gender identity was rarely questioned, because it was tantamount to questioning the divine." Herrera says Two-Spirit identities were seen as "an abomination" during colonization, and as tribes began assimilating, aggression toward LGBTQ people within Native communities grew. "We've already been traumatized through so many things that the government has done to us and so we just figured it's timewe have to step up and reclaim what's rightfully ours and not let the government take that away from us," Steven Barrios, a co-founder of the Montana Two-Spirit Society, tells CNN. Per Montana Public Radio, plaintiffs in the case also include two intersex individuals, who say the new definition on the books fails to recognize their chromosomal differences, and a transgender Navy veteran. The state is expected to answer the lawsuit by mid-December. (Navajo Nation is grappling with gay marriage ban.) Nearly 20 years ago, a house fire in Colorado Springs, Colorado, claimed the lives of Deb and Timothy Nicholls' three children: Jay, 11, Sophia, 5, and Sierra, 3. Deb wasn't home at the time, and Timothy was found injured outside the house. He says he remembers a piece of ceiling falling on him, then trying to open a window before losing consciousness. He maintains that he woke under the window outside the home with no memory of how that happened. The fire confounded investigators, writes Robert Sanchez in 5280. In their view, it burned too hot and too fast to be accidental. Deb told them she left candles burning before she left to go out, and asked her husband to extinguish them before he went to bed. But that didn't seem to jibe with the evidence, and the upshot is that Deb and Timothy Nicholls are now serving life sentences for murder. Israel's military pushed ahead with its punishing air and ground offensive in Gaza, bolstered by a US veto derailing UN Security Council efforts to stop the war and word that an emergency sale of $106 million worth of tank ammunition had been approved by the Biden administration. Unable to leave Gaza, a territory 25 miles long by about 7 miles wide, more than 2 million Palestinians faced more bombardment Saturday, even in areas that Israel had described as safe zones. A day after Israel confirmed it was rounding up Palestinian men for interrogation, some men told the AP that they had been treated badly, providing the first accounts of the conditions from the detentions. Ahmad Nimr Salman showed his marked and swollen hands from zip ties. "They used to ask us, 'Are you with Hamas?' We say 'no,' then they would slap us or kick us," he said. The Israeli military had no immediate comment about the allegations. With the war in its third month, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 17,700, the majority women and children, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Two hospitals in central and southern Gaza received the bodies of 133 people from Israeli bombings over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry said midday Saturday. Israel holds the Hamas militants responsible for civilian casualties, accusing them of using civilians as human shields, per the AP, and says it has made considerable efforts with evacuation orders to get civilians out of harm's way. It says 97 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive after Hamas raided southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 240 hostages. Hamas said Saturday that it continued its rocket fire into Israel. In Gaza, residents reported airstrikes and shelling, including in the southern city of Rafah near the Egyptian borderone area where the Israeli army had told civilians to go. (Read more Israel-Hamas war stories.) Alex Jones has posted his first tweet since 2018, and it wasn't a heartfelt apology to the Sandy Hook families. Elon Musk, the social media platform's boss, put Jones back on the site Saturday after asking users whether he should; 70% of roughly 2 million votes in the online survey supported bringing Jones back. "The people have spoken and so it shall be," Musk posted Sunday, NPR reports. A year ago, when he was pushed to reinstate the conspiracy theorist and Infowars founder, Musk posted only "No." The previous management of what was then Twitter kicked Jones off for violating its "abusive behavior policy"a suspension said to be permanent. Jones had repeatedly insisted the 2012 Sandy Hook mass school shooting was a hoax. This puts Jones back on the site in time for the anniversary Thursday of the Connecticut attack that killed 20 children and six educators. A court did its speaking on the issue a year ago, finding Jones liable for more than $1 billion in a defamation suit; he has not paid the families anything so far. "I have no mercy for anyone who would use the deaths of children for gain, politics or fame," Musk had said last year about Jones. This weekend, he suggested there's little to be concerned about because X's crowd-sourced fact-checking service can "respond rapidly to any AJ post that needs correction," per NPR. Jones' first post on X was to share a welcome back from Andrew Tate, an influencer facing rape and human trafficking charges, per CNBC. (Read more Alex Jones stories.) United Airlines has made history by becoming the first American airline to touch down in Christchurch, with the inaugural flight from San Francisco landing on Sunday morning. United Airlines flight UA730 departed San Francisco Airport at 11:27pm on Friday (local time) and landed at Christchurch Airport at 10:03am (NZ time) on Sunday, becoming the first time a US carrier had flown to the South Island. United Airlines said the inaugural aircraft has been christened with the name 'Kiwi Cruiser' and adorned with a special New Zealand silver fern. The inaugural flight was welcomed with a traditional water cannon upon its arrival to commemorate the occasion, United Airlines said. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and another wounded in a shooting incident taking place on Saturday evening in Atlanta, capital city of the U.S. state of Georgia, local media reported. Whisker Wonderland! Pets can help win shoppers $3,000 in prizes in the Exchanges Holiday Pet Photo Contest by Cong Peiwu A Canadian young man studying in China fell in love with Xiangsheng, a traditional Chinese comedy, and became a student of two prominent Chinese Xiangsheng masters. He eventually became a household name in China and was appointed as "Goodwill Ambassador to China." Similarly, a Chinese woman who graduated from an art academy in China went to Canada and ultimately obtained a Ph.D. in computer science. Committed to integrating interactive media technology and art, she founded the Canada China International Film Festival, which has been held for eight consecutive years. These two individuals share a common bond -- they both benefit from the Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program (CCSEP). Fifty years ago, the Chinese and Canadian governments agreed to establish the CCSEP to enhance mutual understanding. Through this program, professionals from both countries' higher education institutions, governments, media, and cultural organizations are provided with government funding to study and conduct research in each other's countries. The first year of the program saw nine Chinese scholars embark on their academic journey in Canada and 20 Canadian scholars pursue their studies in China. This marked the beginning of student and scholar exchanges between China and Canada. Over the past five decades, more than 1,100 students and scholars have studied or conducted research in China or Canada, while nearly 380 Canadian students and scholars have been studying in China since the beginning of the 21st century alone. Upon returning to Canada, these Canadian recipients have been actively engaged in government, academia, media, business, art, etc., with some becoming leading figures in their respective industries. These alumni have become bridges for China-Canada exchanges in their fields thanks to their deep understanding of China, contributing their part to bilateral friendship and cooperation. Starting the earliest and lasting the longest, the CCSEP is the most influential and highest-level talent cultivation and scholar exchange program between the two countries sponsored by the two governments. It is a testament to the development of people-to-people exchanges between China and Canada. Today, China is the world's second-largest economy, with its education and scientific research levels racing toward the forefront of the world. According to the China National Academy of Educational Sciences, China's Education Superpower Index ranked 23rd globally in 2022, a rise of 26 places compared to 2012, making it the country with the fastest progress. Additionally, the World Intellectual Property Organization's Global Innovation Index identified 24 Science and Technology clusters in China this year, with three ranking among the top five worldwide. The development has laid a solid foundation for educational exchanges between China and Canada, creating a pressing need for further collaboration. China remains committed to opening up its education sector to the world to bolster international cooperation and exchanges in education and proactively step onto the global stage with an open mind. We hope more Chinese and Canadian students can gain great insights and understanding of each other's history, culture and socio-economic development through the CCSEP. This will enrich their lives, foster their professional growth and strengthen public support to improve and develop China-Canada relations. More Canadian students and scholars are welcome to come to China, where they will be exposed to the hospitality of the Chinese people, meet diligent Chinese students and witness firsthand the vibrancy of Chinese society. We hope they will return to Canada with cherished memories of time spent in the Asian country. We eagerly look forward to another 50 years of the CCSEP. Editor's note: Cong Peiwu is the Chinese ambassador to Canada. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Bahraini MP Dr. Maryam Al-Dhaen has underscored the urgent need for increased awareness and international collaboration in combating rising threats in cyberspace. She emphasised the significance of cybersecurity awareness and the establishment of collaborative frameworks to address vulnerabilities and threats. Commending the efforts of Interior Minister HE General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and the National Centre for Cybersecurity, Dr. Al-Dhaen praised their readiness across personnel, training processes, surveillance, monitoring systems, cyber threat systems, and protection tools. She stressed the need for coordination among legislative authorities to develop mechanisms that enhance the security system, exchange information, and secure information technology infrastructure. Dr. Al-Dhaen highlighted the importance of clear legislation, laws, and international agreements to support the economy, proposing the establishment of a cybersecurity governance system represented by the General Administration for Combating Corruption, Economic and Electronic Security, and the National Centre for Electronic Security. The MP emphasised the need for innovation in cybersecurity, discussing global initiatives, addressing challenges and developments in the field, and providing digital solutions and best practises. She highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in detecting suspicious behaviour and enhancing responses to cyber threats, asserting that traditional cybersecurity methods are no longer sufficient against modern threats. The parliamentarian also stressed the importance of educating young people, parents, and teachers about the dangers children face in cyberspace, prioritising a safer online experience for children in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Discussing the upcoming Second Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition hosted by Bahrain, Dr. Al-Dhaen described it as a global Arab platform for exchanging security experiences and knowledge. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Under the shimmering lights of a late-night ballot showdown, The Indian School in Bahrain, with an impressive enrolment of over 11,900 students and the highest count among Gulf nations, experienced a game-changing twist as the Progressive Parents Alliance clinched a resounding triumph in the eagerly awaited governing body election held this Friday. Binu Mannil Varughese, Mohammed Faizal, Mithun Mohan, Ranjini Mohan, Bonny Joseph, Biju George, and Rajapandian Varada Pillai have been elected to serve on the ISB Executive Committee for the upcoming term. Six candidates represented the Progressive Parents Alliance (PPA), while Biju George ran as the chairman candidate for the United Parents Panel (UPP). Parvathi Devadasan, Middle Section Head Teacher, secured the position of Staff Representative to the Executive Committee. The election featured a total of 22 candidates. The Indian School, with campuses in Isa Town and Riffa, hosted the election, drawing active participation from parents who ran under different panels for the governing body. The Progressive Parents Alliance, at the helm of the administration since 2014, emerged triumphant, reaffirming their position as the chosen leaders for the third consecutive term. Prince Natarajan-led ruling body had previously clinched victory in both the 2017 and 2014 elections. The continuity of the same regulatory board in 2020, executing Ministry of Education directives amidst the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, further solidified their credibility and experience in overseeing the schools affairs. Among the contenders this time were the United Parents Panel, which held power before 2014, and the recently formed Indian School Parents Forum. Binu Mannil, a seasoned leader who has served on the previous two governing bodies, spearheaded the Progressive Parents Alliances candidacy. Vani Sridhar led the Indian School Parents Forum, while Biju Thomas headed the United Parents Panel. The election campaign witnessed extensive outreach, including family visits, parent-corner gatherings, and press conferences conducted by different panels. As allegations and counter-accusations unfolded during the campaign, the community eagerly awaited the culmination of this dynamic election process on December 8. Voting hours, spanning from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., provided ample time for parents to cast their votes, with the anticipation of shaping the schools leadership for the next three years. Vote counting took place on the same day, revealing the selection of seven parent representatives for the governing board, along with a staff representative chosen in collaboration with the school principal. The newly elected members are poised to lead the schools administration until 2027, carrying the responsibility of shaping the educational journey for thousands of students in the vibrant Indian School community in Bahrain. Nuture / Getty Images/iStockphoto Retiring at age 65 or even earlier is a dream for many. But with people living longer and pension funds feeling the strain, retirement ages are rising. There are, however, some places in the world that still have retirement ages that are quite young by U.S. standards. Social Security Update: Theres a New Cutoff for Earnings What It Means for Your Retirement I Was 50 With No Retirement Savings: Heres How I Turned It Around and Retired Comfortably Here are the countries with the youngest average retirement ages worldwide, and details about the pensions those workers can expect. Note that most pension plans are either defined contribution plans or defined benefit plans. In a defined contribution plan, workers are taxed a certain percentage of their earnings to pay for retiree benefits, and those benefits are distributed based on the number of years theyve worked, their age, and possibly other factors. A defined benefit plan prescribes a certain level of benefits for every retired worker. Sponsored: Open a new checking account and earn early paycheck access; up to 2 days early with Discover Cashback Debit with Early Pay Indonesia In Indonesia, both men and women can retire at age 57, but the retirement age is rising. The retirement age in Indonesia will rise to 58 in 2024 and will rise another year every three years until it is 65 in 2043. Private sector workers in Indonesia pay into the state-run social security program, and at retirement, can elect a lump sum payout or a partial lump sum plus periodic payments. India Men and women typically retire at 58 to 60 years old, depending on the sector in which they work. The retirement age for government workers in Kerala was raised to 60 in 2020, and the governments in other states have followed or will follow suit. Central government employees currently retire at age 60. Indias pension system consists of employee contribution programs and employer managed funds. In order to collect from the Employees Pension Scheme, workers must be 58 years old with at least ten years of contributions. The Employees Provident Fund program only requires that workers be 55 years old. These programs cover government workers and those employed by companies with 20 or more employees, which is only about 12% of Indian workers. Story continues Saudi Arabia In Saudi Arabia, men can retire at 58 years of age. Women in Saudi Arabia are working in increasing numbers and can also retire at 58. Saudi Arabian workers contribute to a mandatory public pension system, from which they can draw at age 58 with at least 120 months of contributions, or at any age with at least 300 months of contributions. The minimum pension for retirees in Saudi Arabia was raised by 20% in 2023. China The retirement age in China is 60 for men, and 55 for women who work white collar jobs, but 50 for women who work blue collar jobs. Some jobs involving physical labor qualify Chinese workers to retire at age 45 (women) or 55 (men). Pension: There are two types of pensions in China. The basic pension pays 1% of the average wage for each year of coverage for workers who have contributed for at least 15 years. For the defined contribution pension, workers pay 8% of their wages each year into the individual account system. They get a pension based on their age and national life expectancy. Russia In Russia, men can retire at age 60, and women can retire at age 55. The pension system in Russia is strained right now as the population ages. The government plans to raise the retirement age to 65 for men and 60 for women by 2028. However, men who have worked for at least 42 years and women who have worked for at least 37 years can retire early, but they cannot claim their pension until age 60 or 55, respectively. All workers in Russia pay into the social security system, and they must have contributed for at least eight years before claiming a pension. Turkey Men in Turkey can retire at 60 right now, and women can retire at 58. Changes are in store for Turkish retirees, however. In 2023, Turkey changed its retirement requirements to allow those who first enrolled in the social insurance program by September 8, 1999 to collect a pension when they had a specific number of years of contributions to the program. Men were required to have contributed for at least 25 years and women were required to have contributed for at least 20 years. This was in response to a change in pension laws in 1999 that were enacted with no phase-in. Turkey is gradually raising its retirement age, and by 2044, it will be 65 for both men and women. South Africa The age at which South African men and women can receive a pension is 60. The public pension for South Africans is means-tested, meaning that South African citizens can qualify for an older persons grant if they are 60 or older and have limited income and assets. There are also voluntary private pensions that collect contributions from employers and employees. Colombia Men in Colombia can retire at age 62, and women at 57. There are two pension systems in Colombia, a public pay-as-you-go plan and a private individual plan. Workers can switch between the two systems every five years until 10 years before retirement, but they cannot participate in both plans at the same time. Employees are required to participate in one of the plans. Costa Rica Men in Costa Rica can retire at 65 and so can women. Costa Ricans can receive an old-age pension at 65 as long as they have contributed for at least 300 months (25 years). If they have contributed for at least 180 months (15 years) but less than 300 months, they can get a proportional pension. Costa Ricans also receive a supplementary pension through individual accounts, and voluntary defined contribution personal pensions are also available. Austria Men can retire at 65 in Austria, and women can retire at 60 currently, although the retirement age for women will gradually increase until it is 65 by 2033. The pension system in Austria is a defined benefit system that workers are entitled to if they paid into it for at least 180 months. Retirees with low earnings levels receive an additional amount to bring them to a minimum level of income. Remember that, in order to retire and receive a pension in these countries (and most others as well) you must have worked and paid into a retirement system for a certain number of years. So if youre planning to retire at one of these young ages and collect a pension, youll need to start planning early. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Countries With the Youngest Average Retirement Age in the World BRUSSELS, Dec. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has travelled to Houston, United States, to meet Raphael Liegeois, the Belgian career astronaut selected as part of the European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut class of 2022. De Croo's visit coincides with the ESA cohort's familiarisation trip to NASA's Johnson Space Centre, which is the precursor to a further two years of training, delivered in Houston, to prepare the astronauts for their respective missions on the International Space Station. The visit signals a new phase of the long-standing collaboration between Europe and the United States on space research and exemplifies Belgium's commitment to partnerships in facing global challenges. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Raphael Liegeois pictured during a visit to the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, United States of America on Saturday 09 December 2023 (PRNewsfoto/FPS Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Belgium) Belgium's expertise in aerospace, and in science more generally, is internationally recognised in terms of both training and industry. Belgium is a founding member of the ESA and its fifth-largest funder. The country's support of the ESA shows its commitment to shaping the development of Europe's space capability and ensuring that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. "For Belgians, the sky isn't the limit, the universe is," said De Croo. "Today, we are very proud to see Raphael take this important step in his career as an astronaut. He will be an important role model for many generations of STEM students to come. Space research and innovation hold particular importance for Belgium; they are powerful economic drivers which foster the growth of high-tech industries and create jobs as evidenced by the number of Belgian companies on the cutting edge of aeronautics." The 17 members of the ESA astronaut class of 2022 were selected from a pool of over 23,000 applicants. The process, designed to bring together the finest scientific minds that Europe has to offer, took place over a period lasting 18 months. Story continues The selection of Raphael Liegeois is testament to Belgium's focus on embracing openness, driven by innovation, partnerships, and diversity, to create solutions that drive progress for all. About Belgium Located in the heart of Europe, Belgium is one of the most open economies in the world, counting 11.5 million people with a reputation for innovation, hard work, partnership, and multilingualism. Strategically located between Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Luxembourg, and only a stone's throw from the UK, it lies at the centre of the richest and most densely populated area in Europe. A member of the European Union, Belgium enjoys full access to the world's most advanced single market and customs zone which ensures extensive frictionless trade. Belgium boasts a highly developed transport infrastructure, including the second largest seaport in Europe (Antwerp). Belgium is home to world-leading research and innovation facilities, multinational corporations, and artisanal businesses supported by the investor-centric approach of public services. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2297131/FPS_Chancellery.jpg Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/belgian-commitment-to-partnership-supports-a-new-frontier-of-europe-us-space-research-302010745.html SOURCE FPS Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Belgium A foundation member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and indigene of Enugu State, Mr Osita Okechukwu, on Sunday, cautioned Enugu State Governor, Barr Peter Mba, to beware of the dangers of squeezing water out of stone. Okechukwu, who reminded the governor of the economic hardship and suffering being encountered by the people, stressed that it would be inhuman to subject them to extreme taxation. He reminded the governor that the good people of Enugu State, like most poor Nigerians, have for long been in dire economic straights, where cost of food items, transportation, medication and sundry items have hit the roof tops. He maintained that the people do not need further disruption, adding: One personally admires the zeal, passion and ambition of His Excellency, Peter Mba, to budget over five hundred billion Naira for the 2024 fiscal year. However, one has to caution him to beware of the dangers of squeezing 1/2 trillion Naira out of stone. I shivered when I heard the governor mention the word maximisation of internally generated revenue, and I imagined if it is not from the same impoverished folks of which over 40% fall under multidimensional poverty cadre. Okechukwu, who is the immediate past Director General of Voice of Nigeria, DG, VON, spoke to journalists at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, while reacting to the 2024 Enugu State budget recently delivered by the governor, christened Budget of disruptive economic growth. When reminded that internal revenue generation drive is universal in all the states of the federation and not restricted to only Enugu State, the APC chieftain agreed, but singled out the multidimensional poverty status of majority of the indigenes of Enugu State and the contradiction of over taxation. I dont know the current Nigeria Bureau of Statistics poverty ranking of my state, but the little one knows is that there is abject poverty, gross unemployment and palpable insecurity which has driven a lot of farmers out of their farms, he said. On his advice to the governor, Okechukwu advised him to rely on the Federation Account Allocation Committees, FAAC, monthly revenue accruals as his seed money and make sure it is transparently utilised. The problem is that most governors utilise FAAC monthly allocation as pocket money and squander it for personal expenses instead of tangible investment. Secondly, he should establish cordial relationship with the Federal Government so as to benefit from projects like the Enugu Urban Water scheme initiated by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, programs among others. And he should intensify collaboration with his colleagues in the private sector so as to fund 1,000 mega watts, sulphur dioxide emission controlled Coal-fired Power Plant. This will attract investors as experts believe that power supply is fundamental to simulating investment and economic growth, he further stated. Reminded that climate change advocates will frown at Coal-fired-Power Plant, Okechukwu pointed at the existence of Flue Gas Desulfurisation, FGD, an air pollution control device for sulphur dioxide emissions, which he said takes care of climate change. He regretted the crass hypocrisy of the developed countries, where as of July, 2023, China has 1,142, India 282, USA 210, Japan 93, Germany 58 of Coal Fired Power Plants, respectively. DAILY POST recalls that Governor Mbah last week presented a N521.5 billion (N521,561,386,000) budget for the 2024 fiscal year before the Enugu State House of Assembly. The federal government has released 15 inmates from the Malumfashi satellite custodial centre in Katsina. Haliru Nababa, controller-general of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCOS), disclosed this at an event on Saturday. Represented by Abdulmumin-Haruna, controller of corrections, Katsina command, Nababa said the release was facilitated by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior. He said the inmates freed were those who committed minor offences, adding that the development would address overcrowding in custodial centres. "I commend the minister for this laudable initiative aimed at putting smiles on the faces of freed inmates," he said. "This is the first of its kind in the country and will go a long way in reducing overcrowding in custodial centres. "This will consequently improve service delivery at the custodial centres in line with international best practice." Nababa encouraged inmates who did not benefit from the goodwill not to lose hope. "You should instead, see it as an opportunity to turn a new leaf and obey the rules and regulations of the custodial centre," he said. The government presented N10,000 each to the freed inmates as transportation costs back to their homes. The freed inmates thanked the government and promised to turn a new leaf. PremiumTimes has challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to name its alleged "parent owner" in the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The challenge was thrown Abubakar's way after the online newspaper asked him to provide his academic records. Abubakar was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election. The newspaper said Abubakar's refusal to release his academic records draw a parallel with his doggedness to compel a US court to release Tinubu's academic records which he alleged were fraught with "discrepancies". "The ethics of journalism seeks to establish the truth when there is a dispute about it or when there is a deliberate cover-up that inhibits public interest," Paul Ibe, spokesperson of the former vice-president, was quoted as saying in a statement to PremiumTimes. "What the Premium Times has done in this case keeps faith in neither of these two precepts. The story in reference by Premium Times is nothing other than witch-hunt- and a callous one at that. "Were the publishers of the Premium Times stable interested in the truth, it would have been more honourable for them to start their busybody foray into politicians' academic records by interrogating the discoveries from the Chicago State University. "They certainly refrained from that engagement for the obvious reason that a parent owner of the newspaper occupies a critical seat in the current government." 'TINUBU'S RECORDS FRAUGHT WITH FORGERIES' Before the presidential election petition tribunal and the supreme court affirmed the election victory of Tinubu, the former vice-president claimed that the president's academic records were littered with "discrepancies". Abubakar instituted a case in the US to compel Chicago State University (CSU) to release Tinubu's academic records. His request was granted. However, the former vice-president was unsuccessful in his attempt to introduce "new evidence" against Tinubu at the apex court, bringing an end to a prolonged litigation on the president's victory. 'NAME THE PARENT OWNER IN TINUBU'S GOVERNMENT' Following the claim by Abubakar's spokesperson, PremiumTimes challenged the politician's camp to name the "parent owner" of the newspaper. "Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should be bold enough to name the person he claimed to be a parent owner of our newspaper that occupies a critical seat in the current government," Musikilu Mojeed, the newspaper's editor-in-chief, said. "We dare him to name the person." Mojeed said it is "unfortunate" that Abubakar could make such an allegation without proof. The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to gain maximum acceptance in the Southeastern region. COSEYL, in a statement issued on Saturday by its President General, Goodluck Ibem said the President would be held in high esteem if Kanu, who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS is released. Ibem expressed confidence that if the IPOB leader regains freedom, the security crisis rocking the region would subside. The group claimed that Tinubu had before now been an advocate of the rule of law and respect for court orders which informed his decision to be part of NADECO and the fight against military junta and dictatorship. The unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu will prove that President Tinubu says and stands by what he professes and fought for in the past during the military era. We will celebrate President Tinubu for upholding the rule of law and respecting the Court judgement releasing Nnamdi Kanu from DSS custody. The call is coming in a few days to the Supreme Courts ruling on Kanus case. The ruling has been scheduled for Friday, December 15. Igniting a New Era of Medical Excellence: Pioneering Insights and Breakthrough Innovations at the Forefront of Global Health New York, NY --News Direct-- 1BusinessWorld In an era where technological evolution is pivotal to healthcare advancements, the Intelligent Health Association (IHA) proudly announces the launch of its 2023 International Summit. This year's summit, occurring from December 11 to December 15, 2023, represents a paradigm shift in healthcare conferences. Embracing a fully virtual format, the summit ensures accessibility for all, enabling professionals globally to engage with leading healthcare insights without the constraints of physical attendance. https://1businessworld.com/2023-intelligent-health-summit/ The 2023 Intelligent Health Summit starts tomorrow, Monday, December 11 Reimagining Healthcare Through Digital Transformation The Intelligent Health Association is at the forefront of orchestrating an event that mirrors the current landscape of healthcare - a blend of technological innovation and practical applications. This summit is not just an event; it's an intellectual symposium, bringing together the brightest minds to discuss, debate, and shape the future of healthcare. Key Topics and Educational Excellence Over the course of five days, the summit will delve into critical areas such as AI's impact on healthcare, cybersecurity in patient data management, advancements in telehealth, the imperatives of health equity, and the integration of innovative technologies in healthcare settings. Each day is meticulously crafted to offer a comprehensive understanding of these key areas: - Exploring the role of AI in enhancing healthcare delivery. - Navigating the complexities of data and cybersecurity in healthcare. - Evaluating the evolution of telehealth in a post-pandemic era. - Championing the cause of global health equity. - Understanding the necessity of change management in adopting new technologies. A Commitment to Continuing Medical Education In an effort to empower healthcare professionals worldwide, the IHA, in collaboration with the Weitzman Institute, is offering Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits for this summit. This initiative underscores our commitment to ongoing professional development in the healthcare sector. Story continues Leadership Insights and Global Collaboration Harry P. Pappas, Founder and CEO of the Intelligent Health Association, emphasizes the summit's role in shaping healthcare's future. "This summit represents a confluence of thought leadership and innovative practices that are essential for the evolution of healthcare. We are creating a forum where ideas meet implementation," remarks Pappas. Echoing this sentiment, Sherri Douville, CEO at Medigram and Co-Chair of the Intelligent Health Summit, highlights the summit's multidisciplinary approach. "Our objective is to forge a nexus of technology, policy, and healthcare. This summit is a testament to our dedication to driving healthcare forward through leadership and transformation," states Douville. Invitation to Join a Transformative Journey The Intelligent Health Association extends an invitation to healthcare professionals, industry experts, policymakers, and academicians to join this groundbreaking event. The fully virtual format of this summit opens doors for a global audience, making it an inclusive and easily accessible platform for sharing and learning. Together, we can chart a new course for healthcare that is more adaptive, equitable, and innovative. https://1businessworld.com/2023-intelligent-health-summit/ All news and content distribution in partnership with News Direct. About the Intelligent Health Association: The Intelligent Health Association (IHA) is a global consortium of healthcare and technology leaders committed to advancing digital healthcare. Our goal is to disseminate unbiased information on innovative technologies that enhance patient care and improve clinical and business processes. The IHA champions the transformation of healthcare through high-quality educational programs and networking events, facilitating the adoption and implementation of new technologies in health and wellness ecosystems. We are dedicated to reshaping healthcare through innovation and leadership, ensuring a future where technology seamlessly integrates with patient care. Intelligent Health Association About 1BusinessWorld: 1BusinessWorld is a global business ecosystem, network and marketplace that provides entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals with the information, tools, resources and connectivity needed to succeed throughout their companys growth journey, toward a better business world. Our vision is based on the reality that we live, work and do business in one global interconnected business environment, and hence our motto: One World, One Business World. Our mission is to encourage and support global communication and collaboration among entrepreneurs, professionals, and businesses. 1BusinessWorld Contact Details Media Enquiries +1 212-220-6677 info@1businessworld.com Company Website https://1businessworld.com View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/epicenter-of-healthcare-transformation-the-intelligent-health-associations-2023-international-summit-starts-tomorrow-monday-december-11-460442391 First Lady Tammy Murphy was born into a Republican family in Virginia, so it was only natural that she became a Republican herself when she came of age. But its fair to ask why she remained a Republican for most of her adult life, switching parties only in 2014, at age 49, as her husband prepared to run for governor as a Democrat. New Jersey students showed some improvement in the second year of post-pandemic standardized testing, but still remain below scores from 2019 in English with nearly half of students reading below grade level, new test results released by the state Department of Education on Wednesday showed. Statewide, 51.3% of students met or exceeded expectations in English language arts on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment, the annual standardized test given to students in the spring. The remaining students tested below grade level. Thats below the pre-pandemic score of 57.6% of students reading at grade level in 2019. (Look up your districts average scores in the chart below.) In math, the percent of students meeting or exceeding expectations rose to 37.6%, two percentage points better than last year. However, state education officials cautioned against comparing that score to 2019 numbers because the way the math test is administered has changed. Sarah calls the past two months overwhelming. A member of Jersey Citys Muslim community, the New Jersey City University student recalls being subjected to multiple unprovoked acts of harassment since the war in Gaza broke out two months ago. A man at a Dunkin had asked her which god she worshipped and then threatened to shut down all the citys mosques. In Downtown Jersey City, another man made a cutting-throat gesture to her. And a classmate at school threatened that her people are being attacked and Sarah who is Egyptian American and wears a hijab isnt safe. Two people were found dead early Saturday morning in a house on Fire Road in Egg Harbor Township, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said Saturday. Thai Tran, 28, and Viet Tran, 53, were found dead in their home at approximately 8:25 a.m. Saturday morning after Egg Harbor police were dispatched to the residence on a report of unresponsive individuals, authorities said. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, and a cause and manner of death are pending autopsies. A spokesperson for the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office did not immediately respond to questions early Saturday evening. The incident is being investigated by the prosecutor offices major crimes unit and Egg Harbor Township Police. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Atlantic City Prosecutors Office at 609-909-7666 or submit a tip through the offices website. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X Despite Gov. Phil Murphy slamming the door on using a business tax set to expire in December to close NJ Transits approaching fiscal gap, advocates and mayors are rallying the public to tell lawmakers to revisit the idea. Make the Road New Jersey is continuing a campaign started by a coalition of transit and social advocacy groups in the fall with a series of ad purchases aimed at the heads of state Senate and Assembly budget committees. The group, which describes itself as a community organizing group of immigrant and working class communities of color, is advertising on social media and digital news platforms. Mayors of the states two largest cities lent their support to the concept of using the state Corporate Business surcharge, which ends on Dec. 31, as a dedicated source of funding for NJ Transit operations, to head off a projected $957 million budget shortfall predicted for mid-2026. UPDATE: Heres the latest information for the storm released Sunday morning, with updated snow predictions, flood warnings and details on possible gale force winds in New Jersey. The National Weather Service has upgraded their New Jersey forecast for Sundays storm to include a gale warning and possible snow in the states northwestern corner A flood watch remains in effect for the entire state from Sunday at 1 p.m. through Monday at 4 p.m. New Jersey is expected to receive rainfall totaling 2-3 inches in most parts of the state and up to four inches in others. The heaviest rainfall is expected Sunday night as plummeting temperatures could turn rain into snow in certain portions of the state, including about an inch in parts of Sussex County. A surge of cold air late Sunday night through Monday morning will result in rain changing to snow in the southern Poconos and northern New Jersey, the National Weather Service said Saturday evening. A quick burst of 1 to 2 inches is possible. Strong winds across the state are still expected with gusts reaching upwards of 45 miles per hour. Along the coast, wind gusts are expected to reach 45 miles per hour while inland gusts are expected between 30-40 miles per hour, the weather service said. Marine conditions have been upgraded from a gale watch to a warning. Along the full coastline from Sandy Hook to Cape May and up through the Delaware Bay, winds are expected to reach 50 miles per hour, the weather service said. Despite heavy rains, minor flooding is expected along the coast and back bays from Barnegat up through Manasquan. More flooding is anticipated in urban areas with poor drainage and small streams, and the possibility of power outages is expected with high winds. The heaviest rain is expected on Sunday night, the weather service said. The states largest energy provider, PSE&G, said Friday that it was monitoring and preparing for the storm. As we closely monitor this latest weather event, our crews are prepared and ready to respond safely and as quickly as possible to restore power, John Latka, senior vice president, PSE&G Electric Operations, Transmission & Distribution said Friday in a press release. PSE&G has additional personnel ready to respond to power outages. In advance of the storm, PSE&G crews are performing system and logistics checks to ensure the availability of critical materials, fuel and other supplies to fulfill our commitment to bring customers safe and reliable service regardless of extreme weather conditions, the press release said. The company encouraged customers to use the outage reporting tool on their website. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X Ive been blessed to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with a special family for the last 10 years. Elizabeth (Betty) and Eric Hayes of Morganville in Monmouth County have 10 children: twins Kevin and Kyle, 27, twins Meghan and Kieran, 25, and sextuplets Tara, Rachel, Rebecca, Ryan, Connor and Eric Jr. (EJ). Ive known the family since the sextuplets were born in 2004. Bettys brother, Michael, was a priest in a parish I assisted on weekends; hes now married with two daughters. Growing up as the only girl with three brothers, Betty wanted a sister for Meghan. After getting pregnant for the third time, a check-up with the obstetrician revealed they were having triplets. Next visit, quadruplets, then quintuplets after that. Eric quipped they werent coming back. They did and sextuplets came after eight months of pregnancy the longest any mother carried sextuplets to term in recorded history. The Hayeses may be the only family in the world with two sets of twins and sextuplets. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Congress is in the midst of an epic wave of retirements with around 40 lawmakers already announcing plans to leave at the end of this term. The shift, triggered by this year's dysfunction, is set to reshape Capitol Hill on an array of financial world issues with leading voices in areas from cryptocurrency to technology to energy to entitlements reform all hanging it up. In just the last week, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy has announced that hell be leaving imminently and House Financial Services Chair Patrick McHenry announced plans to leave after 2024. They are joining a list of figures making plans to be elsewhere as decades of expertise head out the door. These include figures like Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), a prominent voice on Washingtons efforts to rein in Big Tech, and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), who has often led the charge on energy issues. Reps. Kevin McCarthy, left, and Patrick McHenry were instrumental in avoiding a debt default this year. Both announced plans this week to leave Congress. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images) (The Washington Post via Getty Images) An immediate impact Many won't be gone until this current Congress ends at the end of 2024. But the impact is set to be felt immediately with Kevin McCarthy resigning by the end of this month. He will be absent in January as Congress resumes spending fights after a holiday break of sorts. The Californian's short time as speaker did, to be sure, see historic levels of dysfunction, but he also helped push towards compromises that avoided both a debt default and government shutdown. And the loss of McCarthy's vote, alongside the expulsion of George Santos (R-N.Y.), makes the Republican majority even more tenuous just as his still largely untested successor is set to try to negotiate complex fiscal 2024 spending bills that Congress must adopt by Jan. 19 to avert a partial government shutdown. The loss of Rep. McHenry will also be felt on issues important to the financial sector, like cryptocurrency. McHenry has championed two ongoing cryptocurrency efforts one bill focused on cryptos market structure and another focused on stablecoins as chair of the House Financial Services Committee and is hoping to finalize those bills before his current term expires. Story continues Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) and ranking member Maxine Waters, (D-Calif.) during a House Financial Services Committee hearing in November. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) (Tom Williams via Getty Images) But McHenrys role was far broader than that. He commanded respect on an array of issues including banking regulations and financial market regulation. One Democrat, Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), even told Punchbowl News that McHenry was one of the real voices of sanity around here. In at least one case, a departure could spur Congress to action. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) has vowed to get a five-year farm bill done next year before she heads back to Michigan. But other initiatives could be in for an uphill battle in 2024. Tobin Marcus, the head of US policy and politics at Wolfe Research, told Yahoo Finance he wouldnt count on any surge of productivity from the scores of lawmakers who will be freed from reelection campaigns in 2024. The overall legislative environment will be so hostile its hard to see much in the way of big Congressional accomplishments even if retiring members throw political caution to the wind, he said. Effect likely for years to come The losses will be felt in other areas for years. Rep. Buck of Colorado is one example. Hes long been a leading conservative Republican voice on how Washington might thoughtfully rein in Big Tech. I think we have to use a scalpel, and not a chainsaw, he told Yahoo Finance in 2010. But he recently announced he wont seek reelection after breaking with many in his party who refuse to accept the results of the 2020 presidential election. Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) casts his vote as the House of Representatives elects a new speaker of the House on Oct. 17. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images) The tech debate already lost another prominent voice earlier this year when former Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) resigned from Congress to run a philanthropic group called the Rhode Island Foundation. Cicilline previously led a landmark 16-month congressional investigation into Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook. He also formed Congresss bipartisan antitrust caucus and his partner in that effort was none other than Rep. Buck. Sen. Manchin who likely will remain in the headlines as he is "absolutely" considering a run for president will nonetheless step down from his prominent perch in Washingtons energy debates. The chair of the Senates Energy and Natural Resources Committee has long been a proponent of an issue keenly important to the sector: permitting reform for both fossil fuel and clean energy projects. No matter what you want to build, it takes a very long time, Manchin said this spring about his effort for a bipartisan bill that business groups say desperately needs to happen, but whose prospects are now uncertain. The effects could also be felt on an array of other issues. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) is a key advocate for commissions to look at the insolvency of Social Security and Medicare. He is retiring. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) is likewise hanging it up. He is a former chair of the Senate's Committee on Small Business and helped lead the design of the key pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program. Rep. Abigail Spangberger (D-Va.) has been an outspoken sponsor of bills to ban lawmakers from trading stocks. She is leaving to run for governor of her state. All this a full 11 months before election day 2024, with more retirement announcements possible in the weeks ahead. The impact of the losses will be sorted out between now and then with some congressional watchers predicting that congress adapts. The individual issues associated with the retiring Members of Congress are bigger than the Members themselves," said Brian Gardner, Stifel's chief Washington policy strategist. "It always hurts to lose knowledgeable and experienced lawmakers, but someone will step in to fill the void(s) he added. Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance. Click here for politics news related to business and money Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Twelve hours after friends, fans, family members and a former first lady joined Jon Batiste at the Orpheum Theater for a screening of American Symphony, he was still feeling the love. For all that went into this film, it wouldnt have been possible without the community that was in that room, he said Friday. To have them there to celebrate at this moment in the process was, for me, the best-case scenario. Drawn from 1,500 hours of footage shot everywhere from the Grammy Awards to cancer wards, the Netflix documentary captures an extraordinary year of extreme highs and lows for Batiste and his wife, author Suleika Jaouad. Pedro Mendez, 9, sits with his mother, Esperanza Mendez, while she waits to get a CT scan at Stroger Hospital on Nov. 21, 2023, in Chicago. Esperanza wanted her children Yuledy and Pedro to be seen for various medical concerns following their 52-day journey from Venezuela to Chicago and Esperanza wanted to be seen for a lump on her neck. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) Para leer en espanol, haga clic aqui. Esperanza Mendez worries she may be dying, though she doesnt say it out loud to her two young children. Advertisement There is a cyst on her neck, which she said feels like its putting pressure on her brain and causing pain in her head. The lump has been growing for three years, and now her whole body aches, especially her arms and legs. She has trouble opening and closing her fists. I feel terrible. My head hurts so much, she often says while pressing her thumbs on her temple. Me siento muy mal. Me duele mucho la cabeza. Advertisement A few weeks ago, worried about her health as well as that of her kids, who she suspects are malnourished from their journey migrating to the United States from Venezuela this summer Esperanza set out to get medical care in her new city. She entered a public health system that is already feeling the strain of caring for thousands of other uninsured people with exacerbated health needs emotional, physical and more. She recently spent 14 hours waiting for care in the emergency department at one of the busiest Level 1 trauma centers in the nation. The prolonged wait time, exhaustion and uncertainty that Esperanza, 47, and her kids experienced are symptoms of a U.S. health care system that caters to people with citizenship, medical insurance and means. More than 24,000 migrants mostly from Venezuela have come to Chicago since August 2022, and are depending on health care from a patchwork of hospital emergency departments and free and charitable medical clinics. Esperanza was unable to receive proper attention for the lump in her neck in Venezuela, where she also struggled to make enough money to feed her family. So she and her kids walked across seven countries for a better and safer future. This summer, the Tribune followed the Mendez family on their journey from the border town of El Paso, Texas, to Chicago. Esperanza Mendez and her family walk through Union Station after riding a train for 18 hours from Denver to Chicago on July 15, 2023. The family left Venezuela for Chicago on May 25 and traveled for 52 days before reaching the city. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) Since arriving July 15, they family has had to adjust to the Englewood neighborhood they live in, where people mostly speak English and gun violence can be shocking and prevalent. Theyve celebrated the growth of their family over Labor Day weekend with the birth of a boy. And theyve tried to make sense of the bureaucratic public records system and fought for bilingual instruction at their elementary school. Despite Esperanzas acute pain, she remains strong and reassuring to those she loves not only about her illness but about the daily onslaught of difficulties facing her family after walking thousands of miles to make it to the United States from Venezuela, and struggling to adjust to a foreign and unpredictable life in Chicago. Advertisement Nov. 21, 2023, 9:05 a.m. On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Pedro, 9, and Yuledy, 10, followed their mother down the stairs of the second-floor apartment where theyve been staying with the childrens father in Englewood. The family hoped to see a doctor. Theres so much mud! Hay mucho lodo! Pedro said as he walked onto the sidewalk and noticed how he could see his breath a phenomenon he never experienced in Venezuela. Yuledy, who wore polka-dot rain boots, smiled at the gray sky and misty air. Its beautiful, she said to her mom. The previous day, Esperanza, Pedro and Yuledy had tried to get medical care from St. Bernard Hospital, but, with the help of a mobile translation device, learned from a nurse that they didnt have health insurance. They were assessed briefly, and referred to Stroger because Esperanza needed more care. She was appropriately treated, discharged with a prescription for medication and referred to Stroger because she required a higher level of care, David Rudd, a spokesman for St. Bernard Hospital, said in a statement. Advertisement As the family walked to the bus stop to catch a long ride to Stroger Hospital, Esperanza noticed a brick bungalow that had a window boarded up. She said it reminded her of houses in Venezuela. Everything over there declined. The houses are that way, abandoned. Todo se cayo. Las casas estan asi, abandonadas, she said. Yuledy and Pedro Mendez walk with their older brother's partner, Yolexi Cubillan, 19, past a boarded-up building on their way home after shopping for food in the Englewood neighborhood on Nov. 6, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) Falling crude oil prices and crippling sanctions have left many Venezuelans without basic supplies, food and health care. Considered the largest displacement crisis in the world, approximately 7.7 million Venezuelans have migrated and are currently living outside their country. This amounts to over 25% of the total population of Venezuela. Experts say scarcity brought on by the pandemic further exacerbated Venezuelans inability to access reliable health care and resources. But it is impossible to know just how dire their needs are because the government has released no public information, said Julian Fernandez Nino, assistant scientist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Migrants interviewed by the Tribune staying at city-run shelters and police stations say they are worried about their health and that of their children. Esperanza said health care was not an option for her in Venezuela. Hospitals were understaffed and treatment was too expensive, she said. Advertisement The operation I needed at Hospital Universitario in Maracaibo would have cost me $2,000. That just wasnt feasible, Esperanza said. The wind in Chicago whipped her legs. Ooh, God, she exclaimed Esperanza closes her jacket to ward off the cold as she travels with her children from their home in Englewood to Stroger Hospital. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) The worst of their new reality, Esperanza said as she walked to the bus stop, isnt the large gas and electricity bills in their new house. It isnt the struggle to find work, or even the violence on the street corner. Its the pervasive sense of soledad loneliness in their new home in Englewood, away from their family. How the world exists so apathetically around them. The judgment they feel. (Our neighbors) look at us in an ugly way. With anger, she said. Advertisement The three of them narrowly caught the bus, laughing as they sprinted across the intersection to make it. They climbed on and found their seats. The bus smelled of cigarettes, cannabis and sweat. A woman sitting next to them handed a Clif bar and a bag of potato chips to Yuledy, who smiled. Her 11th birthday was in four days, and Esperanza didnt have money to buy or make a cake. Yuledy, center, looks at a bag of chips given to her by a woman, left, as she rides a CTA bus with her brother Pedro and their mother Esperanza while traveling from their home in Englewood to Stroger Hospital on Nov. 21, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) They passed by the Swap-O-Rama, an indoor-outdoor flea market with a large parking lot in New City. Pedro looked out the window at a large cow statue by the sign. Look, Mom, a red cow! he said, pointing. 10:35 a.m. When they arrived at Stroger Hospital, they were prompted to use another mobile translation device a screen on wheels to communicate with medical professionals. Conversation in two languages felt stilted and awkward. Those kids shouldnt be running around like that here. Theyll get abducted, a nurse said under her breath in English as the children explored the hallways while Esperanza tried to explain in Spanish she was worried her daughter wasnt eating. Advertisement The Stroger Hospital emergency department has received 107,000 visits this year for conditions ranging from chest pains and respiratory illnesses to orthopedic injuries and gastrointestinal issues, as well as overdoses and other ailments. An estimated 2,000 of those visits were from migrants, said Cook County Health spokesperson Kate Hedlin. Esperanza and her kids were sent to the pediatrics department first. Their wait in a curtained partition would last for four hours. Pedro and Yuledy wrestled each other on and off the hospital bed. They covered their cheeks and foreheads with stickers theyd been given by employees. They played with the masks on their faces and ate the few snacks offered to them. Restless. Inquieto, Esperanza said sternly to Pedro, then smiled at him. Yuledy and her brother Pedro keep busy while seeking treatment in the pediatrics department with their mother at Stroger Hospital on Nov. 21, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) They could hear the woman in the partition next to them interacting with a nurse. She was also Venezuelan, but staying at a city shelter. The Venezuelan talked about her daughter, who had blisters in her throat. Advertisement Shes not eating anything. She hasnt eaten for days, the woman said in Spanish. Esperanza pointed at the Disney show that was on the small screen hung above the bed to distract her children. Listen to that little cartoon girl and youll learn English, Esperanza said to them. 2:44 p.m. A nurse came into their partitioned area and Esperanza was put in a light blue hospital gown. She pulled Pedro up into her lap and kissed his cheek. Esperanza embraces her son Pedro while she waits to be treated at Stroger Hospital. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) She said he and his sister have grown despondent over the past few months. Instead of playing their usual games of tag or rock, paper, scissors, theyve been spending their days lying on a mattress on the floor of their room, watching shows on their mothers phone. Yuledy often refuses to eat. Theyve stopped going to school. Advertisement One day in October, Esperanza went to pick her children up from their nearby elementary school when she saw a group of about 10 boys and girls circling her kids. He fell on the ground. She fell too, Esperanza said. Before she knew what was happening, all the kids started hitting each other at once. People were screaming. Her motherly instincts kicked in, and she fought through the crowd to pull Pedro and Yuledy up from the ground. She took them by the arm and led them away from the noise, walking the two blocks home. Though Pedro wasnt hurt, Yuledy had a scratch on her face and a black eye. That night, Esperanza couldnt sleep. She wasnt sure what to do, so she let them stay home from school. Their absence stretched on for weeks, and the children now wanted to go back. A scar is visible on Yuledy's cheek while she shops for food with her family near their home in Englewood, Nov. 6, 2023. Yuledy and her brother Pedro were both hurt after students hit them at school. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) I just dont know, said Esperanza, looking at them lounging on the hospital bed waiting for the doctor. It makes me scared. Me da miedo. Advertisement Esperanza has heard about gang activity on the streets near their house so she rarely lets them outside alone. About a month ago, one of them went to the store, said Esperanza. And shots started. Three people were killed, in just one moment. Esperanza said the moments after she heard the gunshots were unbearable. Her mind raced. Then she heard little footsteps coming up the stairs. Thank God, (my child) was safe, she said. Nurses came and checked the childrens blood levels for magnesium and electrolytes. The needles made Yuledy sob with fright, but the tests came back normal. The doctor gave Esperanza the name of a pediatrician for follow-ups. She grimaced and stabilized her forehead with her palm. Advertisement I feel bad. My head hurts, said Esperanza. 2:55 p.m. After the children were seen, the family was moved down the hall to the adult wing of the emergency department for Esperanzas care. They waited two hours before being brought to a room. Esperanza lay on the hospital bed, and her children sat in chairs nearby. She was connected to a beeping machine. Her children noted the numbers on the defibrillator. How cold it was in the room. The vials of their mothers blood stored in a plastic basket on the counter. The cup with her urine sample. Take a photo of that, look. Toma una foto de eso, ve, Esperanza said to Yuledy, gesturing to the blood samples. Yuledy had tears in her eyes as she snapped the photo. She handed the phone back to her mom, who sent the photo to her sister in Venezuela. Advertisement God, my head hurts, Esperanza said. After the children were seen by a doctor in the pediatrics department, Esperanza waits for her turn at Stroger Hospital on Nov. 21, 2023. God, my head hurts, Esperanza said. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) The hours dragged on as they waited. They remembered how far they had walked to get to the United States. Pedro and Yuledy had both fallen sick with fevers in the jungle. Theyd slept on rocks. Theyd watched people drown in rushing rivers. Back in the hospital room, the children played around their mother, touching her boots and caressing her cheek, roughhousing as Yuledys long black hair whipped back and forth. Dont touch me. Dont touch that. No me toques. No tocques esto, Esperanza scolded Pedro as he tried to take out the needle inserted in her left hand. A hospital worker came over and told him to be quiet, and he curled up in the corner and sulked. Advertisement After waiting for hours at Stroger hospital, Pedro sits in the corner of the room. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) 10:43 p.m. The average wait time for an adult to see a doctor at the Stroger emergency department is 82 minutes, which can vary based on a patients acuity conditions that may range from strep throat to a heart attack, according to Hedlin, the systems spokesperson. Venezuelans are entering a health care system that is struggling to meet demand for adults without legal status and who do not qualify for most government-funded health benefits. Hospital emergency departments have become the safety net for uninsured or underinsured patients after Congress enacted the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act in 1986. Because emergency departments are required to provide care to patients regardless of their ability to pay, patients without means or insurance will often depend on emergency departments for nonemergency medical care. Some arriving migrants qualify for medical assistance through the states victims of trafficking, torture or other serious crimes office. But many who arrive at police stations waiting for placement in city-run shelters also go to emergency rooms for preventive care. Compared to before, were seeing more (migrant) patients seeking emergency medical services, said Nabil Abou Baker, assistant professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Chicago, and I presume its the same across the city. As Esperanza waited, a man in chains wearing a Department of Corrections jumpsuit was escorted by officers down the hall. Patients in other rooms groaned in pain. One man screamed, I want to die! Advertisement Pedro barely looked up. Yuledy and her brother Pedro with their mother while she waits to get a CT scan at Stroger Hospital. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) In a free hospital, there are a lot of people and they cant see everyone. En un hospital gratis, hay muchas personas y no pueden atender a todos, the 9-year-old said to his mom. 10:45 p.m. Almost 14 hours from the time the mother and children left their house that morning, doctors rolled Esperanzas hospital bed out of the room so she could get a CT scan. The scan came back mostly normal, the doctor said, with a few black spots. Its probably just a lipoma on the neck, the doctor told Esperanza with the help of a man who translated. So wed like to send you for some additional tests so they can take a sample of it. Esperanza waits to get a CT scan at Stroger Hospital. After 14 hours from the time she and her children left their house that morning, doctors rolled her hospital bed out of the room so she could get a scan. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) The doctor said a different specialist would call her within the week to schedule a follow-up. Advertisement They would do a biopsy to see if the black spots were cancerous. If there was nothing more concerning, they would operate. If there was evidence of cancer, they would start chemotherapy. I imagine its just a benign pocket of fat that just needs to be taken out, said the doctor. Its a good thing you came in, so that we can take care of this with the right specialists. The doctor asked Esperanza if she had any questions, then left the room. Esperanza sat stoically, facing the wall, staring at Pedro and Yuledy. She was at a loss for words. She looked at her two children, her face full of grief. She felt tightness in her throat; short of breath. She hadnt told her kids she felt like she might pass out on the bus ride to the hospital. She answered softly to the nurse that she was at a level 8/10 on a sliding pain scale. The harsh hospital light shone down on her dyed red hair, which she often uses to hide the lump on her neck. Normally, Esperanza tries to hide her fear in front of her kids, but the hourslong wait in the hospital with little food, little information and no clear plan for whats next had weakened her resolve. Advertisement Im scared, she said finally, breaking down in tears. Pedro hugs his mother after a doctor explained the results of the CT scan showed black spots in the pockets of fat on her neck. The doctor said a biopsy would be needed to see if the spots were cancerous. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) Pedro stood by the hospital bed and gently placed his arms around his mothers neck. He put his face near hers, and they held each other and cried. I feel really bad. Me siento muy mal, Esperanza whispered in his ear. 11:15 p.m. After hours of waiting, and with no direction of what to do next, Pedro helped Esperanza remove the IV from her arms, touching the rash that had formed around the injection site from hours in the hospital. Does it hurt, mom? Yuledy asked. Yes, my arms hurt. Everything hurts a lot. Si, me duele muchos los brazos. Me duele mucho, Esperanza said. Advertisement Migrants in Chicago Weekly By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > The nurse came back into the room, told her she should take Ibuprofen for pain and thanked them for their patience. It was past midnight. He called them an Uber, a service the hospital provides free for patients. They walked through the emergency department, past the front desk. They waited on the curb, remarking on how they could see their breath. Everything outside the emergency room seemed strangely normal. Esperanza looked at the building across the parking lot and pointed out to her children how a corner window light had just been turned on. Look, the first light of the day. Mira, la primera luz, she said to them. Its been 19 days since the hospital trip. Esperanza still has not received the follow-up call from the specialist, and her kids havent returned to school. An earlier version of this story misstated Esperanzas diagnosis of lipoma. Advertisement nsalzman@chicagotribune.com KAMLOOPS, British Columbia, December 10, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Workers at the Hudsons Bay in Kamloops have taken strike action and are encouraging the public to avoid shopping at the store until this labour dispute is resolved. The workers, members of United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1-417, had issued a 72-hour strike notice to the company on Dec. 6. Their strike began at 9:30 a.m. today. USW Local 1-417 members have been attempting to negotiate a fair and equitable collective agreement with Hudsons Bay in Kamloops since July 2023, but the company simply has refused to even consider such a deal. "Not only has Hudsons Bay refused to pay a reasonable wage increase, it also continues to have concessionary items it wants to carve out of our 30-year-old collective agreement," said Sean Ball, USW staff representative. On Dec. 5, USW and Hudsons Bay met at the B.C. Labour Relations Board with the assistance of a mediator in an attempt to reach an agreement. Hudsons Bay chose to not move on its wage proposal of 1% for each year of the contract and held on to all of its unneeded concession demands. "Our members have had enough, and during the busiest holiday time for Hudsons Bay, it is time to send a message loud and clear that this is unacceptable. Our members will not put up with these bullying tactics from the company any longer," said Jordan Lawrence, USW Local 1-417 financial secretary. "We understand the holiday season is a busy time and we want to assure shoppers and other tenants at Aberdeen Mall that we will not be outside the main mall entrances and will only have our picket lines set up in front of the Hudsons Bay entrances. We encourage customers to shop at the mall but respectfully ask that they honour our legal picket line and find their gifts elsewhere," added Lawrence. The Hudsons Bay in Kamloops has been a unionized worksite since 1993. The workers only labour dispute was over their first collective agreement and lasted nine months. Story continues The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector Union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of our strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation including good wages, benefits and pensions. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231210905618/en/ Contacts For more information: Jordan Lawrence, USW Local 1-417 financial secretary, 250-318-7668, lawrenceusw@telus.net From the majestic Royal Albert Bridge across the Tamar, linking Devon and Cornwall to the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, Isambard Kingdom Brunel's remarkable civil engineering legacy is woven into the fabric of the South West. His famous engineering designs have left an indelible mark on the region, shaping its past in ways that continue to inspire awe. But, as we stand on the precipice of the future, we must ask ourselves a pivotal question: How can we build upon Brunel's legacy to transform our infrastructure for a more sustainable and resilient tomorrow? The complexities of modern infrastructure and the climate change emergency necessitate a new vision. Creating a future that is net zero requires not just aspirations but also actions. Our infrastructure must adapt to the challenges of extreme weather, such as floods and droughts and we must ensure we meet the changing needs of our communities, as well as protecting the regions beautiful landscape and precious biodiversity. In pursuit of answers to these questions, a recent report from the South West Infrastructure Partnership (SWIP) delves into the regions infrastructure challenges, laying the groundwork for a forward-thinking system to enable decarbonisation and climate adaptation. The South West Vision 2050 draws upon conversations with infrastructure leaders and stakeholders, combined with an array of evidence and case studies. The report leaves us with a resounding conclusion: the pursuit of a net-zero future for the South West hinges upon genuine collaboration. It calls for politicians, businesses, infrastructure leaders, professionals, and communities to join hands. This isn't just rhetoric; it's a call to action. The opportunity now lies in making climate change response and the wellbeing of nature and people central to decision-making processes in the infrastructure sector. The report is supported by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West and a growing number of infrastructure professionals and stakeholders who are seeking to collaborate for change. This was put into practice at a recent SWIP conference in Taunton, where the regions infrastructure community came together to share examples and ideas and look for ways to break down siloed working towards the aim of infrastructure decarbonisation. Effective cross-sector collaboration is built on open and honest discussion, and as a way to engender this, SWIP has a podcast series shining a light on infrastructure challenges. Aptly named, Beyond Brunel, the podcast brings together experts to tackle some of the big questions facing the region. In the latest episode, Christopher Ackland, the podcast host, and himself a civil engineer, looks at how the region needs to rethink its approach to water and sewage. Forthcoming episodes discuss the future of our roads, floating offshore wind energy and how we can create nature positive infrastructure. As we embark on this transformative infrastructure journey, we must be unwavering in our commitment to collaboration, resolute in our pursuit of sustainability, and inspired by the legacy of those who came before us. Just as Brunel once did, we too have the power to shape the future. Together, we can build a region that stands as a testament to our ingenuity, resilience, and dedication to a more sustainable world. To download the South West Vision 2050 visit southwestinfrastructurepartnership.co.uk and search for Beyond Brunel on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to the podcast. By Ross Kerber, Simon Jessop and Peter Henderson BOSTON/DUBAI/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A growing list of global companies are setting a price or charging themselves for each metric ton of their carbon emissions, looking to shape their investments and business for future pollution taxes or other new climate rules. Their prices are all over the place, from less than $1 per metric ton of carbon emissions to $1,600, the most of any company worldwide, set by California drugmaker Amgen. Regulators, too, have offered a range of prices, including the Biden administration's "social cost" of carbon, around $200, and a suggestion from the International Monetary Fund that it should be at least $85 by 2030. Incorporating the cost of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions into business decisions has been a dream of climate activists for decades as a way to force corporations to cut emissions. While a standardized global carbon price is not going to be set at the COP28 climate summit underway in Dubai, the concept has many uses in business such as enabling executives to charge their own divisions extra to use power from fossil fuels, thus making renewables more attractive. "While there are other strategies to do so, failure to use this tool could imply that companies may be failing to adequately plan for the medium- to long-term realities of the cost of carbon," said Amir Sokolowski, global director for climate change at CDP. An analysis by the non-profit for Reuters found that 20% of 5,345 global companies making climate-related disclosures said they used an internal carbon price last year, up from 17% the year before. Another 22% planned to do so in the next two years, although historically only a fraction of the companies that planned to implement one have done so. The analysis from CDP, not previously published, reveals both that companies have embraced the new planning tool but also that much debate remains about what prices will spur significant action by companies to cut emissions. Story continues Shown the trends, several analysts told Reuters the emerging picture is one of executives getting ready for some type of new emissions regulation even if they lack a clear sense of what's ahead. Companies are "getting ready for the reality that its going to be required" said Columbia University economist Joseph Stiglitz. But the median prices are still too low to have a major impact on corporate decision-making, making the effort a "mixed bag", the Nobel Prize winner said. Companies do not have a simple path to follow, since using a high carbon price can dramatically change investment plans, while using a low one can bring charges of "greenwashing." Several executives who spoke with Reuters said internal pricing plans help them cut emissions and clarify the implications of capital spending and other business activities for the planet. Market prices for carbon offsets can range from $5 to $1,500 a metric ton, said Joe Speicher, chief sustainability officer at software maker Autodesk. Autodesk has steadily raised its internal carbon price to $20. Ideally regulators would clarify how companies should treat emissions costs, Speicher said. "Wouldn't it be nice to have a public authority to help to create a more coherent market?" he said. The company uses the price to help identify things like the value of its investments in carbon-removal projects, he said. TYING IN TO MARKETS Various carbon markets operate globally, including the European Trading System (ETS), where carbon currently trades around $70 per metric ton. British Airways owner IAG in its CDP disclosure offered a range of internal carbon prices from 10 to 130 euros (about $11-$140) per metric ton that are used in connection with or to prepare for different regulations and agreements, including UK emissions targets and ETS compliance. Different regulatory approaches have resulted in a range of prices around the globe, said IAG Sustainability Insights Manager Michael Evans. The multitude of price by companies reflects many different factors, he said: "Variations in carbon prices can reflect wider economic outlooks, levels of financial investor interest, and even energy demand." Many companies have designed their own internal mechanisms. When carmaker Volvo embraced internal carbon pricing, it could not find a good model to follow because "very, very few companies" used such prices throughout their business, Jonas Otterheim, Volvo's head of climate action, said in an interview. Volvo has incorporated a "shadow price" of 1,000 krona per metric ton, about $92, in decisions ranging from which model vehicles to produce to what materials to use in factories. Adding the cost of carbon pollution to aluminum, for instance, made using aluminum created with renewable energy a "super high priority" because it has less than a quarter of the carbon emissions of typically made material, he said. Similarly, Volvo reconsidered the real cost of its bigger cars as stricter EU rules come into effect. The discussion "actually made us change the whole volume planning of the company to say that we should not prioritize some cars versus other even though they look more profitable, because they will actually sort of give us a penalty that other cars won't," Otterheim said. Drugmaker Amgen assesses an "internal fee" of $1,000 per metric ton on higher-emitting projects. Proceeds are then used to fund emissions-cutting projects. For example, a utility expansion project in Ireland added $700,000 to its sustainability budget, a spokesperson said. In its 2023 CDP climate report, Amgen said it also uses an "investment evaluator" to judge whether to buy new emissions-reduction equipment, using an even higher price for carbon. "Sustainability projects that cost more than traditional projects but are less (than) $1,600 per (metric ton) of CO2e emissions reduced are considered reasonable for design," the report states. Amgen as a science-based company aims to be carbon-neutral within its own operations by 2027, the spokesperson said. A PRICE THAT BITES Several analysts who spoke with Reuters offered a range of views about what price companies should use. Gunther Thallinger, a board member of German insurer Allianz and a member of a U.N. climate advisory council, said a comprehensive global carbon market would be "a massive boost" to efforts to cut emissions. But the current variation in prices is a problem, especially with some prices below $5 per metric ton. "I fear this is going in the direction of greenwashing," he said. However, Anita McBain, head of EMEA ESG Research for Citi, said practical uses matter more than high prices. We'd rather see a carbon price with teeth than one without. We'd rather see a $25 price that's actually influencing decisions versus a $75 price that's just a tick-the-box," she said. ___ For the latest news from companies, data, and decisions around ESG finance, sign up for the Sustainable Finance newsletter here. (Reporting by Ross Kerber in Boston, Simon Jessop in Dubai, and Peter Henderson in San Francisco; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) Chicago wheat futures were up eight days in a row coming into Friday morning. On Nov. 28 March Chicago wheat futures came off a low of $5.57/bu to get to as high as $6.49/bu earlier this week. China has been in the market recently making significant purchases with four out of five days this week seeing flash sale announcements totaling 1.12 million metric tons. Wheat bulls took a break on Friday, deciding to take some profits, while wheat bears caught a sigh of relief as the market was lower on the day. Last weeks Commitment of Traders (COT) report showed managed money to be holding a net short position in wheat futures totaling 120,000 contracts. A significant sum that many had speculated could leave room for a short covering move if any fundamental story could get some legs under the market. That appears to be the case, although the recent eight-day rally was somewhat orderly without a clear panic day of short covering that leaves the door open for more upside in a bigger short covering move, or maybe, and perhaps more likely, the funds will not be pushed out of a short wheat position that has proven very profitable and remains a logical trade assuming Chinese purchases dry up in the short run. Precious metals peak Front month gold futures hit an all-time high of $2,130/oz on Monday and then the order came from somewhere to sweep the leg and there was no amount of Miyagi magic that could stop the slide. A massive amount of volume traded that same day as gold and silver futures peaked only to finish much lower on the day, putting in a key daily reversal lower and finishing lower yet on the week with a weekly key reversal lower in place as of early Friday afternoon. Have a comment or question? Please reach out to derrick.hermesch@pinion.global.com. HAMMOND Amid a gym packed with hundreds of exuberant students, proud family members and distinguished faculty, two sisters walked together onto the stage during Purdue University Northwest's graduation Saturday to take a place in the spotlight. Nursing student Ivana Farkic earned a Chancellor Medallion for attaining the highest grade point average in Purdue University Northwest's College of Nursing. Her sister Angela Farkic, who graduates from Purdue University Northwest's nursing program in the spring, hung the medal around her neck. They hugged joyously. "She's very smart. We're all so happy for her. I'm honored she picked me to go up there. I'm so proud of her," Angela Farkic said. "I know how much hard work she put into it. I see her working every day. Seeing her make it through is inspiring to me because I know how hard a worker she is. It felt like it was just me and her on stage. She was glowing on the stage. I was so happy. I was afraid I was going to get emotional." A total of 694 students graduated from Purdue University Northwest on Saturday. Students in the traditional gowns and mortarboard caps earned degrees in business, engineering and sciences, humanities, nursing, technology and education and social sciences. Students earned 544 bachelor's degrees and 150 master's degrees. About 450 took part in two commencement ceremonies at the Fitness & Recreation Center at the Purdue University Northwest campus on Saturday. "Today is a result of years of hard work, dedication, and motivation. You have dedicated yourself to school, forged lasting friendships and grown immensely," State Rep. Mike Andrade said. "Your time at Purdue Northwest has been more than just an academic pursuit. It has been a journey of self-discovery and personal growth." He recalled how his parents, who never had the opportunity to get an education, taught him about the value of hard work, dedication and motivation. He recalled for instance how his father said, Son, there will always be someone smarter than you, have more money than you, and may be more successful, but never let them outwork you. "My parents came to this country like many others as immigrants seeking a better live for their children. I grew up in the Pilsen Neighborhood in Chicago and began work at the age of 12. My first job was passing out pizza fliers. I would get paid $1 per hour and a slice of pizza," he said. "I come today to bring that message to you all. Never let anyone outwork you. Never say, I am not good enough, or am not qualified for the job. If, you let others define your value or your identity." He praised Purdue Northwest's diversity, including how it was recently designated by the federal government as a Hispanic Serving Institution. "I have witnessed first-hand how each of you brings something unique to this university and our community. Your diverse backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints enrich our nation. You've excelled in classrooms, laboratories, on playing fields and in the community, demonstrating the diverse talents and relentless spirit of Purdue Northwest students," he said. "In a world where knowledge is power, your education puts you ahead of vast majority of people on this earth. PNW has nurtured your potential, challenged you to think critically, and equipped you with skills that will allow you begin to solve our worlds most challenging problems. You are entering a world in need of your talent, ambition, and vision. Be the leaders who embrace change and seek the truth." He told the graduates they have reason to be proud and celebrate their accomplishments. "As you embark on this next chapter, remember that you do not journey alone. You are part of a vast network of Purdue Northwest alumni, a community that shares the values forged through shared experiences and aspirations. Lean on this network, contribute to it, and let it amplify your impact. I always tell people your network is your net worth. Use it," he said. "As Purdue University Northwest graduates, you are poised to make a significant impact on the world. I am excited to see the paths you will forge and the contributions you will make to our society." State Rep. Hal Slager addressed how the graduating students must navigate uncertainly and change. He said they should never stop learning, noting he's had four different careers. "Uncertainty and change were part of my path. I'm the sum of my experiences," he said. Slager said his father taught him to finish what he started, that you should do everything well no matter what it is and that no one is indispensable. After his father laid him off from the family business in his sophomore year of college, reinforcing that everyone is replaceable, he got a temporary job in accounting while he worked to finish his degree. "You can lose money in business but you never lose your degree," he said. He worked in accounting, sales and real estate before going into politics. "Local politics are so important and have an immediate and direct impact on quality of life and property values," he said. At his final graduation ceremony at the university with campuses in Hammond and Westville, Purdue Northwest Chancellor Thomas Keon told the graduates to expect continued change in their lives. "Change is life. Going forward, you're going to see significant change," he said. "You certainly need to adapt. Your lifetime will be full of information from artificial intelligence. You'll have to adapt to understand and manage that. You don't want it to manage you." Student Body President David Bolton told the students they would look back fondly on the last four years of studying, late-night cram sessions, romantic partners and achievements as they went on to work in their chosen fields. "This is the beginning of a career or something you enjoy," he said. "If you have a passion, follow that. Push the boundaries, ask the hard questions, chase those dreams. Don't be afraid to change the world." Purdue University Northwest Director of Alumni Engagement Katie Holderby encouraged students to maintain lasting connections as they navigate the waters ahead, telling them they would make the university proud while thriving in their fields and becoming the leaders of tomorrow. "Purdue Northwest is more than books, bricks and mortar," she said. "It's the value of the community of people and businesses it serves." Since the dawn of time, since the first faint flickerings of consciousness stirred, humanity has grappled with questions, questions like, "Can you make that into a waffle?" Will It Waffle, a food truck that will soon open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Crown Point, is an ongoing inquiry into whether you can incorporate waffles into different kinds of food. It's discovered you can pair waffles with breakfast sausages, hot dogs, avocado toast and even Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Owner Ashourrina Auz plans to open Will it Waffle at 150 W. Joliet St. in January or February. "It's going to be serving breakfast items," she said. "I've been operating tent pop-ups over the past year selling waffle sticks. It's going to be waffle creations, desserts and ice cream." Will It Waffle will be mostly carryout, seating only six people inside. It will serve burritos, breakfast sandwiches and many varieties of waffles. Drink options will include water, pop, orange juice, milk, hot chocolate in the winter months and locally roasted coffee from Bean Me Up in Munster. "I was in Hawaii and saw a food truck with waffle hot dogs and a long line. I tried it and it was amazing," Auz said. "I basically copied the idea." She rolled out Will It Waffle to farmers markets in Crown Point, St. John, Schererville and Highland over the past years. The business also got a larger concession trailer and hopes to roll out to more markets, including at all the Hometown Happenings markets in Crown Point. "I randomly happened to see a space to rent out. It was love at first sight, so I made it happen," she said. "It's near Wheeler Middle School so we'll have a lot of to-go breakfast items." It will serve many varieties of waffles, including ham and cheese and a hot dog with bacon, cheese and bacon bits. The waffles themselves will come in different varieties, including standard, protein, keto, truffle and cake batter. "It will play on that waffle theme," Auz said. "Waffles are so versatile and people like the sweet and salty mix. I just keep trying new combinations to see if it's good or not. I keep thinking of new things to try and test it out with a test group. So far most have worked except for marshmallow waffles, which get too sticky." The waffles on a stick proved to be a big hit at local markets. "They're uncommon and they look cool," she said. "They're topped with chocolate and other toppings. People ask where they got it and it's a fun story. It's an entire experience." She hopes to eventually expand Will It Waffle to more locations. "People already ask if it's a franchise or if I'd be willing to franchise," she said. "It's a fun concept. I want to make the brick-and-mortar a success with support from the community." For more information, visit willitwafflenwi.com, find Will It Waffle on Facebook and Instagram or emailWaffleLady@WillItWaffleNWI.com. Open Tandoori Cafe and Grill is bringing Indian fusion cuisine to downtown Griffith. The new restaurant did a soft opening at 105 N. Broad St., where it will celebrate its grand opening this week. "It's tandoori fusion, basically a mix of Indian and American," owner Ruhani Sharma said. "We don't have anything like that in this area. We have a lot of Indian food but it's fine dining. You have to go downtown or up north in Chicago for something like this. It was my vision to bring it here to Northwest Indiana." Tandoori Cafe and Grill is comparable to restaurants one would find on Chicago's Devon Avenue, a famed row of Indian restaurants, she said. "I found the perfect location in downtown Griffith," she said. "It's near Hammond, Schererville, Munster, Highland and these other towns. It's very busy." The menu features a variety of tandoori items cooked in a clay oven. It serves a variety of sandwiches, burgers and tandoori entrees with either rice or French fries with Indian seasonings. Options include chicken tikka, lamb and fish. Top sellers include tandoori drumsticks and garlic naan bread. Drink options include a sunny lavender refresher and chai tea. Tandoori Cafe and Grill offers dine-in, carryout and delivery via Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats. Sharma graduated from college in 2020 and has always loved cooking. "This was a goal I've made a reality," she said. "It's Indian fusion I'm bringing back here. I travel a lot around India and bring it back home. There's a lot of variety and I'm bringing that here. I have a lot of family support." The restaurant has a cozy, cute feel, she said. "It has a cute aesthetic that's futuristic," she said. "It's tandoori so it's fresh right out of the oven. Nothing is ready to go. It can take as long as 20 minutes but it's all fresh from the oven, including the garlic naan bread. Everything is fresh. We have a special tandoori sauce." It's looking to add daily specials and will do catering. Catering orders should be made five to seven days in advance because all the chicken is marinated for three days. Tandoori Cafe is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. For more information, call 219-513-6008. Coming soon Dan's Pierogies, which draws some of the longest lines at Pierogi Fest, is opening a new pop-up spot in Cedar Lake. The Polish restaurant specializing in pierogi, which also has a brick-and-mortar location in downtown Highland, will have a pop-up at 9600 W. 133rd St. in Cedar Lake on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Dec. 12. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dan's Pierogies will offer potato and cheddar, potato, sweet cheese, meat and kraut pierogies as well as loaded potato pierogi, smoked Polish sausage, stuffed cabbage roll and cabbage and noodles. For more information, find Dan's Pierogies on Facebook. Closed People looking for a quick and easy family dinner with a rotisserie chicken, cornbread and sides like creamed spinach are out of luck. Northwest Indiana's only remaining Boston Market at 8032 Calumet Ave. in Munster closed. A handwritten sign on the door said it's closed "temporarily" in quote marks and also said it's not offering refunds. "Sorry, we are closed 'temporarily.' Online orders please dispute with bank. Thank you. --Management team," the note said. The Boston Market in Munster had been experiencing a number of problems in recent months. The hours became irregular, menu items were unavailable, the interior was often closed and the drive-thru menu board was black, though customers could still place blind orders if they could remember what was on the menu. Boston Markets have been closing all over the country as the fast-casual chain suffers mounting financial and legal woes, including lawsuits in a few states to recoup unpaid wages. Boston Market locations have recently shuttered in Chicago and Elgin. The chain started in 1985 and expanded widely in the 1990s, gaining a following with comfort fare like Roasted Garlic & Herb Rotisserie Chicken, Baby Back Ribs, Chicken Pot Pie and Caesar Salads. Its initial success prompted many supermarket chains to start offering rotisserie chickens to give harried customers a convenient family meal to bring home that was already cooked and ready to go. Coming soon Popshelf will soon pop up in Schererville. The new retail concept by Dollar General, stylized as pOpshelf, is a play on "top-shelf." It aims to be " a fun and easy shopping destination for on-trend home goods, party supplies, and gifts" that offers "a wide variety of products at affordable prices, and our helpful team members are always happy to help you find the perfect items for your needs." So far, Popshelf only has a few Indiana locations: in Fort Wayne, Kokomo and Warsaw. It's renovating a space in the Crossroads Shopping Center anchored by Walmart and Strack & Van Til. As the name suggests, it's at the Crossroads of the Nation intersection where U.S. 30 and 41 converge and the Lincoln Highway the nation's first intercontinental highway passed through. Relocating Bergsteins New York Deli, a traditional New York City-style Jewish deli in the south suburbs, is moving from its location at 200 Dixie Highway in Chicago Heights to the former Homewood Florist spot at 18064 Martin Ave. in downtown Homewood. The deli serves traditional deli favorites like corned beef on rye, pastrami on rye, Reubens, tuna melts, egg salad and lox on bagels. All sandwiches come with a pickle and a side and one can upgrade to potato pancakes or knish. It's started construction on its new home and recently brought back its annual Chanukah shelf, which is stocked with "gelt, dreidels, candles and all your Chanukah Tchotchke needs." Closed The Bookie's bookstore in downtown Homewood closed earlier this year after a run of more than four years. The independent bookstore was located on Ridge Road and then Dixie Highway. It carried a curated selection of new, used and children's books, as well as literary knickknacks catering to bibliophiles. Bookie's continues to operate its flagship store at 10324 S. Western Ave. in Beverly, a far South Side institution since 1989. As soon as Eddie Melton sat down, I posed him the obvious question. Why? I asked. Why did you want to be mayor of Gary, Indiana? He didnt hesitate to reply. I just love the city, Melton said as he settled into his chair. We sat across from each other in his office on the third floor of the Gary State Bank Building, a 10-story historic structure that watches over Gary City Hall like a big brother. A row of radiator heaters near the windows hummed as traffic drove up and down Broadway, just as it has since the building was erected nearly a century ago. Hundreds of thousands of people were born and raised in what was once called the Miracle City. Many of them have left and never came back. Others have returned to settle down, give back or start anew. People from Gary love the city even if they move to anywhere in the world. Their heart is always here, and so is mine, Melton told me during our 90-minute conversation. We talked about his plans as the citys 22nd mayor, as well as Garys notorious reputation, ruin porn from urban explorer videos, and the recent Huffington Post story about his new job. It got under my skin, Melton said with a sigh of disgust. The storys headline is obvious as a smokestack: How Running This Rust Belt City Became One Of The Toughest Jobs In America. I asked Melton, Do you agree? Absolutely, he replied immediately. But it was other parts of that national story that led him to shake his head. For example, YouTube urban explorers who visit the city and treat it as a video game, capturing Garys worst attributes and sharing videos that only reaffirm its condemnation. Its a game to them, Melton said with a shrug of disappointment. This is not a game. Were talking about the livelihood of a lot of people 60,000 to 70,000 people. These videos only perpetuate the perception that Gary is nothing but blight, nothing but destruction. The way social media algorithms are set up, this is the attention that Gary gets. But were about to change that narrative, Melton said with a confident smile. Melton talks in a measured tone without unnecessary hyperbole or bravado. He has a quick smile, innate politeness and a devout faith. He will need those natural attributes when he begins one of the toughest jobs in America as mayor of Gary. Part of this job will be to refocus the badly tarnished perception and national reputation of the Steel City. We have to control the narrative of Gary, Melton said. Were going to become greater Gary. This new tagline - greater Gary - will be woven into the fabric of his public speeches, media interviews and business interactions. Its not simply a slogan but a renewed mentality for residents, he said. We want to remind people how great this city is, Melton said. Especially the folks who have stayed and endured the downturn of the economy, the closure of schools, and so many businesses closing up. For guests and outsiders, Meltons new mantra will be, Welcome to greater Gary, Indiana, the city of heart and soul. Hes proud of the citys collective soul, chiseled over decades of hardship and challenges. His administration will attempt to highlight this character trait thats been historically hidden behind more infamous stereotypes. Now is the time to strike while the iron is hot, Melton said, leaning up in his seat. But I cant do it alone. Soon after he graduated from Horace Mann High School to attend Kentucky State University, Melton knew he wanted to someday be a part of the citys resurgence. I didnt know what that looked like, but I wanted to be a part of it, he said. Melton, whos 42, will soon be a crucial part of it. On Jan. 1, he will take office to replace Jerome Prince, who he beat in the May primary election. Since then, theyve been working together to transition from one administration to another, from one attempt to another to reframe, rejuvenate and repurpose the city. In the classic literature book, To Kill a Mockingbird, author Harper Lee wrote, People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for. This is certainly true in Gary, where I was born and raised. Its easy to visit Gary and see what youre looking for, whether its urban plight, cheap land grabs or abandoned buildings. Its more challenging to see what can be improved, transformed or re-envisioned. Historically, the mayor here hasnt had an influence on education. Were going to change that paradigm. We will be more engaged. Not only with the Gary Schools Corporation but with all of the schools because theyre all our children. We have to create a culture so parents want to remain here, Melton said for a video I created for this column. (Watch it at NWI.com.) Basic city services have been a challenge for officials for many years. Streetlights that work. Stoplights that work, for instance, Melton said. We have to do a better job of providing basic services. Theres no other way around it. Since August, Melton has been in talks with Prince to better assess the citys needs during a pre-transition process. Sort of a SWOT analysis: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The two major obstacles are financial resources and human capital. Gary, a city of 52 square miles, is twice the size of Hammond yet has roughly one-fifth of the workers for its general services department, he said. We need to create a culture of appreciation for our city workers in every department, said Melton, who worked for 15 years at NIPSCO. Its one of the best places to work in this Region. Melton lives in the Miller section of the city with his wife, Crystal, and their four children. His new commute for public service will be much shorter than driving to Indianapolis for his former two-term position as a state Senator. He formally resigned his seat last week. When his kids were younger, the family enjoyed making puzzles together. Melton would dump all the pieces on a table and prop up the box to see what they needed to make. Without a box cover image, they couldnt finish the puzzles. Melton views his task as mayor-elect in a similar way. Fate dumped decades of puzzle pieces on a table in the mayors office and hes expected to piece them together. Its a massive puzzle with many pieces missing or lost or stolen. Melton has an envisioned image of what the city should look like and hes asking others to help him build the puzzle. In addition to basic services, hes looking for what I call emotional infrastructure, with people who give a damn about Gary. Melton and his staff are looking for Gary natives - and anyone else - who care about the city and are interested in partnering or volunteering or mentoring to help change the citys narrative. A lot of these folks have a gift or talent or resources to give back to the city of Gary, Melton said. In my next column, I will introduce readers to one of those people who returned to Gary to open a new business and choreograph a new life there. Read it at NWI.com with a new video and photos. Dr. John A. Talbott, a psychiatrist who championed the care of vulnerable populations of the mentally ill, especially the homeless many of whom were left to fend for themselves in the nations streets, libraries, bus terminals and jails after mass closures of state mental hospitals died on Nov. 29 at his home in Baltimore. He was 88. His wife, Susan Talbott, confirmed the death. Dr. Talbott was an early backer of a movement known as deinstitutionalization, which pushed to replace Americas decrepit mental hospitals with community-based treatment. But he became one of the movements most powerful critics after a lack of money and political will stranded thousands of the deeply disturbed without proper care. The chronic mentally ill patient had his locus of living and care transferred from a single lousy institution to multiple wretched ones, Dr. Talbott wrote in the journal Hospital and Community Psychiatry in 1979. In a career of more than 60 years, Dr. Talbott held many of the leading positions in his field. He was president of the American Psychiatric Association; director of a large urban mental hospital, Dunlap-Manhattan Psychiatric Center, on Wards Island; chairman of the department of psychiatry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore; and editor of three prominent journals: Psychiatric Quarterly, Psychiatric Services and The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease which he was editing at his death. John Whitmire, a moderate Democrat who has served in the Texas State Senate since 1983, won a runoff election on Saturday to become mayor of Houston, according to The Associated Press, defeating Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, a prominent congressional Democrat, in the nonpartisan race. Mr. Whitmire had been considered a front-runner from the moment he entered the race last year, prevailing in a city known for its diversity by creating a coalition that included Republicans and moderate white Democrats as well as Hispanic and Asian voters. He made public safety the focus of his messaging, following a strategy that has proved successful for moderate Democrats in recent big city mayoral races around the country. Tonight is something to smile about, Mr. Whitmire said in a victory address on Saturday night. Were not New York. Were not L.A. Were sure not Chicago. We fix our problems, he said. Great cities solve their problems. They bring people together. Our campaign united this city. Casey DeSantis, the wife of Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, drew criticism on Saturday from the rival campaign of former President Donald J. Trump for seeking to recruit out-of-state supporters to participate in the nations first Republican nominating contest. The backlash came a day after Ms. DeSantis, during a Fox News appearance with her husband, urged supporters from elsewhere to descend upon the state of Iowa to be a part of the caucus. You do not have to be a resident of Iowa to be able to participate in the caucus, said Ms. DeSantis, who has been a key player in her husbands campaign and was specifically addressing mothers and grandmothers who support him. But the call to action is at odds with caucus rules, according to the Republican Party of Iowa, which hours later said that nonresidents were barred from caucusing. The Iran-backed Houthi militia that controls northern Yemen threatened on Saturday to block any vessel sailing to Israeli ports, expanding its earlier warnings to ships passing through the Red and Arabian Seas. The Houthi militia had already threatened to target ships owned or operated by Israelis, and its fighters were still holding a commercial vessel, the Galaxy Leader, that they hijacked last month with its 25 crew members. None of them are Israeli, according to Galaxy Maritime, the company that owns the vessel. The statement, issued by a Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, represented a significant escalation in the militias campaign against Israel since the start of the war in Gaza. The Houthis attributed their decision to their desire to confront the Israeli militarys continuation of horrific massacres in Gaza, Mr. Sarea said in the statement. The Yemeni militia will prevent the passage of ships sailing to Israel, whatever their nationality, unless Gazas needs for food and medicine are met, he added. To what extent the Houthis would be able to carry out their newest threat is unclear; the militias capabilities often appear to be more constrained than its rhetoric. The Houthis control a deeply impoverished territory torn apart by war. While analysts say the Houthis have significantly increased its military power in recent years, a majority of the missile and drone attacks that they have launched on Israeli and Saudi targets over the past eight years have been intercepted. New details suggest Sam Altman used his power to manipulate employees and board members at OpenAI. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images More details about Sam Altman's ousting at OpenAI have emerged. New reports suggest Altman may have, at times, been a manipulative leader. Altman pitted board members and employees against one another to maintain power, the reports say. In the days that followed Sam Altman's ousting from OpenAI on November 17, employees inside the company and several members of the broader tech community likened the move to a coup . The narrative in the immediate aftermath of his firing was that broad ranks of OpenAI liked Altman and that his sudden dismissal was shocking an erratic move by a board that was prioritizing ideology over the demands of its stakeholders and the wishes of its employees. But over the past few weeks, new details have emerged that shed more light on the board's decision which was ultimately reversed by a circuitous route to fire Altman. These new details suggest that Altman is a skilled corporate schemer who manipulated people and perceptions within OpenAI to maintain his own standing and that his tactics rubbed more than a few people at the organization the wrong way. Altman vs. Toner When OpenAI's board first announced Altman's dismissal on November 17, it didn't offer much of an explanation except that Altman had not been "consistently candid in his communications with the board." But new reporting suggests that the board may have been referring to instances in which Altman played board members off one another especially ones who disagreed with his aggressive approach to rolling out artificial-intelligence technology. From its inception, there has been tension at OpenAI over how carefully it should proceed, given the potential threat the technology poses to humanity. Altman didn't always see eye to eye with the board member Helen Toner , for example. In October, Toner, a researcher who works at a think tank based at Georgetown University, published a paper that not only praised OpenAI's rival Anthropic for delaying the release of its chatbot, Claude, but also criticized the "frantic corner-cutting" release of ChatGPT. Story continues Altman called Toner about the paper and said it "could cause problems" with the Federal Trade Commission, which was already investigating OpenAI, The New York Times reported. Toner offered to write an apology to OpenAI's board, but Altman later emailed OpenAI's executives himself and told them he had reproached Toner, the Times reported. "I did not feel we're on the same page on the damage of all this," the Times quoted from his email. Their clash may have led Altman to sow tensions between Toner and another board member, Tasha McCauley. Altman called other members of OpenAI's board and told them that McCauley a tech entrepreneur and scientist at the RAND Corporation wanted Toner off the board, people with knowledge of the discussions told the Times. McCauley later said this was "absolutely false" when board members asked her about the incident, the Times reported. Altman vs. Sutskever Altman and OpenAI's chief scientist (and former board member) Ilya Sutskever also had a strained relationship. Their differences were ideological to the core. Sutskever was seen within OpenAI as an AI "visionary" with an academic approach that didn't necessarily go over well with an engineer such as Altman, those familiar with the situation previously told Business Insider. He worried that Altman was pushing OpenAI to develop technology too rapidly and wanted to take a more cautious approach. Over time, Sutskever had also become frustrated with being "pushed out of decisions" about ChatGPT-5 and plans to scale the product and company, sources previously told BI. Tensions came to a head in October when Altman promoted a researcher to a level equivalent to Sutskever, the Times reported. Sutskever saw it as a snub to his own standing in the company and, in protest, said to other board members that he might quit, which they saw as a demand that they choose between Sutskever or Altman, the Times reported. Altman vs. everyone else Some of the board's six members at the time found Altman to be disingenuous and a bit too calculating. Several of them had backgrounds in nonprofits or academia, and Altman's "move fast and break things" tech-executive approach didn't necessarily sit well with them, the New Yorker reported. "They felt Sam had lied," a person familiar with the board's discussions told the New Yorker. They dreaded Altman's tactics so much that when they began talking about removing him, they were intent on ensuring it would be a surprise, The New Yorker reported. "It was clear that, as soon as Sam knew, he'd do anything he could to undermine the board," a person familiar with their discussions told the outlet. In a meeting with OpenAI staff two nights after Altman was ousted, Sutskever said one explanation he had received from the board for Altman's dismissal was that Altman had given two board members two different opinions about a member within the organization, sources familiar with the meeting previously told Business Insider. The other explanation Sutskever offered was that Altman was said to have given the same project to two different people at the organization. Altman himself has not denied he struggled with the board before his ousting. "It is clear that there were real misunderstandings between me and members of the board," he wrote on X a little less than two weeks after he was ousted. The best interests of the company and the mission always come first. It is clear that there were real misunderstandings between me and members of the board. For my part, it is incredibly important to learn from this experience and apply those learnings as we move forward as a Sam Altman (@sama) November 30, 2023 Altman hasn't publicly addressed the accusations that he was difficult to work with, but in an interview with Trevor Noah last week, he conceded that there was a need for more voices on the board concerned with AI safety. "I'm excited to have a second chance at getting all these things right. And we clearly got them wrong before," he told Noah. That Altman's ouster was so brief suggested that he had the backing of the broader organization. It kicked off a wave of heart emojis on social media from OpenAI executives and a letter of support from staff threatening to quit if he wasn't reinstated. But not everyone at the company supported Altman. A handful of senior leaders at OpenAI came to the board in the fall with grievances about Altman, the Washington Post reported. They suggested Altman could disrupt the workflow at OpenAI, and some including those who manage large teams said Altman would pit employees against one another in problematic ways, the Post reported. The comments prompted the board to review Altman's conduct as CEO, and one employee told the board that Altman became hostile after the employee shared critical feedback with him. Altman then went on to undermine a member of that team, sources told the Post. The fact Altman was so quickly reinstated as CEO suggests that none of these allegations were enough for the company's powerful backers, such as Microsoft. Sutskever, too, has expressed regret over his actions. Still, the word on the street is that Altman may have gotten the message that it's time to remake his image. Read the original article on Business Insider The Israeli military struck targets from the air, ground and sea across the Gaza Strip overnight into Saturday, it said, as air-raid sirens warning of incoming rocket fire blared in Israeli communities near Gaza. About a week into Israels new push in the south, the military said that much of the close-quarters fighting in its ground assault was taking place in Shajaiye, a neighborhood in northern Gaza that the Israeli military has called a terrorist hotbed. The Israeli military said it had identified a number of fighters armed with anti-tank missiles approaching ground troops in the neighborhood and directed an Israeli helicopter strike there. It said it had also located and struck a tunnel shaft that was part of an extensive underground route in Shajaiye and located another tunnel shaft with an elevator and numerous weapons. The claims could not be independently confirmed. Israels ground invasion, which began in northern Gaza in late October, has advanced south over the past week as intensive fighting spread through the enclave. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled northern Gaza for the south, and there are now few places for Gazans to go. About 150,000 civilians are believed to remain in northern Gaza, according to the Israeli military. In recent days, the Biden administration has urged Israel to do more to limit harm to civilians, but some experts say they see no evidence that the military has moderated its tactics. The Gaza Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, said the Al Aqsa hospital in northern Gaza had received the bodies of 71 people who were killed, and that a further 160 wounded had arrived for treatment, in the past 24 hours. More than 15,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to Gaza health officials. Another 6,000 or so are missing, officials say. Saudi Arabia, the worlds leading exporter of oil, has become the biggest obstacle to an agreement at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai, where countries are debating whether to call for a phaseout of fossil fuels in order to fight global warming, negotiators and other officials said. The Saudi delegation has flatly opposed any language in a deal that would even mention fossil fuels the oil, gas and coal that, when burned, create emissions that are dangerously heating the planet. Saudi negotiators have also objected to a provision, endorsed by at least 118 countries, aimed at tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030. Saudi diplomats have been particularly skillful at blocking discussions and slowing the talks, according to interviews with a dozen people who have been inside closed-door negotiations. Tactics include inserting words into draft agreements that are considered poison pills by other countries; slow-walking a provision meant to help vulnerable countries adapt to climate change; staging a walkout in a side meeting; and refusing to sit down with negotiators pressing for a phaseout of fossil fuels. The Saudi opposition is significant because U.N. rules require that any agreement forged at the climate summit be unanimously endorsed. Any one of the 198 participating nations can thwart a deal. Good morning. Remember when you werent that good at this business of preparing food for yourself, your family, your friends? It might have been when you were just a kid and didnt know much more than how to heat a bagel in the toaster oven or to prepare an extra-dark glass of Ovaltine. It might have been when you got out of college and realized there wasnt anyone around to cook for you and your job sure wasnt paying you enough to eat takeout burritos and Chinese food every night. It might have been when you got married, or had a child, when you ended a relationship or lost a spouse. It might have been at the start of the pandemic lockdowns. It might have been three months ago. Whatever brought you into the kitchen, though, you are there now, with us, confident, or getting there. Its a treat to bring you recipes. Today, for instance, behold Christian Reynosos new recipe for buttery skillet chicken and brioche (above), a one-pan comfort of a meal. Its excellent salt-and-peppered chicken thighs roasted on top of thick slices of pillowy bread, toasted and golden in some spots, soft and anointed by chicken fat in others. A simple, savory pan sauce ties it all together: butter, miso and shallots brightened with lemon juice. Top with chopped dill, and serve with some roasted green beans. Belgium has long been a hothouse for homegrown designers like Dries Van Noten, Martin Margiela or the Surrealist artist Rene Magritte. That creative legacy has spread into the world of watchmaking with more Belgian creators producing their own designs. Brands with a distinctive style include Tamawa with its Bakelite cases, Ice Watch with its color-popping designs and S. Albert, featuring quirky off-center hand and minute dials. But there are hurdles. While there are at least 25 Belgian watch brands, there is no formal association, makers say. And it is harder to find factories that make components in Belgium rather than in Switzerland or China. Image Vacheron Constantin earlier this year released a yellow gold version of its 222 watch. Christian Selmoni, style and heritage director at Vacheron Constantin, echoed the idea. Collectors who are younger grew up in the rose gold era and so yellow gold is a novelty to them, he said, They see it as a refreshing change. In line with the trend, earlier this year the brand released a yellow gold version of its 222 watch, a remake of the timepiece designed in 1977 by Jorg Hysek to celebrate Vacheron Constantins 222nd anniversary. There is always a momentum to go back to what we loved in the past, Mr. Selmoni said, and with the increased interest in vintage watches, there could be strong positive influence on the part of customers for yellow gold watches. Especially because yellow gold is the purest form of gold and there is no significant price difference between yellow and rose gold. Brands that create both watches and jewelry have seen the trend rising in both categories. At Piaget, for example, there is a shift toward yellow gold, but it is not fully out yet, Alain Borgeaud, the brands head of patrimony, said in a video interview from its headquarters in Geneva. The attraction from the U.S. market is strong, but we see it in Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, a little Europe. And, he added, there will be more yellow gold offerings in 2024. Antoine Pin, managing director of Bulgaris watch division, said the house has been aggressively exploring yellow gold. What turns it from a sleeping slow trend to an active trend? The demand on the part of consumers. And we are seeing interesting parallels between the return to smaller sizes, the return to the 1970s and 80s and the natural color of gold. Bulgari has continually had yellow gold watches in its womens collections, but this year it introduced yellow gold versions of both the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Chronograph and the limited edition 50th anniversary Octo Finissimo. We had early signs popping out before Covid that yellow gold has clearly shifted back into trend, but it came back stronger after the pandemic and I am glad our team in the U.S. really pushed it, Mr. Pin said in a video interview from the divisions headquarters in Neuchatel, Switzerland. We reacted at a good pace to respond to the market. Donald J. Trump has decided not to return to the witness stand to testify on Monday as he had planned, setting up an abrupt and anticlimactic ending to the defenses case in his civil fraud trial in Manhattan. As recently as Sunday morning, Mr. Trump had been expected to testify in his own defense in the case, in which the New York attorney general has accused him of fraudulently inflating his net worth. But just before 3:30 in the afternoon, Mr. Trump announced on his social media platform in two all-caps messages that he had already testified very successfully and conclusively and that I will not be testifying on Monday. His about-face all but ends the lengthy and chaotic proceedings in the fraud trial, which began in early October. A defense witness, Eli Bartov, an accounting professor at New York University, is instead expected to conclude the defenses case, to be followed by several rebuttal witnesses called by the attorney generals lawyers. In January, both parties are expected to file final briefs, after which, the trial judge, Arthur F. Engoron, is expected to deliver his ruling. The attorney general, Letitia James, has asked that Mr. Trump be fined $250 million and be permanently barred from running a business in New York. Even before the trial, Justice Engoron concluded that the former president had committed fraud by inflating the values of his assets on annual financial statements, which he then shared with banks and insurers to receive preferential treatment. As a result, what weve seen on campus is a mixture of protected antisemitic (as well as anti-Islamic) speech and prohibited harassment. Chanting Globalize the intifada or From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free at a public protest is protected speech. Tearing down another persons posters is not. (My rights to free speech do not include a right to block another persons speech.) Trapping Jewish students in a library while protesters pound on library doors is not protected speech, either. So if the university presidents were largely (though clumsily) correct about the legal balance, why the outrage? To quote the presidents back to themselves, context matters. For decades now, weve watched as campus administrators from coast to coast have constructed a comprehensive web of policies and practices intended to suppress so-called hate speech and to support students who find themselves distressed by speech they find offensive. The result has been a network of speech codes, bias response teams, safe spaces and glossaries of microaggressions that are all designed to protect students from alleged emotional harm. But not all students. When, as a student at Harvard Law School, I was booed and hissed and told to go die for articulating pro-life or other conservative views, exactly zero administrators cared about my feelings. Nor did it cross my mind to ask them for help. I was an adult. I could handle my classmates anger. Yet how sensitive are administrators to student feelings under other circumstances? I had to chuckle when I read my colleague Pamela Pauls excellent column on the Columbia School of Social Work and she quoted a school glossary that uses the term folx. Why spell the word with an x? Because some apparently believe the letter s in folks renders the term insufficiently inclusive. I kid you not. Moreover, each of the schools represented at the hearing has its own checkered past on free speech. Harvard is the worst-rated school for free expression in America, according to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. (I served as the groups president in 2004 and 2005.) So even if the presidents lawyerly answers were correct, its more than fair to ask: Where was this commitment to free expression in the past? To the Editor: Re Penns President Felled by Furor Over Testimony (front page, Dec. 10): I too was not happy with M. Elizabeth Magills and the other university presidents responses at the congressional hearing about antisemitism on campus, but I do not support resignation or firing. Everyone in a difficult job has made mistakes and has learned from those mistakes. Should any of us be fired or forced to resign for every mistake we make? All of these accomplished women were grilled at the hearing trying to balance their duties to protect the safety of their students and their right to free speech. Even the Supreme Court struggles with the same issue. Yes, their answers at the time were inadequate, but they have subsequently explained their thinking and plans to move forward. They deserved an opportunity to get it right. We would expect the same for ourselves. Kenneth Olshansky San Rafael, Calif. To the Editor: There is no place, any time, anywhere that calling for the genocide of any group of people is acceptable. Full stop. Twenty-three years ago, Abwe Songolo made the fateful decision to keep moving. It was August of 2000, and he had spent hours sailing across Lake Tanganyika from his hometown in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the city of Kigoma in Tanzania, where he had to live on the streets. He had escaped the war engulfing Congo, but Tanzania still felt too close to home. I wanted to go as far as possible from Congo because of what Id experienced, he said. Because I would have flashbacks of it. Mr. Songolo grew up in a village in Congo, and he was helping tend his familys farm when the Second Congo War broke out. He remembers the day June 30, 2000, the countrys Independence Day when his family gathered around their radio to listen to the celebrations and then suddenly realized that soldiers outside were trying to break down the front door. The family scattered. Mr. Songolo took cover under the bed, and when he emerged, he saw the devastation: His father and four older brothers had been shot dead. This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email transcripts@nytimes.com with any questions. sarah wildman Im Sarah Wildman. Im an editor and writer at New York Times Opinion. [MUSIC PLAYING] Soon after the attacks in Israel on October 7, I started seeking voices who could speak to the hostage crisis, both what it meant to Israel and to the families themselves. I first connected with Rachel Goldberg just a few days after the 7th. rachel goldberg Every single person in Gaza, whether youre in Hamas or youre not in Hamas, has a mother or had a mother at some point. And I would think, as mother to mother, if you see Hersh, please help him. sarah wildman Her son, 23-year-old Hersh, was taken captive by Hamas, fleeing the music festival in southern Israel. Rachel told me her sons arm was blown off during the attack. In the week since we first spoke, there was a brief pause in fighting. archived recording 1 Eight more hostages are back with their loved ones tonight. sarah wildman More than 100 hostages were released from Gaza, mostly women and children. archived recording 1 Last minute tense negotiations allowed for a seventh day of this temporary ceasefire. sarah wildman As fighting in Gaza restarted, hostage negotiations stalled. I wanted to understand where that leaves family members of those remaining in captivity. Hi, Rachel. Im sorry to be seeing you under these circumstances again. rachel goldberg You know, me, too. sarah wildman I see you have a number 59 on your shirt. rachel goldberg Indeed. That is the 59 days since my son was stolen from me and from his life, and 59 days that he has been in captivity in Gaza. sarah wildman I want to take us to that moment when the pause in conflict happened. What did you think, and what did you feel at that moment? rachel goldberg Oh, well, we were thrilled. And we had been told, this wont be for someone like Hersh. This is going to be a pause thats going to be to help release the children, the babies, the women, which we totally agreed with. And we even said, Hersh would want that. Hersh would agree with that. So it was actually, finally, this sliver of light and hope and breath and air in this world of indescribable I keep thinking, I feel like English is such a descriptive, incredible language. And yet, there really isnt a way to describe what we feel. But there was this moment of delicious, thankful respite when we saw these children coming back to their parents. That was really wonderful. And we were so aware that deal was held together by the finest, most fragile of threads. We were so hopeful, but we find ourselves back in this very scary situation. sarah wildman You mentioned that you understood that women and children would be first, that even Hersh would want women and children to come out. But was there a push to see if the gravely wounded would be next? rachel goldberg Yeah, so we now have brought that up. Weve said we know that there are a bunch of gravely wounded or, like in Hershs case, maimed, disabled. So we have brought up to all the different entities that are sitting at those tables, can you at least categorize those people together, meaning it could be an 18-year-old to an 80-year-old. I dont know if its 20 of them or 50 of them, but can they be a group that is considered together because for some of them, I think that it is a question of life or death that theyre hanging on by a thread. sarah wildman Now that fighting has resumed, where does that leave you? What are you advocating for? rachel goldberg It wasnt shocking that things fell apart. It was disappointing and crushing and, obviously, terrifying to know that hes in a very, very, very vulnerable state. And then knowing that hes in a war zone, on top of everything, is very terrifying. And of course, as Ive said from the very beginning, I feel for all of these innocent Gazan civilians who are in the middle of a war zone. So my heart goes out to everybody whos there. Im also going on 60 days now, 60 days, of being in an eternal state of fright and terror. sarah wildman How do you sustain yourself? rachel goldberg I have no idea. I literally have no clue how I am able to function. I have zero idea how this is happening. Its actually making me have a renewed faith in the capacity of the human psyche to go on. For me, it feels like a complete bifurcation of what that terror and trauma and anguish that I am in constant state of, constant. Theres never a moment where I dont feel terror. And then on the other hand, Id have to act like a normal person. I have other children. I have to speak to the press, speak to diplomats, speak to ambassadors, speak to presidents, speak to the Pope, speak to other people who can possibly help save his life. And I have to be a human being in order to do that. Its just a survival tactic of the only way I can save his life is if I keep going. So I must keep going. sarah wildman Is there something you want specifically from the Israeli government right now? rachel goldberg Hmm. I dont really know. I dont think there are any mothers in those rooms where anythings being decided. I feel like what has been yielded for years and years from these rooms full of men making these decisions, I dont think its always been a failure, but I think that it hasnt been as creative or insightful as it could have been. And I think it might be time to try on doing something a little bit different. When I was little, there was some Take Your Kid to Work Day at my moms office. You know what might be nice tomorrow is, what if instead of Take Your Kid to Work Day, it was Send Your Mom in Place of You Day in the war cabinet, instead of these men. And I dont mean bring your mom to work. I mean, you stay home and just send moms. And Im very self-aware. I have no experience, but I do think that theres something about being a mother, having something grow inside of you for a really long time, and then this thing comes out of you through tremendous effort and labor and work and love, and theres an attachment there that youre always going to have. And Hersh changed who I am in the world because before him, I was a person. And after Hersh, I was a mother. And even though Ive had children after Hersh, Hersh was the one that changed me from being Rachel to being mother. Hersh just turned 23, and he is a young man, but he will always be my child. sarah wildman Thanks, Rachel. rachel goldberg At the founding of the Republic, the Constitution gave Congress a broad power to lay and collect taxes of all kinds. The Constitution required only that taxes be uniform and that direct taxes taxes like a head tax that it makes sense to apportion to the states by population be apportioned by population, accounting for enslaved people according to the infamous three-fifths clause. There was no forbidden category of taxes, no rule that said no taxes on income or no taxes on wealth. What to tax and how much were questions for Congress. Direct taxes were those that could be apportioned by population without defeating their purpose not an income tax or a wealth tax, because numbers of people do not afford a just estimate or rule of wealth, as the Supreme Court ruled in a 1796 case. The Supreme Court reaffirmed this original understanding, repeatedly and forcefully, for 100 years. In 1895 a single case upended this history and tradition. In Pollock v. Farmers Loan and Trust Company, a 5-to-4 majority struck down the income tax. The ostensible rationale was that an income tax was a direct tax a tax that would have to be apportioned by population, which it could not be, since some states have more per capita income than others. Therefore, the income tax fell into a newly invented, Supreme Court-devised loophole, a tax that Congress cannot constitutionally enact at all. The backlash against the court was sustained and furious. Public outrage was fueled by the outrage of the courts own dissenters. The Pollock majority had complained that the income tax unfairly singled out the rich, but the dissenters pointed out that it was the majority that was creating a special privileged class of rich people who were now constitutionally protected from tax. The courts reckless new doctrine, declared Justice John Marshall Harlan, not only betrayed the original understanding of the tax power and a century of precedent; it also granted the wealthiest Americans power and influence that would leave ordinary citizens subjected to the dominion of aggregated wealth. On a Monday night last month, a few hours after OpenAI held an event for developers in downtown San Francisco, hundreds of artificial intelligence aficionados packed into a three-story nightclub several blocks away to celebrate a looser, less corporate vision of the A.I. future. Under colorful lights and screens showing anime images, the mostly young, mostly male crowd danced to a D.J. set by the musician Grimes, who is better known in tech circles as Elon Musks ex. A big banner on the wall read Accelerate or Die. Another sign showed a diagram of an A.I. neural network emblazoned with the motto Come and Take It. An A.I. start-up handed out promotional fliers that read THE MESSENGER TO THE GODS IS AVAILABLE TO YOU. The party was called Keep A.I. Open, and it was a coming-out bash of sorts for Effective Accelerationism, one of the weirder and more interesting splinter groups that have emerged from the A.I. boom of the past year. Effective Accelerationism (often shortened to e/acc, pronounced e-ack) is a loosely organized movement devoted to the no-holds-barred pursuit of technological progress. The group believes that artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies should be allowed to move as fast as possible, with no guardrails or gatekeepers standing in the way of innovation. Mistral AI, a Paris start-up founded seven months ago by researchers from Meta and Google, has raised 385 million euros, or about $415 million, in yet another sign of feverish interest in a new kind of artificial intelligence that drives online chatbots. The deal values the 22-person company at about $2 billion, two people familiar with the deal said. Investors include the Silicon Valley venture capital firms Andreessen Horowitz and Lightspeed Venture Partners. The start-ups value has increased more than sevenfold in just six months. In the summer, it raised a seed funding round of 105 million (about $113 million) that valued the company at about $260 million. Mistral builds technology that other businesses can use to deploy chatbots, search engines, online tutors and other A.I.-driven products. It is among a small group of companies including the tech industrys giants and a handful of start-ups that are building A.I. that could rival technology under development at OpenAI, the San Francisco start-up that kicked off the A.I. boom last fall with the release of the ChatGPT chatbot. This article is also a weekly newsletter. Sign up for Race/Related here. Four decades ago, nearly 2,000 Black women converged on Atlanta for a conference at Spelman College. As Dara Mathis recently reported for Headway, The New York Timess initiative covering the worlds challenges through the lens of progress, this event was a milestone in the then-nascent movement. Black women were gathering en masse from across the U.S. to share with one another the experiences that affected their well-being. I spoke to some of the women who attended the event, to understand what drew them there, what they found and the impact the conference had on them. A few things stood out from our conversations. I was struck by how many aspects of their lives the attendees discussed openly for the first time. When she went to the conference, Brenda Smith had just graduated from Spelman and was studying at the Georgetown University Law Center. I think that was probably one of the first places I heard about abortion, Smith told me. I think it was the first time that I heard open conversations about sexual violence, that people really talked about domestic violence. I think it was probably the first time that people acknowledged, or that I got the sense that people were open about, loving other women. Nancy Anderson was a young doctor working at a county hospital in Atlanta at the time. I had read a book called This Bridge Called My Back, Anderson said. That was where I realized that, Ooh, there are people who are describing, really, what its like to be a Black woman. They had all kinds of points of view. I realized that I could find other people like that in Atlanta. Reading the book, a collection of writings by women of color, helped begin a process of exploration that brought her to the event at Spelman. Thousands of similar discrete catalysts led women all over the country to organize buses and car pools and make their way to Georgia. Like many people in the tiny town of Why, Ariz., Stephanie Fierros life revolves around the nearby border crossing. She works at a roadside cafe serving enchiladas to American tourists passing through on their way to beach resorts in Mexico. Her husband, a Mexican citizen, lives on the other side. That link was severed last week when United States border officials closed the port of entry in nearby Lukeville, Ariz., to cope with an influx of thousands of migrants who have been camping out in a rugged patch of desert along the border wall. Border officials have said they had to close the port to legal crossings in order to focus all their resources on the surge of unlawful crossings. It has created a split-screen crisis a humanitarian emergency at the border, where hundreds of migrants are burning cactuses and trash to keep warm at night, and an economic disaster for people in rural southern Arizona whose lives and livelihoods depend on the now-shuttered border crossing. We come and go every day, said Ms. Fierro, 26, who is eight months pregnant with her second child. If the border stays closed, she said, she doubts she will be able to see her husband before her due date. Thats just wrong. One day after the president of the University of Pennsylvania resigned over criticism that she did not condemn antisemitism forcefully enough, state leaders showed solidarity with Jews at a Philadelphia rally, while students and professors lamented the ongoing rift on campus. Speaking at Rodeph Shalom Synagogue on Sunday, Gov. Josh Shapiro denounced antisemitism and voiced support for the decision by the university president, Elizabeth Magill, to step down. Penns chairman of the board of trustees, Scott L. Bok, also announced his resignation on Saturday. I have seen Pennsylvanians take actions big and small, and both matter, to combat antisemitism, Mr. Shapiro said at the synagogue, where he was joined by Senator Bob Casey and other local leaders. Ive seen it here in Philadelphia, where students raised their voices, where students made sure they were heard in the halls of power at their university, and leadership was held accountable. Ms. Magill had come under heavy criticism from donors, politicians and alumni over her testimony in front of a House committee last week in which she and the presidents of two other universities Claudine Gay of Harvard and Sally Kornbluth of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology appeared to evade the question of whether students who called for the genocide of Jews would be punished under the schools code of conduct. The question deeply divided congressional Democrats last week when Republican leaders, seeking to drive a wedge between American Jews and the political party that three-quarters of them call their own, put it to a vote in the House. It has shaken the countrys campuses and reverberated in its city streets, where pro-Palestinian protesters bellow chants calling for Palestine to be free from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. It surfaced in Wednesdays Republican presidential debate, when Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, said, If you dont think Israel has a right to exist, that is antisemitic. The following night, lighting the national menorah behind the White House, Vice President Kamala Harriss husband, Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish, warned, When Jews are targeted because of their beliefs or identity, and when Israel is singled out because of anti-Jewish hatred, that is antisemitism. President Biden is facing multiple wars, economic anxieties, the indictment of his son and flagging poll numbers. But he was received in California this weekend like a superstar, headlining the hottest events in Los Angeles. In sprawling Southern California homes, celebrities flocked and opened their wallets to hear the president and the first lady, Jill Biden, make the case for why Mr. Biden should be re-elected. The campaign swing was the first since the end of the monthslong actors and writers strikes, during which the president stayed away from the fund-raising hub to show support for those on the picket lines. It was like a desert out here in L.A., said James Costos, a former ambassador under the Obama administration, who hosted one of the events. There was a lot of people who were idly sitting by, wanting to know what was going on, who hadnt seen the president in a while. The weekends activities which included two larger fund-raisers and two campaign meetings, as described by the White House came as recent polls indicated Mr. Biden could lose in an expected rematch with former President Donald J. Trump. Mr. Biden has struggled to assuage anxieties around an improved economy, and his steadfast support for Israels offensive in Gaza has earned the ire of young, diverse voters who threaten not to support him in 2024. Though Rick Ahearn was just a few feet from John Hinckley Jr. when he opened fire on Ronald Reagan and his entourage outside the Washington Hilton on March 30, 1981, he was most likely among the last people in the city to know that the president had been shot. Thats because as soon as Secret Service agents shoved Mr. Reagan into his limousine, just seconds after Mr. Hinckley began shooting, Mr. Ahearn was on the ground giving first aid to James S. Brady, the White House press secretary, who had been hit in the head and was bleeding profusely on the sidewalk. All I had to hold that together was my pocket handkerchief and some handkerchiefs given to me by people in the crowd, Mr. Ahearn told Neil Cavuto of Fox News in 2021. Mr. Ahearn was the presidents advance man, in charge of planning the logistics of Mr. Reagans trips, down to details like the closest medical center. He helped get Mr. Brady into an ambulance and ordered the driver to take them to George Washington University Hospital. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine will travel to Washington on Tuesday for a last-ditch lobbying effort with President Biden and members of Congress aimed at securing billions of dollars of U.S. aid, officials said on Sunday. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said Mr. Zelensky would meet with Mr. Biden at the White House to underscore the United States unshakable commitment to the embattled nation as it resists Russias invasion. As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraines urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States continued support at this critical moment, Ms. Jean-Pierre said. Last week, Republicans blocked a $110.5 billion emergency spending bill that includes funding for Ukraines war effort, putting in doubt whether the United States would continue helping arm the country in its fight against Russia. FILE - Patients use nebulizers during a test for the presence of TB, at the Tembalete, a U.S. funded Right to Care Clinic at the Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg Wednesday, Dec 17, 2008. In a series of moves experts say signal a shift in how developing countries deal with pharmaceuticals, South Africa, Colombia and others have recently adopted a more combative approach towards drugmakers, pushing back on policies that deny treatment to millions of people with tuberculosis and HIV. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell, File) CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) South Africa, Colombia and other countries that lost out in the global race for coronavirus vaccines are taking a more combative approach towards drugmakers and pushing back on policies that deny cheap treatment to millions of people with tuberculosis and HIV. Experts see it as a shift in how such countries deal with pharmaceutical behemoths and say it could trigger more efforts to make lifesaving medicines more widely available. In the COVID-19 pandemic, rich countries bought most of the worlds vaccines early, leaving few shots for poor countries and creating a disparity the World Health Organization called a catastrophic moral failure. Now, poorer countries are trying to become more self-reliant because theyve realized after COVID they cant count on anyone else, said Brook Baker, who studies treatment-access issues at Northeastern University. One of the targets is a drug, bedaquiline, that is used for treating people with drug-resistant versions of tuberculosis. The pills are especially important for South Africa, where TB killed more than 50,000 people in 2021, making it the countrys leading cause of death. In recent months, activists have protested efforts by Johnson & Johnson to protect its patent on the drug. In March, TB patients petitioned the Indian government, calling for cheaper generics; the government ultimately agreed J&J's patent could be broken. Belarus and Ukraine then wrote to J&J, also asking it to drop its patents, but with little response. In July, J&Js patent on the drug expired in South Africa, but the company had it extended until 2027, enraging activists who accused it of profiteering. The South African government then began investigating the companys pricing policies. It had been paying about 5,400 rand ($282) per treatment course, more than twice as much as poor countries that got the drug via a global effort called the Stop TB partnership. Story continues In September, about a week after South Africas probe began, J&J announced that it would drop its patent in more than 130 countries, allowing generic-makers to copy the drug. This addresses any misconception that access to our medicines is limited, the company said. Christophe Perrin, a TB expert at Doctors Without Borders, called J&J's reversal a big surprise because aggressive patent protection was typically a cornerstone of pharmaceutical companies' strategy. Meanwhile, in Colombia, the government declared last month that it would issue a compulsory license for the HIV drug dolutegravir without permission from the drugs patent-holder, Viiv Healthcare. The decision came after more than 120 groups asked the Colombian government to expand access to the WHO-recommended drug. This is Colombia taking the reins after the extreme inequity of COVID and challenging a major pharmaceutical to ensure affordable AIDS treatment for its people, said Peter Maybarduk of the Washington advocacy group Public Citizen. He noted that Brazilian activists are pushing their government to make a similar move. Still, some experts said much more needs to change before poorer countries can produce their own medicines and vaccines. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, Africa produced fewer than 1% of all vaccines made globally but used more than half of the worlds supply, according to Petro Terblanche, managing director of Afrigen Biologics. The company is part of a WHO-backed effort to produce a COVID vaccine using the same mRNA technology as those made by Pfizer and Moderna. Terblanche estimated about 14 million people died of AIDS in Africa in the late 1990s-2000s, when countries couldnt get the necessary medicines. Back then, President Nelson Mandelas government in South Africa eventually suspended patents to allow wider access to AIDS drugs. That prompted more than 30 drugmakers to take it to court in 1998, in a case dubbed Mandela vs. Big Pharma. Doctors Without Borders described the episode as a public relations disaster for the drug companies, which dropped the lawsuit in 2001. Terblanche said that Africa's past experience during the HIV epidemic has proven instructive. Its not acceptable for a listed company to hold intellectual property that stands in the way of saving lives and so, we will see more countries fighting back, she said. Challenging pharmaceutical companies is just one piece to ensuring Africa has equal access to treatments and vaccines, Terblanche said. More robust health systems are critical. If we cant get (vaccines and medicines) to the people who need them, they arent useful, she said. Yet some experts pointed out that South Africa's own intellectual property laws still haven't been changed sufficiently and make it too easy for pharmaceutical companies to acquire patents and extend their monopolies. While many other developing countries allow legal challenges to a patent or a patent extension, South Africa has no clear law that allows it to do that, said Lynette Keneilwe Mabote-Eyde, a health care activist who consults for the nonprofit Treatment Action Group. The South African department of health didn't respond to a request for comment regarding drug procurement and patents. Andy Gray, who advises the South African government on essential medicines, said J&J's recent decision to not enforce its patent may have more to do with the drug's limited future earnings than caving to pressure from activists. "Because bedaquiline is not ever going to sell in huge volumes in high-income countries, it's the sort of product they would love to offload at some stage and perhaps earn a royalty from, said Gray, a senior lecturer in pharmacology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. In its annual report on TB released earlier this month, the World Health Organization said there were more than 10 million people sickened by the disease last year and 1.3 million deaths. After COVID-19, tuberculosis is the world's deadliest infectious disease and it is now the top killer of people with HIV. WHO noted only about 2 in 5 people with drug-resistant TB are being treated. Zolelwa Sifumba, a South African doctor, was diagnosed with drug-resistant TB in 2012 when she was a medical student and endured 18 months of treatment taking about 20 pills every day in addition to daily injections, which left her in immense pain and resulted in some hearing loss. Bedaquiline was not rolled out as a standard treatment in South Africa until 2018. I wanted to quit (treatment) every single day, she said. Since her recovery, Sifumba has become an advocate for better TB treatment, saying it makes little sense to charge poor countries high prices for essential medicines. TB is everywhere but the burden of it is in your lower and middle income countries, she said. "If the lower income countries cant get it (the drug), then whats the point? Who are you making it for? ___ Cheng reported from London. ___ AP health coverage: https://apnews.com/health Reed Arnold was watching TV on Saturday at his home in Clarksville, Tenn., when he saw a warning on his phone. He stepped outside and filmed the swiftly moving clouds and a looming tornado. Minutes later, the twister hit his neighborhood. One second you are sitting in your house, and all of a sudden, all this carnage happens, he said. A sober mood gripped Clarksville and other communities in Middle Tennessee on Sunday as crews searched for survivors and officials surveyed the damage from severe storms and tornadoes that killed at least six people in the region and injured more than 60. The storms and tornadoes, part of a broader stretch of severe weather that swept across the South on Saturday, left a swath of destruction that included parts of Clarksville, near the Kentucky border, where three people died, and communities around Nashville, where three others were killed. For years, conservatives have struggled to persuade American voters that the left-wing tilt of higher education is not only wrong but dangerous. Universities and their students, theyve argued, have been increasingly clenched by suffocating ideologies political correctness in one decade, overweening social justice in another, woke-ism most recently that shouldnt be dismissed as academic fads or harmless zeal. The validation they have sought seemed to finally arrive this fall, as campuses convulsed with protests against Israels military campaign in Gaza and hostile, sometimes violent, rhetoric toward Jews. It came to a head last week on Capitol Hill, as the presidents of three elite universities struggled to answer a question about whether calling for the genocide of Jews would violate school rules, and Republicans asserted that outbreaks of campus antisemitism were a symptom of the radical ideas they had long warned about. On Saturday, amid the fallout, one of those presidents, M. Elizabeth Magill of the University of Pennsylvania, resigned. Gao Yaojie, a Chinese doctor who defied government pressure in exposing an AIDS epidemic that spread across rural China through reckless blood collection, died on Sunday at her home in Upper Manhattan. She was 95. Her death was confirmed by Prof. Andrew J. Nathan, a scholar of Chinese politics at Columbia University who managed her affairs in the United States. Dr. Gaos relentless efforts to expose and halt the epidemic of AIDS among poor farmers in the late 1990s brought her fame in China and acclaim abroad; among others, she was hailed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the Obama administration. But Communist Party officials ultimately tried to silence Dr. Gao, and she spent her last decade in New York. Even in exile and in faltering health, she continued to speak out about the hundreds of villages especially in her home province, Henan, in central China where residents flocked to sell blood at collection stations whose slipshod methods caused tens of thousands of deaths, if not more, from AIDS. Anton Thomas In a hand-drawn map of the world, hundreds of animals sprawl across valleys and volcanoes, deltas and deserts. In Australia, marsupials abound: A snarling Tasmanian devil stands before craggy Cradle Mountain, while a stubby brown wombat surveils the Great Australian Bight. In the Cascade Mountains, on the West Coast of the United States, a cougar flexes its tail. And deep in the North Atlantic Ocean, an anglerfish gapes into the gloom. The colonial era entered its death throes after World War II. From 1945 through the 1960s, a global order in which European powers took political control of other countries occupying them with settlers, subjugating the local populations and exploiting the land and its inhabitants for economic gain unraveled. Dozens of states in Asia and Africa threw off colonial overlords. Colonialism, once equated by the West with civilizing progress, became synonymous with iniquity. More than a half-century later, a broad battle over colonialism and its legacy has restarted. The polemics reflect a world where wars rage in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Global South has risen, and study has intensified in the United States and elsewhere of how different forms of domination and prejudice whether in the fields of race, class, sex or religion interlock to oppress minorities. We are witnessing neocolonial instincts in the West, Sergey V. Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said last month, even as his country waged what looks very much like a war of imperial expansion in Ukraine. There is a desire to continue living at the expense of others, as they have been doing for over 500 years. When Tran Mai Huy Thong was growing up as a vegetarian in West Germany, his peers couldnt comprehend his choice to not eat meat. As an adult, he moved to Berlin in the early 2000s, and his options for dining out in Germanys capital were slim, with meatless options largely limited to Vietnamese-run restaurants and even then, a dish with fish sauce or chicken broth may have been labeled vegan. In Germanys capital, Mr. Tran, the son of Vietnamese refugees who was working in fashion, also began doing concept designs for restaurants. Partly out of frustration with his own lack of choices, he gave clients a discount if they added a vegan dish to the menu. He was confident his clients would discover that he was not alone in wanting more vegan-friendly menus. Just weeks before Hamas launched the deadly Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, the head of Mossad arrived in Doha, Qatar, for a meeting with Qatari officials. For years, the Qatari government had been sending millions of dollars a month into the Gaza Strip money that helped prop up the Hamas government there. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel not only tolerated those payments, he had encouraged them. During his meetings in September with the Qatari officials, according to several people familiar with the secret discussions, the Mossad chief, David Barnea, was asked a question that had not been on the agenda: Did Israel want the payments to continue? Mr. Netanyahus government had recently decided to continue the policy, so Mr. Barnea said yes. The Israeli government still welcomed the money from Doha. Irans most prominent human rights activist, Narges Mohammadi, was supposed to be handed the Nobel Peace Prize at a ceremony in Oslo on Sunday. But, locked inside Evin Prison in Iran, Ms. Mohammadi, 51, was unable to attend and her 17-year-old twin children, Kiana Rahmani and Ali Rahmani, instead accepted medal and diploma on her behalf and read out a speech she had prepared. I write this message from behind the tall and cold walls of a prison, she said in her speech, making a plea for a globalization of peace and human rights in a world where authoritarian governments continue to commit abuses against their people. Ms. Mohammadis children have not seen their mother since 2015, when they fled Iran for France, and they have been unable to speak with her for two years, after Iranian prison authorities banned her from phone contact with them, according to PEN America, a free-speech group. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia spoke by telephone on Sunday for the first time in weeks, offering sharply different accounts of what was said in a reflection of the strained relationship between the two leaders since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas. Mr. Netanyahu said he was dissatisfied with positions that Moscow had adopted at the United Nations Security Council and expressed sharp criticism of the dangerous cooperation between Russia and Iran, according to a statement from his office. For its part, the Kremlin said that the focus of the conversation was on the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Russia, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, on Friday backed a U.N. resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and said the United States was complicit in Israels brutal massacre, an apparent reference to the more than 17,000 people who the Gazan health authorities say have been killed in the enclave since the war began. The United States blocked the resolution, arguing that Israel has the right to defend itself against attacks by Hamas. Mr. Netanyahus criticism of Russia over its ties with Iran is, in part, a reference to the close relationship between the two countries fostered by the war in Ukraine. Tehran, a principal backer of Hamas, has supplied Moscow with thousands of exploding drones for use in Russias war in Ukraine. Mr. Putin has called the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel a terrorist act and he reiterated that position during the call on Sunday, the Kremlin said. While his support for Israel was initially muted, he has tried to preserve working ties with the country. At the same time, Mr. Putin has argued that the dominance of Western elites allowed for the crisis to happen in the first place. And state media in Russia has voiced support for Hamas and undercut Israel. It has also denigrated the United States, Israels main ally. The Russian side is ready to provide all possible assistance to alleviate the suffering of civilians and de-escalate the conflict, the Kremlin said in its statement on the leaders conversation. Underscoring the layered nature of the relationship between the two leaders, Mr. Netanyahu also praised Russian efforts to free an Israeli citizen who also has Russian citizenship from captivity in Gaza. Israeli authorities say that the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 killed around 1,200 people and around 240 people were also taken hostage. A crucial deadline is coming up for borrowers with commercially held federal loans and those who were in delinquent status before the pandemic payment pause. Borrowers with commercially held federal loans had until Dec. 31 to consolidate their loans to qualify for the one-time payment adjustment, which can help them get closer to or achieve a discharge through their income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. However, on Dec. 18 the Education Department extended the deadline to April 30, 2024 to allow for the 60 days of processing. For borrowers in default, Dec. 31 is the deadline to enroll in the Fresh Start program to get in good standing to be eligible for the one-time payment adjustment and to qualify for an income-driven repayment plan that could lower their monthly payment. Read more: How to apply for IDR forgiveness Borrowers with commercially held federal loans The majority of loans through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program are commercially held because the program and Education Department worked with private lenders to provide student loans guaranteed by the federal government. But these loans dont qualify for some federal student loan relief programs, like the one-time payment adjustment, which counts certain months that were previously ineligible for student loan forgiveness such as time in forbearance, deferment, or payments before consolidation. A student wears a money lei, a necklace made of US dollar bills, at a graduation ceremony in Pasadena, Calif., on June 14, 2019. (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images) (ROBYN BECK via Getty Images) Similarly, Health Education Assistance Loans, or HEAL loans, are treated the same as commercially held FFEL loans for the one-time payment adjustment. The only way for borrowers with these loans to qualify is to consolidate into a Direct Consolidation Loan. To do so, first find out if your FFEL loan is commercially held or held by the Education Department. Log in to your StudentAid.gov account and view the My Loan Servicers section of your dashboard. If the servicer name starts with ED, your loan is held by the Education Department and you do not need to do anything as the one-time payment will be automatically processed for loans held by ED. If not, then the loan is commercially held and you need to consolidate to qualify for the one-time payment adjustment. Story continues Read more: Student loan issues? Here's how to file a complaint with the Department of Education To consolidate, you can only file for direct loan consolidation on the Federal Student Aid website at https://studentaid.gov/loan-consolidation/. There is no fee to apply and the application takes about 30 minutes to complete. Due to the restart of payments, loan consolidation can take several weeks to process. After you complete your application, a loan servicer processes it. The loan servicer processing your consolidation application may be different from your current loan servicer. You should continue your monthly payments with your current loan servicer until you are notified that your consolidation application is complete. After your loan is consolidated, you may have a new loan servicer. December 18, 2023: The Education Department extended the deadline for borrowers with commercially-held FFEL loans to consolidate to qualify for the one-time payment adjustment. Source: Federal Student Aid (FSA) - US Education Department (US Education Department) Read more: Should you refinance your student loans? Borrowers in default Borrowers in default also are up against the clock. Thats where the Fresh Start program comes in. Announced last year, the one-time, free temporary program is an initiative to get default borrowers back into good standing and qualify for other relief programs that could help them meet their debt obligations. For instance, borrowers in Fresh Start can move from their default loan servicer to a regular loan servicer, making them eligible for forbearance, deferment, and income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, where a monthly payment of $0 counts as payment. Getting their loans in current status can also remove default from their credit reports and stop collections, collection fees, and wage garnishments. Borrowers with William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan, Perkins Loan, and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) loans that are owned by ED or commercially held are eligible for Fresh Start, according to the Federal Student Aid (FSA) Fresh Start Fact Sheet. Before the pandemic, 7.5 million borrowers were in default and normally the rehabilitation of default loans requires at least nine on-time payments, Mark Kantrowitz, author and student loan expert, previously told Yahoo Finance. The pandemic forbearance payment pause applies towards the required on-time payments, helping to get default borrowers in good standing. Source: NASFAA (NASFAA) Borrowers have two options to get into the Fresh Start program. The first path is for borrowers to return to school before Fresh Start ends on Dec. 31. The school will then process the Fresh Start paperwork for the borrower. The second way is for borrowers to contact the Education Department or your loan servicer to register for the program by Dec. 31. If you have been in default for more than 360 days, you may have a default loan servicer or had your loan sent to a guaranty agency. If your loans are held by ED you can start the process three ways: Online at https://myeddebt.ed.gov/, or Phone at 1-800-621-3115 or if you are deaf or hard of hearing, the TTY number is 1-877-825-9923), or Mail at P.O. Box 5609, Greenville, TX 75403 with your name, social security number, date of birth, and stating that you want to use Fresh Start to bring your loans back into good standing. If youve been in default for more than 360 days, Maximus Services Inc. processes these federal loans. If Maximus isnt your federal default loan processor, it may have been sent to a guaranty agency. A list of guaranty agencies that ED uses can be found on the default website and below. U.S. Department of Education Guaranty Agencies (U.S. Dept of Education) Ronda is a personal finance senior reporter for Yahoo Finance and attorney with experience in law, insurance, education, and government. Follow her on Twitter @writesronda Read the latest personal finance trends and news from Yahoo Finance. Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Flipboard, and LinkedIn This post was updated to reflect a deadline extension announced by the Department of Education in December. Chhattisgarh BJP May Appoint Deputy CM Along With Vishnu Deo Sai as Chief Minister Array India -Krishna Kripa The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Chhattisgarh is considering appointing a deputy chief minister, according to senior leader Raman Singh. The announcement came ahead of a meeting of the newly elected MLAs in the state to elect their legislative party leader. Vishnu Deo Sai Elected as Chief Minister Following the meeting, Vishnu Deo Sai, a prominent tribal leader, was chosen as the chief minister. This decision sparked speculation in local political circles that the BJP might appoint two deputies to assist Sai in governing the state. BJP's Victory in Recent Assembly Polls The BJP secured a significant victory in the recently held polls, winning 54 seats in the 90-member Assembly. This outcome resulted in the defeat of the incumbent Congress government led by Bhupesh Baghel. The Congress, which had won 68 seats in 2018, suffered a significant loss, ending up with only 35 seats this time. Appointment of Deputy CM During the meeting of 54 newly elected MLAs at Kushabhau Thakre Parisar, the party's state headquarters, Sai was elected as the leader of the BJP's legislative party. Prior to the meeting, Raman Singh had hinted at the possibility of appointing a deputy CM along with other key positions. Potential Candidates for Deputy CM Although no official announcement was made during the legislative party meeting, there has been speculation about who might be chosen as the deputy CM. Several names have been circulating in political circles, including state unit chief Arun Sao, IAS-turned-politician OP Chaudhary (both from Other Backward Classes), and Vijay Sharma, an MLA from the general category. Significance of OBCs in Chhattisgarh The OBCs constitute a substantial portion of the state's population, accounting for approximately 45%. Arun Sao belongs to the influential Sahu Teli community, which has a strong presence in the Durg, Raipur, and Bilaspur divisions. On the other hand, Vijay Sharma, a Brahmin, achieved a notable victory by defeating influential Congress leader and minister Mohammad Akbar in the Kawardha seat with a margin of 39,592 votes. Decision-Making Process When asked about the appointment of a deputy CM, Arun Sao stated that the decision would be made by the chief minister and the party leadership. This indicates that the final decision on who will serve as deputy CM rests with Vishnu Deo Sai and the BJP's central leadership. India Slams Media Report On Secret Memo Against Sikh Separatists As Fake Array India -Krishna Kripa India on Saturday strongly refuted a media report alleging that New Delhi issued a secret memo in April to take specific actions against certain Sikh separatists, including Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, denounced the report as fake and entirely fabricated, asserting that it is part of an ongoing disinformation campaign against India. Disinformation Campaign and Fake Narratives Bagchi emphasized that such reports are completely fabricated and there is no such memo. He highlighted that the outlet that published the report is known for promoting false narratives propagated by Pakistani intelligence, as evident from the posts of its authors. Response to Media Queries Responding to media inquiries about the report, Bagchi cautioned that those who amplify such fake news do so at the expense of their own credibility. He reiterated India's strong rejection of the allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September regarding the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Nijjar on Canadian soil. The Intercept's Claims The Intercept, an online American media outlet, published a report claiming that the Indian government issued instructions for a crackdown scheme against certain Sikh entities in western countries. According to the report, the secret memorandum issued in April by the Ministry of External Affairs lists several Sikh dissidents under investigation by India's intelligence agencies, including Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India's Strong Rejection India vehemently rejected the report's claims, dismissing them as absurd. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson asserted that there is no truth to the allegations and that India does not engage in such activities. India's swift and strong response to the media report underscores its commitment to combating disinformation campaigns and upholding its national security. The government's efforts to counter fake news and promote accurate information are crucial in maintaining public trust and preserving India's reputation on the global stage. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Under Fire for Alleged Attacks on Congress Activists Kerala Congress chief K Sudhakaran has accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of being responsible for the alleged attacks by CPIM and DYFI workers on Congress activists protesting against the Nava Kerala Sadas. India -Krishna Kripa The Congress party in Kerala has accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of being responsible for the alleged attacks by Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPIM] and Democratic Youth Federation of India [DYFI] workers on its activists who are protesting against the ongoing Nava Kerala Sadas. Satheesan's Allegations Speaking to the media in Kochi, Congress leader K. Sudhakaran alleged that goons accompanying the chief minister's cavalcade are attacking peaceful protestors standing along the road. He pointed out that when a group of Left workers attacked a Congress protester in Kannur, the police registered an FIR under various serious provisions, including an attempt to murder. However, Satheesan criticized the chief minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, for justifying the attack, claiming it was an attempt to save the Congress activists and encouraging his party workers to continue the same. CM Held Responsible Satheesan asserted that Vijayan was responsible for all the attacks reported on Congress workers and should be named as an accused in those cases. He condemned Vijayan's threats of physical attacks on opposition party members, stating that such behavior was unbecoming of a chief minister. Attack on CPIM Worker Satheesan also highlighted news reports of a CPIM worker being attacked by members of his own party in Kochi, who mistook him for a Congress worker. He emphasized that even a CPIM worker was not spared by the goons and vowed to raise strong protests against such incidents. Financial Crisis Amidst Travel In addition to the allegations of attacks, Satheesan raised concerns about the state's financial crisis while ministers were traveling across the state. He criticized the government's spending priorities and called for responsible financial management. The Congress party's accusations against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the reported attacks on activists have escalated tensions in Kerala. The state government's response to these allegations and its handling of the ongoing protests will be closely watched in the coming days. Three Arrested in Joint Police Operation for Rajput Leaders Murder In a joint operation, Delhi and Rajasthan Police have apprehended three individuals, including two alleged shooters, in connection with the murder of Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi in Jaipur. India -Krishna Kripa In a significant development, the Delhi Police Crime Branch, in collaboration with the Rajasthan Police, has apprehended three individuals, including two alleged shooters, from Chandigarh. These arrests are linked to the high-profile murder of Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, who was tragically gunned down in his Jaipur residence on December 5. Identification of the Accused Through meticulous investigation, the police identified the two primary suspects as Rohit Rathore from Jaipur and Nitin Fauji from Haryana's Mahendragarh. In an effort to expedite their capture, a substantial cash reward of Rs 5 lakh was announced for any information leading to their arrest. Joint Operation and Apprehension Acting swiftly, a dedicated team from the Delhi Police Crime Branch, in conjunction with the Rajasthan Police, launched a joint operation. Their efforts culminated in the successful apprehension of the two accused individuals from Chandigarh's Sector 22. Notably, they were accompanied by an associate named Udham Singh, who was also taken into custody. Handover to Jaipur Police In accordance with legal procedures, the apprehended individuals will be handed over to the Jaipur Police for further interrogation and investigation. This collaborative effort between the Delhi and Rajasthan Police demonstrates their commitment to ensuring justice and bringing the perpetrators of this heinous crime to account. Formation of SIT by Rajasthan Police Recognizing the gravity of the case, the Rajasthan Police constituted an 11-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) specifically tasked with apprehending the accused involved in Gogamedi's murder. Arrest of Another Conspirator In a separate development, the Jaipur Police made another significant arrest on Saturday. Ramveer Jat, identified as one of the conspirators in the Gogamedi murder case, was apprehended for allegedly contracting the shooters responsible for the crime. Investigations revealed that Jat had meticulously prepared the groundwork in Jaipur to facilitate Fauji's involvement in the murder. The joint operation between the Delhi and Rajasthan Police, resulting in the arrest of three individuals, underscores their unwavering commitment to upholding law and order. As the investigation progresses, further details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the motives and circumstances surrounding the tragic murder of Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi. Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi Murder Case: 2 Shooters Among Three Nabbed In Chandigarh India oi-Prakash KL By Pti In a joint operation with the Rajasthan Police, the Delhi Police's Crime Branch nabbed three men, including two shooters, from Chandigarh for their alleged involvement in the killing of Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, officials said on Sunday. Gogamedi was gunned down in the living room of his house in Rajasthan's Jaipur on December 5. CCTV camera footage purportedly of the assailants opening fire at Gogamedi had surfaced recently. The police had identified the two alleged killers as Rohit Rathore from Jaipur and Nitin Fauji from Haryana's Mahendragarh, and announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to their arrests. Delhi Police sources on Sunday said a team of the Crime Branch, in a joint operation with the Rajasthan Police, nabbed the pair from Chandigarh's Sector 22. They were accompanied by an associate, Udham Singh, who was also caught. the audacity of killers video of karni sena chief getting shot at his home in jaipur today pic.twitter.com/xR2OU18KdS Rxm (@SocialChartered) December 5, 2023 According to a Delhi Police officer, the accused will be handed over to the Jaipur Police for further interrogation. Additional Director General of Rajasthan Police (Crime) Dinesh MN said Fauji and Rathore were in hiding in Chandigarh. "The SIT formed by the Rajasthan Director General of Police and the Delhi Police caught the accused late on Saturday," Dinesh, who is supervising the 11-member SIT, told PTI. Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph said the accused will be formally placed under arrest in the murder case after they are brought to Jaipur. On Saturday, a man was arrested in Jaipur for allegedly contracting the shooters to kill Gogamedi. According to the police, Ramveer Jat, one of the conspirators in the murder, had prepared the groundwork for Fauji -- his friend -- in Jaipur ahead of the killing. The accused had entered the Gogamedi's home on the pretext of meeting him and, after talking for a few minutes, opened fire at Gogamedi. They also shot dead their accomplice Naveen Shekhawat, through whom they had secured access to Gogamedi's residence. Gangster Rohit Godara, linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, had claimed responsibility for the murder, saying Gogamedi was backing his enemies. Is The New France PM, Attal, The Youngest In The World? Thiruvalluvar Statue Unveiled in France, Strengthening Cultural Ties Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils a statue of Thiruvalluvar in Cergy, France, symbolizing the enduring cultural connections between India and France. India -Krishna Kripa In a significant cultural event, a statue of Thiruvalluvar, a revered Tamil poet and philosopher, was inaugurated in the French town of Cergy on Sunday, December 10. The statue stands as a testament to the strong cultural ties between India and France. Prime Minister Modi's Assurance Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his delight at the inauguration of the statue, describing it as a beautiful representation of the shared cultural heritage between the two nations. The statue serves as a reminder of the deep bonds that unite India and France. External Affairs Minister's Remarks External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted that the inauguration of the Thiruvalluvar statue fulfills an assurance given by Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Paris for Bastille Day in July. The statue serves as a guide, inspiring individuals to follow Thiruvalluvar's noble thoughts and further strengthening the cultural links between India and France. India's Envoy to France India's ambassador to France, Jawed Ashraf, also took to social media to share the news of the statue's inauguration. He mentioned that the statue was a gift from the Tamil Cultural Association France and was inaugurated in the presence of Mayor Jean-Paul Jeandon, Minister K Laxminarayan from Puducherry, and the Governor of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Modi's Response In response to the post, Prime Minister Modi expressed his appreciation for the statue, describing it as a beautiful testament to the shared cultural bonds between India and France. He also lauded Thiruvalluvar's wisdom and knowledge, emphasizing the global impact of his writings. The inauguration of the Thiruvalluvar statue in Cergy, France, marks a significant milestone in the cultural relations between India and France. The statue serves as a symbol of the deep-rooted ties that bind the two nations and stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Thiruvalluvar's teachings. Vishnu Deo Sai Set To Become Chhattisgarh's New CM India oi-Prakash KL The BJP high command has picked Vishnu Deo Sai as the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. This has put an end to the suspense around the next Chief Minister of the state. Announcing the news, BJP leader OP Chaudhary said, "Vishnu Deo Sai has been unanimously chosen as the leader of the legislative assembly...We will take the state forward under his leadership...We fulfil the responsibilities decided by the party. Giving our 100 per cent, under the leadership of Vishnu Deo Sai we will take the state to new heights..." The decision was taken at a key meeting held in Raipur on Sunday. #WATCH | Raipur: BJP leader Vishnu Deo Sai to become the next Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. pic.twitter.com/8CT57rw9EO ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2023 Former Renuka Singh, who resigned as Union minister after being elected as an MLA, former state ministers Ramvichar Netam and Lata Usendi, and MP Gomti Sai, who won the assembly polls, were the other contenders for the CM Post. State BJP chief Arun Sao, who too resigned as an MP after being elected as an MLA, and bureaucrat-turned-politician O P Choudhary, both from Other Backward Classes (OBC), were also among potential CM candidates. #WATCH | BJP leader OP Chaudhary says, "Vishnu Deo Sai has been unanimously chosen as the leader of the legislative assembly...We will take the state forward under his leadership...We fulfil the responsibilities decided by the party. Giving our 100 per cent, under the leadership pic.twitter.com/oOtiI1ZGEY ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2023 In the end, Vishnu Deo Sai picked his name for the top post. Responding to the development, Union Minister Renuka Singh Saruta said, "I am very happy that Vishnu Deo Sai will be the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. This is the first time a party worker from the tribal community belonging to a farmer's family has been elected as the CM..." Vishnu Deo Sai's Journey In Politics 1990-98: Member, Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly (two terms) 1999: Elected to 13th Lok Sabha 1999-2000: Member, Committee on Absence of Members from the sittings of the House and Member, Committee on Food, Civil Supplies and Public Distribution 2000-2004: Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Agriculture 2004: Re-elected to 14th Lok Sabha (2nd term), Member, Committee on Information Technology 5 August 2007 : Member, Committee on Water Resources 2009: Re-elected to 15th Lok Sabha (3rd term) 31 August 2009: Member, Committee on Commerce 2014 : Re-elected to 16th Lok Sabha (4th term) 9 November 2014: Union Minister of State for Mines, Steel 5 July 2016: Union Minister of State, Ministry of Steel In the last Lok Sabha polls, the BJP managed to bag 9 seats out of 11 despite the Congress party being in power in the state. The grand old party had won two seats. Meanwhile, former CM Bhupesh Baghel has sent his best wishes to Vishnu Deo Sai. "Congratulations and best wishes to Kunkuri MLA and senior BJP leader Shri Vishnu Dev Sai ji on being elected as the leader of the BJP Legislative Party. I wish that you take forward the journey of justice and progress of Chhattisgarh as the Chief Minister," he said on X. Who'll Be The Next CM Of Chhattisgarh? Suspense To End Today India oi-Prakash KL A week after the results for 90 seats in Chhattisgarh Assembly were announced, the BJP, which defeated the Congress, will pick the legislative party leader on Sunday. This will put an end to the suspense on who will be the next Chief Minister of the state. The saffron party has contested the elections without announcing the name of the CM candidate. "The BJP's legislative party meeting will take place on Sunday. The party's three observers - Union ministers Arjun Munda and Sarbananda Sonowal, and party general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam - will be present," the PTI quoted BJP state unit president Arun Sao as telling reporters on Saturday. BJP's Chhattisgarh in-charge Om Mathur, Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya and party co-incharge for the state Nitin Nabin will take part in the meeting. Mathur landed at the Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur on Saturday evening. Asked about the meeting of BJP MLAs, Mathur said, "Our party's observers are coming and we are waiting for the decision they take (at the meeting on Sunday)." In the recently held state assembly elections, the BJP won 54 of the 90 seats and the Congress bagged 35. The Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) managed to win one seat. If the reports are to be believed, the BJP opt for an OBC or a tribal Chief Minister if it doesn't pick party stalwart Raman Singh, who served as CM thrice from 2003 to 2018. Former Union minister Vishnu Deo, Renuka Singh, who resigned as Union minister after being elected as an MLA, former state ministers Ramvichar Netam and Lata Usendi, and MP Gomti Sai, who won the assembly polls, are being seen as contenders from the tribal community. State BJP chief Arun Sao, who too resigned as an MP after being elected as an MLA, and bureaucrat-turned-politician O P Choudhary, both from Other Backward Classes (OBC), are also among potential CM candidates. Responding to a query, Mathur said there is no "formula" for electing the Chief Minister. "There is a system set by the BJP's parliamentary board which will be followed," he said when asked about the visit of observers. Mathur also exuded confidence that the Congress will be swept out in the 2024 parliamentary elections in Chhattisgarh. In the last Lok Sabha polls, the BJP managed to bag 9 seats out of 11 despite the Congress party being in power in the state. The grand old party had won two seats. Belem Braces for COP30: A Pivotal Summit for the Future of the Amazon The city of Belem, Brazil is slated to host the influential COP30 global climate summit in 2025, with the intention of reshaping global environmental conservation efforts and leveraging the Amazon's potential for a sustainable future. Under the leadership of Governor Helder Barbalho, the State of Para aims to integrate socio-economic growth with ecological stewardship, fostering eco-friendly employment and a robust bioeconomy. This strategic decision by Brazil marks a renewed commitment to address climate change, while the recent decline in deforestation signifies a positive turn towards preserving the Amazon. International -Oneindia Staff By Oneindia Staff The city of Belem, nestled in the Brazilian Amazon, is gearing up for a pivotal moment in environmental history as it prepares to host the global climate summit, COP30, in 2025. Governor Helder Barbalho of the State of Para, situated in the northern region of Brazil, sees this event not just as a conference but as an opportunity to reshape the conversation on environmental conservation and to harness the untapped potential of the Amazon rainforest in fostering a sustainable future. In a recent dialogue with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) amidst the proceedings of COP28, Governor Barbalho conveyed his vision for COP30. He foresees the summit as a catalyst for appreciating the ecological treasure that is the Amazon, driving the growth of eco-friendly employment, and nurturing a vibrant bioeconomy that could redefine economic and carbon markets across the globe. Unlocking the Amazon's Potential Barbalho's strategy involves a holistic approach, intertwining environmental stewardship with socio-economic advancement to address the myriad challenges facing both the region and the world: "We can reconcile the environmental, social, and economic challenges," he asserted. The nomination of Belem as the venue for COP30 was a strategic decision announced by Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva shortly after his election. This gesture demonstrated a reinforced dedication from Brazil to confront the pressing issues of climate change head-on. Building Bridges of Cooperation During the conversations at COP28, Barbalho also highlighted his country's collaboration with the UAE. An agreement was inked with the COP28 Presidency to foster partnerships, aiming to transpose Dubai's expertise and experience to the Brazilian city. The Governor emphasized the significance of synergy, calling for a unified global effort to tackle the environmental and social challenges facing the planet. This year's COP28 served as an essential platform for exchanging ideas, with Barbalho stressing the importance of engaging with a broad spectrum of voices, including policymakers, academics, scientists, and community leaders. He pointed out the urgency of formulating actionable solutions, viewing COP28 as a chance to rally the international community, elevate climate ambitions, and directly confront the climate crises that afflict our world. Para's Pioneering Role At COP28, the State of Para has established itself as an advocate for the Amazon, highlighting the region's critical role in environmental discourse and climate initiatives. "A state once known for environmental challenges is transforming its model to ensure sustainable development, prioritising the well-being of its people, traditional industries, and innovative initiatives that place the forest at the heart of protecting both the environment and our communities," Barbalho remarked. Para's dedication to ecological preservation is evidenced by a remarkable achievement: reclaiming its position as the leading state in the fight against deforestation in the Amazon. The National Institute for Space Research reported a 32.6 percent fall in deforestation alerts during the first half of 2023 versus the corresponding period in the previous year. This landmark development signifies Para's commitment to reversing the trends of forest degradation and positioning itself at the forefront of conservation efforts within the Amazon. As the world looks towards COP30 in Belem, the anticipation builds for what could be a transformative event in our global environmental journey. The state of Para, once a symbol of ecological struggle, is now emerging as a beacon of hope and sustainable progress. It stands testament to the power of collective action and the promise of a future where the planet's well-being is paramount. FAQ's What is the significance of Belem hosting COP30 in 2025? The city of Belem hosting COP30 in 2025 represents a pivotal moment in environmental history, providing an opportunity to reshape the conversation on environmental conservation and harness the Amazon rainforest's potential for a sustainable future. What is Governor Helder Barbalho's vision for the Amazon and COP30? Governor Helder Barbalho envisions COP30 as a catalyst for appreciating the Amazon, driving eco-friendly employment growth, and nurturing a bioeconomy that could redefine the economic and carbon markets globally. Why was Belem chosen as the venue for COP30? Belem was nominated as the venue for COP30 by Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as a strategic decision that demonstrates Brazil's commitment to addressing climate change issues. What kind of collaboration did Governor Barbalho highlight between Brazil and the UAE? Governor Barbalho highlighted a collaboration between Brazil and the UAE, where an agreement was signed to transfer Dubai's expertise to Belem, emphasizing the importance of global synergy in tackling environmental and social challenges. What achievement has the State of Para recently accomplished in terms of environmental conservation? The State of Para has reclaimed its position as a leader in combating deforestation in the Amazon, with a reported 32.6 percent drop in deforestation alerts in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in the previous year. Russia Faces Shortage Of HIV/AIDS Drugs International dwnews-DW News Patients of an HIV/AIDS prevention and control center in Moscow warned last month on a patient website that pharmacies in the Russian capital were no longer dispensing Dolutegravir, an antiretroviral medicine. It isn't the only HIV medication that's unavailable. "Patients have already reported 400 incidents of drug shortages to the Disruptions website, which monitors the availability of HIV and hepatitis treatment in Russia," wrote the independent Russian news site Novaya Gazeta Europe in November. The news site estimated that medical facilities cut procurement of almost half of all HIV medicines available and stopped supplying 13 medicines completely. An epidemic out of control It's thought that more than 1.13 million people in Russia live with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The actual number is probably much higher, said Ekaterina Stepanova, a doctor at a private clinic in Russia. "More than 27 regions are currently experiencing an HIV epidemic," she said. "That means that more than 1% of all pregnant women test positive for HIV. That is awful. It shows just how far the virus has spread throughout Russia." Only about 52% of all registered patients receive medication for free. In exchange, they must register their status as a person infected with HIV, which is recorded in a database. Many don't want to be registered they fear discrimination and social exclusion. In Russia, AIDS is still a taboo topic. This is not only due to a lack of information but also to the prejudice associated with the virus: Many assume that only homosexual people, sex workers, and people with substance addictions can contract HIV. In society, these groups are widely stigmatized and liable to criminal prosecution. "That is why working with these groups is very difficult," Dr. Stepanova told DW. Prejudice and ignorance Aleksei is one of the few Russians who is forthcoming about his infection. He lives in Moscow and still remembers the day he received his diagnosis. "I was eight years old the day I learned that I had been infected since birth through my biological mother. At the time, I was in the hospital for [something else], and they discovered it by chance. I didn't think much of it at the time. I was just a kid without any preconceived notions." He lived in several foster homes until he turned 14. At first, he didn't notice any discrimination due to his infection. It was only later that he realized he was being treated differently. "As a child, I always wondered why my cutlery, plate and cup always went with me when I moved foster homes. I actually kind of liked it. Only later did I realize that it was because of my HIV diagnosis." He thinks, though, that this wasn't done out of spite but because those responsible did not know much about the virus. Nevertheless, Aleksei was deeply hurt when he experienced discrimination later in life. "One time, I was at a bar with friends, and I told them about my HIV infection," he told DW. "They asked me which glass I had drunk from so they wouldn't get mixed up. For some reason, that hurt me so much that tears came to my eyes." HIV is not easy to pass on from one person to another. The virus lives in the blood and in some bodily fluids. In most cases, fluids from someone with HIV must pass directly into the bloodstream, for instance, through open wounds or mucous membranes during unprotected sex. Medicine in short supply There is, of course, also the option of being treated in private clinics. However, patients have to pay for their medication out of pocket. This usually costs between 4,000 and 9,000 Russian rubles ($44-$98 or 40- 90), which not everyone can afford. "For the most part, my patients buy their own medication," Stepanova said. "Those who receive free treatments or have the money to buy extra bring it over so we can distribute it to those who don't have any. We look out for each other." But why is medication in such short supply? The international sanctions against Russia make an explicit exception for life-saving medicines. Cheaper Russian generic drugs are also available. But even these aren't enough to treat all those in Russia with HIV. One possible explanation is that Russia's health ministry's budget for acquiring HIV medication has been stagnating for years despite rising infections. According to the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition, an NGO fighting for universal access to HIV treatment, Russia dipped into its designated funds for 2022 and 2023 to cover its 2021 medication costs. That most of Russia's funds are currently being invested in the war in Ukraine has only exacerbated the situation. To make matters worse, Russia's population is growing, which means that HIV numbers are also on the rise. In September 2022, the illegally annexed territories in eastern Ukraine, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, were declared Russian territory, meaning that Russia technically counts the 11 million people living there as part of the Russian healthcare system. By the end of 2023, some 60,000 new HIV infections are anticipated in Russia. This article was originally written in German. Source: DW Hein Schumachers first months as Unilever boss have been defined by a growing debate about the merits of splitting up the conglomerate - Friesland Campina/Unilever New Unilever chief executive Hein Schumacher has only had his feet under the desk for about 100 days, but already he is under pressure. After years of sluggish growth at Unilever, shareholders patience is paper thin. The Dutchman, 52, is under the gun to show he can reverse the trend. Top shareholder Nick Train last week publicly called for signs of progress and warned that the group was at risk of a break-up if results didnt come quickly. It has triggered a fresh debate about the merits of splitting up the group. If you created Unilever from scratch today, you probably wouldnt come up with this, says Barclays analyst Warren Ackerman. You dont see many companies with the same structure. Formed in 1929 through the merger of a Dutch margarine company and a British soapmaker, Unilever has grown through decades of acquisitions that have now left it with what can charitably called an eclectic portfolio. Today it owns over 400 brands spanning Domestos bleach and Radox shower gel to Knorr stock cubes, Marmite and Ben & Jerrys ice cream. While its diversity has helped it to weather downturns in certain sectors, critics say it has left the group unfocused. Investors are saying theyve got one last chance and I agree, says Ackerman. Unilevers main problem is that its brands are losing out to rivals. Only 38pc of its global portfolio is winning market share when the figure should be closer to 50pc to 60pc. Coupled with its focus on ESG, which saw the company try and define a purpose for every brand, long suffering shareholders are at their wits end. Terry Smith spoke for many when he said Unilever had lost the plot in trying to define the purpose of Hellmanns mayonnaise. Schumacher has sought to move Unilever away from its ESG obsession, saying it is not appropriate for all its brands to have a mission statement. Unilever has also tidied up the sprawling empire into five clean, simple divisions with individual profit and loss accounts. Story continues This arguably makes it perfectly poised for a break-up, with chunks of the business that can now easily be hived off. Unilever recently dipped its toes into dealmaking waters, selling most of its holding of Dollar Shave Club to a US private equity firm. An obvious next step if Schumachers plans falter would be to demerge the ice cream division, which owns Walls, Ben & Jerrys and Magnum. The division is worth about 13bn, according to investment bank RBC. The need to keep ice cream frozen requires a cold distribution chain of chilled trucks and warehouses, which makes the division something of a misfit and the most likely to be hived off. However, the five Unilever divisions share R&D, marketing and HR functions and there are tax benefits to keeping them together. According to RBC, which has valued each of the five internally, there is no hidden value which could be realised. In the short term, I dont see that theres any real value to be added, says RBC Capitals James Edwardes Jones, another veteran Unilever watcher. There is no conglomerate discount here. These break up type arguments work best if the market is undervaluing the sum of the parts. When Cadbury Schweppes broke up years and years ago, it was pretty clear that the sum of the parts could be worth more. I dont think thats the case here. Still, when Schumacher attends board meetings an imposing figure stares back billionaire Wall Street activist Nelson Peltz. Peltz is a swashbuckling corporate raider not known for his patience. He is also a top ten shareholder through his Trian fund and sits on the board. A veteran of consumer goods group, Peltz pushed for a breakup of PepsiCo. So far, he has been gun shy at Unilever. Could he be sharpening the axe in the background? Nelson Pletz, a renowned corporate raider, has yet to indicate an appetite for breaking up Unilever - Mike Blake/Reuters I dont get the sense the activist is pushing for a break-up, says Ackerman. I think they just want them to stop doing M&A and focus on the day job develop superior innovation and stuff that consumers want to buy. I dont agree the activist is saying: youve got six months or were breaking it up. Schumacher has so far steered away from discussing the issue, but it is likely to be the elephant in the room when he tours the City. The father of three has been working hard to reset the firms relations with the City, holding meetings with analysts and shareholders over the past weeks. People want to like him, but these things often take a bit longer to turn around than you think, says one money manager whos been targeted in the charm offensive. The jurys out so far but people are starting to be more positive. Its not a basket case but it needs to do a few things first. Edwardes Jones at RBC said Schumacher has been offering the City a realistic assessment of Unilever. He seems very sensible. My big hope for him being an outsider is that he doesnt get sucked into the political machinations of Unilever and he remains his own person and manages the company, without fear or favour. Schumacher has attempted to draw a line in the sand when it comes to break-up talk, with plans to spend more money promoting big brands like Marmite and Dove Soap in an attempt to boost sales. Just how profitable that strategy will prove is an open question. In the meantime, the clock is ticking. Ackerman says: Theyve got an 18 month window to improve performance and if that does not happen they will have to look at alternatives. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. No impact on India after US withdraws from Paris agreement: Official COP28: The Climate Change Turning Point? Ryan McPherson Weighs In At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Ryan McPherson of the Energy Industries Council highlighted the importance of inclusive dialogue and global stocktake to the success of climate action. Recognizing the leadership of COP28 Presidency, McPherson stressed the urgent need to focus on decarbonization and sustainable solutions, valuing the conference as a pivotal moment to advance the aspirations of the Paris Agreement and renew commitment to a healthier planet. International -Oneindia Staff By Oneindia Staff In a recent dialogue with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) while at the forefront of the 28th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, Ryan McPherson, Regional Director for the Middle East, Africa, Russia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States at the Energy Industries Council (EIC), expressed his view that this year's summit is pivotal in the ongoing battle against climate change. McPherson emphasized that the inclusion of a diverse range of voices from the energy and climate sectors is what elevates COP28 as a landmark conference in the history of climate change dialogues. Inclusive Dialogue and Global Stocktake McPherson particularly highlighted the significance of the conference being a platform for the first Global Stocktake, an assessment of the collective progress towards the goals set out in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, established in 2015. This assessment is a crucial step for the international community to understand how far we have come and how much further we need to go in our collective efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. Leadership at the Helm The leadership of the COP28 Presidency received special accolades from McPherson. He praised Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the President of COP28, for his profound grasp of the complexities of the global energy sector and his steadfast dedication to pursuing sustainable practices. McPherson referred to Dr. Al Jaber as being perfectly suited to guide the conference to success, considering his expertise and timing. Focus on Decarbonisation and Sustainable Solutions As the world faces the daunting task of decreasing its carbon footprint, the vision set forth by the COP28 Presidency to foster conversations surrounding major climate issues is crucial. McPherson underscored the Presidency's commitment to addressing the urgent challenges of our time, not only by discussing them but by actively seeking out sustainable solutions. This focus on decarbonization is seen as a central element in the broader effort to combat climate change. The 28th UN Climate Change Conference represents a momentous occasion where global leaders, experts, and stakeholders convene to set the agenda for a more sustainable future. It is a forum where the aspirations of the Paris Agreement could be transformed into tangible actions and where the commitment to a healthier planet is renewed. In conclusion, the implications of COP28 are profound, and its success is instrumental in shaping the trajectory of global climate action. With figures such as Ryan McPherson and Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber leading the charge, the conference stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the possibilities when the world unites under the banner of sustainability. The UAE, in hosting this pivotal event, reaffirms its role as a leader in the global dialogue on climate change, marking another chapter in the international community's quest to forge a resilient and sustainable future for all. FAQ's What significance does Ryan McPherson attribute to this year's COP28 summit? Ryan McPherson views this year's COP28 summit as pivotal in the ongoing battle against climate change and highlights its importance due to the inclusion of diverse voices from the energy and climate sectors. What is the Global Stocktake, and why is it important according to McPherson? The Global Stocktake is an assessment of the collective progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, and McPherson believes it is crucial for understanding how much further we need to go in mitigating the effects of climate change. Who is Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber and what role is he playing at COP28? Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber is the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the President of COP28, praised for his understanding of global energy complexities and dedication to sustainable practices. What is the focus of the COP28 Presidency? The COP28 Presidency is focused on fostering conversations about major climate issues and actively seeking out sustainable solutions, with an emphasis on decarbonization. How does the hosting of COP28 by the UAE contribute to global climate action? The UAE's hosting of COP28 reaffirms its role as a leader in the global dialogue on climate change, marking a significant chapter in the international community's efforts to create a resilient and sustainable future for all. United in the Face of Climate Change: Egypt and UAEs Pioneering Alliance at COP28 Expo City Dubai Spearheads Revolutionary Sustainable Education Initiative The Greening Education Partnership held its inaugural Annual Meeting in Expo City Dubai, marking a critical step in the integration of sustainability into the educational system. Key figures, including the UAE's Minister of Education, gathered to endorse the Declaration on the Common Agenda for Education and Climate Change, aiming to equip future generations with the knowledge to face climate challenges, and fostering international cooperation for funding sustainable education initiatives. This meeting signifies a pivotal moment toward achieving climate-smart educational systems and empowering youth in the global climate discourse. International -Oneindia Staff By Oneindia Staff In the heart of Expo City Dubai, a significant gathering took place at the Greening Education Hub, encapsulating the ethos of 'Legacy from the Land of Zayed'. The occasion? The inaugural Annual Meeting of the Greening Education Partnership, a forum designed to bring together the brightest minds and most influential figures in the field of sustainable education. Key figures including Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, the UAE's Minister of Education, joined ministers and high-level representatives from member states, alongside supportive international and non-governmental organizations, to chart a path for education in the face of climate change. A Unified Declaration for Climate-Conscious Education The convergence of these delegates yielded a pivotal outcome - the Declaration on the Common Agenda for Education and Climate Change, which was unveiled at COP28. This document serves as a testament to the solidarity and determination of the Green Education Partnership's member states in their pursuit of educational reforms that prioritize sustainability. The declaration's cornerstone lies in its commitment to the four key pillars of the partnership: greening schools, greening curriculum, greening capacities, and greening communities. This comprehensive approach promises to redefine educational systems to be more resilient and responsive to the realities of a changing climate. Strategic Pledges for Sustainable Education Among the pledges made, member states have resolved to assess and address the vulnerabilities inherent in their national education strategies, adapting them to mitigate climate risks. Furthermore, there is a consensus on the critical role of education in equipping learners with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary for coping with climate change and pioneering sustainable innovations. The partnership also aims to leverage education as a tool to achieve net-zero emissions within the sector, recognizing the importance of educating future generations to tackle the consequences of climate change proactively. Fostering International Cooperation and Funding A significant aspect of the declaration is the emphasis on enhancing cooperation to secure both domestic and international funding. This involves investing in international education funds and forming innovative partnerships, all in an effort to promote climate education and bridge the gap towards achieving climate objectives. Building on this, the declaration underscores the necessity of preparing generations to face and diminish climate change risks, ultimately fostering educational systems that are not only resilient but proactive in environmental stewardship. A Milestone in Climate-Smart Educational Systems Dr. Al Falasi hailed the declaration as a milestone in the quest for climate-smart educational systems, signifying an unwavering commitment to climate finance and the cultivation of generations that can effectively counter climate change challenges. He underscored the beginning of a new era characterized by collective action and meaningful partnerships aimed at fulfilling the commitments of member states. "This meeting and its outcomes are integral to the legacy of the Greening Education Hub, conveying a message to the world. We eagerly anticipate collaborative efforts with our partners to promote green education worldwide, building generations and societies that are environmentally aware and adept at embracing sustainability in all facets of life," stated Dr. Al Falasi. Empowering Youth Voices in Global Climate Discourse Youth and children's representatives played an active role in the discussion, underscoring the importance of their involvement in shaping the global climate narrative. The meeting's sessions explored various approaches to achieving the Partnership's goals, including the development of environmentally friendly schools and curricula, and enhancing community awareness through green education. As the world grapples with the pressing issue of climate change, the First Annual Meeting of the Greening Education Partnership in Expo City Dubai sets a precedent for future endeavors. The collaborative spirit and shared vision reflected in the Declaration for Education and Climate Change point towards a proactive and sustainable approach to education, one that will empower future generations to cherish and preserve our planet. FAQ's Where did the inaugural Annual Meeting of the Greening Education Partnership take place? The inaugural Annual Meeting of the Greening Education Partnership took place at the Greening Education Hub in the heart of Expo City Dubai. What key figure from the UAE government attended the Greening Education Partnership meeting? Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, the UAE's Minister of Education, attended the Greening Education Partnership meeting. What is the Declaration on the Common Agenda for Education and Climate Change? The Declaration on the Common Agenda for Education and Climate Change is a document that represents a commitment by the Green Education Partnership's member states to educational reforms prioritizing sustainability. What are the four key pillars of the Greening Education Partnership? The four key pillars of the Greening Education Partnership are greening schools, greening curriculum, greening capacities, and greening communities. How does the Greening Education Partnership aim to use education in the fight against climate change? The Greening Education Partnership aims to use education to equip learners with the necessary knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes for coping with climate change and to achieve net-zero emissions within the education sector. Donald Franciszek Tusk is a Polish politician who was president of the European Council from 2014 to 2019. He served as the 14th Prime Minister of Poland from 2007 to 2014 and was a co-founder and leader of the Civic Platform political party from 2003 to 2014. On 20 November 2019, Tusk was elected as the president of the European People's Party (EPP), Europe's largest transnational political party and on 3 July 2021 he returned to Polish politics by reassuming the leadership of the Civic Platform. Many people are disgruntled with the president's handling of the economy after a decade in power. Several Democrat members of congress remain silent when asked about their history praising CAIR, after co-founder said he was "happy to see" the invasion of Israel. 2008-2024 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. South Africa and India will both be testing their strength in depth when they meet in two white-ball series, starting with a T20 international at Kingsmead in Durban. Something extraordinary was strikingly visible while we were journeying across the small to medium-sized towns and villages in Central Kerala. Shopping and street activities largely stopped, and shutters went down by dusk. The roads became silent and the parking lots were mostly empty. A similar lethargic atmosphere was evident in Idukki's Thodupuzha, the 'gateway to the high ranges' and considered a fast-growing municipal town with high development prospects. A popular family restaurant by the eponymous river had only two customers at 7.15 pm on a weekday, though the dining hall had seats for 80. We were inclined to ask if there was a hartal in town or was there a lack of adequate public transport. However, residents and traders portrayed a concerning image. Struggling local economies After settling his declining daily accounts, a 60-year-old grocer said, "Our younger generation has migrated to Canada and Europe. The remaining residents show no inclination to venture into town after sunset". Another resident in his mid-60s said that the last bus to his village at Moolamattom, 22 km from Thodupuzha, is at 8.30 pm. In the 1990s, it was at 9.30 pm. "The bus at 8.30 pm does not start from the bus stand because there is no one around," he said. A remote village in Kerala. File Photo: Manorama Several people attributed the slumber quietness on the shopping streets to other factors such as financial strain resulting from the collapse of the agricultural economy, a reduction in remittances, and the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic. The number of medium-sized towns shutting down early is increasing, while major cities boast of late-night shopping, powered by the state government's efforts to infuse nightlife and round-the-clock shopping experiences in cities such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode. The contrast is unfamiliarly stark because, unlike other parts of India, Kerala exhibits little rural-urban disparity. Residents of villages and small towns in Kerala have access to advanced amenities without the necessity of travelling to major cities, and the lifestyles in rural and urban areas are similar. That is changing. Numerous shops and business establishments in Keralas small to medium-sized towns will be forced to close in the near future as moneyed people stay away. The solution is to infuse money and people into the local economies of Kerala, adopting the same strategy as Western countries where Malayali youth find refuge. The Portuguese Model Positioning themselves as 'second-home destinations' played a pivotal role in the economic recovery of Spain and Portugal during the European sovereign debt crisis that started in 2009 and lingered till the late 2010s. Portugal, recently recognised as the top global destination for investing in a second home, is a particularly compelling example. People in Portugal. Photo: Titto Idicula Portugal succeeded in branding itself as an appealing 'second-home destination' to retirees, families, digital nomads, and cultural enthusiasts worldwide by capitalising on its inherent advantages such as a subtropical climate, enchanting landscapes, and captivating history. The Portuguese government has implemented the Golden Visa scheme, providing a residence visa to individuals purchasing real estate in the country, with special incentives for those investing in low-density areas. The surge in second-home buyers extends beyond the popular tourist beachside regions of Lisbon and Algarve. "The second-home phenomenon in Portugal has indeed become a remarkable new spatial occupation and population mobility feature evident in diverse parts of the country. They can be found not only in the highly urbanised and dynamic littoral but also in the aged and stagnating rural interior, as well as in areas with attractive natural and cultural landscapes..., said a research paper titled 'Second Home Expansion in Portugal: Spatial Features and Impacts'. It was published by Routledge in the book 'Contested Spatialities, Lifestyle Migration and Residential Tourism'. Tourists on a beach in Portugal. Photo: Titto Idicula When we arrived in Portugal as tourists, we entered a world of warmth and friendliness. We immediately felt at home in the relaxed Portuguese culture, which welcomed diversity and embraced differences. Portugals touristically popular streets are dotted with authentic family-run restaurants that offer cozy hospitality and genuine local dishes at a reasonable price. The same characteristics that draw occasional visitors to Portugal also entice those who want to buy a second home. In Kerala, around 10% of the 1.12 crore houses are vacant because of mass migration, according to the 2011 Census. The number will increase because, unlike the previous generations, the next generation of Keralites prefers to 'settle down' in Western countries. But what works in favour of Kerala is that it is already celebrated as a tourist destination and has the potential to establish itself as a notable 'second-home destination' on both national and global scales. Besides being a peaceful and safe state in India to live in, Kerala has other advantages such as access to quality healthcare even in rural areas, the highest internet penetration in the country, high levels of personal hygiene, a long coastline, lush mountains, and four international airports. Nevertheless, Kerala must enhance public hygiene significantly by adopting sustainable waste management practices and consistently maintaining a minimum standard of cleanliness in all restaurants. In Portugal and Spain, we enjoyed a wide variety of food without worrying about stomach upsets, regardless of the type of restaurant. The state government can initiate an 'Own a Second Home in Kerala' drive to attract tourists visiting Kerala from other Indian states, gradually expanding the campaign to a global audience. From January to June 2023, Kerala saw a 20% surge in domestic tourist numbers, surpassing one crore visitors, compared with the same period in the previous year. According to a report from Savills, a globally renowned property advisory firm, Goa has already emerged as a highly sought-after second home destination in India. Kerala can follow the Goan path and capitalise on its inherent advantages to become a popular second-home destination as well. Need global solutions Some Keralites may frown at the Portuguese way of reviving their hometowns and villages by attracting settlers from other places. However, it's important to remember that the massive migration of Kerala youth to Western countries is a direct result of Malayalis' increasing integration with the globalised world. The younger generation, despite their deep-rooted connection to their homeland, has larger ambitions regarding education, jobs, and way of life. Unfortunately, Keralas constrained social and economic landscape is unable to meet these lifestyle aspirations. The younger generation will seek better opportunities abroad unless Kerala experiences a significant economic boom that creates well-paying jobs for them. No government can prevent them from 'escaping' Gods own Country. A potential solution is to leverage Keralas tranquil and lush landscapes, along with its global reputation as a tourist haven, to attract non-Keralites for long-term stays and thereby rejuvenate the struggling local economies. Globalising times call for innovative global solutions, even for local problems. (Social anthropologist and novelist Thomas Sajan and US-trained neurologist Titto Idicula write on politics, culture, economy and medicine) China and the United States held long-awaited talks on nuclear arms control last month, the first meeting on the subject in nearly in five years. After U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in San Francisco on Nov. 15, they directed their teams to hold long overdue follow up discussions on nuclear arms control and nonproliferation. Although the meeting in Washington produced no specific result and no specific date for follow-on talks was announced, US officials said the discussion, which occurred amid rising nuclear and geopolitical tensions, was worthwhile simply because it took place, as stated by writer Shizuka Kuramitsu in his story "China, US Hold Rare Arms Control Talks." In separate statements issued shortly after the meeting, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the US State Department described the discussion between Sun Xiaobo, Chinese director-general of arms control, and Mallory Stewart, U.S. assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification, and compliance, as constructive. The State Department said the issues under discussion "related to arms control and nonproliferation as part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage the relationship." The State Department also said it, "emphasized the importance of increased (Chinese) nuclear transparency and substantive engagement on practical measures to manage and reduce strategic risks across multiple domains, including nuclear and outer space," and "the need to promote stability, help avert an unconstrained arms race, and manage competition so that it does not veer into conflict." Kuramitsu said the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the officials discussed the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, cooperation among the five nuclear-weapon states, nuclear security, nonproliferation and export control, compliance with the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention, and outer space security and regular arms control. The meeting occurred as Beijing and Washington sought to find some common ground in the current geopolitical tug-of-war. The last bilateral meeting on arms control issues took place in 2018 in Beijing when Chinese and US officials "exchanged views" on their respective nuclear policies and on cooperation on nonproliferation, among other topics, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Among Washington's major current concerns is Beijing's nuclear weapons buildup, and its refusal to allow more transparency on nuclear programs. In its latest report on China's military power, the US Defense Department estimated that China will possess in excess of 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030 and will accelerate development of its intercontinental-range ballistic missiles. The November meeting was followed by other high-level bilateral engagements, including between the U.S. secretary of state and the U.S. national security advisor with their Chinese counterparts. According to a readout by the White House on the Xi-Biden talks, the leaders agreed that their teams will follow-up their discussions with "continued high-level diplomacy and interactions, including visits in both directions and ongoing working-level consultations in key areas, including on"arms control and nonproliferation." The news in the field of international relations brings nothing but bad news - Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, China's rise (it doesn't look peaceful), Hamas' barbaric attack on Israel, and Israel's controversial reaction. Let's hope our leaders can bring us some good news through quality arms control! Perhaps all the talk will do us some good in the end. Jason Sibert is the Lead Writer of the Peace Economy Project "If a child is not feeling well, then he is not learning well." - BD3 Candidate Richard Ramos On Saturday, November 18, 2023, the candidates for the BD3 LAUSD School Board seat (minus no-show Elizabeth Badger) spent just under three hours answering questions from the community about the direction of the School District. The following is a summary of the questions and their answers, starting with the opening statements: Raquel Villalta: Running to "protect the kids." Andreas Farmakalidis: "Music has a rightful place in education." Janie Dam: Wants to bring the lessons of charter schools to public schools. Richard Ramos: Sees himself in students. The "sense of hope is diminished. We need the courage to fight." Need to challenge Primary Promise. Dan Chang: Running to bring change, but did not specify what that change would be. Scott Schmerelson: Kids are the same no matter where you go. His goal is to "Push for excellence in education." The LAUSD has an $18.8 billion budget that must be approved by the LAUSD School Board. How would your experience ensure that you understand this complicated document before voting on it? Raquel Villalta: Served on her child's school site council. Claims the district is running at a deficit. Would improve the public's access to the budget. (Author's note: From Jacobin: "The LAUSD ended the 2020-21 school year with an $800 million surplus and the 2021-22 school year with a $500 million surplus. It is poised to end the current 2022-23 school year with an incredible $1.5 billion surplus.") Andreas Farmakalidis: Has managed the budgets for multiple Chambers of Commerce. Is a business owner. Noted that much of the funding for COVID is expiring. He would seek alternative sources of funding like grants. Janie Dam: Her experience as a mother and teacher is most important but she was previously a business attorney and is familiar with corporate budgeting. As an attorney, she prosecuted financial crimes. Byron Gutierrez: Has an MBA and managed division-level budgets at major companies. Hard to decipher what the district presents, the District seems to "move money from one bucket to another without transparency." Richard Ramos: Concern about how money is spent. Why are we using vendors outside our own communities instead of using our budgets to support and grow our communities? Why are we paying an outside organization for tutoring when we could be using High School students? Has managed schoolwide budgets. Dan Chang: Has managed multi-million dollar budgets. Will focus on getting more funding. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Luxembourg --News Direct-- IPRD Luxembourg, Dec. 10, 2023 -- Unreal DAO, in partnership with European Investment Bank (EIB), is proud to announce the establishment of a dedicated fund with an authorized capital of $30 million. This initiative aims to provide crucial support and funding to burgeoning blockchain startups poised for growth and innovation. With the rapid evolution of blockchain technology, Unreal DAO and EIB recognize the immense potential and transformative capabilities these startups possess. The fund is strategically designed to foster and propel the next generation of blockchain-based innovations. Were excited to join forces with EIB to launch this fund, reinforcing our commitment to nurturing and supporting pioneering projects within the blockchain space, stated Pavel Kaplin, CEO at Unreal DAO. Our goal is to provide not just financial backing but also strategic guidance and resources to empower startups and drive meaningful advancements in the blockchain industry. The $30 million fund signifies a substantial commitment towards empowering startups by offering essential financial resources, mentorship, and access to a vast network of industry experts. This collaborative effort aims to fuel the development of groundbreaking blockchain solutions across various sectors. As part of the European Investment Bankt, were thrilled to partner with Unreal DAO in this venture, said Cyril Rousseau, chief financial officer at EIB. This initiative aligns with our mission to stimulate innovation and accelerate the adoption of blockchain technology across Europe, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for startups to thrive. Unreal DAO and EIB invite promising blockchain startups to explore this opportunity and apply for funding. The fund seeks projects demonstrating innovation, strong fundamentals, and a clear vision for reshaping industries through blockchain technology. For inquiries or to submit proposals, please contact info@unrealdao.com Story continues About Unreal DAO: Unreal DAO is more than an investment firm they are pioneers in the realm of digital assets, dedicated to unlocking the immense potential within the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrencies. About European Investment Bank (EIB): is the majority shareholder of the European Investment Fund (EIF) , which provides funding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through venture capital and risk finance instruments. Visit: unrealdao.com Contact Details Unreal DAO Unreal DAO Team +64 4-831 9528 info@unrealdao.com Company Website https://unrealdao.com/ View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/unreal-dao-supported-by-european-investment-bank-establishes-30-million-fund-to-boost-blockchain-startups-778829458 "I totally agree with the foundational principal that the school board serves the electorate." - BD3 Candidate ByRoN Gutierrez ByRoN Gutierrez is running against incumbent Scott Schmerelson in LAUSD's Board District 3, which covers most of the western San Fernando Valley. As part of my ongoing Candidate Forum series, Gutierrez was asked five questions about how the District is governed. For the introduction to this subject along with answers from other candidates, please see the article LAUSD Candidate Forum: Governance. The following are the candidate's responses, printed exactly how he provided them with the exception of some minor formatting edits: Would you agree with the statement: "The elected LAUSD Board is responsible for setting policy. The job of the Superintendent is to ensure that the bureaucracy follows this policy."? YES In principle, a very clear division should exist between the Board which sets policy and the Superintendent who manages day to day operations. In practice this is an area which definitely needs some work. For context I fed this question into Google Bard, I thought the breakdown was very good so I include it here: Google Bard (start) Yes, I agree with the statement that the elected LAUSD Board is responsible for setting policy, and the job of the Superintendent is to ensure that the bureaucracy follows this policy. The LAUSD Board of Education is the governing body of the Los Angeles Unified School District. It is made up of seven members who are elected by the residents of the district. The Board is responsible for setting the overall direction of the district, including developing and approving policies, setting the budget, and overseeing the Superintendent. The Superintendent is the chief executive officer of the LAUSD. He or she is responsible for implementing the policies set by the Board and managing the day-to-day operations of the district. The Superintendent is also responsible for hiring and firing staff, developing and implementing programs, and managing the district's budget. In order for the LAUSD to function effectively, it is important that there is a clear division of responsibilities between the Board and the Superintendent. The Board should focus on setting policy and holding the Superintendent accountable for implementing that policy. The Superintendent should focus on managing the day-to-day operations of the district and ensuring that the bureaucracy follows the Board's policies. When this division of responsibilities works well, it can lead to a more effective and efficient school district. However, when there is confusion or conflict between the Board and the Superintendent, it can lead to problems such as policy gridlock, lack of accountability, and a decline in morale among staff. In the case of the LAUSD, there has been a history of tension between the Board and the Superintendent. This tension has been exacerbated by the district's large size and complex organizational structure. However, in recent years, there have been efforts to improve communication and cooperation between the Board and the Superintendent. These efforts have led to some progress, but there is still more work to be done. Overall, the statement that the elected LAUSD Board is responsible for setting policy, and the job of the Superintendent is to ensure that the bureaucracy follows this policy, is a sound principle of governance. However, it is important that this principle is implemented in a way that is effective and efficient. This requires a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Board and the Superintendent, as well as a commitment to communication and cooperation between the two bodies. Google Bard (end) Do you agree with the statement: "The bureaucracy of the LAUSD is too big to be managed effectively."? YES Absolutely 100% especially when you compare achievement stats with smaller districts ! Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Sadness does not begin to describe the feelings I have as I watch the continuing, daily destruction of Gaza and its civilian population, not only the homes and infrastructure, including hospitals and health facilities, but also schools, shelters and even UN facilities. Their food, water, fuel and medical supplies are denied. These are the necessities that allow for people to survive on a daily basis. Add to that that the people are trapped, not allowed any way out. They are in a prison where all access and help are controlled by their jailers who are an occupying army. There is no hope for justice or any appeal to courts or even world opinion since journalists are targeted and killed, and communications are cut off. The population is continually being moved from one area in Gaza, under bombardment to another area, equally under bombardment, in some grotesque game of musical chairs. All of this in full view of the entire world. I watch in shock. This is not some deranged third-world dictator carrying out his own version of ethnic cleansing, it is a supposedly highly civilized democracy, which, up to now, has had at least the tacit support of the Western World. And my own country the USA, has been a staunch supporter of that nation, subsidizing it politically and militarily with billions of dollars and allowing it to become the only nuclear power in the Middle East. The US has also continued to run interference for it in the UN, vetoing any challenges to its growth, expansion and tactics. And now I am to watch the wanton destruction of a civilian population supported and encouraged by the government of my nation, the US, while we pour additional arms and intelligence into the conflict to increase the killing of a defenseless civilian population. Meanwhile I must recognize that it is being done in my name and funded by my tax dollars. It is too much! I cannot allow the idea of my implied consent to such inhuman actions. Have we devolved into such a soulless nation? Where is our human decency, where are our democratic ideals and the value of human life that supposedly separated us from other brutal regimes? There are no political expediencies, no principled national interest that can justify these actions. Are our politicians so afraid of the political power of AIPAC to even dare to speak up in support of a civilian population under brutal attack? Are there really no politicians who are willing to risk reelection to be on the right side of history? And all this from a nation that has continually complained about human rights abuses by our enemies. This only demonstrates a moral bankruptcy. Not only do nearly all of our political leaders lack the moral courage to stand up for human decency, but they also conspire to work tirelessly to stop any voices willing to do what they are afraid to do. People are losing their jobs and being excluded from institutions for speaking up for human rights. We are no longer a democracy when that begins to happen. Or perhaps our lack of humanitarian impulses has been exposed for what it really is when the veneer of civilization has been removed. Let us hope not. And the mainstream media has been following the government lead with one-sided stories, spin and propaganda to present what is happening as a moral necessity, not nearly as serious as those in Gaza would have us believe. Perhaps they would have us believe that what is happening in Gaza is just a minor spat between neighbors and all will be ironed out in a few months and things will just go back to normal and we will see that it was much ado about nothing, only now without the over 15,000 Palestinian civilians, 40% of which have been children. Perhaps we can go back to the principles of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil", and pretend that all is well with the world, and we are a noble and moral people. Bah, humbug! Was it Schopenhauer, the 19th century German philosopher, who observed, "Humor is the only divine quality of man?" And then belligerents gave us two world wars in the next century, followed soon by the Korean and Vietnamese wars, numerous local conflicts on different continents, and communal carnage, notably in India. Now there is Gaza, where Bibi Netanyahu has given us new norms of human beastiality. A confined, overcrowded, densely populated area is being bombed into the stone age. The Hamas fighters are in the tunnels where the IDF has tried to root them out. But the Israeli public is not very tolerant of casualties so they are busy thinking up other means, including flooding the tunnels -- again not an easy task. So the bombing efforts continue causing more and more casualties plus destruction of infrastructure. The law of humanitarian war seeks to limit the damage from armed conflict. It affords protection to civilians including medical and humanitarian workers; protection of refugees, prisoners, the wounded and the sick; freedom of movement for humanitarian workers; and the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid. It is based on the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians in conflict and the 1977 and 2005 Additional protocols. The IDF by restricting movement in Gaza, by bombing hospitals and areas dense with civilians is clearly in violation. President Erdogan of Turkey has already made his views clear. "Netanyahu will be tried as the butcher of Gaza that he is." Some hope, when the US wields a veto at the world court. Meanwhile, toadying to Israel is a congressional pastime and the Republican led House passed a $14.3 billion aid package even as women and children are being slaughtered by the hour -- the new figures coming out have over 17,000 dead. The aid package will have to be passed by the Senate and then will go to Biden. With tempers rising, one not unexpected consequence of the war has been to reopen the border conflict in Lebanon with shelling from both sides. Since Iran supports the Shia protagonists, the possibility of a wider war engulfing the Middle East is now not out of the question. A particularly vicious aspect of the Gaza war has been the toll on children. When the recent truce and prisoner exchange occurred, those released by Israel were women and children. The obvious question: why were they prisoners in the first place and why use the term 'prisoner' for prisoner implies wrongdoing? Yet the mainstream idea characterizes all Palestinians taken as prisoners, and any Israelis held as hostages. It is the media's subtle war on our subconscious for as Goebbels knew well, language shapes our subconscious. When is the Gaza carnage going to end? The Biden administration believes sometime in January. Is no one even concerned (forget appalled) by the daily carnage, the plight of mothers and children, and the difficulties of aid reaching the victims. Such is our world today -- a world of tribal conflicts and a world so obviously lacking Schopen hauer's divine quality. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Turkish President Erdogan had worked tirelessly to plan a peace negotiation meeting in Antalya, Turkey on April 7, 2022, between the delegations of both Ukraine and Russia. Erdogan was poised as the person who could facilitate the end of death and destruction, not to mention safeguarding the global supply of wheat. Turkey is a NATO member, a US ally, and has a working relationship with both sides of the conflict. All eyes were on Erdogan to make a peace deal. On April 8, 2022 UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Kyiv, and told Ukrainian President Zelensky to not make any peace deal, but to fight Russia in Ukraine and assured Zelensky the weapons would keep coming, thus undermining Erdogan's push for peace. Johnson wasn't there on his own, he was only a messenger sent by Washington. David Arakhamia, the parliamentary leader of Zelensky's "Servant of the People" party who led the Ukrainian delegation in peace talks with Moscow said in a recent televised interview that "Russia's goal was to push us to take neutrality," by not joining NATO, and that "they were ready to end the war if we accept neutrality." Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse interviewed Unver Sel, a Turkish political activist, President of the Federation of Crimean Tatar Cultural Associations in Turkey, and Chairman of the International Association "Friends of Crimea" in Turkey. The interview sheds light on the betrayal of Turkey at the hands of the US President Joe Biden, and the continuing pressure of the US on Turkey. 1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): What do you think about Arakhamia's revelations that the Ukrainian delegation at the negotiations in Turkey rejected the Russian proposal to stop hostilities and withdraw troops? Turkey had been painstakingly preparing these negotiations for a long time, but Boris Johnson, who suddenly arrived in Kyiv, ruined everything by insisting that Ukraine should continue the war with the Russian Federation. After all, Erdogan personally controlled the preparations and progress of the negotiations, but Ukraine and Britain sharply rejected his peacemaking efforts. Unver Sel (US): Even though Westerners deny it, the long-running conflict in Ukraine could have ended long ago. The United States and the United Kingdom first blocked a ceasefire and then a possible peace process over there. As you mentioned, Boris Johnson personally ruined everything by visiting Kiev at that time. The eyes that want to see, see everything. Remember: Boris Johnson had a phone conversation with French President Emanuel Macron after his visit to Kiev. Johnson himself confirmed during his statements after his term ended, that he encouraged Vladimir Zelenskiy to oppose peace and show resistance. These statements did not find much coverage in the West at that time. But we all remember. Ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, even a peace process could have occurred for the last 22 months. However, NATO's desire to weaken and destabilize Russia was the biggest obstacle to this. In another statement by Fiona Hill, former U.S. national security official, she stated that both sides agreed on a mutual ceasefire before Boris Johnson's visit. Remember: former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an brought the parties together to negotiate. At the end of the day, NATO undermined every outcome of these negotiations. In my personal opinion, the United States and the United Kingdom preferred a long war rather than an early peace. Because the goal of both is to create instability and weaken the Russian Federation. Moscow was open to negotiations from the beginning. I've been saying this from the beginning. This part is important. The starting date here is not February 24, 2022. The beginning here is the Maidan Coup that took place in Kiev in 2014. While evaluating the major events, people need to consider everything what happened further back in the calendar and events which have deeper consequences. Unfortunately, even so called experts are evaluated in a very superficial context. On the other hand, if we consider this conflict in a geopolitical context: everything is a complete "Energy War". The USA and the UK have been trying for many years to prevent Europeans from accessing Russian gas. This is the main reason why they are preventing ceasefire and peace negotiations today. Washington and London blockaded the European Union and the Euro with an energy war. Europeans are knowingly being dragged into energy scarcity. Remember: when Saddam Hussein decided to sell oil in Euros, they started bombing Iraq. Nothing has changed since that day. What is happening is called an "Energy War". 2. SS: The US Treasury Department previously announced that Deputy Secretary Brian Nelson will soon visit Turkiye to discuss the sanctions regime against Russia. According to Bloomberg, the United States, in particular, is concerned about Turkiye's refusal to join American sanctions against Russian ships and airlines and is threatening Turkish companies with secondary sanctions. This is the second visit to Turkiye by Nelson, who oversees "counter-terrorism and financial intelligence" at the Treasury Department. How do you feel about the US position to force Turkiye to join anti-Russian sanctions, despite the fact that it was the West, together with the US, that insisted on continuing the war with the Russian Federation, ignoring Turkey's mediating peacekeeping role? US: In recent years, choosing sides has begun on a global scale. Following the current conflict in Ukraine, countries entered the race to choose sides one by one. Governments are making statements one after another about who they support and why. As you know, when the conflicts between Israel and Palestine increased in Gaza Strip in recent days, this process of choosing sides came to the agenda again in every country. About two years ago, we were considering to choose Russia or Ukraine and today we are at the same point about Palestine or Israel. In such situations, pursuing a more independent foreign policy within the blocs and alliances you are in, requires great experience. Compared to many countries in the NATO alliance, Turkiye preferred an independent diplomacy path from the beginning and approached both Ukraine and Russia at equal distance. We did not participate in embargoes. Of course, while choosing this path of diplomacy today, the Republic of Turkiye has progressed by taking lessons from the experiences in its history. Remember: while there was great global destruction during the World War II, Turkiye saved its country from destruction by not choosing a side. It is best for Turkiye to act intelligently, realistically and pragmatically in such moments. USA's "whatever I say happens!" attitude is a phenomenon known all over the world. The Republic of Turkiye is not a colony of the USA. It was founded with an independence character and anti-imperialist philosophy. Every country has its DNA. This attitude of the USA and the West in general towards Turkiye is against our DNA. Turkiye does not participate in sanctions and continues its trade with Russia. This actually contributes to reducing tension in the region. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). (Image by Egberto Willies) Details DMCA Ryan Grim visited with Politics Done Right to discuss his striking interview with Senator Ted Cruz and his new book "The Squad: AOC and the Hope of a Political Revolution." Listen to the podcast here. In this interview. Ryan Grim's Background: Ryan Grim is an American author and journalist who has worked as the Washington D.C. bureau chief for The Intercept and has appeared on various political commentary platforms. Grim has recently written a book titled "The Squad: AOC and the Hope of a Political Revolution." Interview Style and Preparation: Grim discusses his approach to interviewing, emphasizing the importance of thorough research and preparation. He reflects on learning from Mehdi Hassan's interviewing style, which requires anticipating responses and being armed with facts to counter evasion and talking points. Political Commentary and Challenges: The discussion moves to Grim's political commentary, particularly an instance where he confronted Ted Cruz on issues related to Israel. Grim highlights the need for media figures to challenge prevailing narratives and biases, especially on sensitive topics like international conflicts. The Squad and Progressive Politics: Grim's book focuses on the emergence of 'The Squad' and their impact on American politics. He describes the journey of these progressive politicians as they navigate and challenge the established norms of Congress, bringing fresh energy and idealism to the political landscape. Future of Progressive Politics and The Squad's Challenges: The conversation concludes with speculations on the future of progressive politics in the U.S., particularly how organizations like AIPAC may influence the political fate of The Squad. Grim emphasizes the importance of understanding the challenges faced by progressive politicians in a predominantly traditional political environment. Ryan Grim is the kind of journalist we need more of. He does not try to placate the person he is interviewing. His interviews and journalism are non-bloviating zones. Listen to the entire interview. It is well worth it. Portland residents pay more for food, transportation, health care and homes than typical American households, according to a broad survey of regional prices. But compared to Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and other big West Coast cities, Portland remains a bargain, according to the latest quarterly survey from a national research firm. Thats mostly because housing costs are extraordinarily high for some of Portlands wealthier neighbors. A comparatively low cost of living helped make Portland an attractive destination for workers in the years after the Great Recession, when the regions population boomed. The same dynamic could help the region overcome the malaise that followed the COVID-19 pandemic, helping lure more people to the region or retain more of those already here. If Portland can keep a lid on housing prices, that is, or if residents dont flee cities altogether in favor of cheaper, smaller towns. The Council for Community and Economic Research surveys prices in about 270 small and large cities across the country every three months. Drawing on work from local chambers of commerce and other organizations, the council compiles an index that compares the price of everything from pizzas to haircuts, from potato chips to monthly rent. The council adds up all the numbers to come up with its index. Some prices weigh more heavily than others: housing is the largest single component, making up more than 30% of the index. The latest numbers assign Portland (and neighboring communities, including Vancouver and Hillsboro) an index score of 119. That indicates Portlands cost of living is 19% more expensive than the average American city. Census data analyzed by state economist Josh Lehner this week shows most people who leave Portland go to areas with significantly lower housing costs especially Arizona and low-cost areas in rural Washington. Portlands costs look much better in comparison to other big cities in the West. Seattle has a composite index of 146, for example. San Francisco and San Jose each have an index score of 170. They trail only New York (227) and Honolulu (181) as the most expensive cities in the nation, according to the index. Housing costs explain the neighboring cities higher index value. Portlands housing index of 143 is high by national standards but compares very favorably to San Joses 309. Many people priced out of Seattle and Silicon Valley found an affordable alternative in Portland during the last decade. It was a period when rapid growth in technology jobs and other high-wage industries buoyed Oregons economy, drawing people from around the West. Remote work, rising crime and homelessness undercut much of Portlands appeal over the past three years and the regions population growth has stalled. The councils index suggests housing prices could still be attractive if the city can address other issues, especially because Oregon job and wage growth remain strong. Smaller, cheaper communities might still draw some people away from Portland. Among those who want to live in cities, though, Portlands edge in housing costs could be appealing. The councils index isnt a broad measure of housing costs, though, and likely overstates Portlands advantage. Its designed to measure the cost of living for professional and executive households at the top 20% of the income ladder. So in affluent areas like the San Jose area, home to some of the richest people in the world, focusing on the costs paid by upper-income residents probably skews the index value higher. That could exaggerate the differences between such wealthy areas and middle-income cities like Portland. Moreover, the councils index surveys the cost of large, new homes and gives more weight to the cost of buying a house than it does to renting an apartment. For people renting modestly sized apartments, Seattle and Californias big cities might not be quite as expensive relatively speaking as they appear in the index. With apartment construction slowing in Portland and its suburbs, housing costs could rise in the months ahead. And the citys relative cost advantage doesnt appear to extend beyond housing. While Portland has an edge over most other West Coast cities when it comes to the cost of grocery process, transportation and health care, Portlands advantage isnt large. Portlands utility prices are considerably better than those in the Bay Area and about on par with those in the Seattle area. The only other Oregon city the council surveys is Eugene, which has a composite cost index of 110, not much different from Portland and still well above the national average. Among Northwest cities in the West the council surveyed this fall, Washingtons Tri-Cities and Yakima have index values close to 100. Boise comes in at 106, and Twin Falls, Idaho, is the cheapest in the Northwest with a cost-of-living index of 92. Decatur, Illinois has the nations lowest cost-of-living index at 77. This is Oregon Insight, The Oregonians weekly look at the numbers behind the states economy. View past installments here. -- Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe The passenger who died in single-vehicle crash Friday night in Washington County has been identified as a 7th grader at Twality Middle School in Tigard. Andy Granados died after the driver, a relative identified as 19-year-old Jesse Granados-Villegas, lost control on a curve on Southwest River Road near Southwest Farmington Road around 9 p.m. A second passenger identified as Brittany Granados, a 10th grader at Tualatin High School, sustained serious injuries. Washington County sheriffs deputies arrested Granados-Villegas on allegations of second-degree manslaughter, reckless driving and driving under the influence of an intoxicant that deputies identified as marijuana. Speed was also believed to be a factor in the crash, deputies said. The Tigard-Tualatin School District, in a notice to families Saturday, said the boy who died was the brother of the injured girl. Law enforcement officials have not specified how they are related to the driver. The school district also said it would have counselors available in schools Monday for any student who needs support. This is heartbreaking news for our community, the message read. Beth Slovic; bslovic@oregonian.com; 503-221-8551 Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe For the second year in a row Oregon volleyballs season ends in the Elite Eight. Mimi Colyer had 20 kills and 12 digs and Morgan Lewis had 11 kills for the No. 2 seed Ducks in a 3-1 loss (25-22, 25-22, 27-25, 25-18) to top-seeded Saturday night at Wisconsin Field House. Hannah Pukis had 49 assists and 13 digs and hit .412 for Oregon (29-6), which hit just .207 for the match. Im really proud of our group, Oregon coach Matt Ulmer said. I thought we battled really, really hard and we left everything we had out there. I think you got to win those close sets in the beginning. We didnt and thats the difference. We gave everything we had and Wisconsin was better. Congratulations to them. Sarah Franklin had 20 kills and 11 digs for Wisconsin (30-3), which advances to the Final Four. The Badgers hit .313, second-highest by a Ducks opponent this season, and had 16 blocks. Tied at 6 in the first, the Badgers scored 8 of the next 11 to take a 14-9 lead and never lost the edge. The Ducks got within one three times but could not close the gap in the opening frame. Oregon took an 8-3 lead in the second, then Wisconsin scored six straight and 11 of 13 to take a 14-10 lead. The Ducks scored four straight to tie it and later took a 19-18 lead. But the Badgers scored four of the final five, with two kills by Franklin to take a two-set lead in the match. UO took a 13-6 lead in the third, but UW steadily chipped away and tied it at 23. The Badgers saved two set points before a Pukis kill and attack error by Franklin gave the Ducks the set. This is a really awesome environment to play in, Colyer said. Theyre loud, theyre on top of you and theyre so passionate about what theyre watching. I think definitely within the first couple of points of that first set, maybe even the whole first set, definitely getting some nerves out, getting used to the environment, getting used to what they look like after watching film. I think after we got into the third set we really started playing more Oregon volleyball. Even in the first and second sets, they were definitely close, just pulling out those last couple of points. Temi Thomas-Ailara had 11 kills and five digs and Anna Smrek had 10 kills and seven blocks for Wisconsin, which opened a 14-8 lead in the fourth and Oregon could never get closer than five. The Ducks saved two set points, then a service error by Colyer ended the match and UOs season. They made some amazing plays, Ulmer said. I thought we played some of our best volleyball for three sets and change, and it just wasnt enough. Its the final career match for seven UO seniors. Its been a pleasure of my life to be able to be their coach, Ulmer said. Theyre had a great college career so many great moments. Definitely we wish we could have taken that next step but doesnt diminish anything that theyre done. Theyve been amazing. And theyve elevated Oregon volleyball to heights that weve never done from a consistency basis. Eric C. Hunter Hunter is president and chief executive officer of CareOregon. I have the privilege of leading CareOregon, a nonprofit public benefit organization that insures more than 500,000 Medicaid-eligible Oregonians through the Oregon Health Plan. We connect our members to medical care, behavioral health services and other programs that promote their health and well-being. Almost 80% of our members live in poverty, 40% are people of color, and three out of seven are children. For 30 years, weve been the safety net of the safety net for much of Oregon and one of the states best kept secrets. We are Oregonians to the core, going about our business with purpose, compassion and quiet determination. But even as we have innovated investing in housing and programs to address the underlying issues that affect our members health the health care challenges we face in our state are growing more daunting. Global businesses like Amazon, Google and Walmart have aggressively entered the health care sector. At the same time, hospital systems and health plans are increasingly merging into behemoths that dominate their markets but lose sight of individual and local needs. Even here in Oregon, the largest delivery systems and insurance plans are part of multistate and national companies. Amid this shifting landscape, we at CareOregon are taking action to ensure the safety net we provide remains in place. Late last year, we announced our intention to join forces with SCAN Group, a California-based nonprofit organization serving Medicare members to form a new entity, HealthRight Group. This proposed combination is not a takeover or even a traditional merger. In fact, its more like a startup. CareOregon and SCAN Group are each contributing cash to a common fund so that HealthRight Group can provide a stable foundation for both organizations to continue and enhance their work ensuring access to quality, equitable health care and creating healthy communities for all individuals, regardless of income or social factors. However, after almost a year and counting, we are still waiting for Oregon regulators to issue a decision on our proposal and are unable to move forward without approval. Few people have engaged in the public process and some of their comments have incorrectly painted this proposed combination as a greedy, profit-seeking takeover that disregards the individualized needs of Oregon patients. I am here to tell you that is not the case. By joining together to form the nonprofit HealthRight Group, we are creating a powerful alternative to profit-driven health care. Medicaid is the single largest health care payer in the United States, covering over 20% of the U.S. population. Nationally, about half of people on Medicaid are enrolled in just five Fortune 500 health care companies, all with multistate footprints. From March 2020 to March 2023, enrollment in these five companies plans increased by 44%, according to research by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Because we are a nonprofit public benefit organization, we reinvest profits into the communities we serve instead of paying shareholders. This model has allowed us to expand housing for our members, increase staffing and resources to improve access to substance use treatment services and make it easier for our members to access culturally specific providers. Over the last three years, CareOregon has reinvested well over $230 million throughout the state of Oregon. Today, CareOregon is as strong and financially secure as ever, but market consolidation and new entrants like Amazon pose a threat in Oregon as strong as anywhere else. Everything costs more: drugs, labor, novel therapies and hospitalizations. Other independent health plans have simply closed or surrendered their Medicaid business to large for-profits. This merger will allow us to continue to invest in the priorities that we know are most critical for Oregonians behavioral health services, affordable housing and health care work force expansion. It will strengthen our financial position to withstand these challenges in a way that would be difficult for us on our own. With this merger, CareOregon and our affiliated coordinated care organizations will retain our leadership teams, staff and local boards of directors. All decisions that impact the health of Oregonians will continue to be made in Oregon. Well be able to continue to provide prenatal care in rural communities, dental care in urban communities, health support for homeless individuals and care coordination for thousands of Tribal members. Well be able to reinvest in more solutions like the Hawks Eye Apartments in Seaside, a former Red Lion Inn that we bought and are reimagining as temporary housing for health care workers and permanent supportive housing for Oregon Health Plan members. Well be able to continue to put Oregonians values into action instead of putting profits into shareholders pockets. This is good news for Oregonians. Help me spread the word. Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: Recently, a Harney County judge struck down Measure 114, the voter-approved gun violence prevention law, (Oregon gun control Measure 114 permanently blocked by Harney County judge; state will appeal, Nov. 24). The decision will be appealed, but what really troubled me was the false us-versus-them perspective represented in the judges decision. In part, he wrote: Mass shooting events are tragic and often involved the most vulnerable sections of the population. However, the court finds that the number of people killed and injured is statistically insignificant compared to the number of lawful gun owners. This statement is not only offensive, but also creates a false dichotomy. It pits gun owners against those who have experienced devastating loss. The truth is gun violence impacts all of us, including gun owners. Im a gun owner who lost my brother-in-law 11 years ago in the Clackamas Town Center mall shooting. Making sure my family and my community are safe is a top concern of mine, and I know many other gun owners feel the same way. Firearms are often marketed for self-defense but the reality is military-style weapons with high capacity magazines are almost never used in self-defense and all too often used to harm innocent people. Our policies must play a role in protecting public safety. With Measure 114, community safety and individual gun owners rights are both protected. I remain hopeful that Measure 114 will ultimately prevail and that a higher court will rule in its favor. But we dont need to wait to begin bridging false divides and striving toward a safer Oregon. Paul Kemp, Happy Valley To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. Apple MixC Wenzhou Wedbush continues to be impressed by Apple, raising its price target for the iPhone maker from $240 to $250, a second rise in a three-month period. Apple MixC Wenzhou In September, analysts at Wedbush upped the firm's price target for Apple from $230 to $240, due to a strong iPhone 15 launch event and supply checks at the time. A few months later, that price target has gone up once more, to $250. In a note to investors seen by AppleInsider, Wedbush rates Apple as "Outperform," and reiterates the iPhone producer as its "Top Tech Pick for 2024." "We believe Apple is heading into a strong holiday season over the coming weeks that should translate into iPhone 15 growth that exceeds Street estimates for the December quarter on the heels of strong upgrade activity within the US and China markets that is resilient despite the bear noise," the note starts. With no sign of "negative revisions" of iPhone unit orders in recent Asian supply chain checks, this reinforces Wedbush's belief there is a "very consistent consumer demand environment around iPhone 15." Unit checks gives Wedbush confidence in its prediction of 220 million to 230 million units for the full year of 2024, which "could show upside if this pace of upgrade activity continues" into the summer quarters. By contrast, others following Apple on Wall Street fear China sales are not as strong as they could be. The Street "continues to underestimate the underlying upgrade opportunity in China during the December quarter and FY24," the note continues. The possibility can be lucrative, with "north of 100 million iPhones in China in the window of an upgrade opportunity," and while there are geopolitical and Huawei headwinds, Apple is "seeing a very healthy December quarter" for iPhone 15 in mainland China. Average selling prices also have a "major tailwind" for this cycle, with it closing in on $925 versus the $825 to $850 ASP of the last few years. The growth install base of Apple puts the company "in a unique position to monetize this key market region," despite Huawei's domestic China market gains, the note adds. Additionally, it is believed that reports about Apple moving more production out of China to India has "helped successfully tone down the negative undertones from Beijing" seen in September and October. Disbelieving bears As Services returns to steady double-digit growth and with iPhone unit sales being high, Wedbush says it believes the "growth demise story" that is being "spun by bears" is something that has floated repeatedly over the last decade, and this is "just another chapter in that book." The 240 million iPhones in the upgrade window globally, along with a re-acceleration of Services growth has Wedbush claiming "we view this as the golden opportunity to own Apple for the next year." Wedbush adds that it believes Apple will be the "first $4 trillion market cap by the end of 2024 given the pace of growth and monetization we estimate for Cupertino over the next year." Services alone would be valued between $1.5 trillion and $1.6 trillion on a "sum-of-the-parts" standalone basis. "In a nutshell, Apple is in a Rock of Gibraltar-like strong position heading into 2024 with the stage set for a renaissance of growth in Cupertino," the note concludes. At the Portland Public Schools board meeting last month, the Portland Association of Teachers and school board members were united on one issue: they blamed the state legislature for the strike. However, parents should read the following sections of the new contract: Page 2, paragraph N: Bargaining unit members who participated in the strike will receive their full pay for November 2023 and the remainder of the 2023-2024 contract year... Page 3, section 5: All bargaining unit employees will receive all fringe benefits provided by the collective bargaining agreement as if the bargaining unit members worked continuously and no strike had occurred, including benefits for December 2023. Article 9, student discipline: Student behavior is an expression of unmet needs, and makes sense when put in context. The disciplinary response process should be aimed at meeting these needs and create an environment that helps students find new ways to meet their needs. With this belief PPS will begin to move from exclusionary discipline to Restorative Practices for all Pre-K to 12th grades. If teachers get paid for not working and there is little student discipline, more money from the Legislature wont solve the districts problems. John A. Charles, Jr. Charles is president and CEO of the Cascade Policy Institute To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) converge in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, on Sunday for their end-of-year ordinary summit with a plethora of unresolved socio-economic, security and governance issues, especially perennial insecurity, and a resurgence of military coups with four members of the 15-nation regional bloc under military rule Photo: (Photo : MOISES AVILA / Getty Images) In a pivotal move, the Texas Supreme Court on Friday agreed to pause a lower court ruling that would have allowed a pregnant woman, Kate Cox, to obtain an abortion for her fetus, diagnosed with trisomy 18, a rare chromosomal disorder likely to result in stillbirth or the baby's death shortly after birth. The ruling "administratively stays" the lower court's order, effectively putting a temporary halt to the decision that granted Cox permission to proceed with the abortion. However, this decision is not the final say on the merits of the case. Texas Supreme Court Sparks Legal Battle Cox, a 31-year-old woman approximately 20 weeks pregnant, received the devastating news about her developing fetus last month. Texas law imposes stringent restrictions on abortions, permitting them only in limited circumstances. In light of the severity of Cox's situation, lawyers representing her successfully obtained an emergency order allowing her to proceed with the abortion. State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, acknowledging the risks to Cox's future fertility, granted the emergency order on Thursday. The decision prompted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, to swiftly approach the Texas Supreme Court, seeking an emergency stay to block the judge's order. In response to Paxton's move, Molly Duane, senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights, expressed concern about potential delays in the legal process. Duane emphasized that time is of the essence, stating, "While we still hope that the Court ultimately rejects the state's request and does so quickly, in this case we fear that justice delayed will be justice denied." Paxton's argument revolves around whether Cox meets the medical-emergency exemption to the state law restricting abortions. His office contends that Texas law does not permit abortions solely based on the fact that a fetus is unlikely to survive outside the womb. Despite several doctors advising Cox that her baby has "virtually no chance" of survival and continuing the pregnancy could jeopardize her health and future fertility, Paxton's office maintains its stance against the abortion. Plea for Urgent Action and Healthcare Justice In light of the Supreme Court's decision to temporarily block the lower court's ruling, Cox's legal team, along with the Center for Reproductive Rights, remains determined to secure the abortion quickly. Molly Duane stressed that Cox's life and future fertility are at risk, citing medical advice that deems abortion as the necessary medical care. The urgency of the situation is underscored by Cox's medical history. She has been admitted to emergency rooms four times in the past month due to severe cramping and fluid leaks, symptoms related to her pregnancy complications. Cox, having had two prior cesarean surgeries, is at high risk for severe complications, including uterine rupture and hysterectomy, according to the legal complaint. Despite Paxton's resistance, Cox's case has garnered support from medical professionals who argue that the necessary medical care she requires is an abortion. The case transcends legal complexities, highlighting the delicate balance between individual rights and the pressing need for healthcare justice. Read Also: CVS Health Revolutionizes Drug Pricing with CostVantage Model: Game-Changer for Transparency The Emotional Toll on Kate Cox and Her Family As the legal battle unfolds, Cox, in an interview, expressed hopefulness about the court's decision in her favor. However, she acknowledged that her family would be grieving over their unborn child's fatal diagnosis regardless of the outcome. The emotional toll on Cox and her family adds a poignant layer to the legal proceedings, humanizing a complex case that intertwines personal tragedy with broader debates on reproductive rights and healthcare access. In conclusion, as the Texas Supreme Court holds the fate of Kate Cox's emergency abortion in its hands, the nation watches closely, aware of the potential implications this case may have on abortion rights in Texas and beyond. The intensity of the legal battle reflects the broader struggle between individual rights, legal restrictions, and the pressing need for urgent medical care in situations that threaten the lives of pregnant women like Kate Cox. Related Article: UNLV Tragedy: Fatal Shooting Rocks Campus Leaving Three Dead in Las Vegas Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed chairs G42, an increasingly powerful player in the global AI race In the 15th century, Sultan Bayezid II, ruler of the Ottoman empire, is said to have banned the printing press from the Arabic-speaking world, even as the revolutionary technology spread across Europe. We over-regulated a technology, which was the printing press, Omar Sultan Al Olama, the artificial intelligence (AI) minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said at a summit last month. It was adopted everywhere on Earth. The Middle East banned it for 200 years. Now, the Arab world is embracing technological change: Dubai and Abu Dhabi have emerged as surprise leaders in the new race for AI power. A Middle Eastern nation of around 10 million people, the UAE is using its vast oil wealth to compete with Silicon Valley by launching some of the most advanced AI language models on the planet. But while the UAE has long been an ally of the US in the region, the Middle Eastern states ambitions in the sector have now prompted private concerns among national security officials in Washington DC. Concerns stem from the allegedly close links between the nations fastest-growing AI company, G42, and China. Little known outside the region, G42 is an increasingly powerful player in the global AI race. Earlier this year it launched Jais, an AI programme it described as the worlds most advanced Arabic large language model. Founded in 2018, the companys name references the Douglas Adams novel The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. It is chaired by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, a powerful national security adviser and businessman who is part of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi and brother of the UAEs president. On a visit by the Sheikh to the White House earlier this year, Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Adviser, issued a statement filled with warm words. But in private, the White House official had more pressing questions about G42, the New York Times reported last month. The US has been pushing G42 to sever its ties with Chinese tech companies. The CIA reportedly raised concerns about G42s previous work with Huawei, the sanctioned Chinese company. Gina Raimondo, the Commerce Secretary, has also discussed the situation in private meetings with Emirati officials. Story continues Alexis Serfaty, a director at geopolitical consultancy Eurasia Group, says there have been rumblings that the US government harbours suspicions of the company over its apparent use of Chinese-made equipment. Officials are understood to be concerned about what might happen to data on American citizens that G42s AI tools collect. It is just the latest instance of the White Houses cold war on Chinas technology industry spilling over into the Middle East. The US government has already clamped down on supplies of high performance graphics processors, which are used to power AI algorithms, by enforcing tighter licensing rules for chips being sent to the Middle East, including the UAE. The region has found itself caught up in the crackdown amid concerns the chips could ultimately end up being used by Chinese companies. The UAE has been willing to play a balancing act between its allies in the East and West. It resisted US lobbying to crack down on Huawei, the Chinese tech giant accused of posing an espionage risk. Huawei has always denied the claims and its technology has been widely deployed in the UAEs 5G network. Western technology companies have also been happy to work with G42, which has signed deals with Microsoft and OpenAI. It developed its AI technology on a supercomputer built by US company Cerebras. Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer and defence expert at Kings College London, says the UAE has so far been able to access to technology from both sides the US and China. He adds that the UAE understands as a country wedged between East and West, they have to increase their exposure to China. Rishi Sunaks AI Safety Summit in November welcomed UAE AI minister Omar Sultan Al Olama - WPA Pool/Justin Tallis/Getty Images Europe China has hit out at reports the US has concerns about G42. A foreign ministry spokesman said in November the US has sabotaged cooperation between Chinese companies and other countries on multiple occasions and called the moves economic coercion. Still, even G42 admits it needs to tread carefully. On Friday, Peng Xiao, its chief executive, told the Financial Times it cannot indefinitely work with both sides. He said: The impression we are getting from [the] US government and US partners is, we need to be very cautious we simply cannot do much more work with Chinese partners. He said G42 planned to phase out its use of Huawei kit. Last month, he told Fortune that any US data it handled was kept safe and sound. Outside of the US, G42 also has growing ties to the UK. It is the third-biggest shareholder in UK biotech company Oxford Nanopore and has signed a deal with AstraZeneca to manufacture drugs in the UAE. In January, executives from G42s healthcare subsidiary met with Andrew Bowie, then a junior minister in the Business Department, to discuss potential collaboration, according to government disclosures. Al Olama, the UAEs AI minister, was also a key participant in Rishi Sunaks AI Safety Summit in November. The UAEs technological advances help to burnish its international credentials despite widespread concerns over human rights, censorship and autocratic rule. The UAE has emerged as an AI power, says Krieg. They are a smart cyber power in a way no other Middle Eastern power is. Just how they plan to wield that power is yet to be seen. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. In a recent development, seven headmasters and headmistresses from several schools in the Ashanti Region have been interdicted by the Ghana Education Service (GES) for allegedly exploiting new students despite government implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy since 2017. The heads were said to be involved in the collection of illegal monies during the admission and registration processes. The implicated schools include Kumasi Girls SHS, Asanteman SHS, KSTS, Manso-Edubia SHS, Agric Nzema Community SHS, Nkawie SHTS, Collins SHS. Also affected are Berekum SHS in the Bono region, Oreilly SHS and Ghana Secondary High School among others. They are allegedly charging refuse (borla), petrol fees, lunch bag among others. The GES has taken this step in response to allegations that these headmasters and headmistresses have been selling unauthorized items and charging unapproved fees to Form One students who recently joined their respective schools. Such activities, according to the GES, not only raise ethical concerns but also undermine the integrity of the educational system. It said this is especially worrisome as it places an additional financial burden on parents who are already grappling with various expenses and who welcomed the governments introduction of the Free SHS policy. Earlier, Patience Naki Mensah, the headmistress of the Ghana Senior High School (SHS) in Koforidua, Eastern Region, was one whose interdiction popped up in this matter. However, it appears the alleged illegal is one too many. The GES has decided to initiate further investigations into the allegations levied against them. This incident is not an isolated one, as numerous headteachers have faced similar accusations of charging unapproved fees since the implementation of the Free SHS policy. This policy, a laudable initiative, aims to provide free secondary education to all eligible students across Ghana. The GES, along with other relevant authorities, have expressed their commitment in ensuring that the Free SHS policy is implemented fairly and transparently. Any incidents involving the sale of unauthorized items or the levying of unapproved fees go against the principles of this policy and infringe upon the rights of students and parents alike. It is hoped that the interdiction of the headteachers and the subsequent investigation will serve as a deterrent to other headteachers who may be engaging in similar practices. The GES said it remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the integrity of the educational system, delivering equal opportunities to all students, and ensuring the effective implementation of the Free SHS policy. As investigations continue, the GES encourages students, parents, and community members to promptly report any incidents of unauthorized item sales or unapproved fees. This collaborative effort will help to identify and address any individuals or institutions involved in such illicit activities. The Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service reassure the public that appropriate actions will be taken against any individuals found guilty of violating the regulations and policies of the Free SHS initiative. The ultimate goal is to establish an educational environment where all students have an equal chance to succeed and flourish. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Sierra Leone police have summoned former president Ernest Bai Koroma for questioning over the failed coup attempt late last month. Information Minister Cherno Bah on Thursday said the former leader was invited to report to the police headquarters in the capital Freetown within 24 hours. Mr Koroma said that he would honour the police summons, and asked his supporters to be calm, according to a statement issued by his office. "I maintain an open mind and stand ready to support the police investigations to the fullest. Let the rule of law reign supreme in our democracy," he added. Mr Koromas summon follows the earlier arrest of his former security aide. Gunmen attacked a military barrack and broke into a prison in Freetown on 26 November, freeing more than 2,000 inmates. At least 19 people, including 13 soldiers, died in what the authorities said afterwards was an attempt to overthrow the government. Mr Koroma condemned the incident in a statement shortly after it happened. About 60 people, including 37 soldiers, have so far been arrested in connection with the violence. Although he has officially retired from politics, Mr Koroma, who was in office between 2007 and 2018, remains an influential figure in Sierra Leone politics. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Charles Owusu has thrown his full support for the passing of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill before Parliament. The bill, which is spearheaded by the Ningo-Prampram lawmaker, Sam George, and a host of other Parliamentarians has suffered some setbacks as it appears some members of the House are opposed to it. The bill, when passed into law, will ensure that the homosexual community and any person who proffers allegiance to the cause of LGBTQ+ will be prosecuted and fined or jailed or both. This is aimed at criminalizing homosexual practices in the country but there is a political divide on the bill, hence hampering its passage into law and subsequent implementation. This notwithstanding, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has assured that the bill on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, otherwise referred to as anti-LGBTQ+ bill, will be passed before the Christmas break. I know that nobody in this House is opposed to the bill and I know the bill will see the light of day before we rise because the people of Ghana are expecting us to pass the bill before we go on recess. Failure to do so will have serious consequences on members as they want to advance in their political careers, he said. Charles Owusu, reacting to the arguments on the bill, stated emphatically on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo" that "it is very clear that everybody frowns on this LGBTQ+ issue and wants the bill to be passed. I am certain the bill will surely be passed". He called on the lawmakers to support this bill to serve its purposes. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The 2023 edition of the prestigious Ghana Oil and Gas Awards ( GOGA) has recognised a total of 38 individuals and companies with various honours for their outstanding roles and contributions towards the growth of the country's oil and gas sector in a ceremony held at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra last Friday night. The Minister of Energy, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, was recognised for his leadership in the sector. Organised by Xodus Communications Limited, the scheme remains the largest industry initiative dedicated to championing excellence with the aim to celebrate companies and individuals who have distinguished themselves in the upstream and downstream sectors of the industry under the year under review and for the past ten years since the Award was instituted Endorsed by the Ministry of Energy, the event emphasised the strategic role of different sector agencies in achieving the country's energy transition objectives. Deputy Minister of Energy, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, graced the colourful ceremony as the Special Guest of Honour, with the oil and gas sector's finest in attendance, including Mr. Agyeman Duah, the President of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies, Professor David Atta Peters Awarding Board Chair and former Board member of Petroleum Commission. According to him, exploring the natural resources in the country is very key in the nations development, but industry players need to synergies and pull resources together for the transformation of the economy. He added that the Energy Ministry is poised to propel the country to meet its energy target of using power from clean and efficient energy sources. He congratulated the outstanding contributions of Xodus Communications Limited for their ingenuity in putting together such a unique platform that recognises and celebrates the innovation and excellence of agencies in the industry "Climate change is affecting a lot of major decisions in the world. I will urge you all to foster unity as you explore our natural resources for our benefit. I also want to take the opportunity to commend Xodus Communications Limited for their stunning leadership qualities and exceptional dedication to serve our industry over the years," Egyapa Mercer noted. Meanwhile, the Events Director of Xodus Communications Limited, Richard Abbey Junior, said the awards initiative has four thematic areas which are stewardship, corporate social responsibility, health,safety, environment, and quality, technology and innovation The platform of the event, he added, further promotes the industry's operations for an overall improvement in the national economy. "Thank God GOGA is 10 years today. It has been a long journey, but the Awarding Board has been keen on credibility, and the team has really worked hard to achieve this milestone. Today, we honour companies and entrepreneurs of the decade who have contributed to the industry. Xodus Communications Limited is the founder of Ghana Oil and Gas Awards, Ghana Manufacturing Awards, Ghana Insurance Awards, Forty under 40 Africa, Ghana, South Africa and United Kingdom. Below is the full list of winners 2023: 1. Hall Of Fame 2023 Juwel Energy- BDC of the Year 2. Hall Of Fame 2023 Total Energies Lubricant Product of the Year 3. Hall Of Fame 2023 Goil PLC OMC of the Year 4. Hall Of Fame 2023 Tema Tank Farm Depot of the Year 5. Indigenous Oil Company of the Year Upstream 2023 Harlequin Oil and Gas Limited 6. Best Growing Oil & Gas company of the year Downstream 2023 Kodson Plus Company Limited 7. Exploration (Drilling and Well Completion Excellence) 2023 Eni Ghana Exploration and Production Limited 8. Unsung Hero of the Year 2023 Timothy Akook - Petrosol Ghana Ltd 9. Promising Oil & Gas Company of the Year 2023 JP Trustees Limited 10. Marketing Campaign of the Year 2023 Totalenergies Marketing Ghana PLC 11. Oil and Gas Service Company of The Year (Bunkering) 2023 AI Energy Group 12. Oil and Gas Service Company of The Year (Lifting) 2023 Jonmoore International Limited 13. Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility Downstream 2023 Engen Ghana Limited 14. Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility - Upstream 2023 Ghana National Gas Limited Company 15. Engineering and Construction Company of the Year Upstream 2023 TechnipFMC Ghana Limited 16. Excellence in Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality Downstream 2023 Tema Tank Farm Ltd. 17. Excellence in Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality Upstream 2023 Eni Ghana Exploration and Production Limited 18. Oil and Gas Logistics Company of the Year 2023 Jonmoore International Limited 19. Oil and Gas Personality of the Year 2023 Mr Osei-Prempeh - Goil PLC 20. Bulk Distributing Company of the Year 2023 Blueocean Investment Limited 21. Brand of the Year 2023 Goil PLC 22. Emerging Brand of the Year 2023 JP Trustees Limited 23. Service Station of The Year 2023 Puma Energy Distributions Ghana Limited 24. Haulage Company of the Year 2023 JK Horgle Transport & CO Ltd 25. Oil Marketing Company of the Year 2023 Totalenergies Marketing Ghana PLC 26. Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 Mr. Kodime Agbemador -Kodson Plus Company Limited 27. CEO of the Year - Upstream 2023 Dr. Ben K. D. Asante - Ghana National Gas Limited Company 28. CEO of the Year Downstream 2023 Olufemi Babajide -Totalenergies Marketing Ghana PLC 29. Special Recognition Outstanding Achiever of the Decade- Bunkering Mrs. Abigail Asolange Harlley (AI Energy Group) 30. Special Recognition Outstanding Achiever of the Decade Petroleum Haulage J.K Ahiadome (J.K. Ahiadome Transport & Company Limited) 31. Special Recognition Outstanding Achiever of the Decade Oil and Gas Logistics Mr. MacDonald Vasnani (Consolidated Shipping Agency Limited) 32. Special Recognition Outstanding Achiever of the Decade Midstream Engineering Mr. Charles Addo (Meridian Group) 33. Special Recognition Chief Executive Officer of the Decade Mr. John Osei- Wusu (Juwel Energy) 34. Special Recognition Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 Dr. Kwaku Frimpong (Frimps Oil) 35. Special Recognition Industry Leadership Excellence Award 2023 Mr. Agyeman Duah (AOMC) 36. Special Recognition Outstanding Achiever of the Decade Oil Marketing (Downstream) Michael Bozumbil (Petrosol Ghana Limited) 37. Special Recognition Entrepreneur of the Decade Mr. Joseph K. Horgle (J.K. Horgle Transport Limited) 38. Special Recognition Outstanding Achiever of the Year Energy Policy Initiative Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghana will soon have a govt with Minority in Parliament Speaker Bagbin explains proposal to change Standing Orders The Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has said that he foresees a situation whereby Ghana will have one political party forming the government and another having Majority MPs in Parliament. He said when this happens, in the near future, the government's members of Parliament will form the Minority in Parliament. To that end, he said, if the Standing Orders of Parliament regarding the approval of budgets are not amended, it will make it difficult for such a government to get its budget approved. Speaker Bagbin said this when he announced a proposal to change the Standing Orders in relation to the approval of budget statements on Thursday, December 7, 2023. He told the lawmakers that the revised Standing Orders will be shared among members next week. The Speaker explained that given the partisan manner in which lawmakers handle budget statements, a future government that will have a Minority in Parliament will struggle to get its policy document approved by the House. Mr Bagbin indicated that he foresees Ghana having a government with a minority in Parliament in the near future. We have gone through the provisions of the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House and there is a need for us to take a second look at the at Standing Orders of the House. Definitely, there are more provisions to look at in the Constitution than what we have been referred to. I have taken some time to go through these provisions particularly when this matter was reiterated last week by some members of this House after we could not take the vote on the budget. The Standing Orders Committee has taken a deep look into the matter and we'll be proposing for the consideration of this house during the consideration and the adoption of the resolution to revise these standing orders. So we have made some proposals therein for your consideration as to how to handle this matter. We have either to pass an Act or in some situations a resolution. Some provisions talk about approval particularly when you are dealing with the capital expenditure of the judiciary, and again when you are dealing with supplementary budgets that definitely talk about approval. At what stage do you give the approval is the other consideration you look at? We all know that it is the Approbations Bill, whether it is supplementary or not is what we usually approve or pass into the law which is also provided for in the Constitution. We will look at it together, realign them and then see how best to handle such a situation because I foresee, in the near future, this country having a Minority government and if you have a Minority government and the Standing Orders don't provide for all these scenarios the Minority government will always have a problem in getting its budget approved particularly as members are extremely partisan. I know how brilliant members are. Last week Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta advocated an amendment to the Standing Orders of Parliament relative to the approval of budget statements. He wanted a departure from the current status quo where the Speaker's ruling in voice votes that ayes have it is challenged, leading to headcounts to determine the approval or otherwise of the budget. In his view, the Standing Orders should be changed to allow for the budget to be approved during the initial stages and then when it comes to the estimates and the appropriations stage, the challenges can be mounted and argued out. Speaking in an interview with TV3's Martin Asiedu Darteh on Thursday, November 30, Mr Ofori-Atta said As we sit today I believe the yes have it and I am looking forward to the budget that is essentially looks at macro stability and growth with the various reliefs for the people of Ghana. I don't see how anybody will be against it. I think maybe on a standing orders level it is in my mind to remove the need for the approval of budgets at this early stage because nobody can really be against the principles and then when they get into the estimates and appropriation, at that point in time various challenges could be mounted which will be argued out. But I think it is too early maybe parliament should look at its standing orders to change them. His comment came after the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin directed the business committee to reschedule the headcount for the approval of the 2024 budget to today Thursday, December 7. The House has since approved the budget after 138 lawmakers said yes against 136 Nos in the headcount. Parliament could not approve the budget on Wednesday, November 29 after the Majority side of the House boycotted proceedings, making it the second time they are walking out on their own budget after they first did so on the 2022 budget statement which introduced the e-levy. They disagreed with the way Mr Bagbin was conducting the business. They accused the Speaker of delaying proceedings in order for the Minority to have their full numbers in the House. Sam George is not here, Zanetor is not here, Mahama Ayariga, is not here so five of their members are not here. All the speaker is doing is to delay time for their members to come, Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu told journalists after they walked out. The Speaker had to suspend sitting. Ningo-Prampram Lawmaker Samuel Nartey George, however, rubbished the claim that he was not in Parliament. The Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of lacking the numbers to approve the 2024 budget statement. Addressing the press, Dr Ato Forson said The NPP does not have the numbers to approve their own budget, sensing defeat they decided to walk out. The NDC MPs were ready to vote against the budget. Our position is that we can allow the budget to go through in its current form, because the ordinary Ghanaian will suffer. John Kumah is not here, Kennedy Agyapong is not here and sensing defeat they walked out, we will not stop, we will do what we have to do. The Budget has not been approved. Source: 3news Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former President John Dramani Mahama has petitioned the Ghana Police Service to investigate the unauthorized use of his credentials by supposed social media personalities he believes to be New Patriotic Party (NPP) activists. In a petition dated October 2, 2023, Mahamas lawyers expressed concern over the circulation of a document on social media platforms bearing his seal and signature. The document titled Memo: Support for the Occupy the BoG Demonstration was signed by Joyce Bawah Mogtari, who works closely with Mahama. However, the lawyers stated that the document was not authored or issued by their client and that the individuals responsible for its publication were members of the NPP. Mahamas aide, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, took to X on Thursday, December 7, 2023, to express their hopes that the police would enforce the law and protect the countrys democracy. She emphasized that disinformation was detrimental to democracy and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. It was revealed that false information had been spread using a forged letterhead of the office of John Mahama. Two months ago, a formal complaint was filed with the Ghana Police Service by Mahamas team, urging action against those responsible for spreading misinformation. Mogtari expressed optimism that law enforcement authorities would take swift action to protect the countrys democracy. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, the Vice President of the Republic and governing New Patriotic party's flagbearer, is expected to defeat John Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress in the general election of 2024, as predicted by Mr. Kwabena Frimpong, Deputy Protocol Director of the ruling New Patriotic Party. This, in his opinion, Dr. Bawumia has exhibited more competence as Vice President than the NDC's candidate, who has been Vice President and President before. According to Mr. Frimpong, "Dr. Bawumia's efficiency has allowed drones to be deployed in the delivery of critical medications and drugs to all of the nation's medical facilities. He continued by saying that since it is now so simple to renew a National Health Insurance card from the comfort of your home, no one needs to get up early to go and wait in ques at health insurance offices. He pointed out that advancing mobile money across networks is simple and convenient because of Mobile Money Payment Interoperability, which was initiated by Dr. Bawumia. Once more, you can easily accomplish all of these operations by just linking your accounts to your phone number. You are in no way required to physically visit a bank to withdraw or deposit money or send money to someone via phone. Mr. Frimpong continued, "All Ghanaians can now easily identify homes and offices and give directions thanks to the digital addressing system." He went on to say, "Today, every Ghanaian would remember Dr. Bawumia for digitalizing our nation; but, Former President Mahama would be remembered for Dumsor, which brought down numerous factories and industries; Guinea fowl that left for Burkina Faso and never returned; corruption related to bus branding; Gyeda Sada; isophotonee corruption; a shortage of chalk to allow teachers to teach; and the exorbitant costs associated with government projects." He revealed these in an interview with Dr. Rey of Rainbow Radio in the UK. He said that since Veep Dr. Mahama Bawumia and former President Mahama are competing, all Ghanaians should carefully consider the contributions each contributed to the country while they were in office. "I can confidently say that Dr. Bawumia is visionary and would transform Ghana into prosperity under his digitization drive with Mahama, even in opposition. He is still incompetent because, heading into the year 2000 election by this time, we knew the former president, when elected, would be implementing free health insurance for all Ghanaians, the same as Nana Addo with free SHS, but what can be said of Mahama? Nothing ". He concluded by pleading with all Ghanaians to put their trust in the visionary, modest, and sincere Dr. Bawumia to assist in creating a successful nation for all of us. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video PHILADELPHIA (AP) A police pursuit of a suspected gunman ended in a shootout that left two officers and a suspect wounded, police said. The shooting happened around 2 a.m. Sunday, interim city Police Commissioner John Stanford said, after officers responded to reports of gunfire and saw a pickup truck that was believed to have been involved in that shooting. Offers tried to stop the truck, but the driver drove off. Officers soon spotted the truck again and the pursuit ended when the driver rammed a police car at Frankford Avenue and Welsh Road. He then got out and started shooting at police, Stanford said. Four officers returned fire, striking the man at least once. He was taken to a hospital and underwent surgery, and he was listed in critical condition. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, one of the officers was shot once in the left eye and twice in the left leg, another sustained a graze wound to the face. They were treated at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital and were expected to recover, said acting Police Commissioner John Stanford. Stanford told the Inquirer one of the officers had previously been shot on the job. One officer had a head wound while another was shot in the leg and face. Both were in stable condition and their injuries were not considered life-threatening. Stanford said one of the injured officers had been wounded in a previous shooting, but he didnt immediately disclose additional details. The names of the officers and the suspected shooter were not immediately released. No other injuries were reported in the chase or the shootout. University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned Saturday in response to widespread backlash regarding comments she made during a congressional committee testimony on antisemitism, multiple reports said. Magill received backlash from students, donors, alumnus, politicians, and other Ivy League presidents after she said calling for the genocide of Jewish people was a context-dependant decision in regard to Penns rules and codes of conduct, the Inquirer said. Magills two years as Penns president makes her the shortest tenured president in the schools history. Magill will act as Penns president until a replacement is found, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Washington Post said. The Chair of the Penn Board of Trustees released the following statement: Dear Members of the Penn community, I write to share that President Liz Magill has voluntarily tendered her resignation as President of the University of Pennsylvania. She will remain a tenured faculty member at Penn Carey Law. On behalf of the entire Penn community, I want to thank President Magill for her service to the University as President and wish her well. We will be in touch in the coming days to share plans for interim leadership of Penn. President Magill has agreed to stay on until an interim president is appointed. President Magill shared the following statement, which I include here: It has been my privilege to serve as President of this remarkable institution. It has been an honor to work with our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members to advance Penns vital missions. Best, Scott L. Bok Chair, Penn Board of Trustees A congressional committee has also opened an investigation into Penn, and possibly other universities, after Magills comments at the hearing, the Inquirer said. By Olivia Schlinkman, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS) As an 1896 story in the Lancaster New Era reads, It is sometimes said that there is nothing in a name; but the man who originated that saying was no historian. Shakespeare famously asked, Whats in a name? in Romeo & Juliet. And in Lancaster County, youll find many answers. Linguistics lessons. Admiration for homelands. A spotlight on the women of colonial times. Failed attempts at fame. Inn signage. Recognition of the first inhabitants of Pennsylvania land. A look through newspaper records shows that Lancaster County boasts not only one-of-a-kind names but names with a rich history that provide insight into how local places were formed and continue to develop. Well start with our countys name: Lancaster was founded in 1729 by John Wright. Originally from Lancaster, England, Wright named the county after his homeland. Here are more stories of some of the places we call home. Boroughs Adamstown Records date Adamstowns founding to the early-to-mid 18th century when William Addams traveled to the area. Finding it was a proper place to settle, Addams built a grist mill and home for him and his wife alone. But Adamstown did not become a true community until 1761, when 57 lots were designated for a town to flourish. Akron A 2019 feature story states that Akron was once named New Berlin, supposedly because many of its settlers call back to prior lives in the German city. Nearby, however, were both a railroad and mill named Akron due to its more broad use, Akron became the adopted name of New Berlin, too. Furthermore, the word akros translates to topmost in Greek; fitting, for a community on a hilltop. Christiana This borough was named in the 19th century after the wife of William Noble, an early settler who began a blacksmith shop and foundry essential establishments to the communitys beginnings. An edition of the Scribbler column received a letter from a Christine Ammon in 1986 stating that, for some time, the entrance sign to the borough incorrectly attributed the boroughs naming to a Christian Noble, making it seem like a man was its namesake. Columbia First named Wrights Ferry for the communitys founder, John Wright, who operated a ferry across the Susquehanna River in the 18th century Columbia was later chosen after Christopher Columbus. Wright hoped the name would incline the U.S. government to use the location for the future national capital. The goal was never achieved not even for the state capital. Denver Settlers of Denver were early to the trend of manifesting your ideals. Denver was first named Bucher Thal which commemorated its first settler, Hans Bucher and later Union Station, after the local railroad station. But settlers grew tired of being named for a train. They took to the maps to find a new name. Seeing that there was only one other postal service named Denver, Colorado, in the U.S., they too claimed it taking after the prosperous city in hopes it would inspire their own success. East Petersburg The origin of East Petersburgs name is unclear, especially since, as far as records show, there has never been a West Petersburg in Lancaster. According to a 2018 interview with David Johnson, president of the East Petersburg Historical Society, East was not added to the name of the community already called Petersburg until 1880. Before that time, East Petersburgs post office was named the " East Hempfield post office since it delivered mail to residents in the Hempfield area, and various other offices across Pennsylvania already claimed the name of Petersburg. But once two other local offices were established at Landisville and Rohrerstown, the Petersburg one no longer served Hempfield. Some suggest that Lancasters Petersburg could be named for its location east of another Petersburg 130 miles away despite the distance, the logic holds. Others suggest the name was a compromise between the names East Hempfield and " Petersburg. Elizabethtown College in Lancaster County, Pa. (File photo provided by Elizabethtown College) Photo provided by Elizabethtown Elizabethtown Barnabas Hughes takes credit for founding Elizabethtown after taking over a local tavern and encouraging town growth in the mid-to-late 1700s. But, nobody wants to live in a town named Barnabasville. Good thing his wife, Elizabeth Hughes, had a far more welcoming name. Ephrata Its not surprising that Ephratas name has religious origins, considering it is best known for its 18th-century community of religious celibates. Ephrath, a biblical name, means fertility in Hebrew. The hotel, The Wilbur Lititz, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is a 74-room hotel located in the former Wilbur Chocolate Factory in Lititz. (Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com, 2019) Lititz Much like Ephrata, Lititz was also founded on religious intent but by the Moravian Church. In the 15th century, the Moravian village of Lidice was a place of refuge for persecuted Moravians. About 300 years later Count Zizendorf, a leader of the Moravian Church who traveled searching for a place to begin a religious community, named Lititz in commemoration. Manheim Manheim was named after the birthplace of its founder, Henry William Stiegel Mannheim, Germany. History books note the city for its 1689 seizure by French forces during the Nine Years War. Marietta The borough is named after two women, Mary and Henrietta. However, whether they were a pair of sisters or wives of settlers is unclear. Millersville Lancaster County has its fair share of residents with the last name Miller. Could Millersville simply be named in tribute to the popular name? In reality, the borough was named after a certain special John Miller. This specific Miller founded the community in 1761 when he was in search of a new, open spot to begin his own storefront after working for Steinman Hardware Store. He and his son traveled to what is now the Penn Manor area and set up shop. Mount Joy There are no mountains in Mount Joy but there once were many Scottish immigrants. The communitys name draws from an Irish ship named the Mountjoy. In 1689, the ship was revered for knocking down a blockade and delivering food to Scots imprisoned inside the city of Londonderry, after it fell to the Jacobite army. In following years, many Scots emigrated to North America and settled in the Donegal area. Mountville This community was known as Mount Pleasant at its founding in the early 1800s. When a post office was established, the community took on the name of the already established railroad: Mountville. New Holland Change can be a good thing for example, its good that New Hollanders made multiple attempts at naming their community. Because who can imagine having to say, Im going to take a drive to Saeue Schwamm to get coffee, Mom! This German word, meaning hog swamp, was the first name for the New Holland area. Then, for a short period in the 1700s the region was named Earltown, until 1750 when residents tried out a third name: New Design. With time, the name transformed into what it is today and pays homage to Holland, the place where many residents ancestors found sanctuary during the Thirty Years War. Quarryville This borough was named for its productive lime quarries. The Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 at the Strasburg Railroad in 2019. (Megan Lavey-Heaton | mheaton@pennlive.com, file) Strasburg Strasburg was originally settled on by French immigrants drawn to the area after Pierre Bezaillion, a fur trader, traveled to the area in 1693. In the 18th century, the town was named after the city of Strasbourg, France. Terre Hill This hillside community was originally named Fairville for its picturesque views of the surrounding region. In 1848, a post office was established in the town, only to discover that Fairville was already claimed by a Chester County town. Its believed the postmaster at the time, Simon Klausner, suggested combining the French word terre, which means land, with hill. Townships Brecknock The land of apple orchards received its name from the town of Brecon in South Wales. Caernarvon A slight change of spelling in Google Maps will take you across the Atlantic rather than driving down the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This township calls back to a community in Wales, originally spelled Caernarfon. Clay If one thing can be taken from Columbias story, its that you cant inspire politics with strategic town nomenclature. But nothing says you cant name your town after a person of politics. Clay township was named after U.S. Representative Henry Clay in 1853 a year after he died. Cocalico The Cocalico Creek and subsequent township are named for an Indigenous word meaning the serpents den, due to the number of snakes in the area. Colerain This township is named for an Irish seaport town of the same name. Coleraine, Ireland, is located in Londonderry, which itself served as inspiration for Derry Township. Conestoga An 1896 article in the Lancaster New Era refers to Conestoga as the earliest township in Lancaster County not for its existence as a township, but its occupation by people. The township is named after the Native American tribe that lived in the area long before Europeans ever arrived. Conoy The Conoy Creek is roughly 11 miles long, running from Elizabethtown down to the Susquehanna River. Thus, it feels fitting that the townships namesake comes from a Native American word meaning long creek. Earl This township was founded by Hans Graff, a German pioneer of the 18th century, whose surname indicates the same distinction as the English word Earl. Eden The Mount Eden Furnace, located near Quarryville, existed before the township and was the inspiration for its name. Elizabeth Unlike the borough of Elizabethtown, Elizabeth Township was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth (most likely the first) of England. American inventor and designer Robert Fulton, who invented the steamboat, is shown in this sketch. The date is unknown. (AP Photo)AP Fulton This township was named in honor of its claim to fame, Robert Fulton, who invented the steamboat and was born in the area. Hempfield This town was named for its prosperous hemp crop. Some also point to a parish in England of the same name. Lampeter Some suggest that Lampeters namesake is none other than the town of Lampeter in Wales. However an alternative and more unique theory suggests that the township is named after Peter Yourde, an early settler in the 1700s. Yourde had a physical disability that affected his ability to walk, and newspaper records suggest he was known as Lame Peter. The town was named for Yourdes now-insensitive nickname and later shortened to " Lampeter. Little Britain Many travelers to North America were seeking to separate themselves from their country of origin. However, some seem to have kept a soft spot in their hearts for their European home. John Jamieson, a British settler in the 1700s, is believed to have named this community Little Britain to pay homage to his birthplace. Paradise Its likely not a mistake that the townships of Paradise and Eden two biblical references are geographical neighbors. Mary Ferree, a woman who brought her family to settle on the land in the early 1700s, is often credited with naming the region. Shes believed to have remarked something to the effect of, This is truly a paradise. Some accounts may attribute the naming to David Witmer, another early settler. Rapho Rapho Townships locality to west and east Donegal Townships was likely purposeful. The Irish town of Raphoe, for which the township is named, was located within Irelands own Donegal county. Raphoe was a religious Irish town, an 1896 story referring to it as the ecclesiastical centre of the county of Donegal. Salisbury This town is yet another example of immigrants paying homage to their European roots. Salisbury is named for the city of Salisbury in England, home to the famous Anglican Salisbury Cathedral constructed in the 13th century. Tulpehocken This name comes from the Tulpehocken Creek, now within Berks County. The area was inhabited by a Native American tribe when German immigrants settled by the creek in 1723. The name is rooted in the Lenni- Lenape word tulpewikaki, which roughly translates to land of the turtle. Census-Designated Places (CDPs) Bareville The inspiration for this towns name is Andrew Bare, a descendant of John Henry Bare, who settled near Earl Township in the early 18th century. In 1764, the Bare family was given land on which to expand the settlement a challenge that Andrew Bare took on. Bird-In-Hand In the late 1700s, an innkeeper was searching for a new name for his inn located along Old Philadelphia Pike. An Englishman who had been traveling from Philadelphia to Lancaster stopped at the unnamed inn. It was either that, or continue on through a storm. Reflecting on the decision to stop and rest, the traveler supposedly remarked, A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. The innkeeper liked the phrase so much he decidedly named the inn after a shortened version of it, leading to its later adoption by the town itself. Blue Ball In 2012, the namesake for Blue Ball was bought by the New Holland Area Historical Society for $1,250. The item in question is an 18-inch blue ball. Where Routes 23 and 322 now intersect, the Blue Ball Inn once resided. Serving as a stop for travelers of the 19th century, verbal signage and directions were not always effective since literacy was not as common amongst people. Instead, symbols often served as directional aid. In the Blue Ball Inns case, a literal blue ball hung from the building to guide travelers. Churchtown Common-sense theories for Churchtowns origins are correct: the community is named for churches in the area. But not because of the number of them. A 1979 Sunday News article says William Penn intended for churches to be built on the regions land. By the time churches had been built there were still leftover plots of land. The churches decided to sell the land for farmers to use, and so the community was named for the churchs dominance over the area. Fivepointville And the best dedication to a five-road intersection goes to ... Gap According to Pennsylvania Place Names by A. Howry Espenschade, Gap is so named because it resides in the space between two hills. Intercourse A strong suggestion for Intercourses namesake is that the community once hosted an important intersection. The town was formerly called Cross Keys, after a local tavern. Others believe that the name comes from a racetrack once located on the land, whose entrance was facing the community (enter course). Maytown It is likely Maytown derives its name from being founded on the first day of May in 1762, according to the towns historical marker. Penryn Around 1890, Penryn was named after the town of Penryn in Cornwall, England. According to a 1987 article, the Grubb family, from 18th-century Penryn, England, was the first to settle in Lancaster county and name their new home. The Grubbs were successful iron-masters at Cornwall Furnace in Lebanon County, and members of the Grubb family owned the homes that are now the mansion at Mount Hope Estate and the Lancaster Museum of Art. Since then, the connection between the two Penryns has not been lost. In 1987, the Penn-Elms Lions Club sold envelopes and booklets in honor of Penryn, Englands 750th anniversary of its founding. The funds were directed toward helping their twin town afford a much needed medical machine that measures bone-density, essential in diagnosing and treating rheumatoid arthritis. Communication between the two regions has continued since then. Smoketown Various theories exist for this towns name. An edition of the Scribbler column says the name may have arisen due to the first house built in Smoketown catching on fire, or because there were smokehouses in the community that released a great deal of smog. Willow Street Naming a town Willow Street is akin to naming the street that runs through Southampton and Warminster Street Road it certainly prompts a second take by visitors and makes for an interesting story. Willow trees once lined the streets of the community. Charles McFalls, an 80-year-old mail carrier at the time of a 1967 article, recalled seeing the trees as a kid, meaning they must have existed since the 19th century. At the time McFalls was interviewed there had been talk of changing the communitys name since many of the trees had been cut down, but attempts were unsuccessful due to residents attachment to the one-of-a-kind name. Unincorporated Communities Chickies This towns name is a shortened version of the name Native Americans gave to the creek running through the area Chickiesalunga which roughly translates to the place of the craw-fish. This is one of many spellings used over time for what we now call Chiques Creek. Interestingly, the town of Salunga which comes from the second half of the original name is located upstream. Fruitville A 1992 article in the Lancaster New Era raises a good question Lititz Pike is named so because it leads to Lititz, Millersville Pike is named so because it leads to Millersville. Where does Fruitville Pike get its name? John W. Loose, president of the Lancaster County Historical Society at the time, suspects it comes from an orchard near Blossom Hill that would bloom every year producing fruit harvests. The orchard was maintained by Manheims Vogel family and reportedly had 2,500 trees in 1911. For some time, the region around the orchard was called Fruitville, but use of the name has since diminished. Nickel Mines Nickel Mines, a village situated between Strasburg and Gap, is named after none other than the Gap Nickel Mines, first discovered in the early 1700s. The mines were originally intended to be used for copper mining It wasnt until the late 1800s that the value of nickel was discovered and the Gap Mining Co. transitioned its focus to nickel. Throughout the 1800s, the mines were the only known nickel mines across the country and experienced various changes of ownership. Peach Bottom A name fit for a town in the world of Strawberry Shortcake, a 19th-century ferry is inspiration for this community. The Peach Bottom Ferry was a steam-powered wooden boat that transported horses, passengers, crops and other materials across the Susquehanna River to York County. It helped farmers in the area transport goods and facilitated transportation from west of the river to Philadelphia. A 1957 article in the Lancaster New Era says the name has been the subject of controversy between York and Lancaster counties. There has been debate over which region claimed the name first. Some say Lancaster didnt adopt the name until the late 1800s, after York had already done so. The article also suggests that on the west bank of the river there was once an orchard of Judas trees which bloomed a pink-red color in the spring, which may have inspired the name. Editors note: This was originally published in August 2023. Burnt debris fill the stairwell and the sky can be seen in the absence of a roof on Dec. 10, 2023, in the aftermath of a blaze the previous night at the former Emerson High School in Gary. The shuttered school is on the National Register of Historic Places. (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) An investigation is underway into a heavy fire that broke out Saturday evening in the roof and attic of the abandoned Emerson High School, according to the Gary Fire Department. Firefighters responded to a blaze at the four-story brick school, at 716 E. 7th Ave., at about 9:45 p.m., the department said. Twenty mile per hour winds from the west caused flames to spread quickly through the structure, leading to (severe) damage and the collapse of most of the roof, the department said. Advertisement The fire was mostly extinguished by 3 a.m., the department said, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters from Merrillville and Munster helped control the blaze. Garys fire department and the Indiana State Fire Marshals Office are investigating the cause and origin of the fire. Advertisement The school is known for a four-day boycott in 1927, where hundreds of students demanded that administrators kick out 18 Black students. The Black students, who endured racist threats, eventually returned to the non-accredited Virginia Street school. I was saddened when I arrived on the scene to see such devastating damage to Emerson. This building contains so much history to so many of us in Gary, said Gary Fire Chief Mark Terry. I have many fond memories here having attended many events when my son was a student here. The birthplace of our modern educational system was started right here, and this school was the first school in the country to have a swimming pool, Terry added. There have been so many famous alumni that roamed these halls. The school on the citys east side, closed since 2008 when the Emerson School for Visual and Performing Arts relocated, has been the site of multiple recent crimes. In July, three East Chicago men and a juvenile girl were arrested after shots were fired inside the building, while another fire broke out at the school a month earlier. In 2015, police found a 17-year-old Chicago teen dead inside the blighted building, which opened in 1909. The fire department said the property was transferred to the Gary Housing Authority in December 2020, but its been unused and is considered uninhabitable. They said there were no active utility connections to the building. rjohnson@chicagotribune.com Something seems fishy about the farm south of Nebraska City in Otoe County. Theres been a lot of activity there the past two and a half years, and at night you can see a mysterious glow. Now delivery trucks go in out and of the driveway regularly. This hub of commotion is Nebraska Vegetable and Protein, a new hydroponic and aquaculture facility. Kiel and Mimi VanderVeen have transformed their acreage just off of Highway 75 into the production headquarters of locally grown lettuce and fresh Atlantic salmon. You read correctly. Landlocked Nebraska is home to a salmon farm. We arent the only project like this. But outside of Superior Fresh in Wisconsin, we are the only cold water fish farm in the U.S. growing both salmon and greens, said VanderVeen, adding that other facilities do one or the other, but not both. Nebraska Vegetable and Protein has a team of five full-time employees, as well as the VanderVeen family. Kiel and Mimi have two daughters, toddler Sylvia and newborn McCartney. The entire chain of production at Nebraska Vegetable and Protein is based on value-added agriculture and a sustainable, local food supply. The VanderVeens designed the system so that the water from the fish tanks cycles through the hydroponic greenhouse and feeds the plants, which naturally remove nitrates from the water, before it loops back through the fish tanks. Each aspect of the system is entwined in their value-added model. Solid fish waste is captured, mineralized and sold as high-value fertilizer at farmers markets or through a local contract buyer. They have integrated 200 laying hens into the system, feeding them the lettuce stems, shoots and would-be waste. In reality, nothing is wasted at Nebraska Vegetable and Protein. If youre going to do something, why not do it sustainably and use everything you can? VanderVeen said. VanderVeen has no background in aquaculture, or even agriculture. He initially majored in biochemistry, switching to accounting the second semester of his junior year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His first job was as a tax accountant. Now, he operates BluePrint Financial Planning in Nebraska City. VanderVeen became hooked on the idea of growing food about five years ago when Mimi bought him little peat Jiffy Pots. Soon, he had tilled up a 50- by 100-foot section of their backyard where they lived in Nebraska City at the time. In 2020, they moved to an acreage outside of Nebraska City. Next, they were flying to California to see a fish farm. They researched the type of system needed and started piecing it together. For two solid years, they worked nights and weekends to convert the existing machine shed into a fish hatchery. They also built a 40- by 110-foot geothermal greenhouse. Only the electrical work was hired out, VanderVeen said. VanderVeen admits they didnt know what they were getting into. They were able to keep construction costs down by frugally searching for bargains. Almost everything you see, with the exception of the pipes and pipe fittings, has been bought at auction, said VanderVeen, pointing to the 155 kilowatt three-phase backup generator from an old hospital in Iowa, the oxygen system with a massive air compressor and the repurposed catwalks above the fish tanks. What VanderVeen referred to as jerry-rigging, others would view as ingenuity. The largest tanks are made from Harvestore sheets and lined with plastic sheeting. When you first come onto the premise, you might assume livestock are being raised because of the two Midwest Livestock sow feed systems hooked up outside to the building. Specialty fish feeding equipment is made, but no one around here can install or work on it, said VanderVeen. Each feed bin has a 10-ton capacity to store the fish feed that is delivered from Optimal Fish Food in Omaha, a subsidiary of the ethanol plant Green Plains Energy. Also sitting outside the building is a series of units making up the 75-ton chiller system to cool the water in the fish tanks. One large cylinder inside the building contains 470 stainless steel tubes that are pumping 200 gallons of water per minute. Simultaneously, glycol is pumped around the tubes of water at 100 gallons per minute. This continuously reduces the water temperature by 5 degrees. It costs a lot to run the chiller, VanderVeen said. We paired the fish with plant production mostly to help with the utility bill. Because Atlantic salmon are cold water fish, the water temperature runs between 5-15 degrees Celsius depending on the class, or age, of fish in the tank. VanderVeen said they chose Atlantic salmon because they wanted to grow a high-value fish. Known as the king of fish, salmon can command a higher price point based on their superior flavor and texture. This comes with a catch, of course. Turns out, theyre one of the pickiest fish you can grow, said VanderVeen. The eggs are incubated at 5 degrees Celsius, but once they hatch the water temperature is increased to 10-11 degrees, one degree at a time. They do not want the freshly hatched fish too active. At that stage, they are absorbing nutrients from the yolk sac still attached to their bellies. If the yolk sac is eaten too quickly, deformities such as misshapen gills or a dysfunctional digestive system can result. At about three weeks, they will be introduced to solid food. When we want them to start eating, we will expose them to bright light and bump the temperature up to the 12-15 degree range. That will induce their feeding responses, said VanderVeen. He showed the shallow tank, similar in size and shape to a bathtub, teeming with one-inch long salmon just two weeks old. The red yolk sac was clearly visible. Every 90 days, they import another 20,000 eggs from Iceland. To make room for the new arrivals, a valve is opened to flush the fish from the shallow tanks to larger, round tanks situated directly below. This next class eats about 3% of their body weight daily and has a 1.3 feed ratio conversion. Next, the salmon are moved into the largest tanks with an 18,000-gallon capacity. These three grow out tanks take up about a fourth of the 40x100 building. Within 20-21 months, the mature salmon weigh about 14 pounds and are ready to be harvested. Processing is done on-site. The Nebraska Vegetable and Protein fish processing facilities are inspected and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The fish fillets are vacuum-sealed, labeled and frozen to sell at farmers markets. Nebraska Vegetable and Protein also sells its products at Ellsworth Crossing Farm to Fork Market in Omaha, Cornhusker Beef Company in Nebraska City and other locations that are part of a regular delivery route. The first official salmon harvest was Aug. 15. Now, another school of salmon is harvested each Wednesday. We start harvesting the fish in one tank, and the ones left continue to grow, VanderVeen said, explaining their incremental harvest system. Their mentality is to progress incrementally as a business, as well. VanderVeen said that they intentionally started small with the understanding that experimenting on a large scale could quickly have become a massive failure with little margin for error. We wanted to have our problems with fewer fish, which I am glad we did, he said. Now that the system is fully running, they can focus on scaling up production. This time next year, Nebraska Vegetable and Protein will jump from harvesting 250 to 1,000 pounds per week. VanderVeen estimates a total production of 25 tons of salmon per year. Plans to cast a wider net for expansion are already underway. The day of the interview, VanderVeen was meeting with an engineering group to conduct a feasibility study for the next phase of Nebraska Vegetable and Protein. The building used at present would potentially become a hatchery, and an additional 3,000 metric ton system capable of producing 6.6 million pounds of salmon per year would be constructed. This would require three 1,000- by 500-foot buildings, not including processing facilities. The estimated cost for the project is $120 million. VanderVeen did not disclose the location but said that they have an aggressive goal to expand next year. Creating Nebraska Vegetable and Protein has been a voyage, navigating the waters of food production and crafting a brand new system from scratch. I view all of this as a research and development facility, trying to learn what works and what doesnt before we expand, said VanderVeen. Always trying to add more value to their operation, they are beginning a new research project to generate a byproduct from fish carcasses. They recently purchased a bowl chopper to emulsify the bones, organs and other fish parts leftover after harvest. The blades spin at 25 rpm, VanderVeen said. Fish carcasses become fish smoothies five minutes later. They will begin a test to compare how long it takes to break down using lactobacillus versus digestive enzymes. The resulting fish emulsion concentrate can be bottled with water for fertilizer. Or their other idea involves freeze drying the fish emulsion into dog treats, because there is a big push towards single-ingredient pet treats, said VanderVeen. They have been awarded a $250,000 value-added production grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for this project. As production increases, they are currently replacing the radial flow settlers and biofilters with a more efficient system capable of treating larger quantities of water. A new rotating drum filter will screen particles as small as 60 microns, small enough to take calcium out of the water. It will further be filtered through two long cylinders filled with sand. This is VanderVeens custom-made version of a fluidized sand filter, the same technology used at the Freshwater Institute at Virginia. The new biological filtration system will be a crucial safety piece to remove ammonia from the water. If we dont have this system up and running within three months, we will have to stop feeding fish, VanderVeen said. Once the old waste-removal tanks are no longer needed, they will have more room to grow in their greenhouse, literally. The VanderVeens plan to remove the old filtration system and extend the grow beds by 10 feet to fill the void. Vaughn Hammond of Lincoln has been part of the experiment at Nebraska Vegetable and Protein since February 2022. His first job straight out of college many, many years ago, as he said, was managing an aquaponics salad greenhouse in New York. He also brings a wealth of knowledge as an extension educator for 15 years, horticulturist for three different orchards and agriculture director at Valas Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard. Nebraska Vegetable and Protein is his retirement venture. Hammond plays with different varieties of greens to see which grow best and under what conditions. We are constantly doing in-greenhouse research, Hammond said. He takes suggestions from customers or market recommendations to determine his next trial. Kale was a complete flop. Endive grew well but too slowly. Grow lights above the troughs illuminate the plants 18 hours per day. In the summer, high-pressure 1,500 PSI misters keep the humidity above 50. VanderVeen said that if the humidity drops too low, the plants begin to perspire, losing moisture in the leaves and putting more effort into the roots. Seven varieties lettuce are grown at a time. Most of the lettuce is sold as a blend, with the exception of Romaine. Each week, a new crop of 2,200 lettuce seedlings is planted in trays of growing media. They take root in the cozy, warm seed room for about three weeks before transferring to the hardening-off tables. They are given two weeks to acclimate to the greenhouse before being planted in Styrofoam rafts. Each raft has 36 holes, and seven varieties are planted in seven rafts each for 1,764 heads of lettuce. The rafts float in troughs 8 inches deep, filled with water circulating from the fish tanks. Iron is the only supplement needed for the lettuce to flourish. A month later, the 49 rafts are harvested. From seed to harvest is eight weeks total. Its pretty amazing how this little greenhouse can pump out 250 pounds of greens a week during the height of the growing season, Hammond said. Immediately after harvest, the heads of lettuce are rinsed, sanitized, spin dried, bagged, labeled and placed in a walk-in cooler until delivery shortly thereafter. Then the process starts all over with the next seedlings waiting to be planted. The ultimate goal is to harvest seven, plant seven every week, said Hammond. To ensure the entire system runs like clockwork, the VanderVeens have recruited a rock star, nonstop team. Alan Kapitany joined Nebraska Vegetable and Protein in late September. Originally from central Wisconsin, he interned at a similar facility after graduating from college. He has also worked at an aquaponics farm in Nevada and a shrimp aquaculture facility at Vermont. Kapitany runs the day-to-day operations at Nebraska Vegetable and Protein as facility manager. Theres a schedule behind it that has to be well-organized and well-timed, Kapitany said. If everything is running correctly, the system can be self-sufficient. Kelly Scammone of New Hampshire understands the flow of aquaponics and water quality monitoring from her previous experience, also in Vermont. She referred to the greenhouse at Nebraska City as my happy place. Surrounded by verdant lettuce floating serenely atop the water, she described how the systems act together in a cohesive flow. Everything can be used for something else. Its beautiful. Its Zen, she said. Scammones perspective contrasted the energy radiating from every crevice of the farm. Fish swam continually in the tanks. The sound of splashing water mixed with the gentle hum of pumps running in the background. Fans blew in the greenhouse. Employees bustled around, cleaning up leafy remnants from a successful 180-pound lettuce delivery just an hour before. The staff works together to make sure everything is running smoothly, and animals and plants are being produced, Kapitany said. Something does seem quite fishy about Nebraska Vegetable and Protein. But you will have to search the seas to find a more local source of seafood or fresher lettuce anywhere else in the Midwest. Most valuable crops grown in Nebraska Most valuable crops grown in Nebraska #9. Oats #8. Sunflower #7. Millet #6. Sorghum #5. Potatoes #4. Wheat #3. Hay & haylage #2. Soybeans #1. Corn NEW ORLEANS (AP) A Pennsylvania man described by authorities as the lead defendant in a drug distribution and human smuggling case has pleaded guilty to federal crimes in Louisiana. Court records show that Carl Allison, 47, of Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon in New Orleans. Sentencing was scheduled for March 28. The U.S. Justice Department said in a statement that Allison, the fourth person to plead guilty in the case, faces a possible life sentence. Prosecutors said Allison was the president and owner of a company that supplied immigrant labor for factories in the U.S. But, according to an indictment, Allison was involved in illegally smuggling Honduran nationals into the country to work illegally as part of a seagoing operation that also involved transporting cocaine. Authorities found 23 Honduran nationals and about 24 kilograms (53 pounds) of cocaine aboard after a vessel owned by Allison became disabled last year in the Gulf of Mexico and was nearly capsized during a storm, according to an indictment. The vessel was traveling from Honduras to the small fishing village of Cocodrie, Louisiana, prosecutors said. Allison and others chartered a boat to bring fuel to the disabled vessel so that it could complete its journey to the United States. Before the chartered boat reached the disabled vessel, the U.S. Coast Guard interdicted the vessel approximately 95 miles off the coast of Grand Isle, Louisiana, and towed it to shore. Allison pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for financial gain and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, according to the Justice Department. Three Honduran nationals pleaded guilty in the scheme earlier this year, prosecutors said. Prosecutors say over about three years, Allison participated in the scheme to bring Honduran migrants from Honduras to the United States via vessels such as the M/V Pop. Allison and his co-conspirators smuggled at least 15 migrants into the United States on each voyage, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Once the migrants reached the United States, Allison and his co-conspirators placed them in factories and other businesses knowing that the migrants lacked authorization to enter, remain, or work in the United States. WILLIAMSPORT-An man was killed in Williamsport early Saturday in what police are classifying as a homicide. Officers said they were dispatched at 3:35 a.m. to the 1000 block of Memorial Avenue for several reports of multiple gunshots. They found the man lying in the street unresponsive, they said, but have not disclosed any other information including his name. A Lycoming County deputy coroner pronounced his dead at the scene. That ruling occurred about two hours after the shooting because Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. said police waited that long to notify his office of the incident. By the time he and his deputy arrived, most of the officers had left with evidence from the scene, he said. The investigating detective, another officer and the body were all that remained, he said. Social media identified the victim by 7 a.m. and his mother was notified by text, he said. She has met with city police but they have not relayed any information to him, Kiessling said. Until he gets positive identification he will not release the name, he said. The dead man did not have a drivers license on him, the coroner said he was told by police. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning but Kiessling said it appears he was shot multiple times. Kiessling used the incident to again blast a 2019 decision to remove access to the Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) that 11 coroners, including himself, previously had. Kurt J. Myers, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation deputy secretary for driver and vehicle service, made the decision claiming coroners are not law enforcement. Kiessling disputes that. PennDOT said at the time it has a responsibility to ensure the records remain confidential and to prevent abuse. It claimed during a routine audit several instances were discovered in which coroners and their staff improperly accessed driver records. Had he had access to JNET, Kiessling said he could have run on the computer in his vehicle for the possible identification police had for the victim. JNET includes pictures so he could determine if the name was correct and thus be able to notify the family, he said. As of Saturday evening city police had not responded to his request for the JNET information from them, he said. Police also didd not respond to PennLive. Across the United States, arrest rates for young people under age 18 have been declining for decades. However, the proportion of youth arrests associated with school incidents has increased. According to the U.S. Department of Education, K-12 schools referred nearly 230,000 students to law enforcement during the school year that began in 2017. These referrals and the 54,321 reported school-based arrests that same year were mostly for minor misbehavior like marijuana possession, as opposed to more serious offenses like bringing a gun to school. School-based arrests are one part of the school-to-prison pipeline, through which students especially Black and Latine students and those with disabilities are pushed out of their schools and into the legal system. Getting caught up in the legal system has been linked to negative health, social and academic outcomes, as well as increased risk for future arrest. Given these negative consequences, public agencies in states like Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania have looked for ways to arrest fewer young people in schools. Philadelphia, in particular, has pioneered a successful effort to divert youth from the legal system. Philadelphia Police School Diversion Program In Philadelphia, police department leaders recognized that the citys school district was its largest source of referrals for youth arrests. To address this issue, then-Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel developed and implemented a school-based, pre-arrest diversion initiative in partnership with the school district and the citys department of human services. The program is called the Philadelphia Police School Diversion Program, and it officially launched in May 2014. Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker named Bethel as her new police commissioner on Nov. 22, 2023. Since the diversion program began, when police are called to schools in the city for offenses like marijuana possession or disorderly conduct, they cannot arrest the student involved if that student has no pending court case or a history of adjudication. In juvenile court, an adjudication is similar to a conviction in criminal court. Instead of being arrested, the diverted student remains in school and school personnel decide how to respond to their behavior. For example, they might speak with the student, schedule a meeting with a parent or suspend the student. A social worker from the city also contacts the students family to arrange a home visit, where they assess youth and family needs. Then, the social worker makes referrals to no-cost community-based services. The student and their family choose whether to attend. Our team the Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab at Drexel University evaluated the effectiveness of the diversion program as independent researchers not affiliated with the police department or school district. We published four research articles describing various ways the diversion program affected students, schools and costs to the city. Arrests dropped In our evaluation of the diversion programs first five years, we reported that the annual number of school-based arrests in Philadelphia decreased by 84%: from nearly 1,600 in the school year beginning in 2013 to just 251 arrests in the school year beginning in 2018. Since then, school district data indicates the annual number of school-based arrests in Philadelphia has continued to decline dropping to just 147 arrests in the school year that began in 2022. Thats a 91% reduction from the year before the program started. We also investigated the number of serious behavioral incidents recorded in the school district in the programs first five years. Those fell as well, suggesting that the diversion program effectively reduced school-based arrests without compromising school safety. Additionally, data showed that city social workers successfully contacted the families of 74% of students diverted through the program during its first five years. Nearly 90% of these families accepted at least one referral to community-based programming, which includes services like academic support, job skill development and behavioral health counseling. Fewer suspensions and expulsions We compared data from 1,281 students diverted in the first three years of the school-based program to data from 531 similar students who were arrested in schools before the program began but who would have been eligible if the diversion program existed. Diverted students were significantly less likely to be suspended, expelled or required to transfer to another school in the year following their school-based incident. Long-term outcomes To evaluate a longer follow-up period, we compared the 427 students diverted in the programs first year to the group of 531 students arrested before the program began. Results showed arrested students were significantly more likely to be arrested again in the following five years. Although we observed impacts on arrest outcomes, the diversion program did not appear to affect long-term educational outcomes. We looked at four years of school data and found no significant differences in suspension, dropout or on-time graduation between diverted and arrested students. Finally, a cost-benefit analysis revealed that the program saves taxpayers millions of dollars. Based on its success in Philadelphia, several other cities and counties across Pennsylvania have begun replicating the Police School Diversion Program. These efforts could further contribute to a nationwide movement to safely keep kids in their communities and out of the legal system. Amanda NeMoyer, Assistant Research Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University and Naomi Goldstein, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. I want to say that John Baers editorial on Sunday, Dec. 3 is right on target. Over the past years since 2016, I have written numerous letters to Sen. Mike Regan, (former) Rep. Greg Rothman, now Sen. Greg Rothman, and Rep. Patty Kim. Each of them were made aware of the items mentioned by John Baers final two paragraphs: gift bans for legislators, tighter gun laws, property tax reform, higher minimum wages, and passing the budget. I did receive one response from Rothman and a response from Kim. Several of the recent letters were concerning the school funding that is still not finalized. I also sent letters concerning H.R. 1018 extra risk protection and H.R. bill 714 universal background checks to the Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Lisa Baker and Sen. Regan to press them to get the bills out of committee. I even mentioned the recent mass shooting in Maine by a person that was mentally ill. No response, still in committee. I never heard from any other representatives and senators that I have written letters. They ignore their constituents and do what they want. Lots of bills passed that serve a few but none that serve the majority of the people. Why should we continue to pay them $100,000 a year to do nothing? It is so much like The Animal Farm Pigs that wrote All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others. Russell Ron Bahn, Enola, Pa. Which Golden Hunters on Global Poker Will Earn Mrs Frosty Avatars? December 09, 2023 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S. Global Poker is currently hosting its 25 Days of Poker series, which features an exciting tournament lineup, challenges and some surprises along the way. The 25 Days of Poker series began on December 1 and is slated to run through the end of the money. There are daily spins and freerolls, in addition to the regular Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins tournament action. The series will culminate with two Main Events on Dec. 26 with GC 40,000,000 and SC 250,000 in guaranteed prizes, making them the biggest guaranteed Global Poker events of the year. There will also be a variety of daily challenges and opportunities for players to win festive prizes, including two new avatars and Holiday Season Global Poker swag. In fact, the top 200 Gold Coin Main Event finishers will win Global Poker holiday beanies. Global Poker Holiday Swag Even though it is being advertised as 25 days, the series will continue an extra few days as December closes out, including a New Year's Eve GC 2,024,000 Freeroll and an SC 2,024 Freeroll. Some other highlights of the series include a Home For The Holidays Flops Challenge Invitational SC 5,000 Guaranteed and the Home For The Holidays Spins Challenge Invitational SC 5,000 Guaranteed, both of which will take place on Dec. 22. Additionally, there will be a Mr. Snowbrows Freeroll on Dec. 28 and a Mrs. Frosty Freeroll on Dec. 29, both of which will offer Global Poker swag to the top 250 finishers. Win a Mrs. Frosty Avatar This weekend, Global Poker gave players a chance at a special Mrs. Frosty avatar by finishing in the top 100 players in the Golden Hunters. Anyone with a Mrs. Frosty avatar will now be able to enter the Mrs. Frosty GC 10,000,000 Freeroll [Turbo] on December 29th! The top 100 players in the Christmas Hunters will receive an entry to their Home For The Holidays Invitational SC 15,000 Freeroll on December 27th. On Friday, players earned an avatar in the Golden Hunter GC 2,500,000 Guaranteed [Progressive Bounty, Deep], whereas invitational entries were earned in the Christmas Hunter SC 4,000 Guaranteed [Progressive Bounty, Deep]. If youre reading this in time, you can still win in Saturdays events: Golden Hunter GC 2,500,000 Guaranteed [Progressive Bounty, Deep] - 20:00 ET Christmas Hunter SC 4,000 Guaranteed [Progressive Bounty, Deep] 20:00 ET PLUS be sure to keep an eye on your inbox and the Global Poker Facebook page on Sunday to get your hands on a Sunday surprise. For more information about the upcoming 25 Days of Poker series on Global Poker, visit globalpoker.com/online-poker-promotions/25-days-poker. Sharelines Here's everything you need to know about Global Poker's "25 Days of Poker." Alleged Home Burglar & EPT Champ Jordan Saccucci Removed from WSOP Paradise December 10, 2023 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S. Less than a week ago, poker player Jordan Saccucci, who won nearly $1 million for taking down the 2022 European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague Main Event, was arrested in Ontario, Canada in connection with a robbery spree that included more than 30 residential properties. The 33-year-old is seemingly out on bond as he was spotted, and confirmed via a registration list, to be competing on Day 1b of the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise Main Event. However, his stay was short-lived not because of running out of chips, but because he was removed from the property at the Atlantis Paradise Island Casinos discretion, a decision WSOP staff abided by. The exact reason for his removal, and whether or not it was connected to his legal situation, was not made available. Saccucci was arrested on December 5 by Halton Regional Police in Oakville alongside another suspect, 41-year-old Dumark Lindsay. A press release stated that both men were held in custody pending a bail hearing in Milton. PokerNews has reached out to the Halton Regional Police Service Corporate Communications to inquire on the bail hearing, but the office is closed on the weekend. The arrests came a week after authorities raided the residences of four different suspects, including Saccucci. The arrested pair were charged with 68 offenses, and for Saccucci it isnt his first time in trouble with the law. Jordan Saccucci Back in March 2021, he was one of ten people arrested for a separate breaking-and-entering Toronto crime spree that spanned from 2020 into 2021, and media reports indicate his panache for break-ins went as far back as 2015. Saccucci won the EPT Prague Main Event in December 2022 for over $900,000, beating French pro Antoine Saout heads up. He has $1,366,000 in live tournament cashes dating back to 2016, according to The Hendon Mob. The Canadian poker player also has two deep runs in World Poker Tour (WPT) events, including a ninth-place finish for $27,856 at the 2016 WPT Fallsview Poker Classic. Despite the serious nature of his crimes, Saccucci has made his way down to the Bahamas to continue playing poker and issued the following statement to PokerNews after this article was published: I would like you guys to follow up on this article and find out the details of my bail. As for my 2021 case, those charges have been tossed out in court and there is record of that, which I can provide proof of. So I dont know why a charge in 2021 is being brought up in the article when all charges have been dismissed. Halton and Peel regional police have charged me in the past and I was found not guilty. Two officers on the police force were found guilty of lying under oath and were suspended two months without pay, and there is also record of that. If PokerNews wants proof of that I can provide that information as well, this is public record information. Yes, I have a past but Im sure everyone does. I aint perfect but the truth is I havent been convicted for anything like this since 2016 which is seven years ago. Thanks. The Alleged Crime Spree Jordan Saccucci & associates. (Image: image nsauga.com) According to local reports, Saccucci and three others Marcel Blackburn (37), Dumark Lindsay (41), and Paul Nkrumah (36) robbed multiple homes wearing surgical masks and hoods, sometimes during the daytime. If confronted, the alleged crooks apparently claimed they were at the home for construction or landscaping purposes. The suspect's vehicle. Image: nsauga.com Police raided the homes of the suspects on Nov. 21 where they discovered and recovered "numerous" stolen items from the victims' properties. The suspects reportedly parked their black Chevrolet Tahoe RST in the driveway of the victim's property before approaching the home during an invasion attempt. That vehicle was also seized during their arrests and was discovered to be stolen with fake plates. On December 8, the Halton Regional Police Service announced that the final suspect in the investigation, Marcel Blackburn (38), was arrested in Oakville and also charged with 69 Break and Enter related offences and one breach of probation charge. Sharelines Jordan Saccucci was removed by casino officials from the WSOP Paradise Main Event in the Bahamas. Seven years on from winning the 100,000 Super High Roller in Monte Carlo, Ole Schemion has finally ended his wait for another EPT title. The 31-year-old, who now has over $19.5 million in live tournament earnings, topped the 27-entry field in the second 25,000 NL Hold'em tournament of the 2023 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague for 246,370. He defeated Diego Zeiter in heads-up play to end his EPT trophy drought. Despite being the runner-up, Zeiter secured his best-ever payout in live poker and banked 158,800 for his efforts. Teun Mulder narrowly missed out on back-to-back 25K victories after he exited in third place for 105,300. This now sees the Dutchman take the top spot on the Netherlands All-Time Money List, dethroning Jorryt van Hoof. The ever-entertaining and jovial Nozomu Shimizu (76,200) took fourth while Norway's Kayhan Mokri secured the 61,600 min-cash. 2023 EPT Prague 25,000 NL Hold'em II Results Place Player Country Prize (EUR) 1 Ole Schemion Germany 246,370 2 Diego Zeiter Switzerland 158,800 3 Teun Mulder Netherlands 105,300 4 Nozomu Shimizu Japan 76,200 5 Kayhan Mokri Norway 61,600 Schemion Gets It Done The session began with six players, and by the end of the late registration, 16 were in attendance. There had been several reentries, and the only players who had not returned to the table once eliminated were Tsugunari Toma and Motoyoshi Okamura. It took another three levels to reach the final table, with Laszlo Bujtas, Andras Nemeth and Niklas Astedt being the first three to leave after the entry period closed. They were soon joined by Dimitar Danchev, Juan Pardo and Tamas Adamszki on the wrong side of the rail. Ognyan Dimov was left short by Paulius Plausinaitis. The former bluffed into aces, and the Bulgarian was finished off by Mulder a few hands later. Dimov's elimination confirmed the start of the nine-handed final table, with Mulder holding the chip lead. Kayhan Mokri A fantastic hero call by Mokri saw him shoot up the counts as he picked off Plausinaitis' bluff. The runner-up in the series' first 25,000 NL Hold'em was ejected by Mulder, who had coincidentally beat the Lithuanian in heads-up play less than 24 hours before. Going into the dinner break, Mokri was atop of the counts and was just a few big blinds ahead of Schemion and Hirokazu Kobayashi. Mulder had tumbled into the bottom half of the chip leaderboard, trailing the above names along with Shimizu and Zeiter. Only Andrii Derzhypilskyi and Steve O'Dwyer had less than the Dutchman. When play resumed, O'Dwyer was stacked by Shimizu as the "card whisperer" outflopped his opponent's pocket queens to bring on the soft bubble. The stone bubble arrived when Shimizu rivered a flush and downed his compatriot Kobayashi. Nozomu Shimizu Shimizu then found himself as the short stack after jamming into Zeiter's queens from the blinds, but in a miraculous turn of events, he became the chip leader following a wave of premium hands. The deck continued to be kind to Shimizu as he picked up ace-king when Derzhypilskyi jammed with ace-queen, and held to burst the bubble. Shimizu undid all his hard work in a matter of seconds as he four-bet jammed ten-nine into Schemion's aces. The runout was drama-free, and Schemion took the overwhelming chip lead. He promptly pulled further away from the rest of the pack after felting Mokri to bring the tournament to its final four players. Mulder took out Shimizu and then obtained the chip lead from Schemion. Mulder rivered Broadway to crack the German's aces and was in pole position. Diego Zeiter Chips went back and forth between the trio for an hour, with neither yielding until Schemion ousted Mulder in third place with pocket queens in one of the more interesting pots of the day and went into heads-up with a commanding chip lead. The final two battled briefly, with Schemion coming out on top as he booked his first win at an EPT stop since 2016. This marks the end of 25,000 NL Hold'em II, but be sure to return to PokerNews, with action from the 50,000 EPT Super High Roller set to begin at 12:30 p.m. CET on Sunday, December 10. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) tried to claim on CNN that the government censored the Hunter Biden laptop story, but Jake Tapper told Vance that Biden wasnt in the government at the time and Rudy Giuliani wouldnt let journalists see the laptop. On CNNs State Of The Union, Vance said that journalists, tech companies, and the government colluded to censor the Hunter Biden laptop story. Jake Tapper responded, Well, Donald Trump was president at the time that any censorship was going on, so nobody in government, any Biden people were not that were asking that were not in the government at the time. But I will just say as somebody that tried to see the laptop, Rudy Giuliani wont let us see the laptop. He wouldnt let us. So we werent able to report on it because he wanted us to go by his words. Video: Jake Tapper shoots down J.D. Vances claim that Hunter Biden laptop story was censored, As somebody that tried to see the laptop, Rudy Giuliani wont let us see the laptop. He wouldnt let us. So we werent able to report on it because he wanted us to go by his words. pic.twitter.com/eRRHwiwF1c Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) December 10, 2023 An independent investigation in 2022 found that Hunter Bidens laptop had been manipulated and files were added to it. During the 2020 election, Rudy Giuliani and the Trump campaign would not allow independent examinations of the laptop. It took a couple of years before experts were allowed to examine it and determine that the laptop was contaminated and had been manipulated. If the Hunter Biden laptop is such a great piece of evidence, why do House Republicans continue to deny that their entire Biden impeachment investigation is based on it? Why do Republicans insist that the American people take their word for it? J.D. Vance is one of the candidates to be Trumps running mate in 2024. He wont be, but hes one of the candidates, so of course, he is on board with investigating and prosecuting journalists. What Vance and other Republicans are talking about is ending the free press in the United States, and Jake Tapper shot holes in the idea that there was collusion between the media and the government to suppress the Hunter Biden laptop story. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. Its fish or cut bait time for the gusher of public water systems that are suing some big-name manufacturers over a ubiquitous strain of environmental contaminants known as "forever chemicals." A hard deadline at the Four Corners of Law in downtown Charleston is set for Monday, when the utilities immersed in the nationwide litigation must decide whether to opt out of a major settlement that's on the table. The 3M Co. proposal would pay out at least $10.3 billion and could top out at $12.5 billion. A smaller offer totaling nearly $1.19 billion is from DuPont and two of its former business units. The take-it-or-leave-it period for their deal expired last week. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel, who in 2018 was tasked steering the consolidated wave of complaints toward a resolution, last week issued an 11th-hour warning about the perils of rejecting the settlements. In his two-page order, he said some water systems have been told their lawsuits would be promptly transferred back to their local courthouse if they walk away from the deals. Any party acting on this information would be misinformed, Gergel wrote. Prepare to wait The bottom line, he said, is the wheels of justice will turn excruciatingly slow for defectors. Water system owners that choose to go solo would still be locked into the litigation playing out in Charleston for the foreseeable future to address the numerous outstanding issues that remain unresolved," Gergel said. Based on the current schedule, it could take three years and perhaps longer. "This work cannot be completed with a snap of the fingers and the full processing of these claims through the pretrial process is still several years away," he said. COLUMBIA Dozens of activists from across South Carolina rallied on Statehouse grounds to protest what they said is an ongoing genocide in Palestine, partially at the hands of Israel and partially at the hands of the United States government. Members of the 32-year-old nonprofit Carolina Peace Resource Center have protested the violence in the Middle East at least once every week since Oct. 7, when the group Hamas launched an attack on Israel, spurring more violence in the region as well as Islamophobic and antisemitic attacks on civilians. A long-term goal of the more than 50 people who attended the rally on Dec. 9 is to end the Israeli government's occupation of the region including Gaza, but their main goal as of now is a ceasefire. "Death on a massive scale looms for Palestinian civilians in Gaza unless there is an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and relief," Carolina Peace President David Matos said in a news release. "What Israel is doing in Gaza is closer to genocide than self-defense." The attacks follow decades of conflict in a region where Israel has long sought security, while Palestinians wanted statehood. The rally, which included activists from the Upstate, members of the Democratic Socialists of S.C. and people with nonprofit Free Palestine Charleston, came on the heels of a vigil, also in Columbia, hosted by pro-Israel and Zionist groups. On Oct. 15, those groups also took to the Statehouse and called for peace but said they believe there can be no peace unless political leaders help the Israeli government fight against Hamas. Parenting these days is hard. Kids have phones and tablets in their hands at an early age, a fact that leaves parents like me worrying about whether our children are getting too much screen time and what they're stumbling onto online. Of course, technology comes with plenty of benefits, but Read moreCommentary: Parents want to protect kids online, but SC device filter bill won't help In the fourth and final presidential debate of the year, Nikki Haley made her pitch as plainly as she could. "You can't defeat Democrat chaos with Republican chaos. And that's what Donald Trump gives us. My approach is different," she said. "No drama. No vendettas. No whining." A voice whooped. But most sat in silence, absorbing her closing argument inside the Moody Music Hall at the University of Alabama on Dec. 6. Then the audience erupted in applause. With less than five weeks to go until Republicans begin voting for their 2024 presidential nominee, the race is about to enter a critical sprint. The former South Carolina governor faces her toughest political challenge yet: Convincing a fractured GOP to turn the page on Trump. "We're continuing our momentum. We're going to continue to do well. We're second in Iowa, second in New Hampshire, second in South Carolina. We've got one more guy to catch up to and that's what we're working on," Haley said in a post-debate interview with debate panelist Megyn Kelly. That second place Haley referenced, however, is a distant one. The guy she has to catch is a former president who needs no introduction at his massive rallies, who holds an enormous lead in the GOP race, and who has largely made support for him a loyalty test for what it means to be a Republican today. For months, Haley has brushed aside Trump's double-digit margins, framing them as temporary rather than a foregone conclusion. As she told Iowa voters in May, "The polls you see today are not the polls you are going to see a year from now." To her credit, there are signs that Haley's slow-and-steady strategy is finally bearing fruit. When Russia shot down a Korean Airlines flight in 1983 with air-to-air missiles, the crew and everyone on board paid the ultimate price for straying into restricted airspace. The Russian military mistook the commercial flight with 269 people on board for a spy plane because it was 200 miles off course. The deaths prompted the Reagan administration to open up the Global Positioning System for civilian use, and it's revolutionized life since, allowing everyone to have precise mapping on their phones, giving financial institutions the power to prevent fraud through GPS timing and providing farmers better tools for irrigation and harvesting. Lt. Col. Robert Wray, 2nd Space Operations Squadron commander, and others described the 31 active GPS satellites, global ground stations and people that make the complex system possible at Schriever Space Force Base on Saturday. Wray and his colleagues invited the public in to see their operations, as part of marking the 30th anniversary of GPS becoming fully operational. Surrounded by large monitors, a group of 10 people, eight military members and two contractors work 24/7 at Schriever, east of Colorado Springs, to operate and monitor the GPS satellites. No one operates a satellite alone, to prevent mistakes, Wray explained. The crew also takes calls from users experiencing anomalies. The windowless office space is the front-facing portion of a large global system, said Col. Andy Menschner, who oversees the new Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Delta, within Space Force. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "The operators here on the floor are able to control ground antennas all over the world, speak and communicate with 37 satellites on orbit, and provide assurance that the signal from space is accurate and reliable," he said. The satellites carry atomic clocks that provide the precise timing across the world, necessary for critical infrastructure, such as the electrical grid, Wray said. Its role in infrastructure means likely 6 billion people rely on GPS. Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine has underscored the importance of GPS. As Ukraine relies heavily on drones in the conflict, Russia counters by jamming local GPS receivers. The U.S. constellation of GPS satellites traveling 12,550 miles above the Earth are untouched by this localized jamming, Wray said. As the Space Force marks a major birthday for the GPS constellation, it is also working on updates for the system that has used 79 satellites since the first one went into orbit in 1978. As the atomic clocks on the satellites age, satellites are retired and moved out farther away from the Earth, Wray said. The oldest satellite in orbit is 26, a few years older than most of the operators. The most recent six satellites sent into orbit were built by Lockheed Martin in Littleton and provide three times greater accuracy compared to older satellites, according to a Lockheed news release. Upgrades for the whole ground system are also in development and will be deployed at Schriever in 2025, Menschner said. "That'll be the largest transition for GPS in decades," he said. Professor Jonathan Turley opens his current column in The Hill with a quote from Aldous Huxley: You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad. Chronicling the profusion of lies about which we have commented many times previously, as I did here on Friday, Professor Jonathan Turley observes: [T]he evidence has only mounted against President Biden. It is now clear that Biden lied when he maintained as a candidate, and later as president, that he had no knowledge of his sons business dealings with foreign interests. Even Hunter himself contradicted the president on this claim. It is also now clear that he lied in denying that his son never made money in China. The indictment confirms massive transfers from Chinese sources. It is also clear that Hunter was engaged in raw influence peddling. This included threatening at least one Chinese businessman that his father was sitting next to him and would retaliate against him if he did not send millions to the Bidens. President Biden also lied when he claimed this week that he had not had any interactions with his sons business associates. There are emails, audiotapes and testimony now disproving that claim. Millions of dollars flowed to Biden family members through a labyrinth of shell companies and accounts. Hunter Biden sent emails saying that up to half of his income went to his father while they used shared accounts and credit cards for expenses. Even Biden associates now admit that they were selling the Biden brand and influence with Joe Biden. Advocates simply argue that they were merely selling the illusion of influence. It is now time to see if a single Democratic member will stand against corruption and support an inquiry into the presidents role and later cover-up of this corruption. That includes the use of White House staff to spread false claims and attack critics. In his massive Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Edward Gibbon was bound to encounter the Muslims and their prophet. Published in 1776, the great historians work proves relevant for current events in the Middle East. The sword, says Muhammad, is the key of heaven and hell. A drop of blood shed in the cause of God, a night spent in arms, is of more avail than two months of fasting and prayer. In the early going Muhammad favored the Jews, who did not recognize him as their Messiah Their obstinacy converted his friendship into implacable hatred, with which he pursued that unfortunate people to the end of his life, and in the double character of an apostle and a conqueror, his persecution was extended to both worlds. They [Muslims] could not be ignorant that fanaticism obliterates the feelings of humanity. The chief of the tribe was tortured in the presence of Muhammad to force a confession of hidden treasure. Those of the synagogue of Satan: be sure you cleave their skulls, and give them no quarter until they either turn Mohammedan or pay tribute. Muhammad commanded or approved the assassination of the Jews and idolaters who had escaped from the field of battle. In his private conduct, Muhammad indulged the appetites of a man and abused the claims of a prophet. A special revelation dispensed him from the laws which he had imposed on his nation. The female sex, without reserve, was abandoned to his desires. Muhammad had 17 male slaves and 11 women. Christians condemned to ride on asses, live in smaller buildings, bow down to Muslims Punishment of death is inflicted for those who have professed and deserted the law of Muhammad. The Arabs enjoyed the satisfaction of believing that not a Christian of either sex escaped the edge of their scimitars. The birth of Muhammad was fortunately placed in the most degenerate and disorderly period of the Persians, the Romans and the barbarians of Europe. The empires of Trajan, or even of Constantine or Charlemagne, would have repelled the assault of the naked Saracens, and the torrent of fanaticism might have been obscurely lost in the sands of Arabia. PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-10 14:31:30 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 543 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 10, 2023 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Dollar General Corporation ("Dollar General" or "the Company") (NYSE:DG) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Dollar General securities between May 28, 2020 and August 30, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/dg Case Details:The Complaint alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Dollar General stores were chronically understaffed and suffering from logistical and inventory management problems which left stores with tens of millions of dollars' worth of outdated and unwanted inventory, mispriced goods, and lost and damaged items; (ii) large backlogs of unsellable merchandise had built up at Dollar General's stores, which inventory had not been timely written down due to understaffing and Dollar General's failure to manage its inventory; (iii) the allotment of employee hours per store per week imposed by Dollar General management placed employees in virtually impossible situations where assigned tasks, including those necessary to effective store operations, could not be completed within the allotted time; (iv) Dollar General was systematically overcharging customers for items upon checkout above the listed price in violation of state laws, including state law violations identified by state regulators in Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio; (v) Dollar General's reported revenue and earnings during the Class Period were artificially inflated by defendants' over-pricing scheme; (vi) Dollar General's failure to manage store inventories and accurately price items upon checkout risked the loss of customers, lower sales, adverse regulatory actions, and reputational fallout; and (vii) Dollar General was not on track to achieve its guidance during the Class Period and such guidance lacked a reasonable factual basis.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/dg or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Dollar General you have until January 26, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz and Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-10 19:06:59 Press Information Dhirtek Business Research and Consulting +91 7580990088 email www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com Published by Parmeet Singh 7580990088 e-mail https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/ # 958 Words +91 7580990088Parmeet Singh7580990088 In the realm of the heat protective clothing market, a realm defined by the ever-shifting tides of consumer demand and technological evolution, this report serves as a beacon, guiding our readers through a comprehensive and profound analysis. Our audience is as diverse as the market itself, encompassing manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and investors, all seeking to navigate this dynamic landscape. Our primary aim is to provide invaluable insights that empower industry stakeholders to make informed decisions within this rapidly changing environment. We strive to shed light on the current state of the heat protective clothing market while projecting its future trends.Scope and PurposeOur report is a comprehensive compass, designed to equip industry stakeholders with actionable knowledge. It spans various dimensions of the heat protective clothing market, including its dynamic market forces, competitive landscape, growth opportunities, challenges, and regional nuances. This information goes beyond mere descriptions; it is crafted to assist stakeholders in making pivotal decisions that shape their strategies and engagements within the market.Request for Sample Report:Promising Comprehensive AnalysisTo uphold our commitment, we pledge to deliver a comprehensive analysis, leaving no stone unturned. We promise to dissect the factors propelling market growth, dissecting shifts in consumer preferences and technological advancements fueling the demand for heat protective clothing products. Concurrently, we recognize that challenges and obstacles are intrinsic to any industry landscape. We vow to illuminate these hurdles, whether they be economic uncertainties or the intense competition that often characterizes such markets.Guiding the Path ForwardOur report invites readers to explore its contents, laying the groundwork for unveiling the competitive landscape. It introduces the major players in the heat protective clothing market and elucidates their strategies, offering insights into what fuels their success. This insight-rich analysis is designed to guide others on their journey be it navigating competition more effectively or finding inspiration in successful strategies.Anticipation of InsightsAcknowledging the market's complexity, we pledge to provide a nuanced understanding of its segments. We promise to detail their sizes, potential growth trajectories, and key trends. This targeted knowledge empowers stakeholders to craft specialized strategies and allocate resources optimally.Balancing Forces and Strategic ImplicationsBy elucidating both driving forces and potential obstacles, our report paints a comprehensive picture of market dynamics. It enables industry stakeholders to navigate the competitive landscape with a deeper understanding of the forces at play. Manufacturers can align their innovation efforts with consumer preferences and regulatory trends, enhancing their market position. Investors and decision-makers can be better prepared to address economic uncertainties and supply chain vulnerabilities. Overall, this section equips readers with insights to make strategic decisions that account for both growth opportunities and challenges in the heat protective clothing market.Exploring the Competitive LandscapeThe section dedicated to the competitive landscape of the heat protective clothing market offers a meticulous exploration of the market's key players, their strategies, and their impact on the industry. This segment aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the market's dynamics, the role of major companies, and the strategies they employ to thrive.Some of the major companies in the Heat Protective Clothing market are as follows: Chicago Protective Apparel Inc, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., HB Protective Wear GmbH & Co. KG, John Tillman & Co, Lakeland Inc., MEWA, National Safety Apparel, Protective Industrial Products, Safetyware, Shigematsu, Stanco, TEISEN, TSTSegment CharacteristicsOur analysis commences by outlining the unique characteristics defining each segment. Whether these segments are categorized based on product types, customer demographics, use cases, or other distinguishing factors, our report provides a clear picture of their definitions and differentiators.Market Segmentation:Type: Head Protection, Neck Protection, Body Protection, Foot ProtectionApplication: Fire Control, Metalworking, Shipbuilding, OtherMarket SizeUnderstanding the size of each market segment is crucial for assessing its significance within the overall market landscape. Our report presents quantitative data illustrating market share and the contributions of "Type" and "Application" segments to the entire heat protective clothing market. This information helps stakeholders appreciate the relative importance of each segment.Growth PotentialBeyond current market size, our report delves into the growth potential of these segments. We explore factors such as emerging trends, consumer behaviors, technological advancements, and regulatory influences driving the future expansion of these segments. This forward-looking perspective aids stakeholders in identifying where growth opportunities lie.Key TrendsOur analysis captures the key trends specific to each segment, be it changing consumer preferences, evolving technology adoption, or shifting regulatory landscapes. These insights inform stakeholders about the directions "Type" and "Application" segments might take in the coming years.Strategic InsightsOur segment analysis transcends descriptive data to offer strategic insights. By understanding the characteristics, potential, and trends of "Type" and "Application," industry participants can make informed decisions. Manufacturers can tailor product development strategies to meet the demands of these segments, and marketers can create targeted campaigns to reach specific customer groups.Exploring Regional DynamicsThe section dedicated to the regional analysis of the heat protective clothing market provides a comprehensive exploration of how the market fares across different geographical areas. This analysis recognizes that markets are not homogenous and that regional variations can significantly impact market dynamics. Our report delves into the intricacies of each region North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa to provide stakeholders with valuable insights.Closing ThoughtsIn essence, the conclusion encapsulates our report's journey. It emphasizes our report's role as a strategic tool, a navigator, and a decision-making companion in the complex world of the heat protective clothing market. Our report is more than just a document; it is a valuable resource that empowers industry stakeholders to thrive in a dynamic and ever-evolving market environment. Five-year-old Fatsuma Zubairu sat glumly on a bed in a ward at the Noma Childrens Hospital in Sokoto State. A gaping wound has impaired her delicate features and her lips are hanging, exposing her teeth. Fatsuma was brought to the hospital by her mother, Aisha Zubairu, from Bagwai LGA in Kano State, after weeks of fruitless attempts to seek treatment for the condition. Persistent itchiness in her mouth, gnawing pain and unusual bleeding of her gums were the initial symptoms Fatsuma exhibited, but unknown to her mother, those were only the beginning of her cruel fate. Within a few days, the childs cheeks began to swell and an open wound emerged, rapidly spreading its sinister influence. Within a short period, the disease known as noma had unleashed its merciless assault on Fatsumas face. By the time she was presented to the hospital, her infant face had been scarred. The problem started recently, and we were advised to go to Kano town, but unfortunately, they couldnt offer such treatment. So they referred us to this hospital in Sokoto, her mother, Aisha, said when PREMIUM TIMES visited in August. Dangerous disease Noma, also known as Cancrum Oris, is a preventable and treatable disease that affects poor people, especially young children, and is associated with malnutrition and unsanitary living conditions. Mostly, it affects people in isolated communities who have limited access to healthcare and vaccinations. The disease starts as an inflammation of the gums, similar to a small mouth ulcer. But in just two weeks the infection starts to destroy bone and tissue, potentially affecting the jaw, lips, cheeks, nose, or eyes. When left untreated, noma claims the lives of between 70 and 90 per cent of those affected while survivors are left with varying degrees of facial deformities, significantly impairing their smiles, facial appearances, speech, and other functions, depending on the extent of facial damage. The disease spreads among children from impoverished families who have limited access to dental care, suffer from low immunity due to malnutrition and are presented late to the hospital. Also, sharing the same source of drinking water with animals can expose them to harmful bacteria. The Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) health advisor for Nigeria, Mark Sherlock, said there are very few infectious diseases with such a high death rate. Mr Sherlock said people die from noma because of limited knowledge about the disease and how to detect it. Origin, statistics Noma is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, though cases have been detected in the US, Southeast Asia, and South America. It has been recognised for more than 1,000 years but emerged in Europe in concentration camps during the Second World War. Research and data on noma are scarce, making it impossible to know the number of existing cases globally. However, some estimates put it at 30,000 to 40,000 a year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated in 1998 that there may be up to 140,000 cases a year, and 770,000 survivors of the disease. While Nigeria does not have an official figure, most cases of the disease are found in the northern part of the country due to the higher prevalence of risk factors in the region. More noma cases Just like Fatsuma, six-year-old Zainab Abdulnasir is also suffering from the impact of noma. Zainab, who was brought to the hospital by her mother, Fatima Adam, is one of many children in the ward at the Noma Treatment Centre in Sokoto. Ms Adam said her daughters situation started with normal teeth pain. Then we went to a dentist, they checked and told us the teeth had not reached a point to be removed, but that the affected area had started swelling, though still strong. They asked us to go back home. Ms Adam explained that after all their attempts to treat the disease failed, they were referred to the Sokoto centre from Abuja. We were first referred to a hospital in Suleja in Niger State, then to Gwagwalada hospital in Abuja, and finally they referred us to the Noma Childrens Hospital in Sokoto. She lamented that the disease has left her daughters face disfigured and scary to others. Auwalu Yahuza, a resident of Illela LGA of Sokoto, was also undergoing treatment at the Sokoto centre. His mother explained that an unnamed person directed them to the centre after many months of trying to get help. Charles Ononiwu, a maxillofacial surgeon, said the spread of noma is rapid and causes damage within two weeks, including leading to death. Mr Ononiwu, who is also the Coordinator of Noma Aid Nigeria Initiative (NANI), explained that only about 10 per cent of children with this disease survive, and they always end up with severe facial deformities. Although this disease primarily affects children, it can also affect adults, he said. It affects children from two to six years, which is actually the peak period, but it can also occur in older children and even adults if the predisposing factors are present, he said. 50-year-old Mallama Takaso is one such adult suffering from noma. Ms Takaso, a resident of Tunga Rini in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State, is also receiving treatment at the moma centre in Sokoto. According to a nurse, Ms Takaso is awaiting surgery. Risk factors, presentation Shafiu Isah, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital in Sokoto, emphasised that the underlying cause of noma is poverty, saying impoverished families struggle to provide their children with the necessary resources for healthy growth. Mr Isah explained that the lack of access to clean drinking water, quality healthcare, and nutritious food are also contributory factors, which he noted predominantly affect those residing in remote communities with inadequate basic amenities. He said the eradication of poverty is essential to defeating noma, as improved living conditions and better nutrition can enhance childrens immunity against the infection. Vaccination is another critical preventive measure. Measles is often a precursor to noma, so ensuring that children receive proper vaccination is crucial, he said. He emphasised the importance of early reporting and urged parents and guardians to seek medical attention promptly if they notice symptoms of noma in their children. Mr Isah lamented that about 90 per cent of cases are presented to the hospital at a late stage, with severe flesh deterioration, discharges and an offensive odour. At this advanced stage, treatment options are limited, but efforts are made to save lives and salvage what remains of the patients face. Mr Ononiwu, the maxillofacial surgeon, stressed the importance of immediate reporting to a healthcare facility if early symptoms, such as mouth ulcers, are observed. He said when presented at very early stages, the disease can be prevented from progressing to facial destruction. Noma is a disease of poverty, so the majority of people who present with such cases lack the resources needed to effectively manage the disease, he said. Neglected disease Despite years of campaigns by medical organisations and government, noma is yet to be included in WHOs list of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD). This may however change soon because of moves led by the Nigerian government. In late January, the Federal Ministry of Health of Nigeria, supported by 30 member states from five WHO regions, submitted a dossier on noma requesting the formal recognition of noma as an NTD. The request for nomas inclusion on the WHOs list is in line with the resolution on oral health adopted in 2021 at the 74th World Health Assembly, recommending that noma should be considered for inclusion in the NTD portfolio as soon as the list is reviewed in 2023. According to WHO, NTDs are diseases that disproportionately affect people living in poverty and cause significant morbidity and mortality, including stigma and discrimination, justifying a global response. They are also described as diseases that primarily affect people living in tropical and sub-tropical areas, but that are immediately amenable to broad control, elimination or eradication by applying one or more of the five public health strategies adopted by the Department for Control of NTDs, but relatively neglected by research. Shuaibu Musa, a consultant paediatrician at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna State, said noma is a neglected disease suffering from a lack of attention from the community, healthcare providers, and the government at large. Mr Musa explained that noma is not widely recognised, even in regions where it is prevalent. Hence, many people, including healthcare professionals, may not be familiar with the disease, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. He also said, compared to other diseases, noma receives significantly less research funding and attention. This lack of research means there is limited understanding of the diseases causes, risk factors and effective treatment strategies. Healthcare facilities in areas with high noma prevalence may lack the necessary resources, including trained healthcare professionals and medical equipment, to diagnose and treat the disease adequately. Nomas status as a neglected disease underscores the urgent need for increased awareness, research, and investment in prevention and treatment efforts to alleviate the suffering of affected individuals and communities. In a statement published on its website, the MSF health advisor for Nigeria, Mr Sherlock, said the inclusion of noma in the list would shine a spotlight on the most neglected of neglected diseases. Mr Sherlock said this will facilitate the integration of noma prevention and treatment activities into existing public health programmes and the allocation of much-needed resources. We want children to be screened in endemic countries for noma from the first sign of symptoms when lives can still be saved. Noma is a disease that should no longer exist, he said. Rejection, stigmatisation Many noma patients experience stigmatisation for the rest of their lives, especially those unable to undergo facial surgery. Often, such individuals hide in their homes or live in isolation to avoid interaction with their communities. One such person is 20-year-old Muhammad Usman, a resident of Dapchi in Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State. Mr Usman revealed that the disease began when he was much younger and that his father tried to get proper treatment for him. He recalled that at the early stage of the disease, his father took him to a hospital in Maiduguri, where he stayed for about three months. The medication at the hospital mostly relieved the pain, but the disease kept growing, so we left and went back to the village, he said. He explained that a resident in his community informed him about the treatment centre, where he eventually had a successful operation. Despite the operation, Mr Usman expressed deep sadness due to the damage the disease had caused to his face. I dont feel happy at all. Im always in isolation because I cannot interact with people freely. I cannot eat in public. Mr Musa, the consultant paediatrician, said people affected by the disease often face stigma and discrimination due to being disfigured by the disease. He said this could lead to isolation and reluctance to seek medical care or share their experiences, further contributing to the diseases obscurity. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday, resorted to pouring invective on PREMIUM TIMES over the newspapers request for his academic records and subsequent report on his failure to release them. Atiku, through his media aide, Paul Ibe, reacted in a statement only few hours after the story was published on Saturday. The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last election had ignored this newspapers request for over two months. PREMIUM TIMES first made the request in a letter dated 3 October, and when he did not respond after seven weeks, sent a reminder to him on 13 November. His media adviser, Mr Ibe, assured of a prompt response, making PREMIUM TIMES to wait further for almost four weeks before publishing Saturdays report. For the period after this newspaper sent the reminder, Mr Ibe and his principal made no comment on the issue until Saturday when they baselessly accused the newspaper of a witch-hunt. PREMIUM TIMES reported on Saturday his refusal to release his records as requested. The report contrasted his attitude with his dogged pursuit of the academic records of President Bola Tinubu to as far as the United States a few months ago. Atiku, claiming to be driven by his commitment to public probity and accountability, sent lawyers to the U.S. to have a court to compel the Chicago State University to release Mr Tinubus academic records. Our report also drew parallels between Atikus attitude and former U.S. President Donald Trumps prevarication, dodging the requests by UK Guardian newspaper for his birth records as he had earlier demanded of his predecessor, then President Barack Obama. Reacting to PREMIUM TIMES report on Saturday, Atiku said the newspaper had no right to conduct an enquiry into his records which he said were neither controversial nor shrouded in secrecy. Atiku, instead of responding to why he had failed to provide the documents, accused the newspaper of mischief and unprofessionalism. He also claimed that the story was fictional. Without adherence to any known ethics of journalism, the Premium Times newspaper went into its mill to publish a story that is neither controversial nor shrouded in a cover-up, Mr Ibe, wrote in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES Saturday. Atiku claimed that all the documents requested were in the public and that the newspaper should have requested them from the electoral commission, INEC, and the institutions where he claimed to have graduated from. Atiku is an alumnus of both Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom. Premium Times did not place an order for Atikus academic records with these reputable institutions, nor did Atiku stop the school or go to court to ask any of these schools not to release his records. Premium Times is also at liberty to write to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) demanding for a copy of the former Vice Presidents certificate and transcript. Against expectations, Atiku did not accompany his statement with the requested documents on Saturday. He baselessly accused the newspaper of protecting the interest of the Tinubu administration. He said: The ethics of journalism seeks to establish the truth when there is a dispute about it or when there is a deliberate cover-up that inhibits public interest. What the Premium Times has done in this case keeps faith in neither of these two precepts. The story in reference by Premium Times is nothing other than witch-hunt and a callous one at that. Were the publishers of the Premium Times stable interested in the truth, it would have been more honourable for them to start their busybody foray into politicians academic records by interrogating the discoveries from the Chicago State University. They certainly refrained from that engagement for the obvious reason that a parent owner of the newspaper occupies a critical seat in the current government. And, then, we ask the question: What manner of a newspaper sets out to protect the interest of a government but is very willing to embark on a wild goose chase on a private citizen? PREMIUM TIMES challenges Atiku to name parent owner in govt. Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES has challenged Atiku to name its parent owner he claimed to be serving in the President Tinubu administration. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should be bold enough to name the person he claimed to be a parent owner of our newspaper that occupies a critical seat in the current government. We dare him to name the person, the Editor-in-Chief of PREMIUM TIMES, Musikilu Mojeed, said in reaction to Atikus baseless claim on Saturday. It is unfortunate that at his level, he can make an allegation of this nature publicly without any proof whatsoever. Much more is expected from people aspiring to lead a country like Nigeria. This year, the former Vice President sent his lawyers to the United States to legally force Chicago State University (CSU) to release the academic records of President Tinubu, whose election he disputed but lost in court. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State joined a combined team of security operatives to foil an attack on the Zakka community in Safana Local Government Area of the state, an official said. According to a statement by the governors Chief Press Secretary, Kaula Mohammed, the team also rescued a 33-year-old man abducted by bandits during the encounter. Mr Mohammed said Governor Radda was in Safana to inaugurate an empowerment programme sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abduljalal Runka, when the operatives received distress calls that terrorists planned to attack Zakka village. He revealed that after receiving the intelligence report, the governor immediately called off the programme. Gov. Radda and some few members of his entourage then joined the combined team of security personnel comprising officers of the Nigeria Police, Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji, ground troops of the Army, and Community Security Watch Corps. They engaged the terrorists at Zakka forest before the criminals advanced to the hills. A 33-year-old man was bravely rescued by the gallant troops after a heavy gun battle with the terrorists which lasted almost 30 minutes. However, the terrorists were fortunate to escape without suffering casualty after their callous mission was thwarted, he said. After repelling the attack, the governor directed that the rescued victim, who was shot in the leg by the terrorists, be taken to hospital for urgent treatment. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Serving senators have donated their December salaries, totalling N109 million, to survivors of the accidental military drone airstrike in Tudun Biri village, Kaduna State. The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, announced the donation when he led a delegation of the upper chamber on a courtesy visit to the Kaduna State Government House on Sunday. Details of the donation to survivors of the attack were also contained in a statement by Ismail Mudashir, the special adviser on media and publicity to the deputy senate president. The gesture is coming a day after the 58 northern senators under the aegis of Northern Senators Forum (NSF) donated N58 million to the families of the victims. NSF Chairman, Abdul Ningi, visited the community where he announced the donation. A military drone mistakenly attacked civilians last Sunday at Tundun Biri, a community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State leading to the death of scores of residents. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said about 85 people were buried on Monday and 65 persons were injured in the attack. The Nigerian Army has claimed responsibility for the attack and the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, has paid a condolence visit to the community on Tuesday. Donation to survivors Mr Jibrin, the senator representing Kano North, said the donation would be conveyed to survivors of the airstrike through the Kaduna State Government. He explained that the donation was to help survivors of the attack. It is on this note that I want to announce, on behalf of the President of the Senate and the entire Senate, that we have decided that we are going to donate our December salaries to the victims. A total of N109 million will be made available to the governor so that it can be channelled to help the victims, Mr Jibrin said. Going by the deputy senate presidents statement, it does appear that each senator would have a little left after donating N1 million each. Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Spokesperson, Ibrahim Mohammed, said recently that the approved salary of each senator was N1.06 million monthly. This is different from what the presiding officers earn. The immediate past Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, recently said the monthly salary of a senator was N1.5 million while that of a member of the House of Representatives was N1.3 million. Call for probe Meanwhile, during the visit, Mr Jibrin called for a thorough investigation into the military drone airstrike. Let me state clearly that the Senate has been in contact with the President of this country, who is also highly disturbed and has ordered a thorough investigation of the incident. We are all on the same page with the executive arm of the government and we will continue to work in partnership to unravel what happened and also take measures to prevent this kind of unfortunate incident from recurring. We are here to show our solidarity and to show the fact that we stand by the people, we stand by the government and indeed the entire people of the state, particularly the people of Tudun Biri in this trying period. We will partner with you and do all within our power to bring succour to those who are affected by this unfortunate incident the deputy senate president said. Responding, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, appreciated the senators for the donation. The governor urged members of the National Assembly to conduct a thorough investigation into the attack. What I can say here today is that I am really happy with the level of support, level of empathy and solidarity by the people of this country, from Mr President and Vice President to the leadership of the Senate and the National Assembly generally, as well as the good people of Nigeria. I also want to make it clear today that here in Kaduna we have received this thing with shock, but unfortunately in the last few days, some people are trying to make it look like it is either an ethnic or religious issue. We are one family, there is no difference between Muslims and Christians in Kaduna. This incident can happen anywhere in Nigeria and is about humanity. What we are asking for is justice for the people of Tudun Biri who lost their lives and those in the hospital. I would like to also call on the National Assembly, particularly the Senate to join the Kaduna State Government and the good people of Nigeria in calling for a probe and investigation into this incident. I will also urge the members of the National Assembly to look at the laws that have to do with security agencies in Nigeria so that they can strengthen those institutions. What happened last week here in Kaduna could have been averted if the security agencies in Nigeria were working on the same page. They need to share intelligence, Mr Sani, a former senator, said. President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday ordered a probe of the attack while his deputy, Kashim Shettima, visited the community. The Senate Committee on Army, Abdulaziz Yaradua, had also called for a thorough investigation into the airstrike. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Several Arab and Islamic countries have called on the United States to play a broader role in pressuring Israel into accepting a ceasefire in the Gaza war, according to the Qatari Foreign Ministry. In a statement, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said the call was made at a meeting in Washington between Qatari, Egyptian, Jordanian, Saudi, Palestinian, and Turkish foreign ministers with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. They are members of a ministerial committee formed by an emergency Arab-Islamic summit, hosted by Saudi Arabia last month to discuss the Gaza situation. During their talks with Mr Blinken, the statement indicated, officials expressed disappointment at the UN Security Councils failure to pass a resolution for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for humanitarian reasons after the US used its veto power. While 13 of the 15 members of the world body voted in favour on Friday, the US, Israels key ally, vetoed the draft submitted by the United Arab Emirates. Britain abstained. Members of the Arab-Islamic committee also renewed their unified rejection of the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza, an impoverished enclave of around 2.3 million people, and called for an immediate and complete ceasefire to protect civilians. In the past 24 hours, Israeli attacks on Gaza claimed another 133 lives, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry on Saturday. No fewer than 71 dead and 160 injured were brought to the al-Aqsa Hospital, on top of 62 dead and around 100 injured taken to the Nasser Hospital, the authority announced on Saturday. Most of the attacks took place in the central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian reports. Israeli ground troops are mainly deployed in the north and south of the coastal strip, supported by the air force. On Saturday, an Israeli army spokesman issued an appeal in Arabic to residents of homes in the northern Gaza Strip to flee from the fighting to a safer area in the western part of Gaza City. A westward evacuation will also be permitted from Khan Younis, the announcement said. In the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt, a four-hour ceasefire will allow the supply of humanitarian aid from the morning onwards. Fierce fighting has been reported in the southern city of Khan Younis, considered a stronghold of the Islamist terrorist organisation Hamas. So far, Israels National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi said the Israeli armed forces have killed around 7,000 Hamas terrorists in the war on Gaza. Israeli units have also moved very close to Hamas command centres in Jabalia and Shejaiya in the north of the Gaza Strip, Hanegbi told Channel 12 on Saturday evening. The Israeli leaderships plan is to kill Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar, he said. If we kill him, and that is the plan, then the leadership that succeeds him may understand that if they want to escape his fate, they will have to leave Gaza, as losers, said Mr Hangebi. A total defeat of Hamas would also clear the way for the liberation of 138 hostages still held by the Islamists, he said. Meanwhile, as Israeli soldiers continue their attempts to rescue the hostages held in Gaza, a 25-year-old Israeli man who was abducted on 7 October has died, according to statements released on Saturday. It is with deep sorrow and a broken heart that we announce the murder of Sahar Baruch (25) who was kidnapped from his home by Hamas terrorists on October 7th, Kibbutz Beeri, where Baruch lived, and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters said in a joint statement. Renewed fighting also took place on Israels northern border with Lebanon, after militants reportedly launched rockets from southern Lebanon into Israeli territory. The Israeli military said retaliatory strikes were carried out. There were initially no reports of casualties on either side. Lebanese security sources told dpa that the border village of Aita al-Shaab was hit by heavy air strikes during the night. The sources believed that mainly Hezbollah members were there at the time. The Hezbollah-affiliated broadcaster Al Mayadeen reported that several houses in the village were destroyed. The Lebanese TV station Al-Manar, which is run by the political wing of Hezbollah, reported that other villages in the border area had also been hit by Israeli fire. Hezbollah itself did not immediately comment on the strikes. Israels military spoke of terror targets, including Hezbollah command and control centres. Since the start of the current war in Gaza, there have been repeated confrontations between Israels army and militant groups including Hezbollah in the Israeli-Lebanese border region. It is the most serious escalation since the 2006 war in Lebanon. The war was triggered by the worst massacre in Israels history, carried out by Hamas and other extremist groups on 7 October near Israels border with Gaza. More than 1,200 people were killed on the Israeli side, including at least 850 civilians, according to the Israeli government. According to the latest figures from the Health Ministry in Gaza, almost 17,700 people have been killed in Israels counter-attacks. A further 48,780 people were injured, said Ashraf al-Kudra, spokesman for the Palestinian Ministry of Health. (dpa/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The 64th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Heads of State and Government is holding in Abuja, Nigeria. The session, to be chaired by President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, is attended by Heads of State and Government in the 15-member block. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that countries like Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone are already at the venue at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Other members attending are Benin, Gambia, Togo, Cape Verde and Senegal. The ECOWAS Commission and other stakeholders like former President Goodluck Jonathan, the U.S. Lead diplomat for Africa, Molly Phee, the African Union (AU), and the UN Secretary-General Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Simao, are also attending the meeting The end-of-year meeting is expected to review various decisions and agreements taken and initiated by the body including that of the adoption of the ECO as a common currency for the region. READ ALSO: West African CSOs urge ECOWAS to adopt term limits on tenure elongation The issue of the coup detat in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea would also be deliberated on by the regional body at this meeting. Other issues are climate change, democracy, bilateral relations as well as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Operatives of the NDLEA intercepted 12 consignments of cocaine at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, on Saturday. The consignments consisted of 797 pellets of cocaine weighing 17.6kg. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, stated on Sunday in Abuja that a 44-year-old entrepreneur, Augustine Emeka was arrested in connection with the consignments. He added that Mr Emeka who claimed to be dealing in copper wire was arrested at the airport upon arrival from Douala, Cameroon through Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airline. During preliminary interview, the suspect admitted that the cocaine consignments were for delivery to 12 different persons in Nigeria, Mr Babafemi said. In a related development, NDLEA operatives arrested a fleeing suspect, Prince Ifeanyi, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on Friday, according to the agency. Mr Ifeanyi had gone into hiding since 8 September, following the seizure of a UK-bound 20kg Indian hemp consignment at the airport linked to him. Mr Babafemi said NDLEA operatives also arrested a 45-year-old Beninoise, Jamila Fatiu, at Ebute-Ero Jetty on Lagos Island on 4 December. Ms Fatiu had 398 bottles of codeine cough syrup in her possession while on her way to Seme border by boat when she was arrested, the NDLEA spokesperson said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print An anti-graft group, the Coalition for Truth and Justice, has indicated plans to stage a peaceful protest at the National Assembly over the alleged misuse of over N8.6 billion TETFUND allocation to the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa Toto, Nasarawa State. In a statement in Abuja on Saturday, the group led by Richard Oduma said it would not keep quiet in the face of the alleged fraud which borders on contract scams, embezzlement of staff benefits as well as the management of the institutions Microfinance Bank without taking decisive actions to bring the perpetrators to justice. According to the group, the financial infraction took place in the institution between 2015-2023. The group claimed it had evidence that the alleged looted funds were used to acquire 15 estates in Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The group in the statement particularly accused the Rector, Alhassan Abdullahi, of disregarding procurement laws and allocating contracts to his companies and those of his cronies without the intent of executing them. It further alleged that a lot of fictitious names were included on the payroll of the Polytechnic which served as a conduit for siphoning funds by the Rector. Also, the group accused Mr Abdullahi of awarding TETFUND recharge grants and scholarships to non-existent staff to cover for his broad daylight theft of funds meant to develop the institution and provide welfare to the staff and students. This type of corruption has no place in the present administration and we must fight it to the finish, a part of the statement read. The group further alleged that a top official of the institution criminally conspired with the institutions Micro Finance Bank management to divert TETFUND allocations, promoting the supplanting of stooges to conceal these actions. It added, They used TETFUND money for ransom payments, including the purported kidnapping of the NASSPOLY Microfinance Bank Manager which many believe was prearranged to conceal the extravagant loot of TETFUND allocations to the institution is another barefaced criminality that has been unearthed by our clandestine investigations. As a way of ensuring that the petitions before the National Assembly and the voices of Nigerians who are concerned about the alleged rot in Federal Polytechnic Nassarawa are not glossed over, the group announced plans to hold a protest in collaboration with other stakeholders and civil society organisations at the National Assembly Complex on Wednesday 13 December. it said the purpose of the protest is to pass a strong and clear message to the Rector that corruption cannot thrive in Nigeria under the watch of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly must act immediately to effect the sack of Alhaji Alhassan Abdullahi to pave way for his immediate prosecution. The Rector, Mr Abdullahi, could not be reached on the phone for his comment as a text message to his known phone number had yet to be delivered and also a message that was left on his WhatsApp as of the time of filing this report. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A notorious terrorist responsible for several kidnappings and killings along the Abuja-Kaduna Road and in several communities in Kaduna, Niger, Katsina and Zamfara has been killed in an air strike, an official announced Sunday morning. Edward Gabkwet, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), said Yellow Jambros and over a dozen of his followers were killed while boarding a boat to cross the Jikudna River in Galadima Kogo District, heading towards the Wurukuvhi axis of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna. Mr Gabkwet, an air commodore, said the terrorists must have thought the military would suspend air raids following the unfortunate incident in Kaduna last week when a military air strike killed scores of Muslim worshippers at an Islamic gathering. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the military blamed that incident on a human error and has apologised to the families of the victims. In his Sunday statement, Mr Gabkwet said the latest air strike, believed to have been executed on Saturday, was carried out by the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch. He said Yellow Jambros and many other terrorists were killed in the airstrikes in Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. How Strike Was Executed The spokesperson said that Yellow Jambros and his cohorts were trailed from Zamfara into Niger riding 13 motorcycles along the Kaduna-Niger State border and heading towards Kusasu in Shiroro. At Kusasu, five other motorcycle-riding terrorists joined Yellow Jambros convoy, bringing the total number of motorcycles to 18, which then headed to the bank of River Jikudna. READ ALSO: At the river bank, the terrorists and their 18 motorcycles boarded a large motor-powered canoe in an attempt to cross and link up with other terrorists across the river. It was at this point that the authorisation to undertake a strike was given. The precision strike was adjudged effective as it neutralised Yellow Jambros and his colleagues, destroyed their motorcycles and sank the boat. Though it was unusual for terrorists riding in a convoy of 18 motorcycles to travel in broad daylight, it was apparent that Yellow Jambros and his cohorts had assumed that air strikes were suspended following the unfortunate incident at Tudun Biri in Kaduna State and wanted to exploit the perceived window of opportunity, he said. The NAF spokesperson said that Yellow Jambros and his cohorts had been responsible for several kidnappings and killings along the Abuja-Kaduna Road and in several communities in Kaduna, Niger, Katsina and Zamfara States. He said a kidnap kingpin, known as Mohammed Sani, who was arrested by the police in Zamfara in October 2020 for murdering over 50 of his kidnap victims due to their inability to pay a ransom, had claimed that he worked for Yellow Jambros. According to Mr Gabkwet, the terrorist revealed that Yellow Jambros usually supplied him with fake military and police uniforms, guns and other weapons needed to execute his operation. Insecurity in Northwest, Northcentral The states that Yellow Jambros operated in are some of the states most affected by terrorism, locally called banditry. The terrorists, locally called bandits, attack communities at will. They kill and kidnap residents who refuse to do their bidding including the payment of levies and ransom. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Sector Commander, Kabir Nadabo, at the scene of the accident on Sunday in Kaduna The Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), Kaduna Sector Command says no fewer than 16 persons died and 27 sustained injuries in a road crash on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway. The Sector Commander, Kabir Nadabo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the fatal road crash occurred at Audu Jhangon village along the expressway on Sunday. He explained that the crash occurred at 05:20hrs, when a vehicle( DAF TRAILER) with registration number KUJ 430XC, with overloaded goods, lost control and fell into a ditch. Initial reports indicate the driver was at high speed, probably due to fatigue. The combined rescue teams of RS1.114 Zhipe Unit Command and RS1.16B Dutse Outpost conducted the rescue operations. The crash involved 65 people, where 27 were injured and 16 people were deceased. The injured have been taken to the nearest hospital for treatment, he added. Mr Nadabo said on receiving news of the crash, he visited the scene to have first-hand information as well as direct the rescue team on the evacuation of the deceased to the morgue. I also directed the tow truck to remove part of the accidented trailer blocking part of the road. The operation is ongoing, and the road is free for movement, Mr Nadabo said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The military junta in Niger is recalcitrant and has refused to release President Mohamed Bazoum and members of his cabinet and family, the President of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Touray, said on Sunday in Abuja at the ongoing meeting of ECOWAS leaders. Mr Touray also said the junta, which seized power in a coup in July, is interfering with the humanitarian activities that ECOWAS has allowed into Niger despite the sanctions imposed on the country. In his opening remarks at the 64th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Mr Touray said the regional body had partially lifted sanctions to allow for access to medical and humanitarian goods for the people. Every year, humanitarian organisations including Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) provide treatment to some 400,000 severely malnourished Nigerien children, in a country where 3.3 million people are suffering from acute food insecurity. We are aware of the dire humanitarian situation in Niger Republic. And in line with the provisions of our community texts, we granted humanitarian access to medical and humanitarian goods for the sake of the people, but reports from humanitarian agencies show that the military authorities have been interfering with humanitarian access, the ECOWAS Commission president said. Mr Touray said the commission maintains its firm stance on zero-tolerance to unconstitutional change of government in the region by maintaining its decision on Niger Republic. He, however, said the Nigerien military has shown little or no remorse as they hold onto their untenable positions, holding not only President Bazoum, his family, and members of his government hostage, but also the people of Niger. Mr Touray also said that ECOWAS has observed some breaches of the sanctions which include the massive movement of physical cash by individuals across borders, a high volume of transit goods through Burkina Faso and smuggling through porous borders and inland waterways. As we monitor the implementation of the sanctions, we noted with satisfaction the courage and determination of your governments to effectively apply the sanctions. We note that some political actors and groups in the region have been misrepresenting issues around the sanctions to score cheap political points. Your firm and unambiguous commitment to the principles and values of our community is therefore salutary, he added. Shortly after some Nigerien military officers led by Abdourahmane Tchiani, an army general, toppled President Mohamed Bazoum in July, ECOWAS ordered member countries to implement certain sanctions on Niger. ECOWAS directed member countries to close their borders with Niger and halted trade with the country until power was returned to the democratically elected government. Nigers larger neighbour, Nigeria, has led the implementation of the sanctions, cut off electricity supply to Niger and shut its borders through which billions of naira worth of goods travel every year. Although ECOWAS earlier approved the deployment of a standby force to chase the coup plotters in Niger, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, who is also the ECOWAS president, resisted the implementation. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Tinubu announced that he resisted international pressure to authorise the deployment of soldiers to Niger which could have led to a full-blown war. READ ALSO: ECOWAS meeting holding in Abuja Despite ongoing negotiations with the Niger junta, Mr Bazoum, his family and some members of his government are still being held by the military. On Thursday, Niger lost its plea to have the sanctions lifted at the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja. The president of the court, Edward Asante, who led the three-member panel of the court that gave the decision, held that the junta failed to meet the additional requirement for the case to be admissible. The two other judges on the panel Gberi-be Ouattara and Dupe Atoki agreed with the judgement. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The President of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Touray, said political stability, peace and security remain critical for West African countries to attract investment that will aid development. He said the regions fragile democracy and persistent security challenges have affected the risk rating of the region and the flow of foreign capital and intra-regional trade and investment. He spoke on Sunday during the 64th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja. We are challenged to improve the business environment in our community to take advantage of the growing interests of investors in our community, he said. Mr Touray said ECOWAS has made the development of regional infrastructure and business-friendly policies a cornerstone of integration of the region. He said the recently commissioned International Coordination Centre of the West African Power Pool in Abomey-Calavi, Benin Republic, is part of the bodys integration plan. He said the project, supported by the European Union, now enables trade in electricity across the West African region. The unified electricity market achieved through this project will improve access to electricity by areas of low generation from areas with high supply, he said. He added that all member states of ECOWAS, except Cabo Verde, are connected to the system, which makes the sale and purchase of electricity among them possible. We are grateful to the European Union for the support of 35 million Euros towards the realisation of this project, he added. ECOWAS low resource mobilisation Mr Touray also called the attention of the Heads of State at the meeting to the depleting revenue of the commission. He said the commission has been encountering challenges in accessing the Community Levy, which he said is the lifeline of the community institutions and integration programmes. ECOWAS collects a 0.5 per cent levy on imports from outside member countries. He said the low resource mobilisation of the body is now more critical as member states under sanctions have stopped remitting the levy, adding that the bodys financial responsibilities are growing even as the financial situation gets more difficult. I have been compelled to bring this matter to your attention because we have the communitys action plan against terrorism to implement; peacekeeping missions to sustain; vital integration programmes to finance, transitions in member states under military rule to support, and various socio-economic and humanitarian problems to tackle. I am confident that your Excellences will give full support to our efforts to access funds that the national customs authorities have collected on behalf of the Community. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerian President and Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bola Tinubu, has said that good governance can help prevent coups in the West African sub-region. Mr Tinubu, therefore, implored his counterparts in the region to prioritise good governance and collective prosperity as an essential tool to prevent unconstitutional changes of government in the region. The Nigerian President was speaking at the 64th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. In a press release by his media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, on Sunday, Mr Tinubu also used the occasion to applaud President George Weah of Liberia for conceding victory and congratulating his opponent during the last presidential election in Liberia. Read the full statement below: ECOWAS SUMMIT: PRESIDENT TINUBU ADVOCATES GOOD GOVERNANCE TO COUNTER COUPS IN WEST AFRICA Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, implored West African leaders to prioritize good governance and collective prosperity as an essential tool to prevent authoritarian takeovers of power and unconstitutional changes of government in the region. Addressing the high-powered regional gathering at the 64th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the President identified good governance as a key catalyst to secure popular support through the socio-economic transformation and development of West Africa. The delivery of good governance is not just a fundamental commitment; it is also an avenue to address the concerns of our citizens, to improve their quality of life, and create a stable environment conducive to the achievement of sustainable development. By providing good governance that tackles the challenges of poverty, inequality and other concerns of the people, we would have succeeded in addressing some of the root causes of military interventions in civilian processes in our region, the President stated. Recounting decisions taken by West African leaders to further strengthen the regions democratic achievements and uphold the right of the people to elect the leaders of their choice, the President said the bloc has outlined specific measures to be taken against any member state opting for unconstitutional change of government. While the imposition of punitive sanctions may pose challenges, it is important to underscore that the struggle to protect the fundamental liberties of our Communitys Citizens must be upheld and respected. To this end, I would like to reiterate the imperative of re-engaging with the countries under military rule on the basis of realistic and short transition plans that can deliver democracy and good governance to the innocent populations in those countries. On our part, we should be prepared to provide them with technical and material support, to ensure the achievement of these strategic goals, he said. President Tinubu also used the occasion to applaud President George Weah of Liberia for conceding victory and congratulating his opponent during the last presidential election in Liberia. He invited leaders at the summit and other participants to give a standing ovation to President Weah. He also acknowledged the presence of former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, who in 2015, displayed a similar commitment to democratic ideals after losing his re-election to the opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari. I would also like to seize this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of the Republic of Liberia for the successful conduct of the presidential election, widely adjudged to be free, fair and credible. Let me also commend my brother and colleague, His Excellency George Weah, for his exemplary leadership and conduct throughout the electoral process. By accepting defeat and congratulating his opponent, President Weah has left a legacy to be emulated by politicians in our region and beyond, he said. President Tinubu also responded to the recent decision by some ECOWAS-member states, under military rule, to float a so-called Alliance of Sahel States, describing it as distracting and emphasizing the commitment to pursuing ECOWAS integration. The phantom pushback Alliance appears intended to divert our attention from our mutual belief in and commitment to democracy and good governance that will impact the lives of our people. We refuse to be distracted from pursuing the collective dreams, aspirations, and the noble path of ECOWAS integration as it is laid out in our institutional and legal frameworks. I take this opportunity to also emphasize that despite the numerous challenges faced in our region, ECOWAS has achieved significant milestones for the betterment of our community. ALSO READ: ECOWAS Commission President lists factors hindering investments in West Africa ECOWAS activities have always been people-oriented, with a future of raising the living standard of our people. We have to do that through a relentless focus on qualitative service delivery and good governance, he added. On the recent disturbances in Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau, the ECOWAS Chairman asked fellow leaders to pay attention to protecting democracy, reiterating ECOWAS zero tolerance to unconstitutional changes of government. I urge all of us to stand strong and be highly committed in the face of any challenge in Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau. The message must go down clearly that we support a democratically elected government, not an unconstitutional exercise. The re-elected president of Sierra Leone is present here. We are saying loud and clear that we are with you. Without let or hindrance, democracy will win, if we fight for it, and we will definitely fight for democracy, the President stated. Chief Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) December 10, 2023 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print I love the Jews and the State of Israel but despise and deplore the Zionists and what they have turned the latter into I despise them, not because of their religious faith or Semitic racial identity, but because of the evil political philosophy of subjugation, occupation, enslavement and destruction of others that they choose to espouse It is for this very reason that for millions all over the world and not just the Arabs of the Middle East, the battle cry and war song of from the river to the sea resonates so loudly. There is no peace for the wicked Isaiah 48:22. There is no greater truism than that which Prophet Isaiah, one of the greatest and most reverred prophets in the Holy Bible, enunciated in the scripture above. What he says is that callous, merciless and bloodthirsty men and oppressors, subjugators, persecutors, slavers and the occupiers of the land of others, whether they be the biblical Egyptians, the Ancient Romans or anyone else, coupled with those who trample on the rights and liberties of others with impunity, and who repay good with evil can NEVER escape the wrath of God and neither will they ever know or experience lasting peace. This is a lesson that evidently the Jews and particularly the Zionists amongst them have failed to appreciate or learn. That you were oppressed, subjugated, murdered, robbed, humiliated, enslaved, subjected to genocide and mass murder, ethnically cleansed and treated with scorn and contempt yesterday, does not give you the right to do the same to others today. That you were once occupied, enslaved, thrown into captivity, scattered all over the earth, butchered, gassed to death, subjected to the holocaust and deprived of your beloved homeland yesterday, does not permit you to do the same to others today. That you have experienced Gods love, mercy, blessings, grace and restoration does not mean that you are the chosen race or master race, it simply means that God has shown you His tender kindness and opted to restore you, despite the fact that you also killed and oppressed others in the past and that you crucified His only Begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and sought to destroy Christianity even at the advent of its coming. Those who have suffered so much in the past surely have a greater duty to ensure that that they desist from inflicting such suffering on others today, lest they lose everything. It is in this context that I view the State of Israel and the Zionists. No matter what they have suffered in the last two thousand years in the hands of their numerous haters, oppressors and persecutors, they have no right to inflict wickedness on the Palestinian people today, and as long as they continue to do so, they shall know no peace. They shall also continue to stir up hatred and opprobium for themselves and their cause from all right thinking people, including millions who once had sympathy for them, from all over the world. This is what we see unfolding presently. Now to the title and essence of this piece. First coined by Yasser Arafats Palestinan Liberation Organisation and other Arab nationalist movements in the 1960s, the phrase from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free is the popular refrain and battle cry of the Palestinians and those who support their cause and struggle for self-determination and emancipation from Israeli occupation and oppression. And given what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank, who can deny them the right to achieve this noble quest for freedom and the right and aspiration to exist as an independent sovereign state? I have always loved the State of Israel and believed in the two-state solution but I hate what its leaders are doing to the Palestinians today. I equate the present actions of the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza with the heinous and horrendous atrocities that Hamas inflicted on the Isreali civilian population on the 7th of October. I have always made the point that the Jewish State must be accorded the right to exist and reserves the right of self-defence. I concede that it is also entitled to a measure of vengeance against those that visited the deplorable violence on its civilian population which we witnessed on 7th October, but the targetting of innocent civilians in their thousands, the infanticide, the ethnic cleansing, the mass murder, the genocide, the crimes against humanity, the war crimes, the unprecedented and massive amount of bloodshed. The displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians, the destruction and utter annihilation of Palestinian homes and infrastructures, and all the other beastly and inexplicable horrors that are being unleashed and foisted on the women, children and elderly of Gaza today, including journalists, aid workers, hospital workers, doctors, nurses and other defenceless non-combatants and innocent civilians are unacceptable and indefensible. 20,000 civilians (mainly women and children) have been slaughtered in Gaza and 85 per cent of its 2.5 million people displaced in two months! Worse still 50 per cent of the population of Gaza is facing starvation. Such suffering, butchery and slaughter beggars belief, and as painful, traumatising and tear-jerking as it is, the world can witness it in real time thanks to Al Jazeera. And frankly what we are seeing is unspeakable. In the light of all this, it is indeed a great shame that Israels greatest friend and ally, the United States of America, not only first vetoed a motion for a second ceasefire in Gaza at the United Nations Security Council last friday but secondly, the American Congress passed a resolution that any criticism of or opposition to Zionism would be regarded as a manifestation of anti-Semitism. Israel may consider this to be its finest hour and a glorious manifestation of its military strength and prowess, but in actual fact it is nothing but evidence of its irretrievable and inescapable descent into notoriety, savagery and barbarity and its relentless, degenerate, bestial and reprobate disposition. This is not Isreals finest hour or best moment but rather its greatest mistake. I say this because the Israel that millions of people from all over the world, including me, once loved, cherished, defended and empathised with no longer exists. What we have in its place is an unforgiving, unthinking, cruel, brash, barbaric, brutal, racist, evil, power-drunk and thoroughly repugnant fascist/apartheid state that is being led by a political class that comprises deluded monsters, narcissistic savages, obsessive psychopaths and bloodlusting child-killers who have lost their minds, who are devoid of any pretence to even a semblance of humanity, who are hell bent on wiping out the Palestinian people, and who do not believe that they are bound by the rules, regulations, canons and strictures of civilisation and international humanitarian law. Given this, Israel should no longer be welcomed into the comity of civilised nations and neither is it worthy of the Western worlds consistent and unconditional support. It has not only lost its right to be regarded as a responsible and law-abiding member of the international community but, as long as it denies the Palestinians the right to exist in peace and freedom and refuses to lift the occupation, Israel stands the risk of forfeiting its own right to exist. What was once the inspiration, promise, pride and joy of millions from all over the world and the darling of civilised nations, is now nothing but a vacuous, vicious, vengeful, lawless, petty, pitiful, tyrannical and bloodthirsty pariah state, which celebrates and prides itself on its own barbarity, hatred, madness, war-mongering and rage, which openly espouses a racist and repugnant Zionist philosophy, which considers itself racially and religiously superior to all others, which thrives on the suffering and pain of its Arab vassals, and which is hell-bent on provoking the entire world into WWIII in an attempt to satisfy its senseless and dangerous delusions about re-establishing a biblical Zionist state and wiping out the Palestinian people. Zionism is the greatest evil that has been foisted on earth since the advent of the Nazis. It is an irony of fate and history that the Jews who are now calling themselves Zionists are the very same race whose forefathers suffered more persecution and cruelty in the hands of the Nazis than any other. I have no doubt that if Israeli PM Netanyahu had the power, wherewithal and horrendous gas chambers that Hitler once did, he would, without any hesitation, gas to death every Arab on earth and kill every Muslim and Christian in the Middle East. That is how evil he and those who share his insane delusions are. They are the greatest threat to world peace and stability and the only way to free us from their insidious and sinister power and pervasive influence is by establishing a free and sovereign Palestinian state from the river to the sea. Just as Nazi Germany was brought to its knees by the civilised world after WWII, because of its heinous atrocities, Zionist Israel needs to be brought to its knees today. Does a murderous, racist rogue state that considers itself above the law and delights in slaughtering children have the right to exist? I doubt it. To those who say but Israel is a democracy and indeed the ONLY democracy in the Middle East, I say the following: Nazi Germany was a democracy too and Hitler was a democratically-elected leader, yet look where they took the world! In the light of all this, it is indeed a great shame that Israels greatest friend and ally, the United States of America, not only first vetoed a motion for a second ceasefire in Gaza at the United Nations Security Council last friday but secondly, the American Congress passed a resolution that any criticism of or opposition to Zionism would be regarded as a manifestation of anti-Semitism. The first is nothing but yet another inglorious and graphic display of American immorality, hypocrisy, double standards, insensitivity and depravity and the second, the wilfull blindness and glaring ignorance of the majority of members of the American Congress. To equate political Zionism, a concept which only came into existence as an organised nationalist movement after it was enunciated and founded by Theodor Herzl in 1897, with Judaism, which has existed for thousands of years, is not only antedelluvian idiocy and intellectual bankruptcy in its most raw, primitive, vulgar, crude and glaring form, but also ignores the fact that millions of both right-wing, conservative religious Jews, such as the Torah Jews and secular ones residing in Israel, America and Europe, vehemently oppose the concept of Zionism themselves and deplore its malevolent and sinister delusions and political aspirations. The world really is a very cruel place and the Ugandans and East Africans should count themselves lucky that Lord Balfour, the British foreign secretary, did a deal with the immensely wealthy Jewish Rothchild family and presented what was then known as British Palestine as a gift and offering on a silver platter to them in the form of a Jewish homeland in 1948, rather than Uganda. I love the Jews and the State of Israel but despise and deplore the Zionists and what they have turned the latter into. I despise them, not because of their religious faith or Semitic racial identity, but because of the evil political philosophy of subjugation, occupation, enslavement and destruction of others that they choose to espouse. It is for this very reason that for millions all over the world and not just the Arabs of the Middle East, the battle cry and war song of from the river to the sea resonates so loudly. Permit me to conclude this contribution with the following observation, which is particularly relevant to those of us from Africa. At the end of WWII In 1945, when the great debate began amongst the leaders of the victorious Allied powers, including America, France, Russia and the UK, about where to send the Jews after the holocaust, there was a very strong lobby to send them to Uganda, where they would have established their long-awaited new Jewish homeland. Uganda, like Palestine, was a British colony and the colonial power believed that, unlike the Palestinians, the local African population would not present much of a threat or even raise an objection to the appropriation and occupation of their land by millions of Western-backed European Jews, who had suffered the most horrendous form of persecution in Europe for thousands of years. Yet this interesting proposal was initially made forty-two years earlier in 1903. Known as the Uganda Scheme, it was a proposal by British Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain to create a Jewish homeland in a portion of British East Africa. It was presented at the Sixth World Zionist Congress in Basel in 1903 by Theodor Herzl, the founder of the modern Zionist movement. In a short piece titled Exploring The Middle East Uganda Scheme For A Jewish Homeland, the Middle East Monitor wrote the following: Did you know about the intriguing chapter in history where Israel was almost established in Africa? This almost moment was known as the Uganda Scheme and was proposed by Theodor Herzl the father of political Zionism, in 1903. Herzl presented the plan to the World Zionist Congress envisioning a Jewish homeland in East Africa, then under British colonial rule. The proposal came at a time when Jews in Eastern Europe were facing severe persecution and massacres, making the idea of a safe haven, even in distant Africa, appealing. Despite initial approval by the Congress the plan faced opposition from the White settlers in East Africa who did not want to be displaced by other settlers. They formed an anti-Zionist commitee and their disapproval led to Britain withdrawing the offer, altering the course of history. Isnt that amazing? Now to the point. Given the disposition of the Zionists, I am of the view that had the Uganda Scheme been successfully resurrected, accepted and implemented by the Allied powers in 1945 and the State of lsrael established in Uganda, as opposed to Palestine in 1948, the history of the Middle East and indeed the world over the last 82 years would not only have been very different but the local African indigenous population in Uganda may well have either been totally enslaved or, worse still, be extinct or exterminated by now. I say this because Zionism is a deeply racist and supremacist philosophy that takes no prisoners, that seeks to disposses, subjugate, humiliate, emasculate and enslave others, and that does not believe in sharing. If the local indegenous African population had sought to resist Zionist hegemony and occupation in the same way that the Palestinians have been doing for the last 82 years, they would have been subjected to something even worse than the genocide we are witnessing in Gaza, and by now there may well have been no black Africans left alive in Uganda or indeed the whole of East Africa! Such is the danger that political Zionism presents to humanity wherever it is entrenched and wherever it goes. And if anyone considers the elimination or extermination of entire races to be a far-fetched proposition in this day and age, they should find out what happened to the black population in Argentina, the Native Indians of North America and the local indigenous tribes like the Incas and Aztecs of South America in the hands of foreign and non-indegenous settlers and occupiers. The world really is a very cruel place and the Ugandans and East Africans should count themselves lucky that Lord Balfour, the British foreign secretary, did a deal with the immensely wealthy Jewish Rothchild family and presented what was then known as British Palestine as a gift and offering on a silver platter to them in the form of a Jewish homeland in 1948, rather than Uganda. Meanwhile we shall continue to speak out against the evil in Gaza, agitate for a ceasefire and call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Femi Fani-Kayode, the Sadaukin Shinkafi and the Wakilin Doka Potiskum, is a lawyer, and former minister of Culture and Tourism, and Aviation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print my journey at Obafemi Awolowo University has been transformative, and the honour bestowed upon me today is not just a recognition of my personal achievements, but a testament to the indelible impact this institution has had on my life. As I look back at the vibrant history, the intellectual rigour, and the dynamic cultural landscape of this university, I am filled with immense pride and hope for its future. Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed faculty, revered alumni, and the spirited students of Obafemi Awolowo University, it is with profound gratitude and a sense of immense honour that I stand before you today. As I accept this honorary degree, I am reminded of the rich tapestry of history and resilience that this great institution embodies. The legacy of Great Ife, particularly during the tumultuous military era in Nigeria, is a testament to the unyielding spirit of knowledge, justice, and courage. In those challenging times, when the fabric of our nation was tested, this university emerged not just as an academic institution, but as a fortress of intellectual resistance and a beacon of hope. The students and lecturers of this esteemed university, against overwhelming odds, stood tall. Their resilience in the face of oppression, their unflinching commitment to truth and justice, did not just shape the contours of our nations history, but also activism in the path of fairness and justice. The universitys role in championing the causes of the Nigerian youth and students during trying times is particularly noteworthy. It was here, within these walls, that critical voices rose against injustice, that debates and discussions fueled a movement for change, and that the clamour for justice found its most resonant echo. This institution did not merely witness history, it made history as it actively bent the arc of our national narrative towards justice, equality, and freedom. As a product of this institution, my memories are not just of academic rigour, but of a vibrant community where the spirit of inquiry knew no bounds, where every lecture, every seminar, was an invitation to explore the vast realms of knowledge. The vibrancy of the students body, their engagement with complex sociopolitical realities, and their unwavering commitment to societal transformation, have always been the hallmark of Obafemi Awolowo University. I recall with fondness the eclectic academic environment that defined my years at Obafemi Awolowo University. In my time in the early 1970s, Ife was more than a mere assemblage of classrooms and lecture halls; it was a crucible where minds were moulded, where horizons were broadened, and where the seeds of multifaceted knowledge were sown and nurtured. During my time here, the breadth of academic exposure was truly remarkable. Students were not just confined to their specific disciplines, we were encouraged to delve into a myriad of subjects, gaining considerable knowledge in sociology, religious study, languages, history, epistemology, philosophy, political science, and economics. This interdisciplinary approach did not merely equip us with facts and theories, it cultivated in us a holistic understanding of the world, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and a deeper appreciation of the diverse perspectives that shape our global narrative. Today, I write on a wide range of disciplines, including Literature, Economics, Political Science, International Relations, Creativity, History, Religious Studies, Political Economy and their interfaces and intersectionalities. The foundation of my multidisciplinary control of the Humanities started at Ife. Today, I occupy a distinguished professorship of Political Science at the University of Pretoria, and a Professor of Human Rights in the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State, both in South Africa. And on my campus in Texas, I am a Professor of History, while I hold a Chair of Humanities. Without Ife and its renaissance tradition, the unique achievements would not have been possible. We owe our intellectual foundation a loud applause in such unparalleled spate of achievements. The vibrancy of intellectual life at Obafemi Awolowo University was further enhanced by the myriad of seminars and workshops organised by the students and faculty alike. Those forums were not just platforms for academic discourse, they were vibrant hubs of innovative thinking, where ideas were not only shared but also challenged and refined. The university, in its wisdom, recognised the immense value of these gatherings, supporting and encouraging them as integral components of our educational journey. I was part of the tradition of seminars and workshops, which led me subsequently to greater leadership in academic positions. This culture and atmosphere of intellectual engagement, this spirit of inquiry and dialogue, have always been a defining feature of this university. It is a tradition that transcends the boundaries of the campus, influencing and shaping the broader academic and societal discourse. The impact of this inclusive and dynamic academic culture is evident in the myriad of contributions made by our alumni in various fields, both within Nigeria and on the global stage. At the heart of Obafemi Awolowo University lies an unwavering commitment to political activism and justice, a commitment that has been the cornerstone of its identity. This university has never been a bystander in the face of societal challenges; rather, it has always been a proactive agent of change, a voice for the voiceless, and a force for societal transformation. The political activism inherent in the DNA of this institution is not just a response to external circumstances, but a fundamental part of its ethos. The university has always encouraged its students and faculty to engage critically with the social and political realities of our time, to question, to debate, and to seek solutions to the myriad challenges that confront our society. This spirit of activism is not confined to the realms of academia; it is a living, breathing part of the universitys culture, manifesting in various forms of advocacy, community engagement, and public discourse. Obafemi Awolowo Universitys role in shaping political thought and action in Nigeria cannot be overstated. From organising symposiums on national issues to leading peaceful protests for justice, the university community has consistently demonstrated its commitment to upholding democratic values and human rights. This activism is not mere rhetoric; it is rooted in a deep understanding of the power of education to effect positive change, and a steadfast belief in the responsibility of academic institutions to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of society. It is this unwavering commitment to justice and equality that has cemented Obafemi Awolowo Universitys status as an activist institution, political or otherwise. The university has not only produced some of the finest minds in various disciplines, but it has also nurtured leaders, activists, and changemakers who have gone on to play pivotal roles in shaping the political landscape of Nigeria and beyond. The legacy of this institution in the realm of political activism is a beacon that continues to guide and inspire, reminding us of the critical role that academic institutions must play in advancing societal progress. The intellectual vibrancy of Obafemi Awolowo University is a remarkable feature that distinguishes it as a premier academic institution. This vibrancy is not confined to the academic prowess it is known for; it extends to the very essence of life on campus, where every corner echoes with the spirit of inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge. Within the walls of this university, intellectual stimulation is a constant. The classrooms buzz with lively debates and discussions, the libraries are sanctuaries of deep thought and exploration, and the lecture theatres are stages for the unfolding of new ideas and perspectives. This dynamic environment fosters a culture of intellectual curiosity and academic excellence, encouraging students and faculty alike to push the boundaries of knowledge and understanding. What makes Obafemi Awolowo University truly unique is its inclusive approach to intellectual engagement. Here, every voice is valued, every perspective is considered, and every idea is given the space to flourish. This approach has cultivated an environment where learning is not just a transfer of knowledge, but a collaborative process of discovery and innovation. The intellectual vibrancy of this institution is also reflected in its diverse range of academic programmes and research initiatives. From the humanities to the sciences, from arts to technology, Obafemi Awolowo University offers a rich tapestry of disciplines, each contributing to the creation of a holistic and enriching educational experience. The universitys commitment to interdisciplinary research and collaborative projects further enhances its intellectual climate, making it a hub for pioneering thought and cutting-edge innovation. This vibrant intellectual space has a profound impact on everyone who steps foot in Obafemi Awolowo University. It is a place where minds are opened, where horizons are broadened, and where the leaders of tomorrow are shaped. The universitys intellectual legacy is not just its academic achievements, but the countless lives it has transformed through its commitment to fostering an environment of intellectual excellence and innovation. This dynamic interplay of different cultures and traditions within the university has enriched its character, making it a microcosm of our nations beautiful diversity. The universitys ability to embrace and celebrate this diversity is one of its most defining and praiseworthy attributes. The campus life here is a colourful tapestry of ethnic backgrounds, languages, and traditions, each bringing its unique flavour to the universitys rich cultural landscape. Obafemi Awolowo University, in its glorious journey, has not only been a beacon of academic and political activism, but it has also stood as a vibrant mosaic of cultural and ethnic diversity. This dynamic interplay of different cultures and traditions within the university has enriched its character, making it a microcosm of our nations beautiful diversity. The universitys ability to embrace and celebrate this diversity is one of its most defining and praiseworthy attributes. The campus life here is a colourful tapestry of ethnic backgrounds, languages, and traditions, each bringing its unique flavour to the universitys rich cultural landscape. This diversity is not just visible in the social interactions and cultural festivities but is also an integral part of the academic discourse and curriculum. It fosters a sense of inclusivity and mutual respect among the students and faculty, creating a learning environment that is both dynamic and harmonious. As we look towards the future, I believe there are key areas where Obafemi Awolowo University can further enhance its impact and continue its legacy of excellence. First, the establishment of an incubation system for students would be a significant step forward. Such a system would bridge the gap between academic learning and the practical realities of the labour market. It would provide students with the necessary skills, resources, and mentorship to transform their innovative ideas into viable ventures, thereby enhancing their readiness for the professional world. Building a large body of alumni committed to making the University rely on its most valuable resources will start from the first week a student enters the campus. The system must insist on a student-friendly teaching approach to anchor the learning experience. This approach should focus on fostering a relaxed and interactive classroom environment, encouraging open dialogue, and making learning a more engaging and enjoyable experience. Such an environment not only aids in better knowledge retention but also instills a lifelong love for learning. A good memory will later open the wallets, a model known for its success in enhancing institutional foundations and alumni support. Lastly, the running of a vibrant and functional mentorship and career office would be invaluable. This office would play a pivotal role in guiding students through their academic and career paths, offering personalised mentorship, career advice, and opportunities for professional development. It would serve as a bridge between the university and the industry, ensuring that students are well-equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the outside world. In conclusion, my journey at Obafemi Awolowo University has been transformative, and the honour bestowed upon me today is not just a recognition of my personal achievements, but a testament to the indelible impact this institution has had on my life. As I look back at the vibrant history, the intellectual rigour, and the dynamic cultural landscape of this university, I am filled with immense pride and hope for its future. May Obafemi Awolowo University continue to thrive as a beacon of knowledge, justice, and cultural richness. Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland. This is the text of an acceptance speech given upon my conferment with the D.Litt. of the Obafemi Awolowo University. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print God has a purpose for every affliction He ordains. Even though God is always justified in whatever He does, nevertheless, we must forgive God for whatever action He takes against us. It is in our best interests to do this. Jesus says: Blessed is that man who is not offended because of Me. (Matthew 11:6). A lot of the time, when we are angry with God, we do not acknowledge this to ourselves. But our actions express fulsomely our displeasure. We stop going to church. We stop reading the Bible. We stop walking in the spirit and thereby fulfil the lusts of the flesh. We stop praying and spending time with God. We stop making melodies to God in our heart. Resentment against God can even sometimes send us into depression. Besides, when we are angry with God, we want to hurt God. We consciously or subconsciously do the things we know He does not like. Thereby, we sin against God and against our own souls. Judas Iscariot When we are angry with God, we grumble and complain about Him. We maintain that there is no benefit to godliness. The upshot of this is that we might end up denying God, just like Judas did. Judas bore a grudge against Jesus. Discipleship did not provide him with the dividends he anticipated. It did not make him wealthy, so he stole regularly from the common purse. His discontent reached a peak when he saw a woman waste an expensive perfume (worth a years salary) by pouring it in one go on Jesus head. He asked indignantly: Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor? (John 12:5). John noted that Judas had no interest in the poor. If the perfume had been traded for cash, it would only have given him the opportunity to steal part of the money. Judas was so disgusted with this waste that he apparently concluded that Jesus was not a good bet for financial enrichment. Therefore, immediately after this incident, he decided on the quicker and surer option of betraying Jesus for money. He went to the chief priests and said to them: What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:15). God is Responsible God accepts responsibility as the cause of our anger. He never denies responsibility for the afflictions we endure. The Bible declares that nothing happens without Gods say-so. He works all things according to the counsel of His will. (Ephesians 1:11). That means God is guilty. He is responsible for our adversities, even including those we bring on ourselves. Accordingly, God told me He was the One who sent robbers to waylay and shoot me. At the same time, He was also the One who saved me from the robbers He sent. He made sure they did not do more damage than He intended. So, the bullet they shot at me hit me in the leg and not in the chest. But one thing remains certain despite the afflictions God brings, He loves us with perfect love. He goes to great lengths to assure us of this in life and in the scriptures. Paul says: Neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39). We will never know exactly why God loves us this much. But Jesus coming down to earth to be beaten and to die for our sins is enough to remove any doubt that God loves us. Thus, the psalmist asks: What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? (Psalm 8:4). But God does not butter us up so we can know He loves us and, therefore, love Him back. He expects us to love Him, no matter what. He is glorified when we love Him despite our adversities. In any case, He is God, so He reserves the right to treat us in whatever way He chooses. And He insists we must not grumble or complain. Jeremiahs Lamentations Nevertheless, a whole book in the Bible is devoted to complaining about God. In Lamentations, Jeremiah brings extensive charges against God. Among other things, he says: (God) has turned His hand against me again and again, all day long. He has made my skin and flesh grow old. He has broken my bones. He has besieged and surrounded me with anguish and distress. He has buried me in a dark place, like those long dead. He has walled me in, and I cannot escape. He has bound me in heavy chains. And though I cry and shout, He has shut out my prayers. (Lamentations 3:3-8). Nevertheless, he maintains that: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him! The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. So, it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. (Lamentations 3:23-26). If we have truly forgiven someone, we will not complain again to anybody about what he did. The same principle applies to God. Complaints about God must be made directly to God, Do not make the mistake of complaining about God to someone else. God does not take kindly to this. David says: I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lords mercy. I pour out my complaints before Him and tell Him all my troubles. (Psalms 152:1-2). But those who complained about God to others were destroyed by the destroyer. (1 Corinthians 10:10). Atonement With Man One of the most beautifully enigmatic passages in the Bible describes Jesus anguish at the tomb of Lazarus. In the shortest verse in the Bible, it simply says: Jesus wept. (John 11:35). Why would Jesus weep at the grave of Lazarus when He planned to raise him from the dead? The truth is that God is hurt when His people are hurt. Isaiah says of God concerning Israel: In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. (Isaiah 63:9). Indeed, Isaiah prophesied that that Jesus would bear our griefs and carry our sorrows. Jesus came down from heaven to earth precisely to enter into our pains and anguish: For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15). Indeed, the greatest expression of Gods identification with man in the Bible is Jesus repetition of the cry of David on the cross of Calvary: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46/Psalms 22:1). By this cry, God entered into the mainstream of the human experience. God Himself cried out on mans behalf for salvation and redemption. Man, in Christ, cried out to God in desperation, in confusion, and in disappointment. Why, if you are God; why, since you are God, are you allowing all this calamity to happen to us? On the cross, God entered so completely into the human experience and validated human suffering. Purpose for Affliction Certainly, God has a purpose for every affliction He ordains. It is our responsibility to find out the purpose if possible, or to accept His purpose, even when we do not know the reason behind it. Even in his lamentations, Jeremiah acknowledges that: Though (God) causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. (Lamentations 3:32-33). Therefore, in our afflictions, we must not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5). We must continue to trust God. This is what makes Job so exemplary. Even in the bitterness of his soul, he maintains his commitment to God, saying: Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. (Job 13:15). Paul assures us that: No temptation has overtaken (us) except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow (us) to be tempted beyond what (we) are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that (we) may be able to bear it.(1 Corinthians 10:13). God told the devil: You can deal with Job, but you cannot take his life. (Job 2:6). God dealt severely with Assyria because it had no pity on Israel and wanted to afflict the Israelites beyond what God had in mind. Even though it is God Himself who orchestrates our afflictions, Zechariah reveals that those He uses to afflict us are in trouble. God will repay them: Thus says the Lord of hosts: He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. (Zechariah 2:8). The last word here belongs to Habakkuks doxology: Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (Habakkuk 3:17-19). Faribisala@yahoo.com; www.femiaribisala.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print At the landmark of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the evidence of progress is unmistakable, but so are the challenges. The rise of populist authoritarianism increasingly endangers the promise of the Declaration and those who work to defend or realise that promise, as well as the integrity of institutions for its implementation nationally and internationally. On this day 75 years ago, on 10 December 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations. 48 of the 58 countries eligible voted to approve the Declaration. The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Soviet Union, South Africa, Ukraine, and Yugoslavia abstained, while Honduras and Yemen absented themselves from the vote altogether. There were no votes against its adoption. The previous day, on 9 December 1948, they had adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and just three-and-a-half years earlier, in June 1945, the Charter of the United Nations was signed by 50 countries, establishing the foundations for a new global order at the end of a profoundly ruinous war. In the three years separating the adoption of the UN Charter from the Universal Declaration, more countries emerged in independence, including Korea, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Pakistan, Syria, and Vietnam. In the decade that followed, the cascade of decolonisation arrived Africa. Two significant events in May 1948 preceded the adoption of the Universal Declaration. In Bogota, Colombia, the countries of the Organization of American States (OAS) proclaimed the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man, according human rights salience on a regional scale that had, until then, been absent. In the same month, the National Party eked out a win in South Africas parliamentary elections, enabling them to take over power and launch a government founded on the idea of the inherent supremacy of one race over all others, which many around the world thought had been defeated with the Nazis in 1945. It was entirely consistent that a country led by such a party could not bring itself to vote for the Universal Declaration. Like the Genocide Convention, the Universal Declaration was inspired by Nazi atrocities which, in the explicit language of the text, outraged the conscience of the world. It would have been preferable if that conscience could also have been bothered to notice the preceding atrocities of colonialism and slavery or the genocides at the beginning of the 20th century, including those perpetrated by Germany against the Herero and Namaqua of present day Namibia; King Leopolds genocide in the Congo; and the Ottoman genocide against the Armenians. Those went un-noticed largely because the victims were in the dominant wisdom of the day from expendable races. Much of what the Declaration promised was aspirational then. Around the world, discrimination was the order of the day. Many of the leading countries at the adoption of the Declaration, notably France, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom, were still reluctant to give up their colonies. They could not be taken seriously when they promised not to discriminate because colonialism was founded on an inherent inferiority of colonised peoples. This inequality was racist. A mere quarter of a century earlier, these nations had described colonies in the Covenant of the League of Nations as inhabited by peoples not yet able to stand by themselves under the strenuous conditions of the modern world. its evident shortcomings notwithstanding, the influence of the Declaration has been seminal. Many of the ideas originally formulated as aspirations in the Declaration have been transformed into binding laws, domestically and internationally. All the current 193 member states of the United Nations profess fidelity to it with varying degrees of conviction and many have it enshrined by reference in their national constitutions. Despite the adoption of the Slavery Convention in 1926, slavery was also still alive at the time. Therefore, simple as it was, the proposition that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights was quite radical in 1948. The original draft had confined that entitlement only to men. Hansa Mehta, the feminist educator and writer who was Indias first representative to the United Nations Human Rights Commission, ensured that the final language of the Declaration applied to everyone, not just men. Her imprint on the final text showed that decolonisation would profoundly affect the manners and meanings of international law and relations. Four days after its adoption, the Guardian in London editorialised that the Declaration is no smug statement of the Western way of life, calling it a bold step for the world to take when there is no government in existence which can guarantee, even to its more favourite citizens, all the rights laid down. On the first proposal, the newspaper was far from accurate; on the second, its insight proved far more durable. With respect to the former, Kathryn Sikkink recalls that it was the Chilean jurist and diplomat, Alejandro Alvarez, who first proposed the idea of the international rights of the individual to the American Institute of International Law in 1917, which eventually evolved into the UDHR. The caricature of the Universal Declaration as some kind of donation by the West to the rest is, therefore, easily shown to be unfounded. As to the latter, its evident shortcomings notwithstanding, the influence of the Declaration has been seminal. Many of the ideas originally formulated as aspirations in the Declaration have been transformed into binding laws, domestically and internationally. All the current 193 member states of the United Nations profess fidelity to it with varying degrees of conviction and many have it enshrined by reference in their national constitutions. Its claims to being universal, somewhat ostentatious 75 years ago, are closer to reality today. The Declaration has inspired a complex of international treaties and mechanisms at global and regional levels patented for the protection of human rights. Courts of human rights exist in Africa, the Americas, and Europe. The 22 countries of the Arab League now have in place an agreement to create one. An active community of advocates around the world toils to ensure that the guarantees inspired by the Universal Declaration continue to prosper. It has spawned a grammar appealing to diplomacy, government at different levels, and even to security and intelligence agencies as they seek to communicate or justify their actions. 75 years ago, the Guardian called the Universal Declaration a stick with which governments and national consciences can be beaten. The challenge of the next quarter century to the Centenary of the Universal Declaration will be to advance its realisation in ways that do not necessitate anyone feeling clobbered. At the landmark of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the evidence of progress is unmistakable, but so are the challenges. The rise of populist authoritarianism increasingly endangers the promise of the Declaration and those who work to defend or realise that promise, as well as the integrity of institutions for its implementation nationally and internationally. In Europe, the United Kingdom is increasingly voluble with its sovereign skepticism about the European Convention on Human Rights. In many parts of the world, violent non-state actors, such as insurgents, terror groups, or networks of organised crime now endanger the mission of the Universal Declaration. In a world of permanent crises, the political and diplomatic investments needed to advance human rights are increasingly in doubt, nowhere more so than in the West, as countries as well as multilateral institutions direct their attentions to a succession of pressing crises or foster the idea that the advancement of a more equal world in freedom and rights can suffer deferral to a convenient future time. Appealing as this may seem, it is evident on closer examination that nearly all of these crises are either caused by or the causes of deepening inequality. In different parts of the world, this inequality manifests itself in different ways between people and communities or between citizens and their governments. Across Africa, for instance, authoritarian governments are on the rise; the right to vote is in danger from compromised electoral institutions and captured courts; a metastasis of sovereign debt overhangs is breeding rising immiseration; fragmentation and instability have increased conflicts, atrocities, and associated displacements and rootlessness. Violence is a rising cause of death, both directly and also in indirect forms, which mostly endanger women and makes them destitute. Yet, exciting new opportunities exist on this anniversary for advancing the message of the Universal Declaration and the mission of a more equal world. The digital revolution, for instance, makes new frontiers of awareness, advocacy, and accountability possible. Even as authoritarianism waxes, concentrations of power are waning in their influence. 75 years ago, the Guardian called the Universal Declaration a stick with which governments and national consciences can be beaten. The challenge of the next quarter century to the Centenary of the Universal Declaration will be to advance its realisation in ways that do not necessitate anyone feeling clobbered. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Dont fret. Dont grumble. Dont complain. Live a praise filled life. God never ever forgets the faithful, no matter how long or no matter what men say. You are closer to your breakthrough than when you first started. Please be thankful, your time to laugh and enjoy His testimony is now. Some people woke up this morning in their prison uniforms, many of whom may actually be innocent of the charges that sent them to prison. As we speak, some innocent visitors to the nation of Israel in October are buried in the graveyard of terrorism. Some are actually still being held as hostages. Furthermore, you actually need to google the statistics of thousands of people who are presently on admission in various specialist hospitals worldwide. Recently, a famous movie actor in Nigeria was unfortunately bedridden, and as we speak, has regrettably lost one of his legs. I felt like crying to see one of the inspirational figures in the world of comedy, laying helplessly on a hospital bed. Hes possibly gotten thousands of shoes that he may not be able to wear again. May the Lord comfort, strengthen, and restore him. But you are complaining that you dont have shoes. You have complained very bitterly this year that you dont have a job, despite your qualifications. But why dont you turn on the tap of praise and thank God that you are employable? You would probably have been living on mountains and in valleys, wearing leaves as clothes if your parents were living in those conditions. But here are you, a graduate of a prestigious University. Youve got plenty of things to be thankful to God for. Ingratitude is a product of pride. God has not forgotten you. Keep firing your CVs. Keep praying. Keep watching. You will soon hit the goldmine. Some of us are actually angry at God for not giving us our long desired spouses. You have never thanked God that you are marriageable. What if you have a hunch on your back; a very big one? What if you were blind, deaf, and dumb? Some people made in Gods image are actually like this. You need to disappoint the devil for once and start living a praise-filled life and not a complain-filled one. Years ago I was delayed too. But I poured my life into serving God, while working so hard to do my part in life. I was applying to jobs and was being denied. I was applying for visas and was being denied. In fact, I was refused visa five times by the US, Canada, and UK embassies. It may appear as if God is coming too late. Listen to me precious child of God, if you are truly saved, hardworking, faith and praise filled, when it appears as if God is coming so late, in many occasions, its because Hes coming so big. Years ago I was delayed too. But I poured my life into serving God, while working so hard to do my part in life. I was applying to jobs and was being denied. I was applying for visas and was being denied. In fact, I was refused visa five times by the US, Canada, and UK embassies. Still, I was madly in love with God. I would arrive earlier than everyone in my church, clean the musical equipment, set them up, and rearrange them after our services. In fact many times, I walked kilometres to serve God. It was as though God had forgotten me. The rest is history. Dont fret. Dont grumble. Dont complain. Live a praise filled life. God never ever forgets the faithful, no matter how long or no matter what men say. You are closer to your breakthrough than when you first started. Please be thankful, your time to laugh and enjoy His testimony is now. Ayo Akerele is a Consultant and the Founder, Voice of the Watchmen Ministries Canada, he can contacted through ayoakerele2012@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says it recorded 97 road crashes in Anambra, which involved 820 persons, claimed 35 lives and injured 270 persons between January and November. The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Anambra, Adeoye Irelewuyi, gave the statistics at an end-of-the-year media parley and award ceremony on Saturday in Awka. Mr Irelewuyi said the statistics showed significant improvement and reduction compared to the records of 2022, attributing it to the propagation of road safety information by the media. Looking at our activities from January to November 30, we recorded 97 road crashes which involved 820 persons. Twenty-five of the crashes were fatal, claiming the lives of 35 persons and 270 persons injured. There is a significant reduction when compared with the 2022 record where we recorded 132 road crashes involving 1,048 persons, 42 of which were fatal, claiming the lives of 64 persons and injuring 306 others. We also arrested 1,953 offenders in 2,119 offences and impounded 332 vehicles. This also shows an improvement on the 2022 figures when we recorded 1,381 offenders arrested from 1,493 offences and impounded 382 vehicles, he said. The Sector Commander said the Corps would commence Operation Zero Tolerance to Road Traffic Crash, from 15 December to 15 January 2024, to ensure a free flow of traffic during the Yuletide. Mr Irelewuyi said 1,000 personnel, including regular and special marshals, would be deployed across the state to ensure robust traffic management, enforcement and control. He said the operation would be carried out in partnership with sister agencies, the media, the Federal Ministry of Works, the Anambra State Ministry of Transport and the Traffic Management Agency. We are discussing with the Federal Ministry of Works on the possibility of some emergency repairs of critical portions of the expressway along the Onitsha-Owerri road, Bridgehead and other points. We received the delivery of a brand new 70-ton Tow truck (Juggernaut) from our national headquarters to ensure prompt response and removal of obstructions as well as reduce gridlock. These are part of our strategies to ensure safe travels within Anambra during this season. We urge motorists to drive safely to arrive alive and to remember that only the living celebrate, he said. The programme featured a media award where Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and other journalists received awards for propagating road safety information in Anambra. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Multiplex allogeneic epigenetic edits demonstrate elimination of graft-versus-host disease and resistance of CD8+T, CD4+T, and NK cell responses, while preserving genomic integrity Chroma's allogeneic approach has the potential to drive greater persistence of a CAR T relative to current allogeneic approaches in the clinic BOSTON, Dec. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chroma Medicine, Inc., (Chroma) a genomic medicine company pioneering single-dose epigenetic editing therapeutics, today presented data demonstrating the potential of its multiplex epigenetic editing platform to enhance functional allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 65th Annual Meeting in San Diego. Allogeneic CAR T cell products offer advantages over autologous CAR T cells and have the potential to broaden access to cancer immunotherapy; however, their clinical effect remains limited by lack of durable response and challenges related to immunogenicity and graft-versus-host disease. Incorporating additional edits may help produce cells resistant to rejectionpotentially improving allogeneic T cell persistencebut using editing technologies that rely on double- or single-stranded DNA breaks can result in unintended genomic changes. Chroma's epigenetic editing technology has the potential to provide durable modulation of gene expression without cutting or nicking the DNA, making it well-suited for simultaneous targeting of multiple genes to enhance generation of persistent allogeneic CAR T cells. "The data presented at ASH illustrate the tremendous potential of epigenetic editing to accelerate allogeneic CAR T approaches by enhancing functional allogeneic cells to avoid common genotoxic challenges observed in nuclease-based gene editing and base editing," said Vic Myer, Ph.D., Chroma's President and CSO. "We believe harnessing nature's innate mechanism for gene regulation unlocks vast opportunity to efficiently, effectively, and simultaneously silence many target genes, and the data presented underscore the strength of this approach in ex vivo cell therapies." The poster presentation shows Chroma's epigenetic editor in primary T cells induces durable silencing of T cell receptor and MHC class I and MHC class II expression, maintained through restimulation. The data also demonstrate that multiplex epigenetic editing of CAR T cells does not interfere with cytotoxic anti-tumor function, further highlighting the potential to create CAR T cell therapies with greater accessibility, durability, and efficacy for patients. Details for Chroma's poster presentation at the 2023 ASH Annual Meeting are as follows: Title: Durable Multiplex Epigenetic Editing for Generation of Allogeneic CAR T Without Chromosomal Rearrangements Presenter: Jamie Schafer, Ph.D., Associate Director, Ex Vivo Program Sciences, Chroma Medicine Session: 703. Cellular Immunotherapies: Basic and Translational: Poster II Session Date and Time: Sunday, December 10, 2023, 6:00 - 8:00p PT The poster presentation is available on Chroma's website . About Chroma Medicine Chroma Medicine is a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of genomic medicines that harnesses epigenetics, nature's innate mechanism for gene regulation, to deliver precise, programmable single-dose therapeutics while preserving genomic integrity. The company's modular platform enables development of medicines that can address a wide range of complex diseases, whether they require silencing, activation, or targeting multiple genes at once. Chroma was founded by the world's foremost experts in genomic research and is led by a veteran team of industry leaders and scientists with deep experience in genomic medicine, drug discovery, and development. For more information, please visit chromamedicine.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter). SOURCE Chroma Medicine The High Alert Institute combines decades of disaster-readiness experience with environmental stewardship, to mitigate risks & impact of climate change. LAKE WALES, Fla., Dec. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - The High Alert Institute, Inc. (a 501c3 Public Charity) was recognized on December 3rd by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for its public commitments to decarbonizing its operations, advancing technologies to help healthcare institutions meet their sustainability obligations and improving resilience in the face of climate change. Much of this outstanding work was achieved with the help of technology from Lomi. As part of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), HHS shared that the High Alert Institute was one of more than 130 organizations representing over 900 hospitals as well as leading health centers, suppliers, insurance companies, group purchasing organizations, pharmaceutical companies and more. that have joined the White House-HHS Health Sector climate pledge, committing to align with the Biden administration's goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Federal systems like the Indian Health Service (IHS), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Military Health System (MHS) are working together to meet similar goals to those private sector organizations have embraced. Combined, this means that more than 1,110 federal and private sector hospitals have made such commitments, together representing more than 15% of U.S. hospitals. Founded in 2002, the High Alert Institute has worked to achieve carbon negative operations and climate resilience since 2012. In addition to setting a new bar in carbon negativity for healthcare by repaying to the grid all power used at its Florida facility dating back to the beginning of renovations in October 2014, the High Alert Institute recycles over 95% of all solid and liquid waste produced. Shortly after becoming a signatory to the White House-HHS Health Sector climate pledge, the High Alert Institute formed ALOHA, a joint venture between non-profit and for-profit companies to develop and deploy software solutions to improve resilience in the face of climate change and other disasters. "Lomi is a team of innovators dedicated to creating a waste-free future. We're on a mission to leave the planet better than how we found it and we're starting by eliminating more than 10 billion pounds of waste," explains Lomi founder Jeremy Lang. "We are honored and excited that the High Alert Institute has employed our technology to regenerate their soil and achieve their goal of 95% reduction in waste and are eager to see how Lomi technology could be a part of the solution to reduce healthcare facility solid waste streams in the future." "Lomi is the second food waste reduction technology that the Institute has evaluated," Maurice A. Ramirez, DO, PhD, Co-Founder & Chairperson for the High Alert Institute states smiling. "Lomi's device is far and away the best engineered, simplest to maintain and operate and has phenomenal support. With 6,210 hospitals across the United States, the healthcare system is a larger player in the production of waste. Nearly 15% percent of healthcare trash is food waste. We look forward to the release of the commercial version as we believe Lomi technology could help the healthcare sector meet one third of the Biden administration's goal of reducing the carbon footprint of healthcare." A September 2021 consensus statement from more than 200 medical journals named climate change the number one threat to global public health. It exposes millions of people in the United States to harm every yearwith disproportionate impacts on communities that are often already the victims of longstanding discriminationthrough increases in extreme heat waves, wildfires, flooding, vector-borne diseases and other factors that worsen chronic health conditions. The healthcare sector also contributes to climate change itself, accounting for approximately 8.5% of U.S. domestic emissions. The HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, developed the White House/HHS Health Sector Climate Pledge to help focus industry response to climate challenges. In addition to reducing their carbon footprint, signatories also commit to producing detailed plans to prepare their facilities for both chronic and acute catastrophic climate impacts. https://www.hhs.gov/ash/ocche High Alert Institute, Inc. is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to All Hazards, One Health, One Nature (AHOHN) objectives. The Institute focuses on four AHOHN areas of impact: Disaster Readiness & Business Continuity Education/Resources, including tools for planning and fostering empathy/resilience Animal Care and Welfare, including shelter and rescue Environmental Stewardship & Determinants of Health, including mitigation and remediation of pollutants that negatively impact plant, animal, and human health and a DOH Big Data Analysis Space Healthcare, Autonomous Health Systems, and AHOHN Innovations https://www.HighAlertInstitute.org Lomi is a company answering the question, "What if waste was optional?". As a Certified B Corporation and a Climate Neutral Certified company, Lomi is on a mission to eliminate 10 Billion pounds of waste from the global waste stream by 2028 and convert it into 2 Billion pounds of Lomi Earth, a nutrient-rich amendment for soil. Lomi researches and develops the most innovative products toward one goal: to create a waste-free future. To learn more about Lomi, visit https://lomi.com SOURCE Lomi If you suffered losses exceeding $100,000 investing in Paycom securities between May 3, 2023 and November 1, 2023 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). You may also click here for additional information: www.faruqilaw.com/PAYC. There is no cost or obligation to you. NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Paycom Software, Inc. ("Paycom" or the "Company") (NYSE: PAYC) and reminds investors of the January 9, 2024 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading minority and Woman-owned national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. Faruqi & Faruqi Logo (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP) As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) Paycom's Beti product led to cannibalization of Paycom's services and revenues; (2) Paycom knew but failed to disclose that Beti was leading to cannibalization of Paycom's services and revenues, and failed to warn of cannibalization as a general risk; (3) as a result of cannibalization of revenue, Paycom missed its expected 3Q23 revenue and would have to revise its expected 2023 Revenues; (4) the cannibalization issue resulted in projected 2024 year-over-year revenue growth to between 10% and 12%, well below expectations; and (5) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. Paycom introduced its Beti product in July 2021. Beti is an automated payroll processing system that gives employees the option to do their own payroll, including reviewing and updating payroll errors. On October 31, 2023, Paycom reported its Q3 2023 financial results, which disclosed disappointing Q3 revenues, revenues guidance for Q4 2023, and an initial 2024 outlook for 10% to 12% revenue growth. Paycom's reported financial results fell significantly below consensus estimates. At the earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Craig Boelte explained that the Beti product has rendered some of the Company's existing offerings non-essential. As a result, customers have stopped purchasing Paycom's other services and billable items, which has affected the Company's revenues. On this news, the price of Paycom shares declined by $94.28, or approximately 38.49%, from $244.97 per share to $150.69 on November 1, 2023. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Paycom's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Findings show benefits of AI-driven techniques, chemotherapy-free treatments, and cell therapy SAN DIEGO, Dec. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers report striking progress in the application of cutting-edge tools and treatments to address longstanding challenges in blood disorders and related health conditions in four studies presented during the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition. "These studies together illustrate the power new technologies and innovations hold for better meeting medical needs," said Aaron T. Gerds, MD of Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic. "With this work, researchers have identified logical and promising places to use emerging tools and harness technology to benefit patients." The first two studies apply artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to aid clinicians in accurately diagnosing blood cancers and understanding the experiences of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), respectively. The third study reports excellent outcomes from the use of a fully oral regimen as a frontline therapy for treating acute promyelocytic leukemia, results that Dr. Gerds said are likely to lead to widespread changes in medical practice in the near term, helping many patients minimize or entirely avoid chemotherapy and infusion-based treatments. The fourth study offers promising findings from a study applying CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to serious autoimmune diseases. Although the study is relatively small and the results are preliminary, the results suggest autoimmune disease could become a new frontier in extending cell therapy beyond hematologic malignancies. AI shows promise as support tool for identifying rare blood cancers 901: Interpretable Artificial Intelligence (AI) Differentiates Prefibrotic Primary Myelofibrosis (prePMF) from Essential Thrombocythemia (ET): A Multi-Center Study of a New Clinical Decision Support Tool Distinguishing and identifying prefibrotic primary myelofibrosis (prePMF) from essential thrombocythemia (ET) is important to inform treatment approaches and enroll patients in clinical trials, but this is difficult to do with current diagnostic methods. A new study suggests AI algorithms could help. Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a type of cancer in which the bone marrow overproduces certain types of blood cell. PrePMF is rarer and has a much worse prognosis than ET, with a median survival of 12 years compared with 22 years for ET. As a result, prePMF eventually may require more aggressive treatment; however, getting a definitive diagnosis is difficult and experts do not always agree when interpreting laboratory and biopsy results. The study, which involved a model previously trained on over 32,000 pan-cancer biopsy images that has learned general pathological features, is the largest test to use AI to differentiate between prePMF and ET. The AI-based system used patient images from the U.S. and Italy and was able to return results in just over six seconds for a new patient, on average, with an overall accuracy of 92.3%. "With the combined accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity we saw, it would allow the physician to be confident in one diagnosis versus another and help rule in or rule out the rarer prePMF diagnosis, particularly for clinical trials," said Andrew Srisuwananukorn, MD, assistant professor at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, the study's lead author, who completed this work during his fellowship at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "My hope is that it would maintain this accuracy when tested in larger cohorts." To aid diagnosis, the researchers trained an AI algorithm to distinguish features indicating prePMF versus ET in bone marrow biopsy images from 200 patients in Florence, Italy. They then tested the algorithm's ability to tell the two types of MPNs apart in biopsies from 26 patients in Florida. The AI system performed well, showing 92.3% agreement with human experts. The sensitivity and specificity for prePMF diagnosis was 66.6% and 100%, respectively. After further testing, Dr. Srisuwananukorn said the algorithm could potentially be used as a companion tool for clinical diagnoses and help doctors match patients with the clinical trials that are most likely to help them, which could ultimately result in better treatments. Researchers cautioned that the algorithm is intended to complement, not replace, human experts. "What we're trying to develop is a clinical decision support tool, with an emphasis on support," said Dr. Srisuwananukorn. "Physicians with no computer science background are increasingly recognizing the value of AI algorithms and closer to being able to use them for their clinical practice. However, more investigations would be needed for this algorithm to be used in clinical practice, including testing in cohorts with different racial backgrounds." The researchers plan to continue to refine the system and test it with larger data sets. In addition, Dr. Srisuwananukorn said AI could potentially be used to advance basic research on MPNs to link biological processes with particular morphological features visible on biopsy slides. Eventually, this could lead to ways to predict a person's prognosis or response to treatment based on biopsy images, he added. Andrew Srisuwananukorn, MD, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, will present this study during an oral presentation on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, at 2:45 p.m. Pacific time in Room 6CF (San Diego Convention Center). Social media posts underscore burden of living with sickle cell disease 1057: Understanding the experiences of patients with sickle cell disease and their caregivers by social media listening in the UK An analysis of social media posts reveals striking evidence that people living with SCD in the United Kingdom (UK) experience health inequities and barriers to care. The study which used AI to analyze patient experiences based on public social media posts provides a new window into the patient journey that could help inform efforts to address unmet needs among people with the inherited blood disorder. "If you were to ask patients about their sickle cell disease care in the clinic, it is likely you would get a filtered response. Interestingly, people are far more open to sharing their experiences on social media, so I think this approach provides quite a candid view of the patient experience," said Oliver Shastri, BSc (Hons) MBBS MRCS, Rare Disease Team lead, Pfizer UK Ltd., and the study's lead author. He added that, "These first-hand accounts illustrate the burden of the disease on patients and caregivers, including limited access to emergency care, racial bias, and negative preconceptions when seeking medical care, and reinforce the need to further increase education within the medical community to help improve patient care." In addition to long-term organ damage, SCD causes episodes of acute pain called vaso-occlusive crises that often require strong painkillers, such as opioids. Patient anecdotes and previous studies indicate that some patients have experienced treatment delays because health care professionals do not have an appropriate understanding of SCD and incorrectly perceive patients as drug seekers. For the study, researchers partnered with data analysts and a patient living with SCD to develop a list of search terms to find public posts related to SCD on social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly known as Twitter), and online forums. Researchers used analytics to visualize the data at scale and used AI to identify high level themes. Using a random sample of the posts, they isolated posts specifically related to patient and caregiver interactions and applied a natural language processing algorithm to detect key topics of discussion, which researchers then manually validated and contextualized. In total, the study captured over 45,000 posts from users in the UK, out of which the researchers analyzed a sifted sample of 513 posts related to patient or caregiver experience. Six main themes were identified, including the experience managing SCD within the UK's National Health Service; living with and understanding the disease; the importance of community support and family planning; understanding the burden of SCD through accounts over their lifetime; raising awareness of SCD; and access to or experiences with treatment. Within each theme, a significantly greater proportion of posts were determined to be negative than positive, although over half of posts overall were considered neutral. Many posters expressed a desire for a higher number of effective SCD treatments in the UK and felt the severity of their pain and its impact on their life was underappreciated. In addition to sharing the results with the scientific community, the researchers plan to develop layperson summaries of the findings to increase awareness of SCD and its impacts on families, employers, and the general public. They also are planning to develop targeted educational programs to improve awareness among front-line health care professionals who may be less familiar with this rare disease. Researchers noted that the analysis method could be useful for better understanding the experiences of people with other types of diseases, as well. "This approach lends itself particularly well to rare diseases," said Dr. Shastri. "Social media listening offers a novel and quantifiable method of capturing the patient's digital voice, where traditionally gathering these insights was limited by geography or the high burden of administration. As AI technology improves, it may be a quick and convenient way of gathering many more insights, helping us highlight the unmet needs of patients faster and more accurately using information already in the public domain." The study was limited to posts shared via IP addresses in the UK on a subset of social media platforms, and only English-language posts were included in the analysis. Further studies would be needed to determine whether people posting in other languages, other countries, or other social media platforms share similar experiences, Dr. Shastri noted. The study was developed and funded by Pfizer UK. Oliver Shastri, Pfizer, will present this study during an oral presentation on Monday, December 11, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 8-9 (Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina). Oral regimen with minimal chemotherapy found safe and effective for treating APL 157: An Entirely Oral Regimen of Oral-Arsenic Trioxide/All-Trans Retinoic Acid/Ascorbic Acid in Newly-Diagnosed Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APL): Updated Results of an Ongoing Multicentre Trial Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) who received a combination therapy including arsenic trioxide, all-trans retinoic acid, and ascorbic acid (AAA) in oral form with no or minimal chemotherapy showed high rates of survival and relapse-free survival at three years, according to new findings from a multicenter trial in Asia. The study is the first to evaluate survival outcomes from an entirely oral AAA regimen in patients with both high- and standard-risk forms of APL, a form of blood cancer in which certain forms of immature white blood cells (abnormal promyelocytes) harboring the PML::RARA fusion oncogene accumulate in the bone marrow. People with APL have a high fatality rate due to bleeding complications if untreated. The latest study findings suggest APL can be effectively treated with this synergistic oral regimen in most cases without the need to administer any of the drugs intravenously or accompany the treatment with chemotherapy, according to researchers. "This entirely oral regimen is highly effective, safe, and can be administered in an outpatient setting for all risk categories," said Harinder Gill, MD, clinical associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, and the study's lead author. "In addition, we found we can minimize chemotherapy in patients with all risk levels not only in lower risk patients as well as in both pediatric and adult patients." Historically, standard of care for both newly diagnosed and relapsed APL has included intravenous administration of arsenic trioxide and chemotherapy, which requires repeated hospital admissions and causes treatment-related toxicities. However, recent studies have suggested that an oral formulation of arsenic trioxide can perform just as well, and eliminating or minimizing chemotherapy can reduce hospitalizations (and associated costs) as well as side effects and long-term complications. For the study, researchers administered an entirely oral AAA regimen to 117 patients (including five children) with newly diagnosed APL at sites in Hong Kong, Singapore, and mainland China between 2018 and 2023. Patients with a high white blood cell count about 30% of study participants received a three-day course of chemotherapy (a regimen considered to represent "minimal chemotherapy") to reduce the complications associated with having an overabundance of white blood cells during the treatment. The rest of the participants received no chemotherapy. Participants showed deep molecular responses to treatment, with all patients achieving a complete response initially. After a median follow-up time of 32 months, the rates of three-year overall and relapse-free survival were 99% and 97%, respectively. Eight patients who were initially enrolled in the study died before receiving the full drug regimen, most from bleeding in the brain as a result of their APL. One patient died during the course of the study, which was determined to be unrelated to the treatment, and one patient experienced a disease relapse, which was determined to be related to a rare genetic mutation conferring resistance to arsenic trioxide, according to Dr. Gill. No cardiotoxicity or serious adverse events were reported, and the most common adverse events were low-grade headache and elevation of liver enzymes. APL differentiation syndrome, a known complication of treatment with all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide, occurred in over half of patients, which was resolved in all cases with the standard treatment of intravenous steroids. Taken together, researchers say the results extend and enhance previously reported evidence on the safety and efficacy of an all-oral treatment regimen for APL. "This brings us from a practice that involves repeated hospital admissions to an outpatient-based practice that doesn't require a lot of intensive monitoring," said Dr. Gill. He noted that switching from intravenous infusions to an all-oral regimen could also significantly reduce the cost of treatment. Additional studies are being planned to further assess the use of intravenous and oral formulations of arsenic trioxide as frontline treatment for APL. This study was supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund, Innovation and Technology Commission, the Government of the Hong Kong SAR (project code: PRP/029/22FX). Harinder Gill, University of Hong Kong, will present this study in an oral presentation on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time in room 6A (San Diego Convention Center). CAR T-Cell therapy results in rapid and marked improvement in autoimmune diseases 220: CD19-Targeted CAR-T Cells in Refractory Systemic Autoimmune Diseases: A Monocentric Experience from the First Fifteen Patients Fifteen patients with severe autoimmune diseases who received CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells experienced substantial improvements and no longer required any other treatments for their autoimmune disease, according to a new study. The preliminary findings include a median of 15 months of follow-up. The research is the first to test CAR T-cell therapy in autoimmune diseases, according to Fabian Muller, MD, of Bavarian Cancer Research Institute and Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, the study's lead author. After reporting promising results in an initial cohort of five patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), researchers expanded the study to include people with two additional types of autoimmune disease that also involve autoreactive B-cells, systemic sclerosis (SSc) and inflammatory myositis (IIM). "CD19 CAR T cells are well tolerated in B-cell driven autoimmune diseases, and the disease is entirely controlled without any additional disease-related therapeutics so far," said Dr. Muller. "The results have really been life-changing for these patients. Our first lupus patient was 21 years old and she was so sick that she had a life expectancy of 4-6 weeks; now, she is out jogging five days a week." For CAR T-cell therapy, a patient's white blood cells are removed from the body and the T cells are separated out, genetically altered, and allowed to multiply. The altered T cells, known as CAR T-cells, are infused back into the body and attack disease-causing cells. CAR-T therapy is a well-established treatment for certain types of blood cancer. Researchers are now exploring whether it can also fight other diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when a person's immune system erroneously attacks their own cells. Based on laboratory studies and preliminary clinical results, it appears that CD19-targeting CAR T cells can effectively seek and destroy errant B cells that cause some types of autoimmune diseases and restore proper immune cell functioning. For the study, the researchers enrolled eight patients with SLE, four with SSc, and three with IIM who faced serious or life-threatening disease that was not or no longer responding to multiple standard treatments. Before receiving the CAR-T therapy, all of the patients faced an extremely poor prognosis, and several were so weak that they could not walk farther than a few meters. After receiving their CAR-T infusions, B cells were eliminated from the blood within a week and then reoccurred in most patients a few months later. At the time of reporting, patients have been followed for a median of 15 months after their CAR-T infusion (with a range of four to 29 months) and all patients are doing well, show decreased disease activity, and have stopped taking immunosuppressive drugs. The therapy was well tolerated overall. Ten patients experienced mild cytokine-release syndrome an inflammatory side effect of CAR-T therapy one experienced moderate cytokine-release syndrome, and one experienced vertigo. No serious treatment-related adverse events were reported. Based on the findings, researchers say CAR-T therapy appears to be a promising alternative to autologous stem cell transplant, which is currently seen as the most curative option for life-threatening autoimmune disease when other treatments do not work, but which carries a significant risk of serious side effects. "We have opened up an entirely new route of possibly treating several more diseases," said Dr. Muller. "We are hopeful that this is at least as good as autologous bone marrow transplant with substantially fewer side effects, but the data are preliminary, and we need to do follow up studies to confirm these results." Researchers said it will take several years, along with a larger group of patients, to determine whether the therapy confers longer-term benefits in the context of chronic autoimmune diseases. They added that it is still too early to tell whether it works equally well for SLE, SSc, and IIM, or if particular diseases see a better response. Additional clinical trials are underway to test CAR T-cell therapy in these and several other autoimmune disorders. Fabian Muller, Bavarian Cancer Research Institute and Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg will present this study in an oral presentation on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at 2:45 p.m. Pacific time in room 6B (San Diego Convention Center). ### The American Society of Hematology (ASH) (hematology.org) is the world's largest professional society of hematologists dedicated to furthering the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the blood. For more than 60 years, the Society has led the development of hematology as a discipline by promoting research, patient care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology. ASH's flagship journal, Blood (bloodjournal.org) is the most cited peer-reviewed publication in the field, and Blood Advances (bloodadvances.org) is an open-access, online journal that publishes more peer-reviewed hematology research than any other academic journal worldwide. Two new journals will be joining the Blood Journals portfolio in 2024, Blood Neoplasia (bloodneoplasia.org) and Blood Vessels, Thrombosis & Hemostasis (bloodvth.org). SOURCE American Society of Hematology Research underscores continuing role of demographic factors and comorbidities in blood cancer treatment and research SAN DIEGO, Dec. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Four studies presented during the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition examine how demographics and other characteristics of patients and researchers play into inequities in health outcomes in the context of blood cancers. Several of the studies suggest opportunities to proactively address these issues and potentially improve health equity. "Increasingly, researchers are looking beyond the question of 'What is the best treatment?' and asking, 'Is this treatment the best for every person with this disease?'" said Alison R. Walker, MD, MPH, MBA, of Moffitt Cancer Center and chair of ASH's Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). "We need to take into consideration social determinants of health and other factors that contribute to differences in outcomes or treatment response in order for all patients to be able to actualize optimal health." The studies shed new light on continuing disparities in clinical health care and outcomes as well as in biomedical research fields, issues that ASH has prioritized with a variety of DEI initiatives. In the first study, researchers tracked how genetic markers and racial background interact to explain why certain treatment regimens for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) an aggressive form of blood cancer in which the body produces abnormal white blood cells are associated with poorer outcomes in some racial groups. The results provide evidence that testing for a panel of genetic markers could help close this gap by informing treatment decisions. The second study shows females are much less likely to lead active R01 grants that relate to classical (non-malignant) hematology topics compared with males. The study calls attention to the need to close the gender gap and create academic environments where more female hematologists are successful in submitting and receiving this level of external funding. The third study quantifies the differences in outcomes from multiple myeloma treatments in real-world settings compared to clinical trials, suggesting a need to better understand and address factors that may undermine treatment access or effectiveness. In the fourth study, researchers found that people with psychiatric or substance use disorders had significantly worse outcomes from AML treatments involving venetoclax combinations compared with those who did not have such disorders. The findings point to potential opportunities to better support patients with these disorders while undergoing these treatments. Using patients' genetic profile to inform AML treatment could help reduce racial disparities 386: Intensification of Therapy and Pharmacogenetic Personalization Mitigate Racial Disparities in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia Outcomes In a new study, a multi-gene metric known as ACS10, which accounts for variability in multiple genes simultaneously, revealed a close link between genetic factors and racial disparities in pediatric AML outcomes. Researchers say using the metric to optimize treatment approaches for each patient could potentially lead to better outcomes, particularly among Black children. Because the chemotherapy drugs used to treat AML are activated inside the body, a person's genes can influence drug activation and the response to treatment. The new study bolsters evidence that the ACS10 score, which combines 10 genetic factors into a single metric, can be used to help elucidate genetic drivers of racial disparities and inform treatment decisions. Researchers say it provides new evidence that some induction regimens result in better outcomes than other regimens for people with lower ACS10 scores, a status that is more common among Black patients. "Incorporating the ACS10 score into diagnostic processes can help us use our chemotherapy options more strategically," said Jatinder K. Lamba, PhD, associate dean for research and graduate education and professor in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Florida, and the study's lead author. "We are always running after new drugs, but we see that there are smarter ways to use existing drugs. I'm hoping this [metric] will go into standard guidelines, so that we can use the genetics to inform the regimen." Since routine diagnostic tests already include the genetic features that are combined for the ACS10 score, Dr. Lamba said that incorporating ACS10 scores into diagnostic processes would be an easy addition to the existing testing and should be feasible to do at low cost. For the study, the researchers analyzed data from two previous AML clinical trials that together included 86 Black patients and 359 white patients. The trials included comprehensive genetic information for each patient and involved three different treatment regimens as initial therapy: low-dose cytarabine, daunorubicin, and etoposide (LDAC), higher doses of these same drugs (HDAC), or clofarabine and cytarabine (Clo/AraC). The results showed no significant differences between Black and white patients overall in terms of various measures of response to treatment, survival, and relapse. However, significant differences emerged when researchers took both race and ACS10 scores into account. Black patients with low ACS10 scores had significantly better outcomes when they received the HDAC or Clo-AraC regimen than when they received LDAC. "If you give patients with a lower ACS10 score an augmented therapy, you can really significantly improve their outcome," said Dr. Lamba. The researchers also found a substantial racial gap in the distribution of ACS10 scores. While just 30% of white patients had a low ACS10 score, 73% of Black patients did. This difference, combined with the relationship between low ACS10 scores and poor response to LDAC treatment, likely explains some of the racial disparities in AML survival that have been reported previously. Other studies suggest that low ACS10 scores are especially prevalent among Black children in Africa, where AML mortality rates are persistently high. Dr. Lamba suggested that further studies should be conducted in Africa to see if tailoring treatments based on this metric could help to improve outcomes. Although the panel testing protocol for ACS10 scores is not readily available in most clinics today, researchers said it should be feasible to deploy relatively quickly since the individual components of the test are available. Jatinder Lamba, University of Florida, will present this study in an oral presentation on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at 4:15 p.m. Pacific time in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 11-13 (Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina). Analysis finds males lead two out of three active R01 NIH grants involving classical hematology research 5113: A 10 Year Analysis of Gender Distribution in National Institutes of Health Funding for Non-Malignant Hematology A new analysis finds that in the last decade, two thirds of active R01 grants among the most prestigious and competitive types of medical research funding awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that related to classical, or non-malignant hematology subjects are led by male investigators and only one third by female investigators. However, while the proportion of grants awarded to men remained fairly constant, the proportion of active grants led by women increased about 36% over the study period. "This study extends previous work showing that, as in other medical research fields such as cardiology, oncology, and gastroenterology, male investigators continue to receive a preponderance of these top-level grants," said Sara Khan, DO, a resident physician at HCA Healthcare and the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, and the study's principal investigator. R01 grants are awarded to individual investigators for discrete research projects and provide up to five years of support. "Historically, women have been underrepresented in hematology and, consequently, are less likely to receive research grants," she said. "While it's encouraging that there was an upward trend in the number of grants to female investigators over the 10-year period we looked at, a significant gender gap remains." Dr. Khan and her colleagues accessed the NIH RePORTER database to pull data on all active and recently awarded R01 grants. They then wrote a series of codes (R script) to analyze the datasets each year between 2012 and 2022, applying 45 classical, non-malignant hematology terms and conditions (for example, hemophilia, Factor V Leiden, sickle cell disease, anemia, thrombosis, embolism). After running analyses to identify grants that included mention of these terms, they used a validated tool to predict gender, which Dr. Khan and colleagues said is 85% accurate. Over this 10-year period, there were 250,031 active R01 grants involving classical-hematology-related research, of which 67.1% were led by male researchers and 32.9% by female researchers. The researchers also looked to see whether gender breakdown in R01 grants varied by institute or research focus area and how that changed over time. They found that in 2012, just two NIH institutes the National Institute of Nursing Research and the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities awarded more than 50% of their active R01 grants to female researchers. In 2022, these two institutes continued to award more than half of their R01 grants to female researchers, and two additional institutes the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health also made more than 50% of their R01 grant awards to women. Two NIH institutes, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) award the largest number of R01 grants in classical hematology. In 2012, both of these institutes awarded 27% of these grants to female researchers. In 2022, the proportion of R01s awarded to female researchers had increased to 33% at NHLBI and to 36% at NIDDK. Three institutes the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) awarded less than 25% of their R01 grants to female researchers in 2012. In 2022, only the NIBIB still made less than 25% of its R01 grant awards to female investigators. "NIGMS and NINDS have made steps toward promoting diversity and inclusivity in research funding," Dr. Khan said. "While some NIH agencies are making progress toward gender parity, the continuing large disparity in R01 awards by the NIBIB calls for further attention and action." Most R01 grants are awarded to physicians and scientists who work in university-affiliated medical centers and medical schools. Published data on the proportion of female physicians and scientists working in hematology in these centers are scant, but one study, published in JCO Oncology Practice in 2020, found that slightly over a third (35.7%) of physicians in clinical faculty positions in university departments of hematology and oncology in the United States were women. Among faculty who held at least one NIH research grant of any kind, 24.5% were women. Female physicians tended to have fewer years of experience than their male counterparts and hold more junior academic positions (e.g., 44.9% were assistant professors). A limitation of the current study is that the research team was able to analyze only data for R01 grant recipients and not for all applicants for these awards, Dr. Khan said. Thus, they could not determine whether male and female applicants for R01 grants were funded at similar rates. According to NIH data, the success rate that is, the proportion of applicants who were awarded a grant for "R01-equivalent" awards was 20.1% in 2021 and 21.6% in 2022. Because many of the classical hematology terms applied often coexist with research pertaining to other conditions, including many blood cancers, solid tumors, heart conditions, and gastrointestinal diseases, the research does not isolate non-malignant hematology grants. Rather, it included any R01 research grant that included these terms in the research abstract or title. Still, the research team said their findings call attention to the need to address gender disparities in NIH funding. "We need more research aimed at understanding the reasons for persistent gender disparities in R01 grant funding in non-malignant hematology and other fields," Dr. Khan said. "This should help to identify the policy changes that may be needed to promote gender equity and bridge the gap that we're currently seeing." Sara Khan, HCA Florida Bayonet Point, will present this study in the poster hall on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Pacific time in Halls G-H (San Diego Convention Center). Outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma fall short in the real world compared with clinical trials 541: Comparison of the Efficacy in Clinical Trials Versus Effectiveness in the Real-World of Treatments for Multiple Myeloma: A Population-Based Cohort Study People treated for multiple myeloma in real-world hospital settings experienced a 75% higher rate of death than was reported in clinical trials for common myeloma treatments, according to a new study. While the findings are disappointing, researchers say they can enhance informed decision making by giving clinicians, regulators, and patients a more accurate picture of the expected risks and benefits of cancer treatments. The analysis also underscores the limitations of clinical trials in predicting outcomes among patient populations that are typically different from those in clinical trials in terms of demographics, health status, and care settings, such as community practices versus academic medical centers. "The criteria for clinical trial eligibility are often quite stringent, so the results are not always generalizable," said Alissa Visram, MD, of Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and the study's lead author. "It's not a surprise that real-world patients don't do as well as those in clinical trials, but our study is the first to quantify the difference. It suggests we need to change our frame of reference and better contextualize what outcomes we would expect our patients to have." Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that leads plasma cells to proliferate out of control. It is difficult to diagnose early because it is rare, and symptoms often go unrecognized. Many patients face a poor prognosis even with available treatments. Researchers compared rates of death, progression-free survival, and adverse events reported in phase III clinical trials for seven multiple myeloma treatment regimens with outcomes among 3,951 patients who received these same treatments in the provincial health system of Ontario, Canada's largest province, between 2007-2020. The treatments that were included were lenalidomide/dex [Rd] and bortezomib/Rd for newly diagnosed patients who were ineligible for a stem cell transplant, and carfilzomib/Rd, carfilzomib/dex, daratumumab/Rd, daratumumab/bortezomib/dex, and pomalidomide/dex for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. Overall, real-world patients saw a 44% higher rate of disease progression or death and a 75% higher rate of death, on average, compared with clinical trial participants. Using hospitalization as a proxy for assessing rates of serious adverse events among real-world study participants, researchers found comparable rates of serious adverse events among clinical trial participants and real-world patients. Pomalidomide/dex was the only regimen that performed as well as or slightly better in the real world than in clinical trials, which researchers believe may be due to the use of this regimen in a real-world patient population with comparable or slightly fewer exposures to prior therapies. The study was not designed to determine what led to the differences that were observed. However, researchers noted that several factors are likely at play. Real-world patients were on average older and had more comorbiditiesthan those in clinical trials. It has been previously shown that real-world patients often have more comorbidities than patients in clinical trials and, therefore, may not have tolerated treatments, as well as those tested in a clinical trial setting, Dr. Visram added. In addition, clinical trials are typically carried out in medical centers that see a high volume of patients with rare diseases, where clinicians are likely to be more experienced in administering complex treatment regimens and handling toxicities compared with clinicians in community medical centers where many patients receive care in the real world. Finally, researchers noted that people in historically marginalized populations are often disproportionately excluded from clinical trials and may lack resources for keeping up with clinic visits, which can lead to poorer outcomes. Such factors can lead to significant gaps between clinical trials and real-world settings in terms of patients' health status and the care they receive. "As clinicians, we need to acknowledge that outcomes might not be as good in the real world," said Dr. Visram. "We often use clinical trial results to explain to patients what to expect with treatment, but it's important to understand that you may be doing more harm if you don't know whether this [clinical trial result] is actually applicable to your patient." Researchers said that further study is needed to better understand the factors that account for the poorer outcomes observed in real-world settings. In addition, Dr. Visram noted that including more diverse participants in clinical trials and conducting trials in community health centers may lead to results that better reflect what can be expected in the real world. Alissa Visram, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, will present this study in an oral presentation on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, at 12:00 noon Pacific Time in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 2-4 (Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina). Mental health disorders tied to poorer outcomes following venetoclax therapies for AML 388: Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders Are Independent Predictors of Treatment Response and Outcomes in United States Veterans with Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated with Venetoclax Combinations A new study conducted in U.S. veterans suggests that people with psychiatric or substance use disorders face a markedly higher risk of poor outcomes, including early death, after being treated with venetoclax combination therapies for AML compared with patients who do not have a recent history of these disorders. Researchers say the findings could help explain why venetoclax combinations have had worse outcomes in real-world populations than in clinical trials. "Psychiatric diagnoses and a history of substance dependence are prevalent problems, not only among veterans but also in the general public," said Michelle Hyunju Lee, MD, instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and hematologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the study's lead author. "We have to pay closer attention to these potentially intervenable comorbidities, and we need to get to the root of why people with these disorders are not doing as well. Perhaps early intervention with proper support and resources may improve outcomes." AML is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that accounts for about 1% of new cancer cases each year. It is associated with a relatively poor survival rate but can be cured with a hematopoietic stem cell transplant for patients who are healthy enough to undergo this intensive treatment. First-line treatments include induction chemotherapy or combination therapies that include the oral cancer drug venetoclax. Venetoclax combinations offer a less intensive treatment option for patients who are ineligible for chemotherapy, but these therapies show less favorable outcomes in real-world populations than in clinical trials. To find out whether psychiatric and substance use disorders may play a role, researchers analyzed health records of 452 U.S. veterans who received frontline venetoclax combination therapies for AML, primarily through the Veterans Affairs health care system. They found that patients who experienced a psychiatric disorder within the three years preceding their AML treatment were nearly twice as likely to die within 60 days of starting AML treatment and 28% more likely to die overall compared with those who did not have a mental health disorder. Having a substance use disorder was associated with lower odds of achieving complete remission, a measure of the degree to which cancer responds to treatment. The study population had a high rate of psychiatric and substance use disorders, which are more common among veterans than the general population. Forty-six percent had at least one psychiatric diagnosis, 19% had a substance use disorder, and 11% had both. Study participants also had a relatively high rate of early death; 20% of participants died within 60 days of starting their AML treatment and the median overall survival was just over seven months. The association between early death and mental health disorders was independent of age, socio-demographics, markers of disease risk, and the particular venetoclax combination therapy used. Although the study was not designed to determine the mechanisms involved, Dr. Lee said that mental health disorders could potentially contribute to biological differences in the response to treatment or pose barriers for medication adherence. A new cancer diagnosis could also potentially trigger a resurgence or worsening of mental health issues. "While venetoclax combinations have increased the number of patients who can be treated, we still have much to learn in the real world about who can tolerate these regimens well, especially in patients with mental health and other medical comorbid conditions," said Dr. Lee, formerly of Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Lee added that the association of psychiatric and substance use disorders with negative AML outcomes may partially explain the disparity in outcomes between trials and real-world practice, given that many patients are excluded from trial participation on the basis of their mental health conditions. With rising numbers of Americans being diagnosed with such comorbidities, she stressed the importance of finding ways to expand clinical trial access for patients with AML. Only 3% of study participants underwent a stem cell transplant, which Dr. Lee characterized as a strikingly low proportion given that nearly half of participants were young enough to be eligible for this curative treatment, and other real-world studies in adults treated with venetoclax combinations have shown transplant rates of 8-18%. Mental health disorders were significantly more common among younger veterans in the study and no patients with a substance use disorder received a transplant, although it is unclear whether the presence of these disorders had a direct role in determining why so few patients underwent a stem cell transplant. The researchers plan to further analyze the data to determine whether the timing or delivery of treatment, the number of doctor visits or rate of appointment no-shows, or the timing of active psychiatric or substance use disorders could play a role in the associations that were observed. Insights into these factors could help to pinpoint the optimal strategies to intervene and better support patients affected by psychiatric and substance use disorders during AML treatment. Michelle Lee, Massachusetts General Hospital, will present this study in an oral presentation on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at 4:45 p.m. Pacific time in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 11-13 (Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina). ### The American Society of Hematology (ASH) (hematology.org) is the world's largest professional society of hematologists dedicated to furthering the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the blood. For more than 60 years, the Society has led the development of hematology as a discipline by promoting research, patient care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology. ASH's flagship journal, Blood (bloodjournal.org) is the most cited peer-reviewed publication in the field, and Blood Advances (bloodadvances.org) is an open-access, online journal that publishes more peer-reviewed hematology research than any other academic journal worldwide. Two new journals will be joining the Blood Journals portfolio in 2024, Blood Neoplasia (bloodneoplasia.org) and Blood Vessels, Thrombosis & Hemostasis (bloodvth.org). SOURCE American Society of Hematology Meerut : , Dec 10 (IANS) When he was 18, Amit Chaudhary found himself entangled in a crime he did not commit. Framed for the murder of two constables in Meerut in 2011 and wrongly accused of being a gangster, Chaudhary's life suddenly went awry. The then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, ordered the immediate arrest of the culprit and Amit, who was with his sister in Shamli district when the incident took place, was made one of 17 accused in the case, facing stringent charges under the IPC and National Security Act. Accused of being part of the notorious Kail gang that had hatched the murder plot, Chaudhary endured two years behind bars, facing charges that threatened to mar his future. Chaudhary, however, turned this adversity into an opportunity and studied law to prove his innocence. A farmer's son from Kirthal village in Baghpat, he said, "In Muzaffarnagar jail, dreaded gangsters like Anil Dujana and Vicky Tyagi (both killed in encounters) tried to enroll me into their gangs. The jailor was good-natured, and he allowed me into a barrack where gangsters were not lodged." Released on bail in 2013, Chaudhary embarked on a journey to clear his name "so that his family could walk with their head high in society". He pursued study of law, achieving academic milestones that included a BA, LLB and LLM, eventually passing the Bar Council's exam. Armed with legal knowledge, he took charge of his own case. "The case dragged on at a snail's pace with no statements recorded. By that time, I had completed all academic and other formalities to join the Bar as a lawyer and pursued the case with a single-minded focus." He added: "I, as a lawyer, representing my own case, was standing right in front of the officer who stood in the witness box, and yet he could not identify me. This perplexed the judge and convinced her that I was framed wrongly." The court's decision, which came only recently, exonerated 13 individuals, including Chaudhary, stating, "The prosecution has failed to prove the offence of criminal conspiracy to kill constables Krishanpal and Amit Kumar and loot their rifles, beyond a reasonable doubt." Meanwhile, the real orchestrators of the murder -- Sumit Kail, Neetu and Dharmendra -- faced different fates. Kail was killed in a 2013 encounter, Neetu received a life sentence and a fine of Rs 20,000 for killing the constable and taking his guns, and Dharmendra succumbed to cancer before the verdict. While Chaudhary's dreams of joining the Army were shattered, he remains resilient. "Now I want to pursue a PhD in criminal justice. I think God has chosen me to fight for other unfortunate ones," he said. New Delhi: Women travelling in a DTC bus show their tickets as they travel free of cost after the scheme to provide free ride to women in DTC and cluster buses announced by the Delhi Government came into effect, on Oct 29, 2019. . Image Source: IANS News Agra, Dec 10 : After the claimed success of the Karnataka initiative, women in Uttar Pradesh are now urging the state government the facility of free bus rides in roadways buses. Women's groups in Agra and Mathura have demanded free travel in Uttar Pradesh state roadways buses across the state. In a memorandum addressed to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, women activists said real empowerment and social safety would come once women moved out of their comfort zones and protected environment, for work or for sightseeing. Padmini Iyer, of the 'River Connect Campaign', said: "In Karnataka, this experiment had proved a hit. Hordes of women were seen visiting religious shrines and tourist places. A big chunk of working-class women in the unorganised sector felt empowered as travelling expenses had come down substantially. More women out also meant better and safer security for all." This bold initiative would send a powerful message about the government's commitment to gender equality, Iyer added. Nidhi Pathak, a prominent BJP leader in the Taj city, said: "Women travelling by government buses in groups would feel secure and less vulnerable to harassment or violence. This step would help create a safer and more secure public transport system for all." This will also significantly reduce the financial burden on families, as women have to spend a lot to commute to work, run errands, or visit family and friends. Free bus travel would increase productivity and allow women to participate in the "Vikas Yatra" of the party, Pathak added. Vatsala Prabhakar of the 'Mahila Shanti Sena' said: "Free bus travel across the state would economically benefit working class women and open more job opportunities. It was indeed the need of the hour." Women activists said public transport should generally be free for all to reduce dependence on private vehicles. But to begin with, the Yogi government could allow free passage for students and women. This will empower them and help reduce their monthly expenses. Though it could add to the financial burden on the ex-chequer, the long-term benefits of this initiative would far outweigh the initial costs, as it would help improve the daily lives of women and contribute towards building a more equitable and inclusive society, social activists said. Jyoti, director of the 'Nritya Jyoti Kathak Kendra' said: "A large number of women of the lower strata could not travel because the ticket rates were very high. Women from rural areas were particularly hit and felt constrained. This could have a transformative effect on the lives of women and contribute to creating a more supportive and safe environment." Drug dealer jailed in UK after death of Indian-origin student. Image Source: IANS News Maharajganj, Dec 10 : A local court in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj district has sentenced a 40-year-old US national to two years imprisonment for illegally staying in India on a forged visa. Erik Daniel Beckwith has been in Maharajganj district jail since his arrest in March 2023. Government counsel Ramesh Chandra said Beckwith was found guilty under IPC sections 419 (cheating by impersonation), 420 (cheating and dishonesty) and the Foreigners' Act. Chandra said the immigration officials had apprehended Beckwith on March 29 at the Indo-Nepal border in Sonauli. "Upon inspection, it was discovered that Beckwith had tampered his visa after it expired. He was subsequently taken into custody," said Chandra. Investigation revealed that Beckwith initially arrived in India on a tourist visa in June 2018. He later visited Nepal through Sunauli border. Israel Minister calls on war cabinet not to allow Palestinian workers to return. Image Source: IANS News Tel Aviv,. Dec 10 : Israel National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who is known for his extreme far-right views, called on war cabinet not to let Palestinian workers back into the country. The Israel war cabinet has been deliberating upon the prospects of whether to allow Palestinians from the West Bank area into the country for work. Ben Gvir in a social media post on Saturday night said, "Letting in workers from the Palestinian Authority who are drenched in incitement to Israel right now is a continuation of the concept and the understanding that we did not understand anything from October 7." It is to be noted that before the Hamas attack on October 7 in South Israel leading to the slaughter of 1,200 people, the Palestinians from Gaza were working in Kibbutz Be'eri, Kfar Aza and other areas. There were reports that many of these Palestinian workers had acted as informants leading to the Hamas terrorists getting clear knowledge on the situation in the communities of South Israel. The extreme right organisations of Israel had been taking up this issue and the present statement of Ben Gvir could be interpreted in this context. Hyundai, Kia sued over car thefts that went viral on TikTok in US. Image Source: IANS News Seoul, Dec 10 : Hyundai Motor, South Korea's top carmaker, and its sister company, Kia, are set to post combined exports of 2 million units in 2023, data showed on Sunday, on the back of the post-pandemic market recovery. Hyundai and Kia shipped 945,062 and 867,136 respective units of automobiles over the January-October period, according to the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association, reports Yonhap news agency. The combined figure represented a 17.5 percent rise from the same period in 2022, the data showed. Considering the monthly shipments of 180,000 units by the two carmakers, industry officials anticipate that their overseas sales for all of 2023 will exceed 2 million units for the first time since 2016. "The increase came after the group expanded domestic production capabilities to address the rising demand for eco-friendly cars around the globe," a Hyundai Motor Group official said. The combined value of exports also reached US$43.9 billion over the January-October period, data showed, already beating the previous year's combined shipments worth $41.5 billion. The average price of cars sold came to $24,000, up 68 percent from $14,000 tallied in 2016. New Delhi: Strategic analysts have noted that President Xi Jinping has in his quest for making China the other superpower rivalling the USA, embarked on a three-fold strategy - he has initiated the process of 'Sinicization' of Marxism, ensured the reassertion of the supremacy of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in every sphere and given a conscious call for recognising the 'civilisational strength of the Chinese nation' China under Xi is pursuing the economic route to becoming a superpower and wants time to achieve the mission - without running into any distraction of a military confrontation. This came out clearly in his long bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden during the recent APEC conference in San Francisco - at the end of which Xi would have reasons to feel satisfied with the emphasis Biden had laid on the US not seeking any 'conflict' with China. The two leaders had largely focused on their commitment to economic growth and global advancement and expressed their agreement on cooperation in such diverse areas as Artificial Intelligence, Environment and Counter-narcotic work. Marking the rapid rise of Xi since 2012 when he first became the General Secretary of the CPC, the 19th National Congress of the party held in 2017 incorporated Xi Jinping Thought on 'Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era' in the Party Constitution. The People's Congress in March 2018 went on to amend the Constitution of the People's Republic of China to mention Xi's Thought in it. This had happened only twice in the past with the leadership of Mao Dezong and Deng Xiaoping. Xi's Thought is said to combine Chinese Marxism with National Rejuvenation. It was hailed by the 19th Central Committee of CPC in 2021 in a unanimous resolution as a 'new breakthrough in the Sinicization of Marxism'. Significantly, Xi's analysis of why the USSR disintegrated was that the party organs of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) had at all levels lost their functions and in particular, the military was no longer under CPSU leadership because of which 'a great party was scattered' and the Soviet Union, 'a great Socialist country', was dismembered. The 14-point Xi Jinping Thought stipulated among other things, ensuring CPC leadership over all forms of work in China including absolute leadership on PLA, the continuation of comprehensive deepening of reforms, governing China with the Rule of Law, improving people's livelihood and well-being as the primary goal of development and practising Socialist core values including Marxism-Leninism and aSocialism with Chinese characteristicsa. A cult of personality has been developing around Xi since he became the General Secretary of the CPC and the countryas paramount leader. The party has been projecting him as representing the best of both Mao Dezong and Deng Xiaoping. In 2019, the Politburo of the CPC named Xi as the People's Leader - a title only Mao had held previously. The Central Party School of the CPC in 2020 labelled Xi Jinping Thought as '21st century Marxism', claimed that it was the only scientific method to explain the 'Chinese Miracle of the 21st century' and contended that it was the only 'solution for the modern problems of humankind'. It maintained that socialism is better than capitalism. At China's National People's Congress in March 2023 in Beijing, Xi was awarded a third 5-year term as President putting him on track to stay in power for life. In what seems to be a definite element in Xi's strategy, the Chinese President highlights China's 5000-year-old civilisation and places a profound emphasis on the preservation and development of its 'fine cultural traditions' Xi Jinping Thought seeks to build the party's confidence in history and culture to a new high and believes that Chinese civilisation should be known for its 'continuity, innovativeness, unity, inclusiveness and peaceful nature'. Clearly, Xi wants to use China's civilisational strength to advance 'national rejuvenation', promote unity at home and give an impression to the world outside that China stands for peace. There is an underlying message in Xi Jinping Thought that opposes the 'cultural hegemony of the West' and possibly also counters any attempt of India to use the soft power of an ancient civilisation to deal with a hostile Marxist state next door. Xi intends to integrate the basic tenets of Marxism with China's traditional culture as a strategy for dealing with the complex international landscape. It is appropriate and timely for the Narendra Modi regime to strengthen the sense of nationalism amongst Indians and make them aware of the glorious civilisational past of India that had been, in a substantial measure, shut off by the colonial masters and later kept in oblivion for reasons of politics. In a multi-religious setting like India, the traditions of ancient culture that promoted the quest for knowledge, upheld an assimilative approach by shunning any claims of supremacism for a particular faith and attached importance to humanism, should be appreciated by all communities and sections of society. All this will automatically generate feelings of national unity and lead to a realistic appraisal of who the nation's friends and enemies are. It is said that in the court of Lord Ram respect was given to even Sage Charwak who was an advocate of agnosticism. In todayas world that faces unanticipated geopolitical shifts, it is vital that a world power like India should try to be self-dependent in handling security, economic growth and international relations. Prime Minister Modi has rightly taken this strategic approach which is already yielding rich dividends. The Sino-Pak axis operating against India remains this country's major security concern - in part because of its covert hand behind the propping up of anti-India lobbies on issues like alleged lack of protection for minorities, the 'rise of authoritarianism' and 'promotion of majoritarianism'. The two hostile neighbours of India are joining hands in conducting 'covert' operations here - the use of Chinese drones by Pakistan for dropping arms and narcotics in Punjab illustrates this. While India has successfully countered the threat of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan in Kashmir and elsewhere, the challenge from a hostile China spreads from our borders to the Indian Ocean and the entire range of international relations. Xi is pursuing the ambition of making China the second superpower after the US through economic, military and technological means and having emerged as the supreme leader of China in the mould of Mao Zedong, is driving the strategy of establishing the stranglehold of the CPC on the civil and military affairs on one hand and practising an extremely 'nationalistic' version of Marxism on the other, to achieve total unity internally and speed up the economic and political expansion of Chinese influence outside. The adversarial profile of China is likely to become harder from India's point of view, in the days ahead. India has no alternative to building its own strength and firming up its bilateral and multilateral relationships in the democratic world to counter the growing alliance between the Marxist dictatorship of China and a fundamentalist Pakistan that was conniving with the anti-US Islamic radical forces out to increase their foothold in the Muslim world. (The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views are personal) San Francisco, Dec 10 : Google's experimental AI-powered note-taking app called NotebookLM, is now widely available in the US with new features like a noteboard space and suggested actions. The feature is starting to use Gemini Pro, Google's latest model for scaling across a wide range of tasks and help with document understanding and reasoning. Google opened up early access to NotebookLM in July, giving testers the chance to try out its source grounding capabilities. "When you upload documents to NotebookLM, it becomes an instant expert in the information you need for your projects, capable of answering questions based on the supplied sources," the company said in a statement. NotebookLM automatically generates summaries and suggests follow-up questions, providing a new way to comprehend difficult text and synthesize connections between multiple documents. Google has introduced a new noteboard space where you can easily pin quotes from the chat, excerpts from your sources or your own written notes. "Like before, NotebookLM automatically shares citations from your sources whenever it answers a question. But now you can quickly jump from a citation to the source, letting you see the quote in its original context," said Google. "We're rolling out new features that dynamically suggest actions based on whatever you happen to be doing. For instance, when you select a passage while reading a source, NotebookLM will automatically offer to summarize the text to a new note, or help you understand technical language or complicated ideas," the company informed. NotebookLM also has new tools to help users organise their curated notes into structured documents. Ranchi, Dec 10 : When asked about the BJP's resounding electoral victory in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in the recently concluded Assembly elections, Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Working President, Hemant Soren, told media persons: "The poll results are according to the hard work any party puts in the elections. Only time will tell the impact of these poll results on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections." It is evident from Soren's reaction that he pointed to Congress, one of the main allies of the oppositions in INDIA bloc, that if you want to win the elections, you will have to work harder to defeat the BJP. Given the current political situation in Jharkhand, the path of winning further elections is not at all easy for INDIA bloc. After a resounding victory in three states of the Hindi belt -- Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the BJP is buoyed with the victories in the recently concluded Assembly polls which were held in November. Hemant Soren is aware that now BJP will intensify its political attacks on him. To face this daunting challenge, he has now entered the electoral field single-handedly, without caring much about the other INDIA bloc parties and their allies in Jharkhand. Citing his busy schedule ahead of the general election in 2024, the Jharkhand Chief Minister had decided to skip the December 6 meeting of INDIA bloc in New Delhi. However, this meeting was postponed due to non-availability of majority of the prominent leaders of the INDIA bloc. In the last few days, Hemant Soren is continuously touring various districts of his state under the " 'Aapki Yojana, Aapki Sarkar, Aapke Dwar' campaign. Although this is a state government-led campaign, but in the public meetings being held under it, Soren is seen taking on the BJP setting his political agenda. On one hand, he is highlighting the achievements of the Jharkhand government before the people and on the other hand, he is seen fiercely attacking the BJP and the Central government for its policies. His effort is to not let the political ground gained by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha weaken under any circumstances. The leaders of Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal -- the other two constituent parties apart from JMM which are part of the Jharkhand government -- need to worry about the extent to which they are able to manage their political ground ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. After the election results on December 3, Congress leaders and workers in Jharkhand are unhappy. The grand old party had decided two months ago that every week in the State Congress office, four ministers from the Congress quota included in the Hemant government would listen to the problems of the people in the state. This strategy has not been implemented by the party since the last three to four weeks. There is currently no other noteworthy programme by Congress for connecting with the people taking place at the state level. There is a studded silence within the RJD, an ally of the Jharkhand government, regarding their party's organisational programmes. A big challenge for the opposition INDIA bloc in Jharkhand will be regarding the distribution of seats for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The current ruling coalition in the state comprises three parties -- Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal. In the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections held in 2019, these three parties had divided Assembly seats among themselves. If the INDIA bloc resolves to contest elections together in Jharkhand, then the number of parties under the alliance will increase from three to five or six, which will then affect the seat-sharing arrangement and that could become a very challenging situation. Nitish Kumar-led JDU and Left parties have no stake in the current ruling coalition government in Jharkhand. At present, JDU has no MLA in the state, while CPI-ML has only one MLA among the Left parties. Within the INDIA bloc, JDU and Left parties will also stake claim on the Lok Sabha and Assembly seats. There are 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand, the distribution of which will be very difficult, to create a unanimous seat-sharing formula among the constituent parties of the INDIA bloc in the state. In the 2019 elections, an alliance of four parties -- Congress, JMM, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) and RJD was formed, but there was a huge dispute over the seat-sharing arrangement. Within the alliance government in Jharkhand, Congress got seven seats, JMM got four, Babulal Marandi's JVM got two and Rashtriya Janata Dal got one seat. Unity was shown on 13 seats, but Rashtriya Janata Dal was not satisfied with getting just one seat. Therefore, the RJD had fielded its candidates on two seats -- Palamu and Chatra. This time, apart from JMM, Congress and RJD, JDU and Left parties will also stake claim on Lok Sabha seats in the opposition INDIA bloc. Discussions regarding the claim and seat-sharing have also started in the respective meetings of these parties. This time Congress is contesting on nine Lok Sabha seats, whereas last time, it had contested on seven. The grand old party said that in 2019, under an internal agreement, it had left two seats for Babulal Marandi's Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Democratic). Now Jharkhand Vikas Morcha has quit the opposition INDIA bloc and Babulal Marandi has joined the BJP. On the other hand, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is preparing to stake claim on five to six seats, whereas last time it had contested on four. RJD is also in a mood to reclaim at least two seats, whereas last time in the alliance it was agreed to give it only one seat. Left parties want at least one seat for themselves. The Left parties' want to contest from the Hazaribagh Assembly constituency, from where CPI's Bhuvaneshwar Prasad Mahto had been elected as an MP in 2004. It is said that CPI's National General Secretary D. Raja has expressed his desire to contest elections from Hazaribagh in 2024. The active presence of JDU leaders and the state party committee in recent times is indicating that it will want a Lok Sabha seat for itself within the opposition INDIA alliance in Jharkhand. The JDU wants to contest from the Hazaribagh, Koderma and Giridih seats. The biggest difference in seat distribution will be between Congress and JMM. Along with the Lok Sabha, Assembly elections are also to be held in Jharkhand in 2024. In such a situation, while deciding any formula for Lok Sabha seats, the distribution of 81 Assembly seats will also be necessarily discussed which will be quite challenging. New York, Dec 10 : Red lights are flashing for petroleum companies: The European Union and several US states starting with California will ban the sale of new cars and vans powered by petrol and diesel in 2035. Petroleum producers are looking for off-ramps to take them off the petrol and diesel highway and turn to renewable sources, both as a survival tactic in a world of petroleum-free transportation and as a gesture to the vociferous climate change chorus. "Oil firms are essentially attempting to figure out how the best presently available cash cow in the world can be replaced for the benefit of their own sustainable future," Matthias J Pickl, an economics professor at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia, was quoted in NS Energy. Oil majors are "progressively positioning themselves for the proclaimed energy transition" and wind and solar are taking an increasingly important role in the energy industry, he has written according to NS Energy. In India, the Reliance conglomerate with a giant petroleum footprint has announced plans for a New Energy ecosystem making solar, wind, batteries, hydrogen, and bio-energy platforms. Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani has committed Rs 75,000 crore for this transformation. Total, the French oil company, announced this year that it will invest $300 million in a joint venture with Adani Green Energy in wind and solar farms project. This year, Total says it will be investing $5 billion overall in low-carbon energies, which would be higher than its capital investments in oil and gas. Its wind and solar investments in wind and solar power stretch to Europe and the US. Oil-rich Qatar has also invested $500 million in Adani Green Energy. Shell, the British oil giant, has also turned to India for one of its big investments in alternative energy buying Solenergi Power Private Limited, which runs wind and solar farms and manages related infrastructure, and the Sprng Energy Group for $1.5 billion. Shell invested $3.5 billion in the renewable sector last year and again this year. The US petroleum giant Exxon-Mobil is taking a different approach from the other oil majors, focusing on decarbonisation, biofuels and hydrogen, rather than wind and solar. It has plans to spend $17 billion over the years 2022 and 2017 on these projects. It's not only oil companies that are going into renewable energy, but also oil producers. Saudi Arabia is eyeing investments of $266 billion in the clean energy sector that will include plans to become an exporter of hydrogen. The United Arab Emirates has announced plans to invest $54 billion in renewables over the next seven years with the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. But the path to new energy transformation is bumpy. British Petroleum rebranded itself as BP for "Beyond Petroleum" in 2000 with an ambitious plan to invest in renewables and reduce the fossil fuel component. But after investing in solar and wind-powered generation and in charging station networks in Europe, it announced this year that it will be increasing investments in fossil fuels citing the geopolitical situation and the need for energy security. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) Gogamedi murder: Search on for killers in 5 states, call for 'bandh' in many cities today. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Dec 10 : The Delhi Police Crime Branch along with the Rajasthan Police has apprehended three men, including the primary accused Rohit Rathore and Nitin Fauji from Chandigarh, in connection with the murder of Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena Chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi. The detainees were transported to the northern range Crime Branch office in Delhi and will be handed over to the Rajasthan Police later in the day. According to sources, the Crime Branch received intel that the two suspects were hiding in Chandigarh. A team, under the supervision of DCP (Crime Branch) Amit Goel, collaborated with Rajasthan Police and during a late night raid at Sector 22 in Chandigarh, the team successfully apprehended the two shooters, Rohit and Nitin, along with an associate identified as Udham, said the sources. On December 5, two assailants entered Gogamedi's house in Shyam Nagar area of Jaipur and opened fire at him. He was taken to the Metro Mass Hospital in Mansarovar where he was declared dead. His supporters have been sitting on strike since then demanding the arrest of the accused. On Wednesday evening, Gogamedi's wife Shila Shekhawat, in an address at the protest site, said: "I have a demand that the protest will continue until the accused are brought before us." Washington, Dec 10 : A former US defense official suggested in a recent article that the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel may not have taken place on Russian President Vladimir Putin's birthday, October 7, by sheer coincidence. It constituted "a major diversion of Western attention and resources from Russia's war on Ukraine that Putin surely welcomes," Joseph Bosco, the former official wrote in an opinion piece in The Hill titled "Hamas's Oct. 7 birthday gift to Putin". He went on to warn lawmakers to pay "heed". This is not some conspiracy theory emanating from some online wingnuts. A European diplomat made exactly the same supposition to Politico just days after the attack "This was probably the best birthday gift for Putin. The attack against Israel will divide attention, given the natural US focus on Israel," said the diplomat. A group of Hamas leaders visited Moscow in November and met Putin, which may have buttressed authors of the birthday gift theory. The US-led western support of Ukraine has enjoyed the unflinching backing of the American strategic community, which is watching warily the diversion of resources to Israel especially at times when American interest in Ukraine's war is flagging specially among Republicans and Republican-leaning voters. Many Republicans have questioned the open-ended plan of the Biden administration, which, in the president's words, has been encapsulated in five words: "As long as it takes." The US strategic community is completely aligned with the Biden administration's resolve to foil Putin's invasion of Ukraine, seeing it as a threat not only to Ukraine but to Europe at large and, indeed, the world. "Continued US support for Ukraine in this war is both the morally correct position and serves key national interests of the United States," Steven Pifer, an affiliate of Stanford's Center for International Security and Cooperation and a retired foreign service officer, wrote for the Atlantic Council, a leading US think tank, last year. But as the war has dragged, now close to two years, American interest has been flagging, according to multiple polls. Although the strategic community remains committed to stopping Putin, there is talk now of drawing up a timeline for US support for Ukraine, especially after the notable failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Russia remains in control of an estimated 17 per cent of Ukraine; Kyiv took back only 200 square miles of its territory the whole year, including the period of the much delayed counteroffensive starting in June. Michael E O'Hanlon, a security expert with the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, strategy and Technology, has called for a Plan B at the end of the 18 more months of the present US strategy. "The United States should fund the Ukraine effort at Biden's requested level of just over $60 billion and provide virtually all the types of weaponry Ukraine may request over the next 18 months, in the hope that Ukraine can break the stalemate sometime in 2024 or early 2025," he wrote in a recent article. "But by the winter/spring of 2025, a newly elected American president should ask his or her national security team to conduct a thorough review of Ukraine policy -- and if the war still remains largely stalemated at that point, the United States should seriously consider a Plan B while encouraging its allies and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to do the same." London, Dec 10 : A 34-year-old Indian-origin man and three others, who smuggled drugs from the Netherlands to the UK and Ireland, have been sentenced to a total of more than 53 years in prison after a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation. Joshpal Singh Kothiria, who supplied cocaine and cannabis to customers in the UK and Ireland, was sentenced to three years in jail at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday. Kothiria was part of the organised crime group headed by Anthony Terry, 49, who orchestrated an importation of 1.6 million pounds of cocaine from the Netherlands to England, and then across by ferry to Northern Ireland. "These criminals were determined to smuggle drugs into the UK and onwards to the Republic of Ireland. They did not care about the geography of their crimes when in pursuit of pure profit," NCA Branch Commander Mick Pope said. "They used the road and ferry networks to take their drugs across the Irish Sea, hoping to avoid detection by taking advantage of the common travel area and border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. NCA officers seized the drugs, which had been hidden in fuel tanks transported within a van, when it arrived at Belfast port in February 2021. At the same time Terry was under surveillance in Wolverhampton, and he was arrested the same day. He was working with Michael Collis, 63, who acted as his driver picking up the drugs in the Netherlands. Along with Kothiria, Mohammed Omar Khan, 39, supplied drugs to customers in the UK or export them to Ireland, and the group used encrypted messaging service Encrochat to communicate. Terry instructed Collis to travel to the Netherlands on April 6, 2020 and he collected 17.5 kilos of cocaine. From there, the drugs were divided up and, while Khan made deliveries to Luton and Slough, Collis travelled to Ireland to hand over the remaining amount in County Wicklow. At the same time, Terry sent Kothiria to East London to collect 10 kilos of cannabis and a vacuum packing machine. Kothiria brought these back to the West Midlands where the cannabis was packed before he took it to County Leitrim in Ireland. The final drug run captured on Encrochat occurred between May 26 and June 3, 2020, where Terry discussed a cannabis delivery. When Kothiria was sent to pick up the load from Leicestershire and take it to Ireland, NCA officers worked closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland to track his movements. While Terry and Collis both pleaded guilty to drug trafficking offences in April, Kothiria and Khan were convicted in May following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Baghdad, Dec 9 : Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has reiterated his government's commitment to protecting diplomatic missions while warning the US not to respond unilaterally to an unclaimed rocket attack without Iraq's approval. While stressing on his government's commitment to protecting diplomatic missions in Iraq, personnel of the international coalition mission, and their facilities, he, at the same time, warned against direct response without the approval of the Iraqi government," a statement by the Iraqi prime minister's media office said. He made the remarks in a phone call from US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday night on security issues, including a rocket attack near the US embassy earlier in the day, the statement added, Xinhua news agency reported. Welcoming the Iraqi government's condemnation and measures to pursue the perpetrators, Austin stressed that such actions threaten the internal security of Iraq, according to the statement. A barrage of rockets hit the vicinity of the US embassy located in the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad early Friday. Later, al-Sudani condemned the targeting of diplomatic missions as "unacceptable under any circumstances," and gave the order to hunt down those responsible. US military bases in Iraq and Syria have recently become the targets of attacks by armed Shiite militias as part of retaliatory measures for the US support of Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The repeated attacks by Iraqi militias prompted the US forces to conduct airstrikes on positions of the Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces that killed more than a dozen fighters and wounded others. New Delhi, Dec 10 : The two shooters involved in the killing of Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena Chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi used public transport, train and taxi to evade arrest, said an official on Sunday. The Delhi Police's Crime Branch had been tracking the movement of the shooters for the last 72 hours after the Rajasthan Police approached them,the official said. "Rajasthan Police provided intel that the shooters after killing Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena Chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi on December 5, took a taxi to Didwana in Rajasthan. From there, they boarded a bus to Delhi," the official said However, during the Delhi Police probe, it was revealed that the two shooters disembarked from the bus at Dharuhera (Haryana). "They took an auto-rickshaw from Dharuhera to Rewari railway station, then boarded a train for Hisar (Haryana). Upon reaching Hisar in the morning, they contacted Udham, who arranged a taxi," the official explained. From Hisar, the trio travelled to Manali in Himachal Pradesh. Upon their return to Chandigarh on Saturday, a team stationed there apprehended them. During the late night operation, Delhi Police Crime Branch along with the Rajasthan Police apprehended three men, including the primary accused Rohit Rathore and Nitin Fauji from Chandigarh. A team, under the supervision of DCP (Crime Branch) Amit Goel, collaborated with Rajasthan Police and during a late night raid at a hotel in Sector 22 in Chandigarh, the team successfully apprehended the two shooters, Rohit and Nitin, along with Udham Singh, said the official. On December 5, two assailants entered Gogamedi's house in Shyam Nagar area of Jaipur and opened fire at him. He was taken to the Metro Mass Hospital in Mansarovar where he was declared dead. His supporters have been sitting on strike since then demanding the arrest of the accused. On Wednesday evening, Gogamedi's wife, Shila Shekhawat, in an address at the protest site, said: "I have a demand that the protest will continue until the accused are brought before us." Colombo, Dec 10 : Sri Lanka experienced nationwide power outage due to a breakdown in the transmission line, country's power supplier said. The Ceylon Electricity Boards (CEB), the country's power supplier, said it would take a few hours to restore power supply throughout the country, adding that it regretted the inconvenience caused to consumers. The power failure occurred at around 5 p.m. on Saturday, and electricity supply has been restored to several areas, Xinhua news agency reported. San Francisco, Dec 10 : Elon Musk-run Tesla has announced a number of new updates, including one that allows its vehicles to call 911 automatically if the car's airbags deploy in a crash. Tesla announced the 2023 Holiday Update on X that will start rolling out from next week. The company highlighted features like Apple Podcasts support, rear-screen Bluetooth headset support, an updated version of the park assistance with 3D visuals, and new blind spot indicators. "Listen to millions of the worldas most popular podcasts @ApplePodcasts," Tesla wrote. Rear-screen Bluetooth headset support lets rear passengers use wireless Bluetooth headphones when watching shows or playing games on the rear screen. Another feature 'Tesla App Trip Planner' lets users use the Tesla mobile app to plan a multi-stop trip and send it to their vehicle. The 'Blind Spot Camera' will alert users with red shading when the turn signal is on and a car is detected in their blind spot. The 'High Fidelity Park Assist' feature will let users see a 3D reconstruction of their surroundings while parking. Meanwhile, Tesla has launched the long-awaited Cybertruck at a starting price of $60,990 and delivered the vehicle to its first batch of customers. In an event held at the company's headquarters in Austin, Texas, Musk delivered the truck to about a dozen people and predicted that it would usher in a new, more exciting era, reports The Verge. Hyderabad, Dec 10 : They are young, well-educated and ambitious. In their 20s or 30s, they made a sensational electoral debut defeating political heavyweights in the recently concluded Telangana Assembly elections. Mamidala Yeshaswini Reddy is just 26 but this NRI techie has proved to be a giant killer. She was elected on Congress ticket from Palakurthi, defeating minister for panchayat raj Erraballi Dayakar Rao, a six-time MLA and one-time MP. Erraballi had never lost an election in his four-decade-long political career. He was confident of another win as the Congress fielded a political novice. Yashaswinias entry into the poll fray itself was dramatic. It was her mother-in-law Hanumandla Jhansi Rajender Reddy who was an aspirant for the ticket. An NRI, Jhansi is known in the constituency for philanthropic activities in erstwhile Warangal district. Her husband Hanumandla Rajender Reddy is a doctor based in the United States. The family owns California-based Raj Properties and Group. Jhansi Reddy is the founder and president of US-based organisation Women Empowerment Telugu Association (WETA), aimed at creating opportunities for women. State Congress chief A. Revanth Reddy wanted Jhansi to contest on the party ticket. She had even started campaigning. However, a few days before the nomination process was to commence, the authorities rejected her application for Indian citizenship. Hyderabad district collector informed her that her request for Indian citizenship cannot be considered as she has not resided in India continuously for a year immediately preceding the date of application. With no prior political background, Yashaswini entered the poll fray. A B.Tech in electronics and communication, she pursued her education in Hyderabad. Hailing from Nagarkurnool district, she left for the United States after marriage. In a direct contest, Yashaswini defeated Dayakar Rao by a huge margin of over 47,000 votes. This came as a huge shock to 67-year-old Erraballi Dayakar Rao, who had quit TDP in 2016 to join TRS (now BRS). In the affidavit submitted by Yashaswini while filing her nomination, she declared that she is office manager in Raj Properties and Group. Her husband H. Rajaram Mohan Reddy is finance manager in the same firm. She declared her and her husbandas movable assets at Rs 55 crore. Addressing an election rally in the constituency, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi had praised Yashaswini for her ambition and enthusiasm. She also mentioned the bond between Yashaswini and her month-in-law and also numerous works undertaken by the family to serve people. The other 26-year-old, who made a sensational electoral debut is Mynampalli Rohith Rao. He too was elected on Congress ticket, defeating three-time MLA and BRS leader Padma Devender Reddy, a former deputy Speaker of Telangana Assembly, in Medak constituency. He defeated Padma Devender Reddy, a sitting MLA, by over 10,000 votes Rohith Raoas entry into electoral politics was also strange. His father Mynampalli Hanumanth Rao was BRS MLA in the previous Assembly. Though BRS fielded him again from his constituency Malkajgiri in Greater Hyderabad, he was not happy over the party denying ticket to his son from Medak. He insisted that his son deserved the ticket for the social service he has done in the constituency. With KCR unrelenting, Hanumanth Rao quit BRS and joined Congress on the condition that he and his son should be given the tickets. While Hanumanth Rao could not retain Malakjgiri seat, he is happy that his son made his debut with a victory. Rohith Rao, who has done MBBS, is an entrepreneur. He claimed to be bringing positive change in the lives of people with his humanitarian work carried out through his charitable organisation called 'Mynampally Social Service Organisation'. Thirty-year-old Chittam Parnika Reddy is another young woman from Congress who made a mark by winning the election from Narayanpet constituency. A MD student, she defeated S. Rajender Reddy, a two-time MLA of BRS, by about 8,000 votes. Parnika Reddy, who did her MBBS in 2016, is granddaughter of former Congress leader late Chittem Narsi Reddy, who was assassinated by Maoists in 2005. She is daughter of C. Venkateswar Reddy who died along with his father Narsi Reddy in the attack. Parnika Reddyas aunt D. K. Aruna is BJP vice-president and a former minister. A young tribal leader Vedma Bhojju is another first time MLA. The 37-year-old was elected from Khanapur constituency in Nirmal district. He defeated former MP Ramesh Rathod of BJP and NRI Bhukya Jhonson Naik, a NRI, who contested on BRS ticket. The Adivasi leader has done MA and also holds an LLB degree. He resigned from his contract job two years ago to join the Congress. He was earlier associated with Adivasi Student Association and also worked as a consultant in the Adivasi Rights Struggle Committee. Lasya Nanditha Sayanna (38) made her electoral debut with a victory. A BRS candidate, she was elected from Secunderabad Cantonment, a constituency represented by her late father G. Sayanna for five terms. He passed away early this year. Lasya, one of the three daughters of Sayanna, defeated BJP candidate N Sriganesh, who was well-known in the constituency, by over 17,000 votes. Spine surgeon Kalvakuntla Sanjay (47) defeated BJP MP Dharamuri Arvind to win Koratla. Kalvakuntla Vidyasagar Rao, who had been winning this seat on a BRS ticket, made way for his son. Sanjay, who did MS (Ortho), is a Fellow in Spinal Deformities and Fellow in Spine Surgery. He had studied intermedia with BRS leader K. T. Rama Rao at the same college. Konduru Jayveer Reddy (48) too was elected to the Assembly in his very first attempt. Son of senior Congress leader and former minister K. Jana Reddy, he was elected from Nagarjuna Sagar. He defeated sitting MLA Nomula Bhagath of BRS, who had trounced Jana Reddy in by-election in 2021. The by-election was necessitated by the death of sitting MLA and Nomula Bhagathas father Nomula Narasimhaiah. In the 2018 election, Narsimhaiah had defeated Jana Reddy, a seven-time MLA and a former minister. Jayveer Reddy has done MS in Financial Engineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York University. Washington, Dec 10 : Three people were killed and another was wounded in a shooting in Atlanta, capital city of the US state of Georgia, local police said. The incident was linked to a drug deal, media reports said quoting police. The three male victims in their 20s were pronounced dead on the scene and the fourth was transported to a hospital, the Atlanta Police Department said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported. The victims have not been identified and there was no information about the shooter. The US had suffered 634 mass shootings as of December 9 this year, according to the non-profit research group Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as one in which at least four people are shot, excluding the shooter. Hyderabad, Dec 10 : Leaving behind the bitterness of the campaign in the recently concluded Assembly elections, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday called on his predecessor K. Chandrasekhar Rao at a Hyderabad hospital, where he underwent hip replacement surgery after suffering a fracture. Revanth Reddy, who assumed the office of the chief minister on December 7, reached Yashoda Hospital, Somajiguda around noon. He was accompanied by minister Seethakka and former minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir. Hospital management received the Chief Minister, who went to the ninth floor of the building to call on Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president. Revanth Reddy met KCR's son K.T. Rama Rao, who then escorted him to KCR. While leaving the hospital after 10 minutes, the Chief Minister told the media that he called on the BRS chief and expressed his wishes for his early recovery. Revanth Reddy said he has directed the Chief secretary and officials concerned to ensure that the former chief minister gets the best treatment. "I wish that he recovers at the earliest and comes to the Assembly to speak on people's issues. There is a need for his suggestions to provide good governance to people," he said. KCR suffered a hip fracture after he slipped and fell in the bathroom at his farmhouse at Erravalli on the night of December 7. He was admitted to Yashoda Hospital, where he underwent hip replacement surgery on December 8. Doctors said KCR was recovering fast after the surgery and he may be discharged from the hospital in 2-3 days. After KCR was admitted to the hospital, the Chief Minister had directed health secretary S.A. M. Rizvi to visit the hospital and ensure that KCR gets all the required medical help. Obscene video of UP teacher goes viral, complaint lodged. Image Source: IANS News Gorakhpur, Dec 10 : A private school teacher in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur has lodged a complaint after an obscene video featuring her, went viral on social media. She learned about the video through her students following which she immediately contacted senior police officers. Sub Inspector, Shahpur Police Station, Ashok Kumar Singh said that an FIR was registered under the IT Act and an investigation underway. "We have also sought assistance from cyber experts to trace the accused," Singh said. The incident unfolded when the teacher was informed by her students about a fake profile created on social media bearing her name, photo and the school's name on Friday. Friend requests were sent to students from this profile, accompanied by an obscene and doctored video. Kolkata, Dec 10 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has skipped the 26th Eastern Zonal Council meeting in Patna on Sunday to be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Instead, West Bengal will be represented by the Minister of state in charge of the finance department, Chandrima Bhattacharya. The latter flew to Patna on Sunday morning. On Saturday, the chief minister announced that she has sought time from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi between December 18 and December 20 at New Delhi for discussion on the unpaid central dues to the West Bengal government under various centrally- sponsored schemes. Before leaving for Patna on Sunday morning, Chandrima Bhattacharya told media persons at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport that the discussions will be on issues of irrigation and health among others. However, she refused to give any direct answer to the media queries on the BSP's decision to suspend its MP Danish Ali allegedly for allegedly supporting expelled Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra on the floor of the House on the 'cash for query' scam. "This is BSP's internal matter and I am not in a position to comment on it. But I have seen that our MP was able to answer all the queries herself," Bhattacharya said. Lucknow, Dec 10 : Ten Union ministers from Uttar Pradesh, who connected with beneficiaries of various welfare schemes in their Lok Sabha constituencies in the state during PM Narendra Modi's virtual interaction with beneficiaries as part of 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra', will continue to mobilize the beneficiaries and focus on linking poor, farmers, women and youths with government schemes and initiatives. The PM's interaction was held on Saturday, "The Viksit Bharat Yatras have so far travelled across 40,000 villages across the country. Now, there is a direct communication between the government and the people," a party functionary said while listing various schemes of the government and how they had a positive impact on the poor and the downtrodden. Some ministers said the opposition's push on caste census would have little meaning till the poor were empowered. "Earlier schemes were run for the sake of it. Now, the focus is on 100 per cent saturation. Opposition talks of caste census but what will that census achieve until the poor are empowered," said minister of state, Pankaj Choudhary, a Lok Sabha MP from Maharajganj. Union minister of state for MSME Bhanu Pratap Singh from the Scheduled Caste, made people take the 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India) pledge. On the occasion, a short film on how the country progressed in the past nine years was also telecast through mobile video vans. Minister of state for home Ajay Mishra 'Teni' said, "PM Modi has clearly outlined his four castes -- youth, poor, women and farmers. When they develop, the country will develop too and that is when the country will realise the goal of Viksit Bharat." Heavy Industries Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey in Chandauli, Minister of State for Surface Transport General (retd) V.K. Singh in Ghaziabad, Rural Development Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in Fatehpur, Housing Minister Kaushal Kishore in Mohanlalganj, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare S.P. Singh Baghel in Agra, Fisheries Minister Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in Muzaffarnagar and BJP ally and Apna Dal (S) leader Anupriya Patel, the minister of state for commerce and industries, will continue to interact with masses in their constituencies. What should you do if crackers cause an eye injury?. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Dec 10 : Doctors have extracted more than sixty live worms from a patient's eyes during an operation in China. The woman, whose identity has not been revealed, had been experiencing itchy eyes and one day, after rubbing them to relieve the tingling sensation, she was shocked to see that a parasite worm fell out. She was immediately rushed to a local hospital in Kunming, reports the Mirror. Upon examination, medics left shocked when they discovered that the space between her eyeballs and eyelids was crawling with worms. According to local media reports, doctors removed over forty live worms from her right eye and over ten from her left. In total, more than 60 parasites were taken from her eyes. Doctor Guan, who carried out the procedure, said the huge number of parasites made the patient a rare case. Doctors believed she was infected by roundworms, of the Filarioidea type. The infection is typically transmitted through fly bites, the report mentioned. However, the woman thinks she contracted it from dogs or cats, carrying the infectious larvae on their bodies. She believes she might have touched the animals and rubbed her eyes immediately afterwards. Moreover, the report noted that the doctors have asked the woman to return for frequent check-ups, as there might be residual larvae left behind. Doctors also advised her to always wash her hands immediately after touching pets. Meanwhile, a few roundworm species have been observed settling around the conjunctiva of the eye. They are more commonly found in Africa than in China. They can cause eye inflammation, but in some cases, they can cause blindness. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday unveiled the life-size statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and said that it is the misfortune of the country that the previous governments forgot Bapu's mantra while Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decisions reflect his ideas. After unveiling the statue, Singh said, "It is a matter of great joy that today a life-size statue of Bapu has been unveiled near his mausoleum, Rajghat." The programme was organised by Gandhi Smriti. He said while the statue of Mahatma Gandhi is installed at countless places in the country and abroad, the installation of a grand statue close to his memorial is certainly a very commendable step. Singh said that about 154 years ago, when Bapu was born on October 2, not an individual but an era was born. "It is also true that the country and the world needed Bapu's thoughts as much as he needed them in the twentieth century and his thoughts are equally relevant today in the twenty-first century," he said. Singh pointed out that Mahatma Gandhi remained away from power throughout his life. "Nor did Mahatma Gandhi fight any war in his life, or conquer any country. Despite this, he won hearts across the world with his personality and creativity," the Minister said. He also said that it has been almost 75 years since Mahatma Gandhi died but the relevance and influence of his ideas is increasing more than ever. "It is not a small thing that even those great men of the world who never met Gandhiji were greatly influenced by Gandhi and Gandhism. I am talking about Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela who never met Gandhiji in their life but showed a new path to humanity by following his ideas and ideals," Singh said. The Minister also said that Mahatma Gandhi was not only a freedom fighter or was limited only to liberating India. People forget that Gandhiji had also imagined an 'India of dreams' after Independence, he said. He remarked that during the Indian freedom struggle, each of his movements may have appeared political, but there was always a deep economic, social and cultural message hidden in them He said that Mahatma Gandhi's teachings that 'God resides in cleanliness' emerged from the Champaran movement. "It is the misfortune of the country that after Independence, Gandhiji's cleanliness mantra was forgotten by the governments of that time," he said, taking a jibe at the previous governments. He also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who started the cleanliness campaign after forming the government. "Today 'Swachh Bharat Movement' has become a mass movement," he said. The Minister also recalled that Mahatma Gandhi envisioned the respect and upliftment of the poor in the country. "His thoughts are a source of inspiration for our Prime Minister today. Its reflection is visible in the decisions of the Prime Minister," Singh said Taking a potshot at the previous governments, he said that despite banks being nationalized 50 years ago, the poor were not even able to open accounts in them. "Through Jan Dhan Yojana, 50 crore bank accounts of the poor have been opened and they have been connected to the economic system of this country," he said, adding that "our government is working towards strengthening the rural economy in the country and meeting the needs of electricity, roads, water, education and health". He also said that besides being a freedom fighter, Mahatma Gandhi was also an economic thinker. Singh said that Bapu believed that there are so many resources on this earth that the needs of every human being can be fulfilled, but there are not enough resources on this earth to meet the greed of every human being. He said that the unfortunate reality of Indian society 50-60 years ago was that a particular section of the society was oppressed and were denied opportunities. "There should be no hesitation in accepting reality. But if you look at the reality of present times, you will see things have changed. Now the maternal mortality, infant mortality rates have improved, even the literacy rate has gone up to 73 per cent in 2011, and today, people of the Dalit community are moving forward shoulder to shoulder with the other sections of the society. "Taking inspiration from great men like Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar, the way the government has worked for the upliftment of Dalits under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi is not hidden from you all. BJP has given due importance to the respect of Dalits. In our first term, Ramnath Kovind, who belonged to the Scheduled Caste, became the President, while in our second term, Droupadi Murmu, who belonged to the Scheduled Tribe, became the President of India," the Minister said. "Be it a village farmer or a corporate leader of the biggest MNC, today Dalits are making their place everywhere from agriculture to private sector," Singh noted. He also noted that if you see today, the people of the Dalit community are moving forward in every sector. "Dalits are the largest aspirational class of India. So the Dalit class, Dalit thinkers will have to think whether it is right now to associate and define themselves with the word Dalit," he asked. Singh said, "No one else can think about it, and no one has the right to think about it, only you have the right to think about it, and you are the only one who is capable. Therefore, you should think about it and make a decision on it." He also asserted that now Dalits are being empowered and are ready to make their own way. "They are making their own path. And why only for myself, rather I would say that the Dalit community is currently moving forward to show the way to the entire country," he said, adding that "therefore, to redefine your present and future possibilities, to give a new term to your existence, to give yourself a new name, all of you should consider". New Delhi: RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary during the Opposition leaders meeting for the upcoming Presidential Poll, at Constitution Club of India in New Delhi on Wednesday, June15, 2022. (Photo: Qamar Sibtain/IANS). Image Source: IANS News Lucknow, Dec 10 : The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) has said that it will continue to remain with the INDIA bloc. "All INDIA bloc constituents should support each other in their respective areas of influence and regions," said RLD President Jayant Chaudhary, while addressing party workers. Chaudhary, while talking to reporters, said that his party supported the alliance and asked his party workers to mobilise support on the ground ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls for the opposition camp. This sets to rest speculation of RLD joining the BJP-led NDA alliance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Chaudhary asked office-bearers to pay focus on the January 7 event (yuva sansad event) that will take off from Meerut. He also highlighted raging issues of farmers, particularly in the western UP, and asked them to protest against the state government to exert pressure on it for their demands related to delay in the payment of cane dues and low payment for farm yield. Yoon to become 1st S.Korean leader to visit UAE since 1980. Image Source: IANS News Seoul, Dec 10 : South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol voiced hopes on Sunday to strengthen the special strategic partnership with India on occasion of 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations. In a post on X, Yoon hailed the two countries' ties since they established formal relations on December 10, 1973, Yonhap news agency reported. "Celebrating 50 incredible years of friendship between South Korea and India! Look forward to working with PM Modi to fortify our Special Strategic Partnership," he wrote, referring to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In September, Yoon held talks with Modi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi, where they agreed to strengthen "strategic" communication and cooperation. The two countries upgraded their ties to the "special strategic partnership" in 2015. Lucknow, Dec 10 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will hold a public meeting in Rohaniya assembly segment which is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency Varanasi on December 24 in the run-up to next year's Lok Sabha elections. Bihar minister and Janata Dal (United) secretary (organisation) has Shravan Kumar confirmed the programme. Shravan Kumar, along with some local leaders, visited Rohaniya on Saturday to finalise the venue for Nitish Kumar's rally. Party leaders and workers from the Purvanchal region will be present at the Rohaniya public meeting, which will be Nitish Kumar's first rally for the Lok Sabha elections. In addition to Varanasi, the focus will be on Azamgarh, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Phulpur, Ambedkar Nagar and Mirzapur, Shravan Kumar said. Taking a dig at the ruling BJP, the Bihar Chief Minister alleged that that caste and religion are on their agenda while "our agenda is brotherhood and love." Targeting the Congress, he said that some leaders of the (INDIA bloc) made mistakes due to which formulation of a strategy for the Lok Sabha election got a little delayed. "Now we are making efforts to ensure that no further mistakes happen. We are going to prepare a concrete strategy for the Lok Sabha elections," he said. Rohaniya is a Patel majority assembly constituency in Varanasi. The community has played a decisive role in Rohaniya in every assembly election since 2012. That year, Anupriya Patel, currently a Union minister of state, won the Rohaniya assembly seat as a candidate of the united Apna Dal. Anupriya vacated her assembly seat after she was elected MP from Mirzapur in 2014. In the 2014, Rohaniya assembly by-election, Mahendra Singh Patel of the Samajwadi Party won the seat. In the 2017 assembly election, Surendra Narain Singh of the BJP was elected. In 2022, BJP ally Apna Dal (S) candidate Sunil Patel won the seat. The JD (U) leader said that after the recent assembly polls, no one party should now have any illusions about it being the only one wanting to defeat the BJP as others are also capable. Given the backdrop, Kumar's UP rallies would thus be interpreted as pre-poll posturing, both to keep the buzz about him contesting from the state alive as also to rattle the BJP, which looks fairly confident of another good performance in the state with 80 Lok Sabha seats. However, even more important is the subtle messaging of the proposed rallies to the Congress to concede space to regional players in states like UP, where it does not have much of a presence. Kumar's rallies are due in places like Varanasi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gorakhpur, the bastion of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Azamgarh, Prayagraj and many other places across east and central UP with a sizeable presence of most backwards. Kumar is a Kurmi, among the biggest non-Yadav OBC groups and his being active in east UP, where BJP despite having some few homegrown Kurmi leaders like UP's Jal Shakti minister Swatantra Dev, has still backed ally Apna Dal (S), a Kurmi centric party. This indicates its plans to woo nearly eight per cent Kurmis who it is believed could influence outcome in about 12 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Lucknow, Dec 10 : Next time you visit a government hospital in Uttar Pradesh, there are chances of you spending less time in consulting your doctor. You will be guided towards the right OPD with footmarks and nominal boards that will be put up to guide you. This was one of the key process innovations suggested by mid-level medical officers, including chief medical officers and chief medical superintendents during a unique management development programme initiated by the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, and Johns Hopkins University, the US, in collaboration with the State Institute of Health and Family Welfare. About 30 mid-level doctors from UP participated in the three-phase training, after which they came up with feasible solutions that can further improve the state's health system. The first cohort of doctors spent six days in person refresher training at IIML, where they learnt some didactic and practical lessons on systems thinking, problem-solving, managing quality, conflict management, management functions, and effective communications by the management gurus. "The training catered to issues such as reducing maternity deaths and others. Participants were supposed to come up with the solutions using the training imparted to them in the first six days," said chairperson, management development programme (MDP), IIML Prof. Nishant Uppal. Principal secretary medical, health & family welfare, Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma said: "CMO and CMS require a different competencies like leadership, management and process change. This hybrid programme is helping us meet this need." Kolkata, Dec 10 : Enforcement Directorate (ED) is likely to submit its charge sheet in the ration distribution case in West Bengal next week at a PMLA special court in Kolkata. Sources aware of the development said arrested Minister Jyotipriya Mallick and his close associate Bakibur Rahman will be named as the principal masterminds in the charge sheet. Both Mallick, the current state forest minister and the former food & supplies minister, and Rahman, a Kolkata- based businessman, were arrested by the ED in October. Though Rahman is in judicial custody now at the Presidency Central Correctional Home in South Kolkata, the minister is admitted to the state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College & Hospital. However, in the hospital too, he is under CCTV surveillance whose link is there with the ED sleuths. Sources said that in the charge sheet the central agency sleuths might also provide details of the multiple shell corporate entities, whose names surfaced during the course of investigation and the details of the banking transactions from their accounts. ED sleuths have already got specific clues that these shell corporate entities were actually run by the arrested minister from behind the curtains by making his family relations, including his wife and daughter and his close associates, as the directors there. Some statements made by those interrogated by the central agency sleuths might also be incorporated in the charge sheet. The documents also might include details of how Rahman used to illegally procure paddy from the farmers at rates below the minimum support price by opening fake farmersa cooperatives. Cairo, Dec 10 : Voting for Egypt's presidential election began on Sunday, with four candidates contesting, including incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Voting spans from December 10 to 12, with each day allowing 12 hours to cast ballots. Overseas Egyptian voters had previously cast their ballots from December 1 to 3, Xinhua news agency reported. About 67 million Egyptians are eligible to vote at more than 9,000 polling stations nationwide. Sisi, who is running for a third term, was elected president in 2014 and reelected in 2018 for a second term, both with an overwhelming majority. The other three contestants are the Social Democratic Party's Farid Zahran; the Egyptian Al-Wafd Party's Abdel Sanad Yamama; and Hazem Omar, the People's Republican Party candidate. The final result is scheduled to be announced on December 18, if no run-off is required. Tel Aviv, Dec 10 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday said dozens of Hamas men have surrendered before it in South Gaza. Sources in the IDF told IANS that the Hamas men, during interrogation, revealed that they had no option but to surrender as they were abandoned by their leadership. IANS had on Saturday reported that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had escaped to South Gaza from Northern side in a humanitarian convoy fudging his identity. Images of stripped terrorists in Jabalya and Khan Yunis is now in circulation on social media and IDF sources indicated the IDF was conducting detailed interrogation of the men who surrendered to get more information on Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, believed to be the brains behind the October 7 massacre. San Francisco, Dec 10 : Researchers have said that an HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) drug could stop many coronavirus diseases, including the SARS-CoV-2 variants when given to infected cells at the right concentration. The researchers have previously shown that a booster drug called -- "cobicistat", which is normally used to reinforce the effect of anti-HIV drugs, could have antiviral properties against a SARS-CoV-2 variant circulating in Europe in early 2020. In the study, published in the journal Antiviral Research, the researchers investigated whether the anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties of cobicistat were maintained against the key variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, including Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). With a death rate of over 30 per cent, MERS-CoV circulates throughout the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia without a vaccine or specific treatment. The researchers also compared cobicistat's effects to those of ritonavir, a structurally similar molecule that is also one of the components of Paxlovid, the current gold standard for antiviral treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Using automated image analysis for screening and parallel comparison of the anti-coronavirus effects of cobicistat and ritonavir, the researchers discovered that cobicistat and ritonavir both act against all eight VOCs of SARS-CoV-2 tested as well as other human coronaviruses, including MERS-CoV. "Our study shows that the CYP3A inhibitors ritonavir and, to a higher extent, cobicistat can be repurposed as broadly effective anti-coronavirus agents at concentrations potentially achievable in vivo by adjusting currently approved dosing regimens," the researchers said. The findings suggested that cobicistat is more effective than ritonavir. Both drugs demonstrated anti-coronavirus activity in vitro at well-tolerated doses that were higher than those currently used for anti-HIV drug booster activity and in Paxlovid. Cobicistat and ritonavir both inhibited coronavirus replication when used at these higher doses, both alone and in combination with other drugs. Raipur, Dec 10 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has named Vishnu Deo Sai as the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, where the party wrested power from the Congress in the recently concluded Assembly polls by bagging 54 of the total 90 seats. Sai (59) had earlier served as Union Minister of State for Steel, Mines, Labour and Employment during the first tenure of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government. The decision to name Sai for the chief ministerial post was taken at the BJP legislature party meeting here, sources said on Sunday. The meeting was held in the presence of three observers appointed by the central BJP leadership. The BJP central leadership has appointed Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Sarbananda Sonowal, and party general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam as observers for Chhattisgarh. The meeting was attended by 54 newly elected MLAs, including former Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh. Speculations suggested that the party might give another CM term to the veteran BJP. However, this time, the BJP has appointed a fresh face for the CM post. Sai was earlier appointed as the chief of the BJP's Chhattisgarh unit in 2020, two years after the party faced a rout in the Assembly polls. He was replaced by Arun Sao in August 2022, around a year before the recently concluded Chhattisgarh polls. --IANS pd/pgh Kolkata, Dec 10 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday announced compensation, relief and support for farmers facing losses because of untimely rainfall as an impact of Cyclone Michaung. The announcement was made just a day after Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari wrote a letter to Chief Secretary H.K Dwivedi demanding compensation for the farmers affected by the untimely rainfall. The Chief Minister announced that as many as 1.20 crore farmers in the state will be provided Rs 10,000 each as compensation in two phases. She made the announcement while addressing a public meeting at Alipurduar district. Banerjee said that the amount, to be provided under the state's own farmers' insurance scheme, will be directly credited to the bank accounts of the farmers. aWe have withdrawn the cess on farmland. All those farmers who are enrolled under the farmers' insurance scheme will surely get the money as compensation. Those who are yet to enrol should immediately attend the camps organised by the state government," the Chief Minister said. In his letter to the Chief Secretary on Saturday, Adhikari pointed out that because of the incessant drizzling, the potato farmers are facing difficulties as their fields have submerged and it is likely that their yield will probably rot in the water. The LoP also said that the paddy farmers, who were yet to harvest their crops due to the "lack of awareness campaign" by the state government giving advance information about the untimely rainfall, are also heading for excessive financial loss. Adhikari suggested reassessment of loans and relaxation in the repayment procedures taking into account the financial losses met by the farmers. Mumbai, Dec 10 : Oscar-winning composer A. R. Rahman recently hosted a Hare Krishna kirtan at his residence in Dubai. A video capturing the event is gaining momentum on the Internet. The clip shows Rahman, along with a large group of attendees, enjoying the devotional songs dedicated to Lord Krishna. The clip also showed the composer smiling and bobbing his head gently to the melodic tune of the Bhajan. The video was possibly captured in the living room of his house and one could see a large gathering of people joining AR Rahman. Recently, Rahman came in the eye of the social media storm when he promoted the song 'Main Parwaana' from the recently released streaming period film 'Pippa' during Cyclone Michaung which severely affected Chennai and Andhra Pradesh. Cyclone Michaung battered the South Indian coastal cities with intense winds and torrential rains which led to floods and killed at least 13 people. Villages were submerged in water, with electricity being cut off from many places. The 'severe' category cyclone made its landfall near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh. Rahman had tweeted, "Embrace the rhythm and let the vibrant beats of #MainParwaana guide your dance." However, the legendary composer was heavily criticised for promoting the song during the natural calamity. Tehran, Dec 10 : A huge fire broke out on Sunday morning at an oil refinery in Iran's South Khorasan province, leading to the simultaneous explosion of several gas condensates reservoirs, the media reported. According to semi-official Tasnim news agency, the fire broke out at one of the reservoirs of the mini-refinery at 8:45 a.m. local time (0515 GMT), Xinhua news agency reported. When firefighters were trying to contain the blaze at the refinery belonging to the Azaran Sanaat Barsava company, it spread to other nearby reservoirs, causing them to explode simultaneously. "Five firefighting groups as well as a number of fire engines are at the scene trying to cool the nearby reservoirs down to prevent the further spread of the blaze," Tasnim quoted Birjand's Governor Ali Fazelifard as saying. The refinery had been completely evacuated to minimise potential human casualties, noting the cause of the incident had not been determined yet. Patna, Dec 10 : After one and half years, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the 26th Eastern Regional Council meeting here but both did not seem at ease, as per their body language. Nitish Kumar, in particular, seemed to welcome Amit Shah only perfunctorily, keeping his gaze largely averted while offering him a flower bouquet, shawl, and memento. The Bihar Chief Minister also welcomed the representatives of West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand. Amit Shah came to Patna to participate in the meeting which started at 2 pm and concluded at 5 pm. The leaders discussed safety, security and core issues. Nitish Kumar had, earlier, skipped several meetings of the NITI Aayog and other government meetings to avoid facing Amit Shah or PM Narendra Modi. However, with Bihar hosting the regional council meeting, Nitish Kumar has no option other than to face Amit Shah. United Nations, Dec 10 : After the US vetoed the UN Security Council draft resolution which sought an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, many countries expressed disappointment and regret over the Washington's act. Expressing disappointment, China's permanent representative to the UN Zhang Jun said: "We express great disappointment and regret that the draft has been vetoed by the US," Xinhua news agency reported. "Two months of fighting had already caused an unprecedented amount of death and destruction and an immediate ceasefire is the overriding prerequisite," Zhang said. Palestine's permanent observer to the UN, Riyad H. Mansour pointed out that it is beyond regrettable and disastrous that the Council was prevented from upholding its responsibility. Mohamed Abushahab, deputy permanent representative of the United Arab Emirates to the UN, expressed his deep disappointment with its outcome. However, he noted that this disappointing outcome will not deter his country from continuing to implore Council members to act and bring the violence in Gaza to an end. Dmitry Polyanskiy, first deputy permanent representative of Russia to the UN, said that "today will become one of the darkest days in the Middle East" as the US has once again blocked calls for a ceasefire. Nicolas de Riviere, permanent representative of France to the UN, said that he voted in favour of the draft resolution, adding that France will continue to commit to fully mobilising the Council on all aspects of the crisis, whether it is security, humanitarian or political. Ishikane Kimihiro, permanent representative of Japan to the UN, said his delegation voted in favour of the draft as the loss of all civilian life, whether Palestinian or Israeli, is tragic. He also expressed regret that the text had failed to be adopted. On Friday, UN Security Council voted on a draft resolution drafted by the UAE and backed by about 100 countries, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in which 13 voted in favour, Britain abstained while the US voted against it. Tel Aviv, Dec 10 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday spoke with the Russian President Vladimir Putin over phone amid growing tensions between the two countries over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. "The Prime Minister spoke with Putin for around fifty minutes," the Israeli PMO said. In the recently held UN Security Council meeting at New York, the Russians had supported a resolution which called for ceasefire and peace in Gaza while the U.S had vetoed the resolution and the U.K had abstained from voting. Karachi, Dec 10 : The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) wrapped up the trading week on a historic note as the benchmark KSE-100 index soared to an unprecedented all-time high above 66,000 points, a media outlet reported. This record-setting close was fueled by the visit of caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, who marked the launch of a Pak Rs 30 billion Ijara Sukuk, Express Tribune reported. The index witnessed an impressive increase of 4,532 points, or 7.3 per cent week-on-week (WoW), settling at 66,223.63. The remarkable surge was attributed to the outstanding performance of major sectors, including banks, fertilisers, and exploration and production (E&P). Throughout the week, bullish sentiments dominated the trading floor, bolstered by several encouraging factors. These included anticipation of the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) executive board meeting on January 11 for the approval of a $700 million loan tranche, the media outlet reported. The Prime Minister's remarks about the improvement in Pakistan's fiscal and external accounts, along with extensive participation from foreign investors, high returns, and a stable exchange rate, contributed to the rapid advance of the index. Monday witnessed the index reaching a record high due to anticipation of a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and measures for establishing a sovereign wealth fund, the media report said. The following day, the bourse reached close to 63,000 points, driven by a 9 per cent month-on-month rise in oil sales and anticipation surrounding the upcoming release of the IMF loan tranche. On Wednesday, stocks surged to a new peak fueled by a positive economic outlook and a reduction in external debt, attracting investorsa interest in specific sectors. The next day, the PSX broke another record amid heavy trading, with news of potential Chinese investment worth $1.5 billion in Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL), inspiring market players to engage in heavy buying. Additionally, investors were encouraged by the Asian Development Bankas (ADB) project financing of around $650 million for Pakistan. Friday's extraordinary performance propelled the KSE-100 index to a new all-time high above 66,000 points, with significant strength drawn from Prime Minister Kakar's visit for the launch of a Rs 30 billion Ijara Sukuk, the media outlet reported. Gurugram, Dec 10 : Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Jai Prakash Dalal on Sunday said that a new scheme has been prepared by the government to encourage the spraying of nano-fertilizers through drones in Haryana. He said that, as part of this scheme, urea will be sprayed in the fields for a fee of only Rs 100. Dalal announced while addressing the 'Agricultural Drone Technology Workshop and Agricultural Drone Distribution Program' organised by cooperative organisation IFFCO as the chief guest at IFFCO FMDI, Sector 17 in Gurugram. He said that the drone entrepreneurs from different districts of Haryana by joining IFFCO's Drone Promotion Scheme will have the opportunity to move ahead in life. He said that it will also help farmers to get direct benefits from this scheme due to higher production at lower cost in farming. The minister also provided drones and electrical vehicles to the seven drone entrepreneurs who attended the program. "With agricultural drones, drone entrepreneurs will provide better service to the farmers of the area. Besides, agricultural drones will create employment for young entrepreneurs and rural women. The use of IFFCO nano fertilizers is a good option to increase the income of farmers and improve the health of the soil," he said. IFFCO Director A.K Gupta said that a campaign to purchase 2500 IFFCO farmer drones to ease the use of Nano Urea and Nano DAP was started a few months ago. "This will make development of 5,000 rural entrepreneurs possible. This is a big step towards sustainable agriculture and overall cooperative development for the upliftment of the rural economy. An eco-friendly electric three-wheeler is also being provided with each drone to take the drone to the fields," he said. --IANS str/dan New Delhi, Dec 10 : The Congress defeat in the three Hindi heartland states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan was "unprecedented" as it was expecting to win in two states at least, a party source said. The source said that the party had held four back to back review meetings to discuss the losses in the recently concluded Assembly polls. He admitted that the results in the four states were "unprecedented" and no one expected to lose in Chhattisgarh. However, the source said that polarisation was witnessed on ground in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The source also said that the party was expecting 90 seats in Rajasthan as anti-incumbency was not there but there was anger against many of the sitting MLAs. He also admitted that the party was on defensive mode in Rajasthan due to two camps. "However, we were never not defensive in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. But in Chhattisgarh, we lost in all the tribal belts," he said. The source also said that the party does not have much time left for the 2024 general election. He said that in March's first week, the election dates would be announced and they have only two and half months left, thus preparations have started for Lok Sabha polls. Asked about if the caste based census issue, which was raised prominently by the party, was rejected by the people, the source said: "Results are not rejection of the issue." He also said that the Congress was expecting two-two scenario in state assembly polls. About party Rajya Sabha member Dheeraj Sahu, from whose premises Income Tax has recovered more than Rs 200 crore, the source said, "We have no link to his distilleries, explanation has been sought from him." To another question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi being most popular leader, the source said that it is a bogus survey. --IANS aks/vd Panaji, Dec 10 : Goa Congress leader Girish Chodankar said on Sunday that the Pramod Sawant-led BJP government in the state is going all-out to destroy the environment and has "allowed illegal activities" on the bank of Mandovi river in North Goa's Reis Magos. "Be it three linear projects, selling of agricultural green zones or the illegal activities at beach areas. This government is making money from all sides, so their leaders in Delhi can use Goa as an ATM to purchase MLAs and destroy the opposition," Chodankar said. "I am surprised that the government has not taken any action on the resort, which is involved in dumping mud in open space at bank of Mandovi river in Reis Magos. It is evident that the lawbreaker is a crony capitalist friend of the BJP government and hence there is no action, despite illegalities are visible," he said. He alleged that the government is sidelining the issue of protecting "our beaches which are rapidly eroding". "In past too, we have seen how this government has protected the interests of crony capitalists, though they were involved in illegalities at beaches. Pramod Sawant government should stop this loot and save our beaches," Chodankar added. "First they destroyed our hills, now BJP's crony capitalists are eyeing our River Banks/Beaches. Open space at the bank of River Mandovi at Reis Magos in Saligao constituency is illegally encroached on by dumping mud by the resort. Beach destruction by blatant violation of CRZ," Chodankar posted on X. "And without any permission & by keeping Local Panchayat in the dark.The local MLA Kedar Naik & BJP Govt of crony capitalists is mum by allowing all illegalities here to satisfy their pals. @Coll_NorthGoa should immediately arrest those involved in destroying our river bank," he added in another post. Moscow, Dec 10 : Expressing readiness to render any assistance to alleviate suffering of Gaza's people, Russia on Sunday said that an international monitoring mission should go to the beleaguered enclave to monitor the humanitarian situation. It also stressed that steps need to be taken for de-escalation and protecting civilians. "(President) Vladimir Putin reaffirmed the principle position of rejecting and condemning terrorism in all its forms. At the same time, it is extremely important that countering terrorist threats does not lead to such grave consequences for the civilian population," the Kremlin said in a statement. The statement came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talked to President Putin and is said to have complained about Russia's position on the issue as well as its relations with Iran. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is attending the Doha Forum conference in Qatar, told Al Jazeera that Russia had strongly condemned the October 7 terrorist attack but "do not believe it is acceptable to use this event for the collective punishment of the millions of Palestinian people with indiscriminate shelling". He said that for "humanitarian pauses" in Gaza, "some kind of monitoring on the ground" was needed and Russia had raised this point with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres but to no avail. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Several students from various institutions, who were heading towards the Jantar Mantar protest site to commemorate the Human Rights Day in the national capital, were detained after they clashed with the police, an official said on Sunday. The official said that two police personnel sustained head injuries during the clash. Some student organisations accused the police of mistreatment, claiming that the detained students were taken to an undisclosed location and subjected to physical abuse. The claim was refuted by the Delhi Police. It was also claimed that one of the students, heading towards the Jantar Mantar, was missing. The official said that a group of protestors came to Vijay Chowk and when they were asked to disperse as they were violating Section 144 of the CrPC, they became aggressive due to which they were detained. "In the process, two police personnel sustained head injuries and action as per law is being taken," he added. "The allegations regarding a missing person are wrong as the concerned individual has also been detained," said the official. Demonstrators hold posters reading "UN women, your silence is loud" with pictures of Israeli women being held hostage in Gaza during a rally in London on Dec. 3, to protest against what they consider a conspiracy of silence over alleged sexual crimes committed by Hamas militants. (Henry Nicholls/Getty-AFP) The events of Oct. 7 and the war that has followed, at an incomprehensible scale of civilian violence and death, is devastating. This war so far away feels palpably close to us all and has shaken our community to its core. For us as women, there has been an additional aspect of the attacks on Oct. 7 that has felt like a double assault: the systemic rape of women and girls by Hamas terrorists and the lack of response from the world. Advertisement Sexual and gender-based violence is horrific, with emotional wounds that linger well beyond the physical wounds. The healing process for the survivors of the Oct. 7 assaults begins with being heard and believed. We cannot overstate the importance of supporting these women, like we would all survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. We recoiled when reading about Shani Louk, a 23-year-old German Israeli, who can be seen in a Hamas-made video, semiconscious and half-naked, being taken to Gaza in the back of a pickup truck with men sitting astride her. Another video shows a woman being led out of a vehicle by heavily armed men, her wrists and ankles sliced open and her jeans bloodied at the crotch. First responders have recounted finding dead Israeli women with unmistakable evidence of rape and mutilation. Advertisement Our heartbreak is not only that these brutal sexual assaults were perpetrated against these women and girls, but that so many international womens organizations and leaders remained silent about it for too long. That is why this has felt like a double assault. [ Editorial: Israelis with loved ones held in Gaza poured their hearts out to us. One just got good news, gratefully. ] We ask that all people of goodwill acknowledge this assault, horror and heartbreak. Your bearing witness matters. Speaking in solidarity supports survivors to describe the horrors they endured without fear. When survivors believe they will not be believed or that the crime will be minimized, many will not speak up for fear of retraumatization. Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Speaking in solidarity, we bring attention to the urgent need to release all hostages still being held in Gaza, including those who endured or witnessed sexual and gender-based crimes enabling them to receive the vital physical and emotional medical care that they are currently being denied. Speaking in solidarity, we increase pressure on organizations to condemn and sanction the perpetrators, which helps prevent the recurrence of these severe violations of international law and fundamental morality. As so many know firsthand, sexual and gender-based violence can be devastating, and the shame lingers well beyond the physical wounds. By speaking in solidarity, we enable the survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and their families and the families of the victims who did not survive, like Louk to feel the support they need to help them begin to heal. We can join with grassroots efforts in Israel and elsewhere, such as the Deborah Institute, which has launched the Civil Commission on Oct. 7 Crimes by Hamas against Women and Children. This unique and all-too-rare collaboration of international human rights experts and womens rights organizations was created to gather Oct. 7 testimony, evidence and advocacy and to provide expert advice. This week, the Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. We are reminded that even a small flame can dispel the darkness. In that spirit, may we come together to kindle flames of hope for the world we all share, and the type of world we hope to create, together. Rabbi Shoshanah Conover is senior rabbi at Temple Sholom in Chicago and Rabbi Wendi Geffen is the senior rabbi at North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe. Advertisement Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Tel Aviv, Dec 10 : The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum has charged that the world was silent even as the human rights of Israeli hostages were being trampled upon by the Hamas terrorists. In a statement on Sunday, December 10, which also is World Human Rights Day, the forum said that during the October 7 massacre, over 240 people were brutally kidnapped from their homes and the Nova Festival. The forum called upon all those in positions of power to act "by any necessary means". Among the hostages are babies, children, women, men, the elderly, and young people suffering from chronic illnesses who take daily medication, as well as those seriously injured during the massacre, a statement mentioned. The statement said: "They require special protection and care under international humanitarian law, due to their increased vulnerability to severe physical and psychological harm that could be, in the best case, irreversible and, in the worst case, lead to death if urgent medical care is not provided immediately." The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said that the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948. It said that 75 years later, it is vital to draw attention to the people whose rights have been "cruelly violated", held captive in Hamas tunnels and other unknown locations in the Gaza Strip. "The testimonies of released hostages point to sexual abuse, violence, starvation, humiliation, and more, consistent with serious violations of fundamental human rights." The forum said that "this underscores the fact that time is running out and that every moment the hostages remain in Hamas captivity puts them at immediate risk of death". The statement added: "We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. We ask that medical care and supplies be provided immediately for the hostages and that they all receive medical treatment by the Red Cross until they're released." Rajahmundry : , Dec 10 (IANS) India's air passenger traffic will triple to 42 crore by 2030, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said here on Sunday. "The air passenger traffic, which is 14.5 crore today, will grow to 42 crores by 2030 and civil aviation will become a foundation for transportation in the country," he said after laying the foundation for a new terminal building at Rajahmundry Airport. Scindia also stated that the capacity at six metro airports (Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Hyderabad) which is 22 crore now, will go up to 42 crore in next five years. The minister said during the last nine years, 12 new greenfield airports were added, taking the total number to 15. Next year, two new greenfield airports will be ready - one at Jewar next to Delhi and another in Navi Mumbai. Scindia said the total number of airports, waterdromes and heliports will go up from 149 to 220 by 2030. He mentioned that since Independence, the country had developed only 74 airports but in the last nine years it added another 75 airports, waterdromes, and heliports. The minister said in Andhra Pradesh, two new greenfield projects at Bhogapuram and Nellore and a waterdrome at Prakasam Barrage were coming up and he was monitoring the work on a monthly basis. Scindia said Andhra Pradesh had four airports prior to 2014 but it now has two additional airports a" Kurnool and Kadapa. Connectivity from all airports has improved. The air traffic movement from the state which was only 388 in 2014, has grown to 1,164, a 200 per cent increase. A total of 32 routes were operationalised under the UDAN scheme in Andhra Pradesh. Rajahmundry, which had only one connection in 2014, today has connectivity to three cities. Tirupati is today connected to 10 cities in the country, against just one in 2014. Vijayawada, which was connected to only Hyderabad and Bengaluru, is connected to eight cities in India and also Sharjah. Visakhapatnam airport, which was connected to only nine cities in the country, is today connected to 14 cities and to Singapore. Kadapa airport, which was not in existence, is connected to four cities while Kurnool airport is connected to three cities. To be built at a cost of Rs.350 crore, the new terminal at Rajahmundry Airport will have an area of 17,029 square metres, which will be four times the size of the existing terminal. It will also serve over 2,100 passengers during peak hours and 30 lakh passengers annually, which is nine times more than the current capacity of the terminal. Scindia exuded confidence that this new era of connectivity will open up opportunities in local tourism, investment and agricultural trade. He noted that Rajahmundry has been the centre of heritage, culture and tradition for time immemorial and birth place of Telugu language. This airport is spread over 1,200 acres with a runway of 3,165 meters that has the capability to land Boeing 377, and Airbus 321 planes. It has six parking bays and is connected to Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad with 126 flight movements in a week. With the completion of the new terminal, peak passenger load from the current 225 will go up to 2,100 passengers. There will be three aero bridges, modern connectivity, 28 check-in counters and sustainable features. On Rajahmundry MP Bharat Marganias demand for building a cargo terminal, he said once the new passenger terminal is built, the airport will get larger narrow-bodied aircraft. "If there is demand for seafood and plantations for domestic trade, we will certainly think of setting up a cargo terminal," he added. Andhra Pradesh's Industries Minister Gudivada Amarnath, MP Margani, and BJP state President D. Purandeswari were also present. --IANS ms/vd Seoul, Dec 10 : President Yoon Suk Yeol said South Korea plans to "significantly" strengthen semiconductor cooperation with the Netherlands, the United States and Japan, a news report said on Sunday. The Dutch government has recently joined the U.S.-led effort to curb China's access to advanced chipmaking technology amid intensifying Sino-U.S. competition in the critical industry and other advanced technologies. The Netherlands is home to ASML, the world's sole producer of extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, critical to making advanced chips. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, the world's two biggest memory chip makers in South Korea, are among the Dutch tech firm's major clients, reports Yonhap news agency. South Korea plans "to significantly boost semiconductor cooperation with such major countries as the Netherlands, the United States and Japan going forward," Yoon said in a written interview published by the French news agency AFP on Sunday. During the trip, Yoon plans to visit the headquarters of top chipmaking equipment manufacturer ASML in Veldhoven, together with Dutch King Willem-Alexander, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Chairman Chey Tae-won. Yoon will be the first foreign leader to be invited inside a cleanroom at the ASML headquarters, according to Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo. "As competition between countries and regions intensifies to gain hegemony over emerging technologies, the semiconductor industry is strategically more important than ever before, which makes this visit to the Netherlands especially meaningful," Yoon was quoted by AFP as saying. Yoon highlighted the importance of the chip industry for South Korea and the Netherlands, saying the two countries share a common view that "the economy is now synonymous with security and vice versa." "Semiconductors are the linchpin of Korea-Netherlands cooperation," Yoon said in the interview. "The global semiconductor industry's stable and sustainable growth is in the core interest of both countries." Yoon will become the first South Korean president to pay a state visit to the Netherlands since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1961. Hyderabad, Dec 10 : The new Congress government in Telangana on Sunday cancelled appointments of 54 Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of various corporations. Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari issued a Government Order to rescind appointment or extension of Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons, appointed by the previous government of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). The GO was issued a day after revoking the appointment of seven advisors to the government. The Chairpersons of the Telangana State Agro Industries Development Corporation Ltd, Telangana Rythu Bandhu Samithi, Telangana State Seeds Development Corporation Ltd, Telangana State CoOperative Consumers Federation Ltd, Telangana State Markfed, Telangana State Co-Operative Oil Seeds Growers Federation Ltd, Telangana State Cooperative Union Ltd, Telangana State Warehousing Corporation, Telangana State Fisheries Co-Operative Societies Federation Ltd, Telangana State Sheep & Goat Development Co-Op Federation Ltd, Telangana State Dairy Development Co-operative Federation Ltd and other corporations have been removed. Telangana State Toddy Tapper Co-operative Finance Corporation Ltd, Telangana State Most Backward Classes Development Corporation Ltd, Telangana State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd, Telangana Grandhalaya Parishath, Telangana State Council of Higher Education, and Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation Ltd are some of the other corporations. Jaipur, Dec 10 : With the BJP's top leadership yet to decide on the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan, the state party headquarters here was deserted over the weekend, ahead of the legislative party meeting. There were just a few party workers present in the party office on Saturday evening and told IANS that Sunday too will go dull and some "blasting news" might come up on Monday. Meanwhile, senior party leader and former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje reached Jaipur from Delhi on Sunday morning and in the afternoon, 13 BJP MLAs came to meet her at her residence, 13 Civil Lines. Some former party officials also came to meet her. The meeting of MLAs with Vasundhara Raje before the meeting of the legislative party is being considered important. Along with the MLAs, former state President Ashok Parnami, former ministers Devi Singh Bhati and Rajpal Singh Shekhawat, and former MLA Prahlad Gunjal met her. Meanwhile, the legislature party meeting slated to be held on Monday is also likely to be postponed. The reason for this is believed to be President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Lucknow. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was made observer of Rajasthan, is the MP from Lucknow and his presence is required during the President's programme. On the other hand, till now, the MLAs do not have any information regarding the meeting of the legislative party. Party officials are also not saying anything officially. The legislative party meeting may be postponed to Tuesday or even Wednesday. BJP President J.P. Nadda interacted with the MLAs on Saturday night through video conferencing and spoke to them about the Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra and upcoming programmes of the party. Srinagar, Dec 10 : J&K Director General of Police R.R. Swain on Sunday paid a visit to the home of martyred Inspector Masroor Ahmad Wani here to express his deep condolences and share grief with the bereaved family. "The DGP met the father and other members of the family and conveyed that J&K Police family will remember the supreme sacrifice of the martyr for decades to come. He assured that the institutional strength of J&K Police will take care of the family," a police statement said. "The DGP J&K conveyed the unwavering support and gratitude of the entire law enforcement community for the ultimate sacrifice made by the martyr." The DGP, along with other officers, also visited Military Hospital in BB Cantt to enquire about the health of the injured police constable Mohammad Hafeez who was fired upon by terrorists on Saturday evening and hit on his right arm and abdomen. "The DGP met the doctors treating the official and impressed for all possible treatment for his early recovery. He assured the injured jawan that all possible help and assistance will be provided," the statement added. Bhopal, Dec 10 : Over a week after the Bharatiya Janata Party registered a mammoth victory in Madhya Pradesh with securing 163 out 230 seats, the new Chief Minister is likely to be decided on Monday. The BJP MLAs would assemble at the party headquarters in Bhopal at 4 pm to reach unanimity on the Leader of the Legislative Party, and consequently, the Chief Minister. The meeting, which would be held in the presence of three observers - Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, OBC Morcha head Dr. K. Lakshman and National Secretary Asha Lakra, is scheduled to be concluded by 7 pm. Until it, suspense remains on whether the BJPas central leadership would retain incumbent Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for a record fifth term or a new face will be appointed. Political circles in Madhya Pradesh have been abuzz with speculation that the party is more likely to appoint a new face. But the key question is who exactly could replace Chouhan, who not only ruled the state for nearly two decades, but has established himself as the most popular politician in the state. Political watchers are of the view that the BJP would decide the Chief Ministeras face keeping the next year's Lok Sabha elections in mind and therefore, the caste equation would a crucial role to play in the process. While some observers put the senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in first place, as a successor to Chouhan is being replaced, some others believe that an OBC face would be the next Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. At this point, former Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel and the Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindiaas names are being speculated. Political watchers were also of the view that even if CM Chouhan is being replaced, his consent will be crucial to decide his successor. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Mounting an attack on Congress, BJP national president JP Nadda on Sunday slammed the Congress over the cash seizure from a premise linked to Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu, saying answers will be sought not only from him but also from his leader Rahul Gandhi. He said if Congress is the guarantee of corruption, then Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the guarantee of action against corruption. Nadda took to 'X' and in a post in Hindi said: "Brother, both you and your leader Rahul Gandhi will have to answer. This is new India. Here people will not be allowed to be exploited in the name of the royal family. You will get tired running, but the law will not leave you." "If Congress is the guarantee of corruption then PM Modi is the guarantee of action against corruption, every penny looted from the public will have to be returned," Nadda said. The remarks of the BJP chief came in the wake of the I-T Department sleuths seizing almost more than Rs 200 crore from the premises linked to Sahu. The huge cash has been recovered by the I-T Department sleuths following searches at his premises linked to him at several locations in Odisha and Jharkhand in the last three days. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Friday took a swipe at Congress over the recovery of huge cash. In a post on 'X', PM Modi said: "The countrymen should look at the pile of these notes and then listen to the honest 'speeches' of their leaders. "Whatever has been looted from the public, every penny will have to be returned, this is Modi's guarantee," the Prime Minister added. BJP MPs will be protesting against the Congress near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the Parliament premises on Monday morning. Even Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said that there was a widespread resentment among the people after witnessing the "cash scam" of Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu. Sachdeva said that the people of the country want "the Gandhi family and Congress President to make a public statement on the matter". All 14 district units of Delhi BJP will hold Dharnas on Monday between 10 am to 5 pm across the city to seek statement of the Congress leadership on Dheeraj Sahu. Bengaluru, Dec 10 : In a topsy-turvy game in which both teams held massive leads at different points of time, the Haryana Steelers defeated Dabang Delhi K.C. 35-33 in a Season 10 match of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Sunday. Delhi's Naveen Kumar (16 points) and Steelers' raider Siddharth Desai (10 points) were the standout performers of the day. The Delhi side made a blistering start off the blocks and with barely five minutes gone inflicted a first All-Out on the Steelers to take a 10-2 lead. An assertive Naveen Kumar seemed to be picking up points with every raid he went for, and the Steelers reeling from the onslaught, were down by 10 points for a while. As the half wore on the Steelers slowly came together, and stemmed the point bleed, but their raiders struggled to get going. It all changed with three minutes of the half to go through, Vinay's Super Raid on Vishal Bhardwaj, Yogesh and Mohit, starting a sequence which saw them inflict an All-Out of their own. The gap was a mere four points at the break with Delhi leading at 21-17. The Steelers' comeback continued early in the second half, and within five minutes of the restart, they inflicted an All-Out to take a 25-21 lead. Capitalising on some stout and solid defending from his team, Siddharth Desai hit a rich vein and soon started racking points with almost every raid. In a frenetic finish, Naveen almost single-handedly launched Delhi's comeback and with a minute to go had closed the gap to two points. However, Ashish, the last Steelers player on the mat, stole a point on the last raid of the evening to take his team home. Patna, Dec 10 : Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Sunday criticised the Congress and the INDIA bloc over the seizure of over Rs 200 crore from a premise linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu in Jharkhand. "This is the reality of INDIA bloc leaders and Congress. The leaders of the INDIA bloc always blamed us for misusing the central agencies, but now it is clear that they are blaming us only to hide their corruption. Every worker of BJP will go with this picture to every household and make the people aware of the reality of INDIA bloc leaders," Shah said after the 26th Eastern Zonal Council meeting here. "I believe that the raids of the central agency on Congress leaders in a poor state like Jharkhand are an eye-opener for everyone. Those who are running propaganda against us have got the answer. The BJP will make it an election issue in the country. When the Narendra Modi government came to power in 2014, it took several measures to uproot corruption from the country," he said. The Home Minister further said: "After the seizure of such a huge amount, the leaders of INDIA bloc are silent. I understand Congress leaders are silent, but why are the leaders of JD-U, RJD, TMC, DMK, SP and others also silent? This gives a picture of why they are campaigning against the Modi government over 'misusing' central agencies against them. They are scared of their corruption," Shah said. Patna, Dec 10 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to conduct a caste census in the entire country and provide special status to Bihar. He made the demands at the 26th Regional Council Meeting of the Eastern Zone held here at the CM Secretariat's with representatives of West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand also participating apart from Amit Shah, Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and others. During the meeting, Nitish Kumar pointed out the success of the caste survey which was recently conducted by the state government at its own cost to find out the caste and financial condition of the state's over 13 crore people. He requested Amit Shah to put the report of caste survey in Schedule 9 of the Constitution so that no one could change it. "We want the Centre to conduct a caste census in the country. We were always making efforts for it and passed the proposal in both houses of the Bihar Assembly. We have also sent the proposal to the Centre and also met the Prime Minister as well but they have not considered it. Then we have conducted a caste survey in Bihar at state government expenditure," Nitish Kumar said. Nitish Kumar also said that Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand were one state in the past. Bihar and Odisha were separated from Bengal in 1912 and Odisha separated from Bihar in 1936. In 2000, Jharkhand also separated from Bihar. The Bihar government released the caste survey report on Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) this year. As per the report, Bihar's population number 130,725,310 wherein Extremely Backward Caste (EBC) are 36 per cent, Other Backward Castes (OBC) are 27 per cent, Scheduled Castes are 19 per cent and Scheduled Tribes are 1.68 per cent. The bill for a caste based was passed in the both houses of the Bihar legislature last year and every political party has given its consent. However, some individuals and groups went to Patna High Court and Supreme Court as well but after the apex court finally cleared it, it was completed. The report further said that Hindu community is 81.9 per cent, Muslim 17.7 per cent, Christians 0.05 per cent, Sikhs 0.01 per cent, Buddhists 0.08 per cent, Jain 0.0096 per cent, and other religions 0.12 per cent in Bihar. As far as major castes are concerned, the upper castes comprise 15.52 per cent - Bhumihars 2.86 per cent, Brahmins 3.66 per cent, Rajputs 3.45 per cent, and Kayasthas 0.60 per cent. Besides, Kurmis are 2.87 per cent, Mushars 3 per cent, Yadav are 14 per cent. Kushwahas 4.21 per cent, Chandravanshis 1.64 per cent, Dhanuks 2.13 per cent, Dhobis 0.83 per cent, Nais 1.59 per cent, Nonias 1.91 per cent, Kumhars 1.40 per cent, Pasis (Paswan) 0.98 per cent, Badhais 1.45 per cent, Lohars 0.15 per cent, Sonars 0.68 per cent, Halwais 0.60 per cent, Aghoris 0.069 per cent, Adrakhis 0.02 per cent, Abdals 0.0087 per cent, Amats 0.21 per cent, Asurs 0.059 per cent, Awadh Banias 0.03 per cent and Muslim Darji 0.25 per cent. London, Dec 10 : Defending champion Manchester City recovered from a goal down to beat Luton Town 2-1 in an away match and end a run of four games without victory while former winners Chelsea went down 0-2 to Everton in the Premier League on Sunday. All eyes were on Manchester City in Luton, Bedfordshire, as they were taking the field after three draws and a defeat. However, despite an impressive opening half, the Light Blues conceded in the first half added time to trail 1-0 at the break. But the 2022-23 Treble winners continued to pin the home side back after the restart and were rewarded around the hour-mark with two goals in two minutes from Bernardo and Jack Grealish to take all three points. City looked determined and focused straight from kick-off and held the advantage for most of the first half but they could not break the Luton Town defence. They fought back well in the second half, scoring two goals to win three points. With this win, City moved up to 33 points as they were placed in the fourth position behind Liverpool (37), Arsenal (36) and Aston Villa (35) as all teams have played 16 matches. However, things did not go well for former champions Chelsea in Liverpool as they went down to Everton -- a frustrating afternoon at Goodison Park seeing the Blues also suffer two potentially significant injuries. For Everton, Abdoulaye Doucoure scored the first goal - his second in as many matches - eight minutes into the second half. Second-half substitute Lewis Dobbin smashed home his first senior Everton goal to seal the win and help Everton extend the gap between them and the relegation zone to four points. The Everton supporters may have gone home happy after the club bagged three points, but there was not much excitement in the match as both teams spent most of the 90 minutes locked in a stalemate. The closest anyone came to finding a goal in a quiet first half was when Jordan Pickford turned Cole Palmeras long-range effort away. However, Everton got the first clear chance. Robert Sanchez was unlucky after doing well to keep out Dominic Calvert-Lewinas initial shot one-on-one, but he couldnat recover in time to prevent Abdoulaye Doucoure from scoring from the rebound. The big setback for Chelsea was the injuries suffered by Robert Sanchez and Reece James, who were forced off the field before Everton got their second from a corner in added time. New Delhi, Dec 10 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday said the Central government is trying to intimidate Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as his popularity has been increasing across the country. AAP Delhi unit Vice President and party MLA Gulab Singh Yadav on Sunday conducted a door-to-door 'Mai Bhi Kejriwal' signature campaign in the Matiala Assembly constituency. Yadav interacted with people, asking if Arvind Kejriwal was arrested, should he resign from his post? Should the government be run from jail or not? "The Narendra Modi-led government has once again laid a new trap to put AAP leaders in jail. Due to Arvind Kejriwal's increasing popularity across the country, the Modi government is trying to intimidate him with the ED and CBI to stop him. The BJP now wants to put him in jail. I want to tell the Modi government that only those who have done something wrong fear the ED and CBI. of the ED and CBI. The AAP is an honest party," said Yadav. "If due to our honesty, we have to go to jail, we won't even think for a moment. Our fight against the Modi government is to save the country. Today, the youth in the country lack jobs, the health and education systems are in a bad state, farmers are troubled, and there are no jobs for the youth," he added. "The BJP is jealous because if they are not doing good work, how can any other government do? I want to tell the BJP that good intentions are necessary for good work, something only the AAP possesses," he said. Yadav further said that "the way central agencies are being controlled is a matter of grave concern". Tunis, Dec 11 : The Tunisian authorities have evacuated 57 nationals, including members of their families, from the Gaza Strip, said the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They arrived Sunday morning at Tunis-Carthage International Airport in Tunis, said the Ministry in a statement as quoted by Xinhua news agency report. "Following the order of the Tunisian President Kais Saied to ensure the evacuation process in the best conditions, the Ministry and our missions in Ramallah and Cairo have been activated to monitor all necessary logistical steps and arrangements," the statement added. The Ministry said that it will continue to closely follow the situation of Tunisians in Palestine. Tel Aviv, Dec 10 : Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called upon Hamas terrorists to surrender to Israeli troops and urged them not to sacrifice their lives for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have entered the Khan Younis area in South Gaza where Sinwar is reported to be hiding. Netyanahu's statement comes after the IDF Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, had in a statement said that there were signs that Hamas was collapsing. The Prime Minister in a video statement on Sunday said, "In the past few days, dozens of Hamas terrorists have surrendered before our forces. They put down their weapons and turn themselves over to our brave soldiers." The IDF is searching every house in the Khan Younis area after there were intelligence reports that Yahya Sinwar had escaped to South Gaza in a humanitarian aid vehicle camouflaging himself. Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had earlier publicly said that Yahya Sinwar would be killed. 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TAS - Yuzhny Airport IATA Code and UTTT - Yuzhny Airport ICAO code Pius Kamau, M.D., a retired general surgeon, is president of the Aurora-based Africa America Higher Education Partnerships (AAHEP); co-founder of the Africa Enterprise Group, and an activist for minority students STEM education. He is a National Public Radio commentator, a Huffington Post blogger, a past columnist for Denver dailies, and is featured on the podcast, Never Again. 1. Book Banners Hit a Wall in Court In year three of an organized right-wing political attack on the freedom to read, a string of legal victories in federal court in 2023 is buoying the spirits of librarians and freedom to read advocates. With more than half dozen high-profile federal lawsuits filed over book censorship in 2023, federal judges in Texas and Arkansas have so far delivered stinging rebukes to would-be book banners in three closely watched cases. The first major decision of the year came on March 30, when a federal judge in Austin, Tex., found that Llano County, Tex., officials likely infringed the constitutional rights of readers in the community by improperly pulling books from library shelves they deemed inappropriate. In a 26-page decision, judge Robert Pitman affirmed that the First Amendment prohibits the removal of books from libraries based on either viewpoint or content discrimination and ordered more than a dozen removed books returned to library shelves. That was followed a key victory in Arkansas, where, in a July 29 opinion and order, judge Timothy Brooks enjoined key provisions of Act 372, the states newly passed harmful to minors law, which would have exposed Arkansas librarians to criminal liability for making allegedly inappropriate books accessible to minors. And, in the most high-profile victory to date, on August 31 a federal judge in Austin, Tex., enjoined HB 900, the states controversial new book rating law. In an emphatic 59-page decision, judge Alan D. Albrighta Trump-appointeecalled the law a web of unconstitutionally vague requirements and a textbook example of compelled speech. Meanwhile, at press time, a host of other key cases still loom for 2024, including a lawsuit in Missouri challenging a school library obscenity law known as Senate Bill 775; a suit in Escambia County, Fla., over the removal of allegedly inappropriate books from school libraries; a suit in Alaska seeking the return of 56 books pulled from schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough school district, north of Anchorage; and two suits in Iowa seeking to block key provisions of SF 496, a law which bans books in schools that include depictions of sex, and limits access to books that include any discussion of gender identity or sexual orientation. Particularly encouraging in 2023, library advocates say, has been the participation of publishers and publishing industry associations in many of the suits. Penguin Random House is a plaintiff in two suits, and the AAP, the ABA, and the Authors Guild are plaintiffs in two others. Still, no one is celebrating just yet. The wins so far face appeals, and at press time, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuitwidely considered to be the most conservative court in the landis preparing to rule on both decisions in Texas. 2. Book Bans Are Still Surging In September, the American Library Association kicked off Banned Books Week 2023 with new data showing that attempts to censor books and library materials continued to surge in 2023, despite growing efforts to fight back. According to the ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom, there were 695 attempts to censor library materials between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, 2023, up from 681 documented attempts at the same point in 2022. But while the number of challenges tracked appears to have grown only slightly in the first eight months of the year, appearances are deceiving, ALA reps cautioned. Some 90% of the challenges tracked in 2023 involved multiple titles, and the number unique titles challenged in 2023 jumped 20% over the previous year, developments the ALA said is indicative of the rise in organized political groups creating and sharing lists of objectionable books. Until recently, most book challenges came from individuals questioning a single title. Once again, the bulk of the book challenges tracked by ALA involved books written by or about a person or persons of color, or the LGBTQIA+ community. And the 2023 data also showed another disturbing trend: the surge in book bans is spreading from school libraries to public libraries. For the first eight months of 2023, challenges targeting public libraries accounted for 49% of the reported attempts compared to 16% in 2022. In addition to the ALAs data, PEN America also offered its own reports charting the ongoing efforts to ban books in 2023, particularly in school libraries. In a September report, Banned in the USA: The Mounting Pressure to Censor, PEN America found 3,362 instances of books banned in public schools in the 20222023 school year, a 33% increase over last year. These attacks on our freedom to read should trouble every person who values liberty and our constitutional rights, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom. To allow a group of people or any individual, no matter how powerful or loud, to become the decision-maker about what books we can read or whether libraries exist, is to place all of our rights and liberties in jeopardy. 3. Publishers Prevail in Internet Archive Book Scanning Case After more than three years of high-profile litigation, it took judge John G. Koeltl just four days after a March 20 hearing to find the Internet Archives program to scan and lend copies of library books under a protocol known as "controlled digital lending" to be copyright infringement. In an emphatic March 24 decision, Koeltl held that no case or legal principle supported the IAs theory that lawfully acquiring a copyrighted print book entitles the recipient to make an unauthorized copy and distribute it in place of the print book, so long as it does not simultaneously lend the print book. In fact, the judge concluded, every authority points the other direction. Months later, on August 11, the court approved a final consent judgment negotiated and agreed to by the parties to settle the case. The agreement includes a declaration that the IAs unauthorized scanning and lending of the plaintiff publishers books constitutes copyright infringement, and a permanent injunction which, among its provisions, bars the IAs lending of unauthorized scans of the plaintiff publishers in-copyright, commercially available books, limited to books for which an authorized digital edition also exists in the marketplace. The judgment also includes a confidential monetary settlement, which, according to the Association of American Publishers, will be enough to substantially cover the publishers litigation coststhough payment is contingent upon the publishers prevailing on appeal. For the publishers, the negotiated judgment gives them what they wanted most from the suit: a resounding statement that the scanning and lending of print books is copyright infringement. For the IA, the judgment spared them what some observers had feared most: a large damage award that could have bankrupted the nonprofit. Furthermore, by agreeing to a negotiated final judgment, the IA is now able to get the case to the appeals court (which is where this case was always headed, whoever prevailed at the district court) without the time and expense of a damages trial. On that score, the IA has appealed, with opening briefs expected sometime to be filed on or around December 15. The appeal will likely play out in 2024. For democracy to thrive at global scale, libraries must be able to sustain their historic role in society: owning, preserving, and lending books, said IA founder Brewster Kahle, in a statement. 4. ALA Faces Politically Motivated State Library Defections What started out as a seemingly isolated (and frankly ludicrous) political attack has developed into something of a quiet crisis for the American Library Association in 2023: right-wing politicians in several states are pushing their state library agencies to sever ties with ALA. The movement began when right-wing media organizations amplified a since-deleted April 2022 tweet by Emily Drabinski in which she celebrated her election as ALA president and identified herself as a Marxist lesbian who believes in collective power. When Drabinski began her one-year term in June, the tweet was dredged up and thrown out as red meat for conservatives by politicians seeking to attack libraries and librarians. In July, Montana became the first state to publicly sever ties with ALA, with the states library commissioners telling ALA leadership in a letter that their oath of office and resulting duty to the Constitution forbids association with an organization led by a Marxist. Neither is true, observers quickly pointed out. But its also worth noting that ALA is not led by its president; the ALA presidency is largely a ceremonial role with no governing power. Weeks later, Missouri secretary of state Jay Ashcroft claimed his state, under his direction, was in fact the first to cut ties with ALA, tweeting about the ALAs alleged opposition to Christians, embrace of Marxism, and refusal to protect our children. As of this writing, numerous library agencies have cut or considered cutting ties with ALA. And the defections arent limited to state library agenciesa host of conservative local governments have also moved to end their institutional support for ALA. Appearing on the New York Times Ezra Klein Show, Tressie McMillan Cottom asked Drabinski why she chose to run for ALA president in such a politically radioactive moment. Why not me? Drabinski responded, neatly turning the question around. I ran because I care a whole lot about libraries, and I care a ton about library workers. And I know what kind of stress were under. I see it in my colleagues. I see it in the people that I talk to," she continued. "Ive been a librarian for a long time. I know librarians all over the country. And theres not one of them that feels secure in their ability to do the jobs that we want to do. And I thought that if I ran for president of the American Library Association, making a public argument about the importance, both of libraries as public institutions that secure the public good and library workers as the people who are responsible for that and need the kind of support to expand that work, that whatever happened, it would be good to have that public argument out in the world." 5. Tracie D. Hall Out at ALA In a surprise announcement on October 6, American Library Association executive director Tracie D. Hall abruptly resigned her position after a challenging four years for the organization. A nationwide search is now underway for a permanent replacement, while veteran librarian and former ALA president Leslie Burger was named interim executive director on November 15. No question, Halls tenure coincided with one of the most challenging periods in the organizations history. Hall took the top job in January 2020, becoming the first female African American executive director in the associations long history. Just days later, ALA revealed that it was facing a serious financial shortfall. Just weeks after that, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, forcing libraries across the country to close and the cancellation of the associations major revenue drivers: in-person conferences. And since late 2021, librarians have become targets in an unprecedented, politically organized right-wing attack on the freedom to read, which has now morphed into an attack on the ALA as well. In a statement, ALA officials praised Hall for a string of key accomplishments, including, and, most visibly, in defending the freedom to read, for which Hall had become something of a public figure with her mantra free people read freely being picked up by various media. She also racked up numerous awards and accoladesunusual for an ALA executive directorincluding the National Book Foundations 2022 Literarian Award, and a place on Time magazines annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. At the start of her tenure in 2020, PW asked Hall what she hoped her legacy at ALA would one day be. During my tenure it is important to give librarianship my face, Hall said. And by that, I mean the face of people from my communityBlack, brown, working-class, activist. I want to make sure librarians and library staff that are sometimes marginalized along with the communities they come from are brought into the circle. 6. Ibram X. Kendis Stirring Rally for the Right to Read Speech In the midst of a wearying, yearslong political assault, librarians and library supporters kicked off the 2023 American Library Association annual conference experience with a much-needed shot of moral support. On June 22, ALA held its first-ever Rally for the Right to Read, an inspiring program that featured librarians and freedom to read advocates, including bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi, who, in a memorable keynote, praised librarians as modern-day freedom fighters. I want to applaud library professionals, library workers, and your supporters for your everyday freedom fight, fighting for our freedom from censorship, our freedom from book bans, our freedom from ignorance, our freedom from homophobia, our freedom from sexism, our freedom from racism, Kendi said. There can be no greater compliment than to call a human being a freedom fighter. And if youre fighting book bans, if youre fighting against censorship, then you are a freedom fighter. Kendi also girded librarians for the hard work still to come. The freedom fight has chosen every single person who treasures books, who treasures knowledge, who treasures the truth, Kendi concluded. The freedom fight has chosen every single American, who recognizes that an institution without books about racism, without books about homophobia, without books about the Holocaust, without queer characters, without books by authors of color, is not a libraryit is a propaganda shop masquerading as a library. An institution without books about racism, without books about homophobia, without books about the Holocaust, without queer characters, without books by authors of color, is not a libraryit is a propaganda shop masquerading as a library. The event, hosted by the ALAs Unite Against Book Bans advocacy group and sponsored by EBSCO, Ingram, and Penguin Random House, provided a powerful unofficial start to what turned out be a resurgent ALA annual conference, drawing more than 15,000 to Chicagoup significantly from the 13,000 who attended the 2022 event in Washington, D.C., which was the ALAs first in-person annual conference since 2019. 7. Pritzker Signs Illinois Law to Discourage Book Bans in Libraries In a year when legislation attacking the freedom to read advanced in a number of state legislatures, librarians and anti-censorship advocates welcomed the passage in Illinois of HB 2789, a groundbreaking law designed to discourage book bans in the states libraries. The bill was signed on June 12 by Illinois governor JB Pritzker at an event at the Chicago Public Library. The law was initially drafted by Illinois secretary of state Alexi Giannoulias as an effort to stand up and fight for libraries and librarians, Giannoulias said, and for freedom of speech, especially at this perilous time for our democracy. Specifically, the bill conditions state grant funding for libraries on adopting the ALAs Library Bill of Rights or a similar written policy that would protect library books and other resources from being proscribed, removed, or restricted based on partisan or doctrinal disapproval. The law comes after Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker, in his January state of the state address, took specific aim at the organized political effort to ban books now underway across the nation, calling the movement a virulent strain of nationalism led by demagogues. At the signing ceremony, Pritzker doubled down on those remarks. The argument for banning books always begins with the claim that its about protecting children, Pritzker said. But banning books from libraries isnt about that at all. Book bans are about censorship, marginalizing people, marginalizing ideas, and facts. Regimes ban books, not democracies. To be clear, the law is not a perfect solution. Even in supporting the bill, many librarians have expressed unease over any bill that uses library funding for leverage. But as then ALA executive director Tracie D. Hall said at the signing ceremony, the law, which kicks in on January 1, 2024, sends an important message. History will surely assess this moment in the years to come and note that welibrarians and legislators civic leaders and community stewardsdid not stand idly by and let the right to read and to freely access libraries be taken from us, she said. 8. Scholastic Book Fairs Segregates Diverse Titles, Later Backtracks As book bans continued to escalate in 2023, Scholastic Book Fairs introduced an optional diverse stories offering called Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice. But librarians, educators, and authors quickly expressed dismay at the idea of diverse books being separated into an optional offering, and accused the company of aiding censorship. In initially defending the offering, Scholastic cited enacted or pending legislation in more than 30 U.S. states prohibiting certain kinds of books from being in schoolsmostly LGBTQIA+ titles and books that engage with the presence of racism in our country. Such laws, the company added, create an almost impossible dilemma: back away from these titles or risk making teachers, librarians, and volunteers vulnerable to being fired, sued, or prosecuted. But amid growing media attentionand with more than 1,500 authors and illustrators signing an open letter calling for Scholastic to abandon the optional offering of diverse titles, Scholastic reversed course in an October 24 letter. I want to apologize on behalf of Scholastic, Scholastic Trade Publishing president Ellie Berger wrote. Even if the decision was made with good intention, we understand now that it was a mistake to segregate diverse books in an elective case. Berger said the offering would be discontinued and that the company would find ways to show their support for diverse voices. Though final plans have not yet been formalized, Scholastic Book Fair representatives confirmed in November that Spring 2024 Scholastic Book Fairs will include all of the books from the Celebrating Voices Collection throughout the fair, along with a number of new titles with a wide array of representation. 9. Publishers Balk at Follett Request to Rate Their Own Books From the outset, one of the key problems (among many) associated with HB 900, Texass controversial book rating law, is the impossible (as well as unconstitutional) burden it placed on vendors to rate every book sold to Texas schools for sexual content. But in August, with the laws September 1 effective date bearing down, Follett School Solutions, the nations largest distributor of books to schools, saw a path forward in Texas: it asked publishers to help rate their own books. In a memo to publishers, shared with PW, Follett asked publishers for help getting as many books as possible ready for sale in Texas schools by September 1 by providing them with a simple spreadsheet separating titles into two categories: no sexual content (which could be sold to Texas schools) or books with possible sexual content (which would have to be rated). When asked by PW, all of the major publishers rejected the idea of helping Texas censor booksespecially with the publishers suing to block the law. We strongly disagree with the idea that rating our books to flag certain content, or having retailers or wholesalers do this, is appropriate or helpful, Hachette representatives told PW in an on-the-record statement. It is our hope that laws that seek to limit access to books and that criminalize teachers, librarians and booksellers will be struck down as unconstitutional. The good news: a federal court has found HB 900 unconstitutional, though at press time the fate of the law remains in the hands of an appeals court. But the Follett request remains a sign of the pressure facing the book business in the wake of new state laws that strike at the freedom to read. 10. The Federal Response to Book Bans On December 5, a group of Democrats in Congress, led by Florida representatives Maxwell Alejandro Frost and Frederica Wilson, and Maryland representative Jamie Raskin, introduced the Fight Book Bans Actlegislation aimed at combating the surge of book banning in schools. Specifically, the billwhich Frosts office said already has the support of 50 members of Congresswould enable the Department of Education to provide grants to school districts to cover expenses incurred while fighting book bans, up to $100,000 to a given school district. In addition, in April, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-03) once again introduced the Right to Read Act, which would, among its provisions, affirm that "First Amendment rights apply to school libraries" and extend "liability protections" to teachers and school librarians, a direct response to a surge in laws threatening librarians and teachers with fines, jail time, or job loss for providing access to books. Unfortunately, two separate hearings in 2023 (one in the House and one in the Senate) suggest federal legislation to combat book bans is highly unlikely to advance. On September 12, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing entitled Book Bans: Examining How Censorship Limits Liberty and Literature. But after an opening statement, the hearing descended into a chippy 25-minute partisan debate about the southern border. When it got back on track, Republican witnesses and legislators proceeded to run the same playbook employed by right-wing activists at school and library board meetings across the country: they read aloud cherry-picked, graphic sex scenes from banned books, which included Louisiana senator John Kennedy reading from George Johnsons All Boys Arent Blue, which Nola.com dubbed the audiobook nobody asked for. On October 19, the Republican-led House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, chaired by Florida representative Aaron Bean, held a hearing entitled Protecting Kids: Combating Graphic, Explicit Content in School Libraries. The message from the hearing: there is no book banning, just an epidemic of pornographic books in schools and libraries. Meanwhile, there was better news from the White House. In June, the Biden administration announced the appointment of a new position within the DOE to help schools respond to book bans that may violate federal civil rights laws. The announcement came just two weeks after the DOE reached a landmark resolution agreement with the Forsyth County (Georgia) School district over book bans featuring Black and LGBTQ characters. In September, Matt Nosanchuk, a former DOJ liaison to the LGBTQ community during the Obama administration, was appointed to the role. Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics. The Bharatiya Janata Party's newly-elected MLAs in Madhya Pradesh will meet on Monday to elect the leader of the legislative party. IMAGE: BJP supporters during an event in Bhopal. Photograph: ANI Photo The BJP retained power in MP in the November 17 polls emphatically winning 163 seats in the 230-member assembly, leaving the Congress a distant second with 66 seats. However, it had not project a CM face, with the campaign relying heavily on the mass appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting is expected to begin at 4pm on Monday and the name of CM may be announced by 7pm, an MLA said. The party's central observers, comprising Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, OBC Morcha head K Laxman and secretary Asha Lakra, are expected to arrive here at 11am. "We have been invited for lunch at 1pm. The meeting will begin at 4pm," the MLA said. This is for the third time since 2004 that the BJP has sent central observers to MP. In August 2004, when Uma Bharti resigned as chief minister, the party's senior leaders Pramod Mahajan and Arun Jaitley were sent as central observers to the state. In November 2005, when Babulal Gaur resigned from the top post in the state, Rajnath Singh was sent as a central observer to help legislators pick the new chief minister. At the time, Shivraj Singh Chouhan was elected as the leader of the legislative party. This time, the saffron party contested the assembly polls without projecting Chouhan as its CM face. Incidentally, Chouhan is a four-time CM, having taken oath in 2005, 2008, 2013 and 2020. Prahlad Patel, an OBC like Chouhan, former Union minister and newly-elected Dimani MLA Narendra Tomar, Indore heavyweight Kailash Vijayvargiya, state unit chief VD Sharma and Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia are being talked about as front-runners for the post. Incidentally, since 2003, all three CMs of the BJP in MP, namely Uma Bharti, Babulal Gaur and Chouhan, have been from the Other Backward Classes. The population of OBCs in MP is around 48 per cent. Patel, Tomar, Vijayvargiya, Sharma and Scindia have already met Union Home Minister and BJP's key strategist Amit Shah in New Delhi. They also called on party president J P Nadda. Jharkhand Congress in-charge Avinash Pandey on Sunday said that a clarification has been sought from party MP Dheeraj Sahu in connection with the recovery of huge cash from premises linked to him. IMAGE: Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu. Photograph: ANI Photo Pandey, however, clarified that is it a private matter of Dheeraj Sahu and the party has nothing to do with it. "Since he is Congress MP, he should make an official statement about how such a big amount of money came to him," Pandey said while speaking to media persons at Ranchi's Birsa Munda airport. He also said, "The party has a clear-cut stand that it is a private matter of Dheeraj Sahu, which has nothing to do with the Congress party. A huge pile of cash has been recovered so far in the searches conducted by the Income Tax department against Odisha-based Boudh Distillery Private Limited and entities linked to it. Premises linked to Sahu were also covered as part of the searches, according to officials. The seizure amount is expected to reach Rs 290 crore, making it the "highest-ever" cash haul by any agency in a single operation, official sources said on Saturday. Pandey said that the Income-Tax department has so far not made any official statement regarding the raid and recovery but the way allegations are being made linking the party is unfortunate. "The family which has business establishment for more than 100 years here and it is the joint business of the family. Dheeraj Sahu is just a part of the business. But, Sahu should clarify how such big amount came to him," Pandey said. He, however, said that an official statement should also come from the Income Tax department about the quantity of cash and how it came. Pandey was in Ranchi to welcome retired state administrative official Dr Sanjay Singh and retired Kargil warrior Hridaynand Yadav, who joined the Congress party at party headquarters. Speaking at Congress headquarters, Pandey alleged that a conspiracy is being carried out to defame the opposition parties in the country. "Since the day a majority alliance government came to power in Jharkhand, BJP has been hatching a conspiracy to destabilise it. This is not only in Jharkhand but the conspiracy is being done against all non-BJP governments elected through democratic process in the country under 'Operation Lotus'. "BJP is doing it openly without caring about any constitutional values," he said. Taking a dig at Pandey's statement, senior BJP leader and Ranchi MLA CP Singh said, "Congress wants to get rid of Sahu so that its bosses could be protected. Is Sahu Congress MP or Independent? If he is an Independent candidate, then he can say that party has nothing to do." Some newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs met former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje at her Civil Lines residence on Sunday, amid suspense over whom the party will pick for the chief ministerial post in the state. IMAGE: BJP MLA Vasundhara Raje poses for a picture with supporters. Photograph: ANI Photo The BJP is yet to announce the meeting of the legislature party to choose its leader, who will be the chief minister. Nearly 10 MLAs, including Ajay Singh and Babu Singh, were at Raje's residence, sources in the party said. Raje, a two-time chief minister, is among the frontrunners for the CM post. Earlier, on Monday and Tuesday, several BJP MLAs had met Raje and the meetings were seen as a show of strength. She was recently in Delhi, where she also met the BJP president JP Nadda. The party has already announced three observers, including Union Minister Rajnath Singh, to oversee the legislature party meeting. In the assembly election results declared November 30, the BJP got 115 seats while the Congress secured 69 seats. Elections on 199 out of 200 seats in the state were held on November 25. Polling in Karanpur, where the election was adjourned due to the demise of the Congress candidate, will be held on January 5 and results will be declared on January 8. The central government, responding to a contempt petition, informed the Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court that it has issued notices to actors Akshay Kumar, Shahrukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn in connection with advertisements they do for gutka companies. IMAGE: Shahrukh Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn. Photograph: ANI Photo The Centre's counsel informed the high court on Friday that the same issue was also being heard by the Supreme Court and as such the instant petition should be dismissed. After hearing the submission, the bench fixed the hearing for May 9, 2024. A bench of justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan had earlier directed the central government to decide the representation of the petitioner, who had originally contended that action should be taken against the actors and dignitaries who were given high profile awards but were advertising for gutka companies. The representation was made to the government on October 22 but no action was taken in the matter, the petitioner argued. Thereafter, hearing the contempt petition, the high court had issued notice to the Cabinet Secretary of the central government. On Friday, deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey informed the high court that the Centre had issued show cause notices to Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn. The court was also informed that Amitabh Bachchan had sent a legal notice to a gutka company, which was showing his advertisement despite the fact that he had already cancelled his contract with it. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday picked Vishnu Deo Sai, a prominent tribal leader, as the next chief minister of Chhattisgarh, ending the suspense over who will helm the state which the saffron party wrested from Congress in recent polls. IMAGE: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and other BJP leaders congratulate Vishnu Deo Sai as he is about to become the first tribal chief minister of Chhattisgarh, in Raipur on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo Sai, 59, was elected as the BJP's legislative party leader during a meeting of 54 newly-elected MLAs held at the party's state headquarters in Raipur in the afternoon, a party functionary said. After the meeting, a delegation of BJP MLAs led by Sai met governor Biswabhusan Harichandan to stake a claim to form the next government. We have handed over a letter to the Governor stating that Sai ji has been elected as the legislative party leader, senior BJP MLA Brijmohan Agrawal told reporters. The swearing-in ceremony of the new chief minister may take place on December 12 or 13 as per the availability of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a senior BJP leader said. As a chief minister, Sai said he would try to fulfil PM Modi's 'guarantees' and sanction 18 lakh houses to the beneficiaries of the PM Awas Yojna, who were deprived of the benefits under the erstwhile Congress government, will be the top priority. BJP's three observers -- Union ministers Arjun Munda and Sarbananda Sonowal and party general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam -- attended the meeting of the MLAs, besides BJP's in-charge for Chhattisgarh Om Mathur, Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya and party's co-in-charge for the state Nitin Nabin. At the meeting, the proposal to elect Sai as the legislative party leader was moved by former chief minister Raman Singh, which was seconded by state BJP president Arun Sao and senior leader Brijmohan Agrawal. Sai thanked Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and other party leaders for reposing faith in him to hold the top post in Chhattisgarh. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Sai said fulfilling the promises of the BJP mentioned in the poll manifesto would be the priority of his government. "As chief minister of Chhattisgarh, I will try to fulfil the BJP's pre-poll promises which are PM Modi's guarantees through the government," Sai said. In the five years (of Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government), 18 lakh beneficiaries of the PM Awas Yojna were deprived of the benefits under this scheme. Sanctioning 18 lakh houses to these beneficiaries will be the first work (to be done) in the state, he said. On the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister (late) Atal Bihari Vajpayee December 25, who was the founder of Chhattisgarh State, a bonus against paddy procurement for two years which was pending during the previous BJP government (2013-2018) will be given to farmers (who had then sold their paddy), Sai said. "All the guarantees of Modi Ji, BJP's poll promises, will be fulfilled in the next five years," he said. Sai has become the fourth chief minister of the state. His predecessors included Ajit Jogi (Congress), Raman Singh (BJP) who helmed the state for three consecutive terms starting from 2003 to 2018, and Bhupesh Baghel (Congress) who held the top post from 2018 to December 2023. Baghel congratulated Sai on being elected as the leader of the BJP's legislative party. The BJP won 54 out of the total 90 assembly seats in the recently held elections, reducing Congress' tally to 35. The Gondwana Gantantra Party managed to win one seat. The former Union minister who had also served as Chhattisgarh BJP chief, Sai was elected as an MLA from the Kunkuri seat in the state's Surguja division, swept by the BJP which won all 14 segments in the region. Overall, the BJP bagged 17 of the 29 seats reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates, a feat that added crucial numbers to its winning tally. This comprehensive win in the tribal turfs contributed to the BJP's resounding victory in the Assembly polls and return to power in the state after a gap of five years. Sai started his political career as a village sarpanch and rose to become a Union minister and a multiple-time Lok Sabha member besides getting important organisational roles. The newly-elected MLA from Jashpur district in the Surguja region perfectly fits in the BJP's scheme of things since Adivasis account for nearly 32 per cent of Chhattisgarh's population and are the second most dominant social group after OBCs. Sai hails from a farming family based in a small village, Bagia, in the tribal-dominated Jashpur district. He studied in a government school in Kunkuri and went to Ambikapur for graduation but quit studies midway and returned to his village in 1988. In 1989, he was elected as a 'panch' of Bagia village panchayat and the next year became the sarpanch unopposed. It is believed that BJP stalwart late Dilip Singh Judev encouraged Sai to enter electoral politics in 1990. In the same year, Sai was elected as MLA for the first time on a BJP ticket from Tapkara (in Jashpur district) in undivided Madhya Pradesh. He retained the seat in the 1993 assembly polls. In 1998, Sai unsuccessfully contested the assembly polls from the adjoining Pathalgaon seat. Later, he was elected as MP from Raigarh Lok Sabha constituency four times in a row -- 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014. Though the BJP fielded him in the 2003 and 2008 assembly elections from Pathalgaon in Chhattisgarh, which came into existence as a separate state on November 1, 2000, he lost on both occasions. After the BJP formed its government at the Centre in 2014 under the leadership of PM Modi, Sai was made Minister of State for Steel and Mines. The tribal politician served as the BJP's Chhattisgarh chief from 2006 to 2010 and again from January to August 2014. After the BJP lost power in the state in 2018, he was again given the responsibility to lead the party in Chhattisgarh in 2020. He was replaced with Arun Sao, an OBC leader, in 2022, just a year ahead of the assembly polls. Ahead of the polls in November this year, Sai was named a member of the BJP national executive in July. He was fielded from Kunkuri (Jashpur district) in the elections which he won by defeating Congress' sitting MLA U D Minj by a margin of 25,541 votes. Notably, addressing a poll rally in the Kunkuri constituency last month, Amit Shah had urged voters to elect Sai, promising to make the latter a 'big man' if the party comes back to power in the state. The Jaipur Police has arrested three men, including two shooters, for their alleged involvement in the Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi murder case after they were caught from Chandigarh in a joint operation conducted by the Rajasthan Police and the Delhi Police. IMAGE: One of the accused in the Karni Sena chief's murder case being brought to the crime branch office of the Delhi police, in Delhi, December 10, 2023. Photograph: ANI on X The accused, nabbed from outside a Chandigarh hotel on Saturday night, were brought to Jaipur amid tight security and taken to the Sodala police station. Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph told a press conference here that the shooters -- Nitin Fauji and Rohit Rathore -- along with their accomplice Udham Singh were held from sector 22 in Chandigarh. Fauji, hailing from Haryana's Mahendragarh, is a lance naik in the Army. The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police and a special investigation team (SIT) of the Rajasthan Police, which was formed by the DGP, conducted the joint operation. Fauji, along with Rathore and Naveen Shekhawat, went to the house of Gogamedi, the chief of the Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, in Jaipur's Shyam Nagar area on December 5. After talking to him for a few minutes, the shooters opened fire at Gogamedi in his living room, leaving him dead. They also shot Shekhawat dead. Gogamedi's private security guard sustained bullet injuries in the incident. The accused had gone to Gogamedi's house in a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that was driven by Shekhawat. While fleeing, they shot at a scooty driver and snatched the two-wheeler. Joseph said after the killings, the shooters went to Deedwana in a Rajasthan Roadways bus and took a taxi for Sujangarh, from where they went to Dharuhera in Haryana. They then went to Rewari in a taxi from Dharuhera and took a train to reach Hisar where they met Udham Singh. The trio then went to Manali in a taxi and stayed in a hotel for two days before going to Chandigarh, Joseph said. He said the Haryana Police and the Delhi Police assisted the Rajasthan Police in the search operation. Inputs were also exchanged with the Punjab Police. Gangster Rohit Godara, linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, had claimed responsibility for Gogamedi's killing in a Facebook post, saying the Karni Sena chief was backing his enemies. Asked about the motive behind Gogamedi's killing, Joseph said there is no clarity on it and anything concrete can only be said after the accused are interrogated. "I cannot comment on the motive as of now. The shooters were nabbed on Saturday night and they will be interrogated," he said. On the role of Shekhawat, who was also killed by the accused, the police commissioner said he too was involved in the killing of Gogamedi. The Jaipur Police arrested a man on Saturday for allegedly helping Fauji. He was produced before a magistrate who remanded him in police custody. "The shooters and their facilitators have been arrested in the first phase. The next phase is about reaching out to the mastermind and conspirators," Joseph said, adding that the Rajasthan Police will complete the task before the case is handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Asked about the reasons why security was not provided to Gogamedi despite intelligence inputs about the attack and letters from the Karni Sena chief seeking a security cover, the commissioner said a judicial inquiry has been ordered by the police headquarters in this regard. According to a press note issued by the Jaipur Police Commissionerate, on the day of the incident, Fauji was carrying two pistols with as many magazines with a total of 35 rounds while Rathore had a pistol and a magazine with 13 rounds. Fauji had gone home in Mahendragarh on a two-day leave on November 7. During his stay there, he and two of his friends -- Bhawani Singh and Rahul Kothal -- got involved in a scuffle with one Anupam Soni and others in Khudana village. Bhawani Singh had an old dispute with Soni. Fauji, Bhawani Singh and Kothal had gone for a settlement of the dispute when the scuffle broke out and police had to arrive at the spot. The trio fled the scene after opening fire on the Haryana Police personnel, following which a case was registered at the Sadar police station in Mahendragarh. Meanwhile, the trio reached Hisar to evade arrest and their accommodation was arranged by Udham Singh. Bhawani Singh was already in touch with Godara. He introduced Fauji to Godara over the phone and prepared him for executing Gogamedi's killing. He sent Fauji to Jaipur in a taxi on November 28. Fauji met Rathore on the Ajmer road in Jaipur on December 5. They were taken to Gogamedi's house by Shekhawat in a Mahindra Scorpio car. Joseph said the gang that arranged the weapons for the shooters has been identified and a separate investigation is being conducted in this regard. The Rajasthan Police had announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to the arrest of each accused. Sources in the Delhi Police said a Crime Branch team, in a joint operation with the Rajasthan Police, nabbed the duo from Chandigarh's sector 22. Thomas McLoughlin, Window Weatherization and Restoration, LLC (tom_mcloughlin@comcast.net) works with his new colleague, Adam Grimes, LLC (adamtgrimes@gmail.com). Adam has a masters degree in art history, and he applies his art and historic preservation knowledge daily in a hands-on manner. Adam and his partner have recently moved to Brattleboro, where Tom and his family also reside. MONTPELIER The lawyer for an embattled Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore says he and his client are planning to attend a hearing planned for Monday by the Vermont House Committee studying possible impeachment of the lawman. Burlington lawyer Robert Kaplan said Friday he and his client plan to participate if the hearing is held in public. Kaplan said he and his client have no interest in participating in secret proceedings. He called on the Vermont media and the public to attend the public session. The committee, which is chaired by Rep. Martin LaLonde, D-South Burlington, has been doing almost all its work since last summer behind closed doors away from the public, including the voters who overwhelmingly elected Grismore in November 2022, Kaplan noted. As of Friday afternoon, LaLonde said his plan is for much of the session to be in open session. However, LaLonde said the seven-member committee will want to retreat to secret session when it comes to questions about some financial operations when Grismore was the chief deputy for the Franklin County Sheriffs Department, a post Grismore held until August 2022. LaLonde said the financial issues are part of an ongoing Vermont State Police investigation and the committee wants to hide that part of their inquiry. It was unclear whether Grismore and Kaplan would stick around for that portion of the questioning. Kaplan sent a three-page letter calling into question the fairness of the impeachment inquiry, and singled out Rep. Michael McCarthy, D-St. Albans, for "a bullying campaign." Kaplan noted that McCarthy had demanded that Grismore, a Republican, take his name off the ballot so a Democrat could be added. Kaplan noted that Grismore won his seat by 3,619 votes, but McCarthy was elected to his legislative seat by only 242 votes. Kaplan has said he and his client are not interested in being part of a "Star Chamber proceeding." Those are historically secret court hearings that often lead to severe judgments with the public never being told about the evidence and sometimes the outcome. Kaplan in his letter to LaLonde and the committee noted that attorney Matthew Byrne, the legal counsel for the Vermont Press Association, was among those to write the committee on May 30 to call upon lawmakers to be transparent and to hold all hearings in public. "The Impeachment Committee has none the less plowed forward with Star Chamber-like secrecy in defiance of the clear will and choice of the Vermont electorate to know what its elected representatives are doing with their tax dollars," Kaplan wrote. The committee with virtually no public discussion ignored the request for public hearings, he said. The Kaplan letter follows a decision this week by the Vermont Criminal Justice Council to permanently revoked Grismore's certification due to a finding that he violated a state policy on excessive force for an intoxicated, unruly handcuffed prisoner. Grismore still is free to serve as sheriff and oversee the administration of his department. He also can continue to handle civil issues, including serving papers and eviction notices. He also can handle some law enforcement duties that are not certified through the state. The House committee issued a subpoena for Grismore to discuss eight vague topics. They cover his administration since taking office, policies adopted, actions he has taken during his time as sheriff, use of force and the performance of his duties. Windham County Sheriff Mark Anderson, president of the elected state sheriffs, and Lamoille County Sheriff Roger Marcoux, a past state president, are expected to testify Monday starting at 9 a.m. Grismore and Kaplan are due to appear at 1 p.m. at the Statehouse. It also is due to be available on Zoom through the Legislature's website. Sunday saw an apparent escalation between China and the Philippines over Manilas resupply mission to the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Beijing and Manila traded accusations on Sunday morning with each side claiming its ships were harassed and rammed by the other. A Philippine spokesman said Philippine civilian supply vessels on a routine resupply and rotation mission to the BRP Sierra Madre the old landing ship that Manila deliberately grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal to serve as an outpost in 1999 were harassed, blocked, and executed dangerous maneuvers on by the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels. Jay Tarriela, the Philippine coast guards spokesperson, posted on the social media site X a statement by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, the part of the South China Sea under Manilas jurisdiction, saying that the resupply boat Unaizah Mae 1 (UM1) was rammed by the Chinese coast guard ship CCG 21556. The Chinese coast guard earlier issued a statement saying that at 06:39 a.m. the UM1 ignored CCG repeated stern warnings, violated the COLREGs (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea), swerved in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, and deliberately collided into the CCG boat 21556, resulting in scratches, for which the Philippines is fully responsible. Ship ramming is generally considered an act of violence and could cause serious damage to vessels, as well as injuries to the crew on board. There have been instances of ship ramming in the South China Sea but no state has ever officially sanctioned this dangerous tactic. The previous time Manila accused Chinese vessels of ramming its ships was on Oct. 22, also in the waters off the Second Thomas Shoal, known by Filipinos as Ayungin Shoal and by the Chinese as Renai Jiao. China denied it. The Philippines afterwards summoned the Chinese ambassador and filed a diplomatic protest against Chinas action. The United States also expressed concern, issuing a warning that Washington is obligated to defend the Philippines under a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under armed attack, including "those of its coast guard anywhere in the South China Sea." Cat and mouse Manila and Beijing have been playing cat and mouse around the Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines is making regular resupply missions to the troops stationed on the Sierra Madre and the Chinese coast guard has been trying to prevent them. The statement from the Philippine National Task Force said that on Sunday morning CCG vessel 5204 deployed a water cannon against the Philippine supply vessels causing severe damage to M/L [motor launch] Kalavaan's engines, disabling the vessel and seriously endangering the lives of its crew. It also showed photos of the Kalavaan being water cannoned and then towed to port. We condemn, once again, China's latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission, the statement said. The Philippines will not be deterred from exercising our legal rights, it added. Caption: Philippine supply boat Kalavaan being towed to port after being fired on with water cannons, Dec. 10, 2023. (Philippine Coast Guard) On Saturday, Manila accused the Chinese coast guard of deploying water cannons, a floating barrier and painful sound blasts against boats ferrying supplies to Filipino fishermen in disputed waters near another shoal in the South China Sea. Vessels from Manila's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources were targeted by water cannon "at least eight times" as they attempted to deliver food and fuel to more than 30 Filipino fishing boats near Scarborough Shoal, said a statement by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea. The China Coast Guard responded by saying it had used "control measures in accordance with the law" against the Philippine boats as they "intruded" into the waters adjacent to the island. Analysts say that Manila has embarked on a tactic of assertive transparency in reporting incidents in disputed waters. Although the term was coined this year, the practice of assertive transparency has been used ever since people dealt with gray zone tactics, said Alexander Vuving, a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii. Gray zone activities are not explicit acts of war but can be harmful to a nations security. For example, during the 2014 oil rig crisis between China and Vietnam, Hanoi ferried international journalists to the site of the oil rig confrontation so they could shed maximum light on the gray zone. This was assertive transparency in practice, although nobody used that term to describe the practice in 2014, the political analyst told RFA. This practice has proven to be effective, said Vuving, adding The other key was perseverance. Jason Gutierrez in Manila contributed to this article. Edited by Mike Firn. We asked some of our most perceptive journalists and analysts to anticipate tomorrow, to unravel the future, to forecast what the new year could have in store for our vast broadcast region. Among their predictions: The war in Ukraine will persist until the West realizes that a return to the previous world order is unattainable. In Iran, with parliamentary elections scheduled for March, the government is likely to face yet another challenge to its legitimacy. In Belarus, setbacks for Russia in Ukraine could prompt the Lukashenka regime to attempt to normalize relations with the West. While 2024 will see a rightward shift in the EU, it is unlikely to bring the deluge of populist victories that some are predicting. The vicious spiral for women in Afghanistan will only worsen. Peace between Armenia and its neighbors could set the stage for a Russian exit from the region. Hungary's upcoming leadership of the European Council could prove a stumbling block to the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine. Kyrgyzstan is on course to feel the pain of secondary sanctions over Russias invasion of Ukraine if the West's patience runs out. Here, then, are our correspondents' predictions for 2024. To find out more about the authors themselves, click on their bylines. The Ukraine War: A Prolonged Stalemate By Vitaliy Portnikov In September 2022, Ukrainian generals Valeriy Zaluzhniy and Mykhaylo Zabrodskiy presciently warned that Russia's aggression against Ukraine would unfold into a protracted conflict. Fast forward 15 months, and the front line is effectively frozen, with neither Ukrainian nor Russian offensives yielding substantial changes. As 2023 comes to a close, observers find themselves revisiting themes familiar from the previous year: the potential for a major Ukrainian counteroffensive, the extent of Western aid to Kyiv, the possibility of a "frozen conflict, security assurances for Ukraine, and the prospects for its Euro-Atlantic integration ahead of a NATO summit. It is conceivable that, by the close of 2024, we will still be grappling with these same issues. A political resolution seems elusive, given the Kremlin's steadfast refusal to entertain discussions on vacating the parts of Ukraine its forces occupy. Conversely, Ukraines definition of victory is the full restoration of its territorial integrity. Even if, in 2024, one side achieves a military victory -- whether through the liberation of part of Ukraine or Russia seizing control of additional regions -- it won't necessarily bring us closer to a political resolution. Acknowledging this impasse is crucial, as Russian President Vladimir Putin's assault on Ukraine is part of a broader agenda: a push to reestablish, if not the Soviet Empire, at least its sphere of influence. Even if, in 2024, one side achieves a military victory, it won't necessarily bring us closer to a political resolution. For Ukraine, resistance to Russian aggression is about not just reclaiming occupied territories but also safeguarding statehood, political identity, and national integrity. Western support is crucial for Ukraine's survival and the restoration of its territorial integrity. However, this backing aims to avoid escalation into a direct conflict between Russia and the West on Russia's sovereign territory. The war's conclusion seems contingent on the depletion of resources on one of the two sides, with Ukraine relying on continued Western support and Russia on oil and gas revenues. Hence, 2024 might echo the patterns of 2023. Even if external factors shift significantly -- such as in the U.S. presidential election in November -- we might not witness tangible changes until 2025. Another potential variable is the emergence of major conflicts akin to the war in the Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, this would likely signify the dissipation of Western resources rather than a shift in approaches to war. In essence, the war in Ukraine will persist until the West realizes that a return to the previous world order is unattainable. Constructing a new world order demands unconventional measures, such as offering genuine security guarantees to nations victimized by aggression or achieving peace, or at least limiting the zone of military operations to the current contact line, without direct agreements with Russia. So far, such understanding is lacking, and the expectation that Moscow will eventually grasp the futility of its ambitions only emboldens Putin. Consequently, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will endure, potentially spawning new, equally perilous local wars worldwide. Iran: Problems Within And Without By Hannah Kaviani Iran has been dealing with complex domestic and international challenges for years and the same issues are likely to plague it in 2024. But officials in Tehran appear to be taking a wait-and-see approach to its lengthy list of multilayered problems. Iran enters 2024 as Israel's war in Gaza continues and the prospects for a peaceful Middle East are bleak, with the situation exacerbated by militia groups firmly supported by Tehran. Irans prominent role in supporting paramilitary forces in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen has also drawn the ire of the international community and will continue to be a thorn in the side of relations with the West. Tehran has refused to cooperate with the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency over its nuclear program, resulting in an impasse in talks with the international community. And with the United States entering an election year that could see the return of Donald Trump to the presidency, the likelihood of Tehran and Washington resuming negotiations -- which could lead to a reduction in sanctions -- is considered very low. But Iran's problems are not limited to outside its borders. Another critical issue Iranian officials must continue to deal with in 2024 is the devastated economy. The countrys clerical regime is still reeling from the massive protests that began in 2022 over the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody after her arrest for not obeying hijab rules. The aftershocks of the Women, Life, Freedom movement that emanated from her death were reflected in acts of civil disobedience that are likely to continue in 2024. At the same time, a brutal crackdown continues as civil rights activists, students, religious minorities, and artists are being beaten, detained, and/or given harsh prison sentences. With parliamentary elections scheduled for March, the government is likely to face yet another challenge to its legitimacy as it struggles with low voter turnout and general disinterest in another round of controlled elections. Another critical issue Iranian officials must continue to deal with in 2024 is the devastated economy resulting from the slew of international sanctions because of its controversial nuclear program. After a crushing year of 47 percent inflation in 2023 (a 20-year high, according to the IMF), costs are expected to continue to rise for many foods and commodities, as well as real estate. Irans widening budget deficit due to reduced oil profits continues to cripple the economy, with the IMF reporting that the current government debt is equal to three annual budgets. With neither the international community nor the hard-line Tehran regime budging, most analysts see scant chances for significant changes in Iran in the coming year. Belarus: Wider War Role, Integration With Russia Not In The Cards By Valer Karbalevich Belarus has been pulled closer into Moscows orbit than ever by Russias war in Ukraine -- but in 2024, its unlikely to be subsumed into the much larger nation to its east, and chances are it wont step up its so-far limited involvement in the conflict in the country to its south. The most probable scenario in Belarus, where the authoritarian Alyaksandr Lukashenka will mark 30 years since he came to power in 1994, is more of the same: No letup in pressure on all forms of dissent at home, no move to send troops to Ukraine. And while Russias insistent embrace will not loosen, the Kremlin will abstain from using Belarusian territory for any new ground attacks or bombardments of Ukraine. But the war in Ukraine is a wild card, the linchpin influencing the trajectory of Belarus in the near term and beyond. For the foreseeable future, what happens in Belarus -- or to it -- will depend in large part on what happens in Russias assault on Ukraine. Should the current equilibrium on the front persist and Western support for Ukraine persist, the likelihood is a continuation of the status quo for Belarus. The country will maintain its allegiance to Russia, marked by diplomatic and political support. Bolstered by Russian loans, Belarus's defense industry will further expand its output. If Russia wins or scores substantial victories in Ukraine, Lukashenka will reap "victory dividends." The Belarusian state will continue to militarize the border with Ukraine, posing a perpetual threat to Kyiv and diverting Ukrainian troops from the eastern and southern fronts. At the same time, however, Russia is unlikely to use Belarusian territory as a launching point for fresh assaults on Ukraine, as it did at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. If Russia wins or scores substantial victories -- if Ukraine is forced into negotiations on Moscows terms, for example, or the current front line comes to be considered the international border -- Lukashenka, consolidating his position within the country, will reap "victory dividends." But relations between Belarus and Russia are unlikely to change dramatically. Potentially, Moscow could take major steps to absorb Belarus, diminishing its sovereignty and transforming its territory into a staging ground for a fresh assault on Kyiv. This would increase tensions with the West and heighten concerns about the tactical nuclear weapons Moscow and Minsk say Russia has transferred to Belarus. However, this seems unlikely due to the absence of military necessity for Moscow and the problems it could create on the global stage. The loss of Belarusian sovereignty would pose a major risk for Lukashenka and his regime. An overwhelming majority of Belarusians oppose the direct involvement of Belarus in the war against Ukraine. This fundamental distinction sets Belarus apart from Russia, and bringing Belarus into the war could trigger a political crisis in Belarus -- an outcome Moscow would prefer to avoid. If Russia loses the war or sustains significant defeats that weaken Putin, Lukashenka's regime may suffer economic and political repercussions. This could prompt him to seek alternative global alliances, potentially leading to an attempt to normalize relations with the West. Russia, Ukraine, And The West: Sliding Toward World War III By Sergei Medvedev 2024 will be a critical year for the war in Ukraine and for the entire international system, which is quickly unraveling before our eyes. The most crucial of many challenges is a revanchist, resentful, belligerent Russia, bent on destroying and remaking the world order. In his mind, President Vladimir Putin is fighting World War III, and Ukraine is a prelude to a global showdown. Despite Western sanctions, Russia has consolidated its position militarily, domestically, and internationally in 2023. After setbacks and shocks in 2022, the military has stabilized the front and addressed shortages of arms, supplies, and manpower. Despite latent discontent, the population is not ready to question the war, preferring to stay in the bubble of learned ignorance and the lies of state propaganda. Here are four scenarios for 2024: Strategic stalemate in Ukraine, chaos in the international system: The West, relaxed by a 30-year peace dividend, lacks the vision and resolve of the 1980s, when its leaders helped bring about the U.S.S.R.s collapse, let alone the courage of those who stood up to Nazi Germany in World War II. Putins challenge to the free world is no less significant than Hitlers was, but there is no Roosevelt or Churchill in sight. Probability: 70 percent While breakup into many regions is unlikely, the Russian empire could crumble at the edges. Widening war, collapse or division of Ukraine: Russia could defend and consolidate its gains in Ukraine, waging trench warfare while continuing to destroy civilian infrastructure, and may consider a side strike in Georgia or Moldova -- or against Lithuania or Poland, testing NATO. A frontal invasion is less likely than a hybrid operation by unidentified units striking from Belarus, acts of sabotage, or unrest among Russian-speakers in the Baltic states. Other Kremlin operations could occur anywhere in the world. The collapse of Ukraines government or the division of the country could not be ruled out. Probability: 15 percent. Russia loses in Ukraine: A military defeat for Russia, possibly entailing a partial or complete withdrawal from Ukraine. Consistent Western support and expanded supplies of arms, like F-16s or Abrams tanks, or a big move such as closing the skies over Ukraine, could provide for this outcome. It would not necessarily entail Russias collapse -- it could further consolidate the nation around Putins regime. Russia would develop a resentful identity grounded in loss and defeat -- and harbor the idea of coming back with a vengeance. Probability: 10 percent Russias Collapse: A military defeat in Ukraine could spark social unrest, elite factional battles, and an anti-Putin coup, leading to his demotion or violent death. Putins natural death, too, could set off a succession struggle, causing chaos in a country he has rid of reliable institutions. While breakup into many regions is unlikely, the empire could crumble at the edges -- Kaliningrad, Chechnya, the Far East like in 1917 and 1991. Russias nuclear weapons would be a big question mark, leading to external involvement and possible de-nuclearization. For all its perils, this scenario might provide a framework for future statehood in Northern Eurasia. Probability: 5 percent EU: 'Fortress Europe' And The Ukraine War By Rikard Jozwiak 2024 will see a rightward shift in the European Union, but it is unlikely to bring the deluge of populist victories that some are predicting since Euroskeptics won national elections in the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovakia and polled well in Austria and Germany. The European Parliament elections in June will be the ultimate test for the bloc in that respect. Polls still suggest the two main political groups, the center-right European People's Party and the center-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, will finish on top, albeit with a smaller share of the vote. But right-wing populist parties are likely to fail once again to agree on the creation of a single political group, thus eroding their influence in Brussels. This, in turn, is likely to prod more pro-European groups into combining forces again to divvy up EU top jobs like the presidencies of the European Commission, the bloc's top executive body, and the European Council, which defines the EU's political direction and priorities. Center-right European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is widely tipped to get a second term, even though she might fancy NATO's top job as secretary-general. Charles Michel, on the other hand, will definitely be out as European Council president after serving the maximum five years. While right-wing populists may not wield major influence in the horse-trading for those top jobs, they will affect policy going forward. They have already contributed to a hardening of attitudes on migration, and you can expect to hear more of the term "fortress Europe" as barriers go up on the EU's outer border. The one surefire guarantee in Europe isn't about the European Union at all but rather about NATO. The biggest question for 2024, however, is about how much support Brussels can provide Ukraine going forward. Could the "cost-of-living crisis" encourage members to side with Budapest to block financial aid or veto the start of de facto accession talks with that war-torn country? The smart money is still on the EU finding a way to green-light both those decisions in 2024, possibly by unfreezing more EU funds for Budapest. Although it seems like a remote possibility, patience could also finally wear out with Hungary, and the other 26 members could decide to strip it of voting rights in the Council of the European Union, which amends, approves, and vetoes European Commission proposals -- essentially depriving it of influence. In that respect, Austria and Slovakia, Budapest's two biggest allies right now, are the EU countries to watch. The one surefire guarantee in Europe isn't about the European Union at all but rather about NATO: After somehow failing to join as predicted for each of the past two years, against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sweden will become the transatlantic military alliance's 32nd member once the Turkish and Hungarian parliaments vote to ratify its accession protocol. Caucasus: A Peace Agreement Could Be Transformative By Josh Kucera Could 2024 be the year that Armenia and Azerbaijan finally formally resolve decades of conflict? This year, Azerbaijan effectively decided -- by force -- their most contentious issue: the status of the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. With its lightning offensive in September, Azerbaijan placed Karabakh firmly under its control. Both sides now say they've reached agreement on most of their fundamental remaining issues, and diplomatic talks, after an interruption, appear set to resume. A resolution of the conflict could transform the region. If Armenia and Azerbaijan made peace, a Turkish-Armenian rapprochement could soon follow. Borders between the three countries would reopen as a result, ending Armenia's long geographical isolation and priming the South Caucasus to take full advantage of new transportation projects seeking to ship cargo between Europe and Asia while bypassing Russia. Peace between Armenia and its neighbors also could set the stage for a Russian exit from the region. Russian-Armenian security cooperation has been predicated on potential threats from Azerbaijan and Turkey. With those threats reduced, what's keeping the Russian soldiers, peacekeepers, and border guards there? There are mounting indications that Azerbaijan may not see it in its interests to make peace. A Russian exit would be a messy process -- Moscow still holds many economic levers in Armenia -- but Yerevan could seek help from the United States and Europe to smooth any transition. Washington and Brussels have seemingly been waiting in the wings, nudging Armenia in their direction. But none of this is likely to happen without a peace agreement. And while there don't seem to be any unresolvable issues remaining, there are mounting indications that Azerbaijan may not see it in its interests to make peace. Baku has gotten what it wanted most of all -- full control of Karabakh -- without an agreement. And maintaining a simmering conflict with Armenia could arguably serve Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev well, as it would allow him to continue to lean on a reliable source of public support: rallying against an Armenian enemy. But perhaps the most conspicuous indication of a broader strategy is Aliyev's increasing invocation of "Western Azerbaijan" -- a hazily defined concept alluding to ethnic Azerbaijanis who used to live on the territory of what is now Armenia and their presumed right to return to their homes. It suggests that Azerbaijan might keep furthering its demands in hopes that Armenia finally throws in the towel, and each can accuse the other of intransigence. Hungary: The Return Of Big Brother? By Pablo Gorondi Critics might be tempted to believe that Big Brother will be watching over Hungarians in 2024 like at no point since the fall of communism. A new law on the Defense of National Sovereignty will allow the Office for the Defense of Sovereignty, which the law created, to investigate and request information from almost any group in Hungary that receives foreign funding. This will apply to civic groups, political parties, private businesses, media companies -- in fact, anyone deemed to be conducting activities (including "information manipulation and disinformation") in the interests of a foreign "body, organization, or person." The law has been criticized by experts from the United Nations and the Council of Europe over its seemingly vague language, lack of judicial oversight, and fears that it could be used by the government "to silence and stigmatize independent voices and opponents." The head of the Office for the Defense of Sovereignty should be nominated for a six-year term by right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban and appointed by President Katalin Novak by February 1. This would allow the new authority to carry out investigations and present findings ahead of simultaneous elections to the European Parliament and Hungarian municipal bodies in early June -- possibly influencing their outcomes. Orban has said in recent interviews that he wants to "fix the European Union" and that "we need to take over Brussels." Asked by RFE/RL's Hungarian Service, some experts said fears of the new authority are overblown and that the government is more likely to use it as a threat hanging over opponents than as a direct tool for repression -- at least until it finds it politically necessary or expedient to tighten control. On the international scene, meanwhile, Hungary will take over the Council of the European Union's six-month rotating presidency in July, a few weeks after voting to determine the composition of a new European Parliament. MEPs from Orban's Fidesz party exited the center-right European People's Party bloc in 2021 and have not joined another group since then, although some observers expect them to join the more Euroskeptic and nationalist European Conservatives and Reformists. Orban has for years predicted a breakthrough of more radical right-wing forces in Europe. But while that has happened in Italy, the Netherlands, and Slovakia, experts suggest that's not enough to fuel a significant shift in the European Parliament, where the center-right and center-left should continue to hold a clear majority. Because of the June elections, the European Parliament's activities will initially be limited -- and its election of a European Commission president could prove complicated. Nevertheless, Orban has said in recent interviews that he wants to "fix the European Union" and that "we need to take over Brussels." So, Hungary's leadership may make progress difficult on issues that Orban opposes, like the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine or a possible reelection bid by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Stability And The 'Serbian World' By Gjeraqina Tuhina and Milos Teodorovic Serbia, once again, will be a key player in the region -- and its moves could significantly shape events in the Balkans over the next 12 months. For over a decade, the dialogue to normalize relations between Serbia and its former province Kosovo has stymied both countries. Then, in February in Brussels and March in Ohrid, North Macedonia, European mediators announced a path forward and its implementation. There was only one problem: There was no signature on either side. Nine months later, little has changed. Many eyes are looking toward one aspect in particular -- a renewed obligation for Pristina to allow for an "appropriate level of self-management" for the Serb minority in Kosovo. This also entails creating possibilities for financial support from Serbia to Kosovar Serbs and guarantees for direct communication of the Serb minority with the Kosovar government. In October, EU mediators tried again, and with German, French, and Italian backing presented both parties with a new draft for an association of Serb-majority municipalities. Both sides accepted the draft. EU envoy to the region Miroslav Lajcak suggested in December that the Ohrid agreement could be implemented by the end of January. If that happened, it would mark a decisive step for both sides in a dialogue that began in 2011. "The Serbian world" is a phrase launched a few years ago by pro-Russian Serbian politician Aleksandar Vulin, a longtime cabinet minister who until recently headed the Serbian Intelligence Service. It is not officially part of the agenda of either Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic or the government, but it underscores the influence that Serbia seeks to wield from Kosovo and Montenegro to Republika Srpska in Bosnia-Herzegovina. But how Vucic chooses to exert the implicit ties to Serb leaders and nationalists in those countries could do much to promote stability -- or its antithesis -- in the Balkans in 2024. Another major challenge for Vucic revolves around EU officials' request that candidate country Serbia harmonize its foreign policy with the bloc. So far, along with Turkey, Serbia is the only EU candidate that has not introduced sanctions on Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It is unclear how far the Serbian president is willing to push back to foster ongoing good relations with Moscow. But first, Serbia will have to confront the fallout from snap elections in December dominated by Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party but rejected by the newly united opposition as fraudulent. The results sparked nightly protests in the capital and hunger strikes by a half-dozen lawmakers and other oppositionists. A new parliament is scheduled to hold a session by the end of January 2024, and the margins are seemingly razor-thin for control of the capital, Belgrade. Central Asia: Don't Write Russia Off Just Yet By Chris Rickleton Will the empire strike back? 2023 has been a galling year for Russia in Central Asia as it watched its traditional partners (and former colonies) widen their diplomatic horizons. With Russia bogged down in a grueling war in Ukraine, Moscow has less to offer the region than ever before. Central Asias five countries have made the most of the breathing space, with their leaders holding landmark talks with U.S. and German leaders as French President Emmanuel Macron also waltzed into Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with multibillion-dollar investments. And China has reinforced its dominant position in the region, while Turkey has also increased its influence. But dont write Russia off just yet. One of Moscows biggest wins in the neighborhood this year was an agreement to supply Uzbekistan with nearly 3 billion cubic meters of gas every year, a figure that could increase. Power deficits in Uzbekistan and energy-rich Kazakhstan are the most obvious short-term sources of leverage for Moscow over those important countries. The coming year will likely bring more in terms of specifics over both governments plans for nuclear power production, with Russia fully expected to be involved. And Moscows confidence in a region that it views as its near abroad will only increase if it feels it is making headway on the battlefield in Ukraine. Tajikistan Tajikistans hereditary succession has been expected for so long that people have stopped expecting it. Does that mean it is back on the cards for 2024? Probably not. In 2016, Tajikistan passed a raft of constitutional changes aimed at cementing the ruling Rahmon familys hold on power. Among them was one lowering the age to run for president from 35 to 30. Turkmenistans bizarre new setup begs a question: If youre not ready to let it go, why not hold on a little longer? That amendment had an obvious beneficiary -- veteran incumbent Emomali Rahmons upwardly mobile son, Rustam Emomali. But Emomali is now 36 and, despite occupying a political post that makes him next in line, doesnt look any closer to becoming numero uno. Perhaps there hasnt been a good time to do it. From the coronavirus pandemic to a bloody crackdown on unrest in the Gorno-Badakhshan region and now the shadows cast by the Ukraine war, there have been plenty of excuses to delay the inevitable. Turkmenistan But perhaps Rahmon is considering events in Turkmenistan, where Central Asias first father-son power transition last year has ended up nothing of the sort. Rather than growing into the role, new President Serdar Berdymukhammedov is shrinking back into the shadow of his all-powerful father, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov. And this seems to be exactly how the older Berdymukhammedov wanted it, subsequently fashioning himself a post-retirement post that makes his son and the rest of the government answerable to him. But Turkmenistans bizarre new setup begs a question: If youre not ready to let it go, why not hold on a little longer? Kyrgyzstan/Kazakhstan Writing on X (formerly Twitter) in November, a former IMF economist argued that Kyrgyzstan would be the "perfect test case" for secondary sanctions over Russias invasion of Ukraine. Robin Brooks described the country as "small, not remotely systemically important, and very clearly facilitating trade diversion to Russia." Official statistics show that countries in the Eurasian Economic Union that Moscow leads have become a backdoor around the Western-led sanctions targeting Russia. Exports to Kyrgyzstan from several EU countries this year, for example, are up by at least 1,000 percent compared to 2019. Data for exports to Kazakhstan shows similar patterns -- with larger volumes but gentler spikes -- while investigations by RFE/RL indicate that companies in both Central Asian countries have forwarded dual-use products that benefit the Kremlins military machine. Belarus is the only Russian ally to get fully sanctioned for its support of Moscows invasion of Ukraine -- but will that change in 2024? Central Asian governments will argue they have resisted Russian pressure to provide political and military support for the war. They might even whisper that their big friend China is much more helpful to Russia. But the Wests approach of targeting only Central Asian companies actively flouting the regime is failing. So, while Western diplomats continue to credit the regions governments for their anti-evasion efforts, their patience may wear out. And if it does, Kyrgyzstan might be first to find out. Afghanistan: The Vicious Spiral Will Worsen By Malali Bashir With little internal threat to Afghanistans Taliban regime and the failure of the international community to affect change in the hard-line Islamist regimes policies, the Taliban mullahs control over the country continues to tighten. And that regimes continued restrictions on Afghan women -- their rights, freedom, and role in society -- signals a bleak future for them in 2024 and beyond. Many observers say the move by the Taliban in December to only allow girls to attend religious madrasahs -- after shutting down formal schooling for them following the sixth grade -- is an effort by the Taliban to radicalize Afghan society. Madrasahs are not an alternative to formal schooling because they dont produce doctors, lawyers, journalists, engineers, etc. The idea of [only] having madrasahs isabout brainwashing [people] to create an extremist society, says Shukria Barakzai, the former Afghan ambassador to Norway. The crackdown on womens rights by the Taliban will also continue the reported uptick in domestic violence in the country, activists say. Since the Taliban shut down Afghanistans Independent Human Rights Commission and Women Affairs Ministry, women find themselves with nowhere to turn to and find it extremely difficult to seek justice in Taliban courts. The Taliban seems adamant about maintaining its severe limits on women and reducing their role in society. With no justice for victims of abuse on the horizon, womens rights activists say violence against women will continue with no repercussions for the perpetrators. Barakzai argues that Taliban officials have already normalized domestic violence and do not consider it a crime. According to [a Taliban] decree, you can [confront] women if they are not listening to [your requests]. Especially a male member of the family is allowed to use all means to punish women if they refuse to follow his orders. That is basically a call for domestic violence, she said. The vicious spiral for women will only worsen. Being banned from education, work, and public life, Afghan women say the resulting psychological impact leads to panic, depression, and acute mental health crises. Although there are no official figures, Afghan mental health professionals and foreign organizations have noted a disturbing surge in female suicides in the two years since the Taliban came to power. "If we look at the women who were previously working or studying, 90 percent suffer from mental health issues now," said Mujeeb Khpalwak, a psychiatrist in Kabul. "They face tremendous economic uncertainty after losing their work and are very anxious about their future." Heather Bar, associate director of the women's rights division at Human Rights Watch, says, "It's not surprising that we're hearing reports of Afghan girls committing suicide. Because all their rights, including going to school, university, and recreational places have been taken away from them." Promising young Afghan women who once aspired to contribute to their communities after pursuing higher education now find themselves with no career prospects. I do not see any future. When I see boys continuing their education, I lose all hope and wish that I was not born a girl, a former medical student in Kabul told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Despite immense global pressure, the Taliban seems adamant about maintaining its severe limits on women and reducing their role in society. This will result in a tragic future for the women of Afghanistan with no relief in sight. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected the possibility of a cease-fire with Russia, saying it would not lead to substantive progress in the war and only favor Moscow by giving it time to boost supplies to its military as the conflict nears its two-year anniversary. A pause on the Ukrainian battlefield will not mean a pause in the war, the Ukrainian leader said in Estonia's capital, Tallinn, on January 11 during a tour of the three Baltic nations. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. "Give Russia two to three years and it will simply run us over. We wouldn't take that risk.... There will be no pauses in favor of Russia," he said. "A pause would play into [Russias] hands.... It might crush us afterward. Zelenskiy has pleaded with Ukraine's allies to keep supplying it with weapons amid signs of donor fatigue in some countries and as Russia turns to countries such as Iran and North Korea for munitions. NATO allies meeting in Brussels on January 10 tried to allay Kyiv's concerns over supplies, saying they will continue to provide Ukraine with major military, economic, and humanitarian aid. NATO allies have outlined plans to provide "billions of euros of further capabilities" in 2024 to Ukraine, the alliance said in a statement. Estonian President Alar Karis said after meeting Zelenskiy that his country will provide 1.2 billion euros ($1.31 billion) in aid to Ukraine until 2027. "Ukraine needs more and better weapons," Karis said at a joint news conference with Zelenskiy. "The capabilities of the EU military industry must be increased so that Ukraine gets what it needs, not tomorrow, but today. We should not place any restrictions on the supply of weapons to Ukraine," he added. Estonia has so far provided military assistance to Ukraine worth nearly 500 million euros, or more than 1.4 percent of its gross domestic product, according to the Estonian Foreign Minstry. In a separate message on X, formerly Twitter, Zelenskiy thanked Tallinn for its continued aid. "Estonia's unwavering support for Ukraine, our people, and our defense is evident today, during my visit, and throughout the war," Zelenskiy wrote. "I am grateful to Estonia for all its support." The Baltic countries have been staunch allies of Ukraine since the start of Russia's unprovoked invasion in February 2022. On January 10, Zelenskiy held talks in Vilnius with Lithuanian counterpart, Gitanas Nauseda. We have proven that Russia can be stopped, that deterrence is possible, he said after talks with Nauseda. Ukraine has been subjected to several massive waves of Russian missile and drone strikes since the start of the year that have caused civilian deaths and material damage. In the latest such attack, a hotel in downtown Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, was struck by Russian missiles overnight on January 11. The strike injured 13 people, including Turkish journalists staying at the hotel, Kharkiv regional police chief Volodymyr Tymoshko said. Regional Governor Oleh Synyehubov said that one of those injured was in serious condition. More than 30 civilians were inside the hotel at the time of the attack, Synyehubov said on Telegram. Ukraine's emergency services said those hurt in the strike were "hotel staff and guests, one of whom is a foreign journalist," without giving details. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said no military personnel were staying at the hotel. With reporting by AFP and Reuters Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy plans to travel to the United States on December 11 after receiving an invitation from President Joe Biden to visit the White House on December 12 on the heels of his visit to Argentina to meet with Latin American leaders. Biden invited Zelenskiy to the White House "to underscore the United States' unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia's brutal invasion, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement on December 10. "As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraine's urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States' continued support at this critical moment," she added. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. Zelenskiy's office said on Telegram that the Ukrainian leader would arrive in Washington on December 11 for a "series of meetings and discussions" along with the White House visit the following day. The talks will focus on defense cooperation between Washington and Kyiv, "particularly through joint projects on the production of weapons and air-defense systems, as well as the coordination of efforts between our countries in the coming year," Zelenskiy's office said. Zelenskiy has been invited to address U.S. senators at the Capitol on December 12 at 9 a.m., a Senate aide said. Zelenskiy on December 5 canceled a video address to U.S. senators as debate heated up on Biden's nearly $106 billion request for funding for the wars in Ukraine and Israel. Zelenskiy had been expected to make Ukraine's case for continued U.S. military aid as Ukraine braces for a difficult winter on the battlefield and as Russian shelling and strikes continue to kill civilians. The Biden administration asked Congress in October to pass the aid package, which would cover not only aid for Ukraine and Israel but also border security, but the Republican-controlled House rejected the request. Zelenskiy canceled the video address shortly after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican-Kentucky) told fellow Republicans to vote against the measure when it came to the floor. The planned Washington visit would follow Zelenskiy's first trip to Latin America, where he on December 10 thanked regional leaders for their support of his country in its battle against the full-scale Russian invasion and the fight for freedom and democracy. "The support and strong united voice of Latin American countries that stand with the people of Ukraine in our fight for freedom and democracy is very important for us," Zelenskiy said on social media after meeting with the leaders of Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay during his trip to Buenos Aires, where he is attending the inauguration of Argentinian President Javier Milei. In discussions with Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, the Ukrainian leader said his country was grateful to the South American country "for supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity." Zelenskiy's official Telegram channel said the Ukrainian leader also thanked Paraguayan President Santiago Pena "for his decisive support of Ukraine within international organizations." "With [Ecuadoran] President Daniel Noboa, they discussed the possibilities of developing bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Ecuador: in the field of security, digitalization, trade in agricultural products," the Telegram statement said. "It is very important for us to have the support and powerful united voice of the countries of Latin America, which support the Ukrainian people in the war for our freedom and democracy," Zelenskiy was quoted as saying. The Telegram statement said Zelenskiy congratulated Milei on his election as Argentina's new president. "This is a new beginning for Argentina, and I express my wish that President Milei and all the Argentinian people will surprise the world with their success. I am also sure that bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Argentina will continue to expand," Zelenskiy was quoted as saying. Prior to arriving in Argentina, Zelenskiy made a stopover visit to Cape Verde, a small island state off the west coast of Africa, in his latest bid to shore up support for Ukraine in the Global South for Kyiv in its 21-month-old war against Russia. Zelenskiy met on December 9 with Cape Verde Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva in what he later called in a social-media post the "first meeting of leaders in the history of our bilateral relations." Zelenskiy thanked Cape Verde for condemning Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and its backing of Ukrainian initiatives. Zelenskiy is hoping to convene a "global peace summit" and has promoted a peace plan rooted in the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and recognition of its post-Soviet borders of 1991. Analysts say Kyiv has been trying to build ties with African, Asian, and Latin American governments, but has found its support for Israel at odds with the positions of some of those countries. In Cape Verde, Zelenskiy informed the African leader of efforts to develop new grain routes as well as plans to create grain centers in Africa, a statement from Zelenskiy's office said. In July, Russia refused to extend a UN-backed deal that had allowed Ukraine to export grain and other food items from three designated Black Sea ports. Much of those agricultural exports were destined for parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. After pulling out of the agreement brokered by the UN and Turkey, Russia has attacked Ukraine's Black Sea ports and grain infrastructure, destroying almost 300,000 metric tons of grain, according to a recent estimate by the British government. An alternative, temporary Black Sea corridor has allowed Ukraine to ship more than 7 million tons of cargo through Black Sea ports despite Russia's blockade, Ukrainian officials said on December 4. Meanwhile, while in Argentina for Mileis inauguration, Zelenskiy met briefly with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in a bid to resolve differences over Ukraine's bid for European Union membership. Orban's office confirmed he had met with Zelenskiy and that EU membership issues were discussed, but it did not provide details. Earlier this week it was reported that Orban had written European Council President Charles Michel to demand that Ukraine's membership be taken off the agenda at an EU summit next week. That summit in Brussels will decide on whether to start talks with Ukraine and neighboring Moldova -- as recommended by the EU Executive Commission -- on their bids to join the 27-member bloc. EU leaders will also decide on the release of 50 billion euros ($55 billion) in aid for Ukraine. Orban is considered one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies in Europe, and his nationalist government has argued against EU sanctions on Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On the battlefield on December 10, Ukraine reported that Russian shelling in the Kherson region hit residential buildings and wounded two civilians, a 37-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman. Moscow has denied targeting civilian areas despite widespread evidence of such attacks. Russian forces in recent weeks have been attempting to regain territory they lost to a Ukrainian blitz offensive last year, with heavy losses reported. Ukrainian losses have also been heavy, but official figures are impossible to obtain. With reporting by dpa and Reuters DONETSK REGION, Ukraine -- "It's like gangrene that needs constant treatment because otherwise it gets worse or spreads" -- that's how Volodymyr, a surgeon at a triage unit near Avdiyivka, an industrial Donbas city targeted by intense Russian attacks since early October, described the current state of fighting in Ukraine's east. The team of doctors and medics who started working here shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion keep a container for shrapnel and bullets they take out of the wounded soldiers' bodies. Since Russia launched its new offensive in a bid to surround and capture the strategic city, the casualties have been arriving in waves -- sometimes several dozen badly wounded soldiers in a single day. With a surge of close combat in the battle for Avdiyivka, more soldiers are suffering bullet wounds on top of injuries from artillery and drone attacks, Oleksandr, a traumatologist who heads the facility, told RFE/RL. Some come with their eyes irritated by chloropicrin, a nonlethal chemical weapon, he says, and medics evacuating the wounded sometimes see the skyline of Donetsk, the Russian-occupied regional capital, lit up by phosphorus munitions. As another winter sets in and Russia's full-scale invasion approaches the two-year mark with the prospects for future Western weapons supplies and economic aid clouded by political wrangling -- particularly in the United States, where Republicans in Congress have so far stonewalled White House efforts to secure some $61 billion in additional aid for Ukraine -- this is what the war in Ukraine looks like. Despite some advances, a major counteroffensive mounted by Kyiv six months ago has fallen far short of the goal of breaking through the "land bridge" running across southern Ukraine from the Donbas to Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula whose seizure in 2014 in marked the start of a long and continuing land grab by President Vladimir Putin's Russia. Instead of pushing Russian forces back to the border, Ukrainian soldiers face the harsh reality of positional warfare -- "a bloody disease we have learned to live with," Volodymyr said. 'We Will Keep Fighting' Issuing his own verdict on the counteroffensive, Ukraine's top military commander said there would be no "quick and beautiful breakthrough." The war had reached a "stalemate," General Valeriy Zaluzhniy told The Economist, sparking controversy in Kyiv and adding a troubling point for debates in the West about military and economic aid to Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy took issue with Zaluzhniy's wording, saying there was no stalemate. But on December 1, he said the war had entered a "new phase." With the onset of winter on the steppes of the Donbas, Ukrainian soldiers are set on holding the line -- which, in some cases, is not far from where it was on the eve of Russia's full-scale invasion, after nearly eight years of fighting in the region. "If Avdiyivka falls, then it falls," said Maksym, a 28-year-old soldier deployed in the region, "but we will keep fighting." Maksym joined a unit called the Aidar Battalion in 2014, when Russia fomented war in the Donbas, and gained his first combat experience in the industrial hub on the southeastern outskirts of Avdiyivka -- precisely where fierce battles now rage. He told RFE/RL that he had lost many brothers-in-arms in nearly a decade of conflict and that he was haunted by photos and videos he said show the torture by Russian troops of Ukrainian captives, such as a recently reported case of a Ukrainian soldier named Serhiy who allegedly had a Nazi swastika carved into his forehead. "Am I tired? No f------ way am I tired," Maksym said as he drove to his unit's positions, using an expletive. "I want to take a head for each head and then another one." On The Defensive? The loss of Avdiyivka would hand Putin a symbolic victory ahead of the Russian presidential election in March and deprive Ukraine of an important element of its defense. It would also bolster the arguments of skeptics in the United States and Europe who oppose further support for Ukraine. That's one reason why talk of a new war strategy is gaining ground in Ukraine. On November 28, Zelenskiy announced plans for the speedy construction of an extensive network of fortifications on the main defensive lines in the Donbas as well as in areas bordering Russia and Belarus. "Our country will definitely have enough mines and concrete," he said in a video address. The area around Avdiyivka, just north of the Russian-occupied regional capital of Donetsk, is where the most attention is focused. Mykola Kovlenko, head of the Ocheretyne territorial community, which surrounds Avdiyivka from the west, told RFE/RL that work on new defense lines there was already advanced. 'Little Hope Of A Checkmate' In their fierce push around Avdiyivka, Russian forces mix frontal attacks by columns of tanks and armored personnel carriers -- so far, three of these assaults have been futile -- with a tactic of incremental gains based on infantry, artillery, and drones. Russian forces have the numerical advantage despite manpower problems, and their assault on Avdiyivka echoes the drawn-out attack on Bakhmut, a city further north that fell in May after many months of heavy fighting. Russia deploys former inmates and other inexperienced soldiers for what Ukrainians call "meat assaults" -- reckless attacks aimed at wearing out Ukrainian infantry -- before sending elite forces into battle. Ukrainian artillery units struggle to match Russian fire amid "widespread shell hunger," Anton, an artilleryman in one of the brigades stationed in the area, told RFE/RL. While EU countries are unlikely to fulfill their promise to deliver 1 million rounds of ammunition to Kyiv by next spring, Russia has received large amounts of munitions from North Korea and ramped up its domestic military production. The Ukrainian advantage in drone reconnaissance and drone strikes that counterbalanced Russia's artillery-shell advantage is now gone, Anton's comrade Mykyta, a drone operator, told RFE/RL. The Russians have copied Ukrainian tactics, organized a stable supply of drones, and developed effective electronic-warfare units, he said, turning the battlefield into "a chess game with little hope of a checkmate." F-16 combat jets promised by the West have not yet been delivered to Ukraine, and Russia continues to dominate the sky over the front line. Large precision-guided bombs dropped by Russian aircraft, combined with rockets and missiles, are gradually razing Donbas villages and towns to the ground. "The heart of the problem lies not in the strategy but in the lack of resources," Mykola Byelyeskov, an analyst at the National Institute for Strategic Studies, a government-linked research organization in Kyiv, told RFE/RL. "We have learned that a classic offensive is beyond the capabilities of both sides, but new tactics can be devised." According to a new study by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, the amount of newly pledged aid to Ukraine from Western countries reached its lowest point in August-October 2023, down almost 90 percent compared to the same period in 2022. 'The Most Dangerous Moment' U.S. President Joe Biden's efforts to secure billions of dollars in additional aid for Ukraine have been stymied for months. Specifically, the $61 billion request -- part of a $110 billion package that also includes aid for Israel and other expenditures -- failed to advance in the Senate last week because Republicans are tying it to demands for immigration reform. The White House said on December 4 that it expected last year's $45 billion aid package to be depleted by the end of the month. "This is the most dangerous moment since Moscow's nearly 10-year war began and since Moscow's nearly two-year big invasion began," John Herbst, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine in 2003-06 and now an analyst at the Washington-based Atlantic Council, told RFE/RL. "If American support for Ukraine does not diminish, Ukraine eventually wins the war," Herbst said. "If our assistance sharply diminishes or disappears, Ukraine is in great danger of losing this war." While U.S. political wrangling may only worsen as the November 2024 elections approach, Herbst put the chances of Congress passing another aid package for Ukraine at "greater than 50 percent" -- but he and many others say it's unlikely to happen before the New Year. "I think it means a lot of anxiety for Ukraine and maybe a little less willingness to use some of their equipment in battle," Herbst said. "The fortunate thing for Ukraine is that its winter and not very much is happening on the battlefield, so the fact that there is this pause [in aid] is not fatal the way it might have been a year ago," when Russia launched an offensive on Bakhmut, Mark Cancian, a military expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told RFE/RL. However, he says that the Ukrainian armed forces may begin to feel the impact of reduced U.S. military aid in January: They might struggle to carry out local attacks, much less large-scale offensives. And even if aid packages are passed, Ukraine could still face pressure to seek a negotiated solution if it makes little progress in the coming year, Cancian notes. "It would be hard for them to win a war of attrition and even if they did, the sacrifices involved are terrible. If a year from now we are in the same position we are today, I think the Ukrainians will be tired and their supporters will be tired too," he said. "The challenge Zelenskiy faces is articulating a theory of victory. He can't go indefinitely without articulating how he is going to win this war." Byelyeskov, meanwhile, argues that the United States has so far been "incapable of putting forward a sound military strategy and was focusing on escalation management instead." "The conditions for the current crisis [over aid for Ukraine] in the United States were created by this reactive approach, epitomized by the phrase, 'As long as it takes,'" he said. In any case, Putin is likely to face far less pressure than Zelenskiy on that score, especially if he can avoid ordering a massive new military call-up before he secures a new six-year term in a presidential election in March. Many Russians would like the war to be over, but analysts say the Kremlin could sell almost any outcome to citizens as a win, in part because it has cast its invasion of Ukraine as a forced step to defend Russia against the West. 'On The Horizon' Following Russia's spectacular failure to subjugate Ukraine within weeks of the full-scale invasion -- and after major setbacks at the hands of Ukrainian forces in the subsequent months -- observers say Putin's best hope for what he can portray as a victory is for Western support for Ukraine to falter. The limited results of Kyiv's counteroffensive and the fights in the United States and European Union over backing for Kyiv are almost certain to have increased his confidence in such an outcome. Japan will on Monday release November numbers for money stock, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The M2 money stock is expected to rise 2.5 percent on year, up from 2.4 percent in October. Malaysia will see October figures for industrial production, with forecasts suggesting an increase of 2.4 percent on year following the 0.5 percent decline in September. Indonesia will provide October data for retail sales; in September, sales were up 1.5 percent on year. Finally, the in Thailand are closed on Monday for Constitution Day and will re-open on Tuesday. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Today is Dec. 11, 2023, and here's what you need to know: New TVS Apache RTR 160 4V will rival the likes of Honda CB Hornet 2.0 and Hero Xtreme 160R At the 2023 Motosoul event in Goa, TVS has launched the new Apache RTR 160 4V. TVS is looking to add more value for its customers by introducing new features with the bike. New Apache RTR 160 4V is available at a starting price of Rs 1.35 lakh. Bookings are currently open pan-India and deliveries are expected to commence early next year. 2024 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Whats new 2024 version of TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is being offered in an exclusive Lightning Blue colour shade. The name seems justified, as the new colour helps achieve a powerful presence for the bike. Although individual tastes may vary, the Lightning Blue seems perfect for Apache RTR 160 4V. The new blue shade has been applied to the front fender, headlamp cowl, engine cowl, fuel tank and cowl and under seat panel. The bike also gets sporty graphics in a contrasting shade. The sense of power and performance is further enhanced with contrasting red shades on parts such as seat cover and alloy wheels. Another key update for the 2024 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is dual-channel ABS as standard. The bikes braking power has been improved with a larger 240 mm disc at rear. Standard variants of the bike are offered with the option of a 130 mm drum brake or 200 mm petal disc at rear. The updates will allow users to open up the throttle with full confidence and without any hesitance. Take a look at the detailed walkaround video below, shared by Vlogger Satyam Gupta. The bikes versatility has been improved with ride modes of Urban, Rain and Sport. TVS is claiming the ride modes as a first-in-segment feature. Another useful update is SmartXonnect available as standard with the bike. With their smartphones connected via Bluetooth, users can access a range of functions such as caller ID, SMS notification, navigation assist, last parked location, crash alert, ride statistics and service booking. SmartXonnect is offered with other TVS two-wheelers as well. Features vary based on the specific model. Updated TVS Apache RTR 160 4V specs, performance Other hardware specs are the same as earlier for the 2024 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V. Powering the bike is a 159.7 cc, oil cooled, SOHC, Fi engine. In Sport mode, the engine churns out 17.75 PS of max power and 14.73 Nm of peak torque. In Urban and Rain mode, the output is 15.64 PS and 14.14 Nm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The bike uses a double cradle split synchro stiff frame, integrated with telescopic front forks and a monoshock unit at rear. The bike has 17-inch wheels at both ends, shod with 90/90 and 130/70 tubeless tyres at front and rear, respectively. At the front, the bike has a 270 mm petal disc brake. In addition, it also gets voice assist features. While the updates are welcome, Apache RTR 160 4V can get even better with USD forks. Other bikes in the price range such as Hero Xtreme 160R 4V, Honda Hornet 2.0 and Bajaj Pulsar NS160 already have USD forks. They were often animated, sometimes spectacle and frequently loud. On Tuesday, the weekly protests outside U.S. Rep. Darrell Issas Vista office came to an end. Protesters staged a final rally with a mixture of satisfaction at Issas upcoming retirement and sadness at the prospect of parting with a community of like-minded activists. Now they will focus their attention on getting out the vote to flip the 49th Congressional District from red to blue. Advertisement For about 65 weeks, primarily North County residents reeling over the election of President Donald Trump and frustrated with Issas support of Trump vented their outrage at the weekly rallies. There they decried Republican efforts to end the Affordable Care Act, dismantle environmental regulations and build a border wall, adding levity to their message with songs, chants and props such as a 20-foot-tall inflatable chicken with a Trump-esque coiff. On Tuesday, about 150 regulars held what they said will be their last stand at the site, featuring signs including a surfboard-shaped poster predicting a blue wave, and others declaring support for Planned Parenthood or gun control. The crowd skewed toward retirees, but also included younger up-and-coming politicians, including Vista School Board member Cipriano Vargas, 26, and Congressional candidate Sarah Jacobs, 29, one of several Democratic contenders for Issas seat. Issas office did not respond to requests for comment. Part swan song for their grassroots effort, and part launch pad for voter turnout drives, Tuesdays rally was a turning point for many who have joined the weekly ritual. Ive gone almost every time, said demonstrator Erin Tracy. This is it. Its bittersweet. We accomplished our goal, to get Issa to retire. But this is therapy. This is family. Even their counterparts, a handful of pro-Trump activists who gather on the opposite side of the street, shared the sentiment. Im going to miss coming out on beautiful days like this, said James Hawkin of San Marcos, who said he comes to the events to support Trump and Congressional Republicans. Ive had some good discussions with people on the other side. The demonstrations began in 2016 with a few dozen people who responded to a Facebook invite or word-of-mouth invitation from organizer Ellen Montanari. They swelled as residents from North County and beyond sought a chance to raise their voices with kindred spirits. They were spectacles at times, with protesters dressing up as zombies one week, and inflating the 20-foot-tall chicken another. In March, attendees held a die-in in which people lay on the ground, using signs protesting health care changes as grave markers. On Halloween, billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer heading a campaign to impeach the president was a guest speaker. I like the fun, said retired Marine Brigadier Gen. David Brahms, of Carlsbad, who describes himself as a Boston-born genetic Democrat whose Jewish father and Irish Catholic mother shaped his political views. I like the energy. And I love these women. My mother would have loved this, and my grandmother even more. Brahms said he wanted to call attention to veterans issues, and complained that Issa doesnt give a rats patoot about his constituents. Amy Wiwuga, a Los Angeles resident who works for Health Access California, said she made a habit of driving down every couple weeks to demonstrate against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and other health issues. I came out here to keep awareness that the government is trying to take our health care away, and we need to fight it, she said. These people will fight for everything. Issa occasionally greeted the crowd, and attended a town hall meeting before an unfriendly crowd in March of last year. As the crowds swelled, the Vista City Council imposed restrictions on where they could gather and how loud they could get. The limitations only fueled the resolve of protesters. Political operatives seized on the crowds. By one count, they grew to a peak of 850, and averaged about 350 per week, said Tim OHealy, a retired Marine corporal who made it his task to count heads at the events. OHealy, 71, a Vietnam veteran, said the weekly rallies were his first venture ever into political activism. The protesters were on the other side, he said of Vietnam War protests. I was being protested against. So it never occurred to me (to join protests.) Trumps election, however, marked a tipping point that galvanized him into action, he said. The minute that Trump was elected, it was evident that the sovereignty of our country, our democracy, was in danger, OHealy said. Counter-protestor Steve Hasty, a wedding DJ who has made up for the lower numbers on his side with higher volume sound equipment, sees a different danger from the left. He joined fellow Trump supporters a few times last year, but said he made it a point to come regularly after some Issa protesters posted negative yelp reviews about his business. Using professional audio speakers, and what he admits are deliberately provocative comments, he has tried to drown out what he considers censorship in the name of political correctness. Youre racist if you believe in American patriotism, he asserted over professional speakers during the final rally. In January, after a year of demonstrations at Issas office, a couple hundred protesters threw the nine-term congressman a tongue-in-cheek retirement party outside his Vista office to celebrate his decision not to run for re-election, a decision that stunned rally participants and political observers. In 2016, he won re-election by a razor-thin margin, topping his opponent by just 1,621 votes. The weekly rallies continued for several months, but with midterm primaries approaching, protesters decided it was time to put their energy elsewhere. They plan to join efforts, including Flip the 49th, a SuperPAC formed by Montanari and others to elect a Democrat to replace Issa. I feel victorious but we still have a lot of work to do, said Marjorie Bramwell, a retired nurse from Vista, who said she plans to focus on election efforts, and issues including health care, education and the environment. Our work has just started. Over the coming months, the Issa protesters will conduct voter registration drives, walk precincts and organize events to boost Democratic turnout in November. At a post-rally brunch featuring regular, meatless and gluten-free breakfast burritos, Montanari exhorted them to remain politically involved. For those of you who say I dont have time, Im giving you time, she said. Im giving you Tuesday mornings. We have activated a group of people who are unstoppable. And thats each and every one of you. Some confessed concern that Issas opponents havent unified behind one Democratic candidate. As Democrat Doug Applegate slipped from front-runner to second place behind Assemblyman Rocky Chavez (R-Oceanside,) they worry about splitting support for the party. But most expressed exuberance at their more than year-long exercise in free speech. Even their opponents saw a bright side to the Tuesday protests. Despite his vociferous differences with the Issa protesters, Hasty said he sees some common ground. I appreciate that theyre here, he said. The idea that you love your country and are here is the same reason why Im here. Amid a contentious political climate and some unpleasant exchanges between the demonstrators and counter-protesters, Hasty noted that they all enjoyed freedoms that other parts of the world envy. This is what makes America great, he said. We can have a rally on each side and yell at each other, and go home. Nobody was shot. Nobody was arrested. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan Pro-Palestinian demonstrators and counterprotesters face off on the Columbia University campus in New York on Oct. 12, 2023. (Bing Guan/The New York Times) The op-ed by professor Elizabeth Shakman Hurd expresses great concern about the alleged suppression of student disagreement with Israel (How the US is making it illegal for students to disagree with Israel, Dec. 5). What I find disturbing is nowhere does she express concern that on some campuses, those expressions of disagreement were so physically threatening to Jewish students that they had to lock themselves in buildings. She also has no comments about the leadership of elite universities failing to condemn Hamas for brutally slaughtering Israeli civilians, taking hundreds of innocent civilians hostage and using Palestinian civilians as human shields. She fails to acknowledge the slogan From the river to the sea advocates total destruction of Israel, and she expresses no concern about increasing antisemitism on campuses. Advertisement She is a professor of religious studies and political science, and I expect she is well aware of the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute and would better serve her students and Tribune readers with a balanced discussion. Douglas Nyhus, Frankfort Advertisement Op-ed does major disservice I was dismayed by professor Elizabeth Shakman Hurds op-ed. Her op-ed purports to argue for free speech on campuses, but it falsely states that students and others on campus are penalized for simply criticizing the actions of the Israeli government. In conflating policies of private universities, statements of a few Republican politicians and a mischaracterization of U.S. policy, it wrongly argues that the the US is making it illegal for students to disagree with Israel. Hurd further suggests that anti-Zionism is no more than opposition to actions of the current Israeli government and that most Jews and some politicians view any criticism of Israeli policy as antisemitic. Nothing could be further from the truth. American Jews, like Israelis, often criticize the Israeli government for example, the fierce and widespread opposition to proposed judicial reforms. What has occurred on many campuses is not mere opposition to Israeli policies. It is opposition to Israel as a state of Jewish self-determination. Even more sinisterly, it is often opposition to Israeli and Jewish lives. Witness the violence-encouraging chants by aggressive crowds: Decolonization is not a metaphor, By any means necessary, From the river to the sea and the dehumanization of Israeli lives with the canard settler-colonist. Students and faculty have bullied Jews and Israelis, celebrated killers and rapists, and not simply walked out of class but disrupted classrooms and universities, preventing learning, in violation of university policies. And predictably, anti-Zionism is morphing into explicit anti-Jewish actions. Hurd argues that American politicians often merge Judaism as a tradition or faith community with the government of Israel as a political entity. This statement betrays errors at the core of her argument. Judaism is not simply a religion, nor does the present government equal the state. History, tradition and modern scholarship are clear that we Jews are a people and a nation, with national self-determination a right enshrined in international law. Criticisms of Israel that deny this right, as distinct from opposing specific governments or policies, are more likely than not antisemitism. Whether or not the acts of antisemitic people violate university policies or federal laws, they should, like any other form of racism and bigotry, be condemned by decent society and its leaders and teachers. Mark Segal, Oak Park Permanent cease-fire needed After barely a week of a cease-fire that saw hostages released and desperately needed humanitarian aid flow into Gaza, war and violence have returned unabated. Rockets and bombs once again fill the air. Aid will no doubt slow to a trickle. And hostages will remain exactly where they are. Advertisement It need not be this way. There was positive momentum building toward a permanent cease-fire, something everyone must agree is urgently needed. The cease-fire negotiations, aid deliveries and release of hostages show the power of dialogue. Weapons did not bring them about. Far from it. If Israel and the Palestinians want peace real, lasting peace they need to talk to one another. Not shoot at each other. More war is not the answer. In truth, there is no military solution to this crisis. Its critical that U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth join fellow Sen. Dick Durbin in publicly calling for a cease-fire to finally bring an end to the violence. Only once the shooting stops for good can we address the root causes of the conflict. Without that, there is only more war in the future. Rachel Vouvalis, Chicago Trumps health care agenda Despite it being settled law, Donald Trump is once again threatening to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) if elected to a second term. The last time Trump tried to kill the Affordable Care Act, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office did a detailed analysis of Republicans alternative and discovered that by 2026, the Republican plan would cause 32 million people to lose health insurance and that premiums paid by individuals buying their own insurance would double. Advertisement Trump didnt have a real plan then and doesnt have a real plan now. Despite repeated assurances and promises from Trump before and during his 2016 election campaign to replace the ACA with a superior health care plan, no such plan ever materialized. Over the years, he consistently pledged to unveil a comprehensive and cost-effective health care proposal, but each time, the promise remained unfulfilled. The situation reached a point of irony when, in July 2020, Trump claimed a full and complete plan would be ready within two weeks, only to repeatedly delay its release with vague assurances. Even in a 60 Minutes interview in October 2020, he insisted that the health care plan was fully developed and would be revealed very soon. Now, three years later, theres no plan. The ACA has improved millions of lives, and Trumps threats now should be a reminder of how much is at stake in the November election. A vote for Trump is a vote to take away health care and preexisting condition protections from tens of millions of Americans. Lynne Hoyer, Wheeling Pompeii offers modern lesson Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > In 2003, my wife and I bought into a two-week tour of Italy. Most memorable was Pompeii. While a guide escorted our group down the main cobblestone street, he stopped for a moment, pointed to a pedestal-type object about 3 to 4 feet tall next to the curb and asked if any of us could identify what it was. One gentleman promptly answered it looked like a drinking fountain. Yes! Then the guide pointed out there was no valve on the fountain. Hmm, wonder why? The guide responded to our silent curiosity by stating that when Rome built aqueducts to transfer water from the mountains into the city, they discovered that the lead piping they fabricated caused illness. They also determined that if the water was allowed to keep flowing, the illness diminished. I just had to ask: If the Romans knew that lead was poisonous 2,000 years ago, why are we battling the lead piping in 2003? The guide answered simply: The barbarians burned all the books! Advertisement Lessons to be learned: Lead in water is dangerous, and banning books is even more dangerous. Phil Smith, Plainfield Join the conversation in our Letters to the Editor Facebook group. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Conclusion: It is an opinion of a person/body based on some facts and is always a judgement Evidence: It is a piece of information given to us in the sentence. For years, economists have thought that the Great Depression was triggered by rampant stock market speculation that led to unsustainable equity prices and overextended credit. However, a recent book by Liaquat Ahamed refutes this theory. The real culprit, it turns out, was the excessive reparations imposed on Germany after WWI. These punitive measures bankrupted Germany and ultimately caused a cascade of private bank defaults. In the above argument, what role do the bold-faced portions play? Rejected Conclusion Accepted Conclusion (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) Boldface questions are known to be notorious and usually linked with how well one is performing on the GMAT. However, if we pay attention to some concepts, they are not that difficult to crack. Before we start with this problem, here are certain things to understand:Here we have two conclusions, one that the author rejects and one that the author accepts: Great Depression was triggered by rampant stock market speculation that led to unsustainable equity prices and overextended credit: The real culprit, it turns out, was the excessive reparations imposed on Germany after WWIThe first offers evidence in support of a conclusion that the author subsequently refutes. The second is that conclusion.We know that the first statement is the rejected conclusionINCORRECTThe first offers an opinion that the author rejects. The second is the authors conclusion.The first part is correct here. However, the second part is not the conclusion. It is a fact that supports the conclusion.INCORRECTThe first is a conclusion that the author ultimately accepts. The second is evidence in support of that conclusion.This is wrong, the first part is the conclusion that the author rejects not accepts.INCORRECTThe first is evidence in support of a conclusion that the author denies. The second is a counter-conclusion that the author accepts.This is again wrong. The first part is not an evidence, it is infact a conclusionINCORRECTThe first is a conclusion that the author rejects. The second is a evidence corroborating a conclusion that the author supportsThe left out option. This has to be correct.Yes, the first part is the conclusion that the author rejects and yes second part is an evidence that supports the conclusionCORRECT Aging services survey The Piedmont Triad Regional Council has announced that every four years the Area Agency on Aging must submit a four year plan on Aging for the Piedmont Triad region. They are in year three of their current four year plan and are beginning to craft the next plan due to the state in 2024. They are collecting information from older adults and their caregivers about their needs. The survey takes about five minutes to complete; visit https://shorturl.at/dEHLS. Hiring event AuthoraCare Collective will hold a certified nursing assistant hiring event from 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Starbucks, 607 Green Valley Road in Greensboro. All attendees will receive a sweet treat, a gift card ($25 value) and will be automatically entered into a drawing for a $200 Visa gift card. For information, call 800-588-8879 or visit www.authoracare.org. Community meeting A community meeting concerning the future of Erwin Montessori School is set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at the W.D. Mohammad Islamic Center, 3015 E. Bessemer Ave. in Greensboro. There will be a presentation to the city and county followed by responses, information about upcoming community events and information about volunteer opportunities. For information, email heathcommunity2023@gmail.com. Dreams do come true Gabriela Santini, an 18-year-old living in High Point who recently received a liver transplant, has always dreamed of visiting Hawaii. Capital Subaru of Greensboro, along with Make-A-Wish Central and Western North Carolina, recently hosted a surprise bon voyage and wish booster event for Santini, her family and her loved ones at their Greensboro dealership location to celebrate Santinis upcoming wish to go to Hawaii being granted. This event served as part of Subaru of Americas annual Share the Love campaign, which aims to raise more than $285 million for charity partners, including Make-A-Wish. During the Wish Booster event, Santini was surprised with an official send-off for her upcoming Hawaii trip in January, along with a wish-granting celebration fit for an island Queen, full of gifts, surprises and more. $100K for emergency hotel assistance The Greensboro City Council agreed on Dec. 6 to commit $100,000 for emergency hotel assistance by the Guilford County Continuum of Care for the remainder of fiscal year 2023-24 for those experiencing homelessness. This allocation by the City of Greensboro is contingent upon a match commitment by the City of High Point and Guilford County. During a Guilford County Homelessness Taskforce meeting in November, the two cities and county agreed to commit $100,000 each to be used for emergency hotel assistance, which historically, has been an alternative housing option during winter months or to assist residents temporarily displaced by code violations. This funding is in addition to the $297,000 city council allocated to the Interactive Resource Center to support its 24/7 service expansion, which will begin in early January. Hirsch announcement Hirsch Wellness Network, a nonprofit that offers arts and wellness programs free of charge to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers, will resume offering arts activities inside Cone Health Cancer Centers in 2024. The nonprofit has collaborated with the Alight Program and UNCG Department of Social Work to develop a training certification for artists in residence. This fall, 10 people completed 20 hours of education and became the first certified AIRs. Class content included training geared toward communication and resiliency skills development, Cancer Center protocol and culture, access to related resources and the opportunity to begin building a solid AIR network for the region. The next certification is being planned for early spring. To learn more, contact Kim Yarbray, program manager, at kimyarbray@gmail.com. To see their class offerings, visit www.hirschwellnessnetwork.org. If online class registration shows full, call 336-209-0259 about space availability. Art submissions requested Cone Health Philanthropy, in partnership with the Alamance Community Foundation and Alamance Arts, is embarking on a project to bring art into the new Heart & Vascular Center at Alamance Regional Medical Center. Research has shown that beautiful spaces provide higher levels of calm for patients dealing with stressful situations. These are the elements critical for choosing the pieces to install: Calming, soothing and restful tones, themes to engender a sense of comfort and understandable without written interpretive statements. Submit wall displayed artwork that is 30x30 or larger, with depth not to exceed 3. If framing is needed for the selected pieces, it will be at no cost to the artists. Chosen artists will receive compensation for their selected pieces: $1,000 for pieces approximately 30x30 up to 36x48, $2,000 for pieces 36x48 and larger. Diptychs and triptychs composed of smaller sizes are welcome. The deadline is Jan. 22. For details, visit tinyurl.com/4f5dthvh. Zoo needs art The North Carolina Zoo and North Carolina Zoo Society have announced a new public art opportunity for artists and artist teams to design art for the new continent of Asia. With a budget of $250,000 provided through the society, this project will join the more than 150 works of art in and around the zoo. The first step of the process, the request for qualifications, has begun and calls for artists (and artist teams) to submit their qualifications for the design, fabrication and installation of a permanent outdoor public art project for installation within Asia. The request will run through Feb. 2. The artwork selected will be installed within Asia, set to open in 2026. For information, visit: www.nczoo.org/publicart or email Angela.Reavis@nczoo.org. Civil rights speaker series The International Civil Rights Center & Museum has announced its Civil Rights Speaker Series set for Feb. 1 and Feb. 29 with an additional date to be announced. The events take place at 6 p.m. at the museum, 134 S. Elm St. in Greensboro and they will highlight some of Americas most consequential stories. Benjamin Chavis Jr., a civil rights leader, will speak Feb. 1 and sign his book, Psalms from Prison. Nicole Avant Sarandos will speak and sign her book, Think Youll Be Happy, at an undecided date. Robert Brown, a former federal agent, business owner, diplomat and more will speak on Feb. 29 and sign his book, Its Always Right to Do Good. Tickets start at $50. For information, visit www.sitinmovement.org. New book club The High Point Public Library will be offering a new book club, the Shelf Indulgence Book Club, which will have its first meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 18 in the Book Lovers Room on the third floor of the library. Attendees of this book club will discuss books that have been banned or challenged in schools or libraries. Books chosen will be selected from all genres, and all group members will participate in choosing the books to read. This book club is open to adults and teens and is free and open to the public. New podcast The N.C. Civil Rights Trail has launched a podcast series amplifying the student-led protest story that anchors the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro. The free podcasts, which accompany a newly extended guide at VisitNC.com, can be accessed through Simplecast, Apple, Spotify, Audible and other major platforms with a U.S. Civil Rights Trail search. Most people know the essential story of the Greensboro Four, the students who took a stand against segregation with their sit-in at the Woolworth lunch counter, said Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit North Carolina. The three new podcasts trace the overarching story and add details and insights while introducing other people who played important roles. Its striking how many of them are women, from 15-year-old Dorothy Counts in Charlotte to the Bennett Belles at Bennett College and student organizer Ella Baker. The podcasts, produced by Tanner Latham of Ingredient Creative, represent a partnership of Visit NC, the states tourism marketing organization; the N.C. African American Heritage Commission, architects of the N.C. Civil Rights Trail; and the U.S. Civil Rights Trail Marketing Alliance. The series advances these organizations efforts to direct travelers to places significant to the pursuit of civil rights. For information, visit VisitNC.com. A long succession of speakers more than 35 stepped to the podium (or dialed in remotely) during last weeks City Council meeting to plead the case for a permanent cease-fire in the Middle East. They were impassioned and diverse and deeply moving in their call for a City Council resolution in support of an end to the hostilities in Gaza. Who could blame them? The war has taken a horrible toll in innocent lives, especially children, as did the crude and celebratory carnage against innocents in Israel that started it. The speakers comments especially resonated with council member Marikay Abuzuaiter, who lost a nephew last month in an airstrike in Gaza and whose husband Isa was one of the speakers. I looked out and saw everybody and the overwhelming support, Abuzuaiter told the News & Record a day later. We have a lot of friends in the Jewish community who are feeling pain, too. There has been more than enough pain to go around since Oct. 7. For many in Greensboro, the sudden attack on Israel and the retaliation that ensued have been profoundly personal. They have family and friends in the midst of the violence (Israelis and Palestinians) and they pray and worry every hour of every day for their safety. The people in our city are hurting, Councilman Hugh Holston said. So, in that important respect, the war is local. Abuzuaiter said she would work on a draft resolution and bring it to the council. She invited input from our Jewish friends. As a practical matter, such a statement would likely hold little weight beyond providing salve for troubled souls in Greensboro. But maybe that will be enough. Then there are the inevitable questions that already are stirring. Why not a resolution for Ukraine, where scores of innocents continue to die as interest in the U.S. seems to be waning Why not a resolution for largely overlooked humanitarian crises in Africa and Central America and so many other corners of the world? Where was a resolution, some readers have asked, in support of Israel after the Oct. 7 attack? Then there is the challenge of threading the needle that the language of any resolution would face. An email circulated by retired civil rights attorney Lewis Pitts not only called for community support of the resolution, it spelled out what the words should include: We once again demand that the City Council pass a resolution stating the following: 1. Support for a cease-fire. 2. Absolute divestment from and for Israel. 3. Support for the liberation of the Palestinian people. The email also notes that Mayor Nancy Vaughan on Oct. 7 posted an Israeli flag on her social media with caption prayers for the people of Israel. It goes on: It is still her most recent post and she has said nothing about the people of Palestine. This post has remained on her page after multiple bombings of hospitals in Gaza. It has stayed up after more than 6,600 Palestinian children have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since October 7. As obvious as the injustices appear in the Israel-Hamas conflict, making comments about them can be fraught and complicated. How do you say the right thing about so many wrongs? How can you find nuance when you are called upon to see only black and white? This is why I suspect local interfaith leaders havent said more about the war. The emotions on all sides (I say all sides because there are more than two) of this conflict are heightened and the sensitivities are raw. Thats why I dont envy the councils position as I applaud its willingness to listen. If and when a resolution comes to pass, it will not please some of us. It may not please many. Greensboro is uncommonly diverse and accepting of different cultures and religions and, frankly, it would have been a surprise had a resolution not been called for. But this issue tests us. Then again, so do others, including poverty, homelessness, a housing shortage, budget woes, a police officer shortage and, of course, record-setting gun violence in 2023. (If only there could be a permanent cease-fire in Greensboro.) Now, as if the council doesnt have enough on its plate, here comes the weight of the world. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A house call on Wednesday resulted in the arrest of two people with a gun after shots were fired in St. George, according to an NYPD post on social media. Two men in their 30s were caught with a loaded gun after a verbal dispute between the pair escalated into an assault, police allege. Rodney Edmonds, 37, of Fort Place, and Reginal Graham, 35, of Richmond Terrace were arrested at the southeast corner of Fort Place and Montgomery Avenue at about 8:25 p.m., according to a spokeswoman for the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information and a post on the NYPD Staten Islands Twitter feed. According to the spokeswoman, the two men were having a verbal altercation when Edmonds pulled out a firearm and pointed at Graham. The two males began to struggle over possession of the firearm and multiple rounds were discharged, said the spokeswoman. The second male then gained possession of the firearm and struck the first male across the face and head causing a laceration. Officers recovered a gun, the NYPD spokeswoman said. The Staten Island Community Response Team, along with members of the 120th precinct, were credited with the arrest, according to the 121st Precinct Twitter feed. A photo attached to the message shows a gun and a magazine. Edmonds was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of stolen property and criminal possession of controlled substance, according to police. Graham was charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of stolen property, according to police. A source with knowledge of the investigation told the Advance/SILive.com, the gun was allegedly reported stolen from Pennsylvania. NYPD School Safety Division data released Wednesday showed that blades seized in New York City public schools increased by 7% this year, according to the New York Post. According to the data, through Dec. 6 of this school year, cops and safety agents recovered 1,088 knives and 260 boxcutters surpassing last years total of 1,004 knives and 252 boxcutters seized during the same period, the report says. As the outlet reports, there are permanent metal detectors in approximately 79 of 1,500 New York City Department of Education school buildings, according to the latest known tally by the school safety officers union. According to the report, scanners are highly effective tools to mitigate danger in schools. Scanners are responsible for finding 56% of weapons smuggled into city schools this year, the report says. STATEN ISLAND KNIFE INCIDENTS On Oct. 6, Syles Ular of Clifton was fatally stabbed with a knife during a dispute during his bus ride home from school, the Advance/SILive.com previously reported. EMTs transported Ular to Staten Island University Hospital in Princes Bay where he was pronounced dead, according to a police statement. A 14-year-old boy has since been charged with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the stabbing, which occurred on an MTA bus on Hylan Boulevard in Eltingville, according to a statement from the NYPD. Syles Ular was stabbed to death on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. In April, a melee in which a man was stabbed at the Great Kills Staten Island Railway station was captured in a video showing the train platform crowded with students. Police said the victim, a 51-year-old man, was stabbed once in the back during the altercation. The video shows three individuals fleeing the scene as the victim lay almost motionless on the ground. MTA officials said the incident arose after a dispute between the victim and another individual on the 2:36 p.m. train from St. George to Tottenville before that argument spilled over onto the platform. Several children were taken into custody in connection with the knife attack, a source with knowledge of the investigation previously told the Advance/SILive.com. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In an apartment in the shadow of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Michael J. DiLella gains artistic inspiration while also inspiring others. Nearly every day for the past four years, DiLella, 92, a self-taught artist, fashions paintings sometimes two at a time in sketchbooks and on canvas in the cozy apartment that faces bustling Bay Street. He does this with a smile, to the delight of friends, neighbors and family, even though a childhood injury left him without fingers on one hand and damaged fingers on the other. I get gratification when people give me a compliment, he said. I enjoy people coming back to me, and they want to keep up with what Ive done. The daily act of sketching and painting keeps DiLella hopeful and very grateful, he said, with tears in his eyes, despite daily health burdens that include the use of an oxygen mask nearly 24-7, and a host of daily medications. I try to make a story, explained DiLella, who peeks through the storm door of his Fort Wadsworth home to the world outside when the weather doesnt permit him to sit on his patio, finding inspiration for his next acrylic-masterpiece wherever he looks. Itll come to me, and Ill build a story in my head, he explained. Michael DiLella, 92, is a self-taught artist who works from his cozy Fort Wadsworth apartment. He shares his paintings with family and friends. HIs friend, Susan McGrane, shared this photo of one of his pieces from her cell phone. (Courtesy of Michael J. DiLella)Courtesy of Michael DiLella In addition to glimpses of the world passing by, he also draws inspiration from television, he said. He takes a photo with his phone. Then, he sketches it. From there, the painting begins. His enthusiasm and determination leave others in awe, including Susan McGrane, who met DiLella during her daily walk and was blown away by his talent and spunk. DiLella shouted out to her as she passed his door. He was seeking help to drop a letter in a nearby mailbox. Im just amazed at both his spirit and his determination, she said. To be painting every single day ... I think hes wonderful. He just keeps on going. He does have health challenges, but it doesnt stop him. DiLellas favorite paintings are framed, displayed with pride above the living room sofa in his apartment, which is attached to his sons house. Hundreds more fill books and cardboard boxes throughout his space. A few are propped up, visible from outside his kitchen window a bright, colorful salutation to neighbors walking by on the busy street that leads to Von Briessen Park. A childhood injury left DiLella without fingers on one hand and damaged fingers on the other. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)Staten Island Advance DiLella often paints portraits of neighbors dogs at their request. Instead of cash, they repay him with gifts of blank canvas to keep the colorful artwork coming. Thats more than enough, said DiLella, who never asks for payment for his work. I get pleasure from it, and I dont want money, he said, often getting emotional as he reflected on the joy painting brings to his life. DiLella's passion for painting is an inspiration to friends. His friend, Susan McGrane, shared this photo from her cell phone. (Courtesy of Michael J. DiLella)Courtesy of Michael J. DiLella DiLella grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and raised his three sons in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn with his late wife, Victoria. His loving family now includes four grandchildren and one great-grandson. They take good, good care of me, he said. A framed Picasso hangs on his kitchen wall, though this version of Pierrot has a unique DiLella flair. Its my pride and glory, the artist said, gesturing toward the painting of a clown holding a hat, noting he painted it while he was in Delray Beach, Florida, where he lived with his late wife for 30 years after his retirement. He laughed when describing another of his works, a large wall mural that surprised Victoria when she returned from an out-of-state trip. Silhouettes, landscapes, portraits: His collection includes them all. Iconic celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Laurel and Hardy even have their place among his works. When finished with a painting, he texts the image to his friends and family. A home health aide who cared for him in Florida even gets a text. The day she met DiLella was serendipity, recalled McGrane, 72, who often stops by to chat with the retired longshoreman and restaurateur and examine his latest handiwork. Im very glad that I walked that way, and that I mailed the letter, she said, noting that DiLellas optimism has had a strong and lasting effect on her. Its obvious to anyone who encounters him, and its infectious, she said. DiLella is even forward-thinking when asked his age. Ill be 93 in January, he said with a smile. And hes not resting on his laurels. He has a lot of painting to get to, he happily reported: Ive got a lot of sketches, seven or eight lined up that I have to do. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- More than 10,000 Americans who have fallen victim to electronic benefit theft have had their stolen funds replaced through new programs rolled out in all 50 states. In 2022, Congress passed a law requiring states to develop systems to replace residents Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that have been stolen through electronic means, such as card skimming, cloning, third party misrepresentation or phishing. In November, the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service announced that it has officially approved all state plans, meaning all state agencies can now use federal funds to replace residents stolen benefits. Protecting the integrity of our nutrition assistance programs is a top priority for FNS [USDA Food and Nutrition Service], Stacy Dean, USDA deputy under secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, said at the time. SNAP fraud is a despicable crime that takes advantage of families with low income. We are collaborating closely with state agencies to ensure that participants facing these hardships receive the support they need. The USDA recently launched the SNAP Replacement of Stolen Benefits Dashboard, which shows state-reported data on the number of claims that have been approved and the amount of stolen benefits that have been replaced. The department noted that because state approval and implementation dates varied, the dashboard does not yet include data from all states. As of early December, the following 10 states have submitted data to the dashboard: Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Vermont. In total, 10,815 claims have been approved with $5,741,460 in replacement benefits issued across the 10 states. Maryland, which was one of the first states to implement its program back in March, accounts for the overwhelming majority of approved claims thus far, with 9,306 of the 10,815 total approved claims, representing 86%. The replacement process varies by state and residents can visit the USDA website to learn more about how to apply for replacement benefits where they live. REPLACING STOLEN BENEFITS IN NEW YORK New Yorks benefit recovery system, which was approved by the federal government in April, was implemented in August, meaning Empire State residents can now apply for reimbursement of electronically stolen benefits. In order to apply for reimbursement of stolen benefits, recipients must first report their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards as stolen by calling 1-888-328-6399, visiting ConnectEBT or through the ConnectEBT mobile app. No replacement benefits will be issued until the compromised EBT card is reported as stolen. Replacement SNAP benefits will only be issued if the date of theft is on or after Oct. 1, 2022. Benefits eligible for replacement include: regular, ongoing SNAP benefits restored, replacement or retroactive issuances Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) benefits Supplemental Emergency Allotments (EA) Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) food benefits are not considered SNAP benefits, and therefore, are not eligible to be replaced. SNAP benefits can only be replaced up to two times per federal fiscal year, which spans from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, and replacement benefits are limited to the lesser of the amount stolen or two times the SNAP benefits received in the last full month before benefits were stolen. The process for submitting a claim varies slightly based on whether the resident received their benefits in New York City or another part of the state. Regardless of whether the claim will be submitted in New York City or another county, the first step is to gather all necessary information, including your Client Identification Number (CIN), case number, current mailing address and detailed information about each fraudulent transaction. Residents can review their EBT transaction history for fraudulent charges by visiting ConnectEBT, using the ConnectEBT mobile app or calling 1-888-328-6399. In New York City, residents must submit their claims to the citys Department of Social Services Human Resources Administration. City residents are strongly encouraged to submit their claims online for the quickest, most convenient experience. However, claim forms can also be printed and dropped off in person at any Benefits Access Center or SNAP Center, or mailed to the following address: Department of Social Services, P.O. Box 02-9121, Brooklyn GPO, NY 11202. New Yorkers who receive their benefits in any county outside of New York City must submit their claims to their local department of social services either in-person, via mail, or through the NYDocSubmit mobile app, if its available in their county. Residents must submit a claim within 30 days of discovering that their benefits were stolen. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The New York News Publishers Association recognized the outstanding contributions of the 2023 Staten Island Advance/SILive.com staff. This nomination highlights the achievement of the Staten Island Advance/SiLive.com reporter Maura Grunlund in securing the Distinguished Beat Reporting Award for her efforts on The Fentanyl Crisis. After the heartbreaking personal loss of her son Sam Grunlund to overdose, Maura was inspired to expose the sneaking but extreme danger that the deadly drug fentanyl has increasingly posed, particularly to the youth. Most people in the country are not aware that a second, forgotten epidemic has been quietly raging at the same time as COVID, Grunlund said. Over 100,000 people in this country died each year in 2021 and 2022 of accidental drug overdoses in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta (CDC). For her, spending 2022 reporting on Staten Islands drug crisis has been more than covering a beat, even more than a journalistic passion it is also a personal mission to inform and influence a better future through journalistic action. Grunlund has built a powerful roster of sources, among them borough, city, and federal law enforcement, Staten Islanders battling addiction, those in recovery, health professionals, recovery advocates, and researchers. I wrote the series, Fentanyl: A Killer Concealed for my son, Grunland said. who at 27 was one of the more than 90,000 people who perished from overdoses in 2020, at 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, his autopsy revealed that he was no match for the often deadly combination of fentanyl and cocaine. I think of the articles in this series as love letters to my son, she added. Many of the overdoses have been linked to fentanyl, an opioid so lethal that it kills adults in doses as small as two milligrams equal to a few specks that could fit on the tip of a pencil. Grunlund discusses the larger-scale emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic that the World Health Organization (WHO) says has claimed about 1.1 million. Partly because of the stigma attached to addiction, families and friends mostly grieve in private. The rest of society does not seem to notice the bodies of overdose victims piling high in morgues and hidden in plain sight at cemeteries, Grunlund said. Hopefully, the series creates awareness about the desperate need for funding to pay for research and treatment that could benefit people struggling with addiction and law-enforcement actions against drug traffickers. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive.com. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here. Tony De Martino, 81, a skilled carpenter and artist, died on Dec. 5, 2023, at his home on Delmar, New York. He will be fondly remembered as a brilliant problem solver who loved his family, children and animals. He was kind to everyone and desired to help in any way he could, said his obituary. Read the full obit on SILive. Joyce Rowan, 92, a beloved mother and grandmother, died on Dec. 1, 2023, on Staten Island. She is survived by her loving daughters Sean Hanly and Margaret Rowan, and her adoring grandchildren Heather Schroeder, James Hanly, Alexandra Hanly, Kelsey Allen, Liam McCloskey and Melissa McCloskey. Read the full obit on SILive.com. Anthony J. Sabatino, 78, a dedicated husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed traveling and talking sports, died on Nov. 16, 2023, due to complications of pneumonia. Born in New York City in June 1945, he moved in 1953 to New Dorp Beach, where his family operated a neighborhood grocery store. Tony began his career with Price Waterhouse in NYC in 1968 and became a Certified Public Accountant during his time with the firm. He joined Canadian mining giant Inco, Ltd in 1973 where he began as Tax Manager and held several positions including Comptroller, Treasurer & Corporate Vice President. He retired on December 31, 1999 saying, I worked a lot in this millennium and Im taking the next one off! Read the full obit on SILive.com. Veronica A. Hynes (nee Clifford), 71, a cherished wife, devoted mother, and beloved grandmother, peacefully transitioned to heaven on Dec. 6, surrounded by her loving family at her home. Born as Veronica Clifford in Brooklyn, to Jerimah and Anna Clifford, she was one of 14 children. At the age of 15, Veronica, along with her family, moved to Staten Island, where they resided in various homes on the north shore. After graduating from high school, she pursued her education at the College of Staten Island, earning her Associates degree and continuing on to achieve her Bachelor of Arts degree. Veronica passionately utilized her education to make a difference in the lives of children. She began her career with the NYC Board of Education at PS 57 in their UPK program and later became the UPK coordinator at Yelda Vd Yelda preschool. Her heart resonated with the melodies of country and doo-wop music, and she found joy in attending concerts featuring her favorite genres. Read the full obit on SILive. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per month Premium Includes: Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. The ability to download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. The ability to clip & download articles or images to share with others. Access to the last 90 days of e-Editions with search, downloading and clipping options. Unlimited access to our award-winning online content Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community Last week, the Herald reported on an email sent by former MP and NSW Liberal president Jason Falinski to the partys factional warlords, urging them to put their differences aside and get behind a series of reforms to the troubled division. Loading It didnt take long for some of those warlords to start revolting. YOUR RIGHTS ARE AT RISK, came the thundering email to the party from a group of state executive representatives calling themselves the members rights team. The reform proposals, which include cutting the size of the partys constitution and the number of state executive members, aim to make the whole joint a bit more friendly and efficient. They werent well received. Those whove been members of this party over the last five years would know all too well efficiency and reform may be read as taking away more of your rights as members of this division, the message said. Australias peak body for doctors has issued a stern warning to medical colleges after hundreds of radiologists rebelled against their colleges decision to hike fees for trainees, fearing rising training costs will drive talent away from the profession and worsen mounting backlogs. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) raised the cost of its final trainee exam from $5718 in 2022 to $10,200 in 2023, just months after introducing a mandatory $6000 admission to fellowship fee for all new radiologists. Senior radiologists are concerned an increase in training fees will drive junior doctors away from the profession, exacerbating a national shortage of radiologists. Credit: Jessica Shapiro More than 400 senior and trainee radiologists signed two open letters to the college, describing the increases as disproportionate and deeply unfair. Multiple radiology trainees, who spoke to this masthead but did not want to be identified because the college controlled their training, said the fee increases meant they would now pay more than $40,000 for the five-year training program on top of their university debt. Extreme hot weather that cooked Sydney and NSW over the weekend triggered an estimated 600 additional emergency calls, fuelled dozens of bushfires, and may have contributed to four urgent hospitalisations at a Sydney music festival. Thousands went without power after fierce thunderstorms and firefighters and emergency services are bracing for the temperatures to rise again through the week. Social media photographs showing damage on the NSW Central Coast caused by thunderstorms that followed a heatwave across NSW. Credit: Facebook The mercury rose above 40 degrees across much of the city and state on Saturday afternoon before a cool change swept through. The southerly buster brought problems of its own 90 kilometre an hour wind gusts that tore off roofs and downed powerlines on the Central Coast. A mother of four and her suspected attacker are dead after a street stabbing and house fire in Brisbanes north on Saturday night. Siva Auvae, 31, was stabbed to death about 7pm on Brimstone Court, Kallangur, by a man believed to be her partner. She has been remembered online by family members as a loving mother, aunty and cousin with a heart of gold. Investigators said Auvae managed to leave the outdoor scene of her stabbing but collapsed and died nearby on the road. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Police investigated an allegation that Alan Jones indecently assaulted a schoolboy at the broadcasters sprawling Southern Highlands estate, directly contradicting a claim by the NSW police commissioner that no complaints have been received. The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age have received new allegations of indecent assaults following revelations last week that the high-profile radio host had groped multiple young men during his controversial career. Jones denies all the claims including the most recent allegation uncovered by this masthead and has threatened legal action. The defamatory meanings arising from your questions are false, and will be relied upon for aggravated damages in the foreshadowed defamation proceedings, a lawyer for Jones said. On Friday, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb told reporters that no complaints had been received about Jones. Im informed at this stage no one has made a complaint to police, but of course if they do, we will take that investigation and fully investigate that matter, she said. However, the Herald and The Age can reveal that in November 2017, two specialist detectives met schoolboy Neil Ogden and his principal at his high school in Wollongong, south of Sydney. This masthead has given Neil and his mother, Jenny, pseudonyms to protect their identities. The detectives later came to Ogdens house, where he provided a statement alleging he had just turned 17 when he was invited to spend a weekend at Jones Fitzroy Falls property in January 2017. Advertisement At the time, Jones was the top-rating broadcaster on Sydneys radio 2GB and had taken an interest in and was financially assisting Ogden and his mother as they battled numerous difficulties, including the death of Ogdens sister, which was the subject of some publicity. Ogden alleges he and Jones, who was 75 at the time, watched a movie at the luxurious rural property before Jones passionately kissed him on the lips and placed his left hand on Ogdens buttocks. Ogden initially froze, then pushed Jones away. He said he didnt make a scene because of anxiety that Jones might withdraw support for his family if he complained. He told the police in writing that he went to the bathroom with my loofah and soap and began scrubbing my mouth, inside and out, as much as I could. Ogdens mother said that when Neil returned home, he was a changed person. She kept asking him: Whats wrong? Whats happened? Finally, Neil passed her a piece of paper on which hed written his allegation that someone with power and money had done something to him which he shouldnt have. Alan Jones was so aware of how vulnerable we were and he just preyed on it, Jenny Ogden alleged this week. Neil Ogden told the Herald and The Age that as a result of the alleged incident, whenever he saw some generic white guy who was above 70 in my mind, I would see Alan Joness face on them. The mother and son recalled this week that police told them Jones would hire a formidable legal team, and it would be the word of a schoolboy against one of the most powerful people in the country. Jones was not Joe Blow from Bunnings, Jenny Ogden recalled an officer saying. Advertisement The detectives also said that what happened to Neil is not enough to put him away but they wanted a signed statement in case other complaints were received in the future. Since that time, one of the officers, who now holds the rank of inspector, has continued to counsel and support the family. Another detective involved in the matter told this masthead on Sunday night that Neil was very credible and that his teachers and principal had said he was a very good student. The 10-bedroom homestead at Fitzroy Falls that Jones sold this year. The detective also said that because Jones was such a high-profile person, head office wanted a briefing straight away. In the end, Neil Ogden decided that he didnt want to pursue the matter. The police respected his decision, said the officer. In response to a series of questions on Sunday night, a police spokeswoman said there was no current investigation into Jones but the force supports victims of all [alleged crimes] whether recent or historical to come forward and report. The spokesperson did not address questions about why Webb had wrongly told reporters on Friday that no complaints had been received in relation to Jones. Advertisement In June this year, the Ogdens were shocked to see Jones presiding over a graduation from the Talent Development Project, which fosters talented government high school musicians and is part-funded by the NSW Education Department. Jenny Ogden immediately contacted one of the detectives she and her son had been dealing with following the alleged 2017 incident at Jones Southern Highlands estate. In an email to the detective, the mother said: We attended the Talent Development Project at ICC last night to support a friend who was graduating. This is run through the Department of Education. Prior to going we obviously had no idea who the members of the board were; the chairman spoke last night. It was Alan Jones. She alleged: It is the first time either of us have seen him since the incident. I asked [Neil] how he felt. He said he cant stop living or going places because of him, but a poignant thing he said was Ill never forget it!. Her email to the detective also alleged: We were both troubled that he had a position with the DoE. Im not sure if anything can be done, but letting you know seemed to me a sensible idea. Jenny Ogden later sent an email, dated June 25, to Department of Education secretary Murat Dizdar, telling him she and her son were confronted by the sight of Jones at the TDP event and had contacted police. Advertisement It is my responsibility to inform you of my sons experience some years ago, she wrote. She forwarded to the top bureaucrat a previous email to the department in January 2020 which alleged Jones had indecently assaulted her son. Having received no response, Jenny Ogden sent a second email to Dizdar on November 9. This time, Dizdar replied, saying he had made inquiries and I understand the initial allegations made were thoroughly investigated and it was found that there was insufficient evidence to sustain them. However, Jenny Ogden then asked Dizdar what inquiries had been made to the police about her sons allegations as the detectives looking into the matter told her theyd received no contact from the department. This masthead on Sunday asked the Department of Education a series of questions, including what actions it undertook after being alerted to the 2017 allegation of indecent assault made against Jones. A spokesperson said in a statement: In 2017 a report was made to NSW Police after a principal was informed of an alleged incident that had occurred off school grounds. The department was informed by [a specialist squad] that the allegations had been investigated and no charges laid. Advertisement This year, 39 students, 30 males and nine females, have received an ATAR of 99.95, which is the highest possible rank possible in VCE. Here is our final tally of the schools with the highest number of students who achieved ATARs of 99.95: 5 students - Scotch College 4 - Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School 3 - Melbourne Grammar School 3 - Melbourne High 2 - Caulfield Grammar School 2 - Fintona Girls School 2 - Haileybury 2 - Korowa Anglican Girls School 1 - Ballarat Clarendon College 1 - Brighton Grammar School 1 - Ivanhoe Grammar School 1 - Methodist Ladies College 1 - Ruyton Girls School 1 - St Kevins College 1 - Trinity Grammar School 1 - Marcellin College 1 - Mazenod College Also, here is our summary of school results, based on the percentage of year 12 students who achieved an ATAR of 90 or above: Ballarat Clarendon College: Almost 70 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Korowa Anglican Girls School: 68 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Ruyton Girls School 63.9 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 and above Camberwell Girls Grammar School: 63 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Fintona Girls School: 58 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Sacre Coeur: 58 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Presbyterian Ladies College: 58 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or more, representing Mount Scopus Memorial College: 56 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Trinity Grammar School 54 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak: 53 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Liebner Yavneh College: 49 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Scotch College: 48.9 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Brighton Grammar School: 48.2 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Haileybury: 48 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Mentone Girls Grammar: 45 per cent of students achieved an ATAR above 90. St Kevins College: 40.8 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School: 40 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Caulfield Grammar School: 33 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School: 30 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Mazenod College: 28 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Mentone Girls Secondary College: 27 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Al Siraat College: 23 per cent of students received an ATAR of 90 or above Academy of Mary Immaculate: 19 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above Australia is about to lose one of its most successful but least acclaimed political leaders. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has spent nine years trouncing her rivals and showing her Labor allies how to win and hold wary voters, while leaders in the southern states usually gained more attention. Artwork: Credit: Aresna Villanueva Her record is formidable. She was the first woman to lead an opposition into power at a state or federal level. She gained that victory in 2015 after her party had been reduced to just seven members in parliament. Then she won the next two elections. Her success in Queensland is a template for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese if he wants to increase his majority at the end of his first term because that is exactly what she did in a notoriously difficult state. Sydneys eastern suburbs and parts of the north shore were spared in the Minns governments push for greater housing density because of strained water and sewage infrastructure and transport links that are already at high capacity, the NSW planning minister has revealed. Peak developer groups were left bemused last week after some key transport hubs on the north shore and eastern suburbs were left off a list of 31 suburbs across greater Sydney, the Illawarra, Central Coast and Newcastle which will be subject to snap rezonings to increase density. NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully says infrastructure constraints have put the brakes on greater density in parts of the eastern suburbs. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos As mayors affected by the changes prepare a summit to discuss one of the most dramatic overhauls to planning in Sydney in decades, Planning Minister Paul Scully has revealed that key suburbs in the east including Bondi Junction and Edgecliff were currently limited in additional growth because of constraints on infrastructure that proved difficult to overcome. We examined 305 sites based on their infrastructure to support new homes. The sites announced [last week] were released first because they have essential infrastructure capacity available but still need rezonings for density to be delivered, Scully said. In the early 2000s, few would have tipped Queensland environment minister Dean Wells young media adviser to become the states most consequential Labor Party figure of the early 21st century. Even in 2012, when she found herself leading a rump of just seven Labor MPs in state parliament, the thought of Annastacia Palaszczuk becoming premier seemed remote. Annastacia Palaszczuk with future federal Labor leader Bill Shorten and tourism lobbyist Chris Brown in the late 1980s. But fate has a habit of defying expectations, and Palaszczuk defied expectations more than most. She had a surname that could be hard to say and even harder to spell. Still, it was a surname that exhibited her Labor pedigree. Her father, Henry Palaszczuk, was a popular and respected minister in the Beattie government. Destroyed by Western Australias worst ever floods in January, the new Fitzroy River Bridge in the Kimberley region has been completed six months ahead of schedule. On Sunday, Premier Roger Cook accompanied by local Indigenous community members and state and federal MPs officially reopened the bridge, restoring a crucial transport link for the region. The new bridges reconstruction was jointly funded by the federal and WA governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and more than 240 locals were employed on the project and 26 Aboriginal-owned businesses were awarded contracts associated with the project. Cook thanked the local workers for their unprecedented efforts - with construction only beginning in May and beset by continued bad weather. The Israel Defence Forces said on Saturday that fighter jets and ground troops continued combat in different locations across the Gaza Strip. Several sirens sounded in Israeli communities near the border with Gaza, it added. The IDF on Saturday directed residents in several neighbourhoods in north Gaza to evacuate, and warned that fighting raged around a stretch of the main north-south highway, Salah al-Din. The military also directed residents of various neighbourhoods in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, to evacuate, saying a road near the north and east of Khan Younis city had become a battlefield and should be avoided. Israel says its evacuation directives are aimed at reducing civilian deaths, including through a numbered map, airdropped leaflets and social media posts. Gazans reached by The Washington Post say the Israeli orders have been vague or contradictory, often sending them to other battlefields. Other residents with little internet or phone access say they have not received warnings at all. Palestinian citizens carry out search and rescue operations amid the destruction caused by Israeli air strikes in Khan Younis, Gaza. Credit: Getty As they search for safety, Palestinians in Gaza said they were also struggling to buy or even find food. The prices are astronomical, said Mohamad, 29, in Gaza City. Large bags of flour that cost about $9 before the war now cost more than 10 times that, and were not available in most cases, he said. The humanitarian aid that did reach the area in northern Gaza was often stolen, he said, then resold at high prices. Most people enter uninhabited homes and take what they find inside. He said he had been one of them. It is a struggle for survival. Another Gaza resident, an employee at a relief organisation, said his group was previously distributing goods it bought at the market to homes and schools in Rafah. But it was recently forced to stop because nothing is available in the market, the resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said. Two days ago, people looted a storehouse belonging to UNRWA, the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, in front of my eyes, he said. There are people who have become bandits, blocking the routes of trucks with weapons and begging for aid. Famine in Gaza, he added, is a matter of time. There was also growing alarm on Saturday over the safety of patients and staff members at Al-Awda Hospital, one of the last remaining medical facilities in northern Gaza. The hospital was being besieged by Israeli troops, according to Renzo Fricke, the head of mission for Doctors Without Borders, or MSF, which supports the hospital. One of MSFs staff members in the hospital reported on Friday that a sniper outside had killed two people at the hospital, including a volunteer nurse, Fricke said. The organisations staff had stayed at the hospital to care for patients, even as others fled northern Gaza. Israel has argued that a ceasefire would leave Hamas in power, posing a threat to its security. The United States, Israels unflinching ally during the war, called the ceasefire resolution not only unrealistic but dangerous. Robert Wood, the alternate US representative to the United Nations, said after the vote that it would leave Hamas in place, able to regroup and repeat what it did on October 7. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday that the US veto made it responsible for the bloodshed of Palestinians and complicit in genocide, ethnic cleansing and war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (right) meets US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah on November 30. Credit: AP The US policy has become a danger to the world, posing a threat to international peace and security, Abbas said in a statement, according to WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency. This decision will haunt the United States for years. The foreign minister of Oman, a country that has close relations with the United States and has helped mediate between Washington and its adversaries in the region, condemned the veto as a shameful insult to humanitarian norms in a post on Saturday on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. I deeply regret that the United States should sacrifice the lives of innocent civilians for the cause of Zionism, the minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, wrote. Loading As the United States faced growing international pressure to support a ceasefire, the Biden administration said on Saturday it had approved a $US106.5 million ($161.8 million) sale of Army tank ammunition and equipment to Israel by invoking an emergency declaration that will bypass Congresss typical review period for weapons sales. Secretary of State Antony Blinken used the emergency declaration because it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defence capability, said the State Department in a news release. A State Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive military matter, defended the emergency measure, saying the administration has used it to send weapons to Ukraine. Given Israels urgent defence needs, the secretary has determined this exercise of his delegated authority appropriate in this case as well, the official said. Helena police reported Sunday that they had arrested a 42-year-old Tennessee woman who was acting erratic at the Helena Regional Airport, then ran down the runway and scaled a fence. Police said in an email they were called to the airport at 6:38 a.m. Saturday for a report about a woman who was about to board a plane. Officers said the woman began acting erratic, ran down the runway and climbed a fence before police arrived. She was located by officers. The woman was arrested on suspicion of trespassing and taken to the Lewis and Clark County Detention Center, police said. It was not immediately known Sunday if she was still in custody. No further information was immediately available. On that point, we need to return to the little make-up bag momentarily. You see, I didnt give you the full picture at the beginning. Bobbi spends one of the 36 hours shes in London with me. She has meetings, manages to see some friends, then heads to Paris with her husband. It is dark season, so the sun isnt responsible for her appearing so full of life and health, and now I know its not layers of make-up, so ask how she does it. Well, Im happy, Im curious, and theres still a spark. When you lose any of those things when you get older its awful. I can visualise myself at 80. I want to be able to hop on a plane with my granddaughter and go to Paris. I want to be able to walk up and down the stairs without holding on. But also I know my face and whats best about me is my skin. Ive got lines, but Im fine with them. I just know where to put products to make myself not look tired. It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35) All around the world, children are flocking to malls and shopping centers to sit on Santas lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. The truth is the real story of Santa Claus has gotten lost in the commercialization of Christmas. Its due largely to the genius retailers who want to be sure that moms and dads didnt forget them at Christmas. The irony behind all this truth is the story of St. Nicholas that offers parents a way out of the Santa Claus Controversy. The message of Christmas presented through the life and work of the real St. Nick has most assuredly been garbled over the last hundred years or so. Father Christmas, as he once was known, was as real as they come. Unlike the modern-day Santa Claus, the original St. Nicholas didnt live at the North Pole with a crew of hardworking elves, a team of flying reindeer, and a wife who worked hard to keep him plump and happy. The real St. Nicholas was a different sort of fellow altogether. Born in 245 AD in what is now Asiatic Turkey, he was the only child of a wealthy family. He became an orphan at a very early age when his parents died of the plague. He spent his youth at a monastery under the tutelage of his uncle, the Bishop of Patara. By all accounts, the young Nicholas was an extremely devout and holy man. He was also rich beyond measure and chose to give most of the money his father had left him to the poor. In Myra, he frequently appeared to help those in crisis and then would quietly disappear. He often preferred that his contributions remain anonymous, a lasting testimony to the Christ-like quality of selflessness. When he was 30, the Archbishop of Myra died, and Nicholas was selected to replace him. By that time, he had become well-known not only for his generosity, but also for his unwavering support of Christianity. That was not an easy task during a period when the birth of new religions and the ever-present lure of paganism threatened the foundation of his Christian faith. History records that Nicholas was persecuted by the Roman Emperor Diocletian and spent several years in prison. Later he was freed by Constantine who had also come to a saving knowledge of Christ. Over time, Nicholas reputation grew. He was credited with performing many miracles. After his death in the fourth century, that led to his elevation of sainthood. Nicholas legend continued to spread throughout Europe, and his followers increased over time. During the Middle Ages, thousands of churches were built in his honor. In fact, Dec. 6, the anniversary of his death, was designated as the Feast of St. Nicholas. It became a day to give gifts, particularly to children. During the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, the Feast of St. Nicholas was banished from most European countries when Martin Luther derided believers for what he thought had become a practice of worshiping saints instead of God. The tradition was understandably forced underground. The celebration came to be known by a lot of other names throughout Europe. It was the Dutch who managed to keep the original message embraced by St. Nicholas life alive. They brought that tradition with them when they settled in what is now New York in the 1600s. Their Sinter Klaas is now our Santa Claus. Obviously, our view of Santa Claus is no longer the view those history records. He was a God-fearing man who lived for the Lord, suffered for the Lord, and gave for the Lord. He understood what Jesus meant when he told his disciples, the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. St. Nick decided to lay his life down, too, one gift at a time. That is what Christmas is really all about. While after the private jet debacle some may be calling for his sacking from Travalyst, the eco-tourism firm he founded in 2019, Harry still has plenty of projects to keep him occupied next year. Harry is now a global ambassador for bereaved children of military personnel and he is pushing that side of his work more than the glamorous side, says Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine. He looks like he is moving forward in his battle against the press which may not be successful, but at least he will have proved that together with his celebrity pals like Elton John, he is a force to be reckoned with. But [the Sussexes] are still disliked, and not just here in the UK. Whether or not they will eventually attract some sort of respect, I dont know. However, a No 10 source echoed Mr Sunak by saying there is only an inch between the current policy and an overriding of elements of the European Convention on Human Rights, that he says would see the Rwandan government reject it. The victim is from the orthodox Jewish community. It would have been obvious from her appearance that she was Jewish and there has been significant concern that she was targeted for that reason Detective Sergeant Asli Benson The couple took to the palace balcony to see the crowds, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and the coronation pages and Ladies in Attendance. Staying with celebrity news, the Sunday Mirror says TV star Helen Flanagan has been on a series of dates with former boxer David Haye. Police Scotland funding for which is provided by the Scottish Government has warned officer numbers could drop by almost 1,500 and the force could move to a reduced attendance model nationwide if it does not receive almost 129 million in extra funding. The WHO chief said that it would be hard to meet the board's requests given the security situation on the ground and said he deeply regretted that the United Nations Security Council could not agree on a ceasefire following a U.S. veto. Steve Medlin understands how blessed and fortunate hes been throughout his life. In addition to being a trusted and reliable Concord lawyer for close to 50 years, Medlin is a husband, father and grandfather; founder of Grace Global Methodist Church; enthusiastic public speaker who has won several state contests in extemporaneous speaking with Toastmasters International; and hes been involved in his community through Concord Rotary Club, Concord Lions Club and Concord Jaycees. The Concord native, 71, has worked throughout his life to form valuable connections with and helped countless people a key reason he was won the prestigious Liberty Bell Award in late October. He has been an attorney with Medlin & Medlin for 46 years, with his main areas of expertise in estate planning; estate settlement; business contracts; and incorporations. I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth, Medlin said as he received the award, referencing a famous quote from the New York Yankee legend Lou Gehrig. I have been the guy who liked what he did and got to just do it and do it and do it over again and I got to know a heck of a lot of people over that time, he told the Independent Tribune in an interview reflecting on what receiving the award has meant to him. He now stands with other giants of the legal profession in the area, including his father Webster Medlin, who won the Liberty Bell in 2001. This is the first time a father and son have both received the award a point of considerable pride for Medlin. That just made it special he won it 25 years ago and I get it now, Medlin said. Steve Medlin is our first second-generation Cabarrus County lawyer recipient of the Liberty Bell Award, said Superior Court Judge Marty McGee in a news release from the Cabarrus County Bar Association. He has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to serving our community. He is a particularly worthy recipient of this award given his dedication to improving the legal profession and our system of justice. Medlin, who went to Mount Pleasant High School before graduating with honors at UNC Charlotte and obtaining his law degree at UNC Chapel Hill, devotes much of his longevity and success to learning from lawyers who came before him, including his father. When I was coming up as a young lawyer, there were great lawyers all around, he said. And I really did use my superpower, which is I called on these guys. It didnt bother me to say, Ive never done this before. How do you go about it? Sometimes theyd meet me over at the courthouse and give me notes. It just never embarrassed me to say to an older guy, How do you do it? Medlin started practicing law in 1977 in downtown Concord. A few years later, his father, who had been at the old Cabarrus Bank building, merged his business with his sons and Medlin and Medlin was created. Medlin worked with his father for 25 years. His most high-profile case was in 1980, when he served as defense attorney for a man who had been charged with murdering a woman at a 7-Eleven convenience store. It was the only time, he recalls, where he had protestors in his office. I worked my tail off for that trial, he said. The man was ultimately guilty and received the death penalty; he is currently still on death row, Medlin said. For the most part, Medlin has worked with his clients to avoid needing to go to court. I believe in saving money in the long run by avoiding the courtroom and doing the work right, according to his website. As someone who never thought about working in a bigger city, Medlin sees himself as a hometown country lawyer. I was the guy that stayed put and knew his community, he said. Though Medlin has financially done well for himself during his career, his main goal has always been about helping others. He takes great pride in knowing he had a small part to play in some of his clients happiest memories, such finalizing all the details for a young couple to move into their first home. Theres an old saying that if a small town lawyer practices law to make money, he typically will not do well at either, Medlin said. He has worked with thousands of people throughout his tenure, though, as he told a lawyer a few years ago, they were never his true clients. Your ultimate client is the U.S. Constitution, he recalls telling the lawyer. And you follow that U.S. Constitution and you walk around this town with your head held up high. Medlin, who has no plans to retire any time soon, is confident about the state of the law profession in Cabarrus County. There were good lawyers ahead of me and there are good ones coming up also, he said. That makes me proud of my town. In his concluding remarks to the other members of the Cabarrus County Bar Association after winning the Liberty Bell, Medlin stated the mission of the attorney is to always try and strike a certain balance when performing their work. The challenge is to be strong, but not rude. Be kind, but not weak. Be bold, but not bully. Be thoughtful, but not lazy. Be humble, but not timid. Be proud, but not arrogant. Have humor, but without folly. Past recipients of the Cabarrus County Liberty Bell Award include: 1997: John Sharpe Hartsell 1998: Hon. Robert L. Warren 1999: Hon. Adam C. Grant, Jr. 2000: Thomas K. Spence 2001: Webster S. Medlin 2002: Brice J. Willeford 2003: William D. Arrowood 2004: Kenneth B. Cruse 2005: J. Carlyle Rutledge 2006: Bachman S. Brown, Jr. 2007: John R. Boger, Jr. 2008: Timothy M. Hawkins 2009: James C. Johnson, Jr. 2010: James D. Foster 2011: Hon. James C. Davis 2012: R. Wayne Pickett 2013: Hon. Clarence E. Horton, Jr. 2014: Phillip G. Carroll 2015: Hon. W. Erwin Spainhour 2016: Wesley Grant 2017: Larry Harris 2018: Barbara Hollingsworth 2019: William F. Rogers, Jr. 2020: Howard. S. Irvin 2021: Tom Grady 2022: Vernon Russell Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sept 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sept 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (17) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sept 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (134) Jun 2013 (203) Jul 2013 (292) Aug 2013 (350) Sept 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (347) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (437) Jan 2014 (543) Feb 2014 (473) Mar 2014 (525) Apr 2014 (526) May 2014 (470) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sept 2014 (440) Oct 2014 (471) Nov 2014 (496) Dec 2014 (535) Jan 2015 (535) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (578) Apr 2015 (657) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (727) Aug 2015 (803) Sept 2015 (922) Oct 2015 (919) Nov 2015 (798) Dec 2015 (789) Jan 2016 (781) Feb 2016 (834) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (864) May 2016 (945) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (880) Aug 2016 (1034) Sept 2016 (966) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (884) Jan 2017 (879) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sept 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1045) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (808) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sept 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (934) Jul 2019 (949) Aug 2019 (936) Sept 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (848) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (787) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sept 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (811) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sept 2021 (791) Oct 2021 (754) Nov 2021 (683) Dec 2021 (693) Jan 2022 (694) Feb 2022 (654) Mar 2022 (740) Apr 2022 (745) May 2022 (748) Jun 2022 (701) Jul 2022 (704) Aug 2022 (702) Sept 2022 (699) Oct 2022 (737) Nov 2022 (718) Dec 2022 (692) Jan 2023 (662) Feb 2023 (611) Mar 2023 (692) Apr 2023 (652) May 2023 (696) Jun 2023 (701) Jul 2023 (742) Aug 2023 (737) Sept 2023 (732) Oct 2023 (749) Nov 2023 (751) Dec 2023 (732) Jan 2024 (259) The Oneg Shabbat archive was a secret project of Jewish prisoners in the Warsaw Ghetto to record their histories as they awaited deportation to Nazi death camps during World War II. Lauren Grodstein has used this historical fact as the basis for her mesmerizing new novel, We Must Not Think of Ourselves. It is narrated by a fictional schoolteacher, Adam Paskow, who conducts interviews for the real-life archives as he falls in love with a married woman, Sala Wiskoff, with whom he shares overcrowded quarters. Grodstein, who was inspired to write the book after a Jewish family heritage trip to Warsaw, where she first encountered the diary entries, propaganda posters and other materials that comprise the archives, excels at character development and naturalistic dialogue. In Adam, she has created an immensely appealing protagonist, notwithstanding his adulterous affair with Sala, who is equally charismatic. Before the war, Adam was living a quiet, bookish life in a prosperous neighborhood of Warsaw with his wealthy Polish Catholic wife. They were very much in love. But after she dies and the Nazis invade Poland, he is forced out of their cozy flat (filled with books and Oriental rugs) and into the gated and locked ghetto, patrolled by armed guards, where he teaches English to some of the displaced children. Adam and Sala are flirtatious almost from the beginning as Adam, who is a bit of a dreamer, struggles to comprehend the reality of their situation. They cant kill all of us, he says to Sala. Cant they? she replies. Its illogical, he reasons. And the Nazis pride themselves on being logical. Later, he thinks to himself, How on earth could they pull such a thing off? And would the world really let them? Of course, it does. As the war drags on and conditions in the ghetto worsen, Adam finally has a moment of reckoning. Reflecting on the purpose of the project launched by historian Emanuel Ringelblum, who named it Oneg Shabbat, or joy of the sabbath, after the day of the week when the archivists met, Adam thinks: Now I realize that we are creating a portrait of Polish Jews at the end of our history. But that was not to be. In a twist on Sophies Choice, Adam, who never identified strongly as a Jew before the war, obtains documents that will let him and two others escape to freedom he just has to decide which two. It is a deeply moving conclusion to an extraordinary work of historical fiction. ST. LOUIS In 1923, city voters approved an ambitious building program that included $1.2 million for a new hospital for Blacks. It would replace City Hospital No. 2, an old structure in the Mill Creek neighborhood that once housed a medical college. Grand juries routinely slammed it as inadequate and unsafe. For nearly a decade, the project was stalled over where to build it. Black political leaders wanted it in the Ville neighborhood, near Sumner High School, where much of the city's Black middle class lived. White doctors wanted it next to City Hospital No. 1, at 1515 Lafayette Avenue, south of downtown. The Blacks prevailed. But by the time work began at 2601 Whittier Street in 1932, the cost exceeded the bond issue. Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann, elected in 1933 with Black support, persuaded voters to give the hospital $1.5 million that no longer was needed for the Municipal (later MacArthur) Bridge. Barely three weeks later, on Dec. 10, 1933, he used a silver trowel to set the hospital's cornerstone. About 4,000 people gathered at the partly built central tower of what would become Homer G. Phillips Hospital for Colored. "No expense shall be spared to make this institution the outstanding Negro hospital in this country," Dickmann said. Among those who spoke briefly was Mrs. Homer G. Phillips, widow of a Black lawyer who had campaigned tirelessly in 1923 to win the original bond issue. Phillips had been shot to death in 1931 while waiting for a streetcar on Delmar Boulevard. Two teens, including the son of a disgruntled client, were acquitted of his murder. The Board of Aldermen voted to name the new hospital in his memory. Aided by federal Depression-fighting money, the $3.1 million hospital opened in 1937. The city closed old No. 2, at 2945 Lawton Avenue, and moved patients and the nursing school to "Homer G." The new, seven-story hospital was a towering symbol of pride for Blacks in St. Louis. The early 1970s brought the first serious stirrings at City Hall to close Homer G. and consolidate care at City Hospital. Black political leaders blocked the idea each time, but hospital costs kept rising. When Mayor Jim Conway finally acted on July 30, 1979, to reduce Homer G. to an emergency room and clinic, protesters gathered to block the moving vans. After three tense weeks, the last patients were moved to City Hospital on Aug. 17, 1979. Black anger contributed to Conway's defeat two years later. St. Louis closed City Hospital only six years later and no longer is in the hospital business. In 2002, Homer G. was reopened as the 220-unit Homer G. Phillips Senior Living Community. Its occupancy is 93 percent. Photos: decades of service from St. Louis-area hospitals Decades of service from St. Louis-area hospitals 1923 - City Hospital No. 2 1924 - City Hospital 1925 - Shriners Hospital 1926 - Jewish Hospital 1931 - City Hospital 1933 - St. Mary's Hospital 1934 - Shriners Hospital 1935 - City Hospital 1936 - City Hospital 1937 - City Hospital 1937 - Homer G. Phillips Hospital 1937 - Jewish Hospital 1938 - Shriners Hospital 1942 - City Hospital 1946 - Firmin Desloge Hospital 1947 - Children's Hospital 1949 - Children's Hospital 1949 - Children's Hospital 1949 - St. Anthony's Hospital 1950 - Firmin Desloge Hospital 1952 - Firmin Desloge Hospital 1954 - Homer G. Phillips Hospital 1954 - St. John's Hospital 1954 - St. John's Hospital 1956 - Glennon Hospital 1956 - Glennon Hospital 1957 - Glennon Hospital 1957 - Glennon Hospital 1957 - Jewish Hospital 1959 - Homer G. Phillips Hospital Processor manufacturer AMD has announced its new AMD Ryzen 8040 series mobile processors, bringing best-in-class x86 processor performance and in-built AI smarts on silicon with the integrated Ryzen AI neural processor (NPU). It's the era of the AI PC, and Ryzen is also making its Ryzen AI software widely available so users can easily build and deploy machine learning models. The Ryzen 8040 series of Ryzen mobile processors with integrated Ryzen AI NPU on-die (on select models) brings up to 1.6x more AI processing performance than prior AMD models. AMD's product portfolio will deliver greater premium experiences and AI-ready capabilities. To further enable great AI experiences, AMD is also making its Ryzen AI software widely available. OEMs including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Razer will release AMD Ryzen 8040 devices beginning in the first quarter of 2024. We continue to deliver high-performance and power-efficient NPUs with Ryzen AI technology to reimagine the PC, said AMD computing and graphics business SVP and GM Jack Huynh. The increased AI capabilities of the 8040 series will now handle larger models to enable the next phase of AI user experiences. AMD Ryzen 8040 Series processors offer next-level performance from everyday productivity to incredible content creation, with the Ryzen 9 8945HS processor offering up to 64% faster video editing and up to 37% faster 3D rendering than the competition, while gamers can enjoy up to 77% faster gaming performance. Designed on AMD Zen 4 processor architecture and with up to eight cores capable of delivering up to 16 threads of processing power, the Ryzen 9 8945HS offers leading single-core and multi-core performance. With AMD RDNA 3 architecture-based Radeon graphics and select systems powered by AMD XDNA architecture built for AMD Ryzen AI, the new processors are designed for creative professionals, gamers, and mainstream users looking for a powerful laptop with trusted performance today, and the capability to run advanced AI experiences. The latest Ryzen processors provide the most performance available for ultrathin PC laptops and long battery life through innovative power management features, making it the perfect choice for modern professionals, gaming enthusiasts and creatives looking for faster and more power-efficient computing. AMD Ryzen 8040 Series processors also come with advanced LPDDR5 memory support. With these new processors, users can take advantage of immersive virtual experiences, gaming and streaming, and trust that their devices support demanding AI use cases while maintaining power efficiency. Here are the details on the range: Model Cores / Threads Boost/Base Frequency Total Cache TDP NPU AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS 8C/16T Up to 5.2 GHz / 4.0 GHz 24MB 45W Yes AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS 8C/16T Up to 5.1 GHz / 3.8 GHz 24MB 45W Yes AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS 8C/16T Up to 5.1 GHz / 3.3 GHz 24MB 28W Yes AMD Ryzen 7 8840U 8C/16T Up to 5.1 GHz / 3.3 GHz 24MB 28W Yes AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS 6C/12T Up to 5.0 GHz / 4.3 GHz 22MB 45W Yes AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS 6C/12T Up to 4.9 GHz / 3.5 GHz 22MB 28W Yes AMD Ryzen 5 8640U 6C/12T Up to 4.9 GHz / 3.5 GHz 22MB 28W Yes AMD Ryzen 5 8540U 6C/12T Up to 4.9 GHz / 3.2 GHz 22MB 28W NA AMD Ryzen 3 8440U 4C/8T Up to 4.7 GHz / 3.0 GHz 12MB 28W NA AMD Ryzen 8040 processors are ready to leverage the full range of the Windows 11 ecosystem for optimized performance, including full support for Windows 11 security features. Select systems with an AMD Ryzen 8040 Series processor can also access out-of-the-box AI with Window Studio Effects Pack, enabling privacy at home or on the go with background blur, eye gaze tracking, and noise cancellation. "Its been incredible to see AMD and Microsoft's long partnership moving into the next wave of technology, bringing AI innovation to our shared customers, said Microsoft CVP Windows + Devices Pavan Davuluri. Were so excited to see Ryzen 8040 Series processor-powered devices come to life in the Windows ecosystem and cant wait to see what developers and customers do with all of this innovation. Ryzen AI software Additionally, Ryzen AI Software is now widely available, making it possible for developers to build and deploy machine learning models trained in frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow and run them on select laptops powered by Ryzen AI. The 1.0 version of Ryzen AI software enables ONNX Runtime applications. It offers a pre-optimized model zoo on Hugging Face, allowing users to get started and up and running AI models in minutes. Laptops with Ryzen AI can offload AI models to the NPU, thereby freeing up the CPU to reduce power consumption while extending battery life. As part of the Ryzen AI software launch, developers can take advantage of Ryzen AI to build AI applications with advanced gesture recognition, biometric authentication, and other accessibility features. Developers are also given early access support for Automatic Speech Recognition models like Whisper and Large Language Models (LLM) like OPT and Llama-2 to build natural language speech interfaces for their applications and unlock other Natural Language Processing features such as document summarization and email assistance. AMD also recently announced the Pervasive AI Developers Contest to challenge developers to create innovative and exciting AI applications with use cases in data centres, workstations and laptops, gaming, robotics, and more. One contest option is for developers to build PC applications using vision, speech, or domain-optimized LLMs to bring the AI PC to life and highlight its potential to improve user experience and efficiency. Applications for the complementary hardware close on 31 January 2024. The Dec. 10, 1913, St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted the building of a "rustic chapel of logs" at the grave of Adolphus Busch in Bellefontaine Cemetery. Busch died in October 1913 while in Germany; his funeral in St. Louis required 25 "automobile trucks loaded with the floral tributes" to move the arrangements from the family's home to the cemetery. Details about his death, funeral and bequests were printed for months after the death of co-founder of Anheuser-Busch. The chapel cost $3,000; it was designed by Thomas Barnett, a local architect who also designed the New Cathedral and some buildings at the World's Fair. The "rustic" log building was made of fir and cedar, was 14-by-16 feet and 18 feet tall. It has "two towers, and is entered by a Gothic doorway. There are 10 French windows." The building was intended to be temporary; the red granite mausoleum now standing at the gravesite was finished in 1921 and cost $250,000, according to the cemetery. The gothic stone mausoleum was also designed by Barnett. Adolphus Busch and his wife, Lilly, are the only people buried in the structure; she died in 1928. St. Louis drank the breweries dry: Celebrating the end of Prohibition in 1933 At 12:01 a.m. Friday, April 7, 1933, beer became legal again after 13 long years. The Anheuser-Busch brewery whistles were overwhelmed by the cheers of happy St. Louisans. Veiled Prophet: Symbol of wealth, power and, to some, racism 1878 Veiled Prophet 1925 Veiled Prophet 1934 - Veiled Prophet 1938 - Veiled Prophet 1947 Veiled Prophet parade 1948 Veiled Prophet 1948 Veiled Prophet 1949 Veiled Prophet 1950 Veiled Prophet 1950 Veiled Prophet 1950 Veiled Prophet 1959 Veiled Prophet 1963 Veiled Prophet 1969 Activists picket the Veiled Prophet Ball 1972 Veiled Prophet 1974 Veiled Prophet 1975 Veiled Prophet 1976 Veiled Prophet 1976 Veiled Prophet 1997 - Veiled Prophet Dec. 24, 1999: Veiled Prophet Ball Fair St. Louis - VP Parade in Forest Park 2016 parade float Watch now: The controversial history of the Veiled Prophet Prost! Check out these St. Louis beer gardens of the past Anthony and Kuhn's brewery and beer garden Burke's Garden Bodeman's Grove Uhrig's cave and beer garden Schnaider's Beer Garden Schnaider's Beer Garden Schnaider's Beer Garden St. Louis Park Beer Garden Tony Faust's Oyster House and Restaurant Tyrolean Alps at the 1904 World's Fair Jefferson Barracks Park, Sylvan Springs Feb. 13, 1934: August A. Busch Sr. kills himself at Grant's Farm August A. Busch Sr., the president of Anheuser-Busch, was suffering from heart problems and gout when he shot himself in his bed at Grant's Farm. He used a pearl-handled .32-caliber revolver he kept by his bed. AWARDS Insurance Business America named Valley Insurance Agency Alliance a 2023 5-Star Alliance award winner. The Association of Corporate Counsel global association awarded the Association of Corporate Counsel St. Louis Chapter the 2023 Outstanding Achievement Award for Innovative Programming Effort in the mid-sized chapter category. Grizzell & Co. won two awards in the Program Brochures category of the 2023 American Graphic Design Awards competition. EXPANDING The St. Louis Small Business Empowerment Center added the Regional Union Construction Center division to enhance business support for minority and women-owned contractors. Roberts Metro Broadcasting launched The Real Breakfast Crew weekday morning show on FOXY 106.9 FM. The show features Tammie Holland, Lou The Real J.R. Thimes, Lady Re, Mz. Sinita, and DJ Roze. Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, in collaboration with Touchette Regional Hospital, opened a state-of-the-art InstaCare facility at 2001 State Street, East St. Louis, Illinois. HELPING OUT Twelve agents from Locally-owned Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors, Edwardsville, Illinois, donated $6,925 to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS First Mid Bancshares acquired Blackhawk Bancorp. Blackhawk Bank converted to First Mid Bank & Trust effective Dec. 4, 2023. Ulmer & Berne LLP and Greensfelder Hemker & Gale PC merged under the name UB Greensfelder LLP, effective February 1, 2024. MILESTONE Katies Pizza & Pasta Osteria celebrated its 10th anniversary and has raised over $400,000 supporting local charities through Giveback Tuesdays. Attention parents: If your kid will be in college during the 2024-25 academic year, youll need to fill out a redesigned Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The new FAFSA will launch by Dec. 31, a delay from its typical Oct. 1 release. It marks the forms biggest overhaul in 40 years. The form will have fewer questions, some different processes and a new formula to calculate federal aid packages. With everything thats new, theres a little bit of learning that has to happen ... but at the end of the day, a shorter form is less of a burden on you, and its going to be a great opportunity for your student to have access to funding that can be impactful for the rest of their life, says Kierstan Dufour, director of external training and partnerships at Get2College, a Mississippi college access organization of the Woodward Hines Education Foundation. Its important to submit the FAFSA if your kid will be in college next year. Otherwise, your student will be ineligible for federal student aid including federal student loans, work study, some scholarships and up to $7,395 per year in need-based Pell Grants. If you dont claim your child as a dependent, you dont have to fill out the FAFSA. Some FAFSA changes will be general for all parents, while other updates will only impact parents in certain situations. Here are the key updates parents need to know about the new 2024-25 FAFSA. General FAFSA changes for parents Tax information will be imported directly from the IRS: The new FAFSA will pull in your income and tax information directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), through a direct data exchange. Unlike in previous years, this step is not optional. Parents must consent to the IRS transfer when filling out the FAFSA in order for their student to be eligible for federal financial aid. You wont need to dig up an old tax return or other information, and the process is going to be more straightforward, says James Kvaal, the U.S. undersecretary of education. The timeline is delayed: In recent years, the FAFSA opened on Oct. 1 for the upcoming academic year. But the overhaul will delay the 2024-25 form release until as late as Dec. 31. Families of prospective students should still submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after its release. The earlier they submit the form, the earlier theyll receive financial aid offer letters, which they can use to compare college options before the May 1 decision deadline, says Maria Hernandez, director of curriculum and engagement at 10,000 Degrees, a college access nonprofit organization in the Bay Area. And some aid is first-come, first-served so the sooner you apply, the larger the pool of aid youll have access to. Parents are contributors: Contributor is a new term on the 2024-25 FAFSA that describes anyone who must provide their financial information on the form. It doesnt mean youre financially responsible for your students education. At least one parent will be considered a contributor, along with the student. A stepparent can also be a contributor. Each contributor will need a unique username and password combination called a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID to access the FAFSA. You may have to wait up to three days between requesting your FSA ID and receiving it. Submit your FSA ID request on studentaid.gov now so youre ready to go as soon as the FAFSA opens later this month. Parents will fill out the FAFSA separately from students: Previously, students had to sit down with their parents to fill out the form together. Now, parents and students will submit their portions of the FAFSA separately, with their unique FSA IDs. Still, its important for parents to fill out their portion of the FAFSA around the same time their child does. If a parent doesnt submit the parent portion within 45 days of the student, the saved form will expire and the family will have to start it all over again, Dufour says. Its easier for your kid to get free money: The student aid index (SAI) is replacing expected family contribution (EFC) as a measure of a students financial need. As a result, itll be easier for students to qualify for the need-based Pell Grant, which they wont need to repay after leaving college. The new FAFSA will mean more students are eligible [for the Pell Grant], Kvaal says. Students who are eligible will get larger grants. 610,000 additional students from low-income backgrounds will get Pell Grants under the new FAFSA, and 1.5 million additional students will qualify for the maximum $7,395 annual award. Circumstantial FAFSA changes for parents If youre married: If youre married but you file your tax return as Married Filed Jointly, only one parent needs to register as a contributor and fill out the FAFSA. This parent will report information for both parents. If youre married but you file your taxes separately from your spouse, both parents will need to register as contributors and fill out the FAFSA independently. If youre divorced or separated: If youre divorced or legally separated, the parent who provided the most financial support for the student over the last 12 months will be the FAFSA contributor. If this parent is remarried and didnt file their taxes jointly, their spouse will also be a contributor. In past years, the FAFSA used the financial information of the parent whom the student lived with the majority of the time, regardless of whether they provided the most financial support. If youre undocumented: If you dont have a Social Security number, there will be a different process for requesting an FSA ID; that process is not yet available. The Education Department says it will launch alongside the FAFSA, by Dec. 31. The new FAFSA will also be available in 11 languages, instead of only English and Spanish. If you own a small business or farm: On the new FAFSA, parents will be required to report the value of any small business or family farm they own. This could impact student aid packages. If you have multiple kids in college: The sibling discount will disappear starting in the 2024-25 school year. The new FAFSA will still include a question about how many dependent children you have in college at the same time, but it wont figure in to federal financial aid packages, including the Pell Grant. But colleges may still use the question to determine their own aid packages. Students have the option to appeal to the college that theyre attending, and ask if that second sibling does impact what the school wants to offer them, Hernandez says. Hilton Hotels named Tim Lewin, general manager, Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Louis St. Charles, as one of 15 CEO Light & Warmth Award recipients worldwide for 2023. St. Louis-based law firm Lewis Rice added Shevon L. Harris-Holyfield as a member practicing in the firms Commercial Litigation department. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing selected Carlita D. Vasser, CEO of At Home Care, St. Louis, to the Nursing Licensure Examination item development panel. Kurt Keister joined The Green House Ventures board of directors. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis promoted Sarah Carlson to treasury officer for the Central Accounting and Reporting Program; Ed Hoering to vice president in the Treasury Relations and Support Office Division; Sydney Diavua to assistant vice president of Community Development; Rob Ryan to assistant vice president in Supervision, Credit and Learning; and Abby Lillge to supervisory officer in Safety and Soundness. Capes Sokol moved Jeffrey A. Cohen to chairperson and elected Douglas S. Dove as managing shareholder effective Jan. 1, 2024. The firm hired Katie Bircher as its first chief operating officer. SAC CITY, Iowa The Sac County Sheriff's Office gave its first update in more than a week on Wall Lake, Iowa, resident David Schultz who was reported missing on November 21. Saturday morning, Sac County Sheriff Ken McClure said in a release that the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assisted with a forensic search of David Schultzs phone and confirmed he has "not legally gone through a U.S. border crossing" and is still missing. McClure said the last time Schultz was seen was on an Iowa Department of Transportation camera on "Hwy 20 west of MM 126 truck stop heading west." According to McClure: Schultz, a 53-year-old married truck driver and father of two, had his vehicle called in by a Sac County Secondary Road employee at 3:04 p.m. on November 21 after it was discovered parked on the "traveled portion of the road at the intersection of D-15 (190th Street) and N-14 (Union Ave.)." "It was reported that this semi had been sitting there since early morning. Responding deputies determined that it was David Schultzs. The semi was shut off, and inside deputies found David Schultz's wallet and cell phone," McClure said. "David Schultzs driver's license was in the wallet. Investigators would later learn that nothing was missing from the wallet." Following the discovery, McClure said county investigators searched the area on foot and with a K-9 and requested assistance from the Iowa State Patrol airwing unit. "A state patrol pilot flew the surrounding area and did not detect a heat signature that would be consistent with a person," McClure said. "For the next two days, law enforcement, area firefighters and volunteers expanded the ground search on foot and with the use of drones. Nothing of significant value was located." To further the search, McClure said Sac County Sheriff's detectives and Lake View Police traveled to the Eagle Grove area in Wright County and, with help from the Wright County Sheriff's Office, found the hog confinement Schultz was supposed to load up from. "Load crew members were interviewed, and load records were obtained," McClure said. "Investigators learned that Schultz had picked up his load but had been late to arrive and (his) was the last truck loaded. Schultz left at about 10:50 p.m." At some point in Schultz's journey, McClure said, cellphone data shows Schultz traveling to "the intersection of Hwy 20 & Hwy 71 junction." "There was not any usable video from the DOT camera at Hwy 4 and Hwy 20, and there is no video of Schultz stopping at the truck stop at Hwy 4," McClure said. "Cellphone (data) shows Schultzs phone arrives at Hwy 20 & 71 at about 12:18 a.m. The data shows the phone traveling north to where the truck was found. Data suggests the truck may have been there since 12:40 a.m. on November 21, 2023." Investigators obtained surveillance video, per McClure, from "an area business near Wieckman Hog Buying station." McClure said: "This video shows that David Schultz never made it to Wieckmans. Law enforcement has searched for additional video footage from Eagle Grove to Fort Dodge but has not located any." Since Schultz's disappearance, the United Cajun Navy, a Louisiana-based nonprofit, and volunteers scoured more than 100,000 acres in and around Sac County. In addition to Sac County, Lake View, Iowa DCI and Wright County law enforcement officials, the Iowa State Patrol and Minneapolis Police helped look for Schultz. Schultz's wife, Sarah, repeatedly called the disappearance "suspicious" and said "This is not something David would do. He would never leave. His family is his life." Sarah Schultz last saw her husband about 7:30 p.m. Monday, November 20. She said David had been working all day and asked her to grab him a change of clothes. "He had to do another Seaboard load from Eagle Grove to Sac City," she said. "He just washed up and changed and gave me a kiss and ran out the door. He's always in a hurry." Sarah Schultz said David was eager to get his work done and come back home, since her daughter and grandson were visiting from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. However, the next morning, Schultz found the man for whom David hauls livestock on her doorstep. "He said, 'Have you spoken to Dave?'" Schultz recalled. "I said, 'No.' He said, 'No one can get ahold of him and the pigs haven't been dropped off yet.'" McClure said anyone with any information is asked to contact the Sac County Sheriffs Office at (712) 662-7127 or their local law enforcement agency. WASHINGTON Going around Congress, the Biden administration said Saturday it approved the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million as Israel intensifies its military operations in the southern Gaza Strip. The move comes as President Joe Bidens request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security is languishing in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas. The State Department said it notified Congress of the sale late Friday after Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale of the munitions in the interest of U.S. national security. That means the purchase will bypass the congressional review requirement for foreign military sales. Such determinations are rare but not unprecedented when administrations see an urgent need for weapons to be delivered without waiting for lawmakers approval. The sale is worth $106.5 million and includes 13,981 high-explosive 120 mm anti-tank multi-purpose tank cartridges with tracers as well as U.S. support, engineering and logistics. The materiel will come from Army inventory. Meanwhile, Israel's military pushed ahead with its punishing air and ground offensive in Gaza on Saturday, bolstered by a U.S. veto the prior day that derailed U.N. Security Council efforts to demand an immediate cease-fire in the war and word of the emergency tank munitions sale. Unable to leave Gaza, a territory 25 miles long by about 7 miles wide, more than 2 million Palestinians faced more bombardment Saturday, even in areas that Israel described as safe zones. A day after Israel confirmed it was rounding up Palestinian men for interrogation, some men told The Associated Press they were treated badly, providing the first accounts of the conditions from the detentions. Ahmad Nimr Salman showed his marked and swollen hands from zip ties. They used to ask us, Are you with Hamas? We say no, then they would slap us or kick us, he said. The Israeli military had no immediate comment when asked about the alleged abuse. With the war in its third month, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 17,700, the majority women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Two hospitals in central and southern Gaza received the bodies of 133 people from Israeli bombings over the prior 24 hours, the Health Ministry said midday Saturday. Israel holds the Hamas militants responsible for civilian casualties, accusing them of using civilians as human shields, and says it made considerable efforts with evacuation orders to get civilians out of harms way. It says 97 Israeli soldiers died in the ground offensive after Hamas raided southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 240 hostages. Hamas said Saturday it continued its rocket fire into Israel. In Gaza, residents reported airstrikes and shelling, including in the southern city of Rafah near the Egyptian border one area where the Israeli army told civilians to go. In a colorful classroom there, knee-high children's tables were strewn with rubble. We now live in the Gaza Strip and are governed by the American law of the jungle. America has killed human rights," said Rafah resident Abu Yasser al-Khatib. In northern Gaza, Israel has been trying to secure the militarys hold, despite heavy resistance from Hamas. The military said it found weapons inside a school in Shujaiyah, a densely populated neighborhood of Gaza City, and in a separate incident said militants shot at troops from a U.N.-run school in the northern town of Beit Hanoun. More than 2,500 Palestinians were killed since the Dec. 1 collapse of a weeklong truce, about two-thirds of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The truce saw hostages and Palestinian prisoners released, but Israel says 137 hostages remain in Gaza. On Saturday, a kibbutz that came under attack on Oct. 7 said 25-year-old hostage Sahar Baruch died in captivity. His captors said Baruch was killed during a failed rescue mission by Israeli forces Friday. The Israeli military said Hamas killed him. With no new cease-fire in sight and humanitarian aid reaching little of Gaza, residents reported severe food shortages. Nine of 10 people in northern Gaza reported spending at least one full day and night without food, according to a World Food Program assessment during the truce. Two of three people in the south said the same. The WFP called the situation alarming. I am very hungry, said Mustafa al-Najjar, sheltering in a U.N.-run school in the devastated Jabaliya refugee camp in the north. We are living on canned food and biscuits and this is not sufficient. While adults can cope, its extremely difficult and painful when you see your young son or daughter crying because they are hungry, he said. Israelis who were taken hostage also saw the food situation deteriorate, the recently freed Adina Moshe told a rally of thousands of people in Tel Aviv seeking the rapid return of all. "We ended up eating only rice, said Moshe, who was held for 49 days. The rally speakers accused Israel's government of not doing enough to bring loved ones home. On Saturday, 100 trucks carrying unspecified aid entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, said Wael Abu Omar, a spokesman for the Palestinian Crossings Authority. That is still well below the daily average before the war. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Heavy fighting raged Sunday across Gaza, including in the devastated north, as Israel pressed ahead with its offensive after the U.S. blocked the latest international push for a cease-fire and rushed more munitions to its close ally. Israel has faced rising international outrage and calls for a permanent cease-fire after the killing of thousands of Palestinian civilians. About 90% of Gazas 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, where U.N. agencies say there is no safe place to flee. The United States has lent vital support to the offensive once again in recent days, by vetoing United Nations Security Council efforts to end the fighting that enjoyed wide international support, and by pushing through an emergency sale of over $100 million worth of tank ammunition to Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked U.S. President Joe Biden for the important ammunition for the continuation of the war. The U.S. has pledged unwavering support for Israels goal of crushing Hamas military and governing abilities, and returning all the hostages captured in the Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war. Hamas and other Palestinian militants stormed into southern Israel that day, killing some 1,200 people and capturing around 240, over 100 of whom were released during a weeklong cease-fire late last month. Israels air and ground war in response has killed thousands of Palestinians, mostly civilians, and forced some 1.9 million people to flee their homes. With a trickle of aid allowed in, and delivery impossible in much of the territory, Palestinians face severe shortages of food, water and other basic goods. Expect public order to completely break down soon, and an even worse situation could unfold including epidemic diseases and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a forum in Qatar, a key intermediary. Qatars prime minister, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, told the forum that mediation efforts will continue to stop the war and have all hostages released, but unfortunately, we are not seeing the same willingness that we had seen in the weeks before. Israels national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, told Israels Channel 12 TV that the U.S. has set no deadline for Israel to achieve its goals of dismantling Hamas and returning all hostages. The evaluation that this cant be measured in weeks is correct, and Im not sure it can be measured in months, he said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN that we have these discussions with Israel including about the duration as well as how its prosecuting this campaign against Hamas. These are decisions for Israel to make. This is a war that cannot be won, Jordans foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, asserted to the Qatar forum, and warned that Israel has created an amount of hatred that will haunt this region that will define generations to come. Fighting and arrests in the north Israeli forces face heavy resistance, even in northern Gaza, where neighborhoods have been flattened by air strikes and where ground troops have operated for over six weeks. Israels Channel 13 TV broadcast footage showing dozens of detainees stripped to their underwear, hands in the air. Several held assault rifles above their heads, and one man walked forward and placed a gun on the ground. Other videos have shown groups of unarmed men held in similar conditions, without clothes, bound and blindfolded. Detainees from a group who were released Saturday told The Associated Press they had been beaten and denied food and water. Israel has not commented on the latest video or the allegations of mistreatment, but government spokesman Eylon Levy said increasing numbers of Hamas fighters were surrendering. Residents said there was still heavy fighting in the Gaza City neighborhood of Shijaiyah and the Jabaliya refugee camp, a dense urban area housing Palestinian families who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding its creation. They are attacking anything that moves, said Hamza Abu Fatouh, a Shijaiyah resident. He said the dead and wounded were left in the streets as ambulances could no longer reach the area, where Israeli snipers and tanks positioned themselves among abandoned buildings. The resistance also fights back, he added. Israel ordered the evacuation of the northern third of the territory, including Gaza City, early in the war, but tens of thousands of people have remained, fearing that the south would be no safer or that they would never be allowed to return to their homes. Heavy fighting was also underway in and around the southern city of Khan Younis. Waiting days for food The price of food has soared as much of Gaza faces severe shortages. Abdulsalam al-Majdalawi said he had come every day for nearly two weeks to a U.N. distribution center, hoping to get food for his family of seven. Every day, we spend five or six hours here and return home (empty handed), he said. Thank God, today they drew our name. With the war in its third month, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 17,700, the majority women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Israel holds Hamas responsible for civilian casualties, saying the militants put civilians in danger by fighting in dense, residential neighborhoods. The military says 97 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive. Palestinian militants have continued firing rockets into Israel. Netanyahus office said Hamas still has 117 hostages, as well as the remains of 20 people killed in captivity or during the Oct. 7 attack. The militants hope to exchange them for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Israel says it has provided detailed instructions for civilians to evacuate to safer areas, even as it strikes what it says are militant targets in all parts of the territory. Thousands have fled to the southern town of Rafah and other areas along the border with Egypt one of the last areas where aid agencies are able to deliver food and water. The war has raised tensions across the region, with Lebanons Hezbollah trading fire with Israel along the border and other Iran-backed militant groups targeting the U.S. in Syria and Iraq. France said one of its warships in the Red Sea shot down two drones that approached it from Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels have vowed to halt Israeli shipping through the key waterway. Israels national security adviser said Israel would give Western allies some time to organize a response but if the threats persist, we will act to remove this blockade. Jobain reported from Rafah, Gaza Strip, and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman and Julia Frankel in Jerusalem, and Lujain Jo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report. Updated at 10:50 a.m. President Joe Biden needs to secure the nations southern border. If not for its national security implications, then for Bidens own political benefit as well as the welfare of our republic. Biden has admitted he is running for reelection because he thinks his predecessor is a threat to our democracy and believes he is the only Democrat who can stop Donald Trump. Biden said as much when he told donors at a recent campaign fundraiser in the Boston area: If Trump wasnt running, Im not sure Id be running. But we cannot let him win. Trump has been saying the quiet part out loud during his reelection and retribution campaign. In a recent town hall in Iowa, Fox Newss Sean Hannity asked Trump to confirmed that, Under no circumstances, you are promising America tonight, you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody? Trump replied, Except for day one. I want to close the border, and I want to drill, drill, drill. Trump has also said he would come after his political foes, the deep state and the media. Taking Biden at his word, and agreeing with him that Trump should not be allowed back in the Oval Office, Biden needs to get serious about the border, secure it, and then tell the American people that he did. Last October, the Associated Press ran a story headlined, The Biden administration says it is using executive power to allow border wall construction in Texas. I immediately thought to myself, if this is true, this is an act of political genius. Imagine a political world if Biden was the president to finish building the wall. The wall that Trump promised to build and have Mexico pay for. Over the past year, the Biden administration has rolled out new border management and enforcement policies as a way to drive down the number of illegal crossings on the southern border. Included in these efforts was the decision to continue construction of the above-mentioned border wall in Starr County, Texas. Understanding the usefulness of physical barriers, Alejandro Mayorkas, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, stated in a notice: There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas. Biden has also created new pathways for legal immigration. Despite these efforts, 2023 has shown a record number of illegal crossings at our southern border. Last week, NBC News reported: In fiscal year 2021, which included most of Bidens first year in office, Customs and Border Protection agents stopped 1,734,000 migrants who were not legally allowed into the U.S. The following year, that number rose to 2,379,000; in fiscal year 2023, it reached 2,475,000. It is also worth mentioning the illegal flow of synthetic fentanyl and/or its components which continue to poison our communities, which is also coming through our border with Mexico. All of this creates the sense that the southern border is out of control, which feeds into the narrative of chaos under the Biden administration. Adding fuel to this fire is the more than 2 million cases pending in U.S. immigration courts, with some noncitizens waiting years to have their asylum cases heard. Correct or not, the American electorate broadly disapproves of Bidens job as president and say he is weak on border security. Polls broadly show that about 40% of the electorate approves of Biden and more than 50% disapproves. According to a Fox News poll released in October, 71% of registered voters surveyed said that current levels of security at the U.S. border are not strict enough, with a majority of Democrats and Biden voters saying that more needed to be done to secure the border with Mexico. Eighty-two percent of independents voiced their disapproval with current border policies. So let us connect some political dots. Biden seems to understand the imperative of defeating Trump again. The country rightly demands that our southern border be secured. Following this logic, Biden needs to take every step he can in securing the southern border immediately. He should also work with Congress to reform the current immigration system. And then he needs to go out and shout from the rooftops exactly what he has done. All of which is the right thing to do on every level. If Biden does not act to secure the southern border and quickly, he is handing Trump the 2024 election. It is as complicated and simple as that. The St. Louis region today has the unusual distinction of being represented in Washington by fringe figures from both ends of the ideological spectrum: Right-wing Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri is more associated with the travesty of Jan. 6, 2021, than anyone else in Congress. And Democratic Rep. Cori Bush cant seem to decide if she works for the people of St. Louis or the handful of hard-left House agitators known as The Squad. Both are nationally prominent figures in their way, but what use is prominence if theyre so politically irrelevant in Congress that they cant bring home the bacon? Or, more importantly in this case, if they cant move the federal government to protect their constituents from a radioactive threat that is clearly the governments responsibility? Hawleys and Bushs congressional colleagues last week stripped a federal defense bill of a crucial provision that would have compensated St. Louis-area residents who were exposed to World War II-era radioactive waste that still haunts the region. Hawley was a chief co-sponsor of the measure; Bush was a vocal supporter of it. But as pariahs in their respective parties, neither was able to salvage a dime of the funding. This is what happens to regions represented by politicians known more for performative confrontation than persuasive cooperation. St. Louis was a key player in the wartime Manhattan Project, which produced the first atomic bombs. Uranium ore was processed downtown, and radioactive waste was later stored at several area sites. Radioactivity being what it is, the region is still dealing with it today. Contamination issues continue to plague Coldwater Creek and the West Lake Landfill in north St. Louis County. Post-war uranium ore processing has contaminated groundwater at Weldon Spring in St. Charles County. The effects are real. The region has seen elevated cancer risk. Last year, officials closed Jana Elementary School in Florissant after radiation was detected there. None of this was unforeseeable; indeed, it was literally foreseen. Earlier this year, an investigation by the Missouri Independent, The Associated Press and MuckRock revealed that the federal government and its contractors knew from the early days of the atomic era that they were creating lasting health hazards in the St. Louis region, but took no steps to address it. Hawley, to his credit, spearheaded a bipartisan effort this year to finally provide some government accountability to people sickened by the radioactive waste. He and others co-sponsored an amendment that was attached to the annual National Defense Authorization Act to mandate compensation to people who lived in the St. Louis area for at least two years since 1949 and later developed radiation-related illnesses. The measure would have expanded upon an existing program, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which was created in 1990 to compensate exposed Americans in Utah, Nevada and Arizona. Hawleys measure would have added Missouri and New Mexico (site of the first atomic explosion), along with Idaho, Montana, Guam and Colorado. The Biden administration extended the original program last year, but it is due to sunset next year unless its reauthorized. The amendment co-sponsored by Hawley would have provided that reauthorization for 19 years, including the expanded coverage for Missouri and the other states. Given the appalling history of the contamination, it was the least the government could do. The amendment passed the Senate earlier this year with a bipartisan supermajority, but the House version of the defense bill left it out. House and Senate negotiators who met to reconcile the two versions emerged last week without the amendment on the bill. It means that, barring some new development, Missouri wont be added to the states whose residents can receive compensation for radiation-related illnesses and that the broader program itself will cease next year. Were not so naive as to suggest that Hawley, Bush and the rest of Missouris congressional delegation should necessarily have been able to alter this short-sighted mistake by their colleagues. Congress is a sprawling institution with myriad competing interests. The fact that President Joe Biden earlier this year vaguely expressed support for the concept of the amendment but stopped short of specifically endorsing it was perhaps an omen. But the lack of seriousness that defines Missouris most visible politicians certainly couldnt have helped the measures chances. Since it was the GOP-controlled House that initially snubbed the measure, where was Hawleys pull with his fellow Republicans there? Bush has been at odds with her fellow Democrats to the point that she has no more influence with the White House than would your average Republican. Heres an interesting thought exercise: Imagine if, instead of Hawley and Bush, both their predecessors had been in office last week. We frequently criticized ex-Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., for his complicity during the Trump years, but he was viewed by both parties as a serious lawmaker whose priorities wouldnt likely have been waved away so blithely. Ex-Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, may have had some ethics issues, but he also knew how to open doors of influence instead of just flailing at them. Hawley on social media last week berated the removal of his amendment as a major betrayal of thousands and thousands of Missourians who have been lied to and ignored for years true enough and vowed to respond by doing everything in my power to block passage of the defense bill. More performative politics with no chance of success, in other words. The good news is, this remains a compelling and just proposal, and nothing is ever truly dead in Washington. There are likely other ways to get approval for this crucial funding. Heres hoping supportive legislators who are taken more seriously than ours can salvage it. Ald. Andre Vasquez was almost done arranging chairs inside a barren church basement in Edgewater when he stopped to listen to a woman deliver a warning. The Rev. Beth Brown, a member of the Chicago police community commission, began tallying on her fingers the reasons Mayor Brandon Johnson should scrap his new plan to house migrants in encampments staffed by a security contractor. Too many people in tents that wouldnt withstand winter temperatures, overseen by a controversial private company, Brown said. Advertisement Vasquez, Johnsons hand-picked chair of the City Council immigration committee, agreed the mayors tent plan seemed misguided. Chicago Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th, comments during a public safety community meeting at North Shore Baptist Church in Chicago on Sept. 26, 2023. Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, 48th, is at left. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune) Theyre gaslighting us, the 40th Ward alderman said, before peeling away to find a home for the last seat. Advertisement The tenor of the community meeting itself was quite different. The September evening event christened Reimagining Public Safety saw many members of the small, mostly white crowd focus on traditional crime concerns such as 911 response times and vehicle thefts. Vasquez largely kept his responses procedural. The juxtaposition in approaches underscores the high-wire act the 44-year-old alderman has been attempting since first winning office in 2019. A self-styled democratic socialist in his sophomore term, Vasquez knocked out a 36-year incumbent to win the seat representing the neighborhoods of Andersonville, Lincoln Square and Edgewater, an election that was as much about dissatisfaction with the status quo as it was about the former battle rappers candidacy. His North Side ward is marked by progressive voters but also wealthy homeowners who are upset over violence and property taxes. Vasquezs endeavors to straddle those two constituencies have at times put him at odds with both ends of the spectrum, with some surmising he is more politically expedient than he lets on. He has been painted as an anti-law enforcement extremist by his social media critics on the right, yet the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America renounced him in 2020 for a budget vote that maintained Police Department funding. The alderman is no longer a member of the local DSA, but he still labels himself a socialist just a realistic one. When you have movements of people who rightfully, and justifiably, are angry at government, it feels like the only energy people know is angst, he said in a recent interview. Weve never been in a moment like the one we were in, where we actually had movement candidates in office, Vasquez added. There was no understanding of what it looks like to actually co-govern. And there still isnt. Vasquez was elected with four other aldermen who labeled themselves democratic socialists joining DSA member Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, who had taken office in 2015 in what some have dubbed a red wave. Though their agenda was frequently stymied under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the broader progressive movement saw themselves officially switch from rabble-rousers to ruling class with the election of Johnson in April. Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th, his children Parker, 8, and Avery, 10, and his wife, Valerie Miles, walk to a festival in their ward on Sept. 10, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) Vasquez said he knows grassroots anxieties on how that transition should unfold continue to swirl around City Hall after decades of deferred hopes over seeing a progressive in the mayors office. But now that Johnsons mandate to vanquish the politics of old is being put to the test, the 40th Ward alderman worries the political left will squander the moment by miring itself in purity tests rather than finding ways to accomplish things in an ideologically divided City Council. Advertisement At the same time, Vasquez has held onto a streak of independence even after Johnson tapped him for a committee chairmanship a prize that traditionally comes with the expectation of by-and-large supporting the fifth floors agenda. The aldermans multiple flashpoints with the Johnson administration include its choice to keep Dorval Carter as Chicago Transit Authority board president; shutting out Mexican Independence Day revelers from downtown to which the alderman sarcastically posted on X, I mean, it aint raising bridges, but; and the new tentative Chicago police union contract that Vasquez cast as even more disappointing coming from an administration that claims to want to reform. Still, Vasquez again displayed his political tightrope skills by criticizing Johnsons proposed 2024 budget for its potential to grow future deficits, only to then cast his vote in favor of the plan. Back at the meeting inside the Edgewater church, he was far less fiery. A local Chicago police commander spoke for much of the time, his clipped speech and crew cut serving as a foil of sorts to the aldermans ease with slang and casual outfit. But by the 50-minute mark, a restless Vasquez couldnt help caving to his more radical side. That would be me, he piped up at a question addressed to unspecified officials who have been critical of the size of the CPD budget. Then he began his pitch on streamlining police spending, but in terms that would resonate with the 40th Ward crowd: How many of you guys like your taxes being higher? Please put your hands up. Didnt think so. If you put money into a system, and youre not getting the results that you want to see on the other end, you want to lift up the hood and see whats working, Vasquez said. Calling for a (police) budget audit is just being fiscally responsible, right? Advertisement Yet three years ago, the alderman fatefully threw his support behind Lightfoots COVID-19 budget that preserved CPD spending amid a nationwide reckoning against policing. Within minutes, the local DSA chapter called on him to resign from the organization and said his vote preserves the white supremacist power of the Chicago Police Department, among other charges. Reflecting on that moment this fall, Vasquez said he remains puzzled why the chapter would not let him explain why he opted to trade support for progressive concessions from Lightfoot and mitigate damage during a time of austerity, even as reallocating Chicago police funds remained a future goal. Moreover, the alderman said, the idea of DSA dictating who gets to be a socialist is antithetical to its roots. As socialists, we want to do things as a collective, Vasquez said. So the fact that were picking and choosing who we want to be in that collective is actually a lot more in line with the systems were trying to break down. Since that vote, Vasquez has also watched with curiosity as Lightfoot and now Johnson introduced budgets with more CPD funding that DSA aldermen nevertheless voted for without the same repercussions. Indeed, the 2021 budget that landed Vasquez in trouble actually slightly curtailed Chicago police spending amid pandemic-related cuts, though the amount was minuscule and more than restored the next year before going up every year after that. No aldermen with the City Councils official Democratic Socialist Caucus Daniel La Spata, 1st, Jeanette Taylor, 20th, Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, 33rd, Ramirez-Rosa, 35th, and new member Angela Clay, 46th agreed to be interviewed for this story, and the leadership of the Chicago DSA did not respond to a request for comment. Steve Weishampel, a member of the Chicago DSA and former co-chair, said the organization in hindsight has acknowledged several concurrent influences can drive an elected officials budget vote, but the right model of engaging with politicians on the groups red lines is hotly debated. Advertisement Its a microcosm of the big problem the big question on the left How much purity can we demand? Weishampel said. I would not want to elect a socialist who, just like at the end of Animal Farm, starts to look like all the others. They have to stay radical. They cant become a normie. Defund the police protests skyrocketed after the 2020 Minneapolis police murder of George Floyd, galvanizing DSA ranks in ways not seen since Sen. Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential run, but the urgency subsided and the organization toned down its most militant cries. That boom-and-bust of defund also followed Johnson, who spoke admiringly of the cause in 2020 but would years later backtrack as his mayoral campaign gained traction. Vasquez, who endorsed candidate Jesus Chuy Garcia in the first round of voting before flipping to Johnson in the runoff, said the selective indignation the citys political left applies when someones philosophy on policing is problematic and when its acceptable must be reconciled. There was a lot of heavy defund energy going on, and a lot of work about reimagining public safety and a police budget. But because Mayor Johnson got elected, oh, were gonna chill on that now? Vasquez said. If you got that answer from Mayor Lightfoot, what would you be doing right now? The Democratic Socialists of America was officially formed as the nations largest socialist group in the 1980s, with roots stretching back to the Socialist Party of America of more than a century ago and 6,000 founding members. Following the 2016 presidential election, membership surged with momentum from the one-two punch of Sanders populist campaign themes lighting a fire under a new generation of young Americans, followed by the backlash to the election of Donald Trump. Advertisement From 2015 to 2016, national ranks soared from 6,200 to 11,000, then more than doubled the next year before peaking at 95,000 in 2021, according to an internal report. But after that, membership tapered off and now lands around 78,000. Marco Rossi, who has analyzed Chicago City Council voting patterns for the University of Illinois at Chicago, said the falloff isnt shocking given the organizations growing pains. As a member of DSA himself, Rossi said the organization is still reckoning with the same sort of quandaries it had the day it censured Vasquez. There always is a tension within an organization between candidates and activists, Rossi said. The organization is grappling with that tension now of how do we manage now that we have some electoral successes? How do we manage this very unique organization? Sitting on a bench in the Ainslie Arts Plaza in Lincoln Square on a late summer afternoon, Vasquez recalled how the area was once a dilapidated eyesore. But his first year in office, he said he convinced owners of the McDonalds behind him to get on board with what he billed as a public takeover of the land abutting North Lincoln Avenue for pedestrians. Now he could see the fruits of his labor: a splashy, abstract mural sprawled on the ground, underneath crisscrossing strings of globe lights. A trio of girls laughed nearby as they pushed a shopping cart. Vasquez thought of his own youth as the rapper Optimus Prime, who would be regularly kicked out of Grant Park while performing. Creating a new public arts space is a socialist undertaking, Vasquez said. But he also highlighted the truism that being a Chicago alderman is more about pointing to accomplishments within the ward than it is about political ideology. Advertisement People were like, OK, we know we elected this socialist guy or whatever. We hope he knows how to do the job, Vasquez said. My political leaning is a little more to the left of a lot of our neighbors, but I know that by creating that kind of fabric in your community, youre getting those thoughts out there. ayin@chicagotribune.com Achievers Help Our People Eat was recently named Bank of Americas 2023 Neighborhood Champion. The nonprofit will receive $50,000 in grant support and virtual leadership training to advance economic mobility in the Triad. The nonprofit was selected for their work advancing economic mobility and building up underserved neighborhoods in the Triad. Through this multi-year grant funding and leadership training for the nonprofits leadership, programs and services addressing the lack of equitable access to educational opportunities for youth will be able to expand. * * * * Carey Hester, Carolina Classic Fair, was recognized as a graduate of the Institute of Fair Manage- ment at the 2023 International Association of Fairs and Expositions Convention and Trade Show held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Launched in 2007, the institute consists of a series of courses covering the areas of core competency necessary for todays industry professionals and volunteers involved in the production of their agricultural fair. Courses include management, risk management, marketing, programming, operations and year-round facility usage. Cary was among 26 individuals who met all of the Institute of Fair Management requirements to move to graduate status. Currently, the institute has 240 enrollees, all at various stages within their institute experience, Lori Hart, director of education and member services, said. Military The Army & Air Force Exchange Service will honor retired Gen. Gustave Perna with the third annual Quality-of-Life Force Multiplier Award on Dec. 9 during an on-field presentation at the 124th Army-Navy Game. Perna, the 19th commanding general of Army Materiel Command, served in the army for 40 years. As the chairman of the Exchanges board of directors, he staunchly supported a lifelong tax-free shopping benefit for veterans at ShopMyExchange.com. The benefit launched to 18 million heroes in 2017. In 2020, Gen. Perna fought for all Americans as the co-leader and chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed, the federal effort to develop and distribute COVID-19 vaccines. The Exchanges Quality-of-Life Force Multiplier Award honors those have made significant contributions to Warfighters and their families. On the Move Reynolds American, the BAT Groups U.S. subsidiary, has appointed Borgia Walker to the role of senior vice president, human resources and inclusion. Walker succeeds Anna Dolgikh. Melissa L. Smith will join the Shepherds Center of Greater Winston-Salem as associate executive director and director of the Faith In Action Care Program on Jan. 1. She will fill the position currently held by Linda Lewis, who has held those positions since 2008. Lewis will remain on the Shepherds Center staff in another capacity. Most recently, Smith served on the staff of Senior Services from 2011 until 2023, where she held numerous positions including creative connections director and director of innovation and initiatives. For over 20 years, Iran has been waging a Cyber War against its enemies. Iran attempts to keep its victories unpublicized and other nations are glad to mention Iranian Cyber War defeats because it demonstrates that the Iranians are vulnerable. This was the case when Iran was unsuccessful in avenging the January 2020 death via an American UAV missile strike of their chief of foreign wars commander, Quds Force general Qassem Soleimani. The mass media tends to track Iranian vengeance efforts in terms of direct attacks on Americans in Syria and Iraq, which so far have been unsuccessful. The situation is different in a less visible war, waged by Iranian hackers, where there have been victories, but Iran keeps these victories quiet because continued success depends on the victim not being aware they were attacked or who did it. Iran victories are often won due to the efforts of Iranian hacker organizations. These are known as APTs (Advanced Persistent Threat) and for a decade one of the deadliest groups was one called APT 35. Internet security firms track these APT groups and use the APT label to identify those groups that have been around for a while, usually with the help of a national sponsor. APT35 is Iranian, has been active since 2014 and often works for the Iranian IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps). Security firms are constantly looking for APT campaign. One which APT35 favored used Facebook to establish dozens of fake recruiters of military personnel leaving the service and seeking civilian employment. APT35 used the social engineering approach to entice military personnel looking for a lucrative civilian job to supply useful information on their current jobs or download apps that did help them in their job search but also contained hidden malware (hacker software) giving the hackers secret access to the users computer and sometimes military networks as well. This APT35 exploit was detected by security firms who alerted Facebook, which began finding and canceling hundreds of APT35 accounts used to operate this swindle. Facebook kept looking until it was certain that the illegal activity was gone, and it took many months to find and delete all the fake accounts. The APT35 recruiter campaign was damaged and destroyed. For APT35 it still counts as a win because much damage was done, and Facebook and the Department of Defense are trying to measure the extent of the damage. Avenging Soleimani was not the only reason for the Facebook campaign, which was expensive to create and sustain. While APT35 was compensated by Iran (which benefited from some of the hacks into the US military and defense contractors), APT35s Facebook campaign was also payback for less visible defeats APT35 suffered since 2018, when the American government secretly authorized the CIA to engage in offensive Cyber War operations. This capability had long been sought, and one reason permission was finally granted was the increased defensive Cyber War capabilities Western companies had developed. This effort was market driven because the damage done via hacking Internet networks makes it more difficult to sell Internet based equipment and services. One of the major developments since 2001 has been the creation and growth of Internet security operations. Initially these were firms that sold and supported their own Internet security software. Soon the major Internet companies got involved again because it was good business. Hackers were seen as agricultural pests in the Internet based computing ecosystem. One after another Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Amazon, and others got more involved in protecting their customers from hackers. These separate operations cooperated by sharing information, especially about hacking groups as well as the new tools and techniques hackers were using. The effectiveness of this cooperative effort enabled the CIA to make a case for offensive operations. There was now enough intelligence being obtained, which the U.S. government, the largest computer and network user in the world, had access to so that the CIA could realistically plan and conduct offensive operations. While details of offensive operations are usually kept secret, the same is not the case with many defensive operations. That is because information about hacker techniques and tools is best exploited by letting users know how they are vulnerable and how to avoid it or deal with the problem if they were a target. One example of this came from the IBM X-Force IRIS (Incident Response and Intelligence Services) security team. One of the many hacking groups X-Force was aware of, an Iranian mercenary hacker cooperative called ITG18, had been hacked and 40 GB of hacker how-to videos were obtained. These videos were created to upgrade the skills of Iranian hackers via the use of Bandicam, a video recorder which creates annotated videos of activities on a video screen. These vids showed how hackers used their tools and revealed new uses or more effective use of current techniques. ITG18 was in it for the money, but the Bandicam videos showed that the victims were often military or government personnel who might have access to information that could be sold to any country interested in that sort of thing. The ITG18 hack also revealed many tools and techniques APT35 used, and all Iranian hackers saw the American effort that publicized their tools as a direct attack that must be avenged. X-Force gained a lot of useful information from the Bandicam videos and passed on a lot of it to IBM customers and computer users in general. For example, the videos revealed some techniques that were not known while also revealing how effective some security techniques were. For example, banks and other Internet services have long urged their customers to use second-factor authentication when logging in. The second factor is usually a four-digit security code sent to the users cell phone. There have been several claims that second-factor schemes could be hacked, even though this took a lot of effort. The ITG18 videos revealed that hackers were advised to ignore accounts that used second factor because it consumed so much time to hack and there were so many accounts available that did not use second factor. Israel is one of the two countries, the other is the United States, which participates in a perpetual Cyber War with Iran, one that receives little official publicity. Not even all the damage is publicized, as a lot of the damage is undetected, often for a long time, by the victim. While Iran has made the most noise about this Cyber War, Israel is doing the most destruction. Israel wants to keep it that way and keep it quiet. Partly this is to keep the Iranians confused, but it is also to keep Israeli government lawyers happy. A lot of the tactics and weapons used in Cyber War are of uncertain legality. The traditional Laws of War have not caught up with Cyber War. This process has been going on for some time, and some aspects of it do surface in the media. For example, Israel established the National Cybernetic Taskforce, with orders to devise and implement defensive measures to protect the economy and government from Internet based attacks. The task force consisted of about eighty people and was run by a retired general. Existing Internet security efforts, and military Cyber War organizations have discovered a growing number of vulnerabilities in the national Internet infrastructure. The only solution to this growing vulnerability is a large-scale effort to monitor the national network infrastructure for vulnerabilities and fix them as quickly as possible. You will never catch all the vulnerabilities, but in Cyber War, as in the more conventional kind, victory is not always a matter of who is better, but who is worse and more vulnerable to attack. Israel makes no secret of what it thinks about its CyberWar capabilities. Israel eventually revealed that its cryptography operation (Unit 8200) has added computer hacking to its skill set. The head of Israeli Military Intelligence said that he believed Israel had become the leading practitioner of Cyber War. This came in the wake of suspicions that Israel rather than the US had created the Stuxnet worm, which got into Iran's nuclear fuel enrichment equipment and destroyed a lot of it. Iran also complained that a 2011 worm, called Star, caused them trouble. Intelligence organizations usually keep quiet about their capabilities but, in this case, the Israelis felt it was more useful to scare the Iranians with the threat of more stuff like Stuxnet. But the Iranians have turned around and tried to attack Israel and are determined to keep at it for as long as it takes. This struggle between Israel and Iran is nothing new. At one point, Israel announced that Unit 8200 had cracked an Iranian communications code, an operation that allowed Israel to read messages concerning Iranian efforts to keep its nuclear weapons program going with Pakistani help, despite Iranian promises to UN weapons inspectors that the program was being shut down. It has long been known that Unit 8200 of the Israeli army specialized in cracking codes for the government. This was known because so many men who had served in Unit 8200 went on to start companies specializing in cryptography (coding information so that no unauthorized personnel can know what the data is.) But it is unusual for a code-cracking organization to admit to deciphering someone's code. The Iranians stopped using the code in question, or the Israelis just wanted to scare the Iranians. Israel is concerned about Iran getting nuclear weapons, mainly because the Islamic conservatives that control Iran have as one of their primary goals the destruction of Israel. In response to these Iranian threats, Israel has said that it will do whatever it takes to stop Iran from getting nukes. This includes doing the unthinkable, admitting that you had successfully taken apart an opponent's secret code. Israel keeps trying to convince Iran that a long-time superiority in codebreaking was now accompanied by similarly exceptional hacking skills. Whether it was true or not, it's got to have rattled the Iranians. The failure of their counterattacks can only have added to their unease. Marstacimab reduced annualized bleeding rate by 35% and 92% compared to routine prophylaxis and on-demand treatment in patients with hemophilia A and B without inhibitors, respectively Consistent reduction in bleeding rates observed after an additional 16 months of follow-up in the trials long-term extension observational study NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today presented results from the pivotal Phase 3 BASIS clinical trial (NCT03938792) evaluating marstacimab for the treatment of people with severe hemophilia A and moderately severe to severe hemophilia B without inhibitors to Factor VIII (FVIII) or Factor IX (FIX). The results from the BASIS trial demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful effect on annualized bleeding rate (ABR). The findings were presented today at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego. For more than five decades, the most common treatment for hemophilia A and B has been intravenous infusions that are often administered multiples times per week,1 said James Rusnak, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer, Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Research and Development, Pfizer. Based on these results and if approved, we believe marstacimab could offer a subcutaneous option with a compelling combination of efficacy and safety that may significantly reduce the risk of bleeding. We look forward to potentially bringing this treatment option to people living with hemophilia A and B without inhibitors. In the BASIS trial, 116 people living with hemophilia were treated with marstacimab during a 12-month active treatment period (ATP) versus a routine prophylaxis (RP) and on-demand (OD) intravenous regimen with FVIII or FIX, administered as part of usual care in a six-month observational period. Marstacimab, a novel, investigational anti-tissue factor pathway inhibitor (anti-TFPI), was administered weekly with flat (not weight-based) dosing as a subcutaneous 300 mg loading dose followed by 150 mg once weekly. The study found: Compared to RP, treatment with marstacimab resulted in a 35.2% mean reduction (95% CI: 5.6-55.6; p=0.0376) in ABR over 12 months (mean of 7.85 [5.09-10.61] to 5.08 [3.40-6.77]). Marstacimab significantly reduced ABR by 91.6% (95% CI: 88.1-94.1; p The mean ABR reductions observed with marstacimab were consistent across hemophilia A and B and age groups for OD and were generally consistent across hemophilia A and B and age groups for RP, with all point estimates for a difference Following 12 months in the ATP, patients had the option to continue receiving marstacimab in the long-term extension (LTE) study. In the LTE, a consistent reduction in ABR compared to OD (mean ABR of 3.86 [2.02-7.37]) and further numerical reduction compared to RP (mean ABR of 2.27 [1.40-3.67]) were observed after up to an additional 16 months of follow-up (n=87). In the OD group, superiority (p Health-related quality of life parameters showed non-significant improvements vs OD therapy and non-inferiority versus RP therapy. The safety profile for marstacimab was consistent with Phase 1/2 results and treatment was generally well-tolerated. No deaths were reported and there have been no thromboembolic events or events of consumptive coagulopathy recorded in hemophilia patients in clinical trials investigating marstacimab. The most commonly reported adverse events of special interest among patients treated with marstacimab in BASIS and the LTE (5% of patients) were COVID-19, hemorrhage, hepatic disorder, hypersensitivity, hypertension and injection site reaction. One treatment-related serious adverse event (SAE) was observed (peripheral swelling), and one patient discontinued from the trial due to a non-treatment-related SAE. Recognizing the uncertainty that living with hemophilia can present for patients, the results from the BASIS trial are particularly encouraging as reductions in ABR were seen in the 12-month treatment period and then retained in long-term follow-up, said Davide Matino, M.D., M.Sc., Assistant Professor of Medicine, McMaster University. Based on these results, marstacimab has shown the potential to address the diverse needs of appropriate patients with hemophilia A or B without inhibitors with weekly subcutaneous administration in a flat dose that is not weight-based, and with low monitoring requirements. Pfizer currently has three Phase 3 programs investigating novel treatment options for people living with hemophilia. In addition to the BASIS study, fidanacogene elaparvovec and giroctocogene fitelparvovec are investigational gene therapy treatments being studied for the treatment of adults living with hemophilia B and hemophilia A, respectively. Updated data from both gene therapy programs, including an oral presentation of four-year results from Pfizers Phase 1/2 study of giroctocogene fitelparvovec in adults living with severe hemophilia A, will be presented at the ASH meeting. About the BASIS study BASIS is a global Phase 3, open-label, multicenter study evaluating ABR through 12 months of treatment with marstacimab, an investigational, novel subcutaneous therapy option, in approximately 145 adolescent and adult participants ages 12 to The inhibitor cohort of the BASIS trial has completed enrollment and is expected to read out as early as late 2024. Pfizer is also conducting BASIS KIDS, an open-label study investigating the safety and efficacy of marstacimab in children 1 to About Marstacimab Marstacimab is a human monoclonal immunoglobulin G isotype, subclass 1 (IgG1) that targets the Kunitz 2 domain of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), a natural anticoagulation protein that functions to prevent the formation of blood clots. Marstacimab is in development as a prophylactic treatment to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in individuals with severe hemophilia A or moderately severe to severe hemophilia B with or without inhibitors. About Hemophilia Hemophilia is a family of rare genetic blood diseases caused by a clotting factor deficiency (FVIII in hemophilia A, FIX in hemophilia B), which prevents normal blood clotting. Hemophilia is diagnosed in early childhood and impacts more than 400,000 people worldwide.2 The inability of the blood to clot properly can increase the risk of painful bleeding inside the joints, which can cause joint scarring and damage. People living with hemophilia can suffer permanent joint damage following repeated bleeding episodes.1,2 For decades, the most common treatment approach for hemophilia A and B has been factor replacement therapy, which replaces the missing clotting factors. Factor replacement therapies increase the amount of clotting factor in the body to levels that improve clotting, resulting in less bleeding.3,4 Approximately 25%-30% of people with hemophilia A and 3%-5% of people with hemophilia B are unable to continue taking factor replacement therapies because they develop inhibitors to FVIII and FIX.5,6 In a survey of people in the U.S. receiving prophylaxis for hemophilia A or B, nearly one-third of those that receive treatment and have high compliance defined as taking 75% or more of their prescribed infusions stated that the time-consuming nature of prophylaxis was the most significant challenge of the regimen.7,8 Nearly 60% of those that took the less than the prescribed number of infusions reported that the time commitment was the primary reason for missing infusions. About Pfizer: Breakthroughs that Change Patients Lives At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer_News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer. DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release is as of December 9, 2023. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments. This release contains forward-looking information about marstacimab, an investigational anti-tissue factor pathway inhibitor, and Pfizers hemophilia programs for fidanacogene elaparvovec and giroctocogene fitelparvovec, including their potential benefits, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for our clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, regulatory approval dates and/or launch dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable new clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data; whether or when the inhibitor cohort of the BASIS trial will be successful; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments by regulatory authorities; whether regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the design of and results from our clinical studies; whether and when any applications may be filed with regulatory authorities in particular jurisdictions for marstacimab, fidanacogene elaparvovec or giroctocogene fitelparvovec; whether and when any such applications that may be pending or filed for marstacimab, fidanacogene elaparvovec or giroctocogene fitelparvovec may be approved by regulatory authorities, which will depend on myriad factors, including making a determination as to whether the products benefits outweigh its known risks and determination of the products efficacy and, if approved, whether marstacimab, fidanacogene elaparvovec and giroctocogene fitelparvovec will be commercially successful; decisions by regulatory authorities impacting labeling, manufacturing processes, safety and/or other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of marstacimab, fidanacogene elaparvovec and giroctocogene fitelparvovec; uncertainties regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our business, operations and financial results; and competitive developments. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizers Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned Risk Factors and Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results, as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov and www.pfizer.com. 1 Franchini M, Mannucci PM. Past, present and future of hemophilia: a narrative review. Orphanet J Rare Dis 7, 24 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1186/1750-1172-7-24. 2 Srivastava A, Santagostino E, Dougall A, et al. WFH guidelines for the management of hemophilia, 3rd Edition; 2020. Haemophilia, 26(S6), 1158. https://doi.org/10.1111/hae.14046. 3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hemophilia. Last Reviewed: April 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hemophilia/. 4 Weyand AC, Pipe SW. New therapies for hemophilia. Blood 2019;133(5):389398. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2018-08-872291. 5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Inhibitors and hemophilia. Last reviewed: April 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hemophilia/inhibitors.html. 6 Peyvandi F, Garagiola I, Seregni S. Future of coagulation factor replacement therapy. J Throm Haemost. 2013;11 (Suppl. 1):8498. 7 Thornburg CD, Duncan NA. Treatment adherence in hemophilia. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2017;11:1677-1686. https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S139851. 8 Hacker MR, Geraghty S, Manco-Johnson M. Barriers to compliance with prophylaxis therapy in haemophilia. Haemophilia 2001;7(4):392-6. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231209134253/en/ Pfizer Contacts: Media Relations +1 (212) 733-1226 [email protected] Investor Relations +1 (212) 733-4848 [email protected] Source: Pfizer Inc. Orca-T, Orca Bios lead investigational high-precision cell therapy, showed similar results in older patients undergoing myeloablative conditioning as seen in younger patients across disease control, non-relapse mortality and overall survival Orca-T in older patients given a reduced intensity conditioning regimen demonstrated curative potential with no incidence of relapse and encouraging relapse-free survival Orca-T showed positive results in patients with intermediate to high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome Orca-Q, Orca Bios second investigational high-precision cell therapy, showed encouraging data in graft-versus-host-disease-free and relapse-free survival in patients with a haploidentical donor without the use of post-transplant cyclophosphamide MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Orca Bio, a late-stage biotechnology company developing high-precision cell therapies for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases and genetic blood disorders, today announced positive new data that suggest its investigational high-precision cell therapies, Orca-T and Orca-Q, have the potential to deliver improved clinical outcomes across different age ranges, donor types and conditioning regimens relative to existing standard of care allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (alloHSCT). The results presented at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting showed promising data with the use of Orca Bios cell therapies across several patient groups where there is significant unmet medical need. Orca-T in Older Patients with Myeloablative Conditioning Results highlighted in an oral presentation showed Orca-Ts ability to deliver similar outcomes in older patients undergoing myeloablative conditioning (MAC) as younger patients. Notably, Orca-T delivered similar results across disease control, non-relapse mortality (NRM) and overall survival (OS). While the use of MAC offers the best chance of a cure, it also increases life-threatening complications in older patients receiving standard of care alloHSCT, said presenting author Caspian Oliai, M.D., medical director of the UCLA Bone Marrow Transplantation Stem Cell Processing Center. These findings suggest a cell therapy like Orca-T, which has the potential to offer a cure while reducing toxicity and lowering treatment-related mortality, may allow older patients to better tolerate MAC. This approach could expand curative treatment to older patients who might not be offered a MAC regimen today, and potentially provide physicians with an important new option in our ongoing efforts to balance the risk of relapse with transplant-related side effects. In a subgroup analysis, 64 patients from Orca Bios ongoing multi-center Phase 1b clinical trial who received Orca-T and busulfan, fludarabine and thiotepa (BFT) conditioning for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), mixed phenotype leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) were divided into two age groups: 18-54 years of age (n=39), and 55 years of age and older (n=25). With a median follow-up of 12 months, the following outcomes were reported: Relapse-free survival (RFS) was 84.8% in younger patients and 82.3% in older patients. NRM was 0% in both groups. OS was 100% and 95.5% in the younger and older patient groups, respectively. Events of grade 3-4 acute graft versus host disease (GvHD) and moderate-to-severe chronic GvHD were low across the younger group (0 and 3, respectively) and older group (1 and 3, respectively). Across all patients, Orca-T continued to be manufactured reliably and delivered with vein-to-vein times of 72 hours or less across the U.S. Orca-T in Older Patients with Reduced Intensity Conditioning Additional data from a single-center open-label Phase 1 clinical trial presented at ASH looked at the outcomes of older patients treated with Orca-T and a reduced intensity conditioning (RIC). These patients were found to be unfit for a MAC regimen due to the significant risks associated with it, particularly in older age. At 12 months, patients treated with a RIC Orca-T (n=15) saw no observable compromise in curative outcomes, with no patients experiencing relapse (0%). Patients also saw encouraging RFS (79%) and a low incidence of both grade 3-4 acute and chronic GvHD (0% and 7%, respectively). Collectively, these findings support the potential for Orca-T to treat older patients with hematological malignancies, whether they are given a MAC or RIC regimen, with no new safety signals reported. Orca-T in Patients with MDS New data was also presented on the performance of Orca-T in patients with intermediate to high-risk MDS. Current treatments for MDS arent often curative, and many patients relapse or become resistant to first-line treatment. There remains an unmet need for new, more effective but tolerable strategies to manage MDS. In this subgroup from the ongoing multi-center Phase 1b clinical trial, Orca-T demonstrated promising results in this patient population (n=16). At one year, RFS with Orca-T was 94%. No patients experienced grade 3-4 acute GvHD, and moderate-to-severe chronic GvHD occurred in two patients. The rates of NRM and OS with Orca-T were 0% and 94%, respectively. Orca-T is currently being evaluated in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical study for the treatment of AML, ALL and MDS at leading transplant centers across the U.S. Orca-Q for Patients with Haploidentical Donors In an oral presentation, Orca Bio shared updated data from a multi-center Phase 1 clinical trial of its second high-precision cell therapy, Orca-Q, in patients with a haploidentical donor without the use of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy). Orca-Q is a first-in-class therapy that has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of graft versus host disease without the use of PTCy, said presenting author Samer Srour, M.D., M.S., Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. While PTCy has increased the use of haploidentical HSCTs, it can bring a myriad of risks and toxicities that we didnt experience with Orca-Q. These updated results in an expanded group of patients continue to support Orca-Qs promise to overcome the challenges of haploidentical stem cell transplant by providing a solution where patients and physicians may no longer have to compromise between the risk of relapse and the risk of GvHD. The positive outcomes from an expanded group of 33 patients with AML, ALL and CML support Orca-Q as a potential treatment option for patients with a haploidentical donor. With a median of 375 days follow-up, updated safety and efficacy data include: No patients experienced moderate-to-severe chronic GvHD (0%). There was one event of grade 3 acute GvHD and no grade 4 acute GvHD. NRM was 9%. RFS, GRFS and OS at one year were 82%. Additionally, no new safety signals were identified. The estimated incidence of CTCAE grade 2 and greater than grade 3 infections at one year were 9% and 15%, respectively. At Orca Bio, we understand the challenges providers face in achieving the right balance in offering blood cancer patients the best option for a cure with optimal quality of life, said Ivan Dimov, Ph.D., co-founder and chief executive officer of Orca Bio. We are pleased to present these latest findings at ASH that add to our growing body of clinical evidence which underscore the potential of our novel high-precision platform to expand potentially life-saving treatment to more patient groups who could benefit. The full ASH presentations will be made available on www.orcabio.com. About Orca-T Orca-T is an investigational high-precision allogeneic cell therapy being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of multiple hematologic malignancies. Orca-T includes infusions containing regulatory T-cells, CD34+ stem cells and conventional T-cells derived from peripheral blood from either related or unrelated matched donors. Orca-T is currently being evaluated in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial at leading transplant centers across the U.S. and has received Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. About Orca-Q Orca-Q is an investigational high-precision allogeneic cell therapy being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of hematologic malignancies in patients with haploidentical donors. Orca-Q is a proprietary composition of stem cells combined with specific T-cell subsets derived from healthy donors and engineered by Orca Bios high-precision platform. Orca-Q has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the risks of toxicities without the use of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) in patients unable to identify a full human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match. About Orca Bio Orca Bio is a late-stage biotechnology company developing high-precision cell therapies for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases and genetic blood disorders. Our investigational products are designed to safely replace a patients diseased blood and immune system with a healthy one, delivering significantly better outcomes with dramatically fewer risks than the standard of care. Our manufacturing platform uses single-cell precision to create proprietary, uniquely-defined products that have the potential to transform allogeneic cell therapy. At Orca Bio, our mission is to make curative cell therapies both more effective and safer, and in doing so, push past the fields current boundaries and redefine its future. For more information, visit www.orcabio.com and follow Orca Bio on Twitter: @OrcaBio. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231209494673/en/ Corporate Communications Kelsey Grossman [email protected] Investor Relations Joshua Murray [email protected] Source: Orca Bio FORT WORTH, Texas , Dec. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin [LMT] presented Belgium's first F-35A Lightning II to the Belgian government during a rollout ceremony at Lockheed Martin's F-35 production facility. This event marks a significant milestone in the Belgian Air Force's history and strengthens the alliance between the United States and Belgium , a key NATO ally. "The introduction of the F-35 within the Belgian Air Force will enable us to continue to fulfil all our missions in the coming decades, in cooperation with our allies and partners in NATO, the EU and beyond," said Chief of Defense for the Belgian Armed Forces, Admiral Michel Hofman . Building on the strong legacy of the F-16, the F-35 will provide the next generation of air power to ensure the Belgian Air Force can fulfill its NATO missions and protect the alliance's key interests. By serving as the most advanced 21st Century Security solution, the F-35 will connect assets across domains to increase situational awareness for Belgium and its key European partners. "We congratulate Belgium on this significant achievement," said Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt , program executive officer, F-35 Joint Program Office. "The growth of the F-35 in Europe strengthens international partnerships, interoperability, and warfighting capability; and emphasizes the importance the aircraft provides as a deterrent against potential adversaries." "With its unmatched capability, connectivity and interoperability, the 5th Generation F-35 will enable the Belgian Air Force to stay ahead of threats for decades to come," said Greg Ulmer , executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "Today's milestone would not have been possible without the strong partnership and key contributions from our close partners in Belgian government and industry." Senior government and military leaders from Belgium and the United States attended the ceremony. Belgium's program of record calls for 34 F-35As. The first aircraft, designated AY-01, will be delivered to the Belgian Air Force next year and will be based at Luke Air Force Base , Arizona , where international F-35 pilot and maintainer training takes place. The F-35 also creates high-quality, long-term employment opportunities for Belgium . Through the Essential Security Interest (ESI) program, Lockheed Martin will bring cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and benefits, expanding Belgian industry's skills and knowledge and providing high-tech jobs for Belgians for decades to come. F-35s are now operating from 31 bases worldwide. To date, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 980 F-35s, trained more than 2,250 pilots and 15,125 maintainers, and the F-35 fleet has surpassed 768,000 cumulative flight hours. Lockheed Martin continues to work side by side with F-35 operators to ensure allies remain ahead of the evolving threat. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland , Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs more than 116,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. Please follow @LMNews on X for the latest announcements and news across the corporation. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/belgium-and-lockheed-martin-celebrate-rollout-of-first-f-35a-for-belgium-302010776.html SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Learn more about Servier's leadership in mutant IDH inhibition at ASH booth #1347 BOSTON , Dec. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Servier, a leader in oncology committed to bringing the promise of tomorrow to the patients we serve, will be presenting new data in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition. These data provide a compelling and in-depth look into the treatment patterns and clinical outcomes observed in real-world settings, offering valuable insights for informed decision-making in patient care. "During our initial five years in the oncology space, Servier has more than doubled its portfolio and launched several new indications for TIBSOVO in IDH1-mutant cancers, including frontline AML, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and previously treated cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) - many of these indications serving as a best-in-class treatment option," said Arjun Prasad ," Head of Commercial, Servier Pharmaceuticals. "As the leader driving the science behind targeted mutant IDH inhibition, we strive to maximize the benefits of molecular testing to improve patient outcomes and continue to focus on areas of unmet need where patients could benefit from personalized medicine, from our multiple approvals across hematology and solid tumors to ongoing research in difficult to treat and rare cancers such as chondrosarcoma." More information on testing for IDH mutations in cancer can be found at IDHlearnmore.com . Data being presented at ASH include real-world evidence analysis in patients with newly diagnosed AML (intensive chemotherapy induction ineligible (ICIE) and a susceptible IDH1 mutation comparing Tibsovo in combination with hypomethylating agents (HMA) versus venetoclax in combination with hypomethylating agents. In the analysis of 238 patients, Tibsovo+HMA elicited a higher complete response (CR) rate versus venetoclax+HMA at 42.9% vs. 26.7% (p=0.007). 6-month event-free survival also favored Tibsovo+HMA at 56.0% vs. 39.6% (p=0.044), as well as 11.5% of patients on Tibsovo+HMA achieving bridge to transplant versus 5.0% on a venetoclax+HMA regimen (p=0.066). Median time from diagnosis to start of treatment was 14 versus 20 days for Tibsovo+HMA vs venetoclax+HMA. Treatment discontinuation was 37% for both regimens and toxicity incidence was similar, with the exception of higher febrile neutropenia (FN) rates for venetoclax+HMA versus Tibsovo+HMA (7.9% vs. 1.6%; p=0.009). Patients receiving Tibsovo+HMA had a 61% lower relative risk of unscheduled acute care use in the first 12 weeks (42.9% versus 70.3% for venetoclax+HMA; p11 days of venetoclax per cycle. The full analysis will be presented on Monday, December 11 at 4:30 p.m. PST . "At Servier, we bring the patient voice into everything we do, and our commitment to patients extends far beyond approval," emphasized Becky Martin , PhD, Chief of Medical, Servier Pharmaceuticals. "As a privately held company, we have the ability to invest in the long-term in ways that help to create better understandings on the real-world impact our medicines have on the lives of patients. We're proud to once again present real-world evidence at ASH, offering the broader oncology community insights into treatment patterns that can help in the development of the best possible treatment regimen for each individual patient." Additional data being presented at ASH includes molecular measurable residual disease (MRD) in ICIE patients with newly diagnosed mIDH1 AML treated with Tibsovo+azacitidine, further bolstering the clinical profile of Tibsovo in the front-line setting, as well as real-world analyses examining treatment patterns in both ALL and AML. About Servier in Oncology Servier is a global leader in oncology focused on delivering meaningful therapeutic progress for the patients it serves. Governed by a non-profit foundation, Servier approaches innovation with a long-term vision, free of influence from investors and outside pressure to chase short-term monetary targets. As a leader in oncology, Servier has significantly accelerated its investment in difficult and hard-to-treat cancers, with more than 50% of its research and development dedicated to delivering significant advances in areas of high unmet need throughout oncology with the potential to change the lives of the patients it serves. Within these areas, Servier is the leader in mutant IDH inhibition, with the first ever mutant IDH1 inhibitor approved in the U.S. and the European Union, and the company continues to drive the science behind targeted mutant IDH inhibition. Servier's commitment to therapeutic progress guides its collaboration strategy. While many companies across the industry are scaling back investments, Servier is actively building alliances, completing acquisitions, conducting licensing deals and entering new partnerships that can help to accelerate access to therapies for patients in need. With the company's commercial expertise, global reach, scientific expertise and commitment to clinical excellence, Servier is dedicated to bringing the promise of tomorrow to the patients it serves. Press Contact Servier Pharmaceuticals Nathan Mellor [email protected] Disclosures This release contains general information about the Servier Group and its entities (hereinafter "Servier and its Affiliates") and is intended for informational purposes only. The information is thought to be reliable; however, Servier and its Affiliates make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein or otherwise provided and accept no responsibility or liability, in contract, in tort, in negligence, or otherwise, should the information be found to be inaccurate or incomplete in any respect. Servier and its Affiliates are not acting as an advisor to the recipient of this information, and the ultimate decision to proceed with any transaction rests solely with the recipient of this information. Therefore, prior to entering into any proposed transaction, the recipient of this information should determine, without reliance upon Servier or its Affiliates, the economic risks and merits, as well as the legal, tax, and accounting characterizations and consequences, of the transaction and that it is able to assume these risks. This statement also contains forward-looking statements that are subject to varying levels of uncertainty and risk. Investigational new drugs and indications are subject to further scientific and medical review and regulatory approval. They are not approved for use by the FDA. Any reliance placed on this document is done entirely at the risk of the person placing such reliance. The information contained in this document is neither an offer to sell nor the solicitation of an offer to enter into a transaction. The content of this document is a summary only, is not complete, and does not include all material information about Servier and its Affiliates, including potential conflicts of interest. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, Servier and its Affiliates disclaim all representations, warranties, conditions and guarantees, whether express, implied, statutory or of other kind, nor does it accept any duty to any person, in connection with this document. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, Servier and its Affiliates do not warrant or represent that the information or opinions contained in this document is accurate or complete. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, Servier and its Affiliates shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, howsoever arising, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise, for direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive or special damages arising out of or in connection with this document, including (without limitation) any course of action taken on the basis of the same. The estimates, strategies, and views expressed in this document are based upon past or current data and information and are subject to change without notice. TIBSOVO IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATION FOR U.S. PATIENTS INDICATIONS TIBSOVO is indicated for patients with a susceptible isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test with: Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) In combination with azacitidine or as monotherapy for the treatment of newly diagnosed AML in adults 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy Relapsed or Refractory AML For the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory AML Relapsed or Refractory Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) For the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory myelodysplastic syndromes Locally Advanced or Metastatic Cholangiocarcinoma For the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma who have been previously treated IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: DIFFERENTIATION SYNDROME IN AML AND MDS Patients treated with TIBSOVO have experienced symptoms of differentiation syndrome, which can be fatal. Symptoms may include fever, dyspnea, hypoxia, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural or pericardial effusions, rapid weight gain or peripheral edema, hypotension, and hepatic, renal, or multi-organ dysfunction. If differentiation syndrome is suspected, initiate corticosteroid therapy and hemodynamic monitoring until symptom resolution. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Differentiation Syndrome in AML and MDS: Differentiation syndrome is associated with rapid proliferation and differentiation of myeloid cells and may be life-threatening or fatal. Symptoms of differentiation syndrome in patients treated with TIBSOVO included noninfectious leukocytosis, peripheral edema, pyrexia, dyspnea, pleural effusion, hypotension, hypoxia, pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, pericardial effusion, rash, fluid overload, tumor lysis syndrome and creatinine increased. If differentiation syndrome is suspected, initiate dexamethasone 10 mg IV every 12 hours (or an equivalent dose of an alternative oral or IV corticosteroid) and hemodynamic monitoring until improvement. If concomitant noninfectious leukocytosis is observed, initiate treatment with hydroxyurea or leukapheresis, as clinically indicated. Taper corticosteroids and hydroxyurea after resolution of symptoms and administer corticosteroids for a minimum of 3 days. Symptoms of differentiation syndrome may recur with premature discontinuation of corticosteroid and/or hydroxyurea treatment. If severe signs and/or symptoms persist for more than 48 hours after initiation of corticosteroids, interrupt TIBSOVO until signs and symptoms are no longer severe. QTc Interval Prolongation: Patients treated with TIBSOVO can develop QT (QTc) prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias. Concomitant use of TIBSOVO with drugs known to prolong the QTc interval (e.g., anti-arrhythmic medicines, fluoroquinolones, triazole anti-fungals, 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists) and CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase the risk of QTc interval prolongation. Conduct monitoring of electrocardiograms (ECGs) and electrolytes. In patients with congenital long QTc syndrome, congestive heart failure, electrolyte abnormalities, or those who are taking medications known to prolong the QTc interval, more frequent monitoring may be necessary. Interrupt TIBSOVO if QTc increases to greater than 480 msec and less than 500 msec. Interrupt and reduce TIBSOVO if QTc increases to greater than 500 msec. Permanently discontinue TIBSOVO in patients who develop QTc interval prolongation with signs or symptoms of life-threatening arrhythmia. Guillain-Barre Syndrome: Guillain-Barre syndrome can develop in patients treated with TIBSOVO. Monitor patients taking TIBSOVO for onset of new signs or symptoms of motor and/or sensory neuropathy such as unilateral or bilateral weakness, sensory alterations, paresthesias, or difficulty breathing. Permanently discontinue TIBSOVO in patients who are diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome. ADVERSE REACTIONS In patients with AML , the most common adverse reactions including laboratory abnormalities (25%) are leukocytes decreased, diarrhea, hemoglobin decreased, platelets decreased, glucose increased, fatigue, alkaline phosphatase increased, edema, potassium decreased, nausea, vomiting, phosphate decreased, decreased appetite, sodium decreased, leukocytosis, magnesium decreased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, arthralgia, dyspnea, uric acid increased, abdominal pain, creatinine increased, mucositis, rash, electrocardiogram QT prolonged, differentiation syndrome, calcium decreased, neutrophils decreased, and myalgia , the most common adverse reactions including laboratory abnormalities (25%) are leukocytes decreased, diarrhea, hemoglobin decreased, platelets decreased, glucose increased, fatigue, alkaline phosphatase increased, edema, potassium decreased, nausea, vomiting, phosphate decreased, decreased appetite, sodium decreased, leukocytosis, magnesium decreased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, arthralgia, dyspnea, uric acid increased, abdominal pain, creatinine increased, mucositis, rash, electrocardiogram QT prolonged, differentiation syndrome, calcium decreased, neutrophils decreased, and myalgia In patients with MDS , the most common adverse reactions including laboratory abnormalities (25%) are creatinine increased, hemoglobin decreased, arthralgia, albumin decreased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, fatigue, diarrhea, cough, sodium decreased, mucositis, decreased appetite, myalgia, phosphate decreased, pruritus, and rash , the most common adverse reactions including laboratory abnormalities (25%) are creatinine increased, hemoglobin decreased, arthralgia, albumin decreased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, fatigue, diarrhea, cough, sodium decreased, mucositis, decreased appetite, myalgia, phosphate decreased, pruritus, and rash In patients with cholangiocarcinoma, the most common adverse reactions (15%) in patients with cholangiocarcinoma are fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cough, decreased appetite, ascites, vomiting, anemia, and rash. The most common laboratory abnormalities (10%) in patients with cholangiocarcinoma are hemoglobin decreased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, and bilirubin increased DRUG INTERACTIONS Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Reduce TIBSOVO dose with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Monitor patients for increased risk of QTc interval prolongation. Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO. Sensitive CYP3A4 substrates: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO. QTc Prolonging Drugs: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO. If co-administration is unavoidable, monitor patients for increased risk of QTc interval prolongation. LACTATION: Advise women not to breastfeed. Please see Full Prescribing Information , including BOXED WARNING for AML and MDS patients. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/servier-showcases-leadership-in-mutant-isocitrate-dehydrogenase-idh-inhibition-through-new-data-spotlighting-real-world-treatment-patterns-and-clinical-outcomes-of-tibsovo-use-at-ash-2023-302010716.html SOURCE Servier Pharmaceuticals Research underscores continuing role of demographic factors and comorbidities in blood cancer treatment and research SAN DIEGO , Dec. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Four studies presented during the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition examine how demographics and other characteristics of patients and researchers play into inequities in health outcomes in the context of blood cancers. Several of the studies suggest opportunities to proactively address these issues and potentially improve health equity. "Increasingly, researchers are looking beyond the question of 'What is the best treatment?' and asking, 'Is this treatment the best for every person with this disease?'" said Alison R. Walker , MD, MPH, MBA, of Moffitt Cancer Center and chair of ASH's Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). "We need to take into consideration social determinants of health and other factors that contribute to differences in outcomes or treatment response in order for all patients to be able to actualize optimal health." The studies shed new light on continuing disparities in clinical health care and outcomes as well as in biomedical research fields, issues that ASH has prioritized with a variety of DEI initiatives. In the first study, researchers tracked how genetic markers and racial background interact to explain why certain treatment regimens for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) an aggressive form of blood cancer in which the body produces abnormal white blood cells are associated with poorer outcomes in some racial groups. The results provide evidence that testing for a panel of genetic markers could help close this gap by informing treatment decisions. The second study shows females are much less likely to lead active R01 grants that relate to classical (non-malignant) hematology topics compared with males. The study calls attention to the need to close the gender gap and create academic environments where more female hematologists are successful in submitting and receiving this level of external funding. The third study quantifies the differences in outcomes from multiple myeloma treatments in real-world settings compared to clinical trials, suggesting a need to better understand and address factors that may undermine treatment access or effectiveness. In the fourth study, researchers found that people with psychiatric or substance use disorders had significantly worse outcomes from AML treatments involving venetoclax combinations compared with those who did not have such disorders. The findings point to potential opportunities to better support patients with these disorders while undergoing these treatments. Using patients' genetic profile to inform AML treatment could help reduce racial disparities 386: Intensification of Therapy and Pharmacogenetic Personalization Mitigate Racial Disparities in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia Outcomes In a new study, a multi-gene metric known as ACS10, which accounts for variability in multiple genes simultaneously, revealed a close link between genetic factors and racial disparities in pediatric AML outcomes. Researchers say using the metric to optimize treatment approaches for each patient could potentially lead to better outcomes, particularly among Black children. Because the chemotherapy drugs used to treat AML are activated inside the body, a person's genes can influence drug activation and the response to treatment. The new study bolsters evidence that the ACS10 score, which combines 10 genetic factors into a single metric, can be used to help elucidate genetic drivers of racial disparities and inform treatment decisions. Researchers say it provides new evidence that some induction regimens result in better outcomes than other regimens for people with lower ACS10 scores, a status that is more common among Black patients. "Incorporating the ACS10 score into diagnostic processes can help us use our chemotherapy options more strategically," said Jatinder K. Lamba , PhD, associate dean for research and graduate education and professor in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Florida, and the study's lead author. "We are always running after new drugs, but we see that there are smarter ways to use existing drugs. I'm hoping this [metric] will go into standard guidelines, so that we can use the genetics to inform the regimen." Since routine diagnostic tests already include the genetic features that are combined for the ACS10 score, Dr. Lamba said that incorporating ACS10 scores into diagnostic processes would be an easy addition to the existing testing and should be feasible to do at low cost. For the study, the researchers analyzed data from two previous AML clinical trials that together included 86 Black patients and 359 white patients. The trials included comprehensive genetic information for each patient and involved three different treatment regimens as initial therapy: low-dose cytarabine, daunorubicin, and etoposide (LDAC), higher doses of these same drugs (HDAC), or clofarabine and cytarabine (Clo/AraC). The results showed no significant differences between Black and white patients overall in terms of various measures of response to treatment, survival, and relapse. However, significant differences emerged when researchers took both race and ACS10 scores into account. Black patients with low ACS10 scores had significantly better outcomes when they received the HDAC or Clo-AraC regimen than when they received LDAC. "If you give patients with a lower ACS10 score an augmented therapy, you can really significantly improve their outcome," said Dr. Lamba . The researchers also found a substantial racial gap in the distribution of ACS10 scores. While just 30% of white patients had a low ACS10 score, 73% of Black patients did. This difference, combined with the relationship between low ACS10 scores and poor response to LDAC treatment, likely explains some of the racial disparities in AML survival that have been reported previously. Other studies suggest that low ACS10 scores are especially prevalent among Black children in Africa , where AML mortality rates are persistently high. Dr. Lamba suggested that further studies should be conducted in Africa to see if tailoring treatments based on this metric could help to improve outcomes. Although the panel testing protocol for ACS10 scores is not readily available in most clinics today, researchers said it should be feasible to deploy relatively quickly since the individual components of the test are available. Jatinder Lamba , University of Florida, will present this study in an oral presentation on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 , at 4:15 p.m. Pacific time in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 11-13 ( Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina ). Analysis finds males lead two out of three active R01 NIH grants involving classical hematology research 5113: A 10 Year Analysis of Gender Distribution in National Institutes of Health Funding for Non-Malignant Hematology A new analysis finds that in the last decade, two thirds of active R01 grants among the most prestigious and competitive types of medical research funding awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that related to classical, or non-malignant hematology subjects are led by male investigators and only one third by female investigators. However, while the proportion of grants awarded to men remained fairly constant, the proportion of active grants led by women increased about 36% over the study period. "This study extends previous work showing that, as in other medical research fields such as cardiology, oncology, and gastroenterology, male investigators continue to receive a preponderance of these top-level grants," said Sara Khan , DO, a resident physician at HCA Healthcare and the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, and the study's principal investigator. R01 grants are awarded to individual investigators for discrete research projects and provide up to five years of support. "Historically, women have been underrepresented in hematology and, consequently, are less likely to receive research grants," she said. "While it's encouraging that there was an upward trend in the number of grants to female investigators over the 10-year period we looked at, a significant gender gap remains." Dr. Khan and her colleagues accessed the NIH RePORTER database to pull data on all active and recently awarded R01 grants. They then wrote a series of codes (R script) to analyze the datasets each year between 2012 and 2022, applying 45 classical, non-malignant hematology terms and conditions (for example, hemophilia, Factor V Leiden, sickle cell disease, anemia, thrombosis, embolism). After running analyses to identify grants that included mention of these terms, they used a validated tool to predict gender, which Dr. Khan and colleagues said is 85% accurate. Over this 10-year period, there were 250,031 active R01 grants involving classical-hematology-related research, of which 67.1% were led by male researchers and 32.9% by female researchers. The researchers also looked to see whether gender breakdown in R01 grants varied by institute or research focus area and how that changed over time. They found that in 2012, just two NIH institutes the National Institute of Nursing Research and the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities awarded more than 50% of their active R01 grants to female researchers. In 2022, these two institutes continued to award more than half of their R01 grants to female researchers, and two additional institutes the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health also made more than 50% of their R01 grant awards to women. Two NIH institutes, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) award the largest number of R01 grants in classical hematology. In 2012, both of these institutes awarded 27% of these grants to female researchers. In 2022, the proportion of R01s awarded to female researchers had increased to 33% at NHLBI and to 36% at NIDDK. Three institutes the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) awarded less than 25% of their R01 grants to female researchers in 2012. In 2022, only the NIBIB still made less than 25% of its R01 grant awards to female investigators. "NIGMS and NINDS have made steps toward promoting diversity and inclusivity in research funding," Dr. Khan said. "While some NIH agencies are making progress toward gender parity, the continuing large disparity in R01 awards by the NIBIB calls for further attention and action." Most R01 grants are awarded to physicians and scientists who work in university-affiliated medical centers and medical schools. Published data on the proportion of female physicians and scientists working in hematology in these centers are scant, but one study, published in JCO Oncology Practice in 2020, found that slightly over a third (35.7%) of physicians in clinical faculty positions in university departments of hematology and oncology in the United States were women. Among faculty who held at least one NIH research grant of any kind, 24.5% were women. Female physicians tended to have fewer years of experience than their male counterparts and hold more junior academic positions (e.g., 44.9% were assistant professors). A limitation of the current study is that the research team was able to analyze only data for R01 grant recipients and not for all applicants for these awards, Dr. Khan said. Thus, they could not determine whether male and female applicants for R01 grants were funded at similar rates. According to NIH data, the success rate that is, the proportion of applicants who were awarded a grant for "R01-equivalent" awards was 20.1% in 2021 and 21.6% in 2022. Because many of the classical hematology terms applied often coexist with research pertaining to other conditions, including many blood cancers, solid tumors, heart conditions, and gastrointestinal diseases, the research does not isolate non-malignant hematology grants. Rather, it included any R01 research grant that included these terms in the research abstract or title. Still, the research team said their findings call attention to the need to address gender disparities in NIH funding. "We need more research aimed at understanding the reasons for persistent gender disparities in R01 grant funding in non-malignant hematology and other fields," Dr. Khan said. "This should help to identify the policy changes that may be needed to promote gender equity and bridge the gap that we're currently seeing." Sara Khan , HCA Florida Bayonet Point , will present this study in the poster hall on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 , at 6:00 p.m. Pacific time in Halls G-H (San Diego Convention Center). Outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma fall short in the real world compared with clinical trials 541: Comparison of the Efficacy in Clinical Trials Versus Effectiveness in the Real-World of Treatments for Multiple Myeloma: A Population-Based Cohort Study People treated for multiple myeloma in real-world hospital settings experienced a 75% higher rate of death than was reported in clinical trials for common myeloma treatments, according to a new study. While the findings are disappointing, researchers say they can enhance informed decision making by giving clinicians, regulators, and patients a more accurate picture of the expected risks and benefits of cancer treatments. The analysis also underscores the limitations of clinical trials in predicting outcomes among patient populations that are typically different from those in clinical trials in terms of demographics, health status, and care settings, such as community practices versus academic medical centers. "The criteria for clinical trial eligibility are often quite stringent, so the results are not always generalizable," said Alissa Visram , MD, of Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and the study's lead author. "It's not a surprise that real-world patients don't do as well as those in clinical trials, but our study is the first to quantify the difference. It suggests we need to change our frame of reference and better contextualize what outcomes we would expect our patients to have." Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that leads plasma cells to proliferate out of control. It is difficult to diagnose early because it is rare, and symptoms often go unrecognized. Many patients face a poor prognosis even with available treatments. Researchers compared rates of death, progression-free survival, and adverse events reported in phase III clinical trials for seven multiple myeloma treatment regimens with outcomes among 3,951 patients who received these same treatments in the provincial health system of Ontario, Canada's largest province, between 2007-2020. The treatments that were included were lenalidomide/dex [Rd] and bortezomib/Rd for newly diagnosed patients who were ineligible for a stem cell transplant, and carfilzomib/Rd, carfilzomib/dex, daratumumab/Rd, daratumumab/bortezomib/dex, and pomalidomide/dex for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. Overall, real-world patients saw a 44% higher rate of disease progression or death and a 75% higher rate of death, on average, compared with clinical trial participants. Using hospitalization as a proxy for assessing rates of serious adverse events among real-world study participants, researchers found comparable rates of serious adverse events among clinical trial participants and real-world patients. Pomalidomide/dex was the only regimen that performed as well as or slightly better in the real world than in clinical trials, which researchers believe may be due to the use of this regimen in a real-world patient population with comparable or slightly fewer exposures to prior therapies. The study was not designed to determine what led to the differences that were observed. However, researchers noted that several factors are likely at play. Real-world patients were on average older and had more comorbiditiesthan those in clinical trials. It has been previously shown that real-world patients often have more comorbidities than patients in clinical trials and, therefore, may not have tolerated treatments, as well as those tested in a clinical trial setting, Dr. Visram added. In addition, clinical trials are typically carried out in medical centers that see a high volume of patients with rare diseases, where clinicians are likely to be more experienced in administering complex treatment regimens and handling toxicities compared with clinicians in community medical centers where many patients receive care in the real world. Finally, researchers noted that people in historically marginalized populations are often disproportionately excluded from clinical trials and may lack resources for keeping up with clinic visits, which can lead to poorer outcomes. Such factors can lead to significant gaps between clinical trials and real-world settings in terms of patients' health status and the care they receive. "As clinicians, we need to acknowledge that outcomes might not be as good in the real world," said Dr. Visram . "We often use clinical trial results to explain to patients what to expect with treatment, but it's important to understand that you may be doing more harm if you don't know whether this [clinical trial result] is actually applicable to your patient." Researchers said that further study is needed to better understand the factors that account for the poorer outcomes observed in real-world settings. In addition, Dr. Visram noted that including more diverse participants in clinical trials and conducting trials in community health centers may lead to results that better reflect what can be expected in the real world. Alissa Visram , Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, will present this study in an oral presentation on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023 , at 12:00 noon Pacific Time in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 2-4 ( Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina ). Mental health disorders tied to poorer outcomes following venetoclax therapies for AML 388: Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders Are Independent Predictors of Treatment Response and Outcomes in United States Veterans with Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated with Venetoclax Combinations A new study conducted in U.S. veterans suggests that people with psychiatric or substance use disorders face a markedly higher risk of poor outcomes, including early death, after being treated with venetoclax combination therapies for AML compared with patients who do not have a recent history of these disorders. Researchers say the findings could help explain why venetoclax combinations have had worse outcomes in real-world populations than in clinical trials. "Psychiatric diagnoses and a history of substance dependence are prevalent problems, not only among veterans but also in the general public," said Michelle Hyunju Lee , MD, instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and hematologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the study's lead author. "We have to pay closer attention to these potentially intervenable comorbidities, and we need to get to the root of why people with these disorders are not doing as well. Perhaps early intervention with proper support and resources may improve outcomes." AML is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that accounts for about 1% of new cancer cases each year. It is associated with a relatively poor survival rate but can be cured with a hematopoietic stem cell transplant for patients who are healthy enough to undergo this intensive treatment. First-line treatments include induction chemotherapy or combination therapies that include the oral cancer drug venetoclax. Venetoclax combinations offer a less intensive treatment option for patients who are ineligible for chemotherapy, but these therapies show less favorable outcomes in real-world populations than in clinical trials. To find out whether psychiatric and substance use disorders may play a role, researchers analyzed health records of 452 U.S. veterans who received frontline venetoclax combination therapies for AML, primarily through the Veterans Affairs health care system. They found that patients who experienced a psychiatric disorder within the three years preceding their AML treatment were nearly twice as likely to die within 60 days of starting AML treatment and 28% more likely to die overall compared with those who did not have a mental health disorder. Having a substance use disorder was associated with lower odds of achieving complete remission, a measure of the degree to which cancer responds to treatment. The study population had a high rate of psychiatric and substance use disorders, which are more common among veterans than the general population. Forty-six percent had at least one psychiatric diagnosis, 19% had a substance use disorder, and 11% had both. Study participants also had a relatively high rate of early death; 20% of participants died within 60 days of starting their AML treatment and the median overall survival was just over seven months. The association between early death and mental health disorders was independent of age, socio-demographics, markers of disease risk, and the particular venetoclax combination therapy used. Although the study was not designed to determine the mechanisms involved, Dr. Lee said that mental health disorders could potentially contribute to biological differences in the response to treatment or pose barriers for medication adherence. A new cancer diagnosis could also potentially trigger a resurgence or worsening of mental health issues. "While venetoclax combinations have increased the number of patients who can be treated, we still have much to learn in the real world about who can tolerate these regimens well, especially in patients with mental health and other medical comorbid conditions," said Dr. Lee , formerly of Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Lee added that the association of psychiatric and substance use disorders with negative AML outcomes may partially explain the disparity in outcomes between trials and real-world practice, given that many patients are excluded from trial participation on the basis of their mental health conditions. With rising numbers of Americans being diagnosed with such comorbidities, she stressed the importance of finding ways to expand clinical trial access for patients with AML. Only 3% of study participants underwent a stem cell transplant, which Dr. Lee characterized as a strikingly low proportion given that nearly half of participants were young enough to be eligible for this curative treatment, and other real-world studies in adults treated with venetoclax combinations have shown transplant rates of 8-18%. Mental health disorders were significantly more common among younger veterans in the study and no patients with a substance use disorder received a transplant, although it is unclear whether the presence of these disorders had a direct role in determining why so few patients underwent a stem cell transplant. The researchers plan to further analyze the data to determine whether the timing or delivery of treatment, the number of doctor visits or rate of appointment no-shows, or the timing of active psychiatric or substance use disorders could play a role in the associations that were observed. Insights into these factors could help to pinpoint the optimal strategies to intervene and better support patients affected by psychiatric and substance use disorders during AML treatment. Michelle Lee , Massachusetts General Hospital, will present this study in an oral presentation on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 , at 4:45 p.m. Pacific time in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 11-13 ( Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina ). ### The American Society of Hematology (ASH) (hematology.org) is the world's largest professional society of hematologists dedicated to furthering the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the blood. For more than 60 years, the Society has led the development of hematology as a discipline by promoting research, patient care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology. ASH's flagship journal, Blood (bloodjournal.org) is the most cited peer-reviewed publication in the field, and Blood Advances (bloodadvances.org) is an open-access, online journal that publishes more peer-reviewed hematology research than any other academic journal worldwide. Two new journals will be joining the Blood Journals portfolio in 2024, Blood Neoplasia (bloodneoplasia.org) and Blood Vessels, Thrombosis & Hemostasis (bloodvth.org). View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/studies-uncover-drivers-of-health-disparities-and-opportunities-to-enhance-equity-302010728.html SOURCE American Society of Hematology Retrospective analysis of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes showed trends in treatment patterns that suggest: improved trend persistence with oral decitabine and cedazuridine versus intravenous/subcutaneous hypomethylating agents beyond 6 months comparable persistence between oral decitabine and cedazuridine and intravenous/subcutaneous hypomethylating agents at early stages of therapy PRINCETON, N.J. , Dec. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Taiho Oncology, Inc. announced results of a U.S. real-world study of oral decitabine and cedazuridine (DEC-C) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a rare form of blood cancer. Results of the retrospective real-world analysis of use patterns for hypomethylating agents suggest oral DEC-C as a treatment option with the potential to reduce patient and caregiver burden, while maintaining patients on therapy. Data from the study were shared during an oral presentation (Abstract #548) at the 65thAmerican Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition. "For patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, therapy with intravenous or subcutaneous hypomethylating agents has been associated with increased patient burden, which can adversely affect treatment compliance and, subsequently, outcomes," said Amer Zeidan , MBBS, MHS, Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology), Yale School of Medicine, Interim Chief, Hematologic Malignancies, Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital, and study investigator. "Previous studies have shown that oral decitabine and cedazuridine provides comparable safety and efficacy to parenteral HMAs,1,2,3 and what we found in this real-world study is that this oral therapy resulted in a trend for improved persistence as treatment extended beyond the first six months. Based on these results and the potential for reduced treatment burden, oral decitabine and cedazuridine may be a viable alternative to intravenous or subcutaneous HMAs." In this study of 1,569 patients, 160 received oral DEC-C and 1,409 received intravenous/subcutaneous (IV/SC) HMAs. After matching, there were 158 patients in each treatment cohort. Longitudinal persistence the accumulation of time from initiation to discontinuation of therapy4 was comparable between the matched oral DEC-C and intravenous/subcutaneous HMA cohorts during the first 6 months post-index, with similar proportions receiving the maximum number of treatment cycles (based on a 28-day cycle) at each month following index (73.8% vs 71.1%, 46.5% vs 48.7% and 28.6% vs 24.8%, for 2, 4 and 6 months, respectively). However, a trend toward improved persistence with oral DEC-C versus intravenous/subcutaneous HMAs was observed in patients receiving treatment beyond 6 months (25.0% vs 17.0%, 18.5% vs 9.0% and 11.4% vs 7.6% for 8, 10 and 12 months, respectively). Mean time to discontinuation of treatment was numerically higher for the oral DEC-C users compared with the IV/SC HMA group (87.7 vs 82.0 days); however, the differences were not statistically significant. "For many patients living with MDS, the potential for additional costs and time associated with travel for regular infusions can be a significant burden during a stressful time in their lives," said Tehseen Salimi , MD, MHA, Senior Vice President Medical Affairs, Taiho Oncology. "Our goal with this study was to measure the real-world impact of oral therapy. As a leader in the development of orally administered anti-cancer agents, Taiho Oncology is pleased to see how outcomes of this real-world study show some of the potential benefits of an oral therapy in myelodysplastic syndromes." About the Study This study was a retrospective analysis using the U.S. Cerner Enviza claims database; medical and prescription claims data for patients were linked to mortality data from Datavant. Adults aged 18 years, who were diagnosed with MDS and who had 1 claim for an HMA (oral DEC-C or IV/SC HMA) were included. Patients had variable follow-up after the index date and were followed until end of enrollment, death or end of study. Longitudinal persistence was assessed according to the number of cycles of therapy received during follow-up, where a cycle was defined as either 3-10 days of administration of index intravenous/subcutaneous HMA or one claim for oral DEC-C within a 28-day cycle. About Myelodysplastic Syndromes Myelodysplastic syndromes are a heterogeneous group of hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by dysplastic changes in myeloid, erythroid, and megakaryocytic progenitor cells, and associated with cytopenias affecting one or more of the three lineages. In the U.S. , approximately 20,000 cases of MDS are reported every year,5 with an overall age-adjusted incidence rate of 4.0 cases per 100,000 population.6 MDS may progress into acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in approximately 30-40% of patients.7,8 The prognosis for MDS patients is poor; patients die from complications associated with cytopenias (infections and bleeding) or from transformation to AML. About Taiho Oncology, Inc. The mission of Taiho Oncology, Inc. is to improve the lives of patients with cancer, their families and their caregivers. The company specializes in the development and commercialization of orally administered anti-cancer agents for various tumor types. Taiho Oncology has a robust pipeline of small molecule clinical candidates targeting solid tumor and hematological malignancies, with additional candidates in pre-clinical development. Taiho Oncology is a subsidiary of Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. which is part of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. Taiho Oncology is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey and oversees its parent company's European and Canadian operations, which are located in Zug, Switzerland and Oakville, Ontario, Canada . For more information, visit https://www.taihooncology.com/, and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Amer Zeidan is a paid consultant to Taiho Oncology; he is not paid for work with the media. Taiho Oncology Contact: Judy Kay Moore (574) 526-2369 [email protected] 1 Garcia-Manero G , McCloskey J, Griffiths EA, et al. Pharmacokinetic exposure equivalence and preliminary efficacy and safety from a randomized cross over Phase 3 study (ASCERTAIN study) of an oral hypomethylating agent ASTX727 (cedazuridine/decitabine) compared to IV decitabine. Blood. 2019; 134(Supplement_1). 2 Savona MR, Odenike O, Amrein PC, Steensma DP, DeZern AE, Michaelis LC, et al. An oral fixed-dose combination of decitabine and cedazuridine in myelodysplastic syndromes: a multicentre, open-label, dose-escalation, phase 1 study. Lancet Haematol [Internet]. 2019; 6(4): e194-e203. 3 Garcia-Manero G , Griffiths EA, Steensma DP, et al. Oral cedazuridine/decitabine: a phase 2, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic, randomized, crossover study in MDS and CMML [published online ahead of print, 2020 Apr 13]. Blood. 2020; blood.2019004143. doi:10.1182/blood.2019004143. 4 Burnier M. Medication Adherence and Persistence as the Cornerstone of Effective Antihypertensive Therapy. Am J Hypertens. 2006;19(11):1190-1196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjhyper.2006.04.006 5 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Research Funded by LLS. Available at: https://www.lls.org/research/myelodysplastic-syndrome-mds-research-funded-lls. Last accessed November 2023 . 6 National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. SEER*Explorer: An interactive website for SEER cancer statistics [Internet]. Available at: https://seer.cancer.gov/explorer/. Last accessed November 2023 . 7 Volpe VO, Garcia-Manero G , Komrokji RS. Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A New Decade. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2022;22:1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.clml.2021.07.031 8 Menssen AJ, Walter MJ. Genetics of progression from MDS to secondary leukemia. Blood. 2020;136:50-60. doi: 10.1182/blood.2019000942 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/taiho-oncology-announces-presentation-of-data-from-a-us-real-word-study-of-oral-decitabine-and-cedazuridine-302010317.html SOURCE Taiho Oncology, Inc. FILE PHOTO: People take part in a march led by New Zealand political party Te Pati Maori to demonstrate against the incoming government and its policies, in Wellington, New Zealand, December 5, 2023. REUTERS/Lucy Craymer/File Photo By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Plans by New Zealand's conservative government to roll back Maori rights reforms have revived race as a hot political issue in the Pacific nation, which was previously lauded globally for its advances on Indigenous matters. Thousands of protesters have taken to New Zealand's streets this month against proposed legislation and plans that critics describe as the most significant step backwards for Maori rights in decades, but which the new government says address voters' concerns about the direction of the policy in recent years. The right of centre government, which won power at an October election, is promising to undo policies of the previous progressive Labour government, in particular those that promote the official use of Maori language and seek to enhance Indigenous living standards and rights. The emergence of the conservative power bloc, a coalition led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of the National party, also comes as the number of Maori members of parliament hits a record high, some of whom are key advocates of the new agenda. Among them is David Seymour, leader of junior coalition partner ACT New Zealand, a libertarian party behind a controversial bill that would redefine the legal interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi, the country's founding document underpinning claims of Maori sovereignty. "Where will New Zealand be in 50 years time if the current path continues, where Kiwis are offered different rights based on their ancestry?" Seymour said in response to emailed questions from Reuters. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, a political veteran and leader of fellow coalition partner New Zealand First who is of Maori and Scottish heritage, also wants more clarity around how the treaty is defined in law. Peters was unavailable for a Reuters' interview. The Luxon government is also seeking to lift a ban on smoking, restart oil and gas exploration and pull out of the United National Declaration on the Rights Indigenous People. Much of the shift to the right comes amid broader frustrations from middle-class New Zealanders about rising living costs and rural sector anger at increased environmental regulation. Many, though not all, of the policies the government is looking to overturn were introduced by former Labour prime minister Jacinda Ardern, who shot to global prominence in the last decade as a socially progressive outlier when many other Western countries appeared to veer towards populist politics. New Zealand's foreign policy is unlikely to change considerably with Luxon signalling a bipartisan approach. However, Peters, who is also foreign minister, said last month he would like to strengthen U.S. strategic and security engagement. POLARISATION Gareth Hughes, a political commentator and former Green Party politician, said politics in New Zealand has hardened and in some senses was catching up with the polarisation seen elsewhere. "Projects that 20 years ago might not have been seen as controversial such as cycle ways or collective bargaining power for workers or the steady increase in the use of te reo (Maori language) and Maori cultural practices in our society have become totemic cultural battles," he said. Illustrating that polarisation, the Greens, a leftist party focused on the environment and social justice, won 15 seats in 2023, its best result. While Seymour acknowledges the Treaty of Waitangi is a national "taonga", Maori for treasure, he described its principles as "vague, free-floating ideas for activist judges and officials to divine". A poll jointly published by lobby group Taxpayers' Union and market researcher Curia in October found 60% of New Zealanders supported ACTs proposal to clarify the definition of the treaty's principles, while 18% opposed it. Differences of views even within the Maori community over the direction of policy, as seen in the positions of Seymour and Peters, reflect an increasing divergence in the way many Maori see their ethnicity. While the government has the majority it needs to pass the laws, there is now considerable pushback from a new generation of Maori leaders, many of whom have just been elected. There are now a record 33 legislators of Maori heritage, or 27% of New Zealand's parliament. That's up from 21% in the 2020 election and more than the 17% in the national population. Te Pati Maori, a party focused on Indigenous rights, tripled the number of seats in parliament to 6, or nearly 4.9% of the legislature, including the election of 21-year-old Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, the youngest MP in more than 150 years. "We've got a right in a democracy to protest, and you'll start to see various forms of that, and in a more invigorated way, than we're probably seeing in other places where indigenous people have had to assert their mana (power)," said John Tamihere, Te Pati Maori president. (Reporting by Lucy Craymer. Editing by Sam Holmes) By Jake Spring DUBAI (Reuters) -Argentina under incoming President Javier Milei will remain part of the Paris Agreement on climate change, the country's new top climate diplomat told Reuters on Sunday, despite the leader's past comments that global warming is a hoax. Veteran climate diplomat Marcia Levaggi said that she has the full support of the new government, which sent her as head of the Argentinian delegation at the United Nations COP28 climate talks underway in Dubai. She arrived on Sunday just as Milei was being inaugurated in Buenos Aires. "This is why I came to this COP, to reassure our party stakeholders and people following the process that Argentina will stay committed to the Paris Agreement. We will honour all our environmental agreements," Levaggi said. "Milei is a liberal, he's a libertarian, and he believes in market forces. And the market demands to include measures to address climate change." Argentina will also keep its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, she said. Levaggi, who has been serving as Argentina's ambassador to Senegal, said she was called to Buenos Aires about a week ago and asked by the new foreign minister to take the job. The diplomat said she was "positively surprised" to be asked to take up the role. Milei will eliminate the Environment Ministry as part of a promised effort to shrink the government, but the environment will be "distributed among different ministries," Levaggi said. This is part of Milei's wider public sector reforms and the environment will not have a lower priority in his administration, Levaggi said. "Argentina is in a dire economic situation, you know that. And this administration was elected with a strong mandate of fiscal restraint and reform of the public sector," she said. Levaggi has decades of experience on the issue, having worked with the Adaptation Fund for climate change and as a negotiator, most recently at the COP25 talks in 2019. (Reporting by Jake Spring; Editing by Susan Fenton) By Jessie Pang and Joyce Zhou HONG KONG (Reuters) -Three Hong Kong pro-democracy activists were arrested on Sunday, just before voting began in a "patriots only" district election that has marginalised formerly popular opposition figures in the city amid a national security clampdown. The pro-China government has been seeking to boost turnout, as some observers see large numbers spurning the polls, in contrast to the last council elections in 2019, during Hong Kong's mass pro-democracy protests, which drew a record 71% turnout and a landslide victory for the democratic camp. Police arrested three members of the "League of Social Democrats" in the Central business district, the group said. It had planned to protest against the "birdcage election" that it said lacked any democratic scope, given vetting requirements by authorities that have effectively barred all democrats from running. "Hong Kong people's right to vote and to be elected seems to be absent," the group said in a statement, adding that they had been followed since leaving home in the morning. Police said in a statement that they had arrested three people on suspicion of "attempting to incite others to carry out acts that disrupt district council election". The three were detained for investigation. Regulations introduced in July slashed the directly elected district council seats by nearly 80% from four years ago. All candidates must now undergo national security background checks and secure nominations from pro-government committees. At least three pro-democracy groups, including moderates, and even some pro-Beijing figures failed to secure enough nominations. 'HARD TO TALK ABOUT DEMOCRACY' The changes further narrow electoral freedoms in the former colony that Britain returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The crackdown under a 2020 China-imposed national security law has led to the arrests of former district councillors and the disbandment of major opposition parties. "It is the last piece of the puzzle for us to implement the principles of patriots governing Hong Kong," Hong Kong leader John Lee said while casting his ballot with his wife, claiming that the previous poll in 2019 had been used to sabotage governance and endanger national security. Security was tight around many polling stations with over ten thousand police deployed to maintain order. While some western governments say the China-imposed national security law has been used to crack down on dissent, China says it has brought stability to the financial hub after the protracted pro-democracy protests of 2019. For weeks the major pro-Beijing and pro-government parties have been out in force, campaigning and festooning streets with posters and flyers in a bid to bolster turnout. On Saturday night, a harbourfront carnival featuring fireworks and patriotic pop singers made last-minute appeals for people to vote. Some were not convinced. "The broad political spectrum of voices that we saw four years has all gone," said Tang, a 27-year-old who said she would boycott the vote, asking to be identified only by her family name. Turnout was 15.47% at 2:30 p.m. (0630 GMT), down from 42% at the same time in the previous election. "It's very hard to talk about democracy or democratisation anymore in today's Hong Kong," said Kenneth Chan, a political scientist at Hong Kong's Baptist University and a former pro-democracy lawmaker. "What they're doing now is the installation of the so-called patriots-only governance structure." (Reporting by Jessie Pang, Joyce Zhou, Dorothy Kam and Edward Cho; Editing by James Pomfret and William Mallard) Eight Triad and Northwest North Carolina community groups have received a combined $854,414 from the food distribution assistance program of the Golden Leaf Foundation. The General Assembly appropriated $10 million to Golden Leaf for the program, which is funded by federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds through the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Funds may be used for grants to nonprofit organizations to assist organizations in becoming eligible to be partner agencies of a North Carolina food bank or enhancing or expanding the capacity of current partner agencies of North Carolina food banks. The largest of the latest eight grants is $250,000 to Ashe Food Pantry Inc. for a large refrigerated truck. It is among four projects statewide to receive the largest individual grant. $211,250 to One Step Further Inc., based in Guilford County, toward construction of a distribution receiving area and assorted equipment. $128,943 to Lot 2540 Inc., based in Rockingham County, for a refrigerated truck. $92,000 to West End Ministries, based in Guilford County, for a box truck, scales and freezer blankets. $85,000 to Southern Alamance Family toward a refrigerated truck. $38,500 to Samaritan Kitchen of Wilkes Inc. for a walk-in freezer and pallet jack. $34,171 to Pastor's Pantry Targeting Senior Hunger, serving Davidson County, for three refrigerators, two freezers and assorted electrical upfit. $14,550 to BackPack Beginnings, based in Guilford County, for an electric pallet jack, two hand trucks, a glass-front refrigerator, pallet shelving and four stock picker carts. In August, the program provided a combined $430,093 with the largest grant in that distribution being $250,000 to Thomasville Community Ministry Inc. for building renovation. Winston-Salem Rescue Mission was provided with a $151,293 grant to help pay for a walk-in freezer/cooler, along with associated building upgrades, electrical upgrades and temperature monitoring equipment. Hope of Winston-Salem Inc. received a $28,800 grant toward upfit of shipping containers for cold storage, including electrical upfit/installation, insulation, AC Unit, CoolBot System and commercial rolling racks. Organizations must have an operating history of at least two full years not necessarily providing food assistance or must be formally affiliated with an organization with an operating history of at least two years. Churches and other places of worship are not eligible to apply, while faith-based organizations can apply that have been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization formed and operated exclusively for charitable purposes as described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible. Organizations whose financial statements are consolidated with the financial statements of a church or other place of worship, are eligible to apply. A worker removes a banner from a billboard, which shows the word "Russia", the message "Happy New Year" and a QR code that is a gateway to a website of jailed Russian opposition politician and Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's supporters, on the roadside in By Mark Trevelyan LONDON (Reuters) -With his hands on all the levers of power in Russia, Vladimir Putin cannot be beaten in a presidential election, top aides to jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny say. But they see the 100-day campaign as a chance to expose him as vulnerable on the issues that most matter to Russians: the war in Ukraine and the state of the economy. Putin declared his candidacy for another six-year term last Friday and there is no serious rival to challenge him, with Navalny serving more than 30 years in prison and other critics also jailed or in exile. On Monday Navalny's supporters said he had been moved from his previous penal colony and his current whereabouts were unclear. With the Kremlin in full control of state media and able to decide who can and cannot run, the Navalny camp says this is not a real election. But it sees the campaign window as a rare opportunity to draw Russians into a political conversation and convince them that Russia's main problems are of Putin's making. "Of course it's impossible to beat Putin in the 'elections'," Navalny aide Leonid Volkov told Reuters. "The aim of our campaign is to change the political agenda in Russia." During an election campaign when people are focused on politics and expecting promises and solutions, it will be harder for the Kremlin to avoid difficult topics, he said. "Putin is vulnerable because he does not have answers today to the questions that really worry people. These are the questions of an exit strategy for the war - when and how it should end and when the soldiers will return home - and the questions of destitution, poverty, corruption, financial credits and all the rest." The Kremlin says Putin will win another six-year term because he commands overwhelming support across Russian society, with opinion poll ratings of around 80%. So far only three people have declared their intention to run against him. Two are low-profile figures, Boris Nadezhdin and Yekaterina Duntsova, who may struggle to gather the 300,000 signatures required to run. The third, nationalist Igor Girkin, is in jail awaiting trial on a charge of inciting extremist activity. Other possible candidates who have yet to declare include Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov and liberal Grigory Yavlinsky, both political veterans and serial election losers. 'NOT PUTIN' Undaunted, the Navalny camp has launched its campaign by simply urging Russians to vote against the incumbent. "We don't have our own candidate. We had a candidate, Navalny, and they refused to register him, tried to kill him and put him in prison. Now we have, so to speak, a collective candidate 'against Putin'," said Lyubov Sobol, a close Navalny associate who, like Volkov, is on an official list of "terrorists and extremists" and is now based outside Russia. Navalny's supporters cast him as a Russian version of South Africa's Nelson Mandela who will one day be freed from jail to lead the country. Russian authorities view Navalny and his supporters as extremists with links to Western intelligence agencies intent on trying to destabilise Russia. Putin has warned the West that any meddling inside Russia will be considered an act of aggression. The opposition is seeking volunteers from among the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled Russia since the start of the war and asking them to cold-call voters - ideally as many as 100 each, Sobol said in a telephone interview. Many people would be scared and put the phone down, but others could be persuaded to talk, she said. On its website NePutin (NotPutin).org, the Navalny team also calls for volunteers to spread videos and campaign messages online, and to stick up leaflets and scrawl graffiti in the streets - what Sobol described as "partisan" tactics. "Putin's task is to make sure these elections go as smoothly and calmly as possible, without any strain on the nerves. Our task is the opposite," she said. Within hours of parliament announcing the March 17 election last week, the Navalny camp had fired its first campaign shot. It posted photos on social media of giant blue billboards it had placed in major cities, with an innocent-looking new year greeting to Russians. Underneath was a QR code leading to the NotPutin website. The stunt showed the ingenuity of Navalny's tech-savvy team. But the impact was brief, as authorities took down the billboards and blocked access to the site. 'POINTS OF TENSION' The opposition has struggled in the past to present a united front between the Navalny camp and other prominent Putin opponents such as former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov. Volkov denied any split, saying all of them were appealing to the same audience. But from outside Russia, they face a huge task to mobilise people in a country where nearly 20,000 have been detained since Moscow's February 2022 invasion for protesting against the war in Ukraine. Sobol said opposition polling showed many people were dissatisfied with Putin but were afraid to speak out. She said it was precisely the degree of repression in Russia that showed that the authorities are worried. "We on the side of the opposition must create more points of tension for him," she said. "We must make problems for him and his regime, and agitate, put out counter-propaganda and tell the truth." (Reporting by Mark Trevelyan. Editing by Jane Merriman and Gareth Jones) A Chinese Coast Guard ship uses a water cannon against a Filipino resupply vessel heading towards the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, in the South China Sea, December 10, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS BEIJING/MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines and China traded accusations on Sunday over a collision of their vessels near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea as tensions over claims in the vital waterway escalate. The Philippine coast guard accused China of firing water cannons and ramming resupply vessels and a coast guard ship, causing "serious engine damage" to one, while China's coast guard said the Philippine vessel intentionally rammed its ship. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China's claims had no legal basis. Beijing and Manila have been playing cat-and-mouse around the uninhabited Second Thomas Shoal in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone when the Philippines deploys resupply missions for Filipino soldiers living aboard an aging warship deliberately run aground in 1999 to protect Manila's maritime claims. The shoal is part of what are known internationally as the Spratly Islands. On Saturday, the Philippines accused China of "illegal and aggressive actions" by China for firing water cannon at a civilian-operated government fishing vessel, a move Beijing called legitimate "control measures". In Sunday's incident, China's coast guard said in a statement that two Philippine vessels, ignoring repeated warnings, had "illegally entered the waters adjacent to Ren'ai Reef in the Nansha Islands without the approval of the Chinese government." It said the Unaizah Mae 1 "made an unprofessional and dangerous sudden turn, intentionally ramming into China Coast Guard vessel 21556." It said the Philippine side bore full responsibility. China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu called on the Philippines to stop its "provocative acts", saying China would continue to carry out "law-enforcement activities" in its waters. Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela posted on the social media platform X that the "M/L Kalayaan suffered serious engine damage. Contrary to China Coast Guard disinformation, UM1 rammed by CCG vessel." A Philippine government task force condemned "China's latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine" resupply mission. China's action "puts into question and significant doubt the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue", it said in a statement. The National Task Force-West Philippine Sea said a coast guard ship was towing the Kalayaan back to Palawan province and that coast guard vessel BRP Cabra had "suffered damage to its mast after being directly targeted by the full strength of the water cannon". U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson posted on X that China's "aggression undermines regional stability in defiance of a free and open Indo-Pacific". Around 200 Philippine fishermen, youth leaders and civil society groups have joined a Christmas mission to the area, organised by the Atin Ito ("This is ours"), a civilian-led network asserting the country's rights in the South China Sea. The group said on Sunday they have decided to cut short the journey and returned to El Nido town in Palawan province after the captain said it was "unsafe" to continue "due to the dangerous maneuvers conducted by several Chinese vessels". Earlier in the day, ten fishing boats have decided to pull out from the voyage due to safety concerns. (Reporting by Mikhail Flores, Colleen Howe and Eve Wu; Editing by William Mallard and Miral Fahmy) By Maria Caspani (Reuters) - Emergency crews worked on Sunday to check, clear and restore power to areas hard-hit by severe storms and tornadoes that claimed the lives of at least six people and left a trail of destruction in Tennessee this weekend. In the city of Clarksville in Montgomery County, one of the hardest-hit areas, the Red Cross set up a shelter at a local high school to offer assistance to people who may have been temporarily displaced by the tornadoes. Shelters were also opened in Nashville and its suburbs. "The road to recovery is going to take time and we ask that citizens who are not directly involved in search, rescue, or recovery efforts to avoid the impacted areas," the Clarksville Police Department said on its Facebook page on Sunday. "Emergency Crews are working as quickly as possible." More than 40,000 people in Tennessee were left without power as of Sunday morning, according to outage tracking website poweroutage.us. A car partly buried under a giant pile of rubble that used to be someone's home, collapsed roofs and blown-out windows: These were some of the dramatic images of the devastation caused by the Tennessee tornadoes. The six fatalities were reported by officials in Montgomery County and in Nashville. A toddler was one of the three victims of the storms in the Nashville area, police said, and 13 people in stable condition were transported to nearby hospitals. "Right now we're just trying to be with all those people who lost so much," Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden told ABC News. The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) in Nashville ended the severe weather threat for all middle Tennessee late on Saturday. The agency on Sunday said it was dispatching survey teams over the coming days to the hardest-hit communities to assess the path and strength of the tornadoes. "We have had six likely confirmed tornado tracks," NWS Corey Mueller told The Tennessean. "But they wont be confirmed until the survey team gets out there." (Reporting by Maria Caspani, Editing by Mark Porter) University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill testifies before a House Education and The Workforce Committee hearing titled "Holding Campus Leaders Accountable and Confronting Antisemitism" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 5, 2023. REUTERS/ By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill, who came under fire for her stance on antisemitism on campus, has resigned, the Ivy League school said on Saturday. Magill was one of three top university presidents who were criticized after they testified at a congressional hearing on Tuesday about a rise in antisemitism on college campuses following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October. She has agreed to stay on until an interim president is appointed, Scott Bok, chair of the Philadelphia-based university's board of trustees, said on Saturday in a statement posted on the university's website. Bok also stepped down. "I write to share that President Liz Magill has voluntarily tendered her resignation as President of the University of Pennsylvania," Bok said in the announcement released by the university. Magill will remain a tenured faculty member at the university's law school, Bok said. Magill, Harvard University President Claudine Gay, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth testified before a U.S. House of Representatives committee on Tuesday. As they tried to walk a line that protected freedom of speech, they declined to give a definitive "yes" or "no" answer to Republican Representative Elise Stefanik's question of whether calling for the genocide of Jews would violate their schools' codes of conduct regarding bullying and harassment. Calls for Magill's and Gay's resignations in particular mounted in the days after that testimony. Magill released a video on Wednesday in which she expressed regret, Gay apologized on Friday. Jewish students, families and alumni have accused the schools of tolerating antisemitism, especially in statements by pro-Palestinian demonstrators since the Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and killed around 1,200. That attack prompted a massive counterattack by Israel that has left over 17,700 Palestinians dead, according to the Gaza health ministry. "One down. Two to go. This is only the very beginning of addressing the pervasive rot of antisemitism that has destroyed the most 'prestigious' higher education institutions in America," Stefanik said on social media site X after Penn's announcement. She said Magill's resignation was the "bare minimum of what is required" and urged Harvard and MIT to take similar action. David Magerman, co-founder at Differential Ventures, a venture capital fund specializing in artificial intelligence, previously posted in a Oct. 15 letter on his LinkedIn account that he was a Penn alumnus and a major donor but was "deeply ashamed" of his association with the university and "refuse to donate another dollar to Penn." Magerman said late Saturday in an emailed response to a request for comment: "All of my philanthropy is going to support Israel in our war efforts and recovery. I will also be giving major gifts to Israeli universities and supporting education in Israel." Antisemitism and Islamophobia have risen sharply in the U.S. and elsewhere since October. Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. rose by about 400% in the two weeks after the Hamas attack on Israel, according to the Anti-Defamation League. The Council on American-Islamic Relations said this week that in the two months after the war began, incidents motivated by Islamophobia and bias against Palestinians and Arabs rose by 172% compared to the same period last year. Eyal Yakoby, a University of Pennsylvania student who has sued the school alleging insufficient response to antisemitism, said on CNN that Magill's resignation was one step toward a broader change at the university. "This has been something that myself and many alumni and fellow students, parents been working on for a while ... (but) this is just the first domino in a culture for many leaders including Chairman Bok who have allowed this to happen," Yakoby said. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; additional reporting by Ismail Shakil, Susan Heavey, Carolina Mandl and Megan Davies; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, Jonathan Oatis and Marguerita Choy) FILE PHOTO: Signage for Humana Inc. is pictured at a health facility in Queens, New York City, U.S., November 30, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo By Anirban Sen (Reuters) -U.S. health insurer Cigna has ended its attempt to negotiate an acquisition of rival Humana after the pair failed to agree on price, two sources familiar with the situation said on Sunday, as the company announced plans to buy back $10 billion worth of shares. A Cigna-Humana combination would have created a company with a value exceeding $140 billion, based on their market values, but was certain to attract fierce antitrust scrutiny. The discussions came six years after regulators blocked mega-deals that would have consolidated the U.S. health insurance sector. The deal talks ended due to the parties not being able to agree on price, two sources familiar with the situation said. There remains the possibility of a tie-up in the future, those sources said. Cigna, however, on Sunday announced plans to do an additional $10 billion in share repurchases, bringing total repurchases to $11.3 billion. Shares of Connecticut-based Cigna rose 12.1% to $290.07 in premarket trading on Monday. They are down roughly 22% this year, including a nearly 10% fall since late November after reports on deal talks with Humana. Humana's shares were up 2.3% in thin trading. "We believe Cigna's shares are significantly undervalued and repurchases represent a value-enhancing deployment of capital as we work to support high-quality care, improved affordability, and better health outcomes," Cigna Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David Cordani said in a statement. Cordani said the company would consider bolt-on acquisitions aligned with its strategy as well as "value-enhancing divestitures." Cigna is still exploring the sale of its Medicare Advantage business, which manages government health insurance for people aged 65 and older, the sources said. That move would mark a reversal of its expansion in the sector. Humana declined to comment, while Cigna did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the deal talks, which were earlier reported by the Wall Street Journal. CONSOLIDATION CHALLENGES A merger would have given the combined company more scale to rival bigger U.S. health insurance players UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health. Cigna and Humana, which have market values of $77 billion and $59 billion, respectively, currently have business overlap, concentrated in Medicare plans for older Americans. Humana's Medicare business is much bigger and more profitable than Cigna's. Reuters reported in November that Cigna was exploring the sale of its Medicare Advantage operations, whose performance has disappointed investors. This divestment could boost the chances of a combination with Humana surviving antitrust challenges, regulatory lawyers said. However, there have been antitrust concerns around the sector. After U.S. courts upheld antitrust challenges in 2017, Anthem -- now known as Elevance Health - gave up on a $48 billion deal to acquire Cigna. Losing the legal battle also caused Aetna -- now owned by pharmacy chain operator CVS Health CVS.N -- to abandon a $37 billion deal to acquire Humana. Craig Garthwaite, a healthcare economist at Northwestern University, said in November when news of the deal talks broke that he expected antitrust authorities to challenge the merger, but that a sale of Cigna's Medicare Advantage (MA) business would improve the deal's prospects. (Reporting by Manas Mishra and Juby Babu in Bengaluru and Anirban Sen in New York; Additional reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Megan Davies, Caroline Humer, Greg Roumeliotis, Sriraj Kalluvila, Bill Berkrot and Mark Porter) COLUMBIA, S.C. (Tribune News Service) A drill sergeant at Fort Jackson was found dead at the military base on Friday, the U.S. Army said. Staff Sgt. Allen M. Burtram, 34, with 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, was identified as the soldier who died, Army officials said in a news release. Unit members found Burtrams body shortly after he failed to report for work, according to the release. Fort Jackson Emergency Medical Services pronounced him dead after they arrived on base, Army officials said. Information about Burtrams cause of death was not available. The U.S. Armys Criminal Investigation Division has begun an investigation. Our hearts are with the family of Staff Sgt. Burtram during this extremely difficult time, Brig. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, Fort Jackson commanding general, said in the release. We are deeply saddened at the loss of one of our own. Fort Jackson personnel are providing support to the family and colleagues of Burtram, according to the release. He was the definition of discipline and an amazing drill sergeant. RIP, one person said on Facebook. In June, Army Sgt. Jaime Contreras died during a training exercise at Fort Jackson. Fort Jackson is the nations largest military basic training base, with more than 50,000 recruits assigned there each year. 2023 The State. Visit thestate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Waesche and crew spent 89 days patrolling more than 19,740 miles in the Eastern Pacific Ocean conducting law enforcement and search and rescue operations in international waters off Central and South America. Family and friends celebrate as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) crew returns to homeport in Alameda, Calif., Dec. 9, 2023. (Charly Tautfest/U.S. Coast Guard) Family and friends celebrate as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) crew returns to homeport in Alameda, Calif., Dec. 9, 2023. (Charly Tautfest/U.S. Coast Guard) Family and friends celebrate as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) crew returns to homeport in Alameda, Calif., Dec. 9, 2023. (Charly Tautfest/U.S. Coast Guard) Family and friends celebrate as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) crew returns to homeport in Alameda, Calif., Dec. 9, 2023. (Charly Tautfest/U.S. Coast Guard) Family and friends celebrate as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) crew returns to homeport in Alameda, Calif., Dec. 9, 2023. (Charly Tautfest/U.S. Coast Guard) Family and friends celebrate as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) crew returns to homeport in Alameda, Calif., Dec. 9, 2023. (Charly Tautfest/U.S. Coast Guard) On Thursday, the Waesche offloaded 18,219 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $239 million, in San Diego. Crews from the Waesche and the Coast Guard Cutter Active interdicted six suspected smuggling vessels while patrolling international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean over the last few weeks. Waesches crew was responsible for four interdictions, seizing 14,350 pounds of cocaine, and Actives crew was responsible for two interdictions, seizing 3,869 pounds of cocaine. Marine Corps veteran Craig Grossi with Fred, the stray dog he brought home from Afghanistan. (Andre Chung for The Washington Post) When Marine Corps veteran Craig Grossi gets out of his 2017 Toyota Tacoma truck after a long drive, his first instinct still is to open the back door and let Fred out. The stray dog that he met in a combat zone in Afghanistan and managed to sneak back to Virginia had been by his side since Grossi returned from that war in 2011. They had done everything together. While living in D.C., the two were inseparable. At bars, parties, classes, libraries, restaurants, you never saw one without the other. Later, the pair would drive in the truck to 49 states, and if you could drive to Hawaii, we would have gone there, too, Grossi said. But Fred no longer jumps out of the back door when Grossi opens it. The dog he credits with saving his life, restoring his soul after he returned from combat and introducing him to his wife and countless friends, died of cancer Nov. 22 at Grossis home in Maine. On the one hand, he lived 14 years, and we did incredible things together, Grossi, 40, said in an interview Friday. At the same time, I really do feel like we got robbed. He was so healthy, his eyesight, his bloodwork, everything. But thats just what cancer does. It just comes and rocks you. Grossi has always insisted that even though he brought Fred out of a war zone, it was the dog that saved him. His dog, he said, taught him to lean into problems, not run away from them. That was what motivated him to write Craig & Fred: A Marine, A Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other, a 2017 book that drew national attention, gained the pair a social media following and helped Grossi, who suffered a traumatic brain injury from an explosion in Afghanistan, spread the word about PTSD to assist veterans like him who were readjusting to life after the military. I didnt want to admit that I had been affected or changed by Afghanistan, Grossi told The Washington Post in 2017. But deep down I was really frustrated and really angry, and my brain had been rattled. And to go from combat operations to boardrooms and spreadsheets was really a kick in the gut. So coming home to Fred was what kept me going. In 2021, Grossi released Second Chances, a book about his experiences taking Fred to a state prison in Maine where he started a writing workshop with prisoners who had read his first book as part of their book club. I had a bad attitude about it at first, but I thought Fred will be this ball of light for them, and then we can leave, Grossi remembered. Instead, after the first meeting with the prisoners, Grossi remembers sitting in his car in the prison parking lot with Fred and crying. I was blown away by how wrong I was about that place and how hard those guys were working to improve themselves, he said. Grossi and Fred also teamed up to raise money for military families that had lost loved ones. Beginning in 2014, Grossi hosted an annual fundraiser at one of his favorite bars, the Pug on H Street NE, where he honored the memory of two of his comrades who died in Afghanistan. They donated the money to TAPS, a national nonprofit organization that provides care and resources for people grieving the deaths of loved ones who served in the military. The fundraiser has grown and now includes Grossis playing drums with a cover band, 50 Year Storm. This years event was to be held Saturday at Pearl Street Warehouse at the Wharf. Although the loss of his companion has been devastating, Grossi said he is still learning from his dog. The biggest lesson Fred taught me over the years is not to take time for granted, and thats really been hammered home, Grossi said. Its challenging, but I owe it to Fred to really meet that challenge and live the life that he would be so excited about. He wouldnt want me to stop doing all the things I did with him. For now, Grossi keeps Freds remains in a beautiful handmade wood box at home. He has thought about taking him on one more trip. Fred may make it to Hawaii after all. The home for Malaysian national Leonard Glenn Francis aka Fat Leonard is seen on in San Diego before he slipped his ankle bracelet and vanished on Sept. 4, 2022. The Fat Leonard case is considered one of the worst national-security breaches with Fat Leonard accused of bribing a large number of officers of the Navys 7th Fleet. (John Gastaldo/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Four defense attorneys submitted letters Friday to a San Diego federal judge suggesting the government has agreed to deals on lesser charges and in one case will grant a complete dismissal of charges with five military officers who previously pleaded guilty to more serious offenses in connection with the U.S. Navys Fat Leonard bribery and corruption scandal. The deals, if accurate as described in the letters, would seem to represent further crumbling of the massive, high-profile prosecution, which has been marred in recent years by prosecutorial misconduct and the escape of Leonard Glenn Francis, its key figure and the mastermind behind the worst corruption scheme in the Navys history. In September, the U.S. Attorneys Office admitted to serious issues with the case and prosecution errors involving evidence. In that same hearing, U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino called the governments conduct outrageous. Sammartino previously ruled a prosecutor committed flagrant misconduct by withholding information from defense lawyers. Submitted Friday by attorneys for three other Navy officers who had already been sentenced, the letters one of which was particularly scathing in its accusations against the U.S. Attorneys Office claim prosecutors have made a deal to dismiss all charges against former Navy Cmdr. Stephen Shedd, who previously pleaded guilty to two bribery charges. The defense attorneys wrote that Shedd, one of the key witnesses last year in the cases only trial, perjured himself while on the stand. They also claim the perjury was committed at the behest of prosecutors who are now dismissing Shedds charges in order to cover up the extent of their trial misconduct. U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath, who took over the office in October, said in a statement: As in every case, the United States will respond in court with civility. Shedds attorney declined to comment or confirm that a dismissal agreement had been reached. The letters submitted Friday represented a remarkable step by their authors, all longtime defense attorneys who said theyd never before taken such drastic actions. I have been involved in other cases in which I believed cooperators provided false evidence or testimony, and my clients and I have never before sought to be heard with respect to the disposition of those cooperators cases, Todd Burns, attorney for former Navy Capt. James Dolan, wrote. But the Shedd situation is a bridge too far. The accusations in the letters also offered the latest twist in a case that for years seemed to be sailing smoothly. Beginning in 2013, prosecutors charged more than 30 people in connection with the scandal, racking up guilty pleas and prison sentences along the way. The government alleged that between at least 2006 and 2014, Francis nicknamed for his girth showered gifts of fancy meals, prostitutes, high-end hotel rooms and other perks on Navy officers. In exchange, they did his bidding, providing ship schedules for the Navys Seventh Fleet and steering Navy ships to ports around Southeast Asia where Francis and his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, could then gouge the Navy on services to the tune of at least $35 million. Francis and more than two-dozen others had pleaded guilty by early 2022, when Dolan and four other officers went on trial. Thats when cracks started to show. The jury convicted four of the defendants Dolan, former Cmdr. Mario Herrera and former Capts. David Newland and David Lausman but deadlocked on charges against retired Rear Adm. Bruce Loveless. The trial was interrupted by an extraordinary three-day long hearing aimed at getting to the bottom of prosecutorial misconduct claims. Sammartino later ruled it wasnt enough to throw out the case, but she found Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Pletcher committed flagrant misconduct by willfully withholding information from defendants and misrepresenting that information to the court. A few months after the trial ended, Francis fled the luxury San Diego home where he was on house arrest, ending up in Venezuela, where he was captured. Its believed he remains in custody there. After the trial, attorneys for the four convicted officers spent more than a year arguing for either a new trial or complete dismissals of their cases. Prosecutors spent several months preparing written responses to those motions, which ultimately were never filed. In September, prosecutors dismissed the felony convictions against the four and resolved their cases with misdemeanor pleas instead, with no punishment other than $100 fines. Now it appears four other officers who pleaded guilty to bribe-taking felonies before the trial will similarly be sentenced on reduced misdemeanor charges. Retired Chief Warrant Officer Robert Gorsuch, former Capt. Donald Hornbeck, former Cmdr. Jose Sanchez and retired Marine Col. Enrico Rick DeGuzman were each set to be sentenced on felony bribery charges in either January or February. But on Friday, their sentencing hearings were pushed up to Dec. 20. The filings indicated that, contrary to what was previously scheduled, the sentencing hearings will go forward without pre-sentence reports by probation officers a key signal that they now face lesser charges without potential jail time. Attorneys for the four men did not respond to phone and email messages Friday. In his letter to the judge Friday, Burns said there was nothing objectionable about those dispositions for Gorsuch, DeGuzman and Hornbeck, who did not testify at trial. Those three men were also victims of the prosecutors misconduct, he wrote. Burns called on Sammartino to investigate Shedds deal, writing that referring to him as a cooperator ... doesnt do justice to Shedds rampant dishonesty and trial perjury. Burns wrote in the letter he believes the government cut a deal with Shedd over concerns Shedd would expose more prosecutor misconduct. The governments decision to dismiss Shedd is morally and legally backwards, Burns wrote. Burns accusations did not seem outlandish to the attorneys of his clients co-defendants. Later Friday, three other attorneys representing Newland and Lausman submitted letters concurring with Burns. Like Mr. Burns, I firmly believe that the proposed deal for Mr. Shedd is another attempt by the Government to avoid further public scrutiny of their outrageous conduct in this case, wrote Joseph Mancano, Newlands attorney. Therefore, I ask the Court to reject any agreement to dismiss all charges against Mr. Shedd, an admitted traitor to our country. Laura Schaefer and Robert Boyce, attorneys for Lausman, sent the third letter, writing that the governments actions in this case will inevitably result in public mistrust of the justice system. The governments decision cannot withstand scrutiny, they wrote. (W)e request the Court reject the governments deal with Mr. Shedd and conduct an inquiry. As of now, Shedd has a sentencing hearing scheduled for March. 2023 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Grimm, watches as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104), the Republic of Korea Navys Sejong the Great (DDG 991), the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces JS Kirisame (DD 104) sail together during a trilateral maritime exercise on Nov. 26, 2023. (Charles J. Scudella III /U.S. Navy ) (Tribune News Service) This week in Honolulu a top U.S. official revealed that warships from the American, Japanese and South Korean navies were in position in November watching closely as the North Korean military launched its first spy satellite into space. This week in Honolulu a top U.S. official revealed that warships from the American, Japanese and South Korean navies were in position in November watching closely as the North Korean military launched its first spy satellite into space. Adm. John Aquilino, top commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, told attendees at the 10th annual Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance Night dinner at The Royal Hawaiian hotel Tuesday that while the Nov. 21 launch was highly publicized, what you didnt know was Adm. (Samuel ) Paparo pushed forward an Aegis destroyer, along with an ROK destroyer and a Japanese destroyer, and that force was in place in advance of that launch should it have been an intercontinental ballistic missile or some form of threat to the Republic of Korea, the United States or Japan. Aquilino said the move was based on Adm. Pa paros assessment that the intelligence was there for a launch, and that we ought to be in place to defend our nations and that immediately following that, he executed a trilateral maritime event with the (aircraft carrier ) USS Carl Vinson and ships from the ROK and the Japanese navies, put in place visually in order to deter any potential further actions from (North Korean leader ) Kim Jong Un. Paparo is commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and has been appointed by President Joe Biden to succeed Aquilino as top commander in the Pacific. He has played a key role in promoting trilateral cooperation among the U.S., South Korea and Japanwhich has been a major priority for U.S. officials in both Washington and Honolulu amid tensions in the Pacific. The U.S. condemned the satellite launch as a brazen violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718, which was passed shortly after North Koreas first successful nuclear test in October 2006, bans North Korea from launching ballistic missiles or carrying out further nuclear tests. The U.S. and other countries that condemned the launch of the satellite contended that the North Korean military had used missile technology to launch the satellite, and is using the launch to further develop weapons. But North Korea has for its part accused the U.S. and South Korea of hypocrisy after the South Korean military successfully launched its first indigenous-built spy satellite in the United States with the help of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Californias Vandenberg Space Force Base on Dec. 1. The South Korean government has a contract with SpaceX to launch five spy satellites by 2025. Pyongyangs official state-run Korean Central News Agency on Monday quoted a spokesperson for North Koreas National Aerospace Technology Administration asserting that it is a space-level tragicomedy that the U.S., going frantic with illegal denunciation and sanctions moves over the exercise of (North Koreas ) sovereignty, has shown behavior based on double standards by launching a spy satellite of the Republic of Korea in a shameless manner. Aquilino said the joint deployment of the warships underscored that talk of cooperation between countries is not just words. Relations between South Korea and Japan have been historically uneasy. Japan subjected the Korean Peninsula to brutal colonial rule until 1945, and though today the two countries militaries train together and trade relations are strong, many Koreans still distrust their former occupiers. But increased concerns about North Koreas missile program have pushed Tokyo and Seoul closer together. In 2022, North Korea launched 95 ballistic and other missilesmore than any previous yeareven as it faces harsh sanctions. Launches have continued this year at a slower pace with 25 launches, the most recent in April. North Korean officials have stated that the launches are in response to aggression by the United States, South Korea and Japan and have pledged to continue developing their arsenal. Common threats are helping Korea and Japan overcome a long and complicated history, Pa paro told the Star-Advertiser in 2022. The United States bilateral alliances with each makes the United States very much key interlocutors for each and is a catalyst for the continued partnership that were seeing. Souring relations with China have also led South Korea and Japan to cooperate more closely. Both countries are among those that have had tense disagreements with China over maritime territorial and navigation rights in disputed waters off their shores. Tokyo and Seoul also have expressed concern over boiling tensions over territorial and navigation rights in the South China Sea, a busy waterway that more than a third of all international trade moves through. China claims the entire sea as its own sovereign territory over the objections of its neighbors. The establishment of blockades or the breakout of conflict in the South China Sea could potentially shut down commercial shipping and send shock waves through the global economy. In 2022, the speaker of the ROK National Assembly, Kim Jin-pyo, told the Star-Advertiser, We have to ensure the free navigation of maritime paths in the Pacific Ocean, including the Taiwan Strait, and I believe that cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region has to be expanded in the future. While the relationship between Seoul and Beijing has become strained, South Korean officials tend to tread carefully when discussing China publicly. South Korea, once a major recipient of foreign aid, now has the worlds 10th-largest economy, and business with Chinathe countrys No. 1 trading partnerhas been key to its economic growth. But business with the U.S. has also been important. During remarks at the Alliance Night dinner, South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong said that America should soon overtake China as our No. 1 export partner and that Korea companies have invested or committed to more than $100 billion in the U.S. over the last two years, making America the No. 1 destination for Korean investors. According to the most recent data from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, South Korea is now Hawaiis No. 1 source of international imports as of 2022 and its No. 4 export market. Thats up from being Hawaiis No. 2 export source and No. 6 export market in 2021. Cho flew from Washington to Honolulu to meet with military officials like Aquilino and Paparo as well as to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the formal alliance between Washington and Seoul and the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants in Americawho arrived in Hawaii as plantation workers. (c)2023 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Its official name is the United Nations 28th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, or COP28 for short. Given the news from the two-week gathering in the desert near Dubai, however, a better name might be Shifting Sands, Shifting Blame. For example, A staggering 88,000 people are accredited to attend the meeting, noted Barrons on Dec. 4, with another 400,000 registered to visit (its) green zone. How do half a million people traveling to an isolated emirate on the edge of a Middle Eastern desert resemble anything close to green? Barrons wondered the same thing. It titled its story on the inbound swarm of climate-change pilgrims COP 28: Trying To Save The Planet In Disneyland Crowds. Since Dubai is 3,500 miles from London, almost everyone attending COP will arrive by air and many too many will arrive by private jet. Thats not a guess because at COP27 in Egypt last year, reported the website The Conversation, around 315 private jet journeys took place. Most solo flyers were leaders in either politics or members of the wink, wink Do As I Say, Not As I Do Club. Many are members of both, of course. For example, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, former British prime minister David Cameron, and Great Britains King Charles each arrived on their own private aircraft despite the fact that from London to Dubai, private jet travel is 11 times more polluting than a commercial aircraft, explained the one news service. Each stepped off their carbon-burning magic carpet in time for (m)ore than two-thirds of the nations in the world, explained FERNs Ag Insider, representing ... 70 percent of global food production, (to sign) a declaration assigning agriculture and food systems a role in combating global warming. While todays heavily industrialized crop, livestock and poultry sectors (and their transnational corporate suppliers) have many environmental sins to atone for, making ag into a climate-change bogeyman is convenient buck-passing. At least thats what the UN says on its climate change webpage: Fossil fuels coal, oil, and gas are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions. Big Ag, however, is striving to live up to its dirtier relatives. As previously reported, one of its newest efforts centers on a network of definitely not-green pipelines carrying pressurized CO2 from Midwestern ethanol plants to North Dakotas frac oil fields to enhance crude oil recovery. An even bigger hope is for ethanol to become a green, go-to aviation fuel. The cost for airlines to scrub their carbon-streaked reputation with this sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, however, reported the Nov. 30 New York Times, is potentially further damaging one of the nations more important resources: groundwater. This ag-based SAF idea is far from new. In 2008, British billionaire Richard Branson flew a Virgin Atlantic jetliner from London to Amsterdam using fuel derived in part from palm oil and coconuts. Branson labeled the trip sustainable; critics labeled him nuts because had he used 100% coconut oil for the short, 220-mile flight, it would have consumed three million coconuts. In late November, Virgin Atlantic tried again with the worlds first 100% SAF flight from London to New York. This time the jetliners SAF was cooking oil. Again, however, while the fuel might be considered sustainable, the math behind it was definitely finite. If every last drop of the 600,000 tons of used cooking oil collected in the U.S. each year were diverted to SAFs, two British economists calculated, it would meet at most 1% of Americas current aviation demand. Back at COP28, the president of Colombia, whose economy is based primarily on fossil fuel exports, offered a better, truly green idea: stop the expansion of coal, oil, and gas and reorient his nation away from such poisons. Wow, no hot air; how breathtakingly and breath-giving simple. Counties with the most farmland in Nebraska Counties with the most farmland in Nebraska #25. Valley #24. South Sioux #23. Chase #22. Boone #21. Rock #20. Antelope #19. Dundy #18. Garden #17. Buffalo #16. Brown #15. Dawson #14. Perkins #13. Keith #12. Knox #11. Red Willow #10. Kimball #9. Cheyenne #8. Morrill #7. Box Butte #6. Sheridan #5. Dawes, North Sioux #4. Holt #3. Custer #2. Lincoln #1. Cherry The Battleship New Jersey, is seen in Camden, on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Dave Hernandez/TNS) (Tribune News Service) The Battleship New Jersey museum could be towed from the Camden waterfront to a dry dock on the Delaware River in February for maintenance that is expected to take at least two months to ensure the viability of the more than 80-year-old ship, according to an update on the project. The Battleship is still working on scheduling the dry docking of the ship for preventive maintenance, Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial public relations coordinator Jack Willard told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday. As of now, its looking like we may dry dock in mid-February, but this is not confirmed yet. The organization announced the maintenance plan in August to move the 887-foot ship across the river to the Navy Yard in Philadelphia. The maintenance work will be done where the Iowa-class battleship was built, Dry Dock Number 3. Gov. Phil Murphy announced $5 million in funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission to contribute to the ships reconditioning in August. The total cost of the project is expected to be $10 million. Some of the work includes removing marine growth on the hull, repainting the hull, inspecting the through-hull openings and the ships zinc anodes. The Big J, as it is also known hasnt been repainted or dry docked in 20 years. Willard said Wednesday that the Home Port Alliance received money from Camden County for the dry docking, but the nonprofit still needed to fundraise to close the budget gap. New Jersey is rich with many historical sites that have shaped our prominent history, including the Battleship New Jersey, which saw many victories in her heyday, said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in a press release on Aug. 2. The ship also received a $4 million new deck, a massive undertaking to rip up the old teak boards and replace them. Willard said Wednesday that the Home Port Alliance continues to fundraise in order to cover the rest of the vessels reconditioning, a sum he said was roughly $2 million Wednesday. We are still fundraising to support the dry dock program, Willard said. We are planning on several events and initiatives surrounding the dry dock to raise money for this project. The USS New Jersey is one of the most decorated battle ships in U.S. military history with over 19 battle stars and five decades of service. The ship was built from 1940 to 1943 and served in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and several other conflicts around the world before its retirement in 1991. The ship was donated to the Home Port Alliance on Oct. 15, 2001 and has been docked along the Camden waterfront for 22 years serving as a museum. The ship is typically open for self-guided tours everyday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided tours are also available. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit nj.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Last month, American flags lined streets, parades made their way through small towns, and leaders attended ceremonies to honor our nations veterans. In a country that values military service, I never thought that my own service would disqualify me when applying for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. But, to my surprise, this is exactly what I encountered when I applied for Chapter 35 benefits to help fund my graduate degree. My dad, Col. Phil Bossert, served in the Air Force for 28 years. He went on to become a command pilot flying over 3,900 hours, including combat operations in Panama and Kuwait. In November 2001, he deployed to Afghanistan and led one of the first units in response to the 9/11 terror attacks. During his third and final deployment to Afghanistan in 2012, he was medically evacuated to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Md., where he was diagnosed with stage IV brain cancer as a result of exposure to toxic burn pits while flying missions during the Global War on Terror. He passed away a year later. I was in my second year at the Air Force Academy. Ten years later as a captain in the Air Force, I applied for Chapter 35 benefits to help fund my graduate studies. Chapter 35 benefits provide education assistance to dependents affected by war, such as spouses and children of service members killed in the line of duty, permanently disabled, or who died due to service-related injuries. Although I am entitled to these benefits due to my fathers service, I am disqualified from receiving them due to my own service. Current restrictions set by the VA bar active-duty spouses and children from receiving these benefits who may otherwise qualify. Instead, these service members must leverage Tuition Assistance or Chapter 33 Benefits (the GI Bill) to cover the cost of higher education. According to the Department of Education, the average cost of attending a private four-year institution rose by 14% between 2011 and 2021. The average amount of grants or scholarships rarely covers these expenses. Dependents of service members who elect to use their GI Bill benefits forfeit the opportunity to transfer these benefits to their dependents. While service members can currently leverage several programs to help fund this increased demand for education, a select few are barred from receiving full benefits due to current restrictions. It is worth noting that despite the current service-wide recruiting crisis, children of service members continue to make up a good portion of recruits. Children who lost a parent in combat or from service-related injuries, like myself, are still likely to follow in their parents footsteps and are thus more likely to be disadvantaged by this current restriction. Chapter 35 benefits provide dependents $1,488 per month for a maximum of 45 months or a total of $66,960. According to the Department of Defense Casualty Analysis System, 5,461 service members died in combat during Overseas Contingency Operations beginning in October 2001. Hypothetically, if each service member had an active-duty spouse and two children who chose to also serve their country thereby qualifying for Chapter 35 benefits it would cost the VA $1.10 billion to extend these benefits, or 0.34% of the 2024 requested budget. Of note, the 2024 budget was a 5.4% increase above the fiscal year 2023 enacted levels. During his recent confirmation hearing, Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that the military will need strategically minded warfighters who can demonstrate critical thinking skills and requisite knowledge to be successful in great power competition. Similarly, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall announced that advanced degrees would be visible to certain promotion boards, noting that the shift to strategic competition will require an increased level of knowledge We must also have leaders with expertise in the cultures of our potential adversaries. Such expertise and associated critical thinking skills are developed from many sources and experiences, including advanced academic degree programs. The secretary of veteran affairs should act now to lift the restriction and extend VA Chapter 35 benefits to active-duty spouses and children who qualify for these entitlements. Dependents of service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice should not be penalized for their continued service, especially at a time when the military and national security environment demand critical thinking developed through higher education. Capt. Stephanie Bossert is an information operations officer in the Air Force, 2016 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and graduate student at Duke Universitys Sanford School of Public Policy. The views and opinions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense. A pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik shows Russias President Vladimir Putin attending a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince in Riyadh on Dec. 6, 2023. (Sergei Savostyanov, Pool photo, AFP via Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at length on Sunday as tensions between the two leaders mount over the Israel-Hamas war and Russias growing ties with Iran. In a 50-minute call, Netanyahu strongly criticized the dangerous cooperation between Russia and Iran and expressed his displeasure with Moscow taking sides against Israel at the United Nations and other international bodies, according to a statement from the prime ministers office. The prime minister emphasized that any country that would suffer a criminal terrorist attack such as Israel experienced would act with no less force, according to the statement. Relations between Russia and Israel have come under strain since Hamas attacked southern Israeli communities from Gaza on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 240. Israel has said Iran bears some responsibility because it has trained and funded Hamas militants. Russias president has criticized Israels retaliatory airstrikes and ground offensive on Gaza. The health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave says they have killed more than 17,000 people, a figure that Israel disputes. Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union. On Friday, the U.S. vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution, backed by Russia, calling for a cease-fire in the Palestinian territory. The pressure reflects international concern about the civilian toll of Israels military operation. Russias readout said Sundays call focused on the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, but didnt mention Netanyahus exasperation with Putin. Putin reaffirmed his position of rejection and condemnation of terrorism in all its manifestations, the Kremlin said. At the same time, it is extremely important that countering terrorist threats does not lead to such severe consequences for the civilian population. Israels fight spreads into Syria and poisons ties with Russia The Kremlin and Israel are also cooperating less over their military activities in Syria, where Israel is stepping up strikes against Iran-supported militias moving close to the Israeli border. Putins partnership with Iran a country committed to Israels destruction has deepened since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and became the subject of a mass of U.S. and European sanctions. Moscow regularly uses Iranian-made drones in Ukraine, according to the White House. Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu said hed spoken with both German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron this weekend, and pushed back against their calls for a de-escalation in Gaza. I told them that it is impossible to support the elimination of Hamas on the one hand, while on the other pressing us to end the war, which would prevent the elimination of Hamas, Netanyahu said. Scholzs office said the German leader had emphasized the need to protect civilians, improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and prevent the conflict from spreading to other parts of the Middle East. With assistance from Stefan Nicola. 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Nebraska Public Media General Manager/CEO Mark Leonard will retire from the statewide public media network in June. Leonard, who took the position in 2013, is only the third general manager in the 70-year history of the organization that operates and creates programming for the states public television and public radio networks. In his 10 years, NPM has won more than 300 regional honors, 51 national awards and 15 Heartland Emmy Awards for excellence in television broadcast. Under Leonards leadership, NPM created the television news series Speaking of Nebraska, established the Nebraska Public Media Labs, a research and development department that collaborates with University of Nebraska-Lincoln students studying at the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts, and was instrumental in the implementation of a Corporation for Public Broadcasting grant to improve public safety in tornado-prone areas. Leonard recently led the creation of a five-year strategic plan for the network. The plan included the hiring of a chief operating officer to provide management, leadership and vision, ensuring that Nebraska Public Medias internal strategies and goals will be successfully implemented. Our new strategic plan offers a roadmap for the next generation of leaders at Nebraska Public Media," Leonard said in a news release announcing his retirement. Wise investments and detailed planning for the future have set the network on an excellent path forward. I am confident Nebraska Public Media is positioned to continue its 70-year tradition of excellence in serving viewers and listeners across the state. The search for Leonards successor will begin in 2024. Top Journal Star photos for December 2023 Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir has proceeded on an official visit to the USA. This is the army chiefs first trip to the States since assuming office. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), during his visit, General Asim Munir is scheduled to meet senior military and other government officials of America. Just three days ago, the COAS had said that the Pakistan Army would continue to undertake its selfless and sacred duty of safeguarding every inch of the motherland till the last drop of blood. The army chief said this during his visit to Peshawar where he was given a detailed briefing on the overall security situation, the ongoing counter-terrorism operations, repatriation of illegal foreigners and socio-economic developments in the newly merged districts. "Pakistan is destined to succeed and the Pakistan Army will continue to undertake its selfless and sacred duty of safeguarding every inch of the motherland till the last drop of blood, InshaAllah, he stressed. In order to clear the air, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) President Abdul Aleem Khan Saturday categorically rejected reports claiming that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured a political alliance after landing a seat adjustment deal with Jahangir Tareen-led party. A day earlier, reports circulated that PML-N had succeeded in striking a seat adjustment deal with the IPP for the upcoming polls slated to be held on February 8, 2024. The reports emerged after PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif met IPP patron-in-chief Tarin on Thursday at the former's Model Town residence in Lahore. In a recent interview, Aleem said that the Shehbaz had visited ailing Tareen to inquire about his health earlier, and later, the IPP supreme leader met the PML-N president. However, he noted that the matter related to seat adjustment was not discussed in the meeting. Terming the sittings as goodwill meetings, the IPP leader said that these were not agenda-based meetings. Aleem clarified that the partys 30-member central executive committees nod is required for agenda meetings. However, sources privy to the matter told Geo News that a six-member committee has been formed to execute the seat adjustment deal between the two parties for the upcoming polls. The committee includes PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Khawaja Saad Rafique, while Aun Chaudhry, Ishaq Khan Khakwani, and Nauman Langrial would represent the IPP, the sources added. As political parties go into electioneering mode ahead of upcoming polls, PML-N is making all-out efforts to come into power. Last month, the party succeeded in wooing more than 30 key political figures from Balochistan to join its ranks ahead of the polls. The party also struck an agreement with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan to jointly contest the February 8 elections PML-N's wave of alliances comes amid allegations from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Peoples Party, who have been voicing concerns about being denied a level playing field and the absence of equal opportunities for parties. Man has been intimidating children into a life of crime and extorting their families Guns and drugs that were taken from The Family Gardai investigating serious drug-related intimidation by a west Dublin organised crime gang have arrested three people in an operation which senior sources have described as highly significant. The main target of the operation, a 25-year-old criminal who is a key player in the Blanchardstown-based gang along with two young women who are very well known to him, were arrested during searches in Co Meath and west Dublin on Friday morning. The three were still being questioned last night by specialist officers and detained under anti-gangland legislation. Armed garda units as well as the dog unit were involved in Fridays arrest and search operation at properties in Dunboyne, Co Meath and Dublin 15. Senior sources say that evidence of money laundering was discovered and this is the main focus of the detention of the two women, who are aged 22 and 45 . However, the 25-year-old male has been a long-term target for gardai, who have been investigating a Blanchardstown-based organised crime gang which is led by two brothers aged in their 20s. Guns and drugs that were taken from The Family The gang was previously involved in a bitter feud in the Corduff area of the city, which spiralled out of control in 2019 with numerous violent incidents. It has now emerged they have embarked on a new separate dispute with the drugs trafficking gang nicknamed The Family whose base is the Clondalkin and Ballyfermot areas of Dublin. Sources say that the male suspect arrested on Friday is one of the main operators in the gangs campaign of intimidation against innocent people in Dublin 15 and surrounding areas. As part of their detailed investigations into the gangs intimidation tactics, two people have already been charged before the courts. But the arrest on Friday of the 25-year-old is considered the most significant development yet in the long-running investigation by officers from the Dublin Metropolitan Region West division. What this individual is suspected of engaging in is a very nasty type of crime that is literally destroying communities. It is a form of extortion and racketeering, a senior source explained. The organised crime gang are targeting children, some as young as 16 years of age, and getting them to deal drugs for them. What has happened on a number of occasions is that the gang then stage a robbery where the drugs are taken from the young person and they are then in debt to the criminal organisation. This debt is then taxed, which means it is increased, and the innocent parents of these victims are then targeted. In recent times in the Blanchardstown area we have seen petrol poured into the letter boxes of the homes of innocent families and vehicles been set alight in their driveways because of the debt that their child has built up. These families often feel that they have no one to turn to they are living in complete terror and hopelessness. But it should be noted, that arrests like this show that gardai are taking drug-related intimidation and the violence associated with it extremely seriously, the source said. It can be revealed that in this particular strand of the investigation gardai have identified around 15 separate victims who have been allegedly terrorised by the male in custody this weekend. Sources say that key evidence was discovered on a device which led to Friday mornings arrest operation. These cases are very difficult in the sense that gardai often have to seek out the victims who are living in fear but investigators would like to appeal to people to come forward if they are suffering intimidation, the source pointed out. More arrests are expected in the investigation into the west Dublin-based crime gang, who are making tens of thousands of euro a week in profits from drug dealing and debt collecting. A cash sum of around 4,000 was seized in Fridays arrest operation, but a source said that this is just the tip of the iceberg and many more arrests are expected as gardai attempt to tackle the violent gang that is attempting to expand its turf into the capitals southside. This is the reason why it has led them into conflict with The Family, in what could develop into the countrys newest gangland feud, sources say. Drug related intimidation is a massive problem across the country and every garda district has a specialist inspector assigned to deal with the issue. In recent months there has been a number of prosecutions before the courts in relation to the crime particularly in north Dublin. Some sources have expressed disappointment about the leniency of suspended sentences that were handed down in a recent case at Dublin Circuit Court where two teenagers terrorised and intimidated a woman whose child had racked up a drug debt. This involved a separate gang who are based in the Kilbarrrack area of the city and not the Dublin 15 mob who were the subject of Fridays arrest operation. Escaped gangster ran multi-million drug supply route for Limerick mob A fugitive Limerick drug dealer and a key player in an outfit responsible for smuggling cocaine into Ireland has been sentenced to 25 years in prison in the UK. Anthony Terry was described the UKs National Crime Agency (NCA) as the kingpin of the outfit, which provided the transport service to underworld drugs gangs. He went on the run from Limerick Prison in 2006, just weeks after he received a four-year sentence for trafficking 40,000 of cannabis in the city. When arrested with the 10kgs of cannabis in 2005, Terry told gardai he had been forced to move the drugs after a dealer had threatened to rape his wife and teenage daughter. Since doing a runner from Limerick University Hospital where he had been brought by prison staff Terry had been using a property in Wolverhampton linked to Drugs from Terrys drug shipments Limericks McCarthy mob, according to Sunday World sources. The NCAs operation against his network smashed what was believed to be major drugs supply route for the Limerick-based McCarthy crime clan. Detectives tracked major shipments from The Netherlands to the UK and Ireland worth a total of 3 million through his network of drivers. Terrys time on the run came to end in February 2021 when he was caught with 1.8 million worth of cocaine in Belfast after police cracked the gangs encrypted phone service. Omar Khan He was serving 18 years for that stash when he got another 25-year-sentence this week which will run concurrently. His gangs movements were traced by the NCA in 2020 and 2021 after their encrypted Encrochat phones were hacked by police. Terry was identified as the leader who directed two drivers to smuggle drugs in concealed vehicles from mainland Europe into Ireland. One of Terrys drivers, 62-year-old Michael Collis, travelled to the Hook of Holland near Rotterdam Port between July and September 2020 to collect a drugs shipment. Investigators then tracked his movements back to England and through Belfast before he distributed the drug shipment to the Limerick-based crime gang. In April 2020, the same driver collected an estimated 1.2m worth of cocaine in the Netherlands before he travelled to Wicklow to hand over 5.5kg of the drug, with a street value of just under 400,000. The Encrochats also revealed Collis had delivered around 8kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of 560,000, to dealers at an unknown location in Ireland. Some of the seized drugs Two other drivers, Joshpal Singh Kothiria (34), from Wolverhampton, and Mohammed Omar Khan (39), from Birmingham, were used to supply the drugs to customers in the United Kingdom or export them to the Republic of Ireland. From there, the drugs were ~ divided up and, while Khan made deliveries to Luton and Slough, Collis travelled to the Republic to hand over the remaining amount in Co. Wicklow. At the same time, Terry sent Kothiria to East London to collect 10kgs of cannabis and a vacuum-packing machine, which were brought back to the West Midlands in the UK where the drugs were packed before being taken to Co. Leitrim. A few weeks later, Collis picked up 18kg of cocaine in the Netherlands and subsequently delivered 10kg to dealers in the UK before taking the rest to Ireland. The last drug run captured on Encrochat occurred between May 26 and June 3, 2020. During those exchanges, Terry discussed a cannabis delivery and Kothiria was sent to pick up the load from Leicestershire and take it to the Republic. The drugs were transported to Northern Ireland by ferry before being driven across the country to be dropped off in Ireland. NCA officers Gardai worked closely with NCA officers and colleagues from the Police Service of Northern Ireland to track Kothirias movements. NCA Branch Commander Mick Pope said this week: These criminals were determined to smuggle drugs into the UK and onwards to the Republic of Ireland. They did not care about the geography of their crimes when in pursuit of pure profit. They used the road and ferry networks to take their drugs across the Irish Sea, hoping to avoid detection by taking advantage of the Common Travel Area and border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. This case demonstrates perfectly how the NCA works with partners to tackle cross-border threats between the UK and Ireland, and we will continue do all we can to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups impacting on local communities, he added. I didnt know anyone lived there and I was busting, claims man who urinated through door Brady tries to explain himself to our man Cameron Brady apologised profusely when the Sunday World spoke with him at his Ballycastle home this week This is the shame-faced letterbox leaker who urinated through the postbox of a house and then attacked the irate homeowner for daring to complain. Cameron Brady was fined 500 (582) earlier this week for the shocking incident which saw him pee through the door of a home in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim two months ago. When a man who lived in the house came out to remonstrate, Brady started wildly swinging punches at him with his genitals still on full display. When the Sunday World caught up with him this week, he thankfully not only had his trousers on but he was also extremely apologetic. I was really drunk and I really dont remember much about what happened, he told us from the doorstep of his home in Whitehall Place, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim. I didnt know anyone lived there. I thought it was just an alleyway and I was busting to go to the toilet. Next thing I know theres this man coming out the door going completely mad at me. I shouldnt have attacked him, but I was drunk and cant remember. Cameron Brady The 29-year-old says he cant explain why he was peeing through a letterbox rather than just up against a wall. Look, I cant remember why that happened. Im really sorry for what happened it was a moment of madness. I just want to put this behind me and move on with my life. Sentencing Brady at Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday, District Judge Peter King told the defendant: Sometimes there are cases that leave me completely and utterly at a loss. The only possible explanation is gross intoxication that has left you completely humiliated and rightly so. The court was told Brady had pleaded guilty to damaging a mat, indecent behaviour and common assault on October 5 this year. It was also heard how police had been called following a report that a drunk male had urinated through the door of a property in Victoria Street, Ballymoney, soiling the carpet. When the rightly outraged householder confronted Brady, his jeans were open and his penis was on display, said a prosecuting lawyer, adding that the defendant threw several punches before falling and then getting back on his feet and throwing more punches. Defence solicitor Derwin Harvey said Brady was extremely intoxicated, adding: He had no comprehension of what he was doing. He went down a side lane and there was a doorway; he didnt know anyone lived there it was not his intention to foul a residence. The occupier came out and Mr Brady came off the worst in this encounter. None of his punches connected with the injured party. Mr Brady was absolutely intoxicated and is humiliated, conceded the solicitor. Imposing the fine, District Judge King told Brady the damage to his reputation would be worse than any punishment that the courts could give. And we can report Brady is now infamous across the world after the bizarre and shocking story was taken up and translated by online news pages in French and Spanish. Bradys not the first person to land himself in an Ulster court after relieving himself through a letterbox. Brady tries to explain himself to our man Six years ago, delivery driver David Camblin, from Tandragee, Co. Armagh, pleaded guilty at Fermanagh Magistrates Court for urinating and performing sex acts in a letterbox in Monea. The homeowner was suspicious after finding a puddle on his inside doormat and thought he had a leak. He installed a CCTV camera to identify the culprit and footage showed a delivery van pulling up outside the house one lunchtime. Camblin was seen walking to the door and placing his private parts in the letterbox on the front door. The incident lasted a few minutes, before he got back into the van and drove off. Camlin, who was 52 at the time he appeared in court in 2017, pleaded guilty to three counts of damaging a door and floor. When caught bang to rights, Camblin, who lived 69 miles away from the letterbox he chose to foul several times over a six-month period, said he was filled with enormous shame and regret. A defence solicitor said that Camblin couldnt really explain what had happened, but suggested that work-related stress may have been a contributing factor. Camblin was dubbed the letterbox lover in the Sunday World, who spoke to the homeowner at the time and said that he was completely shocked by what had happened. Man with 90 convictions sentenced over stolen goods, drunkenly driving at gardai and violence at halting site John Ward was already in prison, serving two years for possession of stolen goods A man with more than 90 convictions including involvement in multiple violent disputes at a halting site has defended his actions in court, saying we sort it out among ourselves. John Ward (27), of Glen View Park, Ashlane, Sligo, appeared in court last week for a litany of crimes, including one incident where he was involved in a fight and drove drunkenly at speed at a garda car. That incident was one of several involving Ward where gardai had been called to the Glen View Park halting site after reports of men fighting and in most cases when officers arrived he was bare-chested and threatening others. Ward was at Sligo District Court this week When asked about the fighting incidents at Sligo District Court, Ward replied: We sort it out amongst ourselves. Ward, who is already serving a two year sentence for possession of stolen property, was jailed for a another six months for the various offences for which he appeared last week. Ward, who also has more than 40 convictions for theft and fraud offences, had already been banned from the road at the time and was also driving without insurance or tax. He was involved in an incident at Glen View Park on New Years Day last year when gardai received a report that there was an altercation between family members. When officers arrived at the scene they spotted the defendant driving erratically. They stopped their patrol car, but Ward drove his vehicle straight at them forcing them to reverse to avoid a collision. Ward then mounted a kerb and exited the road dangerously. He was later arrested for drink driving. It was one of several incidents the 27-year-old was involved in at the halting site. He was also arrested on November 4, 2020, after reports of five or six men fighting. When gardai arrived at the scene Ward was threatening people and aggressively approached the officers bare-chested. Judge Brendan OReilly said Ward was fighting bare chested in a halting site. Five weeks earlier, he was involved in another dispute with a large group of people in Tubbercurry where gardai were called. In another incident on June 28, 2020 officers were called to a report of men fighting and when they arrived they saw Ward and another man roaring and shouting at each other. They said they observed Ward threatening to kill the other man and he removed his top. When he was arrested he was abusive and spat all over the garda van and around his cell. The van had to be grounded for cleaning at a cost of 150. On May 5, 2020 gardai observed four males trespassing in McHales Sawmills, Hazelwood, Co Sligo. The group which included Ward was later apprehended. On April 18, 2020, he had been arrested after gardai received a report of males fighting in Glen View Park. Ward was topless and shouting at family member when officers arrived. He was told to desist but refused and was arrested for public order offences. One month earlier, gardai were called for assistance by ambulance staff after Ward became aggressive when paramedics were treating a woman. He was shouting at relatives and became abusive when officers called to the scene. He was also convicted of a number of other offences this week including being in possession of stolen wire worth 200 on December 1, 2018, being found with a stolen laptop on March 9, 2019, being caught with 370 worth of stolen camera equipment on October 26, 2019 as well as a number of other driving offences on various dates. Last weeks court appearance came less than four weeks after he was jailed for two years for possessing stolen property worth 6,300 and articles used in a burglary. Ward took the stand to apologise for his actions and claimed he has turned his life around. I apologise for what Ive done. Ive changed my life around. Id like to apologise for all Ive done. Im working on alcohol addiction. Judge OReilly handed down custodial sentences ranging from one month to six months on each of the charges but ordered that they are to run concurrently. Incredibly, within 80 minutes of threatening to call in his lawyers, Puska was moved back to his single occupancy cell on C1. Josef Puska said he would call his legal team Evil killer Jozef Puska complained to jail chiefs after being moved to a shared cell in the overcrowded Midlands Prison and given a mattress to sleep on. The 33-year-old, who was sentenced to life in prison last month for the murder of teacher Ashling Murphy, was moved from a single occupancy cell on C1 a landing reserved for inmates with mental health problems to E2 on Thursday of last week. But, according to a source, when Puska was informed that he would be sleeping on a mattress, as the bunks in his new cell were already occupied by two other inmates, the killer immediately complained. Incredibly, within 80 minutes of threatening to call in his lawyers, Puska was moved back to his single occupancy cell on C1. Midlands Prison Picture: Finbarr O'Rourke A decision was made locally to move him out of the cell on C1, a source told the Sunday World, because he was behaving in a completely normal manner and did not appear to be a danger to himself or other inmates. The single occupancy cells on that landing would be reserved by and large for inmates with obvious mental health issues. We revealed previously how the inmates housed on C1 include former Kinahan cartel gunman Alan Wilson; serial sex attacker Kevin Kletzander, who sexually assaulted nine women in Dublin in one month; convicted rapists Mark McAnaw and John Connors. Despite C1 being described as one of the most oppressive landings in the prison, our source said Puska was far from happy at being moved when he arrived at his new accommodation. Puskas neighbours on the C1 landing include Alan Wilson The bunks in the cell were already occupied by two inmates, the source said. Space had been made by removing a bench and two chairs and a mattress put down on the floor for him to sleep on. The talk in the prison is that he either threatened to ring his legal team to complain or that he did. Either way, 80 minutes later, he was back in the single occupancy cell on C1. Josef Puska said he would call his legal team The source said the incident highlights issues concerning overcrowding, which is currently being experienced in every prison in Ireland bar the open centres. The Midlands is like every other prison in the system at the moment, the source said. The prison is housing inmates numbers way past capacity. When this happens, inmates are given mattresses to sleep on in the cells. Its the only way staff have for dealing with the problems. To be fair, its unusual for a lifer to be put on a mattress, as theyre in for the long haul. Puskas neighbours on the C1 landing include Mark McAnaw And Puska is one of the most high-profile inmates in the system, which made what happened last week even more unusual. But it does shows the strain the prison is under number wise that something like this could happen. Contacted for comment, a spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service declined to do so stating it does not comment on individual prisoner cases. After Puska was sentenced last month, the Sunday World exclusively revealed how five people are to appear before Tullamore District Court on December 20, charged with withholding information from gardai as they investigated Ashling Murphys murder. The five include the killers brothers Marek Puska (34), Lubomir Puska (35), and Lucia Istokova (34), whose addresses cannot be published by order of the court. The three are accused of failing to disclose information to gardai on a date unknown between two dates last year. Teacher Ashling Murphy was stabbed to death in Tullamore Jozefina Grundzova (33) and Viera Gazoiva (38) are both accused of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a person. All five are to be presented with a book of evidence on December 20 before the charges can be sent forward for trial. When the matter previously came before the courts, Detective Garda Colin OLeary gave evidence that when Lubomir Puska was initially charged, he responded: I understand what you said and I thank you. Marek Puska was arrested by Detective Sergeant Caroline Lyng and she said his reply after caution was: It is out of my hands to say anything about that. Judge Finan was told the DPP had directed all five be tried by indictment and she remanded them on bail to appear in court again for service of books of evidence. A Slovakian language interpreter was in court to assist the accused people. All five were granted bail on condition they all surrendered their passports or travel documents but the court was told by Sergeant James OSullivan that Jozefina Grundzova and Marek Puska said they had lost theirs. Judge Michele Finan ordered that the travel documents be surrendered by both those defendants within 72 hours and if that condition of the bail was breached, it would be open to the prosecution to apply for a revocation of bail. In handing down the mandatory sentence to Puska last month, Judge Tony Hunt described it as wholly deserved. He said he did not have the power to impose a minimum period to be served and if he had the power, a whole life-term would have to be considered in the case. The judge said Puskas evidence had been indescribable and the one thing we dont know about this case is the why. Puska lodged an appeal against his conviction just days after his trial ended. In recent years, city leaders in Grand Island observed that many workers and students were walking or biking long distances to their jobs or schools. So when City Administrator Laura McAloon learned of an opportunity to study the development of a bus system to meet those transportation needs, she jumped at it. The opportunity was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in collaboration with the International City/County Management Association, a network of local government administrators. And it sent McAloon to Washington along with other local leaders to learn about strategies and policies to lift people in their community out of poverty. The Gates Foundation announced Thursday that it will donate $100 million to expand its work on economic mobility a move that the countrys largest foundation says is a change in how it operates, putting more power in the hands of grantees and looking to accelerate the speed at which its gifts have an impact. The commitment is part of the $460 million the foundation said in 2022 it would donate over four years to this part of its portfolio. Ryan Rippel, the founding director for the Gates Foundations economic opportunity and mobility strategy, said the grants represent an important and deliberate change in how it works, with large grants going to organizations that will have a great deal of autonomy in directing their own work and the work of subgrantees. The strategy, he said, is a result of feedback they heard from speaking with others in the field and the people they hope to help. I went to a conference in Washington and was very proudly talking about a data investment that we had made that we think could actually help governments make very different decisions about allocating resources, he said. And a woman stood up in the back of the room and she shouted, I just need a tank of gas. And that really stuck with me. And it stuck with our team as a profound lesson that these are very concrete, daily needs. The portfolio is a small portion of the foundations overall budget, which was $7 billion last year, but its grown significantly. Rippel said that is because theyve learned so much about the strategies, interventions and organizations that can lift people out of poverty. The continued expansion of their work, he said, depends on whether they meet their goal of improving economic mobility for 50 million people in the U.S. who earn 200% of the poverty level or less, which is $29,160 in annual income for an individual. The foundation will fund organizations working to expand support for local governments implementing evidence-based policies, connecting people with skills but without college degrees to jobs, helping people claim government benefits and influencing small- and medium-businesses to adjust working conditions to help people balance personal and work commitments. The grantees include Opportunity@Work, Families and Workers Fund, Prosperity Now, Pacific Community Ventures, Results for America and the Urban Institute. It was at a meeting in Washington in May where the Urban Institute introduced the tools and research theyve developed to help cities and counties understand barriers to economic mobility that McAloon from Grand Island realized that her city of 53,000 needed to collect more information. We looked at each other and said, we dont know that we have the data, the metrics, to show that this problem exists that we said we were going to come up with a solution for, said McAloon, of her colleagues from the local community college and public school district who were with her. By the end of the conference, theyd altered their objectives and launched a data collection and analysis project, which included surveying local residents with the help of translators at a summer festival and consulting with the human resources departments of major local employers. What they learned is that transportation had been a problem for workers but when the meatpacking plant and other manufacturers raised wages during the period of low unemployment after the pandemic, many households were able to afford cars. Now the issue, the employers said, was housing. Its a multi-pronged approach to actually creating opportunities for economic growth and personal income growth, McAloon said. Theres just no one silver bullet. Theres no one problem. You have to address all of it in order to make really significant change. The Gates Foundation is far from alone in this field with large funders, like philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and Blue Meridian Partners, also making multimillion-dollar commitments, sometimes to the same organizations, in recent years. Blue Meridian Partners recently announced it was granting $50 million each to three municipalities, San Antonio and Dallas County in Texas, and Spartanburg County, South Carolina, who each also raised at least $50 million from other sources, to support specific interventions like doubling the number of young adults making a living wage and increasing the percent of high schoolers who enroll in further education. At the close of Grand Island's research study this fall, McAloon said they determined it won't be possible to set up a bus system, in part because of federal funding rules. Instead, they are exploring a van pool that is partially funded by employers and with state funds. But, because of the new communication and coordination across agencies, schools and local organizations prompted by the study, her office heard that a lack of plumbers and electricians was holding up new housing developments. She reached out to the community college, which is now setting up a technical training program to funnel high school students into those trades. It was a matter of a couple of emails, she said. And theyre already working on developing the curriculum and creating an apprenticeship program that hopefully will start making an impact on that issue thats keeping us from building more houses. How many children live in poverty in your state? How many children live in poverty in your state? #51. Vermont #50. Wyoming #49. North Dakota #48. New Hampshire #47. Alaska #46. South Dakota #45. District of Columbia #44. Delaware #42. Montana #41. Rhode Island #40. Hawaii #39. Nebraska #38. Idaho #37. West Virginia #36. Utah #35. Iowa #33. Connecticut #32. New Mexico #31. Oregon #30. Nevada #29. Minnesota #28. Colorado #27. Arkansas #26. Wisconsin #25. Massachusetts #24. Mississippi #23. Maryland #22. Oklahoma #21. Washington #20. Kentucky #18. Missouri #17. Indiana #16. Virginia #15. Alabama #14. Tennessee #13. New Jersey #12. Arizona #11. Louisiana #10. Michigan #9. North Carolina #8. Pennsylvania #7. Illinois #6. Ohio #5. Georgia #4. New York #3. Florida #2. California #1. Texas Officers carried out a search at a property in the Shankill Road area of North Belfast as part of an ongoing investigation into criminality linked to the West Belfast UDA Police have arrested a man and seized a quantity of suspected Class A drugs in an operation linked to the West Belfast UDA. Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Irelands Paramilitary Crime Task Force conducted searches on Saturday, December 9. Detective Inspector Corrigan said: Officers carried out a search at a property in the Shankill Road area of North Belfast as part of an ongoing investigation into criminality linked to the West Belfast UDA. "A number of items have been seized including a vehicle and a quantity of suspected Class A controlled drugs during the proactive policing operation and have been taken away for further forensic examination. A 45 year old man was arrested on suspicion of Possession of Class A controlled drugs and possession of Class A controlled drugs with intent to supply. He is currently in police custody at this time. The Paramilitary Crime Task Force continue to seize and remove dangerous and harmful drugs from the streets whilst also disrupting paramilitary finance streams linked to the sale of these drugs. Police have asked anyone with information about the supply of illegal drugs to contact them on 101 and assist them in their efforts to make this country a safer place for all. Information can also be provided, anonymously, to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Hes the person with wealth and power and fame and he is rattled by me Scott Moore was in a war of words with Conor McGregor Conor McGregor has been branded pathetic by the rapper who battled him on social media this week. Scott Moore rattled the MMA fighter so badly that McGregor ended up challenging him to a fight in a clash which gripped X, formerly Twitter. And Scott, who performs battle raps under the name Scomo, believes he emerged the winner when he took on The Notorious MMA and exposed the cruelty of his messages. In a series of brutal exchanges, the Irish fighter mocked the Strabane mans skin condition and his autism and called him a wee Orange c***. Hes a very nasty piece of work, which I want people to know, says Scott. I have been the person who stood up to him when I got picked on and turned the tables. Hes the person with wealth and power and fame ,and he is rattled by me. If he doesnt want to battle me, then hes scared of someone he called a disabled weakling. Conor McGregor The 25-year-olds spat began with the fighters announcement that he wants to run for the Irish presidency. Scott, a former Alliance Party council candidate who left the party in 2021, hit back at the Dubliners claim he would hold a series of weekly votes, and called him stupid because thats not within the Presidents powers. I was keeping up with Conor McGregors presidential run and he doesnt know the roles and duties of the Irish President, he says. He just mouths off before he can think about anything he is saying. Rather than dignifying what he was saying, I commented that he is profoundly stupid. In my view, he punches down on the marginalised and the vulnerable and he has been exploiting the tensions in Ireland in recent weeks. He is not focusing on the good of the Irish people. Hes hiding in his ivory tower being a keyboard warrior. Scott Moore was in a war of words with Conor McGregor The Strabane man also took exception to being called a broke little rapper. Hes been part of the battle rapping community since 2018, where opponents craft tight lyrics to take each other down verbally. As the battle between the pair escalated McGregor, who has 10.4 million Twitter followers, focused on Scotts skin, irritated by a condition which causes him to scratch. I said I have a mental health condition. I have a compulsion to pick at my skin. It was wrong of him with his big platform to insult me for my mental health. I told him Im autistic and I have used battle rapping to stand up for autistic people. He replied by calling me scabby. The pair then exchanged raps and Scott knew hed hit home with a verse touching on McGregors decision to wear a poppy a decade ago. The fighter replied with an explanation of why hed worn it, which ended with the sectarian slur against Scott. He was acting the big man and I knew Id beat him up in a rap battle. I put that to him and he ended up saying come and see me in the ring, offering me to fight him. I said to send me the location and he said your front door. Scott Moore took McGregor to task on social media Within a few minutes the tweets were deleted and when he posted the video clip that was only up for a few minutes. Hes a pathetic human being. People now know hes a terrible person. Hes got all that fame and fortune and hes just had his fourth child in the past few weeks and he is sitting in his ivory tower where his focus is on insulting me for my skin and making light of mental health and disabilities. The fighter was criticised last year for mocking Young Offenders actor PJ Gallaghers mental health struggles. In the now deleted tweet he said PJ, who has spoken about being admitted to a psychiatric hospital, was a sad pox of a thing and crying in the paper bout depression. . Scott, who also described the 35-year-old fighter as a knock-off Donald Trump, says McGregor was ultimately taken down because Scott derided his attempts to position himself as a firebrand, appealing to peoples prejudices. We need to be taking the rise of the far right in Ireland seriously and crack down on the demagogues, he says. He is pitching himself as a demagogue and you need to take the hand out of him because clearly its hurting him. The biggest surprise for me was that he kept replying to me. He was shook. . I was glad to have the opportunity to put the pressure on him. He hasnt exactly won every MMA fight either. Scott has saved screenshots of the series of deeply insulting tweets in which hes called pimples and scabs. The rap clashes between Scomo and McGregor are also on the Premier Battles YouTube channel. Despite the deplorable comments he was subjected to, and the pile-on by McGregors supporters, the battle rapper is generous about the fighters attempts at verse. He insulted the battle rap community as if its something to be ashamed of. I have shown that battle rap can have a positive impact to speak truth to power. My expectations of him battle rapping were lower than rock bottom and he was a little bit better than I thought he would be, says Scott. An obscure paramilitary group and a rifle club share a community hall in Tauranga. It's not a happy arrangement. Tony Wall investigates allegations of assault, mooning and spying. When members of the Tauranga Target Rifle Club turned up to their shooting range one night in May last year, they were shocked to find the locks had been changed and they couldnt get in. Since the 1950s, the club had operated side-by-side with the Legion of Frontiersmen at the legions hall in Elizabeth St, central Tauranga, on Tauranga City Council reserve land. The shooting range adjoins the hall and is accessed through the halls foyer. For decades, the legion had a perpetually renewable lease with the council, and the rifle club considered itself the sub-lessee. But since the legion was taken over by new management in 2020, the groups had been at loggerheads over rent payments and now, the rifle club found itself locked out. The squabbling continues well over a year later, with hearings before the Disputes Tribunal, complaints to police and claims of threats and intimidation. Earlier this year there was a physical altercation at the hall, resulting in a private prosecution for assault which is still winding its way through the Tauranga District Court. Val Baker leads Legion of Frontiersmen in marching practice.Photo: Supplied. Calls to the main players reveal the depth of feelings involved. Ive got more than enough evidence to tell them theyre a pack of bloody bulls....... bastards, says Val Baker of Katikati, who goes by the title Lieutenant Colonel and is the legions Commandant. Rifle club president Alan Dickson fires back: Shes out to discredit, shes out to harass, belittle and distort. Shes not credible. The legions full name is the Legion of Frontiersmen of the Commonwealth Countess Mountbattens Own (J Squadron) Incorporated. The frontiersmen were a civilian group formed in Britain in 1905, with branches throughout the Empire to prepare for war and maintain vigilance in peacetime. A New Zealand branch was set up around 1911. Members fought in World War One and when they got older, served in the Home Guard during World War Two. These days, the few members left mostly descendants of former members are likely to be seen in their lemon squeezer hats and neat, black uniforms doing marching practice, laying wreaths on Anzac Day or helping at community events. When Vals J Troop, based in Katikati, took over the running of the Tauranga hall one of only a couple of legion halls left in the country, she says the rifle club was asked to contribute more to rising rent and rates. The club had been paying $800 a year for use of the shooting range, hall, toilets, and car park for one night a week, six months a year. For the 2020 year, the legion increased the rent to $1291. Alan says they hadnt had a chance to levy members for the extra money, so agreed to meet the legion half way, paying $1050. Alan says the legion wanted the club to pay a share of its outgoings such as rates, insurance and land rent, which it had never done before. They want an open cheque book, he says. Usually sub-tenants dont pay outgoings. Tauranga Target Rifle Club president Alan Dickson, left, with a club member. Photo: Supplied. The club agreed to pay a portion of rates from 2021 to May, 2022 on a without prejudice basis (legal term to describe communications for settling a dispute, but which cannot be used in court), pending negotiations for a formal sublease. But then the shooters arrived at the hall one night and found theyd been locked out and served with a termination of their sub-lease. Val says the club thought it had the God-given right to use the facilities without paying its fair share. They werent willing to pay for what they were using. It all comes down to money. They dont want to pay... Because they think... Its a privilege to have them there its not a privilege, they're a f...... parasite, thats what they are. We cant afford to... Have somebody sucking on us, on our funds. The rifle club went to the Disputes Tribunal, seeking a declaration that it had an equitable perpetual sub-lease and couldnt just be turfed out. The legion counter-claimed, seeking a declaration that it was in fact a month-by-month lease and it was owed $8000 in unpaid rent and outgoings. For about 12 weeks the rifle club was locked out, forced to shoot at a range in Te Puke, until interim orders by the tribunal allowed them back in. The tribunal later found that the rifle club was a sub-lessee and the termination notice was invalid. It dismissed the legions monetary claims, except for an order for the rifle club to pay $141. There was an uneasy truce and the shooters completed their 2022 season. But Alan says there was another surprise when members turned up for the start of the 2023 season in May and found the legion had leased the hall and foyer to another group called the School of Historical Arts, which practises Mediaeval sword fighting. The rifle club was locked out of the toilets and hall, and had to share the foyer which they use to set up their equipment with this new group. Youths practice at the Tauranga Target Rifle Club range. Photo: Supplied. They... did their best to occupy every inch of floor space with their gear, says Alan. Owen Brighurst, of the sword school, says rifle club members have been hostile and intimidating towards our members and they havent felt safe. He claims his partner, who uses a wheelchair, was aggressively shouted at and stood over during one incident. One night in May, a sword fighter asked Alan to move a rifle case that was on the floor of the foyer, he refused and an argument ensued. Val, who says shed been present on rifle club nights to ensure there was no conflict between the groups, approached Alan and another rifle club member also walked up. The details of what happened are disputed, but Val claims she was hit over the head three times with a rolled up shooting mat. She took CCTV footage of the incident to Tauranga police station and made a statement the next day at the Katikati police station. In the end, police decided not to lay charges. In a statement to Stuff, police confirmed they'd investigated but found it did not meet the prosecutorial guidelines. Val is furious about this. She says Tauranga police even suggested she could be charged with fighting in a public place and have her firearms licence revoked. Im a f...... victim here and they were going to charge me. Unwilling to let it go, she employed private investigator Clinton Bowerman, who served a rifle club member (not Alan) with a summons to appear in court charged with assault. The member has engaged a lawyer and the case has been adjourned twice. Alan considers Vals presence on club nights a deliberate provocation. Shes got this idea that somehow were going to attack these other tenants. She shouldnt be there a basic tenet of any lease is quiet enjoyment. Traditionally, no member of the legion was present ... on shooting nights. He says club members were harassed throughout the entire 2023 season by a parking enforcement company that ticketed their cars when they had every right to use the parks. The Legion of Frontiersmen hall in Tauranga. The rifle range is to the right. Photo: Supplied. The legion has since walled off the foyer to separate the rifle club from other tenants. Because they cant access the toilets, members have been getting changed in the foyer. Val has described this as stripping. She says one woman has twice been in her underwear in full view of everyone. Theres a bloody red light near the building and heres this woman mooning traffic. Alan says there was nothing untoward the woman had asked Val for permission to change in the toilets, she refused, so she changed into her shooting gear in the foyer. Val: They don't pay me anything to rent my facilities, so why the f...... hell should I have to give them my toilets? Meanwhile, rifle club members are uncomfortable that the legion has set up security cameras and microphones in the foyer and outside the building, and can listen in to their conversations. This is a breach of privacy and illegal, Alan claims. Val says they have the right to install the equipment because its their hall. She claims the microphones picked up a rifle club member talking about shooting her. Stuff understands a complaint was made to police but other than the club being advised to abide by the legions rules, no action was taken. Alan says the comments were made outside, it was a windy day, and the words are distorted. Ive seen that piece of tape and I dont think those were the words said at all. Val claims the rifle range is not up to safety standards and bullets could penetrate the walls. The legion wrote to the Firearms Safety Authority objecting to the club having its shooting range certificate renewed. Alan says thats spurious providing Stuff with a new certificate issued at the end of November. Its passed every inspection. Thats just a wild allegation. He says the legion will try anything to get rid of the rifle club from the facility. Val, on the other hand, claims the club wants rid of the legion. Everyone says its a personality clash, its not. I dont like anybody who believes they are so entitled they can try and ... take a persons hall. They want our hall. Tony Wall/Stuff A lucky Powerball player from Otago will be celebrating in style after winning $8.25 million with Powerball First Division in Saturdays live Lotto draw. The winning ticket was sold on MyLotto to a player from Central Otago. The prize is made up of $8 million from Powerball First Division and $250,000 from Lotto First Division. Saturdays winner is the eighteenth Powerball multi-millionaire of 2023, and the win comes just weeks after a $8.3 million Powerball prize was won by a couple in Whakatane. The couple are looking forward to helping the future generations with their win. Three other lucky Lotto players will also be celebrating after each winning $250,000 with Lotto First Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. The winning tickets were sold at Woolworths Newtown in Wellington, and on MyLotto to players from Napier and Carterton. Meanwhile, one lucky Strike player will also be celebrating after winning $300,000 with Strike Four. The winning Strike ticket was sold at Victory on the Spot in Nelson. 15 Lotto players win Second Division Fifteen lucky Lotto players will be celebrating an extra special weekend after each winning $17,723 with Lotto Second Division in tonights live Lotto draw. One lucky player also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $35,096. The winning Powerball Second Division ticket was sold at Bay View Four Square in Napier. The winning Second Division tickets were sold at the following stores: Store Location Westview Superette Auckland Mayfair Superette Auckland Pak n Save Sylvia Park Auckland Moor Park Superette Auckland MyLotto (x2) Auckland Bin Inn Hamilton East Hamilton Kaiti Supervalue Gisborne Bay View Four Square (+PB) Napier Pak N Save Whanganui Whanganui New World Whanganui Whanganui Lindsay's Lotto Post & More Whanganui The Paper Trail Foxton Paper Plus Upper Hutt Upper Hutt Woolworths Church Corner Christchurch Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above stores should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App. Lotto NZ's Christmas promotion "Lotto NZs Christmas promotion has now started and this year were guaranteeing three millionaires for 2024," says a Lotto NZ spokesperson. "All Triple Dip tickets bought between Sunday December 10 and 7.30pm Saturday December 30 will be in the draw to win one of three extra $1 million prizes. "At Lotto NZ we take responsible gambling seriously, so were reminding our customers if theyre giving any of our products as presents over the Christmas period to only gift them to adults." Players can phone Lotto NZ on 0800 695 6886 if they want to enquire about the best way to claim a prize. Powerball wins in 2023: Europa Press Jaen Sunday, 10 December 2023 | Updated 11/12/2023 08:04h. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram More than 30 north African gang members have been arrested by Spain's National Police force for falsely obtaining residency permits in Malaga, Jaen and Cordoba provinces. Officers from border force group at the Jaen provincial headquarters have detained 32 people in Pozo Alcon, Jaen, Cordoba and Malaga, for alleged membership of a criminal organisation that facilitated illegal migration into Spain, and for fraudulently obtaining residence and work permits for the migrants after an arranged marriage. According to the force, those arrested organised marriages of convenience between Moroccan and north African citizens and Spanish women. The ringleader, a 43-year-old north African citizen, has a long criminal record for people smuggling, faking documents, and membership of a criminal organisation. The investigation began in February, after officers from the provincial HQ noticed several applications for residence permits, which were suspected to have been made after marriages of convenience, also dubbed white marriages. The huge age difference between the couples caught the officials attention. The criminal organisation was based mainly in the Jaen town of Pozo Alcon and in the provincial capital, although it also operated in Cordoba and Malaga. The modus operandi used by the gang consisted of attracting Spanish citizens, the vast majority being women residing in the town of Cordoba, who were paid approximately 400 euros to register a migrant as a domestic partner in the Cordoba registry. Then the gang obtained the rest of the documents for the granting of a residence permit in Spain, such as false registration certificates, false social security documents, and false medical insurance documents, for which the migrants were charged up to 5,000 euros. From the initial investigations and after an exhaustive analysis of the documentation by the officers, they verified how the Spanish citizens who granted the status of European community citizen to the applicants for residence permits in Spain, had previously been domestic partners with other north African citizens. Many of the women had previously been arrested in 2016 for similar illegal activities. SUR Malaga Sunday, 10 December 2023, 17:24 | Updated 21:48h. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram You can put aside your warmer winter clothes, at least for a couple of days, because you shouldn't need them. An unseasonal 'mini-spring' will arrive in the south of Spain this week, with temperatures reaching 27C in parts of the Andalucia region, something unusual for the month of December. It will be this Monday, 11 December, when the rise in the mercury will begin to be felt. And it will last, according to state weather agency (Aemet) on its website, until Tuesday, with values returning to normal for the time of year on Wednesday. But how noticeable will the rise in temperatures be? According to Aemet, in Granada province the maximum will be 24 degrees on Monday and the minimum 14C. On the same day, in Jaen, the maximum is expected to be 22 degrees and the minimum 12; in Almeria, on Tuesday there will be a high of up to 23 degrees and a minimum of 15. However, the highest temperatures will be on the Costa del Sol in Malaga province, where up to 27 degrees are expected on Tuesday, with a minimum of 16C. In Malaga city up to 25C maximum is expected this Monday and 27 degrees on Tuesday, although on Wednesday it will be around 20C again. In Rincon de la Victoria the maximum expected for Tuesday is 28C , just like in Velez-Malaga. On the western strip of the Costa del Sol, the highest values are expected to be in Marbella and Fuengirola with 26 degrees. Europa Press Sunday, 10 December 2023, 20:28 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram A new scam has emerged in relation to the alleged fraudulent sale of olive oil in Spain. Only a few days ago, it was reported that eleven people had been arrested for their alleged involvement with an organisation with branches in Spain and Italy dedicated to the international distribution of adulterated olive oil. And now the Junta de Andalucia's ministry of health and consumer affairs has recommended that twelve products, falsely-labelled as extra virgin or mild olive oil, are not consumed. In a statement, the Junta said that Guardia Civil officers and inspectors from the regional ministry of health, in several inspections carried out on 4 and 5 December, discovered that oils for consumption were allegedly being packaged without the proper health registration or the necessary hygienic controls in an industrial warehouse in the Sevilla municipality of Mairena del Alcor. The ministry has initiated control actions in all the identified locations and has informed the Andalusian authorities for fraud control and agri-food quality. The regional ministry said that "there is no evidence of any specific danger" and added that "it is not known whether this product has reached consumers". However, according to information provided by the Guardia Civil, the adulterated products could have been marketed in Los Rosales, Tocina, Seville and Huelva. The regional ministry recommends that people do not purchase olive oils with the labels listed below and, if they do have them they should return them to where they were purchased. In Malaga province, the brands included in the list distributed by the Junta are Oleo L.U.X.E., extra virgin olive oil; Oliv, mild olive oil; Agricultor del Valle, extra virgin olive oil, and La Rama, mild flavoured oil bottled by 16.006007/MA in Almargen, as well as Tesoro de Oliva, extra virgin olive oil; Tierra de Arbequino, extra virgin olive oil, and Valle de Arbosana, extra virgin olive oil, bottled by Hortelano Foods also in Almargen. These are joined by Carrero, extra virgin olive oil, and Esential, mild olive oil, bottled for Distribuciones Oleotop, in Los Rosales-Tocina Seville; Carro, extra virgin olive oil, Producto Espana, Murcia; Aciencia, extra virgin olive oil bottled by Aceites Tarama SA in Baena; Scudo, extra virgin olive oil, bottled by Almazara la Ribera S.L., Deifontes, Granada, a company that has been deregistered since March 2023. Eugenio Cabezas Velez-Malaga Sunday, 10 December 2023, 20:10 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram El Refugio de Leo a refuge for abandoned dogs in Velez-Malaga on the Costa del Sol has been forced to close as a judge ruled it did not have the necessary permits. The provincial court judicial decision ratifies a previous sentence of a Malaga criminal court, following complaints from three neighbours about continuous barking of the animals at the rural location. The animal shelter was founded in 2016 by local woman Lourdes Pelaez. She said she would fight to keep operating. I am not going to allow justice to take over the animal rescue or to be treated like a criminal, which is what they are doing. Pelaez said she still has about 40 dogs that are trying to send to other shelters in the area. But they are all full, we are overwhelmed, she said. Pelaez also criticised the judges ruling and said that as far as I know there is no law against noise in this rural area. The judge has not relied on any of that. Only that they [the dogs] annoy the neighbours. But they also bother people in the city and towns when they are loose or cause accidents. Which is better and who do they harm the most?, the shelter founder said. Pelaez also said that mistreatment of animals was a long running problem in the Axarquia which must be addressed. The founder of the shelter stressed that Spain's new Animal Welfare Law states that municipalities must collaborate with the refuge's in a preferential way. But the Velez-Malaga town hall tells me that there are enough such facilities in the area. Javier Almellones Pujerra Sunday, 10 December 2023 | Updated 13/12/2023 08:46h. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram On 29 November the first of the sculptures that the Galician artist Ricardo Davila is going to install in the town of Pujerra was inaugurated. It is a creative project that will further enhance this Genal valley village. These creations, which are striking for their size (around three metres in length), are made of wood and cork. The first of these works already stands between two palm trees located on one of the main streets. The rest will be placed in the coming months in other emblematic sites of this mountain village in the Serrania de Ronda. But these Davila sculptures are not the only incentives to visit. Another good reason is the crochet decorations, hung in June during the San Antonio festivities, which give striking colour to the streets and squares. These are made by the women of the local La Alegria Pujerrena association who have invested many hours to make these artisan creations. The village is also full of unusual colourful pots that contrast with the white buildings. Oddly, some of the pots have trousers and legs! Flower pots with legs. J. Almellones In addition to taking a quiet walk through its streets, some interesting places to visit await, such as the chestnut museum (Museo de la Castana). However, this is not always open to the public. Therefore, it is advisable to contact the Pujerra town hall in advance to request access. At this thematic museum the visitor can better learn about the history of the Pujerra chestnut tree and, by extension, the entire Genal valley region. Not far from there, in one of its small squares, King Wamba's bust awaits. There is a legend that justifies the presence of this statue of one of the last Visigoth kings in the Iberian Peninsula. According to the tale handed down, this man had a humble life as a farmer in a nearby village. He ignored his lineage and did not give credit to an emissary who arrived requesting him to occupy the throne. The young farmer said he would be king if the hoe he was working with bloomed with flowers. Amazingly, this happened and the young Wamba fulfilled his promise. You should not leave Pujerra without trying some of the local produce. In addition to being able to buy some chestnuts, it is highly recommended to stop by the San Antonio workshop, which also serves as a bar, to buy bread. The mollete 'bap' is a speciality. Something seems fishy about the farm south of Nebraska City. Theres been a lot of activity there the past two and a half years, and at night you can see a mysterious glow. Now delivery trucks go in out and of the driveway regularly. This hub of commotion is Nebraska Vegetable and Protein, a new hydroponic and aquaculture facility. Kiel and Mimi VanderVeen have transformed their acreage just off of U.S. 75 into the production headquarters of locally grown lettuce and fresh Atlantic salmon. You read correctly. Landlocked Nebraska is home to a salmon farm. We arent the only project like this. But outside of Superior Fresh in Wisconsin, we are the only cold water fish farm in the U.S. growing both salmon and greens, said VanderVeen, adding that other facilities do one or the other, but not both. Nebraska Vegetable and Protein has a team of five full-time employees, as well as the VanderVeen family. Kiel and Mimi have two daughters, toddler Sylvia and newborn McCartney. The entire chain of production at the company is based on value-added agriculture and a sustainable, local food supply. The VanderVeens designed the system so that the water from the fish tanks cycles through the hydroponic greenhouse and feeds the plants, which naturally remove nitrates from the water, before it loops back through the fish tanks. Each aspect of the system is entwined in their value-added model. Solid fish waste is captured, mineralized and sold as high-value fertilizer at farmers markets or through a local contract buyer. They have integrated 200 laying hens into the system, feeding them the lettuce stems, shoots and would-be waste. In reality, nothing is wasted at Nebraska Vegetable and Protein. If youre going to do something, why not do it sustainably and use everything you can? VanderVeen said. VanderVeen has no background in aquaculture, or even agriculture. He initially majored in biochemistry, switching to accounting the second semester of his junior year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His first job was as a tax accountant. Now, he operates BluePrint Financial Planning in Nebraska City. VanderVeen became hooked on the idea of growing food about five years ago when Mimi bought him little peat Jiffy Pots. Soon, he had tilled up a 50- by 100-foot section of their backyard where they lived in Nebraska City at the time. In 2020, they moved to an acreage outside of the city. Next, they were flying to California to see a fish farm. They researched the type of system needed and started piecing it together. For two solid years, they worked nights and weekends to convert the existing machine shed into a fish hatchery. They also built a 40- by 110-foot geothermal greenhouse. Only the electrical work was hired out, VanderVeen said. VanderVeen admits they didnt know what they were getting into. They were able to keep construction costs down by frugally searching for bargains. Almost everything you see, with the exception of the pipes and pipe fittings, has been bought at auction, said VanderVeen, pointing to the 155-kilowatt three-phase backup generator from an old hospital in Iowa, the oxygen system with a massive air compressor and the repurposed catwalks above the fish tanks. What VanderVeen referred to as jerry-rigging, others would view as ingenuity. The largest tanks are made from Harvestore sheets and lined with plastic sheeting. When you first come onto the premises, you might assume livestock are being raised because of the two Midwest Livestock sow feed systems hooked up outside to the building. Specialty fish feeding equipment is made, but no one around here can install or work on it, said VanderVeen. Each feed bin has a 10-ton capacity to store the fish feed that is delivered from Optimal Fish Food in Omaha, a subsidiary of the Green Plains Energy ethanol plant. Also sitting outside the building is a series of units making up the 75-ton chiller system to cool the water in the fish tanks. One large cylinder inside the building contains 470 stainless steel tubes that are pumping 200 gallons of water per minute. Simultaneously, glycol is pumped around the tubes of water at 100 gallons per minute. This continuously reduces the water temperature by 5 degrees. It costs a lot to run the chiller, VanderVeen said. We paired the fish with plant production mostly to help with the utility bill. Because Atlantic salmon are cold-water fish, the water temperature runs between 5 and 15 degrees Celsius depending on the class, or age, of fish in the tank. VanderVeen said they chose Atlantic salmon because they wanted to grow a high-value fish. Known as the king of fish, salmon can command a higher price point based on their superior flavor and texture. This comes with a catch, of course. Turns out, theyre one of the pickiest fish you can grow, said VanderVeen. The eggs are incubated at 5 degrees Celsius, but once they hatch, the water temperature is increased to 10-11 degrees, one degree at a time. They do not want the freshly hatched fish too active. At that stage, they are absorbing nutrients from the yolk sac still attached to their bellies. If the yolk sac is eaten too quickly, deformities such as misshapen gills or a dysfunctional digestive system can result. At about three weeks, they will be introduced to solid food. When we want them to start eating, we will expose them to bright light and bump the temperature up to the 12-15 degree range. That will induce their feeding responses, said VanderVeen. He showed the shallow tank, similar in size and shape to a bathtub, teeming with 1-inch-long salmon just two weeks old. The red yolk sac was clearly visible. Every 90 days, they import another 20,000 eggs from Iceland. To make room for the new arrivals, a valve is opened to flush the fish from the shallow tanks to larger, round tanks situated directly below. This next class eats about 3% of their body weight daily. Next, the salmon are moved into the largest tanks with an 18,000-gallon capacity. These three grow out tanks take up about one-fourth of the 40x100 building. Within 20-21 months, the mature salmon weigh about 14 pounds and are ready to be harvested. Processing is done on site. The Nebraska Vegetable and Protein fish processing facilities are inspected and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The fish fillets are vacuum-sealed, labeled and frozen to sell at farmers markets. Nebraska Vegetable and Protein also sells its products at Ellsworth Crossing Farm to Fork Market in Omaha, Cornhusker Beef Company in Nebraska City and other locations that are part of a regular delivery route. The first official salmon harvest was Aug. 15. Now, another school of salmon is harvested each Wednesday. We start harvesting the fish in one tank, and the ones left continue to grow, VanderVeen said, explaining their incremental harvest system. Their mentality is to progress incrementally as a business, as well. VanderVeen said that they intentionally started small with the understanding that experimenting on a large scale could quickly have become a massive failure with little margin for error. We wanted to have our problems with fewer fish, which I am glad we did, he said. Now that the system is fully running, they can focus on scaling up production. This time next year, Nebraska Vegetable and Protein will jump from harvesting 250 pounds per week to 1,000 pounds per week. VanderVeen estimates a total production of 25 tons of salmon per year. Plans to cast a wider net for expansion are already underway. The day of the interview, VanderVeen was meeting with an engineering group to conduct a feasibility study for the next phase of Nebraska Vegetable and Protein. The building used at present would potentially become a hatchery, and they would could construct an additional 3,000-metric-ton system capable of producing 6.6 million pounds of salmon per year. This would require three 1,000- by 500-foot buildings, not including processing facilities. The estimated cost for the project is $120 million. VanderVeen did not disclose the location but said that they have an aggressive goal to expand next year. Creating Nebraska Vegetable and Protein has been a voyage, navigating the waters of food production and crafting a brand new system from scratch. I view all of this as a research and development facility, trying to learn what works and what doesnt before we expand, said VanderVeen. Always trying to add more value to their operation, they are beginning a new research project to generate a byproduct from fish carcasses. They recently purchased a bowl chopper to emulsify the bones, organs and other fish parts leftover after harvest. The blades spin at 25 rpm, VanderVeen said. Fish carcasses become fish smoothies five minutes later. They will begin a test to compare how long it takes to break down using lactobacillus vs. digestive enzymes. The resulting fish emulsion concentrate can be bottled with water for fertilizer. Another idea involves freeze-drying the fish emulsion into dog treats, because there is a big push toward single-ingredient pet treats, said VanderVeen. They have been awarded a $250,000 value-added production grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for that project. As production increases, they are currently replacing the radial flow settlers and biofilters with a more efficient system capable of treating larger quantities of water. A new rotating drum filter will screen particles as small as 60 microns, small enough to take calcium out of the water. It will further be filtered through two long cylinders filled with sand. This is VanderVeens custom-made version of a fluidized sand filter, the same technology used at the Freshwater Institute at Virginia. The new biological filtration system will be a crucial safety piece to remove ammonia from the water. If we dont have this system up and running within three months, we will have to stop feeding fish, VanderVeen said. Once the old waste-removal tanks are no longer needed, the VanderVeens will have more room to grow in their greenhouse, literally. They plan to remove the old filtration system and extend the grow beds by 10 feet to fill the void. Vaughn Hammond of Lincoln has been part of the experiment at Nebraska Vegetable and Protein since February 2022. His first job straight out of college many, many years ago, as he said, was managing an aquaponics salad greenhouse in New York. He also brings a wealth of knowledge as an extension educator for 15 years, horticulturist for three different orchards and agriculture director at Valas Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard. Nebraska Vegetable and Protein is his retirement venture. Hammond plays with different varieties of greens to see which grow best and under what conditions. We are constantly doing in-greenhouse research, Hammond said. He takes suggestions from customers or market recommendations to determine his next trial. Kale was a complete flop. Endive grew well but too slowly. Grow lights above the troughs illuminate the plants 18 hours per day. In the summer, high-pressure 1,500-PSI misters keep the humidity above 50. VanderVeen said that if the humidity drops too low, the plants begin to perspire, losing moisture in the leaves and putting more effort into the roots. Seven varieties of lettuce are grown at a time. Most of the lettuce is sold as a blend, with the exception of Romaine. Each week, a new crop of 2,200 lettuce seedlings is planted in trays of growing media. They take root in the cozy, warm seed room for about three weeks before being transferred to the hardening-off tables. They are given two weeks to acclimate to the greenhouse before being planted in Styrofoam rafts. Each raft has 36 holes, and seven varieties are planted in seven rafts each for 1,764 heads of lettuce. The rafts float in troughs 8 inches deep, filled with water circulating from the fish tanks. Iron is the only supplement needed for the lettuce to flourish. A month later, the 49 rafts are harvested. From seed to harvest is eight weeks total. Its pretty amazing how this little greenhouse can pump out 250 pounds of greens a week during the height of the growing season, Hammond said. Immediately after harvest, the heads of lettuce are rinsed, sanitized, spin-dried, bagged, labeled and placed in a walk-in cooler until delivery shortly thereafter. Then the process starts all over with the next seedlings waiting to be planted. The ultimate goal is to harvest seven, plant seven every week, said Hammond. To ensure the entire system runs like clockwork, the VanderVeens have recruited a rock star, nonstop team. Alan Kapitany joined Nebraska Vegetable and Protein in late September. Originally from central Wisconsin, he interned at a similar facility after graduating from college. He has also worked at an aquaponics farm in Nevada and a shrimp aquaculture facility at Vermont. Kapitany runs the day-to-day operations at Nebraska Vegetable and Protein as facility manager. Theres a schedule behind it that has to be well-organized and well-timed, Kapitany said. If everything is running correctly, the system can be self-sufficient. Kelly Scammone of New Hampshire understands the flow of aquaponics and water quality monitoring from her previous experience, also in Vermont. She referred to the greenhouse at Nebraska City as my happy place. Surrounded by verdant lettuce floating serenely atop the water, she described how the systems act together in a cohesive flow. Everything can be used for something else. Its beautiful. Its Zen, she said. Scammones perspective contrasted the energy radiating from every crevice of the farm. Fish swam continually in the tanks. The sound of splashing water mixed with the gentle hum of pumps running in the background. Fans blew in the greenhouse. Employees bustled around, cleaning up leafy remnants from a successful 180-pound lettuce delivery just an hour before. The staff works together to make sure everything is running smoothly, and animals and plants are being produced, Kapitany said. Something does seem quite fishy about Nebraska Vegetable and Protein. But you will have to search the seas to find a more local source of seafood or fresher lettuce anywhere else in the Midwest. Keep up with the events at Nebraska Vegetable and Protein on their Facebook page or contact them at 402-209-0555. Most valuable crops grown in Nebraska Most valuable crops grown in Nebraska #9. Oats #8. Sunflower #7. Millet #6. Sorghum #5. Potatoes #4. Wheat #3. Hay & haylage #2. Soybeans #1. Corn Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Syracuse, N.Y. A federal appeals court Friday upheld much of New York states gun laws, including the authority to ban guns in most sensitive places such as parks and schools and to require people seeking to carry guns to show good moral character. But the court cannot outright ban guns from private property where the public gathers or from house of worship. That means properties would have to explicitly ban guns, the court ruled. It also ruled the state cannot review a persons social media accounts when considering issuing a permit to carry a gun. The Second Circuit Court of the U.S. Court of Appeals issued its ruling after considering four lower court challenges to New Yorks Concealed Carry Improvement Act. The state adopted the gun law July 1, 2022 shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the states laws governing guns and when people can carry firearms in public. That law had been place for more than 100 years. The new state law was quickly challenged in various federal courts that issued varying, sometimes conflicting, rulings that landed the cases in the appeals court. The states new law required anyone who wished to have a gun in the home and for concealed carry needed to show good moral character. That law said that part of the check of a persons character required gun owners to disclose their social media accounts for the past three years. The law also made it illegal to carry a gun in certain sensitive locations even with a license. There were 20 categories of sensitive locations including schools, voting places, bars and places of worship. In one of the challenges, U.S. District Judge Glenn Suddaby of Syracuse struck down most of the law as unconstitutional. Related article: Can you bring a gun to the zoo? On a bus? Syracuse judge eagerly rewrites NY firearms law Suddaby, a Republican former Onondaga County prosecutor, specifically found that many of the gun-free zones lacked historical precedent. In the ruling Friday, the judges overturned Suddaby, finding he was too dismissive of laws from the late 19th century and statutes enacted by pre-state territories. Banning guns at churches, businesses The appeals court ruled the state cannot order that guns are off-limits at places of worship or private properties open to the public. The court ruled privately owned locations must individually ban guns on their own, with signs that they do not want guns on the property. If they dont do that, a person can carry a gun onto the property, the court found. One of the main challenges to the ban of guns at places of worship and other sensitive places came from Joseph Mann, a pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church in Parish, Oswego County. Mann wanted to be able to carry his gun while at the church, according to the ruling. Mann won the appeal, with the court ruling that guns are not banned at places of worship. Another challenge to the state law was brought by a man who said he wanted to bring his gun to the Rosamund Gifford Zoo in Syracuse. The judges ruled Friday against the man, saying the ban can be enforced in zoos and public parks. Social media lists, good moral character The court also said the state cannot require applicants for a gun license to submit a list of social media accounts. This could be seen as an infringement of First Amendment rights, the court ruled. Applicants will have to be deemed in good moral character and give authorities a list of people living with them. The keeping of the good moral character requirement will ensure people who would cause harm to themselves or others will still not have access to guns, the court ruled. If someone is determined to not have good moral character then a written rejection must be given, the judges said. However, the court noted that a licensing officer could review someones public social media like anybody else. Editors note: This article updated to clarify the courts ruling on sensitive areas. Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com. The Department of Justice raised concerns last month about a national nonprofit responsible for accrediting prisons across the country including in Nebraska over the organization's suspect handling of reaccreditation reviews at federal prisons. DOJ inspectors who reviewed the American Correctional Association's contract with and work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons found that the organization, meant to provide independent reviews of correctional facilities, instead relied on the prisons' own internal reports during reaccreditation reviews, according to a November report. The organization neither performed its own independent review of the facility operations nor conducted an intensive review of prison documentation, the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General said in the report. As a result, the inspectors said, the Bureau of Prisons in effect paid the association to largely reaffirm the bureau's own findings when reaccrediting federal prisons. The DOJ's audit division concluded that the prison system "does not appear to be receiving value from" the organization's reaccreditation of the bureau's prisons, work that represented the bulk of the nonprofit's $2.75 million contract with the bureau. Federal inspectors didn't find any instances where the bureau used the American Correctional Association's accreditation process to improve the system's standards for health, safety and security of inmates and staff, according to the report. And the DOJ reported the bureau failed to properly oversee the nonprofit throughout its work for the prison system, taking no action to enforce the association's breaches of their multimillion dollar contracts and failing to file performance assessments required by federal regulations. DOJ auditors recommended the federal prison system closely analyze the policies and procedures to ensure they are up to the bureau's standards for independence and will bring real value to the prison system's operations before entering a new contact with a third-party reviewer. Examiners also suggested prison officials enhance their oversight of the American Correctional Association as the organization continues to accredit federal prisons under the current contract, which is set to expire in April. In a letter responding to the report, the director of the organization's accreditation department said its auditors conducted their review of federal prisons in accordance with processes that have been in place since the 1990s, which he said align with prison bureau policies. The accreditation director, David Haasenritter, said the organization would continue to work with the prison bureau to implement the DOJ's recommendations. The 35-page audit report is the result only of a review of the nonprofit's contract to accredit or reaccredit all of the federal government's institutions and training centers. It doesn't include findings related to the American Correctional Association's work in any state prisons, including those in Nebraska. But the report does offer a window into the nonprofit that accredits more than 1,200 correctional institutions across the world, including 15 prisons, jails, youth treatment centers and prison staff facilities in Nebraska. The American Correctional Association maintains a list of facilities it accredits which includes every prison operated by the state Department of Correctional Services but publishes no details of its review of such facilities. Nebraska law, though, requires the Department of Correctional Services to seek accreditation of its medical program by the nonprofit specifically. And accreditation from the American Correctional Association ensures that state prisons are not subject to the authority of the state's Jail Standards Boards, which maintains standards for the operation of criminal detention facilities that aren't accredited by a "nationally recognized correctional association." The state is paying the nonprofit $143,600 for the reaccreditation of 12 state facilities over the course of a five-year contract the parties inked in 2021. The department is paying the organization between $9,700 and $14,400 to reaccredit each of the facilities, according to the contract. Rob Jeffreys, the department's director, declined a request for an interview over the state's relationship with the nonprofit in light of the federal inspectors' report. A department spokeswoman also did not directly respond to a list of questions about the accreditation, the value an American Correctional Association accreditation brings to the state, the November report in which federal auditors blasted the nonprofit and whether Jeffreys would seek an alternative accreditor. In an email, Strategic Communications Director Dayne Urbanovsky said all department faculties are accredited through the nonprofit and reaccredited every three years. She said the process includes a series of reviews, evaluations and an on-site inspection of the facility by American Correctional Association auditors. The state's contract calls for the organization to use "only standards approved by" itself in the reaccreditation process, "making judgements of compliance based on written documentation, visual confirmation or both." The skewering of the American Correctional Association at the hands of federal inspectors comes as Jeffreys has reduced the access once granted to Nebraska's Inspector General for Corrections after the state's attorney general offered a nonbinding opinion suggesting the office is unconstitutional. Attorney General Mike Hilgers' opinion has reduced the oversight of the state's prison and child welfare systems by the Legislature, which created the Office of Inspector General for Corrections following Nikko Jenkins 2013 rampage that left four people dead. Photos: Nebraska's new Reception and Treatment Center commander.sri Newbie Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: TS 07 | AP 28 Posts: 21 Thanked: 74 Times DIY Project | Jeep Compass monochrome MID upgraded to a 7" multicolour one An idle mind is a devil's workshop" said a few great minds. Well, mine is no different but my devil is more a DIY nut . And so, evolved the crazy idea in my mind over the weekends of why cannot replace/upgrade the crazy & outdated looking limited feature MID in my 2018 D-MT Limited (O) Jeep compass's instrument cluster to a more advanced & exquisite 7 inch multi color MID. Pulled my fancy & trendy electronic brick we all love to carry these days - my mobile phone (literally a brick - its a FOLD 4) and started looking for any pointers online who had the similar "DIY Khujli" for feel good upgrades. Well, the regular google search surprisingly had little to no information on some one pursuing similar thoughts. May be none wanted to fiddle around with FCA's (FIAT Chrysler Automobiles now part of Stellantis group) fancy wiring and security protocols even for auxillary equipment which keeps on trying its best to throw some or the other error when something is upgraded/replaced. After a thorough and detailed search over the web of the world with various combinations of keywords/tags, found the below video in youtube where a gentlemen (YT Channel: South Hawk Computing) from the US tried swapping an old one to a new 7" multicolor MID. However, the upgrade/replacement was a mere plug and play as he replaced the whole instrument cluster with an updated one. Interesting right? Nope - it ain't for us . More on this later to the video below. https://www.youtu.be/Ok1VBfck88I Although the video above gave some detailed insights on how to get the instrument cluster out from the dash and replace another, the real bummers which barged-in later could be categorised in three words - "Kmph", "Odometer" and "Proxy alignment". First Bummer - "Kmph": As we all are aware that Jeep is an American brand with significant numbers of the model Compass on the US roads than in any other country and definitely much more than in India. This gives a high chance of sourcing the desired instrument cluster from the salvage yards in the US and yes, I was able to find one in ebay US for 50 USD for the whole instrument cluster with a cool 7" multicolor MID. Here comes the first bummer - "kmph" - the speedo was in MPH aligned for the US market and we are with our metrics in KMPH. This is where most of the logical part of my brain got me worried and finally came out with a solution of opening both my old cluster (with kmph) and the new (with mph), swapping just the interfaces with each other did the job. By bringing both the instrument clusters together and focusing on the interfaces made it very evident that the difference is primarily on the speed level markings on the speedos and not with the movement/function of the speedometer needles. So, opened both the clusters, removed the speedo needles by rotating them anti clock-wise, swapped the interfaces and fixed them back. It might sound silly but as they say, problems which sound larger than life could really be solved by meagre common sense. More on the other bummers with detailed pictures as the saga continues. Some pictures clicked while addressing the first bummer - "kmph" Second Bummer - "Odometer": Later came-in the time for the second bummer word - "odometer". Well, the first part of the issue was with the odo reading as it had everything shown in miles than in kilometers (obviously ). Was able to address the same by quickly fiddling with the settings in the instrument cluster for changing the units from Imperial to Metric. Then comes the second part with the FCA's way of things - the number of kilometers/miles the vehicle has run is hard coded along with the VIN number into the instrument cluster's memory and cannot be flashed/altered ever, even if we connect the unit to a different vehicle! So, my actual odometer reading at the time of replacement was 58748km and after the upgrade reads 21003km. It was good to know that the replaced cluster came-out from a vehicle which was less run than mine. Third Bummer - "Proxy Alignment": Now comes the biggest bummer - "Proxy Alignment". Before we get into what it is, let's look at what are those plethora of issues which are engulfed into this classification. 1. Flashing Odometer Reading - A standard FCA protocol triggered by the BCM/BCU (Body Control Module/Unit) when any modification is done with the vehicle and its electrical auxiliaries even when replacing with genuine spares. 2. Air-bag System Service - An error caused due to the change in airbag positions from Left aligned ones (LHD in US) to Right aligned ones (RHD in India). 3. Mis-matched Door Ajar Warnings - An error similar to the one above caused due to the change in door positions from Left aligned ones (LHD in US) to Right aligned ones (RHD in India). 4. 4WD Service - The replaced instrument cluster came from a Compass TrailHawk with 4x4 system and since that's missing from my 4x2 one, an error gets thrown. By looking at the exhaustive list above, it might look extremely complicated to fiddle with especially the airbag error but when we understand the logic behind why they are getting thrown and how to eliminate them, the solution is absolutely simple - that's "Proxy Alignment" in FCA language which aligns all the connected units to BCM/BCU and other related modules including the ECU. Proxy alignment is the default nomenclature used by FCA guys at their ASCs where in they connect the laptop with their proprietary diagnostic software called wiTECH v2.0 through the OBD connecter below the steering column, run a diagnosis for errors (DTCs), clear the errors, then run proxy alignment which re-aligns all the connected devices and guess what - all the above errors are gone as my instrument cluster is now re-aligned with the features and options my vehicle is manufactured with. Please be advised that there is a high chance that none of the "experts" at your nearest Jeep ASC might really know about this and would normally straight away deny saying it will not work/we know better/please don't teach us kind of responses but will absolutely exhibit a "pleasurable silence" after all gets sorted in 2 mins of their time with just a click of a button when we insist doing it . There is a setback though for this process where the instrument cluster updates itself to the newest version of its firmware and shall now have the 80/120 speed beeps like the ones bought after July 2019 when this so-called safety measure was rubbed on to the 4-wheeler manufacturers in India. The final video after replacing the instrument cluster but taken just before getting the "proxy alignment" done. So, you might still see the errors listed in the Bummer 3 section . https://youtu.be/XFClApFzm3c P.S ~ My sincere apologies for the shabby pictures. Tried my best to capture all that I could in a not so lit environment while solely working on the project. Cheers. " said a few great minds. Well, mine is no different but my devil is more a DIY nutAnd so, evolved the crazy idea in my mind over the weekends of why cannot replace/upgrade the crazy & outdated looking limited feature MID in my 2018 D-MT Limited (O) Jeep compass's instrument cluster to a more advanced & exquisite 7 inch multi color MID. Pulled my fancy & trendy electronic brick we all love to carry these days - my mobile phone (literally a brick - its a FOLD 4) and started looking for any pointers online who had the similar "DIY Khujli" for feel good upgrades.Well, the regular google search surprisingly had little to no information on some one pursuing similar thoughts. May be none wanted to fiddle around with FCA's (FIAT Chrysler Automobiles now part of Stellantis group) fancy wiring and security protocols even for auxillary equipment which keeps on trying its best to throw some or the other error when something is upgraded/replaced. After a thorough and detailed search over the web of the world with various combinations of keywords/tags, found the below video in youtube where a gentlemen (YT Channel: South Hawk Computing) from the US tried swapping an old one to a new 7" multicolor MID. However, the upgrade/replacement was a mere plug and play as he replaced the whole instrument cluster with an updated one. Interesting right? Nope - it ain't for us. More on this later to the video below.Although the video above gave some detailed insights on how to get the instrument cluster out from the dash and replace another, the real bummers which barged-in later could be categorised in three words - "", "" and "".As we all are aware that Jeep is an American brand with significant numbers of the model Compass on the US roads than in any other country and definitely much more than in India. This gives a high chance of sourcing the desired instrument cluster from the salvage yards in the US and yes, I was able to find one in ebay US for 50 USD for the whole instrument cluster with a cool 7" multicolor MID. Here comes the first bummer - "kmph" - the speedo was in MPH aligned for the US market and we are with our metrics in KMPH. This is where most of the logical part of my brain got me worried and finally came out with a solution of opening both my old cluster (with kmph) and the new (with mph), swapping just the interfaces with each other did the job. By bringing both the instrument clusters together and focusing on the interfaces made it very evident that the difference is primarily on the speed level markings on the speedos and not with the movement/function of the speedometer needles. So, opened both the clusters, removed the speedo needles by rotating them anti clock-wise, swapped the interfaces and fixed them back. It might sound silly but as they say, problems which sound larger than life could really be solved by meagre common sense. More on the other bummers with detailed pictures as the saga continues.Some pictures clicked while addressing the first bummer - "kmph"Later came-in the time for the second bummer word - "odometer". Well, the first part of the issue was with the odo reading as it had everything shown in miles than in kilometers (obviously). Was able to address the same by quickly fiddling with the settings in the instrument cluster for changing the units from Imperial to Metric. Then comes the second part with the FCA's way of things - the number of kilometers/miles the vehicle has run is hard coded along with the VIN number into the instrument cluster's memory and cannot be flashed/altered ever, even if we connect the unit to a different vehicle! So, my actual odometer reading at the time of replacement was 58748km and after the upgrade reads 21003km. It was good to know that the replaced cluster came-out from a vehicle which was less run than mine.Now comes the biggest bummer - "Proxy Alignment". Before we get into what it is, let's look at what are those plethora of issues which are engulfed into this classification.1. Flashing Odometer Reading - A standard FCA protocol triggered by the BCM/BCU (Body Control Module/Unit) when any modification is done with the vehicle and its electrical auxiliaries even when replacing with genuine spares.2. Air-bag System Service - An error caused due to the change in airbag positions from Left aligned ones (LHD in US) to Right aligned ones (RHD in India).3. Mis-matched Door Ajar Warnings - An error similar to the one above caused due to the change in door positions from Left aligned ones (LHD in US) to Right aligned ones (RHD in India).4. 4WD Service - The replaced instrument cluster came from a Compass TrailHawk with 4x4 system and since that's missing from my 4x2 one, an error gets thrown.By looking at the exhaustive list above, it might look extremely complicated to fiddle with especially the airbag error but when we understand the logic behind why they are getting thrown and how to eliminate them, the solution is absolutely simple - that's "Proxy Alignment" in FCA language which aligns all the connected units to BCM/BCU and other related modules including the ECU. Proxy alignment is the default nomenclature used by FCA guys at their ASCs where in they connect the laptop with their proprietary diagnostic software called wiTECH v2.0 through the OBD connecter below the steering column, run a diagnosis for errors (DTCs), clear the errors, then run proxy alignment which re-aligns all the connected devices and guess what - all the above errors are gone as my instrument cluster is now re-aligned with the features and options my vehicle is manufactured with. Please be advised that there is a high chance that none of the "experts" at your nearest Jeep ASC might really know about this and would normally straight away deny saying it will not work/we know better/please don't teach us kind of responses but will absolutely exhibit a "pleasurable silence" after all gets sorted in 2 mins of their time with just a click of a button when we insist doing itThere is a setback though for this process where the instrument cluster updates itself to the newest version of its firmware and shall now have the 80/120 speed beeps like the ones bought after July 2019 when this so-called safety measure was rubbed on to the 4-wheeler manufacturers in India.The final video after replacing the instrument cluster but taken just before getting the "proxy alignment" done. So, you might still see the errors listed in the Bummer 3 sectionP.S ~ My sincere apologies for the shabby pictures. Tried my best to capture all that I could in a not so lit environment while solely working on the project. Cheers. Last edited by commander.sri : 8th December 2023 at 21:25 . Serving the tech enthusiast community for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust . Read our ethics statement Forward-looking: Toyota is recreating the experience of driving a car with a manual transmission in its EVs complete with the sensation of stalling if there isn't enough throttle. It is part of the carmaker's array of futuristic technologies for its electric vehicles. A recently-published patent application from Toyota shows the details of the virtual manual transmission that the global carmaker is working on for some of its EVs. Essentially, it uses a gear stick typical to those in a manual car configured for a variety of shift patterns and torque characteristics. Earlier this summer Toyota announced a range of new futuristic technologies for its battery electric vehicles that would be equipped with both drive control and clutch functions. This patent appears to be part of that initiative. The virtual manual transmission detailed in the patent application would not be limited to six gears, NotebookCheck explained, but instead users will be able to select from various torque patterns to match their driving style. They'll also have fourteen speeds to pick, which isn't practical for a manual gas burning combustion engine, Motor1 points out, but can work fine when the manual transmission is just being simulated. How is Toyota putting all these moving parts together? The patent describes a scenario in which the user selects a gear just like they would with a regular manual car, but as they move up through the gears, a virtual pattern offers the next set of ratios, Motor1 explains. So if the sixth gear is selected, a display will show other available ratios, allowing the driver to go up to the seventh or beyond. The technology is being tested in a Lexus UX300e EV. Toyota announced the global debut of the new UX 300e last year and deliveries began this spring. The luxury car (seen below) came to market with a newly developed battery pack offering a cruising range that is more than 40% longer than that of the previous model and a battery capacity of 72.8kWh. Joel Stocksdale at Autoblog test drove Toyota's manual EV prototype and wrote that the experience "kind of broke our brains." The execution is fairly simple, despite the complexity of the manual version, with the shifter and the clutch pedal not linked to anything else while equipped with a sensor to detect shifter and clutch pedal positions. The software operated everything else, adjusting the torque depending on RPM, vehicle speed and gear. Toyota engineers even managed to recreate the feeling of coming close to stalling if you're not giving enough throttle. The engine will even shut off if it doesn't get enough throttle in time, Stocksdale wrote. To counter North Korea's growing cyber threats and spy satellite space launches, the US, South Korea, and Japan have formed a unified front, escalating their coordinated efforts against Pyongyang's activities. Following commitments made earlier this year at a summit hosted by President Biden, the three countries have pledged coordinated actions to combat economic coercion and nefarious cyber activities orchestrated by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Japan, South Korea, US Join Efforts Reuters reports that White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced new initiatives emerging from a meeting of the three countries' national security advisers in Seoul. Sullivan emphasized the core focus areas of these initiatives, pinpointing cybercrime, cryptocurrency money laundering, and the contentious ballistic missile and space tests conducted by North Korea, all in contravention of United Nations resolutions. "We've also launched new trilateral initiatives to counter the threats posed by the DPRK, from its cybercrime and cryptocurrency money laundering to its reckless space and ballistic missile tests," Sullivan noted. These efforts are not merely rhetoric but encompass a tangible commitment, evidenced by plans underway for a real-time information-sharing arrangement on North Korean missile launches, amplifying the defense cooperation among the allied nations. Read Also: Interpol's Crackdown: Human-Trafficking, Cyber Fraud Escalate Into a Global Menace Threats from North Korea Despite North Korea's assertion of its right to defend itself through space development, the US disputes these claims, citing violations of international norms and resolutions. AP News reports that the heightened concerns revolve around potential arms trade between North Korea and Russia, raising alarm bells over the transfer of munitions aiding Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Sullivan, speaking after the trilateral meeting, highlighted the gravity of North Korea's actions, indicating a collective unease among the three nations. However, specifics regarding the volume and types of arms purportedly being shipped to Russia remained undisclosed. Nonetheless, Sullivan emphasized unanimity among the allies regarding the alarming nature of the weapons transfers, underscoring the grave concerns held by the alliance. Amid these discussions, less critical but relevant details emerged, including North Korea's plans to deploy additional spy satellites, its criticism of perceived double standards in satellite launches, and its denial of allegations regarding cyberattacks or arms proliferation. Speculations about North Korea potentially supplying arms to militant groups and the implications of the country abandoning previous agreements were also mentioned during the discussions. Despite these intricate dialogues and shared concerns, it is evident that the United States, South Korea, and Japan are navigating a complex web of geopolitical challenges posed by North Korea's evolving cyber capabilities and its ambitious forays into space. As tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high, this united front demonstrates these countries' unwavering dedication towards countering Pyongyang's multifaceted threats. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Chinese Cybercriminals Launch SugarGh0st RAT Campaign to Attack South Korea, Uzbekistan 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Elon Musk's X has recently resurrected the permabanned account of controversial US conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, according to a Reuters report. This move comes following a public poll initiated by Musk, where users were asked whether Jones should be reinstated after nearly five years of being banned. Musk's decision to honor the poll results, with around 70% voting in favor of Jones' return out of close to 2 million votes, has stirred both support and criticism. Musk Starts Another Poll to Revive a Permabanned Account Musk took to X on Saturday, posting a poll that would determine the fate of Jones' account, "@RealAlexJones," which had been banned in 2018 due to violations of behavior policies. Reinstate Alex Jones on this platform? Vox Populi, Vox Dei. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 9, 2023 The poll received an overwhelming response, closing with a majority favoring Jones' return. Musk, known for his unconventional approach, commented, "The people have spoken and so it shall be." However, the move has raised questions about content moderation on the platform and the responsibilities that come with it. Read Also: Elon Musk's xAI Launches Grok Chatbot to X Premium+ Subscribers Why Alex Jones' Twitter/X Account Was Banned The permabanned account, displaying its last post from September 6, 2018, now stands reinstated, signaling a shift in Musk's stance on controversial figures. Notably, this decision follows Musk's previous actions in reinstating other suspended accounts, including that of former US President Donald Trump, which was suspended for 'inciting violence.' Alex Jones, infamous for promoting conspiracy theories surrounding the Sandy Hook school shooting, faced legal consequences last year when ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in damages to the victims' relatives for spreading false claims. Musk's move to resurrect Jones' account raises concerns about the platform's commitment to combating misinformation and the potential impact on public discourse. While Musk's initiative to seek users' approval before reviving Donald Trump's official account is framed as part of his restructuring efforts, it draws attention to the complexities of balancing free speech with responsible content moderation. What Experts Think The tech billionaire has been vocal about prioritizing principles over financial gains, a sentiment echoed in his recent comments about the potential financial repercussions of reinstating Jones. Although vehemently disagreeing with Jones ' statements, Musk's commitment to free speech shows a strategic move that may impact the platform's user base. In the wake of these developments, questions arise about X's content moderation policies. Reports indicate that despite Musk's claims of a crackdown on bots, researchers have identified a sprawling bot network on the platform, undermining Musk's efforts to combat misinformation. The discrepancy between Musk's promises and bot activity reality highlights X's challenges in maintaining a healthy and reliable online environment. As X navigates these content moderation challenges, the platform's influence remains a focal point. While garnering attention, Musk's bold decisions also invite scrutiny, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to balance free speech and responsible platform management. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Elon Musk Petitions SEC Settlement Again for Funding Secured Tweet, Avoid $20M Penalty 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google introduced its latest AI model, Gemini, on December 6, asserting its position as the market's most advanced, surpassing OpenAI's GPT-4. Designed as a multimodal model, Gemini excels at integrating various types of information and offers three versions (Ultra, Pro, and Nano) tailored for diverse applications. Gemini claims proficiency in advanced math and specialized coding, outperforming GPT-4, as notably demonstrated in benchmark tests. According to CoinTelegraph, the Gemini Ultra version showcased "state-of-the-art performance" in 30 out of 32 academic benchmarks. However, online critics are questioning Gemini's proclaimed superiority, scrutinizing benchmark testing methods and Google's marketing strategies. Google Admits 'Edited' Video Google's Gemini asserts its excellence in answering questions through voice, video, photos, and typed text. While Google's data suggests Gemini Ultra's outperformance of GPT-4 in standard benchmarks, the improvements are marginal, with Gemini surpassing GPT-4 by a few percentage points. Notably, OpenAI completed GPT-4 at least a year ago, emphasizing Google's delayed progress. The unveiling of Gemini featured a video demonstration that raised authenticity concerns. The video showcased the model's ability to track a paper ball and infer a dot-to-dot picture, demonstrating impressive reasoning abilities. However, experts pointed out that ChatGPT Plus could replicate a number of the video's features. Google acknowledged the edited nature of the video, with reduced latency and shortened Gemini outputs for brevity. The demonstration was not conducted in real-time or in voice, as clarified by a Google spokesperson. The spokesperson stated the video used still image frames and text prompts, deviating from the implication of real-time voice conversations. In its YouTube description, Google clarified, "For the purposes of this demo, latency has been reduced and Gemini outputs have been shortened for brevity." This implies the actual response time may be longer than portrayed in the video, as per an article from Financial Review. Google, this is embarrassing. You published an impressive video showing Gemini answering your questions. It looked awesome. It looked real-time. But it was a lie. None of that happened as recorded and presented to the public. Instead, you cherry-picked frames and edited a pic.twitter.com/GjyqWPyaIu Santiago (@svpino) December 6, 2023 Read Also: Siri Evolution: Apple's iPhone 16 Promises Major AI Enhancements Gemini's marketing strategy emphasizes Google's extensive AI research team and vast data resources. The company aims to highlight its deployment on platforms like Chrome, Android, and Pixel phones. However, historical examples caution against assuming ubiquity ensures success in the tech world. Will Gemini's Reign Last Long? Gemini Ultra, Google's top AI model, shows marginal improvements over GPT-4 in various benchmarks. Despite advancements, its public release is pending, with indications suggesting a potential launch in early January. Industry experts speculate Gemini Ultra's reign may be short-lived, considering the time taken for Google to catch up, allowing OpenAI to develop GPT-5. The timing of Google's Gemini launch appears calculated to capitalize on turmoil at OpenAI, including a board coup. Google initiated a sales campaign targeting OpenAI's corporate customers, according to Bloomberg, citing a report from The Wall Street Journal. Due to its bureaucratic structure and past unrealized technology like Duplex, skepticism remains about Google's ability to swiftly deliver innovative products. 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In recent years, fascination with UFOs has intensified, fueled by revelations from the Pentagon's 2021 report on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). The skies have been transformed into a canvas for mysteries, prompting NASA and the Pentagon to launch full-scale investigations into UFOs. Could this be the first sign of extraterrestrial life and their own probes in our solar system? NASA, Pentagon Delegate Efforts to Investigate UFOs NASA recently convened a panel dedicated to delving into reports of unidentified aerial phenomena. Simultaneously, the Pentagon has created a new investigative desk, unveiling footage capturing enigmatic metallic orbs dancing through the celestial expanse. This heightened scrutiny follows David Grusch's intriguing testimony before the US Congress, where he disclosed conversations with around 40 individuals involved in clandestine programs linked to crashed UFOs. Searching the Skies for Signs Our galaxy, the Milky Way, is home to an astonishing 40 billion Earth-sized planets potentially capable of hosting life. Human ingenuity has birthed missions like Voyager and Pioneer, demonstrating the capacity to reach neighboring stars. Initiatives like Breakthrough Starshot propels our imagination further, envisaging journeys to Alpha Centauri within decades through revolutionary propulsion systems. A piece shared by ScienceAlert ponders the intriguing idea: what if space exploration is not solely our endeavor? The idea that extraterrestrial probes could be exploring our solar system becomes an enticing possibility. If we can send probes, why wouldn't a more advanced civilization do the same? These probes could be hidden within our asteroid belt or quietly traversing Earth's skies, perhaps even disguising themselves as unidentified flying objects. The quest to decipher potential alien presence compels scientists to explore unconventional avenues. Read Also: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Finds Something Weird Inside Mysterious 'Brick' in Milky Way More Shreds of Evidence Analysis of materials from alleged UFO crash sites might yield irrefutable evidence. Yet, securing these exotic remnants reportedly held by private entities poses a challenge, prompting proposed legislation mandating surrendering any non-human intelligence-related materials to the US government. Scientists have turned their gaze skyward, employing innovative techniques to search for anomalous phenomena. They scrutinize the night sky for fleeting flashes of light, a potential signature of alien technology. Historical records from pre-spaceflight era photographs and modern telescopic observations have unveiled transient light sources that defy conventional astronomical explanations, teasing at the presence of unfamiliar entities. A pioneering initiative, ExoProbe, spearheads the search for fleeting celestial flashes using multiple telescopes. The verification process demands observations from diverse vantage points, enabling calculations of parallax to determine an object's distance. This project meticulously filters out signals from space debris and satellites cluttering our celestial canvas. Yet, despite decades of scanning radio frequencies for extraterrestrial communications, silence reigns supreme. As such, attention is now redirected closer to home. This shift signifies a new chapter in our quest for understanding, urging us to explore uncharted territories within our cosmic backyard. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Delivers 'First Light' Images as It Travels to a Metal Asteroid in Darkness 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The latest viral sensation on TikTok, known as the "Time Travel" filter, has garnered attention for its ability to predict users' appearances as they age. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons have hailed the filter's surprising accuracy, eliciting diverse reactions from TikTok users. Users have expressed both anguish and bittersweet emotions as they witness their transformed, aged selves. Jacquie, a 28-year-old TikTok user, shared her positive experience, describing aging as beautiful and receiving comments about her warm and nurturing appearance. Conversely, some users lamented their results, humorously comparing themselves to a "sewer monster" or someone in the process of "decomposing." Even American actor Jonathan Bennett, 42, participated in the trend, expressing emotional sentiments as he noted the resemblance to his late father and expressing a deep sense of longing, according to AOL. "This made me so emotional. I look like my dad. I miss him so much," Bennet noted. @jonathandbennett This made me so emotional, it was like I was seeing my Dad again. I miss him so much this was unexpected, and made me so happy. original sound - Johnny Sibilly Nobody is Exempted From Ageing The phenomenon of the Time Travel filter caught the attention of New York dermatologist Dr. Toral Vaidya, a TikTok influencer with over 15,000 followers. In a viral video, she expressed her shock at the TikTok filter's accuracy in portraying age-related changes, per the New York Post. While acknowledging the influence of lighting and angles on the filter's outcomes, Dr. Vaidya highlighted its potential to provide insights into age-related alterations such as volume loss, wrinkles, and dark spots. She emphasized the inevitability of aging but suggested methods to "slow down" the process. Read Also: Meet 'Tang Ren': Lead Graphic Designer's Showcase of Art to Draw Young New Yorkers to the Heart of Chinatown The dermatologist emphasized that the primary guideline is consistent sun protection, including SPF. Adopting habits like reducing smoking and alcohol consumption, along with incorporating a retinoid and sufficient moisturizer, can contribute to preserving youthful skin. Board-certified plastic surgeon Jonathan Kaplan affirmed the filter's accuracy in depicting features such as eye-hollowing, drooping cheeks, and deeper forehead lines. Also Check Out the Cool Old Filter TikTok, known for inspiring viral trends, previously captivated users with the Teenage Filter. The current fascination centers around the Time Travel filter, enabling users to age themselves in seconds using an ultra-realistic AI aging effect. The TikTok Time Travel filter is merely one iteration of AI-driven aging available on the platform. Alternatives exist, showcasing users' current looks juxtaposed with their elderly counterparts rather than illustrating a gradual aging progression. According to Dexerto, there is another digital aging filter accessible on FaceApp for those curious about their senior age appearance. To access it, users must download FaceApp, select the "Age" feature, opt for the "cool old" option, apply the effect to their photo, and save it. Then, when they go back to TikTok, users can use the CapCup template for the trend, inserting their old image first and their young image second. Related Article: AI Showdown: Can Gemini Outpace GPT-4? Google's Bold Claim Facing Scrutiny 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A Catholic priest died early Sunday after being stabbed in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was taken by ambulance to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he died, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Omaha. Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson said Kierre L. Williams, 43, from Sioux City, Iowa, was taken into custody at the scene. He was later arrested on suspicion of homicide and use of a weapon to commit a felony. The Archdiocese of Omaha is praying for Father Stephen Gutgsell, who was assaulted during an invasion at the rectory of St. John the Baptist parish in Fort Calhoun early Sunday morning, the statement from the Omaha archdiocese said. Father Gutgsell was transported to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, where he died of his injuries. The Washington County Sheriffs Office is investigating, and there are no further details at this time. Please join Archbishop George Lucas in prayer for the repose of Father Gutgsell, for his family and for the St. John the Baptist parish community in this tragic time. Robinson said Gutgsell, 65, placed a call to 911 about 5 a.m. and said someone was attempting to break into the rectory. Deputies arrived within minutes and found Gutgsell suffering from stab wounds, he said. Mike Fitzgerald, a parishioner at St. John the Baptist, said he received a call early Sunday notifying him of the assault. The regular 8:30 a.m. Mass at the church was canceled, he said. Father Gutgsell has been here 11 years, and I thought he was a very holy man, Fitzgerald said. He did a lot of things for the community. He always made sure that the (church) bulletin had everything in it that we needed to know about things going on at the church. The attack on Gutgsell was the second homicide in Fort Calhoun in recent months. Linda Childers, 71, was found dead in her rural home on Aug. 14. Authorities believe she was killed the previous day during a home invasion. In that case, William P. Collins has been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of using a weapon to commit a felony, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, first-degree assault, burglary, possession of a stolen firearm and theft. Authorities have said Collins traveled the Midwest, had friends in Omaha and that it does not appear there was a connection between Collins and Childers. Photos: Washington County Sheriff's office investigates scene of fatal stabbing of priest An exodus of veteran staff at the Nebraska Legislature has, in some instances, led to questionable or incomplete recordkeeping in legislative committees, state senators learned on Friday. More than 40 longtime employees, some with decades of experience, retired or left the legislative branch of state government ahead of the 2023 session, Speaker John Arch told lawmakers at the Legislative Council. "What we experienced this year was a major disruption," Arch said at the retreat for state senators that focused on legislative systems rather than upcoming policy debates. One of the areas where those disruptions were most evident was among the committee staff responsible for keeping detailed records of the work done by the Legislature's policy-making groups. More than 80 corrections were made to reports used as a historical and legal record for the work of legislative committees this year four times as many as were made in both the 2021 and 2019 sessions, which were also 90 days long. Eight committee clerks failed to turn in completed reports detailing the efforts of senators on those working groups to the clerk's office by the Oct. 1 deadline this year, while three end-of-session reports from the 2023 session are still missing. And, more recently, a committee clerk forgot to turn on the recording equipment during an interim hearing at the Capitol, meaning no record was created for a portion of the proceedings, while in other situations, recording equipment has been left on to capture senators' private conversations. Clerk Brandon Metzler said efforts to rectify mistakes have often led to suggestions that committee clerks just need more training in order to perform the tasks with which they are charged. But in multiple cases, Metzler explained, committee clerks have had processes explained to them multiple times even after a biannual training, and have even refused to consult the 100-page manual with an extensive index for quick reference that outlines their duties. "Often times, committee clerks have not read this and don't know what's in it," Metzler told senators while he held a copy of the manual for them to see. "We can't make somebody open a book and follow the procedures. That's the problem." The mounting issues led Arch and Metzler, who is charged with ensuring the Legislature meets its constitutional and statutory requirements, as well as with creating and maintaining a historical and legal record, to propose restructuring those positions. "We looked at what kind of system we need in place to ensure that good staff are recruited and retained as well as supervised and trained while we have them here," Arch told members of the Legislature. Through the creation of a new Legislative Committee Support Office, the committee clerks would receive uniform training and supervision from legislative staff rather than from state senators who chair committees and hire the clerks as part of their staff. Metzler said the centralized office would allow the Legislature to operate with fewer committee clerks than it does currently because clerks could be assigned to multiple committees. He also said they would receive better instruction on how to perform their in-session responsibilities like scheduling hearings, requesting statements of a bill's intent from the introducing senator, and gathering fiscal notes outlining a bill's impact to the state budget. Outside of the session, clerks are responsible for reviewing the work of the transcribers to ensure an accurate record of the committee's work is kept, preparing committee records for archival purposes, and scheduling and running hearings that happen during the interim. The idea of putting committee clerks into a centralized office, where they would still be assigned to a committee but would be able to fill in for others if necessary and provide continuity of service, has been put forward before but did not take hold. Arch and Metzler said they hope the idea will stick this time and that the committee clerks could be reassigned on July 1, after the end of the 60-day session set to start in January, but before the start of the new biennium next year. Several senators, mostly those who now serve as a committee chair, bristled at the idea of moving the clerk outside of their office, which they said would cut down lines of communication and potentially slow the Legislature's work. Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard, chair of the Natural Resources Committee, said he supported the idea of putting the clerks in a centralized office where they would be supervised by legislative staff, but said they needed to remain in senators' offices while in session. "I do a lot of things with the clerk," Bostelman said. "This is going to slow that whole process down and that continuity we have there. I would highly encourage you to retain clerks in senators' offices." Other committee chairs also criticized the idea, saying the committee clerks work best when they work closely with senators. Two other committee chairs Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus, who leads the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, and Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, who leads the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee both blasted the idea as unnecessary. Moser said committee clerks that work out of a senator's office can understand the dynamics of those relationships better, while Brewer said the committee clerk often becomes a crucial part of a team. Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne, the chair of the Judiciary Committee, echoed Brewer, saying clerks become an integral part of their team, both in running the committees as well as in helping move legislation onto the floor and that removing that person from his office could disrupt trust among staff. But Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, who is not a committee chair, said she believed having a clerk that was part of the professional staff and not a political ally or former campaign member would benefit the institution as a whole. "Your committee clerk should not be helping you get your bill out; their job is to run the meeting and keep a record," Cavanaugh said. "This shouldn't be a political position, and they shouldn't be in control over who is running the record of the Legislature." No decision was made on Friday on how to proceed, and Arch said discussions on the proposal would continue in the weeks and months to come. Both he and Metzler said as term limits continue to push lawmakers out, moving the committee clerks to an independent office would help ensure their longevity in those positions, which they said would benefit the Legislature and Nebraska as a whole. After next year's session, seven sitting committee chairs will be term-limited, meaning the Legislature could see turnover in the clerks hired by those senators. The people who replace them Metzler estimated between four and six committee clerks would be new to the body would mean all 16 committees have had new clerks within the last four years. 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Grifols is not convincing: there are no concrete explanations for analysts and the stock is once again plummeting The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine withdrew from the Rada a bill on new rules of mobilization US election campaign: Trump basks in the sun at Fox, DeSantis and Haley throw mud at each other Customers critical of Vytag after the cold weather The Swedish Consumer Agency is reviewing the company Milei writes to Pope Francis, showers him with praise and invites him to visit Argentina State Department: The United States, together with the G7, will make decisions on the use of Russia's assets Police and Civil Guards demand that Marlaska stop the "scrapping of the State" after the new pact with Junts to cede migration China-Malaysia Relations Upgraded Again Expert: Equal cooperation sets an example for countries in the region The Campo de Gibraltar applies a "drastic drop" in water pressure that leads to cuts during the night After the withdrawal of the occupation. Al-Duwairi reveals the contours of the next phase of the Gaza war Qatar Charity launches two projects in the name of the martyrs Hamza Al-Dahdouh and Mustafa Thuraya Aqaba summit calls for cessation of Israeli aggression and warns of the seriousness of the situation in the West Bank Israeli writer: Our borders will extend and we will take Mecca, Medina and Mount Sinai Russia has told Ecuador that the transfer of its equipment to the United States would be an unfriendly step Hamas: We will not allow the occupation and its supporters to interfere in the future of the Gaza Strip Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Eleven kilometers into the depths: China says it wants to drill into the Earth's mantle with a special ship According to the study, crocodiles are romantic lovers and speak a "language of love" Five New Restaurants and Travelers Who Are Going to Be Very Familiar This Year Mantequeria Bermejo, the centennial trade that has gone viral for a few horns Google will probably fail with lawsuit against billions in fine from the European Union Michaela May, Gisela Schneeberger and Jutta Speidel: "The image of women on television is underground" Why is South Africa's complaint against Israel before the Court of Justice the most important of all? Osaka-Kansai Expo: Bringing food into the venue is prohibited in principle, and final adjustments are made Aida Artiles, yogi and model: "Reading and running on the beach gives me life" The shadow of Paco de Lucia is infinite: the genius that no one has ever met 'The President should shut his face': Anouk Grinberg angry with Emmanuel Macron after his comments on Depardieu (m+) Artificial intelligence: How Vokswagen, Mercedes and BMW want to score points with AI in their cars Umea Basket in financial crisis: "Happy if we survive the rest of the season" Umea Basket in financial crisis: "Happy if we survive the rest of the season" Sweden is out of the World Junior Championships: "Has more in it" Hilda Andersson on the cruciate ligament injury: "Remember that it will be difficult" Flight to the Africa Cup of Nations: Gambia national football team has to make an emergency landing In the fight against wind and frost: Derbusheva and Bektuganov became champions of Russia in biathlon in the super sprint Despite the fiasco Bjorn Ferry believes in Sweden's chance of a medal in the World Championships Flight to the Africa Cup of Nations: Gambia national football team has to make an emergency landing The national football team will compete in the Asian Cup again after 5 years, will it work this time? Sergio Herrera: "If the opponent's crowd hesitates me, I bite them, I laugh... Someone has told me 'you're the dumbest guy in the league.'" The mystery of asthmatic champions: Why do 20% of athletes have respiratory problems? The Ministry of Finance of Russia will sell currency and gold for 69,1 billion rubles The government now justifies the pact with Junts on the exit of companies "to avoid fiscal engineering" from which they left Planas rules out lowering taxes on more foods and encourages the 'super' to lower the price of oil from now on Cottbus: Olaf Scholz is greeted by farmers' protests at the opening of the railway plant Bitcoin: Is it possible and recommended to invest via funds? The "dragon content" of the e-commerce platform has surged, and the atmosphere has not yet been full Train tickets for the first day of the Spring Festival are open today, and the rules have changed! Grifols is not convincing: there are no concrete explanations for analysts and the stock is once again plummeting Customers critical of Vytag after the cold weather The Swedish Consumer Agency is reviewing the company Milei writes to Pope Francis, showers him with praise and invites him to visit Argentina State Department: The United States, together with the G7, will make decisions on the use of Russia's assets Police and Civil Guards demand that Marlaska stop the "scrapping of the State" after the new pact with Junts to cede migration China-Malaysia Relations Upgraded Again Expert: Equal cooperation sets an example for countries in the region "Hunter's skills came in handy": a 59-year-old resident of Bashkortostan went to the NWO after his son Through the fence openings. How did tweeters comment on Egyptians' solidarity with displaced people in Gaza? The Campo de Gibraltar applies a "drastic drop" in water pressure that leads to cuts during the night After the withdrawal of the occupation. Al-Duwairi reveals the contours of the next phase of the Gaza war Qatar Charity launches two projects in the name of the martyrs Hamza Al-Dahdouh and Mustafa Thuraya Aqaba summit calls for cessation of Israeli aggression and warns of the seriousness of the situation in the West Bank Israeli writer: Our borders will extend and we will take Mecca, Medina and Mount Sinai Russia has told Ecuador that the transfer of its equipment to the United States would be an unfriendly step Hamas: We will not allow the occupation and its supporters to interfere in the future of the Gaza Strip Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. While Nebraskans have always been able to spend the night in Lincoln or hang out in Waterloo, Wood River or Rushville, now sailors on the USS Nebraska can do the same. And they won't need to leave the ballistic-missile submarine stationed at Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Washington, to do it. On Veterans Day, the USS Nebraska began honoring the Cornhusker State by naming all work and living spaces after Nebraska communities. Vance Scott, commanding officer on the U.S. Navys nuclear powered, Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, came up with the idea while touring the University of Nebraska Innovation Campus and the Scarlet Hotel during Lincoln Navy Week in August. They talked about the rooms named after a city or town in Nebraska, Cmdr. Scott said. And I thought, I wonder if I can do that on my boat? Shari Veil, dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of NebraskaLincoln, helped Scott answer that question. When Veil learned about the naming project, she reached out to Nebraska alumni at Archrival, a Lincoln-based marketing company that worked with developer Goldenrod Companies on the brand and naming for the Scarlet Hotel. This project is a perfect example of what makes Nebraska so special, Veil said. We set up a meeting with folks from the Navy, College of Journalism, Archrival and Goldenrod, and a few weeks later, the Navy had hundreds of community histories and thousands of photos of Nebraska towns and landmarks to pick from. Zach Wiegert, managing principal of Goldenrod Companies, said his team embraced the opportunity to collaborate with the military. We were excited to hear our Scarlet Hotel project inspired the U.S. Navy to name their staterooms in a similar manner, Wiegert said. We are proud supporters of our nations military. The most challenging part of the project was helping crew members identify with the various locations within Nebraska, especially for crew members who have not been to Nebraska. Goldenrod engaged the team at Archrival to write unique stories of nearly 150 Nebraska cities and towns. We shared these stories with the U.S. Navy, along with more than 2,000 photographs depicting each locale, which were captured by students from the University of Nebraska, Wiegert said. This gave the U.S. Navy team the opportunity to review and select the towns they wanted to represent onboard the submarine. The commanding officers stateroom will be named after the capital city of Lincoln, and the executive officers stateroom will be named after Bancroft, the name of a dormitory at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. Additional spaces such as officer staterooms, bunkrooms, chiefs quarters, the wardroom, study areas, and the crews lounge will be named Wahoo, Waterloo, Pawnee City, Broken Bow, Atlanta, West Point, Valentine, Offutt AFB, Schuyler, Eagle, Red Cloud, Tecumseh, Hastings, Central City, Tekamah, Weeping Water, Boys Town, Wood River, Waverly, Omaha, Cedar Rapids, Grand Island, Oakland, Imperial and Rushville. More than 50 sailors from various commands, including several USS Nebraska crew members and Scott, participated in education and community outreach events during Lincoln Navy Week, Aug. 21-27. Navy Band Great Lakes entertained residents at venues throughout the week while sailors met with students in several high schools, Boys & Girls Clubs and after-school programs and volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, Food Bank of Lincoln, YMCA, United Way, and Matt Talbot, among other organizations. Navy Public Affairs Officers toured the College of Journalism and Mass Communications and media facilities. The week culminated with the two-day Guardians of Freedom Airshow. Scott, a Baltimore, Maryland, native and 2004 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was impressed by the local hospitality. We definitely felt embraced and welcomed by everyone that we were in contact with, and (the city) rolled out the red carpet and really took great care of me and my team, Scott said. We wanted to try to find a way of kind of paying back the city and the state and really rebuild that connectivity that we have. Veil was proud to see the various groups come together to make the project happen. Nebraskans love and support our military, and its a great honor to have our communities represented on the USS Nebraska, Veil said. Photos: Blue Angels return to Lincoln for Guardians of Freedom Airshow Madame John's Legacy at 632 Dumaine St. in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. The building, dating to 1788 or earlier, is on the Louisiana Landmarks Society list of the 2023 New Orleans Nine Most Endangered Sites. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune) Newly minted Sydney Airport boss Scott Charlton says inbound tourism will continue to be hampered until capacity increases on routes to Europe and the Middle East. The airport is expecting 2.6 million passengers over the three-week December holiday peak 500,000 more than in 2022 but still 5 per cent below 2019. Sydney Airport is slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels. Credit: Peter Rae Destinations like China, Vietnam, South Korea and the US are all above pre-pandemic capacity, but its really those Middle East and Europe flights that need to increase their load factors, he said. Of the 2.6 million people, 1.1 million will be travelling through the international terminal almost 35 per cent more than 2022. The number of domestic travellers is forecast to increase by just 16 per cent on 2022 to 1.5 million. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Death Valley. What a brilliant place for a goth legend to be reborn. As he drove northeast out of Los Angeles, Lol Tolhurst wasnt thinking straight enough to make any metaphorical connections. He was just desperate for an exit from what he calls in his memoir the sad mess I had become. The subtitle of Cured is The Tale of Two Imaginary Boys, the other being his childhood friend and co-founder of the Cure, Robert Smith. At the time of his Mojave Desert escape, that band had made and broken him. A recovering alcoholic, he had destroyed the deepest friendship of his life in an ill-judged courtroom drama that left him ruined. I started to write Cured when I was in my 50s and it helped to have that [distance], Tolhurst says now, clear-eyed and smiling under a tangle of peroxide-blonde hair in his adopted LA home. To write it was part of the recovery. Without recovery, the book wouldnt have been written, but also the book helps put things in perspective. I made a decision at the beginning. If Im gonna do it I have to be honest, because if Im not honest, people will suss it out pretty quickly... Ive read a lot of memoirs and autobiographies, and within the first couple of chapters, you can tell whos going to tell you the truth and whos going to waffle or prevaricate. Tolhursts new book widens his scope to trace an often-misunderstood phenomenon of goth. The truth set Tolhurst on a new path as a writer. His second book, Goth: A History, widens his scope to trace an often-misunderstood phenomenon: Not just a new kind of music, as defined by the Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, Joy Division and other denizens of the rainy UK new wave, but a way of being in the world. Under chapters such as Psychic Geography and The Poetry of Pain, he follows a pulse from 18th-century gothic literature to French symbolist poets to American underworld icons Jim Morrison, Iggy Pop and Alice Cooper to the nihilism of UK punk and beyond. The common thread is dark inner visions unleashed in times of social trauma outsiders bonded in flamboyant expressions of gloom. Advertisement Its not about bats and its not about coffins, Tolhurst says. In the late 70s, early 80s, a lot of people would try to de-fang it, as my [journalist] friend Cathi Unsworth says. When people are scared of something, they make fun of it. And people were scared because maybe they didnt understand it. Or maybe they didnt like the fact that it excluded them. And the truth is, goth doesnt really exclude anybody. Its very welcoming. Tolhurst, right, on stage with The Cure at the Sydney Opera House in 2011. Credit: Edwina Pickles Ironically, Tolhurst confesses that this is a club he can only join with the comfort of hindsight. Like any self-respecting band, the Cure always rejected being reduced to a conveniently labelled subculture. On their first album, they were already sneering at jumping someone elses train. Englands super fashion-conscious about music. Six months and then its gone, says the bands former drummer and keyboard player. We were very aware at that time that we didnt want to jump on any kind of bandwagon and say, Oh yeah, thats who we are, because as soon as it was goth, it was gone. But years later, it appears to me that we were really the fertile ground for that to come out of. Tolhurst, front, with Budgie from Siouxsie & The Banshees, middle, and producer Garret Jacknife Lee. Credit: Pat Martin Cured tells the whole story of the imaginary boys artistic blooming from the bleak socio-political landscape of late 70s Britain, where the Sex Pistols No Future sounded the alarm for a generation. But it also draws on the authors personal darkness in a dysfunctional home poisoned by his alcoholic father, hardly unique in showbusiness. The Cures ascent accelerated Tolhurst Juniors decline. Most people start their music career sometime in their late teens/early 20s, when you dont know anything at all about life, he says. So terrible things happen all the time. They happen very subtly a lot of the time and sometimes less subtly if we look at somebody like Britney Spears. And its very difficult to protect yourself from that. Advertisement Its very unnatural to put young people all together in that space and live with each other 24/7 for months and sometimes years on end. Things are bound to happen. Its a recipe for disaster, which is probably what makes it work, and probably what makes it self-destruct as well. Tolhursts self-destruction came in a storm of tragedy. His ousting after the Cures Disintegration album of 1989 came between his mothers passing and the shattering loss of an infant daughter. The birth of a son, Gray, roughly coincided with losing his suit against Smith for royalties and co-ownership of the Cure. His marriage collapsed soon after they moved to LA. Hence that cathartic drive to Death Valley, where he began to turn his life around. TAKE 7: THE ANSWERS ACCORDING TO LOL TOLHURST Worst habit? Procrastination? (But I did these questions quick) Greatest fear? Losing my mind. The line that stayed with you? Its too bad she wont live, but then again who does? (from Blade Runner) Biggest regret? My mother never met my son. Favourite room? The upstairs room. The artwork you wish was yours? Low by Bowie. If you could solve one thing Mans inhumanity to man. I still love the desert today, he says. I have a little bolthole out there that I can run to. Its like being on another planet most of the time. All of that stuff that goes on in the city and around your head constantly can go away. I think more and more about that. In fact, I think thats where my next book is heading. Musically, hes enjoying a new lease of life, too. Los Angeles is a new album by Tolhurst, Banshees drummer Budgie and LA producer Jacknife Lee. Described as a journey into the dark heart of contemporary LaLaLand, its an album of shadowy, organic-beat-driven atmospheres with a handful of weighty guest performers including Primal Screams Bobby Gillespie, James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem and U2 guitarist The Edge. You could say its goth-adjacent, Tolhurst says a little coyly. Hes confident the project will tour Australia in some form in 2024. Apart from a brother in Tasmania, this country holds special significance since he rejoined the Cure for their hugely ambitious Reflections shows at Sydney Opera House in 2011. The late chapter in Cured in which he reconciles with his childhood friend backstage in Los Angeles is very moving. Advertisement Heres the thing, right? Ive known Robert since I was five years old. On my next birthday, Ill be 65. Its like family. Theres no way that we were never going to be reconciled, he says. A couple of months ago, they were playing here in Los Angeles and I went along to see everybody. And it was kind of overwhelming for me emotionally because I didnt know until I got there, but everybodys family had come over from England as well. I went down into the dressing room and it was like going back to the pub in Crawley in 1977. Does he have a future with the Cure? Who knows. I know that the day I die, if I get an obituary, I know exactly what its going to say. But also, like Joe Strummer said, The future is unwritten. With or without the Cure, it will inevitably involve one of the three circles of hell, as he sees it. The bottom circle is the book business. People still have three-martini lunches but theyre generally pretty honourable and things go well. But its a business all the same. Then theres the music business: very competitive and there are a lot of sharks around. And then the worst one is Hollywood at the top and Ive had my brush with that a little bit, too. Thats terrible. People would sell their children to make their films, and the less I have to deal with that, the better. Its fatherhood, as it happens, that gives his life meaning these days. What was given to me in the Mojave Desert, he writes after that Death Valley watershed in Cured, was the ability to break the chain of family dysfunction and be a real father. The true measure of a man. Advertisement IUN added to national initiative Indiana University Northwest was recently awarded opportunities and funding to further support historically underrepresented, low-income and first-generation students, according to the IUN website. Through the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) national initiative and funding from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE), the campus will continue to work toward closing the equity gap to boost student success, the website said. Advertisement Through AASCUs national initiative, the program funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a comprehensive multi-year initiative designed to help institutions close the equity gaps of their Black, Latino, Indigenous and low-income students, the website said. IUN will be joined by the other IU regional campuses. Advertisement Senior living, aging topic of Dec. 19 workshop in Merrillville R&M Partners is sponsoring a workshop on understanding senior issues from 9:30 a.m. till noon Dec. 19 at the Crossroads Chamber of Commerce Community Center, 440 W. 84th Drive, Merrillville. According to the Chambers website, the workshop is designed to empower individuals, organizations and professionals with the knowledge and strategies to elevate the quality of life for seniors. Invited guests include senior living & LTC community leaders, senior care professionals, aging advocates, health care providers and anyone passionate about improving senior living, the website says. Cost to attend From Vision to Reality: Leading the Cohesive Approach for Operational Excellence, Employee Satisfaction, Occupancy Growth and Quality Care in Your Community is $100 after Dec. 9. Register by calling 708-400-4474. Highland officers complete crisis training Three Highland police officers recently completed Lake County Crisis Intervention training. According to a Highland Police Facebook post, Officer Joshua Brzezinski, Officer John Freyek and Officer Jim Glidewell completed 40 hours of training in the Lake County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training at the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Hobart. This training is provided to law enforcement officers throughout Lake County to provide resources and information for handling mental health crises, the post said. The training consisted of both classroom and field instruction and the focus was on several core areas including mental health disorders, youth/adolescents, veterans/military and legal aspects, etc. The completion of the training has now earned them accreditations from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and they are now official CIT trained officers for the Highland Police Department, the post said. Gastroenterologists joins Franciscan in Crown Point Dr. Ahmed Akhter and Dr. Rida Aslam are now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and are accepting new patients in Crown Point, according to a release. Advertisement Akhter, a gastroenterologist, completed his education at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Aslam completed her training at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, N.Y. Aslam and Akhter are accepting new patients at 1205 S. Main St., Suite 201 in Crown Point. Call 219-663-6520. RACINE City Council voted Tuesday to settle a property tax lawsuit. Stature High Ridge LLC filed the lawsuit against the city in July 2022, claiming that the company had been excessively charged in property taxes for a property at 2211 S. Green Bay Road. The company claimed that the property was assessed at a value of $4.4 million for 2022, when the value of the property was not higher than $2.085 million, according to Racine County Circuit Court documents. Stature High Ridge claimed that it was excessively charged by more than $65,000 in property taxes because of the over-assessment. The company claimed it was entitled to a reduction of the assessment and refund of the excessive taxes, according to the complaint. In an answer to the companys complaint filed in August 2022, the city denied the claims that the property was over assessed and over taxed. After discussions with Stature High Ridge, City Council voted to settle the lawsuit for $50,854.40. After settlement discussions, the city assessor agreed to reset the 2022 assessment at $2,370,000, City Clerk Tara McMenamin said. This will result in a refund for 2022 property taxes paid of $50,854.40. By law, approximately half of the refund will be charged back to the other property taxing jurisdictions. Bill Hare, a climate scientist and director of the think-tank Climate Analytics, welcomed Bowens strong language on ending the use of fossil fuels but said there were concerns about the use of abatement in the text of the agreement being negotiated at the conference. But he said it was broadly accepted that abatement used to capture emissions from some industrial processes like making cement and fertiliser, rather than in energy production, would be necessary as the world decarbonised. Bowen, who is chairing one of the negotiating blocs at the COP that includes Australia, Canada, Norway and the US, met with Pacific ministers on Saturday to discuss the negotiations and lay out his efforts to arrive at an outcome rather than allow the talks to collapse. Leaving the majlis meeting, Bowen said he had been working closely with the Pacific ministers and that they had a high degree of alignment. Later in the day he said: Whether we succeed or not, we will know in the next 24 hours or so, but we will leave nothing on the field. We came to this COP determined to return Australias place as a respected, constructive leader, as we should as a country with great economic potential as a renewable. Speaking at the majlis on behalf of Like-Minded Group of Developing Countries, which includes China and India alongside oil producers such as Saudi Arabia and Syria, Bolivias negotiator, Diego Pacheco, accused nations including Australia of hypocrisy. Loading There is a lot of procrastination, a lot of protectionism a lot of hypocrisy, lies and injustice. Several countries are saying they want to phase out fossil fuels and those are countries that are in fact expanding fossil fuel production in the world US, Australia, Norway, Canada and many others. Bowen said he was not offended by the comments. I didnt take particular offence because it was well in keeping with Bolivias well-known views about North-South relations, he said. I did point out that, you know, every country has things at stake. Were fossil fuel exporter, weve got things at stake, we also see the economic opportunities for our country, and we see the opportunity for us to work with other countries on their decarbonisation journey. Jennifer Morgan, the former head of Greenpeace who is now serving as Germanys climate envoy was asked about her view of the role Saudi Arabia and Iran were playing in blocking an agreement on phasing out fossil fuels. She said: I hope that they were able to listen to other exporting countries of fossil fuels, like Australia, like Colombia, and also be actively looking at how they can diversify and also support the phase out of fossil fuels. The fight over fossil fuel language has been brewing for months, if not years. At last years COP more than 80 nations backed a call for a phase down that was torpedoed by a group led by Saudi Arabia. Others pushed for a tougher phase out. As temperature records have shattered and a global stocktake has shown the world off track to meet targets, a renewed push for the measure picked up pace this year. In April, G7 nations agreed to push for an accelerated phase out of unabated fossil fuels. A later G20 meeting failed to come to consensus, with Saudi Arabia and Russia again raising objections. COP28 participants look on on Sunday as dancers of the Mexica Indigenous people of Mexico perform to honour ancestors missing or murdered through environmental exploitation. Credit: Getty On Friday news broke that OPEC, the cartel of oil producing nations, had written to member states urging them not to agree to a phase out. I think theyre panicking, Alden Meyer, an analyst with climate think tank E3G told AP. Maybe the Saudis cant do on their own what theyve been doing for 30 years and block the process. These years talks began with a burst of optimism after a quick agreement was forged to create a loss and damage fund to provide financial assistance to climate vulnerable nations. But with the talks at risk of stalling just 48 hours before they are due to end, Jaber, has been driving negotiators to find breakthroughs. Work faster, smarter, harder, he said in a plenary session on Saturday. Work with a different mindset that will allow flexibility, compromise, openness and a true understanding of the urgency of the task at hand. Put aside self-interest for the common interest, she said. The writers travel to Dubai was supported by Climate Action Network Australia. The health insurance industry has thrown its support behind a push to prevent a controversial group of podiatrists from describing themselves as surgeons. Private Healthcare Australia, which represents the countrys largest private health insurers, has called for podiatric surgeons to be renamed proceduralists to avoid confusion among patients over their qualifications. The call comes after an investigation by this masthead and 60 Minutes found many patients were shocked to discover their surgeons could legally operate on them despite not having medical degrees. The patients discoveries often occurred after foot and ankle procedures they were unhappy with. Private Healthcare Australia director of policy and research Ben Harris said patients could be confused about qualifications held by podiatric surgeons, who can lawfully call themselves doctor. They get lumped in the same basket, making it difficult for researchers who want to move the field of non-fatal drowning forward, Meddings said. Loading While the rate of fatal drownings had dropped, Australian researcher Dr Amy Peden said there was a need to shine a light on this often-overlooked area of non-fatal incidents. For those who survive a drowning, we know far less about their treatment and long-term health outcomes, said Peden, a drowning prevention researcher at the School of Population Health, University of NSW. She credited the Samuel Morris Foundation, a non-profit established by the Morris family for raising awareness. The medical system was not well set up for the complex health needs of those with persisting medical conditions, and to support caregivers. In Australia, for every child under five who fatally drowns, an estimated eight children are brought back to life, she said. In the United States, for every 4500 unintentional fatal drownings, there are more than 8000 emergency visits by people who have experienced a non-fatal drowning, Dr Tessa Clemens from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention told the conference. We believe this is an underestimate and there are far more. But 40 per cent of non-fatal are transferred for further care and hospitalised. That compares to only eight per cent of other injuries, she said. A paper from the United Kingdom found 31 per cent of people who survived being immersed in water required increased assistance with daily life. In a NSW review of people aged 0-25 admitted to hospital from July 1, 2001, to March 31, 2019, with a diagnosis or cause of death saying drowning or immersion, 1934 cases were identified. Of these, 1871 survived. Slightly more than half were under five years old. Of those who survived, nearly nine per cent were readmitted for further treatment later. One of the co-authors of the NSW research, Chen-Chun Shu of the George Institute for Global Health, said she believed non-fatal drowning was underreported. There were similar results from a Victorian study too. Fatal v non-fatal drowning: The experts definitions Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid. Fatal drowning happens when the drowning results in death. Non-fatal drowning happens when a person survives a drowning incident. Non-fatal drowning has a range of outcomes. The new definitions proposed by the World Health Organisation are: Mild: someone who may be coughing involuntarily yet alert when pulled from the water Moderate: someone with continuing problems breathing, conscious but disoriented, who may have continuing problems breathing and ongoing health problems Severe: someone who is unconscious and not breathing, and suffers severe lifelong injuries. Source: The World Health Organisation, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Royal Life Saving Society Australia. When we experienced a non-fatal drowning one of the key questions for us was where were kids like Samuel in the data and the narrative, Michael Morris said. The fact that we [now] have a rich body of work, and families like ours wont be invisible, is tremendously heartwarming. Michael said Samuels non-fatal drowning was often wrongly described as a near drowning. There was nothing near about it, said Michael. At huge emotional cost, they retold Samuels story over and over again until experts listened. Jo Ann Morris with her son Samuel. He died in 2014, aged 10. Credit: Janie Barrett Professor John Pearn, a Queensland paediatrician and a leading water safety expert, agreed that there was a need for a new classification system that assessed the degree of injury, and detailed where and how it occurred. The best indicator of outcome was time to first gasp, referring to the interval following the extraction of the victim from the water. Loading With drownings, the quality of the bystander first aid was crucially important. He said a drowning was the complete antithesis of a heart attack, where youve got a non-beating heart, but a blood system full of oxygen. With drowning, the oxygen in the blood stream was exhausted. At least 70 per cent of children have a beating heart, though they are apparently dead, and they need air, Pearn said. In some countries, non-fatal drownings became fatal because of poor first aid or harmful and community beliefs. In Bangladesh, for example, rescuers often covered the victim in ash, or spun the person overhead, so the victim would throw up water. Julie Powers airfare to the conference was paid for by the Royal Life Saving Society Australia. Thats incorrect, she replied. Brittany Higgins has alleged her then-colleague Lehrmann raped her in the early hours of March 23, 2019, in the office of Liberal senator and then defence industry minister Linda Reynolds, for whom they worked as advisers. Bruce Lehrmann and his legal team outside the Federal Court in Sydney on Monday. Credit: Nick Moir Lehrmann has told the court the alleged assault did not happen and there was no sexual contact between the pair. Higgins father visits Canberra The court heard Higgins father, Matthew, and his partner Kellie Jago, visited Higgins in late March, 2019, a week after the alleged rape. Kellie Jago and Matthew Higgins outside the Federal Court in Sydney on Monday. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos In a message on March 26, tendered in court, Higgins told her father: Im fine but just wanted to give you a heads-up there was an incident with someone at work being inappropriate. Higgins father said that she did not elaborate until February 2020, when she told him she had been raped. Both Matthew Higgins and Jago said Higgins was not her usual self when they saw her in Canberra in 2019, and her father said she was very withdrawn. Jago said she was absent and fidgety. Alleged ASIO job Loading Earlier on Monday, the court heard Lehrmann allegedly claimed he had a job lined up at ASIO after he left his role in Reynolds office, according to notes by an Australian Federal Police agent. AFP agent Rebecca Cleaves, who was based in Parliament House in 2019, read aloud from her notes on April 4, 2019, and said Reynolds then chief of staff, Fiona Brown, had told her that Lehrmann had been sacked. She said he was getting a job with ASIO and name-dropped, the notes taken by Cleaves said. So the chief of staff called ASIO and spoke to a person whom she knew. Confirmed he was not going to work there, and this person had never heard of him. Brown has yet to be called to give evidence in the case. AFP agents Rebecca Cleaves, far left, and Katie Thelning, far right, leaving the Federal Court in Sydney on Monday. Credit: Nick Moir The court has heard Lehrmanns position as an adviser in Reynolds office was formally terminated on April 5, 2019, after he entered Parliament House after hours on March 23. His role was not terminated as a result of the sexual assault allegation. CCTV footage The court heard that Cleaves spoke to Higgins on April 1 about the alleged assault with a second AFP agent, Katie Thelning. Loading Cleaves made a request on April 3 to the Department of Parliamentary Services to quarantine CCTV footage from March 22 and 23. She said she viewed the CCTV footage on April 16, 2019, but was not allowed to have a copy of it. Cleaves said there was a reluctance for a copy of the footage to be provided without an active investigation. Its different with different departments and different areas, Cleaves said. Generally speaking, we can get CCTV footage very quickly. This one seemed to take a little bit longer and I was concerned about the time it was taking, considering the nature of the allegation. There was definitely quite a few phone calls made at a higher level to ensure that that CCTV footage was allowed to be viewed by us. Justice Michael Lee asked if Cleaves meant different government departments, and Cleaves agreed. Youre never going to believe this A former departmental liaison officer in Reynolds office, Chris Payne, told the court that Brown had come to see him in his office shortly after March 23 and said that youre never going to believe this, before telling him Higgins had been found in a state of undress in the ministers office. Brown told him that she would try to get access to CCTV footage to get to the bottom of what had happened, Payne said. Payne said he spoke to Higgins later that day, and she told him she woke up on the ministers couch when Mr Lehrmann was having sex with her. He said he asked Higgins if Lehrmann raped her, and she replied: I could not have consented. It would have been like f---ing a log. Payne told the court that they were quite confronting words and they stuck with me. Security guards notebook Extracts of Parliament House security guard Nikola Andersons 2019 notebook, tendered in evidence and released publicly on Friday, showed Anderson wrote on March 22 and 23, 2019: Incident happened. Naked in Reynolds office. Welfare check approx 4.20. A diary entry from a security guard submitted into evidence part of the Bruce Lehrmann defamation case. The defamation suit Lehrmann is suing Ten and Wilkinson over an interview with Higgins that he alleges defames him by suggesting he is guilty of raping Higgins. He was not named in Tens broadcast and a preliminary issue in the case is whether he was identified via other means. Lisa Wilkinson and her barrister Sue Chrysanthou, SC, outside the Federal Court in Sydney on Monday. Credit: Nick Moir If the court finds he was identified, Ten and Wilkinson are seeking to rely on a range of defences including truth, which would require the court to be satisfied to the civil standard on the balance of probabilities that he raped Higgins. In a criminal trial, a prosecutor must prove an accuseds guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Sexual assault charge dropped Lehrmanns ACT Supreme Court trial for sexual assault was aborted last year due to juror misconduct. The charge against Lehrmann was later dropped altogether owing to concerns about Higgins mental health. Weve barely had a chance to get into the War on Christmas yet, but some of our favourite culture warriors are already warming up for the next big showdown in the calendar Australia Day. Advance, the plucky conservative lobby group that hit the big leagues by playing a key role in helping tank the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, is rallying the troops to defend the January 26th holiday, which is increasingly on the nose because the date represents the British occupation of First Nations peoples land. Lobby group Advance wants to make sure the holiday on January 26 isnt washed up. Credit: Virginia Star On Friday, Advance sent around a furious email urging its supporters to get behind the Australia Day Bill introduced by Coalition backbencher Henry Pike, which aims to stop the day being changed without a plebiscite. The problem is Pikes bill was removed from the House of Representatives notice paper last month, and is currently listed as not proceeding on the Parliament House website. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Remi Matthew Aldridge had birth and death certificates, two loving parents and a stepbrother eager to take him under his wing. But under Victorian law, he was not considered a person. Remi died 34 weeks in utero shortly after a four-wheel-drive allegedly ran a stop sign and crashed into the Ford Territory that his pregnant mother, Elodie Aldridge, was driving near Shepparton East on October 20. Five-year-old Shepparton girl Savannah Kemp, a passenger in the four-wheel-drive, was also killed. Elodie Aldridge snapped her femur and wrist in a car crash, and also sustained extensive catastrophic internal injuries. Credit: Justin McManus The driver of the car, 26-year-old Chrystle Olivia Kemp, has been charged with a string of offences, including dangerous driving causing Savannahs death and dangerous driving causing injury to Remis mother. She is yet to enter a plea. But because Remi never took his first breath, he cannot be considered a child under current legislation and Kemp cannot be charged over his death. Instead, the death forms part of the injuries inflicted on his mother. If the crash had happened less than 60 kilometres away, in NSW, Remi would have been considered a separate person and Kemp may be facing charges over his death. Advertisement When authorities told Aldridge and her husband, Andrew, that Remi would not be considered a separate person, they were in disbelief. I just broke down. I could not hear that my baby was not considered a human being, Elodie Aldridge said, fighting back tears. Loading He was alive in my belly; he was ready to come. He was moving; we heard his heartbeat. I cannot understand why hes not considered a baby, a human being. I just cant hear it. Aldridge had just attended a midwife appointment in Wangaratta and was driving to Shepparton to meet her husband to share the news that Remi was healthy, had fully formed lungs and could be born anytime when the crash occurred. He was pretty big, so they let me know to get ready. That he could come earlier. Well, I guess he did, but not the way we expected it, she said. The impact seriously injured Aldridge, snapping her femur and wrist and leading to extensive catastrophic internal injuries and bleeding, which starved Remi of blood flow and caused his death. Advertisement Aldridge, 32, was flown to Melbourne, where surgeons attempted to stem the bleeding and surgically removed Remi. I went and met him, I held him, Andrew Aldridge said. He was perfect. All I wanted him to do was to open his eyes. I sat beside Elodies bed and did not move for two days, washed the drool from her mouth, washed the blood out of her hair. I could not believe it. I just broke down. I could not hear that my baby was not considered a human being. Elodie Aldridge When Aldridge woke in the hospitals intensive care unit, battered and bruised, her husband had to tell her three times that Remi had died. I didnt want to believe it, she said. The couple were able to spend three days with their boy before he was taken away. NSW passed legislation recognising unborn children with a gestational age of at least 20 weeks as victims of crime in 2021 after a protracted battle led by Brodie Donegan, who lost her unborn daughter Zoe after a crash in 2009. Advertisement Donegan was run over by a drug-affected driver on Christmas Day 2009 while she was 32 weeks pregnant with Zoe and as with Remis case legislation in NSW at the time did not consider a fetus as a human being. The Aldridges are now pushing the Allan government to introduce similar laws in Victoria so that children like Remi can be recognised as people and anyone who causes their deaths can be held responsible. Hes got his birth certificate, hes got his death certificate, hes got his own Transport Accident Commission claim, but he is not classed as a baby in the eyes of the law, Andrew Aldridge said. The Aldridges want Victoria to recognise unborn babies as legal persons. Credit: Justin McManus We feel no parent should go through this. It will not change our scenario, but it might help someone else one day. Donegan knows that feeling all too well. For her, being able to hold someone responsible for the death of her child seemed like common sense. Zoe counted towards the road toll in NSW that year. The glaring gap was that she just wasnt recognised in the court proceedings, and I felt that it didnt allow you to properly grieve, she said. Advertisement When theres no one held accountable, and your babys just viewed as an injury to you, it feels like its all downplayed. It doesnt recognise the importance of what you have lost. I guess we pursued the law because we wanted her death to not have been in vain. A grief-stricken Donegan fought for 12 years for Zoes Law to be introduced, as debate raged between pro-life campaigners and womens rights advocates about the impact the legislation could have on abortion rights. Brodie Donegan lost her unborn baby after she was hit by a car. Credit: Natalie Grono I do feel more at peace, she said. I just didnt want anyone else to be in the same position that we were. Attempts to introduce legislation similar to Zoes Law in Victoria could face similar opposition. Heather Douglas, a professor in the University of Melbournes law school, said the main concern with recognising a fetus as a separate person from the mother under the law was the impact the legislation could have on womens reproductive rights, particularly in late-term abortions. Advertisement Doctors and pharmacists are seeing a surge in requests for COVID-19 vaccines ahead of the Christmas break amid concerns about higher rates of the virus and visiting vulnerable loved ones. Indicators such as sewage monitoring, test positivity rates and hospital activity suggest the virus has been circulating at higher levels since the start of November. Pharmacist Kevin Santos says bookings for the COVID-19 vaccine have tripled ahead of Christmas. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos In September, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recommended a second dose of the vaccine this year for those over 75 and severely immunocompromised people and asked those over 65 to consider it. But while the additional shot is not recommended for younger people with ATAGI citing the comparably less severe illness experienced by younger people many have been rolling up their sleeves. WA police have arrested five people and charged one man connected to the Hells Angels motorcycle club following several raids across Perth on Saturday night, seizing drugs and a loaded firearm. The raids come after former Hells Angel bikie Dayne Brajkovich was reportedly stabbed in the neck on Friday night after a music festival in Kings Park. Detectives attached to multiple units including Gang Crime Squad, Rapid Apprehension Squad, Drug and Firearm Squad, Regional Operations Group and the Tactical Response Group cartried out warrants in Como, Kinross, Greenmount, Scarborough and Osborne Park. Three motorcycles were seized, five arrests were made and a man was charged. More than two-thirds of Victorian voters say they support a push by the states public servants for more flexible work arrangements and the right to work from home, as key unions ramp up industrial action in the lead-up to Christmas. The findings are contained in a survey by Resolve Political Monitor, conducted exclusively for The Age, which also found 54 per cent of voters backed a 20 per cent pay increase for the states public sector workforce over four years. The poll asked Victorian voters whether they supported improvements in pay and conditions that are part of a claim lodged by the Victorian branch of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU). The Allan government is facing disputes with firefighters, police, public servants and public transport workers over pay and conditions Credit: Luis Ascui The CPSU is also seeking a formal pilot for a four-day work week on full pay for employees in positions where achievable. That proposal was backed by 47 per cent of respondents, compared to 31 per cent who opposed the idea. RACINE The children were excited when a guest visited their classroom. Santa Claus, speaking English and Spanish, greeted 4-year-old students Thursday morning at the Bull Early Education Center, 815 DeKoven Ave. Most children reacted with smiles and warmly greeted Santa, who gave them stuffed animals and candy canes. The event was organized by the Racine Police Department and Familia Dental in Racine. It was intended to show students that RPD has bilingual staff members who can speak Spanish if needed when someone contacts the department. It also was aimed at raising awareness about dental hygiene at Familia Dental, which accepts patients regardless of income or insurance. This is the second year the event has occurred. Santa and RPD officers visited six schools this week and hope to visit more next year. Six photos of Santa visiting the Bull Early Education Center Group Santa Claus visited a classroom Thursday at the Bull Early Education Center, 815 DeKoven Ave. Smiling with Santa Cyrus Pfender-Gonzales is excited to receive a stuffed animal from Santa Claus on Thursday at the Bull Early Education Center, 815 DeKoven Ave. Meeting Santa Aaron Torres greets Santa Claus on Thursday at the Bull Early Education Center, 815 DeKoven Ave. Candy cane Aaron Torres enjoys a blue candy cane from Santa Claus on Thursday at the Bull Early Education Center, 815 DeKoven Ave. Camlia Tenorio Camlia Tenorio receives a flamingo from Santa Claus on Thursday at the Bull Early Education Center, 815 DeKoven Ave. Jose Valladares Jose Valladares receives a stuffed animal from Santa Claus on Thursday at the Bull Early Education Center, 815 DeKoven Ave. Santa visits Bull Early Education Center A vigil was held in St Kilda on Sunday for the hostages taken from Israel who remain in captivity in Gaza, while in Melbournes CBD about 5000 people attended the ninth consecutive Free Palestine rally. The Bring Me Home Now installation, set up in St Kildas Catani Gardens, used silhouette figures to represent all the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7. The installation in St Kildas Catani Gardens on Sunday. Credit: Wayne Taylor Unless you actually see and feel the number of people taken, its just a number, said Nirit Eylon, one of the organisers of Sundays event. But when you walk among them, you can feel its so many. Even though some of them have been returned, its still so many out there. Most silhouettes in the installation, which was up only on Sunday, bore a hostages name, including those released. So 113 have been released. For each of them, we put a sticker that indicates how many days they were in captivity, Eylon said. Those who have been murdered, we have a sticker on top of their name. Dubai: A Coalition government would sign a pledge to triple nuclear energy output when attending its first COP global climate talks after being re-elected, and overturn the Australian nuclear energy moratorium, opposition climate change and energy spokesman Ted OBrien promised during a session at the world climate talks in Dubai on Saturday. Today I am happy to announce that a re-elected Coalition government will, at its first COP after being returned to office, sign the nuclear pledge and return Australia to where it belongs, standing alongside its friends and allies, he said. Opposition spokesman on climate change and energy Ted OBrien delivers a speech at COP28 in Dubai. Credit: Hans van Leeuwen The nuclear pledge coming out of this COP to triple the worlds nuclear capacity should be a wake-up call for Australia. No nuclear, no net zero, he said at one point. Images that emerged on social media on Friday of detained Palestinian men, including at least one journalist and one aid worker, in Gaza kneeling on the ground in their underwear prompted widespread anger in Arab countries. Palestinians among a group of 10 since released by Israels military in Gaza told Reuters they had been physically abused in custody, including by soldiers beating them with shoes on their heads and bodies. A spokesperson for the Israeli military said it was looking into the allegation. Israel has faced rising international outrage and calls for a permanent ceasefire in its war against Hamas, prompted by a Hamas attack that killed some 1200 people in southern Israel on October 7. About 240 hostages were taken, more than 100 of whom were released during a weeklong ceasefire late last month. About 90 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, where UN agencies say there is no safe place to flee. With very little aid allowed in, Palestinians face severe shortages of food, water and other basic goods. The United States has lent vital support to the offensive by vetoing United Nations Security Council efforts to end the fighting and by pushing through an emergency sale of more than $US100 million ($152 million) worth of tank ammunition to Israel. The US has pledged unwavering support for Israels goal of crushing Hamas military and governing abilities, and returning all the hostages captured in the October 7 attack that triggered the war. Expect public order to completely break down soon, and an even worse situation could unfold including epidemic diseases and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a forum in Qatar, a key intermediary. Eylon Levy, an Israeli government spokesman, called allegations of mass displacement from Gaza outrageous and false. Qatari Prime Minister Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, told the forum that mediation efforts to stop the war and have all hostages released would continue, but unfortunately, we are not seeing the same willingness that we had seen in the weeks before. Israels national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, told Israels Channel 12 TV that the US had set no deadline for Israel to achieve its goals. The evaluation that this cant be measured in weeks is correct, and Im not sure it can be measured in months. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN that we have these discussions with Israel including about the duration as well as how its prosecuting this campaign against Hamas. These are decisions for Israel to make. He added to Americas ABC: When it comes to a ceasefire in this moment, with Hamas still alive, still intact ... that would simply perpetuate the problem. Palestinian citizens carry out search and rescue operations in Khan Younis. Credit: Getty This is a war that cannot be won, Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi asserted to the Qatar forum, warning that Israel has created an amount of hatred that will haunt this region that will define generations to come. Israeli forces face heavy resistance, including in northern Gaza, where neighbourhoods have been flattened by airstrikes and where ground troops have operated for more than six weeks. Residents said there was still heavy fighting in the Gaza City neighbourhood of Shijaiyah and the Jabalia refugee camp, a dense urban area housing Palestinian families who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding its creation. They are attacking anything that moves, said Hamza Abu Fatouh, a Shijaiyah resident. He said the dead and wounded were left in the streets as ambulances could no longer reach the area, where Israeli snipers and tanks positioned themselves among abandoned buildings. Loading Israel ordered the evacuation of the northern third of the territory, including Gaza City, early in the war, but tens of thousands of people have remained, fearing that the south would be no safer or that they would never be allowed to return home. Heavy fighting was also under way in and around the southern city of Khan Younis. Of course, Hamas knew that, when it executed the greatest mass slaughter of Jewish people since the Nazis, Israel would respond powerfully, and that the response would be daily depicted by the media and anatomised by world opinion, in a way the October 7 attack never was. Those events rightly shocked the world. However, absent a visual record, and because it was a coup de main executed in a matter of hours, the news cycle moved on. So, over the past weeks, the atrocity that precipitated the conflict, though not forgotten, has begun to fade from memory, as the narrative is overtaken by Israels military response. All we see are Palestinian casualties, with Israel the undoubted victim of the massacre that caused it increasingly portrayed as the villain. There were no television crews about in southern Israel on October 7 to record the massacre by Hamas of 1200 Israeli civilians (most of them young people attending a music festival) and the kidnapping of 240 others (most of whom remain hostages). It was as medieval in its bloodthirstiness as the ideology that inspired it. The scenes from Gaza on the nightly television news are, of course, awful. Bewildered and suffering children, hysterical parents, outraged doctors and paramedics struggling to cope. Predictably, Western opinion, appalled by what it sees, is beginning to shift against Israel. So let us bring some perspective into the discussion. First, let it never be forgotten that, while some media outlets (including, of course, our ABC), have taken to referring to Hamas as militants or sometimes simply as Gazan authorities, as blandly as if they were describing any municipal government Hamas is a terrorist organisation, listed as such by Australia and most other democracies, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Its declared aim is the elimination of the state of Israel. The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was adopted by unanimous resolution of the UN General Assembly in December 1948 with the Holocaust explicitly in mind. Article 2 defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. Hamas is not only a terrorist organisation; it is one whose avowed purpose is to commit the crime of genocide against the state of Israel and the Jewish people. Loading How can it be that those on the political left including, disgracefully, weak-kneed members of the Albanese government cannot bring themselves to condemn, forthrightly and without ambiguity or caveat, a civilian massacre by a listed terrorist organisation with an explicitly genocidal aim? Rather, they avoid the issue by hiding behind a pusillanimous moral equivalence which is wrong in fact, in law, and in morality. There is no valid comparison between the conduct of Israel and that of Hamas. Under international law, a state has a right to self-defence, including pre-emptive self-defence. That may include military action undertaken for the purpose of eliminating the threat. It is obliged to carry out such action in a manner which is proportionate to the threat and, where civilian populations may be affected as in a crowded space like Gaza, they undoubtedly will be to use its best efforts to minimise civilian casualties. That is particularly difficult where, as is the case in Gaza, Hamas deliberately embeds itself among civilian facilities, such as hospitals, using Palestinian civilians as human shields as callously as they murdered Israeli civilians. Over 200 fishermen, youth leaders and civil society groups have joined a Christmas mission to the area, organised by the Atin Ito (This is ours) campaign network, a civilian-led advocacy to assert the Philippines rights in the South China Sea. The Philippines and its treaty ally, the United States, separately condemned a high-seas assault on Saturday by the Chinese coast guard together with suspected militia ships that repeatedly blasted water cannons to block three Philippine fisheries vessels from a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. Loading The noontime assault by Chinese ships off the Scarborough Shoal, one of the most aggressive this year, caused significant damage to the communication and navigation equipment of one of the three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ships, Filipino officials said. They said without elaborating that suspected militia vessels accompanying Chinese coast guard ships used a long-range acoustic device that could impair hearing, causing severe temporary discomfort and incapacitation to some Filipino crew. Its the latest flare-up of the long-seething territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a flashpoint in Asia that has put the US and China on a collision course. China claims virtually the entire strategic waterway, but the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have also pressed their separate claims. Territorial standoffs between China and the Philippines over a number of disputed offshore areas, including the Scarborough and the Second Thomas shoals, have been particularly heated this year. The US has warned that its obligated to defend the Philippines, its longtime treaty ally, if Filipino forces, aircraft or ships come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. China has warned the US to stay away from what it calls a purely Asian dispute. It has deployed ships and aircraft to closely shadow US Navy ships and aircraft, which periodically undertake freedom of navigation and overflight patrols in one of the worlds most hotly disputed seas. A Philippine government taskforce that deals with the long-seething territorial disputes said on Saturday it vehemently condemns the illegal and aggressive actions carried out by the Chinese coast guard and Chinese maritime militia against the civilian Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels. We demand that the Chinese government take immediate action to halt these aggressive activities and uphold the principles of international law and desist from actions that would infringe on Philippine sovereignty and endanger the lives and livelihood of Filipino fishermen, it said. US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson condemned Chinas aggressive, illegal actions. This [Chinese] behaviour violates international law and endangers lives and livelihood, Carlson said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. We stand with our Philippine friends, partners, allies in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. We stand with our Philippine friends, partners, allies: MaryKay Carlson, US ambassador to the Philippines. Credit: Bloomberg The Chinese coast guard said in a single sentence announcement on its website that it implemented control measures in line with the law on Saturday against three BFAR vessels that intruded into waters adjacent to Huangyan Island, the Chinese name for the Shoal. Separately, the coast guard said it had implemented controls in accordance with laws and regulations on Sunday against two Philippine coast guard vessels, including one official ship and one supply ship that were attempting to transport construction materials to the Second Thomas Shoal. China has long sought to blockade the submerged reef, where a small contingent of Filipino marines has stood guard for years aboard a long-marooned but still actively commissioned warship, the BRP Sierra Madre. The statement gave no details about the measures taken, but said the Philippines action seriously infringed on Chinas sovereignty. A satellite image of Scarborough Shoal, known for its rich fishing waters. Credit: Getty Philippine fisheries bureau ships had sailed to the Scarborough Shoal to provide humanitarian aid, mainly free fuel and Christmas grocery packs, to poor Filipino fishermen aboard nearly 30 boats in the rich but far-flung fishing area, Philippine officials said. They said the swarm of Chinese coast guard and accompanying ships took dangerously aggressive actions, including the use of water cannons at least eight times, as the Philippine government ships approached about 2.6 kilometres to 3.5 kilometres from Scarborough Shoal. Loading They added that the Chinese coast guard installed a floating barrier at an entrance to the vast fishing lagoon of Scarborough Shoal and deployed personnel aboard small motorboats to drive away Filipino fishermen waiting for the distribution of fuel and food supplies at sea. To prevent the distribution of humanitarian support is not only illegal but also inhumane, the Philippine government taskforce said. In past faceoffs in the high seas off disputed shoals, the Chinese coast guard has used a military-grade laser that caused Filipino crewmen temporary blindness, and resorted to dangerous blocking and shadowing manoeuvres, including one that caused minor collisions. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos jnr has allowed a larger US military presence in local military bases under a 2014 defence pact partly to strengthen territorial defence amid Chinas increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed waters. China has strongly opposed and expressed alarm over increasing deployments of US forces, warning that it would threaten regional peace and stability. Consumer Reports: Nearly Half of EVs in Our Highway-Only Range Test Fell Short of Their EPA Estimates COLCHESTER, CT Range anxietythe fear that an electric vehicle (EV) couldnt go enough miles on a chargeis a key factor thats deterring Americans from going all-electric, according to 54 percent of adults in a 2022 national-representative survey by Consumer Reports (CR), the nonprofit research, testing, and consumer advocacy organization. CR today announced exclusive new testing results that could help allay some of that anxiety: When driven at a constant highway speed of 70 mph, CRs testers found that some EVs can travel significantly farther than their advertised rangesone model by more than 70 miles. The EPAs EV range estimates listed on window stickers and at fueleconomy.gov do not indicate separate city and highway ranges, as they do with conventional cars and hybrids. To find out how much range EV models actually get in highway driving conditions, CR put 22 of the most popular new EVs through a new highway-speed range test, driving fully-charged vehicles at a steady speed of 70 mph and only stopping when each vehicles battery was completely depleted and the vehicle was inoperable. The results show that the EPA estimate doesnt always accurately reflect the range that drivers can expect in highway driving, where every mile matters. Most drivers travel relatively short distances on a daily basis and are highly unlikely to reach the range limits of most new EVs. But long road trips are a different story. We feel that consumers should have an idea of how far EVs can travel on a long highway-centric journey, said Alex Knizek, CRs manager of auto testing and insights. Range is much more important when youre far from home and away from reliable charging. Of the 22 EVs tested by CR so far, nearly half fall short of their EPA-estimated ranges when driven at highway speeds. CRs engineers found the biggest difference in range with the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck: Its battery ran out after just 270 milesa 50-mile difference from the EPA estimate. On the other hand, some vehicles from BMW and Mercedes-Benz beat their EPA-estimated ranges by more than 40 miles, including the BMW iX and BMW i4, and the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 4MATIC. Going forward, CR will continue to evaluate highway range for every EV it tests. CR is also asking the EPA to add a highway-speed range test, as organizations including Car and Driver and SAE International, have done. CR Updates EV Charging and Performance Scores In addition to the new highway range test, CR has added new ratings and updated its existing tests to better reflect how EVs perform in real-world driving. This new information allows shoppers to compare the unique characteristics of EVs and what its like to live with them every day, says Jake Fisher, CRs senior director of automotive testing. Since we live with the EVs we purchase for our testing program just like ordinary consumers, we know what its like to plug in our EVs every night or at public chargers on a road trip. CR now evaluates EVs for charging performance for both level 2 (AC) and level 3 (DC) fast charging under ideal conditions, giving higher scores to vehicles that charge quickly but are also more energy-efficient, resulting in more miles of range per charge. Higher marks will also be given to models that are easy to plug in and come with built-in features that make charging easier, such as navigation routing designed to minimize time spent finding chargers and plugging in, and full-featured smartphone apps. Additionally, CR is now scoring the ease of one-pedal driving, in which the driver can speed up or slow down just by modulating the accelerator pedal, as part of an EVs Transmission score. CR also reduced the weight of how much acceleration matters in its Road Test score, since most EVs offer blazing fast acceleration thats impractical for public roads. CR has also revised EV model pages on CR.org to reveal information such as each vehicles charging speed for a variety of chargers, battery size, location of the charging port, and other specs and ratings that will help make comparing EVs side-by-side easier for consumers. Full details on CRs EV highway range test results and testing protocols, and changes to CR EV performance testing can found online at CR.org. CR buys all of its test cars anonymously from dealers and does not accept free samples from automakers for any of its ratings or evaluations. CRs testers drive a total of 500,000 miles annually in the vehicles it evaluates, which is the equivalent of circling the Earth twenty times. About Consumer Reports Founded in 1936, CR has a mission to create a fair and just marketplace for all. Widely known for our rigorous research and testing of products and services, we also survey millions of consumers each year, report extensively on marketplace issues, and advocate for consumer rights and protections around safety as well as digital rights, financial fairness, and sustainability. CR is independent and nonprofit. 2023 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports magazine, ConsumerReports.org and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks. WATERFORD Task force members working on a village-town boundary agreement are offering assurances that their deal will not open the door to large-scale annexation. Representatives of the Village of Waterford and Town of Waterford are trying to end hostilities and build a cooperative relationship between the neighboring municipalities. At a public feedback session Tuesday night, residents questioned whether the border deal would lead to unwanted annexation of town territories into the village. About 30 civic leaders and others attended the gathering inside Waterford Union High School to learn about proposal. Greg Horeth, a town resident who represents the area on the Racine County Board, called annexation fears the elephant in the room that is causing town residents to feel anxious about the boundary agreement. Thats the kind of talk weve heard in the community, Horeth told the task force. Business leader John J.D. Gomez said he lives in the village but worries about annexation as a partner in a business that operates in the town. Gomez questioned whether annexation could spread if it starts with town territory that is not contiguous to the village and must include neighboring properties to avoid creating an island. Thats the concern that I think some people have, he said. Members of the task force said that forming a boundary agreement is a safeguard against rampant annexation, because both sides would agree to work together in a spirit of cooperation and respect. Tom Mroczkowski, a town representative on the task force, said negotiators are trying to minimize the potential for unwanted annexation. He said the intended border deal is all about community, and that it would constitute a detailed agreement guiding future land use or development in both the village and town. It plans and defines their futures together, Mroczkowski said. Others on the task force include Village President Don Houston, Village Trustee Adam Jaskie, Town Supervisor Dale Gauerke and Town Supervisor Doug Schwartz. Mroczkowski also is a member of the Town Plan Commission. The group has been meeting since September, after the village and town agreed to set aside past differences. The neighboring municipalities had clashed openly during an unsuccessful effort by the town from 2019 to 2021 to incorporate as a new village that could block annexation more authoritatively. Members of the task force said they plan more public outreach to guide discussions about a boundary agreement. The group is working with the Wisconsin Department of Administration, which must approve any final deal. Both the Village Board and Town Board also must give approval. Among other topics being discussed as part of the agreement are revenue sharing, public utilities and infrastructure, government services and government efficiencies. Houston told the crowd Tuesday that planning has been so one-sided in the past that a residential community has roads that end at the border rather than connecting with roads on the other side. Stuff like that is what were trying to avoid, Houston said. Mroczkowski said the final deal could resolve issues beyond just the physical borders between the village and town. The process, he said, could reduce conflict, create certainty about the future, encourage joint cooperation and possibly even save money. We are better together, he said. In photos: Crowd enjoys sunny skies at Celebrate Waterford street festival Brad Connor and his daughter, Aspen, visit a calf at Celebrate Waterford festival Grandfather Pete Skorstad shows his grandson the bags game cornhole in Waterford Leslie Babcox with her dog Sadie at the Celebrate Waterford festival Sisters Charlie and Joey Cade enjoy cotton candy at Celebrate Waterford festival Bonny Vermiglio with grandkids in jumbo stroller at Celebrate Waterford festival Three-wheeled bike racers Brodie Shepstone and Aubrey McGaughy at Celebrate Waterford American flags line the sidewalk during Celebrate Waterford street festival Science teacher Elizabeth Wellner greets patrons at Celebrate Waterford festival Joe Balzrina and grandson Vincent at Celebrate Waterford festival Grilled cheese sandwich vendor Rilynn Dlobik at Celebrate Waterford festival Doretta Stahl fills up build-your-own stuffed animals for kids at Celebrate Waterford Cotton candy lady Paula Heinz spins a fresh roll at Celebrate Waterford festival Michael Robinson and mother Celene Robinson at Celebrate Waterford festival Gina Sottile and grandson check out donkeys at Celebrate Waterford petting zoo Aubrey McGaughy rides a three-wheeled bicycle in a race at Celebrate Waterford Easton Tennessen, 2, rides a miniature tractor at Celebrate Waterford festival BETRAYAL AS expected, the expulsion of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Ms. Mahua Moitra from Lok Sabha has evoked some very sharp reactions from her party. But, while giving sharp reactions, TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee has gone a step further and used the words betrayal of Parliamentary democracy. This might please her supporters, but will not convince others. For, TMC does not have a stellar record in upholding democratic principles. Even if only a few of the recent incidents are to be recalled, those reflect poorly on TMCs faith in democracy. Reference to the political violence that erupted in West Bengal soon after the Legislative Assembly elections in 2021 comes as a grim reminder of the culture of violence in the State. Sadly, it did not stop at that. Earlier this year, another round of political violence erupted during the Panchayat polls. The gyre of violence attracted the national attention. Even the Calcutta High Court ordered CBI probe into the violence. However, what was the response of TMC? Whenever it was in the dock over anti-democracy violence, TMC came up with excuses and faulty reasoning in a bid to block the probe. Did such statements or actions of TMC amount to upholding democracy? Under the TMC rule, the West Bengal Government tried to curtail powers of the Governor, who is the Constitutional authority. One of the Bills brought in during TMC rule wanted to strip the Governor of the role as Chancellor of State universities. What kind of democratic and Constitutional principles were being upheld by TMC then? A few years ago, TMC chief resorted to antics like staging dharna against CBI officers, who wanted to raid the residence of Kolkata Police Commissioner in connection with chit fund case probe. Why did she want to scuttle probe into chit fund case, by creating a standoff between Centre and the State? Why did not she want the agencies to carry on with the probe in the interest of democracy and transparency? These are only a few of the incidents and questions. If one digs, more questions may come up. The TMC, which is alleging betrayal of democracy following expulsion of Ms. Moitra, who was held guilty of accepting gifts and illegal gratification from a businessman, will have to do a lot of answering over such points. Before resorting to making accusations, TMC must take stock of whether its actions were in the interest of preserving democracy. In the instant case, Ms. Mahua Moitra has been found guilty by the Ethics Committee of Parliament. The committee followed due procedure, conducted hearings, called Ms. Moitra also to the hearing, and examined the evidence on record. After all this, the committee came to its conclusion and recommended her expulsion. Despite this, if TMC chief feels that there is betrayal of democracy, she must explain her not standing with the people, who are the core constituents of democracy, whenever there was political violence in West Bengal under her partys rule. In inconvenient cases, probably, TMC chief places self-interest or party interest above democratic interest. Hence, whatever she or her party leaders might say on expulsion of Ms. Moitra, common people are not going to fall prey to such rhetoric. For, they are wise enough to discern what is right and what is wrong, and who is betraying democracy. Ajit Pawar visits Nirmal Textiles Business Reporter Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar recently paid a visit to city-based Nirmal Textiles. On the occasion, he praised Pramod Manmode, Founder of Nirmal Textiles, for creating job opportunities for youths in the region. Pawar took a look of various departments of the factory and expressed satisfaction over the modern technology being used in the factory. He also discussed the prevailing situation in the international and domestic markets with the Manmode. Nirmal Textiles is supplying garments to many renowned brands in country and it is matter of great pride for people in Vidarbha region, he added. Pawar further said that the Nirmal Textiles is proving very beneficial to the cotton-growing farmers of the region. Barkheda-Budhni third rail line trial conducted Staff Reporter Manoj Arora, Railway Safety Commissioner, Central Railway, Mumbai, inspected the Barkheda-Budhni third line (26.50 km) situated on Bhopal-Itarsi track under West Central Railway on Saturday. While visiting the site, Arora checked the railway track safety, resources, OHE line, related equipment and signalling. He also tested the capacity of equipment. During his visit, trial run of train was done on Barkheda-Budhni third line with electricity locomotive at 95 kmph of speed. After being satisfied with the quality of work, he granted permission to run the train on this track for 75 kmph. Though trial was done for 95 kmph of speed but final permission of running train on this track has been given for 75 kmph. Divisional Railway Manager, Bhopal, Devashish Tripathi, WCR Chief Administrative Officer (construction) Manoj Kumar Agrawal, Chief Engineer R K Rajput and other senior officials were present during the trial run of train. There are 13 main bridges, 49 small bridges and 7 tunnel in this block. The area has been constructed under strict terms and conditions as it comes under Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary. The area comes under eco-sensitive zone due to which construction work has been done carefully. Construction work of 233 km Bina to Itarsi third line has been completed on Bina-Bhopal-Itarsi track. After starting the third line on this track, train commutation will be easy. Construction work of railway third line on this track (under Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary) has been done by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). While visiting the construction site, railway officials also talked about the safety provisions of animals, bridges and sky walks. Highest-ever haul in Odisha I-T raids NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR, THE seizure of unaccounted cash after the Income-Tax Department raided an Odisha-based distillery group and entities linked to it is expected to reach Rs 290 crore, making it the highest-ever black money haul by any agency in a single operation, official sources said on Saturday. The Tax Department has deployed about 40 large and small machines to count the currency notes and brought in more department and bank staffers to finish the process, which began on December 6 following raids against Boudh Distillery Private Limited and others, the sources said. After recovering around Rs 225 crore till Friday, the I-T sleuths seized another 20 bagloads of cash from the house of a countrymade liquor manufacturer in Sudapara area of Bolangir district on Saturday. Besides these, more vehicles have also been requisitioned by the department to transport the seized cash to Government banks in the State. A premises linked to Congresss Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, was also searched as part of the operation, the sources said. Sahus staff expressed their inability to get a comment from the MP when PTI called on his phone for a reaction to the I-T Departments action. An e-mail sent to the distillery group also elicited no response. The tax sleuths are now recording the statements of various company officials and others, the sources said, adding that the counting of cash is expected to be over soon. The total seizure of unaccounted cash is expected to be about Rs 290 crore, they told PTI. Cash amounting to more than Rs 250 crore has been seized till now and the money is continuously being deposited in Government bank branches in Odisha, the sources said. Most of the currency notes are of Rs 500 denomination. This is the highest-ever cash seizure made by an agency in the country as part of an action against a single group and its linked entities, the sources said. Some of the high-value seizures in the past include one from 2019 when the GST Intelligence raided a Kanpur-based businessman and seized cash amounting to Rs 257 crore and another instance where cash amounting to Rs 163 crore was unearthed by the I-T Department during searches against a road construction firm in Tamil Nadu in July 2018. The sources said, cash amounting to almost Rs 230 crore was seized from about 10 almirahs kept on the premises of the company in Bolangir district, while the remaining amount was seized from locations in Titlagarh, Sambalpur and Ranchi. Around 200 big and small bags were used to pack the cash. The searches were launched after the taxman got actionable intelligence of a huge amount of out-of-book sales and cash being remitted by liquor distributors, sellers and business groups. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took note of the development. Cash seizure in tax raids shows how Congress has kept tradition of corruption alive, says BJP: THE seizure of cash from some premises linked to Congress MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu in Income Tax Department raids shows how the grand old party has kept the tradition of corruption alive generation after generation, the BJP said. At a press conference at the BJP headquarters, party leader and Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi said, The cash seized from Sahu is the biggest haul of cash that has been seized from corrupt persons so far. This shows how the Congress has spread corruption generation after generation and the tradition of corruption has been kept alive. Rs 300 crore recovered from just one Congress leader and counting is still on. Imagine if all the corrupt leaders of Congress are kept together, how many notes will be recovered, she said. India to be $5 tn economy by end of 2025: Shah DEHRADUN, UNION Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said India will become a USD 5 trillion economy by the end of 2025. Addressing the valedictory session of the Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit at the Forest Research Institute here, Shah said India has grown exponentially on every front over the past one decade due to the farsighted and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The world is looking to India with hope today. Between 2014 and 2023, India has risen from its position as the 11th to the fifth economy in the world. Never before did the country make so big a leap during 75 years of Independence, he said, and attributed all this to Modis visionary leadership and his capacity to translate his vision into a reality. Modi is leading the movement for climate change, and he is trying to impart pace to the worlds slowing GDP through the Make in India programme, besides leading the campaign for a terror-free world, Shah said. On G-20, he said the Delhi Declaration was Indias big achievement on the diplomatic front, which the world will remember for decades to come. The countrys per capita income has doubled in the last ten years, Shah said, adding that 13 and a half crore people have come out of poverty across the country during the period. The IMF described India as a bright spot in a dark zone. Morgan Stanley said by 2027, India will emerge as the third-largest economy in the world, forging ahead of Japan and Germany. These are good signs. Indias time has arrived, he noted. About the Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit, he said when Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told him that he had set a target of getting investments worth Rs 2 lakh crore for the summit, he thought it was impossible. But I congratulate him for already signing investment MoUs worth Rs 3 lakh crore with different companies. The two-day summit marks the beginning of many new things for Uttarakhand. After two decades of Uttarakhands creation, I can say with confidence that Atal ji created it and Modi ji is building it, Shah said. Nagpur First Foundation Global Nagpur Awards ceremony today Business Reporter In a celebration of innovation, leadership, and global impact, the Nagpur First Foundation is all set to host the much-anticipated 10th edition of the Global Nagpur Awards on December 10 at Persistent Systems Auditorium in IT Park. The event will mark conclusion of the two-day Global Nagpur Summit. The awards, a magnet for industry stakeholders, political leaders, and a galaxy of distinguished spectators, will witness the presence of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. This year, the awardees include luminaries such as Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, International Fashion Designer Manish Vaid, International Film Maker Vinod Malgewar and Animation Guru Ashish Kulkarni, among others. Global Nagpur Awards (GNA), a prestigious recognition honouring individuals from Nagpur and Central India who have left an indelible impression on the global stage. GNA 2023 Chair Rajeev Aggarwal says, the awards recognise people who have broken territorial boundaries and have overcome significant challenges to accomplish heights in their fields of expertise in the international arena. They have either moved overseas and promoted our region, or have developed deep connects with international entities and brought them here, thus establishing Nagpur and Central India on the global map. The awards have been selected by a highly competent jury who have diligently gone through the meritorious accomplishments and accorded their seal of approval, he added. The event is being powered and supported by Click2Cloud, IIM Nagpur, Persistent Systems, Inc., Anjuman College of Engineering and Technology, Mindzvue Technologies Confidence Group, Infocepts, Hitarth Foundation, Logistics Park, Vindhya e-Info Media, Cadence Academy, Crowdera, Amrut Chaha. The dedicated team behind Nagpur First, led by Chairman Emeritus Dinesh Jain, International Chair Shashank Rao, India Chair Tanveer Mirza, Treasurer Jayprakash Parekh, GNS 2023 Chair Amitabh Khanna, GNA 2023 Chair Rajeev Aggarwal, IT Track Chair Dr Rizwan Ahmed, Textile Track Chair Prashant Mohta, Education Track Chair Dr Vivek Nanoti, and Marketing and Branding Head Nivedita Pendharkar, International Ambassadors Hakimuddin Ali and Faiz Wahid is tirelessly working towards ensuring the Global Nagpur Awards achieves unprecedented success. For those eager to connect with the dynamic initiatives of Nagpur First Foundation or become an integral part of the transformative Global Awards, reaching out is just a call away. They may contact Tanveer Mirza (7972028539) or Dr Richa Sugandhh (8411093953). Legal Correspondent A total of 1,184, out of 2,306 cases were settled at High Court level during National Lok Adalat organised on Saturday. Amongst total cases, 40,807 cases were pending and 1,04,489 pre-litigation cases have been disposed of making a total disposal of 1,45,296 cases settled mutually involving an amount of nearly Rs 491 crores, informed Ratnesh Chandra Singh Bisen, Member Secretary of Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (MPSLSA) during a press conference. He said the Lok Adalat was organised under the guidance of Justice Ravi Malimath, Chief Justice and Patron-in-Chief, MPSLSA and Justice Sheel Nagu, Executive Chairman, MPSLSA. Chief Justice Malimath inaugurated the Lok Adalat by lighting the lamp at High Court in the presence of Executive Chairman, MPSLSA, Justice Vivek Agarwal, Chairman, High Court Legal Services Committee, and Companion Judges of the High Court. The Chief Justice, while addressing the inaugural session, expressed that Lok Adalat has emerged as an important tool for resolution of disputes amicably and clearing the pendency of court cases. Lok Adalat is an ongoing and continuous process as it plays a pivotal role in promoting alternate dispute resolution mechanisms, fostering a culture of reconciliation and expediting justice. He further expressed that the positive outcomes achieved through various Lok Adalats reflect the effectiveness of collaborative dispute resolution and commitment to justice. He expressed his view with expectation that this National Lok Adalat be a testament of our commitment to justice and collective well being of our fellow citizens. Justice Sheel Nagu in his address stressed upon importance of modes of amicable settlement of disputes i.e. Lok Adalat. He said amicable settlement not only alleviate the burden on our overburdened judicial system but also foster a culture of understanding incorporation. Justice Vivek Agarwal, Chairman, HCLSC while addressing the gathering said, We come together with a shared expectation of achieving positive outcomes that will not only shape legal resolution but will also foster a sense of justice and harmony within our community. This Lok Adalat was organised across the State, including Principal Seat Jabalpur and Benches at Gwalior and Indore of the High Court of MP and all the District Courts, Taluka Courts, Labor Courts, Family Courts and other courts, tribunals in the State. As many as 12 Benches of High Court Judges, 3 at Principal Seat- Jabalpur, 5 at Indore and 4 at Gwalior functioned for settlement of disputes. A total of 1363 cases were referred at Principal Seat- Jabalpur out of which 595 cases were settled. Similarly, 530 cases were referred at Bench- Indore out of which 252 cases were settled and 413 cases were referred at Bench Gwalior out of which 337 cases were settled. A total of 1184 cases have been settled out of 2306 cases at High Court Level. Similarly, 1321 Benches were constituted at district level. As per information received till 07:30 PM, 40807 pending and 104489 pre-litigation have been disposed of making a total disposal of 145296 cases have been settled mutually involving an amount of nearly Rs 491 Crores. NIAs massive crackdown 15 ISIS operatives arrested in Maharashtra, Karnataka NEW DELHI, IN A massive crackdown on the ISIS terrorist organisation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested its 15 operatives during multiple raids across Maharashtra and Karnataka, an official said. The arrested accused included the leader of an ISIS module who was administering bayath (oath of allegiance) to new recruits, a spokesperson of the anti-terror agency said. Several NIA teams swooped down on as many as 44 locations in Padgha-Borivali, Thane, Mira Road and Pune in Maharashtra, and Bengaluru in Karnataka early on Saturday morning, and apprehended the 15 accused for allegedly promoting terror and terror-related acts and activities of the proscribed organisation, the official said. Huge amounts of unaccounted cash, firearms, sharp-edged weapons, incriminating documents, smart phones and other digital devices were seized during the raids, conducted as part of the NIAs ongoing efforts to disrupt and demolish the attempts of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as Islamic State, to carry out violent acts of terror and take innocent lives, the spokesperson said. The official said, the accused, operating on the directions of their foreign handlers, had been actively involved in various terrorist activities, including fabrication of improvised explosive devices, for furthering the violent and destructive agenda of the ISIS. The investigations have revealed that the accused, all members of the ISIS Maharashtra module, were operating from Padgha-Borivali, where they had hatched the conspiracy to spread terror and carry out acts of violence across India. Pursuing the path of violent jihad (holy war), Khilafat, ISIS etc., the accused had aimed to disturb the peace and communal harmony of the country and to wage a war against the Government of India, the spokesperson said. The official said initial investigations have revealed that the arrested accused had self-declared the village of Padgha in rural Thane as a liberated zone and as Al Sham. They were motivating impressionable Muslim youths to relocate from their place of residence for strengthening the Padgha base, the spokesperson said. A bipartisan proposal in the state Legislature seeks to shift Wisconsins elections for Congress and U.S. Senate to a system that allows voters to rank their favorite candidate regardless of party affiliation, while a separate Republican proposal would completely ban the practice in the state. The dueling proposals both relate to Final Five voting, a system that supporters say could open the door to more viable third-party candidates, while also forcing major party candidates to moderate their views and court voters from across the political spectrum. Opponents, however, say adopting such a voting system for federal elections would be costly and has the potential to confuse voters. Previous efforts to shift Wisconsin to a Final Five voting system, including bipartisan legislation introduced in 2021, have been unsuccessful, so the latest attempt is likely to face an uphill climb in the state. The new proposal, Senate Bill 528, is scheduled to come before the Senate committee on shared revenue, elections and consumer protection on Tuesday. The proposal has been co-sponsored by two dozen state lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. Officials elected under Final Five Voting having been elected by and held accountable to the general electorate are freed up to deliver solutions that meet our countrys complex challenges, lawmakers wrote in an October memo seeking co-sponsors for the bill. This is what Wisconsinites want and expect from our Members of Congress. Currently, Wisconsin conducts partisan primaries for Senate and House elections, with voters choosing among a slate of candidates from their preferred party. Under the Final Five electoral system, all candidates would run on a single ballot in the primary and the top five candidates would advance to the general election. Voters would then rank the five candidates in the general election. If one candidate secures more than half the votes, that candidate wins. However, if no candidate wins a majority, it triggers an instant runoff with the last-place candidate eliminated. Those who voted for that candidate would have their second choice counted instead. The process continues until one candidate secures more than 50% of the votes. Currently, the top vote-getter wins the general election, even if that person receives less than 50% of the vote. Unlike traditional ranked-choice voting, where voters rank all candidates in the partisan primary and general election in order of preference, Final Five voting implements a top-five primary. In that process, voters select one candidate in the primary and the top five vote-getters regardless of party affiliation advance to the general election, where voters then rank up to five candidates. From there, an instant runoff process narrows the field by eliminating the last-place candidate while second-place votes of anyone who ranked an eliminated candidate are counted until one candidate wins with more than 50% support. Growing interest Alaska is the only state with a true final voting system for federal elections, in which voters select their top four preferred candidates. But momentum is growing in several states, including Wisconsin, said Sara Eskrich, executive director with Democracy Found, a bipartisan organization that has been championing Final Five voting for several years. Recent examples of dysfunction in Congress, including House Republicans challenges electing a speaker earlier this year, have helped spur interest in a new system like Final Five, she added. People now know that there are changes that you can make and I think that as the dysfunction gets worse and worse, theres just more and more receptivity to change, Eskrich said. Because when things are going okay, status quo bias just wins the day in everything, so the worse it gets the stronger our argument is. While primary elections are often decided by the partys base, statewide candidates tend to shift back toward the middle in the November general election to appeal to a broader cross-section of voters. Moving too far toward campaign talking points that invigorate primary voters could make that pivot challenging in the short time between the August primary and November election. Eskrich said Final Five voting would make candidates more accountable to general election voters, who traditionally seek more problem-solving and compromise from their elected representatives. Its not that you dont still want to have your base with you in a Final Five system. Of course you do, Eskrich said. But you also have to get those leaners or independent voters and you dont have to run one campaign in a primary and then pivot to collect all those voters in November. You can consistently run to your general electorate, without harming yourself electorally. A fiscal estimate for the bill provided by the Wisconsin Elections Commission notes that, even assuming existing voting equipment in the state can accommodate a change to the Final Five voting structure, all equipment will need to be recertified at the state and possibly federal level. This would be costly and take significant time to accomplish, according to the report. Would there be implementation hurdles? Yes, but we would navigate them just like we have in other places, Eskrich said. Constitutional amendment The proposal to implement Final Five voting in Wisconsin is also running headlong into a competing proposal to amend the state Constitution to ban the practice outright. Rep. Ty Bodden, R-Stockbridge, said in a statement that systems like Final Five voting have proven disastrous for elections nationwide, causing prolonged result announcements when trust in election outcomes is already fragile. Given Wisconsins past issues with the central count process in Milwaukee County, where absentee ballots are counted at a single site, implementing ranked-choice voting statewide is impractical, Bodden said. This proposed constitutional amendment aims to safeguard Wisconsin from such disaster. Unlike bills, the governor cannot veto constitutional amendments. Such measures must pass two successive legislative sessions before voters have the final say. If enacted, such changes can only be reversed through another amendment or by a court order. It remains unclear how much momentum either proposal has. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers did not respond to requests for comment Thursday. Elections 101: Video series explains how elections are carried out in Wisconsin The Wisconsin Elections Commission put together the following series of instructional videos and accompanying lesson plans for use in high school civics classes and the general public. Elections overview An overview of elections administration in Wisconsin. Voting Security Let's take a look at how we maintain security and integrity with all of our elections. Nuts and bolts The ins-and-outs of voter processes like registering to vote and requesting a ballot to vote absentee. A Day at the Polls See what it is like to go to the polls and vote. Sehore Muslim woman beaten-up for voting BJP Staff Reporter After a case of a Muslim woman being beaten-up by her brother-in-law for voting to BJP in the recent Assembly elections, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has taken cognizance of the matter and met the Muslim woman and her children. Besides, the CM has also instructed the officials to take action against the guilty. Sameena Bi of Sehore, who faced harassment from her family members for voting to the BJP, met Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Bhopal on Saturday. Sameena had reached CM House with her children. She informed CM Chouhan about the entire episode of assault that happened on her. She said You (CM) is worried about me and my family, so I will vote for BJP in future too. Chief Minister Chouhan had received information that Ladli Bahna Sameena was beaten up for voting the BJP. She has been harassed by her family members. In such a situation, CM called her to the Chief Ministers residence and discussed the issue with her. Inquired about her condition and assured her of security and respect. Sameena is a resident of village Barkheda of Sehore. She was celebrating BJPs victory with her children on December 4 after the Assembly election results were announced. On this, her brother-in-law Javed beat her up with sticks. Her brother-in-law Javed was angry with her for voting BJP. Aspen Grove Capital LLC lowered its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 8.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 7,205 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 703 shares during the quarter. Aspen Grove Capital LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $461,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BMY. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.6% in the second quarter. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC now owns 49,112 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,141,000 after purchasing an additional 797 shares during the last quarter. Plancorp LLC grew its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Plancorp LLC now owns 8,973 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $574,000 after buying an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Security Asset Management increased its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 20.3% in the 1st quarter. Security Asset Management now owns 9,230 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $640,000 after acquiring an additional 1,558 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Architects LLC raised its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 4.8% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Architects LLC now owns 8,012 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $512,000 after acquiring an additional 366 shares during the period. Finally, Osterweis Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 69.6% during the 2nd quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,049 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $323,000 after acquiring an additional 2,072 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets BMY has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. HSBC upgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a reduce rating to a hold rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $55.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $81.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 30th. TheStreet lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $55.00 target price on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $63.59. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Theodore R. Samuels II purchased 8,500 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction on Monday, November 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $49.81 per share, with a total value of $423,385.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 35,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,768,255. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 3,071 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $48.86 per share, for a total transaction of $150,049.06. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 79,384 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,878,702.24. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Theodore R. Samuels II bought 8,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 20th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $49.81 per share, for a total transaction of $423,385.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 35,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,768,255. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders purchased 13,571 shares of company stock valued at $672,994 in the last three months. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Up 0.3 % Shares of BMY opened at $50.31 on Friday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $52.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $59.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.18. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1 year low of $48.25 and a 1 year high of $80.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $102.37 billion, a PE ratio of 12.77, a P/E/G ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.34. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.24. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 18.44% and a return on equity of 51.59%. The firm had revenue of $10.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.96 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.99 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be issued a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. This is a positive change from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.77%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 57.87%. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aspen Grove Capital LLC purchased a new stake in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 6,863 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $389,000. Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Keebeck Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Charles Schwab during the second quarter worth about $502,000. Stephens Inc. AR lifted its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 57,046 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,233,000 after acquiring an additional 1,712 shares during the period. Anson Funds Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,267,000. Aurora Investment Counsel increased its stake in Charles Schwab by 12.5% in the second quarter. Aurora Investment Counsel now owns 37,400 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,120,000 after acquiring an additional 4,160 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sowell Financial Services LLC lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 132.2% during the second quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 20,505 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,162,000 after purchasing an additional 11,674 shares during the last quarter. 81.61% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Charles Schwab Trading Up 1.8 % Shares of SCHW stock opened at $64.07 on Friday. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 1-year low of $45.00 and a 1-year high of $86.63. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The stock has a market cap of $113.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.36, a PEG ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 0.99. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $54.76 and a 200-day moving average of $57.24. Charles Schwab Announces Dividend Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.02. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 30.14% and a return on equity of 24.58%. The business had revenue of $4.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.62 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.10 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 16.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.16 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 24th. Investors of record on Friday, November 10th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 9th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.56%. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 33.33%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently commented on SCHW shares. Barclays boosted their price target on Charles Schwab from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Charles Schwab from $92.00 to $85.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $86.00 to $75.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 9th. JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $77.00 price objective on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $66.00 to $62.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $68.85. View Our Latest Report on SCHW Insider Buying and Selling at Charles Schwab In other news, Director Carolyn Schwab-Pomerantz sold 12,208 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.28, for a total value of $748,106.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,722,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $105,548,672. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 7,162 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.72, for a total transaction of $434,876.64. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Carolyn Schwab-Pomerantz sold 12,208 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.28, for a total transaction of $748,106.24. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 1,722,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at $105,548,672. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 37,194 shares of company stock valued at $2,163,280. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Charles Schwab Company Profile (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fort Point Capital Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 16.1% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,514 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,043 shares during the period. Fort Point Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $481,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 86,002.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 659,143,253 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $42,152,211,000 after acquiring an additional 658,377,716 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 175,584,734 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,169,778,000 after acquiring an additional 2,856,746 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 92,570,288 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $5,919,870,000 after acquiring an additional 858,922 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors raised its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 12.8% in the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 69,296,006 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,431,517,000 after acquiring an additional 7,878,833 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 39,034,341 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,489,314,000 after acquiring an additional 225,065 shares in the last quarter. 74.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Up 0.3 % Shares of BMY opened at $50.31 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $52.75 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $59.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.18. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 52-week low of $48.25 and a 52-week high of $80.67. The company has a market cap of $102.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.77, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.34. Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.24. The firm had revenue of $10.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.96 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 51.59% and a net margin of 18.44%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.99 EPS. Analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.56 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 5th will be given a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.77%. This is an increase from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is presently 57.87%. Insider Transactions at Bristol-Myers Squibb In other news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of $49.78 per share, for a total transaction of $99,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 82,672 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,115,412.16. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Director Theodore R. Samuels II acquired 8,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 20th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $49.81 per share, with a total value of $423,385.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 35,500 shares in the company, valued at $1,768,255. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Christopher S. Boerner acquired 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $49.78 per share, with a total value of $99,560.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 82,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,115,412.16. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders bought a total of 13,571 shares of company stock worth $672,994 over the last 90 days. 0.09% of the stock is owned by insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In BMY has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the company from $68.00 to $55.00 in a report on Wednesday, November 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $81.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $56.00 to $50.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 27th. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $60.00 target price (down previously from $70.00) on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, October 20th. Finally, TheStreet lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Thursday, November 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $63.59. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Bristol-Myers Squibb Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. In the glaring spotlight of national economic hardship, the opulent birthday bash orchestrated by Senator Godswill Akpabio at the Uyo International Stadium has become a symbol of elite excess, inciting widespread public discontent. Attended by a constellation of dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu's wife Oluremi, governors, the Deputy Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, ministers, and other high-ranking officials, the celebration has laid bare the stark disparity between the privileged political class and the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians. Vice-President Kashim Shettima's acknowledgement of the simmering anger among the impoverished masses towards government officials and the elite accentuates the growing rift between the ruling class and the citizenry. The grandiosity of the stadium celebration, juxtaposed against the pervasive poverty exacerbated by escalating living costs, has amplified public frustration to new heights. Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, vocalized apprehensions about the state of Nigerian democracy, attributing Akpabio's political ascent to a compromised judiciary. Her critique delved into the alleged corruption within the Court of Appeal and raised pertinent questions about Akpabio's legitimacy. The controversial decision by the Supreme Court to reinstate Akpabio as the senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North Senatorial District has only intensified tensions, casting a shadow over the credibility of the judicial system. Akpabio's extravagant celebration serves as a stark reminder of the ethical responsibilities leaders bear, especially in times of national crisis, prompting a collective call for a more compassionate and accountable approach to governance. The timing of Akpabio's spectacle against the backdrop of economic hardship has spurred questions about the leaders' understanding of the struggles faced by the general population. Hosting such an ostentatious event in a stadium while citizens grapple with poverty highlights a perceived lack of empathy among the political elite. The choice of a public stadium for a personal birthday celebration has further heightened concerns about appropriateness, especially when collective sacrifices are urged due to economic challenges. Mobilizing scarce national resources, including security officials, for such an elaborate event amidst economic hardships reflects a profound insensitivity, constituting a stark departure from the principles of responsible leadership. In stark contrast, Vice-President Kashim Shettima'sacknowledgment of the anger among the poor resonates with prevailing economic realities. While Shettima aligns with the struggles faced by ordinary citizens, Akpabio's extravagant celebration symbolizes a detachment from the economic plight of the masses. Governance requires a deep understanding of the people's struggles and an active commitment to addressing their needs. While leaders like Shettima exemplify open and active sensitivity, it is essential for others, including Akpabio, to embrace a similar approach. By attuning themselves to the daily challenges faced by the citizens and demonstrating genuine empathy, leaders can bridge the gap between the governed and the governing, fostering a more inclusive and responsive government. Shettima's leadership style serves as a reminder of the positive impact that leaders can have when they prioritize the well-being of their constituents and actively work towards uplifting the lives of those they serve. President Bola Tinubu's limited public presence during challenging times has stirred discussions about his leadership style. In an era marked by economic challenges, the public's demand for visible and accessible leadership highlights evolving expectations around transparency and accountability. The incident involving Akpabio's celebration has intensified discussions about political leaders' priorities, emphasizing the need for responsible governance, especially during economic difficulties. As citizens yearn for a recalibration towards servant leadership and responsible governance, the incident involving Akpabio becomes emblematic of compromised media and suppressed voices. The watchdog role traditionally ascribed to the media seems stifled or influenced, preventing it from unequivocally challenging leaders' questionable behaviors. In these challenging times, a collective cry emerges, questioning the divine presence and intervention. The desperate plea for divine guidance reflects a deep yearning for justice, accountability, and a moral compass to guide the nation. The call for divine intervention serves as a poignant reminder of the need for a moral awakening and a return to principled governance. In essence, the lavish celebration by Akpabio, utilizing scarce resources, the nation's police, and security officials for a stadium birthday extravaganza, raises profound questions about leaders' priorities in the face of economic crisis. The public outcry is a powerful signal demanding a fundamental shift towards compassionate, accountable, and principled governance. In the context of celebrating birthdays, it is essential to recognize that no reasonable mind is against such joyous occasions. However, there is a call for both common sense and democratic values to prevail in matters related to these celebrations. Striking a balance between personal festivities and societal considerations is crucial, ensuring that individual joy does not infringe upon the rights and well-being of others. This perspective emphasizes the importance of thoughtful and considerate celebration practices that align with the principles of democracy and shared societal values. The recent 'Let the poor breathe' comment made by President of the Senate, Akpabio during a plenary session, where he was seen laughing while, along with others, uttering remarks about poverty, was perceived by many Nigerians as a mockery by the elite. In a nation already grappling with economic trauma, this incident further exacerbated the challenges faced by the populace. The phrase 'Let the poor breathe' encapsulates the sentiment expressed during those prayers. The hope is that, in the spirit of sharing the birthday cake observed by many Nigerians globally, many Nigerians can experience not the literal cake but a taste of their basic needs, contributing to an enhanced quality of life. In the web of Nigeria's political landscape, the extravagant spectacle of Senator Godswill Akpabio's birthday celebration in the Uyo International Stadium stands as a vivid symbol of the widening chasm between the political elite and the struggling masses. As the nation grapples with economic hardships and calls for collective sacrifice, this grandiose affair not only underscores the urgent need for a recalibration towards responsible leadership but also serves as a stark reminder of the ethical void that some leaders seem to inhabit. The desperate cries for divine intervention and justice amidst compromised media channels paint a poignant picture of a society yearning for ethical clarity and principled governance. It is a collective call for leaders to heed the public's demands, to be attuned to the realities faced by ordinary citizens, and to embrace a more compassionate, accountable, and responsive approach to governance. The echo of this incident resonates as a wake-up call, challenging the nation's leadership to rise above self-indulgence and lead with integrity in times of national crisis. Psychologist John Egbeazien Oshodi Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, who was born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, to a father who served in the Nigeria police for 37 years, is an American-based police and prison scientist and forensic, clinical, and legal psychologist. A government consultant on matters of forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA; and a former interim associate dean and assistant professor at Broward College, Florida. The Founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation, Center for Psychological Health and Behavioral Change in African Settings. In 2011, he introduced state-of-the-art forensic psychology into Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, where he served in the Department of Psychology as an Associate Professor. He has taught at various universities and colleges including Florida memorial University, Florida International University, Broward college, Lynn University, and a contributing faculty member at the Weldios university in Benin Republic, Nexus International University, Uganda, Nova Southeastern University and Walden University in USA. He is a Human Rights Psychologist with a focus on African related environments. [email protected] Focused on improving the natural gas utilisation in the country and boost Nigerias gas revenue, NNPC Ltd has signed two major agreements to deliver LNG to the domestic gas market and the international LNG market. There were two separate signing ceremonies held on the sidelines of the on-going United Nations Climate Change Conference (also known as COP28), the NNPC Ltd signed an MoU with Wison Heavy Industry Co. Ltd, a Chinese company, for the development of floating LNG project in Nigeria, targeting the international LNG market. While the NNPC Prime LNG Ltd, an arm of NNPC Trading Ltd, signed a Supply, Installation and Commissioning Agreement with SDP Services, an independent oil and gas company, for a 421 tonnes per day LNG project targeting the domestic LNG market. The Floating LNG MoU was signed by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye on behalf of NNPC Ltd and Mr. Kai Xu, Managing Director of Wison Ltd, on behalf of his company. Also, the Small-Scale LNG (SSLNG) Project agreement was signed by the Managing Director, NNPC Trading Ltd., Mr. Lawal Sade, on behalf of NNPC Prime LNG Ltd while Mr. Abhinav Modi, Managing Director of SDP Services Ltd, signed on behalf of his company. While speaking after the signing ceremony, the EVP Gas, Power & New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye noted that NNPC Ltd is committed to delivering gas to industries nationwide and accelerating the companys gas commercialisation efforts through the floating LNG Project. Ogunleye said, We see both projects as having enormous impact all over the country because they are central to the commercialisation of Nigerias abundant gas resources and ensuring that our country earns the much-needed foreign revenue from its abundant gas assets. It is also consistent with NNPC managements drive to deliver on Mr. Presidents gas and power aspirations across the country." Similarly, in his address after the signing, the MD NNPC Trading Ltd, Mr. Lawal Sade noted that the SSLNG Project would boost the domestication of LNG utilisation by supporting the growth of auto-gas initiatives across the country. Sade said, We are looking at a time-frame of 12 months from execution to the commissioning of the project. It will deliver about 420 tonnes of LNG per day into the domestic market, which will enhance efficient delivery of gas to the auto-gas/CNG and industrial customers in line with Presidential mandate." While expressing their delight at signing the agreements, the partners expressed commitment to work with NNPC Ltd to deliver the projects within schedule and in the most cost-effective manner. The founder, Tropical Gate Foundation for Sustainable Development, Apostle Dr.Nnamdi Mbaigbo, has sent congratulatory messages to felicitate with Commissioner Tracey Kasuso on her Degree graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Counselling from the Zimbabwe Open University. Dr Mbaigbo made this known available to newsmen on yesterday, Saturday, 9th December, 2023. His words: "Congratulations to Commissioner Tracey Kasuso who graduated today with a Bachelor of Science in Counselling from the Zimbabwe Open University. Commissioner Tracey is an officer of the Zimbabwe and Botswana Territory (Madagascar) currently serving as the TPWM in Nigeria Territory. This is her second degree. Makorokoto! Amhlophe! - Salvationist online". The Anambra born philanthropist, Mbaigbo wished the Commissioner Kasuso a more fruitful achievement and God's guidance in her deliberations. Republican lawmakers advanced two bills recently that they say would boost parental oversight by requiring school and library staff to tell parents what materials their children under age 16 have checked out. At a hearing in Madison, bill author Sen. Romaine Robert Quinn, R-Cameron said, These bills are meant to provide more transparency to parents and guardians about what materials their child is allowed to access at public libraries. We agree with Quinn that parents have the right and the responsibility to monitor what books and other materials their young children are looking at. But thats where our agreement ends. The problem is that the GOP proposals are not only redundant, since parents already have the ability to monitor their childs library activity, but having librarians in both schools and municipalities have to take time from other duties to notify parents of their childrens check-out status within 24 hours would likely be massively expensive. Its unclear from the legislation how, exactly, such notifications would be made. By phone? By email? By postcard? Exactly how much staff time would this take to notify parents or guardians for each and every book that little Johnny or Cindy Lou takes past the checkout line? And who pays the bill for that? Is the Legislature going to take a few million out of the states budget surplus to boost the staffing capabilities of school and public libraries, or is this just another unfunded mandate? The Wisconsin Library Association testified against the public library bill at the hearing, with the chairman of its legislative committee, Peter Loeffel, writing, Wisconsin state statutes allow custodial parents or guardians to request library records relating to their childs use of the library, and public libraries have been diligent in complying with all statutory requirements. Loeffel, who is director of the Wauwatosa Public Library, said the legislation is creating a solution to a problem that does not exist. All public libraries in Wisconsin allow parents to review checked out items online, and many libraries also have apps that allow families to link library records so that a parent can view multiple accounts on their phone. The GOP legislation is not needed. The monitoring transparency is already in place and these bills would only run up the costs of operating school and public libraries. The bills should be quietly put on the shelf where they can gather dust and then discarded. Charges dropped over forced car repossession PHUKET: The Phuket Public Prosecutors Office has decided to take no action against four men accused of using excessive force in repossessing a car for failing to make loan repayments. By Eakkapop Thongtub Sunday 10 December 2023 12:04 PM The incident in the shopping mall car park was caught on CCTV. Screenshot: via Eakkapop Thongtub Thalang Police launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred in the parking lot of the Robinson Lifestyle Thalang shopping mall near Heroines Monument in August. In the incident, four men approached Kulwit Wongsaratnawut, a 32-year-old resident of Moo 5, Mai Khao, on Aug 7 and told him that he had B200,000 in loan repayments outstanding on the car. The men were working for the loan provider, the Union Car Auction Warehouse in Baan Lipon, Srisoonthorn. Three of the men attempted to enter the car in the parking lot, but Mr Kulwit refused them. His refusal led to an assault in which the men removed the cay key from Mr Kulwits trouser pocket. The men took Mr Kulwit and the car to the Union Car Auction Warehouse in Baan Lipon, Srisoonthorn, where Mr Kulwit was forced to sign over ownership of the car, a white Ford Focus. As police launched their investigation, Mr Kulwits father, Mr Kitti, at the time presented a bank statement proving loan payments made, confirming that the outstanding amount was only B61,000. Mr Kitti yesterday confirmed to reporters that the Phuket Public Prosecutors Office had decided to not press charges against the key suspect, Wichan Danai, and the four men who took forced repossession of the car. Mr Kitti laid no blame on the response of the Thalang Police in investigating the incident. Thalang Police Deputy Chief Pol Lt Col Anukul Nooket at the time confirmed that the behaviour of the four men described by Mr Kulwit in his complaint was illegal. It is a violation of the law. There was persecution, threats, coercion, harm, he [Mr Kulwit] did not give his consent, Lt Col Anukul said. As for the complaint of robbery, we have to look at the evidence again. What were the mens intentions and what are the conditions for seizing property [for non-repayment of loans]? The car is now already with the company that violated the law and used coercion to seize the car, he said. Mr Kitti yesterday presented documents that confirmed Thalang Police presented their case, and their evidence, to the Phuket Public Prosecutors Office in order for charges to be formally brought against Mr Wichan and the four men. He also presented a copy of a letter confirming that the Phuket Public Prosecutors Office had declined to proceed with the charges due to lack of evidence. Mr Kitti did blame Thalang Police for accepting the decision of the Phuket Public Prosecutors Office to not press charges. This is even though my son filed a police report with a doctors certificate from Thalang Hospital proving his injuries, his bruises, and his need to rest and recover, Mr Kitti said. But the police concluded that there was no injury, no injuries, even though the case was a shocking one. There was CCTV as clear evidence [of the incident in the car park, but the prosecutors absolutely did not press charges, he said. It was noted yesterday that the refusal to press charges against the men raised questions over the subsequent role of the police, and that of the Phuket Public Prosecutors Office. In September, two former Phuket Public Prosecutors including a former chief of the Phuket Public Prosecutors Office - were sentenced to jail for attempting to extort a bribe from a company in order to avoid prosecution for encroaching n government land. Napoleon a Ridley Scott masterclass When it comes to historical epics Ridley Scott is the undoubted king. While not always historically accurate when Scott has tackled movies like Gladiator, Robin Hood or Kingdom of Heaven, he has always delivered stunning films that leave the audience breathless. Now you can add Napoleon to that list as Scott brings the French Generals story to the big screen in a groundbreaking way. By David Griffiths Sunday 10 December 2023 12:08 PM Joaquin Phoenix in Napoleon (2023). Image: IMDb Scott chronicles the life of Napoleon Bonaparte (Joaquin Phoenix Joker) from his rise as a gifted soldier who rose through the ranks with impressive victories until he became not only Emperor of France but also one of Europes most fearsome foes. The film also shows his volatile relationship that he had with his wife Josephine (Vanessa Kirby Mission: Impossible Fallout), which went from a fairytale love story to a tale of infidelity, national embarrassment and stress as the couple struggle to conceive a child. Napoleon is another film released this year where the trailer does not do it justice. One look at the trailer for the film and you would think that you were walking into a film that was just epic battle after epic battle. Yet the screenplay by David Scarpa (The Day The Earth Stood Still) sees this film go a lot deeper than that. This film shows you more about what Napoleon was like as a person then ever could be expected. There are just as many scenes showing Napoleons softer side with Josephine and his dogs then there are scenes showing him as a brilliant battle strategist. The fact that the film goes into depth and shows the stress that Napoleon and Josephine went through as a couple that couldnt conceive as well as the pain that he endured when he discovered Josephines adultery proves that together Scott and Scarpa wanted to make a character study of the great man instead of an epic war piece. The film also explores how at times the role of leader and the lifestyle that went with it didnt always sit comfortably with Napoleon. It also explores the role that he took in the French Revolution and shows in detail how he became Frances first Emperor facts that apparently most people are unaware of when it comes to the history of Napoleon. However, if you are a school student out there and think that a quick watch of this film will help you write your next history essay, you should also be aware that this film depicts Napoleon firing a cannon at one of Egypts pyramids so it may not be your perfect reference point. Having said that, though, like all good Scott pieces the film is not light on action. The battle sequences look amazing, especially as Napoleon leads his troops in a surprise attack on a British fort. Likewise, thanks to cinematographer Dariusz Wolski (The Martian), shots depicting French manors covered in mist or soldiers dying in bloody water look like works of art throughout the film. The only downside to those battles, especially the Battle of Waterloo, are the fact that Scott tries to fit so much of Napoleons life into the film that some sequences, including his abdication, are over in a blink of an eye on the screen. Given the picturesque way he shot it, key moments like Waterloo could almost have been centre points. Credit must also be paid to Joaquin Phoenix for his performance of Napoleon. Not only does he carry this film by being in nearly every scene, he puts in a performance that is worthy of an Oscar nomination if not an actual Oscar win. Not only is this a commanding performance but he backs it up with the little things that keen eyed audience members will notice the gazes, the facial expressions and even the laboured breathing during the battle sequences. To say that he puts on an acting masterclass here is an understatement. Phoenix is also well supported by Vanessa Kirby, who takes on the difficult role of Joesphine with sheer brilliance. Not only does she match Phoenixs amazing performance but also takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride where for one moment they will love her character and the next hate her. Just like Steven Spielberg or Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott is one director that you expect something brilliant from every time he helms a film. With Napoleon he more than delivers that with a film that is not only beautiful to look at but allows its lead actor to shine while giving a well-rounded look at one of the most important people in world history. Napoleon is currently screening in Phuket and is rated 18. 4/5 Stars David Griffiths has been working as a film and music reviewer for over 20 years. That time has seen him work in radio, television and in print. He is also an accredited reviewer for Rotten Tomatoes. You can follow him at www.facebook.com/subcultureentertainmentaus Phuket Town continues flood-prevention efforts PHUKET: Phuket City Municipality is continuing its campaign to clear drains from debris to help prevent the town from flooding. By The Phuket News Sunday 10 December 2023 10:07 AM Phuket Town Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas explained that workers were dispatched each day to clear waste in ditches and drains at various locations throughout the Phuket City Municipality area. In addition, Waste and Sewage Management workers from Phuket City Municipalitys Engineering Office had been dispatched to clear out all the near the pumping station at the end of Bang Yai Canal. We are still driving our continuous surveillance, prevention and management of water situations in the Phuket Municipality area by assigning officials to the go to areas to eliminate waste that may contribute to flooding, Mayor Saroj said. In addition, teams of workers from the Phuket City Municipality Public Health and Environment Division are being assigned to maintain cleanliness throughout the area by cut grass and spray and clean various roads. This provides convenience to the people and takes care of cleanliness and increases the beauty of various places within the Phuket Municipality area as well, he said. Phuket City Municipality early last month launched a project to help alleviate and prevent flooding in Soi Pha-niang, Samkong. The area gained notoriety for repeatedly flooding and endangering peoples homes with each heavy downpour throughout the past rainy season. Efforts to prevent flooding in Phuket Town were ramped up during the rainy season this year, with special focus on monitoring the water level in Bang Yai Canal, which runs through the heart of the town. Several times through the rainy season this year the water level in the canal rose to worrying heights, prompting officials to have emergency services on 24-hour standby and deploying pumps throughout the town to displace rainfall runoff. During a visit to Phuket by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in August, Phuket City Mayor Saroj explained to PM Srettha the need to expedite projects to help prevent and alleviate flooding in Phuket Town. Doing so would help improve the areas economic performance and improve Phuket Towns image as a tourism destination, he said. Mayor Saroj has already presented a drainage system construction project costing B226 million to help protect the Phuket Old Town area from repeated flooding. PLTO confirms which taxi apps are legal PHUKET: The Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) has re-issued a notice confirming which taxi apps have been approved by the Department of Land Transport and are legal to operate in Thailand. tourismtransportSafetyviolence By The Phuket News Sunday 10 December 2023 10:57 AM Image: PLTO The notice confirms that the following taxi apps are legal to operate in the country: Hello Phuket Grab Airasia Super App Robinhood Bonku Asia Cab (operating as Cabb) Bolt InDriver The notice also specifically singles out that ride-sharing service Maxim as still uncertified by the DLT, and therefore illegal in Thailand. The notice was issued on Thursday (Dec 7), one day after more than 200 taxi app drivers gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall to submit a formal request for fairness and protection from violence from green plate taxi drivers, who for decades have had a stranglehold monopoly on providing taxi services to tourists on the island. The formal request was submitted after a Grab taxi driver was viciously beaten by a green plate taxi driver wielding a piece of wood after the Grab driver arrived near Bang Tao Beach to pick up passengers who had ordered a taxi via the Grab app. Present to witness the Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan receiving the formal request was Kornpitak Atassuwan of the PLTO. Of note, the attack on the Grab driver came just nine days after Vice Governor Amnuay had expressly called for local taxi drivers to control their emotions when in situations involving taxi app drivers. That appeal, made directly to representatives of Phuket taxi cartel cooperatives with PLTO officials present, went ignored. The PLTO so far has issued no statement of what action is to be taken against the two drivers involved in the attack at Bang Tao last Saturday, despite one of the men claiming responsibility for the assault after presenting himself at Cherng Talay Police Station on Monday. Royal participation highlights final day of Kings Cup Regatta SAILING: Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana presided over the 35th Phuket Kings Cup Regatta Royal Award Ceremony following the conclusion of the hugely popular event yesterday (Dec 9). Sailing By Press Release Sunday 10 December 2023 09:18 AM Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana as Personal Representative of His Majesty the King of Thailand presided over the Royal Award Ceremony of the 35th Phuket Kings Cup Regatta, held at Beyond Kata Resort last night (Dec 9). Photo: Supplied As the Personal Representative of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, Queen Suthida betsowed royal awards to winners in the Keelboat and Multihulls classes and the International Dinghy Classes in a ceremony held at the Beyond Kata Resort. Earlier in the day, Queen Suthida sailed on Vayu THA 72 in the prestigious IRC Zero class in the final day of racing, with her presence proving fortuitius as the TP52 won both races in the eleven-race series. Ray Roberts TP52 Team Hollywood won the IRC Zero class and the overall Kings Cup title for the fourth straight year. James & Kate Murrays Callisto, a Pac 52, placed third in the four-boat IRC Zero class with Steve McConaghys Aftershock Syndicate, a Davidson 55, finishing fourth in the class. Ithinai Yingsiris Thai vessel Pine Pacific, an X-Yacht 55, won the Premier class after triumphing in all seven races, with Peter Cremers Shatoosh, a Warwick 75, finishing in second. Hans Rahmanns JV 72 custom-built Yasooda chances were hurt with a DNF in race three, meaning he had to settle for third overall. Bernard Huybens Aphrodite, a Vitters 92, was fourth in the class and did not sail on the final day. Nick Burns Witchcraft, edged out Rolf Heemskerks The Next Factor in the seven-boat IRC One class, just as it did two weeks ago at the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta. Witchcraft won seven of the ten races sailed in this class. Craig Douglas/Gordon Kettlebys Ramrod, finished third in the class. Craig Nichols Alright nosed out Susurnu Kuroses Char Chan by one point to take fourth spot in IRC One. Robert Carr & Sandy Farquharsons Aquarii was hurt by a DNS in race eight and had to settle for sixth overall. Clayton Craigies Anjo had a challenging regatta with four DNFs & one DNS and finished last in the class. The six-boat Bareboat Charter Class saw Dean Pengs & Tiffany Khoos Gragonborn win five of the seven races sailed in this class. Mike Downards Piccolo narrowly edged out Toshihiko Iijimas Hippocrates by one point to take second in the class. Moonshine featuring the ASA Sailing Dream Asia, was fourth while Team Hayato took fifth in the class. Alan Andersons Judy did not start the last three races in this class and as such was relegated to sixth position. The five-boat Monohull Cruising class was the tightest class going into the final day with three boats tied with nine points. But when it was all sailed and done, Philippe Dallees Swan II edged out Steve Maine Enavigo by two points and Jianhao Yangs Isabella by three points, the latter disqualified in the third race for carrying an anchor on the bow. Thomas Veltins Brisk was fourth in this class with Mo Yiweis Sumalee, fifth. The two-boat Multihull Racing class saw Dan Fidocks Kata Rocks Parabellum zip around the course winning seven of the nine races sailed in its class. John Newnhams Kata Rocks 2, aka Twin Sharks was the only boat competing in this class. The flashy Parabellum won overall line in evey race in the regatta. Andrew McDermotts Trident has won all five races in the Multihull Cruising class after having to sit out day one because of a dismasting. It won out over Frank Kasteleins Team No Escape (Pooichat), the only other yacht competing in this class. The regattas International Dinghy Classes this year competed in a three-day competition off of Kata Beach. The event was divided into four classes: Monohull Dinghy Handicap (12 boats); ILCA 4 (15 boats); Open Skiff (17 boats); and Optimist (79 boats). The overall Optimist winner was Patcharaphan Ongkaloy, continuing on her gold-medal performance from the Southeast Asian Games. Pailin Jaroenpon was second followed by Karit Phrammanee, all Thais. The Open Skiff class was won by Indias Anandi Chandavarkar no surprise as she won the class each day. Dom Kaewpradab of Thailand placed second each day capturing that position and Indias Ayaan Nath was third. The ILCA4 class was swept by Thailand with Nanvatorn Supaamphonwit capturing top spot each day, Ton Rattana finishing second overall and Thanaphat Sirichaoren placing third. The Monohull Dinghy Class (Handicap) was won by Claudia Nazarov with Voravong Racharattanaruk coming in second and Morten Jakobsen in third. At the awards ceremony last night, Kevin Whitcraft, the President of the 35th Phuket Kings Cup Regatta Organising Committee said, The Phuket Kings Cup Regatta is considered an important international sailing competition in Asia. The event is organised in line with Phukets Development Plan which wants to develop Phuket as a leisure marine hub making it a world-class yachting destination. This will help spur on the countrys tourism industry, which is one of the ten industries targeted to drive Thailands future economy. Phuket generates the most tourism income from any of the southern provinces on the Andaman coast, which combined generate the highest tourism numbers in the country. This year, the 35th Phuket Kings Cup Regatta achieved its objectives as expected. More than 200 million baht was circulated throughout the week of sailing. The regatta is also an excellent platform for young Thai sailors who want to improve their sailing skills pitted against some outstanding international sailors. The awards ceremomy was attended by: Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Navy; Admiral Somprasong Nilsamai, President of the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT); Pramookpisitt Achariyachai, President of Kata Group Resorts Thailand; Thomas Arthur Whitcraft, Phuket Kings Cup Organising Committee; high ranking naval officers representing the Royal Thai Navy and dignitaries, hundreds of sailors, VIPs and honored guests. The 35th Phuket Kings Cup Royal Awards Ceremony marked the end of a week of spectacular racing involving keelboats, multihulls, dinghies all competing in the beautiful waters of the Andaman Sea for some of sailings most prestigious trophies, bestowed by His Majesty the King of Thailand. For more information and results please visit www.kingscup.com. Thailand makes climate-finance pitch in Dubai BANGKOK: Thailand has called for further action from its partners to achieve the goal of US$100 billion in climate finance by 2025, saying it is crucial for helping developing nations to reach their climate targets. environment By Bangkok Post Sunday 10 December 2023 09:00 AM Environmental activists listen for the vital signs in an inflatable globe during a demonstration at COP 28. Photo: AFP Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Pol Gen Phatcharavat Wongsuwan issued the call during an address to the COP28 global climate talks currently taking place in Dubai, reports the Bangkok Post. He also reaffirmed Thailands determination to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2065. Pol Gen Phatcharavat said the country was making concrete and clear progress towards its goals, having updated its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to alleviate the impacts and risks of climate change. The plan covers key areas such as water management, agriculture and food security, tourism, public health, natural resources and environment management, as well as human settlement and security. Thailand, he said, was expected to reach peak emissions in 2025. Meanwhile, studies have shown that the share of renewable fuel sources in electricity generation will need to reach 68% in 2040 compared with about 15% now and 74% by 2050 for the country to reach carbon neutrality. We are also moving towards phasing down fossil fuel in line with our 2050 Carbon Neutrality goal, the minister added. In the agricultural sector, a climate-smart rice farming project is now being funded by the Green Climate Fund. The 38-million project is expected to promote low-emission rice farming and improve climate resilience among farmers. We are in the midst of enacting our first Climate Change Act, in which appropriate regulations would be set for greenhouse gas emissions. Capacity-building on climate resilience will also be enhanced in every sector, Pol Gen Phatcharavat added. He reiterated that the worldwide climate finance goal of US$100 billion for a Loss and Damage Fund by 2025 is crucial for developing states. In 2009, developed countries promised that starting from 2020, they would transfer $100 billion a year to poorer nations hit by worsening climate change-fuelled disasters. They later indicated the target would not be met until 2023, and are now hoping to secure commitments to meet the goal by 2025. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, contributions by developed nations and other participants reached $89.6 billion in 2021. No one and no country is spared from the adverse effects of climate change, Pol Gen Phatcharavat told the meeting. I am gratified that the Loss and Damage Fund has been established and will be materialised further at COP28. The fund is intended to help compensate vulnerable countries for the impacts of climate change, such as increasing extreme weather events. At COP 28, the United Arab Emirates said it would commit $100 million to the fund, with another $100 million coming from Germany, $17.5 million from the US and $10 million from Japan, according to The Guardian. Pol Gen Phatcharavat expressed optimism that the Dubai talks will set a firm pathway for all of us to achieve the 1.5 degrees Celsius target under the Paris Agreement. Manipur crisis: Truth be told | As members of parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), representing the people of Manipur, it is their bounden duty to raise every key issue of the state in the parliament. Now the whole world knows that Manipur has been passing through a very tumultuous period for the last several months and her people of all ethnic groups have been suffering untold misery. Hundreds of lives have been cut short, thousands of houses burnt down and tens of thousands of innocent people have been rendered homeless. The state of Manipur is facing the grimmest situation in its modern history. With the Chin-Kuki-Zo people, spearheaded by their MLAs, CSOs, frontal organisations and militant groups, openly demanding fragmentation of Manipur to create an ethno-exclusive homeland of their own, the geo-political entity called Manipur is now facing the gravest threat. If such a grave crisis fails to prod the three MPs to speak up in the Parliament, we doubt any other issue will be able to wake them up. As representatives representing the people of Manipur in New Delhi, they (MPs) must be the first to speak in the national capital, both inside and outside the Parliament. Had they spoken up and given a factual account of the disturbing events which unfolded in Manipur from May 3, 2023, the wrong and concocted narratives propagated by the exponents of separate administration could have been minimized to a great extent. Feeding on these wrong and concocted narratives, unscrupulous media only added salt to the wound by portraying the violence as conflict between Christians and Hindus, tribals and non-tribals and minority versus majority. Again, based on these incorrect media reports, the European Parliament came out with a statement condemning the alleged persecution of Christians in Manipur. Yet, the MPs did not bother to stand up and speak out the truth. We dont think the people were asking for the moon when they expected the MPs to at least present a true and factual account of the crisis. Unfortunately the MPs could not live up to the peoples expectation. It seems Prime Minister Narendra Modis politics of silence has afflicted the three MPs too. It is not only Prime Minister Narendra Modi but several mainland civil society organisations, radical groups and political classes too have been maintaining stoic silence when Manipur has been burning and under siege for all these months. The crisis is an outcome of deception orchestrated by the Chin-Kuki militants. On the fateful day of May 3, 2023, several pro-Kuki-militant organisations staged a Tribal Solidarity March against the High Court of Manipurs directive to the State Government to send a recommendation to the Government of India for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the scheduled tribe (ST) list. Subsequent events following the solidarity march vividly revealed the art of deception employed by Chin-Kuki militants. While the rally ended peacefully in the Naga areas, in the Chin-Kuki dominated Churachandpur district, Kuki militants and their supporters used the march as a weapon to burn down Meitei houses and attack Meitei civilians. The Manipur Government had not given its recommendations on whether Meetei/Meitei should be included or not in the ST when the so-called Tribal Solidarity March was held. Meiteis ST demand was used as a camouflage to conceal the real hidden agenda of the march which is eviction of Meitei populace from Kuki dominated areas like Churchandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi to pave away for creation of an ethno-exclusive homeland. It was a tragedy that several national media houses fell prey to the false narratives floated by exponents of separate administration that the Meiteis demand for ST status triggered the conflict. But these media houses never bothered to question how one could justify burning down houses and killing unarmed and unsuspecting civilians in the name of the High Courts directive which had not been complied with by the Government. The truths and facts must be told to the whole world. Now the parliaments winter session is going on, it is a perfect opportunity for the MPs, though late, to present a factual account of the crisis and possibly explore a solution. Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 16F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Mostly cloudy. Low -7F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Tomorrow Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the morning. High -3F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. 1. Yes. More than 70% of the downtown buildings are occupied; the area is thriving now. 2. Yes. With the new E-Center , a brewery and the county annex moving in, its on the rise. 3. No. There may be a lot of new businesses, but foot traffic is still slow on most days. 4. No. Its improving, but the issues of crime and homelessness are still major obstacles. 5. Unsure. The area seems to be rebounding, but its hard to say if the trend will continue. Vote View Results A Kurdish rights struggle by a Swiss national. Although strange, but a true story of Mano Khalil, an acclaimed filmmaker from Kurdistan, who is fighting for the cause of his people through the silver screen from a distance of over three thousand kilometres. A dedicated section on identity struggle mainly of the Kurds, is one of the newest features of the 12-day event. Mano Khalils movie The Swallow highlights the ethnic struggles of Kurds in Iran. The Swallow narrates the plight of a 27-year-old woman who embarks on a journey from Switzerland to the Kurdistan region of Iraq searching for her father she has never met. During her journey, which is very tough, she encounters terrorism and violence. The journey of Mano Khalil, a Syrian Kurdish, started when he decided to discontinue his career in history and law that he was pursuing at Damascus University. Advertisement As a youth, he would often get opportunities to watch films in Syria, his homeland that was in its good days during then. Later, the conflict in Syria broke out and people of his community were destroyed. But the films that he had watched as a young boy often inspired him, provoking his thoughts for the rights of his people. He made films like Neighbours and a documentary named David der Tohildan based on struggles of fellow community members. We are peace-loving people and what we want from other communities is respect that we do not get by the occupiers of our homeland. Through my films like Neighbours,I want to convey the message that humanity is the most important thing and it is possible to live peacefully with people of different ethnicities, claimed the director of The Beekeeper. Living in one of the most beautiful places, Switzerland, with around 20,000 other fellow Kurds, he wishes to serve as a bridge between Switzerland and Kurdistan. The director wishes to make a film in Bengal on the different kinds of lives that people live here. A few meters away from my hotel, I found people of various classes living comfortably in different worlds and that inspired me a lot. This is a rare sight in other parts of the globe, added the filmmaker. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to demand the states legitimate share of GST collected by the Central government from West Bengal, as well as funds pending under various Centrally-sponsored schemes for the state. Speaking to reporters at Bagdogra airport today, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: I have written a letter to the Prime Minister yesterday seeking an appointment to discuss several issues, including disbursement of funds for the 100 days job scheme, housing scheme, construction of rural roads and funds for the health sector. Miss Banerjee said she will be attending a meeting of the Opposition INDIA bloc on 18 December in the National Capital. I have sought an appointment with the PM between 18 to 20 December. I will leave for Delhi on 17 December evening. A few Members of Parliament of my party will accompany me, Miss Banerjee said. If he gives me time from 18 to 20 December, I will demand Bengals legitimate financial share. If he does not give time for me, we will decide what to do, Miss Banerjee said. She alleged that West Bengal is the only state to which the Central government has stopped sending funds under all centrally-sponsored schemes. Advertisement The Centre has stopped disbursement of funds for several schemes. But we have not stopped those schemes. The state has been implementing schemes without the Centres assistance. The Centre has stopped disbursement of funds for 100 days job scheme (MGNREGA), Banglar Badi (housing scheme), rural road and funds for health sector, Miss Banerjee said. The Centre is collecting GST from West Bengal but we are not getting our share from the GST. I will demand Bengals share, she said. Later in the day, the chief minister, who had come to Bagdogra from Kurseong left for Alipurduar where she will attend an official programme tomorrow. The CM will attend a similar programme at Banarhat in Jalpaiguri on 11 December. She will attend official programmes in Siliguri on 12 December and thereafter leave for Kolkata. Potato prices have shot up in the city by minimum Rs 8 per kg after fear of loss of crop and vegetables due to unseasonal rain. An abrupt crisis in the supply chain of potatoes has already affected consumers in both whole-sale and retail markets. The crisis might also worsen if potatoes in cold storages across districts are not released by a section of store owners. Chandramukhi potato variety prices range from Rs 25 to Rs 28 per kg in retail markets while potatoes of Jyoti species cost Rs 20 or Rs 22 per kg. Wholesale potato traders feel that there would be no way the prices may decline in coming months. The state agriculture minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay has already held a high-level meeting at the state secretariat to take stock of the situation. Sources in the state agriculture department said that farmers who had sown potato seeds during the end of November might not get good yield. A task force will monitor regularly so that potato prices could not rise indiscriminately in markets, the sources added. Advertisement Andrew Garfield and Alia Bhatts recent encounter at the Red Sea International Film Festival has set social media ablaze, causing an outpour of excitement and adoration from fans. Alia, who has been navigating a busy year with numerous film releases and brand collaborations, shared a captivating glimpse of her experience at the prestigious festival on her Instagram account. The actress showcased her elegant style in a stunning gray strapless gown adorned with intricate 3D flower embroidery, making a glamorous statement at the grand event. The reel featured snapshots of Alia striking poses, interacting with fans, and snippets from her participation in the In-Conversation sidebar section. However, what stole the spotlight was the enchanting moment when Alia Bhatt and Hollywood heartthrob Andrew Garfield exchanged smiles and handshakes. Andrew, looking sharp in a classic black suit, shared a warm moment with Alia, creating a buzz among fans who quickly took to social media to express their joy. Advertisement The Red Sea International Film Festival, now in its third edition, attracted global personalities from diverse corners of the world, further solidifying its reputation as a prominent cultural event. The unexpected and heartwarming interaction between Alia and Andrew added an extra layer of excitement to the festival, leaving fans eager for more. The viral exchange between the two stars has sparked imaginative discussions among enthusiasts, with many expressing their desire to see the dynamic duo collaborate on the silver screen. The prospect of an Alia Bhatt and Andrew Garfield movie has become the subject of fervent fan manifesting, as admirers envision the magic these two talented actors could create together. As the news continues to circulate on social media platforms, the Red Sea International Film Festival finds itself in the spotlight once again, not just for its cinematic offerings but for creating a moment that has left fans buzzing with anticipation and excitement for what the future might hold for these two beloved stars. Amid speculations across Jammu and Kashmir on the verdict that the Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce verdict on Monday on a bunch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 by the BJP government, PDP supremo Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said that looking at the precautions being taken by the security forces, it seems that the verdict will be against the people of J&K. Mehbooba, who was talking to media-persons on the sidelines of her public meeting in south Kashmirs Bijbehara, said that police were preparing lists of leaders of opposition parties ahead of the SC verdict. The Supreme Court already took five years to hear the petitions against abrogation of Article 370, but given the Courts previous several judgements that without constituent assembly Article370 cannot be removed, so the final verdict should be simple and straight that the 5 August 2019 decision of the BJP government was unconstitutional, she added. Advertisement Earlier in the morning, National Conference leader, Omar Abdullah, said in Kulgam; No one can say with surety that they know what will happen. I have no machinery that would tell me what the five judges might be thinking or what theyve written in the judgment. I can only hope and pray that the decision is in our favour. He said: We were the first to move the Supreme Court challenging the revocation of Article 370. Regardless of the eventual decision, our political fight will persist. Mehbooba Muftis daughter, Iltija Mufti wrote on X; Can hazard a guess SC will uphold the unconstitutional revocation of Article 370 & nudge GOI to restore statehood (not a legally binding directive). Along with a vague framework to restore democracy by holding elections. A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, reserved its verdict on 5 September on the petitions against scrapping of the Constitutional safeguards that bestowed special status on the erstwhile state of J&K that was split into two Union Territories (UTs). BJP activists defending abrogation of Article 370 assert there was nothing wrong in scrapping the special status. The action has brought peace in J&K and streamlined the administration. Meanwhile, Additional DGP, Law and Order, Vijay Kumar held a high level security review meeting in Srinagar ahead of the Supreme Court verdict. He directed the district authorities to keep a watch on the emerging situation in Kashmir Valley. He also ordered for taking preventive and punitive actions against anyone who indulges in mischief, misinformation and misuse of social media. The meeting was attended by top officers of the Intelligence Bureau, CID, all district magistrates and senior superintendents of police of Kashmir division. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Sunday announced her nephew Akash Anand as her political successor. The decision was announced at a key BSP meeting attended by party leaders and office bearers. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Akash was a prominent face of the BSP campaign and he was often seen with Mayawati. He was made the partys national coordinator in the same year and his father Anand Kumar was made the national vice president. BSP chief Mayawati has announced Akash Anand (Mayawatis nephew) as her successor, News agency ANI quoted party leader Udayveer Singh as saying. Advertisement Meanwhile, during the meeting, Mayawati told party leaders that alliances with national parties doesnt help the BSP as they fail to transfer their votes to BSP candidates. BSP leaders also analysed the partys performance in recently held state assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Deliberations were also made on selection of candidates for the Lok Sabha assembly election in 2024. Mayawati has not joined the Oppositions INDIA alliance. She is neither part of the BJP-led NDA. At today meeting, the BSP supremo made it clear that national alliance doesnt help the partys cause, hence, they will fight the elections on its own. After failing to politically defeat the Trinamul Congress, fake news factories masquerading as news media organisations came up with a poorly-crafted lie this morning to deflect attention from peoples growing anger against the BJP for depriving Bengal of its rightful MGNREGA due. Some media houses on Saturday claimed that the financial assistance recently disbursed by partys national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee to MGNREGA workers was given to crorepati Trinamul member in West Burdwans Kanksa block. There was not even a shred of evidence in the news. The matter pertains to the family of MGNREGA worker Sukumar Saha, who also runs a grocery shop with his brother in the area, claimed sources. According to official documents, Sahas father Samanta Kar Saha was issued a job card on 7 July, 2007. This job card bore names of five other family members, including that of Sukumar Saha. Furthermore, there is documented proof of Sukumar working under MGNREGA from 22 October, 2019, to 13 July, 2022, as is his right as a citizen. Like lakhs of other MGNREGA workers from Bengal, his wage has also been withheld. Advertisement Saha said, My economic condition was not like this before. Around two years ago, I had to enrol as a MGNREGA worker due to economic hardships in the family. Just like every other MGNREGA worker, I deserve my wages. I had gone to Delhi for my pending money. Since my own house has a mud and tin roof, I dont even stay there. I currently reside at my maternal uncles house, which the media is showing as mine. With Governor Arif Mohammad Khan asking the chief secretary for an explanation for a petition seeking Presidential imposition of a financial emergency in the state under Article 360(1) of the Constitution the state Kerala is facing the threat of an acute financial emergency came to the fore. Although it may be argued that certain Central policies are the reason for the current economic crisis in the state, the affidavit filed by the chief secretary in the Kerala High Court shows the gravity of financial crisis that the state is facing now. As the chief secretary submitted an affidavit in the high court stating that the state is facing a serious financial crisis, he cannot contradict this when he gives an explanation to the governor. Advertisement The ruling Left Front government in Kerala told the court that the state was facing a huge financial crisis. The submission was made by the government in an affidavit placed before the court in a matter related to repaying a depositor of the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC) Ltd. The Kerala chief secretary also submitted that the state government was finding it difficult to garner resources for the day-to-day affairs, when a contempt of court petition filed by retired KSRTC pensioners for not implementing the court directive to pay pensions in time came up for hearing last month. The government is of the view that there was no need to give an immediate reply to the governor on the petition seeking Presidential imposition of a financial emergency in the state. The governor can make a recommendation on his own if he does not get a reply from the chief secretary. If the reply gets delayed, he will send another letter to the chief secretary. He will decide on whether to make the recommendation on his own after that. It remains to be seen if the governor will be able to take such a step without the Centres tacit approval. Three years ago, the Centre had warned that the financial situation of five states, including Kerala and Punjab, was not good. The Kerala Administrative Tribunal had also directed the government to clarify when it will provide the five instalments of the dearness allowance to be paid to the government employees. Rs 18,000 crore is needed for this It was pointed out in the petition given to the Governor that Rs 16,000 crore is due to public works contractors and Rs 1000 crore to Supplyco contractors. A social activist, RS Sasikumar, in his petition to the governor had sought the Presidents intervention to save Kerala from irredeemable financial instability precipitated by the state governments reckless borrowing, lax tax administration, and unpardonable profligacy. He pointed out that the financial position of the state as of now is precarious and beyond redemption as the state has exceeded its borrowing power. The payments are due to government contractors, the state-owned SUPPLYCO which does market intervention, college and university teachers as UGC pay revision arrears, DA arrears to state government employees and the state-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation employees, the petition says. The state of Kerala is going through this grave fiscal crisis because of the extravaganza of the ministers and lack of planning. Inefficient fiscal management and utter failure in revenue mobilization emptied the state treasury, said Sasikumarin his petition. The Governor has sought an explanation on the points raised by Sasikumar in his petition. According to Article 360 (1) of the Constitution, a state of financial emergency will be imposed if recommended by the Governor and approved by the President. It will continue until withdrawn by the President .Both Houses of Parliament must approve the financial emergency within two months The Income Tax raids at several premises linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Sahus multi state liquor firm have unearthed nearly cash worth Rs 300 crore. The money is still being counted and the amount is likely to increase further. Meanwhile, the BJP has launched an all-out attack against the Congress party and accused it or corruption. As the BJP mounted its pressure on Congress, Opposition Shiv Senas MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has taken a dig at the saffron party. Speaking to news agency ANI, Chaturvedi sought assurance from BJP leaders and ministers that Sahu will not get a clean chit if he decides to join the saffron party after some time. Advertisement I want to tell the BJP ministers and their leaders that they should assure the country today that if Dheeraj Sahu joins the BJP after some time, he will not get a clean chit, the Shiv Sena MP said. Referring to the BJPs alliance with NCPs breakaway faction of Ajit Pawar in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena leader said, We have seen a scam of Rs 70,000 crore in Maharashtra and as soon as they joined the BJP everyone forgot it. Notably, the BJP used to accused Ajit Pawar of Rs 70,000 irrigation scam. However, he the ACB dropped cases against him soon after he took the saffron plunge in 2019. At that time, the ACB had denied any connection of its decision with the political developments. Meanwhile, the Congress has distanced itself from the businesses of Sahu and said that the Rajya Sabha MP should explain how such a huge amount of cash was found from his properties. The Indian National Congress is in no way connected with the businesses of Dheeraj Sahu, MP. Only he can explain, and should explain, how huge amounts of cash have been reportedly unearthed by the income-tax authorities from his properties, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said. The Congress on Sunday announced that the fourth meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will be held on December 19. The grand old party, which is spearheading the Opposition alliance, also informed that the meeting will be held in the national capital. The INDIA is an umbrella of the Opposition which was formed in July this year to take on the ruling BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Advertisement The fourth meeting of the leaders of INDIA parties will be held on Tuesday December 19th, 2023 in New Delhi at 3 pm, Congress general secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh wrote on X. Notably, the announcement came days after the Congress said that the meeting of the heads of the political parties which are part of the INDIA will be held in the third week of December. Earlier this week, a meeting of the floor leader from the Opposition alliance was held at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss strategy to fight against the BJP in the general elections. As many as leaders of 17 political parties from the Opposition attended the meeting. Among the parties included Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi Party (SP) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that acquiring education is not just about theoretical knowledge While certificates, diplomas, or degrees can be obtained through bookish knowledge, being educated and knowledgeable is crucial for becoming successful in life, he said. Knowledge is acquired through the environment of communication and experience in educational institutions, pointed out Chief Minister Yogi. Welcoming the chief guest, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan and Speaker of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Satish Mahana at the concluding program of the 91st Founders Week celebration of the Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad, Yogi said: There is no alternative to hard work and dedication for achieving success. Staying committed to the goal and working within the time frame, one cannot be stopped from achieving the set objectives. Advertisement On this occasion, he inspired students by quoting verses of the great poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, encouraged them to persevere even in adverse circumstances and assured them that with patience and hard work, they would attain new heights of success. The Chief Minister said that in 1932 when the visionary Mahant Digvijaynath established the Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad, his resolution was to determine how citizens should unite after gaining freedom from slavery. He said that a sense of gratitude should always be maintained in life. The attitude of gratitude inspires progress through positivity. To make this more clear, the Chief Minister recalled the practical aspect of the feelings expressed by Mahant Digvijaynath towards his Guru. He mentioned that due to his participation in the freedom movement against the British government, the teacher was dismissed from his teaching job. In gratitude towards his teacher, Mahant Digvijaynath opened a school and appointed his teacher as the principal. This school became the foundation of the Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan and Speaker of Uttar Pradesh Assembly Satish Mahana awarded the excellent institutions, teachers, employees, students and winners of various competitions of Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad. During the event, Jagdamba Lals book Purvottar Ke Praharee Nagaland was unveiled. Professor UP Singh, President of Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad, delivered the welcome address at the concluding ceremony of the founders week. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday launched a sharp attack against the Centre over the issue of MNREGA dues and suggested the Prime Minister Narendra Modi should leave his chair if he cant give us our money. She said that she is going to Delhi and has sought time from PM Modi to meet her. I am going to Delhi and have sought time from PM Modi. If you will not give our money then leave your chair, the West Bengal CM said on Sunday. Banerjee alleged that the central government is not paying West Bengals dues under the MNREGA scheme. Advertisement The central government is not paying our MNREGA dues. Today there is only one tax, GST. The central government takes all the tax and is not giving our share which they are taking from here, she said. Earlier last month, Banerjee had alleged that a disinformation campaign was being run by the Centre regarding the release of MGNREGA funds and accused the dispensation of not releasing the withheld funds to the state She had claimed that misinformation is being spread to befool the people and malign the state government. In October this year, hundreds of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, supporters and MGNREGA job card holders held a mega rally in Delhi over the alleged delay in the release of MGNREGA funds to the state government. On October 5, TMC leaders led by Banerjees nephew Abhishek Banerjee also sat on a dharna outside Raj Bhawan in Kolkata. However, they called off the stir after Governor CV Ananda Bose assured them that he would raise the issue with the Centre within 24 hours. As Income Tax raids on premises linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Sahu entered day five and recovery of cash crossed Rs 300 crore, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has questioned the silence of political parties who are part of the INDIA alliance. Speaking to news agency ANI, the home minister said that this is the first such incident after the independence that such a huge amount of cash has been recovered from an MP of any political party. Hundreds of crores of rupees were found in the house of a Congress MP, but the entire INDI Alliance is silent on this corruption. Advertisement While silence of Congress can be understood since corruption is in their nature, but other political parties, viz. TMC, JDU, SP and DMK they are also silent. Now I understand why they run a propaganda against Modiji about the misuse of (probe) agencies. It is because they were scared their secrets of corruption will be revealed, Shah said. The stinging remarks from the home minister came after Income Tax sleuths reportedly unearthed cash worth over Rs 300 crore from racks of almirahs found inside premises linked to Sahus multi-state liquor firm. Earlier, pictures of the cash-filled almirahs reportedly found at the Congress MPs properties were also posted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said that it is his guarantee that every penny will have to be returned to public. The Congress has distanced itself from the businesses of its Rajya Sabha MP and asked him to explain how did agencies find so much cash from hai properties. The Indian National Congress is in no way connected with the businesses of Dheeraj Sahu, MP. Only he can explain, and should explain, how huge amounts of cash have been reportedly unearthed by the income-tax authorities from his properties, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said. Meanwhile, as the BJP mounted its attack on the Opposition parties, Congress partys INDIA bloc partner Shiv Senas MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has taken a dig at the saffron party. Chaturvedi sought assurance from BJP leaders and ministers that Sahu will not get a clean chit if he decides to join the saffron party after some time. I want to tell the BJP ministers and their leaders that they should assure the country today that if Dheeraj Sahu joins the BJP after some time, he will not get a clean chit, the Shiv Sena MP said. Referring to the BJPs alliance with NCPs breakaway faction of Ajit Pawar in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena leader said, We have seen a scam of Rs 70,000 crore in Maharashtra and as soon as they joined the BJP everyone forgot it. As suspense over Chhattisgarh chief minister continues, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rushed its central observers Arjun Munda and Sarbananda Sonowal to raipur to the attend the crucial legislature party meeting today. The observers also include Dushyant Gautam and are accompanied by state BJP chief Arun Sao and state in-charge Om Mathur. The BJP has 54 MLAs and they have all been asked to reach Raipur for the legislature party meeting where a decision on CM could be finalised. Advertisement During the legislature party meeting, a one line resolution could be passed. The deliberations on the central level have already been made and it is likely the MLAs could reach a decision on the CM today. BJPs Chhattisgarh election incharge OM Mathur said that there is no formula to appoint the chief minister and the party will follow a system which has been set by the BJPs parliamentary board. Three-time former Chief Minister Raman Singh and Union Minister Renuka Singh are among the top contenders for the CM post. The speculation are also rife that the BJP may choose an OBC or a Tribal chief minister of it decides to move on with Raman Singh. In that case, Renuka Singh could be the front-runner as she also fits the bill on BJPs outreach to women ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. She has resigned from Lok Sabha after winning assembly polls from Bharatpur-Sonahat. Vishnu Deo, Ramvichar Netam, Lata Usendi, and Gomti Sai are the other probables from the tribal community. State BJP chief Arun Sao is the OBC contender for the CM post. He too resigned as an MP after winning the assembly elections. The Telangana Congress has written to DGP Ravi Gupta demanding strict vigil at government offices following several attempts to remove or destroy files and documents pertaining to the previous BRS government. The complaint of the Congress came close on the heels of the police thwarting an attempt to steal files from a government office under the Education Department. The incident occurred a day after a former officer on special duty (OSD) with former BRS minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav and four others were booked for trespassing in the Animal Husbandry Department and destroying government documents and CCTV cameras. Advertisement Five people, including former OSD Kalyan, computer operator Elijah and Mohan and attendants, Venkatesh and Prasanth, were booked by the police after a watchman at the animal husbandry office in Masab Tank noticed the locked door of a room open at around 7 pm on 8 December. Documents were found strewn all over the floor and some cameras damaged at the room belonged to the said OSD. Some of the papers appeared to have been taken away from some documents kept inside a black cover. When CCTV footage of the room was scan it was found that five men had entered the premises that evening prompting the watchman to lodge a complaint with a nearest police station. On 9 December, a police team stopped an auto rickshaw full of government files. When the cops tried to question the men, who were ostensibly transporting the files from the Education Council Training Institute at Basheerbagh, they ran away abandoning the vehicle. Earlier, on 2 December, a day before the election results were declared, several files, computers as well as furniture pieces were damaged in a fire in the office of the Tourism Department. The cause of the fire was not clear. In view of all these incidents, it was natural for the Congress to grow suspicious. In his letter, vice-president of the partys state unit G Niranjan brought to the notice of the DGP all the incidents. He alleged that the files and records are being destroyed by persons from the previous government to cover up their misdeeds. He went on to demand that strict vigil on government offices. Apart from Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, only a few ministers have taken charge and miscreants are taking advantage of the transition period to remove documents which might turn out to be damaging as evidence. Following the successful implementation of investment proposals received during the UP Investors Summit in 2018, the Yogi Adityanath government is now actively working to launch the proposals received during the Global Investors Summit in 2023. In this sequence, 10,441 projects worth about Rs 7.5 lakh crore are in the final stages of implementation, officials here on Sunday revealed. Uttar Pradesh has become an investment hotspot, attracting around Rs 4.12 lakh crore from diverse sources between 2017 and 2022. Advertisement Taking a leap forward, from 2022 till now, the state government has attracted 29,000 investment proposals worth more than Rs 39.5 lakh crore on the Nivesh Sarathi portal. It is worth noting that Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a major investment destination for investors from across the country and around the world. Since Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assumed office in 2017, his focus has been on improving law and order in the state and create conducive environment for investment. The Yogi government has received positive responses whenever it has encouraged investors through investor summits to invest in their ventures in Uttar Pradesh. The state government not only accepted investment proposals but also demonstrated its commitment to bringing them to fruition. In 2023, the Yogi government organized the Global Investors Summit to attract investment to the state, in which both domestic and foreign investors have signed MoUs worth crores with the Yogi government. Now, the Yogi government is actively working to bring these investment proposals to the ground. While several projects have already started work on the ground, many others are currently in the final stages of the implementation. They will soon be launched on the ground through Ground Breaking Ceremony. The Yogi government had received 1045 investment proposals worth Rs 4.28 lakh crore in the UP Investors Summit (UPIS) held in 2018. To implement these proposals on the ground, the government organized three Ground Breaking Ceremonies in the state. The first GBC, held in 2018, marked the initiation of 81 projects with an investment of approximately Rs 61,000 crore. Subsequently, in 2019, the second GBC commenced over 250 projects with an investment of Rs 65,000 crore. Through the third GBC in 2022, more than 1400 projects with an investment of Rs 80,000 crore were set in motion. During these ceremonies, assurances were given to investors, and support was provided to establish various facilities and projects. Additionally, as per the status of Industrial Entrepreneurs Memorandum (IEM) Part-2 between 2017-22, 227 projects with an investment of Rs 43,700 crore have been implemented. Besides, industrial development authorities have initiated investments of around Rs 95,500 crore through other land allocations. In the financial years 2017 to 2022, approximately 5.20 lakh MSME units have been established in UP, attracting an investment of Rs 67,600 crore. Impact of BJPs decisive victories in the recent Assembly elections was evident when Parliament met for its winter Session last week. Its two Houses passed Bills and had healthy discussions in which the Opposition too participated in large numbers, unlike previous sessions. Disruptions had become routine at the beginning of any session. They were missing this time. The Government was confident, and the Opposition prudent not to put the apex legislature under pressure to transact business in a rushed manner. The Opposition had an occasional point to raise but there was no major confrontation, until the expulsion of Trinamul Congress (TMC) member Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha on Friday. The expulsion was done on the recommendation of the Lok Sabhas Ethics Committee which found her guilty of unethical conduct. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a resolution that her continuance as Lok Sabha member was untenable in view of the Committees report and it was adopted after a walk-out by the Congress-led Opposition. Advertisement Speaker Om Birla said the House had to take harsh decisions to maintain its dignity and the high standards it had set in the last 75 years. Speakers from the Congress, Mr Manish Tewari, and the Trinamul Congress, Mr Kalyan Banerjee, said the House was not following the principles of natural justice by denying Ms Moitra a chance to speak on the case against her. The Speaker recalled that his predecessor, Somnath Chatterjee, had expelled 10 members of the House without giving them a chance to speak in the House. The tradition was that accused members were given a chance to appear before the House inquiry committee to give their defence and this was followed this time also. The Opposition members raised various points that the House had no powers to expel a member; it could only suspend a member. They said there was a flaw in the procedure followed by the inquiry committee headed by Mr Vinod Kumar Sonkar. The Committee did not call for personal evidence the businessman on whose affidavit the case against Ms Moitra rested. Dr Heena V Gavit spoke for the Treasury Benches and said, apart from the unethical conduct of the member, she had violated all norms MPs were expected to follow for uploading their questions for replies in Parliament. The entire process of inquiry and punishment was quick and decisive, though it curtailed the term of a sharp and vocal woman member of the House. The Lok Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 after two days of debate. The Reservation Bill sought to amend the Act on reservation in jobs and admission in professional institutions to members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other socially and educationally backward classes. Making a change in description, the Bill substitutes weak and under-privileged classes with other backward classes as declared by the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir. The Reorganisation Bill seeks to increase the total number of seats in the UT Assembly from 83 to 90, including two for those who migrated from Kashmir in 1989, who were mainly Kashmiri Pandits, and one for those who migrated from Pak-occupied Kashmir in 1947 or subsequent conflicts. The Opposition seized the opportunity to revive its arguments against the abrogation of Article 370. The government got a chance to detail how Kashmir had become a transformed land after the Articles abrogation. Home Minister Amit Shah brought in the perspective explaining how Article 370 was one of the blunders committed by then Congress prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who unnecessarily took the Kashmir issue to the UN. A sizable part of Kashmir now called the Pak-occupied Kashmir would have been part of India if Nehru had not ordered a ceasefire when the Indian Army was advancing. In his comprehensive reply to the debate, Shah said the Governments zero terror policy was paying rich dividends; the first cinema hall revived in 2021 and there were loan proposals for 100 more, while two crore tourists had visited Kashmir this year. The Rajya Sabha had a three-day short duration discussion on the economic situation of the country and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replied to it with impressive data on current rate of growth, and exports of Made in India goods. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was created by the Protection of Human Rights Act which was passed by Parliament in 1993. For the first time in the annals of the country, a Commission was set up exclusively for the protection and promotion of human rights. It is a blue-ribbon Commission, with a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as the Chairman and includes as members, a Chief Justice of the High court and a judge of the Supreme Court and an administrator with experience in the field of human rights. I joined as the first Director General in charge of Investigation in the Commission. Since its inception, the Commission had been flooded with a large number of complaints of various forms of human rights violations. However, most of the complaints were against the police for violations of human rights. After I joined the Commission, the Chairman asked me to quickly set up an investigation wing in the Commission from scratch to promptly deal with cases of egregious violations of human rights and place its reports before the Commission. Advertisement He cautioned that investigation should be not only non-partisan and above board, but must bear the stamp of professional competence. The Ministry of Home Affairs, the nodal ministry, held the view that a skeletal investigation wing would suffice for the needs of the Commission and it could be allowed to utilise services of the investigation agencies of the Central and state governments. But I felt and explained to the Commission that without an effective investigation wing, it would become a toothless tiger. There were, as expected, serious objections from the government for the sanction of staff proposed by me. But with the decisive intervention of the Commission, the bureaucratic hurdles collapsed like nine pins and our original proposal with minor modifications was accepted and adequate staff was sanctioned. Very soon, the Commission was deluged with cases of grotesque violations of human rights and successfully investigated a number of cases which stirred public attention and received wide coverage in the media. One shocking case of police brutality and insensitivity remains vivid in my mind. A lady named Rita Dhawan from Ranchi, complained before the Commission that her husband Suresh Dhawan, a businessman and owner of a clothing store in Ranchi, was waylaid and shot dead by the police. The police led by an inspector, had surrounded his car and demanded Rs 1 lakh rupees and on his refusal to cough up the amount, shot and killed him. The police on the other hand, had dubbed him as a Naxalite who had challenged and opened fire at them. At the Commissions instance, a case was registered and the state CID took up the investigation of the case monitored by the NHRC. The case was charge-sheeted, but it was hanging fire in the court for a long period. The Chairman of the Commission in a letter to the Chief Justice of India drew the attention of the latter to the inordinate delay in the disposal of the case. This had the desired effect. The police Inspector and his cohorts were convicted and sentenced to death. Never before in the past had the death penalty been imposed on police personnel for committing an offence like this. The grim outcome pleased me because this would send an appropriate deterrent message to the criminals in uniform. Later, the apex court commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment. The Commission also ordered payment of compensation to the tune of Rs 10 lakhs to the family of the deceased. However, the State government took the stand that since the accused persons have been convicted and sentenced to death there was no justification for paying compensation, which would impose a financial burden on the state. The Commission disagreed with this contention and pointed out that the culpability of public servants in a criminal trial and their conviction do not put at rest the claim for compensation for immediate relief to the victims as envisaged under the Protection of Human Rights Act. The culpability of the involved public servants cannot absolve the state of its liability to pay compensation to the victim. The state government complied with the recommendation. The case also unveiled the shady and seamy past of Inspector Dudh Nath Ram, the villain of the piece. He was earlier a member of a dacoit gang and had cases of dacoity and murder against him. He was also close to Ramsunder Das, who later became the Chief Minister of Bihar for a short period. Utilising his proximity to the Chief Minister, he got a sub-inspectors job in the police without proper verification of his antecedents. He remained corrupt and untrammelled because of his political connections. But due to the NHRCs decisive intervention, at last, he got his just deserts. The wheels of justice grind slowly but exceedingly fine. (The writer is Senior Fellow Institute of Social Sciences, a former Director General of the National Human Rights Commission and former Director, National Police Academy.) Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar will be presenting Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards to seven PwDs, generated using the pioneering Indian IQ testing tool on Monday at Conference Hall 1, DAIC, New Delhi. The minister will also hand over the one croreth UDID to 2-year-old girl named Vanshika Nand Kishore Mane, a testament to the UDI projects far-reaching impact. The inaugural UDID was generated on January 27, 2017, in Datia, Madhya Pradesh. Advertisement The indigenous IQ testing tool is developed by the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), Secunderabad, and endorsed by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Government of India. Aligned with the Make in India vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this tool will play a crucial role in assessing the cognitive abilities of individuals with disabilities. The minister will dedicate this tool to the Nation, marking a significant stride towards self-reliance and inclusivity, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment said here on Sunday. As of the 2011 census, India is home to 2.68 crore Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), commonly referred to as Divyangjan. In 2017, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Government of India, initiated the Unique Disability ID (UDID)Card project, a ground-breaking endeavor aimed at providing a unique identity to Divyangjans and creating a comprehensive database for strategic welfare planning. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is in search of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who is considered as the mastermind behind the October 7 massacre and mayhem of Israelis and foreign nationals in South Israel, an IDF official said on Saturday. Sources in the IDF told IANS that the Israel army has specific intelligence inputs that Sinwar had escaped from Northern Gaza in a humanitarian vehicle convoy and that he was hiding in the Khan Younis area in Southern Gaza Strip. The IDF is carrying out raids at several locations in the Khan Younis area and is not sparing any tunnels in search for Sinwar. Advertisement Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had earlier openly said that the Israeli army would hunt down Yahya Sinwar and kill him. The UN Climate Change Technology Executive Committee (TEC), together with Enterprise Neurosystem, a non-profit open-source artificial intelligence (AI) community, has launched the AI Innovation Grand Challenge to identify and support the development of AI-powered solutions for climate action in developing countries. The launch was part of a COP28 high-level event organized by the UN Climate Change Technology Mechanism in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency. We are seeing increasing evidence that artificial intelligence can prove an invaluable instrument in tackling climate change. While we remain mindful of the associated challenges and risks of AI, the Innovation Grand Challenge is a promising step forward in harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and empowering innovators in developing countries, said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. Advertisement Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, United Arab Emirates, said: Harnessing artificial intelligence as a strategic asset to mitigate climate change involves integrating it into national policies and plans. This integration facilitates the use of data analytics to align policy with real-time climate data, thereby enhancing its efficacy and advancing technological development and scientific discovery in the field of energy. These measures and policies should not be viewed in isolation, but rather as a unified global initiative, acknowledging that climate change transcends geographical boundaries and requires concerted global efforts. Artificial intelligence is already being used to predict climate patterns and extreme weather events, improve crop yields, reduce water usage or optimize renewable energy systems. The underway the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) brought together leaders from governments, the United Nations, development cooperation agencies and business to discuss how AI can be used for transformational climate action in developing nations, while ensuring that it does not contribute to widening the digital divide caused by unequal access to technology. Shantal Munro-Knight, Minister in the Prime Ministers Office, Barbados, said: We are partnering with international tech companies to test their ideas in Barbados whilst contributing to the islands development. Some ideas include using machine learning and AI to check for the presence of tropical diseases, design hurricane resistant buildings and plan infrastructure investment. Collaboration, training and technology transfer are keys to ensuring that AI contributes effectively to climate mitigation and adaptation for small island developing states. In line with the call by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to develop AI that is reliable and safe and that can supercharge climate action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the #AI4ClimateAction Initiative aims to advance climate-resilient and low-emissions development. Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy with light snow developing late. High 24F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Light snow this evening giving way to partly cloudy conditions late. Low 13F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. There is one electoral record that Narendra Modi wants to equal in 2024; there is another he aspires to break. Both are currently held by the Nehru-Gandhis. The first is of Jawaharlal Nehruto win three general elections in a row. Nehru led his Congress to victory in 1952, 1957 and 1962. Modi and his partymen, who won in 2014 and 2019, are pretty sure of equalling the feat in 2024. The BJPs wins in the three assembly polls of the last one month have boosted their confidence. The other record is held by Rajiv Gandhi; that looks harder to equal or to break. The Mr Clean of Indian politics won only one general election, but in that one he won 414 seats, the highest number ever won by any single party or alliance. Of course, as a commentator wrote a bit uncharitably at that time, Rajiv didnt win the votes; his dead mother won them for him. Illustration: Bhaskaran To borrow a line from a 1976 Dickey Lee song, nine million, nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine tears shed over the assassination of Indira Gandhi spawned several million more votes. In the end, every second voter in India stamped on the handthe only time when a party got nearly half the votes polled. Converting tears into votes is no big deal. The tougher task is to convert the mandate of tears into a mandate for good governance, and get it endorsed in the next round. Thats where Rajiv failed. He wasted away his mandate in five years, and got voted out. Modi never traded tears for votes. His opponents say, he has traded fears for votes. They say, he banked on several fears, imagined or otherwise, to garner votesfears about neighbours, fears about minorities, and fears about the other. Maybe so. But Modis success has been that he converted the mandate of fears into a mandate for a government that worked, to borrow Indiras slogan of 1979-80. That stood him in good stead in the second round when he bagged 303 for the BJP and 353 for the NDA. Now he hopes to improve on those for a Modi-3.0. Easily wished than won, even with last weeks surprise wins in three heartland states and a better show in Telangana. Lets get to the brasstacks. The three states that favoured the BJP in the recent assembly round had already given all or nearly all their Lok Sabha seats to Modi-2.0. Despite having voted the Congress to the assembly in 2018, Madhya Pradesh gave 28 of its 29 seats to Modi in 2019, Chhattisgarh 9 of 11, and Rajasthan 24 of 25. Simply put, these three states cant give more for Modi-3.0 in 2024. If he has to improve from the 303 and 353, Modi will have to conquer more of the coasts. The Saurashtra and the Konkan coasts are already his or easy picks. The Bengal, the Kalinga, the Carnatic, the Coromandal and the Malabar coasts are still eluding him, as Asoka found before he marched to Kalinga, and established pax Mauryana. In military battles, the terrain and technology dictate the tactics. In political battles, the times and the tide do. If the run-up to Modi-1.0 and Modi-2.0 were about exorcising the ghosts of the Ghaznis and the Ghoris, about showing a 56-inch chest to Pakistan, and about taking on or trading with the Chinese dragon, Modi-3.0 looks like more about his claims to statesmanship after hosting the G-20, about engaging the world leaders with a Nehruvian ease and felicity, about building a viksit Bharat or developed India by 2047. If the Indian National Congress imparted the idea of India in the 20th century, Modi wants the Bharatiya Janata Party to impart a bhavna of Bharat in the 21st century. How can INDIA counter it? prasannan@theweek.in Christmas wont be scintillating without exquisite food. Let us go through the Christmas delicacies which are exclusively made in some Indian states. This December, try out these scrumptious dishes to make Christmas even merrier! 1. Kerala Dish: Kallappam Being an Indian version of pancake, the Kallappam is a common Christmas breakfast, traditionally prepared by grinding fermented rice, grated coconut, cumin, shallots, a few cloves of garlic and sugar. These are ground along with the traditional toddy (kallu in Malayalam) which is the raising agent, and the batter is put aside for fermenting before it is cooked. There are also other variants of Kallappam, namely vellappam and vattayappam, all with slight variations in the making. 2. Arunachal Pradesh Dish: Zan The Christians of Arunachal Pradesh celebrate Christmas with their special dish named Zan. Zan is a popular porridge recipe of Arunachal that is prepared using fresh herbs, vegetables, ghee, smoked meat, spices and the millets, which is the states famous produce. This nutritious and spicy porridge is generally served with a glass of Cantaloupe juice. 3. Nagaland Dish: Smoked pork curry and Naga Doughnuts The people of Nagaland have the tradition of including the smoked pork curry made with smoked pork, potatoes, tomatoes, green chillies and the locally available spice called Mongmong jang in their Christmas feast. This finger-licking curry is served along with plain rice as the main course followed by the dessert, Naga doughnuts. The Naga doughnuts, paired with a hot cup of tea, are different from other doughnuts as these are not as soft and fluffy as the regular ones. Cooked over the wood fire, this dessert has a charred appearance and a smoky flavour. 4. Mizoram Dish: Kaukswe with mini chicken bites. It is an elegant treat for the noodle lovers this Christmas. The kaukswe is the savoury Christmas meal of the beautiful and hilly state of Mizoram with a Christian population of almost 87%. While most of their Christmas dishes consist of beef and pork, the kaukswe with chicken bites is a much-loved dish that stands out. A kaukswe refers to the traditional Burmese dish of mound egg noodles onto which a rich, coconut milk curry is poured over. The main difference that comes in kaukswe is in the preparation of the rich coconut milk curry. The mini chicken bites gravy is made by frying sliced garlic and shallots and adding them on to the sauteed chicken along with chickpea flour, red chillies and turmeric onto which the coconut milk is poured. Once the gravy is prepared it is then served by placing some noodles and a sliced egg in a bowl and pouring the curried chicken over it. 5. Goa Dish: Bebinca For the bonne bouche, one can include the Goan Bebinca this Christmas. The Bebinca is a Goan dessert made primarily with eggs, coconut milk, butter, flour and sugar. A fluffy cake or pudding, it conventionally has 7-16 layers and is especially popular in Goa during the Christmas season. This sugar delight is made by making a batter with coconut milk, flour, sugar, nutmeg and egg yolks and by baking them into layers. Slain journalist Soumya Vishwanathans father M.K. Vishwanathan died on Saturday. He was 82 years old. Incidentally, his demise comes a day after his daughters 41 birth anniversary. Vishwanathan was in the news recently as a Delhi Court pronounced the verdict in the Soumya Vishwanathan murder case. Vishwanathan, who working as a television journalist with a leading English news channel, was shot dead in the wee hours of September 30,2008, on Nelson Mandela Marg while she was returning home from work. According to police, motive behind the killing was robbery. Vishwanathan reportedly suffered a heart attack and was undergoing treatment at a hospital in New Delhi. On November 25, the four convicts in the case were sentenced to life imprisonment while the fifth convict was sent to three years in jail. Cumulatively, the Court also imposed a fine of Rs 12.25 lakh on the convicts. Soon after the Court pronounced its judgment, Vishwanathan told reporters that he was satisfied that justice had been delivered. "I am not happy because my daughter won't ever come back. But I am satisfied that justice has been delivered. Soumyas mother Madhavi Viswanathan, hearing the judgment said she was feeling satisfied, but not joyful about the verdict. Top leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc will meet in Delhi on December 19 to chalk out strategies for the Lok Sabha elections. The 4th meeting of the leaders of INDIA parties will be held on Tuesday December 19th, 2023 in New Delhi at 3pm, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X. The meeting comes in the backdrop of the assembly elections in which the Congress party suffered humiliating defeats in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The only solace for the grand old party was Telangana where it wrested power from the BRS . At the Delhi meeting, the parties are likely to chalk out plans on seat sharing, for holding joint election rallies and would evolve a common programme for them. A senior Congress leader told PTI that the parties intend to move forward with the unity theme - "Main Nahin, Hum" (We, Not Me) - as a counter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the meeting. The INDIA bloc would highlight 10 years under Manmohan Singh and whether the 10 years under PM Modi have brought any difference to the life of the common man, he said. According to reports, the opposition is likely to take forward the issues of caste census, legal guarantee to MSP and social security for workers during the Lok Sabha elections. An earlier meeting of the bloc scheduled for December 6 was deferred after many leaders including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar indicated that they might skip it. Banerjee would be in the national capital from December 17 to 19 and is likely to take part in the meeting. According to reports, the Congress has also resolved its differences with Akhilesh, indicating his presence at the Dec 19 meeting. Listed for May 2024 is a hearing over a petition that demands taking back civilian honours from celebrities, especially 'Padma Awardees', who appeared in advertisements/endorsements of certain products/items which are harmful to health of the public at large. Filed by one Moti Lal Yadav, a lawyer, in September 2022, the petition had asked for directions to the Central Consumer Protection Authority of India to take appropriate action against the private respondents by imposing penalty as per the provisions contained in Section 21 (2) of the Act, 2019. Another prayer made in the petition was that certain individuals i.e. Padma Awardees as named in the writ petition be directed to deposit the entire amount earned by them from such advertisements and further that, an equal amount be also ordered to be deposited by them in relief fund of the Government of India. The present application is a contempt petition filed against the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India (GOI); and the Central Secretariat, GoI and others. The court passed its orders for the next date of hearing on December 8. The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had earlier directed the petitioner to file a representation to the GoI and state governments. The petitioner in turn had pleaded that the GoI and state governments form committees to select suitable and talented persons for the awards and make guidelines for those who misuse the Awards. It was, inter alia, also prayed that the Padma Awards in respect of Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan, Saif Ali Khan and Ranbeer Singh may be withdrawn as they advertise/endorse tobacco products, read the petition. The government counsel in turn has argued that since the issue in question may likely be adjudicated in the Supreme Court of India, therefore, the proceedings of the present contempt petition may be deferred. Advocate Motilal Yadav had filed a petition raising issues concerning the alleged participation of celebrities, especially 'Padma Awardees', in advertisements or endorsements of certain products or items which are harmful to the health of the public at large. The court had issued notices to Cabinet Secretary, Chief Commissioner and Central Consumer Protection Authority in August 2023, in a plea seeking contempt action for non-compliance with its September 2022 order, in which, it had asked the petitioner to approach the Government of India. Responding to the notice, the Deputy Solicitor General told the bench of Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan that show cause notices were issued to actors Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn on October 20. In April 2022, actor Akshay Kumar had apologized for appearing in advertisements for a pan masala brand after receiving backlash for the act being at odds with his propagation of a healthy lifestyle. However, ads featuring Kumar ran for more than a year and a half after that and have only stopped recently. In 2009, Kumar was conferred the Padma Shri. Amitabh Bachchan who received the Padma Shri in 1984 also appeared in a pan masala ad. He had, in November 2021, sent a legal notice to the company for continuing with the ad despite the termination of the contract. Saif Ali Khan who received the Padma Shri in 2010 has also endorsed a pan masala brand while simultaneously broadcasting no-tobacco messages. Capping a week of speculation, a key meeting of BJP's newly-elected 54 MLAs in Chhattisgarh will be held on Sunday, to pick the state's new chief minister. The meeting will be convened by three observers, Union ministers Arjun Munda and Sarbananda Sonowal and party general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam. Union Minister Arjun Munda told reporters that the formalities will be completed soon. "It is time to form the government after getting the majority. There will be a meeting of the legislative party and the leader will be chosen. The other formalities will be completed soon," Munda told reporters. BJP's Chhattisgarh in-charge Om Mathur, Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya and party co-incharge for the state Nitin Nabin will also attend the meeting. Om Mathur said there is no "formula" for electing the chief minister. "There is a system set by the BJP's parliamentary board which will be followed," he said. Speculations are doing rounds on who will get to don the mantle of the chief minister. There are rumours that the BJP may go for a tribal face, considering that the party significantly improved its tally from 3 in 2018 to 17 tribal-dominated seats this time. If so, Vishnu Deo Sai could be the preferred choice. Deo is a prominent BJP figure who held various offices, including Union Minister of State for Steel in the first Modi ministry and Member of Parliament for the Raigarh constituency of Chhattisgarh in the 16th Lok Sabha. The name of Renuka Singh, who resigned as Union minister after being elected as an MLA, is also doing the rounds. Singh, who was the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, visited BJP President JP Nadda on Thursday and their meeting lasted for around 30 mins. However, Singh said that she has never been in the race for the chief minister. Other names include former state ministers Ramvichar Netam and Lata Usendi, and MP Gomti Sai, who won the assembly polls. State BJP chief Arun Sao, who too resigned as an MP after being elected as an MLA, and bureaucrat-turned-politician O P Choudhary, both from Other Backward Classes (OBC), are also among potential CM candidates. The suspense over the name of the new chief minister of Chhattisgarh ended on Sunday afternoon with senior tribal leader Vishnu Deo Sai elected for the post. The BJP legislative party inclusive of 54 newly elected MLAs chose Sai as its leader unanimously in a meeting held at Raipur to make him the sixth chief minister of the state. Sources said that Sai's name as legislative party leader was proposed by ex-CM Raman Singh and seconded by state BJP chief Arun Sao. Both Singh and Sao had been among the frontrunners of the CM post in the state. Sai, 59, could be considered the first tribal chief minister of the tribal-dominated state, as Ajit Jogi, then of Congress, had assumed CM chair as a tribal leader in 2000 when the state was formed, but lost his tribal status in 2019 following a long-drawn administrative and legal proceedings and his caste certificate was cancelled. Speaking to media persons after his election, Sai expressed gratitude to the party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda for reposing faith in him and making a small party worker the chief minister of the state. I will sincerely work as the CM to fulfill Modis guarantees 100 per cent, Sai told the reporters. He said that among the first priorities of the new government will be to transfer the pending paddy bonus of Rs 4200 crores to the accounts of farmers for the two years duration from the tenure of earlier Raman Singh-led BJP government. He also expressed gratitude to the state BJP in-charge Om Mathur, co-in-charges Mansukh Mandaviya and Nitin Nabin as well as the MLAs for electing him. State BJP chief Arun Sao told media persons that Sai will go to the governors house on Sunday itself to stake claim to form the government in the state. He said that under the leadership of Sai, the state will move towards prosperity and happiness. Immediately afterwards, former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel posted a congratulatory message on social media platform X. Congratulations and best wishes to Kunkuri MLA and senior BJP leader Vishnu Dev Sai ji on being elected as the leader of the BJP Legislative Party. I wish that you take forward the journey of justice and progress of Chhattisgarh as the Chief Minister, he said. Gentleman, experienced leader Vishnu Deo Sai, who was elected MLA from Kunkuri constituency in Surguja division, is known as a non-controversial gentleman leader who is on good terms with everyone in the state. He is said to be close to RSS and former chief minister Raman Singh. During a campaign meeting in his constituency, home minister Amit Shah had urged people to elect Sai as MLA and then he (Shah) will make him a big man. A former union minister in the first term of the Narendra Modi government, Sai has been a four-time member of parliament and this is his third term as MLA. Twice earlier, he was a member of the Madhya Pradesh legislative assembly, when Chhattisgarh was yet to be separated. Sai was also the president of state BJP from June 2020 to August 2022, but ceded office to OBC leader Arun Sao ahead of the assembly polls. Deputy CM likely? Even as the suspense on CM name ended, speculations continued whether Chhattisgarh will have a deputy chief minister again. Names of Arun Sao, bureaucrat turned MLA O.P. Chaudhary and even women leaders like Lata Usendi, Gomti Sai and Renuka Singh were in circulation for the post. Sai told media persons that all other decisions regarding government formation will soon come to the fore. Expelled Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, along with other opposition members, had stormed out of a parliament ethics committee meeting on November 2, accusing its chairperson of asking "personal" and "unethical" questions to her. Moitra had appeared for her deposition before the committee headed by BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar over the cash-for-query allegations. A transcript of her deposition before the panel has now revealed that Moitra was asked quite a few personal questions including her relationships with businessman Darshan Hiranandani and details of the hotels she stayed in when meeting him, reported The Hindu. Why do you consider industrialist Darshan Hiranandani a dear friend?, What is the nature of your friendship with him?, and Where did you stay on your trips to Dubai? were some of the questions the ethics panel chief asked the Trinamool Congress leader, the report said. After walking out of the meeting, on the same day, Moitra had shot off a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging that she was subjected to humiliation at the meeting. Moitra alleged that panel chief Sonkar, instead of asking questions pertinent to the matter, exhibited a preconceived bias by questioning her in a malicious and defamatory way. "I write to you in great anguish today to update you on the unethical, sordid, and prejudiced behaviour meted out to me at the hearing of the ethics committee by the Chairman. I have been subjected to the proverbial 'vastraharan' by him in the presence of all members of the Committee," she said, adding that the ethics committee has no ethics or morality left. Moitra was expelled from Lok Sabha on December 8 following the ethics panels recommendations. In its 479-page report, the ethics committee had recommended Moitra's expulsion for "unethical conduct" and "contempt of the house" and a detailed probe into the cash-for-query allegations against her. The house adopted the panel report by a voice vote. A staunch critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party, Moitra has been at the centre of a raging controversy ever since BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused her of taking bribes from Hiranandani for asking some specific questions in parliament. Dubey, in a letter the Speaker, also alleged that the TMC leader had compromised the national interest by sharing the login details of her Lok Sabha account with Hiranandani, an outsider. The Speaker referred the matter to the ethics committee which, after recording the statements of Moitra, Dubey and advocate Jai Anant Dehadraiwho allegedly provided evidence against the ex-MPrecommended her disqualification as a parliament member. Weeks before she was expelled, Moitra had told THE WEEK in an interview that Hiranandani was still a friend of her. She also denied allegations that her questions on business tycoon Gautam Adani were posted by Hiranandani. This is the biggest lie. Hiranandani did not ask any questions. I have asked 61 questions over the past five years. There are only nine questions relating to Adani. And each of those nine questions is in public interest. Six of those questions are about the foreign portfolio investors coming into Adani Group, which are in public interest. One is about Dhamra. What is Hiranandani going to do with it?, Moitra asked. Research has uncovered that some 1900 X (formerly Twitter) bots are at work to greenwash the image of the current COP28 presidency as environment-friendly. Marc Owen Jones, associate professor of Middle East Studies at Hamad bin Khalifa University, whose recent work focuses on how social media has been used to spread disinformation and fake news in the Middle East, has identified a larger network of 7,000 bots which align with UAE foreign policy. The researcher has so far identified 22 generals who kickstart the conversation and more than 1,850 accounts that function as minions, amplifying the content generated by the general accounts. The bots engage in posting content on various issues to create a sense of authenticity about these AI-powered accounts. While the UAE affiliation has not been explicitly confirmed, Owens work suggests an affiliation in line with common trends observed in cyber operations. The content revolves around praising ADNOC Chief and COP President-designate Sultan Al Jaber, along with promoting a positive image of the UAE and COP28, positioning them as environmentally responsible entities, reads a statement by Owen. Jaber is the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil and speculation has been rife that he was trying to broker oil deals on the eve of the conference. Owens other findings include the organisation of bots into units or cells, each assigned to like tweets by specific generals, potentially as a measure to avoid detection by X. General accounts which are also verified on Twitter, such as bint_jumeiraah and BkhetaElbasbosy, play a significant role and receive more engagement. BkhetaElbasbosy's profile picture, traced back to a TikTok account, adds authenticity. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday defended the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition and also called for quick congressional approval of more than $100 billion in aid for Israel, Ukraine and other national security priorities. Blinken said the needs of Israel's military operations in Gaza justify the rare decision to bypass Congress. Israel is in combat right now with Hamas, he said during television interviews. And we want to make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas." The tank ammunition and related support constitute only a small portion of military sales to Israel, Blinken said, and that the rest remains subject to congressional review. "It's very important that Congresss voice be heard in this, he said. The decision to proceed with the sale of more than $106 million for tank shells came as the Biden administration's larger aid package is caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Blinken noted that President Joe Biden has said he is willing to make significant compromises to get the aid package moving. "It's something the president is fully prepared to engage on," Blinken said. The stakes are especially high for Ukraine, America's top diplomat said, given that we are running out of funding for the Ukranians. "This is a time to really step up because if we don't, we know what happens. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will be able to move forward with impunity and we know he won't stop in Ukraine. Blinken appeared on ABC's This Week and CNN's State of the Union. Even as the United States vetoed a UN Security Council demand for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Israel continued to press its offensive in the Palestinian enclave, with airstrikes in Jabaliya in northern Gaza and Khan Younis in the southern part. On Saturday, Israel's Arabic-language spokesperson posted a map on X highlighting six blocks of Khan Younis, urging the residents to evacuate "urgently". "We try to put the children to sleep and we stay up fearing the place would be bombed and we'll have to run carrying the children out," Zainab Khalil, 57, displaced near Jalal street where evacuations were ordered, told Reuters. "During the day begins another tragedy, and that is: how to feed the children?" Though Israel has designated a narrow patch of barren southern coastline, Muwasi, as a safe zone, Gaza residents claimed airstrikes and shelling were happening in many "safe areas", including at Rafah near the Egyptian border. The IDF jets reportedly carried out 30 airstrikes, destroying the two main roads connecting Rafah City to Khan Younis and the rest of the Gaza Strip. This is making movement very difficult for people trying to arrive here from Khan Younis, reported Al Jazeera. Muwasi also lacks basic amenities with overcrowding and no sanitation facilities. They faced an overnight temperature of around 11 degrees Celsius (52 degrees Fahrenheit). "I am sleeping on the sand. Its freezing," Soad Qarmoot, a cancer patient forced to leave her home in the northern town of Beit Lahiya, told AP. We need a solution. If youre waiting for us to die, for sure in three weeks time people are going to die from no food, no medicine, no medication, no nothing, said Yaser Abu Asi, a displaced Palestinian in al-Mawasi. Palestinian residents also claim that Israeli tank shelling continues in central Gaza on Bureij and Maghazi refugee camps. Palestinian health officials reported an Israeli air strike in Bureij killed seven Palestinians. Meanwhile, reports from Israel claim that the current intense fighting in the Gaza Strip could go on for two more months. There will be no ceasefire after that period, The Times of Israel quoted unnamed sources. During the next two months, there will be attempts to advance more deals to release more hostages, the report says. At some point in the next two months, Israel will allow some Gaza residents to return to their homes, Kan reports, saying this is "a US demand and also an operational necessity", the report added. With the Israel intensifying its attacks against Gaza, a renewed hostage deal with Hamas was becoming tough for Qatar. Qatar PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told that the Israel bombardment of Gaza 'narrowing the window' for renewed hostage deal. Though the mediation efforts had hit a road block, Qatar is still pursuing new terms for the hostage deal to free those captured by the Hamas. Our efforts as the state of Qatar along with our partners are continuing. We are not going to give up, Abdulrahman al-Thani told the Doha Forum, adding that the continuation of the bombardment is just narrowing this window for us. We are going to continue, we are committed to have hostages released, but we are also committed to stop the war, Qatars prime minister said. Meanwhile, WHO chief said that resupplying health facilities in Gaza would be extremely difficult. A WHO database has revealed that there have been 449 attacks on healthcare facilities in Palestinian territories since 7 October. Given the security situation, WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that it would be hard to meet the boards requests. Resupplying health facilities has become extremely difficult and is deeply compromised by the security situation on the ground and inadequate resupply from outside Gaza, he said. Netanyahus 50-minute call with Putin Benjamin Netanyahu spent 50 minutes on the phone with the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday. During the 50-minute call Netanyahu strongly criticised what he termed "dangerous co-operation" between Russia and Iran. The prime minister emphasized that any country that would suffer an attack such as Israel experienced would act with no less force than the one with which Israel operates, his office said. "Any country that had been struck with a criminal terrorist assault such as Israel experienced would have reacted with no less force than Israel is using," he told Vladimir Putin. Netanyahu also requested Russia to pressurise the Red Cross to visit and provide medicine for the estimated 137 hostages still held by Hamas. The war is continuing, intensively, in both northern and southern Gaza, in order to achieve all of our goals: Eliminating Hamas, returning all of our hostages and ensuring that Gaza will never go back to being a threat to Israel, said Netanyahu while briefing the state cabinet. Netanyahu also commented on the antisemitism issues flaring up at universities and campuses. The important thing that is now happening is that friends and leaders in the Jewish community are finally standing up. They are standing up against this antisemitism. This is the only way to fight it: With pride and honour, not with bowed heads, but to take the fight back to them. On behalf of all of you, I commend them, he added. Amid US vetoing the ceasefire resolution, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres vowed that he will not give up seeking a ceasefire in Gaza. I urged the security council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared. Regrettably, the security council failed to do it, but that does not make it less necessary, he said. I will not give up," he said. Israeli tanks reach Khan Younis Israeli tanks reached the heart of main city Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, where hundreds of civilians are sheltered. Reportedly, warplanes were pounding the area west of the assault and snipers took positions on buildings in the area as well. Israeli troops were pushing into militant strongholds and meeting fierce resistance in Jabaliya and the Shejjaiya district of Gaza City, areas that are still inhabited despite orders weeks ago to clear out of the entire north. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, about 18,000 Palestinians have been killed and 49,500 injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza since October 7. Meanwhile, Lebanon's Hezbollah said it had launched explosive drones at an Israeli command position on Sunday. The Israeli army said "suspicious aerial targets" had crossed from Lebanon and two were intercepted. The exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah, Iran backed militant group, have marked their worst since 2006 war. State Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, holds up a poster of the 2023 Indiana General Assembly as he speaks to Chesterton High School students on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) State Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, visited his alma mater Chesterton High School Friday morning to welcome juniors and seniors to get involved in the governance of Indiana. Pol and fellow State Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, have started Student Advisory Committees in their respective districts and have invited students to draft a bill that Pol will introduce in the upcoming legislative session. Advertisement We cant expect that you guys as young adults are going to come to us, Pol told the students. We have to come to you. You guys absolutely deserve to have your opinions heard. Chesterton High School students listen as state Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, speaks about the newly-announced student advisory committee program, which would see students craft a bill to go before the senate, on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) The 37 students who attended the hour-and-a-half session were pretty quiet as Pol explained the boundaries of Senate District 4. This district, if you put a big X on it, were right in the middle, he told them of the area north of U.S. 6 that includes Portage, Chesterton, Westville, Michigan City, and the beach communities along Lake Michigan. Advertisement Only one student raised his hand when Pol asked if anyone knew where the State House was located. Nobody admitted to following whats going on in the Indiana legislature. But when Pol asked the students what issues they think the electorate should be taking on, the students started coming out of their shells. Senior Tyler Mitchell brought up the states minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Thats been the minimum wage since I was in high school, Pol said, explaining it mimics the federal minimum wage even though many states have doubled it. Pol said he was able to buy a 1986 Ford Mustang with his minimum wage earnings decades ago. State Sen. Rodney Pol D-Chesterton, speaks with Chesterton High School students about the upcoming legislation session and a newly-announced student advisory committee program on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) He asked if any of the students had bought their own car. One girl raised her hand and Pol asked her how much she paid for it. She paid $4,000. Pol pointed out how many more hours a student making $7.25 an hour would have to work in order to buy a $4,000 used vehicle versus one for $800. I dont know how anyone could support themselves on minimum wage, he said, before explaining that he had proposed a bill to raise the Indiana minimum wage to $13 an hour, but my bill didnt get a hearing. Senior Emily Fleishhacker said shed like to see the legislature address comprehensive health education. Were pretty behind on it, she said, adding that abstinence-only sex education is falling short. I think having that come from people in high school, saying that were mature enough to talk about things like that, would help. Chesterton High School junior Alexandra Medley speaks to State Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, about legislation that could address the current price of housing during a discussion on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) Junior Alexandra Medley thought affordable housing should be addressed. Pol said a bill was just proposed by Democrats in Congress that would ban hedge funds from owning single-family homes. Thats something you should be paying attention to because its going to be affecting you guys, Pol said. He offered a lot of contrasts to the lay of the land in his early youth and what the students are facing today. Senior Amelia Roser, for example, said the legislature should be addressing how social media is affecting youth mental health. As a kid myself, I am experiencing doom scrolling and you need some guidelines, she said. To that comment Pol unfurled a poster of the current class of state senators to illustrate for the students before him why it was important for them to get involved. Im the youngest in the Senate right now at 39 years old, he said, getting an obvious response from the kids. You guys are going to have a conversation on social media thats probably going to go over most of these guys heads. Theyre aware its an issue, but I dont think it really lands the way it should. Advertisement Pol explained how legislators are advised by fiscal analysts who ask What do you want to do? and How much is it going to cost? as well as a policy director. His vision is for students to craft a bill on a topic of importance to them, that he will then file in the hopes it receives a hearing. Chesterton High School senior Amelia Roser speaks to State Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, about legislation that could address dangers present in the overuse of social media during a discussion on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) That would be a great opportunity for the Indiana legislators to hear directly from you guys, Pol said. He plans to arrange a meeting so like-minded students from throughout the district can gather and come up with a plan. He will organize a day during the next legislative session to update students on the progress of the bill and perhaps bring them down to watch lawmaking in action. Students interested in participating in Indiana Senate District 4s Student Advisory Committee can fill out an interest form at www.indianasenatedemocrats.org/ yac-4/. Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. Amid intensifying Israeli attacks, Hamas on Sunday warned that no hostage would leave the territory alive unless the demands are met. Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Hamas's armed wing, in a televised broadcast said "Neither the fascist enemy and its arrogant leadership... nor its supporters... can take their prisoners alive without an exchange and negotiation and meeting the demands of the resistance. With Israeli tanks pushing into the heart of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, Hamas has vowed to continue its fights against the IDF troops. The one week of Gaza truce saw the release of 105 hostages held by the group. Israel has released 240 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages. "We have no choice but to fight this barbaric occupier in every neighbourhood, street and alley," said Obeida. "The enemy's holocaust aims to break the strength of our resistance... but we are fighting on our land in a holy battle, he added. Meanwhile, amid the intensifying Israel-Hezbollah attacks, six Israeli soldiers were injured. The IDF said that two of the drones launched from Lebanon were shot down by the Iron Dome missile defense system. The wounded were taken to Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. Meanwhile, the IDF said it had carried out a widespread wave of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in response to repeated border attacks, hitting targets including rocket launch sites, military compounds, and other infrastructure belonging to the terror group, reported Times of Israel. Rathiram Pal, 40, is a paan kiosk owner in the Banganga area of Bhopal. For the last 15 years, he has also been the BJP booth president for polling booth 120 in the Bhopal South-West assembly constituency. It is a role he has performed with pride. Now, he has reason to be extra proud. The BJP candidate from the constituency, Bhagwandas Sabnani, won from Pals booth with a margin of 200 votes though only 830 of around 1,400 votes were polled. I have always been impressed by the pro-poor steps taken by the BJP and [Chief Minister] Shivraj Singh Chouhan ji, he said. And, when [Narendra] Modi ji became the prime minister, my faith in the party increased further. I will work for the party for the rest of my life, regardless of returns. The BJP in the state has 64,253 such booth presidents, who are part of a far bigger ground network of the party that has people in charge of every page in the voter list (panna pramukhs). These foot soldiers went to work diligently, months ahead of the November 17 polls, to ensure the BJPs victory at every levelall possible booths and wards. Pawan Narwaria, president of the Tagore mandal (zone), under whom Pal works, said that the ground-level workers, such as Pal, were the partys real assets. They maintain direct contact with the voters, not only for election-related endeavours, but also at a personal level. They meet voters regularly, keep track of their well-being and stand with them when required. They also keep them informed about welfare schemes and ensure they become beneficiaries, make them aware of the negatives of opposition parties and finally motivate them to come out and vote for the kamal ka phool (lotus symbol) on election day. The hard work of this ground force, together with Modis popularity, welfare schemes like Ladli Behna (cash assistance to women) and a lazy Congress campaign, brought a huge victory for the BJPthe third biggest (163 seats) in the past 20 years. The party had won 173 under Uma Bharti in 2003 and 165 under Chouhan in 2013. People have faith in Modi ji and understand that the BJP works for the poor, said Pal. Especially the women were impressed by schemes like Ladli Laxmi and even Muslim women came out to vote for the BJP this time as they benefited from the scheme, too. We could convince them that the party means well for all. The ground force is earning praises from the high echelonsModi to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is the chief architect of the well-oiled organisational structure of the BJP. Our organisation is our biggest strength, state party president Vishnu Dutt Sharma told THE WEEK. Amit Shah ji gave us the task of achieving 51 per cent vote share in each assembly segment. Because of the sheer hard work of the party workers on the ground, we achieved 49 (48.55) per cent vote share in the state. In 101 assembly seats, we crossed 51 per centa stupendous achievement. Any amount of praise is too little for our workers. As the party was poised to form government for the fifth time in 20 years, it seemed that the state was turning into an impregnable BJP fortress like Gujarat. Despite the apparent anti-incumbency of two decades, the party managed to win well over two-thirds majority, decimating the Congress, said political commentator Manish Dixit. The situation in MP seems similar now to Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, where the Congress has no ground left, and especially comparable to Gujarat, where, despite strictly bipolar electoral politics, the Congress has not been able to gain even a slim foothold since being shunted out of power in 1995. While the BJP is euphoric, the Congress is teetering on the brink of a political abyss in the Hindi heartland state that was once its bastion. The current leadership of Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singhboth septuagenariansis unlikely to be at the helm of the party in the next assembly polls in 2028. In fact, Nath might soon be asked to step down as state Congress president. Whether his exit will help the Congress remains unclear, as younger leaders who were seen as his potential successors, such as Jitu Patwari and Sajjan Singh Verma, have lost in the polls. There is no clear second rung in the party and no plan to move forward. The main reason for the pathetic loss of the Congress in these polls is the corporate-style politics of Kamal Nath, said political commentator Dinesh Gupta. He did not make any efforts to adapt to the ground-level politics of connecting with people. He remained entrenched in his elitist bubble to ensure that his personal interests were not harmed and that his son (MP Nakul Nath) gained politically. The party fought the election on the assumption that people were angry with the BJP government, but made no efforts to check whether that was true on the ground. Actually, even the partys own leaders were sidelined by Nath and, therefore, no worthwhile second line of leadership has developed after Jyotiraditya Scindia decided to switch sides. No wonder, the grand old party is facing an abysmal future in the state. Instead of owning up responsibility for the defeat Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh have, directly or indirectly, blamed it on the voting machinessomething quickly dismissed by the BJP as the frustration of a losing party. A meeting of all the Congress candidates was held at the Bhopal headquarters of the party, but nothing came of it. For the BJPs ground-level workers, it is a day of rejoicing, but they are not relaxing. They have already been directed to start preparing for the Lok Sabha polls. State president Sharma has declared that they will achieve the target of 51 per cent vote share and win all 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state for the prime minister. As the BJP juggernaut is thundering on towards the Lok Sabha target, the Congress, seemingly, stands still. New Delhi, Dec 10 (PTI) Registration of properties in Pune rose by 7 per cent annually to 14,607 units in November on higher demand, according to Knight Frank India. Real estate consultant Knight Frank India on Sunday released properties' registration numbers of Pune compiled from the Maharashtra government data. A total of 14,607 units were registered last month, up from 13,694 registrations in November 2022, the data showed. Stamp duty collections for November 2023 stood at Rs 473 crore. The cumulative value of registered properties in November 2023 amounted to Rs 13,342 crore. During January-November 2023, Pune city recorded total registrations of 137,217 properties, up 9 per cent from 125,702 registrations in the corresponding period of the last calendar year. Stamp duty collections increased 10 per cent to Rs 4,779 crore during January-November this year from Rs 4,344 crore in the year-ago period. The overall value of registered properties in Pune rose 38 per cent year-on-year to Rs 106,562 crore during the first eleven months of this year. Shishir Baijal, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India, said, The enduring strength of Pune's real estate market is a testament to the positive aspiration for homeownership and an attractive affordability setting within the city. " The increasing demand for larger format properties underscores the vibrancy of Pune's realty landscape, he added. "As the infrastructure improves and economic activity increases, the Pune residential market continues to fortify its robust foundation for a thriving residential market," Baijal said. Manila, Dec 10 (AP) The Chinese coast guard targeted Philippine vessels with water cannon blasts on Sunday and rammed one of them, causing damage and endangering Filipino crew members off a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, just a day after similar hostilities at another contested shoal, Philippine officials said. The Philippines and its treaty ally, the United States, immediately condemned the latest confrontation near the Second Thomas Shoal, where two Philippine navy-operated supply boats and two Philippine coast guard escort ships had sailed to deliver food and other supplies to Filipino forces in a long-marooned navy ship that serves as a territorial outpost. "We condemn, once again, China's latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal that has put the lives of our people at risk, a Philippine government task force that deals with the territorial disputes said in a statement, using the Filipino name for the shoal. The Chinese coast guard's high-pressure water cannon blasts disabled and severely damaged the engines of the Philippine supply boat M/L Kalayaan, which had to be towed back to the western Philippine province of Palawan, Philippine officials said, adding the action seriously endangered the lives of the crew. One of two Philippine coast guard escort ships, the BRP Cabra, sustained damage to its mast due to the water cannon blast. Another supply boat was rammed by a Chinese coast guard ship but still managed to maneuver away and deliver supplies to Filipino marines at Second Thomas Shoal, they said. Drone video footage and photographs issued by the Philippine coast guard show two Chinese coast guard ships separately blasting water cannons at close range at BRP Cabra and a smaller supply boat. The systematic and consistent manner in which the People's Republic of China carries out these illegal and irresponsible actions puts into question and significant doubt the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue, it said. We demand that China demonstrate that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community. The Chinese coast guard said it had implemented controls in accordance with laws and regulations. The statement gave no details about the measures taken but said the Philippines action seriously infringed on China's sovereignty. It also claimed a Philippine vessel ignored warnings and in violation of international navigation regulations made a sharp turn in an unprofessional and dangerous manner and intentionally collided with a Chinese coast guard ship, causing scratching". The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side, the coast guard said. Coast guard spokesperson Gan Yu described China's actions as reasonable, legal and professional, and said such operations would continue unabated. We sternly warn the Philippines to immediately cease its infringing actions ... and strictly control its provocations on the front line so as not to drop a stone on its own foot, Gan was quoted as saying on the coast guard's website. China's actions were strongly condemned by foreign diplomats in the Philippines, including the ambassadors from treaty partner the US, the European Union and Japan. "The US stands with the Philippines and partners in vehemently condemning the PRC's repeated illegal and dangerous actions against vessels," US Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. China's ships, which have surrounded the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal for years, have blocked Philippine coast guard and supply boats in a yearslong effort to take control of the hotly disputed atoll claimed by both nations. China has rejected all international condemnation and attempts at legal intervention, including a 2016 ruling by a UN-backed arbitration tribunal that invalidated China's claims, leaving them without any legal basis. China insists it has a legal right to "defend its sovereignty" in keeping with its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, one of the world's most crucial waterways for shipping and other maritime activities. On Saturday, the Chinese coast guard and accompanying ships also trained water cannons at three Philippine fisheries vessels to prevent them from approaching Scarborough Shoal in the disputed waters off the northwestern Philippines. That caused significant damage to the communication and navigation equipment of one of the three Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel, Philippine officials said. They added that suspected militia vessels accompanying Chinese coast guard ships used a long-range acoustic device that could impair hearing, causing severe temporary discomfort and incapacitation to some Filipino crew". In other high seas clashes this year, Chinese coast guard ships used a military-grade laser that caused Filipino crewmen temporary blindness and engaged in dangerous blocking and shadowing maneuvers that caused minor collisions, Philippines officials say. More tensions loom. "The Philippines will not be deterred from exercising our legal rights over our maritime zones, the Philippine government task force said. A flotilla of 40 civilian fishing boats, backed by Philippine coast guard escort ships, initially was en route Sunday to Second Thomas Shoal but decided to proceed first to two Philippine-occupied islets in the South China Sea to deliver Christmas food packs. From there, organisers will reassess before the flotilla proceeds with a plan to sail along the vicinity of the Second Thomas Shoal, said one of the organizers, Rafaela David, who denounced the latest Chinese action. (AP) PY PY Washington, Dec 10 (AP) Congress is discussing changes to the immigration system in exchange for providing money to Ukraine in its fight against Russia and Israel for the war with Hamas. President Joe Biden has said he is willing to make significant compromises on the border to meet Republican demands that the assistance be tied to an overhaul of US border policy. Republicans say the record numbers of migrants crossing the southern border pose a security threat because authorities cannot adequately screen all the migrants and that those who enter the United States are straining the country's resources. GOP lawmakers also say they cannot justify to their constituents sending billions of dollars to other countries, even in a time of war, while failing to address the border at home. But many immigration advocates, including some Democrats, say some of the changes being proposed would gut protections for people who desperately need help and would not really ease the chaos at the border. Much of the negotiating is taking place in private, but some of the issues under discussion are known: asylum standards, humanitarian parole and fast-track deportation authority, among others. A look at what they are and what might happen if there are changes: HUMANITARIAN PAROLE Using humanitarian parole, the US government can let people into the country by essentially bypassing the regular immigration process. This power is supposed to be used on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit". Migrants are usually admitted for a pre-determined period and there's no path toward US citizenship. Over the years, administrations, both Democratic and Republican, have used humanitarian parole to admit people into the U.S. and help groups of people from all over the world. It's been used to admit people from Hungary in the 1950s, from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos during the latter half of the 1970s, and Iraqi Kurds who had worked with the US in the mid-1990s, according to research by the Cato Institute. Under Biden, the US has relied heavily on humanitarian parole. The US airlifted nearly 80,000 Afghans from Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, and brought them to the US after the Taliban takeover. The US has admitted tens of thousands of Ukrainians who fled after the Russian invasion. In January the Democratic administration announced a plan to admit 30,000 people a month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela via humanitarian parole, provided those migrants had a financial sponsor and flew to the US instead of going to the US-Mexico border for entry. The latest US government figures show that nearly 270,000 people had been admitted into the country through October under that programme. Separately, 324,000 people have gotten appointments through a mobile app called CBP One that is used to grant parole to people at land crossings with Mexico. Republicans have described the programmes as essentially an end run around Congress by letting in large numbers of people who otherwise would have no path to be admitted. Texas sued the administration to stop the programme aimed at Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans. WHAT MIGHT CHANGE WITH ASYLUM? Asylum is a type of protection that allows a migrant to stay in the US and have a path to American citizenship. To qualify for asylum, someone has to demonstrate fear of persecution back home due to a fairly specific set of criteria: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinions. Asylum-seekers must be on US soil when they ask for this protection. They generally go through an initial screening called a credible fear interview. If they are determined to have a chance of getting asylum, they are allowed to stay in the US to pursue their case in immigration court. That process can take years. In the meantime, asylum-seekers can start to work, get married, have children and create a life. Critics say the problem is that most people do not end up getting asylum when their case finally makes it to immigration court. But they say migrants know that if they claim asylum, they essentially will be allowed to stay in America for years. People aren't necessarily coming to apply for asylum as much to access that asylum adjudication process, said Andrew Arthur, a former immigration court judge and fellow at the Centre for Immigration Studies, which advocates for less immigration in the US. Some of what lawmakers are discussing would raise the bar that migrants need to meet during that initial credible fear interview. Those who do not meet it would be sent home. But Paul Schmidt, a retired immigration court judge who blogs about immigration court issues, said the credible fear interview was never intended to be so tough. Migrants are doing the interview soon after arriving at the border from an often arduous and traumatising journey, he said. Schmidt said the interview is more of an initial screening to weed out those with frivolous asylum claims. Schmidt also questioned the argument that most migrants fail their final asylum screening. He said some immigration judges apply overly restrictive standards and that the system is so backlogged that it is hard to know exactly what the most recent and reliable statistics are. WHAT IS EXPEDITED REMOVAL? Expedited removal, created in 1996 by Congress, basically allows low-level immigration officers, as opposed to an immigration judge, to quickly deport certain immigrants. It was not widely used until 2004 and generally has been used to deport people apprehended within 100 miles of the Mexican or Canadian border and within two weeks of their arrival. Defenders say it relieves the burden on the backlogged immigration courts. Immigration advocates say its use is prone to errors and does not give migrants enough protections, such as having a lawyer help them argue their case. As president, Republican Donald Trump pushed to expand this fast-track deportation policy nationwide and for longer periods of time. Opponents sued and that expansion never happened. WHAT MIGHT THESE CHANGES DO? Much of the disagreement over these proposed changes comes down to whether people think deterrence works. Arthur, the former immigration court judge, thinks it does. He said changes to the credible fear asylum standards and restrictions on the use of humanitarian parole would be a game changer". He said it would be a costly endeavour as the government would have to detain and deport many more migrants than today. But, he argued, eventually the numbers of people arriving would drop. But others, like Schmidt, the retired immigration court judge, say migrants are so desperate, they will come anyway and make dangerous journeys to evade Border Patrol. "Desperate people do desperate things, he said. (AP) PY PY Peshawar, Dec 10 (PTI) Pakistan People's Party chairman and ex-foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday said his party expected "justice" to be served in a case on revisiting the controversial death sentence given to its founder and former premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. In March 1978, a four-member bench of Lahore High Court had given the death sentence to Bhutto, which was later challenged in the Supreme Court. In a four to three split verdict, a seven-judge apex court bench upheld the sentence during the military regime of the then-army chief Gen Ziaul Haq in March 1979. "We hope that the entire world will be told why the leader of the Muslim world was hanged, Bilawal said while addressing a convention of the PPP workers in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. "We had this hope from Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa that he would avail the opportunity to wash the blood off from his institutions and his court that was [] involved and an enabler in this tragedy. "He should correct the constitutional and legal mistakes which were made [by the apex court]," he was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper. His comments came ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on the 12-year-old presidential case on revisiting the death sentence given to Bhutto. A nine-member larger bench of the apex court will commence on Tuesday the long-pending presidential case seeking to revisit the death sentence given to Bhutto. The case was filed on behalf of former president Asif Ali Zardari on April 2, 2011, to seek an opinion on revisiting the death sentence given to the former premier under the Supreme Courts advisory jurisdiction. Bilawal said the court would also have to point out those involved as well as the abettors, from ex-military dictator Ziaul Haq to the judges, lawyers and politicians involved. "We expect justice, Bilawal said. On the Feb 8 general elections, he said political parties were contesting the polls only to solve their personal problems. I am fighting this election to solve your problems, he added. "If someone is fighting elections it is so that that he can get out of prison while the other is contesting elections to save himself from prison, he said. Washington, Dec 9 (AP) Going around Congress, the Biden administration said Saturday it has approved the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million as Israel intensifies its military operations in the southern Gaza Strip. The move comes as President Joe Biden's request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security is languishing in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas. The State Department said it had notified Congress of the sale late Friday after Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale of the munitions in the U.S. national security interest. That means the purchase will bypass the congressional review requirement for foreign military sales. Such determinations are rare, but not unprecedented, when administrations see an urgent need for weapons to be delivered without waiting for lawmakers' approval. The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives, the department said in a statement. Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. The sale is worth $106.5 million and includes 13,981 120 mm High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer tank cartridges as well as U.S. support, engineering and logistics. The materiel will come from Army inventory. Bypassing Congress with emergency determinations for arms sales is an unusual step that has in the past met resistance from lawmakers, who normally have a period of time to weigh on proposed weapons transfers and, in some cases, block them. In May, 2019, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an emergency determination for an $8.1 billion sales of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan after it became clear that the Trump administration would have trouble overcoming lawmakers' concerns about the Saudi- UAE-led war in Yemen. Pompeo came under heavy criticism for the move, which some believed may have violated the law because many of the weapons involved had yet to be built and could not be delivered urgently. But he was cleared of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation. At least four administrations have used the authority since 1979. President George H.W. Bush's administration used it during the Gulf War to get arms quickly to Saudi Arabia. (AP) AMS Thane, Dec 9 (PTI) An FIR has been registered against a woman for allegedly trying to kill her 61-year-old husband by setting him afire over a domestic dispute in Kalyan city with the help of two others, police said on Saturday. The other two male accused in the case are friends of one of the daughters of the victim, an official said. Nobody has been arrested so far. As per the statement recorded by the injured man in a hospital, his wife would argue with him over his monthly pension and his objection to the frequent visits of the two youths to their house, the official said. The victim had lodged a complaint with the police in the past against the two youths claiming a threat to his life, he added. "The victim was attacked by two youths on the night of December 8 who doused him with some inflammable liquid while his wife set him on fire," the official said quoting the FIR. The victim said his neighbours rushed him to the hospital. Further investigation is underway. New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Lord Shri Ram will return to his magnificent temple built at his birthplace in Ayodhya on January 22 next year and then in the "minds and hearts" of the people after 500 years of struggle, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said on Saturday. Addressing a book launch event here, Hosabale said that there has always been a struggle for the restoration of religion, and it is sometimes necessary for "creation." There was a struggle for 'Shri Ram Janmabhoomi' 72 times, he said, and every generation fought, but never gave up. People belonging to "every language, class, community and sect" participated in this struggle, he added. "After 14 years of exile, Lord Shri Ram returned first to his royal palace. As now after 500 years of struggle Lord Ram is returning to the magnificent temple built at his birthplace on January 22. After this Shri Ram will return to the minds and hearts of the people," the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in a statement quoted Hosabale as saying. The RSS leader said that the Ram Temple movement spearheaded by the VHP and other right wing organisations was for national integration. "Ram is auspicious, Ram is inspiration, Ram is faith Ram Temple (in Ayodhya) is not just another temple or a tourist destination but it is a pillar of pilgrimage," he said. "Shri Ram's Ayodhya means renunciation, Ayodhya means democracy, Ayodhya means dignity," Hosabale added. Srinagar, Dec 9 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday initiated action against nine people for allegedly misusing social media platforms to spread rumours and hateful content, officials said. The action comes after the authorities issued guidelines for social media users in order to contain content that is communally sensitive or promote terrorism and secessionism. Legal action has been initiated against these individuals in Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts for uploading hateful and abusive content and spreading rumours on social media, police officials said. They said that in Anantnag, police have taken action against three individuals -- Salman Mushtaq Kuttay, resident of Check Wangund Dooru; Rameez Ashraf Hadi, resident of Watnad Kokernag, and Umer Farooq Ganie alias Ghazi Sir, resident of Ratherpora Khairbugh Srigufwara. The allegedly uploaded hateful videos on social media platforms, containing inflammatory and seditious statements, the officials said. The Baramulla Police took legal action against a provocateur/rumour-monger identified as Bilal Ahmad Wani, a resident of Wani Mohalla Baliharan Pattan. In Awantipora area of Pulwama district, police initiated legal action against Sheeraz Ahmed Beigh, o Beighpora, Awantipora for uploading inflammatory and instigating content on social media, the officials said. The police in Budgam in order to uphold peace and order, took strict measures against individuals misusing social media platforms to spread rumours, the officials said. Two troublemakers have been booked and presented before the magistrate with ongoing investigations into the matter, they said. Similarly, in Ganderbal, Police initiated legal action against two individuals for uploading and sharing hateful content on social media platforms. They were identified as Waseem Mushtaq Malik, resident of Safapora, and Aadil Ahmed Rather, resident of Nunner Ganderbal, the officials said. They said the individuals were found involved in spreading hateful content on social media. Under the recently issued order of District Magistrate, legal action has been initiated against both of them, they added. The authorities in Kashmir issued guidelines for social media users under CrPC Section 144 in order to contain spread of content that are communally sensitive or promoting terrorism and secessionism. The guidelines were issued by all district administrations over the past week. Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Bandipora, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir V K Birdi said anyone found promoting anti-national or terrorism-related narratives, intentionally or unintentionally, and disrupting peace and public order, will face stringent police action. He appealed families to monitor their children so that they do not intentionally or unintentionally spread rumours on social media. Thane, Dec 10 (PTI) A 'Lok Adalat' held at Belapur in Maharashtra's Thane district has brought about a settlement of Rs 81 lakh between the family of a man who died in a road accident in 2017 and the offending vehicle's insurer, a court official said on Sunday. This is the highest amount of settlement at the Belapur Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), the official claimed, after the settlement was reached on Saturday. Nilesh Shambaji Shivsharan (32), who worked as a senior associate with a private company, died after a taxi he was travelling in dashed against another vehicle on Mulund-Airoli road on October 29, 2017, his family told the tribunal. The claimants, comprising the man's wife, mother and minor son, told the MACT that he earned a salary of Rs 45,223 per month. They worked out a claim of Rs 1 crore for his accidental death. The owner of the taxi and its insurance company were named as respondents in the claim. During the Lok Adalat held on Saturday, a settlement was reached in the presence of District and Additional Sessions Judge PS Vithalani for the payment of compensation of Rs 81 lakh by the vehicle's insurer to the man's family, the official said. Gadchiroli, Dec 10 (PTI) A 19-year-old Naxalite who was allegedly involved in the murder of a police patil and carried a reward of Rs 1.5 lakh has been arrested in Maharashtras Gadchiroli district, officials said on Sunday. According to a release by the office Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) Neelotpal, Arjun Samma Hichami was a Jan Milita member of the banned outfit. He was arrested near Gatta Nala on Saturday following an operation by personnel from the elite C-60 team and police. Hichami has told the police that he had shared the whereabouts of police patil Lalsu Velda of Titola village who was killed by Naxalites on November 22, said the release. The Naxalite, who was also involved in arson, carried a reward of Rs 1.5 lakh, it said. Since January 2022, the Gadchiroli police have arrested 73 hardcore Naxalites, the release added. Patna, Dec 10 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday raised before Union Home Minister Amit Shah his long-standing demand for grant of special category status to the state. At the 26th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council here, chaired by Shah, Kumar also hoped that the Centre will consider the request for placing in the ninth schedule of the Constitution the states recent legislations by which quotas for deprived castes were raised from 50 per cent to 65 per cent. The Ninth Schedule of the Constitution includes a list of Central and state laws that cannot be challenged in courts. In 1992, the Supreme Court capped reservations for the backward classes at 50 per cent. "The CM urged the Centre to accord special status to Bihar in the meeting. Bihar has been raising the issue of Special status to the state since 2010. The fresh demand was necessitated by findings of the caste survey carried out by the grand alliance government in the state," a CMO statement said. "The state government has planned to undertake several welfare measures for deprived families. The implementation of all such measures will incur an expenditure of Rs 2.50 lakh crore... Therefore, we demand special status for Bihar, he said. The CM demanded that the Centre should place two amendment bills raising the quota for deprived castes from 50 to 65 per cent in state government jobs and educational institutions in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution to make them to make them immune to legal scrutiny. "Since Bihar BJP also supported both bills in the assembly as well as in the council, the Centre must put them in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution without delay. The CM said it very clearly in the meeting," the statement said. The meeting was also attended by senior ministers from Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand. Hazaribag (Jharkhand), Dec 10 (PTI) The police arrested four youths in Jharkhands Hazaribagh district, who were part of a cybercrime syndicate with links to Pakistan, an officer said on Sunday. The quartet allegedly cheated a person in Punjab of Rs 1.63 lakh and a phone number used in the crime led the investigators to reach Hazaribagh. The police recovered 10 mobile phones, 36 SIM cards, 37 debit and credit cards, 12 passbooks and chequebooks, a two-wheeler, a four-wheeler and other articles from them, the police said. The four, who are in the age group of 19 to 25, were arrested in a locality of Korra area, around 105 km from Jharkhand's capital Ranchi. Hazaribag Superintendent of Police Manoj Ratan Chothe said that during interrogation, the accused confessed that they were operating under a Pakistani handler. "Since it is a serious matter, we are trying to find out whether this money was meant for cyber crimes or any other purpose which is against the interest of the nation," the SP said. Chothe, however, did not divulge much on the case for the sake of investigation. The SP said that an online fraud of Rs 1.63 lakh was committed in Punjab on November 28 and the phone number was found to be linked to a place somewhere in Jharkhand. "After getting the information, we found that the number is active in a locality in Korra. We set up a team and conducted raids. First, we arrested two persons and then, following their interrogation, picked up the other two," he said. Bhubaneswar, Dec 10 (PTI) Two boys died of electrocution and another was injured in Odisha's Sonepur district after they accidentally touched an electrical wire laid for poaching wild boars, police said. The two minor boys have been identified as Jeet Dungdung and Ramesh Dungdung of Hatlimunda village. The condition of Jeets father Naveen Dungdung, who was accompanying them, is now stated to be stable, the police said. The tragic incident took place in a forest near Singhapali village in the western Odisha district when they went to the forest in search of their goat on Saturday night. They were rushed to the Ullunda community health centre, where doctors declared the two boys dead while Naveen is undergoing treatment. The police have started an investigation. New Delhi, Dec 10 (PTI) In a joint operation with the Rajasthan Police, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested three men, including two shooters, from Chandigarh for their alleged involvement in the killing of Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, officials said Sunday. Gogamedi was gunned down in the living room of his house in Jaipur on December 5. A CCTV footage had surfaced purportedly showing the assailants opening fire at Gogamedi. Police had identified the two alleged killers as Rohit Rathore from Jaipur and Nitin Fauji from Haryana's Mahendragarh, and announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to their arrest. Delhi Police sources on Sunday said a team of the Crime Branch in a joint operation with the Rajasthan Police nabbed the duo from Chandigarh's Sector 22. They were accompanied by one more associate, Udham Singh, who was also caught. According to a police officer, the accused will be handed over to the Jaipur police for further interrogation. An 11-member SIT was formed by the Rajasthan Police to nab the accused. On Saturday, another man was arrested in Jaipur for allegedly contracting the shooters to kill Gogamedi. According to the police, Ramveer Jat, one of the conspirators in the Gogamedi murder case, had prepared the groundwork for Fauji, his friend, in Jaipur ahead of the killing. Srinagar, Dec 10 (PTI) Adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in Kashmir as the Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on Monday on a bunch of petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution by the Centre in August 2019, a senior police officer said on Sunday. "We are duty-bound to ensure that peace prevails in the valley under all circumstances," Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone V K Birdi told PTI. The Supreme Court has listed for pronouncement of judgment the petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into Union territories by the Centre on August 5, 2019. A five-judge bench of the apex court reserved its verdict on the petitions on September 5 after conducting daily hearings in the matter from August 2. While the IGP refused to divulge specifics of the security set-up for Monday, he said "adequate arrangements" have been put in place. "We are taking all precautions and will ensure that peace is not disturbed in Kashmir," Birdi, who held security review meetings in most of the 10 valley districts over the last two weeks, said. Asked if orders invoking section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on the misuse of social media were related to the Supreme Court's expected judgment, he said there have been several incidents of some elements trying to provoke people. "There have been several posts recently, in which there were attempts to provoke people. Action has been taken against such elements in the past and action will be taken in the future as well," he added. The authorities here have issued guidelines for social media users under CrPC section 144 to curb the spread of contents that are communally sensitive or promote terrorism and secessionism. "The guidelines aim to provide clarity on actions citizens should take when encountering content related to terrorism, secessionism, threats, intimidation or communally-sensitive material on social media platforms," the circular, issued by police in several districts, read. According to the guidelines, the citizens have been asked to contribute to maintaining a safe online environment and promptly report any suspicious activity. "If you receive a message containing objectionable content, then report it immediately to the nearest police station or police post with a screenshot and detailed information," the guidelines read. The users have been advised to "recall messages promptly" in case they accidentally share inappropriate content. Political parties in Kashmir are cautious in voicing their expectations from the Supreme Court. National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah said he can only hope and pray that the decision will be in favour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "Who will say with authority what is to happen? I do not have any such machinery or way by which I can come to know today what those five honourable judges have in their hearts or what they have written in the judgment. "I can only hope and pray that the decision is in our favour, but neither me nor anyone else can claim that success will be ours. We are waiting for the judgment. Let it come, we will talk about it then," he said. People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said it is the apex court's responsibility to ensure that it does not push the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) agenda, but keeps the integrity of the country and its Constitution intact. Mufti said the court's decision should be clear that the decision taken by the BJP-led Centre on August 5, 2019 to abrogate the provisions of Article 370 was "illegal, unconstitutional", against Jammu and Kashmir and the promises made to the people here. "I think the decision should be simple that whatever was done on August 5, 2019 was illegal, unconstitutional, against Jammu and Kashmir and the promises made to the people here," she said. New Delhi, Dec 10 (PTI) Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will pay a state visit to India on December 16 in his first trip to the country to explore avenues for future collaborations for regional stability and prosperity. It will also be the first visit of a top leader from the Gulf region following the Israel-Hamas conflict that has triggered widespread global concerns. "This first state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to India marks a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between India and the Sultanate of Oman," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday, announcing the trip. It said the top leader of Oman is visiting India at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu, adding that he will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including senior ministers and officials. "The visit will be an opportunity to explore avenues for future collaboration between India and Oman for regional stability, progress and prosperity," it said. The MEA said Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will be received by Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan for a ceremonial welcome on December 16. "He will hold bilateral discussions with the prime minister who will also host a luncheon in his honour," it said in a statement. "India and Oman share a longstanding history of friendship and cooperation, built on the foundation of mutual trust and respect, and strong people-to-people ties going back centuries," it added. India and the Sultanate of Oman are strategic partners and the bilateral trade and investment relationship between the two countries is on an upswing in the last few years. New Delhi, Dec 10 (PTI) Mahatma Gandhi envisioned a "strong, prosperous and clean" India and the Modi government is following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation and rolling schemes based on his ideas, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday. The defence minister made the remarks after inaugurating a 10-feet tall statue of Mahatma Gandhi near Rajghat in the national capital. "Gandhiji was a great freedom fighter who envisioned a strong, prosperous and clean India. Our government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation," he said. "Schemes such as Jan Dhan Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana and Swachh Bharat are based on his ideas," he said. Mahatma Gandhi continues to live in the heart of every Indian, he said. Singh also recalled the contributions of Gandhi and other leaders such as Babasaheb B R Ambedkar and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, saying they worked for the upliftment of the marginalised sections with patriotism and commitment. "These great people are the guiding light for our government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' is built on their dreams," he said. "Our ideology is of peace, social harmony, unity, and bringing about a change based on development, he added. Singh said that due importance is being given to the marginalised sections by the government, stating that they are now making a mark in almost every sector. He described the marginalised sections as the largest aspirational class of the country, stressing on the need to do away with the 'noun' being used to identify them. It is time to coin a new noun or vocabulary, which can define the aspirations of these sections, Singh said. The defence minister asserted the Modi government's focus has always been on planned progress and that the approach has resulted in India becoming the fifth largest economy in the world. He termed Gandhiji not only a freedom fighter, but also an economic thinker who believed 'The world has enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed', according to an official release. "Ever since our Government came to power, our endeavour is not only to uplift the people belonging to the weaker sections, but also to empower them. Growth of all sections alike will strengthen the security landscape of the country," the defence minister said. Shimla, Dec 10 (PTI) Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday arrived in Himachal Pradesh, where she will attend a programme in Dharamshala on December 11 to mark the first anniversary of the party-led state government. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary reached Shimla early on Sunday and went to her house in Chhabbra on the outskirts of the town where she will rest for the day, officials said. She will accompany Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to Dharamshala for the state-level celebration to mark the first year of the state's Congress government. Several other prominent Congress leaders are expected to take part in the event. The opposition BJP, meanwhile, has announced that it will hold protests in all districts on Monday. The BJP's Himachal Pradesh unit chief Rajiv Bindal earlier hit out at the Congress-led government for proposing to celebrate a year in office. "What is there to celebrate when there has been no achievement by the government except closing over 1,500 institutions?" he had asked. New Delhi, Dec 10 (PTI) Several Sikh protesters on Sunday took out a march from the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara to Sansad Marg, demanding release of 'Bandi Singhs'. One of the protesters said a two-hour long discussion was held in Amritsar last week regarding the release of 'Bandi Singhs', the Sikh prisoners which the community claims are still lodged in different jails despite completion of their sentences. "The Akal Takht has constituted a five-member committee to find ways to secure the release of such Singhs and has decided to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard," said another protester. However, Harmeet Singh Kalka, president of Delhi Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DSGPC) told PTI over phone that this protest march was organised by different organisations and Sikh outfits. "There was no involvement of DSGPC in the protest march. This was organised by different Sikh outfits, not by us," Kalka said. Meanwhile, the Delhi police ensured heavy security to maintain law and order during the protest march. "We requested the protesters to take out their march peacefully. No one was allowed to breach the law and order," a senior police officer said. Shimla, Dec 10 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh BJP on Sunday attacked the Congress over the recovery of more than Rs 300 crore cash in raids on a distillery company linked to its Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, saying the party is it yet to take any action against its leader. The Congress on Saturday, however, distanced itself from its Jharkhand Rajya Sabha MP Sahu on the matter. People should see the piles of seized cash and Congress leaders lecture them on honesty, senior BJP leader Avinash Rai Khanna said in a statement. The cash seized by the Income Tax Department in its searches against Odisha-based Boudh Distillery Private Limited and entities linked to it has become the "highest-ever" in a single action conducted by any probe agency in the country and gone past Rs 300 crore. The premises of Sahu in Ranchi and other places were also covered by the department. It was not clear what amount of cash and other documents were seized by the department from his house. Khanna said this is for the first time that such huge cash stashed in lockers and other locations has been seized by the Income Tax Department. He said so far, cash amounting to Rs 300 crore has been recovered and several lockers are yet to be opened. But the Congress has not taken any action against the MP, which exposes the real face of the party, the BJP leader said. Demanding stringent action against the Congress leader, Khanna said that "it is the money looted from the public". In a post on X on Saturday, All India Congress Committee general secretary communications Jairam Ramesh had said, "The Indian National Congress is in no way connected with the businesses of Dheeraj Sahu, MP. Only he can explain, and should explain, how huge amounts of cash have been reportedly unearthed by the income-tax authorities from his properties." Una (HP), Dec 10 (PTI) Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday said he was disappointed with the absence of state officials in the Bharat Sankalp Yatra of the central government. During a function in the Bangana area of the Una district, he said with the progress the country has been making under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was wrong on part of officials to miss the function. Himachal Pradesh is governed by the Congress party with Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu as the Chief Minister. He said that the state should not indulge in any kind of political discrimination when it comes to the work being done for the public interest. Be it a Congress leader or a BJP leader, the public elects them for their development, and when elected, everyone should ensure the benefit of the public with mutual cooperation. Thakur said that the state government is celebrating the completion of one year of coming to power during which it did nothing for the masses. Congress has completely forgotten its promise of giving Rs 1,500 per month to the women, he alleged. Hyderabad, Dec 10 (PTI) Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy on Sunday sought to know why Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was silent on the seizure of crores of rupees from premises allegedly linked to his party MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu during a recent Income Tax raid. Addressing a press conference here, Reddy, also Telangana BJP president, expressed doubt that the unaccounted cash which was recovered during the searches might have been meant for use in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Union Minister dubbed Sahu as black money, hero and said the Jhankhand MP is a close confidant of Rahul Gandhi and allegedly supported and fulfilled all the requirements of the Congress leaders 'Bharat Jodo yatra' last year. This is an example of how Congress leaders have looted the country. We demand that the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi given an explanation to the people as to why the party nominated him thrice to the Rajya Sabha, he said. A huge pile of cash has been recovered so far in the searches conducted by the Income Tax department against Odisha-based Boudh Distillery Private Limited and entities linked to it. Premises linked to Sahu were also covered as part of the searches, according to officials. The amount seized is expected to reach Rs 290 crore, making it the "highest-ever" black money haul by any agency in a single operation, official sources said Saturday. Reddy said Sahu showed Rs 34 crore as his assets in his Rajya Sabha elections affidavit in 2018. and wondered how he was able to accumulate so much black money. He remarked that Rahul Gandhi always makes hue and cry whenever there is an income tax raid in the country and wondered why there was no post on social media from the AICC former president on the matter. Why is there no reaction from you when Income Tax department raid the offices of your party MP ? Why have you not posted on social media? he asked and demanded that Rahul Gandhi respond to the people of this country. Attacking the Karnataka unit of Congress, Kishan Reddy alleged that several business establishments are being closed in the southern state and shifted to other places due to corrupt practices of the state government. The BJP leader said if elections for the Karnataka assembly were to be held now, his party would win with a huge majority as people are regretting having elected the Congress government. He claimed that the people will teach a lesson to the Congress party in the next Lok Sabha polls. Veteran negotiators at the United Nations climate talks Saturday said that the push to wean the world from dirty fossil fuels had gained so much momentum that they had poked a powerful enemy: the oil industry. Late Friday, multiple news sources reported that the leader of OPEC, the powerful oil cartel, wrote to member countries earlier this week urging them to block any language that would phase out or phase down fossil fuels. The news had the effect of a thunderclap, shining a light on host and petrostate United Arab Emirates, which clearly has oil interests but also wants to show the world that it can lead the conference toward a substantive result. Environmental activists, still smarting after decades of soft power from oil interests keeping such discussions from seeing the light of day, smirked at signs that the mighty cartel was circling the wagons. I think theyre panicking, said Alden Meyer, an analyst with climate think tank E3G Maybe the Saudis cant do on their own what theyve been doing for 30 years and block the process. Former Ireland President Mary Robinson said, Theyre scared. I think theyre worried. Robinson, co-chair of the retired leaders group The Elders, is now a prominent climate campaigner. She said that OPEC is concerned gives me hope. Last month she clashed publicly with the president of the COP28 negotiations, Sultan al-Jaber, who is also CEO of the Emirates national oil company. Chinas climate envoy Xie Zhenhua called this years climate conference the most difficult of his long career. He said the contentious phase-out issue could be solved in one or two days. Germanys climate envoy, Jennifer Morgan, suggested any call for blocking a deal would be felt most by small countries vulnerable of sea level rise caused by global warming. Right now, countries here are fighting for their lives. The small islands, and most countries here, are engaging very actively on this discussion in a real way, she said in an interview. And I think it is obviously not responsible to have a position that could mean would mean the life and death of many million people. But not all developing countries felt the same way. The development of our countries depends, in fact, on the use of fossil fuels, said Nigers Issifi Boureima, whos executive secretary of the Sahel Region Climate Commission. Its not easy for countries like ours to accept a text that agrees to end fossils fuels today. Its not easy, because what do we do after that? I think that in the dynamic of multilateral diplomacy, we need to avoid egoism, egoism of the north towards the south. COP28 Director General Majid al-Suwaidi downplayed the OPEC letter, saying the UAE team running the climate conference has been meeting with negotiators to get an ambitious deal. The oil cartel has no formal link to the climate negotiations. I feel confident that were going to get a good result youre going to be surprised about, Suwaidi told The Associated Press. OPEC didnt immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Protestors Saturday in a flash mob briefly blocked the OPEC exhibit at climate talks, calling for an immediate phase-out of fossil fuels. As discussions were happening about the letter and how to transition from fossil fuels, the world inched closer to deciding where next years climate conference will be held, a third state petrostate. Azerbaijan announced it would host COP29 in Baku, where one of historys first oil fields sprung up. But U.N. officials said it wasnt quite a done deal because the proper paperwork hasnt been submitted. The conference presidency has been crowing about deal after deal, many of them involving hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars of pledges, but theyve more nibbled the edges of the key issue of cutting emissions. When it comes to reducing the gases that cause climate change, a key group of scientists who analyze pledges, actions and potential temperature increases said in a report on Saturday that all the action hadnt amounted to much. The COP28 Presidency has made a very big deal about a whole lot of voluntary initiatives, while adopting an ambiguous and weak position on the central issue of a fossil fuel phaseout, Climate Analytics CEO Bill Hare, co-author of the report, said. Saturdays firestorm of controversy came as protests at the conference center in Dubai ramped up, with a Global Day of Action urging nations to move decisively to stop climate change and officials from various countries talked increasingly urgently at the official meetings. The OPEC letter has added fuel to their fury. With current policies, the planet is on track to a 2.9 (degree Celsius, 5.2 degree Fahrenheit above pre-industrial temperature) future. We cannot adapt to temperature rise that high; the loss and damage will be incalculable. It will be our death sentence, Marshall Islands natural resources minister John Silk said. We will not go silently to our graves, he said. (AP) A deal to provide further U.S. assistance to Ukraine by year-end appears to be increasingly out of reach for President Joe Biden. The impasse is deepening in Congress despite dire warnings from the White House about the consequences of inaction as Republicans insist on pairing the aid with changes to Americas immigration and border policies. After the Democratic president said this past week he was willing to make significant compromises on the border, Republicans quickly revived demands that they had earlier set aside, hardening their positions and attempting to shift the negotiations to the right, according to a person familiar with the talks who was not authorized to publicly discuss them and spoke on condition of anonymity. The latest proposal, from the lead GOP negotiator, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., came during a meeting with a core group of senators before they left Washington on Thursday afternoon. It could force the White House to consider ideas that many Democrats will seriously oppose, throwing new obstacles in the difficult negotiations. Biden is facing the prospect of a cornerstone of his foreign policy repelling Russian President Vladimir Putin from overtaking Ukraine crumbling as U.S. support for funding the war wanes, especially among Republicans. The White House says a failure to approve more aid by years end could have catastrophic consequences for Ukraine and its ability to fight. To preserve U.S. backing, the Biden administration has quietly engaged in Senate talks on border policy in recent weeks, providing assistance to the small group of senators trying to reach a deal and communicating what policy changes it would find acceptable. The president is trying to satisfy GOP demands to reduce the historic number of migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border while alleviating Democrats fears that legal immigration will be choked off with drastic measures. As talks sputtered to a restart this past week, Democrats warned Republicans that time for a deal was running short. Congress is scheduled to depart Washington in mid-December for a holiday break. Republicans need to show they are serious about reaching a compromise, not just throwing on the floor basically Donald Trumps border policies, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Thursday before Republicans made their counteroffer. But the new Republican proposal dug in on policy changes that had led Democrats to step back from the negotiations, according to the person familiar with the talks. The GOP offer calls for ending the humanitarian parole program thats now in place for existing classes of migrants Ukrainians, Afghans, Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans and Haitians. That idea had been all but dashed before. Additionally, those groups of migrants would not be allowed to be paroled again if the terms of their stay expire before their cases are adjudicated in immigration proceedings. GOP senators proposed monitoring systems such as ankle bracelets for people, including children, who are detained at the border and are awaiting parole. Republicans want to ban people from applying for asylum if they have transited through a different country where they could have sought asylum instead. GOP lawmakers also want to revive executive powers that would allow a president to shut down entries for wide-ranging reasons. Further, after migrant encounters at the border recently hit historic numbers, the GOP proposal would set new guidelines requiring the border to be essentially shut down if illegal crossings reach a certain limit. Lankford declined to discuss specifics after the Thursday meeting, but said he was trying to negotiate in good faith. He said the historic number of migrants at the border could not be ignored. The sheer number of people arriving at the border has swamped the asylum system, he said, making it impossible for authorities to adequately screen the people they allow in. Do you want large numbers of undocumented individuals and unscreened individuals without work permits, without access to the rest of the economy? Lankford said. The lead Democratic negotiator, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, did not quickly respond to the GOP proposal. Senators had made some progress in the talks before Thursday, finding general agreement on raising the initial standard for migrants to enter the asylum system part of whats called the credible fear system. The administration has communicated that it is amenable to that change and that it could agree to expand expedited removal to deport immigrants before they have a hearing with an immigration judge, according to two people briefed on the private negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Immigration advocates and progressives in Congress have been alarmed by the direction of the talks, especially because they have not featured changes aimed at expanding legal immigration. Robyn Barnard, director of refugee advocacy with Human Rights First, called the current state of negotiations an absolute crisis moment. She warned that broadening the fast-track deportation authority could lead to a mass rounding up of immigrants around the country and compared it to the situation during the Trump administration. Communities across the country would be living in fear, she said. But Republican senators, sensing that Biden, who is campaigning for a second term, wants to address the historic number of people coming to the border, have taken an aggressive stance and tried to draw the president directly into negotiations. The White House is going to have to engage particularly if Senate Democrats are unwilling to do what we are suggesting be done, said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., at a news conference Thursday. The White House has so far declined to take a leading role in negotiations. Democrats have said that they want to compromise. Have that conversation, said White House press secretary Karine-Jean Pierre. After every GOP senator this past week voted not to move ahead with legislation that would provide tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance for Ukraine, many in the chamber were left in a dour mood. Even those who held out hope for a deal acknowledged it would be difficult to push a package through the Senate at this late stage. Even if senators reach a deal, the obstacles to passage in the House are considerable. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has signaled he will fight for sweeping changes to immigration policy that go beyond what is being discussed in the Senate. Also, broad support from House Democrats is far from guaranteed, as progressives and Hispanic lawmakers have raised alarm at curtailing access to asylum. Trading Ukrainian lives for the lives of asylum seekers is morally bankrupt and irresponsible, Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, as part of a coordinated campaign by Hispanic Democrats. The unwieldy nature of the issue left even Lankford, who was one of the few senators optimistic that a deal could be reached this year, acknowledging the difficulty of finding an agreement in the coming days. Theres just a whole lot of politics that have been bound up in this, he said as he departed the Capitol for the week. Thirty years it hasnt been resolved because its incredibly complicated. (AP) A trio of Republican presidential candidates shared stories of family and faith before hundreds of voters in northwest Iowa on Saturday, in congenial individual conversations with their hosts not long after the campaigns latest fractious debate. But off the stage at a small Christian college in Sioux Center, the rivals sharp edges reemerged. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy leaned on their families to drive home their origin stories, without other candidates interrupting, at the event held in a rural, conservative corner of a state that holds the leadoff contest on the election calendar in about a month. Later, DeSantis and Ramaswamy both went after Haley, a further sign that her opponents see her as a growing threat in the 2024 race where former President Donald Trump, who skipped the event, is the front-runner in polls of Republicans nationwide and Iowa, where the caucuses are set for Jan. 15. After DeSantis time with the moderators, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra and his wife, Lynette, he returned to a recurring campaign theme: Haleys campaign is funded by liberal Democrats and Wall Street donors and she is taking positions that are more palatable to those folks. Ramaswamy told reporters that his criticisms of Haley at Wednesday nights debate were intended to illustrate the deep ideological divide in the Republican Party. He said he was unfairly being criticized himself for targeting Haley, the only woman in the race. Its part of a double standard that the people in this country are sick of when it comes to identity politics, he said. The good news is Im not letting them get away with that. Haley did not speak to the media after her appearance. Steve Rehder, 59, was relieved to hear from candidates without the crossfire. He said he is deciding between supporting Haley or DeSantis, but really likes Haley and her debate performance. The way she had to stand while she was being attacked at the last debate. I know she just wanted to come unglued at the guy, but she stood there, said the livestock farmer from Hawarden. On the stage before about 750 people, including many students from Dordt University, each candidate discussed faith, family and politics. DeSantis was accompanied by wife, Casey. Haley sat with her 25-year-old daughter, Rena. Ramaswamy brought his 3-year-old son, Karthik. Feenstra said it was a unique chance for people to hear the candidates principles and positions, unlike the debates that left little time for real answers from candidates because of infighting and bickering. Feenstra said he may endorse in the race, but has not yet. I want them to make their own decision based on what theyre hearing, he told reporters. They can make that decision on their own without some politician telling them this is what has to happen. The three candidates are making stops across Iowa all weekend as pressure mounts for an attention-grabbing performance in the caucuses. As for the absent Trump, Id love to hear his stance on faith and family, Feenstra said. I think thatd be very important to northwest Iowa and all of Iowa. Rehder agreed, saying it was admirable for candidates to come to Sioux County and share their faith values. While Trump was the right guy at the right time and was a great president, Rehder said, he needs to shut his mouth. I dont know how he would handle this kind of setting, Rehder said about the faith and family event. But maybe he should be here so we could see that part. (AP) Pickup trucks and tourniquets bound for Ukraines battlefield are among items stuck in a mileslong line at the border with Poland. Components to build drones to fight off Russian forces are facing weeks of delays. Ukrainian charities and companies supplying the war-torn countrys military warn that problems are growing as Polish truck drivers show no sign of ending a border blockade that has stretched past a month. The Polish protesters argue that their livelihoods are at stake after the European Union relaxed some transport rules and Ukrainian truckers undercut their business. While drones will make it to the front line, theyre delayed by two to three weeks, said Oleksandr Zadorozhnyi, operational director of the KOLO foundation, which helps the Ukrainian army with battlefield tech, including drones and communications equipment. This means that the Russian army will have the ability to kill Ukrainian soldiers and terrorize civilians for several weeks longer, he said. Truck drivers in Poland have blocked access roads to border crossings since Nov. 6, creating lines that stretch for more than 30 kilometers (19 miles) and last up to three weeks in freezing temperatures. The protesters insist that theyre not stopping military transports or humanitarian aid into Ukraine. This is very puzzling to me, even hard to believe because everybody knows those who order, those who expedite and those who do the transport that aid for the military passes through without having to wait at all, said Waldemar Jaszczur, a protest organizer. The Polish truckers, meanwhile, say their Ukrainian counterparts are offering lower prices to haul everything from fish to luxury goods across the European Union since getting a temporary waiver on the 27-nation blocs transport rules after Russias invasion in 2022. Despite Poland and other nearby countries being some of Ukraines biggest supporters in the war, resentment has built from truckers and farmers who are losing business to lower-cost Ukrainian goods and services flowing into the worlds biggest trading bloc. It underscores the challenges of integrating Ukraine into the EU if approved. Now, the commercial clash is spilling over to the battlefield, the Ukrainian charities say. About 200 pickup trucks needed to transport ammunition and evacuate the wounded from the front line are blocked at the border because deliveries have practically stopped, said Ivan Poberzhniak, head of procurement and logistics for Come Back Alive, Ukraines largest charitable organization providing the military with equipment. The pickup trucks are easy targets for Russia, so its impossible to deliver enough of them even normally, he said. When drivers show documents to the Polish truckers saying the vehicles are for Ukraines military, it does not have a significant impact on the protesters, Poberzhniak said. We must understand that during wartime, supply is needed on a daily basis in all directions, he said. Come Back Alive says 3,000 tourniquets also are stuck at the border. Its been able to deliver drones, generators and batteries from what it has in stock, but that reserve is running out, Poberzhniak said. The group is exploring alternative supply routes, he says, but there are few options, and the militarys unfulfilled requests for equipment are building up. The protesting truckers assert that not all deliveries declared as military aid are really that. They are urging the EU to reinstate the limits on the number of Ukrainian trucks that can enter the bloc. Jaszczur, the organizer, said Ukrainian truckers have been doing unauthorized transport services across Europe. They are asking glaringly low prices 35% lower than what Polish truckers charge and are driving us out of the market, he said. The same thing is happening in other countries like Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania, he said. Some Slovak truckers staged a protest of their own in recent days at the Ukrainian border. Jaszczur says many Polish transport companies are going under because of the pressure from Ukrainian competition. While there is no quick resolution in sight, a change of leadership in Warsaw offers hope. The new government is expected to be in place in the next week and almost certainly will be led by the pro-EU centrist Donald Tusk. He has criticized the outgoing governments inaction, offering hope to businesses hurt by the blockade but also to the protesters. We will look for solutions that should satisfy Polish transporters, but we will not tolerate any events that threaten Polish security. Who inspired or initiated them? Tusk said Friday, stressing that Ukraine is a strategic point for Poland as it fights Russias invasion. Ukrainian truck driver Ivan Itchenko is one of those eagerly awaiting a resolution. He has been waiting in Poland for days with hundreds of others, trying to stay warm at a highway rest stop until he can bring his load of salmon and herring to Ukrainian supermarkets. I clean the truck, clear the snow. Polish customs officers come and ask for documents three times a day, Itchenko said Thursday. The 61-year-old hoped his turn to drive through the Korczowa-Krakovets crossing would come Saturday. I live in Chernihiv (region), near Russia. Every day there are attacks. Now I am stuck at the Polish border. What do they want? With temperatures falling, drivers are experiencing difficult conditions, choosing not to heat their trucks to save fuel and facing limited access to food and bathrooms, Ukrainian media say. Polish and Ukrainian officials are negotiating with help from the European Commission, the EUs executive branch, but the protest has only expanded. We do not see any light in the tunnel, we do not see any authorities, any government or the EU Commission really giving attention to this, said Dariusz Matulewicz, head of the truckers association in Szczecin, a city in western Poland. Polands outgoing government has nothing against supporting Ukraine but it must not allow the aid activity to be done at the expense of Polish firms, deputy minister for infrastructure, Rafal Weber, said Monday in Brussels. The EU has pressed Warsaw to find a way to end the blockade but stood by its deal with Kyiv. Its beneficial to the European market, to Ukraine and to Moldova, said Adina Valean, EU transport commissioner who also threatened sanctions against Poland. Ukrainian officials say the truckers protest adds more stress to their economy and only serves Russias interests. Ukrainian exports have dropped by 40% through the four blocked border crossings, and the state budget has lost some 9.3 billion hryvnias ($254 million) due to the shortfall in customs payments, said Danylo Hetmantsev, head of the finance and tax committee in Ukraines parliament. Undoubtedly, this is a powerful blow to our economy and our exports, Hetmantsev said Tuesday on state TV. (AP) The national security advisers of the United States, South Korea and Japan on Saturday called for a stronger international push to suppress North Koreas development of nuclear weapons and missiles, its cybertheft activities and alleged arms transfers to Russia. The meeting in Seoul came as tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest in years, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un accelerating the expansion of his nuclear and missile program and flaunting an escalatory nuclear doctrine that authorizes the preemptive use of nuclear weapons. The United States and its Asian allies have responded by increasing the visibility of their trilateral partnership in the region and strengthening their combined military exercises, which Kim condemns as invasion rehearsals. Washington, Seoul and Tokyo have also expressed concerns about a potential arms alignment between North Korea and Russia. They worry Kim is providing badly needed munitions to help Russian President Vladimir Putin wage war in Ukraine in exchange for Russian technology assistance to upgrade his nuclear-armed military. Speaking after the meeting, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington is working with Seoul and Tokyo to strengthen defense cooperation and improve its response to North Korean missile testing and space-launch activities, including a real-time information sharing arrangement on North Korean missile launches that the countries plan to start at an unspecified date in December. He also said the countries have agreed to new initiatives to more effectively respond to North Korean efforts to bypass U.S.-led international sanctions that aim to choke off funds for its nuclear weapons and missile program. This will be a new effort with respect to cryptocurrency and money laundering and how we disrupt North Koreas capacity to gain revenue from the hacking and stealing of cryptocurrency and then laundering it through exchanges, he said. Sullivan declined to share detailed U.S. assessments on the types and volume of North Korean arms being shipped to Russia and didnt comment on the specifics of his discussions with South Korean and Japanese officials over the issue, but insisted that theres no daylight among us in terms of the types of weapons transfers that we are seeing. And those continue and they represent a grave concern for us. South Korean intelligence and military officials have said North Korea may have shipped more than a million artillery shells to Russia beginning in August, weeks before Kim traveled to Russias Far East for a rare summit with Putin that sparked international concerns about a potential arms deal. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied U.S. and South Korean claims. In a joint news conference after Saturdays trilateral meeting, Cho Tae-yong, South Koreas national security office director, said the three security advisers reaffirmed North Koreas obligations under multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that call for its denuclearization and ban any weapons trade with other countries, and agreed to strengthen coordination to ensure that is implemented. Takeo Akiba, Japans national security secretariat secretary general, said the unprecedented frequency and patterns of North Korean ballistic missile launches necessitate a deeper and more effective partnership between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo. South Korea, the U.S., Japan and Australia have also announced their own sanctions on North Korea over its spy satellite launch last month. North Korea argues it the right to launch spy satellites to monitor U.S. and South Korean military activities and enhance the threat of its nuclear-capable missiles. During his conversation with reporters, Sullivan said the allies are preparing for the possibility that North Korea will up the ante of its weapons demonstrations and threats in 2024, possibly including the countrys seventh nuclear test. Direct military action is also a concern after the North recently announced it was abandoning a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement on reducing border tensions after the South partially suspended the agreement, which had established border buffers and no-fly zones. Some experts say that has raised the risk of border-area shootings or clashes. Look, when a country announces its intent to walk away from a set of measures that are designed to help reduce risk and increase stability, our concern for potential incidents, provocations has to go up, Sullivan said, though he said the full implications of the Norths announcement is not immediately clear. Sullivan held separate bilateral talks Friday with Cho and Akiba and also met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The U.S., South Korean and Japanese national security advisers last held a trilateral meeting in June in Tokyo. South Korean intelligence officials have said the Russians likely provided technology support for North Koreas successful satellite launch in November, which followed two failed launches. North Korea has said its spy satellite transmitted imagery with space views of key sites in the U.S. and South Korea, including the White House and the Pentagon. But it hasnt released any of those satellite photos. Many outside experts question whether the Norths satellite is sophisticated enough to send militarily useful high-resolution imagery. Kim has vowed to launch more satellites, saying his military needs to acquire space-based reconnaissance capabilities. South Korean officials have also said North Korea-made rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons could have been used by Hamas during its Oct. 7 assault on Israel and that the North could be considering selling weapons to militant groups in the Middle East. Sullivan said that the United States has not seen any specific evidence of that, but remains vigilant about the possibility. I think given North Koreas history of proliferation activities, including to reprehensible actors in other contexts across history, its a legitimate concern, he said. (AP) A federal judge on Friday prohibited the separation of families at the border for purposes of deterring immigration for eight years, preemptively blocking resumption of a lightning-rod, Trump-era policy that the former president hasnt ruled out if voters return him to the White House next year. The separation of thousands of families represents one of the most shameful chapters in the history of our country, U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw said moments before approving a settlement between the Justice Department and families represented by the American Civil Liberties Union that ended a legal challenge nearly seven years after it was filed. Sabraw, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, ordered an end to separations in June 2018, six days after then-President Donald Trump halted them on his own amid intense international backlash. The judge also ordered that the government reunite children with their parents within 30 days, setting off a mad scramble because government databases werent linked. Children had been dispersed to shelters across the country that didnt know who their parents were or how to find them. As he reminisced and congratulated lawyers on both sides, the judge recalled a sense of horror over initial allegations and how subsequent disclosures left him increasingly dismayed over how the policy was carried out in 2017 and 2018. He read from an earlier order in which he said the practice was brutal, offensive and fails to comply with traditional notions of fair play and decency. Sabraw referred to another court filing in 2018 that described how many parents were deported without knowing where their children were. Simply cruel, he said. The government and volunteers have yet to locate 68 children who were separated under the policy to determine if they are safe and reunited with family or loved ones, according to the ACLU. Sabraw said those children who are unaccounted for was always my greatest fear and concern. Under the settlement, the type of zero-tolerance policy under which the Trump administration separated more than 5,000 children from parents who were arrested for illegally entering the country would be prohibited until December 2031. Children may still be separated but under limited circumstances, as has been the case for years. They include if the child is believed to be abused, if the parent is convicted of serious crimes or if there are doubts that the adult is the parent. Families that were separated may be eligible for other benefits legal status for up to three years on humanitarian parole; reunification in the United States at government expense; one year of housing; three years of counseling; legal aid in immigration court. But the settlement doesnt pay families any money. In 2021, the Biden administration considered compensating parents and children hundreds of thousands of dollars each, but talks stalled. As he seeks to return to the White House in next years elections, Trump has been noncommittal whether he would try to resume family separations. He defended the results in an interview with Univision last month, claiming without evidence that it stopped people from coming by the hundreds of thousands. When you hear that youre going to be separated from your family, you dont come. When you think youre going to come into the United States with your family, you come, Trump said. The Department of Homeland Security referred Friday to an earlier statement by Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that the settlement reflects efforts to address a cruel and inhumane policy, and our steadfast adherence to our nations most dearly held values. ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt told reporters that the judges comments Friday said it all. This was a tragic episode in our countrys history. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to the ruling Friday. (AP) A French juvenile court on Friday convicted six teenagers for their roles in the 2020 beheading of a teacher by an Islamic extremist, an attack that shocked the country and shone a light on the real-world dangers of online hate speech. Samuel Paty, a history and geography teacher, was killed near his school after showing his class cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad during a debate on free expression. Attacker Abdoullakh Anzorov, a young Chechen who had become radicalized, was killed by police. The court found five of the defendants, who were 14 and 15 at the time of the attack, guilty of involvement in staking out the teacher and identifying him for the attacker. The sixth defendant, 13 at the time, was found guilty of lying about the classroom debate in comments that aggravated online anger against the teacher. After the ruling, the six defendants left the courtroom without speaking. Some had their heads down as they listened to the verdict. One appeared to wipe tears. The teenagers all students at Patys school acknowledged wrongdoing, and testified that they didnt know the teacher would be killed. One was given a six-month prison term but allowed to serve under house arrest with an electronic bracelet. The others were given special suspended sentences of between two and three years requiring them to stay in school or jobs. The sentences included special educative follow-up measures that also involved their families. Lawyers for Patys family decried the sentences as too lenient. Lawyers for the teenagers expressed relief. Patys name was disclosed on social media after the class debate, during which he showed caricatures of Islams prophet published by the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. The publication had triggered a deadly extremist massacre in the Charlie Hebdo newsroom in 2015. The cartoon images deeply offended many Muslims in France and around the world, who see them as sacrilegious. But Patys killing reinforced the French states commitment to freedom of expression, and its firm attachment to secularism in public life and especially in schools. The five who identified Paty to the attacker were convicted of involvement in a group preparing aggravated violence. The sixth defendant wrongly claimed Paty had asked Muslim students to leave the classroom before he showed the class the cartoons, and said the teacher punished her for accusing him of anti-Muslim sentiment. In fact, she was not in the classroom that day, and later told investigators she had lied. She was convicted of making false allegations. The girls father shared the lies in an online video that called for mobilization against the teacher. Now incarcerated, her father and a radical Islamic activist who helped disseminate virulent messages against Paty are among eight adults who will face a separate trial for adults suspected of involvement in the killing, expected late next year. The girls lawyer Mbeko Tebula said she doesnt forgive herself for this lie. She didnt imagine it would turn into so much horror, he said. She was 13. She will try to move forward, he said. She will try to rebuild herself as a woman. To live with this permanent guilt, which will not pass through her but will inhabit her. Lawyer Virginie Le Roy, representing Patys family, had tears in her eyes as she described her anger that the punishment was not tougher. Yes, I am emotional. I am emotional for this family, also for the memory of Samuel. A man decapitated in the street is not nothing. We are in France. This was in 2020, she said. The sentences are a bad signal to the family of Samuel, a bad signal to the students, and a bad signal to teachers. Teachers at the school and Patys relatives were in the courtroom along with some of the defendants parents. Family members of the teenagers comforted each other afterward, some looking depleted or resigned. They refused to speak to reporters. The media are not allowed to disclose the defendants identities, according to French law regarding minors. The proceedings come weeks after a teacher was fatally stabbed in northern France in October in a school attack by a former student suspected of Islamic radicalization. Another shock hit France last Saturday, when a man with a history of Islamic radicalism and mental illness fatally stabbed a 23-year-old German-Filipino tourist near the Eiffel Tower. Both killings occurred in a context of global tensions over the Israel-Hamas war, which led French authorities to deploy 7,000 additional soldiers across the country to bolster security and vigilance. (AP) A rocket attack on the sprawling U.S. Embassy in Baghdad caused minor damage but no casualties on Friday morning, U.S. and Iraqi officials said. The attack was the first on the embassy located in the heavily fortified Green Zone of Iraqs capital to be confirmed since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, triggered by the deadly attack on southern Israel by Palestinian militants from Gaza. The Green Zone houses Iraqi government buildings and foreign embassies on the west bank of the Tigris River. Fridays assault was followed by drone and multi-rocket attacks, including on al-Asad air base in western Iraq and three troop locations in Syria, also with no casualties, U.S. officials said. Iran-backed militias in Iraq have claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks that targeted bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war erupted two months ago. The U.S. military says 78 attacks have been carried out against U.S. facilities over the past weeks, of which 43 were in Iraq and 41 in Syria. An Iraqi security official said 14 Katyusha rockets were fired Friday, of which some struck near one of the U.S. Embassys gates while others fell in the river. A U.S. military official said a multi-rocket attack was launched at American and coalition forces in the vicinity of the embassy complex and the Union III base, which houses offices of the U.S.-led coalition. The official added that no casualties and no damage to infrastructure were reported. An embassy spokesperson said the U.S. Embassy was attacked by two salvos of rockets at about 4:15 a.m. local time. Assessments are ongoing, but there are no reported casualties on the embassy compound, the official said, adding that no specific group had claimed responsibility for firing the rockets as of Friday morning. But early indications pointed to Iran-aligned militias. We again call on the government of Iraq, as we have done on many occasions, to do all in its power to protect diplomatic and Coalition partner personnel and facilities, the official said. We reiterate that we reserve the right to self-defense and to protect our personnel anywhere in the world. The three officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. The U.S. State Department strongly condemned the attacks and said that the many Iran-aligned militias that operate freely in Iraq threaten the security and stability of Iraq, our personnel, and our partners in the region. Washington urged Iraqi security forces to immediately investigate and arrest the perpetrators of these attacks and bring them to justice, spokesperson Matthew Miller said. Earlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said in a statement that targeting diplomatic missions is something that cannot be justified. He called the attack an insult to Iraq, its stability and security, and promised to pursue the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to justice. Al-Sudani came to power with the support of a coalition of Iran-backed parties. But he also wants continued good relations with the United States and has backed the ongoing presence of American troops in his country. The attacks later Friday included a drone assault at Patrol Base Shaddadi and multi-rocket attacks on Rumalyn Landing Zone and Mission Support Site Euphrates, all in Syria, and a drone and multi-rocket attack on al-Asad in Iraq, said U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss preliminary reports. They said there was no damage to the bases. While no group claimed responsibility for the embassy assault, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, issued statements claiming separate attacks Friday on the al-Asad airbase, which is used by U.S. forces in Iraq, and on a base located at the Conoco gas field in eastern Syria. There are roughly 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq and around 900 others in eastern Syria, on missions against the militant Islamic State group. In both countries, Iran has militias loyal to Tehran. In response to attacks against American troops, the U.S. has retaliated with airstrikes three times in Syria since Oct. 17, targeting weapons depots and other facilities linked directly to Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps and the militias. The U.S. also struck multiple sites in Iraq late last month after a militia group for the first time fired short-range ballistic missiles at U.S. forces at al-Asad airbase. (AP) President Joe Bidens campaign manager recently sent a fundraising email meant to reassure supporters worried about the Democrats reelection chances, urging them to take a quick walk down memory lane. Julie Chavez Rodriguez noted that many Democrats 12 years ago questioned whether President Barack Obama would win a second term. Biden was Obamas vice president. Flash forward to November 6, 2012. I think you may remember the day, she wrote. Underneath was a photo of the Obamas and Bidens celebrating their election victory. More than a nostalgic message, that sentiment can increasingly be seen in Bidens strategy for winning in 2024. Biden is trying to focus the campaign on former President Donald Trumps comments and policy proposals, sometimes more than his own. Its a time-worn strategy of White House incumbents to try to negatively define their rivals in the publics eyes. In 2012, Obama and his allies did it with Republican Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and current Utah senator. In 2004, President George W. Bush was successful against Democratic nominee John Kerry, then a Massachusetts senator. But Trump, the current front-runner for the Republican nomination, is already better defined than perhaps any figure in U.S. politics. And even as Trumps promises to seek retribution and references to his enemies as vermin animate many Democrats, Biden faces low approval ratings and questions about his age and his handling of the economy and foreign affairs. You cant really run a playbook for the last election, or what worked previously, said Kevin Madden, a Republican strategist who was Romneys 2012 senior adviser and spokesman. I think Trump is an entirely different, nonlinear opponent compared to an Obama vs. Romney. Some prominent Democrats have suggested that theres a danger in making the race too much about Trump. They say Biden should play up parts of his own record and focus on abortion rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Abortion was an issue credited with helping the party exceeding expectations in last years midterms and several races this year. After spending much of his presidency declining to refer to Trump by name, Biden has stepped up his warnings about his predecessor. Bidens campaign has in recent weeks blasted Trumps suggestions that he wouldnt rule as a dictator other than Day 1, that he would again pursue a repeal of Obamas health care overhaul, and that he would stage massive raids to try to deport millions of people. Biden recently told a crowd of donors in Massachusetts, Weve got to get it done. Not because of me. If Trump wasnt running, Im not sure Id be running, Biden said. We cannot let him win. Trumps campaign did not respond to messages seeking comment. Bidens campaign says defining clear contrasts between the president and Trump is key to its strategy. Next years election will be a choice between President Bidens proven track record of lowering costs and delivering for middle class families, and Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans bleak vision of dividing us, Biden campaign spokesman Ammar Moussa said, referring to Trumps Make America Great Again movement. Were going to do the work to ensure voters understand the enormous stakes of next years election. Obamas 2012 campaign relied heavily on grassroots organizing and television ad spending to motivate voters. Biden, though, is working to prioritize unconventional ways to reach voters in line with significant shifts in Americans media consumption habits, particularly about political issues. The dynamics of the 2024 race are also different from 2012. Biden has a record of legislative accomplishments on popular issues such as infrastructure. In 2012, Americans were sharply divided over Obamas signature accomplishment, the health care law often called Obamacare, though it is now viewed more positively. Bidens aides also point to low unemployment and other signs of economic strength, although polls show Americans dont feel the economy is strong and they rate Biden poorly on the issue. Obama campaign veterans hold key roles in Bidens political operation, from White House senior adviser Anita Dunn, who worked in the Obama White House, to Chavez Rodriguez, a former Obama campaign volunteer and administration official. Another, Kate Bedingfield, who was deputy campaign manager for Bidens 2020 campaign and then White House communications director, said presidents always want to make the campaign about their opponent and not their own record. That is because governing means making compromises that can be sometimes harder to communicate in ways that resonate with voters, she said. They want to shift the dynamics of the race to be about the threat that their opponent poses, Bedingfield said. For the Biden campaign, in Donald Trump they have an almost existential threat. Obama built his winning campaign around attacking Romney months before Romney was formally the GOP nominee and defining him as a corporate raider willing to slash jobs to boost profits. In 2004, Bush won reelection despite the growing unpopularity of the war in Iraq by portraying Kerry as a flip-flopper while pro-Bush groups ran a series of ads raising questions about Kerrys record as a swift boat commander in Vietnam. Biden has kept a relatively light schedule of campaign rallies, holding just one in the first four months after launching his reelection campaign. He has held dozens of private fundraisers and spent the past week raising money in Boston, Washington, and Los Angeles. Obama didnt hold his first reelection campaign rally until May 2012. One of the most memorable pro-Obama ads featured an Indiana plant worker who described being asked to help build a stage from which the plants employees were told they were being laid off. The plant worker blamed Romney and his private investment firm for making more than $100 million by shutting down the plant, a claim that the fact-checking site Politifact rated mostly false. Efforts to vilify Romney only intensified when video emerged of him saying 47% of people would vote for Obama because they were dependent upon government and believe that they are victims. Bidens team has similarly picked up on economic themes to slam Trump, including promoting the story of electronics giant Foxconn. Trump promised as president that the company was building a major plant that would create thousands of jobs in the critical swing state of Wisconsin. Those jobs never materialized. A year before the 2012 election, however, polls suggested Romneys public image could be shaped by negative ads in a way that Trumps cannot. A Quinnipiac University poll conducted in late 2011 found voters were somewhat more likely to have a favorable than an unfavorable opinion of Romney, 36% to 31%. Notably, another 31% said they hadnt heard enough about Romney to have an opinion. A recent Quinnipiac poll found 42% of registered voters said they had a favorable opinion of Trump and 55% had an unfavorable opinion. The same poll found only 37% having a favorable opinion of Biden while 59% had a unfavorable opinion. Bedingfield agreed that many voters have already made up their mind about Trump. But she said Biden was able to use Trumps well-defined political brand against him in 2020 and could do the same next year. People looked at what he had done and said, We dont want more of this, she said of Trump. That gives the Biden campaign a really strong roadmap. Stuart Stevens, who was Romneys chief strategist, said that the country is now far more polarized than in 2012 and that the focus on Bidens low polling numbers is in the framework of a pre-Trump era. I think were really in a very different world, Stevens said, adding that 2024 is inevitably going to be more of a referendum on Trump. (AP) Donald Trumps presidential campaign is distancing him from efforts by allies and former aides to sketch out his plans for a possible second term, including who might fill his administration and what policies he might pursue. In a memo Friday from senior advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, the campaign said messages about a potential Trump government that come from anyone but the Republican or his team should not be considered official and are an unwelcomed distraction. It is the second such memo the campaign has released in the last four weeks dismissing news reports about how those in Trumps orbit are preparing for a much more hard-right government stocked with loyalists. And it comes as Trumps campaign has been increasingly pushing back against broader efforts to paint him and his second-term agenda as extreme. Despite our being crystal clear, some allies havent gotten the hint, and the media, in their anti-Trump zeal, has been all-too-willing to continue using anonymous sourcing and speculation about a second Trump administration in an effort to prevent a second Trump administration, Wiles and LaCivita said in the latest memo. Trump campaign officials said the latest memo was in response to a recent Axios report, which cited sources who talk often with Trump. Axios reported Thursday that Trump intended to staff his administration with loyalists who are full, proud MAGA warriors, anti-GOP establishment zealots, and eager and willing to test the boundaries of executive power to get Trumps way. MAGA is a reference to Trumps Make America Great Again slogan. The Axios report included figures like Stephen Miller, the architect of Trumps hard-line immigration policies; former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon; former White House and Pentagon official Kash Patel; and Jeffrey Clark, a former assistant attorney general charged alongside Trump and 17 others over efforts to overturn the results of Georgias 2020 presidential election. Trumps campaign advisers said he does not condone selfish efforts by desk hunters angling for a position in a new administration. People publicly discussing potential administration jobs for themselves or their friends are, in fact, hurting President Trump and themselves, the memo said. But even as Trumps campaign has been blaming outside groups and allies for bad headlines, Trump himself has been vowing retribution against his enemies and ramping up his use of violent and authoritarian rhetoric, including saying he would only be a dictator on day one of his second term. He has also pledged to appoint a special prosecutor to go after President Joe Biden and has outlined an immigration agenda that includes militarizing the southern border and mass deportations. Others in Trumps orbit have commented on what his second term might look like. Earlier this week, Patel, in an interview with Bannon, said a second Trump presidency would come after the people in the media. Bannon also speculated that Patel might serve as director of the CIA in a future Trump administration. The campaign earlier this week distanced itself from Patels comments. Trump aides have pushed back on the notion that a second administration would be staffed by fringe characters or without the guardrails that constrained him during his first term. They note that Trump remains in touch with figures like ex-U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer; Larry Kudlow, the Fox Business Network host who led Trumps National Economic Council; and Kevin Hassett, who served as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers. And they say his current campaign operation has been often described as his most serious and professional to date. Last month, Trumps campaign advisers issued a similar memo distancing itself from plans that allied outside groups are drawing up for a potential second term for the Republican. A constellation of conservative groups has been working to recruit thousands of people to serve in government jobs and lay out a government-in-waiting, complete with policies. Trumps advisers said that efforts by those groups are appreciated and can be helpful, but warned that the outsiders do not speak for the campaign. (AP) A federal appeals court in Washington largely upheld a gag order on Donald Trump in his 2020 election interference case on Friday, but narrowed the restrictions on his speech to allow the former president to criticize the special counsel who brought the case. The three-judge panels ruling modifies the gag order, permitting the Republican 2024 presidential front-runner to make disparaging comments about special counsel Jack Smith, but it reimposes limits on what he can say about known or reasonably foreseeable witnesses in the case and about court staff and other lawyers. The unanimous ruling is mostly a win for Smiths team, with the judges agreeing with prosecutors that Trumps often-incendiary comments about participants in the case can have a damaging practical impact and rejecting claims by defense attorneys that restrictions on the ex-presidents speech amount to an unconstitutional muzzling. It lays out fresh parameters about what Trump can and cannot say about the case as he both prepares for a March trial and campaigns to reclaim the White House. Mr. Trumps documented pattern of speech and its demonstrated real-time, real-world consequences pose a significant and imminent threat to the functioning of the criminal trial process in this case, Judge Patricia Millett wrote for the court. She noted that many of the targets of Trumps verbal jabs have been subjected to a torrent of threats and intimidation from his supporters. The case accuses Trump of plotting with his Republican allies to subvert the will of voters in a desperate bid to stay in power in the run-up to the Capitol riot by his supporters on Jan. 6, 2021. It is scheduled to go to trial in March in Washingtons federal court, just blocks away from the Capitol. Fridays opinion says that though Trump has a constitutional right to free speech and is a former president and current candidate, he is also is also an indicted criminal defendant, and he must stand trial in a courtroom under the same procedures that govern all other criminal defendants. That, Millett wrote, is what the rule of law means. Even so, the court took steps to narrow the order imposed in October by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, which in addition to barring inflammatory comments about Smith, other lawyers and court staff also restricted Trumps right to target witnesses. The appellate judges ruled that that part of the order was overly broad, freeing Trump to talk to or about potential witnesses including about their books, interviews and political campaigns provided that the comments are not about those peoples potential participation in the investigation or trial or about the content of any expected testimony. The interest in protecting witnesses from intimidation and harassment is doubtless compelling, but a broad prohibition on speech that is disconnected from an individuals witness role is not necessary to protect that interest, at least on the current record, the court wrote. Indeed, the opinion says, public exchanges of views with a reasonably foreseeable witness about the contents of his forthcoming book are unlikely to intimidate that witness or other potential witnesses weighing whether to come forward or to testify truthfully. The appeals court also said that a comment on court staff, other lawyers or their family members was off-limits to the extent it is made with either the intent to materially interfere with their work or the knowledge that such interference is highly likely to result. The judges, all appointees of either former President Barack Obama or President Joe Biden, had signaled during oral arguments last month that they were inclined to leave the gag order intact but also narrow it. One significant amendment to the original order is a lifting on a prohibition of verbal attacks on Smith, who has been a frequent target of Trumps ire since being appointed by the Justice Department in November 2022 to lead investigations into the former president. As a high-ranking government official who exercises ultimate control over the conduct of this prosecution, the special counsel is no more entitled to protection from lawful public criticism than is the institution he represents, the court wrote. In a social media post responding to the ruling, Trump said his team would appeal, and he complained anew about restrictions on his speech. In other words, people can speak violently and viciously against me, or attack me in any form, but I am not allowed to respond, in kind, he said. What is becoming of our First Amendment, what is becoming of our Country? Chutkan, who was appointed by President Obama, imposed the gag order following a request from prosecutors, who cited Trumps pattern of incendiary comments, including one social media post that said in capital letters, If you go after me, Im coming after you! The prosecutors said restrictions were necessary to protect the integrity of the case and shield potential witnesses and others involved in the case from harassment and threats inspired by Trumps social media posts. The order has had a back-and-forth trajectory through the courts since prosecutors proposed it, with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit lifting it while considering Trumps challenge. The special counsel has separately charged Trump in Florida with illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate after he left the White House following his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. That case is set for trial next May, though the judge has signaled that the date might be postponed. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has claimed the cases against him are part of a politically motivated effort to keep him from returning to the White House. (AP) JOIN THE TENS OF THOUSANDS WHO ALREADY ARE ALERTED OF BREAKING NEWS LIKE THIS IN LIVE TIME: YWN WHATSAPP STATUS UPDATES: CLICK HERE to join the YWN WhatsApp Status. YWN WHATSAPP GROUPS: CLICK HERE to be added to an official YWN WhatsApp Group. MAKE SURE TO CHECK THIS PAGE FREQUENTLY AS UPDATES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN LIVE TIME THERE IS NO NEED TO REFRESH THIS PAGE AS UPDATES WILL APPEAR AUTOMATICALLY (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A video spread on social media in Israel on Motzei Shabbos showing dozens of Hamas terrorists surrendering to IDF forces in the Gaza Strip on Shabbos. In the video, a speaker can be heard over a loudspeaker saying in Arabic: Does anyone have a gun? Put down your rifles slowly, slowly. One of the terrorists can be seen placing his rifle on the ground in a pile of other weapons. Videos and images of dozens of terrorists surrounding to the IDF began spreading on social media last week. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Friday that the IDF arrested over 200 terrorists in the past 48 hours and transferred them to the Shin Bet and the IDFs Intelligence Unit for interrogation. The arrested terrorists included Hamas commanders and Nukhba operatives. According to Hagari, the terrorists arrested last week told interrogators that their situation in Gaza is difficult and the Hamas leadership denies the reality although they receive updates on the situation. The operatives feel that the Hamas leadership doesnt care about the public in Gaza. The intelligence that emerges from the interrogations creates more targets and assists in operational activities, Hagari concluded. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Six IDF soldiers were injured on Israels northern border after Hezbollah launched drones at the Western Galil on Sunday morning. Two IDF soldiers were moderately injured and four others were lightly injured as a result of shrapnel and smoke inhalation. Two of the launched drones were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system. Israeli Air Force jets carried out an extensive attack on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Sunday, the IDF spokesperson said. Additionally, IDF forces attacked a terrorist cell about to launch anti-tank missiles toward the Zarit moshav in northern Israel. The video below shows IDF strikes in southern Lebanon: (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Cypriot news outlets reported on Sunday that two Iranian nationals were arrested in Cyprus for allegedly planning a terror attack against Israelis and Jewish targets in the country. According to the reports, the suspects had already begun gathering intelligence on the places they were planning on targeting when they were arrested. The suspects were in contact with a source in Irans Revolutionary Guards. The Prime Ministers Office in Israel has confirmed the report. Thanks to the anti-terrorist activity and the arrest of the cell by the security services in Cyprus, much information was received that led to the exposure of the threats, the methods of operation, the targets of the attack, and Iranian plans to murder innocent people in Cyprus and in other areas, the statement from the PMOs office said. It was also reported that since the murderous terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7th, the Iranian regime has expanded its efforts to promote terrorist activities around the world. Iran spares no means to achieve its criminal goals. The Mossad, together with its partners in the intelligence and security organizations, continues to act in a variety of ways to eradicate the terrorist threats from Iran and its affiliates and to protect the State of Israel, its citizens, and the Jewish people worldwide. Israels National Security Council stated that since the outbreak of the war, many Israelis have traveled to Cyprus. The Iranian presence in northern Cyprus, and the use of the area in the past and present for terrorist purposes and to attack Israeli and Jewish targets, is a troubling issue. An Israeli-run therapeutic retreat has was established in Cyprus for survivors of the October 7th massacre at the Nova music festival, the worst civilian massacre in Israeli history. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Sponsored Content In his new book, Rebbi Meir Baal HaNess and the Eternal Children of Hashem, Rabbi Daniel Glatstein welcomes us to the world of Rebbi Meir Baal HaNess, a place where the loving embrace of Hashem to His people is tangible. We discover the power of the words Eloka DMeir Aneini and how Rebbi Meirs worldview is the very foundation of Torah. Rabbi Glatstein is one of the Jewish worlds most popular speakers and respected maggidei shiur. In this fascinating Inside ArtScroll interview, he discusses this landmark work, which will uplift your heart even in the most trying times. Purchase the book HERE. WATCH: Watch all Inside ArtScroll episodes at: Inside.Artscroll.com. TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST OF THE INTERVIEW, CLICK ON THE PODCAST PLATFORM YOU WANT: Spotify Apple Podcast Podbean Tune-In Stitcher Or Podcast.ArtScroll.com Inside ArtScroll is also available on TorahAnytime.com. UBS Group started coverage on shares of Granite Point Mortgage Trust (NYSE:GPMT Free Report) in a research report report published on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $6.50 target price on the stock. Separately, JMP Securities reissued a market outperform rating and set a $9.00 target price on shares of Granite Point Mortgage Trust in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. Get Granite Point Mortgage Trust alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Granite Point Mortgage Trust Granite Point Mortgage Trust Price Performance Granite Point Mortgage Trust Dividend Announcement Shares of NYSE GPMT opened at $5.63 on Wednesday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $4.78 and its two-hundred day moving average is $5.12. Granite Point Mortgage Trust has a 1-year low of $3.97 and a 1-year high of $7.07. The stock has a market capitalization of $290.40 million, a P/E ratio of -4.14 and a beta of 1.73. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 29th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 14.21%. Granite Point Mortgage Trusts dividend payout ratio is -58.82%. Insider Buying and Selling at Granite Point Mortgage Trust In other Granite Point Mortgage Trust news, CEO John A. Taylor acquired 5,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 16th. The shares were bought at an average price of $5.06 per share, with a total value of $27,830.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 275,013 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,391,565.78. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CEO John A. Taylor purchased 5,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 16th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $5.06 per share, with a total value of $27,830.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 275,013 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,391,565.78. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Marcin Urbaszek acquired 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 10th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $4.61 per share, for a total transaction of $46,100.00. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer now owns 77,058 shares of the companys stock, valued at $355,237.38. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired 24,500 shares of company stock valued at $116,970 in the last quarter. 1.90% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Granite Point Mortgage Trust A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GPMT. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Granite Point Mortgage Trust during the 3rd quarter worth about $55,000. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its position in Granite Point Mortgage Trust by 50.0% during the 3rd quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 30,007 shares of the companys stock valued at $146,000 after acquiring an additional 10,000 shares in the last quarter. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al bought a new stake in Granite Point Mortgage Trust during the 3rd quarter valued at $88,000. Penserra Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Granite Point Mortgage Trust by 14.5% during the 3rd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 97,295 shares of the companys stock valued at $474,000 after acquiring an additional 12,296 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GSA Capital Partners LLP boosted its position in Granite Point Mortgage Trust by 58.6% during the third quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 57,998 shares of the companys stock valued at $283,000 after purchasing an additional 21,431 shares in the last quarter. 47.42% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Granite Point Mortgage Trust (Get Free Report) Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc, a real estate investment trust, originates, invests in, and manages senior floating-rate commercial mortgage loans, and other debt and debt-like commercial real estate investments in the United States. The company provides intermediate-term bridge or transitional financing for various purposes, including acquisitions, recapitalizations, and refinancing, as well as a range of business plans, including lease-up, renovation, repositioning, and repurposing of the commercial property. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Granite Point Mortgage Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Granite Point Mortgage Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated their outperform rating on shares of 3i Group (LON:III Free Report) in a research note released on Wednesday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm currently has a GBX 2,550 ($32.21) price target on the stock. 3i Group Stock Up 1.2 % Shares of III opened at GBX 2,344 ($29.61) on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 2,087.12 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 2,001.94. The firm has a market capitalization of 22.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 494.51, a P/E/G ratio of -0.35 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.66, a quick ratio of 0.09 and a current ratio of 2.34. 3i Group has a 52 week low of GBX 1,271 ($16.05) and a 52 week high of GBX 2,352 ($29.71). Get 3i Group alerts: 3i Group Cuts Dividend The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 12th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 30th will be issued a dividend of GBX 26.50 ($0.33) per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 30th. 3i Groups payout ratio is 1,118.14%. Insider Transactions at 3i Group About 3i Group In related news, insider Jasi Halai purchased 440 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 27th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 2,031 ($25.65) per share, with a total value of 8,936.40 ($11,287.61). Company insiders own 3.54% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) 3i Group plc is a private equity firm specializing in mature companies, growth capital, middle markets, infrastructure, and management leveraged buyouts and buy-ins. The firm also provides infrastructure financing and debt management. For debt management, it invests in senior and mezzanine corporate debt in typically large and private companies in United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and North America. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for 3i Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for 3i Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shore Capital restated their buy rating on shares of Paragon Banking Group (LON:PAG Free Report) in a research report report published on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Paragon Banking Group Stock Performance Paragon Banking Group stock opened at GBX 557.50 ($7.04) on Wednesday. The companys 50-day moving average price is GBX 477.98 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 506.57. Paragon Banking Group has a twelve month low of GBX 439.18 ($5.55) and a twelve month high of GBX 621.50 ($7.85). The company has a quick ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 272.26. The company has a market cap of 1.22 billion, a PE ratio of 442.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.39. Get Paragon Banking Group alerts: Paragon Banking Group Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 1st will be issued a GBX 19.20 ($0.24) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 1st. This is an increase from Paragon Banking Groups previous dividend of $9.40. This represents a dividend yield of 4.13%. Paragon Banking Groups payout ratio is 2,380.95%. Insider Transactions at Paragon Banking Group About Paragon Banking Group In other news, insider Richard Woodman purchased 25,326 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 6th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 526 ($6.64) per share, with a total value of 133,214.76 ($168,264.19). Insiders own 1.68% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Paragon Banking Group PLC provides financial services in the United Kingdom. It operates through Mortgage Lending and Commercial Lending segments. The Mortgage Lending segment provides buy-to-let, and owner-occupied first and second charge lending and related services. The Commercial Lending segment undertakes leasing activities, development finance, structured lending, and other offerings primarily for SME customers; and engages in motor finance business. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Paragon Banking Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Paragon Banking Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BOX (NYSE:BOX Free Report) had its target price reduced by KeyCorp from $33.00 to $30.00 in a report issued on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the software makers stock. KeyCorp also issued estimates for BOXs Q4 2025 earnings at $0.10 EPS. A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on the stock. Craig Hallum downgraded shares of BOX from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating and issued a $35.00 price objective on shares of BOX in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and issued a $32.00 price target on shares of BOX in a report on Wednesday, August 30th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an underperform rating and issued a $21.00 price target on shares of BOX in a report on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of BOX from $37.00 to $35.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $31.33. Get BOX alerts: Get Our Latest Report on BOX BOX Stock Performance BOX stock opened at $23.99 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $25.24 and a 200-day moving average price of $27.45. BOX has a fifty-two week low of $23.29 and a fifty-two week high of $34.98. The company has a market capitalization of $3.46 billion, a PE ratio of 119.96, a P/E/G ratio of 17.29 and a beta of 0.93. BOX (NYSE:BOX Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 5th. The software maker reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $261.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $262.37 million. BOX had a negative return on equity of 5.68% and a net margin of 4.88%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.04 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that BOX will post 0.07 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at BOX In related news, CFO Dylan C. Smith sold 13,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.88, for a total transaction of $336,440.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 1,507,165 shares in the company, valued at $39,005,430.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other BOX news, VP Eli Berkovitch sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.39, for a total value of $126,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 147,290 shares in the company, valued at $3,739,693.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Dylan C. Smith sold 13,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.88, for a total transaction of $336,440.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 1,507,165 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $39,005,430.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 54,000 shares of company stock worth $1,380,270 over the last three months. Company insiders own 4.90% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. GTS Securities LLC raised its position in shares of BOX by 27.8% during the 3rd quarter. GTS Securities LLC now owns 17,102 shares of the software makers stock worth $414,000 after purchasing an additional 3,723 shares during the last quarter. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al purchased a new stake in shares of BOX in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $2,621,000. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV grew its stake in shares of BOX by 128.8% in the 3rd quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 28,976 shares of the software makers stock valued at $702,000 after buying an additional 16,309 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its position in shares of BOX by 34.7% during the 3rd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 77,167 shares of the software makers stock worth $1,868,000 after purchasing an additional 19,896 shares during the period. Finally, Dana Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of BOX by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 57,348 shares of the software makers stock worth $1,388,000 after purchasing an additional 531 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.90% of the companys stock. BOX Company Profile (Get Free Report) Box, Inc provides a cloud content management platform that enables organizations of various sizes to manage and share their content from anywhere on any device. The company's Software-as-a-Service platform enables users to collaborate on content internally and with external parties, automate content-driven business processes, develop custom applications, and implement data protection, security, and compliance features to comply with legal and regulatory requirements, internal policies, and industry standards and regulations. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for BOX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BOX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com cut shares of Grupo Simec (NYSEAMERICAN:SIM Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Wednesday. Grupo Simec Stock Performance NYSEAMERICAN:SIM opened at $29.75 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $4.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.97 and a beta of 0.30. Grupo Simec has a 1-year low of $28.00 and a 1-year high of $38.22. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $34.96. Get Grupo Simec alerts: Grupo Simec (NYSEAMERICAN:SIM Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, October 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $554.20 million for the quarter. Grupo Simec had a net margin of 10.40% and a return on equity of 9.25%. About Grupo Simec Grupo Simec, SAB. de C.V. manufactures, processes, and distributes special bar quality (SBQ) steel and steel alloys products in Mexico, the United States, Brazil, Canada, Latin America, and internationally. The company produces I-beams, channels, structural and commercial angles, hot rolled bars, flat bars, rebars, cold-finished bars, electro-welded wire mesh and mesh panels, and wire rods, as well as semi-finished tube rounds and other semi-finished trade products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Simec Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Simec and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of USD Partners (NYSE:USDP Free Report) in a research note published on Thursday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the transportation companys stock. USD Partners Stock Up 7.1 % Shares of NYSE:USDP opened at $0.24 on Thursday. USD Partners has a 52-week low of $0.10 and a 52-week high of $4.35. The company has a 50 day moving average of $0.37 and a two-hundred day moving average of $0.66. The company has a market capitalization of $8.14 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.03 and a beta of 1.23. Get USD Partners alerts: USD Partners (NYSE:USDP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 7th. The transportation company reported ($0.08) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.05) by ($0.03). USD Partners had a net margin of 0.82% and a negative return on equity of 0.83%. The firm had revenue of $11.08 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.00 million. On average, equities analysts anticipate that USD Partners will post -0.16 earnings per share for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On USD Partners About USD Partners Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in USDP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in shares of USD Partners by 63.9% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 512,198 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $3,083,000 after buying an additional 199,696 shares during the last quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of USD Partners by 201.3% during the 1st quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 30,227 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $182,000 after buying an additional 20,194 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG boosted its stake in shares of USD Partners by 12.0% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 21,671 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $130,000 after buying an additional 2,316 shares during the last quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of USD Partners by 11.6% during the 1st quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 958,048 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $5,767,000 after buying an additional 99,575 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA bought a new position in USD Partners during the first quarter worth $147,000. 5.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. (Get Free Report) USD Partners LP acquires, develops, and operates midstream infrastructure assets and logistics solutions for crude oil, biofuels, and other energy-related products in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments, Terminalling Services and Fleet Services. The Terminalling Services segment owns and operates Hardisty terminal, an origination terminal for loading various grades of Canadian crude oil onto railcars for transportation to end markets; Stroud terminal, a crude oil destination terminal, which is used to facilitate rail-to-pipeline shipments of crude oil located in Stroud, Oklahoma; Casper terminal, a crude oil storage, blending, and railcar loading terminal located in Casper, Wyoming; and West Colton Terminal, an unit train-capable destination terminals that trans load approximately 13,000 barrels per day ethanol and renewable diesel received by rail from producers onto trucks. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for USD Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for USD Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AutoZone (NYSE:AZO Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by Stephens from $3,000.00 to $3,070.00 in a research report released on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. Stephens currently has an overweight rating on the stock. Several other research analysts have also issued reports on AZO. DA Davidson increased their target price on AutoZone from $2,425.00 to $2,500.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 20th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on AutoZone from $2,835.00 to $2,750.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, September 20th. Truist Financial increased their target price on AutoZone from $2,863.00 to $2,933.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Evercore ISI increased their target price on AutoZone from $2,740.00 to $2,750.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 20th. Finally, Oppenheimer lowered AutoZone from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $2,850.00 to $2,600.00 in a research report on Friday, October 6th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $2,851.50. Get AutoZone alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on AutoZone AutoZone Stock Performance NYSE AZO opened at $2,620.49 on Wednesday. AutoZone has a fifty-two week low of $2,277.88 and a fifty-two week high of $2,750.00. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $2,587.53 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $2,520.38. The stock has a market cap of $46.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.63. AutoZone (NYSE:AZO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 5th. The company reported $32.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $31.57 by $0.98. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 57.23% and a net margin of 14.62%. The business had revenue of $4.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $27.45 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that AutoZone will post 149.52 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at AutoZone In other AutoZone news, VP Domingo Hurtado sold 120 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,548.03, for a total transaction of $305,763.60. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 156 shares in the company, valued at approximately $397,492.68. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, SVP Preston Frazer sold 6,754 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,476.97, for a total value of $16,729,455.38. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 709 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,756,171.73. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Domingo Hurtado sold 120 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,548.03, for a total value of $305,763.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 156 shares in the company, valued at $397,492.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 15,069 shares of company stock worth $38,803,642. Insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoZone A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AZO. Independence Bank of Kentucky purchased a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new stake in AutoZone in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Rock Creek Group LP bought a new position in shares of AutoZone in the third quarter worth about $25,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. purchased a new position in shares of AutoZone during the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, MUFG Americas Holdings Corp grew its stake in shares of AutoZone by 166.7% during the 3rd quarter. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp now owns 16 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the period. 90.34% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About AutoZone (Get Free Report) AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for AutoZone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AutoZone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brinker International (NYSE:EAT Free Report) had its price target raised by Raymond James from $42.00 to $45.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. Raymond James currently has a strong-buy rating on the restaurant operators stock. Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Brinker International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $38.00 to $37.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $40.00 to $35.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 22nd. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $33.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Brinker International presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $37.80. Get Brinker International alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on EAT Brinker International Trading Up 0.3 % EAT opened at $39.77 on Wednesday. Brinker International has a 1-year low of $28.23 and a 1-year high of $42.12. The company has a market capitalization of $1.76 billion, a PE ratio of 12.87, a PEG ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 2.30. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $34.15 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $35.12. Brinker International (NYSE:EAT Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The restaurant operator reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.03 by $0.25. Brinker International had a net margin of 3.34% and a negative return on equity of 84.94%. The business had revenue of $1.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.01 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned ($0.57) earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Brinker International will post 3.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brinker International A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Advisors Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Brinker International by 10.7% in the 3rd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,659 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $116,000 after buying an additional 354 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its stake in shares of Brinker International by 68.9% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 946 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 386 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning grew its stake in shares of Brinker International by 5.7% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 7,394 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $271,000 after buying an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of Brinker International by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 22,421 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $852,000 after buying an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its stake in shares of Brinker International by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 13,408 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $424,000 after purchasing an additional 487 shares during the period. About Brinker International (Get Free Report) Brinker International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership, development, operation, and franchising of casual dining restaurants in the United States and internationally. It operates and franchises Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Brinker International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brinker International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Synovus Financial (NYSE:SNV Free Report) had its target price lifted by Truist Financial from $31.00 to $38.00 in a research note released on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the banks stock. Several other analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Synovus Financial from $30.00 to $29.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. Raymond James dropped their target price on Synovus Financial from $36.00 to $34.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Synovus Financial from $40.00 to $34.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on Synovus Financial from $37.00 to $31.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their price objective on Synovus Financial from $37.00 to $34.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $34.58. Get Synovus Financial alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Synovus Financial Synovus Financial Trading Up 1.6 % NYSE:SNV opened at $35.83 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $28.51 and its 200-day simple moving average is $30.02. Synovus Financial has a 12-month low of $24.40 and a 12-month high of $44.44. The firm has a market cap of $5.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.14 and a beta of 1.39. Synovus Financial (NYSE:SNV Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The bank reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.84. Synovus Financial had a net margin of 20.14% and a return on equity of 17.48%. The company had revenue of $550.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $539.16 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.34 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Synovus Financial will post 4.24 EPS for the current year. Synovus Financial Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 21st will be given a dividend of $0.38 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $1.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.24%. Synovus Financials payout ratio is currently 34.55%. Insider Activity at Synovus Financial In other Synovus Financial news, major shareholder Eli Samaha acquired 197,705 shares of Synovus Financial stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 19th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $21.40 per share, with a total value of $4,230,887.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 1,598,082 shares of the companys stock, valued at $34,198,954.80. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Allan E. Kamensky sold 19,301 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.01, for a total transaction of $675,728.01. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 66,783 shares in the company, valued at $2,338,072.83. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Eli Samaha purchased 197,705 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 19th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $21.40 per share, with a total value of $4,230,887.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 1,598,082 shares in the company, valued at $34,198,954.80. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders acquired a total of 236,481 shares of company stock worth $5,057,219 in the last 90 days. 1.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Synovus Financial A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SNV. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Synovus Financial by 46.0% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 957,939 shares of the banks stock worth $26,631,000 after buying an additional 301,604 shares during the period. Graham Capital Management L.P. raised its stake in shares of Synovus Financial by 3.4% in the third quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P. now owns 125,335 shares of the banks stock valued at $3,484,000 after acquiring an additional 4,070 shares during the last quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV boosted its holdings in shares of Synovus Financial by 73.5% in the 3rd quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV now owns 29,761 shares of the banks stock worth $827,000 after acquiring an additional 12,605 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning grew its position in Synovus Financial by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 39,971 shares of the banks stock worth $1,111,000 after acquiring an additional 566 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tudor Investment Corp Et Al increased its holdings in Synovus Financial by 143.3% during the 3rd quarter. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al now owns 257,273 shares of the banks stock valued at $7,152,000 after purchasing an additional 151,540 shares in the last quarter. 79.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Synovus Financial Company Profile (Get Free Report) Synovus Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Synovus Bank that provides commercial and consumer banking products and services. It operates through four segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Consumer Banking, and Financial Management Services. The company's commercial banking services include treasury and asset management, capital market, and institutional trust services, as well as commercial, financial, and real estate loans. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Synovus Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Synovus Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Chegg (NYSE:CHGG Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning. CHGG has been the topic of several other research reports. Morgan Stanley downgraded Chegg from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and dropped their price target for the company from $10.00 to $9.00 in a research note on Monday, November 20th. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on Chegg from $13.00 to $9.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 31st. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on Chegg from $12.00 to $10.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on Chegg from $14.00 to $10.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 31st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Chegg from $12.00 to $10.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Chegg currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $14.82. Get Chegg alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on CHGG Chegg Stock Performance CHGG stock opened at $10.68 on Wednesday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $9.07 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $9.48. The company has a current ratio of 2.31, a quick ratio of 2.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The firm has a market cap of $1.24 billion, a PE ratio of -44.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.28. Chegg has a 1-year low of $7.32 and a 1-year high of $28.99. Chegg (NYSE:CHGG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, October 30th. The technology company reported ($0.07) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.01) by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $157.85 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $152.03 million. Chegg had a return on equity of 2.02% and a net margin of 1.41%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Chegg will post 0.3 earnings per share for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Chegg news, CFO Andrew J. Brown sold 16,921 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.02, for a total transaction of $169,548.42. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 91,922 shares of the companys stock, valued at $921,058.44. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders have sold a total of 19,098 shares of company stock valued at $191,493 over the last 90 days. 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chegg Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its position in Chegg by 15.4% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 63,356 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,032,000 after buying an additional 8,469 shares during the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Chegg by 91.7% during the first quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 51,689 shares of the technology companys stock worth $843,000 after acquiring an additional 24,723 shares during the period. Duality Advisers LP bought a new stake in shares of Chegg during the first quarter worth approximately $1,113,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Chegg during the second quarter worth approximately $1,214,000. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Chegg by 7.3% during the second quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 74,916 shares of the technology companys stock worth $665,000 after acquiring an additional 5,112 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.15% of the companys stock. About Chegg (Get Free Report) Chegg, Inc operates direct-to-student learning platform that supports students starting with their academic journey and extending into their careers with products and services to support learner with their academic course materials. The company offers Chegg Services, which include subscription services; and skills and other, including skills, advertising services, print textbooks, and eTextbooks. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Chegg Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chegg and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oppenheimer reaffirmed their outperform rating on shares of Asana (NYSE:ASAN Free Report) in a research report released on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $28.00 target price on the stock. ASAN has been the topic of a number of other reports. FBN Securities cut their target price on Asana from $28.00 to $23.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 3rd. Piper Sandler restated an underweight rating and set a $16.00 price objective on shares of Asana in a research note on Wednesday. HSBC cut shares of Asana from a hold rating to a reduce rating and set a $18.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Asana from $23.00 to $21.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an underperform rating and set a $10.00 price objective on shares of Asana in a research note on Wednesday, October 4th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $20.86. Get Asana alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Asana Asana Stock Performance ASAN stock opened at $19.44 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 1.89 and a current ratio of 1.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -14.62 and a beta of 1.30. Asana has a 1 year low of $11.32 and a 1 year high of $26.27. The stocks fifty day moving average is $19.44 and its two-hundred day moving average is $20.77. Asana (NYSE:ASAN Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, December 5th. The company reported ($0.04) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.11) by $0.07. The company had revenue of $166.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $164.09 million. Asana had a negative return on equity of 80.39% and a negative net margin of 45.86%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 17.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted ($0.49) earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Asana will post -1.34 EPS for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, COO Anne Raimondi sold 39,701 shares of Asana stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.54, for a total value of $696,355.54. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 519,681 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,115,204.74. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CEO Dustin A. Moskovitz purchased 507,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 25th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $17.10 per share, with a total value of $8,678,250.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 44,440,149 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $759,926,547.90. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Anne Raimondi sold 39,701 shares of Asana stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.54, for a total value of $696,355.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 519,681 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,115,204.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have acquired 2,893,766 shares of company stock worth $51,368,048 and have sold 67,815 shares worth $1,192,325. 63.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Asana A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in ASAN. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its holdings in shares of Asana by 10.3% during the first quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 10,937 shares of the companys stock worth $231,000 after purchasing an additional 1,019 shares during the period. Pearl River Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Asana in the 1st quarter worth approximately $352,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp purchased a new stake in Asana in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,247,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in Asana by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 591,572 shares of the companys stock worth $13,038,000 after buying an additional 30,862 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caliber Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Asana in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,136,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.21% of the companys stock. Asana Company Profile (Get Free Report) Asana, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates a work management platform for individuals, team leads, and executives in the United States and internationally. Its platform helps organizations to orchestrate work from daily tasks to cross-functional strategic initiatives; and manages product launches, marketing campaigns, and organization-wide goal settings. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Asana Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Asana and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano (NYSE:FMX Free Report) in a research report released on Thursday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage issued a neutral rating and a $134.00 price target on the stock. A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 10th. Barclays upgraded shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the company from $115.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Monday, October 30th. HSBC boosted their price objective on shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano from $112.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 25th. Finally, Itau BBA Securities cut shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $127.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, November 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $125.00. Get Fomento Economico Mexicano alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Fomento Economico Mexicano Fomento Economico Mexicano Stock Up 0.5 % NYSE FMX opened at $128.21 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stocks 50 day moving average is $115.87 and its two-hundred day moving average is $111.72. Fomento Economico Mexicano has a 1-year low of $74.90 and a 1-year high of $129.01. Fomento Economico Mexicano (NYSE:FMX Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The company reported $1.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by $0.59. Fomento Economico Mexicano had a net margin of 9.01% and a return on equity of 9.42%. The company had revenue of $10.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.22 billion. As a group, equities analysts expect that Fomento Economico Mexicano will post 5.69 EPS for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Fomento Economico Mexicano in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $752,000. Operose Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Assetmark Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano during the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. Advisory Services Network LLC raised its position in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano by 44.3% during the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 342 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its position in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano by 117.0% during the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 421 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 227 shares during the last quarter. About Fomento Economico Mexicano (Get Free Report) Fomento Economico Mexicano, SAB. de C.V., through its subsidiaries, operates as a bottler of Coca-Cola trademark beverages. The company produces, markets, and distributes Coca-Cola trademark beverages in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Fomento Economico Mexicano Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fomento Economico Mexicano and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. South Mountain Merger Corp. (OTCMKTS:SMMCU Get Free Report) shares were up 1.3% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $19.69 and last traded at $19.69. Approximately 300 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 88% from the average daily volume of 2,460 shares. The stock had previously closed at $19.44. South Mountain Merger Stock Up 1.3 % The company has a fifty day moving average of $19.69 and a two-hundred day moving average of $19.69. South Mountain Merger Company Profile (Get Free Report) South Mountain Merger Corp. focuses on effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The company was founded in 2019 and is based in New York, New York. Read More Receive News & Ratings for South Mountain Merger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for South Mountain Merger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Banco de Sabadell, S.A. (OTCMKTS:BNDSF Get Free Report) traded down 0.8% on Friday . The company traded as low as $1.28 and last traded at $1.28. 1,979 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 62% from the average session volume of 5,239 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.29. Banco de Sabadell Price Performance The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $1.27 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1.18. Banco de Sabadell Company Profile (Get Free Report) Banco de Sabadell, SA provides banking products and services to personal, business, and private customers in Spain and internationally. The company offers retail banking products, such as current and savings accounts, personal loans, cards, and mortgages. It also provides financial products and services to large and medium enterprises, SMEs, shops and self-employed workers, private individuals, and professionals; and consumer finance, asset management, and bancassurance services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Banco de Sabadell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco de Sabadell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Callan Family Office LLC reduced its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 31.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,841 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 2,176 shares during the quarter. Callan Family Office LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $489,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV lifted its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 16.4% in the second quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 71,838 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $7,250,000 after purchasing an additional 10,101 shares during the period. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 90.4% during the second quarter. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 7,715 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $779,000 after acquiring an additional 3,662 shares in the last quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC raised its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1,206.0% during the second quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 152,356 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $16,762,000 after acquiring an additional 140,690 shares in the last quarter. Aspen Grove Capital LLC raised its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 6.6% during the second quarter. Aspen Grove Capital LLC now owns 5,906 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $598,000 after acquiring an additional 365 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. raised its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1,880.3% during the second quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. now owns 659,777 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $66,585,000 after acquiring an additional 626,460 shares in the last quarter. 16.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:TSM opened at $100.35 on Friday. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a twelve month low of $72.84 and a twelve month high of $110.69. The firm has a market cap of $520.46 billion, a PE ratio of 18.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 1.88 and a current ratio of 2.15. The business has a fifty day moving average of $93.32 and a 200-day moving average of $95.58. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 19th. The semiconductor company reported $1.29 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $17.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.90 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 28.28% and a net margin of 41.42%. The companys revenue was down 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.79 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 4.97 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 19th will be given a $0.5415 dividend. This represents a $2.17 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.16%. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 18th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.44%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have issued reports on TSM. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and set a $115.00 price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Friday, October 20th. Barclays assumed coverage on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. They issued an overweight rating and a $105.00 target price for the company. Susquehanna lowered their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $135.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Monday, October 9th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $116.67. Read Our Latest Research Report on TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Profile (Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides complementary metal oxide silicon wafer fabrication processes to manufacture logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, and embedded memory semiconductors. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TSM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Callan Family Office LLC lessened its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report) by 29.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 90,267 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 36,800 shares during the quarter. Wells Fargo & Company makes up 1.0% of Callan Family Office LLCs holdings, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Callan Family Office LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $3,853,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of WFC. Barrett & Company Inc. bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Studio Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Financial Connections Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 288.0% during the 2nd quarter. Financial Connections Group Inc. now owns 741 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 550 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 1st quarter worth $40,000. Institutional investors own 72.47% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Insider Activity In other news, Director Richard K. Davis bought 3,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 9th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $41.22 per share, for a total transaction of $144,270.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,244 shares in the company, valued at approximately $174,937.68. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages recently weighed in on WFC. StockNews.com began coverage on Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. UBS Group upped their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $51.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and set a $44.00 price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Friday, September 22nd. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $52.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $48.84. Read Our Latest Research Report on Wells Fargo & Company Wells Fargo & Company Stock Up 1.5 % Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $46.10 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $167.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.18. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52 week low of $35.25 and a 52 week high of $48.84. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $41.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $42.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 13th. The financial services provider reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.24 by $0.15. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 11.18% and a net margin of 17.06%. The company had revenue of $20.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.09 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.30 earnings per share. Wells Fargo & Companys quarterly revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.05 earnings per share for the current year. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 3rd were given a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 2nd. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.04%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.24%. Wells Fargo & Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Company, a diversified financial services company, provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New Zealand Energy Corp. (CVE:NZ Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$0.23 and traded as high as C$1.48. New Zealand Energy shares last traded at C$1.39, with a volume of 200 shares. New Zealand Energy Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 145.52, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a current ratio of 0.33. The companys fifty day moving average price is C$0.55 and its 200 day moving average price is C$0.24. The firm has a market capitalization of C$3.22 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.79 and a beta of 1.93. About New Zealand Energy (Get Free Report) New Zealand Energy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in New Zealand. It holds interests in three petroleum mining licenses, one petroleum mining permit, and one petroleum exploration permit. The company has interests in TWN Petroleum Mining Licenses comprising Waihapa/Ngaere, and Tariki; Copper Moki petroleum mining permit; and Eltham Petroleum exploration permit. See Also Receive News & Ratings for New Zealand Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New Zealand Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chilton Investment Co. Inc. decreased its stake in Skyline Champion Co. (NYSE:SKY Free Report) by 56.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 287,498 shares of the companys stock after selling 379,868 shares during the period. Chilton Investment Co. Inc.s holdings in Skyline Champion were worth $18,817,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC raised its stake in Skyline Champion by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 4,295 shares of the companys stock valued at $281,000 after acquiring an additional 199 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in Skyline Champion by 70.9% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,612 shares of the companys stock valued at $236,000 after acquiring an additional 1,498 shares in the last quarter. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC raised its stake in Skyline Champion by 18.7% during the 2nd quarter. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC now owns 5,607 shares of the companys stock valued at $367,000 after acquiring an additional 885 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its stake in Skyline Champion by 12.1% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,404,177 shares of the companys stock valued at $91,903,000 after acquiring an additional 151,828 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MML Investors Services LLC bought a new stake in Skyline Champion during the 2nd quarter valued at $214,000. Get Skyline Champion alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth SKY has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Skyline Champion from $68.00 to $55.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Craig Hallum boosted their price objective on Skyline Champion from $75.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 16th. StockNews.com raised Skyline Champion from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Barclays dropped their price objective on Skyline Champion from $66.00 to $61.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, Wedbush reissued an outperform rating and issued a $78.00 price objective on shares of Skyline Champion in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $67.40. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, VP Timothy A. Burkhardt sold 4,113 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.04, for a total transaction of $292,187.52. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 34,855 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,476,099.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 7.00% of the companys stock. Skyline Champion Price Performance Shares of NYSE SKY traded up $1.18 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $66.41. The company had a trading volume of 227,107 shares, compared to its average volume of 327,761. The company has a current ratio of 4.02, a quick ratio of 3.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. The stock has a market cap of $3.83 billion, a PE ratio of 16.12 and a beta of 1.64. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $60.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $63.95. Skyline Champion Co. has a 1-year low of $50.19 and a 1-year high of $76.82. Skyline Champion (NYSE:SKY Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The company reported $0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $464.24 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $458.57 million. Skyline Champion had a return on equity of 18.98% and a net margin of 11.86%. The businesss revenue was down 42.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.51 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Skyline Champion Co. will post 3.15 earnings per share for the current year. Skyline Champion Company Profile (Free Report) Skyline Champion Corporation produces and sells factory-built housing in North America. The company offers manufactured and modular homes, park models RVs, accessory dwelling units, and modular buildings for the multi-family and hospitality sectors. It builds homes under the Skyline Homes, Champion Home Builders, Genesis Homes, Athens Park Models, Dutch Housing, Atlantic Homes, Excel Homes, Homes of Merit, New Era, Redman Homes, ScotBilt Homes, Shore Park, Silvercrest, and Titan Homes brands in the United States; and Moduline and SRI Homes brand names in western Canada. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SKY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Skyline Champion Co. (NYSE:SKY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Skyline Champion Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Skyline Champion and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chilton Investment Co. Inc. raised its position in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA Free Report) by 119.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 99,094 shares of the specialty retailers stock after buying an additional 54,010 shares during the period. Murphy USA accounts for 0.9% of Chilton Investment Co. Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Chilton Investment Co. Inc. owned 0.46% of Murphy USA worth $30,829,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MUSA. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 213.6% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 6,789 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $1,358,000 after purchasing an additional 4,624 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of Murphy USA during the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,016,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Murphy USA during the 1st quarter worth approximately $593,000. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its stake in Murphy USA by 7.5% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 8,407 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $1,681,000 after buying an additional 588 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in Murphy USA by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,670,297 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $533,953,000 after buying an additional 35,610 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.95% of the companys stock. Get Murphy USA alerts: Insider Transactions at Murphy USA In other news, Director Robert Madison Murphy sold 30,000 shares of Murphy USA stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $366.69, for a total transaction of $11,000,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 412,077 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $151,104,515.13. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, CMO Renee M. Bacon sold 7,206 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $367.51, for a total transaction of $2,648,277.06. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 3,083 shares in the company, valued at $1,133,033.33. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Robert Madison Murphy sold 30,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $366.69, for a total transaction of $11,000,700.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 412,077 shares in the company, valued at approximately $151,104,515.13. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 39,474 shares of company stock valued at $14,477,727. Insiders own 9.04% of the companys stock. Murphy USA Price Performance NYSE:MUSA traded down $5.74 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $354.06. The stock had a trading volume of 195,424 shares, compared to its average volume of 195,829. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $363.61 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $328.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.12, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 0.61. Murphy USA Inc. has a one year low of $231.65 and a one year high of $382.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.93 and a beta of 0.72. Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The specialty retailer reported $7.69 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.08 by $1.61. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.40% and a return on equity of 71.06%. The firm had revenue of $5.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.83 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $9.28 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Murphy USA Inc. will post 24.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Murphy USA Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 6th were issued a dividend of $0.41 per share. This is an increase from Murphy USAs previous quarterly dividend of $0.39. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 3rd. Murphy USAs payout ratio is currently 6.91%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts recently weighed in on MUSA shares. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Murphy USA from $330.00 to $385.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, September 25th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Murphy USA in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $410.00 price objective on shares of Murphy USA in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Murphy USA from $252.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Murphy USA presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $348.00. Get Our Latest Analysis on Murphy USA Murphy USA Company Profile (Free Report) Murphy USA Inc engages in marketing of retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise. The company operates retail stores under the Murphy USA, Murphy Express, and QuickChek brands. It operates retail gasoline stores principally in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest United States. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in El Dorado, Arkansas. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Murphy USA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Murphy USA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Montanaro European Smaller (LON:MTE Get Free Report)s stock price passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 117.31 ($1.48) and traded as high as GBX 128.31 ($1.62). Montanaro European Smaller shares last traded at GBX 128 ($1.62), with a volume of 143,374 shares. Montanaro European Smaller Stock Performance The businesss fifty day moving average is GBX 117.31 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 127.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39. The company has a market cap of 242.47 million, a PE ratio of -1,066.67 and a beta of 1.12. Montanaro European Smaller Company Profile (Get Free Report) Montanaro European Smaller Companies Trust plc is an open ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Montanaro Investment Managers Ltd. It invests in public equity markets of Europe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. It primarily invests in growth stocks of small-cap companies listed on London Stock Exchange. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Montanaro European Smaller Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Montanaro European Smaller and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of F & M Bank Corp. (OTCMKTS:FMBM Get Free Report) passed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $17.11 and traded as high as $17.25. F & M Bank shares last traded at $17.25, with a volume of 4,701 shares. F & M Bank Stock Performance The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. The stock has a market cap of $60.20 million, a P/E ratio of 15.00 and a beta of 0.36. The firms 50-day moving average is $17.11 and its two-hundred day moving average is $19.54. Get F & M Bank alerts: F & M Bank (OTCMKTS:FMBM Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The financial services provider reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter. F & M Bank had a net margin of 6.44% and a return on equity of 6.82%. The firm had revenue of $10.52 million for the quarter. F & M Bank Dividend Announcement About F & M Bank The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 29th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 14th were issued a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.03%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 13th. F & M Banks dividend payout ratio is currently 90.44%. (Get Free Report) F & M Bank Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Farmers & Merchants Bank that provides commercial banking services in Virginia. The company offers commercial and individual demand and time deposit accounts, savings accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, internet and mobile banking services, and drive-in banking services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for F & M Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for F & M Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Shenhua Energy Company Limited (OTCMKTS:CSUAY Get Free Report) crossed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $12.60 and traded as low as $12.54. China Shenhua Energy shares last traded at $12.56, with a volume of 5,011 shares trading hands. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group raised China Shenhua Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, August 27th. Get China Shenhua Energy alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on China Shenhua Energy China Shenhua Energy Stock Down 1.3 % China Shenhua Energy Company Profile The firm has a 50-day moving average of $12.60 and a 200 day moving average of $12.36. The company has a current ratio of 2.43, a quick ratio of 2.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. (Get Free Report) China Shenhua Energy Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and sale of coal and power; railway, port, and shipping transportation; and coal-to-olefins businesses in the People's Republic of China and internationally. It operates through six segments: Coal, Power Generation, Railway, Port, Shipping, and Coal Chemical. Read More Receive News & Ratings for China Shenhua Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Shenhua Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caas Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE:NAPA Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor acquired 240,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,113,000. Duckhorn Portfolio comprises approximately 0.2% of Caas Capital Management LPs holdings, making the stock its 10th biggest position. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its position in Duckhorn Portfolio by 49.9% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,797 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 1,264 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. acquired a new stake in Duckhorn Portfolio in the 1st quarter valued at about $70,000. State of Wyoming acquired a new stake in Duckhorn Portfolio in the 2nd quarter valued at about $75,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Duckhorn Portfolio by 45.7% in the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 6,970 shares of the companys stock valued at $115,000 after purchasing an additional 2,185 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Amalgamated Bank boosted its stake in shares of Duckhorn Portfolio by 21.4% in the 4th quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 7,125 shares of the companys stock valued at $118,000 after purchasing an additional 1,255 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.65% of the companys stock. Get Duckhorn Portfolio alerts: Duckhorn Portfolio Trading Up 2.9 % Duckhorn Portfolio stock traded up $0.26 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $9.24. 1,358,255 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 823,946. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.26 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.85. The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. has a 52 week low of $8.93 and a 52 week high of $17.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.07 billion, a PE ratio of 16.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.23. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 3.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. Analyst Ratings Changes Duckhorn Portfolio ( NYSE:NAPA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, September 27th. The company reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.12 by $0.02. Duckhorn Portfolio had a net margin of 16.36% and a return on equity of 7.47%. The business had revenue of $100.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $100.61 million. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. will post 0.65 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several research analysts have recently issued reports on NAPA shares. Wedbush reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $15.00 target price on shares of Duckhorn Portfolio in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Duckhorn Portfolio from $16.00 to $12.50 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Bank of America lowered shares of Duckhorn Portfolio from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the company from $15.00 to $11.00 in a research note on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Duckhorn Portfolio in a research note on Monday, November 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $13.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $19.00 target price on shares of Duckhorn Portfolio in a research note on Thursday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Duckhorn Portfolio has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $14.19. Get Our Latest Research Report on Duckhorn Portfolio Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, insider Deirdre Mahlan bought 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 4th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $9.95 per share, for a total transaction of $49,750.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 5,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $49,750. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock. About Duckhorn Portfolio (Free Report) The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc produces and sells wines in North America. The company offers wines under a portfolio of brands, including Duckhorn Vineyards, Decoy, Goldeneye, Paraduxx, Migration, Canvasback, Calera, Kosta Browne, Greenwing, and Postmark. It sells wines to distributors, and directly to retail accounts and consumers. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NAPA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE:NAPA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Duckhorn Portfolio Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Duckhorn Portfolio and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bulldog Investors LLP bought a new position in Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition Corp. (NYSE:LOCC Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 110,591 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,134,000. Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cowen AND Company LLC bought a new stake in shares of Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition during the second quarter worth $192,000. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its position in shares of Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition by 100.0% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 100,000 shares of the companys stock worth $1,010,000 after acquiring an additional 50,000 shares in the last quarter. CSS LLC IL bought a new stake in shares of Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition during the second quarter worth $1,098,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition during the second quarter worth $1,303,000. Finally, Deltec Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition during the second quarter worth $1,777,000. 74.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition alerts: Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of LOCC stock traded down $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $10.43. 100,000 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 220,520. The business has a 50 day moving average of $10.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of $10.33. Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition Corp. has a 52 week low of $9.77 and a 52 week high of $10.90. Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition Profile Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition Corp. intends to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition Corp. was incorporated in 2021 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LOCC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition Corp. (NYSE:LOCC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bulldog Investors LLP boosted its position in shares of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:ECF Free Report) by 35.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 97,076 shares of the investment management companys stock after buying an additional 25,191 shares during the quarter. Bulldog Investors LLP owned 0.70% of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund worth $835,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of ECF. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund by 6.9% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 24,045 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $255,000 after purchasing an additional 1,555 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 88,043 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $932,000 after purchasing an additional 1,867 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund by 11.0% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 75,294 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $797,000 after purchasing an additional 7,454 shares during the period. Quantedge Capital Pte Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund in the 1st quarter valued at $178,000. Finally, UBS Group AG boosted its position in shares of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund by 116.2% in the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 55,643 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $589,000 after purchasing an additional 29,911 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 30.72% of the companys stock. Get Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund alerts: Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Price Performance Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund stock traded up $0.01 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $7.76. The companys stock had a trading volume of 28,592 shares, compared to its average volume of 43,614. Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. has a 52-week low of $7.02 and a 52-week high of $9.15. Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Company Profile Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by GAMCO Investors, Inc The fund is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC. It invests in the public equity markets. The fund primarily invests in convertible securities. It invests in stocks of companies across market capitalizations. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Pinnacle West Capital Co. (NYSE:PNW Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Hold from the seven ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $75.75. A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Pinnacle West Capital from $71.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Guggenheim decreased their target price on Pinnacle West Capital from $83.00 to $73.00 in a report on Monday, October 9th. StockNews.com upgraded Pinnacle West Capital from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 10th. Barclays decreased their target price on Pinnacle West Capital from $81.00 to $77.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, September 28th. Finally, KeyCorp upgraded Pinnacle West Capital from an underweight rating to a sector weight rating in a report on Thursday, October 5th. Get Pinnacle West Capital alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Pinnacle West Capital Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pinnacle West Capital Pinnacle West Capital Price Performance A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PNW. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 8.0% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 21,980 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,718,000 after purchasing an additional 1,630 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 23.1% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 30,693 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,397,000 after acquiring an additional 5,768 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 5.6% in the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 31,722 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,599,000 after acquiring an additional 1,681 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 6.8% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 494,515 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $38,620,000 after acquiring an additional 31,526 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 7.8% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 135,551 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $10,571,000 after acquiring an additional 9,777 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.95% of the companys stock. Shares of Pinnacle West Capital stock opened at $75.30 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $73.67 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $77.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.50. Pinnacle West Capital has a one year low of $68.55 and a one year high of $86.03. Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $3.50 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.33 by $0.17. Pinnacle West Capital had a return on equity of 7.68% and a net margin of 10.13%. The business had revenue of $1.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.54 billion. Analysts forecast that Pinnacle West Capital will post 4.29 EPS for the current year. Pinnacle West Capital Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 1st were issued a $0.88 dividend. This is an increase from Pinnacle West Capitals previous quarterly dividend of $0.87. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, October 31st. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.67%. Pinnacle West Capitals dividend payout ratio is 83.81%. Pinnacle West Capital Company Profile (Get Free Report Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, through its subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company, provides retail and wholesale electric services primarily in the state of Arizona. The company engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity using coal, nuclear, gas, oil, and solar generating facilities. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Pinnacle West Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pinnacle West Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hudsons Bay Co (OTCMKTS:HBAYF Get Free Report)s share price crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $8.19 and traded as low as $8.19. Hudsons Bay shares last traded at $8.19, with a volume of 2,900 shares. Hudsons Bay Trading Down 0.2 % The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $8.19 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $8.19. About Hudsons Bay (Get Free Report) Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates department stores in Canada and the United States. Its stores offers fashion apparels, accessories, cosmetics, and home products. The company operates its stores under the Hudson's Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, Find @ Lord & Taylor, Home Outfitters, Galeria Kaufhof, Galeria INNO, and Sportarena names. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Hudson's Bay Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hudson's Bay and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cadian Capital Management LP reduced its holdings in Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER Free Report) by 25.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,359,800 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock after selling 809,500 shares during the period. Uber Technologies comprises 4.8% of Cadian Capital Management LPs holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Cadian Capital Management LP owned about 0.12% of Uber Technologies worth $101,873,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Uber Technologies by 66.5% in the 2nd quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 651 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. lifted its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 133.8% in the 2nd quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 699 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Spotlight Asset Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Uber Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Pacifica Partners Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Uber Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Hanseatic Management Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Uber Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $42,000. 74.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Uber Technologies alerts: Uber Technologies Stock Up 1.2 % Shares of UBER traded up $0.72 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $61.70. 28,852,116 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 27,362,396. The company has a market cap of $126.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 125.92 and a beta of 1.32. Uber Technologies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $23.90 and a fifty-two week high of $62.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14. The stocks 50-day moving average is $49.64 and its 200-day moving average is $46.17. Insider Transactions at Uber Technologies Uber Technologies ( NYSE:UBER Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 7th. The ride-sharing company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.13 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $9.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.47 billion. Uber Technologies had a return on equity of 11.74% and a net margin of 2.93%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Uber Technologies, Inc. will post 0.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In related news, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi sold 50,016 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total value of $2,500,800.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,266,227 shares of the companys stock, valued at $63,311,350. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi sold 50,016 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total value of $2,500,800.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,266,227 shares of the companys stock, valued at $63,311,350. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Jill Hazelbaker sold 18,850 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.01, for a total transaction of $999,238.50. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 109,009 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,778,567.09. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 187,616 shares of company stock valued at $9,747,789. 3.84% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts recently issued reports on UBER shares. Oppenheimer boosted their target price on shares of Uber Technologies from $65.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Truist Financial decreased their target price on shares of Uber Technologies from $60.00 to $58.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $58.00 target price on shares of Uber Technologies in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. Roth Mkm upped their price objective on shares of Uber Technologies from $61.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th. Finally, Wedbush restated an outperform rating and set a $57.00 price objective (up from $55.00) on shares of Uber Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, November 7th. Thirty research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $57.03. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on UBER Uber Technologies Profile (Free Report) Uber Technologies, Inc develops and operates proprietary technology applications in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia excluding China and Southeast Asia. It operates through three segments: Mobility, Delivery, and Freight. The Mobility segment connects consumers with a range of transportation modalities, such as ridesharing, carsharing, micromobility, rentals, public transit, taxis, and other modalities; and offers riders in a variety of vehicle types, as well as financial partnerships products and advertising services. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UBER? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Uber Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Uber Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 3,833.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 20,454 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 19,934 shares during the quarter. Brown Shipley& Co Ltds holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $189,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Studio Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 33.8% in the 4th quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC now owns 428 shares of the companys stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. ERTS Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. ERTS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,045 shares of the companys stock valued at $297,000 after buying an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. Balboa Wealth Partners grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Balboa Wealth Partners now owns 2,712 shares of the companys stock valued at $264,000 after buying an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Berger Financial Group Inc grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Berger Financial Group Inc now owns 3,902 shares of the companys stock valued at $381,000 after buying an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Claro Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Claro Advisors LLC now owns 8,034 shares of the companys stock valued at $784,000 after buying an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.70% of the companys stock. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Philip Morris International Stock Up 0.2 % Shares of PM stock traded up $0.19 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $91.31. 3,877,501 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,135,167. Philip Morris International Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $87.23 and a fifty-two week high of $105.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $141.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.77. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $91.71 and a 200-day moving average price of $94.13. Philip Morris International Announces Dividend Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The company reported $1.67 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.62 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $9.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.21 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 129.48% and a net margin of 9.62%. Philip Morris Internationals revenue was up 13.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.53 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.08 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st will be paid a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.69%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 100.97%. Insider Activity at Philip Morris International In related news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.25, for a total value of $942,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 198,447 shares in the company, valued at $18,703,629.75. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In PM has been the subject of several recent research reports. UBS Group lowered their price target on Philip Morris International from $116.00 to $112.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on Philip Morris International from $111.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $114.00 target price on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $109.27. Get Our Latest Analysis on PM Philip Morris International Profile (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cannell Capital LLC reduced its stake in Tidewater Inc. (NYSE:TDW Free Report) by 7.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 498,588 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 41,655 shares during the period. Tidewater makes up approximately 5.5% of Cannell Capital LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest position. Cannell Capital LLC owned about 0.95% of Tidewater worth $27,642,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of TDW. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new stake in Tidewater during the first quarter worth about $44,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in Tidewater by 36.0% during the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,021 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in Tidewater during the third quarter worth about $51,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its stake in Tidewater by 46.1% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,489 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 470 shares during the period. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank purchased a new stake in Tidewater during the second quarter worth about $90,000. 84.19% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Tidewater alerts: Tidewater Stock Up 1.2 % Shares of Tidewater stock traded up $0.69 on Friday, reaching $58.79. 417,246 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 789,578. Tidewater Inc. has a 1-year low of $28.59 and a 1-year high of $73.55. The company has a market cap of $3.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.20 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.73 and a quick ratio of 1.65. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $63.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $60.25. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Tidewater ( NYSE:TDW Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 6th. The oil and gas company reported $0.77 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.45 by ($0.68). Tidewater had a return on equity of 10.18% and a net margin of 7.85%. The company had revenue of $299.26 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $295.05 million. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Tidewater Inc. will post 1.78 EPS for the current year. A number of analysts have issued reports on TDW shares. StockNews.com lowered shares of Tidewater from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 10th. BTIG Research boosted their price objective on Tidewater from $75.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Tidewater presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $88.67. Check Out Our Latest Report on TDW Tidewater Company Profile (Free Report) Tidewater Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides offshore support vessels and marine support services to the offshore energy industry through the operation of a fleet of marine service vessels worldwide. It provides services in support of offshore crude oil and natural gas exploration, field development, and production, as well as windfarm development and maintenance, including towing of and anchor handling for mobile offshore drilling units; transporting supplies and personnel necessary to sustain drilling, workover, and production activities; offshore construction, and seismic and subsea support; geotechnical survey support for windfarm construction; and various specialized services, such as pipe and cable laying. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TDW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Tidewater Inc. (NYSE:TDW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Tidewater Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tidewater and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cantor Fitzgerald L. P. lessened its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 1.3% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 522,043 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 7,022 shares during the quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald L. P.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $19,149,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Pfizer by 559.2% in the 2nd quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 501 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $14,919,000 after buying an additional 425 shares during the last quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. 25 LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the 4th quarter valued at about $50,000. Finally, FWL Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the 4th quarter valued at about $57,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.05% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Stock Performance PFE traded up $0.15 on Friday, hitting $28.78. The companys stock had a trading volume of 31,890,740 shares, compared to its average volume of 34,122,536. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $30.88 and its 200-day simple moving average is $34.39. The company has a quick ratio of 2.05, a current ratio of 2.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. Pfizer Inc. has a 12 month low of $28.30 and a 12 month high of $54.93. The firm has a market cap of $162.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.61. Pfizer Dividend Announcement Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.17) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.32) by $0.15. Pfizer had a net margin of 15.30% and a return on equity of 16.72%. The firm had revenue of $13.23 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.77 billion. Analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 1.54 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 4th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 10th were issued a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.70%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 9th. Pfizers payout ratio is 89.62%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have commented on PFE shares. UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $34.00 price objective (down previously from $36.00) on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Friday, October 20th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $75.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Monday, November 20th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Pfizer from $39.00 to $37.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Pfizer from $39.00 to $35.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $42.50. Get Our Latest Report on Pfizer Pfizer Profile (Free Report) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC lowered its stake in Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE:DEI Free Report) by 1.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,451,744 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 76,571 shares during the period. Centersquare Investment Management LLC owned 3.27% of Douglas Emmett worth $68,528,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Douglas Emmett during the 4th quarter worth approximately $114,497,000. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its stake in shares of Douglas Emmett by 5,141.9% during the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 6,148,141 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $76,677,000 after buying an additional 6,030,852 shares during the period. First Pacific Advisors LP lifted its position in shares of Douglas Emmett by 902.3% during the 2nd quarter. First Pacific Advisors LP now owns 5,030,826 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $63,237,000 after buying an additional 4,528,921 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Douglas Emmett by 91.1% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 7,155,765 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $88,232,000 after acquiring an additional 3,411,463 shares during the period. Finally, Millennium Management LLC increased its holdings in Douglas Emmett by 149.3% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 3,987,871 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $62,530,000 after acquiring an additional 2,388,516 shares in the last quarter. 97.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Douglas Emmett alerts: Douglas Emmett Trading Up 0.8 % Shares of DEI stock traded up $0.11 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $14.31. The company had a trading volume of 2,284,800 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,840,924. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.39 billion, a PE ratio of 119.25 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 3.86 and a quick ratio of 3.86. Douglas Emmett, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $10.09 and a fifty-two week high of $17.98. The companys fifty day moving average is $12.04 and its 200 day moving average is $12.74. Insider Transactions at Douglas Emmett Analysts Set New Price Targets In related news, Director William E. Simon, Jr. sold 91,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.95, for a total transaction of $1,269,450.00. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Company insiders own 14.00% of the companys stock. Several brokerages have recently issued reports on DEI. KeyCorp started coverage on shares of Douglas Emmett in a research report on Monday, September 11th. They issued a sector weight rating on the stock. Evercore ISI decreased their target price on Douglas Emmett from $15.00 to $13.00 in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on Douglas Emmett from $15.00 to $13.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 10th. StockNews.com began coverage on Douglas Emmett in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Finally, Wedbush initiated coverage on shares of Douglas Emmett in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. They set a neutral rating and a $13.00 target price for the company. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $13.91. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on DEI Douglas Emmett Profile (Free Report) Douglas Emmett, Inc (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DEI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE:DEI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Douglas Emmett Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Douglas Emmett and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cohen & Steers Inc. decreased its position in Evergy, Inc. (NYSE:EVRG Free Report) by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,288,052 shares of the companys stock after selling 41,125 shares during the quarter. Cohen & Steers Inc. owned 1.00% of Evergy worth $133,668,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Red Tortoise LLC increased its position in shares of Evergy by 793.5% in the first quarter. Red Tortoise LLC now owns 411 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 365 shares during the last quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC increased its position in shares of Evergy by 92.7% in the first quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 451 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 217 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New Hampshire acquired a new stake in shares of Evergy in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Evergy in the second quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Evergy in the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.82% of the companys stock. Get Evergy alerts: Evergy Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:EVRG traded down $0.14 during trading on Friday, reaching $51.56. 2,020,257 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,127,149. Evergy, Inc. has a 12 month low of $46.92 and a 12 month high of $65.39. The firm has a market cap of $11.84 billion, a PE ratio of 17.42, a PEG ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 0.55. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $49.90 and a 200-day moving average price of $54.69. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. Evergy Increases Dividend Evergy ( NYSE:EVRG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 7th. The company reported $1.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.84 by $0.04. Evergy had a return on equity of 8.59% and a net margin of 12.16%. The company had revenue of $1.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.63 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.01 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Evergy, Inc. will post 3.59 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 20th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.6425 per share. This represents a $2.57 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 21st. This is a boost from Evergys previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. Evergys payout ratio is currently 86.82%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades EVRG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wolfe Research downgraded Evergy from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Monday, September 11th. Bank of America raised Evergy from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $52.00 to $49.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 3rd. Guggenheim lowered their price target on Evergy from $62.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Barclays initiated coverage on Evergy in a research report on Wednesday, August 23rd. They set an equal weight rating and a $56.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Evergy from $65.00 to $56.00 in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Evergy currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $53.75. View Our Latest Stock Report on EVRG Evergy Profile (Free Report) Evergy, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in Kansas and Missouri, the United States. The company generates electricity through coal, hydroelectric, landfill gas, uranium, and natural gas and oil sources, as well as solar, wind, other renewable sources. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EVRG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Evergy, Inc. (NYSE:EVRG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Evergy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Evergy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cohen & Steers Inc. cut its holdings in Boyd Gaming Co. (NYSE:BYD Free Report) by 11.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,514,102 shares of the companys stock after selling 450,086 shares during the period. Cohen & Steers Inc. owned 3.51% of Boyd Gaming worth $243,761,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Belpointe Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Boyd Gaming by 237.6% in the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 655 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 461 shares during the period. Quarry LP grew its position in Boyd Gaming by 130.3% during the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 822 shares of the companys stock worth $53,000 after buying an additional 465 shares in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC grew its position in Boyd Gaming by 73.1% during the second quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 1,208 shares of the companys stock worth $84,000 after buying an additional 510 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Boyd Gaming during the first quarter worth about $86,000. Finally, Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd grew its position in Boyd Gaming by 460.8% during the first quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,744 shares of the companys stock worth $112,000 after buying an additional 1,433 shares in the last quarter. 67.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Boyd Gaming alerts: Boyd Gaming Price Performance Shares of BYD traded up $0.69 on Friday, hitting $59.72. The companys stock had a trading volume of 899,449 shares, compared to its average volume of 760,317. The company has a market capitalization of $5.84 billion, a PE ratio of 8.80, a PEG ratio of 3.76 and a beta of 1.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.77. Boyd Gaming Co. has a fifty-two week low of $52.42 and a fifty-two week high of $73.00. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $58.53 and a 200 day moving average price of $63.93. Boyd Gaming Announces Dividend Boyd Gaming ( NYSE:BYD Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.08). Boyd Gaming had a return on equity of 38.87% and a net margin of 18.89%. The company had revenue of $903.16 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $873.36 million. On average, research analysts anticipate that Boyd Gaming Co. will post 6.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 15th. Investors of record on Friday, December 22nd will be given a $0.16 dividend. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 21st. Boyd Gamings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.43%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth BYD has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Boyd Gaming in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and set a $83.00 target price on shares of Boyd Gaming in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Boyd Gaming from $79.00 to $72.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Susquehanna decreased their price objective on Boyd Gaming from $87.00 to $84.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on Boyd Gaming from $77.00 to $71.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Boyd Gaming presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $76.64. Get Our Latest Report on BYD About Boyd Gaming (Free Report) Boyd Gaming Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-jurisdictional gaming company in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It operates through three segments: Las Vegas Locals, Downtown Las Vegas, and Midwest & South. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BYD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Boyd Gaming Co. (NYSE:BYD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Boyd Gaming Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boyd Gaming and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cohen & Steers Inc. decreased its stake in Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT Free Report) by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 12,103,090 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 73,070 shares during the period. Camden Property Trust comprises 2.8% of Cohen & Steers Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 12th largest position. Cohen & Steers Inc. owned about 0.11% of Camden Property Trust worth $1,317,639,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Apollon Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Camden Property Trust in the second quarter valued at about $384,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in Camden Property Trust by 11.3% in the second quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 156,338 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $17,021,000 after buying an additional 15,851 shares during the period. ING Groep NV increased its holdings in shares of Camden Property Trust by 3.3% in the first quarter. ING Groep NV now owns 18,715 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,962,000 after acquiring an additional 603 shares in the last quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S increased its holdings in shares of Camden Property Trust by 28.7% in the first quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 1,279 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $134,000 after acquiring an additional 285 shares in the last quarter. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in shares of Camden Property Trust by 7.2% in the second quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 306,937 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $33,416,000 after acquiring an additional 20,622 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.04% of the companys stock. Get Camden Property Trust alerts: Camden Property Trust Stock Up 0.3 % CPT stock traded up $0.25 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $93.65. The company had a trading volume of 1,075,360 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,056,609. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.10 and a quick ratio of 0.10. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $91.00 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $101.50. The company has a market capitalization of $10.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.81, a PEG ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.83. Camden Property Trust has a 52 week low of $82.81 and a 52 week high of $127.60. Camden Property Trust Dividend Announcement Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be paid a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.27%. Camden Property Trusts dividend payout ratio is 191.39%. Several brokerages have issued reports on CPT. Wedbush began coverage on Camden Property Trust in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. They issued an outperform rating and a $110.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com downgraded Camden Property Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Sunday. Citigroup lowered their price target on Camden Property Trust from $130.00 to $118.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 22nd. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Camden Property Trust from $117.00 to $111.00 in a report on Monday, October 9th. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their price target on Camden Property Trust from $132.00 to $122.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $112.69. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Camden Property Trust About Camden Property Trust (Free Report) Camden Property Trust, an S&P 500 Company, is a real estate company primarily engaged in the ownership, management, development, redevelopment, acquisition, and construction of multifamily apartment communities. Camden owns and operates 172 properties containing 58,961 apartment homes across the United States. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CPT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Camden Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Camden Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Continental Advisors LLC trimmed its stake in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (NYSEARCA:EWS Free Report) by 28.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 174,774 shares of the companys stock after selling 71,100 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI Singapore ETF accounts for 1.5% of Continental Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position. Continental Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF were worth $3,235,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. CWM LLC raised its position in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF by 933.3% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 2,800 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its position in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF by 92.7% during the second quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,291 shares of the companys stock valued at $58,000 after acquiring an additional 1,583 shares in the last quarter. Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. raised its position in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF by 21.3% during the second quarter. Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. now owns 5,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $106,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new position in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $137,000. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its position in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF by 5.3% during the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 12,214 shares of the companys stock valued at $226,000 after acquiring an additional 616 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI Singapore ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Singapore ETF Price Performance EWS traded up $0.18 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $18.19. 246,897 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 427,745. The company has a market cap of $490.22 million, a PE ratio of 13.86 and a beta of 0.81. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $17.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $18.48. iShares MSCI Singapore ETF has a one year low of $17.22 and a one year high of $20.54. iShares MSCI Singapore ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI Singapore ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund (ETF). The Funds seeks investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of the MSCI Singapore Index (the Underlying Index). The Underlying Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Singapore Stock Exchange. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (NYSEARCA:EWS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Singapore ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Singapore ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cardinal Capital Management LLC CT bought a new stake in shares of Teradata Co. (NYSE:TDC Free Report) during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund bought 311,282 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $16,626,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Private Advisor Group LLC acquired a new position in Teradata in the 1st quarter valued at $231,000. Natixis Advisors L.P. raised its stake in Teradata by 46.7% in the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 21,282 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,049,000 after purchasing an additional 6,779 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its stake in Teradata by 21.1% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 10,977 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $546,000 after purchasing an additional 1,916 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its stake in Teradata by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 302,170 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $14,894,000 after purchasing an additional 947 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its stake in Teradata by 10.5% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 39,764 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,960,000 after purchasing an additional 3,791 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.02% of the companys stock. Get Teradata alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CFO Claire Bramley sold 4,335 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.00, for a total transaction of $199,410.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 101,892 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,687,032. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Claire Bramley sold 4,335 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.00, for a total transaction of $199,410.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 101,892 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,687,032. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Stephen Mcmillan sold 7,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.21, for a total value of $346,575.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 510,497 shares of the companys stock, valued at $23,590,066.37. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 28,483 shares of company stock valued at $1,312,159. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades TDC has been the subject of several recent research reports. TheStreet downgraded Teradata from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. StockNews.com raised Teradata from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Sunday, November 5th. Evercore ISI started coverage on Teradata in a research note on Thursday, September 28th. They issued an outperform rating and a $65.00 target price for the company. Finally, Northland Securities cut their target price on Teradata from $67.00 to $61.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $57.67. Read Our Latest Research Report on TDC Teradata Trading Up 0.1 % Shares of NYSE:TDC traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $43.43. 1,425,817 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 744,202. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $45.42 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $47.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.56, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The stock has a market cap of $4.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 71.20, a P/E/G ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 1.00. Teradata Co. has a fifty-two week low of $32.28 and a fifty-two week high of $57.73. Teradata (NYSE:TDC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 6th. The technology company reported $0.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.42. The firm had revenue of $438.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $435.84 million. Teradata had a return on equity of 39.28% and a net margin of 3.39%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.10 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Teradata Co. will post 1.05 EPS for the current fiscal year. Teradata Company Profile (Free Report) Teradata Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides a connected multi-cloud data platform for enterprise analytics. The company offers Teradata Vantage, a data platform that allows companies to leverage their data across an enterprise, as well as connects various sources of data to drive ecosystem simplification and support customers on their journey to the cloud through an integrated migration. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TDC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Teradata Co. (NYSE:TDC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Teradata Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teradata and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A narrowly divided UW Board of Regents on Saturday rejected an agreement between Universities of Wisconsin system President Jay Rothman and legislative Republican leaders authorizing UW system funding and pay raises in exchange for changes to universities diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. At an emergency meeting Saturday morning, regents voted 9-8 against approving the deal that could have provided UW-Madison a new engineering building, implemented pay raises for UW system employees and restored a $32 million cut Republicans made to the UW systems budget last summer. The vote to reject the deal came after impassioned pleas to not harm students by caving in to Republican demands on diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. Other regents expressed concerns that approving the deal would set a precedent: that the UW system would need to fight for the release of funding already promised in state budgets or trade its core values for the approval of building projects. The vote was an unusual show of division among regents and with Rothman. Most of Rothmans initiatives, such as automatically admitting Wisconsin high school graduates to system schools for which they qualify and launching the Wisconsin Tuition Promise, were well received by regents, and votes have often been unanimous. Voting against the deal were: Board of Regents President Karen Walsh, Vice President Amy Blumenfeld Bogost, and Regents Angela Adams, Evan Brenkus, Edmund Manydeeds, John Miller, Joan Prince, Jennifer Staton and Dana Wachs. Regents who voted in favor of the agreement were Robert Atwell, Hector Colon, Mike Jones, Jim Kreuser, Cris Peterson, Ashok Rai, Mark Tyler and Kyle Weatherly. Regent and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly was not in attendance. It was unclear where the UW system and any potential new deal will go from here. Before the vote, Rothman encouraged regents to approve the deal. Compromises needed to be made for us to reach an agreement, but in my experience, that is what is necessary and what it takes to reach a deal, Rothman said. I wanted to thank the regents for their input and feedback and guidance as we have worked through this process during multiple sessions and numerous other conversations that I had with a number of you. Imperfect compromise After the meeting, Rothman expressed his disappointment at the vote but said he respected the boards decision. UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin echoed the sentiment Saturday afternoon in a statement. I recognize this was an imperfect compromise, but I nonetheless supported it as the best way to move the priorities of our campus forward, Mnookin said. I will continue to work with Universities of Wisconsin leadership, the regents, legislative leaders and governor on these important issues over the coming weeks and months. The deal between Rothman, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, was finalized Friday. The deal would have traded a slate of Republican priorities, including reclassifying a third of the UW systems DEI employees into student success staff and a three-year moratorium on hiring additional DEI and administrative staff, for $800 million in spending, including pay raises, the engineering building and other infrastructure improvements, and $32 million in additional funding that Republicans have withheld for months. Many aspects of the deal were placed on timelines. Legislative Republicans would have needed to approve pay raises for UW system employees by Dec. 31 and approve half a dozen building projects and demolitions by the end of the February floor session. The UW system would have been required to reclassify 43 of its DEI employees within the next two academic years. Funding battle Vos set off the monthslong power struggle between lawmakers and the UW system in May when he spoke out against the university systems DEI staffing and programming and threatened to cut funding in the next state budget. Then, in October, Republicans on the employee relations board, including Vos, took up raises for all state employees except university employees over DEI programming. While Republicans have held up the spending, Vos on Saturday sought to pin the blame for the impasse on the Board of Regents. Its a shame theyve denied employees their raises and the almost ($1 billion) investment that would have been made in the UW system all so they could continue their ideological campaign to force students to believe only one viewpoint is acceptable on campus, Vos said on the social media platform X. It's a shame they've denied employees their raises and the almost 1b investment that would have been made in the UW System all so they could continue their ideological campaign to force students to believe only one viewpoint is acceptable on campus. https://t.co/q9yobBVqC7 Robin Vos (@repvos) December 9, 2023 In a statement Saturday, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said he supported the regents decision to vote their values and urged Republicans to continue working with the UW system to find common ground. Evers is suing legislative Republicans over the withholding of UW system pay raises, arguing that the denial of funds already approved as part of the states two-year budget amounts to an unconstitutional legislative veto. Its clear the regents are deeply divided over this proposal, have immense concerns about this process and the difficult position they were put in, and are all committed to their charge doing whats best for our past, present, and future students, faculty, and staff, and the institutions that have defined our state for generations, Evers said. Personal pleas Regents on Saturday recounted deeply personal stories to explain their votes and urged one another to vote their consciences. Manydeeds, an enrolled member of the South Dakota Standing Rock Sioux tribe, spoke about his years in a Native American boarding school, where he said he and his peers were not allowed to speak their native languages or dress in their cultural garments. Eliminating DEI practices on UW system campuses removes hope for students like him, Manydeeds said. I am not going to take hope away from anybody. Doing this is going to take hope away from somebody, Manydeeds said. Do you know what losing hope looks like? There were no smiles in that school. There was no laughter. There were just sad eyes. And that haunts me to this day. Other regents noted that, in surveys, students have said current DEI practices, including assigning people different job titles, establishing cultural affinity groups and the use of more inclusive terms, have not changed their perception of inclusion and belonging on campuses. Colon said he believed the proposal could allow the UW system to do things differently. If we lived out equity, diversity and inclusion, through our UW System values, our actions, our culture, it becomes who we are and how we behave, Colon said. If we approach it this way, its not something that you can get rid of. Regents who spoke in favor of the deal argued that a prolonged wait for pay raises was hurting UW system staff morale. Reading from a statement by shared governance leaders, Weatherly noted they were worried about having to negotiate for pay raises that were already promised. The crude reality is that any minute we delay in the release of compensation packages (is) a minute that we lose more faculty and staff than we have already, due to devaluation, low salaries and lack of support from the state of Wisconsin, Weatherly read from the letter. Corsair Capital Management L.P. purchased a new stake in Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. (NYSE:OPY Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 6,000 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $241,000. Corsair Capital Management L.P. owned about 0.06% of Oppenheimer as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. New York State Teachers Retirement System acquired a new stake in shares of Oppenheimer in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Oppenheimer in the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Spire Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Oppenheimer in the first quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in shares of Oppenheimer by 436.7% in the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,830 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $57,000 after purchasing an additional 1,489 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of Oppenheimer in the second quarter valued at approximately $71,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 36.48% of the companys stock. Get Oppenheimer alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. TheStreet raised Oppenheimer from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research note on Monday, November 20th. StockNews.com raised Oppenheimer from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Oppenheimer Trading Up 0.4 % OPY stock traded up $0.18 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $41.05. 29,957 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 65,255. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $37.58 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $38.49. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $425.89 million, a PE ratio of 11.90 and a beta of 1.14. Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. has a 1-year low of $32.82 and a 1-year high of $49.32. Oppenheimer (NYSE:OPY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.21 EPS for the quarter. Oppenheimer had a return on equity of 5.25% and a net margin of 3.31%. The business had revenue of $312.67 million during the quarter. Oppenheimer Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 10th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 9th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.46%. Oppenheimers dividend payout ratio is currently 17.39%. Oppenheimer Company Profile (Free Report) Oppenheimer Holdings Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as a middle-market investment bank and full-service broker-dealer in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The company offers brokerage services covering corporate equity and debt securities, money market instruments, exchange-traded options and futures contracts, municipal bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and unit investment trusts; financial and wealth planning services; and margin lending services. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OPY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. (NYSE:OPY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Oppenheimer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oppenheimer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cohen & Steers Inc. decreased its stake in DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE Free Report) by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 997,422 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 21,938 shares during the period. Cohen & Steers Inc.s holdings in DTE Energy were worth $109,736,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of DTE. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its holdings in shares of DTE Energy by 10.6% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 17,435,181 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,918,219,000 after buying an additional 1,669,375 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its stake in DTE Energy by 224.8% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,379,882 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $279,708,000 after purchasing an additional 1,647,053 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in DTE Energy by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,028,699 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,044,624,000 after purchasing an additional 1,420,586 shares during the period. Neuberger Berman Group LLC boosted its stake in DTE Energy by 38.6% during the 1st quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 3,456,061 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $378,506,000 after purchasing an additional 962,628 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in DTE Energy by 34.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,045,650 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $240,425,000 after purchasing an additional 527,592 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.72% of the companys stock. Get DTE Energy alerts: DTE Energy Price Performance Shares of DTE traded up $1.39 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $108.61. The company had a trading volume of 2,138,993 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,384,137. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $100.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $105.57. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. The company has a market capitalization of $22.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.95, a PEG ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 0.65. DTE Energy has a 12-month low of $90.14 and a 12-month high of $122.40. DTE Energy Increases Dividend DTE Energy ( NYSE:DTE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.67 by ($0.23). The company had revenue of $2.89 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.96 billion. DTE Energy had a net margin of 8.99% and a return on equity of 9.85%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.60 EPS. Research analysts expect that DTE Energy will post 5.84 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 18th will be issued a $1.02 dividend. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 15th. This is an increase from DTE Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.95. DTE Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 62.98%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. TheStreet cut shares of DTE Energy from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Friday, October 20th. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of DTE Energy from $121.00 to $106.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of DTE Energy from $108.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Guggenheim reduced their target price on shares of DTE Energy from $110.00 to $103.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of DTE Energy from $107.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, DTE Energy presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $79.87. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on DTE DTE Energy Company Profile (Free Report) DTE Energy Company engages in the utility operations. The company's Electric segment generates, purchases, distributes, and sells electricity to approximately 2.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers in southeastern Michigan. It generates electricity through fossil-fuel, hydroelectric pumped storage, and nuclear plants, as well as wind and solar assets. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DTE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for DTE Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DTE Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cohen & Steers Inc. lifted its position in shares of Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI Free Report) by 40.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,664,321 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 3,668,076 shares during the quarter. Sun Communities makes up about 3.5% of Cohen & Steers Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 9th largest position. Cohen & Steers Inc. owned about 10.18% of Sun Communities worth $1,652,024,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its stake in shares of Sun Communities by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 3,453 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $605,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Vestcor Inc grew its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Vestcor Inc now owns 2,926 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $418,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan ADV grew its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan ADV now owns 26,611 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,749,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the period. K.J. Harrison & Partners Inc grew its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. K.J. Harrison & Partners Inc now owns 11,740 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,526,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, First Manhattan CO. LLC. grew its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 12.7% during the 1st quarter. First Manhattan CO. LLC. now owns 890 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $125,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.79% of the companys stock. Get Sun Communities alerts: Insider Activity at Sun Communities In related news, CEO Baxter Underwood sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.99, for a total transaction of $257,980.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 66,896 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,628,915.04. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 2.06% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have weighed in on SUI shares. JMP Securities decreased their price target on Sun Communities from $160.00 to $150.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 15th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Sun Communities in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Barclays dropped their price target on Sun Communities from $158.00 to $157.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 19th. Compass Point dropped their price target on Sun Communities from $125.00 to $116.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Sun Communities from $129.00 to $123.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Sun Communities currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $141.36. Get Our Latest Report on SUI Sun Communities Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:SUI traded down $1.75 on Friday, hitting $127.64. The companys stock had a trading volume of 660,809 shares, compared to its average volume of 721,835. Sun Communities, Inc. has a 12 month low of $102.74 and a 12 month high of $163.83. The company has a market capitalization of $15.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 69.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.97 and a beta of 0.77. The stocks 50-day moving average is $116.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $124.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 2.65 and a current ratio of 2.65. Sun Communities Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Investors of record on Friday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.93 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.91%. Sun Communitiess dividend payout ratio is currently 203.28%. Sun Communities Profile (Free Report) Established in 1975, Sun Communities, Inc became a publicly owned corporation in December 1993. The Company is a fully integrated REIT listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: SUI. As of September 30, 2023, the Company owned, operated, or had an interest in a portfolio of 670 developed MH, RV and Marina properties comprising approximately 180,170 developed sites and approximately 48,030 wet slips and dry storage spaces in the U.S., the UK and Canada. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SUI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Sun Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sun Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PDT Partners LLC decreased its stake in Kinross Gold Co. (NYSE:KGC Free Report) (TSE:K) by 12.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 508,180 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 69,190 shares during the quarter. PDT Partners LLCs holdings in Kinross Gold were worth $2,424,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of KGC. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its position in shares of Kinross Gold by 48.8% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 114,607 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $674,000 after purchasing an additional 37,610 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in Kinross Gold by 11.7% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,122,543 shares of the mining companys stock worth $18,361,000 after acquiring an additional 325,896 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in Kinross Gold by 72.1% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 27,464 shares of the mining companys stock worth $161,000 after acquiring an additional 11,505 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board boosted its position in Kinross Gold by 39.6% during the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 1,445,200 shares of the mining companys stock worth $8,493,000 after acquiring an additional 410,300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its position in Kinross Gold by 10.0% during the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 5,377,889 shares of the mining companys stock worth $31,603,000 after acquiring an additional 487,613 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.80% of the companys stock. Get Kinross Gold alerts: Kinross Gold Stock Down 1.4 % Shares of NYSE:KGC opened at $5.75 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $7.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.75, a P/E/G ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.98. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $5.31 and a 200 day moving average price of $5.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 2.70 and a quick ratio of 1.06. Kinross Gold Co. has a 1-year low of $3.40 and a 1-year high of $5.97. Kinross Gold Announces Dividend Kinross Gold ( NYSE:KGC Get Free Report ) (TSE:K) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 8th. The mining company reported $0.12 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.10 by $0.02. Kinross Gold had a net margin of 5.83% and a return on equity of 8.43%. The company had revenue of $1.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $964.04 million. Sell-side analysts predict that Kinross Gold Co. will post 0.41 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 30th will be issued a $0.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 29th. This represents a $0.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.09%. Kinross Golds dividend payout ratio is presently 60.00%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms recently weighed in on KGC. Desjardins began coverage on shares of Kinross Gold in a research report on Monday, September 11th. They set a buy rating on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of Kinross Gold from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 6th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on shares of Kinross Gold from $5.00 to $4.65 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. TD Securities boosted their target price on shares of Kinross Gold from $6.50 to $7.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 13th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded shares of Kinross Gold from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Kinross Gold presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $6.04. Read Our Latest Analysis on Kinross Gold Kinross Gold Profile (Free Report) Kinross Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of gold properties principally in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Canada, and Mauritania. It is also involved in the extraction and processing of gold-containing ores; reclamation of gold mining properties; and production and sale of silver. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KGC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kinross Gold Co. (NYSE:KGC Free Report) (TSE:K). Receive News & Ratings for Kinross Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kinross Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PDT Partners LLC lessened its stake in shares of TechnipFMC plc (NYSE:FTI Free Report) by 23.5% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 163,849 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 50,400 shares during the period. PDT Partners LLCs holdings in TechnipFMC were worth $2,723,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Thomas White International Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of TechnipFMC during the second quarter valued at approximately $3,504,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in TechnipFMC by 10,433.6% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 12,851 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $214,000 after buying an additional 12,729 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new position in TechnipFMC during the second quarter valued at approximately $579,000. State of Wisconsin Investment Board increased its holdings in TechnipFMC by 15.3% during the second quarter. State of Wisconsin Investment Board now owns 720,965 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $11,982,000 after buying an additional 95,469 shares during the period. Finally, State Street Corp increased its holdings in TechnipFMC by 63.7% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,736,649 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $128,583,000 after buying an additional 3,010,687 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 98.79% of the companys stock. Get TechnipFMC alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts recently issued reports on FTI shares. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of TechnipFMC from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 15th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of TechnipFMC in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Susquehanna lifted their price target on shares of TechnipFMC from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a report on Wednesday, October 4th. BTIG Research lifted their price target on shares of TechnipFMC from $23.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, September 20th. Finally, BNP Paribas downgraded shares of TechnipFMC from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $23.50 price objective for the company. in a research note on Monday, November 6th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $22.71. TechnipFMC Trading Up 1.0 % Shares of TechnipFMC stock opened at $18.92 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $20.65 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $18.65. The company has a market cap of $8.24 billion, a P/E ratio of -236.50 and a beta of 1.65. TechnipFMC plc has a fifty-two week low of $11.09 and a fifty-two week high of $22.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.19. TechnipFMC (NYSE:FTI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The oil and gas company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $2.06 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.98 billion. TechnipFMC had a negative net margin of 0.46% and a positive return on equity of 3.70%. The companys revenue was up 18.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.03 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that TechnipFMC plc will post 0.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. TechnipFMC Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 21st were paid a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 20th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.06%. TechnipFMCs dividend payout ratio is currently -250.00%. About TechnipFMC (Free Report) TechnipFMC plc engages in the oil and gas projects, technologies, and systems and services businesses in Europe, Central Asia, North and Latin America, the Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. The Subsea segment engages in the design, engineering, procurement, manufacturing, fabrication, installation, and life of field services for subsea systems, subsea field infrastructure, and subsea pipe systems used in oil and gas production and transportation. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FTI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for TechnipFMC plc (NYSE:FTI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for TechnipFMC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TechnipFMC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bluefin Capital Management LLC increased its stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI Free Report) by 396.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 985,406 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 786,858 shares during the quarter. iShares China Large-Cap ETF makes up 5.3% of Bluefin Capital Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Bluefin Capital Management LLCs holdings in iShares China Large-Cap ETF were worth $26,793,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 177.8% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,250 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 800 shares during the period. Pacific Center for Financial Services bought a new stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $40,000. US Bancorp DE raised its stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 332.3% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,431 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 1,100 shares during the period. Finally, Hexagon Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 197.3% in the 2nd quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,781 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 1,182 shares during the period. Get iShares China Large-Cap ETF alerts: iShares China Large-Cap ETF Trading Down 1.4 % FXI opened at $23.70 on Friday. iShares China Large-Cap ETF has a 1-year low of $23.67 and a 1-year high of $33.38. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $25.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $26.95. The stock has a market cap of $4.44 billion, a PE ratio of 9.27 and a beta of 0.44. About iShares China Large-Cap ETF iShares China Large-Cap ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the FTSE China 25 Index (the Underlying Index). The Funds portfolio of sectors include Financials, Telecommunication, Oil & gas, Technology and Consumer goods. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FXI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares China Large-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares China Large-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bluefin Capital Management LLC lessened its position in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWT Free Report) by 83.4% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 17,414 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 87,523 shares during the period. Bluefin Capital Management LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF were worth $819,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EWT. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 351,300 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $21,588,000 after acquiring an additional 9,532 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 7.9% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,215,636 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $443,401,000 after acquiring an additional 529,394 shares in the last quarter. Edgestream Partners L.P. acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $7,348,000. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. now owns 634,825 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $38,985,000 after buying an additional 14,032 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 573,962 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $35,270,000 after buying an additional 22,524 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Trading Down 0.2 % Shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF stock opened at $48.55 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $46.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $46.47. iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF has a 12-month low of $39.75 and a 12-month high of $49.96. The stock has a market cap of $3.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.02 and a beta of 0.86. About iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Ishares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Taiwan IndexSM (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cadence Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Free Report) by 0.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 134,916 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 458 shares during the period. Cadence Banks holdings in Citizens Financial Group were worth $3,519,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 23.1% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 10,537 shares of the banks stock worth $478,000 after acquiring an additional 1,980 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 29.7% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 53,879 shares of the banks stock worth $2,442,000 after acquiring an additional 12,350 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 6.6% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 57,027 shares of the banks stock worth $2,585,000 after acquiring an additional 3,531 shares during the period. Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 9.3% in the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 71,237 shares of the banks stock worth $3,229,000 after acquiring an additional 6,060 shares during the period. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL lifted its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 38,619 shares of the banks stock worth $1,751,000 after acquiring an additional 586 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 92.67% of the companys stock. Get Citizens Financial Group alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have recently weighed in on CFG shares. Stephens reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $36.00 price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research note on Friday, September 8th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $37.00 to $33.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $33.00 target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a report on Tuesday, September 19th. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Citizens Financial Group from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $31.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Monday, December 4th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $33.79. Citizens Financial Group Stock Up 1.5 % CFG stock traded up $0.45 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $29.61. The company had a trading volume of 4,002,800 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,776,841. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $22.77 and a 1 year high of $44.82. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The company has a market capitalization of $13.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.37 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a 50 day moving average of $26.09 and a two-hundred day moving average of $27.40. Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 18th. The bank reported $0.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.91 by ($0.06). Citizens Financial Group had a return on equity of 9.60% and a net margin of 17.61%. The company had revenue of $3.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.04 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.30 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Citizens Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Citizens Financial Group Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 1st were paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, October 31st. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.67%. Citizens Financial Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.79%. Citizens Financial Group Company Profile (Free Report) Citizens Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Citizens Bank, National Association that provides retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, corporations, and institutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CFG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Citizens Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citizens Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec reduced its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 2.8% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,695,866 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 48,691 shares during the period. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec owned approximately 0.18% of Canadian Pacific Kansas City worth $137,130,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Fund Management at Engine No. 1 LLC bought a new position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the 2nd quarter worth $7,688,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 13,467,681 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,087,411,000 after acquiring an additional 633,933 shares in the last quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 5,688,088 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $459,427,000 after acquiring an additional 283,869 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 206,170.8% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,232,263 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $261,416,000 after acquiring an additional 3,230,696 shares in the last quarter. Finally, WCM Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 6.3% during the 2nd quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 31,281,327 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,526,593,000 after acquiring an additional 1,845,478 shares in the last quarter. 67.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Canadian Pacific Kansas City alerts: Canadian Pacific Kansas City Trading Down 0.5 % Shares of CP opened at $72.89 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $72.02 and a 200 day moving average of $76.56. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a fifty-two week low of $68.92 and a fifty-two week high of $85.40. The firm has a market cap of $67.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.70. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Cuts Dividend Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( NYSE:CP Get Free Report ) (TSE:CP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 25th. The transportation company reported $0.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.01. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a return on equity of 8.45% and a net margin of 37.10%. The company had revenue of $2.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.49 billion. As a group, research analysts forecast that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 2.81 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.1384 per share. This represents a $0.55 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is presently 16.52%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have weighed in on CP shares. Bank of America dropped their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $91.00 to $83.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $128.00 to $125.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $133.00 to $128.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. StockNews.com lowered Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Stephens decreased their target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $79.00 to $78.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $97.06. View Our Latest Analysis on Canadian Pacific Kansas City Canadian Pacific Kansas City Profile (Free Report) Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada and the United States. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; and merchandise freight, such as energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals and consumer, automotive, and forest products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) Senior Officer Barbara Ann Hooper sold 9,162 shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$80.49, for a total transaction of C$737,449.38. Toronto-Dominion Bank Price Performance TSE TD traded up C$0.33 on Friday, hitting C$81.01. The stock had a trading volume of 6,673,654 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,179,690. The businesss fifty day moving average price is C$80.97 and its 200 day moving average price is C$81.83. The Toronto-Dominion Bank has a 52-week low of C$75.89 and a 52-week high of C$94.05. The stock has a market cap of C$145.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.86. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 30th. The company reported C$1.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$1.92 by C($0.09). Toronto-Dominion Bank had a return on equity of 9.65% and a net margin of 22.67%. The firm had revenue of C$13.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$12.53 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 8.4530444 EPS for the current year. Toronto-Dominion Bank Increases Dividend Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 10th will be paid a dividend of $1.02 per share. This is an increase from Toronto-Dominion Banks previous quarterly dividend of $0.96. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 9th. Toronto-Dominion Banks payout ratio is presently 72.86%. A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$83.00 to C$86.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$95.00 to C$94.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 23rd. Cormark decreased their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$96.00 to C$95.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 25th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$92.00 to C$87.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Finally, Desjardins decreased their price objective on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$100.00 to C$96.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 6th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Toronto-Dominion Bank presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$90.78. Check Out Our Latest Report on Toronto-Dominion Bank Toronto-Dominion Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PDT Partners LLC increased its position in Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA Free Report) by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 39,461 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 112 shares during the quarter. Copa comprises 0.6% of PDT Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 20th largest position. PDT Partners LLCs holdings in Copa were worth $4,364,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in CPA. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Copa by 559.6% in the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 546,018 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $34,601,000 after purchasing an additional 463,244 shares during the period. FMR LLC boosted its stake in Copa by 32.0% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,663,395 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $153,615,000 after acquiring an additional 403,631 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its stake in Copa by 67.5% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 808,205 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $67,218,000 after acquiring an additional 325,800 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in Copa by 9.9% during the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 3,298,119 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $275,855,000 after acquiring an additional 297,595 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Copa by 317.1% during the 4th quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 369,463 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $30,728,000 after acquiring an additional 280,894 shares during the last quarter. 81.94% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Copa alerts: Copa Stock Down 1.1 % Shares of NYSE:CPA opened at $97.52 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.37. Copa Holdings, S.A. has a 1-year low of $78.12 and a 1-year high of $121.20. The companys fifty day moving average is $88.07 and its two-hundred day moving average is $99.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.96. Copa Dividend Announcement Copa ( NYSE:CPA Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 16th. The transportation company reported $4.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.62 by $0.77. The company had revenue of $867.71 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $870.57 million. Copa had a net margin of 12.07% and a return on equity of 39.91%. The firms revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.91 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Copa Holdings, S.A. will post 15.26 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 30th will be issued a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 29th. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.36%. Copas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.36%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have commented on CPA. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Copa from $160.00 to $170.00 in a research note on Monday, September 18th. TheStreet downgraded shares of Copa from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 1st. Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of Copa from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Copa from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 5th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $136.63. Read Our Latest Report on CPA About Copa (Free Report) Copa Holdings, SA, through its subsidiaries, provides airline passenger and cargo services. The company offers approximately 327 daily scheduled flights to 78 destinations in 32 countries in North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean from its Panama City hub. As of December 31, 2022, it operated a fleet of 97 aircraft comprising 67 Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft, 9 Boeing 737-700 Next Generation aircraft, 1 Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter, and 20 737-MAX aircraft. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CPA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Copa Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Copa and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CIBC Asset Management Inc cut its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 118,002 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,171 shares during the period. CIBC Asset Management Incs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $55,341,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LLY. Guyasuta Investment Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 4.6% during the second quarter. Guyasuta Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 3,024 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,418,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares during the last quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 688.2% during the second quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,736 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,752,000 after purchasing an additional 3,262 shares during the last quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC increased its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 13.0% during the second quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC now owns 1,874 shares of the companys stock valued at $879,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. Martin Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the second quarter valued at $234,000. Finally, Physicians Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.9% during the second quarter. Physicians Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,718 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,275,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. 81.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have weighed in on LLY. Argus boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $470.00 to $620.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. They set a hold rating and a $535.00 price target for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and set a $630.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $600.00 to $700.00 in a report on Friday, October 6th. Finally, Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $650.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $570.82. Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 1.7 % Shares of NYSE:LLY traded up $9.78 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $598.05. The stock had a trading volume of 2,446,790 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,789,936. The companys 50 day moving average is $585.38 and its 200-day moving average is $526.05. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $309.20 and a 12-month high of $629.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.05. The company has a market cap of $567.73 billion, a PE ratio of 108.34, a P/E/G ratio of 3.57 and a beta of 0.33. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.08) by $0.18. The company had revenue of $9.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.88 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 48.12% and a net margin of 15.55%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.62 EPS for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be given a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.87%. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is 81.88%. Insider Transactions at Eli Lilly and Company In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $605.44, for a total value of $130,169,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,768,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $60,404,028,326.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total transaction of $382,637.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 4,708 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,688,738.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $605.44, for a total transaction of $130,169,600.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 99,768,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $60,404,028,326.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 216,818 shares of company stock valued at $131,230,682 over the last three months. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Eli Lilly and Company Profile (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chilton Investment Co. Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE:CLH Free Report) by 88.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 13,369 shares of the business services providers stock after acquiring an additional 6,260 shares during the quarter. Chilton Investment Co. Inc.s holdings in Clean Harbors were worth $2,198,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. CIBC Asset Management Inc purchased a new position in shares of Clean Harbors during the second quarter worth approximately $226,000. Capital Impact Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Clean Harbors by 115.4% during the second quarter. Capital Impact Advisors LLC now owns 6,098 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,003,000 after buying an additional 3,267 shares during the period. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC increased its holdings in Clean Harbors by 7.4% during the second quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 3,834 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $630,000 after buying an additional 265 shares during the period. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI boosted its stake in Clean Harbors by 24.7% in the second quarter. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI now owns 605,540 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $99,569,000 after acquiring an additional 119,944 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stephens Inc. AR boosted its stake in Clean Harbors by 30.8% in the second quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 3,712 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $610,000 after acquiring an additional 873 shares in the last quarter. 90.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Clean Harbors alerts: Clean Harbors Price Performance Shares of CLH stock traded up $1.74 on Friday, reaching $171.31. 230,783 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 308,160. The company has a market cap of $9.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.72 and a beta of 1.35. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $160.79 and a 200 day moving average price of $162.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a current ratio of 2.00. Clean Harbors, Inc. has a 1 year low of $109.36 and a 1 year high of $178.33. Analyst Ratings Changes Clean Harbors ( NYSE:CLH Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The business services provider reported $1.68 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.07 by ($0.39). The company had revenue of $1.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.41 billion. Clean Harbors had a return on equity of 17.55% and a net margin of 6.77%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.43 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Clean Harbors, Inc. will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. CLH has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Raymond James lowered their target price on shares of Clean Harbors from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus reiterated a buy rating and set a $180.00 price objective on shares of Clean Harbors in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Clean Harbors in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. They set an outperform rating and a $184.00 price objective for the company. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of Clean Harbors from $186.00 to $176.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Clean Harbors in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $183.70. Read Our Latest Report on CLH Insider Transactions at Clean Harbors In related news, CEO Eric W. Gerstenberg sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.82, for a total transaction of $1,318,560.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 68,787 shares in the company, valued at $11,337,473.34. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Eric W. Gerstenberg sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.82, for a total transaction of $1,318,560.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 68,787 shares in the company, valued at $11,337,473.34. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Alan S. Mckim sold 28,389 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.50, for a total transaction of $4,669,990.50. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 2,736,275 shares in the company, valued at $450,117,237.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 36,511 shares of company stock valued at $6,008,907 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 6.70% of the companys stock. About Clean Harbors (Free Report) Clean Harbors, Inc provides environmental and industrial services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments: The Environmental Services and The Safety-Kleen Sustainability Solutions. The Environmental Services segment collects, transports, treats, and disposes hazardous and non-hazardous waste, such as resource recovery, physical treatment, fuel blending, incineration, landfill disposal, wastewater treatment, lab chemicals disposal, and explosives management services; and offers CleanPack services, including collection, identification, categorization, specialized packaging, transportation, and disposal of laboratory chemicals and household hazardous waste. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Clean Harbors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Clean Harbors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Castellan Group lowered its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 87.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 26,725 shares during the quarter. Castellan Groups holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $256,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of BMY. Abbrea Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.5% in the first quarter. Abbrea Capital LLC now owns 10,025 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $695,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Westshore Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 4.3% in the first quarter. Westshore Wealth LLC now owns 3,658 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $254,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Providence Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.5% in the first quarter. Providence Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 28,179 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,952,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. Stolper Co boosted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.6% in the second quarter. Stolper Co now owns 26,050 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,666,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cherry Creek Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.6% in the second quarter. Cherry Creek Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 28,274 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,808,000 after purchasing an additional 166 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.98% of the companys stock. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $49.78 per share, for a total transaction of $99,560.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 82,672 shares in the company, valued at $4,115,412.16. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 3,071 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $48.86 per share, for a total transaction of $150,049.06. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 79,384 shares in the company, valued at $3,878,702.24. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $49.78 per share, for a total transaction of $99,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 82,672 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,115,412.16. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired a total of 13,571 shares of company stock worth $672,994 in the last three months. 0.09% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Barclays reduced their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 27th. UBS Group reissued a neutral rating and issued a $60.00 price target (down previously from $70.00) on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, October 20th. BMO Capital Markets downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $60.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Friday, October 27th. TD Cowen reduced their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $80.00 to $66.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 15th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $68.00 to $55.00 in a report on Wednesday, November 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $63.59. Read Our Latest Report on BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Up 0.3 % Shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock opened at $50.31 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $52.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $59.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $102.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.77, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.34. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a twelve month low of $48.25 and a twelve month high of $80.67. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.24. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 51.59% and a net margin of 18.44%. The firm had revenue of $10.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.96 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.99 EPS. The firms revenue was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.56 earnings per share for the current year. Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be given a $0.60 dividend. This is a boost from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 57.87%. Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Capula Management Ltd bought a new position in shares of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 51,060 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $757,000. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of ABR. Citigroup Inc. boosted its holdings in Arbor Realty Trust by 1,442.8% in the second quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 130,425 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,933,000 after acquiring an additional 121,971 shares during the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its stake in shares of Arbor Realty Trust by 21,310.8% in the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 6,699,668 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $98,820,000 after purchasing an additional 6,668,377 shares during the last quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG grew its position in shares of Arbor Realty Trust by 8.7% during the 1st quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG now owns 57,932 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $666,000 after buying an additional 4,641 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Arbor Realty Trust by 6.1% during the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 450,309 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $6,674,000 after buying an additional 25,931 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund acquired a new position in Arbor Realty Trust in the second quarter valued at approximately $837,000. 53.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Arbor Realty Trust alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Raymond James lifted their target price on shares of Arbor Realty Trust from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 23rd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Arbor Realty Trust in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Wedbush restated an outperform rating and set a $17.00 target price on shares of Arbor Realty Trust in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Arbor Realty Trust presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $15.67. Insider Activity In related news, Director Joseph Martello sold 80,161 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.47, for a total transaction of $999,607.67. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 702,335 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,758,117.45. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Joseph Martello sold 80,161 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $12.47, for a total transaction of $999,607.67. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 702,335 shares in the company, valued at $8,758,117.45. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Paul Elenio bought 2,500 shares of Arbor Realty Trust stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 21st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $12.20 per share, with a total value of $30,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief financial officer now owns 279,799 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,413,547.80. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired 92,419 shares of company stock worth $1,129,747 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 3.40% of the companys stock. Arbor Realty Trust Trading Up 0.1 % Arbor Realty Trust stock traded up $0.01 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $13.65. 2,897,375 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,965,358. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $13.25 and its 200-day simple moving average is $14.50. The company has a quick ratio of 38.40, a current ratio of 38.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.71 and a beta of 1.97. Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $10.10 and a fifty-two week high of $17.74. Arbor Realty Trust Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 17th were issued a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.60%. Arbor Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 97.18%. About Arbor Realty Trust (Free Report) Arbor Realty Trust, Inc invests in a diversified portfolio of structured finance assets in the multifamily, single-family rental, and commercial real estate markets in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Structured Business and Agency Business. It primarily invests in bridge and mezzanine loans, including junior participating interests in first mortgages, and preferred and direct equity, as well as real estate-related joint ventures, real estate-related notes, and various mortgage-related securities. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Arbor Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arbor Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cedar Wealth Management LLC cut its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 1.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 212,485 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,504 shares during the period. Altria Group makes up 3.7% of Cedar Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 6th largest position. Cedar Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $9,626,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the first quarter worth about $25,000. Northwest Bank & Trust Co acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter worth about $27,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter worth about $30,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the first quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the first quarter worth about $41,000. 58.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Altria Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Robert Matthews Davis acquired 1,200 shares of Altria Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $40.50 per share, for a total transaction of $48,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 8,473 shares in the company, valued at approximately $343,156.50. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Altria Group from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 13th. Citigroup lowered their price target on Altria Group from $46.50 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. Bank of America lowered their price target on Altria Group from $49.00 to $47.00 in a research report on Monday, October 9th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Altria Group from $40.40 to $39.20 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 6th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $47.53. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on MO Altria Group Price Performance NYSE MO opened at $41.30 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $73.05 billion, a PE ratio of 8.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.66. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $41.43 and its 200-day simple moving average is $43.31. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $39.06 and a 1-year high of $51.57. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.29 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $5.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.43 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 35.58% and a negative return on equity of 237.91%. The businesss revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.28 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.96 EPS for the current fiscal year. Altria Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 21st will be given a $0.98 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.49%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 79.84%. About Altria Group (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Burnt debris fill the stairwell and the sky can be seen in the absence of a roof on Dec. 10, 2023, in the aftermath of a blaze the previous night at the former Emerson High School in Gary. The shuttered school is on the National Register of Historic Places. (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) A two-alarm fire Saturday night decimated most of the roof of a shuttered Gary high school listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Firefighters responded to the blaze at Ralph Waldo Emerson High School, 716 E. 7th Ave., around 9:45 p.m., the Gary Fire Department said. Crews arrived on scene within three minutes and found heavy fire conditions in the roof and attic space above the third floor rapidly spreading across the span of the structure, according to a release from the city. Winds out of the west at 20 mph helped the blaze spread, which required firefighters to exit the structure and attack the blaze from outside with elevated master streams, the release stated. Advertisement Concrete barricades blocking access to the north side of the building also hampered fire suppression efforts. Light pours in through a burnt through roof onto scorched wood windows and doors as a result of a Saturday night fire inside the abandoned Emerson High School in Gary on Sunday, December 10, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) The department said the fire was mostly extinguished by 3:30 a.m. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire, and Gary said its department and the Indiana State Fire Marshals Office will process evidence from the scene. Advertisement Fire Chief Mark Terry said it was devastating to witness the damage to Emerson. This building contains so much history to so many of us in Gary, he said in a statement. I have many fond memories here having attended many events when my son was a student here. The birthplace of our modern educational system was started right here, and this school was the first school in the country to have a swimming pool. There have been so many famous alumni that roamed these halls. An Emerson School sign can be seen among rubble in the aftermath of a Saturday night fire at the abandoned Gary school on Sunday, December 10, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) With the help of the Munster and Merrillville Fire Departments, firefighters extinguished the fire early Sunday morning with no injuries. The fires cause is under investigation, but arson investigators were at the scene, officials said. The smell of smoke still hung heavy in the air, and water could be heard pouring down to the buildings lower levels Sunday afternoon as people came to see the damage. Ebony and Rodney Nash said they attended the school during its final years as performing arts magnet school and pointed out from the sidewalk on the east side the various classrooms they remembered. Former Emerson student Ebony Nash, on left, and her brother Rodney Nash, also a former student, stand outside of the shell of the abandoned Emerson School after a fire at the building on Sunday, December 10, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) That was Mr. Stanleys room right there (on the third floor), and Mrs. Smith-Richardsons was next to it, said Rodney Nash, who attended Emerson between sixth and 10th grades before transferring, said before turning to his sister. The inside jokes that only Emerson kids would understand? So many. You remember the 30-minute sock hops during lunch? And during performance time, you had no room for error. Our teachers demanded perfection, and thats what they got. Ebony Nash, who was one of the last classes to graduate from Emerson before it merged with William Wirt High School in Garys Miller section in 2008, said she saw the news as she was leaving church Sunday morning. She was a Drama major and cherishes the memory of her senior year in 2006-07. Advertisement Id finished all the classes for my major and was taking filler classes. No kid wants to go to school, but my friends made it go by faster, Ebony Nash said. That was the year I finally got to drive to school, and I had to get a parking pass to park out front. A scorched page from a math book sits in leaves outside of Emerson High School in the aftermath of a Saturday night fire at the abandoned building on Sunday, December 10, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) This building wasnt bothering nobody. Hopefully, this will be a wake-up call to the city, Rodney Nash added. Renee Forbes, who graduated from Emerson in 1979, lives a few blocks away from the school and found out about the fire from a home camera alert. She was saddened by the fire. It seems like they couldve saved the building at some point, but its been here like this too long, she said. Burnt wood from a collapsed ceiling is seen in the hallway at the former Emerson High School in the aftermath of a Saturday night fire at the Gary building on Sunday, December 10, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) Bruce Stahl, a teacher in Michigan City, wouldve gone to Emerson in the 1960s if his family hadnt moved to the Horace Mann High School district, he said. Stahl said hes a city historian of sorts who comes back to Gary a couple times a week because the landscape of the old buildings changes in the blink of an eye. Gary was one of the best school districts in the nation. Emerson was the first one with a pool, and it even had a zoo. It was put on the National Historic register in 1995 now, almost every school building is empty, Stahl said. Its a shame. Advertisement Known for a four-day boycott in 1927, where hundreds of students demanded that administrators kick out 17 Black students after theyd been transferred there due to overcrowding at their school, the Emerson building has more recently been the backdrop for blight and crime. Gunfire erupted inside vacant Gary Emerson High School in July, leading to the arrests of three East Chicago men and a juvenile girl. Michigan City resident and former Gary teacher Bruce Stahl takes photos with his phone of the aftermath of a Saturday night fire at the abandoned Emerson High School in Gary on Sunday, December 10, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) Police responded to the school after a report of shots fired, according to a police release. As officers arrived at the school, shots were still being fired, the Post-Tribune previously reported. Firefighters in June responded to an arson fire at the school, once the grandest and oldest in the Gary system, opening in 1909. As enrollment declined, the district couldnt keep up maintenance at the three-story school plagued by mold. After it closed in 2008, scrappers and vandals invaded it, and windows are still wide open for easy access. Former Emerson students Rodney Nash, on left, and his sister Ebony Nash, talk about their time at the school in the aftermath of a fire at the abandoned Gary building on Sunday, December 10, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune) In 2015, police found a 17-year-old Chicago teen dead inside the blighted building. Police said Connita L. Richardson had been strangled. Both Emerson and Horace Mann are owned by the Gary Housing Authority. Advertisement Carole Carlson contributed. Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. [December 10, 2023] Applicants Wanted: The Fighting and Managing Wildfire in a Changing Climate Program - Training Fund OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 10, 2023 /CNW/ - As climate change continues to impact the frequency, intensity and severity of wildfires in many provinces and territories, the Government of Canada is continuing to support Canadians now while strengthening Canada's preparedness for years to come. Investments that support wildland fire training initiatives increase the capacity for fire management across Canada. On December 8th, 2023, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced the launch of the Fighting and Managing Wildfire in a Changing Climate Program Training Fund (FMWCC) call for applications. Under this program, the Government of Canada will provide funding to train 1,000 firefighters to help reduce the risks of wildfires and support community-based capacity to mitigate, prepare and respond to wildfires on an ongoing basis. A two-year pilot phase, starting in 202223, has informed the design of this 2023 Wildfire Training Fund Call for Applications to support projects through the end of the program in 2027. Funding is available for projects in the following three streams: Wildland Firefighter Training at the Type I, II, III levels; Community Wildfire Protection Training to develop and implement community-based wildfire prevention and fire management activities; and Youth Wildfire Training to develop future cohorts of wildland firefighters and professionals. The Call prioritizes Indigenous applicants and projects that demonstrate the benefit to Indigenous communities, which face disproportionate climate impacts relating to wildfires. It will also take into consideration the three streams, a distinction-based approach, national distribution and support diversity and the inclusion of underrepresented groups (e.g., women, racialized groups and Indigenous groups). Applications for the 2023 Wildfire Training Fund Call for Applications will be accepted from December 8, 2023, until February 1, 2024, and are open to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous organizations, groups and communities, Canadian academic institutions, provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies. Virtual information sesions will be held on December 14, 2024, at 11 a.m. ET in French and 1 p.m. ET in English. These sessions will provide an opportunity for interested applicants to pose questions about the application requirements and process. Keeping Canadians safe and healthy is a top priority for the Government of Canada. By working together with provinces, territories and Indigenous communities, we continue to address wildfires while protecting homes, livelihoods and lives. Quotes "After the worst wildfire season in our history, the federal government is continuing to work with provincial and territorial counterparts, as well as with Indigenous Peoples, to mitigate and adapt to the worst effects of climate change. The Fighting and Managing Wildfires: Training Fund is a crucial part of Canada's plan to train more firefighters in the communities that need them most, protecting lives and livelihoods. Over the past eight years, the federal government has made wildfire management a top priority and will continue to do so." The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Energy and Natural Resources "Canadians just experienced our worst forest fire season in recorded history. The call for proposals for the Wildfire Training Fund will strengthen our firefighting capabilities and ensure that communities across Canada get the help they need to better respond to increasingly more frequent and severe disasters." The Honourable Harjit Sajjan President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada Quick Facts The FMWCC program Training Fund was launched in 2022 as a two-year pilot phase to inform the full launch of a responsive, inclusive and holistic Wildfire Training Fund. Recognizing that Indigenous communities are disproportionately threatened by wildfires, the pilot focused on providing support to train firefighters in at-risk Indigenous communities while also seeking to better understand the needs of the communities, build relationships and identify the barriers to participation within these communities. The Government of Canada has been working with communities and organizations affected by wildfire to better understand the unique role the federal government plays in serving these communities, to offer nationally recognized training to further employment mobility for all firefighters, notably Indigenous firefighters, and to support a more sustainable approach to training, employment and all hazards management in Indigenous communities and beyond. Related Information Follow us on LinkedIn SOURCE Natural Resources Canada Locals reported gunfire throughout the Kansas City metro overnight and right now we focus on a few news stories related to tragic shootings and desperate attempts to overcome the local cycle of violence. 1 victim sustained life-threatening injuries in shooting Saturday at The Village Apartments in south KCMO One person sustained life-threatening injuries in a shooting Saturday night at The Village Apartments in south KCMO according to a spokesperson with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department. Family speaks out after Independence woman paralyzed after shooting Family members of an Independence woman who was shot Wednesday evening are searching for answers. Shooting victim was dropped off at Research Medical Center Saturday night in critical condition Research Medical Center staff notified officers with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department Saturday night of a shooting victim who was dropped off at the emergency room in critical condition. Read more vialinks . . . Developing . . . Prog blog perspective shares lessons from the Kansas newspaper police raid that garnered international coverage. Ironically, just as this screed fears small town local police crackdowns on freedom of speech . . . Many conservatives rage over high ranking social media censorship and penalties for challenging the mainstream narrative. This quote might not find common ground but it's worth considering as we slouch toward an election year: "Consider for a moment the way local officials abused their authority and generally disgraced their offices in the performance of their official duties, both at the time of the raid and since. Its a sordid tale of local revenge politics, the strutting and bragging of small-town cops, the willingness of a prosecutor and a magistrate to go along, and the failure of state officials who damn well knew better to intervene. "Now imagine that this comedy of terrors is unleashed not on the local newspaper, which is the best equipped of all local institutions to fight back, but is directed instead at a friend or neighbor. Imagine these tactics are used against you or your family while you were exercising your normal law-abiding actions guaranteed by the First Amendment. Imagine being raided for expressing your opinion in a letter to the editor, or for going to church (or for not going to church), or for peaceably assembling at a town hall meeting. "The abuses by the tinpot dictators in Marion have been laid bare by a media spotlight fueled by public outrage. But what also worries me are the abuses perpetrated on ordinary citizens across the country who dont have barrels of ink or digital platforms with unlimited bandwidth. The public outrage over the illegal raid on the Marion County Record was a justifiable response to a jaw-dropping abuse of power. "But most instances of official misconduct dont take place in broad daylight on a Friday across the street from the county courthouse in a sleepy little Flint Hills town. No, it happens during traffic stops on hostile highways to frightened individuals who dont have powerful friends to call for help. It happens in filthy alleys and crowded backrooms, in well-kept homes and cozy apartments, in jails and prisons and anywhere else officials use their power to victimize others." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . On Friday the Caribbean Football Union will stage the 2024 Next Gen Referees Course for Regi There is a possibility that Sweden will transfer Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, which Ukrainian pilots have already tested. Thats in addition to the F-16s Ukraine is expected to receive from foreign parnters. This was stated by Yuriy Ihnat, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, who spoke on the air of the national telethon, Ukrinform reports. "The main combat aircraft will be the F-16s... The Gripen is also being considered as the Swedish side can transfer to Ukraine the number it has today. We are not talking about the numbers today though. Anyway, the main combat aircraft (Ukraine is posed to receive ed.) still remains the F-16. If the decision on Gripens is taken, this will be a nice option for us," he said. According to him, Gripen could complement our Air Force. Ihnat emphasized that Sweden is looking into developing a newer version of Gripen fighters for its own air force. Therefore, the spokesman noted, Ukraine may as well receive from Sweden the older variant. The spokesman reported that Ukrainian pilots have already tested Gripen fighter jets in Sweden. "During the first visit to the Kingdom of Sweden, the Air Force commander deployed a number of specialists there, as the meeting was taking place, so that they would investigate the possibility of supplies of these aircraft and go on some familiarization flights in order to understand how they operate and provide a full report on whether we can or cant get this equipment," said Ihnat. At the same time, he noted that it was not pilot training, but only test flights. The training phase, he said, will begin only after Sweden announces a decision to hand the jets to Ukraine. Consultations are currently ongoing, Ihnat added. As Ukrinform reported earlier, referring to the Ministry of Defense, Ukraine and Sweden are discussing joint work in the field of innovation, as well as the possible transfer of Gripen aircraft to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Commander-in-Chief of the Swedish Armed Forces noted that the issue of the transfer of Gripen warplanes to Ukraine is being discussed both at the political and military operational levels. Photo: mil.in.ua Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a meeting with Cabo Verde's Prime Minister Jose Ulisses Correia e Silva invited this African country to join the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. That's according to the presidential press service, Ukrinform reports. "On his way to Argentina to participate in the inauguration of the newly elected President Javier Milei, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cape Verde, Jose Ulisses Correia e Silva, which became the first meeting in the history of bilateral relations with this country," according to the Office of the President. Photo: Volodymyr Zelensky, Telegram Zelensky emphasized the importance of Cape Verde's principled stand in supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemning Russian aggression, and specific steps taken by Cape Verde in support of Ukraine's international initiatives. In particular, Cape Verde favored the resolution of the 11th emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly on March 2, 2022, on the support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the demand for Russia to cease aggressive actions and withdraw its troops from the country. Earlier, Cape Verde supported the resolution of the UN General Assembly on March 27, 2014, urging countries around the world not to recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea. The president expressed his gratitude for the support, particularly in the UN, stating, "It is the voice of democracy that helps us, endorsing resolutions that are crucial." The head of state invited Cape Verde's prime minister to join efforts in implementing Ukraine's Peace Formula. Special priority was given to the implementation of its particular points, the preparation for the fourth national security and foreign policy advisors' meeting, as well as the Global Peace Summit. Zelensky thanked Jose Ulisses Correia e Silva for supporting the "Grain from Ukraine" humanitarian initiative and briefed him on the efforts to expand a new export corridor and establish grain hubs in Africa. The head of state informed his interlocutor about Russia's unsuccessful attempts to hinder civilian navigation in the Black Sea, noting that after the restart of the alternative grain corridor, over 7 million tonnes of food had already been transported. Both leaders also focused on intensifying Ukraine's engagement with African countries, enhancing cooperation within international forums, and agreed on the schedule of bilateral contacts in the near future. The President of Ukraine invited the head of the government of Cape Verde to visit Ukraine. In May this year, Zelensky had a phone call with Cape Verde's President Jose Maria Neves for the first time. Photo credit: Office of the President of Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met with his Paraguayan counterpart Santiago Pena in Buenos Aires. That's according to the press service of the head of state, Ukrinform reports. The head of state thanked Paraguay for its steadfast support for Ukraine within international organizations. Zelensky informed Pena about the progress in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and the results of three meetings of the national security and foreign policy advisors. "We are extremely interested in involving Paraguay in the implementation of our Peace Formula," Zelensky said. He expressed hope that as many Latin American countries as possible would participate in the next meeting of the advisors in January 2024. Both leaders also exchanged views on the possibilities of deepening trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and Paraguay. Zelensky invited Pena to visit Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou have discussed the prospects for holding the Ukraine-Latin America summit. That's according to the press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports. "While on a working visit to Argentina, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with President of Uruguay Luis Lacalle Pou," the report said. Zelensky expressed gratitude for Uruguay's stance within the International Maritime Organization in support of the resolution on the impact of the Russian armed invasion of Ukraine on international navigation adopted in December this year. Read also: Zelensky meets with Paraguayan president "Today I have the opportunity to personally thank you and the people of your country for supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. Zelensky said that Ukraine was currently engaged in a fierce combat with Russian troops on the battlefield and was simultaneously working to implement the Ukrainian Peace Formula, which is one of the key political instruments to end the war. Zelensky commended the participation of Uruguay's representative in the third meeting of national security and foreign policy advisors on the implementation of the Peace Formula. He expressed hope for Uruguay's participation in the fourth meeting of advisors in January next year, where, among other things, discussions are planned on the preparation for the inaugural Global Peace Summit. Special attention was paid to the prospects for holding the Ukraine-Latin America summit. The Ukrainian president invited his Uruguayan counterpart to visit Ukraine. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Dec, 2023) Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Human Rights and Women Empowerment, Mushaal Hussein Mullick has asserted that India had consistently thwarted every chance for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. Advocating for a just and transparent trial for her husband and Kashmiri Hurriyat Leader Mohammad Yasin Malik, Mushaal emphasized that Modi's entire election narrative revolves around the prospect of imposing a death sentence on Yasin Malik. These remarks were delivered during the Kashmir Conference, which focused on the violations of human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and the role of the United Nations. The event was organized by the Human Rights Council of Pakistan to commemorate International Human Rights Day. Mushaal emphasized the need for global attention to the United Nations Human Rights Commission reports of 2018 and 2019 to stop India's human rights violations in IIOJK. She expressed deep concern over the restricted access of international human rights observers to IIOJK. She lamented the information and communication blockade imposed by India, stating that it has prevented the true extent of human rights abuses in IIOJK from reaching the international community. She said the on-ground situation in IIOJK is far more severe than what is being reported. She further said that the land of IIOJK was filled with unmarked graves. India was killing the Kashmiri people with impunity and families were left waiting for the dead bodies of their loved ones. She also said that India is using rape as weapon against women, men and children with impunity. Mushaal highlighted the shortcomings of the United Nations, an institution initially created to peacefully address global conflicts such as those of Kashmir and Palestine. She expressed disappointment, asserting that the UN has not been successful in compelling India to adhere to its own passed resolutions and human rights conventions in Jammu and Kashmir. She also demanded the representation of the people of IIOJK in the UN General Assembly, underscoring the importance of amplifying their voices on the international stage. Mushaal underscored the pivotal role of youth in the success of any movement. She advocated for the creation of dedicated Kashmir cells within educational institutions to provide comprehensive education and awareness to the youth on the complex issues of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, she proposed the establishment of a government-level legal body to advocate the just cause of Kashmir in international courts. Mushaal expressed that the ongoing journey of the Kashmir struggle requires collective ownership at every level. Mushaal highlighted the teachings of Islam, emphasizing its core principles of upholding human rights regardless of creed and colour. She pointed out that islam strictly prohibits the killing of non-combatant civilians and the destruction of crops, plants, and properties, even amid a battle. New York, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Dec, 2023) The United Nations High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, composed of 38 members from various countries worldwide, has held its first in-person meeting in New York City, with the participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom was represented in the UN Advisory Body by the Shura Council's member Dr. Latifa bint Mohammed Al-Abdulkareem, with the participation of a delegation from the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). The meeting discussed the potential adoption of AI technologies, addressing challenges arising from their misuse, and delving into the governance mechanisms of AI at both the national and global levels. In 2020, the Kingdom hosted a consultation session during the Global AI Summit organized by the SDAIA, discussing the establishment of this advisory body for AI under the UN. (@FahadShabbir) Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Dec, 2023) Tornadoes tore through the US state of Tennessee on Saturday, leaving at least six people dead, damaging homes and causing blackouts, authorities said. Three people died in a suburb of Nashville, the southeastern state's capital, while photos posted by the city's Office of Emergency Management showed downed trees and collapsed homes. "Unfortunately we can confirm there are three fatalities as a result of the severe weather on Nesbitt Lane," the office wrote on X, formerly Twitter. In the city of Clarksville about 40 miles (65 kilometers) away, two adults and one child were killed by a tornado, according to a statement from the Montgomery County government. "Additionally, 23 people have been treated at the hospital," it said. The September 2023 appointment of Rustem Umerov as Ukraine's defense minister was well received at home and abroad. Noted for his youth and corruption-free record, the 41-year-old has been a top negotiator in talks with Russia. But what has drawn the most notice is Umerov's ethnic background as a Crimean Tatar, representing an often-overlooked part of Ukraine's Indigenous history. Crimea has a long history of human habitation, having been settled by the Tauri and Scythian people before becoming a Greek and later Roman colony. During the medieval period, the peninsula saw rule by the Khazar Empire, Byzantium, the Kyivan Rus, and the Republic of Genoa, as well as invasions and settlements by Goths, Huns, Bulgars, Jews, Turks, Armenians, and more. With the arrival of the Mongol Golden Horde and the adoption of Islam in the 14th century, most of these diverse populations assimilated to the Turkic-speaking Cuman-Kipchak majority, forming the Crimean Tatar identity. By the 15th century, the Tatars had cast off Mongol rule and allied with the Ottoman Empire. Palaces and ports The quasi-independent Crimean Khanate was one of the most powerful and wealthy states in Eastern Europe, with splendid palaces and thriving port cities. But much of the Khanate's wealth was built on supplying slaves to the markets of the Middle East, and their periodic raids to take captives led to conflict with the neighboring Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Russian Empire. It was amidst these clashes that the Cossacks, an early incarnation of the Ukrainian state, would form in the contested territories, at times fighting against the Tatars and at times allying with them against the other powers. However, with the gradual decline of the Ottoman Empire in the 18th century and Russia's victory in the Russo-Turkish War, the Khanate was left unprotected. In 1783, Catherine II annexed the entire peninsula as the Taurida Oblast of the Russian Empire, violating Russia's treaty guaranteeing Crimean independence. Russian rule was not kind to the Tatars. The tsarist governments considered them a disloyal population, and over the next century, each new war in the region brought fresh waves of persecution. Hundreds of thousands of Tatars were expelled or pressured to leave, with their lands confiscated and Russians resettled in their stead, while Tatar language and culture were suppressed. Nevertheless, at the end of the nineteenth century, Tatars still made up over one-third of Crimea's population and had begun to form a national movement like many others in Europe. Starvation, deportation, and violence Amidst the Russian Empire's collapse in World War I, the Crimean People's Republic the first democratic republic in the Muslim world was proclaimed in December 1917 and recognized by the Central Rada of the Ukrainian People's Republic before both ultimately fell to the Bolshevik army. In Crimea's first decade of Soviet rule as an autonomous republic within Russia, Tatars faced starvation, deportation, and violence along with Ukrainians and other populations, as the famines of the early 1920s were followed by man-made famines resulting from Stalin's forced collectivization. When Nazi Germany invaded the peninsula in 1941, thousands of Tatars were killed, displaced, or sent to prison camps. But their worst ordeal was yet to come. By holding out the promise of liberation from Soviet rule, the German occupiers managed to recruit a minority of Tatar collaborators into volunteer battalions, as they had done with many other nationalities including Russians themselves. Most Tatars had resisted the Nazis and many had fought alongside the partisans and the Red Army, with six earning the highest honor of Hero of the Soviet Union. Stalin declares Tatars traitors Yet upon the peninsula's reconquest in 1944, Stalin declared the Tatars traitors and ordered the entire population deported a national trauma known in the Tatar language as the Surgun, or exile. Within 10 days of the order, virtually every Tatar was loaded onto overcrowded, unsanitary cattle trains and transported to remote regions of Uzbekistan and Russia. Of the over 191,000 deported, nearly 8,000 died in transit. Survivors faced not only deadly working conditions with little food or medical care, but were categorized as "special settlers," prohibited from leaving their place of deportation. Crimea was stripped of its autonomous status and subject to mass resettlement by Russians, who moved into the Tatars' abandoned homes. Although their "special settler" status was lifted after Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev's repudiation of Stalin in 1956, the deportees still could not return to the peninsula, which was by then transferred to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Unlike other deported populations, the Crimean Tatar identity had been officially erased and its people grouped with the Central Asian Tatars whose homeland was Russia's region of Tatarstan. Those who did return to Crimea found it difficult to obtain residency permits or find housing. It was only after the rise of an organized Crimean Tatar movement and several high-profile self-immolations protesting the ongoing injustice that the Soviet government officially allowed the Crimean Tatars' return in 1989, shortly before its collapse. By 1991, about 150,000 Tatars had come home. Over the decades, the Tatar movement had forged strong links with other dissidents and national movements and, given their history under Russian rule, overwhelmingly decided their future lies with Ukraine. When Crimea voted with the rest of Ukraine's regions in the 1991 independence referendum, the Tatar vote was instrumental in attaining a narrow pro-independence majority. More Crimean Tatars returned over the next two decades, raising the population to more than a quarter million. And though they faced bureaucratic obstacles, discrimination by Russian-speaking locals, and government dysfunction, they began to rebuild their communities and institutions like the Mejlis council, officially recognized by the Ukranian government as the Crimean Tatars' representative body in 1999. Russian occupation stops progress Russia's illegal annexation in 2014 has put a sharp brake on this cultural revival. Under the occupation, the Mejlis has been outlawed, mosques and schools have been shuttered, and public gatherings are banned. Tatar citizens face arbitrary detention, surveillance, and killing at the hands of Russian authorities, as well as conscription into the Russian armed forces. Thousands have fled to unoccupied parts of Ukraine. In 2014, the Ukrainian Parliament recognized Crimean Tatars as an Indigenous people of Crimea commemorates the Surgun as a genocide. Thousands have fled to unoccupied parts of Ukraine, whose government now recognizes the Tatars' Indigenous status and commemorates the Surgun as a genocide. And while the majority of Crimean Tatars remain in the occupied peninsula where their culture is suppressed, the presence of two national minorities among Ukraine's top military leadership is a reminder of the diverse heritage now threatened by Russia's unprovoked invasion. The United States, Israels staunchest supporter in its war against Hamas militants, said Sunday that the Israeli military is failing in its announced intention to protect as many Palestinian civilians as possible who are trying to flee Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. Its imperative that civilians be protected, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNNs State of the Union show. He said Israel had fallen short in protecting Palestinian civilians as it continues its offensive against the militants in the narrow enclave along the Mediterranean Sea. The top U.S. diplomat said, What were not seeing are deconfliction times so [more humanitarian] aid can be brought in to Gaza and clarity of demarcation lines for areas where Israel will not attack so civilians can find safe refuge. The U.N. General Assembly will hold an emergency meeting Tuesday to vote on a draft resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the U.N., told The Associated Press that it's similar to the Security Council resolution the U.S. vetoed Friday. Intense fighting After an intense 24-hour combat, Israeli tanks rolled into the center of Khan Younis, the main city of the southern Gaza Strip Sunday. The Israeli military said it had struck more than 250 targets in the past 24 hours, including some in the south near Khan Younis, but also the Shajaiya neighborhood of Gaza City in the north. It also said dozens of Hamas fighters had surrendered, encouraging more of them to do so, but the Palestinian militant group denied this, calling the claim "false and baseless." Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, after Hamas militants invaded southern Israel in a surprise terror attack on Oct. 7, killed about 1,200 people and captured about 240 hostages. Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, is still holding about 140 people. The Hamas-run health ministry says that nearly 18,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in the Israeli air and ground offensive in the last seven weeks. The World Health Organization's executive board was meeting Sunday to discuss the health situation in Gaza. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the health situation in Gaza as catastrophic," adding it will be almost impossible to improve. The 34-member board passed an emergency WHO motion by consensus to secure more medical access in the enclave. Palestinian officials have also described a disastrous health situation in Gaza, where Israels assault has left most of the population homeless, with little electricity, food or clean water, and a medical system facing collapse. "I must be frank with you: These tasks are almost impossible in the current circumstances," Tedros said. Still, he commended countries for finding common ground, saying it was the first time any U.N. motion had been agreed on by consensus since the conflict began. Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian politician who heads the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees with 25 teams working in Gaza, said, "Half of Gaza is now starving." He said 350,000 people had infections, including 115,000 with severe respiratory infections. They also are lacking warm clothes, blankets and protection from the rain, he said. EU foreign ministers On Monday, European Union foreign ministers will consider possible options in response to the Middle East crisis, including a crackdown on Hamass finances and travel bans for Israeli settlers responsible for violence in the West Bank, Reuters reported. At a meeting in Brussels, ministers from the blocs 27 countries will also hear from Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba as they discuss future security assistance to Kyiv. While EU officials insist helping Ukraine repel Russias invasion remains a top priority, the eruption of the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas has forced the bloc to focus anew on the Middle East. U.S. President Joe Biden has asked Congress for a $110 billion package of wartime funding for Ukraine ($61.4 billion) and Israel, along with other national security priorities. But on Wednesday, Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked the legislation, saying major U.S. border security changes were needed. The war also has exposed long-running and deep divisions on the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict among EU countries. But the ministers will try to find common ground as they consider a discussion paper from the EUs diplomatic service that outlines a broad range of possible next steps. Hamas is listed by the U.S. and European Union as a terrorist organization. United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer to this report. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. President Joe Biden will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House Tuesday as the U.S. administration increases its push for Congress to approve additional aid to Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia. The visit is intended to underscore the United States unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russias brutal invasion, the White House said in a statement Sunday. Zelenskyy's office confirmed that he had accepted Biden's invitation. He also has been invited to speak to a meeting of all senators. Biden has asked Congress for a $110 billion package of wartime funding for Ukraine ($61.4 billion) and Israel, along with other national security priorities. But on Wednesday, Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked the legislation, saying major U.S. border security changes were needed. Some Republicans are asking for the immediate deportation of illegal migrants, stripping them of a chance to seek U.S. asylum. They have also called for greatly scaling back Biden administration programs that have allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. lawfully. With U.S. Congress about to go on holiday recess in less than a week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed grave concern about U.S. aid not reaching Ukraine in time as winter looms. Speaking Sunday on ABCs This Week, Blinken said the United States is running out of money for Ukraines war against Russia. He called on Congress to act on supplemental funding for Ukraine. We need to see the supplemental budget request go through as quickly as possible, Blinken said in the interview. He stressed that Ukraine has done an extraordinary job fighting Russian aggression, taking 50% of its territory back over the past year. Blinken also pointed out that 90% of the money that goes to Ukraines assistance is invested in the U.S. In terms of the production of materials and munitions and weapons that go to the Ukrainians, its right here, in America, he said. Lavrov blames Ukraine, US Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Sunday that the West was trying to exhaust Russia in Ukraine and that any peace talks would have to be initiated by Kyiv. "It is up to the Ukrainians to recognize how deep they are in the hole where the Americans put them," Lavrov said of the war. When asked what the chances were of diplomacy bringing about a cease-fire or peace, he said, "You'll have to call Mr. [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy because a year-and-a-half ago he signed a decree prohibiting any negotiations with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin." The British defense ministry said Sunday in its daily intelligence update on Ukraine that Russia has almost certainly been stockpiling air-launched cruise missiles, or ALCMs, for use in its winter campaign against Ukraine. The missiles were used Thursday, the ministry said, in a major wave of strikes aimed at Kyiv and central Ukraine. While the British ministry says the December launch of the missiles was probably designed to degrade Ukraine's energy infrastructure, initial reports indicate that Ukraine successfully intercepted most of them. One civilian was killed, officials said. Hungarian blockade Meanwhile, Hungarian truckers Monday plan to block Hungary's main border crossing with Ukraine in protest of Ukrainian carriers bringing cheaper products into the European Union country and hurting local trade. Truckers from Ukraine have been exempted from permits for crossing into the EU since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Haulers across eastern Europe have demanded restrictions on the number of Ukrainian trucks entering the bloc. "We have asked the EU ... to review its agreement signed with Ukraine and consider the interests of EU carriers, among them those [of] Hungary," Tivadar Arvay, general secretary of the Hungarian Road Transport Association, told state news agency MTI. Polish trucks at the Polish-Ukrainian border have been backed up for kilometers (miles) as Polish truckers block roads to three border crossings. Ukraine has managed to bypass the Polish truckers blockade by transporting the first batch of buses to Poland by rail, Ukrainian state railways Ukrzaliznytsia said Sunday. Ukrainian authorities say about 3,500 trucks were blocked on the Polish side of the Polish-Ukrainian border as of Sunday morning. So far, authorities have not been able to reach an agreement with the protesters, who, like their Hungarian counterparts, are also seeking to stop Ukrainian truckers from having permit-free access to the European Union. Some information for this article came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Houston elected Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire as its next mayor on Saturday night, elevating a Texas lawmaker who has represented the city for 50 years by giving him a victory over U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in a runoff. Whitmire, 74, who is one of Texas' most powerful Democratic legislators, will now be at the helm of America's fourth-largest city. His campaign focused on reducing crime, improving streets and bringing people together. He heavily outspent Jackson Lee, who was running to become Houston's first Black female mayor. The congresswoman's campaign also had to deal with fallout from the release in October of an unverified audio recording that purported to capture her profanely berating staff. Whitmire built an insurmountable lead among early voters, winning among those voters by 30 percentage points. Whitmire and Jackson Lee had made it to Saturday's runoff after emerging from a crowded field of nearly 20 candidates in the Nov. 7 general election. Both candidates two of Houston's biggest political fixtures touted their decades-long political experience as strong qualifications to lead a growing city facing challenges that include crime, crumbling infrastructure and potential budget shortfalls. Whitmire started in the Texas Legislature in 1973, first as a state representative and the majority of his time as a state senator. Jackson Lee has represented Houston in Congress since 1995 and before that had served on Houston's City Council. Booming growth over the last decade has caused municipal headaches but has also turned the Houston area into an expanding stronghold for Texas Democrats. Although the mayoral race is nonpartisan, Whitmire and Jackson Lee are both Democrats. Whitmire will be the oldest big city mayor in the U.S. He is set to lead a city which is becoming younger, with a median age of around 35 and with 25% of its population below 18, according to census figures. The choice between Whitmire and Jackson Lee, who is 73, frustrated some Democratic voters, particularly younger ones, at a time when the party is searching for new political stars in Texas who might end 30 years of GOP dominance statewide. The new mayor will have to deal with new laws from the GOP-led state government over control of local elections and the ability to impose local regulations. Whitmire will replace Mayor Sylvester Turner, who has served eight years and can't run again because of term limits. Whitmire will also lead what is considered one of the country's most diverse cities. Of the city's 2.3 million residents, 45% are Latino, with 23% Black and 24% white. One in every four Houston residents was born outside the U.S. Known as the energy capital of the world, Houston's economy has long been tied mainly to the oil industry. But the city is working to become a leader in the transition to cleaner energy. Like other large U.S. cities, Houston is also dealing with a lack of affordable housing and concerns among residents over growing gaps between the rich and poor. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his Guyanese counterpart, Irfaan Ali, will meet Thursday on their countries' growing dispute over the oil-rich region of Essequibo, amid mounting international warnings against escalating the row. The meeting will be held in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, according to the Caribbean country's Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who said Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had also been invited at both sides' request. Gonsalves, whose country currently chairs the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, said in a letter to Maduro and Ali that the meeting would be held under the auspices of that organization and another regional body, the Caribbean Community. There is an "urgent need to de-escalate the conflict and institute an appropriate dialogue, face-to-face," Gonsalves said. "Both of you have concurred with this assessment in the quest of peaceful coexistence, the application and respect of international law, and the avoidance of the use or threats of force." Tension has soared over Essequibo, which has historically been controlled by Guyana, since Maduro's government held a controversial referendum last weekend in which 95% of voters supported declaring Venezuela its rightful owner, according to official results. The United States, Britain, Russia and South American countries have all urged de-escalation and a peaceful solution. The United Nations Security Council held a closed-door meeting Friday on the spiraling dispute, which is also the subject of litigation before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Conflicting views Ali and Maduro voiced sharply conflicting views of the meeting. Maduro, the hand-picked successor who took over from late Venezuelan socialist Hugo Chavez in 2013, announced the encounter on X, formerly Twitter, saying he would defend "Venezuela's historic rights." "Once again, we will defeat lies, provocations and threats against our people. Our fatherland will prevail!" he wrote. Ali, for his part, said Guyana remained "fully committed" to resolving the dispute via the ICJ, not a sit-down with Maduro. "I am firm that the controversy is before the ICJ and it's not for negotiations, and that will not change," he told AFP. Guyana has administered Essequibo, which makes up more than two-thirds of its territory, for more than a century. The decades-old dispute with Venezuela intensified after ExxonMobil discovered oil in Essequibo in 2015, helping give Guyana population 800,000 the world's biggest crude reserves per capita. Since last Sunday's referendum, Maduro has started legal maneuvers to create a Venezuelan province in Essequibo and ordered the state oil company to issue licenses for extracting crude in the region. The United States meanwhile announced joint military exercises with Guyana, which Venezuela condemned as a "provocation." The row has caused growing concern in South America, historically a relatively peaceful region. On Thursday, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay issued a joint declaration calling for "both parties to negotiate to seek a peaceful solution." Lula's office said he had spoken with Maduro by phone earlier Saturday and proposed CELAC set up talks with both sides. Lula also warned Maduro against "unilateral measures that could escalate the situation," it said. Veteran leftist Lula has so far kept friendly ties with Maduro, inviting the socialist president to a South American summit in May even as other regional leaders criticized the Venezuelan government's human rights record. But the Essequibo dispute is rife with risk for Brazil, which has sent army reinforcements to its northern borders with Guyana and Venezuela amid the surge in tension. Colombian President Gustavo Petro also warned the situation was potentially explosive. "The biggest misfortune that could hit South America would be a war," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Reproducing a local version of the NATO/Russia conflict in the Amazon rainforest would just make us lose vital time, progress and life... Venezuela and Guyana need to de-escalate the conflict." Iran said on Sunday that it had begun the trial of a Swedish national employed by the European Union who is charged with spying for Israel and "corruption on earth," a crime that carries the death penalty. Sweden said on Saturday that the trial had begun of Johan Floderus, who was detained in April 2022 while on holiday in Iran, but did not say what he was charged with. The Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency said in an online report on Sunday that Floderus's trial had begun and that he was indicted "based on corruption on earth, widespread activities against national security [and] wide intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime", a reference to Israel. Corruption on earth is a capital offence under Iran's Islamic laws. "Johan Floderus has been arbitrarily detained and every accusation and charge is false," a spokesperson for Sweden's foreign ministry said in an emailed comment to Reuters on Sunday. "We have conveyed this clearly to Iran at different levels and times, the most recent being yesterday." Floderus' family has said he was detained "without any justifiable cause or due process." Rights groups and Western governments have accused the Islamic Republic of trying to extract political concessions from other countries through arrests on security charges that may have been trumped up. Tehran says such arrests are based on its criminal code and it denies holding people for political reasons. Relations between Sweden and Iran have been tense since 2019 when Sweden arrested a former Iranian official for his part in the mass execution and torture of political prisoners in the 1980s. The judiciary said Floderus had operated through projects by U.S. and European institutions to gather intelligence for Israel. It said another hearing would be announced at a later date. Israel helped Cyprus foil an Iranian-ordered attack against Israelis and Jews on the island, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Sunday, saying such plots were on the rise since the Gaza war erupted. Netanyahu's office gave no details of the planned attack but said in the statement on behalf of the Mossad intelligence service that Israel was "troubled" by what it saw as Iranian use of Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus "both for terrorism objectives and as an operational and transit area." The breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in northern Cyprus is recognized only by Turkey, which is sharply critical of Israel's actions in Gaza since Oct. 7. The internationally recognized government in the south of Cyprus has close relations with Israel. Turkish Cypriot officials were not immediately available for comment. The Iranian embassy in Nicosia was closed. Earlier Sunday, a Greek Cypriot newspaper in Cyprus's government-controlled south reported authorities had detained two Iranians for questioning over suspected planning of attacks on Israeli citizens living in Cyprus. The two individuals were believed to be in the early stages of gathering intelligence on potential Israeli targets, the Kathimerini Cyprus newspaper said without citing sources. Those individuals had crossed from the north, it said. Reuters was unable to verify the details in the newspaper report. A senior Cyprus official declined to comment, citing policy on issues concerning national security. It is not the first time that Israel has warned of planned attacks on its citizens in Cyprus. Netanyahu said in June that an Iranian attack against Israeli targets in Cyprus had been thwarted. Tehran denied being behind any alleged plot to attack Israelis in Cyprus. Cyprus was split in a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. Access between the north and south of Cyprus can be done through a number of crossing points straddling a United Nations-controlled 'buffer zone". But the 180km (115 mile) line is also known to be porous, with unauthorized crossings over poorly guarded terrain. Barely a 40-minute flight from Israel, both sides of Cyprus are a popular holiday and investment destination for thousands of Israelis. Voter turnout was low Sunday in Hong Kongs district council elections, the first since the electoral system was overhauled this year to restore order and reestablish control after widespread anti-government and pro-democracy protests in 2019. Voters were either apathetic or boycotting the elections, which some people see as rolling back the citys democracy. By the time polling stations closed, the voter turnout rate was about 27.5%, much lower than during the last district council election in 2019, which saw a record high turnout of 71% by the time polling stations closed at night. Under the new election rules, the number of directly elected representatives for the citys 18 districts has been reduced from almost all, to only 88, 20% of the total 470. The remaining seats are appointed by Hong Kongs chief executive, who is handpicked by Beijing, or selected by an electoral college, which is appointed by the government. The candidates also must prove they are patriots and have to be nominated by government-appointed committees. As a result, members of the remaining pro-democracy camp who are not in jail or have not left Hong Kong have been shut out because they could not get nominations from government-appointed committees, partly because of suspicions they are not "patriots." The parties had won a landslide victory, more than 80% of the seats, in 2019. Three activists from the pro-democracy League of Social Democrats were arrested Sunday when they tried to protest against the election. "Hong Kong people's right to vote and to be elected seems to be absent," Reuters quoted the group saying in a statement. Hong Kong police said they detained them on suspicion of trying to interfere with the elections. Three others were also detained on suspicion of inciting others online to boycott the elections or cast invalid votes. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee defended the elections after casting his ballot, telling reporters that previous district councilors used their positions to promote Hong Kongs independence from China and harm national security. In the past, weve experienced the Hong Kong version of color revolution, black-clad gangs, and others. I believe everyone could see the hurt, the destruction; its something that everyone had a hard time accepting, Lee said. This time we are ensuring these things will not happen again. We will ensure the district councilors elected will really serve everyone, and not betray the country, Hong Kong, the districts and our citys residents. The government has tried to encourage a high voter turnout, including by holding an outdoor concert on the eve of the election, publicizing the importance of voting through videos, posters and radio announcements as well as songs and slogans, and by asking civil servants to vote. It also offered subsidies for elderly care homes to help their residents to vote and set up polling stations near mainland China to make it easier for Hong Kong residents living across the border to vote. However, voter turnout is expected to be low either due to voter boycott or apathy, according to analysts. Political commentator Sonny Lo said the election results -- namely the voter turnout -- will be a good indicator of whether people support the governments actions since the end of the protests and passage of a controversial sweeping national security law. It seems the public of Hong Kong are divided into two major groups, one politically apathetic, the other one more enthusiastic, Lo said. Some voters told VOA they wanted to show support for the government for restoring order to a Hong Kong made chaotic by weeks of debilitating protests. For me, I never voted in the past over the 40, 50 years living in Hong Kong. This time, I came out to vote to show my support to the current government as they are really doing a good job for the people, said Ming Chan, a retiree. All my girlfriends are saying we must vote today. We're circulating this on WhatsApp. It never happened before, saying we must vote. Chan described being scared, afraid during the weeks of protests when subway stations were smashed and streets were blocked. We were not safe, and this is actually for the first time in my life in Hong Kong that I had to feel that. Peace, rules, law and order, every good citizen should abide by the rules of society and all those were devastated, she said. Others said they saw no point in voting, since the candidates were all vetted by government committees. Mary Cheung, a salesperson in her 30s, said voting for candidates pre-approved by the government and not being able to vote for the pro-democracy candidates she prefers is not the same as having a choice. Some people think having a vote is better than nothing. I think its a waste of my time to vote because its not the people I like, Cheung said. Asked if she thinks Hong Kongs democracy will be curtailed because of the electoral reforms, she said, Its already regressed. Theres nothing we can do. The sense of feeling helpless is very strong, said Cheung. However, Singh Baljinder, a Sikh born and raised in Hong Kong who is running for election for the first time, said there is real value in the district council elections because if he is elected, he can represent Hong Kongs ethnic minorities on a host of pressing issues, from lack of employment, to difficulties learning Chinese and insufficient ethnic minority social workers. Most of my friends, theyve left Hong Kong because they couldnt see any future for their kids, because of the language barrier and difficulty getting jobs after they graduate, Singh said. We are trying very best to make them stay because if we are more involved with the government, when they see us involved, they will have trust and they will have someone as a leader to represent them. I'm a Punjabi Indian; for many years even before 1997, there was no Punjabi who stood up in district elections, so this will be a history-making election for us, he said. Some of the more than 300 Rohingya refugees who arrived on the western coasts of Indonesia on Sunday were transferred to a temporary shelter during the visit of a United Nations representative. A group of 135 refugees, mostly women and children, were relocated from a beach in Aceh Besar regency of Aceh province to a governor's office building before the authorities eventually conveyed them by truck to a camping ground. The mostly Muslim Rohingya were the target of a 2017 crackdown by Myanmar's military that is the subject of a U.N. genocide probe. Around a million have fled to Bangladesh, and from there thousands risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys to reach Malaysia or Indonesia. "They are relocated to the camping ground by the province's [refugee] task force. They will join other Rohingya refugees that have been there," said Aceh Besar acting regent Muhammad Iswanto on Sunday evening. A group of 180 refugees from the persecuted Myanmar minority arrived by boat at 3:00 am local time (2000 GMT Saturday) on a beach in the Pidie regency of Aceh province. Another boat carrying 135 refugees landed in neighbouring Aceh Besar regency hours later after being adrift at sea for more than a month. "We had been in the sea for almost one month and 15 days. [...] We left on November 1st," 24-year-old refugee Muhammad Shohibul Islam told AFP. The refugees gathered on a plantation next to the shore, where they drank water given to them by locals. Some lay on the ground, trying to rest after their journey. Police found stacks of United Nations refugee cards in a cardboard box brought by the refugees, an AFP journalist saw. "We noticed that some of these refugees have refugee cards. So, let them be re-registered first by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration [before we act further]," local police chief Rolly Yuiza Away said by telephone. - Mothers cradle children - The authorities kept the refugees on the shore where they landed, with mothers cradling their children, some of whom were naked, in their arms. The local government in Pidie said earlier it would not take responsibility for providing the refugees with tents, or other basic needs. They said they would not "bear any expenses" and that no shelters were available. Local authorities and residents have been rejecting the Rohingya, threatening to push them back to sea since more than 1,000 arrived last month. On Wednesday, about 150 protesters in Sabang Island in Aceh clashed with police as they called for the Rohingya refugees to be relocated. "The problem has been in situations where the refugees have arrived on the beach and there has been uncertainty on where to take the refugees," said United Nations refugee agency representative to Indonesia Ann Maymann. "It is the government that should decide that. [...] So I am sure we can manage this." Agency's official Faisal Rahman earlier said the government acknowledged that designated shelters were over capacity but said the agency and the Indonesian government were trying to find a place for the refugees. "We continue to explain the situation to the people and ensure that they will not be burdened with the handling of refugees," Rahman said. "The government is working to provide shelter as the number of refugees arriving is very high." President Joko Widodo said Friday that temporary relief would be provided for refugees "with a priority on the interests of the local community". He accused a human trafficking network of being behind the rising number of Rohingya refugees reaching his country by boat, vowing to take strict action against the perpetrators. Indonesia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention and says it is not compelled to take in refugees from Myanmar. But neighboring countries have also shut their doors, leaving the Rohingya with few other options. Rohingya refugees among the recent arrivals in Aceh said they fled escalating brutality in the camps in and around Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, which hold more than one million people and where gangs regularly abduct and torture residents for ransom. Russian police have put prominent Russian American journalist and author Masha Gessen on a wanted list after opening a criminal case against them on charges of spreading false information about the Russian army. It is the latest step in an unrelenting crackdown against dissent in Russia that has intensified since the Kremlin invaded Ukraine more than 21 months ago, on Feb. 24, 2022. The independent Russian news outlet Mediazona was the first to report Friday that Gessen's profile has appeared on the online wanted list of Russia's Interior Ministry, and The Associated Press was able to confirm that it was. It wasn't clear from the profile when exactly Gessen was added to the list. Russian media reported last month that a criminal case against Gessen, an award-winning author and an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin, was launched over an interview they did with the prominent Russian journalist Yury Dud. In the interview, which was released on YouTube in September 2022 and has since been viewed more than 6.5 million times, the two among other things discussed atrocities by Russian armed forces in Bucha, a Ukrainian town near Kyiv that was briefly occupied by the Russian forces. After Ukrainian troops retook it, they found the bodies of men, women and children on the streets, in yards and homes, and in mass graves, with some showing signs of torture. Russian officials have vehemently denied their forces were responsible and have prosecuted a number of Russian public figures for speaking out about Bucha, handing some lengthy prison terms. Those prosecutions were carried out under a new law Moscow adopted days after sending troops to Ukraine that effectively criminalized any public expression about the war deviating from the official narrative. The Kremlin has insisted on calling it a "special military operation" and maintains that its troops in Ukraine only strike military targets, not civilians. Between late February 2022 and early this month, 19,844 people have been detained for speaking out or protesting against the war while 776 people have been implicated in criminal cases over their anti-war stance, according to the OVD-Info rights group, which tracks political arrests and provides legal aid. Gessen, who holds dual Russian and American citizenships and lives in the U.S., is unlikely to be arrested, unless they travel to a country with an extradition treaty with Russia. But Russian court could still try them in absentia and hand them a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Pressure is also mounting on dissidents imprisoned in Russia. On Friday, supporters of Alexei Gorinov, a former member of a Moscow municipal council sentenced to seven years in prison for speaking out against the war, reported that his health significantly deteriorated in prison, and he is not being given the treatment he needs. Gorinov was sentenced last year and is currently serving time at a penal colony in the Vladimir region east of Moscow. In a post on the messaging app Telegram, his supporters said his lawyer visited him on Friday and said Gorinov "doesn't have the strength to sit up on a chair or even speak." He told the lawyer that he has bronchitis and fever, but prison doctors claim he doesn't need treatment, the post said. The 62-year-old Gorinov has a chronic lung condition, and several years ago had part of a lung removed, the post said. Allies of imprisoned opposition leader Alexey Navalny were also concerned about his well-being on Friday. Navalny is serving a 19-year prison term on the charges of extremism in the same region as Gorinov, and for the last three days his lawyers have not allowed to visit him, the politician's spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Yarmysh said that letters to Navalny were also not being delivered to him. "The fact that we can't find Alexey is particularly concerning because last week he felt unwell in the cell: he felt dizzy and lay down on the floor. Prison officials rushed to him, unfolded the bed, put Alexey on it and gave him an IV drip. We don't know what caused it, but given that he's being deprived of food, kept in a cell without ventilation and has been offered minimal outdoor time, it looks like fainting out of hunger," Yarmysh wrote. She added that the lawyers visited him after the incident, and he looked "more or less fine." Navalny is due to be transferred to a "special security" penal colony, a facility with the highest security level in the Russian penitentiary system. Russian prison transfers are notorious for taking a long time, sometimes weeks, during which there's no access to prisoners, and information about their whereabouts is limited, or unavailable at all. Navalny, 47, has been behind bars since January 2021. As President Vladimir Putin's fiercest foe, he campaigned against official corruption and organized major anti-Kremlin protests. His 2021 arrest came upon his return to Moscow from Germany, where he recuperated from nerve agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin. Navalny has since been handed three prison terms and spent months in isolation in prison for alleged minor infractions. He has rejected all charges against him as politically motivated. A Rwandan genocide survivors' group on Sunday voiced anger that Laurent Bucyibaruta, a former official convicted of complicity in the 1994 massacres, died this week "without facing the full force of justice". Bucyibaruta, who died on Wednesday aged 79, was the highest-ranking Rwandan to have faced trial in France over the 1994 massacres in which an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus died in 100 days of mass killings. Bucyibaruta was found guilty in July 2022 of complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity over four massacres in the southern province of Gikongoro. He was handed a 20-year sentence. The massacres, committed at a school in Murambi and the parishes of Cyanika and Kaduha, left some 75,000 people dead on April 21, 1994. The court however acquitted him as the perpetrator of the killings. Bucyibaruta one of only a handful of Rwandans to go on trial in France over the genocide had appealed the conviction against him and was released from prison pending a new trial. "Despite his grave crimes, he lived a good life... without facing the full force of justice," Philibert Gakwenzire, chairman of the genocide survivors' group IBUKA, told AFP. "We urge governments and courts to consider the rights and emotional wellbeing of genocide survivors in these cases." Throughout the original trial, Bucyibaruta contested the accusations against him and downplayed his importance in the chain of command as well as the resources available to him to prevent the killings. He repeatedly said he had been "overwhelmed by the events". Bucyibaruta became prefect of the Gikongoro province, which was among the worst-affected regions by the genocide, in 1992. He fled Rwanda at the end of the genocide, on July 23, 1994, and had lived in France since 1997. France has been one of the top destinations for fugitives fleeing justice over the Rwandan slaughter. A former Rwandan doctor, Sosthene Munyemana, 68, has been on trial since November 14 over his involvement in the 1994 massacres -- the sixth such proceeding to be held in France. Sudan's warring generals agreed to hold a face-to-face meeting as part of efforts to establish a cease-fire and initiate political talks to end the country's devastating war, an African regional bloc said Sunday. Sudan slipped into chaos after soaring tensions between military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, exploded into open fighting in mid-April in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere across the country. The country has been in turmoil for several years, ever since a popular uprising forced the removal of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The short-lived transition to democracy was derailed when the two generals joined forces to lead a military coup in Oct. 2021. After they fell out, war followed 18 months later. The conflict has wrecked the country and killed up to 9,000 people by October, according to the United Nations. However, activists and doctors' groups say the real toll is far higher. In a meeting of the leaders of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, a grouping of East African countries, both Sudanese generals agreed to "an unconditional cease-fire and resolution of the conflict through political dialogue," and to hold a "a one-to-one meeting," the bloc said in a statement Sunday. Burhan, who chairs Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council, attended the meeting Saturday in Djibouti, which holds the rotating IGAD presidency. Meanwhile, Dagalo, whose whereabouts are unknown, spoke by phone with IGAD leaders. The statement gave no further details, including when and where the two generals would meet. However, Alexis Mohamed, an adviser to Djibouti's president, said Sunday on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the Sudanese generals "accepted the principle of meeting within 15 days in order to pave the way for a series of confidence-building measures" that would eventually lead to political talks to end the conflict in Sudan. There was no immediate comment from either the Sudanese military or the RSF. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the generals' commitment to a cease-fire and a face-to-face meeting and called for them to "abide by these commitments and enter talks without delay," said Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the State Department. IGAD is part of mediation efforts to end the conflict, along with Saudi Arabia and the United States which facilitated rounds of indirect talks between the warring parties as recently as early in November. When the war began, fighting initially centered in Khartoum but quickly spread to other areas, including the western region of Darfur. More than 6 million people were forced out of their homes, including 1.2 million who have sought refuge in neighboring countries, according to the U.N. figures. In Darfur, which was the site of a genocidal campaign in the early 2000s, the conflict has morphed into ethnic violence, with the RSF and allied Arab militias attacking ethnic African groups, according to rights groups and the U.N. The U.S. State Department said earlier this month that the RSF and the Sudanese military were responsible for either war crimes or crimes against humanity, or both, in Darfur. Central Tennessee residents and emergency workers cleaned up Sunday from severe weekend storms and tornadoes that killed six people and sent more to the hospital while damaging buildings, turning over vehicles and knocking out power to tens of thousands. Officials confirmed that three people, including a toddler, died after a tornado struck Montgomery County 80 kilometers northwest of Nashville near the Kentucky state line on Saturday afternoon. Some 23 people were treated for injuries at hospitals in the county, officials said in a news release. In a neighborhood just north of downtown Nashville, three people were killed Saturday as a result of tornadoes, the city's Emergency Operation Center said in a social media post. National Weather Service meteorologists said in a posting on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, said the destructive tornadoes were spawned in the Clarksville and Nashville areas. In Nashville, the roof of a church north of downtown collapsed during the storm, resulting in 13 people being treated at hospitals, Nashville emergency officials said in a news release. They were later listed in stable condition. Photos posted by the Clarksville fire department on social media showed damaged houses with debris strewn in the lawns, a tractor-trailer flipped on its side on a highway and insulation ripped out of building walls. Video footage from the Tennessee storms showed a ball of fire rising from behind a row of homes into the sky. A curfew was in effect both Saturday night and Sunday night in Clarksville, where officials on Sunday urged motorists to keep away from the damaged areas so as not to impede the work of first responders and utility crews. "We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes," Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said in a news release. "This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end." Residents in the region are familiar with severe weather in late fall. Saturday's storm came nearly two years to the day after the National Weather Service recorded 41 tornadoes through a handful of states, including 16 in Tennessee and eight in Kentucky. A total of 81 people died in Kentucky alone. At least six tornado tracks were reported Saturday in central Tennessee, according to the National Weather Service. Agency meteorologist Cory Mueller in Nashville said it was sending out tornado tracking teams on Sunday to attempt to confirm these potential tornadoes and calculate their severity. Mueller said it wasn't uncommon for tornadoes to be generated during this time of year. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department identified the victims killed north of downtown as Joseph Dalton, 37; Floridema Gabriel Perez, 31; and her son, Anthony Elmer Mendez, 2. Dalton was inside his mobile home when the storm tossed it on top of Perez's residence. Two other children, one in each home, were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, the department said in a statement. Montgomery County and Clarksville officials didn't immediately respond early Sunday to requests for information about the three deaths in their area and the injuries. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said he and his wife, Maria, were praying for all Tennesseans who had been affected by the storms. "We mourn the lives lost and ask that everyone continue to follow guidance from local and state officials," Lee said in a statement. About 45,000 electricity customers were without power in Tennessee early Sunday, according to PowerOutage.us., down from more than 80,000 on Saturday night. The National Weather Service issued on Saturday multiple tornado warnings in Tennessee, and said it planned to survey an area where an apparent tornado hit in Kentucky. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said a tornado touched down around 2 p.m. Saturday. Shanika Washington said that as soon as she heard the storm sirens going off in her Clarksville neighborhood, she took her children, ages 5 and 10, to a windowless bathroom in the basement of her townhouse. During their 20 harrowing minutes in the bathroom, Washington hovered over her children as a protective shield. "The back door absolutely did fly open, and you just heard a bunch of wind," she said. "The blinds and stuff were like shaking really bad. I could tell that we were dead smack in the middle of a storm." When she came out of the bathroom, she looked out of a window and saw the destruction: Debris swept onto cars that had their windows broken out. Shutters ripped from homes. Some roofs were ripped off townhouses. Air conditioning units and backyard grills were tossed like toys, and wooden dividers between townhouses were missing. Because the power in the area was out, Washington took her children to a hotel for the night. "I'm still trying to just kind of like process it all," she said. Authorities in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv took down a statue of a Red Army commander from a central boulevard Saturday as part of a campaign to remove Soviet-era monuments from Ukraine. Municipal workers tore down the statue of Mykola Shchors, a Soviet field commander during the Russian Civil War, erected in the 1950s. A small group of onlookers applauded as a crane lifted the statue of Shchors on horseback and placed it onto a flatbed truck. "Derussification and decommunization are continuing. We have already dismantled more than 60 monuments related to the history and culture of Russia and the Soviet Union," Mykhailo Budilov, director of the city's Department of Territorial Control, said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. City officials said the statue would be stored in a museum. Authorities in Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa dismantled a prominent statue of Catherine the Great last year after a monthslong campaign by activists. Putin seeks reelection in 2024 Ukraine Saturday decried Russian plans to hold presidential elections next spring on occupied territories such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in the east and south of the country, declaring them "null and void" and vowing to prosecute any election monitors there. In Russia, activists reacted, saying they will put up a fight against President Vladimir Putin as he seeks reelection in March. Many of the opposition leaders are either in prison at home or live in exile, they say they hope to undermine the widespread public support the Russian president enjoys and turn popular opinion against his devastating war in Ukraine. Imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny said in a statement relayed by his team that "no one but us will step into this battle for the hearts and the minds of our fellow citizens." Putin on Friday announced his candidacy in the presidential election in March, after a Kremlin award ceremony during which war veterans and others pleaded with him to seek reelection in what Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called "spontaneous" remarks. For Putin, 71, the election is a formality: with the support of the state, the state-run media and almost no mainstream public dissent, he is certain to win. He has no discernable successor. He has served as president since 2000, longer than any other ruler of Russia since Josef Stalin. About 80% of Russians approve of Putin's performance, according to the independent pollster Levada Center. But it is not clear if that support is genuine or the result of Putin's oppressive regime, which cracks down on any opposition. EU aid debate Essential components in Ukraine's defensive war against Russia are stuck at the Polish border as Polish truckers are continuing their blockade on the border with Ukraine complaining that they cannot compete with Ukrainians' lower prices of goods and urging the EU to reinstate the limits on the number of Ukrainian trucks that can enter the bloc. About 200 pickup trucks needed to transport ammunition and evacuate the wounded from the front line are also blocked at the border because "deliveries have practically stopped," said Ivan Poberzhniak, head of procurement and logistics for Come Back Alive, Ukraine's largest charitable organization providing the military with equipment. Part of the mileslong blockade include 3,000 tourniquets bound for the battlefront as well as parts for drones. Despite Poland and other nearby countries being some of Ukraine's biggest supporters in the war, resentment has built from truckers and farmers, who are losing business to lower-cost Ukrainian goods and services flowing into the world's biggest trading bloc. The existing tension underscores the challenges of Ukraine's integration into the EU if approved. Ukraine is also facing hurdles from Hungary, another EU member. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has threatened to block the EU's $53 billion budget proposal to assist Kyiv through 2027. A senior EU official who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity said if Hungary does veto the aid package, the EU could allocate a smaller amount of money to Ukraine for a shorter time, or the other 26 EU countries could extend their national contributions bilaterally to Kyiv. "We know how existential it is. European leaders are responsible people at least 26," said the official, who is involved in an EU summit scheduled for next week. Ukraine depends on economic aid from the West to keep its war against Russia going. Hungary is also planning on blocking EU membership talks for Ukraine at next week's summit. The EU is due to consider a legal proposal Tuesday allowing the use of sanctioned Russian frozen assets to help Ukraine. However, EU officials say Ukraine might not see the money anytime soon because EU members are bickering over the amounts pledged for Ukraine. The EU executive says $30 billion worth of private Russian assets and a further $223 billion of the Russian central bank's funds have been confiscated. Some $135 billion of the latter sum is held by Belgian company Euroclear. Belgium estimated it would collect $2.5 billion in taxes on that in 2023 and 2024. It said it would use those proceeds for Ukraine. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. High school students in the United States can earn college credits by taking and passing Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The classes, developed by The College Board, cover many subjects, including English, history, math, and sciences among others. This week, the non-profit organization released a new set of ideas and skills, called a framework, for its AP African American Studies course. The latest version comes months after the organization was criticized for discussing course requirements with conservative critics. Changes include more attention to ideas such as the Tulsa Race Massacre, Black cultures influence on film and sports, and discrimination in housing, known as redlining. The latest version will be used when the class officially launches at the start of the next school year. The AP African American History course gained national attention earlier this year. At that time, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, currently a Republican presidential candidate, said he would ban the course in his state because it pushed political issues. Florida released a list of concerns it had with the pilot, an early version of a course. In February, the College Board released its first official version of the AP course. It did not contain several subjects on the list of Floridas concerns, including Black Lives Matter, slavery reparations and several important Black writers. The board was then widely criticized for giving in to political pressure. The new changes pay attention to some of that criticism. Changes in the latest version The latest version includes several important Black writers that were excluded, and written works about feminism and intersectionality. Intersectionality is the idea that race, gender, and class combine to create different levels of discrimination and privilege in society. The College Board did not add back every subject that was removed earlier. The Black Lives Matter movement is still not included in the final test for the course. However, it is mentioned along with other examples and listed among subjects that schools could choose from for further discussion. Nelva Williams is a member of the courses development committee. She has been a teacher for more than 40 years. She also taught a pilot class of AP African American Studies in Houston, Texas. Williams said, The updates are based on teacher recommendations, and changes coincide with the latest scholarship and resources used at the collegiate level. Rashad Shabazz teaches several courses related to race at Arizona State University. He said the course provides students with the basics to understand the field of African-American studies. But it does not contain in-depth theoretical discussions that are more common at the college level. Next year, the AP course will be available to all schools in the U.S. But it remains unclear how many will offer it. Holly Stepp, a spokesperson for the College Board, said they are pleased with the interest that has been expressed in the course. Im Gena Bennett. Cheyanne Mumphrey reported this story for the Associated Press. Gena Bennett adapted it for VOA Learning English. ____________________________________________________ Words in This Story coursen. a plan of study on an exact subject that includes many classes and usually leads to a test redliningn. discrimination in housing reparationsn. something given, usually money, in recognition of loss, suffering, abuse or injury privilegen. a special right or better position given or available only to an identified person or group recommendationn. suggestion coincidev. happen during the same time Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy witnessed the swearing-in on Sunday of Argentina's new president, Javier Milei. It was the Ukrainian leader's first official trip to Latin America as Kyiv continues to court support among developing nations for its 21-month-old fight against Russia's invading forces. During Zelenskyy's visit to Buenos Aires, his office and the White House announced he would travel to Washington to meet with President Joe Biden on Tuesday. Biden has asked Congress for a $110 billion package of wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel, along with other national security priorities. But the request is caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. The visit to Washington would focus on "ensuring the unity of the U.S., Europe and the world" in supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia, Zelenskyy's office said. In Argentina, Milei welcomed Zelenskyy at the presidential palace after his inauguration. The two shared an extended hug, exchanged words and then Milei, who has said he intends to convert to Judaism, presented his Ukrainian counterpart with a menorah as a gift. They were expected to have a longer one-on-one meeting later on Sunday. A political outsider who has railed against what he calls entrenched official corruption in Argentina and promised to uproot the political establishment, Milei ran on a pro-Western foreign policy platform, repeatedly expressing distrust of Moscow and Beijing. Zelenskyy phoned Milei shortly after the Argentine's electoral victory last month, thanking him for his "clear support for Ukraine." In its readout of the call, Milei's office said he had offered to host a summit between Ukraine and Latin American states, a potential boon to Kyiv's monthslong effort to strengthen its relationships with countries of the global south. Zelenskyy and other senior Ukrainian officials have repeatedly presented Ukraine's war against Russia as resistance against colonial aggression, hoping to win support from Asian, African and Latin American states that in the past struggled to free themselves from foreign domination, sometimes turning to Moscow for support against Western powers. Zelenskyy used the trip to Argentina to meet leaders of several developing countries. He met the prime minister of the West African country of Cape Verde, Ulisses Correia e Silva, on his way to Buenos Aires. Once in Argentina, Zelenskyy met separately with the presidents of Paraguay, Ecuador and Uruguay, his office said. "The support and strong united voice of Latin American countries that stand with the people of Ukraine in the war for our freedom and democracy is very important for us," Zelenskyy said in a statement. He also had a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, discussing "the details of the next defense package from the French Republic, which will significantly enhance Ukraine's firepower, and the current needs of our country in armaments," Zelenskyy's office said. The United Nations' top peacekeeping official defended the organization's missions worldwide as concerns grow that they've gone into retreat as African leaders demand their withdrawal from Mali to Congo. Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said Wednesday that the force operates on a $5.5 billion budget, which is less than that of the New York City Police Department, even though its force is much larger, with 70,000 personnel worldwide. He told delegates at a U.N. peacekeeping ministerial meeting in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, that efforts had been hampered by divisions among member states. The majority of U.N. peacekeeping missions are in Africa, including in Central African Republic, Sudan and Western Sahara. However, they've faced increasing blowback and scrutiny over their ability to successfully carry out their missions, including protests in Congo from residents claiming peacekeepers did little to protect them from armed groups. The operations, which require approval from the U.N. Security Council to be extended, have gradually gone into retreat in Africa. In June, leaders in Mali requested the United Nations withdraw peacekeeping forces. Leaders from Congo made a similar request to the Security Council in September. Congolese President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi said then that the mission had failed to confront fighting, but on Wednesday Lacroix defended the force, telling reporters that the U.N. had received feedback from residents that they wanted the peacekeepers to do more. "Peacekeeping can only operate if the U.N. has the sovereign support," Lacroix said of Congo. The two-day ministerial meeting in Accra is taking place as polarizing divides emerge among United Nations member states about wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Institutions like the United Nations Security Council which has a mandate to maintain international peace and security have struggled to reach consensus on Israel's latest war with Hamas militants that began in October when it launched a deadly incursion into southern Israel. Though Lacroix lamented how the peacekeeping budget was a mere 0.3% of global military spending, he also noted that it provides a good return on investment as peacekeepers save lives for relatively little cost. Peacekeepers, he said, operate in the face of armed groups, terrorists and criminal networks with access to lethal weaponry. They work among improvised explosive devices and face growing threats from "the weaponization of digital tools," he said, including hate speech and disinformation that often has fueled violence against peacekeepers and the communities they're tasked with protecting. "Despite the challenges we are facing, we continue to do our utmost to strengthen the impact and effectiveness of these operations. We continue to do what we can to advance political solutions and support sustainable peace, including through facilitating political settlements and supporting locally led conflict resolution," Lacroix said. Though Congolese leaders have asked the U.N. to begin withdrawing, Lacroix said peacekeepers were providing logistical support for this month's elections at the request of authorities, particularly in North and South Kivu and Ituri provinces. Since 1999, peacekeepers have been in Congo's impoverished but mineral-rich east, where rebel groups including M23 have long clashed with the government. Ghana Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia said U.N. member states should work to improve peacekeeping missions rather than give up on them. He also noted growing risks to peacekeepers that threaten their ability to carry out their mandates and stabilize the regions where they operate. On December 10, 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the hope of creating a better world after the horrors of World War II. Coming three years after the Allied victory over the Nazis, it was the first time that countries had agreed to protect fundamental rights and freedoms on a universal scale, for all people. It was also one of the first achievements of the United Nations itself born from the ashes of the Second World War and inspired the development of international human rights law. Its adoption in Paris was hailed with a lengthy standing ovation from delegates determined that the world would never again see the likes of Auschwitz, Hiroshima and other atrocities. Although not legally binding, the declaration stresses the supremacy of individual rights over those of states. It puts economic, social and cultural freedoms on the same level as civil and political rights. Human rights were no longer exclusively an internal affair, as Adolf Hitler had claimed to prevent foreign interference. They were now a universal issue. On the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the milestone charter, here is some historical background. Divided world seeks consensus The U.N.'s first General Assembly in 1946 created a Commission on Human Rights made up of 18 members from various political, cultural and religious backgrounds to work on an international bill of rights. The drafting committee first met in 1947 under the dynamic chairmanship of Eleanor Roosevelt, widow of the U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Its other representatives were from eight countries selected according to their location, with Canada's John Peters Humphrey and France's Rene Cassin playing key roles in the drafting. "It is the first document of an ethical sort that organized humanity has ever adopted," recalled Cassin. It was inspired by the principles behind the United States Declaration of Independence of 1776 and France's Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789. Several women played key roles in the drafting, namely Hansa Mehta, a fervent advocate of women's rights in India and abroad. She is widely credited with changing Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from "All men are born free and equal" to "All human beings are born free and equal." The declaration was adopted by the U.N.'s third General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948. It was supported by 48 of the U.N.'s then 58 member countries. Two others Yemen and Honduras were absent. The remaining eight abstained Belarus, Czechoslovakia, Poland, the Soviet Union, Ukraine, Yugoslavia, apartheid South Africa and Saudi Arabia, which challenged the notion that men and women were equal. Inspiring but contested "At a time when the world was divided into Eastern and Western blocs, finding a common ground on what should make the essence of the document proved to be a colossal task," the U.N. says on its website. Communists said there was an over-emphasis on individual and political rights at the expense of social rights. Western democracies were wary of the declaration becoming a restrictive legal tool that could be used against them by their own colonies. Despite the doubts and debates at the time, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights inspired all post-war treaties and is regarded as the foundation of international human rights law. The international conventions against the discrimination of women in 1979 and against torture in 1984; the rights of children in 1990; the creation of the International Criminal Court in 1998 all are its direct descendants. It also inspired the "right to intervene" in another country on humanitarian grounds, as championed by former French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner, who co-founded Doctors Without Borders. But the declaration has not been able to prevent violations of the rights it espouses. Nor has it escaped criticism, including that the concept of "universalism" is little more than a Western diktat. And it has met ideological, cultural and religious resistance from several countries, such as China and Russia as well as those that apply Islamic Sharia law. Seventy-five years after its adoption, there are calls for the declaration to be updated, for example, to incorporate challenges such as climate change, mass migration, and modern technologies. The U.S. State Department has approved the emergency sale of 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition to Israel for about $106.5 million, the Biden administration said Saturday. The State Department said it had notified Congress of the sale late Friday after Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined "an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale" of the munitions in the U.S. national security interest. The purchase will bypass congressional review, which is usually a requirement for foreign military sales. The action is rare, though not unheard of, when administrations see an urgent need for weapons to be delivered without waiting for lawmakers' approval. At least four administrations have used the authority since 1979, according to The Associated Press. "The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives," a statement issued by the State Department said. The ammunition would come from U.S. inventory. The sale will be from U.S. Army inventory and consist of 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (MPAT) tank cartridges and related equipment, the Pentagon said in a statement. The move comes as President Joe Biden's request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security is languishing in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. U.S. veto Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his appreciation on Saturday for the United States' veto at the U.N. Security Council, blocking a demand for a cease-fire in Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. "Other countries must also understand that it's impossible to support the elimination of Hamas on one side, and on the other to call for the end of the war, which will prevent the elimination of Hamas," Netanyahu said. "Therefore, Israel will continue our just war to eliminate Hamas and achieve the war's other objectives that we set." Israel also said Saturday it was expanding its military operations in the southern Gaza Strip. National security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said Israeli forces had killed at least 7,000 Hamas militants so far, without saying how that estimate was reached. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Saturday for the United Nations Security Council to be reformed, decrying the fact that the United States could veto a cease-fire proposal for Gaza despite huge support from other countries. "The United Nations Security Council demand for cease-fire is rejected only by U.S. veto. Is this justice?" Erdogan asked at a human rights conference in Istanbul. Agnes Callamard, the secretary-general of the international rights advocacy group Amnesty International, also disagreed with the U.S. veto, calling it "morally indefensible and a dereliction of the U.S. duty to prevent atrocity crimes and uphold international law." The U.S. reasoning against a cease-fire is that it would allow Hamas, a U.S. designated terrorist group, to regroup and carry out fresh incursions. Washington instead supports pauses in fighting to protect civilians and allow the release of hostages taken by the militants during the October 7 terror attack on Israel. Evacuation order Israel ordered residents Saturday to evacuate the center of Gaza's main southern city Khan Younis, while the dead and wounded are piling up at the overwhelmed Nasser hospital there. So far, the majority of Gaza's 2.3 million residents already have been forced from their homes, many fleeing several times. With fighting raging across the length of the territory, residents and U.N. agencies say there is effectively nowhere safe to go now. Israel disputes this. The World Health Organization's executive board is scheduled to meet Sunday to discuss the health situation in Gaza. More than a dozen WHO member states already have expressed "grave concern" about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the enclave. Gaza residents "are being told to move like human pinballs, ricocheting between ever-smaller slivers of the south, without any of the basics for survival," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday. "The people of Gaza are looking into the abyss. The international community must do everything possible to end their ordeal." The Middle East has been a tinderbox since Iranian-backed Hamas launched a terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, killing at least 1,200 people while taking about 240 people hostage, Israel said. Israel's retaliatory strikes and ground offensive have killed more than 17,700 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Thousands more are missing and presumed buried under rubble. Seventy percent of the victims are women and children, according to the health ministry. VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this story. Some information for this article was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The national security advisers of the United States, South Korea and Japan called Saturday for a stronger international push to suppress North Koreas development of nuclear weapons and missiles, its cybertheft activities and alleged arms transfers to Russia. The meeting in Seoul came as tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest in years, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un accelerating the expansion of his nuclear and missile program and flaunting an escalatory nuclear doctrine that authorizes the preemptive use of nuclear weapons. The United States and its Asian allies have responded by increasing the visibility of their trilateral partnership in the region and strengthening their combined military exercises, which Kim condemns as invasion rehearsals. Washington, Seoul and Tokyo have also expressed concerns about a potential arms alignment between North Korea and Russia. They worry Kim is providing badly needed munitions to help Russian President Vladimir Putin wage war in Ukraine in exchange for Russian technology assistance to upgrade his nuclear-armed military. Speaking after the meeting, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington is working with Seoul and Tokyo to strengthen defense cooperation and improve its response to North Korean missile testing and space-launch activities, including a real-time information sharing arrangement on North Korean missile launches that the countries plan to start at an unspecified date in December. He also said the countries have agreed to new initiatives to more effectively respond to North Korean efforts to bypass U.S.-led international sanctions that aim to choke off funds for its nuclear weapons and missile program. "This will be a new effort with respect to cryptocurrency and money laundering and how we disrupt North Koreas capacity to gain revenue from the hacking and stealing of cryptocurrency and then laundering it through exchanges," he said. Sullivan declined to share detailed U.S. assessments on the types and volume of North Korean arms being shipped to Russia and didnt comment on the specifics of his discussions with South Korean and Japanese officials over the issue but insisted that "theres no daylight among us in terms of the types of weapons transfers that we are seeing. And those continue and they represent a grave concern for us." South Korean intelligence and military officials have said North Korea may have shipped more than a million artillery shells to Russia beginning in August, weeks before Kim traveled to Russias Far East for a rare summit with Putin that sparked international concerns about a potential arms deal. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied U.S. and South Korean claims. In a joint news conference after Saturday's trilateral meeting, Cho Tae-yong, South Koreas national security office director, said the three security advisers reaffirmed North Koreas obligations under multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that call for its denuclearization and ban any weapons trade with other countries, and agreed to strengthen coordination to ensure that is implemented. Takeo Akiba, Japans national security secretariat secretary general, said the "unprecedented frequency and patterns" of North Korean ballistic missile launches necessitate a deeper and more effective partnership between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo. South Korea, the U.S., Japan and Australia have also announced their own sanctions on North Korea over its spy satellite launch last month. North Korea argues it has the right to launch spy satellites to monitor U.S. and South Korean military activities and enhance the threat of its nuclear-capable missiles. During his conversation with reporters, Sullivan said the allies are preparing for the possibility that North Korea will up the ante of its weapons demonstrations and threats in 2024, possibly including the country's seventh nuclear test. Direct military action is also a concern after the North recently announced it was abandoning a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement on reducing border tensions after the South partially suspended the agreement, which had established border buffers and no-fly zones. Some experts say that has raised the risk of border-area shootings or clashes. "Look, when a country announces its intent to walk away from a set of measures that are designed to help reduce risk and increase stability, our concern for potential incidents, provocations has to go up," Sullivan said, though he said the full implications of the Norths announcement is not immediately clear. Sullivan held separate bilateral talks Friday with Cho and Akiba and also met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The U.S., South Korean and Japanese national security advisers last held a trilateral meeting in June in Tokyo. South Korean intelligence officials have said the Russians likely provided technology support for North Koreas successful satellite launch in November, which followed two failed launches. North Korea has said its spy satellite transmitted imagery with space views of key sites in the U.S. and South Korea, including the White House and the Pentagon. But it hasnt released any of those satellite photos. Many outside experts question whether the Norths satellite is sophisticated enough to send militarily useful high-resolution imagery. Kim has vowed to launch more satellites, saying his military needs to acquire space-based reconnaissance capabilities. Violence escalated at Lebanon's border with Israel on Sunday as Hezbollah launched explosive drones and powerful missiles at Israeli positions and Israeli airstrikes rocked several towns and villages in south Lebanon. Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since the war in Gaza erupted two months ago, in their worst hostilities since a 2006 conflict. The violence has largely been contained in the border area. An Israeli airstrike on the town of Aitaroun destroyed five homes and damaged many more, Ali Hijazi, a local official, said. "Divine intervention prevented anyone being martyred. Three women and two men were wounded," he told Reuters. The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Senior Hezbollah politician Hassan Fadlallah, in a statement to Reuters, said Israeli airstrikes were a "new escalation" to which the group was responding with new types of attacks, be it "in the nature of the weapons (used) or the targeted sites." The Israeli army earlier said "suspicious aerial targets" had crossed from Lebanon and two were intercepted. Two Israeli soldiers were moderately wounded, and several others lightly injured from shrapnel and smoke inhalation, it said. Israeli fighter jets carried out "an extensive series of strikes on Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanese territory," it said. Sirens sounded in Israel at several locations at the border. In Beirut, residents saw what appeared to be two warplanes streaking across a clear blue sky, leaving vapor trails behind them. Hezbollah statements say its attacks aim to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Beirut would be turned "into Gaza" if Hezbollah started an all-out war. UNIFIL, the U.N. peacekeeping force in south Lebanon, said in a statement "the potential for a miscalculation that could trigger a wider conflict is increasing." In one of several attacks announced by Hezbollah, the group said Sunday it had launched the explosive drones at an Israeli command position near Ya'ara. In another, Hezbollah said it had fired Burkan (Volcano) missiles, which carry hundreds of kilograms of explosives. Israeli airstrikes were also reported on the outskirts of the Lebanese village of Yaroun, not far from the location of another of the Israeli positions Hezbollah said it had targeted Sunday. Those airstrikes broke windows of houses, shops and a school in the nearby village of Rmeich, Toni Elias, a priest in Rmeich, told Reuters by phone. Violence at the border has killed more than 120 people in Lebanon, including 85 Hezbollah fighters and 16 civilians. In Israel, the hostilities have killed seven soldiers and four civilians. UNIFIL said shelling had damaged a watchtower at one of its positions Saturday. Nobody had been injured and the source of the fire was under investigation, it said. The Israeli army said Hezbollah had on Saturday night launched several rockets at Israel, and that one of them was "launched from 20 meters away from a United Nations compound in southern Lebanon." By continuing to fire at Israel from areas "located only a few meters away from a U.N. compound," Hezbollah "endangers the lives of UNIFIL soldiers," the Israeli army said. There was no immediate Hezbollah response to the Israeli statement. UNIFIL said targeting of its positions "and any use of the vicinity of our positions to launch attacks" is unacceptable. West African leaders met in Nigeria's capital Abuja on Sunday for talks on their region in deepening crisis, after four countries fell under military rule and with risks growing from Sahel jihadist conflicts. After coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger since 2020, the Economic Community of West African States or ECOWAS saw member states Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau report attempted coups in recent weeks. A French military withdrawal from the Sahel the region along the Sahara desert across Africa has heightened concerns over conflicts spreading southward to Gulf of Guinea states Ghana, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast. International attention has focused on the most recent coup in Niger in July after troops ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, prompting ECOWAS to impose tough sanctions and close trade. Niger key Western partner in the fight against Sahel militants has demanded French troops based there leave, while the US still has military personnel in the country. But recent talks with the regime in Niamey stalled. ECOWAS called for Bazoum's immediate return to power, but Niger's rulers have kept the ousted president in detention and want up to three years for a transition back to civilian rule. "The military authorities have unfortunately shown little remorse as they hold on to their untenable positions, holding not only President Bazoum, his family, and members of his government hostage, but also the people of Niger," ECOWAS commission president Omar Touray told the summit opening. Touray said ECOWAS recognized the "dire humanitarian" situation in Niger, but accused the rulers in Niamey of interfering with the flow of aid that was allowed into the country. In a possible signal of ECOWAS maintaining its hardline on Niamey, exiled Niger Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou attended the Abuja summit. Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is current chair of ECOWAS and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee was also at the meeting to discuss how to support Niger's return to democratic rule and Sahel security. The ordinary summit will also discuss delayed or uncertain transitions back to civilian rule and elections for Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger. Tinubu called for the "re-engaging with the countries under military rule on the basis of realistic and short transition plans". Mediator Earlier this month, Nigeria said it was asking the Niger regime to free Bazoum and allow him to fly to a third country, as a step to opening talks on lifting sanctions. But Niger's military leaders rejected that option and have asked Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe to act as a mediator. Before Sunday's ECOWAS meeting, Niger's military leader General Abdourahamane Tiani and some of his ministers visited Togo on Friday to strengthen bilateral ties. "Tiani is willing to talk over the length of the transition and over the situation with Bazoum," said a Togolese diplomatic source. ECOWAS has also left on the table the last option of a military intervention in Niger though analysts say that appears increasingly unlikely. Since French troops began leaving the region, military regimes in Niger, Mali and Burkina struggling with jihadist violence have hardened their positions and joined forces in an "Alliance of Sahel States". "This phantom, push back-alliance appears intended to divert attention from our mutual quest for democracy and good governance," Tinubu told the summit. Last month, armed attackers stormed military posts, prisons and police stations in another ECOWAS member Sierra Leone, in what the government called a coup attempt that killed 21 people. A week later Guinea-Bissau also denounced an attempted coup, with fighting between the national guard and special forces of the presidential guard. Chinas recent decision to accept the credentials of the Taliban ambassador to Beijing, without having formally recognized Afghanistans new rulers as the legitimate government, is both paradoxical and transactional, experts say. The Taliban foreign ministry announced December 1 that the director-general of the protocol department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Hong Lei, had accepted the credentials from Taliban Ambassador Asadullah Bilal Karimi. The following week, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, said, Afghanistan should not be excluded from the international community. But he reiterated long-standing demands that, in order to gain formal recognition, the Taliban must form an inclusive government, pursue moderate and prudent policies and show a firm commitment to combat terrorism. "We believe that diplomatic recognition of the Afghan government will come naturally as the concerns of various parties are effectively addressed, Wang said during a regular press briefing. Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Brookings Institution, said China is trying to have it both ways. No country has yet recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan since the group seized power in August 2021. However, some countries, including China, have kept their embassies open in Afghanistan and have accredited Taliban diplomats. In September, China became the first country to send a new ambassador to Afghanistan since the Talibans takeover. China is now the first country to accept the Talibans ambassador. Accepting the Talibans ambassador is what normally is considered as recognition, said Felbab-Brown. China doesn't want to break and be ahead of the international community, and the U.N. has made it explicit that the Taliban will not get the seat in the U.N. unless it stops repressing women in the way we have seen. In November, an assessment commissioned by the United Nations linked recognition of the Taliban government to compliance with Afghanistans international treaty obligations and commitments, including removing the ban on womens education and work. Afghanistan is signatory to a number of international treaties that guarantee human rights for women and girls, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Felbab-Brown said China can put pressure on the Taliban to comply with international demands to form an inclusive government and respect womens rights, but they are not willing to do so. The pressing issue for China is the presence of the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, or ETIM, in Afghanistan. China considers the ETIM, which was founded by a Uyghur religious figure, Hasan Mahsum, in 1997 in Pakistan, as a threat to its security. Mahsum was killed by Pakistani troops 20 years ago. China blames the shadowy organization for attacks inside its territory and uses it to justify its crackdown on Uyghurs in the Western region of Xinjiang. The U.S. placed ETIM on its list of terrorist groups in 2002, after the September 11 attacks. The groups terrorist designation was removed in 2020. Chinese officials said the Taliban agreed to not allow ETIM fighters to engage in terrorist activities. But China will be asking for more actions against the ETIM, said Felbab-Brown. I would be very surprised if China gave away that card without getting the Taliban to do more on the Uyghur militancy. Transactional relations Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told VOA that the Taliban continue to maintain close ties with militant groups, including the ETIM. He added that Beijings main concern is that the ETIM will be reinvigorated and plot more attacks against China from within Afghanistan. The Taliban pledged in May not to allow the ETIM to conduct attacks against China, according to the Chinese state newspaper Global Times. Beijing sent its first envoy to Kabul under the Taliban government four months later. It is "transactional," said Roggio, adding that that is the heart of the relationship between China and the Taliban. In addition to addressing security concerns, Chinese like to open businesses, mine and export goods into Afghanistan, and the Taliban want diplomatic relations ... that gives them a degree of legitimacy, said Roggio. Regional rivalry Chinas ties with the Taliban could spark a regional rivalry, said Shinkai Karokhil, a former Afghan diplomat and member of the Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of Afghanistans parliament. Russia might be the next [to normalize relations with the Taliban], since it considers Afghanistan as part of its influence, said Karokhil. Karokhil said countries in the region including Pakistan and India would also be "concerned" about China-Taliban ties. India does not want to fall behind China is gaining influence in Afghanistan, said Ashok Swain, a professor of peace and conflict research at Uppsala University in Sweden. He said India would possibly find some ways of reestablishing contacts with Afghanistan. After the announcement of the closure of the Afghan Embassy in Delhi by the former Afghan government diplomats last month, a high-ranking Taliban official said the embassy would reopen soon under the Talibans control. India has kept its embassy in Afghanistan open. Sami Yousufzai, a London-based Afghan journalist, told VOA that China is a "major" power, and it looks like other countries would also improve their relations with the Taliban. Zheela Noori and Nazrana Ghaffar Yousufzai of VOA's Afghan Service contributed to this report, which originated in VOA's Afghan Service. Apathy rocked parliamentary and council by-elections held Saturday with Citizens Coalition for Change led by Nelson Chamisa saying Zimbabweans were denied an opportunity to pick representatives of their choice after the High Court stopped the recalled opposition partys candidates Friday night from participating in the election. CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Ostallos Sizaiba said the by-election with a turnout of as low as 12% in Bulawayo South where Zanu PF grabbed the seat was a national embarrassment. But Zanu PFs communications director Farayi Marapira described Zanu PFs victory in 7 of the 9 contested seats as an indication that democracy is strong in Zimbabwe. An assessment made by the Zimbabwe Election Resource Center indicates that the turn out was 14% in Cowdray Park, 13,4% (Lobengula-Magwegwe), 14,5% (Mpopoma Mzilikazi, 14,3% (Nketa), 21.7% Beitbridge West, 34.1% Binga North and 38.5% (Lupane East). In Mabvuku-Tafara, a Zanu PF candidate Scott Sakupwanya was declared the winner after the court barred a recalled CCC lawmaker from participating. According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the by-election was peaceful and the blocking of CCC candidates aligned to Chamisa is something that was beyond our control. ZEC was not at liberty to discuss the low by-election turnout. Sengezo Tshabangu, a self-proclaimed secretary general, recalled some CCC lawmakers and councilors claiming that they were no longer members of the opposition party. Chamisa says he is an imposter working hand in glove with the ruling party to undercut the CCC numbers in parliament in an effort to amend the constitution for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office. Zanu PF says it does not have any intention of amending the constitution. Tshabangus CCC faction got two out of 9 contested seats. There are currently several pending parliamentary by-elections as he recalled several other CCC lawmakers two weeks ago. The by-elections will be held in February. Meanwhile, The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) says there were low numbers of people who turned up to exercise their constitutional right to choose a representative of their choice in the National Assembly and Local Authority by-elections. ZESN further noted that there was peace on polling day although the campaigns for the 9 December by-election were characterized by vote buying. ZESN members and volunteers witnessed villagers being given food hand-outs and farming inputs in Binga North constituency at Manjolo Business Centre. ZESN recommended that parliament should amend Section 129 (k) of the Constitution as recalls affect the essence of democracy. The power to recall, if any, must reside in the people and not political parties as is the trend in the majority of democracies. There is a need to register and regulate political parties to address the issue of recalls as they bring into question the significance and relevance of elections. Female mosquitoes are responsible for these deadly bites because they have a special mouth design that male mosquitoes do not have. But it has not always been that way. Researchers said they have discovered the oldest-known fossils of mosquitoes - two males located in pieces of an ancient orange-colored substance known as amber. The male mosquitoes date to 130 million years ago. They were found near the modern town of Hammana in Lebanon. To researchers' surprise, the male mosquitoes had long mouthparts seen now only in females. Dany Azar is a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology and Lebanese University. Azar said they were clearly blood-eaters. The lead writer of the study, recently published in Current Biology, added, "This discovery is a major one in the evolutionary history of mosquitoes." The two fossilized mosquitoes, both representing the same species that has died off, are similar in size and appearance to modern mosquitoes. However, the mouthparts used for getting blood are shorter than in today's female mosquitoes. Study co-writer Andre Nel of the National Museum of Natural History of Paris described the finding as "quite surprising." The special anatomy of the two mosquitoes was beautifully saved in the fossils. Both insects had sharp and triangle-shaped jaw anatomy and a long structure with tooth-like elements. The researchers said they suspect that mosquitoes evolved from insects that did not consume blood. They think that the mouthparts that were developed for getting blood meals were originally used to pierce plants to get nutritious fluids. Plant evolution may have affected the differences in feeding between male and female mosquitoes. At the time when these two mosquitoes became stuck in tree sap that eventually became amber, flowering plants were beginning to spread for the first time. From the findings, Azar said that all early mosquitoes, both male and female, were bloodsucking. And male mosquitoes lost the ability later. The researchers said while these are the oldest mosquito fossils, mosquitoes probably appeared millions of years earlier. They noted that molecular evidence suggests mosquitoes developed from about 200 million to 145 million years ago. There are more than 3,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide, found everywhere except Antarctica. Some species spread diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, Zika fever, dengue and others. The World Health Organization says more than 400,000 people die annually from malaria - a parasitic infection - mostly children under age 5. Im John Russell. Will Dunham reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. _________________________________________________ Words in This Story fossil n. something (such as a leaf, skeleton, or footprint) that is from a plant or animal which lived in ancient times evolution n. an idea that the differences between plants and animals are because of changes that happened by a natural process over a very long time species n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants anatomy -- n. the parts that form a living thing pierce -- v. to make a hole in or through something The old world is already dead, while a new world is only emerging. To understand whats happening in the world, you need a variety of information sources. You cant settle for the big three conformist news agencies AFP, AP and Reuters. You have to hear different opinions and confront contradictory arguments. This diversity is all the more essential since the massacre in Gaza is presented to us in an unequivocal manner and the reactions of the majority of the world are hidden from us. To help you, we publish Voltaire, International Newsletter, a 10+ pages weekly newsletter which summarizes the facts and each others arguments. This wealth of information is only accessible by subscription: Yearly subscription: 150 Monthly subscription: 15 After subscribing, you will receive an email every Friday with a link allowing you to download Voltaire, International Newsletter in PDF. Contents of N65 - December 8, 2023 EDITORIAL Israel wants to establish buffer zones in Gaza and Lebanon AMERICAS No more automatic visas to the USA for Israeli extremists General Lloyd Austins Worldview George Santos expelled from the House of Representatives Mike Johnson for a vote to impeach Joe Biden White House warns of halting subsidies to Ukraine House of Representatives blocks subsidies to Israel and Ukraine The OxyContin Case Hunter Biden summoned to appear before the House Which war poses a danger to the US? Samantha Power in Gaza Arrest of Manuel Rocha, U.S. diplomat and Cuban agent Referendum on the future of Essequibo Lebanons Hezbollah again implicated in Brazil EUROPE Pope Francis calls Isaac Herzog to order 16.9 billion deficit in the equipment plan for the British Armies France makes up sanctions against Hamas Investigation into corruption in the European Parliament continues Israeli settlers in the West Bank banned in Belgium Italy withdraws from Chinas Silk Roads Saxony requires immigrants to acknowledge Israels right to exist in order to be naturalized The Baltic States vs. the Poles EU Budgetary Control Committee points finger at Ukraine and EU Commission The U.S. doesnt want any more talk of Ukraines NATO membership Ukrainian Military Intelligence assassinates Ilya Kyva in Moscow Vladimir Putin in UAE and Saudi Arabia AFRICA Egypt rejects EU plan for Gaza Questioning migration towards Europe Muslim Brotherhood at the center of Sudans civil war Niger breaks with EU Burkina Faso bans French daily Le Monde ASIA Benjamin Netanyahu lays out his goals for Gaza Benjamin Netanyahu vows there will never be a Palestinian state On October 2, insiders bet on a decline in Israels economy The New York Times seeks to demonstrate that Netanyahu and Hamas are not complicit The notebooks of the assailants of October 7 Timeline of the night of October 6-7 Senior Soldiers Declare Defeat Bezalel Smotrich wants to continue the war to the end Israels total war The Damage of "Total War" Yair Lapid calls for the dismissal of Benjamin Netanyahu The trial of Benjamin Netanyahu has resumed Is it possible to demonstrate against the war? Israel summons the Spanish ambassador to remonstrate Some kibbutzim refuse to talk to Benjamin Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu negotiates delivery of medicine to hostages Facebook and Instagram shut down accounts at Israels request Isaac Herzog meets Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Israelis to travel less Palestinian Authority under threat Establishment of the "Youth of the Al-Aqsa Flood" Israel attacks Lebanese army Riad Salame travels without a hitch The Syrian Arab Republic will be able to use the confiscated properties Syrians revolt against US occupiers and Kurdish mercenaries Jordan could break gas deal with Israel Targeted bombing of the Pentagon in Iraq The Red Sea Front For Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the West has given a license to kill to the "butcher of Gaza" Turkiye will not allow Palestinians to be murdered on its soil Turkiye admits financial support to Hamas Ebrahim Raisi cancels his participation in COP28 Philippines rekindles Second Thomas shoal conflict South Korea launches spy satellite China is capable of destroying the U.S. militarys communications system INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS Antonio Guterres refers the matter to the UN Security Council UN Security Council Examines Investigation into Daesh Crimes Russia no longer participates in the leadership of the IMO International Criminal Court Investigates October 7 Terrorist Attacks The controversial phrase Protests in Venice, Milan, Rome, Turin and Bologna. Rivers and canals in several major Italian cities on Saturday were dyed green by the Extinction Rebellion (XR) group as part of a protest calling for action to tackle the climate crisis. The group poured fluorescent green liquid into the Grand Canal in Venice as activists suspended from ropes at Rialto Bridge unfurled a banner that read "COP28: while the government talks, we hang on by a thread". Dangling over the Grand Canal, the protesters denounced the failure of global leadership to address the climate crisis and the sixth mass extinction", before being taken away by police. The protests - which also targeted rivers and canals in Bologna, Milan, Rome and Turin - came as the two-week 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) draws to an end in Dubai. The group said they used a "harmless" fluorescein tracer dye to draw attention to their protest, stating: In a few hours, these waters will return to how they were before. The colour of our seas and rivers, however, will continue to change as temperatures continue to rise." In a post on X, Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro slammed the "eco-vandals", noting that the city had to stop boat traffic as a precaution "due to the acrobatics and antics of the activists". "This time we are also reporting them for 'interruption of public service' and we really hope they end up in jail", Brugnaro said. The protests came two days after climate activists from Ultima Generazione sprayed liquid mud onto the facade of St Mark's Basilica in Venice as part of a protest they termed "a fire alarm". "Venice will soon be under water, there will no longer be any of this. It will be covered in mud and we will die" - the activists shouted - "If you love this city as much as we do, join us in asking the government to eliminate fossil fuels." Photo Luigi Brugnaro X The spectacle of bagpipe-playing shepherds still exists in Naples and Rome. Dressed in traditional sheepskin and woollen cloaks with peaked hats, the zampognari pipers come into the city from their mountain homes, performing traditional music and hymns including the much-loved Italian carol Tu scendi dalle stelle. The zampognari are important figures in the folklore of Italian regions including Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Lazio, Molise, Puglia and Sicily. These otherworldly characters perform traditional Christmas melodies on the zampogna, an ancient wind instrument made of animal hide, whose music is hypnotic and very loud. The arrival of the zampogna is considered auspicious and they feature strongly in the Christmas crib tradition of Naples, thanks to a popular legend about shepherds playing music on their pipes upon seeing the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. As for the musical instrument itself, the zampogna should not be confused with the northern European bagpipes, both due to differences of geographic origin and the fact that the zampogna usually has at least two melodic reed pipes. The music played on the zampogna is often accompanied by a ciaramella or piffaro, a wind instrument similar to the oboe. So keep an ear out for the zampognari this Christmas - you will hear them before you see them! Photo: Marco Mariani / Shutterstock.com. Recipes What do you want to cook today? Advertisement FoodChristmas Lobsters up, prawns stable: A buying guide to seafood this Christmas An abundance of farmed and wild-caught supply means prawn prices wont be skyrocketing for summer. Callan Boys December 8, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Christmas Day seafood orders should sting a little less this year according to industry experts especially for lovers of Australian prawns. Almost every other year, around early December, we hear reports that seafood prices are going to skyrocket, but thats just not going to happen, says Seafood Industry Australia chief executive Veronica Papacosta. I think whatever prices youre seeing in stores now will remain stable through Christmas. Our wild-catch prawn sector has experienced a bumper crop, while the aquaculture industry is also performing really well. People should find great quality prawns across a range of species. The majority of South Melbourne Seafoods Christmas orders include the big three: prawns, oyster and lobster, says director John Kyzintas. Wayne Taylor Papacosta points to good weather conditions and improved farm management for the abundance of prawns this summer, but notes that the cost of doing business means the wholesale price drop might not be passed all the way on to consumers. Advertisement When you factor in the rising cost of wages, transport and utilities for retailers, you might find a few bargains, but I dont think there will be a dramatic drop. Independent retailers and fishmongers are also thinking about next year when trade wont be at the same level as Christmas and theyll need to survive [the downturn in demand]. Gus Dannoun, Sydney Fish Markets head of quota, says seafood prices should remain stable this year. Louise Kennerley Gus Dannoun, head of quota and special projects at Sydney Fish Market, agrees that consumers shouldnt be caught out by hugely inflated Christmas seafood prices in 2023. There was a lot of speculation earlier in the year about catastrophic weather that was going to cause all sorts of havoc with supplies. But all the retailers Ive been talking to are saying, honestly, Gus, we cant see our prices being higher than they were last year. And last year they were very good. Advertisement At Christmas, I find people usually just say to hell with it, lets spend. John Kyzintas John Kyzintas, director of South Melbourne Seafoods, also expects seafood prices across the board to be on par with last Christmas, except for southern rock lobster from Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. The boats have only just gone out fishing and they havent caught a lot, so the price is very high, says the South Melbourne Market retailer. At the moment, its costing me nearly $90 a kilogram to buy southern crayfish [rock lobster]. By Christmas, were expecting about $130 to $140 a kilogram at retail. Recipe collection Let's go cray cray: 50 sensational Christmas seafood recipes Despite cost-of-living increases, Kyzintas says Christmas pre-orders are looking good for his business. Every order we receive will involve crayfish, prawns or oysters, and a lot of the time, all three. At Christmas, I find people usually just say to hell with it, lets spend. Advertisement Papacosta says that Australians are also buying a wider variety of Christmas seafood than the big three each year. Well always love our prawns, oysters and lobsters, but more people are ordering whole fish such as barramundi for the Christmas Day barbecue, plus mussels, scallops and smoked salmon. These are all great value for money this year, too. Buying guide for the big three this Christmas Prawns Prices will vary on size and species, but medium to large cooked tigers should be hovering around $40 a kilogram, while extra-large cooked kings will likely be priced around $60. For a real conversation-stopping crustacean, jumbo Skull Island tiger prawns caught near the Gulf of Carpentaria can usually be found for about $200 per three-kilogram box. Conversation-stoppers: skewered Skull Island prawns at St Siandra restaurant in Sydney. Steven Woodburn Advertisement More budget-friendly prawns include the Crystal Bay variety, says Papacosta. Theyre like a larger banana prawn, and really good eating. Meanwhile, Dannoun recommends asking the fishmonger if they have any school prawns available. Theyre a smaller prawn, but still lovely and sweet, he says. School prawns are particularly delicious deep-fried in the shell and served with tartare and lemon. Crisp-fried school prawns. James Brickwood For anyone keen to avoid the Christmas rush (and has space in the freezer), Papacosta says that its also worth considering buying frozen prawns now and storing them until needed. Youll see nice boxes of Australian prawns in fishmongers and supermarkets. Just defrost in the fridge two days before you want to use them. You can also fill a sink and let them defrost in cold water with a good splash of brown vinegar, which gives them their shine back. Advertisement Oysters Recent heavy rainfall and flooding has closed many oyster leases on the NSW South Coast, and farmers will suffer a significant financial blow if they cant reopen in time for the Christmas rush. However, overall supply of oysters should still be OK, says Papacosta, but there wont be the same abundance as prawns. If there is any price push, youll see it in oysters, purely driven by the higher demand. Theyre the thing I would be pre-ordering if you can. Kyzintas buys the majority of his South Melbourne Seafoods supply from pacific oyster farmers in Tasmania and South Australia. He says pacific oysters should have plenty of nice flavour for Christmas, provided it doesnt get too warm. If we get a huge heat wave come through, theyll spawn, but right now, theyre looking good and cost an average of $25 per dozen. Ann eastern rock lobster and prawns at Sydney Fish Markets. Louise Kennerley Advertisement Lobster There certainly wont be any $20 Western Australian rock lobsters like in 2020 when export restrictions disrupted the market, says Papacosta. We havent restored trade to China like it once was, but the industry has done really well at diversifying. You wont see bottom basement prices, but you will still see lobsters for $30 to $40 each coming from the west coast. Dannoun notes those $30 lobsters are usually sold by the piece, which is often around 300 grams. But even if you triple the price, youre still getting a relatively cheap lobster, he says. Larger eastern rock lobsters caught off the NSW coast will likely be priced between $110 to $130 a kilogram for Christmas, although prices in Victoria arent looking quite as stable, with Kyzintas expecting $130 to $140 per kilogram at retail for southern crays. How to poach a lobster or crayfish Papacostas hot tip, however, is to buy lobster tail. Theyre so much smarter, she says. Youre really just buying the meat. Sure, they dont have the same table presence as a whole lobster, but theyre great eating, especially when barbecued. EASY RecipeTin Eats prawn cocktail salad: a fresh spin on a retro favourite For Meg Bellamy, the 21-year-old British actor who plays the young Kate Middleton in the sixth and final series of The Crown, a head of long, liquid brunette locks was an essential part of the costume. So it may come as some surprise that industry insiders are predicting Bellamy will chop off her glossy Kate haircut as soon as The Crowns publicity tour is over. Meg Bellamy at the premiere of The Crown in November. Credit: Getty Images Theres a very good reason to do it: a transformational haircut has become a tried and tested strategy to ensure that a newcomer doesnt spend the rest of their acting career being typecast, associated forever with their breakout role. It is so easy to get typecast, says British celebrity stylist Kyle DeVolle, who works with Lily Allen and Rita Ora. So [a haircut] is like a total rebrand, a clean slate for her as an actress. Obviously, shell have The Crown under her belt but Im sure shes going to want to do more diverse roles. We work in a very fickle industry and I think that unless people see the change, they will just put you in a box. University of NSW researcher Samuel Cornell likens the search for a perfect social media selfie to the ancient myth of the sirens who were so beautiful that they lured sailors to the rocks and death. Its a toxic cocktail, causing the public to visit places that are as dangerous as they are beautiful, Cornell told the World Conference on Drowning Prevention in Perth this week. Samuel Cornell from the University of NSWs Beach Safety Group at the World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2023 in Perth where he spoke about the increasing number of selfie related deaths. Photos by Rick Carter An estimated 379 people worldwide were killed while taking selfies from 2008 to 2021, a review of international literature found, with many falling on to rocks, into the sea and waterfalls. In Australia, there have been a dozen deaths and many injuries, said Cornell, who has created an interactive map to highlight the problem. It includes Instagram hotspots such as the Figure Eight Pools in Sydneys Royal National Park, Diamond Bay Reserve in Sydneys east, the Grampians in Victoria, and Josephine Falls in Queensland, where rangers are frustrated by visitors failure to heed warnings. Australias net migration will be halved within two years in a dramatic move to slash the annual intake from a record high of 510,000 by imposing tougher tests on overseas students and turning away workers with low skills. The new migration strategy will demand students pass a stronger English-language test and will require them to prove they are genuine students before they enter the country, while making it harder for them to stay if they do not find jobs that help fix the nations skills shortages. Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil is to unveil on Monday Labors strategy to bring down the immigration level. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The government remains open to more controversial measures, such as a cap on student numbers or higher fees on their visa applications, if the sweeping new plan does not cut the net migration intake to 250,000 by the year to June 2025. Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil will outline the changes on Monday with a pledge to cut the intake to more sustainable levels and act against migrant exploitation without putting at risk the ability to attract workers for jobs that need to be filled, such as in hospitals and aged care. A clear majority of Australians want the federal government to cut migration after a surge in arrivals since the pandemic, as the prime minister pledged to return the countrys overseas intake to sustainable levels in a landmark policy to overhaul the visa system. In an exclusive survey, conducted for this masthead by Resolve Political Monitor, 62 per cent of voters said the migration intake is too high, while only 16 per cent of voters believe the government is running the migration program in a carefully planned and managed way. Labor will on Monday unveil its long-awaited migration strategy, which will include measures to rein in overseas student numbers that have fuelled a record migration intake on track to surpass 500,000 this year. Among the changes will be stronger English language proficiency requirements for students. Italian Giorgio Rocchi, a carpenter working in Canberra on a skilled migrant visa, said the complexity of the migration system saw many workers give up and leave Australia. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The findings highlight the scale of public concern about the fiercely contested issue, and the challenge facing the government as it seeks to balance business demands for skilled workers with community anxiety about housing supply shortages and pressures on infrastructure and essential services. Claudia Savage and David Young, PA Sinn Fein has said it has been told by the UK government that its negotiation with the DUP on the post-Brexit Windsor Framework has been concluded. The statement came ahead of a meeting with the main Stormont parties and UK Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris at Hillsborough Castle on Monday. The meeting is focused on Stormonts financial difficulties and what steps can be taken to address the budgetary issues if and when powersharing is restored in Belfast. Speculation has been growing in recent weeks that the DUP could be closing in on an agreement that could restore the Executive and Assembly at Stormont, with Mr Heaton-Harris having recently insisted negotiations were in their final, final phase. The devolved government has not been functioning in Northern Ireland for nearly two years because of the DUPs ongoing boycott of the institutions in protest against post-Brexit trade agreements. The DUP has been in negotiation with the UK government to secure legislative assurances of Northern Irelands economic position in the UK. A Sinn Fein spokesperson said on Sunday: The British government has confirmed to the Sinn Fein leadership that the Windsor Framework negotiation with the DUP is now over, and concluded. However, the statement came after DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson briefed party members at the weekend that people were getting over-excited by the announcement of all-party talks, as he maintained that more work remained to be done before a return to Stormont is secured. In an email to party members seen by PA, Mr Donaldson insisted that the roundtable discussion is separate from the DUPs negotiations with the UK government in relation to the restoration of devolution. In his letter to party members, the DUP leader said more work was required before they would return to Stormont. Whilst some were getting over-excited by this meeting being called, it is nonetheless a step forward in that the government seem to be focused on Northern Ireland finances and accepting the case we have been making, for several years, that Northern Ireland is underfunded, he said. Mondays roundtable is distinct from our discussions with the government regarding the NI Protocol/Windsor Framework. Those talks continue to make progress, but more work is required to conclude that process if we are to have arrangements acceptable to unionists as well as nationalists. Mr Donaldson said he would be attending the talks on Monday alongside party deputy leader Gavin Robinson and finance spokesperson Gordon Lyons. In the absence of an Executive, the budget for Northern Ireland was set by Mr Heaton-Harris and there have been shortfalls of millions across a range of Stormont departments. The Department of Finance has said that despite cuts of more than 900 million (1.47 billion), Northern Ireland is on track for an overspend this year of 450 million. This rises to nearly 1 billion if accounting for a pay rise for Northern Ireland's public sector workers to match that of the other parts of the UK. The DUP leader has said that Northern Ireland is being underfunded and that the party delegation will reiterate this to Mr Heaton-Harris on Monday. UK Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris set the budget for Northern Ireland in the absence of an Executive (James Manning/PA) Mr Donaldson added that no amount of increased efficiency would fill the budgetary gap. Regardless of when the NI Assembly returns, our allocation from Treasury cannot sit unaltered, he said. Whilst this year we are underfunded by 300 million, by 2025 that gap widens out to 1.2 billion. He added: Of course, as with any administration, there will always be examples of where money could and should be better utilised, but no amount of feasible efficiency could fill the annual shortfall created by the Barnett squeeze. We will be clear with the government on Monday that we need to get a solution with recurring funding that enables us to invest in our schools and hospitals as well as pay our public servants appropriately. The Northern Ireland Office has been approached for comment. WILLIAMS TWP., Pa. Pennsylvania State Police said they executed a successful Precision Immobilization Technique, or PIT maneuver, to stop a fleeing vehicle on Interstate 78 in Northampton County. According to state police, the incident occurred around 9:55 a.m. Saturday in Williams Township which carries the easternmost stretch of I-78 in Pennsylvania before the highway crosses into New Jersey. At that time, police said they attempted to stop a 2005 Honda Accord, but the driver refused to pull over and continued on I-78 West. Police then executed the PIT maneuver by matching the Accord's speed and bumping it behind the back wheel, causing the vehicle to safely spin out and come to rest. Police said the driver, an unidentified 40-year-old man from Allentown, was taken into custody and transported to Northampton County Prison. HARRISBURG, Pa. Pennsylvania House Republicans will meet Monday to discuss an upcoming legislative package they say is designed to combat antisemitism in education. Reps. Kristin Marcell and Joe Hogan both from Bucks County are among the representatives who will participate, according to the press release. The discussion is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Monday at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg, according to a PA House GOP press release. The discussion comes just two days after University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned in the wake of her comments at a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C., last week. At the hearing, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) asked Magill and two other Ivy League presidents if "calling for the genocide of Jews" would be in violation of their school's code of conduct. Magill replied that the situation would be "context-dependent." Many colleges and universities have reported a rise in anti-Jewish hate since the ongoing Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7. Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College Valparaiso campus Aco Sikoski, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Opportunity Enterprises president and CEO Neil Samahon at Ivy Tech during the fall ribbon cutting for the OE/Ivy Tech partnership for the Vocational Training and Empowerment Center. - Original Credit: Opportunity Enterprises (Handout/HANDOUT) A partnership between Opportunity Enterprises and Ivy Tech Community College has grown their Vocational Training and Empowerment Center program into college certifications and better job readiness for adults with disabilities. We had created the vocational department and training center here three years ago when there was a shift in funding with the state of Indiana, said Kathleen Parks, senior director of employment services and transition at Opportunity Enterprises. We had individuals losing their funding and they needed to have work. Advertisement The training center started off a six-week program that focused on soft skills, which include teamwork, punctuality, getting along with others and following instructions, what to do with a paycheck, and how to budget. We do a lot of training on these soft skills, and then we focus in on a discipline, said Parks. We chose e-recyling, because we had the capability of launching that program here within our already established Secure Shred program. Advertisement The next weeks of the program focused on work safety, forklift safety, CPR/AED/first aid certification, and what parts of electronics can be recycled and how to remove those parts. When you graduate from this program, you are really a level up and have skills to add to your resume, said Parks. Ivy Tech Community College has now partnered with Opportunity Enterprises to expand on these programs and move the opportunities forward. Our CEO, Neil Samahon, was at a meeting with the Ivy Tech chancellor, Aco Sikoski, and he was sharing what we were doing, said Parks. That sparked some interest with Ivy Tech, and we just kept working those conversations until we reached a point where we were going to be able to offer up a true postsecondary education on an Ivy Tech campus for individuals we serve to come on to campus and actually learn those soft skills but more importantly light industrial production. Each graduate of this first class at Ivy Tech, which caps classes off at 12 students, will leave the program with an Ivy Tech certification. Elizabeth, 28, of Valparaiso, has received her forklift training through the VTEC program and currently works at Opportunity Enterprises. - Original Credit: Opportunity Enterprises (Handout/HANDOUT) I wanted to be in the VTEC program to find my true job goal in life, said William, 19, of Valparaiso who is studying light industrial work. Ivy Tech is an amazing place and Im able to get a lot of learning done with the lab for life skills. I want to find a job that gives me good health care and good income, said William. VTEC was a good decision because it opens the opportunity for a higher paid job, said Thomas, 40, of Gary, who is learning the skills needed to work in a factory. Advertisement I want to get a job on an assembly line, said Thomas, who has recently learned how to read a micrometer as one of the skills in the lab at Ivy Tech. This program has been so successful and the outreach has been amazing, said Park. We are starting to partner with Ivy Tech campuses all over the state. Two programs in Lake and LaPorte counties will be launching after the first of the year, and programs will be expanding in Porter County to include culinary, custodial certification and retail/hospitality. It is about inclusivity and being diversified in the world and the communities we live in, said Parks. Its such a privilege that Ivy Tech saw that and embraced that and truly wanted to come alongside the journey with us. We are opening doors for jobs within our community, said Parks. There is a preconceived notion that if you have a disability there are only certain jobs you can get, and that is certainly not true. Hoosiers with disabilities are a huge untapped workforce, said Parks, and we are here to change that. Advertisement For more information, visit VTECLearning.org or call (219) 476-9226. Deena Lawley-Dixon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. PHILADELPHIA University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill has resigned following her controversial comments about antisemitism on college campuses, multiple outlets reported Saturday afternoon. "It has been my privilege to serve as President of this remarkable institution," Magill wrote in a statement. "It has been an honor to work with our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members to advance Penns vital missions." Magill's resignation comes just four days after she joined the presidents of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) at a House of Representatives hearing to examine how their schools responded to the rise in anti-Jewish hate during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. At the hearing, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) asked the three presidents if "calling for the genocide of Jews" would be in violation of their school's code of conduct. Magill replied that the situation would be "context-dependent." Magill's answer prompted backlash from many congressional leaders, the White House and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. UPenn alum and Stone Ridge Holdins CEO Ross Stevens threatened to pull out $100 million worth of his company's university-held shares unless Magill resigned. Magill will remain UPenn's president until a replacement is chosen. She will also remain a tenured faculty member at Penn Carey Law after resigning as president. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) issued the following statement on Magill's resignation: "President Magills resignation allows the University of Pennsylvania to chart a new course in addressing antisemitism on campus. The Board of Trustees and other university leaders must ensure that Penns campus is a safe environment, not a hostile environment, for all students to learn without the specter of antisemitism, Islamophobia, or racism of any kind." UPDATE: UPenn Board of Trustees chairman Scott L. Bok has also resigned, The Daily Pennsylvanian reported Saturday. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Partly sunny and pleasant; still a bit of a breeze, from the southwest 10-15mph with gusts to 20mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly clear and seasonably cold. New Republic Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 5,136 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $779,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PG. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 99,734.1% during the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 253,081,478 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,402,583,000 after acquiring an additional 252,827,976 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 96,526.4% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 38,535,557 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,840,449,000 after purchasing an additional 38,495,676 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Procter & Gamble during the 4th quarter valued at about $3,752,321,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 42.2% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 24,386,838 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,626,080,000 after purchasing an additional 7,235,990 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 12.6% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 44,320,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,717,246,000 after purchasing an additional 4,959,527 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 63.43% of the companys stock. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Procter & Gamble In related news, CEO R. Alexandra Keith sold 1,413 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.97, for a total value of $204,842.61. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 26,306 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,813,580.82. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other Procter & Gamble news, CEO R. Alexandra Keith sold 1,413 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.97, for a total transaction of $204,842.61. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 26,306 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,813,580.82. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 575 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.97, for a total transaction of $83,357.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 7,498 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,086,985.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 79,382 shares of company stock valued at $11,988,690. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades PG has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. HSBC assumed coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Friday, September 22nd. They issued a buy rating and a $179.00 target price for the company. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $162.00 to $153.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. Barclays cut their price target on Procter & Gamble from $166.00 to $154.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $162.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 19th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Monday, November 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $177.00 target price for the company. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $166.41. Read Our Latest Report on PG Procter & Gamble Stock Performance Shares of Procter & Gamble stock opened at $145.15 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $148.86 and a two-hundred day moving average of $150.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $342.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.56, a PEG ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.67. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 52 week low of $135.83 and a 52 week high of $158.38. Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 18th. The company reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $21.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.58 billion. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 33.49% and a net margin of 18.30%. The firms revenue was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.57 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.42 EPS for the current year. Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 20th were paid a $0.9407 dividend. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.59%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 19th. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is presently 61.04%. Procter & Gamble Profile (Free Report) The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. On Christmas Eve 1947, 10-year-old Marjorie Sutton heard a rustling next to her bed at Wisconsin General Hospital. Sutton had been in the hospital for at least a week, battling pneumonia in an oxygen tent. She assumed the noise was her nurse and went back to sleep. How to help To donate to Empty Stocking Club, visit emptystockingclub.com. Donations can also be mailed to: Wisconsin State Journal, c/o Empty Stocking Club 1901 Fish Hatchery Road, Madison, WI 53713 But when she woke up on Christmas morning, she discovered a white, knee-length stocking filled with gifts, pinned to the side of her bed. I just felt like I hadnt been forgotten. Even though since I was in the hospital, it was Christmas, but I hadnt been forgotten, Sutton said. Sutton recovered and was able to go home, where she was on bed rest for a while longer. But she said the toys from the stocking a doll that had been repaired and given new clothes, a coloring book and more kept her busy. The next Christmas she decided to use her allowance to give back to the Empty Stocking Club, the group that donated the stocking. Being one of the children in the hospital last Christmas, I know the joy and happiness you bring them, Sutton wrote in a letter attached to her donation of $5, according to a story in the Wisconsin State Journal from Dec. 20, 1948, headlined Girl knows its meaning. It just seemed like the right thing to do, said Sutton, now 86 and still donating. Its something very special. Its very dear to me. The Empty Stocking Club is the charitable arm of the Wisconsin State Journal. It has been providing gifts and toys to children in the Dane County area since 1918. The charity has transformed over the last 105 years. In the beginning, readers donated old toys that the wives of reporters at the paper refurbished and gave to children in need. The project grew, and eventually baskets of toys were filled, fundraisers and holiday parties were thrown to support the cause, and truckloads of gifts were brought to families around the city. Families now visit the Alliant Energy Center to pick out a toy and a book they like for the holidays, and the charitys reach and support has grown. It continues to depend on community members for donations, especially as both costs and needs rise. Last year, the Empty Stocking Club gave out nearly 7,000 toys. This year, 700 more families applied than in 2022. A lot of the programs success relies on legacy donors who give over many years, or even a lifetime, like Sutton. One of the things Im most impressed with about the longevity of Empty Stocking Club is how it has become such an important part of so many peoples lives and traditions, said Executive Director Lynn Wood. The stories people share about the impact the program has had on them. The tradition of giving in memory of those theyve lost or in honor of people they love and admire, she said. Its like something everyone owns and is a part of, and its why the tradition has continued for more than a century. Receiving the stocking on Christmas morning all those years ago opened Suttons eyes, she said. My family always celebrated Christmas with the traditional story of Santa Claus. And there was never a Christmas where there wasnt something under the tree for us. And it made me aware that I was very fortunate, she said. Sutton continued to donate almost every year while she still lived in Madison. In 1960, she moved away. But since returning to the city three years ago, she has continued donating to the cause again every year. She said she has never forgotten the feeling of waking up to find the stocking and shes never forgotten the meaning behind it. Christmas is a time to honor childhood, she said. Its an opportunity to make children feel happy and loved. And thats kind of what its all about. 59 North Capital Management LP raised its stake in shares of American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH Free Report) by 9.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,496,021 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 128,947 shares during the period. American Homes 4 Rent makes up 6.1% of 59 North Capital Management LPs holdings, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. 59 North Capital Management LP owned approximately 0.41% of American Homes 4 Rent worth $53,034,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 2.8% in the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,578,435 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $112,542,000 after purchasing an additional 98,146 shares in the last quarter. Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Co grew its holdings in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 5.2% in the first quarter. Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Co now owns 25,471 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $801,000 after purchasing an additional 1,255 shares in the last quarter. AXA S.A. grew its holdings in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 15.3% in the first quarter. AXA S.A. now owns 1,277,051 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $40,163,000 after purchasing an additional 169,620 shares in the last quarter. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of American Homes 4 Rent in the first quarter valued at approximately $745,000. Finally, abrdn plc grew its holdings in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 30.9% in the second quarter. abrdn plc now owns 829,815 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $29,417,000 after purchasing an additional 195,736 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.97% of the companys stock. Get American Homes 4 Rent alerts: Insider Transactions at American Homes 4 Rent In other American Homes 4 Rent news, Director Douglas N. Benham purchased 2,000 shares of American Homes 4 Rent stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $23.10 per share, for a total transaction of $46,200.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 31,997 shares in the company, valued at $739,130.70. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other American Homes 4 Rent news, Director Douglas N. Benham purchased 2,000 shares of American Homes 4 Rent stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $23.10 per share, for a total transaction of $46,200.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 31,997 shares in the company, valued at $739,130.70. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director James H. Kropp sold 6,852 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.47, for a total transaction of $249,892.44. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 29,202 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,064,996.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 39,959 shares of company stock worth $1,459,825. 6.32% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on shares of American Homes 4 Rent from $38.00 to $36.00 in a report on Monday, October 9th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of American Homes 4 Rent from $34.50 to $37.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, September 1st. StockNews.com downgraded shares of American Homes 4 Rent from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 7th. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of American Homes 4 Rent from $36.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, August 28th. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on shares of American Homes 4 Rent in a research note on Friday, September 29th. They issued a neutral rating and a $35.00 price target for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $36.67. Read Our Latest Stock Report on AMH American Homes 4 Rent Stock Up 1.3 % Shares of NYSE:AMH opened at $35.08 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $12.70 billion, a PE ratio of 33.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a current ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. American Homes 4 Rent has a twelve month low of $28.78 and a twelve month high of $37.97. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $34.66 and a 200-day simple moving average of $35.22. American Homes 4 Rent Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.51%. American Homes 4 Rents dividend payout ratio is presently 84.62%. American Homes 4 Rent Profile (Free Report) American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH), which does business as AMH, is a leading owner, operator and developer of single-family rental homes. We're an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing and managing homes as rental properties. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Homes 4 Rent Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Homes 4 Rent and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JMP Securities started coverage on shares of AMN Healthcare Services (NYSE:AMN Free Report) in a research report released on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage issued an outperform rating and a $85.00 target price on the stock. Several other equities analysts also recently commented on the stock. TheStreet downgraded shares of AMN Healthcare Services from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a hold rating and issued a $70.00 price target (down from $115.00) on shares of AMN Healthcare Services in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. UBS Group started coverage on shares of AMN Healthcare Services in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. They issued a neutral rating and a $73.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of AMN Healthcare Services in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and issued a $88.00 price target on shares of AMN Healthcare Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AMN Healthcare Services has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $97.67. Get AMN Healthcare Services alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on AMN Healthcare Services AMN Healthcare Services Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:AMN opened at $68.69 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $2.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.04 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $71.30 and a 200-day moving average price of $88.30. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. AMN Healthcare Services has a 12 month low of $57.80 and a 12 month high of $118.31. AMN Healthcare Services (NYSE:AMN Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $1.97 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.64 by $0.33. The firm had revenue of $853.46 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $851.20 million. AMN Healthcare Services had a net margin of 6.83% and a return on equity of 42.42%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 25.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.57 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that AMN Healthcare Services will post 8.09 EPS for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other AMN Healthcare Services news, insider Mark Christopher Hagan sold 16,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.92, for a total value of $1,086,720.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 19,018 shares in the company, valued at $1,291,702.56. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.77% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On AMN Healthcare Services Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AMN Healthcare Services during the second quarter valued at approximately $1,086,000. West Tower Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AMN Healthcare Services during the second quarter valued at approximately $81,000. FORA Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of AMN Healthcare Services by 146.1% during the first quarter. FORA Capital LLC now owns 12,540 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,040,000 after buying an additional 7,444 shares during the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc grew its holdings in shares of AMN Healthcare Services by 12.1% during the second quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 13,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,517,000 after buying an additional 1,500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in shares of AMN Healthcare Services by 5.0% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 125,846 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,440,000 after buying an additional 5,936 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.23% of the companys stock. About AMN Healthcare Services (Get Free Report) AMN Healthcare Services, Inc provides healthcare workforce solutions and staffing services to hospitals and healthcare facilities in the United States. It operates through three segments: Nurse and Allied Solutions, Physician and Leadership Solutions, and Technology and Workforce Solutions. The Nurse and Allied Solutions segment offers travel nurse staffing, rapid response nurse staffing and labor disruption, allied staffing, local staffing, and revenue cycle solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for AMN Healthcare Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AMN Healthcare Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd lifted its position in shares of Stryker Co. (NYSE:SYK Free Report) by 3,321.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,277 shares of the medical technology companys stock after buying an additional 4,152 shares during the quarter. Brown Shipley& Co Ltds holdings in Stryker were worth $422,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of SYK. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in Stryker in the first quarter valued at about $131,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in Stryker by 1.4% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 673,924 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $180,182,000 after acquiring an additional 9,026 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC acquired a new position in Stryker during the first quarter worth about $1,444,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Stryker by 21.6% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,056 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $817,000 after purchasing an additional 543 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. grew its holdings in shares of Stryker by 9.2% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 3,140 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $839,000 after purchasing an additional 265 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.24% of the companys stock. Get Stryker alerts: Stryker Stock Performance Stryker stock traded down $0.28 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $289.10. 1,078,877 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,184,676. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The firms 50 day moving average price is $276.83 and its 200-day moving average price is $283.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $109.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.89, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.94. Stryker Co. has a 1 year low of $235.81 and a 1 year high of $306.93. Stryker Increases Dividend Stryker ( NYSE:SYK Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The medical technology company reported $2.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.44 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $4.90 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.87 billion. Stryker had a return on equity of 22.62% and a net margin of 13.00%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.12 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Stryker Co. will post 10.41 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. This is a positive change from Strykers previous quarterly dividend of $0.75. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.11%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th. Strykers payout ratio is 44.51%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CEO Kevin Lobo sold 56,483 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $287.91, for a total value of $16,262,020.53. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 81,034 shares in the company, valued at $23,330,498.94. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Stryker news, Director Srikant M. Datar sold 750 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $287.57, for a total value of $215,677.50. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 5,316 shares in the company, valued at $1,528,722.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Kevin Lobo sold 56,483 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $287.91, for a total value of $16,262,020.53. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 81,034 shares in the company, valued at $23,330,498.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 58,306 shares of company stock worth $16,791,134. Corporate insiders own 5.90% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth SYK has been the topic of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $325.00 target price on shares of Stryker in a report on Thursday, August 17th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Stryker from $300.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Bank of America raised Stryker from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $310.00 to $315.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 5th. Truist Financial increased their price target on Stryker from $270.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 6th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Stryker from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 6th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Stryker presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $312.17. Read Our Latest Analysis on Stryker Stryker Profile (Free Report) Stryker Corporation operates as a medical technology company. The company operates through two segments, MedSurg and Neurotechnology, and Orthopaedics and Spine. The Orthopaedics and Spine segment provides implants for use in hip and knee joint replacements, and trauma and extremities surgeries. This segment also offers spinal implant products comprising cervical, thoracolumbar, and interbody systems that are used in spinal injury, deformity, and degenerative therapies. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Stryker Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stryker and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 179.8% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 789 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 507 shares during the period. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $370,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Silicon Valley Capital Partners purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Activest Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Laffer Tengler Investments purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 156.4% during the 1st quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 100 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $72,000. Institutional investors own 81.38% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have recently weighed in on LLY shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, November 8th. Citigroup upped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $525.00 to $675.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $630.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, November 15th. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and set a $650.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, Argus raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $470.00 to $620.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $570.82. Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 1.7 % LLY stock traded up $9.78 on Friday, reaching $598.05. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,446,790 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,789,936. The firm has a market cap of $567.73 billion, a PE ratio of 108.34, a PEG ratio of 3.57 and a beta of 0.33. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $585.38 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $526.05. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $309.20 and a 12-month high of $629.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.05. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.08) by $0.18. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.55% and a return on equity of 48.12%. The firm had revenue of $9.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.88 billion. As a group, research analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.62 EPS for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.87%. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is presently 81.88%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $605.44, for a total value of $130,169,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 99,768,810 shares in the company, valued at $60,404,028,326.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Alonzo Weems sold 1,148 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $590.98, for a total transaction of $678,445.04. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 7,760 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,586,004.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $605.44, for a total value of $130,169,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 99,768,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $60,404,028,326.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 216,818 shares of company stock worth $131,230,682. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Eli Lilly and Company Profile (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cahill Financial Advisors Inc. decreased its position in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSEARCA:HDV Free Report) by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 33,292 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 166 shares during the period. Cahill Financial Advisors Inc.s holdings in iShares Core High Dividend ETF were worth $3,355,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. AE Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF by 7.8% during the 2nd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 174,576 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $17,595,000 after acquiring an additional 12,596 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $6,134,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF by 192.8% during the 1st quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 25,048 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,522,000 after acquiring an additional 16,492 shares in the last quarter. RFG Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. RFG Advisory LLC now owns 118,998 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $11,994,000 after acquiring an additional 1,145 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Independent Wealth Network Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF by 32.1% during the 2nd quarter. Independent Wealth Network Inc. now owns 12,599 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,270,000 after acquiring an additional 3,059 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Core High Dividend ETF alerts: iShares Core High Dividend ETF Stock Up 0.2 % HDV traded up $0.17 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $100.11. 764,676 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 623,104. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.13 and a beta of 0.81. iShares Core High Dividend ETF has a 1-year low of $93.46 and a 1-year high of $107.06. The firms 50 day moving average price is $97.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $100.08. iShares Core High Dividend ETF Company Profile The iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus index. The fund tracks a dividend-weighted index of 75 high-yielding US equities, screened for high earnings potential and dividend sustainability. HDV was launched on Mar 29, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HDV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSEARCA:HDV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core High Dividend ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core High Dividend ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cramer Rosenthal Mcglynn LLC lowered its stake in Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT Free Report) by 16.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 67,890 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 12,960 shares during the quarter. Cramer Rosenthal Mcglynn LLC owned about 0.18% of Applied Industrial Technologies worth $9,833,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. PDT Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 22.0% in the 2nd quarter. PDT Partners LLC now owns 16,547 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,397,000 after purchasing an additional 2,989 shares during the period. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV lifted its stake in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 7.9% in the 2nd quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 2,386 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $346,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares during the period. Ergoteles LLC acquired a new position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,586,000. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al acquired a new position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $387,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 238.5% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,640 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $382,000 after buying an additional 1,860 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.49% of the companys stock. Get Applied Industrial Technologies alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently commented on AIT shares. Loop Capital upped their price objective on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from $170.00 to $174.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 14th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Applied Industrial Technologies Trading Up 0.6 % Shares of AIT traded up $1.00 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $165.18. The stock had a trading volume of 107,481 shares, compared to its average volume of 197,518. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $159.12 and a 200 day moving average of $150.13. The company has a market cap of $6.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.84 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 2.44, a current ratio of 3.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $116.94 and a 52 week high of $168.60. Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The industrial products company reported $2.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.07 by $0.32. The firm had revenue of $1.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.09 billion. Applied Industrial Technologies had a return on equity of 25.39% and a net margin of 8.18%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. will post 9.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Applied Industrial Technologies Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 15th were issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.85%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 14th. Applied Industrial Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.12%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Applied Industrial Technologies news, VP Kurt W. Loring sold 5,470 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.50, for a total transaction of $899,815.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 21,269 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,498,750.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Director Peter C. Wallace sold 1,130 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $163.19, for a total value of $184,404.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 23,641 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,857,974.79. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Kurt W. Loring sold 5,470 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.50, for a total value of $899,815.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 21,269 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,498,750.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 10,584 shares of company stock worth $1,715,612. Corporate insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock. Applied Industrial Technologies Company Profile (Free Report) Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc distributes industrial motion, power, control, and automation technology solutions in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It operates in two segments, Service Center Based Distribution, and Engineered Solutions. The company distributes bearings, power transmission products, engineered fluid power components and systems, specialty flow control solutions, advanced automation products, industrial rubber products, linear motion components, automation solutions, tools, safety products, oilfield supplies, and other industrial and maintenance supplies; and motors, belting, drives, couplings, pumps, hydraulic and pneumatic components, filtration supplies, valves, fittings, process instrumentation, actuators, and hoses, filtration supplies, as well as other related supplies for general operational needs of customers' machinery and equipment. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AIT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. UBS Group started coverage on shares of Finance Of America Companies (NYSE:FOA Free Report) in a report published on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $1.40 price target on the stock. A number of other analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Credit Suisse Group assumed coverage on shares of Finance Of America Companies in a research report on Wednesday, August 16th. They set a neutral rating and a $2.00 price target for the company. Raymond James dropped their target price on Finance Of America Companies from $2.25 to $2.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 17th. Get Finance Of America Companies alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on FOA Finance Of America Companies Trading Down 1.1 % Shares of FOA opened at $0.91 on Wednesday. Finance Of America Companies has a twelve month low of $0.68 and a twelve month high of $2.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.03 million, a P/E ratio of -0.39 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a current ratio of 2.78, a quick ratio of 2.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 163.87. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $1.01 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1.45. Finance Of America Companies (NYSE:FOA Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 7th. The company reported ($0.14) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.09) by ($0.05). The firm had revenue of ($70.44) million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $60.00 million. Finance Of America Companies had a negative return on equity of 24.27% and a negative net margin of 40.10%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Finance Of America Companies will post -0.44 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Trading of Finance Of America Companies Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FOA. American International Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Finance Of America Companies by 35.9% in the 2nd quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 25,717 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 6,787 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in Finance Of America Companies by 35.1% during the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 29,128 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 7,573 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC raised its stake in Finance Of America Companies by 96.1% during the first quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 20,657 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 10,125 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of Finance Of America Companies by 6.7% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 209,333 shares of the companys stock valued at $309,000 after acquiring an additional 13,089 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its position in shares of Finance Of America Companies by 191.4% during the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 20,247 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 13,300 shares in the last quarter. Finance Of America Companies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Finance of America Companies Inc operates a consumer lending platform in the United States. The company operates through five segments: Mortgage Originations, Reverse Originations, Commercial Originations, Lender Services, and Portfolio Management segments. It provides residential mortgage loans to the government sponsored entities; government-insured agricultural lending solutions to farmers; product development, loan securitization, loan sales, risk management, asset management, and servicing oversight services to enterprise and third-party funds; and ancillary business services, title agency and title insurance services, mortgage servicing rights valuation and trade brokerage, transactional fulfillment services, mortgage loan third party review or due diligence services, and appraisal management services to residential mortgage, student lending, and commercial lending industry customers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Finance Of America Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Finance Of America Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invenomic Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Genesco Inc. (NYSE:GCO Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 57,100 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,430,000. Invenomic Capital Management LP owned 0.45% of Genesco as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in GCO. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its stake in shares of Genesco by 1,447.9% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 295,643 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,403,000 after purchasing an additional 276,543 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new stake in shares of Genesco in the second quarter valued at about $4,009,000. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Genesco by 119.3% in the second quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC now owns 229,170 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,738,000 after purchasing an additional 124,690 shares during the period. Ergoteles LLC lifted its stake in shares of Genesco by 527.5% in the second quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 136,178 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,410,000 after purchasing an additional 114,478 shares during the period. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Genesco by 67.0% during the 3rd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management LLC now owns 284,356 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,181,000 after acquiring an additional 114,053 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.20% of the companys stock. Get Genesco alerts: Genesco Stock Performance Shares of NYSE GCO opened at $30.49 on Friday. Genesco Inc. has a 12 month low of $17.31 and a 12 month high of $51.04. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $29.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of $27.71. The company has a market cap of $382.95 million, a PE ratio of -52.57 and a beta of 2.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 0.31. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Genesco ( NYSE:GCO Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, December 1st. The company reported $0.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.84 by ($0.27). Genesco had a negative net margin of 0.22% and a positive return on equity of 2.65%. The company had revenue of $579.30 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $588.60 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.65 earnings per share. Genescos revenue for the quarter was down 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Genesco Inc. will post 1.73 earnings per share for the current year. Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Genesco in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. View Our Latest Research Report on GCO Genesco Company Profile (Free Report) Genesco Inc operates as a retailer and wholesaler of footwear, apparel, and accessories in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland. The company operates through four segments: Journeys Group, Schuh Group, Johnston & Murphy Group, and Licensed Brands. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GCO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Genesco Inc. (NYSE:GCO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Genesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Genesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invenomic Capital Management LP lowered its stake in shares of Glatfelter Co. (NYSE:GLT Free Report) by 8.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 272,510 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 23,684 shares during the period. Invenomic Capital Management LP owned approximately 0.60% of Glatfelter worth $823,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Jump Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Glatfelter by 85.8% during the first quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 61,500 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $196,000 after buying an additional 28,400 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in Glatfelter in the second quarter worth about $1,674,000. Brown Advisory Inc. raised its position in Glatfelter by 7.0% in the first quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 274,158 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $875,000 after purchasing an additional 17,899 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its position in Glatfelter by 2.3% in the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,809,165 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $5,461,000 after purchasing an additional 40,928 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CastleKnight Management LP raised its position in Glatfelter by 56.4% in the second quarter. CastleKnight Management LP now owns 591,067 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,785,000 after purchasing an additional 213,067 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.27% of the companys stock. Get Glatfelter alerts: Insider Transactions at Glatfelter In other news, major shareholder Carlson Capital L. P acquired 250,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 2nd. The stock was bought at an average price of $1.95 per share, with a total value of $487,500.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 6,715,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,094,250. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, major shareholder Carlson Capital L. P acquired 250,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 2nd. The stock was bought at an average price of $1.95 per share, with a total value of $487,500.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 6,715,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,094,250. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Carlson Capital L. P acquired 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 26th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $1.60 per share, with a total value of $80,000.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 7,176,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,481,600. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders bought 611,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,107,800. Corporate insiders own 2.59% of the companys stock. Glatfelter Stock Performance NYSE:GLT opened at $1.46 on Friday. Glatfelter Co. has a 12-month low of $1.32 and a 12-month high of $4.87. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 2.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $65.83 million, a PE ratio of -0.63 and a beta of 1.67. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $1.59 and a 200 day moving average price of $2.33. Glatfelter (NYSE:GLT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The basic materials company reported ($0.23) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $329.92 million during the quarter. Glatfelter had a negative return on equity of 15.02% and a negative net margin of 7.28%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Glatfelter from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Glatfelter Glatfelter Profile (Free Report) Glatfelter Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered materials worldwide. It operates through three segments: Composite Fibers, Airlaid Materials, and Spunlace. The Composite Fibers segment offers food and beverage filtration materials for single-serve coffee and tea products; wallcover base materials for wallpaper manufacturers; metallized products that are used in labels, packaging liners, gift wraps, and other consumer product applications; composite laminates consisting of decorative laminates for use in furniture, household and commercial flooring, and other applications; and specialty engineered products, which are used in electrical energy storage, home, hygiene, and other engineered fiber-based applications. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GLT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Glatfelter Co. (NYSE:GLT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Glatfelter Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Glatfelter and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invenomic Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Standard Motor Products, Inc. (NYSE:SMP Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 81,681 shares of the auto parts companys stock, valued at approximately $3,065,000. Invenomic Capital Management LP owned approximately 0.38% of Standard Motor Products as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in Standard Motor Products by 697.3% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 23,186 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $870,000 after purchasing an additional 20,278 shares in the last quarter. Credit Suisse AG grew its position in Standard Motor Products by 15.3% in the 2nd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 19,045 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $715,000 after purchasing an additional 2,522 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Standard Motor Products by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,307,078 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $124,082,000 after purchasing an additional 38,118 shares in the last quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System grew its position in shares of Standard Motor Products by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 10,465 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $393,000 after acquiring an additional 430 shares during the period. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its position in shares of Standard Motor Products by 5.6% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 8,036 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $302,000 after acquiring an additional 427 shares during the period. 77.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Standard Motor Products alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets SMP has been the subject of a number of research reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Standard Motor Products from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 30th. TheStreet cut shares of Standard Motor Products from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Standard Motor Products Stock Performance Standard Motor Products stock opened at $36.58 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $34.50 and its 200-day moving average price is $35.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 2.04. The stock has a market cap of $794.88 million, a P/E ratio of 22.72 and a beta of 0.64. Standard Motor Products, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $30.15 and a fifty-two week high of $42.42. Standard Motor Products (NYSE:SMP Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The auto parts company reported $1.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.99 by $0.12. Standard Motor Products had a net margin of 2.59% and a return on equity of 11.30%. The company had revenue of $386.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $391.87 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.05 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Standard Motor Products, Inc. will post 3.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Standard Motor Products Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 15th were issued a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.17%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 14th. Standard Motor Productss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 72.05%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Standard Motor Products news, insider Carmine Joseph Broccole sold 1,255 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.29, for a total value of $43,033.95. Following the sale, the insider now owns 76,661 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,628,705.69. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, CFO Nathan R. Iles sold 1,820 shares of Standard Motor Products stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.86, for a total transaction of $63,445.20. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 24,028 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $837,616.08. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Carmine Joseph Broccole sold 1,255 shares of Standard Motor Products stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.29, for a total transaction of $43,033.95. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 76,661 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,628,705.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 8,652 shares of company stock valued at $300,720 in the last quarter. Insiders own 6.40% of the companys stock. About Standard Motor Products (Free Report) Standard Motor Products, Inc manufactures and distributes automotive parts that are used in the maintenance, repair, and service of vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry in the United States and internationally. The company's Engine Management segment provides electronic ignition control modules, camshaft and crankshaft position sensors, ignition wires and coils, switches and relays, exhaust gas recirculation valves, pressure and temperature sensors, variable valve timing components, mass airflow and fuel pressure sensors, electronic throttle bodies, and diesel injectors and pumps; and anti-lock brake, vehicle speed, tire pressure monitoring, and park assist sensors. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SMP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Standard Motor Products, Inc. (NYSE:SMP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Standard Motor Products Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Standard Motor Products and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Forward statue outside the Wisconsin state Capitol was surrounded by Palestinian flags Saturday morning, its bronze-cast gaze taking in banners that read ceasefire now and free Palestine as the chants of more than a thousand voices carried down State Street. The crowd began congregating at the Capitol around noon, and the Wisconsin All Out for Palestine march and rally began in earnest at 1 p.m., sponsored by the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine, a Milwaukee-based group formed in response to Israels Oct. 8 declaration of war on Hamas. The coalition represents more than 50 organizations across the state, including communities of color and labor groups. We are bringing attention to this issue. We are asking for a ceasefire, said coalition spokesperson Janan Najeeb. Protesters decried the U.S. veto Friday of a United Nations resolution backed by dozens of nations demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. Reuters counts more than 17,000 Palestinian casualties since Hamas surprise attack on Oct. 7 killed more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals. Last month, former Islamic University of Gaza President Mohammad Eid Shubair was killed with most of his family in their home in Gaza City during an Israeli airstrike on the nearby Al Shifa hospital. Najeeb recalled befriending Shubair and his family in 1990 when they both lived in Huntington, West Virginia, where Najeebs husband and Shubair attended medical school. She remembers watching Shubairs children grow up, only one of whom survived the airstrike, as she lives in the U.S., Najeeb said. She and Shubair remained friends for a time, but she said they lost touch over the past couple of decades. This was such a tremendous loss for us, Najeeb said. There are so many stories like this, so much heartache. The war also has an impact for Americans who havent lost family or friends, Najeeb said, as U.S. tax dollars fund military aid and U.S.-made bombs and missiles are being fired on Gaza. As American citizens, what we want everyone to understand is our tax dollars, our Congress, our president are complicit in genocide, she said. Complicated conflict Najeeb stressed that the war isnt a centuries-old religious conflict but rather a a 75-year-old colonialist conflict concerning European presence in the Middle East, with complicating historical, political and ethnic factors. Religion, though, is also a point of tension, specifically concerning territories holy to both Islam and Judaism. Esty Dinur, a member of the Madison branch of Jewish Voices for Peace, said religious values and teachings are also on the line. Jewish teachings say that there is nothing more important than to save lives, Dinur said. It is horrifying, for me and many other Jews, to watch Israel using more than the equal of two nuclear bombs on a very small area and taking so many lives. This is against Jewish values. The march falls in the middle of Hanukkah, and fittingly so, Dinur said. Hanukkah celebrates an end to occupation and destruction. What better time to ask for an end to occupation and destruction? she said. Madisons Jewish Voices for Peace members have contacted the citys alders and state representatives to request their support in a call for a cease-fire. Theyve met with with Rep. Mark Pocan, who has voiced his support for a cease-fire. Personal connections Dinur is one of many for whom the war has personal significance: She has family in Israel, and the conflict, she says, makes them and all other Jews less safe. It is fomenting hatred and adding to the ranks and the fervor of antisemites, said Dinur. The only way for Israel to be safe is to come to a peaceful, political solution with the Palestinians. While protesters stood at the Capitol, on the UW-Madison campus, two people entered the Hillel building shouting political slogans and obscenities during a Hanukkah celebration, according to a post on the UW Hillel Instagram page. A team of medics and other volunteers walked through the crowds at the demonstration, handing out water bottles and hand warmers while scanning for anyone in need of assistance. Among the volunteers was Sileen Alomari, who was representing Students for Justice in Palestine, a pro-Palestinian group on the UW-Madison campus. Growing up in Jordan, Alomari says many of her childhood peers were descendants of Palestinian refugees or refugees themselves. She has friends on campus who have family in the Palestinian territories, sisters-in-law who are Palestinian. She says each broadcasted video and report of the destruction in Gaza is personal to her. When I see videos of children in Gaza being killed, crying, yelling, I see my nephews and nieces. When I see the elderly getting killed, I see my parents. When I see homes and memories getting destroyed, I see my own home and family, Alomari said. Im not with Palestine simply because Im Arab or Muslim Im with Palestine because Im human. Saturday afternoon, children perched on their parents shoulders, and students held hands, huddled together for warmth. Alomari said she hopes the crowd of supporters will grow in the coming days and weeks, that what she and other participants did outside the Capitol Saturday will encourage people to learn about whats happening and to remind them that the genocide is not over. There must be larger political and humanitarian action to end the genocide, but these demonstrations lead us in the right direction, she said. Using our voice is imperative because Palestinians have been silenced. Cohen & Steers Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Kimco Realty Corp (NYSE:KIM Free Report) by 38.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 45,470,768 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 12,742,963 shares during the quarter. Kimco Realty accounts for approximately 1.9% of Cohen & Steers Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Cohen & Steers Inc. owned about 7.34% of Kimco Realty worth $896,676,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of KIM. Capula Management Ltd acquired a new position in Kimco Realty in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,021,000. Ergoteles LLC grew its position in Kimco Realty by 194.2% in the 2nd quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 200,450 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,953,000 after acquiring an additional 132,316 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in Kimco Realty by 138.7% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 57,525 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,134,000 after acquiring an additional 33,421 shares in the last quarter. State of Wisconsin Investment Board grew its position in Kimco Realty by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. State of Wisconsin Investment Board now owns 361,721 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $7,133,000 after acquiring an additional 9,376 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MML Investors Services LLC grew its position in Kimco Realty by 8.7% in the 2nd quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 21,190 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $418,000 after acquiring an additional 1,697 shares in the last quarter. 90.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Kimco Realty alerts: Kimco Realty Price Performance KIM stock traded up $0.11 on Friday, reaching $20.24. 5,814,715 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,719,884. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $18.09 and a 200-day moving average of $18.86. Kimco Realty Corp has a twelve month low of $16.34 and a twelve month high of $23.27. The firm has a market cap of $12.55 billion, a PE ratio of 28.51, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a quick ratio of 2.72, a current ratio of 2.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. Kimco Realty Increases Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 7th will be issued a $0.24 dividend. This is a positive change from Kimco Realtys previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 6th. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.74%. Kimco Realtys dividend payout ratio is 135.21%. Several brokerages have recently issued reports on KIM. Mizuho upgraded Kimco Realty from a neutral rating to a buy rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $21.00 to $20.00 in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Compass Point upgraded Kimco Realty from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $22.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, August 28th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Kimco Realty from $20.50 to $21.75 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. TheStreet upgraded Kimco Realty from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price objective on Kimco Realty from $22.00 to $20.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $21.88. Get Our Latest Report on Kimco Realty Kimco Realty Company Profile (Free Report) Kimco Realty Corp. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in New Hyde Park, N.Y., that is one of North Americas largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers. As of December 31, 2018, the company owned interests in 437 U.S. shopping centers comprising 76 million square feet of leasable space primarily concentrated in the top major metropolitan markets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Kimco Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kimco Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. UBS Group began coverage on shares of MGIC Investment (NYSE:MTG Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm issued a neutral rating and a $18.50 price target on the insurance providers stock. A number of other research firms have also weighed in on MTG. Barclays initiated coverage on MGIC Investment in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. They set an equal weight rating and a $19.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com initiated coverage on MGIC Investment in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $18.88. Get MGIC Investment alerts: Read Our Latest Report on MTG MGIC Investment Trading Up 1.9 % MTG opened at $18.08 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $5.01 billion, a PE ratio of 7.32, a PEG ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The business has a 50 day moving average of $17.31 and a 200-day moving average of $16.79. MGIC Investment has a 52 week low of $12.15 and a 52 week high of $18.25. MGIC Investment (NYSE:MTG Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The insurance provider reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $296.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $296.31 million. MGIC Investment had a return on equity of 15.28% and a net margin of 61.88%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.86 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that MGIC Investment will post 2.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. MGIC Investment Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 9th were issued a $0.115 dividend. This represents a $0.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 8th. MGIC Investments payout ratio is 18.62%. Institutional Trading of MGIC Investment Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of MGIC Investment in the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of MGIC Investment by 374.0% in the 4th quarter. Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,925 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 3,097 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of MGIC Investment in the 1st quarter worth $63,000. Spotlight Asset Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of MGIC Investment in the 2nd quarter worth $77,000. Finally, USA Financial Formulas bought a new stake in shares of MGIC Investment in the 3rd quarter worth $100,000. Institutional investors own 93.41% of the companys stock. MGIC Investment Company Profile (Get Free Report) MGIC Investment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance, other mortgage credit risk management solutions, and ancillary services to lenders and government sponsored entities in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The company offers primary mortgage insurance that provides mortgage default protection on individual loans, as well as covers unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest, and various expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure. See Also Receive News & Ratings for MGIC Investment Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MGIC Investment and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New Republic Capital LLC purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 5,227 shares of the healthcare product makers stock, valued at approximately $570,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 97,996.2% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 2,101,555,797 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $229,111,613,000 after purchasing an additional 2,099,413,455 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 1.2% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 137,153,545 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $14,952,480,000 after buying an additional 1,584,552 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 1.1% during the second quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 77,225,258 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $8,419,032,000 after buying an additional 820,369 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 74,817,109 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $8,156,561,000 after acquiring an additional 1,362,889 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital International Investors boosted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 59,178,607 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $6,451,127,000 after acquiring an additional 2,747,652 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.70% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have weighed in on ABT. TheStreet lowered shares of Abbott Laboratories from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Monday, October 16th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $112.00 to $107.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 19th. UBS Group decreased their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $118.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. StockNews.com started coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $120.00 to $112.00 in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $117.47. Insider Buying and Selling In other Abbott Laboratories news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.05, for a total transaction of $4,702,500.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 6,725,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $632,515,969.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 1.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Abbott Laboratories Price Performance Abbott Laboratories stock opened at $104.51 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $181.44 billion, a PE ratio of 35.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $89.67 and a 52-week high of $115.83. The companys 50 day moving average is $97.61 and its two-hundred day moving average is $102.34. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $10.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.82 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 12.92% and a return on equity of 20.15%. The companys revenue was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.15 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.44 EPS for the current fiscal year. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 13th were issued a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 12th. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.95%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is currently 69.39%. Abbott Laboratories Company Profile (Free Report) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New Republic Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 748 shares of the medical research companys stock, valued at approximately $390,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of TMO. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 3.7% in the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 681,679 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $392,899,000 after purchasing an additional 24,376 shares during the last quarter. American Trust grew its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 13.2% in the first quarter. American Trust now owns 6,743 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $3,886,000 after purchasing an additional 784 shares during the last quarter. Sterling Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in the second quarter worth approximately $1,074,000. Alta Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 5.1% in the second quarter. Alta Capital Management LLC now owns 88,286 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $46,064,000 after purchasing an additional 4,307 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Manhattan CO. LLC. grew its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 11.2% in the first quarter. First Manhattan CO. LLC. now owns 724,844 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $417,779,000 after purchasing an additional 72,792 shares during the last quarter. 87.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Thermo Fisher Scientific alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Thermo Fisher Scientific In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $456.15, for a total transaction of $4,561,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 131,175 shares in the company, valued at approximately $59,835,476.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In TMO has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein initiated coverage on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Thursday, September 28th. They issued an outperform rating and a $603.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup cut their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $625.00 to $530.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 26th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $475.00 price target on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $670.00 to $630.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Thermo Fisher Scientific currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $593.94. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Performance Shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock opened at $489.77 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $189.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.10, a PEG ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.83. The firms 50-day moving average is $473.68 and its 200 day moving average is $509.95. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 1 year low of $415.60 and a 1 year high of $609.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 1.25. Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The medical research company reported $5.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.61 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $10.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.60 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.68% and a return on equity of 18.88%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics revenue was down 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $5.08 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.52 EPS for the current fiscal year. Thermo Fisher Scientific declared that its board has initiated a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, November 14th that authorizes the company to buyback $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the medical research company to reacquire up to 2.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Thermo Fisher Scientific Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 14th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio is currently 9.17%. Thermo Fisher Scientific Profile (Free Report) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TMO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Spears Abacus Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Crane (NYSE:CR Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 10,932 shares of the conglomerates stock, valued at approximately $617,000. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of CR. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Crane by 77.9% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 338 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in Crane by 1,845.5% during the 2nd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 428 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 406 shares during the last quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp acquired a new stake in Crane during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Crane during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, JFS Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Crane by 768.3% during the 2nd quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 356 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 315 shares during the last quarter. 85.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Crane alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Crane news, CFO Richard A. Maue sold 27,527 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.13, for a total value of $2,893,913.51. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 67,071 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,051,174.23. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Crane news, CEO Max H. Mitchell sold 22,542 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.45, for a total value of $2,399,595.90. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 322,628 shares of the companys stock, valued at $34,343,750.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Richard A. Maue sold 27,527 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.13, for a total value of $2,893,913.51. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 67,071 shares in the company, valued at $7,051,174.23. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have commented on CR. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Crane in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. They set a buy rating and a $118.00 target price on the stock. Vertical Research assumed coverage on Crane in a report on Monday, November 20th. They set a hold rating and a $110.00 price objective on the stock. TD Securities restated a hold rating on shares of Crane in a report on Thursday, September 28th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Crane in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Bank of America decreased their price objective on Crane from $140.00 to $105.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Crane presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $107.43. Get Our Latest Analysis on CR Crane Trading Up 2.6 % Shares of CR opened at $106.67 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.49. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $97.47 and its 200 day simple moving average is $90.10. Crane has a twelve month low of $67.28 and a twelve month high of $110.19. Crane (NYSE:CR Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, October 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.87 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $530.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $509.32 million. Crane had a return on equity of 24.45% and a net margin of 13.10%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.86 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Crane will post 7.87 earnings per share for the current year. Crane Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 30th will be given a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.67%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 29th. Cranes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 9.54%. About Crane (Free Report) Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. The company has three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials. The Aerospace & Electronics segment supplies critical components and systems, including original equipment and aftermarket parts, primarily for the commercial aerospace, and the military aerospace, defense, and space markets. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Crane (NYSE:CR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Crane Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crane and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Weather Alert ...Very active weather and dangerous cold forecast for the next week... A very strong storm system will move through the region Friday. Very strong winds are expected and a wind advisory has been issued for the entire region for 40-50 mph wind gusts. Stronger winds are possible. Widespread rain may lead to localized flooding in areas where thunderstorms form with up to 2 inches of rain possible in those areas. Severe thunderstorms are not currently expected but there is a small potential over the southern Pennyrile region of Kentucky Friday morning. A change to sleet and snow is forecast at the end of the day but accumulations are still not anticipated. If temperatures do not rise above freezing Saturday it is expected to mark the first of 5 to 6 days where temperatures will not rise above freezing. Lows Saturday through Tuesday night are forecast to fall into or near the single digits. Below zero wind chills are likely most of Monday and Tuesday. This extended cold snap will be dangerous to those without adequate shelter and will likely challenge plumbing and other cold-sensitive infrastructure. Accumulating snow remains possible Monday but forecast amounts have trended a little lower, and will remain subject to change for the next few days as more data becomes available. ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM CST /7 AM EST/ FRIDAY TO MIDNIGHT CST /1 AM EST/ FRIDAY NIGHT... * WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From 6 AM CST /7 AM EST/ Friday to midnight CST /1 AM EST/ Friday night. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Wet ground may result in some trees being uprooted, and tree limbs will be blown down. A few power outages are likely. High profile vehicles will have difficulty. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A corridor of stronger winds, with gusts up to 60 mph is possible over the Pennyrile region of west Kentucky ahead of the front, and across the entire quad-state behind the front. If that begins to appear likely a high wind warning will be issued. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects. && WASHINGTON A deal to provide further U.S. assistance to Ukraine by the end of the year appears increasingly out of reach for President Joe Biden. The impasse is deepening in Congress despite dire warnings from the White House about the consequences of inaction as Republicans insist on pairing the aid with changes to America's immigration and border policies. After the Democratic president said this past week he was willing to "make significant compromises on the border," Republicans quickly revived demands they earlier set aside, hardening their positions and attempting to shift the negotiations to the right, according to a person familiar with the talks who was not authorized to publicly discuss them and spoke on condition of anonymity. The latest proposal, from the lead GOP negotiator, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., came during a meeting with a core group of senators before they left Washington on Thursday afternoon. It could force the White House to consider ideas that many Democrats will seriously oppose, throwing new obstacles in the difficult negotiations. Biden is facing the prospect of a cornerstone of his foreign policy repelling Russian President Vladimir Putin from overtaking Ukraine crumbling as U.S. support for funding the war wanes, especially among Republicans. The White House says a failure to approve more aid by year's end could have catastrophic consequences for Ukraine and its ability to fight. To preserve U.S. backing, the Biden administration quietly engaged in Senate talks on border policy in recent weeks, providing assistance to the small group of senators trying to reach a deal and communicating what policy changes it would find acceptable. The president is trying to satisfy GOP demands to reduce the historic number of migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border while alleviating Democrats' fears that legal immigration will be choked off with drastic measures. As talks sputtered to a restart this past week, Democrats warned Republicans that time for a deal was running short. Congress is scheduled to depart Washington in mid-December for a holiday break. "Republicans need to show they are serious about reaching a compromise, not just throwing on the floor basically Donald Trump's border policies," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Thursday before Republicans made their counteroffer. But the new Republican proposal dug in on policy changes that led Democrats to step back from the negotiations, according to the person familiar with the talks. The GOP offered calls for ending the humanitarian parole program that's now in place for existing classes of migrants Ukrainians, Afghans, Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans and Haitians. That idea was all but dashed before. Additionally, those groups of migrants would not be allowed to be paroled again if the terms of their stay expire before their cases are adjudicated in immigration proceedings. GOP senators proposed monitoring systems such as ankle bracelets for people, including children, detained at the border and awaiting parole. Republicans want to ban people from applying for asylum if they transited through a different country where they could have sought asylum instead. GOP lawmakers also want to revive executive powers that would allow a president to shut down entries for wide-ranging reasons. The GOP proposal also would set new guidelines requiring the border to be essentially shut down if illegal crossings reach a certain limit. Lankford declined to discuss specifics after the Thursday meeting, but said he was trying to "negotiate in good faith." He said the historic number of migrants at the border could not be ignored. The sheer number of people arriving at the border swamped the asylum system, he said, making it impossible for authorities to adequately screen the people they allow in. "Do you want large numbers of undocumented individuals and unscreened individuals without work permits, without access to the rest of the economy?" Lankford said. The lead Democratic negotiator, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, did not quickly respond to the GOP proposal. Senators made some progress in the talks before Thursday, finding general agreement on raising the initial standard for migrants to enter the asylum system part of what's called the credible fear system. The administration indicated it is amenable to that change and that it could agree to expand expedited removal to deport immigrants before they have a hearing with an immigration judge, according to two people briefed on the private negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity. Immigration advocates and progressives in Congress were alarmed by the direction of the talks, especially because they have not featured changes aimed at expanding legal immigration. Robyn Barnard, director of refugee advocacy with Human Rights First, called the current state of negotiations an "absolute crisis moment." She warned that broadening the fast-track deportation authority could lead to a mass rounding up of immigrants around the country and compared it to the situation during the Trump administration. "Communities across the country would be living in fear," she said. Republican senators, sensing that Biden, who is campaigning for a second term, wants to address the historic number of people coming to the border, took an aggressive stance and tried to draw the president directly into negotiations. The White House so far declined to take a leading role in negotiations. After every GOP senator this past week voted not to move ahead with legislation that would provide tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance for Ukraine, many in the chamber were left in a dour mood. Even those who held out hope for a deal acknowledged it would be difficult to push a package through the Senate at this late stage. Wisconsin is home to 5,800 DACA recipients -- immigrants brought to America illegally by their parents when they were children. Our state should encourage these young people to get an education and find good jobs, rather than treating them with hostility. For many DACA participants, America is the only home they've known because they arrived as babies or toddlers prior to 2008. A group of bipartisan state lawmakers last week proposed more fairness and encouragement for recipients of DACA, which stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The lawmakers proposed a tax credit to partly offset DACA fees, in-state tuition and access to professional licenses. They hope to advance their straight-forward package of bills this spring. The noble effort deserves strong public support. Rep. John Macco, R-Ledgeview, said his goal is to make Wisconsin "a DACA magnet across the country." That's a daring and refreshing position for a Republican, given former President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric. Trump this fall falsely claimed undocumented immigrants were "poisoning the blood of our country." In reality, DACA recipients are working hard to contribute to Wisconsin, which is graying fast and needs more young people. According to Kids Forward of Wisconsin, more than 1 in 6 are enrolled in higher education. Many more are employed in food-related jobs, manufacturing and health care. Some work for the military. DACA status helps them thrive, rather than live in the shadows, fearing they could be deported at any moment. Collectively, DACA recipients in Wisconsin pay $45 million in federal and $31 million in local and state taxes, according to Kids Forward. They spend more than $200 million a year. No wonder the public is so supportive. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of respondents to a Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults said they favored permanent legal status for DACA recipients. So did more than half (54%) of Republicans and Republican-leaning respondents. Created in 2012, DACA delays the deportation of more than 500,000 young people who entered the U.S. through no fault of their own. Applicants must renew their DACA status against deportation every two years. To be approved, they must be going to school or holding a job while avoiding criminal records. "DACA recipients are here," Macco said last week. "What is the state of Wisconsin going to do about it? It's time to get out of their way and let them get educated and contribute to the workforce." He's right. And more of his colleagues should get behind this sensible effort. Macco and Reps. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, D-Milwaukee, and Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay, proposed three bills last week to open educational and employment opportunities for DACA recipients. They hope to create a nonrefundable $250 tax credit to offset about half of the fee DACA recipients must pay to maintain their status. Another bill would grant in-state tuition at Universities of Wisconsin schools for DACA participants who have lived in Wisconsin for at least a year. The final bill would allow these young people to secure commercial and professional licenses to work as barbers, plumbers and more. These small steps toward fairness and respect should help keep and attract more DACA recipients, rather than losing them to other states. About 16 states already grant professional licenses, and about 25 allow in-state tuition. Gov. Tony Evers proposed professional licenses for DACA recipients earlier this year. So he's another powerful advocate. DACA recipients have earned their place as rightful residents of Wisconsin. They will fill jobs, increase prosperity and strengthen local communities. Wisconsin State Journal editorial board The views expressed in the editorials are shaped by the board, independent of news coverage decisions elsewhere in the newspaper. STAFF MEMBERS KELLY LECKER, Executive editor SCOTT MILFRED, Editorial page editor PHIL HANDS, Editorial cartoonist COMMUNITY MEMBERS JAMES L. HOWARD JENNY PRICE We watch the James Bond movies for a lot of reasons. The action scenes, the quippy dialog, and the gadgets, all make for great moments. Another reason we love the movies is all of the locations the superspy visits in the movies, like the ones on this list. From Europe to Asia to The USA, you never know where a Bond film is going to take viewers, but here are some of our favorite and most exotic places he's traveled in the series. Sean Connery as James Bond in Dr. No Jamaica Jamaica will always have a special place in the hearts of James Bond fans. The very first Bond film starring Sean Connery as 007, Dr. No, takes place almost entirely on the Caribbean island. Dr. Julius Nos house is set on Crab Key, a fictional island near Jamaica, but all the filming for that location and most of the movie was done in Jamaica. Daniel Craig's Bond even retires to Jamaica, where he's found at the beginning of No Time To Die. Daniel Craig as James Bond in Skyfall Turkey James Bond finds himself in Turkey a couple of times in the series. First, in From Russia With Love 007 finds him in Istanbul after having been lured to the Soviet embassy there in a trick that Bond foils. His most notable trip to Turkey is the epic motorcycle chase scene on the roof of the famous bazaar in Istanbul in Skyfall. Sean Connery in Goldfinger Switzerland James Bond has visited Switzerland twice in the series. The first time he traveled to the mountainous country was in the lone movie starring George Lazenby, On Her Majestys Secret Service in 1969, when he discovered his arch-enemy Blofeld in a mountaintop hideout. The real location is Piz Gloria, which is a restaurant. He also followed the titular character in Goldfinger there, following him on some dramatic mountain roads. Overhead shot of Miami Beach from Goldfinger Miami Is there anything cooler than the Fontainebleau Hotel on South Beach in Miami in the 1960s? Playing cards while sitting by the pool at one of the most luxurious hotels of its day was certainly exotic for most people at the time, and still is today! Bond getting one over on the cheating Auric Goldfinger in Goldfinger makes it that much cooler! 007 returned briefly in Casino Royale, but only made it as far as the airport. Roger Moore in The Man With The Golden Gun Macau Macau has been an exotic location for hundreds of years. The gambling mecca was established as a Portuguese colony in the 16th Century and is still a very popular place for gamblers, its even bigger than Las Vegas. Roger Moore's version of James Bond first visited Macau in The Man With The Golden Gun and later returned to a fictional island near the Chinese city in Skyfall, to the hideout of one of the best villains in the series, Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem), in the series, though it was filmed on Hashima Island in Japan. Daniel Craig in Casino Royale Venice Italy is a very common location for James Bond to find himself in. So far, hes been to Italy eight times in the film series. Two of those visits were to Venice. His most dramatic trip to Venice occurred in Casino Royale where Vesper tragically meets her demise in a collapsing mansion. Bond had previously been to Venice in Moonraker. Overhead of Corfu from For Your Eyes Only Corfu The Greek island of Corfu is one of the great vacation spots in the world. Famous for its beaches and its nightlife, its a natural location for a James Bond film. Bond travels to Corfu to find Milos Columbo (Chaim Topol) there in For Your Eyes Only. It is, to date, the only time 007 has been seen in Greece. If you're in it for the travel, For Your Eyes Only is a great movie to watch, as Bond is really all over the place in it, from the beaches here to the Alps and beyond. Roger Moore in Octopussy India Even though India was part of the British Empire for many years, it gained independence before James Bond went to work for Her Majestys Secret Service. Still, he finds himself on the subcontinent in Octopussy, as he chases down the titular character (Maud Adams) and villain Kamal Khan (Louis Jourdan). Octopussys home is one of the coolest locations in the series, The Lake Palace in Udaipur, which is a hotel today. View of a cable car in Moonraker Rio de Janeiro Moonraker is not generally thought of as the best of the Roger Moore James Bond films , but it sure has some exotic locations. One of those, Rio de Janeiro, is one of the rare times Bond visits South America. The most famous scene in Rio is on the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain when the henchman Jaws (Richard Keil) bites through the cable. Yeah, maybe thats one of the reasons its not as fondly remembered. Daniel Craig in Skyfall Shanghai Its a little surprising to learn that James Bond didnt travel to Shanghai until 2012s Skyfall, but given the political climate of China in the late 20th century, it makes sense. 007 follows an assassin to the top of a building and they engage in a great fight that is beautifully shot with the many lights of Shanghai flashing in the background. Overhead shot of Gibraltar in The Living Daylights Gibraltar A lot of hardcore Bond fans will argue that the Timothy Dalton-era The Living Daylight is two of the truly underrated films in the series. One reason is the intense opening scene that sees James Bond skydiving onto the Rock of Gibraltar on what he thinks is a training exercise but learns quickly that things have changed. Its one of the best opening sequences in the series, and who gets to travel to Gibraltar? Overhead shot of Tangier from The Living Daylights Tangier, Morocco Morocco is a natural for this list. Few places in the world evoke a sense of the exotic like the north African country. Bond has been to Tangiers twice, first in The Living Daylights and then later in the Daniel Craig era in Spectre. Timothy Dalton stands surprised in Licence To Kill. Key West The second, and final, Timothy Dalton Bond film, Licence To Kill, opens at a wedding for Felix Leiter in Key West, Florida. The self-proclaimed Conch Republic is the end of the road in America in a lot of ways, but its also one of the most interesting places in the country. Pierce Brosnan in Goldeneye Monaco The tiny principality of Monaco is a no-brainer for this list. Famous for its fancy casino and for being a playground of the rich and famous, youd expect it to be a frequent location for 007, but its not. To date, the legendary spy has only worked in Monaco once, during Pierce Brosnan's run as Bond. Of course, he did play baccarat at the casino. Overhead shot of Cuba in Goldeneye Cuba Few places close to the United States are still as exotic as Cuba. Due to political tensions since the 1960s, the communist nation is notorious for being hard to visit for Americans, but of course, thats no problem for a British spy. James Bond has traveled to the island nation three times, first in GoldenEye in the Pierce Brosnan-era, then again in Die Another Day, and finally in the Craig era in No Time To Die in the memorable scene with Ana de Armas. Daniel Craig in Casino Royale Bahamas The Bahamas are a popular destination for James Bond. Three different versions of of 007, Sean Connery, Timothy Dalton, and Daniel Craig have all visited the British protectorate. He traveled there first as far back as From Russia From Love, later in Licence To Kill, and then again in Casino Royale. Roger Moore and Richard Kiel in Moonraker Space Space may be the final frontier for Elon Musk and his fellow billionaires, but for James Bond, he visited space, the ultimate exotic locations way back in the 1970s. Hoping to cash in on the Star Wars craze, the James Bond series tried out a little science fiction in Moonraker, with mixed results. Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day Hong Kong Given that Hong Kong was a British Colony and Protectorate for most of the 20th Century, it makes sense that a British spy would spend a fair amount of time there. Bond certainly has, traveling there in three films, You Only Live Twice, The Man With The Golden Gun, and Die Another Day. Roger Moore in The Man With Golden Gun Bangkok You would think that Bangkok would be a regular destination for a British super spy, but James Bond has only traveled there once in the film series. Bond heads to Thailand in The Man With The Golden Gun, searching for the villain Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee) and the trip produces some great humor and one of the best action sequences in the series with the corkscrew jump in a car over a river. Shot of Freemont Street in Las Vegas in Diamonds Are Forever Las Vegas Las Vegas is a gambling mecca for any serious gambler in the world. James Bond, being a serious card player, baccarat, mostly, would be right at home there. Interestingly, he's only been there once. Pretty early in the series too, before the strip was even built. The scenes in Vegas feature Bond at the craps table and in a great car chase around the old downtown, on Freemont Street. Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me Egypt On the rare occasions that Bond finds himself on the continent of Africa, it's usually in North Africa. The Spy Who Loved Me is no exception as 007 travels to the pyramids in Cairo where he looks for the plans for a secret submarine. He meets Major Anya Amasova, played by Ringo Starr's wife, Barbara Bach, there and has his first encounter with the henchman Jaws. Sean Connery in You Only Live Twice Japan You Only Live Twice is a rarity in the Bond canon in that almost the whole movie takes place in one country. Instead of galavanting around the globe like he usually does, 007 spends most of the film in Japan. Like many of the early Connery-led films, it's pretty dated and very un-PC, but it is still a very cool look into 1960s Japan as it was emerging from the decades after World War II as a global financial powerhouse. A shot of Cortina, Italy in For Your Eyes Only Cortina d'Ampezzo It's hard to narrow down the coolest spots James Bond has hit in Italy over the years. He goes back again and again, from the beaches to the cities, and every in between. In For Your Eyes Only, he hilariously drives a Lotus on the icy roads in the Alps to the ski town of Cortina d'Ampezzo. It's a stunning backdrop to some amazing action and one of the most beautiful places he's been in the series. A shot of Paris in A View To A Kill Paris For a man that loves all the finer things in life that France has to offer, the super spy doesn't spend a lot of time in that part of Europe. A rare exception is in A View To A Kill when he travels to Paris and dines at the famous Jules Verne Restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. There he and a French detective are attacked by May Day (Grace Jones). Bond manages to escape, but his dining partner is not as lucky. Arial shot of Sardinia in The Spy Who Loved Me Sardinia The Spy Who Loved Me has Bond all over the Mediterranean, first in Egypt, then later on the island of Sardinia. It's in Sardinia that he discovers one of the more outlandish villain hideouts of the entire series. The evil Karl Stromberg (Curd Jurgens) lives and does his business in a weird, alien-looking contraption that seems to be underwater most of the time but can emerge from the depths and sit above the waves as well. Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace Siena If you've never read up on the city of Siena in Italy, you should. The walled city is divided into 17 districts, called the Contrade of Siena. Twice a year, those districts compete against each other in a horse race in the town's square. It's a spectacle that has to be seen to be believed and in Quantum Of Solace, you can see it. Not only is Bond in Siena for work (and some light torture), he's there during one of the two times a year the races are held. It's a magnificent scene in an otherwise polarizing movie. As long as they are making James Bond movies, everyone's favorite spy will be traveling to far-flung, exotic locations and we'll keep watching for all those places, as they've become one of the hallmarks of the unstoppable series. Bobi Wine, the subject of Bobi Wine: The Peoples President, said he hopes the National Geographic Documentary Films doc educates international communities who have supported Ugandas dictator Yoweri Museveni. Wine had the support of the Ugandan people to be elected president in 2021, yet Museveni remains in power. Wine considers Museveni worse than his predecessor, Idi Amin, by the sheer fact that Amin was only in power for eight years and Museveni for 37. More from Deadline Amin was not educated, Wine said at Deadlines Contenders Film: Documentary. Museveni was a smart dictator that for a very long time has got the international community backing him. I would like to believe that they are doing that ignorantly. I hope this film opens up the reality of General Museveni to the international communities. RELATED: Deadlines Contenders Documentary Full Coverage Wines wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi, said Museveni also hires expensive firms to keep his reputation clean outside of Uganda. She hopes seeing the documentary will open peoples eyes to the real Museveni. We hope that this film goes far and wide and that the people who work with General Museveni get to see him for who exactly he is without any filter, Kyagulanyi said. We are glad that so far this film has got a big platform and then finally all the decision makers and the policymakers who work with him at an international level will see him for who he is. Co-director Christopher Sharp, who made the film with Moses Bwayo, witnessed Musevenis election fraud firsthand. We had policeman stuffing black bags, Sharp said. We had people signing Musevenis name on the ballot sheet and then wringing their hands because theyd been doing it for so long. There were areas where wed film and thousands of people would come out to see Bobi. Then Musevenis candidate would turn up, no one would go and then hed win 100% of the vote. What they had to do then was they had to turn off the internet and shut down the whole country and try to come up with an explanation to say that Museveni had won which obviously they did but it was depressing. Among Musevenis resources is $1 billion in annual aid from the U.S. Sharp hopes the film encourages Americans to demand their government pull out of such relationships. We understand that Western governments have interests which they think are being served by Museveni, Sharp said. Their interests dont outweigh the fact that 44 million Ugandans are suffering under a dictatorship year after year. I think what makes the film so important and really important as many people see it as possible is there has to be no excuse for Western governments to carry on giving this money with no accountability. Nevertheless, Wine and Kyagulanyi remain in Uganda to keep fighting. Its important for us to fix our country rather than running away from it, Wine said. It would be a betrayal for all those less fortunate people that have put their lives on the line to support and defend us because they believe in us. Running away from the struggle would be a huge actual betrayal. Check out the panel video above. cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 1, } } }, playerId: "1d932e57-b397-4448-b4b7-d30563744457", mediaId: "ebd10c0a-15ab-4e1f-a961-5b1018e4dc6c", }).render("connatix_contextual_player_ebd10c0a-15ab-4e1f-a961-5b1018e4dc6c_6"); }); Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Thomas Jipping of the Heritage Foundation made some reasonable points about the separation of powers points and congressional attempts to impose a code of conduct on the Supreme Court in his column in last Monday's State Journal. But he totally failed to address the elephant in the room the blatant disregard for ethics displayed by Justice Clarence Thomas and the lesser lapses of other justices. Thomas should voluntarily step down from his lifetime post as Justice Abe Fortas did in 1969. But he wont. Thomas ethical lapses are not those that can be classified as having the appearance of impropriety -- they were profoundly improper. Thomas should be under audit by the IRS for the million of dollars in value he took from various billionaires for vacations, tuition payments, home improvements and more. The credibility of the Supreme Court has sunk in part because of the extreme partisanship of the justices, and because of Thomas' blatant ethical lapses. His resignation would go a long way toward restoring credibility to the court. If Jipping thinks Thomas behavior is acceptable, shame on him. The Heritage Foundation would serve the country better by recommending concrete steps to restore integrity to the court. How about an independent investigation of all current justices, a 60-vote threshold in the Senate for future justices, and a mechanism for investigating and punishing ethical lapses. Sadly, Jipping offers nothing but a brief cover for Thomas and the Roberts court. Al Jacobs, Hobart The post Dave Grohl Feeds Homeless During Day Off From Foo Fighters Australian Tour appeared first on Consequence. Dave Grohl has a reputation for being one of musics good guys, and its because of reasons like this: amid a break from Foo Fighters Australian tour, Grohl spent the day cooking food for the homeless. News.com.au reports that Grohl volunteered with The Big Umbrella foundation in Melbourne on Friday, handing out meals to people in need. According to a post on The Big Umbrellas Instagram, Grohl treated the community to an epic American style BBQ with all the trimmings. It will be a day our friends on the streets will never forget as they brushed up against a rock legend and one of the nicest guys on the planet who genuinely cares for people in need. No words can fully capture the impact of this positive experience. Dave and his mates spent 18 hours preparing and lovingly smoking 120kgs of pork ribs, pork butt and beef brisket before delivering it to MGs kitchen the next morning. MGs kitchen, named after our dear friend and mentor Michael Gudinski, was filled with the big hearted awesome crew from Frontier touring who dedicated their day to prepping this very special lunch for people experiencing food insecurity. They arrived at 9am to MGs kitchen bounding with energy and enthusiasm to prep soft potato rolls piled high with pulled pork, coleslaw and pickles, smoked pork ribs and succulent beef brisket At Fed Square there was a record line of friends waiting in the 36C heat for this much anticipated feast. Word had spread far in the community who had no idea what special super star guests would be there on the day to serve them. The invitation to enjoy an American BBQ was enough of a draw card for them. Dave, Nick and Nat served tirelessly in the sweltering heat for over 2 hours feeding 430 meals, posing for photos, signing whatever people found from cardboard plates and t-shirts whilst also being so humble. What a guy! What a day! Earlier this year, Grohl spent 18 hours behind a smoker cooking for homeless people in Los Angeles. Foo Fighters will play a couple of more shows in Australia before heading home for the holidays. Theyll then be back at it starting in January for shows in New Zealand. Stadiums shows across North America and Europe are scheduled for later in the year. Get Foo Fighters Tickets Here Dave Grohl Feeds Homeless During Day Off From Foo Fighters Australian Tour Scoop Harrison Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. The attorneys representing the family of the child claimed that he was ignored, unattended, forgotten, and neglected Getty A YMCA in Virginia is facing a $20 million lawsuit after a 5-year-old boy allegedly drowned in the YMCAs pool during day care. Paramedics were called to the YMCA of Pulaski County for a possible drowning situation after Auston Wingo Jr., 5, was found unresponsive in the pool on Dec. 6, 2021, according to local Pulaski, Virginia, news stations WSET and WSLS. He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead a few hours later. The boys family filed a complaint against the YMCA of Pulaski County which alleged that the facility only had one lifeguard on duty to watch over 38 children who had entered the pool all at once, and Wingo Jr. was not given a floatie or a swim test to see if he could enter the deeper side of the pool, according to The Kansas City Star. The complaint alleged, per the outlet and WBDJ, that he lost his grip on the side of the pool and began struggling and frantically fought for his life before drowning in 8 feet of water. Related: 15-Year-Old Student Dies After Being Hit by Semi-Truck While Getting Off School Bus: 'Tragic' The complaint obtained by WBDJ also alleged that the three other daycare staffers watching the children in addition to the lifeguard were not properly stationed on the pool deck to be able to supervise all the children in the pool. Therefore neither they nor the lifeguard noticed that Wingo Jr. had drowned until two other children found him floating facedown toward the deep end of the pool. The filing also alleged that when Wingo Jr. was taken to the hospital, it was found that one of his lungs was completely full of water, per WBDJ. The attorneys representing Wingo Jr.s family, Dirk Padgett and Steve Baker, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Related: Woman Claims Her Diamond Ring Worth Over $800,000 Was Stolen amid Her Stay at The Ritz Paris However, the attorneys did release a statement obtained by WSLS saying that the 5-year-old boy was ignored, unattended, forgotten, and neglected, and that he drowned in the deep end of the pool due to the YMCA employees gross negligence. We know how important recreational centers such as the YMCA can be in communities and understand what the YMCA means to that community, their statement said, per the outlet. However, when the extremely dangerous conditions and circumstances that existed in December 2021 when Auston Wingo died, are allowed to persist, someone has to be held accountable. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Society demands accountability for this little boy who will never experience a full life, the attorneys added. Pulaski County YMCA CEO Dave Adkins told McClatchy News in a statement, per The Kansas City Star, that while we cannot comment on pending litigation, the Y takes all allegations of misdoing very seriously and are fully cooperating in all facets of the legal process. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Jeffrey Wright began his distinguished career as a member of John Housemans renowned Acting Company, touring the country performing Shakespeare and honing his craft. His stage breakthrough came with his co-starring role in the original production of Angels in America as the nurse Belize, a performance that won him a Tony Award and later an Emmy when Wright reprised it for the 2003 HBO miniseries adaptation. That Tony win led to Wright starring in the title role of his first major film, Basquiat, directed by Julian Schnabel. His powerful performance led to a long and distinguished career as a character actor in film, where he worked with such acclaimed filmmakers as Wes Anderson, Jim Jarmusch and John Singleton. During that time, Wright balanced his career with TV and stage appearances as well, earning a second Tony nomination for 2002s Topdog/Underdog, and three Emmy nominations for his co-starring role in HBOs sci-fi reboot of Westworld. More from GoldDerby SEECord Jefferson interview: American Fiction director It was not, however, until 2023 that Wright, at age 57, returned to leading man status with his stellar performance as a frustrated novelist in Cord Jeffersons debut film American Fiction. His complex portrayal brought Wright some of the best reviews of his career and may turn that career in another direction yet again. So lets raise a glass and offer a toast by ranking and counting down, from worst to best, his 12 top screen performances! Our photo gallery above includes American Fiction, Rustin, The Batman, The French Dispatch, James Bond films and more. PREDICT the 2024 Oscar nominees through January 23 Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Dont miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why? Launch Gallery: Jeffrey Wright movies: 12 greatest films ranked worst to best Best of GoldDerby Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. A source told PEOPLE at the end of September that the pair "officially" dating following Manganiello's split from Sofia Vergara in July Gotham/Getty Joe Manganiello and Caitlin O'Connor are making their red carpet debut as a couple. The pair stepped out together and posed for photos at the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) Gala at Cipriani in New York City on Saturday night Looking dapper, the True Blood actor, 46 who opened up about his Armenian roots in an episode of Finding Your Roots earlier this year wore a black suit for the event with a gray shirt and matching dark gray tie. He was photographed with his arm around the Winning Time actress and his hand sweetly resting on her waist. Meanwhile, OConnor wore an emerald green gown with corset detailing and a thigh-high slit. The actress, 33, wore her hair up in a sleek bun, which showed off her matching green earrings and also accessorized with black and metal chain heels for the event. In the snaps, she posed with her arm around Manganiello, too. At the event, the actor was honored with the COAF Humanitarian Award according to the organization's website. Related: Joe Manganiello Spends Time Out of L.A. with Caitlin O'Connor as Source Says He's Drawn to Her 'Witty Jokes' A source first told PEOPLE in September that the pair sparked a connection after meeting at a small, "unofficial" after party for Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, the HBO drama about the Los Angeles Lakers' '80s heyday. The insider noted that Manganiello and O'Connor met in the hot tub and they were talking the whole time!" Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. After their first meeting, the source said, they began "casually seeing each other, and had been quietly meeting up around L.A. The pair were then photographed in mid-September leaving a Gold's Gym together in Venice, California after a workout and driving away in his car, per Page Six. Gotham/Getty Joe Manganiello (L) and Caitlin O'Connor attend the COAF (Children of Armenia Fund) Gala at Cipriani on December 09, 2023 in New York City. Manganiello was presented with the COAF Humanitarian Award. By the end of September, they were officially dating and had gone out of town together to spend some time away from Los Angeles, another source told PEOPLE at the time. Theyre both really funny together. He laughs at her a lot because shell crack these witty jokes, the insider shared. Shes really witty. So sweet and smart. And hes cool. Hes cool as s---. Related: Joe Manganiello Is 'Casually Seeing' Caitlin O'Connor After Hot Tub Meet-Cute (Source) Reps for Manganiello and OConnor did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment Saturday. Manganiellos new relationship comes after he filed for divorce from Sofia Vergara in July after seven years of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences." Following the split, Manganiello revealed a new tattoo in August honoring his Armenian heritage while out in Brentwood, California. Artist Ruben Malayan revealed that the new tattoo said "," which is Armenian for angel. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Joe Manganiello has officially moved on. The Magic Mike star attended a recent red carpet even with his new partner, roughly five months after he filed for divorce from actress Sofia Vergara. Manganiello put his new relationship out in front of cameras, and we have the photos to prove it. Manganiello attended the Children of Armenia Fund Gala in New York City with Caitlin OConnor by his side. The couple, who were first linked back in September, wrapped their arms around one another as cameras flashed. Manganiello wore a dark suit while OConnor fashioned an emerald green gown with a thigh-high slit. More from SheKnows Joe Manganiello and Caitlin OConnor attend the COAF (Children of Armenia Fund) Gala in New York City [Photo by Gotham/Getty Images for ABA]. This is the couples first major foray out in public since Manganiello and Vergara ended their marriage of seven years. Longtime fans of the couple were shocked when news broke in July that the two were going their separate ways. Theres been plenty of speculation about their respective dating lives since then, as well. And it seems Manganiellos is going just fine. Joe Manganiello and Caitlin OConnor attend the COAF (Children of Armenia Fund) Gala in New York City [Photo by Gotham/Getty Images for ABA]. We cant truly conceive of the courage it takes to make this major public declaration. With this event, Manganiello made it clear that he is proud to have OConnor by his side. Well see what else we learn about the couple in the time ahead. Before you go, click here for all the celebrity splits and divorces we never saw coming. Kelly Clarkson Brandon Blackstock Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Nizar family has Jansen's disease, which causes bones to bend and affects less than 10 people in the U.S. and Neena hopes to be the first human participant in a drug trial Joy Neville Neena Nizar and her sons Arshaan and Jahan (photographed in November 2023 for PEOPLE) all have Jansen's disease. As a child, Neena Nizar was a mystery to doctors. Her bones were weak, and as they grew, they curved painfully but no one seemed to know why. It wasn't until her toddler son began showing similar symptoms that she learned the cause of her pain: Jansen's disease, a skeletal disorder that affects less than 40 people worldwide and causes bones to bend. Both her sons, now teenagers, have been diagnosed with the disorder, but Nizar, 45, who started The Jansen's Foundation in 2017, is determined to find a cure. Next year, she'll be the first to test an experimental treatment that could also help people suffering from cancer, kidney disease and other conditions. Nizar shares her story in this week's issue of PEOPLE. When Neena Nizar was a toddler growing up in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, her parents noticed her arms and legs starting to bend at alarming angles. Her bones seemed unable to bear her own weight. When she didnt walk on time, doctors suspected polio or rickets. But, she says, they didnt really have any idea what was wrong. Desperate to fix his daughters painfully crooked limbs, Neenas father, an engineer, handcrafted shoes to help support her weak ankles and built her walkers to help her stand. When she was 5, he lay Neena on an ironing board and gently bound her to it, in hopes of straightening the twists in her limbs and back. He tried everything to help and to figure out this problem that no one understood, says Nizar, now 45. Joy Neville Neena Nizar photographed for PEOPLE, November 2023. It took more than three decades to solve the mystery. In 2010 Nizar, along with her two sons, was finally diagnosed with Jansens metaphyseal chondrodysplasia, which causes abnormal bone growth. Jansens' is caused by mutation on a gene that regulates bone growth, and as a result bones in the arms, legs and spine become deformed. Our bones are like paintbrushes at the ends: soft and bendable, says Nizar. Jansens patients are short in stature, have shortened jaws, difficulty walking and can develop kidney disease and other complications due to calcium buildup. At the time of their diagnosis, Nizar and her sons were three of only 30 cases known worldwide. Since then shes been devoted to finding a cure. Next year she hopes to be the first human to try an experimental treatment that could help Jansens patients and, potentially, millions suffering from kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism, cancer and other conditions. Its not just my boys, its a bigger mission, she says. I know treatment is possible. Related: 24-Year-Old Researches Treatment for Her Own Crippling Disease: 'I'm in a Race Against Time' Dubai in the 1980s, when Nizar was growing up, had few accommodations for disabilities, so each school day Nizars father would carry her up the stairs to her classroom and down again at the end of the day. No one in her family had anything like Neenas condition, so her parents took her to doctor after doctor, showing them her shoes, which were bent out of shape because her bones werent supporting her weight. They left without answers. When Neena was 3, she went to London for surgery to straighten her hips and had to learn to walk again. As a teen she wore corrective braces called Ilizarov ringsakin to a medieval torture device, she recalls. The braces had pins that were drilled into her leg bones and had to be tightened daily. There was a lot of pain growing up, says Nizar. Even now pain is a part of every day. Courtesy Neena Nizar Neen Nizar's son Arshaan's legs in 2015. Courtesy Neena Nizar Arshaan (in 2016) wearing the same type of corrective device his mother had to wear as a child. By the time Nizar met her husband, Adam Timm, an American she came to know through an online religious forum, shed undergone nearly three dozen surgeries. "When we met each other, I was worried whether he would understand all my differences," she says. "But that was never a problem for him." Timm was struck by her strength, rather than her fragility. At the time, Nizar was working as a teacher in Dubai and had also started a group that provided outreach to people with disabilities. She tries to make it easier for those who have it difficult, he says. Doctors told her shed never have children. They said my bones werent strong enough, she says. But the couple married in 2006, and two years later Nizar, then a teacher in Dubai, had their son Arshaan. Related: Woman with Rare Genetic Disorder Wondered 'Who Is Going to Ever Love Me?' Then Fiance Proved 'He's the One' Arshaan showed no symptoms until Nizar was pregnant with her second son, Jahan, in 2010. By then Arshaan had developed a distinctive waddle, his knees were starting to thicken and his feet were bending. We saw he had what I had, but what was it? says Nizar. She gathered X-rays of her son and herself and scans of Jahan, who was showing signs of limb abnormalities in utero, and sent them to specialists around the world, with no reply. At last, while visiting family in India, she went to see a geneticist, who turned to Nizar and said, I know what you have. Despite learning she and her sons had a rare and incurable disease, relief poured over her: I worried about their physical limitations and the surgeries that would be a part of their lives. But a diagnosis meant we were not in the dark. In 2015 Nizar and Timm, 49, moved their family to Omaha to be near Timms family and better medical care. Their boys, now 15 and 13, have each undergone multiple bone-correction surgeries, and Arshaan has had kidney and gallbladder stones. Joy Neville Adam Timm and Neena Nizar and their sons, Arshaan and Jahan, photographed for PEOPLE, November 2023. For Nizar and her boys, just walking around is painful, says Dr. Harald Jueppner, chief of pediatric nephrology at Massachusetts General Hospital and a leading expert on Jansens. Treatment primarily consists of corrective surgery to straighten bones, but often results are short-lived: Bones are still growing, so the deformities reemerge, he says. Both boys can walk inside their home but use motorized wheelchairs outside. Jansens makes childhood difficult, says Nizar, who can stand for short periods as well but otherwise relies on a wheelchair. But theyve got amazing spirits. They are funny and resilient and enjoy their lives despite their challenges. The boys love to draw and sculpt and both play instruments (Arshaan plays drums and Jahan, piano) despite their bone challenges. Jansens is part of their every day, but theyre very happy, says Timm. Joy Neville Jahan and Arshaan Timm, photographed at home in Nebraska for PEOPLE, November 2023. Related: 'Stranger Things' ' Gaten Matarazzo Getting Surgery for His Rare Bone Disorder: 'This Is a Big One!' Living in America also meant Nizar could be in close contact with Dr. Jueppner, who led a team that first identified the mutation more than 20 years ago. Nizar, who started her nonprofit The Jansens Foundation in 2017, and her boys were the first Jansens patients he ever met in person. Neena is an amazing advocate for mobilizing people, Dr. Jueppner says. Seeing her and the boys and how hopeful they are for a treatment was striking. It put pressure on us. We have to work harder. Courtesy Neena Nizar Neena Nizar meeting Dr, Harald Jueppner in 2016. "When people see us, theyll find smiling faces and life worth living and hope" Neena Nizar A few years ago, when only five Jansens patients were known in the U.S., Nizar was told by someone in the pharmaceutical industry, No one will care about five people. That comment spurred her on: It was like our lives didnt matter. I had the burning desire to prove him wrong. Her dedication helped secure a grant to push forward mice research that Dr. Jueppner had begun, and they recently learned that they received approval to begin human trials next year. Nizar will likely be the first test subject, receiving twice daily injections for about a month. If deemed safe, the treatment could mean a new hope for children with the disease. Ive been waiting for this moment, she says. We dont know how much it will help our family, but it could mean other children have a better childhood. Joy Neville Neena Nizar with her husband Adam Timm and their sons Arshaan and Jahan, photographed at home in Nebraska for PEOPLE, November 2023. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Rep. Nancy Mace spoke with Fox News Sunday anchor Shannon Bream about antisemitism in the United States, particularly instances of antisemitism on college campuses, in the wake of Liz Magills resignation as president of the University of Pennsylvania. Mace told the host bluntly, Well, any college president in this country who cannot condemn antisemitism, cannot condemn Jewish genocide, they need to resign or be fired. There ought to be consequences for that, because the reality is Israel is the only country in the world that is literally at risk of real genocide, she continued. And thats what were talking about here. Its disgusting. Its shameful. It shouldnt be happening on our campuses. The pair also discussed accounts of sexual violence against Israeli women at the hands of Hamas militants on Oct. 7. Bream said that Israel has produced over 1,500 pieces of evidence of sexually violent crimes, in reference to the number of eyewitness accounts the country has claimed to have collected. Bream played a clip of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Sheryl Sandberg speaking to the United Nations about sexual violence on Oct. 7, as well as a video of Hillary Clinton calling on the United Nations to respond to weaponized sexual violence wherever it happens. Mace, a survivor of rape, agreed with the sentiment but asked, Where are the women? Where are the womens groups who profess to be fighting for women around the world whove been dead silent on this issue? I mean, we know now, we now know that Hamas in their battle plan was to go in and systematically rate, mutilate and murder these Israeli women and Im a survivor of rape. But the difference here is that I survived but many of these Israeli women didnt, Mace continued. And they were mutilated and murdered while it was happening, and I cant think of anything more shameful to see these womens groups, to see women on the left, women in the House, my colleagues on the left, who refuse to say what this is, which is shameful, she added. Its disgusting, Its barbaric, and we ought to be condemning it from every corner of our country. Every woman should be condemning this and I think its shameful. Reports of violent atrocities against Israeli women have been shared by NPR, the Associated Press and Reuters. Volunteer rescue worker Simcha Greiniman told NPR of one woman, She was abused in a way we could not understand and could not deal with. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledged the accounts of sexual assault and rape in a letter shared on Twitter on Wednesday. Watch the interview with Nancy Mace in the video above. The post Rep. Nancy Mace Says College Presidents Who Wont Condemn Antisemitism Must Resign or Be Fired | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Just hours after Liz Magill resigned as president of the University of Pennsylvania over the evasive answers she and two other academic leaders gave in a testimony at a House hearing this week, the three were being mocked on the Saturday Night Live cold open. So was Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the Trump-supporting congresswoman whose queries nevertheless triggered a bipartisan furor directed at university presidents, who have been faced with weeks of protests on their campuses over the Israel-Gaza war. In clips that went viral this week, Stefanik asked whether someone calling for the genocide of Jews would violate the schools code of conduct. The university presidents did not answer yes or no and instead gave nuanced responses. More from Deadline In the SNL skit, staged as C-SPAN coverage, the three gave even more opaque answers. As an amped up MAGA star, Chloe Troasts Stefanik shouts at the university presidents, screaming questions at these women like Im Billy Eichner. Yes or no! Is calling for the genocide of Jews against the code of conduct for Harvard? she asks. Well, it depends on the context, answers Ego Nwodims Dr. Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard. Stefanik replies, That cant be your answer: UPenn lady, same question, yes or no? Heidi Gardners Magill answers, Well, we are serious about stopping all forms of hatred, antisemitism, Islamophobia. Stefanik chides her for the answer, then turns to Dr. Sally Kornbluth, president of MIT, and poses the question to her. And keep in mind, if you dont say yes, you are going to make me look good, which is really, really hard to do. So I will ask you straight up. Do you think genocide is bad? Could I submit an answer in writing at a later date? Chloe Finemans Kornbluth answers. Then, suprised, Stefanik says, Am I winning this hearing? Somebody pinch me! The three university presidents express relief when Stefaniks time is up, but then another member of the committee yields his time back to her. Stefanik embraces the moment. I am here today because hate speech has no place on college campuses. Hate speech belongs in Congress, on Elon Musks Twitter, in private dinners with my donors and in public speeches with my husband, Donald Trump. The hearing goes on for a bit, as the academics continue to give nuanced answers to questions, even to Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), played by Bowen Yang. To clear things up, what does violate the code of conduct at your schools. What about if someone on campus yelled, I poisoned the water supply? he asks. Gay answers, If they poisoned it with diversity, that could be wonderful. Diverse water. It sounds delicious, Magill responds, as the skit skewers DEI. Later, a frustrated Stefanik asks, Can you take a moral stance on anything? Can anyone here say yes to a single question? There is someone: the president of the University of Phoenix online (Kenan Thompson), who also is at the hearing and insists that I am willing to say yes to anything. See, see, finally. A real president of a real university, Stefanik says. Thats actually our school motto: U of P: We are a real university, he answers. And will you promise to eliminate all antisemitism from your campus? Stefanik asks. Then, he hedges. My campus is the internet. Antisemitism is kind of our most popular major and our mascot is porn. Stefanik asks, Okay, well then will you offer a course explaining why antisemitism is wrong? He answers, Lady, we will offer a course on anything. The only mandatory courses we have are how to log in to the University of Phoenix online, and how to set up autopay. Watch the skit above. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Man speaks out after arrest by Alabama police officer goes viral: 'I am really traumatized' A Black man whose arrest in Alabama earlier this month went viral on social media is speaking out amid an investigation into the local police department. "I try to act OK but I am really traumatized. I don't know how to feel about police now," Micah Washington told ABC affiliate WBMA in Birmingham, Alabama, on Thursday. Washington, 24, said he was on his way to pick up his brother on Dec. 2 when his tire "had a real bad blowout." He said he was on the ground changing the tire when an officer approached him and demanded that he show her his ID. "I was like, this is not a traffic stop, so why do you need my ID?" Washington said, adding that he gave it to her but continued to question why she needed it. Cellphone video of the incident, which was obtained by ABC News, appears to show a female officer detaining Washington and using a stun gun on him as she holds Washington against a car. he also pulls a gun out of his waistband, but permitless handgun carry has been legal in Alabama since the beginning of the year. After she shocks him, Washington begins to cry. She asks him, "You want it again?" PHOTO: Cell phone video shows the arrest of Micah Washington by an Alabama police officer on Dec. 2, 2023. (Maxwell and Tillman) "No ma'am," he said, according to the video. Woman arrested after police say 4-year-old child who 'drowned' in pool actually died before Using expletives, the officer then tells him to shut up. Washingtons attorney, Leroy Maxwell Jr., told ABC News on Thursday that Washington feared for his life during the arrest. "The only thing that was going on in his mind was George Floyd, George Floyd, George Floyd," Maxwell said. "Because at one point, [the officer] had her foot on his back while [he was lying] on the ground. And then he was having a hard time breathing. And he was yelling that, and that prompted his brother to start recording." PHOTO: Cell phone video shows the arrest of Micah Washington by an Alabama police officer on Dec. 2, 2023. (Maxwell and Tillman) The 45-second clip of the incident, which was filmed by Washingtons brother, doesnt show what led to the arrest. The Reform Police Department officer involved in Washingtons arrest was placed on administrative leave this week, according to a joint statement released by Reform Police Chief Richard Black and Reform Mayor Melody Davis. The officer was not named but an arrest affidavit obtained by ABC News identifies her as Dana Elmore. ABC News' requests for comment to the Reform Police Department were not immediately returned. ABC News' attempts to reach Elmore directly were not successful. According to the Pickens County Sheriffs Office booking records, Washington was arrested on five charges: obstructing governmental operations, resisting arrest, marijuana possession, drug trafficking and ex-felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, "ex-felon in possession of a firearm" is not listed. "It looks like the DAs office did not pursue that charge," Maxwell said, claiming that his client is "not a felon." NJ mom's murder leads to international manhunt and an unforgettable twist Related court records did not show any prior convictions for a felony. Court records also show that the drug trafficking charge against Washington was dismissed. In a Dec. 4 motion obtained by ABC News, Andrew Hamlin, district attorney for the 24th Judicial Circuit, asked a judge to dismiss the drug trafficking charge, saying that Washington was charged with "trafficking in illegal drugs -- fentanyl" but said that further testing "failed to yield a positive result for fentanyl." In a Dec. 5 response to the motion, District Judge Lance Bailey dismissed the drug trafficking charge and significantly reduced Washingtons bond from $500,000 to $5,000. In an arrest affidavit, Elmore claims she found Washington in possession of seven grams of cocaine and fentanyl. PHOTO: Micah Washington in a handout photo. (Maxwell and Tillman) "The claim was that she pulled seven grams of cocaine laced in fentanyl out of his pocket and a gun, so thats what they charged him with," Maxwell said. "Once the video came out, all of a sudden, those charges get dismissed because the video clearly doesnt show her pulling any drugs out of his pants." Maxwell said he plans to take legal action on behalf of his client. I just want justice, Washington said, adding, "I would love an apology." Suspect in UNLV shooting had more than 150 rounds of ammunition: Police Police Chief Black and Mayor Davis said in a joint statement that police are aware of the video of the incident, which occurred on Dec. 2, and have asked the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation to investigate. "The department is in the process of turning over all materials related to this arrest to the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation and has requested a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest," the statement said. A spokesperson for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency at the Alabama Bureau of Investigation confirmed to ABC News that the ALEA is investigating the incident. "On Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the request of the Reform Police Department, Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) launched an investigation into a situation involving an officer with the Reform Police Department. Nothing further is available as the investigation is ongoing," the spokesperson said. Man speaks out after arrest by Alabama police officer goes viral: 'I am really traumatized' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com 1.This person, who didn't give a crap that his friend's grandma died because he didn't personally know them. 2.Literally every person who just threw their dogs' poop bags into the woods instead of waiting a minute or two and throwing it away, resulting in the deaths of two horses. 3.These high school seniors who pulled a prank where they covered the entire floor of the school in soap without a single thought to all the janitors who would have to spend hours cleaning it. Look, I'm all for senior pranks, but A) don't do anything that will physically harm people and B) don't do anything that the janitors will have to deal with. It's supposed to be a nuisance to administration or a harmless trick for teachers. u/Daubert1151 / Via reddit.com 4.This person, who got pressed about a neighbor's Halloween decorations still being up and decided to demand they take them down, then sign the note from the whole neighborhood, when it was definitely just from them. 5.The people who stole this woman's Christmas decor for themselves. 6.The people who literally stole grass from a communal square a neighborhood is building. 7.This person, who checked out with $300 worth of food in the EXPRESS line. 8.The person who did a gender reveal and left their trash like this in a public park. 9.These parents who hired a stranger to babysit their kid, then decided to ignore the time they said they'd be home and LITERALLY GHOST the babysitter with their child. Like, they literally put their phone on do not disturb after getting this message. 10.Anyone who leaves an airplane like this. 11.This awful bouncer, who decided learning about a stranger's husband's death was the perfect time to hit on her. 12.And this security guard who thought it was appropriate to shoot his shot with a stranger, and stole her number from the front desk. 13.This entitled person, who demanded cashiers everywhere say "thank you for shopping" to customers at their crappy minimum wage job. 14.This person, who got angry that a business would lock their doors AFTER closing. 15.This person, who still expected their ex to pay for their lavish lifestyle months after they broke up. 16.This person, who thought it was fine to speed whenever they wanted and then expect never to get a ticket. 17.This person, who expected their neighbors to...stop locking their own cars after 8 p.m.??? 18.This person, who complained no one would make room for them to sit with their kids at the movie theater, even though they didn't pay for seats next to each other. 19.This person, who expected to be seated before a couple with reservations. 20.The person who still expected an advertised $75 reward for "finding" someone's cat when they did not, in fact, find their cat. 21.This person, who got angry that a European business would not accept an American card or currency...in Europe. 22.This person, who expected all her friends to CashApp her for her birthday. 23.And finally, this isn't exactly inconsiderate, but I still think it's funny that this person managed to make her husband's grave about her. A United Nations peacekeeping position in southern Lebanon was hit on Saturday without causing casualties, the UN force said, adding it was seeking to verify the source of the fire. Lebanons National News Agency (NNA) reported that an Israeli Merkava tank targeted the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) position near the border across from Metula in northern Israel. An Israeli army spokeswoman said: We did not aim at UNIFIL, we did not hit a UNIFIL position. UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti said the force was verifying the source of the fire, and said the incident caused no casualties but damaged a watchtower at the base. Since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, the frontier between Lebanon and Israel has seen intensifying exchanges of fire, mainly between the Israeli army and Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah, raising fears of a broader conflagration. More than 120 people have been killed on the Lebanese side since October, mostly Hezbollah fighters but also including more than a dozen civilians, according to an AFP tally. UNIFIL was set up in 1978 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces after they invaded Lebanon in reprisal for a Palestinian attack. It was bolstered after Hezbollah and Israel fought a devastating war in 2006, and its roughly 10,000 peacekeepers are tasked with monitoring the ceasefire between the two sides. Since the Hamas-Israel war began, UNIFIL has said its headquarters in southern Lebanon has been hit by shelling. Late last month, UNIFIL said Israeli gunfire hit one of its patrols despite a temporary Hamas-Israel truce largely quietening the Lebanon-Israel border at that time. Cate Blanchett attended a special screening of the film Shayda held Friday in London. The Carol star attended the screening wearing a pair of black leather dress shoes. The sleek pair featured patent black leather uppers imparting a glossy finish with reptilian embossed detailing. The laceless silhouette was also accompanied by almond-shaped toes. More from Footwear News Cate Blanchett attends a special screening of Shayda at The Soho Hotel on Dec. 8, 2023 in London. Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I The footwear was stacked atop short rectangular block heels providing the thespian with a short boost. Thanks to a lack of laces, the dress shoes were likely easy to get on and off. Black dress shoes are a classic go-to style in many celebrities wardrobes. The style is popular among both men and women and can be dressed up and down for just about any occasion. A closer look at Cate Blanchetts shoes. Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I Dressy and sleek, the Australian star sported a tan wool suit. The set featured a tailored blazer fitted with black button closures accompanied by matching trousers. Blanchett rounded out her look with cat-eye glasses in black with brown turtleshell marbling on the bottom. The actress wore her short blond tresses parted to one side and styled in flattering waves to frame her features. Blanchett regularly wears sharp heels on the red carpet. The Cinderella star can often be seen in neutral or metallic pointed-toe pumps with stiletto heels from a wide range of brands, including Christian Louboutin, Casadei, Givenchy, and Giuseppe Zanotti. Off-duty, she can also be seen in low-soled and platform sneakers by Gucci, Roger Vivier, and Stella McCartney. Cate Blanchett attends a special screening of Shayda at The Soho Hotel on Dec. 8, 2023 in London. Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I Shayda is a 2023 thriller/drama film that will release on March 1, 2024. Directed by Noora Niasari, the film follows a young Iranian mother who takes refuge in an Australian womens shelter with her 6-year-old daughter during the two weeks of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. The film enlists the help of some serious talent including Zahra Amir Ebrahimi and Mojean Aria, among others. About the Author Amina Ayoud is an Assistant Digital Editor for Footwear News, where she writes stories about everything from celebrity style to breaking fashion and shoe releases. Ayoud cultivated a love of all things fashion early in life thanks to a deep love of fashion history and the luxury industry. In her free time, Ayoud is a self-proclaimed fashion nerd and thriftaholic. Shaquille O'Neil Shaquille ONeals Best Style Moments Through the Years View Gallery20 Images Launch Gallery: Cate Blanchett's Press Tour Shoe Style for 'Carol' & 'Truth' Best of Footwear News Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Mark your calendar for this oh-so-sweet deal on Tuesday, December 12. Krispy Kreme Forget a partridge in a pear treewere after a dozen warm, pillowy, freshly glazed doughnuts this Christmas. Charlotte, North Carolina-based Krispy Kreme is known for their creative themed doughnut collections, especially seasonal and holiday releases. (This fall, we enjoyed the Classic Blackberry Crisp Filled Doughnut and a Spooky Monster Cookies N Kreme Doughnut inspired by Scooby Doo and pals.) Recently, the Southern doughnut chain launched an impressive, very-merry lineup of Elf-themed treats in honor of the films 20th anniversary. If youre looking for a reason to try the Buddy Makes Breakfast Doughnut (complete with cake batter spaghetti buttercream) before it leaves the pastry case, mark your calendar for December 12, Krispy Kremes annual Day of the Dozens. On this unofficial holiday, guests can purchase one dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for just $1 with the purchase of any dozen (including the Elf collection) or a 16-count Minis at regular price. For a single dollar, thats around eight measly cents per glazed doughnutthe sweetest deal around! Valid only December 12, Day of the Dozens is the perfect excuse to treat friends, coworkers, neighbors, or teachers to something special. Purchase in-store, at the drive-thru, or online for pick-up or delivery using promo code DOZEN. This limited-time promotion pairs well with Krispy Kremes holiday-inspired Sugar Cookie Latte. A dozen Original Glazed Doughnuts also sub in well to the Southern Cookie Swap if your Pecan Snowballs or Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies fly like hotcakes off the platter. How will you spread the holiday doughnut cheer this season? For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Southern Living. The grass may not always be greener on the other side of the fence, but it can apparently be too tall, at least if youre the Negative Nancy in question in a recent Reddit post. A homeowner who is also a sustainability professional recently turned to Reddit for advice in a plea posted to the r/Permaculture subreddit, a community for likeminded individuals to discuss permaculture and sustainable living. Need help saving wetland, reads the heading of the post. I need help sourcing technical and academic resources to educate my neighbors and conserve a very small wetland in my HOA controlled neighborhood, they continue. Please no comments about HOAs. I did not choose this and it is what it is. This could be happening in your backyard as well. The previously mentioned Negative Nancy, the OP explains, is complaining about the tall grass in the stormwater detention pond behind her house. She wants the grass removed to see the ponds surface water. The OP points out that they are in Venice, Florida an area near drought conditions and that the pond plays an important part in the bigger ecosystem. The grass provides food and shelter for birds and other wildlife, and the resident wants to make that case to their neighbor and the homeowners association. I tried to go real over the top and explain that its an ecosystem service and not an ornamental reflection pond, they explain, But the HOA wants to please everyone and is still asking me for a remedy. So Im going to keep advocating that we need to please the Earth, and thats where Im asking for help. The poster says ponds and wetlands arent their specialty, so they are trying to quickly research, stating they think their best advantage is that the Southwest coast of Florida is crippled with red tide algae blooms every year in the Gulf of Mexico. Its not just that area, either. A homeowner in Jacksonville recently found dead fish floating in their neighborhood due to toxic algae. The poster is right to want to preserve the wetland and to ask for advice, as HOAs can be notoriously difficult to work with, often opting for aesthetics above all else, denying solar panels, native lawns, and other environmentally friendly options. So, while this Redditor did not want to dive into HOA criticisms, knowing how to talk to and work with an HOA when you disagree is critical in matters such as protecting vital ecosystems like this pond. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet. Getty It looks like Joe Manganiello has officially moved on from ex-wife Sofia Vergara. On December 9, the 46-year-old True Blood star made his red-carpet debut with rumored girlfriend Caitlin O'Connor. This comes five months after Manganiello filed for divorce from Vergara in July, citing irreconcilable differences. The former couple, who wed in 2015, announced their split on Instagram earlier that month. We have made the difficult decision to divorce, they wrote in a joint statement. As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives. It seems Manganiello is embracing the next chapter, walking the red carpet with the 33-year-old Winning Time actor at the Children of Armenia Fund Gala at Cipriani in New York City, where Manganiello was being honored with COAF Humanitarian Award. The Magic Mike star looked sharp in a black suit and gray dress shirt while O'Connor wore a satin green corset dress with a dramatic thigh slit. 20th Children Of Armenia Fund Gala Gotham/Getty Images This debut is not a complete surprisePeople first reported that Joe Manganiello and Caitlin O'Connor were casually seeing each other in September. According to the publication, the pair met in the hot tub at an unofficial after-party for Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. Meanwhile, 51-year-old Vergara has been spotted on multiple dates with orthopedic surgeon Justin Saliman since late October. In November she described 2023 as a very interesting year. I dont want to say bad or anything like that, but its been very interesting and very difficult, she told People. I went through a divorce this year, the SAG strike that went on for so long. Ive seen my friends strugglesome had to take their kids out of their schools or had problems with their mortgages, so its been a weird, weird year. Vergara continued, I think all the things are resolving, everything is going to be okay, and Im very excited for next year. Originally Appeared on Glamour Only true McDonald's fans know where the name came from. Courtesy of McDonald's During a late summer earnings call with investors, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said that the fast-food giant was preparing to launch a spin-off restaurant named for the most minor of minor characters from the McDonaldland universe. Kempczinski described CosMc's which shares its name with a mid-'80s alien-robot hybrid that we'd all completely forgotten about as a "small-format concept with all the DNA of McDonald's." Neither he nor a McDonald's spokesperson spilled any more McTea about the new concept, other than to say that it would be tested in early 2024. Fast-forward a few months, and it looks like CosMc's has landed ahead of schedule. The first CosMc's location in Bolingbrook, Illinois, quietly served its first customers on Thursday, and re-opened for its regular schedule of 6 a.m. through 8 p.m. on Friday, according to NBC Chicago. (That's not to say that the word wasn't already out about the new restaurant: one curious CosMc's customer said that he waited three hours for a frappe.) CosMcs seamlessly blends brand-new, otherworldly beverage creations with a small lineup of food, including a select few McDonalds favorites all designed to boost your mood into the stratosphere, if only for a few moments, McDonalds said of its newest restaurant. We still prefer Kempczinskis description though: on a recent call with investors, he described it as what would happen if a McDonalds character from the 1980s that was part alien, part surfer, part robot [...] were to open a restaurant in 2023. Thanks, Chris, that explains everything! Related: McDonald's Is Giving Customers Free Fries for the Rest of 2023, Here's How to Get Them Surprisingly, the CosMcs menu is a little bit McDonalds and a little bit Starbucks. There are a lot of new-to-McDonalds specialty teas, lemonades, slushes, and frappes with names like Sour Cherry Energy Burst, Berry Hibiscus Sour-ade, and Island Pick-Me-Up Punch. Coffee lovers can try new drinks like a Turmeric Spiced Latte, Chai Tea Latte, or a Smores Cold Brew. Each beverage can also be further customized with different flavor syrups, energy or vitamin shots, and popping boba beads. As for the food, there are two new savory sandwiches: the Spicy Queso Sandwich, which fills a brioche bun with an omelet-style egg, sausage, white cheddar cheese, spicy cheddar, spicy queso sauce, and jalapeno chips, and the Creamy Avocado Tomatillo Sandwich thats a combo of an omelet-style egg, applewood bacon, white cheddar cheese and avocado-tomatillo sauce on a brioche bun. CosMcs also serves a handful of McDonalds standards, including Egg McMuffins, Bacon McMuffins, Sausage McMuffins, and two different McFlurrys. McDonalds says it plans to open approximately 10 more CosMcs locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas markets by the end of 2024. The big story isnt about CosMcs, per se, Kempczinski said about the spinoffs debut. The big story is what it says about McDonalds and our potential. To think, a little over a year ago, this was an idea, and this week were opening the first test site. Not only that, but think about what that says about a McDonalds character from the 1980s that was part alien, part surfer, part robot. Incredible just incredible. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. Food waste is a big problem in the United States, and it is often a big source of frustration for food workers. One such worker recently took to Reddit to share their annoyance at having to constantly throw perfectly good food in the trash. Photo Credit: u/MyNameIsPhip / Reddit The amount of food we waste at work [because] my manager isnt efficient, the Redditor wrote, sharing with the other members of the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit. The accompanying photo shows many plastic bags full of what appear to be perfectly good sandwich rolls over 100 rolls in total which seem destined to end up in a landfill rather than into the mouths of hungry people. According to Feeding America, nearly 40% of the total food supply in the United States is wasted. It amounts to 160 billion pounds (or $444 billion) of food sent to landfills every year, where it takes up space and releases planet-overheating gases as it breaks down. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, food waste creates annual planet-overheating emissions equivalent to 42 coal-fired power plants every year. This type of waste is especially frustrating when you consider that 44 million people, including 13 million children, face food insecurity in the U.S. Restaurants and stores are often reluctant to give away excess food because it is both extra work for employees and creates potential liability for the business if someone gets sick from eating an expired food. However, some stores have made the effort to distribute food that is still at a safe temperature. In Baton Rouge, a Trader Joes distributed free food to locals after its refrigerators went out. And in Arkansas, a local food bank rescued over 76,000 pounds of food from a Kroger after it lost power. Sadly, even when employees want to put in the extra work to make sure that food gets to people who need it, the higher-ups often stand in their way. Can you propose freezing and thawing the bread instead? Or donating it? wrote one commenter on the Reddit thread. Id do it myself but Ill get in trouble if management finds out, the original poster replied. Another person added, Yeah, this is very sad. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet. Looking out from Wata Boo beach, I saw a calm blue sea, the water unruffled, disrupted only intermittently by the splash of a leaping silvery fish. This serene tropical outpost, a thousand miles east of Bali, felt like it might have always been like this. Except the beach has had a troubled history. The Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese and most recently, the Indonesians, battled over it. With mass atrocities in living memory they only gained independence from Indonesia 21 years ago the focus here is on survival and rebuilding the country, rather than attracting tourists. So far? Few come. But that might be about to change. The word is out that the North shore of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, formerly East Timor, might be one of the worlds great ocean destinations, part of a marine migration superhighway with blue whales, sperm whales, fin whales, orcas, pilot whales, false killer whales, whale sharks, melon-headed whales, oceanic manta rays and more. Could this largely forgotten new nation actually half an island (the other half of Timor belongs to Indonesia) hold all of this? I landed in the sleepy, dusty capital Dili, which was more seaside town than bustling port. Dili is the only place in the country with decent infrastructure; elsewhere, facilities are limited, public transport unreliable and there are few places to stay. It feels like the Southeast Asia of old where cultural traditions persist in the villages and beaches are empty, sometimes surreally so, such as at Dollar Beach, once a popular spot for aid workers, where there are now abandoned swimming pools and a fountain in the shape of a flip-flop. I drove a few hours east through a rough rocky landscape with sheer coastal mountains falling into the sea, fringed by beaches and reefs. There was little traffic. Sporadic roadside vendors sold small plastic bottles of fuel, ripe papaya and green coconuts. Kids waved, as they still do here. The capital Dili is more like a sleepy seaside town than a bustling port - Alamy I was heading to the second town of Baucau in the shadow of Matebian, the sacred Mountain of Spirits and a longtime stronghold of resistance fighters. With a dilapidated colonial feel, Baucau apparently had only two hotels, one not accepting bookings and the other not yet open but willing to put me up. It felt like the country might struggle to keep up with any uptick in visitors, at least in the short term. It turned out, I wasnt the only one checking out the rumours about the marine life here. Also renting rooms happened to be some of the worlds best underwater photographers and filmmakers whose work airs on the BBC, Netflix and National Geographic weighed down by long-lens cameras, drones and hydrophones. It felt like we might be onto something. By my side was Bafta-winning cameraman Patrick Dykstra who, between filming, regularly scouts for whale destinations for tour operator Natural World Safaris. He told me that until recently, the best place to swim with blue whales was Sri Lanka, but now they havent shown up for four or five years. Timor-Leste is fringed by beaches and reefs - Will Bolsover Some put down their disappearance to climate change, its effect on currents and sea temperatures, he said. But it was also an unregulated industry with way too many boats and some operators really harassing the animals. On our first day, we drove down a winding track to a sandy beach, waded out at low tide to a launch and then motored out into a sea so deep-blue it was almost navy. There wasnt another boat nor fisherman in sight; it was as if we had the ocean to ourselves. As luck would have it, within a few minutes of leaving shore, we spotted a pod of 40 pilot whales. We navigated the boat ahead of their path and I slid into the water off the back ladder. Hanging below the waterline, immersed in this otherworldliness, I confess I barely caught the blur of the whales racing past. The next day, we headed out at first light. Hour upon hour, we scanned the expanse of ocean for a tail fluke or a blow, listening for clicks and whistles with a hydrophone. The ocean can play tricks on you, disrupting your balance, disorienting you with its lack of landmarks and endless sameness. I saw nothing stir. Maybe a flying fish, maybe a fin, maybe neither. Back at the ad hoc hotel, I spoke with underwater photographer Shawn Heinrichs, whod already been here several weeks. Its a game of patience and persistence, he consoled me. The exciting part is you have the possibility of the largest animals ever to grace the planet popping up. Timor-Leste really has a unique marine corridor. To find all these species in one place is unprecedented. Credit some of the most powerful movements of water on the planet, a current that connects the Indian and Pacific Oceans on a zig-zag through the archipelagoes of Indonesia and the Philippines. Astonishingly, 80 per cent of that water whizzes north past Timor. The sea is dramatically deep just offshore, several kilometres down, with underwater rocky shelves generating upwellings and pushing up nutrients, giving rise to feeding and migrating bottlenecks. These could hardly be more perfect conditions for cetaceans and pelagics, and also for anyone wanting to swim with them. On my third and final day, we saw a pod of 100 false killer whales, with a lone bottlenose dolphin among them. Although we tried to keep up, they outpaced us and the ocean swell was too rough for our little boat. There are many variables on these kinds of trips, like weather, climate change and an unfolding El Nino. Theres also luck, of course, which might depend on perspective. I got lucky, even if I missed out on the biggest cetaceans. The week before I arrived, there were sperm whales. The week after, blue whales came through. Its hard to ace timing when youre dealing with migratory species. President of the Marine Tourism Association of Timor-Leste, marine ecologist Karen Edyvane has established a field station near Dili, in cooperation with the National University of Timor-Leste and Charles Darwin University in Australia. Ten years ago we knew almost nothing about what was going on in these tropical waters, she said. Now weve got amazing data sets, especially for blues and sperms. The Marine Tourism Association of Timor-Leste is collecting data on whales that visit its tropical waters - Patrick Dykstra Shortly after I left, we spoke by phone and Karens team had recorded 12 blue whale sightings that day, and eight the previous day. It proves the country can move towards ecotourism and away from an economy almost entirely dependent on oil revenues. One night, after a day at sea, I was offered the chance to interview the President of the country, Jose Ramos-Horta, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in the 1990s and survived an attempted assassination attempt a dozen years later taking a bullet to the stomach. I drove a few hours east to the town of Com and found him midway through dinner at a makeshift beach camp, wearing a Harley Davidson jacket, hosting old friends who were exploring the country by campervan. Ramos-Horta is a storyteller and a joker; he regaled me about his first job manning a tourism kiosk at Baucau airport, about carbon credits, post-conflict reconciliation, fibre optic cables, COP28 and how scared he is of sharks. However, when we turned our attention to Timors oceans, he became serious. Im 100 per cent ready to support the protection of our marine environment, to prevent further damage, he said, before adding resignedly: But Ive been talking for years about a joint maritime security policy with Australia and Indonesia, and they just drag it on. There are political differences inevitably, but dont dismiss the oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea. Some locals are moving away from industries such as fishing to branch into tourism - Will Bolsover My boat driver, Ricardo Marquez, said he and others are banking on his country making some good choices, as they themselves leave subsistence fishing and farming for tourism; they aim to become boat operators, and open homestays and eateries. But I do worry the whales are going to leave, he told me. Weve been talking for a long time about how to manage operations but we still have no regulations. What we need is training and accreditation, Karen Edyvane reiterated. Right now anyone can jump in a boat and swim next to a whale, no minimum distance required. Sri Lanka got it wrong. We cannot get it wrong. Meantime, the Caribbean island of Dominica is being held up as a beacon of hope in sustainable marine tourism. Last month, the country announced a 300-square-mile marine protected area for sperm whales, a worlds first. Patrick Dykstra was instrumental in making this happen. I hope Timor-Leste will do something like this, he said. My hunch is it can. Essentials Michelle Jana Chan travelled as a guest of Natural World Safaris (01273 691642; naturalworldsafaris.com) which offers an seven-night marine safari to East Timor from 6,200 per person sharing, including accommodation, meals, most drinks, airport transfers to/from Dili Airport and six days whale-watching in a private boat with an expert marine guide. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. The Zuni Youth Enrichment Project (ZYEP) announced that it recently received a $20,000 grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexicos Blue Impact initiative to increase community-wide trail access and improve health outcomes for Zuni residents. Our Zuni ancestors were farmers, ranchers and hunters, so physical activity was part of their daily lives, Tara Wolfe, ZYEP program manager, said. During the times of the Pueblo Revolt, the Zunis were part of messenger teams that would hand deliver vital messages from pueblo to pueblo by means of running on trails. BCBSNMs Blue Impact grant will allow us to increase the capacity of 60 miles of ancestral trails connecting Zuni neighborhoods, while also improving trail access, safety and performance. The Blue Impact grant is part of an ongoing commitment to invest in and collaborate with community organizations that offer sustainable, measurable programs that address the social and economic factors impacting health and wellness in our state. ZYEPs mission to promote resilience among Zuni youth, so they grow into strong and healthy adults connected to Zuni traditions, aligns with the vision of Blue Impact to improve health outcomes in communities across New Mexico. Spending active time outdoors is essential to our mental and physical well-being, said Janice Torrez, BCBSNM president. Were proud to support the health and well-being of Zuni residents by investing in programs that provide easy and safe access to outdoor trails and activities. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net Ever since I first read about Cincinnatis inclines, I wished I could ride one. The city once had five inclined plane railways inclines for short twin tracks that carried streetcars up and down Cincinnatis hills. These were a major development for the city in the 1870s, when horse-drawn carriages struggled to carry people en masse up the hills. The inclines allowed Cincinnatians to climb out of the downtown basin and establish the suburbs, such as Price Hill, Clifton and Hyde Park. But the last of Cincinnatis inclines, the Mount Adams Incline, closed in 1948. Im 75 years too late. Lo and behold, Pittsburgh managed to retain two of its inclines. So, on a trip over Thanksgiving week, my family and I made a stop in the Steel City to finally ride an incline and see what Cincinnatians experienced a century ago. Pittsburghs inclines provided the example Cincinnati borrowed the idea of the inclines from Pittsburgh, which used them as a solution to ascending its Mount Washington (then called Coal Hill), a residential neighborhood atop a steep hill that was a respite from the smoke and soot belched out by the industrial city. But around the time of the Civil War, the only way up the hill was a muddy, zigzagging trail. In 1854, Pennsylvania approved the creation of the Mount Washington Inclined Plane Co., authorizing the construction of several inclines to access the hill. The Monongahela Incline was the first built, designed by civil engineer John J. Endres, with cables provided by John A. Roebling (the builder of our famous bridge). It opened May 28, 1870, costing passengers 5 cents to ride. The Duquesne Incline was built about a mile away, opening May 20, 1877. In total, Pittsburgh had 17 inclines operating in the late 19th century, some lasting until the 1960s. The Monongahela and Duquesne inclines are the only two of them still running, now more tourist attractions than commuter transportation. The Duquesne Incline car heading into the upper station overlooks downtown Pittsburgh on Nov. 22. Inclines helped Cincinnati climb its hills Cincinnati used inclines to solve its own hill problem. Having seen Pittsburghs example, Joseph Stacy Hill and George A. Smith partnered to construct an incline from the end of Main Street up to Mount Auburn. The Main Street Incline, also known as the Mount Auburn Incline, opened on May 12, 1872, with 6,000 passengers riding on the first day. The incline was powered by two steam engines on the summit with large windlasses (cylinders turned by crank) that wound steel cables pulling cars up and down two parallel railroad tracks on the hillside. Like in a pulley system, one car went up while the other went down. The incline cars were built on stilts to remain parallel with the horizon. The Price Hill Incline, opened in 1875, was similar to the Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh, built in 1877. This was a game changer for Cincinnati, giving the people breathing room. The Enquirer wrote at the time: The barbarians of the lower plane have at length sealed the rugged ascent to their fastnesses, and will soon be besieging their castle gates, clamoring for admission to the broad fields, the sunny slopes and the pure air of the upper plateau. And there they will build their homes, leaving the city with its crowded streets, its smoky, begrimed houses, its odors and its filth to commerce and manufacturers. Cincinnati had five inclines in all: Main Street Incline (1872-1898), Price Hill Incline (1875-1943), Mount Adams Incline (1876-1948), Elm Street Incline (1876-1926) and Fairview Incline (1894-1923). All but the Price Hill Incline were owned and operated by the streetcar company, which tired of them long before the public did. Streetcars would roll onto a platform to ascend or descend the hill, which was time-consuming. Eventually, inclines became unnecessary when automobiles came around and people could drive up and down the hills on their own. So, whenever an incline went down for repairs, they were quietly closed instead. But Pittsburgh's Duquesne Incline managed to survive its closure in 1962, in need of major repairs. Residents and preservationists worked to restore and rehabilitate the cars, stations and equipment, and the Duquesne Incline reopened in June 1963. It has been in operation ever since. Our History: Tragic tale of the whales displayed at a Cincinnati resort in 1877 Riding the historic Duquesne Incline Because Pittsburgh managed to hold onto a couple of its historic transports, I was finally able to experience a ride on an incline for myself. On the morning before Thanksgiving, we found the Monongahela Incline was down for repairs, so we were able to ride only the Duquesne Incline (pronounced doo-kayn). The Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh, built in 1877, is still in operation. The Duquesne Incline was the first Pittsburgh incline designed by engineer Samuel Diescher, a Hungarian immigrant who had settled in Cincinnati and, according to the Price Hill Historical Society, designed and supervised the construction of the Price Hill Incline in 1875. Diescher moved to Pittsburgh to build the Duquesne Incline, then went on to design the majority of inclines throughout the country. Looking at the design, the Price Hill Incline was the most like Pittsburghs inclines. Instead of a platform for streetcars, as the other Cincinnati inclines had, there was a passenger car to carry folks. The Duquesne Incline lower station at 1197 W. Carson St. is a turn-of-the-century red brick building. The lobbys ticket booth is wood-paneled with beveled glass. We paid our fare, $2.50 each way, dropping the bills into a cash box. (They accept exact cash only.) The incline car (still original) looks like a wooden trolley car, schoolhouse red with yellow window trim and a black roof. The interior has wooden benches along the sides and a pressed copper ceiling. But we were too busy looking out the windows. Pittsburghs inclines have Cincinnati beat for the view. The incline looks out onto the citys Golden Triangle, a wedge of downtown at the point where three rivers converge the Ohio, the Allegheny and the Monongahela. The vista got better as we ascended. The cable drum drive helps to raise and lower the cars in the Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh. The incline travels at a speed of 6 mph, up 794 feet of track at a 30-degree grade. As our car went up, we passed the other car coming down halfway. It is all very reminiscent of being inside a full-sized model train display. The ride lasted about 2 minutes, 30 seconds. At the upper station at 1220 Grandview Ave., there is an observation deck (with postcard views), a museum and a gift shop. A man operates the controls from a closed-off room between the tracks. One wall is papered with photos of inclines from all over the world, both funiculars like this one and gondola skyways, and I spotted Cincinnatis historic inclines among them. Visitors also have access to see the inclines hoisting equipment a massive cable drum drive (it switched over from steam-powered to electric in the 1930s). Diagrams on the walls help to decipher how the mechanism works. It is impressive to see in action. Time to head back down wait for the green light that it is safe to board. We sat at the front window seat for the view. An alarm bell buzzed twice, and the car began slowly gliding down the track. On the trip back down the incline, I felt like a traveler in a different time and fervently wished that Cincinnati had somehow managed to keep one of these as well. Sources: Duquesne Incline (www.duquesneincline.org), Monongahela Incline (monongahelaincline.com), Cincinnati, City of Seven Hills and Five Inclines by John H. White Jr., pghbridges.com, Wikipedia, Price Hill Historical Society, Enquirer and Pittsburgh Press archives. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Pittsburghs historic incline is a 6 mph glimpse of Cincinnati history Every legislative session produces a grandstanding bill or two that send crowd-pleasing signals, rather than changing anything important in Florida law. Thats specially true in election years, when state lawmakers appeal to selected segments of the folks back home by showing how tough on crime, or how dedicated to education, or how fiscally conservative they can be. Liberals and conservatives alike do it, just to generate some favorable news coverage in their districts. With Republicans holding solid majorities in the House and Senate, the conservatives get to flaunt their virtues more often. The Democrats tilt at their own windmills, like Medicaid expansion and gun restrictions, but instead of bragging about legislative trophies back home, they usually wind up telling their voters, Well, we tried and if you re-elect me, well try again! And sometimes, one side will toss out an idea just to get the other side on record, for or against it, so the roll call on a hot topic can be used in campaign advertising. A Confederate memorial remains outside of the Florida Historic Capitol Wednesday, June 10, 2020. For the session starting next month, a couple of Republican legislators have produced a pair of race-related proposals that may generate some heat, whether they pass or not. Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, proposed a constitutional amendment (SJR 582) that forbids the state or any local government from paying reparations for slavery. Rep. Dean Black, R-Jacksonville, wants protection of historical monuments and memorials so his bill (HB 395) forbids removal of statues, plaques and other public markers honoring great figures of Floridas past. It doesnt take keen political insight to see what Black is driving at. This bill is meant to stop cities and counties from uprooting monuments to Civil War generals and other prominent Old South leaders. It is the intent of the Legislature that the state not allow a historical monument or memorial to be removed, damaged or destroyed. Accurate history belongs to all Floridians in perpetuity, Blacks bill states. Accurate is debatable. So the proposed legislation provides that a contextual plaque or marker may be placed near the monument or memorial, to explain that some honoree was actively engaged in a rebellion against Lincolns government, or that a long-ago governor or senator was a seething segregationist. But those clarifying markers would have to be pre-cleared by the state. History aside, the measure is an annoying example of the Legislatures appetite for pre-empting power from cities and counties. What if a town or county wants to change the name of something, or remove a sculpture? Why have mayors or county commissions anyway if local matters have to be run past Tallahassee? Blacks bill will probably hit some headwinds when the Legislature convenes in January. The Republicans might not want to look any more redneck than they already do, with some of the redistricting, education and voting-rights restrictions enacted in recent years. And with so many Floridians being retirees and refugees from Northern and Midwest states, or from Cuba, Florida has never romanticized the Confederacy. Gov. Jeb Bush, for instance, removed a Civil War-era state flag from the Capitol grounds without much controversy more than 20 years ago. Ingoglias reparations ban would need more votes as a constitutional amendment plus 60% voter support at the polls next November but it might be just the kind of thing the GOP wants in an election year. Nobody is seriously proposing payments to descendants of people who were enslaved in Florida. But California has a study commission working on a plan lately estimated to cost something like $800 billion. And the Democratic National Committee next summer will almost certainly saddle its presidential nominee with a reparations proposal in the party platform. The Republicans might try for platform language promising to prevent any form of slavery reparation, and having Ingoglias amendment on the Florida ballot would help with voter turnout. The Florida Politics news site reported that polling by the Pew Research Center indicated about two-thirds public opposition to cash payment of reparations. Ingoglia, a former state GOP chairman, has a taste for partisan mischief. Last year, he sponsored a bill that would have effectively disbanded the Democratic Party by barring any political organization that had once advocated slavery no matter how long ago, or how fervently such an organization might have repented. The bill never got anywhere. But it was a fun way to twit the opposition, which if nothing else is what the monuments and reparations legislation would accomplish next year. Bill Cotterell Bill Cotterell is a retired Capitol reporter for United Press International and the Tallahassee Democrat. He writes a weekly column for The News Service of Florida and City & State Florida. He can be reached at bcotterell@cityandstatefl.com. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to letters@tallahassee.com. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Bill Cotterell: Republican lawmakers take on race-related bills The Philippine delegation to the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai led by Environment Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga has highlighted the countrys qualifications to host the Board of Loss and Damage Fund. Secretary Loyzaga said the Philippines is most qualified to host the historic Board of Loss and Damage Fund for not only being a living testament to the effects of climate change but also with its abiding interest in promoting equitable and just rules in the governance of the global commons. Our national footprint in the history of negotiations of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement, as well the High Seas or BBNJ Agreement bears witness to our abiding interest in promoting equitable and just rules in the governance of the global commons, Secretary Loyzaga said in her national statement dated December 9. Our commitment to multilateralism, strengthened international cooperation and global solidarity remains steadfast, recognizing that no single country can tackle the complexities of climate change alone, the Secretary added. Loyzaga also emphasized that the Philippine delegation continues to champion the cause of climate justice during the COP28 in Dubai by upholding the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibility and by ensuring urgent and responsive means of implementation in terms of capacity building, tech transfer, and financing to developing countries. She added the Philippines also seeks to advance the values of the countrys biodiversity and oceans as the source of nature-based solutions to the climate crisis and to serve as the foundation for inclusive and resilient development. In our country, we have taken concrete actions by implementing policies and initiatives to reduce emissions by catalyzing investments in our rich sources of renewable energy, enhancing resilience, advancing right-skilling and social protection, especially for the most vulnerable, to achieve a just transition, and mainstreaming climate considerations into our development plans and budgets, Loyzaga said. We are right now in the final stages of completing our NAP and NDC Implementation Plan as our guides to investing in a secure and sustainable future. We have also actively engaged in advancing climate action, disaster risk reduction, and resilience-building efforts across the Asia-Pacific region and with ASEAN, she added. Before concluding her statement, Loyzaga reiterated the Philippines bid to host the Board of Loss and Damage Fund, adding that the country is also seeking a seat in the inaugural Board of the Fund. Hosting the Fund in the Philippines will showcase global commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that the voices and experiences of the most affected countries are heard and considered in shaping the most urgent of global climate policies, she said We are already host to UN entities, and international and regional organizations, providing us the institutional capacity, expertise, and partnerships to ensure the successful hosting of the Board. And we stand ready to offer our knowledge grounded in our long history and culture of human resilience, Loyzaga said. The Environment Department chief also urged world leaders to start moving forward with courage, unity, and determination towards a more resilient, equitable, sustainable, and prosperous global community as she asked them to set aside differences for the sake of the planet and all peoples. She said a sustainable and resilient future for the generations to come can only be secured through collective actions. The Republican presidential primary debates have featured plenty of attacks by the candidates. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis brought up bathroom access as one of many attacks on former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the fourth Republican presidential primary debate. "They had a bill to try to say that men shouldnt go into girls bathrooms, and she killed that bill," DeSantis said. DeSantis has a point that the bill died and that Haley had criticized it. But Haley who said DeSantis criticized bathroom bills before he became governor also has a point. As governor, Haley said in 2016 that she didnt believe it was "necessary" to pass a Senate bill that would have required people to use the bathroom that aligned with their sex assigned at birth. At the time, a similar law in North Carolina, House Bill 2, had sparked backlash and caused several businesses and artists to boycott the state. The South Carolina bill, which would have applied to public and school restrooms, stalled in committee, so it never reached Haleys desk. During the Dec. 6 debate in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Haley said she opposed the bill because of a lack of incidents involving transgender people in bathrooms. This was consistent with what The Washington Post reported in 2016 that she said at that time. In a 2022 appearance on Fox News, she again said she "strong-armed" the bill, adding that schools should resolve the issue with parents. Haley lobbed a similar accusation at DeSantis, saying, "When he was running for governor and they asked him about that, he said he didnt think bathroom bills were a good use of his time." Her campaign cited a clip of DeSantis from his 2018 run for Florida governor in which he said at a campaign event that he would "not pass a law" restricting bathroom access. DeSantis said in the clip that "getting into the bathroom wars I dont think thats a good use of our time." Flash forward: In May 2023, DeSantis signed a law that restricts transgender people from using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity in public schools, universities, government buildings and prisons, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Our sources This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: DeSantis and Haley clash over bathroom bills in GOP debate At first sight, the nearly four acres of farmland in this rural hamlet in northeast Haiti resembles more of a desert than a thriving agricultural experiment. The soil is brown and barren, battered by a lack of water and neglect. But walk further inland and the seemingly lifeless terrain soon turns green: Cabbages and pumpkins rise out of the ground, papayas hang from trees and workers plant rows of hot peppers in the freshly plowed dirt as a generator hisses in the background. A year ago, such a lush landscape was unimaginable for Fransik Moncher, a farmer and father of seven who couldnt even grow fiery habanero peppers because they quickly died. All that changed the day a group of entrepreneurs decided to take a gamble to launch a socioeconomic experiment with the goal of answering a simple, but daunting question: What if a Haitian farmer, like Moncher, had everything he needed to be a successful grower? That farmer who has the land, how do you get him to upgrade his way of production and how do we recuperate that cost? said Maxwell Marcelin, one of the entrepreneurs. From left to right: Geoffrey Handal, farmer Fransik Moncher and Maxwell Marcelin. Handal and Marcelin, who formed the company AGRILOG, are working with farmers like Moncher in northern Haiti to help them improve techniques for growing peppers and other produce. The quest for the answers has birthed an unusual partnership among four Port-au-Prince-based friends and entrepreneurs, and local farmers and agronomists in northern Haiti. Together, they are pushing locally grown peppers and sweet potatoes while also aiding farmers like Moncher in transforming their sun-scorched land, restoring hope in the only livelihood theyve known: agriculture. Though 75% of Haitis population lives in rural areas, the country cant feed itself. Nearly half of the population, 4.9 million people, are experiencing acute hunger, according to the United Nations. The blame, the U.N. says, can be placed on a number of factors, including poor irrigation systems, lack of capital, political instability and the intensifying gang violence that has spread beyond the capital of Port-au-Prince to rural areas. In areas where gangs are not occupying farmland or distribution routes, small-scale farmers are fighting to grow crops with limited or no government support. Crops fail due to increasingly frequent and severe droughts and tropical storms, and higher-than-average temperatures. None of it makes for a hopeful scenario where agriculture can once more become the driving economic force in the countryside. Everybody is locked into the idea that it cant be done, said Geoffrey Handal, the accounting and logistics expert in the friends group, who challenges such pessimism. We have all of the qualified agronomists, we have all of the techniques needed, we have all of the land, we have all of the water, we have everything. While Haitis capital is overrun by gangs, in the north entrepreneurs and farmers are trying to focus on its economic potential. Peppers like these growing in a field in Paulette, Haiti are being grown for both the local and export markets. Handal and Marcelin launched their experiment with Moncher, and also invested in cultivating hot peppers and sweet potatoes about 30 miles to the east of Cap-Haitien in Paulette, a rural village once known for its old sisal plantations. Theyve dubbed their socioeconomic lab Ayiti Demen The Haiti of Tomorrow. Total despair When Marcelin first arrived at Monchers farm in Limonade, the northeast city that is part of the Marihaboux Plain, he believed, like the farmer, that the land was unworkable. It was total despair, Marcelin said, as a group of workers dig a hole on a dirt mound to plant habanero pepper trees. He said every time he tried to plant, there was no rain and he would lose his harvest. Refusing to accept that the expansive plot was a wasteland, Marcelin and Handal began to think about how they could help. Moncher not only needed seeds, but also financing. But most importantly, he needed a steady supply of water so he wouldnt have to depend on rains. Thats the basis of agriculture. Otherwise its like youre playing the lottery waiting for rain, Marcelin said. Farmers in Haiti have always struggled to make a living off their crops. But with help from a group of fellow Haitians, they are hoping to see their fortunes turn. In Haiti, crops failed not just because of too little or too much rainfall, but also due to a lack of access to irrigation, even when water is available. Just across the border 45 minutes away in the Dominican Republic farmers are successful, Marcelin said, so the issue is not the availability of water. The only thing is there is no investment on our side of the border to bring the water to the producers, he said. (This is why farmers in the region have been constructing a controversial canal off the nearby Massacre River, which divides Haiti and the Dominican Republic, in hopes of exploiting the potential of the once-lush Marihaboux Plain.) Armed with a study showing that there was indeed water under Monchers arid land, the group sprang into action. Magalie Dresse, a well-known designer who works with women artisans, helped with financing. Handal, who is also experimenting with producing a bank of high-quality seedlings, provided the seeds. And Marcelin crunched the numbers. With a background in management economics, he wanted to show Moncher that he could have a successful harvest and rely on it for income to feed his family. We provided him with a well, a submersible pump, a generator a propane one because there is no gas, Marcelin said. He has the support of one of our agronomists to help him on what to do and what not to do. We plowed his field. Maxwell Marcelin, left, and Geoffrey Handal visit an agriculture field in Paulette, Haiti, where they are growing peppers and sweet potatoes for the local and export market. The contributions have not gone unnoticed. Since January, Moncher has grown more than 2,000 pounds of habanero peppers in addition to other fruits and vegetables. They backed me up, he said, flashing a smile and standing upright in his field. I could not have accomplished this on my own. I could not have dug a well because I dont have the means to do that. Whereas before he saw despair, he now sees hope. My children are starting to eat and I am beginning to make some money. If they tell me they are hungry, I can come here, grab two or three papayas and sell them to find money to buy food, Moncher said. The groups initial investment of about 480,000 gourdes about $3,600 is expected to bring Moncher about $7,000 in sales, which he will make from selling his habanero peppers to AGRILOG/Ets JB Vital, S.A., the company that Marcelin and Handal use to export peppers to Miami. A group of young entrepreneurs from Port-au-Prince is helping farmers in northern Haiti grow peppers. This variety, known as Piman Bouk, is among the peppers being developed in Paulette, Haiti. This is someone weve taken out of poverty when we gave him this opportunity, Marcelin said. Because we invested in Fransik, he adds, walking through the papaya trees, weve created an oasis. From coffee to sweet potatoes Growing up in a poverty-stricken Haiti as a member of a well-off family, Handal knew he was blessed, a feeling hes wanted to share with others. Ive always felt like every Haitian should have it and we should show the world this is how we live, he said. For 200 years, the Handal family exported coffee, once among the islands most lucrative cash crops. But deforestation, natural disasters and the increasing need for coffee to be grown at higher elevations due to warming temperatures led to a rapid decline in coffee production. In 2008, Handal said the family was shipping 33 cargo containers of coffee beans each season. A year later, before the devastating 2010 earthquake further decimated production, the family shipped only two containers because we couldnt find any coffee. Farmers in Haiti have always struggled to make a living off their crops. But with help from a group of fellow Haitians, they are hoping to see their fortunes turn. Handel said that an investigation into the demise of Haitis coffee market led him to conclude that the family needed to invest in agricultural production. But more than a decade went by before he revisited the idea of exports, spending most of the time working in the familys shipping business in Port-au-Prince. I realized the only two things we could export here would be, first of all, textiles and second, agriculture, he said. He decided on the agriculture route as a way to boost his export volume. It was purely a logistic play to see what could I do to get containers full of agriculture products out of Haiti. Then he met Marcelin, who pitched him on growing peppers and sweet potatoes, and helping farmers boost their harvest. The Dominican Republic is the same size, same economy as Haiti and there is no reason why we cant reach that level of GDP, Handal said. If we do this right, if we invest properly in Haiti in 20 years, we can have 10% GDP growth every year. With that measure, this is how billionaires get made. This is how you create a real economy. Maxwell Marcelin and his wife, Kalinda Magloire, who focuses on producing clean-cooking stoves, are among four friends from Port-au-Prince now working with farmers in north Haiti to help them find better techniques to grow crops. Marcelin said he became interested in agriculture through the work of his wife, Kalinda Magloire. She is the founder of a clean cooking social enterprise known as SWITCH, which encourages Haitians to move away from charcoal in favor of propane. One of the effects of Haitis declining agricultural sector is that when farmers cant cultivate their land, they turn to cutting their trees down for charcoal production, which gives them about $400 every two years. For farmers to stop cutting trees to survive, said Marcelin, they need a path to production to get replace that revenue. Cutting down the trees is the easiest choice today because he doesnt have money to invest, so he just lets the trees grow and then every two years, he sells them, he said. But if he had the financing, the know-how and access to market, he would have an alternative. When we were presenting clean cooking as an alternative, the question we were always presented with was, What about the farmer who lives off charcoal? Marcelin adds. This is why we started thinking about agriculture. Bringing back the Scotch bonnet, saving the Bouk About 17 miles to the east of Limonade along National Highway 6 in the rural community of Paulette is the for-profit side of Marcelin and Handals vision. Together with the Peasant Movement for the Development of Paulette they are growing sweet potato and several varieties of pepper, including the high-in-demand Piman Bouk, whose first shipment arrived in Miami in April. Despite the demand for Bouk, it is hard to find, said Handal, who has built a nursery to provide high quality pepper seeds. Today, even if a farmer wants to go plant Bouk, he wont find quality seeds to do it, Handal said. The entrepreneurs also want to bring back production of the Caribbean Scotch bonnet, a variety of chili pepper. According to local lore, the Scotch bonnet, popular in Jamaica, was bountiful around Cap-Haitien before the Haitian revolution but soon disappeared after Haiti won its independence from France in 1804. The two are also working on exporting sweet potato, which for now is being sold on the local market as they continue to improve the yield for export to Europe with the help of agronomists from Honduras, who have expertise in growing the vegetable. Geoffrey Handal is among four friends from Port-au-Prince, Haiti who have come together to launch a socioeconomic lab focused on helping farmers in northern Haiti access expertise and new techniques to grow crops. To make the agricultural project work, the duo invested in a drip irrigation system, similar to whats used in the Dominican Republic, and fertilizer. They also brought onboard interns from the nearby University of Limonade to assist and to learn. The financial model, which Handal came up with, calls for the Paulette farmers to get 30% of sales. At the end of the day, when you look at the investment, it comes up to 50-50 in terms of profits, Marcelin said. In Paulette, its a Fransik Moncher magnified. We created jobs but the profit sharing is for the whole organization.... Everyone who is in the ecosystem is making money. A group of young entrepreneurs from Port-au-Prince are working with farmers in northern Haiti to help them grow various varieties of peppers including habanero. Handal also sees another important result. For me as long as the community is involved, thats all you need, he said. The two also focus on finding creative ways to get around problems. After some of the habaneros and Piman Bouk ripened before they could be shipped out, Marcelin and Handal decided to go into the pepper sauce business. A group of young entrepreneurs from Port-au-Prince are helping farmers in northern Haiti grow peppers. This variety known as Piman Bouk, is among the peppers being developed in Paulette, Haiti. l 2023 by the company AGRILOG. With their next harvest less than 30 days away, they are hoping the sweet potatoes will be ready so they can be shipped out. If not, they will just continue to sell it locally. The effort is a bet that this country will not die, which is a bit of a leap of faith these days. But if its not going to die, its going to grow at some point, Handal said. And thats why we invest. A boulder pinned a hiker for seven hours on a steep Inyo County hillside, California rescuers reported. The rock, estimated to weigh from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds, trapped the hikers left leg, leaving him in great pain, on Tuesday, Dec. 5, the Inyo County Search & Rescue team said in a Dec. 8 news release. A California Highway Patrol helicopter dropped two rescuers nearby while others followed in vehicles on off-road vehicle trails, rescuers said. Rescuers arrived after dark and used a system of ropes, pulleys, and leverage to move the boulder enough to extricate the injured hikers leg, the release said. Because of his injuries and the rugged terrain, the hiker was airlifted to a hospital by a helicopter, rescuers said. Finding no place to land, a U.S. Navy helicopter lowered a medic, who was then hoisted back to the helicopter with the injured hiker, rescuers said. Inyo County lies on the California-Nevada border and includes much of Death Valley National Park. Car plummets 60 feet off bridge in possible road rage incident, Oklahoma reports say Honking horn leads cops to kids left in car as dad went bar hopping, Texas police say Boater clings to tree after rescue attempt yanks him into raging river, WA officials say Anucha Angkaew, who was abducted by Hamas and spent 50 days in captivity in Gaza, on the phone on Friday at his family home in Don Pila village in Udon, Thani province, Thailand - DEVJYOT GHOSHAL/REUTERS Israeli hostages were singled out for especially brutal treatment by their Hamas captors, Thai farm workers freed by the terror group have said. Anucha Angkaew was captured during the October 7 attacks. He is one of the few survivors of Hamas captivity to have spoken in detail about their ordeal. After witnessing one of his friends being executed in front of his eyes, he was taken into Gaza along with five of his countrymen. Once inside the enclave, the Thais were handed over to a small group of men who led them to an abandoned house and tied their hands behind their backs. There they were joined by a terrified 18-year-old Israeli, a man Anucha said he knew from Kibbutz Reim, where he worked on an avocado farm. Then the beatings began. We shouted Thailand, Thailand, Anucha, 28, told Reuters, helping to ease the intensity of the blows. But the young Israeli wasnt spared. Anucha Angkaew's drawing of the property where he was held prisoner in Israel - DEVJYOT GHOSHAL/REUTERS An hour later, the group were driven to a small building that led into a tunnel. Near its entrance, they were beaten again and photographed, Anucha said, before walking through a dark passage to a small room. In this windowless space, which measured around five feet by five feet and was lit by a bulb, the group were joined by another Israeli man. The militants continued kicking and punching the captives for two days, Anucha said. After that, they continued with another two days of beatings for the Israelis, who were lashed using electrical wires. The Israeli hostages had it worse, said Manee Jirachat, another of the Thai hostages who survived 50 days in Hamas captivity. Their Hamas guards would shout at the Israelis while the Thai hostages received medication, he told German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. The group spent their first days in captivity tied up on a plastic sheet. Only after it was established that they were Thai citizens were they untied and allowed to take short walks in the tunnels each day, he said. More than 240 people were taken hostage by Hamas as the terror group rampaged across southern Israel on October 7. Among them were Israelis, as well as dozens of migrant workers from a range of countries, including Thailand, the Philippines, Tanzania and Nepal. War playing out above ground Negotiations between Israel and Hamas that led to a short pause in fighting saw 110 of those hostages freed. While in captivity, Anucha and the others had no idea of the war playing out above ground between Hamas and the Israeli military. At one point, a guard left behind a pen, which helped the men to pass their time, marking their days in captivity, drawing tattoos and sketching out a chessboard on the plastic sheet that also served as their bedding. On day 35, a man in black arrived for an inspection. The hostages believed he was a senior leader, given how he acted and how the guards responded. I didnt think I would get released, Anucha said. But suddenly, one day, a guard showed up and said: Thailand, go home. Female Israeli hostages Anucha and three other Thais in his group were then led through tunnels for about two hours before arriving at a Hamas facility. There, they found a group of female Israeli hostages also waiting. Eleven hours later, they were handed over to the Red Cross, which drove them out of Gaza on Nov 25. It was like I was reborn, he said. Anucha was not seriously injured, but weeks after his release from captivity, his wrists still bear marks from the restraints. The hardest part was still what he witnessed on October 7. I lost my friend in front of my eyes, he said. More than 130 people are still being held as hostages, including eight Thais. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Lori Coleman said she could be put out of business if about 245,000 acres of public land in Luna County became a national monument. The land near Deming, amid the Floridian and Goodsight mountains, Cookes Range and Tres Hermanas was proposed to be designated as Mimbres Peaks National Monument by a group of state lawmakers and conservation groups this week. Part of the land is Rockhound State Park, but Coleman worried that if it was set aside by the federal government for uses like camping and hiking, it could put a stranglehold on her small mining business. Rockhound was established in 1965, and spans about 1,100 acres in the Florida Mountains of southwest New Mexico. Coleman owns Spanish Stirrup Rock Shop about 180 miles away, in Alto, but sources her wares a variety of agates, jaspers and other minerals that can be collected or used for jewelry from the historical area. Coleman said she currently operates a dig within the area under permit from the federal Bureau of Land Management. Her claim would be grandfathered in any designation change she said, but she would be blocked from opening any future claims. You never know when your deposit is going to run out, Coleman said. This monument designation would put me out of business. Weve been blindsided by this. The campaign to see the area become a national monument was announced Wednesday during a press conference near the land proposed for the listing, led by Democrat New Mexico Sen. Carrie Hamblen of Las Cruces. The group touted the economic stimulation they said was brought on by the 2014 designation of an area in Dona Ana County as Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, boosting local tourism and outdoor recreation. A study from the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce, of which Hamblen is the chief executive officer, showed that since 2012 visitation tripled from 183,900 that year to 612,781 in 2022. Supporters of the proposal hoped to bring the same economic benefits to the more rural Luna County. The community in Deming is excited about those opportunities to be replicated with the designation of the Mimbres Peaks National Monument, Hamblen said. This is an exciting opportunity for the residents of Deming to not only embrace their incredible public lands but also show they are welcoming the tourism dollars that will uplift this area. Agriculture industry leaders said they opposed the designation as it could impede their industry by adding more government regulation to farming and ranching operations in the area. "Our ranchers, many of whom have been working on the land for generations, know far too well the challenges of managing a viable business while navigating multiple federal agencies," said Larry Reagan, president of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau. "As good stewards of these lands and major contributors to the economy in Luna County and the state, we are disappointed that the agricultural community was not included in these conversations." New Mexico Sen. Carrie Hamblen, D-Las Cruces, on Friday, June 24, 2022. Hamblin has said the proposal to create a new national monument in Luna County would economically benefit the region. The project does have the backing of Luna County Commissioner Ray Trejo who said it would leverage the historical significance of the area to create a stronger economy for the local community. He said the success of Organ Mountains in neighboring Dona Ana County was proof that it could also work for Rockhound's surrounding communities. We need to look no further than neighboring counties to know that protected public lands are good for our local economies and the people who call New Mexico home, Trejo said. Thats why over the past year the city and county have been looking at the opportunities, the process, and the concept of a new national monument. But Coleman was unconvinced. She said her and a group of land users including local farmers and ranchers planned to attend the Luna County Commission meeting on Thursday, calling for a resolution to oppose designating the land as a monument. They have no intention to speak with the local community, Coleman said. They need to stay in Las Cruces and mind their own business. She said Luna County is much different than the more urban Dona Ana County, which contains New Mexicos second-biggest city in Las Cruces and home to New Mexico State University. What worked there, might not in Luna County, Coleman said, where she estimated 70 percent of the land is already government-owned. Weve got other problems in Luna County besides needing all this tourism, she said. The ranchers and miners are doing just fine taking care of that mountain. We dont need more government. To see the designation come to fruition, supporters must petition Congress to pass a bill or seek for the U.S. President to issue it via the Antiquities Act. Organ Mountains was designated this way by President Barrack Obama in 2014. If it happened in Luna County, supporters said the monument would create a boon for multiple segments of the economy, including retail, dining and the hotel industry. It could also protect sensitive wildlife like Persian Ibex, pronghorn, mountain lion or mule deer. That is why protecting these outdoor spaces is essential, said Kyla Navarro, outreach coordinator with the Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. "There are many reasons for protecting our natural resources. But throughout southern New Mexico there is a recognition that our natural landscape contributes to the identity and shape of our communities. Coleman argued industries like mining and agriculture already served as good stewards of the land without what she called government land grabs. Our ranchers are the ones who care for our wildlife, she said. The constituents of Luna County do not want this. New Mexico Rep. Jenifer Jones (R-32) of Luna County doesn't want it either. She said the proposed national monument would restrict access to the lands for the local community and industries Jones said support the economy of the region. "Unfortunately, federal control results in loss of public access to community open space, potentially places limits on farming and ranching and will prohibit extraction industries which contribute real economic growth to our communities," Jones said. "I am just as interested in how this impacts farmers and ranchers as I am about the purported benefits of yet another federal land grab." Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Industry concerns arise amid national monument proposal in Luna County Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb said there is still a chance former President Trump wont testify in his civil fraud trial again Thursday. Im not sure he will testify, Id say its still 50/50, Cobb told CNNs Erin Burnett. Because, as the lawyer in me says, You know, why put him on? I mean, hes going to be subject to an eviscerating cross-examination, which wont focus on, what Trump wants to talk about, itll focus on every lie that he has told, in the 10 years that are relevant under these financial statements. The former president is set to testify in the case again on Monday. He previously took the witness stand early last month, where he struck a belligerent tone, taking aim at both the judge overseeing the case, Arthur Engoron, and New York Attorney General Letitia James (D). Im sure the judge will rule against me because he always rules against me, Trump said during his testimony. At one point, Engoron even told Trump attorney Chris Kise to control your client. This is not a political rally, Engoron continued. Trump came back to the Manhattan state Supreme Court as a spectator Thursday. Before going to court that day, he said the trial was a Witch Hunt with a Crooked Judge and a Bats..t CRAZY (and Racist!), A.G. on Truth Social, asserting that the case was decided against me before it even started. The former president and his legal teams relationship with Engoron has been tense, especially in the wake of the imposing of a gag order on all parties and Trumps counsel from talking about the judges staff. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Like the malicious, boastful schoolboy he will forever be, Donald Trump smirkingly twists apt descriptions of himself and his often cartoonishly deranged acts against those who point out his transgressions. And as in a game of Follow the Leader, his fellow Republicans continue to project their own psychopathies on the truth-tellers. Thus the all-too-accurate pejorative "Trump crime family," describing decades of phony charitable and educational scams, purposeful misstatements of property values and massive grifting during the White House years, becomes mock-outraged references to the Biden Crime Family. Call one of his ravings sent out in the wee hours on his social media platform Truth Central deranged, and hell latch onto that word to use as invective against his political opponents. As Salons Heather Digby Parton recently noted, Trump is even trying to turn the tables on the increasing number of historians, journalists and politicians who warn that the former grifter in chief is an obvious threat to the continuation of our democracy. Yes, the twice-impeached ex-president who lies about and despises the free press and talks about suspending the Constitution now regularly claims that he is somehow protecting all of us from Joe Bidens war on democracy. As it turns out, Trumps exhortation to insurrection, Fight like hell or you wont have a country, turned out to be a warning to all non-faux patriots, the great majority of Americans, who now are now forced to be conservative, whatever else they may be conservative about preserving the Constitution, political norms, the rule of law and freedom of the press because no one else seems willing to do that any longer. That the 77-year-old former president who is still attempting to overturn the 2020 election simply makes use of the I know you are, but what am I? taunt of a pre-teen is laughable (Parton calls it his latest tribute to the late great Pee-wee Herman) and also repugnant, because hes supposed to be an adult. But, like all con men and authoritarians, who are also essentially swindlers, he knows that if you repeat something often enough, an amazing number of people will come to believe it. Or theyll believe it because they just want to believe it. As Paul Simon long ago wrote in the classic The Boxer: A man hears what he wants to hear/ and disregards the rest. If Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels were here today to witness such rhetoric, hed no doubt applaud how well it is following form. He might even burst into laughter in delight at how amazingly successful it has been in the United States. As Rachel Maddow (who likely doesnt enjoy talking about it, but can tell you a bit about the history of American Nazis) recently noted, Trump uses terms like "fascist" against his critics because, as always, his mission is to obfuscate the truth. As she recently remarked: He knows hes going to get called a fascist for talking this way. And hes calling all of his opponents fascists, too, trying to rob that word of its meaning. I thought Maddows use of "rob" was well chosen; much of the endless Trumpian grifting involves begging and then misusing money from supporters who, in many cases, can't really afford to donate to his campaign. But if youre going to be a successful grifter, you cannot concern yourself about those you hurt. Much better have no conscience at all. This brings me to "Trump Derangement Syndrome," a term that has been in use so long that these days people often just go with the acronym. Trump just used it to hit back at former congresswoman Liz Cheney, who recently published a book, "Oath and Honor," aimed at warning about the dangers of a second Trump presidency. Trump and his supporters borrowed the term to dismiss their critics for reflexively opposing everything Trump puts forward. You know, all his great ideas and well-thought-out plans for protecting the public, boosting the economy, enhancing our leadership on the world stage and bolstering our democracy. I recently found myself in an email exchange with someone who had taken offense to a recent opinion article of mine about the Biden economy. After I responded, he became reasonably civil, and I was beginning to enjoy the exchange. But his parting shot skillfully glancing, not direct was TDS is real, which, of course, implied I was suffering from anti-Trump psychosis and might need to seek counseling. Coming on the jackbooted heels of Trumps use of Hitlers term "vermin" to describing the large majority of the U.S. population who aren't members of his weird, violence-seeking cult which includes many Republicans and actual Christians I wondered whether something similar had been used by Nazi propagandists against those who criticized Hitler. There's no question the Nazis used derisive language to push back on their critics, especially against Jews, socialists, intellectuals, artists and others who could not be expected to fall in line. But critics of the Nazis didn't have much time to voice objections to what they saw happening after Hitler came to power during a declared state of emergency, before he ordered his stormtroopers to start arresting or simply killing those who opposed him. Had the Nazis needed to twist the truth with their critics, maybe they'd have come up with something like Hitler-Hysterie Syndrom, shifting the blame to those who were paying attention. Even the German conservatives and major capitalists who thought they could control Hitler found that they could not, much like the "moderate" old guard in the Republican Party. In this era of the Trump cult, all of this sounds familiar to many Americans, and more than a little terrifying. Trump has actively encouraged followers to commit acts of violence since his first campaign began in 2015. Now his campaign spokespeople say that his critics will be crushed. Is it a form of psychosis to be unhappy with that prospect? Was it deranged to be perplexed or horrified by his chaotic and damaging reaction to the pandemic? In an early comment on the rights use of of the term, New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik observed that TDS was a reasonable reaction to Trump because of his appetite to prove his authority through violent means: With Trump, it is perfectly clear that he only has a series of episodic wounds and reactions its all fears and fits. If he were the governor of a state, or the leader of a much smaller country, we could already begin to discount the more vivid fears with which his ascent to power was met. The problem is that he is the President of the United States, and that the one appetite that he does have is for announcing his authority through violence, a thing capable of an unimaginable resonance and devastation. Thats the only Trump Syndrome we ought to worry about, and it can become deranged. As a New Yorker, Gopnik no doubt knew all one needs to know about Donald Trump (which, truly, isn't much: "blustering con man" gets you much of the way there) and his long history of being a user of users, as the late Village Voice reporter Wayne Barrett worked hard to detail and explain. Modern-day white nationalists like Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller have barely changed the Nazi approach at all: disparaging immigrants, trashing the free press, dehumanizing political opponents, normalizing calls for violence against perceived enemies. Theres a way to do this sort of horror, and Trump and his gang of angry misfits regularly crib from some of the most abominable people the world has ever known. As Timothy Snyder, the Yale historian and author of "On Tyranny," wrote in a New York Times op-ed about Hitler: The form of his propaganda was inextricable from its content: the fictionalization of a globalized world into simple slogans, to be repeated until an enemy thus defined was exterminated. Trump is a man of simple slogans, of schoolyard putdowns. Hes the type of person who tries to own others by giving them a nickname. Hitler depended on the simple slogans of propaganda, repeated endlessly, and had this to say about the public's susceptibility to the "Big Lie": It would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously. Even though the facts which prove this to be so may be brought clearly to their minds, they will still doubt and waver and will continue to think there may be some other explanation. Trump himself, with his tirades against the free press, his violent fantasies about his political opponents and his eagerness to dehumanize anyone who opposes or criticizes him, is highly adept at delivering propaganda. Hes good at it and often renders it entertaining, which makes all that hate go down easy. As many writers have noted over the years, Trump appeals to people who aren't particularly interested in politics or policies, but who are pleased to have their prejudices supported and enjoy the show of Trumpian invective directed against anyone who might find their views deplorable. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Godwins Law (apparently formulated 1991) states that once you compare someone to Hitler or the Nazis, the argument is over. But Mike Godwin himself, in a 2018 opinion essay for the Los Angeles Times, tried to clarify what he meant: GL is about remembering history well enough to draw parallels sometimes with Hitler or with Nazis, sure that are deeply considered. That matter. Sometimes those comparisons are going to be appropriate, and on those occasions GL should function less as a conversation ender and more as a conversation starter. In the case of Donald J. Trump, the comparisons have long been more than appropriate now hes daring us not to make the comparisons. Mob-speak style, he'll disclaim it with a wink and a smirk, but you know he takes it as a compliment and his followers love when he says such un-American (and un-Christian) things as his recent statement that immigration is "poisoning the blood of our country." According to many who know him well, including his psychologist niece, Mary Trump, our most recent ex-president is a highly disturbed and dangerous person. But most of us already understand that America can stand back and stand by for the end of democracy if this man re-enters the White House. As for the true nature of TDS, I received an email from someone calling himself Hang Obama responding to my commentary on Joe Bidens management of the economy, which has managed to fend avert the long-anticipated recession. The subject line of this person's email was Lying k!k3, and this was what it said: The day of retribution will descend upon you usurping jews [sic] like a flock of brave hama$ (funded by bibi) freedom fighters. Technically speaking, Im a Christian. A Presbyterian, as it happens, with friends of various religious faiths or none at all. But there it is, TDS in action. You can hear it at Trump's rallies in the unnerving cheers and raucous laughter of his fervent followers as they respond to his increasingly deranged ravings, still playing that invisible accordion behind the podium. We can apply the diagnosis of TDS to the man-child himself or his followers, but not those of us over here in the reality-based community. If we react reflexively to Trump, it's because he lies reflexively, claiming that he's got good ideas and is the man for the job. Hes proven, time and again, that hes not the man for any job. Now he increasingly speaks of himself in divine terms, which as many experts agree is terrifying, whether it represents genuine delusion or just another cunning maneuver to draw his cult members in even deeper. Applied to those who see him for who he is, TDS was always a psychological projection. But it is real and it's a clear and present danger. Early this week, shortly after Nicolas Maduro held a sham referendum on whether Venezuela should annex the majority of neighboring Guyana, President Bidens top national security advisers ordered a classified assessment of Venezuelan troop movements on and around the border, a U.S. defense official said. Maduro seemed to be acting on what had initially been viewed in Washington as a domestic political ploy. He would soon establish a combatant command to oversee the territory, hes calling Guayana Esequiba, and the White House wanted to know how serious he was. Multiple U.S. officials tell McClatchy and the Miami Herald they have yet to see the sort of activity along the border they would expect if Maduro intended to launch an imminent, full-scale invasion of the Essequibo, a region roughly the size of Florida. But even if Maduro planned to do so, taking over and occupying such a vast jungle terrain would be a challenge for a Venezuelan military that, while strong on paper, has been gutted of recruits over poor pay and meager food rations. Yet a crisis could still unfold far short of an invasion, U.S. officials say. A simple operation deploying a small unit of Venezuelan armed forces could be enough to force a global response to an event that would widely be seen as a violation of Guyanas sovereignty yet another conflict over territorial integrity, this time prompted by an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin as he conducts his own war of aggression in Ukraine and of Chinas President Xi Jinping, who vows to impose rule over Taiwan by any means necessary. Any armed conflict large-scale or small could be used by Maduro as a pretext to impose martial law at home ahead of an anticipated presidential election next year that, if free and fair, could end his reign. Maduro has faced international sanctions for years over his role in curbing Venezuelan democracy. The Venezuelan armed forces might have enough equipment to make some kind of show of force, but it really does not have the men for a serious effort, said Manuel Cristopher Figuera, a retired major general in the Venezuelan army. This is a farce a perfect farce to declare martial law. The U.S. military conducted a military exercise in Guyana this week that a White House official referred to as routine. But a Guyanese official said the air operation, by U.S. special forces, was conducted in response to a request for military support from the United States by Guyanas president, Irfaan Ali, ahead of Venezuelas Dec. 3 referendum. It was a display of U.S. support for a country that has few means to defend itself on its own even if Venezuelas forces are ill-equipped themselves. Id be careful drawing too strong connective tissue between routine military operations that we do in the region and this particular issue, John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council in the White House, told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday. That said, as I said before, we recognize the sovereign territory of Guyana, and as we do with many nations sovereign nations in the region, we conduct operations and exercises as appropriate. We absolutely stand by our unwavering support for Guyanas sovereignty, he added. Venezuelas paper tiger Venezuelas border with Guyana, defined by an international tribunal in 1899, runs over 500 miles of rivers and watersheds from the Atlantic Ocean to a tri-point border at Mount Roraima in Brazil. Far from being militarized, the border region is sparsely populated on either side and barely patrolled by a Venezuelan military that has suffered alongside the countrys economy in recent years. On paper, the Venezuelan armed forces count more than 120,000 men among its ranks and possess roughly 600 armored vehicles and 200 main battle tanks, half of which are Soviet era T-72s. It also has 100 combat-capable planes and dozens of helicopters. But Venezuelan officers, active and retired, told the Miami Herald that the countrys four military branches have been decimated in recent years by massive desertions. The Defense Ministry has been swamped by a wave of resignation requests from more than a quarter of its officer core, which are constantly turned down or placed on hold. We have had reports of battalion level units being shrunk down to about 95 men about a fifth of their regular size because they dont have anyone to fill those positions, a retired Venezuelan major said. The actual operational capacity of the army is little more than a third. Officers consulted said they have not seen any evidence of a Venezuelan military buildup along the border, aside from a seasonal rotation of personnel. While not a new phenomenon, mass desertions have increased during the past three years amid rapidly deteriorating living conditions for officers and professional troops, whose salaries are among the lowest in the hemisphere. Growing discontent among uniformed men has forced the top brass to grant troops personal free time from their duties to be able to obtain second jobs to make ends meet. And an economic spiral, which has seen Venezuelas gross domestic product plunge by 75%, has also severely impaired the operational status of the countrys military equipment. The air force, for example, has been forced to ground much of its fleet for lack of maintenance and parts. In some cases, fighter jets are capable of flying but are missing missiles, or are carrying bombs with lapsed life expectancy, Figuera said. Even if Maduro were to muster the men and equipment, a Venezuelan incursion into the Essequibo region would then have to traverse thick jungles and swampland. There are no roads between the two countries. And while some of Venezuelas armored vehicles do have amphibious capabilities, they would still be ill-fitted to cross through large swamps. In a hypothetical armed conflict, Venezuela could deploy its navy which has one frigate and patrol boats to block Georgetown, the Guyanan capital, and enter the nearby Essequibo River, establishing a potential beachhead on the west bank, Figuera said. But that beachhead would be isolated by land from the Venezuelan side, and would have a very precarious supply line, giving Venezuelan troops no other option than to stay near their boats. The difficulties of the terrain and the armys state of disrepair would make it very difficult for Venezuela to take military control of the vast region that it claims. Experts say Caracas could flex its muscles with an attempt to blockade Georgetown, or even bomb the Guyanan capital. But sustaining a military presence in the bordering country would be a fare more ambitious challenge. Guyanas promise of allies Despite Venezuelas weaknesses, Guyanas military by comparison is far weaker still. With military strength between 4,000 and 5,000 troops, Guyana would find itself at a disadvantage. In Georgetown, officials worry abouot not just a physical incursion but also of an air assault on their military headquarters or a cyberattack that could disrupt communications. Theres no way Guyana can have a response, not even as a deterrence, said Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, a Guyana-born regional security expert. Guyana, Griffith said, would need to rely on partners and friends and supporters, diplomatically and militarily. A Venezuelan attack on Guyana could trigger Article 4 of the Regional Security System, an international security agreement among some Caribbean nations that Guyana joined last year, becoming its eighth member. That provision states that an armed attack against one member by a third state is an armed attack against all and would trigger a collective military response. But Griffith said the security forces that are part of the military alliance, originally formed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, are very small. Even Trinidad and Tobago, the largest military in the region with 10,000 enlisted personnel, wouldnt be of much assistance. Guyana is also a member of the 15-member Caribbean community known as CARICOM. But the CARICOM military assets are no match for Venezuela, said Anthony Bryan, co-founder of the Caribbean Policy Consortium and a former director of Institute of International Relations at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad. Logistically, it would be difficult for them to come to the assistance of Guyana except in a supportive position, Bryan said. That leaves the United States. Maduros threats come as relations between Guyana and the United States have strengthened, particularly under current Guyanese President Ifraan Ali. With Maduros threat hanging over the country, vice president Bharrat Jagdeo, who served as president from 1999 to 2011, recently traveled to Washington seeking stronger military cooperation. Washington has increased security cooperation with the country after years of keeping it at arms length due to concerns about corruption in its security forces. U.S. military assistance to Georgetown comes in several forms, including intelligence support. There are also military training exercises, such as the Tradewinds operations that were recently conducted in the country involving about 20 allied nations in the region. Guyana does not have its own intelligence capabilities and it needs to rely on the United States and other partners to provide assistance, Griffith said. The country has also begun to beef up its military assets, purchasing equipment from the United States and India. But more is needed, said Griffith, who points out that despite its large Atlantic coastline, Guyana does not have a major naval vessel. So the collaboration and cooperation and assistance has been there, and needs to be there, he said. In a statement, U.S. Southern Command said the Pentagon has a strong defense relationship with the Guyanan Defense Forces. U.S. Southern Commands enduring partnership with the GDF is important and highly valued, the statement added, and we are steadfastly committed to expanding and strengthening it in ways that are mutually beneficial to our countries and our people. Miami Herald data reporter Ana Claudia Chacin contributed to this story. Jasper Kenzo Sundeen's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com. The Department of Justice has rendered an opinion that government shares in the North Luzon Expressway Corp. (NLEX) cannot be sold to other investors without offering them first to existing shareholders. In a legal opinion, the DOJ also reminded that 10 percent of the government shares in NLEX should be allotted to small local investors. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla issued the opinion after Privatization Management Office (PMO) Chief Privatization Officer Maan Vanessa L. Doctor seek the DOJs opinion. Remulla stressed that NLEX Corporations Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement dated Sept. 30, 2004 provides a right of first refusal clause. Considering that there exists in favor of the other shareholders of NLEX Corporation a Right of First Refusal, then the procedure provided in the Amended Articles of Incorporation, Amended By-Laws, and Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement dated 30 September 2004, must strictly be observed, the DOJ secretary said. Only after the other shareholders of NLEX Corporation have declined/failed to exercise their Right of First Refusal, may the company proceed to offer the NLEX Shares to other interested buyers, bearing in mind the requirement that 10 percent thereof must be set aside to small local investors, as per Executive Order No. 323, s. 2000, he added. EO 323 created the PMO, an agency under the Department of Finance (DoF) tasked with the continuing privatization of government assets and corporations. The PMO sought the legal opinion from the DOJ, which serves as its and the Privatization Councils (PrC) ex-officio legal counsel, following the PrCs approval of the PMOs recommendation to dispose the Republic of the Philippines (RoP) shares at NLEX via negotiated sale. The DOJ was asked to resolve the conflict between the provisions of EO 323 and the NLEX Amended Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws. The PMO said EO 323 requires the PMO to reserve a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the sale of assets in corporate form to small local investors, however, NLEX articles of incorporation and by-laws provides for the Right of First Refusal. Remulla advised PMO that a mere offer of sale of assets in corporate form to small local local investors will not suffice. He then said any of the following shall be deemed as compliance on the sale to small local investors: a) Initial Public Offering (IPO); b) Employee Stock Option/Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Provided, that the Social Security System (SSS) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) shall grant loans to qualified employees of the firms under privatization who would like to avail the ten percent (10%) stock offering as provided in this Executive Order; c) Sale to private and government employees, overseas workers, small farmers/fisherfolks and cooperatives through Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) such as GSIS, Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and Home Development Mutual Funds (HDMF); d) Sale of retirement funds, pension funds and other funds managed on behalf of employees and other individuals; e) Sale of privatization bonds issued by the Republic of Philippines provided that the terms of such privatization bonds give the option to holders thereof to exercise the exchange option contained in such bonds either into shares in corporate assets privatized through the IPO or into a cash amount where the privatized corporate assets is being sold to one or more block investors. The participation of the GFIs in transactions contemplated by EO No. 323 is only limited to being a vehicle through which assets in corporate form are acquired by private and government employees, overseas workers, small farmers/fisherfolks, and cooperatives, Remulla said. In other words, the NLEX Shares may not be sold to GFIs directly, but only through them, he pointed out. If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. Today Some clouds early. Mostly sunny skies along with windy conditions this afternoon. High 63F. Winds NNW at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low 37F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow A mainly sunny sky. High 62F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Bahujan Samaj Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today announced her nephew Akash Anand as her heir or political sucessor. Akash Anand will now face the formidable challenge of rebuilding the party and its vote base in Uttar Pradesh, only state where the party was in power. Mayawati announced the decision during BSP's All-India Party Meeting held in Lucknow. Mayawati served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh four times between 3 June 1995 to 18 October 1995, 21 March 1997 to 21 September 1997, 3 May 2002 to 29 August 2003 and for a full five year term between 13 May 2007 and 15 March 2012. However, since then, the party failed to repeat its peformance as it lost to the Samajwadi Party in 2012 assembly elections. Since then, the party's performance in the UP assembly and the Lok Sabha polls have been dismal. Akash Anand is at present the National Coordinator of the BSP. His elevation comes months ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Akash Anand is son of Mayawati's younger brother Anand Kumar. Despite consistently criticizing dynastic politics, Mayawati, in 2019, appointed her brother Anand Kumar as the national vice president of the party, while her nephew Akash was designated as a national coordinator. At the age of 28, Akash ventured into politics during the lead-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He appeared in numerous photographs alongside Mayawati and other prominent BSP leaders. The BJP may have a key breakthrough in Chhattisgarh where the party registered a surprise victory against Congress. Since the announcement of election results on December 3, the party has failed to pick up a Chief Ministerial candidate with multiple contenders vying for the post. The BJP appointed observers for the state earlier this week to ensure that no factional feud takes place within the party. The three observers are Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Sarbananda Sonowal and party general secretary Dushyant Gautam. The legislative party meeting will take place around 2pm and a decision is likely by this evening. According to reports, the BJP may go for an OBC or a tribal chief minister if it doesn't pick party stalwart Raman Singh, who served as CM thrice from 2003 to 2018. The move to pick an OBC or tribal CM is part of the BJP's strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Among the key potentical CM candidates are Vishnu Deo, Renuka Singh, state BJP chief Arun Sao, Gomti Sai, who resigned as MPs after being elected as an MLA, former state ministers Ramvichar Netam and Lata Usendi, and bureaucrat-turned-politician O P Choudhary. Watch This Exclusive Report While Arun Sao and O P Choudhary are from Other Backward Classes (OBC), Vishnu Deo, Renuka Singh, Ramvichar Netam, Lata Usendi, and Gomti Sai are contenders from the tribal community. Picking a woman CM may give the BJP a weapon against the All India Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee which claims to have only woman CM in the country. Now, the 54 newly-elected MLAs will meet in Raipur today to pick the legislative party leader in the presence of the three observers. Rumours abound regarding who will assume the role of the chief minister, given that the BJP participated in the recent elections without officially announcing any candidate for the CM position. BJP's Chhattisgarh in-charge Om Mathur, Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya and party co-incharge for the state Nitin Nabin will be attending the MLAs meeting. The BJP's legislative party meeting will take place on Sunday. The party's three observers Union ministers Arjun Munda and Sarbananda Sonowal, and party general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam will be present, said BJP state unit president Arun Sao yesterday. In the recently held state assembly elections, the BJP won 54 of the 90 seats and the Congress 35. The Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) managed to win one seat. (With agency inputs) In the heart of India's bustling political arena, the Congress party took a jab at Union Home Minister Amit Shah after the BJP stalwart shared a photo of him playing chess on Instagram. It all began when Amit Shah, known for his political manoeuvres, shared a photo on Instagram with the caption "Don't settle for a good move, look for the better one." Sharing the photo on X (formerly Twitter), the Congress party took a jib at Shah saying BJP's Chanakya is playing chess by pitting white against white, rather than a white vs black battle. "Chanakya Amit Shah playing chess by pitting White against White. So cute photo ops!" said Kerala Congress. The caption, "So cute photo ops!" was intended to ridicule Shah's strategic messaging. However, Twitter added a reader's context to the Kerala Congress's post shedding light on the intricacies of chess pieces. They clarified that in chess, the pieces often aren't strictly black and white but rather distinct shades, typically light and dark colours. It noted the nuanced difference in the hues of the pieces in Shah's photo: one side was slightly yellowish-white, the other a purer white. While Congress may have thought to ridicule Shah for the photo, the attempt left the party in a bad light. The Congress party's dig comes at a time when the grand old party suffered a humiliating defeat in the recently held assembly polls of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The netizens even asked Congress to focus on winning polls rather than indulging in this type of whataboutery. The BJP today selected former Union Minister and tribal leader Vishnu Deo Sai as the next Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. Sai was made the CM despite former CM Raman Singh being the strong contender. In fact, Raman Singh himself proposed the name of Sai for the top post. Selection Vishny Deo Sai can prove to be a masterstroke for the BJP not only in the state but also for the upcoming Lok Sabha assembly election. Vishnu Deo Sai is a popular face in Chhattisgarh's tribal region and holds a good command within the organisation. Chhattisgarh's total population consists of about 32% tribal, which is 7.5% of India's total tribal population. The state has 23 out of the 90 assembly seats reserved for the tribal community. Not only this, Sai hails from the influential Sahu (Teli) community which has a sizable presence in the Durg, Raipur and Bilaspur divisions. Vishnu Deo Sai comes from the Jashpur district which falls under the Sarguja Division (Northern Chhattisgarh). What is interesting is that the Sarguja division has six districts - Sarguja, Korea, Ramanujganj-Balrampur, Surajpur, Jashpur, and Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur. These have a total of 14 assembly seats. In most of the elections, Sarguja electorates vote in a pattern. In 2003, the BJP had got 10 seats while the Congress had got just four. In 2008, the BJP got nine and five went to the Congress while in 2013, both the BJP and the Congress got seven each. In the 2018 assembly elections, the people were hopeful that TS Singh Deo would be made Congress Chief Minister and they voted one-sided for the party giving 14 out of 14 seats to the Congress. However, Congress went ahead with Bhupesh Baghel as CM, thus disappointing the region. The disappointment was such that even TS Singh Deo lost from his home turf Ambikapur in this year's election. During campaigning, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had urged people to make Vishnu Deo Sai win the polls and he would be made a big man. The Sarguja region voted for the BJP this year giving the saffron party all 14 seats. The BJP won 54 of the 90 seats while the Congress won just 35 seats. Had the 14 seats gone to the Congress once again this year just like in 2018, Congress would have formed government once again with 49 seats while BJP would have fallen short once again with just 40 seats. Now, by making a tribal Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, the BJP has not only fulfilled the ambitions of the Sarguja people but now maintains an edge over Congress in adjoining areas of Madya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha which houses a sizeable tribal population. This becomes even more important given the 2024 Lok Sabha polls which is just five months away. Also, by making Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma Deputy Chief Ministers, the BJP has played a safe card to keep its OBC andBrahmin votes intact. Raman Singh as speaker of the assembly will thwart any probability of dissent or rebellion while keeping the Rajput voters happy. One night and one more time American rock band Fall Out Boy performed their hearts out for their Manila fans during a sold-out show on December 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The boys tirelessly performed for nearly two hours, giving their fans an unforgettable show that embodied the showmanship, theatrics, and energy that fans know and love. From the general admission section to the floor standing area, their loyal Filipino fans matched their energy throughout the night. Although its customary for most bands to have an opening act to warm up the crowd, Fall Out Boy needed none. Right off the bat, they began their show with a lively performance of Love From The Other Side. Riding on their audiences high from the opening song, they played The Phoenix immediately after. And what better way to raise the crowds spirits than with some fire in the show? Besides the pyrotechnics that made the song even more impressive, Fall Out Boys bassist Pete Wentz attached a small device to his guitar that lets him spew fire from his instrument. By this time, the crowd was roaring to see more from the boys. This enthusiasm did not go unnoticed. Wentz told fans that although Manila is the second to the last leg of their tour for 2023, its the loudest show they played at. The bassist also took this time to address how long its been since the band returned to the Philippines, with their previous Manila concerts held in 2013 and 2007. Much to the delight of their fans, Fall Out Boy continued to fill the Araneta Coliseum with electrifying notes. They played more of their recent and all-time hits, including Sugar, Were Goin Down, Dance, Dance, and My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up), among other songs. The band and the crowds energies never wavered as they performed and sang along to each song with much gusto, turning the Smart Araneta Coliseum into a sea of lights and making the floor shake as they jumped, danced, and rocked along to the songs that were a significant part of their lives. In the middle of the show, Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump changed the pace with a piano medley that included Dont Stop Believin. Yet before that, he couldnt help but say, I missed the Philippines. Stump proceeded to delight their fans with a quick glimpse into his personal life by sharing how he married into a Filipino family through his wife, Elisa Yao, and how he wore a barong during their ceremony. It means a lot to me to be here and you guys have been the best audience this entire tour, the vocalist said. As their show ended, Wentz couldnt help but get up close and personal with the bands Filipino fans. He went down the stage to shake the crowds hands, making their experience memorable. With such a strong connection between the band and their Filipino fans, lets hope it doesnt take another decade before Fall Out Boy returns to the Philippines to rekindle their bond with their supportive audience. The week-long suspense came to an end today with the BJP MLAs picking Vishnu Deo Sai as the leader of the legislative party. The name was put forth by former CM Raman Singh, and BJP observers including Arjun Munda and Sarbanand Sonowal. Talking to reporters after his nomination, the Chhattisgarh CM designate said that he will work to fulfil 'Modi's Guarantees'. Vishnu Deo Sai said that his government will work with honesty to gain everyone's faith. "With all honesty, I will work for 'Sabka Vishwas' and the promises made to the people of Chhattisgarh under 'Modi Ki Guarantee' will be fulfilled. As a CM of the state, we will try to fulfil the promises," he said. Watch: First Reaction Of New Chhattisgarh CM #WATCH | On becoming the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai says, "...As a CM my priority will be to fulfil the promises made to the people. Every section of society was suffering during the five years of Congress rule. Around 18 lakh people have been deprived of pic.twitter.com/V7snUwrN1E ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2023 The new CM said that the first work of the government will be to provide 18 lakh 'Awas' to the people. "As a CM, my priority will be to fulfil the promises made to the people. Every section of society was suffering during the five years of Congress rule. Around 18 lakh people have been deprived of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The first work will be to give 18 lakh 'Awas' to the people," he said. The Chief Minister further said that farmers would be given two years' bonus on December 25, the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Sai won the recently concluded assembly polls from Kunkuri in north Chhattisgarh, a region the BJP has swept. Sai is a prominent figure in the BJP and has held various positions, including being the former state chief and former union minister. Sai hails from the influential Sahu (Teli) community which has a sizable presence in the Durg, Raipur and Bilaspur divisions. He served as State President of the party for Chhattisgarh from 2020 until 2022. He was the Union Minister of State for Mines, and Steel in the first PM Modi cabinet. He is highly regarded among tribal voters. Targeting Cookies These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advert as well as help measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. New research has revealed that large portions of the Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are protected by a biological community found on the surface of the ancient ramparts. According to a study published on Saturday in the journal Science Advances, the biological soil crusts or biocrusts, consisting of photosynthetic bacteria, mosses and lichens, aid in increasing the ancient structures' stability and fend off erosion caused by rain and wind. The Great Wall consists of many interconnected walls, some dating back 2,000 years. The existing sections have a total length of over 21,000 kilometers. Its most visible portions were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Many sections of the wall, particularly those in more arid regions, were built with rammed earth, such as soil and gravel compacted into dense earthen formulations. Some heritage conservationists have conjectured that the natural vegetation might accelerate the weathering process. However, the findings of the new study provided a contrary conclusion. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Agricultural University examined the structural stability and erodibility of samples taken from eight sections of the Ming-era Great Wall made from rammed earth. They found that biocrusts covered 67 percent of the studied sections. Also, the cyanobacteria, a group of bacteria containing a blue photosynthetic pigment, dominated biocrusts in arid regions while Pottiaceae mosses thrived in wetter, semi-arid climates. Overall, the biocrusts, especially those dominated by moss, enhanced the wall's mechanical strength and soil stability by 37 percent to 178 percent compared with bare rammed earth, said Xiao Bo, corresponding author of the study. They also work to significantly buffer the effects of wind, rain and temperature fluctuations, according to the study. "Biocrusts serve as stabilizers, sacrificial layers and drainage roofs, combining the protective functions of several conventional measures into one eco-friendly approach," Xiao said. Cebu Pacific, the Philippines leading airline, inaugurated its inaugural Manila-Da Nang flight, unlocking a swifter and more budget-friendly pathway for travelers to experience the charm of the largest city in central Vietnam. Nestled on the central coast of Vietnam, Da Nang is known for its captivating beaches, rich historical landmarks, and mouthwatering local cuisine. It is a popular tourist destination known for its luxurious resorts, architectural designs, and delectable cuisines. It is also the gateway to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Hue Imperial Citadel, My Son Sanctuary, and Hoi An ancient town. CEBs Manila-Da Nang flights will operate thrice a week every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The flight will depart Manila at 7:25 p.m. (PH time) and arrive at Da Nang at 9:30 p.m. (Vietnam time). The return flight from Da Nang to Manila will operate from 10:30 p.m. (Vietnam time) to 2:25 a.m. (PH time). Da Nang is the third destination that Cebu Pacific operates in Vietnam, making it the largest Philippine carrier to operate in one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. CEB also flies to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City, the countrys economic center. Previously, passengers from Manila had to book a connecting flight from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or a nearby country and spend at least ten hours traveling to Da Nang. With CEBs new non-stop flight, passengers dont need to pay for an additional stop or wait at another airport during their layover. They can reach Da Nang in three hours and save at least seven hours in travel time compared to flying via other airlines. From bringing life and love to the island of Siargao, to transporting Filipino workers to Dubai, Cebu Pacifics inaugural flights have helped boost tourism in different regions and made it possible for travelers to discover places that used to seem unreachable. Today, Cebu Pacific makes history once again as we make traveling to Da Nang, Vietnam more affordable and accessible for every Juan, said Xander Lao, Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer. CEB flies to 35 domestic and 25 international destinations spanning across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. Book your flights now at www.cebupacificair.com. The 5th ordinary session of the Higher Council of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulema has officially launched the Charter of African Ulema (Muslim scholars) during the event, which took place in Fez December 6-7. The Charter, launched at a ceremony held at the library of Al Qarawiyyin in Fez, serves as a comprehensive reference document, defining the doctrinal path and aligning with the objectives of the Scholars within the Foundation. Functioning as a doctrinal guide, this charter becomes a valuable resource supporting the scientific endeavors of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars. Its purpose is to safeguard the Scholars and fulfill the Foundations overarching objectives. The Foundation envisions the Charter of African Ulema, whose formulation was decided during the 3rd ordinary session of the Higher Council in December 2019, as a doctrinal document and a fundamental pillar for the collective action of African Scholars. The aim is to achieve the noble goals set by Commander of the Faithful, King Mohammed VI. The charter, considered a significant communication tool among Ulema and a major reference in the institutions history, is built upon five balanced and complementary pillars. Its foundational principle is to anchor and consolidate common religious aspects concerning beliefs, doctrines, and behaviors across the African continent. The launch ceremony was attended by key figures, including Heads of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema sections in several African countries, the Secretary-General of Moroccos Higher Council of Ulema, Mohamed Yessef, the Secretary-General of the Rabita Mohammadia of Ulema, Ahmed Abbadi, and the Secretary-General of the Higher Council of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulema, Mohamed Rifki. The Higher Council of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulema also decided during this session to kick off the African Muftis Council platform, alongside other projects and activities slated for 2024. This platform aims to strengthen ties between religious scholars in Morocco and their counterparts in other African countries, as it is designed to explain Islamic principles to the faithful, emphasize Islamic values, and guide the work of muftis using scientific principles and rules. This digital tool aims to showcase the rich Muslim heritage concerning fatwa issues, printing and publishing fatwa works across African countries. The platform will facilitate exchanges between the faithful and African muftis, exchange of experiences among African researchers in fatwa science through digital media, popularize manuscripts on fatwa in Africa, and raise awareness of the efforts of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars while contributing to developing communication means for Muslims. The Foundations four permanent commissions, covering Scientific and Cultural Activities, Sharia Studies, Revitalization of African Islamic Heritage, and Cooperation and Partnership, have greenlighted various projects. Primarily, the commissions are focusing on launching WEBTV, a digital television channel pertaining to the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulema. This channel will broadcast scientific programs, training and awareness sessions, debates, as well as educational programs targeting illiteracy, Arabic language teaching, and training for imams and preachers. The commission responsible for revitalizing African Islamic heritage has also given the nod to creating a digital library for the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars. They have additionally approved launching an encyclopedia covering scholars, works, and Islamic civilizational monuments in Africa. This includes authenticating manuscripts from African heritage and organizing training sessions and conferences on the subject. Among the greenlit projects are the organization of an international scientific symposium on the Commandery of the Faithfuls efforts to enhance communication between scholars in Morocco and other African countries. This project goes in addition to the fifth edition of the Holy Quran memorization and recitation competition organized by the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulema, and the inaugural Hadith competition by the Foundation. The Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulema was set up in 2016 as a new milestone in Moroccos efforts to disseminate its Islam of the middle path, a doctrine based on tolerance, intercultural dialogue and respect of other faiths. The academic institution, set up at the initiative of King Mohammed VI, was meant to enhance further the special religious and cultural ties existing between Morocco and African countries, and to be a forum where Ulema from Morocco and other African States can discuss the Islamic thought, and to unify and coordinate their efforts to disseminate the values of tolerant Islam. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Doctors report they are seeing what they think is a new syndrome in babies who are exposed to fentanyl while in the womb. All of the infants have cleft palates and unusually small heads, and all were born to mothers who said they'd used fentanyl and other drugs while pregnant. Six babies were first' identified at Nemours Children's Health in Wilmington, Del., two in California and one each in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Erin Wadman, a genetic counselor at Nemours, and her colleagues reported on the infants recently in the journal Genetics in Medicine Open. The discovery of a possibly novel syndrome came in August 2022, when Wadman consulted in the case of a baby who'd been born with birth defects. "I was sitting there in the appointment, and I was just like, this face looks so familiar. This story sounds so familiar. And I was just thinking about how this patient reminded me so much of a patient I'd seen earlier in the year and then other patients I'd seen," Wadman told NBC News. "That's when we were like we think we might have stumbled on something really big here." The 10 infants also had unusually small bodies and tended to have drooping eyelids. Their noses typically turned upward, and their lower jaws were often undersized, the researchers said. Their feet pointed down and inward, and two of their middle toes were webbed. Baby boys had genital irregularities. Some had trouble feeding, and their thumbs weren't fully formed. Wadman and her colleagues first thought of a syndrome called Smith-Lemli-Opitz, in which genetic mutations affect how fetuses process cholesterol. None of the babies were found to have the the variant, so doctors began to wonder if fentanyl may be causing similar disruptions to cholesterol metabolism during pregnancy. "Although fentanyl's effect on cholesterol metabolism has not been directly tested, based on indirect evidence, it is biologically plausible that it affects cholesterol metabolism in the developing fetus," the authors wrote in the new report. Still, Wadman said much more work is needed to confirm the findings. Experts agreed more research is critical. The women in the study were "...taking many drugs," Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, told NBC News. "It's very hard to determine is this just the effect of fentanyl or is this really the effects of other drugs or other combinations?" "Having said that, reports like this one are very important, because they shed light on issues that we need to systematically investigate," Volkow added. The fentanyl-cholesterol theory will also be explored by researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), NBC News reported. Dr. Karoly Mirnics, director of UNMC's Munroe-Meyer Institute, told NBC News she has dedicated research to studying the impact of a variety of drugs on cholesterol metabolism. Cholesterol is "essential for everything in your body, for every cell membrane, for every function," Mirnics explained. "If there is no cholesterol, there is no life." Mirnics plans to study the blood of the babies identified at Nemours and elsewhere. "This is concerning," March of Dimes President Dr. Elizabeth Cherot told NBC News. "As we see these shared characteristics identified, we may be unroofing a real syndrome." Dr. Sonja Rasmussen, a medical geneticist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, praised the "astute clinicians" at Nemours for noticing what could be an important trend. "That's how fetal alcohol syndrome was recognized. That is how isotretinoin [acne drug Accutane] that causes a distinct pattern of birth defects was recognized," said Rasmussen, one of the first to describe the defects associated with Zika virus while she was at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More information: Visit the CDC for more on birth defects. Erin Wadman et al, A novel syndrome associated with prenatal fentanyl exposure, Genetics in Medicine Open (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.gimo.2023.100834 Copyright 2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain More than 70 kidney transplants were performed every day in the United States last year. Rachel Watson wanted to be one of the donors, but was told she didn't qualify, at first. Watson, a 27-year-old digital marketer living in Warrenville, Illinois, had been moved by a news story about a local politician in need of a kidney. In 2022, she reached out to a Chicagoland hospital about donating one of her kidneys to a stranger. During a phone screening, Watson was told that she weighed too much to be considered as a donor. In January, Watson tried again at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. She passed an initial donor screening, but her BMI was still too high. That's when she learned about Project Donor, which helps interested kidney and liver donor candidates who are turned away because of their weight or smoking history. Project Donor, a program run out of the University of Chicago's Center for RISC, which develops creative solutions for social problems, estimates that 90% of individuals interested in kidney donation don't make it through the process. The goal is to bring that number down by reaching potential donors who miss donation BMI cutoffs by five to 30 pounds, or because they actively smoke cigarettes, according to University of Chicago professor Steve Levitt, who founded Project Donor and authored the book "Freakonomics." Most donation centers require donors to have a BMI lower than 35. They also must not have smoked for at least 90 days before surgery. More permanent factors such as diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure or serious mental health conditions also make potential donors ineligible. "The system isn't set up to help them solve those problems," Levitt said. "We were amazed that there was nobody there trying to take these heroes, these people who are giving up their kidneys for somebody else. About 90% of Project Donor's patients are working on weight loss, with the rest trying to quit smoking. When patients start working with Project Donor, they have a 10-minute consultation with case managers over the phone, then check-ins every two or three weeks. The project provides either free smoking cessation products or free access to Noom, Weight Watchers, Future Fitness or On Point Nutrition. Patients can get a free electric scale, as well as free access to online therapy provider Better Help, upon request. The project also provides financial assistance, funding donors' transportation and covering their lost wages during recovery. Project Donor is working with 170 prospective patients, about 20 of whom live in the Chicago area. Another 250 people have been through the program, research assistant Noah Duncan said, and 25 participants have met their donation goals so far. Eight, including Watson, have donated a kidney. Eight more are still navigating the pre-surgery process. Kidneys are the organs most likely to come from a live donor, and Levitt's team estimates that 20,000 potential donors don't qualify every year. About 106,000 people are currently on the waitlist for a new organ, according to the American Kidney Fund. More than 92,000, or 87%, need a kidney. Some will wait three to five years, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Meanwhile, 12 die waiting every day. "We've been workinghonestly without much successfor a long time on organ donation," Levitt said of the medical community's efforts. The project launched in May 2022 and now has eight employees. Organ donations are facilitated by 56 organizations across the United States. Project Donor has worked with more than 30, and Levitt hopes to connect with every single one. "We'll work with anyone who will work with us," Levitt said. An individual's BMI is based on a combination of weight and height. A 5-foot-tall person weighing 180 pounds couldn't donate a kidney, while a 6-foot-tall donor could weigh up to 258 pounds. Some medical professionals and patients don't like to talk about health in terms of BMI. The American Medical Association released a report in June clarifying that BMI predicts health in populations better than individuals, and harms communities of color by drawing on limited data. But for kidney donation, it still sets a standard. Most participants are looking to lose five to 30 pounds over six months. For Watson, donating meant losing 17 pounds. "I feel like the way people talk about weight is like it's some taboo secret," Watson said. "Even if they don't mean for it to be something to be ashamed of, their tone just comes across as it should be." Watson chose to use Noom. She liked that the app's language focused on education and building healthy habits when talking about weight loss, she said. Most case managers double as masters of social work students at the University of Chicago. And Watson said she didn't feel any shame in discussing her weight loss efforts with them. "It was so focused on, 'We just want to help you meet your goal, and what tools can we give you to do that?'" Watson said. In the end, it took Watson three months to lose the weight. Her official donor acceptance letter, sent from Loyola in May, still hangs on her fridge. A Get Well Soon card from Project Donor sits nearby on her credenza. "My house still very much has the artifacts of support they have given me throughout the past year," Watson said. "It's a little dorky, but the National Kidney Registry, after I donated, sent me a certificate that I have framed on my living room wall." Watson donated her kidney in June and was back at work four weeks later. She still doesn't know exactly who got her kidney. She received vouchers that could be used to give a friend or relative of her choice priority to receive a kidney of their own. Watson gave her vouchers to a friend of a friend based in DuPage County, whose husband needed a kidney. She said meeting her voucher recipient provided some of the catharsis she started to want after surgery. "It totally makes up for any doubt or questioning that I have in my mind," Watson said. "After seeing people who so desperately want to give their loved ones a kidney but are discouraged from that, if I can fill that gap, it's like a no-brainer." Loyola is one of 10 active kidney transplant centers in Illinois. Five are based in Chicago, including University of Chicago Medical Center, Lurie Children's Hospital, Rush Medical Center, University of Illinois Medical Center and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Project Donor staff check in on their participants for a year after their procedure. Donors are free to reach out years down the line if they decide they want help with relapsed habits, she said. Watson's Noom subscription will last a year, and she said some of the habits from her weight-loss journey have stuck. She built gym visits into her daily routine and thinks about food differently. As notable as the weight-loss help, though, was the removal of financial barriers. Watson said the project improved her faith in the medical system somewhat, though she's become wary of debts associated with donating an organ, which she hadn't considered at first. "I'm very grateful for how it turned out for me, and wary for other people who do have the medical bills," Watson said. On average, Project Donor spends $400 per participant, and research assistant Ruby Rorty said the group estimates a new kidney is worth between $1.1 million and $1.5 million, in future earning potential and quality of life. "As economists, we're very happy with that return," Rorty said. 2023 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A Missoula law firm is requesting a child custody case out of Lake County be reviewed by the Montana Supreme Court, citing what they describe as gross injustice carried out by a local judge in abruptly removing a young child from his mothers care. Following a September hearing in Lake County, a district judge gave full custody of the 5-year-old child to his father in Oregon, removing him from his community in Elmo and his mothers full-time care, the mothers attorneys contend. The petition filed by Spencer MacDonald of the MacDonald Law Office and Lance Jasper of Reep, Bell & Jasper, two Missoula-based law firms, requests the state Supreme Court assume jurisdiction over the case, as reported by the Daily Montanan. On Sept. 11, Lake County District Judge Deborah Kim Christopher presided over a custody hearing between Shanna Spring ManyWounds, the mother, and Jonathan Whyte, the childs father. The hearing was to mediate and establish a written parenting plan. The petition states the courts order diverged greatly from parenting plans proposed by both ManyWounds and Whyte. At no point did Mr. Whyte request to be designated the sole parent, or even primary parent for (the child), the petition reads. A transcript from the hearing is included in the petition, which was filed on Oct. 24. Prior to the ruling, the child was in full-time care of ManyWounds for the first five years of his life. The petition says theres no evidence suggesting ManyWounds is anything but a good mother. At the hearing in question, Christopher determined the 5-year-old was too restricted from his father. The judge ended up giving the father full custody of the child for the next five years of his life starting that day, according to the petition and a copy of Christophers parenting plan. I dont want you walking away from here thinking you are bad, Christopher said to ManyWounds at the custody hearing, according to the transcript in the petition. What you are is a helicopter mom. When ManyWounds shared concerns about trauma the child might experience from a quick and unexpected shift of care, the judge claimed trauma, and even abuse, builds childrens stress muscles and makes them stronger, the petition states. In the five weeks elapsed from the Sept. 11 hearing to the filing of the petition, the child had no contact in any form with his mother, his lifelong primary caretaker, her lawyers state. The district court removed (the child) not only from his primary attachment figure, but also from his extended family and friends, his home, his community, and in general from the life to which he was very well adjusted, and in which he was happy, the petition states. Allegations of any type of abuse by both parents were absent in the hearing. ManyWounds attorneys contend the judges order on the custody arrangement and parenting plan are out of line with state law, something refuted by Christopher and also Whyte. In her response to the petition, Christopher recognized she was emotional during the hearing, but said the Supreme Court needs to understand the domestic power and control the mother has wielded over the child and father, and doubled down on her assertion that Whyte didnt have adequate rights to his son. She described what she saw at the Sept. 11 hearing as shockingly disturbing. Christopher wrote that she drafted the parenting plan the next day but held off on publishing it until some of the dust and emotions cleared from one of the most odd, painful and difficult hearings ever held by this court in 23 years. Christophers parenting plan prohibited any visitation between the 5-year-old and ManyWounds except for a plan developed by therapists. The court stated it was deadly serious about no contact, citing alleged emotional abuse by the mother for cutting off the minors relationship to his father. ManyWounds lawyers filed an additional motion on Nov. 15 asking the Supreme Court to strike Christophers parenting plan. The motion argued that under state law, district court judges are barred from depriving parents of their rights to see their children without findings of abuse or neglect, and asks the Supreme Court to return the child to ManyWounds care while the case plays out. A response brief filed by Whytes attorneys on Nov. 30 contends giving full custody of the child to his father doesnt constitute an emergency and requested the court deny ManyWounds' petition. They also wrote that ManyWounds hasnt moved for a status hearing to discuss the mandated counseling necessary to see the child since he was transferred to Whytes care, but MacDonald said in a phone call that ManyWounds hasn't been granted access to communicating with a school counselor, which would get possible visitation moving forward. The Supreme Court has yet to decide whether it will assume jurisdiction over the case, but MacDonald said hes encouraged that the high court requested responses from involved parties. The fact that the court ordered responses indicates this is an extreme situation, he said. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden and Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will meet at the White House on Tuesday as the U.S. administration steps up the pressure on Congress to provide billions more in aid to Kyiv in its war with Russia. The visit is intended to underscore the United States unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russias brutal invasion, the White House said in a statement Sunday. As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraines urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States continued support at this critical moment. Zelenskyy's office confirmed that he had accepted Biden's invitation. He also has been asked to speak to a meeting of all senators. Biden has asked Congress for a $110 billion package of wartime funding for Ukraine ($61.4 billion) and Israel, along with other national security priorities. But the request is caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Congress already has allocated $111 billion to assist Ukraine, and Bidens budget director, Shalanda Young, said in a letter this past week to House and Senate leaders that the U.S. will run out of funding to send weapons and assistance to Ukraine by the end of the year. Its time to cut a deal that both sides can agree to, Young said Sunday. The stakes are especially high for Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during two television interviews Sunday, given that we are running out of funding for the Ukrainians. Earlier, he defended the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition and also called for quick congressional approval of the foreign assistance. Blinken said the needs of Israel's military operations in Gaza justify the rare decision to bypass Congress. Israel is in combat right now with Hamas, he said. And we want to make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas." The tank ammunition and related support constitute only a small portion of military sales to Israel, Blinken said, and that the rest remains subject to congressional review. "Its very important that Congress voice be heard in this, he said. Blinken noted that Biden has said he is willing to make significant compromises to get the aid package moving. "Its something the president is fully prepared to engage on," Blinken said. Growing thirst, ongoing bombing make aid distribution in Gaza 'dangerous': CARE International The ongoing bombing of Gaza, combined with the regular interception of water trucks by people in the region who are desperately thirsty, is ma Also on Sunday, battles raged across Gaza as Israel indicated it was prepared to fight for months or longer to defeat the territory's Hamas rulers, and a key mediator said willingness to discuss a cease-fire was fading. Israel faces international outrage after its military offensive, with diplomatic support and arms from close ally the United States, has killed thousands of Palestinian civilians. About 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, where U.N. agencies say there is no safe place to flee. The United States has lent vital support in recent days by vetoing a United Nations Security Council resolution to end the fighting and pushing through an emergency sale of over $100 million worth of tank ammunition to Israel. Russia backed the resolution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed dissatisfaction with anti-Israel positions taken by Moscows envoys at the U.N. and elsewhere, an Israeli statement said. The U.N. General Assembly scheduled an emergency meeting Tuesday to vote on a draft resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the U.N., told The Associated Press that it's similar to the Security Council resolution the U.S. vetoed Friday. There are no vetoes in the General Assembly but unlike the Security Council its resolutions are not legally binding. They are important nonetheless as a barometer of global opinion. Israels air and ground war has killed thousands of Palestinians, mostly civilians, since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and other militants killed 1,200 people and captured around 240. Over 100 of them were released during a weeklong cease-fire last month. With very little aid allowed in, Palestinians face severe shortages of food, water and other basic goods. Some observers openly worry that Palestinians will be forced out of Gaza altogether. "Expect public order to completely break down soon, and an even worse situation could unfold including epidemic diseases and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a forum in Qatar, a key intermediary. Eylon Levy, an Israeli government spokesman, called allegations of mass displacement from Gaza outrageous and false. Qatars prime minister, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, told the forum that mediation efforts seeking to stop the war and have all hostages released will continue, but unfortunately, we are not seeing the same willingness that we had seen in the weeks before. NABI SALEH, West Bank For all Palestinian parents, Marwan Tamimi said, there comes a moment they realize they're powerless to protect their children. For the 48-year-old father of three, it came in June, when Israeli forces fired a large rubber bullet that struck the head of his eldest son, Wisam. A week later, Marwan said, soldiers came for the 17-year-old, dragging him out of bed with a fractured skull. Wisam was charged with a range of offenses he denied throwing stones, possessing weapons, placing an explosive device and causing bodily harm and sent to prison. Last Saturday, after six months behind bars, he returned home with 38 other Palestinians in exchange for Israeli hostages part of a temporary cease-fire in the war that started after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. His parents said they hadn't seen or heard from him in two months, since the war started. Wisam said he stayed in an overcrowded cell, was beaten and interrogated, and lacked food and medication. I yelled, No, hes my boy, you cant take him, hes injured, Marwan Tamimi said. If I stop them, they will put his life in danger. Wisam's homecoming last week, along with the release of his well-known activist cousin, Ahed Tamimi, touched every home in Nabi Saleh, a village where prison is a grim rite of passage for Palestinian boys. People clapped. Tears fell. Wisam hugged loved ones. But the euphoria spoke to pain as much as joy in the West Bank, where the U.N. estimates 750,000 Palestinians have been arrested since Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast war. The competing claims of Palestinians and Israelis have left scars on Nabi Saleh, home to activists, journalists and lawyers. Once an idyllic village on a hilly stretch of farmland, it's now a powerful example of how Israeli prison over decades of war has crushed families, constrained lives and stamped out popular resistance. Israel's security service didn't respond to questions about Wisams case. The military defended large-scale arrests of Palestinians, including minors, to prevent militant attacks. In a statement, the army said it aims to preserve the rights and dignity" of suspects and that convicting a minor requires a burden of proof of guilt beyond reasonable doubt." Most of Nabi Saleh's 550 residents are related by blood or marriage. Nearly all share the surname Tamimi. Most boys like their fathers and grandfathers have landed in prison at some point, as the close-knit village became known for its protests. We live in a village of resistance, Wisam said. "Every house has its own story." Before Israel and Hamas resumed their war Dec. 1, the militant group had pushed for the release of high-profile prisoners in exchange for remaining Gaza hostages. But the vast majority of Palestinians passing through Israeli prisons, experts say, are teenage boys and young men who mostly go unnamed, plucked from bed in the middle of the night for throwing stones and firebombs or associating with militants in towns and refugee camps near Israeli settlements. Most of the international community considers Israeli settlements illegal. During the weeklong cease-fire agreement in late November, Israel released 240 Palestinian minors and women. Most of the the 14- to 17-year-olds freed were detained for investigation and not convicted, reported the Palestinian Prisoners Club, an advocacy group, based on Israeli Prison Service data. Over that same week, Israel arrested 260 other Palestinians, the group said. Yearly, the Israeli military court sentences hundreds of minors to prison, mostly for throwing stones, according to Military Court Watch. Most are 16 or 17. Israel says stone-throwing can be dangerous and deadly. The conviction rate for security offenses in the West Bank is more than 99%. Lawyers often encourage young clients to plead guilty to avoid lengthy trials and detentions. Some are never formally charged or tried, held under a practice known as administrative detention. Israel has arrested 3,450 Palestinians across the West Bank since the war erupted. An all-time high of 2,873 Palestinians are in administrative detention, according to Israeli rights group HaMoked. The crackdown in a way contradicts our intention not to open another front in the West Bank, said Ami Ayalon, former director of Israels Shin Bet security service. We understand the more people killed and arrested, the more hatred rises. But on the other hand, we don't want to pay the price in terrorist attacks. The intensifying violence and constraints on Palestinian freedom of movement have generated fear in Nabi Saleh. It's the latest chapter in the tumultuous history of a village once at the center of a spirited protest movement that began in 2009 and made global headlines. Each week, residents rallied over the loss of their ancestral lands and freshwater spring to the fast-growing Israeli settlement across the road. Israel says troops responded only after protesters started throwing stones and trying to enter a military zone. Troops sent protesters fleeing with tear gas, rubber-coated bullets, blasts of noxious liquid and live fire. They carried out nighttime raids, arresting mostly young men, and killed six Palestinian villagers during protests, all young men, residents said. Marwan Tamimi begged his sons to stay away from what Palestinians call the muqawama, or resistance. All of us here, we care so much about our children. We tell them, Look, dont go and throw stones, you dont need to prove yourself, he said. Wisam lost 26 pounds in prison, where he said he shared meals of undercooked chicken and stale bread with 11 others, an account supported by prisoner rights groups. For Wisam, solitary confinement was the real torment. Authorities blasted air conditioning and his only human contact came as punches during interrogations, he said. The Prison Service said Palestinians are detained according to law. I expected to die in there, Wisam said. I dont want to go there ever again." SALISBURY, Md. Three times a week, on average, a police car pulls up to a school in Wicomico County on Maryland's Eastern Shore. A student is brought out, handcuffed and placed inside for transport to a hospital emergency room for a psychiatric evaluation. Over the past eight years, the process has been used at least 750 times on students. Some are as young as 5 years old. The state law that allows for these removals, known as petitions for emergency evaluation, is meant to be limited to people with severe mental illness, who are endangering their own lives or safety or someone else's. It's the first step toward getting someone involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital. But advocates say schools across the country are sending children to the emergency room for psychiatric evaluations in response to behaviors prompted by bullying or frustration over assignments. The ER trips, they say, often follow months, and sometimes years, of their needs not being met. Black students are more frequently subjected to these removals than their peers, according to available data. Advocates point to students with disabilities also being removed at higher rates. "Schools focus on keeping kids out rather than on keeping kids in," said Dan Stewart, managing attorney at the National Disability Rights Network. "I think that's the fundamental crux of things." Schools in Wicomico County agreed not to misuse emergency petitions as part of a 2017 settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. But while the number of suspensions and expulsions declined, mandated trips to the emergency room ticked up. Last year, children were handcuffed and sent to the emergency room at least 117 times from Wicomico schools, about once per every 100 students, according to data obtained from public records requests to the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office. At least 40% were 12 or younger. More than half were Black children, even though a little more than a third of Wicomico public school children are Black. 'TRYING TO GET HIM OUT OF SCHOOL' In interviews, dozens of students, parents, educators, lawyers and advocates for students with disabilities in Wicomico County said a lack of resources and trained staff, combined with a punitive culture in some schools, are behind the misuse of emergency petitions. One Wicomico mom, who asked for anonymity because she feared retaliation from the school, recalled the terror she felt when her son's school called and said they were going to have him assessed for a forced psychiatric hospitalization. When she arrived at the school, she said, her son was already in handcuffs. He was put in the back of a police car and taken to the hospital. "He said his wrists hurt from the handcuffs," the mother said. "He was just really quiet, just sitting there, and he didn't understand why he was in the hospital." The practice isn't just happening in Wicomico. Recent data shows New York City schools still call police to take children in emotional distress to the emergency room despite a 2014 legal settlement in which they agreed to stop the practice. A Kentucky school district was found to have used a psychiatric assessment on kids more than 1,000 times in a year. In Florida, thousands of school-aged children have been subjected to the Baker Act, the state's involuntary commitment statute. In a settlement with the Education Department's Office of Civil Rights, the Stockton Unified School District in California agreed to protocols that require other interventions before referring students with disabilities for psychiatric evaluation. In Maryland, Wicomico uses emergency petitions more often per capita than almost every other Maryland district where data is available. Baltimore City, for example, last year had 271 emergency petitions from schools, compared with Wicomico's at least 117, according to data obtained from law enforcement agencies through public records requests. But Baltimore's student population is five times as large. Wicomico parents describe struggling to get support for their children when they fell behind on basics like reading and math in early grades. These gaps in learning can lead to frustration and behaviors challenging for teachers to manage. The Wicomico mother whose son was handcuffed said she fought for years with administrators to obtain accommodations for her child, who is autistic, an experience echoed by other parents. Her son, who also has ADHD, was several years behind in reading by the time he got to middle school. The mother said he was sent to the hospital after an outburst rooted in frustration, not mental illness. She recalled school officials telling her, "'He doesn't have special needs, he just has anger issues.' They were trying to get him out of the school." Her son had grown increasingly discouraged and agitated over an assignment he was unable to complete, she said. The situation escalated, she said, when the teacher argued with him. He knocked a laptop on his desk to the floor, and the school called for an emergency petition. After being taken to the hospital in handcuffs, he was examined and released. "After that, he went from angry to terrified," she said. "Every time he saw the police, he would start panicking." A spokeswoman from the Wicomico County Public Schools said emergency petitions "are used in the most extreme, emergency situations where the life and safety of the student or others are at risk." "(Emergency petitions) are not used for disciplinary purposes and frequently do not result from a student's behaviors," Tracy Sahler said in an email. "In fact, a majority of EPs are related to when a student exhibits suicidal ideation or plans self-harm." School officials did not respond to questions about why the rate of emergency petitions was so much higher in Wicomico than in other counties in Maryland. The Sheriff's Department declined to share records that would show the reasons for the removals. EDUCATORS STRETCHED THIN By law, certain classroom removals must be recorded. Suspensions, expulsions and arrests are the most commonly documented indicators of racial disparities in discipline. Schools are required by law to publicly report the data, which often triggers oversight and investigations. But with the exceptions of Florida and New York City, most places do not routinely collect information on removals from school for psychiatric assessments. Without that data, there is no way to hold schools accountable, said Daniel Losen, senior director for the education team at the National Center for Youth Law. "The civil rights of children is at stake, because it's more likely it's going to be Black kids and kids with disabilities who are subjected to all kinds of biases that deny them an educational opportunity," he said. Families who have experienced emergency petitions say educators who can communicate with their child are stretched thin, and measures that could de-escalate a situation are not always taken. The day her son was sent to the hospital, the mother recalled, the administrator who had consistently advocated for him was out of the building. In another instance, a middle schooler said the required accommodations for his learning and behavioral disabilities included taking a walk with a trusted educator when he became agitated. The day he was involuntarily sent to the hospital, that staff member was unavailable. He began yelling and spitting when an administrator blocked him from leaving on his own. He said that by the time police arrived, he was calm and sitting in the principal's office. Still, he was handcuffed and taken to the hospital, where he was examined and released a few hours later. Because emergency petitions happen outside the standard discipline process, missed school days are not recorded as suspensions. For students with disabilities, that has special consequences they are not supposed to be removed from class for more than 10 days without an evaluation of whether they are receiving the support they need. "If you use the discipline process, and you're a student with a disability, your rights kick in," said Selene Almazan, legal director for the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates. In many places around the country, the resources needed to support students with disabilities are scarce. On Maryland's Eastern Shore, lawyers and advocates for families said the spectrum of alternatives for students is limited by both money and geography. Those can include private, out-of-district placements and specialized classrooms for specific needs like dyslexia, for example. In cases where children need targeted services unavailable in the local district, the district must allow them to be educated outside the school system and pay for it. "You're stuck between a rock and a hard place because you're like, 'This kid needs more services,' but you can't get the school to agree," said Angela Ford, clinical director at Maple Shade Youth and Family Services, which serves children with emotional and behavioral disabilities in Wicomico. ER TRIPS INCREASED AFTER SETTLEMENT The 2017 settlement with the Justice Department required the Wicomico district to reduce the significant racial and disability-related disparities in suspensions, placements in alternative schools and other discipline measures. The district agreed not to use emergency petitions "where less intrusive interventions can be implemented to address the behavioral concern" and not to use them "to discipline or punish or to address lack of compliance with directions." But since the settlement, many parents, teachers and community leaders said the district has seemed more concerned with keeping suspension numbers down than providing support for teachers to help prevent disruptive behavior. "If we know how to handle and deal with behaviors, then we will have less EPs," said Anthony Mann, who was an instructional aide at Wicomico County High School last year and is a Wicomico public school parent. Tatiyana Jackson, who has a son with a disability at Wicomico Middle School, agrees teachers need more training. "I don't think they have a lot of patience or tolerance for children with differences. It's like they give up on them." Wicomico school officials said ongoing professional development for staff includes the appropriate use of emergency petitions. "Each school has a well-trained team that includes a social worker and school counselor, with the support of school psychologists," said Sahler. "All supports that may be beneficial to assist the student are utilized. However, the safety of the student is paramount and the determining factor is ensuring that there is no unnecessary delay in obtaining aid for the student." But Denise Gregorius, who taught in Wicomico schools for over a decade and left in 2019, questioned the feasibility of the discipline and behavior strategies taught during professional development. What the teachers really want, she said, is more support. After the settlement, which had a two-and-a-half year monitoring period, the number of suspensions and expulsions in Wicomico declined markedly for Black and white students. But the number of emergency petitions, which don't appear in state statistics, has ticked up. Other measures of exclusionary discipline remained high, including school arrests. In 2021-22, Wicomico had 210 school-based arrests the second highest number in the state, while they were 15th in student enrollment. More than three-quarters of the children arrested were Black and 80% were students with disabilities. "Monitoring the numbers doesn't bring you the solution," said Losen, from the National Center for Youth Law. In many districts, "the problem is more than what they're doing with discipline." The Department of Justice declined to comment. BLACK PARENTS POINT TO CULTURE PROBLEM Some Wicomico parents and educators point to an insular culture in the school district where problems are hidden rather than resolved. They are frustrated that there is no relationship with the county's mobile crisis unit, which is often relied on in other counties to help de-escalate issues instead of calling the police. Jermichael Mitchell, a community organizer who is an alum and parent in Wicomico County Schools, said educators often do not know how to empathize and respond to the trauma and unmet needs that may lead to children's behavior. "A Black kid that's truly going through something, that truly needs support, is always looked at as a threat," he said. "You don't know how those kids have been taught to cry out for help. You don't know the trauma that they've been through." Studies have found Black and Latino children who have a teacher of the same race have fewer suspensions and higher test scores, but that diversity is lacking in Wicomico County. Wicomico schools have the largest gap between the number of students of color and teachers of color in the state. Wicomico school officials said they do not discriminate against any of their students. A Wicomico teenager described a years-long process of becoming alienated from school, with an emergency petition as the ultimate break. He said he was bullied in middle school over a series of months until one day he snapped and hit the student who had been taunting him. The school called the police. He told the officers not to touch him, and that he needed to calm down. Instead, the officers grabbed him and shoved him into the ground, he said. He was handcuffed and transported to the emergency room. But when he returned, he said the only thing that was different was how he felt about the adults in the building. "I got used to not trusting people, not talking to people at school," he said. "Nothing else really changed." _____ This story about emergency petitions was produced by The Associated Press and The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content. _____ Care package drive may see follow-up Operation: With Love from Homes team of volunteers stocked, sealed and sent away 500 care packages for troops abroad on Saturday. But the Napa nonprofit aims to pack about as many gift boxes for service members who dont receive them by the Christmas and New Years holidays. The need is still there, executive director Liz Alessio said at the close of the groups packing bee at CrossWalk Community Church. The goal is to garner the cash and donated goods snacks, clothing articles and other necessities to fill another 500 care packages and get them to troops, with another packing event as soon as January. Operation: With Love from Homes annual holiday drive resulted in 580 packages, including 80 that were assembled on Friday before the main gathering. However, Alessio earlier described the demand from service members abroad as some of the highest the nonprofit has faced in years from Americans in uniform in Europe closer to the Ukraine-Russia war, or in the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Theres a real need our service members have, both (for) the items in the care packages and for the morale boosts and support they need in this very difficult time, she said shortly after the groups 17th annual donation drive started in late October. Operation: With Love from Home, which is active year-round, is continuing to take requests from families to send care packages to loved ones serving overseas. Information about donations and package requests is available at operationwithlovefromhome.org. For more information, contact Alessio at 707-363-0043 or lizinnapa@gmail.com. 16:38 Vishnu Deo Sai, a prominent tribal face of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Chhattisgarh, will be state chief minister after he was elected as leader of BJP's legislative party during a meeting of 54 newly-elected MLAs in Raipur on Sunday. Incidentally, addressing a poll rally in the Kunkuri constituency last month, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah had urged voters to elect Sai, promising to make the latter a 'big man' if the party comes back to power in the state. The BJP won 54 seats in the 90-member assembly in the recently held polls, while the Congress was reduced to 35 seats from the 68 it won in 2018. The BJP, which had suffered a huge setback in tribal-dominated seats in 2018, put up a good show this time, winning 17 of the 29 seats reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates. The saffron outfit won all the 14 assembly segments in the tribal-dominated Surguja region and eight out of the 12 seats in another Adivasi belt Bastar. The BJP's comprehensive win in the two tribal turfs contributed in its resounding victory in the assembly polls and return to power in the state after a gap of five years. Sai started his political career as a village sarpanch and rose to become a Union minister and multiple-time Lok Sabha MP besides getting important organisational roles. The newly-elected MLA from Jashpur district in the Surguja region perfectly fits in the BJP's scheme of things since Adivasis account for nearly 32 per cent of the state's population and are the second most dominant social group after OBCs. Despite inheriting a rich political legacy of his family and holding key portfolios when he was a Union minister, the 59-year-old tribal leader is known for his humility, down to earth nature, dedication to work and determination to achieve goals. Sai has headed the BJP's Chhattisgarh unit three times, displaying the central leadership's faith in his organisational skills. Starting his political career as the sarpanch of an obscure village, Sai rose through the ranks and became a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first Council of Ministers after the BJP formed its full majority government at the Centre in 2014. Though he hails from a farming family based in a small village, Bagia, in the tribal-dominated Jashpur district, politics runs in the blood of the BJP leader. His grandfather late Budhnath Sai was a nominated MLA from 1947 to 1952. His 'bade pitaji' (elder brother of his father) late Narhari Prasad Sai was a member of the Jan Sangh (BJP's predecessor) and served as a two-term MLA (1962-67 and 1972-77) and was elected as an MP (1977-79) and served as a Minister of State in the Janata Party government. Another elder brother of his father, late Kedarnath Sai, was also a Jan Sangh member and served as MLA from Tapkara (1967-72). Vishnu Deo Sai studied in a government school in Kunkuri and went to Ambikapur for graduation but quit studies midway and returned to his village in 1988. In 1989, he was elected as a 'panch' of Bagia village panchayat and next year became the sarpanch unopposed. It is said it was BJP stalwart late Dilip Singh Judev who encouraged him to enter electoral politics in 1990. In the same year, Sai was elected as MLA for the first time on a BJP ticket from Tapkara (in Jashpur district) in undivided Madhya Pradesh. He retained the seat in the 1993 assembly polls. In 1998, he unsuccessfully contested the assembly polls from the adjoining Pathalgaon seat. Later, he was elected as MP from Raigarh Lok Sabha constituency four times in a row -- 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014. Though the BJP fielded him in 2003 and 2008 assembly elections from Pathalgaon in Chhattisgarh, which came into existence as a separate state on November 1, 2000, he lost on both occasions. After the BJP formed its government at the Centre in 2014 under the leadership of PM Modi, Sai was made Minister of State for Steel and Mines. He was among the then 10 sitting BJP MPs in Chhattisgarh who were denied tickets for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The tribal politician served as the BJP's Chhattisgarh chief from 2006 to 2010 and again from January-August 2014. After the BJP lost power in the state in 2018, he was again given the responsibility to lead the party in Chhattisgarh in 2020. He was replaced with Arun Sao, an OBC leader, in 2022, just a year ahead of the assembly polls. Ahead of the polls in November this year, Sai was named a member of the BJP national executive in July. He was fielded from Kunkuri (Jashpur district) in the elections which he won by defeating Congress' sitting MLA UD Minj by a margin of 25,541 votes. -- PTI Chinese fans excitedly welcomed Hollywood megastar Jason Momoa and renowned director James Wan as they arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to promote the sequel to the superhero blockbuster "Aquaman." Director James Wan (L) and actor Jason Momoa pose with fans at a press conference in Beijing, Dec. 6, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures] The two walked the blue carpet, took selfies with fans, and signed autographs for nearly everyone in the packed hall, eliciting cheers and screams, before entering the venue for a press conference. Such scenes have been absent for a long time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Hollywood strike. Currently, only a few Hollywood megastars have plans to promote films in China as they did before the pandemic. "We're super excited to be back here," Wan said. "We attribute a lot of the success of the first movie to our film kicking off here in China and the Chinese audience embracing it. So we're super excited to be back here doing it with this one. Thank you!" The first "Aquaman" grossed a staggering 2 billion yuan ($281.42 million) in China alone, marking a phenomenal success for a foreign film. The sequel is set to debut nationwide in China on Dec. 20, two days earlier than its North American release date. "I can't believe it was five years ago. It feels like it was just two years ago," Momoa said, expressing his happiness to be back in China. "It's wonderful, and I'm excited that we are back." In "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," Black Manta, driven by the need to avenge his father's death, returns to defeat Aquaman. Armed with the powerful Black Trident, he poses a greater threat than ever before. To stop him, Aquaman seeks an unlikely alliance with his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis. Together, they must overcome their differences to save their kingdom, Aquaman's family, and the world from irreversible destruction. Judging by the 20-minute teaser footage shown by Warner Bros. Pictures to fans and media outlets on Wednesday night, the action scenes have been upgraded to showcase the wonders of the sea. There were also numerous humorous moments between Aquaman and his brother Orm, including a scene where Aquaman tricks Orm into eating a cockroach. "I feel like James and I ... we love laughing, and we really want to take the action to the next level. But there are also plenty of funny and fun moments in this film," Momoa said. The inclusion of hilarious elements is indeed a rare treat in James Wan's filmography, as he is primarily known for his horror genre mastery. Director James Wan (L) and actor Jason Momoa pose for a photo at the Forbidden City in Beijing, Dec. 7, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures] Things have changed significantly for Aquaman, with him assuming new roles and identities. In this outing, he is not only a superhero but also a king, a father, and a husband in the underwater kingdom of Atlantis. Momoa revealed his excitement about these new dimensions, stating, "I want to play a dad, but at the same time, I want to portray the responsibility of running a country like Atlantis. We get to see the dynamic changes between these two aspects of his life. On the one hand, he deals with the politics and challenges of being a king, but we also get to see him at home, taking care of his child and handling everyday tasks like changing diapers. It was this combination of elements that made the experience really fun." Director Wan added that the new film is an extension of the first one, and viewers can watch the two films together to experience them as one cohesive story, which adds to the enjoyment. He noted that in this new film, they wanted to explore "new worlds that we haven't seen before." One of these new worlds is Antarctica, which due to its sub-zero temperatures, creates a new visual aesthetic for the team to work with, adding to the overall experience. In the end, Momoa recommended "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" to the Chinese audience in his usual tongue-in-cheek style, stating, "It is a great film. You will cry, you will definitely laugh, and you'll be on the edge of your seat. [Wan] has created beautiful worlds. And I'm amazing." A meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein, who is also the chairman of North Eastern Regional Power Committee (NERPC), was held where critical issues in the power sector, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for progress in the northeastern region were discussed. The meeting was organised and hosted by NTPC Ltd and NERPC Secretariat in Kolkata on Saturday. During the session, NERPC chairman and Arunachal deputy chief minister Mein highlighted the significance of collective efforts toward a more promising and sustainable future in the power industry. As per a release issued after the meeting, the discussions resulted in crucial decisions aimed at advancing the growth of the power sector in the northeastern region, ensuring a consistent electricity supply, and enhancing the standard of living for residents. Deputy CM Mein emphasised key initiatives, showcasing a commitment to power sector preparedness. Proactive measures, such as the installation of surge arresters and the reconductoring of transmission lines to High-Temperature Low Sag (HTLS), were underscored in his speech. Mein also announced the finalization of the Guwahati Islanding Scheme, planned by NERPC under the Ministry of Power's directive. He urged stakeholders to expedite the implementation of this scheme and explore the feasibility of similar Islanding Schemes for other capitals of northeastern states. Expressing his gratitude for the support extended by the Ministry of Power, Mein thanked for the approval of full funding, covering 100 per cent of the costs, for the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/ Energy Management Systems(SCADA/EMS) upgradation across all State Load Dispatch Centers (SLDCs) in the northeastern region. "This significant project, with an estimated budget of approximately Rs. 80 crore per state, marks a substantial advancement in bolstering the power infrastructure of the region," the release stated. Addressing the challenges in commissioning hydro projects, Mein encouraged project developers to adopt innovative and environmentally friendly designs, aligning with India's non-fossil energy capacity targets. He commended the Arunachal Pradesh government for signing MoUs for the development of 12 Hydro Projects with NHPC, SIVN, and NEEPCO. Recognising the unique challenges of the northeastern region, including geographical constraints and adverse weather conditions, Mein affirmed the NERPC forum's pivotal role in collective problem-solving. He highlighted the Revamped Distribution Sector Schemes (RDSS) aimed at reducing Aggregate Technical and commercial (AT&C) losses and urged Distribution Companies (DISCOMS) and State governments to prioritise settling outstanding bills for sustainable business operations. He also initiated the formation of the Power Ministers' Forum for the North Eastern Region for effective persuasion of issues in the power sectors in the region. The meeting was also attended by Ministers of Power from North Eastern States; Nandita Gorlosa of Assam, Abu Taher Mondal of Meghalaya, Ratan Lal Nath of Tripura, K.G. Kenye of Nagaland, Advisor to Power(Arunachal), Balo Raja, Member Secretary (NERPC), Kishore B Jagtap, Director (Finance) NTPC Ltd, Jaikumar Srinivasan, officers of the central and state governments and representatives from central and state power utilities. (ANI) Celebrity couple Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra are all set to celebrate their first Christmas together after getting married. The 'Satyaprem Ki Katha' actor shared a sneak peek of her preparation on Sunday. Kiara took to her Instagram story and treated fans to a glimpse of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, set up on their balcony, adorned with gifts, candies, reindeers, Santa Claus figurines, and a golden star on top, with "Merry Christmas" banner. Sidharth and Kiara tied the knot in an intimate ceremony on February 7, 2023, at Suryagarh Palace in Rajasthan. The two fell in love with each other during the shoot of their film 'Shershaah'. In 2022, Sidharth and Kiara appeared on different episodes of Koffee with Karan Season 7, where Karan Johar got them talking about their relationship for the first time. While Kiara confirmed that they are "more than friends", Sidharth said, "I am manifesting a brighter and happier future. If it was her, it would be great." Once they got married, the couple shared their wedding pictures on Instagram and wrote, "Ab humari permanent booking hogayi hai." Recently, Kiara appeared on the famous talk show 'Koffee With Karan 8' (KWK) and shared how Sidharth proposed to her with the 'Shershaah' line. She said, "When Sid appeared in that episode (from the previous season), we had just returned from Rome, where he proposed to me. My parents were not present. It was my and his family's first family vacation." Kiara shared, "I had a little bit of inclination that he would propose. I told him that 'you have to speak to my parents and he said 'are you kidding me?' I said, 'yeah, you first ask them and take their permission, let's do it like the right way. They will be happy.' My mom unfortunately had Covid so she couldn't travel with us. So I went with his parents." She added, "It did come as a surprise because I did not know where on this trip and also in my head, I was like I hope he does propose because now I've built it up and if he doesn't propose on this trip but he did it. So it was the first destination we went to on that trip. He took us to this Michelin star restaurant and his nephew was with us who was supposed to take the photos and capture the moment. I'm sleepy because I have just landed and joined them on this trip. So, I was really tired. And he has planned the works. He has done this candle-light dinner on top. We go back after dinner." "He takes me on a walk, and suddenly, a violinist emerges from the bushes, playing, and his nephew grabs our video from the bushes, and Sid gets down on one knee and proposes. I was completely overwhelmed. Then he starts saying 'Shershaah' lines, 'Dilli ka sidha sadha launda hu (I'm a simple boy from Delhi)'," she continued. Meanwhile, on the work front, Sidharth will be seen in his upcoming film 'Yodha'. Apart from that, he will also be making his digital debut with the upcoming web series 'Indian Police Force'. Helmed by Rohit Shetty, the series also stars Vivek Oberoi and Shilpa Shetty in pivotal roles and will stream exclusively on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video. Kiara, on the other hand, will be seen in the upcoming 'Game Changer' alongside 'RRR' actor Ram Charan and in the action thriller film 'War 2' alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. (ANI) Recently, a video of Ranbir went viral, where he can be seen having a fun time with his on-screen cousins in between shoots. The movie helmed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga also stars Rashmika Mandana, Shakti Kapoor and Triptii Dimri. It showcases a story about a father-son relationship, played by Anil and Ranbir Kapoor. Ranbir's character is protective and obsessive about his father's love and is seen threatening everybody who comes in the way of his love for his father. In the film, there is an emotional moment where his cousins agree to support him in his battle to seek revenge from the attackers of his father. In the viral video, the three of the cousins are seen sitting inside the car that's driven by Ranbir during a crucial shot. https://www.instagram.com/p/C0oEDZZL8Lv/ One of the on-screen brothers of Ranbir was seen making a video in the car. Ranbir also smiled in the video while getting ready to drive the car. The film has now successfully entered Rs 300 crore club in just 1 week of its release. Taking to Instagram, trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared a post which he captioned, "#Animal is SENSATIONAL... Packs an EXTRAORDINARY TOTAL in Week 1...Third biggest *7 days* of all time. Biggest *7-day* total for a film released on non-holiday. Biggest *7-day* total for a film that faced a clash with another film. Highest-grossing 'A' certified film. #Animal Fri 54.75 cr, Sat 58.37 cr, Sun 63.46 cr, Mon 40.06 cr, Tue 34.02 cr, Wed 27.80 cr, Thu 22.35 cr. Total: Rs 300.81 cr. #Hindi version. Nett BOC. #Boxoffice." On Thursday, the film minted Rs 22.35 crore Nett in the Hindi language which took the film's total Hindi collection in India to Rs 300.81 crore. In all languages (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam) the film has minted Rs 338.63 crore Nett in India in just a week of its release.'Animal' is Ranbir's career biggest opener. The 3 hour-21-minute-long film was released in 5 languages- Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh exhorted the corporate sector to rise above compulsory obligations and focus more on voluntary contributions for the upliftment of the nation. He was addressing a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence Awards ceremony in Mumbai on Saturday. Singh highlighted the difference between voluntary contributions and legal liabilities and called for establishing a connection with the people. He said even Rs 5 given voluntarily for the welfare of the nation manages to establish a connection much deeper than Rs 100 paid as tax. "Is a society with people with no social morality; where they work only under legal obligations worth living in?" asked Singh as he shared his vision. A society should have a shared sense of fraternity where everyone is ready to help each other," he said. He stressed the need to inspire others to come forward and contribute to the betterment of the country while raising awareness about the areas that require attention. He added that people need to know about the kinds of interventions that are benefiting society and also those that aren't. Commending the socially conscious people, especially the corporates, for their contributions, he termed it as a responsibility of the country to recognise these individuals. Singh emphasised that, be it the people or the government, the basic objective must be to establish a better nation. He called to leverage the synergy of social responsibility interventions and government programmes with a focus on convergence. The Defence Minister urged the corporate sector to pay attention to the efficiency of social responsibility interventions as much as they focus on effective resource utilisation for their company. He also called upon them to not hesitate to adopt the best global CSR practises. Singh, urged to exercise caution against the ideologies that aim to divide society, stating that they must be rejected outrightly. (ANI) As per the statement, "Waseem Mushtaq Malik, a resident of Safapora and Aadil Ahmed Rather, a resident of Nunner, Ganderbal, were found involved in spreading hateful content on social media." Under the recently issued order of the District Magistrate, legal action has been initiated against both of them. Ganderbal Police appeals to the general public of Ganderbal to remain vigilant about the misuse of social media. Any attempt to vitiate the environment and create issues of public order will be taken seriously and legal action will be taken, the statement said. (ANI) The accused, who demanded a ransom of Rs 10 lakh and claimed affiliation with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, was arrested in Patna, Bihar. According to the police, the accused is a resident of the Shankardih area in Bihar's Nalanda district. As per the police, the accused sent a threatening message from a fake email ID to the official email ID of Bageshwar Dham. Following the mail, a case was registered at Bamitha police station on October 20, 2023, under Sections 387 and 507 of the IPC against the unknown accused. Another mail was received on October 22, 2023, from the same person, whose IP was followed by the police with assistance from Interpol, which eventually led to the arrest of the accused. An investigation team led by Chhatarpur Superintendent of Police Amit Sanghi, comprising Additional Superintendent of Police Vikram Singh, SDOP Khajuraho Salil Sharma, Police Station-in-charge Bamitha inspector Jaywant Kakodiya, sub-inspector Sanjay Pandey and Cyber Cell-in charge Chhatarpur sub-inspector Sidwarth Sharma was constituted to probe the matter. The accused is presently in judicial custody, the police added. (ANI) The seizure of cash from some premises linked to Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu in Income Tax Department raids is the highest among corrupt people so far, Union Minister and BJP leader Meenakashi Lekhi asserted on Saturday. "The amount of cash recovered from Dheeraj Sahu's premises is the highest among corrupt people so far. Its amount has reached Rs 300 crore...Congress has tried to spread corruption from generation to generation," Meenakashi Lekhi added. "Rs 300 crore is just the amount found with one politician; the count is still left for the rest of the corrupt politicians in the entire Congress. If they were all put together, imagine how many notes would come out," she added. Meanwhile, BJP MP Parvesh Verma asserted that investigating agencies are not misused under BJP rule and that his party's role is to expose corruption. "It has been proven that we (the BJP) do not misuse the investigating agencies but all this is done to catch the corrupt person. A lot of truth needs to come to the fore as to where he got all that money from and which parties of the INDIA alliance are involved in this," saidBJP MP Parvesh Verma. Further, Verma added, Where will this money be used? The truth is yet to come, and I believe Rahul Gandhi will answer this question. In what is likely India's biggest cash recovery in income tax raids, at least Rs 200 crore in hard cash has been recovered so far during raids in three states since yesterday. The Odisha-based liquor distillery group is linked to Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu. The counting of cash, however, is still going on, as per the IT official. The raids were conducted at Boudh Distilleries Private Limited (BDPL) and entities linked to it in Odisha and Jharkhand. Baldev Sahu Infra Pvt Ltd., which is a group company of Boudh Distilleries covered in the search, is linked to Dheeraj Sahu. The raids were conducted at Bolangir and Sambalpur in Odisha and Ranchi and Lohardaga in Jharkhand, according to Income Tax officials. (ANI) Amid the protest over the appointment of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen's Akbaruddin Owaisi as a pro-tem Speaker of the assembly, Telangana Minister and Congress leader Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday said that "It is a normal procedure and added that the Congress party did what was the right thing to do". "Going by seniority in Assembly, I should have been the pro-tem Speaker, the senior most MLA in the Congress party, but since I have taken an oath as a minister, the procedure didn't allow me to be a pro-tem Speaker. So then we looked at other 6-term MLAs, the most senior MLAs. Akbaruddin Owaisi is the most senior MLA among all the parties. So it is a normal procedure," he told ANI. Further, Reddy defended the appointment of an All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA as the pro-tem Speaker, stating it was a normal procedure followed even during the previous BRS government. He emphasised that the decision was made based on what was right, not due to any external factors. "When the BRS government was there last time, they had an AIMIM MLA as the pro-tem Speaker. This has nothing to do with anything else. We did what was the right thing to do. I cannot comment on the future equation with AIMIM. That's for our state leadership to discuss with everybody. And also for our national leadership to discuss and give us a direction," Telangana Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said. Meanwhile, objecting to the appointment of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen's Akbaruddin Owaisi as a pro-tem Speaker of the assembly, Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party chief and Union minister G Kishan Reddy said on Saturday that the BJP decided to boycott the oath-taking event, alleging violation of assembly rules in the appointment of pro-tem Speaker. G Kishan Reddy further said that the BJP will go to the Governor on the issue of the pro-tem Speaker. "BJP is against the appointment of Akbaruddin Owaisi as Pro-tem Speaker (of Telangana Assembly). This is against the tradition of appointing senior MLAs to the post.The BJP MLAs will boycott taking oaths before this pro-tem Speaker," he said. "Our MLAs will take oaths after a speaker is appointed. We will never ally with such a party (AIMIM). We will go to the governor on this," he added. The Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Congress government of 'neglecting' the senior candidates for the post and of defying the existing tradition of the House. Citing violation of assembly rules in the appointment of pro-tem Speaker, he said, "There is a tradition of appointing senior leaders as the pro-tem speakers. However, they (Congress) have appointed Akbaruddin Owaisi due to their understanding with AIMIM. We object to this." On Friday, AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi took oath as pro-tem Speaker of the Telangana Legislative Assembly in Raj Bhawan, Hyderabad. The oath was administered by Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was also present on the occasion. The governor appointed Akbaruddin Owaisi as the pro-tem speaker of the state assembly on Friday. The first session of the third Telangana State Legislative Assembly began today. The pro-tem speaker serves a temporary role, officiating the assembly session until the newly-elected members are sworn in and a speaker is elected. Earlier on Thursday, twelve MLAs took oaths as ministers in a fresh cabinet in Telangana, along with new Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad. Revanth Reddy became the first Congress Chief Minister of the youngest state in India. Congress won an absolute majority in Telangana for the first time, winning 64 of 119 seats. Telangana Congress President Revanth Reddy won by a margin of 32,532 votes in Kodangal against BRS's Patnam Narender Reddy. Meanwhile, the Telangana BJP took to 'X' and criticised the new Congress government over the appointment of the AIMIM MLA as the pro-tem speaker. "The Congress government in Telangana is like a nose that blows when it sneezes. That is why Telangana state BJP President and Union Minister @kishanreddybjp has expressed his opposition to the decision of the Congress to write off the tradition of the Legislative Assembly by assigning the post of Protem Speaker to Akbaruddin Owaisi to tame the Majlis Party and not the seniors in the Assembly", said the party in a post on 'X'. (ANI) The accused was identified as Moinuddin Nasrullah Ansari and the deceased was identified as Parveen Moinuddin Ansari aged 36. The couple used to live on the side of the railway track between Goregaon and Malad stations. As per the police, Parveen sustained fatal injuries and though she was rushed to a nearby hospital, she was declared brought dead by doctors. The Borivali GRP registered a case against Moinuddin Ansari under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to murder. The accused was arrested in Malwani, Malad, while he was trying to flee the city, the police said. (ANI) With the help of the registration and chassis numbers of the vehicles, which were seized from robbers, the police traced the actual owners and handed over their looted items. Police commissioner Bhubaneswar Saumendra Priyadarshi said, "This process started three years ago. We returned 27 motorcycles and arrested two gangs. This year, Bhubaneswar urban police returned 800 mobile phones and 167 motorcycles to their lawful owners. The recovery of stolen property and return to the owner is the most important aspect of citizen-centric policing." The vehicle owners thanked the police and were grateful to find their bike and mobile. In 2023, the Commissionerate Police seized a total of 167 stolen bikes and 800 mobile phones. (ANI) The Zhuque-2 Y-3 carrier rocket blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Dec. 9, 2023. The carrier rocket blasted off at 7:39 a.m. (Beijing Time) and sent three satellites -- Honghu, Honghu-2 and TY-33 -- into planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) China on Saturday successfully launched the Zhuque-2 Y-3 carrier rocket into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The carrier rocket blasted off at 7:39 a.m. (Beijing Time) and sent three satellites -- Honghu, Honghu-2 and TY-33 -- into planned orbit. It was the third flight mission of the Zhuque-2 carrier rocket. The success of this launch mission has made Zhuque-2 China's first commercial liquid carrier rocket to be successfully launched in a row. In this mission, its technical maturity and stability were further verified, its reliability met the requirements of commercial launch delivery, and the rocket is closer to the phase of mass production and delivery. The Zhuque-2 is China's first medium and large-size liquid rocket with liquid oxygen and methane as propellant. It is independently developed by LandSpace, and provides low-cost and highly reliable launch services to meet the commercial launch requirements in multiple scenarios. Liquid oxygen-methane fuel is a type of rocket propellant formed by liquid oxygen and methane, the latter of which is the main component of natural gas. The rocket has a height of 49.5 meters and a body diameter of 3.35 meters. Its takeoff weight is about 220 tonnes, and its takeoff thrust is about 268 tonnes. Its carrying capacity is 1.5 tonnes for a 500-km sun synchronous orbit, and the following improved version can reach a carrying capacity of 4 tonnes for the same orbit, which can meet the needs of low-Earth orbit satellite deployment and the launch of transport spacecraft. In Saturday's mission, the Zhuque-2 Y-3 rocket successfully sent three satellites into the sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 460 km. The mission signifies that the rocket has carried out a commercial multi-satellite launch mission, and the developer of the rocket has made steady progress in its commercial operation of rockets. It also accumulated data and flight experience for the satellite's improvement and follow-up progress. "Rockets are in the trend of large carrying capacity and low cost in the commercial space era. The key to the industrialization and commercialization of liquid rockets is to achieve low-cost, large-scale manufacturing and delivery, and continuous and stable launch," said Dai Zheng, deputy chief engineer and deputy chief commander of Zhuque-2. LandSpace has cultivated a large-scale delivery capacity of rockets for commercial launch missions. It will continue to build commercial launch vehicles featuring high reliability, low cost and large capacity to sustain China's construction of a low-orbit satellite network, and support the development of low-cost cargo transport for the space station, according to Dai. The accused has been identified as Gopal Karaliya, a resident of Pune, Maharashtra. The police said a complaint was received at the Police Station Cyber North Delhi through the NCRP (National Cybercrime Reporting Portal). The complainant, aged 20 years, alleged that she met an unknown person on Instagram in 2018 and started chatting with him, said the police. According to the complaint, with time, the accused started forcing her into an inter-religious marriage. However, when the complainant stopped talking to him, he started making her fake Instagram profiles by using her pictures, said the police. He allegedly posted indecent material with obscene comments about the complainant on these Instagram profiles to malign her image. The accused allegedly created two new Instagram IDs with the complainant's name in objectionable language, using her pictures to defame her. The case under sections 354-D/500/509 of IPC was registered at PS Cyber North District, Delhi and the investigation was taken up. The police said that a detailed technical analysis of IP logs and registrant details obtained from the alleged Instagram ID revealed the details of the alleged user operating these Instagram IDs. The police team then mounted continuous surveillance of the suspect mobile numbers, which zeroed in on the location of the suspect. Following this, immediately based on technical surveillance, the accused was apprehended on 04.12.2023. He was interrogated at length and subsequently arrested in the case, said the police. (ANI) Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw conducted a comprehensive review of the redevelopment plans for Simhachalam Railway Station under the Amrit Bharat station scheme during his visit to Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam. The Simhachalam station is set to undergo redevelopment as 'Amrit station' at an estimated cost of Rs 19.8 crore. During his visit, Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw offered prayers at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Simhachalam and proceeded to inspect the Simhachalam railway station. He provided insights into the planned facilities for the New World Class station building, emphasizing the government's commitment to upgrading railway infrastructure across the country. Addressing the media, Vaishnaw acknowledged the collaboration between the Centre and the state government to address land-related issues for the construction of the South Coast Railway Zonal Headquarters in Mudasarlova, Visakhapatnam. He affirmed that the redevelopment work at Simhachalam station under the Amrit station scheme is progressing with an investment of Rs 19.8 crore. Vaishnaw assured the introduction of more Vande Bharat trains, with a commitment to manufacture one train per week. He urged the public to view railway development independently of politics, highlighting the significant investment of Rs 8,406 crore for railway development in Andhra Pradesh. He stressed the importance of the state government's involvement in land allocation for these projects. The Railway Minister announced the redevelopment of 15 stations in the region as Amrit stations, ensuring world-class facilities for passengers. Additionally, he outlined the rapid progress in expanding 5G mobile services across the country, with BSNL 5G services expected to be available by Diwali. As part of this expansion, 4,000 new cell phone towers are being set up in Andhra Pradesh, predominantly in the North Coastal region. Vaishnaw actively participated in the Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra organised in Vepada Mandal, Vijayanagar District. Addressing a gathering of over 3,000 people, he reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to making India a developed nation by 2047 through collective efforts (Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas, Sab ka Vishwas, Sab ka Prayas). The Railway Minister announced plans to transform Kothavalasa railway station into a world-class facility and highlighted the conversion of the KK line into a double line for enhanced train traffic. Vaishnaw further pledged to halt the Visakha-Kirandul Express train at S. Kota railway station and emphasized the increased allocation of funds for railway projects in the state. The Union Minister also participated in the Vikasit Bharata Sankalpayatra program organized by the Municipal Corporation in Jodigullapalem, Visakhapatnam. The event featured stalls focusing on various government schemes, and Minister Vaishnaw presented checks and certificates to beneficiaries. A message from PM Modi was telecasted at the venue, emphasizing the commitment to national development. The Minister expressed delight in launching the Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Rath from Visakhapatnam, and the event showcased awareness on various initiatives such as Eco Vizag, disease control, Jan Aushadhi Kendra, Ujjwala Yojana, and more. The Vikasit Bharat Sankalpa Yatra serves as a platform for promoting awareness and engagement with citizens on various government initiatives. (ANI) BJP central observers Sarbananda Sonowal and Arjun Munda arrived in Raipur from New Delhi amid suspense over the party's Chief Minister candidate in Chhattisgarh. BJP observers are likely to attend a meeting with newly elected legislators regarding the chief ministerial candidate in the state. Union Health Minister and BJP's Chhattisgarh co-incharge Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, also arrived in Raipur to attend the meeting. Amid suspense over the Chief Minister's post, Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday announced its Central observers in their recently won states--Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Pandey and Vinod Tavde, National Secretary General have been appointed as observers in Rajasthan. In Madhya Pradesh, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, K Laxman, National President, OBC Morcha and Aasha Lakda, National Secretary have been given the responsibility. For Chhattisgarh, alongside Munda and Sonowal, BJP leader Dushyant Gautam has also been appointed as observer. Earlier Union Minister Arjun Munda said that the Chief Minister candidate would be named in the legislative party meeting. "It is time to form the government after getting the majority. There will be a meeting of the legislative party and the leader will be chosen. The other formalities will be completed soon. I will go there (Chhattisgarh) and the leader will be chosen in the legislative party meeting," Arjun Munda told ANI. Meanwhile, the Opposition is questioning the BJP over the delay in the appointment of Chief Ministers in three states. Rajasthan caretaker Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticized the BJP's delay in announcing CM faces for three Hindi heartland states -- Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, saying that "there is no discipline in this party." "There is no discipline in this party. If we had done the same, I don't know what allegations they would have levelled against us and misled people. They polarized the polls. We will cooperate with the new government," he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party over its process of naming Chief Ministers in three states where the party registered Assembly polls victories and said that BJP is playing musical chairs right now with only two people Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah taking the call. "Because they (BJP) are busy in musical chairs. They have the majority, and people have expressed their trust in him. Elected MLAs have to make a decision that who will be the leader. But that process has been done away in the BJP. Only two people make decisions on the CM - PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Results were out on December 3 and today is 7th December," Priyanka Chaturvedi said. The election results in four states, especially the losses in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, came as a huge blow to the Congress's hopes for 2024 as it is now out of power across a vast swathe of the Hindi heartland. The BJP, which had been battling close to 20 years of incumbency, won a resounding mandate bagging 163 seats while the Congress finished a distant second at 66 seats in Madhya Pradesh. In Rajasthan, the vote count painted a starkly different picture to what some of the pollsters had predicted, with the BJP poised to form the government, winning 115 seats, and the Congress trailing at 69 seats. Of the 90 assembly constituencies in Chhattisgarh, the BJP bagged 54 while the Congress won 35. (ANI) A CCTV footage has surfaced in which Nitin Fauji and Rohit Rathore, the prime accused in the murder of Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, are seen at Rewari railway station in Haryana on December 6, a day after they shot the latter dead at his residence in Jaipur. According to sources, from Rewari, they travelled to Hisar where they were joined by an accomplice, identified as Udham. Udham was assigned to take them to Kullu in Himachal and arrange a place for them to lie low, sources added. As per their plan, they left for Kullu in Udham's car but later returned to Chandigarh after learning that the police were conducting searches for them, sources informed, adding that of their eventual arrest, they were at a liquor shop, consuming alcohol, and devising their plan of action. Earlier, on Sunday, the two assailants were brought to the Crime Branch office in the national capital. The Crime of Delhi Police, in a joint operation with Rajasthan Police, detained three persons, including the two absconding accused, from Chandigarh, in the early hours of Sunday. Earlier, on Saturday, December 9, Jaipur police arrested Ramveer Singh, a resident of Mahendragarh, Haryana, in connection with Gogamedi's killing. Gogamedi was shot dead by three assailants, including Nitin Fauji and Rohit Rathod, at his residence at Shyam Nagar in Jaipur on December 5. A third assailant, Naveen Shekhawat, was killed at Gogamedi's residence during an exchange of fire with the police. One of Gogamedi's security guards was injured in the crossfire, according to the police. On November 9, Fauji and his associates opened fire on uniformed personnel at Mahendragarh Police Station Sadar and escaped. (ANI) After the murder of the President of the Karni Sena, Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, Delhi Police has said that the three main accused in the case were arrested yesterday and will be handed over to Rajasthan police today. Ravindra Yadav, Special CP, Delhi Police Crime Branch said, "In this case, 3 main accused have been arrested by Delhi Police Crime Branch. The first accused is Nitin Fauji, a resident of Mahendragarh, Rohit Rathore, a resident of Makrana, Rajasthan and the third is Udham Singh, a resident of Hisar." He added that coordination with the Rajasthan Police was important to track down these accused. "We had coordination with Rajasthan police. They told us that after committing the murder they took a taxi to Didwana and from there, boarded a bus towards Delhi. We were continuously tracking them, which revealed that these people deboarded in the middle and went to Rewari railway station and from there to Hisar station. From there, these people went to Manali," he added. "We came to know that these people were coming back yesterday, then we nabbed them in Chandigarh and now we have arrested them and taking them to Jaipur to hand over to Rajasthan Police," the Special CP said. He also informed that two of the three people, Nitin Fauji and Rohit Rathore were shooters while the 3rd one- Udham Singh was providing logistics support. Director General of Police Umesh Mishra congratulated the police team for arresting the accused in the murder of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi. He also thanked the Delhi Police for their cooperation and coordinated efforts. The Chandigarh Police team raided the hotel in Sector 24, Chandigarh where the Delhi Police had arrested last night the shooter who had killed Gogamedi. ANI also accessed footage of the hotel in Chandigarh where the Crime Branch of Delhi Police in a joint operation with Rajasthan Police, detained three accused, including the main accused Rohit Rathore and Nitin Fauji in the Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi murder case. The team obtained information related to the entry of the three accused from the hotel register here. The same information revealed that the three accused were staying here with fake identities. The police have taken the hotel receptionist with them for questioning. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena will organise a memorial service for slain chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday. Gogamedi was shot dead by three assailants on December 5 at his residence in the Shyam Nagar area of Jaipur. Earlier, on Saturday, December 9, Jaipur police arrested Ramveer Singh, a resident of Mahendragarh, Haryana, in connection to Gogamedi's murder. During the investigation, it came to light that Ramveer had been a facilitator for Nitin Fauji, one of the assailants, the commissioner of Jaipur Police said in an official statement. (ANI) On December 8, at about 11:30 pm, the Nigerian woman passenger approached the women's frisking booth located adjacent to ATRS No. 09 in the Integrated Security Hold Area of Terminal-2 at Mumbai Airport for the mandatory pre-embarkation security check. "Sub Inspector Rajeev Kumar, deployed at the frisking booth near ATRS 8, demonstrated keen behavioural detection skills when he observed suspicious activities exhibited by the aforementioned lady passenger. Recognising the potential security threat, Sub-Inspector Rajeev Kumar promptly communicated his observations to Lady Constable Kale Suvarna who was deployed for frisking duty at the mentioned ladies' frisking booth," said Public Relations Officer, CISF. "During frisking, the vigilant CISF women screener observed that the woman passenger had concealed suspicious items beneath her clothing, specifically in the upper body area. A thorough and meticulous search revealed the presence of 20 capsules filled with some suspicious substance, collectively weighing approximately 350 grams. Subsequent analysis identified the substance as heroin," added the official. The passenger was later identified as Victoria Okafor (Nigerian) who was scheduled to travel to Delhi by flight No. 6E 6045 (STD 0230). Immediately, the matter was informed to CISF officers and customs officials. The customs officials also declared the detected contraband item as Heroin. Later the said passenger alongwith the seized 20 capsules filled with the contraband item (Heroin) weighing approximately 350 gms worth approximately Rs 2.45 crores was handed over to customs officials for further action in the matter. Further investigation is underway. More information is awaited. (ANI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday highlighted the affirmative changes taking place in the country, home to one-sixth of humanity, in the advancement of human rights, asserting its position as a 'Role Model' for the world. "No part of the globe is so blossoming, prospering with human rights as our country is doing," the vice president said, delivering the keynote address at the Human Rights Day celebrations at Bharat Mandapam. The Vice President underlined that India's Amrit-Kaal has become its Gaurav-Kaal, primarily due to the "blossoming of human rights and values." He further observed that "our civilizational ethos and constitutional commitment reflect our deep dedication to respecting, safeguarding, and nurturing human rights which is in our DNA." Highlighting further, he emphasized, "Bharat serves as an example to the world in nurturing, promoting, and flourishing human rights." Calling that nurturing of human rights as a 'cornerstone to democracy'; the Vice-President stressed that "Equality before law is an inalienable facet of promoting human rights." He also appreciated the convergence of all the three organs of the state, namely the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary for the fostering of human rights as the "Respect for human rights is embedded in our civilizational ethos & constitution," he added. Talking about the recent upsurge in the politics of freebies, the Vice-President cautioned that this will lead to distortion of expenditure priority and shall undermine of basic framework of macroeconomic stability as "empowerment of pocket through fiscal grants only increases dependence." He urged for the empowerment of human minds and human resources and not pockets. Highlighting that India has been treated unfairly by some global entities, the vice president asked them to delve deep into the nation's performance on human rights and not merely scratch the surface. He wanted such entities to take note of "India's governance model that is free from corruption, favouritism, nepotism. It's dictated by transparency, accountability and merit." Referring to transparency and accountable governance as a 'game-changer' for the promotion of human rights especially for the vulnerable sections, the Vice-President underscored that the utilisation of technology in service delivery has also played an instrumental role in fortifying this advancement. The Vice-President emphasized that the government's affirmative implementation of inclusive policies has liberated millions from poverty's grasp. This achievement has paved the way for a future enriched with "economic opportunities, access to quality healthcare, and a sound education - the very pillars upon which a robust human rights edifice rests," he highlighted. In his address, VP cautioned that the "greatest danger to human rights emanates from corruption", underscoring that "corruption and human rights cannot coexist", Dhankhar expressed satisfaction that "this bane of corruption in India for long is now contained." He further asserted, "There is now in place a governance mechanism that provides no room for nepotism, favouritism and promotion. Corruption has been neutralised in power corridors." During the event, the Vice-President also released NHRC publications namely NHRC Annual Hindi Journal- Manav Adhikaar Nayi Dishayein, NHRC Annual English Journal and Forensic Science and Human Rights. (ANI) The sanctum-sanctorum, where Lord Ram's idol will be kept, is close to completion. The trust previously shared photos of the floor inlay work at the temple in October. The Trust released the latest pictures of the under-construction Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Sunday, showing the temple's sanctum-sanctorum almost complete. https://twitter.com/ShriRamTeerth/status/1733724634892411126?s=20 "The sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shri Ramlala is almost ready. Recently, the lighting-fitting work has also been completed. I am sharing some photographs with you," Trust General Secretary Champat Rai said in a post on X. The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust has decided to enthrone Ram Lalla at the sanctum-sanctorum of the Ram Temple between noon and 12:45 pm on January 22, next year. The trust has invited 4,000 saints of all sects for the ceremony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya next year. Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, next year, a week before the main ceremony.A Vedic priest from Varanasi, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, will perform the main rituals of the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22. From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will mark the Amrit Mahautsav. A 1008 Hundi Mahayagya will also be organised in which thousands of devotees will be fed. Several tent cities are being erected in Ayodhya to accommodate thousands of devotees, who are expected to arrive in the temple town of Uttar Pradesh for the grand consecration of the Ram Temple. According to the Sri Ram Janambhoomi Trust, arrangements will be made for 10,000-15,000 people. Local authorities are gearing up for the anticipated surge in visitors around the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony and are in the process of implementing enhanced security measures and making logistical arrangements to ensure a smooth and spiritually enriching experience for all attendees. (ANI) After the national president of Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jaipur on Tuesday, the police said that two shooters, and one person who was providing logistical assistance were arrested from Chandigarh while they were waiting for passports to flee the country. According to the police, in this case, three main accused have been arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch and will be handed over to their Rajasthan Police Crime Branch today. The accused are Nitin Fauji, a resident of Mahendragarh; Rohit Rathore, a resident of Makrana, Rajasthan; and Udham Singh, a resident of Hisar." Two of the three people, Nitin Fauji and Rohit Rathore, were shooters, while the third, Udham Singh was providing logistics support. Gogamedi was shot dead by three assailants on December 5 at his residence in the Shyam Nagar area of Jaipur. "After committing the murder, the accused were planning to flee India. However, before their passports could reach them, the police nabbed the accused. They were promised a good and better life abroad in return for committing the murder. There were cases against both shooters, due to which they wanted to go abroad. Around Rs 50,000 was given to the accused as token money so that they could get weapons, etc. Apart from this, after committing the murder, they were assured of getting settled abroad. The perpetrators of the murder had promised to make complete arrangements to send these accused abroad and after the murder, the accused were just wasting the time of the police by wandering here and there," said the police. "The accused had reached Chandigarh after visiting many places and after Chandigarh, they had planned to go to Goa. After spending a few days in Goa, the accused would move towards South India, during which they were promised that their passports and visas would be made. However, their plans were foiled by the police and they were caught in Chandigarh. The arrested accused include two shooters and one who helped them escape. The arrested accused include Rohit Rathore, Nitin alias Fauji and Udham Singh. After the murder, Udham Singh had organised a taxi, etc., to drive away the shooters, while the other two accused are shooters, the police added. The police further said that they have got clues about notorious gangsters Goldy Brar and Rohit Godara. "The involvement of Goldy Brar and Rohit Godara has come to light, which is being investigated. Godara used to think that Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi was in talks with his opponents, while one of the shooters, Rohit Rathore, had personal enmity with the Karni Sena Chief. He was named as an accused in a rape case, and he used to think that Singh was defending the case against him. Another shooter, Nitin, had come on leave from the army in November, but his name popped up as an accused in a kidnapping case, after which he felt that he would lose his job and then he got involved in the crime. On the day of the incident, the accused were introduced to Sukhdev Singh on the pretext of making a call to someone, where they committed the crime. It is being said that Naveen Shekhawat had come with the accused, who had introduced them to Sukhdev Singh. However, Naveen also died during the firing," said the police. The police further said, "Udham Singh had prepared for the army exams along with Nitin. However, they had not been in contact for the last four years. They involved Naveen Shekhawat with them, as the latter knew Gogamedi well. Naveen had to make a call through Gogamedi. And with him, the shooters entered his residence without security checks. Soon after they opened fire at Gogamedi. Naveen tried to stop them but the shooters shot him as well." According to the police, Rohit Godara had given the responsibility of carrying out the murder to a criminal named Virendra Chahan, who had introduced Rohit Rathore and Nitin to each other. After this, this massacre was carried out on December 5. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena organised a memorial service for slain chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan at 11 a.m. today. (ANI) Amid the political firestorm triggered after the seizure of huge cash from Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu's residence in Jharkhand, Union Minister Ashwini Choubey said that it is unfortunate and that people will not forgive them. "He (Dheeraj Sahu) should be expelled from the party but they (Congress) are speaking in his favour. People are seeing all this. It is unfortunate and people will not forgive them," Choubey said while speaking to ANI. "Those who are looting public money will have to be behind bars. The Congress will be destroyed," he added . The Congress has been facing heat from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the seizure of huge amounts of cash during the Income Tax raids at premises linked to Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu. Income Tax sleuths have recovered more than Rs 200 crore cash from several locations in Odisha and Jharkhand during their raids against Boudh Distilleries Private Limited (BDPL) and entities linked to it. The residences of Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu were also searched.The episode has provided fresh ammunition to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is leaving no stone unturned to attack the opposition Congress over the incident. Union Minister Smriti Irani has questioned the grand old party and said that the Gandhi family must tell the country for which Congress leader, the Rajya Sabha MP, was working as an 'ATM'. "Rs 200 crore has been recovered from the premises of their party MP, Dheeraj Prasad Sahu and the counting is still going on. Mohabbat Ki Dukaan Mein Corruption Ka Karobaar Chal Raha Hai (a business of corruption is being run in Mohabbat Ki Dukaan). The Congress high command, which means the Gandhi family, will have to tell the country for which Congress leader of the Gandhi family he was working as an ATM," she said on Friday while speaking to ANI. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his X handle, tagging a news report about the I-T department recovering Rs 200 crore in cash from various locations of a business group allegedly linked to Sahu, took a swipe at the opposition party. "Countrymen should look at these piles of currency notes and then hear the addresses of their (Congress) leaders on honesty. Every penny looted from people will have to be returned. This is Modi's guarantee," PM Modi said in a post with several emojis. Meanwhile, the Congress said that the party is in no way connected with the businesses of the former and that the lawmaker from Jharkhand should explain the matter. On social media platform X, the Congress General Secretary in Charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, said that only Dheeraj Sahu can explain the huge amounts of cash reportedly unearthed by the income-tax authorities from his properties. "The Indian National Congress is in no way connected with the businesses of Dheeraj Sahu, MP. Only he can explain, and should explain, how huge amounts of cash have been reportedly unearthed by the income-tax authorities from his properties," the Congress leader wrote on X. (ANI) Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, attends the 2023 World Chinese Language Conference and delivers a keynote speech in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official on Saturday pledged continuous efforts to support Chinese language education in international society and to provide sound support and guarantee for the Chinese language to go global and serve the world. Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, made the remarks in a keynote speech at the 2023 World Chinese Language Conference. Noting that language is a bridge to promote exchanges and dialogue among human civilizations, Ding said China will continue to promote high-standard opening up in the education sector and encourage language studies and international exchanges among people, especially the youth. He also called for a more open and inclusive framework for international Chinese language education, stressing efforts to work with all relevant parties to ensure the sound operation and management of Confucius Institutes and other Chinese language projects. Ding said China supports and encourages more international organizations to include Chinese among their official languages, and welcomes the use of Chinese language on more international occasions. The 2023 World Chinese Language Conference was attended by around 2,000 people including scholars, governmental officials, representatives of international organizations and leaders of international language and cultural institutions from home and abroad. The next meeting of the leaders of the INDIA bloc will be held on December 19 in the national capital. Taking to 'X', Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "The 4th meeting of the leaders of INDIA parties will be held on Tuesday, December 19th, 2023, in New Delhi at 3 p.m." Earlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called a meeting of the INDIA bloc leaders for December 6. However, the meeting was canceled as key opposition leaders, including Janata Dal United (JDU) Supremo and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin and Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav did not gave their confirmation of attending the meeting. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that he was down with fever so he could not make it to the mega meeting. "I want that work should progress. It was being said in the news that I won't attend the meeting. This is nonsense, I was down with a fever at that time. Is it possible that I will go not to the meeting? In the next meeting of the alliance, we should chalk out a plan for the future," said Nitish Kumar. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren had informed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge of his inability to make it to a meeting on Wednesday. "I will be busy here. I spoke to Kharge Ji yesterday, maybe a representative from our side will go" Soren told reporters in Ranchi. Meanwhile, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that she was not informed about the meeting. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin was engaged due to the cyclone fury in the state. Seat sharing for the Lok Sabha polls, which are just four months away, is likely to be at the top of the agenda for the next INDIA bloc meeting and will be crucial for Congress, particularly as the party lost Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, the Hindi heartland states. The first meeting of the joint opposition convened in Patna on June 23 and the second meeting was held in Bengaluru on July 17-18. The third meeting happened in Mumbai on August 31-September 1. INDIA or 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance' is a group of opposition parties, including the Congress. The parties have come together to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is led by PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and prevent it from winning a third straight term at the Centre in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In the Mumbai meeting, the opposition parties adopted resolutions to collectively contest the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections while announcing that seat-sharing arrangements would be finalized as soon as possible through a spirit of give-and-take. The theme chosen by the INDIA bloc for the elections is "Judega Bharat, Jeetega India" (India will unite, India will win) to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government. (ANI) The exhibition area set up for the Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit remained open for school students and the general public on Sunday, as per the instructions given by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. A large number of students and the general public reached the venue and got the opportunity to learn closely about the two-decade-long development journey of Uttarakhand. Various hydropower projects, including the Rishikesh-Karnprayag Railway Line, Aroma Park, Plastic Park, Food Park, Wellness Park, and Tehri Dam, were displayed. Also, traditional products, including handicrafts, were showcased in the exhibition. During the two-day summit, agreements worth more than Rs 3.5 lakh crore have been signed, against an initial estimated target of Rs 2 lakh crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated 'Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023' being held at the Forest Research Institute on Friday. Modi also took a walkthrough of the exhibition, besides launching a book Sashakt Uttarakhand and the brand House of Himalayas. The theme of the Summit was 'Peace to Prosperity'. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed his happiness for being in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and remembered his utterance about the third decade of the century being the decade of Uttrakhand. PM Modi said that it is a matter of satisfaction that the statement is being realised on the ground. The Prime Minister complimented the state government and all those involved in the successful rescue project of workers from the tunnel at Silkiyara. Referring to the investors present on the occasion as the heavyweights of the industry, the Prime Minister drew the analogy of a SWOT analysis carried out by the multinationals and emphasized performing this exercise on the nation. He highlighted that the results of the SWOT analysis will indicate an abundance of aspirations, hope, self-confidence, innovation and opportunities in the country. He also mentioned the indicators of policy-driven governance and the resolve of the citizens for political stability. "Aspirational India desires a stable government rather than instability," the Prime Minister said as he threw light on the recently concluded Assembly Elections and underlined that the people voted based on good governance and its track record. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the country's capability to move forward at a record pace, irrespective of the COVID pandemic and the unstable geopolitical scenario. "Be it the Corona vaccine or economic policies, India had trust in its capabilities and policies," the Prime Minister remarked. As a result, the Prime Minister said that India stands in a league of its own when compared to the other large economies in the world. He noted that every state in India, including Uttarakhand, is reaping the benefits of this strength. (ANI) Ratan Banik, DRI's lawyer, said, "Based on intelligence inputs, the officers of DRI Siliguri Unit intercepted two persons named Suleman Kha (28) and Ratan Goyala, residents of Naogaon, Assam, from the Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station last afternoon." Ratan Banik further said that the tusks were supposed to be smuggled to Nepal through the Indo-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh. After thoroughly searching, the team recovered one conical shape and another two cylindrical-shaped cut-piece elephant tusks from their bag. Both accused were produced before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) court in Siliguri and sent to custody. (ANI) "Governor of Andhra Pradesh, S Abdul Nazeer, graced the event as the Chief Guest. The event witnessed the presence of several dignitaries from the Central and State Governments and drew the attention of lakhs of citizens of Visakhapatnam, showcasing the Navy's exceptional capabilities," as per a press release from the Indian Navy. Celebrated on December 4th annually, Navy Day commemorates the Indian Navy's pivotal role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, specifically its triumph in 'Operation Trident'. This year, due to safety concerns posed by Cyclone Michaung, the mega event, Op Demo off RK Beach, was rescheduled to December 10. "The Op Demo unfolded as a flagship event in the city, featuring tactical manoeuvres executed by warships and submarines and a captivating display of air power, highlighting fighter aircraft, reconnaissance planes, and helicopters. The Navy's Marine Commandos (MARCOS) demonstrated simulated combat operations against mock enemy targets, showcasing precision and expertise. The active participation of numerous indigenous platforms underscored the Navy's commitment to an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'," the release stated. The demonstration culminated in a spellbinding Beating Retreat by the Navy's Band during the Sunset Ceremony, complemented by the silhouette illumination created by the ships. "Following the Op Demo, Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, hosted a distinguished 'At Home Function' at Navy House, Visakhapatnam. During the event, the Hon'ble Governor, Shri Justice (Retd) S Abdul Nazeer, interacted with flag officers, officers, civil dignitaries and distinguished guests, fostering a deeper appreciation for the Navy's endeavours and achievements," the release added. "The Op Demo captivated audiences and underscored the Indian Navy's commitment to excellence, safety, self-reliance and its unwavering dedication to safeguarding the nation's maritime interests," the release said. (ANI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday asked Centre to grant special category status to Bihar during the 26th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council in Patna chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. During the meeting of Bihar CM and Union Home Minister at the 26th Eastern Zonal Council meeting, Bihar CM said that we wanted the Central government to conduct a census on a caste basis. "We were trying for this from the beginning. For this, in the years 2019 and 2020, a proposal for caste-based census was unanimously passed in the Bihar Legislature and sent to the Central Government. Then we met the Prime Minister along with representatives of all parties. No consideration was given to this by the Central Government, Bihar CMO stated. He further said that since 2010, we have been demanding 'Special State' status for Bihar. Bihar is a very historical state, despite continuous development, Bihar is far below the national average in the parameters of development. "Bihar fulfils all the conditions for the status of a special state. We hope that you will definitely think about giving 'Special State' status to Bihar," Bihar CMO stated. ''The CM urged the Centre to accord special status to Bihar in the meeting. Bihar has been raising the issue of Special status to the state since 2010. The fresh demand was necessitated by findings of the caste survey carried out by the grand alliance government in the state,'' a CMO statement said. The CM further demanded that the Centre should place two amendment bills raising the quota for deprived castes from 50 to 65 per cent in state government jobs and educational institutions in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution to make them to make them immune to legal scrutiny. "The reservation limit in the state has been increased from 50 per cent to 65 per cent. A law has been passed for this. 10 per cent reservation is already available for economically weaker people of the general category. Altogether the total number of reservations has reached 75 per cent. Our government has accepted the new reservation law from the Central Government in the Constitution," it stated. Earlier in November, Bihar CM put pressure on the Central government to give special status to Bihar and informed that a campaign will be launched in the state accordingly. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah had chaired the 26th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council in Patna, Bihar. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and senior ministers from Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand attended the meeting. The secretary of the Inter State Council Secretariat, the chief secretaries of member states, senior officials of state governments and central ministries and departments were also present in the meeting. (ANI) Amid suspense over the Chief Minister's candidate in Madhya Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is scheduled to hold its legislature party meeting in the state capital Bhopal on Monday and is likely to announce the CM for the state on the same day. BJP central observers Manohar Lal Khattar, Dr K Laxman and Asha Lakra will visit Madhya Pradesh to hold a legislative party meeting, sources said. Earlier in the day, BJP MLA Kailash Vijayvargiya met Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the Chief Minister's residence in Bhopal. The meeting is scheduled to be held at the state BJP office here at around 4 pm under the supervision of the three central observers appointed by the party. The BJP on Thursday announced the three central observers, which include Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, K Laxman, National President, OBC Morcha and Aasha Lakda, National Secretary for the state. Notably, the party made central observers last time in the state in 2005 when former CM Babu Lal Gaur left the CM post. After that, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan took the oath for the first time as Chief Minister of the state in November 2005. Earlier, the central observers were appointed in 2004 when former CM Uma Bharti left the CM post and after that, Babu Lal Gaur was appointed as CM of the state. Since then, no central observers have been appointed in the state. During the state assembly polls in 2008 and 2013, BJP remained in power and Chouhan continued to be the CM of the state. During the 2018 assembly polls, the Congress returned to power with veteran leader Kamal Nath taking the oath as the chief minister but a political upheaval rocked the state in 2020 after then-Congressman Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with 22 loyalist MLAs, switched over to the BJP camp. The Congress government fell after being reduced to a minority and the BJP formed the government, with Shivraj Singh Chouhan returning as chief minister. But this time again, when the BJP emerged victorious with a thumping majority, the party has appointed central observers so speculations are being made in the political corridor that the party may bring a new CM face in the state. Madhya Pradesh went to poll for 230 assembly seats in a single phase on November 17 and the counting of votes was done on December 3. The BJP, which had been battling close to 20 years of incumbency in the state, won a resounding mandate, bagging 163 seats, while the Congress finished a distant second at 66 seats. (ANI) The Punjab government assigned 2021-batch IAS officer Nitesh Kumar Jain the charge of Sub Divisional Magistrate, Sardulgarh, relieving Amarinder Singh Malhi (PCS) of the charge. Simrandeep Singh, a 2021 batch officer, has been transferred to the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Tarn Taran, against a vacant post. Akshita Gupta, a 2021 batch IAS officer, has been posted as Sub Divisional Magistrate, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, relieving Amarinder Shivraj Singh Bal (PCS) of the charge. Aparna MB, 2021 batch IAS officer, has been given the responsibility of Sub Divisional Magistrate, Malerkotla, against the vacant post. The orders are being issued with the concurrence of the Election Commission of India, New Delhi, the order stated. "Officers concerned are directed to join their new place of posting immediately without availing joining time. The authorities concerned will make internal arrangements for the disposal of the work of the posts falling vacant as a result of this order. Officers who have not been given any postings shall report to the Secretary, Personnel. Their posting orders will be issued later," as per the order. (ANI) The BJP leader was killed by unidentified Naxals on November 5, days before the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, while he was campaigning for the party in Kaushalnar village. Dubey was the BJP's district president in Narayanapur. According to the police, Dubey was attacked and killed with a sharp weapon. Further details awaited. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India has put up with "unfair competition" for too long in the name of the globalisation era. He said that India must have the ability to call it out if the competition is unfair. While speaking at the 96th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Friday, Jaishankar noted that history is on India's side and every measurable index is working in India's favour. Jaishankar said, "For us a challenge both at home and abroad, is really the protection from unfair competition. That how do we get the data, how do we build the understanding, how do we make sure that feeds into policies? How then do we build our defences? And how do we take action against unfair competition because for too long this country (India) has put up with unfair competition in the name of there's a globalization era, aisa hi hota hai, we have to live with it." "We don't have to live with it. If competition is unfair, we must have the ability to call it out and finally, how do we help with the globalization of India because the world is globalising. History is on our side. Every measurable index is working in our favour. In that 25 years, that 25 years is not just about growing in India as a Viksit Bharat. It is actually also growing in the world as a Viksit Bharat," he added. Highlighting how the position of India in the world has changed over time, Jaishankar said that 15 years back, India was called the back office of the world. However, he added that today India is called the "pharmacy of the world, designer of the world and producer of the world." He said, "I would say perhaps about 15 years ago, we used to be called the back office of the world. Today, we are called the pharmacy of the world. We are called the designer of the world. We are called the researcher of the world. We are called the producer of the world. We are called the digital, in a sense, the digital Pioneer, if you would." Speaking about India's achievements, Jaishankar said, "When we speak about our achievements, it is something real, contemporary, and impactful for the rest of the world. I take the conversation on subjects like vaccine, the medicines we provided, the 5G stack that we are rolling out, the UPI payments, which dwarf every other competitive source out there, the Tejas that the Prime Minister has just flown in. So we strive for food security, for energy security. These are long-standing problems, but for which we need to find better and better solutions." He said that India needs to make efforts as the country moves into the next 25 years. Jaishankar stated, "But what I can say is, as we move into the next 25 years, whether it is a challenge like EV or a challenge like AI. This country needs to pull up its socks. Get ready. I think this decade has laid the foundation for it." He further said, "Prime Minister once sort of, he has a turn of phrase. So he said it's both about tradition and technology. How do we get it both together? I think in a way, for us today, it's also both about being more nationalist and being internationalist. How do we, again, find the balance? How do we reconcile both together? And what I can say is that it is only through continuous progress today that we can really lay the basis for greatness tomorrow." In his remarks, Jaishankar also explained his perspective on 'Bharat' and asserted that Bharat is a 'belief' and 'attitude' rather than just a geographical entity. "To me, Bharat is actually a belief and an attitude. For me, Bharat has an economic dimension. It has a political meaning. It has cultural, social, I would say even personal expressions. At the end of the day the term, Bharat means don't let other people define you. Try and define yourself. That it has to come from itself because that very term Bharat which is so laden with symbolism actually captures centuries of what we are all about as a people," he said. (ANI) An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday cancelled the arrest warrant of Pakistan's former Information and Broadcasting Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb in a hate speech case, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. As per the details, the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader appeared before the ATC in a hate speech case against her in Lahore, according to ARY News report. Following this, the court cancelled the arrest warrant issued for her during the previous hearing. The court adjourned the hearing of the case till January 6. On November 29, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday issued arrest orders for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Marriyum Aurangzeb in a hate speech case and asked authorities to present her in court on December 9, Pakistan-based The News International reported. ATC Judge Abher Gul Khan has issued the arrest warrant for Aurangzeb.A non-bailable warrant was issued against Aurangzeb for not appearing before the court. A terrorism case has been lodged against Marriyum Aurangzeb, Mian Javed Latif, state-run Pakistan Television's Managing Director Sohail Khan and others for allegedly trying to incite hatred by using the religion card against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, according to The News International report. Latif and Aurangzeb were accused of making controversial statements at the behest of the party leadership to spread religious hatred against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan. In the previous hearing, the ATC judge cancelled the non-bailable arrest warrant against Latif after he appeared before the court. On November 25, Advocate Farhad Ali Shah representing Javed Latif and Marritum Aurangzeb appeared before the court. During the hearing of the case, Judge Abher Gul Khan asked about the whereabouts of the PML-N leaders and was informed that Latif had appeared while Aurangzeb had not. Consequently, the judge issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Marriyum Aurangzeb and ordered all suspects, whose names have been mentioned in the case to appear before the court on December 9, The News International reported. In her plea, Aurangzeb stressed that she played no role in the alleged incitement through her remarks in talk shows. (ANI) Flash Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday that it had arrested four key members of a gang for being involved in taking foreigners hostage in the northwestern province of West Azarbaijan. The suspects were arrested in the border areas of Khoy County on Friday, the IRGC's media arm Sepah News quoted Ali Akbar Pour-Jamshidian, the commander of the IRGC's Ground Force at the province's Hamzeh Seyyed Al-Shohada Base, as saying. The suspects were accused of trafficking, torturing and extorting money from foreign nationals in the county's border areas, he added, without revealing more details. At least four people have died and more than 200 people have been evacuated after a fire erupted near the mortuary of the San Giovanni Evangelista hospital in Rome's Tivoli on Friday night (local time), CNN reported, citing Italy's fire brigade. The fire erupted on the lower level between the mortuary, clinic, and kitchen area at around 10:30 pm (local time). The fire quickly spread to the emergency room area on the floor above. Two of the four victims died due to smoke inhalation. One person died from a heart attack, and another person died from burns. Other bodies that were in the mortuary at the time were also burned, according to the fire brigade. Seven children and several babies were among those who were evacuated. A hospital spokesperson said that 134 of the evacuees were taken to nearby hospitals, CNN reported, citing its affiliate Sky24. According to witnesses who were in the emergency room waiting for treatment, the electricity went out and the fire seemed to spread to the entire wing quickly, CNN reported, citing Italian press reports. A fire brigade spokesperson said that the building's wiring and some of the chemicals stored there could be some of the possible causes of the fire, CNN reported. Firefighters fought the fire for around five hours. Firefighters will carry out a thorough search for more victims after the structure has cooled. The hospital, where the fire erupted, was first constructed in 1337. (ANI) The United Nations Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, condemned the lack of accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and human rights violations, TOLO News reported. Richard Bennett, during a conference on 'Accountability for Crimes Committed in Afghanistan', said the country, for decades, has been experiencing impunity for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. The conference was held on Friday in New York, US. "I would like to stress the importance of this event, as accountability is the bedrock of the human rights system and Afghanistan has been experiencing impunity for decades ... for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of human rights or international humanitarian law," the UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan said. Meanwhile, the Deputy Executive Director and Director of Programmes of the International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), Anna Myriam Roccatello, stressed that the member states, particularly those that are involved in various phases of the conflict in Afghanistan, should consider opening cases for their own citizens." The representative of Norway, who was also present at the conference, highlighted that Afghan women should attend the meetings in Afghanistan, TOLO News reported. "The representative of Norway in this conference emphasised the global support for women in Afghanistan and added that women should attend the meetings about Afghanistan," the representative said. Andreas Lovold, Norwegian ambassador and deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, addressed the need to create a joint platform with Afghan women where they can speak openly. "We should, as member states, do whatever we can to provide that platform because it's not only about talking and discussing about the current situation, it's about the future of their country," he said. However, the Taliban claimed the US and its allies are perpetrators of war crimes in Afghanistan, according to TOLO News. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban, said, "If there was a crime or violation of human rights during the 20 years of American occupation, they themselves were the main perpetrators of the crimes. If it is calculated, they must be calculated." Earlier, Amnesty International called for an investigation of war crimes in Afghanistan before 2021, according to TOLO News. The organisation asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to review cases of war crimes committed by the Taliban. (ANI) Khaama Press News Agency is an online news service for Afghanistan. During a conversation with reporters on Friday, Shojai emphasized on the expulsion of "illegal" migrants. He said these migrants were identified over the past week and returned to their country through twelve border crossings at "Dogharoun." The commander of border security in Khorasan Razavi emphasized that "Afghan nationals who intend to enter the country illegally or are present in the country unlawfully are arrested and expelled." This comes as the process of expelling Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan has increased in recent months, as per Khaama Press. Recently, Iran's Interior Minister announced the expulsion of 4,00,000 Afghan migrants from the country. On the other hand, the Director-General of Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs in Kermanshah province had previously declared the prohibition of Afghan citizens from entering 16 provinces of the country. Meanwhile, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Afghan citizens make up six per cent of the resident population in Iran. (ANI) Sweden's deputy envoy to the UN, Andreas von Uexkull, said India and Sweden remain committed to preserving the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence in responding to all humanitarian situations. "India and Sweden remain committed to preserving the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence in responding to all humanitarian situations..." the Swedish deputy envoy said while delivering the India-Sweden joint statement at the UNGA humanitarian debate. Uexkull said India's philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' strives to ensure that no one gets left behind. "India's philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' that resonates with the spirit of unity, compassion and cooperation, strives to ensure that no one gets left behind and countries commit themselves to the achievement of SDG 2030 agenda," he said. "It urges us to come together in the face of adversity and to build a world where every individual is treated as part of the global family," he added. He said the concept has come a long way to become the highlight of India's presidency of the G20, "an event that showcased India's commitment to fostering a sense of global togetherness, inclusivity and collaboration." Uexkull said, "India also launched the concept of Mission LiFE, Lifestyle for Environment for 2022 to help the global community adopt environmentally conscious practices, a testament to our dedication to a sustainable global family." Recently, Sweden's Ambassador to India, Jan Thesleff, said India and Sweden want to work together to do things that are "smarter and more sustainable." He noted that the bond between India and Sweden dates back to independence. In his address at the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between Sweden and India, Thesleff recalled the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit in Dubai. "Exactly one week ago, on Friday, our two Prime Ministers, Prime Minister Modi and the Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson, met in Dubai and they met to launch the leadership groups for industry transition at COP28," Thesleff said. "And the new great initiative by India on green credits. So, this is the freshest example of our sambandh (bond), actually. Together, India and Sweden want to do things smarter and more sustainable. We co-create and our motto has been for this year, Swedish innovation made in India," Thesleff added. Highlighting the ties between the two nations, he said that five Indian Presidents have visited Sweden and four Swedish Prime Ministers have travelled to India. "There's been a sambandh between Sweden and India that goes back to independence. We've had five visits by Indian Presidents, Prime ministers to Sweden. We have four Swedish Prime Ministers coming to this beautiful, lovely, fantastic country. Our Kings and Queens have come three times to India. And only this year, 20 per cent of the Swedish government made their way to India in one year," he noted. Earlier, India and Sweden announced the launch of the Leadership Group for Industry Transition 2.0 (LeadIT 2.0) in Dubai. The announcement was made during the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) event co-hosted by India and Sweden. The event was led by PM Modi and his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson. LeadIT brings together countries, companies and industry experts to achieve net-zero emissions from heavy industries by 2050. The initiative fosters collaboration between decision-makers in the public and private sectors to create policies and practices to accelerate industry transition. "Today, 18 countries and 20 companies are members of LeadIT. In its G20 presidency, India emphasized on global cooperation under circularity strategies. Taking this further ahead, we are adding a new chapter to LeadIT. Today, we are launching LeadIT 2.0..." PM Modi said while addressing the LeadIT event at the COP28 World Climate Action Summit in Dubai. (ANI) He further emphasised that India and South Korea have mutual respect, shared values and growing partnerships. PM Modi took to his social media X, and said, "We are celebrating 50 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Republic of Korea today. It has been a journey of mutual respect, shared values and growing partnerships." "I extend warm wishes to @President_KR Yoon Suk Yeol and look forward to working closely with him to deepen and expand our Special Strategic Partnership," PM Modi added on X. https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1733736465283084517 Earlier in September, the country's envoy Chang Jae-bok announced that South Korea will provide USD 4 billion to India as a line of credit over the next three years for "high-value" projects. Addressing a press conference, the envoy told reporters that President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a discussion on the matter during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Sharing details of the meeting, the envoy said the two leaders agreed to improve strategic communication and cooperation. South Korea will provide the loan under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). South Korea announced this fund in 1987 to promote economic cooperation with developing countries. PM Modi and President Yoon also agreed to strengthen space development cooperation. The envoy informed that two leaders were scheduled to speak for 20 minutes but the discussion stretched to over 40 minutes. President Yoon and Prime Minister Modi agreed to improve strategic communication and cooperation. Our countries are co-partners in the Indo-Pacific region," he informed reporters. (ANI) Director General of Indian Coast Guard Rakesh Pal will be inaugurating the four-day meeting participated by international and national subject matter experts speakers, as per a release issued by the Indian government's defence wing. ReCAAP is the first and only regional government-to-government agreement to promote and enhance cooperation to suppress piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia. India became the 10th country to ratify the ReCAAP agreement enabling the Agreement to enter into force on September 4, 2006. Now, 21 countries are contracting parties to the ReCAAP agreement. The Indian government has assigned responsibility of ReCAAP Focal Point to the Indian Coast Guard for sharing of information on Piracy to member countries and ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre, Singapore, as per the official release. Earlier, too, the Indian Coast Guard successfully co-hosted Capacity Building workshops in India with ReCAAP ISC in 2011, 2017 and 2019. The objective of this meeting is to understand the updated situation of maritime piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia, exchange each other's experiences, and evolve best practices to tackle such incidents with a collaborative approach from all the contracting parties. A total of 19 International delegates from 15 countries will be participating in the meeting. In addition, senior officials from the national stakeholders such as the Indian Navy, major ports, State Maritime Boards, Directorate General of Shipping including other maritime organisations are also expected to participate in this meeting, the release said. (ANI) The PTI leader announced to quit the party and politics for good, citing financial and health reasons. He said that the last two-and-a-half years had been "very challenging" for him, both financially and due to his "deteriorating health" after "double Covid episodes". "Therefore, at the insistence of my family and friends, I have decided to resign from active politics for good and move on," Tarin had said, adding that he was resigning from PTI and also from the Senate. Dawn News reported, citing an official statement from the leader, that Tarin met Sanjrani in Dubai and tendered his resignation, which was later accepted by the senate chairman. Tarin was appointed the finance minister by the PTI government in 2021. However, because he was not elected to Parliament, his constitutional term ended on October 16, after which he was made the finance adviser to the prime minister. Moreover, Tarin was elected as a senator, after which he resumed his role as finance minister. Tarin's resignation is a substantial blow to PTI, already reeling from the departure of numerous leaders since May 9, when violated protests erupted following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, Dawn News reported. Among those who have left are prominent figures like Usman Buzdar, Ali Zaidi, Pervez Khattak, Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, Asad Umar, Usman Dar and Farrukh Habib. (ANI) Nadeem Afzal Chan, the former special assistant on parliamentary coordination to Imran Khan, has refused to testify against the former Pakistan Prime Minister in connection with the National Crime Agency (NCA) scandal worth 190 million pounds, ARY News reported. Chan has stated that NAB had inquired into the case and he shared whatever information he had, adding that he won't testify against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman in court since he is in jail. "When he [Khan] was in power, I used to tell him these things. However, he is in jail now and my school of thought is not that of talking against someone who is oppressed or incarcerated," he stated. Meanwhile, the National Accountability Bureau has compiled the list of witnesses in the NCA 190 million-pound scandal, which includes former Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Zubaida Jalal, Nadeem Afzal Chan and Azam Khan, ARY News reported. The witness list also includes the Asset Recovery Unit, the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) and cabinet division officer. Earlier, former PTI Minister Zubaida Jalal made startling revelations before NAB in the NCA scandal worth Pound 190 million. Zubaida Jalal told NAB in her statement that she urged the cabinet to investigate this matter but former PM Imran Khan didn't listen to her. She further revealed that the NCA approved Pound 190 million despite objections from cabinet members and the minutes of the meeting were kept secret, ARY News reported. Meanwhile, in order to avoid his indictment in a case related to contempt of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Imran Khan on Saturday approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the case's proceedings and his jail trial, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. In his petition, the PTI Chairman stated that the ECP did not have jurisdiction to start contempt proceedings. He called the secret trial in prison a violation of Article 4 of the Constitution. (ANI) As the Israel-Hamas war entered day 65, the protests across the world both for Israel and Palestine refused to die down. Over 1000 Indonesians held a pro-Palestine rally in Medan, in the hope that a ceasefire would happen soon. According to Al Jazeera, the pro-Palestine rally in Medan took place on Sunday in front of Istana Maimoon, the former palace of the Sultan of Deli, a major landmark there. Mustafa Kamal Harahap, 40, a local resident, said he thought it was his responsibility as a Muslim to come and express his support. "My motivation for attending these protests is that we hope that Palestine will be given its freedom and that there will be a ceasefire because, as the war goes on, there are more and more victims," Al Jazeera quoted Harahap as saying. Harahap stated that he had attended three protests prior as well in various regions of Sumatra in support of Palestine and that he would attend any future events. Since the breakout of the Gaza war, pro-Palestinian demonstrations have occurred throughout Indonesia. Indonesia, where popular opinion is overwhelmingly pro-Palestinian, is the world's most populous Muslim country, with around 87 per cent of the country's 270 million people practicing Islam. Aside from rallies, there have been demands across the country to boycott companies seen to be associated with Israel, such as McDonald's and Starbucks, reported Al Jazeera. Notably, the fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza continues, as the Israel Defence Forces said its 98th Division continues to fight with Hamas in Gaza's Khan Younis. The Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on the sites of the terror group, The Times of Israel reported. According to the IDF, troops of the Golani Infantry Brigade's 12th Battalion raided a mosque in the Khan Younis area, where Hamas operatives were present, according to The Times of Israel report. The IDF said an explosive device was detonated near the forces and soldiers directed an attack helicopter to carry out a strike against Hamas operatives on the roof of the mosque. The IDF said that an IAF fighter jet destroyed the mosque along with the tunnel infrastructure under it. Meanwhile, the elite Maglan unit identified three Hamas operatives coming out of a tunnel shaft in central Khan Younis and firing RPGs at the troops, according to IDF. The IDF said Maglan troops also conducted drone strikes on additional Hamas operatives and tunnel shafts in the area. According to IDF, the Duvdevan soldiers conducted an assault on the building, and an IAF fighter jet conducted strikes on another Hamas cell in the area. The IDF said troops of the Givati Infantry Brigade killed a number of Hamas operatives and found numerous tunnel shafts in southern Gaza. (ANI) The Head of State of the Sultanate of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will come to India for a state visit on December 16 along with a high-level delegation of senior ministers and officials, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Sunday. As per the official statement, this will be the first state visit of Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to India and marks a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between India and the Sultanate of Oman. Oman sultan will visit India on the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu and will be received by PM Modi and President Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan for a ceremonial welcome. During his visit, the leader will also hold bilateral discussions with PM Modi who will also host a luncheon in his honour. The visit will be an opportunity to explore avenues for future collaboration between India and Oman for regional stability, progress and prosperity, the press statement said. It read further that India and Oman share a longstanding history of friendship and cooperation, built on the foundation of mutual trust and respect, and strong people-to-people ties going back centuries. India and the Sultanate of Oman are strategic partners and the bilateral trade and investment relationship between the two nations has flourished over the years. Earlier in September, Oman Deputy Prime Minister Asaad bin Tariq bin Taimur Al Said attended the G20 Summit held under India's G20 Presidency in New Delhi. (ANI) Flash This photo shows a UN Security Council's meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, Dec. 8, 2023.The United States during the meeting vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) The UN Security Council failed to adopt a draft resolution on Friday that would have demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza due to a veto cast by the United States. Many countries expressed disappointment and regret over the U.S. veto of the Gaza-related draft. On Friday morning, at the urging of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Security Council held an emergency meeting on the Palestinian-Israeli situation. In the afternoon, the Security Council voted on a draft resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates and backed by about 100 countries, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. There were 13 votes in favor, with Britain abstaining. The United States voted against it. The draft failed to pass because the United States, a permanent member of the council, exercised its veto power. U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Robert Wood said after the vote that the draft resolution was "divorced from reality." "We express great disappointment and regret that the draft has been vetoed by the U.S.," said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN. Zhang said that two months of fighting had already caused an unprecedented amount of death and destruction. "An immediate ceasefire is the overriding prerequisite." Riyad H. Mansour, permanent observer of Palestine to the UN, pointed out that it is beyond regrettable and disastrous that the Council was prevented from upholding its responsibility. Mohamed Abushahab, deputy permanent representative of the United Arab Emirates to the UN, expressed his deep disappointment with its outcome. However, he noted that this disappointing outcome will not deter his country from continuing to implore Council members to act and bring the violence in Gaza to an end. Dmitry Polyanskiy, first deputy permanent representative of Russia to the UN, said that "today will become one of the darkest days in the Middle East" as the United States has once again blocked calls for a ceasefire. Nicolas de Riviere, permanent representative of France to the UN, said that he voted in favor of the draft resolution, adding that France will continue to commit to fully mobilizing the Council on all aspects of the crisis, whether it is security, humanitarian or political. Ishikane Kimihiro, permanent representative of Japan to the UN, said his delegation voted in favor of the draft as the loss of all civilian life, whether Palestinian or Israeli, is tragic. He also expressed regret that the text had failed to be adopted. A police official was killed and two more were injured after a magnetic improvised explosive device (IED) explosion in Khuzdar district in Balochistan province in Pakistan, Geo News reported on Sunday. The police said that Counter Terrorism Department's (CTD) Station House Officer Mohammad Murad was killed in the blast after his car was targeted on the Sultan Ibrahim road in Balochistan province. They added that the injured personnel were shifted to the Khuzdar Teaching Hospital. Sarfaraz Bugti, the caretaker Federal Minister of Interior told Geo News after the incident, that the whole nation has to fight the war against terrorism as it is becoming a great challenge. "The war against terrorism is not just CTDs but of the entire nation," he added. Earlier in October, two people were killed and three were wounded in a roadside explosion in Balochistan's Chaghi area, Geo News reported. According to the Levies force, the blast took place in Chaghi bazaar -- at a distance of 60 kilometres from Dalbandin near the Pak-Afghan border -- when a security forces vehicle was passing by. The attack came days after over 60 people died in two separate suicide attacks in Balochistan's Mastung and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Hangu city on September 29. Pakistan has witnessed a significant spike in the form of the recent wave of terrorist attacks across the country, according to Geo News. At least 271 militant attacks took place during the first half of 2023, resulting in the loss of 389 lives and injuring 656 individuals, according to a statistical report released by the independent think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), The terror activities in Pakistan has soared by 79 per cent during the period according to the report. In light of the increase in attacks, the interior minister announced the November 1 deadline for the illegal "aliens", including Afghan illegal immigrants, to leave the county voluntarily. The caretaker interior minister revealed that Afghan nationals were responsible for 14 of the 24 suicide bombings in the country this year, Geo News reported. (ANI) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed his 'dissatisfaction' over the Russian representative's position against Israel at the UN and other forums, Israel's Prime Minister's Office said on Sunday. Taking to X, Israel's PMO said, "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war against Hamas and the situation in the region. The PM expressed his dissatisfaction with the positions expressed against Israel by Russian representatives at the UN and in other forums." During their conversation, Netanyahu also requested that Russia put pressure on the Red Cross about visits and the delivery of medicines for the hostages held by Hamas. Israel PMO also shared on X, "Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his appreciation of the Russian effort to release an Israeli citizen with Russian citizenship and said that Israel would use all means, diplomatic and military alike, to free all of our hostages." The UN Security Council on Monday rejected a Russian resolution calling for a ceasefire to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, with delegates refusing to back a motion that did not single out Hamas for its devastating shock onslaught in Israel that left at least 1,300 people dead. Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) released new footage showing troops of the Golani Infantry Brigade fighting Hamas in Gaza City's Shejaiya neighbourhood. It said the troops have so far uncovered some 15 tunnel shafts, discovered weapons, and killed numerous Hamas operatives in the neighbourhood. The IDF said tanks and a fighter jet struck several more Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon in response to repeated attacks by the terror group in the north of Israel. It added that separately, an attack helicopter hit an anti-tank missile squad preparing to carry out an attack near the northern community of Yiftah. (ANI) Despite pollution-cutting pledges made by dozens of countries during United Nations-backed climate negotiations in Dubai, the world is still offtrack to restrict global warming to the critical 1.5-degree threshold, according to a study published Sunday by the International Energy Agency, CNN reported. The assessment is the first full report card on the outcome of the COP28 climate talks in Dubai. The results reveal that the commitments would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4 gigatonnes, which is less than one-third of what is now needed to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. According to the IEA, the pledges "would not be nearly enough" to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, reported CNN. Meanwhile, according to Executive Director Fatih Birol, the pledges were described as "positive" and in line with several of the IEA's suggestions prior to the discussions. However, he stated that not enough countries had joined them and that promises to reduce fossil fuel consumption were required to overcome the gap The IEA analysis was based on pledges related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and methane reduction, a strong greenhouse gas, CNN reported. More than 120 countries, including the United States, have now agreed to triple global renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency measures. At the negotiations, fifty major oil and gas firms, including Exxon and Saudi Aramco, pledged to reduce methane emissions from their oil and gas activities by the end of the decade, according to CNN. This translates to a reduction in methane intensity of 80 to 90 per cent from their products. They also resolved to put a stop to routine flaring by 2030. Flaring is the intentional combustion of natural gas during oil extraction. The primary cause of the climate catastrophe is the use of fossil fuels. Countries agreed to phase out coal production by 2021 at the COP26 talks in Glasgow, Scotland, but negotiations on language governing all fossil fuels, including oil and gas, have proven more difficult. In response to the IEA's assessment, the COP28 chair stated that the progress reported was "a major breakthrough," adding that "no previous COP has achieved so much so soon. (ANI) Editors note: The above video shows KXANs morning headlines for Dec. 10, 2023. AUSTIN (KXAN) One person died following a crash between a semi-truck and a vehicle on FM 969 Sunday morning. Austin-Travis County EMS shared on social media the agency was responding to a vehicle rescue at 11000 FM 969 around 10:20 Sunday. Thats near the intersection of Blue Bluff Road and FM 969. This embedded content is not available in your region. Officials said two patients were involved in the crash, with one adult patient dead. In a follow-up social media post, ATCEMS said a second patient had been transported to Dell Seton Medical Center with potentially serious injuries. The Texas Department of Transportations Austin District shared online that both the eastbound and westbound lanes along FM 969 at Blue Bluff Road were closed due to the crash. Drivers were asked to avoid the area and find alternative routes. The Travis County Sheriffs Office confirmed online deputies were working the crash scene. Extensive traffic delays are expected in the area. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) One person was critically injured in a shooting early Sunday morning on Dickerson Pike. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Metro police said the shooting happened at around 1:40 a.m. in the 800 block of Dickerson Pike. Very little information was released, but investigators said the victim was an adult and no suspect is in custody. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) One person was injured in a crash in Northeast El Paso early Sunday morning, Dec. 10 and was transported to a local hospital, El Paso Police said. The crash happened along the 5700 block of Middlesboro Avenue near Irvin High School. Police sent out a notification to media at about 5:30 a.m. about the crash, but didnt say the exact time of the incident. No information was immediately available about the extent of the persons injuries or what led up to the crash. Special Traffic Investigations was called to the scene. This special police unit responds to fatal crashes or crashes involving serious injuries. This is a developing story and KTSM is working to learn more. We will update this story as soon as we learn more. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Funeral of Palestinians killed in an Israeli raid, in Khan Younis CAIRO (Reuters) - About 18,000 Palestinians have been killed and 49,500 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, the Gaza health ministry spokesman said on Sunday. The spokesman, Ashraf Al-Qidra, also told Al Jazeera television in a telephone interview that the toll included 297 people killed and more than 550 wounded in the last 24 hours. (Reporting by Ahmed Tolba, writing by Hatem Maher, Editing by Louise Heavens) A French warship in the Red Sea took out two drones launched from a port in Yemen held by Houthi rebels. The Houthi movement had warned that they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality. The US has urged Israel not to escalate maritime warfare with the Houthis. A French naval frigate, the Languedoc, successfully intercepted and destroyed two drones in the Red Sea on Saturday, according to reports. The attack drones were detected heading toward the frigate after being fired from the coast of Yemen, from the port city of Hodeida that is held by rebel Houthis forces. The French military's general staff announced in a statement the destruction of the identified threats to the Languedoc, which operates in the Red Sea, per The Times of Israel. The interceptions took place approximately 68 miles off the Yemeni coast. The French navy said the drones were coming "straight toward" the Languedoc. The statement did not specify that the French navy considered the frigate to be the intended target of the drones. The incident follows a recent threat by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who vowed to attack any vessels heading to Israeli ports. The threat, issued on Saturday, stated that the targeting of ships would occur irrespective of their ownership being linked to Israel. The rebels demanded increased access to food and medicine in the Gaza Strip, escalating tensions in the region. 'The weapons are being supplied by Iran' Houthi fighters ride a military truck outside the Presidential Palace in Sanaa January 21, 2015. Khaled Abdullah/Reuters The Houthi rebels have previously launched ballistic missiles and drones at the southern port city of Eilat during the Israel-Hamas war, with all attempts either intercepted or missing their targets. Furthermore, the rebels seized a vehicle transport ship associated with Israel in the Red Sea in November, which remains under their control near Hodeida. Expanding the scope of their targets, the Houthis have targeted ships they claim to have direct links to Israel. This development prompted a US destroyer to intercept three drones last week while assisting commercial vessels facing attacks from Yemen. The Houthis have attacked and seized several ships linked to Israel as they traverse the Red Sea and its Bab al-Mandab strait, through which significant proportions of the world's oil are shipped, Reuters reports. The Biden administration has reportedly urged Israel not to respond to recent Houthi attacks, emphasizing the direct threat to maritime security. However, Israeli National Security Council chairman Tzachi Hanegbi indicated that if the international community does not address the Houthis' threat in Yemen, Israel will take action without specifying the measures to be undertaken. The rebels have been accused of being armed, trained, and funded by Iran. Western militaries have intercepted attempts to smuggle weapons and materials between Iran and Yemen on numerous occasions. The US asserts that because of this relationship, Tehran bears culpability for the ongoing attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis are "the ones with their finger on the trigger," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said during a Monday press briefing. "But that gun the weapons here are being supplied by Iran. And Iran, we believe, is the ultimate party responsible for this." Read the original article on Business Insider Flash A China-Europe freight train, which set out from Duisburg, Germany, carrying exhibits for the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) arrives in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Ting) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday met with President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who were in China for the 24th China-EU Summit. Amid the increasingly turbulent international situation, China-EU relations not only hold strategic significance but also have a worldwide impact, carrying implications for global peace, stability, and prosperity. The China-EU Summit in Beijing this time was the first in-person meeting after the pandemic, during which the two sides have reached broad consensus in various areas. It's widely believed that the face-to-face communications between the leaders from China and the EU will provide more stability to the world and inject stronger momentum into the global development. Deepening practical cooperation During their meeting, Xi told the EU leaders that the Chinese economy enjoys a good momentum of steady growth. As China pursues high-quality development and high-standard opening up, it sees the EU as a key partner for economic and trade cooperation, a preferred partner for scientific and technological cooperation, and a trustworthy partner for industrial and supply chain cooperation, Xi said. During the summit, both sides fully affirmed the success of various dialogues this year on China-EU strategic relations, the economy and trade, the environment and climate, and digital areas. They pledged to continue dialogue. China and the EU have established more than 70 institutionalized meetings or dialogues. They are each other's second-largest trading partners, with nearly 100 million U.S. dollars worth of goods flowing between them every hour. According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of China, the country's imports from the EU grew by 5 percent from January to November this year, reaching 1.81 trillion yuan (0.25 trillion U.S. dollars), while the trade surplus with the EU narrowed by 16.7 percent, reaching 1.41 trillion yuan. "China is an important economic partner for European countries, and vice versa. We should always find ways to improve cooperation," said Ivo Josipovic, former president of Croatia. During the summit, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said that China is willing to explore more models of mutually beneficial cooperation with the EU and strive to inject new momentum into bilateral relations. "We will further expand two-way trade and investment, continue to upgrade trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, deepen green partnership, actively establish digital partnership, and enhance people-to-people exchanges," Li said. Since Dec. 1, China has implemented a visa-free entry policy for six countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. According to the statistics released by China's National Immigration Administration, nearly 18,000 people from the six countries entered China from Dec. 1 to 3, a daily increase of 39 percent compared to Nov. 30. Josep Maria Gomes, international business developer at the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, was unsurprised that five of the visa-free countries are EU members. "Spain and the other countries in the European Union have exceptionally strong links and relations with China, and in fact, their investments made in China in the past few years have just about doubled," he said. This aerial photo taken on July 10, 2023 shows OOCL PIRAEUS, one of the largest container vessels in the world, arriving at Piraeus port, Greece. (Xinhua) Promoting connectivity via dialogue Xi emphasized that China will continue to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, including by creating synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the EU's Global Gateway to help developing countries grow faster. The BRI envisions trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road routes. At the same time, the Global Gateway plans to support infrastructure development worldwide, notably in the digital, climate and energy, transport, health, education and research sectors. With the largest inland port in Europe, Germany's Duisburg has become an important destination for the China-Europe Railway Express, a flagship BRI enterprise, in Western Europe. Lars Nennhaus, chief operating officer of Duisburg Port Group, said that the China-Europe Railway Express has achieved fruitful results as part of the BRI. The China-Europe Railway Express has reached 217 cities in 25 European countries. Data from China's railway operator showed that in the first 11 months, the China-Europe Railway Express operated 16,145 trains that transported nearly 1.75 million twenty-foot equivalent unit containers of goods, up 7 percent and 19 percent year on year, respectively. "President Xi made a very good suggestion in aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with the EU's Global Gateway," said Hussein Askary, vice chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden. Askary said the alignment would benefit European industry and increase exports to China and the rest of the world. During the summit, both sides also committed to openness and mutual benefits, opposed decoupling, and agreed on the need to provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for each other's companies. Xi said both sides "should not view each other as rivals just because our systems are different, reduce cooperation because competition exists, or engage in confrontation because there are disagreements." China opposes the violation of the basic norms of the market economy and opposes politicizing economic and trade issues or overstretching the concept of security, Chinese Premier Li said, encouraging the EU to keep its trade and investment markets open. Addressing global challenges During the summit, both sides pledged to adhere to and practice multilateralism, strengthen coordination within the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks, push for WTO reform, and work together to address global challenges such as food security, climate change, and public health. Founder and President of the Schiller Institute, Helga Zepp-LaRouche, said: "China and Europe both have a strong interest in the stability of a multipolar system." "If Europe decides to cooperate with China constructively, rather than viewing China as an institutional opponent, this will greatly promote the prosperity of all participating countries," she said. Erik Solheim, former United Nations under-secretary-general and former executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme, said: "There is no doubt that if China and the EU cooperate, the handling of all major issues in our era will be much easier." "Whether it is environmental destruction, climate change, the struggle against global poverty, the economic restart after COVID-19, or the resolution of conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and other areas -- in short, any problem is easier to solve with cooperation," said Solheim. As we gather with family and friends to celebrate the holidays, millions of us will also set aside time to give back through volunteering, political advocacy, and financial support. In a season inspired by generosity, we have an opportunity to focus our giving on justice, equality, and political change. And while theres no shortage of causes to support this year, it can be tough to figure out where your dollars will make the most impact. For years, many donors have been told to solve this problem by giving to groups with the smallest overhead budgets or the highest growth rates, interpreting these metrics as signs of maximal impact. As feminists, when it comes to supporting non-profits, we have a different theory of change. Theres a lot to be said for the simple act of charity; but in this moment, we are called to think bigger: to support the movements that address underlying causes of inequality and injustice around the world. While theres no one-size-fits-all approach to giving, as philanthropists and social justice activists with a combined four decades in the field, weve collected a few best practices on how to support that broader change and are sharing them below. Invest in Black women. Many of us look at the rising tides of authoritarianism and injustice sweeping nations across the globe and feel helpless to stop its horrifying escalation. Luckily, there is an answer. Black feminists have been on the forefront of nearly every meaningful social movement in modern history. Too often, assaults on Black womens bodies and livelihoods operate as canaries in the coal mine, sounding the alarm bell on hate, discrimination, and inequity long before these trends emerge in the mainstream. Its no accident that reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and racial equity are among the first lines of attack for fascists around the world, from Hungary to Brazil to the United States. In the face of these attacks, feminist organizing takes a proactive stance against inequity to transform society, systems, and culture for the better. According to the Black Feminist Fund, Black feminist-led organizations receive a shocking 0.1% 0.35% of annual grants made by foundations; yet these are the very organizations who hold the solutions to the problems so many donors want to solve. Dont let this status quo take hold in a new generation of giverslets fill the gap, and defeat authoritarianism in the process. Support womens funds and other social justice funds to ensure your money reaches activists on the ground. If you want to support social movements and the people who lead them, but arent sure how to reach them, weve got good news. Womens funds and other social justice funds are already doing the legwork for you, and are ready for your support. Sometimes called intermediaries, public charities or pooled funds, these entities pool resources to make a larger collective impactwhile making sure your dollars reach grassroots organizers who are creating change from the ground up. Much like investing in mutual funds, supporting these institutions allows you to benefit from the knowledge of experts who create a balanced portfolio of movement-linked grantees. Many of these may not have a high profile, but are doing outstanding work in communities overlooked by private philanthropy; you probably wouldnt find them otherwise, especially if youre giving internationally from the United States. For example, MADRE supports women and communities on the ground in countries torn apart by war, whether in Gaza or Iraq; the Black Feminist Fundmaximizes resources for Black feminist organizers, creating a world where liberation is achieved and freedom abounds; and the Ms. Foundation for Women provides strategic assistance to organizations at the intersection of gender and racial equity. This is just a snapshot of the many organizations allowing your money to go further, faster with pooled support. Dont be afraid to get political: Make donations that are not tax-deductible. We are in the midst of an historic disruptionin politics, the economy, and the planet. Gone are the days when donors could operate as detached, disinterested, and above the fraythe coordinated attacks on the foundations of our democracy pose too grave a threat. In fact, without a functioning democracy, we are incapable of making progress on racial, gender, climate and economic justice. Rather than shy away, donors need to join the struggle. For those giving in the US, this means giving beyond tax-advantaged 501(c)(3) funding. These donations may not come with a tax benefit, but they pay off manifold in social changesupporting organizations that elect pro-democracy candidates and pass pro-democracy policies. In the US, an imbalance in political giving has tilted the scales for decades: just look at the current Supreme Court rolling back civil rights in real timethe direct result of years of right-wing donations. In order to meet that challenge with an equal and opposite force, donors who believe in democratic institutions need to be prepared to give accordingly to politically-oriented organizations. JAKARTA (Reuters) - Dilapidated boats carrying an estimated 400 ethnic Rohingya arrived in Indonesia's Aceh province on Sunday, chief of a provincial fishing community has confirmed, adding to a recent surge of Myanmar's Muslim minority arriving in the country. Prior to Sunday's arrivals, the United Nations' refugee agency (UNHCR) said that 1,200 Rohingya people, a persecuted minority from Myanmar, had landed ashore in Indonesia since November. Miftah Cut Ade, chief of the fishing community in Aceh, said that two boats landed in the province early on Sunday morning, one each in the districts of Pidie and Aceh Besar. Each boat was carrying an estimated 200 Rohingya, he said. Andi Susanto, a local military official, said about 180 Rohingya had landed in Pidie at 4 a.m. (2100 GMT), and that officers were coordinating in the field to collect data. Susanto confirmed the military was aware of a second boat but did not have information of where it had landed or how many were on board. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in a statement on Friday that he suspects human trafficking is behind the recent escalation in boat arrivals and has promised to work with international organisations to handle the issue. Indonesia is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees but has a history of taking in refugees when they arrive on the country's shores. But the high volume of recent arrivals has prompted a backlash on social media and some pushback from people in Aceh, the westernmost region most boats land. For years, Rohingya have left Buddhist-majority Myanmar where they are generally regarded as foreign interlopers from South Asia, denied citizenship and subjected to abuse. When seas are calmer between November and April every year, members of the persecuted minority leave on wooden boats for neighbouring Thailand and Muslim-majority Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia. (Reporting by Ananda Teresia: Writing by Kate Lamb; Editing by Shri Navaratnam) At least six people are dead after potential tornadoes were reported in Middle Tennessee on Saturday as severe weather left heavily damaged structures and homes, downed trees and widespread power outages in its wake. Three fatalities were confirmed in Clarksville by the Montgomery County Mayor's office Saturday evening. Three additional deaths were reported in Madison by the Nashville Office of Emergency Management. Montgomery County officials also said 23 people are being treated at hospitals for injuries. The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for multiple areas across Middle Tennessee on Saturday afternoon and evening, including Clarksville, parts of Nashville, Madison, Hendersonville and Gallatin. More: Tornado confirmed in Todd County. Here is the latest on the weather for Kentucky The Nesbitt Lane area has severe damage. Our Personnel along with @NashvilleFD are on scene. Avoid this area. Remember do not approach downed power lines. pic.twitter.com/0eaShIa8VJ Nashville EOC/OEM (@NashvilleEOC) December 10, 2023 Tornado watch for Rutherford, Maury, other counties until 9 p.m. A tornado warning for Bedford County and Coffee County is in effect until 8:15 p.m. A tornado watch is in effect until 9 p.m. for the following counties in Middle Tennessee: Lawrence, Macon, Maury, Rutherford, Smith, Trousdale, Williamson and Wilson. A tornado watch for other parts of the region, including Nashville and Clarksville, lifted at 7 p.m. Previous severe thunderstorm warnings also expired. Clarksville leader: 'A sad day for our community' Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden released a statement Saturday evening as news of the fatalities and scores of injuries spread. "This is a sad day for our community," Golden said. We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes. This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end." Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts also released a statement. This is devastating news and our hearts are broken for the families of those who lost loved ones," Pitts said. "The city stands ready to help them in their time of grief." A shelter is set up at Northeast High School at 3701 Trenton Road in Clarksville by the Red Cross for anyone who has been displaced or needs assistance. More than 160,000 power outages across Middle Tennessee As of 7:50 p.m. more than 160,000 customers across Middle Tennessee were without power, up from 63,000 earlier in the evening, according to outage maps from Middle Tennessee Electric, Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, Dickson Electric and Nashville Electric Service. Overnight lows will dip into the 30s across the region, with highs only reaching the 40s on Sunday, the latest NWS forecast shows. Residents report 'major damage' across Middle Tennessee The streets of Hendersonville were pitch black Saturday evening, with rows of demolished business and downed power lines on Main Street. Traffic remained backed up for miles as workers cleared power lines from the streets. Michael Henderson, an employee at The Outpost Armory on Main Street, was working when he heard the warning siren. We swept as many people as we could inside and the took cover in the basement, he said. It was quiet and then it hit. It sounded just like a freight train coming through. A car is buried under rubble on Main Street after a tornado hit Hendersonville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. The impact blew out the gun shops front windows and shattered the glass display cases. Parts of the roof had caved in. Its major damage, Henderson said. In Springfield, visibility was near zero Saturday night in most of the city, except where police and emergency crews cordoned off areas damaged by the earlier storms. An officer directing traffic said he believed a tornado had touched down in the area of Kroger on the south side of the city. Damage to the Valvoline at the corner of Memorial Boulevard and Blackpatch Drive was visible from the road, but only because of the emergency lights. Further back, Kroger was shrouded in darkness, and authorities werent letting anyone get close enough to see the extent of the damages. Clarksville resident: 'Sounded like a train' Vincent Welshman was driving home to his wife and kids in Clarksville when he heard the tornado sirens sound off near his mom's house just a few blocks away. A low howl quickly turned into what "sounded like a train going down some train tracks," he wrote in a message to The Tennessean. The sky rapidly grew dark so dark he could not see the tornado. When the storm lifted, the Garrettsburg Estates neighborhood was shattered. "My home was not damaged, thank God, but my neighbors and friends were not so lucky," he wrote. "...The message I want to send is to just never take these emergency bulletins lightly that pop up on our phones." Mosaic Church is offering food and shelter. Sunday services are canceled and the doors are open to anyone who needs a place to go. Officials report 'significant' storm damage across Middle Tennessee Emergency crews reported heavy damage across parts of Davidson, Sumner and Montgomery counties throughout Saturday evening. "Significant storm damage reported in Sumner County," the Sumner County Emergency Management Agency said in a Facebook post around 6:20 p.m. "Lots of emergency crews out assessing damage and responding to active emergencies including lines down, gas leaks, structural collapses and vehicle crashes." Nashville Metro Council member Jennifer Gamble reported power outages in Whites Creek, Bellshire and Madison with heavy damage in the area in a social media post around 6:30 p.m. The Nashville Office of Emergency Management reported it partially activated its emergency operation center as response to the severe weather continued. The partial activation will remain in place until the Severe Weather Event and its impact on Metro Nashville Davidson County has stabilized, OEM spokesman Joseph Pleasant said in a news release. Officials urge caution The Nashville Department of Transportation urged people to stay off roads if possible and steer clear of downed lines. Nashville Electric Service is working to restore power and Nashville Department of Transportation crews are working to make roads passable as soon as possible. "Please be extremely careful in Nashville right now, especially in areas where the tornado passed through," Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell said in a social media post around 6:30 p.m. "Its dark and raining, and down power lines can be a risk ... If youre concerned about something, call it in; dont risk DIY." Please be extremely careful in Nashville right now, especially in areas where the tornado passed through. Its dark and raining, and down power lines can be a risk.@NashvilleEOC is doing damage assessments. If youre concerned about something, call it in; dont risk DIY. Freddie OConnell (@freddieoconnell) December 10, 2023 Lawmaker: 'I'm praying for Clarksville' Tennessee Rep. Ronnie Glynn, D-Clarksville, said his heart is heavy with the news from Clarksville. Im praying for Clarksville deeply and urgently this evening, Glynn said. We will work together to buildour community back. Glynn encouraged people to stay off the roads and let first responders do their jobs. Anyone who has been displaced from their homes are encouraged to go to Northeast High School for shelter. Ground stop issued at Nashville airport As of 5:54 p.m. the Nashville International Airport issued a ground stop, effective until 6:30 p.m. as high winds and storms continue to move through the area. Damage impacts Clarksville, Springfield, Hendersonville Damage reports to the Nashville Weather Service indicate that some of the most impacted areas by the tornado activity on Saturday include Clarksville in Montgomery County, Cumberland Furnace in Stewart County, Springfield in Robertson County, Madison in Davidson County, and Hendersonville and Gallatin in Sumner County. More:Nashville, Middle TN ravaged by high winds, possible tornadoes As of 5:05 p.m. wind gusts blow through Nashville area After an apparent tornado touched down in Montgomery County earlier Saturday afternoon at the northern border of the state, the storm continued to blow through west Nashville, north Nashville and was heading east toward Hendersonville ahead of 5 p.m. A storm front approaches downtown Nashville which spawned at least one tornado north of the city Saturday evening, Dec. 9, 2023. High winds move toward Middle Tennessee Areas are under a tornado warning until 4:45 p.m. CT are Nashville, Goodlettsville, and Greenbrier. Areas under a tornado warning until 4:30 p.m. CT are Dickson, Fairview, Pleasant View, Ashland City, White Bluff, and Kingston Springs all west of Nashville. High winds and gusts have affected many areas north of Nashville as high winds move across Middle Tennessee and through Nashville. 1:35 p.m. apparent tornadic winds touch down in Montgomery Co. Thousands are without power after a possible tornado touched down north of Clarksville near Tennessee's border with Kentucky at about 1:35 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Clarksville Police Department. Multiple people have been injured, and multiple structures have been destroyed, according to Montgomery County Government spokesperson Michelle Newell. Officials are actively searching homes for people who may be trapped or injured. More:Injuries, structure damage and power outages in Clarksville after possible tornado Clarksville Police, Clarksville Fire Rescue, and Montgomery County EMS are responding to numerous locations in north Clarksville due to extensive damage. A shelter has been set up at Northeast High School in Clarksville, at 3701 Trenton Road, Settle said. Tornado Warning including Nashville TN, Goodlettsville TN and Greenbrier TN until 4:45 PM CST pic.twitter.com/JigrklQTwR NWS Nashville (@NWSNashville) December 9, 2023 A tornado watch means that conditions are such that tornado formations are possible. A tornado warning means that a tornado is happening or imminent. Tornadoes are likely within the watch area, with isolated hail up to quarter size possible, and gusts of up to 70 miles per hour, NWS said. National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for parts of Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee until 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. According to severe weather reports, high wind gusts reached Dickson and Cheatham counties, sending debris into the air. NWS has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 4:45 p.m. CT for: Dickson, TN Ashland City, TN Waverly, TN Severe storms are possible Saturday afternoon and evening across Middle Tennessee and in the Nashville area, bringing large hail and damaging winds, according to NWS. Nashville Electric Service crews are stocking trucks with equipment to prepare for anticipated outages caused by strong winds, the agency shared in a social media post Saturday afternoon. Weather today is expected to be mostly cloudy through the morning, with showers and a chance of thunderstorms beginning at noon and moving into the evening. The high is 67 degrees, with a low of 38 degrees. Severe storms are forecast for Nashville on Saturday afternoon. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across Middle Tennessee between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m., according to the National Weather Service, bringing strong to damaging winds and a possibility of large hail. Storms have the potential of becoming "prolific damaging wind producers," causing tree damage and power outages, according to NWS. Large hail could cause minor roof damage and car damage. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is expected. Storms are expected to bring between 1 and 2 inches of rainfall in Middle Tennessee. There is a very low chance of tornado formation, primarily south of the I-40 corridor. Storms to hit Tennessee this weekend. Here's what to know Storms to hit Tennessee this weekend. Here's what to know Severe weather is expected in Davidson, Williamson and Rutherford Counties between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., according to NWS. Weather officials advise to keep multiple ways to receive warnings, and have a plan in place for where to go in case severe weather develops. Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 6 dead in Tennessee after ravaging winds, possible tornadoes WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said officers arrested a 60-year-old woman for stabbing and killing a 71-year-old man in Southeast D.C. MPD said that on Tuesday at about 3:40 p.m., police responded to the 900 block of 5th Street for the report of a stabbing. Police shoot, kill man that stabbed four people in Montgomery County When police arrived at the scene, they found Charmaine Smith of Southeast, D.C., who had been stabbed. He died at the hospital. 60-year-old Linda Archie of Southeast, D.C. was arrested and charged with assault with intent to kill. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. This week marks 75 years since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) the document that has become the blueprint for our international architecture of rights. The UDHR references the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family in its opening lines and goes on to lay out these rights in 30 subsequent articles. Each is vital to creating a global roadmap for protecting and advancing human rights for all, but Article 18 holds particular significance. This article outlines the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, a concept that is also referred to as freedom of religion or belief and international religious freedom. In fewer than 50 words, Article 18 codifies what we consider to be a wellspring right, meaning it is so foundational that many other rights flow from it. For example, without freedom of thought, how can we have freedom of speech or expression? What is freedom of assembly without the right to believe and worship as one chooses with that group? Although conscience rights underpin so many other vital freedoms, we have seen that the ideas contained in Article 18 often get sidelined within the broader human rights movement. In 2013, the British All Party Parliamentary Group on International Religious Freedom issued a report that referred to freedom of religion or belief as an orphaned right, one that is only protected to the extent that it does not stand in the way of achieving some other goal or ambition. We have seen firsthand how engaging with matters of faith can make many in the political and human rights worlds uncomfortable. These voices often suggest that defending freedom of religion can cause problems in international affairs for example, when dealing with authoritarian regimes like China that regularly violate the conscience rights of their people. But its well worth risking sticky geopolitical situations to stand up for religious freedom. We know from research and experience that both religious freedom and religious pluralism lead to more peaceful, prosperous, democratic societies. As we like to say, defending religious freedom is not just good for individual souls but for the whole of society. For all its benefits, current trends for international religious freedom do not look promising. More than 80 percent of the worlds population live in countries that restrict or repress freedom of religion or belief in some way. Many of these restrictions, and outright human rights violations, happen in countries where we would expect it: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, Myanmar the list goes on. But we have also seen alarming signs in robust democracies like Japan and Finland, and religion-based violence has exploded in countries that are democracies, such as India, Nigeria and Pakistan. The assaults on conscience rights around the globe are intensifying, and virtually no faith community or belief system is spared. Most recently, we have seen an ancient form of religion-based hate, namely antisemitism, sweeping across the world in horrible ways, and we have also witnessed an increase in violent anti-Christianity and Islamophobia. This grim reality reminds us that there is much work to do to ensure that countries live up to the ideals outlined in Article 18 of the UDHR. But we cannot hope to achieve this goal until conscience rights are no longer viewed as second-class citizens among the panoply of rights. The importance of religious freedom is not a new idea. Indeed, after conquering Babylon, one of the first acts the Persian king Cyrus the Great undertook was decreeing that all people had a right to choose their own religion. This decree was preserved on the clay Cyrus Cylinder which many view as the worlds first human rights charter alongside other vital decrees, such as the freeing of slaves and establishing racial equality. Cyrus knew the great worth of religious freedom all the way back in 539 B.C. It seems we are still trying to grasp its significance in 2023. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the UDHR, we urge more governments and leaders to recognize the inherent value of this freedom. The annual International Religious Freedom Summit, which will convene for the fourth time in January, has helped to create civil society momentum around this issue and bring people from across the political spectrum and spanning dozens of faith traditions together to advocate for religious freedom. Now we need governments to take up the cause more fully. We have seen progress in the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance, a growing network of over 40 like-minded countries that designate senior government representatives to discuss actions their nations can take together to promote respect for freedom of religion or belief and protect members of religious minority groups worldwide. We have also been encouraged to see major government agencies recognizing the importance of faith communities in achieving broader development goals, such as USAID introducing a new strategic religious engagement policy. These are important steps, and we hope that this 75th anniversary opens the door for more action that will move the needle on the foundational rights contained in Article 18. Samuel Brownback served as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom (2018-21) and is co-chair of the IRF Summit. Katrina Lantos Swett, P.hD., is president of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, and is former chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and is co-chair of the IRF Summit. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney wants you to remember what Donald Trump is capable of. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) You dont read a book like former Wyoming U.S. Rep. Liz Cheneys tell-all looking for literary pearls. You read it to find out what was going on behind the scenes in Congress after the 2020 election, as Donald Trumps Republican sycophants and enablers schemed with him to overturn the results of a legitimate U.S. election. You read it to remember just how feckless Trump was when he was in power, and to remind yourself exactly what he is capable of should the nightmare of a second Trump term come to pass. Oh, and of course you read it because who could ever tire of revelations about former House Speaker Kevin McCarthys spinelessness and treachery? God, what a snake. No, strike that. Snakes actually have spines. After forcefully blaming Trump for Jan. 6, McCarthy went to Mar-a-Lago to suck up to the former president, Cheney writes in "Oath and Honor," because he needed money. Nearly every major corporate donor had threatened to withdraw support from Republicans who voted to object to the electoral college votes. Because McCarthys only real political skill was fundraising, she says, he was desperate for access to Trumps extensive lists of small-dollar donors. "In order to use those lists," she writes, "Kevin would have to help Donald Trump cover up the stain of his assault on our democracy." Like many who lean left politically, I have no enduring affection for the Cheney family. They oppose almost everything I support: reproductive rights, renewable energy, the Affordable Care Act, immigration reform, you name it. I was appalled by then-Vice President Dick Cheneys warmongering and manipulation of then-President George W. Bush. And Ive never forgotten, either, that Liz Cheney boycotted the 2012 wedding of her gay sister, Mary. She later said she was wrong, but her absence was downright cruel. Read more: Can Liz Cheney defeat 'Orange Jesus'? Her anti-Trump book sure feels like a campaign memoir Imagine my surprise, then, when a tear actually sprang to my eye for a moment after reading about a particularly charged moment between Liz and her father on New Years Day 2021. On Dec. 26, 2020, the Washington Posts David Ignatius had written a column with a dire warning about Trumps postelection plotting. Shortly after he lost, Trump had fired senior Defense Department officials and installed loyalists in their place, an unprecedented move by a lame-duck president. Was he stacking the military deck in order to invoke the Insurrection Act and stay in office? A delegation of senior Republicans, wrote Ignatius, should pay a visit to Trump and tell him in no uncertain terms that hed lost. There were two problems, however, as Cheney writes. First, not enough senior Republican officials would be willing to risk Trumps wrath, and second, it was clear that privately urging Trump to do anything against his self-interest would be futile. Read more: Abcarian: Trump's plan to subvert American democracy is on the record. Will Republican voters care? Father and daughter came up with a plan: Dick Cheney was a former Defense secretary, so together they would reach out to the nine other living former secretaries of Defense and ask them to sign a public letter urging a peaceful transition of power. Efforts to involve the U.S. armed forces in solving election disputes, wrote the 10 secretaries, would take us into dangerous, unlawful and unconstitutional territory. As Liz Cheney prepared to return to Washington from Wyoming in January 2021, her father gave her a hug, and then, she wrote, He looked at me and with steel in his voice, said, 'Defend the republic, daughter.' " I will, Dad, she replied. Always. Unlike many of Cheney's critics, I see nothing self-important or self-serving here. Liz Cheney is one of the few heroic, high-profile Republicans who were willing to do the right thing after the 2020 election, even if it meant sacrificing her job and her political prospects. Read more: Abcarian: How did Gov. Newsom fare against his Florida rival, Gov. DeSantis? Surprisingly, her book is not all grim. Early in Cheneys first House term, she writes, the loathsome Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio asked her to become a member of his ultra-right-wing Freedom Caucus. His pitch? We dont have any women and we need one. Tempting as this offer was, she dryly notes, I took a pass. Her recollection of the debate among her colleagues about whether to kick her out of her leadership position for voting to impeach Trump is priceless. Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York wanted Cheney's head because Stefanik's constituents were writing letters to their local papers asking why their representative had not taken the same principled stand against Trump that Cheney had. (Many of us who had known Elise since before she abandoned all principle were curious about how she had lost her sense of right and wrong, Cheney writes.) A number of her House male colleagues simply did not appreciate Cheneys tone. Ralph Normal of South Carolina kept repeating that his problem with me was my attitude: Youve just got such a defiant attitude! (So unladylike!) Read more: Opinion: The GOP challengers are fragmented. Biden's coalition is weakening. What can stop Trump now? Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania was hurt by Cheney's early statement in favor of Trump's impeachment. Its like playing in the biggest game of your life, he whined, and you see your girlfriend sitting on the opponents side." Female members loudly objected. Yeah, Cheney said. Im not your girlfriend. On Jan. 6, 2022, one year after the attack by deeply misguided Trump supporters so many of whom face long prison terms for their crimes that day there was a small ceremony and a moment of silence on the House floor. Only two Republicans showed up: Liz Cheney and her father. The following month, Cheney and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, the two Republicans who served on the House Jan. 6 committee, were censured by the Republican National Committee for participating in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse. Cheney, as always, was unbowed. I do not recognize those in my party who have abandoned the Constitution to embrace Donald Trump, she responded at the time. History will be their judge. In her book, she reflects on the moment: The resolution reflected a political party that had lost its principles and, frankly, seemed to be led by morons. Sadly, it still is. @robinkabcarian If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Palestinians gather to collect food cooked by volunteers in Rafah, one of the few areas where aid is possible - Mohammed Talatene /Avalon The situation in Gaza is apocalyptic, aid agencies have said, with half of the population now starving and the cost of a bag of flour rising to $95 (76) in parts. While Israel says that it is working to increase the amount of aid entering Gaza, the UN reported that it had barely been able to deliver its current stocks because of the intensity of the fighting and restriction of movement by Israeli troops. Rafah, near the Egyptian border, is one of the only locations where aid deliveries are currently possible but aid workers said deliveries have been so sparse that the streets are teeming with people in search of food. The humanitarian operation is collapsing, said Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the UN World Food Programme. Half of the population are starving, nine out of 10 are not eating every day. Amid dire warnings of food shortages and mass displacement in Gaza as a winter chill sets in, Bushra Khalidi, of aid group Oxfam, warned that the plight of trapped Palestinians is not just a catastrophe, its apocalyptic. Food and water crisis at hospital In Al Awda, a non-governmental hospital in the north of Gaza, a group of 250 staff, patients and families is rapidly running out of food and water. Mohammed Salma, a hospital staff member, told The Telegraph that Israeli snipers had been surrounding the building for the past six days. They estimated that there may be enough food to last another two days if each person was restricted to one meal. In a voice note sent to The Telegraph, Salma said from the hospital: The smell from the bathrooms without water, and the bacteria [in the wounds] of the injured patients its very bad. Bombs could be heard in the background of the recording. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza released a list of the infectious diseases that had been reported in shelters. More than 95,000 people had reported diarrhoea, a leading cause of child mortality, while more than 133,000 people had upper respiratory tract infections. Cases of hepatitis, scabies, meningitis and herpes were also on the rise, according to aid groups, as a result of severe overcrowding and inadequate water treatment. Disease and illness is blighting Rafah, which borders Egypt, where tens of thousands have fled to escape Israeli shelling. The UN said last week that it was handing out the last of its tent supplies and increasing numbers would be facing winter on the streets. Multiple families share tents In the Al Mawasi humanitarian zone, an area smaller than Heathrow which Israel had been advising all Gazans to move to, images showed crowds of people scrambling towards an aid distribution point. Multiple families are sharing tents and water is only coming once every 10 days, according to reports. Many only have thin mattresses to keep them warm and the few winter clothes they could leave with. The food that is available has skyrocketed in cost alongside the demand. Aid worker Hilal Abu Asad said that strikes had been too heavy around his home in Deir Al Balah, central Gaza, for him to leave. The region has been severed from the north and the south by Israeli troops. Footage from an air strike there last week showed people digging through the rubble to look for food as well as victims. Mr Abu Asad had been orchestrating deliveries of aid and food throughout the war but is now surviving on the last remaining stocks of old canned food in his home, some of which are expired. We have to eat it, he said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Former Vice President Al Gore on Sunday said it was ridiculous that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a major oil-producing country hosted the COP28 climate summit. Well, its kind of ridiculous, Gore said when asked on CNNs State of the Union why the UAE hosted the climate conference. It should not be, although its not so much that its in a country that produces oil. Its the appointment of the CEO of one of the biggest and least responsible companies on the planet to be the head of the conference. The UAE has received backlash over its decision to make Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, CEO of the UAEs national oil and gas company, the host of the COP28 climate summit this year. Al-Jaber had also faced criticism after he suggested there was no evidence that phasing out fossil fuels would achieve climate goals. Gore said al-Jabers company has plans to expand production of both oil and gas by an enormous amount starting the minute the gavel bangs to end this conference. He accused the host of having a conflict of interest due to his role as head of the oil and gas company. The people of our world deserve to have some confidence that this process has integrity, and weve been seeing the fossil fuel polluters try to manipulate this process for a long time, Gore said. And the world is running out of patience because this, this is so serious. Now were in the hottest year ever measured. Were seeing these extreme climate-related weather events causing havoc all over the world, he continued. He said that everyone needs to pay careful attention to those scientists who predicted that the world would reach record-breaking temperatures. Gore, a longtime climate activist, previously criticized the host of the conference for having a conflict of interest. They are abusing the publics trust by naming the CEO of one of the largest and least responsible oil companies in the world as head of the COP, Gore told Reuters in an interview at the conference in Dubai last week. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Al Gore thinks people need to take Donald Trump at face value. The former Vice President explained why preserving democracy is essential to tackling the climate crisis while talking about the 2024 presidential election on CNNs State on the Union on Sunday. Asked what a second Trump term would mean for the environment and America, Gore told journalist Jake Tapper, Well, I saw the other day where he pledged to be a dictator on day one. You kind of wonder what itll take for people to believe him when he tells us who he is. He didnt seem daunted by the former presidents promise, however. The solution to the political despair is political action, the Democrat went on. For those in the Republican party, in the Democratic party and independents who love American democracy and who want to preserve our capacity to govern ourselves and solve our problems, now is the time to get active. Former Vice President @algores message to Americans worried about what a second Trump term would mean for the climate and democracy: The solution to political despair is political action. pic.twitter.com/FAKgqfqRC3 State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) December 10, 2023 Gore also connected anxiety about the environment to the global mental health crisis, telling Tapper, I think one of the main reasons for that is that young people look at the fact that we are not yet solving the climate crisis or dealing with some of these other challenges. Calling a shift towards sustainability a poly-solution, he said, we know what to do, we have the means to do it, and we have to make sure that we make the right political choices in our democracy to enable ourselves to make the right choices. Gore, who narrowly lost his presidential bid to Republican President George W. Bush in 2000, has criticized Trump for his efforts to keep President Joe Biden from taking office after the 2020 election. He called Trumps Stop the Steal scheme nonsense during a 2021 conversation with CNN where he said, He lost by 7 million votes. It wasnt close for Gods sake. Apparently a majority of his party is still so enthralled to him that they still believe that the American people did not make the judgment that they clearly made, Gore went on. This is very damaging to our democracy. Related... LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Days before the shooting that killed three UNLV professors and left one other visiting professor hospitalized, Tony Polito, the alleged gunman, appeared to have published a document related to the contents of envelopes police say he sent to individuals across the country. Politos website hosted his theories on various mysteries and puzzles, including one that claimed that he had solved the Zodiac killer case. On. Dec. 2, four days before the UNLV shooting, Polito posted a link on his website called: !!! CONTENT OF ENVELOPES !!! The link led to a 16-page document with what appeared to be personal letters to educators across the country and the alleged shooters opinion on the current state of higher education. The link appeared to have been removed from the website on Dec. 6, the day of the shooting. Polito appears to name 20 educators in the document. Some of those named seem to be previous coworkers, while others appear to be from institutions that rejected Politos employment. One such note was addressed to a former UNLV president. The writings, in which Polito appears to refer to himself as Dr160IQ, include personal attacks and accuse educators of doing him wrong. Investigators said Polito applied numerous times for jobs at several Nevada System Higher Education institutions and was denied. At the end of the document, Polito expresses his discontent with the current state of higher education, claiming faculty are no longer hired on merit but if they will go along, and turn a blind eye. Police say they found a dashcam in Politos vehicle, and using that camera, they were able to determine that Polito went to a Henderson post office before the shooting. At the post office, Polito sent 22 letters with no return address on any envelopes, police said. While screening some of the intercepted envelopes, police discovered a letter that contained an unknown white powder substance. On Thursday, LVMPD officials said that the powder was deemed harmless. Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department encouraged those who may receive a mailing with no return address to contact local law enforcement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Alyson Hannigan is celebrating her transformation from beginning to end of Season 32 of Dancing With The Stars. Hannigan, who finished in fifth place this season, posted two photos side-by-side on her Instagram Dec. 9. The first photo was Hannigans promo shot from the show, while the second picture was taken at the finale on Dec. 5. In both snaps, the How I Met Your Mother star donned a silver fringe dress, showcasing her body transformation after months of strenuous training. The before and after says it all, Hannigan wrote in the caption. I lost 20 pounds of both weight and emotional baggage during my time on @dancingwiththestars. She went on to thank her dance partner, Sasha Farber, adding, I cant thank @sashafarber1 enough for helping me shed my insecurities and getting me to the confident and strong place I am today! The 49-year-old actor reflected on her DWTS journey as a whole on social media in the days after the finale, celebrating the memories and friends she made as well as her personal achievements. Ive learned that I am capable of doing things that Ive told myself my whole life that Im not capable of doing (Im literally flying in this Freestyle!!!), and to really just go in with a positive attitude and try and work hard, she added in the caption of her Instagram post Dec. 6. The fact that I got to perform in the finale to me is a win. In another post shared on Dec. 8, Hannigan posted a video montage on Instagram that included several behind-the-scenes moments of her time on the show. The former Buffy the Vampire Slayer star opened up more about her time on the show and shared her gratitude for the experience and to the crew. She also had another special note dedicated to Farber, writing in part, To go into this journey with mostly fear, and come out how I feel now is indescribable. I cannot thank @sashafarber1 enough for everything he gave me, shared with me and experienced with me, she added. I couldnt have asked for a better partner. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for giving me confidence and making me feel like I could do this and then getting me there and having so much fun along the way. Over the course of the competition leading up to the finale, Hannigan and Farber danced a Viennese waltz to Perfect by Ed Sheeran, a Paso Doble to Supermassive Black Hole by Muse, and the jive to Shake It Off by Taylor Swift and Footloose by Kenny Loggins. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has officially pledged his fealty to former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election despite some concerns about Trumps messaging. What President Trump needs to do in this campaign, it needs to be about rebuilding, restoring, renewing America. It can't be about revenge, McCarthy said during an interview with CBS Robert Costa that aired Sunday. "He's talking about retribution, day in, day out, Costa pointed out. "He needs to stop that," McCarthy responded, adding later that he expects Trump adapt when he gets all the facts. Trump is showing no signs of slowing down his calls for revenge. Hes fueled his campaign and rallied supporters on the slogan for months. But Trumps calls for vengeance dont line up with what voters want, according to McCarthy. "America doesn't want to see the idea of retribution," he said. "If it's rebuild, restore and renew, then I think you'll see that. McCarthy announced last week that plans to leave Congress by the end of December after a year that saw him win the long-coveted job of speaker only to be ousted in October. Though Trump pulled for McCarthy during his lengthy speakership bid in January, he was silent when eight hard-core members of McCarthys caucus voted him out in the fall. But McCarthy, who came to Trumps side at Mar-a-Lago in 2021 after initially condemning the former president for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, will still ride the Trump train in 2024. I'm not gonna stop giving him the advice. And look, I lost the job of Speaker. Maybe I don't have the best advice, McCarthy said. But I know one thing is: I love this country. I want tomorrow to be better than today. And I'm gonna do everything in my power, and I'm gonna be engaged in the process to make it better." (KRON) The American Canyon Police Department arrested a 20-year-old man for felony hit-and-run. American Canyon traffic enforcement officers witnessed a vehicle speeding through residential neighborhoods in the rain before crashing into parked cars at over 70 mph. Alleged intoxicated driver arrested by Benicia PD According to police, the driver fled on foot, running through several backyards before being found by ACPD. The driver was identified as 20-year-old Sacramento resident Isaiah Ramirez. According to police investigation, Ramirez is in the Napa Community Youth Diversion Program, which assists youth who are exhibiting at-risk behaviors. Ramirez was booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections on charges related to felony evading and hit and run. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Ann Schlee, who has died aged 89, was one of those rare novelists who found success writing for both children and adults. The Vandal, a dystopian tale of alienation in Thatcherite Britain, won the 1980 Guardian Childrens Fiction Prize, while Rhine Journey, the story of a Victorian spinsters emotional awakening on a European excursion, was shortlisted for the 1981 Booker Prize and was nearly adapted by Tom Stoppard into a script. Critics praised the verisimilitude of her period detail, not just in Rhine Journey, but also in The Proprietor (1983), about the 19th-century altruistic autocrat who owned the Scilly Isles, and Laing (1987), fictionalising the titular Scotsmans ill-fated journey to Timbuktu in 1848. Ann Schlee possesses a remarkable gift for enabling the reader to enter a past world, enlightened but unshackled by modern concepts and prejudices, wrote The Times. But although she counted Stoppard, Olivia Manning, Roy Hattersley and Jane Gardam among her admirers, her delicately observed period pieces did not, perhaps, make quite enough noise amid the bolder literary experimentalism that marked the 1980s and 1990s; Rhine Journey was beaten to the Booker by Salman Rushdies Midnights Children. Rhine Journey was shortlisted for the Booker Ann Schlee happily combined her writing with teaching she worked with school refusers, and at evening institutes and was sanguine about her books eventually falling out of print. As such, she was amazed when approached earlier this year by both American and British imprints eager to republish Rhine Journey. But it was a fitting transatlantic tribute for a writer who, despite living in England for most of her life, never lost her sense of identity as an American (not least because people were forever correcting her pronunciation and spelling), and who maintained a very dry Bostonian sense of humour. Born in Greenwich, Connecticut on May 26 1934, Citizen Schlee, as she later called herself, spent her early years with her American mother Nancy (nee Houghton) in her grandparents house, where her atheist grandmother had replaced the family bible on a lectern with a copy of Websters dictionary, while her British father, Major General (later Sir) Duncan Cumming, was away at war. Mother and daughter sailed to Alexandria after the war to reunite with Cumming, by then a colonial administrator, responsible for the occupied Italian colonies. Her fathers subsequent postings meant that she spent periods of her childhood in Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea. A friend of her mothers wept to see someone so young already so proficient at packing her own suitcase. Although not strictly autobiographical, her final novel, The Time in Aderra (1998) about a teenager visiting her mother and stepfather in Africa, where he is the governor of a small British protectorate certainly draws on these experiences. She finished her schooling at Downe House in England, suffering grimly both the institution and climate. She wore a hot water bottle strapped under her uniform. Anne Schlees 1983 book about the 19th-century altruistic autocrat who owned the Scilly Isles She met her future husband, the artist Nick Schlee, while reading English at Somerville College, Oxford. Her parents refused to agree to the marriage until Nick had secured a job, so after graduation she returned to America and taught at Rosemary Hall (now Choate) in Connecticut. Nick followed her, joining an advertising company in New York. They returned to the UK in 1957, living first in Primrose Hill, north London, in a flat newly vacated by Amaryllis Fleming, the cellist daughter of Augustus John, before settling in a large but run-down house in Wandsworth. Hannah, the youngest of their four children, remembers the musical sound of water dripping into saucepans whenever it rained. Fix the roof, was her mothers reply to the journalist who later asked what she would do with the winnings if Rhine Journey won the Booker. She wrote the five childrens books she published between 1971 and 1980 by rising at five each morning before her children were awake. Recognising a fellow early bird, the local binmen went about their work as quietly as possible outside her window. Ann Schlee is survived by her husband, and their three daughters and son. Ann Schlee, born May 26 1934, died November 1 2023 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. (Bloomberg) -- Annastacia Palaszczuk is resigning as premier of Australias Queensland state after serving in the role since 2015. Most Read from Bloomberg Now is the time for me to find out what life has to offer, Palaszczuk said at a televised press conference Sunday. Queensland is in good shape, which is why now it is time for me to leave. Palaszczuk, who was sworn in for a third term as premier in 2020, will officially step down as leader of the nations third-most populous state at the end of the week. The Labor Party caucus will then decide on her replacement. I will be giving my strong endorsement to Deputy Premier Steven Miles to be the next premier of Queensland, she said. Read: Labor Wins Third Term in Australias Queensland State Election Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Thousands of people demonstrated in Brussels on Sunday against antisemitism amid concern in Belgium's Jewish community over the rising number of antisemitic incidents in Europe since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and the launch of Israel's offensive in Gaza. Police estimated the number of protesters at around 4,000. In a peaceful rally, they waved Belgian flags and held banners reading: "You don't have to be Jewish to march against antisemitism" and "Jewish joy is resistance". (Reporting by Jan Strupczewski; Editing by Ros Russell) It can be difficult to imagine two identities more conflicting than being queer and Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often called the LDS or Mormon church, teaches that heterosexual marriage and binary gender roles are divinely dictated. Prophets and other leaders previously taught that queerness was a sinful condition that could be cured, although today the church tells members a change in attraction should not be expected or demanded. LGBTQ people face similar challenges in a variety of religious traditions. Yet there are unique aspects of LDS doctrine, particularly how it emphasizes the importance of family, that intensify queer church members struggle to reconcile their identities and relationships. This can be especially challenging for one group not often discussed when issues about LGBTQ individuals and the LDS church make the news: asexual Latter-day Saints. We are both communication researchers who study how cultural messages affect queer and transgender communities: One of us researches the intersections of race and queer identities, while the other focuses on queer and asexual issues within Mormonism. Activists outside the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2019. George Frey/Getty Images Chastity and marriage People along the asexual spectrum experience little to no sexual attraction. A common term for people who identify as asexual is ace. Since asexuality is a spectrum, its important to note some ace folks still desire and form romantic and other intimate relationships. Folks who do not experience romantic attraction which is separate from sexual attraction are known as aromantic, colloquially called aro. Ace and aro are usually represented as A in the popular acronym LGBTQIA+. Because of the churchs emphasis on chastity its own version of the purity culture many Christian groups promote some closeted ace teenagers may find themselves applauded, because avoiding sexual activity comes easily to them. Once in high school and college, however, religious pressure to date increases. Many young Latter-day Saints serve as missionaries men for two years, women for 18 months and are often encouraged to get married soon after. Church policies prohibit same-sex relationships and gender-affirming care or transitioning for transgender members. In contrast, leaders have not issued a specific policy against asexuality. Mormon scripture does, however, teach that heterosexual marriage is required to achieve exaltation in the highest level of heaven. This teaching does not specifically discriminate against asexual church members, since some ace individuals desire marriage, while some non-asexual folks commonly referred to as allosexual or zedsexual do not want marriage. But LDS culture prioritizes dating and childbearing in unique ways. For example, in addition to scripture teaching marriage is required for heavenly exaltation, the current prophet, Russell Nelson, has said, Every woman is a mother by virtue of her eternal divine destiny. Further, the church oversees singles only congregations known as singles wards in many areas and encourages attendees to date. And while LDS childbirth rates are on the decline, members of the faith still have more children than their peers. On average, middle-aged Latter-day Saints have had 3.4 kids, compared with the national average of 2.1. Being ace in the church A recent research essay that Brandley co-wrote with rhetoric scholar Leland Spencer uses data from interviews and online posts to study how Latter-day Saint ace people navigate romantic and sexual pressures toward marriage. Many participants reported hearing frequent anti-queer messages from religious leadership and family members, which sometimes led them to internalize shame and self-hatred. One participant recalled a missionary telling them that their lack of interest in sex or children is proof that Im apparently under demonic influence and that their asexuality is evidence of the devil working in my life. Yet other ace members feel more comfortable in church environments. For example, another participant said she has never gotten that kind of pressure that other people get, such as questions from leaders inquiring, Who are you dating? When are you going to get married? These drastically different experiences can, in part, be connected to how congregations are run. Local wards do not have paid, formally trained clergy; instead, members volunteer for various callings, such as teaching religious classes or serving as a bishop. This leads to local leaders having room to approach various challenges based on their personal preference, which some members refer to as leadership roulette. One bishop may approach issues around gender and sexuality differently than another. Some ace Latter-day Saints also face difficulties due to religious messages shared by their families. In Brandley and Spencers research interviews, most participants reported that their families did not discuss sex, or that when they did, they emphasized rejecting sexuality. As young people reached adulthood, it felt jarring for their families to suddenly start emphasizing the importance of having children. Finding a place Given these unique cultural and religious values around dating and marriage, many ace Latter-day Saints can feel stuck, lonely and even traumatized. One ace participant shared how being raised in Utah LDS culture made her feel pressure to date in order to be the quintessential Mormon woman. She shared, I forced myself into situations that felt unsafe, and left wishing I had listened to myself. Research suggests that some queer Latter-day Saints do try to embrace both these aspects of their identities. There are signs in recent years that more leaders and members of the church, especially millennials, want to create more accepting congregations. Yet for now, when queer Latter-day Saints feel welcomed and affirmed, it is in spite of the dominant interpretation of the churchs doctrine. Many church members who describe themselves as experiencing same-sex attraction assert that they are not gay or queer, according to a 2019 psychology study. Another study found that 53% of queer LDS respondents had abandoned their religious identity, which may suggest how unwelcome they felt. And one doctoral dissertation found that 86% of the LGBTQ Mormon respondents would likely meet the criteria to be diagnosed with PTSD. The Latter-day Saints church preaches for its adherents to abandon prejudice and have love for everyone. Yet embracing asexual people as they are, and embracing the kind of love that they experience, seems to be a challenge to that commitment. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.Like this article? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. It was written by: ben Brandley, Arizona State University and Loretta LeMaster, Arizona State University. Read more: The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. UPDATE: Kenneth has been found safe. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Auburn police are searching for a man who went missing earlier on Saturday. Kenneth was last seen just after 3:00 p.m. in his Auburn home and has not been seen or heard from since. Auburn police say his phone is broken and he also has early-onset dementia. Kenneth drives a black 2019 Honda CRV with a Massachusetts license plate reading 48NT77. He has family in Auburn, Millbury, Sutton, Uxbridge. If you see Kenneth or his car, please call Auburn police. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW By Renju Jose SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia on Monday said it would tighten visa rules for international students and low-skilled workers that could halve its migrant intake over the next two years as the government looks to overhaul what it said was a "broken" migration system. Under the new policies, international students would need to secure higher ratings on English tests and there would be more scrutiny on a student's second visa application that would prolong their stay. "Our strategy will bring migration numbers back to normal," Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said during a media briefing. "But it's not just about numbers. It's not just about this moment and the experience of migration our country is having at this time. This is about Australia's future." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over the weekend said Australia's migration numbers needed to be wound back to a "sustainable level," adding that "the system is broken." O'Neil said the government's targeted reforms were already putting downward pressure on net overseas migration and will further contribute to an expected decline in migrant numbers. The decision comes after net immigration was expected to have peaked at a record 510,000 in 2022-23. Official data showed it was forecast to fall to about a quarter of a million in 2024-25 and 2025-26, roughly in line with pre-COVID levels. O'Neil said the increase in net overseas migration in 2022-23 was mostly driven by international students. Shares of IDP Education, which provides placement and education services to international students, were down more than 3% in afternoon trade. Australia boosted its annual migration numbers last year to help businesses recruit staff to fill shortages after the COVID-19 pandemic brought strict border controls, and kept foreign students and workers out for nearly two years. But the sudden influx of foreign workers and students has exacerbated pressure on an already tight rental market, with homelessness on the rise in the country. A survey done for the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper on Monday said 62% of Australian voters said the country's migration intake was too high. Long reliant on immigration to supply what is now one of the tightest labour markets in the world, Australia's Labor government has pushed to speed up the entry of highly skilled workers and smooth their path to permanent residency. A new specialist visa for highly skilled workers will be set up with the processing time set at one week, helping businesses recruit top migrants amid tough competition with other developed economies. (Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Mark Porter and Michael Perry) The search is on for a man wanted for stealing more than $1,000 in luxury merchandise from a Sephora in Calabasas. According to a release from the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, the theft occurred on Nov. 13 at the Sephora store in the Calabasas Commons at 5:19 p.m. Road rage suspect rams police cars, is shot by officers in Hacienda Heights The suspect entered the store and proceeded to the fragrance section where he took multiple Tom Ford and Yves Saint-Laurent items and concealed them in his sweatshirt, authorities said. Authorities searching for man who stole thousands in luxury merchandise from Sephora He then exited the store with the unpaid items worth $1,309 before entering a silver Nissan SUV and fleeing the scene. Fire breaks out at LAX terminal; cause under investigation Anyone with information is asked to contact the LASDs Malibu-Lost Hills Station. Anonymous information can be submitted by calling L.A. Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. In 1997, Nelson Mandela, president of South Africa, said We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians. It was not an uncommon sentiment for Mandela. In February 1990, before he became president, Mandela was questioned by ABCs Ted Koppel about support he had expressed toward international leaders like Fidel Castro, Muammar Gaddafi and Yasser Arafat. He responded unambiguously: The support for Yasser Arafat in his struggle does not mean that the ANC has ever doubted the right of Israel to exist as a state, legally. We have stood quite openly and firmly for the right of that state to exist within secure borders. But, of course We carefully define what we mean by secure borders. We do not mean that Israel has the right to retain the territories they conquered from the Arab world, like the Gaza Strip, the [Syrian] Golan Heights and the West Bank. We dont agree with that. Those territories should be returned to the Arab people. Mandela, who once attended a summit in Algiers wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh - the iconic black and white checked scarf - said: One of the mistakes which some political analysts make is to think that their enemies should be our enemies. Robert Azzi We all have enemies, and we have come to deal with them in distinctly different ways. On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) delivered a major speech on American antisemitism, inspired by the rise in anti-Israeli protests in response to Israels relentless assault on Gaza after Hamas's barbaric attacks, protests which appear in some cases as some sort of embrace of Hamas and its goal of the elimination of all Jews and the state of Israel. "... I have noticed a significant disparity between how Jewish people regard the rise of antisemitism," Schumer said, "and how many of my non-Jewish friends regard it. To us, the Jewish people, the rise of antisemitism is a crisisa five-alarm fire that must be extinguished." There are a lot of five-alarm fires ravaging our collective lands today - and they are all connected. I was disappointed in Schumer's speech, disappointed not because he rightly and forcefully denounced the rise in antisemitism and antisemitic activity, disappointed not because he rightly called for it to be extinguished, but because he failed, in my opinion, to fully contextualize his critique and perspective within our shared American, and international, experiences. Disappointed because he failed to connect his five-alarm fire to all our interconnected fires. Schumer failed to address the fact that the primary inspiration, historical and contemporary, for antisemitism in America is often white nationalist supremacy; that from the earliest days of settlement on this continent Black enslavement, the genocide and ethnic cleansing of America's indigenous peoples, the 1830 Indian Removal Act, the 1882 Chinese Expulsion Act, the thousands of lynchings, the 1921 Tulsa pogrom, the Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male, the 1939 refusal to allow the SS St. Louis to disembark 900 Jews fleeing Nazi Germany, the internment of Japanese-Americans - the lynchings of Emmett Till, Tamir Rice, George Floyd and others, the attacks on George Soros, the attacks on the Tree of Life Synagogue and Mother Emanuel Church - right up to the censure of Palestinian-Muslim-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, have all been attacks fueled in great measure by the colonial and institutional impulses of a white supremacist - often antisemitic - nation over a period of more than 400 years. These acts, and so many more, were not the actions of young peoples from elite universities rioting in America's streets shouting hateful slogans. They're not happening today simply because the presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania have failed to educate them properly. Yes, it is true that many young people - including both supporters of Palestinian rights and aspirations and some antisemites - have been aggressive and confrontational toward Jews and Jewish interest since October 7th and that must be condemned and stopped. There is no room for any support or excuse for any of Hamas' war crimes. They are happening because Schumer, Biden, Netanyahu, and Hamas' leaders are all thinking transactionally, and the people in the streets - including 1,000s of Jews who support the humanity of the Palestinian people - who are transformatively trying to bring about liberation and freedom. They're not happening just because some are calling for an Intifada (uprising) or for freedom for Palestinians from the river to the sea - though some may believe that. They are happening because conflicts are what happens when people are unjustly oppressed and occupied, whether in Ferguson or Gaza. They are happening because they understand well that ... our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians. They are happening, too, because Schumer's generation fails to appreciate the historic cultural and religious links binding Black American and Palestinian activists; that Black activists and Palestinians see in each other peoples engaged in existential anti-colonial struggles for freedom and liberation. They are, in the end, happening because there are malign political and religious forces - true antisemites, alongside Islamophobes - at play in our nation who want to tear down our democratic institutions for their personal and political gain. In 2013, The Muslim Public Affairs Council gave Anthony Bourdain and his show, Parts Unknown, their Voices of Courage and Conscience award for his work in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. In his acceptance speech Bourdain spoke of the Palestinians with whom he cooked and ate and said: "I was enormously grateful for the response from Palestinians, in particular, for doing what seemed to me an ordinary thing, something we do all the time: show regular people doing everyday things. ... The world has visited many terrible things on the Palestinian people, none more shameful than robbing them of their basic humanity. People are not statistics. That is all we attempted to show." We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without everyone's freedom, know that attaining freedom is not a zero sum game. That is what we must all attempt to show of each other. Anything less is a statistic. Robert Azzi, a photographer and writer who lives in Exeter, can be reached at theother.azzi@gmail.com. His columns are archived at theotherazzi.wordpress.com. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Azzi: Everyone's freedom incomplete without freedom of Palestinians Mother and baby were taken to hospital as a precaution but there injuries were 'not critical' - UKNIP A baby was rescued from a wrecked car after the vehicle flipped onto its roof. Paramedics rushed to the scene in Welling, London, on Sunday after a car flipped following a crash at around 6.30am. Emergency services freed a woman and a baby from the wrecked car and rushed the pair to hospital. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the woman and child were taken to hospital as a precaution, and that their injuries were not critical. Images from the scene of the crash show a white vehicle with the front portion of the roof crushed against the road close to a traffic island on which the cone has been flattened. Glass debris from the broken windows of the car was scattered across tarmac on Okehampton Crescent, a residential street in the Borough of Bexley in south east London. The road was taped off by police after Met officers, who were sent to the scene alongside firefighters with the London Fire Service, and London Ambulance service paramedics. Despite the car flipping and the windows shattering in the crash, emergency services have reported that neither the woman nor the baby suffered serious injuries. No arrest A spokesman for the Met Police said: Police were called by ambulance colleagues at 6.28am on December 10 to an overturned car in St Michaels Rise junction with Okehampton Crescent, Welling. Officers attended along with LAS and LFB. A woman and a baby were taken to hospital as a precaution. Their injuries are not believed to be critical. There has been no arrest. Incidents in which cars flip, known as vehicle rollovers, may often prove more dangerous than other kinds of crash, as the roof may collapse inward and cause fatal head injuries for the occupants. Statistics from the US Department of Transportation shows that 30 per cent of all passenger deaths in car crashes are a result of the vehicle rolling over. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. The emergency Rwanda legislation cannot go any further, four leading barristers have warned. The four KCs including Geoffrey Cox, the former attorney general say that attempts to toughen up the Rwanda Bill risk breaching international law, would force Rwanda to collapse the scheme and could ultimately undermine the sovereignty of Parliament. Their support, in an online letter published in full below, will be seized on by the Prime Minister as he attempts to head off demands by MPs on the Right of the Conservative Party who want to further limit the right of illegal migrants to mount individual challenges to their deportation to Rwanda. The Bill bars systemic legal challenges that claim Rwanda as a country is unsafe and disapplies the UKs human rights act, but illegal migrants can still lodge appeals if they can show they individually would be at imminent risk of serious and irreversible harm if deported to Rwanda and take their case to Strasbourg. Mr Sunak has claimed that successful individual claims will be vanishingly rare and that to go further would jeopardise the entire Rwanda deportation scheme as the African nation has warned it will pull out if the UK breaches international law. It goes as far as it can within the law In their letter, the four including Lord Sandhurst, a former Bar Council chair, Lord Speaight, a former senior Bar Council officer, and Charles Banner, KC said: It goes as far as it can within the law to oust legal challenges to removal, and closes down the vast majority of grounds for challenge. They warned the legal consequences of further exemptions or ousters from domestic or international law would be three-fold, including breaching treaty obligations under the Refugee Convention which may put the Rwanda scheme at risk. They have said that denying illegal migrants any right to appeal would breach Article 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) the right to a legal remedy and could bog down the Rwanda Bill in lengthy litigation in the UK and Strasbourg where judges would likely fast-track a legal case against the UK. The Bill currently allows individual claims that migrants would be at risk of serious and irreversible harm, a threshold which the barristers say will mean very few will be successful, and only on medical or political grounds such as a specific personal threat from Rwandas government. Are MPs willing to argue that a late-stage pregnant woman should be unable to challenge her removal to Rwanda, or that a patient with a rare cancer that cannot be treated in Rwanda should have no ability to present their medical records? they asked. These may sound like extreme cases, but that is precisely because the Bill as currently drafted would only allow claims to succeed in extreme situations like these. A leading Tory rebel said: They have misunderstood the nature of the individual claims - anybody with a claimed mental health condition can block their removal. First as to whether they are fit to fly and then with the court under the test of whether they face serious and irreversible harm, which is now a much lower threshold because of the Supreme Court defeat. It is understood senior lawyers who have advised the Government are concerned the Home Office may not be able to process asylum cases quickly and efficiently enough to avoid delays clogging up the courts and hampering deportations. The KCs appeared to acknowledge the concerns but said: Ongoing recruitment of additional immigration judges, alongside tribunal rules enforcing procedural rigour, can facilitate the swift determination of such claims. They warned the courts could even challenge the assumption in the Bill that Parliament was sovereign through denying asylum seekers any right to appeal. If the Supreme Court were to quash or disapply an Act of Parliament on domestic constitutional grounds for the first time, it will be impossible to put the constitutional genie back in the bottle, the KCs said. Those who argue for more must confront the legal consequences The Governments Safety of Rwanda Bill is undoubtedly the most robust piece of immigration legislation Parliament has seen. It goes as far as it can within the law to oust legal challenges to removal, and closes down the vast majority of grounds for challenge. Those who argue for further ousters must confront the legal consequences of doing so, of which there are three. First, the Government would have no respectable legal argument for asserting that the Bill accords with the UKs treaty obligations under the Refugee Convention. The Rwandan government has made clear it sees compliance with international law as paramount, not least because it wishes to replicate its UK deal with other countries. Secondly, it would place the UK in clear contravention of Article 13 of the ECHR (the right to an effective remedy) for those with a genuine claim that, even if Rwanda is generally safe, they face serious and irreversible harm due to their own specific circumstances (e.g. medical reasons mean that the journey back would be a threat to their life; or they face a specific personal threat from the Rwanda government). The threshold for such claims under the Bill is very high and we expect there will be very few that will be successful. Ongoing recruitment of additional immigration judges, alongside tribunal rules enforcing procedural rigour, can facilitate the swift determination of such claims. By contrast, if there is no scope at all for such claims, it is inevitable that the implementation of the Bill will get bogged down in litigation, frustrating its aim of ensuring flights can leave to Rwanda as soon as possible. Thirdly, the assumption that Parliament is entirely sovereign is only that an assumption, which the courts have long indicated could be revisited in the event that Parliament did the unthinkable. Legislation which mandated the removal of someone, without the right of appeal, despite clear evidence that this would result in them suffering death or serious and irreversible inhumane treatment, would test that assumption. And if the Supreme Court were to quash or disapply an Act of Parliament on domestic constitutional grounds for the first time, it will be impossible to put the constitutional genie back in the bottle. The practical implications also bear consideration. Are MPs willing to argue that a late-stage pregnant woman should be unable to challenge her removal to Rwanda, or that a patient with a rare cancer that cannot be treated in Rwanda should have no ability to present their medical records? These may sound like extreme cases, but that is precisely because the Bill as currently drafted would only allow claims to succeed in extreme situations like these. The ousting of all claims would not just have legal consequences, if successful it would have serious human consequences too. Charles Banner KC, Sir Geoffrey Cox KC MP, Lord Sandhurst (Guy Mansfield KC), Anthony Speaight KC Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Paolo Macchiarini, the subject of Netflixs newest true-crime documentary, Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife, was once hailed as a pioneering thoracic surgeon. However, he was eventually found to have botched several procedures, with many of his patients later dying. At the time of his supposed ground-breaking medical discoveries and transplants, he wooed NBC News producer Benita Alexander, who was reporting on his windpipe procedures at the time for a 2014 special titled A Leap of Faith. Macchiarini, who was married at the time when they initially met, told Alexander that he had got divorced. They became engaged shortly after. In 2015, she called off their engagement after she began suspecting that the Swiss-born doctor had lied about their wedding, his career and marital status. I was engaged to a monster, Alexander says in the trailer of the streamers three-part docuseries. Now 65, the disgraced surgeon has made recent waves in the media. Not only as the subject of Netflixs new expose but his story will also be at the centre of season two of Peacocks hit drama series Doctor Death, based on the popular podcast of the same name. Its been more than a decade since he first transplanted a synthetic trachea into a patient, but with this newfound wave of media attention, many viewers may be wondering where Macchiarini is now and if hes still practicing medicine. What is Macchiarini doing now? A year after his split from Alexander, in 2016, he was officially fired from his post at Swedens Karolinska University amid claims of scientific negligence and falsification of his CV. Paolo Macchiarini (Netflix) In December 2018, Sweden decided to reopen a previously discontinued investigation into three cases. Authorities alleged that Macchiarini had operated inappropriately on the same three people between 2011 and 2014, who later died. He was indicted in September 2020 for aggravated assault in connection with three surgeries at Karolinska University Hospital. Two years later, in June 2022, Macchiarini was found guilty of causing bodily harm in one case. He was acquitted, however, on two of three charges. Then, in June 2023, a Swedish court of appeals overturned the District Courts judgment and sentenced Macchiarini to 2.5 years in prison for three counts of aggravated assault. Prosecutors were unable to secure any manslaughter charges, though, because the patients who died in his care had suffered other ailments making it difficult to determine one cause of death. Macchiarini has denied any criminal wrongdoing. In 2019, he was also sentenced to 16 months in prison after an Italian court found him guilty of forging documents and for abuse of office. Is he still a surgeon? Macchiarini is not believed to be practicing medicine anymore. Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife is out on Netflix. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Bay Area native Devin Haney showed out in front of his hometown fans on Saturday night at a sold-out Chase Center. Haney notched a unanimous decision win over Regis Prograis to become the new WBC super lightweight champion. All three judges scored the fight 120-107 in favor of Haney all 12 rounds went to Haney. Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) scored a knockdown in the third round (pictured below) that garnered a roar from the sold-out crowd. The pro-Haney crowd began chanting Haney, Haney, Haney after the knockdown, hoping the Oakland native would finish his opponent in the third round. Prograis survived and finished the 12-round fight but lost his 140-pound belt. Regis Prograis, left, falls down next to Devin Haney during the WBC super lightweight title boxing bout Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) With the win over Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs), Haney becomes a two-division world champion. In June 2022, Haney, then-23, became the youngest undisputed champion (lightweight at 135 pounds) in the four-belt era. Bay Area Came Out To Support Haney San Francisco has not had a major world title fight since Floyd Mayweather fought at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in 2001. The Bay Area came out to support Haney as more than 16,000 fans filled up the Chase Center. Event promoter, Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn was surprised by the Chase Center crowd. The turnout exceeded Hearns expectations for the crowd in San Francisco a city not historically known to host big fights. Haney said at the postfight news conference that Hearn predicted the fight would only bring out 7,000 fans in San Francisco. Hearn and Haney exchanged laughs about how wrong the promoters prediction was about Saturdays attendance. Watch the full soundbite below. I asked Devin about if fighting at home in the Bay Area and the crowd turnout to support him exceeded his expectations. Haney said early in the promotion that @EddieHearn predicted only 7,000 would show up which turned out to be very wrong as it was 16K sellout #HaneyPrograis pic.twitter.com/NxWf3OwX3X Aaron Tolentino (@ATolent2) December 10, 2023 Haney was born in San Francisco and raised in Oakland. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Earl Spencer also hit out at the corporations use of licence fee money to mount a legal battle to keep certain information out of the public domain - Stefan Rousseau/PA The BBC has been ordered to release thousands of emails relating to the controversial Panorama interview with Diana, Princess of Wales, as her brother accused senior figures at the corporation of cooking up a cover-up. The broadcaster has spent more than 100,000 in legal fees in a bid to keep information about its handling of the Martin Bashir scandal under wraps. But in a damning ruling a judge has now ordered BBC bosses to immediately disclose around 3,200 messages. Among the emails are dozens sent between Mr Bashir and senior BBC figures three years ago when the controversy over the 1995 world exclusive came under fresh scrutiny. An independent inquiry by Lord Dyson, published in June 2021, concluded that Mr Bashir had used deception to secure the interview and then lied to BBC managers. But Earl Spencer, the late Princesss brother, believes the lack of transparency continued as recently as 2020 when he claims senior figures at the corporation sought to hide details about who knew what and when. Speaking on Broadcasting House on BBC Radio 4, Earl Spencer said: I suspect there was a cover-up about a cover-up. He said he believed some figures at the BBC had ensured access to Mr Bashir was restricted during the investigation into the scandal. Earl Spencer said: I was told when I approached the BBC management at that time that there was no way we could talk to Martin Bashir, he was too ill to talk and he was written-off by doctors as suchbut we know there are 38 emails between Bashir and senior people at the BBC at this time. My suspicion is that they were cooking up a story to try and make him unavailable during a time of particular interest in Dianas interview which was the 25th anniversary and I believe that the people responsible for this cover-up were thinking, if we can string this out long enough, keep Bashir off games effectively for a few weeks, this thing will blow away. Earl Spencer also hit out at the corporations use of licence fee money to mount a legal battle to keep certain information out of the public domain. He said: People at the BBC who are responsible for this have hidden behind expensive lawyers at a time when the BBC, this great national and international institution is making cuts and I think that is obscene. Integrity of the BBC He added: The problem here is one of the integrity of people at the BBC. Bashirs world exclusive interview with Princess Diana was watched by 23 million people, sent shockwaves around the world and also served as a huge springboard for his career. But it later emerged he had shown Earl Spencer forged bank statements in order to win his confidence and persuade him to help broker the interview with his sister. Investigative journalist Andy Webb has been battling to obtain further documents and emails from the BBC, which he believes could further expose the extent of the alleged cover-up at the corporation. BBC bosses had refused to release the information insisting it was either irrelevant or legally privileged. But Judge Brian Kennedy KC, overseeing an information tribunal, ordered the BBC to release the emails saying the corporation had been inconsistent, erroneous and unreliable in the way it dealt with the initial request. A BBC spokesman accepted that mistakes had been made but said it was considering the tribunals decision. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Washington Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said Sunday that Israel is "losing the war" of worldwide public opinion as it seeks to eradicate Hamas in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack. Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, told "Face the Nation" that Israel has the "right to defend itself" against Hamas, but it "cannot go to war against the Palestinian people and cause the horrific damage to human life that we are seeing right now." "Israel is losing the war in terms of how the world is looking at this situation," he said. Transcript: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on "Face the Nation" Citing the increasing death toll and displacement of civilians, Sanders said the U.S. "has got to put all of the pressure that it can to tell [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu to stop this disastrous military approach." "It is a humanitarian disaster," Sanders said. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Secretary of State Blinken said Thursday there's a "gap" between Israel's intent to protect civilians in Gaza and the "actual results." Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned earlier this month that Israel risked "strategic defeat" in Gaza if it does not do more to protect Palestinian civilians. But the Biden administration has repeatedly called on Congress to approve more aid to Israel since the Oct. 7 attack. The Senate voted Wednesday not to advance a bill that would provide billions in dollars in emergency spending that includes aid for Israel and Ukraine. Sanders joined Republicans, who want more border security and immigration measures included in the bill, in voting against it. "I think that it would be irresponsible for the United States to give Netanyahu another $10 billion to continue to wage this awful war," he said, adding that he strongly supports Ukraine aid. "What the Congress has got to do is make it clear to Netanyahu that we're not going to simply give them a blank check to kill women and children in Palestine." Sanders has not called for a permanent cease-fire, though he said he supports a humanitarian pause in the fighting that would allow for the release of more hostages held by Hamas and for the U.N. to deliver aid. "I don't know how you can have a permanent cease-fire with Hamas, who has said before Oct. 7 and after Oct. 7, that they want to destroy Israel, they want a permanent war. I don't know how you have a permanent cease-fire with an attitude like that," he said. Holiday gift ideas from Techno Claus Why this high-end dinnerware is a fixture of Michelin-starred restaurants "Unbelievably frugal" Indianapolis man left $13 million to charities The Biden administration has authorized the sale of almost 14,000 tank shells to Israel, bypassing congressional rules, the Pentagon announced Saturday. The Department of Defense used an emergency declaration from the Arms Export Control Act to sell 13,981 tank cartridges, worth $106.5 million, immediately to Israel as the country continues its ongoing war against the militant group Hamas. The Arms Export Control Act authorizes the President to control the import and export of defense articles and services, according to Cornell Law Schools Legal Information Institute. The Secretary of State determined and provided detailed justification to Congress that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the Government of Israel of the above defense articles and services in the national security interests of the United States, thereby waiving the Congressional review requirements under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, reads a release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. It continued, The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives. This sale is part of a larger package, first reported by Reuters Friday, that President Biden has asked Congress to approve. The overall deal includes 45,000 shells for Israels Merkava tanks, which have been consistently deployed by Israel during its fight in Gaza. The sale of the tank shells comes after the United States used its veto power to block a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The ceasefire would have required Israel to halt its war with Hamas on Friday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the U.S. for vetoing the resolution, calling the war justified in a video statement Saturday. More than 17,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. This story was updated at 8:22pm. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Biden began a 2024 Hollywood fundraising blitz with a visit to Los Angeles this weekend, calling out former President Trump in a speaking engagement while plying his case for a second term. After a summer of strikes and industry strife where they avoided the Hollywood limelight, Biden and the First Lady planned six fundraising events and meetings between the two of them in Southern California this weekend. This is an incredibly successful night, the president said at his first star-studded fundraiser kicking off the weekend on Friday night, joking that he didnt want to talk long because he was the only thing standing between you and Lenny Kravitz. That Friday event, featuring a headline performance by the legendary rocker, brought in $8 million for the president, The Associated Press reported. Barbra Streisand, Rob Reiner, David Geffen, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) were also in attendance. The president used the opportunity to go after his likely opponent, underlining Trumps election denial as a threat to the country. He refused to show up at my inauguration. I cant say I was disappointed, Biden joked, adding, My guess is he wont show up at the next inauguration. Campaign staff expect this weekends fundraising haul to be the largest of the campaign yet. The campaigns fourth-quarter goal is $67 million, the AP reported. The pent-up excitement, enthusiasm is really unprecedented, DreamWorks founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, one of the Biden campaigns national co-chairs, told the AP. People are excited. Theyre mobilized. And theyve been waiting months to show their support for him. On Saturday, Biden attended a lower-key event at Katzenbergs home. Whether the enthusiasm is because of the exceptional accomplishments of President Biden, or because of the extreme alternative of someone who is declaring themselves to be an autocrat, either way, you get to the same place, Katzenberg said. Which is, Joe Bidens your person. The Hollywood tour continues a strong fundraising year for the president, which saw his campaign bring in just over $71 million. That just barely beat out the fundraising of former President Obamas 2011 effort but fell short of Trumps $125 million haul over the same period. The push comes as national polling shows Biden neck-and-neck with, or even slightly behind, Trump in a hypothetical 2024 rematch. As more and more voters show concern about his age, Biden has made attempts to reinvigorate his image. But the Friday event was also picketed with protesters, mostly former Democratic supporters who said they were disgruntled by Bidens response to the war in Gaza, chanting support for Palestine. One sign labeled the president Genocide Joe. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Joe Biden will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House Tuesday as discussions on a Ukraine aid deal remain stalled in Congress. The visit, which the White House announced Sunday, is Zelenskys third visit to Washington since the war in Ukraine began. He last visited in September. Zelenskys visit comes at a critical moment in congressional negotiations for emergency aid to Ukraine. Congress appears no closer to a deal tying immigration and border policy changes to the emergency aid package that will provide funding for Ukraine and Israel before lawmakers leave town for the holidays. The Ukrainian president was also invited to speak at an all-senators meeting Tuesday morning by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, a Senate leadership aide said. House Speaker Mike Johnson will meet with Zelensky too, his office said in a statement. The White House meeting is meant to underscore the United States unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russias brutal invasion, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraines urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States continued support at this critical moment, she said. The pair will discuss further defense cooperation in a series of meetings Tuesday, the office of the Ukrainian presidency said in a statement Sunday. Zelensky will focus on securing unity among the US, Europe, and the rest of the world on their support of Ukraines defense against Russia and strengthening the international order based on rules and respect for the sovereignty of nations, the statement read. Zelensky and Biden will also discuss defensive cooperation efforts for the coming year, including joint projects to produce weapons and air defense systems. If Congress leaves town for the holidays without reaching a deal, the White House will have to make tough choices about supplying allies such as Ukraine at the potential expense of US military readiness. Top Biden administration officials have been sounding the alarm for weeks about funding for Ukraine running dry and the potential consequences. The administrations proposed $106 billion aid package includes about $60 billion in aid toward Ukraines defenses against Russia, with the rest going toward Israels war with Hamas, security in Taiwan and funding for operations at the US-Mexico border. But top Republicans, wary of adding more to the $111 billion the US has already sent to Ukraine, have asked that any further funding be tied to major immigration-related policy changes. Historys going to judge harshly those who turn their back on freedoms cause, Biden said earlier this month. We cant let Putin win. The president said he was willing to make significant compromises on the border, conceding the countrys immigration system is broken, but added Ukraines needs are too critical to wait. He called out extreme Republicans as negotiators remain at a critical impasse over the sticking point issue of border security, saying those Republicans are playing chicken with our national security. Frankly, I think its stunning we got to this point in the first place. Russian forces are committing war crimes its as simple as that, Biden said. News of Zelenskys trip to Washington received pushback from some Republicans in Congress, including Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, who tweeted: In the midst of a historic border crisis, Zelensky will come to Washington and demand that the Congress care more about his border than our own. Ukraine said Saturday that Russia launched nearly 100 air attacks across the country in the space of 24 hours, as its first lady warned Ukraine was in mortal danger without Western military aid. We really need the help, Ukraines first lady, Olena Zelenska, recently told the BBC of support to Ukraine. In simple words, we cannot get tired of this situation, because if we do, we die. And if the world gets tired, they will simply let us die. CNNs Michael Williams, Betsy Klein, Priscilla Alvarez, Lauren Fox and Melanie Zanona contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Some Black women use Botox along their hairline to stop sweating and achieve smooth "edges." One dermatologist said the procedure takes 10 minutes and can cost more than $1,000. Women who underwent the procedure said it positively affected their daily lives. Influencer Kemi Fakunle typically works out three times a week and does cardio daily partially to tire out her mini Dalmatian, Billion. Exercise is a part of Fakunle's lifestyle, but the 30-year-old told Business Insider she could live without sweat ruining her edges. "Edges," also known as "baby hairs," are the short wisps found along a person's hairline. They've been the cultural standard of beauty for the Black community for decades. Recently, however, they've sparked a plethora of online tutorials showing how women meticulously style their edges, typically done by coating their hair with gel before brushing them into place with a toothbrush or edge styler. One video posted by TikToker @destineewrayy in June 2022 has more than 4.4 million views. Eventually, Fakunle had enough. In May, she booked an appointment with medical spa BESO Aesthetics in Manhattan, where she received Botox along her hairline and about two inches of her scalp. Fakunle collaborated with the medical aesthetics clinic by posting a video of the experience on her TikTok, so she did not pay for the treatment. Fakunle, who only had one appointment to get her desired results, is among a community of Black women now turning to Botox to style their hair. She says it's worth it. Before and after photos of Kemi Fakunle. Courtesy of Kemi Fakunle "I love convenience. It's like switching from dairy to oat milk it's such a subtle change in your life," she said. "Botox definitely has me as a full-time customer now." The procedure takes about 10 minutes but can cost more than $1,000 Injections of Botox, or Botulinum toxin, block the nerve signals to muscles, which stops them from contracting and eventually causing wrinkles. According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, Botox temporarily blocks secretion from the chemical responsible for activating the body's sweat glands. Dr. Jeanine Downie, a dermatologist in her 50s based in Montclair, New Jersey, said the procedure is gaining traction among patients. She told BI she started administering Botox along her patient's hairlines after trying the technique on herself. "I like to joke and say I'm my favorite patient," she said. "I exercise seven days a week, and because of that, I sweat in my head. I've been using a micro Botox technique for roughly three and a half years." The typical hairline Botox patient requires between 25 and 35 units of Botox over 10 minutes. Downie said the number of injections a patient receives depends on their muscle mass, so it varies from person to person. Afterward, Downie hands her patients an ice pack and reminds them to avoid exercise for the rest of the day. Although patients might experience slight bruising or tenderness at the injection points, they can go about their day. "It lasts the typical three months. Many times after you've done it for one or two times, then it starts lasting more like six months," she said. Downie's practice charges anywhere from $800 to $1,500 for each hairline Botox treatment, depending on how much of the scalp is treated. Black women who received the procedure say Botox has given them more freedom One of Downie's patients, Wendy Pittman, has received Botox treatments for more than two decades but started requesting Botox along her hairline in 2019. She's a longtime believer in cosmetic treatments, having been in the aesthetic medicine industry for 23 years and recently opening Peel Haus Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery in Washington, DC. Like Fakunle, Pittman said she regularly exercises, and styling her hair became exhausting. A before and after photo of Wendy Pittman. Courtesy of Wendy Pittman "I always had to flat iron my edges so that I could blend them with my sew-in extensions. My edges became a lot more frail, thin and weak," Pittman, 54, said. "When I started getting the Botox from my edges, I noticed that one, it reduced the sweating, and then I felt like my edges were more dense." Pittman added that after getting Botox along her hairline, she didn't need to heat her edges to straighten them, which can cause heat damage to the fine hairs. Now, she does the procedure about twice a year. Both Pittman and Fakunle acknowledged that the procedure is not FDA-approved for the hairline but still plans on continuing to get injections. The procedure faced criticism online in January when a TikTok video of a woman discussing Botox as a means to avoid frizz went viral on Twitter, prompting some users to argue the procedure is too extreme. At the time of writing, the video has over 2.5 million views. Despite some online pushback, Fakunle said she's seen more Black women try Botox in real life. "A few of my followers on Instagram reached out to me to mention that they got it," she said. "One girl got her sideburns done, and that has been working really well for her. Another girl messaged me and said that she ended up getting her entire hairline done as well and how she loves it." The Black community's emphasis on edges may be a symptom of navigating white beauty standards Historically, Black women have relied on several tools to slick edges, like gel, hairspray, silk scarves, toothbrushes, and more. Lori Tharps, a co-author of "Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America" and host of the "Read, Write, and Create" podcast, told BI the Black community sometimes uses edges as a barometer for "good hair." The cultural discussions of "good hair" and "bad hair" are typically steeped in colorism and texturism, with praise heaped onto those with straighter, less coarse locks. "It's simply a visual testament to how well you have your hair 'under control,'" Tharps, 51, said. "It keeps coming back to this idea that there's something inherently wrong, uncivilized, unattractive, or unacceptable for polite society with our hair being not under control." But even so, Tharps and Cheryl Thompson, an associate professor at Toronto Metropolitan University in Canada, told Business Insider that people shouldn't be condemned over getting Botox. It's complicated, they said. "The reason it feels complicated is because we're simultaneously trying to please a white gaze and intrinsically satisfy ourselves as well," Tharps said. Thompson, author of "Uncle: Race, Nostalgia, and the Politics of Loyalty" and "Beauty in a Box: Detangling the Roots of Canada's Black Beauty Culture," added that many Black women begin picking up beauty standards when they're young. "When you're coming of age, you just want to be like everyone else," Thompson, 46, said. A woman receives a Botox injection along her scalp. PaulGulea/Getty Images Thompson added that Black women altering their hair to enjoy exercise is nothing new. "There's more women than we'd like to admit who get Botox and at young ages. It's not just middle-aged women now," Thompson said. "There's more women that like fillers in their face and their cheeks." Thompson noted that chemical relaxers boomed in the mid-1900s because the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination in public facilities based on race or color. Black Americans could finally use spaces they'd previously been barred from, like state parks and swimming pools. While exercise played a role, women often underwent chemical relaxers to avoid discrimination from their non-Black peers at their jobs, schools, and other places. In 2019, California became the first state to install The Crown Act, which outlaws discrimination based on hair style or texture. For people like Pittman, getting Botox is about confidence and recognizing her autonomy. "What I'm learning about myself, more so than any other time in my life, at 54, is that women have a really hard time being selfish with themselves," she said. "We have a very difficult time doing things for ourselves, and that has to change." Read the original article on Business Insider Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday forcefully condemned sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas during the October 7 attack and blasted those who have not forcefully condemned it or were slow to do so. I dont know why countries, leaders, international organizations were so slow to focus on this, to bring it to peoples attention. Im glad it is finally happening, Blinken told CNNs Jake Tapper on State of the Union. The atrocities that we saw on October 7 are almost beyond human description or beyond our capacity to digest. And weve talked about them before, but the sexual violence that we saw on October 7 is beyond anything that Ive seen either. The United Nations heard testimony about allegations of sexual and gender-based violence by Hamas at a panel hosted by Israel at the UN headquarters in New York last week. Several speakers reiterated that some human rights groups such as UN Women were too slow to condemn the alleged rape and sexual violence. Asked by Tapper why the United Nations and the international community have been so slow to respond to the allegations, Blinken said, I think it is a question that these organizations, these countries need to ask themselves. House Democrats are planning to introduce a resolution condemning Hamas use of sexual violence and rape against Israeli women after they were dismayed by the response to the allegations from some lawmakers on the left, including Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Pramila Jayapal. Israeli police are interrogating suspects and compiling evidence, including video, forensics and witness testimony, to investigate accusations of rape during the attacks. Witnesses to the aftermath of the attacks say women and girls were sexually assaulted, tortured and killed. CNN cannot independently verify individual allegations and claims. However, several first responders who attended the scenes of the October 7 attack told CNN the attacks were overwhelmingly gruesome and that some female victims were found undressed. Hamas denied that its militants committed rape during the attacks in a statement last week on Telegram and decried what it called the coordination of some Western media outlets with the Zionist misleading campaigns that promote unfounded lies and allegations aimed at demonizing the Palestinian resistance . Organizers of the UN meeting refuted that denial by showing mounting evidence that rape occurred during the attacks on October 7, including graphic video footage of bodies, videos of Hamas fighters admitting under interrogation that rape occurred and testimony from Israeli police officers and witnesses to the attack and its aftermath. Speakers who prepared bodies for burial described evidence that militants gang raped some victims and purposely shot or mutilated victims in genital regions. Blinken warns Israel The top US diplomat also warned that as Israel continues its operations in southern Gaza, more needs to be done to protect civilians and provide humanitarian aid. More than 17,000 people have been killed in the territory since October 7, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Saturday. Even as Israel has taken additional steps, for example, to designate safe areas in the south, to focus on neighborhoods, not entire cities in terms of evacuating. What were not seeing sufficiently is a couple of things. One, making sure that the humanitarian operators who are there starting with the United Nations performing heroically that there are deconfliction times, places and routes so that the humanitarians can bring the assistance thats getting into Gaza to the people who need it, Blinken told Tapper. The Israel Defense Forces issued an urgent appeal on Saturday for civilians to evacuate from much of the main southern city of Khan Younis amid fierce fighting in the area. It is unclear how many people were aware of the instruction given the lack of communications networks and internet availability in much of Gaza. The IDF on Sunday said that it had struck more than 250 targets in the past 24 hours, including what it called Hamas military communication sites and tunnels in the Gaza Strip. According to Hamas, 104 mosques and three historical churches have so far been destroyed. It accused Israel of the destruction of the oldest mosque, the Great Omari, calling it a heinous and barbaric crime. Blinken added that we need to see the same kind of deconfliction time, pauses, designated routes, plural, not just one, and clarity of communication, so that people know when it is safe and where it is safe to move to get out of harms way before they go back home. These are the kinds of things were working on every single day again to make sure that that gap between intent and result is as narrow as possible. When pressed by Tapper on the timeline going forward and whether Israel has told the US how long they think this current phase of operations will last, Blinken said the US has discussions with Israel but wouldnt provide any further details. Israel has to make these decisions, Blinken said. Of course everyone wants to see this campaign come to a close as quickly as possible. But, he noted, when the major military operation is over. This is not over. Because we have to have a durable, sustainable peace. And we have to make sure that were on the path to a durable sustainable peace, Blinken said. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Sam Fossum, Catherine Thorbecke, Ivana Kottasova and Annie Grayer contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday defended the Biden administrations decision to bypass Congress and send ammunition to Israel, arguing Israels need to defend itself against the militant group Hamas justifies the rare move. Asked on ABC Newss This Week why the Biden administration decided to push the sale of tank ammunition to Israel without congressional review, Blinken said, When it comes to the weapons that we transfer, there are rules that go along with them. Those rules apply to Israel, as they do to any other country, including the way theyre used and the need, the imperative of respecting international humanitarian law. In the case of these particular weapons that you that you mentioned, Israel is in combat right now with Hamas, a group that viciously attacked it on Oct. 7, that had said that if given the opportunity, it will repeat Oct. 7 again and again and again, Blinken continued. And we want to make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas; a small portion of what has been requested is going through on an emergency basis. Besides this small portion, Blinken said, Virtually everything else is going through the regular order, through Congress. Its very important that Congresss voice be heard in this. Hamass surprise assault against Israel on Oct. 7 left an estimated 1,200 people dead, including hundreds of civilians. The Biden administration on Saturday authorized the sale of 13,981 tank shells to Israel, bypassing congressional rules. To do so, the Department of Defense used an emergency declaration from the Arms Export Control Act to sell the nearly 14,000 tank cartridges to Israel in its fight against Hamas. The cartridges are worth an estimated $106.5 million. Blinken stressed the administration is trying to ensure civilian lives in Gaza are protected. We are deeply, deeply aware of the terrible human toll that this conflict is taking on innocent men, women and children, and were working to minimize that to the greatest extent possible, he said. Since launching a campaign to eliminate Hamas and its military capabilities in Gaza, more than 17,900 people have died in the territory, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. The rising death toll has sparked calls from some U.S. lawmakers and global leaders for a continued cease-fire to allow civilians to leave the territory or for more aid to be delivered. This Week co-anchor Martha Raddatz further pressed Blinken, asking him, Have you seen anything in the Israel campaign, with thousands and thousands of civilians killed, many, many of those children, that you believe should be investigated, or has been investigated? We are in almost constant discussions with the Israelis about to ensure that they understand what their obligations are, to make sure that we understand how theyre using whatever arms were providing to them, as well as more broadly, Blinken said, adding he cannot evaluate a specific instance in this moment. Raddatz then asked Blinken what leverage the U.S. has to make sure they are taking greater care in their campaign if the U.S. continues to send weapons without evaluating how they are used. Were focused on what is their intent and do they have in place are they taking necessary measures to make sure that theyre acting in adherence with international humanitarian law, international law, but then also, what are the results? And as I said before, theres a gap between Blinken responded, to which Raddatz said, Weve seen the results. Yeah, theres a gap between the intent and the results. And thats the gap that were trying to make sure is closed, Blinken continued. This could be over tomorrow. If Hamas got out of the way of civilians, instead of hiding behind them, if it put down its weapons, if it surrendered. And what there ought to be as well is a call on part, on behalf of the entire world for Hamas to do just that But in the absence of that, Israel has to take steps not only to defend itself against the ongoing attacks from Hamas, but against Hamass stated intent, to repeat Oct. 7 again and again if given the opportunity, he continued. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A third arrest has been made in connection to the shooting death of 9-year-old Cailee Knight. 18-year-old Darius Lucky Jr., has been charged with felony murder, according to Mobile Police. Knight was shot and killed early Tuesday as she slept on a couch at a home on Rhett Drive in West Mobile. The shots came from an AR-15, according to Mobile Chief of Staff James Barber, who added the girls 16-year-old brother was the intended target. Police Chief Paul Prine said the drive-by shooting was possibly gang-related. 19-year-old Tyrone Williams and 22-year-old Arieal Curry were arrested and charged with felony murder on Thursday. Mobile County District Attorney, Keith Blackwood, told News 5 Curry was driving and Williams was an occupant in the vehicle and may have been the shooter. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. In science, the passion for discovery drives great minds to answer the great questions about the world. The competitive atmosphere demands that scientists look at problems from multiple viewpoints and devise increasingly creative ways of uncovering knowledge. This process of research and experimentation has created the scientific and technological marvels of the modern world. Though Texas has been home to many great minds, one stands out in the field of chemistry, James Harris. Harris was a key member of a research team that discovered two new elements, making him one of only two Texans to help discover an element. James Andrew Harris was born in Waco in 1932. His parents divorced when he was young, leaving his mother to raise the future scientist alone. They eventually moved to Oakland, California, where he attended high school in the late 1940s. After graduation in 1949, Harris returned to Texas. He enrolled at Huston-Tillotson College in Austin. He excelled at his studies and graduated with a bachelors degree in chemistry in 1953. He enlisted in the army after graduation. Harris served for two years, rising to the rank of sergeant before his honorable discharge in 1955. Harris found it difficult to find work after the army in spite of his credentials. Eventually, he landed a job at Tracerlab, a California company that specialized in making radiation-detecting equipment. Along the way, Harris married and raised five children. In 1960, he accepted a position as a nuclear chemist at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory at the University of California at Berkeley. In 1969, Harris was part of a team at the Lawrence Radiation Lab that included noted scientist Dr. Albert Ghiorso, when they discovered an entirely new element, one never found in nature. This element, Element 104, was eventually named Rutherfordium in 1997, after New Zealand native and physicist Ernest Rutherford. Rutherford won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1908 for his work in discovering the radioactive half-lives of elements and differentiating between types of radiation from the decay of particles and whose work is considered by scientists to be the beginning of nuclear physics. Rutherfordium is an extremely rare metal with chemical properties similar to titanium or zirconium. The element was difficult to isolate. The atom itself is large and unstable. Its most stable form is Rutherfordium-267, consisting of 104 protons and 163 neutrons. Because it is so unstable, it is radioactive and has a radioactive half-life of around 10 minutes. That is, in 1.3 hours, half of the atoms in a sample will spray off so many subatomic particles that it will transform itself into a different element entirely. Other known isotopes of Rutherfordium have half-lives ranging from less than a second to 15 minutes. These short half-lives make it very difficult to study. In 1970, Harris, Ghiorso, and their team made another breakthrough with the production of yet another new element. Element 105, consisting of 105 protons (as opposed to just eight protons for oxygen or two protons for helium) was itself very unstable, and the atoms decayed quickly into other elements. Little is known about its nature except that it is a metal. The two elements were the largest atoms discovered up to that time. The American researchers initially wanted to list Element 105 as Hahnium after German scientist Otto Hahn, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944 for his discovery of nuclear fission. A team of Russian scientists at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia, claimed that they had discovered both of the elements first in the 1960s. However, other scientists pointed out that the Russian team had admitted altering their data. Years of debates followed the competing claims. The American team was ultimately able to name Rutherfordium while Russian scientists were allowed to give the name Dubnium to Element 105, after Dubna, the city that housed the research lab. At this point, the elements are so rare that no practical use for them has been devised beyond laboratory experiments. Harris was praised by colleagues for his co-discovery and toured the country giving periodic lectures on his work. Huston-Tillotson College awarded Harris an honorary doctorate for his work in 1973. Harris retired in 1988. Today, 118 elements are known to exist, either in nature or in the lab. Along with Dr. Gregory Chopin, co-discoverer of the radioactive element Mendelevium, Harris is one of only two Texans be credited with co-discovery of an element. And he is to this day the only African-American to be responsible for the discovery of any new element due to his work with the Berkeley research team. Harris died at his home in California in 2000 at the age of 68. Ken Bridges is a writer, historian and native Texan. He holds a doctorate from the University of North Texas. Bridges can be reached by email at drkenbridges@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Bridges: Texas chemist James Harris helped discover new elements Immigration is shamelessly used by the GOPs presidential candidates as another red herring issue. Most seek to attract support from the white nationalist Trump-inspired base, and create fear by spewing misinformation. Many extreme right spokesmen espouse the Great Replacement Theory that posits that white people are being replaced by immigrants and people of color in a plot to destroy their political power and erase their culture and values. They additionally charge that undocumented immigrants bring crime and drugs, all claims that are unsubstantiated by data and repeated studies. Jane Schlechtweg Governor DeSantis calls for unilaterally deploying the U.S. military into Mexico to stop migrants and their trafficking of drugs. He touts passage of the Florida Anti-Immigration Bill in 2023 which invalidates out-of-state driver licenses to undocumented immigrants, forces employers to identify hires illegally in the country, and requires hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status. He additionally boasts about his initiatives transporting newly arrived undocumented immigrants in Texas to cities led by Democratic Party leaders, at Florida taxpayers expense. Other candidates also promise to use military force on drug cartels, complete the border wall, and deport millions of illegal immigrants from the U.S. All these positions are impractical and dont address the realities of foreign relations, U.S. law requirements, the enormous cost of necessary resources and basic morality considerations. Congress, due to repeated obstruction by conservative Republicans, has failed for decades to agree on how to address immigration challenges, leaving many policy questions up to the courts and executive branch. President Biden has reversed many of former President Trumps highly restrictive and inhumane policies, despite confronting an historic influx of undocumented immigrants. Immigrants constitute 18% of the U.S. workforce of 164 million and historically have been a key factor to meet the employment demands of a healthy U.S. economy. Thirty-four million immigrants are here legally with another 11 million being undocumented. Floridas population of 22 million, includes 4.5 million immigrants and approximately eight hundred thousand undocumented immigrants. Immigrants make up about 26% of its total workforce and account for 41% of workers in the states agricultural industries, 34% in construction, and 30% in service industries. Immigrant business owners account for 437,690 (33%) of all self-employed Florida residents and generate $7.1 billion in business income. Despite the contentious political campaigns underway, continued proposals to reform immigration laws include the following key issues: Securing the southern border use of a physical wall or increasing other resources. Catch and release policies improving procedures and immigration court resources for processing migrants as they await adjudication of their asylum claims. Pathways to citizenship, without amnesty, including for children born in the U.S. Expanding visas for family-based reunions, temporary workers, and highly skilled workers Increasing immigration enforcement and surveillance by employers Reforming legal processes to make it easier to immigrate legally Better coordinating economic and aid policies with countries driving refugees It is imperative that moderate-minded citizens exert their influence and political forces to demand their legislators and the executive branch establish new domestic and foreign policies to facilitate legal immigration and dissuade illegal migrants from entering our borders. Effective solutions will require a multi-faceted approach, including foreign economic and policy initiatives. This will ultimately reduce the salience of immigration as an electoral issue and can bring enhanced nationwide civil harmony regarding a population sector that has historically been a key for the success of our culture, social dynamics, entrepreneurship, economy and moral fiber of our nation. Jane Schlechtweg is chair of the Collier County Democratic Party. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Broken U.S. immigration policy is the great distraction issue KANSAS CITY, Mo. Owning a pet can be expensive. In the current economy, it has caused quite a few Kansas City pet owners to give up their furry friends. Thats why the Kansas City agencies that look after pet welfare across the metro banned together today to help you keep your pets at home and warm this winter. Cars lined up early for the third annual Project Pet Warmth today at the Linwood YMCA. Check out what happened at the Westport Christmas Market this weekend KC Pet Project and Pet Resource Center of Kansas City were among the agencies handing out dog and cat houses, straw, and food for animals in the community. Pet shelters are so overcrowded in the metro that its important for them to provide every resource possible to keep animals and their owners together. We know there are pets living outside in kc, so we want to be able to provide them with supplies they need, like really stable dog houses and they can get in out of the elements both in the winter and the summer, said Tori Fugate with the KC Pet Project. Cat houses that they can set outside for their community cats to live in. And things like spay and neuter and food vouchers and food assistance. Those are the things that the pet owners of KC really need assistance with right now. Having a Very Merry Christmas at the historic Alexander Majors house The Project Pet Warmth was supposed to end at 1 p.m. on Sunday, but because of the demand for supplies with a line of cars stretching half a mile the entire event, organizers have extended the time it ends. They say this is their busiest year ever. Both KC Pet Project and the Pet Resource Center have other special events aimed at helping overcrowded shelters this December. KC Pet Project is running its Home for the Holidays adoptions special starting next Friday. Most animals in the shelter only cost 30 dollars to adopt. And the Pet Resource Center has a special drive-through vaccination clinic next Saturday where dogs and cats can get all of their vaccines plus microchipping for only 40 dollars. They also have deep discounts in december and janurary on spay and neuter packages. For more information, visit their websites: KC Pet Project and Pet Resource Center. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Lady Mone stands accused of a lack of transparency over her personal connection to PPE Medpro when she recommended it to ministers through a so-called VIP lane - VICTORIA JONES/PA Hospital gowns at the centre of a criminal investigation involving Baroness Mone were made with specifications approved by the Cabinet Office, according to documents seen by The Daily Telegraph, as the Ultimo entrepreneur mounts her defence. The Government is suing PPE Medpro, a company set up by Lady Mones husband Doug Barrowman, over an alleged breach of contract concerning personal protective equipment (PPE) products it supplied during the pandemic which the Department for Health claims did not meet specifications. Lady Mone and Mr Barrowman are defending themselves, claiming the products they sold to the Government were up to the required standard. It has now emerged that an email sent in June 2020 by the Cabinet Office to PPE Medpro said the specifications for the gowns had been approved by technical. Mr Barrowman, who established PPE Medpro to source and supply PPE during the Covid pandemic, insists the 203m worth of gowns and masks his firm supplied met all of the Department of Health and Social Cares (DHSC) specifications. Lady Mone claims the couple are being scapegoated by the DHSC to mask its own incompetence in the multi-billion pound PPE procurement fiasco. On Sunday the couple broke their two-year silence over the ongoing criminal and civil cases regarding the company by releasing a YouTube video in which they protested their innocence. In it, DHSC negotiator suggests to Mr Barrowman that the Government could call the dogs off if he pays enough money to the Treasury, and appears to suggest that the criminal case could also be dropped in return for a payment. Michelle Mone, Baroness Mone, and her husband Doug Barrowman The DHSC issued civil proceedings against PPE Medpro in 2021, demanding repayment of the full 122m contract for the gowns, plus 11m to cover other costs. It alleges that the gowns were unusable because they were only wrapped in single packaging, rather than double wrapped in line with NHS preference, and that they were not sterile. The National Crime Agency also launched a fraud investigation which is ongoing. But Mr Barrowman says that the DHSC never specified that it wanted double-wrapped gowns, and that it was only after the gowns had been delivered that it realised its mistake and began demanding that gowns were double-wrapped. On June 12 2020 an official from the Cabinet Office emailed PPE Medpro saying: Gowns have been approved by Technical! Former detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who was hired by PPE Medpro to independently investigate the Governments claims, says in the YouTube film that he has checked 24 other contracts for gowns from other suppliers from that time, and that none of them specify double-wrapped gowns. Mr Barrowman says PPE Medpros contract was for delivery ex works, meaning that the DHSC took over liability for the gowns once they had been delivered from the factory. Call the dogs off Part of the DHSCs case is that the gowns failed sterility tests, but Mr Barrowman has pointed out that they were kept in shipping containers for months, where the extreme heat and cold to which they were exposed meant they deteriorated. In addition, he says the DHSC cannot account for the whereabouts of the gowns for three weeks after they were taken away for testing. He also says he saved the Government more than 100 million by undercutting other suppliers at a time when the global PPE market was hugely inflated. At the height of the pandemic in April to May 2020 the average price for a type two IIR face mask was 51p, while PPE Medpro charged 38.5p. The average price for sterile gowns ranged between 7 and 12 in the same period, while PPE Medpro charged 4.88. Lady Mone stands accused of a lack of transparency over her personal connection to PPE Medpro when she recommended it to ministers through a so-called VIP lane, but she says she has 1,400 emails and WhatsApps to prove that the Government knew of her involvement at every stage. She says in the documentary: It is 100 per cent a lie. Its not true, because of the sheer amount of communication, email, WhatsApp, phone calls, its all there. Lady Mone says she and her husband have become sick and tired of reading the lies every single day and decided to speak out because: I think everyone feels that because we have been silent that we are guilty. The whole thing has been so scary, but you just dont know what to do. A DHSC spokesman said the department did not comment on ongoing legal cases. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Dame Diana Rigg and her daughter, Rachael Stirling, attend a champagne reception at the 60th London Evening Standard Theatre Awards at the London Palladium in November 2014 - David M Benett/Getty Images Dame Diana Rigg wanted to end her own life while suffering from terminal lung cancer, her daughter has revealed. The actress and star of The Avengers and Game of Thrones explored available assisted dying options before passing away in 2020 aged 82. Dame Diana asked her daughter, Rachael Stirling, to help her die, and made a series of recordings advocating for a change in the law to allow for assisted dying. Ms Stirling said that her famous mother wanted to make her curtain call quickly, and told her to push me over the edge when in the grip of her increasingly debilitating and painful illness. In tape recordings of Dame Diana in her final months, the actress expressed her advocacy for assisted dying legislation, saying that few people understand how awful, how truly awful the details of this condition are, and the ignominy that is attached to it. She adds in recordings transcribed in The Observer: Well, its high time they did. And its high time there was some movement in the law to give choice to people in my position. This means giving human beings true agency over their own bodies at the end of life. This means giving human beings political autonomy over their own death. I have cancer and I have been given six months to live Dame Diana, who lived with her daughter during her final months, said: I have cancer and it is everywhere, and I have been given six months to live. Yet again we found ourselves in the bathroom this morning, my beloved daughter and I, half-laughing and half-crying, showering off together, and it was loving, and it was kind, but it shouldnt happen. And if I could have beamed myself off this mortal coil at that moment, you bet I wouldve done it there and then. According to her daughter, the actress looked at the possibility of travelling to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to end her own life, or having a doctor assist her, but these proved unfeasible. This difficulty persuaded Dame Diana to take up the cause of reforming legislation that governs assisted dying as she had endorsed other campaigns. She stated in tape recordings made by her family: Ive always spoken out. I spoke out when I was very young doing The Avengers and learned I was earning less than the cameraman. I received universal opprobrium. I was called money grabbing. I stood up for what is right. I speak my mind I spoke for peace in Vietnam, in Northern Ireland. I marched for peace in Iraq. I stood up for what is right. I speak my mind. If I see something is unfair, Ill do my best to address it. I think this is unfair. Her daughter, who has taken up the cause that became so important for the actress in her final months, revealed the existence of the tapes in which the stage and screen star advocated for legislative change. The revelation of her wishes comes after a failed effort to change the law in the UK amid a growing debate about assisted dying. A private members bill introduced by Lady Meacher failed when it was not given time to be read by MPs in 2022, but in 2015 the Commons voted overwhelmingly against a bill that would have allowed doctors to help terminally ill people end their lives. Legalised medically assisted dying has proved controversial in Canada, where the option was allegedly offered to Paralympian Christine Gauthier after she contacted authorities to ask for a disabled lift for her home. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Families of Ukrainian prisoners of war (PoWs) held rallies all across Ukraine on Sunday under the slogan of "Dont be silent! Captivity kills!" Source: Radio Liberty; hromadske , , . , ' https://t.co/9F18BF61c5 hromadske (@HromadskeUA) December 10, 2023 Details: The rallies were held in Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Kremenchuk, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, and other Ukrainian cities on 10 December. Hromadske reported that the families of soldiers currently held in Russian captivity have organised a Lost Connection campaign, with a rally held on Kyivs Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square). Several hundred people gathered for the demonstration, including the families of Ukrainian PoWs and military personnel who have experienced Russian captivity, including combat medic Yuliia "Taira" Paievska, the commander of Tairas Angels battalion, and Valeriia "Nava" Subotina, formerly a spokesperson for the Azov Brigade. pic.twitter.com/uGuGjTx8fd hromadske (@HromadskeUA) December 10, 2023 Representatives of various brigades and international organisations, as well as volunteers and charity workers also joined the demonstration. The event was also attended by government officials from the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Nataliia Zarytska, head of the Women of Steel NGO who organised the demonstration, said that prisoners families and friends "are doing everything in their power to keep the authorities and society focused on the issue of bringing the defenders back [to Ukraine]", but their actions have not yet had the desired effect. Some of the relatives of Ukrainian PoWs said that they have not had contact with those in captivity for almost two years. In Lviv, a silent demonstration was held in front of the Lviv Opera, and was attended by more than a hundred families of prisoners of war, Radio Liberty reported. 10 , : Demonstration in Lviv, 10 December. Photo: Radio Liberty Demonstrators held placards with the following slogans: "Captivity kills", "We are waiting for our Heroes", "Give my father back", "Some people are waiting for holiday gifts, Im waiting for my husband to come back from captivity", "Bring back the defenders of Mariupol who are still held captive", "My dad, my hero! Bring back our dad", "Bring back my brother", "Bring back our dear defenders", "When everything appears to collapse and you want to give up Just remember Azovstal". 10 , : Demonstration in Lviv, 10 December. Women hold placards that read: "Fight for them like they fought for us", "Captivity kills" and "19 months in captivity. How many more?" Photo: Radio Liberty Demonstrators urged people all over the world to call for prisoner swaps that would see Ukrainian prisoners of war returned to Ukraine. 10 , : Demonstration in Lviv, 10 December. Photo: Radio Liberty A similar rally was held in Dnipro, and was attended by over a hundred people. Participants said their goal is to draw public attention to the lack of prisoner exchanges and the inadequate conditions, in which Ukrainian prisoners are held in Russia. 10 , : Demonstration in Dnipro, 10 December. Man holds a sign that reads: "74 Separate Intelligence Battalion. 20 months of captivity, bring my son back home!" and the young woman next to him holds a placard that says: "74 Separate Intelligence Battalion: When will there be a prisoner swap? Save them". Photo: Radio Liberty Escorted by the police, participants carrying signs with the "Dont be silent! Captivity kills!" slogan marched from the city centre to the square in front of the citys main railway station. Background: Russia and Ukraine have effectively stopped exchanging prisoners of war. The last message regarding exchange was published on the Telegram channel of the Ukrainian PoW coordination headquarters on 7 August. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War believes that Russia suspended the exchange of PoWs to manipulate Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that sometimes PoW exchanges with Russia take place immediately on the battlefield. Support UP or become our patron! The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento announced Saturday that it is filing for bankruptcy protection, joining dozens of others that have been financially battered by sexual abuse lawsuits. After much prayer and careful consideration, it is now clear to me that this is the only way available to me to resolve these claims as fairly as possible, Bishop Jaime Soto said in a statement posted to the diocese website. There are many victim-survivors awaiting compensation for the reprehensible sins committed against them. The diocese faces more than 250 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by clergy or other church staff. The reorganization process will allow me to equitably respond to the large number of those who are victim-survivors of abuse. The decision to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which is expected to occur in March, means a court would oversee the distribution of available assets to satisfy claims against the diocese, the statement said. Victim-survivors of clergy sexual abuse would be represented in a court-supervised proceeding. A fund would be established to be distributed to victim-survivors as equitably as possible. Without such a process, it is likely that diocesan funds would be exhausted by the first cases to proceed to trial, leaving nothing for the many other victim-survivors still waiting for compensation. Diocese spokesman Frank Lienert told The Sacramento Bee on Saturday that the diocese planned to begin announcing the decision to parishioners at evening masses Saturday and in a letter to the faithful. On Sunday before presiding over Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in the Southside Park section of downtown Sacramento, Soto called his decision to enter into reorganization difficult. Im sure people are going to be mad at me, mad at the church, and there will be some people who try to blame the victims, he said. Men, priests, and others in the church have abused the trust that innocent people put in them. Its a very dark legacy in our history, and we have to be held responsible. And I, as bishop, have to try to make amends for that. I think its important to not blame people for bringing to light what happened in their lives. Bishop Jaime Soto, center, marches in a procession to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the patron saints of the Sacramento diocese, toward the T Street church that bears her name on Sunday, the day after the diocese announced that it would file for bankruptcy protection in the wake of hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits. The diocese has indicated in past months that it might take such a step, with Soto writing in a March issue of the Catholic Herald that more than 200 lawsuits had been filed against the diocese alleging sexual abuse of minors. The onslaught of lawsuits stemmed from a measure signed into law in California in 2019 that extended the statute of limitations for such cases, and other states have passed similar measures. To learn of this staggering number of claims is truly heartbreaking, Soto wrote then. These claims represent real people whose lives have been damaged by the sins of individuals whom they had been taught to trust. I apologize deeply for these sins and for the harm they have caused. The Sacramento diocese also has published a list of 46 credibly accused clergy who served in the Diocese of Sacramento from 1933 through 2018, many of them now deceased and some listed as being fugitives from justice. In recent months, the Diocese of San Francisco, Diocese of Oakland, Diocese of Stockton, and Diocese of Santa Rosa have filed for bankruptcy protection, and San Diegos diocese has said it may have to follow suit. San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone wrote in August that the diocese was making the move because it faces more than 500 sexual abuse lawsuits. We believe the bankruptcy process is the best way to provide a compassionate and equitable solution for survivors of abuse while ensuring that we continue the vital ministries to the faithful and to the communities that rely on our services and charity, he wrote. The Archdiocese of San Francisco joins a growing list of dioceses in the United States and California that have filed for protection under the bankruptcy laws. Some of these dioceses have already restructured and emerged from this process. The Catholic News Agency says more than two dozen dioceses have filed for bankruptcy protection in the past decade, and since states extended the statute of limitations for sexual abuse lawsuits numerous law forms have focused their efforts at filing suits of behalf of victims of clergy and others. Michael Jackels, retired Archbishop of Dubuque. Iowa, performs the 8 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in downtown Sacramento on Sunday. At the end of the service, Jackels announced that the Sacramento Diocese would seek bankruptcy protection in the wake of hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits. Attorney Mike Reck of Jeff Anderson and Associates said he has handled thousands of lawsuits against various dioceses, including 48 against Sacramentos. He said Saturday that the move to file for bankruptcy protection makes it more difficult for survivors of abuse to have their stories told in court, but added that the move does not mean that victims will lose out on recovering damages. I think that it is an effort by the bishop to protect financial assets and manage risk and to stop the trials which publicly disclose what they knew and when they knew it about their abusers, Reck said. Thats really the key here. When the bishop files for bankruptcy, all the trials get frozen and so the depositions stop, the testimony stops, the discovery stops and we have to move the cases from state court to federal court. But the survivors need to know that bankruptcy is not a get-out-of-jail-free card for the diocese. Their lawsuits shift over to the federal bankruptcy court and become claims in bankruptcy court. Theyre still going to be able to receive compensation. Melanie Sakoda, the survivor support director for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, said the decision by the diocese is a dangerous one for the public because it can limit the amount that a plaintiff can recover from the church and is a misapplication of bankruptcy law. I just think the Catholic Church isnt financially bankrupt, Sakoda said. I think theyre morally bankrupt, and this is just another example. They file for bankruptcy to save money because it will mean that the people who filed their lawsuits will get less money than they would have through their lawsuits. Sakoda added that bankruptcy may allow for the names of some abusers to remain secret. Theres no provision in bankruptcy for those names to become public, Sakoda said, adding that SNAP has a list of 103 accused clergy members from the Sacramento Diocese. The diocese said Saturday that the bankruptcy filing will not change the churchs duty. The pastoral work of the Catholic Church would continue during the reorganization, the statement said. The filing would allow the diocese to continue its support of parishes and charitable organizations while a settlement is reached. A woman prays during Mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in downtown on Sunday, the day after the Sacramento Diocese announced that it would file for bankruptcy protection in the wake of hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits. The statement said Soto also asked for prayers for the victim-survivors of clergy sexual abuse, and to remember these victims are not to blame for the difficult decision to file for bankruptcy. It is the sickening sin of sexual abuse and the failure of church leadership to address it appropriately -- that brought us to this place, Soto said. I must atone for these sins. I ask you to join me in praying for the healing of victim-survivors. The pain inflicted on them lasts a lifetime, and so our atonement must be a lifetime commitment. The Bees Hector Amezcua and Maya Miller contributed to this story. Investigators in Richmond continue to search for an unidentified suspect involved in a shooting that left one man injured on Friday night, according to chief of police Rodney Richardson. The shooting took place around 7:19 p.m. Friday when officers with the Richmond Police Department responded to a report of a robbery near Holly Street. A male victim walked to the callers residence, requesting that they call for assistance. The victim appeared to have sustained gunshot wounds to his left thigh, calf and chin, according to police. As of Sunday, police have no suspect information about the shooter, according to Richardson. The victim was identified as a 32-year-old man. He told officers he was shot in the area of Pine Street. He was taken to a hospital for treatment but has no life-threatening injuries, according to Richardson. Police are asking anyone with information related to this investigation to call 859-624-4776 or send an email to detective@richmond.ky.us. PEORIA - Peoria police officers shot and killed an aggressive dog Sunday morning. The officers were responding to a complaint of a man refusing to leave at 5:21 a.m. Dec. 10. When they met the female complainant outside a house at in the 1600 block of South Griswold, the dog charged officers. The dog died at the scene. The female complainant and one of the officers were injured in the incident. They were both transported to the hospital for examination. Because a civilian was injured in an incident where officers fired their guns, Illinois State Police were asked to investigate. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Charging dog shot and killed by police Peoria police officers The children of imprisoned Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf on Sunday, reading out a speech she'd written behind bars in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison. Her prize was placed on an empty chair Sunday between her 17-year-old twins, Ali and Kiana Rahmani, at the award ceremony in Oslo, Norway. Mohammadi, who was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize in October for her decades of human rights activism, went on a hunger strike as her prize was announced. "I am an Iranian woman, a proud and honorable contributor to civilization, who is currently under the oppression of a despotic religious government," her children said on her behalf. "I am a woman prisoner who, in enduring deep and soul-crushing suffering resulting from the lack of freedom, equality, and democracy, has recognized the necessity of her existence and has found faith." Mohammadi, who campaigned against the compulsory wearing of the hijab and the death penalty in Iran, also paid tribute to Shirin Ebadi, the first Iranian woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Mohammadi's activism has continued in prison. She's currently on a hunger strike "in solidarity" with the Baha'i religious minority, her brother and husband told a press conference in the Norwegian capital on the eve of the Nobel award ceremony. Ali Rahmani and Kiana Rahmani, children of Nobel Peace Prize 2023 laureate Narges Mohammadi, pose after delivering their speech during the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony at the City Hall in Oslo, Norway, on Dec. 10, 2023. / Credit: Sergei Gapon/Anadolu via Getty Images She also recently went on a hunger strike to be granted the right to get medical treatment without having to wear a hijab, Norwegian Nobel Committee Chair Berit Reiss-Andersen said. "Recently she was offered much-needed medical help at a hospital on the condition that she wore a hijab when leaving the prison," Reiss-Andersen said at the ceremony. "She refused and initiated a hunger strike. Finally, she was taken to hospital for a brief examination under tight security but not wearing a hijab. Her resolve is unshakable." While behind bars in September 2022, Mohammadi also took leadership of the "Woman Life Freedom" movement following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Jina Amini. Amini was killed while in the custody of Iran's morality police after she was accused of a dress code violation. "The abolition of the mandatory hijab is equivalent to the abolition of all roots of religious tyranny and the breaking of the chains of authoritarian oppression," Mohammadi's children said on her behalf. A large portrait of Mohammadi hair uncovered was on display during Sunday's ceremony. "She has asked us to use this particular photograph, which expresses how she wants to lead her life looking happy in colorful garments, exposing her hair, and with a steady gaze towards us," Reiss-Andersen said. Mohammadi has been arrested 13 times, Reiss-Andersen said. In 2015, she began serving a sentence of 10 years and 153 lashes. Her children, who live in exile in France with Mohammadi's husband, Taghi Rahmani, have not seen her in eight years. Human rights activists from Ukraine, Belarus and Russia won last year's Nobel Peace Prize. Holiday gift ideas from Techno Claus Why this high-end dinnerware is a fixture of Michelin-starred restaurants Save the Children CEO Janti Soeripto says humanitarian crisis in Gaza is "unspeakable" European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a press conference at the European Union Delegation to China compound after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) LONDON (AP) When her husband fled China in 2019 to escape a police crackdown on dissidents, Lu Lina thought she and their young son could soon join him in safety abroad. She did not know that she would be forced to move house, that her 8-year-old son would be effectively kicked out of school and that border police would block her from leaving the country over the next three years. In the end, the couple had to resort to filing for divorce in China to get around the exit ban. After my husband left, police gave our lives so much trouble, Lu said from Los Angeles, where the family eventually reunited and settled late last year. Every time the border guards would stop me, take away my phone, my wallet and all my things. They gave no explanation. Lus husband, Liu Sifang, a musician and former teacher, was among a number of Chinese activists and rights lawyers who were either arrested, forced into hiding or self-exiled after attending an informal get-together in 2019 to discuss human rights. Rights groups say the punishment of Lius family highlights Beijings increasingly harsh crackdown on dissent both within China and beyond. As the groups mark the 75th anniversary of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Sunday, they fear that the situation in the worlds second most populous country is getting worse, not better. Western governments are failing to press China hard enough, the rights groups say, and a more powerful China under President Xi Jinping has become more impervious to international pressure. If you look at independent activism around the time that Xi came to power, relative to what you can see now, whats disturbingly clear is that Xis leadership sought to obliterate civil society and to silence dissent, not just inside the country but globally, to ensure that anybody who criticizes him and the regime has to think twice, said Sophie Richardson, a longtime China observer and former China director at Human Rights Watch. A new report by the Rome-based rights group Safeguard Defenders, published Sunday to mark International Human Rights Day, alleges that Chinas government has stepped up its use of collective punishment against the loved ones of human rights advocates in recent years. Under Xi Jinping, China is increasingly unwilling to allow political targets to leave the country, slapping them and their families with exit bans, and using transnational repression methods to control the ones who make it out, according to the report. The report, based on interviews with more than a dozen rights activists and compiled media reports, said it identified at least 50 such cases from 2015 to 2022, including the detention, home eviction, harassment or violent assault of activists family members. This year's International Human Rights Day marking 75 years since the United Nations adopted the global foundational document for protecting the rights of every individual everywhere comes just days after EU leaders visited China for a fresh round of talks. While the summit focused on trade and the Ukraine war, the EU said that the bloc also expressed its deep concerns about the rights situation in China. Both sides said they welcomed the resumption of their human rights dialogue earlier this year. Wang Lutong, head of European affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said Beijing was willing to continue the dialogue though he also warned that human rights should not be used as a stick to beat China. Last week, Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated China's longstanding defense against international criticism of its human rights record. Beijing opposes any attempt to force one's own values and model upon others, he told a symposium. We must reject any attempt to interfere in other countries internal affairs or contain their development under the pretext of human rights, he said. China has ... opened a new path for human rights development that adapts to the changing times and suits our national conditions. Richardson, the China rights expert, said the EU-China rights dialogue falls far short of accomplishing real outcomes for dissidents. It's what the political establishment prefers because it doesnt upset Beijing too much, she said. It's the deliverable that people can point at and say, we did that. In April, Chinese police detained Yu Wensheng, a human rights lawyer, and his wife Xu Yan as they were on their way to the European Union office in Beijing to meet with the EU ambassador. The couple is facing charges of subversion of state power and picking quarrels and stirring up troubles though they havent received any legal documents outlining the charges, according to Bao Longjun, a legal advocate familiar with the case. Such vague charges are commonly leveled against rights activists in China, and rights groups have noted an increase this year in cases like Yu's. He and his wife remain in detention. Other Chinese rights advocates, such as disbarred human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang, continue to face harassment from authorities even after they have been released from prison. Liu, the dissident who fled to the United States, described how tough it was being separated from his wife and son for three years. The couple has now remarried in the U.S. Those law-enforcement officials, they used such cruel methods to retaliate against me because I managed to get out, he said. They are showing people like us that this is what we can do to you and your family. ___ Wu reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed to this report. This picture shows a Philippine vessel that was part of a convoy of civilian boats in the disputed South China Sea on Dec. 10, 2023. A Philippine boat and a Chinese Coast Guard ship collided near a contested reef in the South China Sea on Sunday, and both countries are placing the blame on each other. The Philippines accused China of targeting civilian supply vessels in the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. The BBC, citing a statement from the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, reported that a Chinese coast guard ship "rammed" into one of two supply boats and caused "severe damage" of the engine of one boat with a water cannon. China accused the Philippine boat of "deliberately colliding" into its ship after "disregarding our multiple stern warnings," the BBC reported. US and Philippines relations: US plans to expand its military presence in Philippines to counter threats against Taiwan Rising tensions between 2 countries The incident comes as tensions between the two countries over contested areas in the South China Sea have flared up in recent weeks. Sunday's incident also happened a day after the Philippines accused the Chinese coast guard of using water cannons against three of its vessels, AFP reported. The three boats had been delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal, off the main island of Luzon. China seized the Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines in 2012, the Wall Street Journal reported. According to WSJ, the coast guard ships sprayed water cannons at the ships as they were about 1.4 and 1.9 nautical miles from the contested shoal. The boats were blasted by water cannons at least eight times. Equipment aboard one of the ships was damaged by the attack. Last week, the Philippines also accused China of swarming a reef near its coast after more than 130 military vessels were "dispersed and scattered" in the vicinity of Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea. The Philippines said the area was entirely in its economic zone and called the increased Chinese presence "alarming." China in recent years has been building islands in disputed waters. Tensions have also impacted U.S.-China relations. President Joe Biden said in October that he would defend the Philippines if China were to attack. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South China Sea boat collision: China and Philippines exchange blame People stand outside the China Pavilion at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai By David Stanway DUBAI (Reuters) - China's top climate diplomat on Saturday said a final agreement on fossil fuels at the United Nations COP28 summit was crucial - even if not perfect - but he declined to say whether the country could agree to eliminating coal, oil and gas entirely. An agreement by the world's nearly 200 countries to eliminate fossil fuels - the main driver of climate change - has become the make or break issue on the negotiating table at the Dubai summit. The Chinese climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, told reporters in a briefing that without the fossil fuels agreement there was not much chance of success at COP28. China remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with coal still the country's largest energy source. "The energy transition is extremely important... but this transition requires a period of pain. Each country has different national conditions," Xie said. China wants a text that expresses the need to reduce fossil fuels as quickly as possible while at the same time allowing room for developing countries to maintain energy security and grow their economies. Asked about the language options on "phasing out" fossil fuels in the latest negotiating text, Xie said China was already consulting with other countries in order to find a solution. "We all want to work together to find a language that points in the right direction of further efforts and reflects inclusiveness to the utmost extent and is acceptable to all parties," he said. He suggested that the terminology agreed by the United States and China during the Sunnylands meeting in November could offer a way forward. A target calling for the gradual reduction of fossil fuels in the global energy mix could also be an option, he said. The Sunnylands agreement does not include "phase out" but says that both sides should "accelerate renewable energy deployment in their respective economies through 2030 from 2020 levels so as to accelerate the substitution for coal, oil and gas generation". China is working with all the major negotiating groups to find a solution, and a consensus must be found among parties with vastly different views, Xie said. "The positions on the issue are currently very antagonistic, and China is trying to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties and can solve the problems," he said. China supports global goals to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, he added, but declined to say whether it would join more than 100 countries and sign a pledge to meet the target. The veteran envoy told journalists that in his 16 years as a climate negotiator, this was the hardest COP he had ever seen. "The meeting that feels the most difficult is this year's. There are so many issues to settle." (Reporting by David Stanway; Editing by William James and Clelia Oziel) FILE PHOTO: A group of disputed islands, Uotsuri island , Minamikojima and Kitakojima, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China is seen in the East China Sea BEIJING/TOKYO (Reuters) - China and Japan accused each other of maritime incursions after a confrontation between their coast guards in waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea. China's coast guard said on Sunday that a Japanese fishing boat and several patrol vessels intruded the previous day into waters around the tiny islands, called Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan. The uninhabited islands are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China. China's coast guard said in a statement it had taken necessary measures in accordance with the law to warn away the Japanese vessels. Japan's coast guard said on Saturday that two Chinese maritime patrol boats left Japan's territorial waters around the islands after receiving warnings. It said its patrol vessels were protecting a Japanese fishing boat that had been approached by the Chinese ships. Similar incidents occurred in November and October. Asian maritime disputes involving China have been escalating. China and the Philippines traded accusations on Sunday over a collision between their vessels in a part of the South China Sea each nation claims, marking the second confrontation in as many days. (Reporting by Colleen Howe in Beijing and Kevin Buckland in Tokyo; editing by Miral Fahmy and William Mallard) Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christies strong debate performance in Tuscaloosa, Ala., has given him a renewed reason to stay in the GOP presidential primary, even as his prospects for the nomination remain slim. Christie fiercely criticized former President Trump at the Wednesday debate hosted by NewsNation. He landed attacks on the three rivals who appeared on stage and got in the most debate speaking time he has had so far, by CNNs count. But Republicans acknowledge the longer Christie stays in the race, the more he could divide the field and help the former president seal the GOP nomination. The better Christie performs, the more likely Trump will be the nominee of the party. Its that simple because Christie will not be the nominee of the party, said Republican strategist Justin Sayfie. And the better he performs, the longer he will stay in the race. And the longer he stays in the race, the bigger advantage Trump has to win the nomination. The former two-term New Jersey governor remained a close ally of Trump throughout his presidency and helped prepare him for the 2020 presidential debates against now-President Biden. But the two had a falling out in the aftermath of Trumps attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Christie entered the 2024 race positioning himself as a chief opponent of the former president. Christie has repeatedly attacked Trump on the campaign trail and throughout the debates, accusing him in the second one of not attending because he was afraid to defend his record. He extended that line of attack to on-stage rivals Wednesday, saying they are afraid to criticize Trump. While he once polled as high as second place in New Hampshire, Christie ranked third at best in the state recently and has stayed near the bottom of the pack in other states and nationwide. Still, Christie appears likely to stay in the race into next year. The debate provided him with several memorable moments that could power his campaign. The most intense exchange came when Christie slammed Vivek Ramaswamy for interrupting other candidates on stage and personally attacking former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley. This is the fourth debate that you would be voted in the first 20 minutes as the most obnoxious blowhard in America. So shut up for a little while, he told Ramaswamy. He also faced off with DeSantis, accusing him of dodging a question about Trumps fitness for office. Sayfie argued that Trump benefits from having as many candidates in the race as possible, splitting the non-Trump vote and making his path to winning the early states easier. He said Christies decision about whether to stay in the race would rely on what he wants to accomplish with his candidacy. If hes trying to help President Trump, get the nomination and be elected president, he should stay in the race as long as he possibly can, he said. If he wants Donald Trump to not be the nominee, that he should get out as quickly as he can. Trump has maintained a significant lead in national polls for months, trouncing his closest opponent, usually Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), by at least 40 points. But his margin in polls the first two states to vote in the GOP nominating process, Iowa and New Hampshire, has been smaller, usually less than a majority. This has fueled hope among those looking for an alternative to Trump. But strategists have said a single, clear alternative would have the best chance to beat Trump instead of a divided field. Some Republicans said this month that Christie should drop out of the race. He will have an uphill battle making the next debate stage in Iowa on Jan. 10, with host CNN requiring candidates to receive at least 10 percent in three national or Iowa polls. Qualifying for CNNs debate in New Hampshire on Jan. 21 with the same requirements appears somewhat more likely. Christie has dismissed calls to suspend his campaign, arguing that polls are unreliable and pointing to Trumps pending legal challenges. Republican strategist Josh Novotney said most of Christies current supporters would likely back Haley if he dropped out, so his continued candidacy could hurt hers, especially in New Hampshire. Novotney said Christies strategy in the presidential race was to go on an attack Donald Trump tour and try to help spoil Trumps chances of being reelected, but that strategy has run its course. Thats fine if he wants to do that, but hes gotten to the point now, and its pretty obvious I think during the debate that, that strategy is now kind of counterintuitive because with him in the race, he is helping Trump continue to be ahead, particularly in New Hampshire, he said. Haley has seen a surge in polling in The Granite State in recent months following strong debate performances. She is in second place in RealClearPoliticss New Hampshire polling average at nearly 20 percent. Christie is in third in the average, with about 11 percent. Republican strategist Mehek Cooke said Christie definitely had some effective moments Wednesday and answered questions directly while calling out other candidates for talking in circles. But she said Christie is taking votes away from Haley and DeSantis. Hes not going to stop Trump independently, but if he were to join another team, maybe, Cooke said. She said she expects the picture will be clearer on who is best positioned to beat Trump after the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 15, and Christie should consider endorsing. I think well know a lot more after the Iowa caucus to see if their grassroots efforts have paid off. Thats something that nobody can really measure. You have to be on the ground. You have to feel the energy, she said. Novotney said he does not think Christie needed a strong debate performance to be emboldened to stay in the race, but that he is staying because he still wants to go after Trump and thinks he may have a chance in New Hampshire. He was Chris Christie. He was doing what he did usually he tells people theyre wrong and he fires at Trump, Novotney said. Because some people said he had a good debate, I dont think thatll keep him in. I think his plan is to stay in at this point until its not. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Mayor Karen Bass, accompanied by HUD official Richard J. Monocchio, left, and City Councilmembers Nithya Raman, far left, Hugo Soto-Martinez and Bob Blumenfield, speak to reporters in Hollywood on Wednesday. Previously, it was the site of a homeless encampment. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) For as long as people have watched tents take over sidewalks and RVs deteriorate under freeways, politicians have been making promises about solving homelessness in Los Angeles. And for just as long, those same politicians have been breaking them. This is undoubtedly why, back in March, as Mayor Karen Bass was approaching her first 100 days in office, only 17% of Angelenos believed her administration would make a lot of progress getting people off the streets, according to a Suffolk University/Los Angeles Times poll. Far more 45% predicted just a little progress would be made. I was thinking about this deep well of public skepticism while listening to Bass, all smiles in a bright green suit on Wednesday morning, enthusiastically explain why the progress she has actually made is a reason for renewed optimism. Read more: Bass says L.A. has put 21,000 homeless people into interim housing. Here's what that means Flanked by members of the L.A. City Council outside a school in Hollywood, she announced that her administration had, in its first year, moved 21,694 people out of encampments and into interim housing. That's an increase of 28% over the final year of former Mayor Eric Garcettis administration, taking into account the work of various government programs, including Bass' signature one, Inside Safe. In addition, the majority of those directed to motel and hotel rooms, congregate shelters and tiny homes have decided to stay, rather than head back out onto the streets. "We have tried to set a new tone in the city. This is an example of that new tone. Forty-one people used to sleep here, and now it's clear," Bass said Wednesday over the shrieks of schoolchildren. "Students and parents don't need to walk around tents on their way to school, and the Angelenos who were living here do not need to die on our streets." It was a convincing message, backed up by a thick packet of numbers distributed to reporters at City Hall a few hours later. But numbers are funny. They can be crunched in many ways and interpreted to mean many different things. As my Times colleague David Zahniser pointed out, all of the people who now live in interim housing are still considered homeless by the federal government. And while Bass had originally thought most of them would be there for only three to six months, it's now looking more like 18 months to two years. Permanent housing is that scarce. So, numbers-wise, don't expect a decline in the next annual homelessness count, which is scheduled for January. There might even be an increase, thanks to the expiration of pandemic-era tenant protections. As of the last count, there were more than 46,000 unhoused people living in the city, mostly in encampments. But again, numbers are funny. They tend not to mean half as much as what people see and experience for themselves, just like the disconnect between public perceptions of crime and actual crime data. So, when Bass declares at a news conference that "we have proved this year that we will make change," and she talks about the encampment that used to be where she's standing and all the encampments that her administration has cleared, even if a few more tents have popped up down the street, skeptical Angelenos just might believe her. And maybe, just maybe, that's not such a bad thing. "What I see most powerfully is increased hope," Va Lecia Adams Kellum, chief executive of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, told reporters on Wednesday. "Hope among the folks who are living in those encampments who had given up and [thought] they'll always live in that level of despair. Hope that the community now believes that we could possibly get out of this terrible crisis." Kellie Waldon, 54, cries near what's left of her encampment, left, as Skid Row West is dismantled under the 405 Freeway along Venice Boulevard in Los Angeles in October. Waldon was hoping to receive housing through the city's Inside Safe program, like others in the encampment had. "You get your hopes up and you don't know what to believe," Waldon said. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) Hope is a thing difficult to quantify, especially among people who have been homeless for years, and have suffered so much and have been let down so often by government. I've talked to some who took a chance and decided to leave their tents and RVs, and are now thrilled to be in a motel room with a door, running water and air conditioning. Others have had it with curfews and jail-like rules, and are getting tired of waiting on promised permanent housing. I've also talked to those who have been booted out of interim housing for one reason or another, and are back on the streets. They are feeling hopeless, like many cash-strapped Angelenos who are on the verge of an eviction. But peak hopelessness? That's what we saw on the first days of December. At a hastily called news conference, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore announced that officers were searching for a man who had fatally shot three homeless people one sleeping on a couch in an alley and another while pushing a shopping cart. This is a killer preying on the unhoused, Bass said. Moore and Bass didn't know then, but their suspect, Jerrid Joseph Powell, had already been arrested by Beverly Hills police after a traffic stop in which his $60,000 BMW was linked to a deadly follow-home robbery. Police have yet to elaborate on Powell's alleged motive, but Bass brought up the horrific case several times on Wednesday and with good reason. Violence and acts of cruelty against people living on the streets are increasingly common not just locally, but nationally. In addition to shootings, there have been stabbings and beheadings. And let's not forget about the gallery owner in San Francisco who was caught on video spraying a homeless woman with a hose. Read more: The twisted path of Jerrid Powell, from jock to accused L.A. serial killer Advocates blame this trend of nastiness on the pandemic-era surge in homelessness, particularly in unsheltered homelessness, and the subsequent spike in interactions between housed and unhoused residents. Fear and frustration can lead to dehumanization and that, in turn, can lead to violence, said Dr. Margot Kushel, director of the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative in San Francisco. "I do really worry that it's become normalized in public discourse to speak about people experiencing homelessness as, like, a problem for those who are not homeless as opposed to fundamentally a massive societal failure that's left usually older, vulnerable people terrified and totally unprotected," she told me. "And I do think that there is a connection, like the more we dehumanize people, the less protected they are." Stephanie Klasky-Gamer has watched this happen in real time as president and CEO of L.A. Family Housing. The seeming permanency of encampments, and the trash, fires and unsanitary conditions they often generate, have led to what she describes as widespread impatience. "I don't mean big, systemic impatience, like 'I wish we could end homelessness faster,'" she said. "It's the 'I'm just sick of seeing you in front of me' kind of impatience." On some level, she gets it, though. As does Kushel. As do I. "It has to be OK to say, 'Yeah, this sucks that I'm walking my kids to school and I'm walking over people in tents,'" Kushel told me. "But there has to be a way to hold that with being able to recognize how we got to this position and also how we're going to get out. And to sort of restore [our] collective humanity." For Klasky-Gamer, this has meant focusing on what has changed since Bass became mayor. "I know how much good is getting done," she told me. "The frustration I may feel at seeing the tent every day I turn the corner, at least I can temper it knowing that 10 people yesterday moved into an apartment. These three people haven't. But these 10 did." RVs in an encampment along West Jefferson Boulevard near the Ballona Wetlands in Playa del Rey in 2021. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The mayor has told me many times that getting people off the streets isn't just a humanitarian imperative and, as a serial killer reminded us, a safety imperative. It's also a demonstration to a fed-up public that progress is possible. "What distresses Angelenos the most are encampments. That's where people were dying on the street," Bass told reporters. "And to me, what was clear, was that we come up with a way to get people out of the tents." Some will dismiss that. They'll insist that all her administration is doing is reducing visible homelessness to score easy political points. And that instead of doing the hard work of actually helping L.A.'s most vulnerable residents get back on their feet, the mayor is hiding them so that they'll be forgotten and abandoned in interim housing. In this city, defined by its haves and have-nots, I understand the cynicism and skepticism. But that's why what Bass does next, namely expanding and stabilizing the citys crumbling supply of permanent housing, will matter even more than what she has done thus far. "We've got to somehow make people believe again that this is solvable," Kushel told me, "and it is solvable." Hope can be elusive. But Annelisa Stephan was looking for it anyway when she came to the Ballona Wetlands on a recent Saturday morning. She and more than 100 other volunteers many of them from the nearby neighborhoods of Playa Vista and Playa del Rey had descended on the Westside ecological reserve to dig holes, spread soil, and put in plants and trees. Just a few months ago, RVs had been parked here along Jefferson Boulevard, bumper to bumper in a sprawling encampment that dozens of unhoused people had come to call home. They built a close-knit community, looking out for one another and mourning one another after deadly fires. But they also decimated the Ballona Wetlands' freshwater marsh with everything from battery acid to trash to human waste, and scared off nearby residents who once walked the trails. Read more: Column: 'Enough is enough.' Why RV encampments might finally start disappearing in L.A. And then one day, after almost three years, the encampment was gone, replaced by concrete barricades and metal fencing. The residents were mostly sent to interim housing and the RVs were mostly towed away. "It's like, hard to know what to think or feel," Stephan told me. "I'm happy that the land is being stewarded, but just sad about the suffering that so many people face." She lamented the "fervent, anti-homeless mania" that she has heard from some of her neighbors. "It's just been really a painful time," Stephan said. L.A. City Councilmember Traci Park, whose Westside district includes the Ballona Wetlands and got elected on promises to aggressively crack down on homeless encampments, was more circumspect. "At the end of the day, everybody wants the same thing, which is to get folks off the streets and into safe settings and connected to the help that they need," she said while watching volunteers dig holes. "There's a lot of different points of view about how we get there. And I think that's where a lot of the conflict and the division lie." She paused, as traffic whizzed by on Jefferson Boulevard. "But," Park said, "we have great leadership." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, center, flanked by his wife, Denise Nyakeru, greets supporters at a rally in Goma, Eastern Congo, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Tshisekedi is seeking reelection in the Dec. 20 elections. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) GOMA, Congo (AP) A fiery President Felix Tshisekedi rallied thousands of supporters at a stadium in a conflict-stricken eastern region of Congo on Sunday, making one of his final campaign sweeps through the country in the lead-up to elections later this month. Supporters waited hours to hear the first-term president's speech in a region torn by years of violence between the army and M23 rebels. He directed most of his ire toward President Paul Kagame in neighboring Rwanda rather than his opponents in the Dec. 20 election, where he is vying for a second-term leading the nation of 100 million people. I promise you that this fight will continue, and we will rid our country of the M23 terrorists, led by their leader Paul Kagame. We are going to put an end to their barbaric reign of terrorism, which has put the Congolese people into mourning," Tshisekedi said at Afia Stadium in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. The election has resurfaced long simmering questions about overlapping conflicts in eastern Congo and neighboring nations such as Rwanda. Tshisekedi and many of the two dozen candidates running against him, including former oil executive Martin Fayulu and businessman Moise Katumbi, pledge to stem violence and displacement. Tshisekedi has long accused Kagame and Rwanda of providing military support to M23, the latest iteration of Congolese Tutsi fighters to seize towns in parts of mineral-rich North Kivu. The U.N. and human rights groups accuse M23 of atrocities ranging from rape to mass killings and say it receives backing from Rwanda. Rwanda denies any ties with the rebels. Beyond the speech, Tshisekedi sought to project symbolic power by visiting North Kivu's capital. The rebels have taken over large parts of the region and since last week they have overcome volunteer self-defense groups and Congolese soldiers to seize major nearby towns. As the election nears, Congo's government is doubling down on a push to have regional and international peacekeeping forces withdraw. A regional force of officers from East African countries began leaving Goma last week. Peacekeepers have faced protests and criticism from residents who see them as toothless and unable to protect civilians in Congo, which is the worlds top cobalt producer and fifth-largest producer of copper. Tshisekedi, who has called for U.N. peacekeepers to leave, said Sunday that the United Nations came to help and protect the Congolese people, but it didnt work. Its mission will come to an end, and we will salute their departure with honor, he added. Roger Mibenge, a Goma resident at the rally, said he supported Tshisekedis efforts to liberate the region from Rwandan aggression. We think we still need him for the next few years so that he can carry out the work he has started, Mibenge said. More than 120 armed groups are fighting over land and control of valuable minerals in Congo's eastern regions. Tshisekedi praised both the army and volunteer "Wazalendo" fighters in the right against armed groups, promising the region total liberation. All this is to say that we still have work to do, and to continue this work we need your support, he told the crowd. Despite his plea for votes, it is questionable how deeply the election will reach into North Kivu and other conflict-stricken regions. The election wont be held in some areas wracked by violence and displacement, and last week Congo's Independent National Electoral Commission asked the government for help distributing ballots to insecure areas. ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A high ranking Ethiopian official attending a manufacturing sector development-themed conference in Ethiopia has called for innovative solutions to exploit the country's potential in the sector. This came during the UN Development Program (UNDP)'s 2023 Annual Development Conference, which was held under the theme "Can Ethiopia Become a Manufacturing Powerhouse" on Friday, explored Ethiopia's likelihood of transitioning from trading to manufacturing. Ethiopia's State Minister of Industry Tarekegn Bululta said the country has huge potentials in the manufacturing sector, which include abundant labor force, available industrial parks, thriving local market, as well as logistics infrastructure, among others. "Industrial development is at the center of Ethiopia's development policy. Huge investments in industrial parks, integrated industrial cluster, and infrastructure development such as in roads, railways and logistics have been made," the state minister said. Noting conducive and enabling economic environment as well as good governance are key elements in attracting investments and formatting trade, Bululta said the Ethiopian government has created an enabling environment and policy frameworks to support the sector. "The Ethiopian government is committed to creating a conducive and enabling environment to create a secure, stable and accessible investment environment for the private sector, both local and foreign, so that it plays a pivotal role in the country's economic development," he said. UNDP's working paper on the manufacturing sector that was presented during the conference noted that Ethiopia has considerable potential to become a manufacturing power, able to export 10 billion U.S. dollars by 2030, and create many thousands of jobs. ALPINE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Crews were working hard Sunday at York Creek Apartments after four fires broke out Saturday. Some residents were able to get back into the affected buildings to gather their things after being evacuated Saturday night. York Creek Apartments said in a statement that 24 apartments were evacuated, and residents were placed by the American Red Cross in hotels or other housing. The first fire started around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. The Alpine Township Fire Chief believed a power line pole snapped due to high winds and set the garage on fire. Multiple cars were completely damaged by this fire and the garage was a complete loss, according to the Alpine Township Fire Department. No one hurt in fire at Alpine Township apartment complex At 6 p.m., several fire departments returned to the apartment complex for reports of a fire. When they arrived, they were met with two kitchen fires. Crews quickly put those fires out. Jeremy Kelly, the Alpine Township Deputy Fire Chief, said he learned about the fourth fire from a foreman with Consumers Energy. One of his workers was up in a bucket, working on the lines and could see the fire from the sky, Kelly said. The deputy chief said the fourth fire caused damage to the apartments roof and they are currently investigating the cause of that fire. No one was hurt by these fires. 3 more fires at Alpine Twp. apartment complex Consumers Energy was working at the apartment Sunday working on getting power back to some of the apartment buildings. Kelly said he had never seen anything like the first garage fire. He added that kitchen fires are common after people lose power, but adding all of the fires together, he said the odds of this happening are slim. Not typical, I would not say. I mean, not for little Kent County, like we are here. Maybe in the city of Grand Rapids, but I do not even remember anything like this happening in the city of Grand Rapids, Kelly said. With the fires happening close to the holidays, Kelly said he wants residents to know that they can reach out for help. I guess its a tragedy. Be patient, but if you need a hand, reach out. People are out there to help you, us included, Kelly said. York Creek Apartments, Alpine Township Fire Department, Kent County Sheriffs Office and the American Red Cross are continuing to provide support to residents during this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. They were the picture of the American dream. Andreen McDonald, described as a "rising star," and Andre McDonald, a major in the U.S. Air Force, were a San Antonio power couple who ran a successful business that funded a lavish lifestyle. Their seemingly perfect world came crashing down in the winter of 2019 when Andreen suddenly disappeared. "I remember like a panic set in," says friend Mandy Hall. "Andreen is not the person to go take off somewhere and no one knows where she is." Andreen McDonald became a successful entrepreneur and found her purpose in serving others. / Credit: Instagram Investigator Frank Stubbs tells "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant, "Her purse was still there, her keys were on the counter and her vehicles were still there." Stubbs saw something startling while searching the home. "I found there was blood on the wall in an area that was kind of odd, there was blood and hair on a light switch," he says. AN AMERICAN DREAM TURNED NIGHTMARE In the afternoon of March 1, 2019, after 29-year-old Andreen McDonald was reported missing by her mother Maureen, a Bexar County sheriff's deputy arrived at the McDonald home in an upscale gated community in San Antonio. Within minutes, the deputy saw that blood and hair on the light switch. And in the backyard, normally beautifully landscaped, another troubling clue: a random burn pile. A zipper from Andreen McDonald's blouse was discovered in a burn pile in the backyard of her home. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts Maureen Smith: We found a zipper from uh, Andreen's blouse. Peter Van Sant: It was Andreen's blouse? Maureen Smith: Mm hmm (affirms). Andreen's husband, Andre "Andy" McDonald, told the deputy that when he woke up, he got their daughter Alayna to school before reporting to Lackland Air Force Base, where he served as a cyber warfare analyst. Once he learned Andreen was missing, Andre rushed back home. But he quickly headed out the door again to act on a hunch that Andreen, who suffered from migraines, might have gone to a nearby hospital for treatment. Andre's arrival to the hospital was captured by surveillance cameras, says lead investigator Frank Stubbs. Frank Stubbs: On that tape he comes in, you can see him asking for McDonald and they tell him there's somebody in Room 3 named McDonald. Peter Van Sant: He arrives back to the house. What does he tell them? Frank Stubbs: He tells them that she's in the hospital. But when the deputy called the hospital, he discovered that the McDonald who had checked in was not Andreen McDonald. Andre told deputies that he rushed back home before seeing his wife because he had left his cellphone at home and wanted to let Maureen know he had found Andreen. Sheriff Javier Salazar of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office: Sheriff Javier Salazar: There was some indication to him that she was there and injured to some extent. Unfortunately, the major's hunch turned out to be wrong. Maureen Smith: When I heard, I was oh, God, I was so upset I was just thinking that she's someplace that we can find her. And for Andreen's mother-in-law, Jackie Horne, who lived in Florida, there was uncertainty. Jackie Horne: I had called Andreen's phone about a thousand times already, saying, "Andreen, whatever it is, please, please, just call me back." What concerned everyone was the fact Andreen would never just disappear. She was known for her sense of responsibility and dedication to her family and business. Peter Van Sant: How would you describe Andreen? Maureen Smith: She knows what she wants. And she would never stop until she get it. ANDREEN (video): I did come in before he did. Way ANDRE: Right, Andreen did defeat me, and she is so excited. Andreen created an assisted living business in San Antonio called Starlight Homes when she was just 22. And, according to Andre's close friend Andrew Russell, Andre bankrolled her dreams. Andrew Russell: In order to start the business, Andre, he liquidated his 401K. And .. he sold the BMW that he owned. Jackie Horne: They were doing so well. They were doing everything that would make any mother proud. Starlight Homes thrived, and under Andreen's watch the tiny home-based business transformed into a multimillion-dollar enterprise in just seven years. ANDREEN MCDONALD SPEECH: When I started my assisted living, I only started with three residents Today, Starlight Homes Assisted Living, we have two locations in the San Antonio area. Childhood friend, Mandy Hall, says Andreen's success was born out of humble beginnings. Mandy Hall: Growing up in Portland, Jamaica we didn't have a lot. And, so, we figured if we wanted to get somewhere in life it would be in America. That's where the dream was. Andreen's dream of coming to America came true at 19, when she met Andre. He was also a native of Jamaica, who at the time was a captain in the U.S. Air Force. Andre had returned home to Port Antonio, Jamaica, in May 2009 to attend a funeral where he met Andreen, who was 10 years younger. Andreen and Andre McDonald / Credit: Jacqueline Horne Peter Van Sant: Was there an attraction right from the beginning? Maureen Smith: She was excited when she met him. excited about the captain in the Air Force. they both decide for her to come to America. They married that July. Jackie Horne: I was happy to know he had met somebody that he could have a life with. That life would soon include a baby girl, Alayna. Alayna was at the center of Andreen's world, which made her disappearance so perplexing, says Horne. Jackie Horne: I don't think Andreen would just get up and walk away and leave Alayna, and nobody would hear from her. That evening, a forensic crime unit examined those stains in the bathroom and confirmed the initial belief that they were blood. Peter Van Sant: While you were going through the house, was Andre there? Frank Stubbs: Yes, he was. Peter Van Sant: Did you see any signs of bruising on his body, any signs of of any injuries that perhaps he'd been in a struggle? Frank Stubbs: Nothing that we could that we could determine. Investigators were hoping Andre had some answers. But he said the last time he had seen his wife was the night before, and they said what Andre described raised more questions than answers. Frank Stubbs: He had told them they had come home from the tax preparers office, and that they had argued over the business and he went up the road got some gas and just cooled off. On Feb. 28, 2019, after a heated argument with his wife, Andre McDonald says he left the house to cool off. He is seen on surveillance video at a gas station. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts Frank Stubbs: We were able to obtain video evidence of him going to the Shell station. Andre said when he returned home, he and Andreen went to separate bedrooms. But according to investigators, what Andre didn't mention was the text exchange that happened at the gas station. TATTOOS, TEXTS, AND A MARRAGE IN TURMOIL For investigators, the text messages found on Andre's phone revealed a marriage in turmoil, including allegations of betrayal. Peter Van Sant: Accusations of unfaithfulness in these text messages, correct? Frank Stubbs: That's correct. Peter Van Sant: We have a printed copy. Would you mind reading these from his phone? Frank Stubbs (reading the text): Andreen responds "If you bring up Aubyn again, I will divorce you myself." Aubyn Hall, a businessman living in Port Antonio, Jamaica, who according to investigators, was Andreen's ex-boyfriend and, potentially, her current lover. In response to Andreen's threat of divorce, Andre texts: "I don't care if you get a divorce. You brought Aubyn into our life." Aubyn dated Andreen when she was a teenager, say investigators. Andreen's close friend Mandy Hall says the two rekindled their romance in 2017 during one of her philanthropic trips to the island. Mandy Hall: Aubyn has always been that first love It wasn't something Andreen got over, emotionally. Hall says they carried on their affair in secret until the summer of 2018 when Andreen got two new tattoos: an initial "A" tattooed on her hand and a date tattooed on her wrist. Mandy Hall: Andy was definitely suspicious of what it meant. With a suspicious mind, Hall says Andre went to work to solve this tattoo mystery. Mandy Hall: He went, and he did his own digging. It was on social media where Andre discovered an interesting photograph of Aubyn branded with the same exact tattoo that was also on Andreen's hand. Audreen McDonald's tattoos -- an initial And those numbers 14-3-76? They're Aubyn's birthday day, month and year. Mandy Hall: She told me that she impulsively got the tattoo she knew it was something stupid to do. Enraged, Hall says Andre threatened divorce unless Andreen cut off contact with Aubyn, covered up her tattoos, and promised to never travel to Jamaica without him. Mandy Hall: She did cover up the tattoos. She didn't want to lose half of everything she worked hard for. At Andre's 40th birthday party, Hall says by all outward appearances, the McDonalds seemed to be getting along. But just 13 days later, on March 1, 2019, that's when Andreen disappeared. The once festive home had transformed into a crime scene as investigators worked the McDonald residence until 2 a.m. the next morning. When they couldn't locate Andreen's cellphone, investigators checked to see if her credit cards or passport had been used all dead ends. Frank Stubbs: We came up dry on on all of these inquiries. At this point, all we had was a missing person. Within hours of his wife's disappearance, Andre McDonald was a person of interest. He stopped answering questions and lawyered up. At 2 p.m. the next day, an undercover investigator assigned to watch the McDonalds' house noticed that the garage had been damaged and Andre was backing out of the driveway. Surveillance video of Andre McDonald purchasing a 9mm handgun and ammunition. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts The investigator followed him to a nearby gun shop where additional investigators, who were called to the scene, observed Andre purchasing a 9mm handgun and ammunition. Frank Stubbs: We were under the assumption that he was purchasing a gun to probably harm himself. When Andre walked back to his car, investigators confronted him in a violent takedown. Investigators moved to detain the Air Force major and turned him over to military authorities for a mental evaluation. Meanwhile, investigators returned to the house with a search warrant and checked Andreen's car. While there, some objects caught their eye. Peter Van Sant: There was a shovel. There was an ax. Items found in Andreen McDonald's car included a shovel and ax, as well as a hatchet, heavy-duty large trash bags, gloves and two 5-gallon gas cans. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts Frank Stubbs: An ax. There was a like a hatchet kind of maul. There was trash bags, there were gloves And a couple of gas cans. And there was more. Frank Stubbs: Inside the garbage can in the house was a receipt from Lowe's that had been torn up. Detectives were able to obtain surveillance footage from the hardware store items that were purchased the day after Andreen went missing. Andre McDonald is seen at the checkout of a Lowes store. Two red gas cans can be seen on the counter. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts Frank Stubbs (watching surveillance video): This is Andre McDonald coming into the Lowe's he's going to purchase several items. You can see him with a basket here. You can see there's a shovel in the basket And now, he comes up here there's two gas cans. There's a maul Peter Van Sant: There's the hatchet. Frank Stubbs: or a hatchet Here's that ax. Peter Van Sant: What's at play here? Frank Stubbs: It appeared to us that now that his wife was missing. It pointed to the disposal of her body. Peter Van Sant: Look at that cart full of ill will, right? Frank Stubbs: Yes. And in the corner of the garage, investigators would uncover what they say was the most damning evidence of all. Frank Stubbs: We found a hammer and clothing in the garbage. The clothing that we found appeared to be Andre's clothing. Investigators say they found traces of blood on the pocket of a pair of jeans. Peter Van Sant: What's on the claw hammer that's of interest? Frank Stubbs: The lab determined that there was the presence of blood on the hammer. And the DNA that they obtained from that that blood sample was from Andreen. Frank Stubbs: We concluded that that hammer was probably used as the murder weapon. Peter Van Sant: This is significant. Frank Stubbs: Very significant. ALL EYES ON MAJOR ANDRE MCDONALD On March 2, 2019, 48 hours into the investigation, Stubbs believed he had discovered key evidence that implicated Major Andre McDonald in his wife's disappearance. Investigators located those items stained with Andreen's blood inside the family's trash can. This missing person's case had become much more sinister. Peter Van Sant: And it's pointing toward what? Frank Stubbs: The evidence was pointing towards a murder. But there was a problem. None of the evidence collected proved that a murder had actually occurred. Frank Stubbs: Turning a missing person's case into a homicide case is very difficult. On March 3, 2019, the Air Force concluded its evaluation of Andre and released him. Civil authorities quickly moved in and placed him under arrest. On March 3, 2019, Andre McDonald was arrested for tampering with evidence based on the torn up Lowe's receipt investigators found in the trash. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts But it wasn't for murder. Major Andre McDonald was arrested for tampering with evidence based upon that torn receipt found at the house listing the items he had purchased from the hardware store. Andre's arrest left his mother in a state of shock and disbelief. Jackie Horne: I saw that Andre was taken into custody. And I just collapsed. I know he loved Andreen. Why would he harm her? Andre and Andreen McDonald / Credit: Instagram And for Andreen's mother, Andre's arrest left her head spinning. Maureen Smith: Oh, God. Andre could not hurt Andreen. That's what I was saying. But who else? Adding to everyone's sense of shock, confusion and suspicion was Andre's decision to stop cooperating with detectives. Sheriff Javier Salazar: Andre's face told us there was no way in hell we were going to break him and make him tell us what had happened. Sheriff Salazar went on local TV asking for help. SHERIFF SALAZAR (news conference): We are asking anybody with any information on her whereabouts to give us a call " Soon after, the community of San Antonio, along with family and friends came out in droves to look for Andreen, including a volunteer search party formed by former Air Force Airman Bobby Green. Green took "48 Hours" out to one of the areas where he searched for Andreen. Bobby Green (walking with Peter Van Sant): Right now, we're behind a hospital we thought he might have taken her here to a wooded area. Peter Van Sant: As you walk through here what are you looking for? Bobby Green: You would look at tree branches that have been pushed away, something that was cut fresh, uh, tire tracks. Peter Van Sant: How many miles did you cover? Bobby Green: It was hundreds of miles. As search efforts continued, Andre McDonald was released from jail on bond. With his wife absent, Andre took over the management of Starlight Homes. Search efforts continued, although investigators say Andre didn't take part. Days would eventually turn into months of dead ends. As the search for Andreen went on, investigators dug further into the couple's relationship, learning that they had business problems as well as romantic ones. In WhatsApp messages shared with friends, there are arguments over who really was the brains behind their successful business. In one, Andreen tells Andre: "Starlight Homes is my idea, my dream, and would not have happened without my drive." Back then, friends like Andrew Russell became worried about the potential for violence. Andrew Russell: And I have text messages from Andreen that's saying "someone is going to snap." Russell told investigators that the couple's war of words turned physical the night before a Christmas party at their home in 2018, where the McDonalds got into a physical altercation. Andrew Russell: So, when I went into the kitchen, Andy and Andreen were grappling on the floor. The next morning they were laughing about it. I did feel uncomfortable after that. I thought the situation had become toxic. Just over two months later, Andreen's blood was spilled in her home, and she vanished. Finally, on the evening of July 11, 2019, 133 days after Andreen had gone missing, there was a break in the case. SHERIFF SALAZAR (news conference): About 7:30 this evening, Bexar County Sheriff's Office patrol deputies were dispatched to this location for a report of some human human remains that were found Skeletal remains were located in a farmer's field just six miles from the McDonald home. Clifton Klabunde made the discovery. Klabunde had taken out his tractor to retrieve a cow skull that had been spotted right along the tree line of the property. Clifton Klabunde: I saw the what appeared to be a human skull in front of the cow skull. Peter Van Sant: That must have been a shock. Clifton Klabunde: A shock. Yes. After months of searching for Andreen McDonald, her remains were found in July 2019. Her skeletal remains were located in a field six miles from her San Antonio home. / Credit: Instagram Officials determined that the human skeletal remains belong to Andreen McDonald. Cindy Johnson | Andreen's sister: I was at a church praying for Andreen. I couldn't do anything. I broke down. Maureen Smith: It hit us like a storm because we still wasn't thinking like that. Jackie Horne (crying, shaking her head) Never. I never saw this coming. Less than 48 hours later, Andre McDonald would be arrested and charged with his wife's murder. MAJOR ANDRE MCDONALD TAKES THE STAND Andreen's family had waited for justice for four years. Cindy Johnson: It hurts every night before I go to my bed, I think about her. Bexar County Assistant District Attorneys Steve Speir, Lauren Scott and Ryan Groomer would prosecute Andre McDonald for the murder of his wife, Andreen. But the prosecution would face an uphill battle. Despite the evidence found at the McDonald home the hammer and the blood the prosecution could not say for sure how Andreen died. Lauren Scott: Because Andreen's body was out in the elements in that field for all of those days medical examiner's office was unable to specify what exactly caused Andreen's death. Peter Van Sant: And does that, Steven, complicate your preparation? Steven Speir: No, it absolutely does. we say he caused her death; however, we don't know how. Andre McDonald was arrested and charged with his wife's murder. He pleaded not guilty. / Credit: Bexar County Sheriff's Office Peter Van Sant: If Andre murdered his wife, what do you believe was his motive? Steven Speir: I believe it was largely because he felt emasculated she was such a rising star, had control of these businesses And I think he was jealous of that. Andre McDonald, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by some of the top defense lawyers in San Antonio: John Convery, Zoe Russell and John Hunter. Peter Van Sant: How would you respond to the notion that what caused all this was his envy of his wife's success? John Hunter: I I don't see any evidence of that. Zoe Russell: Andre is a major in the Air Force. I mean, he's incredibly successful on his own right. Major Andre McDonald had been under house arrest since April 2021. But days before his trial was set to begin on Jan. 17, 2023, Andre, who had remained silent about his wife's death began telling an extraordinary story, beginning with his own mother. Jackie Horne says her son told her Andreen's death was an accident. Jackie Horne: He looked at me and he said, "Mom, I'm going to tell you the truth" and he started to cry. McDonald then called Andreen's mother and sister, Cindy, who put the call on speaker phone. Peter Van Sant: [He] gave the family, for the first time, details of what happened according to him. Cindy Johnson: Yes, according to him. Yes. It was a phone call that stunned his defense team. Peter Van Sant: Was it shocking to you that he had done this? John Hunter: Shocking's a good word for it, yeah. The entire context of the case changed. Zoe Russell: His best thought would be to tell his story in court. Andre would get to tell his story, but not before the prosecution laid out its case in opening statements. STEVEN SPEIR (in court): Inside the trash bin in the garage a hammer. That hammer has blood on it. It is the victim's blood. The defense contended that Andreen's death was an accident. JOHN CONVERY (in court): This is not a murder case. it is a case about the degree and level of responsibility With evidence of accident. A mutual fight. All of which happens in the blink of an eye. The prosecution also called forensic pathologist Dr. James Feig who testified that Andreen's skeletal remains had severe injuries consistent with being struck by a blunt object. She had a fractured spinal cord, a broken rib and a split jaw. Dr. James Feig testified that Andreen's skeletal remains had severe injuries consistent with being struck by a blunt object. She had a fractured spinal cord, a broken rib and a split jaw. But the pathologist could not determine what exactly had caused Andreen's death. DR, JAMES FEIG (in court): So, the way that I have phrased her cause of death is homicidal violence, including blunt force trauma. After six days of testimony and 33 witnesses, the prosecution rested. The defense had only one witness. JOHN CONVERY (in court): Defense calls Major Andre McDonald. Andre McDonald described the evening of Feb. 28, 2019. While at the tax preparer's office with his wife, he discovered that Andreen had started a new business a year earlier without his knowledge. JOHN CONVERY (in court): What did that signify to you? ANDRE MCDONALD: Basically that meant to me pretty much that she was robbing me. After a heated argument that evening, McDonald says he left the house to cool off at that gas station. McDonald says they continued their argument over text. And when he returned home, he raised the possibility of divorce and splitting their business in half. ANDRE MCDONALD (in court): She became extremely irate at the thought of splitting the business. and charges into the room to confront me. ANDRE MCDONALD: So, when she comes into the room, you know, I turned around and she comes like right up in my face. So at that moment she spits in my face So at that point I grabbed her, because she's like right in front of me, so I like grabbed her head I think we had like a clash of heads, and I think it opened up like a cut somewhere on her face. Andre said Andreen ran into the bathroom and turned on the lights. When Andreen saw her bloody face in the mirror, Andre claims she attacked him. His testimony may be disturbing to some. ANDRE MCDONALD (in court): When she comes, she's like throwing like some punches, so I'm trying to like duck down to and like keep my head, my face from getting hit with the blows. I remember like grabbing her and like tripping her And then she like falls and that's when I kicked her like twice The the second kick, I think I heard like some type of wheezing and then also like in the background I could hear like some footsteps. The footsteps of their young daughter, Alayna. Andre said he left to put Alayna back to bed, and when he returned about 30 minutes later, his wife was dead. ANDRE MCDONALD (in court): I became like pretty frantic at that point because you know, she's dead on the floor. STEVEN SPEIR: You never thought I need to call In cross-examination, Prosecutor Speir asked if Andre had thought about calling 911. ANDRE MCDONALD: I never thought about calling anybody to revive a dead person. My purpose at that point was simply to get her out of the house so that my 7-year-old daughter wouldn't see her mother laying on the floor dead. After putting Alayna back to bed, Andre said he dumped Andreen's body in the field, stripped her naked and returned home to burn her clothing which left that burn patch in the backyard. But what about Andreen's blood on the yellow hammer? On the face of it, the evidence doesn't square with Andre's account of an accident. Andre had an explanation for that. He testified that when investigators finished searching his home, he went back to the field before dawn, angry and armed with the yellow hammer, a can of gasoline and a plan. ANDRE MCDONALD (in court): My plan was to hit the person that caused this whole circumstance. STEVEN SPEIR: You felt it was her fault, right? ANDRE MCDONALD: It's absolutely her fault. STEVEN SPEIR: What did you do with gasoline? ANDRE MCDONALD: I poured it on her and then I used the the lighter and set it on fire. Andre McDonald testified he lit Andreen's body on fire and attacked her corpse repeatedly with the yellow hammer. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts Andre said when the flames subsided, that's when he attacked his wife's corpse with the yellow hammer. ANDRE MCDONALD (in court): I hit her in the face, the neck. and I just like hit her again as I was walking away. STEVEN SPEIR: Why that last blow? ANDRE MCDONALD: As I was walking away? STEVEN SPEIR: Yes. ANDRE MCDONALD: I guess I was still angry when I was walking away. After that gruesome testimony, the defense shifted gears and tried to refocus the jury on their theory of the crime. And for the first time, the defense brought up why Andre acted the way he did that night. JOHN CONVERY (in court): Have you always believed you acted in self-defense? ANDRE MCDONALD: Yes, I have always believed that from the very beginning. At trial, the defense team showed videos of Andreen McDonald powerlifting and carrying Andre McDonald on her back to demonstrate that she was stronger than him. / Credit: CBS News The defense played videos showing Andreen giving her husband a piggyback ride and working out. JOHN CONVERY (in court): Would you describe Andreen as a very strong, powerful woman? ANDRE MCDONALD: Yes. I would. According to Andre, his wife could lift up to 300 pounds. JOHN CONVERY: When she attacked you, were you in fear? ANDRE MCDONALD: Yes, I was in fear of, you know, being harmed during that whole situation. STEVEN SPEIR: They want you to forget and disregard about all his actions. Then came closing arguments. STEVEN SPEIR (in court): Defense counsel said that this is self-defense, Folks, this is not self-defense. It's time to hold this man responsible for what he did. And it's time to find him guilty of murder. JOHN CONVERY: Andre McDonald did not intentionally or knowingly murder Andreen McDonald. He acted in self-defense. and your duty and your obligation is to say not guilty. Thank you. After six days of testimony, the jury got the case. Approximately 11 hours into their deliberation, the jury sent a note to the judge. John Convery: That says, "we're hopelessly deadlocked." A SHOCKING VERDICT After almost 11 hours of deliberating, the jury was deadlocked unable to decide if Andre McDonald was guilty of murder, manslaughter or not guilty by self-defense. Andreen's sister, Cindy Johnson, was perplexed. Cindy Johnson: Everything was said in the courtroom. All the evidence were were there. He confessed on the stand what he did They saw his demeanor. I don't know what was the problem. Brandon Medellin: I voted for murder. And I saw that we were six and six. Rudy Ruiz: At no point did any juror think that he was innocent or that it was self-defense. For jurors Brandon Medellin and Rudy Ruiz, the problem was wording. Brandon Medellin: Cause people really picked apart the definitions of murder and recklessness. The jury of six women and six men spent hours discussing whether Andre McDonald had intentionally murdered Andreen McDonald or if he had recklessly killed her making it manslaughter. / Credit: David Teran Photography The jury of six women and six men spent hours discussing whether Andre had intentionally murdered Andreen or if he had recklessly killed her making it manslaughter. Murder carries a life sentence; manslaughter up to 20 years. Brandon Medellin: I think most of us could agree that whatever happened it was reckless. He left her on the ground, and he did not render aid. Now, the trick was to try and convince the other jurors that it was murder. But as the deliberations continued, some of the jurors had been swayed, with nine now for manslaughter. Medellin says the biggest factor in swaying the vote was Andre McDonald's testimony. Brandon Medellin: There was so little evidence And so, a lot of people believe, because we don't know anything else other than what he has told us, that we have to take what he told us. And he was actually able to convince a lot of the jurors. Randy Ruiz: And we had that one juror that he said, "Well, I've kicked someone, and I never intended to kill them." Medellin, Ruiz, and a third juror were the staunch holdouts for murder. Rudy Ruiz: No one was going to change anyone's mind. The judge then invoked what's called an Allen Charge urging the holdout jurors to reconsider the evidence and reach a unanimous decision. After another hour of deliberations: a verdict. JUDGE FRANK CASTRO: Mr. McDonald, please stand with your counsel. To the count of murder, charged in the indictment, the jury finds the defendant, not guilty of the offense of murder. As charged in the indictment: guilty guilty of the offense of manslaughter. Andre McDonald was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of the lesser charge: Manslaughter. Andreen's sister was in disbelief. Cindy Johnson: Manslaughter. After he spoke with no remorse, no love, nothing at all, and used hammer, stripped her clothes, throw gasoline on her, burned her, and they gave him manslaughter That's crazy. I am going to struggle with this thought until the day I die. The prosecution had a mixed reaction to the verdict. Steven Speir: I was disappointed. However the jury rejected his self-defense argument and held him accountable for at least something. For the defense, Andre McDonald may not have walked out a free man, but John Hunter: This is a win. Despite how I believe that this is a self-defense case. I do respect the outcome. Andreen's best friend, Mandy Hall. Mandy Hall (crying): He's there to tell his story. He's there to make up whatever he wants to make up. She she doesn't she can't do that because he took that away from her. Cindy Johnson now sees that phone call from Andre before the trial in a whole new light: as a calculated ploy to deflect blame. Cindy Johnson: It's four years. It took him four years for him to recognize that he did what he did. And then all of a sudden he's reaching out to us. To let us think that he's being responsible. He didn't mean anything, he is lying. All a lie. It's all a lie. After the verdict, Sheriff Salazar reached out to Andreen's father, a retired member of the Jamaican Army, with an unusual offering. SHERIFF SALAZAR (post-verdict news conference): I did present Mr. Anderson with a gift. I asked my deputy to remove the handcuffs from from Andre as they put him back into the cell. And I gave I presented those cuffs to to Mr. Anderson. PAUL ANDERSON: I want to tell you that we really appreciate it. Thank you very much. God bless you (shakes the sheriff's hand). Sheriff Salazar: I wanted them to feel some sort of connection to at least sending him away to to prison. For Andreen's mother, nothing about this tragedy makes sense her daughter and the beautiful life she had created are gone. Andreen McDonald, who came to America, became a successful entrepreneur and found her purpose in serving others. Sadly, the business she created is now closed. Maureen Smith: I miss her very much. Most times when I think about her, I just, it's like I feel like giving up. Maureen Smith and Cindy Johnson hold hands in front of Andreen McDonald's grave. / Credit: CBS News And in those times, Maureen and Cindy lean on one another. Cindy Johnson: We're blessed to have each other to take us through this sad journey. Um, when I'm weak, my mom is strong. When my mom is weak, I am strong. Maureen Smith: We have to be strong for Alayna. Alayna now 12-years-old is the glue that binds this fractured family. A family that still includes Andre's mother, Jackie though she is mainly left with the memories and the pain of what once was. Jackie Horne (crying as she looks at a photo of Andre, Andreen and Alayna): I think I hurt for Alayna more than I hurt for everyone. No child should ever have to go through what she went through. Andreen's mother and sister are now raising Alayna. Cindy Johnson: It's bittersweet because we have Alayna. Maureen Smith: Alayna reminds us so much of Andreen. Andre McDonald was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He is appealing his manslaughter conviction. "48 HOURS" POST MORTEM PODCAST "48 Hours" producers Marie Hegwood and Lauren A. White share their experiences from within the courtroom and discuss everything from Andre McDonald's shocking testimony to the moving victim impact statement from Andreen McDonald's father, Paul Anderson. This embedded content is not available in your region. Produced by Marie Hegwood and Lauren A. White. Grayce Arlotta-Berner, Michelle Harris and George Baluzy are the editors. Morgan Canty is the associate producer. Anthony Batson is the senior broadcast producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer. NYT Cooking shares a kid-favorite holiday recipe for roasted beef tenderloin The Dow Jones Industrial Average hits a record high Wednesday Andre Braugher, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine star and Emmy award winning actor, dies at age of 61 Brock Chance pumps gas in Oklahoma City. State transportation officials are wrapping up a study requested by lawmakers looking a potential switch from fuel taxes to mileage fees. Transportation Secretary Tim Gatz sees challenges ahead as the state looks at whether to replace taxes paid by drivers at the gas pump with user fees charged depending on miles driven. In a recent presentation to the Oklahoma Transportation Commission, Gatz said the Fair Miles Oklahoma study involved mileage being tracked for more than 440 volunteer drivers starting in June and ending this month. Participants received mock-up invoices showing how much they would owe if the program were in place. Altogether, Gatz said, the drivers from 63 of the states 77 counties drove more than 1 million miles. As far as the citizenry being ready for something like this, and us having all the mechanisms in place to be able to accurately assess and collect, there are some challenges out there right now that well have to overcome, Gatz said. That can happen over time, but were not quite ready yet. A new northbound Interstate flyover to go west over Interstate 44 in Oklahoma City is one of several major highway construction projects underway. Travel is on the rise, but the fuel taxes funding such projects is on the decline. Oklahoma is facing drops in revenue through gas taxes The study was requested by state lawmakers as they face reduced funding for state highway and county road construction and maintenance. Some states already are seeing steep drops in fuel taxes. Colorado saw a 12% decrease in collections from September 2022 to September 2023. For the same period, Wisconsin saw a drop of 15.2% and Michigan saw a drop of 13.2%. In comparison, Oklahomas fuel tax revenues dropped by .4%, from $50.9 million to $50.5 million. The gasoline tax collections have declined a little bit, Gatz said. We believe that thats a pattern thats not going to go away. Its going to continue for the foreseeable future. Bryce Boyer, transportation spokesman, said a snapshot of the revenues that would have been generated by the mock invoices wont be available until after the reporting period ends. The report will include a comparison to an estimate of fuel taxes generated by the travel, but Boyer cautions the study only goes so far and that some participants did not track their mileage during the entire study. The only ones we would have not gotten month to month were the manual reporters, Boyer said. The majority of the options used (to track mileage) were automatic. But there were those who had older cars or didnt want to plug things in. Electric vehicle charging stations are popping up throughout the state as sales of the cars go up across the country. How big of an impact do electric vehicles have? So far, only Oregon, Utah and Virginia have switched from fuel taxes to collecting revenue through mileage fees. The Federal Highway Administration reports such vehicle mile tax programs typically are limited to passenger vehicles. Boyer said the test in Oklahoma also was limited to passenger vehicles that included gasoline combustion vehicles, hybrid or electric vehicles. Electric vehicles are a small but growing market segment nationwide, growing from 1.4 million registered EVS in 2021 to 2.4 million in 2022. Oklahomas count went from 7,100 in 2021 to 16,300 in 2022. Texas, which has the second-highest number of EV registrations behind California, jumped from 80,900 in 2021 to 149,000 in 2022. An electric vehicle uses a charging station Dec. 5 at Santa Fe Depot parking lot on E.K. Gaylord in downtown Oklahoma City. Electric vehicles do not pay fuel taxes. But Gatz cautions the need to look at alternative funding for roads would be necessary even without the rise of electric vehicles. This is not something that electric vehicle related, Gatz said. The decline in motor fuel taxes were seeing, the flattening, is simply due to fuel efficiencies. The standards are increasing all the time. Gatz said the funding challenge is exacerbated on the federal level. Motor fuel taxes are not what they used to be, Gatz said. Vehicle miles traveled are actually increasing while these revenues are beginning to decline. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma starts calculating test mileage taxes from six-month study On Monday, Rishi Sunak will appear at the Covid Inquiry. It barely matters what he says because it is as predictable as sunrise that he will be pilloried for the mistakes of others, that being the modern purpose of politicians, it seems. In his own appearance, Boris Johnson said that he was very much impressed and dependent upon the chief medical officer and the chief scientific adviser, both of whom are outstanding experts in their field. Werent we all? In those early months of 2020, most of us trusted Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty to find the best way through the impending pandemic. We were glad to follow the science. Yet now we have to listen to a lawyer, Hugo Keith KC, tell us with the benefit of three years of hindsight, that the entire pandemic was all the fault of politicians. The virus, the Chinese regime and the scientists are spotless in their reputations, it seems. Had Sunak and Johnson acted differently, then apparently almost nobody would have died. This is claptrap. No country not Sweden, not Japan, not Outer Mongolia escaped the pandemic. Britain suffered about as many waves of the virus and excess deaths per head of population as France, Germany, and Italy, and rather better than Spain. Many places that did well in the first wave did badly in later waves. Not that Mr Keith knows this: he shamelessly told Mr Johnson that Britain had one of the worst pandemics in Europe and had to be corrected by the former prime minister. Never in the history of Britain have politicians so clearly abandoned their own policies and instincts at the behest of the technocrats. This was made plain day after day as the scientists took to the airwaves and stood behind podiums, saying nothing different from the politicians who echoed and praised them. Unsurprisingly, the scientists got a lot wrong. I vividly remembering attending a packed meeting on March 10 2020 in the House of Lords at which Dr Whitty told us that there was no risk in travelling on public transport. Yerwhat? I thought. He appeared to be entirely in thrall to the its not airborne myth. Then I remember the experts going too far in the opposite direction: showing inaccurate slides to justify a second lockdown in the autumn of 2020, using idiotic models to demand an unnecessary (as it turned out) third lockdown in December 2021, and failing utterly to take into account the damage lockdowns were doing to mental health, childrens education and cancer diagnoses. Boris Johnson also made mistakes, of course, but if anything he listened too much to scientific advisers both before and after he nearly died of the disease. His biggest mistake, in my view, was to abandon at the experts behest a Swedish-style voluntary lockdown for a draconian and compulsory one, which has devastated childrens education and resulted in an epidemic of deaths from cancer and heart disease. Yet we now know that on excess deaths Sweden did better than almost any country in Europe; economically, too, it suffered less harm. Excuses about Sweden being an obedient and low-density population are irrelevant because the experts sang a very different tune at the time. They did not say, Oh well, it might work in Sweden but not here; they said Sweden would become the worlds cautionary tale, was unlikely to feel economic benefit, a catastrophe, a disaster. Yet Mr Keith appears to be blissfully unaware of all this. More and more, it looks as if this inquiry, set up by the Blob, staffed and run by the Blob, sees its job as blaming the politicians and excusing the Blob. Indeed, I sometimes wonder, as I watch politicians taking the blame for the blunders of quangoes and agencies, whether that is all elected legislators now are: designated scapegoats. If the lesson the inquiry learns is that everything would have been fine if a different team of politicians had been elected in 2019, that will be not only wrong but dangerous. The five true lessons of the pandemic are: epidemiology is unpredictable so planning ahead wont work; changing course can be sensible; authoritarianism is a mistake; experts do not have a monopoly on wisdom; and there are always trade-offs. When Sunak makes his appearance, I bet you will not hear these. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. CLEVELAND (WJW) Cleveland police said Sunday theyre looking for a missing and endangered 11-year-old boy. Police said Rocky Tippens left his home at 8:45 p.m. Friday from the 7200 block of Rathbun Avenue Friday. Police said he ran through the yard wearing no shoes and jumped a fence. Support builds for local K-9 Igor to return to handler Police said Rocky Tippens is described as just under 5 feet tall and approximately 130 lbs. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt and black pants or shorts. Rocky suffers from autism and ADHD and Rocky recently ran away, but returned shortly after, according to Cleveland police. Declining enrollment means big changes for Akron schools Police said anyone with information can call the police non-emergency number at (216) 621-1234 or the Fourth District Police Station at (216) 623-5400. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A giant cross is shown at Edmond-based Life.Church at Second Street and Interstate 35 in Edmond. The 137-foot-tall cross on the southeast corner of Interstate 35 and Second Street in Edmond is a familiar landmark, but even more interesting than its enormous presence is the story behind efforts to get it built. Much drama surrounded the plan and eventual placement of the cross on the high-profile I-35 suburban corridor. According to some reports, the idea for the cross was derived, in part, from a court decision about the Edmond city seal. The cross tower proposal was debated by residents who packed into Edmond City Council chambers hoping to declare their support or opposition. A business proposed signage featuring a giant crab, which would have been on the west side of the interstate just opposite of the cross tower built on the eastside. A temporary injunction was filed in the hopes that the tower's construction would be prevented Through it all, the cross tower's visionaries were determined to see this giant version of one of the most widely recognized symbols of Christianity come to fruition. As it happens, the cross was dedicated 25 years ago on property that belonged at that time to MetroChurch, which merged with Edmond-based Life.Church in 2001. The cross is currently a highly visible symbol on property that includes the headquarters of the Life.Church Edmond satellite. What's the story behind this giant symbol that has become a landmark over more than two decades? How the giant cross in Edmond became a reality There is some debate about why MetroChurch began its years-long push for the giant cross. The Oklahoman reported that the cross was the vision of MetroChurch leaders, who thought it would be fitting to place the prominent Christian faith symbol in Edmond particularly after a cross on the Edmond city seal had to be removed. Edmond city officials had fought to keep the white cross on the seal, but the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Wayne Robinson, then pastor of Edmond's Channing Unitarian Universalist Church, along with three members of that church and a Jewish resident who filed a lawsuit to have it removed. When the U.S. Supreme Court refused to take up the city of Edmond's appeal in May 1996, the circuit court's ruling against the city prevailed. Attorneys for Edmond had argued that the cross represented the historical significance of early churches in Edmond and made note that St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond had been the first church established in the Oklahoma Territory after the Land Run. The city's attorneys said the seal did not promote religion, but the 10th Circuit court ruled that the cross violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits government from establishing or endorsing religion. More: Edmond has a giant cross, could it now get a giant Wiley Post statue? In October 1996, the Rev. Jim Hylton, then MetroChurch's senior pastor, told a reporter that the city of Edmond's unsuccessful fight to keep the cross on its city seal inspired plans for the giant cross. "It's a certified symbol of Christianity," Hylton said at the time. The minister also said the church was proposing to install the cross because of interest being generated by another giant cross near Groom, Texas, in the Texas Panhandle. At the time it was proposed, MetroChurch leaders said the cross would be visible about two miles from the north, three miles from the south and two miles from east and west, joining water towers in distinguishing Edmond's skyline, according to reports. A giant cross was dedicated 25 years ago on property that belonged at that time to MetroChurch, which merged with Edmond-based Life.Church in 2001. Recently, the Rev. Ernest Frank Parrish, 67, who served as MetroChurch administrative pastor and children's pastor, said the matter of the city seal wasn't that much of a catalyst for the giant cross proposal. Instead, he said the church's plans had more to do with the huge cross in the Texas Panhandle. News reports at the time said the idea for the cross came from MetroChurch member Steve Quillin. During a recent interview, Parrish said he remembered that Calvin Burgess, one of MetroChurch's elders, played an integral role in the cross proposal because he had heard about the giant cross on Interstate 40 in Texas. And Parrish said Canam Construction of Edmond, owned by Burgess, went on to build the cross and the tower that would serve as its base. Burgess, 72, who currently lives near Paris, Texas, said Hylton, who is deceased, liked the proposal and once plans were drawn up, he and the pastor took them to the Edmond City Council. They didn't foresee resistance to their plans. Edmond City Council was not initially on board with giant cross The church was required to apply for a special-use permit for the cross. The application had to go through the Edmond Planning Commission and ultimately be approved by the Edmond City Council. Parrish said he remembered that the church's elders were initially excited about the plans to erect the cross. "They were in unity about it," he said. "It was pretty distressing when the city came out against it. It surprised us we really didn't anticipate that." Burgess agreed. "We had to go through a lot of battles with the city trying to get a permit for it, which was kind of ridiculous," he said. In this 1998 photo, a cross tower is built on MetroChurch property on the Interstate 35 corridor at Second Street in Edmond. The battles he referred to were waged over the fact that structures taller than 35 feet were not allowed along the I-35 corridor without a variance. The Edmond Planning Commission voted 3-2 against the church's request in December 1996. The commission expressed concern about the height, precedent and land-use issues. About a dozen people spoke in favor of the cross and half a dozen spoke against it, with supporters predicting it would be a "unique landmark" and a "jewel," and opponents calling it "disrespectful," "offensive" and setting a "bad precedent." A planning commissioner said the church's application put city officials in "an awkward position," according to The Oklahoman. "There are ways to express one's faith without putting the community in the position we have been put into tonight," he said. Another commisioner said it all boiled down to a "a sign issue, not a religion issue." The Edmond City Council voted 3-2 against the cross plan. News reports said about 100 people crowded into Edmond City Hall, and some of the discussion with council members focused on whether the cross was a sign, a structure or a symbol. MetroChurch leaders said they would consider scaling down their cross tower, but they had every intention of bringing the matter back to the city for another vote. Attorney Randel Shadid served as Edmond Ward 1 councilman for 16 years, and Edmond mayor from 1991 to 1995. He said he had vivid memories of the cross tower effort particularly because he was the attorney representing an Edmond businessman who opposed it. The cross and the crab In 1997, MetroChurch applied again to build the cross tower. This time, the city council voted 3-2 to grant the necessary special-use permit. City planners said that although the cross was planned in a zoning district restricting most structures to 35 feet, an exception could be granted to church buildings that are set back more than half their height from neighboring properties. Enter Shadid, who filed a temporary injunction against the city of Edmond, asking a judge to halt construction of the cross while determining whether the project was legal under city ordinances. Shadid represented Sellers Crab and Steak House, whose application for a 137-foot-tall crab sign on the west side of I-35 had been denied by the Edmond City Council. In a recent interview, Shadid said he had objected to the city council's approval of the church's cross tower, and he wasn't the only one. He said he is a Christian, but he believed that "you live your faith" instead of "cramming" faith signage like a giant cross along an interstate on others. Shadid said he and his client, a Jewish landowner, applied for a special-use permit for the crab sign to prove a point. More: Edmond nature preserve a step closer to reality following conservation agreement "He asked me to represent him to do two things," the attorney said. "One was to prevent the cross because it was a violation of height restrictions and sign code ordinances. And Number Two, if they were entitled to that, he wanted to do a sign advertising his restaurant." Ultimately, a judge did not grant a temporary injunction barring MetroChurch from building the cross tower. And Shadid said he and his client didn't pursue the case for the crab sign. He said the sign would have been expensive costing about $250,000 and while it would have been a nice addition to the I-35 corridor, it wasn't a proposal they were willing push. "I believe that it (cross tower) was a sign which violated the city's existing ordinances and it was too tall under the city's height ordinances on that section of I-35," he said. "And personally, I believe it was an offense to any non-Christian to have that shoved in their face every time they drive by that intersection on Highway 66 and (I-)35." The attorney emphasized that this was his personal opinion and not a legal opinion, but it fueled his decision to argue for the proposed crab sign. "I took the case for my Jewish friend, and I never charged him. I said 'I'll do this. It'll be fun' and it was," Shadid said. 'It was a celebration' The height of MetroChurch's cross tower was ultimately shortened by 20 feet from the original proposal. While the original design called for a 100-foot-tall cross atop a 57-foot-tall base, the new design called for a 100-foot-tall cross lighted by fiber optics on a 37-foot-tall base, both made of white, precast concrete. MetroChurch leaders told reporters that the estimated $500,000 project was paid for by members' donations and others who supported the effort. The cross tower was finally dedicated in fall 1998, and MetroChurch members were elated. "It was a celebration big time," Parrish said. He said the cross is exactly what the church had envisioned. "It has truly become a landmark," the minister said. LaRue McDaniel, of Edmond, said she and her husband, Bob, attended MetroChurch when church leaders first requested a permit to build the cross. She said they left the church before the cross was dedicated, but that didn't mean they weren't pleased to see the dream for the symbolic structure become a reality. "Everytime we go by it, it's just wonderful and heartwarming to us," she said. Meanwhile, Sam Marin, Life.Church Edmond campus pastor, said the cross continues to signify hope and to draw passersby to the church adjacent to it. "While Metro Church built the cross years before this location became Life.Church, the cross has continued to be a symbol of hope for so many people," he said. "In fact, someone recently told me he would drive by the cross every day on his way to work during one of the darkest times of his life. One day he finally thought, I should go in there.' He came in and that was the beginning of his life being transformed. Its been an honor to pastor and care for people like him who we might not have ever met if they weren't drawn to the cross." Burgess said he quickly realized that the cross is a well-known landmark on Route 66. He said he also knows that Edmond has become known as the "city with the cross." He shared memories of visiting with Ed Sturm, the engineer who designed the cross tower. One of Sturm's remarks stood out as funny and poignant to Burgess after he teased the engineer about the sturdiness of the cross. "I said 'Ed, we get tornadoes around here there's no chance that cross could come down?'" Burgess said. "He said 'Let me tell you what, Calvin, if it comes down, it was because God took it down. Otherwise, it's there forever." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How the giant cross in Edmond Oklahoma on I-35 became a reality David Ben Gurion, who was to become Israel's first Prime Minister, reads the Declaration of Independence May 14, 1948 at the museum in Tel Aviv, during the ceremony founding the State of Israel. How did the conflict start? Even that is a contentious question, but most historians begin the story with the first waves of modern Jewish migration to the Holy Land, in the 1880s. By the mid 19th century, the Jewish population of the region, then controlled by the Ottoman empire, was small: about 10,000 strong. But the dream of a home in Biblical Israel was deeply rooted in the culture of the Jewish diaspora, and modern Zionism emerged as a force at this time, fed by increasingly virulent antisemitism in Europe, particularly pogroms in Poland and Russia. The first Zionist Congress was held in Basel in 1897, and declared as its aim "the creation of a home for the Jewish people in Palestine". By 1914, the Jewish population of the area had grown to 85,000, perhaps a tenth of the total. Most of the new arrivals came from Russia, Romania and Yemen. How did Zionism develop? The situation changed profoundly with the conquest of swathes of the Ottoman empire by Britain during the First World War. In 1920, Britain was awarded a mandate over the newly created territory of Palestine by the League of Nations (at first it also included Transjordan, today's Jordan, from which it was separated in 1923). During the War, British officials had promised self-determination to the Arab population, to secure their support. However, in 1917, the British foreign secretary Arthur Balfour had made a conflicting promise, declaring that the British government viewed "with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people". After the War, Britain supported Jewish migration, but soon imposed strict quotas because of Arab objections. How did the situation change in the 1930s? The rise of Hitler meant that some 170,000 European Jews fled to Palestine between 1933 and 1936, doubling its Jewish population. Most settled in the cities including their own new port, Tel Aviv but some bought farms and set up communal kibbutzim, mostly in the coastal plains, not in Biblical Israel (the hilly interior around Jerusalem). The Jewish community established a thriving parallel society, with its own tax system and militias, and even their own language (Hebrew had been revived). As it grew, tensions with Arab populations mounted sharply; there were regular eruptions of intercommunal violence. The Arabs mounted a national strike in 1936, leading Britain to pause immigration. Then, in 1937, Britain proposed partitioning the country to create two states; this would have meant moving many Arabs out of the new Jewish lands. This plan was shelved after a major Arab revolt, put down by the British with brutal force. Why was Palestine partitioned? Britain concluded that Arab and Jewish claims were irreconcilable; and in the 1940s, Zionist resolve to create a Jewish state understandably hardened, leading to a guerilla campaign against British rule. After the Second World War, Britain turned to the newly formed UN for help. After the Holocaust, the moral case for a Jewish homeland and a safe place for homeless, stateless Jewish refugees was widely accepted by world opinion (if not by Arab opinion). In 1947, the UN General Assembly voted for a partition plan, by 33 nations to 13 (the UK abstained). This plan gave 55% of Palestine to the Jewish state, although Jews made up a third of its population (and owned 8% of its private land). The Arab majority would get 43%; Jerusalem would be an international city. Was the proposal implemented? The Jewish community accepted the UN partition. "Erect a Jewish state at once," wrote David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first PM, "even if it is not in the whole land." The British cut and ran; the last chief secretary, Sir Henry Gurney, left the keys to his office in Jerusalem under the mat. The State of Israel was proclaimed on 14 May 1948, in the midst of what would become a civil war between Jews and Arabs; and, on 15 May, neighbouring Arab states Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq entered the conflict to destroy the nascent Israeli state. The Arab armies were defeated, and Israel expanded to fill 78% of mandate Palestine in total, while the Palestinian areas of the West Bank along with East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, were annexed by Jordan and Egypt respectively. Truces were agreed in 1949; an armistice line (the "green line") was set, without a peace agreement. What was the Palestinian response? Palestinian leaders had rejected the UN plan, since it was evidently disastrous to their people. But the result known as the Nakba, "the catastrophe" was more disastrous still. By 1949, Palestine had disappeared from the map. Half the Palestinian population, some 750,000, had fled or been expelled; there were atrocities on both sides, but the stronger Israeli forces depopulated hundreds of Arab towns and villages. About 400,000 went to Jordan, 150,000 to Lebanon and Syria, 200,000 to Gaza. About 160,000 Palestinians remained in Israel: some 20% of the population. How did Israel occupy the rest of mandate Palestine? There were renewed rounds of fighting between Israel and its neighbours, particularly Egypt under the Arab nationalist Gamal Abdel Nasser. In June 1967, Egypt closed the Red Sea to Israeli shipping and mobilised troops close to its border; Israel attacked pre-emptively, capturing the Gaza Strip and all the Sinai Peninsula. Jordan and Syria entered the war, but the Israelis counterattacked, capturing the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, as well as Syria's Golan Heights. The Six Day War was a great triumph for the young Israeli state, but it initiated a long military occupation of Palestinian territory, which the UN deemed illegal. Israel was militarily dominant, but still surrounded by enemies. In 1967, the Arab League met in Khartoum to give its "three nos": no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with Israel. Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets spoke about Russias repression of the indigenous people of Crimea at a meeting held in Ankara, Turkey on Dec. 9, news agency Ukrinform has reported. "On the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea, the representatives of the indigenous people - the Crimean Tatars - are the most persecuted and repressed," Lubinets said at the meeting, titled Human Rights and Crimean Tatars in the Occupied Part of Ukraine. At present, there are 190 political prisoners held in Crimea or already transferred to the Russian Federation. One hundred and twenty-three of them are Crimean Tatars. Most political prisoners are held in violation of "all norms" of international humanitarian law, Lubinets said. Read also: "It will take 55 years" to return Ukrainian children from Russia warns ombudsman Under the pretext of evacuation, the Russians have also been abducting or forcibly transferring Ukrainian children since 2014. Currently, there are about 20,000 kidnapped Ukrainian children, but the number may be "many times higher," Lubinets said. First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska reported on Dec. 8 that only 387 of the nearly 20,000 children abducted by Russia have been returned. Russia does not directly negotiate on this issue, so the children have to be returned home through third countries, "with the mediation of many caring people," Zelenska said. Zelenska said she is pinning her hopes on "a coalition to rescue abducted children, which Canada proposed to create a month ago and which should start working soon." The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe reported on Nov. 27 that it had set up a special committee on the violation of the rights of Ukrainian children by Russians. The first meeting of the committee will be held on Dec. 15 in Paris. It will deal with issues of violations of children's rights by the Russian Federation, as well as the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children. The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued on March 17 an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on charges of committing war crimes in connection with the abduction of Ukrainian children to Russia. Read also: Russia arrests 25-year-old Crimean Tatar woman on charges of espionage The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted on April 27 a resolution recognizing the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia as genocide. According to the Ukrainian state platform Children of War, as of Sept. 27, at least 19,546 children have been deported or forcibly transferred by Russia. In total, according to the European Parliament, the number of Ukrainian children illegally abducted to Russia may reach 300,000. MEPs believe that Russians started taking Ukrainian children back in 2014, after the occupation of Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. The Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova admitted on Nov. 9 that 380 Ukrainian children are "under care and custody" across 15 regions of Russia. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Three people in Davidson County are dead including a toddler and a State of Emergency has been declared in multiple localities after severe weather rolled through the area Saturday afternoon. The Nashville Office of Emergency Management (OEM) said three people died in the area of Nesbitt Lane in Madison on Saturday, Dec. 9. The Metro Nashville Police Department identified the victims as 37-year-old Joseph Dalton; 31-year-old Floridema Gabriel Perez; and Perezs son, 2-year-old Anthony Elmer Mendez. Dalton was inside his mobile home on Nesbitt Lane when the storm forced the mobile home to roll on top of Perezs home. Perezs 7-year-old son and Daltons 10-year-old son were both inside their respective homes at the time of the incident, according to officials. They were both transported to Vanderbilt Pediatrics with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities in Clarksville also confirmed three people described as two adults and one child died and an additional 23 people have been treated at the hospital. WATCH: Tornado moving through Davidson County caught on camera Mayor Freddie OConnell declared a State of Emergency for Metro Nashville and Davidson County, allowing the locality to obtain state and federal resources to help in the storms aftermath. OConnell will join other local officials and first responders for a press conference at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10. News 2s Chris OBrien drove through the Madison area and found downed powerlines, trees on houses, and lots of debris scattered about on Nesbitt Lane. Nesbitt Lane damage (Photo: WKRN) Areas in the northeast portion of Davidson County appeared to be the most affected, while Hendersonville and Gallatin appear to also have sustained heavy damage. National Weather Service Radar confirmed a large and extremely dangerous tornado located near Whites Bluff, moving East at 40 mph. This was considered a particularly dangerous situation, the Nashville OEM said in a statement shortly after 10:15 p.m. Right now the Madison area appears to be the hardest hit. Initial reports included a building collapse at the Community Church at 3838 Dickerson Pike with occupants. 13 survivors were transported to nearby hospitals. The patients were last listed in Stable Condition. Download the free News 2 StormTracker App News 2 Meteorologist Meaghan Thomas drove around the Old Hickory area and found a crash at the intersection of Myatt Drive and Old Hickory Boulevard. Power was knocked out of the area and disabled all traffic signals. Crash at Myatt Drive & Old Hickory Boulevard (Photo: WKRN) A roof was found ripped off a business off Gallatin Pike near Old Shackle Road. An SUV with severe front damage was also seen near the fallen roof. Storm Damage Gallatin Pike New Shackle Island Road (Photo: WKRN) Storm Damage Gallatin Pike New Shackle Island Road (Photo: WKRN) The Metro Nashville Police Department said multiple power lines/poles are down along the area of Gallatin Pike North and Old Hickory Boulevard. Meanwhile, officers are closing roads for areas impacted by the storms in Madison and North Nashville. In addition to the three deaths reported along Nesbitt Lane in Madison, police said multiple people were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries. Urban Search & Rescue is also helping the Nashville Fire Department with response efforts, including searching compromised structures and looking for people who may be trapped. The Nashville OEM said it is partially activating the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) to coordinate resources to for the severe weather. Representatives from various Metro Nashville departments are meeting in EOC to coordinate response and resources. The partial activation will remain in place until the severe weather has stabilized. The American Red Cross said it is managing a shelter in Nashville at Isaac Litton Middle School along Hedgewood Drive. However, Nashville OEM said Red Cross shelter is supposed to open at the Isaac Litton Alumni Center on Gallatin Pike by 2 a.m. on Sunday, ready to accommodate displaced individuals and families, including their pets. Tens of thousands without power after severe weather rolls through Middle Tennessee Nashville officials shared additional details from various agencies Saturday night: Metro Water Services: Both water treatment plants are on generator power and reporting no issues. The Dry Creek wastewater treatment plant sustained minor damage to the buildings and lost power, so the UV disinfecting system is operating on generator power. Eleven pumping stations in the Madison/Old Hickory area are without power from Nashville Electric Service (NES), but six of those locations are being powered by onsite generators. In addition, portable generators will be dispatched. General Services is assessing Metro properties in the impacted areas. The Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) has multiple assessment crews out checking roadways and mobilized three six-man knuckleboom crews. NES is reporting nearly 35,000 customers without power due to 176 active events. T-Mobile said cell services will be disrupted at times, but this shouldnt affect 911 services. The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Nashville Division is coordinating response efforts to assist survivors in the community. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Over in Sumner County, the City of Gallatin proclaimed a State of Emergency late Saturday night because of the severe weather, according to a statement News 2 received: WHEREAS, The 2023 Gallatin Tornado in Sumner County has produced a situation either man made, technological, or a natural occurring emergency event which occurred at 4:50pm on December 9, 2023 in the city of Gallatin, Sumner County, Tennessee and, WHEREAS, this emergency has resulted in local jurisdictional resources being fully deployed and becoming or have become overwhelmed and/or has caused a dramatic impact on the safety, health, and welfare of the citizens and, WHEREAS, the county emergency operations plan has been activated to coordinate and facilitate effective response and recovery actions. THEREFORE, in the interest of public safety and welfare, I Paige Brown, Mayor of Gallatin, TN, do hereby declare, pursuant to the statues of the State of Tennessee TCA 58-2-110, TCA that a state of emergency currently exists in Gallatin, Sumner County TN, as of this date and time. City of Gallatin Office of the Mayor Two people suffered minor injuries in Hendersonville after the roof of Big Play collapsed, according to police officers on scene. Big Play is an arcade located in the 400 block of W. Main Street. Big Play damage (Photo: WKRN) News 2s Blake Eason found significant damage at an OReilly Auto Parts store in Gallatin. According to the store manager, three people were inside when a tornado came through, but they are all safe. OReilly Auto Parts in Gallatin (Photo: WKRN) Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown said both Gallatin and Hendersonville sustained significant damage due to tornadoes. Residents are asked to stay off the roads to allow first responders and utility crews to do their jobs. Brown also said, per Sumner County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), no deaths or life-threatening injuries have been reported at this time. The Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department said it has sent Engine Company 9 with five personnel and Rescue Company 1 with four personnel to Gallatin to help with recovery efforts. 1 child, 2 adults dead; State of Emergency declared in Clarksville after tornado activity Red Cross said it is managing a Hendersonville shelter at Beech High School on Long Hollow Pike. The Mt. Juliet Police Department said it sent a dedicated team of officers to Sumner County to help with rescue and response efforts. Sumner County residents who may have lost a pet due to the storms should send pictures and contact information to Sumner County Animal Control on Facebook. Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Look, theres one over there, Romy Sia says, marveling at the creature hes spotted like its one of the Big Five in an African savannah. This is no safari, however. Were at a mall in Makati in the kind of space thats flourished in the past decade. Bow & Wows Greenbelt branch is one of the largest pet stores in the Philippines. From behind a curtain of premium dog leashes, Sia and I observe the fauna thats come into focus: a golden retriever bouncing toward a colossal shelf of fetching toys. Its so happy. You see, dogs know. When they come here, they go straight for the product they want, says Sia, Bow & Wows CEO. The retriever effortlessly tugs a neon knot of rope off its hook, as familiar with the retail display as it is coaxing its human parents toward the cash register. Lately, the frenzy over anything with four paws has been hard to ignore. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, from over 12,000 businesses classified under the Philippine pet industry in 2016, the Department of Trade & Industry would see an 18% growth in registrations by 2020. The next year, a Rakuten survey proclaimed Philippine dog ownership the highest in Asia. Across the nation, youll find dog grooming centers and pet hotels sprouting as aggressively as milk tea kiosks. Leisurely days out no longer mean confining our dogs to those places either, not when a slew of pet parks in Taguig, or pet resorts in Pasig, offer recreational thrills. Meanwhile, the center of Pinoy public life the mall has pivoted from teeth-gritting tolerance to a tail-wagging sense of welcome, offering pet strollers for rent or priest-officiated pet blessings for free. From coffeeshops like The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to supermarkets like Landmark permitting entry to our pooches (not to mention GrabCars pet-friendly option to shuttle them between locations), theres no doubt that Metro Manilas commercial realm has become increasingly accommodating to its collared clientele. Ang daming competition talaga, says Cebu-based pet food distributor Jaclyn Buendia, who noticed an onrush of pet store openings in her city since the pandemic. In 2018, she too opened a pet store, House of Fur, launching another branch the following year as her business captured a regional market. They now distribute products to pet stores in Visayas and Mindanao. Whether dogs became a quick source of comfort (plus easy Instagram likes) during quarantine or that Filipinos are increasingly content to rear puppies than raise children, whats clear is that the Philippine fur baby boom came with pet parents eager to spend. The Great Pause prompted a prolonged scroll through social media storefronts and e-commerce platforms, hawking everything from paw moisturizer to design-forward dog crates (barkitecture) that looked right at home in a West Elm catalog. Post-pandemic, physical pet stores stepped their inventory up as well. In the wake of hard lockdowns, the need for pet companionship has seen a healthy surge, the SM Retail group said in a 2021 statement, announcing the brisk expansion of Pet Express across its malls a one-stop spot to primp your dog, take them to the vet, or grab them a frozen lasagna (plus newfangled speaking buttons that let a dog declare Hungry! with the press of their paw). Riding on a new age of canine consumerism driven largely by human emotion, chains like Dogs and The City would even appeal to customers politics, stocking name jerseys to hype last years presidential candidates: pink Robredo alongside red Marcos in a variety of dog sizes. Since it opened in 2008, Bow & Wows gradual expansion reflects the rise of pickier pet parents unfazed by pricier merchandise. We chose a niche market, says Sia, who, more than a decade after hed launched his wellness empire, Healthy Options, could no longer ignore customers calls to cater to their furrier family members; customers as distrustful of mass-produced kibble as they were giddy for branding that mirrored their own tastes and aspirations. Bow & Wow is Healthy Options for sosy dogs and cats, says Sia, walking me past pet aromatherapy candles to a canned food aisle featuring Taste the World flavors like Peking Duck and Chicken Masala. The demand to indulge ones dog (or imagine what their dog would deem an indulgence) has been high. Just last month, Bow & Wows decade-old Greenbelt branch relocated to a space triple in size, in what was formerly a Healthy Options. Certainly ample space for a fully grown golden retriever to find an item that sparks joy. Bow & Wows decade-old branch in Greenbelt, Makati has relocated to a space triple in size. Photo courtesy of BOW & WOW Makings of a canine capital As canine consumerism proliferates in the Philippines, so have the papers that certify a dogs pedigree. The countrys authority in issuing certificates for purebred dogs, The Philippine Canine Club, Inc. (PCCI), recorded over 130,000 dogs registered in 2021; a more than 30% increase from the previous year and the sharpest rise since the organization was founded in 1963. Were the fifth biggest in the world with regards to registries, says PCCI president Dinky Santos. This distinction in the world of dog breeding is a feat the Philippines arrived at only recently, he adds. Following decades as the only Filipino invited to judge top dog shows across the globe, Santos launched the Philippine Dog Circuit in 2011, aiming to mount the largest dog show in Asia where both Filipino and foreign exhibitors could parade their purebred dogs across four event-filled days in Araneta Coliseum. At its onset, it was largely ridiculed. First of all, [foreigners] said, The Philippines, wheres that? Also, isnt it hard to get around? And then also, Philippines? They have ugly dogs. 13 years later, the Philippine Dog Circuit has made the country a top destination in international dog pageantry. It is the happiest dog show in the world, Santos says, citing the superior hospitality hes ensured for both judges and foreign exhibitors. By holding 12 dog shows in succession the only event in the world to do so scores of titles are up for grabs, offering exhibitors a convenient way to raise their pups pedigree. Lucky the Pomeranian is the first Philippine-born dog to win Best in Breed at the esteemed World Dog Show Grand Prix 2023. Photo by JL JAVIER A lot of foreigners want to join the show kasi its easier for them to go, get the title, and go home, says Buendia, who, before becoming a pet entrepreneur in Cebu, began her dog-showing career with a Pomeranian named Darla in 2016. Ang dami mo ding kalaban na magagandang dogs so if your dog wins there, malaking bragging rights yun. Though Darlas career never took off, her son Lucky would sweep up local awards years later, including Best Philippine-Born Dog in Show early this year. Claiming the top national prize prodded Buendia to see how much further her dog could go overseas. Lucky had survived cardiac arrest at birth to become a top contender in the conformation arena what did he have to lose, she thought. Last August, Lucky, along with a Pembroke Welsh corgi named Dalbong, snatched Best in Breed at the esteemed World Dog Show Grand Prix 2023 held in Switzerland. Both wins were a first for our country, especially since Lucky was the only Philippine-born dog to achieve such glory. Over a Zoom call, Buendia raises her fluffy victor, as round and gleeful as a smiley face emoji. Since his win, Luckys proud, effortless prance through TV guest spots and news segments have strengthened Buendias pet store sales, but also global interest in the dogs she bred on the side. I didnt expect na bibili sila from me, she says of a Brazilian whod just yesterday purchased one of her prized Pomeranians. I didnt expect na foreigners would love our dogs here in the Philippines or that theyd show them in their home countries. Santos, too, is awed by the countrys now-thriving dog culture, noticing a big turnaround in the last five years. Before, we were known as a country that ate dogs, he says. Now, no more. Dig through our history, however, and the budding business of pets is nothing new in the Philippines, predating even the appetite for dogs that Filipinos grew to infamy for. The eagerly awaited Manila Carnival of 1910 had even launched the countrys first-ever dog show. A howling success, according to American organizer Rupert Fergusson, the event captured the public interest through the 29 dog breeds showcased, where bulldogs and chow chows were crowd favorites. Yet centuries before foreign-bred dogs dazzled carnival crowds during the American occupation, or first set paw on our sands following Spanish conquest, Philippine canine-kind wasnt just seen as amusement our native dogs were exalted. Nagkaroon sila ng major role sa society, which was pagbigay ng ginhawa sa community, says historian Ian Alfonso, whose book "Dogs in Philippine History" begins with linguistic research on how our Austronesian ancestors raised their dogs to hunt alongside them; a stark contrast to ancient Polynesians thought to have eaten dogs to extinction due to food scarcity. Yung cultural affection natin with dogs, siguro malaking factor diyan yung geography ng Pilipinas, in the sense na ang daming source of protein ng ancestors natin. According to data from the Philippine Canine Club, Inc. based on the number of litters registered over the past 52 years, the Shi Tzu has consistently been the most popular purebred dog breed in the Philippines. Photo courtesy of PCCI Be it hunting deer or wild boar, dogs reaped the sort of significance that necessitated burial similar to their human caretakers. Some communities were even known to love their hunting dogs more than their own children, as 17th century Spanish chronicler Fr. Francisco Ignacio Alcina, SJ wrote of Bisayan natives in his book Historia de las islas e indios de Bisayas. Canine companionship had been so vital to pre-colonial life, in fact, that dogs inspired beliefs about death as well. May mas-malalim pang pagkakilala sa kanila as taga-pag-prolong ng buhay, explains Alfonso. He cites indigenous Cordilleran rituals where a dog, seen as a sacred guardian, was sacrificed to ward off bad spirits or relieve sickness. If dogs werent mutilated, their ears mixed into ointments, or beheaded in service of a disabled family member, they were cooked and partaken of. Yet more bewildering than these practices is how severely the bond between dog and Filipino was affected once we were colonized. As the Spaniards herded us into settlements, restricting us from wandering as we once did, the dogs who once hunted by our side scattered across the city. Their new purpose: to roam, mixing and multiplying until their features became as muddled as the alliance they once shared with us. The Cordilleran consumption of dogs a rare spiritual practice worked its way into propaganda portraying the Philippines as a nation of dogeaters. Photo from "DOGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY" courtesy of IAN ALFONSO Through Dogs in Philippine History, Alfonso traces our native dogs descent from gods to monsters, especially as strays grew rampant and our colonizers instilled a rightful fear of rabies. Before an anti-rabies vaccine for dogs arrived in the Philippines in 1930, American forces would massacre countless street dogs, many times arbitrarily. It was nothing new considering earlier periods of our asos annihilation, from Spanish attempts at poisoning strays to tidy up Manilas streets, to soldiers during the British invasion known to mute a barking dog with a bullet. By the 1950s, Filipinos, too, would join in the slaughter, albeit for gastronomic reasons. Across the archipelago, asocena (or dog meat) became a not-so-guilty pleasure, served in revitalizing soups or booze-soaking pulutan. Alfonso speculates that the intensifying hunger for dog meat may have begun from a taste for postcolonial revenge. Parang pang-yabang siya o defense mechanism nung Pilipino sa binabato sa kanya na stereotypes, says Alfonso, citing historian Edilberto Alegres theory on how American yellow journalism fed this culinary phenomenon. The U.S. would justify its dominion over us by underscoring our civilizational shortcomings. Of these, the Cordilleran consumption of dogs a rare spiritual practice worked its way into propaganda portraying us as a nation of dogeaters. Sige, sinabihan mo naman kami na kumakain ng aso, eh di kakain kami ng aso! From companion to craving Attorney Heidi Caguioa wont forget her first glimpse of lechon dog, the animals last submissive crouch suspended in a smooth layer of caramel crunch. A specialty in Nueva Ecija, canine carcasses were once as commonplace as their swine equivalent; a leaner but significantly cheaper alternative. Visible talaga everywhere in the community, may nagtitinda ng aso. It was really an industry, says Caguioa, who heads the Animal Kingdom Foundation, Inc. (AKF), an NGO formed in 2002 with a mission to end the dog meat trade. From 60,000 dogs recovered annually in its early years, Caguioa estimates that that number is down to 10,000. At the height of its raids, AKF encountered up to 400 truckloads per week, each filled with native dogs from southern parts of Luzon snatched from the street or sold off, then hog-tied in metal wire making their way up north to doggie dining capitals like Baguio and Nueva Ecija. Prior to the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 and an amended Animal Welfare Act in 2013, the Philippines kept a slack, if flimsy leash on the dog meat trade. Caguioa decided she needed to firm up locked and legal support with the Philippine National Police, National Meat Inspection Service, and Bureau of Animal Industry. It paid off. Between 2008 and 2012, AKF busted the Big Five family-run syndicates that financed the industry. AKF may have broken the supply chain but the demand for dog meat remained. Backed by the Department of Social Welfare & Development in the Cordilleras, AKF deployed teachers to local barrios in hopes of shifting the local perception of dogs, less as cravings and more as companions. Yet as Caguioa would come to realize, calls to animal welfare were less successful than threats to human health. Sinabi namin may rabies yan unhealthy, unsanitarydaming diseases and infection ang nakukuha diyan, Caguioa says of AKFs campaigns to educate locals on rabies. Yun ang may impact sa kanila eh. Concern kasi nila yung sarili nila. Lucky is an aspin that was rescued from the dog meat trade in Pangasinan. Photo by JL JAVIER In the 20 years Caguioa has presided over the AKF, dogs headed for the dinner plate have dwindled to just a handful rescued weekly by the foundation. Still, as familiar as shes become with the many ways our native dog can be served, shes also seen the infinite other ways people can be cruel to it. Just a month before local media celebrated the triumph of two Filipino-bred dogs at the World Dog Fair, a Facebook post on the gruesome death of an aspin puppy had gone viral. The post implicated a security guard who tossed the puppy from a Quezon City footbridge, reportedly as retaliation against children hed shooed from mall premises. Caguioa shares that cases of animal cruelty reported to AKF have risen in the past few years. Thats not as negative as it sounds, she says, bringing to mind how easily social media amassed an army of John Wicks intent on avenging the slain puppy, many plotting punishments more creative than the maximum two-year jail time for violators of the Animal Welfare Act. Before, hahayaan lang hindi nare-report. Now, people are more aware of what should be acted upon, or whats illegal. New legislation pushed by senator Grace Poe could be pivotal as it hastens the response to such reports. Filed in October to bolster the Animal Welfare Act, the measure calls for the creation of an Animal Welfare Bureau; one that doesnt merely issue policies and wag its finger but acts as the implementing arm Caguioa has long sought to establish. The proposed law now creates a bureau still attached to the Department of Agriculture that will handle simple animal welfare issues, she says, detailing functions that include registering animal facilities, from vet clinics to pet hotels; mobilizing animal rescue operations following natural calamity; even implementing policy at the barangay level. At the height of its raids countering the dog meat trade, Animal Kingdom Foundation encountered up to 400 truckloads per week, each filled with native dogs from southern parts of Luzon snatched from the street or sold off, then hog-tied in metal wire making their way up north to doggie dining capitals like Baguio and Nueva Ecija. Photo by JL JAVIER Caguioa recalls how reluctant local government units (LGUs) once were in supporting AKFs efforts. Aso lang yan! was a response not uncommonly heard from barangay officials when fielding reports on animal cruelty. Nowadays, LGUs have become increasingly alert to the cause. By offering regular spay-and-neuter programs from Quezon City to as far as Iloilo, theyve even clamped down on an animal welfare issue long neglected: overpopulation. If youre going to ask me, Has there been a change in the mindset of Filipinos on dogs? Theres a lot a spike in change in human behavior toward animals, not just in the minds of the public but in the minds of government agencies says Caguioa. The policy and the services they offer, thats where it makes a difference. Homeward bound? Since its publication early this year, Dogs in Philippine History already urges the addition of new chapters. Especially yang contemporary phenomenon of booming pet industries sa Pilipinas, Alfonso says of all the power in the paw-driven peso that his book stopped short of. Yet one chapter thats proven difficult to conclude is the fate of the aspin. Frustrated, Alfonso recalls how the DOHs plans for a Rabies-Free Philippines in 2020 were postponed to 2030. As the government scrambles to contain a virus that continues to claim over 200 lives each year, efforts to immunize strays are diminished by LGUs that are as quick to cage them, cramming dogs into city pounds that can be rougher than the streets. When an aspin blanketed in ticks collapsed onto her lap four years ago, Camille Co could only imagine how grim its life had been at the Muntinlupa City pound. The three month-old puppy was among 35 dogs set to be euthanized had animal shelter The Pawssion Project not posted a social media SOS. She was so used to not getting food or exercise that she didnt even know how to walk, says Co, a fashion influencer, who would call upon her immense social media following when a vet found her rescue Pixie to be in such bad shape, she required a blood transfusion. Fashion influencer Camille Co rescued her aspin Pixie from a city pound where she was one of 35 dogs set to be euthanized.. Photo by JL JAVIER Nonprofits like AKF, The Pawssion Project, and The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) assert the native dogs place in the Filipino home, as worthy of the fuss weve long given foreign breeds. Estimating a stray dog population of 12 million in 2019, PAWS has ramped up campaigns for aspin adoption, often using a celebritys megawatt smile to illuminate a rescues grateful grin. Sana dumami pa ang champions, says Alfonso when I mention proponents like Co and Heart Evangelista, whose advocacy for aspin adoption is as evident to her 12 million-strong Instagram following as her plumped lips and stacked jewelry. Aminin natin na ang mga Pilipino, talagang mababa ang tingin sa aspin, pero nakikita ko ngayon, medyo nababago naman, says Alfonso. In the penultimate chapter of his book, he credits A Dog of Flanders, a Japanese cartoon dubbed by ABS-CBN in the 1990s that inspired his and many kids sentimentality for dogs. Similarly, Bow & Wows Romy Sia thanks a Chihuahua-toting Paris Hilton for glamorizing pet ownership and giving premium pet products the kind of status his business now benefits from. While its unclear how a gram of Evangelistas Chanel-swathed aspin translates to adoptions, a harder push for the aspins pop cultural ascendancy cant hurt. Morgan is the latest in a succession of dogs dubbed Hachiko of the Philippines. The senior aspin waited by a Caloocan hospital morgue for over a year after losing his human to COVID-19. Photo by JL JAVIER Wandering more frequently into the news lately, some aspins have even become icons. The latest in a succession of dogs dubbed Hachiko of the Philippines is Morgan, a senior aspin who waited by a Caloocan hospital morgue for over a year after losing his human to COVID-19. Since AKF welcomed him to its Tarlac center for rehabilitation, the foundation has seen overwhelming demand for his adoption. Though Caguioa reports more cases of pet abandonment following the pandemic an anticipated bust to the fur baby boom, following international trends and an ailing economy shes also hopeful, noting the higher rate of pets rehomed by her foundation. Ito ang isa pang malaking change [my mother-in-law] always had dogs in her house but always German Shepherds. One day, sabi niya, Maghanap nga ako sayo. Parang mas-maganda kasi ang asong Pinoy, she says, recalling how Lucky, an aspin once destined for the stove of a Pangasinan kitchen, found the warmth of her familys embrace instead. The asong gubat, currently being lobbied to be the Philippines' national dog breed. Meet Ragsak, Amianan, and Hiraya, asong gubat from the Philippine Forest Dog Legacy Club, Inc. Photo by JL JAVIER As the aspin makes a strong bid for the nations affections, one of its oldest relatives has enjoyed newfound fanfare at least. At the Philippine Circuit in January, a parade of Philippine forest dogs wowed the audience with features (bat-like ears, molting black claws) as supernatural as their abilities: climbing trees, the sort of fierce cliquishness thats preserved its lineage for ages. PCCI recently began lobbying to have the worlds leading kennel body, the Federation Cynologique Internationale, recognize the asong gubat as our national dog breed, one that many believe existed long before our first settlers. Amid the mania over mambabatok like Apo Whang-Od or the craze for indigenous fabrics, a primitive dog breed getting its due feels timely. But in our recent clamor to uphold our cultural heritage, maybe theres room to value its more complicated parts, fleas and all. Kapag nakakita kayo ng aspin sa paligid, nakikita niyo ang descendant ng mga asong ginagala, nirerespeto ng mga ancestors natin, Alfonso says of our strays, urging Filipinos to see a provenance in them that outweighs pedigree. "Baka magbago ang pagtingin ng Pilipino 'pag nalaman nila na ang taas ng respeto sa mga Aspin." Philippine forest dogs are a primitive dog breed known to have existed long before our first settlers. Photo by JL JAVIER While many asong gubat remained in the wilderness, there was the native dog forced to make the streets its natural habitat. Rather than sit or stay, the aspin learned survival, wandering tirelessly from dusty pueblo roads to the highway deathtraps of today; its tail, often a comical arch compelling it onward, always onward. It has been a witness to our history and a victim to it, yet it remains loyally by the nations side, eager that it might one day see its value in our eyes once more. Its waited all this time whats a little while longer? *** Photos by JL JAVIER Cover design by THE PUBLIC SCHOOL MANILA Produced by PAOLO LORENZANA and GERIE MEDINA Sittings by GABY GLORIA Special thanks to ATTY. HEIDI CAGUIOA, ANIMAL KINGDOM FOUNDATION, PHILIPPINE FOREST DOG LEGACY INC., JACLYN BUENDIA, and CAMILLE CO As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Aliya Hines life has been deeply rooted in science and medicine. But for a period of time during the first Saturday afternoon in December, Hines was more interested in talking about magic. And the magic she described was connected to a recently formed Detroit chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). There is magic in people working together to build something greater than our individual selves, said the 46-year-old Hines about DAR, a nonpartisan, volunteer, womens service organization with a 133-year history that officially made its return to Detroit on Aug. 19 with the organizing meeting of The Detroit Chapter held at the historic Detroit Yacht Club. Serving patients and her community is a way of life for Dr. Aliya Hines, who has found a like-minded group of women in Detroit within a recently created chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. DARs name reflects an organization whose more than 190,000 current members are descended from Revolutionary War patriots and soldiers. In 1977, following an intense quest of nearly two years to learn her familys history, Detroit native Karen Batchelor (then Karen Farmer) made DAR history and the front page of the New York Times (Dec. 28, 1977) by becoming the organizations first known Black member, after being sponsored by members of DARs Ezra Parker chapter in Royal Oak. Hines, a staff physician at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center and a Wayne State University School of Medicine associate professor, was put in contact with Batchelor by a medical colleague. A face-to-face meeting between Hines and Batchelor ensued at the AWAKE Cafe in Midtown during May. That introduction, along with extensive genealogical research previously conducted by members of Hines family, set the stage for Hines to become the first member to join The Detroit Chapter without a previous DAR membership. In Batchelor, Hines says she quickly found a friend and supporter who shared a vision of a more diverse picture of what it means to be a patriot and an American. But Hines also revealed that DARs commitment to helping people in need which includes more than 3.5 million hours of volunteer service performed nationally by members during 2023 alone allows her to double-down on an approach to living that was instilled in her while growing up in what she described as a small and diverse community within Yellow Springs, Ohio, home to Antioch College. Karen Batchelor speaks at the Detroit Yacht Club on Aug. 19 during the organizing meeting for a new National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter in Detroit, as the chapter's regent, Elizabeth Findeis, looks on. Batchelor is not a newcomer when it comes to making history within the organization. On Dec. 28, 1977, Batchelor appeared on the front page of the New York Times for becoming DAR's first known Black member. Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity, Hines proudly stated on December 2 as she recited the Antioch College motto, which Hines, a graduate of Hampton and Johns Hopkins universities describes as a call to action that is embraced by residents across her hometown regardless of where they attended school. Those words continue to inspire me and now that Im in Detroit, I want to see the community I live in excel. And two of the most obvious things that I look forward to doing with our chapter is helping our Detroit schools and students, and our veterans particularly women veterans who have unique challenges. On Saturday, Dec. 16, Hines will have an opportunity to share her ideas for DAR service programs with about 30 like-minded people at a metro Detroit location when The Detroit Chapter presents It Started With Tea to mark the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. In addition to fellowship, tea and food, the events activity menu also will include honoring a special group of Detroiters outside of the DAR membership that address critical community issues including food insecurity, literacy and homeless women. Every DAR chapter has a different flavor and our flavor is Detroit, says 48-year-old Elizabeth Findeis, who serves as the chapters regent, a position Findeis likened to a CEO while speaking from her home in Indian Village on the morning of Dec. 1. When you talk to Detroiters you can feel that spirit. Or when a new store opens in Detroit and people come out to support it, you feel that spirit. There is a tenacity and spirit that people in Detroit have and we want our chapter to represent that as well. A self-described fixer both as a senior research associate for Henry Ford Health and as a community volunteer, Findeis, a native of Huntington, N.Y., moved to Detroit on Christmas Eve 2010 with her family and helped to revitalize the parents group at Gesu Catholic School while living in the University District. However, when Findeis first set out to join a DAR chapter located in the city of Detroit, she was stymied. But only temporarily. When I couldnt find a DAR chapter in Detroit, I was thinking: This is crazy," explained Findeis, who also described her need to connect with a DAR chapter that spoke to her soul in the same way the chapter she belonged to in Alexandria, Va. had done. We knew starting a new chapter in Detroit would be hard work, but we felt there is a need given the citys population and the number of veterans we have. Its just the right thing to do and past time to do it. "Every DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) chapter has a different flavor and our flavor is Detroit," says Indian Village resident Elizabeth Findeis, who proudly addressed an audience assembled at the Detroit Yacht Club on Aug. 19 during the organizing meeting for a new DAR chapter in Detroit. While delivering remarks during her groups organizing meeting, Findeis said that one of The Detroit Chapters goals is to weave magic into the racially diverse quilt that we all live in. She also said that the chapter wanted to meet the people where they are at for a better understanding of who they are and their needs, while having them learn who we are and what we are about for better community outreach. Findeis confided that crafting the speech she made on Aug. 19 to an audience consisting primarily of DAR members was a demanding and reflective process for her. And Findeis said that an equally thoughtful and truthful approach is needed when Detroiters are introduced to DAR, an organization that in 1984 seven years after Karen Batchelors admission reached an agreement to revise its National Bylaws to bar discrimination by any of its chapters on the basis of race or creed following the late Lena Santos Fergusons three-year struggle (1980-1983) to join a Washington, D.C. chapter. DAR is not just for white women, its for everyone, said Findeis, whose enthusiasm throughout the conversation never gave a hint to the pain she admitted to still feeling after recent hand surgery. Our chapter should reflect who we are as a community. However, were also very respectful of other local genealogical organizations. Were not the only game in town. But, to anyone wishing to join us, you will be more than welcomed. Members of The Detroit Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution have pledged to serve the Detroit community by meeting residents "where they are." And what we want to show Detroit is that were here to work with the community. If a kid wants to learn genealogy; or learn about their family; or needs help with reading; or wants to find out about scholarships; were here for them. That also applies to families because you can never have too many resources. For the now 72-year-old Karen Batchelor, as she explained on the morning of Dec. 6, the founding of The Detroit Chapter puts her exactly where she wanted to be in 1977 when DAR members in Royal Oak sponsored her membership after she had been rejected by a DAR chapter that was then located in the city of Detroit. Because Batchelor says she harbors no ill will from the experience, she did not want to call attention to that chapter that still exists today, outside of Detroit. Batchelor also did not want to publicly disclose the time and location of the new Detroit chapters Dec. 16 tea party because of her own safety concerns for the entire group. But like Findeis, Batchelor believes it is through service that the new chapter has the best opportunity to gain community allies and make a positive difference in her hometown. We cant fix anything that has happened in the past, but we want to move forward, said Batchelor, who plans to wear 18th Century-era clothing to the tea party, which appeals to the little kid in her that likes to play dress-up, while also connecting with a group of her ancestors from that period. For many years, we were the only major city that didnt have a DAR chapter and we felt that Detroit was being underserved by our organization. Were always looking for new, innovative and impactful ways to give back to our community, including issues that havent received much attention like period poverty. For Karen Batchelor, wearing period clothing representing the 18th century is a way to appeal to the 'little kid' in her that still "likes to play dress-up," while also connecting with a group of her ancestors from that era. And that is exactly what Batchelor will do on Dec. 16 when The Detroit Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution presents "It Started With Tea" to mark the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. If people keep an eye on us, theyre going to see that were going to be doing great things as we work with and for our city. And there will be activities that everyone can participate in, like workshops on how to research family history. One person who has all the details about the Dec. 16 tea party and has been counting down the days for a while is 52-year-old Michelle Campbell, who will be making the drive all the way from Caldonia, near Grand Rapids on the western side of the state, with planned stops in metro Detroit to pick up her mother, 72-year-old Helen G. Campbell and her grandmother, 103-year-old Beaulah Mae Seabrooks all DAR members. For a period of Michelle Campbells life, most of her activities were largely confined to a small area on Detroits west side as she was being educated at Greenfield Peace Lutheran School, St. Scholastica and Benedictine High School (Class of 1989). However, after graduating from Michigan State University in 1995 with a degree in electrical engineering, Campbell was determined to see more of the world, which was good news for companies like Motorola Solutions and L3Harris Technologies, where Michelle Campbell excelled professionally. But now, Michelle Campbell says, she is delighted to be reconnected with her home state and the new DAR chapter in Detroit is adding to her enjoyment and sense of purpose. I had to be a part of The Detroit Chapter, said Michelle Campbell, a product marketing manager for Bosch, who once rented out a hotel banquet room in Southfield to give a presentation about her familys history and has made it a point throughout her career to hire Black women from Michigan States College of Engineering for summer internships and permanent employment. Im at peace to be back in Michigan and I couldnt be happier to be a part of this chapter. This helps me to fulfill my purpose. And through this platform, I can help other people from my community to understand and execute their purpose, because you need to know where you came from to know where youre going. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit DAR chapter to celebrate Boston Tea Party anniversary David Benson, who has died aged 85, was a respected City banker in his family firm of Kleinwort Benson, and a gifted watercolour artist. As the son of Sir Rex Benson, a former soldier-diplomatist who was one of the grandest and most gregarious City figures of the mid-20th century, David had much to live up to. Finding his own path as a corporate finance professional who never sought the limelight but whose advice was well trusted by clients and colleagues, he rose to be vice-chairman of Kleinwort Benson (under the chairmanship of David Peake, who had married into the Kleinwort family) during a phase of trading difficulties and internal tensions from 1989 to 1992. In a bank which prided itself on quiet teamwork and which in the 1980s took leading roles in deals ranging from the ground-breaking privatisation sale of British Telecom shares to the battle between Mohamed Al-Fayed and Lonrho for ownership of Harrods Benson was, according to one colleague, a more significant member of the firm than he was given credit for, an exceptional judge of good people and good business. Quaker descendants of Westmoreland yeoman farmers, the Benson family had prospered as merchants in transatlantic trade from Liverpool in the late 18th century. Davids great-grandfather Robert established himself in London in 1852; his grandfather, also Robert but known as Robin, was a pioneer of railway finance and investment trusts, as well as a noted collector of Renaissance art. Born on February 26 1938, David Holford Benson was the second son of Rex Benson and his American wife Lesley, nee Foster, daughter of a Chicago banker, granddaughter of a governor of Wyoming and former second wife of Conde Nast, the publisher of Vanity Fair and the New Yorker. David Benson at work on a watercolour Part of Davids childhood was spent in Washington, where from 1941 Rex was military attache at the British embassy under Lord Halifax with a brief to persuade America to enter the war on the allied side. Already well connected over there, noted his biographer, wherever [Rex] went he knew people, but he always knew more by the time he left. David was educated at Eton, where he learnt to paint under Wilfrid Blunt, brother of Anthony, the art historian and Soviet spy, and went on to study at Madrid University and the Byam Shaw School of Art in London. He began his working life with the Shell oil company, serving for two years in Singapore. Sir Rex, meanwhile, retired as chairman of what was then Robert Benson Lonsdale in 1959 and from its board two years later, having steered a merger with the issuing house of Kleinwort Sons & Co to form Kleinwort Benson, where David arrived in 1963. In 1970 David Benson was dispatched, with a senior colleague, to open the firms first New York office in a dingy two-room suite on 42nd St in Manhattan. It will be just the two of you Recruit more people and get the business going, were their only instructions but as the firms historian noted, David, being Rexs son, has a marvellous entree into America and he was in due course promoted to president of Kleinwort Benson Inc. Typical of even longer-standing links was a relationship with the Illinois Central railroad, for which Bensons had raised money in the 1880s and Kleinwort Benson would do so in 1981, David remarking that it was nice to be able to help again. A painting of New York circa 1970 by David Benson He remained a non-executive director of Kleinwort Benson until 1998, after its ultimately unhappy takeover by Dresdner of Germany, and continued to chair its pension fund. From 2002 he was an adviser to the private office of the Fleming banking family, to whom the Bensons had also been close since the 1880s. His numerous other board appointments included British Gas and its exploration arm BG. He was also chairman of the Charities Official Investment Fund which looks after the reserves of many smaller charities; chairman of the trustees of the Edward James Foundation which provides arts education at West Dean in Sussex, and of the Fleming-Wyfold Art Foundation; and a trustee of the UK Historic Building Preservation Trust. As a dedicated lifelong painter, Benson specialised in sunlit landscapes and architectural subjects, including views of Bussento, the lovely house built by his parents on the Amalfi coast of Italy. Sales proceeds from his exhibitions invariably went to charity. One collector recalled Benson offering (unsuccessfully) to buy back a picture of a more exotic setting because he liked the way he had handled the elephants. He was especially proud to be an honorary member of the Royal Watercolour Society. David Benson married, in 1964, Lady Elizabeth Charteris, daughter of the 12th Earl of Wemyss and March; she survives him with their son and two daughters. David Benson, born February 26 1938, died October 17 2023 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Former Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, on Saturday officially announced his run for the House seat left vacant by George Santos expulsion, saying that he will focus on the bread-and-butter issues that concern most Americans. Suozzi, whom New York Democrats nominated earlier this week to run for the special election, represented a previous version of New Yorks 3rd Congressional District, on the North Shore of Long Island, for three terms before vacating the seat to launch an unsuccessful primary challenge against New York Gov. Kathy Hochul last year. Under New Yorks special election rules, nominees are selected by the county party leaders in the district. Hochul has scheduled the special election to fill Santos former seat for February 13. Suozzis announcement was expected because he had entered the race in October to challenge Santos in 2024 before the Republican congressmans expulsion. The district and its earlier versions had long been represented by Democrats until Santos surprising victory in an open-seat race in 2022. Two years earlier, Santos had lost to Suozzi by double digits. Suozzi said Saturday that his campaign will address the rising cost of living; immigration; the threats posed by climate change; and fears driven by the wars in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas. Standing in front of a small crowd gathered in the backyard of a Long Island home, Suozzi emphasized the need to revive the American dream that once fueled its working-class suburbs. Ill work hard, and in return for working hard Ill make enough money so I can buy a place to live, I can educate my kids, I can have health insurance and I can retire one day without being scared, thats the American dream, Suozzi said. People are concerned that the American dream wont work for them, he said. The former representative also called for an end to the increasing polarization in American politics. Enough of the finger-pointing, enough of the partisanship, Suozzi said. Ill work with anybody who wants to work together to actually solve the problems that people face, and thats what we need more of in this country. Republican leaders in Queens and Nassau counties have yet to announce their nominee. Santos expulsion has upped the stakes for the GOP in 2024 as they look to hold on to their razor-thin majority in the House. CNNs Gloria Pazmino, Ethan Cohen and Jack Forrest contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Dyess Air Force Base has and continues to be a critical part of the city of Abilene. Since its establishment in 1942 as Tye Army Air Field, the base has provided space for flight training and crucial support in airlift aid missions and combative weaponry defense for the United States. In 2019, the Air Force named Dyess Air Force Base as a potential beddown for the new bomber aircraft that will be going into production. B-21 Raider In recent years, the Department of the Air Force has developed a new bomber aircraft, the B-21 Raider, which will eventually replace the existing B-1 and B-2 aircrafts. The new B-21 will implement the goals of the National Defense Strategy by modernizing the U.S. bomber fleet. According to the U.S. Air Force mission for the new aircraft it will be used as a dual-capable penetrating strike stealth bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions which will support deterrence capabilities. The Department of Defense unveiled a new bomber aircraft in Dec. 2022. The B-21 "Raider" will replace the U.S. Air Force's B-1 and B-2 aircrafts and deliver both conventional and nuclear munitions. Action has been made in a series of installations to beddown Main Operating Bases (MOBs) for the B-21. In 2021, the Air Force named Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota as MOB 1 which will serve as the main B-21 operating base and location of the Formal Training Unit. Findings from Dyess AFB Environmental Impact Statement As part of the initial research at Ellsworth AFB, Dyess Air Force Base and Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri were listed as alternative locations. With alternatives in mind Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) were conducted to study and evaluate environmental resources surrounding the Whiteman and Dyess bases. The purpose of the EIS is to present an analysis of environmental consequences of the proposed B-21 to the community under compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The environmental resources studied in the EIS include air quality, airspace use and management, cultural resources, environmental justice, hazardous materials and solid wastes, physical resources like water and soil, socioeconomics and noise. During the Draft EIS period, the public can review and make comments about the proposed project. A requirement of an EIS is to provide a No Action Alternative to ensure environmental protection if unforeseen issues arise. If the No Action Alternative is selected, the Department of Defense will search for other locations to implement the B-21 program as it is a major initiative in ensuring the U.S. nuclear triad remains effective. The public were able to talk to airmen in an informal Q&A session at the B-21 public scoping meeting at Abilene Convention Center on Dec. 5. Guests walked around to view posters explaining the environmental analysis of a potential beddown at Dyess Air Force Base. The EIS analyzed the impacts on resources by comparing the current conditions of the base as used presently to the forecasted analysis after B-1 and B-2 aircrafts are retired and all B-21 aircraft have beddown. The beddown of the B-21 would decrease the congestion in the airspace and annual operations. An estimated 4.2% or 2,000 fewer airfield operations would occur at Dyess AFB compared to the no action alternative. Operations are forecast to reduced between 7.6% and 66.5% across all proposed airspace units. With the decrease in airspace operations, residents can anticipate a decrease in noise impacts in and around Dyess AFB. As for physical resources like water and soil, construction and B-21 usage will show no significant impact. There is low potential for soil erosion and, in areas containing floodplains management, rules will be followed to prevent damage to hydrologic properties. The studies on air quality in and around Dyess AFB show no adverse impacts to regional air quality. However, air emissions would increase for all criteria pollutants and only PM10 would exceed indicator thresholds. PM10 are coarse particles, caused by dusty road and construction sites, that can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. To address the temporary construction-related emissions, implementation of construction Best Management Practices is included in the planning process. According to the EIS, there are no adverse impacts to cultural resources anticipated from construction. Consultation results with State Historic Preservation Officers will be presented in the Final EIS. As for hazardous materials and solid waste, management of substances and wastes will be accomplished in accordance with all regulatory requirements and established procedures. The Department of the Air Force held a public scoping meeting on Dec. 5, 2023, to allow the community to make public comments on potential environmental impacts of a possible beddown for the Department of Defense's new bomber aircraft at Dyess Air Force Base. Changes to Dyess AFB If the B-21 program beddowns at Dyess AFB, Abilene will see an increase in base personnel and construction activities and a decrease in airfield operations. Though Dyess airmen associated with the B-1 mission will depart from the base, an increase of 1,300 individuals will be brought in with the B-21 mission. In the Dyess AFB general plan for construction for facilities and infrastructure, an estimated 4.2 million square feet will be under construction, 600,000 square feet will be under renovation and 300,000 square feet will be under demolition. The proposed MOB 2 beddown will include construction of a Weapons Generation Facility which creates a 50-acre construction footprint and a 20-acre final compound. The facility will provide a safe and secure location for the storage of nuclear munitions. Abilene citizens speak out on B-21 beddown at Dyess AFB As part of the Draft EIS, public scoping meetings are presented to summarize the proposed action and explain environmental consequences. The public can make formal comments regarding the Draft EIS which will assist the Air Force in making an informed decision when deciding whether Dyess AFB or Whiteman AFB will be MOB 2. Citizen talks with Dyess Public Affairs personnel at the B-21 public scoping meeting on Dec. 5, 2023. The meeting's purpose is to allow the public to comment on potential environmental impacts of the proposed beddown of the Department of Defense's new bomber aircraft. At the Abilene meeting Dec. 5, seven speakers made public comments about the beddown of the B-21 at Dyess AFB. Representatives from the Abilene Military Affairs Committee, AEP Texas, Atmos Energy and City of Abilenes Transportation Services Department spoke in support of the B-21 beddown at Dyess AFB. The assets in our region support the mission, and the specific steps we've taken to prepare for the B-21 beddown. These include our water supply, wastewater management, millitary spousal employment, education, healthcare, gas and electric supply and our geographic advantages, Greg Blair, chairmen of Abilene Military Affairs Committee, said. Our community support is second to none and we stand ready enthusiastically and fully equipped to support the B-21 beddown. Mayor of Abilene Weldon Hurt provided comments on the natural resources that have served the Abilene community and Dyess AFB since the 1950s. He spoke on the existing city infrastructure to accommodate the influx of new airmen and their families and the support from the Abilene community to the mission of the Air Force and Dyess AFB. I believe an area of major corporations and small businesses thrive thanks to large talent pool, robust infrastructure and pro-business environment. Our economy is growing and vibrant, Hurt stated. Randy Williams, county commissioner for precinct 1 which consists of Dyess AFB, provided comment on the work done with property owners surrounding the base and their support of Dyess and the B-21 project. He mentioned a recent experience talking to a citizen whose property lays under a flight pattern. When you're trying to talk to them and a B-1 goes over, you realize you just stopped talking. I look at him and I say you didn't know you're building a house in the flight pattern, and the response without a doubt always is it's the sweet sound of freedom, Williams said. We are Dyess Air Force Base, and Dyess Air Force Base is us. Learn more and make a public comment After the public review period closes in January, the final decision of which base will house MOB 2 and MOB 3 will be announced in fall of 2024. Individuals seeking more information can visit the public website at www.B21EIS.com. The public comment period will remain open until January 5, 2024. Comments can be submitted verbally at a public scoping meeting, digitally through the B-21 EIS website and by mail. All comments sent through mail must be postmarked by Jan. 5, 2024. Any inquiries can be directed to Dyess AFB Public Affairs at (325) 696-4820. This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Dyess AFB considered for new bomber aircraft mission A scathing new report documents the horrifying deterioration of higher education in Florida. It should be required reading for every college student and come to think of it, every taxpayer, too. For the first time, the report lays out in disturbing detail the extent of the damage done to a once-great system by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Legislature and their allies in the higher education bureaucracy, which has been politicized to unprecedented levels, with disastrous results. As much as anything, this will be the destructive legacy DeSantis leaves behind when he eventually leaves office. What has happened in Floridas colleges and universities over the past couple of years is a tragedy for Florida students and their families, said Irene Mulvey, a mathematics professor at Fairfield University in Connecticut and president of AAUP, the American Association of University Professors, which compiled the report. Using news accounts, public records and interviews with dozens of educators, AAUP paints an exceedingly dark picture. Its all there: the brutal takeover of New College in Sarasota; secrecy over university presidential searches; attacks on teacher tenure, labor unions and accrediting agencies; rampant cronyism in presidential choices and on university trustee boards, including appointing out-of-state ideologues with no ties to Florida; restrictions on teaching race and sexual orientation; and blocking professors from testifying about their subject matter expertise in court. It shouldnt be overlooked that DeSantis wanted to go further and give university trustees political appointees, hacks in some cases, chosen for connections, money and school loyalties, not for their education expertise control over hiring and firing faculty members. Even the presidential search at Florida Atlantic University, tainted by Tallahassee partisan politics, made it into the report. The authors say that the sense of fear and thought control is so intense on Florida campuses that many faculty members did not want their names to appear in the report for fear of retribution. That alone tells you plenty about the condition of academic freedom in Florida. They want to create an atmosphere of fear that results in self-censorship and will chill free speech, and their tactics are working, said Matthew Lata, a Florida State University music professor. Lata said faculty members are fleeing Florida in record numbers, and its becoming harder to fill vacant teaching jobs. Historical context matters, too. AAUPs report compares todays conditions to those of the Legislatures notorious anti-communist and homophobic Johns Committee of the 1950s and 60s, which terrorized professors, civil rights activists, journalists, teachers and students. (The committee was named for state Sen. Charley Johns of Starke, its chairman). For five years, the AAUP report recalled, Johns Committee agents monitored lavatory stalls and private bedrooms. The University of Florida was the first academic target. A DeSantis spokesman dismissed the AAUP report as a hoax, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, who supported DeSantis changes to higher education, also disagreed with the report. Our institutions should be institutions of learning. They should not be institutions of indoctrination, Passidomo said. (Was she indoctrinated in college? No, she said). As the professors noted, higher education should be a wonderful journey of the intellect. But DeSantis and his allies want to erect barriers and decide how young people can think. Learning new stuff is one of the joys of being human, Mulvey said. College students should have the right to learn the subjects they want to study, taught by professors who are experienced in those subjects, and those professors get to determine the methods of instruction But your governors agenda is to limit opportunities, and his policies are driving high-quality faculty to flee Florida. One faculty member who was not shy about being quoted by name in the AAUP report was LeRoy Pernell, a law professor at Florida A&M University. We cant run away from what is happening in Florida, Pernell said. Bullies depend on their victims running away and hiding. On their silence. We cant run away and hide. We cant be silent. Hes right. DeSantis & Co. have done catastrophic damage to Floridas higher education system. Steve Bousquet is Opinion Editor of the South Florida Sun Sentinel and a columnist in Tallahassee and Fort Lauderdale. Contact him at sbousquet@sunsentinel.com or (850) 567-2240 and follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @stevebousquet. Donald Trump will no longer testify in his own defense during his civil fraud trial against him and his company as the trial enters its final week of testimony. He was scheduled to take the stand on Monday, Nov. 11, but in a last-minute reversal, he announced on Sunday that he wont head back to the witness stand in New York states $250 million civil fraud lawsuit. I have already testified to everything & have nothing more to say other than this is a complete & total election interference (Biden campaign!) witch hunt so I will not be testifying on Monday, Trump wrote in an all-caps, two-part post on his social media platform Truth Social, as NBC News reports. The trial is entering its final week of testimony after it began two months ago. The former president was scheduled to testify on Monday as one of the final defense witnesses, where he was expected to emphasize his companys success while refuting New York Attorney General Letitia James allegations that he exaggerated the worth of his properties and his net worth in financial statements he used to secure bank loans that he would not have otherwise obtained. On Nov. 6, Trump was called as a witness by the states attorneys where he also disputed James claims, while also accusing prosecuting attorney Kevin Wallace and every other Democrat coming at me from 15 different sides of being haters. Presiding Judge Arthur Engoron warned Trumps attorneys to control him if you can otherwise I will excuse him and draw every negative inference that I can following Trump offering political diatribes in lieu of answering questions during his testimony. This is a very, very unfair trial, very. And I hope the public is watching it, Trump quipped at the time. Trump also went on to attack the judges wife, Dawn Engoron, in a series of social media posts earlier this month. Trump was not required to testify in the case, and his son Eric Trump, who had previously testified in the case, backed out of testifying last week, which the elder Trump said in a social media post that he directed his son to do. His son Donald Trump Jr. testified in November. Trumps lawyer, Alina Habba, previously told reporters on Thursday that he was looking forward to taking the stand, though she had urged him not to due to a gag order, which was sought to protect Engorons law clerks from threats and physical harm stemming from Trumps attacks. Trump has been fined twice for a total of $15,000 after Engoron found Trump violated the gag order. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) predicted in a Sunday interview that impeachment articles for President Biden would be drafted by the spring. Well, what I see happening is that, over the next month or two, were going to finish our investigation, Donalds said in an interview on Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. I do believe, at that point, its going to be crystal clear that there are articles of impeachment that should be drafted for Joe Biden, he added. House Republicans have announced they will hold a vote to open an impeachment inquiry into President Biden to obtain access to more information. So far, there has been no evidence directly connecting President Biden to his sons business dealings, but Hunter Bidens recent indictment has served as a catalyst to moving forward on an impeachment inquiry. Donalds accused Biden of accepting bribes through his family from foreign nations, a claim that does not have basis in evidence. He further suggested Bidens inaction on alleged crimes committed by his son and brother makes him a possible co-conspirator in the crimes. If you knowingly understand that your familys getting money from overseas, and you dont tell them to register as foreign agents or foreign lobbyists or whatever, however you want to define it, thats a violation of federal law, Donalds said. So I believe that is a situation right there for the American people to see. I believe thats enough to draft articles of impeachment against Joe Biden. And I believe that is going to happen in the House of Representatives in the spring, he said. Donalds said he believes House Republicans have the votes to open the impeachment inquiry when it comes to the floor for a vote this coming week. I expect House Republicans to do the right thing, stand up, vote for the impeachment inquiry this week, so we can finish our investigation, he said. Biden supporters have slammed the impeachment inquiry as an attempt at retribution after the House twice impeached former President Trump. Proponents of the inquiry have pointed to the impeachment inquiry as a way to obtain more information that they claim has been inappropriately blocked from them. Others, however including frequent Republican Trump critics Chris Christie and Sen. Mitt Romney (Utah) have criticized this reasoning, saying its inappropriate to open an inquiry without first having some evidence. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 10) Lawmakers are set to ratify the proposed 2024 budget on Monday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Sunday. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could sign the proposed budget before leaving for Japan to attend the ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Commemorative Summit, which will be held from Dec. 16 to Dec. 18. Two weeks ago, the Senate approved the proposed 5.768-trillion national budget with a 21-0 vote and a lone abstention. House lawmakers approved the proposed budget in September, and no amendments were introduced in the plenary. Greg Abbott isnt someone most Chicagoans look upon with fondness. And for good reason. Leave aside the nasty politics for a moment, though, and in a key respect Abbott has done Chicago and the country a favor. The Texas governor has sowed chaos in our local politics by dispatching multiple busloads of migrants to Chicago with little notice and absurdly minimal consultation with authorities here. His motives are less than pure, thats for sure. But he has effectively called the bluff of local politicians on their repeated statements of welcome to migrants. That part of the strategy has worked, perhaps even better than Abbott imagined. The influx of migrants from Venezuela and elsewhere has exposed underlying divisions within the city about Chicagos racial makeup and over which communities should bear our sanctuary city burdens. Hes forced much of blue-state America to confront the countrys immigration crisis in the most direct way possible in a way that Texas and other border states have had no choice but to face for decades. Chicagos incompetent efforts to effectively care for the migrants bused here have been well-documented. Ultimately, though, as Mayor Brandon Johnson, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle have repeatedly said, the solutions to these issues lie not in Chicago or New York, but in Washington. And thats where Abbotts gambit, cynical though its been, has helped focus the minds of lawmakers at last on an issue long demagogued and deferred. What raises the chances for progress this time is a dramatic change in the political calculations, particularly for Democrats. For many years, Democrats have stood for extraordinarily liberal policies toward immigration, even to the point where in the early stages of the 2020 presidential primary race the majority of candidates advocated no longer treating illegal entry into the U.S. as a federal crime, effectively endorsing an open-borders policy, or something very close. At the time, Democrats hoped that in the face of the Trump administrations immigration excesses Muslim bans, separating children from their parents, etc. the contrast would appeal to Latino voters. Polls show that it clearly hasnt, and Democrats are beginning to realize that. On the GOP side, once Donald Trump left the White House, immigration has worked well as a wedge issue, giving the party less incentive to find a solution. Republicans continue to stick fast to positions they know are non-starters with Democrats, such as giving the president the authority to halt all asylum claims on the southern border. Its quite possible Republican lawmakers wont enter into good-faith negotiations now that lawmakers on both sides acknowledge the border is at a crisis point, seeking instead to retain the issue for the 2024 election. That would be a terrible mistake. Why? Immigration has bedeviled the country for decades. Its extremely rare when that issues undergirding politics align in such a way to make real progress possible. Were at such a point now. The countrys process of administering asylum claims, which both parties now allow is badly broken, is at the heart of the latest debates. People of good will should be able to address this. Democrats call for more investment to beef up and streamline the system and process claims far more quickly than is currently happening. As it is, migrants can and do spend years in the country waiting for final word on asylum. Republicans say the system is being abused and that newcomers are traveling across many countries and even continents to get here. They say that few other countries in the world are as liberal as the U.S. on asylum. They want a crackdown on those abuses and they have a point. What should not be lost in the strong emotions surrounding this issue is that asylum is an American value, as Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, who has labored on this cause for over two decades, said on the floor a few days ago. This country since its founding has been a refuge for people facing starvation, war and even pogroms. There have been shameful periods where the U.S. failed to live up to its values for example, in denying refuge to Jews in the lead-up to World War II. But the values remained, nonetheless. We need to fix the asylum process, not scrap it. And, with Trump seeking a return to the White House, giving the executive branch unfettered power on asylum would be a mistake. Still to be determined, too, is the fate of the so-called Dreamers, people brought to the U.S. as children whove lived and worked here for decades. This page in the past has called for a practical solution to give Dreamers a path to citizenship. That should have been solved years ago. Lets do so now. And we need to encourage more legal migration other than through the asylum process, especially of immigrants with desirable skills. Theres no shortage of business voices, many of whom generally align with Republicans on other issues, who say they need workers and arent attracting enough citizens or legal residents to do the jobs. Most other developed, desirable countries align their immigration policies with what their nation needs the most. The GOP should stop holding critical and time-sensitive aid to Ukraine hostage to stronger border security and immigration limits. Helping Ukraine fend off the attacks from Putins Russia Kyiv has been under renewed missile attacks in recent days is overwhelmingly in the U.S. interest. Assertions that we shouldnt be fighting Putin until we secure our border are intellectually dishonest. Democrats, including President Joe Biden who seems to realize the border chaos significantly weakens his reelection chances, have plenty of motivation to strike a deal without ham-handed stratagems to gain leverage such as the Ukraine ploy. So at long last, this dysfunctional Congress, which if it ended today would be remembered mainly for the majority party in the House toppling its own speaker and taking three weeks to select a replacement, has a chance to rewrite its story in a more favorable light. Democrats and Republicans, improbably, have an opportunity to show they can work in good faith on a major issue that the public badly wants addressed. Do it. Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Walsh University recently hosted an Innovation Challenge, a new element of the annual Science and Technology Summit, which drew more than 300 businesses and community leaders, economic development professionals, scientists and government officials from across the state. The Innovation Challenge is designed to assist start-up businesses by fostering entrepreneurism, innovation and scientific advancement through collaborations between academia and the business community, according to a news release. Nine companies competed for $10,000 worth of scientific analytical services to accelerate the development of groundbreaking ideas, products or technologies. Businesses competing in the Innovation Challenge on Nov. 14 included companies involved in cancer research, wound-healing technologies, manufacturing, nitric oxide research and technologies used in future space exploration. The winner was Yanhai Du, Ph.D., professor in the College of Aeronautics and Engineering at Kent State University, who pitched a liquid fuel desulfurization idea. Scholarships available for students seeking agriculture careers Farm Credit Mid-America is accepting applications for its Customer Scholarship and Farm Credit Mid-America Scholars programs. Children or grandchildren of Farm Credit Mid-America customers as well as college students who plan to pursue a career in agriculture are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is Dec. 31. Recipients will be announced in the spring. To learn more about the scholarships or to submit an application, visit www.fcma.com/scholarships. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on academic performance, leadership qualities, community involvement and passion for promoting and being part of the future of agriculture, according to a news release. The Farm Credit Mid-America Scholars program is available to rising college sophomores and juniors pursuing careers in agriculture. The program awards $5,000 in financial support over two academic years to 25 students each year. The Customer Agricultural Scholarship is awarded to children or grandchildren of Farm Credit Mid-America customers. Each year, 36 students majoring in agriculture or pursuing an agricultural or rural community-related career at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, vocational or trade school receive a $1,500 scholarship. To be eligible for Choose Ohio First funding, Ohio residents must be seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree and must be new to the STEM program at the institution. They must enroll in one of the institutions eligible programs of study and meet admissions criteria. Stark State, Franklin University expand partnership Stark State College is expanding its partnership with Franklin University with access to Franklin Universitys transfer pathway and discounted tuition. Franklins Pathway Portal pairs a streamlined process with its transfer program. Plus, a $100 per credit hour discount offers a new lower tuition rate for Pathway Portal students who meet eligibility requirements. This tool helps community college students and alumni see how their associate degree courses transfer toward the best fit of Franklins 28 bachelors degrees, according to a news release. Stark State students and graduates who have opted into the Pathway Portal and meet eligibility requirements will receive a special $298 Pathway Portal tuition rate. Learn more at www.franklin.edu/transferring-credit/transferring-community-college/pathway-portal. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Education Roundup: Walsh University hosts Innovation Challenge Voters are going to the polls Saturday to cast their ballots in the Dec. 9 special election for the District 2 race on the El Paso City Council. The election was called following the resignation of current District 2 city Rep. Alexsandra Annello, who is leaving her post to pursue the District 77 seat in the Texas House of Representatives. Four candidates have mounted campaigns for the spot lawyer and activist Veronica Carbajal, El Paso Independent School District trustee Josh Acevedo, longtime City Hall insider Judy Gutierrez and corporate mediator Ben Mendoza. Only voters in District 2 are eligible to vote in the Saturday election. District 2 stretches to Hondo Pass Drive in the north and down to the U.S.-Mexico border in the south. It extends west to Moreno Elementary and Bassett Middle School and east along Railroad Drive. District 2 City Council candidate Veronica Carbajal speaks to local voters at the Memorial Senior Center on Nov. 28, 2023 With four candidates in the race, a runoff will likely be required to decide the winner. The winner will serve the remainder of Annello's City Council term, which expires December 2024. More: El Paso City Council candidates take their message to voters in District 2 forum District 2 City Council candidate Josh Acevedo speaks to local voters at the Memorial Senior Center on Nov. 28, 2023 Finals results reveal runoff election for Carbajal, Acevedo Carbajal and Acevedo will be heading into a runoff election. Unofficial final results show Carbajal with 778 votes, securing 35.92% of the total and Acevedo with 774 votes (35.73%). Trailing behind, Judy Gutierrez with 525 votes (24.24%) and Ben Mendoza with 89 votes, making up 4.11% of the total ballots. The total votes cast were 2,171, with a 4.55% voter turnout, according to unofficial final results. - El Paso Times staff Veronica Carbajal takes lead in El Paso City Council District 2 race Carbajal nudged ahead in a tight race with Acevedo in the El Paso City Council District 2 special election, but it appears this contest will be headed to a runoff election. Unofficial results show Carbajal leading with 467 votes, followed by Acevedo with 461 votes, Gutierrez with 272 votes (21%) and Mendoza with 55 votes (5%). El Paso District 2 candidate Veronica Carbajal speaks at the campaign watch party while early voting resultsarrive at Old Sheepdog Brewery on Dec. 9, 2023. The latest numbers include ballots cast on Election Day. Carbajal, who held her ballot watch party at Old Sheepdog Brewery, said she learned from voters that the race would be hotly contested. "I would never decide not to run in the runoff for a minute because I don't trust any of the other candidates, especially after the forums that we did, even more so," she said. "I know that I'm going to be the one to win. I'm not going to take a backseat to the oligarchs, or to TXDOT, or to anyone who is trying to exploit our community and not find solutions for our neighborhoods. So, I'm in it." The results reflect the voting totals from seven of 20 voting centers, according to the El Paso County Elections Department. - El Paso Times staff Live results:El Paso City Council District 2 special election 2023 Early results: Josh Acevedo ahead in El Paso District 2 special election Acevedo has taken the early lead in the El Paso City Council District 2 special election, but it appears this contest will be headed to a runoff election. Acevedo and Carbajal are tied at 37% of the early vote. A candidate must collect more than 50% of all ballots cast to win the seat outright. Early voting unofficial results show Acevedo leading with 421 votes, followed by Carbajal with 414 votes, Gutierrez with 228 votes (20%) and Mendoza with 54 votes (5%). Of the 47,762 registered voters across District 2, only 1,122 (2.35%) voted in person and using mail-in ballots before Election Day, according to unofficial results released when polls closed. Election Day polls closed at 7 p.m. Those unofficial results will be announced throughout the evening. - El Paso Times staff This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas elections: Dec. 9 Election Day for El Paso District 2 Right-wing provocateur Alex Jones began posting on the social media platform X on Sunday after owner and CEO Elon Musk lifted ban against him. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Elon Musk, CEO of the social media platform X, has reactivated the account of conservative media personality and activist Alex Jones after users voted in favor of the move following a five-year ban. Jones, widely known for promoting nationalist ideologies, far-right conspiracy theories and baseless claims that the 2020 election was "stolen" from Donald Trump, saw his personal account and that of his Infowars radio show banned in 2018. He started posting new information on X, formerly known as Twitter as soon as he was reinstated on Sunday, though Infowars was still suspended. Musk asked X users late Friday whether he should permit Jones to return to the platform. Some 70% of the respondents, or 2 million people, were in favor. After the poll, conducted among Musk's 165 million subscribers, was complete, Musk said he would "abide by the will of the people." Only paying X subscribers were permitted to vote. The CEO later implied that X's rules platforms will keep Jones and other would-be bad actors in check. "It is a safe bet that Community Notes will respond rapidly to any AJ post that needs correction," Musk said, referring to X's Wikipedia-style user editing feature. Since buying Twitter in 2022, Musk has said he would advocate for free speech and reinstated Trump's account after a similar poll narrowly went in the former president's favor. In the interim, Trump started his own social media channel called Truth Social. "Vox Populi, Vox Dei" (a Latin phrase that translates as "The voice of the people is the voice of God"), Musk posted after the Trump vote. Permanent suspension removes an account and prevents the user from creating new accounts, a policy that Musk agreed is antithetical to free speech, though he said Jones will not be allowed to break the law. Jones filed for bankruptcy protection last year after he was ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in damages related to baseless claims he made following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting tragedy in 2012, calling it a hoax and "phony as a $3 bill." Twenty children and six adults were killed. "My firstborn child died in my arms," Musk wrote in a post in 2022 when users called on him to reconsider letting Jones return to the platform. "I felt his last heartbeat. I have no mercy for anyone who would use the deaths of children for gain, politics or fame." Now, Musk has said First Amendment concerns must be a priority, and that X should be a "free speech refuge." "I vehemently disagree with what [Jones] said about Sandy Hook, but are we a platform that believes in freedom of speech or are we not? That is what it comes down to in the end. If the people vote him back on, this will be bad for X financially, but principles matter more than money." Musk posted earlier Saturday, Disney, Apple and Comcast/NBCUniversal suspended ad buying on X citing Musk's support on an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory in a social media post, for which Musk later apologized. In an appearance on ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson's show on X, Jones said he did not expect Musk to reinstate his account. "I understand that if he did that, the ADL [Anti-Defamation League] and others would really be able to probably shut down Twitter," Jones said. Courts this month allowed Jones to sell firearms, cars, jewelry and boats on his Infowars program to recover costs associated with his bankruptcy filing. Elon Musk vowed to never allow conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on X again. Heres why he let him return Elon Musk reneged on his pledge to never allow Infowars conspiracy theorist Alex Jones back onto his social media platform X over his harassment of families of Sandy Hook school shooting victims. Mr Musk announced he had reinstated the notorious rightwing firebrands account after holding an unscientific poll on X on Saturday. The people have spoken and so it shall be, Mr Musk wrote. Explaining his decision, Mr Musk said he vehemently disagrees with Jones bogus claims that the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax, but added that the platforms ethos was in favour of free speech above all else. That is what it comes down to in the end. If the people vote him back on, this will be bad for X financially, but principles matter more than money. Within hours of the reinstatement, Alex Jones and Hes Back were trending on the site, which has seen advertisers flee due to rampant hate speech and antisemitism since Mr Musks takeover last year. Elon Musk has restored the X account of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones after posting a pol on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter (AP) Jones and his Infowars site were permanently banned from the platform formerly known as Twitter for violating its abusive behaviour policy in 2018. The Infowars founder repeatedly and falsely claimed the shooting was a false flag event that was staged by the US government as a pretext for enacting stronger gun control laws. Grieving families were subjected to a campaign of harassment by Jones supporters, and were in some physically threatened, subjected to death threats and forced to leave their homes. In 2022, Sandy Hook relatives were awarded nearly $1.5bn in judgments against Jones after suing him for defamation in trials in Connecticut and Texas. The juries heard how Jones deliberately spread lies about the shooting to boost sales of supplements on Infowars. Alex Jones pictured neat the US Capitol on January 6 2021, where he made inflammatory remarks at a speech (AP) In a post last year, Mr Musk cited the death of his first-born son as he vowed to enforce Jones ban. I have no mercy for anyone who would use the deaths of children for gain, politics or fame, Mr Musk wrote. Hours after his reinstatement, Mr Musk joined Jones in a live Spaces event on X. Mr Musks chaotic reign at the company previously known as Twitter has seen him axe nearly 80 per cent of the workforce, reinstate previously banned accounts linked to neo-Nazis and end the enforcement of rules which prevented the spread of misinformation. In April he stripped legacy verification marks that distinguished high-profile users from impostors, before gifting them back to some celebrities when they refused to pay for the subscription service. The self-described free speech absolutist temporarily banned journalists who criticised him, before allowing them back on. He labelled public broadcasters such as NPR as state-affiliated media, a term previously reserved for accounts controlled by governments, before reversing the move after a backlash. He also reinstated Donald Trumps account, but the former president so far has not returned to the platform. Since paying $44bn for Twitter in October last year, the companys value had fallen to $19bn a year later, Mr Musk said at the time. In recent weeks he has been trying to raise $1bn for an artificial intelligence startup xAI according to SEC filings. Mr Musk has said he plans to harness realtime data from X in order to compete with more established artificial intelligence platforms such as OpenAI. Elon Musk joined Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a tour of sites attacked by Hamas in November (Getty Images) The decision to reinstate Jones account is likely to further alienate top advertisers who have fled the platform after a recent report by advocacy group Media Matters found ads were appearing alongside pro-Nazi content and white nationalist content. Last month Mr Musk amplified antisemitic conspiracy theories, before issuing an apology and touring locations attacked by Hamas fighters in Israel on 7 October. He has claimed that advertisers who left X were blackmailing him during an interview for the New York Times Dealbook Summit in late November, telling them to go f*** yourselves. In an interview on the Moby Podcast, Hunter Biden called Mr Musk the worlds dumbest smart person and claimed he was completely ignorant of the US political system. Elon Musk doesnt care about the goddamn First Amendment. He doesn't care about anybody but himself, Hunter Biden said. Jones reinstatement came days before the 11th anniversary of the shooting that claimed the lives of 20 first grade students and six teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. MACS0416, known as the Christmas Tree Galaxy Cluster, is being studied using both NASAs James Webb Space Telescope and Hubble Space Telescope. The news these days comes so fast and furious, it can be overwhelming. There's so much of it, all of the time that the recent death of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who made history as the nation's first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, has barely elicited a blip. Social media, created as a means of connection and community, is devolving into a roiling and raging river of information, drowning out all but the most controversial, outlandish and rage-inducing. Because we now can consume the news in real time, it's easy to forget that things could be worse and have been. We aren't, for instance, on the verge of taking up arms and tearing the country in half over slavery. Charita Goshay Yes, many, many Americans are struggling in 2023, but 25% of the country isn't out of work with little more than a guppie-sized safety net, as was the case during the Great Depression. Tragically, we lost 5,000 Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan, but not 620,000 like those we lost in the Civil War, or more than the 400,000 who died during World War II, or 50,000 casualties, as was the case in Vietnam. It's just that it's harder these days for good news to break through. It doesn't generate the same traffic and attention as Taylor Swift gossip or a political scandal. But sometimes, it does. Last year, the first images transmitted from NASA's James Webb Telescope left us speechless with wonder at the universe in which we live, and beyond. A wondrous sight: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope reveals humans are a small part of a big story If we've done nothing else of merit during our particular chapter of the American Story, the James Webb Telescope is the one thing we got right. The pictures remind us of the power and glory of light, and how darkness only prevails where there is an absence of it. The great TV writer Rod Serling once remarked "There is nothing in the dark that isn't there when the lights are on." Even though we know this, there's something about darkness that causes us to recoil. It's why some children insist on night lights at bedtime, and why there's no such thing as a haunted house that's lit up like Yankee Stadium. Not long ago, someone posed the question to women asking what they would do if they didn't have to worry about their safety, and more than a few replied that they'd love to take long walks at night. That's because we equate darkness with danger. Light defeats the fear that is endemic of darkness. This week marks Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, a reminder of how a small and miraculous source of light drove back the darkness and helped to save a nation on the brink of annihilation. Light conquers all: Darkness can only be vanquished by light In its retelling, Hanukkah illustrates how, no matter how small a light might be, it still can conquer darkness. We all have the ability to create it. Some of us can remember people snickering when President George H.W. Bush's poetic call for Americans to become like "A thousand points of light." But he was right. Something as simple as holding open a door for a stranger is a form of light. Because you never know what someone is going through, that small flicker of kindness might just be what is needed at the moment. We produce light every time we resist the temptation to be small, petty or cruel. That isn't easy, not in a culture where a refusal to respond in kind is painted as weakness. We generate light whenever we choose not to retaliate against those who misjudge or mistreat us, even though they may not deserve such largesse especially when they don't deserve it. The best kind of light is created when we extend kindness and care to those who cannot reciprocate. Right now, people in Israel and Gaza find themselves entrapped in a darkness fostered by decades of blinding fear and hatred. Some of it is being engendered by people who are using the suffering to selfish advantage. It's very hard to envision a reasonable way out that doesn't include more bloodshed, but life and Hanukkah tells us over and over that darkness can be conquered, no matter how formidable it may seem; no matter how great the odds are against it. It only takes a spark. Charita M. Goshay is a Canton Repository staff writer and member of the editorial board. Reach her at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP This article originally appeared on The Repository: Charita Goshay: In the end, light always wins A historic and ambitious rule proposed by the Biden administration will have significant health benefits over the next decade. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) submitted a proposal on Nov. 30 that would require the removal of virtually all lead pipes in the United States in the next 10 years. The goal of the imposed restrictions is to prevent another public health disaster like the recent water crisis in Flint, Michigan. The Washington Post described it as an ambitious effort to protect children and the public from the potent neurotoxin. This is like a pediatricians dream come true, Mona Hanna-Attisha, a Michigan State University professor and pediatrician whose research helped reveal the Flint water crisis, told the Post. I am overjoyed on behalf of kids everywhere kids in Flint, in Newark, Chicago, Milwaukee, Washington, D.C., and Jackson and places we know of and dont know of. According to the New York Times, the proposal would pave the way for the strictest limits on lead in drinking water since federal standards were first set 30 years ago. If finalized, it would affect nearly 9 million pipes throughout the country. This is the strongest lead rule that the nation has ever seen, Radhika Fox, the EPAs assistant administrator for water, told the Times. This is historic progress. The problem of lead contamination reached a boiling point in Flint when lead and Legionella bacteria were found in the tap water of about 100,000 residents between 2014 and 2015. The Post noted that predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods already face a greater risk of exposure, as lead pipes are more common in neighborhoods with older schools and homes. The rule changes would have a significant effect in Chicago, Cleveland, and New York, which have the most lead pipes of any cities in the country, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. The proposal wont be without its fair share of obstacles. The EPA estimates the price of such an undertaking at $20-30 billion over the course of a decade, per the Times. However, the Post notes that advocates and federal officials estimate the total cost for lead removal at about $45 billion, and the drinking water industrys estimate runs as high as $60 billion. There is $15 billion available from the 2021 infrastructure law to help with the costs, but the rest would be absorbed by the nations utilities and their ratepayers. Tom Dobbins, the CEO of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, urged the EPA to focus on providing drinking water systems with the resources and tools necessary to achieve this ambitious goal, and working toward eliminating the real barriers that exist for many utilities. The EPA will be taking public comments on the proposal for 60 days and could make changes to the rule before publishing a final version sometime next year. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Emma Pattison, 45 and her seven-year-old daughter Lettie - FAMILY HANDOUT/PA Emma Pattison, the head of Epsom College who was shot dead by her husband in a suspected murder suicide, was preparing to leave him, her sister has revealed. In a series of letters and passages written after her sister and seven-year-old niece were killed in February, Deborah Kirk said she had regarded Emmas relationship with husband George as abusive and believed she was a victim of coercive control. She described how she had seen her sister the week before the tragedy and believed she had made her mind up to leave him and would emerge as a success story and a survivor. In the letters, published in The Sunday Times magazine, she wrote: I am trying to figure out what the lesson is here. It does not, for us, lie in ensuring they decide to leave because she had, courageously, got that far. She added: I looked forward to having my sister back. I looked forward to her having a loving relationship and looking back at this with amazement that she endured it for so long. Mrs Pattison, 45, had only recently been appointed head of Epsom College, one of the countrys leading independent schools, when she and her seven-year-old daughter, Lettie, were shot dead by her husband, George, a registered shotgun owner, who is then suspected of turning the gun on himself. On the evening she died, Mrs Pattison made a distressed phone call to her sister saying there had been an altercation between her and her husband. Mrs Kirk, a solicitor, immediately drove from her home in south-east London to Epsom, but by the time she and her husband arrived it was too late and all three were found dead at a property on the school grounds. The inquests into the deaths had been due to take place in October but the coroner is awaiting further disclosure from Surrey Police and they have been delayed. Neighbours described the family as seeming happy, but Mrs Pattison's sister said she was a victim of coercive control - John Wildgoose/Epsom College Mr Pattison, 39, a chartered accountant with a taste for fast cars, was born in Jamaica to an English father and a south-east Asian mother. The couple married in 2011 and their daughter Lettie was born four years later. Neighbours described them as a lovely family, but Mrs Kirk said her sister had been a victim of coercive control. She wrote: I did see the relationship as abusive. I did and I told her so. I think though, the sound of any voice of a caring loved one saying the same thing over and over again is something one becomes deaf to. Mrs Kirk said in the aftermath of the tragedy she had found herself wondering if her sister had been killed because she had announced she was leaving her husband. She also wrote: I am still learning about this dreadful and complicated misery to which too many people, primarily women, are being subjected, but lets be clear on the basics. Since 2015 coercive control is a crime in this country. In a piece written the day after receiving a harrowing update from the police about the investigation, Mrs Kirk said: We thought we knew it all but we did not. We heard the story of our dearest girls and what they had suffered not just that evening but prior to it and it has introduced me to a new level of suffering. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Etihad's mammoth Airbus A380 is returning to the US next year. Take a look at its exclusive $24,000 'The Residence' suite. Etihad's A380 and its luxurious "The Residence" first class suite are returning to New York. Etihad Etihad Airways is sending its beloved Airbus A380 back to New York starting April 2024. The decision comes after the airline nearly retired the quad-engine superjumbo during the pandemic. Etihad's A380 boasts the world's only three-room suite, complete with a bedroom and shower. Etihad Airways is bringing its superjumbo back to the US after nearly retiring it during the pandemic. On November 29, the UAE-based airline announced its Airbus A380 would resume flights between Abu Dhabi and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport starting on April 22, 2024. This would be the first time the quad jet flew the route since 2020. According to Etihad, the A380 will boost capacity as it takes over one of the two frequencies currently serving New York-JFK the second will be operated by a Boeing 787-9. "Our North American portfolio has continued to exceed expectations with the second daily JFK flight introduced last year performing well," Etihad CRO Arik De told Business Insider on Thursday. With its return, deep-pocket US travelers once again have access to the A380's crown jewel: The Residence. Take a look at what up to $50,000 gets you on a roundtrip flight between New York and Abu Dhabi in Etihad's one-of-a-kind first class suite. Exclusively installed on its mammoth A380, The Residence is the world's only three-room suite on a passenger plane. An Etihad Airways A380 over New York. Etihad Airways The entire suite can accommodate up to two passengers and is located on the second level of the superjumbo. According to De, the Residence is only available by upgrading a first class ticket. A screenshot showing the $24,000 roundtrip price tag for The Residence in May 2024. Etihad Airways When booking on Etihad's website for a mid-May flight between New York and Abu Dhabi, first class flights are priced between $9,000 and $10,000 each way with another $3,000 per leg on top for the Residence. For two people, you're looking at upwards of $50,000 total roundtrip for The Residence, depending on the route and season. Airbus/Etihad However, travelers can add a second person to The Residence for just $1,000 each way if booked by December 12 as part of a promotionl fare, De told BI. And, demand for The Residence is booming helping make Etihad's A380's an "overall commercially profitable venture in New York. The Residence' lavatory sits between the living room and the bedroom. Marwan Naamani/Getty Images "We had our first bookings within minutes of the announcement that the A380 was coming to New York," De told BI. "It's a famous experience, and there are plenty of people out there who want to sample it, either as a dream one-off or as part of their overall travel mix." The first space in The Residence is the livingroom with a giant flatscreen television and a multi-person couch. The living room onboard one of Etihad's A380. Etihad Airways via Getty Images The living room has a sliding door to ensure full privacy from the rest of the aircraft. Here, travelers can eat, work, or watch movies. The living room on an Etihad A380 "The Residence" cabin. Hollis Johnson A dedicated cabin crew team serves The Residence passengers. They will set up the dining table and serve meals, as well as prep the space for sleeping. Passengers will be served luxury meals, including things like caviar, steak, champagne, and wine. A butler used to serve The Residence passengers, though an interview with Etihad's CEO revealed they would not return. Etihad Airways However, the butler service formerly offered in The Residence will not return, aviation journalist Andreas Spaeth said on X in mid-November after an interview with Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves. Etihad confirmed to BI that a butler would not be onboard. Down the hall from the living room is The Residence's private bathroom, complete with a shower. The Residence bathroom with a shower. Etihad Airways via Getty Images "[The Residence] is a great experience for everyone, whether they are flying for business or pleasure or both," De told BI. "Flights between Abu Dhabi and New York are over 13 hours long and people flying for business want to arrive refreshed and relaxed." Showers are rare onboard airliners because the water adds extra weight, with Emirates as the only other carrier offering one. Emirates' first class shower spa. Emirates Like Etihad, Emirates has a first class suite complete with a shower spa. The rival UAE carrier is so loyal to its A380 that it recently announced a $1.5 billion investment to keep them flying. The last room of The Residence is the bedroom, which one or two people can use. The Residence's bedroom. Etihad Airways via Getty Images The double bed is another rarity onboard commercial jetliners. Carriers like Singpore Airlines and Qatar Airways also famously fly larger beds onboard their planes. Considered one of the most luxurious airline offerings in the sky, travelers were worried when Etihad's A380 nearly retired. The lounge and bar space on the A380's upper deck can be accessed by first and business class passengers. Etihad Airways The A380's poor economics and fuel-hungry quad-engines make it an expensive jet to fly, and many carriers like Air France have ditched it for more efficient twinjets like the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350. Fortunately, the surge in demand for air travel in 2022 prompted Etihad to add it back to the fleet. An Etihad Airbus A380. Hollis Johnson "We are entering a new phase of sustainable growth to meet the demands of our customers, and the A380 is the right aircraft to meet capacity demands on very select routes," De told BI. "We brought it back on our London services earlier this year, and saw tremendous commercial success, with guests loving the experience." Etihad's new A380 route will be the second in its network following the return to London in July 2023. Hollis Johnson According to Cirium data, Etihad has been flying three of its A380s between Abu Dhabi and London as of October but will move one of those to the New York-JFK route once it launches on April 22. De told BI that Etihad has a total of four planes in service and, in the short term, "will deploy them where it makes the most sense." De told BI that the decision to add the A380 to NYC came after the second frequency proved commercially successful. Etihad's Airbus A380 business class. Hollis Johnson "Given the commercial performance, and the popularity of the aircraft with our guests, we feel now is the right time to bring the A380 on to our service to New York," he said. Although some of its A380s are flying again, six of Etihad's 10 superjumbos are still parked but remain "in reserve." An Etihad A380 flies to the US. Etihad The six jets are sitting in airports across France and Spain, according to Planespotters. "We are focused on sustainable expansion going forward, and having the option of drawing on our A380 fleet is an element of that," De told BI, noting Etihad plans to double its fleet size to 150 planes and carry 33 million passengers by 2030. "We will make sure we choose the right aircraft to achieve that, and the A380s will be part of that mix for a while." Read the original article on Business Insider Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 10) Foreign ambassadors took to social media on Sunday to condemn China's "dangerous actions" in the West Philippine Sea, after back-to-back incidents where Chinese vessels fired water cannons at Philippine ships over the weekend. "The US stands with the Philippines and partners in vehemently condemning the PRC's (People's Republic of China) repeated illegal and dangerous actions against vessels, including disrupting the resupply mission to the Sierra Madre today," United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson posted on X (formerly Twitter). "PRC aggression undermines regional stability in defiance of a #FreeAndOpenIndo Pacific," she added. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday reported that a commissioned vessel on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal sustained "serious engine damage" after it was blasted with water cannon by the China Coast Guard (CCG). This comes a day after Chinese ships repeatedly fired water cannons at Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels on a humanitarian mission to deliver aid to Filipino fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc. European Union Ambassador Luc Veron also expressed concern over the "deeply troubling" incidents and stood in support of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that invalidated Chinas sweeping claims over the South China Sea.. "The 2016 UNCLOS Tribunal Award is a valuable framework for peaceful resolution. Water cannons and dangerous sea maneuvers aren't a legitimate alternative," Veron said. The New Zealand embassy in Manila sees China's actions as "real risks to safety and lives." French ambassador Marie Fontanel likewise aired her county's concerns over the use of water cannons and reiterated their support for the 2016 Arbitral Ruling. I've lived in Florida for seven years, and the first thing I do with guests is an airboat ride. Airboats glide through Florida swamps, allowing visitors to observe wildlife without disrupting it. The boat ride is educational, and I love to get some deep-fried gator bites afterward. I've lived in Florida for the last seven years. Since I'm located close to Disney World and the beach, I get a lot of out-of-state visitors. But I always add something else to our agenda: a 30-minute, $35 airboat ride. The boats, featuring flat bottoms and an aircraft-type propeller, zip tourists through the Florida wilderness to spot wildlife. Here's what my most recent airboat ride was like. Prices usually depend on the length of the tour. I recently paid $55 to ride an airboat with my mother-in-law. Terri Peters I recently took my mother-in-law and her friend on an airboat ride at Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures in Kissimmee, Florida. Since we opted for the hour-long tour instead of the 30-minute one, it cost $55 a person on this trip. But both prices seem standard compared to the facilities I've visited in other Florida cities, like Miami. During the tour, we saw lots of wildlife. I love seeing Floridian wildlife during an airboat ride. Terri Peters Throughout our boat ride, we saw countless alligators ranging from tiny babies to big adults. We also saw bald eagles, turtles, fish, and even a few cattle that had roamed into the waters from nearby ranches. The airboat captain pulls double duty as a tour guide. Our captain gave us great facts during the ride. Terri Peters Boggy Creek operates 12 airboats, each of which has a captain who doubles as a tour guide. I've noticed that the guides are often people who've grown up in the area, so they're familiar with the waterways and wildlife. Our captain stopped the boat throughout the tour to explain the types of nearby plants or point out an alligator. We found plenty of things to do at Boggy Creek after our ride. It's nice that Boggy Creek offers more than just airboat rides. Terri Peters Aside from airboats, Boggy Creek has some fun land-based activities, including a butterfly enclosure and a mining slew. One of the best parts about the tours is the gator-themed gift shop. I loved Boggy Creek's gift shop. Terri Peters Every airboat venue I've visited has had a gift shop full of gator-themed merchandise. I left Boggy Creek with an airboat-themed T-shirt, a Christmas ornament of an alligator wearing a Santa hat, and bracelets with alligator beads for my kids. It's a tradition to eat gator bites after each airboat ride. I ended the trip with deep-fried gator bites. Terri Peters Most airboat facilities have a snack stand or restaurant on-site, and they almost always serve deep-fried alligator bites. At Boggy Creek, there's a barbecue restaurant that serves everything from gator bites to gator sausage. I'd recommend an airboat ride to anyone who's planning a visit to Florida. An airboat ride is a nice break from Disney World and other tourist attractions. Terri Peters Airboat tours feel like a more on-brand Floridian activity than a day at Disney World or the beach. From spying on alligators in a swamp to chowing down on gator bites, the tour is a quintessential Florida experience. And I let all of my out-of-town guests know it. Read the original article on Business Insider The Biden administration this week urged an appeals court to uphold a ruling that Florida violated federal law by blocking Medicaid coverage for transgender people seeking hormone therapy and puberty blockers. Lawyers from the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services filed a brief at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals saying decisions by the state Agency for Health Care Administration and lawmakers to prevent coverage for the treatments violated a federal Medicaid law and the Affordable Care Act. In part, the brief pointed to what it described as nondiscrimination requirements in the Affordable Care Act. It said Floridas (coverage) exclusions target transgender people and prevent them, because of their sex assigned at birth, from receiving care available to other Medicaid beneficiaries. As an example, the brief partially quoted a ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle and said that under the state prohibitions whether a Medicaid beneficiary can access a treatment such as testosterone depends on the patients sex assigned at birth. If the beneficiary is a natal male, the treatment is covered. But if the beneficiary is a natal female, the treatment is not covered. Read: Federal judge rejects challenge to trans athlete law Lawyers for the state went to the Atlanta-based appeals court in June after Hinkle found that the prohibition on Medicaid coverage for hormone therapy and puberty blockers violated the federal laws and the U.S. Constitutions Equal Protection Clause. The lawsuit was filed last year on behalf of two transgender adults and the parents of two transgender minors after the Agency for Health Care Administration adopted a rule that barred the coverage. The lawsuit was updated this spring to include a new state law that similarly prevented coverage. Gov. Ron DeSantis and many other Republican leaders across the country have made a priority in recent years of trying to restrict treatments for transgender people with gender dysphoria. The federal government defines gender dysphoria clinically as significant distress that a person may feel when sex or gender assigned at birth is not the same as their identity. Read: Transgender Awareness Week begins, raising visibility for transgender people and issues they face In addition to this weeks brief by the Biden administration, the states appeal of Hinkles ruling has drawn briefs from states and organizations across the country. Republican attorneys general from 18 states signed on to a friend-of-the-court brief in October urging the appeals court to overturn Hinkles ruling; Democratic attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia signed on to a brief this week backing the ruling. The Medicaid coverage prohibition applied to minors and adults, but much of the debate in Florida and other states has focused on whether minors should be able to receive puberty blockers and hormone therapy. In a brief filed in October at the appeals court, attorneys for the state wrote that the case is about whether public funds should be used to reimburse for these treatments. Read: Florida bathroom law faces court challenge Its a health and welfare question; its a medical policy issue, the brief said. Its an area where the state gets to draw the line between whats permissible and what isnt. Here, the state of Florida made its decision in legislation and an administrative rule. It decided to deny Medicaid reimbursement for the treatments. Thats a decision the state gets to make. And given the evidence (or lack thereof) supporting the treatments, its decision was reasonable. But opponents of the prohibition have argued that many major medical organizations support making the treatments available. In his June ruling, Hinkle wrote that the state had no rational basis to categorically ban these treatments or to exclude them from the states Medicaid coverage. The record includes no evidence that these treatments have caused substantial adverse clinical results in properly screened and treated patients. In addition to citing the Affordable Care Act, the Biden administration this week pointed to two parts of a federal Medicaid law: One part is known as the early and periodic screening, diagnostic and treatment services, or EPSDT, requirement; the other is known as a comparability requirement. The EPSDT requirement involves coverage of certain care for Medicaid beneficiaries under age 21, while the comparability requirement is designed to ensure equal treatment of beneficiaries, the brief said. The Biden administration attorneys wrote that as the district court found, treating gender dysphoria with these medications remains consistent with widely accepted standards of care. The district court correctly held, based on the trial record, that by categorically barring coverage for puberty blockers and hormone therapies when used to treat gender dysphoria, Florida violated Medicaids EPSDT and comparability requirements, the 41-page brief, filed Monday, said. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Israeli troops are seen near the Gaza Strip border, in southern Israel on Dec. 10, 2023 as fighting rages on. Credit - Leo CorreaGetty Images DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Heavy fighting raged Sunday across Gaza, including in the devastated north, as Israel pressed ahead with its offensive after the U.S. blocked the latest international push for a cease-fire and rushed more munitions to its close ally. Israel has faced rising international outrage and calls for a permanent cease-fire after the killing of thousands of Palestinian civilians. About 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, where U.N. agencies say there is no safe place to flee. The United States has lent vital support to the offensive once again in recent days, by vetoing United Nations Security Council efforts to end the fighting that enjoyed wide international support, and by pushing through an emergency sale of over $100 million worth of tank ammunition to Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked U.S. President Joe Biden for the important ammunition for the continuation of the war." The U.S. has pledged unwavering support for Israel's goal of crushing Hamas' military and governing abilities, and returning all the hostages captured in the Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war. Hamas and other Palestinian militants stormed into southern Israel that day, killing some 1,200 people and capturing around 240, over 100 of whom were released during a weeklong cease-fire late last month. More From TIME Israel's air and ground war in response has killed thousands of Palestinians, mostly civilians, and forced some 1.9 million people to flee their homes. With a trickle of aid allowed in, and delivery impossible in much of the territory, Palestinians face severe shortages of food, water and other basic goods. "Expect public order to completely break down soon, and an even worse situation could unfold including epidemic diseases and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a forum in Qatar, a key intermediary. Qatars prime minister, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, told the forum that mediation efforts will continue to stop the war and have all hostages released, but unfortunately, we are not seeing the same willingness that we had seen in the weeks before. Israel's national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, told Israel's Channel 12 TV that the U.S. has set no deadline for Israel to achieve its goals of dismantling Hamas and returning all hostages. The evaluation that this cant be measured in weeks is correct, and Im not sure it can be measured in months, he said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN that we have these discussions with Israel including about the duration as well as how its prosecuting this campaign against Hamas. These are decisions for Israel to make." This is a war that cannot be won, Jordans foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, asserted to the Qatar forum, and warned that Israel has created an amount of hatred that will haunt this region that will define generations to come.FIGHTING AND ARRESTS IN THE NORTH Israeli forces face heavy resistance, even in northern Gaza, where neighborhoods have been flattened by air strikes and where ground troops have operated for over six weeks. Israels Channel 13 TV broadcast footage showing dozens of detainees stripped to their underwear, hands in the air. Several held assault rifles above their heads, and one man walked forward and placed a gun on the ground. Other videos have shown groups of unarmed men held in similar conditions, without clothes, bound and blindfolded. Detainees from a group who were released Saturday told The Associated Press they had been beaten and denied food and water. Israel has not commented on the latest video or the allegations of mistreatment, but government spokesman Eylon Levy said increasing numbers of Hamas fighters were surrendering. Residents said there was still heavy fighting in the Gaza City neighborhood of Shijaiyah and the Jabaliya refugee camp, a dense urban area housing Palestinian families who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding its creation. They are attacking anything that moves, said Hamza Abu Fatouh, a Shijaiyah resident. He said the dead and wounded were left in the streets as ambulances could no longer reach the area, where Israeli snipers and tanks positioned themselves among abandoned buildings. The resistance also fights back, he added. Israel ordered the evacuation of the northern third of the territory, including Gaza City, early in the war, but tens of thousands of people have remained, fearing that the south would be no safer or that they would never be allowed to return to their homes. Heavy fighting was also underway in and around the southern city of Khan Younis.WAITING DAYS FOR FOOD The price of food has soared as much of Gaza faces severe shortages. Abdulsalam al-Majdalawi said he had come every day for nearly two weeks to a U.N. distribution center, hoping to get food for his family of seven. Every day, we spend five or six hours here and return home (empty handed), he said. Thank God, today they drew our name. With the war in its third month, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 17,700, the majority women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Israel holds Hamas responsible for civilian casualties, saying the militants put civilians in danger by fighting in dense, residential neighborhoods. The military says 97 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive. Palestinian militants have continued firing rockets into Israel. Netanyahus office said Hamas still has 117 hostages, as well as the remains of 20 people killed in captivity or during the Oct. 7 attack. The militants hope to exchange them for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Israel says it has provided detailed instructions for civilians to evacuate to safer areas, even as it strikes what it says are militant targets in all parts of the territory. Thousands have fled to the southern town of Rafah and other areas along the border with Egypt one of the last areas where aid agencies are able to deliver food and water. The war has raised tensions across the region, with Lebanon's Hezbollah trading fire with Israel along the border and other Iran-backed militant groups targeting the U.S. in Syria and Iraq. France said one of its warships in the Red Sea shot down two drones that approached it from Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels have vowed to halt Israeli shipping through the key waterway. Israels national security adviser said Israel would give Western allies some time to organize a response but if the threats persist, we will act to remove this blockade. Contact us at letters@time.com. Winston Churchill did not help found the Council of Europe to enable a loophole for illegal human trafficking - Ben Stansall / AFP We were elected in 2010 promising to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands. Under the coalition government we tightened immigration rules. Because of abuses of human rights law, in 2010 and 2015, our manifesto promised we would scrap the Human Rights Act to break the formal link between British courts and the European Court of Human Rights. I was proud to work for Lord Cameron when he was prime minister and delighted to have such a great talent back as Foreign Secretary. We must remember those promises we made during the Cameron years as we think about how to handle the migration crisis. Over 110,000 people have arrived illegally in the UK via small boats. This is destructive to the rule of law, lucrative for criminals, and risks lives. Its unfair to those who play by the rules. Most arriving are young men, coming from France, a safe country. Despite arriving illegally, almost all will stay in the UK. They know that if you can make it to the UK, you can stay. As long as this is the case, this criminal trade will continue, and people get to stay for two reasons. First, almost all claim asylum. The final grant rate has risen to nearly 80 per cent, as courts have expanded the rights set out in the Refugee Convention. The Convention originally applied narrowly: only in Europe, only to cases before 1951. Today, courts consider an expansive range of social rights and risks from non-state groups. This makes the job of an immigration officer near-impossible. Eritrea has had an asylum grant rate of over 90 per cent in recent years. An Eritrean man who leaves without an exit visa may have to do military service on return. Should that mean we cannot turn down applications? Iran is oppressive, and around 80 per cent of claims are granted. But should anyone who claims they are a Christian or homosexual from Iran be allowed to stay? Should Albanians who say theyre at risk from a blood feud back home always get to stay? On todays interpretations, the Refugee Convention confers a right to move to another country upon 780 million people worldwide. The second reason is that those refused asylum arent removed. The Oxford Migration Observatory estimated that nine in every 10 people who were refused asylum in 2020 were allowed to remain. Removal rates are a third of the rate we saw in the Noughties. The Home Office admits it doesnt know the whereabouts of more than 17,000 asylum seekers whose claims ended. The number of foreign national offenders subject to deportation living in the community has trebled since 2012, to nearly 12,000. One in eight prison places is taken up by foreign nationals. A recent government consultation listed the absurd ways that the European Convention on Human Rights is used to block deportations. A violent Nigerian crack cocaine dealer cant be deported because he would face obstacles to integrating back in Nigeria. A Turkish man found guilty of grievous bodily harm cant be removed, because of his marriage. Another violent drug dealer cant be removed given their relationship with their child. This isnt what Winston Churchill intended when he set up the Council of Europe. Were not alone. Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany and Austria are all looking to do things differently. Two camps are being built in Albania to house migrants who have been rescued by Italian boats. Nor is this idea new. Tony Blair tried to agree with EU members to have asylum processing in third countries. I will vote for the second reading of the Rwanda Bill on Tuesday. But Im very concerned by Robert Jenricks assessment that the Bill will enable so many individual appeals that it wont work as a deterrent. After two pieces of legislation in two years, this is our third and final go: we cant pass something that has any holes in it. The Supreme Courts verdict will likely embolden courts to be even more creative in refusing deportations than before. I hope the Government will find ways to strengthen the Bill by amendment during passage. If the House of Lords try to block it, we must do whatever it takes to pass it, and keep faith with voters. I hope the Government will also look again at every other way we could deter people smugglers, so that Rwanda isnt our only solution. We should also look at other locations, other changes to rules and the strategic use of more detention, so people cant come and work illegally. Issues about the cost of living and NHS are at least as important as the small boats, but this is very important, and represents an issue that normal voters care deeply about. It isnt a Westminster soap opera. Its an issue of fairness. We cannot have criminals bringing people to this country illegally and then allow those people to stay. Todays thicket of legal case law was never intended, and we must cut it back. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. An investigation is underway into a heavy fire that broke out Saturday evening in the roof and attic of the abandoned Emerson High School, according to the Gary Fire Department. Firefighters responded to a blaze at the four-story brick school, at 716 E. 7th Ave., at about 9:45 p.m., the department said. Twenty mile per hour winds from the west caused flames to spread quickly through the structure, leading to (severe) damage and the collapse of most of the roof, the department said. The fire was mostly extinguished by 3 a.m., the department said, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters from Merrillville and Munster helped control the blaze. Garys fire department and the Indiana State Fire Marshals Office are investigating the cause and origin of the fire. The school is known for a four-day boycott in 1927, where hundreds of students demanded that administrators kick out 18 Black students. The Black students, who endured racist threats, eventually returned to the non-accredited Virginia Street school. I was saddened when I arrived on the scene to see such devastating damage to Emerson. This building contains so much history to so many of us in Gary, said Gary Fire Chief Mark Terry. I have many fond memories here having attended many events when my son was a student here. The birthplace of our modern educational system was started right here, and this school was the first school in the country to have a swimming pool, Terry added. There have been so many famous alumni that roamed these halls. The school on the citys east side, closed since 2008 when the Emerson School for Visual and Performing Arts relocated, has been the site of multiple recent crimes. In July, three East Chicago men and a juvenile girl were arrested after shots were fired inside the building, while another fire broke out at the school a month earlier. In 2015, police found a 17-year-old Chicago teen dead inside the blighted building, which opened in 1909. The fire department said the property was transferred to the Gary Housing Authority in December 2020, but its been unused and is considered uninhabitable. They said there were no active utility connections to the building. rjohnson@chicagotribune.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 10) China's continued harassment of Filipino vessels has "further steeled" the country's determination to protect its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea where only the Philippines has the legal basis to operate, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared on Sunday night. This comes after Chinese ships blasted the Philippine's vessels with water and sound cannons, and conducted dangerous maneuvers putting Filipino lives at risk on several occasions this weekend. READ: PH vessel suffers 'serious engine damage' in new water cannon incident in WPS Marcos reiterated that the Ayungin Shoal, also named Second Thomas Shoal but called by China as Ren'ai Jiao, is within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and that any foreign claim over it is baseless and contrary to international law. "No one but the Philippines has a legitimate right or legal basis to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea," the president said in a statement. "The illegal presence in our waters and dangerous actions against our citizens is an outright and blatant violation of international law and the rules-based international order." He added that he directed the country's uniformed services to conduct its missions in the contested waters with "the utmost regard for the safety of our personnel, yet proceed with a mission-oriented mindset." In 2016, an arbitral tribunal constituted under the United Nations' Convention of the Law of the Sea nullified Beijing's sweeping claims over the South China Sea, which overlapped with the portion Manila calls the West Philippine Sea. Despite this, China continually rejects the ruling and harasses Filipino vessels within Manila's EEZ, drawing global condemnation. A terminal at Los Angeles International Airport caught fire Saturday morning. Video posted to the Citizen App shows smoke billowing from the American Airlines Eagles Nest Regional Terminal, which exclusively serves flights on American Airlines American Eagle regional airline. Part of Ventura County community evacuated due to brush fire Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters responded to the blaze, which was first reported around 11:10 a.m., and were able to extinguish the flames in 40 minutes. Video posted to the Citizen App shows smoke billowing from the American Airlines Eagles Nest Regional Terminal, which exclusively serves flights on American Airlines American Eagle regional airline. (Citizen App) Video posted to the Citizen App shows smoke billowing from the American Airlines Eagles Nest Regional Terminal, which exclusively serves flights on American Airlines American Eagle regional airline. (Citizen App) Video posted to the Citizen App shows smoke billowing from the American Airlines Eagles Nest Regional Terminal, which exclusively serves flights on American Airlines American Eagle regional airline. (Citizen App) The fire extended fully into the attic and required a closely coordinated interior fire attack with truck companies on the roof conducting vertical ventilation, LAFD said. 2 winning Mega Millions tickets sold at the same SoCal gas station share jackpot win Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) confirmed to fire officials that there was no impact on airport traffic or safety. No one was injured, LAFD said. What caused the fire is under investigation. Mitzi Vasquez contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Firefighters were working to contain a fast-moving, wind fueled wildfire that broke out in northern Ventura County on Saturday. The South Fire was first reported at 9:37 a.m. Saturday near the community of Somis; it is believed that the blaze started a short distance away from a radio tower just west of South Mountain, fire officials said. Evacuation orders were issued on Saturday for several affected areas, including the Saticoy Country Club, but orders were lifted for parts of Somis and an area of Santa Paula near Mission Rock Road at 8 a.m. Sunday, according to the Ventura County Sheriffs Department. Authorities searching for man who stole thousands in designer fragrances from Sephora The evacuation warning remained in place for the Saticoy Country Club area until Sunday evening at around 6 p.m. when officials with Ventura County Sheriffs Department announced on X, formerly Twitter, warnings were lifted. A brush fire burns in northern Ventura County on Dec. 9, 2023. (@VCAirUnit) A brush fire burns in northern Ventura County on Dec. 9, 2023. (Ventura County Fire Department) Aerial crews extinguishing a brush fire in northern Ventura County on Dec. 9, 2023. (X/@VCFD_PIO) A brush fire burns in northern Ventura County on Dec. 9, 2023. (X/@VCFD_PIO) A brush fire burns in northern Ventura County on Dec. 9, 2023. (X/@VCFD_PIO) As of 8:30 a.m. Sunday, the fire had scorched approximately 3,000 acres and was about 15 percent contained. Ground and air resources were seen assisting with the firefight; according to the Ventura County Fire Department Public Information Officer, 11 hand crews, 40 engines, five bulldozers and more than 600 firefighters have been assigned to the blaze. Fire officials told KTLA 5s Annie Rose Ramos that the explosive fire proved difficult to fight as Saturday turned into Sunday. Fire breaks out at LAX terminal; cause under investigation Overnight, it actually grew on the sides [of the mountain] a little bit, Ventura County Fire Department Captain Steve Kaufmann said. As of 4:33 p.m. fire officials in Ventura County said the blaze was approximately 50% contained and that crews would remain in the area over the next three days to ensure this fire is out. The fire comes as much of Southern California is under a Red Flag Warning until 3 p.m. Sunday. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Editors note: The above video shows KXANs morning headlines for Dec. 10, 2023. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Austin Fire Department is responding to a fire at a commercial strip center in north Austin Sunday afternoon. The Austin Fire Department is responding to a fire at a commercial strip center in north Austin Sunday afternoon. (Courtesy: Austin Fire Department) The Austin Fire Department is responding to a fire at a commercial strip center in north Austin Sunday afternoon. (Courtesy: Austin Fire Department) The Austin Fire Department is responding to a fire at a commercial strip center in north Austin Sunday afternoon. (Courtesy: Austin Fire Department) AFD said on social media the fire is in the 1000 block of Payton Gin Road in north Austin. Thats located near the intersection of Quail Creek Drive, between North Lamar Boulevard to the east and U.S. Hwy. 183 to the west. This embedded content is not available in your region. Officials said the fire is in one occupancy and in the common attic. Drivers and residents nearby are asked to avoid the area as crews continue work. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. PORTLAND, Ore (KOIN) The Lincoln County Sheriffs Office announced a new team member in the form of canine (K9) unit, Trinity, Friday morning. The 2-year-old black Labrador Retriever is a specialized electronic storage detection (ESD) K9 unit and the first of her kind in Oregon. An ESD K9 is trained in scent detection allowing them to smell the chemical commonly found in digital storage devices. Their goal is locate these hidden devices such as cell phones, computers, thumb drives, memory cards, and more that may have otherwise been missed during searches. Trinity and her handler, Detective Anthony Bettencourt, can find these pieces of digital evidence related to major criminal cases during investigations. Oregon ranked among most generous states in 2023: Report In some cases, these devices may contain evidence of child exploitation. So Trinity will also work with Oregon Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a national network representing federal, state, and local law enforcement focused on investigating, prosecuting and developing effective responses to internet crimes against children. In addition to her excellent detective skills, Trinity can also offer emotional support and comfort to child victims and their families at crime scenes during difficult interviews. Plus her human team at the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office says they have been able to seek comfort and a refreshing break with her friendly demeanor around the office. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) A newlywed couples joy ended in tragedy after they were murdered Saturday morning, according to news reports. The Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office said its deputies responded to a shooting that left a man and a woman dead at a home on Summit Run Circle in West Palm Beach. I heard what sounded like gunshots, but I thought people were just working on someones roof so I ignored it and went into the house and then later when I went back outside thats when I saw all the police activity out here, Neighbor Dicter Pineda told WPTV. Detectives said they arrested a person of interest, Sony Josaphat, on two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the deaths. While authorities have not officially identified the victims, WPTV reported that a woman at the scene who said she was the female victims sister had only just gotten married on Dec. 2 to the male victim. While no names were reported, WPTV did receive a wedding photo of the couple. She has never been as happy as she was now, the victims sister said to WPTV. Neighbors said they were shocked by the homicide, with a member of the victims church calling it horrific. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Amid outrage over comments they made during a hearing on anti semitism on their campuses, presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have faced calls from politicians and donors to resign and one, Penn President Liz Magill, is already out of the job. But some, including a former Obama adviser, are defending Harvard President Claudine Gay, and urging the school not to bend to external pressure. I really hope we don't let donors & politicians dictate who leads our school. Claudine Gay denounced calling for genocide before the hearing. She denounced it in the hearing. And she denounced it after the hearing, Jason Furman, a Harvard professor who previously chaired the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama wrote on X late Saturday night. We have work to do as a school. On anti-semitism. On Islamaphobia. On academic freedom & free speech. On viewpoint diversity. On Veritas. We need to redouble efforts on many of these, Furman wrote, But caving to donors & politicians will ultimately cost us our academic freedom & free speech. In the hours after the five-hour grilling from lawmakers Tuesday, clips of Magill, Gay and MIT President Sally Kornbluth responding to intense questioning from Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) went viral, as the presidents dodged on questioning about pro-Palestinian student protesters calls for intifada or the genocide of Jews declining to directly lay out whether those calls violated their schools policies. The backlash came from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and from the White House. Its unbelievable that this needs to be said: Calls for genocide are monstrous and antithetical to everything we represent as a country. Any statements that advocate for the systematic murder of Jews are dangerous and revolting and we should all stand firmly against them, on the side of human dignity and the most basic values that unite us as Americans, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement Wednesday. Magill, who will stay in her role until an interim president is selected, faced scorching criticism from top Democrats in her state, and from Penn alumni, donors, and other lawmakers. Top Massachusetts lawmakers, many of whom are Harvard alumni or have ties to the school, have been less vocal in speaking out against the remarks from Gay and Kornbluth though Reps. Seth Moulton and Jake Auchincloss (both Harvard alumni) said in a joint statement Wednesday that Gays argument that school protects students free speech rings hollow. On Saturday night, Harvard law professor Ben Eidelson also came to Gays defense. I'm so dismayed by Liz Magill's resignation and I so hope that Claudine Gay @Harvard will not follow. I fear too few of us have said what many of us think: She did nothing wrong, & the real failure of leadership would be surrendering to a campaign so hostile to our values, Eidelson wrote on X. A former executive for PetIQ, an Eagle-based veterinary supply company, who was accused of attempting to strangle his wife last summer wasnt sentenced to any additional jail time. Robert Michael Herrman, of Eagle, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence, admitting to grabbing his wife around the waist without her permission, and was sentenced to probation. He was initially charged with felony attempted strangulation, if convicted of the felony, faced up to 15 years in prison. The 55-year-old previously worked as the former executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for PetIQ, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. Hes no longer employed by the company, his private attorney, Scott McKay, said in court. His wife, who has filed for divorce, told an Ada County courtroom during Herrmans sentencing that she wants him to receive help. Upon learning that survivors of attempted strangulation are 750% more likely to be killed by their perpetrator in the following year, I knew Michael and I were over, his wife told a courtroom, and that as much as I loved him, I was no longer safe with him. Fourth District Magistrate Judge Kira Dale accepted the plea deal between the defense and prosecution and called it a reasonable resolution. Dale placed Herrman on supervised probation for two years, though the sentence could be lessened to unsupervised probation once hes completed the assigned conditions. Hes also eligible for a withheld judgment, which means he wouldnt have a criminal conviction on his record so long as he follows the terms of his probation. Herrman is expected to complete domestic violence courses, a psychological evaluation and 40 hours of community service, which could entail pro-bono legal work. Hes also prohibited from consuming alcohol or drugs, is subject to random blood, breath and urine testing and cant possess any firearms. In addition, the court fined Herrman $1,000 and court costs. If he violates his probation, Herrman could face up to six months in jail, online court records showed. He spent two days in jail over the summer before bonding out. Im ready to move forward in a positive way, Herrman said in a brief statement to the court. Im committed to satisfying the obligations of my sentence and putting this matter behind me. Prosecutor says strangulation charge was valid Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Tessie Buttram said authorities believed that attempted strangulation was a valid charge, but since Herrmans wife was focused on her husband receiving rehabilitation treatment over punishment, it was appropriate to reduce the charges. McKay disagreed about the validity of the charge and said he could have taken the case to trial. Dale said the factual basis was never going to be resolved because of the plea deal, but that the bottom line was that he got into a physical altercation with his wife. Things have gotten pretty out of control once youve gotten to that point, Dale said. Its not just about what happened on June 25, but overall what was going in that relationship long term. Herrmans wife said he grabbed her throat, compressed her windpipe and propelled her across the bedroom that night, and showed her he could harm and potentially kill her. The prosecutors office previously accused Herrman of putting his hand around his wifes throat for about five seconds. Buttram said footage from a ring doorbell camera showed Herrman grabbing his wife around the waist when she tried to trigger an alarm. Herrman was initially charged with misdemeanor intentional destruction of a telecommunication line, after prosecutors alleged he pulled the alarm system out of the wall when his wife tried to call for help, the Statesman previously reported. That charge was also dropped as part of the plea deal. His wife previously alleged that Herrman threatened her by telling her, Youre pushing me to the edge. I could take my gun out and kill us all, according to prior reporting. McKay denied that account during the sentencing, calling it simply untrue. This wasnt a reality I thought I would ever have to face that the person I married and the person I loved more than myself could hurt me, Herrmans wife said in court. It was one that would take me months to truly accept. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 10) An official of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Chinas actions against the agencys vessels on Saturday may have been the most aggressive yet, adding that they could lead to the capsizing of smaller fishing vessels. "So far sa na-experience natin, ito na po ang pinaka-aggressive, sobrang aggressive move na ginawa ng China sa ating resupply mission," said the BFAR official, who refused to be named. "Ngayon, kahit nag-distribute na tayo ng mga ano natin para sa mga fishermen, nagbobomba na sila ngayon ng water cannon, before po ay wala naman ganoon," he added. [Translation: So far from what we've experienced, this is the most aggressive move China has made yet against our resupply missionNow, even after we have distributed aid to the fishermen, they still fired at us with water cannons. They never did that before.] The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) reported on Saturday that Chinese ships fired water cannons at BFAR ships Datu Sanday, Datu Bankaw, and Datu Tamblot at least eight times. The BFAR official said Filipino fishermen have expressed their fear over the recent incident. "Puwede sila lumubog kapag binombahan ng tubig na galing sa Chinese," he said. [Translation: The fishermens boats can sink when water cannoned by the Chinese.] On Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said a commissioned vessel on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal sustained "serious engine damage" after it was blasted with water cannon by the China Coast Guard (CCG). A similar incident also happened in November 2021, when two Chinese vessels blocked resupply boats to the BRP Sierra Madre, while another vessel fired a water cannon at it for an hour. In August, a CCG vessel also blocked and fired water cannons at PCG vessels on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. Despite the harassment, PCG spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela said there's no reason to change the country's position and actions in the contested area. "If there's somebody who is going to modify the behavior and actions in the West Philippine Sea, that would not be us. It should be the Chinese government to abide and adhere to international law," he said in an interview. NATO could split over the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine, with countries in the region having to form their own security bloc, Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States from 2015 to 2019, Valeriy Chaly, said in an interview with Radio NV on Dec. 6. "I want to see something else a political decision by NATO to invite Ukraine," Chaly said. It would be a powerful signal. There is no constant pressure on the issue of NATO membership. It has disappeared. Some agreements are being discussed, but it is not clear what their content is. Ukraine's peace formula, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about in Malta this year, cannot be implemented, so "we need to think about what can be done in these conditions," the diplomat said. Read also: For real this time: how Ukraine could navigate a path to NATO "Since we cant get all NATO countries onboard, let's quickly gather those countries that are exposed and border Russia," Chaly said. I have already named them the Baltic-Black Sea Arc. Let's talk about these countries. Let's get together and see how NATO will change its tune. And if NATO splits like this? I'm sorry, if you are marinating us with promises, we can now make your NATO go to tatters. Not because we want to, but because thats the way things are. In July, the G7 leaders announced that they had agreed on a declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine. The President's Office announced on Nov. 28 that Ukraine had started consultations on security guarantees with the last G7 country, Italy. Ukraine held the first round of talks on security guarantees with the European Union on Dec. 4. Representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the European Union discussed on Dec. 5 long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, which include nine priorities: assistance with military hardware and equipment; training of the Ukrainian military; cooperation with the Ukrainian defense industry; countering cyber and hybrid threats; assistance in demining; implementation of reforms related to the EU accession process; strengthening the ability to control weapons stockpiles; support for nuclear security efforts; intelligence sharing, including satellite imagery. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Martin Indyk, the former U.S. ambassador to Israel, called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign from his position amid Israels ongoing war with the militant group Hamas. The 72-year-old former diplomat made his response to Netanyahu in a Sunday post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. He shared a link to a New York Times report on how Netanyahu was aware of neighboring country Qatar sending millions of dollars each month to the Gaza Strip. The money was used to help prop up the Hamas-run government in the territory, which the Times reported Netanyahu knew about, but also encouraged those monthly payments. I would agree with you if @netanyahu wasnt currently causing a rift with Joe Biden, Israels only friend in this crisis, Indyk wrote in his X post, as a response to another users post. His determination to stay in power no matter the cost is a clear and present danger to Israel. He needs to resignyesterday! the former diplomat added. Indyks remarks come after the United States used its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to block a proposed resolution that called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire. The resolution would have required Israel to halt its war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Friday. Thirteen members of the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution, as the United Kingdom declined to vote on the resolution. Netanyahu praised the U.S.s decision to veto the resolution in a video statement Saturday, saying that other countries too need to understand that it is impossible to support the elimination of Hamas on one hand, and on the other hand call for the halting of the war, which would prevent the elimination of Hamas. Pressure from other countries has increased on Israel over its military operations against Hamas, which have resulted in more than 17,000 Palestinians killed in the territory, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Hamass surprise attack in early October killed 1,200 Israelis, most of whom were civilians. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former U.S. ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk slammed Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu as Sunday clear and present danger to the country, and called on him to resign before he does even more damage to Israel. [Netanyahus] determination to stay in power no matter the cost is a clear and present danger to Israel. He needs to resignyesterday! Indyk wrote in a post on X Sunday morning. His comments came following a New York Times report that Netanyahu not only was aware that Qatar was shuttling millions of dollars a month to Gaza, where it helped prop up the Hamas government, but that he encouraged the payments. According to the Times report, Netanyahu and other Israeli officials allowed the money to flow into Gaza in the hope that it would help maintain peace and stability in the region, and in the belief that Hamas had neither the desire nor the capacity to launch a large-scale attack. The Times previously reported that Israeli officials had blueprints of the Hamas plans more than a year before the Oct. 7 attack but chose to regard an actual attack as unlikely. He needs to resign before he does even more damage to Israel, wrote Indyk, who was tasked with working to forge an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal during his roughly year-long tenure as President Barack Obamas special Mideast envoy in 2013 and 2014. Indyks comments come as calls for Israel to scale back or end its violent campaign in Gaza have accelerated. The U.S. has vowed to stand with Israel, and recently vetoed a ceasefire resolution in the U.N. Security Council a measure that had support from almost all other Security Council countries. However, U.S. officials have also called on Israeli leaders to take measures to avoid civilian casualties. The war poses a challenge to President Joe Biden, as he attempts to balance support for America's chief ally in the Middle East with calls for a ceasefire from the left, as the civilian death toll in Gaza continues to grow. Indyk warned in his post that Netanyahu is currently causing a rift with Biden, whom he described as Israels only friend in this crisis. STATESVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Eight people, including an 18-month-old child, are recovering from non-life-threatening injuries after a wreck Saturday morning, according to the Statesville Police Department. Around 10:19 a.m. on December 9, officers say they were sent to a crash on Shelton Avenue near W. Raleigh Avenue. 3rd juvenile charged with murder in October shooting: CMPD Authorities believe a gray Honda Pilot was driving north on Shelton Avenue when the car stopped to turn into the shopping center parking lot at Shelton Avenue. The Honda yielded to oncoming traffic and had their turn signal on. According to officials, a white Buick Enclave driving behind the Honda did not stop and ran into the back of the Honda. The impact of the crash caused the Honda to crash into two parked vehicles in the shopping center parking lot. Three children and their mother in the Honda were taken to Brenner Childrens Hospital, investigators say. Also from the Honda, two adults and an 18-month-old were taken to Iredell Memorial Hospital. In total, three adults and four children were in the Honda. Officials say the driver of the Buick was also taken to Iredell Memorial Hospital. Everyone involved in the crash had non-life-threatening injuries. This is an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Statesville Police Department at 704-878-3406. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Students gathered Saturday afternoon on a corner at the intersection of Blue Valley Parkway and West 119th Street in Overland Park, waving Palestinian flags and chanting, ceasefire now at a peaceful rally that lasted about two hours. The student-led protest was comprised mainly of college students but included members of the community who turned out to show their support for an end to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas that has lasted for more than two months. The protest was held a day after the United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for the war. The rally was organized by the University of Missouri-Kansas City Students for Justice in Palestine, Kansas University Muslim Student Association, and Jewish Voice for Peace. The U.S. decision and the continued toll of devastation and casualties in Gaza hit home for those who attended Saturdays rally to show support in Kansas for Palestinians, and to echo a call for an end to the war. As students held bullhorns chanting and demanding action from political leaders, they also held institutions to account. Mahmoud Jutmah, vice president of Students for Justice in Palestine, spoke about students needing their voices protected on campus. Around 250 students wave Palestinian flags and chant, ceasefire now at a peaceful rally in Overland Park, Saturday afternoon. The most dangerous part at university and on every level is the silence from people that have authority, Jutmah said. Raya Carter, 26, stood on the sidewalk with her peers holding a sign chanting,free Palestine within our lifetime. At the rally, Carter said she finds hope in her identity as a Black American. I have hope because even in our history when my ancestors didnt have hope during slavery...we were still freed, Carter said. Though we still struggle with all of the oppression that were faced our people are still working towards freedom. As cars drove by honking in solidarity, students and members of the community held signs saying, We will free Palestine within our lifetime and Israel bombs US Pays. Members of Jewish Voice for Peace Kansas City, stood in in the middle of the rally, showing their support for the Palestinian community. Michael Wolfe, a member of the organization, said hes mourning those killed on Oct. 7, when Hamas, an Islamic militant group, initiated a surprise attack on Israel that reached a death toll of around 1,200 people. In retaliation to the attack, Israel declared war and has targeted Gaza with airstrikes. According to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has exceeded 17,700. During the protest, Wolfe said he doesnt believe mourning should be a tool to spew hate. As a Jewish person with Israeli family members, I am grieving, Wolfe said. Its a cause thats very personal to me, but I am also seeing that my grief is being used as a weapon of war to support a genocide supposedly in the name of my people. The diverse crowd of spirited young people shouted in the streets continuously, ceasefire now, ceasefire now, demanding action from elected officials. Funeral services for Waltham police officer Paul Tracey who was killed last week when a hit-and-run-driver barreled into a worksite have been announced. Visiting Hours will be at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church in Waltham on Thursday, December 14th from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 15th at 10 a.m. at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church. Paul Tracey, 58, of Waltham, was a 28-year-old veteran of the Waltham Police Department. Tracey lost his life when 54-year-old Peter Simon, of Woodsville, New Hampshire, crashed his pickup truck into a worksite on Totten Pond Road around 4 p.m., according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Waltham Police Chief Kevin OConnell. Waltham Police Chief Kevin OConnell remembered Tracey as an amazing father and husband who served his department and the city with great distinction. The crash also claimed the life of Roderick Jackson, a 36-year-old National Grid worker from Cambridge. Simon is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Dec. 14. For more information on funeral services, visit the link here. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 10) Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Francis Tolentino urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to send Chinese ambassador Huang Xilian home, saying he has "done nothing" amid incidents where Chinese ships repeatedly fired water cannons at Philippine vessels. "I urge President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to send the current Chinese Ambassador home. He has done nothing to address the continued attacks of his government on our troops and on our people," Zubiri said in a statement. This comes after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Sunday morning that a commissioned vessel on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal sustained "serious engine damage" after it was blasted with water cannon by the China Coast Guard (CCG). On Saturday, Chinese ships repeatedly fired water cannons at Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels on a humanitarian mission to deliver aid to Filipino fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc. Zubiri blasted the Chinese saying they "have no heart" after attacking the BFAR ships. "They have gone from unlawfully blocking us from navigating our own waters to now deliberately damaging our vessels and endangering the lives of our people," the senator said. Tolentino, former vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, agreed with Zubiri and pushed for the recall of the Chinese envoy. In light of the ongoing provocations, I emphatically call for the urgent recall of the Philippine Ambassador to China, Tolentino said on Monday. Our nation cannot afford to maintain diplomatic complacency when our citizens are subjected to harassment and intimidation in our EEZ (exclusive economic zone), he added. Other lawmakers and foreign envoys also condemned China's aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea. The Chinese embassy has yet to issue a statement on the recent incidents. Gavin Stephens in his office at the National Police Chiefs' Council - Geoff Pugh In many ways, Gavin Stephens is an old-fashioned police officer. Now chair of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), he is at the forefront of discussions with the Government about the future of policing. For him, that means serious investment in facial recognition and artificial intelligence, as well as an army of digital forensics experts, data scientists and programmers capable of tackling 21st century crime. But his core passion remains in neighbourhood policing, which he calls the bread and butter of crime-fighting and has been the focus of much of his three-decade career. Stephens, who was the chief constable of Surrey Police until he took up his current role in April, believes the breakdown of the neighbourhood model during years of austerity and changing national priorities is one of the factors driving current public dissatisfaction with the police. Its my genuine belief thats the bedrock of what we do, he says. Local relationships will always be super important for everything, from anti-social behaviour all the way through to countering terrorism. Everything happens in a neighbourhood somewhere. Stephens believes police leaders across the UK should be working constantly to understand the issues that most matter to local people to maintain their trust and confidence, but says that this has gone astray. He admits that British police had lost some of the focus on burglary, shoplifting, some of the things that affect peoples day-to-day lives until public and political pressure sparked a recent change of course. I think theres a welcome renewed focus on getting some of those basics right and doing it well, he says. I always take issue where people call it low-level offending it is not. Its the stuff that affects peoples lives, and that is a big component to whether people feel like their police service is there for them or not. But he argues that officers had only been trying to keep up with societys shifting expectations by dedicating more resources to domestic abuse, sexual offences, child abuse and other behind closed doors crimes that were neglected in the past. Its right that policing has adjusted and responded to those expectations, but in practical terms, the shift of balance and resources has completely changed, he says. When I joined policing, the CID [criminal investigation department] was the big office, and you might have a handful of colleagues working in public protection or child abuse. Now that is dramatically different. Stephens is concerned about more change on the horizon, warning that very stretched forces across the UK are about to start a period of severe cuts because their budgets are insufficient. Calculations by the NPCC suggest there is a 3 billion hole over the next four years, because of a combination of high demand on forces, the rising cost of technology, rocketing wage bills and expensive borrowing. And he warns that forces will not be able to provide the services that we know our communities need, and that the current funding model is unsustainable. If you were to walk into any force at the moment, therell be conversations going on about where theyre going to have to reduce headcount, where investment needs to be taken out. They are really difficult conversations, especially after the previous round of austerity. He is calling on the Government to end cycles of boom and bust that have for years seen periods of pinched budgets followed by massive investment in specific areas. Its not good for communities for services to be built up, and for us to make progress, and then for it to be taken away, he says. It expends an awful lot of energy and resources to go through those programmes of rebuilding. Stephens says he is concerned about 'stretched police forces' about to face a new round of cuts - Geoff Pugh The Conservative Government has hailed the recruitment of 20,000 additional officers as part of an ambitious uplift programme started by Boris Johnson in 2019, but police leaders point out that the rapid recruitment caused an imbalance of experience by flooding forces with new officers. I want to try and get away from this idea that you can somehow judge the success of policing by the number of constables, Stephens says. Thats a headline but that doesnt tell the story about the skills and abilities that we need to combat criminality in the future. We need coders and computer scientists and all of these things, not just bobbies on the beat. He calls the uplift a replacement programme for what was lost before, but says it was only for officers rather than the police staff lost during the same period. He estimates that there are 4,000 empty police staff posts across England and Wales and thats only set to grow theyre just sitting empty and theres not the money to fill them. The vacancies include digital forensics experts, data scientists, crime-scene examiners, intelligence analysts and other roles core to investigations. Meanwhile, Stephens says new police constables recruited as part of the governments uplift programmes ending up in jobs that they dont need to do, like answering the phone. In his three-year term, his mission is to create more long-term thinking about what policing needs and convince the Government to drastically reform its year-by-year funding settlement process in favour of NHS-style long-term workforce planning. I see it as part of my role to try and get everybody corralled around Right, what are we trying to achieve for policing here?. And a recognition that this cant always be achieved by short-term initiatives and pieces of funding, but a genuine long-term view. The grand designs are a long way from how Stephens career started in 1993, when he joined the police as a graduate fresh from an engineering and management studies degree at Cambridge University. The prestigious course was sponsored by the General Electric Company (GEC), where Stephens worked every summer, but he soon realised he was more interested in policing because it was about people and, essentially, engineering was a lot about things. The career change, which came as something of a shock to his parents, was inspired by the tales told by a school friends father, who had been a detective in their hometown of Hartlepool. When I graduated, I said to my mum and dad: Im going to join the police and they were like, What?, Stephens recalls. But Ive never looked back really. Its my friend Andy to blame. I suppose subconsciously, although Id have never known it at the time, it was listening to Andys dads stories, sitting in his kitchen drinking blue Sodastream. Stephens switched careers to policing because 'it was about people' - Getty Images Stephens now prefers the humble cup of tea, which he drinks as we sit in a small glass-fronted room at the NPCCs new headquarters in Westminster, London. Boxes are still stacked up waiting to be unpacked in his spartan office. Two traditional police hats dangle from a coat stand behind his desk, but Stephens says they belong to his predecessor Martin Hewitt. He doesnt seem to mind the lack of creature comforts and positively fizzes with excitement when talking about his job. I love policing. I absolutely love it, he grins. Im always learning something new, I like to learn new things and I genuinely think that when policing is done well, we can make a massive difference to peoples lives. He is very proud of his post, bringing his mum to watch him lay the policing wreath during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in November, which was pretty special. Stephens life started out in Hartlepool, County Durham, and despite moving to Surrey in 1996 he has retained his accent and says he is still proud to be a northerner, I always call that home. His mother worked as a clerk on a childrens hospital ward, and there were always random babies and kids in the house, as well as Vietnamese refugees that the family supported through a local volunteer group. His father was originally a builder but took qualifications at night school to become an architectural consultant and ran his own small practice. As a consequence of that, I was on building sites holding up spirit levels and measuring tapes and all that for my dad, Stephens says. As a teenager, one of his part-time jobs was working as a wedding photographers assistant, which often involved battling 1980s meringue-style bridal dresses so loved ones could fit in the pictures. He attended the local comprehensive school and sixth-form college, and became one of its first students to get into Cambridge University. The only reason I applied there was because I bumped into a guy at a careers fair in Middlesbrough who was from one of the Cambridge colleges and started talking to me, Stephens says. It was an absolutely great place to be. You see all that stuff about it being sort of elitist, and Im sure some of that goes on but that wasnt my experience at all. I met people from really different backgrounds, and I found it an endlessly fascinating place to be. It was while working for GEC in Chelmsford, Essex during the holidays, as one of the conditions of his sponsored degree, that Stephens had his initial north-south culture shock. But it was also where he met his future wife Sarah, who went on to become a teacher in Suffolk when he joined Cambridgeshire Constabulary after graduating. The couple moved to the South East to support Sarahs family after her father died, and Sarah herself died of ovarian cancer in 2014, when their son was 14 years old. She was very young, fit, healthy, she was a really active teacher, Stephens says. Its just one of those things thats often late diagnosed, which was the case with Sarah. It was too late. She fought hard for three years, but really we all pretty much knew it was too late from day one. He says he wouldnt be doing his current job if it wasnt for the support and encouragement from his late wife, and that families are vital for all police officers to recharge their compassion. Were giving care to others, sometimes on the worst day in their life, and if your compassion is completely drained its hard to do, he adds. I think you get that from your families and I certainly got that from Sarah, and I get it now from my son. Stephens joined Surrey Police in 1996 because the woman who answered his call was friendly to me on the phone when I rang looking for a transfer and never looked back, rising from a constable to serve every single rank until he became its chief in 2019. The starry lineup of Stephens forebears in that post include Sir Mark Rowley, the current Metropolitan Police Commissioner and his predecessor Ian Blair, Dame Lynne Owens, the former National Crime Agency director general, Robert Quick, the ex-counter terrorism chief, and Denis OConnor, the former HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, like Stephens, also served as Chief Constable at Surrey Police - PA But the person who encouraged Stephens to step up to the national stage was Simon Cole, the long-serving chief constable of Leicestershire Police who took his own life 12 days after retiring in 2022. Simon was a massive supporter and he was the first person that encouraged me to take on national responsibilities as well as force responsibilities, he says. Had it not been for Simon, I wouldnt have got involved in national work in the first place. Stephens became the national lead for neighbourhood policing before going on to chair the NPCCs finance committee. That gave me insight into the sort of breadth of everything that goes on in policing, he says. Then when Martin Hewitt announced he was going it was encouragement from colleagues saying, Will you consider standing, what do you think? that made me decide to stand for election. The role as NPCC chair has thrown Stephens into the national spotlight and onto the frontline of fractious discussions with the government. He had a front-row seat for the row between the Met and Suella Braverman over the policing of pro-Palestinian protests, which culminated in Braverman being sacked as home secretary last month. Stephens is diplomatic about the controversy, which caused allegations from many police officers that politicians were stepping beyond the law and convention to interfere with complex operational decisions during thousands-strong demonstrations. In the grand scheme of things, its not a bad thing that weve had a discussion in public about the important need for operational independence in policing, he says. Its a fundamental principle. I think as soon as you get direct political influence over operational decisions, then that boundary can get blurred. Stephens says the laws governing policing mean that each officer is legally responsible for their own decisions to arrest or not arrest, and must make them literally in seconds. Its right that politicians, on behalf of communities, give a view about what they think, and for us to take that into account, but thats different to being involved in actual decision-making, he adds. When asked about the volatile relationships between police leaders and recent home secretaries, Stephens says its important not to invest it in one individual. We work with the government of the day, with whoever is in a position of responsibility, and well always try to have a really positive and strong relationship, he adds. Braverman had not endeared herself to police by accusing forces of being woke, and spending taxpayers money that could have been spent fighting crime, on diversity training. Suella Braverman MP visits Warrington Police Station, Cheshire, earlier this year - PA Stephens leads the national Police Race Action Plan, which was drawn up as a result of the Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd in the US, and says he listens to views from right across the spectrum, including polarised views. I think its really important that we listen to all of those views in policing, but then make a professional operational assessment about how the way that we police needs to change as a consequence of that, he says. For some, well be changing too much and for others, we wont be changing anywhere near quickly enough. Stephens denies charges of wokeness and says police are taking sensible decisions that are in line with what our communities need particularly after a wave of horrific crimes committed by police officers that battered public trust. A succession of court cases and misconduct hearings have exposed racism, sexism, homophobia and sparked a drive to root out corrupt officers. He is now spearheading a new programme to look at policing culture across the UK, saying it needs to be addressed across the whole of policing and definitely not just in the Met. There are some wonderful aspects of policing culture the teamwork, the camaraderie, the problem-solving ability, the willingness to throw yourself into things, to try and deal with issues that other agencies wouldnt go anywhere near, he says. But at the other end of the spectrum, there are some awful parts of policing culture that need to be consigned to history. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. By Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) -The World Health Organization chief said on Sunday it will be all but impossible to improve the "catastrophic" health situation in Gaza even as the board passed an emergency WHO motion by consensus to secure more medical access. Palestinian officials have also described a disastrous health situation in Gaza, where Israel's assault has left most of the population homeless, with little electricity, food or clean water, and a medical system facing collapse. The emergency action, proposed by Afghanistan, Qatar, Yemen and Morocco, seeks passage into Gaza for medical personnel and supplies, requires the WHO to document violence against healthcare workers and patients and to secure funding to rebuild hospitals. "I must be frank with you: these tasks are almost impossible in the current circumstances," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. Still, he commended countries for finding common ground, saying it was the first time any U.N. motion had been agreed by consensus since the conflict began. Tedros told the 34-member board in Geneva that medical needs in Gaza had surged and the risk of disease had grown, yet the health system had been reduced to a third of its pre-conflict capacity. Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian politician who heads the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees with 25 teams working in Gaza, said: "Half of Gaza is now starving." He said 350,000 people had infections including 115,000 with severe respiratory infections and lacking warm clothes, blankets and protection from the rain. He said many were suffering from stomach complaints because there was little clean water and not enough fuel to use to boil it, risking outbreaks of dysentery, typhoid and cholera. "To add insult to injury, we have 46,000 injured people who cannot be treated properly because most of the hospitals are not functioning," he said. BOMBARDMENT Gaza hospitals have come under bombardment and some have been besieged or raided as part of Israel's response to Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attacks. Hospitals that remain open are overwhelmed by the numbers of dead and wounded arriving and sometimes procedures are carried out without anaesthetics. A WHO database shows there have been 449 attacks on healthcare facilities in Palestinian territories since Oct. 7, without assigning blame. Tedros said that it would be hard to meet the board's requests given the security situation on the ground and said he deeply regretted that the United Nations Security Council could not agree on a ceasefire in Gaza following a U.S. veto. "Resupplying health facilities has become extremely difficult and is deeply compromised by the security situation on the ground and inadequate resupply from outside Gaza," he said. Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila deplored the critical shortages of medicines. "The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated," she told the WHO meeting by video link. WHO board member the United States signalled in the meeting that it would not oppose the text of the motion which was adopted without a vote later on Sunday. The motion was criticised by Israel, which has said it puts disproportionate focus on Israel, made no mention of the Israeli hostages in Gaza and does not address what Israel describes as Hamas' use of civilians as human shields, by placing command centres and weapons inside hospitals. Israeli ambassador Meirav Eilon Shahar called the adopted text a "complete moral failure". Israel is not a WHO board member. WHO emergency sessions are rare and have occurred during health crises including during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and during West Africa's Ebola epidemic in 2015. Qatar, which has mediated in the Israel-Hamas conflict, chaired the session. (Reporting by Emma Farge in Geneva and Samia Nakhoul and Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; Editing by Jane Merriman, Ros Russell and Susan Fenton) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks against the backdrop of a Leopard 2 tank at the Bundeswehr military base in Bremen, October 2022 Germany may have to wage a defensive war against Russia in the future, German televisions news program Tagesschau reported on Dec. 9, citing Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) Inspector General Carsten Breuer. Breuer expressed concern about Russia's rearmament and the behavior of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, saying there will be no return to the times before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Germany will have to get used to the idea "that one day we might have to fight a defensive war," he said. Asked whether the Bundeswehr would be able to cope with a possible Russian attack on NATO after the war in Ukraine, Breuer replied, "Yes. Period. We have no alternative. We can defend ourselves and we will defend ourselves. However, he also admitted that the Bundeswehr is currently not well equipped for national and allied defense because it has been focused on resolving international crises, adding that there are "structures that make quick and targeted decisions almost impossible. Read also: Ukraine cannot afford to fight the war on Russias terms Europe fears the United States might withdraw from NATO if U.S. Republican politician Donald Trump wins the 2024 U.S. presidential election, media reported on Dec. 9. Russia will attack NATO countries if it conquers Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Dec. 6. Russia is rebuilding its forces and capabilities and preparing for a potential confrontation with NATO, said Lieutenant General Jurgen-Joachim von Sandrart, NATO Multinational Corps Commander on Dec. 5. Russia has started replenishing its strategic missile stock, which serves as carriers for nuclear weapons, said Yuriy Ihnat, the Ukrainian Air Forces spokesperson, on Dec. 4. Lithuania must prepare for war with Russia and strengthen regional military cooperation, as Ukraine may not win the war, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis stated on Nov. 24, Polish outlet TVP reports. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine By Andreas Rinke and Reinhard Becker BERLIN (Reuters) -Leaders of Germany's ruling coalition will resume talks about next year's budget on Sunday evening, seeking agreement on how to plug a 17 billion euro ($18 billion) hole left by a court ruling last month, people familiar with the matter said. Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats (SPD), Economy Minister Robert Habeck of the Greens and Finance Minister Christian Lindner from the fiscally conservative Free Democrats (FDP) have so far failed to reach a compromise. Scholz, whose public ratings as chancellor have fallen to a record low, is keen to reach an agreement, the people said, pointing to uncertainty over how future industrial projects will be funded and the impact that could have on the economy. Germany's budget has been thrown into disarray by a November Constitutional Court ruling that Berlin could not redirect 60 billion euros of unused funds from the COVID pandemic to climate transformation projects. The ruling has left a 17 billion euro hole in the 2024 budget. "That's not easy," Germany's Transport Minister Volker Wissing of the FDP told broadcaster ARD, saying replacing the 60 billion euros was a "Herculean task". Wissing himself has requested 40 billion euros to upgrade the rail network of Deutsche Bahn by 2027, money that is no longer certain to be available. On Saturday, Scholz told the SPD's party conference he was confident a deal would be reached but said there would be no cuts to the welfare state, an area where Lindner wants reform. SPD delegates backed a call for another suspension of Germany's self-imposed debt brake, which Lindner opposes. The impasse has fuelled concerns among local and foreign industrial firms over whether Europe's largest economy can stand by its funding pledges for green transformation projects in the steel, chip and tech sectors. Union leaders on Sunday warned that unless Germany's three-way coalition finds a solution soon, thousands of jobs and several high-profile investment projects would be put at risk, potentially damaging the country's long-term competitiveness. "Strategic investment decisions for the coming decades are being made now," said Juergen Kerner, deputy head of Germany's most powerful union IG Metall, who also sits on the supervisory boards of Siemens AG and Thyssenkrupp. "Now is the time to decide whether Germany will remain a strong industrialised country with good jobs. For this to succeed, it needs a capable state that invests in the future." Lindner said earlier this week that a political agreement on the structure of next year's budget was likely to come in a couple of days. ($1 = 0.9293 euros) (Writing by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Catherine Evans and Ros Russell) 'I do judge the SNP on their record': Ms Keegan has been critical of her counterpart north of the border - Ian Forsyth/Getty Images Scotlands school standards have plummeted because SNP ministers prioritised nationalist politics, Gillian Keegan has warned after pupils recorded their worst ever results in an international study. The Education Secretary accused Humza Yousafs Government of overseeing an education system on the brink of collapse and watering down standards. She said Scotland was once the envy of the world for education but last weeks Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study was a tale of two records. While she said English pupils had moved up international rankings, standards had plummeted thanks to the SNPs ideology. An 18-point decline in maths The PISA study of 700,000 15-year-olds across the world was conducted in 2022, the final calendar year of Nicola Sturgeons tenure as first minister. In Scotland, it found an 18-point decline in maths since the tests were last administered in 2018, the equivalent of nearly a year of schooling. The score for reading dropped by 11 points around half a years school work and in science it fell by seven points. English pupils again outperformed their Scottish counterparts in all three areas, with the gap growing since 2018. Northern Ireland also did better than Scotland in maths and science. The global study, conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, also found that Scotland had the widest attainment gap between the wealthiest and poorest pupils for maths of all the UK home nations. This is despite Ms Sturgeon having pledged to make it her mission to close the gulf in performance. She shied away from taking schools out of local authority control, as has happened in England. They have refused to follow our lead Writing in Scotland on Sunday, Ms Keegan said: This situation hasnt happened by chance. Different parts of the UK have taken fundamentally different [approaches] to education. Under the SNP, standards have plummeted due to their progressive ideology. They have refused to follow our lead on academisation, they have watered down the rigour of their exams and they have refused to open themselves up for scrutiny, pulling out of two international rankings. She said that Scottish children have been let down by the SNP, with the Nationalists having inflicted the worst ever education results in Scotlands history for both maths and science on parents and pupils. She concluded: I do judge the SNP on their record and it is clear they have failed. Scottish schools need a change. They need a government who will put pupils and parents above their nationalist politics to ensure the next generation have a brighter future. Jenny Gilruth, the SNP Education Secretary, said: The Scottish Government wont be taking any lectures from Gillian Keegan about how to run our schools. She added: Ms Keegan would do better to focus on the areas she has responsibility for in England, rather than pontificating about schools outwith her jurisdiction. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. The National Defense Authorization Act for 2024, encompassing an $886 billion defense policy, has marked a pivotal moment in Congress, particularly regarding LGBTQ-related issues, as most of Republicans anti-LGBTQ+ measures were removed from the bill. After months of intense negotiations between the House Republicans and Senate Democrats, the bills final form discards several controversial amendments initially championed by conservative lawmakers. These amendments included a ban on the coverage of transition surgeries and hormone treatments for transgender troops and a severe curtailing of diversity programs. Despite the removal of direct anti-LGBTQ+ amendments, the NDAA retained some conservative victories. These include a ban on endorsing critical race theory in the military, a salary cap, and a hiring freeze for Pentagon employees working on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Additionally, language encouraging the service branches to allow the reenlistment of troops discharged solely for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine was included. At the heart of the NDAA discussions were amendments from Republican extremist lawmakers concerning the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to focusing on restricting gender-affirming health care for transgender service members and dependents, Republicans sought to limit access to LGBTQ-themed literature in the Department of Defense Education Activitys libraries. These provisions were notably absent from the bill. DoDEA runs American schools abroad and on military bases in the U.S. for children of servicemembers. The exclusions are a considerable victory for LGBTQ+ rights amid an onslaught of bills targeting the communitys rights by Republicans nationwide. However, the NDAA still retains elements that have raised concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates. A provision that could potentially impact the display of unapproved flags at military installations, including LGBTQ+ Pride flags, has remained, highlighting ongoing challenges regarding LGBTQ+ representation and rights within the military. Additionally, a provision that bans funds used for drag performances on military installations remains intact. Reacting to these legislative changes, noted GOP homophobe and transphobe from Georgia, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, voiced strong opposition to the removal of conservative amendments, labeling the defense bill a sellout to Democrats and declaring firmly, Im a HELL NO! on X, formerly Twitter. The debate around the NDAAs LGBTQ+ provisions also reflects a broader national conversation about the role of gender and sexual identity in military policy. Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights argue that inclusive policies are not only a matter of equality but also enhance the overall effectiveness of the military by ensuring that all service members can serve openly and without fear of discrimination. This perspective is shared by many military leaders who recognize the value of diversity within the armed forces. One additional notable conservative priority that did not make it into the final bill was the proposal to end a Pentagon policy that provides service members with time off and travel reimbursement for reproductive health care. This policy aspect had been a significant point of contention, with Democrats firmly opposing its removal and considering it a critical issue. Opponents of the excluded provisions, like Greene, argue that such measures are necessary to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the military. They often frame their opposition as a defense of traditional values and military readiness, reflecting a deeply rooted ideological divide in the United States. Human Rights Campaign national press secretary Brandon Wolf commented on the NDAAs progress, stating, MAGA members of Congress tried to hijack the National Defense Authorization Act to advance their anti-LGBTQ+ agenda, attempting to riddle it with discriminatory riders. They failed, and equality won. He added, The anti-LGBTQ+ agenda continues to be deeply unpopular across the country and a failing political strategy. MAGA extremists overplayed their hand, and their attempts to use the NDAA to attack our community backfired. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York announced on Thursday that the Senate is poised to vote on the NDAA early next week. Following the Senates decision, the House of Representatives is expected to cast its vote. If the must-pass legislation receives approval continuing a six-decade tradition of annual authorization it will then be forwarded to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, on Sunday said he wont be supporting former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, and he wouldnt rule out voting for President Joe Biden. Romney, a frequent critic of Trump, heavily rebuked the former president in an exclusive interview on NBC News Meet the Press. He said Trump is dangerous for the country because he carries authoritarian rulings and interests, and called him a human gumball machine that spouts out unfiltered thoughts to the public. Asked by moderator Kristen Welker if hed vote for Biden, given what he said about Trump, Romney said: Im not going to describe who Ill rule out other than President Trump. His remarks came after Trump said at a Fox News town hall Tuesday that he would not be a dictator if he is elected into the White House next year, except for Day One. I think we agree that we have looked at his behavior, and his behavior suggests that this is a person who will impose his will if he can, on the judicial system on the legislative branch and on the entire nation, Romney said. I mean, when he called people to come to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, that was not a random date, he added, referring to the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, by Trump supporters. That was the date when peaceful transfer of power was to occur he called that on purpose. Theres no question he has authoritarian rulings and interests and notions which he will try and impose. Thats dangerous for the country. Romney also dismissed the impeachment inquiry into Biden thats being led by his Republican colleagues in the House. Have you seen any evidence that President Biden has committed high crimes and misdemeanors? asked Welker. Romney said: No, I dont see any evidence of that at all. I think before you begin an impeachment inquiry, you ought to have some evidence, some inclination that theres been wrongdoing, and so far theres nothing of that nature thats been provided. So you oppose the impeachment inquiry? Welker pressed, to which Romney replied: Well, if I were in the House, Id vote against it, unless they were able to bring forward evidence that suggested there were a high crime or misdemeanor that had been committed. But so far, that hasnt been the case. Multiple House leaders have said the chamber is expected to vote this week on a resolution to authorize the impeachment inquiry thats been driven by three GOP-led House committees: Judiciary, Oversight, and Ways and Means. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, have said they believe Republicans have the votes to approve the resolution. The White House has repeatedly criticized Republicans impeachment inquiry into Biden as an illegitimate effort. Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, slammed the resolution in an interview on MSNBC as a bungling exercise by Republicans to impeach the president, adding: They want to overturn what happened in 2020, and theyre using their power to launch these baseless political attacks against the president. What were going to do is push back with the facts and call them out for exactly what theyre doing. And I think the presidents being very clear about what his priorities are in contrast to these extreme Republicans, Sams said. Romney was critical of both Biden and Trumps re-election campaigns on Meet the Press, describing the president as someone whos too old and the former president as someone else whos a little too nutty. And he said hed prefer to vote for Joe Manchin, the moderate Senate Democrat who has floated the possibility of a presidential run. The Utah Republican who announced in September that he will not be running for re-election in the Senate as he stressed the need for a new generation of politicians said he believes former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is the only candidate in the GOP field who has a shot to become the nominee other than Trump. Asked why he hasnt endorsed a candidate yet, Romney said an endorsement would be the kiss of death. Maybe I should should I endorse the person I like least right now? he said, while laughing. Im not going to be endorsing President Trump, obviously. Ive made that very clear. Romney has repeatedly laid out a series of scathing critiques of Trump since the then-candidates 2016 presidential bid, having denounced him as a fraud, a misogynist and a bully who threatens the countrys future. During his Senate campaign in 2018, Romney continued to rebuke Trump and pitched himself as a voice independent from the then-president. Romney later became the only GOP senator to vote twice to convict Trump at his impeachment trials. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Enough is enough Sac Supervisors have failed to produce a climate action plan, (sacbee.com, Dec. 3) It is infuriating to learn that a plan that was supposed to be set into motion 12 years ago has still not been completed. When is enough enough? When are we going to look at the devastation our state has faced because of the climate crisis and decide that something needs to be done? We knew something needed to be done 12 years ago, and we still know something needs to be done. Now, the California Legislature needs to adopt a statewide climate action plan and set it in motion immediately. Mckinley King Hilmar No more roadway widening Sacramento County to add traffic lanes South Watt Avenue, (sacbee.com, Nov. 27) How is it possible that the County of Sacramento can get away with using funds designated for active transportation to widen a roadway to four lanes for motor vehicle traffic? Yes, the county will be adding seven miles of bike lanes and sidewalks, and thats terrific. But so much more is needed to make Sacramento bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly. How many more miles of safe bike lanes and sidewalks could have been built with this $37 million if most of it werent going to be used to widen three miles of South Watt? We dont need more roadway widening. We need a complete network of safe bicycle and pedestrian ways for daily trips. This is critical if we want to reduce climate change emissions from transportation. Anne Geraghty Former Executive Director, WALKSacramento Opinion Valuable scientists Deep disappointment: Global climate envoy Newsom is alienating environmentalists at home, (sacbee.com, Dec. 1) Water advocates are acutely concerned about Gov. Gavin Newsoms Bay-Delta Watershed and Sacramento Valley water plans. I can relate. As president of the California Association of Professional Scientists (CAPS), I represent 4,300 frontline workers many of whom shape and enforce state water policies who worry that their inequitable salaries are hollowing out the states scientific corps with predictably terrible results for everyone. After bargaining for three years without a contract, CAPS recently went on strike, a first in the 46 years since state law gave employees gained collective bargaining. Newsom touts the value of science-based environmental policies, but he forced us to make unfortunate history. Programs protecting water, air, public health and agriculture have become training courses for scientists who, on average, leave within five years of joining the state for other public- and private-sector jobs. If the governor values science, then he should value his scientists. Jacqueline Tkac Sacramento Kiley is the problem Kevin Kiley rips Gavin Newsom in unusual floor speech, (sacbee.com, Dec. 5) Kevin Kileys views are mainstream in the Republican Party. He voted for a speaker that wishes to take away a womans right to choose their own health care. Just like the rest of the Republican Party, Kiley complains and attacks but does not govern or solve. The problem, ironically, is not Gov. Gavin Newsom, but Kiley. When the Republican Party, of which I was a member for decades, became a cult, we got Kiley. I hope that in the next election my fellow voters realize it is 2024 and not 1950, and choose another representative who will take us into the future. Raymond Jessen Applegate Sacramento pride Tower Theatre 85th anniversary attracts packed house, testimonials of unique Sacramento history, (sacbee.com, Dec. 3) The recent 85th anniversary celebration of Tower Theatre was an event that captivated a packed house and showcased the unique history of Sacramento. The testimonials shared during the celebration unveiled the rich tapestry of our citys cultural heritage. Sacramento deserves to bask in the glory of its unique history, and the Tower Theatres 85th anniversary serves as a beacon of our cultural pride. Amandeep Sidhu Lathrop Public service journalism Can CA police ask to see my phone if I get pulled over? (sacbee.com, Nov. 13) Kudos to reporter Angela Rodriguez for her recent articles clarifying driving laws and individual rights under the law. I found this specific article to be especially beneficial. As a retired criminal defense investigator, I know how intimidating a traffic stop or police encounter can be and how easily the police can get a citizen to comply and unknowingly waive their rights. Theyre actually trained to do this. Citizens shouldnt have to defend their rights if law enforcement respects them. Thank you for the articles, and I look forward to more as they are a benefit to our community. Rick von Geldern Winters Rings hollow With the expulsion of Santos and ouster of McCarthy, the House is making unexpected history, (sacbee.com, Dec. 2) I am saddened by the expulsion of George Santos for a couple of reasons: First, that such a clownish falsifier made it that far, that long, in our system. Second, and more significantly, that those who expelled him continue to condone and hail as presumptive leader a far more treacherous man, one whose lies and deceit actually endanger lives and threaten the foundations of democracy. Its a hollow act, from individuals with hollow integrity. Larry Ebert San Francisco (CNN) The president of Harvard University apologized in an interview with the schools student newspaper after facing widespread condemnation for her disastrous congressional testimony this week, in which she and other university presidents failed to explicitly say calls for genocide of Jewish people constituted bullying and harassment on campus. I am sorry, Harvard University president Claudine Gay said to The Harvard Crimson on Thursday. Words matter. The apology came just days after Gay, the president of the University of Pennsylvania and the president of MIT testified at a House committee hearing focused on antisemitism on campus, to widespread criticism that they have not done enough to ensure the safety of Jewish students and others at their respective schools. Harvard, UPenn and MIT have all come under fire along with other US academic institutions over perceived inaction against antisemitism on their campuses, especially in the wake of the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel and the subsequent war. At UPenn, for example, President Liz Magill has been under pressure to resign for weeks, as major donors and others say they have lost confidence in her ability to lead the school. Harvard is also among 14 colleges under investigation by the Department of Education for discrimination involving shared ancestry since the October attacks. During Tuesdays House hearing, Gay, along with the UPenn and MIT presidents, did not explicitly say that calling for the genocide of Jews would necessarily violate their code of conduct on bullying or harassment. Instead, they explained it would depend on the circumstances and conduct. Gay told the Harvard student paper that she regretted what she said. When words amplify distress and pain, I dont know how you could feel anything but regret, she said to The Crimson. I got caught up in what had become at that point, an extended, combative exchange about policies and procedures, Gay told the newspaper. What I should have had the presence of mind to do in that moment was return to my guiding truth, which is that calls for violence against our Jewish community threats to our Jewish students have no place at Harvard, and will never go unchallenged. Substantively, I failed to convey what is my truth, she added. The Harvard president told the paper shes heard about how much pain students are in over the past few months. To contemplate that something I said amplified that pain thats really difficult, Gay said to The Crimson. It makes me sad. Flood of criticism Gay has faced plenty of calls to resign, most notably from Hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, a Harvard graduate who has been a vocal critic of how universities have addressed antisemitism on campus Throughout the hearing, the three behaved like hostile witnesses, Ackman wrote in a post on X earlier this week, exhibiting a profound disdain for the Congress with their smiles and smirks, and their outright refusal to answer basic questions with a yes or no answer. They must all resign in disgrace, Ackman said. But the criticism from donors, politicians, alumni and business leaders has been reserved mostly for UPenns Magill, who appears most imminently at risk of losing her job. She faces a donor rebellion, including a threat from one donor to pull a $100 million gift. The Wharton board also said it wants Magill ousted. Underscoring the anger at the three university presidents testimony, on Friday a bipartisan group of more than 70 US lawmakers sent a letter to board members of all three universities, demanding the dismissal of Gay and the presidents of UPenn and MIT. Given this moment of crisis, we demand that your boards immediately remove each of these presidents from their positions and that you provide an actionable plan to ensure that Jewish and Israeli students, teachers, and faculty are safe on your campuses, the lawmakers wrote. The university presidents responses to questions aimed at addressing the growing trend of antisemitism on college and university campuses were abhorrent, the bipartisan group added. Magill, like Gay, clarified her remarks Wednesday, a day after the controversial testimony. Magill said in a short video that she should have been more forceful in her condemnation of hate speech, particularly calls for genocide. I was not focused on but I should have been the irrefutable fact that a call for genocide of Jewish people is a call for some of the most terrible violence human beings can perpetrate. Its evil. Plain, and simple, Magill said in a video posted on X. I want to be clear: A call for genocide of Jewish people would be harassment or intimidation. Unlike Gay, however, Magill has not apologized for her testimony. This story was first published on CNN.com, "HHarvard president apologizes for her disastrous testimony at antisemitism hearing: Words matter " The debris of a Russian missile downed on Dec. 9 damaged the premises of a local business and two trucks in the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Governor Serhii Lysak reported on Dec. 10. Lysak added that there were no casualties and said that civilians should seek shelter during air raid sirens even if air defense is working. On Dec. 9, Lysak reported the missile being downed at 6:30 p.m. He did not disclose the location or name of the enterprise that suffered from the debris. Nearly two years into the full-scale war, Russian forces continue to regularly attack cities, towns, and villages far from the front line, often targeting their infrastructure. Located next to embattled Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, civilian areas in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast especially the city of Nikopol located only across the Dnipro River from Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant have suffered almost daily attacks since the start of the war. Overnight, Nikopol had suffered yet another heavy artillery attack, Lysak reported on Dec. 10. He added that the destruction is being assessed but reported no casualties. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An Ohio grandmother is accused of intentionally shooting her 6-month-old grandchild in the head, officials say. Deputies responded to a call about a shooting at 1:50 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at a home in Liberty Township and arrived to find an infant with a gunshot wound to the head, the Butler County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. Authorities learned that the childs grandmother, Mia Desiree Harris, had opened fire on several family members before turning the gun on the baby, then fleeing the scene, the sheriffs office said. There was an argument or fight with family leading up to Harris shooting her granddaughter, Sheriff Richard Jones told WXIX. She shot and missed at her daughter, I believe. Then, they moved the daughter from one room to the other and then she went and shot this child and doesnt appear to have any remorse whatsoever, he told the outlet. Deputies found and arrested Harris a short time after the shooting, the release said, and she is facing three counts of felonious assault. The baby was taken to a hospital in critical condition, according to the release. Liberty Township is about 25 miles north of Cincinnati. Man arrested in killing of 16-year-old cheerleader found dead by mom, Texas cops say Boyfriend finds teacher and mom of 2 shot dead outside her home, Ohio officials say Bus rider fatally hits man racially harassing him and wont be charged, PA officials say Woman stabbed then dumped in pasture is found alive, Texas cops say. Man arrested Boxes of legal documents a mystery to granddaughter who found them in a chicken coop. Growing up wed often travel from my grandmothers small-town home to Five Mile Corner to look around the family farm. Its been more than 20 years since we last visited, but the experience is clear in my head because of what unfolded on the site one day. There wasnt much to see around the farm. All the familiar buildings and structures were long gone, except for an old, delipidated chicken coop. We opened what was left of the coops door and, of course, found the place dark and smelly. Mounds of chicken feed were scattered across the floor, probably left there as feed bags were split open. A racoon scampered from a dark corner and startled us. Guess it had had enough to eat over the years. At one end, we counted a couple of dozen stacked cardboard boxes, although most were falling apart from moisture and wind damage. A partially opened box revealed an unending stash of paper, and a quick glance indicated the pieces were legal filings and lawsuit documents. Many of the pieces were stamped with the name of my grandfathers law firm, which had closed decades earlier when he died. We loaded up the boxes, and I took them to my garage in eastern Oklahoma, where they remained for years. I finally found enough hours over several months to finish a thorough search through the boxes. Mostly I looked for answers to why these boxes interested me and where they came from. Perhaps I was looking for papers that would reveal more about my grandfather and confirm stories family members had shared over the years. The contents included copies of court filings related to oilfield leases, lawsuits about land disputes and settlements that dated to the oil boon days in a growing Wewoka. Some interesting papers were darkened, curled up photostatic copies of tribal rolls and other handwritten court legal work docketed in the 1930s. This experience had turned into a real life history lesson on early day Wewoka. While the boxes offered little personal family history, they revealed the archaic, old-style handwritten process of shepherding law cases. Meanwhile, deep in one box I began to pull separate piles of documents that related to the same legal battle, one that had existed in the Oklahoma courts. The papers told a story of the unknown heirs of Echolle Harjo, a Seminole Native on the rolls. Im not an attorney, but my news reporter instincts told me this lawsuit was a hot mess over many years. Some say the case that began in Seminole County eventually landed in the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Throughout this labor-intensive paper sorting, I still hoped to solve the mystery of who put the boxes into the chicken coop, when it happened and, for heavens sake, why? Over time, the paperwork and boxes began to deteriorate, tear into pieces and fall apart. Eventually, I could not hold any of these treasures in my hands anymore. It was obvious my grandfather had been one of the attorneys on the case. Yet, no one in the family remembered anything about this paper dump. That bothered me. Was the material worth storing or saving? Or did someone simply junk the boxes to be done with them? Why a chicken coop? Once, I spoke with an attorney seeking some details on the Harjo case, and I searched the internet for specifics of the lawsuit. There was little to nail down, really. Fast forward to today, decades after the paper sorting. I still wonder about the lawsuit and its importance to the law firm. There was no way to piece together who placed the boxes in the chicken coop or find out what it all means. It was quite a surprising find in the chicken coop that day. This adventure is similar to many deadend searches one has on a lifelong journey researching ancestry. Many questions remain. The mystery continues. Andrea Chancellor Andrea Chancellor has more than 20 years in newspaper and magazine journalism and 20 years in public relations. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: A surprise in a chicken coop leads to unanswered questions Loretta Brewer in her south Phoenix home where she has lived since 1954 on Dec. 3, 2023. Habitat for Humanity's Aging in Place program provided Brewer with a walk-in shower and flooring repairs to allow her to continue living in the home safely. Loretta Brewer didn't have hot water in her south Phoenix home, and the bathroom floor was damaged, making her fall from the bathtub worse. The 76-year-old grew up in the home built by her dad, and she couldn't afford to move or fix it up. Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona's Aging in Place program helped her by providing home repairs and community services to make her home safe so she can keep living there. It's a much-needed program as 10,000 Americans turn 65 daily, and many can't afford to move into senior care homes. Alex McEachern, special project manager for Habitat, said they tore out the bathtub, installed a new shower and did a full bathroom remodel for Brewer. "We go in and make a home accessible so homeowners can stay in their house for years longer," he said about the program for people 65 and older. By 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 or older. Now, more than 19 million older adults are living in homes that need repairs or are unsafe. Treva Brewer points to photos of her grandparents, Sammy and Maggie Brewer, who bough the south Phoenix home where she grew up and her mother has lived since 1954. Habitat for Humanity's Aging in Place program provided the Brewer's with a walk-in shower and flooring repairs to allow her mother Loretta to continue living in the home safely. Habitat of Central Arizona received $7,500 from The Arizona Republic's 2022-23 Season for Sharing campaign, which readers donated more than $1.6 million to fund. The money was used for the nonprofit's program to help disadvantaged older adults stay in their homes longer by providing home repairs that boost safety and functionality. Make an online donation to Season for Sharing by clicking here. Debra Fabry Bradley, chief operating officer for Habitat of Central Phoenix, said the Aging in Place program has helped 51 people stay in their homes during the past year. Habitat's mission is to provide safe and affordable housing, particularly for seniors, veterans and single parents. It is well-known for the affordable homes it builds with some sweat equity from the eventual owners. It launched the Aging in Place in metro Phoenix six years ago to provide a safety net to a group at risk of losing their homes, said Fabry Bradley. The program focuses on seniors who already own their own houses. Habitat has similar programs in other parts of the U.S. "The program is incredibly popular," said J. David Smith, chief development officer of Habitat Central Arizona. "Our biggest challenge, of course, is funding." Loretta Brewer (left) with her daughter Treva in the south Phoenix home where the family has lived since 1954 on Dec. 3, 2023. Habitat for Humanity's Aging in Place program provided Loretta with a walk-in shower and flooring repairs to allow her to continue living in the home safely. The Valley's Aging in Place program currently has almost 300 applicants who need help with their homes. Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity, based in Cottonwood, also received $7,500 from the 2022-23 Season for Sharing campaign to support home repairs for low-income families. Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona received $7,500 to support innovative housing solutions in Coconino County. How the program works Habitat offers a "holistic approach" to helping elderly metro Phoenix residents stay in their homes. It first completes an assessment for homeowners with a health or human services consultant to learn about their daily activities, how they pay bills, clean their houses, communicate with others and run errands. A second assessment by a Habitat construction manager looks at what needs to be done to fix their homes so they can stay in them. The Aging in Place program can replace air conditioners and water heaters, install raised toilets, ramps and rails, secure locks, widen doorways and make other important home improvements. The maximum spent on each house is $15,000. "It's really, really nice now," said Brewer, who is on disability, about her longtime home. "I needed a shower, and the bathroom bars are a blessing." Donate to Season for Sharing Since 1993, because of readers like you, The Arizona Republic's Season for Sharing campaign has raised and given away more than $73 million to Arizona nonprofits. Please help The Republic continue supporting our neighbors in need. Scan the QR code with your smartphone camera and click on the link to donate to Season for Sharing. Where does the money go? When you give to Season for Sharing, you're contributing to nonprofits that help teachers and students, aid older Arizonans and support struggling children and families. The Republic pays all administrative costs, so 100% of donations go back to the community. Ways to give Fill out the secure online form at sharing.azcentral.com. Text "SHARING" to 91-999 and click on the link in the text message. Go online at facebook.com/seasonforsharing and look for the featured "DONATE HERE" post. Clip the coupon on Page 4A of The Arizona Republic, fill it out and mail it to P.O. Box 29250, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9250. Scan the QR code with your smartphone camera, and click on the link to donate. Reach the reporter at catherine.reagor@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8040. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @CatherineReagor. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Habitat for Humanity is helping metro Phoenix seniors fix up homes When trends fade, I'd like to say I'm pretty on top of it, but today I came across a revelation that genuinely shocked me. Apparently, millennials are now easily spottable if they... FRONT TUCK!!! Yes, the Tan France favorite (also known as the Him, somewhere right now: undefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefined undefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefined The millennials were quaking. Like...things got heated. They came for blood. In the words of Mariah Carey, they said, One Gen Z'er But other Gen Z'ers were pretty chill about all the discourse, and admitted they French tuck, too. As a cusper myself, I was getting my popcorn machine revved up on the sidelines but also once again blissfully confused which side I belonged to: Melissa McCormick, the 28-year-old PhD student who created the stitched video, told BuzzFeed she's already stopped front tucking. She said, She added, Not to derail, but I'm personally fascinated such an invention exists...because this was my solution to an oversized shirt as a kid: And for Archuletta, the creator of the original video, she said she's not giving up on the front tuck just yet. She told BuzzFeed, Y'all, all I know is, day by day, I am becoming less and less in the loop. But I am thankful for the Internet for keeping me entertained and informed. Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip - SAID KHATIB / AFP Hamas has warned that not a single hostage would leave the territory alive unless the groups demands were met. Neither the fascist enemy and its arrogant leadership... nor its supporters... can take their prisoners alive without an exchange and negotiation and meeting the demands of the resistance, Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamass armed wing, said in a televised broadcast, referring to the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. A one-week truce in the war that collapsed on December 1 saw 105 hostages held by the group freed, including 80 Israelis released in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. Israel on Saturday said 137 captives remained in the Palestinian territory. He said that the temporary truce proved our credibility, and said that its fighters had partially or fully destroyed 180 Israeli personnel carriers, tanks and bulldozers in 10 days since fighting resumed in Gaza. 05:02 PM GMT Thats all for today Thank you for following our live coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The key developments from the day were the following: Hamas has warned that not a single hostage would leave the territory alive unless the groups demands were met. Israeli tanks reached the centre of Khan Younis in a major new push into the heart of the main city in the southern Gaza Strip. Mediation efforts are continuing to secure a new Gaza ceasefire and free more hostages held by Hamas despite ongoing Israeli bombardment that is narrowing the window for a successful outcome, Qatars prime minister said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he regrets the Security Councils failure to demand a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, condemning the divisions that have paralysed the world body. The IDF has reported that 1593 of its soldiers have been wounded since the start of the war on Oct 7, 559 of those in Gaza. France said that one of its warships in the Red Sea was targeted by two drones coming from Yemen. Both were intercepted and shot down. Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Vladimir Putin and voiced displeasure with anti-Israel positions taken by Moscows envoys at the United Nations. Some Hamas fighters have surrendered in the northern Gaza Strip, Israel said. The impact of the conflict on Gazas healthcare sector has been catastrophic, the World Health Organization chief said on Sunday at an emergency board meeting, saying conditions were ideal for the spread of deadly diseases. 04:25 PM GMT WHO urges immediate humanitarian aide for Gaza The World Health Organizations executive board on Sunday adopted a resolution by consensus for combatting the worsening health situation in the Gaza Strip. After the UN Security Council declined to demand a ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas militant group, the 34 countries on the WHOs executive board adopted by consensus a resolution calling for the immediate, sustained and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief into Gaza. 04:13 PM GMT Israeli tanks reach centre of southern Gaza's main city Israeli tanks have reached the centre of Khan Younis in a major new push into the heart of the main city in the southern Gaza Strip. Residents said tanks had reached the main north-south road through the middle of Khan Younis after intense combat through the night. Warplanes were pounding the area west of the assault, while thick columns of white smoke rose over the city. Smoke rises in Khan Younis - IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / Reuters It was one of the most dreadful nights, the resistance was very strong, we could hear gunshots and explosions that didnt stop for hours, a father of four displaced from Gaza City and sheltering in Khan Younis told Reuters. Israel launched the storm of Khan Younis this week after a truce collapsed, extending its ground war to Gazas southern half in a new, expanded phase of its two-month-old campaign to wipe out Hamas militants. International aid organisations say this has left the enclaves 2.3 million people with nowhere to hide. 03:54 PM GMT In pictures An Israeli army self-propelled artillery howitzer fires rounds - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images Chickens walk on top of rubble, at the site of Israeli strikes on a residential area - REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa Israel's Chief of Staff lighting a candle in Nahal - IDF 03:37 PM GMT White House to intensify push for Ukraine and Israel aid The White House will step up its engagement with US lawmakers trying to strike a bipartisan deal that would provide military aid for Ukraine and Israel, a Democratic senator said on Sunday. Republicans have insisted that additional funding for Ukraine must be paired with major US border security changes but a bipartisan group of senators trying to broker a compromise have made little progress with less than a week before the US Congress leaves for a Christmas break. The White House is going to get more engaged this week, said Senator Chris Murphy, the lead Democratic negotiator. Murphy said the current border security demands by Republicans were unreasonable and that they were playing games with the security of the world by linking the military aid to US border security measures. 03:24 PM GMT Israel cannot recover its hostages without negotiations, says Hamas Hamas armed wing said on Sunday Israel will not be able to recover any of its hostages unless it engages in talks over conditional swap deals. Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for the al-Qassam Brigades, said in an audio speech broadcast by Al Jazeera television that Israel will not be able to recover the captives by force, citing what he described a failed operation to free one of them. He also claimed that Hamas fighters had partially or fully destroyed 180 Israeli personnel carriers, tanks and bulldozers in 10 days since fighting resumed in Gaza, and that the temporary truce proved our credibility. 03:08 PM GMT Blinken: Palestinian civilian safety imperative US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Sunday it is imperative that Israeli military operations in Gaza protect Palestinian civilians, adding that the fighting should be followed by a durable peace leading to a Palestinian state. 03:01 PM GMT Watch: Israel claims 'Hamas fighters' surrender in northern Gaza 02:54 PM GMT Israel says 1593 soldiers wounded and 425 killed The IDF has reported that 1593 of its soldiers have been wounded since the start of the war on Oct 7, 559 of those in Gaza. It added that 425 soldiers have been killed. 02:44 PM GMT France says its warships was targeted by drones from direction of Yemen France said that one of its warships in the Red Sea was targeted by two drones coming from Yemen. Both were intercepted and shot down, according to the Associated Press. A short statement from the Armies Ministry did not say who fired the drones at the French Navy frigate Languedoc. Frances Armies Ministry said the drones came straight at the Languedoc two hours apart from the direction of Yemen. The warship destroyed them both about 110 kilometers (70 miles) off the Red Sea port of Al Hudaydah on the Yemeni coast, it said. 02:38 PM GMT Pictured: Palestinian detainees Israeli soldiers stand by a truck packed with shirtless Palestinian detainees - REUTERS/Yossi Zeliger I 02:26 PM GMT Artillery Corps now operating inside the Gaza Strip Since the start of the war, Israels Artillery Corps has been operating on the border of the Gaza Strip, assisting the ground forces with fire support for operations and rescue efforts. In recent days, soldiers from the 282nd Brigade have begun operating in the Gaza Strip, in cooperation with the 188th Brigade in the Shujaiyya area of the Gaza Strip, according to the IDF. 02:09 PM GMT Netanyahu: Israel helped Cyprus foil Iranian-ordered attack against Israelis and Jews Israel helped Cyprus foil an Iranian-ordered attack against Israelis and Jews on the island, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said on Sunday, saying such plots were on the rise since the Gaza war erupted. Netanyahus office gave no details of the planned attack but said in the statement on behalf of the Mossad intelligence service that Israel was troubled by what it saw as Iranian use of Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus both for terrorism objectives and as an operational and transit area. The breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey, which is sharply critical of Israels actions in Gaza since Oct. 7. The internationally recognised government in the south of Cyprus has close relations with Israel. 01:43 PM GMT Netanyahu speaks to Putin Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday and voiced displeasure with anti-Israel positions taken by Moscows envoys at the United Nations, an Israeli statement said. Russia backed a UN Security Council resolution for a Gaza truce, which was vetoed by the United States on Friday. Speaking to Putin, Netanyahu also voiced robust disapproval of Russias dangerous cooperation with Iran, the Israeli statement said Netanyahu also expressed his appreciation of the Russian effort to release an Israeli citizen with Russian citizenship. 01:31 PM GMT Pictured: Netanyahu heads the weekly cabinet meeting Benjamin Netanyahu heads the weekly cabinet meeting - AFP 01:22 PM GMT North Korea condemns US veto of Gaza ceasefire call at UN A North Korean senior official criticised the United States for blocking a UN resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, claiming the veto showed Washingtons double standards, North Korean state media KCNA said on Sunday. The United States vetoed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza at the United Nations Security Council on Friday. The ceasefire resolution at the UN failed to pass after the United States vetoed the proposal and Britain abstained. The United States abuse of its veto power to protect an ally that massacred tens of thousands of civilians is not only a manifestation of illegal and unreasonable double standards, but also the height of inhumane evil, Kim Son Gyong, North Koreas vice foreign minister for international organisations, said via KCNA. Kim argued the United States was contradicting itself by condoning continued fighting in Gaza while condemning North Koreas recent satellite launch that caused no harm to any other country. 01:10 PM GMT Hamas fighters surrender in northern Gaza, claims Israel Some Hamas fighters have surrendered in the northern Gaza Strip, Israel said late on Saturday. The Israeli military did not specify how many Hamas militants had been captured, but said they had surrendered in and near Gaza city, in the Shajaiya and Jabaliya neighbourhoods. The claims come two days after Israel said it had detained hundreds of terrorism suspects. Videos circulated on social media and Israeli news channels this week believed to show Hamas fighters detained by Israeli forces. The men in the videos had been forced to strip to their underwear and were blindfolded. The videos could not be independently verified, and reports emerged that there were civilian Gazans among those described as Hamas fighters. 12:50 PM GMT Iran accuses jailed Swedish EU diplomat of conspiring with Israel Iranian authorities have accused a Swedish EU diplomat, held in a Tehran prison for more than 600 days, of conspiring with Irans arch-enemy Israel to harm the Islamic republic, the judiciary said Sunday, reported by AFP. Johan Floderus is accused of extensive measures against the security of the country, extensive intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime and corruption on earth, the judiciarys Mizan Online news agency said. Corruption on earth is one of Irans most serious offences which carries a maximum penalty of death. The defendant has been active against the Islamic Republic of Iran in the field of gathering information for the benefit of the Zionist regime in the form of subversive projects, Mizan quoted the prosecution as saying. Earlier Sunday, the European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for the immediate release of the Swedish diplomat, arguing there are absolutely no grounds for keeping Johan Floderus in detention. Floderus, 33, works for the European Union diplomatic service. He was arrested on April 17, 2022, at Tehran airport as he was returning from a trip abroad, and is being held in Tehrans Evin prison. 12:33 PM GMT Hamas attacks do not justify Israel's punishment of Palestinians, says Russia's Lavrov Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday said it was not acceptable for Israel to use Hamas terror attack on Oct 7 as justification for the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, and called for international monitoring on the ground in Gaza. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly blamed the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas on the failure of years of US diplomacy in the Middle East, while aiming to position Russia as an important player with ties to all the major actors in the region. 12:22 PM GMT Pictured: Fighting on Dec 10 Smoke rises from Israeli artillery shelling on the outskirts of Yaroun, a Lebanese border village with Israel - AP Photo/Hassan Ammar Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during an Israeli strike - MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images Photo from the IDF of fighting in the Gaza Strip - IDF 12:03 PM GMT Iran unveils drones armed with air-to-air missiles Iran has reinforced its air defence capabilities by adding combat drones equipped with air-to-air missiles to its arsenal, state media reported on Sunday. Dozens of Karrar drones armed with air-to-air missiles have been added for air defence in all border areas of the country, the official IRNA news agency said, reported by AFP. The drones, with an operational range of up to 1,000 kilometres (620 miles), were exhibited Sunday morning during a televised ceremony organised at a military academy in Tehran. The enemies will now have to rethink their strategies because the Iranian forces have become more powerful, IRNA quoted the commander-in-chief of Irans army, General Abdolrahim Mousavi, as saying. The development of Irans military arsenal has sparked concern among many countries, particularly the United States and Israel, the sworn enemies of the Islamic republic. The latter accuse Tehran of providing fleets of drones to its allies in the Middle East, notably to Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, and to the Huthi rebels in Yemen. Iran also backs the Palestinian militant group Hamas. 11:43 AM GMT Watch: Israeli offensive continues as Netanyahu rebuffs calls to end fighting in Gaza 11:27 AM GMT Jordan says Israel aims to expel Palestinians from Gaza Jordans foreign minister Ayman Safadi said on Sunday Israel was implementing a systematic policy of pushing Palestinians out of Gaza by a war that has killed thousands of civilians. In remarks at a conference in Doha, Safadi, whose country borders the West Bank and had absorbed the bulk of Palestinians after Israels creation in 1948, also said Israel had created an amount of hatred that would haunt the region and define generations to come. 11:14 AM GMT Israeli army says five soldiers have died The Israeli army have said in a statement that five of its soldiers have died in the Gaza War. Four soldiers were killed in the battle in Southern Gaza, while the fifth succumbed to his wounds after fighting on October 7, according to the Israeli army statement posted on X. 11:00 AM GMT Two Iranians questioned over suspected plots to attack Israelis in Cyprus Two Iranians have been detained in Cyprus for questioning over suspected planning of attacks on Israeli citizens living in Cyprus, a Cypriot newspaper reported on Sunday. The two individuals were believed to be in the early stages of gathering intelligence on potential Israeli targets, the Kathimerini Cyprus newspaper said, without citing sources. The paper added that the Iranians were political refugees in contact with a person linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. A senior Cyprus official declined to comment, citing policy on issues concerning national security. Barely a 40-minute flight from Israel, Cyprus is a popular holiday and investment destination for thousands of Israelis. 10:50 AM GMT Watch: Crowding in Rafah as displaced Palestinians flee after evacuation orders 10:40 AM GMT Yemen rebels threaten Israel-bound Red Sea ships Yemens Iran-backed Huthi rebels have threatened to attack any vessels heading to Israeli ports unless food and medicine are allowed into the besieged Gaza Strip, according to Reuters. The latest warning comes amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea and surrounding waters following a series of maritime attacks by Huthi rebels since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7. In a statement posted on social media, the Huthis said they will prevent the passage of ships heading to the Zionist entity if humanitarian aid is not allowed into Hamas-ruled Gaza. The Huthis have recently attacked ships they claim have direct links to Israel, but their latest threat expands the scope of their targets. Regardless of which flag ships sail under or the nationality of their owners or operators, Israel-bound vessels will become a legitimate target for our armed forces, the statement said. Hamas welcomed the rebels courageous and bold decision. We call on Arab and Muslim countries to use all their capabilities, based on their historical responsibilities and in the spirit of chivalry, to lift the siege of Gaza, it added in a statement sent to AFP. Israels national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, said his country would not accept the naval siege, noting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked US President Joe Biden and European leaders to take measures to address the situation. 10:29 AM GMT Apocalyptic situation in southern Gaza Israel is continuing to push on with its punishing air and ground offensive in southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled in search of shelter. Aid groups have described the situation as apocalyptic and warned it is on the brink of being overwhelmed by disease and starvation. Hamas said on Sunday that Israel had launched a series of very violent raids targeting the southern city of Khan Younis and the road from there to Rafah, near the border with Egypt. At least 17,700 people, mostly women and children, have died in two months of fighting in the narrow strip of territory, according to the latest figures from Gazas Hamas-run health ministry. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue its just war, while army chief Herzi Halevi said his forces needed to press harder in Gaza. 10:25 AM GMT Pictured: Damage to homes in Gaza A Palestinian man inspects the damage at the site of Israeli strikes on houses - REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa 10:13 AM GMT Netanyahu rebuffs calls to end fighting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuffed on Sunday international calls to end the Gaza war, describing them as inconsistent with supporting the war-aim of eliminating Hamas. Briefing his cabinet, Netanyahu said he had told the leaders of France, Germany and other countries: You cannot on the one hand support the elimination of Hamas and on other pressure us to end the war, which would prevent the elimination of Hamas. 10:00 AM GMT Gaza health situation is 'catastrophic', says WHO chief The impact of the conflict on Gazas healthcare sector has been catastrophic, the World Health Organization chief said on Sunday at an emergency board meeting, saying conditions were ideal for the spread of deadly diseases. Its stating the obvious to say that the impact of the conflict on health is catastrophic, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the 34-member board. In summary health needs have increased dramatically and the capacity of the health system has been reduced to one third of what it was, he said. 09:44 AM GMT Displaced Palestinians shelter in Rafah Displaced Palestinians, who fled their houses due to Israeli strikes, shelter in Rafah - REUTERS/Mustafa Thraya 09:31 AM GMT Qatar says efforts to renew Israel-Hamas truce continuing Mediation efforts are continuing to secure a new Gaza ceasefire and free more hostages held by Hamas despite ongoing Israeli bombardment that is narrowing the window for a successful outcome, Qatars prime minister said Sunday. Our efforts as the state of Qatar along with our partners are continuing. We are not going to give up, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told the Doha Forum. He added that the continuation of the bombardment is just narrowing this window for us. Qatar was a key mediator in negotiations that resulted in a seven-day truce, which saw scores of Israeli hostages exchanged for Palestinians prisoners and humanitarian aid, until it ended at the start of the month. We are going to continue, we are committed to have hostages released, but we are also committed to stop the war, Qatars prime minister said. However, he said, we are not seeing the same willingness from both parties. 09:24 AM GMT UN chief says its credibility is undermined UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Sunday said he regrets the Security Councils failure to demand a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, condemning the divisions that have paralysed the world body. Addressing Qatars Doha Forum, Guterres said the council was paralysed by geostrategic divisions that were undermining solutions to the Israel-Hamas war which started on October 7. The bodys authority and credibility were severely undermined by its delayed response to the conflict, he said two days after a US veto prevented a resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire. I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared, he told the forum. Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it, he added. I can promise, I will not give up. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. ST. LOUIS It was another Sunday morning of sometimes heated but always civil political debate on Hancock and Kelley, Sunday, December 10, 2023. John Hancock, Republican consultant, on the right and Michael Kelley, Democratic consultant, on the left, took on the following topics: St. Louis enacts an open carry trigger law to take effect immediately if/when state lawmakers allow cities to enact certain gun control measures. The new city ordinance is inspired by Missouris abortion trigger law that banned abortion when the United States Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision. St. Louis may have an ally in Kansas City which has surpassed St. Louis by far in the number of homicides for 2023. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, says he will seek a full term in 2024, after restoring criminal prosecutions in the wake of the resignation of troubled former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner. Missouri Senator Josh Hawley unleashes fury toward fellow Republicans after the House stripped aid to victims of radiation exposure from nuclear waste dating to World War II and the United States atomic weapons program. Our quote of the week was from Harvard University President Claudine Gay, as she and executives from other elite universities appeared before Congress to face criticism for their handling of a rise in antisemitism on their campuses. The University of Pennsylvania President, Liz Magill, resigned Saturday under mounting pressure from donors and alumni. President Biden makes a rare national address from the Oval Office, pushing for tens of billions of dollars in more aid for Ukraine as it fends off an ongoing invasion from Russia. President Bidens son, Hunter, has been indicted on nine counts of alleged federal tax crimes as Republicans move forward in the impeachment inquiry of the President. Former President Trump quips that if hes elected president again, he would act as a dictator, but only for one day, as Democrats warn of Mr. Trumps past threats of retribution against his political enemies. On the first night of Hannukah, people gathered at Federal Plaza in Chicago and lit candles to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, on December 7, 2023. Credit - Jacek BoczarskiAnadolu/Getty Images Each year, in the darkest days of winter, Hanukkah reliably arrives. We kindle lights and discuss the possibility of miracles. Each year is different. We return to Hanukkah a little older and altered by the changes within ourselves, our communities, and the world. This year is darker than any Ive lived through. Like so many grieving both Palestinian and Israeli loved ones, these past two months have brought the deepest horror and heartbreak of my life. Though Hanukkah is a festival that commemorates miracles in days of old, there are none for the 2.3 million Palestinians and over 100 Israeli hostages in Gaza as the Israeli government relentlessly bombards them. Israels brutal military siege has cut off electricity, clean water, medicine, fuel, food. As winter arrives, the darkness grows heavier. Millions have been displaced and pushed further and further south. Nowhere in Gaza is safe. In my despair, Im clinging to the sacred Jewish tradition of interpretation, of meaning making, of midrash. Particularly, Im clinging to the fact that Hanukkah is a story about Jewish resistance to oppression. For some, it is about the small band of Jewish fighters, the Maccabees, who battled for power and land, and won the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The idea underlying this focus of the story is that might is right. In this telling, Jewish liberation comes through endless militarism, dominance, and territorial control. But for me, the real miracle in the story is the opposite: The rabbis of the Talmud, who rejected this focus on militarism, chose for the prophetic portion on Shabbat the lines in Zechariah 4:6: Not by might, nor by power, but by spirit. Amidst our absolute horror at this moment, we are teaching our young people and reminding ourselves that bombs dont lead to peace, and that a future of Jewish liberation is only possible through spirited commitment to liberation for Palestinians, too. That resistance to oppression is not only about self-protection, but about building a world where everyone is free and safe. More From TIME Read More: Modern Hanukkah Traditions Are a Reminder That Extremism Is Always Short-Lived The difference in perspective is not just a matter of religious interpretation. It represents the moral, political crossroads for my communityand for all people in this time. Since the horrific attack on October 7th, when Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took hostage nearly 250 more, the Israeli government has pursued a genocidal war, killing over 17,000 people in Gaza including over 7,000 children. By the end of October, the number of children killed had already surpassed the annual number of children killed across every other conflict zone in the world since 2019. With the full and complete backing of the U.S. government, the Israeli military has been bombing Gaza relentlesslydestroying homes, hospitals, refugee camps, water desalination plants, universities, and libraries. This disregard for human life extends to the Israeli hostages, too. Members of the Israeli government have expressed their indifference to their fates as their families wait torturously. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said, "We have to be cruel now and not to think too much about the hostages." This war has already created generations of trauma. Thousands of children without parents, parents without their babies, an unfathomable man-made humanitarian crisis. For the Israeli government, there is no goal, no plan, except to drive the maximum number of Palestinians from the land in a campaign of complete ethnic cleansing. We aim, said retired IDF Major General Giora Eiland: to create conditions where life in Gaza becomes unsustainable. He added, Gaza will become a place where no human being can exist. Israeli Security Cabinet Member Avi Dichter echoed this sentiment when he said "We are now rolling out the Gaza Nakba. He is linking the current Israeli assault on Gaza to the violent displacement at the founding of the state, known as the Nakba (or catastrophe) when Zionist militias drove 750,000 Palestinians from their homes. The heartbreaking marches we now see of Palestinian children clinging to one precious item, driven south, are eerily reminiscent of the black and white photos from that first expulsion. The death and dispossession we are watching today already exceeds the toll in 1948. Read More: Gazans Have Nowhere Left to Flee In what world can we imagine that these historic atrocities by this Israeli regime against millions of Palestinian civilians will usher in a future of safety or security for Jewish Israelis? There is no moral, political or historical rationale to suggest that genocidal state violence produces anything but more violence. The Maccabees, who won the battle we commemorate during Hanukkah, then went on to fightand losemany more bloody and needless wars. Their tale is lauded by Zionists as a victory, but it can just as easily be understood as a cautionary one about the desire for territorial expansion, conquering of land, and unrelenting militarism. The empire they won, and the Jewish commonwealth they established, was ultimately horribly corrupt and persecuted many. All in all, the Hasmonean period of Jewish independence was a relatively ignoble period of Jewish history, lasting less than 100 years. It ended in disaster for the Jewish people. So how do we imagine a different way through this darkness? It is a simple truthwhether gleaned from ancient Jewish history or rooted in contemporary geopoliticsthat there is no military solution to Israels occupation, apartheid, and dispossession of Palestinians. Only a permanent ceasefire, lifting the siege, returning all who are held captive, and finally righting decades of injustice can make way for a future of shared, and real, peace. Israeli and Palestinian safety and lives are intertwined. Imagine a shared future rooted in a society without supremacy, domination, and oppression. A lasting peace, built on the basis of freedom, justice, and equality for all. Imagine, for a moment, replacing the racist fantasy of a land without a people with the reality of a land for all of the people. The miracle of resistance I choose to honor this Hanukkah is the one favored by the rabbis of the diaspora. When the Maccabees restored the temple, they only found one jar of oil, barely enough to keep the menorah lit for one day. Yet, it lasted eight days, the time it takes to press olives into a new jar of oil. This Hanukkah, I want to teach my five year old to really study the miracle of that oil: there is enough. There is enough for everyone. Contact us at letters@time.com. Melissa Alexanders daughter writes the names of the six victims in the Covenant School shooting in a tiny book in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. Every year, the family records the names of people they lost in the book. It's placed on the family Christmas tree. She saw the face of the killer who gunned down her friends. The shooter looked mean. Angry. For weeks, the 9-year-old perched atop a set of stairs as night fell. There, inside her familys two-story home, the girl, whose free time was once consumed by dancing and crafts, kept vigil, watching passing headlights that beamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Within days of the Covenant School shooting in late March, this survivor began an evening ritual checking exits, searching for signs of suspicious cars, identifying hiding spots and always thinking of escape plans on the off chance a killer tried to shoot their way into her home. She even asked her parents to install bulletproof glass. Before the school shooting, her mother said, she was a happy girl. Silly and funny. Delightful. Since then, shes become more withdrawn. She lost 50% of the hearing in her left ear, a consequence of being so close to the shooter, inside the third-grade classroom that was riddled with more than 150 bullets. This devil came into their school and just started shooting it up like a f---ing war zone," said the girl's mother, Mary Joyce, as tears traveled down her face. Days after the shooting, Joyce and other parents toured the school building, a memory that stays with her. Glass everywhere. Bullet holes in walls. Destroyed desks. Her daughter has also shared details of that Monday morning. "And she was just screaming at them," Joyce said of the shooter. "I can't get that image out of my head." The pain of those who lost loved ones is incomprehensible, said parents whose children survived. Survivors, though, face their own struggles as March 27 replays in their minds. They fear trips to the mall or sporting events. They envision their children terrified, dodging bullets. The tragedy is still with them. Every day. It may be that way for years. Three Covenant School parents Joyce, Abby McLean and Melissa Alexander agreed to discuss their families' physical and mental health struggles eight months after the tragic event that left seven people dead, including the shooter. The Tennessean agreed not to identify children by name. The parents interviewed were cautious about saying too much about their children's experiences. It's their story to tell eventually, they said. And for now, many of the children are still processing what occurred. Some are only now starting to talk about it. Memories, though, are becoming clouded, intermixed with versions of the day's events overheard from other children. Joyces daughter, now a fourth-grader, eventually stopped the nightly shooter drills, but she still struggles to understand why her friends are dead. Like other child survivors of that day, the girl often sleeps with her parents. Yet nightmares persist. For, in the quiet of the Nashville neighborhood of Green Hills, memories return. Melissa Alexander, the parent of a Covenant School student, holds her son's face while her family shops for Christmas trees at Hewitt Garden and Design Center in Franklin, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. At least some families of survivors are receiving mental health therapy. Some welcomed comfort dogs, on the advice of counselors. Dr. Melissa Brymer, the lead adviser to the Newtown Public Schools Recovery Program following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, has also spoken to Covenant School parents. For some, Brymer said, mental health recovery will be a long-term process. Much of it will be coping with triggers. Continuing active shooter drills at school. Viewing content on social media or in the news media there have been 126 incidents of gunfire on U.S. school grounds this year alone, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun violence prevention advocacy group. Even signs of support posted throughout town bring the day back. "This is life-altering for kids who experience these events, said Brymer, the director of terrorism and disaster programs at the UCLA-Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress Network. She's also the lead author of "Psychological First Aid for Schools and Skills for Psychological Recovery and has served as a consultant following disasters, terrorism events, school shootings and other tragedies. Mary Joyces daughter holds up a drawing she did over a booklet depicting parental vows of a Baptism the booklet is one of the items kept in her memory drawer at the familys home in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Kids, even 9 or 10, will ask, 'Why did this occur?' Especially with families of strong faith, or through the lens of faith, will ask why weren't they protected that day." The three parents don't know what to expect next year when students and faculty return to the Covenant School building. They said the building has not been dramatically remodeled. (The school announced this month that students will return to the Burton Hills campus in April. They had initially planned to bring students back in January. School officials cited an unspecified "variety of factors" for the delay.) "We're still living this trauma day in and day out," said Abby McLean, who had three children at the school that day: a third-grader, a sixth-grader and a pre-K child. "It is something that can be so all-encompassing of all our lives." Nashville: The morning of March 27, 2023 At 10:11 a.m., the shooter, carrying two assault-like rifles and a handgun, opened fire on the glassed front entrance of The Covenant School, entering the building. Two minutes later, police received the first 911 call. (Police fatally shot the active shooter 14 minutes after that initial emergency call.) Minutes after the 911 call, during a video conference call with work colleagues, Melissa Alexander received an email alerting her to a school lockdown. It included a chilling message: "Pray for Covenant." Then her phone rang from an unknown number. She had already missed two calls from this number, so she picked up. It was her son, a fourth-grader at the school. He was screaming, pleading. 'Mommy, Mommy please come now! Come now!'" Baby, I'm on my way. I love you. I will be there." She wanted him to stay safe. Quiet. So she ended the phone call, not knowing if she would speak to her son again. A half-remembered horror Across town, Joyce was engaged in a group text with other school mothers, discussing what jazz shoes to buy the kids for a Covenant School performance in four days. Beginning at 10:36 a.m., she received a flurry of panicked and confused texts. Joyce kept asking in the text group if this was real. Another mother wrote she was freaking out. Parents werent sure where to go or what to do. Joyce jumped in the family truck with her husband. At some point, she screamed at him. "Faster, faster!" Their sole focus was to get to the school, traffic laws be damned. They hit a roadblock at Hobbs Road, about a mile away from the school in the Green Hills neighborhood. She ran up Hillsboro Pike, her husband in chase. They left the truck in the middle of the road. Purse on the front seat. Doors open. Windows down. She just wanted to get to her child. Melissa Alexander views a photograph that was taken March 27, 2023, the day of the Covenant School shooting, while she stood outside a building where students, including her son, were being held. At that time, Alexander put her hand up to the glass and had her son do the same in an effort to comfort him, Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. A police officer stopped her, telling her she needed to go to Woodmont Baptist Church with other parents waiting to be reunited with their children. More running. People staring. A stranger in an SUV offered her a ride. They blew through red lights, drove on the wrong side of the road and sped the other direction on Hillsboro Pike. The driver, a woman, held her hand as the woman's son, in the back seat, read Bible passages. "She got us to that church but I don't even know what her name is," Joyce said months later. "I'm forever grateful that she got me there." Reunification Alexander, like the other mothers, rushed to the school in a blur. A police officer on the scene directed her to a nearby fire station, which sheltered survivors. For a while, parents were not allowed entry. She saw her son through the window. He begged her to come inside. She wasn't allowed in yet. None of the parents were. Youre safe, she told him. He was still frightened. So she thought about how she could calm him down. She put her hand up to the glass. Hey, put your hand right here. Put your hand on mine. We're here together, and you're safe." For McLean, more than an hour passed before she discovered all of her children were alive. That evening, she and her husband told their 9-year-old daughter that three of her classmates had died. They hadn't planned to do so immediately, but the girl knew her friends weren't on the bus to the church. "She immediately ran to her room and shut the door," McLean said. "I don't even remember how long it was before she came out again." After getting their son back, the Alexanders took him to a hibachi restaurant one of his favorites and told the servers it was the boy's birthday. His family wanted to do something normal to cheer him up. They didn't know what else to do. Joyce told her daughter that some of her friends had been taken to the hospital and didn't make it. (A child therapist had advised them to avoid telling the girl that her friends had died at the school where she may eventually have to return.) The girl stared silently at the family fireplace. "After I told her," Joyce said, "you could just see that, like, her childhood, like any warmth that was left of her just like floated away." A potentially long-term recovery process for shooting survivors Brymer, the UCLA child trauma expert, said it's natural for children who survive horrid events to become more mindful of safety. Checking for exits and being aware of surroundings is healthy, so long as it doesn't interfere with normal lives. It's a sign, she added, that they understand the concept of danger. Michelle Reising, a pediatric psychologist at Vanderbilt University who treats children with post-traumatic stress disorder, said every child's recovery from a traumatic event is different. It depends on how much family support they receive, any previous exposure to trauma, whether they lost a loved one and how close they were to the event. Mary Joyce kisses her daughter goodnight in her son's room at the family home in Nashville , Tenn., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Her daughter continues to work toward being able to feel secure enough to sleep in her own bedroom. Some parents and children, especially in these still-early months, Reising said, will have trouble sleeping, experience behavioral problems, remain anxious and suffer from other issues. Others will endure the effects of PTSD for years. However, she said not every survivor will need long-term mental health treatment. "But what we do know," Reising said, is that people who go through these kinds of events, they're never going to forget what they went through." A 'disappointing' special session Families have become closer as a result of shared pain processing grief through lobbying for laws they hope will improve school safety. The parents interviewed testified earlier this year before the Tennessee General Assembly during a special session called for by Gov. Bill Lee, hoping lawmakers would enact modest gun law reforms. Abby McLean stands in front of the chamber doors to the House of Representatives at the State Capitol building in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. McLean, a Covenant School parent, testified during a special session called by Gov. Bill Lee following the Nashville school shooting. McLean, whose three children survived the shooting, testified against a proposal to allow teachers to be armed in the classroom. Covenant families lobbied for House Bill 7002, which would have set standards for school alarms during an active shooting, and Senate Bill 7090, which would have limited public access to autopsies and medical examiner reports for child victims of violent crimes. Both measures failed. Tennessee's special session: What lawmakers did and did not accomplish In some instances, Joyce said, families felt they were treated dismissively by lawmakers. She did not reveal their names. "To have someone in that elected position look at you with a smirk it feels so disrespectful because I don't want to be talking to this person," Joyce said. "I don't want to be talking in front of all these people. But I am because I feel like it's my obligation now to speak up for the children who were killed and our friends that were killed. This happens all the time in schools and it has to stop." Still no answers These parents often hear from well-meaning people that all of this must have been a terrible ordeal to go through. It still is, they tell them. Same goes for the children. Joyce said her daughter, who hid under a table as the shooter shot up her classroom, has talked about one of her best friends as if she's still alive. It took her more than three months to discuss March 27. Alexander's then-fourth-grade son, whose classroom was around the corner from the third-grade room that sustained much of the damage, slept with his parents in the weeks after the shooting. She doesn't want to say much publicly about how he processes what happened. She did reveal that eight months later, she struggles with the memory of March 27 and how to help her child work through it. "I maybe have accepted that this is our lives but I'm also angry that this is the life our community has been given," Alexander said. McLean said her three children are reacting differently. Her oldest, who hid during the shooting with classmates in a closet, still doesn't want to talk about it. Her third-grader is starting to open up. And her then-5-year-old has many questions. "But how do you explain to a 5-year-old who is trying to comprehend why this atrocity happened, why somebody chose to come into their school and murder people and do so much destruction to their school?" McLean said. "That's been a lot of questions that he's had (since March 27), and still does, and I don't have the answers." Frank Gluck is the health care reporter for The Tennessean. He can be reached at fgluck@tennessean.com. Follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @FrankGluck. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville school shooting survivors say why their pain remains fresh (CNN) Israel is prepared to act against efforts by Houthi rebels in Yemen to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea if the international community fails to do so, Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said Saturday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken with US President Joe Biden as well as European leaders about Houthis targeting merchant ships with alleged Israeli links, Hanegbi told Israels Channel 12. Israel is giving the world some time to organize in order to prevent this but if there isnt to be a global arrangement, because it is a global issue, we will act in order to remove this naval siege, Hanegbi said. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are a Shia political and military organization that have been fighting a civil war against a Saudi Arabia-backed coalition since 2014. There has been an uptick in their maritime activities since Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. US warships have already been protecting shipping in the region. Last week a US warship shot down multiple unmanned aerial vehicles that came from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in the southern Red Sea, according to US military officials. One of the incidents came during a series of attacks on three commercial vessels. US military officials have said they are considering beefing up protections for commercial ships around a vital Red Sea shipping route amid a series of recent missile attacks by Houthi militants operating out of Yemen. The US has discussed ways to increase security in the area with members of the Combined Maritime Forces, a multi-national naval task force charged with protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. US officials have said publicly that discussions have centered on the possibility of escorting ships operating in the Red Sea and through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait into the Gulf of Aden the narrow channel that separates Yemen and the Horn of Africa. No US deadline for Gaza ops: Israeli official Hanegbi also discussed developments on the ground in Gaza, saying that the US had not given Israel any deadline to complete military operations in the enclave. They understand that they are not in a position to tell the IDF how long it needs in order to achieve the goals, he said. The good thing is that they share the same goals It is correct to assume that we cannot measure this in weeks and Im not certain that it could be measured in months. CNN has previously reported that US officials expect Israels operation targeting the southern end of the strip to last several weeks before it transitions, possibly by January, to a lower-intensity, hyper-localized strategy that narrowly targets specific Hamas militants and leaders, according to multiple senior administration officials. The White House is deeply concerned about how Israels operations will unfold over the next several weeks, a senior US administration official said. The US has warned Israel firmly in hard and direct conversations, the official said, that the Israel Defense Forces cannot replicate the kind of devastating tactics it used in the north and must do more to limit civilian casualties. Hanegbi said he did not think the Hamas leadership had expected the scope of Israels response to the assault against southern Israel on October 7, in which some 1,200 people were killed. I do not think that Yahya Sinwar (Hamas leader in Gaza) realized that the IDF will actually reach any point they want inside Gaza and kill over 7,000 terrorists, Hanegbi said. This is the minimal estimate, it could be higher since we dont know everything, he added. We are getting very close to the control and command centers of Hamas in Jabalia and Shejaiya, the strongholds of persistent resistance in the northern Gaza Strip. And in the south were operating fiercely. When asked about the possibility of Israel having to choose between killing Sinwar and saving the hostages if they were in the same place, Hanegbi said: We could be facing such a situation, it is a heart-breaking dilemma for any decision maker, but that would mean that (we) have reached him. This is a developing story and will be updated. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said Sunday that Hunter Biden is only pushing for an open congressional hearing on the House GOPs investigation into his business dealings to put on a spectacle. The House GOP has been investigating President Bidens son over his business dealings for months. The House Oversight Committee, which Donalds serves on, has demanded the presidents son give testimony in a Dec. 13 closed session, but the younger Biden said he would only give one in a public setting. What Hunter Biden wants to do is to use the open hearing aspects of congressional hearings to put on a show, to put on a spectacle, without actually having a deposition of his words under oath before he reaches an open session, Donalds said on Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures. So were not going to let that happen. He needs to sit for the closed-door deposition first. Every witness we bring to Capitol Hill has to do the same thing. He is no different, Donalds added. Hunter Bidens offer to testify publicly in an open hearing, but not in a closed-door deposition as House Republicans demanded in their subpoena, exposed some cracks in the GOPs strategy in investigating the presidents son. House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) swiftly blasted the request contradicting earlier comments saying they would drop everything if the presidents son wanted to testify in front of the committee. Donalds said this latest development should not stop the House from having a closed-door session with Hunter Biden first, despite the presidents son being indicted by the Justice Department on three felony tax charges in relation to tax evasion and filing a false return, as well as six misdemeanor charges for failure to pay taxes between 2016 and 2019, according to a second indictment. So the fact that hes now been indicted should not encumber our ability in the House to be able to have, number one, a closed-door session first, to have written testimony under oath, and then for him to be able to move towards an open hearing, Donalds said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- Chinese and Philippine vessels faced off in multiple clashes in the South China Sea over the weekend as tensions continued to escalate between the two countries over maritime territory, prompting the US to reiterate its commitment to defend Manila. Most Read from Bloomberg The Philippines sea task force said its vessels were damaged after being directly targeted on Sunday by a Chinese coast guard ship with a water cannon during a supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal. A Filipino boat was also rammed by a Chinese vessel, the task force said in a statement. Chinas coast guard said the Philippine boat ignored warnings and deliberately collided with its vessel, which was sailing normally for law enforcement purposes. The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines, the coast guard said in a statement. The Philippines should immediately stop its infringements and strictly control frontline provocations, China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu said on Weibo. The Chinese authority will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights, he said. The actions taken by Chinas ships around Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Reef reflect not only reckless disregard for the safety and livelihoods of Filipinos, but also for international law, the US State Department said in a statement. The United States stands with our Philippine allies in the face of these dangerous and unlawful actions, it added, as it reaffirmed the two nations 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. China has laid sweeping claims over the South China Sea, an assertion thats been met by growing pushback in the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose administration has publicized Beijings tactics in the disputed waters. Marcos has slammed Chinas dangerous actions against Philippine ships, saying theyre an outright and blatant violation of international law. No one but the Philippines has a legitimate right or legal basis to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea, Marcos said in a post on X late on Sunday, using Manilas term for the South China Sea. Philippine armed forces chief Romeo Brawner Jr. who was aboard the resupply boat that was rammed by a Chinese coast guard vessel, said he witnessed the incident himself. I was furious with what China did and I felt sorry for our troops. They go through this at every resupply mission, he told reporters. A group of 200 civilians from the Philippines had set sail to the disputed waters on Sunday and were forced to cut short their trip after they said they were shadowed by four Chinese vessels including two navy ships. The convoy, escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard, had planned to go near Second Thomas Shoal and parts of the Spratly Islands to deliver supplies to fishing communities. The group of youth leaders, fisherfolk and media personnel decided on erring on the side of caution and returning to Palawan province after the constant shadowing, its organizer said. Manila on Saturday reported that the Chinese Coast Guard fired water cannons at Filipino civilian ships near Scarborough Shoal, drawing US condemnation. The US has pledged to continue bolstering ties with Indo-Pacific allies to counter Beijings expansive claims in the crucial waterway. The Philippines has strengthened its longstanding defense alliance with Washington, expanding access for American soldiers and holding joint patrols in contested waters. --With assistance from Felix Tam, Manolo Serapio Jr., Natalie Choy and Cliff Venzon. (Updates with details throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A collection of art enthusiasts and local artisans descended on East Sacramento Saturday, offering unique wares for hundreds of holiday shoppers at the sixth Makers Mart. More than 70 vendors participated, selling eclectic items such as handmade Hello Kitty rugs, tie-dyed garments, locally sourced perfumes and skincare, and small-batch beverages. Amber Collins, owner of Cabine, said shes been vending at Makers Mart for five years, and its her favorite event of the year. I love how the community shows up for it, she said. I also love it for how thoughtful it is . . . (the organizers) are very conscientious in the artists they choose and how it represents the city. Its a great community event. Alongside Collinss minimalist jewelry booth were vendors selling detailed ceramics, felt key chains, custom hats, and eclectic flower-shaped clocks. Bryan Ocegueda of Friend of Yours, a chain-stitch embroidery outfit in Fresno, talks with a shopper at the Makers Mart holiday craft fair on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. The memorial hall of the Scottish Rite Center on H Street was bustling with attendees throughout the day as hundreds turned out for Sacramentos beloved annual holiday craft fair. Jonique Spann of Burly Beverages said the community support of Makers Mart sets it apart from other art events in the region. Burly Beverages, based in Sacramento, makes craft cocktail and soda syrups. Cocktails were available to purchase in the lobby, along with beer from New Helvetia and Nigerian-inspired food by CHPHSE. Im an artist myself and I like how everything is different, she said. People come out and support it. Ive been to other art shows that dont get as much traffic. Visitors and vendors on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, pack the Scottish Rite Masonic Center on H Street in East Sacramento for the Makers Mart holiday craft fair Mikaela Baker, center, and Gericka Allen with Sac City Stems talk with a shopper at the Makers Mart holiday craft event on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Twelve-year-old Doa Atef spends her days knocking on doors begging for food, or gathering firewood from a dusty hill near a refugee camp outside Rafah, in southern Gaza, to cook the few tomatoes and peppers given to her by strangers. Doa told NBC News that she was displaced from her home in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, along with her parents and seven siblings, and they are now sleeping in tents. They are so thirsty, we drink dirty water, she said. My siblings are crying all day. They couldnt find flour, they were cold, there was no bathroom for them to use, no diapers for her baby brother, and no milk to give him. Two months ago, Doa said, she used to read in school and play with her friends. Now, all we do is bring firewood and walk barefoot. Doas situation underscores a bleak reality for many in Gaza, as the Israeli militarys ground invasion and aerial bombardment continues, displacing an estimated 1.9 million Palestinians into shrinking humanitarian zones, mostly in southern Gaza. A dire food and water shortage is putting many at risk of infection and death, according to humanitarian aid groups that stressed difficulties in delivering aid due to the intensity of hostilities. Israel continued to intensify its offensive in southern Gaza into Sunday. Image: PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-GAZA (Mohammed Abed / AFP - Getty Images) The scarcity of aid has led to desperate struggles over water tearing at our social fabric, Bushra Khalidi, policy lead for Oxfam, said. The situation in Gaza is not just a catastrophe, its apocalyptic. Aid agencies described children and families roaming the streets, unable to find food and with nowhere to go. Lines for clean water can last hours, and some have turned to collecting rainwater, which in this semi-arid land is scarce, too. Supermarket shelves are empty. People arrive at bakeries before dawn, with no guarantee theyll end up with a sack of bread before the shop runs out. The price for a 25-kilogram (55-pound) sack of flour has skyrocketed to as high as $100 up from about $15 before the war. Numbers that are really, really beyond any capacity, Najla Shawa, a Palestinian humanitarian aid worker who recently left Gaza, said of the soaring wartime prices. Other commodities and essentials, down to the containers Gazans use to collect water, she said, have also become perilously expensive. Even if you have the money, Shawa said, the trip to get it is very dangerous and its really difficult and humiliating. Shawa said the people she has spoken to in Gaza are rationing water. They are really trying to consume very little, she said. A cup a day. A couple of cups a day for the adults, giving priority to children. Hazem Zarifa, a 24-year-old university student sheltering in the southern city of Khan Younis, said he has walked miles searching for a little bread or some canned food. I have so far lost more than 10 kilograms of weight about 20 pounds Zarifa said. He felt sick from hunger. Image: TOPSHOT-PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-GAZA (Mohammed Abed / AFP - Getty Images) Representatives for several international humanitarian groups are struggling to describe the new lows after having spent much of the past two months of war ringing alarm bells about conditions on the ground in Gaza. Those who survived the bombardment now face imminent risk of dying of starvation and disease, Alexandra Saieh of Save the Children said during a press briefing on Thursday. The lack of water and hygiene is aggravating the diseases: diarrhea, vomiting, skin allergy, lice in the childrens hair, said Chiara Saccardi, regional head of Action Against Hunger. During last months temporary pause in fighting, the World Food Programme conducted a rapid food assessment, which it released on Wednesday, concluding that the situation in Gaza was alarming. In a statement issued after a visit to Gaza on Friday, WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau said, Gazans are simply not eating. He described confusion at warehouses, distribution points with thousands of desperate hungry people, supermarkets with bare shelves, and overcrowded shelters with bursting bathrooms. The dull thud of bombs was the soundtrack for our day. Eighty-three percent of households in southern Gaza have inadequate food consumption, according to the report, with 38% suffering from severe levels of hunger. In a press call with international journalists on Thursday, Oxfams Khalidi and others described the conditions in Gaza as not survivable. Oxfam categorically views these actions, including the use of starvation as a war weapon, massive civilian killings and collective punishment, as war crimes, she said, referring to the Israeli-imposed siege that has cut off food, water, electricity and fuel since the war began. On Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the humanitarian support system in Gaza was at high risk of collapse: We anticipate it will result in a complete breakdown of public order. In response, the Israeli military office that works in conjunction with the Palestinian territories said they are abiding by international law as they conduct their operations in Gaza. As it has done for weeks, Israel has blamed the humanitarian aid crisis on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the refugee wing dedicated to Palestinians. UNRWA has previously pushed back on that allegation. Image: PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-DISPLACED (Mohammed Abed / AFP - Getty Images) While humanitarian aid has since entered the strip, its a fraction of what is needed. Approximately 500 trucks entered Gaza daily before the hostilities, and during the seven-day truce, that number was approximately 300. Since the collapse of the cease-fire, aid distribution has dropped again. According to the United Nations humanitarian aid agency, as of Friday, only a limited amount of aid was entering Gaza, and distribution is restricted to a small area around the city of Rafah, on the Egyptian border. Aid to Khan Younis and central Gaza has largely stopped over the past few days due to the intensity of hostilities and restrictions of movement along the main roads, the situation report said. There is too little aid and too many people, and that is breeding desperation, the organizations said. Last week, a group of locals searching for food rushed an aid truck and prevented it from unloading in Al Mawasi, a Bedouin town in southern Gaza, Isabelle Defourny, president of Doctors without Borders, said. The truck was carrying only medicine, but the incident was reflective of the terrible situation where there are people and the real lack of food and of everything, Defourny said. And the chaos compounds the dangers from Israels bombardment, making it even harder to deliver what little relief aid there is. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Kyiv (CNN) Ukraine said Saturday that Russia launched nearly 100 air attacks across the country in the space of 24 hours, as its first lady warned Ukraine was in mortal danger without Western military aid. The enemy launched a total of 28 missiles and 27 airstrikes, firing 59 times from multiple launch rocket systems at Ukrainian military positions and populated areas, according to a social media post from the Ukrainian General Staff Saturday. Multiple regions in the east were targeted, including Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk, which have seen some of the most intense fighting. The strikes come a day after Ukrainian authorities said they intercepted cruise missiles for the first time in nearly 80 days, as Western intelligence assessments warned Russia is likely to expand its bombardment of civilian infrastructure during the winter. Russian forces shelled Ukraines Kherson region alone 62 times, firing more than 300 shells from mortars, artillery, Grad, tanks, UAVs and aircraft, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of the regions military administration. At least one civilian was killed and another sustained shrapnel wounds after Russian forces dropped an explosive from a drone in the regions city of Beryslav on Saturday morning, local authorities said Saturday. A 47-year-old woman in the city of Kherson is in a medical facility after being injured during an attack on Friday night in which critical infrastructure was damaged and residential buildings shelled, Prokudin said. The Prosecutors Office in the Kherson region said a pre-trial investigation has been launched over violations of the laws and customs of war. We really need the help The latest Russian attacks came as Ukraines First Lady Olena Zelenska spoke to the BBC after Republicans in the US Senate blocked foreign aid from advancing. We really need the help, said Zelenska. In simple words, we cannot get tired of this situation, because if we do, we die. And if the world gets tired, they will simply let us die, Zelenska added. Fighting in Ukraine remains intense despite little movement along the frontlines. Russia has been pressing hard to capture the eastern city of Avdiivka, where soldiers have described grinding trench warfare. During a trip to Washington, DC, on Thursday Britains Foreign Secretary David Cameron called the United States the lynchpin of the Western coalition backing Ukraines fight against Russia and urged US lawmakers to lift the morale of Ukraine by passing an aid package for Kyiv. He added that the worst thing in the world would be to allow Putin a win in Ukraine. It hurts us greatly to see the signs that the passionate willingness to help may fade, Zelenska told the BBC, adding: It is a matter of life for us. Therefore, it hurts to see that. We lost another one. A local parent at a recent behavioral health meeting for community leaders, mental health professionals and parents, said their daughter, a student at a local Boise junior high school, came home telling her parents these words. When asked about the meaning of the comment, it became clear that she was talking about the suicide death of a classmate. But she didnt feel comfortable saying that directly. This is a problem, and we hope this column points out how a quiet crisis festers in our communities and helps identify solutions for Idaho to consider. We each have lost a son to suicide, so we know the pain and anguish that survivor families, friends, and communities face, and that is why we are so passionate about change. The effects of one suicide loss have cascading ripple effects across communities, and our education systems, public and private health systems, state and local agencies, and advocacy groups must respond to support all who are affected. This includes first and foremost our youth but also parents and guardians, faith leaders, first responders, healthcare professionals and others as the ripple reaches outward. In a world where loneliness is now a leading contributor to anxiety and depression among other serious social and personal factors, we must engage. Nationally and in Idaho, there is a movement to reduce the stigma of suicide through awareness campaigns, 988 crisis lines and prevention training. Where there continues to be a gap is in the response to our youth in crisis after a loss and in preventative work in the school setting. In response to the recent reported loss of nine youth in Boise, West Ada, Elmore and Horseshoe Bend only a handful became public due to issues that stem from a culture of shame. If schools and coroners will not identify a loss due to fear of old practices that obviously are not working, then there is no immediate outreach to the kiddos who are in crisis and navigating on their own. It is time to change this. The brain is the most complicated organ in the human body and is the computer that drives the physical body through mitochondrial energy. But sadly it gets the least attention. When energy and sleep are affected, the ability for the brain to function effectively is affected and has downstream physical consequences like diabetes, heart disease and yes, mental illnesses like bipolar, schizoaffective and anxiety. These pathways are interconnected. Clinically, we know disease treatment is possible, and we can treat mental health diseases (not disorders) on a path to recovery. Legislative policies need to be enacted and embraced by the governor for increased funding for program implementation in every community and school in Idaho as well funding incentives to recruit clinicians and increase access to mental healthcare. We live in a nation of crisis response to suicides and mental health issues. To right this ship, we as a community must ensure there is a focus on people, place and purpose to move from a crisis model of care to one of prevention, correct and immediate diagnosis, treatment, and recovery just as a patient experiencing a heart attack in the ER. Idaho has moved the needle from where we were 15 years ago, but we still have a long way to go, especially with so much societal pressure and technological change what some call HyperChange that we face and will continue to face in a strange new world that will affect every human in the next several years. As an example of youth engagement, after the loss of 17-year-old Cameron Wilder in 2013, a community youth event was held to empower and provide a message of hope and resilience by local and national speakers. This was well orchestrated but was fought by some in the very response system at that time. Over 300 youth and families attended and received an inspiring message on how to reach out to a trusted adult, knowing its OK to ask, Are you OK? and providing takeaways for hope and success. Resources from mental health clinicians and suicide prevention advocacy groups were on site, including the Boise School District Superintendent. It was a bold move, but several concerned parents knew our kiddos were in trouble and there was no plan to address them. Schools were encouraged not to mention Camerons name on campus after his death that is not the right way to address suicide. The event was a success to connect with those young souls in such hurt at such a time of loss that crossed several school districts at all age levels. Its the world our children live in. We must meet them there. Dad, today we learned (name) died by suicide, and we are hurting. We knew he was struggling and wish we knew what we could have done to prevent this. A conversation like that would provide a better opening and real youth prevention resources could swoop in to help. Stewart Wilder is president of the Idaho Suicide Prevention Coalition and a statewide suicide prevention advocate. Dr. Thomas Young is chief medical officer and founder of Proem Healthcare. A Black woman filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against a Kia dealership in Highland Park, Illinois on Oct. 13. Sade Crockett was arrested at the dealership after being falsely accused of using a fraudulent check to purchase a vehicle on March 10. Crockett was at the McGrath Kia located at 250 Skokie Valley Road in Highland Park to purchase a vehicle with a cashiers check gifted to her by her 82-year-old uncle, Enoch Graves. Sade Crockett (insert) filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the McGrath Kia dealership in Highland Park, Illinois on Oct. 13, 2023. (Photo: Hampton & Hampton LLP press release) According to her attorneys, Hampton & Hampton LLP, Crockett and her uncle first went to the Fifth-Third Bank in Chicago and obtained a cashiers check from Graves account, which was legitimate and intended as a birthday gift to his niece. The duo explained to the bank tellers that they intended to purchase a vehicle with the cashiers check and they even called the dealership from the bank to ensure a cashiers check would be proper payment for the intended purchase. The clerks expressed that the bank could accommodate them without issue, and that cashiers checks were less susceptible to fraud than personal checks and would give the recipient additional assurances that the check would clear, says the lawsuit, adding that the dealership approved the cashiers check made out in the amount of $30,710.05 as an acceptable form of payment. The dealership also advised Crockett that she would not need to bring her uncle with her to make the purchase, and she dropped him off at home before heading to the dealership. However, upon arriving, the 36-year-old said she noticed a sense of unwelcomeness from the predominantly white staff. Nonetheless, she test-drove a used Chevy Blazer LT and decided she would purchase the 2021 vehicle and gave the dealers her cashiers check. She also explained that shed called earlier with the bank, but when the dealership called Fifth-Third to verify the check, they failed to call the same branch and were told the check was likely fraudulent without adequate investigation or due diligence by the bank. The dealership then called 911 and asked for the Highland Park Police Department without bothering to call the correct branch where the check was drawn and Crockett was arrested, despite her pleas to explain what happened, according to Lake & McHenry Scanner.com. McGrath Kia deviated from its own policy and practice to return checks to customers and decline the sale, when the validity of a check may be in question. McGrath Kia deviated from this policy and practice; based solely upon Crocketts race, and instead called the police for Crockett to be arrested, the lawsuit said. After being told by the bank that Crockett was not a customer of the bank and that she could not verify the check because the computers were down, the officer replied that people from those neighborhoods were probably using Crockett as a tool to purchase the vehicle with a fraudulent check. Sade was wrongfully discriminated against based upon her race while trying to lawfully purchase a vehicle gifted to her by her family member, her attorney, Halil Hampton, told McClatchy News Service. Crockett was arrested and charged with felony forgery, causing her to be brought to tears and to have a nervous breakdown, the lawsuit said. She wasnt vindicated until several months later, on July 18, when the Lake County States Attorneys Office finally determined that the check was not fraudulent, no crime had been committed and all of the charges were dropped. Sorry it took so long, Crockett was told by the prosecutor, her complaint describes. This case represents a disturbing pattern of racial discrimination and what can happen when Banking While Black. There is no data on how frequently the police are called on customers, who are making legitimate everyday transactions, noted a press release from Hampton & Hampton LLP. However, racial profiling in our community needs to stop. Our client has suffered extreme emotional distress from the incident, and has been unable to find gainful employment, due to media headlines with both her name and image, still visible on the internet today. Sade Crockett, needs justice and she deserves to be treated with both dignity and respect. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and seeks compensatory and punitive damages for the wrongful arrest. WKM Automotive, Inc., McGrath Kia, Fifth Third Bank, the City of Highland Park and the two police officers who arrested Crockett are named in the lawsuit. The number of foreign students in the UK has risen by nearly a third in a single year to reach a record high, according to a new study. The Centre for Migration Control (CMC) found a record 787,000 international students studied in UK universities during the academic year of 2022/2023. According to the latest official data, published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 679,970 foreign students were studying in the UK for the 2021/2022 academic year. The CMC, a think tank dedicated to reducing migration, submitted Freedom of Information requests to 80 higher education authorities, representing more than half of all foreign students in the UK. The findings revealed a 28.1 per cent rise in foreign students attending British universities from 2021/22 to 2022/23, which is the equivalent of 107,740 extra students. If the increase in foreign students applied to all UK universities, the CMC projects more than 870,000 international students could be in the country. Robert Bates, the CMC research director, told The Telegraph: These figures are not an accident; Since 2019 the Department for Education has deliberately looked to increase the number of international students filling places at our universities. The department has been unequivocal that there should be no cap in place and that the numbers should be allowed to go higher and higher, while the Home Office failed to stand up for migration controls. Suella Braverman must take responsibility for this mess The decision means that thousands of British students are being squeezed out every year. Universities now prioritise admitting international students who pay much higher tuition fees than domestic applicants. He added: A surge in international students will have far-reaching social consequences, putting further strain on the housing supply, the health service and the finances of emaciated local councils. Ultimately Suella Braverman (the former Home Secretary), despite her rhetoric, must take responsibility for this mess which occurred under her watch. Figures released last month show that net migration into Britain hit a record high in 2022, standing at an estimated 745,000 in the year to last December. In 2019 the Government set itself a target of recruiting 600,000 international students into the British higher education system by 2030. However, the target was reached almost a decade early in the academic year 2020/21. In May 2023, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said she was hugely proud that more than 600,000 students were studying in the UK. Official figures on international students residing in the UK are due to be released by the HESA in February. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. FILE - A woman holds a sign that reads in Spanish "Justice for Mahsa Amini" as she protests against the death of Amini, an Iranian woman who died while in police custody in Iran, in front of the Iranian embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. Iranian authorities banned members of Mahsa Amini's family from traveling to receive the European Unions top human rights prize, a civil rights monitor reported. Amini's death while in police custody in 2022 sparked nationwide protests that rocked the Islamic Republic. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iranian authorities banned members of the late Mahsa Amini's family from traveling to accept the European Unions top human rights prize on her behalf, a civil rights monitor reported. Amini's death while in police custody in 2022 sparked nationwide protests that rocked the Islamic Republic. The U.S.-based HRANA said late Saturday that authorities have refused to allow Amini's father, Amjad, and two of her brothers to fly out to Strasbourg, France, to receive the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Reports said only the family's lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht, would be able to travel to be handed the award on their behalf. The EU award, named for Soviet dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honor individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work, as per the EU Parliament website. Earlier in September, Mahsa Amini was granted the prize. The 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranin woman died after Iran's morality police arrested her for allegedly violating the countrys strict headscarf law that forced women to cover their hair and entire bodies. Her death led to massive protests that quickly escalated into calls to overthrow Irans clerical rulers. Iranian women, furious over Amini's death, played a pivotal role in the protests, with some opting to go without their mandatory headscarves. Authorities immediately launched a heavy crackdown, in which over 500 people were killed and nearly 20,000 arrested, according to human rights activists in Iran. Authorities have said many of those detained were released or given reduced sentences. The protests largely died down earlier this year. A total of eight people were executed in Iran in connection with the protests, after being charged with attacking security forces. Human rights activists have accused authorities of convicting them in secret proceedings after they were denied the right to defend themselves. Iran has denied the charges. In 2012, Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi jointly won the same prize. Also on Sunday, the children of imprisoned Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi were set to accept this years Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf in a ceremony Sunday in the Norwegian capital. Mohammadi was awarded the peace prize in October for campaigning for womens rights and democracy in her country, as well as fighting against the death penalty. The jailed activist played a leading role in the protests sparked by Amini's death. Hamas fighters have begun to surrender in the north, Israel claimed, as it intensified the fighting in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza. Israeli authorities did not specify how many militants had been captured in northern Gaza in the Shejaiya and Jabaliya neighbourhoods. However, their statement came as a video surfaced in Israeli media showing dozens of captured men standing next to a military tank. All are stripped to their underwear with their arms raised. The men are holding their guns and what appears to be their IDs above their heads. One member of the group is seen walking forward and surrendering his gun on the ground into a pile of weapons. Israel has not commented on the latest video or to allegations the men were mistreated, but Eylon Levy, the government spokesman, said increasing numbers of Hamas fighters were surrendering, calling it a sign of collapsing morale. A Palestinian man lays down arms in Gaza The Telegraph could not independently verify that the men in the video were Hamas fighters and some reports claimed civilians were among the group. The recording is similar to a video that circulated earlier last week which showed a large group of men stripped to their underwear, blindfolded and arranged to sit in rows on the street. Meanwhile Israeli tanks reached the centre of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday as brutal clashes continued with Hamas fighters in the besieged territory. Tanks were spotted by residents rolling down the main road that cuts north to south through the middle of the city after heavy shelling and intense combat overnight. War planes zoomed overhead as bombing continued and Israel enforced a fire belt between Khan Younis and Rafah, a city on the border between Gaza and Egypt. Israels bombardment of this area, roughly eight miles from the border with Egypt, has made it near-impossible for the evacuation of people approved by various government authorities controlling the border area. Ambulances were blocked Residents also said that ambulances were blocked to the northern and eastern parts of Khan Younis, where air strikes had hit several targets, and that the Jordanian field hospital in the city had been hit. It was one of the most dreadful nights; the resistance was very strong, a father of four displaced from northern Gaza and sheltering in Khan Younis, told Reuters. We could hear gunshots and explosions that didnt stop for hours. On Sunday, the Israeli military said that nearly 1,600 soldiers had been wounded in the conflict with Hamas, with one-third of those sustaining injuries while fighting in Gaza. About 300 helicopter evacuations have flown injured soldiers out of Gaza. Reports suggested that around 5,000 Hamas fighters had been killed out of the 30,000-strong terrorist groups armed wing. Late on Saturday, the Israeli military officially confirmed that Sahar Baruch, 25, was killed during a failed hostage rescue mission. Mr Baruchs kibbutz, Beeri, and Hamas had earlier announced his death. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Isralei Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuffed on Sunday international calls to end the Gaza war, describing them as inconsistent with supporting the war-aim of eliminating Hamas. Briefing his cabinet, Netanyahu said he had told the leaders of France, Germany and other countries: "You cannot on the one hand support the elimination of Hamas and on other pressure us to end the war, which would prevent the elimination of Hamas". (Writing by Dan Williams) Israel is prepared to act against efforts by Houthi rebels in Yemen to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea if the international community fails to do so, Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said Saturday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken with US President Joe Biden as well as European leaders about Houthis targeting merchant ships with alleged Israeli links, Hanegbi told Israels Channel 12. Israel is giving the world some time to organize in order to prevent this but if there isnt to be a global arrangement, because it is a global issue, we will act in order to remove this naval siege, Hanegbi said. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are a Shia political and military organization that have been fighting a civil war against a Saudi Arabia-backed coalition since 2014. There has been an uptick in their maritime activities since Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and the group has said any ship heading to Israel was a legitimate target. US warships have already been protecting shipping in the region. Last week a US warship shot down multiple unmanned aerial vehicles that came from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in the southern Red Sea, according to US military officials. One of the incidents came during a series of attacks on three commercial vessels. US military officials have said they are considering beefing up protections for commercial ships around a vital Red Sea shipping route amid a series of recent missile attacks by Houthi militants operating out of Yemen. On Sunday, a French frigate in the Red Sea downed two drones after they had been fired towards the vessel from the Yemeni coast, according to a statement from the French Armed Forces General Staff. A spokesperson for the Houthi forces, Yahya Saree, wrote in a post on X that this decision was due to the horrific massacres against Palestinians in Gaza and said they would continue to act until food and medicine was made available for the Gaza Strip. The US has discussed ways to increase security in the area with members of the Combined Maritime Forces, a multi-national naval task force charged with protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. US officials have said publicly that discussions have centered on the possibility of escorting ships operating in the Red Sea and through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait into the Gulf of Aden the narrow channel that separates Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Newly recruited Houthi fighters during a parade in Sanaa, Yemen on December 2, 2023. - Khaled Abdullah/Reuters No US deadline for Gaza ops: Israeli official Hanegbi also discussed developments on the ground in Gaza, saying that the US had not given Israel any deadline to complete military operations in the enclave. They understand that they are not in a position to tell the IDF how long it needs in order to achieve the goals, he said. The good thing is that they share the same goals It is correct to assume that we cannot measure this in weeks and Im not certain that it could be measured in months. CNN has previously reported that US officials expect Israels operation targeting the southern end of the strip to last several weeks before it transitions, possibly by January, to a lower-intensity, hyper-localized strategy that narrowly targets specific Hamas militants and leaders, according to multiple senior administration officials. The White House is deeply concerned about how Israels operations will unfold over the next several weeks, a senior US administration official said. The US has warned Israel firmly in hard and direct conversations, the official said, that the Israel Defense Forces cannot replicate the kind of devastating tactics it used in the north and must do more to limit civilian casualties. Hanegbi said he did not think the Hamas leadership had expected the scope of Israels response to the assault against southern Israel on October 7, in which some 1,200 people were killed. I do not think that Yahya Sinwar (Hamas leader in Gaza) realized that the IDF will actually reach any point they want inside Gaza and kill over 7,000 terrorists, Hanegbi said. This is the minimal estimate, it could be higher since we dont know everything, he added. Israel believes Hamas had about 30,000 fighters in Gaza before the war. We are getting very close to the control and command centers of Hamas in Jabalia and Shejaiya, the strongholds of persistent resistance in the northern Gaza Strip, he added. And in the south were operating fiercely. This handout screen grab captured from a video shows Yemen's Houthi fighters' takeover of the Galaxy Leader Cargo in the Red Sea coast off Hudaydah, on November 20 in the Red Sea, Yemen. - Houthi Movement via Getty Images When asked about the possibility of Israel having to choose between killing Sinwar and saving the hostages if they were in the same place, Hanegbi said: We could be facing such a situation, it is a heart-breaking dilemma for any decision maker, but that would mean that (we) have reached him. This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com More than 17,700 Palestinian people have died in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war, according to the latest figures from the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. About two-thirds of the dead are women and children. Israel continued its bombardment of the Gaza Strip on Saturday, including in areas where Israeli forces had previously told Palestinians to evacuate. The strikes came just hours after the U.S. stood alone against an historic U.N. resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire. Women sit next to shrouded bodies of relatives killed following Israeli strikes at Khan Yunis's Nasser hospital in the southern Gaza Strip on Dec. 9, 2023, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Hamas' attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7 left 1,200 dead, most of them civilians. Militants took more than 240 hostages back to Gaza. Nearly 100 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive. As fear grows of a wider regional conflict, Yemeni Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, threatened to target any ship that is headed to Israeli ports while passing through the Red and Arabian seas. The blockade will be in place, an official said, until food and medicine can freely enter Gaza. Aid groups and residents have described severe food and medical shortages as 2.3 million Palestinians have effectively become sealed inside the territory that is just 25 miles long and about 7 miles wide. The Biden administration has opposed an open-ended cease-fire, arguing it would allow Hamas to continue its fight against Israel. The State Department bypassed Congress under emergency provisions to sell Israel nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth over $106 million. Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. Latest Israel-Hamas war updates Sahar Baruch, an Israeli man who was taken hostage by Hamas militants, has died in captivity, his community announced Saturday. Baruch was killed during a failed rescue mission by Israeli forces, his captors say. The bodies of more than 100 people killed in Israeli bombings over the past 24 hours arrived at two hospitals in central and southern Gaza, the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory said Saturday. Several men and a teenage boy told the Associated Press Saturday they were beaten by Israeli troops, given only minimal water, and often prevented from using the bathroom while being detained and interrogated for five days. Viral images showed Israeli soldiers guarding dozens of men stripped down to their underwear, kneeling or sitting with their hands tied behind their backs in Gazan streets. An Israeli spokesperson said men were being interrogated to determine if they had ties to Hamas. 274 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied territory of the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. The death toll rose after Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man in the West Bank on Saturday and another man succumbed to his wounds from an Israeli raid on Friday, health officials said. Houthi rebels in Yemen say they will target all ships headed to Israel Houthi militants in Yemen warned on Saturday that they plan to target any ships headed to Israel, a Houthi military official announced. The Houthi movement which is aligned with Iran and controls northwestern Yemen will impose the blockade on ships regardless of nationality and on all international shipping companies arriving at Israeli ports, according to Reuters. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement that all ships sailing to Israeli ports are banned from the Red and Arabian seas. The threat goes into effect immediately, the spokesperson said. If Gaza does not receive the food and medicine it needs, Reuters reported the statement saying, "All ships in the Red Sea bound for Israeli ports, regardless of their nationality, will become a target for our armed forces." Houthi militants previously attacked several ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a narrow sea passage between the African continent and Yemen, located on the Arabian Peninsula, where much of global oil travels en route to the Suez Canal. In recent days, American destroyers have fought Houthi forces after rebels fired missiles and drones at civilian vessels and a U.S. ship. Israel reportedly has called the attacks on ships an Iranian act of terrorism." U.S. Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller also blamed Iran for the attacks. State Department bypasses Congress, sells tank ammunition to Israel Secretary of State Antony Blinken bypassed Congress to move forward with selling $106 million worth of nearly 14,000 Army tank rounds and other military equipment to Israel, a Department of Defense news release said on Saturday. Israeli officials requested to buy 13,981 rounds of highly explosive 50-pound tank ammunition, the announcement said. In addition, the U.S. will provide technical support and other logistical and programmatic help. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency provided notice to Congress on the possible sale late Friday. The release said Blinken justified his action to Congress saying that an emergency exists requiring the immediate sale of the munitions to Israel in the national security interests of the United States, waiving congressional review under the federal arms export control law. The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability, the announcement said. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives. The proposed sale, the news release said, didnt have an impact on American defense readiness, nor would it alter the basic military balance in the region. The New York Times first reported on the sale. Erdogan blasts U.N. Security Council, barbarism in Gaza Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday the U.N. Security Council should be reformed after the U.S. vetoed a cease-fire resolution in Gaza that had near unanimous support, according to news reports. The Turkish leader said in comments at a human rights conference in Istanbul that the security council's demand for cease-fire was rejected due to one vote, the U.S. veto. He added, according to a Reuters report, Is this justice?" Erdogans remarks came a day before the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, commemorating the U.N. General Assembly's historic 1948 document outlining basic human rights and freedoms world leaders agreed should be guaranteed for all. The AP reported that Erdogan in his remarks also accused the West of barbarism for backing the war in Gaza and for overlooking Islamophobic attacks globally. During Erdogans two decades in power, Turkey has come under criticism from human rights groups for targeting critics of Erdogans government, weakening democratic institutions and failing to address violence against women. The U.S. has also previously accused Erdogan of making antisemitic comments about previous Israeli military actions in Gaza. In a 13-1 vote on Friday, the Security Council voted for an immediate cease-fire spurred by Guterres invoking for the first time Article 99, which allows the top U.N. diplomat to bring attention to the 15-member council matters that can threaten international peace and security. The U.S. vetoed the resolution. The United Kingdom abstained from the vote. "The U.N. Security Council needs to be reformed," Erdogan said, according to reports. Blinken meets with Middle East leaders on support for Israel, humanitarian needs in Gaza On Friday, Blinken met with foreign ministers in the Middle East, as well as a senior official in the Palestinian Authority that runs the West Bank, as part of a delegation representing the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Washington, D.C. In a readout, the State Department said Blinken reaffirmed to the group which included diplomats from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey that the U.S. supported Israel in its fight to ensure Hamas couldnt repeat the Oct. 7 attacks. Blinken also addressed the urgency of humanitarian needs in Gaza to protect Palestinian civilians from harm, prevent displacement, and contain the further spread of the war. In addition, the readout said, Blinken discussed the U.S. commitment to achieving lasting peace and security in the region including through the establishment of a future Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel. I met with an Arab League-OIC delegation from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the Palestinian Authority to discuss efforts to meet Gazas humanitarian needs. We discussed our shared goal of establishing a future Palestinian state alongside Israel. pic.twitter.com/xvklpMJ6xo Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 9, 2023 Pressure mounts on Ivy Leagues to address antisemitism WASHINGTON Pressure is intensifying on two Ivy League universities and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after a heated congressional hearing earlier this week on combating the rise of antisemitism on U.S. campuses in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks in Israel. A group of 13 House Democrats sent a letter Friday to the leaders of Harvard University, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania seeking policy changes to combat antisemitism on campus. The letter led by Rep. Kathy Manning, D-N.C., comes days after Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York had a viral exchange with the three university presidents about campus policies to address antisemitism. Read more here. - Riley Beggin and Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel strikes Gaza after US vetoes UN cease-fire resolution: Updates (CNN) The US State Department transmitted an emergency declaration to lawmakers late Friday night for the sale of thousands of munitions to Israel, the agency announced, bypassing the standard 20-day period that congressional committees are typically afforded to review such a sale. The declaration followed a request by the State Department earlier in the week for Congress to approve the sale of 45,000 shells to Israel for its Merkava tanks. A source with direct knowledge of the matter told CNN that the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which have oversight over military sales, had been under pressure from the State Department to approve the request quickly amid Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. The committees typically have 20 days to review foreign military sales, allowing lawmakers to raise questions about a transaction and delay it if needed. But late Friday night, the State Department transmitted an emergency declaration to the committees for over 13,000 of the tank shells, worth about $106 million, for immediate delivery to Israel, the source said Saturday. Effective immediately, the items can be transferred, the source said. No further information, details or assurances were provided. The administrations move to transfer some of the munitions comes as the US is under growing domestic and international pressure to support a ceasefire in Gaza and place conditions on some of the weapons it is providing to Israel. A State Department spokesperson confirmed to CNN on Saturday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken notified Congress on Friday that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer of the tank munitions. The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives, the spokesperson said. We continue to be clear with the government of Israel that they must comply with [international humanitarian law] and must take every feasible step to avoid harm to civilians. Separately, the State Department disclosed in an announcement on Saturday that the sale would be for 13,981 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (MPAT) tank cartridges. Reuters first reported the initial administration request for 45,000 shells. In early November, the State Department formally notified congressional leaders that it would transfer $320 million worth of precision-guided bomb equipment to Israel, CNN previously reported. Israel has received 200 cargo planes of military equipment from several countries since the Hamas terror attack on October 7, including ammunition, armored vehicles and weapons, according to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The Israeli ministry said more than 10,000 tons of military equipment have been delivered since the start of the war. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense said the aid had come from several countries, but declined to say what other countries had sent aid or how much of it had come from the United States. The shipments of US military aid began soon after the war began. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Israel on October 13 as a C-17 cargo plane landed with security assistance to Israel. Theres a lot more that follows this, Austin said at the time. Unlike security assistance to Ukraine, where the US details types of weapons and capabilities, the shipments to Israel have been far more discreet, with the Defense Department rarely acknowledging or announcing what types of weapons or equipment it is sending. In late October, a senior defense official said the US was expediting the delivery of precision-guided joint direct attack munitions (JDAMs) to Israel, which turn unguided bombs into smart weapons. The US has also expedited the delivery of Iron Dome interceptor missiles for Israels primary aerial defense system. The use of US weapons in Israels war has drawn increased scrutiny following an Amnesty International report this week that claimed that US-made JDAMs were used in two strikes in October that killed 43 civilians. The human rights organization said it did not find any indication that there were any military objectives at the sites, a conclusion the Israeli military rejected as flawed, biased and premature. The US State Department and the Defense Department both said they are reviewing Amnesty Internationals report. We have made clear in our discussions with Israeli leaders that we are deeply concerned about the protection of civilians in this conflict, State Department spokesman Matt Miller said Wednesday. We expect Israel to only target legitimate targets and to adhere to the laws of armed conflict. This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. CNNs Oren Liebermann contributed to this report. Senator J.D. Vance denied that Republicans are trying to restrict access to birth control, despite mounting evidence to the contrary. The senator claimed he doesnt know any Republican, at least not a Republican with a brain, thats trying to take those rights away from people. The topic came up during Vances appearance Sunday on CNNs State of the Union after host Jake Tapper asked about the Texas Supreme Court blocking a woman from obtaining an abortion even though her fetus has a fatal genetic condition. Vance said that the GOP has to accept that people do not want blanket abortion bans. They just dont. He added that there should be exceptions for the life of the mother, for rape, and so forth. Vance did not say, however, whether the current situation in Texas would merit an exception. I want to protect as many unborn babies as possible. I also think we have to win the trust back of the American people. And one of the ways to do that is to be the truly pro-family party. I think we are. We have got to carry that message forward and actually enact some public policy to that effect. JD Vance on CNN on birth control: "I don't think that I know any Republican, at least not a Republican with a brain, that's trying to take those rights again from people." Jake Tapper replies, "I mean, I could provide a list for you if you want it." pic.twitter.com/s0KuDJlICL Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2023 This prompted Tapper to ask, Is birth control part of that policy, empowering women to be able to make those decisions before they get pregnant? Look, obviously, people need to be able to make those decisions, Vance said. I dont think that I know any Republican, at least not a Republican with a brain, thats trying to take those rights away from people. In response, Jake Tapper said, I mean, I could provide a list for you if you want it. Well, OK. Not anybody I talk to, Jake, Vance said. So heres a list. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) In the top spot is current GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson, who as Rolling Stones Tessa Stuart reported has engaged in a lengthy campaign against birth control both in Congress and outside of it. Johnson has argued (incorrectly) that certain kinds of birth control actually are methods of abortion. The morning after pill, as we know, is an abortifacient, he said last month. When working as an attorney, Johnson contributed to cases where plaintiffs refused to dispense emergency contraception. In office, Johnson has cast multiple votes against efforts to make birth control and other methods of family planning more accessible, affordable, or protected. House Republicans Next on the list are all but 10 Republicans in the House who voted against codifying the right to contraceptives into law in July 2022. Donald Trump While in office, Donald Trump who enthusiastically campaigned for Vance to win a Senate seat carved out exceptions for employers to an Obamacare requirement that mandated insurance plans cover contraception as part of preventative care. Republican Lawmakers in Idaho and Missouri On the state level, Republicans have tried to conflate abortion and birth control by arguing that some contraceptives, such as Plan B and intrauterine devices (IUDs), are abortifacients, even though that is untrue. Plan B prevents pregnancy and is taken long before implantation. According to the Food and Drug Administration, Evidence does not support that the drug affects implantation or maintenance of a pregnancy after implantation, therefore it does not terminate a pregnancy. IUDs are also not an abortifacient. As the Kaiser Family Foundation says, IUDs do not affect an established pregnancy and do not act as an abortifacient. In 2021, Idaho passed the No Public Funds for Abortion Act, which prohibits state-funded student health centers from dispensing emergency contraceptives such as Plan B. The bill also prevents state-funded student health centers from counseling patients on abortion. That same year, Missouri Republicans tried to forward a bill to ban the states Medicaid program from paying for IUDs and emergency contraception. Anything that destroys that life is abortion, its not birth control, the bills sponsor said. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Even ultra conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has called for a war on birth control access. In a concurring opinion in the Dobbs decision that reversed federal abortion protections, Thomas wrote that the court should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergfell. Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) established protections for married couples purchasing contraception. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) said Sunday that theres a need to look seriously at collusion between the press, tech companies and Americas national security apparatus, after an aide to former President Donald Trump promised to come after members of the media he claimed helped President Joe Biden rig elections. We will go out and find the conspirators not just in government but in the media Yes, we're going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections we're going to come after you, the aide, Kash Patel, said on Steve Bannons podcast last week. When asked about those comments Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union," Vance pointed to theories often trumpeted by the those on the right about a laptop from Hunter Biden that, among other things, held emails detailing Hunter Bidens business dealings, which a New York Post report claimed showed corruption by Joe Biden. We know, in 2020 that there were massive pieces of evidence that were suppressed by collusion between the national security state in this country, Vance said, referencing reports that stories about the laptop were blocked from Twitter, now X. To date, no concrete evidence has emerged showing that Joe Biden made policy decisions as vice president to help his sons business interests. A Politifact analysis concluded that nothing from the laptop has revealed illegal or unethical behavior by Joe Biden as vice president with regard to his sons tenure as a director for Burisma, a Ukraine-based natural gas company. But on Sunday, Vance pushed for a deeper dive into why the story was buried by Twitter. [We] need to look seriously at how there was collusion between members of the press and big technology companies and members of national security state, Vance told CNNs Jake Tapper. It is not journalism to take your security clearance, lie to the American people, and then persuade the big technology companies to censor anti-Joe Biden stories," Vance said. "That's not journalism. That is cooperation between the government and journalism. Special counsel Jack Smith on Saturday sharply rejected former President Donald Trumps contention that foreign governments may have changed votes in the 2020 election, laying bare new details about his teams extensive probe of the matter and its access to a vast array of senior intelligence officials in Trumps administration. In a 45-page filing, Smiths team describes interviewing more than a dozen of the top intelligence officials in Trumps administration from his director of national intelligence to the administrator of the NSA to Trumps personal intelligence briefer about any evidence that foreign governments had penetrated systems that counted votes in 2020. The answer from every single official was no, senior assistant special counsel Thomas Windom writes in the filing. The filing was part of the special counsels opposition to a bid by Trump to access a broad swath of classified intelligence as part of his defense against charges that he conspired to subvert the 2020 election and disenfranchise millions of voters, culminating in the violent Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Trump has argued that foreign governments fueled his supporters concerns about election integrity and that some classified evidence revealed potential meddling that justified his own professed fears about fraud. But prosecutors say Trumps new legal effort is just an extension of his election lies and that, in fact, intelligence officials unanimously rejected the idea that foreign governments penetrated any systems that counted votes or could have altered the election tally itself. Rather, they said, intel officials documented some breaches of state voter registration databases that permitted various influence campaigns but were not capable of causing the vote-stealing scheme of which Trump has long sought to convince his followers. Trump, Windom writes, tries to create a false impression and manufacture confusion by citing these irrelevant network breaches and conflating them with potential changes to the vote total. To rebut these claims, Windom indicates that prosecutors asked Trumps former DNI, former acting secretary of DHS, former acting deputy secretary of DHS, former CISA director, former acting CISA director, former CISA senior cyber counsel, former national security adviser, former deputy NSA, former chief of staff to the National Security Council, former chairman of the Election Assistance Commission, presidential intelligence briefer, former secretary of Defense and former DOJ leadership for any evidence of that foreign or domestic actors flipped a single vote from a voting machine in 2020. They offered none, he says. Windom also contended that Trumps repeated effort to describe partisan bias in intelligence about the election belied that those making the assessments were his own appointees, buttressed by conclusions at a slew of intel agencies. Windom also specified that one noted instance of bias was allegedly committed in Trumps favor by his own acting DNI. Trump himself declared the election virtually impenetrable to foreign interference just days after the vote, before shifting his rhetoric, Windom notes. This view was shared by every other knowledgeable official in his administration, prosecutors say. The filing also includes a more detailed breakdown of Smiths broader investigation than previously known, an effort to counter Trumps contention that he needs access to a much wider swath of evidence than the millions of pages prosecutors have provided. For example, Windom describes subpoenaing materials and witnesses from the Secret Service and the CISA. That evidence includes phones from Secret Service officials that prosecutors sought to mine for evidence only to find that none was recoverable. Prosecutors also emphasized that no current senior Justice Department officials are expected to be witnesses in Trumps trial. Saturdays filing adds to a collection of data points that reveal the extraordinarily wide aperture of Smiths investigation. In addition to the officials described in the new filing, Smith has interviewed nearly every senior official in Trumps West Wing, from Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to White House Counsel Pat Cipollone to Vice President Mike Pence. He has also obtained records from the National Archives, state governments and dozens of GOP leaders and activists who were involved in Trumps effort to send slates of fraudulent presidential electors to Congress. Prosecutors also revealed they had provided Trump extensive details about the deployment of the National Guard on Jan. 6, including timelines of action that may not all have been made public. Prosecutors also used the filing to push back on Trumps contention that the charges against him contradict the case the Justice Department has made against Jan. 6 rioters. Theres nothing contradictory, they say, about prosecutors claiming a Jan. 6 rioter was responsible for his or her own criminal actions while noting that they took their cues from Trump. And they opposed Trumps bid for details about undercover agents or informants at the Capitol on Jan. 6. The defendants effort to blame law enforcement for the riot of which they were victims, Windom writes, fares no better than the attempt of a bank robber to blame security guards who failed to stop his crimes. Donald Trump addresses supporters in Iowa on Dec. 2. A federal judge has rejected the former president's claims that he enjoyed absolute immunity from criminal charges accusing him of seeking to reverse the 2020 election. If most citizens truly believe, as I do, that another Donald Trump presidency would be a disaster to be avoided at all costs, Democrats with help from Independents have the power to ensure it never happens. Heres how: Register en masse as Republicans and vote against Trump in the primaries. If they wait until the general election a year from now to vote against him, it may be too late. A recent poll by The New York Times and Siena College shows Trump defeating President Jo Biden in five of six key battleground states. This fact is hard to believe for Democrats who live in a bubble surrounded only by Trump haters, but they need to face facts: Trump could defeat Biden. That means the only way to ensure Trump does not regain the presidency is for the country to rally together to defeat him in the Republican presidential primary elections. With Trumps overwhelming lead in the polls, it has become clear that this outcome is not likely to happen if left to the current Republican electorate. But what if there was a movement among Democrats and Independents to swallow hard and register as Republicans for the sole purpose of voting against Trump in the primaries? After the primaries, they could switch back. Since President Biden does not have a serious challenger, it is not essential for Democrats to vote in a Democrat primary. Democrats and Independents could be the nations heroes, responsible for saving the country from an unthinkable Trump second term. There is one fly in this ointment, of course: Biden still has some chance of defeating Trump. The best alternative, Nikki Haley to my mind, would likely defeat Biden handily just an opinion but I believe it is one that will figure in the plans of many Democrats. They have a decision to make Choice 1: Help defeat Trump in the primaries and ensure that this narcissistic, egomaniacal danger to democracy never becomes president again, while at the same time making it likely that the nation will still have a Republican in the White House for the next four years; or Choice 2: Give the Democrats a better chance of retaining the presidency but risk the very real possibility that Biden loses to Trump in the electoral college. Letters: Even a longtime Gator fan knows Seminoles were cheated by playoff committee So, the question for Democrats is: How dangerous do you perceive a Trump presidency to be to our democracy? Is it so dangerous that it would be better to have a different Republican in the White House than to risk it happening? If it is not worth that risk, you must not think it is all that dangerous. To Democrats and Independents, I say: Please do your patriotic duty change your party affiliation, vote against Trump in the primaries and save our country from an existential threat to our democracy. You are the only ones who can. There is still time, but Democrats and Independents must act fast. In Duval County, a change in party affiliation must occur at least 29 days before the primary to be eligible to vote in the primaries. Mott Richard Mott recently retired from the Jacksonville Public Library. He lives in Mandarin. This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: To avoid disaster, change parties and vote against Trump in primary TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's trade and industry minister said on Sunday he would stay in his post and review his political funding after media reported Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was set to sack him and other officials in a scandal over alleged undisclosed funding. Yasutoshi Nishimura, who heads the powerful Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, told a press conference he had "not been told anything at this time, so I would like to continue fulfilling my duties". With his popularity sinking, Kishida was set to replace key lawmakers including Nishimura, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno and the policy chief of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Koichi Hagiuda, the Asahi and Mainichi newspapers reported on Sunday. The three are among the lawmakers from the LDP's biggest faction who Japanese media say may have pocketed a total of more than 100 million yen ($700,000) in fundraising proceeds that were left off the books. The offices of the prime minister, Matsuno and Hagiuda could not be reached for comment on Sunday. Matsuno, the top government spokesman, declined to comment at press conferences last week. Hagiuda promised an explanation after an investigation of his funding, Kyodo news agency reported on Saturday. Tokyo prosecutors are looking to investigate lawmakers after this session of parliament ends on Wednesday, media reported. Prosecutors could not be reached over the weekend. A spokesperson said last week they could not answer questions on matters under investigation. Public support for Kishida's government has slid to the lowest since he took office two years ago, on issues including the LDP's connections to a controversial religious organisation, rising costs of living, looming tax hikes and disappointment at his efforts to spur the economy. "I am closely examining my own political financing report, and would like to provide a thorough explanation at the appropriate time," Nishimura said. But he said he felt a sense of responsibility and apologised for causing distrust in politics. ($1 = 144.93 yen) (Reporting by Kevin Buckland and Kaori Kaneko; Editing by Shri Navaratnam and William Mallard) Javier Milei pledged a new era for Argentina as he was sworn in as the countrys new president on Sunday, sealing the ascent of a political newcomer who garnered popularity by advocating shock economic reforms. Milei is an economist and former political commentator who took to wielding a chainsaw on the campaign to symbolise his intent to slash spending. His rise surprised Argentinas political establishment, drawing comparisons with former US President Donald Trump. The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by Mileis predecessor Alberto Fernandez before the nations congress in Buenos Aires. Milei took the oath before giving his first speech as president, vowing to introduce sweeping changes and reflecting that Argentineans had overwhelmingly expressed their desire for change that has no turning back. Several prominent figures were in attendance at the ceremony, including Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky and Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil. Later, greeting supporters from the iconic Casa Rosada, Milei sang a short song and told the crowd: I want you to be aware that we are going to begin the reconstruction of Argentina after more than a hundred years of decline, redrawing the ideas of freedom, although we are going to have to endure a period of hardness, we will move forward. We are going to be a power again, he added. Milei waves to supporters after his swearing-in ceremony. - Natacha Pisarenko/AP Supporters of Milei gather outside Congress during the ceremony. - Emiliano Lasalvia/AFP/Getty Images Milei, 53, was elected president in the runoff on November 19 with 55.9% of the votes against the 44% obtained by Sergio Massa, the current finance minister. He gained national prominence after winning the elections, promising radical reforms such as dollarization and austerity to address Argentinas economic challenges. He has already met with top US officials in Washington, and his economic team has collaborated with IMF officers to formulate a plan aimed at reshaping the countrys foreign policy and guiding its economy out of the current crisis. Milei entered the race as a political outsider on a promise to break up with the status quo exemplified by his rival Massa, a career politician. His campaign promise to dollarize, if enacted, could thrust the country into new territory: no country of Argentinas size has previously turned over the reins of its own monetary policy to Washington decision-makers. Milei, a social conservative with ties to the American right, opposes abortion rights and has called climate change a lie of socialism. He has promised to slash government spending by closing Argentinas ministries of culture, education, and diversity, and by eliminating public subsidies. Mileis political program also includes slashing regulations on gun control and transferring authority over the penitentiary system from civilians to the military; both measures part of a tough-on-crime approach. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com NEW YORK A Jewish man was attacked inside a lower Manhattan Duane Reade store when an innocent bumping erupted into a full-blown hate crime, police said Saturday. The Tuesday morning beating comes as antisemitic incidents across the city have skyrocketed while the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza continues. The 66-year-old victim was leaving the Duane Reade on John St. near Broadway about 9:30 a.m. when he accidentally bumped into a 40-year-old man in a purple and black North Face jacket. F Jew! the outraged stranger said as he turned around and punched the victim in the head, cops said. The suspect was last seen wearing a purple and black North Face jacket, a yellow polo shirt and dark pants. (DCPI) The victim suffered a head injury in the split-second attack but refused medical attention. His attacker left the store and remained at large Saturday. Members of the New York Police Department Hate Crimes Task Force are investigating the incident. Tuesdays attack was just one of a handful of antisemitic crimes to occur this week as Jews across New York celebrated the beginning of Hanukkah. On Thursday, the first night of the Jewish holiday, a man fired a shotgun outside the Temple Israel Synagogue in Albany, officials said. The FBI quickly arrested Mufid Fawaz Alkhader. That same day in Brooklyn vandals damaged a public menorah display at 44th St. and Sixth Ave. in Sunset Park, cops said. A few hours later, a thief stole the menorah from Chabad Sunset Parks center lawn. The hate-fueled crimes continued in Crown Heights, where Joshua Merenfeld was beaten, robbed and derided as a dirty Jew also on Thursday. Merenfeld, 40, had just stepped out of his Crown Heights home on Eastern Parkway near Albany Ave. for a quick cigarette when he was sucker punched from behind. I didnt realize what was going on until the second punch. I think he was hitting me with something. Maybe it was my phone, Merenfeld told The New York Daily News. Police have seen an uptick in hate crimes against Jews since the beginning of the Israeli-Hamas war on Oct. 7. In November, antisemitic incidents tracked by the NYPD jumped 32% to 62 compared to 47 in November 2022. There were also seven crimes against Muslims last month, compared to zero in the same month last year. As of Dec. 3, cops had investigated 284 hate crimes against Jews, which ranged from assaults, to swastikas being left on Jewish institutions to bomb threats being made at city synagogues a 5% jump from the 270 hate crimes investigated on the same date last year. Nearly half of the antisemitic attacks investigated this year have occurred in the last two months since the beginning of the Israeli-Hamas conflict, cops said. On Friday, Mayor Eric Adams gathered with dozens of faith leaders, calling for an end to hate crimes that can cascade throughout our entire city, our state and in our country. I want to be clear: Everyone in our city, in this state, in this country has a right to practice their faith in peace, Adams said. The man wanted in Tuesdays Duane Reade assault is described as Black and bald with a beard. Hes about 5-foot-7, 170 pounds and was last seen in the North Face jacket, a yellow polo shirt and dark pants. Texas state Sen. John Whitmire, a Democrat, was projected to win the Houston mayoral race, beating out a fellow Democrat in a runoff to represent one of the most populous cities in the country. Whitmire was up against Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee for the mayors seat after the race slipped into a runoff following the Nov. 7 general election. The state senator was the leader in November, but neither he nor Jackson Lee got the majority needed to clinch the general: Whitmire won 43 percent, while Jackson Lee got 38 percent. Whitmire, 74, will fill the seat left open by Democrat Mayor Sylvester Turner, who is term-limited. Houston is the fourth-most populous city in the U.S. and boasts an increasingly young population, some of whom were frustrated by the choice between two candidates in their 70s. Whitmire and Jackson Lee are both pillars in the state: Whitmire was elected to the Texas Senate back in 1982 after serving 10 years in the Texas House of Representatives, and Lee has been in Congress for nearly 30 years. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (CNN) Venezuela has accepted a proposal to hold a high-level meeting with Guyana over the status of the disputed and oil-rich Essequibo region, Caracas said on Saturday. Venezuela expresses its satisfaction and accepts the call to meet with approval and commitment, read the statement published by Venezuelas Foreign Ministry, which also noted that the meeting will be announced in the next coming days. Guyanas government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Following a nationwide referendum last week, the Venezuelan government has said it would move forward with plans to annex the densely-forested Essequibo region, which makes up about two-thirds of neighboring Guyanas territory. Venezuela has long insisted that it has a historical claim to the region, which Guyana rejects. Current borders were set in a 1899 ruling by international arbitrators. Speaking to CNNs Isa Soares earlier this week, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said his country is taking every precautionary measure at the diplomatic level to engage international allies against Venezuelas desperate attempt to seize its territory. The proposal for a meeting between the two governments came amid a flurry of phone calls involving Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, according to the Venezuelan statement. According to Venezuelas Foreign Ministry, Maduro also spoke to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres about the matter. The UN chief has committed to promote efforts in favor of direct dialogue between the parties, it said. Guterres has warned that the stand-off over Essequibo should be settled through solely peaceful means, and urged both countries to work with the International Court of Justice. Rosemary Di Carlo, UN undersecretary for peacebuilding and political affairs, briefed the powerful Security Council about the situation on December 8. The International Court of Justice, based in The Hague, ruled last month that Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute. The court has been reviewing the territorial dispute since 2018 and will hold a trial in the spring, following decades of failed negotiations between the two countries through the UN. However, Venezuela does not recognize the courts jurisdiction on the issue. Venezuelas foreign ministry said the expected meeting will take place without interference from external actors, in accordance with what was agreed upon by both countries within the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States a regional group currently led by St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Venezuela says it will hold high-level meeting with Guyana over annexation plans" In a commendation ceremony held on December 7, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office honored Officer Christal D. Gause with a lifesaving medal for her exceptional actions during this months Meritorious Awards Ceremony. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< During a recent race where Officer Gause was stationed, a participant reportedly experienced a medical emergency. The runner grabbed his chest and collapsed to the ground. Recognizing the severity of the situation, Officer Gause promptly radioed for rescue and took immediate action by administering CPR in the field. Lieutenant Hernandez of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) commended Officer Gauses quick response and praised her CPR technique as textbook flawless. He expressed relief at seeing a JSO Officer performing CPR, highlighting the crucial role of law enforcement in basic life support. JSO Sheriff T.K. Waters commended Officer Gause for her efforts, stating, Christal, I commend your efforts that day, and Im thankful that you were in the right place at the right time. Sheriff Waters also reported that the patient had successfully recovered from the incident. Officer Christal D. Gauses swift and decisive actions showcase law enforcement professionals dedication to ensuring the communitys safety and well-being. The lifesaving medal is a testament to her heroism and commitment to public service. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Robin Smith covered her eyes with both hands and tried to hold back tears. Bless her heart she couldnt. Overwhelmed with emotion, Smith, lead pre-K teacher at Grace United Community Ministries in Kansas Citys historic Northeast neighborhood, wept quietly. She cried for good reason, too. Be Great Together, a Kansas City nonprofit, presented the churchs pre-K program with a generous donation a $10,000 gift for exceptional work with young children under its care, according to Be Great co-founder Avrell Stokes. The presentation was a surprise. The generosity was appreciated. This is so amazing, Smith said. You just dont know how far this will go. For nearly a week, all program director Lori Theus would tell staff was that visitors from a Missouri oversight agency would be there for a follow-up inspection. It was all a ruse. Shes a great secret keeper, executive director Jesse Barnes said. Theus beamed. I kept it really good, she said. Even as visitors ushered their way into a cramped classroom Thursday morning, Smith had no clue about the smoke screen unfolding before her. Only after Stokes announced the donation did Smith and others left in the dark realize what was going on. Then the tears came. To me, the moment is what the holiday season is all about: Giving to and gifting others in need. And 10 grand can go a long way in funding field trips, supplies and other needs for the children enrolled in the program, Smith said. This is really a blessing, she said. Quick pause: I cannot say enough about the well-mannered children that sat through this impromptu gathering. Not one child cried, acted up or complained about sharing space with a room full of strangers. Each sat cordially on a mat during the visit. All took part in a group photo shoot with little fuss. Later in the day, a 4th-grade class at Center Elementary School in south Kansas City exhibited the same exemplary behavior as adults overtook their classroom with cameras and an oversized replica check. Parents, teachers and administrators at each of these schools should be proud. At Grace United, co-workers Christine Glasgow and Mary Helen Alexander Allen and Barnes stood next to Smith. Barnes turned to Smith and said: Im not going to be like you; I cant cry today. The adults in the room laughed. We are so very thankful, Barnes said. Co-founder worked in healthcare Stokes background is in public health. In 2013, he obtained a masters degree in that field from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, according to his bio on Linkedin. From 2013-16, Stokes worked as a consultant for the healthcare giant formerly known as Cerner Corp long before it was bought out by tech company Oracle. He later partnered with Kansas City Public Schools as a consultant to help high school students learn leadership, organizing and civic engagement skills. In 2020, Stokes helped start Be Great Together. Because of his work in public schools, he saw a gap in what students and teachers needed in the classroom and a lack of funding. In 2021, the organization went to work to secure financial contributions from community partners. Be Great Together also wanted to change what some perceive as a negative narrative associated with public schools in the Kansas City area. Good teachers and great programs need a spotlight, platform, and most importantly, funding, Stokes told me. He wasnt wrong. To date, the non-profit has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to support school programs and teachers in Kansas Citys urban core, according to Stokes. Thursday marked the first time a pre-K program was nominated as a benefactor. KC non-profit gifts $30,000 to schools On Thursday, Stokes day started early. Between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. he presented $10,000 checks to three schools Grace United, Northeast High School and Center Elementary School. Joining Stokes on some of the stops were representatives from the Hall Family and Health Forward foundations and several area businesses including Tribe Street Kitchen in Kansas Citys River Market area and Snooze an A.M. Eatery in Westport, he said. Other reps from financial supporters joined them. Tears, smiles and pure joy were common themes at each stop, said Bobby Morris, executive chef for Tribe Street Kitchen. Morris had only planned to attend the first stop at Northeast. He ended up at all three schools while I tagged along to Grace United and Center Elementary. After the first one, I thought, Ive got to go to the second one, Morris said. After the second one, I had to come to the third. Morris went on to describe some of the emotional reactions he witnessed on Thursday at each site as amazing. Id find it hard to disagree. In his first TV interview since retiring from Congress, former speaker Kevin McCarthy told CBS News Sunday Morning that he will support President Trump in 2024. Asked if he thinks Trump will be the Republican presidential nominee, McCarthy responded with a resounding yes, adding, If Biden stays as the nominee for the Democrats, I believe Donald Trump will win, and that he thinks Republicans will also win in the House and Senate. He also said he would be willing to serve in a Trump cabinet in the right role after working with Trump extensively to win the majority. Talking about Trumps campaign tactic for retribution, McCarthy said that America doesn't want to see the idea of retribution, and what President Trump needs to do in this campaign, it needs to be about rebuilding, restoring, renewing America. It can't be about revenge. Read it at CBS News Read more at The Daily Beast. Millionaire business owner Andreen McDonald was known for her strict workout regimen. On the morning of March 1, 2019, when she didn't show up for work, her employees called the gym, which was her usual first stop in her morning routine. They found out she never showed up there either, which raised red flags. What happened to the San Antonio businesswoman, wife and mother? The McDonalds Andreen McDonald, pictured with Andre McDonald, in front of a sign for Starlight Homes, their assisted living business in San Antonio. / Credit: Instagram Married couple Andreen and Andre McDonald were the picture of success. Andre McDonald was a major in the Air Force, and together, he and Andreen McDonald built an assisted living business from the ground up and became millionaires. Feb. 16, 2019: Andre's 40th birthday party Andre McDonald at his 40th birthday party. / Credit: Instagram For Andre McDonald's 40th birthday, Andreen McDonald threw him a party at their San Antonio home. According to friends, the couple seemed to be getting along. Feb. 28, 2019 After a heated argument that evening, Andre McDonald says he left the house to cool off at that gas station. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts According to Andre McDonald, during a meeting at a tax preparer's office, he discovered Andreen McDonald had opened a separate business without his knowledge. He later told police, when they got home a heated argument ensued. Andre McDonald said he left the house and went to a gas station to cool down. While there, the argument continued via text. Revealing text messages A text between the McDonalds. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts The couple argued about the business as well as alleged infidelity in the marriage, and even discussed the possibility of divorce. In one message, Andre McDonald texts, "Andreen I don't care if you file for divorce." Andre McDonald said when he returned home, he thought his wife was sleeping in a separate bedroom. March 1, 2019 A Bexar County sheriff's deputy discovered what he believed was blood on the wall and possibly a hair. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts When Andreen McDonald didn't show up to work the next morning, her friends and colleagues became concerned. They picked up Andreen McDonald's mother, Maureen Smith, from work and drove to the house. Smith called police and reported Andreen missing. When a Bexar County sheriff's deputy responded to the McDonald home, the group walked him through the house. The deputy noticed something disturbing: there was blood and hair on a light switch in the bathroom. The burn pile A zipper from Andreen McDonald's blouse was discovered in a burn pile in the backyard. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts In the backyard, they discovered a burn pile. In it, a zipper was visible. The deputy also found that Andreen McDonald's purse, ID and keys were still at the house, but her phone was missing. When Andre McDonald returned to his home to find law enforcement there, he claimed he did not know where his wife was but revealed they had an argument the night before. After an investigator arrived on the scene, Andre McDonald refused to speak further and requested an attorney. March 2, 2019 Andre McDonald is seen at the checkout of a Lowes store. Two red gas cans can be seen on the counter. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts The next morning, surveillance video captured Andre McDonald in a Lowe's purchasing a cart full of items including a shovel and an ax. March 2, 2019 - 2:00 p.m. Surveillance video of Andre McDonald purchasing a 9mm handgun and ammunition. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts Later that day, an undercover investigator assigned to watch the McDonald house noticed that the garage had been damaged and saw Andre McDonald backing out of the driveway. The investigator followed him to a nearby gun shop where additional investigators, who were called to the scene, observed Andre McDonald purchasing a 9mm handgun and ammunition. "We were under the assumption that he was purchasing a gun to probably harm himself," lead investigator Frank Stubbs told "48 Hours." Andre McDonald was detained as he walked from the store to his car. The investigators turned him over to military authorities for a mental evaluation. Suspicious items The items purchased included a shovel and ax, as well as a hatchet, heavy-duty large trash bags, gloves and two 5-gallon gas cans. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts Meanwhile, investigators returned to the McDonald's house with a search warrant. They found the items Andre McDonald had purchased from Lowe's that morning which included that shovel and ax, as well as a hatchet, heavy-duty large trash bags, gloves and two 5-gallon gas cans. In a nearby trash can, they found a torn receipt for the items. The shopping list The handwritten shopping list Andre McDonald had on him when he was detained. It was not admitted as evidence at trial. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts Investigators would later obtain a handwritten shopping list Andre McDonald had on him when he was arrested. The list includes many of the items McDonald purchased from Lowe's. Stubbs told "48 Hours" it appeared Andre McDonald entered Lowe's with a sinister plan. "It doesn't appear that he's going to do yard work at least not with his wife missing," Stubbs told correspondent Peter Van Sant. "It appears to us that he's going to use these things to dismember her body " March 3, 2019 The torn receipt found at the McDonald house listing the items Andre McDonald had purchased from the hardware store. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts The following day, the Air Force concluded its evaluation of Andre McDonald and released him. Civil authorities quickly moved in and placed him under arrest, but not for murder. He was arrested for tampering with evidence because of that torn up Lowe's receipt investigators found in the trash. In April 2019, Andre McDonald posted bond and was released. July 11, 2019: Andreen McDonald's remains are found Andreen McDonald / Credit: Facebook After months of searches for Andreen McDonald, her remains were found in July 2019. Her skeletal remains were located in a field six miles from the McDonald home. Andre McDonald was arrested and charged with Andreen McDonald's murder. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. January February 2023: Andre McDonald on trial It would be nearly four years before Andre McDonald had his day in court. On the sixth day of trial, he took the stand. Andre McDonald revealed in great detail what he says happened in the days surrounding Andreen McDonald's death. Andre McDonald's side of the story The McDonald's bathroom where Andre McDonald said the fight with his wife took place. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts Andre McDonald testified that on the night of Feb. 28, after he returned home from the gas station, he and AndreenMcDonald did not go to separate bedrooms as he had previously told authorities. Instead, he said, the fight with his wife turned physical. According to Andre McDonald, Andreen McDonald began throwing punches. He says he grabbed her, tripped her and kicked her twice when she fell to the bathroom floor. Andre McDonald says his wife was wheezing, but he left her side to put their young daughter, Alayna, back to bed. He says he came back a half an hour later and Andreen McDonald was dead. According to Andre McDonald, he then dumped Andreen McDonald's body in a field, stripped her naked and returned home and burned her clothing. Returning to the scene / Credit: Bexar County District Courts Andre McDonald also testified at trial that the following night, after investigators had left the house, he returned to the field where he had dumped Andreen McDonald's body. "My plan was to hit the person that caused this whole circumstance " McDonald testified. He says he lit Andreen's body on fire and repeatedly hit her body with a hammer. Andre also testified at trial that the following night, after investigators had left the house, he returned to the field where he had dumped Andreen's body. The Lowe's haul Andre McDonald seen on surveillance video leaving Lowes with his purchase. / Credit: Bexar County District Courts When Andre McDonald was questioned about those items he bought at Lowe's, he testified that he bought the items with the intent to dispose of Andreen McDonald's remains. "I got up that morning with the intention of chopping the body up and set it on fire and burying the bones," Andre McDonald told the prosecution. However, he did not end up following through with this plan. Just hours after the trip to Lowe's, McDonald was arrested. Andre McDonald's self-defense claim At trial, the defense team showed videos of Andreen McDonald powerlifting and carrying Andre McDonald on her back to demonstrate that she was stronger than him. / Credit: CBS News At trial, Andre McDonald claimed that on the night of Andreen McDonald's death, he had acted in self-defense. His defense team showed videos of Andreen McDonald powerlifting and carrying Andre McDonald on her back to demonstrate that she was stronger than him. The jurors deliberated for almost 12 hours. Two of the jurors told "48 Hours" no one believed Andre McDonald was innocent or that he acted in self-defense. Feb. 3, 2023: A guilty verdict Andre McDonald was found guilty of manslaughter. / Credit: CBS News The jury found Andre McDonald not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Why this high-end dinnerware is a fixture of Michelin-starred restaurants UNLV shooting victims identified "Unbelievably frugal" Indianapolis man left $13 million to charities North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was recently seen crying on national television. Kim was addressing the country's declining birthrate and imploring mothers to have more children. The dictator has been seen crying in front of citizens multiple times. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was seen shedding a tear during a recent broadcast of a speech on state media, marking one of several times the dictator has cried in front of his citizens. Kim's latest emotional moment came on Sunday during the country's fifth National Mothers Meeting the first time North Korea held the event in 11 years, according to The Associated Press in which mothers are honored for serving their husbands, children, and country. This year, Kim addressed North Korea's declining birthrate and called on women to give birth to more children as a form of patriotic duty. "Stopping the decline in birthrates and providing good child care and education are all our family affairs that we should solve together with our mothers," the leader said in his speech, according to the Korean Central News Agency, North Korea's state media. North Korea's total fertility rate, or the average number of babies a woman is expected to give birth to during her lifetime, declined from 1.88 in 2014 to 1.79 in 2022, the Associated Press reported, citing South Korea's government statistics agency. There are multiple documented or reported instances of the North Korean dictator crying. Kim Jong Un cries at a funeral for his father Kim Jong Il. Reuters In 2011, Kim was seen with tears running down his face during a funeral for his father, Kim Jong-Il, according to Reuters. There was also a 2018 report from Japan's Asahi Shinbun, citing a North Korean defector with contacts inside the country with knowledge of the situation, of a video of Kim crying over his inability to improve the country's weak economy and that high-ranking officials in the ruling party had viewed it. Similarly, in 2020, Kim became emotional during a speech at a military parade that marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea because he felt his "efforts" were not enough for the country, according to a video from The Guardian. Few dictators are known to have cried in front of their subjects. Even for leaders of democracies, crying in front of their constituents is a headline-worthy moment. Stalin was rumored to be someone often on the verge of tears behind closed doors, according to a Kremlin maid. Russian President Vladimir Putin also was seen crying during his acceptance speech near the Kremlin in 2012, according to Reuters. Read the original article on Business Insider SAN DIEGO A warning for those who may be planning to go out in the water this month, high tides are expected to reach heights of over 6 feet along the shores of San Diego County through Friday and again for the full cold moon on Christmas, creating hazardous swimming conditions. With a new moon forecast for this week, happening specifically on Tuesday at 6:32 a.m. EST, king tides are expected for our coastlines, so swimmers and surfers should be vigilant. The high tides will also pay a visit on Christmas, just in time for the full cold moon, which peaks on Dec. 26. San Diego Zoo Safari Park works to protect heart of 51-year-old gorilla King tides can create extremely low low tides as well. Higher than normal tides usually happen during a new moon or full moon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), or during specific seasons. This week, its from a new moon. The area just had high tides at the full moon around Thanksgiving. The tide is set to roll in at 6.8 feet on Tuesday around 7:45 a.m., and will drop to a -1 foot by 3 p.m. On Wednesday, the high tide will peak at 6.9 feet at 8:25 a.m., dropping to -1.2 feet just before 4 p.m. The tide will stay at nearly 7 feet Thursday and Friday, back down slightly for Saturday at 6.3 feet. Santa Ana winds this weekend prompt wind advisory, increased wildfire risk in SoCal Tides are caused by the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun. King tides are used to describe the highest tides of the year, usually around a summer or winter solstice, which is coming up on Dec. 21. If you plan on visiting the coast, you might notice flooded parking lots in the mornings or exposed reefs or rocks in the afternoons. The NOAA Monthly High Tide Flooding Outlook reports there is potential for possible flooding on Dec. 13 and 14 for San Diego. The king tides return for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, maxing out at 6.8 feet around 7 a.m. Christmas Day, and dropping back down after 2 p.m., just in time to explore the tide pools to find sea critters that are usually hidden or to go for a holiday walk on the beach. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. A Kremlin doppelganger campaign using mocked-up versions of real news sites to issue false reports is stoking global tensions over the war in Gaza, experts have said. Russia has flooded the internet with articles that mimic the layout of established news sites to spread anti-Western disinformation, including bogus reports about US, British and Ukrainian collaboration with Hamas, according to experts. The sophisticated propaganda effort aims to dent Western support for Kyiv and focus attention away from the war in Ukraine to the conflict in Gaza. The campaign dubbed Operation Doppelganger because of the articles near perfect replication of genuine news sites issues fake reports under real titles, including Le Monde, Der Spiegel and Fox News, with links often leading back to the official sites. One forged report attributed the energy crisis in Europe to Israels war in Gaza, according to an analysis by Israeli newspaper Haaretz, while a separate AI-generated video showed an IDF soldier inviting Ukrainians to join the Israeli army in return for citizenship and payment. Meanwhile, articles targeting the Israeli public have portrayed Ukraine as anti-Semitic, with one blaming Kyiv for orchestrating the mob that stormed an airport in Dagestan, to search for Jews and Israelis, in October. A separate caricature seen by The Telegraph depicts Ukraines Azov Brigade shaking hands with Hamas. Emotional and psychological war Arkady Mil-Man, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and former Israeli ambassador to Russia, said the bogus articles are used by Russia as part of an emotional and psychological war on Ukraines Western backers, especially targeting countries where support for Kyiv is ambivalent or divided, such as Israel, the US, France and Germany. Some articles are highly sophisticated replicas of legacy news sites which use good Hebrew, Mr Mil-Man said. Some very smart people called me [after reading one] and said look, did you know that this journalist changed his mind and he is against Ukraine?. So it can be effective. It was a fake page but it linked back to the real site, so the impression is that its not fake. The constant drip of Russian misinformation poses a real threat that Israel currently preoccupied with its ground war in Gaza is ill-equipped to address, Mr Mil-Man said. However, Russias disinformation campaign in Israel has not been effective so far, he said. Maybe it has had some very small influence. But the majority did not accept this propaganda. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez sent a birthday message to Nicki Minaj from "Barbz" all over San Antonio. Kin Man Hui/Staff photographer City Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez lightened the mood at Thursdays council meeting with a happy birthday message to Nicki Minaj. McKee-Rodriguez was allowed a moment for a personal statement between discussions of an increase in CPS energy rates on Thursday, which he chose to partially spend wishing the queen of rap a happy birthday. She is an advocate for higher education, a philanthropist, a mogul, a poet and a mother, the District 2 councilman said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad McKee-Rodriguez also quoted Minajs reference to the Spurs in the song Big Daddy saying that her line about Manu Ginobili celebrates our beloved San Antonio Spurs while inviting the opposition to collect their Ls in peace. He ended by saying that he couldnt wait to hear Minajs new album Pink Friday 2, the highly-anticipated follow up to her 2010 album, "Pink Friday." The new album was released Friday, the same day she turned 41. SPURS NATION: News and analysis for the Spurs superfan The councilmans birthday message caught the attention of her fans, called Barbz, all over social media. His own post of the video racked up almost 8,000 likes and was acknowledged by MTV. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At least six people were killed Saturday after severe weather, including multiple tornadoes, struck central Tennessee. Three fatalities were in Clarksville, northwest of Nashville near the Kentucky border, where nearly two dozen more people were hospitalized, county officials said. This is a sad day for our community, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said. We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes. This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end. The county set up its local high school as a disaster relief center and temporary shelter for those impacted by the storms. Another three people died in Nashvilles Nesbitt Lane area, the city emergency services said. The Nashville emergency management agency posted photos that appear to show destroyed homes. Damage was reported all over north central Tennessee and as far away as Bowling Green, Ky. There, mobile homes were tipped over in high winds. The National Weather Service confirmed at least one tornado in Clarksville. Reports of other tornadoes, including one near Nashville, were considered likely. A shocking video reposted by the National Weather Service showed a tornado near Springfield, Tenn. Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts declared a state of emergency Saturday evening. This is devastating news and our hearts are broken for the families of those who lost loved ones. The City stands ready to help them in their time of grief, Pitts said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. At least six people have died in Tennessee as tornadoes and strong thunderstorms moved across the state Saturday. Three people were confirmed dead in Madison, Tennessee, just north of Nashville, emergency management officials said. We have teams assessing damage and looking for patients, the Nashville Office of Emergency Management said on X, formerly Twitter. Unfortunately, we can confirm there are three fatalities as a result of the severe weather on Nesbitt Lane. A storm front approaches downtown Nashville, Tenn., which spawned an apparent tornado north of the cit on, Saturday. - Nicole Hester/The Tennessean/AP Officials in Montgomery County also confirmed three deaths, including a child, after a tornado struck the Clarksville area. At this time we can confirm that three people are deceased, two adults and one child as a result of the tornado that touched down this afternoon, said a statement from the Montgomery County government. Additionally, 23 people have been treated at the hospital. Officials said they are still in a search and rescue phase to see if there are more dead or injured. This is a sad day for our community. We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said in a statement. The city of Clarksville declared a state of emergency Saturday night, Mayor Joe Pitts announced. Police will be enforcing a 9 p.m. curfew Saturday and Sunday nights. This is devastating news and our hearts are broken for the families of those who lost loved ones. The City stands ready to help them in their time of grief, Pitts said in a statement. Government officials in Sumner County said significant damage occurred Saturday from a tornado that struck Gallatin and Hendersonville, Tennessee, northeast of Nashville. A car is buried under rubble on Main Street after a tornado hit Hendersonville, Tennessee on Saturday. - Andrew Nelles/USA Today Network/Reuters At this time, we are working to respond to multiple calls throughout the county and to establish Red Cross shelters in Gallatin and Hendersonville, said a joint statement from the communities mayors. It is of paramount importance that citizens stay off of the roads and allow first responders and utility crews to respond, the statement read. Sumner County Emergency Medical Services said they are not aware of any loss of life or life-threatening injuries at this time. The tornadoes spawned out of a severe weather outbreak across more than 1,200 miles of the eastern United States from the Gulf Coast to the Canadian border on Saturday. Officials in northwest Tennessee urged drivers to stay off roadways as severe weather moved through the area. The National Weather Service has confirmed two tornadoes, each described as large and dangerous, had touched down Saturday afternoon, including the storm in Montgomery County and another near the Gibson County town of Rutherford. Officials said at least three people were injured in a rural area near Dresden, Tennessee, Saturday afternoon when severe weather struck the area. CNN Meteorologist Mary Gilbert contributed to this report. This is a developing story and will be updated. Storm damage on Nesbitt Lane in Madison, Tennessee, Saturday. - Nashville Office of Emergency Management For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Violence escalated at Lebanon's border with Israel on Sunday as Hezbollah launched explosive drones and powerful missiles at Israeli positions and Israeli air strikes rocked several towns and villages in south Lebanon. Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since the war in Gaza erupted two months ago, in their worst hostilities since a 2006 conflict. The violence has largely been contained to the border area. An Israeli air strike on the town of Aitaroun destroyed five homes and damaged many more, Ali Hijazi, a local official, said. "Divine intervention prevented anyone being martyred. Three women and two men were wounded," he told Reuters. The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Senior Hezbollah politician Hassan Fadlallah, in a statement to Reuters, said Israeli air strikes were a "new escalation" to which the group was responding with new types of attacks, be it "in the nature of the weapons (used) or the targeted sites". The Israeli army earlier said "suspicious aerial targets" had crossed from Lebanon and two were intercepted. Two Israeli soldiers were moderately wounded and a number of others lightly injured from shrapnel and smoke inhalation, it said. Israeli fighter jets carried out "an extensive series of strikes on Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanese territory", it said. Sirens sounded in Israel at several locations at the border. In Beirut, residents saw what appeared to be two warplanes streaking across a clear blue sky, leaving vapour trails behind them. Hezbollah statements say its attacks aim to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Beirut would be turned "into Gaza" if Hezbollah started an all-out war. UNIFIL, the U.N. peacekeeping force in south Lebanon, said in a statement "the potential for a miscalculation that could trigger a wider conflict is increasing". In one of several attacks announced by Hezbollah on Sunday, the group said it had launched the explosive drones at an Israeli command position near Ya'ara. In another, Hezbollah said it had fired Burkan (Volcano) missiles, which carry hundreds of kilograms of explosives. Israeli air strikes were also reported on the outskirts of the Lebanese village of Yaroun, not far from the location of another of the Israeli positions Hezbollah said it had targeted on Sunday. Those air strikes broke windows of houses, shops and a school in the nearby village of Rmeich, Toni Elias, a priest in Rmeich, told Reuters by phone. U.N. WATCHTOWER STRUCK Violence at the border has killed more than 120 people in Lebanon, including 85 Hezbollah fighters and 16 civilians. In Israel, the hostilities have killed seven soldiers and four civilians. UNIFIL said shelling had damaged a watchtower at one of its positions on Saturday afternoon. Nobody had been injured and the source of the fire was under investigation, it said. The Israeli army said Hezbollah had on Saturday night launched several rockets at Israel, and that one of them was "launched from 20 meters away from a United Nations compound in southern Lebanon". By continuing to fire at Israel from areas "located only a few meters away from a U.N. compound", Hezbollah "endangers the lives of UNIFIL soldiers", the Israeli army said. There was no immediate Hezbollah response to the Israeli statement. UNIFIL said targeting of its positions "and any use of the vicinity of our positions to launch attacks" is unacceptable. (Reporting by Laila Bassam and Tom Perry in Beirut and Dan Williams and Emily Rose in Jerusalem; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Nick Macfie and Ros Russell) A well-deserved thank-you is owed to Councilman Lew Crampton for putting together an outstanding "resident-friendly" parking plan for the Town of Palm Beach. Our new parking sticker system with annual decals issued only for town residents follows on the success of similar resident car park decal programs in other resort communities and urban neighborhoods, such as Georgetown in the District of Columbia, where we lived for many years. The Georgetown experience with "on street resident only" parking served to protect neighborhood residents while at the same time controlling out-of-town crowds mostly high school students utilizing bars and nightclubs in the historic area. In Palm Beach, we are fortunate to have a similar resident parking system in place to help defend neighborhoods challenged by out-of-town crowds intent on carousing. Traffic management consultants tell us that command over street parking spaces is the first step to regaining control over urban overcrowding. If you have not had the opportunity to sign up for your resident parking sticker, visit the town website and enroll in the program today. Your personal participation in the Palm Beach residential parking permit program will be one of the best decisions you make this year. You will also help Palm Beach secure a better and more resident-friendly environment with fewer traffic issues. Thank you, Councilman Crampton. W. Bradford Gary, Palm Beach This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Letter: New parking plan for Town of Palm Beach deserves praise To the Editor: Recently my wife and I had the honor and privilege of attending the fall 2023 Warrior Beach Retreat in Panama City Beach, FL. Upon arriving, the entire community welcomed us with open arms. This was such a relief, as my wife and I have never felt this type of welcome and love from anyone. We received so many gifts, a rental car, letters and drawings from local school kids, wonderful food, police escorts, veteran parade, and most importantly quality time with one another without any stresses of everyday life. Meeting other great American heroes of all walks of life was such a blessing. We are so grateful and appreciative of all the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in this great adventure. To the Panama City Beach community, families, volunteers and sponsors, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. For not only recognizing me as the veteran, but the upmost care and compassion you all showed my wife. Every aspect of the Warrior Beach Retreat was perfect. I will support and recommend this retreat to any veteran. A special thank you Philip, Linda, Joshua and Jonathan Cope or all your sacrifices. We are so glad we crossed paths and God has charged you with a great mission. You will forever be in our daily thoughts and prayers. Forever Grateful, SFC Christopher Walker and Cheryl Walker U.S. Army Veteran To the editor: I want to start by saying thank you. Thank you for all the support and everything the community did for all of us veterans and caregivers in the Warrior Beach Retreat, including the 26-mile parade, the incredible flyover and the police escort to dinner and other places. The love and appreciation from the community to all of us was incredible, a feeling like no other. The warmed feeling that we received from the whole community for the whole week was amazing and wonderful. It made us realize we are not forgotten. We want to send our special gratitude to the Panama community and a special thank you to the Cope Family for everything you and everyone else do for the veterans and caregivers. Thank you! Mr. and Mrs. Jose Bonilla This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Gratitude: Veterans thank community for Warrior Beach Retreat During the brief truce between Israel and Hamas earlier this month, it was people in white vests driving SUVs who escorted freed hostages to safety. Sporting unmistakable red and white livery, the men and women of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) co-ordinated the transfer of hostages from the control of masked Hamas gunmen back into Israel, as well as the return of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli detention. Sometimes it looks like its just driving people from one place to another, said Fabrizio Carboni, Regional Director for the Near and Middle East for the ICRC. But its about agreeing on when, how, what, and all this needs to be coordinated, with different movement also outside Gaza, Carboni told CNN. As you know, there were also Palestinian detainees who were released and brought back to their families. So, its extremely complex. A hostage release, faciliated by ICRC workers in Gaza City, takes place on November 28, 2023. - Anadolu/Getty Images A vehicle of the ICRC drives hostages to the Rafah border point with Egypt as part of a transfer deal on November 26, 2023. - Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images The truce between Israel and Hamas collapsed after 7 days last week and fighting is once again raging, with Israels bombardment increasingly focusing on Gazas south, where hundreds of thousands of refugees had already fled. Palestinian hospitals are filling once more with dead and wounded and the fate of the remaining 138 hostages Israel believes to be still in captivity is far from clear. As a neutral intermediary between the two sides, the Red Cross is on standby to facilitate more exchanges. But in the past week, the organization has also had to defend itself against criticism that its not doing enough in Gaza to help the remaining hostages. An Israeli mother, whose son is believed to be held hostage in Gaza, said that the Red Cross had done a wonderful job being the Uber service for the hostages who are released, but had done nothing for those still being held. People gather outside the ICRC offices in Tel Aviv on November 9, 2023. - Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images Speaking on the BBC World Services Newshour program, ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said criticism of the Red Cross role in facilitating the release of hostages was profoundly unjust, unfair, and its wrong. We are working round the clock with the authorities on the Israeli side to make [the release of hostages] possible whenever there is an agreement to release hostages, she said. Robert Mardini, Director General of the ICRC, told CNN that there were limits to what humanitarians can do. Our staff and volunteers are all in the line of fire, he said. Bearing witness to the terrible and very difficult conditions of delivering impartial humanitarian services in this context. A long and storied history Being in the line of fire is something Red Cross volunteers have faced for the last 160 years. Founded in Geneva in 1863, the ICRC is the oldest and one of the most honored humanitarian organizations in the world. A three-time Nobel Peace Prize winner, winning the award during the two World Wars and on the centenary of its creation, the ICRC operates in more than 100 countries, supporting those affected by war, natural disasters and other global crises through a humanitarian network of some 80 million people. The ICRC responds quickly and efficiently to help people affected by armed conflict. We also respond to disasters in conflict zones because the effects of a disaster are compounded if a country is already at war, the organization said in a statement on its official website. Emergencies are unpredictable so our rapid deployment capability is hugely important. A view of the Turkish Red Crescent blood donation center in Duzce, Turkiye. - Omer Urer/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images In Muslim majority nations, the ICRC carries out its humanitarian work under a crescent moon the first to adopt the symbol was the Turkish Red Crescent, founded under the Ottoman Empire in 1868. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society was formally founded in 1968, initially to help Palestinian refugees in Jordan, and now represents Palestinians both in West Bank and Gaza and the wider diaspora. In 2006 it was admitted as a full fledged member of the ICRC. We are the middle man and see suffering on all sides never involved in politics or political processes, said Balthasar Staehelin, who heads its delegation for East Asia in Beijing. If a person has needs or is suffering, we are there to help, its simple and we do not ask about ones race or religion, or political beliefs. Civilians are accompanied by members of the Red Cross to the village of Bezimenne in the Donetsk Region, Ukraine. - Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters The organizations history begins with Swiss businessman Jean-Henri Dunant, who in 1859 came across hundreds of soldiers who lay dying on the Italian battlefield of Solferino. Horrified by what he saw, Dunant took it upon himself to help the injured men, organizing teams of civilians to assist with medical treatment and care. After returning to Geneva, he went on to write a book, A Memory of Solferino, that detailed his harrowing experiences. So much agony, so much suffering the wounds, aggravated by the heat, the lack of water and assistance caused more intense pain, Dunant wrote. Could not voluntary aid societies be founded, whose function would be to provide, or arrange to provide, help for the wounded during wartime? His plea would inadvertently give rise to the creation of the ICRC and the first of the Geneva Conventions. Red Cross staff deliver medical aid to the Nasser Medical Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023. - Ahmad Salem/Bloomberg/Getty Images Over the next century and a half, Red Cross and Red Crescent groups have been present at virtually every conflict the groups World War One archives alone contain details on more than 2 million prisoners of war (POWs). In 2003, Nelson Mandela recalled how he was regularly visited by the ICRC during his long years of prison in apartheid South Africa. To me personally, and those who shared the experience of being political prisoners, the Red Cross was a beacon of humanity within the dark inhumane world of political imprisonment, he said. Members of the Red Cross wait outside a hangar in Kalamata, Greece, where migrants have been temporarily housed, following the sinking of a fishing boat carrying hundreds of passengers. - Byron Smith/Getty Images Responding to natural disasters is another key element of the ICRCs work. During the height of the initial coronavirus rampage through Italy, Red Cross workers were among those going door to door in the city of Bergamo. When an earthquake tore through northern Afghanistan earlier this year, the ICRC were among the few international aid organizations still present in the country since the Talibans takeover. But hostage and prisoner exchanges however are often the most politically fraught moments for the Red Cross, which maintains that neutrality in all and any conflict is crucial for the role it plays. Refugees eat food in a tent of the Armenian Red Cross registration centre, near the border town of Kornidzor, on September 26, 2023. - Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine has brought large scale mechanized war back to Europe and the ICRC is once again visiting POWs on both sides. Earlier this year, it facilitated the exchange of hundreds of prisoners in Yemens conflict and did the same in 2016 for 21 girls in Nigeria who had been kidnapped by Boko Haram militants. Our Movements fundamental principles of impartiality and neutrality are crucial in this work, the ICRC said in a recent statement it issued about its work with hostages in Israel and Gaza. The ICRC is not a negotiator. We dont take sides. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel was pressing to allow the Red Cross to visit hostages in Gaza. I spoke with the president of the Red Cross again today and I told her to turn to Qatar, since it has been proven that they have leverage over Hamas, and demand Red Cross visits with our hostages and, of course, the providing of medicines for them, he said in a video statement. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Dallas Cowboys (10-3) beat the Philadelphia Eagles 33-13 at AT&T Stadium on Sunday. The Cowboys have been waiting for a rematch with the NFC East Division-leading Philadelphia Eagles (10-3) after falling 28-23 in their first matchup this season. The Eagles were reeling after suffering a blowout defeat last week at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers and the Cowboys gave them a second straight blowout loss. FIRST QUARTER Dallas started the game off with the ball after the Eagles deferred the opening kickoff. The Cowboys wasted no time using runs from KaVontae Turpin, Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle to march down the field. The drive was capped off by a 13-yard touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb. The Brandon Aubrey PAT was good. The Cowboys lead 7-0 with 10:00 minutes left in the first. TOUCHDOWN, CEEDEE LAMB Cowboys lead 7-0 pic.twitter.com/mi6omXPXRi Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) December 11, 2023 After the Cowboys defense forced a Jalen Hurts fumble the offense took over going on a 13-play drive 37-yard drive. The Cowboys were slowed by several penalties on the drive but Brandon Aubrey converted a 60-yard field goal to extend their lead. Cowboys lead 10-0 with 50 seconds left in the first quarter. SECOND QUARTER After ending their last drive with a turnover the Eagles were looking to get on the scoreboard. Eagles used a fake punt to extend the drive which ended with a 52-yard Jake Elliott field goal. Eagles still trail 10-3 with 12:34 left in the second quarter. Cowboys offense continued their domination of the Eagles defense, moving the ball at will in the passing game. Prescott found Jake Ferguson for a 27-yard catch to get the ball to midfield. Cowboys used runs from Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle to get the ball into the red zone. The drive was finished off with a one-yard touchdown by Dowdle, the PAT was good. Cowboys lead 17-3 with 5:40 left in the first half. TOUCHDOWN Rico Dowdle slams it in from the one! #Cowboys up 17-3 pic.twitter.com/yHQXOgTjAM Cowboys Nation (@CowboyNationDAL) December 11, 2023 The Eagles offense has struggled to score to start the game with their only points coming off a field goal. Hurts used his legs and found receiver AJ Brown for a big gain to get into the red zone. The Eagles finished the drive with a 44-yard field goal. Eagles still trail 17-6 with 1:52 remaining in the first half. Prescott led the two-minute drill and found Gallup and Cooks for key first downs and used a penalty against the Eagles to get into field goal range. The drive was capped off by a one-yard touchdown by Micahel Gallup. The PAT was good, and the Cowboys lead 24-6 with 20 seconds left in the half. A Michael Gallup TD off the pick (inside of 1-yard, no flag)! pic.twitter.com/dW0vC1hwZD Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) December 11, 2023 THIRD QUARTER The Eagles score their first touchdown of the day on the defensive side of the ball after Fletcher Cox got a strip-sack on Prescott which Jalen Carter scooped and scored on a 42-yard run. The PAT was good and the Eagles trail 24-13 with 10:41 left in the third quarter. Jalen Carter takes the fumble to the house! (via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/OlXbgEtKgs FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 11, 2023 The Cowboys responded to their first mistake of the game by driving the ball down the field with help from a huge 32-yard catch and run by Ferguson. After a clipping and holding penalty moved the Cowboys back they were forced to settle for a 59-yard field goal by Aubrey. Cowboys lead 27-13 with 4:49 left in the third quarter. FOURTH QUARTER The Cowboys offense continued to move the ball against Philadelphia but has struggled to score touchdowns in the second half. Dallas once again was forced to settle for an Aubrey field goal this field goal from 45-yards. Cowboys lead 30-13 with 9:40 left in the game. After another Eagles fumble the Cowboys went one a nine-play 56-yard drive taking up more than five minutes of clock and Aubrey hit a 50-yard field goal to give the Cowboys a 33-13 lead with 1:08 left in the game. PREGAME READING Clarence Hill: What to watch in the Cowboys game against the Eagles Mike McCarthy preaches the virtue of listening to your body Dak Prescott could win the Cowboys first NFL MVP in decades Why Jerry Jones believes the Cowboys can beat top NFC teams Air Force Master Sgt. Amber Mett and her son son Jorden play with a puppy during a special warfare recruitment event on Dec. 02, 2023. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL Air Force Master Sgt. Amber Mett talks to civilians during a special warfare recruitment event on Dec. 02, 2023. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) Kaylee Greenlee Beal Air Force Master Sgt. Amber Mett talks to another recruiter during a special warfare recruitment event on Dec. 02, 2023. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) Kaylee Greenlee Beal Air Force Master Sgt. Amber Metts son Jorden watches civilians try a simulated mountain rescue during a special warfare recruitment event on Dec. 02, 2023. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL Air Force Master Sgt. Amber Mett talks to civilians during a special warfare recruitment event on Dec. 02, 2023. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL Air Force Master Sgt. Amber Mett talks to civilians during a special warfare recruitment event on Dec. 02, 2023. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) Kaylee Greenlee Beal Air Force Master Sgt. Amber Metts son Jorden watches civilians try a simulated mountain rescue during a special warfare recruitment event on Dec. 02, 2023. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL Air Force Master Sgt. Amber Metts talks to civilians during a special warfare recruitment event Dec. 2 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. The 35-year-old master sergeant has signed up 84 recruits this year. Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor Air Force Master Sgt. Amber Metts talks to civilians during a special warfare recruitment event Dec. 2 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor Air Force recruiter Amber Metts has had a stellar and exhausting year. The 35-year-old master sergeant has signed up 84 recruits, putting in long days of school visits, chatting up prospects at job fairs and malls, and driving from meeting to meeting. Metts works up to 15 hours a day in an office on San Antonios West Side thats understaffed. Its short two recruiters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A single mother, she often takes her 13-year-old son, Jorden, to events that help her sign up even more recruits, often on weekends. He does everything with me, said Metts, a native of St. Louis. When we have events, hes right there with me. Hes like my mini-recruiter. Since 2021, she has been scouring San Antonio for potential recruits to send to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for basic training, and shes either getting better at her job or luckier. Her tally this year far outpaces the 52 recruits she signed up in 2022. A big part of her success is San Antonio itself. Over the last 10 years, the Air Force has recruited more airmen here than in any other large city in the United States, according to the service. With three military bases ringing the city and a thick web of active-duty personnel, veterans and civilian defense workers and their families its not surprising that recruiters find a lot of interest in San Antonio, which local officials have branded Military City USA. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its a much different story for the Air Forces overall recruitment efforts. The Air Force Recruiting Service just had its worst year since Bill Clinton was president, missing its recruiting goal for the first time in 24 years. It fell 13% shy of its goal, signing up 2,700 fewer airmen than hoped for, and 30% short of its goals for the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve. The Navy and Army also fell short of their recruitment goals. Only the Marines and Space Command hit their numbers. The Air Force isnt sitting still. Among other moves to improve its prospects, the service recently said it would accept recruits as old as 42, up from 39. And chaplains and surgeons up to 55 and 48, respectively, now can enter the service. The order took effect Oct. 24 and applies to enlisted and officer recruits but not pilots, who can join the Air Force only up to age 33. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Still, raising the recruiting ages alone probably wont put the Air Force over its new annual goal of 25,900 enlistees. The service said the initiative might add 50 recruits a year. In other words, life wont get any easier for Air Force recruiters. One reason for the Pentagons struggles to attract recruits is the strong U.S. economy, which has driven down unemployment rates from historic highs in 2020, the first and worst year of the COVID pandemic. Also, many employers have increased their wage to compete for workers. The upshot is that high school graduates who might have considered a military career in a tougher economy currently have plenty of private sector jobs with decent pay to choose from. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But recruiters have an even bigger challenge: For many young adults, the possibility of serving in the Air Force doesnt even cross their minds. For one thing, the military doesnt have much of a presence in the lives of most Americans. Vietnam veterans are in their 70s and 80s, and the entire population of vets who could talk with potential recruits about military life is shrinking. And it doesnt help that the militarys footprint is much smaller after five base closure rounds that have shuttered or realigned 188 installations nationwide since 1988. In the family Military historian Thomas E. Ricks, author of Fiasco and Waging a Good War: A Military History of the Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1968, once predicted that day care centers on military bases would produce the next generation of troops. Theres some truth to that notion. Take the head of the Air Force Recruiting Service, Brig. Gen. Christopher Amrhein. He is the son of an airman, and he commissioned his oldest daughter into the service last summer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Familiarity with life in the Air Force is key. Recruiters say young adults are more likely to join if they have a father, mother, uncle, aunt or respected elder who served in the armed forces and recommend it as a good option for them after high school or junior college. Thats why San Antonio, where the Defense Department is the largest employer, is such fertile ground for Air Force recruiting. Being familiar with what military does, being able to see it, hear from people who have done it, see what their lifestyles look like, going to school with kids whose parents are in the military having that familiarity definitely helps quite a bit, said Metts, a 16-year Air Force veteran. Pentagon polling last year found that few young people ages 16 to 24 were likely to serve in the military. Only 2% said they would definitely join the military, and 7% said they probably would. The Joint Advertising Marketing Research & Studies survey also revealed that more than 1 in every 3 respondents said they would probably not serve, and 58% stated definitely not. The survey polled 4,668 young people, 70% of whom said they wouldnt join because they feared being severely injured or killed in a conflict, and 65% said they didnt want to risk suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or other emotional problems. Now-retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Edward Thomas Jr., Metts former recruitment boss, says the military seems alien to many Americans. Some cant even name all the service branches. Recruiting is generally not challenging in military communities like San Antonio because people know what it means to serve, its opportunities, benefits and the deep satisfaction that service brings, said Thomas, whod served as the recruiting services commander. But you dont have to venture too far from military communities, and were a bit of a black box. People dont understand what the military is all about, and many have inaccurate perceptions. Relaxing the rules Theres another complication for Air Force recruiters: 1 in every 4 applicants isnt qualified to serve. Theyre too overweight in some cases, or they have serious drug problems or criminal backgrounds. Looking to deepen its pool of potential recruits, the Air Force is easing some its rules. It has changed body composition standards and is now frequently granting waivers to applicants who test positive for marijuana. Before, they would have been permanently disqualified even for inadvertent exposure to THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Under the new policy, applicants have the chance to retest and demonstrate that they havent used drugs for 90 days. Pot-smoking prospects used to be a big problem for recruiters. But now a recruit candidate who admits having smoked marijuana a few times wont be disqualified. (Marijuana is legal in 38 states; Texas isnt one of them.) But candidates who have a history of using heavier drugs, such as cocaine, probably wont get a second look, Recruiting Service spokeswoman Leslie Brown said. This retest opportunity is only for highly qualified candidates, she said. We are not lowering the standards for our airmen. The service also has softened its stance on tattoos. Recruits can have a few, but within limits: no offensive or obscene tattoos, and recruits can have one on each hand as long as its less than an inch in any direction. Neck tattoos are OK, but cant be on the front of a persons neck. Paper jam Medical screening is another headache for recruiters and potential recruits alike. Since early 2022, the services have used a Pentagon computer system, called MHS Genesis, that pulls applicants medical records from multiple databases. The idea is to get a full view of each applicants medical history before they enter the armed services. But the system has had one unintended consequence: Its tripled the time it takes to clear someone to enter the military. Where once it took about 30 days to sort through a persons medical history, the new system has delayed the review by three months or more. That lag has resulted in the loss of around 4,000 potential recruits who walked away rather than wait for the system to finish weeding through their medical histories. Col. Ian David Gregory, a physician and chief medical officer for the Air Force Recruiting Service, said it was not clear if Genesis was the reason the Air Force didnt make its most recent goal but that losing so many applicants clearly hurt. Recruitment chiefs across the military have asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins office to work to speed up Genesis. In the meantime, the Air Force Recruiting Service has developed workarounds, including shifting some of its workforce to help tackle the workload created by Genesis, Gregory said. An uphill march The pandemic compounded all the difficulties recruiters faced. The Air Force temporarily closed its recruitment offices. Signs on their storefronts told would-be recruits to call or visit the Air Forces website. School buildings were closed as classes moved online. In-person job and career fairs also were suspended. So the recruitment command at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph had few places to send its roughly 1,900 uniformed personnel. COVID is over and the recruiting stations have long since reopened, but Amrhein, the recruiting service chief, is well aware his command still has a steep hill to climb. But hes somewhat optimistic. Its a constantly evolving thing. I just think were in a little bit different place right now than we were last year, said Amrhein, a command pilot with more than 3,200 hours in jets that include the KC-135R/T Stratotanker, I cant comment to say, Hey, were for sure going to make goal. But I would say were postured a lot better going into 24 than we were going in 23. Amrhein, a University of Texas at Austin graduate, went through a list of initiatives that could improve the Air Forces recruitment chances. In addition to relaxing rules on marijuana use and tattoos, the service has instituted signing bonuses, a college loan repayment program and a streamlined process that lets recruits who are permanent U.S. residents but were born in other countries earn their citizenship as they go through basic training. Beating the bushes Metts experience is different from most other Air Force recruiters. A heavy workload is one of her biggest challenges, not chasing after too few prospects. So theres one of me, but there could be 100 applicants, she said. They all have their own unique backgrounds, their own unique process and theres only so many hours in a day. Sometimes, you may walk into these other offices the Army, for example. They may have 12, 13 recruiters in that office. On an average day, theres one, maybe two in this office. Its not uncommon for Metts to work over the weekend. Its very busy thats what makes it tough, she said. On a recent Saturday this month, Metts was working a booth in the Convention Center downtown, helping support Air Force Special Operations. Son Jorden was there, handing out swag. Wearing an Air Force T-shirt, he was as busy as the recruiters. Honestly, when we go out places, he hands out my business cards. Hell ask waiters and waitresses if theyve ever thought about joining the Air Force, Metts said. He promotes just like I do. He is a proud military kid. He always has been. Kids and adults at the event waited patiently for their turn to walk uphill on a treadmill machine dubbed Mountain Rescue, under the watchful eyes of an airman wearing standard-issue physical training gear. Lola Alvarez, 12, a seventh-grader at Boerne Middle School North, stepped off the device and got a hug and kiss from her mother. Lolas brother, Joby Alvarez, 11, then got on the machine. Their father, Jason Alvarez, a 40-year-old Army veteran of the Iraq War, reflected on life in the military. It teaches you a lot and it opens doors, too, that you wouldnt normally have, said Alvarez, a manager at an oil and gas company. I think if youre unsure or unclear about what you want to do, you have this option. I mean, its an amazing experience, no doubt. He added, I tell them every day to always keep that door open, always keep it open. Standing a few feet away from Alvarez, Metts surveyed the loud, crowded Convention Center floor. Shed already identified a prospect, a young man who thought that only the Navy and Marines needed heating and air-conditioning specialists. Metts says her jobs high operational tempo, as the services call it, suits her. I love to multitask, so I think Im probably a good fit for that particular situation, she said. Still, Metts has a goal more aspirational at this point in her life than realistic. Deb Cox has been elections director of Lowndes county in southern Georgia for more than a decade and has never before received so many time-consuming demands for public information. Related: Georgia prosecutors predict jail sentences in Trump 2020 election case Like many elections officials across the country, Cox has been inundated with Freedom of Information Act and open records requests from rightwing activists who believe the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. Thats forced her and other local officials to spend an unusual amount of time and money providing polling documents to partisan groups an additional burden as they scramble to prepare for the fraught 2024 presidential election. Cox, a military veteran with prior law enforcement experience and an unflappable approach to her work, is in charge of preparing and managing all processes regarding voting and elections in the mid-sized county that hugs Georgias border with Florida and includes the small city of Valdosta. Responding to open records requests used to be a small part of her job but its continued to grow. Before the 2020 election cycle, Cox says her office would receive about three to five FOIA requests a month. Now, she says, theyre receiving that amount each week and she expects that number to keep rising as the election nears. Some [open records requests] take 20 minutes. Some take hours and hours, and multiple staff people, Cox told the Guardian. Across the country, election-denying rightwing activists have demanded reams of information from local election officials to try to substantiate the former presidents false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him and attempt to make sure future elections dont go the same way. That adds more stress and more work for these workers, who often have limited resources and are putting in extra hours to respond. Counties in swing states like Georgia have taken the brunt of these requests. In the 2020 presidential election we saw a very high-profile, long-lasting campaign of unsubstantiated allegations about election fraud and misconduct on the part of poll workers and election administrators coming from President Trump and his allies, Zachary Peskowitz, a professor at Emory University who focuses on elections, says. Georgia was a particular focus of claims. In the past, Cox said most of the open records requests she received were straightforward solicitations from groups seeking to find out the status of provisional ballots. But recent requests from rightwing groups are much more expansive and time-consuming to respond to. Those groups want to be able to essentially recreate the vote-count in an effort based on conspiracy theories to make sure no ones rigging the election. To try to head off some of those requests, Lowndes county publishes a PDF file online with all of its ballots. We try and pre-empt all that by saying, Here, take what you want. If theres something else, contact us, Cox said says. Thats the stance across the state. The best practice is to go ahead and post those before they ask for them. Some [open records requests] take 20 minutes. Some take hours and hours, and multiple staff people Deb Cox Cox currently spends about an hour each morning working on pulling documents and responding to the open records requests. The countys annual budget for elections is just over $1m. Cox says roughly $2,000 of that budget is typically allocated to retaining a county attorney. This year that budget line has increased to $15,000. Thats almost exclusively [to help with] information requests, Cox says. The money to retain the lawyer is worth it since Georgias secretary of state office doesnt offer any statewide guidance on responding to open records requests. The US Election Assistance Commission suggests elections directors develop a clear public records policy to help address the increase in public records requests that have been reported by elections officials since 2020. The independent agency also encourages the officials to proactively provide the public with a place to access regularly requested documents, just as Lowndes county does with their ballots following an election. Cox says she funnels all of the open records requests she receives through the county attorney to ensure shes complying with the law but also to cut down on any potential conflicts. The only time it gets difficult is when you have someone who is deliberately confrontational, she says. Their goal is not to get the information. Their goal is to either disrupt your operation or create stress and conflict. These agitators, she says, might argue with an inexperienced elections director from a small county, but theyll rarely do so with a county attorney. Other counties dont always have that luxury, she says. Some counties dont have the money to pay a county attorney on retainer. The director is left with whatever education level and experience they have, however comfortable they may or may not be dealing with confrontation. The Belgian military got its first look at the F-35A Lightning II combat jets it ordered from Lockheed Martin on Sunday at the companys facility in Fort Worth. Belgium, a member of NATO and the European Union, ordered 34 of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft it says will enable it to fulfill its military obligations. The introduction of the F-35 within the Belgian Air Force will enable us to continue to fulfill all our missions in the coming decades, in cooperation with our allies and partners in NATO, the EU and beyond, Chief of Defense for the Belgian Armed Forces Adm. Michel Hofman said. Belgium already had Lockheeds older model, the F-16, in use in its military, according to Lockheed Martin. The company said the F-35, which was designed to replace the F-16 and Fairchild Aircraft A-10, will allow the country to play a bigger role in cooperative missions with its allies. The first aircraft, designated the AY-01, was rolled out Sunday for the ceremony, but is expected to be delivered at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona sometime in 2024, according to Lockheed. Pilots from the United States and its allies, including NATO members like Belgium, train at Luke Air Force Base, as do maintenance personnel. The F-35, widely regarded as one of the most advanced fighter aircraft to date and a key to assuring air superiority by the United States and its allies, operates from 31 bases around the globe, according to Lockheed Martain. More than 980 of the craft have been delivered to date. Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, who serves as the executive officer for the F-35 Joint Program Office, described the purchase of 34 of the aircraft as a significant achievement. The growth of the F-35 in Europe strengthens international partnerships, interoperability and warfighting capability, and emphasizes the importance the aircraft provides as a deterrent against potential adversaries, Schmidt said. Lockheed Martin also expects the purchase of the F-35 to create new jobs for Belgians as the company looks to introduce some of its technology to the countrys industry. What is the F-35? Lockheed Martins Executive Vice President Greg Ulmer described the F-35 as having unmatched capabilities and technology allowing cooperation between allies that will enable the Belgian Air Force to stay ahead of threats for decades to come. According to the U.S. Air Force, the F-35A Lightning II can achieve 9g speeds and has capabilities including stealth, long-range threat detection, long-range assaults on air or ground targets, and technology much of which is classified that allows military partners to more easily work together by securely sharing information with other military personnel, both airborne and ground-based forces. The aircraft was designed to replace a litany of older models, including the F-16, A-10, F/A-18, AV-8B Harrier and the U.K.s GR.7 and Sea Harrier. The United States currently operates around 450 F-35s, but plans to acquire almost 2,500, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The cost of Americas F-35 program over its lifetime is forecast at $1.7 trillion, with around $1.3 trillion of that going to costs associated with operation and maintenance of the planes. Lockheed Martain said that, to date, it has trained more than 2,250 pilots and 15,125 maintainers. The F-35 fleet has surpassed 768,000 cumulative flight hours. The ceremony Sunday, attended by senior government and military leaders from the U.S. and Belgium, recognizes the first order of the fifth-generation combat jet by Belgium, but it isnt the first American ally to place an order. In total, the U.S. and 17 other American ally countries have either placed an order for the F-35 or already introduced it to their operations. The F-35 has already been delivered to allied countries including the U.K., Australia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Norway and South Korea, according to Lockheed Martin. Pilots and maintainers from more than 10 nations are currently in training with the aircraft. The long-vacant Harrington Inn, 1026 Military St., pictured on Thursday, June 29, 2023, has been vacant since the former assisted living site left six years ago. The long-vacant Harrington Inn in downtown Port Huron is once again slated to go up for auction, and according to court documents, two other sites tied to its former developer could soon follow. The historic hotel at 1026 Military St. first went up for sale last spring, going to the Florida-based MAQ Financial LLC for $9,500 plus a $25,000 platform fee and nearly $3.4 million of debt from a PACE, or property assessed clean energy, loan attached to the property. It wasnt clear what became of that deal with its listed signatory Mahammad MAQ Qureshi. A message to Qureshi was not returned as of Friday. However, another auction kicks off at noon Monday, ending at 4 p.m. Wednesday, with a starting bid of $250,000. And despite little comment from several parties close to the process, Port Huron City Manager James Freed said local officials have met with half a dozen developers within the last two weeks at the Harrington, as well as others previously. Weve held conversations with the court receiver, weve had conversations with the bank, we have held conversations with every party involved, he said. It is the intention of the city, it is our goal, to get a qualified and capable developer to get that property back online initially secure it and back online as a key economic driver and we believe that its very close to happening. The Harrington Inn was purchased in 2018 by California attorney Jeff Katofsky and has spent the last year in receivership along with other projects in the former developers local portfolio namely, the St. Clair Inn and the vacant parcels across Riverside Avenue in the city of St. Clair. An outside firm has managed the assets in connection to a 2021 lawsuit filed by lenders Access Point Financial and HDDA against Katofskys business entities for all three over millions in unpaid mortgage loans. Berkadia Hotels & Hospitality was the firm retained this year to solicit offers for the Harrington auction. Mid-summer, Qureshi, a principal for MAC Group and MAQ Financial, said hed plan to rebuild the Harrington back potentially as a retirement home or student housing, citing the need for a demographic study before decisions were made. We hosted a property tour of the historic Harrington hotel in Port Huron Michigan. This incredible property will likely be redeveloped into multi family housing. I always enjoy watching the freighters pass through the St. Clair river! pic.twitter.com/Thc8leWALd Mike McClafferty | Midwest Mulitfamily Insights (@mmrealestatemi) December 2, 2023 On Dec. 1, Mike McClafferty, an associate in investment sales with Berkadia posted to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, about hosting a tour of the Harrington in Port Huron. This incredible property will likely be redeveloped into multi-family housing, he wrote. I always enjoy watching the freighters pass through the St. Clair River! When reached by phone Thursday, McClafferty initially told the Times Herald he had to check with his senior partner before commenting. After receiving requested questions via email, a Berkadia spokesperson indicated they wouldn't be able to comment before the weekend. A follow-up message was not returned. Meanwhile, the current receiver for Katofskys properties, GF Hotels assigned management duties from a previous firm last spring got the greenlight from Judge Michael West on Nov. 30 to engage a listing broker sell real property for the St. Clair Inn and adjacent site, originally purchased under Planet Clair LLC and On the Vine LLC, respectively. It was not clear when that process would wrap up. As of Friday, Katofskys Hip Hip Huron LLC remained the listed owner of the Harrington with the St. Clair County register of deeds. Last a senior-living facility until its closure in 2017, the Port Huron site was built in 1896, is on the National Register List of Historic Places and played honeymoon host for the future president, Harry S. Turman, and his wife Bess. It entails five stories and 82 rooms with 3,249 square feet of listed space for functions and sits on just under an acre of land on downtowns Main Street. According to Berkadias investment highlights at https://rimarketplace.com, its listed as unemcumbered of PACE. But according to city officials, none of the PACE improvements associated with the $3.4 million outstanding loan appear to have been addressed on the site. Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Long-vacant Harrington Inn to hit auction block again Editor's Note: The Kyiv Independent agreed not to publish the names and/or last names of people who live or visit Avdiivka so as not to endanger them and their immediate family. The city of Avdiivka, in Donetsk Oblast, has been on the front line of Russia's war against Ukraine for almost 10 years. Russia's October offensive left the city, once home to 35,000 people, completely destroyed. Often called "the gateway to Donetsk," the city is located just 5 kilometers northwest of the regional capital occupied since 2014. Destroyed military vehicles are seen on a road not far from Avdiivka, Ukraine, on Dec. 4, 2023. (Eddy van Wessel) Since October, the Russian army has launched a large-scale offensive to the north and south of Avdiivka, trying to surround and occupy the destroyed, yet still vital, city. According to the Ukrainian military, Russian forces lost around 10,000 soldiers, more than 100 tanks, over 250 other armored vehicles, and seven Su-25 aircraft in the month of fighting near Avdiivka. Driving up to the city, a column of smoke from the Avdiivka Coke Plant, located on the northwest outskirts, becomes the main reference point. Signs at the Avdiivka Coke Plant show directions to the plant's different workshops, Avdiivka, Ukraine, on Dec. 4, 2023. (Eddy van Wessel) Inside Avdiivka, almost all houses are destroyed or damaged. About 1,200 civilians remain in the city, living in basements and rarely seeing daylight. Those who were willing to speak believe that Russian troops had already entered the city's suburbs. The tactics used by the Russians are reminiscent of the Battle of Bakhmut slow advance from three sides in an attempt to cut supply routes and choke the city's defenses. Volunteers Oleh and Ihor have made constant trips to Avdiivka using the last crossable route, carrying fresh bread, drinking water and animal feed in an armored minivan. Destroyed apartment buildings in the city of Avdiivka, once home to 35,000 people, on Dec. 4, 2023. (Eddy van Wessel) For Ihor, the dangerous trips are a return home. He was born in Avdiivka and worked at the plant for about 25 years. He constantly gazes at the plant, which constantly appears on the horizon. The Russian troops have already seized the slagheap behind the plant and are now trying to enter it. Ihor had two apartments in Avdiivka, one completely destroyed, the other severely damaged. A basement where five people live for nearly a year in the front-line city of Avdiivka, Ukraine. (Eddy van Wessel) Almost 4,000 people worked at the plant before the full-scale war, after only 70 people remained to maintain the plant. Since Russia launched the Avdiivka offensive in October, the plant was shut down. A blue and yellow flag and the flags of the brigades defending the city are flying high near the city's entrance. "Avdiivka is Ukraine," is engraved on the entrance sign. In the city, one shop remains open. Powered by a loud generator and having constant visitors, the shop is now the city's main attraction. This shop was opened recently, but not all locals know about its existence yet (a missile hit the previous one). It is located in a half-destroyed building, where the upper two floors collapsed as a result of a Russian strike. A basement where five people live for nearly a year in the front-line city of Avdiivka, Ukraine. (Eddy van Wessel) The entrance door to the shop is blocked with slate. For many locals, this will be their second winter in the basement, so things like rubber boots, socks, or insect repellents are in high demand. Oleh and Ihor go door to door, basement to basement to provide the remaining locals with basic necessities. A destroyed apartment building in the city of Avdiivka, once home to 35,000 people, on Dec. 4, 2023. (Eddy van Wessel) In one of the basements, three women and two men live in one spacious room. Everyone has a separate bed, and along the walls are food supplies. The room is lit by Christmas lights and a dim fire from a small pot, on which one of the women is making soup and buckwheat porridge. She says that she has not come out of this hiding place for more than a year. "I'm scared. My neighbor was injured, his arm was torn off," she said. A destroyed vehicle on the outskirts of Avdiivka, Ukraine, on Dec. 4, 2023. (Eddy van Wessel) The women offered tea and cookies but advised not to stay long. Last week, they also had volunteers, and an hour after the volunteer car left, a shell flew into the yard. Many people in Avdiivka have accepted the new reality, which resembles a horror movie about doomsday. Attempts to make basements cozy are visible and widespread. Despite ongoing attempts to persuade people to leave the destroyed city, those who remain do not dare to leave their basements. They give different reasons for staying. People walk around Avdiivka between shelling looking for food, Avdiivka, Ukraine, Dec. 4, 2023. (Eddy van Wessel) One of the most common explanations is the lack of money, predominant for older people, who are convinced that their pension will not be enough for anything outside the place they own and know well. Another explanation given is that they are not welcomed elsewhere. "Anyone from Donbas is called a separatist. No matter how a person thinks about this situation, they believe that we are all bad. We are to blame for everything," a woman said. Those who remain are indifferent when asked about the city's possible fall to the Russian troops. All said that they wanted the shelling to stop. A destroyed apartment building in the city of Avdiivka, once home to 35,000 people, on Dec. 4, 2023. (Eddy van Wessel) Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. My beloved wife Marsha and I visit the middle kids in Tennessee. By middle kids, I mean my brother Bill and his beloved wife Marsha A. (Yes, we have two Marshas in our family.) Bill is the middle child in our bouquet of siblings. I also mean Marshas (thats MY Marsha known as Marsha B) middle sister Peg and her beloved husband, Phil, who mostly by chance, ended up moving from California to within 2 miles of Bill and Marsha A. We have two days of sunny weather and ably play the role of tourists. Then we have two days of rain when we mostly eat. Jim Whitehouse Phil sets out a plate of sliced cheese and some crackers before dinner. They disappear faster than a magician can get rid of a rabbit. Bill, skipping plates and bowls, lays out a bag of potato chips and a brand-new container of French onion dip. Bless his heart! He does this when nobody else is looking. He and I go after those chips and dip like a pair of stump grinders. You are a glutton, I think peevishly, looking at Bill. I only feel that way because he has his hand in front of the bag for a long second, preventing me from ravaging the chips. Peg and Phil ordered an entire Thanksgiving dinner online. It came packed in dry ice but arrived days after the holiday. Thats good for all of us, as it turns out because we all sit down to the full feast. A table full of plenty, featuring turkey, dressing, green beans, and cranberry sauce, all chased with pumpkin-flavored cheesecake. Theres even a basket full of rolls, hot out of the oven. Memories of the trip include gobbling southern-style food in one restaurant built upon a foundation of deep-fryers. Another believes that a single serving means something big enough for a family. Marsha A and two of her sisters put on a breakfast while happily chattering in some language only they can understand. Quiche. Scrambled eggs. Waffles. Bacon. Sausage. Coffee. Juice. Donuts. Cinnamon rolls. Toast. Other stuff. You get the point. The time comes for Marsha B and I to return to Michigan. There is some law in Tennessee that requires airplanes to leave at the crack of dawn, so after a very short night, Bill and Marsha A drive us to the airport. We opt for 10 minutes extra sleep in lieu of breakfast, so we are delighted when the airline feeds us a sumptuous meal of a little cookie and a cup of coffee. No problem. It is a short flight so well be home soon. Right after we finish our cookie and coffee on the plane, the pilot announces that the weather in Detroit is bad so he drives to Indianapolis instead. There, we and the other passengers huddle around the plane waiting for clearance to continue our flight to Detroit. After a couple of hours, the airline once again lets us board the plane. There we sit, at the gate. It seems that when they refueled the plane, they erroneously put in enough to fly from Knoxville to Detroit instead of Indianapolis to Detroit, so the pilot announces we may have to sit on the runway and race the engines to lighten the load. They are out of cookies. Eventually, we land in Detroit, a few hours late. We collect our luggage, load it into the car, and head for a restaurant. Of course. Jim Whitehouse lives in Albion. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Looking Out: Grumbly tummies and the pitfalls of travel First Minister Humza Yousaf said he had addressed the 'humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza' with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan - Murat Cetinmuhurdar/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Lord Cameron has threatened to shut down SNP ministers mini-embassies abroad after Humza Yousaf held face-to-face talks about the Gaza crisis with President Erdogan of Turkey. The Scottish First Minister arranged a meeting at the Cop28 climate change summit with the Turkish president, who has called Israel a terror state and Hamas a liberation group. Posting a picture of himself shaking hands with the president, Mr Yousaf tweeted there should be an immediate & permanent ceasefire now. This is not supported by the UK Government. In a letter to the Scottish Government, the Foreign Secretary accused Mr Yousaf of reneging on an agreement to have a UK official present. Lord Cameron said that foreign affairs are a policy area reserved to UK ministers and it was crucial that we speak with one voice to the international community. The former prime minister warned that any further breaches would result in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) withdrawing all facilitation of meetings or logistical support. Humza Yousaf with President Erdogan He also threatened to shut down a series of Scottish government international offices in British embassies in key locations including Paris, Berlin and Washington DC. Sources told The Telegraph that Lord Cameron was angry and bemused that Mr Yousaf had been concocting a very different foreign policy, especially for such a sensitive subject as the Gaza crisis. His threat of a crackdown on SNP ministers goes further than a warning issued by James Cleverly, his predecessor, in October following another incident involving Mr Yousaf. The Scottish First Minister barred an FCDO official from sitting in on a meeting he held with the Icelandic prime minister during a visit to New York in September. If there were any further incidents, Mr Cleverly warned at the time, he would instruct his officials to withdraw from facilitating meetings between Scottish Government ministers and ministers of foreign governments. It is understood that Lord Cameron wants to take a tougher stance. Forced to reprimand FCDO officials regularly support SNP ministers on their trips abroad, using their network of embassies to secure meetings with local dignitaries and political leaders. They also use the local expertise of UK ambassadors to brief SNP ministers on issues that are on the agenda and background information on those attending. However, Mr Cleverly was forced to reprimand them for using their taxpayer-funded trips to promote Scottish independence. Mr Yousaf, whose parents-in-law were temporarily trapped in Gaza during a family visit, posted pictures of himself meeting Mr Erdogan and Najib Mikati, the prime minister of Lebanon, at the UAE summit on Dec 1. In addition to discussing climate change, he said he had used the meetings to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. He tweeted: Too many innocent children have died, it must stop. In November Mr Yousafs wife, Nadia El-Nakla, attended a summit in Istanbul at the invitation of Mr Erdogans wife Ermine, to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. But Roza Salih, a Kurdish-born SNP councillor, said she was disappointed and disgusted by the picture as Erdogan kills #Kurds in Turkey & does not respect human rights. Mr Erdogan has said his government was preparing to declare Israel a war criminal and last week said he could never accept Hamas as a terrorist organisation. In a letter to Angus Robertson, the SNPs external affairs secretary, Lord Cameron said his officials had informed him of the meeting between the First Minister and the Turkish leader discussing among other things the situation in Gaza. Despite an assurance being given by Scottish Government officials that they would provide sufficient advance notice to allow an FCDO official to attend that meeting, this was not done, he said. A UK official was available, whose contact details were known to your officials on the ground, but the location of the meeting was not shared with them. Contravenes the protocols Lord Cameron said this contravenes the protocols around Scottish ministers trips abroad and fails to meet the expectation set out by Mr Cleverly in October. It is critical that the UK presents a consistent message to our international partners and that the devolution settlements are respected, he said. We must ensure that UK foreign policy, a reserved matter, is coherent and that we speak with one voice to the international community. Mr Cameron said he was open to talks on a constructive way forward but warned: Any further breaches of the protocol will result in no further FCDO facilitation of meetings or logistical support. We will also need to consider the presence of Scottish Government offices in UK government posts. A spokesman for the First Minister said: The Scottish Government had no difficulty with an FCDO representative attending the meeting, and indeed the relevant UK official was made aware of it and invited. These were exactly the same arrangements as for other meetings that the First Minister had with governments of other countries at Cop28, at which the FCDO official was present. However, the nature of events such as Cop is that timings can change at the last minute, and the FCDO representative was elsewhere at the time it was convenient for the Turkish president to meet. Any threat by the UK Government to curtail the Scottish Governments international engagement is misguided and would work against Scotlands interests. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A pair of Arkansans are hitting the right notes on NBCs The Voice, continuing a long tradition of Natural State performers who shined in the singing spotlight. Mac Royals and Grant Bias are competing amongst the final nine competitors on this season of The Voice. Arkansas natives Mac Royals, Grant Bias moving on to next round of The Voice Royals is from central Arkansas and said he started his R&B career as a teenager in his fathers speakeasy lounge. Bias said he spent his formative years in Pine Bluff and performed in the White Hall High School choir. The two arent the only big names from the Natural State who have performed on the national stage. Country music legend Johnny Cash performs in November 1985 in Nashville, Tenn. Cash, known as The Man in Black and famous for songs like I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire and A Boy Named Sue, died Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, from complications from diabetes in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Easily the most well-known Arkansan in the history of music, Johnny Cash is lauded as one of the greatest country music artists of all time. The Man in Black was born in Kingsland, Arkansas, in 1923 and is famous for massive hits like Folsom Prison Blues and Ring of Fire. Man in Black springs a leak: Arkansas water tower featuring Johnny Cash vandalized Those interested in more of Cashs history can visit his boyhood home in Dyess, Arkansas. Glen Campbell FILE In this Sept. 6, 2012 file photo, singer Glen Campbell performs during his Goodbye Tour in Little Rock, Ark. Campbell finished off his Goodbye Tour on Friday night, Nov. 30, 2012, in Napa, Calif., but is considering scheduling more dates in 2013. The singer has Alzheimers disease. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File) The Rhinestone Cowboy is another big name in country music who has roots in Arkansas. Country legend Glen Campbell was born in Billstown, Arkansas, eventually gaining fame in the 1960s and 70s. Campbell has a string of famous hits, including The Rhinestone Cowboy, Southern Nights and Wichita Lineman. Sister Rosetta Tharpe FILE- In this Nov. 21, 1957, file photo, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, guitar-playing American gospel singer, gives an inpromptu performance in a lounge at London Airport, following her arrival from New York. Tharpe, who died in 1973, will be inducted with the Award for Early Influence to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo, File) Sister Rosetta Tharpe was born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, in 1915 and is considered one of gospel musics first superstars. Known for her skills as a guitarist, Tharpe was signed by Decca Records in 1938 and was immediately successful. She performed hits like Didnt It Rain and This Train. She would go on to influence legendary artists like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. A PBS documentary would go on to refer to her as The Godmother of Rock & Roll. Ashley McBryde Ashley McBryde performs Light On in the Kitchen at the 57th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Ashley McBryde continues a trend of country music talent hailing from Arkansas. McBryde grew up in Waldron, Arkansas, and eventually moved to Nashville to pursue her career. Arkansas native Ashley McBryde wins first Grammy award Shes known for songs like One Night Standards and Girl Going Nowhere. Her performance of Never Wanted To Be That Girl won her a Grammy. Amy Lee Singer Amy Lee, of the band Evanescence, perform with the band as part of Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music in Los Angeles on Monday, Nov. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Amy Lee, as well as Evanescence as a whole, has origins in central Arkansas. Lee and the founding members of Evanescence formed the band in Little Rock in the 1990s. The rock group is known for its huge hits like Bring Me to Life and My Immortal. Levon Helm FILE In this Oct. 9, 2009 file photo, Levon Helm, right, performs with his band on the Imus in the Morning program on the Fox Business channel, in New York. The influential Grammy-winning singer and drummer for The Band died of throat cancer earlier this year at age 71. John Mayer, Gregg Allman, Dierks Bentley and several other musicians are getting together to pay tribute to the late Levon Helm. The Love for Levon benefit concert will be held Oct. 3 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) Though The Band was formed in Canada, its drummer is from down south in the Natural State. Levon Helm, born in 1940, grew up in and around Marvell, Arkansas, but would eventually his way up north and help form The Band in Toronto in 1967. He was also in a few movies like Coal Miners Daughter and Shooter. His boyhood home was restored and opened to the public in 2019. Did we miss your favorite Arkansan artist? Let us know at social@kark.com For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) in a Sunday interview sharply criticized her Democratic colleagues in the House for not speaking out more forcefully against the sexual violence that Hamas inflicted on Israelis on Oct. 7 and, officials say, likely in the days since, as the U.S.-designated terrorist organization continues to hold women in Gaza. Absolutely, Mace told Gillian Turner on Fox News Sunday when asked about remarks calling for stronger global condemnation against the mass sexual violence. I cant think of anything more shameful to see these womens groups, to see women on the left, women in the House, my colleagues on the left who refuse to say what this is, which is shameful. Its disgusting. Its barbaric, Mace said. And we ought to be condemning it from every corner of our country. Every woman should be condemning this. And I think its shameful. Maces comments come as increased attention has in recent days been drawn to the preplanned sexual violence and brutal torture that many Israelis endured during the surprise attack on Oct. 7, which killed about 1,200 Israelis. In the subsequent weeks, much moral outrage has centered on Israels incessant bombing in Gaza that has killed more than 17,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. Last week, Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) came under fire for comments related to Hamass acts. Where are the women? Where are the womens groups who professed to be fighting for women around the world whove been dead silent on this issue? Mace said. And I look at my colleagues in the House, where are they? Representative Jayapal her excuses last week. Mace, who has frequently been outspoken as a victim of rape herself, invoked her own experience in expressing grief over the violence Israeli women suffered. I mean, we know now we know now that Hamas in their battle plan was to go in and systematically rape, mutilate, and murder these Israeli women, she said. And Im Im a survivor of rape, but the difference is that I survived. But many of these Israeli women didnt, and they were mutilated, and murdered while it was happening. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Residents of the Sunset Canyon Apartments have been displaced after one of the buildings caught on fire Sunday. Ken Branca Residents of the Sunset Canyon Apartments have been displaced after one of the buildings caught on fire Sunday. Ken Branca Residents of the Sunset Canyon Apartments have been displaced after one of the buildings caught on fire Sunday. Ken Branca An apartment building on the North Side went up in flames early Sunday, displacing residents and damaging several units. The fire occurred around 2:30 a.m. at the Sunset Canyon Apartments at 2170 Thousand Oaks Drive. First responders arrived and found one of the three-story apartment buildings on fire. Fire investigators are trying to determine what led to the blaze. Fire Chief Charles Hood said they suspect it was a cooking fire. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hood said firefighters got the fire under control despite heavy wind gusts; however, at least 10 of the 12 units in the building were a complete loss. "We're working right now to make sure everyone has a place to stay for the rest of the evening, but all of the people in this one building have been displaced," Hood said. One person with burn injuries had to be rescued from the building. The person was treated and taken to the hospital. No other residents or firefighters were injured, and no one was reported missing, Hood said. The fire remains under investigation. Polly and Saroch fell for each other when they were both working in wildlife conservation in Thailand (Provided) Thousands of mixed nationality couples face sickening uncertainty after new immigration legislation doubled the earning requirement for obtaining a spouse visa. As part of the new five-step immigration plan, partners hoping to settle in the UK on a spouse visa will only be able to do so if their husband or wife is earning 38,700 a 20,000 increase from the current figure of 18,700. The new rules come into force in April, but the Home Office says those who are on a family visa of less than 38,700 will not be asked to immediately present their yearly salary, but it has not clarified what will unfold when they come to renew their visa. The increase has sparked concern in many marriages, MP Nadia Whittome said: Three-quarters of British workers wont be able to get a visa for a spouse from abroad. Polly Dechuson, 31, was travelling across Thailand when she fell in love with her husband Saroch, 43. They decided to move back to Pollys homeland this year to raise their kids, aged two and four. Polly and Sarochs future remains in limbo as they have no idea how they will meet the minimum income requirement (Provided) The young family already faced a bureaucratic costly nightmare, says the mother-of-two, as Saroch will have to return to Thailand in January when his visit visa expires so he can apply for a spousal visa from there. Polly and Saroch have been together for eight years, they met in 2016 whilst they both carried out conservation work in South Thailand before marrying in Phuket in 2018. Tory plans also mean that around of British workers wont be able to get a visa for a spouse from abroad. Living with the person you love shouldnt be a privilege for high earners. This will separate children from their parents and force many UK citizens to leave the country. Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) December 5, 2023 The couple were saving up over 3,000 to be able to afford the NHS fee which is between 1,500 and 1,800 and 1,846 for the spousal visa, which has to be renewed every two-and-a-half years, added Ms Dechuson. Ms Dechuson is currently juggling raising two children while job hunting but has had no positive responses so far, and even if she is successful in her search, the estimated salaries are between 20,000 and 30,000. Now the family-of-four face a rollercoaster of uncertainty and fear they will be forced back to Thailand. Ms Dechuson, from Manchester, said: I dont have the words, Thailand was lovely but it was unsustainable for our long term. It might be our only option, its terrifying to think about. Me and our kids are British. It feels like were being forced out. I just happened to fall in love with someone who isnt British. Its the idea if you dont earn 38,000 you cant fall in love with someone. Amount you need to earn, to be eligible to apply for a spouse visa, under the new proposals - 37,800 Median salary in England last year: Men - 35,658 Women - 29,699 Absolutely grim - anti-family, anti-love, anti-humanity. We're all just economic units to these people. pic.twitter.com/k8TJPS7jcg Ruth Stokes (@ruthstokes) December 4, 2023 The mother-of-two says she understands the need for immigration control but feels the government are punishing the couple for trying to do it legally. Ironically, the mother says she has to rely more on the state now as she has to claim benefits to help look after her children since her husband cannot work here legally and she will be the sole carer when he has to return to Thailand. Its money people dont have, they are so out-of-touch with the everyday person. Its not fair to my husband or kids who might get to see their father once a year, added Polly. The concerned mother explained the drain the long distance has on their marriage and the separation anxiety her children suffer when they spend long periods apart from their parents. Love isnt that simple. The idea you can only be attracted to British people, that is the foundation of racism. Its an absurd way of thinking. We have been married over five years, we have two kids. Were not trying to trick the system. He wants to come on this visa so he can work. Its infuriating. Its such a catch-22, if he was here, I wouldnt have to get help from the government. Now Im more reliant. Home Secretary James Cleverly outlined the proposal (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire) Josephine Whitaker-Yilmaz, 37, fears her familys future and feels sick at the thought of her family being torn apart. She was a tourist and her husband Medet Yilmaz, 45, was the tour guide when the young couple met outside the Hagia Sophia. The pair married in 2014 and decided to return to the UK in 2021 to raise their children in Leicester. Mr Yilmaz , who works as a delivery driver, gained his spousal visa which expires in two-and-a-half years, meaning he will have to redo the application process in June 2024, however the couple do not know if they will face the new regulations. Ms Whitaker-Yilmaz, a policy and social affairs manager for Praxis, from Leicester, said: It makes me feel sick, its scary. Its my right as a Brit to love, marry and live with who I want. My husbands work is fairly insecure, its a really big worry we may not be able to meet the new requirement. If we cant meet it, we face a horrific choice, we might have to think about leaving or my husband would have to leave. I feel physically sick. My right to live with my husband - my *children's* right to live with their *dad* - is contingent on me earning 38,700. This is an increase of 20,000. Overnight. https://t.co/a5sDyJN5Xq Josephine Whitaker-Yilmaz (@pheenywhits) December 4, 2023 Ms Whitaker-Yilmaz described the overnight policy change as short-sighted and insulting. She says the minimal total fee as it stands for a partner to come over on a spousal visa is over 3000. Dr Tessa Dunlop, 49, fell in love with her now husband Dan, 42, when he was a 23-year-old student and she was visiting the city of IaEi, in Romania. Even then the couple had to overcome numerous hurdles for Dan to be able to settle here. Dan and Tessa married in 2003, and have two children aged five and 15. If the Historian met her partner with the new threshold in place, they would not have been able to build a life and have the family they do now. Tessa Dunlop and her mother and father-in-law on her wedding day (Provided) Dr Dunlop, a historian from London, said: This is brutal on every level. Its particularly punitive to young people who are likely to fall in love and start a family. We would have had to leave the country, my earnings wouldnt have been enough to keep him in the country, he was on a student visa. Its absolutely bonkers, the Conservatives have always supported the nuclear family but now it seems they dont if one member isnt a British national. The father-of-two got a job as a data scientist within months of moving but now would not have the same opportunity, the historian explains it is a vicious cycle as partners need to be in the country to be able to gain employment. Dr Dunlop underlined the precarious nature of freelance work where earnings can fluctuate greatly from one month to the next. This is an anti-British policy. If your child marries a German person, they will move to Germany. Ironically, even two years ago I couldnt afford my husband to be here, and I have three degrees, said the historian. Soooo angry with @JamesCleverly Ive made this explainer. By this time most women are earning over 38700 they are infertile Immigration proposals are ANTI family. pic.twitter.com/QVygmF0erv Dr Tessa Dunlop (@Tessadunlop) December 5, 2023 She explained the policy would encourage Brits in love to emigrate overseas to their partners countries and could affect women who hope to have children. Caroline Coombs, Chief Executive Officer of Reunite Families UK, said: Our community of couples and families have been utterly devastated by the intended increase to the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR). The government repeatedly ignore the sufferings that the policy has already have caused at its current threshold and which continues to cause countless unnecessary damage to British citizens and their families across the country. The emotions are strong within the community but this has galvanised people into action. Threatening your family life will do that to a person. We will use this energy to supercharge this fight for a better and more humane immigration system. In the Home Offices Net Migration Press Notice outlining the proposals, James Cleverly said: My plan will deliver the biggest ever reduction in net migration and will mean around 300,000 people who came to the UK last year would not have been able to do so. I am taking decisive action to halt the drastic rise in our work visa routes and crack down on those who seek to take advantage of our hospitality. A 32-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday night in the South Loop neighborhood, according to Chicago police. At about 9:16 p.m., police found the man with gunshot wounds to his chest in the drivers seat of a parked vehicle in the 0-100 block of West Cermak Road. The Chicago Fire Department transported the man to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he later died, police said. The Cook County medical examiners office identified him as Corey Ivy. No suspects are in custody, and police said they are investigating the shooting. rjohnson@chicagotribune.com A man has been arrested in the death of a teenage cheerleader who was found dead in a bathtub at her Texas home. Texas Rangers apprehended Rafael Govea Romero in Schulenburg, Texas, a day after Edna police released chilling images of a person of interest tied to the teens mysterious death. Romero was booked in the Jackson County Jail and charged with capital murder. Although Romero is apprehended, we recognize Lizbeths family and friends are grieving and will still need support from the community, Edna Police Chief Rick Boone said in a news release. On 6 December, Lizbeth Medina, 16, was found dead in a bathtub at the apartment she shared with her mother, Jacqueline Medina. Her cause of death still has not been publicly released. Lizbeth Medina, 16, was found dead in a bathtub on 6 December (Edna Police Department) The teen was supposed to perform with her cheerleading squad at a Christmas parade in Edna, a town about 100 miles southwest of Houston, but she never showed up. Lizbeths distraught mother made the heartbreaking discovery and told KTRK that upon finding her, she realized she was gone. There was no laced drugs, there was nothing like that. My daughter was found in a way that no mother should ever find their child, her mother said. Words cant explain what I felt at that moment finding my daughter in the matter that she was. All I can say is that I hope with all my heart that there is justice for my daughter. The mother and daughter had only lived in Edna for about a year when tragedy struck and Ms Medina says shes now living a nightmare. Rafael Govea Romero was booked in the Jackson County Jail and charged with capital murder (Edna Police Department) The most horrible way a mother could find her child, she said. She was murdered in cold blood. Ms Medina said Lizbeth, who was her only child, was everything to her. I lost it. She was my world, my everything. ... Everything I do was for her, Ms Medina said. She explained that Lizbeth had been looking forward to marching in the Christmas parade with her cheer squad. It should have been a great day because she was involved in the Christmas parade. She was going to be with the cheer squad, the mother said. Edna Police released chilling images of the person of interest following the teens death (Edna Police Department) Lizbeth was a student at Edna High School. Her mother said she has felt support from the community and will do all she can to get justice for her daughter. Someone dared to go in and just rip my daughter away from me, it just kills me, she said. I just want answers to why they would do this to an amazing little girl who would never hurt anyone, wouldnt dare to hurt anyone. A vigil was held on Saturday at the Jackson County Courthouse, with attendees wearing white in remembrance of Lizbeth. (FOX40.COM) A man is dead after a heated altercation with his wife, her friends, and a minor on Friday night. At around 12:30 a.m. deputies say they responded to a shooting at an apartment on the 6600 block of Sunnyslope Drive in Sacramento. Upon arrival, they discovered 35-year-old Christopher Saunders who suffered from a gunshot wound to the chest. Fire on Florin Road devastates a staple in the South Sacramento community Saunders was reportedly found lying outside of an apartment. Deputies said they administered first-aid until Sacramento Metro Fire personnel arrived, however, Saunders was pronounced dead at the scene. Sacramento homicide detectives said they learned through witness accounts that Saunders drove there in an attempt to find his estranged wife. After Saunders arrived, he left his car running in the parking lot and banged on the front door multiple times. The apartment was reportedly occupied by Saunders estranged wife and her friends who lived there: a man, woman, and minor children. Sacramento County seeks new grand jury members. Heres how to apply After they answered the door, witnesses told law enforcement that Saunders rushed into the apartment, grabbed his estranged wife, and commanded her to leave with him. When she refused, the adults inside the apartment directed Saunders to leave. Saunders was reportedly involved in a physical altercation with the people inside the residence which included a 15-year-old. Detectives say the man who resided at the apartment pulled out a legally possessed gun and shot Saunders. The Sacramento County District Attorneys Office made the preliminary decision to release the man under the presumption of a justifiable homicide. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. Yep, were in the thick of the holiday season and not much time for anything between work or school and Christmas shopping only 15 days left! We cant help you with your shopping list, but we can get you caught up on the weeks big stories. Domatilia Caal is consoled on Wednesday December 6, 2023, by her brother, Cornelio Caal, at the site on Shadywood Lane in South Austin where her husband was killed on Tuesday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Police believe Shane Matthew James Jr. killed his parents at their home in northeastern Bexar County before driving to Austin on Tuesday and fatally shooting four more people. Nearly two years ago, a Texas organization bailed out James after he was arrested on three misdemeanor assault charges that involved his parents. Click to read about the deadly killing spree and learn more about James. Members of the San Antonio Police K-9 unit walk into Alamo Heights High School following a bomb threat in 2022. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Schools in San Antonio and elsewhere in Texas received threatening emails Friday from an unidentified source claiming to be a Russian terrorist organization, prompting campus searches and other precautions. Click to read about the response to the threats. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Texas Department of Transportation will be reducing the speed limit on six highways in Southeast Texas, according to a report from 12News. Laura Skelding/AP Texans are known to have a need for speed, but those driving around Southeast Texas should be prepared to slow down or face the consequences. Click to read about changes in speed limits on six highways around the region. A federal grand jury has indicted a former civilian government worker, Janet Mello, on charges that she stole more than $100 million intended for a 4-H program for children of military families. Courtes of Federal court documents A federal grand jury indicted a former civilian government worker on charges that she stole more than $100 million intended for a 4-H program for children of military families. Click to read more about how she spent the money on lavish items. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama looks to the bench in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) David Zalubowski/Associated Press A man died following a shooting early Saturday in Kansas City, Kansas. Officers responded shortly after midnight to the shooting in the 6500 block of Kaw Drive, according to Officer Jovanna Cheatum, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department. Police found a man with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The killing was the 23rd homicide in Kansas City, Kansas this year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings. There had been 38 homicides at this time last year. The KCKPD Major Case Unit is investigating the incident. Police ask anyone with information to call the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis Police say a domestic violence-related shooting in East Memphis has left one man injured. Memphis Police responded to the Brittany Apartments on Ezell Street just after 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Police say one man went to Regional One Hospital in critical condition. Man charged after South Memphis deadly double shooting While Memphis Police describe the shooting as a domestic violence incident, police have not released details on what led up to the shooting. Memphis Police say the investigation is ongoing. Call CrimeStoppers at (901) 528-CASH if you have information. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a man was shot in Southwest D.C. on Saturday night. MPD said that at about midnight, it responded to the 300 block of Maple Drive for the report of a shooting. Man shot in Northwest DC When police arrived at the scene, they found a man who had been shot. He was conscious and breathing. The man was transported to the hospital for treatment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. WEST PALM BEACH A man and a woman were shot to death early Saturday west of the city, and a man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in their killings, police said. WPTV-Channel 5, citing family members, reported that the slain man and woman were newlyweds. Sony Josaphat was charged Saturday afternoon with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder, and is being held without bail, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said late Saturday. Josaphat will face a judge Sunday morning for his first appearance. The office released no further details about Josaphat, including his age and hometown. At 8:36 a.m. Saturday, deputies responded to a shooting in the 1200 block of Summit Run Circle, which is north of Forest Hill Boulevard and west of Military Trail, and just east of Okeeheelee Park. There, they found a man and a woman who had been shot to death. They did not disclose the names of the victims, and deputies said their families have invoked the Marsy's Law privacy restriction. Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Man charged with murder in shooting deaths of two near West Palm Beach Today, December 10, is Human Rights Day. Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt once reflected, Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person Not necessarily widely known, this annual observance arises out of the aftermath of WWII when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the global community with strong leadership by the United States a milestone achievement influenced by wide-ranging legal and cultural experts from around the world. It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948. FILE - Human right groups gather on the United Nations international Human Rights Day, Dec. 10, 2021, in front of the Bank of China building in Taipei, Taiwan, to boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The four Taiwanese athletes competing in Beijing for the Winter Olympics, which open Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, can't use Taiwan's flag. For Taiwan, every appearance on the global stage is fraught with politics, and even more so when that stage is China. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying, File) President Harry S. Truman appointed Roosevelt as principal US advocate. She chaired the UN Commission on Human Rights which was tasked with this effort. Her immediate challenge was to determine how best a world of conflicting ideologies could reach a universal understanding regarding the fundamental rights and freedoms of people everywhere. This year marks its 75th anniversary. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights essentially acknowledges inherent human rights to be respected without regard to nationality, race and ethnicity, where one lives, whether one identifies as religious or secular, gender identity or any other potentially distinguishing characteristics including socio-economic status. Translated into more than 500 languages, it has inspired more than 70 human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which 173 nations including the United States (out of 193 nations currently recognized by the UN) have ratified (or acceded to) thus far. Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey embraced this treaty framework along with Eleanor Roosevelts sensibilities when announcing his intent to move forward with a local human rights initiative on Human Rights Day in 2020 that would be grounded upon respect and dignity, which like so many things was impacted by COVID 19. In April 2022, then-Leon County Commission Chair Bill Proctor advanced a resolution acknowledging the principles that underlie Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In support of his resolution the staff analysis also noted Mayor Daileys initiative. The resolution resulted from the chairs meeting with Barbara Goldstein, executive director of the Holocaust Education Resource Council, which she invited me to join. The commission adopted it on its consent agenda. Moreover, Sheriff Walt McNeil has expressed interest in exploring whether these frameworks could conceivably help support his emphasis upon ensuring that Leon County Sheriffs Office policies and practices are informed by best practices. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights history within the US is notably bipartisan. President Jimmy Carter signed this international human rights treaty to commence Advice and Consent pursuant to the US Constitution. President George H. W. Bush ultimately urged Senator Claiborne Pell, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to advance the treaty. It had languished for several years. The Senate also added some conditions including an understanding that it would apply at the state and local levels as well as at the federal level. At this point, its important to underscore that the Rule of Law is clear - nothing in this treaty, or any other treaty the US has ratified, or may ratify in the future can contravene the US Constitution. The Senate approved the international covenantand President Bush signed the instrument of ratification - the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution provides generally that ratified treaties are accorded the weight of federal law. Anyway, if youre not familiar with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, its a relatively quick read, easy to search for and seemingly an excellent way to acknowledge Human Rights Day this Sunday. Mark Schlakman, Esq., FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, and Of Counsel to Rambana & Ricci, P.L.L.C. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to letters@tallahassee.com. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Mark Schlakman: Its Human Rights Day: Why it matters locally Poet, author and creator, Lydia Gates, poses for a photo at the frozen yougurt shop Yogaert, where she organizes the local Flagstaff Poetry Slam, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. Through slam poetry that centers LGBTQ+ voices and inspirational videos that touch on navigating life with autism, Lydia Gates has fostered communities both in the heart of Flagstaff's mountain town and in the digital space. Originally from upstate New York, Gates moved to Flagstaff in 2010. Since moving to Arizona, Gates has worked hard to grow a safe space for LGBTQ+ poets spoken word artists. Gates, 31, runs the local Flagstaff Poetry Slam alongside her co-organizer, Tempest Black. "If you are queer as f**k can we get a hell yeah?" Gates shares with The Arizona Republic, referencing the callback often given at the slam. "We encourage communal swearing. And then the whole room generally yells back 'hell yeah!'. And then we say, 'Oh, yeah! And if you are not queer that is cool too, thank you for coming.' Because it is often the opposite. People would be like, 'oh, thanks for coming, queer people are accepted here.' In our community, queer people are centered." But while those voices are centered, Gates makes an effort for everyone to be heard. "Poetry slams attract people who are kind of less accepted in a lot of other parts of society," Gates said. "We have queer people, we have people of color, we have neurodivergent people. We accept everyone and we want everyone to be able to tell their story and let everyone know what they have to say. That is so important to me." Reconnecting with slam poetry in Flagstaff Slam poetry had been a part of Gates' world since high school. But when she moved to Flagstaff and started attending Flagstaff Poetry Slam which has been running since 2000 she said a break was needed. She found her way back at 23 and fell in love all over again and in 2019 took over running the show. Poet, author and creator, Lydia Gates, poses for a photo at the frozen yougurt shop Yogaert, where she organizes the local Flagstaff Poetry Slam, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. "It was a really cool experience. I was getting up on stage, I was performing," Gates said. "No one was throwing rotten tomatoes. I kind of just had this feeling like this is where I want to be." Briana Grace Hammerstrom, an arts organizer in Portland, Oregon, and a friend of Gates, watched her grow on that stage as she ran the Flagstaff Poetry Slam before Gates took over. Hammerstrom said that when she was in Flagstaff, she did not see folks from the LGBTQ+ community her age outside of the clubs at Northern Arizona University. Now, she said Gates has helped to grow the slam into a space for that community to come together. Gates' journey in poetry began when she was 9 after her fourth-grade teacher gave her an assignment to write a poetry book. "I felt like this was, you know, what I was meant to do. It felt amazing. I felt like I was using the templates and the forums to come up with stuff that was blowing my mind," she said. Gates has three poetry books published under her name, all of them semi-autobiographical. She published "I Was an Empire" in 2017 and said the book got its name because there was an ancient empire called Lydia. In 2018, she put out another collection of poetry called "She Dreams the Moon" and in 2021 she put out a collection that is called "Changeling." Poet, author and creator, Lydia Gates, performs during the local Flagstaff Poetry Slam at Yogaert in Flagstaff, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. Along with writing and publishing poetry and competing in slams, Gates is a self-published author of fiction novels under the name Kirk Vincent. She said the novels center LGBTQ+ experiences. The book series is called "Glen's Hollow" and the books are named after major arcana tarot cards: "Wheel of Fortune" and "The Tower." Poetry, however, is her favorite medium, as she always tries to give her poems a hopeful ending, despite the struggle and hardship reflected in them, so people can know that things can get better. Margarita Cruz is the president of the Northern Arizona Book Festival and met Gates through the Flagstaff Poetry Slam in 2018. Since meeting her, she's noticed that hosting the slam is just one part of her commitment to communities, often spreading her creative work in other spaces throughout town. "When I think of Flagstaff, people do not think of poetry. But when I think of poetry in Flagstaff, I think of Lydia," Cruz said. "Who is always there hosting or coordinating events or creating opportunities for people to experience poetry in a way they have never seen before." Creating community online Gates identifies as queer and autistic. She said being autistic affects every single aspect of her life because it completely changes how her brain works. During the pandemic, Gates made a TikTok account and began to share videos. At first these had no theme, but a year into producing the videos, she began to create content talking about her experience with autism. Gates said she identified herself as autistic when she was about 20. She said a lot of people were beginning to realize during the pandemic that they were neurodivergent, but she said she already knew. Poet, author and creator, Lydia Gates, poses for a photo at the frozen yougurt shop Yogaert, where she organizes the local Flagstaff Poetry Slam, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. "No one had ever explained it to me well enough for me to realize the problem was not, you know, you do not have 17 different mental illnesses. You are just autistic," Gates said. "And so I shared that and I discovered people wanted to hear me talk." Though Gates still makes online content, she has slowed down the pace. But her videos are still up for the world to see. "I just want to share with people the idea that you should be your authentic self," Gates said. "Do the things you love, be in community with the people you care about. Do not let expectations or other people's opinions of you affect your pursuit of happiness." Gates said that many tend to validate living with a disability only when that person is suffering, but not when they are experiencing joy. "People saw my happiness and joy and enjoyment of the world and thought there was something wrong with it because it was exuberant and larger than life. And they were like, well this must be you know, something clinical we have to manage this because it is dangerous to be this way," Gates said. During a slam hosted on Nov. 29 at the frozen yogurt shop Yogaert in downtown Flagstaff, Gates took first place. Gates performed three poems that night the first about her experience with autism. "I will always be autistic, that mania is actually my happiness," Gates said as she performed. "Sometimes I can not help but scream in the sunshine, revel in the music, cry when someone shows me kindness. My routine is a circle unbroken, my joy is cataclysmic." Cruz said that one of her favorite things about Gates is how open she is. Whether it is at a poetry slam or online, Gates welcomes anyone with open arms. "If you want to be a part of her life, she is so ready to let that happen," Cruz said. "There is not a wall or a bypass or a secret passcode you have to share. She is just like, 'oh, you want to be here? I want to be here too.'" This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Flagstaff Poetry Slam: Meet the artist who runs it A memorial bench honoring a Bellingham man who was killed last March will soon be placed in the Bellingham park where Henry Hank King would sit and chat with passers-by. Fernando Gonzalez, who manages the Bellingham Metro News site on Facebook, told The Bellingham Herald that he organized a Go Fund Me campaign as a tribute even though he didnt know King personally. It was just the Bellingham thing to do. This community has always been about helping people in need with no questions asked, Gonzalez told The Herald in an email. Gonzalez said the effort raised $2,245 in three hours. About $700 of the money was forwarded to another fundraising campaign for Kings funeral expenses, and the rest was used for a bench in the waterfront park where King, who was homeless, often spent his time and even slept. I could tell by the amount of times that I saw him at that bench at the boardwalk that he loved that park just as much as I did and still do, and I know from spending lots of time at that park that it is simply the most beautiful and peaceful place on Earth for me, him and for many others. He was comfortable there day or night, rain or shine. I dont want his impact to be forgotten, the conversations he had with people at the boardwalk, about many things including trading cards, sports and more, Gonzalez said. Henry King, 48, was found dead offshore near Taylor Dock after being shot multiple times on March 12, 2023, in Bellingham, Wash. The Bellingham Police Department is asking the public for help in their homicide investigation. King was shot to death on the boardwalk between Boulevard Park and Taylor Dock, and his body was dumped in Bellingham Bay, according to previous reporting in The Bellingham Herald. A suspect was arrested last week in connection with the slaying. Jason Sanders, a Bellingham native and lifelong friend of King, told The Herald he was happy to see an arrest had been made in the case and was happy the community stepped up to honor King with the bench. Sanders, who is based in Alaska for work, said he looked forward to visiting the memorial when he returns to town. When I get a chance to go back to Bellingham Ill definitely be stopping by the park to see my buddys bench, Sanders said. I think its great the community did something like that. Hopefully this shines a little bit of light. Nicole Oliver, director of the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department, said the memorial to King was made a priority. We made an exception and fast-tracked the donation ahead of other projects, Oliver told The Herald. Oliver said she was in a meeting with key city officials when Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig announced the arrest. We are very thankful that they were able to figure this one out. He was really a beloved person, she said. We are a family of four which, fortunately, is what most cars are designed for, offering space for grown-ups, children, some stuff and maybe the dog. Recently, though, the in-laws came to visit from overseas, and this got me thinking about what the best possible vehicle would be for six people to travel in comfort. The obvious answer is a seven-seater SUV, but the problem is that most have very little luggage space when you use that third row of seats, which is why theyre often branded occasional seats. But what about if six or seven seats is not an occasional need but a routine one, with space for luggage too? Well, in truth, theres only one answer to that: its time to look at a minibus. Not just any minibus, but an executive bus the Mercedes E-Vito Tourer Premium. It was time to show the in-laws how we have embraced electric models in the UK and what they are like to live with for a few days. Prices start at 76,368 but we had the long wheelbase L3 Premium which weighs in at 84,744 (really not cheap, then). It has nine seats enough to take the extended family all over the south of England. Most electric minibuses are based on their van counterparts, including the Stellantis trio of the Citroen E-SpaceTourer, Peugeot E-Traveller and the Vauxhall Vivaro-e. Ford will only bring its E-Tourneo Custom to the UK early in 2024 and as it shares a platform with the next generation Volkswagen Transporter, its safe to assume VW will launch its electric people mover around then too. Then theres the Mercedes EQV, the electric version of the luxurious V-Class, but the E-Vito is very much on the commercial vehicle side of things. Its still a Merc though and is not short on that premium feel, although it lacked something that would have been very useful given its nearly 5.5-metre length: park distance control (PDC). It definitely tested the parking skills and it turned out it should have PDC, but the current chip shortage meant it couldnt be fitted, although it did have a whole host of other driving assistance aids. Not surprisingly, its a very comfortable thing with plenty of space, Isofix anchor points for a number of child seats and loads of luggage space enough to help my sister out with moving house by loading up a washing machine and a wine cooler, without even having to move the seats. 'It has nine seats enough to take the extended family all over the south of England' The interior is as spacious as you would expect, with loads of head and legroom, even for those in the very back. Even so, we put the kids in there and they loved it; it was like they had their own kids space with no grown-ups allowed. Admittedly they were far enough away that they practically needed an intercom to chat to the driver but there are pros and cons to that, as any parent will probably agree. Like most EVs, the ride can be a little firm, but on occasion it proved to be more comfortable than its posher EQV sibling. The driving position is somewhat van-like but it combines that with the typical premium feel of a Merc. It was easy to get used to and the controls are all well laid out and straightforward. The vast amount of glass made visibility good and it didnt take long to get used to the length of the vehicle, although car parks and charging spaces definitely tested the parking skills on a number of occasions. Mercedes might have gone all high-tech with its Hyperscreen infotainment screens in some of its luxury saloons, but the E-Vito has a more traditional set-up complete with actual buttons. Its simple to use and you can plug your smartphone in for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for navigation, or so the kids can demand you play their favourite tunes, over and over and over again We connected the bus to the Mercedes Me app which provided info on state of charge and usefully allowed us to pre-heat the vehicle so it was nice and warm when everyone climbed in. 'We put the kids in the back and they loved it; it was like they had their own kids space with no grown-ups allowed' The E-Vitos electric motor develops 204hp and the battery has a usable capacity of 90kWh which can be charged in 40 minutes on a 110kW fast charger or around ten hours on an 11kW wallbox. It has what turned out to be a rather optimistic claimed driving range of 221 miles, and during a very cold snap I could see the the range plummet before my eyes within seconds of starting the motor. Now, here, I have to do that thing where like childrens books where you can choose different chapters and multiple ends to the story there are two different variations as far as our review is concerned. Firstly, theres the one where youre an Addison Lee driver in London, and you can plug it in at the end of each day, charge it up and start your next day with a fully charged battery. Youre only driving around London, you might do a run to Heathrow Airport and the range it gives you, probably about 160-180 miles, is more than adequate for your daily routines and pick-ups. Perfect. Then we get to my experience because, like many, I dont have a charger at home and have to rely on public charging. I live in a rural area and unless you count the school run, Im not really a shuttle driver. Over the course of about 10 days, 508 miles on country roads and motorways and approximately 22 hours of driving, the E-Vito averaged 1.8mi/kWh equivalent to a real world range of 162 miles. 'I dont have a charger at home and have to rely on public charging... in the end, covering 508 miles cost around 200' To keep it topped up, I had to use public chargers all over the place, from a 45p/kWh slow charge in Tetbury to a 79p/kWh rapid charger at the motorway services on the M4. In the end, covering 508 miles cost around 200, which is frankly insane. Admittedly I could have used apps like Zap-Map to search out cheaper chargers and all that, but this time I always just chose the most convenient. Eventually, we handed the in-laws over to other family members at a pub with a charger outside of Newbury for the second half of their stay. Our shuttle duties were over and, while the E-Vito hadnt convinced the in-laws about electric vehicles, it certainly did prove the merits of these fabulous, van-based MPVs. They may have the kerbside appeal of an SUV, but they often have much the same footprint yet a vastly more versatile and practical interior. Im sold, for sure, and the E-Vito did a great job of comfortably showing them the sights. Given its easy-driving manner and effortless abilities as a family mover, house mover, holiday holdall and day-tripper extraordinaire, Id also seriously consider an electric one but only if I had a home charger Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Scotland Yard said: 'Where offences arent seen in the moment we will still act' - Twitter/X The Metropolitan Police has asked the public to help identify pro-Palestine protesters with anti-Semitic placards on Saturday. A man wearing a keffiyeh scarf was pictured holding aloft a sign that showed the Israel flag with the words the final solution, which was the title of the Nazi plan for Jewish genocide during the Second World War. The placard also depicted the Star of David with a US flag emblazoned on it. Another sign compared Nazi concentration camps to Gaza. Scotland Yard said: We understand why people are angry and disappointed that this man wasnt arrested yesterday during the protest. We share those frustrations and obviously we wish he had been. Were appealing for the publics help to identify this man. The reality is with a protest involving 40,000 people where officers are focusing not just on placards but on crowd safety, potential disorder and other offences there will always be some that are missed, the Met added. We have shown that where offences arent seen in the moment we will still act, identifying suspects and making arrests. Nude Holocaust victims photograph Some 13 people were arrested in the latest of the marches in support of Palestine that have descended upon central London on Saturdays. Most were for offensive placards and bring the number of arrests at related protests in the past two months to 300. At the same march, a woman was filmed brandishing a cardboard sign with a photograph of nude Holocaust victims being rounded up for death in 1943 alongside an image this year of Gazan men being stripped to their underwear next to Israeli soldiers, with the caption: Spot the difference. The other side of the placard said stop killing children. The Met has asked the woman, who was wearing a beanie hat and a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, to come forward. Anyone with information has been asked to call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting 4240518/23 for the final solution placard and 4240526/23 for the placard comparing Nazi concentration camps to Gaza. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Marine Staff Sgt. Nathan Ihrig gives visitors a tour of the Toys for Tots warehouse at the San Antonio International Airport. The 4th Reconnaissance Battalion and volunteers organize the toy drive hosted annually by the Marine Corps Reserve. Photo courtesy of San Antonio International Airport Backdrop display used for photos with people bringing donations to the Toys for Tots warehouse at the San Antonio International Airport. Photo courtesy of San Antonio International Airport Volunteers fill distribution bags for children registered to receive gifts at the Toys for Tots warehouse located at the San Antonio International Airport. Photo courtesy of San Antonio International Airport As a child, Rosa Loera always woke up on Christmas morning to brightly wrapped gifts. She never knew a Christmas when she didnt have presents to open. Loera also didnt know that her family couldnt afford the gifts piled underneath the family tree each year. Later, she learned that often, the toys were distributed to her church by the Toys for Tots program, sponsored by the Marine Corps Reserve. READ MORE: A way out of chaos: Two men find peace in running as they work to remain sober Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tuesday morning, she returned the favor as a volunteer at San Antonio International Airports building 1835. Loera and 29 associates counted, sorted and filled orders for toys as part of the program that made her childhood holiday a bit merrier. Its full circle to be able to give back, Loera said. Because someone gave and didnt even know my name or situation. Marines from the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion and other volunteers organized the toy drive thats received 4,000 applications for toys this year. Marine Staff Sgt. Nathan Ihrig, Toys for Tots coordinator, said the donations collected by the group will support 10,605 children across San Antonio. Donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Dec. 15 at the warehouse, located at 1964 1st Ave. Ihrig said the gifts will be distributed on four days: Dec. 16-17 and Dec. 21-22. Last year, volunteers and Marines distributed more than 10,000 toys to local families. He said currently there are collection boxes at 280 drop-off sites. The Toys for Tots season kicked off on Oct. 1 and will continue through Dec. 22. Its an opportunity for us to go out in the public and collect donations for underprivileged children, Ihrig said. We depend 100% on support from the people in the community. We would not be able to meet our mission if not for the donations from the community. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Marine Corps Reserves have sponsored the program since 1947, when Marine Corps Reserve Maj. Bill Hendricks wife asked him to take some handcrafted dolls to an agency that helps children in need of help. When he couldnt find one, she told him to start a collection site. That year, his reserve unit collected and handed out 5,000 toys in the Los Angeles community. That success led to a national program hosted annually by all Marine Reserve units. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation raises and manages funds, buys toys, handles day-to-day operations and educates the public about the campaign. Thats where I think volunteers get the biggest reward theyre looking for, Ihrig said. Actually handing the toys to the families and the children. Tonya Hope, public relations manager for the airport, said partnering with the group was a way to help provide some holiday cheer to local families. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We know there are hundreds, if not thousands, of kids that want holiday gifts but dont have the means to have gifts, Hope said. On a recent day, Marines in dress blue uniforms worked beside civilians clad in sweatsuits, jeans and sneakers. Loera walked past different stations separated by age and gender. She scanned a childs registration sheet as she placed a game, book and toy that matched the wish list. Its our pleasure to be here and sort out the gifts for the kids, Loera said. Loera is a resident services manager with Prospera, Housing Community Services that helps residents with support services as they seek to rent secure, affordable homes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (WOOD) While it may not rise to the level of the 19th-century gold rush in the western United States, the shifting technological landscape has started a surge of its own. With the automotive and industrial worlds turning away from fossil fuels and toward battery-powered vehicles, lithium has become an elite commodity. A report from USA Today found that the price of lithium went up 500% from 2021 to 2022, and manufacturers are using more lithium than is currently being mined. Though there are many suspected lithium deposits in the United States including one location in Nevada that is believed to hold billions of dollars worth of the metal American companies largely rely on foreign sources for it. A researcher at Central Michigan University hopes to change that, starting with an easier way to find it. WHAT IS LITHIUM? You dont have to travel far down the periodic table of elements to find lithium. With the atomic number of 3, it is the lightest-known alkali metal. Lithium is used in a number of ways included in things like drugs, lubricants and even hydrogen storage. It has also proven to be key in several alloys, allowing a structure to maintain its strength without adding much weight. But its primary service, especially going forward, is its role in rechargeable batteries. Compared to other metals, batteries made with lithium can power devices for longer and also have a longer shelf life. Lithium doesnt occur naturally as a metal. Primarily, it is found within the water of most mineral springs. Right now, most of the worlds lithium is produced in Chile, Argentina and Bolivia, taking advantage of continental brine deposits. Remember that Nevada property worth billions? Thats the Silver Peak lithium mine, the United States only continental brine lithium mine in the U.S., according to the British Geological Survey. Sign up for the News 8 weekly recap newsletter But lithium can be found in other places, even if it may be more difficult to identify. You can find traces of lithium in most rocks, but to make financial sense, lithium companies want to find rocks that are lithium-rich to get the most bang for their buck. That can be boiled down to a select group of pegmatites called LCT. Pegmatites, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, are a type of granite or igneous rock characterized by its giant crystals. Some of them contain high volumes of rare metals like lithium, cesium and tantalum (LCT). Pegmatites are first formed more than 10 miles below ground. But over time, tectonic forces push the rock formations higher while erosion works away topside, bringing pegmatites closer to the surface until they can be uncovered by miners. But how do you know you are sitting on pegmatites? And how would you know if they are rich in lithium? Thats where Mona Sirbescu and her team comes into play. HOW DO WE FIND IT? Sirbescu is a geology professor in CMUs Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. She said the methods for finding lithium can be relatively primitive, but they are evolving. The current methods are more of a shotgun approach, Sirbescu told News 8. They use boots-on-the-ground kinds of methodology, sending geologists and geological technicians to collect rock specimens and look for natural rock outcrops. Its not always easy because many terrains in North America are covered by forests or glacial sediments. She continued: (There are also) remote sensing methods to figure out the uneven topography of the terrain. These rock bodies, pegmatites, tend to stand up. So they can be determined from satellite images. And then there are even newer methods that are used when big funding is involved. Geophysical methods, airborne sensors, detecting the radioactivity of the materials or the magnetic properties or the density of the materials. All of these contrasts in the physical properties of the rocks can indirectly reveal whether there are pegmatites or not in the subsurface. State agency issues report to help guide the future of Michigans power grid Sirbescu, partnered with a lithium company in Wisconsin, is leading research focused on identifying the key indicators within soil to give miners a more accurate estimate to whether or not their bedrock is rich in pegmatites and if it contains heavy levels of lithium. We were contacted a couple of years ago by a lithium company. We were asked to develop a pilot exploration project focused on about 10 square miles in an area of northeastern Wisconsin, she said. We had already studied the mineralogy, the mineral components of these rocks in detail and already published a bunch of papers in scientific journals starting about 15 years ago. But now with new research funds from this lithium company and from our own Office of Research and Graduate Studies at CMU, together with my team of students, we conducted fieldwork in the area and came up with this multi-faceted way of integrating different methods. One of Sirbescus key strategies is soil sampling. Mona Sirbescu, a geology professor in Central Michigan Universitys Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, uses portable test equipment to analyze suspected deposits of lithium in a rock sample. The suspected lithium is within the circles. (Courtesy CMU) Soils form directly through weathering of the bedrock both pegmatites and their host rocks. So, the soils potentially carry the chemical signature of the rocks beneath the soil cover, she said. So we are expecting to find a chemical anomaly or chemical halo around these bodies or in the soil above the bodies. Her team uses tools and analytical equipment available to them at the university to determine the exact chemical makeup of the soil. Then, working with a fellow researcher in Brazil, the data is entered into an algorithm that determines the lithium potential for the bedrock. EGLE grant to help Mackinac Island ferry go electric Sirbescu said that teamwork is key to making scientific progress. Its a really interesting development and I couldnt have done it without my collaborators, my international collaborators, and the partnership with the lithium industry, Sirbescu said. My colleagues here in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, who were very instrumental and very supporting in developing this project. And some of the biggest benefits really for me as a researcher and professor at CMU is working with my students, including a bunch of undergraduates who are very passionate and very eager to learn. One of my biggest satisfactions is to help them achieve their career goals and see them get started on their careers. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Washington residents will experience several changes at the start of the new year including a higher state minimum wage, and the effects of new laws that were adopted during the 2023 legislative session. On Jan. 1, workers over the age of 16 can expect a 3.4% statewide minimum wage increase from $15.74 per hour to $16.28, according to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Cities such as Seattle, SeaTac and Tukwila have higher wages, as cities are able to set a higher minimum wage than the states. Workers can expect other changes as well, such as a 4.9% increase in average workers compensation premiums for 2024. Jointly, workers and employees will pay an additional $65 per year for each full-time employee. Helping prevent workplace injuries and illness is our number one goal, yet we have to make sure that we have a healthy workers compensation system. This increase will help us do that so workers know theyll have the help they need when they need it, said Joel Sacks, the director for the Department of Labor and Industries, in a news release. New laws In addition, some legislation passed during the 2023 legislative session will go into effect. Here are some of the other laws that go into effect on Jan. 1: DRUG TESTING Senate Bill 5123: Certain employers in Washington will no longer be allowed to discriminate against applicants for their cannabis use outside of work. The law does not apply to certain safety-related jobs. Law enforcement, first responders, and positions in the airline industry, for example, will still have to take pre-employment screenings. The law doesnt regulate cannabis screenings after an individual has been hired, so employees can still be tested if an employer suspects impairment. It also does not impact an employers ability to maintain a drug-free work policy. Washington will become one of three states including California and Nevada to ban the practice of pre-employment cannabis screening. GUN WAITING PERIOD House Bill 1143: This law will require a 10-day waiting period before purchasing any firearms in the state of Washington. Currently, a 10-day waiting period is mandatory in the state only when purchasing a semi-automatic assault rifle. Firearms dealers will not be able to sell or transfer guns without completion of a background check and until 10 days have elapsed since the check was initiated. Those purchasing firearms also will have to show valid proof of a completed firearms safety training program within the last five years, or proof that they are exempt from training requirements. VOTING RIGHTS House Bill 1048: Dubbed the Voting Rights Act 2.0 by advocates, this new law will strengthen the already-existing Voting Rights Act in several ways. Under the law, civil rights organizations and tribes are granted standing to challenge the VRA on behalf of their members. To avoid violating the VRA against members of a tribe, counties are now able to increase the number of county commissioners. Additionally, people or organizations that file a notice of intent to challenge an election system would be able to recover costs associated with research, if the notice causes the political subdivision to adopt a remedy that is approved by the court. NEWSPAPER TAX BREAK Senate Bill 5199: Certain newspaper publishers will see a Business and Occupation, or B&O, tax break starting in January. Online news sites that published newspapers before Jan. 1, 2008, will also see some tax relief. The B&O tax rate is currently 0.35% for newspapers, and it will be reduced to zero. The new law is slated to be in effect for a decade. PET INSURANCE Senate Bill 5319: This law intends to regulate the pet insurance market in Washington through a number of actions. Certain requirements for selling and issuing pet insurance in the state are added, including establishing defined terms and required disclosures in pet insurance policies. Insurers must also disclose if those policies dont cover things such as pre-existing or hereditary conditions. The new law will also require insurers to be licensed and trained before they can sell, solicit, or negotiate a pet insurance product. Some marketing practices for pet wellness programs also will be prohibited. COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSES House Bill 1058: Individuals renewing their commercial drivers license will no longer have to apply after Jan. 1, and will instead be able to renew online. Additionally, fees charged by the Department of Licensing will be reduced to no more than $175 for the skills examination for a commercial motor vehicle license. For individuals intending to use their CDL to drive a school bus, the fees for up to two skills exams cannot exceed $100. The DOL also can waive all or part of new qualification standards, including applicable testing and education requirements, for those who previously surrendered their CDL. NURSE STAFFING Senate Bill 5236: One part of a multi-faceted piece of legislation passed this year for nursing safe staffing standards that requires hospitals to establish hospital staffing committees is due by Jan. 1. Those staffing committees must be made up of 50% non-managerial nursing staff, while the other 50% of the committee must be made up of hospital administration, including the hospitals Chief Financial Officer. The committees must submit a staffing plan to the hospitals CEO by July 1, 2024, and yearly after that. ACCESS TO COUNSEL Senate Bill 5046: This law allows the Office of Public Defense to offer indigent persons post-conviction access to counsel and also requires Public Defense to establish criteria prioritizing youth and certain adult petitioners for access to counsel. Under the law, Public Defense is able to appoint counsel if the Legislature or a final decision of an appellate court creates an ability to petition the sentencing court or to challenge a conviction or sentence. Public Defense is also required to research the barriers to providing post-conviction counsel and then report those findings to the Legislature. STREET RACING Senate Bill 5606: This law intends to deter illegal street racing by broadening the definition of racing to include racing on any off-street facility and drifting. Individuals who aid and abet illegal racing can be charged as accomplices under the new law. The law also clarifies that a person can be charged with other crimes as part of being charged with illegal street racing, and establishes the procedures for law enforcement to seize vehicles involved in illegal racing. WORKING FAMILIES TAX CREDIT House Bill 1477: This new law expands the Working Families Tax Credit. Those filing married filing separately on their taxes will become eligible to qualify for the credit. Additionally, the legislation allows retroactive refunds for up to three years for those who qualified but did not apply in previous years. In 2021, legislators provided funding for the credit, which will affects about 400,000 households in the state. The program is for low- to moderate-income families statewide. If eligible, families can receive a cash refund up to $1,200 annually. Applications for the tax credit can be submitted online. The Utah senator Mitt Romney declined to rule out voting for Joe Biden next year and said he has not offered an endorsement in the Republican race because his backing would probably be a kiss of death. If I endorsed them, it would be the kiss of death Im not going to do that, Romney said during an interview on NBCs Meet the Press. The Republican joked that he should maybe endorse the candidate he likes the least, and he made it clear that he would not be supporting Donald Trump. Romney added that he thought former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley rising in the polls but still significantly trailing Trump is the only one that has a shot at becoming the nominee other than the former president. He also said the former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who has aggressively taken on Trump during the campaign, had been terrific. That compliment is likely to intrigue many because Romney once called Christie another bridge-and-tunnel loudmouth, according to a biography released this year. Romney announced earlier this year he would not run for re-election in the Senate. The 2012 Republican presidential nominee has not shied away from criticizing Trump and twice voted to impeach him during the former presidents lone term. Trump has viciously attacked Romney in response. While Romney on Sunday said he would not rule out voting for Biden in 2024, he said there were other Democrats who would be a better nominee than the incumbent president. He said the candidate he would most like to support is the West Virginia Democratic senator Joe Manchin. Manchin is leaving the Senate and has toyed with a bid for the presidency. But Romney said he did not think Manchin would run in the end. I wish hed be the Democratic nominee, Romney said. Im not going to describe who Ill rule out other than President Trump, he added. By the way, in my view, bad policy we can overcome as a country, we have in the past. Bad character is something which is very difficult to overcome. A recent Wall Street Journal poll found Trump was leading Biden by four points 47% to 43%. Trump faces 91 criminal charges for 2020 election subversion, illegal retention of government secrets and hush-money payments to an adult film actor. He has also contended with assorted civil litigation. Meanwhile, the indictment of Bidens son, Hunter, in California on nine criminal tax charges places obstacles in the presidents re-election efforts. Voters will go to the polls in three Morris County school districts on Tuesday to vote on proposed school upgrades that could cost a combined $211 million. Madison, Montville and Mount Olive will each put a series of bond referendums before voters to upgrade aging schools, improve security and expand to accomodate the surge in housing developments underway in the county. In each case, successful votes could unlock state funding to cover some of the construction costs. Polls open as early as 6 a.m., depending on the district. Here's a look at the three proposals, and how to vote on them. Madison $79 million A rendering of Central Avenue School, showing an addition (seen on the left) that is part of a referendum proposal by the Madison Board of Education. Madison will put a series of proposals worth $79 million in total to voters. The three-part ballot question starts with a $48.3 million request for improvements that are "need-to-haves, not nice-to-haves," according to board member Pam Yousey, who presented the referendum proposal at a meeting in March. Priority projects that would be covered by the first question include the replacement of floors, lighting and heating systems throughout the district, a new roof for Madison High School and air-conditioning for classrooms. The second and third questions, with projects grouped by priority, would add another $12.8 million and $18.3 million, respectively. The proposals are linked, so voters would only be able to vote on Question 2 if they approve Question 1, and on Question 3 if they approve the first two. Some of the spending under Questions 1 and 2 would be covered by state aid. More: Madison considers $79 million bond referendum to upgrade schools The school district's referendum website: sites.google.com/madisonnjps.org/vote/home To vote: Polls in Madison will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. If you are voting by mail, your ballot must be postmarked by Dec. 12 or hand-delivered by 8 p.m. that day to the Morris County Board of Elections in Morristown. Polling places: Grace Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 4 Madison Avenue Hartley Dodge Memorial Court Room, 50 Kings Road Madison YMCA Teen Center, 111 Kings Road Rexford S. Tucker Apartments Community Room, 15 Chateau Thierry Avenue If you don't know your polling location, check your sample ballot or use New Jersey's Polling Place Search website. Montville $70 million Already exceeding state capacity guidelines by 149 elementary students and anticipating a dramatic enrollment surge the Montville Board of Education will put a two-part, $70 million school renovation plan to a public vote on Tuesday. Should the referendum pass in full, property owners can expect to pay an extra $410 a year on their annual tax bill over the next 25 years, based on an average home price of $535,000. Space is just one concern the district is trying to address. In addition to proposing the construction of 23 new classrooms, more funds would go to "stepped-up security," adding two-stage entrances at five school buildings. The district also hopes to replace the original HVAC systems in some buildings with more efficient heating and cooling equipment. More: With enrollment surging, Montville will put $70M school referendum to voters The district's referendum website: www.montville.net/o/montville/page/referendum-overview To vote: Polls will open for in-person voting from 2 to 8 p.m. Voters can also cast ballots by mail. Polling places: Montville Senior Center - Districts: 1, 4, 12 ,14, 16 Pine Brook Fire House - Districts: 2, 13 Towaco Firehouse - Districts: 3, 6, 17 Montville Municipal Building - Districts: 5, 9, 10 First Aid Squad - Districts: 7, 15 Montville Library - Districts: 8, 11, 18 Mount Olive $61.7 million Mount Olive High School A little more than a month after Election Day, Mount Olive residents will return to the polls to vote on a $61.7 million school district referendum that would fund what administrators say are needed improvements for "the health, safety and modern instructional needs" of its almost 4,600 students. The Board of Education authorized the vote after receiving a demographic study that indicated the district would increase enrollment by 300 students or more over the next five years. The renovations are split into two questions on the ballot. Much of the money would go toward infrastructure expansions and upgrades to the high school, middle school and four elementary schools, including new HVAC systems for all schools and replacement roofs for most buildings. The second question includes an addition to the high school and construction of a transportation maintenance building on the middle school campus. More: Mount Olive to vote on $62M school referendum. Why officials see 'dire need' for upgrades District referendum website: www.motsd.org/about/news/details/~board/district-news/post/motsd-referendum To vote: Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by end of the day Tuesday and received by Dec. 19. Polling places: Board of Education Building , 27 Main Street, Flanders (back door) - Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 Flanders Fire House , 27 Main Street, Flanders - District 5 Municipal Building Court Room (Districts 6, 7, 8, 9) or Council Chambers (Districts 10, 11, 17, 20), 204 Flanders-Drakestown Road, Budd Lake Budd Lake Volunteer Fire Department , 378 Route 46, Budd Lake - Districts 12, 13, 18, 22 Mount Olive Public Library , 202 Flanders-Drakestown Road, Budd Lake - Districts 14, 15 Senior Center, 204 Flanders-Drakestown Road, Budd Lake - Districts 16, 19, 21 This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How to vote on big Montville, Mount Olive, Madison school renovations The exclusion of a measure to extend compensation for people exposed to radiation from U.S. nuclear testing from the annual defense bill this week marked yet another fracture in the Republican conference. The bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the Senate with a supermajority in August but was not included in the House version of the bill and was ultimately dropped from the final legislation. Co-sponsor Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called its removal a betrayal of the countrys commitment to the victims of such radiation. Proponents of the measure are pointing the finger at Republican leadership, saying they are responsible for stripping it from the NDAA. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) told The Hill he still cant understand why Republican leadership would stand in the way of providing support to the American people, who, as uranium mine workers, sacrificed so much for national security purposes. He did not say who specifically in Republican leadership blocked the measure. Hawley was more explicit. Asked why the amendment was taken out, he told The Hill, You ought to ask Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). He said Democratic leaders Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) were supportive and that he was not given an explanation from Johnson or McConnell about why the measure was dropped. Morally, this is obscene, he added. To tell me that we have a trillion dollars to spend on defense contractors but we have nothing for the people of this country who their own government has poisoned its ridiculous, Hawley said. The amendment would have extended compensation for people who were exposed to nuclear testing and nuclear waste radiation as a result of U.S. government activity and suffered negative health impacts. These funds are set to expire next year, while the amendment would reauthorize them for another 19 years. The amendment would also expand compensation offering it for the first time to people in New Mexico, where the atomic bomb was tested in 1945, and Missouri, where uranium storage contaminated the Coldwater Creek, as well as Idaho, Montana, Guam and Colorado. The differences over the measure mark a source of division among Republicans, as three of the leading voices calling for compensation were members of the GOP Hawley, Sen. Mike Crapo (Idaho) and Sen. Eric Schmitt (Mo.). Of the three, Hawley has been particularly vocal in condemning Republican leaders over the move to drop the amendment and has also said he would seek to delay the defense bill in response. He told The Hill hed force every vote that I can and pursue every procedural hurdle. In a statement to The Hill, Crapo said it is disappointing there could not be a consensus on specific details of the [Radiation Compensation Exposure Act] legislation to allow it to be included in this years NDAA legislation. A spokesperson for Crapo noted a number of proposals were floated between Senate and House leadership to try to reach an agreement either on the legislation that had passed the Senate in a bipartisan vote or something the House could be more amenable to. But none was ultimately adopted. McConnell did not answer The Hill when asked why the amendment was excluded. The Hill has reached out to Johnsons and McConnells offices for comment. Some of the objections appeared to center around cost. One fiscally conservative group the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget opposed the measure on those grounds. Were happy to see that the amendment in the form that was in when it passed in the Senate isnt in the bill, Josh Gordon, the organizations director of health policy, told The Hill. However, Gordon said he would have been more amenable to the legislation if there were efforts to cut its costs. There could be things done to restructure the provisions to have lower costs, and it would ideally be paired in a piece of legislation that have offsets for whatever the increase in costs would be, he said. Negotiators attempted to lower the price by proposing to reduce the number of years of the extension or offset its costs, ABC News reported Friday, noting the efforts were ultimately not enough. The issue and particularly the procedural standoff that Hawley is leading marks the latest in a series of rifts among congressional Republicans. The most notable of these points of contention over the past several months was the ouster of then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) over legislation that averted a government shutdown. Now, all eyes are on Johnson to see whether he can deliver a bill that appeases budget hawks in his party while also getting enough Democratic support to pass the Senate and win President Bidens approval. And while the GOP conference in the Senate has been generally more unified than that in the House, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has ruffled feathers among his Republican colleagues by holding up military promotions a months-long blockade that ultimately ended this week. Updated 10:20 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Protesters hold signs with "Failure" across a photo of State Attorney Melissa Nelson during a rally on Nov. 30 by the Jacksonville Community Action Committee in front of the Duval County Courthouse. Speakers at the rally said Jacksonville needs a citizen review board that will hold police accountable when they use excessive force. Florida would stop local governments from using citizen review boards to investigate complaints against police in a bill filed by state Rep. Wyman Duggan that would impact about 20 cities that have boards and close the door on others like Jacksonville from creating them to examine alleged misconduct. Jacksonville does not have a citizen review board like other large cities, but Mayor Donna Deegan said during her campaign she favors creating one. Duggan, R-Jacksonville, said locally created panels that do investigations hurt the ability to recruit talented people for law enforcement jobs in Florida because it adds uncertainty to what's "already a very stressful profession." He said the various citizen oversight panels in Florida have no uniformity in what makes people qualified to serve on them, how they conduct their investigations, what types of matters they will examine or how long they will take to reach decisions. "It can drag on and on, which for the officer is very stressful and time-consuming and potentially costly if they have to hire private counsel," Duggan said. A report released in October 2022 by the LeRoy Collins Institute at Florida State University showed Florida has 21 "civilian oversight agencies" in cities across the state. Those include citizen panels in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Lakeland, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers and Daytona Beach. Nate Monroe: Report calls for police reforms in Jacksonville, including civilian review board Ten of the panels were created since 2020 after the wave of Black Lives Matters protests nationwide about the death of George Floyd during an arrest in Minnesota. "I welcome it," Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said in 2021. "I think it will be an asset, and we'll make it work." The LeRoy Collins Institute report concluded that more cities should adopt "civilian oversight agencies" because research shows a "stark decrease in Black arrest rates" in cities with them while bringing a "net positive for both officers and civilians." COAs serve as external oversight of police departments. Theyve been shown to reduce racial disparities in policing and decrease rates of violent crime and homicide by police officers. Read our analysis on what they could do for Black arrest rates in FL: https://t.co/8Naa60OHGe pic.twitter.com/CvWAM5FUYX LeRoy Collins Institute (@LCI_Florida) October 4, 2022 "As there is an increased push for transparency in police departments and the public, COAs can be a step in improving both officer and civilian behavior," James Wright, an assistant professor in at the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, wrote in the report. Civilian review boards have been widely discussed in Jacksonville In the Jacksonville mayor race, Deegan and Daniel Davis split sharply on whether the city should have a civilian review board. Davis called it a radical policy that would put community activists in charge of the Sheriff's Office and drive up crime. Deegan said a 2017 Florida Supreme Court ruling prevents citizen panels from handing down any kind of discipline against officers so such a review board "cannot be a panel that has any authority over police. It's simply a means of making us safer by providing better conversation and yes, better accountability." She said she still wants to create a forum of some kind that would foster better communication between police and residents. "I'm not married to anything in particular whatsoever," she said. "I would love to create something that both the sheriff is happy with and the community is happy with. So far, we haven't really come up with what that would be, but I do think that people want to feel that they're heard and I think that really is what this all comes down to." Regarding Duggan's bill, she said it's troubling when state lawmakers seek to pre-empt local elected officials from carrying out what they were elected to do. "Why is it necessary for the Legislature to step into some of these issues?" she said. "I really am frustrated by that as I know a lot of other elected officials are." Duggan's bill would make it illegal for any local government to "pass or enforce" anything that relates to receiving, processing or investigating complaints of misconduct by law enforcement and corrections officers. He said such investigations are a disincentive for people to work in law enforcement, and that makes the public less safe. "It puts the law-abiding citizens of that jurisdiction at a disadvantage because the kind of quality police officer that everybody wants might decide, 'Well, I don't want to go to that jurisdiction where I have no protection and I have no certainty and I have no confidence about what could happen to me,'" Duggan said. Florida State Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, speaks during a state House of Representatives meeting. He said if his bill passes, allegations of police misconduct still could be investigated by internal affairs departments at law enforcement agencies, state attorneys, the state attorney general, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Department of Justice. "There are plenty of vehicles in place to do a robust investigation of these allegations, so I don't feel like we are leaving any of these cities without any recourse if this bill passes," he said. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters has repeatedly said he opposes a citizen review board. State Attorney Melissa Nelson, who prosecutes cases in the judicial circuit covering Duval, Clay and Nassau counties, also does not support creating such a board. "She does not believe citizen-led investigative bodies are effective or needed, given other forms of review and accountability that currently exist," State Attorney's Office spokesman David Chapman said. "Above all else, law enforcement and legal expertise is paramount but lacking in these citizen-led proposals." He said the State Attorney's Office "can and does hold police accountable" and has prosecuted "numerous officers in the past several years on charges related to excessive force." He said in addition to "court-imposed sanctions," the office also has been able to "strip offending officers of their law enforcement credentials" so they can no longer serve. Who is for a civilian review board in Jacksonville? The Jacksonville branch of the NAACP, the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Community Action Committee are among the groups that have called for a civilian review board. The Jacksonville Community Action Committee started a petition drive to get a referendum on the ballot in 2026 for establishing a "public safety committee." At a rally Nov. 30 in front of the Duval County Courthouse to protest excessive force by police, the group's executive director Michael Sampson said protesters will work to defeat Duggan's legislation. "They see the movement for police accountability growing here in Jacksonville and they're trying to take away our right to have a seat at the table when it comes to investigating crooked cops," he said. "We're not going to let them stop us." A sign showing Le'Keian Woods' injuries after police used force to arrest him stands near protesters at a Jacksonville Community Action Committee rally on Nov. 30 in front of the Duval County Courthouse. The rally called attention to the force used by the Sheriff's Office when police arrested Le'Keian Woods, 24. He was hospitalized Sept. 29 with injuries that included swollen contusions to his face after he ran from police following a traffic stop. Police tasered and struck him at least 17 times during a struggle to catch and handcuff him. Waters said officers "acted appropriately" and "just because force is ugly does not mean it is unlawful or contrary to policy." The U.S. Department of Justice closed its review Nov. 3 after determining the arrest did not rise to a "prosecutable violation of the federal civil rights laws." Wood's mother, Natassia Woods, joined the Nov. 30 rally. She said she looks forward to her son being home and said she supports the petition drive for a voter referendum on creating a citizen committee. "I want justice for my son," she said. "I want justice for every young person and every person in the city that's been through this." Natassia Woods speaks to reporters at a Jacksonville Community Action Committee rally outside the Duval County Courthouse. Protesters cited the injuries suffered by her son Le'Keian Woods when the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arrested him as an example of police using excessive force without being held accountable. Previous attempts by City Council members in 2016 and 2020 to create citizen review boards fell flat. When Garrett Dennis was on the City Council, he filed a bill in 2020 that he ended up withdrawing in late 2021 before it ever came up for a vote. Dennis wanted to set up a 14-member citizen board that would review the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's completed internal affairs investigations and "cases of issues of importance or interest to the community." The board would have examined whether the Sheriff's Office's investigations and the outcomes of cases were consistent with the office's policies and procedures. The board also would have made recommendations to the City Council about the Sheriff's Office's handling of investigations. Its not an adversary board, Dennis said in an interview with WJCT News in 2020. It's a board to have second eyes, third eyes, fourth eyes on a closed investigation to foster accountability, transparency and communication." Mayoral campaign: Davis, Deegan split on citizen review board A report filed by consultants in 2021 to the city's Safer Together Committee also recommended creation of a civilian review board. The consultants said the city must confront "the elephant in the room, namely the level of mistrust among the African American community regarding policing in general." In October 2021, then-City Council President Sam Newby shut down the Safer Together Committee that had been formed a year earlier by then-City Council President Tommy Hazouri to examine the relationship between police and the community. Current council President Ron Salem said he would not support creating a citizen review board. "I don't think it's necessary and it's my feeling that council would not support one, either," he said. "I just think there are enough agencies that are reviewing situations that the community might want more information on." This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida Legislature will decide powers of civilian review boards The University of the Incarnate Word honored Joseph Banales, the Army ROTC student fatally shot in his vehicle this spring, during its graduation ceremony Saturday. Courtesy San Antonio Crime Stoppers In April, months before Joseph Banales was slated to graduate from the University of the Incarnate Word, he died after being shot in his vehicle. On Saturday, his parents accepted a diploma on his behalf. UIW Vice Provost Dimitri Tamalis honored Banales academic achievement and military service during the universitys commencement ceremony Saturday morning by presenting his family with a posthumous degree. Banales, 22, was completing his Bachelor of Science in nursing when he was killed in a homicide case that remains unsolved months later. He was a cadet in the schools Army ROTC program and was set to be commissioned this month as an officer in the Armys nursing corps. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He proudly served our country and was looking forward to providing care as a nurse, Tamalis said during the ceremony. We are proud to honor Joseph today by presenting his diploma to his mother and father. An obituary posted online echoed the sentiment, saying that it was Banaless lifelong dream to become an Army nurse. That is who he was, someone who was always giving to everyone and in every community in which he lived, it says. Banales was a graduate of St. Anthonys Catholic High School, where he is remembered as an accomplished saxophonist in the schools jazz band. He had reportedly just left a military ball and dropped off his girlfriend on the night he was killed. On April 15, just before midnight, Banales was found unresponsive at the scene of what was initially reported as an accident in the 15400 block of Interstate 35 North, according to Selma police. Investigators later determined that Banales had been struck in the back of the head by a bullet fired through the drivers side window. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Witnesses told police that Banales had been swerving and had almost hit another car before crashing into the inside of a median. Authorities said in April that they were searching for a dark blue Nissan 350Z or 370Z that was seen driving erratically near the crime scene, but nobody was arrested. The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division continues to offer a $25,000 reward for credible information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for his death. San Antonio Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information about the case. Ida Khalil demonstrates how to wash and prepare a body for burial at Beit Anan Community Center in Paterson, New Jersey, Oct. 22. Ida Khalil demonstrates how to wash and prepare a body for burial at Beit Anan Community Center in Paterson, New Jersey, Oct. 22. PATERSON, N.J. More than a dozen women watch closely as Ida Khalil measures the length of the mannequin lying on the white table in front of her, stretching the palm of her hand and moving up from the figures toes to its head. She then measures and cuts the white shroud, the garment in which Muslims are wrapped when they are buried three pieces of cloth for men and five for women. Muslims traditionally arent buried in caskets, a practice connected to the belief that everyone is equal in death and no one takes along any of the possessions, status or wealth they may have accumulated in life. Khalils voice, confident and clear, reverberates in the room as she explains the rituals of how to wash and wrap a body according to the Islamic tradition. She wears blue medical gloves and a medical apron over her long black abaya, a loose garment worn by Muslim women, that she paired with a keffiyeh-print hijab. Behind her are the Palestinian and American flags, representing the large Palestinian American community in the town. The women in the audience tilt their heads with Khalils every move, some taking detailed notes, others recording the demonstration on their phones. Some of the women came alone, while others came in pairs, including mothers and daughters. The women some in their early 20s, others in their 80s, and still others of every age in between sit in neat rows of folding chairs at this cultural center, their jackets hanging off the backs of seats. The sun sets, and a chilly fall wind hits the doors. Khalil giving a demonstration at Beit Anan Community Center, Oct. 22. Khalil giving a demonstration at Beit Anan Community Center, Oct. 22. Khalil is here because she believes its critical for the next generation of Muslim women to learn how to wash bodies. Otherwise, she worries, the tradition may be forgotten. In Islam, death is seen not as an end but rather as a transition from one lifetime to another. Its not a taboo subject, and Muslims are encouraged to prepare for death to come at any moment, including by learning the related traditions, rituals and spiritual elements through the Islamic faith. Despite this, many women in the U.S. are too afraid of touching a body to learn how to prepare for their loved ones deaths until its too late, Khalil said. They dont get that this is incredibly important, she told HuffPost. Youre Putting Them To Peace Islam, like many other religions, sets out a specific process for what should happen to a persons body after they die. The body must be washed and not embalmed, then buried quickly, usually within 24 hours. Men are usually washed by men, and women by women. There are a few exceptions made for relatives such as parents and children. The Islamic faith outlines the protocols for preparing the body, including washing it (starting with the right side), braiding the hair, perfuming the body and wrapping it in cotton. Audience members observe Khalil's demonstration. Audience members observe Khalil's demonstration. Above all, there is an emphasis on dignifying the deceased. Those who wash are forbidden from relating the details of a body, and the process is meant to occur in silence. Muslims believe that washing, burying and praying for the dead are a collective duty. When a member of the community passes, all are encouraged to participate in funeral prayers and send condolences to the family. Khalil, now 57, first learned to wash a body when she was 44. I said fine, let me take the class. But Ill never do this. Im afraid of dead people, she said, recalling when two women came to the mosque she attended to teach others how to carry out the process. A few months later, Khalils mother reached out. Her sister-in-law had died, and she wanted Khalil to wash her. Khalil was hesitant, but she didnt want to reject her mothers request. She showed up to the mosque, accompanied by two other women. The room was silent and Khalil found herself washing her aunts body without concern. She thought shed have trouble sleeping that night, but she slept well, knowing she could honor her mother and aunt. Thirteen years later, Khalil has washed more than a hundred women at three mosques across New Jersey. I used to be afraid of dead people, she said. Now I could sleep next to dead people. Khalil teaches other Muslim women how to wash and prepare a body for burial. Khalil teaches other Muslim women how to wash and prepare a body for burial. Some washes are harder than others. Khalil recalls washing and preparing the body of a 5-month-old fetus that did not make it to term. She also recalls washing the body of a domestic violence victim who was punctured with stab wounds. At the cultural center where Khalil taught her class, she demonstrated the Islamic pre-ritual wash conducted before prayers, washing between the mannequins fingers, face and feet up to the ankles. She used warm water, as she always does. She told her audience that she tells the families of the deceased to bring their loved ones favorite soaps and shampoos. Khalil told the women in the class to think about themselves and treat the body as they would want to be treated. Its their last bath, she told her audience. Picture yourself. Some women asked if nail polish and piercings should be removed. Yes, Khalil said. The majority of women said it was their first time taking Khalils class, though some said theyd taken one before. Naemeh Asfour, 25, attended Khalils class with her mother. It was her first time. Asfour and her mother had promised that whoever died first would wash the other. Everyones a little scared seeing someone dead, or seeing someone you love in that position, she said. But in reality, its very peaceful when you think about it. Youre giving someone that final bath and youre putting them to peace. Well Have To Step Up In Muslim-majority countries, funeral homes abide by the burial customs of the faith, a process that emphasizes minimalism. After the bodies are washed and wrapped with the white shroud, the deceased are buried facing toward Mecca, the city Muslims face to pray. But many funeral homes in the U.S. arent aware of Islamic traditions, or well equipped to carry them out. Ramla Shaikh recognized this immediately after moving to the U.S. in 1987. She noticed that the majority of funeral homes embalmed their dead the process of preserving a corpse by treating it with chemicals, which is forbidden by the Islamic faith or cremated them. Ramla Shaikh works with a local funeral home in Avon, Connecticut, to assist with Muslim burials. Ramla Shaikh works with a local funeral home in Avon, Connecticut, to assist with Muslim burials. So Shaikh, who lives in Avon, Connecticut, now collaborates with a local funeral home when someone in the areas Muslim community dies. If the body of a Muslim person is brought to the funeral home, they call Shaikh to make sure a Muslim, sometimes Shaikh herself, washes the body. Shaikh has also negotiated prices with the funeral home on the mosques behalf. Traditional services, which include embalming and holding a body for an extended period of time, cost approximately $10,000. But since Muslims prohibit embalming and bury their dead within 24 hours of their passing, Shaikh was able to reduce that cost to just $3,000. (The process is often paid for by social services in Muslim-majority countries, but in the U.S., people from a community band together to cover the costs. Shaikhs mosque will help families cover expenses if they cant afford them.) If somebody passes away in this country, a Muslim woman or a man, there isnt a service or arent any professionals who can do it here like for the Christians, Jews, or other religions, she said. We dont have that, so well have to step up and do it for our own. Shaikh has created a WhatsApp group to coordinate whenever someone in the community dies. Shes been able to help people all over the state. Shaikh, at right, and another woman demonstrate the preparation of a body for burial. Shaikh, at right, and another woman demonstrate the preparation of a body for burial. Shaikh first washed a body in 2004, when her mother died. She has since washed many more, including those of her mother-in-law and friends of friends, and she persuades other women to get involved with the practice. I needed to teach other people so when it comes my time, and I go, somebody will be there to wash me, she said. Safwan Shaikh the imam at Ramlas mosque, and no relation to her said his community is grateful to have Ramla to streamline the washing and shrouding for their members. Not all mosques are as organized, and the imam said those mosque administrators need to uphold their obligations to the community. In addition to offering religious guidance to the body washers, Safwan ensures that families of the deceased have access to the mosques resources, including a memorial service and assistance with expenses. Safwan Shaikh, an imam, works to ensure that families of Muslims who pass away have access to his mosques resources. Safwan Shaikh, an imam, works to ensure that families of Muslims who pass away have access to his mosques resources. Its something thats a necessity, Safwan said, and I cant imagine the community not having these for both men and women. The mosque had a womens washing team, headed by Ramla, before there was one for men. Muslim women have a lot of rights and responsibilities, she said. They are portrayed in front of the world that they are oppressed, but they are leaders in every way. Back in Paterson, Khalil hasnt taken a penny for her work. She never plans to. I would do it [for free], even if Im poor and I have nothing to eat and I have to beg, Khalil said. She said the experience has been life-changing. Its made her reflect on the shortness of life and her purpose in this world. Her demeanor fluctuates between patience and a somber acceptance, as shes no longer stressing over the small mishaps in life. A wrapped mannequin on a table during a demonstration by Khalil at Beit Anan Community Center. A wrapped mannequin on a table during a demonstration by Khalil at Beit Anan Community Center. Shes silent when she attends funerals and burials, and demands the same from those around her. A few weeks ago, she scolded funeral attendees who were being disruptive and making unnecessary small talk. Respecting the deceased means acknowledging what is to come, for her and for everyone else in that room. Were all going to be in this position, Khalil said. Its a part of life. This story was produced with support from the Round Earth Media program of the International Womens Media Foundation. A mother and her two-year-old son are among six people dead after tornadoes and severe thunderstorms tore through Tennessee on Saturday. Floridema Gabriel Perez, 31, and toddler son Anthony Elmer Mendez were killed when a mobile home rolled onto their house in the northern Nashville suburb of Madison, the Metro Nashville Police Department said. Joseph Dalton, 37, who was in the mobile home when it flipped, was also killed. Daltons 10-year-old son and Perezs 7-year-old son were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries, among 23 people who were injured in the storm, authorities said. Debris covers the area around homes destroyed in the West Creek Farms neighbourhood of Clarksville, Tennessee on Sunday (AP) Three other people were killed in the Clarksville area of Montgomery County, near the state border with Kentucky, after a tornado struck at around 2pm. The terrifying twisters damaged buildings, flipped vehicles and knocked out power to tens of thousands of residents. Footage posted to social media showed a huge fireball erupt south of the city of Goodlettsville as a tornado swept through the area. Six people are dead after tornadoes ripped through Tennessee on Saturday (Associated Press) Rescue teams were searching for survivors and surveying damage on Sunday morning, the Nashville Office of Emergency Management said on X. Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts declared a state of emergency in the city on Saturday night and imposed a curfew. This is devastating news and our hearts are broken for the families of those who lost loved ones, said in a statement. The city stands ready to help them in their time of grief. A resident examines the debris from a friends destroyed house in Clarksville, Tennessee (AP) Officials said it was vitally important that residents stay away from devastated areas to allow emergency crews and utility workers to go about their work unimpeded. Governor Bill Lee thanked first responders for their quick response in a statement posted to X on Saturday night. Maria and I are praying for all Tennesseans who have been impacted by the tornadoes that swept through the state this evening, he said. The National Weather Service said at least two large, dangerous tornadoes had touched down in Montgomery County and near the town of Rutherford in Gibson County. Two dozen more tornado reports were received across five states on Saturday, sparked by a sprawling weather system that brought storms to a large swathe of the eastern US, the NWS said. The adverse weather conditions were expected to last into Sunday. A semitrailer is overturned by an apparent tornado on West Main Street in Hendersonville, Tennessee (THE TENNESSEAN) Montgomery County mayor Wes Golden said: We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes. This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end. The storm came nearly two years to the day after 41 tornadoes were recorded through a handful of heartland states, including 16 in Tennessee and eight in Kentucky. A total of 81 people died in Kentucky alone. Photos posted by the Clarksville fire department on social media showed damaged houses with debris strewn across lawns, a tractor-trailer flipped on its side on a highway and insulation ripped out of building walls. More than 63,000 homes were without power across Tennessee and Alabama on Sunday morning, according to Poweroutage.us. The four brothers were killed in a house fire in December 2021 The mother of two sets of twins who died in a house fire in Sutton, south London, two years ago has been charged with their manslaughter. Four-year-old twins, Kyson and Bryson Hoath and their younger twin brothers, Leyton and Logan Hoath, died in December 2021 when a fire ripped through their home. The London Fire Brigade launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and a woman was arrested on suspicion of child neglect after it emerged the children were alone in the house at the time of the fire. Last month the boys mother, Deveca Rose, 29, was charged with four counts of manslaughter and child abandonment. She is due to appear before Croydon Magistrates Court on Monday. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: Officers understand the significant impact on the local community following this devastating incident, and they would like to reassure people that this extremely complex investigation continues, supported by partner agencies including the Crown Prosecution Service and London Fire Brigade. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A routine traffic stop turned deadly after a motorcyclist crashed into a parked Hillsborough County deputys vehicle Saturday night. Deputies said at about 10 p.m., a deputy was in the middle of conducting a traffic stop near the intersection of US-301 and Ayersworth Glen Boulevard when a man driving a motorcycle crashed into the deputys vehicle. Missing: 72-year-old South Tampa woman caught on camera walking away from home The deputy and paramedics tried to save the man, but he died at the scene. The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office said the deputy was not injured. The Florida Highway Patrol has now taken charge of the investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. My 87-year-old stepdad had had three strokes. He was alone in Florida, the mecca for New Englanders. We grew up in snowy, hilly, tree-entombed Connecticut. Florida is a northern snowbirds haven, a place for winter sufferers on the northeastern seaboard land of warmth, alligators, low taxes, high temperatures, oceans on both coasts and cheaper housing. Twenty-five sunny years passed for him there as did a handful of his Florida friends. Some moved on, with the onset of aging, back to wherever home was. Others passed to the retired dance hall in the sky. There are few benefits to making it to ones later years when your friends dont. My stepdad was in rehab in Florida and we, the kids, decided it was time to get him closer to one of us. He chose my sister as she is in Connecticut and that is where we grew up. My sister flew to Florida and did all the medical and legal heavy lifting to set the stage for moving him, plus selling his house and car. Moving at any time is an ominous, life-readjusting undertaking for many reasons: role reversal, financial realities, time constraints, medical issues, bureaucracy, bureaucratic constraints and then more bureaucratic issues, at every turn. But when youre elderly its not so nice. My role: Fly from California. Get our stepdad out of rehab, put him on a plane, deliver him to the assisted living residence, and stay a few nights with him to help in the transition. Bureaucracy required us to be in Connecticut on a certain day and our tickets were purchased to comply. The rehab doctor discharging him insisted on an oxygen unit accompanying him. I had 12 hours to get that. We got lost on the ride to the Tampa airport. My stepdad needed a walker, which we had. The airline provided a super service, a wheelchair, shorter routes to security and expedited help through security. It would have been impossible without them. (JetBlue, thank you.) However, things did not continue going so well, even before the flight. A passenger had passed away on the flight we needed to get on. The expired passenger was wheeled off on a stretcher with a medical team hammering on his heart. Not so nice to see. Required protocols began and the flight departure time lengthened. People became fidgety. Eventually we got on the plane, but as we taxied down the runway, two different women lost their cool and became aggressive and obnoxious. The plane turned around heading back to the terminal with them being threatened with arrest. The passengers booed, cat-called and threatened them back to an acceptable level of human behavior. We resumed our flight. Anyway, it has been a numbing ordeal, a glimpse of a life change, a look down that infamous tunnel with the dim light at the end. I suspect it will be my stepdads last flight. And once he was officially settled in the residence, I did something I have never done before. I gave my stepdad a shower. How long for each of us before the soap goes from our hands to our childrens hands? Not too long. Not too long. Paul H. Karrer is a teacher who taught in Samoa, Korea, England, California and Connecticut. His podcast is called Teacher Tails. The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office said that Caleb Sloan, wanted since early October for the murder of Brandon Egeler, was arrested in Kingston Saturday afternoon. A man wanted for a little more than two months for a North Kitsap murder case was taken into custody Saturday afternoon following vehicle and foot pursuits, the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office said. Caleb Sloan was charged Oct. 3 for the murder of Brandon Egeler following a fatal shooting at a residence just outside Poulsbo city limits on Lincoln Road, and investigators had been seeking him since then. Another man, Aksel Strom, was also charged for the killing, and Strom was arrested later that month. Caleb R. Sloan In a social media post, the sheriff's office said that Kitsap County deputies were notified at about 1:45 p.m. Saturday that the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office was pursuing a car that Sloan was driving. Jefferson County deputies lost sight of the vehicle on the Hood Canal Bridge, but a Kitsap deputy spotted the vehicle on Highway 104 between Port Gamble and Kingston and began chasing it. The sheriff's office said that Sloan crashed into an Amazon truck at the intersection of West Kingston Road and South Kingston Road. Sloan ran from the vehicle and was apprehended by the chasing deputy. The sheriff's office said that Sloan was being medically cleared at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale before being booked into the Kitsap County Jail. Sloan is expected to make an initial appearance in Kitsap County Superior Court on Monday. Original story: Drugs floated as possible motive for North Kitsap murder as search continues for 2 men This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Murder suspect wanted for 2 months arrested in Kingston Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) rested blame on Republicans for the slow progress on aid negotiations in an interview Sunday, while stressing the precarious situation the world is in without coming to a deal. Its absolutely tragic that Republicans are tying the resolution of maybe the most difficult issue in American politics immigration to support for Ukraine and Israel, Murphy said in an interview on NBC Newss Meet the Press. [Russian President] Vladimir Putin is delighting right now in Republicans insistence that we get a deal on immigration reform. And if we dont, then they are going to allow Vladimir Putin to march into Ukraine, and perhaps into Europe, Murphy said. This is one of the most dangerous moments that Ive ever faced in American politics, he added. And I wish Republicans werent holding Israel aid and aid to Ukraine hostage to the resolution of immigration reform. Murphy, lead Democrat in Senate negotiations over President Bidens supplemental aid package request, insisted Democrats were still at the table willing to discuss the border. That being said, we are still in the room, trying to deal [with] Republican demands. We are not going to put Donald Trumps immigration policies into statutes. Were not going to do that. That would be bad for the country. But we do need to do something to try to resolve this crisis at the border, he said. We have too many people crossing, too many people that dont have valid asylum claims. And if Republicans are serious about trying to control that crisis, while also still allowing into the country people who are legitimately fleeing terror, and torture, and violence, then we can come to a resolution, he added. Last week, Senate Republicans blocked a bill introduced by Democrats that would have provided additional aid to Ukraine and Israel but did not include border provisions. Senators voted 49-51, failing to reach the 60-vote threshold that would allow the proposal to come up for consideration. Asked for a gut check on the likelihood of finding a resolution on the matter, Murphy struck a pessimistic tone, saying, I mean, right now Republican demands are unreasonable. They dont actually get Democratic votes. If I were a cynic, he continued, I would say that Republicans have decided to tie support for Ukraine to immigration reform because they want Ukraine aid to fail. But Im not a cynic, and so we are still trying to resolve some pretty big differences that remain. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. U.S. billionaire, X (Twitter) and Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, demanded an explanation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the detention of the Moscow-aligned blogger Gonzalo Lira Ukraines SBU security service in his X post on Dec. 10. Musk made his demand in response to an X post by former FOX TV host Tucker Carlson, who accused the Ukrainian authorities of "torturing Gonzalo Lira in a Ukrainian prison since July, for the crime of criticizing Zelenskyy. Read also: Elon Musk shut down Starlink over Crimea to prevent Ukrainian drone attack, says CNN In his reports, Carlson frequently makes false claims about Ukraine, based on Kremlin propaganda tropes. Musk said he believes that Ukraine should release the pro-Russian blogger, since the United States has sent the country more than $100 billion. Read also: Is Elon Musk a traitor? US to hold closed-door meeting over whether billionaire is conducting own foreign policy "An American citizen is in prison in Ukraine after we sent over a $100 billion? Is there more to this story than simply criticizing Zelenskyy? If thats all it is, then we have serious problem here," he wrote, tagging the Ukrainian president in the comment and asking for an explanation. U.S. President Joe Biden was also queried about the status of "this American journalist." The SBU arrested pro-Russian blogger Gonzalo Lira in Kharkiv. He was accused of denying Russian war crimes and insulting Ukrainian troops, the SBU said in a Telegram post on May 5. According to the investigation, the man is a citizen of a Latin American country but has lived in Kharkiv for several years. Law enforcement agencies accuse him of supporting the Russian occupation and glorifying Moscows apparent war crimes during the war. In the spring of 2022, he filmed provocative videos, showing the faces of Ukrainian soldiers and insulting the countrys defenders. He posted the videos on YouTube and Twitter, where he has nearly 300,000 followers. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine In a generous gesture, the Nassau County Sheriffs Office donated two used vehicles to Yulee High Schools automotive class on Tuesday. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The vehicles, a Chevrolet Equinox and Silverado will provide students with practical learning opportunities in automotive maintenance and repair. The initiative aims to enhance students understanding of various aspects, including engine mechanics, transmission systems, and suspension components. The donation reflects the Nassau County Sheriffs commitment to supporting education and fostering hands-on experience in the automotive field. The students at Yulee High Schools automotive class are set to embark on an educational journey, gaining valuable skills as they work on the donated vehicles within their workshop. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced Wednesday that the National Park Service is launching an initiative with Native American tribes to tell a more complete story of American history at the countrys 428 national park sites. I want to talk about how we tell our stories, Haaland, who is the first Indigenous U.S. Cabinet secretary, said in remarks at the White House Tribal Nations Summit. There are parts of our history that are painful, but they do not define us, she said. We define ourselves by the world we collectively build for current and future generations. It is up to all of us to tell our stories. And not just the stories of the bad times but of those that we celebrate. Those that show our resilience, our strength and our contributions. In that vein, Haaland announced that the park service is teaming up with tribes and academics for a theme study on the Indian Reorganization Period, one of the most consequential periods of our history. The centerpiece of this era, which spanned from the 1930s to the 1950s, was the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act a federal law also referred to as the Indian New Deal that enabled tribal self-government and focused on improving the economic and social conditions of Native Americans. We saw for the first time since colonization federal support for Indigenous cultures, economic recovery, self-determination and governance, said the interior secretary. While injustices and the continued implementation of assimilation policies persisted in many Indigenous communities, this is a period that deserves our attention. I look forward to seeing what the service creates with the help and input of our communities. The countrys national park sites are all, in a sense, sites of storytelling. Every year, the federal agency logs hundreds of millions of visits at its parks, and each site, with its placards and monuments, tells a story about the history of the region. Often missing at these sites, though, are the stories from the Indigenous peoples who lived on that land for thousands of years, way before colonizers came and claimed the land as their own. HuffPost talked to National Park Service Director Charles Sams about what the new theme study will do, why it matters that Indigenous people be given the chance to tell their stories about the land in national parks, and what it means for how visitors will experience national parks after it is done. Sams, like Haaland, brings a fresh perspective to the idea of who tells the story of American history, as the first Indigenous person to lead the park service. This Q&A has been lightly edited for brevity. Charles Sams, the director of the National Park Service. Charles Sams, the director of the National Park Service. Tell me what this theme study means and how it came about. When I took this position, the secretary charged me to tell Americas story fiercely, regardless of the bad, the ugly or the good. To dig for the truth and get it out there, so we can see a reflection of ourselves in our stories and understand who we are and what our history has been as Americans. Early on, she asked me to review how we are doing storytelling across Indian Country. As you know, our parks tend to tell a story in the past tense. Sometimes they dont really fully recognize that tribal sovereign nations exist and that they have a seat at the table in partnership with the federal government. So she asked myself and Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland to look at our history as Native people and look at the different potential themes for discussion. When you look at the American history that every American kid has to take growing up, there is pre-contact [the era before the arrival of Europeans], point of contact, Colonialism, Revolutionary War, post-Revolutionary War, antebellum Civil War, Reconstruction. Thats the timeline. The timeline in Indian Country is a little different. We look back tens of thousands of years. Then we have contact, then we have colonization of America. But then things look a little different as we look into assimilation, removal and annexation of our lands, prior to treaty-making. Then theres the time period in American Indian history of the Indian Reorganization Act. Then were looking at self-determination and what do tribes look like today. So [Assistant] Secretary Newland and I took a good look at our history and started to see where there might be gaps to tell a more complete history throughout the National Park Service. We recommended the Indian Reorganization Act, from the 1930s to the 1950s, and will concentrate on our ability to tell the modern era of tribal governments how did tribes transition, what does that look like, what has happened since the Indian Reorganization Act. What did the Indian Reorganization Act allow tribes to do? They could adopt a constitution provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They could set up a business council rather than a constitution to deal with commodities that come off the reservation. They could preserve a more traditional form of government; a number of tribes did do that, like in California or the Pueblo tribe in the Southwest they created a governor system. Or, they could say: We dont want any of these things. We want to keep our form of government. Our theme study will look at this time period, what it meant for tribes, how they were able to use or not use the Indian Reorganization Act to form modern governments. What is an example of how this work with tribes will translate to updates in parks? The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, where Im from, we have a peace treaty from 1855, with the Walla Walla Tribe. It says that I reserved all my rights to places to hunt, fish and gather. So if you travel to Yellowstone National Park, right now you dont see anything on that. When the modern government came into effect, their charge was to protect and enhance our treaty rights. So you might see a placard offering a more complete story about my tribe who, under their treaties and modern forms of government, were able to ensure that tribal members could still hunt and gather in places such as Yellowstone. What are some of the ugly things that people might learn? The Indian Claims Commission was created in 1945, set up in 1946 and set up as an opportunity for tribes to bring before the federal government any and all claims of wrongdoing in a way that the federal government would recognize and acknowledge that it did something wrong to tribes and to compensate them for that loss. The ugly part is that many times during the Indian Claims Commission, it was just a monetary reward given and not land back. For some tribes, that was not their purpose. They thought they were going to be made whole, with their lands returned, or a better understanding of their rights would come about. But many times, their rights were lost. Is this kind of detail something that might appear on a placard in a national park? Were talking with tribes. That might be something that comes of it, or a new historical landmark. The recommendations [for the stories being told at parks] will come directly from tribes. Thats what the study will show. Across Indian Country, what stories do they want to tell? The recommendations could end up becoming a park. They could end up having consideration before Congress. How long will this process take, from soliciting story ideas from tribes and translating them into historical information shared in parks? It can take a couple of years. We have to complete the theme study, and then report it to Congress and the president. So if Donald Trump became president after the 2024 election, is this something that he could potentially stop while it was underway if he didnt support doing it? I dont know of a theme study thats never been completed. Weve done several in the past. If you go to the National Park Service website and put in theme studies, you can see the theme studies weve done. Contact with American Indians. Clash of cultures on trails. African American outdoor recreation. Astronomy and astrophysics. These types of theme studies, they go through the academic process, but they are community-driven in terms of the holders of these stories and where they wish to tell them. Anything else you want to say about this project? When I was a young sailor [in the Navy] at age 18, I was stationed in Virginia. There was a two-week break where my buddies and I went from Maine to Florida, visiting as many national parks and monuments as we could. That left a truly deep-seated understanding for me of the National Park Service. It really is a storyteller. From the Colonial time period, in Virginia to Florida, to the Revolutionary War, we have parks up and down the Eastern Seaboard that give context on who we are as Americans. Many times, I feel like the parks are part of Americas consciousness. They dont try to lead you to a conclusion. They try to get you to understand that time period. It should impact you so you carry those stories with you when you leave the park. Wind chill temperatures will be very cold across much of Texas on Sunday morning. Teens are possible in the northwest part of the state, while San Antonio will see wind chills dip into the 30s. Pivotal Weather The long-awaited cold front swept through South Texas Saturday afternoon, transforming a warm afternoon into a chilly, blustery night in San Antonio. Temperatures will continue to fall fast Sunday morning, and the wind will make things feel even colder outside. Wind chill values will likely fall to their lowest level so far this fall and winter. A frigid morning Advertisement Article continues below this ad As the wind picked up Saturday night, it was transferring colder air from the north into South Texas. The wind will start to lighten up Sunday morning, but it is still expected to move in at 15 mph through 9 a.m. If you factor in actual temperatures falling to between 41 and 43 degrees, you get wind chill values between 33 and 36 degrees in the San Antonio metro area. Wind chill is a measure of how cold your body perceives the outside environment to be. In normal circumstances, your body maintains a constant internal temperature and radiates heat through the skin. However, high winds can accelerate the heat loss, and wind chill is the direct result. Thankfully, temperatures will not stay that cold all day. Thanks to the very dry air provided by the cold front, there will actually be bright sunshine and not a cloud in the sky for much of the day. This will allow temperatures to warm up to more comfortable levels. Highs will reach the upper 50s to near 60 degrees. While that is below average, it wont be too bad after the winds die down in the afternoon. Even colder Monday morning Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wind chill will no longer be an issue, but the coldest air temperatures will arrive late Sunday and early Monday morning. This is when low temperatures will reach their lowest point so far this winter. Clear skies will help bring temperatures down, reaching lows between 33 and 36 degrees in the San Antonio metro area. Here is a look at expected low temperatures Monday morning. Many areas in South Texas will see temps get close to the freezing mark. NWS Austin/San Antonio It appears San Antonio will likely stay above the freezing mark. Even so, be sure to bring in any sensitive plants. Areas outside of San Antonio will be several degrees colder. Towns in the Hill Country, such as Fredericksburg, Kerrville, and Boerne, are expected to see a light freeze. Here, low temperatures will fall to between 29 and 32 degrees Monday morning. Other areas surrounding the Alamo City, such as Hondo, New Braunfels and San Marcos, will see temps fall near the freezing mark. Changes in the week ahead Advertisement Article continues below this ad After the frigid start on Monday, the sun will stay out and temperatures will rise well into the 60s, making for a beautiful afternoon. Things will start to change Tuesday as partly cloudy skies develop through the day. Dry weather is expected to stay though as highs stay in the 60s. Rain chances will pick up by the middle of the week, Here is what the radar could look like on Wednesday. Pivotal Weather Rain chances will start to rise as we head into the middle and second half of the week. By Wednesday and Thursday, chances will be about 30% in San Antonio. Temperatures will stay cool, but they wont be frigid. Highs will hover in the low to mid 60s while lows stay in the low 50s. WASHINGTON In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently. Interior invests $300,000 in National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education On Monday, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland announced that the Department of the Interior is transferring more than $300,000 to the National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education, a federally chartered charitable nonprofit corporation established by Congress to further educational opportunities for American Indian students attending schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education. The renewed collaborative effort to develop new and sustainable funding will help create curricula from an Indigenous lens and center programming, culture-based models and language learning in BIE schools. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the renewal of the Fund, which had been inactive for decades, at the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit. This investment will allow the Fund to continue its efforts to undertake projects for the direct benefit of students attending Bureau of Indian Education schools. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. We have worked closely with the National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education since Secretary Haaland announced the renewal of the nonprofit last year, and were pleased to see the progress the board has made so far, said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland. Todays investment is one step among many that we are taking to support Tribally led education initiatives, including our work on Native language revitalization. The Funds mission is to promote educational opportunities through increasing the available resources by bringing together revenue from philanthropic, private and public sectors. This investment will measurably improve the academic and life outcomes for students and will support the Bureau of Indian Educations mission of delivering a culturally relevant, high-quality education, which includes Native language revitalization efforts. SBA Says Loans to Native-owned Businesses Have Increased by 70% During Biden-Harris Administration At the White House Tribal Nations Summit, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman joined a panel moderated by Chief Lynn Malerba, chief of the Mohegan Tribe and the first Native American Treasurer of United States, to discuss the Small Business Administrations efforts to support the success of Native-owned small businesses through training and technical assistance in the SBA Office of Native American Affairs and how the SBA is streamlining the 8(a) certification process for Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations and Native Hawaiian Organization entities. Administrator Guzman also discussed progress made under the Biden-Harris Administration, including a 70% increase in total loans to Native-owned businesses and updates to the SBA Tribal Consultation Policy, recommitting the government-to-government relationship between tribes and the federal government. Gila River Indian Community Receives $5.65 Million for Solar Panels The Biden-Harris administration on Friday announced $5.65 million from President Bidens Investing in America Agenda for the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona to construct and install solar panels over the Casa Blanca Canal. Solar panels placed over canals have the potential to create several significant benefits, including: Generating renewable energy; Reducing evaporation losses of the canal; Increasing efficiency and production of solar panels because of the cooling effect of the water beneath the panels; Creating land savings for open space and agricultural use; Reducing facility maintenance by mitigating algae and/or aquatic plant growth; and Reducing the energy footprint and carbon emissions required to operate and maintain the facility. The Department of the Interiors Bureau of Reclamation will work with the Gila River Indian Community to cover 2,782 linear feet of the Casa Blanca canal with approximately 2,556 solar panels. The solar panels are expected to generate 1.31 megawatts of clean energy, providing 2.26 million kilowatt-hours of annual electricity to the Gila River Indian Community. This pilot will serve as a five-year study period and provide important information for future solar projects over canals and for the Gila River Indian Community as they seek to include solar panels over 18.5 miles of canal. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net (PORTLAND TRIBUNE) A Newberg resident tops a list of three artists lauded recently in an international competition that calls on them to illustrate a science fiction literary work. Peggy Hooper is the first-place winner in the third quarter of the L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future Contest, begun by the American author and founder of Scientology in 1982 on the 50th anniversary of the release of his best-selling book, Battlefield Earth: The Saga of the Year 3000. For her efforts, Hooper, a 38-year-old Indiana native known in the art world by her moniker Gigi Hooper, will join fellow illustrators Jennifer Mellen of Utah and Pedro Nascimento of Portugal in traveling to Hollywood for a weeklong master class and an awards event. How the University of Oregon used volcanology to make a better espresso Additionally, her winning art will be published in an anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Volume 40. The trio are among the 394 artists recognized by the Illustrators of the Future Contest since its inception in 1987. Over those 34 years, the artists have gone on to produce more than 6,800 illustrations, 390 comic books, 700 books and albums and visually contributed to 68 television shows and 40 major movies. Read more at PortlandTribune.com The Portland Tribune and its parent company Pamplin Media Group are KOIN 6 News media partners For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Bariloche's soaring mountains and scenic lakes are part of what reminds its visitors of Switzerland. Francisco Ramos Mejia/Getty Images, Jordan Parker Erb/Business Insider This month, I visited Bariloche, an Argentine town that is often compared to Switzerland. Located in Patagonia along the banks of the Nahuel Huapi lake, the town does have a Swiss feel to it. Germans, Swiss, and Italians immigrated there in the 1800s, thus giving it its European vibe. People love drawing comparisons between Switzerland and other places around the globe. Take, for example, Jim Thorpe, a town in Pennsylvania that's been deemed the "Little Switzerland of America." There's also Uruguay, which in 1951 was declared the "Switzerland of South America" by a New York Times article because of its banking regulations at the time. More recently, however, some in the travel industry have crowned another town the "Little Switzerland of South America" this time for its scenic views, architecture, and European feel. I visited San Carlos de Bariloche, located in Argentina's Patagonia region, earlier this month. Here's what it was like. Bariloche is located in western Argentina, near its border with Chile. It's in the north of Patagonia, the geographical region that straddles the two countries. San Carlos de Bariloche is in the middle of Argentina, near its border with Chile. Google Maps Tucked into Patagonia's Lake District and Argentina's Nahuel Huapi National Park, the city is a dream for outdoor enthusiasts. A view of Argentina's Lake District, where Bariloche is located. Christine Phillips/Getty Images I visited with family this month, and was blown away by how much it resembled Switzerland. Business Insider's reporter at Nahuel Huapi Lake. Jordan Parker Erb/Business Insider From town, you can see Nahuel Huapi lake, the glacial body of water that Bariloche is situated on. A view of Nahuel Huapi Lake from Bariloche. Jordan Parker Erb/Business Insider The town's architecture was reminiscent of Europe. That's because Germans, Swiss, and Italians immigrated there in the 1800s, and again after World War II. A building in Bariloche's city center. Jordan Parker Erb/Business Insider Walking through Bariloche's main street felt like strolling through an alpine village. A building in Bariloche's city center. Jordan Parker Erb/Business Insider There were tons of quaint chocolate shops, another callback to the town's European roots. Mamuschka is a Barilcohe-based chocolatier. Jordan Parker Erb/Business Insider Though I didn't visit it myself, Bariloche is also home to the Llao Llao Resort, a massive estate that looks like it belongs in the Alps. The Llao Llao Resort in Bariloche, Argentina. Francisco Ramos Mejia/Getty Instead, my family and I stayed at an Airbnb that felt like its own private Swiss retreat. A view from an Airbnb outside of Bariloche, Argentina. Jordan Parker Erb/Business Insider Between the architecture and scenery, I can totally see why Bariloche gets compared to Switzerland. Cathedral of Our Lady of Nahuel Huapi, located in Bariloche, Argentina. Alex Joukowski Read the original article on Business Insider To paraphrase Chicagos song Harry Truman: Britain needs you, Nigel Farage. Nigel, wont you please come home? While the Big Man has been flashing his bottom in the jungle, the Rwanda plan has fallen apart culminating in the spectacle, this week, of the PM putting a bill to Parliament that both his former home secretary and immigration minister say wont work. Im against it on principle. The plan is unethical; just as bad, it is impractical, and Rishi Sunak has made the fatal mistake of promising something he cannot do. To deport people to Rwanda (where, according to Human Rights Watch, arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and torture ... are commonplace) requires a sustained fight against philosophy and laws something Sunak has stopped short of, even though history shows that if any proposal contains even the smallest loophole, lawyers will push right through it. The latest bill is certainly not watertight; a sizable rebellion is predicted. Given Sunaks signature pledge to stop the boats, defeat should be considered a confidence matter heaven knows, most of us are crying out for an election. Its in the best interests of conservatism. The longer Sunak stays in power, making elementary mistakes, the harder the Tories will find it to rebuild their reputation in opposition. What wonderful timing, therefore, that this dingos dinner should take place just as Farage returns from his stint on Im a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! Theres a fantasy that once the Tories are out of office, he might become their leader, but I cant even see the party machinery tolerating him becoming an MP. His chief role in the past decade has been to attack the Conservatives mercilessly from the Right, syphoning off votes to Ukip, the Brexit Party which pushed Theresa May into fifth place in 2019 and now Reform, of which he remains the honorary president. The Conservatives hate him. Im pretty sure he hates them. To Farage, they must seem less like a serious political movement than a social club, one from which he has been repeatedly excluded denying him even the peerage that was rightfully his after the Brexit referendum. Of course, from time to time the two have found it expedient to flirt with each other, because they fish from the same pool of voters. In 2004, says Nigel, the Tories asked if hed like to be a parliamentary candidate. According to Michael Cricks biography, he approached them and arrived at a secret meeting dressed as a country squire. If Cricks telling drips with snobbery, its because Farage embodies a brand of conservatism that the Tories rejected years ago and base their self-worth on being a repudiation of. He is provincial. He is perceived by many liberals to be a bigot. And perhaps worst of all, he smokes. At an elite level, the Tories have deliberately blurred their politics and style to look like Labour, at the same time that Labour has done its best to sound like Tories with the result that to most voters politicians have become indistinguishable and 99 per cent of them are unrecognisable. This is what gives Farage his opening. There was a fascinating moment in the jungle when contestants Tony Bellew and Josie Gibson interrogated Farage about his views and were surprised to learn that he doesnt sit in the Commons. Later, Gibson said: I had no idea he used to work for the European Parliament It just goes to show how ignorant Ive been! Gibson is a presenter for ITVs This Morning. Perhaps people dont know what Farage does, but they know where he stands, and his uniform of corduroys and cap like Maggies handbag unites political and personal. Though Im a Celebritys ratings were down (blame the death of TV) and Farage provided few viral moments because he was disarmingly emollient, many viewers will have said, I heard this bloke was barmy, yet he seems all right to me and thus he flies home solidified in the consciousness as distinctive but also ordinary. Even distinctively ordinary. Given that he has dedicated most of his life to the bizarro world of Eurosceptic politics, this is an astonishing achievement. But hes never won a parliamentary seat! cry the critics. True, but you can blame that on the first-past-the-post system and if we did have PR, Ukip would have won enough seats in 2015 to form a coalition with David Cameron. Today Reform is pushing 10 per cent competitive with the Lib Dems and far better than the Brexit Party in 2019 a number calculated to cost the Tories up to 35 seats. Whats holding the party back is Farage putting his media career first. If he returns to the leadership, he would probably destroy that daydream of ever being a big player in the Tories, but he might boost the Reform vote and perform a truly historic task. Were the Tories simply beaten by Labour, it would be interpreted to mean that the public has swung to the centre-Left. If they are crushed completely thanks to a strong Reform performance it would send a very different message, that they can never regain power unless they relaunch as a party of the centre-Right. And I find this scenario increasingly attractive. One thing the Tories have always held over small-C conservative voters is the warning: Labour will be worse that if you let the Left in, Starmer will open the borders, raise taxes and hand the culture over to lunatics. But given that the Conservatives have done all of those things with knobs on, how could granting Labour a Reform-assisted landslide be any worse than a substantial majority? It would certainly make for some compelling reality TV on election night. I had never watched Im a Celebrity before this series, but it has given me ideas. Now I can see the parliamentary Tory party being cocooned by spiders, snapped at by crocodiles and squeezed by snakes until so many of them have been chased out of office by the restless voters that the next leader of the party has to be selected by its two remaining MPs, Des Swayne and Christopher Chope. Do it, Nigel! Make it happen! Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. FILE PHOTO: Kim Son Gyong, Director General of European Department of North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs talks to Reuters reporters in Pyongyang SEOUL (Reuters) - A North Korean senior official criticised the United States for blocking a U.N. resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, claiming the veto showed Washington's "double standards", North Korean state media KCNA said on Sunday. The United States vetoed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza at the United Nations Security Council on Friday. The ceasefire resolution at the U.N. failed to pass after the United States vetoed the proposal and Britain abstained. "The United States' abuse of its veto power to protect an ally that massacred tens of thousands of civilians is not only a manifestation of illegal and unreasonable double standards, but also the height of inhumane evil," Kim Son Gyong, North Korea's vice foreign minister for international organisations, said via KCNA. Kim argued the United States was contradicting itself by condoning continued fighting in Gaza while condemning North Korea's recent satellite launch that caused no harm to any other country. The national security advisers of the U.S., South Korea and Japan met on Saturday to reaffirm their coordinated response to North Korea's threats, as North Korea warned it would deploy more spy satellites. (Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) A North Texas woman was convicted at trial of defrauding elderly victims in online-dating schemes, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton announced in a news release on Friday. After seven days of trial, a jury convicted 33-year-old Ijeoma Okoro, of Aubrey, Texas, of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Ms. Okoro and her coconspirators stole money from retirement accounts, pensions and other sources as part of several romance scams, said Christopher J. Altemus Jr., special agent in charge of the IRS Criminal Investigations Dallas Field Office, in the release. These individuals preyed on unsuspecting women and men, gaining their trust and confidence, in order to ultimately empty their bank accounts. This verdict should send a clear message to those who would consider conducting or participating in these types of fraudulent financial schemes. According to evidence presented at trial, the fraudsters assumed fake names and trolled dating sites such as Match.com and Zoosk, searching for targets, the release says. Once they ingratiated themselves to victims most were widowed or divorced with promises of long-term commitment, they concocted elaborate stories about why they needed financial assistance, the release states. A common story was the need to travel overseas for work and inability to access a bank account. To solve a work-related crisis or pay for urgent medical treatment for a family member, a fraudster would ask a victim to send money to cover the expenses, promising to pay them in the near future, according to the release. The victims sent thousands of dollars to bank accounts opened by Okoro and her co-conspirators. Okoro distributed the fraudulent proceeds to her co-conspirators and claimed a cut for herself, according to the release. She faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the wire fraud conspiracy and up to 10 years on the count of money laundering conspiracy. Okoro must also repay the victims. The IRS Criminal Investigation led the investigation with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigations Frisco Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Walters, Jenna Rudoff and Elyse Lyons prosecuted the case. The Philippine Christmas convoy of the civic group Atin Ito (This is Ours) Coalition has been requested to return to port after vessels from the Chinese Navy and Coast Guard were spotted while sailing toward islands in the South China Sea that Manila was claiming. According to Filipino broadcaster ABS-CBN, there was a change of plans after several incidents of Chinese Coast Guard ships harassing Filipino vessels merely hours before the group aboard the training ship Felix Oca and an escorting Philippine Coast Guard task force led by the BRP Melchora Aquino set sail. Twitter Error The center-left party Akbayan, a principal component of the coalition, said in a statement that they were returning to El Nido after consultations with the Philippine Coast Guard. The party added that the decision was made after two Chinese PLA ships, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel, and a Chinese cargo ship shadowed their course beginning 15:40 local time (07:40 UTC). However, organizers have not indicated that the mission was aborted. Over this weekend, the Chinese coast guard targeted Filipino vessels with water cannon blasts, which caused damage and endangered Filipino crew members aboard. The Associated Press reported that Manila and Washington both immediately condemned the latest confrontation near the Second Thomas Shoal. On the other hand, Beijing officials justified their actions as "in accordance with laws and regulations" without elaborating further. Read Also: Chinese Spy Balloon Appears in Taiwan Strait, Defense Ministry Claims Setting Sail to Bring Christmas Cheer The voyage began early Sunday morning (December 10) from the port and tourist town of El Nido in the island province of Palawan. Aside from sending a clear message to China by peacefully defending Filipino sovereignty over territories and waters, the Philippines claim as theirs, Akbayan said in an earlier statement that the mission to the West Philippine Sea - as Manila officials call the part of the South China Sea that falls under its exclusive economic zone - aimed to "deliver donations and essential supplies to fisherfolk communities and frontliners," as well as bring the Christmas holiday cheer to the area. Coincidentally, December 10 this year was the 125th anniversary of the ratification of the Treaty of Paris, which finalized the handover of Spain's remaining overseas territories to the United States. Aboard the Oca were around 200 volunteers, including youth and student leaders, sectoral representatives, local fishermen and their boats, local and international journalists, and at least two priests acting as chaplains for the voyage, the Philippine Star reported. The Philippine National Security Council initially discouraged the flotilla from approaching contested waters. One of them is the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era vessel that intentionally ran aground the Second Thomas Shoal as a naval deterrent and outpost. Officials have since reversed their decision, provided they were escorted by Philippine Coast Guard vessels. It was also previously reported that Philippine Senator Francis Tolentino expressed concern over what Beijing would do in retaliation to the voyag Related Article: Filipino Senator Warns of China's Actions as Christmas Convoy Gets Green-Lit @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister, has said he will not support Rishi Sunaks Rwanda Bill when it comes before the Commons this week. In a pointed rebuttal to the Prime Minister, he said it was very clear to those who understood the issues that the Bill will not work. Mr Sunak accused Mr Jenrick of not understanding the problem in their exchange of letters after the immigration minister quit on Wednesday within hours of the draft Bill being published. Mr Sunak has rejected claims that the Bill could fail because of multiple individual legal challenges against the legislation by migrants, saying they would be vanishingly small, and warned the deportation scheme could collapse if the Government went further because of Rwandas objections to any breach in international law. However, he is facing a double threat of a revolt over the legislation from the Right of his party, who are unhappy that the Bill does not go far enough in closing off challenges from individual migrants and Strasbourg judges, and centrists who fear it goes too far in testing domestic and international human rights law. A star chamber of Conservative lawyers advising the Right of the party has concluded that the Bill is not watertight in avoiding legal challenges by illegal migrants, while the centrist One Nation Group is due to receive its legal opinion on the Bill on Monday from Lord Garnier KC, a former solicitor general. Bill doesnt do the job Speaking on BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuennsberg, Mr Jenrick said a political choice had been made to bring forward a Bill that doesnt do the job. He warned that section four of the Bill allowing migrants to appeal their deportation on an individual basis would lead to a range of legal claims, which will bog down our scheme and will not create the deterrent that [the Prime Minister] and I set out to achieve. The test for this is not can you get one or two symbolic flights off before the next election with a handful of illegal migrants on them. Indicating that he would abstain when the Bill comes to the Commons on Tuesday for its second reading, he said: I wont be supporting this Bill. But I do think we can fix this. He said it was three strikes and out on stopping the boats for the Government given it had already brought forward two acts on illegal migration. I want this Bill to work and create that powerful deterrent. Im afraid its very clear to all those people who really understand how this system operates, that this Bill will not succeed, he said. What will happen is that absolutely everyone who comes across on a small boat will put in a claim that Rwanda might be generally safe, but for individual reasons, its not safe for them. The Bill blocks any systemic challenge under domestic and international law and disapplies the Human Rights Act. It also gives ministers powers to ignore so called rule 39 injunctions by the European Court of Human Rights, which were used to block the first flight to Rwanda in June 2022. ECHR a debate for another day Mr Jenrick said that although there was a strong argument for leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, that was a debate for another day. He is pushing for changes that would exempt the UK from such injunctions. There are respectable legal arguments for doing all the things that Im proposing whilst remaining consistent with our international law obligations, he said. We were not sent to Parliament to be concerned about our reputations on the gilded International Circuit. It is absolutely critical we fix this problem because in my job, day in day out, I have seen untold damage that these small boat drives are doing to our country, the community cohesion issues that were seeing the billions of pounds that are being wasted on hotels. Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, maintained the Bill was tough and robust, and that the number of successful claims against deportation would be very small, noting that threshold for challenges required compelling evidence that migrants would be at imminent risk of serious and irreversible harm. The black-and-white letter of this legislation makes it clear that the number of individual cases that can be cited is very small, he said, adding that the efficacy of the Bill had been backed by senior lawyers including former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption and former justice minister Lord Wolfson. Mr Gove insisted that the Tories were not thinking about launching a general election if they fail to get the Bill through Parliament. No, were not contemplating that because Im confident that when people look at the legislation and have a chance to reflect, they will recognise this is a tough but also proportionate measure, he told Sky. Damian Green, who chairs the One Nation Conservatives, said they will meet on Monday to make up their minds whether to oppose the legislation over concerns about breaking international law and deeming Rwanda safe. The former de-facto deputy prime minister played down the very, very small number of his colleagues who are agitating for a new leader. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. PORT HURON In the wake of 26-year-old Joshua Conants death Nov. 4 outside the Roche Bar, the demands for justice and support for his loved ones from residents almost seemed omnipresent. Hundreds filled Port Huron's social media pages and attended a Nov. 11 vigil downtown, voicing their collective grief and calling for action from city leaders. Days later, dozens attended a City Council meeting to urge officials to probe police activity and seek out answers. Some of those questions, including how complicit the bars personnel was in the tragedy, could be left hanging for months after local authorities passed the death investigation to the Michigan State Police and Michigan Attorney Generals office for any criminal case. However, one common point has emerged from among concerned citizens calling for the Roche itself to be shut down that could for now turn the magnifying glass more on the citys past. Because once, some residents say, the city took steps to shutter the Military Street Music Cafe for far less. The Roche Bar, 405 Quay St., remained closed on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, nearly five weeks after 26-year-old Joshua Conant was killed outside nearby the establishment. "That was our last bar downtown that created significant problems where you could rely on Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, being there for a brawl," Port Huron Assistant Police Chief Brian Kerrigan said in an interview last week. Port Huron law enforcement had cited a heavy uptick in police calls to the former cafe bar, 1102 Military St., from 39 in 2013 to 95 in 2015 before the city successfully asked the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to revoke its licensure in 2016. That bar remains closed, and in the nearly eight years since, police officials said those circumstances have proven to be far worse than any collection of calls at other establishments downtown the Roche included. "I couldnt even tell you exactly, but it was quite a bit, I mean, hundreds and hundreds of calls just at that one location," Capt. Jeremy Young said of the music cafe. An in-depth Times Herald survey of police calls dispatched in a narrow area, including the Roche at 405 Quay St. and a handful of other establishments, showed no individual bar establishment has shown totals close to that of the Military Street Music Cafes final year. In an area covering all of Quay Street, as well as Huron Avenue and Michigan, Fort and Merchant streets south of Grand River Avenue, there were roughly 458 total calls in 2021, 329 in 2022, and 351 in 2023 through mid-November. And roughly half of those calls or more have been over a variety of other issues, excluding calls marked as traffic stops or liquor inspections common to the busy district. At just the Roche, total calls have risen from 35 in 2021 to 49 this year. In contrast, Wings Etc. across the street has seen it vary at 50, 35, and 36 total calls over three years. But outside of Conants death, what does the call volume say about the area? Is it a sign of busy traffic downtown or a genuine source of safety concerns? That depends on who you ask. Downtown Call Data by Jackie Smith on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. Comparing incidents at the Roche: How are police calls categorized? At Port Huron City Council members Nov. 13 meeting, city officials inquired about what was necessary to shutter the Roche through the MLCC. Representatives from the state agency have since said they dont comment on investigations. The Military Music Street Cafe issue transpired over several months with discussion at multiple council meetings. Unlike that establishment, however, Conants death has also left other quiet reminders about the Roche. A makeshift memorial for Conant remained intact at Quay and Michigan streets for two weeks, and as of last week, a #JusticeForJosh decal survived abreast on the door of the bar still closed since Nov 4. Part of the problem with the Military Street Music Cafe, according to police, was not just that it was a nighttime place with drinking, but that the owner was allegedly often combative and uncooperative with officers when they were called. One incident caught on camera involved the owner striking an employee after hours. Kerrigan said there used to be more nightlife in Port Huron that brought people downtown to drink, but around Quay Street, the Roche is among the few open after midnight. That's not to say there have not been any major incidents attached to the Roche Bar. In 2021, there was a fight outside the Roche between two customers that ended with an exchange of gunfire. Kerrigan said the department increased patrols in the area after the shooting. For the year 2021, all but eight calls were something other than a traffic stop or liquor inspection. There was one disorderly conduct, half a dozen assault-related calls, the associated weapons calls, and others common to bars across downtown, including a noise complaint, unwanted or intoxicated persons, and suspicious circumstances. The latter kind of call increased by a handful the following two years; as did assault and battery calls, and unwanted persons. But Kerrigan said that those numbers needed to be put in context, as not all calls for service result in a complaint about a crime, such as a missing wallet that was found. What address is listed to a call can also vary depending on how it's described by a responding officer. "Of those 45 calls that the Roche address got (in 2023), not all of those are directly related to the Roche," Kerrigan said. "That was the landmark that either the caller used, the dispatcher entered, or the Roche may have been the caller for the incident that was taking place in the parking lot." Light shines on a #JusticeForJosh decal tagged on the door of the Roche Bar, 405 Quay St., on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in downtown Port Huron. Joshua Conant was killed nearby the establishment Nov. 4. According to police, an incident listed as having happened at 405 Quay St. could have just as easily been attached to 330 Quay St. if an officer had said it was happening near Wings instead of the Roche. Young suggested the intersection between Quay and Michigan streets may see more incidents than other places downtown because the East Quay parking lot provides parking for several businesses in the area. Port Huron Police Chief Joe Platzer said his department had not spoken to any of the business owners about crime in the area, though some business owners said they've had those conversations with law enforcement in the past. He said he had talked to City Manager James Freed about this issue but did not say what that discussion entailed. Freed has separately been outspoken about talking with businesses about any issues in that area, adding he frequently bring his own family down. "And we have never felt unsafe," he said. It is not uncommon for us to have these types of conversations with business establishments. This is normal, the normal course of business in this type of industry. You have these issues that arise, and we have all those conversations," the adminsitrator said. He added there have been other bars in other areas in the city's past that have sparked controversy and concerns, broadly crediting community policing over decades with a shift from widespread public safety issues that were more widespread "in the '90s an dearly 2000s." Roche owner Steve Amey did not return multiple messages seeking comment. The entrance of Wings Etc., 330 Quay St., and Blue and Blue Brewery is shown on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. How much do police calls correlate with the late hour as bars close? At Wings Etc., though calls have fallen slightly overall in three years, the number of suspicious circumstances calls attributed to 330 Quay St. has gone up similar to the Roche and 405 Quay. There were also slightly fewer weapons- or assault-related calls at Wings. One 2021 call was for dangerous drugs, according to police, but no criminal possession was ultimately discovered. Wings owner Gene Harrison said he understood the comparison of police calls between downtown bars. Still, without naming other establishments, he said he thought it could be hard to police patrons as they often bounced between establishments. To handle any potential issues, he said they hire professional security, rely on employees with state-recognized certification to serve alcohol, and are often quick to involve law enforcement when needed. Every bar has problems with people that come in, have problems with other guests in the building, Harrison said in an interview. The bar crowd, especially the late-night bar crowd, theyre all out to have a good time, and unfortunately, everybodys ex-girlfriends, ex-boyfriends, ex-wives, and everything else, a lot of the disturbances (can) come. So, literally, Im going to say we probably have as many calls to the police as anybody, he added. But keep in mind our problems are a lot less because we call faster. Our mentality is if we have a problem, lets get it taken care of. Weve literally had people come into our building, go upstairs, go downstairs, see the person theyre looking for, walk right over and punch them, and they never drink in my building. Wings, as well as other bars like Lynchs Irish Tavern, the Zebra Lounge, and venues inside the Wrigley Center all within the six-block area of the Roche often close at midnight or later. Lynchs and the Zebra have consistently shown call totals ranging closely around 20 to 30 over the last three years. The Wrigley, which was under construction in 2022 and opened this year, saw 8 and 25 calls last year and so far in 2023 most of those encompassing property checks, lost or stolen items, or assisting citizens. Wrigley developer Larry Jones said later hours at bars could mean the crowd is rougher, though he also understood the Wrigley calls could also accommodate over 30 tenants who live there. None of this surprises me. I guess the numbers add up, he said. At Lynchs, owner Scott Scandalito said he didnt have any concerns about incidents that may be around the corner from his bar nor the few that arise at their door. I dont do anything to encourage it. I do a lot to discourage it. We dont have any problems as far as people making trouble, he said by phone Thursday. We manage our patrons' alcohol intake, and if we see somebody that seems like they potentially could be a behavioral problem, we pay close attention to them and kindly ask them to leave if need be. Scandalito said they havent had formal security hired since before COVID once hired for events like Boat Night or the night before Thanksgiving. That all falls on me. Im just there being vigilant, he said. The Wrigley Center is shown facing north near the East Quay Street parking lot on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in downtown Port Huron. For other establishments with liquor licenses nearby, there were only a handful of police calls listed over three years. Vintage Tavern owner Jeff Payton said he didnt consider his business to be in the bar category, noting they close much earlier. It used to be that when I first opened, it was 1-1:30 (a.m.), and then, it went to midnight, and then, it went to 11, he said. Now, Im never open after 10 p.m., which is pretty much before anything happened thats negative downtown. With most business coming in at the Vintage between 6 and 9 p.m., Payton said the change in hours was more so a natural change similar to other restaurants that are a bit more upscale. But he admitted, It didnt cost us a lot of business, lets put it that way. And it helped us to avoid the headaches. Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Is Quay Street busy or unsafe? Here's what to know about police calls downtown. A thief stole a controversial sculpture of a female Christ on the cross from Manhattans famed Cathedral of St. John the Divine as an act of protest and then returned it, the churchs dean said Sunday. The crook showed up at the landmark Episcopal church on Amsterdam Ave. at W. 112th St. dressed all in black about 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3 according to cops. The thief quickly returned the bronze sculpture called the Christa with a note reading, This does not belong in Gods house, according to Patrick Malloy, the cathedrals dean. The note was signed R.J. in cursive. We believe that the theft was a theological political protest, Malloy said. The object we treat as a crucifix in this mans mind has no right to be a crucifix and doesnt even belong in the church. The Christa, created by sculptor Edwina Sandys, was first installed in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in 1984 and was met with condemnation and hate mail. Eleven days after it went up, the Suffragan Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, Walter Dennis, ordered its removal, calling it theologically and historically indefensible. It caused international uproar because this sculpture that has a crown of thorns on it was a woman and people said it was blasphemous, Malloy said. It raised an international firestorm. The cathedral brought the sculpture back in 2016, as part of an exhibit called The Christa Project. Conversations about the politics of identity have changed tremendously since the 1980s, reads an archived version of the cathedrals web site. Christas essential statement, however, remains vital to our world today: people are hungry to see themselves and each other fully represented in society, especially in its most powerful and iconic institutions. Malloy added on Sunday, A few years ago the sculpture was given to us permanently by the artist and we mounted it on a plexiglass gauze and put it behind the altar in the chapel of St Xavier as a Crucifix. There was no uproar about it this time. On Dec. 3, the cathedral was holding a crafts fair and the thief used the throng of fairgoers to hide what he was doing. (He) went into the Chapel of St. Xavier, saw this object, this crucifix, and then 10 minutes later came back with shipping blankets, took it off of the altar, Malloy said. Its a bronze sculpture on a wrought iron base so its quite heavy. (He) lifted it up off the altar, wrapped it in the blankets, taped it up and carried it away. The man returned less than two hours later with a truck and left the Christa on the cathedral loading dock, Malloy said. He spoke to people who were a part of the crafts fair and told them, from what I understand, that he brought it back because he felt guilty about stealing it, the dean said. Police said the sculpture is worth at least $100,000. It was returned undamaged, Malloy said. I was here when it first showed up years ago, said John Felbinger, whos been attending the church for about 50 years. Its a crucifix with a female image for Jesus hanging on the cross rather than a male image. Some people would find that offensive, other people wouldnt. Given the current state of affairs in the world today, Im not surprised this happened, he added. Somebody was trying to make a point. Another longtime parishioner, Robert Rodriguez, said the Christa embodied what he feels is the cathedrals welcoming environment. I think these days the depiction of Christ is whatever you believe in your heart, he said, adding that he hopes the thief is identified. You cant let people just get off without anything. At least have a sit down and ask what this is all about. We are so divided in this country nowadays but there should be some accountability. The church, which can hold 5,000 worshipers and is touted as the worlds largest Gothic cathedral, is famed for its annual Procession of Animals. It was ravaged by fire in 2001 and damaged again in a 2019 blaze. In December 2020, police shot and killed an apparently suicidal double-pistol waving gunman on the cathedral steps. Cops released surveillance footage of the crook in action and asked the publics help identifying him and tracking him down. He is describes as between 45 and 50, about 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds with a light complexion. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential. L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna attends a Hall of Justice news conference in 2022 to discuss the dangers of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and the launch an innovative public awareness campaign using a PSA film titled "Bad Meds." (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) By the time Sheriff Robert Luna ousted his predecessor and became L.A. Countys top cop in late 2022, the nations largest sheriffs department was awash in controversy. The half-century-old problem of deputy gangs had brought the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department under increasing national scrutiny. Jail conditions were becoming increasingly dire, and the decades-old lawsuits about them seemed no closer to resolution. On top of that, the department was short on staff, mired in scandal and often at odds with county leaders. A year later, many of those problems remain unresolved and critics say the new sheriff has little to show for his time in office. The department has yet to ban deputy gang tattoos, and the courts have stymied efforts to identify the gangs' alleged members. County data show roughly 20% of sworn positions are effectively vacant, jail death rates are soaring and, in June, the county only narrowly avoided a contempt hearing over conditions inside its lockups. Still, the signs of change are unmistakable. After taking office, Luna quickly opened up more access to oversight officials. He created the Office of Constitutional Policing to help the county comply with four federal consent decrees, eradicate gangs and overhaul policies that could help reform the department. So far this year, deputy-involved shootings are down , and the jail population is falling. Deputies are using force against inmates less frequently, and the department created a timer system to make sure jailers stopped chaining mentally ill people to benches for days. And this week, in an interview at the Hall of Justice, Luna told The Times hes formulating a plan to close the countys oldest lockup. Men's Central Jail needs to be replaced, he said. We need something that resembles a care campus that can deal with what custody should look like toward the future. Exactly how that would work is still fuzzy, and the sheriff would only promise more details in the future, hinting at something perhaps loosely inspired by the gentler prison systems of European countries. Making that a reality will be an uphill battle just like some of the other lofty goals Luna has in mind. "For a sheriff's department or a police department to be successful, we need to be properly led and properly partnered, staffed, equipped and trained," he said. "I was handed a department that has been deficient. ... And we have a lot of work to do. A lot of work." Over a little more than an hour, Luna explained what some pieces of that work could entail. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. ***** One of the issues that was pretty central in your campaign was eradicating deputy gangs. A year later, there's still not a strong anti-gang policy in place. Why is that? During the campaign I talked about deputy gangs. I raised my hand and said, We have a problem. So I'm admitting there's an issue. That's why we started the Office of Constitutional Policing. But remember this: any time we're dealing with employees hours, working conditions or things that impact people's daily lives, we have to go through a meet-and-confer process. When we started to draft the policy although the Civilian Oversight Commission gave us their version of it we still had to go through it and make sure that it was something that could work. Read more: Civilian oversight commission calls for sheriff to outlaw deputy gangs, ban their rituals So [Office of Constitutional Policing director] Eileen Decker not only had to go through the Civilian Oversight Commission and the Office of Inspector General, but also the federal monitors. Once that was done, there were unofficial conversations going on with the different labor organizations. And then, I want to say sometime in October-ish, we gave it to them in a formal manner. Thats when it becomes official. This problem has existed for 50 years. Ive been in office now for a year. I want to fix this. That is my goal. Yes, it is taking a little bit longer than I would like to see, but our labor organizations have been good partners at the table. We don't agree on everything, but I think we're going to get to a good place. Do you think you'll have a new anti-gang policy in place at some point in this next year, during your second year in office? That is my absolute expectation. There was a widely criticized incident in Palmdale, where a deputy punched a woman with an infant in her arms. Can you tell me anything about if you're making changes to policies about when deputies can punch civilians? It's still being worked out. But from my perspective, if one of my deputies is getting his butt kicked and it's a fisticuffs, you have a right to defend yourself. And if you have to use personal weapons punching somebody in the face to do that, then you have to defend yourself. I would not take that very valuable tool away from our employees. But if you have a suspect who is not fighting you but only resisting, that's where I draw the line and say that you don't just start punching people. I get it, sometimes its very difficult to handcuff people. And historically that has been allowed here and thats what is catching a lot of employees off guard. The miscommunication is [they think], Oh, he just wants to take it away from us. No, theres a time and place for it. Because when you're using force on an individual, its to gain control, not to punish. There's a difference there. Was the incident in Palmdale what prompted you to evaluate the policies about punching people? It was one of many things. Weve had several incidents over the last year where personal weapons were used to overcome resistance, not in a fight. According to a recent letter sent from the American Civil Liberties Union to the Board of Supervisors , the Sheriffs Department has been finding uses of force against jail inmates to be within policy more than 98% of the time. But the federal court-appointed monitors agree only about two-thirds of the time. How do you explain that discrepancy? I was told about that ACLU report probably about three or four hours ago. We're making inquiries about if there is actually a discrepancy. But there are definitely challenges. When we're talking about use of force, the federal monitors have said they don't like the fact that they believe that our front-line supervisors are not holding employees accountable. So we are currently looking at that. But as I'm talking to all of our supervisors, I'm talking about accountability. We have to be courageous and identify challenges that we're having because that negatively impacts public trust and credibility. And honestly, it's hanging our employees out to dry. Because if you're not taking corrective actions or showing people that this is wrong, then other employees won't believe it's wrong. A lot of the employees that I talk to when I visit stations, they're frustrated with me because there's been instances where people have been disciplined and they believe that you're holding us to this standard, but yet you're not providing the required training to get us there. So I'm doing an evaluation on our training but I don't need an evaluation to tell me we're deficient. One of the other issues with the jails has been the high death toll. As of today, the jails are a couple deaths away from having the highest death rate in at least 15 years. Why do you think that is? Every time I see a notification that somebody dies in our custody, it's like, "What the heck?" You don't want to see any. I don't want anything to go wrong while they're in our custody. I think there is a perception that people who are dying in our custody are dying due to force incidents or murders. Now, once in a while you will get somebody who does get murdered in our facility. This last year we attributed nine deaths to overdoses. And there are nine other autopsies that are still pending, but a lot of these cases look like they're from natural causes. Read more: County avoids contempt hearing over jail conditions: federal judge approves settlement A lot of the people that we take into custody, they're probably getting the best healthcare they may have ever received in their entire life while they're with us, which means that rarely does somebody go see a doctor. Then when they get to us, you get people who are ill, fall ill and then they end up dying in our custody. So if I have nine overdoses, how do I reduce those? Some facilities have tried to minimize opioid overdoses by expanding access to medication-assisted treatment that reduces the urge to get high. Historically, this is something that your department has not broadly used. Do you have any plans to expand that? I want to dig a little deeper. If there is resistance, is it from our department? Is it from Correctional Health Services? Is there a reason? I'd like to know. We have already gotten more canines to do drug detection. We need better body scanners. We're working through our CFO to try and figure out how we can do that. We believe that a lot of the drugs are coming in through mail. I envision and Im already working on this all of our custody facilities getting really good internet service so that I can get tablets in and eliminate mail. Can you imagine if I can give a family the ability to FaceTime, what that would do? There's so many opportunities. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Fayetteville. Fayetteville police officials told Channel 2 Action News that officers received reports of a domestic dispute at the intersection of Beauregard Boulevard and Paces Drive. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to the investigation, a man and woman were arguing in the back seat of a vehicle that was parked at the location. The person who called 911 told police the man got out of the car and walked away. He added that the man was armed. The caller told police he was driving the couple at the time of the dispute. When officers located the man, they began to speak with him. At some point during the discussion, there was an altercation with police, and an officer fired a shot from his service weapon, striking the man. TRENDING STORIES: The suspect didnt fire their weapon. They were armed and had a weapon, but they didnt discharge it. Our officer discharged their weapon, said Captain Chad Myers. Police said the man was transported to an Atlanta area hospital. Police arent sure of his condition. The policy is to place the officer on paid administrative leave. The shooting remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into an officer-involved shooting that happened in Worth County earlier this week, according to authorities. On Monday at around 3 p.m., a Sylvester police officer tried to stop 20-year-old Jaylen Walker, who was allegedly driving a stolen car. When Walker did not stop, the officer shot at the car, according to deputies. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The GBI said Walker was not hit, but he crashed his car into a retention pond while attempting to escape. Walker was then arrested. TRENDING STORIES: He faces charges from the Georgia State Patrol and Sylvester Police Department. Walker was taken to the Dougherty County Jail. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A procession featuring horses, musicians and matachines dancers wound its way through the streets of south Oklahoma City on Saturday as the faithful began an annual celebration. The 2.4-mile calbagata or calvacade honoring the feast day of St. Juan Diego began from Crossroads Sports Complex Park, 9200 S Santa Fe, and ended at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, 700 SE 89. The event kicked off a series of activities related to St. Juan Diego, whose feast day was Saturday, and the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is on Tuesday, Dec. 12. The overarching theme of Saturday's activities was tied to paying homage to Our Lady of Guadalupe, but the procession, in particular, paid tribute to St. Juan Diego, an Aztec peasant who saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1531, according to traditional church accounts. The apparition was brown skinned and pregnant and became known as Our Lady of Guadalupe. Juan Diego was declared a saint by Pope John Paul II in 2002. Horses and riders participate in a processional for the feast day of St. Juan Diego on Saturday as it ends at Tepeyac Hill at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine on in Oklahoma City. Mandatory Credit: Steve Sisney-The Oklahoman (Credit: Steve Sisney for The Oklahoman) Fittingly, many of the planned events are taking place at the shrine which includes Oklahoma's version of Tepeyac Hill, a famous sacred site in Mexico City. Tepeyac Hill is the site in Mexico where, according to tradition, Juan Diego is said to have seen the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe. According to accounts, the apparition told Diego to tell Roman Catholic Church leaders to build a cathedral for her in the mountains. When a clergyman demanded proof of the encounter, the apparition told Diego to gather roses on the side of a mountain in the middle of December. When Diego appeared at the church with the miraculous roses, the shocked bishop believed him. An imprint of the apparition appeared on Diego's tilma, or cape, in which he'd carried the roses. The procession on Saturday included dozens of horses whose riders were men, women and children. Aztec-influenced matachine dancers also took part in the event as part of the traditional Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. Musicians also performed, adding their songs of tribute to Our Lady to the colorful procession. Katia Martinez and her mother traveled from Austin, Texas, to participate in Saturday's festivities. She said they didn't hesitate to make the trip to the shrine because they love Our Lady of Guadalupe. "We don't have a big church where we live, so we come to see her here," Martinez said. Matachines dancers kneel as the participate in a processional for the feast day of St. Juan Diego as it ends at Tepeyac Hill at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine on Saturday in Oklahoma City. Mandatory Credit: Steve Sisney-The Oklahoman (Credit: Steve Sisney for The Oklahoman) Pat Stanolis, a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Harrah, said she didn't know about the planned festivities so she was surprised when she arrived at the shrine. "I was just coming to see the shrine and climb the sacred hill," she said. "I came and stumbled into this and it's wonderful. It shows you how rich this city is in culture and diversity." More activities are planned Other activities at the shrine included a Sacred Heart Guadalupe Festival that was planned for Sunday, Dec. 10. Evening prayer will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the shine. Activities on Tuesday will begin at 5 a.m. with Las Mananitas, the traditional gathering held in the early morning because that is when the apparition, referred to as Our Lady, first showed itself, according to church history. An outdoor Mass with Archbishop Paul S. Coakley will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the base of Tepeyac Hill. The Mass will be preceded by the Apparition Play at 3 p.m. The Apparition Play is a performance chronicling the meeting between Juan Diego and Our Lady. Horses and riders participate in a processional for the feast day of St. Juan Diego as it ends at Tepeyac Hill at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, 700 SE 89 in Oklahoma City. Mandatory Credit: Steve Sisney-The Oklahoman (Credit: Steve Sisney for The Oklahoman) More: Shrine celebrates Hispanic culture OKC's Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine celebrates its Hispanic culture The series of observances typically include dancing, singing and prayers as parishioners pay tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe is considered the patroness of the Americas. Activities for the feast day, which is Dec. 12, are particularly popular in Roman Catholic parishes that include a large number of Hispanic parishioners, particularly those of Mexican descent. Horses and riders participate in a processional for the feast day of St. Juan Diego as it ends at Tepeyac Hill at the Blessed Stanley Rother Rother Shrine on Saturday in Oklahoma City. Mandatory Credit: Steve Sisney-The Oklahoman (Credit: Steve Sisney for The Oklahoman) The faithful often pay homage to Our Lady with fresh roses and other colorful flowers. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Procession of horses begins 2023 Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration A plane crash in Oklahoma City Sunday morning reportedly killed one person on board and critically injured another. The injured passenger, an adult male, was taken to a nearby medical center while the someone on board was pronounced dead at the scene, Battalion Chief David Shearer told The Oklahoman. A video of the crash that shows smoke coming from an area near the Wiley Post airport, has been circulating on social media. Koco News 5 reported that witnesses saw passengers being pulled from the plane, including a young girl, and officials noted there was heavy fire from the crash. Read it at The Oklahoman Read more at The Daily Beast. University of Pennsylvania president Elizabeth Magill announced her resignation on Saturday (December 9) after appearing before Congress and apparently evaded the question of whether students who called for the genocide of Jews should be punished. The New York Times reported that Magill announced her resignation a day before a meeting before UPenn's board of trustees, with its chair, Scroll L. Bok, said that her resignation was "voluntarily tendered" before announcing his own resignation an hour later. Magill was already in a precarious position since the university's initial response to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and her apparent approach to a Palestinian literary conference on campus, which triggered a slew of criticism from influential alumni and public officials and a withdrawal of donations by wealthy contributors. The move made Magill the first university president to step down in relation to antisemitic incidents across US campuses in the aftermath of the October 7 attack. Castigation on Capitol Hill Previously, Magill, Claudine Gay of Harvard, and Sally Kornbluth of MIT were summoned by a committee of lawmakers in Washington to tackle the rising antisemitism in their respective campuses. During the hearing, the university presidents appeared to avoid answering questions on whether or not they would discipline students who were calling out for the genocide of Jews. In the aftermath of the presidents' deflections, politicians, student groups, and Jewish organizations have called for the resignation of the three. In particular, Harvard Hillel, a Jewish student organization within Harvard, criticized Gay for her testimony on Capitol Hill and called for her resignation. Read Also: Universities Face Mounting Pressure During House Hearing Regarding Rising Antisemitism SNL Lampoons Congress Hearing Meanwhile, Saturday Night Live created a cold opener mocking the Congress hearing on antisemitism on college campuses for its December 9 episode, hours after Magill's resignation. According to the New York Post, the skit copied the format of a C-SPAN broadcast to poke fun at Magill, Gay, and Kornbluth as they testified before the House Education Committee and the lawmakers involved in the hearing. However, not everyone found the jab on the inquiry funny, as viewers took to social media to express their concern that the piece undermined the seriousness of antisemitic incidents on college campuses. Only a hate filled, anti-Semitic SNL could do a sketch about the anti-Semitic college presidents testifying in front of Congress and make the questioner Congresswoman Stefanik the target of the sketch. MARK SIMONE (@MarkSimoneNY) December 10, 2023 "Only a hate-filled, anti-Semitic SNL could do a sketch about the anti-Semitic college presidents testifying in front of Congress and make the questioner Congresswoman Stefanik the target of the sketch," radio host Mark Simone wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Saturday Night Live was created and initially produced by 79-year-old Lorne Michaels, who was born to a Jewish family on a kibbutz in then-British Mandatory Palestine before his family moved to Toronto. In other parts of SNL's latest episode, Chlore Fineman dropped by the program to express her interest in watching the 2001 film "Save the Last Dance." While dancing to describe a scene in the movie, the film's lead actress, Julia Stiles, appeared to join Fineman to the tune of the crowd's cheers and applause, ET reported. Related Article: Jewish Organization Criticizes Harvard President for Her Testimony Over Antisemitism on Campus @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new report from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services found many state employees are underpaid. Some state agencies are examining their salary structures as a result. Top state lawmakers recently presented different visions of how the state can attract major businesses to Oklahoma. At the State Chamber of Oklahomas State of Business forum, Republican legislative leaders said tax reform, increasing the number of trained and talented workers and changing how the Oklahoma Department of Commerce operates could help the state land massive economic development deals. Leading Democrats said improving Oklahomas education system and access to health care and affordable housing are key to recruiting new businesses. House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson and Sen. Carri Hicks, both Oklahoma City Democrats, said GOP policies and rhetoric at the Capitol also impact business recruitment efforts. All four lawmakers agreed that helping the state retain and grow existing Oklahoma businesses should be top of mind for policymakers. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said lawmakers need to give the Commerce Department and other economic development organizations the tools necessary to broker deals with major employers. 'It's bad policy to rush something through' Although the Oklahoma Legislature has rushed to pass multimillion-dollar incentive packages in recent years in an effort to lure major employers like Panasonic, Volkswagen and Enel North America to the state, Treat decried the practice. We have to find a way to be able to give Commerce and others the tools to actually land these (deals) absent us having to rush a bill through and try to get something passed, he said. Its bad policy to try and rush something through. House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said having a trained workforce and offering competitive business incentives are key to recruitment. Taxes also factor into the equation, he said. More: Panasonic agrees to build a plant in Oklahoma. But there's a catch We have to be a state that rewards business, that rewards productivity, that allows people to keep more of their money that theyve earned, McCall said. I think that attracts people. I think that attracts business. McCall has supported Gov. Kevin Stitts calls for the Oklahoma Legislature to cut taxes. McCall championed cuts to the states corporate and personal income taxes that took effect in 2022. Munson said affordable and accessible child care and having a healthy workforce can help attract companies to Oklahoma. She noted the state ranks among the worst in many health rankings. Hicks expressed concerns that politics at the state Capitol may deter some companies from considering Oklahoma. I think the rhetoric is damaging our states reputation right now, Hicks said. Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How can Oklahoma lawmakers attract more major businesses? Editor's note: Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who was born March 26, 1930, died on Dec. 1, 2023. Her biography, by best-selling author Evan Thomas, is titled, simply, "FIRST," and Sandra Day O'Connor represented many firsts in her storied life, the most famous being the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. She would often note, that although it was great to be the first female justice, she surely didnt want to be the last. Yes, a lot did ride on President Ronald Reagans fulfilled campaign promise to appoint the first woman to the Supreme Court. There were several distinguished jurists considered for the job, and after making the cut to be interviewed, OConnor journeyed to Washington to meet with President Reagan. She returned home, saying, I will never get that job. She was wrong. That didnt happen often. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female justice of the Supreme Court, is sworn in Sept. 25, 1981, by Chief Justice Warren Burger in the court's conference room in Washington. Justice O'Connor's husband, John, holds two family Bibles. Born on a cattle ranch in Arizona, Justice OConnor would later immortalize her adventurous and often arduous childhood in her best-selling memoir, "LAZY B." In that book, deeply enjoyed by three generations of women in my family, she tells of many experiences as a young cowgirl. Everything in the desert had protective characteristics, she noted, thorns, teeth, horns, poison, or perhaps, just being too tough to kill and eat. One had to learn to be careful and respectful. Perhaps these lessons helped her navigate the slings and arrows of her later Washington life. I met Justice OConnor courtesy of Oklahoma super lawyer Andy Coats when he was president of the American College of Trial Lawyers. A speaker scheduled for a college meeting in Florida became ill, and Andy invited me to fill in on a panel that included famed journalist Anthony Lewis, former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo and Justice OConnor. She liked my presentation and came to talk to me after I had finished. When Justice OConnor later wrote all the chief judges of the U.S. circuit courts, asking them to name a judge from each circuit to serve on her committee to advise the American Society of International Law, my Chief Judge Stephanie Seymour selected me. It changed my life. Shortly thereafter, my new friend, Justice OConnor, invited my wife and me to accompany her with other judges on a judicial exchange to China. Subsequently, she invited me to attend the first Arab Judicial Forum, where 17 nations gathered to discuss the rule of law. Afterward, I served on a panel that spent a week working with Iraqi leaders on a proposed new constitution for Iraq. Later, because of our experiences, I was named by Chief Justice William Rehnquist to chair the International Judicial Relations Committee of the U.S. Judiciary. The United States is a relatively young country, but it has the oldest independent judiciary in the world. Justice OConnor was the most popular international judicial figure, and I was pleased to carry her briefcase to countries like Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Canada and many others. A global judicial ambassador Justice OConnor represented the United States on the Foundation for the Future, a cooperative organization of American Allies in Europe and key nations in the Arab world. The foundation was established by the George W. Bush administration, and when she stepped down from that organization, she saw that I was appointed to succeed her. I had very tall high heels to fill, but I did my best. After we both left the bench, she appointed me to the board of her newly conceived charitable organization, iCivics. She had decided to spend her retirement years teaching civic education and promoting civility and society. The country desperately needed both. It was a task, she said, that was even more important than her service on the Supreme Court. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is pictured in 1988 during a visit to Oklahoma. Attraction to Oklahoma Justice OConnor loved Oklahoma. She made several appearances at our National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. She spoke at all our state law schools. She visited the Cherokee reservation, Red Earth and the Sovereignty Symposium. She conducted civic education seminars for Oklahoma teachers. Fortunately for my wife and me, she always stayed at our home when in Oklahoma. She graciously agreed to be my presenter when I was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2008. At every step of the way with her, she enriched my life as she did with everyone she interacted with. When she visited, times being what they were, she always had protection details from our excellent U.S. marshals. She was very popular with them, and as time went on, she ended up with a full detail of female marshals. A group of them created some T-shirts titled Warrior Women, and they presented Justice OConnor one of the shirts. Alas, dementia robbed us all of this amazing trailblazer. She finally required full-time care, and our times together came to an end. The last message I received from her daughter-in-law through my cousin, her friend, was that the justice still enjoyed cowboy music and Mexican food. Judge Sandra Day O'Connor waves after her unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate to the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in this Sept. 21, 1981, photo. Standing with O'Connor (from left): Attorney General William French Smith; Sen. Barry Goldwater, R-Ariz.; Sen. Dennis DeConcini, D-Ariz.; Vice President George Bush, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C. A legacy of service Her legacy? There are many. A cancer survivor, she scheduled her exhausting chemotherapy sessions in off weeks for the court, never missing a single oral argument. As a justice, her carefully crafted opinions, narrowly written, solved the specific issues at hand, without being enslaved to some tenuous legal theory. The first female majority leader of a state Legislature, she had learned how to bring contentious groups together by having dinners at her home, featuring, you guessed it, Mexican food and beer. Her jurisprudence, one of modesty and pragmatism, is no longer in vogue. Too bad. But most of all, her legacy is that of a trailblazer who shattered the tallest glass ceiling of them all by joining the court. Her appointment had received some vicious complaints and attacks to the effect that women could not handle the job. Those arguments are no longer made these days, and four very talented women sit on our nation's highest tribunal. Sandra Day OConnor was certainly the first, and she would be very pleased to note that she was not the last. Robert H. Henry, now in private practice, has served as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and was elected attorney general of Oklahoma in 1986 and 1990. Later, he was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, where he served as chief judge until 2009. He became the 17th president of Oklahoma City University in July 2010, retiring from that post in 2018. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Sandra Day O'Connor first woman on U.S. Supreme Court, but not the last Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that both people on board the plane have now died. Two people are dead following a single-engine plane crash in northwest Oklahoma City on Sunday morning, according to officials with the Oklahoma City Fire Department. Assistant public information officer John Chenoweth told The Oklahoman an adult male has died, after he was transported to Integris Baptist Medical Center in critical condition following the crash. The second person on board was pronounced dead at the scene Sunday. Social media posts showed black smoke in the vicinity of Wiley Post Airport, near the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and and Council Road. Near W. Wilshire Boulevard and N Council Road 10:30 am Sunday, Dec. 10. pic.twitter.com/puO5nsdV4a R M (@arklahoman) December 10, 2023 Aircraft flight tracking data showed a 1968 Beechcraft Musketeer taking off and immediately turning back to land at 10:18 a.m. OKCFD District Chief Scott Douglas said firefighters arrived at the site of the crash and found the adult male attempting to rescue the second passenger from the plane, which was fully engulfed. Firefighters began to put out the fire and treat the adult male. The second passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash. The Oklahoma City Fire Department works the scene of a plane crash in northwest Oklahoma City on Sunday. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC plane crash: Two dead after OKC plane crash near Wiley Post FREDERICK COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The Frederick County Sherrifs Office (FSCO) said a person was injured after the groomsman at a wedding fired shots during the reception on Saturday evening. Deputies said that on Saturday at about 7:00 pm, they received a 911 call about a person threatening to shoot guests at a wedding reception in the Historic Jordan Springs venue after he was asked to leave for being too drunk. As deputies were responding, the call was updated to a possible shots-fired incident. The first deputy who arrived at the scene noticed a car leaving the scene and told other deputies. Two deputies then found a man who had been shot in the leg. He was identified as 34-year-old Kevin Huff. Third person dies after quadruple shooting in Prince William County Deputies said Huff ended up in a confrontation with the man that resulted in Huff being shot in the leg. Another deputy then saw the suspect driving erratically on Jordan Springs Road and made a traffic stop where he was detained without incident. The man was identified as 22-year-old John Morningstar. During the traffic stop, Deputies saw that Morningstar had been shot in the foot. They believe it was self-inflicted. Both men were transported to Winchester Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries. Deputies found multiple guns in Morningstars car, along with various ammunition, including the gun that was used against the victim. Morningstar is being charged with DUI, Malicious Wounding, and two counts of Reckless Handling of a Firearm. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. CANTON A city man became a recent "catch" for a vigilante group that investigates and confronts alleged sexual predators. The work of 814 Pred Hunters culminated in a 52-minute streaming video broadcast to the central Pennsylvania group's Facebook page. Live from Harmont Park in Canton's northeast area on the night of Oct. 13, Pred Hunters founder Brian Knepp interrogated the 35-year-old suspect in front of 900-plus viewers. The video has more than 13,000 views. "You know why you're here," Knepp told the suspect. One of Pred Hunters' decoys had posed online as a 13-year-old girl. The Canton man had allegedly carried on a two-month virtual relationship with the decoy. "We're not cops; we're not here to hurt you," Knepp said in the video. Knepp said the man shared 17 sexually explicit photos and four sexually explicit videos of himself to the decoy during that span. The man, he added, came to the park that night to meet the "girl" and spend the night with her. Instead, he met Knepp and others from the nonprofit group founded a little more than a year ago. The 49-year-old Knepp said Pred Hunters' mission is to rid the internet of people who prey upon innocent children, by exposing them. "I had a friend who decided it was OK to rape a child ... I want to stop it from happening again," Knepp said. At the park, the group contacted Canton police. Officers arrived and took the man into custody. Late last month, the suspect was indicted by a Stark County grand jury, charged with attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a low level felony. His case is pending in Stark County Common Pleas Court. He's the first suspect 814 Pred Hunters delivered to authorities in Ohio. Most of its activity is in Pennsylvania. The nonprofit group has grabbed headlines for its catches (a Pittsburgh-area defense attorney last week), and for a legal conundrum over its efforts. What's the crime when no real minor existed? The big question: Is it actually a crime to attempt sexual conduct with a minor who doesn't exist? Assistant Stark County Prosecutor Dan Petricini, who will prosecute the Canton case, said he realized early on the suspect could not be charged with the crime of importuning. Such a charge is common against those who arrange to have sex with a real minor, or those who were snared by a law enforcement officer posing as a minor. The law is clear in both situations. Canton Police But what happens when a civilian poses as a minor? That may be more opaque. Petricini said that's why the suspect was ultimately charged attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. The indictment specifically notes a section of state law that identifies the suspect as 10 years or more older than the victim after all, he's 35 years old and the decoy said she was 13. The suspect has recently retained attorney Paul Kelley, who said his client is innocent. And David Frattare, who heads the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children task force, said he's interested to see how the Canton case plays in court. "These individuals (like the Canton suspect) are not technically committing a crime; the minor doesn't exist," he said. Frattare said his federally-funded task force, based in Cleveland, typically brings importuning and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor charges, in tandem, in cases like the Canton one. That, he explained, covers situations involving real minors, as well as law enforcement officers posing as a minor, a situation explicitly written into the importuning statute. Authorities say it's work best left for them The wording of the law has already created problems this year for suspects who were to be prosecuted in Pennsylvania's Clearfield County after being snared by 814 Pred Hunters. According to multiple news reports, a judge there ruled that it's only a crime when the case involves a real minor or a law enforcement officer posing as a minor. In response, district attorneys in Clearfield and other counties have dismissed 814 Pred Hunter-originated sting cases and they aren't taking new ones. State lawmakers now want to turn that around. Some want to pass a bill that will allow for criminal charges even if the decoy is not a law enforcement officer. Knepp said his group of volunteers has made 97 catches since it was founded in September 2022. Of those, he said, six were convicted in court. He's not sure of the status on others. Just as important, he noted, is that suspects get exposed. It's a worthy cause, Knepp said. After all, numerous law enforcement and child advocacy groups estimate that 500,000 predators, largely targeting 12-to-15-year-olds, are online on any given day. Petricini, the assistant prosecutor in Stark, said he's comfortable with his Canton case, because police also interviewed the suspect and he admitted to his plans with the "girl." "But my preference is that we leave it (entirely) to law enforcement," he said. Stark County Assistant Prosecutor Dan Petricini in a courtroom file photo from 2021. Similar vigilante groups have sprouted up across the country through the years, perhaps influenced by NBC's "To Catch a Predator." The Dateline show, which ran from 2004 through 2008, featured similar decoy-and-confrontation tactics. "That may make good TV," Frattare said. But the approach is littered with problems, he said. "We have guidelines; we have internal policies," he said of the task force, comprised of members who've had hundreds and even thousands of hours of training. He said he's spoke loudly to no avail that vigilante groups need to leave this kind of work to professionals. Frattare said authorities are concerned someone could get hurt or killed during civilian stings; that evidence can be tainted; and that defendants have rights. Besides, he added, streaming videos of catches don't actually solve the problem. Frattare said suspects who aren't convicted don't wind up on public sex offender registries. Even worse, he added, is that predators may go deeper underground, making a future arrest more difficult. Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 or tim.botos@cantonrep.com.On X: @tbotosREP This article originally appeared on The Repository: 814 Pred Hunters nabs Canton man; he's accused of child sex crime Ethnic Rohingya people sit on a beach after they land in Pidie, Aceh province, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Two boats carrying hundreds of Rohingya Muslims, including women and children, arrived at Indonesia's northernmost province of Aceh on Sunday morning after being adrift for weeks. (AP Photo/Reza Saifullah) ACEH BESAR, Indonesia (AP) Two boats carrying more than 300 Rohingya Muslims, including emaciated women and children, arrived at Indonesias northernmost province of Aceh on Sunday morning after being adrift for weeks. One boat, which had been at sea for about one and a half months and carrying 135 people, arrived at a beach in Lamreh village in Aceh Besar Regency. The boat held 65 women, 35 men, 20 girls and 15 boys. The boat was sinking. We had no food or water left, said Shahidul Islam, 34. He said they had left their refugee camp in Bangladesh. But residents around the beach in Lamreh village hesitated to have the refugees near their homes. The residents took the 135 refugees in four trucks to the Aceh governor's office in the city of Banda Aceh Sunday night. The other boat carrying 180 people 74 women, 53 men, 27 girls and 26 boys arrived at a beach in Blang Raya village in Pidie Regency. It had been adrift in the Andaman Sea without adequate supplies for about 27 days. Mahmud Husein, 25, a survivor, said he gave the boat owner 40,000 taka ($363) to help him leave Bangaldesh. We came to Indonesia, but we want to go to other countries if they want to help us, Husein said. Another boat, carrying more refugees, embarked from Bangaldesh at the same time, Husein confirmed, but it remained missing. The U.N. refugee agency warned that people onboard could die if more was not done to rescue them. About 740,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Buddhist-majority Myanmar to camps in Bangladesh since August 2017, following a brutal counterinsurgency campaign. Myanmar security forces have been accused of mass rapes, killings and the burning of thousands of Rohingya homes, and international courts are considering whether their actions constitute genocide. Since November, more than 1,500 Rohingya refugees have arrived by boat in Indonesias Aceh province. Some were denied landing by the residents in Aceh Utara district and Sabang island, sparking concerns from human rights organizations. Rijalul Fitri, head of Blang Raya village in Aceh, said Sunday they did not want the refugees in their village. We stayed up all night so as not to allow them to dock, but at 2:30 a.m., they arrived, he said. Fitri was adamant about the refugees relocation, saying, They cant stay here. President Joko Widodo on Friday said in a statement that Indonesias government suspected a surge in human trafficking because of the increasing number of Rohingya Muslims who entered the country over the past few weeks, especially in Aceh. Police in the city of Lohkseumawe, where there is a camp for Rohingya Muslim refugees, arrested three Aceh residents for alleged human trafficking. They were charged with taking 1.8 million rupiah (about $115), to smuggle 30 refugees from the camp to the city of Medan in North Sumatra province, said Henki Ismanto, the Lhokseumawe police chief. Most of the refugees leaving by sea attempt to reach Muslim-majority Malaysia in search of work. Indonesia, where Muslims comprise nearly 90% of the countrys 277 million people, has been detaining them. ___ Tarigan reported from Jakarta, Indonesia. HOLLAND Overisel Reformed Church is nearly as old as Holland's Old Wing Mission. The church celebrated 175 years in 2023. It began in the Netherlands but, in 1847, a group of parishioners traveled to America and settled in 1848 with the help of Albertus Van Raalte. Overisel was, at first, a log church. But, after three years, a wood frame structure at 4706 142nd Ave. replaced it. A third version of the church was erected in 1864 and used for the next 132 years, until the current church was constructed in 1997. The old Overisel Reformed Church stood for 132 years before it was torn down in 1997 to make room for a rebuild. Matt Helmus serves on the churchs anniversary committee, which spent the last year researching and preparing various events to celebrate the milestone. "As a committee member, it was worth the work," Helmus said. "We had great numbers show up to the events, including a sold-out dinner and a lot of (traffic) at the open house and the lecture and worship, so that made it worthwhile." Helmus said the average price per acre for Holland's original settlers in 1848 was $2.06. He also noted that, in 1853, members of the church helped clear land for the Holland Academy, which eventually became Hope College. As part of Overisel Reformed Church's anniversary celebration, the sanctuary displayed flags from the Dutch province of Overijssel. Over the years, the church has grown and adapted. The first English services were held in 1906 and the last Dutch services were held in 1945. Even today, the church sees about 50 descendants of the original settlers. "There are still quite a few people who can trace it back over the years," Helmus said. "Some even have several lines going back to different people." Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage Helmus said it's important the church continues to remember its roots while being mindful of the future. "I think it's about doing things like we did, to look back and celebrate where we've been and say that we're a reformed church founded by Dutch folks," Helmus said. "But when we look forward now ... we're here to welcome to anybody in the community." The church holds two services each Sunday, with a blended service at 9:30 a.m. and a traditional service at 5 p.m. For more information, visit orcministries.org. Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Overisel Reformed Church celebrates 175 years The Original Ninfa's on Navigation waiters get orders ready to walk them to their respective tables on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Houston. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff photographer Houston had firmly cemented its status as Space City 50 years ago, having played a pivotal role in sending the first humans to the moon a few years earlier. In the decades since, the citys land area has increased by nearly 50%, while its population has almost doubled. Some landmark businesses have been here all that time, growing in size, favor and influence along with the city itself. Many of their origin stories share a common thread: humble beginnings allowed their owners to provide for their families or satisfy a cultural niche. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Here are just a handful of the many iconic businesses in Houston that recently celebrated or are heading into their 50th anniversaries, their range of offerings reflecting the citys diversity and entrepreneurial spirit. TEXAS BRANDS: How a state became its own iconic image and rallying cry The Original Ninfas Craving fajitas? You can thank Maria Mama Ninfa Rodriguez Laurenzo, who first began putting grilled steak in a handmade flour tortilla in her familys struggling tortilla factory in Houstons East End in 1973. Mama Ninfas husband had just died, and she was selling food to provide for her kids, according to the restaurants website. The dish she created inadvertently became a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Last month, on the restaurants 50th anniversary, Mayor Sylvester Turner declared Nov. 12 as Original Ninfas Day. The restaurant was named a semi-finalist for a James Beard Award, a top honor in the culinary world, in 2019. The restaurant says its food is the best Mexican food in Texas since Texas was in Mexico. Ninfas has two Houston locations, at 2704 Navigation and at 1700 Post Oak Blvd. #1-190. Brazos Bookstore Karl Kilian, who founded Brazos Bookstore in 1974, wanted his store to be more than a place that sold books. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Of course, the stores selections are plentiful, its shelves filled with contemporary and classic literature, nonfiction, art and architecture, childrens books and graphic novels. But Kilians vision was also for Brazos Bookstore to be a gathering space for writers and creatives across the city and to elevate Houstons reputation as a literary town. Brazos Bookstore, at 2421 Bissonnet, continues to be a heavyweight in Houstons literary scene and hosts an assortment of events, including book clubs, author talks and storytimes. Brazos Bookstore on Bissonett. Nick de la Torre/Staff Frenchys Chicken Frenchys Chicken is a Beyonce-approved favorite. Need we say more? We will. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Houston chain was started by Percy Frenchy Creuzot Jr. in 1969, a few years after he moved to the city from New Orleans to work as a traveling salesman. He opened a small po boy shop on Scott Street in Third Ward where he served up southern Louisiana cooking bursting with French, Spanish, Caribbean and African influence, according to the restaurants website. Last year, Houston Chronicle readers chose Frenchys as their favorite fried chicken restaurant in the city. If you want to eat like Beyonce, rumor has it her order includes the chains fried chicken, red beans, dirty rice, frenchy fries, collard greens, cornbread and lemon cake. Frenchys has 11 locations around Houston, including the megastars preferred spot on Scott. Fresh fried chicken is prepared at the original Frenchy's restaurant in Houston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Mais Restaurant When Phin and Phac Nguyen opened their Vietnamese restaurant in 1978, they named it after their daughter Mai, whose name means golden flower, a symbol of prosperity and luck, according to the restaurants website. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But it was through three generations of hard work rather than luck that Mais Restaurant became a Houston staple, particularly among night owls. Originally open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Mais is now open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday to capitalize on Houstonians demand for late-night snacks. The restaurant was originally opened by the Nguyens to provide for their eight children, and when Mai took over from her parents, she worked to attract customers from beyond Houstons Vietnamese community. After a devastating fire in 2010, the family rebuilt the restaurant, which is now run by Mais daughter Anna Pham. The late Anthony Bourdain called Mais his favorite place to eat in Houston. For a hearty bowl of pho and more, Mais is at 3403 Milam in Midtown. Palestinians are at a severe risk of starvation in Gaza due to lack of access to food, fuel and price gouging as Israel continues to bombard the territory, multiple aid groups warn. Numerous aid groups are sounding the alarm at the hunger crisis in Gaza, just days after the United States used its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to block the passage of a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire. The passage would have required Israel to halt its war against militant group Hamas in Gaza, which has also left thousands of Palestinians dead. In addition to the frequent bombardments, there is a lack of food in the territory. The available food is also susceptible to price gouging in the territory, where some aid groups have reported one bag of flour costing up to $140. The United Nations World Food Programme put out a report this month outlining the food situation in Gaza, finding that 97 percent of households in northern Gaza and 83 percent in southern Gaza have inadequate food consumption. Nine out of 10 people in northern Gaza and two in three people in southern Gaza reported spending at least one full day and night without food. Overall, nearly 50 percent of people in northern Gaza are experiencing severe levels of hunger and nearly 40 percent in southern Gaza are reporting the same. Carl Skau, the World Food Programme Deputy Executive Director, said in a statement that its humanitarian mission in Gaza is impossible. With just a fraction of the needed food supplies coming in, a fatal absence of fuel, interruptions to communications systems and no security for our staff or for the people we serve at food distributions, we cannot do our job, he wrote. People in Gaza are desperate. You can see fear in the eyes of women and children. Gazans are living packed into unhealthy shelters or on the streets as winter closes in, they are sick, and they do not have enough food, he continued. Save the Children, a global humanitarian aid organization, warned that the lack of food in Gaza will have a deadly impact on children. Ive seen children and families roaming the streets of what hasnt been flattened in Gaza, with no food, nowhere to go, and nothing to survive on. Even the internationally-funded humanitarian aid response Gazas last lifeline has been choked by Israeli-imposed restrictions, Jason Lee, Save the Childrens Country Director, said in a statement. Gazas children are being condemned to further bombardment, starvation, and disease. We must heed the lessons from the past and must immediately prevent atrocity crimes from unfolding, Lee added. It also noted that the World Health Organization has warned that the lack of access to food, water and sanitation services could lead to more deaths than the bombings. Save the Children said that the sanitary conditions in most of the camps and shelters are dire, with hundreds of people needing to share one toilet. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Bassam Masoud and Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA/CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli tanks battled their way to the heart of Khan Younis on Sunday in a major new push into the main city of the southern Gaza Strip, as health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza said about 18,000 Palestinians had been killed in the war. Israeli leaders said dozens of Hamas fighters had surrendered, encouraging more of them to do so, but the Palestinian militant group denied this, calling the claim "false and baseless". Residents of Khan Younis said tanks had reached the main north-south road through the city after intense combat through the night that had slowed the Israeli advance from the east. Warplanes were pounding the area west of the assault. The air rumbled with the constant thud of explosions and thick columns of white smoke rose over the densely crowded city, filled with people displaced from elsewhere in the enclave. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who has unsuccessfully pushed for a ceasefire in Gaza, said the enclave was in collapse. "I expect public order to completely break down soon and an even worse situation could unfold including epidemic diseases and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt," he said. Earlier on Sunday, near a city-centre police station, the constant rattle of machinegun fire could be heard. Streets there were deserted as morning broke apart from an old woman and a girl riding on a donkey cart. "It was one of the most dreadful nights, the resistance was very strong, we could hear gunshots and explosions that didn't stop for hours," a father of four displaced from Gaza City and sheltering in Khan Younis told Reuters. He declined to be identified for fear of reprisals. At the opposite end of the Gaza Strip, in northern areas where Israel had previously said its forces had largely completed their tasks, residents also described some of the most intense fighting of the war so far. "I daresay it is the strongest battle we have heard in weeks," said Nasser, 59, a father of seven sheltering in Jabaliya after his house was destroyed in Beit Lahiya, another northern area. Explosions could be heard as he spoke. "We are not going to leave Jabaliya regardless of everything. We shall die here as martyrs or they will leave us alone." Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, after militants burst across the fence on Oct. 7 and went on a rampage through Israeli towns, gunning down families in their homes, killing 1,200 people and seizing 240 hostages. Gaza's health authorities say about 18,000 people have been confirmed killed and 49,500 injured in Israeli strikes, with thousands more missing and presumed dead under rubble. The toll no longer includes figures from northern parts of the enclave, beyond the reach of ambulances and where hospitals have ceased functioning. WHO'S ALIVE? On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said dozens of Hamas fighters had surrendered, calling it the beginning of the end for the organisation. "Surrender - now," he told them in a televised statement. Hamas has denied its fighters have surrendered and said it had destroyed 180 Israeli military vehicles during the fighting, without producing evidence. It said Israel would not be able to recover remaining hostages by force, only through negotiations. Images emerging on social media on Friday of detained Palestinian men in Gaza kneeling on the ground in their underclothes prompted widespread anger in Arab countries. Palestinians among a group of 10 released by Israel's military in Gaza told Reuters they had been physically abused in custody, including by soldiers beating them with shoes on their heads and bodies. A spokesperson for the Israeli military said it was looking into the allegation. After weeks of fighting concentrated in the north, Israel launched its ground offensive in the south last week with a storm of Khan Younis. With combat now under way along nearly the entire length of the Gaza Strip, international aid organisations say its 2.3 million people have been left with nowhere to hide. The World Health Organisation said it would be all but impossible to improve the "catastrophic" situation in Gaza, where medical needs had surged and the risk of disease grown while the health system had been greatly reduced. At the site of one Khan Younis home that had been destroyed by bombing overnight, relatives of the dead were combing the rubble in a daze. They dragged the body of a middle-aged man in a yellow T-shirt from under the masonry. "We prayed the nighttime prayer and went to sleep, then woke up to find the house on top of us. 'Who's alive?!'" said Ahmed Abdel Wahab. "Three floors above collapsed down and the people are under it," he said. "My mother and father, my sister and brother, all of my cousins." The main hospital in Khan Younis, Nasser hospital, has been overrun with dead and wounded. On Sunday there was no floor space left in the emergency department as people carried in more wounded wrapped in blankets and carpets. Mohamed Abu Shihab wailed and swore revenge for a son he said had been killed by an Israeli sniper The vast majority of Gaza's residents have now been forced from their homes, many fleeing several times with only the belongings they can carry. Israel says it is doing what it can to protect civilians, but even its closest ally the United States says it has fallen short of those promises. ESCALATION FEARS Fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, triggered by the Gaza conflict, intensified on Sunday. At an international conference in Doha, capital of Qatar which acted as the main mediator for a week-long truce that saw more than 100 hostages freed, Arab foreign ministers criticised the United States for vetoing a U.N. Security Council resolution on Friday that demanded a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the war risked radicalising a generation across the Middle East. Jordan's foreign minister said the Israeli campaign aimed to drive Palestinians from Gaza and met the legal definition of genocide, accusations Israel called outrageous. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he would "not give up" appealing for a ceasefire. "I urged the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared," Guterres said. "Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it, but that does not make it less necessary." (Reporting by Bassam Masoud and Mohammed Salem in Gaza, Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo, Dan Williams, Ari Rabinovitch, Emily Rose and Henriette Chacar in JerusalemWriting by Peter Graff and Angus McDowall; Editing by Catherine Evans, Nick Macfie and Susan Fenton) Even as a young girl, Leanne Font knew she wanted to be a mom someday. Growing up in South Florida in a large Cuban family, Leanne was surrounded by tons of relatives with little ones all around. She loved taking care of baby cousins. She changed their diapers and brought them to the park. Through high school and JROTC, Leanne thought she might one day have a career in the Air Force. Raising a family was in that picture, too. Her love of kids was shared by one of her best friends, Keli, who was like a sister to her then literally part of the family when Keli married Leannes older brother, Jesus. Throughout Leannes childhood, during which she was mostly raised by her dad, Leanne had been close to Jesus, who was wise and quick to offer words of wisdom. If I ever needed anything, I knew I could rely on him, she said. He always gave me advice and taught me about life and working hard and being good to people. By Leannes early 20s, Jesus and Keli had moved away to West Central Florida, eventually settling in North Port with their two young sons and baby girl. Most of Leannes family followed while Leanne continued on in Miami, getting married and working for a chiropractor doing medical billing. When her marriage ended in divorce in her mid-20s, Leanne moved into the home of a close relative to get her bearings. That's where she met a young man named Amrin, who was also going through a tough patch in his life. Leanne wasnt looking for romance, but a friendship blossomed that led to official dates and a budding relationship. Eventually, the two found a nice efficiency in Homestead for $850 a month. Life was hectic for the next two years thanks to Leannes long commutes through Miami traffic to her job at the chiropractors office, but she did her best to carve out time for family. For Easter of 2019, she was planning to join relatives for a gathering in Homestead. The evening before, she was exhausted. Many nights she found it hard to sleep after Amrin left for his late shift working in security. She heard her phone buzzing. It was Jesus, messaging her on social media. Ill talk with him later, she thought at first. Then for some reason she changed her mind. No, Ill answer. The two wrote back and forth about fitness. Both had started losing weight. As always, Jesus was being supportive and offering advice. After a bit, Leanne signed off, her final words, Dont worry, we can just motivate each other. The next day, on Easter, at the family gathering, she got a call: Jesus and Keli had been involved in a crash. Leanne tried to process the words. Flipped Jeep. Malfunctioning seatbelts. Jesus had died at the scene. I just collapsed, Leanne recalled. One day you are talking to your brother and the next day he is gone. Keli had survived and was fighting for her life at the hospital. Leanne and Amrin raced across Alligator Alley, but when they pulled into the hospital parking lot, Leanne got a text from a relative: Keli was gone, too. Building a nest Reeling from grief, Leanne and Amrin moved to North Port to be closer to family and her nephews and niece one of Leannes other brothers took them in to raise with his other children. Leanne sought comfort in Jesus church. Many Sundays she sat in the pews, weeping, asking God for a sense of peace. Enveloped in family once more, Leanne sought to fulfill that old dream of raising her own children. She and Amrin married, and after a year of trying to have children were diagnosed with fertility challenges. Intent on becoming a mom, Leanne opted for in-vitro fertilization, and Amrin agreed. By then they had found a beautiful one-bedroom cottage in North Port with a big backyard for $900 a month. But heading into 2021, the cottages owner announced plans to sell within a year. They had to find another place. Down the street, the rent for a two-bedroom house shot up from $1,000 a month to $1,500 a month. The couple laughed, asking each other, Who is going to pay that? But the more they looked around, they quickly got an answer. Many people were paying that and much more, as rents began to soar. Leanne and Amrin had loved North Port, with its huge skies, beautiful sunsets, family-friendly environment and reasonable cost of living, which they could afford on their salaries Leannes from work at a chiropractors office and Amrins as a pharmacy tech while he also studied radiography. But North Port, like the rest of the region and state, was changing. Expecting to start a family, Leanne and Amrin needed another nest and fast. When a two-bedroom apartment became available in Englewood for almost $1,400 a month, they jumped on it, sight unseen. They found a new church and settled in. Leanne Font and husband Amrin with their twins Joshua and Isaac. 'Feeling like we were suffocating' During Leannes pregnancy last year, the couple socked away money from gifts and savings so that she could take time off from work after the delivery. They had learned a surprise about the pregnancy: there would be two babies, not just one. Twins! Leanne had screamed with joy in the doctors office when they got the news. After the birth of Joshua and Isaac in January, Leannes dream came true. She was a mom, but now with a crushing decision. All she wanted was to be home with the babies. But with skyrocketing costs of rent, food, gas and insurance added to their medical debt they couldnt afford it. Leanne researched new jobs. What type of work could a parent possibly do while caring for two infant twins at the same time? Visiting a local daycare center, she fell in love with it. She could become a teacher there, she thought. After the boys feedings as they napped atop of her she studied for her training and exams. Working part-time at the center, she and Amrin juggled child care between her shift there and his at the pharmacy. Meanwhile, they reserved spots for the boys at the daycare center for when they turned one. But then the center had great news. They were opening an infant room. And they were tapping Leanne to work there full time as the caregiver and teacher. Qualifying for childcare assistance through the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County, Leanne was able to enroll the twins into the school and her own classroom. God is so amazing he put me in this place, she said. Why wasnt I doing this before, I love these kids, she said of her infant classroom. Every week they are learning new things and growing. Whats more, she got to be with her own boys. But there was a major problem. Not only had the couple run through their savings during the few months that Leanne took off work following childbirth, her new job at the daycare came with a pay cut compared to her previous employment. Heading into the summer, it was clear to Leanne and Amrin that they were running out of money. We were just feeling like we were suffocating, she said. Sometimes we werent even making it paycheck to paycheck. In June, it hit them. They wouldnt be able to cover Julys rent. How could they lose their housing with two infants to care for? Leanne had always wanted to be a mom, and now that she was, her family was drowning. How to your neighbors in need: Donate to Season of Sharing 'The greatest job I ever had' After a desperate search, Leanne was referred to 2-1-1, which steered her to Family Promise of South Sarasota County. There, case managers told her they had a way to help her family over this hump. They tapped into Season of Sharing, which paid $1,500 to cover Julys rent and help the couple reset. The assistance has allowed the pair to get their head above water, Leanne said, but the budget is still tight. And they fear what could happen if they get hit with a major rent increase like their neighbors. They would like to move back to North Port both for the town and to be closer to her nephews, niece and other family. And they would love to buy a house. But they dont think that can happen in Florida, given the housing crisis here. Instead, they might explore Georgia when Amrin finishes his degree. For now, they are taking life one day at a time. Leanne is grateful to God for the peace she feels at last in her heart. She believes shell see Jesus and Keli again one day and plans to tell Joshua and Isaac all about their aunt and uncle as they grow older. She thinks her brother and sister-in-law would be happy for her and the new path she has found working at the daycare. And she knows they would share in her joy of motherhood of all shes discovering in her dream of being a mom. Its the greatest job I ever had, she said. How to help Season of Sharing was created 22 years ago as a partnership between the Herald-Tribune and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to get emergency funds to individuals and families on the brink of homelessness in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. There are no administrative fees and no red tape every dollar donated goes to families in need to help with rental assistance, utility bills, child care and other expenses. You can donate to Season of Sharing by going to cfsarasota.org or calling 941-556-2399. You can also mail a check to Season of Sharing, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237. This story comes from a partnership between the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Saundra Amrhein covers the Season of Sharing campaign, along with issues surrounding housing, utilities, child care and transportation in the area. She can be reached at samrhein@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New parents in Englewood steady with help from Season of Sharing This highlighted parcel of land off Ash Little River Road is being considered for rezoning. Rezoning nearly 30 acres of land near Ash could make way for another high-density development in Brunswick County. The Brunswick County Planning Board will meet Dec. 11 and consider a change of zoning request for a 28.95-acre parcel near Ash Little River Road. According to Brunswick County property records, the land is currently vacant and is zoned for rural residential use. The rural residential zone allows for low-density residential development with a maximum of 2.2 dwelling units per acre of land. A request has been submitted to the county to change the zoning district of that parcel to the SBR-6,000 zoning district, which is for high-density site builds and allows twice as many units per acre, at a maximum allowance of 4.4 dwelling units per acre. If approved, the parcel could eventually see more than 120 residential units. The land is located at 9660 L Tharp Road NW. More: Where does development go next in Brunswick County? Look west. Approving the rezoning request would also require the county to amend its Blueprint Brunswick 2040 CAMA Land Use Plan Map for this specific parcel. The plan currently designates the parcel for rural or agricultural use. The planning board will also consider a request to amend that plan to change the parcels designated use to medium density residential. STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the areas latest Brunswick County news by signing up for the Brunswick Today newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram. Planning board meetings are held in the commissioners chambers at the countys administration building located at 30 Government Center Drive in Bolivia. Mondays meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter/X @jameybcross. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Brunswick development in Ash proposed pending rezoning The Philippines and China on Sunday accused each other of dangerous maneuvers and causing a collision in contested waters in the South China Sea, the latest in a string of maritime confrontations between the two countries that have heightened regional tensions. In a statement shared on X, spokesperson for the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) Jay Tarriela said that Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels had harassed, blocked and executed dangerous maneuvers on Philippine civilian supply vessels in another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission to the Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippine Coast Guard said at least two of its vessels had been damaged as a result of being fired on by water cannon. However, the Chinese Coast Guard said Philippine ships had illegally intruded in its waters and it was taking control measures against the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law. It said a Philippine vessel had ignored numerous warnings from China and deliberately swerved and collided in an unprofessional, dangerous manner with a Chinese boat. The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines, the Chinese Coast Guard said. The Philippines has troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre, a former US Navy ship the country grounded in 1999 at the Second Thomas Shoal known as Ayungin Shoal to Manila and Renai Reef to Beijing to enforce its claim to the area. China disputes Manilas claim and the two countries have been involved in increasingly frequent run-ins in the high contested waterway. The Philippines said in its statement Sunday that one of its vessels had been towed by the Philippine Coast Guard back to Ulugan Bay on the Philippine island of Palawan, while another vessel suffered damage to its mast, the statement read. It also said another resupply vessel, Unaizah Mae 1 (UM1), successfully reached BRP Sierra Madre and resupply is ongoing, despite the supply vessel having been rammed by a Chinese Coast Guard ship. We condemn, once again, Chinas latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission, Tarriela said, adding that it had put the lives of our people at risk. Maritime disputes across the vast South China Sea have ratcheted up in recent years as an increasingly assertive China militarizes disputed islands and confronts its regional rivals over their competing claims in the strategically important and resource-rich waterway. Beijing claims indisputable sovereignty over almost all of the 1.3 million square miles of the South China Sea, as well as most of the islands and sandbars within it, including many features that are hundreds of miles from the Chinese mainland. The waterway is vital to international trade and is also home to vast fertile fishing grounds upon which many lives and livelihoods depend. Chinese Coast Guard boats near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in September, in a handout image released by the Philippine Coast Guard. - Philippine Coast Guard/Reuters With previous reporting from CNNs Kathleen Magramo. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In this handout photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese Coast Guard ship uses water cannons on Philippine navy-operated supply boat M/L Kalayaan as it approaches Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea on Sunday Dec. 10, 2023. The Chinese coast guard targeted Philippine vessels with water cannon blasts Sunday and rammed one of them, causing damage and endangering Filipino crew members off a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, just a day after similar hostilities at another contested shoal, Philippine officials said.(Philippine Coast Guard via AP) MANILA, Philippines (AP) The Chinese coast guard targeted Philippine vessels with water cannon blasts Sunday and rammed one of them, causing damage and endangering Filipino crew members off a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, just a day after similar hostilities at another contested shoal, Philippine officials said. The Philippines and its treaty ally, the United States, immediately condemned the latest confrontation near the Second Thomas Shoal, where two Philippine navy-operated supply boats and two Philippine coast guard escort ships had sailed to deliver food and other supplies to Filipino forces in a long-marooned navy ship that serves as a territorial outpost. "We condemn, once again, Chinas latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal that has put the lives of our people at risk, a Philippine government task force that deals with the territorial disputes said in a statement, using the Filipino name for the shoal. The Chinese coast guards high-pressure water cannon blasts disabled and severely damaged the engines of the Philippine supply boat M/L Kalayaan, which had to be towed back to the western Philippine province of Palawan, Philippine officials said, adding the action seriously endangered the lives of the crew. One of two Philippine coast guard escort ships, the BRP Cabra, sustained damage to its mast due to the water cannon blast. Another supply boat was rammed by a Chinese coast guard ship but still managed to maneuver away and deliver supplies to Filipino marines at Second Thomas Shoal, they said. Drone video footage and photographs issued by the Philippine coast guard show two Chinese coast guard ships separately blasting water cannons at close range at BRP Cabra and a smaller supply boat. The systematic and consistent manner in which the Peoples Republic of China carries out these illegal and irresponsible actions puts into question and significant doubt the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue, it said. We demand that China demonstrate that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community. The Chinese coast guard said it had implemented controls in accordance with laws and regulations. The statement gave no details about the measures taken but said the Philippines action seriously infringed on Chinas sovereignty. It also claimed a Philippine vessel ignored warnings and in violation of international navigation regulations made a sharp turn in an unprofessional and dangerous manner and intentionally collided with a Chinese coast guard ship, causing scratching." The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side, the coast guard said. Coast guard spokesperson Gan Yu described China's actions as reasonable, legal and professional, and said such operations would continue unabated. We sternly warn the Philippines to immediately cease its infringing actions ... and strictly control its provocations on the front line so as not to drop a stone on its own foot, Gan was quoted as saying on the coast guard's website. China's actions were strongly condemned by foreign diplomats in the Philippines, including the ambassadors from treaty partner the U.S., the European Union and Japan. "The U.S. stands with the Philippines and partners in vehemently condemning the PRCs repeated illegal and dangerous actions against vessels," U.S. Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Chinas ships, which have surrounded the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal for years, have blocked Philippine coast guard and supply boats in a yearslong effort to take control of the hotly disputed atoll claimed by both nations. China has rejected all international condemnation and attempts at legal intervention, including a 2016 ruling by a U.N.-backed arbitration tribunal that invalidated Chinas claims, leaving them without any legal basis. China insists it has a legal right to "defend its sovereignty" in keeping with its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, one of the world's most crucial waterways for shipping and other maritime activities. On Saturday, the Chinese coast guard and accompanying ships also trained water cannons at three Philippine fisheries vessels to prevent them from approaching Scarborough Shoal in the disputed waters off the northwestern Philippines. That caused significant damage to the communication and navigation equipment of one of the three Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel, Philippine officials said. They added that suspected militia vessels accompanying Chinese coast guard ships used a long-range acoustic device that could impair hearing, causing severe temporary discomfort and incapacitation to some Filipino crew." In other high seas clashes this year, Chinese coast guard ships used a military-grade laser that caused Filipino crewmen temporary blindness and engaged in dangerous blocking and shadowing maneuvers that caused minor collisions, Philippines officials say. More tensions loom. "The Philippines will not be deterred from exercising our legal rights over our maritime zones, the Philippine government task force said. A flotilla of 40 civilian fishing boats, backed by Philippine coast guard escort ships, initially was en route Sunday to Second Thomas Shoal but decided to proceed first to two Philippine-occupied islets in the South China Sea to deliver Christmas food packs. From there, organizers will reassess before the flotilla proceeds with a plan to sail along the vicinity of the Second Thomas Shoal, said one of the organizers, Rafaela David, who denounced the latest Chinese action. ___ Associated Press reporter Christopher Bodeen in Taipei, Taiwan, contributed to this report. Phoenix police identified the teenage boy who was killed after a shooting in central Phoenix on Saturday afternoon. Phoenix police were called to an apartment complex at Camelback Road and 19th Avenue at about 1:45 p.m. Saturday. When officers arrived, they found 16-year-old Lucas Holman Jr. with at least one gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital where he later died. Detectives are searching for a suspect and encourage anyone with information to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377), or 480-TESTIGO (480-837-8446) for those who speak Spanish to provide an anonymous tip. Rewards will be paid for information leading to an arrest in the case. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Shooting victim in Phoenix apartment complex identified by police Yilun Cheng is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle, covering local politics and City Hall. She can be reached at yilun.cheng@houstonchronicle.com. Yilun studied political science as an undergrad at the University of California, Berkeley and as a grad student at Columbia University. She later earned her masters in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Before coming to Houston, she covered immigration policies and marginalized communities for the Columbus Dispatch. Mr Baudin put his many years of shark experience to use during the project A man has placed tags on wild sharks with his bare hands in order to further the study of the marine creatures. Ocean expedition leader Evans Baudin, 35, from Paris, launched a mission to tag three Mako sharks in order to observe their behaviour and record how they live in their natural habitat. A photographer took images of one 520-pound shark being tagged with a satellite marker. Mr Baudin used bait to catch the shark, which they then hooked and tagged with a satellite tag - mediadrumimages/@bajasharkexperi Mr Baudin pictured putting a tag on a 520-pound shark - mediadrumimages/@bajasharkexperi Another photo shows Mr Baudin grabbing the nine-foot sharks fin with his bare hands. Mr Baudin and his crew of six set off from La Paz, Mexico, and made their way into the ocean where they searched for Mako sharks in order to catch, tag and release them back into the ocean. Having placed the markers onto the sharks, they will be able to observe their behaviour for at least a year. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Ald. Andre Vasquez was almost done arranging chairs inside a barren church basement in Edgewater when he stopped to listen to a woman deliver a warning. The Rev. Beth Brown, a member of the Chicago police community commission, began tallying on her fingers the reasons Mayor Brandon Johnson should scrap his new plan to house migrants in encampments staffed by a security contractor. Too many people in tents that wouldnt withstand winter temperatures, overseen by a controversial private company, Brown said. Vasquez, Johnsons hand-picked chair of the City Council immigration committee, agreed the mayors tent plan seemed misguided. Theyre gaslighting us, the 40th Ward alderman said, before peeling away to find a home for the last seat. The tenor of the community meeting itself was quite different. The September evening event christened Reimagining Public Safety saw many members of the small, mostly white crowd focus on traditional crime concerns such as 911 response times and vehicle thefts. Vasquez largely kept his responses procedural. The juxtaposition in approaches underscores the high-wire act the 44-year-old alderman has been attempting since first winning office in 2019. A self-styled democratic socialist in his sophomore term, Vasquez knocked out a 36-year incumbent to win the seat representing the neighborhoods of Andersonville, Lincoln Square and Edgewater, an election that was as much about dissatisfaction with the status quo as it was about the former battle rappers candidacy. His North Side ward is marked by progressive voters but also wealthy homeowners who are upset over violence and property taxes. Vasquezs endeavors to straddle those two constituencies have at times put him at odds with both ends of the spectrum, with some surmising he is more politically expedient than he lets on. He has been painted as an anti-law enforcement extremist by his social media critics on the right, yet the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America renounced him in 2020 for a budget vote that maintained Police Department funding. The alderman is no longer a member of the local DSA, but he still labels himself a socialist just a realistic one. When you have movements of people who rightfully, and justifiably, are angry at government, it feels like the only energy people know is angst, he said in a recent interview. Weve never been in a moment like the one we were in, where we actually had movement candidates in office, Vasquez added. There was no understanding of what it looks like to actually co-govern. And there still isnt. Vasquez was elected with four other aldermen who labeled themselves democratic socialists joining DSA member Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, who had taken office in 2015 in what some have dubbed a red wave. Though their agenda was frequently stymied under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the broader progressive movement saw themselves officially switch from rabble-rousers to ruling class with the election of Johnson in April. Vasquez said he knows grassroots anxieties on how that transition should unfold continue to swirl around City Hall after decades of deferred hopes over seeing a progressive in the mayors office. But now that Johnsons mandate to vanquish the politics of old is being put to the test, the 40th Ward alderman worries the political left will squander the moment by miring itself in purity tests rather than finding ways to accomplish things in an ideologically divided City Council. At the same time, Vasquez has held onto a streak of independence even after Johnson tapped him for a committee chairmanship a prize that traditionally comes with the expectation of by-and-large supporting the fifth floors agenda. The aldermans multiple flashpoints with the Johnson administration include its choice to keep Dorval Carter as Chicago Transit Authority board president; shutting out Mexican Independence Day revelers from downtown to which the alderman sarcastically posted on X, I mean, it aint raising bridges, but; and the new tentative Chicago police union contract that Vasquez cast as even more disappointing coming from an administration that claims to want to reform. Still, Vasquez again displayed his political tightrope skills by criticizing Johnsons proposed 2024 budget for its potential to grow future deficits, only to then cast his vote in favor of the plan. Back at the meeting inside the Edgewater church, he was far less fiery. A local Chicago police commander spoke for much of the time, his clipped speech and crew cut serving as a foil of sorts to the aldermans ease with slang and casual outfit. But by the 50-minute mark, a restless Vasquez couldnt help caving to his more radical side. That would be me, he piped up at a question addressed to unspecified officials who have been critical of the size of the CPD budget. Then he began his pitch on streamlining police spending, but in terms that would resonate with the 40th Ward crowd: How many of you guys like your taxes being higher? Please put your hands up. Didnt think so. If you put money into a system, and youre not getting the results that you want to see on the other end, you want to lift up the hood and see whats working, Vasquez said. Calling for a (police) budget audit is just being fiscally responsible, right? Yet three years ago, the alderman fatefully threw his support behind Lightfoots COVID-19 budget that preserved CPD spending amid a nationwide reckoning against policing. Within minutes, the local DSA chapter called on him to resign from the organization and said his vote preserves the white supremacist power of the Chicago Police Department, among other charges. Reflecting on that moment this fall, Vasquez said he remains puzzled why the chapter would not let him explain why he opted to trade support for progressive concessions from Lightfoot and mitigate damage during a time of austerity, even as reallocating Chicago police funds remained a future goal. Moreover, the alderman said, the idea of DSA dictating who gets to be a socialist is antithetical to its roots. As socialists, we want to do things as a collective, Vasquez said. So the fact that were picking and choosing who we want to be in that collective is actually a lot more in line with the systems were trying to break down. Since that vote, Vasquez has also watched with curiosity as Lightfoot and now Johnson introduced budgets with more CPD funding that DSA aldermen nevertheless voted for without the same repercussions. Indeed, the 2021 budget that landed Vasquez in trouble actually slightly curtailed Chicago police spending amid pandemic-related cuts, though the amount was minuscule and more than restored the next year before going up every year after that. No aldermen with the City Councils official Democratic Socialist Caucus Daniel La Spata, 1st, Jeanette Taylor, 20th, Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, 33rd, Ramirez-Rosa, 35th, and new member Angela Clay, 46th agreed to be interviewed for this story, and the leadership of the Chicago DSA did not respond to a request for comment. Steve Weishampel, a member of the Chicago DSA and former co-chair, said the organization in hindsight has acknowledged several concurrent influences can drive an elected officials budget vote, but the right model of engaging with politicians on the groups red lines is hotly debated. Its a microcosm of the big problem the big question on the left How much purity can we demand? Weishampel said. I would not want to elect a socialist who, just like at the end of Animal Farm, starts to look like all the others. They have to stay radical. They cant become a normie. Defund the police protests skyrocketed after the 2020 Minneapolis police murder of George Floyd, galvanizing DSA ranks in ways not seen since Sen. Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential run, but the urgency subsided and the organization toned down its most militant cries. That boom-and-bust of defund also followed Johnson, who spoke admiringly of the cause in 2020 but would years later backtrack as his mayoral campaign gained traction. Vasquez, who endorsed candidate Jesus Chuy Garcia in the first round of voting before flipping to Johnson in the runoff, said the selective indignation the citys political left applies when someones philosophy on policing is problematic and when its acceptable must be reconciled. There was a lot of heavy defund energy going on, and a lot of work about reimagining public safety and a police budget. But because Mayor Johnson got elected, oh, were gonna chill on that now? Vasquez said. If you got that answer from Mayor Lightfoot, what would you be doing right now? The Democratic Socialists of America was officially formed as the nations largest socialist group in the 1980s, with roots stretching back to the Socialist Party of America of more than a century ago and 6,000 founding members. Following the 2016 presidential election, membership surged with momentum from the one-two punch of Sanders populist campaign themes lighting a fire under a new generation of young Americans, followed by the backlash to the election of Donald Trump. From 2015 to 2016, national ranks soared from 6,200 to 11,000, then more than doubled the next year before peaking at 95,000 in 2021, according to an internal report. But after that, membership tapered off and now lands around 78,000. Marco Rossi, who has analyzed Chicago City Council voting patterns for the University of Illinois at Chicago, said the falloff isnt shocking given the organizations growing pains. As a member of DSA himself, Rossi said the organization is still reckoning with the same sort of quandaries it had the day it censured Vasquez. There always is a tension within an organization between candidates and activists, Rossi said. The organization is grappling with that tension now of how do we manage now that we have some electoral successes? How do we manage this very unique organization? Sitting on a bench in the Ainslie Arts Plaza in Lincoln Square on a late summer afternoon, Vasquez recalled how the area was once a dilapidated eyesore. But his first year in office, he said he convinced owners of the McDonalds behind him to get on board with what he billed as a public takeover of the land abutting North Lincoln Avenue for pedestrians. Now he could see the fruits of his labor: a splashy, abstract mural sprawled on the ground, underneath crisscrossing strings of globe lights. A trio of girls laughed nearby as they pushed a shopping cart. Vasquez thought of his own youth as the rapper Optimus Prime, who would be regularly kicked out of Grant Park while performing. Creating a new public arts space is a socialist undertaking, Vasquez said. But he also highlighted the truism that being a Chicago alderman is more about pointing to accomplishments within the ward than it is about political ideology. People were like, OK, we know we elected this socialist guy or whatever. We hope he knows how to do the job, Vasquez said. My political leaning is a little more to the left of a lot of our neighbors, but I know that by creating that kind of fabric in your community, youre getting those thoughts out there. ayin@chicagotribune.com A city planning board in Alamance County voted Monday against recommending what would be North Carolinas first Buc-ees. ALSO READ: A Buc-ees gas station could be coming to North Carolina The iconic, Texas-based convenience store and gas station has an almost cult-like following. Plans for the possible North Carolina location call for it to be built in Mebane off of Exit 152 of I-40 and I-85. The entire project will feature a 74,000-square-foot building, with 120 gas pumps and more than 600 parking spaces. The Mebane Planning Boards decision didnt kill the project. The Mebane City Council will have the final say and can still greenlight it. The Mebane Planning Board voted against recommending the Buc-ee's. This doesn't kill the project. Mebane City Council will have final say and can still greenlight it. Buc-ee's is expected to be on Mebane City Council's agenda on Jan 8 @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/xztRMo2Ns4 Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) December 12, 2023 The Buc-ees is on the citys Jan. 9 agenda. (WATCH BELOW: Northlake Mall just got these 8 new stores) As we kick off a new week, let's take a look back at the week that was. Top stories this past week included: Some local players to watch during the winter sports season. We've got nine high school hockey players to watch this winter, as well as 12 high school girls basketball players to follow along with as they take to the court this season. A look at median home prices for the past month in Bristol County. How did the median price shift in November, and how does it stack up to 2022 prices? These were the most read stories of the week on HeraldNews.com: Plan to tear down President Avenue plaza for 350-unit mixed use project is off the table Plans to sell and tear down the plaza at 101 President Ave. an build a mixed-use high rise are off the table. The property's owner, Frank Marchione, said Both of us kind of stepped away from the table. They didnt think it was prudent for what they were going to do. So, its off the table. The Boardwalk Crossing strip mall at Davol Street and President Avenue. Herald News Reporter Jo C. Goode has the story. 'It was mutual': Plans to tear down President Avenue plaza for 350-unit mixed use project are off the table High-end dress boutique on South Main St. to be redeveloped into apartments Providing gowns and special occasion dresses for over 35 years, Alexandra's Boutique has been an anchor business on South Main St. Alexandra's Boutique owner Fatima Rodrigues has gained zoning board approval to convert this former store building at 452 S. Main St. Fall River into apartments. Now the thriving business' former outlet shop space at 452 South Main St. will be converted into five units of market-rate housing. Alexandra's Boutique: High-end dress boutique on South Main St. to be redeveloped into apartments Things To Do: 14 activities, shows and hikes in and around Fall River Each week, Things To Do takes a look at events happening around the SouthCoast, and from weekdays to weekends, there's plenty going on. The most recent Things To Do takes a look at a special holiday tea, a Northern Lights installation, and much more. Be sure to visit HeraldNews.com each week for the latest Things To Do. Things To Do: 14 activities, shows and hikes in and around Fall River Fired police officer pleads guilty to three cases of domestic abuse, sentenced to 14 months Former Fall River police officer Bryan Custadio, facing three criminal domestic violence cases involving two separate domestic partners, pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 14 months in the Bristol County House of Corrections. Herald News Reporter Jo C. Goode has the story. Fired police officer sentenced: Fired police officer pleads guilty to three cases of domestic abuse, sentenced to 14 months Poker run at Fall River's Borden Light Marina raises $62K for charities The 17th annual Borden Light Marina Charity Poker Run, held in August, exceeded expectations, with more boats, more spectators, and more activities. Michael and Nicole Lund present a $31,000 check, proceeds from the 2023 Borden Light Marina Charity Poker Run, to representatives from Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island. From left, Sean Holleran, CEO of Make-A-Wish Massachusetts & Rhode Island; Nicole Lund; Mariama Sano, Make-A-Wish senior manager of corporate and community partnerships; and Michael Lund. That also led to more generous donations for a couple of really good causes: the event raised $62,000. Helping good causes: Poker run at Fall River's Borden Light Marina raises $62K for charities Herald News/Taunton Daily Gazette copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Herald News Top 5: Plans to tear down President Ave plaza scrapped After years of deliberations and discussions with community members and business leaders, Newtown Township's Board of Supervisors banned single-use plastic bags and the measure goes into effect this week. TThe ordinance, passed Dec. 6, specifically bans single-use plastic bags, expanded polystyrene food service products, single-use plastic straws, and single-use plastic utensils by retail establishments within the township. "We've talked to over 115 businesses and created a business list on which we send out notices to businesses. I'd say 95% percent of businesses have already done this, and the others are willing to comply, including the big chain stores," said Supervisor Elen Snyder. "We've worked very hard on this for the past four years." Single-use plastic bag ban to go into effect next week; businesses receive grace period Once the ban on single-use plastic bags goes into effect, businesses will have a 120-day grace period to comply. If business owners fail to comply, that can be fined up to $200. And for shoppers, that means you will have remember to bring along your own reusable shopping bags, or purchase one from the store if available. Those issues, said Newtown resident Bradley Cooper, are a problem. "I do not agree with this because I don't think it's right that politicians tell businesses what to do," said Cooper, who pointed to the environmental costs of producing reusable cotton bags. "It's been said that businesses are on board with this, but they have no choice but to comply because they can't afford the fee." Newtown Township considers bag ban: What to know about Newtown Township's proposed ban on plastics bags, utensils and straws Faran Savitz, the Zero Waste Advocate for Pro-envrionment nonprofit PennEnvironment said "plastic bags are the poster child for the environmental harm caused by single-use plastics," and hailed the action. "Every resident has had the experience of watching plastic bags blowing down our streets and through our neighborhoods, seeing plastic bags stuck in curbside trees and bushes, or in our parks and other outdoor places we love," read a portion of Savitz' statement. "It's so exciting that these laws are spreading across Pennsylvania. With the passage of a plastics ordinance in this township, it shows the incredible leadership coming from local officials in the fight against plastic waste and pollution." Bans on single-use plastics elsewhere in Bucks County Doylestown Township and Solebury have passed resolutions to reduce the use of plastic while Doylestown Borough is considering a resolution. Warrington also is reviewing plastics use there. Next to ban single-use plastic bags? Could a plastic bag ban be coming to your Bucks County town? Here is who's considering it next Philadelphia, Narberth and West Chester passed ordinances and Bethlehem, Lehigh County and Pittsburgh are considering similar measures. Several states, including New Jersey, have also enacted measures to reduce the use of plastics. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: What the ban on single-use plastic bags in Newtown Township means (KRON) The man accused of shooting his wife, Chunliam Saechao, on Dec.7 has been arrested on Saturday. The Pleasant Hill Police Department said a domestic disturbance was reported at about 7 p.m. on Thursday. Police said in an earlier statement Saechao barricaded inside a house in the 200 block of Cleopatra Drive after he allegedly shot and wounded his wife Thursday evening. Pleasant Hill man who allegedly shot wife in custody, shelter-in-place lifted Police did not arrest Saechao the night of the shooting. Police called off the shelter-in-place Friday morning that was administered Thursday. However, Friday at 5:30 p.m., Pleasant Hill police issued a shelter-in-place in that same neighborhood due to police activity. The Pleasant Hill Police Department addressed the delay in the arrest and the reasoning for calling off the SWAT team. Chief Scott Vermillion confirmed he was the decision-maker in this case. According to Vermillion, this incident began when Saechaos wife attempted to enter their home at the front door, however, she could not enter on Dec. 7. Saechaos wife attempted to enter the home from the side garage door when Saechao shot through the door his wife was trying to open. Saechaos wife was hit by several shotgun pellets in the hip. She was treated and released that night, according to police. Vermillion explained the determining factors that led to the decision not to arrest Saechao the night he shot his wife. Mr. Saechao was a Marine and a retired police officer who had no criminal record, said Vermillion. We did not believe he was presented an immediate threat to the community. I decided that the presence of a SWAT team could have made things worse, so I ordered them to tactically disengage. Saechao made multiple threatening social media posts after the incident. Vermillion says Saechaos social media posts seemed to be targeted at police enforcement and not the general public. Vermillion explained the department was concerned Saechao could mistake a civilian with a police officer and potentially become violent. Vermillion says the investigation continued after SWAT was ordered to disengage, We did not park a police car directly in front of them. We did have some surveillance to include undercover surveillance. The surveillance included tracking Saechaos phone and location. According to Vermillion, there was other evidence that directed detectives to continue the investigation. The SWAT team was deployed on Dec. 8. According to police, Saechao shot out of the residence from an unseen position, striking an armored SWAT police vehicle numerous times when police attempted to negotiate with him. Vermillion estimates that Saechao stuck the police car around 30 times. Saechao used both a shotgun and an assault rifle, according to police. Shortly after Saechao shot the police vehicle, he walked outside with his hands up, gesturing he had a gun on his hip. According to Vermillion, Saechao attempted several times to get the officers to shoot him. According to Chief Scott Vermillion, Saechao surrendered peacefully to the FBI SWAT team. He is facing assault with a deadly weapon against his wife and several attempted homicides of a police officer. Vermillion says he is accountable for the missteps in this case, I believed that there would be a cooling off period and that he would not escalate. He did the opposite. His mental health and social media posts elevated. We were assessing it and then we responded and redeployed on him because of that. Vermillion stated, I do regret that our community, and especially the Sherman Acres neighborhood experienced a major disruption caused by this prolonged and serious event. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. The world is still off track to limit global warming to the crucial 1.5-degree threshold, despite pollution-slashing pledges made by dozens of countries at UN-backed climate talks in Dubai, an analysis by the International Energy Agency published Sunday shows. The assessment is the first comprehensive report card on what the COP28 climate talks in Dubai have so far achieved. The results show that the commitments would slash greenhouse gas emissions by 4 gigatons less than one-third of what is now required to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above temperatures before industrialization. Science shows that life on Earth will struggle to adapt beyond that point. An IEA statement said the pledges would not be nearly enough to keep global heating to 1.5 degrees. Executive Director Fatih Birol said the pledges were positive and in line with some of the recommendations the IEA had made ahead of the talks. But he said not enough countries had joined them and that commitments to ensuring a decline in fossil fuel use was needed to bridge the gap. The IEAs very latest assessment of these pledges shows that if they are fully implemented by their signatories to date, they would bridge only 30% of the gap to reaching international climate goals, Birol told CNN. There is a need for more countries and companies to join the pledges and for agreement on an orderly and just decline of global fossil fuel use if we want to keep the 1.5 C goal in reach. Negotiators at COP28 are discussing an agreement in which they could call for the phase-out of fossil fuels the main driver of climate change for the first time at the annual climate talks. Language on fossil fuels has been highly contentious, and there are deep divisions over the issue. More than 100 countries support a phase-out in some form, but some oil-producing nations dont want any reference to reducing oil and gas at all. The IEA analysis was based on pledges around renewable energy, energy efficiency and the reduction of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. More than 120 countries, including the United States, have now agreed to support tripling the worlds renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency measures. Fifty major oil and gas companies, including Exxon and Saudi Aramco, also signed a pledge at the talks to cut methane emissions from their oil and gas operations by the end of the decade. That means a reduction in methane intensity of around 80 to 90% from their products. They also agreed to end routine flaring by 2030. Flaring is the deliberate burning of natural gas during oil extraction. Companies sometimes flare natural gas to depressurize systems during oil drilling, though at other times, flaring occurs when an operator doesnt need or want to collect all the gas available, often because its cheaper to burn it than collect it. Fossil fuel consumption is the main driver of the climate crisis. Countries agreed to a phase-down in coal production in 2021 at the COP26 talks in Glasgow, Scotland, but negotiations on language around all fossil fuels, including oil and gas, are proving more contentious. The talks are happening at the tail-end of a year hit hard by the worsening climate crisis. Scientists have confirmed that 2023 is officially the hottest on record. Extreme weather events made more likely or intense by the climate crisis including fires, floods, heatwaves and hurricanes have claimed lives in many parts of the world. The COP28 presidency responded to the IEAs assessment, saying the progress it outlined showed a major breakthrough, adding no previous COP has achieved so much so soon. COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber told reporters earlier that progress in the negotiations on a final agreement, however, were not moving fast enough. Am I satisfied with the speed and the pace? The answer is No, he said on Sunday before convening a roundtable of ministers to try and break the impasse over several issues, including the future of fossil fuels. Time is ticking. The clock is ticking, and Im sure you can all hear it, just like how I am able to hear it, he said, and we need to move much, much, much faster. Al Jaber has been the subject of controversy for months, well before the talks began on November 30. The United Arab Emirates has been accused of a conflict of interest in appointing Al Jaber to chair the talks as he also runs the countrys state-owned oil and gas company, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Move over, Santa. Amazon runs the holidays now. The dot-com behemoth captured two-thirds of online gift shoppers in 2022, nearly doubling up its closest competitor. More generally, the Seattle company controls nearly 38% of American e-commerce, leaving just 7% for second-place Walmart, and even beat out NATO, the CDC and the Supreme Court in a 2021 survey ranking the countrys most favorably-viewed institutions. But Amazon is also the target of a landmark antitrust lawsuit filed in September by the Federal Trade Commission and 17 state attorneys, alleging monopolistic practices used to inflate prices, degrade quality and stifle innovation. And 56% of small business owners told Lendio surveyors they see Amazon as a threat. Is Jeffrey Bezos beloved e-tailer a friend or foe? A Heavyweight Partner Amazon is a boon for small businesses, retail partners that form the backbone of the companys operation. While the company does sell directly to consumers, the idea that it is competing with retailers is largely a misconception. Unlike Walmart and the other big-box stores that decimated Main Streets across America, Amazon is not primarily a retailer but a platform for third-party sellers. In exchange for access fees and commissions, the company not only lets them access the largest customer base on Earth but also provides a range of services empowered by its massive economies of scale. To put it simply: Amazon claims about 200 million members in its Prime program, which provides a streaming service as well as free shipping and returns on many products for a monthly subscription fee. Thats equivalent to more than half the population of the United States, all shoppers who can select for Prime-enabled products when they search making the company a preferred resource for cost-conscious members. If youre on Amazon, a lot of people can easily find the products that youre selling, says Mark Jamison, business professor at the University of Florida and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Amazon can also handle the grunt work of retail, like returns and exchanges, or centralize customer service. Sellers can also enroll in Fulfillment by Amazon to piggyback on the companys substantial warehouse space and shipping infrastructure, so when a customer orders from that seller, Amazon already has the product on hand and ready to ship. For a company simply looking to start selling quickly and outsource a lot of the logistics involved in retail, Marc Bain wrote for Quartz, Amazon can be attractive. Since Amazon makes most of its money not by selling its own products, but by taking a cut of third-party sales, it wants to see those sellers succeed. If thats the core of your business, you want them to be successful, to be rewarded, Jamison says. The surveys that I have seen where small businesses say Amazon is a threat, its largely because theyre not using Amazon. A bully is a bully The free market is fueled by healthy competition, as embodied by Adam Smiths invisible hand. The economist used this metaphor to describe market forces fueled by rational self-interest that he argued would push businesses to the optimal intersections of supply and demand, cost and benefit. But in its own marketplace, Amazon behaves more like a fist, jabbing rivals until they are too weak to fight back. The platform is not designed for businesses to develop brand recognition. Presented like a catalog, the site standardizes every detail but the companys name. And sellers find themselves at the mercy of a provider that changes policies on a dime, charging sellers to appear among top search results or adding new fees, like one imposed earlier this year that seems to punish sellers who ship their own products. Amazon has also increased its cut of third-party sales, surpassing 50% on average in 2022. It is prohibitively expensive for small businesses to do business there, says Kennedy Smith, senior researcher with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Sellers also confront a marketplace that is not only saturated with nearly every imaginable version of each product, but itself produces knockoffs when products are successful. According to a 2020 report by the House antitrust subcommittee, Amazon harvests data on its bestselling items so that it can copy them and sell its own versions at lower prices under unfamiliar brand names alongside independent knock-offs. Amazon is first and foremost a data company, one former employee told House investigators, they just happen to use it to sell stuff. Adam Smith is often evoked to support opposition to government interference in the economy, but the father of modern capitalism also worried about a company accumulating too much power. When that company can distort the entire market for their advantage, we call it a monopoly. Amazon is so dominant a sales platform that the odds of a small business attracting sales to its own platform are miniscule, says Kennedy Smith. So their sales are going to be sort of truncated right out of the gate. This story appears in the December issue of Deseret Magazine. Learn more about how to subscribe. (FOX40.COM) Seven people have been arrested for their roles in the operation of an illegal gambling establishment that was being run out of a garage in Northern California. According to Stockton Police, charges for operating an illegal gambling establishment, animal cruelty, and weapons-related charges were levied upon seven individuals ranging from the ages of 16 to 41 on Friday. Bugatti kit car recovered in San Joaquin County during investigation of stolen box truck Upon executing a search warrant near the 2300 block of Hydrangea Drive, police located four guns and various casino-like games in the garage of a Stockton residence, which belonged to a 36-year-old woman who owned the home, police added. Among the seven people arrested, only three of them were over the age of 21. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. Gus Pappas will be Bellaire's next mayor, after winning 57 percent of the runoff vote on Dec. 9. Demi Pappas Gus Pappas is returning to Bellaire city government after voters in the suburban city decisively elected him as mayor on Saturday. Pappas, a former city council member and mayor pro tem, won 57% of the runoff vote. He beat Aaron Perry, a personal injury lawyer and a former felony prosecutor, who received 43%. Sunday morning, with results tallied, Pappas credited the residents and campaigners who helped him return. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I literally couldnt have done it without yall, Pappas said in an Instagram post showing the results. I am so proud to live in Bellaire and am even more proud to serve as your mayor for the next two years. The race centered on quality of life issues for the mostly upscale enclave, ranging from concerns about property crime to the need for investment in infrastructure while avoiding long-term debt. Ive been consistent throughout this campaign in expressing my view that while I am not crazy about debt, we have to stop and think about what our town would look and be like without our strategic use of debt over the years, Pappas said on his campaign website after election mailers accused him of a plan to issue bonds. Many of our streets would not only be in disrepair, but few would have underground stormwater storage and drainage lines, there would still be 70 plus year old water and sewer lines throughout the city routinely breaking, and our wastewater treatment plant would be nonfunctional. Pappas previously served on the city council from 2014 to 2021 and was unable to seek re-election because of term limits. Born in Greece, he grew up in Houston and is not related to the locally known family of restaurateurs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police in Florida say they arrested an 11-year-old who reported a fake school shooting because he 'wanted to go home early' Florida police arrested an 11-year-old accused of falsely reporting a school shooting. MattGush/Getty Images Florida authorities said they arrested an 11-year-old who called in a fake school shooting. The boy told a friend he wanted to leave school early, the police said. They said the boy faced charges of a false report of a mass shooting and misuse of a 911 call, among others. Florida authorities arrested an 11-year-old who they accused of reporting a fake school shooting on December 5 because he wanted to leave school early. The Marion County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that investigators discovered the boy made the false 911 report from a friend's cellphone when the friend left his cellphone unattended. Before placing the call, the boy told his friend he "wanted to go home early," the police said. "All of this was a prank," the police statement said. Sheriff's deputies arrested the boy on charges of a false report of a mass shooting, utilizing a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, disruption of a school function, and misuse of a 911 emergency system, the statement said. It's unclear whether the boy is being represented by an attorney. In 911 audio released by police, a boy could be heard saying: "Help, there is a school shooter walking through the hallway." When the 911 operator asked the boy what school it was, he said "Marion Oaks" and added that he was in "building two." When the dispatcher asked whether the child was referring to Marion Oaks Elementary or Marion Oaks High School, the boy did not directly answer. Instead, the boy said, "He's coming, he's coming" and hung up. The total released audio lasted 43 seconds. The police responded to Horizon Academy in Marion Oaks after receiving the call at 9:39 a.m. on December 5 with a SWAT team, aviation unit, and K-9s, the statement said. During the evacuation and subsequent police search of the school, there were visible "fear levels" among students and teachers, the police said. Authorities placed the school on lockdown in response to the call, but later that day announced that their units could not locate any threat to students and staff. "This student put fear into his fellow students, staff, and parents," Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said. "For what? A prank? Because you wanted to go home?" Woods said Florida law required those who are convicted of filing false reports to pay restitution for the cost of the law-enforcement response, which in this case "will equal hundreds upon hundreds of man-hours." "This young man is going to need to mow a lot of lawns to pay that bill," Woods said. Read the original article on Business Insider Seattle police are investigating after a man was stabbed multiple times in Rainier Valley Thursday night. The Seattle Police Department said around 10:30 p.m. officers were sent to the 8300 block of Wabash Avenue South for reports of a stabbing. When officers got there they found a 25-year-old man with multiple stab wounds. Officers provided aid until the Seattle Fire Department got there. The man was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. A witness told police she was sitting at a bus stop with the man when the suspect approached. The suspect asked a question and then pulled out a knife and stabbed the man before fleeing the scene on foot. Officers looked for the suspect with the help of the King County Sheriffs Office helicopter but didnt find him. Homicide detectives are leading the investigation. If you have any information, call SPDs Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000. Rudy Giuliani, the politician who was once lauded as Americas mayor but descended into the rabbit hole of Donald Trumps election denial lies, will face a Washington DC jury on Monday in a landmark case which could see him saddled with millions of dollars in damages. For the first time at trial, Giuliani will be confronted in a federal district court with the consequences of the conspiracy theories he disseminated as Trumps 2020 election lawyer. He will come eye-to-eye with the mother and daughter poll workers from Georgia who claim that he destroyed their lives and caused them ongoing emotional distress by maliciously accusing them of election fraud. The stakes of the civil trial are exceptionally high. The plaintiffs are asking the jury to set damages of up to $43m as punishment for Giulianis outrageous conduct. Legal experts and democracy advocates will also be watching closely to see whether a rarely used complaint of defamation can act as a deterrent on anyone contemplating another round of election denial in next years presidential election and beyond. There could also be ramifications for the Rico organised crime prosecution that Giuliani is facing in Fulton county, Georgia, that also relates to his actions in the 2020 election. After jury selection and opening statements on Monday, there will be three days of testimony in the DC trial. Headlining the witness list are the poll workers themselves, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss. While nothing will fully repair all of the damages that Giuliani and his allies wreaked on our clients lives, livelihoods and security, they are eager and ready for their day in court to continue their fight for accountability, said the womens legal representatives at Protect Democracy, a non-partisan advocacy group. Freeman and Moss became household names after they gave a moving televised account to the House investigation into the 6 January 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol. They recounted how their lives had been turned upside down by Giulianis relentless attacks. Be glad its 2020 and not 1920, Moss, who is African American, told the hearing, invoking the history of lynching in the deep south. Giuliani has already been found liable by the judge presiding in the case, Beryl Howell, for smearing the poll workers, intentionally inflicting emotional distress on them, and engaging in a conspiracy with at least two others to defame them. It now falls to the jury to decide the scale of damages. Giuliani defamed the poll workers by accusing them falsely of criminal misdeeds during the critical count of presidential election votes in the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. As one of the key swing states in the 2020 race, Georgias 16 electoral college votes had the potential to determine whether Trump or Joe Biden would be the next occupant of the White House. As part of the Trump teams extensive efforts to undermine the election count and thereby foil Bidens victory, Giuliani bore down on Freeman and Moss. He helped circulate a misleadingly edited tape of security footage from the arena which he inaccurately claimed showed them stealing votes for Biden. He propagated the Suitcase Gate conspiracy theory a video that falsely claimed to show the poll workers removing phoney ballots from suitcases stored under their table, then counting them three, four, five, six, seven times The court will be shown a sample of the ginger mint that Freeman passed to Moss during the counting process Giuliani claimed it was a USB drive used to change the vote count on electronic tabulation devices. His wild claims were fully debunked by Georgia officials at the time he was making them. In June a full investigation by the states election board cleared Freeman and Moss of any wrongdoing and dismissed Giulianis fraud claims as unsubstantiated. Despite the official pushback, Giuliani continued to attack the pair. In several hours of scheduled testimony, mother and daughter are expected to describe to the jury the storm of death threats and harassment they and their families suffered and continue to suffer in the wake of the smear campaign. In the fallout, they were forced to flee their homes, go into hiding and change their appearance. Moss quit her job as a poll worker. Giulianis lawyers have indicated that he may testify in person at the trial. If he does so he will not be allowed to repeat any of the defamatory slurs about the plaintiffs, as he has already accepted that he defamed them. His lawyers have indicated that he will, though, attempt to show that his actions had minimal connection to the blizzard of violent threats and harassment that the women have endured. That way he will hope to minimize the damages awarded by the jury. Several other former members of the legal team in Trumps 2020 re-election campaign are also likely to be called upon during the trial, with their testimony drawn from depositions. They include the former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik, Jenna Ellis, who has been charged alongside Giuliani in the Fulton county Rico case, and Christina Bobb. Court documents show that Ellis refused to answer questions from Freeman and Mosss lawyers during her deposition. She pleaded the fifth amendment right to remain silent 448 times. Some of the Houses most high-profile progressives are facing a growing primary threat next year over their position on the Israel-Hamas war. Several Squad members including Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) have already gotten Democratic opponents for next year as moderates in the party look to oust them over their outspoken views on Israels counterstrikes in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attacks carried out by Hamas. The primary challenges are a clear sign of the deepening rift within the Democratic Party over its support for Israel in the war, which is carrying into its third month. If the Justice Democrats start losing seats, thats a disaster for progressives, said Cenk Uygur, a left-wing media entrepreneur who is challenging President Biden in 2024. The four Squad members currently facing the possibility of upsets have been among the most vocal within the Congressional Progressive Caucus, including Reps. Bush, Bowman, Summer Lee (D-Pa.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). They have been critical of the Biden administrations pro-Israel posture over the war and aspects of the Democratic caucus response on Capitol Hill, where leading moderates have called for more support for the U.S.s biggest ally in the Middle East. Progressives are bracing for hard-fought and expensive battles with credible opponents, as well as anticipating an onslaught of targeted attacks ahead of November. These are not normal challengers, these are people who are going to be powered by millions in lobbyist money, Uygar said. This is the establishment trying to strike back because progressives wouldnt bow to orthodoxy. Lee, who narrowly won her race two years ago in the surrounding Pittsburgh area, is being challenged by Bhavini Patel, a 29-year-old Indian American who is running for the seat in Pennsylvanias 12th Congressional District that Lee represents. The challenge comes amid allegations from moderates that she is not sufficiently supportive of Israel. Bowman, a Black former school principal, is facing George Latimer, who serves as Westchester County executive. The white, 70-year-old Latimer told The New York Times this week that after much speculation and pressure from Democratic donors, he decided to mount a bid. Bush is also being primaried in the surrounding St. Louis area by Wesley Bell, the prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County who ended his Senate bid to unseat Republican Sen. Josh Hawley (Mo.) and oppose Bush instead. The influx of primary rivals has led progressives to rally support around their most vulnerable members. The coalition is expecting to pull together at least seven figures in spending to protect these incumbents, one member of the progressive coalition told The Hill on Friday, speaking on background to address the sensitive nature of the current campaign strategies. The goal, according to the progressive source, is to fight back against the Israel lobbys war-mongering in Congress that risks alienating millions of voters before crucial Democratic elections to defeat Trump and a GOP majority next November. Calls to replace the loudest left-wing voices in the lower chamber have been ongoing since Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) first challenged a longstanding and well-funded opponent in 2018, setting off a domino effect with other left-wing candidates successfully following her lead. Progressives created a playbook that has afforded them some success. Theyve won victories beyond New York, in places like Missouri, where Bush defeated legacy House member Lacy Clay, and more recently Pennsylvania, where Lee won an unexpected victory in an open race despite being outspent by special interest groups supporting her moderate opponent. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), the only Palestinian American in the House, has caught anger from many Democrats for speaking out against the Israeli government, but she so far hasnt drawn any primary challengers despite a growing effort to recruit and fund a viable candidate to run against her. While intraparty tensions have been simmering for quite some time, the actual primary challenges have now become more urgent among those who feel the party needs to do reputational damage control ahead of the next election. Among the interest groups expected to play a key role is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which is likely to spend millions of dollars in the upcoming cycle. We are currently evaluating races concerning detractors of Israel, but we have not yet made decisions, said AIPAC spokesperson Marshall Wittmann in a statement to The Hill, when asked about the groups strategy towards progressive members. Our sole criteria in evaluating candidates is their position on the US-Israel relationship. In fact, we support many progressive pro-Israel candidates including the Democratic leadership, almost half of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and over half of the Congressional Black Caucus and Hispanic Caucus, Wittman said. Liberals who are strategizing around keeping as many seats as possible are already acknowledging the vast spending and lobbying in the works to defeat their recruited candidates. Justice Democrats, alongside others, are leading the mobilization of a broad coalition of organizations and donors across electoral, antiwar, Jewish and Muslim groups who are all-in on taking on AIPAC and their Republican-funded Super PACs attempts to buy our democracy and elect right-wing Democrats, said Alexandra Rojas, executive director of Justice Democrats, the leading organization that helps elect more Squad members, when asked about preparations to address multiple challengers. The Democratic Majority for Israel and the United Democracy Project, AIPACs super PAC, have already gotten involved in races through negative materials. We are uniting behind our progressive incumbents who have become the moral conscience of our Congress to defend against AIPAC and the United Democracy Projects Republican billionaire megadonors, Rojas added. This is the fight for the soul of our democracy. The drum beat for replacements in largely urban, safely blue districts also comes as the party looks to mitigate the public distrust among some toward President Biden over his response to the war. While many Jewish Democrats support Bidens unequivocal support for the state, a segment of progressive Jews say that stance doesnt make room for a humanitarian approach to Palestinians, thousands of whom have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Omar, a Muslim American who was elected alongside Ocasio-Cortez in 2018, has been one of pro-Israel Democrats biggest targets. While she has continued to be elected by voters for the past three cycles, shes now calling more direct attention to AIPACs expected influence. Omar faces a challenge in Minneapolis, part of Minnesotas 5th Congressional District, from Don Samuels, a former city council member whom she ran against in the last election. In the 2022 midterms, Samuels only lost by about 2 percent to Omar, a tight margin for one of the most controversial figures in the caucus. Some progressives have pointed to Bidens decrease in support among key constituencies over the Israel and Palestine issue, with a sizable amount of younger voters and voters of color expressing support for Palestinians during the conflict, making the distinction between the civilian population and the terrorist group that orchestrated the attack in early October. The president has gained support on his handling of the war in some surveys, including a poll from the AP/NORC Center for Public Affairs research released this week that showed 59 percent of respondents said they approve of Bidens response, a several point increase from last month. Other polls, however, show him with a decrease in standing among voters of color. The climate that were dealing with today will likely be very different than the one that exists on Election [Day], said Michael Starr-Hopkins, a Democratic strategist and CEO of Northern Starr Strategies. My experience has been that when outside groups drop into a primary and attempt to influence it by spending millions of dollars, those efforts largely backfire. Voters dont take well to people who dont live in their community attempting to tell them who they should support, Starr-Hopkins said. When you combine that with the increase in new voters, who the midterms proved are overwhelmingly young and progressive, it creates a firewall for prominent progressives who find themselves under attack. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A cross-country storm system ramped up Saturday and brought showers from Houston to Cleveland, while Texas through Kentucky faced severe weather. Tennessee bore the brunt of the eastbound storm, and officials said six people died as a series of tornadoes touched down across the state and pulled up roofs and flipped vehicles. The entire East Coast from Maine to Florida is expected to see heavy rain and wind on Sunday that could cause power outages and coastal flooding. Downed tree limbs and power lines are also possible, said PSE&G, the largest gas and electric service provider in New Jersey. As we closely monitor this latest weather event, our crews are prepared and ready to respond safely and as quickly as possible if outages occur, the company said. We are committed to bringing customers safe and reliable service regardless of extreme weather conditions. PSE&G has additional personnel ready to respond to power outages, and we encourage customers to take the time now to prepare. Our forecast for the next storm system Sunday into Monday remains on track with heavy rain and gusty winds expected. For all the details, check out our latest briefing at https://t.co/vFyCuxM4Si pic.twitter.com/482sbyLQlG NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) December 9, 2023 New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy encouraged residents to monitor their local weather. We are anticipating strong winds & heavy rainfall in the northern parts of the state, starting Sunday afternoon and continuing into Monday, he said in a post Saturday on X. Please monitor weather forecasts and stay dry, New Jersey! The New York City Emergency Management Department issued a travel advisory for Sunday and Monday. While New Yorkers are no stranger to inclement weather, we want to remind residents to keep an eye on the forecast and remain prepared, Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement Saturday. We are preparing for heavy rains and strong winds Sunday night into Monday morning, which means everyone should take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their belongings in the event of potential flooding conditions in low lying areas. Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee were the focus of tornado watches and warnings Saturday night, but the statements began to expire as a front made unstable by humid air from the Gulf of Mexico and cold air from the north moved east overnight. The Tennessee deaths were reported in a neighborhood in the northern part of Nashville and in Clarksville, a town in Montgomery County, according to officials. At least 23 people in the county were hospitalized, they said. Tornado damage, downed trees and fallen lines were also reported in other parts of the state, including in Gibson County, where Fire Station 9 in Rutherford was mostly destroyed, Sheriff Paul Thomas said, and will need to be rebuilt. Kentucky dodged the tragedy and damage caused by the front, though weather-watchers were tracking it as it moved out of Tennessee. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Vladimir Putin confirmed he will stand in the election on Friday at a medals ceremony in the Kremlin for soldiers - Russian Presidential Press Service Russian soldiers have been ordered to up their attacks on Ukrainian forces ahead of Russias presidential election to bolster Vladimir Putin, an influential think tank has said. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Putin wanted his forces on the attack during the most challenging winter weather conditions to impress Russian voters. Russian forces are under pressure to fully seize and maintain the initiative into the early months of 2024 prior to the upcoming March Russian presidential elections, the ISW said in an intelligence briefing. Analysts have said that Putin wants to use his invasion of Ukraine as the centrepiece of his election campaign. He confirmed he would stand in the election on Friday at a medals ceremony in the Kremlin for soldiers. Russian forces have been attacking the town of Avdiivka near Bakhmut on the front line in Ukraines eastern Donbas region since the start of November 2023. The Ministry of Defence has said that the battle is the deadliest of the year with Russia losing up to 1,000 soldiers every day. Witnesses have described the brutal disregard of Russian officers for their men, sending them to their deaths against dug-in Ukrainian positions. But various Telegram channels linked to both Russia and Ukraine have said that Russias weight of numbers appeared to be paying off and they had regained some initiative in the region. Near Avdiivka, Russian Armed Forces units are continuing their operation to pincer the Ukrainian Armed Forces stronghold, said Rybar, a high-profile Russian military blog. Video from the battlefield shows that this Russian initiative has come at a high cost. In one video, filmed by a Ukraine drone, the camera picks out two Russian soldiers dragging an injured colleague through a no-mans-land hellscape of mud, destroyed trees, rubble and burnt bodies. They tire of dragging their colleague and decide to leave him despite his protests. Without turning back, they walk away and stop for a rest by a tree stump. A Ukrainian drone then kills one of the Russian soldiers. His blood splatters the other. He is momentarily stunned but then runs away. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Rabbi Arik Ascherman, a member of Rabbis for Human Rights, helps Palestinians during the olive harvest outside Ramallah in the West Bank - Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images A group of rabbis and Israeli volunteers are risking life and limb to protect this years olive harvest in the West Bank, amid soaring tensions over the war in Gaza. Rabbis for Human Rights, an organisation set up in 1990 during the first intifada, has been working for decades to build ties with Palestinian communities threatened by violent Israeli settlers. As the war in Gaza rages, there has been a surge in violence in the West Bank, making the job of collecting olives, a cornerstone of the territorys economy, riskier than ever. Rabbi Avi Dabush heads the charity and has continued his work despite being displaced from his home at Kibbutz Nirim, one of the communities that was hit hardest during the Hamas massacres on Oct 7. We wont go home for at least another year, Mr Dabush told The Telegraph. The war and the tensions it has sparked makes him and the organisation even more determined to continue its work in spite of the new challenges the war has brought, he said. Before Oct 7 there was an average of three incidents of settler violence per day, according to the UN. But that has risen to seven. Palestinian women work at an olive grove outside Ramallah in the occupied West Bank - Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images We too are victims of their violence, Mr Dabush said. A year and a half ago when we were planting, 15 masked settlers came from Givat Ronen, attacked volunteers, set the cars on fire. The volunteers are really putting themselves at risk. In this case we are trying to protect the farmers but they are also at risk, he said. Four years ago we had a rabbi, 80 years old, and the settlers came from Yitzhar, set the field on fire and hit him with iron bars. He was hospitalised for a few days. Other volunteers have had arms and legs broken and suffered head injuries. The charity works near some of the most radical and dangerous settlements. The Bedouin village of Burim, near Nablus, is surrounded on one side by the settler community of Itzhar, and on the other Givat Ronen, considered a violent outpost. Instead of 100 volunteers a day going to help Bedouin communities with the olive harvest, only about 10 can reach them, with the rest either displaced, at home taking care of children whose schools have closed, or too afraid of the rising tide of violence. A UN report claimed more than one in every three settler-related incidents since October 7 involved settlers using firearms to threaten Palestinians, including by opening fire. Palestinian farmers in the West Bank have come under attack from Israeli settlers - Issam Rimawi/Anadolu via Getty Images The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have imposed a series of roadblocks and curfews to limit movement around the occupied West Bank as flare-ups continue, meaning the group could only access the farmers it helps for around seven days of the month-long harvest period this year. From Hawara to the north now, it is pretty closed by the army so its hard to reach these areas, Mr Dabush said. While there are some in Israel who do not understand why Mr Dabush and his volunteers put themselves in the firing line to protect the Palestinians and Bedouin communities, there are many who are determined that humanitarian work should continue. As an Israeli, there are people who really think this is important. And yes, there are people who really think that its helping the enemy. We are faith based and based on human rights principles, the Jewish morality, so we are determined in that. Rabbis for Human Rights also works with shepherds in the Jordan valley, who are increasingly need food and medical supplies. We started humanitarian work which we dont usually do. Farmers and mayors from these villages like Burin and Kusra told us they need help in medical goods and also with food, so we started every week to bring food support and first aid. With road closures for security operations a frequent occurrence, moving from village to village is harder and more dangerous than ever. Our work is even more urgent Recently, a Bedouin farmer was killed by a settler while tending his olive trees. We feel that our work is even more urgent, though its always urgent, so we are even more driven, Mr Dabush said. This week, Israeli rights group Yesh Din, said settler violence has intensified in the past month under the cover of war. It has manifested primarily in the armed invasions of settlers into Palestinian villages and preventing Palestinians from harvesting their olive crop through violence and intimidation. Another of the rabbis, Anton Goodman, spoke about the graffiti he had witnessed in the West Bank including death to Arabs. He said: There are violent settlers trying to abuse this [time] to create more hatred and violence and we are here to do the opposite. The IDF said the uptick in violence was coming from both sides. Since the October 7th massacre, there has been a significant increase in terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria, with over 550 attempted attacks occurring since the beginning of the war, a spokesman told The Sunday Telegraph. The IDF conducts nightly counterterrorism operations to apprehend suspects, many of them are part of the Hamas terrorist organisation. In addition, as part of the security operations in the area, dynamic checkpoints have been put up over different places. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Raiz Federal Credit Union, in collaboration with El Paso Zoo Society, is introducing the new El Paso Zoo Society Debit Card. The partnership is part of the Spirit Debit Card program, which provides an opportunity for Raiz members to support local organizations by donating funds to the participating organization of their choice. In this case, it allows the community to make a meaningful impact on the lives of animals while shopping, according to the credit union. So, how does the debit card work? For every non-PIN transaction made with the El Paso Zoo Society Debit Card, the credit union donates $0.05 to the El Paso Zoo Society. The credit union is also offering an incentive by increasing the donation amount to $0.10 for each qualifying transaction made in the next three years. Additionally, debit cardholders will receive a 5% discount when purchasing an Annual Zoo Membership, according to the press release. We strongly believe in the power of community and are thrilled to partner with the El Paso Zoo Society to make a positive impact with our members for local wildlife, said Alejandro Yu, VP of Marketing. By choosing the El Paso Zoo Society Debit Card, you are actively preserving local wildlife and contributing to community enrichment. To learn more about the El Paso Zoo Society Debit Card or to request yours today, visit www.raiz.us. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. A new nonprofit foundation is being set up to help fund educational programs in the Ravenna School District and provide opportunities for its nearly 2,000 students. Sponsored by alumni, the foundation will be dedicated to the school district, but function as an outside entity as is now required by Ohio law. Matthew Ferrell, president of Buckeye Residential Solutions and an alumnus of Ravenna High School, is leading the effort to get the foundation up and running. Ferrell has been joined by other alumni who have agreed to serve on the foundations board. Brandy Tsai will serve as treasurer and Melissa Morris as secretary. Justin Yun and Amy Adams will serve as board members. We have filed our articles of incorporation and await a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service that gives the Ravenna Schools Foundation 501(c) 3 status, said Ferrell. We have already set up an account at Portage Community Bank that can accept donations. The foundation will be similar to others that public schools throughout the state of Ohio are forming to help overcome what educators believe is an inadequate effort to fund public education. Locally, Aurora and Kent publiuc schools have foundations. Shaker Heights has the oldest public school foundation in Ohio. Set up 42 years ago, the Shaker Schools Foundation, according to its president, attorney Carter Strang, has assets that have grown to more than $5 million and during its existence have provided more than $10 million in support of students and teachers funding programs not covered by tax dollars. One recent example is funding sewing machines for a program set up in collaboration with the Kent State School of Fashion. Shaker is a larger school district, but its foundation shows the potential that can accrue to a public school system. An advantage of the foundation will be its ability to grow as funds are conservatively invested. This will help extend the life of scholarship money, which is often dedicated to the memory of someone. Ravenna Superintendent Laura Hebert said the foundation is critical to the Ravenna district. Ravenna schools, she said, are not fully funded by Ohios Fair Funding Act. The additional money provided by the Ohio lottery and the casinos, she said, amounts to $60 per student, a drop in the bucket. Citing medical insurance as one of the Ravenna School Districts major expenses, she noted that premium rates since 2005 have gone up by 163%. Base salaries for teaching and non-teaching staff since 2005 have risen only 40%, she said. Despite tight finances, Hebert said Ravenna is undertaking important initiatives. The Ravenna Renaissance Scholar Program will provide personalized learning opportunities in the areas of art, business, and manufacturing/engineering. Students in the program will work in a cohort learning in each content area. They will also collaborate on an industry proposed issue and design and market a product to address the issue. The model, she said, is based on the Virginia Commonwealth Universitys DaVinci Center focusing on works in the high school setting. Ravenna also intends to beef up its Career and Tech Education offerings, especially the area of health services, she said. Ravenna would like to acquire a simulator ambulance for this program and perhaps someday the new foundation can help in initiatives like that. She said the foundation can also enrich the William R. Day Civics Institutes curriculum. She said Ravenna would like to offer more advanced placement courses for Ravennas college-bound students and the foundation could help that effort. The foundation has already received two donations totaling nearly $10,000 as word has spread on social media. Ferrell said the Foundation has adopted as its slogan, Every Raven, Everywhere. Noting the bond that alumni often feel about the schools where they have received their education, Ferrell said the foundation will become an effective instrument for alumni who want to give back to Ravenna schools. David E. Dix is a retired publisher of the Record-Courier. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New Ravenna schools foundation will help students achieve Ottawa Senators right wing Mathieu Joseph (21) hits Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) DETROIT (AP) Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin was unconscious face-down on he ice for about a minute after being cross-checked in the back of the head and neck by Ottawas Mathieu Joseph on Saturday night. Larkin lay motionless on the ice as a stretcher was quickly wheeled onto the ice. Larkin was eventually able to stand up after regaining conciousness, but was hunched over as he was assisted to the locker room. The Red Wings released a statement midway through the 5-1 loss that Larkin was being evaluated by the medical staff. Coach Derek Lalonde didn't have a further update afterward. It was tough, Lalonde said. It went from a really, realy scary moment and then for him to become conscious and not have to go out on the stretcher, that was a big lift for everyone. Standing near the Ottawa goal during a first-period power play, Larkin took the hit from Joseph and was pushed into the Senators' Parker Kelly, who also hit Larkin as the Detroit player fell. Joseph and Kelly were assessed roughing penalties on the play with 6:10 left in the period. Detroits David Perron was given a match penalty for intent to injure for cross-checking Artem Zub as the Ottawa defenseman stood next to the prone Larkin. Just a tough sight to see, obviously, said Detroit center Christian Fischer, who fought Joseph in the third period. Never want to see anybody down, especially the leader of your team. Its a tough one to kind of regroup from. The Senators scored three second-period goals in a 5-1 victory. I was laying on the ground and didnt know what was going on, Ottawa goalie Joonas Korpisalo said. I finally saw him motionless and you never want to see anyone in that position. It was pretty scary. I hope hes good. Larkin and Joseph were involved in another incident on Oct. 14, 2021, when Joseph played for Tampa Bay. Joseph cross-checked Larkin, who retaliated with a punch. Larkin was suspended for one game. Larkin suffered a season-ending neck injury April 20, 2021, when he was cross-checked from behind by Dallas' Jamie Benn. Larkin had to wear a cervicle hard collar for eight weeks while recovering from the injury. ___ AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl A Donbas.Realii correspondent showed off Leopard 1 tanks and talked to Ukrainian soldiers about the advantages and disadvantages of the machinery in a video shared on Radio Libertys Telegram channel on Dec. 7. "It is officially known that Ukraine will receive about 100 Leopard 1 tanks from Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands," correspondent Yaroslav Krechko said. Read also: Ukraine rolls out Leopard tanks in defense strategy The Ukrainian Defense Forces are already using some of them at the front, but most of the tanks are expected to arrive next year. The Leopard 1 is an old model, but the A5 version, which is being received by the Armed Forces, has a relatively modern fire control system. The Ukrainian military noted that the disadvantage of these tanks is their weak armor. However, tankers are working on strengthening it and already have some solutions. The Ukrainian military in Kharkiv Oblast received German Leopard 1A5 tanks earlier. The German government issued a license to German military companies on Feb. 7 to supply 178 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine. Read also: Germany's Rheinmetall to supply Ukraine with 25 Leopard-1 tanks In July 2023, Berlin handed over the first Leopard 1 tanks to Kyiv. In total, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands promised about 100 such tanks. In total, Ukraine has three versions of the Leopard tank in service: the Leopard 2A6, the Leopard 2A5, and the Leopard 1A5. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Senators will refuse aid to Kyiv unless bill to protect US borders considered first Republicans in the U.S. Senate will not support aid to Ukraine without considering the border security bill to demonstrate to Democrats their seriousness and commitment to securing the national borders, Republican Senator Jim Risch of Idaho told U.S. broadcaster Voice of America on Dec. 9. Read also: Almost half of Americans view US aid to Ukraine as either supportive or insufficient poll "This was a clear party-line vote on a national security package that we have to pass, Risch said, adding that the consideration of the bill would not be delayed for long. Were going to pass it. We had to convince our colleagues in the other party that we are very serious. We Republicans are very serious about closing our southern border. We have about 10,000 illegal immigrants crossing into the United States every day, and we have to secure our border first and foremost." "The weeks and months that you are talking about are behind us, not in front of us. We've been talking about this for years, not weeks and months, and it's time to get serious." The White House requested nearly $106 billion from Congress for global security on Oct. 20, with over $61 billion of that amount earmarked for Ukraine. The Biden administration issued an urgent warning to Congress on Dec. 4 to approve tens of billions of dollars in military and economic aid to Ukraine. Otherwise, the U.S. will run out of funding to send weapons and assistance, risking kneecapping Ukraine on the battlefield, U.S. President Joe Biden said. The U.S. Department of Defense has announced that only $5.9 billion remains in the budget for aid to Ukraine, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said during a briefing on Dec. 5. Republican Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Dec. 5 that he would not support further military aid to Ukraine unless the issue of border security in the United States is resolved. Read also: Previously opposed to Ukraine aid, Mike Johnson elected as House speaker Democrats in the U.S. Senate introduced a $111 billion national security package, including aid to Ukraine and Israel, as well as funding for security for the southern border on Dec. 6. However, the bill was blocked in a procedural vote by Republicans on Dec. 7. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy canceled a planned video conference appearance in front of the U.S. Congress that same day at the last minute due to an urgent matter, NV reported earlier. Read also: Ukraine could lose the war without US aid Zelenskyys Chief-of-Staff Ukrainian presidential chief-of-staff Andrii Yermak, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin are all in the United States to hold meetings with high-ranking U.S. and NATO officials regarding arms production in Ukraine, U.S. political news outlet Politico reported on Dec. 5. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Scobie last week admitted that an early version of his manuscript named the alleged 'royal racists' - Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock The Dutch edition of Omid Scobies book Endgame has been republished in a sanitised version in which the Prince of Wales is no longer depicted as lazy Wills, according to a journalist in Holland. The original book caused outrage by reigniting the racism row between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Royal family. Rick Evers, the Dutch journalist who uncovered the names of the royal racists, said Scobies book has been re-released in Holland with hundreds of changes. Comparisons between the newly published Dutch-language version and the first edition show that the names of the two family members alleged to have voiced concerns about Prince Archies skin colour have been removed. Changes from the Sussex camp Mr Evers said some changes are only small, such as changing Queen Camilla to Camilla, Queen Consort. Commenting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Evers said in some places where Omid wrote I, the new version of the book cites ABC News as the one reporting. Some source references have been supplemented or new sources added, he said. Sometimes sources are more vague and therefore harder to trace. Other references, however, stand in stark contrast to their original forms. King Charles was originally said to have made questionable deals and to possess suspicious links and poor judgment, according to Mr Evers. The new book only refers to questionable choices. Similarly, Prince William is no longer characterised as lazy Wills, but is said to have a workshy image. Mr Evers said the adjustments clearly come from the Sussex camp as sources close to Harry and Meghan are quoted differently. Last week, Mr Scobie, 42, finally admitted that the names of the two alleged royal racists were included in early drafts of his book. He had previously denied any responsibility for the King and the Princess of Wales being named as the relatives who had made comments about Prince Archies skin tone before he was born. Following much criticism and speculation, Mr Scobie admitted in a piece for the i newspaper that unbeknownst to him, early and uncleared text including the names had been provided to his Dutch publisher in advance so that translators could begin working on the text. It was the first time Mr Scobie appeared to acknowledge he had written the names of the senior members of the Royal family in early drafts. The author had previously strenuously denied ever submitting a version of Endgame with the names included. Career incendiary device for Meghan Nick Ede, a brand and culture expert, told MailOnline: The book written by Omid Scobie is potentially a career incendiary device for Meghan. Just as Harrys own goal of a book has proved for him, the new book by Scobie unfortunately has fuelled a fire which many had thought would die down. The race row first began in March 2021 when the Duchess of Sussex alleged in an Oprah Winfrey TV interview that a member of the Royal family had speculated about the colour of her unborn sons skin. The Sussexes never named the individual but Mr Scobies book referred to two members of the family who were alleged to have made comments about the princes skin colour. Endgame sold fewer than 6,500 copies in Britain in the first five days after its publication. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. In an eleventh-hour reversal, former President Donald Trump announced Sunday he will not go back on the witness stand in the $250 million civil fraud trial against him and his company. I have already testified to everything & have nothing more to say other than this is a complete & total election interference (Biden campaign!) witch hunt, so I will not be testifying on Monday, Trump said in an all-caps, two-part post on his social media platform, Truth Social. Resumption of the trial had been scheduled for Monday, but the Office of Court Administration, the administrative arm of the New York State Unified Court System, said late Sunday that it would instead resume Tuesday. Trump had been scheduled to testify as one of the final defense witnesses in a trial that has lasted two months and is entering its final week of testimony. He had been expected to tout his companys success and push back on New York Attorney General Letitia James claims that he vastly overvalued his properties and his net worth in financial statements that he used to get favorable loans from banks that he otherwise would not have been entitled to. Called as a witness by James team on Nov. 6, a combative Trump made similar claims while also launching attacks on the AG and the judge who will decide the case, Arthur Engoron. He called James a political hack who should be ashamed of herself and referred to Engoron as a very hostile judge. He ruled against me, and he said I was a fraud before he knew anything about me, nothing about me, Trump said, referring to the judges pretrial finding that Trump and his company had engaged in repeated acts of fraud. Its a terrible thing you did, Trump told the judge of the order, which he is appealing. James shrugged off Trump's change of heart in a statement. "Whether or not Trump testifies again tomorrow, we have already proven that he committed years of financial fraud and unjustly enriched himself and his family. No matter how much he tries to distract from reality, the facts dont lie, she said. Donald Trump sits between his two lawyers during his trial at New York State Supreme Court. (Seth Wenig / AP Pool) Trump was under no obligation to testify, because its his own defense case. His son Eric Trump similarly backed out of testifying this past Wednesday, which the elder Trump said in a social media post Tuesday night hed directed him to do. Like his father, Eric Trump had testified as a witness in the AGs case. Eric has already testified, PERFECTLY, Trump wrote, so there is no reason to waste any more of this Crooked Courts time on having him say the same thing, over and over again, as a witness for the defense. Trump used a similar rationale in his Truth Social posts Sunday, writing in all-caps: "I have very successfully & conclusively testified" in the AG's "rigged trial against me." "The only fraud committed was by the highly partisan & out of control judge, & racist A.G.," he claimed. In a statement, Trump attorney Chris Kise said, "There is really nothing more to say to a Judge who has imposed an unconstitutional gag order and thus far appears to have ignored President Trumps testimony and that of everyone else involved in the complex financial transactions at issue in the case." Kise insisted that the defense witnesses had already showed "there were no defaults, no victims and no fraud, adding that, "under such circumstances, there is no valid reason for President Trump to testify further in this case." Trump lawyer Alina Habba had told reporters Thursday after Trump appeared as a spectator at the trial that he was looking forward to taking the stand. She said she had urged him not to testify again because of a gag order preventing him from criticizing the judges law clerk, who he had previously complained is biased against him. She said Trump was undeterred because he is so firmly against what is happening in this court. He will open himself up to whatever they want because hes not afraid. People that are afraid cower. President Trump doesnt cower, she said. The judge has fined Trump a total of $15,000 on two occasions after finding that he had violated the gag order, and he warned that the penalties would escalate if Trump were to violate it again. The reversal on Trumps testimony came after an accounting expert hired by his defense testified that James case had no merit and that he didnt see any evidence of fraud in the financial statements that were being challenged by the AG. Eli Bartov, an accounting professor at New York University, testified Thursday and Friday and told the judge he had found no evidence whatsoever for any accounting fraud. Asked about discrepancies between Trumps financial figures and much lower values used by one of the lenders whom James said he and his company deceived, Bartov said, This is not fraud or an error, because they use a different definition of value. He added that valuations are subjective and that the bank and others who used the financial statements were aware they had to do their own due diligence. My analysis shows the statements of financial condition for all the years were not materially misstated, Bartov said. He acknowledged that he has been paid $875,000 to date by the Trump Organization and Trumps Save America PAC for his work on the case. Asked whether that affected his testimony, he said, No. Bartov was the 19th defense witness to testify in the trial, which began Oct. 2. Hell also be the last. The AGs office was scheduled to continue its cross-examination of him after Trumps testimony. The AGs office is expected to have two rebuttal witnesses testify for its case after Bartov is done. After that, both sides will be able to submit filings to the judge explaining why they believe theyve proven their cases and will then return to court for closing arguments on Jan. 11. Engoron has said he expects it will take him a few weeks to issue his ruling. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com RICHMOND, Ind. One Richmond man was shot and another was struck in the head with an unknown object on Saturday. City police were sent to the 1000 block of East Main Street after dispatchers received a report of two people being shot, according to a release from the Richmond Police Department. However, it was determined that while Leslie James Blume Jr., 56, of Richmond, had been shot in the abdomen, Raymond Blume, 53, had been struck in the head, but not shot. Both victims were taken by ambulance to Reid Hospital, and were later transferred to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Investigators believe there was a "verbal altercation that turned physical between the parties and guns were produced during the altercation," according to Curt Leverton, a captain with the RPD. Anyone who witnessed the violence or has other information is asked to call Richmond police at 765-983-7247. Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Richmond police investigating Saturday shooting Urban growth boundaries, also known as urban limit lines, can be a very effective tool for residents to place limits on sprawl and hold elected officials accountable. Once urban limit lines are in place, residents can be assured that municipalities are maintaining and planning for infrastructure in a predictable, responsible manner, while adequately supplying services like police and fire and protecting prime agricultural land. People are often surprised to learn that residential annexations, sprawling growth at a citys edges, are frequently money losers. These annexations create more financial obligations with insufficient revenue streams to cover costs. Stanislaus County and the state of California retain most of the property and sales taxes, leaving cities with the financial responsibility of delivering services by relying on other revenue streams that often fall short. If this continues, we will not only see excessive conversion of our prime agricultural lands, cities will continue to lose their financial capacity to supply vital services and infrastructure to their residents, resulting in decreased services, increased taxes and fees as well as increased sewer and water rates. Opinion This fiscal impact is why those that live in cities will benefit from well-planned urban limit lines. Riverbanks project River Walk has problems that call into question whether the city is committed to sound planning principles. There is mounting evidence that Riverbank is willing to pursue growth policies to the detriment of city finances, negatively impacting city residents. Residents would be wise to build in protections and support the urban limit line initiative currently gathering signatures to put on the ballot in November 2024. An urban limit line in Riverbank would not stop residential growth. It would ensure a fiscally responsible pace in locations not prone to flooding and on lower quality soils less productive for farming. We all want to see our communities prosper and thrive. We should also want to see our countys multi-billion dollar agriculture sector preserved. Fortunately, we can do both. Responsible infill, utilizing existing infrastructure in underutilized or blighted areas, can have a notable positive impact on city finances. Cities keep a much larger share of property taxes when they practice infill development. Also, adding more ratepayers into a water and sewer system without significant infrastructure changes is financially advantageous for rate payers. Adequately addressing the lack of affordable housing and homelessness necessitates that our local municipalities employ pragmatic infill solutions. The city of Modestos plan to rezone along four commercial roadways is a great example of the actions cities can take to transform underutilized areas of their communities and strategically implement infill strategies resulting in more affordable housing. The plan approved by the Modesto City Council on November 7 created a mixed use zoning category that applies to 348 parcels of varying size on these roadways. The non-profit organization we are involved with, the Farmland Working Group, applauds the City of Modesto for its efforts and encourages surrounding communities to follow its example. The Farmland Working Group is a non-profit organization committed to sustainable urban growth that strives to protect food, families and farmland and remains committed to responsible land use. Infill development strategies provide a clear path forward by addressing many of the financial woes plaguing our cities while protecting the most productive agricultural region on the planet. Unfortunately, for every successful infill strategy, there are a multitude of cities making poor land use decisions that pave over prime agricultural land and put current residents under increasing financial pressure. To ensure our locally elected officials are accountable to their constituents, the Farmland Working Group encourages both urban and rural residents to support urban limit lines. Matt Beekman and Jeani Ferrari are on the Farmland Working Groups advocacy committee. Claire Hao is a Hearst Fellow for the Houston Chronicle's business desk, where she is starting by covering electricity, renewable energy and the Texas power grid. She also spends one day a week covering breaking and trending news. Claire spent her first-year fellowship rotation on the climate and environment team of The San Francisco Chronicle. She has previously interned on the news desks of Bloomberg Law and The Chicago Tribune as well as on the editorial board of The Washington Post. She is a 2022 graduate of the University of Michigan, where she was the 2021 editor-in-chief of her college paper The Michigan Daily. A gun buyback event in San Jose collected 408 firearms, including a rocket launcher, California officials reported. An Uzi submachine gun, a sawed-off shotgun and 20 ghost guns also were turned over at the Dec. 2 event at the San Jose airport, a Santa Clara County news release said. Authorities collected 70 replica, airsoft or BB guns, according to the county. Residents turned in 133 handguns and 275 rifles. Owners were paid more than $40,000 for the firearms, which will be held by the county sheriffs office for destruction, officials said. Since last May, we have collected more than 1100 guns at three buybacks in Milpitas, South County, and San Jose thats more than one thousand chances to save a life, Supervisor Otto Lee said in the release. Santa Clara County residents can call 408-299-2311 for more information on the gun buyback program. San Jose is about 50 miles southeast of San Francisco. Bomb squad called after magnet fisherman reels in a live grenade, Kentucky cops say Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said on Sunday that both political parties were holding a hard line on aid negotiations, rejecting the idea it was just Republicans who were in a position to concede. In an interview on NBC Newss Meet the Press with Kristen Welker on Sunday, Romney said one of the major holdups of the bill is on the matter of border security. Its not just Republicans that are holding a hard line. Its Democrats who are holding a hard line. Either side can move and can get this done, Romney said. And heres the position of my side and our side. And that is: we have gone from one to 2000 encounters, illegal encounters, at the border a day under the three prior presidents under Bush, Obama and Trump, one to 2000 a day. Now were seeing 10 to 12,000 a day. As Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman said, were basically seeing Pittsburgh show up the border every month. Were at a rate of incursions into the country of about 4 million a year. Thats larger than the population of 24 of our states. So we want to solve that to secure the border, Romney added. I just saw the President of the United States say that weve got to secure the border. Hes right. So any effort that doesnt do that will be rejected by Republicans. We want to get it back to the level that existed under the three prior presidents. Asked whether Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are happy to see a growing number of Republicans say they wont accept a black check to Ukraine, Romney insisted that thats not an option anyone is advocating and that democracy is messy. Were not going to write a blank check. Were going to evaluate exactly how the money is spent. What were going to do is provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to defend themselves against a brutal invasion by Putin, who is a thug and a murderer. So thats what were gonna do now, Romney said. I think they realize I think Putin and Xi recognize that democracy is messy, that our system is not authoritarian. We dont have a king. We dont have a dictator. Theyre dictators. They like to make a big deal out of the process that we go through. But you know what? It has worked for America in the past, it will work in the future. Well get through this. And ultimately, dont forget the president was the one that put the border and the border security issue as part of this package. This is not a Republican issue. He brought it to the front. And thats why were dealing with it, he added. Senate Republicans last week blocked a bill unveiled by Democrats that would have provided additional aid to Ukraine and Israel over the lack of border provisions. Senators voted 49-51, failing to reach the 60-vote threshold that would allow the proposal to come up for consideration. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rory Cellan-Jones, 65, was a BBC journalist for 40 years and appointed technology correspondent in 2007. He left the BBC in 2021, and is now a technology consultant and writer. He has written three books, including Always On (2001) which documented his experiences reporting on the smartphone era. He has also investigated the role technology can play in improving Parkinsons disease, having been diagnosed with the condition in 2019. Together with Jeremy Paxman and others, he appears on Movers and Shakers, a podcast about living with the condition. He lives in west London with his wife, the economist Professor Dame Diane Coyle. They have two grown-up children. Did you have a good financial start in life? I wasnt aware of it at the time, but we had a really fragile financial situation. My mother, as a single parent twice over for about 30 years, struggled to get by, especially as she was determined to give me a good education. Even in retirement she never lost that insecurity, despite being comfortably off by then. When I took out a car loan to buy the Ford Escort I needed for my first job, she was horrified, writing to her sister that I had fallen into the hands of usurers and moneylenders. OK, it was the Midland Bank, but they were not much better than that. And despite being a fan of Margaret Thatcher, she was very suspicious of the council housing sell-off and refused to pay 5,000 for our flat, dying a Southwark council tenant. How did your mother pay for your private education? She went back to work at the BBC as a directors assistant, after just about managing to find a childminder in a council flat where she left me every day. She also received maintenance payments from my fathers family, although not without a legal battle. There was a terrible period where she wasnt certain she couldnt meet the 90 a term needed to keep me at Dulwich College everything depended on me getting a scholarship at 11 which, thankfully, I did. Despite being a fan of Thatcher, my mother was very suspicious of the council housing sell-off and refused to pay 5,000 for our flat - Clara Molden What was your first foray into broadcasting? With my Cambridge finals fast approaching, I applied for one of the many training schemes offering a quick route into national newspapers or broadcasting. I got through to the final round of the BBC training scheme and was summoned for an interview. After rigorous questioning, the former head of Television News barked: Why no drama experience given your father? He had obviously looked at my distinctive surname and assumed that my father, Jim Cellan-Jones, then a freelance drama director, had been a major influence on my life. Blushing, I had to explain that I had never met him. The BBC executive, almost as embarrassed as I was, changed the subject and I didnt get selected. What was your first job in broadcasting? I wrote to the BBC and said: Is there anything else I can do? They replied: Write to every regional newsroom and see if theyve got anything. I did and BBC Leeds wrote back saying they were looking for a researcher on a short-term contract to work on a new current affairs series, Look North. My starting salary was 4,726, but it was a brilliant learning experience. It was a good old-fashioned newsroom, wreathed in cigarette smoke. The news editor used to go for a pint at lunchtime and bring a pint into the gallery during the programme. Where did you go next? After 18 months, I successfully applied for a job as a sub-editor in the London TV newsroom. At first it was deadly dull and mainly involved writing elegant intros for the likes of John Humphrys, which the newsreaders would rewrite. While working as a sub-editor at the BBC, Rory wrote intros for the likes of John Humphrys a job he describes as deadly dull - Rii Schroer But then I wangled a transfer to the production team of Newsnight, which was much more fun. I worked with John Simpson on various stories and did a big investigation into the Brighton bomber. By the time I left, my salary had risen to 11,000. What has been your biggest professional gamble? I wanted to be a reporter, not a producer, so at the age of 28 I applied for a vacancy on Wales Today, the BBC evening news programme for Wales. I got the job but that meant leaving the staff and the pension scheme, and going on contract. Also, Id just bought a flat in Balham with a 30,000 mortgage. It was a bit of a risk, but it was made clear to me that Id have to start outside of London and then try to fight my way back. What have been your best and worst investments? When I joined BBC Wales, I sold my 32,000 flat in Balham for 54,000 and bought a four-bedroom house in Cardiff for 50,000, which I rented out to BBC colleagues. Four years later, I sold it for 80,000, massively benefiting from the 1980s housing boom. However, my next-door neighbour was an Allied Dunbar salesman and he sold me a pension mortgage which turned out to be a disaster. I ended up with three endowment policies and we know how disastrous they turned out to be. What was your big career break? After working as a business correspondent in London, the BBC decided, in 2000, to call me internet correspondent. Three months later the dotcom bubble burst, and the BBC said: Right, the internet is over. You can go back to being a business correspondent. But, with the rise of social media, I kept on doing technology and business stories, and then, in 2007, came my big break, when I was appointed technology correspondent. Rory appears alongside Jeremy Paxman on Movers and Shakers, a podcast about living with Parkinsons - cureparkinsons.org.uk It was a massively exciting time because the first story I covered was Steve Jobs unveiling the iPhone. Then along came the smartphone revolution, apps, tablets and AI. We were running to keep up. Were you satisfied with your pay at the BBC? Yes, at the end. Late into my time there, the BBC started making people editors, basically to give them a big whack up in pay. It never happened to me. I thought I was very well paid on my five-figure salary, although my wife overtook me many years ago. Just to put it into perspective, I do a few days media training a month with two different companies, and they pay the equivalent of my old BBC income. Why did you leave the BBC? It wasnt a difficult decision because in 2021, they moved my job to Glasgow. Actually, it was good for me because I was 63 by then and working as a BBC correspondent is all consuming. Also, two years previously I had been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, although our reaction, as a family, was a bit whatever because being diagnosed with potentially life-threatening ocular melanoma in 2005 was much more frightening. Is writing financially rewarding? Nearly all books lose money. My first, about the dotcom bubble, was published on September 9, 2001, which proved to be bad timing given that 9/11 happened two days later. I received a 4,000 advance. I still get a statement each year telling me how much I owe back. I think my latest book will earn its advance back, but, again, it was a small advance. One newspaper voted it book of the week, but, unbelievably, that doesnt mean it gets shelf space in Waterstones. My publishers and I are banging our heads against the wall. Ruskin Park: Sylvia, Me and the BBC by Rory Cellan-Jones is out now in hardback (September Publishing, 18.99) Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. A fragment of a Russian rocket that fell in Kyiv Oblast during the attack on December 8 Russias missile attack on Dec. 8 was likely the beginning of a campaign aimed at destroying Ukraine's energy infrastructure, reads the latest report by the British intelligence. Russia launched a powerful wave of strikes on Kyiv and central Ukraine on the night of Dec. 7, using heavy bombers for the first time since Sept. 21. Read also: Washington to help Ukraine secure its energy infrastructure against Russian attacks Russian aircraft, most likely Tu-95s, launched at least 16 air-launched cruise missiles from a launch area over the Caspian Sea. The missiles were likely AS-23a KODIAK missiles (NATO designation for X-101 and X-102 missiles). Russia has almost certainly been stockpiling these missiles for use in the winter campaign. Read also: Russia likely stockpiling missiles for new attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure UK intelligence "This was probably the start of a more concerted campaign by Russia aimed at degrading Ukraines energy infrastructure," the British review said. "Despite at least one civilian reported killed, the damage currently appears to have been minimal. Air defense shot down all missiles aimed at Kyiv before they could hit the capital. In total, 14 of the 19 cruise missiles were destroyed. One person was killed as a result of the Russian attack in the Pavlohrad district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russia reduced the number of assaults on the Tavria front and instead has started using air strikes again, Tavria operational group commander Oleksandr Tarnavskyi reported on Telegram on Dec. 10. There were six air strikes, 33 combat engagements, and 512 artillery shells in the past day. Read also: Ukraine destroys part of Russias anti-drone dome near Tavria in southern Ukraine Ukrainian Armed Forces also destroyed three Russian BMD-4 AFVs and two fuel depots. Ukrainian continues to hold back Russian attempts to encircle Avdiivka, successfully repelling 19 Russian attacks east of Novobakhmutivka and in the areas of Avdiivka, Tonenke and Pervomayske. Ukraine also repelled eight Russian attacks in the areas of Maryinka, Pobeda and Novomykhailivka. In the Shakhtarsk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled two enemy attacks near Staromayorske, Donetsk Oblast. In the Zaporizhzhya sector, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled three Russian attacks in the areas of Novopokrovka and west of Robotyne. Read also: Slight decrease in airstrikes but no halt to Russian attempts to surround Avdiivka, Military Administration says Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on Russian forces in the Melitopol sector. The total losses of the Russian army in the Tavria operational area amounted to 337 troops. The Ukrainian Armed Forces also destroyed nine pieces of military equipment. In particular, five armored personnel carriers and an artillery system. The Defense Forces also destroyed an ammunition depot and two warehouses with Russian fuel and lubricants. Another five units of Russian equipment were damaged. Russia has resumed the use of Su-25 attack aircraft and Ka-52 helicopters on the Tavria axis. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russian soldier says he was told to burn the personal belongings ID'ing his dead comrades, a report says Remains of killed Russian armed forces' soldiers buried in Luhansk. Reuters A Russian soldier claimed that his commanders told him to burn the belongings of his dead comrades. He said that he couldn't do it and secretly buried the items, which included documents, phones and wallets. The story reflects other reports about Moscow attempting to obscure its true death toll in Ukraine. A Russian soldier has claimed he was told to burn the personal belongings of his dead comrades, per a Russian report. The soldier from the 394th Regiment fighting in the Zaporizhzhia direction told Russian Telegram outlet Caution News that his commanders gave him a backpack full of possessions to destroy. "They demanded that we burn documents, phones, wallets, cards of the wounded and dead. But I couldn't," the soldier told the outlet while speaking under the condition of anonymity. He said that he buried the objects instead, which belonged to wounded and dead Russian soldiers. The regiment is made of conscripts, contractors, and ex-prisoners from the Kamchatka Territory from Russia's Far East, per Caution News. The soldier said that the regiment had suitcases filled with documents belonging to wounded and dead soldiers, which had been sitting there since July instead of being sent to relatives. Since the beginning of the war, Moscow has been accused of going to extraordinary lengths to hide the true scale of troop losses from the Russian public. This has included Ukraine's allegations that morgues are piling up with unclaimed dead Russians whose bodies Russia would not send home for burial to hide the true death toll. Russia is believed to have suffered more than 300,000 casualties in Ukraine, per Western estimates. The soldier spoke about other abuses within his regiment, including one situation in which another soldier was thrown into "a hole" for misconduct. A second soldier from the regiment said the commander would take bribes of 100,000 rubles, or around $1,000, to reassign men away from the fighting on the front line. The soldiers also claimed that the leadership would take away their badges and documents before sending them on assault missions and would not organize the evacuation of wounded and dead. The soldiers said they wanted the Ministry of Defense to examine the legality of the actions of the 5th Army command. Read the original article on Business Insider A Russian-US dual national has been detained in St. Petersburg over accusations he showed clear disrespect toward the military and was therefore vindicating Nazism in social media posts, the Smolninsky District Court said in statement on Saturday. The court said Yuri Malev had posted an image of the St. George Ribbon, a symbol of Russian military valour and glory, with a caption containing coarse obscene language, on the Russian social network Odnoklassniki on June 8, 2022. Shortly before Russias Victory Day on May 8 this year, Malev posted another image that showed a corpse with instructions on how to properly wear the St. Georges ribbon, according to the court. The court said that the image showed clear disrespect to society and the military and was an insult to the memory of World War II veterans. Malev was detained and charged on December 8, the court statement said. The court said Malev partially admitted guilt and will remain in custody until February 7. Malev and his defense attorney have objected to the courts ruling and suggested other preventive measures, such as house arrest or prohibition of certain actions, according to the court. The US State Department said Saturday they are aware of reports of the detention of a US Citizen in Russia without naming the individual. When a US citizen is detained overseas, the Department works to provide all appropriate assistance, it said. Several Americans and dual citizens are being held in Russia. Malevs arrest follows the detention of another Russian-US dual national that emerged last month. Alsu Kurmasheva, who is currently employed as a journalist and editor for the Tatar-Bashkir service of Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was charged with failing to register as a foreign agent, the US-funded news organization reported. According to her employer, Kurmasheva was detained on June 2 in the city of Kazan in Russia while waiting for a return flight to the Czech Republic. She had arrived in Russia on May 20 due to an urgent family matter, RFE/RL said. Russia arrested Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in March on accusations he tried to obtain state secrets a charge Gershkovich, his employer and the US government have strenuously denied. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Migrants in the English Channel, but not all asylum applications have been genuine - Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images Britain is a dynamic, generous and outward-looking country. That has, and always will be, the case. We have led the world in giving asylum to those fleeing war, abuse and torture. Most recently we have taken in thousands of people through our Ukraine, Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Syria schemes. However, the sad truth is that the goodwill and generosity of the British people is too often exploited. The number of people crossing the Channel to make an asylum claim has become unsustainable, and we have to act. Last year, 45,000 people illegally crossed the Channel in small boats. This is having an effect on all of our constituents. It is putting pressure on public services like the NHS and schools. Hotels in too many of our towns, including in my constituency, are unfairly being used to house asylum seekers. It isnt fair on ordinary working people, nor is it fair on those who come here legally and play by the rules. That is why the Prime Minister has made it one of his key pledge to stop the boats. When it comes to illegal immigration we need to deploy a range of solutions. The Prime Minister has already struck the largest ever small boats deal with France. We have passed the Nationality and Borders Act, and the Illegal Migration Act. We are working closely with the French to tackle what is, after all, a shared problem through joint patrols and closer cooperation. Mr Sunak has also secured an agreement with Albania, a safe and prosperous European country, to ensure that Albanians entering the UK illegally can be returned immediately. This has resulted in arrivals from Albania decreasing by 90 per cent. Arrivals down by a third What has become increasingly apparent here in the UK and in other countries including Australia, is that a deterrent works. The number of arrivals in the UK is down by a third, while other European countries are seeing crossings up by 80 per cent. When the Supreme Court brought forward its judgment on Rwanda, the Prime Minister was very robust in his response. At the same time he promised emergency legislation, which has already been introduced in the House of Commons. This is supported by a legally binding treaty, backed up by evidence that Rwanda is a safe and prosperous country. Both the UK and Rwanda are completely committed to this partnership, with both sides willing to do what it takes to get the deal up and running and flights taking off as soon as possible. The legislation is very clear. It confirms that Rwanda is a safe country and will prevent the courts from second-guessing Parliaments will. It will disapply parts of the Human Rights Act so that it cant be used to block our policy. Illegal migrants will no longer be able to bring systemic challenges in our domestic courts or frustrate removal. Crucially, however, the legislation does not contravene our international obligations. For me, this is key. External courts have not been able to stop governments in other countries from tackling the illegal immigration problem head-on, so why should they stop us, particularly in the post-Brexit age? Current system is not working I am a strong believer in the right to asylum. But bogus asylum seekers from safe countries are undermining that right and undermining its legitimacy in the eyes of the British public. There is clear evidence the current asylum system is not working as intended. Before our agreement with Albania, more than half of asylum applications from Albanians were being approved. It plainly cannot be the case that these are legitimate asylum seekers given Albania is a safe country. Such things undermine the whole system. We will legislate with precision while acting with firmness and compassion. By doing so, we will do what the public rightly expect us to do; stop the boats and control our borders. I will therefore be supporting the Prime Ministers legislation next week, and I urge my fellow Conservative MPs to do the same. David Davis is MP for Haltemprice and Howden Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Cars flipped on I-65. Shoppers hunkered down in store basements. Trees buckled. Homes were ripped apart. Power failed. Roofs were blown off buildings. There were reports of first responders attempting to rescue people trapped in their homes. The Big Play game center roof collapsed in Hendersonville. Tornadoes ripped through Middle Tennessee on Saturday afternoon and evening, killing at least six people including at least one child in Montgomery and Davidson counties and leaving more than 160,000 Middle Tennessee residents without power. Monday's tornado updates: Tennessee tornado outbreak: 'It just hit so fast.' State recovery efforts continue This is a sad day for our community," Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said. "We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes. This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end. Daylight Sunday brought evidence of the horrors from the night before. Community Baptist Church on Dickerson Pike in Nashville was destroyed. Its brick structure stood without a roof. Cars were strewn about the parking lot amid piles of white boards that had once been part of the church. Dorothy Prayther was at the scene on Sunday morning trying to get more information on her pastor and fellow church members. I dont know anything yet, she said. I hope theyre ok. Police identified the three people who were killed in storms in Nashville on Saturday. Joseph Dalton, 37, and Floridalma Gabriel Perez, 31, were killed when Dalton's mobile home was blown on top the Perez home on Nesbitt Lane in Madison, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. Both died. Perez's son Antony Elmer Mendez, 2, was also killed. Two other children survived. Perezs 7-year-old son and Daltons 10-year-old son were inside their homes at the time of the storm. They were taken to Vanderbilt Pediatrics with non-life threatening injuries. Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell urged people to help their neighbors. "Tonight, Nashville joins other communities across Middle Tennessee grieving loss of life from deadly tornadoes," he said. "As we continue to take stock of the devastation, please keep our neighbors in your thoughts and prayers. Be safe and look after one another." A possible tornado caused several explosions, and church steeples toppled. Heavy rain also caused flooding in Davidson County. Madison neighborhood hard hit Severe weather swooped across portions of the state with ugly tentacles stretching through Clarksville, Springfield and Madison in Nashville and smashing into Hendersonville. Damage is seen on Nesbitt Lane in the Madison area of Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. At least six people are dead and more than 150,000 are without power after storms containing tornadoes and high winds hit Middle Tennessee. In Nashville, buses were still running on Old Hickory Blvd around 8 p.m. with nothing but the glow of headlights and brake lights illuminating the street. Massive downed trees lined the road. In a yard on the corner of North Graycroft and Williams avenues, a Christmas nativity scene remained upright among the rubble. Lyanne Garay was at her mothers home in Madison with her four children when they heard the tornado sirens blare. Next door, her mothers neighbors screamed and abandoned their outside gathering as the wind yanked a tarp away.Garays husband was at work. Less than five minutes away on Nesbitt Lane, the tornado ripped through her neighbors homes, tearing through roofs and leaving second floor rooms exposed.When she returned home around 5, she found her fence toppled and part of her roof blown off, leaving water damage in her daughters upstairs bedroom.Compared to everybody, were fine, but its still a shock that we dont have any place to go or anything to do and our house has been water damaged, she said.Further down the street, the storm decimated homes and left branches and power lines strewn across the road. Officials confirmed three people in this neighborhood died.Garay is from Costa Rica, and her husband is from El Salvador theyve lived here since 2004, but Saturday night's storm was something new.We always hear the alarms and everything but never experienced something like that," she said. Damage is seen on Nesbitt Lane in the Madison area of Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. At least six people are dead and more than 150,000 are without power after storms containing tornadoes and high winds hit Middle Tennessee. Council member Jennifer Gamble stood clad in a raincoat on Nesbitt Lane and spoke with Garay. Other neighbors whose home was spared stood alongside her, offering support.Gamble asked her constituents to stay inside in a safe place.There are a lot of power lines and trees down, and its hard to see in the dark with the power outages, she said. Storm rips into Hendersonville The streets of Hendersonville were pitch black with rows of demolished business and downed power lines on Main Street. Traffic remained backed up for miles well into Saturday night as workers cleared power lines from the streets. Hendersonville police were handling calls from people trapped in structures on West Main Street. TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center was running on emergency power as storm victims arrived for treatment. Michael Henderson, an employee at The Outpost Armory on Main Street in Hendersonville, was working when he heard the warning siren. We swept as many people as we could inside and the took cover in the basement, he said. It was quiet and then it hit. It sounded just like a freight train coming through. A tornado damaged Big Play Entertainment Center at 460 W. Main Street in Hendersonville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. The impact blew out the gun shops front windows and shattered the glass display cases. Parts of the roof had caved in. Its major damage, Henderson said. Henderson is originally from Southern California and said this was his first tornado. "I'm used to earthquakes," he said. Devastation in Clarksville: 'Sounded like a train' In Clarksville, Vincent Welshman was driving home to his wife and kids when he heard the tornado sirens sound off near his mom's house just a few blocks away. Emergency crews gather in Clarksville after a tornado reportedly touched down Saturday evening. A low howl quickly turned into what "sounded like a train going down some train tracks," he wrote in a message to The Tennessean. The sky rapidly grew dark so dark he could not see the tornado. When the storm lifted, the Garrettsburg Estates neighborhood was shattered. "My home was not damaged, thank God, but my neighbors and friends were not so lucky," he wrote. "...The message I want to send is to just never take these emergency bulletins lightly that pop up on our phones." Mosaic Church is offering food and shelter. Sunday services are canceled and the doors are open to anyone who needs a place to go. In North Clarksville, Pisgah Elementary School was set up as an emergency shelter. There were reports of a demolished apartment complex in Springfield. A jewelry story there was flattened. A Springfield officer directing traffic said he believed a tornado had touched down in the area of Kroger on the south side of the city. Damage to the Valvoline at the corner of Memorial Boulevard and Blackpatch Drive was visible from the road, but only because of the emergency lights. A man looks up at the damage done to the fire station after heavy storms hit the area in Springfield , Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Further back, Kroger was shrouded in darkness, and authorities werent letting anyone get close enough to see the extent of the damages. Kelly Puente, Cassandra Stephenson, Nicole Young, Evan Mealins, Vivian Jones, Andy Humbles, Kirsten Fiscus and Craig Shoup contributed this report. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee tornadoes: At least 6 dead in Nashville, Clarksville The Salem City Council meets to discuss agenda items on Sept. 11 at City Hall in Salem. Every two years, half of the Salem City Council seats and the mayoral spot are up for reelection. This year already is set to be competitive with a sitting city councilor running against the current mayor. Here is what we know so far about the 2024 race. The race to become Salem's next mayor The primary race is shaping up to be a Hoy versus Hoy showdown. Ward 6 Councilor Julie Hoy announced her decision on Tuesday to run against current Mayor Chris Hoy. Both Hoys live in Ward 6 but are not related. City Councilor for Ward 6, Julie Hoy, talks during a city council Sept. 11, at City Hall. In her announcement, Julie Hoy said Salem is facing a crisis of hope and trust and needed leaders who could "do better for everyone." "I want to change that," she said. "As your next mayor, I will show up. I will show up for small businesses and hear what they are struggling with. I will show up and listen to our service providers as they work to serve our community, and I will show up for law enforcement to help make sure they have everything they need to keep our city safe." Julie Hoy, who owns Geppetto's Italian Restaurant with her husband, was elected as Ward 6 councilor, the position previously held by Chris Hoy before he was elected mayor, in 2022. Julie Hoy has been critical of the city's response to homelessness, the payroll tax and the budget plan. Chris Hoy faced a well-funded opponent in the 2022 mayoral race but ultimately won with race with a comfortable margin. Chris Hoy, a retired undersheriff with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, previously served five years on the City Council and was appointed to serve as a state representative until the end of 2022. When appointed to the state Legislature, he said he did not intend to seek reelection for that position. Mayor Chris Hoy speaks at a ribbon cutting for the new Public Works Operations Building on Oct. 3. He told the Statesman Journal that he wanted to continue to work on the homelessness response, bringing more affordable housing to the city and enriching downtown. "I just really want to build on those things and keep that work going," Hoy said. He said he is proud of working to bring commercial air service to Salem, more housing downtown and unprecedented services to house the growing homeless population. Going forward, he wants to use his previous experience working on the budget committee to help address the revenue issue facing Salem. The mayor is an unpaid, volunteer position and has a two-year term. A third candidate, Mike Lee, also filed for the mayoral position. Lee, who did not respond to inquiries about his campaign, did not list any current occupation or government experience on his filing form. He listed an address tied to the Union Gospel Mission of Salem Men's Mission. Ward 1 incumbent faces challenger First elected to the Salem City Council in 2020, Virginia Stapleton is seeking reelection to represent the city ward representing downtown, a portion of West Salem and north-central neighborhoods. During her time on the council, Stapleton has bolstered efforts to make the city safer for pedestrians and cyclists, add micro shelters to transition people out of homelessness and pass an infrastructure bond to improve streets, parks and sidewalks. Salem political newcomer Celine Coleman filed to run for Ward 1 in November. According to her LinkedIn page and filing form, Coleman works as an epidemiologist for Linn County Public Health. She previously worked for a public health agency in Arizona before moving to Salem in 2022 and listed experience with grant allocations as a United Way Committee member and being elected to her homeowners association. "I was inspired to run due to disproportionate representation throughout the political sphere in Salem, particularly due to how diverse Salem is as a city," Coleman said. "Salem has been a great community to live in. I want to represent all residents in Salem to improve the sense of community." She said she wants to focus on taking a proactive approach to homelessness with inclusive affordable housing and working to retain and attract local businesses. Departing councilor opens up race in Ward 3 Current Councilor Trevor Phillips recently announced his decision to not seek reelection. His departure opens up the race in the southeast Salem ward. Phillips said his full-time job as an emergency room doctor at Salem Health, one of the busiest hospitals on the West Coast, is becoming increasingly demanding. "It is just wrong that city councilors are expected to do 20 to 30 hours of work per week through council meetings, preparation, committee meetings, special small-group staff meetings with no formal compensation whatsoever," he said. "At a minimum, councilors should receive some type of stipend. Not many community members can afford to spend 20-30 hours a week without any form of compensation." Phillips said he is proud of the work he did on the council and grateful to those who serve. He formally endorsed Nathan Soltz, whom he served with on the Morningside Neighborhood Association. Soltz, a current law student at Lewis & Clark Law School, chief of staff for the Oregon Legislative Assembly and board secretary for the Morningside Neighborhood Association, said he wants to focus on livability issues such as housing, development and safety if elected to council by creating strong relationships within the community and at the federal and state level. He said he also wants to provide a voice to historically underrepresented and marginalized communities. "I am the first in my family to earn a four-year degree, and as a proud LGBTQ, Hispanic, Asian, Jewish individual, particularly one who did not come from a wealthy family, I know that folks with my background do not feel they have the same capability to run for public office, much less win or serve," Soltz said. "But my strong belief in the importance of public service is unwavering, and I am dedicated to the success of our community." He set to run against Shane Matthews, a realtor and member of the Citizen Review Board for the Oregon Department of Justice. Matthews said he is proud of growing up and raising his family in Salem, but the city is in a rough spot. "Violent crime is at an all-time high, drug use is rampant, city spending is ineffective, housing is unaffordable for most, and local businesses are leaving our community at an alarming rate," he said. "I'm focused on finding and implementing effective solutions for these problems and working to build back trust between our City Council and the citizens." Although Salem Police have noted a recent increase in violent crime, the violent crime rate remains lower than the rate reported in the early 2000s, according to FBI crime data. Ward 5 councilor undecided Councilor Jose Gonzalez, who represents the city's most northern ward, remains undecided on whether he will seek reelection. "My plan was to only serve for one term but the ongoing city budget discussions concern me," Gonzalez said. "I want to ensure the voices of our residents are at the table, they get overlooked too quickly." Gonzalez, a principal broker and president of Tu Casa Real Estate and co-founder of La Familia Cider, was elected in 2020. He pointed to several accomplishments during his time on city council, including approving funding for police body cameras, ensuring multi-family zoning was evenly spread throughout Salem, raising the alarm on trying to pass the payroll tax without voter approval and helping launch commercial air service. As of Dec. 1, only one candidate has filed for the Ward 5 race: Hamadi Jackson, a northeast Salem resident. Jackson listed prior government experience as the chair of Salem's Human Rights Commission, and his LinkedIn page lists a current job as a Community Health Outreach Worker with Central City Concern. Jackson said he wants to see a holistic approach to approaching challenges in the community such as homelessness, supporting small businesses and enhancing education to foster "a resilient and thriving community we can be proud of," pointing to strategies like streamlining regulations for small businesses, addressing mental health and addiction for homelessness and increasing access to early learning, higher education and mentorships for education. "I believe we can create a positive ripple effect, fostering economic prosperity, social inclusivity, and educational advancement," Jackson said. Incumbent runs again in Ward 7 Councilor Vanessa Nordyke remains the only candidate to have filed to represent Salem's southwestern ward. Nordyke was appointed to the City Council in 2019 following Sally Cook's resignation due to a loss in her family. She was elected to the position the following year. A longtime Salem resident and former assistant attorney general with the Oregon Department of Justice, Nordyke now serves as the executive director of CASA of Marion County, a nonprofit organization that advocates for abused and neglected children in foster care. "I'm proud to serve the neighborhood that raised me," she said. "I listened to the people I serve, and I will continue to do so." If reelected, Nordyke said she planned to continue work to increase affordable housing, increase services and shelter for persons in crisis, support Salem's businesses and economic development, increase pedestrian and cyclist safety and support community partners in vulnerable communities. What's next? Candidates have until March 12 to file to run for mayor or city council. Most races are decided in the primary election, as long as the winning candidate gets 50% plus one of the votes. The 2024 primary election will be held on May 21. For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter at @wmwoodworth This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem City Council election 2024: A look at primary candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Sunday that the United States approving additional aid to Israel is irresponsible, pointing to the thousands of civilians killed in Gaza amid Israels war against the militant group Hamas. Israel is losing the war in terms of how the world is looking at this situation, Sanders said on CBSs Face the Nation. And I think that it would be irresponsible for the United States to give [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] another $10 billion to continue to wage this awful war. Sanders sided with Republicans last week to block the $111 billion emergency supplemental package requested by President Biden to provide aid to Ukraine and Israel due to concerns over Israeli operations in Gaza. Sanders has repeatedly expressed worries about a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the territory continues to be bombarded by Israeli forces. Youre talking about 1.9 million people displaced going around without any more food, without any medical supplies, he said Sunday. It is a humanitarian disaster. And the United States has got to put all of the pressure that it can to tell Netanyahu to stop the military approach. Sanders has opposed additional aid to Israel without conditions set for protecting civilians. I think what the Congress has got to do is make it clear to Netanyahu that were not going to simply give him a blank check to kill women and children in Palestine, he said Sunday. When asked what he believes Netanyahus goal for Gaza is, Sanders said it was unclear. He reiterated that Israel has a right to defend itself, but not a right to wage war against civilians in Gaza. It really is hard to say. It may be that theyre responding in rage against the horrific and terrible Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 innocent Israelis, he said. Or maybe in some of the right-wing extremist minds, there is the goal to drive the Palestinian people [out] of Gaza completely, but they have now destroyed about half the housing units in Gaza. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Dennis Pinna has visited 53 countries and six continents. In Rome, he interned at the Belgium Embassy and later worked as a lobbyist. In Milan, Italys financial capital, he worked in finance. But this years Sarasota County Schools High School Teacher of the Year ultimately followed his true passion: teaching. And that has led him a long way from home. Growing up in Rome, where he was born, Pinna had early exposure to education. His mother, an Italian-American from Brooklyn who married an Italian man, ran a school teaching English as a second language. Pinna helped his mom around the school and even began teaching some classes when he had the time. From a young age, he saw teaching in action and learned naturally by just doing it, and by teaching learners of all ages. These formative experiences helped guide Pinna back into the classroom after working in finance, and he returned to Rome from Milan to begin teaching fifth-grade math and science at the American Overseas School of Rome. It was there that he met his wife, an American from New Jersey, and in 2017 the two decided to move to the United States, where they settled in Sarasota. Having arrived during the middle of the school year, Pinna started substitute teaching and then worked as an instructional support teacher at Gocio Elementary and an after-school teacher at McIntosh Middle School. That summer, he was hired at North Port High School to teach social studies. While certain aspects of school in America, such as pep rallies and after-school clubs, seemed foreign to Pinna, the classroom instruction felt familiar, and he has thrived. Since starting at North Port, in addition to becoming chair of the social studies department, he has taught World History, Economics, and AICE International History, classes perfectly suited to his diverse background. Sarasota County's High School Teacher of the Year Dennis Pinna, who teaches social studies at North Port High. As a lobbyist, Pinna learned about the importance of relationships and their power to fuel change. As Pinna said, History is all about relationships, and to make this point tangible he uses simulations, where students represent different countries during important historical times. They must take positions, negotiate, and find solutions. Working in finance, he saw the effects of economic policy and gained a deeper understanding of financial markets and macroeconomics. He teaches how interconnected history and economics are, how the economy shapes peoples lives, and, more practically, how important it is to budget, save, and invest. While earning a CELTA certificate through Cambridge International Education to grow as an ESOL teacher, he had to study Hungarian so he could experience firsthand how it feels to learn a foreign language and to feel lost. That experience alone taught him so much about the importance of context in education and it informs the way he uses images, sounds, and countless other cues to ensure his students grasp complex concepts and historical events. As a world traveler who has spent extended time in Canada and Australia and has lived in Italy and America, Pinna explores the material through a lens of experience with the places and the cultures that he teaches. Beyond making him a better teacher, Pinnas experiences reflect his deeply held belief that students need to find their voice, think critically, accept multiple viewpoints and understand society and how it works. He wants his students to learn for themselves, to learn for the intrinsic value that knowledge and critical thinking bring, not for external validation that comes with earning a good grade. What I want them to learn is not to do the work for me, but to do for themselves, Pinna regularly tells his students. What I care about is that you truly learn and that you can then bring what you learn into the real world and make a positive change. Over Thanksgiving break, Pinna, his three children, and his wife traveled to Mexico. While he has visited Mexico before, it was a chance for his children to experience another place rich with its own culture, customs, economy, and history. Just as he does every day in his classroom, Pinna shared with his children the joys of exploring foreign places and meeting new people, so that they can better understand and appreciate the complex, rich, and varied world in which we live. About the Education Foundation of Sarasota County The Education Foundation sponsors the Ignite Education Teacher of the Year Award Celebration in partnership with Sarasota County Schools. For 35 years, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County (EdFoundationSRQ.org) has supported students and teachers because education transforms lives. As a champion for life readiness, the Education Foundation provides personalized, comprehensive resources and relationships so that students can find their purpose and progress intentionally through their K 12 schooling. Its mission is to enhance the potential of students, promote excellence in teaching, and inspire innovation in education, guided by strategic philanthropy. This years Ignite Education Teacher of the Year Award Celebration will be held at the Venice Community Center on December 13, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Learn more about the events and find tickets here: edfoundationsrq.org/ignite/. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota teacher of the year: Promoting learning for learning's sake. A 22-year-old man from Texas was found dead in a vehicle in Wilmington Saturday night prompting a homicide investigation. Delaware State Police said authorities received a report of a shooting and arrived at the Eagle Tobacco Shop, located at 3505 Miller Road in Wilmington, around 7:17 p.m. Dec. 9, 2023. Police said troopers found evidence of a shooting at the scene, but a victim was not present. According to police, a preliminary investigation found that the Texas man was parked in his vehicle at the Eagle Tobacco Shop's parking lot when a dark-colored SUV entered the lot. An occupant of the SUV fired several rounds at the victim and then left the scene. The victim, whose name is being withheld until his family is notified, drove to P.S. Dupont Middle School, located an estimated two-minute drive from the convenience store. The vehicle crashed through a fence and came to rest on the school's property. When the police found the victim, they discovered that he had sustained a gunshot wound to his upper body. Police said the man died at the scene. This homicide is an active investigation. Detectives are urging anyone who has information regarding this case to contact Detective B. Timmons by calling 302-365-8434 or emailing brian.timmons@delaware.gov. You can contact reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: DSP investigate death of Texas man found shot in vehicle in Wilmington The CEO of the global aid group Save the Children said the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a choice by Israel to withhold food and aid from the territory. Janti Soeripto, the CEO of Save the Children, said on CBSs Face the Nation that the situation in Gaza is absolutely horrific as the food, water and medical supplies in the territory continue to dwindle. The organization accused Israel on Saturday of forcing civilians into deadly safe zones' and of using starvation as a method of warfare as necessary supplies continue to be scarce. And theres nothing coming in, and theres an absence of basic necessities There is no market of sorts to allow people to get access to food and water and everything they need. So we think that is a willful, you know, its a choice. Its a choice. Its a choice. And its withholding aid from the population, she said. Soeripto said that aid workers from Save the Children cannot safely deliver humanitarian supplies to the population of Gaza without being threatened by shelling. She also said that they cant ask civilians to come out to pick up the aid without them being put at risk. She added that humanitarian groups are running out of words to describe how bad it is in Gaza. We have been there since 1953. We are not leaving now. We have 25 staff there, Soeripto said when asked if the aid workers will stay there. We wont leave, but at the moment, working for us in a safe and quality way is impossible. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Wind chill temperatures are expected to fall into the upper 30s in Houston Sunday morning. Pivotal Weather After temperatures reached the mid to upper 70s Saturday, they have been falling fast since sunset Saturday evening. That is when a cold front swept through the Houston metro area, bringing in gusty winds and much colder air from the north. But its not only the low temperatures that will make you want to bundle up; the wind chill will be the real challenge. A chilly morning After the cold front barged through, wind gusts peaked close to 35 mph overnight. Thankfully, they have started to weaken a bit, but some wind gusts up to 25 mph are still possible through noon on Sunday. When you factor in the low temperatures that will fall between 45 and 46 degrees, you get wind chill values between 38 and 40 degrees in the Houston metro area. Wind chill is a measure of how cold your body perceives the outside environment to be. In normal circumstances, your body maintains a constant internal temperature and radiates heat through the skin. However, high winds can accelerate heat loss, and wind chill is the direct result. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Temperatures will not stay that cold all day. Because of the very dry air provided by the cold front, there will actually be bright sunshine through much of the day. This will allow temperatures to warm up into the upper 50s. Winds will decrease during the afternoon, too, falling to 10 mph by 4 p.m. Even colder on Monday The wind speeds will be mostly calm, but clear skies and dry air will make for a chilly start to the day Monday morning. Low temperatures will fall to the upper 30s to near 40 degrees in the Houston metro area. By late Sunday and early Monday, low temperatures will fall to the upper 30s and low 40s in Houston. Many areas outside of the metro area could have their first light freeze. NWS Houston Outside of Houston, temperatures will be several degrees colder. Once you move outside of Harris County, temperatures will fall into the low to mid-30s Monday morning. The metro area is warmer due to the urban heat island effect. This happens courtesy of the high concentration of roads, buildings and parking lots. The pavement and concrete absorb heat throughout the day and radiate it back out at night, causing temps to be slightly warmer than nearby rural areas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some parts of southeast Texas face the chance of their first freeze of the winter. Areas such as Liberty, Conroe, Huntsville and College Station will see temperatures fall to near 32 degrees between 5 and 7 a.m. If it does freeze, it will be brief, limiting impacts. But you will still want to bring any sensitive plants indoors. Later in the week Bright sunshine is expected to continue Monday afternoon as highs rise into the low 60s. However, be sure to enjoy the sunshine while we have it because partly to mostly cloudy skies are expected for the rest of the week. Ukrainian law enforcements actions were carried out in accordance with the law, the Security Service (SBU) said in a comment to NV regarding Elon Musks X (Twitter) comments on the arrest of pro-Russian blogger Goncalo Lira. Lira, who holds dual citizenship of Chile and the United States, was arrested in Kharkiv Oblast for promoting Russian aggression in Ukraine and spreading pro-Kremlin ideas on social media. Read also: Ukrainian traitor that passed sensitive military info to assassinated blogger arrested in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast An investigation found that Liras videos denied Russian war crimes and justified Russian aggression. Lira claimed that Ukraine was shelling its own territory and a neo-Nazi regime ruled the country. Such activities constitute a criminal offense under Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (justification, recognition as lawful, denial of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants). The SBU documented Lira's activities and served the blogger with a notice of suspicion. In May 2023, the court imposed on him a preventive measure in the form of detention with the possibility of bail. He was initially released on house arrest after posting the bail, but was arrested again in July when he attempted to cross the border into Hungary on his motorcycle. Read also: SBU detains traitor who facilitated Russian invaders escape from Kherson Lira is currently being held in the Kharkiv pretrial detention center. His court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 12 and Dec. 21. U.S. billionaire, X (Twitter) and Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, demanded an explanation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the detention of the Moscow-aligned blogger Gonzalo Lira Ukraines SBU security service in an X post on Dec. 10. Musk made his demand in response to an X post by former FOX TV host Tucker Carlson, who accused the Ukrainian authorities of "torturing Gonzalo Lira in a Ukrainian prison since July, for the crime of criticizing Zelenskyy. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine One person was killed Saturday when his vehicle was hit by a pickup truck whose driver was being chased by police, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. David Rearden, an 85-year-old Edgefield resident, suffered blunt force trauma and died after the collision, the Greenwood County Coroners Office said. The three-vehicle collision happened at about 12:50 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. 25 By Pass and Laurel Avenue West, said Lance Cpl. Brittany Glover of the Highway Patrol. Rearden was driving a 2023 Lincoln southbound on Laurel Avenue when the vehicle was hit by a westbound 2015 Dodge Ram pickup truck that was reportedly fleeing police on U.S. 25 By Pass, according to Glover. The pickup also collided with a 2019 Jeep that was also traveling west on U.S. 25 By Pass, Glover said. Rearden was taken to an area hospital, where he later died, according to the coroners office. The pickup driver was also taken to an area hospital, Glover said. Further information on the pickup drivers condition was not available. Glover said the Jeeps driver was not hurt, and no other injuries were reported. Information about why police were chasing the pickup was not available, but the crash remains under investigation by the SC Highway Patrol. Authorities did not disclose whether the unidentified pickup driver could be charged in the wreck. It is unknown whether any of the motorists were wearing restraints. Through Wednesday, 899 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2023, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,091 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported. At least 15 people have died in Greenwood County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. There were 13 deaths reported in the county in 2022, DPS reported. Navajo Nation environmentalists are opposing a self-described jet setter and French millionaires plans for a massive hydropower project they claim will adversely affect the land, water, wildlife, plants and cultural resources of the largest land area held by Indigenous American peoples in the US. Related: Cinema is like a bridge: the Amazons first floating film festival brings Indigenous stories to the big screen The hydropower project in Black Mesa, Arizona, is awaiting approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Ferc) for preliminary permits and has incited fears over water use in an area already struggling with water accessibility issues. Its really down to water, water, water. Water is the big thing, said Adrian Herder of To Nizhoni Ani, a non-profit on the Navajo Reservation in north-east Arizona. In their application, they mentioned Black Mesa groundwater and so that was already a concern for us, given that we already are struggling with water availability in our communities. The Navajo Nation sent a letter to Ferc opposing the application by Nature and People First in December 2022, though there has not yet been any approval or legislation to discuss it within the Navajo Nation Council. Nature and People First is run and founded by Denis Payre, a French venture capitalist and entrepreneur. In 2006, the Washington Post reported Payre was one of several millionaires fleeing France to avoid its wealth tax, calling Payre a self-described French jet-setter. The organization has secured support from one Navajo Nation chapter for the project, with Herder claiming the developer has used community meetings to portray its critics as opponents to progress and pit Navajos against one another. Herder said the campaign in opposition to the Black Mesa Pumped Storage Project, #NoBMPSP, started in response to concerns over how many resources the project would use and the lack of consultation with local communities before the preliminary permit filings. They are pretty intent on pushing this project through somehow, someway ... Nicole Horseherder He cited the large amount of water the proposed project would use, especially given the impact coal mining has already had on the areas water resources. According to the campaign, the hydropower project would require 126tn gallons of water, three times the water withdrawals from 50 years of coal mining, would industrialize 30 to 40 miles of land with reservoirs, pump stations, electric lines and generators and destroy the wildlife habitats of the endangered Mexican spotted owls, Navajo Sedge and Colorado pikeminnows. The preliminary permits include building three pumped hydro storage dams along the northeastern edge of Black Mesa, producing electricity for nearby cities outside Navajo Nation, including Phoenix and Tucson. In July 2023, To Nizhoni Ani, Dine Citizens Against Ruining our Environment and the Center for Biological Diversity submitted resolutions from several Navajo Nation chapters to the Ferc opposing the three preliminary permit applications filed by Nature and People First on Navajo Nation land in the Black Mesa area. Nineteen Navajo Nation chapters have filed resolutions opposing the project, according to Herder. They are pretty intent on pushing this project through somehow, someway, even though they dont have a good background knowledge on the resources they are trying to secure, said Nicole Horseherder, co-founder of To Nizhoni Ani. The underlying message and intent is: You oppose me, but Im going to find a way to get you on my side because we are still going to push this project through, she added. Thats not anybody that wants to really work to see if some project is going to be feasible and viable, a person that is intent on pushing some project through one way or another, no matter who opposes him. Thats not the kind of person that we want to work with. So thats what were dealing with right now. Horseherder said the campaign against the proposal is focused on researching and educating the communities that will be impacted by the project and that they are currently seeking to get the Ferc to amend their preliminary permit application process to require community consulting and engagement prior to submitting an application. The proposed major energy project is one of several that have been made on or impacting Navajo land in recent years by energy speculators. Delores Wilson-Aguirre, co-founder of the Navajo led grassroots group Save the Confluence, has led petition efforts against a project proposed by Pumped Hydro Storage LLC to build a dam on Navajo Nation land on a tributary of the Little Colorado River. She has served as a community organizer in the campaign against the Black Mesa Storage Project. Opposition to the project is based on similar concerns that the project would require massive amounts of water resources on Navajo land for outside use and interests, and that developers have shirked consulting and engaging with community members. Two other proposed dam project proposals on the Little Colorado River were withdrawn in response to opposition urging Ferc to deny preliminary permit applications. Weve dealt with developers before and its the same scheme they use. Mainly jobs because we dealt with the project in our area, the Little Colorado River. They didnt listen to the people, Wilson-Aguirre told the Guardian. Its just a scam all around. Weve dealt with it firsthand and there is another company trying to come onto our side of the canyon, and theyre just kind of eyeing whats going on with the Black Mesa Project. Payre, the CEO of Nature and People First, claimed critics of the project are mischaracterizing the scope of the proposal and that he doesnt understand the opposition to it. Weve dealt with developers before and its the same scheme they use Delores Wilson-Aguirre Were completely in compliance with their mission statement for which theyre raising money, for which they are even giving IRS benefits to the people who give them this money and in spite of that, they still disagree with us. So frankly we do not understand what else we need to do at this point in time, said Payre. I think people are realizing that theyre not reasonable and that theyre essentially opposing a very reasonable clean energy project. He said if the Ferc approves the surveying permits, it will take several years and a $60m investment to qualify the project for the next approval process steps and claimed the project will be economically beneficial to the Navajo Nation, producing 1,000 jobs during construction and 100 jobs permanently. This water infrastructure will be made available to our nation and to the local chapters to help them with grazing, to help them with agriculture. So that would be very significant positive benefits for local communities, to help them essentially get out of poverty, added Payre. My revelation came in the spring, after a typical day in 11th-grade AP English. The topic was gender and how the experiences of the authors we were studying related to our world today. Unfortunately, I didnt hear anything I hadnt heard many times before. Class discussions tend to go like that. Weve been inculcated with approved positions on issues such as gender identity, patriarchy, cultural appropriation and microaggressions. Any perceived misstep can ruin a reputation in a flash. But then something unusual happened. After the period ended, someone floated an opinion that, if shared in the classroom, would have elicited a clanging silence. Hesitantly at first, we found ourselves having a genuine discussion, the air crackling with competing ideas that made the moment feel almost transgressive. I left with more questions than answers, which is how learning should be. Read more: Newsom and DeSantis both promote freedom in education. But their focus is wildly different Thats when I had my revelation: Just when my friends and I should be trying out many perspectives and figuring out where we stand, we're self-censoring, following familiar scripts. I had to wonder, if we spend our teenage years afraid we might share our thoughts in the wrong way or at the wrong moment, how is this affecting a crucial ingredient in becoming an adult: the ability to think critically? Almost a century ago, the psychologist Jean Piaget defined the stages of cognitive development. Up until about age 2, children learn about cause and effect through their actions. For the next five years, they learn through pretend play but struggle with logic. By middle school, theyre in the concrete operational stage. Their thinking is more logical but still rigid. Then around age 12, children enter the formal operational stage, becoming capable of theoretical and abstract reasoning. This progression isnt just about acquiring knowledge; its about a change in the very nature of how we think. Madeline Levine, a psychologist and expert in child development, says todays adolescents arent making it all the way: We're turning out kids who don't think in complex ways. Some of what I see, she adds, is even pre-operational thinking. Its I can only see it from my point of view. This egocentrism starts to go away in concrete operational thinking. Read more: An L.A. student sued the district over her right to promote milk alternatives. She won a settlement Whats interesting, she notes, is that high school students do demonstrate abstract thinking in specific situations they can do calculus and physics, after all. "But within the cultural bubble, theyre still stuck at the earlier stages. Its a developmental issue that isnt just about, How are kids going to learn? but How are they going to face life? In other words, were growing older, but were not growing up. Greg Lukianoff, co-author of The Canceling of the American Mind, believes that our hyper-polarized society is partly responsible for the problem. I fear that the older generations nasty, ad hominem way of arguing has rubbed off on you, he told me. Instead of seeking exposure to opposing concepts, we stick to whats appropriate. Read more: Opinion: What Gen Z teens like me are getting wrong about mental health And even if we do grapple with a wider range of perspectives in the privacy of our own minds, most of us are afraid to share them. In a 2020 survey conducted by Samuel Abrams and Next Gen Politics, 60% of high school students in New York City said they wouldnt offer their opinions in class because of concerns about how others would respond. Even when teenagers want an open dialogue, they dont agree on what that looks like. A 2022 Knight Foundation survey of almost 11,000 U.S. high school students found that although 89% agreed that people should be allowed to express unpopular opinions, only 40% agreed that people should be allowed to say whatever they want, even if its offensive. Of course, almost anything can be deemed offensive. During lunch at school recently, someone brought up transgender females getting banned from British rowing. Letting trans women compete on a womens rowing team, one kid said, would be like allowing a trans LeBron James to compete in the WNBA. A girl we were sitting with immediately called him transphobic and patriarchal. She didnt just disagree with him. She demanded that he retract what he said. Just because youre offended, he replied, a little frustrated, doesnt mean its offensive. What happened next was predictable. The girl shunned him, told her friends he was a jerk, and later, when another student complained to me about what hed said, I avoided the topic entirely because I knew the drill: If you dont agree with me, youre wrong. If you offend me, youre canceled. In the 1950s, the psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg developed a model for moral reasoning that follows a trajectory similar to Piagets model for cognitive development: Children progress from more concrete to more abstract thinking, from more rigidity to more flexibility. Levine says that what alarms her about the rigid, concrete take on right or wrong she sees in my generation is that without the capacity to hear opposing points of view, you dont develop empathy. And youll need empathy to end up with a good partner, to be a good parent and to be a good citizen. Julie Lythcott-Haims, a former Stanford dean, agrees: Were in desperate need of humans who can grapple openly with ideas, and disagree, as reasonable people will, without villainizing each other. I see teenagers unintentionally becoming more unforgiving and judgmental rather than open-minded and compassionate. When we cant or dont talk freely, we lose the chance to find real common ground, acknowledge complexity or grasp that even our own opinions can be malleable. If we listen only to those who already agree with us, we won't make wider connections. We won't grow. Some people told me not to write this piece that I could get canceled online, cut off by peers and perhaps even rejected by colleges. Thats a risk Im willing to take. I definitely dont have all the answers, but I believe that daring to get past whats acceptable and engage in open dialogue as we did walking away from English class that day is the key way to finding them and becoming the empathetic critical thinkers we need to be as we grow into adulthood. Lets start talking. Zach Gottlieb is a Los Angeles high school senior and the founder of Talk With Zach , a Gen Z platform that hosts conversations about emotional well-being. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Seattle Police Department is investigating a shooting that left two men seriously injured in SODO. Dispatch heard from one of two victims who was on his way to the hospital just after 3:30 a.m. on Sunday. The caller said he was shot in the 1700 block of 4 Avenue South before arriving at the Virginia Mason Hospital. Police arrived at Virginia Mason and a 23-year-old man and a 20-year-old man who had been shot. The two men were immediately taken to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition. Officers then arrived at the supposed scene of the shooting and are currently investigating. Officials say that no suspects have been identified. If anyone has information about this incident, police ask that you call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000. It's Kelly Clarkson's first holiday season since her show moved to New York, and it looks like she's getting used to the Christmastime crowds around Rockefeller Center. In a hilarious video shared to TikTok Dec. 8 by Marc Jordan Cohen, one family performed a Rockette-style kickline together standing on the sidewalk in front of Radio City Music Hall. But after a few repetitions, they were interrupted by a photobomber Clarkson. In the clip, the "Mine" singer walked into the left side of the frame wearing a red beanie and sunglasses and stopped abruptly, noticing the choreography playing out. She looked around in confusion, and her jaw dropped as she slowly walked out of the video. "Cant believe @kellyclarkson just photobombed our silly family kickline ," Cohen captioned the video, also tagging the account for "The Kelly Clarkson Show." The comments were filled with reactions to the hilarious clip including one from Clarkson, herself. "I didnt see what yall were doing until it was too late ha! My bad ," Clarkson wrote. Cohen wasn't mad, however. "KELLY!! We just wish we asked you to join us!!," Cohen responded. Whoops! (TikTok) Cohen and their fiance was in New York visiting family for the holidays. For their niece's birthday, the family was completing a scavenger hunt, and one of the clues prompted them to perform a kickline by the iconic Manhattan theater. "In true New York fashion, a garbage truck drove behind us while a beloved celebrity walked in front of us!" Cohen said in an email to TODAY.com. Cohen said the family didn't realize it was Clarkson until after the encounter. They posted the clip to the internet with hopes that the "American Idol" winner would see it. Fans loved Clarkson's shocked expression and shared their takes on the moment. "She was def judging yall," one person commented. ("So was I," Cohen responded, with a laughing emoji.) "Kelly always has the funniest reactions on the street," another wrote. "I really hope this makes it on her show," someone chimed in. Clarkson, who released her 10th studio album "Chemistry" in June, moved her daytime talk show from Los Angeles to New York for the upcoming season, which premiered in October. Clarkson has said that she made the move for a variety of reasons, including, simply, that was she lonely on the West Coast. Ive never really liked living in L.A. L.A. is beautiful, lots of things to offer that are awesome. Its just never been my thing in 20 years, and so I never wanted to live there in the first place," she said on TODAY back in June. It also was pointed out, especially getting divorced, it was just me and my kids all the way on that coast, she added. All of my family lives on this coast. It just got lonely. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Sen. Mitt Romney speaks to reporters following an event with the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association in Sandy on Feb. 23, 2023. Romney will appear on Meet the Press on Sunday. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News Utah Sen. Mitt Romney went on Meet the Press Sunday to explain why he thinks border security measures should be included in a final agreement on aid for Ukraine and Israel and he responded to Donald Trumps recent comments on being a dictator only on the first day of his presidency. During his interview with host Kristen Welker, Romney also weighed in on a Texas abortion case, Hunter Bidens criminal charges, an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and what he thinks a second Trump term would look like. Romney compares Trump to a gumball machine Welker asked Romney for his response to comments Trump made to Fox News host Sean Hannity about being a dictator only on his first day in office so he can close the border and drill, drill, drill. Romney said Trump doesnt have a filter, but he does worry Trump would be heavy-handed in a second term as president. Donald Trump is kind of a human gumball machine, which is a thought or emotion comes in and it comes out of his mouth, he said. I dont attach an enormous amount of impact to the particular words that come out and try and evaluate each one of them. I do think you can look at his record as president, and particularly in the last months of his presidency, and say, this is a dangerous approach. Its an authoritarian approach. That gives me far more concern than him playing to the crowd as he did, Romney said. Related Romney weighs in on what a Trump 2nd term could look like Romney said he thinks Trump would try to impose his will on other branches of government during a second term in office, but said he doesnt think Trump would refuse to leave the presidency after a second term in office, as former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney has suggested. When he called people to come to Washington, D.C., on January 6, that was not a random date, said Romney. That was the date when a peaceful transfer of power was to occur. Theres no question he has authoritarian rulings and interests and notions which he will try and impose. Thats dangerous for the country, he said. But when Welker asked whether he agrees with Cheney that Trump would refuse to leave office if hes reelected, Romney said he disagreed with that assessment. I dont think Donald Trump would want to stay in longer than four years, he said. And the reason I say that is because I think hes running for retribution. I dont think he particularly likes being around the White House. I think hed rather be back at Mar-a-Lago, or other properties of his, but he wants to show that hes not a loser. He won. And he wants to go after the people who were tough on him, so I think hell be finished after four years and go back to other occupations, Romney said. Romney said he worried Trump would not have people of judgement around him in a second term like he did in his first term, and said the nation would likely be more divided. A campaign based on anger and hate may win at the ballot box temporarily, but it tears the country apart. Romney on Hunter Biden and impeachment Welker asked Romney for his thoughts on Hunter Bidens latest legal troubles. The presidents son was charged with nine tax related charges last week. If his name were anything other than Biden, he wouldnt have been able to bilk millions of dollars from foreign entities, said Romney. And not only did he take all this money from foreign entities trading on his fathers name, which is ugly and unsavory, he then didnt pay taxes on it, according to the prosecutors, he said. Romney said Hunter Biden should be severely punished if prosecutors can prove he violated federal law. But, he said, he doesnt think House Republicans have shown that President Biden was involved in his sons foreign business dealings, and would vote no against an impeachment inquiry if he were in the House. President Bidens son Hunter is obviously a very unsavory person, and has had some extremely damaging personal foibles, including a drug habit and so forth, said Romney. Thats not President Biden. And were not going to impeach someone because of the sins of their kids. Related On Ukraine and the border The Senate has been trying to work out an agreement on providing aid to Israel and additional aid to Ukraine, and its been held up over disagreement on how to best shore up the southern border. Romney said Democrats and Republicans are holding a hard line. We have gone from 1,000 to 2,000 illegal encounters at the border a day under the three prior presidents. ... Now were seeing 10,000 to 12,000 a day, said Romney. As (Democratic) Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman said, were basically seeing Pittsburgh show up at the border every month. Romney said at the current rate, the number of migrants crossing the border this year would be 4 million, or more than the population of 24 of our states. So we want to solve that to secure the border. But Romney said he still thinks the country should support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Related Will Romney endorse a 2024 GOP candidate? Welker asked Romney why he hasnt endorsed any of the Republican presidential candidates. Well, because if I endorsed someone, it would be the kiss of death, he said, laughing. Shall I endorse the person I like least right now? He said he would like to see the field consolidate, but said he wouldnt ask any of the candidates directly to drop out, saying he didnt think it was his role. Welker pressed him on whether hed vote for Biden, and Romney said he doesnt think Bidens policies are good for America, and that he hopes another Democrat will be the nominee. The Joe I would like to vote for is Joe Manchin, he said. Utah will likely go for Trump, he said, so its irrelevant who he votes for. I typically vote for Ann for that reason. You have a setting where you have someone whos too old, and someone else whos a little too nutty, he said. But, he said, bad policy we can overcome as a country, we have in the past. Bad character is something which is very difficult to overcome. On Texas abortion case Welker asked Romney to comment on a Texas abortion case, involving a woman named Kate Cox, whose doctors say she needs to have an abortion 20 weeks into her pregnancy because of potential complications. Im not going to stand in for the courts, Romney responded. Theyre going to evaluate the evidence. Romney said he is pro-life, but people like me, that are pro life also believe that when a womans life is in danger, the opportunity for an abortion should be apparent for her. In the aftermath of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Romney said there are still parameters being worked out by legislatures and the courts on how abortion should be regulated. What would George Romney make of todays Republican Party? Welker asked Romney what his father, George Romney, who was governor of Michigan and also ran for president, would make of todays Republican Party. He would not understand it. He would not believe it. The party is very different than it was, said Romney. But, Romney said, the parties have changed over time and even since he ran in 2012. I think hed be surprised to see how much its changed and I think the social and cultural division that youre seeing today would be of concern to him, he said. But dont forget when he was a governor, we had race riots, even in his home state of Michigan and Detroit. So, were wrestling with some of these divisive issues even today. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said in a Sunday interview that the case against Hunter Biden is legally justified, but he added that he thinks voters in 2024 will be able to recognize the separation between President Biden and his son. I think its legally justified, Murphy said, when asked whether he thinks Hunter Bidens prosecution is political, as his lawyers contend. I think this is a very troubled individual who has, who has done things that are worthy of prosecution, and so I look forward to that case continuing. Ultimately, the American people understand that Hunter Biden is not going to be on the ballot next fall that Joe Biden is going to be on the ballot, and that this is a president who has led an economic recovery that has been pretty unprecedented. Thats I think going to be what matters to the American people, Murphy added. Hunter Biden was indicted for the second time this past week as a result of special counsel David Weisss probe into the presidents son and his financial dealings. Hunter Biden now faces three felony tax charges in relation to tax evasion and filing a false return, as well as six misdemeanor charges for failure to pay taxes between 2016 and 2019. Weiss alleged that Hunter Biden withdrew millions from his company, subverting the payroll and tax withholding process, and spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills. Hunter Bidens attorney, Abbe Lowell, dismissed the charges as part of a broader case that would not have warranted a prosecutors attention without the scrutiny brought by the GOP, saying in a statement this past week, Based on the facts and the law, if Hunters last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now California, would not have been brought. Murphy insisted voters would see the difference between the president and his son. I think Hunter Biden is going to be held accountable in court for any violations of the law that hes committed. And the American public are going to get the chance to watch that play out in real time. But what I am absolutely certain of is that the American public are going to see a distinct contrast between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, he said. The recent development comes after a plea deal fell apart this summer over a misunderstanding related to the extent of Hunter Bidens immunity in future cases. Weiss has since filed charges in Delaware on three counts related to Bidens purchase of a firearm while denying drug use he later acknowledged publicly, speaking in his book and elsewhere about his battles with addiction. First, U.S. Attorney Weiss bowed to Republican pressure to file unprecedented and unconstitutional gun charges to renege on a non-prosecution resolution. Now, after five years of investigating with no new evidence and two years after Hunter paid his taxes in full the U.S. Attorney has piled on nine new charges when he had agreed just months ago to resolve this matter with a pair of misdemeanors, Lowell said in the statement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sgt. Gabriela Corbalan rings a bell as the names of the soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, are read during an event at the Buffalo Soldiers Museum on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer An archival photo from the U.S. War Department. The caption reads, "Largest Murder Trial in the History of the United States. Scene during Court Martial of 64 members of the 24th Infantry United States of America on trial for mutiny and murder of 17 people at Houston, Texas August 23, 1917. Trial held in Gift Chapel Fort Sam Houston. The Houston Riot of 1917, or Camp Logan Riot, was a mutiny by 156 African American soldiers of the Third Battalion of the all-black Twenty-fourth United States Infantry. It occupied most of one night, and resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and sixteen civilians. The rioting soldiers were tried at three courts-martial. A total of nineteen would be executed, and forty-one were given life sentences." Buyenlarge Getty Images, Buyenlarge, Getty Images When Harris County Sheriff Marion Hammond cut Bert Smith loose from a tree in September of 1917, the body of the 22-year-old Black man, a husband and a cook for an oil contractor, was still warm. Hundreds of people, acting on accusations that Smith had sexually assaulted a white woman, wanted blood. Smith's death certificate from the county clerk was clear: "hung by mob." The sheriff, speaking to reporters the day after the Goose Creek lynching, was clear as well: It would not have occurred had I got there 15 minutes sooner. The sheriff of this county is opposed to mob law of any kind." Hammond urged citizens to trust in law and order and was quick to pursue murder charges. Even so, fear grew in the Black community around Baytown, and many wondered if they'd all be driven out by mob violence. It was a moment in time when Ku Klux Klan parades were a routine sight and when news about the hanging appeared in the newspaper beside a breezy write-up about an Eastwood dance hosting the KKK. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Smiths murder is one of four documented lynchings in Harris County commemorated in the countys Remembrance Project, which has adopted the wisdom of journalist and anti-lynching activist Ida B. Wells: The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth on them. Many news organizations at the time, including this one, lacked the moral compass to do so. Smith didn't get a trial. Even if he had, justice wasn't guaranteed, as evidenced by the scores of Black U.S. Army soldiers stationed here at Camp Logan who were arrested in the wake of the 1917 Houston Riot, which happened just a few weeks before Smith's murder. The notorious Aug. 23 riot led to the deaths of 16 white people, including five officers, and four Black soldiers. Indiscriminate killing in the streets is never justified, but fair accountability for any truly guilty parties was thwarted by an official response that can only be described as indiscriminate vengeance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Little consideration was given to the events leading up to the riot, including police harassment of the out-of-town Black soldiers, some of whom were Northerners and others unaccustomed to Jim Crow-era segregation and subjugation that mandated color lines on everything from water fountains to street cars. Hours before the riot, a Black Army sergeant, Alonzo Edwards, was beaten and arrested after he confronted police who had dragged a young woman, Sara Travers, from her home in her nightgown, supposedly in pursuit of illegal gambling next door. When Camp favorite Cpl. Charles W. Baltimore tried to check on Edwards, police again beat the Black soldier and shot at him as he fled. Although he survived, word reached Camp Logan that he died, prompting fed-up soldiers to grab their guns and embark on an angry march toward downtown. None of that mattered in court, or in this newspaper. Dozens of Black soldiers were represented in a sham trial by one man who wasn't even a lawyer. They were swiftly condemned to death on the testimony of witnesses whose already biased accounts of the violence on a dark, rainy night were further muddled by a lack of visibility or compromised, in the case of some supposed participants, with promises of immunity. For their alleged crimes, 110 soldiers were convicted, 29 were sentenced to death and 13 were hanged in a rushed, clandestine affair on Dec. 11. Six more were hanged later. Public outcry spared 10 more soldiers from execution after presidential pardons. CAMP LOGAN HISTORY: How the 1917 Houston riot unfolded Last month, the U.S. military attempted to make amends, overturning the convictions of 110 soldiers in a somber ceremony at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum on Caroline Street. We wrote then that more entities should follow their lead and atone for historic wrongs. Now, it's our turn. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The day after the riot, in a front-page editorial, the Houston Chronicle beat the drum for military authorities to act with vigor and determination, arguing that there was no need for "finespun litigation" and that all the soldiers should be tried together. Set in all caps: A COURT MARTIAL, A HOLLOW SQUARE AND A FIRING SQUAD WILL SETTLE THE MATTER ONCE AND FOR ALL. Reading these words today is a chilling reminder of the deeply entrenched role of racism in Houston's past, including in this publication. Through a series of at least nine pieces in the month after the riot, Chronicle editorials used the violence and trial as an opportunity to excuse Houstons "customs" and encourage a reckless conviction not unlike the mob violence they sought to condemn. The institutional voice of the Chronicle editorial board blamed the violence entirely on a lack of order at Camp Logan, including what it described as drinking, gambling and women-carousing. It had nothing to do, the newspaper insisted just hours after the riot, with any trouble between white Houstonians and Black soldiers. Black people simply required a more severe kind of discipline, the board argued. "[T]he negro temperament is such as to require absolutism on the part of those who command," lest Black soldiers be led to believe that "the government is in sympathy with their arrogance and impudence toward white people and civilian authorities, but especially in the South." It was an extreme position, even for the time. Indeed, when the Houston Post, a rival newspaper, asserted a widely held opinion that Black soldiers from the North simply shouldn't be stationed in the South a tacit acknowledgment, perhaps, that Southern laws and customs were inhospitable to Black people the Chronicle scoffed, branding its competitor "demure" and "lady-like." Yes, laws and customs differed in the South, the Chronicle board wrote the following day, but [t]his segregation is a means of protecting both races, and was instituted for the maintenance of law and order. Editorials gave little acknowledgment to violence, threatened and otherwise, that maintained the oppression of Houstons Black communities on a daily basis. Streetcars, in particular, became a battleground, even before the out-of-town Black soldiers arrived and reportedly began pushing back on the color line, occasionally removing signs indicating where Black people could sit. From 1903-1905, Black Houston residents boycotted the system in protest. At one point, the streetcar company even lobbied City Hall to overturn the ordinance requiring segregation, but the city refused. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With the soldiers' guilt predetermined, the Chronicle editorial board agitated for broad, harsh punishments. When a civil inquiry board released its own impartial report of the riot and recommendations to the city, editorials used it to clear Houston and its police officers: [W]e feel that the whole country has already acquitted Houston of any and all responsibility." The board briefly acknowledged the police beating of the Black sergeant that had sparked outrage before the riot, but dismissed it as "an irritating detail. After all, the board wrote, the spirit of mutiny and murder was already afoot." Opposing voices, meanwhile, were stifled. But the stakes were clear to Black residents, that they could be punished in their own way, too. The day after the riot, the Chronicle published a statement from the secretary of the Houston Negro Business League admonishing Black Houstonians to, Stay off the streetsTalk as little as possible about this regrettable and horrible happening. Keep a low profile, J.J. Hardeway promised, and white citizens and officers would protect them. Today, this editorial board acknowledges and deeply regrets the role the Chronicle played in the deadly miscarriage of justice that followed the 1917 riot. We offer our sincere apology, not just for coverage of the riot itself but for the board's defense of racist policies that had long fed inequality and stoked fear and animosity between whites and communities of color. Tuesday, Harris County offered an official apology as well for the events that happened "under the watch" of its government and promised to create a more equitable justice system. A Houston Police Department spokesperson told us Saturday that Chief Troy Finner plans to announce his own apology for the events that helped spark the riot. Though the city acknowledges one of the most horrific events in its history in a small plaque commemorating Camp Logan in an out-of-the-way corner of Memorial Park, city leaders have not officially owned up to the racist landscape that helped set the stage for the violence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sex is more than just a pleasurable experience, it's an important part of one's mental and physical health. One of the essential elements of maintaining that health is monitoring for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). But the landscape of diseases that most people learned about in sex ed if they had it at all is changing, with new conditions emerging without the same level of surveillance for things like gonorrhea and syphilis. Even with advances in treatment and contraception, Americans have been experiencing a surge in STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, all three of which saw significant increases between 2020 and 2021, the most recent year data is available. There are also relatively new or rare diseases circulating that some people may not have ever heard of in a sex ed class, such as Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen for short), Shigella flexneri, Neisseria meningitidis and Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). But all of these can cause unpleasant infections spread through sexual activity. Here's a few things most people should know about these illnesses and what to look out for. 01 Chlamydia In November, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first test ever for chlamydia and gonorrhea that has an at-home sample collection. Indeed, it is the first STD test with at-home sample collection ever authorized by the FDA except for a previous test used to detect HIV. While chlamydia and gonorrhea are not as severe as HIV, the former disease is certainly a menace. Chlamydia symptoms include burning while urinating and suffering from discharge from your genitalia. Men can also suffer from pain and swelling in their testicles, while women can endure such damage to their reproductive systems that they are unable to successfully get pregnant later. Although it is difficult to account for many cases of chlamydia, as of 2018 the CDC estimated that there were four million cases of the disease in the United States. In 2021, there were a total of 1,644,416 confirmed cases has been reported to the CDC. 02 Gonorrhea Although gonorrhea is often asymptomatic, it can also lead to symptoms in men such as a white, green or yellowish discharge from the urethra. For women, gonorrhea is either asymptomatic or has symptoms that can be mistaken for other diseases such as vaginal or bladder infections. If gonorrhea is contracted during anal sex, the symptoms can include discharge, itching and painful bowel movements, and if contracted during oral sex can lead to a sore throat. Yet the real threat with gonorrhea is what it does to the body in the long-term: For women, gonorrhea infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) after spreading into the uterus or Fallopian tubes, leading to infertility. Men can also become infertile after contracting gonorrhea it is occurs in conjunction with epididymitis. Untreated gonorrhea can also cause a potentially fatal blood infection known as gonococcal infection (DGI). In 2021, 710,151 cases of gonorrhea were reported to the CDC, making it the second most prevalent STD after chlamydia. While "regular" gonorrhea is bad enough, there is a growing issue with antibiotic resistant strains that don't clear up with typical medications. This means, there's a risk that one day in the future, we won't be able to shrug this disease off like we do with other relatively minor infections. Every time gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics, it can help the pathogen evolve ways of evading it. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. 03 Syphilis "Syphilis increases are particularly concerning, with a jarring 32% increase in a single year from 2020 to 2021," the CDC told Salon by email. They added that the most recent national data on the syphilis epidemic found that cases among newborns have increased by ten-fold in the past decade. In fact, a recent outbreak was even recorded in Houston, Texas. "These cases are tied to increases in syphilis among reproductive-age women and their partners and are especially serious as they can result in tragic outcomes, like miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death and lifelong medical issues," the CDC explained. "These cases occur when mothers do not receive timely testing and treatment during pregnancy." Although syphilis had reached a historic low in 2000 and 2001, in 2021 176,713 cases of syphilis (all stages and congenital syphilis) were reported to the CDC. 04 Mycoplasma genitalium Mgen, which is short for Mycoplasma genitalium, is a particularly ominous bug because of how difficult it is to treat. As of 2018, the overall prevalence of Mgen among people ages 14 to 59 was 1.7%, but that number is slowly but steadily rising. It's not typically screened for at many STI clinics or doctors offices. Since the bacteria lacks a cellular wall, it can ward off typical antibiotics that would otherwise stop it from reproducing. Even worse, the disease can lead to infertility, cervical inflammation, preterm birth and even miscarriage in women, as well urethral inflammation and infertility in men. Although scientists are not yet sure this disease can lead to infertility, it appears to be permanent. "From 2017-2018, estimates were that nearly 2% of adults from ages 14-59 years had Mgen," the CDC wrote to Salon. "However, there were no FDA-approved diagnostics (tests) for Mgen until 2019." 05 Shigella flexneri Shigella flexneri isn't always passed through sex. It is commonly contracted by young children, with an average of 28 cases per 100,000 in children younger than 4 years and 25 cases per 100,000 in 4 to 11-year-old children. It is the most common cause of diarrheal illness in children under 5 years old in Saharan Africa and South Asia. As the CDC explained to Salon, this is not exclusively a sexually transmitted infection, but it can be spread through sexual contact. Its main symptoms include feverishness, stomach pain, feeling the need to defecate even when the bowels are empty, with prolonged or bloody diarrhea. There are a reported 450,000 infections involving various strains of Shigella in the United States every year, and in addition to sex it can be spread through contaminated water or food or by touching one's orifices after it gets on one's hands. It can also be spread through feces, such as someone being infected after changing a diaper from an infected baby. It can also spread through anal sex, with a 2023 review in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections warning that oral to anal contact is especially risky. 06 Neisseria meningitidis Neisseria meningitides is a nasty little bug that can cause meningitis, which can be deadly. has an incident rate of less than 1 out of 100,000 cases per year in the United States, but worldwide there are an estimated 1.2 million cases per year. As the CDC explained, this is not exclusively a sexually transmitted infection, though it can spread through the urethra and rectum, as exemplified by an outbreak in Vietnam earlier this year. Thankfully its numbers have been on the decline since the 1990s. The agency also reported that in 2019 there were only 375 total cases of meningococcal disease reported in the United States, or an incidence rate of 0.11 cases per 100,000 persons. In cases of meningococcal meningitis, the main symptoms of the disease are headaches, feverishness and stiff necks; in cases of meningococcemia the symptoms include rashes and sepsis. Roughly 10 to 15 out of every 100 people who get diagnosed with this disease will die many others will be left with permanent disabilities including deafness, nervous system problems, loss of limbs and brain damage. 07 Lymphogranuloma venereum To better understand this condition, Salon reached out to Ronnie M. Gravett, MD, MSPH, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama Birmingham's School of Medicine. He explained to Salon by email that it is difficult to know the prevalence of Lymphogranuloma venereum because the existing systems for monitoring diseases do not focus on LGV. "Think of it this way: all LGV is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, but not all chlamydia infections are cases of LGV," Gravett explained. "Although chlamydia is very common and reported in annual surveillance reports by the CDC, LGV is more rare than mucosal chlamydia, aka the 'regular' chlamydia." Public health officials currently can identify chlamydia on a larger public health scale, but cannot do so as of yet with LGV cases. LGV took off during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when a total of 284 LGV cases were diagnosed (primarily among HIV patients and men who have sex with men). According to Gravett, common symptoms of LGVB include discharge like pus, mucus and even blood from the anus and/or rectum. Occasionally this can also happen in the vagina or penis. "'Tenesmus,' or the sensation of anorectal fullness and discomfort, may also be present. Importantly, LGV can cause an ulceration at the site of exposure, i.e., on the anal verge or higher up in the anus or rectum. Given its location, the ulcer may not ever be seen." He also noted that LGV is more invasive than traditional chlamydia, "so it can spread to lymph nodes and cause enlarged lymph nodes, which may or not be detected." In addition to being aware of the details of these STDs, it is also important to be cognizant of which groups are more likely to be impacted by them. As the CDC told Salon by email, "While STIs are common in all U.S. regions and across all groups, some communities are hit especially hard. The 2021 data show STIs continue to disproportionately affect gay and bisexual men and younger people." The CDC added, "Additionally, a disproportionate number of cases were diagnosed among Black/African American and American Indian/Alaska Native people, groups more likely to face social conditions that make it more difficult to stay healthy." As with any sexually transmitted disease, the best way to prevent them is to use condoms (if applicable) or practice safer sex. If you notice any unusual symptoms, especially related to the genitals, it's best to get a medical examination or an STI test. When caught early, most of these diseases are manageable. Because of taboos around sex, some people are embarrassed about STIs, but they're really just like any other form of illness. Taking it seriously and being diligent about it ensures that sex remains a pleasurable part of someone's lifestyle. Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire defeated Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in the Houston mayoral race in Saturdays runoff election after a campaign heavily focused on voter concerns over safety on the streets. Whitmire, a perennial tough-on-crime voice who for decades heralded Texas regulations over public safety, was declared the winner by the Associated Press with 57 percent reporting. At that point, Whitmire was leading by an almost 2-to-1 margin. With backing from the citys fire department and police unions and a multimillion-dollar campaign war chest, Whitmire was the early favorite in the race and finished first in the 18-candidate general election in November. When no candidate secured 50 percent of the vote, the race went to a runoff. Whitmire leaned on a coalition of moderate Democrats, independents and conservative voters, with a prominent campaign promise to make the city safer with increased policing. City elections are officially nonpartisan in Houston, the countrys fourth-largest city with more than 2.3 million people, but Democrats have held the office since 1982. The showdown between Whitmire and Jackson Lee illuminates the fault lines within the Democratic Party over how to deal with crime on a local level, also seen in mayoral races in Los Angeles and New York City in recent years. Crime has really become a major issue not only reality, but the perception. We cannot have Houston perceived as not being a safe city, Whitmire previously told POLITICO. Im representing Houstonians. Thats what they want. The race also marked a rare showdown between two long-tenured lawmakers from a party that has flailed politically in deep-red Texas. Whitmire, 74, and Jackson Lee, 73, are Texas institutions in their own right, easily recognizable in their arenas of Austin and Washington. First elected to the state Legislature as a college student in 1973, Whitmire ran a campaign that hewed closely to concerns of local voters: crime, infrastructure issues and city financial controls. In comparison, the 15-term member of Congress Jackson Lee talked about tackling public safety but also elevated concerns about womens access to abortion and cast her opponent as a Trump-style Republican. Along the way, she notched endorsements from big national names such as Bill and Hillary Clinton, Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Hakeem Jeffries, as well as term-limited incumbent mayor Sylvester Turner. She has been a champion for as long as Ive known her, as long as shes represented many of you in Congress, Hillary Clinton said at a rally for Jackson Lee at the end of October. We need her leadership, her advocacy, her grit, to get stuff done for the people of Houston. But even with big-name Democrats behind her, Jackson Lee ultimately couldnt make up her deficit. Her campaign became mired in scandal after an expletive-filled rant, allegedly of Jackson Lee berating staffers, leaked online in October, for which she expressed regret in a statement. If Jackson Lee intends to run for another House term, she doesnt have long to declare her intentions: The filing deadline is Monday evening. Whitmire has a long history with crime-related legislative issues a track record that started after his family was robbed at gunpoint in the early 1990s. From there, he took the chairship on a state committee regulating criminal justice reform, helping usher in a new Texas penal code and more funding to the state prison system. Whitmires campaign pledge to utilize state troopers to assist Houstons police department drew the ire of progressives, who more often focus on reforming policing. He generally shied away from attack messaging throughout the campaign, instead touting his ability to work with the Republicans who control the state. But hell have his hands full regulating tensions between his city and the state government, which has shown increasing interest in recent years in exercising greater control over Texas cities Houston in particular. The state recently took control of the citys school district and increased its authority over the countys elections, while the legislature has also passed a Republican-backed law to eliminate local laws mandating that construction workers have water breaks. At least six people were confirmed dead as tornadoes and thunderstorms ripped through Tennessee on Saturday. Three people, including two adults and a child, were killed in Clarksville as a result of a tornado that touched down at around 2pm on Saturday afternoon, a Montgomery County spokesperson said. Additionally, 23 people have been treated at the hospital. Three others died in Nashville, according to the towns emergency operations centre, which reported severe damage in the area along with downed power lines. The casualty figures are likely to change, warned state officials, who are continuing to search for survivors. Photos posted by the Clarksville fire department on social media showed damaged houses with debris strewn across lawns, a tractor-trailer flipped on its side on a highway and insulation ripped out of building walls. The National Weather Service has also issued multiple tornado warnings in Tennessee with reports of a further tornado in Kentucky. Over 52,000 electricity customers were without power in Tennessee on Saturday night, according to PowerOutage.us. This is a sad day for our community, Montgomery Countys mayor Wes Golden said. We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes. This community pulls together like no other and we will be here until the end. Clarksville mayor Joe Pitts said: "This is devastating news and our hearts are broken for the families of those who lost loved ones. "The city stands ready to help them in their time of grief." A car is buried under rubble on Main Street after a tornado hit Hendersonville, Tennessee, 9 December2023 (via REUTERS) Mr Pitt declared a state of emergency for Clarksville and imposed a 9pm curfew for Saturday and Sunday, keeping in mind the health, safety and welfare of the community. Government officials in Sumner County also reported significant damage after tornadoes ripped through Gallatin and Hendersonville northeast of Nashville. At this time, we are working to respond to multiple calls throughout the county and to establish Red Cross shelters in Gallatin and Hendersonville, said a joint statement from the communities mayors. It is of paramount importance that citizens stay off of the roads and allow first responders and utility crews to respond, it read. The countrys emergency medical services said they are not aware of any loss of life or life-threatening injuries at this time. Governor Bill Lee also took to social media, saying he and his wife Maria were praying for all Tennesseans who have been impacted by the tornadoes that swept through the state this evening. A storm front approaches downtown Nashville, Tenn., which spawned an apparent tornado north of the city, Saturday, 9 December2023 (AP) We mourn the lives lost & ask that everyone continue to follow guidance from local & state officials, he wrote on X. Six people are dead after tornadoes, thunderstorms and strong winds ripped through Clarksville, Madison, Springfield, Hendersonville, Gallatin and other parts of Middle Tennessee on Saturday afternoon and evening. Dozens of other people were injured. Buildings across the region were destroyed and power lines downed. It was the first time in a decade that the National Weather Services Nashville office issued an alert called a tornado emergency, even more serious than a tornado warning. Heres what we know about the deadly storms that hit Middle Tennessee on Saturday. Monday tornado updates: Tennessee tornado outbreak: 'It just hit so fast.' State recovery efforts continue What part of Tennessee did the tornadoes hit? NWS said meteorologists confirmed two tornadoes with radar one in Clarksville and another in the Gallatin area. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency received reports of 13 possible tornadoes across the state. TEMA reported that affected counties include Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Montgomery, Robertson, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Weakley and Wilson. Who died in the tornadoes in Nashville-area, Middle Tennessee? The Montgomery County government confirmed in a post on social media that three people, including one child, were killed in the storms that hit the area at about 1:35 p.m. Officials said 62 people were taken to the hospital and treated for injuries. The storms killed three other people in the Madison area of Nashville, including a two-year-old child. How strong were the tornadoes in Tennessee? The National Weather Service confirmed storm survey findings Sunday evening, with the Clarksville tornado rating as an EF-3, with winds of 150 mph. The Madison/Hendersonville/Gallatin tornado received a preliminary rating of EF-2, with winds of 125 mph. Other areas, including Springfield, were still being surveyed by officials to determine the strength of the storms and whether they were officially tornadoes, said NWS meteorologist Cory Mueller. By Sunday afternoon, emergency response officials had preliminarily counted 13 tornadoes, as well as additional damaging straight-line wind events that impacted the state on Saturday. Red Cross shelters available throughout the region The Red Cross has opened the following shelters: Northeast High School at 3701 Trenton Rd, Clarksville Cornerstone Hendersonville at 1410 Stop 30 Rd, Hendersonville Isaac Litton Middle School at 4500 Gallatin Pike, Nashville Clarksville is under a curfew Saturday and Sunday nights Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts announced Saturday night that he was placing the city under a state of emergency and instituted a 9 p.m. curfew for the city on both Saturday and Sunday nights. The Nashville mayor declared a state of emergency Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell declared a state of emergency in Davidson County and contacted state and federal partners. Nashville Fire Department personnel were searching damaged buildings for anyone who could be trapped inside. The Nashville Office of Emergency Management reported a building collapse at Community Church on Dickerson Pike. Thirteen people were transported to nearby hospitals and were last listed in stable condition. Thousands remain without power with freezing temperatures possible Sunday night More than 23,000 customers were without power as of 3 p.m. Sunday in Davidson County alone. Temperatures were expected to reach below freezing, according to NWS Nashville. A peak of around 160,000 customers across Middle Tennessee were without power Saturday night, according to outage maps from Middle Tennessee Electric, Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, Dickson Electric and Nashville Electric Service. Extensive damage spanned several counties Businesses, homes and other structures were damaged by severe weather across several Middle Tennessee counties. In Davidson County, much of the damage was concentrated to the Nesbitt Lane area of Madison, where three people were killed and several homes were destroyed. Gallatin and Hendersonville were both hit with major damage. Damage was also extensive in Clarksville, where three people died. According to officials, hundreds of buildings have been impacted, with damage ranging from mild to complete destruction. Damage tracker: Deadly tornadoes rip through Middle Tennessee The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office confirmed damage to several houses in the area of the Hand Estates near Garrettsburg Road. One resident said the storm sounded like a train going down some train tracks. In Springfield, a Valvoline Instant Oil Change station on Memorial Boulevard and Blackpatch Road sustained heavy damage, in an area that was strewn with downed power lines. No fatalities in Robertson County have been confirmed, but there are reports of minor injuries in Springfield, according to city spokesperson Natasha Tice. A tornado emergency alert was issued for first time in more than decade The National Weather Services Nashville office issued a "tornado emergency" alert for parts of Middle Tennessee for the first time in over a decade as the storms swept through, according to meteorologist Sam Shamburger. NWS Nashville issued tornado warnings for multiple areas across Middle Tennessee on Saturday afternoon and evening, including Clarksville, parts of Nashville, Hendersonville and Gallatin. Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com or follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EvanMealins. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The latest: What to know about deadly Tennessee tornadoes in Clarksville, Madison The Russian army is attacking Avdiivkas defensive line almost non-stop, trying to surround the town despite unfavorable weather conditions, Avdiivka military administration head Vitalii Barabash said on national television on Dec. 10. "The enemy shows no desire to give up its attempts to surround the town, Barabash said, at the same time saying the number of air strikes directly on the town, had decreased somewhat. Read also: Avdiivka frontline faces unprecedented challenges, says military observer The entire defensive line around the Avdiivka is under attack almost around the clock. Of course, this is accompanied by artillery: multiple rocket launchers, mortar attacks, tank attacks. And, of course, the work of the air force," he said. "We have recorded a slight decrease in the number of airstrikes an average of 6-8 (per day). It used to be many times more. As for shelling, an average of 30-40 massive attacks take place on the community's territory during the day. Of course, it is many times more on the military positions." Read also: Russians advance in Avdiivka industrial zone, but who controls it still undecided, says military Fourteen combat engagements near Bakhmut and another 19 near Avdiivka took place on the front lines, the Ukrainian militarys General Staff reported on Dec. 9. The Russian army has deployed more than 40,000 troops in the Avdiivka sector, Tavria front defense forces spokesperson Oleksandr Shtupun said on Dec. 8, adding that the enemy is losing 300-400 military personnel per day there. Russian forces expect improved weather conditions in the Avdiivka sector of Donetsk Oblast and will again deploy military equipment in their assaults, Barabash said on Dec. 3. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Saturday Night Live targeted the congressional hearing last week about combatting antisemitism on college campuses during its cold open. The spoof on last weeks hearing on antisemitism on college campuses featured Chloe Troast playing Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who last week tore into three university presidents at the hearing about how their institutions have dealt with the rise of antisemitism since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October. The skit largely focused on the three university presidents giving broad answers to questions posed by Stefanik and other committee members. Now Im going to start screaming questions at these women like Im Billy Eichner. Antisemitism, yea or nay? Troast, playing Stefanik, opened the mock hearing with. The cold open included Heidi Gardner playing University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magill, Chloe Fineman playing Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) President Sally Kornbluth and Ego Nwodim playing Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard University. Yes or no. Is calling for the genocide of Jews against the code of conduct for Harvard? Troast asked. Nwodim, playing the president of Harvard, told her that it depends on the context before Troast turned to the impersonated president of the University of Pennsylvania and asked the same question. Gardner said we are serious about stopping all forms of hatred in her response an answer that Troast appears to find unacceptable. M.I.T. Lady, chance to steal. And keep in mind, if you dont say yes, youre going to make me look good, which is really, really hard to do, Troast said to Fineman. Bowen Yang, who played Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), posed additional questions to the university presidents, including how they would respond to situations like what if a student yells they poisoned the water supply. Nwodim responded that if they poisoned it with diversity, that could be wonderful. When asked what they would do if someone yelled fire in a crowded theater, Gardner replied that she would be excited the theater was crowded because I support the arts. The scene then pivots to Kenan Thompson, playing the president of the online University of Phoenix, where he was asked if he could condemn antisemitism on his campus. Well, my campus is the internet, so antisemitism is kind of our most popular major, he replied. And our mascot is porn. The skit came just hours after Magill resigned from her role at the University of Pennsylvania on Saturday after facing outcry over her answers at the hearing. All three university presidents faced backlash for saying that it would depend on the context whether comments calling for genocide of Jewish people would be considered harassment. Stefanik had also called on the three university presidents to resign from their posts on Friday. This lack of moral clarity is shocking. If only it were surprising, she wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. In the months since Oct. 7, the mainstreaming of anti-Jewish hate has been on full display at the poisoned Ivy League and other so-called elite schools, as has the gutless lack of response from university leaders. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. In the pre-dawn hours of January 29, 2022, a man was found dead in a blizzard outside a house in suburban Boston. He was wearing two shirts, blue jeans, socks and one black Nike sneaker. On the blanket of snow near his body were shards of glass and splotches of blood. His name was John OKeefe, and he was a Boston police officer. OKeefe and his girlfriend of two years, Karen Read, had been on a bar crawl earlier that night. Shortly after midnight, according to court documents, they climbed into her black Lexus SUV and headed to an afterparty at the home of a fellow Boston police officer on Fairview Road in Canton. About six hours later, OKeefes body was spotted in the front yard of the house, covered in snow. But what happened during those six hours has sharply divided Canton, a town of 24,000 people about 15 miles southwest of Boston. Residents of the town and neighboring suburbs have spent months debating two potential scenarios: Was OKeefe beaten inside the house and tossed outside to die in the snow? Or did his girlfriend fatally strike him with her car? Local prosecutors have made their position clear, charging Read with second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision. She has pleaded not guilty, and her trial is set for March. Officer John O'Keefe in an undated photograph provided by the Boston Police Department. He would have been 48 this week. - Boston Police Department/AP With both the trial and the two-year anniversary of OKeefes death looming, debate over the case has torn apart the tight-knit town. Residents have stormed city council meetings, demanding answers. Some have accused the local police of a cover-up to protect those at the party on Fairview Road. Others have visited Facebook group pages and local blogs to discuss intricacies of that fateful night, turning what began as a local homicide case into a broader sensation. At the heart of the controversy is a key question: Did OKeefe enter the house on Fairview Road that night? The prosecution says no. The defense says yes. Those whove heard of the case have pretty much picked a side, said longtime Canton resident Jonathan Comeau, who recently moved to a nearby suburb. There is the She is guilty side and the There was a fight in that house side. There is pretty much no one on the fence. What Karen Read says happened that night Read, 43, is out on bail awaiting her trial. In court documents and in media interviews, shes said that she and OKeefe went to two Canton bars that night. They mingled with friends, drinking beers and vodka sodas, before going to the home on Fairview Road. Read said she dropped off OKeefe outside the house, then returned to his place because she wasnt feeling well. She called and texted him throughout the night, she said, but there was no response. About 4:30 a.m., Read woke up screaming when she realized OKeefe had not come home, court documents said. Karen Read and her attorney, David Yannetti, attend pretrial hearings in September. Read's trial is scheduled to start in March. - Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald/Getty Images She called two female friends, including Jennifer McCabe, who had been drinking with her that night. Together, the three women drove through the streets of Canton in near white-out conditions, looking for OKeefe and calling his name, court documents said. As the three women approached Fairview Road, Read said she caught a glimpse of OKeefe lying on his back in the yard. McCabe told authorities that Read jumped out of the car in a panic and performed CPR on him, but he was not responsive. The women called 911. It was so dark, officers who responded to the scene said they needed to use a spotlight attached to a police cruiser to find the women, court documents said. A medical examiner later determined that OKeefe suffered multiple skull fractures, consistent with blunt-force trauma that led to bleeding in the brain. He also had two swollen black eyes, several abrasions on his right arm as well and blood around his nose and mouth. Hypothermia was a contributing factor in his death, the autopsy ruled. Read and her legal team, which includes attorneys Alan Jackson and David Yannetti, have said shes being framed to protect the real killers. We know who did it. We know. And we know who spearheaded this coverup. You all know, Read told reporters after a court hearing in September. I tried to save his life. I tried to save his life at 6 in the morning, I was covered in his blood. I was the only one trying to save his life. Jackson told CNN that he believes OKeefe entered the Fairview Road house that night and got into an altercation with someone inside. I think that confrontation got physical, and he was beaten to a point of unconsciousness, Jackson said. This was a coverup he was murdered inside that house and his body placed outside. The body of Boston police officer John O'Keefe was found on January 29, 2022, near the fire hydrant outside this home on Fairview Road in Canton, Massachusetts. Canton residents have dueling theories about what happened that night. - Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe/Getty Images The owner of the house at the time, Brian Albert, has not responded to CNNs requests for comment. In Reads charging documents, Albert and his wife told police that OKeefe and Read joined their group at Waterfall Bar & Grille, the second bar in Canton. The Alberts said they invited some people from the bar to their house but were not aware OKeefe and Read were coming over. The Alberts added they didnt know OKeefe or Read that well but wouldnt have minded if theyd come. The Alberts also told police they neither heard nor saw anything outside of their home over the course of the morning, according to court documents. The Fairview Road house was sold in April. Jackson said that the Alberts owned a German shepherd, which he believes is responsible for some of the bruises found on OKeefe. What prosecutors say happened that night The prosecutions narrative centers on what happened outside the house on Fairview Road. They allege that OKeefe and Read got into an argument that led to him getting out of the Lexus. They say evidence suggests a drunken Read struck him with her vehicle as she made a three-point turn, leaving him to die in the snowy cold. Investigators said surveillance footage shows that between the two bars the couple went to that night, Read appeared to consume at least nine drinks. The third woman in the vehicle that morning told investigators that Read appeared drunk when they were searching for OKeefe. Read also mentioned that her SUVs right taillight was damaged and asked McCabe, Could I have hit him. Did I hit him, according to charging documents. McCabe and the other woman in the car told investigators that as they neared the Fairview Road house, Read cried that she could see OKeefe lying in the yard, despite the near white-out conditions and a cluster of trees obstructing the view. The two other women told police that neither of them could see OKeefe at that point. Read then leaped from the car, ran to OKeefe and began trying to do CPR, they said. In case documents and in court, Reads attorneys have said they believe McCabe, who is Alberts sister-in-law, is part of a coverup to protect the people inside the house and frame Read for the crime. A forensic search of McCabes phone revealed a Google search for the phrase, Ho(w) long to die in cold hours before Read called McCabe, looking for OKeefe, according to court documents. Prosecutors dispute the timing and reason for the search. McCabe has not been charged with a crime and did not respond to CNNs requests for comment. Nor did her attorney, Kevin Reddington. But Reddington told local media that allegations of McCabes involvement in a cover-up are baseless. She cooperated with the police. She answered all their questions. She testified before the grand jury, Reddington told the Sun Chronicle in April. The next thing you know she gets smeared by the defense team. Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey has urged residents to stop harassing witnesses in the case. - Robin Chan/Wicked Local/USA Today Network Canton police officers said they searched the area by OKeefes body and found pieces from a broken cocktail glass and patches of blood in the snow. State police later found pieces of a taillight at the scene that appeared similar to a broken right taillight on Reads vehicle, court documents said. In a video statement in August, Michael Morrissey, the Norfolk County district attorney, said location data from OKeefes phone showed he never entered the Fairview Road house. Innuendo is not evidence. False narratives are not evidence, he said. Eleven people have given statements that they did not see John OKeefe enter the home Zero people have said that they saw him enter the home. Zero. No one. There was no fight inside that home. OKeefes family has described him as a loving man who stepped up to raise his niece and nephew after his sister and her husband died. People talk about someone who would give you the shirt off their back but that was truly who John was, and it is heartbreaking for us to suddenly be talking about him in the past tense, the family said in a statement to local media shortly after his death. OKeefes niece and nephew, who lived with him for about eight years, told investigators that he and Read argued a lot and had expressed the need to take a break from one another. But Jackson, Reads attorney, told CNN that she and OKeefe had not argued that night. Investigators dispute allegations of a coverup Morrissey, the district attorney, has demanded a stop to the intimidation of witnesses in the case. He says allegations that a network of law enforcement agencies conspired to frame Read are not plausible. These people were not part of a conspiracy and certainly did not commit murder or any crime that night, Morrisey said in his August video statement. They are not suspects in any crime. They are merely witnesses in the case. The idea that multiple police departments, EMTs, fire personnel, the medical examiner and prosecuting agencies are joining in a vast conspiracy should be seen for what it is completely contrary to the evidence and a desperate attempt to reassign guilt. In a statement to CNN, Canton Police Chief Helena Rafferty said investigators found absolutely no evidence of a cover up in the tragic death of John OKeefe. Karen Read's attorneys say bruises on her boyfriend's arms were from a fight. Prosecutors say they're from her striking him with her SUV. - John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe/Getty Images At a town board meeting in August, she acknowledged theres a mistrust for the police department in Canton, but said its not as widespread as portrayed. However, I do acknowledge that it is there, and I hear you, she said. I believe the first step in bridging that trust gap is effective and healthy communication. She did not respond to further questions from CNN on the root of the mistrust. Last month, Canton residents voted for an independent investigation into the police department after a special town meeting that focused on Reads case. Rafferty told CNN she believes the $200,000 budget for the investigation would be better spent on other things. I believe that Canton has more productive uses for the funds to serve our town, she said. Regardless, we welcome the review which will end the wild speculation about our Police Department and demonstrate to everyone that the citizens of Canton should be proud of our dedicated officers. CNN affiliate WFXT reported last week that the US Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts has launched a federal probe into Reads arrest and prosecution. When reached by CNN, the federal agency declined to comment. We dont confirm or deny investigations, it said. The furor over the case has divided the town Reassurances from the police and prosecutors have not done much to quell the debate in this upper-middle class suburb known for being the headquarters of donut chain Dunkin. Walk into a coffee shop or restaurant and anyone whos heard about the case has formed an opinion, said Comeau, who grew up in Canton. In Canton and surrounding towns, where family ties span generations, residents have picked sides, leading to grudges and accusations. Alberts brother is a selectman in the town, which has added another layer to the debate, some former Canton residents told CNN. There are people who privately talk about the case and are scared to say anything out of fear that the police or other townies would be upset, and something would happen to them or their children, Comeau said. Even the local businesses understand that they cannot pick a side for fear of losing business. Hundreds of police officers line up to attend a wake for Boston Police officer John O'Keefe at St. Francis of Assisi Church on February 6, 2022, in Braintree, Massachusetts. - Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe/Getty Images Aidan Kearney, a Massachusetts blogger nicknamed Turtleboy, has fed the ongoing debate with numerous posts alleging a murder coverup by law enforcement and local politicians. But hes also made his own headlines. In October, Kearney pleaded not guilty to charges of witness intimidation and conspiracy after he allegedly called and sent messages to witnesses and investigators in Reads case, CNN affiliate WBZ reported. I will not be silenced, Kearney, wearing a Free Karen Read sweatshirt, told a crowd gathered outside the courthouse after his release. I will be steadfast in keeping on with this mission to expose the real killers of John OKeefe. In nearby Malden, a group of Reads supporters hosted a Halloween Day fundraiser for her defense. Some attendees wore Free Karen Read T-shirts and FBI hats or wrapped themselves in yellow crime-scene tape. Peter Elikann, an author and criminal defense attorney in the Boston neighborhood of Charlestown, told CNN hes watched the dueling narratives unfold over the past few months. Social media has fed competing theories and amplified the debate, he said. Its . like opposing armies lined up on the horizon, Elikann said. But unlike a lot of murder cases that can appear open and shut, he said, this one is anything but. The interesting thing here is that the controversy is not based purely on emotion and gut instinct the facts as promised by the prosecution and the defense are in such stark contradiction, he said. Sean McDonough, a former Canton resident and retired DEA agent, said the deep divisions surrounding the case do not surprise him. He attended high school in Canton, knows the towns culture and politics, and said theres long been a deep mistrust of the police department. A lot of questions have come up that that basically divide the town And theres answers that have not been given yet, said McDonough, who now lives in Naples, Florida. It was a beautiful town to live in and still is. Its just this is a very big cloud thats hanging over them, and its getting worse. McDonough and others interested in the case have joined private Facebook pages to dissect scenarios of what they believe happened that night. Several pages have thousands of members. One Facebook post acknowledged the nuances of the case and how much theyve torn the town apart. From the outside looking in, its hard to understand, the post said. From the inside looking out, its hard to explain. OKeefe would have turned 48 on Friday. At a Canton town meeting Tuesday night, resident Jennifer ODonnell said that amid all the controversy, some people have forgotten the real victim. I would like to take the opportunity to remember one of Cantons own and finest, she said. Many of us have noticed a lack of such a moment after his passing. In spite of all the acrimony, she said, people in Canton should share one common goal: justice for John OKeefe. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com District G city councilor and incumbent candidate Mary Nan Huffman, right, talks with a voter (REFUSED ID) in the parking lot of Paul Revere Middle School Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 in Houston. Michael Wyke/Contributor Election Day on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at West Gray multi service Center in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Three incumbents will return to Houston City Council, along with four newcomers who, in some cases, held off close competitors to tilt city leadership toward the political center. District G Councilmember Mary Nan Huffman prevailed in her high-profile contest against attorney Tony Buzbee, joining Carolyn Evans-Shabazz from District D in returning to council. At-Large 4 Councilmember Letitia Plummer will also return for another four-year term. Mario Castillo in District H and Willie Davis in At-Large 2 secured first-time wins. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the At-Large positions, Julian Ramirez, in position 1, and Twila Carter, in position 3, eked out close wins, while At-Large 2 went to Willie Davis. Huffmans matchup against Buzbee was perhaps the most high-profile City Council race of election season. Buzbee entered the race on the last day that he could sign up and ran a heated campaign to represent one of the citys wealthiest and most conservative districts. District G encompasses much of the area between Interstate 10 and Westheimer Road, including River Oaks and the Galleria. Huffman said in a statement that she was humbled to have the opportunity to continue serving on City Council. "The voters in District G know me and know I am a fighter." Huffman, who fell just short of avoiding a runoff after earning 49.4% of the vote in the general election, is the lawyer for the Houston Police Officers' Union and ran on a public safety-focused platform. Buzbee previously ran for mayor in 2019 but lost in the runoff to Sylvester Turner. He has represented a number of high-profile clients as a trial attorney, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Buzbee said in a statement that he viewed his race against Huffman as an uphill battle, and he believed his defense of Paxton in Paxton's recent impeachment trial proved unpopular with some District G residents. While we came up short this evening, I'm honored to have had so many grassroots activists from all across District G standing with (his wife) Frances and me as we campaigned in every neighborhood to give people an alternative in their council representation, Buzbee said in a statement. District G city council candidate Tony Buzbee, center, greets voters as they come and go in the parking lot outside of the polling place at Nottingham Park Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 in Houston. Michael Wyke/Contributor Huffman and Evans-Shabazz were among three incumbents on the ballot. Letitia Plummer defeated Roy Morales in her bid to retain the At-Large 4 seat. Evans-Shabazz said late Saturday that she was grateful to the voters who elected her to another term. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I am just totally elated and grateful. It was a very difficult race, she said. Im just glad to have it behind me so I can continue to serve the citizens of District D. LIVE ELECTION UPDATES: John Whitmire elected next mayor Castillo's supporters watched him win his race against Cynthia Reyes-Revilla at H-Town Brewing in Glen Park. I want to thank everybody for the support, Castillo said. I really appreciate the trust that Ive earned from the voters throughout the district. Seven City Council races moved to runoffs after failing to see a candidate meet a threshold of 50% plus one vote in the Nov. 7 general election. Each race featured the top two vote-getters in the general election. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nine of the 16 City Council seats were decided last month, with seven incumbents among those who prevailed. Incumbents have a track record of defending their seats in recent election cycles. In 2019, all eight incumbents on the ballot held onto their seats on election night or in a runoff. In 2015, eight of the nine incumbents on the ballot secured another term. The results for the four at-large City Council races on Saturday's ballot included vote totals from 10 polling locations in parts of Houston that are in Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Here are the outcomes: District D Evans-Shabazz won with 65.4% of the vote, easily defeating McGee, with 34.6%. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Evans-Shabazz campaigned on her track record in office, telling voters that she established a rapid-response cleanup team for illegal dumping complaints, helped get nuisance homes demolished and secured funding for public safety programs. McGee touted his activism, including his opposition to school closures and an abandoned plan to build a community center on the site of a former landfill in Sunnyside. District G Huffman secured 56.5% of voters, staving off a Buzbee challenge that drew 43.5%. COLLEGIAL SUPPORT: Women of Houston City Council unite to back Huffman over Buzbee in District G runoff The incumbent councilmember led a shorter term on council than most; she won the seat in a special election in 2022 after former councilmember Greg Travis stepped down to run for a state position. Both conservatives, Huffman and Buzbee had gone head-to-head in forums and had split major party endorsements. The Harris County Republican Party, Conservatives of Texas and Republican Party of Texas endorsed Huffman, while four former District G councilmembers still residing in the district and the Houston Professional Firefighters Association endorsed Buzbee. Paxton also supported Buzbee. District H Castillo eased to victory with 63.9% of the vote, compared to Reyes-Revilla's 36.1%. Castillo will succeed term-limited councilmember Karla Cisneros on City Council. Castillo is the executive director of the nonprofit Your Houston. Reyes-Revilla is a real estate professional who ran for District H in 2019 and in the Democratic primary for Texas House District 148 in 2020. At-Large 1 Julian Ramirez eked out a win with 50.1% of votes cast, compared to Melanie Miles with 49.9%. Fewer than 340 votes separated the two once all votes were counted. Ramirez, a county prosecutor with over 27 years of experience, and Miles, a family law attorney for over 25 years, finished ahead of four other candidates in the general election to advance to the runoff. Outgoing councilmember Mike Knox is term-limited. At-Large 2 Willie Davis won with 55.1% of the vote over Nick Hellyar's 44.9%. Davis will succeed term-limited councilmember David Robinson. Davis ran for the At-Large 2 seat twice before, in 2015 and 2019. He pressed Robinson into runoffs both times. Hellyar is a real estate broker with city public service experience. Hellyar ran for the At-Large 4 seat in 2019. Chants of Willie, Willie, Willie roared through The Key as family and supporters congratulated Davis on his victory. This win for me is more about Houston than it is about Willie Davis, he said. Im a native-born Houstonian I loved this city from the time I was growing up in Third Ward. The Chronicle reported public records raise questions about whether Davis lives in Houston. He listed a home south of Old Spanish Trail near MacGregor Park on his ballot application, but Brazoria County property records show Davis bought a home in Iowa Colony in 2021, where he claims a homestead exemption. At-Large 3 Twila Carter won with 51% of the vote, compared to Richard Cantu at 49%. Carter succeeds term-limited councilmember Michael Kubosh. Carter, a former executive for the Houston Astros and the Astros Foundation, and Cantu, a board trustee for the Harris County Department of Education, were among nine candidates for the At-Large 3 seat in the Nov. 7 general election. At-Large 4 Plummer, a private practice dentist, led with 52.7% of the vote. Her opponent Morales, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, received 47.3% of the vote. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz will not run for seat in Congress for New Yorks 26th district, he announced Sunday morning. After much consideration and discussing the opportunity with party leaders, former county colleagues now serving in Congress, friends, family, and the people I currently serve, I have decided to not seek the Democratic nomination for Congress, Poloncarz said in a statement. While I appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support and interest in my candidacy from leaders in our community and members of the public, including the men and women of the Erie County Democratic Committee, my focus will remain on serving the people as Erie County Executive. Poloncarz said that he will continue on with projects across the county, such as the new Bills stadium, Renaissance Commerce Park in Lackawanna and ErieNET. His decision to forgo a run for Congress is consistent with his principles, and I am proud that Mark will continue leading our community to a new era of growth, fiscal stability, and economic opportunity, Erie County Democratic Chairman Jeremy Zellner said. The seat is being vacated by current Congressman Brian Higgins, who will step down to become the president of Sheas Performing Arts Center in February. A date for a special election is likely to be held sometime in spring 2024. What happens next with Brian Higgins seat in Congress? Poloncarz has been Erie Countys Executive since 2012 and won a fourth term in office in November. He had said that this term will be his final in office. As for who is running, State Senator Tim Kennedy announced his candidacy for the race shortly after Higgins announced his plans to resign. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown is also giving serious thought to running. Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said that he is not interested in the seat. Mayor Byron Brown giving serious thought to congressional vacancy in NY-26 Higgins has been Buffalos Congressman since 2005. Latest Local News Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Facing a stormy weather forecast, SpaceX is pushing back its Falcon Heavy rocket launch by 24 hours to send the mysterious Space Force X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle on its next secret mission. SpaceX is now targeting 8:14 p.m. EST Monday to launch a triple-core Falcon Heavy from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on the USSF-52 national security mission. The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron pegs the odds of "go for launch" weather at 70% Monday night, compared with only 40% tonight as a "vigorous" cold front sweeps across the Space Coast, spawning shower activity, winds and cumulous clouds. A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket carrying the Space Force X-37B robotic orbital plane stands at pad 39A at sunset Saturday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. "The team will use the time to complete additional pre-launch check outs," SpaceX said of the postponement in a tweet this morning. Meanwhile though SpaceX has yet to confirm this mission a Starlink launch window originally scheduled for tonight has also moved back 24 hours, a Federal Aviation Administration navigational warning indicates. The new Starlink window extends from 11 p.m. Monday past midnight to 3:31 a.m. Tuesday. Details: A Falcon 9 rocket will carry another batch of Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The 45th Weather Squadron predicts 75% favorable odds for this Starlink 6-34 mission. For the latest launch schedule updates at the Cape, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule. Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1 Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX Falcon Heavy X-37B launch from NASA's KSC moved to Monday night Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, amid stalled negotiations to deliver aid to the war-torn country, Johnsons spokesperson said Sunday. The news comes just after the Biden administration announced the president invited Zelensky for a meeting at the White House on Tuesday. The meetings will take place against the backdrop of a divided Congress struggling to reach a deal that would provide aid to Ukraine and tackle other priorities as well. Last week, Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would have provided aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia and aid to Israel in its war against Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. Republicans, however, have said they would not vote for an aid package that does not also include provisions addressing the U.S. southern border with Mexico. While Johnson has said he thinks Ukraine aid is important, he faces a challenge as many in his party are losing their appetite to pass more aid for Ukraine. He has told Senate Republicans that as much of the House-passed GOP H.R.2 border bill should be included in the package as possible. Senate Democrats, however, have said items in H.R.2 are non-starters, but talks centered on asylum and parole issues. President Biden last Wednesday signaled a renewed openness to striking a deal that includes provisions to address the border, saying hes willing to make significant compromises on border policy in order to unlock funding for Ukraine. The White House said Sunday that Bidens meeting with Zelensky aims to underscore the United Statess unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russias brutal invasion. As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraines urgent needs and the vital importance of the United Statess continued support at this critical moment, the statement continued. Biden in October requested a $111 billion emergency supplemental package, which would include aid to Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, while also providing funds for humanitarian aid in Gaza, border security and combatting fentanyl trafficking. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON One student reported a swastika scrawled across a whiteboard. Another, the only Black male in his class, said he was asked if he would be willing to stand up in front of his peers and rap. I brushed it off, the unidentified student told school officials at Virginia Tech. But, he added, this is not the only instance of behavior like this. The complaints funneled into a group of school officials Virginia Tech brought together in 2018 to review and confront bias on campus sexist jokes, say, or racist name-calling. Known as bias-response teams, the groups have proliferated at universities across the nation as schools wrestle with a series of high-profile hate incidents. O'Connor: 'Audience of one.' A look at some of Sandra Day O'Connor's biggest Supreme Court decisions Now those efforts are facing First Amendment challenges, including a contentious case pending against Virginia Tech at the U.S. Supreme Court. The lawsuits have been successful in forcing schools to rewrite what critics call speech police policies. Conservatives say these policies intimidate students from speaking their mind. Though the First Amendment contains no exception for hateful, harassing, or biased speech, universities often try to suppress it, a group called Speech First told the Supreme Court in its suit against Virginia Tech. If Speech First is right, then bias-response teams are chilling the speech of millions of college students nationwide. The legal fight has reached the top court at a moment when the debate over speech on campus has become particularly fraught. School administrators are navigating a push for inclusivity in student bodies that like the rest of the nation are often sharply divided over politics, cultural issues and foreign affairs. People march as they gather to protest the banning of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) at Columbia University on November 20, 2023 in New York City. The perils were on display last week as the presidents of three elite universities Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology faced piercing backlash for refusing to say whether students would violate school policies if they called for the genocide of Jews. The three presidents almost immediately walked back those comments after a maelstrom of criticism and calls for them to step down, and on Saturday night, the University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resign from her job. But even before that, there were fierce disputes on campuses about the Hamas-Israel conflict, the Trump presidency and issues like race, gender identity, criminal justice and what it means to be "woke." Neither Speech First nor its lawyer responded to interview requests. 'We're going to have to confront that tension' Virginia Tech told the Supreme Court it already disbanded its bias-response team earlier this year, even though it won the initial stages of its case in lower courts. The Supreme Court, the university said, should dismiss the Speech First appeal since the central controversy the group is raising no longer exists. Mark Owczarski, a Virginia Tech spokesman, said the school would not comment on the case given that it is pending before the Supreme Court. But, Owczarski said, the lower courts two previous decisions speak for themselves. The justices were scheduled to discuss the case, Speech First v. Sands, on Friday. They will likely decide in coming weeks whether to hear the appeal and resolve divisions among appeals courts about whether the suits may continue. Bias-response teams can generally be understood as part of a growing and evolving trend of colleges and universities making their commitment to deliver equity and inclusion more visible and more robust, said Stacy Hawkins, a law professor at Rutgers University who specializes in employment law and diversity. But its also possible, Hawkins said, that some of those efforts went too far. There is widespread dissatisfaction on campuses among students, faculty and administrators about a lack of clarity over whats permitted, she said. Harvard President Claudine Gay, left, speaks as University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill listens, during a hearing of the House Committee on Education on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023 in Washington. Everyones trying to figure out how to navigate this climate, this context that were all existing in right now because its so extraordinarily delicate, she said. Were going to have to confront that tension. Conservative speech chilled? Speech First has had success with similar lawsuits across the country. The University of Michigan ultimately settled in 2019, ending a similar response team it had created, after a federal appeals court ruled for the group. The University of Texas at Austin disbanded its group as part of a settlement in 2020 after a Speech First lawsuit. Speech First claims the bias efforts violate the First Amendment by making students with unpopular views reluctant to express those opinions for fear of being turned over to school officials for discipline. Those views, the group told the Supreme Court, included one student who believes that immigrants who cross the border illegally should be referred to as illegal aliens, and another who believes the Black Lives Matter movement is fundamentally racist. The bias-response team at Virginia Tech, which one administrator described as "air traffic control" for bias-related claims, met weekly to consider complaints, which were submitted through online forms. The group, made up of school officials, would review complaints and refer them to the dean of students or other offices if they thought further action was required. The team itself had no power to discipline students. The complaints were rarely referred to other offices, school officials said, or even followed up on. In an earlier stage of the lawsuit, the university described the effort as promoting mutual respect, the value of human diversity, and the right of every person to express thoughts and opinions freely." A U.S. District Court ruled against Speech First and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit affirmed that decision. As Speech First was preparing to appeal to the Supreme Court, Virginia Tech disbanded its bias-response team and the university's president, Timothy Sands, signed an affidavit pledging that the university would not reinstitute the policy. Sands suggested the team created unnecessary bureaucracy and noted few complaints resulted in action anyway. "The court has a declaration from the president of a major public university which convincingly explains why and how the bias protocol was discontinued," the school told the Supreme Court. "In that declaration, he swears before this court that he shall not allow anything like it." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court asked to enter the heated debate over campus speech It is a saga that sounds like a John le Carre spy thriller, but played out at the top end of Danish politics. The former defence secretary, Claus Hjort Frederiksen, is emotional as he recalls when his ordeal started. "I parked my car in front of my house, and as I turned off the engine, two police officers jumped out of their car, came up to me and informed me that I was being charged with a very serious crime that could lead to 12 years in prison". It was December of 2021. Frederiksen, defence secretary from 2016 to 2019, was still an MP but now in opposition. "It felt like the carpet was being pulled under my feet. I really didn't know what to do. My wife, who was inside our house has Alzheimer's, and I couldn't really talk to her about it," says 76-year-old Frederiksen. On that day, Danish Police arrested four individuals in total, starting a legal drama that would put Denmark in an unwanted spotlight worldwide. At the Defence Intelligence Headquarters in Copenhagen, a civil servant was led out of the office in handcuffs in front of colleagues. At Copenhagen Airport, events got even more tense. "As I was walking through customs returning from a trip to Northern Macedonia having helped with security sector reforms, two police officers came up to me and asked me to follow them into the adjourning room. Here lots of Police were waiting. I was informed that I was under arrest and told that I would learn more later," says Lars Findsen, the former Chief of Danish Defence Intelligence Services (DDIS), which is overseen by the defence minister. Lars Findsen, the Danish former intelligence chief (Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau, Scanpix via AP) Findsen, a Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog for his contribution to Danish life who served in the Secret Service world for more than twenty years, was taken to a police station north of Copenhagen escorted by armed officers. The charges that Frederiksen and Findsen would eventually find themselves facing? The leaking of state secrets, amounting to treason. "I got hold of my lawyer, and we were presented with their material against me. We were shocked, this was plainly insane," Mr Findsen says. "The Danish Security Service (DSIS) had been in charge of the investigation, and they now hinted that if I would confess now and at the same time give them the names of sources used by the press in their service, they would look kindlier on my case. I was the chief of the other secret service branch DDIS, which is our foreign intelligence service and apart from the absurdity of the charges against me, I was not familiar with the sources in the security branch used by the press. There had been a range of leaks that had apparently been politically inconvenient to the then government" says Findsen. Today, we know that the charges were about disclosing information about data collection from a cable-sharing partnership between the US National Security Agency (NSA) and Denmark. However, this deal has been public knowledge since Edward Snowden revealed thousands of classified NSA documents in 2013. The Danish press has covered the secret cable-sharing extensively for years. Findsen was jailed. His home was searched. The computers and telephones belonging to him, his wife and his children were confiscated. We were shocked, this was plainly insane Lars Findsen "I was treated as if I was dangerous. There would always be an officer present at the prison when I spoke to other people; even going to the bathroom at the police station, I had to do it with an open door," Findsen says. From the information Findsen got through the interrogations he faced, it became clear that he had been under surveillance for a long time. His home and summer house had been bugged. "An operation of this scale is no small matter. Permission to carry it out would have had to come from very high up. After all, we had a scenario where the chief of one secret service branch [the domestic one] was bugging the chief of the other branch. This accusation has been denied by Peter Hummelgaard, the current Danish defence secretary, who said in a statement to The Independent: Denmark is a state governed by the rule of law, where the Prosecution Service is subject to a statutory principle of objectivity, which in Denmark is a fundamental principle in criminal justice. This is considered one of the most important guarantees for the processing of criminal cases, and a similar principle applies to the police. Findsen was imprisoned for 70 days by a Town Court judge until the High Court ordered his release. But the charges against him remained. The former Spy Chief was accused of conveying top-secret information partly in conversations with two senior journalists, partly in conversations in his home with his close family, including his 86-year-old mother and in a private conversation with an old colleague, the former national commissioner of police, something Findsen has always denied. In 2020, he was among a group of leading employees at DDIS sent home after a report from an independent watchdog raised concerns about how the DDIS was operating. It said there were risks in the central part of DDISs intelligence gathering capabilities that unauthorised intelligence has been gathered on Danish citizens. Half a year later, Findsen and the others were cleared of any wrongdoing by a special commission. Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard (Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima) "Everything refers to what happened back then. The government handled this badly. It was like throwing a hand grenade into the secret service. It was really damaging and completely unnecessary. It is true that I maintained contact with my press network through this ordeal. The reason for this was damage limitation to the service and the mishandling of our important work," says Findsen. Responding to the coverage, Frederiksen defended Findsen and the other employees (he had left the defence ministry the previous year), entering the saga. He would go on to mention the NSA deal in future interviews. Fast-forward to the end of 2021 and In a court appearance after being arrested, Findsen showed up carrying the novel 'The Light We Cannot See', deliberately showing it to the press to get them to ponder the circumstances of his arrest. Both Findsen and Frederiksen agree that it isn't possible to establish the cause of their arrest and accurately, many observers of the case have pointed to clashes between Findsen and the prime minister's office. Findsen was charged in September 2022, Frederiksen in February 2023. For Frederiksen, things don't add up. "This whole thing is so mysterious. If the government really cared about keeping the cable-sharing with the NSA a secret, this was the last thing you would do. Now the whole world knows about it, and details about Denmark's Secret Service are widely available," says the former defence secretary. The charges were dropped against both men last month, after the Danish Supreme Court decided that the prosecution would have to make their sources and evidence public if they wanted to proceed with a trial. "The classified information is central to the court cases. Not being able to present this leaves the prosecution no way of lifting the burden of proof, the state prosecutor, Jakob Berger Nielsen said in a statement. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (via REUTERS) The state prosecution service and the justice ministry maintain that the arrests and charges were justifiable. Justice Secretary Peter Hummelgaard and the Danish government also deny any wrongdoing or interference in the process. Taking steps to investigate or charge for political or other improper reasons would clearly be conflicting with these principles. I would therefore also like to emphasize that the Danish authorities do not initiate criminal cases for political or personal reasons. Additionally, investigative actions such as bugging must be authorised by a judge, Hummelgaard said in a statement. Legal experts suggest that the whole saga is unprecedented. "This is the century's biggest security own goal. There is no precedent for what has happened in Denmark over the last two years. It is straight up bizarre," says Lasse Lund Madsen, a professor at Aarhus University. "When you charge people through the legal system, as a state prosecutor, you need to be pretty sure you have a strong case - this is, of course, even more true if it is a potentially explosive and very important case, and the case in question is, without doubt, the biggest of its kind in Danish history," he adds. "The fact is that you are arresting and charging the spy chief and the former defence minister... These are normally actions associated with states we don't like to compare ourselves with." During a special parliamentary session later in November, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen defended the actions taken, also accusing criticism of the collapsed trial as reckless conspiracy theories. Asked several times about her knowledge of involvement in the process, she bluntly refused any wrongdoing. "I categorically deny any special considerations and, of course, also any political interference. This should be self-evident," the prime minister said. But Claus Hjort Frederiksen doesn't buy that assurance. I am happy that it is all over now, but too many unanswered questions are still hanging in the air Claus Hjort Frederiksen "The procedures in and around the Danish government make it impossible for the very top not to know. Decisions would have been made at the Government Security Committee along the way. We need to find out by whom," says Frederiksen. "For me, what hurts are the violations of our rights. In a sense, I am happy that it is all over now, but too many unanswered questions are still hanging in the air," The justice minister, Hummelgaard, told The Independent: I have noticed that there are several conspiracy theories in circulation, but I can emphatically rebut that the cases against Claus Hjort Frederiksen and Lars Findsen have in any way been driven by political or personal motives. A commission is due to be set up to look into the handling of the cases. On Thursday, the Danish government secured backing from the centre-left SF party, to allow that commission to be run by the Justice Department and not by parliament, as other opposition parties have demanded We shouldnt have high hopes that this political agreement will shed new light on what happened. I think very little will be publicised from the commission's work, Frederik Waage, a professor in constitutional law at the University of Southern Denmark, told the Danish Broadcasting Corporation in the wake of the news.. Such a commission will do little to appease those who believe there has been a miscarriage of justice with wide-ranging consequences. Hans Jrgen Bonnichsen is one of them. He is the former operational Chief of the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (DSIS) and has worked with Findsen for years. "Accusing Lars Findsen of something resembling treason is just absurd. I am happy that the cases have been dropped, but their names have not been cleared, and now probably won't be. Lars Findsen has been through hell," he told The Independent. "I am not very optimistic about getting to the bottom of this. Unfortunately, I think closing this case now suits the government. The last two years have been disastrous for our security standing internationally, but both Mr Findsen and Mr Hjort Frederiksen deserve to be completely cleared". At least the two will not have to spend the coming years in and out of courtrooms, and they both tell The Independent that they are both taking the verdict of The Supreme Court as the end of the matter. "Remember that I am 76 years old. This is not how I wanted to spend my retirement," Frederiksen says. John James Sitton was a Confederate soldier from Missouri in the Civil War who kept a detailed journal of his adventures and misadventures. They're now in a book published by the State Historical Society of Missouri. Even in what was termed the '"dead room" of a makeshift hospital after being seriously wounded in battle, Sitton wrote in his journal. "My Own Commander: The Civil War Journal of J.J. Sitton 1863-1865" was edited by John F. Bradbury, a Civil War author and former director of the State Historical Society's Rolla Research Center. He worked to finish the book before he died of cancer, said John Brenner, managing editor of the State Historical Society. "I think he worked for a good five, six years before we got to the point this last summer where it was ready to go into print production and he passed away," Brenner said. Bradbury called Brenner last spring to tell him about the diagnosis and that he was told he might have six months to a year to live, Brenner said. 'He skipped straight from that to we have to get this book done," Brenner said. "Anyway, the six months didn't happen. It was just less than two weeks later and I actually got an email from him the day before he died." Bradbury had reviewed the captions for illustrations, Brenner said. Brenner called Bradbury an archivist and a scholar. "He was just really passionate about Missouri's history," Brenner said of Bradbury. Bradbury had acquired Sitton's journal from his descendants around 2011, Brenner said. Sitton, from Washington County, was 18 in 1861 when the war broke out. He told an Iron county resident his reasons for siding with the South despite loving the institutions of the Union and being taught to hold it sacred. "I had but little sympathy for the slavery of the South but was much opposed to putting the negro on equal footing with the white people so much that if a spat ever came I would cast my destiny with the South," Sitton first joined the pro-Southern Missouri State Guard, fighting in the Battle of Wilson's Creek in Springfield on Aug. 10, 1861. Appointed the prestigious position regimental color sergeant, Sitton carried the regiment's flag. Sitton led attacks up Bloody Hill before falling back. "Once the federals retreated, Sitton and a detail escorted women searching the corpses for their men folk," Bradbury wrote in commentary. Sitton enlisted in the Confederate army in early 1862. He was a recruiter on the Missouri-Arkansas border in January 1863, with no commander but himself. Sitton boarded with a mill owner in Fulton County, Arkansas, who he also helped out at the mill. Not all journal entries are exciting. Here's one from from Feb. 10, 1863: "I spent the day loafing about the city. There was a grand ball here tonight and a great many present and the dance was kept up all night." Sitton didn't like the Southern guerilla fighters, Brenner said. He described them in his journal as outlaws, spelling it as two words. He disliked them but he had to make peace with them and even made deals with the guerillas, Brenner said. He also had to make peace with the father of a teenage girl at one point. The war ended for Sitton at the Battle of Byram's Ford on Oct. 23, 1864. "I arose to my feet to see better what was going on," Sitton wrote. "I saw the enemy climbing the bank on our right and at that moment felt a ball pierce my right shoulder and it hurt me dreadfully." A lieutenant who took Sitton's place also was shot immediately, he wrote. "The shot killed him dead," Sitton wrote. Taken to a house that served as a hospital, Sitton was placed in the dead room and given less than 48 hours to live, doctors told him. "This news to me was sad indeed but since I am not suffering much and have good use of my hands I will take notes," he wrote. The predictions were wrong. "I awoke this morning feeling much better," Sitton wrote on Oct. 25, 1864. "I called the surgeons to examine me again as my time for dying was about up. After a careful examination, they told me I was out of danger and with reasonable care I would now get well." He had a cup of tea, a buttered biscuit and a piece of chicken for breakfast. "I was very hungry and it did taste excellent," he wrote. He was transported to Kansas City, then by steamboat to a prison in St. Louis. He wrote on Dec. 6 of the boat passing Boonville and Arrow Rock on the Missouri River. He later was sent to a military prison on Johnson's Island on Lake Erie in Ohio. His final years were in Garfield, where he was the postmaster for 16 years. He died on July 16, 1915. The journal represents a particular Missouri perspective, Brenner said. "It's a unique source of information on this particular location," Brenner said, acknowledging he was trying to channel Bradbury. "There's just not a lot of writing about this part of Missouri or that part of Arkansas. It's this interesting place that nobody had control over." There's a wealth of detail of the people and places and events and local histories of the region, Brenner said. The 354-page paperback is available for $30 at the State Historical Society of Missouri or online at Shop.SHSMO.org. The original journal is in the archives of the State Historical Society. Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on X at @rmckinney9. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Civil War journal published through efforts of the late John Bradbury This is a graphic of a woman cutting a chain of debt from a graduation cap. This article was originally published in New Hampshire Bulletin. New Hampshire school districts have been competing to retain and recruit new teachers for years. But some say schools in rural areas of the state are facing bigger challenges than others. The work can be uniquely challenging and more lucrative teaching jobs in wealthier districts are sometimes just a town or two away. Now, lawmakers in the Senate are attempting to help. A bill approved unanimously by the Senate Education Committee this week would create a rural educator incentive program that would make student loan repayment grants available to teachers who work in qualifying rural districts. Support The 74's year-end campaign. Make a tax-exempt donation now. Weve heard from teachers (and) school administrators about how important a loan repayment incentive program is, and how necessary it is to keep educators in the profession, said Sen. Donovan Fenton, a Keene Democrat and the bills sponsor. Fentons bill, Senate Bill 217, would apply to school districts in which there are fewer than 20 students per square mile living within the district. It would also apply to districts in areas that the Department of Health and Human Services has designated as rural. Currently, 104 school districts in the state meet those criteria, according to Fenton. Under the proposal, educators employed at the school would be eligible for repayment of all or part of their outstanding student loans, depending on whether they exceed the cap. Those that are approved would receive four years of loan repayments: $1,500 in the first year, $2,500 in the second year, $3,500 in the third year, and $4,500 in the fourth. The maximum total payout would be $12,000. Educators would need to work in the same school district for all four years to get the full benefit. Sen. Ruth Ward, a Stoddard Republican and the chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, agreed that the problem is acute. I think theres no question that we need to do something for our teachers, she said to the committee Monday. By looking at the salary scale, theyre not at the top layer of people getting a decent salary. The bill, proposed in early 2023, would direct the Legislature to set aside $1 million in the first year after the bills passage and $2 million in the second year. It would be up to future lawmakers to continue funding the program after that. The bill will be voted on in the Senate later this year after receiving a 4-0 recommendation from the committee. It will then go to the Senate Finance Committee. In a statement after the vote Monday, Megan Tuttle, president of the National Education Association of New Hampshire, the states largest teachers union, applauded the bill as an important tool to removing barriers for educators getting into the profession. Todays unanimous, bipartisan vote in support of the establishment of a rural and underserved area educator incentive program is an important step toward boosting the pipeline of future public school educators, Tuttle said. The idea for the proposal came from the states committee to study New Hampshire Teacher Shortages and Recruitment, a joint panel of representatives and senators that has met for several years. According to NEA-NH, educator shortages have been a problem for years in New Hampshire but the COVID-19 pandemic made them worse. As pandemic-related learning loss has made the profession harder, many teachers retired during COVID-19, causing major gaps. The resulting hiring crunch gave other teachers the opportunity to leave their districts for higher paying jobs in other districts, which in turn has put less wealthy districts at a disadvantage Data show that salaries are low for teachers just entering the field: The median entry salary for teachers with a bachelors degree in New Hampshire is just under $40,000, the legislative study committee found in a report this year. In less wealthy districts, that salary can be as low as $30,000. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the average cost of living in New Hampshire in 2021 was $56,727 per year. The idea of incentivizing teaching jobs in struggling school districts has been gaining popularity: 25 states and the District of Columbia have some kind of statewide loan repayment program to encourage teachers to take jobs in underserved districts, according to a 2022 report from the Education Commission of the States. The state has had persistent shortages of science and mathematics teachers, noted former Sen. Jay Kahn, a Keene Democrat, in his own testimony on the bill. Kahn was the chairman of the teacher shortage committee until he retired in 2020; Ward now leads the committee. Kahn said his committee found that school districts that paid less had the greatest challenge in recruiting teachers. Those with lower paid teachers also had lower student performance, he said. In rural areas where there are smaller enrollments and fewer courses offered in those schools, teachers need multiple certifications, Kahn said, speaking to the Senate Education Committee in February. Some school districts, like Keene, have implemented their own, smaller student loan repayment program for new hires, as a way to compete for staff. But Kahn noted that not all school districts can afford that approach. And he said a statewide model would be more effective at incentivizing teachers to go to the needier districts. More teacher recruitment, in turn, could boost student performance in those same districts, Kahn said. We do need a replacement measure for economically disadvantaged school districts, he said. Free and reduced lunch just is not going to make it. New Hampshire Bulletin is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. New Hampshire Bulletin maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Dana Wormald for questions: info@newhampshirebulletin.com. Follow New Hampshire Bulletin on Facebook and Twitter. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) celebrated the resignation of University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) President Liz Magill on Saturday after demanding she be removed amid controversial statements on campus antisemitism. One down. Two to go, Stefanik said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. This is only the very beginning of addressing the pervasive rot of antisemitism that has destroyed the most prestigious higher education institutions in America. At a congressional hearing Tuesday, Magill and other university leaders controversially said that it would depend on context whether comments calling for the genocide of Jewish people would be considered harassment. Those statements brought Magill under fire from university alumni and Pennsylvania politicians, some of whom called on her to resign or be removed from the role. On Friday, Stefanik said all three university leaders at the hearing Magill plus the presidents of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology should be ousted from their jobs. This lack of moral clarity is shocking. If only it were surprising, she wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. In the months since Oct. 7, the mainstreaming of anti-Jewish hate has been on full display at the poisoned Ivy League and other so-called elite schools, as has the gutless lack of response from university leaders. The comments from Magill and the other college leaders received bipartisan criticism. Just after Magill resigned Saturday, the universitys board of trustees Chair Scott Bok did as well, also citing her comments. Bok described Magills comments as a very unfortunate misstep after five hours of aggressive questioning before a Congressional committee. Worn down by months of relentless external attacks, she was not herself last Tuesday, he said. Over prepared and over lawyered given the hostile forum and high stakes, she provided a legalistic answer to a moral question, and that was wrong. It made for a dreadful 30-second sound bite in what was more than five hours of testimony, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. City Controller candidate Chris Hollins leads a bike ride to the polls on Election Day on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer City Controller candidate Chris Hollins leads a bike ride to the polls on Election Day on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Attorney Chris Hollins beat former Harris County Treasurer Orlando Sanchez in the runoff election to become Houston's next controller, cruising to a 59.1% to 40.9% win once all votes were counted, to become City Hall's next financial watchdog. "Were excited," Hollins told the Chronicle Saturday night at his watch party at Chapman and Kirby, shortly after the early results came in. The people of Houston spoke with one voice today. Theres no ifs, ands or buts about it." A 37-year-old personal injury attorney, Hollins formerly served as the Harris County Clerk, where he introduced drive-thru and 24-hour voting and oversaw the countys vote during the contentious 2020 presidential election. He also organized a series of get-out-the-vote events, including the "Giddy Up to the Polls" mini trail ride, that helped produce record turnout during that years early voting period. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He initially put his name in the hat for Houston mayor but backed out when U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee announced her own mayoral bid. After shifting his attention to the controllers race, Hollins garnered endorsements from notable elected officials, including outgoing Mayor Sylvester Turner and outgoing Controller Chris Brown. He has also received the support of local groups and unions, such as Progress Texas and the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation. Hollins said Saturday that its inspiring to see his supporters out in force despite the busy holiday season and Saturdays bad weather. It was tough to come out a second time, Hollins said. To see folks come out and pull that lever to just be a part of the grassroots movement that we built Im humbled by it. After his second unsuccessful run for controller, Sanchez, 66, said he does not plan to run for the office again. But he said he will continue putting time and effort into his political action committee, Texas Latino Conservatives PAC, to help mobilize Hispanic turnout in local elections and increase Hispanic representation at City Hall. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Anytime you run for office and work hard for several months, it's always disappointing ... but my favorite quote is, 'It aint my first rodeo.' Ive won some, and Ive lost some," Sanchez told the Chronicle Saturday night at his watch party at the Memorial Trail Ice House. "Its obvious that Im a fiscal conservative its obvious Houston has moved in a different direction, which is high-debt, exorbitant expenditures we cannot afford." Sanchez, a Cuban immigrant, formerly served as the Harris County Treasurer for 12 years and as a Houston city council member for six years, where he was part of the budget committee. He previously ran for controller in 2019 and mayor in 2001 and 2003. He lost all three races. The controller acts as the financial watchdog within Houstons "strong mayor" system, where the mayor controls all administrative aspects within the city government. The controllers duties include auditing city departments, processing city payments, investing city funds and producing periodic reports on the citys financial situation. Even though the controller does not have the authority to carry out policies, he or she has the power to call out problems at City Hall through audits and, sometimes, indirectly influence the citys decisions. Brown, for instance, recently put the brakes on a massive airport terminal overhaul project by declining to certify the availability of the city funding. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Brown is term-limited and was unable to run for re-election after serving two terms between 2016 and 2023. During his campaign, Hollins vowed to help tackle Houstons projected budget shortfall by aggressively auditing city operations as well as proactively sharing best practices with city officials. Specifically, he said he would take a closer look at Houstons Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones, drainage fund and permitting center, all of which have faced scrutiny. Another of his priorities, Hollins said, is to rebuild trust between constituents and city leaders by making city finances more transparent. He said he would explore the use of new technologies, such as ChatGPT, to create a better platform for Houstonians to understand how their tax dollars are being spent. Swedish workers are upping the pressure on Tesla to sign a collective bargaining agreement after 130 mechanics began a strike in late October. Reuters reported on Nov. 15 that 50 unionized workers at Hydro Extrusions also planned to stop working on the United States automakers aluminum parts. We want Tesla Sweden to sign a collective agreement We want this conflict to be as brief and short as possible, said Jesper Pettersson, the spokesperson for the mechanics union, IF Metall. This came after dockworkers joined the strike on Nov. 7 by blocking Teslas electric vehicles from being offloaded at ports, as Reuters reported. Car dealerships have also declined to handle Tesla products. In an effort to reduce pollution linked to the overheating of our planet which has raised concerns about the future livability of certain regions and our food supply multiple countries and local governments have introduced measures to phase out gas-powered cars. Pollution from transportation accounts for more than 16.2% of carbon pollution globally, according to Our World in Data, with gas-powered cars and vans responsible for nearly half of the seven billion metric tons (about 7.7 billion tons) of carbon dioxide from the sector, per Statista. EVs, however, dont release pollution from their tailpipes. Other EV companies have begun turning up the heat on Tesla, but the American automaker is still lapping the competition. According to Electrek, Hydro Extrusions is a supplier that makes critical components for the Model Y, one of the best-selling cars in the world. At this time, its unclear how the strike will impact the availability of Teslas products. The BBC reported on Nov. 27 that eight unions had joined IF Metall. It is of course completely unacceptable. The fight that IF Metall is now taking is important for the entire Swedish collective agreement model, Gabriella Lavecchia, the president of the postal workers union, told the BBC. As detailed by Reuters, 11,000 workers in Germany won a 4% raise from the automaker early in November, but German union IG Metall said wages remain around 20% below those offered under collective agreements. This fight is very, very important. Its so important that we cannot let it go, IF Metall negotiation secretary Veli-Pekka Saikkala told the outlet. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Rishi Sunaks appearance at the Covid Inquiry on Monday may well be the least of his problems this week if his MPs stage a revolt on the Rwanda Bill in the Commons on Tuesday. The Prime Minister is the last of a procession of senior politicians to give evidence on how the pandemic was handled. He had been chancellor of the exchequer for just a few days when the virus hit and the government forced the country into a lockdown. He swiftly pulled together a package of measures designed to protect the jobs, businesses and incomes of people no longer able to work. Since much of the country had been forced to stay at home by state diktat, there was no option other than to support them. However, the cost was colossal and the furlough scheme more generous than that provided in many other countries. The 400 billion bill for the various schemes pushed up the national debt and will be paid off for decades to come. Then again, the economy has recovered better than expected with growth, though flatlining, better than in some other European countries. However, the inquiry is likely to be less interested in what Mr Sunak did for the economy than in his alleged role in spreading the virus. The questioning has focused recently on the so-called eat out to help out scheme which he pioneered in the summer of 2020 to try to shore up the embattled hospitality industry, which was particularly hard hit by the lockdowns. Mr Sunak has been dubbed Dr Death by one adviser because a few months later a second wave hit the country and killed more people than the first. Matt Hancock, the former health secretary, has also accused Mr Sunak of prioritising the economy over tackling the disease while scientific advisers claim they were kept in the dark about the plans and would not have approved them. The eat out scheme came at a low point in infections before they took off again but, as Michael Gove pointed out, was well trailed without any objections. The Prime Ministers critics appear now to be suggesting that social restrictions should have been kept in place throughout the summer of 2020 to avoid a second wave, but there is no evidence that would have helped. Moreover, to say the economy was prioritised is a failure to understand that it needed to be sustained if there was to be a viable future after the pandemic. Mr Sunak was right to do so and should face down any attempts at scapegoating by the Covid inquisition. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. (Bloomberg) -- The photo captures Rishi Sunak at the height of his popularity during the pandemic: after months of punishing lockdown, Britains then finance minister grins as he carries two katsu curries to waiting diners. In that restaurant in July 2020, its unlikely anyone needed his Rishi name tag. Most Read from Bloomberg It was the launch of his now infamous Eat Out to Help Out program, a U-turn on strict rules keeping people at home to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in favor of encouraging a shell-shocked nation to go out and eat state-subsidized meals. Coupled with his unprecedented furlough program, which paid firms to cover wages for staff not working in lockdown, the idea catapulted Sunak then just months into his job as Chancellor of the Exchequer to become the second-most recognized politician in Britain after Boris Johnson. Plucked from obscurity by the former premier, Dishy Rishi was already seen as his likely successor. Behind the scenes, though, a different view of Sunak took hold in government as Covid infections rose again later that year. Angela McLean, now the UKs chief scientific adviser, branded him Dr. Death the chancellor. Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock accused Sunak of prioritizing the economy over public health, while scientific advisers said he kept them in the dark over Eat Out to Help Out. Even Johnson referred to Sunaks Treasury as the pro-death squad. That criticism will be presented as evidence to Sunak when he testifies at the official Covid-19 inquiry Monday, an all-day session to examine his judgment at a critical point in British history. Its a dangerous moment at the wrong time for Sunak, who faces hours on the stand with a Conservative Party battle over his plan to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda raging in the background. But while the schism between Tory MPs poses the immediate threat to the prime minister, his earlier signature policy in the first summer of the pandemic could do him lasting damage with voters. Trailing the opposition Labour Party by about 20 points ahead of an election expected next year, Sunak will be thrust by the televised inquiry back into the chaos of the Johnson era and the UKs 230,000 Covid deaths an image Sunak has gone to great lengths to avoid. The premier has declined to comment on accusations he prioritized the economy over public health in the pandemic, pending his testimony to the inquiry. The key question is about his judgment and whether he sought the advice and listened to the advice that he should have, said Emma Norris, deputy director at the Institute for Government think tank. Eat Out to Help Out features prominently in any debate about that first year of the pandemic, coming between lockdowns and before the vaccine rollout. Launched by Sunak in July, the campaign ran through August and let people claim 50% off food and drink up to 10 per person, a boost to the hospitality industry that cost the Treasury 850 million ($1.1 billion). Sunaks name was everywhere, from Twitter posts to restaurant stickers. It was a gamble, a display of saying we can go back to normal, said Vicky Pryce, chief economic adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research. Rishi Sunak was seen I think by the population generally as the one person who was out there helping, so I think that helped him hugely later. As time has gone on, though, the public perception of Eat Out to Help Out has changed and increased the political jeopardy for the plans designer. Evidence presented to the inquiry shows government scientists were alarmed from the start, and as Covid cases surged in autumn 2020, speculation about a link with the summer restaurant mingling became common. But it was a study published a year later by Thiemo Fetzer, a University of Warwick economist, which put the theory on an academic footing. Fetzer found Eat Out to Help Out had a significant causal impact on the increase in Covid cases, and while his findings have been questioned in the wider science community, the study has put Sunak and others on the back foot. During an at times heated interrogation by Hugo Keith, the lead lawyer for the inquiry who is rapidly gaining his own public profile, Johnson said Thursday he hadnt seen conclusive evidence that Eat Out to Help Out had spread Covid and that he hadnt considered it a gamble. Still, senior government scientists condemned the program to the inquiry, and significantly, denied Sunaks written claim that they were consulted. Its very difficult to see how it wouldnt have had an effect on transmission, Patrick Vallance, the UKs chief scientific adviser in the pandemic, told the inquiry. That would have been the advice that was given, had we been asked beforehand. Jonathan Van-Tam, Englands former deputy chief medical officer, said he heard about it on television. It didnt feel sensible to me, he said. Senior government officials, too, were kept out of the loop. Simon Ridley, then head of the Covid-19 task force, agreed with Keith that he had been effectively completely blindsided by Sunaks Treasury. Cabinet Minister Michael Gove, in an interview with Sky News Trevor Phillips on Sunday, pointed out there was a month between when the scheme was first announced and when it took effect. In the period post-announcement and pre-implementation it was not the case, that there was a public critique of it, he said. It was an effective way of ensuring the hospitality industry was supported during a very difficult period. And it was entirely within the broad outlines of rules about social mixing available at the time. Hancock, who has faced intense criticism over decisions in the pandemic, privately described Sunaks program as eat out to help the virus get about and accused Sunak of playing politics by showing ankle to the hard right. Hancock was alluding to how the pandemic is so politicized in the UK. During the Tory leadership campaign he lost in the summer of 2022, Sunak leaned into the lockdown-skeptic views common on the political right. We shouldnt have empowered the scientists in the way we did, he told the Spectator magazine. Its this tension between health and the economy that the inquiry will focus on. Sunak has repeatedly said he was focused on protecting livelihoods. But the Covid inquiry audience is very different to members of Sunaks Conservative Party. The probe has heard how Johnsons top team dithered in taking crucial decisions, blaming each other when things went wrong. The government also broke its own lockdown rules by holding gatherings in Downing Street, leading to multiple police fines including one for Sunak. The inquiry has exposed how power is concentrated in too few hands who were plainly inadequate, said former Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable. The current prime minister will likely seek to distance himself from his old boss. Yet the political danger is that Sunaks prioritizing of the economy ties him inextricably to Johnson, who was skeptical about the risk and even at the height of the pandemic, questioned the health impact of the virus despite the fact that he was hospitalized himself. This week, Johnson apologized after evidence revealed he described so-called long Covid the often debilitating health problems estimated to afflict 10% or more of people who have had Covid-19 as bollocks. That was far from the lewdest language that has come out in the inquiry, but it underscored the risk facing Sunak of voters linking him once again to that era. Johnsons Tories had won the 2019 general election just two months before the pandemic hit, following prolonged wrangling over Brexit. It was not a government that was picked on the basis of good administrators, said former Tory minister David Gauke. That came to the fore. --With assistance from Anna Shiryaevskaya. (Adds quote from Michael Gove defending program in 18th paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. My bodily freedom has been stolen Over the last year, I have slowly watched my freedom being ripped away from me. In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v .Wade, a law that protected my body and every other woman in the United States. Putting bans on abortions wont completely remove the practice, it only makes them unsafe. Women will still search out ways to get an abortion, but without access to safe operations, more womens lives are put at risk. When abortions are legal, more women will be able to choose for themselves. Taking the choice away, more children will be put up for adoption. While that seems like a great idea, what people dont see is the broken system that is the foster system. Not all children find their happy home. Yes, there are happy stories, but lets be honest, some women are not ready for the financial struggle of children. The overturn of Roe v Wade is a change in the wrong direction, putting strains on womens freedom. While many would believe that abortions promote a culture where anything and everything is disposable, abortion clinics are a safe place for women to have a procedure done that will help them in the long run. Lindsay Gill, Twin Falls Crapo should back child tax credit I read with interest your recent article Conservatives call for big business tax cuts while White House backs child tax credit. Its not just the White House backing the child tax credit (CTC). Pro-family advocates all over the country recognize that expanding the benefits of the CTC can be a stepping stone for families to avoid financial ruin and escape poverty. Currently, many low-income families are not receiving the full benefit and the lowest-income families, including grandparents raising their grandkids, receive no benefits at all. Why is an Ohioan writing to an Idaho newspaper? Because Sen. Mike Crapo is one of the most important lawmakers in the tax negotiations. I want him to know that in his role on the Senate Finance Committee, he can affect the future of all Americans. A tax deal before the end of the year that includes a CTC expansion would be the best holiday gift for the 19 million children denied the full credit. Allison Gallaher, Grafton, Ohio When will we end the faith healing exemption? As the upcoming legislative session for Idaho approaches, I would like to ask legislators from all over the state a very important question: When will they take steps to make sure that parents and guardians are held accountable when children die from medical neglect due to faith healing? Over 200 children since the 1970s have perished and the parents have received zero consequences. This is all apparently for religious freedom. Our legislation is very concerned with the reproductive actions of people and heartbeats of fetuses, but apparently, the graveyard of children in rural Idaho is of no concern and continues to be pushed aside year after year to protect children from gender-affirming care and various other boogeymen. If we do value religious freedom so much that we are willing to make sure faith healing can happen, why cant that same logic be applied to other healthcare such as abortion and gender-affirming care. Why is it only a religious value of children suffer and die? Rowan Astra, Boise Loneliness is rooted in work obsession The World Health Organization has called loneliness a pressing health threat, and with 1 in 4 Americans feeling severely lonely its clear we have an issue. That issue is perpetuated through American work culture. Americans work an average of 8.5 hours a day and 38.5 a week on top of personal responsibilities. Its no wonder so many people feel tired or burnt out after working. Along with the fact that everyone has to work in order to live and afford basic necessities, which many are barely able to afford. This makes Americans feel hopeless when the work day ends, and when you end a day already exhausted, why spend your precious time out and about being social. Our loneliness is because work has become more important than being happy, sapping our time and energy. If we want to combat this growing issue, we need to attack the roots. Studies have shown that shortened work weeks, increased pay, and social safety nets help workers feel more secure and less burnt out. If we want to end loneliness, we need to focus less on working and more on happiness. Nathan Akwenuke, Twin Falls Lockdown drills help in todays schools Fire drills have been proven to save lives, and as a result, there have been no fire-related deaths in American schools in the past few decades. Fire drills eliminate the death of students because when the fire alarm goes off, students know they need to evacuate without question, immediately due to the constant fire drills schools practice. This practice and preparation should be extended to school lockdown drills to ensure student preparation during school shootings or emergencies. Although lockdown drills are not going to solve the underlying problem of school shootings, students should be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Monthly lockdown drills will decrease student anxiety in the case of an actual emergency because there will be limited chaos or confusion about where students should go or what teachers should do. Lockdown drills will also ensure that all procedures are done correctly, such as adequately locked doors, closed curtains, and appropriate student behavior. Proper lockdown drills will make actual lockdown drills more effective, so the Twin Falls School District should practice monthly lockdown drills to save student lives. If Canyon Ridge High School students had been prepared for the hoax lockdown last year, their general anxiety during the lockdown would have been lessened. Kloee Perry, Twin Falls Lee Gilbert says she has suffered from stress and anxiety since the introduction of the road safety measure in 2022 - Jamie Lorriman Shanta Prasad was born in her home on Chingfords Old Church Road in 1964 and has lived there ever since. In all of those 59 years, she has never had any trouble sleeping until last year, when the London Borough of Waltham Forest installed a speed bump outside her house. As soon as they were installed, our houses started to shake, its a busy arterial road, and when you get buses and lorries, its like Formula One, she said. I cant sleep at night. Ive been referred to the insomnia clinic. Sometimes all I want to do is cry. The speed bump was one of seven installed on her street, which is under a mile long. Dozens of others have popped up around the borough in recent years as part of the councils plan to reduce speed across the borough to 20mph. They were put there to reduce accidents, something the council says has been achieved, but for many residents, they have made their lives a misery. There were 662 road casualties reported on Waltham Forest roads in 2022 down from 674 the year before, this was despite a 10 per cent increase across the country. Some kind of clinical depression So significant has the issue become with residents that Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the MP for Chingford, raised it in Parliament on Tuesday. I have talked to residents who are genuinely deeply stressed by what has happened since heavy speed bumps have been put in place in 20 mph or even higher speed zones, he said. As for the effects on the publics mental health, some residents now genuinely suffer from some kind of clinical depression. He spoke of the suffering of several of his constituents, including Adam Thackeray, whose house has started developing cracks thanks to vibrations from a newly-installed speed bump. Lorries and other heavy vehicles can cause movements along a road surface similar to waves that result in vibrations in nearby houses. Cracks have appeared in the walls of Lee Gilbert's home - Jamie Lorriman Another, Tony Thorne, avoids certain roads because of the pain his arthritic wife suffers when driving over speed bumps. The Telegraph travelled to Chingford to see how bad the situation is. Picked up from Chingford station by local residents Trevor Calver, 76, and James Conway, 64, we quickly hit the first speed bump 20 seconds down Station Road, one of the main roads through the town, on the Essex and east London border. Our car wasnt going quickly, about 17mph on the 20mph road, but on some stretches we drove over five bumps in the space of a minute. Some clusters were near schools, but the logic behind the placement of others was less clear. See like here, there are not even any homes around here, Mr Calver said as we hit several bumps along a tree-lined street. Throughout the drive, Mr Calver pointed out particularly confusing placements, including a roundabout near Mansfield Park where there are bumps just metres away from roundabout junctions where you would usually have to slow down anyway. So steep was one bump, the impact jolting my body up and down so strongly, that my notes became unintelligible. According to highways regulations, the safety features should be no less than 25mm in height and no more than 100mm. The AA has said a 100mm high bump would mean cars have to drive at 5mph to navigate it without damage. Mr Conway, who recently set up a residents association to help challenge local issues such as speed bumps, said there didnt seem to be any science behind their location. What started out as a good idea has gone berserk, and the council hasnt listened to residents, he said. He added that while he understood the need to reduce speed, he suggested cameras might be a better way of policing it. When the buses come, you feel it We stopped at the house of Stuart Grix, 66, who has lived on Endlebury Road for more than 30 years. Seven of these have been with a speed bump outside his house. Inside the front room and upstairs, his partner Bridget Lay, 57, pointed out long cracks that stretch across the ceilings and walls on the side of the house where the bump is. We never had these before [the bumps] were installed in 2016, explained Ms Lay. When the buses come, you feel it. The road is served by the 97 bus which comes past every six to nine minutes during the day, and starts at 4.46am. The 26 night bus also uses the road. The couple has become so concerned about the cracks, they have recruited a structural engineer to look at the property. Stephen Field, 59, who is a member of the local community traffic watch, suggested that the impact on homes in Chingford was particularly bad because of the way many properties were built. Many of the houses in Chingford were built in the 1930s on shallow foundations, not more than six inches on clay soil, and I think this could make it worse, he said. Whole house is pumping and shaking The first speed bumps were introduced in the UK in 1983. Since then they have exploded, with analysis by Citroen in 2019 estimating that there were at least 42,000 across Britain. London has the highest concentration, and all 10 of the authorities with the highest number of speed bumps per mile are London boroughs. Waltham Forest was not one of these. Residents have claimed that they have not been able to get a figure on bump numbers from the council. There are several pieces of research that suggest that speed bumps are effective in reducing speed and cutting collisions, particularly for younger people. For example, a study by Los Angeles Childrens Hospital in 2018 found that installing a speed bump outside of a school reduced collision incidents by 37 per cent. However, less research has been carried out into the impact they have on nearby houses. But for those people living on Old Church Road, the impact is huge. Resident Lee Gilbert, 65, said she lives in fear in her house and has suffered higher stress and anxiety since 2022 when the bumps were first put in. She said: If its a big vehicle the whole house is pumping and shaking, it is fear, you fear the ceiling is going to fall in. We have cracks that have gotten worse and worse. Lee Gilbert is campaigning against the speed bumps - Jamie Lorriman Residents have attempted to fight back, with a group of around 50 meeting Sir Iain in May to raise their concerns. They were able to get Conservative councillors to demand that the Labour-led council carry out an independent review looking into the impact bumps were having on nearby properties. This was rejected. Clyde Loakes, the councils deputy leader, said bumps were the only option to slow down vehicles and make neighbourhoods safe for all. Simon Williams, the RACs head of policy, said that while bumps do work to slow drivers, there were alternatives. While average speeds tend to reduce when a road switches from 30mph to 20mph regardless of enforcement, the aim is to get drivers to stick to the limit which is why speed humps are often used to force traffic to slow down, he said. But if these humps are having very negative unintended consequences for residents, and indeed other road users, then new thinking must surely be required to ensure speed limit compliance. Unlikely to cause significant damage Cllr Loakes said: A study by the Department for Transport found that reducing speed limits from 30mph to 20mph in residential areas could reduce the number of road deaths by up to 40 per cent. Its regrettable that the Government ruled out boroughs use of speed cameras in 2022, as this would have been an alternative measure. He added: Multiple studies have found traffic vibration and road humps are unlikely to cause significant damage to buildings. We know for sure that vehicles travelling at speed do cause significant damage to people. And we also know the measures are working the number of people killed and seriously injured on the boroughs roads has fallen from 97 in 2018 to 70 in 2022. For Ms Prashad, she would love the council to intervene for the sake of her home, which is developing cracks, her sleep, which is severely impaired, and her mental health, which is under strain. She said: The anxiety, the emotional and physical strain, my whole psyche is up the wall, Ive never been in a situation like this but this has thrown me completely. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. We are a reasonable and compassionate country. When desperate people look to us in their hour of need, we have shown, time and again, that we answer the call. But that does not mean we can or will accept mass illegal migration. As the newly appointed Minister for Illegal Migration, I will be driving forward our work to end the merry-go-round that has been plaguing our immigration system for far too long. Our partnership with Rwanda is an important element of our approach. Rwanda is a safe and prosperous country, and it is a vital partner for the UK. In recent days, we have taken decisive steps to get the scheme off the ground once and for all. First, the Home Secretary agreed a new treaty with Rwanda to directly and conclusively address the concerns raised by the Supreme Court. And second, we have brought forward legislation. The new bill before Parliament will make it clear in law that Rwanda is a safe country. Everyone who decides whether someone should be relocated there including immigration officers and the courts must treat Rwanda as safe. International law cant overrule that. If the European Court of Human Rights wants to intervene to halt someones removal to Rwanda, a government minister will decide whether we comply. It is the toughest immigration legislation ever introduced to Parliament, underlining the resolve of the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary to get a grip on this issue. In fact, the Rwanda policy is one part of a much wider strategy. The United Kingdom has one of the most comprehensive plans of any country for dealing with illegal migration. And our efforts have been yielding results. The headline fact is that small-boat arrivals here are down by a third, even as numbers are rising elsewhere in Europe. That does not mean we are complacent, but it does show our approach is having an impact. This is not just a matter for the UK, this is a global challenge that requires global solutions. We have ramped up our efforts to smash the criminal gangs upstream, well before they can get within striking distance of the UK. We have deepened our co-operation with the French and other international partners. As well as strengthening our work abroad, we have focused on increasing deterrence and efficiency in our systems here at home. Illegal-working raids are up by almost 70 per cent on last year. The legacy asylum backlog is down. And we have begun the process of ending the farce of taxpayers footing the bill for putting up arrivals in hotels. While there can be no doubt about our intent to address this problem, we know words are not enough. It is action that we will be judged on. Our plan is working. But there is much more to do. It is essential that we activate the Rwanda partnership, so we can send a resounding message to the gangs and the people who want to cross that they will not be able to stay. Illegal migration is a challenge that must be reckoned with now. Inaction is not an option. To do nothing would represent a betrayal of the British people, who expect secure borders. This passivity is the approach espoused by the Labour Party. They hope that by sticking their heads in the sand, theyll make the problem just vanish away. It is a deeply irresponsible position for a party that is seeking to govern this country. It would embolden the criminals who facilitate these dangerous crossings to line their pockets. And it would be tantamount to accepting the strain placed on our communities and public services. Our critics, including Labour, may be vocal in decrying our approach, but we will not be pushed off course. This Government will not be found wanting. People will only stop coming here illegally when they know that they cannot stay. We will continue to act in the national interest and do what it takes to stop the boats. Michael Tomlinson is Minister for Illegal Migration Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Mayoral candidate Sheila Jackson Lee greets people on their way to the polls on Election Day on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Following her decisive defeat in Saturday's mayoral runoff, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee now has less than one day to decide her political future. The longtime Democrat has two choices: seek reelection to Congress, setting up an unusually competitive primary battle against at least one of her former staffers, or retire from Congress after three decades, triggering a competitive primary for her open, safely Democratic seat. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jackson Lee, 73, who conceded the mayoral election to state Sen. John Whitmire Saturday night, has until 6 p.m. Monday to file for reelection. She has not confirmed whether she would run for reelection but noted during her concession remarks that she planned to continue to serve communities in Houston and find her place as a public servant in any way possible. After losing the mayoral runoff by a massive 35.6% to 64.4% margin, Jackson Lee could be facing "the most formidable challenge" of her decades-long political career if she opts to run for her current congressional seat, according to Michael Adams, a political science professor at Texas Southern University. For one, she will face 41-year-old Amanda Edwards, a former Houston City council member who holds a financial edge over Jackson Lee and is perceived by many as a fresher voice in the political arena. Edwards dropped out of the mayoral race earlier this year and pivoted to Jackson Lees seat after the congresswoman announced her own mayoral bid. But this time, Edwards told the Chronicle she would continue seeking the Democratic nomination in Jackson Lees 18th Congressional District, even if it means going up against the longtime incumbent. I think there is a real excitement about the prospect of having new leadership come in and have a focus on addressing challenges today, but also the challenges of tomorrow, Edwards said. People are wanting to look forward and realize the changes that we talk about on these campaign trails. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Impact of unsuccessful mayoral run Jackson Lee was first elected to represent the 18th Congressional District in 1994 when she unseated incumbent Craig Washington by nearly 27 percentage points in a bitter Democratic primary. Since then, she has routinely cruised to victory in nearly every election. She ran unopposed in the Democratic primary in 10 of her 14 reelection bids and, on the four occasions anyone has bothered to challenge her, shes won at least two-thirds of the vote each time. Her worst showing came in 2010 when she ran against then-Councilman Jarvis Johnson and one other opponent, but Jackson Lee still received 67% of the vote. Her most recent primary challenge came in 2020, when she dispatched six opponents with 77% of the vote. Jackson Lees failure to generate substantial voter interest in this years mayoral race, however, could indicate that residents in her district are open to new leadership, according to Adams. In Novembers general election, the average turnout in Jackson Lees district was about 15%, lower than the already modest county-wide turnout rate of 17%. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Residents may be receptive to hearing other ideas in terms of how the district can be moved, Adams said. It will rest with Amanda Edwards in terms of how she messages and whether she presents herself as being a new face and a fresh voice, coming up with a plan and also making appeals to draw young people to the poll. Jackson Lee also lacks the typical financial advantage often held by incumbents. Already a household name across much of the district, she has rarely had to pour much effort into fundraising never spending more than $1 million on her reelection until the 2020 cycle. Edwards, meanwhile, reported a $1 million fundraising haul over the first three and a half months of her campaign. She had about $829,000 in her campaign account at the end of September, nearly four times the cash on hand in Jackson Lees federal coffers. Moreover, controversies that emerged during this years competitive mayoral race, including allegations of Jackson Lees mistreatment of former staff, could also adversely impact her reelection prospects, said Nancy Sims, a seasoned political consultant and lecturer at the University of Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The audio release of her (allegedly) speaking to staff was beyond detrimental to her campaign and the ongoing follow up of the way she treats people may have impacted enthusiasm toward her, Sims said. Does that concern carry over to her March primary? I think that's a fair question to be considered. Facing hotly contested election next year The 18th Congressional District is known for producing some of the most prominent Black lawmakers in Texas history, including Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland. The districts current voting-age population is about 40% Hispanic, 34% Black, 19% white and 6% Asian, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The district covers a number of key Houston neighborhoods, such as downtown, EaDo, Third Ward and Fifth Ward. It runs northwest through part of The Heights and Acres Homes, stretching beyond Beltway 8 before looping east to take in George Bush Intercontinental Airport and more than half the residents of Humble. It also covers a swath of northeast Houston and unincorporated Harris County. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Edwards, a former intern in Jackson Lees office, did not specify any policy differences or directly criticize Jackson Lee when asked about what sets her apart from the incumbent. Instead, she framed their differences as a generational issue, indicating a focus on concerns of younger voters and future populations. I think what people are looking for is a reason to feel invested in what's going to happen what can they look forward to, what can be done, as opposed to just what has been done, Edwards said. Edwards previously served a single term as an at-large Houston City council member from 2016 to 2020. She opted not to seek a second term, instead running for U.S. Senate and placing fifth in the Democratic primary. Since announcing her bid for Jackson Lees seat, Edwards has garnered endorsements from local Democratic officials, including Houston City Councilmembers Tarsha Jackson and Robert Gallegos and Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones. Former Council member Carroll Robinson, who had considered a run for the seat, recently decided against it and instead endorsed Edwards. Another potential challenger to Jackson Lee is Gen-Z candidate Isaiah Martin, who interned for Jackson Lee before announcing his congressional candidacy in September. A University of Houston graduate, Martin, 25, had a brief stint running for an at-large seat on Houstons City Council this year but withdrew in March to assist Jackson Lees mayoral campaign. He did not respond to inquiries about whether he will stay in the race if Jackson Lee decides to seek reelection. Overall, Jackson Lee's incumbency and her solid voter base, particularly among older Black women, mean her potential challengers will still face a steep challenge, according to Adams. Meanwhile, he said the congresswoman must actively fundraise, a task potentially more difficult in light of her recent defeat. Two girls aged 13 and 14 have been arrested after a Jewish woman was violently robbed in north London in what police are saying is a possible hate crime. A 20-year-old orthodox Jewish woman was filmed being hit, wrestled to the ground and kicked by two girls who appeared to be wearing their school uniform on Rostrevor Avenue in Haringey on Thursday. The neighbourhood group Shomrim, which released CCTV footage of the attack at around 4.30pm on Sunday, said the victim was beaten unconscious and that attackers stood over her joking about her being dead. The woman did not require hospital treatment but suffered bruising and was left shaken. The Metropolitan Police said: At around midday on Sunday, 10 Dec, officers went to an address in Haringey where they arrested two girls aged 13 and 14 on suspicion of robbery. They remain in custody. The attack is being treated as a potential hate crime but officers are keeping an open mind about any motive behind it. A terrifying incident Det Sgt Asli Benson, who has led the investigation, said: This was a terrifying incident for the young woman who was attacked. We will continue to ensure she has the right support. Officers have been pursuing all available lines of enquiry since the incident and these arrests are a very positive development. The victim is from the orthodox Jewish community. It would have been obvious from her appearance that she was Jewish and there has been significant concern that she was targeted for that reason. In the current climate, when fears and uncertainty in the wider Jewish community are heightened following the terror attacks in Israel and the subsequent rise in anti-Semitic hate crime here in London, these concerns are entirely understandable. While we are keeping an open mind as to the motive behind the incident and will continue to explore all avenues, we are treating this as a possible hate crime. Scotland Yard thanked the public for supporting the investigation to date and said they had worked with school officers, including from neighbouring boroughs, and school staff to confirm the suspects identities. It said officers continue to appeal for anyone with information about the incident to call 101, quoting CAD 5505/07Dec, or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Saturday's severe weather system that pushed through Middle Tennessee with multiple tornadoes may mark the deadliest December on record for Middle Tennessee's tornado disasters, according to the Nashville Weather Service. Six people were confirmed dead Saturday night in Clarksville and Madison. Middle Tennessee previously recorded a total of eight tornado deaths in the month of December, with that total spanning decades of separate tornado disasters. In addition to fatalities, Clarksville officials reported 62 people went to local hospitals, with nine of those transferred on Sunday to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in critical, unstable condition. Live Monday updates: Tennessee tornado outbreak: 'It just hit so fast.' State recovery efforts continue How many tornadoes in Tennessee? The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency confirmed "preliminary reporting" of 13 tornadoes across the state. NWS confirmed storm survey findings Sunday evening, with the Clarksville tornado rating as an EF-3, with winds of 150 mph, and the Madison/Hendersonville/Gallatin tornado with a preliminary rating of EF-2, and winds of 125 mph. Where in Tennessee did the tornadoes hit? While reports of damage are still rolling in, TEMA reported that affected counties include Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Montgomery, Robertson, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Weakley and Wilson. National Weather Service confirmed that an estimated nine counties were impacted by tornado damage, with counties affected by severe weather damage being "likely double" that. At least four counties have reported damage from straight-line winds. Storms rolled in Saturday afternoon a little after 12:30 p.m., crossing the Tennessee River into Stewart County, where the first tornado warning was issued at 1:22 p.m. In total, 34 storm warnings were implemented across the Middle Tennessee region, with 20 of those being tornado warnings. The National Weather Service issued a "tornado emergency" alert for parts of the region for the first time in over a decade as the storms swept through, according to meteorologist Sam Shamburger. Rain amounts for the area vary, but according to National Weather Service, an estimated .5 to one inch of rain fell, with volunteers in Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Humphreys Counties reporting over one inch. 'State of emergency': How Tennessee governor, Nashville mayor, other officials responded Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has issued a "Level 3" state of emergency declaration for the state of Tennessee, in light of widespread tornado and severe storm damage on Saturday. A Level 3 declaration is considered a "serious emergency or minor disaster," according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The designation gives the governor direct control to coordinate disaster response and activates the state's Emergency Operations Center. Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden was visibly emotional as he addressed attendees at a Sunday morning press conference. "Our community is strong and our faith is strong. We will get through this together. Please pray for all of those involved," Golden said, holding back tears. Tennessee Tornadoes recovery: Here's how you can help Moments later, Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell gave an update at a separate news conference in Nashville. Yesterday was unfortunately another heartbreaking day for Nashville and so many in our Middle Tennessee community, OConnell said, before thanking first responders, many of whom worked through the night. Twenty-two structures collapsed as a result of the storm and countless others were damaged, OConnell said. Nashville is a place where when we face adversity, the community always steps up, OConnell said. The amount of outreach I have received has been astonishing. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee tornado outbreak: How many tornadoes, where did they hit? Medical care for women is expanding in Austin. Texas Children's Hospital last week opened its Pavilion for Women, to provide gynecological and obstetrical care from the teen years to post-menopausal years. It's a prelude to the opening of the Texas Children's Hospital Austin, the first hospital expansion by Texas Children's outside of Houston. The pavilion, 9817 N. Lake Creek Parkway, is just down the street from the Texas Children's Hospital Austin, set to open Feb. 6. Pregnant people who receive care at the pavilion will then give birth in one of the children's hospital's seven designated rooms for labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care. An additional two rooms are designated for antepartum care for women who need to be hospitalized during pregnancy. "It's incredible to see the vision expanding to Central Texas," Dr. Melanie Belt, clinical services director for the pavilion, said of the expansion of Texas Children's into Austin. Since entering the Central Texas market in 2018, Texas Children's now has 13 pediatric clinics, 13 specialty clinics and an urgent care clinic in Austin. "We can provide almost everything a woman needs for her reproductive health," Belt said. Read more: What's behind the growth in Central Texas health care? Here's what you need to know. The Texas Childrens Hospital's Pavilion for Women in North Austin opened on Monday. In addition to the four obstetrician/gynecologists who will serve the pavilion, Texas Children's is adding maternal fetal medicine doctors. It has one already, a second one will join in fall, and it is looking for an additional three. Texas Children's plans to do in-utero surgeries at the North Austin hospital. These are surgeries for which the Texas Children's team has been sending pregnant people to its hospitals in Houston. It also said that these will be surgeries that haven't been available in Austin before, Belt said. In addition to the five maternal fetal medicine specialists Texas Children is eventually bringing to Austin, some of its Houston specialists might travel to Austin to perform surgeries when they have a needed expertise, said Russ Williams, senior vice president of Texas Children's Hospital North Austin Campus. "We don't think anyone should have to leave Austin for care," Williams said. "That's the main goal," Belt said. Texas Childrens North Austin director of women's services Amy Poso talks with reporters at the Pavilion for Women's grand opening on Monday. Not alone in growing maternal care "We are adding to what Austin already has," Williams said. "People unable to get the care they need will have greater access and greater ability to do that." The pavilion and the hospital's women's services division joins two established and growing maternal fetal care providers: Ascension Texas and St. David's HealthCare. In 2021, Ascension Texas' Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas opened its comprehensive fetal care center and labor and delivery unit for healthy moms with sick babies to deliver at the children's hospital. The fetal center has been doing in-utero surgeries. St. David's HealthCare's has its children's hospital and Women's Center of Texas at its North Austin hospital. This year, the Women's Center increased its labor and delivery space, growing from 29 rooms to 36, with four family suites; the postpartum space expanded from 71 rooms to 97; and the antepartum area will grow from 16 rooms to 24. Antepartum is for people after a complicated birth or people whose doctors are trying to prevent early labor. It also has birthing suites for women who want births without interventions like epidurals, but in a hospital setting. The new Texas Childrens Hospital Pavilion for Women will provide gynecological and obstetrical care from the teen years to post-menopausal years. In answer to the growth of births in Austin, Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin is building a new women's tower, which will open in 2025 and add 28 more beds for women's services. It also will have additional spaces for minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries and urogynecology, gynecologic oncology, breast diagnostics and surgery, and a pelvic physical therapy space. Inside the pavilion At the Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, each of the OB-GYNs has their own pod with three exam rooms and an office. The pavilion has a lab for blood and urine collection, a treatment room for minor procedures, a pelvic physical therapy space, a medical spa for treatments like warm body sculpting, anti-aging therapies, tattoo removals, laser hair removals, injectable fillers and skin discoloration treatments. It will have a reproductive psychiatrist to help women with mood disorders due to pregnancy, postpartum changes, fertility treatments, menopause and perinatal loss. Reproductive psychiatrist Nicole Cirino speaks at the Pavilion for Women's opening event. Each of the pavilion's OB-GYNs has their own pod with three exam rooms and an office. The center will also have space for reproductive psychiatry. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Children's Hospital opens Pavilion for Women in Austin Dec. 10 (UPI) -- John Whitmire, who has spent five decades representing Houston in the Texas Legislature, posted a resounding win over U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in the city's mayoral runoff election, results showed Sunday. The final results showed Whitmire garnering 65.3% of the vote to Jackson Lee's 34.7%, according to the Harris County Clerk's tabulation. After joking that he has been told to smile more, Whitmire told supporters at his victory rally that "tonight I'm smiling. And I'm smiling for the city of Houston. I want you to smile because tonight is something to smile about." Whitmire, 74, ran on a platform of improving police recruiting and retention and driving down police response times in response to public concerns about crime, while also advocating for adding hundreds of Texas state troopers to fortify police presence in the city of 2.3 million, the fourth-largest in the United States. "Great cities solve their problems. They bring people together. Our campaign united this city," he declared. Whitmire, who is White, handily defeated Jackson Lee, a prominent Black Democrat who boasted the endorsements of more liberal national Democrats such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Our work is not completed. This was a journey," Jackson Lee said in her concession speech. "I am a public servant, and being a public servant, you never stop working. I hope you will continue to allow me to continue to work and serve you as I have done in the past, because that is what I will do." As early voting started last month, a poll showed Whitmire holding a 42%-35% lead over Jackson Lee, with roughly two-thirds of White voters favoring him and roughly two-thirds of Black voters supporting Jackson Lee. Observers in the first round of voting in September, however, noted that Black turnout was down about 20% compared to the 2015 mayoral election won by former mayor Sylvester Turner, spelling potential trouble for Jackson Lee. "For whatever reason, Black voters are not as enamored with Sheila Jackson Lee as they were with Sylvester Turner," University of Houston political scientist Brandon Rottinghaus told Houston Public Media on Nov. 27. "You would need to see tremendous turnout in the African American community in order for Sheila Jackson Lee to overcome the support that John Whitmire gets among older Anglos, who are much more likely to vote in municipal elections." he said. As the deadline for Texas public universities to eliminate diversity offices under Senate Bill 17 draws closer on Jan. 1, there are growing concerns from some students, faculty and staff at Texas Tech about the universitys efforts to comply with the bill. Over the past few months, students and staff have spoken to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal about how Tech, once a national leader in inclusive efforts for social and cultural communities, has eliminated the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the Black Cultural Center and the Office of LGBTQIA+ Education & Engagement with little or no communication to the campus community. Tech leaders have acknowledged the changes have come to be in compliance with state law, but stress it doesn't take away from the university's commitment to serving people of all backgrounds. Still, some portions of the campus community most impacted by the changes say they're concerned the changes have taken away a safety net for the sake of not losing out on state funding and support. "I personally have seen students on campus emboldened by the silence of the university on what's going on," said Blue Berry, an undergraduate student at Tech. "People who hold racist or homophobic or transphobic beliefs have been a lot more outspoken in ways that are not creating a campus community that is welcoming and safe for everyone." Opening and erasing of the cultural centers The main open area of the Black Cultural Center at Texas Tech. The area housed Black culture artwork as well as space for students to socialize with each other or study. Before the 88th Texas Legislature gaveled in at the start of 2023, Texas Tech opened the Black Cultural Center and the Peters Family Legacy Library within the center in September 2022. At the time, the university told the A-J the center was created to celebrate Black culture and its impact on the institution, and was open to all students and organizations. It was also created in partnership with the Black Student Association after a racist video shared by a Tech-affiliated organization went viral, along with other events in 2020 that caused the university to create a safe space for students. The Black Student Association (BSA) did not respond to the A-J's requests for comment for this story. Related: Texas Tech students, administration work together on plan to combat racism At the time the cultural center opened, it was also known that two more centers a Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center and an Intercultural Center would be built later. Gilbert Carrasco, former director of the LGBT office, said the signage of the Black Cultural Center was taken down in the spring of 2023. Carrasco also said staff communications referred to it as The Center, or its address 2500 Broadway, but the at-large campus community was not informed of the change. As for the other centers, Erasto Cortes, the parliamentarian for the Hispanic Student Society, said the organization and the Office of the President were in talks around the same time it started talking to the BSA about its cultural center. We were literally in the planning stage, Cortes said. We were just trying to find locations, things like that. It was at a stalemate, but of course, DEI was in the background at that time. It was just kind of difficult to gauge if things would get done or not. Tech officials confirmed the Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center is no longer in the works and the Intercultural Center would not be built. The only center that remains is the International Cultural Center. It wasnt until September 2023 that the university officially renamed the Black Cultural Center to the Campus Engagement Center, which now houses the Office of Campus Access and Engagement the repurposed version of the DEI and LGBT Offices. Texas Tech silencing students? A hotly contested event at many Texas public universities is drag shows, and Texas Tech, through the Resident Hall Association, hosted one every spring semester. The RHA is partly funded through the university, though it acts independently like any other campus student organization. However, before S.B. 17 or S.B. 12 the banning of drag shows bill even passed the House or Senate, RHA President Madi Pitts said the university made efforts to silence the organization and deter them from the annual drag show fundraiser. According to the Bill Analysis of S.B. 17, the bill cannot prohibit the "activity of a student organization registered with or recognized by a public institution of higher education." Pitts said she believed the pressure the organization faced was done on behalf of the Office of the President. She also said the then-executive RHA leadership, which included herself, had closed-door meetings with university leadership in the spring of 2023. It was a very strange meeting, Pitts said. It was a lot more staff than students in there, so I know that makes students pretty uncomfortable about speaking out. Some of the members in those meetings included former DEI Officer Carol Sumner, TTUHSC Chief Experience Officer Jody Randal, former LGBT office director Gilbert Carrasco and Associate Vice President of Auxillary Services, Patrick Albritton, according to Pitts and confirmed by Carrasco. During these meetings, students alleged the university pressured them to stay silent. We were told that we could not do the drag show because people would lose their jobs and that we would be directly responsible for special attacks against the department of diversity, Pitts said. Carrasco corroborated what was said in the meeting and told the students in the meetings not to concern themselves about their job security and to stick up for what they believed in. In the end, RHA complied with the university's wishes. However, Pitts said students had difficulty getting meetings scheduled with officials. She also claimed officials told students to keep things off paper and delete documents due to fear of a records request. Pitts said the RHA was also asked to get rid of its DEI chair position. Other student organizations, such as the university-funded Student Government Association, still have a director of DEI position. The lack of communication and transparency While RHA had meetings on one end of the campus, other conversations were taking place in the former LGBT offices with staff and student assistants. Kaity Swecker, a former graduate assistant in the office and current student, said there was very little communication when the LGBT and DEI offices were starting to be shut down. They were going to have a discussion with all the student workers who worked in the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a whole but they ended up not having that meeting, Swecker said. We were able to just all kind of piece together what was happening and from what was on the news and rumors that we had heard around campus. Swecker (they/them) said they felt fear and anxiety for the communities being affected by the sudden change. A new office popped up in September from the former offices on campus the Office of Campus Access and Engagement. Jorge Iber was named interim vice president of campus access and engagement. They had made us into this new office, but essentially they were telling us to do things that were replicating the activities of other offices, Swecker said. So we felt pretty useless. As Texas Tech underwent changes, Berry, Pitts and Swecker said the university has not been transparent about what is happening. According to documents and statements from sources, there has been minimal communication from university leadership about the recent changes to campus resources, apart from memos from the president on July 13 and July 19. Documents issued by Texas Tech go over what is and is not allowed under S.B. 17. It can be found on the Office of Campus Access and Engagement website and a login-restricted guidance sheet on the provost's website. During an SGA-hosted town hall meeting on Nov. 27, students asked questions about recent changes to the university's leadership. One student asked whether anyone was let go from the former LGBT offices due to S.B. 17. Iber answered no. When the office was restructured, Iber said the former LGBT office director and associate director were placed in lower positions in the new Campus Access office, but no one was fired from the DEI offices. According to employment offers obtained by the A-J, the former LGBT director was offered the position of associate director at a pay cut of 22.6%. However, the former LGBT associate director position was given an assistant director position until Dec. 31, 2023, when she would be let go. Funding priorities from legislative session Both Pitts and Berry pointed to the House Bill 1 the general appropriation bill and Section 58 of Special Provisions Relating Only To State Agencies Of Higher Education rider that promised public universities $700 million of the surplus, if lawmakers passed S.B. 17 and S.B. 18 during the regular session. If those bills failed, these funds would have been withheld: $263 million for the Instruction & Operations and Infrastructure formulas. $18 million for the Texas University Fund, Core Research University, and Comprehensive Research University Funds. $184 million for the Support for Military Veterans Exemptions to reimburse the Hazlewood Legacy Program costs. Carrasco said he believed the university stayed quiet because the nearly $4 billion research-focused Texas University Fund was placed on the ballot in November. The four main universities that benefited from this Texas University Fund did not speak up because, I think, they were at risk of losing (the fund) if that were to end up happening, Carrasco said. You give us this bill; we'll give you the money. Some people within the former DEI offices took the idea of Texas Tech receiving kickbacks for staying silent and coined it into From here, it's profitable a twisted version of the universitys motto. "Our university hasn't released any public statement detailing what they have done with the previous diversity offices, what resources we still have and what they are implementing to continue protections," Pitts said. "When students experience hate crimes on campus, there's no public notification that that happens. There's no way to know that campus isn't safe for you anymore." Related: Texas Tech responds after DEI, LGBT+ offices, resources vanish to comply with SB 17 Texas Tech University issued the following statement to the Avalanche-Journal: Complying with legislative mandates is a complex process requiring extensive planning and engagement with stakeholders as changes are implemented within the universitys existing framework. Since the passage of Senate Bill 17 in June 2023, Texas Tech University has maintained that it will obey the letter and the spirit of the law while remaining steadfast in its support of all Red Raiders. In particular, our students can take advantage of the many resources provided through the offices of Student Success, Student Life, Campus Access & Engagement, 500+ student organizations and other student services departments across campus. Realignments made as a result of S.B. 17 have been done according to guidance provided by the Texas Tech University Systems Office of General Counsel. These changes have been communicated, beginning in July, to members of the campus community in various ways, including email, in-person conversations, town hall-style meetings and guidance posted on university-owned web pages. As it has for 100 years, Texas Tech will always prioritize the safety, well-being and success of all its students, faculty and staff. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech response to new state DEI laws concerns some on campus Danny Scott of CG&S Design-Build takes measurements Friday while trying to figure out how to build an accessible ramp at the home of Betty Patina-Trujillo and Ruben Trujillo. Patina-Trujillo has multiple sclerosis and son Margarito has had back surgery for scoliosis. Betty Patina-Trujillo, 48, knows that one day because of her multiple sclerosis, she might need a walker or wheelchair. Her son, Margarito, 14, who has scoliosis, just had back surgery and has congenital heart defects. For both of them, easy access into their mobile home in Del Valle is important. Currently, a double set of staircases is the only route. Soon the Trujillo family will have a new entrance to their home: a redone porch with a ramp for a wheelchair thanks to CG&S Design-Build. The local remodeling company read their story in the American-Statesman and has agreed to help the Trujillos with as many of the home repairs as possible, including adding a ramp to the very complicated, space-confined front porch and stairs. "We always try to find the project where people need the things we know how to do, which is construction," said Dolores Davis, whose parents, Austinites Clarence and Stella Guerrero, founded CG&S Design-Build 66 years ago. "This is the thing we like to do." The Trujillo family is part of the Statesman's 25th Season for Caring program. Each year, we profile about a dozen local families and ask the community to give. Money and donations above what the featured families need then also help hundreds of other families with rent, utilities, clothing and groceries through local nonprofits. The Trujillos were nominated by Wonders & Worries, which helps children who have a parent with a serious illness. Since 1999, Season for Caring has donated more than $18.5 million to local nonprofit organizations. This year, Season for Caring has raised more than $152,000 in monetary donations and $56,000 in in-kind goods and services. Through Christmas, monetary donations are being matched up to $500,000 through the Sheth family. This year has been a hard one for monetary donations because of the higher cost of living and donor fatigue from three years of a pandemic. Donations are running about 25% behind recent years. Many of your neighbors rely on Season for Caring funds and need your help. Read more: Trujillo family continue to push through medical challenges | Season for Caring 2023 CG&S Design-Build has returned to helping Season for Caring after taking a break during the pandemic. CG&S built an accessible bathroom and first floor for a double amputee in 2018. It remodeled the condominium of a couple with developmental delays in 2017. In 2016, it built an accessible home for a veteran who uses a wheelchair. After meeting with the Trujillos on Friday, Davis said her team would take all the information, study the narrow parameters of the space between the Trujillos' home and their neighbor's and create a plan for a revised front porch, ramp and staircase as well as the other items on the home repair list. The home has a leaky shower; a dishwasher, stove and some electrical outlets that aren't working; lights that flicker; siding popping off; and holes in the drywall through which animals enter via the crawl space beneath the home. The refrigerator also needs to be replaced. The list of repairs just grows. With the Trujillos' house, "we can do all those kinds of things," Davis said of the repair list. Once they get approval from the neighborhood, "we can execute it," Davis said. She will ask their contractor community to help by donating some of the services. "People always want to help," she said. Betty Patina-Trujillo helps Dolores Davis of CG&S Design-Build make a list of repairs needed for the Trujillo family's home as part of Season for Caring. Betty Patina-Trujillo said she tried to get the ramp done through Medicaid but couldn't work it out. She got one bid for $10,000, money that her family doesn't have. Patina-Trujillo isn't able to work. Her husband, Ruben Trujillo, is legally blind and works as a shipping and receiving clerk for Austin Lighthouse-Travis Association for the Blind, a nonprofit organization helping the blind and visually impaired community. "I've been trying for three years," Patina-Trujillo said of the ramp project. The Trujillo family's biggest need right now to get this project going is a home organizer to help clear out and organize their home to enable construction to start. They also need gift cards to H-E-B, Walmart and Target; a laptop for schoolwork; new appliances; and winter coats for the family. To find out more about the Trujillo family or to give an item on their wish list, contact Wonders & Worries, 512-329-5757, wondersandworries.org. Other Season for Caring families need home repairs: The Hernandez family, a mother and daughter who have lived in their home for 52 years, need a plumber to find and fix a leak in the sewer line beneath the house. They also need new bathroom floors, kitchen cabinets, backsplashes, flooring; drywall repairs, damaged siding replaced, interior and exterior painting, and weatherization to reduce utility bills. Interfaith Action of Central Texas, 512-386-9145, interfaithtexas.org Bonnie Yett, 58, who lost both her husband and her daughter to a stroke this year, needs help with home repairs and yard work. Meals on Wheels Central Texas at 512-476-6325, mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org 25th Season for Caring The Statesman will be sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families throughout the holiday season. Find more stories and information at statesman.com/seasonforcaring. You can donate online or use the coupon on Page 16A. Now through Dec. 25, all monetary donations will be matched up to $500,000 by the Sheth family. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: CG&S Design-Build donates to Season for Caring Hillary Clinton (left) and Keren Yarhi-Milo on the first day of their Inside the Situation Room course at Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs in September. Hillary Clinton (left) and Keren Yarhi-Milo on the first day of their Inside the Situation Room course at Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs in September. From my aisle seat, I was well positioned to access the lecture microphone. Just beyond it stood Hillary Clinton. Its too bad I was only able to ask her one question the entire semester I spent in her course. Last fall I learned that Clinton would be teaching a class at Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs. I did not hesitate to apply and neither did 1,200 other students. My application essays were impassioned. I was certain Clintons five decades of public service would enrich my own leadership ambitions. I had imagined that spending two hours each week with a former senator, secretary of state, first lady and presidential nominee would embolden me in new ways. Unfortunately, my idealistic hopes got the best of me. Clintons course, titled Inside the Situation Room and co-taught with SIPAs Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo, promised students an opportunity to understand the key factors that underpin a nations most crucial decisions. But what is her class really like?my peers often asked me. Well, the thing is, it wasnt really a class it was a production. On my first day, I expected to enter a classroom with 30 other students, which would be typical of classes in my program. Instead, I approached a swarm of several hundred. Next to them was a sea of cameras belonging to journalists from various major outlets. Just to their right, I spotted Secret Service personnel whispering into their radios. It was only 11:30 a.m. our lecture didnt begin until 2:10 p.m. Perhaps the enormous class size was to be expected. It was, arguably, an equitable decision made to meet the high demand from students across a diversity of programs, all of whom hoped to learn from the same distinguished political figure. Unfortunately, our shared enthusiasm was leveraged to what felt like the detriment of our own learning experience. Every Wednesday for 12 consecutive weeks, I sacrificed my lunch break to queue alongside 350 equally eager students for the chance at scoring a front-row seat. The third week of class, I overheard one classmate say he felt as if he was waiting for a celebrity concert ticket. He mused: I wonder if I can sleep here tonight so I can get up front and ask my question tomorrow. On our first day of class, after making it past the Secret Service agents, we settled in for a much-anticipated two hours with the onetime presidential nominee. But the class abruptly ended half an hour early and continued to do so every week. Only a handful of students were given time to ask their prepared questions. Why did we lose a quarter of our scheduled class time? The crew filming each session needed time to disassemble their equipment. Im not surprised; its an elaborate setup. Rumor has it that next year the same class will be offered, but instead of in-person lectures with Clinton each week, students will be offered the videos of our class via a platform called Columbia+, which sounds to me more like a streaming service than a scholarly site. Together in class and on tape, we acted much like an audience at a late-night talk show, distracted by the cameras and yet immersed in the vanity of the production. We followed an unspoken script where we were both active and passive at once expected to laugh at certain anecdotes, but not encouraged to raise our hands. Its no secret that celebrity professors are thought to be great for universities. A recognizable name and an impressive pedigree like Clintons attract valuable attention, bringing in students, donors, funding and opportunities for new institutions, like Clintons recently launched Institute of Global Politics at SIPA. But these benefits come with a cost. Week after week, hour-long lines wrapped around the lobby of the lecture hall, as students employed aggressive strategies to secure near-microphone seats for what became known as the Hunger Games Q&A. Subjecting ourselves to this wait was unavoidable if we had any hope of asking even one question during the semester. (Rachel Szala, associate dean for communications and external relations at SIPA, told HuffPost in an email: Secretary Clinton and Dean Yarhi-Milo held open Q&A for at least 20 minutes at the end of each class. Student questions were not pre-screened and students were allowed to ask more than one question over the course of the semester, even if they had previously asked a question ... During the first class after Oct. 7, they offered twice as long as normal (40 minutes) for questions on the conflict or any other topic students wanted to discuss. And in the last class, Q&A was over an hour. Despite what Szala says, I will note we were told at almost every lecture that if you have already asked a question, you are not allowed to ask another one.) Twice, Clinton didnt appear in class. The secretary couldnt make it this week, Yarhi-Milo told us, as if we should expect to pay for a Broadway show only to watch the understudy. When Clinton was present on stage, students were eager to delve into current events and voice their opinions. However, when sensitive topics arose, the discourse was often neutralized and students were referred to panels and events outside the lecture hall for answers. Bitterness inside the classroom grew as the war in the Middle East evolved. Clinton faced walkouts, sit-ins and, on several occasions, fierce vocal backlash in response to her often bland answers to conflict-related questions. When several dozen students planned a mid-lecture walkout in protest of Columbias response to doxxing incidents on campus, Yarhi-Milo responded by expressing her shared frustrations. One student yelled back: Then do better! There are no doubt considerable challenges that come with attempting to educate hundreds of students about global conflicts unfolding in real time especially in a classroom where every word is being recorded. The efforts to ease tensions made by the university and those overseeing the class should be commended. But relying on future roundtables to address students grievances, while reducing class time so the course can be digitally documented, comes as a disappointment. I do not fault Clinton for these issues. Her expertise in the situation room has enriched the academic experience for many SIPA students. Perhaps the most enthralling moments were thanks to the many guests who shared the stage with Clinton during the semester, including Peter Clement, a former deputy director of the CIA, and David Miliband, a former foreign secretary of the U.K. Parliament. The author (right) posing a question to Clinton (onstage, left), Maria Ressa (onstage, center) and Yarhi-Milo (onstage, right) at Columbia University in 2023. The author (right) posing a question to Clinton (onstage, left), Maria Ressa (onstage, center) and Yarhi-Milo (onstage, right) at Columbia University in 2023. The day I fought for the mic and secured it, I was able to ask my question to Clinton, Yarhi-Milo and Nobel Peace Prize winner and journalist Maria Ressa. After introducing myself and disclosing that I hold different citizenships and grew up around the world, I explained that Ive experienced rejection based solely on my nationality when working as a journalist in other countries. I noted that I understood and in many cases agreed with the sentiment behind this rejection, given that the media is often saturated with Western narratives and journalists who are telling stories about places they are not from and may not know well. However, I continued, in places where there is extreme censorship and citizens cannot tell their own stories, how can journalists ethically tell stories on their behalf? Clinton nodded reassuringly as I spoke, and Ressa smiled. She then said that whoever declined my work on the basis of citizenship was not worth my time. Integrity of facts is crucial, Ressa said, adding that as long as youre honest, every journalist is unique and that alone makes you qualified to tell stories. Clintons own unique stories were perhaps the most valuable part of the class. Her recollection of advising President Barack Obama during the killing of Osama bin Laden, and her accounts of the time she spent with Russian President Vladimir Putin in his bunker, are anecdotes I couldnt get from any other professor teaching at SIPA. Despite this, Clintons course has provoked many students in a time of heightened tensions. It has also made me question Columbias institutional priorities and its ability to effectively address sensitive issues with integrity trade-offs that seem to benefit the universitys image at the expense of its students. Its not right for the school to commodify their students, turning them into audience members and then often receding to the ivory tower when the conversation gets uncomfortable. I am also discouraged that neither Clinton nor the dean attended a single weekly discussion section, let alone read the assignments we poured hours of work into writing. Instead, these duties were handed off to the teachers assigned to lead the discussion groups. Similarly, office hours, a common resource provided by professors for the benefit of students, were not offered by Clinton a disservice to hardworking students, and it could have been easily implemented, whether on zoom or in person. Regardless of their titles, backgrounds or schedules, professors should be held accountable for cutting corners. Just before our final lecture of the semester, I asked several of my classmates if they would recommend the course to other students. Their responses were mixed. One particularly positive student said: Its not about what I learned, its the fact that I can put a class taught by Hillary Clinton on my resume ... Thats the value. But I could have learned everything just from reading her memoir. Our last class, held on Wednesday, was supposed to be dedicated to answering student questions. However, two days before the class, we were told that only 20 minutes would be allocated to live questions. The rest of the time, we learned, would feature Clinton and Yarhi-Milo reading aloud selected questions that we were instructed to email ahead of time. Of the hundreds submitted which covered a range of international foreign policy issues Hillary Clintons final question to the dean was: Whats your favorite Taylor Swift song and why? The course has tremendous potential. But if the university chooses to offer it again in person, there is a lot of work to be done to ensure students experience the scholastic rigor they expect, instead of what was, for all intents and purposes, academic theater. Note: A representative for Clinton did not immediately return HuffPosts request for comment. HuffPost compiled additional germane points from SIPA associate dean Szalas aforementioned email and includes them below. Given the high demand for the course, the course was filmed for educational purposes so that we may offer it online and make it accessible to a wider group of students both inside and outside of Columbia ... Courses of this size (at Columbia and elsewhere) are always a frontal lecture format, which does not include Q&A from the students. In this case, the professors chose to modify the format to allow for Q&A in every class [...] In courses of this size, office hours are typically provided by section leaders. In this case there were 15 sections led by Ph.D. experts in the field. Having section leaders hold smaller discussion sections and grade papers is a universal operating procedure for lectures of this size. This is done so that the maximum number of students can engage in material presented by a professor, while ensuring that students receive hands-on instruction and consistency in grading over the duration of the course [...] Both Secretary Clinton and Dean Yarhi-Milo have been adamant about the need for difficult conversations that challenge individual assumptions, and this is part of what they modeled in class [...] In addition to answering student questions live each class, both have engaged in programming outside of class on current issues of global policy, including the war in Gaza. The author told HuffPost she stands by her essay. Cate Twining-Ward is a 2023 SIPA Environmental Fellow at Columbia University and studies environmental science and policy at the Columbia Climate School and School of International and Public Affairs. Previously she worked at the United Nations and as a senior correspondent for Planet Forward, an environmental journalism organization. Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch. Related... State Sen. John Whitmire visits with supporters after defeating U.S. Rep Sheila Jackson Lee to become Houstons 63rd mayor at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Houstonians cast their ballots across 450 polling centers on Saturday, bringing an end to an election cycle marked by lackluster enthusiasm and low voter turnout. State Sen. John Whitmire and attorney Chris Hollins were elected Houston mayor and controller, respectively, in landslide victories during Saturdays runoff election. Whitmire, the frontrunner in November's general election, won against U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee with a 64.4% to 35.6% vote, becoming Houston's 63rd mayor. Hollins, who also placed first in the November race, defeated former Harris County Treasurer Orlando Sanchez, 59.1% to 40.9%, securing his position as Houston's next controller. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Elsewhere on the ballot, incumbents Carolyn Evans-Shabazz of District D, Mary Nan Huffman of District G and Letitia Plummer of At-Large 4 were re-elected to City Council, joining seven fellow incumbents who were reelected last month. Four candidates who won runoffs Saturday Mario Castillo in District H, Julian Ramirez in At-Large 1, Willie Davis in At-Large 2 and Twila Carter in At-Large 3 will be among six newcomers to the 16-member City Council next year. Including the two newcomers who won their seats in the general election, the next administration will have a total of six new faces out of a body of 16 council members. Here are five takeaways from the runoff election: John Whitmire elected Houston mayor in landslide victory Whitmire beat Jackson Lee by a massive 28.8 percentage point margin, far surpassing the almost 7% lead he received in Novembers general election. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He will soon leave the Texas Legislature, where he has served for five decades and made a name for himself for crafting the states criminal justice laws in the 1990s. At 74, Whitmire is set to become the oldest person to become Houston mayor in at least 100 years. Since announcing his mayoral bid in November 2021, Whitmire ran his campaign by focusing on public safety and promising to deliver tough and smart anti-crime policies if elected. Inside the third-floor ballroom of the George R. Brown Convention Center, where Whitmire held his watch party Saturday night, the mayor-elect reiterated to hundreds of attendees his plan to recruit more police officers, put an end to the citys years-long dispute with its firefighters and improve city services. "Great cities solve their problems. They bring people together," Whitmire said. "Our campaign united the city." Jackson Lee congratulated Whitmire on his victory Saturday night, vowing to work with the new mayor-elect in the coming years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Even though the outcome was not the way we would have wanted, the best thing for us to do is to show up and stand up and be committed to Houston moving forward, Jackson Lee said to a crowd of dozens of supporters who cheered her on at her watch party at the Ensemble Theatre. During her three decades in Congress, Jackson Lee, 73, has become one of the most recognizable members of Houstons congressional delegation. She now has until 6 p.m. Monday to file for reelection if she opts to run for her current congressional seat again. She did not confirm Saturday whether she would run for reelection but noted she planned to continue to serve communities in Houston and find her place as a public servant in any way possible. Hollins to help tackle Houstons financial challenge as next controller Hollins, who led all of the controller candidates in the general election, secured a decisive victory Saturday and is set to become Houstons next financial watchdog. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Were excited," Hollins told the Chronicle Saturday night at his watch party at Chapman and Kirby, shortly after the early results came in. The people of Houston spoke with one voice today. Theres no ifs, ands or buts about it." Hollins, a 37-year-old personal injury attorney, previously served as the Harris County Clerk. There, he oversaw the contentious 2020 presidential election, introduced drive-thru and 24-hour voting and helped produce record turnout during early voting that year. This was not the first time that Sanchez, 66, was defeated in a city election. He previously ran for controller in 2019 and mayor in 2001 and 2003. He lost all three races. Anytime you run for office and work hard for several months, it's always disappointing," Sanchez told the Chronicle at his Saturday watch party at the Memorial Trail Ice House. "Its obvious that Im a fiscal conservative its obvious Houston has moved in a different direction, which is high-debt, exorbitant expenditures we cannot afford." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sanchez formerly served as the Harris County Secretary for 12 years and as a Houston city council member for six years. He said he has no plan to run for controller again and will focus on improving Latino voter participation and political representation. As the next controller, Hollins has promised to help tackle Houstons projected budget shortfall by aggressively auditing city operations and sharing best practices with city officials. He said he will also focus on rebuilding trust between constituents and city leaders by improving the citys financial transparency. Three incumbents, four newcomers elected to City Council Incumbents Carolyn Evans-Shabazz of District D, Mary Nan Huffman of District G and Letitia Plummer of At-Large 4 were all re-elected to City Council, where they will be joined by four newcomers who also prevailed in runoffs. Evans-Shabazz, Huffman and Plummer are among 10 incumbents reelected during the Nov. 7 general election or Saturdays runoffs. Evans-Shabazz and Plummer each prevailed in runoffs in 2019, while Huffman won her seat in a special election in 2022. Incumbents have a track record of defending their seats in recent election cycles. All eight incumbents on the ballot held onto their seats during the 2019 general election or runoffs, while eight of nine incumbents secured another term in 2015. Also prevailing in Saturdays runoffs were four newcomers to City Council: Mario Castillo in District H, Julian Ramirez in At-Large 1, Willie Davis in At-Large 2 and Twila Carter in At-Large 3. Huffman beats Buzbee to retain District G seat The District G race was perhaps the most high-profile for City Council, with Huffman retaining her seat in her match-up with attorney Tony Buzbee. Huffman finished with 56.5% of the vote, while Buzbee finished with 43.5%. Buzbee entered the race on the last day to sign up and ran a heated campaign to represent one of the citys wealthiest and most conservative districts. District G encompasses much of the area between Interstate 10 and Westheimer Road, including River Oaks and The Galleria. "The voters in District G know me and know I am a fighter," Huffman said in a statement. Huffman is the lawyer for the Houston Police Officers' Union and ran on a public safety platform. Buzbee, whose notable clients have included Attorney General Ken Paxton, previously ran for mayor in 2019 but lost to outgoing Mayor Sylvester Turner in the runoff. Buzbee said in a statement that he viewed his race against Huffman as an uphill battle, and he believed his defense of Paxton in his impeachment trial was unpopular with some District G residents. While we came up short this evening, I'm honored to have had so many grassroots activists from all across District G standing with Frances and me as we campaigned in every neighborhood to give people an alternative in their council representation, Buzbee said in a statement. Another meager voter turnout, mirroring earlier trends Saturday saw a continuation of the meager voter turnout that has marked this election cycle. In Novembers general election, a total of 451,000 Harris County residents, or about 17% of the countys registered voters, cast a ballot, down from 21% in the last open mayoral election in 2015. Around 110,000 voted in the mayors race on Nov. 7. Whitmire and Jackson Lee struggled to generate substantial voter interest even in their own districts, where they had spent decades building constituent relationships. The low voter enthusiasm persisted into December. Around 132,000 Harris County voters, or a mere 11% of eligible registered voters, cast a ballot early in the runoff election. On Saturday, only about 68,000 Houstonians voted a significant 38% drop from the more than 110,000 voters who made their pick for mayor on Nov. 7. While runoff elections typically see lower turnout than general elections, Saturdays voter participation experienced even larger drops than in other recent cycles. During the mayoral races in 2015 and 2019, for instance, the election day turnout in the runoff saw 28% and 37% drops, respectively, compared to the election day in November. By Mike Scarcella (Reuters) -A company that helps timeshare owners undo their contracts has sued the United States' largest privately held vacation ownership company, accusing Florida-based Westgate Resorts of scheming to eliminate competition for cancellation services. Wesley Financial Group LLC's Orlando federal court lawsuit against Westgate, a subsidiary of Central Florida Investments Inc, claims the company violated federal advertising law and antitrust law. The lawsuit escalates a long-running clash between the two companies in an industry valued at $10.5 billion by industry trade group the American Resort Development Association. Timeshare properties allow more than one person to share ownership or usage rights for a property, often vacation homes such as such beach or ski condos. Tennessee-based Wesley Financial markets itself as the country's largest timeshare exit firm, providing services to navigate what it has called a "maze of red tape" required to escape timeshare ownership. A Westgate representative said the company "intends to vigorously defend against Wesley's lawsuit." Westgate called the complaint a "last-ditch effort" in response to a case Westgate filed in 2020 against Wesley Financial in Tennessee federal court. Westgate, according to the lawsuit, has developed its own exit services competing with Wesley Financial and others. Wesley Financial said Westgate's program made false or misleading claims and that the company has taken steps to curb competition. The complaint said Westgate devised "formal and informal" policies to stop owners from relying on third parties to exit timeshares. Owners "are guided to more expensive, less efficient exit products" in a scheme to block rivals, the lawsuit said. It also said Westgate and other developers had colluded with the American Resort Development Association for "coordinated advertising" against Wesley Financial. A representative from the Washington, D.C.-based trade association, which is not a defendant, had no immediate comment. Wesley Financial in a statement said the company has "fought these timeshare companies before and have won and we fully expect to be victorious once again." Westgate separately sued Wesley Financial in Nashville federal court for allegedly violating a state consumer protection law, claiming it orchestrated a fraudulent "timeshare cancellation scheme with no legitimate foundation." In that case, Westgate is seeking damages and an injunction against Wesley Financial for allegedly causing thousands of Westgate owners to stop making mortgage payments. A trial is scheduled for February. The case is Wesley Financial Group LLC v. Westgate Resorts Ltd et al, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, No. 6:23-cv-02347. For Wesley Financial: John Bennett of Nardella & Nardella; and Patrick Bradford of Bradford Edwards For Westgate: No appearance yet Read more: 'Complete failure' in timeshare exit lawyers' appeal to 8th Circ (Reporting by Mike Scarcella) Damaged homes are seen on Jackie Lorraine Dr. in Clarksville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Tornadoes struck Middle Tennessee on Saturday, killing at least six people and leaving more than 160,000 Middle Tennessee residents without power. Editors note: This story has been updated to correct the name of Arlan Coty, a 10-year-old boy who died in Clarksville from Saturdays storms. A tattered American flag waved in the breeze at a car dealership in Madison, near Nesbitt Lane where two adults and a child were killed. Residents of that battered neighborhood and neighborhoods all across the path of destruction in Middle Tennessee from Saturday's storms were outside helping each other, picking up debris and cleaning up wreckage. People from nearby streets were also walking over to see the damage. This is unbelievable, so sad, said one woman. The storms, labeled by the National Weather Service as EF-3 in Clarksville and EF-2 in Madison and in Sumner County, ripped up chunks of roofs from homes, and toppled over trees and power lines. As reports of damage piled up Sunday, residents of Middle Tennessee began to dig out, clean up debris and help each other. At least six people are confirmed dead, and Gov. Bill Lee and area towns and counties have issued states of emergency. The grimmest of details emerged. Among the dead were two children, a 10-year-old and a 2-year-old. Late Sunday, Lee and first lady Maria Lee walked through paths of rubble as they surveyed the tornado damage along Nesbitt Lane. The governor talked with some residents as the first lady gave hugs and words of encouragement. Im happy to see you, governor, thank you for coming, said resident Keith Speer, whose home was damaged. Lee and his wife stopped in a mobile home park where a mother and her 2-year-old child were killed in the storm. First lady Maria Lee and Gov. Bill Lee ride in a Black Hawk helicopter before seeing the damage left after a series of tornados swept through Tennessee, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. They met with resident James Gibson and his 16-year-old son Dylan, who were both inside their mobile home when it was demolished. They miraculously survived, though they lost everything. I didnt expect the governor to be here, Dylan Gibson said. Lee previously visited Gallatin, Hendersonville and Clarksville, where three people were killed. While the damage is sad and heartbreaking, the governor said he was touched by the Volunteer States fortitude. Everywhere we went we saw volunteers," he said. "Tennesseans that were coming into neighborhoods they didnt live in and coming alongside people to make sure they were doing all they could to help." Monday live updates: Tennessee tornado outbreak: 'It just hit so fast.' State recovery efforts continue Power was out at some point for 160,000 residents. Businesses and churches were destroyed. Trees toppled. Street signs blew down. Homes were rendered unlivable. As many as 100 military families have been displaced from Fort Campbell housing in Clarksville. Across the region, nearly 80 people have been hospitalized. Yesterday was unfortunately another heartbreaking day for Nashville and so many in our Middle Tennessee community, Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell said in a news conference Sunday morning before thanking first responders, many of whom worked through the night. Twenty-two structures collapsed as a result of the storm and countless others were damaged, OConnell said. Nashville is a place where when we face adversity, the community always steps up, OConnell said. Devastation from Madison to Hendersonville and beyond Madison resident Frank Bassett said the tornado hit so fast that he barely had time to take cover with his with wife Pamela under a pile of pillows in corner of the living room. All of a sudden the wind picked up a hit us, he said. It was like a millisecond. His home, like many on the street, suffered major structural damage. Carl Lindseys power was out so he made due by boiling tea from makeshift campfire. Neighbor Nate Marslands home had major damage from an uprooted tree. For Marsland, this is his second disaster. His family lost their home in in Biloxi, Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina when he was 8 years old. Storm devastation: 'Sad day for our community': At least 6 dead as tornadoes rampage through Middle Tennessee Chronicling the destruction: Tracking damage from tornadoes that killed 6 in Middle Tennessee It could be worse, he said. It could always be worse. On Dickerson Pike in Nashville, the Community Baptist Church was flattened, and dented cars had been thrown around the parking lot like they were toys. John Sharpe, owner of Sharpe Hook Bait and Tackle store on Main Street in Hendersonville, moved boxes out of his store Sunday morning with his wife Whitney Bohannon and other volunteers. Mackenzie Winchester carries out boxes of fishing products outside of Sharpe Hook Bait and Tackle on Main Street in Hendersonville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Water damaged everything inside, leaving products unsellable. "Everything is soaked, the roof is gone," Sharpe said. "I was out here all night, just trying to prevent people from stealing." Bohannon put shelved products into a box alongside employees and volunteers helping take out all of the items from the store. "I feel emotional when friends and families and neighbors and complete strangers are showing up to help," Bohannon said. A number of homes on opposite sides of each other along Airport Road in Gallatin had extensive damage as residents and friends started the massive cleanup work Sunday morning. I feel blessed, it could have been a lot worse, said Ronald Durard, 68, as he and wife Ruthie were picking up the remains of two porches, two sheds, car port and house damage with friends and helpers joining the cleanup at their home in The Crossings neighborhood. We lost a lot but were still here. Robert Robinson, 64, lives across the street and was in his truck after picking up dinner when the tornado hit. His wife Lisa Robinson was inside. I was backing up and noticed the leaves Ive never seen leaves move that fast, Robert Robinson said. (Lisa) was calling me and said its here. Something hit my truck, I think it was that trampoline. I feel lucky. Clarksville, Springfield residents begin cleanup efforts Clarksville City Mayor Joe Pitts, right, greets Joseph Mullen, left, whose home was damaged in Clarksville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Tornadoes struck Middle Tennessee on Saturday, killing at least six people and leaving more than 160,000 Middle Tennessee residents without power. In Springfield in Robertson County, the extent of the damage happened in the area of Memorial Boulevard and Blackpatch Drive on the south side of town. From Saturday: 6 dead as Nashville, Middle TN ravaged by high winds, tornadoes A clear path of destruction extended through a residential neighborhood, damaging homes and downing trees. Nearby businesses of Holman Jewelers and a dental practice also suffered heavy damage before the storm moved across Memorial to an area near a Kroger, where a Jet's Pizza was completely flattened. As part of a strip mall, the pizzeria was the worst hit, though all the businesses, which include an urgent care and cell phone shop, suffered some kind of damage from the passing storm. Kroger's gas pumps and a nearby Valvoline were also extensively damaged as were dozens of cars in the Kroger parking lot. Damaged homes on Jackie Lorraine Dr. in Clarksville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Tornadoes struck Middle Tennessee on Saturday, killing at least six people and leaving more than 160,000 Middle Tennessee residents without power. Police and emergency workers maintained a heavy presence in Springfield. One officer told The Tennessean that three cars from the parking lot had been tossed down an embankment and into a retaining pond. Bricks from the front of the Kroger had been ripped from the building, but Christmas wreaths still hung neatly near the front doors. A power chair and cart, to assist disabled shoppers, sat in the parking lot, the vinyl ripped from its seat but otherwise unscathed. Utility crews had worked through the night, but most of the city remained without power Sunday morning. In Clarksville, the 10-year-old victim was identified. Arlan Coty died Saturday after a tornado destroyed his Henry Place Boulevard home. More than 50 people were on hand at the Burnham family home, sifting through rubble and debris as they searched for treasured family mementos. Most of the people helping were from Wyatt Johnson Toyota, where the one of the boy's parents, Kyle Burnham, works. The mayor praised residents for helping each other. One thing I love about this city when theres a need, we rally around that need, and we had neighbor helping neighbor, Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts said of crews and volunteers that helped through the night. He warned it could be "a couple of weeks" before power is fully restored but teams from around the country are headed to the site to help. Gov. Bill Lee looks out the window down at the destruction left after a series of tornados swept through Tennessee, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Our community is strong and our faith is strong. We will get through this together. Please pray for all of those involved, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said, fighting back tears. With Grinch on the door and a Christmas tree decorated and ready for the holidays, you would never know that just 24 hours before, Christina Johnson, her husband and dog were all running to the bathroom as a tornado wreaked havoc outside. Before the storm hit, Johnson was moving things in the garage with her husband when her dog, George began to act differently. In a second, he went from a calm dog in the garage to scratching the concrete and whining like it was the Fourth of July. Johnson took George inside but he continued to whine and scratch at the garage door. Thats not something he does, Johnson said. So I came back in to see if I could get him to calm down. Gov. Bill Lee tours tornado damage in Clarksville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Tornadoes struck Middle Tennessee on Saturday, killing at least six people and leaving more than 160,000 Middle Tennessee residents without power. Before she had a chance to comfort her dog, her ears began to pop and she watched a tree and shed fly past her window. Many associate a tornado with the sound of a freight train, but Clarksvilles Dustin Arnold experienced a visual of a flying trampoline as he headed for shelter. "It went straight in the air like a UFO summoned it," Arnold, 35, said. "It didnt turn or anything." Arnold, an active U.S. Army soldier, saw heavy damage to his home on Cabana Drive. Along with the trampoline visual, he said glass shattering was probably the most memorable noise. He and his wife were working in the garage with their 9-year-old daughter reading upstairs when the wind picked up and notifications for the oncoming storm began. They sheltered in the downstairs center hallway. No one was injured, including the family's black Labrador mix, despite the storm ripping portions of the roof and a back wall apart. A speed-limit sign landed in the living room and a neighbor's shed settled in their yard near where Arnold's shed stood before the storm. "The whole thing happened in about 45 seconds," Arnold said. "It was very aggressive. (Initially) you dont know your house is gone. Im definitely blessed. Not even a couple blocks over are people without a home. Ours isnt habitable, but its not as bad off." Nicole Young, Sandy Mazza, Molly Davis and Kenya Anderson contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee tornadoes: Long recovery starts in Clarksville, Nashville The Star chamber is recommending tougher powers to block so-called Rule 39 injunctions by European judges which grounded the first Rwanda flight in June 2022 - HANNAH MCKAY/REUTERS A star chamber of Conservative lawyers will call on Monday for a legal block on attempts by Strasbourg judges to halt further flights to Rwanda. The four lawyers led by veteran Brexiteer MP Sir Bill Cash will warn MPs that Rishi Sunaks Rwanda Bill will not get the deportation flights off the ground unless there are significant changes to the emergency legislation. They are recommending tougher powers to block so-called Rule 39 injunctions by European judges which grounded the first Rwanda flight in June 2022 and tighter curbs on the individual legal rights of illegal migrants to challenge their deportations to the African nation. Their verdict that the Bill is currently not fit for purpose nor watertight risks creating a major crisis for the Prime Minister after Robert Jenrick, his immigration minister, quit, saying the plan did not go far enough. The findings of the star chamber, comprising Sir Bill, former Cabinet minister David Jones, and two lawyers specialising in Brexit law, will be published at a noon meeting on Monday chaired by Mark Francois, who heads the European Research Group (ERG). MPs from other groups on the Right of the party including the New Conservatives and Common Sense Group will be heavily influenced by the findings ahead of Tuesdays second reading of the Rwanda Bill. The star chambers analysis has previously played a critical role in numerous Brexit votes against the Government and debates. Sir Bill Cash is a member of the group of lawyers making up the star chamber - EDDIE MULHOLLAND The recommendations are expected to form the basis for amendments, which Right-wing backbench MPs are demanding in return for their support and are expected to table if and when the Bill goes through its line-by-line scrutiny in committee in the new year. The flights to Rwanda have been grounded since June 2022, when a judge issued at the eleventh-hour a late-night rule 39 order, dubbed pyjama injunctions, blocking the first departure. To counter the risk of a repeat, the Prime Minister has proposed the Rwanda Bill would give ministers the power to ignore future injunctions. However, the Governments own legal advice, from Attorney General Victoria Prentis, rules that ignoring such an injunction would put the UK in breach of international law in the form of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), to which the UK is a founding signatory. There is the further complication that Rwanda has warned the Government that it will walk away from the agreement if it breaches international law, according to the Prime Minister. At the weekend, Suella Braverman, the former home secretary sacked by Mr Sunak, said: I know that our attorney general has advised that to ignore a Rule 39 injunction would be a breach of international law, so therefore, as it stands, Rule 39s will block flights. Rule 39 injunctions It is understood the star chamber has proposed that the Bill should be revised to include a statutory provision to ensure Rule 39 injunctions must be ignored by ministers. It will also warn that the failure to shut down the right of migrants to appeal against deportation on an individual basis will lead to a flood of claims that could clog up the courts. It calls for their rights to be further curtailed if not fully blocked. The Bill bars systemic legal challenges that claim Rwanda as a country is unsafe and disapplies the UKs Human Rights Act, but illegal migrants can still lodge appeals if they can show they individually would be at imminent risk of serious and irreversible harm if deported to Rwanda and take their case to Strasbourg. However, one former Cabinet minister warned: You can imagine the ingenious and spurious claims that will be put in. It will be part of the toolkit of every people smuggler who will tell them to say: We have political problems with Paul Kagame [the president] and we are concerned our life is in danger. On Sunday, Mr Jenrick said he could not support the Bill without changes, repeating his warning that allowing individual appeals would lead to a range of legal claims, which will bog down our scheme and will not create the deterrent that [the Prime Minister] and I set out to achieve. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Eastbound Interstate 10 morning traffic near 51st Avenue heads toward downtown Phoenix. I-10 is jammed every day as residents commute to jobs outside the West Valley. Phoenix has become one of the biggest cities in the United States and is only getting bigger. A downside of that is that traffic in the city is becoming heavier and more unpredictable. Arizona had 119,991 crashes in 2022, with 38,331 occurring in Phoenix, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. It also showed that most crashes took place from 3 to 4 p.m. while the peak hour for fatal crashes was from 7 to 8 p.m. Traffic in Phoenix by time Here are some tools that can be used to see what traffic is like and where crashes and closures are before getting in your car. Arizona511 over the phone Arizona511 is a nationally designated, three-digit telephone number that provides traveler information across Arizona. It provides information on all Arizona Department of Transportation roadways; special event information; travel times on high-volume roads; transfers to local transit agencies; information and transfer options for state and national parks; border wait times; details for Amber, Blue and Silver alerts; and more. Arizona travelers can reach the line by dialing 511 from anywhere in the state or dialing 1-888-411-ROAD (7623) if out of state. AZ511 online AZ511 also has a website that provides even more information on traffic. It includes traffic cameras, fastest routes and a map with information on crashes, closures, events and more. Users can visit az511.gov for a map of Arizona and its major roadways. The map allows users to see traffic speeds, crashes, roadwork, special events, traffic cameras and weather alerts. Traffic speed is one of the categories that can be checked, which shows the speeds of all Arizona roads, streets and highways on a scale from fast to slow. A green line on a road means there is little to no traffic, a yellow line means that there is some traffic, a red line means that there is heavy traffic, and a black line means that the street is closed or traffic has halted to a stop. The traffic cameras also show a recent screenshot of from the cameras placed around major roadways, giving a visual of current traffic conditions. There is an option to create a specific route. A starting point and destination can be entered, and multiple routes will show up with the time and distance of the route as well as directions with an option to print them. If you create an account for the website, you can save and customize routes. Arizona Department of Transportation Twitter The X account for ADOT, which is accessible at twitter.com/ArizonaDOT, is another good source for traffic information. It is regularly updated to notify travelers of crashes, closures, delays and anything else that may affect traffic times. The posts also include pictures of the situation it is referencing. Once a crash or closure is no longer affecting traffic, the account will tweet an update saying just that. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Traffic and crashes in metro Phoenix: How to check road conditions Isla Bryson was found guilty of raping two women when identifying as a man - ANDREW MILLIGAN/PA Trans criminals should serve time in female jails to allow them to prepare for life as women on release, according to outrageous new guidance for Scottish prisons. A Scottish Prison Service (SPS) report said they should be provided the opportunity and supported to work towards being housed in a jail cell that aligns with their affirmed gender. This would mean that on release to the community, they have had the opportunity to live with those who share their affirmed gender, the guidance said. A controversial SPS policy was unveiled last week whereby even trans criminals with a history of violence against women could be housed in a female prison if there was compelling evidence they did not pose an unacceptable risk of harm. But the detailed guidance on its operation stated that even those deemed too dangerous to be housed in womens prison could still be allowed to mingle with female inmates in other settings. It said there may be other ways of supporting their gender identity, for example through access to work parties, activities, or even programmes with others of their gender identity. Womens rights campaigners and the Tories have warned the new policy drastically waters down protections for female inmates introduced following the Isla Bryson scandal earlier this year. In a major climbdown after the transgender rapist was initially placed in a female prison, the SNP announced in February that it would base decisions on where to send new prisoners entirely on their biological sex. New protocols Kate Coleman, of the campaign group Keep Prisons Single Sex, said: I am horrified at the suggestion that male prisoners who even the SPS deem to be unsafe for the female estate should nevertheless be able to access activities in womens prisons for reasons that include being able to practise being a woman. This is an outrage. I am disgusted that this policy, as inadequate to ensure the safety of women as it is, appears to be hiding a reality that is far more sinister in the danger that it presents to female offenders. Under the new protocol, being introduced on February 26, 2024, trans offenders would not be eligible to be considered for admission or transfer to a womens prison if they had been convicted, or were awaiting trial or sentencing for a series of crimes such as murder and rape. However, the policy states that a trans criminal who committed such a crime against a woman could still be transferred to a female prison if a risk management team and executive panel gave the move the green light. Further details were provided in an equality and human rights impact assessment published by the SPS, which stated that they should be housed in a female prison to help them live in their affirmed gender after release. Coercive relationships The report admitted that concerns had been expressed about the safety of women being housed alongside someone with the strength of a person who was assigned male at birth and who has gone through male puberty. Further fears were raised about trans criminals initiating coercive relationships, and the risk of pregnancy with non-transgender women. But it said that predatory and violent behaviour towards women in prison also came from other women and that it was stigmatising to suggest that only transgender women are a threat. An SPS spokesman said: Our new policy supports the health, safety, and wellbeing of all people living and working in Scotlands prisons, by taking an individualised approach to the admission, placement, and management of transgender people. We will carefully consider a range of factors, including offending history, with a particular focus on violence against women and girls, when assessing risk. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. The following is a transcript of an interview with Sen. James Lankford, Republican of Oklahoma, that aired on Dec. 10, 2023. MARGARET BRENNAN: And we're joined now by Senator James Lankford. He is the lead Republican negotiator as the Senate tries to come up with a deal to shore up the US border. He joins us from Oklahoma City. Good morning to you, Senator. SEN. JAMES LANKFORD: Good morning, Margaret. MARGARET BRENNAN: This morning on another network, the lead democratic negotiator, Senator Chris Murphy, said It is tragic Republicans are tying the border aid package to the issue of Ukraine aid. He said Republican demands right now are unreasonable and must become reasonable in the next 24 to 48 hours. That doesn't sound like you're on the cusp of an agreement. SEN. LANKFORD: So, let me- let me just try to make a couple things clear on this. Actually, this started with the Biden administration saying that we need to do a national security package that has Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and the border. And then they immediately came out and said, we need more than funding. In fact, the word they used is funding for the border is a tourniquet, we need a change in policy. We've responded back to that say we 100% agree on it, we've got to be able to have a change in policy on this. Right now, the push and pull is really a political push and pull rather than anything else. If I talked to just about anyone in the country outside of Washington DC, they would say the border is chaotic right now. We have the highest number of crossings of any September ever last September, the highest October ever, the highest November ever, and we had the highest single day just this last week. It is literally spiraling out of control. All we're trying to do is to say what tools are needed to be able to get this back in control, so we don't have the chaos on our southern border. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, the President is asking for that $14 billion, as you said, but they separate funding from policy changes. But the President did say he's- he's willing to make significant compromises on policy to fix a broken immigration system. He's signaling flexibility. So what is the problem? SEN. LANKFORD: So, the problem is the administration is trying to be able to figure out how to be able to just slow down a little bit of the flow. We had 12,000 people, for instance, on Tuesday of this last week that crossed the border illegally. They're trying to figure out some way to be able to say, well, we'll do a few thousand less, but not actually stop the flow. Just to give you a perspective, we've had more people cross illegally MARGARET BRENNAN: So, what would stop the flow? SEN. LANKFORD: Well, I would say a lot of things. But let me just give you a context piece on this, though, during- you take any year during the Obama administration, we've had more people cross illegally just October, November and December, so far this year than we had in any year in the Obama administration. So this is not a matter of just let's turn it down a little bit. We've got to figure out how to be able to manage this. The first thing's first is asylum. Right now, people come in and say I want to request asylum. There's so many people and the cartels know it. And the smugglers know that they can throw thousands of people a day, there's no way to process that. And so it's years before they're processed, so they're just released in the country. That becomes a pull factor for more MARGARET BRENNAN: I thought the White House was willing on asylum to tighten those regulations. SEN. LANKFORD: Right now, we're actually screening about 500 people a day for asylum. A typical day in this last week was 10,000 people a day. Even if you double or triple, as the administration would say, well, let's just double the number of screens we're doing. Now, we're screening 1,000 people a day, and we're still releasing 9,000 people into the country. So that doesn't manage the actual issue. We've got to be able to figure out how we are going to manage capacity and what does that actually look like? As long as we're saying, we'll- we'll screen 1,000 and then we'll release everyone else into the country. The cartels know that and everyone coming will just pay the cartels and they know they'll be released. MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay, well, I know you don't want to negotiate in public, but I want to talk to you about what you are actually proposing to fix the problem you're describing. So, let's take a break. And we'll come back and continue that conversation. Stay with us. *** COMMERCIAL BREAK *** MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome back to Face The Nation. We want to pick up where we left off with Oklahoma Republican James Lankford. Senator, I know the Majority Leader in the Senate has said that the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, will not pass a supplemental package without this bill, H.R. 2 that passed the House with no Democratic votes. You've said that's not realistic. But has the Speaker been clear to you what his red lines are. Can you get House Republicans to approve something if you can get Democrats to agree to it? SEN. LANKFORD: Yeah, we're gonna find out on that note. Speaker Johnson has not given me the red line of what it has to be on this, obviously, it's got to be able to pass the Senate. But it is the challenge of the House Republicans laid out a very good proposal, very thorough, covered a lot of issues, had no Democrats, obviously, we're not going to get 20, 30 Democrats in the Senate, or a Democratic White House to be able to sign that. But that doesn't mean we just sit and do nothing. We've got to be able to solve this crisis with 10,000 plus people a day, on average, just this last week crossing every day and half a million so far in the last two months. We can't just sit and say we're going to do nothing. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, POLITICO has reported you are proposing a new expulsion authority similar to Title 42. That would also automate a border shutdown if the number of migrants crossing hits a certain level. You'd mandate electronic monitoring for everyone, including children. And you want to restrict the administration's parole authority to release migrants from detention. Is that accurate? SEN. LANKFORD: No, it's actually not accurate. There are several things that I have proposed on that, some things that I haven't, and some things that have not, as you mentioned, in the last segment, we're not going to have the opportunity to be able to- you and I negotiate this out. But I would say we have to deal with the capacity issues, just like any restaurant or theater, they have a capacity issue. So do we on a day to day, we have thousands of agents that have been pulled in. And right now there's been no consideration with the White House of how do we actually manage the capacity issues that are there? They seem to be focused on how many people can we just release into the country. Until then, we'll do a hearing sometime later, when literally, we don't know these people. Literally thousands of people have crossed the border just in the past few months that this administration identified is what they call special interest aliens, specifically saying they're a national security risk, but they were released into the country on their own recognizance. We've got to be able to stop that. MARGARET BRENNAN: Right. But you'd have to negotiate changes to the law and we are running out of time in 2023. You've also attached this, well the House has argued that the border bill would need to be attached to Ukraine funding in order to pass. President Biden says that you, sir, are giving Vladimir Putin a Christmas present, because this doesn't look like it's going to pass in 2023 and it's unclear when it could. SEN. LANKFORD: Yeah, I'm by far no fan of Vladimir Putin and the President knows that full well. This is not a Christmas present to him. Actually the president himself started by saying, if we're going to deal with national security, we've got to deal with Ukraine, and we have to deal with the border. We've responded, "that's correct." I don't meet very many Americans that think what's happening at the border is going well. And even the President's team themselves actually said if you hand them more money, it doesn't solve the problem. It just facilitates more people coming into the country. We have drugs coming into the country, we have national security risk coming into the country, and they've literally shut down legal migration. The San Ysidro port, the busiest port in America ,was shut down this weekend as they moved all the staff off of legal migration to help facilitate illegal migration. That's got to stop. MARGARET BRENNAN: No, we're seeing in our own polling that this is a top issue for Americans. So the President would be incentivized here, but what you're talking about is policy changes, and this linkage to Ukraine. The President says if they don't get this funding now that it will kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield. Can you get Ukraine aid passed separate from this? SEN. LANKFORD: No, no, the focus is- what you hear from so many people is why would we deal with other people's national security and ignore American national security? Why would we literally allow people across our southern border, this administration labels national security risk by the thousands coming into the country? Separate from just the migrants that are coming here for employment, we have individuals, they've literally labeled national security risks coming into the country. Why would we not work to be able to stop that? We can do two things at once for the United States of America. These negotiations haven't been going on a week, they've been going on months. So, we've come a long ways. It's time to be able to finish this, make a decision and do what we can do to be able to help the nation. We can't do everything on the border. But we can do the things to actually begin to control the border so that the United States is in control of our boundaries, not the cartels. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, we will watch and see what you're able to get done in these coming days. Senator, thank you for your time. Why this high-end dinnerware is a fixture of Michelin-starred restaurants "Unbelievably frugal" Indianapolis man left $13 million to charities White House OMB director Shalanda Young says "it's time to cut a deal" on national security In October 1924, Kalliope Koyka got off a train in Chicago wearing a tag pinned on her by an agent of the Travelers Aid Society. Speaking virtually no English, the 7-year old was looking for her parents. They had left her with relatives in Greece when they came to America two years earlier. Lord knows how she got through immigration at Ellis Island. But someone must have brought her to the counter of the Travelers Aid Society. Topped by a bright white light on a pole, its counters were beacons of hope for immigrants and out-of-towners arriving at the citys railroad stations. Kalliope was greeted in Chicago by her aunt and uncle, according to the Tribune account, who told her that her parents were living with them at 5458 S. Princeton Ave. For twenty minutes she sat in her uncles lap and pulled his hair, mussed up his hat, punched his nose, and pinched his cheeks, the Tribune reported. Then she turned her attention to her aunt, Miss Ariti Dracoulakoun. That ladys hair was mussed, her hat was pulled, and her nose was punched. The Travelers Aid Society in Chicago was established by the Young Womens Christian Association in 1888, picking up on a mission to help people far from home that had begun earlier in other cities. In a word its objective is the protection of stranger young women at the stations, the Tribune wrote in 1895. So we women meet the through trains and watch for girls traveling alone, a member of the society told the Tribune. Frequently they are young, unsophisticated country girls who have come to this city, attracted by its glitter and glare, to seek employment. These are taken to safe boarding-houses and efforts made to place them in a desirable position. Runaway girls were especially vulnerable to white slavers, as they were known: Haunting train stations, they promised to help young women, but sold them to brothel operators. Certain it is that a part of the 3,000 girls assisted during the year, had it not been for the Travelers Aid, would have written their sad story in three chapters: Distress, the devil, downfall, the Tribunes 1895 report concluded. In 1915, the YWCAs travelers aid work was turned over to a secular organization, the Travelers Aid Society of Illinois. In its final 11 months, the YWCAs society assisted more than 5,700 girls. At a time when charities were generally segregated, it was noted that special attention was given to eighty-nine negro girls, the Tribune reported. On September 18 of that year, Travelers Aid got a telegram from Valparaiso, Indiana: Reva Allen, 12-years old, sold her school books at Westville, walked 12 miles, escaped searching parties and detectives, and took to Chicago over Grand Trunk. The day before, an Aid Society worker had found the girl at the Dearborn Avenue Station and brought her to the YWCAs hotel at 830 S. Michigan Ave. In the morning, Allen convinced the worker that all she needed was streetcar fare to an aunts house at 71st and Cottage Grove Avenue. Naively, the worker accepted her story before the telegram from Valparaiso arrived. A frantic search ensued. When she was found, it was discovered that Reva Allen had also been known as Reva Christianson and Riva Anderson, but that her true name was Reva Arnold. It was explained that she had so many names because she had taken the cognomens of all her stepfathers, the Tribune observed, noting that she was more likely 9 years old. The Travelers Aid Society was financially supported largely by upper-class women, as the Tribune reported of its 1967 board meeting and luncheon at the tony Racquet Club in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Ive never held this much money in my hand before, said Charles Brown, president of the societys administrative board, when handed a check for $20,000 by Mrs. John Contos, outgoing chairman of the societys Womans Board. As soon as she can wind up her board business, Mrs. Contos and her husband are going to Palm Springs for three weeks, the Tribune reported. World War I created a new clientele for the society: War brides. En route to European battlefields, many GIs got engaged to local women. Some had little English skills upon following their betrothed to America. The Tribune told one such story that began in Sarthe, France, and ended at 1649 N. Fairfield Ave., Chicago. It ran under a headline: The Princess of Wooden Shoe, A War Romance, a riff on the Cinderella fairytale. The real-life tale began when Germaine Uzenot was asked by Albert De Vogelaere, of the 145th Machine Gun Company, to marry him. Oui, monsieur, avec plaisir, she replied, according to the Tribunes account. Fortunately for them, another Chicagoan, Rosaline Cashin, was in France working for a relief organization. She alerted relief workers and Travelers Aid agents to help Germaine en route and explained how they would recognize her. All the agencies from Bordeaux to Chicago knew the little French girl who arrived in New York alone, wearing her wooden shoes and carrying her good ones, and which had cost her 80 francs and which she did not propose to spoil. So when the French stranger arrived in Chicago she was welcomed by the Travelers Aid Society and by the Protectorate of the Catholic Womens League. Shortly thereafter, Germaine and Albert were married at Holy Name Cathedral. Travelers Aid at some point established an office at OHare International Airport, and also had an outpost at the Greyhound bus station. Its work extended to temporary workers in the area, including stable workers at Arlington Park Race Track, a Travelers Aid worker told the Tribune in 1977. Seasonal migrants, they work for low wages grooming and caring for the thoroughbreds they fall through the gaps of bureaucracy and social services available to others, the Tribune reported in 1977. Travelers Aid Society, using money from a variety of charities and originally from the Horsemans Benevolent and Protective Society, has moved in to fill the gap. In 1981, Tribune columnist Anne Keegan wrote about the phenomenon of elderly people hitting the road and becoming lost. Many of them have run away from a nursing home or the prospect of having to live in one, a Travelers Aid administrator told her. They wind up at the Greyhound bus station or the train station, or wandering around OHare and someone brings them to us because they dont know where to go next. Sometimes they dont know where they are. The Heartland Alliance, an organization whose roots were planted by Jane Addams, the pioneering social reformer, subsequently absorbed Travelers Aid, and continues to provide assistance at OHare, according to the Alliances website. In 1988, the societys centennial was celebrated at the posh Drake Hotel. It was a $100-a-ticket night of long stemmed roses, French Champagne and goodie bags filled with razors for the men and eye shadow for the ladies, the Tribune reported. The $100,000 raised would give the homeless a cot to sleep on, a bowl of soup and, perhaps, a pair of shoes. The agencys executive director only hoped partygoers were following the dance steps of a first lady whose empathy for have-nots was contagious. I feel the irony in all this said the Rev. Sid Mohn. But I think of Eleanor Roosevelt. There was a candle lit in her, and bit by bit, across the room other candles were lit. At some point, there will be a fire and thats the point when social justice and social welfare will be achieved. Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com. Editors note: The above video shows KXANs morning headlines for Dec. 10, 2023. TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) didnt select Travis County as one of the recipients for its passenger rail expansion efforts in Texas, county officials announced Friday. The federal government allocated $66 billion toward passenger rail developments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law back in 2021. The FRA highlighted five corridors within Texas had been earmarked for passenger rail expansions, excluding the Austin-San Antonio region and the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the release said. Currently, population estimates anticipate approximately five million people live within the Travis-Bexar County super-region, with estimates expecting the region to grow to more than eight million people by 2050, per the release. The FRAs failure to include the Travis Bexar County corridor is a significant missed opportunity to support responsible growth and investment across Central Texas, Travis County Judge Andy Brown said in the release. We live in one of the most dynamic and booming regions in the world without passenger rail. We will work closely with the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to make this a priority for the next round of investments. The FRAs Corridor Identification and Development Program offers $500,000 to analyze a proposed rail corridor. From there, the grant award makes the Texas Department of Transportations proposed project eligible for additional federal funding at an 80 percent to 20 percent federal-state match. In recent months, a new grassroots organization has revitalized years-old calls for passenger rail between San Antonio and Austin. RESTART Lone Star Rail District launched in May with hopes of linking the two major cities along with their surrounding communities. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. By Park Han-sol Japanese artist Kohei Nawa is a master at striking a balance between the mesmerizing and the disquieting. His most representative works to date feature a string of taxidermied creatures embellished with gleaming glass orbs with each bead magnifying and distorting the animals hide beneath. Even without the incorporation of such disturbingly entrancing materials, his pieces still allude to an unsettling mix of fears and anticipation familiar feelings experienced within todays world with its breakneck growth. Consider, for instance, the golden Throne, installed at the Louvres iconic glass pyramids in 2018, where he left the seat open for artificial intelligence that could potentially replace traditional political and economic authority a future that may be closer than we think. This winter, the 48-year-old has filled the three floors of Pace Gallery Seoul with five series of works that are all interconnected by the rather contemplative theme of cosmic sensibility. The pieces on display aim to look at organisms at their cellular level, as well as our sense of reality, from the vast perspective of the universe, the artist noted during a recent press conference at the gallery. The exhibition starts on the gallerys second floor, transporting viewers into a world of Nawas latest PixCell sculptures. To a certain extent, they deviate from his previous trademark series in that they present a surreal mix of taxidermied animals and antique furniture bantam and chair, owl and table, butterfly and television all bedecked with beads of crystal glass. But the core of his artistic concern remains the same. I started learning sculpture in 1994, the time when our society was undergoing a sweeping information-based transition. We began to think and view everything, including living beings, through filters of digital information. The glass orbs in his series are thus a veiled reference to our present-day fixation with looking at everything through a glass lens smartphones, cameras and social media that inevitably distort our perception of the world we inhabit. As visitors descend to the ground floor, they are greeted by a lone rectangular grid illuminating the otherwise pitch-dark interior. Nawas Biomatrix is a mesmeric fountain of viscous silicone oil bubbles that continue to rise and burst, gently guiding the observers breath. Through countless repetitions of ascent and descent somewhat evocative of avici, or an interminable hell in Buddhism, according to the artist Nawas installation mirrors the perpetual cycle of birth and death for all living beings. They are consistently brought down but continue to defy gravity and rebound. I wondered if that might be the force of life, he said, his voice tinged with thoughtful excitement. While the bubbles within Biomatrix emphasize the hypnotic motion of ascent, Ether, a series of 3D-modeled sculptures placed at the opposite end of the room, freeze the moment of the liquids various stages of descent. The shows highlight comes in a curiously prickly shape, reminiscent of viral particles or sea urchins. The never-before-exhibited, Spark series, coated in jet-black velvet, hovers on the gallerys third floor in a gravity-defying manner, visualizing the forceful energy released by agitated cells. The piece captures Nawas sense of unease as he observes the deepening ruptures and cracks in the fabric of our reality, caused by ongoing deadly conflicts and military actions that show no signs of abating. Cosmic Sensibility runs through Jan. 6, 2024, at Pace Gallery Seoul. Former President Donald Trump spoke on Saturday night to some of his most staunch conservative supporters, filling a speech at the New York Young Republican Club's annual gala with praise for his political allies on the far right and doubling down on his controversial comment that he'd only be a "dictator" if reelected on "Day 1." He also bragged about his ability to win the 2016 election after the release of a video from behind the scenes of "Access Hollywood" years earlier, where he was seen making lewd and vulgar statements about women. Trump spotlighting the "Access Hollywood" tape -- an infamous episode late in his 2016 campaign that fueled widespread condemnation and calls for him end his campaign -- started out on Saturday as a seemingly off-the-cuff remark. In his speech, he mentioned "the biggest inescapable" situation he endured in politics and then shared more details, making it clear he was talking about the "Access Hollywood" video. In that notorious clip, he had said, "You know Im automatically attracted to beautiful [women] -- I just start kissing them. Its like a magnet. Just kiss. I dont even wait. ... And when youre a star they let you do it." "Grab them by the p----," Trump said in the video. "You can do anything." He later tried to play that down as "locker room talk," including during one of the 2016 debates, but his defense only fueled some other notable Republicans to call for him to step aside. Trump on Saturday described how all of his political advisers, except Steve Bannon, encouraged him to drop out of the 2016 race after the video surfaced. Trump claimed that an unnamed general told him the "locker room talk" explanation he gave was the "bravest thing I've ever seen" over witnessing people die on the battlefield. "It was an incredible campaign and we won and nobody thought we could win," Trump said. The unusual rehashing of the "Access Hollywood" video -- which has not been in the headlines for years -- is the latest example of how Trump continues to brush aside scandal while remaining popular with the Republican base. PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump speaks during a Commit to Caucus rally, Dec. 2, 2023, in Ankeny, Iowa. (Matthew Putney/AP) Trump is campaigning for the White House for a third time while facing numerous legal battles, including four sets of criminal charges. He denies all wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty to all of his charges. In Saturday's speech, he claimed it was another example of his opponents attempting to stop his political rise -- an accusation prosecutors have rejected. "Our mission in this race is to win a historic and powerful mandate to take back our nation from the shadow government of corrupt alliances," he said. He also continued focusing on a theme of retribution and retaliation, seemingly threatening President Joe Biden. MORE: Kash Patel tells members of media, government: 'We're going to come after you' in Trump's 2nd term He has said that as president, he would appoint a special prosecutor "to go after" Biden and Biden's family, whom he blamed for the destruction of the country. "They've opened up a Pandora's box and I only can say to Joe is: Be very careful what you wish for," Trump said Saturday. In front of a friendly crowd, he joked about his comments from a town hall with Fox News' Sean Hannity last week where he said he wasn't going to be a dictator if reelected "other than Day 1," when he would focus on the border and drilling. That statement raised new alarms about whether Trump would abuse his power as president, something he did not rule out when questioned by Hannity. "You know why I wanted to be a dictator, because I want a wall. Right? I want a wall and I want to drill, drill, drill," Trump said on Saturday to "build the wall" chants. PHOTO: Formers Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (L) and Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stand on stage during the town hall debate at Washington University on Oct. 9, 2016 in St Louis, Mo. (Win Mcnamee/Getty Images, FILE) The club's gala is known for making headlines with its speeches and a room full of guests with their own controversies. Saturday's event honored figures like Bannon, who was sentenced last year after being convicted of contempt of Congress. Bannon has had an off-and-on relationship with Trump, including serving briefly as a senior White House strategist in 2017. Trump pardoned him in early 2021 after Bannon was accused of money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud by federal prosecutors. Bannon has pleaded not guilty to similar charges filed by prosecutors in New York City. Other guests on Saturday included former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is charged with Trump in a Georgia election subversion indictment (Giuliani has pleaded not guilty); and Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar, who was previously censured and removed from committees after posting a graphic anime clip featuring violence against New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. MORE: Trump's 'retribution' campaign theme has apparent roots in old Confederate code, new book says At one point during the gala, host Alex Stein tried to make a punchline out of stereotyping the Black and Hispanic community as criminals and gang members, saying it would be "good if Donald Trump went to jail" because it would help him earn the support from those communities. Stein then repeated the joke later in the night when Trump was in the room. "Once President Trump is back in office, we won't be playing nice anymore. It will be a time for retribution," the club's president, Gavin Wax, said in his own remarks. "After baseless years of investigations and government lies and media lies against this man, now it is time to turn the tables on these actual crooks and lock them up for a change." Trump again defends infamous 'Access Hollywood' comments and warns Biden, 'Be very careful' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Former President Trump and his former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, were seen embracing Saturday night at the New York Young Republican Clubs annual gala, in a moment captured in a Reuters photograph. The event featured a keynote address from Trump, who appeared to double down on remarks that he would be a dictator on day one in office if reelected in order to secure the southern border and drill on protected U.S. lands. The event, held at Cipriani Wall Street, also included speeches by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.). The event invite indicates that Bannon was among a list of honored guests that also included former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, both of whom led Trump campaign team investigations into voter fraud in 2020. Giuliani is a co-defendant along with Trump in the Georgia election case over efforts to overturn Trumps loss there. Bannon, largely the architect behind Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, has had a turbulent relationship with the former president and some of his early White House aides. Bannon left the White House in 2017 amid personnel shake-ups and later came under fire for comments he made in an explosive 2018 book about Trumps time in office, which quoted Bannon extensively. Before Trump left the White House, Trump pardoned Bannon, who was charged with defrauding thousands of donors in connection with a fundraising campaign for a private border wall. Bannon refused to comply with a subpoena to testify before the Jan. 6 committee, and he was subsequently convicted of two counts of contempt of Congress. The photo of the embrace was the clearest indication in recent months that Bannon and Trump appear to be back on good terms. In remarks on a recent podcast episode, Bannon suggested he was closely involved with Trumps plans for a second term in the White House. Bannon and another Trump ally, Kash Patel, emphasized that the former president is dead serious about exacting revenge on his political enemies and on the media if he returns to the White House. They warned the media to take the threats seriously. And I want the Morning Joe producers that watch us and all the producers that watch us this is [not just] rhetoric. Were absolutely dead serious, Bannon said on the podcast referring to MSNBCs show. You cannot have a constitutional republic and allow what these deep-staters have done to the country. The deep state the administrative state, the fourth branch of government, never mentioned in the Constitution is going to be taken apart, brick by brick, and the people that did these evil deeds will be held accountable and prosecuted, criminal prosecutions, Bannon added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. NEW YORK The chairman of an Austrian political party founded by ex-Nazis, the conservative Twitter star behind the anti-trans Bud Light backlash and former President Donald Trump all walked into a bar. Seriously. On Saturday night in Manhattan, amid butler-delivered bellinis, sequined ball gowns and a five-course French service meal, characters from all corners of the Republican Partys MAGA faction gathered for a night of dinner, drinking, and love of country. Trump, the New York Young Republican Club's 111th Annual Gala Keynote speaker, delivered. We want to liberate America because were in a country that's in a lot of pain right now, a lot of hurt, Trump told the crowd, during his 80-minute long speech. This campaign is on a righteous crusade to rescue our nation from a very corrupt political class. On the heels of a reaffirmed gag order, a debate of largely deferential Republican opponents and near slam-dunk poll numbers for the Iowa caucuses just weeks away, Trump made his pledge for a return to the White House. The former president also addressed his comments earlier this week where he said he would not be a dictator except for day one if he returns to office in 2025. [Peter] Baker today in the New York Times said that I want to be a dictator, Trump said, referencing an article from the newspapers chief White House correspondent. I didnt say that. I said I want to be a dictator for one day. You know why I wanted to be a dictator? Because I want a wall, and I want to drill, drill, drill, Trump said, adding that Democrats newest hoax is to label him a threat to democracy. The former president was preaching to his base Saturday, as a mix of firebrand conservative media icons, siloed far-right lawmakers and wealthy MAGA-loving donors chanted his name and cheered pro-Trump speeches from carefully-plated banquet tables. His fellow headlining speakers, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), echoed Trumps sentiments that the slate of indictments against him are politically motivated. They are trying to defeat President Trump in the witness box and the jury box because they know they will never be able to ultimately defeat him in the ballot box, said Gaetz, after his wife, Ginger, sang The Star-Spangled Banner earlier in the evening. The annual galas of the New York Young Republican Club are no stranger to spectacle. While the soirees have happened for over a century, the guest list increasingly has shifted to align with Trump. The nights more than 35 honored guests included the former presidents adviser Steve Bannon, Trump defense lawyer Alina Habba, former New York Mayor Rudy Guliani and members of Congress Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Mike Collins (R-Ga.) and Cory Mills (R-Fla.). Right wing Twitter star Rogan O'Handley, who helped popularize the anti-trans boycott of Bud Light, and Harald Vilimsky, the secretary-general of Austrias Euroskeptic Freedom Party, a party founded by former Nazis, were also honored guests. This years Master of Ceremonies was Alex Stein, a man perhaps best known for catcalling Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the Capitol steps. Tickets to the event, open to the public, ranged from $699 to $30,000. Saturday was the first time Trump himself was present for one of the clubs galas, according to the clubs 29-year-old president, Gavin Wax, who has drawn ire and protests at past events. In December 2020, Wax held the clubs gala without Covid precautions. Last year, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) was the keynote speaker, with Donald Trump Jr. and PizzaGate conspiracy promoter Jack Posobiec as the two other featured speakers. Posobiec was also an honored guest at Saturdays gala. As the nights final speaker, Trump pledged to repeal President Joe Bidens recent executive order on artificial intelligence, mused about switching back Bidens nickname from Crooked Joe to Sleepy Joe, and called for stricter voter ID laws. We are going to bring our country back from hell, and its in hell right now, Trump said from the opulent Cipriani restaurant on Wall Street, where Hillary Clinton had made her now-infamous basket of deplorables remark seven years ago. On day one, I will break up the Biden administration's illegal censorship machine and any official who has violated Americans constitutional rights will be held very, very accountable, Trump said. Trump also promised a renewed focus on border security in his 2024 campaign only after lamenting he couldnt do so in 2020 because of the progress he made on the issue as president. We had a great border, I couldnt even talk about it, Trump said. Prior to Trumps arrival on stage, Wax celebrated Trumps would-be return to the presidency as an opportunity for his political foes to be punished. Since I know the deep state is listening tonight, once President Trump is back in office, we won't be playing nice anymore, Wax said. It will be a time for retribution. All those responsible for destroying our once-great country will be held to account after baseless years of investigations and government lies and media lies against this man, he said. Now it is time to turn the tables on these actual crooks and lock them up for a change. Trump then lauded Waxs remarks. Gavin, that was an excellent speech, he said. That was an excellent speech, wow. Donald Trump defended comments he made last week where he said he wanted to be a dictator if re-elected but only on Day One in office. Trump began by complaining that Peter Baker of The New York Times wrote an article referencing his comments. [Peter] Baker today in the New York Times said that I want to be a dictator, the former president said Saturday night at the New York Young Republican Clubs 111th Annual Gala. I didnt say that. I said I want to be a dictator for one day. You know why I wanted to be a dictator? Because I want a wall, and I want to drill, drill, drill. Trump: You know why I wanted to be dictator? I want a wall and drill, drill, drill.. Crowd and Trump: build the wall Trump: We did pic.twitter.com/6ugNSwAFnw Acyn (@Acyn) December 10, 2023 Trump made the original comments on his dreams of dictatorship during an interview last week with Fox News Sean Hannity after the anchor asked if Trump had plans of revenge against his enemies. You are promising America tonight, you would never abuse this power as retribution against anybody? Hannity asked. Except for Day One, Trump said. Trump then addressed the interview audience. This guy, he says, Youre not going to be a dictator, are you? Trump said, referring to Hannity. I said, No, no, no other than Day One. Were closing the border. And were drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, Im not a dictator. During his Saturday night speech that ran nearly an hour and a half, Trump told the crowd of wealthy Republicans, We want to liberate America because were in a country thats in a lot of pain right now, a lot of hurt. This campaign is on a righteous crusade to rescue our nation from a very corrupt political class. The events guest list was a MAGA whos who, including former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, Trumps attorney Alina Habba, the disgraced Rudy Giuliani, and far-right members of Congress Reps. Paul Gosar, Mike Collins and Cory Mills. On Day One, I will break up the Biden administrations illegal censorship machine and any official who has violated Americans constitutional rights will be held very, very accountable, Trump said in his Saturday night speech. Trump may not be waiting until Day One of his possible second term to enact dictatorial policies. A Rolling Stone investigation uncovered efforts by Trump and his team to erode democracy by seeding the 2024 election with garbage voter data and replacing a longstanding database used to verify voter registration data with a new software, EagleAI, that experts say is utterly unreliable. Before Trump took the stage, the president of the New York Young Republican Club, Gavin Wax, promised vengence if Trump returns to the White House. Since I know the deep state is listening tonight, once President Trump is back in office, we wont be playing nice anymore, Wax said, according to Politico. It will be a time for retribution. All those responsible for destroying our once-great country will be held to account after baseless years of investigations and government lies and media lies against this man, Wax continued. Now it is time to turn the tables on these actual crooks and lock them up for a change. When Trump spoke, he praised Waxs comments, saying, Gavin, that was an excellent speech. That was an excellent speech, wow. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Former President Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Sunday that he is no longer planning to testify in his civil fraud trial in New York on Monday. Trump had been expected to return to court Monday to testify in an effort to bolster his defense against allegations he fraudulently inflated the value of his properties, after he was questioned by the New York attorney generals office last month. But the former president wrote in a lengthy message on Truth Social that he WILL NOT BE TESTIFYING ON MONDAY, while continuing to attack the attorney generals case against him and the judge overseeing it. Trump had already testified once in the trial, but his appearance Monday would have given him a chance to speak at length while being questioned by his lawyers about his business and properties, and to attack the attorney generals allegations against him. While the case does not involve criminal charges, the complaint from the attorney general, a Democrat, is personal to Trump the front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination in 2024 because it hits at his brand directly. The last-minute reversal comes as the trial is expected to conclude this week, after 11 weeks of testimony. A decision is not expected until early next year. The judge has already found that a decade of Trumps financial statements were fraudulent. He will decide how much money Trump will pay and whether he and his two adult sons can conduct business in the state. Trumps appearance last month turned the witness stand into a campaign stop, with the judge imploring him to answer questions and leave politics outside the courtroom. Still, Trump did testify that he had some involvement in the financial statements and that banks relied on them, but that he relied on his accountants. President Trump has already testified, Trump attorney Chris Kise said in a statement Sunday explaining Trumps decision not to appear Monday. He said the former presidents prior testimony and that of other witnesses made their case and that there was no valid reason for Trump to return to the witness stand. Donald Trump already testified in our financial fraud case against him, New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement Sunday. Whether or not Trump testified again tomorrow, we have already proven that he committed years of financial fraud and unjustly enriched himself and his family. No matter how much he tries to distract from reality, the facts dont lie. Had he testified Monday, Trump would have been operating under a gag order imposed by Judge Arthur Engoron barring commentary about the judges staff. The gag order which Engoron has fined Trump twice for violating was put in place after the former president attacked the judges clerk on his social media. The gag order, however, was not relevant to Trumps testimony, which would have focused on his company and the case itself. It simply barred him from discussing the judges clerk, whom Trump and his attorney have accused of being biased against the former president. Trump attorney Alina Habba said Thursday that she had recommended Trump not testify because of the gag order. He still wants to take the stand even though my advice is at this point you should never take the stand with a gag order. But he is so firmly against what is happening in this court, she said. Trumps attorneys have appealed Engorons gag order, though it remains in place. Last week, Trumps attorneys asked the judge to postpone his testimony in the defense case until the gag order is decided by the appeals court, which the judge denied. There is really nothing more to say to a Judge who has imposed an unconstitutional gag order and thus far appears to have ignored President Trumps testimony and that of everyone else involved in the complex financial transactions at issue in the case, Kise said in his statement. When Trump was questioned by the New York attorney generals office last month, his combative testimony drew rebukes from Engoron for ignoring the questions and instead attacking the attorney general, the judge and the case itself. James is seeking $250 million in damages and to bar Trump from conducting business in the state. The attorney generals complaint accuses Trump, his adult sons and his company of fraudulently inflating the values of his properties to obtain more favorable loan and insurance rates. Following Trumps surprise announcement Sunday, a clerk for the court told CNN that court will be dark Monday. Proceedings will resume Tuesday as scheduled, and Eli Bartov, an accounting expert whom Trump came to see testify last week, will face cross-examination from the attorney generals office. The attorney generals office will then call rebuttal witnesses, who are expected to include another expert and a former employee of Trump International Realty. After that, each side has until January 5 to file briefs with Engoron. Closing arguments will take place January 11. Trump has attended the trial several times, including Thursday, when Bartov testified for the defense. Speaking outside the courtroom last week, Trump complained that he was in New York instead of campaigning in one of the early swing states, even though he was attending voluntarily. I should be right now in Iowa, in New Hampshire, in South Carolina. I shouldnt be sitting in a courthouse, Trump said. This story has been updated with additional details. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Donald Trump announced he would not take the witness stand for a second time at his fraud trial in New York on Monday, the former US presidents last chance to make his case as he combats a potential $250m fine that hangs over his family business. Trump had been expected to take the stand again as the hearings draw to a close. But on Sunday he announced on the Truth Social site that he would no longer be making an appearance. Related: Trump tests federal gag order with attack on Bill Barr: He was a coward I HAVE ALREADY TESTIFIED TO EVERYTHING & HAVE NOTHING MORE TO SAY OTHER THAN THAT THIS IS A COMPLETE & TOTAL ELECTION INTERFERENCE (BIDEN CAMPAIGN!) WITCH HUNT, THAT WILL DO NOTHING BUT KEEP BUSINESSES OUT OF NEW YORK, I WILL NOT BE TESTIFYING ON MONDAY. MAGA! he wrote, signing off with the abbreviation for his Make America great again slogan. Trump first testified in court on 6 November, an appearance that was more political rally than attempt to persuade judge Arthur Engoron of his innocence. Engoron has already ruled that fraud took place and is using the trial to weigh what punishment he will mete out. The New York attorney general, Letitia James, has argued that Trump, his adult sons and other company executives inflated the value of their assets in order to obtain more favorable loans. Over the past few weeks, Trumps team has argued through witness testimony that the former president had the right to value his properties however he pleased, and that it was up to lenders and accountants to make sure the numbers were right. In his Truth Social posts, Trump once again attacked James and Engoron and said they had undervalued his assets. THEY CLAIMED THAT MAR-A-LAGO WAS WORTH ONLY $18,000,000, WHEN IT IS WORTH 50 TO 100 TIMES THAT AMOUNT, IN ORDER TO ILLEGALLY REDUCE MY VALUES & MAKE A FAKE CASE AGAINST ME, he wrote. When Trump and his adult children took the witness stand, they denied recalling any specific discussion over the financial statements, despite multiple emails and notes that suggested otherwise. During his testimony in November, Trump repeatedly claimed his financial records contained a worthless clause and that lenders knew they should do their own due diligence, rather than relying on the documents. In his pre-trial ruling, Engoron had already ruled the argument worthless, but Trump continued to bring it up on the stand. Because Trump was already found guilty of fraud in a September pre-trial ruling, the trial has been over whether Trump and his family knew they were inaccurately representing the value of their assets on financial documents. If found guilty of doing that, Trump will have to pay a fine that could be at least $250m. Trump would also lose his New York business licenses which would make it impossible for him to run his real estate business in the state if an appeals court upholds the pre-trial judgment. Emotions have run high in the case. Trump was gagged from commenting on Engorons courtroom staff after a series of attacks led to the judges office being bombarded with death threats and abusive messages. Trump attended the trial last week as a defense witness argued that the case was without merit and there was no evidence of fraud. I hope everyone is watching the Kangaroo Court Witch Hunt taking place against me, led by a totally corrupt and Racist A.G., and a highly partisan Judge who made his decision before the trial even started, and before he knew anything about the case, he wrote on Truth Social. (Bloomberg) -- Former President Donald Trump said he will not testify in his New York civil fraud trial on Monday, back-tracking on a statement last week in which he said he would be taking the stand in his defense case. Most Read from Bloomberg Trump said in a post on Sunday that he had nothing more to say after his testimony in early November, calling the case a witch hunt. The lawsuit alleges that the Trump Organization, his familys real estate business, inflated assets by as much as $3.6 billion each year for more than a decade in order to get better loan terms from banks. Trump had said he would testify a second time as part of his defense case, which has mostly featured paid experts criticizing the states lawsuit. His earlier testimony, as a witness for the states side of the case, featured several hours of hostile answers from the former president. Trump used his time on the stand to verbally attack the judge and the attorney general, while praising his own business expertise and his history of repaying loans on time. He wasnt cross-examined by his lawyers. Read more: Trump Shouts at Judge and Lawyers in Wild Day on Witness Stand Polling shows that the former president is the current Republican front-runner for the 2024 presidential election. As his campaign is plagued by the schedules of multiple ongoing criminal cases against him, the switch-up reiterates the fickle back-and-forth between Trump and his prosecutors. Read more: Trumps Bid for Mistrial in NY Fraud Case Rejected by Judge Trump is already under a gag order which prohibits him and his lawyers from publicly discussing the law clerk for the judge in charge of his case. The judge ruled that Trump made repeated inappropriate remarks which led to harassment to the judges chambers. Christopher Kise, Trumps counsel, said that there is really nothing more to say to the judge, adding that he appears to have ignored testimonies from Trump and others. Under such circumstances, there is no valid reason for President Trump to testify further in this case, Kise said. --With assistance from Erik Larson. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. By Yoon Ja-young Hana Bank held a quiz on foreign exchange to boost employee expertise. According to the bank, it held the 2023 Foreign Exchange Golden Bell National Competition at Hana Financial Group's headquarters in downtown Seoul, Friday. The bank has been holding the annual quiz contest for 18 years to enhance the foreign exchange knowledge and capabilities of its employees, as part of a tradition and festival for communication and harmony among its employees. Regional preliminaries for the contest have been held since June, in Gwangju, Busan, Daejeon and Seoul, on top of the online preliminaries through Hana Bank's mobile app Hana One Q. The finals on Friday concluded the six-month-long journey. The four online preliminaries showcased the fervent interest and passion of employees aspiring to become top foreign exchange specialists at Hana Bank, with up to 6,500 employees participating in a single session. The finals featured problem-solving across a wide spectrum of foreign exchange areas such as foreign exchange laws, products and services, imports and exports, and foreign exchange dealing. A total of 100 outstanding foreign exchange employees selected from the preliminaries competed in the quiz, representing their regions and branches. After an intense competition, Seo Jeong-eun from the banks Gumi-dong branch in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, claimed the gold medal and a prize of 1 million won ($760). It is so honorable to become a gold medalist of the competition, Seo said. I am thankful to my colleagues at the branch and the sales group for their generous support while I prepared for the finals. I will strive continuously as a foreign exchange expert to provide more professional and differentiated foreign exchange services to our customers, she added. Hana Bank CEO Lee Seung-lyul expressed his gratitude and encouragement to employees who consistently study and develop themselves for the bank's success. I hope the golden bell festival serves to cast a spotlight once again on Hana Bank's strength in the foreign exchange business. I will continue to provide unwavering support to ensure it becomes a tradition where all employees enjoy and unite together, he said. Two Colorado Department of Corrections officers have been put on administrative leave following unrelated arrests in Pueblo in November. Zachary Fagerstedt, 33, faces domestic violence and second-degree assault charges after an alleged altercation on Oct. 11, according to court records. Meanwhile, Joseph Deville, 23, faces misdemeanor charges of prohibited use of a weapon and reckless endangerment after allegedly firing a gun near Pueblo police officers. Police claim Fagerstedt assaulted woman during fight Pueblo police responded at 3:06 a.m. the morning of Oct. 11 to Fagerstedt's address in the 1100 block of Bohmen Avenue after receiving a report of a domestic fight. When police arrived, a woman stated that the suspect, later identified as Fagerstedt, had assaulted her during an argument, according to an arrest affidavit. During the argument, the woman alleged Fagerstedt pushed her repeatedly, eventually cornering her against a wall and strangling her with both hands while pressing her against the wall. The victim stated he strangled her for a little under one minute before letting go, during which she alleged he'd threatened to kill her. The victim stated that while she did not lose consciousness, she came close. She alleged the only reason Fagerstedt stopped strangling her was that her eyes rolled into the back of her head and he did not want to kill her because "it would be too messy," according to the affidavit. Fagerstedt then left the house with his child, who also lived in the home, she said. Police noted red pressure marks on the victim that led to the middle portion of her throat, as well as an abrasion about the size of a dime on the victim's chin. A warrant was issued for Fagerstedt's arrest and he was taken into custody on Nov. 5, according to records provided by Pueblo County Sheriff's Office. Fagerstedt has been employed with the state DOC since November 2013. He is scheduled for a routine hearing on Dec. 20 in the court of District Court Judge William Alexander. Deville charged with misdemeanors for allegedly firing gun Deville was also arrested on Nov. 5 after allegedly firing gunshots near two police officers in a vehicle, according to an affidavit authored by the Pueblo Police Department. Police say an officer was conducting routine patrol in the 1000 block of North Santa Fe Avenue when he heard two loud pops that sounded like gunshots, according to an arrest affidavit. The officer then noticed a black GMC truck driving southbound on Santa Fe Avenue. Due to there being no other vehicles in the area and the shots coming from nearby, the officer believed the shots were directed toward himself and another officer he was speaking with about a prior call. The officer pulled his car behind the truck and attempted to make a stop. It did not immediately comply but stopped eventually just north of Taylor Avenue on Northern Avenue, the officer wrote. All three occupants of the vehicle, including Deville, who was a passenger, were arrested and put into the back of a cruiser. Deville appeared to be intoxicated when exiting the vehicle and was allegedly unsteady on his feet. He admitted while being taken into custody that he'd been drinking, according to the affidavit. A firearm owned by Deville was also found in the back of the vehicle. Another passenger in the vehicle stated that the three had previously been at a bar in Pueblo, and left the bar with Deville in the backseat. The passenger stated Deville pulled the gun and began firing "out of nowhere" toward an unknown target. The firearm, a Glock 23 .40 caliber handgun, was recovered from the back of the vehicle with 11 live rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. Deville was charged with misdemeanor prohibited use of a firearm and reckless endangerment. He is scheduled for a pre-trial conference on Jan. 3 in the court of Pueblo County Judge Steve Fieldman. Deville has been employed by the state DOC since Oct. 17, 2022. Both Fagerstedt and Deville remain on administrative leave while under professional standards investigation, according to a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Corrections. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime. Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: 2 state corrections officers arrested in Pueblo; under investigation The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes touched down in Kentucky Saturday: one in Logan County and one in Warren County The EF-2 tornado in Logan County had winds up to at least 115 miles per hour, according to a social media post from the weather service. The weather service originally established the tornados strength as EF-1, but it later upgraded the status to EF-2 on Sunday afternoon based on damage evaluated by the survey crew. According to the weather service, the damage rating is preliminary and could change based on survey results. There were no reported deaths or serious injuries, according to Gov. Andy Beshear. A second tornado touched down in Warren County Saturday afternoon, according to the NWS. The tornado reached peak wind speeds of 90 miles per hour and traveled over 2 miles. An EF rating is assigned using the Enhanced Fujita Scale and is based on estimated wind speeds and related damage, according to the National Weather Service. Ratings range from zero to five with five being the highest rating. An EF-1 rating includes wind speeds of 86 to 110. An EF-2 rating includes wind speeds from 111 to 135 miles per hour. Tennessee was also hit by severe weather on Saturday night that left six people dead, 23 injured and thousands without power. NWS Louisville said the tornado traveled 42.91 miles and left behind damage in Montgomery County, Tennessee, as well as Logan and Todd counties in Kentucky. In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Beshear offered condolences to the Tennessee victims on the anniversary of a historic weather event in Western Kentucky two years ago. Saturdays tornado outbreak comes nearly two years after catastrophic tornadoes that killed more than 80 people and demolished a significant number of infrastructure on Dec. 11, 2021. That tornado was rated an EF-3 with wind speeds peaking at nearly 165 miles per hour. After coordinating with @NWSNashville and @NWSPaducah, the total path length of the tornado that caused damage from Fort Campbell to Logan County was 42.91 miles. EF-3 damage occurred in Montgomery County, TN. EF-2 damage was documented in Todd and Logan counties in KY. pic.twitter.com/3Guc2RdQfx NWS Louisville (@NWSLouisville) December 11, 2023 On this two year anniversary of the December 2021 tornadoes, we mourn the six individuals who passed away in Tennessee from yesterdays severe weather. While multiple tornadoes were reported in Kentucky, we have no reports of any deaths or serious injuries. Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) December 10, 2023 BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Hundreds of people gathered at Niagara Square Saturday evening for a memorial rally for Palestine. Participants waved flags, flowers and signs in what was a peaceful rally, put on by the group UB Students for Justice in Palestine. Enough is enough. We cannot stand by and watch any longer, said one speaker on Saturday. Today, we stand out here in the cold, knowing that its only getting colder in Gaza. Calls grow for ouster of Penn, Harvard, MIT presidents after antisemitism House hearing Multiple speakers of various ages shared prayers, moments of silence, stories and thoughts on the war, calling for peace and an end to the bloodshed. This comes after the United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution Friday calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Some in attendance said they feel like our countrys leaders are turning a blind eye. We in America through all our history, still dont understand that people are equal, one student said. Every day I go on my social media, and I see blood, death and destruction and some of the most gruesome and disturbing things that I have ever witnessed and we have the luxury of just turning off our phones or scrolling to the next funny video on our feed. Data recorder from Rainbow Bridge crash recovered, severely damaged The rally organized by UB students also comes at a time where there has been a surge in antisemitic incidents nationwide. College presidents at Harvard, University of Pennsylvania and MIT have also been questioned on the issue of free speech, with U. Penn President Liz Magill resigning over backlash to her testimony on the issue at a congressional hearing. With debates over freedom of speech roiling the national discourse, participants in the march said that Western New York students are proud to exercise free speech on and off of campus. Were trying to make a major impact and let everybody know what is happening. Being in America, its great that we have the freedom to be able to express our right of speech, to speak for those that dont have a voice, added another student. Those in downtown Buffalo say they have an easy job compared to those caught in the war. However, to them its an important one: making their voices and calls for peace heard, no matter what. Palestinians dont get a break, a speaker said. We have the luxury of not waking up to the sound of buzzing warplanes terrified that the next bomb is destined for us. Call your local offices and tell them they need to stop this genocide. Put an end to the siege on Gaza. Latest Local News Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. The coordinated Russian missile strike against Kyiv and central Ukraine on Dec. 7 was likely "the start of a more concerted campaign" aimed at degrading energy infrastructure, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in its Dec. 10 report. In its intelligence bulletin on X, the Defense Ministry said that Russian forces had likely used Tu-95 planes to fire Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles on Dec. 7 the first time they were used since Sept. 21. "Russia has almost certainly been stockpiling these missiles for use in the winter campaign," the report said. The intelligence report comes as Ukraine braces itself for yet another tough winter, in which Russia is expected to conduct an intense missile and drone campaign against critical infrastructure across the country. Last year's campaign killed dozens of civilians and led to emergency power outages. During such strikes targeting energy infrastructure, Russia primarily used air-launched cruise missiles, particularly the Kh-101 model, the U.K. Defense Ministry said earlier. On Dec. 7, Russian forces appear to have launched at least 16 Kh-101 missiles from the direction of the Caspian Sea, targeting Kyiv, according to the report. Most of the missiles were successfully intercepted by Ukraine's air defense, and the damage was minimal, it added. Most of the casualties so far have been reported in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, with regional governor Serhii Lysak saying that one person was killed and four were injured there. Kyiv City Military Administration head Serhii Popko said that air defense had thwarted the Russian attack. "Not a single enemy projectile reached the city. All missiles flying in the direction of Kyiv were destroyed by our air defenses on approach to the capital," Popko wrote on Telegram. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak isnt considering calling early elections over push-back from Tory allies to his latest effort to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda for processing, according to Cabinet Minister Michael Gove. Most Read from Bloomberg Sunak proposed new legislation to help shield the Rwanda plan from legal challenge and that bill is due for an initial vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Sunak is spending the weekend trying to quell rebellions from both the right and center of his party that threaten to scupper the bill and erode his leadership. I am confident that when people look at the legislation and have a chance to reflect that they will recognize that this is a tough but also proportionate measure, Gove said in an interview on Sky News on Sunday. The government had no intention of calling an early election in the face of opposition within the Tory ranks, he said. Sunak, who had initially opposed the Rwanda plan before becoming premier, has now staked his future on the deportations as a critical piece of the effort to slash record migration into the country. Tory Rebels have threatened to vote against the legislation, saying it doesnt go far enough to prevent migrants from launching legal challenges to deportation. Read More: How Sunak Went From Rwanda Plan Critic to Staking Future on It Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, a Sunak ally, resigned over the Rwanda plan on Wednesday when it was announced, exposing just how profound the rift in the party over immigration remains. Jenrick said in an interview with the BBC on Sunday the current legislation will not deliver the serious deterrent needed to dissuade people from entering the country illegally and would not prevent deportations from being tied up in the courts. I wont support this bill, but I do feel like we can fix this, Jenrick told the BBC. Arrivals to the UK remain at record levels, despite repeated promises from Sunak and his Tory predecessors to curtail immigration. The government has already paid Rwanda 240 million ($301 million) so far, and no deportations have yet taken place because of legal challenges to the plan. Sunak must call elections by January of 2025 and the Conservatives have been consistently trailing the opposition Labour party by 20 percentage points in opinion polls. Curtailing immigration is critical to the Tories having any chance in the election, Jenrick said. If immigration policy isnt brought under control then the Tories deserve to face the red hot fury of the public. --With assistance from Anna Shiryaevskaya. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin leads a meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo State residence outside Moscow, Russia, on Oct. 16, 2023. Vladimir Putin on Friday Dec. 8, 2023 moved to prolong his repressive and unyielding grip on Russia for another six years, announcing his candidacy in the 2024 presidential election that he is all but certain to win. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukraine on Saturday condemned Russias intention to organize presidential election voting in occupied Ukrainian territory next year. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said any such balloting held in the occupied regions in the country would be null and void and pledged that any international observers sent to monitor the Russian election would face criminal responsibility. We call on the international community to resolutely condemn Russias intention to hold presidential elections in the occupied Ukrainian territories, and to impose sanctions on those involved in their organization and conduct, Ukraines Foreign Ministry said. Lawmakers in Russia on Thursday set the countrys 2024 presidential election for March 17. On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his candidacy for reelection. He is all but certain to win another six-year term. Russian authorities are still pondering whether to arrange the voting in Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. Moscow illegally annexed the four regions in September 2022 but only controls parts of them. Putin subsequently introduced martial law in those areas, and Russian lawmakers amended regulations to allow elections in territories where martial law was in place. Russian authorities held elections in the annexed regions in September for Moscow-installed legislatures; Ukraine and its Western allies denounced the votes as a sham. The head of Russia's Central Election Commission, Ella Pamfilova, said Thursday that together with the Russian military, security forces and the Moscow-appointed governors in Ukraine, election authorities would decide by Dec. 12 on the possibility of holding the presidential vote in the Ukrainian regions. After weighting in all pros and cons, we will be making this decision. If we decide (to hold the vote), then the next step would be to adopt a plan for holding elections there," Pamfilova was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying. "Of course, it will be somewhat different from the balloting in Russian regions, the law allows for it. Russia does plan to hold the presidential election in the Crimean Peninsula, which it illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014. ___ This version has been corrected to show that Russian authorities are still deciding on whether to hold voting in the Ukrainian regions that Russia annexed in 2022. Ukrainian military personnel from the 12th brigade of the Azov NSU prepare to fire from an LH-70 howitzer, Donetsk Oblast, November 22, 2023 Sixty combat engagements took place on the frontline on Dec. 9, with Russians attacking the most near Bakhmut (14 attacks) and Avdiivka (19 attacks) in the Donbas, the Ukrainian militarys General said in its report the morning of the 655th day of the full-scale invasion. Read also: Ukraine takes out Russian Buk air defense system, as well as a routine 1,000+ invaders in last day In the Kupyansk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled seven enemy attacks in the areas of Synkivka, Petropavlivka in Kharkiv Oblast and Novoselivske in Luhansk Oblast. In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled an enemy attack in the area of Serebryanske forestry in Luhansk Oblast. In the Bakhmut sector, Ukrainian troops repelled 14 enemy attacks in the areas of Bohdanivka, Ivanivske and Klishchiyivka in Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian Defense Forces continue assault operations south of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the enemy, and consolidating the achieved positions. Read also: Slight decrease in airstrikes but no halt to Russian attempts to surround Avdiivka, Military Administration says In the Avdiivka sector, the enemy is continuing to try to encircle Avdiivka. Ukrainian defenders are steadfastly holding the line, inflicting significant losses on the enemy. The Defense Forces successfully repelled 19 enemy attacks in the areas east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, Tonenke, and Pervomayske in Donetsk Oblast. In the Maryinka sector, Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the areas of Maryinka, Pobeda and Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast, where Ukrainian defenders repelled eight attacks. In the Shakhtarsk sector, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled two enemy attacks near Staromayorske, Donetsk Oblast. In the Zaporizhzhya sector, Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled three enemy attacks in the vicinity of Novopokrovka and west of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhya Oblast. In the Melitopol sector, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, depleting the enemy along the entire front line. Read also: Ukraine foils repeated Russian attempts to dislodge forces from east bank Kherson bridgehead In the Kherson sector, the Defense Forces continue to hold their positions on the east bank of the Dnipro River, continue to conduct counter-battery combat, and inflict fire on the enemy's rear. At the same time, Russian troops continue to shell civilian targets with artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, and aircraft. Over the past day, the aggressor launched one missile and eight air strikes, and fired 34 times at Ukrainian positions and populated areas. The Russians also attacked Ukraine with Iranian-designed Shahed suicide drones. Meanwhile, units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces missile forces struck two clusters of enemy personnel, weapons and military equipment, and two Russian fuel and lubricant depots. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Korea's exports of dried seaweed hit a new record on the back of growing awareness of healthy food around the globe, data showed Sunday. Outbound shipments of dried seaweed, called "gim" in Korean, reached $670 million over the January-October period, up 20.4 percent from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The ministry noted the combined export volume came to $700 million as of Nov. 10, surpassing the previous record of $690 million for the entire year of 2021. Dried seaweed is usually roasted with sesame oil and fine salt to be served as a side dish in Korean dining. Snacks made of gim have gained popularity among foreigners in recent years. The ministry attributed the strong overseas demand to foreigners' rising appetite for dried seaweed as a low-calorie and healthy snack. By destination, the United States was the top buyer with $150 million so far, followed by Japan with $140 million. China accounted for $90 million as well, the data showed. The ministry earlier vowed to expand seaweed exports to $1 billion by the year 2027. (Yonhap) The Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed a column that tried to storm the village of Krynky on the left bank of the Kherson Oblast Russia conducted another unsuccessful assault on Khersons left bank on Dec. 9, attacking the village of Krynky, the commander of the Magyar Birds aerial reconnaissance unit Robert Brovdi, reported on his Telegram channel. The Ukrainian military destroyed several pieces of enemy equipment. Read also: Ukrainian drone destroys Russias $3 million Solntspek flamethrower system in Kherson Oblast video 10 out of 11 pieces of Russian equipment were destroyed, including four out of five tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and four armored personnel carriers (APCs). In addition, 28 of the 31 unmanned aerial vehicles detected that day were shot down. Read also: Ukrainian SOFs destroy Russian tanks, personnel in newly released video The Armed Forces of Ukraine officially reported on Nov. 17 that Ukrainian soldiers had gained a foothold in several bridgeheads on the occupied east bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast. In particular, the events were centered around the village of Krynky. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Fifty-seven days. Thats how long it took for the UN Women organisation to condemn the widely documented acts of rape, mutilation and sexual violence carried out by Hamas against Israeli women. A full 57 days for the international body to recognise that Jewish and Israeli women were victims of systematic and premeditated acts of sexual violence on October 7. UN Women ignored the testimonies of gang rape, it ignored the video of a young, dazed Israeli girl being dragged in her bloodied underwear, it ignored the eyewitness testimonies of girls and young women from the Nova music festival who saw acts of rape. It ignored all of this and more for 57 days. The silence from UN bodies focused on humanitarian issues and human rights was shameful, but this episode did not occur in a vacuum. The UNs anti-Israel bias is clear for all to see. This year, the UN General Assembly has adopted 15 resolutions singling out Israel for criticism. All other countries in the world combined have had six resolutions passed against them, with just one resolution condemning each of Iran, North Korea and Syria. Earlier this week, the secretary general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, his latest call for a ceasefire at a time when Hamas still has significant military capabilities. Let me be clear: making any such call while Hamas still has its arsenal as well as 137 Israeli hostages, is like saying to Israelis that you do not mind if October 7 happens again, particularly given that the leadership of Hamas has publicly said that it would carry out October 7 again and again. Israel has no other choice than to take this threat seriously. Indeed, we are obligated to, under international law, in order to protect our citizens. So why has the UN secretary general decided to invoke Article 99 for the first time in his tenure and for the first time in decades? It was not used in response to the Rwandan genocide. When tens of thousands were killed in Mosul, there was no such intervention. Brutal civil wars have been waging in Yemen and Syria for years at a tragic cost in innocent lives, and the protocol was not triggered. So why has it been invoked now? The current war between Israel and Hamas is tragic. It is a war that we did not want, and a war we did not start. Hamas made the choice to murder, rape, behead, torture and mutilate over 1,200 innocent people on October 7. We are fighting a war of self-defence. Peace and Hamas are totally incompatible, and so long as Hamas continues to operate, then instability, violence and terror will be synonymous with Gaza. Yet on October 27, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that did not even mention the atrocities committed by Hamas nor the legal right that Israel has to defend itself. Moreover, comments made by the secretary general have seemingly sought to justify Hamass murder of civilians. UN-funded schools, meanwhile, have allowed anti-Semitism to flourish. Their textbooks teach Palestinians to hate Jews, glorifying jihad and martyrdom. These same buildings are also used by Hamas terrorists for military purposes. The World Health Organisation, meanwhile, has not addressed Hamass use of hospitals, ambulances and other medical facilities to hide terrorists, store weapons, launch rockets and plan attacks from. And while I could go on, lastly, on November 2, Iran a regime that brutally oppresses women and opposes even the most basic tenets of a gender-equal society chaired a meeting of a UN human rights council. The UN has shown itself to have betrayed Israel, women and humanity. The position of UN secretary general is designed to be primarily administrative in nature, yet Mr Guterress comments and actions are indicative of an increasing politicisation of the role. Sadly, the UN has long abandoned its commitment to the universal application of human rights, evidenced by its glaring double standards applied to Israel. This anti-Israel problem must be acknowledged and addressed in order to salvage the reputation of the organisation. And yet, seemingly unbeknown to the secretary general, widespread torture and abuse of Israelis continues in Gaza. There are still 137 hostages men, women, children, and pensioners being held illegally inside Gaza, each constituting a war crime committed by Hamas. As each day passes and as we hear the testimonies of the released hostages, we are beginning to understand the torture, abuse and sexual violence experienced by the hostages in Gaza. The thought of what they are going through should frighten us all, not least the UN Women body, and the rest of the organisations tasked with upholding human rights. So, in the absence of their heartfelt condemnation of sexual violence against Israeli women, I ask us all to recognise that every second counts while our 137 hostages remain in Hamass captivity. Be vocal in your calls to bring them home now. If you wont, who will? Tzipi Hotovely is the Ambassador of Israel to the United Kingdom Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. FILE - Afghan school girls attend their classroom on the first day of the new school year, in Kabul, March 25, 2023. The Taliban must embrace and uphold human rights obligations in Afghanistan, the U.N. mission in the country said Sunday on Human Rights Day and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File) KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) The Taliban must embrace and uphold human rights obligations in Afghanistan, the U.N. mission in the country said Sunday on Human Rights Day and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since seizing power in 2021, the Taliban have erased basic rights and freedoms, with women and girls deeply affected. They are excluded from most public spaces and daily life, and the restrictions have sparked global condemnation. The U.N. mission, highlighting the Talibans failures in upholding rights obligations, said it continues to document extrajudicial killings, torture and ill-treatment, corporal punishment, arbitrary arrest and detention, and other violations of detainees rights. People who speak out in defense of human rights face arbitrary arrest and detention, threats and censorship, the mission said. We pay tribute to and express our solidarity with Afghan human rights defenders, many of whom are paying a heavy price for seeking to uphold the fundamental tenets of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: peace, justice and freedom, said Fiona Frazer, representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Afghanistan. The head of the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, said rights must be upheld to ensure the country's future prosperity, cohesion and stability. The U.S. on Friday hit two Taliban officials with sanctions over human rights abuses in Afghanistan. Fariduddin Mahmood made decisions to close education centers and schools to women and girls after the sixth grade, said the State Department. He supported education-related bans on women and girls. The second target of the U.S. sanctions is Khalid Hanafi, from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Since August 2021, members of the MPVPV have engaged in serious human rights abuse, including abductions, whippings, and beatings, said the State Department. Members of the MPVPV have assaulted people protesting the restrictions on womens activity, including access to education. The Taliban condemned the sanctions. Their chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said imposing pressure and restrictions were not the solution to any problem. He accused the U.S. of being the biggest violator of human rights because of its support for Israel. It is unjustified and illogical to accuse other people of violating human rights and then ban them, said Mujahid. The restrictions on women and girls are the biggest obstacle to the Taliban gaining official recognition as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The head of an Ivy League university has resigned following a fierce backlash to her congressional testimony in which she refused to say calling for the genocide of Jews constituted harassment. Liz Magill, the president of the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), quit days after donors threatened to withdraw $100 million in gifts from the school if she did not go. Scott Bok, the chair of the Penn Board of Trustees, said on Saturday Ms Magill had voluntarily tendered her resignation as president and would remain a faculty member. Ms Magill said in a statement it has been my privilege to serve as President of this remarkable institution. Mr Bok later announced his own resignation following Ms Magills decision to step down, saying it was the right time to depart. He said Ms Magill had made a very unfortunate misstep consistent with that of two peer university leaders sitting alongside herafter five hours of aggressive questioning. Following that, it became clear that her position was no longer tenable, and she and I concurrently decided that it was time for her to exit. He said Ms Magill was a good person and a talented leader who was beloved by her team, adding: She is not the slightest bit anti-Semitic. Working with her was one of the great pleasures of my life. Worn down by months of relentless external attacks, she was not herself last Tuesday. Over prepared and over lawyered given the hostile forum and high stakes, she provided a legalistic answer to a moral question, and that was wrong. During Tuesdays five-hour hearing, Ms Magill and her counterparts at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) were questioned on how their institutions had responded to the rise in anti-Semitism since 7 October. While all three university leaders condemned Hamas and anti-Semitism, they refused to say whether calling for the genocide of Jews would violate their universitys code of conduct. If the speech turns into conduct it can be harassment, yes, Ms Magill told committee member Elise Stefanik. Pressed further, Ms Magill, 57, added: It is a context-dependent decision, congresswoman. Their responses sparked criticism from the White House, Pennsylvanias governor, members of Congress and donors. One donor, Ross Stevens, threatened to withdraw a $100 million gift because of the universitys stance on antisemitism on campus unless Ms Magill was replaced. A day later, Ms Magill addressed the criticism, saying in a video that she would consider a call for the genocide of Jewish people to be harassment or intimidation and that UPenns policies need to be clarified and evaluated. Responding to Ms Magills resignation, Ms Stefanik said: One down. Two to go. She said her departure is the bare minimum of what is required. Writing on Twitter, Ms Stefanik added: This is only the very beginning of addressing the pervasive rot of antisemitism that has destroyed the most prestigious higher education institutions in America. Campus hosted Palestinian festival Ms Magill had already been under fire from some donors and alumni over the universitys handling of various perceived acts of anti-Semitism. That included allowing a Palestinian literary arts festival to be held on its campus in September featuring speakers whose past statements about Israel had drawn accusations of anti-Semitism. A former US Supreme Court law clerk, Ms Magill is the daughter of a retired federal judge and was dean of Stanford Universitys law school and a top administrator at the University of Virginia before she became UPenns ninth president last year. Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday New Yorks governor called on the states colleges and universities to swiftly address cases of anti-Semitism and what she described as any calls for genocide on campus. In a letter to college and university presidents, Kathy Hochul said her administration would enforce violations of the states Human Rights Law and refer any violations of federal civil rights law to US officials. Ms Hochul said she has spoken to chancellors of the State University of New York and City University of New York public college systems who she said confirmed that calling for genocide of any group or tolerating anti-Semitism violates codes of conduct on their campuses and would lead to swift disciplinary action. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Ori Rosner, the head of the Israel racing pigeons club, releases 140 pigeons to represent the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza in the southern Israeli Kibbutz of Beeri along the Israel-Gaza border, on Dec. 4. Drew Tienes Nov. 26 column in the Akron Beacon Journal had many strong points but fell into the misinformation trap and double standards that have been held over Israel since the brutal Hamas massacre of Oct. 7. Dr. Tiene is correct in acknowledging that Hamas committed atrocities, that Israel is justified in its goal to eliminate Hamas and that Oct. 7 has been described as Israels equivalent to 9/11. In fact, the Oct. 7 attack, was the second largest terror attack, only eclipsed by 9/11. Israeli citizens were raped, murdered and tortured with no mercy, coupled with indiscriminate taking of hostages of all ages including infants. Daniel S. Blain is chief executive officer of JewishAkron. Hamas has not only praised the events of Oct. 7, but has vowed to repeat them. Dr. Tiene suggests that Israel should solve the Hamas problem through small-scale, targeted operations instead of using aerial strikes. It is tragic that civilians have lost their lives in this conflict, but there is a significant difference between Hamas and Israel that Dr. Tiene fails to acknowledge. Hamas not only targets civilians outside of Gaza with indiscriminate rocket fire, but hides military installations under hospitals and schools, rockets under childrens beds, and ensures that Gaza residents, including women and children, are left in the line of fire to achieve their nefarious goals. In contrast, Israel goes to great length to avoid civilian casualties, often putting soldiers at risk to do so. A small-scale, targeted operation would be a failure due to the tactics and sheer number of Hamas terrorists, allowing them to continue to prey on Israeli civilians. In this conflict, Israel has leafleted, called and text-messaged Gaza residents to encourage them to move away from military targets. Israel even used its own tanks to ensure that these residents were free and safe to move south, protecting them from Hamas snipers. The bottom line is that Israel values human life while Hamas is prepared to sacrifice as many martyrs as possible. Stuart Glauberman is board chair of JewishAkron. After Israel experienced the indiscriminate slaughter of its citizens and hundreds taken hostage the question that continues to be asked is What is the correct proportional response? The more important question is why the onus to stop fighting is solely on Israel? There are several steps that Hamas could take to immediately calm the situation condemn terrorism, recognize Israels right to exist, release all the hostages, stop misdirecting humanitarian aid, firing indiscriminate rockets and hiding behind their own civilians. None of these are unreasonable or impractical steps if there is truly a desire for peace. Rather, Hamas, after more than 15 years in leadership, has not found a way to live in peace and work to create a prosperous society in Gaza. The despair and poverty in Gaza are a direct result of Hamas focus on the elimination of the state of Israel rather than nation building. The casualty figures coming out of Gaza are in fact coming from Hamas, which is far from a reliable source. There is no independent media or health authority on the ground to verify facts. What weve learned throughout this conflict is that Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization, is quick to promote misinformation that helps its cause. Always quick to blame Israel, Hamas broke both the ceasefire already in place on Oct. 7 and the recent humanitarian one, with rocket fire and a terror attack that killed three Israeli civilians at a bus stop in Jerusalem. No surprise that a group that has no issue committing the most heinous atrocities against babies, children, women and the elderly is willing to say anything to further its own narrative. Israel, like all countries, has the right and responsibility to respond to attacks on its citizens. Sadly, Hamas, like all terrorist organizations, doesnt value human life or the truth. Stuart Glauberman is board chair of JewishAkron. Daniel Blain is the chief executive officer. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Jewish leaders condemn Hamas for Oct. 7 attack, loss of lives Emergency workers and storm-survey teams spread out across Middle Tennessee on Sunday after the greater Nashville region was pummeled by an estimated 13 tornadoes late Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Officials said six people died Saturday night in Clarksville and Madison and 83 people were reportedly transported to area hospitals 62 from Clarksville and 21 in the Nashville area. Nine of those hospitalized were transferred to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and were in critical, unstable condition on Sunday. "Our community is strong and our faith is strong. We will get through this together. Please pray for all of those involved," Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said on Sunday morning, holding back tears. Live updates from Monday Tennessee tornado outbreak: 'It just hit so fast.' State recovery efforts continue Two tornadoes were confirmed and ranked Sunday evening by the National Weather Service in the hardest hit areas of Clarksville, Madison, Hendersonville and Gallatin. Other areas, including Springfield, were still being surveyed by officials to determine the strength of the storms and whether they were officially tornadoes, said NWS meteorologist Cory Mueller. By Sunday afternoon, emergency response officials had preliminarily counted 13 tornadoes, as well as additional damaging straight-line wind events that impacted the state on Saturday. The Red Cross, churches and others opened emergency shelters as utility crews tried to restore electricity to tens of thousands of customers in the midst of near-freezing temperatures. "Yesterday was unfortunately another heartbreaking day for Nashville and so many in our Middle Tennessee community," Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell said in a news conference Sunday morning before thanking first responders, many of whom worked through the night. "Nashville is a place where when we face adversity, the community always steps up. The amount of outreach I have received has been astonishing." Twenty-two structures collapsed as a result of the storm and "countless" others were damaged, OConnell added. From Saturday: 6 dead as Nashville, Middle TN ravaged by high winds, possible tornadoes The Tennessean team will provide live updates here as information becomes available. This story is being offered free as a service to the public. Several thousand customers still without power CDE Lightband reports 11,649 customers are without power as of 6 a.m. Monday following severe weather that ripped through Middle Tennessee Saturday. Nashville Electric Service reported 6,415 as of 6 a.m. Monday. Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, which serves parts of Montgomery, Sumner, Robertson, Cheatham and Stewart Counties reported no outages Monday out of nearly 100,000 customers served. White House Utility District is asking customers to voluntarily conserve water due to widespread power outages in the area. Springfield setting up tornado cleanup The City of Springfield will collect debris from the Dec. 9 tornado on Wednesday and Thursday. The city is asking residents to place debris roadside, similarly to how the city collects during brush pickup. Debris should be placed at the edge of their property, not on sidewalks, ditches or on the street. Sort debris into piles of brush and non-brush items. Clarksville, Montgomery County mobilize volunteers for tornado cleanup A coordinated volunteer cleanup effort in areas where extensive Clarksville tornado damage has occurred begins Monday morning, December 11, at 8 a.m. Volunteers are asked to gather beginning at that time, at Mosaic Church, 1020 Garrettsburg Road. In the interests of adequate space at the church, volunteers are asked to carpool to the church if possible.From the church, volunteers will be transported by CMCSS buses to a designated cleanup location. The buses will run on, or about, a two-hour rotation schedule. All volunteers will be asked to sign waivers for themselves and any minors that might be brought with them. Volunteers are asked to come dressed appropriately for working in potentially hazardous areas where there is extensive damage and debris. Work gloves and appropriate protective footwear are required.Search and rescue efforts are complete. The recovery phase is underway. We appreciate your willingness to volunteer as we help our neighbors through this traumatic and historic event. For more information about volunteering, call 931-245-2988. Governor, First Lady visit devastated Madison street Gov. Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee walked through paths of rubble late Sunday as they surveyed the tornado damage along Nesbitt Lane in Madison, where three people were killed. The governor talked with some residents as the First Lady gave hugs and words of encouragement. "Im happy to see you, governor. Thank you for coming," said resident Keith Speer, whose home was damaged. Gov. Bill Lee, right, speak with Kelsey Harris, left, who was helping clear debris in Clarksville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Tornadoes struck Middle Tennessee on Saturday, killing at least six people and leaving more than 160,000 Middle Tennessee residents without power. Lee and his wife stopped in a mobile home park where a mother and her two-year-old child were killed in the storm. They met with resident James Gibson and his 16-year-old son Dylan, who were both inside their mobile home when it was demolished. They miraculously survived, though they lost everything. I didnt expect the governor to be here, Dylan Gibson said. Lee previously visited Gallatin, Hendersonville and Clarksville, where another three people were killed. While the damage is sad and heartbreaking, Lee said he was touched by the Volunteer States fortitude. Everywhere we went, we saw volunteers Tennesseans that were coming into neighborhoods they didnt live in and coming alongside people to make sure they were doing all they could to help, he said. Lee added the emergency relief has begun and the community is banding together. I encourage Tennesseans to pray for their neighbors, he said. There are a lot of people hurting right now. Family says dog's warnings 'saved our lives' Christina Johnson was in the garage with her husband when they noticed their dog Georges behavior change dramatically. The beagle instantly transformed from calm to panicked, scratching and whining like he does during 4th of July fireworks, Johnson said. Thats not something he does, she said. So I came back in to see if I could get him to calm down. Thats when she said she saw a tree and shed fly past her window. Her ears popped. She ran to her husband, yelling: Tornado," and they all crowded into the bathroom. There were no sounds of a train like people often say, just strong winds, she remembered. The only thing on my mind was I hope were still here, Johnson said. I mean it took a tree and our shed. It could be our roof next. When it was over, there was a broken window and a few roof injuries, she said. Some of the others on her street were hit much harder. Were thankful to be here still and have our home, Johnson said. Especially when we see what it did around us. George saved our lives. If it werent for him we wouldve been outside until it was too late. Pieces of the bathroom lay in Christina Johnson's family home in Clarksville on Sunday. Two tornadoes confirmed, ranked The National Weather Service confirmed storm survey findings Sunday evening, with the Clarksville tornado rating as an EF-3, with winds of 150 mph. The Madison/Hendersonville/Gallatin tornado received a preliminary rating of EF-2, with winds of 125 mph. Family withstands 'UFO'-like tornado in hallway Many associate a tornado with the sound of a freight train, but Clarksvilles Dustin Arnold experienced a visual of a flying trampoline as he headed for shelter. "It went straight in the air like a UFO summoned it," Arnold, 35, said. "It didnt turn or anything." Dustin Arnold removes debris from his yard in Clarksville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Tornadoes struck Middle Tennessee on Saturday, killing at least six people and leaving more than 160,000 Middle Tennessee residents without power. Arnold, an active U.S. Army soldier, suffered heavy damage to his home on Cabana Drive. Along with the trampoline visual, he said glass shattering was probably the most memorable noise. He and his wife were working in the garage with their nine-year-old daughter reading upstairs when the wind picked up and notifications for the oncoming storm began. They sheltered in the downstairs center hallway. No one was injured, including the family's black Labrador mix, despite portions of the roof and a back wall being taken off. A speed-limit sign landed in the living room and a neighbor's shed settled in their yard near where Arnold's shed stood before the storm. "The whole thing happened in about 45 seconds," Arnold said. "It was very aggressive. (Initially) you dont know your house is gone. Im definitely blessed. Not even a couple blocks over are people without a home. Ours isnt habitable, but its not as bad off." The family was able to salvage some possessions. They are able to retreat to a hotel through the military. TEMA preliminary inspections report 13 tornadoes hit at least 11 counties Eleven Middle Tennessee counties experienced various levels of damage from the severe storms and tornadoes that battered the state on Saturday night. Nine of those counties were likely hit by one or more of 13 tornadoes that moved through the region, according to preliminary data from Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. When all the damage is inspected, the National Weather Service said counties affected by severe weather damage will be "likely double" that. By Sunday afternoon, only two tornadoes were confirmed by radar in Clarksville and in the area of North Nashville and Gallatin. At least four counties have reported damage from straight-line winds. Storms rolled in Saturday afternoon a little after 12:30 p.m., crossing the Tennessee River into Stewart County, where the first tornado warning was issued at 1:22 p.m. Hardest-hit areas were Clarksville, Madison, Hendersonville, Gallatin and Springfield. In total, 34 storm warnings were called across the Middle Tennessee region, with 20 of those being tornado warnings. The National Weather Service issued a "tornado emergency" alert for parts of the region for the first time in more than a decade as the storms swept through, according to meteorologist Sam Shamburger. Rain amounts for the area vary, but according to National Weather Service, an estimated .5 to one inch of rain fell, with volunteers in Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Humphreys Counties reporting more than one inch. Hundreds of buildings damaged in Clarksville The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency reported Sunday that Clarksville has 65 structures with minor damage, 339 with moderate damage and 271 with major damage, making them uninhabitable. There are 91 structures that are totally destroyed, based on the latest assessment from EMA.The vast majority of these structures are residential homes. Numbers are expected to rise as assessments continue. Clarksville-Montgomery County school facilities suffered mostly minor damage, with West Creek Elementary School being the hardest-hit. Fort Campbell families displaced Col. Christopher J. Midberry, Garrison Commander at Fort Campbell, said at a Sunday press conference in Clarksville almost 100 military families who live in Clarksville are displaced because of the tornado. Though he confirmed that the Fort Campbell base was not significantly damaged. Director: Robertson Schools to open Monday Shortly before 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Robertson County Schools Director Danny Weeks released a message to parents, saying schools would run on regular schedule Monday. Bus drivers would use discretion in their routes, Weeks said. He asked everyone to keep those impacted by the storms in their thoughts. School closures Sumner County schools will be closed on Monday, per the Emergency Managment Agency. Clarksville-Montgomery County School System will be closed Monday and Tuesday. Clarksville house destroyed; family survived in bathtub Roosevelt Bozemans Clarksville home was destroyed just after he and his family fled to the downstairs bathroom. Bozeman, 45, was alerted to the impending tornado by his 20-year-old son and father-in-law who yelled from upstairs. When he looked out the window, he knew time was short. Roosevelt Bozeman checks on the damage to his Clarksville home on Sunday. Tornadoes struck Middle Tennessee on Saturday, killing at least six people and leaving more than 160,000 Middle Tennessee residents without power. Everything was swirling and I said: 'Lets hurry up,'" Bozeman said. We went downstairs and got in the bathtub. I heard some loud explosions. It lasted for 30 seconds. In a moment, the roof was blown off, the windows blown out and 2X4 planks thrust through walls. But through it all, no one was injured. That is why we are grateful, he said. The storm also damaged his business truck that does heavy hauling. The family decided to stay with a relative as they work through the insurance process. Businesses took the brunt of the damage in Hendersonville Along Hendersonvilles Highway 31, many businesses showed scars of Saturdays severe storms. An Ace Hardware store owned by Greg Yandell was open Sunday without power as employees used flashlights to show customers products they needed to begin repairs. They ran the cash registers off a generator. The storm damaged the roof and the 8,000-square-foot garden center. Most of what was hit in Hendersonville was commercial property, which means business owners are significantly impacted, Yandell said. Nearby, nearly 400 people were inside family-entertainment center Big Play when the storm hit. It leveled much of the building, which opened in a shopping center in October. Game Technician Tanner Watkins, 35, said many inside were there for kids birthday parties. They crammed into bathrooms and around a cafe as the storm approached. Watkins was aware of two injuries that required medical care. Someone was watching over everyone in that building last night, Watkins said as he went through the rubble Sunday morning. I wasnt expecting a building this size to be swept away like a tin can. Tanner Watkins, a game technician at Big Play in Hendersonville, looks through sections of the building reduced to rubble. How to help now There are many ways to help the recovery efforts from Saturdays devastating series of tornadoes. The community response has already been so strong that rescue workers in Springfield have asked the public to be patient and wait for direction to help with cleanup efforts. "A full safety and damage analysis must be completed" before volunteers can begin cleanup, Springfield city leaders said in a social media post Sunday. "Once completed, if volunteers are needed, a message will be released to the community. Thank you to everyone eager to volunteer, but at the moment, staying clear of the affected areas will lighten the load on first responders and city workers during the assessment phase." In the meantime, here are some ways to get involved: Clarksville officials are taking calls from those who want to volunteer at 931-245-2988. Blood Assurance opened its Clarksville donation center Sunday at 1767 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. Suite E, and is accepting blood donations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. YAIPak Outreach community organization is accepting donations at 1255 Paradise Hill Road from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Clarksville. Needed items include large tarps, contractor bags, AA and AAA batteries, Ziplock bags, Totes with lids, chainsaw, shovels, rakes and pitchforks. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County asks that monetary donations be made via Tennessee Emergency Response Fund - Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee - Nashville, TN (cfmt.org) and United Way Greater Nashville | Donately. The Salvation Army accepts monetary donations for disaster response, which can be made here or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. U-Haul among the properties hit in Hendersonville A U-Haul facility in Hendersonville was among the buildings in the area with extensive damage. High-speed winds also flipped several trucks at U-Haul Moving & Storage, at 208 West Main Street near Old Shackle Island Road. High-speed winds flipped trucks and tore down walls at a U-Haul facility in Hendersonville on Saturday. Nobody was working at the U-Haul when the storm hit, employee Daniel Mercer said. We just missed the really big bullet, said James Gerock, 75, as he picked up debris at Hendersonvilles Masonic Lodge No. 359 next to the U-Haul. Power lines were down as Gerock worked. All in all, all we have is damage and nobodys hurt, Gerock said. Several homes along Hunter Trail behind the U-Haul and Masonic Lodge also had extensive damage. Its like it hopped and skipped, said Lori Phillips, who helped clean up at one of the homes. Its strange the direction it took. Gov. Bill Lee declares state of emergency Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has issued a "Level 3" state of emergency declaration for the state of Tennessee, in light of widespread tornado and severe storm damage on Saturday. A Level 3 declaration is considered a "serious emergency or minor disaster," according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The designation gives the governor direct control to coordinate disaster response and activates the state's Emergency Operations Center. Schools closures announced in Montgomery County Clarksville-Montgomery County School System will be closed Monday and Tuesday. Shock hits survivor on Nesbitt Lane in Madison: 'So hard to comprehend' Photographer Tonya Osborne heeded severe-storm warnings and left her Madison home early for her gig at Geodis Christmas party on Saturday afternoon. As she unloaded her gear to start work at the event, her neighbor called crying hysterically. She said: Your bedroom. The whole top of your house is gone, Osborne said. I just stood there for a minute, dumbfounded. Osborne rushed home despite the rainstorm and fast winds. Her dog and all the belongings shes accumulated while living at the Nesbitt Lane townhome for 23 years were there. Most importantly: Her diamond engagement ring, which she always left at home while working. She arrived to find her roof and walls gone, leaving her belongings in heaps of rubble. Tonya Osborne's home on Nesbitt Lane in Madison was destroyed in Saturday's tornado. The stairwell was exposed to the sky and her sunroom was flattened. The new windows and roof she recently had installed were demolished. But, seemingly against all odds, her bedroom nightstand was still standing with her engagement ring. It was still sitting on the nightstand next to my bed, Osborne said. Its just floor, bed and dresser. Theres no walls, no roof. Her dog survived by hiding under the kitchen table. Osborne was overjoyed to be reunited with both. She gathered the valuables she could find a dry coat, shoes, medicine from her refrigerator. Tonya Osborne's home on Nesbitt Lane in Madison was destroyed in Saturday's tornado. Now, shes working with her insurance company to get a hotel room. A few doors down from her Nesbitt Lane home, three people were killed in the tornado. "This is so crazy," Osborne said, struggling to come to grips with the tragedy. "It's so hard to comprehend we're not going to see them anymore." Frank Bassett, another Nesbitt Lane resident, said the tornado hit so fast that he barely had time to take cover with a loved one under a pile of pillows in corner of the living room. "All of a sudden the wind picked up a hit us," Bassett said. "It was like a millisecond." Their home, like many on the street, suffered major structural damage. Clear path of destruction in Springfield As morning dawned in Springfield on Sunday, the extent of the damage from Saturday's tornadoes became apparent in the area of Memorial Boulevard and Blackpatch Drive on the south side of town. A clear path of destruction extended through a residential neighborhood, damaging homes and downing trees. Holman Jewelers, a dental practice and other nearby businesses also suffered heavy damage before the storm moved across Memorial Boulevard to a strip mall, where Jet's Pizza was completely flattened. The pizzeria was the worst hit, though all the retail strip businesses, which include an urgent care and cell phone shop, suffered some kind of damage from the passing storm. Kroger's gas pumps and a nearby Valvoline were also extensively damaged as were dozens of cars in the Kroger parking lot. A gas station was among the buildings destroyed Saturday at a Springfield strip mall at 2600 Memorial Boulevard. On Sunday morning, police and emergency workers maintained a heavy presence in the area. One officer told The Tennessean that three cars from the parking lot had been tossed down an embankment and into a retaining pond. Bricks from the front of the Kroger store had been ripped from the building, but Christmas wreaths still hung neatly near the front doors. A power chair and cart, to assist disabled shoppers, sat in the parking lot, the vinyl ripped from its seat, but it was otherwise unscathed. Utility crews had worked through the night, but most of the city remained without power Sunday morning. Gallatin residents clean up, feeling 'blessed' Two walls of OReilly Auto Parts were torn down on South Water Avenue in Gallatin. Behind the building, Amber Gannons modular home was spared from the worst with just shingle and siding damage. A large tree in the front yard had been brought down. Gannon said she felt lucky to be walking her dog Sunday morning. When I saw that, Gannon said about the auto-parts store, I just felt very fortunate. It was windy, you could feel the whole house shaking. There was debris flying everywhere. Amber Gannon stands outside her home, which narrowly missed tornado damage that destroyed a nearby auto-parts store. A number of homes along Airport Road in Gallatin suffered extensive damage. Residents and friends started the massive cleanup effort Sunday morning. "I feel blessed, it could have been a lot worse," said Ronald Durard, 68, as he and wife Ruthie picked up the remains of two porches, two sheds and various parts of other damaged homes with friends and helpers joining the cleanup at their home in The Crossings neighborhood. "We lost a lot, but were still here," Durard said. Robert Robinson, 64, lives across the street and was in his truck after picking up dinner when the tornado hit. His wife Lisa Robinson was inside. "I was backing up and noticed the leaves Ive never seen leaves move that fast," Robert Robinson said. "(Lisa) was calling me and said: Its here. Something hit my truck, I think it was that trampoline. I feel lucky." Inglewood blocks hit hard by tornado that 'just hit so fast' Nathan Koehn took shelter in his second story apartment off Dickerson Pike when the tornado ripped through his East Nashville neighborhood. After things calmed down, he emerged to see the nearby Community Baptist Church at 3838 Dickerson Pike had been demolished. Emergency workers carried members of the congregation out from the rubble. They were pulling people out and carrying them in white tarps, Koehn said. The building was totally flattened. It was a sight to see. Officials said 13 survivors were taken to nearby hospitals. On Sunday morning, workers cleared power lines from the rubble of the former church building. Nearby, neighbors Jauckque Buford and his son Tehlor sifted through the remains of their home after a massive maple tree crushed a bedroom. The Bufords rushed to safety in a back room when they heard the emergency siren. It was quiet and then it just hit so fast, it was like 13 seconds, Tehlor Buford said. Jauckque Buford said this is the familys second encounter with a tornado. In 1998, their Russell Street home was destroyed. Well just move forward like we always do, he said. The Buford family home was crushed by a maple tree during a tornado on Saturday night. Dorothy Prayther, one of the congregants at Community Baptist Church, was heading out the door on Saturday evening to attend a banquet in honor of church Pastor Vincent Johnson when she heard the alarm siren and decided to stay home. The church had been planning for months for the big celebration and had speakers coming in from Kentucky, she said. She later heard that many of her follow congregants had been in the banquet hall when the tornado demolished the building. Prayther went to the scene on Sunday morning trying to get more information on her pastor and fellow church members. "I dont know anything yet," she said. "I hope theyre ok." Emergency shelters open Residents in need of a place to stay or to get urgent resources can go to the following emergency shelters: The Isaac Litton Alumni Center at 4500 Gallatin Pike is open to the public as a Red Cross shelter. Hendersonville residents can go to Beech High School at 3126 Long Hollow Pike and to Cornerstone Church at 1410 Stop 30 Road, which is a Red Cross shelter. In Clarksville, a Red Cross shelter is open at Northeast High School, 3701 Trenton Road. Also in Clarksville, emergency shelters include: Mosaic Church at 1020 Garrettsburg Road and Church of Christ at 2650 Trenton Road. Madison Community Center 550 North Dupont Avenue is a Red Cross shelter. YMCA and YWCA facilities also offer electricity and shelter in many communities. Power outages roll into Sunday Nashville Electric Service said about 27,000 woke up Sunday without electricity down from 39,000 on Saturday. "While this is significant progress, there continue to be about 27,000 customers without power," NES officials said. "NES crews will continue to work around the clock until all power is restored, however damage is severe in some areas, and it will take our crews time to assess and restore power in these areas." Out-of-state crews are expected to arrive to assist the Nashville Electric Service later today. NES does not have a timeline for the restoration of power for the 26,000 homes still without power this morning. The outages in the Hendersonville area may last days, rather than hours. Hardest-hit areas of Hendersonville, Clarksville, Madison, Gallatin and Springfield are expected to take the longest to recover. "Right now, our major focus is on the transmission infrastructure and substations that supply power to the Hendersonville area," NES wrote on X. "The damage is severe and it will take our crews time as the assessments continue into the morning." There were 13,174 customers without power in Clarksville on Sunday morning, according to CDE Lightband. Meanwhile, emergency responders continued to assess massive damages across the community. Crews continue to work around downed trees and wires to restore power to the region amid what Dickson County Electric called a "historic and catastrophic" severe weather event Saturday evening. Dickson Electric System officials said they reduced outages from 1,700 to 1,117 by 6 a.m. Sunday and deployed all available workers to clear many downed trees and wires. But they acknowledge there is so much debris that the work could take more than a day. In Robertson County, Springfield took the brunt of the damage and 5,800 homes remained without power early Sunday. "Our Wartrace substation took a direct hit from the storm and sustained substantial damage. Crews are continuing to work to repair the substation," the City of Springfield Facebook page reported late Saturday. "We anticipate that power will not be restored to the areas of Old Greenbrier Pike, Oakland Farms, Legacy and Timberlake tonight." Nashville police identify child, two adults killed Police identified the three people, including a 2-year-old boy, who were killed in storms in Nashville on Saturday. Joseph Dalton, 37, was inside his mobile home on Nesbitt Lane in Madison when the storm rolled it on top of the residence of Floridema Gabriel Perez, 31. Both died. Perez's son Anthony Elmer Mendez, 2, was also killed. Two other children survived. Perezs 7-year-old son and Daltons 10-year-old son were inside their homes at the time of the storm. They were taken to Vanderbilt Pediatrics with non-life threatening injuries. Nashville mayor declares state of emergency Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell declared a state of emergency in Davidson County in a video statement around 10:15 p.m. Saturday "Today a storm turned the world upside down for many in our community," he said, adding that he is "heartbroken" that at least three people were killed in the storm. First responders continued to work to get to hard-to-reach areas. Metro partially activated its Emergency Operations Center and O'Connell has contacted state and federal partners, he said. Nashville Fire Department personnel were searching damaged buildings for anyone who could be trapped inside. The Nashville Office of Emergency Management reported a building collapse at Community Church on Dickerson Pike. Thirteen people were transported to nearby hospitals and were last listed in stable condition. "While many of you will want to help immediately, for now it is crucial that you stay out of the affected areas and heed guidance from first responders and officials on the ground," O'Connell said. More information on supporting those impacted will be released in the coming days. Family survives Clarksville tornado Mackenzie Underwood huddled with her four children in their basement bathroom while her fiance watched the storm from the porch of their Peggy Drive home. Her security system had alerted her to the tornado warning. Within five minutes, she said, "you could hear it coming." Her fiance caught a glimpse of the funnel and ran downstairs to join his family. Behind a mattress in the bathroom, they heard a series of loud booms. "It was just trees falling on top of my house," she said. The tornado blew out the basement windows and broke the hinges on the bathroom door. When they emerged physically unscathed they could see the sky where the roof should be. Outside, their detatched garage was "completely gone" with its contents strewn across their property, but the carport curiously remained. Underwood tried calling 911, but the phone continued to ring for about five minutes. Some lines were down, she said, and she's sure they received a high volume of calls. Dispatchers called her back about an hour later. Underwood walked through the neighborhood, surveying the damage. Someone asked her if she had seen two young boys, and people were searching for a man whose home was leveled. She's lived in Tornado Alley she knows what they sound like, she's seen them before. "You could hear it coming, but I honestly thought it would never hit our house," Underwood said. More: Tracking damage from possible tornadoes that killed 6 in Middle Tennessee This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee tornado outbreak latest: Two tornadoes confirmed, ranked The chair of the University of Pennsylvanias Board of Trustees resigned on Saturday, just after university President Liz Magill did the same following controversial comments she made at a House hearing on antisemitism this week. Scott Bok, who announced Magills resignation Saturday, said minutes later that he would also step down, citing the congressional hearing scandal. Today, following the resignation of the University of Pennsylvanias President and related Board of Trustee meetings, I submitted my resignation as Chair of the Universitys Board of Trustees, effective immediately, Bok said, according to The Daily Pennsylvanian. While I was asked to remain in that role for the remainder of my term in order to help with the presidential transition, I concluded that, for me, now was the right time to depart. At the Tuesday hearing, Magill and other college leaders controversially said that it would depend on context whether comments calling for genocide of Jewish people would be considered harassment. Those statements brought her under fire from university alumni and Pennsylvania politicians, some of whom called on her to resign or be removed from the role. Bok described Magills comments as a very unfortunate misstep after five hours of aggressive questioning before a Congressional committee. He stood up for her in the message, calling her a very good person and a talented leader who was beloved by her team Worn down by months of relentless external attacks, she was not herself last Tuesday, he said. Over prepared and over lawyered given the hostile forum and high stakes, she provided a legalistic answer to a moral question, and that was wrong. It made for a dreadful 30-second sound bite in what was more than five hours of testimony, he added. The board announced that Vice Chair Julie Platt will lead the group on an interim basis. We share your commitment to this extraordinary University, and while this is a challenging time, the Penn community is strong and resilient, and together, we will move forward, it said in a statement. Updated at 10:50pm. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The chairman of University of Pennsylvanias Board of Trustees stepped down from his role minutes after University President Liz Magill resigned Saturday. The Daily Pennsylvanian, the universitys student-run newspaper, reported that Board of Trustees Chairman Scott Bok resigned from his post just minutes after Magill announced her resignation on Saturday. Both resignations come after Magill came under fire alongside other university presidents for her answers on addressing antisemitism on campus during a congressional hearing last week. Today, following the resignation of the University of Pennsylvanias President and related Board of Trustee meetings, I submitted my resignation as Chair of the Universitys Board of Trustees, effective immediately, his announcement read. While I was asked to remain in that role for the remainder of my term in order to help with the presidential transition, I concluded that, for me, now was the right time to depart. Bok said in his announcement that Magill made a very unfortunate misstep during the hearing, adding that it became clear that her position was no longer tenable after appearing before the congressional committee. The world should know that Liz Magill is a very good person and a talented leader who was beloved by her team. She is not the slightest bit antisemitic. Bok said. Working with her was one of the great pleasures of my life. Worn down by months of relentless external attacks, she was not herself last Tuesday. Over prepared and over lawyered given the hostile forum and high stakes, she provided a legalistic answer to a moral question, and that was wrong. It made for a dreadful 30-second sound bite in what was more than five hours of testimony, he continued. Magill, alongside the college presidents of Harvard and MIT, said during the hearing last week that it would depend on context whether comments calling for genocide of Jewish people would be considered harassment. Calls quickly grew for Magill to resign following the hearing from Pennsylvania politicians and the schools alumni. It has been my privilege to serve as President of this remarkable institution, Magill said. It has been an honor to work with our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members to advance Penns vital missions. The comments also prompted criticism from the White House and cost the University of Pennsylvania a $100 million donation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Kang Hyun-kyung Pyongyang has belatedly reacted furiously to South Korean Constitutional Courts decision in September to strike down the ban on sending propaganda leaflets over the border into North Korea. In a statement released in November, North Koreas Central News Agency (KCNA) said the courts decision signals a de facto war against the North as information warfare is part of an operation preceding a ground war. Calling North Korean defectors who flew the leaflets across the border garbage, the KCNA said that North Koreas firing of anti-aircraft rounds across the border in 2014 and its destroying of the inter-Korean liason office used for talks between the two countries in 2020 are two chilling reminders of what South Korea could face. In 2014, North Korea used anti-aircraft guns to shoot down balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang leaflets flown by South Korean activists near the border town of Yeoncheon. North Koreas furious reaction to the courts lifting of the ban on sending propaganda leaflets into the North reflects the regime fears its people being exposed to outside information. Sean King, senior vice president of the New York-based consulting firm Park Strategies, said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is afraid of his people learning the truth that they live under the control of a repressive regime. From what I know, authoritarian North Korea fears any challenge from within to its own version of events and of the world, he told The Korea Times in an email message. It cannot afford to let its own people know whats actually going on outside lest they begin to question the regime as to the many lies theyre told and the burdens they must endure. The Constitutional Court of South Korea ruled on Sept. 26 that a clause in the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act, which prohibited the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets, limited freedom of speech. The law was nullified immediately in the wake of the ruling. The law was introduced in 2018 when liberal President Moon Jae-in was in power. A group of lawmakers from the then ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) pushed through the legislation, despite opposition from the conservative People Power Party (PPP). People violating the law faced up to three years in prison or a 30 million won ($22,000) fine. The law drew a lot of criticism both at home and abroad as it excessively repressed freedom of speech. PPP lawmakers called it a law designed to curry favor with the North Korean leaders sister Kim Yo-jong because the DPK pushed for the legislation after she lashed out at South Korea for allowing North Korean defectors to send the leaflets. King said a wealthier, happier and larger South Korea represents an existential threat to the Kim regime. It thus serves Kim Jong-uns interests that his citizens are left in the dark, he said. Information about the outside world, particularly free and democratic nations, is a threat to autocratic states, he said. According to him, East Germany, before German reunification, was more exposed to West Germany and the outside world and East Germans were global communists who happened to be Germans. East Germans exposure to West German media and travel to other socialist countries at least, led them to doubt and challenge what their own unelected government was telling them, King said. For example, for those roughly 70 percent of East Germans who could watch West German television, they knew their leaders werent telling them the whole truth about the 1981 Solidarity movement in Poland and the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in what was then the Soviet Union (which is todays Ukraine). Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Sunday that adversaries of the United States such as Russia, Iran and China would be happy if the White House supplemental aid bill to support Ukraine and Israel stalls in Congress. CNNs Jake Tapper pressed Blinken on what it would mean for Ukraine and Israel if the aid package wasnt passed before the end of the year. I think the only people whod be happy if the supplemental budget request is not voted on and approved by Congress are sitting in Moscow, sitting in Tehran, sitting in Beijing, Blinken said on State of the Union. For Ukraine, this is absolutely vital. Theyve made remarkable progress over the last year and pushing back Russian aggression, taking back more than 50 percent of the territory that was seized since February of 2022, he added. Senate Republicans blocked a measure to provide aid to Ukraine and Israel last week due to a lack of border provisions in the bill. The $111 billion emergency supplemental package requested by President Biden also included aid for the Indo-Pacific region and funding for humanitarian aid in Gaza, however, Senate Republicans were unsatisfied with the border security promises outlined in the bill. The Biden administration also unveiled a new aid package for Ukraine last week that would provide up to $175 million of arms and equipment under previously directed drawdowns. Without congressional action by the end of the year, the White House warned earlier this month that the U.S. will run out of money for Ukraine amid its war with Russia. Blinken also noted that a majority of the assistance in the supplemental aid request goes right to U.S. manufactuers and called on Congress to step up as other countries have approved aid to Ukraine. So we have the burden sharing that we need, Blinken said. This is a time to really step up. Because if we dont, we know what happens, Putin will be able to move forward with impunity. And we know he wont stop in Ukraine. And he may well end up going after a NATO country that would bring us in given our obligations to our NATO allies. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. MANILA, Philippines The Philippines and its treaty ally, the United States, separately condemned a high-seas assault Saturday by the Chinese coast guard together with suspected militia ships that repeatedly blasted water cannons to block three Philippine fisheries vessels from a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. The noontime assault by Chinese ships off the Scarborough Shoal, one of the most aggressive this year, caused significant damage to the communication and navigation equipment of one of the three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ships, Filipino officials said. They said without elaborating that suspected militia vessels accompanying Chinese coast guard ships used a long-range acoustic device that could impair hearing, causing severe temporary discomfort and incapacitation to some Filipino crew. Its the latest flare-up of the long-seething territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a flashpoint in Asia that has put the U.S. and China on a collision course. China claims virtually the entire strategic waterway, but the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have also pressed their separate claims. Territorial standoffs between China and the Philippines over a number of disputed offshore areas, including the Scarborough and the Second Thomas shoals, have been particularly heated this year. The U.S. has warned that its obligated to defend the Philippines, its longtime treaty ally, if Filipino forces, aircraft or ships come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. China has warned the U.S. to stay away from what it calls a purely Asian dispute. It has deployed ships and aircraft to closely shadow U.S. Navy ships and aircraft, which periodically undertake freedom of navigation and overflight patrols in one of the worlds most hotly disputed seas. A Philippine government task force that deals with the long-seething territorial disputes said Saturday it vehemently condemns the illegal and aggressive actions carried out by the Chinese coast guard and Chinese maritime militia against the civilian Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels. We demand that the Chinese government take immediate action to halt these aggressive activities and uphold the principles of international law and desist from actions that would infringe on Philippine sovereignty and endanger the lives and livelihood of Filipino fishermen, it said. U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson condemned Chinas aggressive, illegal actions. This (Chinese) behavior violates international law and endangers lives and livelihood, Carlson said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. We stand with our Philippine friends, partners, allies in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Chinese coast guard said in a single sentence announcement on its website that it implemented control measures in line with the law Saturday against three BFAR vessels that intruded into waters adjacent to Huangyan Island, the Chinese name for the Shoal. Separately, the coast guard said it had implemented controls in accordance with laws and regulations on Sunday against two Philippine coast guard vessels, including one official ship and one supply ship that were attempting to transport construction materials to the Second Thomas Shoal. China has long sought to blockade the submerged reef, where a small contingent of Filipino marines has stood guard for years aboard a long-marooned but still actively commissioned warship, the BRP Sierra Madre. Senator Chris Murphy, a democrat, told NBC News on Dec. 10 that he wished Republicans weren't holding further aid to Ukraine hostage to immigration reform as military assistance to both Kyiv and Israel continues to get held up in Congress. Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked a supplemental funding bill that included $61 billion in aid for Ukraine in a procedural vote held on Dec. 6, insisting that any further military aid for Ukraine or Israel must include major significant domestic border changes. "(Russian President) Vladimir Putin is delighting right now in Republicans' insistence that we get a deal on immigration reform and if we don't, then they're gonna allow Vladimir Putin to march into Ukraine and perhaps into Europe," he said on NBC News' "Meet the Press." Murphy also said that this is a "crisis moment for Ukraine" as the country is rapidly running out of ammunition. Russia is steps ahead of Ukraine in ammunition capacities. According to Ukrainian military and government sources, Russia can fire up to 10 times as much ammunition as Ukraine does during high-intensity fighting. While Russia makes use of its large stock of ammunition, both Ukraine and the EU have so far failed to scale up ammunition production to meet battlefield demands. EU members have so far placed orders for only 60,000 artillery shells under a joint procurement scheme, which is a key component of the plan to supply Ukraine with 1 million shells by spring, Reuters reported on Dec. 6, citing undisclosed sources. European and Ukrainian officials acknowledged in November that the EU is behind schedule with its shell deliveries, just as Russia is ramping up defense production and securing ammunition from its partners. "If we don't solve it in the next few weeks, Vladimir Putin is gonna have an opening to march into the Ukrainian lines, to make a move on Kyiv, threatening all of Europe so this has to be solved right now," Murphy said. Francis Farrell: Ukraine could still lose the war. Lets get some things straight This November has been a particularly grim one here in Ukraine. Over the past month, two media sensations in big Western magazines served as a sober wake-up call about the state of the war. First, Simon Shusters profile in TIME magazine on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys lonely fight The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell The situation in Ukraines east remains difficult as Russian troops continue conducting offensive operations along the entire front line, Ground Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on Dec. 10. The ongoing Russian offensive on Avdiivka has heralded a new phase of the war, one that promises to be especially tough for Ukraine. The new push to take the city came around the time Ukraines summer counteroffensive was understood to have culminated, and together, these two facts represent a decisive shift in the battlefield initiative towards Russia. With future flows of Western military aid under threat both in the U.S. and in Europe, and given the disappointing results of the counteroffensive, Ukraine is slowly coming to terms with being on a defensive posture for the foreseeable future. "If we cut off Ukraine now, the outcome is certain: Ukraine loses this war, maybe not next month but some time next year, because Europe will not stick with us if the U.S. abandons Ukraine," Murphy said. Murphy said Republicans were playing games with the security of the world. "The future of the world is at stake, if we fail, if Republicans don't get reasonable in the next 24 to 48 hours, Russia is going to march (further) into Ukraine," he said. The White House is planning to intensify its push with U.S. lawmakers to strike a bipartisan deal that includes aid for both Ukraine and Israel as well as security measures at the U.S. southern border, Murphy said. "The White House is going to get more engaged this week." Biden all in on aid to Ukraine, yet House remains an issue In a prime-time address from the White House, U.S. President Joe Biden said he was going to send Congress an urgent funding request for aid to Ukraine and Israel on Oct. 20. The administration will attempt to push for $105 billion in assistance to Ukraine and Israel, as the The Kyiv IndependentOleksiy Sorokin Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. One year after mail carrier Aundre Cross was shot and killed, his friends and fellow postal workers gathered Saturday to remember his life. Retired Milwaukee mail carrier Michael Carter recalled Cross, who was an 18-year employee of the U.S. Postal Service, as a cheerful and compassionate person. "Aundre was the most caring person that you would ever come across. Aundre would give you the shirt off his back," Carter said. "If you had a problem, Aundre was there to solve it." Postal workers held candles and released balloons at a memorial service in the 5000 block of North 65th Street, where on Dec. 9, 2022, prosecutors say a gunman shot Cross, 44, in the head while he was delivering mail. Ald. Mark Chambers announced that Mayor Cavalier Johnson and the Common Council had proclaimed Dec. 9 as Aundre Cross Day in his honor. Carter said he and Cross started at the Postal Service together, when Cross was 19 years old, and remained close. To Carter, Cross was like a little brother. He worries now about the safety of the other mail carriers who almost always must deliver mail after dark. During the busy holiday season, carriers are often walking their routes until 7, 8 or 9 p.m., Carter said. "Some of these carriers out here probably are going to go back to their routes," Carter said, speaking shortly after 5 p.m. as the event was ending. Community members release balloons into the sky during a vigil on Dec. 9, 2023 honoring the life of Aundre Cross, a 44-year-old U.S. Postal Service worker who was shot and killed while delivering mail a year ago on Dec. 9, 2022 in the 5000 block of North 65th Street in Milwaukee. Debra McDade of Milwaukee, a postal clerk and a former mail carrier who worked at the downtown post office with Cross, remembered him fondly and said she is concerned about the dangers carriers face on their routes. "He was so sweet and funny. He was hilarious," she said. "It brought tears to my eyes just to know that the carriers are going through what they're going through." Jiffy Brown of Milwaukee, also a postal clerk, used to work at the Hampton post office with Cross and said he was always a joyful presence. "No matter what your mood was, you'd forget about your issues. He was always energetic, dancing and singing. Just a good spirit overall," she said. Now, one year since his killing, Brown said, "We're just waiting for justice to be served." Cross' death lead to an outpouring of support last year. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers ordered flags across the state to be flown at half-staff after the shooting. An online fundraiser for Cross' wife and four children raised nearly $10,000. Mr. Cross was, by all accounts, a cherished husband, father, coworker, minister, and friend, and he was a dedicated public servant who committed 18 years of his life and career to the U.S. Postal Service and his community, Evers said at the time. Seneca McDade (left) and her mother Debra McDade attend a memorial event on Dec. 9, 2023 honoring the life of Aundre Cross, a 44-year-old U.S. Postal Service worker who was shot and killed while delivering mail a year ago on Dec. 9, 2022 in the 5000 block of North 65th Street in Milwaukee. Four charged in Aundre Cross' shooting death A federal grand jury indicted four people in Cross' death. Two of them, Kevin McCaa and Charles Ducksworth Jr., are charged with first-degree murder. McCaa is also charged with possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. Ducksworth is also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Shanelle McCoy and Lakisha Ducksworth are charged with providing false statements to law enforcement. Trial dates have not yet been set in the cases. According to a criminal complaint, McCaa and Charles Ducksworth followed Cross in a vehicle for an hour while he was delivering mail prior to the shooting. A community member places a candle on a memorial beneath a tree during a vigil on Dec. 9, 2023 honoring the life of Aundre Cross, a 44-year-old U.S. Postal Service worker who was shot and killed while delivering mail a year ago on Dec. 9, 2022 in the 5000 block of North 65th Street in Milwaukee. Around 4:38 p.m., one of the suspects who is not specified in the complaint is seen on surveillance video exiting the vehicle and approaching Cross from behind. Then a gunshot is heard. The suspects fled in the vehicle, the complaint said. Cross died from a single gunshot to the head. When questioned by investigators, McCoy said she was using the same vehicle to make deliveries for DoorDash at the time of the shooting, but investigators found she was actually using a different car. Weeks later, officers arrested the three suspects. At the home where McCaa and McCoy were arrested, officers found two Glock magazines and several rounds of ammunition. When arresting Charles Ducksworth, investigators found a Glock 9mm handgun with a drum magazine and a large quantity of marijuana, which was believed to be for distribution. It is unclear from the complaint if, or how, the suspects and Cross had any relationship prior to the murder. The complaint details a missing package suspected of containing drugs that was in Cross possession days earlier but was never delivered nor returned to a postal facility. The complaint stated that this could indicate that a USPS employee retained the parcel or provided it to someone else outside of normal operations. It did not share any more details about this or how this, and other, packages mentioned in the complaint relate to the murder. Elliot Hughes and Drew Dawson of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: USPS mail carrier remembered one year after Milwaukee shooting death Airport traffic Regarding Charlotte airport plans traffic changes for holiday travelers, (Dec. 8): Think these folks in charge of the airport can improve the traffic situation that they created in time for the holidays? Dream on! These are the same folks who closed short-term parking for far too long during construction, narrowed arrival lanes to two and have had us walking across multiple bus lanes to get to grossly overcrowded arrival pick-up curbs for four years. All the while, they have been gauging how much gouging we can stand on parking rates. Bob Lilien, Charlotte Open dialogue Submitted by MeckMINs Executive Committee: Regarding NC Voices: Canceled service was a loss for all, (Nov. 29 Opinion): We couldnt agree more that the cancellation of our annual interfaith Thanksgiving service was a deep loss. Far from viewing the peaceful protesters that day as dangerous, our executive director and seven board members met with them. We heard their concerns, prayed together for a lasting and just peace, and invited them to be in further conversation with us. At this moment, both Jewish and Muslim communities are feeling isolated and frightened. MeckMIN feels the pain of these communities deeply, laments the loss of life in Israel and Gaza and the dangerous rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia, and is committed to being a space where every voice is heard and respected. Were actively exploring how future community dialogues and events can be better designed to bridge gaps and foster deeper understanding among all faith groups. Our goal is to create forums where diverse voices can engage in respectful, meaningful conversations. We invite all to join us in this difficult but necessary work. MeckMIN Executive Committee A plea to Biden According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 6,000 children have been killed in Gaza. Since Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. foreign military aid, some of those children have been slain with U.S. made or financed weapons. Watching the images of parents holding their childrens bodies in white burial shrouds, I cant help but think about holding my own son, Jules, who died at birth two years ago. President Biden also knows what its like to lose a child. His 13-month-old Naomi died in a car crash. The president has said he found his way through the deaths of his first wife and daughter by turning his personal grief into purpose. As Congress weighs further aid for the Israeli governments war, I urge him to make peace his purpose. There are still so many lives that can be saved. Jacob Swenson-Lengyel, Mooresville Biden and Israel The Biden administration should refrain from trying to tell Israel how to fight in Gaza. The U.S. must recognize that Hamas positions itself in residential areas, hospitals and schools in order to maximize civilian injuries and deaths when Israel attacks. What would have been the U.S. response if Israel had attempted to instruct the United States on how to conduct military operations in Afghanistan? I am confident it would have been how we conduct our military operations is up to us and not any other nation. Turning on Israel in the war against Hamas will likely alienate many pro-Israel American voters. Craig A. Reutlinger, Charlotte Dan Bishop Regarding North Carolina Republicans divided on Santos expulsion, (Dec. 2) and related articles: On Dec. 1, we watched N.C. congressman Dan Bishop, who is running for state attorney general, vote no to expelling George Santos. His vote came despite an expulsion resolution authored by House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest, a Republican, and a detailed committee report that found substantial evidence that Santos sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit. Bishops no vote means he wanted an individual who is facing a 23-count federal indictment to remain in office. Bishop chose to support an unethical individual. North Carolinians should not choose him as our attorney general in 2024. Mary Gaertner, Charlotte Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina were at the third GOP primary debate on Nov. 8. in Miami. DeSantis presidential bid "absolute joke" Floridas Governor Ron DeSantis performance on the national level has been abysmal, and thats putting it mildly. His presidential campaign has been an absolute joke, as is he, in my opinion. Many think his arrogance, quirky behavior and awkwardness are the reasons why Americans are rejecting him. Instead, I believe residents of other states across our country dont want their state to mimic Florida. They pity Floridians under DeSantis authoritarian regime. Many cant fathom a Governor who does absolutely nothing to help his citizens combat Floridas outrageous homeowners insurance rates. They see how he attacks and treats already marginalized human beings like migrants and the LGBTQ+ community; they hear his disdain for science and history, and they want no part of him. American parents living outside Florida want their children to be able to receive a public education that makes them well-equipped to compete in todays global market, not hide them from the truth and reality. Ron DeSantis big miscalculation in running for President was thinking the rest of the country wants to emulate Florida. They dont. They have no interest in living in an oppressed state now known for its lack of intelligence, bigotry, and hatred. Gary Hoover, Lakeland Congress not engaged in meaningful governance Middle class Americans are still paying federal taxes but is the history, culture and heritage that gave birth to this great nation being honestly represented by federal and state politicians? Current and past administrations with Congress have not addressed meaningful and honest governing of our country. They have missed, ignored, and fumbled many issues and concerns. Consider America's failing economy, healthcare, and national security crisis. Serious concerns include immigration growth and assimilation, terrorism, crime, drugs, our federal budget, $33 trillion plus national debt, rebuilding/repairing our nation's infrastructure, securing energy independence and upgrading and strengthening our military. President Donald Trump promised in 2016 to Make America Great Again by addressing these failing Socialist issues. His dream has been stonewalled by a partisan congress, anti-American left-wing distractions and an unreliable news media. It's time Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives conducts investigations that ensure our American "legal system" prevails and drains these socialist swamps while strengthening our taxpaying citizens' Capitalist free market constitutional republic. Answer the call American citizens! November 2024- Vote for Donald J. Trump to return the USA back to a superpower once again supporting Liberty, Freedom, and Justice for all. GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS! Walt Back, Lakeland Supporting Trump: 'Wonders never cease to amaze' The Republican radical right can spin it however they like. They can perform all the mental gymnastics they want to fit their desired narrative. They can kowtow, contort, condone, normalize, rationalize, deflect, distort, conspire, and criticize. The facts will still remain the same. In his youth Donald Trump requested and was issued five military draft deferments, thus avoiding any military service. Companies he owned filed for bankruptcy six times. Hes been married three times. He was impeached twice during his presidency. He lost the 2020 presidential elections popular and electoral college votes, by a landslide. A jury found him liable for sexual abuse of a woman. He currently faces a total of 91 criminal charges, which include 44 federal and 47 state charges, all of them felonies. He is currently free on bail in four separate jurisdictions. If he were not the consummate con artist and grifter that he's proven to be, no decent human being would want anything to do with a person like him. You cant help but ask yourself: whats missing in these peoples lives and how did they ever get sucked into pledging their unconditional fealty to him over country? Wonders never cease to amaze. Michael Schwam, Lakeland Realities of climate change getting harder to ignore It gets tedious, doesn't it, to hear more and more warnings from scientists about climate change. The information overload may make some folks tune out in frustration. But hard as it maybe, the mounting evidence from so many different studies from so many people around the world is going to be harder to ignore. There's a new one from the UN that said greenhouse gases are INCREASING 9 % when they have to DECREASE 43% to keep global temperatures from rising above pre-industrial levels. Another one from several federal agencies said that weather disasters which used to strike a few times a YEAR in the 1980s and now occur a few times a WEEK. If you find it hard to relate to disasters that luckily missed you, ask yourself is this where we want our tax dollars to go? Politicians have the most power to implement change, but of course in Florida they're oblivious to anyone who isn't a big business lobbyist with lots of money to toss around. These are the ones we have to vote out of office next year because our lives depend on it and we're all running out of time. Judy Haberek, Polk City This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Voice of the people: December 10 2023 North Korea denounced the United States on Sunday for vetoing a U.N. Security Council Resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, state media reported. The U.N. Security Council voted on the resolution Friday, but it failed to pass due to the veto by the U.S., one of the five veto-wielding powers of the 15-member council. Kim Son-kyong, North Korea's vice foreign minister for international organizations, accused Washington of abusing its veto right, calling the country a "stumbling block" to international peace and stability, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "I cannot but deplore the fact that the international community's unanimous desire for peace and stability to settle in the Middle East at an early date was mercilessly trampled down again," Kim said in an English-language statement carried by the KCNA. (Yonhap) Esperanza Mendez worries she may be dying, though she doesnt say it out loud to her two young children. There is a cyst on her neck, which she said feels like its putting pressure on her brain and causing pain in her head. The lump has been growing for three years, and now her whole body aches, especially her arms and legs. She has trouble opening and closing her fists. I feel terrible. My head hurts so much, she often says while pressing her thumbs on her temple. Me siento muy mal. Me duele mucho la cabeza. A few weeks ago, worried about her health as well as that of her kids, who she suspects are malnourished from their journey migrating to the United States from Venezuela this summer Esperanza set out to get medical care in her new city. She entered a public health system that is already feeling the strain of caring for thousands of other uninsured people with exacerbated health needs emotional, physical and more. She recently spent 14 hours waiting for care in the emergency department at one of the busiest Level 1 trauma centers in the nation. The prolonged wait time, exhaustion and uncertainty that Esperanza, 47, and her kids experienced are symptoms of a U.S. health care system that caters to people with citizenship, medical insurance and means. More than 24,000 migrants mostly from Venezuela have come to Chicago since August 2022, and are depending on health care from a patchwork of hospital emergency departments and free and charitable medical clinics. Esperanza was unable to receive proper attention for the lump in her neck in Venezuela, where she also struggled to make enough money to feed her family. So she and her kids walked across seven countries for a better and safer future. This summer, the Tribune followed the Mendez family on their journey from the border town of El Paso, Texas, to Chicago. Since arriving July 15, they family has had to adjust to the Englewood neighborhood they live in, where people mostly speak English and gun violence can be shocking and prevalent. Theyve celebrated the growth of their family over Labor Day weekend with the birth of a boy. And theyve tried to make sense of the bureaucratic public records system and fought for bilingual instruction at their elementary school. Despite Esperanzas acute pain, she remains strong and reassuring to those she loves not only about her illness but about the daily onslaught of difficulties facing her family after walking thousands of miles to make it to the United States from Venezuela, and struggling to adjust to a foreign and unpredictable life in Chicago. Nov. 21, 2023, 9:05 a.m. On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Pedro, 9, and Yuledy, 10, followed their mother down the stairs of the second-floor apartment where theyve been staying with the childrens father in Englewood. The family hoped to see a doctor. Theres so much mud! Hay mucho lodo! Pedro said as he walked onto the sidewalk and noticed how he could see his breath a phenomenon he never experienced in Venezuela. Yuledy, who wore polka-dot rain boots, smiled at the gray sky and misty air. Its beautiful, she said to her mom. The previous day, Esperanza, Pedro and Yuledy had tried to get medical care from St. Bernard Hospital, but, with the help of a mobile translation device, learned from a nurse that they didnt have health insurance. They were assessed briefly, and referred to Stroger because Esperanza needed more care. She was appropriately treated, discharged with a prescription for medication and referred to Stroger because she required a higher level of care, David Rudd, a spokesman for St. Bernard Hospital, said in a statement. As the family walked to the bus stop to catch a long ride to Stroger Hospital, Esperanza noticed a brick bungalow that had a window boarded up. She said it reminded her of houses in Venezuela. Everything over there declined. The houses are that way, abandoned. Todo se cayo. Las casas estan asi, abandonadas, she said. Falling crude oil prices and crippling sanctions have left many Venezuelans without basic supplies, food and health care. Considered the largest displacement crisis in the world, approximately 7.7 million Venezuelans have migrated and are currently living outside their country. This amounts to over 25% of the total population of Venezuela. Experts say scarcity brought on by the pandemic further exacerbated Venezuelans inability to access reliable health care and resources. But it is impossible to know just how dire their needs are because the government has released no public information, said Julian Fernandez Nino, assistant scientist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Migrants interviewed by the Tribune staying at city-run shelters and police stations say they are worried about their health and that of their children. Esperanza said health care was not an option for her in Venezuela. Hospitals were understaffed and treatment was too expensive, she said. The operation I needed at Hospital Universitario in Maracaibo would have cost me $2,000. That just wasnt feasible, Esperanza said. The wind in Chicago whipped her legs. Ooh, God, she exclaimed The worst of their new reality, Esperanza said as she walked to the bus stop, isnt the large gas and electricity bills in their new house. It isnt the struggle to find work, or even the violence on the street corner. Its the pervasive sense of soledad loneliness in their new home in Englewood, away from their family. How the world exists so apathetically around them. The judgment they feel. (Our neighbors) look at us in an ugly way. With anger, she said. The three of them narrowly caught the bus, laughing as they sprinted across the intersection to make it. They climbed on and found their seats. The bus smelled of cigarettes, cannabis and sweat. A woman sitting next to them handed a Clif bar and a bag of potato chips to Yuledy, who smiled. Her 11th birthday was in four days, and Esperanza didnt have money to buy or make a cake. They passed by the Swap-O-Rama, an indoor-outdoor flea market with a large parking lot in New City. Pedro looked out the window at a large cow statue by the sign. Look, Mom, a red cow! he said, pointing. 10:35 a.m. When they arrived at Stroger Hospital, they were prompted to use another mobile translation device a screen on wheels to communicate with medical professionals. Conversation in two languages felt stilted and awkward. Those kids shouldnt be running around like that here. Theyll get abducted, a nurse said under her breath in English as the children explored the hallways while Esperanza tried to explain in Spanish she was worried her daughter wasnt eating. The Stroger Hospital emergency department has received 107,000 visits this year for conditions ranging from chest pains and respiratory illnesses to orthopedic injuries and gastrointestinal issues, as well as overdoses and other ailments. An estimated 2,000 of those visits were from migrants, said Cook County Health spokesperson Kate Hedlin. Esperanza and her kids were sent to the pediatrics department first. Their wait in a curtained partition would last for four hours. Pedro and Yuledy wrestled each other on and off the hospital bed. They covered their cheeks and foreheads with stickers theyd been given by employees. They played with the masks on their faces and ate the few snacks offered to them. Restless. Inquieto, Esperanza said sternly to Pedro, then smiled at him. They could hear the woman in the partition next to them interacting with a nurse. She was also Venezuelan, but staying at a city shelter. The Venezuelan talked about her daughter, who had blisters in her throat. Shes not eating anything. She hasnt eaten for days, the woman said in Spanish. Esperanza pointed at the Disney show that was on the small screen hung above the bed to distract her children. Listen to that little cartoon girl and youll learn English, Esperanza said to them. 2:44 p.m. A nurse came into their partitioned area and Esperanza was put in a light blue hospital gown. She pulled Pedro up into her lap and kissed his cheek. She said he and his sister have grown despondent over the past few months. Instead of playing their usual games of tag or rock, paper, scissors, theyve been spending their days lying on a mattress on the floor of their room, watching shows on their mothers phone. Yuledy often refuses to eat. Theyve stopped going to school. One day in October, Esperanza went to pick her children up from their nearby elementary school when she saw a group of about 10 boys and girls circling her kids. He fell on the ground. She fell too, Esperanza said. Before she knew what was happening, all the kids started hitting each other at once. People were screaming. Her motherly instincts kicked in, and she fought through the crowd to pull Pedro and Yuledy up from the ground. She took them by the arm and led them away from the noise, walking the two blocks home. Though Pedro wasnt hurt, Yuledy had a scratch on her face and a black eye. That night, Esperanza couldnt sleep. She wasnt sure what to do, so she let them stay home from school. Their absence stretched on for weeks, and the children now wanted to go back. I just dont know, said Esperanza, looking at them lounging on the hospital bed waiting for the doctor. It makes me scared. Me da miedo. Esperanza has heard about gang activity on the streets near their house so she rarely lets them outside alone. About a month ago, one of them went to the store, said Esperanza. And shots started. Three people were killed, in just one moment. Esperanza said the moments after she heard the gunshots were unbearable. Her mind raced. Then she heard little footsteps coming up the stairs. Thank God, (my child) was safe, she said. Nurses came and checked the childrens blood levels for magnesium and electrolytes. The needles made Yuledy sob with fright, but the tests came back normal. The doctor gave Esperanza the name of a pediatrician for follow-ups. She grimaced and stabilized her forehead with her palm. I feel bad. My head hurts, said Esperanza. 2:55 p.m. After the children were seen, the family was moved down the hall to the adult wing of the emergency department for Esperanzas care. They waited two hours before being brought to a room. Esperanza lay on the hospital bed, and her children sat in chairs nearby. She was connected to a beeping machine. Her children noted the numbers on the defibrillator. How cold it was in the room. The vials of their mothers blood stored in a plastic basket on the counter. The cup with her urine sample. Take a photo of that, look. Toma una foto de eso, ve, Esperanza said to Yuledy, gesturing to the blood samples. Yuledy had tears in her eyes as she snapped the photo. She handed the phone back to her mom, who sent the photo to her sister in Venezuela. God, my head hurts, Esperanza said. The hours dragged on as they waited. They remembered how far they had walked to get to the United States. Pedro and Yuledy had both fallen sick with fevers in the jungle. Theyd slept on rocks. Theyd watched people drown in rushing rivers. Back in the hospital room, the children played around their mother, touching her boots and caressing her cheek, roughhousing as Yuledys long black hair whipped back and forth. Dont touch me. Dont touch that. No me toques. No tocques esto, Esperanza scolded Pedro as he tried to take out the needle inserted in her left hand. A hospital worker came over and told him to be quiet, and he curled up in the corner and sulked. 10:43 p.m. The average wait time for an adult to see a doctor at the Stroger emergency department is 82 minutes, which can vary based on a patients acuity conditions that may range from strep throat to a heart attack, according to Hedlin, the systems spokesperson. Venezuelans are entering a health care system that is struggling to meet demand for adults without legal status and who do not qualify for most government-funded health benefits. Hospital emergency departments have become the safety net for uninsured or underinsured patients after Congress enacted the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act in 1986. Because emergency departments are required to provide care to patients regardless of their ability to pay, patients without means or insurance will often depend on emergency departments for nonemergency medical care. Some arriving migrants qualify for medical assistance through the states victims of trafficking, torture or other serious crimes office. But many who arrive at police stations waiting for placement in city-run shelters also go to emergency rooms for preventive care. Compared to before, were seeing more (migrant) patients seeking emergency medical services, said Nabil Abou Baker, assistant professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Chicago, and I presume its the same across the city. As Esperanza waited, a man in chains wearing a Department of Corrections jumpsuit was escorted by officers down the hall. Patients in other rooms groaned in pain. One man screamed, I want to die! Pedro barely looked up. In a free hospital, there are a lot of people and they cant see everyone. En un hospital gratis, hay muchas personas y no pueden atender a todos, the 9-year-old said to his mom. 10:45 p.m. Almost 14 hours from the time the mother and children left their house that morning, doctors rolled Esperanzas hospital bed out of the room so she could get a CT scan. The scan came back mostly normal, the doctor said, with a few black spots. Its probably just a lipoma on the neck, the doctor told Esperanza with the help of a man who translated. So wed like to send you for some additional tests so they can take a sample of it. The doctor said a different specialist would call her within the week to schedule a follow-up. They would do a biopsy to see if the black spots were cancerous. If there was nothing more concerning, they would operate. If there was evidence of cancer, they would start chemotherapy. I imagine its just a benign pocket of fat that just needs to be taken out, said the doctor. Its a good thing you came in, so that we can take care of this with the right specialists. The doctor asked Esperanza if she had any questions, then left the room. Esperanza sat stoically, facing the wall, staring at Pedro and Yuledy. She was at a loss for words. She looked at her two children, her face full of grief. She felt tightness in her throat; short of breath. She hadnt told her kids she felt like she might pass out on the bus ride to the hospital. She answered softly to the nurse that she was at a level 8/10 on a sliding pain scale. The harsh hospital light shone down on her dyed red hair, which she often uses to hide the lump on her neck. Normally, Esperanza tries to hide her fear in front of her kids, but the hourslong wait in the hospital with little food, little information and no clear plan for whats next had weakened her resolve. Im scared, she said finally, breaking down in tears. Pedro stood by the hospital bed and gently placed his arms around his mothers neck. He put his face near hers, and they held each other and cried. I feel really bad. Me siento muy mal, Esperanza whispered in his ear. 11:15 p.m. After hours of waiting, and with no direction of what to do next, Pedro helped Esperanza remove the IV from her arms, touching the rash that had formed around the injection site from hours in the hospital. Does it hurt, mom? Yuledy asked. Yes, my arms hurt. Everything hurts a lot. Si, me duele muchos los brazos. Me duele mucho, Esperanza said. The nurse came back into the room, told her she should take Ibuprofen for pain and thanked them for their patience. It was past midnight. He called them an Uber, a service the hospital provides free for patients. They walked through the emergency department, past the front desk. They waited on the curb, remarking on how they could see their breath. Everything outside the emergency room seemed strangely normal. Esperanza looked at the building across the parking lot and pointed out to her children how a corner window light had just been turned on. Look, the first light of the day. Mira, la primera luz, she said to them. Its been 19 days since the hospital trip. Esperanza still has not received the follow-up call from the specialist, and her kids havent returned to school. An earlier version of this story misstated Esperanzas diagnosis of lipoma. nsalzman@chicagotribune.com Children walked and ran through the toy section Saturday at the Walmart Supercenter, 395 N Kansas 7 Highway, in Olathe, where police held their annual Mission Christmas Event, for students in the community. Around 9 a.m. officers in uniform hauled carts as 20 children embarked on their personal shopping sprees. Students from the Olathe School District and the Kansas School for the Deaf were selected to spend an hour shopping with the Olathe Police Department for themselves and their families. With money raised by police and the community, children were able to spend $200, with an additional $100 for their family. Noah McKinnis, 7, walked in the toy aisle with her mom, Spencer Johnson, 31, and Officer Kurt Dunn, Noah led the way, wearing sequinned tennis shoes, as she wandered, eyeing whatever it was she desired. On Noahs left side, a silver earpiece draped over her ear. Johnson said that her daughter was diagnosed as being partially deaf after birth. From the time she was 3, Noah had two surgical procedures on both ears. As a mother, Johnson is inspired by her daughters courage. Ever since we found out that she was partially deaf, I found out how resilient she is, Johnson said. She just keeps going and smiles through it. Ive never seen her give up on anything at this early age, and it inspires me as her mom. As Noah explored, she bumped into her big sister Micah McKinnis 12, who shopped with school resource Officer Bryan Jaegers. They walked Micah to aisles that appealed to a soon-to-be teenager. Micah pointed out a silver Mickey Mouse earring set and necklace to match. As children pranced through aisles with glee, every now and then they were reminded that they were on a budget. Jaegers noticed Micah had her eyes set on that particular jewelry set. Im not gonna make her put it back, Jaegers said. Micah dropped her items in the cart and headed towards the makeup department. As Jaegers pushed the cart, he said he knows what its like to be in middle school and want certain things. I want her to get what she wants and be happy. Shopping for girls isnt the norm for Jaeger, who has two sons. Spending time with Micah and Noah was an experience he enjoyed. Officer Bryan Jaeger, peers at lipgloss in the makeup aisle, with Micah, 12, and her mother, Spencer Johnson. Its fun and its something different that we dont always do, Jaegers said. Having an opportunity to give back to the community was an escape from the everyday tasks that come with being in the line of duty. Jaegers said that officers interaction with the community is usually in time of crisis, rather than a call to bond. A lot of times people call us when they need help. They call us whenever bad things happen, Jaegers said. So this is something different. In another aisle Jamie Schmidt, a school resource officer at the Kansas School for the Deaf, walked with Graisen McConnell, 10. As they searched the store, Schmidt used sign language to communicate with Graisen. Schmidt, who has volunteered to shop with children in the community for 10 years, said, Its just always fun for me. Schmidt said this event allows students to build a relationship with officers firsthand. Graisens mother, Diamond Davis, 31, allowed Schmidt and her son to have fun on their own because she trusts her. Graisen 10, greets the grinch, and the Coca Cola bear before ending his shopping spree. As a mother, Davis enjoyed watching her son and his peers bond with officers. I love that he looks at officers in a positive light especially with politics and life now, Davis said. Its great that he gets to have fun with them and its different to have this opportunity. Before Graisen and his mother left, he greeted two people dressed like The Grinch and the Coca-Cola Polar Bear with a smile, pulling his cart filled with toys. Energoatom stated that the greatest security threat exists at the fourth power unit of the ZNPP, which the occupiers kept in a hot condition The West does not fully understand the threat of nuclear terrorism from Russia the main danger is not the use of nuclear weapons, but nuclear terrorism associated with the seizure of nuclear power plants such as Chornobyl and Zaporizhzhya, said world-renowned Ukrainian historian and director of the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, Serhii Plokhy, in an interview with NV. There is a taboo on the use of nuclear weapons. Russia breaking it would mean not only serious problems with the West, but with China and India as well. Read also: Zaporizhzhya NPP reliant on single power line, says state nuclear regulator "When it comes to the seizure of nuclear facilities, war at nuclear facilities, the world has not developed a tough attitude and a similar approach," Plokhy said. "With nuclear facilities, it is easy to point the finger at someone else." "When a nuclear weapon is used, it is clear where it came from, but when a nuclear disaster happens, you can point the finger in an unlimited number of directions. It's like the old joke: he stole his coat, his coat was stolen - it's hard to understand." Read also: 800 Ukrainian specialists continue working at Zaporizhzhya NPP "The Russians pointed the finger at the Ukrainians, the Ukrainians pointed the finger at the Russians, and the world cannot understand this as part of the war, so they say 'let's sort it out' instead of 'Russia must be punished. A huge catastrophe goes unnoticed because the information space is muddy, and this issue, this impression is still not understood in the West." As an example, Plokhy recalled the international community's reaction to Russia blowing up the Kakhovka hydroelectric plant. Another blackout occurred at Zaporizhzhya NPP on Dec. 2, a semi-frequent occurrence under Russian occupation. This was the eighth blackout overall and posed a threat to radiation safety. The most recent partial blackout at the Zaporizhzhya NPP occurred on Nov. 16. Every blackout at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP represents a threat of a major accident comparable to that at Japans Fukushima plant, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said on national television on Dec. 2. The greatest safety threat exists at the fourth power unit, which Russia keeps in a hot shutdown state, a violation of operating conditions. "The de-energization of the main circulating pumps that cool the active zone leads to the transition of the reactor unit to a natural circulation mode, the company said. Read also: Russias nuclear blackmail continues This mode is challenging for the reactor unit, its duration is limited by the design, and it could lead to the failure of the main equipment of the power unit. The unit needs to be urgently transferred to a cold (shutdown) state,. The occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is currently obtaining electricity solely from a single transmission line, Acting Head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Oleh Korikov, said on national television on Dec. 6. At present, the plant operates on the 750 kV line; the 330 kV line is not yet connected today, he said. The ZNPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, has been under Russian occupation since the early days of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Russian forces maintain equipment at the NPP, using it as cover, and have conducted provocative shelling on the NPPs territory. Currently, the plant operates solely for its own needs and does not supply electricity to the Ukrainian grid. Ukrainian authorities also expressed concerns about Russias intentions to carry out a terrorist act at Zaporizhzhya NPP during the summer. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine CANYON - More than 950 students from West Texas A&M University (WT) celebrated their graduation during commencement ceremonies held Saturday at the First United Bank Center in front of a packed house of eager friends and parents. Students from the various college disciplines took part in ceremonies in the morning and afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 9. WT President Walter V. Wendler shared a speech with graduates before they received their diplomas and honors. Also speaking to graduates were Filiberto Avila and alum Liz Rascon-Alaniz. We are proud of the hard work and dedication exhibited by these scholars, and we are excited to celebrate alongside them and their loved ones, Wendler said. WT always strives to produce quality students ready to meet the needs of the Panhandle and beyond, and we know our Buffs will go on to make a difference in their world. Graduate Claire Jeffries, right, and her mom Holly Jeffries, a dean at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, await the WT commencement ceremony Saturday morning at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. Holly Jeffries, a dean at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences for WT, had the honor of seeing her daughter Claire Jeffries receive her bachelor's degree in science and nursing. Claire from Bushland now joins her sister and mom as nursing graduates. This means a lot to me; I knew when I was very little that I wanted to follow in my mom's footsteps to be a nurse, Claire said. I used to go to work with mom when I was little, and so I would get to see what she did all the time. I got to play the patient a few times for college. Watching her in her job really inspired me. Claire said that while it was a challenge, she feels that the journey was well worth her time. She will not have to travel far to start her new career after accepting an ICU nurse position at Northwest Texas Healthcare System in Amarillo. Later she plans to pursue her masters degree. I feel that people should really consider a career in nursing, Claire said. Go shadow some nurses and find out what it is all about. There are so many things that can be done with a nursing degree. Seeing patients walk out the door that you felt would not go home is such an amazing feeling. She says that she wants to make a difference as a nurse and wants to represent the profession as best that she can. Holly Jeffries has been with WT as a professor for more than a decade. Ilene Walton smiles after being handed her diploma at the WT commencement ceremony Saturday morning at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. It was super exciting to see my baby girl, my last of four to graduate, Holly said. I always let my children make independent decisions, but seeing them follow my path makes me so honored." With the significant need for healthcare professionals, Holly feels that more students should look at going into the field. There is nothing as rewarding as helping people in need; I can think of no other field that is as rewarding as this, she said. A Doctor of Education graduate leans back as her stole is placed upon her at the WT commencement ceremony Saturday morning at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. A graduate throws up the WT hand sign at the WT commencement ceremony Saturday morning at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. Doctoral graduates are all smiles at the WT commencement ceremony Saturday morning at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. Mirescha Childs, a police detective from Houston, was the first doctoral graduate to walk on the stage Saturday. She earned her Doctor of Education Degree, becoming the first educator in her family. She said that WT appealed to her due to the breadth of their programs. This has been a long three years, but the hard work, commitment and dedication that I put in makes this mean the world to me, Childs said. Time management was the most challenging aspect of earning this degree. I would like to start teaching in higher education in the Houston area, but I am open to relocating. Doctor of Education graduate Mirescha Childs from Houston awaits her chance to walk across stage at the WT commencement ceremony Saturday morning at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. A graduate waves at a family member at the WT commencement ceremony Saturday morning at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. She said that hearing someone call her doctor is quite surreal, but she is proud of her achievement. Ronnie Hall, executive director of the WT Alumni Association, spoke about having another graduation group join the fold as alumni. Hopefully, we can keep these graduates connected to and engaged with the university so that this becomes a lifetime journey to give back later to the university in some way, Hall said. A graduating student gives the WT buffalo gesture to her family at the WT commencement ceremony Saturday morning at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. A graduate looks into the crowd at the WT commencement ceremony Saturday morning at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. The crowd applauds the 2023 WT graduates at the WT commencement ceremony Saturday morning at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. Betty Coneway, the department head for education for WT, expressed pride in seeing her students complete a part of their education journey. I think this ceremony is a rite of passage and a way to celebrate with your peers and professors that have helped you, Coneway said. Friends and families that have put in a lot of work with these graduates get to see the fruits of their labor as these students receive their degrees. Coneway said for many, this is perseverance through exceedingly demanding situations to reach this goal in life. I believe that education is so impactful to students; they get so much from this journey, Coneway said. "The educators that helped these students reach this point have put their life into helping them achieve their goals. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: West Texas A&M students graduate at commencement ceremonies Dec. 9 The White House touted remarks Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) made in an interview Sunday in which the Utah lawmaker said House Republicans had no evidence to support their effort to open an impeachment inquiry into President Biden. A White House spokesperson sent an email shortly after Romney made the remarks on NBCs Meet the Press that included a partial transcript and video clip of the interview in which Romney said he would vote against impeachment if he were serving in the House. When asked by NBCs Kristen Welker if he sees any evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors being committed by Biden, Romney responded: No. I dont see any evidence of that at all. I think before you begin an impeachment inquiry, you ought to have some evidence, some inclination that theres been wrongdoing. And so far, theres nothing of that nature thats been provided, Romney said, directly responding to the argument from some House Republicans that they were moving to open the investigation in order to gain access to information that might reveal evidence of wrongdoing. The White House email noted that Romneys comments come two days before House Republicans have a vote scheduled to open an impeachment inquiry, which it cast as a political stunt. Asked whether hes opposed to the inquiry, Romney said, Well, if I were in the House, Id vote against it unless they were able to bring forward evidence that suggested there were a high crime or misdemeanor that had been committed. But so far, that hasnt been the case. Look, fortunately for most people, were not responsible for the misdeeds of our kids, and grandkids, and great-grandkids, Romney said. Nothing in my family Im embarrassed about, but President Bidens son, Hunter, has obviously been a very unsavory person and has had some extremely damaged personal foibles, including a drug habit and so forth. Thats not President Biden, Romney added. And were not going to impeach someone because of the sins of their kids. Romney became the first senator in history to vote to impeach a president of his own party, when he supported the first impeachment of former President Trump. Several other Senate Republicans joined him in supporting Trumps second impeachment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sexual violence is often used as a tool of dominance and control within marriages and intimate partner relationships. Currently, survivors in Ohio who experience sexual violence within marriages are unprotected because a loophole exists within the laws that allows perpetrators to get away with inflicting sexual violence on their partners. After 30 years of advocacy efforts by the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence and Ohio rape crisis organizations, Ohio is one step closer to eliminating the spousal rape exemption with a near unanimous vote on House Bill 161, sending it to the Ohio Senate for consideration. As a professional in the movement to end sexual violence, I am baffled why this piece of legislation has met consistent opposition for decades. We recently learned from state Rep. Bill Dean, R-Xenia, about why he voted no on the passing of House Bill 161. I personally dont believe that a man, if hes married and has physical relations with his wife, that can be considered rape, Dean told the USA TODAY Network Ohio bureau after the vote. I also know that if theyre living apart or theyre divorced and stuff, sure, thatd be rape. I think this law can be used as a wedge between husband and wife and families and a husband and wifes relationship. This line of reasoning is part of the rape culture that allows sexual violence to continue and remain underreported in our homes and communities. Regardless of marital status and how many times a spouse has engaged in sexual relations with their spouse, they have the right to say no. Saying no is about having autonomy over ones body. Autonomy is not revoked by a marriage license. Deans line of thinking reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the issue. Rape is a crime, regardless of the relationship between the individuals involved. The proposed changes in HB 161 do not criminalize consensual relations but aim to remove an archaic legal shield that has no place in a modern and just society. In fact, Ohio is one of only 11 states that maintains this spousal loophole, and it is time to end the inequity. Statistics from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network reveal a stark reality one-third of rapes are committed by a persons current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey further underscores the prevalence of sexual violence within intimate relationships. By clinging to laws that treat survivors differently based on their marital status, Ohio perpetuates an injustice that demands urgent correction. The bottom line is that spousal rape is not acceptable, and Ohio can protect survivors and hold all offenders accountable. We need this bill to close this loophole and bring us in line with the rest of our country. In the coming legislative sessions, I call upon lawmakers in the Ohio Senate to join the ranks of states that champion fairness and protection for survivors of sexual violence. Teresa Stafford is chief executive officer of the Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center in Akron and Medina. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Why Ohio needs a spousal rape law and Rep. Bill Dean is wrong A woman accused of assaulting a rideshare driver was hit by a vehicle moments after being kicked out of her Uber, Texas police told news outlets. The incident happened at about 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, on San Antonios north side, WOAI reported. The 21-year-old passenger was intoxicated and argumentative, the driver told police, the station reported. At one point, the woman started hitting and slapping the Uber driver, so he pulled over and told her to get out, police said. She then attacked the vehicle, breaking a door handle and smashing the windshield before walking away, police told KSAT. As the driver was calling 911 to report what happened, police said the woman wandered into a traffic lane and was struck by another vehicle, the outlet reported. The woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition, police told the San Antonio Express-News. Police said she will be charged with assault and criminal mischief, the newspaper reported. Bullets fly into sleeping familys home in escalating dispute with handyman, feds say Grandmother intentionally shoots 6-month-old grandchild in head, Ohio cops say Man arrested in killing of 16-year-old cheerleader found dead by mom, Texas cops say Bus rider fatally hits man racially harassing him and wont be charged, PA officials say Korea, the United States and Japan seek to demonstrate to China and others that being democratic and transparent is "the way for greater economic growth" as the three countries work to deepen cooperation in development projects amid rising global competition, a senior official at the U.S. development agency has said. Michele Sumilas, assistant to the administrator of the bureau for planning, learning and resource management at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), stressed that the key functions of its development efforts are to help "realize that we should be providing assistance that allows countries to create democratic communities, to have economic growth and to move forward in their development." "What we are doing, as like-minded countries ... is we're demonstrating to our partners around the world, whether China or other countries, that being democratic, working with civil society, being accountable and transparent, is the way to for greater economic growth," she said during an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday, when asked about the importance of trilateral cooperation amid increasing U.S.-Sino rivalry. "And so that is why we are building alliances with many different people around the world to really help explain how that kind of governance can lead to greater economic sustainable growth," she added. Sumilas emphasized the U.S. is "very excited" to partner with Korea and Japan on several projects, saying "there is rising authoritarianism around the world and this is a time for us all to come together." At the historic Camp David summit in August, the leaders of the three countries agreed to cooperate in coordinating development assistance to regions across the globe. In October, the three sides held their first trilateral development and humanitarian policy dialogue. As follow-up measures to the summit, the three countries have several projects lined up for the coming six to nine months, including on women, peace and security, ocean plastics, and digital technology, according to the official. "For example, in Ghana, we are working with Korea and Japan on a project to ensure greater access to primary health care for women and children in that country," she said. "There's also a focus on that project on global health security to ensure that we can fight infections and disease before they break out." The three sides are also set to hold a "humanitarian dialogue" early next year to better address humanitarian disasters, such as climate change, in the Indo-Pacific and other regions. On tripartite cooperation, she stressed the three countries have "particularly good synergy" on issues like global health security, technology and digital access, as well as women, peace and security. "One, we have shared values and understandings about the need for accountability and transparency. We also together value innovation, and we value digital transformation and the effects that the digital transformation can have on development," she said. "I think there's also a particular leadership synergy that is happening, personalities, people who really understand the way the world needs to be, and so we're all responding to that together." Seoul was Washington's first bilateral partner donor on USAID's Agriculture Resilience Initiative, under which the Korean government donated $5 million in fertilizer to support Ukrainian farmers. "It really is very exciting to us to be here to see how far Korea has come and for now, Korea to be a major development partner partnering with us to take those shared values to countries around the world, and to help them move through their development progress," she said. Korea has become a donor country from being a recipient of U.N. and U.S. aid from the ashes of the 1950-53 Korean War, a transformation that has inspired many developing nations to follow in the footsteps of the Asian country in advancing their economies. Sumilas welcomed Korea's increased allocation of resources in the development assistance area, especially as Seoul is set to serve a two-year term as a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council in 2024-25. "We are really pleased that Korea has been able to come forward as a new donor, and they will be a very important donor as a member of the Security Council, as a like-minded donor working on key issues." (Yonhap) WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) A woman was found dead in her car in a Walmart parking lot on Thursday. A tow truck driver located the deceased woman, in her mid 40s, in the back of her car at around 2:45 a.m. on Dec. 7 at the Walmart located at 3180 South 5600 West in West Valley City, according to Jason Vincent with the West Valley City Police Department. 4 arrested with over 100k fentanyl pills, machete, toddler in Kane Co. The womans cause of death is unknown, but Vincent said she was taken to the Medical Examiners Office. Detectives are still investigating the incident, but have not found anything suspicious at this time, Vincent said. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post with more information as it becomes available. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ABC4 Daily News For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Washington State Patrol detectives are looking for witnesses of a vehicles versus person fatality that happened on the State Route 3 offramp to Finn Hill in the dark hours Sunday morning. Law enforcement says they dont know what car hit the pedestrian, but that the pedestrian was killed in the crash. They were found by a passerby later that morning. WSP is now looking for information or witnesses to the crash or the person who was hit. If you can help, WSP asks that you call (360)-731-1108. HANOVER, Pa. (WHTM) Police in York County have said they are investigating numerous motor vehicle thefts in one community. Hanover Borough Police have said that the thefts happened at various locations throughout the borough. Officers said the investigation has revealed that at least two young men are responsible for the crimes. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nittany Insiders Police also said the men were reported to be wearing hooded sweatshirts, jackets, and gloves. The crimes are being committed during times of darkness from the late evening into the early morning hours. Hanover Borough Police have offered the following tips on how to keep items safe in your vehicle: Lock the doors to their vehicles at all times when not in use. Do not leave keys or key fobs into the vehicle inside or outside the vehicle. If possible, park in well-lit areas. Do not leave running vehicles unattended. Remove all valuables from the vehicle or place them out of sight. Consider installing security cameras that surveil where your vehicle(s) is parked. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Severe Weather Alerts Police urge anyone observing suspicious persons or activity is asked to call 911 immediately to report the incidents. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. BUENOS AIRES/BUDAPEST (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he had a "frank" conversation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on the sidelines of the inauguration of Argentine President Javier Milei on Sunday. "It was as frank as possible - and obviously, it was about our European affairs," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address posted on the Telegram channel early on Monday. The meeting took place against a backdrop of Orban's threatening to block more European Union financial support to Kyiv, his opposition of Ukraine's entry to the bloc and the White House intensifying its push for Kyiv aid after Republicans blocked an emergency spending bill to fund the war. Orban's press chief Bertalan Havasi confirmed the meeting in an email that did not address whether the Hungarian leader would continue to oppose Ukraine's entry to the European Union. "With regards to Ukraine's EU accession, Viktor Orban signalled that the member states of the European Union were continuously discussing the issue," Havasi said in the email. A video on the Argentine Senate's YouTube channel showed Zelenskiy and Orban conversing for about 20 seconds as they mingled with other guests in the Argentine parliament, ahead of an EU summit on Dec. 14-15, set to decide whether to start membership talks with Ukraine. Orban has repeatedly said he opposes starting talks now. Any decision to proceed has to be unanimous. Orban has also threatened to block moves to give Kyiv 50 billion euros ($53.80 billion) in budget support through 2027, though a senior official said on Friday the EU would find ways to support Ukraine financially even if Hungary vetoed the move. Zelenskiy said earlier he had spoken by telephone with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to coordinate their positions. "We are counting on a positive decision regarding the allocation of 50 billion euros and the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU," he said in a post on Telegram. "Europe must decisively defend its values and unity. I know that we can rely on the support of Madam President in this matter," he added. Zelenskiy was due to arrive in Washington on Monday for talks with U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson about the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine and the "vital importance" of continued U.S. aid to Kyiv. ($1 = 0.9294 euros) (Reporting by Adam Jourdan in Bueonos Aires, Krisztina Than in Budapest, Oleksandr Kozhukhar and Yuliia Dysa in Kyiv and Elaine Monaghan in Washington; Writing by Lidia Kelly and Elaine Monaghan, Editing by Nick Zieminski, Marguerita Choy and Licoln Feast) President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Argentina on Dec. 10 to attend the inauguration of the country's president-elect, Javier Milei. The trip was Zelensky's first official visit to Latin America during his presidency, including the time before Russia's full-scale invasion. In a video posted by the president's Telegram channel, Zelensky is seen greeting Milei with a friendly embrace at the inauguration ceremony in Buenos Aires. "This is a new beginning for Argentina," the post read, "and I wish President Milei and all the Argentine people to surprise the world with their success." Before the ceremony, Zelensky held consecutive bilateral meetings with the leaders of Paraguay, Uruguay, and Ecuador. Zelensky reported that he and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa discussed the possibilities of developing bilateral cooperation in the security sphere, digitization, and trade of agricultural products. "I proposed joining the implementation of the Ukrainian formula for peace to Noboa" he wrote. Zelensky also discussed the possibility of holding a "summit between Ukraine and Latin America" with Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, as well as talked about "ways to develop trade between Ukraine and Paraguay" with Paraguyan President Santiago Pena. "For us, the support and powerful united voice of the Latin American countries, which stand by the Ukrainian people in the war for our freedom and democracy, is very important," Zelensky wrote. Despite his reputation for eccentric, far-right political views and a personal character that has drawn comparisons to former U.S. president Donald Trump, Milei has expressed his firm support for Ukrainian sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression. Having already arrived in Argentina, Zelensky held a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier in the day, informing him about the developments on the front line and thanking him for the support provided by France. "We discussed our priority needs and the upcoming French defense package, which will significantly enhance Ukraine's firepower," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. "I thanked (Macron) for the preparation to host Ukrainian pilots for the second stage of the training program on F-16 aircraft." On Dec. 9, while he was en route to Argentina, Zelensky held his first-ever meeting with Cape Verdean Prime Minister Jose Ulisses Correia e Silva. Zelensky thanked Silva for his support of Ukraines sovereignty, particularly for backing the UNs resolution on March 2, 2022, on the support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. "It is the voice of democracy that helps us, endorsing resolutions that are crucial," Zelensky said. While Ukraine has not seen widespread support from most African nations, Silva and Zelensky discussed intensifying engagement and cooperation with the continent including via international forums. Both leaders agreed to be in contact again in the near future. Far-right politician, Ukraine supporter Javier Milei elected president of Argentina The far-right libertarian MP Javier Milei won Argentinas presidential election on Nov. 19 after a campaign in which he said he would seek to reduce ties to Russia and China, among other policy views that represented a break from the outgoing President Alberto Fernandez. The Kyiv IndependentNate Ostiller Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is slated to visit the White House on Tuesday as an aid package for the war-torn country remains stalled in Congress. President Biden invited Zelensky for a meeting at the White House to underscore the United States unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russias brutal invasion, according to a Sunday statement from White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraines urgent needs and the vital importance of the United Statess continued support at this critical moment, the statement continued. Zelenskys visit will come less than a week after Senate Republicans last week blocked a bill that would provide aid to Ukraine and Israel in their respective fights against Russia and the militant group Hamas. Senate Republicans cited the legislations lack of border provisions and have repeatedly insisted on withholding votes unless satisfactory remedies are attached to the motion. In a 49-51 vote, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) voted with every Republican against the measure, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) switched his vote to no to allow him to bring the bill back up again in the future. The $111 billion emergency supplemental package was requested by Biden in October, and it also included aid for Indo-Pacific allies and funding for humanitarian aid in Gaza, the border and drug trafficking. In the wake of such divisions among lawmakers that are preventing passage of Ukraine aid, the White House warned congressional leaders last week that the government is out of money and nearly out of time to continue giving aid to Ukraine. Ukraines war is approaching the two-year mark this winter, prompting some lawmakers to express hesitancy toward continued aid. This visit will be Zelenskys third to the White House since Russias invasion in February 2022. Zelensky traveled to Washington last December for an unprecedented visit that underscored the U.S. support at the time for Ukraine amid its war against Russia. Biden then hosted Zelensky at the White House in September, when the two leaders also had to make the case for continuing aid to Ukraine on Capitol Hill. The president traveled to Ukraine in February of this year to meet with Zelensky in Kyiv. Updated at 4:10 pm. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, the Ukrainian leader announced on his Telegram channel on Dec. 10. Zelenskyy informed Macron about developments at the front and thanked him for military assistance provided by France. Read also: France, Ukraine discuss joint arms production The two presidents also discussed the next French defense package, which will significantly increase Ukraine's firepower. Zelenskyy thanked Macron for assistance that Paris provides to Kyiv, in particular, for preparing to receive Ukrainian pilots for the second phase of the F-16 training program. The presidents also discussed the grain corridor, which has already transported more than 7.5 million tons of cargo, and emphasized the importance of opening negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU at the European Council summit. Read also: France boosts support fund for Ukraine by EUR 200 million Franceinfo "The decision of the European Council will have a significant impact on the motivation of Ukrainian society and the army," Zelenskyy said. In this regard, I highly appreciate the personal efforts of President Macron aimed at ensuring the unity of the EU. French President Emmanuel Macron met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Dec. 8. The French leader tried to change his position on Ukraine ahead of the EU summit. Orban previously claimed that Ukrainians are not ready for negotiations, and Europeans are not ready to accept them as full members of the EU. Orban also said that France would have to pay "more than 3.5 billion euros" to the EU's general budget if Kyiv joined the EU. He also predicted "terrible consequences" for the EU's agriculture if Ukraine joined. Ukraine's Defense Ministry announced on Nov. 30 that France will continue to provide military support to Ukraine in 2024 and will increase the supply of ammunition. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine President Joe Biden invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House for a meeting on Tuesday and he has accepted, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and another White House official said Sunday. Biden intends to underscore the United States unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine in its war against Russia, Jean-Pierre said. As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraines urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States continued support at this critical moment, she added. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have also invited Zelenskyy to speak at an all-senators meeting on Tuesday morning, according to a Senate leadership aide. Bidens invitation to Zelenskyy comes as the White House is expected to ramp up its outreach to Capitol Hill this week, intensifying its effort to secure further aid to Ukraine after the Senate recently failed to advance the presidents national security package. Top Biden aides have been in contact with lawmakers directly involved in the negotiations, including Schumer as well as Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., according to a senior administration official. Republicans came out against moving forward with the aid bill on Wednesday in a 49-51 vote along party lines. They were displeased that it lacked the immigration policy changes that they have called for as a condition for their support. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who caucuses with Democrats, voted with Republicans against the bill. He previously said hed oppose unconditional aid to Israel unless Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government changes its current offensive military approach. Senators last week resumed talks about border provisions, which Republicans have insisted be included in the foreign aid bill, after the measure failed. The lead negotiators Murphy and Lankford met Thursday afternoon, Lankford and a Democratic source familiar with the negotiations told NBC News. Murphy said that the White House will get more involved in negotiations this week in an interview on Meet the Press Sunday. Of course, when youre talking about something as complicated as border security, you need the White House engaged, because you need to know whether theyre gonna sign the bill, and you need to understand how the changes youre making are going to be implemented at the border. So they are, and they will get more engaged, the Connecticut Democrat said. Murphy stressed that we are not going to put Donald Trumps immigration policies into statute as he spoke about the battle over the border provisions of the aid bill. He said there are too many people crossing the southern border, and that a resolution can be reached if Republicans come around to allowing people into the country who are legitimately fleeing terror and torture and violence. Asked by host Kristen Welker if an additional $60 billion in Ukraine aid could change the outcome of its war with Russia, Murphy said he believes it would. Russia is going to have a hard time coming up with resources necessary to keep this fight going, he said. In the end, will there likely have to be a negotiated solution? Absolutely. But if we cut off Ukraine now, the outcome is certain. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol heads to the Netherlands Monday for a trip he told AFP would focus on boosting crucial semiconductor cooperation between the two global chip powerhouses. High-tech chips are the lifeblood of the modern global economy, used in everything from weapons to cars, and Korea accounts for about 60 percent of the world's supply of memory chips, Yoon told AFP in an exclusive written interview. The Netherlands is home to ASML, which produces the lithography equipment that makes semiconductors, and for years the two countries have worked together "in an exemplary manner," Yoon said, "contributing to the stability of global semiconductor supply chains." But the industry is being buffeted by geopolitical turbulence, with semiconductors a flashpoint issue between the United States and China, which are locked in a fierce battle over access to chip-making technology and supplies. The Netherlands recently joined the United States and Japan in imposing export restrictions on advanced chip-making equipment aimed at preventing China from acquiring sensitive inputs that could be used in cutting-edge weapons and tech such as artificial intelligence. The curbs have infuriated Beijing, which has accused Washington of "technological terrorism." "As competition between countries and regions intensifies to gain hegemony over emerging technologies, the semiconductor industry is strategically more important than ever before, which makes this visit to the Netherlands especially meaningful," Yoon said. "Semiconductors are the linchpin of Korea-Netherlands cooperation," he said. "The global semiconductor industry's stable and sustainable growth is in the core interest of both countries." Korea and the Netherlands share a common understanding that "the economy is now synonymous with security and vice versa," the president added. 'Crucial turning point' ASML supplies Korea's major chip makers, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. During the state visit, Yoon will tour the ASML headquarters, including the company's highly controlled "cleanroom" manufacturing facilities, becoming the first foreign leader to do so. This "will mark a crucial turning point for the 'Korea-Netherlands semiconductor alliance'," Yoon told AFP, adding that discussions on chip cooperation were his "top priority" for the trip, the first by a Korean head of state since bilateral ties were established in 1961. Yoon's office said last week that during the state visit Korea aims to establish a "chip alliance" with the Netherlands, which would involve governments, businesses, and universities from both countries. The US-led export restrictions have become an issue for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which, like most of the world's biggest chip makers, base a large portion of their production, especially of advanced DRAM and flash memory chips, in China. Experts said that Korean chip companies needed to find ways to mitigate the impact of controls on shipping advanced microchip production machines to China curbs which might, for example, prevent them from upgrading their equipment. Yoon said the Korean chip makers were spending hundreds of billions of dollars to "build the world's largest semiconductor cluster in Korea." But even as the companies ramp up domestic investment, experts warned that it could take years, maybe decades, to meaningfully shift chip manufacturing away from China. 'Strategic assets' Seoul is a key regional ally of Washington, and earlier this month, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo urged U.S. allies to stop China from getting semiconductors and cutting-edge technologies vital to national security. "The global environment surrounding the semiconductor industry is rapidly changing in tandem with competition for technological supremacy and supply chain restructuring," Yoon said. It is clear that "as semiconductors emerge as strategic assets in terms of industry, technology and security, geopolitical risks surrounding global supply chains are expanding," he added. The president's three-day visit to the Netherlands will help both countries "establish a well-organised institutional framework that will intensively address global semiconductor supply chains." Korea plans "to significantly boost semiconductor cooperation with such major countries as the Netherlands, the United States and Japan going forward," he said. (AFP) Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, has briefly talked with Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary, during the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected President of Argentina. Source: European Pravda , ZELENSKYY AND ORBAN IN ARGENTINA. PHOTO: OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE , ZELENSKYY AND ORBAN IN ARGENTINA. ALL PHOTOS: UP SOURCES Details: Orban and Zelenskyy talked in the Argentinian Parliament in the lodge for guests. The footage of their conversation was published on the official Youtube channel of the Argentinian Senate. The Office of the President of Ukraine has not commented on the details of this conversation yet. Background: It is known that Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Emmanuel Macron, President of France, who welcomed Orban on 8 December in Paris, while on a visit to Argentina. After Zelenskyy was elected President in 2019, both leaders only had brief interactions. Zelenskyy offered Orban to have an official meeting but it was not held, even though Kyiv considered a potential meeting as an opportunity to open a new page in the relations of the two countries. After the beginning of the Russian invasion, the already tense relation between Kyiv and Budapest worsened. Orban claimed many times that he did not believe in Ukraines victory. This February, Zelenskyy and Orban briefly talked at the EU leaders summit in Brussels. Zelenskyy invited Orban to Kyiv but to no avail even though the majority of leaders visited Ukraine at least once or even more times in order to show their support. The current meeting was held amid Orbans intention not to support the decision of the EU summit on 14-15 December in Brussels concerning the start of Ukraines EU accession negotiations and further financial and military support for Kyiv. Support UP or become our patron! For 23 years pilots from around the region have flown to a central Nebraska airport once a month for an omelette and pancake breakfast. On Saturday, Dec. 2, the York Municipal Airport had its final fly-in breakfast. The York Experimental Aircraft Association chapter had held the breakfast on the first Saturday of every month since 2000. Prop plane pilots from Council Bluffs, as well as Nebraskan aviators from Norfolk, Lincoln and numerous other locations, flew out for the event. Others flew helicopters to get there and some people drove. Rodney Matlock, vice president of EAA Chapter 1055, told the York News-Times that, when the chapter met the previous week, they asked each other how much longer they were prepared to host the breakfast. There are only seven active members of the chapter. At 70, Matlock is the youngest. They agreed at the chapter meeting last month that it was probably time to end the breakfast. A breakfast group may call to mind a small gathering, but the number of people eating the monthly breakfast usually ranges between 50 and 120, Matlock said. There were 111 on Saturday. The smell of eggs and smoke from the griddle filled the room. The line stretched the width of the hangar at one point. In 23 years, they only ran out of breakfast once, Matlock said. That time everyone got to eat the breakfast except the cooks, who ate at Chances R Restaurant in York. The chapter didn't charge for the breakfast, but they do collect donations, although the finale was completely free. People have been so generous over the years that the chapter has been able to fund aviation school scholarships for area children, such as Emily Farley. Farley is now a commercial pilot for a small, Lincoln-based aviation company. She had her first experiencing riding in a plane with Matlock. The fly-in breakfast is an opportunity for community and camaraderie, Farley told the News-Times. You see friends you might only see once a month. Plus, Farley explained, it gives everyone an opportunity to get out and have some fun. An even younger generation had some representation. Cody Forbush flew all the way from 15 miles east of Council Bluffs with his son, Wesley, 10, and Wesleys friend, Julius, 10. Forbush was kind enough to take the York News-Times on a quick trip around York after breakfast. Council Bluffs is not by any means the furthest someone has flown for the breakfast. A pilot from Rifle, a town on the western side of Colorado, once stopped by the York Airport to refuel on the first Saturday of the month, Matlock said. He left with fuel and a big breakfast. Rodney Matlock, along with his son, Jesse, and his wife Pat, cooked Saturdays breakfast: pancakes, sausages and a roadkill omelette, which has everything you might want peppers, onions, cheese and ham. The chapter is planning to give away the cooking equipment, which includes a refrigerator and a griddle, to a nearby EAA chapter in the hopes that the tradition may live on. The last remaining Nebraska fly-in breakfast takes place the third Saturday each month in Crete. The European Union should work together with African countries to reform the World Trade Organizations (WTO) subsidy rules as a way to tackle the global distortions of Chinas state capitalism, the German Economic Institute (IW) argues in a new report. The research report entitled Reforming WTOs Subsidy Rules: a New Opportunity to Tackle the Global Distortions of Chinas State Capitalism was published ahead of an EU-China summit that takes place in Beijing on Thursday and Friday (7-8 December). The IW, which is financed by prominent German business associations and carries weight among Berlin policymakers, addresses in the report the issue of unfair competition that is expected to top the agenda, three months after the European Commission launched an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles. Reform is also expected to be a key topic at the WTOs upcoming 13th ministerial conference (MC13) in February next year, although it requires a full consensus to make any substantive changes. The WTOs Africa Negotiating Group has proposed reforming current subsidy rules to better support developing countries. The IW argues in its report that the EU should take up and support the African Groups proposal, as it should also expand this initiative to tighten subsidy rules on the worlds top trading countries. Such a joint EU-African initiative could pressure China to accept reform with the aim of countering Chinese market distortions and diplomatic influence, which would help limit the growing global subsidy race, according to the IW report. China Customs Tariff Commission announced earlier this week the removal of tariffs for taxable products from six African countries, State-run Xinhua news agency reports. The move aims to embody the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, and facilitate a high-quality China-Africa community with a shared future, the commission reportedly said. Under the measure to be enacted from 25 Dec., 98 percent of taxable products from Angola, The Gambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Mali, and Mauritania will be exempt from tariffs when entering China. The Asian giant will expand its zero-tariff treatment to all the least-developed countries with which it has established diplomatic relations, the Commission indicated. In November last year, Beijing took similar measures for nine African countries namely Benin, Burkina Faso, GuineaBissau, Lesotho, Malawi, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Three other African countries, Djibouti, Togo, and Rwanda had benefited from the same measures in September the same year. Chinese agricultural imports from Africa are significant and growing, and the country has become the continents second largest export market after the USA. China imported a record $5 billion of agricultural products from Africa in 2021. JERUSALEM Bayan Khateeb knows she's a terrible cook. So when she managed to pull off a dish of cooked tomatoes and eggs, she took a photo to show friends on social media. Soon we shall eat the Shakshouka of victory! crowed her caption, which included an emoji of the Palestinian flag. Khateeb intended the Oct. 8 Instagram post as a joke, she said. But in the fraught atmosphere that has gripped Israel since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, statements that might have once sounded innocuous have taken on more sinister meaning and resulted in scores of arrests. A classmate saw the post and thought Khateeb, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, was cheering on Hamas. When the post was shared more widely, Khateeb suddenly found herself accused online of supporting terrorism. The next thing she knew, she was suspended from her studies at a prestigious university, ejected from her dorm, fired from her two jobs and interrogated in shackles by Israeli police. I felt like I was in a nightmare. You're arresting me, after I was subjected to two weeks of political persecution? she said. How did I end up in this situation? She was among more than 270 Palestinian citizens who have been arrested in an Israeli crackdown on free speech and political activity since the Hamas attack, according to Adalah, an advocacy organization for Palestinians inside Israel. Palestinian citizens have also reported intimidation, firings and expulsions from universities, as well as surveillance of their online speech by other civilians. People are arrested for anything expressing sympathy for the civilian victims in Gaza, said lawyer Abeer Baker, who represents another woman who was arrested. Everything that was not in favor of attacking Gaza as such actually puts you in danger of being arrested. The arrests go to the heart of the dual identity of Palestinian citizens as they struggle to navigate a Jewish-majority society. Palestinian citizens have equal rights on paper but have historically suffered from discrimination in job opportunities, housing, health care and education. The community is one of Israels poorest. The arrests also raise questions about Israels commitment to free speech and the rights of its Palestinian minority, which accounts for a fifth of the countrys nearly 10 million people. We have undergone many wars. Never was such suppression ever declared before, said Hassan Jabareen, the director general of Adalah. People among themselves speak about living under a dictatorial regime. A Jewish, racist dictatorship. Prominent Arab leaders in Israel have been arrested for challenging a ban on anti-war protests, and two Arab lawmakers were sanctioned for remarks related to the Hamas attack. Jews arent immune from punishment, although it is rare. Earlier this month, a court extended the remand of a Jewish teacher who posted anti-war and anti-occupation messages on Facebook and was fired from his job, the Haaretz daily newspaper reported. Videos posted on social media by Israeli police delivered an unmistakable message: There will be zero tolerance for any identification with the Gaza Strip and the enclaves Hamas rulers. We are at war and the orders are unequivocal: There will be zero tolerance for any incident, Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai said in one video. The arrests have unfolded under the most right-wing government in Israel's history and amid the trauma of the Hamas attack, which killed at least 1,200 people and resulted in over 240 others being taken hostage. The violence has not spared Israels Palestinian citizens: At least 21 were killed in the initial attack and by rocket and mortar fire launched by Hamas and its Lebanese Hezbollah ally, said Atta Abu Mtegem, mayor of the Bedouin city of Rahat. Seven are missing, and possibly captured by Hamas, he said. Others, including soldiers, have died in the fighting. At the same time, the images of devastation coming out of Gaza have been wrenching for a community with close ties to Palestinians there and in the West Bank. The death toll from Israels assault on Gaza has topped 13,000, according to health authorities there. Airstrikes have leveled wide swaths of the territory and displaced more than two thirds of its 2.3 million people. Following the Hamas attack, some Palestinians have been afraid to go to work or mix with Jews, and lawyers and professors are afraid of running afoul of undefined new limits on speech, Jabareen said. More than 100 Palestinian citizens have been suspended or expelled from universities and colleges over posts, according to Adalah. Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, meanwhile, has instructed authorities to look into stripping a Palestinian actress of her Israeli citizenship for posting material that included laughing emojis on a photo of an elderly woman being taken into captivity by Hamas militants, with the caption, She is going on the adventure of her life. For now, Khateeb is living in limbo. Her suspension from her data science and engineering program is open ended. She's unemployed, living with her parents and waiting to see if she gets indicted. Besides the war that we are experiencing right now, she said, I am personally experiencing another war a war between us, between the citizens of Israel. Adam Driver prepares to host SNL pic.twitter.com/y3PZ46mBbR Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) December 6, 2023 Adam Driver at read-thru!!! pic.twitter.com/bybyJLXeoy Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) December 7, 2023 Parties in New York this week included the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrating its 65th anniversary season and Saturday Night Live cast members attending the American Museum of Natural History gala. https://t.co/f5vmoNJoPV NYT Metro (@NYTMetro) December 3, 2023 Adam!!! Olivia!!! TOMORROW pic.twitter.com/J1bYt7nDz5 Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) December 8, 2023 Olivia via her TikTok account! pic.twitter.com/ZeKB5Ldqdp Olivia Rodrigo Daily (@DailyRodrigo) December 8, 2023 Adam Driver () is back in Studio 8H this week! This is his fourth time hosting the show, and fun-ish fact of the weekend: half of the current cast were not yet featured on the show when Driver last hosted the show back in January 2020. Olivia Rodrigo is also back on the show for the first time since 2021. Famously, the show built a sketch around her debut single "Drivers License" in February of that year and she later appeared as the musical guest on the May 15 episode hosted by Keegan-Michael Key. Second fun-ish fact of the weekend: Olivia was the first SNL musical guest to be born in 2003, the same year that Kenan Thompson joined the the show. Adam... An article and photos from the American Museum of Natural History Gala. In attendance were Lorne Michaels (chairperson of the annual event), the SNL cast, that week's host Emma Stone, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, and Scarlet Johansson. Olivia and Adam on home base. Olivia shared a cute tiktok of her on home base walking out to the SNL theme. China has taken a step ahead of competitors in civil nuclear energy technology as it started up the world's first fourth-generation nuclear reactor this week. As many countries are starting to recognize that nuclear power generation will play an important role in the energy transition by providing additional net-zero electricity, the race for developing the latest generation of civil nuclear technology has begun. And this week, China gained an advantage in that race. The Shidaowan nuclear power plant, which features the world's first fourth-generation reactor, started commercial operations on December 6, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), one of the project's developers, said. "China's independently developed high-temperature gas-cooled reactor demonstrator commenced commercial operation," CNNC said in a statement. "It signifies that China has completed the world's first commercially operational modular nuclear power plant with fourth-generation nuclear technology, marking the transition of fourth-generation nuclear technology from experiments to the commercial market." Generation IV reactors are considered safer and more efficient. "The tests confirmed that commercial-scale reactors could be cooled down naturally without emergency core cooling systems for the first time in the world. It is the so-called inherently safe reactor," Tsinghua University, one of the joint developers of the reactor, said. Such reactors can produce heat, electricity, and hydrogen and would help China and the world "become carbon neutral," Zhang Zuoyi, dean of the Tsinghua University Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology and chief designer of the Shidaowan reactor project, told South China Morning Post. Related: COP28: Arab Coordination Group Promises $10B To Assist Developing Nations The fourth-generation reactor in operation now puts China "ahead of other countries in terms of nuclear technology research and development," Francois Morin, China director of industry group World Nuclear Association, told The Wall Street Journal. According to Morin, Western countries are set to launch their fourth-generation nuclear reactors only in the early 2030s. David Fishman, a China-based senior manager at energy consulting firm Lantau Group, told the Journal that "China is arguably peerless in actually building and commercializing next-generation nuclear power technology." Many countries in the West, with the notable exception of Germany, have recognized that nuclear power generation would help them achieve net-zero emission goals. At the COP28 climate summit currently underway in Dubai, the United States and 21 other countries pledged to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050, saying incorporating more nuclear power in their energy mix is critical for achieving their net zero goals in the coming decades. The United States, alongside Britain, France, Canada, Sweden, South Korea, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), among others, signed the declaration at the COP28 climate summit. "The Declaration recognizes the key role of nuclear energy in achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and keeping the 1.5-degree Celsius goal within reach," the U.S. Department of State said. China is not a signatory to that declaration, but it aims to develop more nuclear energy capacities to reduce emissions as its demand for electricity rises. As of 2020, nuclear energy accounted for 5% of China's generation mix, which continued to be dominated by coal, per data from the World Nuclear Association. ADVERTISEMENT By 2035, nuclear energy is expected to make up 10% of the electricity generation mix and 18% by 2060, Chinese media quoted the China Nuclear Energy Association (CNEA) as saying earlier this year. As of September 2023, China had 55 nuclear power units in operation with a combined installed capacity of 57 GW, and 24 units under construction with a total installed capacity of 27.8 GW, Xinhua quoted CNEA official Wang Binghua as saying. By 2060, that capacity is expected to jump to 400 GW, the official said. China is also expected to approve six to eight nuclear power units each year "within the foreseeable future." By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The recent slump in oil prices pushed Russias flagship Urals below the $60 price cap imposed on international shipments by the G7 last year. Perhaps this is a reason to celebrate in the G7. Or perhaps it is a good time to take a moment and consider where Urals fell from to reach the cap level. For much of the time since the cap was imposed, Russias oilwhich does not only include Uralshas been trading above $60. Despite assurances from some of the architects of the cap that it is working and depriving Russia of vital revenues, this has not been the case. Because oil is too essential a commodity, and as the Russia case has demonstrated, there is always a way to bring it from seller to buyer, even if the seller is heavily sanctioned. FT columnist and former trade editor Alan Beattie noted in a recent column on sanctions that Governments cannot muster enough control over global demand to choke off trade, supply chains are agile, sometimes illicitly so, and end users have found alternatives. Indeed, as the questionable success of U.S. sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, and now broader Western sanctions on Russia have shown, sanctions rarely achieve the goals they were imposed to achieve. There has been no regime change in either Venezuela or Iran, Russia has not stopped fighting the Ukraine, and oil has continued flowing from all three countries. Related: U.S. Gasoline Prices Continue Falling as Futures Hit Two-Year Low In fairness, oil flows from Venezuela and Iran suffered a substantial decline since the imposition of U.S. sanctions, but both countries have recently seen an uptick in shipments abroad in evidence of the indispensability of all oil, even as U.S. exports themselves increased substantially. The case of Russia, however, is particularly pertinent because of the sheer scale of the sanction push from the EU and the U.S. Indeed, the push stopped short of targeting its oil exports with a view to decimating them, but even the price cap has not been effective in achieving the stated goal. That was to keep Russian oil flowing abroad but curb revenues. Bloomberg reported this week that Russia is currently making more money from exporting its oil than it did before the invasion of Ukraine. Another report, from November, cited central bank figures showing this has been going on for months. It was not always this way, however. The Finland-based NGO Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, which tracks Russian energy exports, reported recently that the EU oil embargo and the price cap have cost Russia 34 billion euros ($37 billion) in lost revenue. The figure, substantial as it looks, only represents a 14% decline in revenues, which the CREA duly laments, saying, That impact though is far short of what could have been achieved. Not only are revenues not hurt enough, but the overall economy has managed to shrug off most of the adverse effects of the sanctions. Bloomberg again reported that GDP growth in Russia booked an increase of 5.5% in the third quarter of the year, which was a further increase on an already pretty impressive 4.9% in growth recorded for the second quarter. Meanwhile, the eurozone was struggling to stay in positive GDP growth territory, and Germany was entering recession. This is certainly a situation that begs the question of who is getting hurt more by the sanctions: the target or the enforcers. The answer, at least when it comes to the EU, appears to be quite unpalatable, which makes the topic a sort of taboo. Much has been made of Russias loss of its biggest gas market but, like with oil, it simply redirected most of the flows from the west to the east and China. Europe, meanwhile, replaced pipeline gas with LNG. Neither move has been perfect for the move maker. As to which has fared worse as a result of it, this can be seen in GDP reports. Oil and gasbut especially oilare a favorite target for sanction authors. On the face of it, sanctioning the oil industry of a country dependent on this industry is a no-brainer. It only later emerges that sanctioning this commodity has repercussions for the sanction authors themselves. U.S. refiners felt it when the flow of heavy Venezuelan crude stopped with the imposition of the oil sanctions. The whole world felt it when President Trump reimposed sanctions on Iran and prices rose, albeit temporarily. Export controls contain the seeds of their own destruction just like producer cartels and attempts to interdict narcotics, The FTs Alan Beattie wrote after noting that The G7 and EU simply arent big enough parts of the global economy to strangle Russias oil sales. And they dont have the clout they probably wish they did on countries such as India, looking for a bargain on oil imports. Not only this, but the EU, finding itself in a bit of a bind in the diesel department, ended up importing Indian diesel quite likely made from Russian oil, embargoed by that same EU, not to mention the record-high intake of Russian LNG this year. ADVERTISEMENT This is why sanctions on oil and gas never work. Because oil and gas mean energy and energy means security. No country dependent on imports, regardless of the degree, can really afford to sanction its suppliersat least not without some adverse consequences for its own economy. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: While you have been eagerly following the sterile debate in Doha about whether to phase out or phase down fossil fuels, you probably missed an announcement on December 6, one that you probably would not have noticed anyway because it is not in your line of business. But it could presage similar events in the oil business. Here is what happened. British American Tobacco (BAT) announced that it would write off 25 billion of the 62 billion value of the US brands it acquired in 2017 (Reynolds American). Why? Because of a combination of slowing growth, consumer reluctance to spend, and losses in the vape market that was supposed to replace revenues from old lines of cigarettes. When BAT made the Reynolds acquisition management presumably knew cigarette sales were under pressure, that government health experts didnt show sympathy for the vapes, and that many new firms were pushing into the vape market, thereby creating more competition that cigarette companies had become accustomed to over the years. Note that BAT did not write down the assets because those properties lost money, but rather because they were forced to recognize a severe loss of value. The reason we keep an eye on the tobacco industry is that tobacco and oil (or fossil fuels in general) have shared an almost identical regulatory and legal strategy for several decadeswhether the issue was denying their products links to cancer or climate change. Related: COP28: Arab Coordination Group Promises $10B To Assist Developing Nations The Reynolds American acquisition was similar in size to the recent ExxonMobil and Chevron acquisition announcements of this fall. As an aside, we should point out something about corporate mergers and ways to distinguish them. Simply consider the underlying business. Is it growing or in decline? Interestingly, it can be sensible for both high growth and declining businesses to find merger partners although the capital allocation challenges are reversed. The two oil giants, knowing that sales are slowing and facing uncertain litigation risk from a public that holds them responsible for global warming, decided to combine and manage their decline across a much larger revenue and asset base. The strategy here is to ultimately reduce costs faster than revenues decline. This may prove somewhat easier in a cartelized industry like oil which enjoys a modicum of price fixing via OPEC. BAT, on the other hand, purchased Reynolds American for growth not simply scale. They wanted entry into the high-growth US vape market, which it saw as its future. With the benefit of hindsight we see they paid way too much for entry into a new market and a business with considerable regulatory overhang. ExxonMobil and Chevron arent taking on any new business risk by partnering, they each do the same thing just in different places. Its just about eking out economies of even greater scale as revenues flatten and decline. The companies make clear that, despite all the warnings about climate and threats of new technologies and of the entry of firms vigorously trying to reduce their markets (Tesla and the entire Chinese automobile industry as examples) they feel good about their prospects and will robustly continue old policies. Frankly, we would not be surprised to hear they actually have a growth strategy that involves Africa, S. Asia and possibly other frontier markets. What about climate change? Well, a proposal from Sheik Al Jaber, President of the COP28 climate conference in Doha, did not include calls for closure or phase outs of oil and gas infrastructure as, for example, former Vice President Gore has been advocating. Instead, proposed reductions in CO2 emissions are all about the offsets. Offsets are like behavioral swaps. In other words we get to keep doing the formerly environmentally harmful things (like driving, cooking, or heating our home) but by switching to new, cleaner technologies our emissions will be reduced. These emission reductions come mainly from two areas, increasing electrification (like electric vehicles and heat pumps) and a tripling in planned deployment of solar photovoltaics. The other two smaller buckets for CO2 removal were for reduction of methane emissions and other which included new nuclear power generation. New nuclear is not getting much love here despite a commitment from twenty or so nations to triple nuclear capacity. So back to our original question: will oil mergers in a declining industry like Exxon/Chevron provide financially attractive results to investors or will they disappoint like BAT/Reynolds? There are several parallels: slowing growth, possible decline in demand, uncertain timing regarding litigation and its outcomes, and a public policy designed to reduce or eliminate sale of the product. But there is one key policy difference here, the concept of offsets. There were no offsets for the tobacco industry or for smokers for that matter. Just punitive financial penalties and harsh warnings on cigarette packages regarding smoking and lung cancer. Offsets are a pain free way to achieve policy outcomes. No plants or facilities have to be prematurely shuttered triggering financial write offs. No unemployment or even political unrest. As long as the favored policy vehicle includes economically pain free CO2 offsets via new technologies, as opposed to actual plant closures, then we feel pretty good about the prospects for oil and gas mergers. Bottom line: obviously we dont know for sure whether recent big mergers at solid valuations will end with large write-offs for oil and gas companies as they did for big tobacco. And we just cant help but notice the similarities. But there is one difference between the two industries that seems to favor the energy industry. The Republican party in the US has adopted a policy strongly advocating for increased fossil fuel usage as well as claiming that climate change is a hoax. The tobacco industry for all their chutzpah never claimed lung cancer was a hoax. By Leonard Hyman and William Tilles for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: S. Korea, US, Japan boost joint efforts to counter NK cyber threats By Lee Hyo-jin A new initiative that South Korea, the United States and Japan have agreed to jointly launch in order to counter North Korea's escalating threats is likely to have a limited effect, according to analysts, Sunday, who think the initiative lacks a two-track strategy that combines an openness for dialogue with strong deterrence. During a meeting between South Korean National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts Jake Sullivan and Takeo Akiba in Seoul, Saturday, they announced that the three countries will pursue a "new initiative" to address North Korea's cybercrimes and military activities related to space and ballistic missile tests. "This will be a new effort with respect to cryptocurrency and money laundering and how we disrupt North Koreas capacity to gain revenue from the hacking and stealing of cryptocurrency and then laundering it through exchanges," Sullivan said during a briefing held shortly after the meeting. However, Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, was skeptical about the newly announced initiative, saying that it lacks detail. "There was nothing new in the 'new initiative.' We would have to see how North Korea responds to it, but for now, I think Saturday's meeting was just a reaffirmation to their leaders' commitments to stick to strong deterrence strategies toward Pyongyang," he said. "The trilateral cooperation, with its focus only on strong deterrence and pressure, lacks a balanced strategy to resolve North Korea's nuclear threats." The reclusive regime, which is advancing its nuclear program in defiance of multiple international sanctions, may not be swayed by the three nations' efforts to suppress its weapons development, Yang added. "The strengthened trilateral cooperation may enable South Korea to better respond to the North's illicit cyber activities, but it won't be able to exert big pressure on the Kim Jong-un regime, which is already defiant of international sanctions," said Cho Han-bum, a senior researcher at Korea Institute for National Unification. North Korea has relied significantly on funds obtained through cryptocurrency theft to finance the country's weapons programs. The amount of money stolen through such cybercrimes surged to an unprecedented 2.2 trillion won ($1.7 billion) in 2022, according to U.N. data. Cho of the unification institute pointed out that a lot of North Korean hackers operate in Chinese cities and are suspected of using Chinese services to launder money, so without China's help, the Seoul-Washington-Tokyo trilateral collaboration would have limited effects in containing the North's illegal cyber activites. "The harsh sanctions in place have failed to induce North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, as it continues to find new ways to circumvent the sanctions. What we need now is help from China and Russia. But with Putin and Kim engaging in a dangerous bromance, while China is turning a blind eye to Pyongyang, South Korea is in a difficult situation," the researcher added. South Korea has been urging China to play a "constructive role" in addressing North Korean issues, but strained bilateral relations between Seoul and Beijing have posed challenges to effective collaboration. Also, China is skeptical of the tighter grouping between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo, expressing discomfort about the U.S.' growing influence in Northeast Asia. The national security advisers' meeting on Saturday also touched on joint efforts to maintain peace in the Indo-Pacific region, underscoring the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and East China Sea. The three parties also agreed to cooperate to counter disinformation by foreign countries. The agreement, reached in the lead-up to South Korea's general elections and U.S. presidential elections both slated for next year, was apparently aimed at concerns over possible election interference by China and North Korea. A Catholic priest died early Sunday after being stabbed in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was taken by ambulance to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he died, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Omaha. Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson said Kierre L. Williams, 43, from Sioux City, Iowa, was taken into custody at the scene. He was later arrested on suspicion of homicide and use of a weapon to commit a felony. The Archdiocese of Omaha is praying for Father Stephen Gutgsell, who was assaulted during an invasion at the rectory of St. John the Baptist parish in Fort Calhoun early Sunday morning, the statement from the Omaha archdiocese said. Father Gutgsell was transported to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, where he died of his injuries. The Washington County Sheriffs Office is investigating, and there are no further details at this time. Please join Archbishop George Lucas in prayer for the repose of Father Gutgsell, for his family and for the St. John the Baptist parish community in this tragic time. Robinson said Gutgsell, 65, placed a call to 911 about 5 a.m. and said someone was attempting to break into the rectory. Deputies arrived within minutes and found Gutgsell suffering from stab wounds, he said. Mike Fitzgerald, a parishioner at St. John the Baptist, said he received a call early Sunday notifying him of the assault. The regular 8:30 a.m. Mass at the church was canceled, he said. Father Gutgsell has been here 11 years, and I thought he was a very holy man, Fitzgerald said. He did a lot of things for the community. He always made sure that the (church) bulletin had everything in it that we needed to know about things going on at the church. The attack on Gutgsell was the second homicide in Fort Calhoun in recent months. Linda Childers, 71, was found dead in her rural home on Aug. 14. Authorities believe she was killed the previous day during a home invasion. In that case, William P. Collins has been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of using a weapon to commit a felony, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, first-degree assault, burglary, possession of a stolen firearm and theft. Authorities have said Collins traveled the Midwest, had friends in Omaha and that it does not appear there was a connection between Collins and Childers. A security guard sustained a stab wound early Sunday while intervening in a physical disturbance in downtown Omaha. Ashton Evans, 20, was taken to the Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy for treatment of a wound that was not life threatening, an Omaha police spokesman said. The incident occurred about 2 a.m. near 11th Street and Capitol Avenue. Investigators determined that numerous fights broke out as the Epoca Cantina was closing and staff began moving groups of people out of the bar. One group reengaged in a fight in the courtyard area of the Capitol District. Evans began to pull a man from the fight when that person turned and stabbed him in the leg. The alleged attacker fled the scene before police officers arrived. Only blocks apart on Dodge Street in Dundee, they are monuments to different ages of pedestrian safety of Omaha: the overpass connecting Memorial and Elmwood Parks, the underpass at 51st Street with its entrance walls of natural stone. Only the overpass could be built now. Restrictions from the Americans With Disabilities Act would never allow a similar underpass. And it was an Omaha overpass in the late 1970s that brought forth the federal regulation changes. As Omaha street intersections became more perilous for walkers, especially school children, the city fathers first tried underpasses as grade separators. Dodge Street was being widened across town in 1934 as a federal highway project. Underpasses were built at 33rd Street, moreso for nearby Yates School than the still-small Mutual of Omaha offices, and at 51st for Dundee School. Public Works Administration crews used ripped-out curbstone for the entrances. A third Dodge Street underpass, for Central High at 22nd Street, opened in 1948 but was closed sometime in the 1970s. When the Northwest Radial was constructed in the 1950s, underpasses went in at 52nd Street as a diagonal, it was the longest for Benson High and at 39th and Cuming Streets for Cathedral High and St. Cecilia Grade School. The 39th Street underpass was closed in the 1990s. The 52nd Street tunnel was used until filled in in 2009. Being below ground, the underpasses could be scary and dangerous. Just months after the 39th Street underpass opened in 1955, police arrested a transient for attempting to lure St. Cecilia students into the tunnel. Only the Dundee tunnel remains in use. The Dundee Memorial Park Association has upgraded the subway in recent years. Overpasses for Omaha were the brainchild of a young mother, Rosemary Walker. She took her idea of overhead sidewalks, for which she applied for a patent, to a City Council meeting in February 1956. Her concept: build ramp-type archways for pedestrians over busy intersections and near schools. This is really the birth of an idea, she said. Im not thinking in terms of dollars but saving lives. Walker received a polite clap from the council. The Street Transportation Department took the proposal and let it gather dust. For four years. Until Interstate 80 was being built through Omaha and the 42nd Street interchange was near Grover Street and Jefferson and St. Thomas More grade schools. Paxton and Vierling Steel sponsored a design contest in 1961 for a pedestrian overpass at 42nd and Grover. The winning design by John M. Denny and John V. Jagar, who shared the $500 first prize, was built for $25,000 and is still standing. When West Center Road was widened in 1966, overpasses at 98th Street for Oakdale School and 108th for Rockbrook Elementary went up for $40,000 apiece. William H. Durand of Durand Jackson and Associates designed the award-winning Dodge Street Pedestrian Bridge linking Memorial and Elmwood Parks. His graceful, S-shaped structure, requiring few support beams and costing $60,000, was honored in 1969 as the American Institute of Steel Constructions Most Beautiful Bridge. It received landmark status in 2004. If only all of Omahas overpasses could have been built like that. They usually had to fit within right-of-ways, thus avoiding land purchases. All but one was built inside the Interstate 680 loop. After Dodge Street, overpasses went in at 48th and Center Streets, 90th Street and Western Avenue, 78th and Maple Streets and 30th and Spaulding Streets before passage of a 1972 city bond issue. The $800,000 from bonds and federal money, the latter having a later negative impact, paid for walkways at 69th and Blondo Streets, 66th and Maple Streets, 72nd Street and Western Avenue, 72nd and Blondo Streets, 87th Street and West Center Road, Saddle Creek Road and Woolworth Avenue, 33rd Street and Ames Avenue, 13th Street and Bert Murphy Avenue, Northwest Radial and Hamilton Street, 42nd and Hillsdale Avenue, 139th Street and West Center Road, 30th and Binney Streets and 56th Street and Northwest Radial. The 90th and Western overpass was the only one rebuilt, for the widening of 90th. Douglas County and an apartment builder split the cost for the one at 99th and Fort Streets. Because federal money was used for 72nd and Blondo, its design triggered federal review and a new policy in 1979. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board said the 13% ramp grade was too steep, denying persons in wheelchairs safe and convenient access. The Federal Highway Administration opposed that view. Its stance was the board was imposing a federal standard that applied to ramps in buildings only and not to overpasses. The compromise was a maximum grade of 8.33% for overpasses and underpasses built with federal aid. Such a grade would require 200-foot ramps for a structure with 16-foot clearance over a road. Then-City Councilman Jerry Hassett was correct when he prophesied, It will destroy the overpass program, not only in Omaha but everywhere else. Even if we could afford to buy the extra land and pay the extra ramp cost, this would mean so much extra walking that the kids wouldnt use the overpass. The city stopped building pedestrian overpasses with the completion of the 56th and Northwest Radial bridge. Skywalks have continued to be built across roads for private concerns, such as Methodist Hospitals links to buildings on either side of Dodge and Creighton Universitys connector across Interstate 480. So Walkers brainchild wasnt all for naught. And when the original 90th and Western walkway opened in 1970, the city handed her the pair of scissors for the ribbon cutting. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of December 2023 On a quiet Sunday afternoon in 1951, 16-year-old Clifford Battershaw strolled into the Douglas County Jail with a German Luger pistol and helped his brother Dewey Battershaw, 21, and another inmate, Victor Sweet, 24, escape. The younger Battershaw bulled his way through four locked doors and sprang his brother and Sweet. The three took a deputy sheriff and an Omaha attorney hostage as they walked out of the jail. The escapees and hostages headed east to 17th Street, where they caught an Ak-Sar-Ben bus. After a 20-block bus ride, they stole the first of three cars. They picked up two other hostages in their flight from Nebraska. All four hostages were freed unharmed the next day near Auburn, Nebraska. The fugitives trail went cold for 11 days. Then four miles west of St. Johns, Arizona, local authorities began tailing the trios speeding 1949 Dodge. As a chase ensued, Clifford Battershaw broke out the rear window of the speeding car and put a bullet through the window of the patrol car. Dewey Battershaw was mortally wounded in the two-hour running gun battle with the hard-riding Arizona peace officers; his brother and Sweet were captured. Lets reminisce on being your brothers keeper and breaking him out of jail. In March 2022, three Nebraska Humane Society veterinary technicians were taking a break outside and feeling frustrated. Due to staff turnover and shortages among the shelters animal behavior specialists, they had heard that dogs needing socialization and training to make them more adoptable were only going to be taken out of their kennels once a day. There wasnt enough staff to do more. We were pissed about that, one of them recently recalled. We could get pretty passionate with our voices. The three also believe someone may have overheard those voices. The next day, they each were called into the human resources office and accused of bullying behavior. Upset about the charge, one of the vet techs who had been at the animal shelter for nearly 20 years immediately resigned. And within days, three other vet techs and a vet tech assistant one of them a recent NHS employee of the year quit in protest. The walkout of most of the vet tech staff created an immediate staffing crisis. And it came as NHS and other animal shelters across the country were being overrun by hundreds of dogs and cats surrendered by people who had adopted while staying home during the pandemic. In response, NHS shuttered its low-cost spay and neuter clinic a move that could only exacerbate the glut of unwanted pets. And almost inconceivably, an agency which preaches the importance of spaying and neutering animals for months adopted out some dogs that had not been altered. The agency instead offered vouchers for adopters to have the procedures done at veterinary offices many of which were never used. Current and former Nebraska Humane Society employees say thats hardly the only way animal welfare has been harmed recently by staff turmoil. A World-Herald investigation has revealed dismal employee morale, poor pay, top-down management and a toxic workplace environment that have contributed to massive turnover, chronic understaffing and operational dysfunction within the important Omaha institution. Turnover at the nonprofit this year is running at an astonishing 58% annual rate. Thats eye-popping even in an industry known for its heart-wrenching, emotionally taxing work and burnout. The national rate for shelters was recently reported to be 38%. NHS officials suggest that even with soaring turnover and resulting staffing woes, they've been able to meet animals needs without cutting corners. Numerous employees interviewed dispute that. They said when workers are in short supply, its only natural that kennels arent cleaned as promptly. Veterinary procedures are delayed or foregone. Dogs and cats in need of socialization are engaged less frequently. And animals cant be adopted out as quickly. It is absolutely hurting animals, said one former manager who quit this year, who like many spoke on condition they not be named in order to speak freely. They dont get out as often, they dont get as much attention, they sit in dirty kennels. Animals are not receiving the care they should be receiving. Because theres nobody to do it. The World-Heralds findings have already prompted a major leadership shakeup within the nonprofit that serves the region as a shelter for unwanted pets, pet adoption agency and provider of municipal animal control services. World-Herald investigation prompts new leadership at Nebraska Humane Society The Nebraska Humane Society has appointed a new interim leader in the wake of a World-Herald investigation revealing massive employee turnover and staffing issues within the nonprofit. After The World-Herald recently shared its findings with NHS leaders, its unpaid, volunteer board days later accepted the resignation of CEO Nancy Hintz. Weeks of interviews with some two dozen people employees and former employees, from managers to animal care workers, as well as volunteers and donors revealed a bitter irony: Omahas nonprofit dedicated to the humane treatment of animals hasnt treated its people very well. Those interviewed acknowledged that burnout compassion fatigue, as it's called in the industry has long gone hand in hand with shelter work, where staffers are confronted with the reality of abused and neglected animals and face difficult life-and-death decisions. And they say the pay is poor and inadequate. But they also cited a belief that the nonprofits leadership did not value its workers, their well-being, or their opinions on how the organization can function better. Its coming from being dehumanized on a daily basis, and knowing you dont matter, said a department director who quit earlier this year. Youre replaceable. Managers described the rank-and-file employees as worked to the bone due to the chronic understaffing, often foregoing lunch or breaks and putting in long hours to meet animals needs. Despite the toll that takes, many workers said they did not feel supported, appreciated, cared for or listened to. There was no sympathy or compassion for people who have to do all these really hard things, said Jill Moss, an animal control administrator who quit last year after 22 years with NHS. I feel like they dont care about the employees. Kudos to the people who are still there taking care of the pets people are surrendering. Its a really hard job. The World-Heralds findings were backed by the nonprofits own recent internal employee surveys, the results of which were obtained by the newspaper. The surveys showed widespread dissatisfaction over leadership and the direction of the organization. Most telling: Only one in three felt senior leaders valued people as the organizations most important resource. Just one in four they had created a positive work environment. One in three felt heard. A year after the first survey, only one in four saw positive change. Hintz did not respond to an opportunity to comment sought through NHS. In accepting Hintzs resignation, the board publicly praised her as a change agent who had helped the nonprofit navigate the pandemic and successfully raise funds. Mark Langan, the former longtime head of field operations for the nonprofit, also offered praise for Hintz and her support for his departments work. Deyna Rouse, NHS board president, said the board had recently been focused on many of the same concerns raised by The World-Herald. As part of that effort, it had commissioned the employee surveys. She said the board had worked with Hintz in the past year to improve operations, feeling those issues needed to be resolved first. At Hintzs recommendation, NHS brought in a Utah animal sanctuary organization to assess how the shelter was being run compared to best practices. One of its recommendations, for example, was implementing playgroups for dogs as a way to give them more outside and socialization time while requiring less staff. The board more recently turned its attention to personnel issues like morale and employee support, Rouse said, last month hiring another outside consultant. As it worked through the process, Rouse said the board had been considering whether a change of leadership was in order. She suggested that when The World-Herald presented its findings, that influenced the boards thinking. It would be inaccurate to say such changes had never crossed the mind of the governing board, Rouse said. To say (changes) might have been accelerated? Probably not (inaccurate). 'Very demoralizing to try to make a difference' Saturday tends to be the busiest day for adoptions at the Nebraska Humane Society, as families from across the region come to the big, familiar complex near 90th and Fort Streets in hopes of meeting and taking home a new best friend. But on a recent Saturday, there were only two adoption counselors available to introduce dogs to dozens of prospective adopters. Only one counselor was experienced enough to handle the most challenging of dogs, and she soon went home sick. Three other adoption counselors were so new and green they had not yet been trained to adopt out any dogs; one had been on the job for just a few days. They could only adopt out cats or shadow the lone dog adoption counselor. In the face of such critically low staffing, adoption appointments were shut off around noon, just two hours after the shelter opened for the day. Some potential adopters waited for hours to meet with pets. Others were shut out completely. One family turned away had driven from Fremont in hopes of meeting Cora, a dog that had been in NHSs kennels for five months. And Cora wasnt the only dog or cat left to languish in the shelter that was overflowing with unwanted animals. It was kind of a mess, one employee said. A mess thats directly tied to the rampant turnover within NHS. To be sure, turnover in shelter work in general has historically been high. Pay is low, as most shelters tend to be nonprofits that also rely heavily on volunteers to help them see to animals needs. People attracted by the thought of being able to work around animals soon come face to face with animals that have been abandoned and abused. The customers they interact with can also get pretty emotional about animals, too. Its an emotionally charged line of work to be having to look into the eyes of animals every day, Rouse said. But the data suggests that NHS has taken turnover to a whole other level. Among it's more than 200 employees, annual turnover was 46% in 2022 and is now sharply even higher this year. In some departments, annual turnover reportedly exceeds 100%. From the outside, its surprising, especially given the strong community reputation of the institution founded in 1875. A longtime active volunteer who knows people throughout the shelter said in recent years she saw many departures of workers who had been there for 10, 15 or 20 years. Many of them told her they thought the nonprofit had lost its way, she said. She particularly cited the loss of the vet techs. She knew many of them, calling the charge they were bullies laughable. When nationwide there are a limited number of vet techs and we have shelters filled to the brim, you need to keep your people engaged and happy, and instead they forced them out, she said. Its hard when you see a lot of the problems in our shelter are self-induced. NHS has publicly attributed the closing of the spay and neuter clinic to the nationwide vet tech shortage. In fact, it was directly related to the sudden vet tech walkout. And while the sign on the door still says its temporarily closed, its now been more than 18 months. Employees say turnover has been particularly high among adoption counselors, animal care workers, behavior specialists and customer service workers. Depending on the job, such workers now start between $13 and $16 an hour, a wage so low many could qualify for food stamps. Turnover is so high in adoptions, a former manager said most such employees tend to last only a few months, and few last more than a year. People come and go all the time, said the manager. We were never fully staffed, and when we were, it never lasted long. A current NHS manager said she spoke recently to two adoption counselors who quit around the same time, both citing the extra shifts they were constantly being asked to pick up due to short staffing. We have a great bunch of people, but I think they feel taken advantage of, overworked and underpaid, she said. And if you don't have people to deal with it, the animals are the ones that suffer. Such turnover also robs the department of experience and expertise. One former employee who worked in adoptions said it wasnt uncommon for someone who had been working there for a month to be training someone new. She said a lack of knowledge can lead to mismatches that produce failed adoptions. We have so many animals in there, another employee said. And if you don't have adoption staff, then we can't get them out. To fill gaps in adoptions, NHS leaders have frequently pulled employees out of other departments to help out often from the behavior department. But that leaves fewer behavior staffers to perform that vital work. Even management employees whose pay is two or three times that of adoption counselors have been pulled in to help. The former senior director of business operations who resigned last year said it would clearly make more sense, both operationally and financially, to pay a wage attractive enough to keep an experienced adoption staff. She also said NHS leaders frequent solution to getting more animals out the door has been to hold adoption sales, with animals offered free or at lower costs. Queues would fill up quickly, and customers would wait in long lines because there werent enough counselors. Adoption sales dont work if you dont have the staff to do them, she said. It just made people angry to have to wait three or four hours. The former business director said she repeatedly told the nonprofits top leaders about inadequate adoption counselor pay and how counterproductive it was. But she said the pay, at the time $12 an hour, was not addressed before she quit last year. Several years ago, NHS animal control officers formed a union over pay and other working conditions. Not only were they paid about $14 an hour, NHS managers had rejected their requests for body armor for when they're requested to help police in dangerous situations where animals are present, or for rabies shots to protect them when dealing with wildlife and dangerous dogs. Through collective bargaining, they ultimately gained those things, plus a boost in pay to $18 an hour. Hintz earlier this year said she recognized not long after she was hired in 2016 that pay was an issue throughout the organization. NHS got more aggressive on the issue in the wake of the pandemic, commissioning a study comparing pay for all NHS workers to the market. By earlier this year, all workers were brought up to at least the midpoint of the market, and other pay adjustments were made in certain departments, including adoptions, where starting pay is now $16 an hour. But as the exodus from the shelter shows, there may be more work to do on pay. And many employees and donors believe the nonprofit has the resources to do it. The City of Omaha just boosted NHSs annual financial support for animal control services by some $700,000, with a small part of that funding recently going toward boosting pay for animal control officers to $20 an hour. The shelter also receives strong philanthropic support, two years ago opening a new privately funded $14 million adoption center. And its supported annually by a sizable endowment of nearly $30 million, too. But employees also say pay is certainly not the only issue behind the animal shelters monumental turnover and staffing woes. They described NHS management as extremely insular, top-down and siloed, enforced by a common Hintz mantra that employees should stay in your lane. Leadership, they said, was not interested in employees feelings about how the shelter was being run or how things could improve. Seven different employees and volunteers interviewed by The World-Herald independently used the word toxic to describe the internal culture of their workplace. It's very demoralizing to try to make a difference there, one manager said. It's kind of from the top down ... a 'my way or the highway' sort of mentality. And it's very toxic. Several employees said workers sometimes have declined to bring important issues or concerns forward for fear of facing the wrath of leaders. The former senior director of business operations noted during a meeting one day that only about a fourth of the vouchers NHS was giving to people who adopted unaltered dogs were being turned in at vets offices, suggesting most of the animals were not getting fixed. She said Hintz later confronted her about the statement, asking whether she was working for or against the agency. It felt like she was asking whether I was for or against her, she said. Numerous employees also said they felt unsupported by NHS leaders as they dealt with the difficult conditions posed by the understaffing and a shelter overflowing with animals. I dont think its compassion fatigue, said Brandi Busse, a former animal care worker. Its management fatigue. The 47-year-old loved her work, making sure the dogs in her care were watered and fed, their kennels were clean and other needs were met. Though paid like a fast-food worker, after her kids had grown, Busse felt she could afford to devote herself to the animals. Busse said when she was responsible for a kennel of 30 dogs, she would have time to sit and give them some extra attention as they endured the stresses of kennel life. One co-worker described Busse as loving those dogs like her own. But when staffing became short, shed at times find 60 dogs under her care. Shed then work nine or 10 hours without a lunch break just to meet basic needs. It was just the way management treated everyone. You didnt matter, she said. Even if you did something good, you were never recognized for it. In fact, rather than being rewarded for her dedication to her dogs, Busse was fired. Three weeks ago, Busse said she was feeding her dogs when a member of an outside hired cleaning crew came in and said he was going to clean the kennels. With low staffing in animal care, NHS in recent years had hired the expensive cleaning service to assist with cleaning kennels. Busse said there were issues with the cleaning crews. For example, there were reported incidents where the workers, who are not trained to work around dogs, sprayed hoses in their direction to get them to move to the compartments in the backs of their kennels so the front areas could be cleaned. She said she witnessed one such incident herself earlier this year. NHS officials say they looked into such reports and deny there were any intentional spraying incidents. Any dogs who got wet, they say, did so inadvertently from splashing. They say the outside cleaning crews have also proven to do good work, with clean kennels vital to keeping disease from spreading among dogs. On this day, Busse said she asked the cleaning worker to let her dogs finish eating first before he did his work. The cleaner left and came back with two coworkers, and Busse said they insisted on cleaning the kennels right away. Intimidated, Busse told them to F--- off and let the dogs eat. The next day, Busse was called into human resources and fired for her profanity. A human resources worker said her language wasnt consistent with the great culture NHS was seeking to promote. Given all the cultural issues within the shelter, the statement left Busse incredulous. You guys are all a joke, she said just before leaving. As in the cases of the vet techs, NHS officials declined to comment on the departures, calling them personnel issues. Some employees acknowledge that in recent months they have seen efforts by NHS leadership to change the culture: things like better communication, and offers of counseling or other help through the employee assistance program. But they said they saw no real progress in altering the dismal morale reflected in NHSs own employee surveys. Now they are starting to say Heres a yoga class you can join, " one employee said. Its a little too late. A new beginning On Tuesday morning, word began buzzing around within the tight networks of current and former NHS workers. My text message and Facebook Messenger went off 25 times in a row, said Moss, the former longtime animal control worker. Then in the afternoon came the official emails from the NHS board to employees, volunteers and donors: It had accepted the resignations of Hintz and another senior manager. Pam Wiese, the communications vice president who has long served as the NHS spokesperson, would be taking over as interim CEO. Moss said she was thrilled by the news, which she said left her super happy about the future prospects for rebuilding the culture within the Humane Society. She said Wiese is respected throughout the organization. Everybody loves Pam, she said. Pam is like the face of the Humane Society. Another former employee said she was brought to tears by the news. "I am happy for the staff," she said. "I am relieved for the animals." In her first interview since taking on her new role, Wiese Thursday said she and the board would be focused on moving the organization forward, including tackling turnover. Right now its very high, and we know that, she said. She said some progress has been made. The veterinary department recently became fully staffed, thanks to paying above-average wages for vet techs. Wiese offered no timeline on whether NHS would reopen the spay and neuter clinic. Wiese said she also recognizes the need for more adoption counselors, who she said play a crucial role. NHS will consider in line with its budget whether more pay upgrades are needed to attract them, she said. You are kind of trying to put an animal out into the world and decide that this is going to be the rest of its life, she said. And it's a pretty big responsibility. Rouse said management will also be very focused on what more can be done "to support our people executing what is ultimately a really difficult job." It all sounds great to Moss, who now has another job in a veterinary office. She likely wont be going back to NHS. But she said she suspects some others who left will. Indeed, many interviewed by The World-Herald who quit the nonprofit had said it was difficult for them to leave the animals at the shelter behind. Some even said they felt guilty about it. Everyone who quit or was fired would go back tomorrow if they felt management gave a crap about them, one of the former vet techs said earlier this month. They loved their jobs that much. We were there for the animals. We werent there for anyone else. Photos: Inside the renovated Nebraska Humane Society The slow-moving reconstruction of 108th Street south of Blondo Street is going to stretch into a third year, according to officials at Omahas Public Works Department. In April 2022, a city contractor launched the project to rebuild 108th as a three-lane road between Decatur Street and Mill Valley Road, adding a sidewalk and paved trail as well as pedestrian crossings and three traffic circles. The project also included improvements to the badly degraded Oakbrook Channel, from 108th Street west to the Big Papillion Creek. The city had expected to complete construction by Nov. 30, but this month, Public Works pushed back the projected end date to July 31, 2024. Austin Rowser, Omahas assistant public works director, said workers have run into persistent utility issues conflicting with construction since the project started. The contractor, TAB Construction, has done yeomans work attempting to overcome these delays, but we unfortunately had to move the final portion of the project into 2024, Rowser said in an email. The city signaled the delays in update letters to area residents as early as last June. The first two construction phases including the road from Decatur Street south to North Mill Road were completed last summer. The third phase, along 108th Avenue from Burt Street to Mill Valley Road, was completed last month. The final phase involves the construction of a traffic circle at the three-cornered intersection of 108th Street, 108th Avenue and Burt Street. The road has been torn up and is completely blocked at Burt. The work affects several businesses, including the Salvation Armys Divisional Headquarters, Schrier Automotive, Preco Engineering and the Wyndham Omaha West Dodge. Residents of the Horizon and Lee Valley neighborhoods, and three apartment complexes, have had to dodge Road Closed signs. Workers at the hotel said theyve definitely felt the effect of the construction. It has been a pain in the butt, said Kristin, a department manager at the Wyndham, who asked that her last name not be used. She said the hotel at times lost its cable television service and even, briefly, its electrical power within the past year. Last summer, water lines backed up and flooded the lobby. Many people have used the Wyndham parking lot to turn around after theyve gotten lost, because GPS instructions dont necessarily reflect the construction detour. Its been pretty hectic for guests to get here, Kristin said. Rowser said work will soon be suspended for the winter, and resume when the weather warms up. Whats New South 120th Street between West Center Road and Pedersen Drive will have varying lane restrictions for street panel replacement until Jan 8, 2024. The right lane has reopened, but the left lane is now closed on I-680 from the 31st Street interchange east to the Iowa state line until Dec. 29 for repairs to a damaged expansion joint on the west end of the Mormon Bridge. The ramp from 31st Street to eastbound I-680 also has reopened. until Dec. 29 for repairs to a damaged expansion joint on the The ramp from also has reopened. U.S. Highway 64/West Maple Road over the Elkhorn River has now reopened in its normal four-lane configuration, but the inside lanes remain closed in both directions for median work. The access to JC Robinson Boulevard, leading to Waterloo, will remain closed through late December. has now reopened in its normal four-lane configuration, but the inside lanes remain closed in both directions for median work. The access to leading to Waterloo, will remain closed through late December. Florence Boulevard between Read Street and Sharon Drive will be restricted northbound because of a sewer separation project until Dec. 21. will be restricted northbound because of a sewer separation project until Dec. 21. Center Street between South 39th and South 40th Streets will be restricted to one lane westbound for fiber-optic installation in the outside curb lane until Thursday. South 42nd Street between William Street and Woolworth Avenue will be restricted to one lane in each direction for utility work in both curb lanes until Dec. 20. The intersection of South 72nd and Pacific Streets will have varying lane restrictions for street repair until Tuesday. Harrison Street will be restricted to one lane westbound at South 144th Street for street repair in the outside curb lane until Tuesday. The left lane of Interstate 80 at mile marker 380 (16 miles west of Lincoln) is closed for bridge deck repair. No completion date is listed. Around Omaha Northwest (north of West Dodge Road and west of I-680) North 120th Street between Fort Street and Roanoke Boulevard will be restricted to one lane southbound for street construction in the outside curb lane until Dec. 21. will be restricted to one lane southbound for street construction in the outside curb lane until Dec. 21. State Street is closed from 168th Street to HWS Cleveland Boulevard for grading, paving and reconstruction of the 168th and State intersection until November 2024. for grading, paving and reconstruction of the 168th and State intersection until November 2024. North 108th Street between Burt Circle and Decatur Street will be closed with local access only for street widening until July 31, 2024. will be closed with local access only for street widening until July 31, 2024. Fort Street between North 120th Street and North 122nd Court will have various lane restrictions for island reconstruction in both inside lanes until Tuesday. will have various lane restrictions for island reconstruction in both inside lanes until Tuesday. State Street is closed from 156th to 147th Streets due to grading and paving of the three-lane roadway through December. is closed from due to grading and paving of the three-lane roadway through December. Fort Street between183rd and 186th Streets is closed because of grading and paving of the three-lane roadway until spring. Northeast (north of Dodge Street and east of I-680) Wenninghoff Road between Sorensen Parkway and Reed Street will have lane closures for street widening and sewer construction until Dec. 23. will have lane closures for street widening and sewer construction until Dec. 23. Traffic on Military Avenue between Northwest Radial Highway and Binney Street will be restricted until further notice southbound for creation of a building safety zone in the curb lane. will be restricted until further notice southbound for creation of a building safety zone in the curb lane. Westbound Dodge Street between North 38th and North 40th Avenues will be restricted for building construction in the outside curb lane until Dec. 20. will be restricted for building construction in the outside curb lane until Dec. 20. North 30th Street between Patrick and Burdette Streets will have varying lane restrictions because of sewer repair until Thursday. will have varying lane restrictions because of sewer repair until Thursday. North 30th Street between Titus and Newport Avenues will be restricted to one lane in each direction for utility work in the southbound lanes until Monday. will be restricted to one lane in each direction for utility work in the southbound lanes until Monday. Binney Street between 26th Street and 28th Avenue over the North Freeway is closed for repair and painting through January 2024. Traffic is detoured to Lake Street. The entrance ramp from Lake Street to northbound U.S. Highway 75 is closed during the project. is closed for repair and painting through January 2024. Traffic is detoured to Lake Street. The is closed during the project. North 16th Street will be closed at various points between Pinkney and Clark Streets for CSO sewer separation improvements through Aug. 31, 2024. will be closed at various points for CSO sewer separation improvements through Aug. 31, 2024. North 16th Street will be closed between Ohio and Corby Streets for utility work until Wednesday. will be closed for utility work until Wednesday. Because of construction at the Kiewit corporate campus, North 15th Street between Mike Fahey and California Streets will be restricted southbound, and Mike Fahey between North 16th and North 15th Streets will have eastbound traffic shifted to the center lane until March 15, 2024. North 16th and North 17th Streets between Cuming and Mike Fahey will have restrictions in the curb lanes until Dec. 13. North 16th between Mike Fahey and California will have varying lane restrictions for utility work until Tuesday. will be restricted southbound, and will have eastbound traffic shifted to the center lane until March 15, 2024. will have restrictions in the curb lanes until Dec. 13. will have varying lane restrictions for utility work until Tuesday. Grace Street between North 16th and North 18th Streets is closed for storm sewer separation work until Dec. 21. is closed for storm sewer separation work until Dec. 21. Florence Boulevard between Clark and Grace Streets will be closed for storm sewer separation work until Friday. will be closed for storm sewer separation work until Friday. Traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction and the westbound lanes are closed on Cass Street between North 74th and North 76th Streets for utility work until Tuesday. Southwest (south of West Dodge Road and west of I-680/80) South 168th Street between Q Street and West Center Road will have lane restrictions for street widening until December 2024. will have lane restrictions for street widening until December 2024. South 156th Street between Pacific Street and Wycliffe Drive/Nottingham Drive will have closures for street widening until May 2024. will have closures for street widening until May 2024. Pacific Street between South 155th and South 157th Streets will have lane restrictions for street widening until May 2024. will have lane restrictions for street widening until May 2024. Q Street at South 136th Street will be restricted to one lane westbound for utility work until Thursday. will be restricted to one lane westbound for utility work until Thursday. Eastbound traffic on West Center Road between South 120th Street and Westwood Lane is restricted to one lane because of sewer repair until Tuesday. is restricted to one lane because of sewer repair until Tuesday. South 120th Street about 350 feet north of I Street will be restricted to one lane southbound for utility work on the inside lane until Wednesday. will be restricted to one lane southbound for utility work on the inside lane until Wednesday. West Center Road between South 99th and South 102nd Streets is restricted to one lane in each direction because of utility work until Monday. Southeast (south of West Dodge Road and east of I-680/80) The right shoulder of Interstate 80 off-ramps at 84th Street, 72nd Street, 60th Street and 13th Street is restricted for striping of new accident investigation sites through December. is restricted for striping of new accident investigation sites through December. Varying lane restrictions are continuing on West Center Road between South 90th Street and the West Center Frontage Road until Wednesday because of bridge repair. until Wednesday because of bridge repair. South 90th Street between William and Pacific Streets will be restricted to one lane northbound for utility work in the inside lane until Tuesday. will be restricted to one lane northbound for utility work in the inside lane until Tuesday. South 90th Street between Arbor Street and West Center Road will be restricted to one lane southbound for utility work in the inside lane until Tuesday. will be restricted to one lane southbound for utility work in the inside lane until Tuesday. The West Dodge Frontage Road South between 84th and 86th Streets is closed for building construction until Feb. 29, 2024. is closed for building construction until Feb. 29, 2024. South 72nd Street between Pine Street and Poppleton Avenue will be restricted northbound for utility work in the inside lane until Tuesday. The intersection of South 55th and Center Streets will have varying lane restrictions for sidewalk and driveway repair until Tuesday. will have varying lane restrictions for sidewalk and driveway repair until Tuesday. Center Street between South 46th and South 47th Streets will be restricted to one lane eastbound for utility work until Monday. will be restricted to one lane eastbound for utility work until Monday. Center Street between South 42nd and South 47th Streets will be restricted to one lane westbound for utility work in the outside curb lane until Friday. will be restricted to one lane westbound for utility work in the outside curb lane until Friday. South 44th Street between Douglas and Farnam Streets will be limited to head-to-head traffic because of road construction until Friday. will be limited to head-to-head traffic because of road construction until Friday. Harney Street between South 38th and South 37th Streets is restricted to one lane eastbound for building construction until Dec. 27. South 37th between Farnam and Harney is closed as part of the same project. is restricted to one lane eastbound for building construction until Dec. 27. is closed as part of the same project. Harney Street between South 36th and South 35th Streets is restricted eastbound for street repair until Wednesday. is restricted eastbound for street repair until Wednesday. The eastbound curb lane on Douglas Street will be closed between 44th Street and Saddle Creek Road for construction until March 31, 2024. will be closed between for construction until March 31, 2024. Woolworth Avenue between South 36th and South 29th Streets will have varying lane restrictions because of utility adjustments until Dec. 21. will have varying lane restrictions because of utility adjustments until Dec. 21. Grover Street between South 52nd and South 54th Streets is closed for street reconstruction through December. Varying lane restrictions are in place between South 50th Street and South 59th Avenue as part of the same project. is closed for street reconstruction through December. Varying lane restrictions are in place as part of the same project. L Street between South 26th and South 24th Streets will be restricted to one lane eastbound for building construction in the outside curb lane until June 23, 2024. will be restricted to one lane eastbound for building construction in the outside curb lane until June 23, 2024. South 25th Street between L and M Streets will have varying lane restrictions for utility work until Monday. will have varying lane restrictions for utility work until Monday. Traffic in the east curb lane is restricted on South 24th Street between Landon Court and Howard Street due to building construction until Dec. 20. due to building construction until Dec. 20. South 20th Street between Woolworth Avenue and Center Street will have southbound traffic shifted into the east section for utility work until Dec. 18. will have southbound traffic shifted into the east section for utility work until Dec. 18. South 18th Street between Y and W Streets will be closed to through traffic for utility work until Friday. will be closed to through traffic for utility work until Friday. The intersection of South 17th and Harney Streets will have various lane restrictions because of a streetscaping project until Wednesday. will have various lane restrictions because of a streetscaping project until Wednesday. South 15th Street between Farnam and Douglas Streets will be closed for utility work until Monday. will be closed for utility work until Monday. The eastbound lane on Farnam Street between 10th and Eighth Streets is restricted because of building construction until Dec. 21. is restricted because of building construction until Dec. 21. 14th Street will be closed between Farnam and Douglas Streets, and curbside lanes will be closed on Farnam, Douglas and 15th Street until early 2026 because of construction of the new Mutual of Omaha tower. will be closed and curbside lanes will be closed on until early 2026 because of construction of the new Mutual of Omaha tower. Douglas Street between South 13th and South 11th Streets will be restricted for utility work in the north section until Dec. 18. will be restricted for utility work in the north section until Dec. 18. South 13th Street between Connell Court and Bancroft Street will be restricted to one lane northbound for utility repair in the inside lane until Wednesday. will be restricted to one lane northbound for utility repair in the inside lane until Wednesday. Vinton Street between the east and west legs of Oak Street will be restricted southbound for utility work until Tuesday. Sarpy/Cass Counties The intersection of 204th Street and Capehart Road, and Capehart Road east of 204th Street are closed as part of the Gretna Crossing Park project until sometime in December. 180th Street is closed for half a mile south of Highway 370 near Vala's Pumpkin Patch for replacement of a culvert and reconstruction into a three-lane road until summer 2024. is closed for near Vala's Pumpkin Patch for replacement of a culvert and reconstruction into a three-lane road until summer 2024. Platteview Road from Highway 31 to 210th Street is closed through January to allow for construction of a three-lane road. Pflug Road is suggested as an alternate route. is closed through January to allow for construction of a three-lane road. Pflug Road is suggested as an alternate route. Lane restrictions can be expected on U.S. 34/75 from Nebraska Highway 1 to Oak Hill Road in Plattsmouth through November 2024 to allow for road construction. through November 2024 to allow for road construction. Road construction and bridge repair have been suspended for the winter on U.S. Highway 34 between Bay Road and Platte River Drive (1 mile south of La Platte) , from Plattsmouth to the Bellevue Bridges. Work will resume in the spring. A portion of 234th Street north of Schram Road just west of Gretna is closed for replacement of a 550-foot area of culvert until December. Around Nebraska On I-80 west of Kearney , an eastbound lane is closed for 11 miles and a westbound lane is closed for six miles between mile markers 238 and 249 for lane reconstruction and guardrail replacement. No completion date is listed. , an eastbound lane is closed for 11 miles and a westbound lane is closed for six miles for lane reconstruction and guardrail replacement. No completion date is listed. U.S. Highway 77 between County Road X and Hills Farm Road just south of Fremont is restricted to one lane in each direction for road construction. No completion date is listed. U.S. Highway 77 between Winnebago and Walthill has now reopened to two-way traffic after being closed for several months as part of a project to replace two box culverts. Work will resume in the spring when one lane will be closed and traffic maintained with temporary traffic signals, flaggers and a pilot car until the project is completed in midsummer 2024. has now reopened to two-way traffic after being closed for several months as part of a project to replace two box culverts. Work will resume in the spring when one lane will be closed and traffic maintained with temporary traffic signals, flaggers and a pilot car until the project is completed in midsummer 2024. Temporary shoulder and lane closures can be expected on U.S. Highway 77 north and south of the I-80 56th Street interchange in Lincoln until March 2024 while workers add left and right turn lanes on Highway 77 and widen westbound shoulders on I-80 entrance and exit ramps. Council Bluffs Occasional nighttime lane and ramp closures may occur on I-80 at the Madison Avenue interchange through June 2026 while the interchange is being rebuilt. through June 2026 while the interchange is being rebuilt. Lane restrictions are in place on South Third Street between Story Street and Ninth Avenue until Friday because of water-main installation. South Third Street between Ninth Avenue and Worth Street is closed entirely until Friday as part of the same project. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of December 2023 Trouble with playground bullies started for Maria Ishoos daughter in elementary school. Girls ganged up, calling her fat and ugly. Boys tripped and pushed her. The California mother watched her typically bubbly second-grader retreat into her bedroom and spend afternoons curled up in bed. For Valerie Aguirres daughter in Hawaii, a spate of middle school friend drama escalated into violence and online bullying that left the 12-year-old feeling disconnected and lonely. Both children received help through telehealth therapy, a service that schools around the country are offering in response to soaring mental health struggles among American youth. Now at least 16 of the 20 largest U.S. public school districts are offering online therapy sessions to reach millions of students, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. In those districts alone, schools have signed provider contracts worth more than $70 million. The growth reflects a booming new business born from Americas youth mental health crisis, which has proven so lucrative that venture capitalists are funding a new crop of school teletherapy companies. Some experts raise concerns about the quality of care offered by fast-growing tech companies. As schools cope with shortages of in-person practitioners, however, educators say teletherapy works for many kids, and its meeting a massive need. For rural schools and lower-income students in particular, it has made therapy easier to access. Schools let students connect with online counselors during the school day or after hours from home. This is how we can prevent people from falling through the cracks, said Ishoo, a mother of two in Lancaster, California. Ishoo recalls standing at her second-grader's bedroom door last year and wishing she could get through to her. Whats wrong? the mother would ask. The response made her heart heavy: Its NOTHING, Mom. Last spring, her school district launched a teletherapy program and she signed up her daughter. During a month of weekly sessions, the girl logged in from her bedroom and opened up to a therapist who gave her coping tools and breathing techniques to reduce anxiety. The therapist told her daughter: You are in charge of your own emotions. Dont give anyone else that control. She learned that its OK to ask for help, and sometimes everyone needs some extra help, Ishoo said. The 13,000-student school system, like so many others, has counselors and psychologists on staff, but not enough to meet the need, said Trish Wilson, the Lancaster districts coordinator of counselors. Therapists in the area have full caseloads, making it impossible to refer students for immediate care, she said. But students can schedule a virtual session within days. Our preference is to provide our students in-person therapy. Obviously, thats not always possible, said Wilson, whose district has referred more than 325 students to over 800 sessions since launching the online therapy program. Students and their parents said in interviews they turned to teletherapy after struggling with feelings of sadness, loneliness, academic stress and anxiety. For many, the transition back to in-person school after distance learning was traumatic. Friendships had fractured, social skills deteriorated and tempers flared more easily. Schools are footing the bill, many of them using federal pandemic relief money as experts have warned of alarming rates of youth depression, anxiety and suicide. Many school districts are signing contracts with private companies. Others are working with local health care providers, nonprofits or state programs. Mental health experts welcome the extra support but caution about potential pitfalls. For one, its getting harder to hire school counselors and psychologists, and competition with telehealth providers isn't helping. We have 44 counselor vacancies, and telehealth definitely impacts our ability to fill them, said Doreen Hogans, supervisor of school counseling in Prince Georges County, Maryland. Hogans estimates 20% of school counselors who left have taken teletherapy jobs, which offer more flexible hours. One of the biggest teletherapy providers, San Francisco-based Hazel Health, started with telemedicine health services in schools in 2016 and expanded to mental health in May 2021, CEO Josh Golomb said. It now employs more than 300 clinicians providing teletherapy in over 150 school districts in 15 states. The rapid expansions mean millions of dollars in revenue for Hazel. This year, the company signed a $24 million contract with Los Angeles County to offer teletherapy services to 1.3 million students for two years. Despite the giant contracts, Golomb said Hazel is focused on ensuring child welfare outweighs the bottom line. We have the ethos of a nonprofit company but were using a private-sector mechanism to reach as many kids as we can, Golomb said. Hazel raised $51.5 million in venture capital funding in 2022 that fueled its expansion. Do we have any concerns about any compromise in quality? The resounding answer is no. Other providers are getting into the space. In November, New York City launched a free telehealth therapy service for teens to help eliminate barriers to access, said Ashwin Vasan, the city's health commissioner. New York is paying the startup TalkSpace $26 million over three years for a service allowing teens aged 13 to 17 to download an app and connect with licensed therapists by phone, video or text. Unlike other cities, New York is offering the service to all teens, whether enrolled in private, public or home schools, or not in school at all. I truly hope this normalizes and democratizes access to mental health care for our young people, Vasan said. 6 stats you need to know about LGBTQ+ youth mental health 6 stats you need to know about LGBTQ+ youth mental health Nearly half of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the last year 73% of LGBTQ+ youth experienced symptoms of anxiety; 58% had symptoms of depression From 2020 to 2022, rates of LGBTQ+ youth considering suicide and experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression rose 60% of LGBTQ+ youth desiring mental health care couldn't obtain it 93% of LGBTQ+ youth said they were worried about being denied access to gender-affirming care and 91% said they were worried about being denied access to bathrooms Suicide rates among LGBTQ+ youth are lower when they feel that their home and school are gender-affirming spaces and receive support from friends and family Polling and election results point to voter dissatisfaction with both political parties and the choices being offered. Harvard-Harris polling shows that 71% of Democrats, 58% of Republicans, and 74% of independents want a choice other than Mr. Trump or President Biden. Simply, the majority of voters are watching the horizon for a white horse candidate. In fact, American political history is rife with dark horse winners including Abraham Lincoln, Harry Truman, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and our own Sen. Deb Fischer. Way back when, in the beginning of time, Man made the fire then the wheel. Went from a horse to an automobile, he said, the world is mine. He took the oceans and the sky, he set the borders, built the walls, he wont stop til he owns it all. (Keb Mo, Put a Woman in Charge) Voter support for abortion rights in Ohio highlights voter dissatisfaction. Polling indicates that between 61% (Pew) to 85% (Gallup) of voters support some form of legal access to abortion. And, as weve seen, voters in Ohio, New York, Maryland, Kansas, California, Michigan, Vermont, Kentucky, and Montana, really, really mean it. In 2024, Republican candidates will shy away from abortion. So what? News junkies across the political spectrum were stunned when former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley received a rousing applause during one of the Republican presidential debates for forging a moderate approach to abortion. While the others on stage supposed small government and states rights candidates advocated for a national law on restricting abortion Haley took a pragmatic approach and spoke of consensus, mutual respect, and a word rarely used anymore: compromise. Lets find consensus, she said. We dont need to divide America over this issue anymoreLets bring people together and decide what we can agree on. The former South Carolina governor added: As much as Im pro-life, I dont judge anyone for being pro-choice, and I dont want them to judge me for being pro-life. Haleys comments indicate a willingness to take a pragmatic, real-world, solution-seeking approach to the complex issues dividing Americans. Rather than falling back on party dogma, she presented a fresh idea that could allow her to break out of the pack. In an era where compromise is often a four-letter word, Haley proposed the path of tolerance that acknowledges ideological diversity and the importance of civil public debate. For too long now, political extremism, in the guise of an unwillingness to compromise and include the views of others, has shut down important and necessary discussions like immigration, fiscal responsibility, healthcare policies, and Americas role in an increasingly complex world. Most importantly, Haley had the character and the courage to very publicly stand up and speak out when too many others have been caving in to party bullies. Enough is enough is enough is enough. I know the answer, put a woman in charge In a word, perhaps, just perhaps, the white horse of hope for so many, a reasonable candidate they can vote for rather than against, will ride in as a political dark horse and return national politics to healthy public debate where reason triumphs over vitriol. In a race filled with old nags and hobbled horses, it only makes horse sense to give Nikki Haley another view in her race for the roses. Character is more important than the policy. A friend told me: I cant stand the idea of another four years of suffering and people being afraidHaley has taken everything the others have thrown at her, yet shes strong without being extreme. Its still too early to say but it may be time to put a woman in the winners circle. The time has come, weve got to turn this world around. Call the mothers, call the daughters: we need the sisters of mercy now. Shell be a hero, not a fool. Shes got the power, to change the rules. Shes got something that men dont have, she is kind and she understands. Put a woman in charge. BLOOMINGTON A Bloomington man must strictly adhere to conditions during his pretrial release period on pending sexual assault charges, a judge has ordered. A grand jury in McLean County has charged Anthony J. Love, 34, with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, Class X felonies, and one count of attempted predatory criminal sexual assault, a Class 1 felony. Prosecutors sought during a detention hearing on Friday to keep Love in custody, arguing that he posed a danger that could not be mitigated by other conditions. Assistant State's Attorney Mary Lawson said Love was accused of sexual acts involving one of multiple children who had been at his apartment in August. Love denied the accusations. Public defender Alex Moran said Love would be willing to abide by any conditions the court may impose so that he could remain out of custody and continue to support his family financially. Presiding Judge Scott Kording reiterated that a detention hearing is not a trial to determine guilt or innocence, but instead to assess the risk of whether Love could be released. "We are at a very early stage in a serious case," he said. Before Illinois ended its cash bail system earlier this year with legislation known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, the judge said, the nature of the charges would weigh more heavily in the decision. Now, he said, "the law has changed. You have to think about what are the other conditions that would be imposed" to mitigate the potential threat. Kording said the state showed "clear and convincing evidence" that Love may have committed the offenses and could pose a "real and present threat" to the accuser in this case. He said, however, that prosecutors had not proven that there were no other conditions that could ensure the community's safety. Love was released with orders to have no contact with the accuser or any minor under 18, remain in Illinois and report immediately to the McLean County Pretrial Supervision Program. "I would stay far away from any knowing violation of these (conditions)," Kording told Love. Love will appear next in court for an arraignment at 10 a.m. Dec. 28. How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region. 100 years ago Dec. 10, 1923: Congressman Frank H. Funk of Bloomington has been assigned to the place on the appropriations committee formerly held by Mr. Cannon during his entire term of 46 years in Congress, with the exception of the eight years he was speaker. The appropriations committee is the second most important and powerful committee in the House and has reduced appropriations for running the federal government from $6 billion for the year 1919 to $3 billion for 1923. 75 years ago Dec. 10, 1948: Bloomington-Normal residents were skidding in the first snow this winter, going to work Friday. A light drift of snow that fell late Thursday slowed traffic Thursday night and Friday. Temperature fell to a low of 5 degrees before dawn Friday. 50 years ago Dec. 10, 1973: Joseph H. Kelley, 30, of 25 LaTeer Drive, Normal, was appointed as associate judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit. Kelley fills the vacancy created by the recent appointment of William T. Caisley as circuit judge. Kelley's appointment was announced by Chief Judge Wendell E. Oliver. 25 years ago Dec. 10, 1998: About three dozen letters to William Hieronymus, a farmer who lived along what is now the McLean/Livingston County border during the Civil War, have been preserved on a website, thanks to Bloomington High School students. The "Civil War Letters" project began three years ago, when students in Larry Sears' American history class and Ken Brumley's graphic arts class began transcribing the fading letters to Hieronymus and posting them on a Web page they created. The letters belong to Assistant Principal Cindy Helmers, whose husband is a descendent of Hieronymus. Korea plans to hold talks with the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council this week in Saudi Arabia in the latest effort to work out differences to forge a free trade agreement, the industry ministry said Sunday. The chief delegate talks which will be led by Chang Sung-gil, director general for free trade agreement negotiations, and Raja Al-Marzouqi, Saudi chief economic adviser who serves as the head of the negotiating team of the GCC will begin in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Monday for three days, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. "The Korea-GCC Free Trade Agreement is expected to offer new opportunities for maintaining our export growth and enhancing supply chain stability amid increasing global economic instability due to protectionism and the restructuring of global supply chains," the ministry said. Korea and the GCC which comprises the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait held their eighth round of negotiations in Seoul in October. It marked the resumption of FTA negotiations, which had been stalled since 2010. Korea launched FTA talks with the GCC in 2007. The GCC nations account for 80 percent of Korea's trade with the Middle East. Korea depends on the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council for 70 percent of its total crude oil imports. (Yonhap) FLICK LITE: Our latest listings, as offered by the readers and your own resident Lite Boy... Best bookends When Chris Christianer was a fourth grader back in 1988, his teacher at Oakdale Elementary in Normal was Beth Goeken. It was her first year of teaching. Life went on. Mrs. Goeken taught four more years, retired for 16 to raise her own family, then returned in 2008, going from Oakdale Elementary, to Brigham, to Colene Hoose, to Fairview, to Parkside, teaching grades 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. Chris, in the meantime grew, graduated, landed a job, met a woman, Amanda Carter, married her. They had two daughters, Lilly and Hailey, both of whom happened to then become students of Beth Goeken. Which brings us to this school year. After 35 years, this will be Beths last. She plans to retire in May. Yes, 35 years after Beth had Chris Christianer as a fourth-grade student in her first class, she has Chris Christianer as a fourth grader, back in her last class. Except this is Chris Christianer Jr., their third child. (To make life simpler, he also goes by C.J.) Other than being a phenomenal teacher for all these years, says Amanda Christianer, I'm not sure how often a teacher has taught an entire family, let alone starting and ending a career with a father and son with the same name. It has been such an honor getting to know an entire family over the years, says Beth Goeken, and I love the irony that I began my teaching career with Chris, and now I am ending my career with his youngest son (named Chris). Latest life predicament Tim Stone of Bloomington found himself stopped behind a truck with a large sign on the back that read: WORK TRUCK DO NOT FOLLOW. As Tim put it, while snapping a picture: Not sure what Im supposed to do now. Best Name Club Mollie Ward. From Ward 7, a Bloomington alderperson. Dr. Leak, a urologist. Thats Dr. Ben Leak, in Bloomington. Latest double-take Darlene Demattia was recently in Cannes, France, the globally famous town on the French Riviera known for its gorgeous beaches, upmarket boutiques, celebrity-attended movie premieres, palatial hotels and exquisite dining. Thats why Darlene looked twice when she spotted one restaurant along a glitzy Cannes street. It was a Steak n Shake, the B-N-born exquisite restaurant. Funniest sight The "Tesla" (pictured) spotted the other day in uptown Normal. More Fun Places To Visit, If Only For Their Names (As offered by the readers) Pie Town, New Mexico Bat Cave, North Carolina Kinder, Louisiana (It's nice to know there is a Kinder place in the world, says Julie Callahan.) Most cheerful motorist or big "Die Hard" fan? License plate, spotted in Bloomington: YIPEIA 7 (As in "yippie aye yay!) Best example of just how fast those things go Making the rounds in the L.A. media and featured on TVs TMZ: the story of the guy who bought a Rivian R1T, made in Normal, and to show a pal just how quick its pick-up, is said to have accelerated, unexpectedly lurched out into an intersection, rear-ended a car, hit another, then crashed into a Hollywood Boulevard pizza place. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. The amusing part: The Rivian driver was identified as 67-year-old actor Alan Ruck, most recently of HBOs Succession but perhaps most famous for his breakout role 37 years ago as Cameron Frye in the now legendary Ferris Buellers Day Off. Remember? Thats the movie in which Rucks character, while playing around, accidentally wrecked his dads car. Cleanest new insight As mulled by Bob Bradley, of Normal, as he recently emptied his homes vacuum cleaner bag: When you clean out your vacuum cleaner, you become the vacuum cleaner. Saddest demise Once a staple of household need and incredible accuracy, the phone books decline in this new era can especially be seen in the October issue of the Real Yellow Pages for Bloomington, Normal and Pontiac. Among the more curious entries: Under Theaters-Movie, only one listing for University Cinemas. They were torn down 13 years ago. A listing for Caffe Italia. It closed five years ago. There are no listings whatsoever for any of the Steak n Shakes, despite being born here. Indeed listed, however, is a Pizza Hut at 1406 E. Empire St. It closed in 2008 and has been several other businesses since. Got an item for Lite? Send to: bflick@pantagraph.com, or the Bill Flick page on Facebook. Our latest board of contributors: Darlene Demattia, Pontiac; Sylvia Williams, Ellsworth; Julie Callahan, Phillip R. Mikali, Tim Stone, Nancy Birky and Bill Kaminski, Bloomington; Roger Hughes, Amanda Christianer and Bob Bradley, Normal; Nancy Harter, East Peoria. Watch now: Photos from The Pantagraphs Holiday Spectacular Holiday Spectacular cast Tricia Hayden, Fred Render Kenny Prince, Cindy Segobiano Starting off the show Carolers Dave Krostal John C. Stark, Paul Vellella Bob Mangialardi, Rowan Loseke, Cindy Myers, Scott Myers Mark Segobiano Performing Swing into Christmas Father/Daughter Dancers Ray and Sofia Chambers Hazel and Greg Gall Mia and Jason Mullenbach Dave Krostal, Michelle Vought Michelle Vought, Dave Krostal, Bob Mangialardi Wooden Soldiers Wooden Soldiers Elf Fred Render with Santas performing Nobody Cares About Santa Executive producer Marcia Basolo with director Lori Adams Fred Render Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future Kip Hayden, Kim Matlock Ellie Chapman as Mary with Wise Men and Angels Mike Gardner directing the entire cast in Angels from the Realms of Glory with soloist Bryan Goode Performing Angels from the Realms of Glory Cristen Monson, Mia Mullenbach Michelle Vought, Cristen Monson Cristen Monson Michelle Vought Rowan Loseke, Bob Mangialardi, Dave Krostal Scott Myers, Cindy Myers Cindy and Scott Myers, Rowan Loseke, Cristen Monson, Bob Mangialardi, Dave Krostal, Michelle Vought Fred Render, Bryan Goode, Kenny Prince Laura Young, Kim Matlock, Christie Vellella Kenny Prince, Christie Vellella Fred Render, Laura Young Abby Welp, Nora Bellas, Sofia Chambers Nora Bellas Kids Ensemble Doretta Herr Jan Francois Bob Dobski, Steve Mahrt, Tom Herr Julie and Bob Dobski Cindy Myers Dobski Dancers Mark Segobiano, Kip Hayden Dobski Dancers Tom Herr Director Lori Adams Stage Manager Cathy Holbrook Assistant stage manager Bev Stevens Cristen Monson Santa, Cristen Monson Undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has revealed that he has worked on a new project on organised crime, which is likely to be released in January 2024 and it will shock many as it contains gory scenes. Anas Aremeyaw Anas made this known when he and Stephanie Busari of CNN had a discussion at the Disruptionlab Network event in Germany on combating organised crime in Africa. "The film that I have seen, which is likely to be released on the BBC in January, shocked me, and I can tell you, get ready for a shocker on the BBC Africa Eye... It will go globally, it will play on the world service, it will play on BBC Africa Eye, but even me, when I saw film and I got to the middle, I got out and I went away because the scenes are gory, people can be evil." Quote from the @anasglobal's keynote at the #OrganisedCrime conference: "I'm usually referred to as a controversial journalist because of my style of journalism." Watch the full video at https://t.co/wyXW47UlG5.#organisedcrime #dnl31 @StephanieBusari pic.twitter.com/d6qOBrMqaz Disruption Network Lab (@disruptberlin) December 6, 2023 Source: Graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ten illegal miners whose activities have caused massive destruction to the Oda River Forest Reserve in the Amansie Central District in the Ashanti Region, have been arrested. The 10, made up of seven Ghanaian nationals and three Chinese nationals, were arrested in a three-day operation by the Bekwai Forest District of the Forest Services Division (FSD) of the Forestry Commission and the Rapid Response Teams drawn from four other forest districts. The three-day operation which was undertaken between Wednesday and Friday (December 6 and 8, 2023), formed part of the ongoing efforts by the Forestry Commission to clamp down on illegal mining activities (galamsey) in forest reserves across the country. The Executive Director of the FSD of the Forestry Commission, Hugh Brown, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, said during the operation, it was discovered that the illegal miners were operating in seven compartments in the forest reserve, which is one of the designated red zones. He said two Toyota Hilux pick-ups with registration numbers 1265 A and GT 7366-12 and other items being used by the illegal miners were seized during the operation. "In addition, 10 excavators, 19 fuel tanks, nine power plants, two chanfang machines, four motorbikes, five water pumping machines and seven wooden structures were demobilised," he said. Legal action Mr Brown said seven out of the 10 suspects - Michael Korsah, Basit Shizu, Amadu Musah, Prince Boakye, Amedodzi Kofi, Akwasi Adu and Shi Tiachao, who were arrested on Wednesday, December 6, were arraigned before the Bekwai Circuit court on December 7. He said the remaining three - Bernard Sarkodie, Li Tauhai and Rao Shifa who were arrested on Thursday, December 7, appeared before the Court on December 8. "All 10 suspects have been remanded into police custody for one week," he said. No retreat The FSD Executive Director stressed that "everything possible" would be done to ensure that galamsey activities in forest reserves were halted. "This war requires collaborative and sustained efforts from various stakeholders including our military, chiefs, police, judiciary, media, civil society and forest-fringe communities to effectively deal with this existential threat," he stressed. "This war must be won," he emphasised, saying that persons who were fueling the menace must desist from it. Mr Brown called on the residents of mining communities to help the Forestry Commission to protect the country's forest reserves by reporting any activities that tamper with the natural resource. Background The 16,000-hectare Oda Forest Reserve in the Amansie Central District in the Ashanti Region, has been under siege by illegal miners for some years now. Although forest reserves have been declared a red zone to mining activities, galamsey activities are rife in the Oda River Forest and other reserves. A State of the Nations Forest report presented by the Forestry Commission on May 2, this year, revealed that the Oda River Forest Reserve remains one of the boiling pints for galamsey. According to the report, 421.11 hectares of the forest reserve had been wiped off by illegal miners. Such is the case with the 3,500-hectare Apamprama forest, where 1,729.32 hectares (49.4 per cent) has been destroyed by illegal miners. Also, 87.21 hectares of the 2,300-hectare Subin Shelterbelt reserve have been reduced to deep gullies through illegal mining. The report further indicated that a total of 392,714.81 hectares of the countrys 288 forest reserves had been "significantly impacted by illegal mining activities, out of which 4,726.26 hectares in 34 of the reserves had been confirmed as destroyed. Source: graphiconline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Protecting and restoring forests is one of the cheapest and most effective options for mitigating the carbon emissions heating Earth. Since the third UN climate change summit, held in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, different mechanisms have been trialed to raise money and help countries reduce deforestation and restore degraded forests. First there was Koyoto's clean development mechanism, then the UN-REDD program initiated at COP13 in Bali in 2008. Voluntary carbon market schemes came into effect after COP21 in Paris in 2015, but all met with limited success. In some cases, these schemes interfered with communities that have tended and nurtured forests for generations, restricting their access to the forest for fuel, grazing, and food. Meanwhile, deforestation has proceeded under the aegis of global markets hungry for beef, palm oil, and other commodities. The world is far off track to reduce deforestation to zero by 2030, or meet its target of restoring over 350 million hectares. At the current climate talks, COP28 in Dubai, Brazil has proposed a "tropical forests forever fund" with an outlay of US$250 billion, which would pay countries to conserve or expand their forests. But how can the world be confident that the result will be different this time? The work of one academic, Nobel laureate Elinor Ostrom, can tell us why previous efforts to restore forests have failedand what a more effective approach might look like. Bundles of rights Nearly 295 million people in developing countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America live on land that has been identified as ripe for forest restoration. The right to extract timber or plant trees ultimately lies with the state in these places, so it is up to the state to set targets for increasing tree coverage or how much carbon the land stores, regardless of how it affects the communities living there. Over 73% (about 3 billion hectares) of global forested land is under state control. One of the arguments for allowing governments to retain ownership of these forests, including the right to manage them, is the notion of the "tragedy of the commons": in the absence of an all-powerful governing entity, people will overuse shared resources. In fact, Ostrom's work on the commons in forests, fishing grounds and grazing pastures shows that communities tend to protect and sustainably use common resourcesprovided they have rights, tenure, and the ability to decide rules for managing them. A recent study examined forest commons in 15 tropical countries, where governments own the forest but have allowed local communities informal or customary rights of use and management. The authors noted that these forest commons had a high variety of tree species and offered enough fodder and fuel wood to sustain livelihoods in the local community. The wealth of biomass in these forests indicated a lot of carbon was also being stored. These findings seem to affirm that forests used and managed by Indigenous and rural communities can support global objectives for carbon and biodiversity while meeting the needs of local people. Ostrom's research identified five important bundles of rights that allow communities to sustainably manage a parcel of land in such commons. These are: access, withdrawal, management, exclusion, and alienation. Access and withdrawal rights are the minimum required for communities to go into a forest and collect timber, flowers, leaves and grasses for their subsistence and to sell commercially. The most important of these rights, at least in terms of forest restoration, is management rights, including the right to decide where and what type of trees to plant in order to restore a forest. But Ostrom found that these rights are worthless unless imbued with secure "tenure"in other words, confidence that land users would not be arbitrarily deprived of their rights over particular parcels of land. Attempts by governments to provide partial management rights to local communities in recent decades have disappointed when it comes to restoring forests. For example, India has attempted to revive degraded forests since 1991 through its joint forest management program, which offers partial rights to communities that are invited to help prepare a management plan. But without legally binding rights or secure tenure, this approach has shown limited success. In contrast, India's forest rights act 2006, the first of its kind globally, provided local communities that had traditionally used an area of forested land with full management rights and secure tenure. The result has been restored forests and communities benefiting from increased sales of bamboo and tendu (leaves for rolling tobacco), improving livelihoods. Empower forest communities To restore Earth's forests and mitigate climate change, states should devolve management rights to the communities in these land parcels and grant them secure tenure. But how should these commons be governed? Ostrom's many years of research are, again, a useful guide. She advocated for clear boundaries defining the community's rights, rules for forest use, the rights of all members of a community to participate in making those rules (including women and marginal communities), collective decision-making on managing resources, effective monitoring, graduated sanctions for rule violations, conflict resolution mechanisms, and a nested governance structure when multiple communities have rights over the same resources. There are clear limitations on Indigenous and forest-dependent communities to access the finance that might aid them in their restoration work. Brazil's proposed fund, and existing climate finance mechanism such as REDD+ and the green climate fund, must be made accessible to these forest communities. This would be easier if they had secure rights and tenure, with a clear set of management rules. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain From the nutritional traffic light system displayed on a box of cereal, to the efficiency ratings we look at when buying a house, ratings and labels help us work out how to spend money responsibly. A new scheme from the UK's financial regulator also aims to use them to help you invest responsibly. The Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) first sustainable investment labeling regime is part of a larger sustainability overhaul kickstarted by the UK government in 2021. This also includes the creation (still to be finalized) of a green taxonomy for UK companiesa set of thresholds and targets to gauge whether products or activities meet sustainable objectives. The UK is not the first country to do this. In Europe, there are already several labeling schemes for investors in France, Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg and the Nordic countries. The French label was launched in 2016 by its treasury and has so far gathered the largest amount of assets under management. Governments can play an essential role in ensuring financial markets become more sustainable and that the world remains on a 1.5C trajectory for limiting climate warming. Our research on French sustainable investment labels suggests this is an innovative way for governments to help investors address their sustainability concerns. Labeling challenges Before these schemes, governments largely used principles or rules-based disclosure regulations to steer business towards sustainability. Such regimes encourage or mandate companies to disclose how they deal with environmental, social and governance issues. State-coordinated labeling regimes are a much more hands-on form of regulation. The UK's new scheme will offer four sustainable labels to help consumers make choices about how to invest. Once firms are able to start using the labels in July 2024, investors can choose from: sustainability improvers, sustainability focus, sustainability impact and sustainability mixed goals. The categories were tested for two years using consumer research and stakeholder consultancy. The FCA labeling regime is particularly interesting because its designers were able to learn from Europe's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regime (SFDR). This scheme experienced challenges since launch in March 2021. It was conceived as disclosure-only, but ended up being quite prescriptive on technical sustainability requirements. As a result, the investment industry has been using the SFDR as a de facto labeling scheme. Some market players have also used the SFDR as a marketing opportunity. They rebranded investment products using the word "sustainability" without equipping their investment strategy with evidence-based sustainability objectives. As a result, what was designed as a pioneering regulatory tool that aimed to bring transparency and comparability to the industry ended up being seenby investment companies as well as consumers, trade associations and regulatorsas amplifying the risks of greenwashing and creating confusion for consumers. These teething problems led the European Commission to announced a new consultation on the SFDR, which will close in December 2023. Can the UK do better than Europe? The FCA's sustainability labeling regime is explicitly aimed at fighting greenwashing. Funds will be required to use specific wording to gain authorization to sell products labeled sustainable. These funds will need to state their sustainability objectives and provide key performance indicators to show these objectives are on track. For the sustainability focus category, in particular, the FCA wants objectives to be supported by an evidence-based set of indicators (most likely the UK green taxonomy, although it has not been finalized yet). However, because the FCA labeling scheme is deeply rooted in a principles-based approach, it will leave the definition of sustainability to the investment companies rather than providing one, as the European Commission has done. In France, to qualify for one of these labels, funds must be audited by a third party. But the FCA has chosen to leave investment companies to decide whether to audit internally or through a third party. The FCA will provide authorization but will also monitor products to identify potential breaches. Another striking difference with the UK labels is that the FCA does not take a position on fossil fuel exclusion. Until recently, France didn't either, but earlier this year, its minister of economic affairs, Bruno Lemaire, announced its label would now exclude fossil fuels to avoid consumer confusion when trying to invest sustainably. This could also be a sticking point for British consumers who want to match their values with the contents of their investment portfolios. Research on sustainable investing The FCA has used consumer research to gauge British interest in sustainable investing, as well as the label system. The research showed consumers wanted labels with a grading systemsimilar to nutritional labels for food. Those surveyed also thought one label would be easier to understand than several. So, it's interesting that the FCA has decided to opt for neither of these preferences. It has also said its four labels should not be seen as a hierarchy. Of course, the FCA will be keen to avoid the fate of the EU SFDR in this respect: some investment firms have spent the last two years trying to strategically upgrade and downgrade their funds in the so-called "light green" and "dark green" categories to avoid greenwashing accusations. Of course, the FCA's ultimate aim with its labeling regime is to protect consumers from greenwashing. But the European experience certainly shows this is a difficult task, even with disclosure regulations and labels designed to guide investors. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: In the view of Japanese farmers and officials, the chunky emerald-green Shine Muscat, one of many fruit varieties created by Japan, has been 'stolen' by China and South Korea. The variety of juicy grape that Yuki Nakamura is harvesting as the sun rises over his farm took scientists 33 years to develop and can sell for $100 a bunch in Tokyo department stores. But in the view of Japanese farmers and officials, the chunky emerald-green Shine Muscat, one of many fruit varieties created by Japan, has been "stolen" by China and South Korea. "The great things about Shine Muscat are that each grape berry becomes big, it's easy to grow, and it's sweet but not too much," Nakamura told AFP in the country's central Nagano region. Calling the grapes his "partner", the 35-year-old said he wants to export to places such as Hong Kong and Thailand, where Japanese fruits are popular. But waiting on the shelves thereand onlineare copycats grown by China and South Korea that are nearly the same as Shine Muscat grapes, but much cheaper. According to the Japanese government, China and South Korea took Shine Muscat seedlings out of Japan and grafted them onto local vines to produce fruit that looks and tastesalmostas good. Customers definitely "look at the prices", said Sau, a fruit vendor in a busy market in Hong Kong where Japanese Shine Muscats often cost two or three times as much as their Chinese counterparts, even with a weak yen making Japanese imports cheaper. The Shine Muscat variety of juicy grape took scientists 33 years to develop. "But you can taste the difference," the vendor, who only gave her first name, told AFP. "Japanese Shine Muscats are refreshing, sweet, and have stronger grape flavor. Chinese ones are sweet, but lack the grape flavor." 'Fruits are special' The Chinese Shine Muscat copycats were discovered in 2016, a decade after the variety's registration in Japan, when the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) investigated samples. But Japan cannot stop China or South Korea from growing the fruit because Tokyosome say naivelyfailed to register the variety overseas within the six years required under international rules. This was confirmed by South Korea's agriculture ministry, which told AFP that the "current situation permits Shine Muscat grapes to be grown and distributed here without royalty requirements". Chinese authorities did not respond to requests to comment. Waiting on the shelves in Hong Kong -- and online -- are copycat Shine Muscat grapes grown by China and South Korea that are nearly the same, but much cheaper. Japan cannot export grapes to China itself because of Beijing's quarantine rules, so Chinese growers are not technically cannibalizing Japanese sales. "But we would expect licensing fees... would be over 10 billion yen ($69 million) a year, assuming we obtained rights in China," Yasunori Ebihara, director of plant trademark protection at the Japanese agriculture ministry, told AFP. The ministry admits that Japan also failed to register new kinds of Japanese-origin strawberry, cherry and citrus varieties that have been found in China, South Korea and also Australia. The first auctions for seasonal fruits routinely attract massive sums in Japan, with a single pair of premium melons fetching five million yen (then $45,500) in 2019. "Fruits are special for Japanese people," Ebihara said. "Japanese consumers seek sweet, big, beautiful fruits in a fancy box," he said. "Therefore, Japanese farmers make efforts to produce better quality, sweeter and more delicious fruits." China-grown Shine Muscat grapes are widely available on sale in Hong Kong. Testing times Japan has been developing new fruit varieties since the 1920s. Fuji applesnamed for Japan's famous volcanoemerged in the 1930s as a cross between two varieties and are now among the world's most popular. But the full-scale mission started after World War II, and continues to this day at NARO's research sites across the country. On a recent sunny autumn day, researchers were harvesting dozens of new pear varieties, measuring their sweetness and hardness with special equipment, as well as with the occasional bite. Takehiko Shimada, head of NARO's fruit variety research unit, said it takes years of painstaking work to develop a new variety fit to hit stores. "It's normal" that it took over 30 years to produce the Shine Muscat, he said. The research organization has begun using DNA analysis to try to catch copycats of new fruit varieties. Japan has been developing new fruit varieties since the 1920s. "There are genome sequences that only the Shine Muscat has, so we can check whether (a grape) has such a sequence and determine whether it is a Shine Muscat," Shimada said. Japan tightened its rules in 2020, prohibiting registered seeds and seedlings from being taken abroad. Violators can face a prison term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to 10 million yen ($69,000). Japan is also making efforts to better protect domestic growers against foreign copycats. Back on the farm, Nakamura is happy that Shine Muscats are well-known across Asia. "But I don't like it when I see that something Japan worked so hard to produce is easily brought overseas and sold there." 2023 AFP , Cookies . cookies. FROM SARATOGA COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE: Three individuals were arrested by Saratoga County Sheriffs Department on Friday, Dec. 1, for a stabbing on Myers Lane in Schuylerville on Friday, Nov. 17. Ryan M. Danaher, Ruthann E. Danaher, and Kevin T. Relyea were all arrested in connection with the stabbing. Ryan Danaher was arrested at a location in the Town of Queensbury on an arrest warrant issued out of the Town of Saratoga Justice Court for violent felony first-degree assault and felony third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. It is alleged that Danaher caused serious physical injury to another after stabbing the victim in the neck with a knife on Friday, Nov. 17. Ruthann Danaher was charged with felony second-degree hindering prosecution for her alleged involvements in assisting Ryan Danaher evade arrest. Police said Ruthann actively rendered criminal assistance to Ryan Danaher, knowing that there was an active arrest warrant for him, by concealing his location. She was arrested during a traffic stop in the Town of Malta. Kevin T. Relyea was also charged during the same traffic stop involving Ruthann in the Town of Malta. Police said while taking Ruthann into custody, Relyea allegedly recklessly drove his vehicle at the officers on scene, creating a grave risk of death to the officers. Relyea also resisted the officers who attempted to take him into custody. No injuries were sustained during the incident. Ryan Danaher had been pursued by the Saratoga County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigations Unit and was taken into custody without incident by the Saratoga County Sheriffs Special Response Team. He was arraigned in the Town of Saratoga Justice Court by Judge Charles Sherman. Ryan was remanded to the Saratoga County jail without bail. The Warren County Sheriffs Office assisted with the arrest. Ruthann Danaher was arraigned in the Town of Milton Justice Court by Judge John Cromie. Ruthann was released on her own recognizance and due back in the Town of Saratoga Court at a later date. Relyea was arraigned in the Town of Milton Court by Cromie and released on his own recognizance. He was also charged with reckless driving. The seventh and eighth grade classes at Maple Avenue Middle School collected around four pounds of loose-leaf tea, which will be used in the reenactment of the Boston Tea Party in Boston Harbor on Dec. 16. Its the 250th anniversary of the event. We distributed a few tea boxes to different schools in the county, said Lauren Roberts, Saratoga County Historian and chair of the Saratoga 250 Committee. Were going to ship it off to Boston to show our support to the great things theyre doing out there for the 250th. Roberts visited Ray Harringtons 7th grade American History class Thursday to collect the tea and speak to the class about the importance of this historical event. Coming up in the next couple of years we have the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Roberts said to the class, which was in the middle of a lesson about the Boston Massacre of 1770. The next big anniversary is on Dec. 16, and thats the Boston Tea Party. Roberts explained to the class that following a protest which led to over 300 crates of tea being dumped in Boston harbor, the British increased its military presents in the Massachusetts colony, in part to discourage the other colonies from mounting similar rebellions. Obviously, the tactic didnt work as planned. After this protest is when they shut down the Boston Harbor and it really is when all the colonies start to come together, she said. So us, from the New York Colony, want to show our support to Boston. Harrington said these types of tactile experiences really help the students to connect to history. Theres parts that really bring them in, he said. They realize names, like, Ive heard these names, but I dont know the context of it all. So it really starts to bring things together for them. Roberts also collected tea from Shen High School in Clifton Park, as well as from other county offices. In total, around 9-pounds of tea from Saratoga County will join the shipment sent to Boston from Warren and Washington Counties and across the country to be used in the TEA-enactment. North Korea has increased activities in the truce village of Panmunjom after effectively scrapping an inter-Korean military tension reduction agreement last month, Swedish and Swiss military generals overseeing the armistice said. Maj. Gen. Lena Persson Herlitz and Maj. Gen. Ivo Burgener of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission made the remark in an interview with Yonhap News Agency, expressing concern the scrapping of the Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA) could increase the risks of military miscalculation. "The intention of (the CMA) was to advance the Armistice Agreement, and, of course, there will be increased risk if there are no buffer zones," Herlitz of the Swedish delegation said during the interview held Thursday at Camp Bonifas, just south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas. "It's always good to have rules, and hopefully both sides follow them," she said. Burgener, the Swiss general, said he saw "more soldiers" and "more movement" on the North Korean side of the Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom two weeks ago. Asked to elaborate, Herlitz said, "More activities, but no details." That is when the North said on Nov. 23 that it will restore all military measures halted under the 2018 agreement, after the South suspended part of the deal in protest of the North's successful launch of a military spy satellite on Nov. 21. Disarming the JSA was one of the points of the agreement, along with withdrawing border guard posts within 1 kilometer of the border, banning military drills and maneuvers near the land and sea borders, and establishing no-fly zones along the border. Since scrapping the accord, the North has begun reinstalling guard posts and deploying heavy arms within the DMZ, according to the South's defense ministry. North Korean soldiers in the JSA have been seen carrying pistols, according to local reports. The agreement, also known as the Sept. 19 military agreement, was signed on Sept. 19, 2018, at the height of a reconciliatory mood when then South Korean President Moon Jae-in traveled to Pyongyang for summit talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Relations between the two sides have soured after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol took office with a harder-line stance on Pyongyang, and the North undertook a series of provocations, including long-range missile launches. The two generals, however, noted the CMA's suspension would not impact the NNSC's mission. "Globally speaking, of course it is a pity this evolution, this development. But that has nothing to do with the NNSC, or (does) not directly impact the NNSC," Burgener said. Herlitz also said the NNSC's task remains the same, and it will continue to observe the compliance of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War. The NNSC has served to monitor the implementation of the armistice as an "impartial" observer, Herlitz said, as the Korean War did not end with a peace treaty, technically leaving the two Koreas still at war. While Swedish and Swiss delegations have been stationed on the southern side, what was previously Czechoslovakia and Poland represented the NNSC on the northern front until North Korea expelled them and declared the monitoring group invalid in light of the fall of communist governments in Eastern Europe in the 1990s. "At the NNSC, we are a third party that's to be independent and impartial and to observe all the activities that the UNCMAC is conducting when it comes to inspections," Herlitz said, using the acronym for the U.S.-led U.N. Command Military Armistice Commission. While North Korea has denounced annual military drills between South Korea and the U.S. as a rehearsal for war, she said the NNSC observed the joint exercise as "deterrence" and "defensive in nature." The two generals also stressed that their countries remain committed to the Armistice Agreement, which they described as still "valid." "Neither of our countries has the intention to quit," Burgener said. "There's no discussion about leaving this commission or stopping it." In addressing the challenge posed by the absence of representation on the northern side, Herlitz underscored the importance of communicating with North Korea to maintain stability on the peninsula. "They are always welcome to T1 the NNSC headquarters in the conference room we are always open for dialogue." (Yonhap) In one of his final official acts, on Feb. 8, 2023, Lake George Village Mayor Bob Blais sent out a call-to-action to local business leaders such as Vinnie Crocitto, a local hospitality leader who owns and operates the Holiday Inn Resort in Lake George, and Sam Luciano, the president of the Fort William Henry Resort. Sara Mannix of Mannix Marketing, Gina Mintzer of the Lake George Chamber of Commerce and CVB, and other leaders were called to act as well. Blais understood, and Sam Luciano said it too, that the Ice Castles attraction had struggled over two winters with overly warm weather, and the fear was that the company might pull out of the region altogether during the 2023-2024 winter. When it was running, Ice Castles was popular and drew people to the village mid-winter, a goal of local tourism leadership. A leadership group came together much in the same way that they had and with many of the same people during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they were looking just to keep the village afloat. A series of principles was established of what the region wanted in a winter attraction. Talks began about what could be done that was of the same high quality as the Ice Castles, said Mark Behan, president of Behan Communications. Ultimately, it was Tom Lloyd, co-founder of Adirondack Studios, who made the initial contact with Montreal-based multimedia firm Moment Factory, according to Christian LHeureux, General Manager of Signature Experiences for Moment Factory. We were in a relationship on many different endeavors, so he knew us, and we knew him, LHeureux said of Lloyd. So he reached out to us and talked about the potential of Lake George and what we could do and thats how it all started basically. Behan and LHeureux spoke during a sneak-peek opening of the Moment Factory at the Fort William Henry, Thursday Dec. 7. The Ice Castles company has stuck around and is running the Winter Realms attraction at Charles R. Wood Park in Lake George Village. Read about that here. Looking at where we could frame the experience, when we saw Fort William Henry and saw how accommodating it was, for us it was a very good sign to partake in creating Winters Dream, LHeureux told The Post-Star. Fort William Henrys design plays an instrumental role in how the guest will experience what Moment Factory has created, LHeureux explained. You dont see all the zones at once, you discover the whole experience by doing a free flow walk of the experience, he said. Situated inside the log walls of the Fort William Henry historical fortress, Winters Dream is a series of multimedia installations that welcome visitors into winters warmth with lights, sounds, original music, projections, and interactivity to engage audiences of any age. Winters Dream is about magic, its about joy, its about celebration, and its about making memories for you and your loved ones, Vinnie Crocitto said. A hurdle in achieving the success of Winters Dream was the timeframe in which to complete it. A slim, 10-month window so that the attraction could open in time for this holiday seasona logistical feat only accomplished through teamwork on all sides, officials said. The biggest challenge was time. The reason why time is a factor you need to set up, not just the experience, but the operation, you need to set up preparation for the site, LHeureux told The Post-Star. When you have all those elements that are part of the project, you have risk with regard to all those activities. Winters Dream was completed on time due to esprit dequipe, LHeureux said, or team spirit. Crocitto agreed as he thanked the multitudes of sponsors and the Warren County Board of Supervisors for their funding and support throughout the process. Crocitto especially thanked the tireless effort of Fort William Henry President Sam Luciano. After all, this began with the triumvirate of Blais, Crocitto, and Luciano. Current Lake George Mayor Ray Perry has also carried on the torch after Blais departure. The exhibit opens Dec. 8, 10 months to the day since that first meeting.So begins the festival of lights. How fitting that we should be thinking about light at what is a dark time for many people in this world. We hope this will be the first of many magical winters here in Lake George, Behan said. After speeches, the 250 attendees at the events gala event then flooded into Fort William Henry to get a first look at Winters Dream. It was a pleasant surprise. An immersive and wonderful experience, George Pensel, owner of Boats by George, told The Post-Star. He was there with his wife Patty. Winters Dream tickets at peak times: $33.78 adults, $26.57 children. Winter Realms tickets at peak times: $20 adults, $15 children. Prices vary. It's difficult to think of a holiday filled with more tradition than Christmastime. From the decorations to gift giving and, of course, baking, the holidays are rich in ritual and customs. With annual cookie swaps, gifting tins of cookies and leaving a plate of cookies for Santa, the holidays are a high point of the year for home bakers. Just the smell of cookies in the oven can put you in the holiday spirit. But while the holidays are rich in cookie tradition, there seems to be as many ways to make the same cookie as there are varieties. There's the no cookie-cutter approach to making a chocolate-chip or sugar cookie, arguably the two most popular types. I must have six different recipes for sugar cookies," says Roberta Blumenthal, a home baker from Somers Point. Some of them use granulated sugar, some of them use powdered sugar. Some of them use almonds, some of them use vanilla. Just a little bit of a difference. I like to be creative so I get excited when I come up with a new design for a cookie, says Heidi Toth, of Northfield. Blumenthal and Toth are serious cookie bakers and they need to be. Both women bake for the annual Christmas Cookie Walk at Grace Lutheran Church in Somers Point, where they will join a small army of home bakers to produce thousands of cookies to be sold on Dec. 9 to benefit the church. Blumenthal, a retired teacher, says she plans on making between 10 to 12 dozen of each of 10 different varieties of cookies this year. Toth will do the same. We try to have people bake cookies that aren't your typical chocolate chip, oatmeal and peanut butter," explains Toth. So we have different, unusual cookies like Swedish spritz, lebkuchen, pfeffernuss which is a German little spice cookie gingerbread, various forms of potato chip cookies, sugar cookies and orange butter cookies. With so many different variations, many shy away from baking, fearing the process may be too overwhelming. All of our home bakers agreed following the recipe to the letter is paramount to success, so is accurate measuring of ingredients, and maintaining the proper baking time and temperature. With baking you need to be more accurate in your measuring and the temperature, advises Blumenthal. It's a more accurate science than cooking. All the ingredients should be at room temperature before you start, adds Peggy Apice, of Absecon. If not, you can really mess up your dough. She uses a spoon to add ingredients to a measuring cup and then uses a knife to level off the excess. She says it's a more exacting way to get the proper amount of flour, sugar or whatever the ingredient. Apice and fellow Absecon resident Roe Snyder bake cookies for their family, as gifts for others and for the Christmas bazaar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Absecon, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Snyder, a retired nurse, has a personal best of making 29 varieties of cookies in one holiday season. And one of her family favorites is pizzelles, the delicate and crispy disc-like Italian cookie with a hint of anise. She makes them every year Her advise for making great pizzelles: You have to have a good pizzelle iron. She says while the process is relatively easy, it can get tiresome since she can only make two at a time. Apice's favorite cookie is the classic spritz, a German, relatively soft cookie, that is produced using a cookie press gun that gives the baker a choice of shapes. While many bakers suggest chilling the dough before baking, she says you cant refrigerate the dough since it needs to easily flow though the cookie press gun used to make them. She also suggests measuring carefully so the dough is smooth and fluffy. Chilling the dough is one of several techniques many bakers do not agree on. Toth believes chilling the dough is an important practice that gives the cookie a better quality of taste and texture. And it also keeps the shape of the dough and prevents it from spreading. Other areas of dispute include using salted or unsalted butter, and using granular salt over Kosher and sea salt. Our bakers say when in doubt, go with the recipe. One thing they do agree on is time and temperature. Not every oven is the same, so even if you follow the recipe to the letter, your 350-degree oven may not be the same as the author of the recipe. To get around that, all of our bakers suggest checking the cookies while they're baking at the low end of the suggested baking time. If it says bake for 10 to 12 minutes, check them at the 10 minute mark. They also agree homemade cookies are the better than store bought. The bakery cookies are delicious, but it's those homemade cookies, with the butter that are mmm delicious, says Toth. 14 Christmas cookie recipes RUSSIAN TEA CAKES My mother called them butter balls because they're made with lots and lot of butter," explains Roberta Blumenthal. "You can use walnuts or pecans. It's easy to make. You need to put the powdered sugar on them when they're warm, not hot." Makes: About 4 dozen cookies INGREDIENTS 1 cup butter or margarine (softened) cup powdered sugar (plus additional for coating) 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour cup finely chopped nuts teaspoon salt DIRECTIONS Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix thoroughly butter, sugar???? and vanilla. Work in flour, nuts and salt until the dough holds together (by hand). Shape the dough into small balls. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set, but not brown. While warm, roll in powdered sugar. Cool and roll in powdered sugar, again. AUNT URSULA'S RASPBERRY SCHNITTEN Heidi Toth found her love for baking when she spent time with her aunt in Germany when she was 12 years old and learned to bake from her. I just fell in love with baking cookies, she says of that experience. This German cookie is a variation on a thumb print cookie which can be made in different flavors and is light and fluffy. INGREDIENTS 1 stick ( cup) butter, softened at room temperature cup sugar 1 egg 2 cups flour cup finely chopped hazelnuts, toasted and chopped Raspberry jam (see note) DIRECTIONS Beat butter with sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and gradually add flour until blended. Spread hazelnuts on a cookie tray and toast in 350-degree oven until light golden. Meanwhile, shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheet lined with parchment. Squish the balls with the back of a rounded teaspoon size measuring spoon until a slight indent forms. Fill indent with raspberry jam, careful not to overfill as the jelly tends to spill out when baking. Sprinkle with toasted hazelnuts. Bake at 350 degrees until golden around the edges, about 15 minutes. Note: We have also used apricot, peach, blueberry and strawberry jam. LITTLE GRANDMA'S POTATO CHIP COOKIES Heidi Toth offered her family recipe for potato chip cookies, which are similar to a sugar cookie but are light and soft in the center. While she is a believer in chilling the dough before baking, this is one cookie that is best made with dough at room temperature. For her potato chip cookie, chilling the dough would lead to a soggy center. And if you want to keep your cookies crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, she suggests storing the cookies in a tin container, cover with tin foil and placing a slice of white bread over them. What that does, she explains, the cookies absorb the moisture of the bread and they keep moist. INGREDIENTS 1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour cup finely chopped pecans cup finely crushed potato chips Colored sugar or powdered sugar (for decorating) DIRECTIONS Beat butter with sugar until creamy and well blended. Add vanilla and beat again until blended. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well until blended. Shape into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment (see note). Squish the balls into rounds. Can either be decorated with colored sugar before baking or sprinkled with powdered sugar after removing from oven and cooled a bit. Bake at 350 degrees until golden around the edges, about 10 to 12 minutes. Note: Do not freeze or refrigerate the unbaked dough or the potato chips will lose their crunch. CLASSIC SUGAR COOKIES At the Toth house they started a tradition of Cookie Day at the start of December when the whole family gathers to help make and decorate cookies from morning to night. And this crowd favorite let's everyone, toddlers to grandparents, have their chance at creating a masterpiece with their choice of decorations from sparkles to candy and everything in between. Heidi Toth finds that when you're baking for several hours and the oven is hot, along with the cookie sheets, the cookies will get done quicker. So keep your eyes on the edges for that golden brown color that let's you know they're perfect. INGREDIENTS 1 sticks ( cups) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature cups superfine sugar (if you don't have superfine, you can put regular sugar in a food processor) 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour teaspoon baking powder teaspoon salt Sugars, sprinkles or royal icing, for decorating DIRECTIONS Beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and then vanilla. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until completely incorporated. Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (I just leave mine in the bowl and put the lid on it.) Remove from refrigerator and let sit for a few minutes to soften. Roll out in between parchment paper or wax paper to a thickness of inch. Use cookie cutters to cur out shapes and either decorate with sugars, sprinkles and decorations prior to baking or bake as is and use your favorite recipe for royal icing to ice cookies when cooled. Bake at 350 degrees until golden around the edges, about 10 to 12 minutes. PEPPERMINT HUGS Roberta Bluemthal says this cookie is relatively easy to make and adds festive holiday color to a Christmas cookie platter. Makes: About 48 cookies INGREDIENTS cup soft butter 1 Betty Crocker chocolate fudge cake mix 1 egg 2 tablespoons water Peppermint Hershey's Kisses DIRECTIONS Cut butter into cake mix with pastry blender until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in egg and water until combined. Shape into small balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 11 to 12 minutes. Place peppermint Hug in center of cookie as soon as it comes from the oven. Remove to wire rack and cool completely. Tip: If you freeze the candy first, it doesn't melt and it keeps its shape. THUMBPRINT COOKIES Thumb print cookies are relatively easy to make, says Roberta Blumenthal, and the recipe is true to what it will produce. "The recipe says you'll get three dozen and that's exactly how many you get. You roll the dough into balls, then roll them in egg white, then put your thumb in it, bake it, then fill it with either icing or jelly, she says. Makes: About 3 dozen cookies INGREDIENTS cup butter or margarine (softened) cup shortening cup brown sugar (packed) 1 egg, separated teaspoon vanilla 1 cup flour teaspoon salt Finely chopped nuts Jelly or icing DIRECTIONS Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix thoroughly butter, shortening, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla. Work in flour and salt. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Beat egg white slightly (use a fork). You may need to use more egg whites. Roll ball in egg white then into finely chopped nuts. Place on ungreased baking sheet, 1 inch apart. Press thumb into center of each ball. Bake about 10 minutes. Immediately remove from baking sheet. Cool completely, fill thumbprint with jelly or icing. S'MORES THUMBPRINT COOKIES Everything is s'mores anymore, says Roberta Blumenthal, who found this recipe and sticks with it. She says they're easy to make and kids love them. She suggests following the recipe for them to turn out with that chocolate and marshmallow combination. "I follow the recipe. I was a kindergarten teacher. I taught kids to follow rules. I'm a rule follower." Makes: 60 cookies INGREDIENTS 1 cup butter, softened cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup finely ground graham cracker crumbs (16 cracker squares) teaspoon salt 120 miniature marshmallows (about 1 cups) 60 rectangles milk chocolate (from 4 1.55-ounce bars) DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar with mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until blended. Add flour, cracker crumbs and salt; on low speed, beat about 1 minute or until stiff dough forms. Shape dough by heaping teaspoonfuls into 60 balls. On ungreased cookie sheets, place ball 2 inches apart. With thumb, make indentation in center of each. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are firm and edges are just beginning to brown. Lightly press 2 marshmallows in center of each cookie; bake 2 to 3 minutes longer. Top marshmallows on each cookie with 1 rectangle of chocolate; let stand 2 to 3 minutes. With tip of knife, gently spread chocolate over marshmallows. Let stand until chocolate is set. CLASSIC SPRITZ COOKIES One of Peggy Apice's favorite cookies is the spritz. On a scale of easy to difficult she says this is medium since you do need to get the hang of using a cookie press. It has a lot of butter in it so it's more like a butter cookies. I like the spitz cookie, but they're too easy to pop them in your mouth. There's a lot of fat there." She says this is one cookie where measurement is really important. "It all comes down to measuring the ingredients. If you scoop the flour out it clumps it together and it's not as light and fluffy. If you spoon it into your cup and level it off you get a lighter consistency. And when you add the flour you want to add it on low speed otherwise it develops the glutton." Makes: 6 to 7 dozen INGREDIENTS 1 cups butter (3 sticks), softened 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour Colored sugar or sprinkles, optional DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar on medium speed of mixer about 3 minutes or until creamy, scraping down sides, as necessary. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Add flour; mix on low speed, just until blended, scraping down sides, as necessary. (Dough will be soft; do not refrigerate.) Fit cookie press with desired disk; fill with dough. Press dough onto cookie sheet, 1 inch apart. Decorate cookies with colored sugar or sprinkles. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool cookies 2 minutes on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack. Variation: For chocolate spritz cookies. increase sugar to 1 cups. Decrease flour to 3 cups. Combine flour and cup unsweetened cocoa powder in medium mixing bowl; blend well. Proceed as recipe directs. CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES "Chocolate chip cookies are easy," says Peggy Apice. "They're a drop cookie. Basically you just follow directions." Apice, a retired family science teacher, taught her students to make these cookies during one 42-minute period. She adapted a recipe she found on the back of the chocolate morsels bag for her students, reducing the amount it produced and the kids loved them. All the ingredients should be at room temperature before you start. If not you can really mess up your dough," she says. Makes: About 48 cookies INGREDIENTS 1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened cup granulated sugar cup brown sugar, packed 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups chocolate chips DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In large mixing bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. In separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and salt. On low speed gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned on edges. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack. ANISE PIZZELLES Roe Snyder started making pizzelles for the Italian side of her family. She believes she received her pizzelle iron as a gift so she could make the cookies. She says making them is "easy, but tedious." "It takes a long time. You can only put two in an iron at a time. It takes 30 or 40 seconds to cook, lift the iron off and and put them on a rack to cool, then putting more dough on the pizzelle iron. Meanwhile, while they're cooling you sift some powdered sugar on them. Let them finish cooling. I like to store them in stacks of 12 and put them in aluminum foil to keep them crisp." Makes: About 72 cookies INGREDIENTS 6 eggs 1 cups sugar 1 cup butter melted then cooled 2 tablespoon anise extract (or 1 teaspoon anise oil) 3 cups flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoons anise seed Confectioners sugar to decorate DIRECTIONS Beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add butter and anise extract. Combine flour and baking powder, then stir in anise seed gradually to the dough. Dough will be sticky. If it is too thin, add a tablespoon or two of flour. Preheat pizzelle iron then drop a teaspoon of dough onto the iron. Bake about 30 seconds until light brown. Remove to wire rack to cool and sift confectioners sugar on top. Note: A pizzelle iron is needed to make this cookie. RASPBERRY WALNUT BUTTER COOOKIES Roe Snyder says this is a bit of a process to produce but is relatively easy. She uses a food processor to grind up the walnuts. "It's an old Betty Crocker recipe. You have to grind the walnuts fine, then make it into a dough, roll them out and I have a little circle to cut them out. Ninety-six circles later you bake them." Makes: 45 sandwich cookies INGREDIENTS 1 cup unsweetened butter softened 2 cups flour cup sugar 1 cup finely chopped walnuts 10 ounces seedless raspberry jam Confectioners sugar to decorate DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix first 4 ingredients together. Split dough into 2 balls and roll dough to -inch thickness on lightly floured board. Cut out 1 circles and place onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned on the edges. Cool then spread jam on half the cookies and add a cookie on top to sandwich and press lightly to seal. Sprinkle cookies with sifted confectioners sugar on top. PEANUT BUTTER TEMPTATIONS Roberta Blumenthal says this is a fun cookie to make. Make the dough, roll a ball, and as soon as it comes out of the oven smash in a Reese's Cup. It's an easy cookie to make that she found it on the bag of candy. INGREDIENTS 48 mini peanut butter cups (unwrap) cup butter or margarine cup white sugar 1 egg 1 cup flour teaspoon salt cup peanut butter cup brown sugar teaspoon vanilla teaspoon baking soda DIRECTIONS Cream well butter/margarine, peanut butter, white and brown sugars. Beat egg and vanilla. Blend in flour, baking soda and salt by hand. Dough will be soft. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place into paper-lined mini muffin pans. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately upon removing from oven, press a mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie so only the top shows. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan. CHEWY TOFFEE ALMOND BARS Roberta Bumenthal found the recipe for these chewy toffee almond bars in a magazine and her family loves them. She said the recipe is adaptable in that she includes coconut with some and not for others to please her two daughters. She says it is a bit complicated to make in that you need to make a crust, and there are several steps in the process. Makes: About 36 bars CRUST INGREDIENTS 1 cup butter, softened cup sugar 2 cups flour DIRECTIONS Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Gradually add flour, beating until well blended. Grease bottom and sides of a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan or dish. Press dough into pan and slightly up the sides (not all the way up). Bake 15 to 20 minutes until edges are slightly browned at 350 degrees. Meanwhile make topping. TOPPING INGREDIENTS 1 cups (10 ounces) Skor bits, Hershey bits or brickle cup light corn syrup cup coconut, divided 1 cup sliced almonds, divided DIRECTIONS Combine toffee bits and corn syrup in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly, until toffee bits are melted. This takes 10 to 12 minutes. When toffee is melted, add cup of almonds and cup of coconut. Stir. Spread to within inch of edge of crust. Sprinkle remaining nuts and coconut. Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until bubbly. Cool completely. Cut into bars. YUMMY BALLS (NO BAKE) Yummy balls are a 50-year old recipe Roberta Blumenthal got from her mother. "It's easy because it's no bake. You just mix it up in a bowl, make the little balls and roll them. You don't need any talent. You don't have to watch for time or temperature," she says. INGREDIENTS 3 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 bag mini marshmallows 1 cup maraschino cherries, chopped into small pieces 1 can Eagle brand milk 1 box (or container) chopped dates 1 cup chopped walnuts Coconut DIRECTIONS Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl with a wooden spoon. Roll into small balls. Roll the balls in coconut OCEAN CITY Rich Baehrle wanted to bring a little fun to a serious cause. Dressed in an orca costume, Baehrle stood in front of a Christmas tree on the beach, taking photos with many of the visitors Saturday afternoon. Baehrle was among the dozens of activists who showed up for a Christmas tree trimming and lighting ceremony to honor the whales, dolphins and other marine life that have died over the past year. Local activists were on hand to spread their message and continue the lengthy battle against remaining and potential offshore wind projects. People are passionate about it, and I think this is an excellent opportunity to gather together, said Baehrle, 62, of Northfield. You know, Christ, Christmas and its Gods Earth. Thats the bottom line. Weve got to protect it. The event was organized by Cape May County residents Kathleen Harper and Nancy Hutchinson, who have both been working with grassroots ocean environment groups in New Jersey. Harper said the idea for Saturdays event was all Hutchinsons. Were doing this to honor the whales that weve lost, said Harper, 58, of Dennis Township. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) gave us the latest report that its up to 83 whales up and down the north (East Coast) since last December. We wanted a way to remember them and make people aware of whats going on with their ocean. Some of the deaths over the past year were to the North Atlantic right whale. According to the NOAA, an estimated fewer than 350 are left in the world. Harper stressed how fragile that species is right now. Many of these groups claim the deaths were the result of sonar testing and other activities tied to offshore wind development. Federal scientists have said there is no evidence linking the whale deaths with offshore wind work. About 50 people gathered at 2 p.m. and were invited to bring their own shells or whale or sea-themed ornaments to decorate and surround a tree donated by Corsons Tree Farm in Seaville. Clam shells offered at the beach, as well, for people to decorate. Organizers provided guests with cookies and hot chocolate. Christmas music was played, and the tree was to be lit at sunset. Organizers planned to conclude the evening with a prayer and candlelight vigil. I think its tremendous, said Ocean City resident Linda Carnuccio after she finished hanging an ornament. I think more people should be here. I read about it, so I got here. But its a great way to come together, enjoy ourselves and express our opinions. Everybody has a right to an opinion, whatever it is. Its been an active year for environmentalist groups in Atlantic and Cape May counties in 2023. Several protests and demonstrations some organized by Harper and Hutchinson were held at various beaches, from southern Ocean County to Cape May. The demonstrations remained mostly peaceful, with the exception of six arrests made in September for disrupting work in Ocean City. Today is a very emotional day, Hutchinson said. Because it is not just to warn of the whales and sea life but to celebrate our friendships and the efforts we have put into this all year, and its just been awesome in that respect because there are people who were strangers and now theyre friends. There were some victories this year. The Danish-based rsted in late October said it was terminating Ocean Wind 1 and 2, a pair of offshore wind projects off Atlantic and Cape May counties. However, the fight isnt over. Atlantic Shores, another energy company, said after rsteds announcement it would continue building its project off the coast. Other companies made bids in August to pursue similar projects. The problem is a lot of people think just because rsted left with Ocean Wind 1 and 2, its all done. But its not done, Hutchinson said. Harper added there is still the possibility rsted could sell its leases and permits to another bidder. We want people to know that were not anti-green energy, Harper said. We will embrace any type of energy that can help our planet, as long as it doesnt harm it. PHOTOS: Christmas for the whales on the Ocean City beach PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. The Village of Hampton is considering contracting police protection with the Rock Island Sheriffs Department. According to the agenda for the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, the board is set to discuss, consider and potentially approve police protection with the county sheriff. The agenda did not provide further information. Village President Chris Bornhoeft declined to provide comment on what the change might mean, and gave a statement by email saying The agenda has been posted to the public. All other questions will be answered in the proper setting, that being a public meeting. Emails were sent to the village board members for comment. Stephanie Adams responded that, All questions should be directed to Christopher Bornhoeft, the President of the Village Board. Rock Island County Sheriff Darren Hart could not be reached for comment. The other village board members, Ryan Gonzalez, Rich Smice, Paula McKay, Jeff Schneckloth and Mark White did not immediately respond to the email sent to them for comment. PHOTOS: Procession for Hampton Police Department Chief Terry Engle 041620-qc-nws-engleprocession-001 041620-qc-nws-engleprocession-002 041620-qc-nws-engleprocession-003 041620-qc-nws-engleprocession-004 041620-qc-nws-engleprocession-005 041620-qc-nws-engleprocession-006 041620-qc-nws-engleprocession-007 041620-qc-nws-engleprocession-008 041620-qc-nws-engleprocession-009 041620-qc-nws-engleprocession-010 041620-qc-nws-engleprocession-011 041620-qc-nws-engleprocession-012 Iowa began its history in the cigar-making business in 1856 with a small shop owned by Henry Gabriel in Burlington. The shop was referred to as a buckeye, a term used before the Cuban Revolution to describe a small cigar factory, according to Cigar Aficionado. The term came from the factorys use of tobacco from Ohio, the Buckeye State. Despite the small shop size, it was ranked 13th of 22 other industries in the state, according to research from the University of Iowa. At the same time, the western hemisphere of the state was beginning to take advantage of the growing industry as well. By 1868, John W. Peregoy in Council Bluffs opened a shop. Between 1862 and 1876, nine more cigar manufacturers opened for business in Des Moines. For the most part, the cigar manufacturing shops were short-lived, small, and only employed between five and 30 workers. But, others found success and eventually turned into factories, specifically in Davenport, according to the university. Nicholas Kuhnen, who started in Davenport in 1854, eventually expanded his business into one of the largest cigar factories in the state. By 1882, he employed nearly 300 women and men. Ferdinand Haak, a local competitor, opened a shop in 1869 and by the 1880s employed 60 workers and produced 2 million cigars annually, according to the book A History of Cigars in Davenport, Iowa by Tom Quinn and Merle Vastine. D. D. Myers of Dubuque opened his business in 1869 and by 1880 upgraded into a three-story business building and a similar-sized factory. Cigars got their start here before the Civil War with entrepreneurs mostly German immigrants bringing tobacco in by rail in bales, boxes, and barrels from southern Illinois, Wisconsin and Kentucky. Once here, the big leaves were torn into strips that were wrapped around other pieces of tobacco and placed moist into molds that were pressed and dried to give the cigar its uniform shape. The cigars were then packed into colorful boxes and shipped across the country. The early boxes were wood, usually covered in paper with lithograph pictures, along with the manufacturers name. From 1861 through 1960, Davenport saw about 240 cigar manufacturers come and go, some small and lasting only a year or two, some large, lasting more than 50 years. At one time, Davenport was a cigar capital of the Midwest. At its high-water mark in 1910, there were 34 manufacturers easily employing more than 1,000 people in total. The heyday in Davenport was from 1900 through the mid-1920s. In 1902, for example, the city had 60 cigar factories. Two of the best-known manufacturers in the city were the Ferd. Haak company, located in what is now Tri-City Equipment, a big red stone building at 527 W. 4th St., and the Peter N. Jacobsen Cigar Co., located in a building at the southwest corner of 4th and Harrison streets, that now houses H&R Block and the public defenders office. In 1925, the Peter N. Jacobsen Cigar Co., one of the bigger establishments, made 250,000 cigars per week, employing about 250 workers. Another manufacturer whose building still stands was M. Raphael & Sons, most recently known as Raphaels Emporium Antiques, 628 Harrison St. By 1945, there were just two cigar manufacturers left in Davenport, and the last one, F.C. Gremmel Co. at 908 W. 2nd St., closed in 1961. Alma Gaul contributed to this report. Iowa Barn Foundation annual barn tour showcases unusual, historic barns frost barn waterloo .jpg frost barn 2 waterloo .jpg frost barn 3 waterloo .jpg frost barn 4 waterloo .jpg hayward barn 4 .jpg hayward barn 6 .jpg hayward barn 5 .jpg miller barn 3 .jpg miller barn 2.jpg koschmeder wooden silo 1 .jpg koschmeder wooden silo 5 .jpg koschmeder wooden silo 4 .jpg koschmeder wooden silo 2 .jpg secrest octagonal barn .jpg secrest octagonal barn 2 .jpg secrest octagonal barn 3 .jpg The name Black Hawk appears on many institutions and geographical features here in the Quad Cities, among them Black Hawk College, Black Hawk State Historic Site, and Black Hawk Road. Have you ever wondered who Black Hawk was? A member of the Sauk Tribe, he was born in 1767 in the village of Saukenuk, which was located where the Rock River flows into the Mississippi River. The Sauk tribal members who lived in Saukenuk raised maize (corn) and other crops on the fertile land between the banks of the two rivers. When their crops did not need tending, they hunted bison in what is now Iowa and fished and trapped beaver, otters and other animals for their pelts. Black Hawks father, Pyesa, was the tribal medicine man of the Sauk people. While still a teenager, Black Hawk accompanied his father on a raid against the Osage. Black Hawk won approval as a brave by killing and scalping his first enemy. He then joined his father in a raid against the Cherokee in what is now Missouri. After Pyesa died from wounds received in the battle, Black Hawk inherited the sacred bundle which his father had carried and soon gained recognition as a war leader, a position he continued to have until the last years of his life. He never served as a chief of the tribe. The 1804 Treaty of St. Louis, which was signed by William Henry Harrison, who was then the governor of the Indiana Territory but subsequently became the ninth president of the United States, and members of the Sauk and Fox nations, ceded territory east of the Mississippi River, including Saukenuk, to the United States. Black Hawk never accepted that treaty, arguing that Sauk and Fox tribal members who signed the treaty did not have the authority to do so. During the War of 1812, Black Hawk fought on the side of the British. At the end of the war, he signed a peace treaty that reaffirmed the 1804 treaty. Black Hawk later said that he was not aware of this stipulation when he signed the peace treaty. In 1832, Black Hawk led a group comprised of about 500 warriors and 500 old men, women, and children from the Sauk, Fox and Kickapoo Tribes across the Mississippi River to what is now Illinois, a group that became known as the British Band because many of them, including Black Hawk, had fought on the side of the British during the War of 1812. It was not clear what Black Hawks intention was. Since the group included women and children, it was not likely that it was a war party. As the group followed the Rock River, they passed the ruins of Saukenuk. There were several battles and skirmishes with militia and regular U.S. Army troops. Abraham Lincoln served in one of the militia units that were called up but did see any action. With the exception of the first skirmish, Black Hawks band suffered repeated defeats in a war that lasted for five months. On August 27, 1832, Black Hawk surrendered. After the war, Black Hawk and several other leaders of the uprising were imprisoned for several months at Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis. After 18 months of imprisonment, President Andrew Jackson ordered that they be taken east. When they were in Washington, D.C., they met with President Jackson and other government officials. They were then held for a few weeks at a prison in Virginia, where they were required to pose for portraits by various artists. In 1833, Black Hawk and the other prisoners were sent on a circuitous route back to the Midwest. They were put on display in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and other cities, where large crowds gathered to see them. Black Hawk spent his last years living with the Sauk along the Iowa River and the Des Moines River in what is now Iowa. After a two-week illness, he died on October 3, 1838. Want to know more about Black Hawk and the Sauk and Fox people? Visit the John Hauberg Museum of Native American Life, which is located in the Black Hawk State Historical Site in Rock Island. It will be time well spent. A 42-year-old Richmond man has been arrested following a fatal shooting on Richmond Highway in late August, city police announced Saturday. Rico Albert, arrested in Henrico County without incident Friday night in the death of Isaiah Johnson, has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, police said in an email statement. The arrest, which followed tips from the public, was made by Richmond police with the assistance of federal marshals and Henrico officers. When we work together for the goal of public safety, we all share the credit for the successes, said Rick Edwards, Richmond police chief. The public provided valuable tips, and our dedicated detectives coordinated with law enforcement partners to make this arrest. The department appreciates the spirit of cooperation that led to this important apprehension. On Aug. 28, while working a collision in the 300 block of Richmond Highway, officers were told of a shooting nearby. They found Johnson in the 4300 block, where others were attempting to drive him in a private vehicle to a hospital for treatment. Police contacted the city ambulance department to transport Johnson to the hospital, where he died. Police asked anyone with information on the shooting to call Detective M. Gouldman at (804) 646-3915 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. From the Archives: Richmond Police Mounted Unit ODDS AND ENDS STORE: The mystery over what's planned for a chunk of undeveloped land in southwest Roanoke County is over. Its Publix, county spokeswoman Amy Whittaker said Monday. Its public record now. The county board last December approved plans for the 9-acre site bordered by Brambleton Avenue and Old Cave Spring Road, but the precise retailer wasn't made public. The Florida-based grocery chain also is opening a Suffolk store Dec. 13. MONEY: The U.S. Department of Transportation is providing $1 billion to build a new passenger rail route from Richmond to Raleigh, North Carolina. The route will use CSX Transportations partially abandoned S-Line freight route. BY THE NUMBERS 57,000 Miles of roadway that the Virginia Department of Transportation is responsible for statewide. About $220 million is budgeted for snow and ice removal. 702,000 Tons of salt, sand and treated abrasives that VDOT has prepared to treat roadways this winter season. THEY SAID IT "I think many Virginians are sick of a governor who was out there focused on banning abortion and banning books and making it harder for people to vote instead of actually focused on how do they climb the economic ladder into the middle class." Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, who announced he's running for Virginia governor in 2025. Also seeking the Democratic nomination is Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th. GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin, whom Stoney was referencing, cannot serve a second term. The Republican Party of Virginia called Stoney a far-left radical who would be a disaster for Virginia. Reuben Lawson dedicated his life and career to fighting against segregation and paving the way for historic civil rights action." Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, D-Va., in a statement about their legislation to rename the federal building in Roanoke in honor of Reuben Lawson, a civil rights attorney who argued landmark civil rights cases in the 1950s and '60s. IN THE NEWS Richmond museum returns relics deemed stolen The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond said 44 works of ancient art have been returned following an investigation into looted and stolen antiquities. The Manhattan District Attorneys Office and the Department of Homeland Security contacted the museum after it was discovered that works had been taken from Italy, Egypt and Turkey as part of an international criminal conspiracy involving antiquities traffickers, smugglers and art dealers. The works include a bronze Etruscan warrior that was stolen from Room VIII of the Museo Civico Archeologico in Bologna, Italy, in 1963. Stolen or looted art has no place in our galleries or collection, so we are delighted to return these works to their countries of origin. The museum has safely delivered the 44 objects to the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, which will facilitate the return of these objects to Italy, Egypt and Turkey," said Deputy Director for Art and Education Michael R. Taylor. BURIAL: The remains of a soldier killed in the Korean War in 1950 will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Army Cpl. Gordon D. McCarthy's remains will be interred on Dec. 14. The Palmer, Michigan, native was 20 when he was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950. Remains turned over by North Korea in 2018 were identified in February as McCarthy's by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. More than 7,500 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Standing just south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, Camp Bonifas, the base camp for the United Nations Command (UNC) security forces, has witnessed ups and downs through 70 years of inter-Korean relations. The camp's motto emblazoned on the entrance, "In Front of Them All," is a grim reflection of its commitment to maintain peace in a divided country, which is still technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. Previously Camp Kitty Hawk, Camp Bonifas was renamed after a JSA officer, Capt. Arthur Bonifas, who was slain by North Korean soldiers in 1976 while trimming a tree blocking the view between outposts in what is commonly known as The Axe Murder Incident. Personnel in the forward base provide security for the UNC personnel and their guests within the Joint Security Area (JSA), also known as the truce village of Panmunjom. Among their high-profile guests were former liberal South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who shook hands, sipped tea and took a friendly stroll on a pedestrian bridge within Panmunjom during their 2018 summit. In June 2019, former U.S. President Donald Trump made history by briefly crossing the Military Demarcation Line into the North side of the JSA in his meeting with Kim, which was aimed at easing tension on the Korean Peninsula. The brief period of reconciliatory mood is gone, for now. Tensions have flared up in the DMZ after North Korea in late November vowed to scrap an inter-Korean military tension reduction agreement and restore all military measures halted under the deal. Since then, the North has been reinstalling guard posts and deploying heavy arms within the DMZ, Seoul's defense ministry said. North Korean soldiers in the JSA, the only spot in the DMZ where soldiers stand face-to-face, were also spotted carrying pistols in recent weeks, according to sources. The latest moves come after the conservative administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol partially suspended the Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA) that set up buffer zones in the land, sea and air in protest of Pyongyang's Nov. 21 spy satellite launch and resumed aerial surveillance along the border. Amid the heightened tension, civilian tours to the truce village have been suspended again, just days after the government partially resumed the tour program on Nov. 22. It had been halted since mid-July following U.S. Army private Travis King crossing the border into North Korea. During a recent visit to the camp, the gateway for Panmunjom tours, several buses with U.S. government license plates were parked in the camp's visitor center, with no passengers. The tit-for-tat shows of force between the two Koreas has raised concerns among the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC), which oversees the armistice implementation at the heavily fortified border. Maj. Gen. Ivo Burgener, the head of the Swiss component of the NNSC, said he has witnessed "more movement" by North Korean soldiers in the DMZ over the past two weeks, without elaborating. "The risk exists. It's a reality. The potential is here," Burgener said during an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Thursday at Camp Bonifas. Burgerner expressed concerns that the nullified military accord could raise the risk of misunderstandings and clashes, which could make observers' mission "more difficult" and "busier." In the wake of the latest development, the UNC vowed to continue to monitor the situation, saying its mission is unchanged in "managing, implementing and enforcing" the 1953 Armistice Agreement. "The Joint Security Area remains a neutral ground for dialogue and de-escalation. UNC continues to monitor the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and it is our intent to maintain peace and security," the UNC said in a statement. Maj. Gen. Lena Persson Herlitz, the head of the Swedish component, said North Korea has emerged as a "global threat" by expanding cooperation with Russia and China, intensifying the polarization of international order against a "democratic state that is following the rules-based international order." To manage the risk of conflicts and mishaps, Herlitz stressed the importance of mutually agreed-upon rules and efforts to resume dialogue with Pyongyang. "It is always good to have rules, and hopefully both sides follow them," she said. "Of course, we prefer to have buffer zones." Herlitz said North Koreans are always welcome at T1, the NNSC's conference room, located just south of the MDL, saying, "We are always open for dialogue." (Yonhap) EDUCATION Melissa R. Kerin, associate professor of art history at Washington and Lee University, has been selected as the next Roger Mudd professor of ethics and director of the universitys Roger Mudd Center for Ethics. She will serve for three years beginning July 1. Kerin first arrived at W&L in 2011 as an assistant professor of art history. She was promoted to associate professor in 2017 and served as the program head for the Middle East and South Asia Studies program from 2020-23. LAW Retired Judge Diane Strickland has been selected for the 17th year as a member of Virginias Legal Elite for her mediation work. The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke has announced that 23 of its attorneys have been named to Virginia Business magazines 2023 Legal Elite list, which is determined by peer votes and divided into 21 specialties. The attorneys recognized include: Thomas J. Bondurant Jr., criminal law; William E. Callahan Jr., bankruptcy/creditors rights; Karen L. Cohen, real estate/land use; Chip (John G.) Dicks, administrative/government/legislative; Michael J. Finney, civil litigation; Alicha M. Grubb, young lawyer; W. William Gust, taxes/estates/trusts; Gregory D. Habeeb, administrative/government/legislative; Gregory J. Haley, administrative/government/legislative; Erin M. Harrigan, criminal law; Kevin W. Holt, civil litigation; Carlos L. Hopkins, administrative/government/legislative; Herschel V. Keller, business law; Paul G. Klockenbrink, labor/employment law; Todd A. Leeson, labor/employment law; K. Brett Marston, construction law; Monica T. Monday, appellate law; W. David Paxton, labor/employment law; John M. Scheib, business law; J. Scott Sexton, civil litigation; Bruce C. Stockburger, taxes/estates/trusts; Spencer M. Wiegard, construction law; and Clark H. Worthy, real estate/land use. MARKETING Roanoke-based AccessU, a rebranded iteration of Access Advertising & Public Relations, has announced its growth and expansion with the addition of two executives to its leadership team: Randy Belcher as vice president of creative services and J. Dontrese Brown as executive vice president of community relations & strategic partnerships. Belcher, previously the executive creative director for Strategic America, has been an influential figure in advertising as the co-creator of iconic campaigns including the GEICO Gecko, which earned a place in the Advertising Icon Hall of Fame. Brown, CEO and co-founder of Hidden in Plain Site, has made marks in uncovering and celebrating the stories of the Black experience across America, most recently in Richmond and Roanoke. He also stewarded brand development for the Black Educators and Arthur Ashe Boulevard as the CEO/co-founder of Brown-Baylor, a Richmond-based creative agency. MEDICAL The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC has recruited molecular biologist Sumita Mishra to investigate new treatments for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, or HFpEF. Mishra joins the institutes Center for Exercise Medicine Research as an assistant professor. Her laboratory studies the molecular pathways that go awry in heart failure and the biological differences underlying cardiometabolic processes in men and women with heart failure. Previously a postdoctoral fellow and then a research associate at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Mishra completed her undergraduate and masters degrees at Calcutta University and her doctoral degree in chemical biology at the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology. She has completed research fellowships at the Indian Institutes of Science and Chemical Biology and the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea. Lisa Sprinkel, vice president of Carilion Clinic Home Health and Hospice, has been selected to also serve as vice president of Carilion Mental Health. She will lead the mental health team with dyad partner and Carilion Mental Health Chair Robert Trestman, M.D., Ph.D. Sprinkel has served as interim vice president since May 1. She has held various clinical and leadership positions during her tenure with Carilion and has led the Home Health and Hospice department for 17 years. Sprinkel began her nursing career as a diploma graduate from Roanoke Memorial Hospitals School of Professional Nursing, received her bachelors degree in business administration from Mary Baldwin University and earned a masters degree in nursing administration from Jefferson College of Health Sciences. OTHER Jeannie L. Dudding of Craig County has been elected to a second three-year term on the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation board of directors. Dudding will represent Farm Bureau producer members in Alleghany, Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, Henry, Patrick and Roanoke counties. Dudding, president of the Craig County Farm Bureau, has served on that organizations board for the past 17 years. She also chairs the VFBF Equine Advisory Committee. Lexi Thompson has joined ETS Recruit in the newly created position of recruiter support trainer. A Roanoke native, Thompson has a bachelors degree in health education and health promotion and a masters degree in healthcare informatics. Geana Salerno has joined ETS Recruit as a recruiter support associate. Originally from Rocky Point, New York, Salerno has a bachelors in psychology and a masters in teaching. Ben Kennedy has been promoted to recruiter for ETS Family Medicine. Kennedy, a Roanoke native, is a graduate of the Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business. Chris LaBrecque has joined ETS Family Medicine as a recruiter. LaBrecque brings 16 years of experience in sales and operations management. He is also a lifelong volunteer member of the Roanoke County Fire and Rescue Department. ETS Pediatric has announced that Evyn Duff has been promoted to a recruiter from Recruiter Support Associate. A Roanoke native, she earned a bachelors in communications with a minor in psychology from Radford University. Patricia Goode graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1995, and has been working ever since. Making ends meet hasnt been easy, but she usually manages to do it these days with the help of two adult children who live with her. Shes been a warehouse worker and a housekeeper, she said. Ive done all kinds of work in the past. But during the summer, she said, I fell on hard times. When COVID-19 hit, she said, her rent skyrocketed by $230 a month, reflecting a trend that has been happening nationwide for the past two years, according to USA Today. And even though the federal government was offering rental assistance programs at the time, I got no break for that. But I was fine. Im grateful for that, she said. When all the members of the household have income one of her children receives a disability check the family can pay its bills. But in August, Goode, 46, was laid off from a job she had through a temporary agency and a month later, still hadnt found work. Any resources we have goes toward gas, lights, water and rent, Goode said, and there is very little wiggle room in the budget. Without her paycheck, most of the bills get paid, but not all of them, she said. In September, Goode received a cut-off notice from the gas company which included penalties, interest and reconnection fees she couldnt afford. I just couldnt swing it, she said about the gas bill. So she applied for a grant from Roanoke Area Ministries Emergency Financial Assistance Program, which is supported by The Roanoke Times Good Neighbors Fund. It really helped me out, she said about the help she received. Unlike many charities, RAM doesnt require applicants to be eligible for public assistance programs to qualify for help. They only need to prove theyve fallen behind with their bills due to an unexpected expense, and are in danger of losing their home if theyre not paid. When she applied for assistance, Goode was no stranger to Roanoke Area Ministries. Nearly 30 years ago, she said, she was convicted of a misdemeanor and was assigned to RAM for her community service. While there, she said, she not only fulfilled her obligation to the court, but also received support and guidance from RAMs staff that changed her life forever. Its kept me out of trouble ever since, she said. Although it was not her choice to work there, Goode said, she learned a lot from helping in the charitys kitchen, where a free, hot meal is served every day to anyone who needs it. The experience gave her a up-close view of those who had more difficult lives than hers, and over the years, she has applied to the charity twice for help with her bills when she found herself in an unexpected financial bind. Goode has spent the time since she was let go from work looking for a new job. She calls the temporary agency every day and fills out job applications online with the help of her kids. Im not a computer person, she explained. She carefully decides where she will go to apply for a job in person. Her car is in pretty good shape for the most part, Goode said. It gets me from point A to point B. But paying for gas is an expense she has to consider before she goes out. Although the job market is doing well right now, Goode said finding employment depends on what youre doing. Shes also discovered that her long-ago misdemeanor puts off some prospective employers. It depends on what kind of job Im looking for, she said. Goode said she has been out of work long enough that she has had to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits something she hasnt done in many years. They dont give you much, but its the thought that counts, she said, laughing. It can save you from not eating for one day. Shes also looking into applying for other assistance programs, even though she said shed rather work. Im very determined. Im just not going to stop there. Ive always been a worker. I just wish I was back working, she said. Ill take anything right now. Goode said shes glad RAM has always been there for her when shes needed it. I just want to say RAM is a good place to go and get help. The have excellent workers. Id recommend anyone to them. You dont have to be ashamed. People do fall on hard times. Cara Martinez is the Membership Manager with the Santa Maria Valley Chamber. She's been with the Chamber for 15 years and is responsible for membership development and retention, ensuring members are engaged and aware of their benefits, and any sponsorship opportunities. Her passion in business is to help make a difference in the success of businesses and organizations in Santa Maria, where she was born and raised. FLORENCE, S.C. The American Diabetes Association (ADA), the nations leading organization committed to fighting diabetes by driving discovery through research and innovation, intensifying the urgency around the diabetes epidemic and supporting people living with and affected by diabetes, announced the recognition of MUSC Health Endocrinology Florence through the Education Recognition Program (ERP). This certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) in accordance with the National Standards, said MUSC Health Endocrinologist Dr. Ribal Al Aridi. The impact of this program goes beyond statistics, influencing lives positively and mitigating the serious complications associated with diabetes. The ADAs Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational services meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES). The DSMES Standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and were revised by the diabetes community in 1994, 2000, 2007, 2012 and 2017. The ERP promotes quality Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) for people with diabetes by certifying that services adhere to the National Standards for DSMES. Services certified by the ADAs ERP program offer a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management. Services apply for recognition voluntarily, and ADA-ERP recognition lasts for four years. Daily self-management skills are absolutely essential for people to effectively navigate the 24/7 challenges of living with diabetes, helping to keep them healthy and prevent or delay the serious complications of diabetes, said Linda Cann, MSEd, the ADAs senior vice president of professional services. We applaud MUSC HealthEndocrinology for its commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based education and support for people with diabetes by meeting the National Standards for DSME/S and earning the ADAs ERP recognition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDCs) 2017 National Diabetes Statistic Report there are 30.3 million people or 9.4% of the population in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 23.1 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 7.2 million people are not aware that they have this disease. Each day, more than 4,110 Americans are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease, and amputation. Diabetes continues to be the seventh leading cause of death in the USin 2015, it contributed to 252,806 deaths. The ADAs Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2017 confirms diabetes as the nations most expensive chronic health care condition at $327 billion. SIOUX CENTER, Iowa Four 2024 Republican presidential candidates made the trip to Dordt University in Sioux Center on Saturday morning to talk with Fourth Congressional District Rep. Randy Feenstra about their faith and families and how those could impact their potential administrations. Texas Pastor Ryan Binkley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Ohio businessman Vivek Ramaswamy each spent about 25 minutes chatting with Randy and his wife, Lynette, for the first "Faith and Family with The Feenstras" event. They touched on the role of religious and ethical values in government, the national debt, immigration, the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, and what America's current place in the world is. "It's not just a little one minute clip in a debate where you're bickering back and forth," Randy Feenstra said after the event had wrapped. "It gave people a different flavor of the candidate." "Full religious freedom nationwide" Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey DeSantis were the first to join the Feenstras on stage. DeSantis' campaign opened its first office in Northwest Iowa, the most conservative part of the state, a week ago in Sioux City and has been jockeying with the Haley campaign for second place in polling averages of likely voters in Iowa. DeSantis and Feenstra famiilies Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, far right, and his wife, Casey DeSantis, center right, speak with Lynette Feenstra, far left, and Iowa's Fourth Con Ron DeSantis, who national media has said has the lack of a personal touch, began his time with the Feenstras by sharing an anecdote about he and Casey's three children wishing it could snow in Florida because they've come to enjoy it so much in Iowa. "They told me, they're like: 'Daddy, you know, we like the snow better than the beach.' And I'm like: So that means you don't want to live in Florida anymore?" DeSantis recalled. "They're like: No, we want the snow in Florida. (I'm) like: It doesn't work that way. Kids, you've got to make a choice." Casey DeSantis called the couple's son the "biggest Ron DeSantis fan" and said he once told her "momma, our nation is in decline." Later in their time with the Feenstras, Casey DeSantis positioned her husband as a candidate who could reverse such a decline. "He will never give up and he will stand for the values and the principles that made this country great," Casey DeSantis said while citing praise deceased conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh had for the Florida governor. "He said Ron DeSantis has an ironclad spine of steel," she remembered. Ron DeSantis touted his record in Florida as one that's upheld religious liberties and said the state's partnered closely with its faith community to address issues of family poverty. "You'll have a church that'll bring that family in. Guess what, once that happens, they don't go back for government assistance. They're on a pathway to prosperity," Ron DeSantis said. "So these are difficult things where we recognize that the faith community needs to be brought to the table to be able to deliver results for people. You cannot do it through a bureaucracy. That is not going to give anybody a path to independence." Both Ron and Casey DeSantis talked about Florida's pandemic policy which included a ban on businesses, government entities and schools requiring vaccination. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ron DeSantis ordered a shutdown of all but essential activities to help stop the spread of the virus. Since then he's criticized subsequent lockdown efforts across the country and gone after public health officials. "We beat Fauci on COVID," Ron DeSantis said of Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the chief medical advisor to the president from 2021 to 2022. "The world descended upon Florida," Casey DeSantis said about the coverage of the state in 2020. "I mean, the left was coming after him, media was coming after him, Republicans in Washington were coming after him, the CDC, the NIH, it was relentless. Day after day after day ... But he held true to what he knew in his heart was right. He stood up for the children to be able to be in school." Before leaving the stage, Ron DeSantis talked about what children of the present and future are owed. "We cannot be the first generation of Americans to leave to our kids and grandkids of America less prosperous and less free than the one we inherited," he said. "That would be breaking faith with every generation of Americans that have come before us. So as the only veteran running in this race, part of my motivation is: We've got young kids and we're looking toward the future." Ron and Casey DeSantis Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, right, and his wife Casey DeSantis, left, address a crowd during the first Feenstra "Faith & Family" event on t "Promoting a culture of life" Texas pastor and businessman Ryan Binkley and his wife, Ellie, were the second family to take the stage with the Feenstras and spent time talking about Ellie's journey to the United States from South Korea. Binkley's 2024 campaign has struggled to get on any national TV debate stage and isn't being included in polling averages from sites such as FiveThirtyEight. Ellie Binkley, who said she didn't know who her parents were for part of her childhood because they immigrated to the U.S. before her, told Lynette and Randy Feenstra she is deeply moved whenever she hears adoption stories from other families. "I felt like God was saying, Ellie, this is something that I have for you," she said. The family has five children in total and adopted their youngest from South Korea. Ryan Binkley and Ellie Binkley Texas pastor and business Ryan Binkley, right, and his wife, Ellie Binkley, left, appeared at the first "Faith & Family with The Feenstras Revamping the adoption system and foster care system would be ways of curbing abortions in the U.S., Ellie Binkley said. "We look at the topic of abortion, this is something that is really huge on our hearts. We want to promote a culture of life. Not only is there a culture of life for the baby, but there's love and support for the mother at this point of crisis," she said. "We have to get into the foster system and just revamp it to where there are people of integrity, people of morals, that are fostering these children and then allowing adoption to be more affordable." For each candidate, the Feenstras read a submitted question from a Dordt University student. Ryan Binkley was asked how he would show Jesus Christ in a possible presidential administration. He said he would try and focus more on poor people in urban areas, especially in cities where Republican leadership is in the minority. He said working toward the goal would offer a GOP alternative to "socialism." "But we have to show them or won't resonate," Binkley said. "Moral duty to look after family" A common theme of Ramaswamy's stage time was the idea of American decline. More than once, Ramaswamy, who's polling averages in Iowa place him fourth (behind former President Donald Trump and DeSantis and Haley), said he saw at least half of the job of president as "reviving our national character." "I'm not running for pastor," said the 38-year-old Ramaswamy who is a practicing Hindu. "I wouldn't be qualified to be a pastor but I am running to be commander-in chief, president, and that person swears an oath to the Constitution and needs to be grounded in the same values that that constitution was written to protect. And then you can say: Will I stand for those values? You're darn right I do." Vivek and son Vivek Ramaswamy, right, and his son, Karthik, left, sit on stage in the B.J. Haan Auditorium on the Dordt University campus in Sioux Center, I Ramaswamy wove the idea of family with his "America First" policies which include a criticism of NATO and reduction of foreign aid to Israel (with Israel's approval). "I think it's our moral duty to look after our family, as parents. Our moral duty to look after this country, as leaders, whether in Congress, or whether in the White House, and then, after that, we can turn to solving hunger in the Congo or wherever else it is that we're sending our foreign aid," Ramaswamy said. (An estimated 25.8 million people are experiencing crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the World Food Programme.) "I don't say that disparagingly, those things are important too. But your moral duty starts closest to home and that's kind of my worldview and that's the way I'd expect to lead this country as well." Though Ramaswamy grew up frequently attending services at a Hindu temple in Dayton, Ohio, he said concepts espoused in the Ten Commandments felt familiar to him, even in childhood. "These values that I was raised in, they don't belong to Hindus. Just as they don't belong to Christians or Jews or anybody else. They belong to God. And I do believe those are the values this nation was founded on." "We need normal people serving in Congress" Of the four candidates who took the stage, Haley spent the most time discussing foreign policy issues. Haley, who's seen an uptick in her Iowa poll numbers for more than two months, served as the Trump administration's U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from January 2017 through December 2018. She said she believes it would be a mistake for America to pursue more isolationist polices in foreign relations. "On September 12, we needed a lot of friends. You have to be a friend to get a friend," Haley said. "We need to make sure America's never so arrogant to think we don't need friends, because we do." Haley and Rena Haley Jackson with Feenstras Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, center right, and her daughter, Rena Haley Jackson, far right, were the last family to speak during the fi Haley also castigated Republicans for what she said was passing big budget bills with zero accountability to the American people. "We now have 100 million Americans on Medicaid, 42 million Americans on food stamps. That's a third of our country. And did Republicans try and make it right?" Haley asked. "No. They opened up earmarks and pet projects for the first time in 10 years ... Republicans asked for $7.4 billion worth of those pet projects." With respect to her faith, Haley said one of her most trying moments came while she was governor of South Carolina. On June 17, 2015, a white supremacist terrorist walked into the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston and killed nine Black people including senior pastor and state senator Clementa C. Pinckney. Following the shooting, Haley said she felt pressure to remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse in Columbia after the killer was shown in photos with the flag. "It was a tough process, but at the end of it, we didn't have violence. We had vigils. We didn't have protests we had hugs," she said. Nikki Haley and Rena Haley Jackson Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, left, and her daughter, Rena Haley Jackson, right, were the last family to speak at the Feenstra event. Haley further differentiated herself from the other candidates by criticizing Trump. She repeated a line of hers that chaos follows the former president wherever he goes. "We can't have a country this way, in a world on fire, and survive this chaos. And so we have to have a new generation of conservatives. And in order to do that, we've got to acknowledge some hard truths." State of the race With a little more than a month until the 2024 Iowa Republican Caucuses, which are being held on January 15, Trump continues to dominate polls for the race. The FiveThirtyEight polling average shows him more than 26 points ahead of DeSantis, more than 28 points ahead of Haley and more than 41 points ahead of Ramaswamy. CNN said Thursday it would host a Jan. 10 debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, five days before the states first-in-the-nation caucuses. Trump hasn't attended any debate thus far. SIOUX CITY The Sioux City Council will be asked Monday to approve a development and minimum assessment agreement with a distributor of construction and mining equipment. Road Machinery & Supplies Co. is relocating its Sioux City operations to Expedition Business Park by Sioux Gateway Airport. This past summer, the company expressed interest in purchasing land in the Expedition Business Park at the intersection of Al Haynes Drive and Discovery Boulevard for a new location for their Sioux City operation. The Minnesota-based company currently has a location at 1400 Lewis Blvd. As part of the project, the company proposes to purchase the 11.47-acre parcel from the city and construct a 10,080-square-foot facility. The facility will include offices, high bay space for servicing equipment, a wash bay and space for outdoor storage of equipment and machinery. The proposed purchase price is $37,897 per acre for a total price of $434,679. Six existing jobs will be retained, and the company will likely add new employees as it expands its presence in the region, according to city documents. Under the terms of the development and minimum assessment agreement, Road Machinery & Supplies Co. will purchase Lot 5 for $434,679, construct a new heavy equipment sales and service center on the parcel, retain the existing six employees, and commit to a minimum assessed value of $2 million on the completed project for a period of 10 years. The company will also provide the city with a right of first refusal on the remnant property which remains after the development of the original facility, according to the documents. The city, in turn, will sell Lot 5 in Expedition Business Park to Road Machinery & Supplies Co. and provide a series of property tax rebates on a graduated scale as detailed in the development agreement. The documents state that the city will see immediate revenue through the proceeds of the land sale and will also see increased tax revenue through new development on the site. Grandview Park overlay project The council will also weigh approving a resolution adopting plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the construction of the FY2024 Grandview Park hot-mix asphalt (HMA) Overlay Project. The HMA overlay of the park road will preserve the road's integrity and mitigate damage to the park from the demolition of two water tanks in the park. The project includes the construction of Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines-compliant sidewalk ramps along the park road; a 1.5-inch HMA overlay of the park road, including the playground parking area; and the restriping of the playground parking lot. All construction work is scheduled to be completed before Saturday in the Park on July 6, according to city documents. The documents state that city staff is ready to go out for bid on the project on Friday, with a bid deadline of Jan. 9. The project would have a late start date of May 20 and be completed within 20 working days. The engineer's opinion of probable construction cost for the base bid is $200,000. The engineer's opinion of probable cost with the bid alternate to allow the contractor to keep the asphalt millings is $195,000. Gordon Drive viaduct reconstruction The Iowa Department of Transportation is also slated to give the City Council a presentation of the Gordon Drive viaduct reconstruction project. Acquisition of right of way for a new Gordon Drive viaduct is slated to begin in 2027, and construction is to begin the following year of the project, which includes replacement of the city's Bacon Creek drainage conduit beneath a portion of the same area. The project is part of the 2024-28 highway plan which was approved in June by the IDOT. Inclusion in the plan gives the IDOT a firmer deadline to finalize designs in advance of letting the projects for construction bids. The IDOT has taken the lead in designing the entire project. Viaduct replacement is estimated at $118 to $144 million, and the conduit is estimated at $25 million to $34 million. The viaduct, which carries 20,000 vehicles daily, is in need of replacement, rather than simply adding on to it as in past improvements, the IDOT has said. SIOUX CITY Nestled in the arms of his new owner, Nixon, the 2023 Little Yellow Dog, seemed right at home. The black and white bernedoodle puppy fetched $13,000 in Saturdays Little Yellow Dog auction held in the atrium of the Ho-Chunk Centre. The winning bidders were Rick Grenko and his wife Lynette Meyer of Sioux City. I wasnt 100 percent sure until this morning I was probably going to try and buy the dog. We went upstairs and had our cocktails before (the auction) and he came right over and sniffed me and I thought he must be meant for me, Grenko said. Nixon was donated by Pat and Karen Kuehl and named after the late Dave Nixon Sr., a longtime Sioux City TV news anchor and Little Yellow dog auction emcee. The auction, held by The Ancient and Effervescent Order of the Little Yellow Dogs, raises funds for the Sioux City Journals Goodfellow Charities. I couldnt be more honored honestly to have ended up with this dog in honor of Mr. Nixon and everything he did for this organization. It really is a privilege to win this auction and have this dog named after him, Grenko said. 2023 Little Yellow Dog auction "Nixon," the male teddy bear bernedoodle born on Oct. 6, roams around the Ho-Chunk Centre during the annual Little Yellow Dog auction in Sioux City. Asked if they would keep the dogs name, Grenko said, I think so because its in honor of Mr. Nixon. Perhaps if it was something else I might do something else. But given the significance, I assume we will keep the name. Representing the family, Nixons three children, Dave Jr., Rick and Leslee, made the formal opening bid of $2,000 at the 2023 auction. Dave Nixon Jr. said the auction was an event his father never missed wherever he was at that time of year. He would always share the stories. Thank you for all youve done for our family and Merry Christmas, Nixon Jr. said. The bid grew to $5,250 when auctioneer Bruce Brock took a break for some holiday music from the All-America Concert Band. After the short pause, the bidding climbed by another $1,750 when it was held so Kerry Johnson, of Family Pet Hospital, who serves as vice president of The Ancient and Effervescent Order of the Little Yellow Dogs, could take Nixon through the large crowd on the atrium floor and mezzanine to the delight of the crowd. By 12:50 p.m., the bid was at $10,400 as the bidding seemed to be concentrated between two bidders. The bid climbed to $11,700 then $12,000 then $13,000. I didnt know if I would win or not, Grenko said. I kind of resolved I wanted to buy this dog because its so cute. The cause is so fabulous to provide toys for children. The dog seemed to almost fall asleep as Grenko answered questions from the media after placing the winning bid. He doesnt seem too upset does he? He was running around upstairs like crazy so this is about what youd expect. Nixon will be an only dog in his new home. Ive had dogs before. We travel a lot so I was always a little concerned about getting a dog. Friends who have excessive numbers of pets all said, well babysit that dog any time you want. So now the travel excuse went out the window so I was running out of excuses to buy this dog, Grenko said. Its such a cute dog. Its not going to be very big. Everything Ive read about them, its such a great breed and such a great dog. It will be spoiled. Little Yellow Dogs: 1936 to present Year Name Breed Buyer Price 1936 Skippy Mongrel Herman Miller $25 1937 Midget "Mike" Mongrel Wax Nelson & John Kampmeyer $200 1938 Bruce Oscar Hoberg for S.C. Scottish Rite Consistory $250 1939 Zero Oscar Hoberg for S.C. Scottish Rite Consistory $300 1940 Happy Abu Bekr Shrine Temple $275 1941 Kit K.A. Murray $250 1942 Victory Hugh Twohig $310 1943 Palermo Frank Pilley $337 1944 Peter G.F. Peceny $375 1945 Cinderella Charles McKenna $390 1946 Dancer Tetonia Club $450. 1947 Mistletoe H.R. Scroggs $500 1948 Blondie Elks Club $510 1949 Meme Wally Wilson & Harold Jacobsen $525 1950 Sir Tippet Schaff's Hardware, Remsen, Iowa $565 1951 Soo Wing Wu E.S. Gaynor $575 1952 V-Eight Jess Getz $577 1953 Blue Boy Fred K. Harbeck $615 1954 Siouxland Coquette Sealyham Terrier Miles Patton $650 1955 Donnabelle C.H. Brechlin $700 1956 Lorrie Dachsund Russell Deever $710 1957 Little Joe R.P. Boulay $725 1958 Peggy Bob Johnson $765 1959 Nick Sodrac Park $800 1960 Happy Carter Dennis $900 1961 Little Bill Jerry Kozney $950 1962 Missy Mrs. L.J. Kaplan $1,000 1963 Little Ike J.J. Arkin $1,075 1964 Georgie Dave Levitt $1,130 1965 Maxie Miniature Poodle Board of Directors LYD for Mrs. Winifred Perasso $800 1966 Joey Poodle Vernon Boyers $810 1967 Wacuwa St. Nick Brown and white English Springer Sioux City Grain Exchange $830 1968 Paddy Vizsla Pointer United Order Buyers Dixon Co. Feedlots $850 1969 Little Maxie Wire haired Dachsund Mr. & Mrs. Irving Levich $640 1970 Little Yeller Fawn Colored Chihuahua Julian Torgeson $2,310 1971 Scottie Black Scottish Terrier James Gribble $1,650 1972 Kandy Cairn Terrier Northwestern National Bank, Stan Evans $1,410 1973 Polly Shetland Sheepdog David, Norman & Peter Waitt $1,530 1974 Goldie Yellow Labrador Ray E. Friedman $2,520 1975 Georgy Boston Terrier Vernon Boyers $3,000 1976 Buckwheat Boston Terrier Jim Yanney $3,550 1977 Sandy Cocker Spaniel Ray Grandle (Bill Grabau) $3,500 1978 Sir Nick English Springer Spaniel Jim Yanney $5,000 1979 Jingles Miniature Schnauzer Alan Booge & Jim Cuthbert $7,500 1980 Sir Tannenbaum Wire haired Dachsund Alan Booge, Jim Cuthbert & David Sitzmann $8,000 1981 Kringles Sheltie Ray & Todi Switzer $5,200 1982 Jingles Black & White Cocker Alan Booge $4,400 1983 Sir Nicholas Samoyed Larry Doeschot $5,000 1984 Sir Lord Stone English Bulldog Ken Opstein $5,100 1985 Golden Girl Golden Retriever Bob Hoefer $7,500 1986 Golden Boy Golden Retriever Walt E. Beggs $6,700 1987 Sir Vern Buff colored Cocker Chuck Avery $6,000 1988 Sir Frank Golden Retriever Fred Wells $5,300 1989 Elmer's Girl Black and white Cocker Paul Meloy $8,100 1990 Mink's Magic Tri-colored Cocker Ted & Norm, Jr. Waitt $8,500 1991 Miss Kringels Yellow Chinese Shar-pei Jerry and Kathy Weiner $6,700 1992 Noel Bichon Frise harold A. Bomgaars $7,100 1993 Lady Gracie Bull Terrier Norm and Andria Waitt $8,600 1994 Princess Vi Miniature Schnauzer Fred Wells $6,500 1995 Miss Amber Golden Retriever Tom Kurdy $8,700 1996 Doc Holiday Golden Retriever Kevin Vaughn of Fimco $12,750 1997 Yukon Cornelius Golden Retriever Ted Waitt $15,500 1998 Mr. Golden Golden Retriever Roger Miller $15,600 1999 Fargo Golden Retriever Hirsch/Wooldridge family $9,000 2000 Chad Yellow Labrador Brad Gunderson $10,200 2001 Miss Noel Maltese Mike Wells $18,300 2002 T-Bone Maltese Jim and Jameley Levich $18,500 2003 Seaman Great Newfoundland Todd and Cathy Ellison $11,500 2004 Colonel Harold Boston Terrier Bob Scott and Duane Davis $20,000 2005 Little Nicholas Poodle Tim Brown and D.A. Davis $21,100 2006 Belle Westie Dr. Ralph and Julie Reeder $30,000 2007 Brubeck Golden Retriever D.A. Davis, Roger Miller, Leonard Gill, Paul Braunger and Bill Barkley $20,000 2008 Boji Cairn Terrier Dave Marx and John Goldsmith $20,000 2009 Holly Berry Yorkshire terrier Dan Wells $20,000 2010 Hope Miniature Schnauzer Charese Yanney $10,000 2011 Stoney Yellow labrador retriever Sioux City Explorers $45,000 2012 Truffles American water spaniel Rhonda Capron $14,500 2013 Snickers Liver and white springer spaniel Patty and Eric Lohry $15,000 2014 Finnegan Scottish terrier Brad Smith $15,000 2015 Dasher Beagle Don and Linda Boyer $10,200 2016 Aspen Maltese Anonymous $16,000 2017 Samantha Maltese Darlene Erickson $15,000 2018 Polar Golden Retriever Shane Keizer and family $15,750 2019 Paige German Shorthaired Pointer Brad Smith $15,500 2020 Charli Australian Shepherd Donors w. match from Wells family $17,000 2021 Yukon Goldendoodle Andy Galinsky $18,500 2022 Cadi Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Bob Campbell $12,200 2023 Nixon Bernedoodle Rick Grenko and wife Lynette Meyer $13,000 Started by a Journal reporter in 1914, Goodfellow Charities is one of Siouxland's oldest charities. This is one of the signature events in our Siouxland community, said 2023 emcee Chris McGowan, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce president. Goodfellows has been around for over a hundred years and the Little Yellow Dog auction is approaching a century itself so I am happy to be back and thanks for the opportunity. Skippy, the first dog auctioned by the Yellow Dog Auction Club, was sold for $25, a sizable amount back in 1936. Last year, Cadi, a soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, fetched $12,200. Erica DeBoer, the chief nurse at Americas largest rural health network, thought she could finally offer some relief for her overworked staff and thousands of patients. More than 160 reinforcement nurses were supposed to arrive over the coming months across Sanford Healths Midwest facilities from as far away as Manila and Lagos, Nigeria. But now, only 36 are coming if theyre lucky. The U.S. is in the midst of a visa retrogression, when a surge in demand collides with annual caps, jamming up the processing queue. The delays are particularly bad for the main visa category that hospitals use. Today, government officials are only just starting to work on filings made two years ago right around the time when many hospitals began hiring foreign nurses and applying for their visas. Experts estimate that at least 10,000 foreign nurses have been delayed indefinitely a holdup thats almost certain to worsen an already dire national shortage. After the pandemic led 100,000 nurses to leave their jobs due to burnout or early retirement, U.S. hospitals looked abroad to fill the gap. We just cant take as many patients, said DeBoer, a 30-year nursing veteran, who plans to hire pricier contract staff in the short-term and push to see more patients online when possible. Foreign workers were a big part of the strategy to fill 1,000 open nurse roles across Sanford Health in the next few years. We were counting on those international nurses, she added. Karissa Canlas is one of them. The 37-year-old was supposed to be in Fargo, North Dakota, by now, working at Sanford Healths hospital there. Instead, shes stuck in her home country of the Philippines, working U.S. hours processing claims for a health insurer. Im so close thats why its so painful, she said. It takes several years to sponsor an employee on a green card. And its expensive, with starting costs of around $10,000 per applicant, not including skills and language training, flights, housing and other fees. Patty Jeffrey, president of the American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment which represents most industry staffing firms said that among member companies, roughly 10,000 foreign nurses have been affected by the retrogression. Its going to become a pretty bad situation, Jeffrey said. Theres already a shortage across the board and then enter the visa retrogression. To fill the gap, Sanford Health plans to hire so-called travelers, or nurses who travel across the country for short-term contracts. But they cost about three times the roughly $39 hourly wage nationwide for regular nurses. While the temporary staff helps, it makes it tough to provide a consistent standard of care, according to Theresa Larson, the networks vice president of nursing in Fargo. Sanford Health is also trying non-human options. Denny Sanford, the billionaire founder of First Premier Bank and namesake of the hospital network, invested $350 million in technological upgrades. The health network uses virtual sitters, where cameras allow one nurse to monitor up to 16 patients at a time onscreen. Sanford Health also partnered with software company Flexwise to deploy an artificial-intelligence tool that predicts patient load and schedules accordingly. The health network, which serves more than 1 million patients, is also piloting a program to bring two-room clinics to small towns, where a nurse provides basic care and connects with physicians via computer as needed. Next year, they also plan to open a facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that will serve as a hub for telehealth and virtual care. There isnt a cheap solution for us out there, Larson said. Indeed, these expensive solutions are out of reach for many hospitals. As many as two-thirds of the nations hospitals likely ended last year in debt, double the share from the end of 2019, according to the American Hospital Association. Nearly 30% of all U.S. rural hospitals are at risk of closing due to financial pressures, according to 2023 data from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. All this advanced technology also has its limits. One afternoon in October at Sanford Healths behavioral health unit in Fargo, four nurses gathered around a patient experiencing a breakdown. Here, the hospital treats patients experiencing acute mental conditions like schizophrenia. The 24-hour video surveillance is no replacement for hands-on treatment and monitoring by nurses. Andrew Hidalgo, 40, is one of the nurses on the floor. A new arrival from Manila, he works about 36 hours a week. Sanford Healths facilities are more advanced than the ones hes used back home in the Philippines, where he struggled to find hospital work. International nurses like Hidalgo are overrepresented in behavioral health, a grueling, sometimes dangerous job. Relying on internationally educated nurses like Hidalgo is only part of the solution, according to American Nurses Association President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy. At the heart of the issue is nurse turnover, which still runs about 27% across the U.S. Kennedys organization presented more than 100 recommendations to fix the leading causes, including better safety policies and flexible scheduling, and hospitals have been slow to accept them, she said. Back in Manila, Canlas tries to be optimistic despite the uncertainty. Sometimes you question is it really Gods will for me to go to the States? But its my dream, Canlas said. So you dont have any choice but to wait. With 190,000 nursing jobs opening up annually in the US, is now a good time to become a nurse? With 190,000 nursing jobs opening up annually in the US, is now a good time to become a nurse? Demand for change could be more damaging to main opposition party: analyst By Jung Min-ho Calls are growing for a shift from a binary party system in Korea as a large portion of voters say they feel frustrated and alienated by both major political parties. No group with considerable support has yet to emerge. But signs are palpable that one may be in the making. Heavyweight figures have hinted at launching new parties possibly a united one to challenge both the ruling and main opposition parties. Speaking to reporters at a book-promotion event for his former secretary in Seoul, Saturday, ex-Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said it is now imperative to offer an alternative for voters who feel there is no right answer on the ballot. Whats certain is that I became sure that (providing) an alternative is now inevitable for the survival of the Republic of Korea, and the preparation for that (vision) has just begun, said Lee, who served as the chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) between August 2020 and March 2021 before his presidential campaign. The next day, Lee told the Segye Ilbo, a vernacular daily, that he is open to the possibility of working with Lee Jun-seok, 38, who has been preparing to create a new conservative party that can better cater to the needs of young people. The former chairman of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) previously said he was willing to talk with Lee, calling him a moderate DPK politician he regards positively. Meanwhile, Keum Tae-sup, a former DPK lawmaker and co-head of a preparatory committee for New Choice Party, said his party would join forces with some members of the minor liberal Justice Party to go beyond the current two-party system, saying they would seek to expand the coalition with other reasonably minded people. Among all these movements that are being talked about or taking shape, the one led by the former prime minister has the greatest potential of turning into a powerful force that could shift the landscape of the April 10 elections, said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University. If history is any guide, a new party should meet at least two of the three conditions in order to succeed. It should have a regional base of support, a potential presidential candidate and a political fandom (or loyal supporters). Given this, the party under Lee, former governor of South Jeolla Province, is the only one with a serious chance, Shin told The Korea Times. Few things in Korean politics are more quixotic than running a third-party campaign. But not all such attempts ended in failure. The most recent success came in 2016, when the People Party, led by new political star Ahn Cheol-soo, won 38 seats in the general elections, mostly in the North and South Jeolla provinces, the DPKs traditional stronghold. If there is one thing in common among those leading the third party movement, it is that they are all trying to appeal to liberal voters in the Jeolla provinces, just as they did in 2016, according to Shin. The approval ratings for the DPK in the latest Gallup poll was 51 percent, he said. This is lower than the usual 60 percent, and politicians appear to have viewed it as an opportunity for them. In the survey released on Friday by the pollster, the approval rating for the PPP was 35 percent, and the DPK was supported by 33 percent. The rate of those supporting neither party was 27 percent. But in the survey, the PPP performed better in its traditional stronghold than its counterpart. Its approval rating in the Daegu-North Gyeongsang Province region, its longtime stronghold, was 66 percent, compared to 51 percent supporting the DPK in the Gwangju-Jeolla region. 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #49 Posted on 9 December 2023 by John Hartz Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Dec 3, 2023 thru Sat, Dec 9, 2023. A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on theduring the past week: Sun, Dec 3, 2023 thru Sat, Dec 9, 2023. Story of the Week Interactive: The pathways to meeting the Paris Agreements 1.5C limit The Paris Agreements long-term goal of keeping warming well below 2C and aiming to limit it to 1.5C is the global benchmark for climate action. It was conceived to avoid the worst impacts of global temperature rise and minimise the risks and costs of reaching even higher warming levels. Yet, the world is currently on a path to warming that is double the aspirational 1.5C limit. Continuing mitigation efforts in line with existing climate policies would see a 66% chance of warming reaching 3C this century. In its 2022 report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) explored thousands of possible climate futures including those that do limit warming to 1.5C, both with and without a temporary temperature overshoot. These different modelled pathways provide insights into possible future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and temperature trajectories, depending on the many choices that global society makes. The interactive below unpacks what future levels of emissions could mean for global average temperatures, if or when the Paris Agreements 1.5C limit might be breached, and, in some cases, by how much and for how long. Click here to access the entire article as originally posted on the Carbon Brief website. Interactive: The pathways to meeting the Paris Agreements 1.5C limit by Uta Kloenne, Dr Debbie Rosen, Gaurav Ganti, Dr Alexander Nauels, Dr Carl-Friedrich Schleussner, Prof Joeri Rogelj, Prof Piers Forster & Robert McSweeney, Carbon Brief, Dec 8, 2023 Articles posted on Facebook Sunday, Dec 3, 2023 Monday, Dec 4, 2023 Tuesday, Dec 5, 2023 Wednesday, Dec 6, 2023 Thursday, Dec 7, 2023 Friday, Dec 8, 2023 Saturday, Dec 9, 2023 Many Jews this year are struggling with how to celebrate Chanukahwhether because our joy has been tempered by the Hamas terror attacks on Oct. 7, the continued plight of Israeli hostages in Gaza, and the massive death toll among civilians in Gaza, or out of fears of antisemitism. Chanukah has never been an uncomplicated holiday. In fact, its long history is a story of Jews debating questions of military strength. As debates over the Israel-Hamas war roil families and communities, examining that history of internal Jewish argument offers a path for conversations about the complexities of power and sovereignty. There are, famously, two competing if complementary stories of Chanukah. In one, recounted in the First and Second Books of Maccabees, a small band of ancient Jewish zealots defeat the Seleucid army, which is intent on eliminating Jewish religious and cultural practice, and has defiled the Temple in Jerusalem with idol worship. In the second version, relayed by the rabbis of the Talmud hundreds of years later, a single vial of purified oil, used to reconsecrate the Temple menorah, miraculously lasts for eight nights. The Talmudic transformation of Chanukahs story from one focused on a military victory to one based on a divine miracle reflects the rabbis antipathy toward the regime that the Maccabees victory established: a ruling group known as the Hasmoneans. The Hasmoneans eventually descended into corruption and civil war, and they opened the door to Roman occupation. One Talmudic story describes a certain Hasmonean king murdering every rabbi in the kingdom, and then desperately seeking someone who could recite the blessing after meals for himself and his wife. In another, a young girl descended from the Hasmonean line jumps from a roof rather than marry King Herod, described as an illegitimate heir to the dynasty. In a particularly brutal detail, the Talmud describes Herod preserving her body in honey and possibly even raping her after death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so, rather than brood on the military success and its bloody political aftermath, the ancient rabbis put the focus back on Godnot entirely, though most prominently, through the story of the divine miracle of the oil. For modern progressive Jews, the Talmudic story of the miraculous flask of oil sits more comfortably than the story of zealots exercising military strength. This is especially true for those whose experience of the state of Israel is that of a military power occupying another people, and who are currently watching with horror as the civilian death toll in Gaza rises. It is easy to dwell on the rabbinic rewriting of the Chanukah story as a rejection of Jewish military powerand to imagine the ancient rabbis having the same reaction to the power being wielded right now by the modern state of Israel. Advertisement But the Maccabees story did not go away. Even the ancient rabbis who may have deemphasized the military victory did not erase it entirely. The al hanisim (for the miracles) prayer recited throughout the holiday, the earliest written version of which dates to the 8th century, omits the story of the miraculous oil altogether. Instead, it recounts the Maccabees victory, but credits Godnot human strengthwith their success. Advertisement Later, the early Zionists reclaimed the Maccabees as exemplars of Jewish political and military power, as the founders of the last instance of Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel. This fundamental disagreement over how to view the Maccabees has continued to echo through debates about the realities modern state of Israel. On the one hand, as an ethnic and religious minority without state power, prior to 1948, Jews remained forever subject to the whims of the powers under which they lived. At best, in those nations, Jewish communities were granted limited autonomy and political protection in the places where they lived. At worst, they were forced to convert, expelled, and massacred. And most Jewish communities lived with various restrictions on where they could live, what professions they could adopt, if and how they could worship, and what if any citizenship rights they would enjoy. Following the French Revolution, much of Western Europe began to emancipate their Jewsbut by the mid-19th century, it became clear that the initial promise of emancipation had not brought about the dreamed-for safety. Advertisement Advertisement Zionism arose as the next idea for how to achieve it, within the context of late 19th and early 20th century national and minority rights movements. As other ethnic groups and national minorities fought for their own rights, seeking cultural and political autonomy both within empires and in new nation-states, Jews debated whether to demand political autonomy in the states where they lived, or to seek safety in the Land of Israel, which resided under the Ottoman and then the British empires. Ultimately, both Soviet Communism and Western European liberalism failed to protect Jews in an era that tragically culminated in the Holocaust as well as Stalins murders and other purges of Jews. These horrors made the push for rights where Jews already lived seem naive, and the nation-state side won out. Those atrocities accelerated the path toward the U.N.s decision to establish an independent country for Jews in the Land of Israel, alongside the same for Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Famously, David Ben-Gurion, Israels first prime minister, wrote that the new nation should aspire to be like all other nations, and to be different from all the nations. That is, a free people, independent and equal in rights in the family of nations and with a model society, founded on freedom, cooperation, and fraternity with all Jews and the whole human race. As Ben-Gurion predicted, that aspiration was not easily realizedand is still not. Exercising political power, including war, easily leads to violating human rights and human dignity. Many of his contemporaries recognized this too. One consistent religious voice grappling with this problem, Rav Moshe Avigdor Amielthe chief rabbi of pre-state Tel Aviv and a frequent critic of many political systemswrote in his 1943 book For the Perplexed of Our Time: A certain communal assembly can make decisions that even the most wicked individual would not be able to make. And we see this even more in war. Even if all of the soldiers are people of integrity, none of whom have violated the commandment Do not murder, even so, in their joining together, they are much worse than a wild animal. Advertisement Advertisement Then and now, some Jews view Israels military power only as a point of pride. They sport IDF T-shirts, post photos of soldiers on social media, and defend any Israeli military action as justified and therefore morally pure. Advertisement But for other Jews, Israels power is something only to be criticized and rejected. Particularly after more than five decades of a brutal military occupation that strips Palestinians of basic human rights, scenes of the army protecting Israeli settlers as they rampage through Palestinian villages, and the aerial bombardment of Gaza, it can be hard to imagine Israel as anything but a regional military power. And since Oct. 7, this centuries-old argument over Jewish force that lies at the root of Chanukah and that animated Israels founding has been reignited with an understandable ferocity. Advertisement The horrific Hamas attacks, including the slaughter, rape, and kidnapping of Israelis, shattered any sense of security among Israelis, and breached the very social contract that underlies the state. Israelis, justifiably, are furious at the government that abandoned the communities in the south for decades, that ignored warnings by female lookouts about the planning of a massacre, that failed to deploy the army to save lives, that prioritized protecting rampaging settlers in the West Bank, and that continues to place fighting Hamas above rescuing Israeli hostages. For some Jews, especially younger people in the U.S., Hamas massacre was one of their first experiences of seeing Jews being vulnerable to Palestinian violence on a large scale. Many progressive Jews have constructed their identities around the Jewish community being relatively privileged, and therefore obligated to stand in solidarity with other minority communities. In recent years, major violent attacks against Jews in the United States have primarily come from the rightnotably the murders in synagogues in Pittsburgh and in Poway, California, carried out by white nationalists. (This has not been the case in Europe in recent years, where attacks on kosher grocery stores, synagogues, and individuals have been perpetrated in the name of supporting Palestinians.) More than 1,200 Israeli Jews, along with Palestinian citizens of Israel and foreign workers, murdered by Palestinians did not fit the framework that many young progressive American Jews had come to accept. While most progressive Jews critical of Israel and committed to minority and human rights were able to recognize the horror of Hamas attack, some therefore rushed to reframe it in the context that they already knew, and to view these murders as the natural result of the long-standing siege on Gaza. Some protests against Israel began even before the retaliatory bombardment did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, others in the Jewish community do not hesitate to support the full use of Israeli power, regardless of the consequences. This includes ignoring the horrific photos of children killed and displaced in Gaza, rejecting reports of Palestinian deaths, and calling for the flattening, reoccupation, and even resettlement of Gaza. This intoxication with power, and concern only for ones own people, is also an immoral response to the real suffering of millions of Palestinians who had nothing to do with the Hamas attacks, and indeed themselves are suffering under Hamas rule. Related From Slate American Jews Are Scared. We Also Have to Be More Than That. Read More In a Torah commentary in his collection, Hegyonot el Ami, Rav Amiel considers the commandment to place ones Chanukah menorah outside, where it can be seen by passersby, but not more than 20 cubits above ground. The person who does place it higher than 20 cubits, he says, obviously places a very high value on the commandment to light the menorahafter all, they troubled themselves to climb up very high. And yet, he writes, this person misses the whole point of the commandment, which is to ensure that people can see and appreciate the light. Similarly, Amiel says, some factions of Jews place the commandment to settle the Land of Israel above all other commandments, and miss the point that the command to settle the land cannot be separated from the obligation to live out all of Torahs other instructions there. Advertisement Advertisement As Rav Amiel notes, the prioritization of establishing Jewish sovereignty in the land of Israel over all else can lead quickly to the annulment of other obligations toward God and toward other human beings. At the same time, as both ancient and modern rabbis have understood, one cannot write the Maccabees, the military battle, or the Hasmonean dynasty entirely out of the Chanukah story. Those who wish to erase any trace of desire for Jewish sovereignty, or who feel uncomfortable with any use of state power to protect Jews, must explain how Jews would and could feel permanent safety as a minority under a foreign governmenta situation that has historically ended badly for Jews. Even while Jews live relatively comfortably in modern liberal democracies such as the United States and Canada, many have pointed to recent antisemitic eventsincluding attacks on synagogues in Montreal and in Albany, New Yorkas evidence that our status might not be entirely secure. And, of course, the relative freedom and cultural and religious flourishing of Jews in prewar Europe gave way to the horrors of the Holocaust. Permanent or entire safety may not be guaranteed for any people. But given the realities of recent history and todays international order, in which militarized countries are how people organize and aim to protect themselves, it is no wonder that most Jewsand also Palestiniansbelieve that protection can be found only in a nation-state of their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as the ancient rabbis remind us, unbridled military might can end up destroying our ethical core, sidelining God, and obscuring the Jewish imperative to make divinity manifest in our world. A comment in the Talmud on the verse God of revenge, God (Psalms 94:1) suggests, Great is revenge that it was placed between two names of God. But Rav Amiel cautioned that the bracketing of the word revenge with two names of God is meant not as a celebration of vengeancebut rather as a restriction of it. To him, God sets limits on human vengeance precisely because revenge destroys the image of God that is embodied in both the pursuer and the pursued. Precisely in the middle of a war, Jews are called on to celebrate Chanukah in such a way as to hold both of the holidays stories simultaneouslyto grapple with the need for power, as well as the dangers of becoming too enamored of power and corrupted by it. The questions raised by the state of Israel about both Jewish vulnerability and Jewish sovereignty are not so new. They have always been at the heart of Chanukah. An authentic observance of the holiday resists too simple a telling of its stories, and too easy answers to its questions. If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more. Running a small business can be a daunting task, and having the right accounting software can make it much easier. Small business owners know the importance of choosing the right accounting software for their operations. Thats why weve compiled a list of the best accounting software for small businesses in 2023, to help you get started. Lets dive in! What is Accounting Software? Accounting software is a comprehensive application that eases the financial management process for enterprises of all sizes, from small businesses to large corporations. The central role of this software is to automate routine accounting operations, streamline financial workflows, and provide accurate, up-to-date financial information for decision-making. It offers a wealth of features designed to simplify tasks such as invoicing, recording payments, tracking expenses, generating reports, and conducting account audits. Heres a deeper look into the key features of accounting software: Sell Your Business ChatGPT Prompts for Business Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Advertise Your Business Here Automation : Accounting software reduces manual efforts by automatically handling repetitive tasks like data entry, invoice creation, and payment tracking. This eliminates the possibility of human error and increases the speed and efficiency of financial management. : Accounting software reduces manual efforts by automatically handling repetitive tasks like data entry, invoice creation, and payment tracking. This eliminates the possibility of human error and increases the speed and efficiency of financial management. Integration with Bank Accounts : Most accounting software integrates seamlessly with business bank accounts. This enables real-time updates of transactions, automatic categorization of expenses, and easy tracking of cash flows. : Most accounting software integrates seamlessly with business bank accounts. This enables real-time updates of transactions, automatic categorization of expenses, and easy tracking of cash flows. Expense Tracking : Businesses can track all their expenses and income sources in one place, making it easier to keep tabs on financial performance and profitability. : Businesses can track all their expenses and income sources in one place, making it easier to keep tabs on financial performance and profitability. Report Generation : Accounting software allows businesses to create a wide range of financial reports with just a few clicks. These reports can help provide valuable insights into the companys financial health. : Accounting software allows businesses to create a wide range of financial reports with just a few clicks. These reports can help provide valuable insights into the companys financial health. Audit Trail : The software records every financial transaction made in the business, providing a comprehensive audit trail. This feature is crucial for meeting regulatory requirements, identifying discrepancies, and ensuring financial transparency. : The software records every financial transaction made in the business, providing a comprehensive audit trail. This feature is crucial for meeting regulatory requirements, identifying discrepancies, and ensuring financial transparency. Tax Compliance : Many accounting software options help businesses prepare for tax season by tracking all necessary information, calculating taxes, and even generating tax forms. : Many accounting software options help businesses prepare for tax season by tracking all necessary information, calculating taxes, and even generating tax forms. Scalability : As the business grows, so can the software. This flexibility allows the accounting system to adapt to changing business needs, such as increasing transaction volumes or new reporting requirements. : As the business grows, so can the software. This flexibility allows the accounting system to adapt to changing business needs, such as increasing transaction volumes or new reporting requirements. Cloud-Based Access: Many accounting solutions are cloud-based, meaning they can be accessed from anywhere and at any time. This provides business owners and accountants with a convenient way to keep up-to-date with the companys financial status. By leveraging these capabilities, businesses can achieve a more organized, efficient, and accurate financial management system. Accounting software not only saves time but also provides a clear view of the companys financial health, which is essential for informed decision-making. Benefits of Accounting Software for Small Business Accounting software is essential for small businesses, as it helps streamline financial operations and reduce the amount of time spent on administrative tasks. Here are six key benefits of having accounting software in your small business: Automates Financial Processes: Accounting software automates processes like billing, invoicing, and payments, making them faster and easier to handle. Accounting software automates processes like billing, invoicing, and payments, making them faster and easier to handle. Improves Efficiency: By automating and organizing financial operations, accounting software helps improve the overall efficiency of a business. By automating and organizing financial operations, accounting software helps improve the overall efficiency of a business. Reduces Human Error: With its automated processes, accounting software significantly reduces the chances of human errors within a business. With its automated processes, accounting software significantly reduces the chances of human errors within a business. Generates Reports Quickly: One of the most important functions of accounting software is generating reports such as income statements and balance sheets more quickly and accurately. One of the most important functions of accounting software is generating reports such as income statements and balance sheets more quickly and accurately. Enhances Decision-Making: By providing easy access to financial data, accounting software helps small businesses make better decisions that can improve their bottom line. By providing easy access to financial data, accounting software helps small businesses make better decisions that can improve their bottom line. Provides Security: With features like secure login credentials and multi-level authentication, accounting tools provide enhanced security for managing financial data. Small Business Deals Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Accounting Software When it comes to managing finances, the right accounting software can be the rudder that helps navigate a small business through the tumultuous seas of economic uncertainty. The difference between a good and a great accounting solution often lies in several key areas that directly impact daily operations and long-term financial strategy. Here are the key criteria we used to craft our list of the best accounting software for small businesses. Each factor is rated using a scale of one to ten in terms of its importance to small business users, with ten being reserved for the most important factors. Heres a closer look at our methodology: Ease of Use (Importance Scale: 9/10) Simple, intuitive interface. Quick setup and easy integration with other tools. Cost-Effectiveness (Importance Scale: 8/10) Affordable pricing plans. Value for money includes essential features without unnecessary extras. Scalability (Importance Scale: 7/10) Ability to grow with your business. Features that cater to both small and expanding businesses. Features and Functionality (Importance Scale: 10/10) Core accounting features like invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting. Additional functionalities like payroll processing, tax preparation, and inventory management. Security (Importance Scale: 10/10) Strong data encryption and security measures. Regular backups and reliable data recovery options. Customer Support and Training (Importance Scale: 8/10) Accessible customer service. Availability of training resources or tutorials. Integration with Other Tools (Importance Scale: 7/10) Compatibility with existing business software. Seamless data synchronization with other tools. Mobile Accessibility (Importance Scale: 6/10) Mobile app availability for on-the-go management. Consistent experience across all devices. User Reviews and Reputation (Importance Scale: 5/10) Positive feedback from other small business owners. Good reputation in the market. Customization Options (Importance Scale: 6/10) Ability to tailor features to specific business needs. Customizable reports and dashboards. By carefully evaluating these elements, small business owners can choose accounting software that not only meets their current needs but also supports their business as it evolves. What is the Best Small Business Accounting Software Option in 2023 QuickBooks Online is the best small business accounting software option for 2023, offering scalability, being commonly used by accounting professionals, being cloud-based, and having a mobile app. It offers integration with over 750 third-party applications, live, in-house bookkeeping, comprehensive reporting, invoicing, inventory management, and daily phone support. It provides robust accounting features such as record-keeping, tracking mileage, and 24/7 chat support in all plans. With QuickBooks Online you can gain insight into your finances to make better decisions for your business sign up today! Best Accounting Software: Our Top Picks in 2023 Are you looking for the best accounting software to optimize your small business operations in 2023? Weve done the research and narrowed down the list of top accounting software options. Heres our review of each one, so you can confidently choose the right tool for your specific needs. 1. QuickBooks Online Best for Overall Accounting Software QuickBooks Online is a leading accounting software due to its powerful features, scalability, and capacity to cater to small businesses with intricate financial requirements. It has a vast user base globally, making it likely that your accountant is familiar with it. The softwares all-in-one dashboard allows for efficient bookkeeping. There are also plenty of online resources and forums available for support. Taking a QuickBooks course is a great way to learn about the top accounting software. Pros: Scalable for businesses of different sizes and growth stages Widely used by accounting professionals, which ensures compatibility and support Integration with third-party applications, providing more flexibility and customization options Cloud-based and has a mobile app, enabling easy access and management from anywhere Offers comprehensive record-keeping, invoicing, inventory management, and reporting features Provides excellent customer support, including daily phone support and 24/7 chat support in all plans Cons: An upgrade is required for more users, which can increase costs significantly Occasional syncing problems with banks and credit cards lead to potential data discrepancies and errors A learning curve, which may require additional time and resources to fully master the software Expensive compared to the competition, especially when considering additional costs for payroll features and limited account users with each plan. Click here to try QuickBooks Online 2. FreshBooks Best for Ease of Use FreshBooks is a great option for small service-based businesses and freelancers who prioritize mobile app usage and customizable invoicing. It offers basic bookkeeping features such as expense tracking, project management, and time tracking. FreshBooks is easy to use and affordable, with plans starting at $15 per month for up to 5 clients. Its designed for those without an accounting background and is a good fit for service-based businesses like consultants, web designers, and photographers. Pros: Cloud-based accounting software can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and requires little accounting experience. Integration with third-party apps that connect to various business software, providing more flexibility and streamlining workflows. Affordable pricing plans that are cost-effective for small businesses or freelancers. Advanced invoicing features that allow for customizable and professional-looking invoices with automated payment reminders, and recurring billing options. Mobile app with standout usability and features, allowing for managing your business on the go, including sending invoices, recording expenses, and more. Cons: Mobile app functionalities are limited. The software lacks some features that can be essential for fast-growing companies, like the ability to review audit trails. Lower-tier plans have a cap on the number of billable clients. Payroll is not included in any of the plans and is only available as an additional feature. Click here to try FreshBooks 3. Xero Best for Advanced Features Xero is a popular accounting software with a customizable dashboard that competes with QuickBooks Online. It allows unlimited users and integrates with a third-party payroll service. The Early plan starts at $13 per month and includes basic features like bank reconciliation and business snapshots. For $37 per month, the Growing plan offers bulk transaction reconciliation and unlimited invoicing and bill entering. The Established plan, for $70 per month, adds project tracking, expense claiming, multiple currencies, and analytics. Pros: Cloud-based and comes with a user-friendly mobile app Payroll integration with Gusto makes payroll processing a breeze Large selection of third-party apps available through its marketplace Simple inventory management to keep track of your stock levels Unlimited users in all pricing plans to allow more team members to access and work on your account 24/7 support, along with an easy-to-use interface and a variety of plans to upgrade as your business grows. Cons: Limited reporting capabilities Fees charged for ACH payments Limited customer service options, with no phone number available for support The entry-level plan has limits on bills and invoices (5 and 20 per month, respectively), and multiple currencies are only available with the highest-tiered plan. Click here to try Xero 4. Sage Business Cloud Accounting Best for Budget Accounting Sage Business Cloud Accounting offers two affordable plans for small businesses with up to 10 employees, including audit trails and third-party integrations. The $25 per month plan comes with unlimited users plus cash flow forecasting. The Sage Accounting Start plan is just $10 per month and has automatic bank reconciliation, invoice creation, and tracking of what youre owed, plus features and integrations great for micro-businesses and startups needing affordable accounting software. Pros: Provides a strong inventory management system, basic invoicing, and a user-friendly mobile app. Offers affordable pricing plans compared to its competitors. Provides weekday phone support for all plans. A cloud-based system that allows for easy access to data from anywhere. Offers a wide range of integrations to support various business needs. Supports automatic bank reconciliation and multiple currencies. Cons: Limited third-party integrations and reports when compared to some competitors. Inability to manage purchase invoices or send quotes and estimates with the entry-level plan. The softwares basic features may not be enough for established businesses. Payroll management is not included, which may be inconvenient for some businesses. Click here to try Sage Business Cloud Accounting 5. Wave Accounting Best Free Accounting Software Wave is free software thats great for service-based small businesses that dont need payroll, offering unlimited collaborators and bank/credit card connections with no hidden upgrades or costs. It has all the essential features needed and at year-end accountants can easily pull reports to help prepare your businesss tax return. The perfect solution for basic accounting tasks, without the hassle. Pros: Wave offers free accounting software that includes invoicing and receipt scanning features. Unlike some other software, Wave doesnt limit transactions or billing. With Wave, users can manage multiple businesses in one account, making it a great option for entrepreneurs with multiple ventures. The software also supports an unlimited number of users, making it a scalable solution for growing teams. Waves mobile app provides easy access to financial information on the go. Waves customizable invoicing capabilities are user-friendly and can rival those of more expensive accounting solutions Cons: Lacks advanced features like audit trails, which may not suit quickly growing companies. Higher fees for credit card and ACH payments compared to some competitors. Full-service payroll is only available in 14 states. Limited integrations only through Zapier. Click here to try Wave Accounting 6. NetSuite Cloud Accounting Software Best for Automation NetSuites accounting software is ideal for businesses that want to automate their accounting tasks. The software has several automation features, including creating journal entries and reconciling statements, and provides financial compliance tools and insights. To get a quote for NetSuites custom pricing, businesses need to speak with a sales team member. The software is a good choice for businesses that require financial compliance and want to streamline their accounting tasks. Pros: Streamlines accounting tasks The cloud-based platform provides easy access to your account from anywhere, including mobile devices Integrates with other NetSuite products Offers real-time financial reporting and analytics Offers many compliance features Scalable solutions suitable for businesses of various sizes Cons: No free trial is available for potential users. Can be overwhelming for those not accustomed to using complex accounting software. Involves a learning curve to become proficient in using the software. Pricing is not transparent and requires scheduling a consultation with a sales team member. Click here to try NetSuite Cloud Accounting Software 7. Neat Best for Self-Employed Neat is a popular choice among self-employed entrepreneurs for its ease of use. Users can filter transactions, match receipts, customize invoices, and view business insights. Automatic accounting reports and guided workflows make it simple to set up. Pricing is $200 per year for basic features plus an additional $150 per year for Automated Insights. VIP Service is also available for an extra $50 per year. Neat is an accessible and straightforward accounting solution, making it a good choice for self-employed entrepreneurs. Pros: The mobile app lets you access your files and manage your expenses from anywhere. Advanced expense tracking allows you to easily track your expenses and monitor your budget. Collaboration and file sharing, which lets you share your files with your team and work together on projects. Filtering and searching for documents, enabling you to easily find the files you need when you need them. Unlimited email and chat support, ensuring that you have access to help whenever you need it. Unlimited file storage, which means you wont have to worry about running out of space. Cons: Does not provide a payroll service Only annual billing is available, no monthly option Lacks advanced features compared to its competitors No free trial to test out the software before committing to a subscription Click here to try Neat 8. Zoho Books Best for Zoho users Zoho Books is an affordable accounting software with advanced features like project accounting and time tracking. It integrates well with other Zoho apps and offers different plans, including a Free plan for businesses with less than $50,000 in revenue. Ideal for service-based businesses and small businesses already using Zoho products and services, its a comprehensive tool that can help you send invoices, reconcile accounts, track expenses, and generate reports. Pros: Cost-effective option compared to competitors, with a free plan for small businesses earning less than $50k annually. The free plan includes email support, while paid plans offer 24/5 phone and chat support for quick issue resolution. A robust feature set, including invoicing, inventory management, workflow rules, and a strong mobile app. Integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps for added functionality and ease of use. Capable of managing 1099 contractors for simplified tax reporting and payment processing. Ability to create recurring invoices for easy, automated billing. Cons: Limited third-party integrations and reporting capabilities compared to some competitors. Payroll functionality comes at an additional cost. Maximum of 15 users per plan, with additional users incurring extra fees. The free plan restricts invoice management to a maximum of 1,000 invoices per year, which may not be sufficient for some businesses. Click here to try Zoho Books 9. Kashoo Best for Startups Kashoo is cloud-based accounting software for small-business owners, freelancers, contractors, and solopreneurs who want to handle accounting without professional assistance. It offers plans to grow with your business, including a free plan for sending invoices and tracking payments, an accounting plan for automatic income and expense tracking, and an advanced accounting plan for detailed reporting and customization. Prices start at only $20 per month, and a free 14-day trial is available with any paid plan. Pros: Simple and easy-to-use web-based accounting platform. Unique inbox-based login screen, eliminating the need to remember passwords. Affordable pricing, starting at just $20 per month, with an annual subscription discount. Offers a free plan with basic features, easy-to-use paid plans with no accounting knowledge required, and an advanced plan that includes payroll. Unlimited users are included, which is particularly useful for businesses with multiple team members. Excellent customer service is available in three ways that users love. Cons: No Android mobile app is available, limiting accessibility for Android users. Limited features, lacking inventory, estimates, and time tracking capabilities. Integration options are limited, making it difficult to connect with other software and platforms. No document management feature, which can be inconvenient for businesses that need to manage and store documents. Click here to try Kashoo Software Best for Pros Cons QuickBooks Online Overall Accounting Software Scalable for businesses of different sizes and growth stages. Widely used by accounting professionals. Integration with third-party applications. Cloud-based and has a mobile app. Offers comprehensive record-keeping, invoicing, inventory management, and reporting features. Provides excellent customer support. An upgrade is required for more users. Occasional syncing problems with banks and credit cards. Learning curve and can be expensive compared to the competition. FreshBooks Ease of Use Cloud-based accounting software. User-friendly interface. Integration with third-party apps. Affordable pricing plans. Advanced invoicing features. Mobile app with standout usability and features. Mobile app functionalities are limited. Lacks some features essential for fast-growing companies. Lower-tier plans have a cap on the number of billable clients. Payroll is not included in any of the plans. Xero Advanced Features Cloud-based and comes with a user-friendly mobile app. Payroll integration with Gusto. Large selection of third-party apps available. Simple inventory management. Unlimited users in all pricing plans. 24/7 support, along with an easy-to-use interface. Limited reporting capabilities. Fees charged for ACH payments. Limited customer service options. The entry-level plan has limits on bills and invoices. Sage Business Cloud Accounting Budget Accounting Provides a strong inventory management system, basic invoicing, and a user-friendly mobile app. Offers affordable pricing plans. Provides weekday phone support. A cloud-based system. Offers a wide range of integrations. Supports automatic bank reconciliation and multiple currencies. Limited third-party integrations and reports. Inability to manage purchase invoices or send quotes and estimates with the entry-level plan. The software's basic features may not be enough for established businesses. Payroll management is not included. Wave Accounting Free Accounting Software Wave offers free accounting software that includes invoicing and receipt scanning features. Users can manage multiple businesses in one account. The software also supports an unlimited number of users. Wave's mobile app provides easy access. Wave's customizable invoicing capabilities. Lacks advanced features like audit trails. Higher fees for credit card and ACH payments. Full-service payroll is only available in 14 states. Limited integrations only through Zapier. NetSuite Cloud Accounting Software Automation Streamlines accounting tasks. The cloud-based platform. Integrates with other NetSuite products. Offers real-time financial reporting and analytics. Offers many compliance features. Scalable solutions. No free trial is available. Can be overwhelming for those not accustomed to using complex accounting software. Involves a learning curve. Pricing is not transparent. Neat Self-Employed The mobile app lets you access your files and manage your expenses. Advanced expense tracking. Collaboration and file sharing. Filtering and searching for documents. Unlimited email and chat support. Unlimited file storage. Does not provide a payroll service. Only annual billing is available. Lacks advanced features compared to its competitors. No free trial. Zoho Books Zoho users Cost-effective option. The free plan includes email support. A robust feature set. Integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps. Capable of managing 1099 contractors. Ability to create recurring invoices. Limited third-party integrations and reporting capabilities. Payroll functionality comes at an additional cost. Maximum of 15 users per plan. The free plan restricts invoice management. Kashoo Startups Simple and easy-to-use web-based accounting platform. Unique inbox-based login screen. Affordable pricing. Offers a free plan with basic features. Unlimited users are included. Excellent customer service. No Android mobile app. Limited features. Integration options are limited. No document management feature. How to Choose the Best Online Accounting Software Choosing the right online accounting software for your business can be overwhelming, given the multitude of options available in the market. It is important to choose a solution that can cater to your business needs while providing essential features like financial management, bookkeeping, and expense tracking. To help you choose the best online accounting software, we have compiled a list of four ways that can help you narrow down your search. Do Your Research When it comes to choosing the best online accounting software for your business, it is important to do your research. This means looking at the different products available in the market and checking out customer reviews to see which ones have a good feature set and positive user ratings. By doing your due diligence, you can be sure that you are choosing a product that meets your needs and will help you manage your business finances effectively. Compare Prices Once you have narrowed down your list of potential online accounting software solutions by doing research, it is important to compare prices. This includes not only the upfront costs of the software but also any additional fees or recurring costs that may be involved. By selecting an option that works within your budget, you can ensure that you are not overpaying for a solution that does not meet all of your needs. Test It Out Many vendors offer free trials of their online accounting software solutions, so it is important to take advantage of these opportunities to test out the software and get a feel for how it works before committing. This can help you determine whether the tool meets all of your needs and expectations and whether it is easy to use and integrate into your existing workflows. By trying out different solutions, you can find the one that works best for your business. Get Support Last but not least, it is important to consider the support options each provider offers before investing in a product. Quality customer service is key when choosing an online accounting software solution, as you may need assistance or troubleshooting help along the way. Look for providers that offer comprehensive support options, such as email, phone, or chat support, and that have a reputation for being responsive and knowledgeable. This will give you the peace of mind that you need to manage your business finances effectively. Types of Accounting Software Whether you need general accounting software to manage financial data or ERP software to streamline processes across the board, there are plenty of options available. Here are five types of accounting software that might be a good fit: General Accounting Software: General accounting software is used to store and manage financial data. It can also generate reports, track accounts receivable and accounts payable, and help with budgeting. General accounting software is used to store and manage financial data. It can also generate reports, track accounts receivable and accounts payable, and help with budgeting. ERP Accounting Software: ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software provides businesses with an integrated platform for managing multiple aspects of operations such as finance, sales, marketing, customer service, and more. ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software provides businesses with an integrated platform for managing multiple aspects of operations such as finance, sales, marketing, customer service, and more. Payroll Software: Payroll software makes it easy to process payroll and handle related tasks like tax filing, vacation tracking, and direct deposits. Payroll software makes it easy to process payroll and handle related tasks like tax filing, vacation tracking, and direct deposits. Inventory Management Software: Inventory management software helps businesses keep track of their inventory levels, stock movements, orders, and purchases in real time. Inventory management software helps businesses keep track of their inventory levels, stock movements, orders, and purchases in real time. Invoicing Software: Invoicing software allows businesses to quickly generate invoices and track payments from customers. Final Words Choosing the best accounting software for small businesses involves weighing factors such as the learning curve, the double-entry accounting system, and the ability to generate custom invoices, among others. While financial accounting and cost accounting are essential features, the software should also make it easy to handle sales tax, payroll services, and tax deductions. Good accounting software should enable small businesses to track their cash flow statement, income statement, and profit and loss statement with ease. Deciding to go paperless is an added benefit saving time and resources. Finding the right accounting software can help streamline your financial management, save you money, and increase your profitability. Accounting Software FAQs How Much Does Accounting Software Cost? The cost of accounting software varies based on its features and functionality. Basic software for small businesses can be free or cost a few hundred dollars, while specialized software can cost several thousand dollars. Some software is subscription-based, while others are available as one-time purchases. When selecting accounting software, its important to compare prices and features to find the best fit for your budget and needs. What is the simplest accounting software? The simplest accounting software is subjective, but FreshBooks is a good example of simple, user-friendly cloud-based accounting software. Freshbooks cloud-based software is designed for small businesses, offering features such as time tracking, invoicing, and expense management. With a clean interface, FreshBooks is an excellent choice for those new to accounting software. Which accounting system is useful for small businesses? Xero is a cloud-based accounting system useful for small businesses. It offers invoicing, bank reconciliation, and expense tracking, and integrates with other software. Designed to be user-friendly, Xero is accessible to those without an accounting background. With affordable pricing starting at a low cost, Xero helps small businesses easily manage their finances. Which accounting software is the cheapest? Sage Accounting Start is an entry-level accounting software ideal for self-employed and micro-businesses. Starting at $10 per month, this plan includes features such as creating and sending invoices, tracking what youre owed, and automatic bank reconciliation. Sage Accounting provides great value at a low cost to small business owners while offering additional features and support that may be useful to them. Is accounting software secure? Yes, accounting software is generally secure when used correctly. Most accounting software includes security features such as encryption and multi-factor authentication. However, its important to take steps to ensure the security of your accounting software and financial data, such as using strong passwords and avoiding public Wi-Fi networks. Its also important to research different options to find the accounting software that best meets your security needs. Is there any free accounting software? Wave Accounting is a trustworthy and reliable free accounting software option that offers comprehensive features such as unlimited income and expense tracking, customizable sales taxes, unlimited bank and credit card connections, and a whole lot more. This flexible platform makes it easy to stay on top of your finances with quick access to all of your financial information in one central location. What is the difference between ERP and accounting software? ERP software is a comprehensive solution that manages all aspects of a business, while accounting software is specifically focused on financial management tasks. Accounting software is only a small part of an ERP system, which is designed to integrate multiple business functions and provide a comprehensive view of a businesss operations. How Does Accounting Software Work? Accounting software automates financial management tasks, including bookkeeping, invoicing, and financial reporting. It tracks expenses, reconciles bank statements, and generates financial statements. It provides real-time financial data and reporting, which allows businesses to make informed financial decisions. Accounting software is cloud-based, making it accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more. Leaders Eat Last Leadership is more about helping people thrive and find meaning in their work than managing numbers. Unfortunately, many a manager seems to have lost sight of this fundamental truth. In Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Dont, Simon Sinek explains where weve gone wrong and puts out an urgent call for real leaders to step forth to make a positive difference. Upstream Are you sick and tired of reacting to problems? Then Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath us a must-read if youre ready to stop the madness and prevent those problems from robbing you of your time and sanity. Dan Heath outlines three barriers to upstream thinking; Problem Blindness, Lack of Ownership, and Tunneling. Never Split the Difference Perhaps the most important management skills are conflict resolution and negotiation. Top FBI negotiator, Chriss Voss uses his negotiating skills to secure business deals in his book, Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It. Youll learn nine effective principles, counter-intuitive tactics, and strategies that you can use to become more persuasive in both your professional and personal life. The Power of Habit Is management a talent or a skill? This question is deftly answered by Charles Duhigg in The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business. This book explores how habits are formed, what influences them, and how to create new habits. This isnt just about personal habits. Its about how to implement habits within an organization. This is a great book for understanding the social psychology and science behind habits, while providing practical tips that are relevant to todays business environment. Lean In One way to see where you stand on management as a woman leader is to read Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg, Facebooks chief operating officer. This book generated responses on all ends of the spectrum; both negative and positive. Hooked As a manager, youll most likely be involved in creating, developing and selling products. Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal is a great book for a manager who wants to understand insights around the user journey. This book will teach you how to create a lasting engagement with the user instead of designing for a one-off experience. Best Entrepreneur Books and Startup Books Venturing into entrepreneurship? Youre in the right place. The following selection comprises the best books for budding entrepreneurs and invaluable startup books for swiftly navigating the initial hurdles. These guides will assist you in effectively setting up and growing your business. The Art of the Start 2.0 Written by iconic entrepreneur Guy Kawasaki, The Art of the Start 2.0: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything is an unvarnished take on what every startup should keep in mind when starting a business. Art of the Start covers topics such as innovating, recruiting, fundraising, and branding. The E-Myth Revisited The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Dont Work and What to Do About It by Michael Gerber is the updated version of his original groundbreaking book. The E-Myth assesses the most common problems faced by founders and co-founders. Michael Gerber guides small business owners through the process of embracing your why and then creating a process that shares that process and passion with team members. Zero to One In Zero to One: Notes on Start-Ups, or How to Build the Future, Peter Thiel and Blake Masters argue that as more and more businesses come into existence, innovation will be the gate to survival, and the monopoly may very well be the key. Peter Thiel and Blake Masters advise startups to think for themselves dont get caught up in culture or movements. Escape From Cubicle Nation Thinking about leaving your day job? Then read Escape From Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur by Pamela Slim. The book covers how to determine if you have what it takes to become an entrepreneur, how to recruit a team of advisors and tips on breaking free from your corporate job. The Plan-As-You-Go Business Plan The Plan-As-You-Go Business Plan (StartUp Series) by Tim Berry simplifies the planning process and reveals how to create business plans that grow with you. This book covers instructions to help you quickly build the type of plan that helps you take total control, improve profits, raise capital, operate a profitable enterprise, and stay ahead of the competition. Lean Startup The Lean Startup: How Todays Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries has become a classic. The Lean Startup gives entrepreneurs a way to test their vision, adapt, and adjust before its too late. Eric Ries provides a scientific approach to creating and managing a successful and lean startup in an age when companies need to innovate more than ever. The $100 Startup You dont need a ton of money to start your business. In The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future by Chris Guillebeau, youll learn how to connect your skills and interests with what people want and how to test pricing and positioning to generate the highest profits. Grit If theres anything that an entrepreneur needs, its grit; the ability to persevere in the face of obstacles, challenges, and rejections. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth gives entrepreneurs proof that you dont have to be a genius to start and build a successful venture. Start Your Own Business Start Your Own Business: The Only Startup Book Youll Ever Need by Rieva Lesonsky and the Editorial Staff of Entrepreneur Magazine is written with millions of freelancers in mind. This book will help you get through the first three years of being on your own. Find tips on everything from testing ideas to Facebook ads. The Thank You Economy The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk is like the B-side song that never became a big hit, but should have. Written in 2009, when Gary Vaynerchuk was more like everyone else than a celebrity. The Thank You Economy offers a customer-first strategy any entrepreneur can implement. This book is one of the best books for entrepreneurs because it gives practical, real life advice to use when building a business. These are the best books for entrepreneurs that business owners can use to get real life advice that will help them on a business plan. Best Books on How to Run a Small Business While launching a business might seem straightforward, running it successfully requires dedication and discipline. For those seeking guidance, here is a collection of the best books on operating a small business, curated to equip you with essential tools and insights. Built to Sell You want to work on your business and not in it, but how? Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You by John Warrillow shows you how. This book is written as a parable. The main character, Alex is struggling to sell his advertising agency. Alex turns to Ted, an entrepreneur and old family friend, who helps him transform his company. J.K. Lassers Small Business Taxes J.K. Lassers Small Business Taxes 2021: Your Complete Guide to a Better Bottom Line by Barbara Weltman is a must-read for owners who want to understand business taxes. After all, its not just about how much revenue your company generates, but how much you keep to turn into big profits. Simple Numbers 2.0 If you had to choose between investing in yourself or the stock market choose yourself. Simple Numbers 2.0 Rules for Smart Scaling: A Play by Play Analysis for Pure Growth by Greg Crabtree shows you how to generate big profits. This book provides advice from Greg Crabtree on how to use data to find hidden opportunities for maximum return on investment. Fix This Next According to author, Mike Michalowicz, the biggest problem owners have is not knowing what their biggest problem is. Fix This Next: Make the Vital Change That Will Level Up Your Business provides a simple problem-identification model that you can use to help you focus on the most important thing your company needs right now. Legal Forms for Starting and Running a Small Business Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business: 65 Essential Agreements, Contracts, Leases & Letters by Fred S. Steingold is an ideal book that contains all the forms youll need to manage and run your company. Each document comes with thorough, plain-English, line-by-line instructions. Rich Dad Poor Dad Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki highlights different attitudes towards money, work, and life and the need to build assets not debt. The author shares advice about what it takes to be financially literate something every owner needs. Profit First Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz shows you how to use the pay yourself first philosophy to guarantee that your company is profitable. Atomic Habits Dont let negative people drag you down. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. Best Business Biographies Extraordinary leaders often start with a mere vision and inspire the creation of companies we admire today. The following business biographies offer unparalleled insights into the journeys of these leaders. Invest your time in understanding how they transformed into influential figures, with our goal being to provide value through these narratives. Shark Tales Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business by Barbara Corcoran and Bruce Littlefield will inspire everyone to take action. After failing at 22 jobs, Corcoran borrowed $1,000 to start her real estate office in New York. In this book, she shares her common-sense advice on how to turn lemons into lemonade. The Everything Store The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon by Brad Stone tells the story of Amazon icon, Jeff Bezos. In July of 1995, Jeff Bezos started an online book store. But he wanted more than that. The Everything Store tells the story of Amazon and how it implements his vision of becoming the worlds most customer-centric company. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future Experience a deep dive into controversial entrepreneur, Elon Musk. Written by Ashlee Vance, Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future compiles more than forty hours of interviews into this fascinating history of one of todays most visionary entrepreneurs. Its ideal for those interested in innovative ideas or inspiring stories. Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography This Silicon Valley icon is just as popular today as he was decades ago. After hundreds of interviews with friends, family, and associates, Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography by Walter Isaacson offers an unvarnished view of Steve Jobs and his obsessions, flaws, and genius. Empire State of Mind An inspirational biography of JayZ and how he went from being a rapper to entrepreneurial superstar. Written by Zack OMalley Greenburg Empire State of Mind: How Jay Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office tells Jay Zs story from the perspective of classmates, friends and the people who convinced him to focus on music. Business the Bill Gates Way Believe it or not, its hard to find a good biography about Bill Gates. After reviewing several, we chose Business the Bill Gates Way: 10 Secrets of the Worlds Richest Business Leader by Des Dearlove. This book highlights universal strategies and identifies lessons that can be applied to any career. Shoe Dog Have you ever wondered what made Nike the iconic brand it is today? Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight tells the story of how he took $50 that he borrowed from his father and started building a shoe empire. Warren Buffett on Business The name Warren Buffett is synonymous with success with common sense. Warren Buffett on Business: Principles from the Sage of Omaha is a practical management handbook. Before Warren Buffett was a billionaire, he was a small business owner. Youll learn how Warren Buffett incorporates his personal style and values into corporate governance: patience, perseverance, admitting mistakes, value-investing and having a sense of humor. Losing My Virginity Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way explains entrepreneurial icon Richard Bransons meteoric rise to success. The book outlines what made him the daring, adventurous, go-with-the-flow entrepreneur he is today and what lessons you can learn from him. Grinding it Out Youre never too old to start a business. Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonalds by Ray Kroc is the personal story of the man behind McDonalds meteoric growth. Its a timeless story thats still applicable to todays businesses. And that concludes our list. If we had more room we would have included such classics as Business Adventures by John Brooks, which Bill Gates called one of the best business books ever. How Do You Choose a Business Book? The factors to choose a good book are not always what you think. Successful people go beyond big-name authors or books about well-known figures. Such books dont always have sufficient practical help for a startup entrepreneur or owners of smaller companies. We suggest you consider: Your goals The business book category is broad, encompassing everything from Wall Street finance to marketing approaches, to stories about famous entrepreneurs. Pick the type of book to meet your need. The business book category is broad, encompassing everything from Wall Street finance to marketing approaches, to stories about famous entrepreneurs. Pick the type of book to meet your need. Skill gaps You dont have to be an expert in everything. But you do need general knowledge about leadership, marketing, finance, management and more. Find your gaps and fill them. You dont have to be an expert in everything. But you do need general knowledge about leadership, marketing, finance, management and more. Find your gaps and fill them. Inspiration What will get you fired up? One thing thats awesome about books is their ability to inspire and motivate. Additional Reading Lists See other best books for business people: Images: Small Business Trends Save money on shipping costs for your Amazon purchases. Plus, enjoy thousands of titles from Amazons video library with an Amazon Prime membership. Learn more and sign up for a free trial today. If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more. If you have a talent for crafting handmade goods, you can earn a living by selling your creations. Craftspeople frequently start small businesses selling handmade products locally at craft fairs, farmers markets, craft malls, and specialty shops. Many more, however, have found success selling handmade crafts online through a variety of websites, platforms and online marketplaces. The Handmade Crafts Market in 2024 The market for handmade products might have begun as a niche industry, but by 2021 the global handicrafts market had grown to a value of $680 billion. Online sales have helped crafters reach larger audiences as they sell their handmade products on websites, online craft marketplaces and social media channels. In fact, the market is forecast to exceed $1.2 billion by 2027. Some of the hottest trending handmade crafts in 2024 include laser-printed items, wood-burned crafts, custom jewelry, home fragrances, paper flowers, tufted rugs, and sewn items like face masks. Sell Your Business ChatGPT Prompts for Business Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Advertise Your Business Here READ MORE: How to Start a Craft Business in 2022 Why Should You Sell Crafts Online? Are you considering selling handmade goods online? Listing your crafts for sale on an online platform has its benefits. If you think you might want to sell handmade products in an online marketplace like an Etsy store, but you cant quite decide, you should contemplate the following perks of an online craft business: Home-based business opportunity When you make and sell crafts online, you can operate your entire business from the comfort of your home. When you make and sell crafts online, you can operate your entire business from the comfort of your home. Unlimited market Instead of selling crafts to potential buyers within your local market, you can expand your target audience to the entire world by selling products in an online marketplace. Instead of selling crafts to potential buyers within your local market, you can expand your target audience to the entire world by selling products in an online marketplace. Low costs Craft supplies are generally inexpensive compared to the price of completed handmade goods, so you not only can start your online business with less capital, but you can earn a healthy profit from your sales. Most online marketplace fees are also low compared to the costs of selling in a physical store. Other Reasons: Flexibility When you start a business selling crafts online, you are not only your own boss, but you can choose to craft your products at your own convenience. Plus, online sales can happen even as you sleep! When you start a business selling crafts online, you are not only your own boss, but you can choose to craft your products at your own convenience. Plus, online sales can happen even as you sleep! Personal satisfaction If you love crafting, then it only makes sense to start a business doing what you love! Youll get plenty of personal satisfaction as you make money and acquire repeat customers. If you love crafting, then it only makes sense to start a business doing what you love! Youll get plenty of personal satisfaction as you make money and acquire repeat customers. Reach a wider audience: When you sell your crafts online, you can reach a wider audience than if you were just selling locally. This means that you have the potential to make more sales and earn more money. When you sell your crafts online, you can reach a wider audience than if you were just selling locally. This means that you have the potential to make more sales and earn more money. Be your own boss: When you sell your crafts online, youre your own boss. This means that you can set your own hours, work from home, and be as creative as you want. When you sell your crafts online, youre your own boss. This means that you can set your own hours, work from home, and be as creative as you want. Build a brand: When you sell your crafts online, you can build a brand for yourself. This means that you can develop a loyal following of customers who will come back to buy your products again and again. When you sell your crafts online, you can build a brand for yourself. This means that you can develop a loyal following of customers who will come back to buy your products again and again. Have fun: Selling your crafts online can be a lot of fun. You get to share your creativity with the world and make money doing something you love. READ MORE: 20 Craft Room Ideas Where to Sell Crafts Online in 2023 Site Description Facebook Marketplace Allows users to sell everything from furniture to clothing and more. Features an easy-to-use interface for selling locally or worldwide. The selling fee is 5% per shipment or a flat fee of 40 cents for shipments of $8 or less. Etsy Well-known platform for artisans and craftspeople. Accounts are free, but sellers pay 20 cents per listing and 6.5% in Etsy fees on the sale price when an item sells. Handmade Artists Shop Initially a community forum, it grew into a marketplace for handmade items. Available only to subscribers, subscriptions cost $5 a month or $50 a year, with no commissions or listing fees. Craft Is Art An online artisan marketplace that provides sellers with tools to open an online store. The free plan includes 100 listings with additional listings available for 15 cents each, plus a 5.5% sales commission. Google Shopping Allows online shoppers to compare items from thousands of local and online stores. There are no fees to list products. Amazon Handmade An Amazon section dedicated to handcrafted goods. Creating a shop is free, but Amazon deducts a 15% referral fee from sales. Cratejoy Ideal for artisans who want to market subscription boxes filled with handmade creations. Selling plans start at $0 per month, plus a referral fee based on the product's listed primary category. eCrater An online marketplace that features technology and collectibles, as well as handcrafted goods. Sellers only pay a 2.9% fee when items are sold. Folksy A platform hosting artisans based in the United Kingdom and is dedicated to handcrafted goods. There is a 6% commission on items sold. Aftcra An online marketplace for handmade goods produced in the United States. No charges for setting up a store, but a 7% commission is taken when items are sold. Indiecart Features a wide variety of handmade goods. Costs $7.50 per month to set up a store, with no other fees or commissions. GoImagine A popular marketplace where profits are paid directly to its makers and artists, and the rest are donated to charity. Plans start at $2.50 each month with a 5% transaction fee on sold items. Storenvy Offers custom online storefronts for artisans, and charges 10% of sales made through its marketplace. SpoonFlower A niche platform that lets designers create and sell their own patterns for fabric, wallpaper, and more. Artists earn a 10% commission anytime a product with their design is purchased. Bonanza Allows sellers to upload their listings from eBay, Amazon, Shopify and Etsy, and charges a 25-cent transaction fee and a 3.5% commission on sales. eBay A popular platform for various products including crafts and handmade items. eBay charges a commission on sold items equal to 12.9% of the sale price plus 30 cents per order. Society6 Allows artists to upload their work where it automatically becomes available in various formats. The site takes a portion of each sale depending on the product type. CustomMade Known for its handmade jewelry, it also features a variety of custom, handcrafted goods. Charges a 10% commission on sales, plus a 2.7% plus 30-cent transaction fee. Renegade Craft Features an online store for crafters to sell their wares. Charges a 40% commission on sales. iCraft Dedicated to handmade items, pricing starts at $10 per month, and charges no additional commissions or fees. The Nooks An online marketplace that features crafts and handmade items from Canada. Sellers pay a $29 monthly subscription fee, but no fees or commissions on sales. NOVICA A global, fair-trade marketplace for artisans from specific regions. Mercari A platform for reselling goods, but also a great place to sell handmade items. Charges a 10% commission, as well as a transaction fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents, on completed sales. Your Own Website Many artisans now sell their products on their own websites using platforms like Square Online or Shopify to create their own e-commerce website for crafts. Where can you sell crafts online in 2023? Whether you launch your own website to sell handmade products online, list them for sale on social media sites, or some other online marketplace, you can find success with handmade businesses. 1. Facebook Marketplace Small Business Deals Facebook users sell everything from furniture to clothing to houses on Facebook Marketplace, making it one of the easiest places to sell online, especially if you want to sell locally. Business pages also now can list products for sale on Facebook Marketplace, and users can choose whether to sell to local customers or ship their items around the world. The selling fee is 5% per shipment or a flat fee of 40 cents for shipments of $8 or less. This platforms wide reach and user-friendly interface make it a top choice for diverse sellers. 2. Etsy One of the best-known online marketplaces for artisans and craftspeople, Etsy features handmade goods and vintage items, as well as craft supplies. Accounts are free, although Etsy sellers pay 20 cents for each listing and 6.5% in Etsy fees on the sale price when an item sells. Etsys popularity places it in the top 150 websites globally and the top 50 in the United States. The platforms focus on unique, creative products attracts a dedicated customer base seeking one-of-a-kind items. Furthermore, Etsys supportive community environment and resources for sellers help small businesses thrive even in competitive markets. 3. Handmade Artists Shop The Handmade Artists Shop started as a community forum for crafters and artists to share their products and seek advice, but it grew into an online marketplace where users can browse and purchase handmade items directly on the site. Selling on the Handmade Artists Shop is only available to subscribers, but subscriptions cost just $5 a month or $50 a year, with no commissions or listing fees. This affordable subscription model makes it an accessible platform for emerging artists and crafters to showcase and sell their work. 4. Craft Is Art Another online artisan marketplace, Craft Is Art, provides sellers with all the tools they need to open an online store filled with handmade items, vintage items, fine art, and much more. The platform caters specifically to small-scale artisans and independent creators, offering a niche market for their unique products. With a focus on personalization and community, Craft Is Art allows sellers to connect directly with their customers. The free plan for sellers includes 100 listings with additional listings available for 15 cents each, plus a 5.5% sales commission. The premium membership, which costs $7.99 a month or $79.99 a year, includes unlimited listings and no commission fees. 5. Google Shopping Online shoppers can compare items from thousands of local and online stores with Google Shopping. This platforms integration with Googles powerful search engine significantly boosts visibility for artisans products, making them easily discoverable by a vast audience. Craftspeople can expand their reach by listing products that are for sale locally as well as on other platforms and websites. That way, the handcrafted items are displayed in Google searches for an audience of millions. Just as there is no cost to appear in Googles primary search index, there are no fees to list products with Google Shopping. All these features and more make it an advantageous option for sellers seeking broad exposure without additional costs. 6. Amazon Handmade Amazon also dedicates an entire section of its online marketplace to handcrafted goods. Launched in 2015, Amazon Handmade quickly grew to one of the most popular places to sell your handmade items. Creating a shop to sell on Amazon Handmade is free, although Amazon deducts a 15% referral fee from sales. There are no additional listing fees or payment processing fees. Amazon also waives the professional selling fee of $39.99 per month for all Handmade-approved applicants. This platforms vast customer base and trusted brand name provide artisans with a significant opportunity to reach a wide audience. Additionally, the streamlined process and supportive infrastructure of Amazon Handmade help crafters focus on their art while accessing a global market. READ MORE: Using Amazon Handmade to Sell Your Crafts 7. Cratejoy If youre a prolific artisan, you should consider marketing subscription boxes filled with handmade creations. Cratejoy makes it simple to start and launch a subscription box business based around a handcrafted brand or product. The company provides all the tools needed to start, including a website builder, free listings in the Cratejoy marketplace and more. Businesses can sell on the Cratejoy marketplace for plans starting at $0 per month, plus a referral fee based on the products listed primary category. This model is especially appealing for artisans who regularly produce a variety of items, as it allows for a steady, predictable revenue stream. Moreover, subscription boxes can help build a loyal customer base, as subscribers eagerly anticipate the arrival of new, unique items each month. 8. eCrater An online selling marketplace similar to eBay, eCrater primarily features technology and collectibles, although it also showcases a good amount of handcrafted goods. The platforms user-friendly interface and minimal fees make it an attractive option for small businesses and individual sellers. Its completely free to set up an online store with eCrater, and sellers only pay a 2.9% fee when items are sold. While the site doesnt get as much traffic as Etsy or eBay, it still boasts about 2 million views each month, offering a significant audience for new and established sellers alike. 9. Folksy Folksy only hosts artisans based in the United Kingdom, and it limits its marketplace to handcrafted goods. The online store is visited by about 250,000 users each month, and some of its sellers have been featured in major publications like the Guardian and Elle Decoration. Craftspeople can try out selling on the e-commerce store with three listings for just .15, and the monthly fee for the Plus plan is 7.50. There is a 6% commission on items sold, but this does not apply to shipping costs. This focused approach to local, handcrafted items creates a unique niche for UK artisans, providing them with a dedicated platform to reach a targeted audience. Additionally, the platforms community-oriented ethos and support for small-scale creators make it an appealing choice for those looking to grow their brand within a supportive and like-minded environment. 10. Aftcra Aftcra is an online marketplace dedicated exclusively to handmade goods produced in the United States. In fact, businesses cannot sell items that are mass-produced, vintage or resold without modification. It does, however, feature handmade items including clothing, furnishings, arts, jewelry and more. Its free to set up a store and list items on Aftcra, and the company only takes a 7% commission when items are sold. This focus on exclusively handmade items ensures that each product on Aftcra is unique and crafted with personal attention, offering shoppers a distinctive selection not commonly found in mainstream marketplaces. 11. Indiecart Originally known as Hyena Cart, Indiecart launched in 2004 as an online marketplace for handmade cloth diapers, quickly gaining a reputation for quality and eco-friendly products. While these in-demand baby products are still sold on the site, they also feature a wide variety of other handmade goods. It only costs $7.50 per month to set up a store with Indiecart, and the platform doesnt charge any other fees or commissions. This affordability and simplicity make Indiecart an attractive option for small-scale artisans and crafters looking to expand their online presence. 12. GoImagine Another popular marketplace where artisans can sell handmade goods is GoImagine, where profits are paid directly to its makers and artists, and the rest are donated to charity. This innovative approach combines business with philanthropy, ensuring that each purchase supports both artists and charitable causes. Sellers must be U.S.-based, and their products must be handmade. Plans for GoImagine sellers start at just $2.50 each month with a 5% transaction fee on sold items. 13. Storenvy When artisans sell their crafts on Storenvy, they gain access to their own custom online storefronts, as well as a listing in the social marketplace for independent retailers. Storenvy charges 10% of sales made through its marketplace, but it does not charge a commission on sales made from a sellers online shop. Setting up an online store through Storenvy is free, although there are additional fees for certain options and upgrades. This platforms flexibility allows sellers to tailor their online presence to their unique brand, and the community-centric marketplace fosters a supportive environment for independent creators. More Top Places for Selling Online Crafts Looking for more places to sell handmade online? There are now multiple platforms that cater to craft businesses. Dont hesitate to check out these other top marketplace options. 15. SpoonFlower Specializing in unique, customizable design options, SpoonFlower is an ideal platform for creative individuals looking to explore textile arts and pattern design. SpoonFlower caters to an even more specific niche market than other marketplace platforms dedicated to crafts. The website lets designers create their own patterns for fabric, wallpaper, gift wrap, and more. Designers then can sell the fabrics theyve designed or use them to create other handmade items. Artists earn a 10% commission anytime a SpoonFlower customer purchases a product with their design. 16. Bonanza Bonanza stands out for its ease of integration with other major online marketplaces, allowing craftspeople to effortlessly expand their reach. Crafters can manage their products efficiently across multiple platforms, making Bonanza a versatile choice for online selling. When a craftsperson sells their handmade items on the Bonanza platform, they also can upload their listings from eBay, Amazon, Shopify, and Etsy while also automatically publishing listing to major buying channels like Google Shopping. Creating listings with Bonanza is free, and the company charges a 25-cent transaction fee and a 3.5% commission on sales. 17. eBay This well-known auction website features products of practically any variety, including a plethora of crafts and handmade items. Items can be listed for potential customers to bid on or for direct sale, and its free to establish an eBay account and list the first 250 items per month. The platforms vast audience and flexible selling options make it a popular choice for artisans seeking to reach a wide range of customers. Prolific artisans who choose to list more than that are charged 35 cents per additional listing. Then, eBay charges a commission on sold items equal to 12.9% of the sale price plus 30 cents per order. 18. Society6 A platform aimed at artists and designers, Society6 allows artists to upload their work to the site, where it automatically becomes available in a variety of formats, including art prints, phone cases, mugs, clocks and even leggings. The site then takes a portion of each sale depending on the product type, although sellers can designate how much profit they want to make from their items on top of that base price. This flexibility in setting profit margins empowers artists to have control over their earnings, while the diverse product range offers creative ways to reach new audiences. 19. CustomMade As a pioneer in the online custom goods space, CustomMade has grown significantly since its debut. The online store might be best known for its handmade jewelry, but its website also features an online marketplace where sellers can market a variety of custom, handcrafted goods. Sellers not only can offer ready-made products to CustomMade customers, but they also can accept bids for custom designs. There is an application process to become a CustomMade seller, where the company gives examples of prior work samples. However, its free to sign up, and CustomMade charges a 10% commission on sales plus a 2.7% plus 30-cent transaction fee. 20. Renegade Craft Known for its series of in-person craft shows that take place in various cities throughout the year, Renegade Craft also features an online store where crafters can sell their wares all year long. Additionally, Renegade Craft provides extensive exposure to its vendors through its well-established social media presence and email marketing. Artisans have to apply to become a Renegade Craft vendor, and the company can be choosy about which sellers it approves. The platform then charges a 40% commission on sales, although it does handle all marketing and customer service. 21. iCraft An online marketplace dedicated exclusively to handmade items, iCraft does not list any mass-produced or resold goods. Initiating a global network, iCraft connects independent artists and crafters from around the world. Its dedication to exclusively handmade items draws a specialized buyer community. While experienced craft business owners say they get fewer sales from iCraft than from Etsy, they also claim their iCraft sales are more profitable. iCraft pricing starts at $10 per month, and the platform charges no additional commissions or fees. 22. The Nooks Located out of Canada, the Nooks is an online marketplace that features a curated collection of crafts and handmade items. It also operates several successful storefronts located throughout Canada. Canadian artisans can apply to sell via the Nooks and gain access to the tools, resources and support they need to handle every aspect of their businesses. Sellers with the Nook pay a $29 monthly subscription fee, but the platform charges no fees or commissions on sales. Additionally, the Nooks emphasis on Canadian crafts helps promote local talent on a national stage. 23. NOVICA A global, fair-trade marketplace for artisans, NOVICA offers craftspeople from around the world a place to sell their creations for living wages. So far, the platform has sent its artists more than $125 million. Right now, NOVICA only accepts sellers from Mexico, Central and South America, West Africa, India and Southeast Asia. Prospective sellers can apply by emailing details and pictures of their products to newproducts@novica.com. This selective approach ensures the authenticity and quality of crafts, aligning with NOVICAs mission to empower artisans globally. 24. Mercari Mercari is a Japanese online company that was founded in 2013. Its well-known as an excellent platform for reselling goods, but its also a great place to sell handmade items. Because Mercari customers often are seeking a bargain, its recommended to price items with room to haggle. Its free to list items for sale on Mercari, and the platform charges a 10% commission, as well as a transaction fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents, on completed sales. Mercari is a great option for small businesses due to its free and easy listings. 25. Your Own Website Who says you have to sell your handmade creations on someone elses platform and let commissions and other fees reduce your profits? Many artisans now sell their products on their own websites. You can hire a web designer, or use a platform like Square Online or Shopify to create your own e-commerce website for crafts. Creating a personal website not only eliminates third-party fees but also gives artisans full control over their brand and customer experience. Additionally, direct online sales allow for more intimate interaction with customers, fostering a loyal customer base. READ MORE: Best Glue Gun for Your Crafting Business How to Assess the Craft Market Before Diving In Embarking on a journey into the craft market can be both exciting and daunting. The allure of turning a passion into profit is tempting, but its important to assess the market landscape before taking the plunge. Here are some key steps to guide you through the evaluation process. Research Your Target Audience Understanding your target audience is crucial in any business, including the craft market. Consider questions like: What age group are you aiming to attract? What interests do they have? Which types of crafts appeal to them the most? To gain insights into your audiences preferences, you can conduct surveys, monitor social media trends, and participate in craft fairs. This research will help you tailor your products to meet the specific needs and desires of your potential customers. Analyze the Competition An assessment of the competitive landscape can provide invaluable insights. Visit local craft fairs, browse online marketplaces, and keep an eye on social media platforms where craft items are sold. Evaluate the following aspects: Product Variety: What types of crafts are currently available? What types of crafts are currently available? Price Points: What are the average prices for similar items? What are the average prices for similar items? Quality: How do your crafts compare in terms of quality and uniqueness? Understand Market Trends Staying ahead of market trends can give you a competitive edge. Are certain crafts gaining in popularity? Are there seasonal fluctuations in demand? Keep up with craft blogs, magazines, and industry reports to stay informed. Key Market Trends to Watch: Sustainability: Eco-friendly crafts are increasingly popular. Eco-friendly crafts are increasingly popular. Personalization: Custom-made items often fetch higher prices. Custom-made items often fetch higher prices. Tech Integration: Crafts that incorporate technology, like LED-lit artwork, can be a unique selling point. Crafts that incorporate technology, like LED-lit artwork, can be a unique selling point. Niche Crafts: Specialized items for specific hobbies or interests can attract a dedicated customer base. Evaluate Costs and Profit Margins Before you start, youll need a clear idea of your costs, including materials, labor, and overheads like utilities and rent if youre working from a studio. Compare these costs to the price points youve observed in the market to calculate potential profit margins. Aim for crafts that are not just popular but also profitable. Test the Waters Before going full-scale, consider doing a soft launch to test market receptivity. You could: Host a Pop-Up Stall: Gauge customer reactions and gather feedback. Gauge customer reactions and gather feedback. Utilize Social Media: Run targeted ads to see how much interest they generate. Run targeted ads to see how much interest they generate. Start Small: List a few items on online marketplaces and track their performance. Legal and Regulatory Considerations Ensure youre aware of any legal constraints or requirements, such as business licenses or taxes specific to selling crafts. Compliance is crucial for long-term success. Build a Business Plan Based on your research and testing, develop a comprehensive business plan. This should outline your target market, competitive landscape, marketing strategies, and financial projections. Diving into the craft market without a well-thought-out plan can be risky. Research your target audience, analyze your competition, understand market trends, and evaluate profitability before you begin. Consider legal factors and have a solid business plan in place. By methodically assessing the craft market using these guidelines, youre better positioned for a successful and fulfilling venture. FAQs What are some popular online marketplaces to sell crafts in 2023? Some popular online marketplaces for selling crafts in 2023 include Etsy, Amazon Handmade, Facebook Marketplace, and Google Shopping. Are there any fees or commissions associated with selling on these platforms? Yes, most platforms charge fees or commissions for selling crafts. For example, Etsy charges a listing fee and a sales commission, while Amazon Handmade deducts a referral fee from sales. Can I sell my handmade crafts internationally on these platforms? Yes, many of these platforms allow you to sell your crafts both locally and internationally, giving you access to a wider customer base. Are there any specific requirements or restrictions for selling on these platforms? Each platform may have its own requirements and guidelines for sellers. Some platforms may focus exclusively on handmade goods, while others may allow a wider range of products. How can I set up my online store on these platforms? Setting up an online store on these platforms typically involves creating an account, listing your products, and following the platforms guidelines for product descriptions, pricing, and shipping. Do these platforms offer any support or resources to help sellers succeed? Yes, many platforms offer seller support, resources, and tools to help you optimize your store, reach more customers, and improve your sales. Are there any restrictions on the types of crafts I can sell on these platforms? While most platforms are open to a wide range of crafts, its essential to review their policies to ensure your products comply with their guidelines. Qualify for discounts, special offers and more with a Business Prime account from Amazon. You can create a FREE account to get started today. If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more. If the potential tax implications of selling your business seem daunting, a crucial first step is to have a business valuation performed. This process of business valuation is not only an assessment of your companys worth, assisting in determining an appropriate selling price, but its also a tool that can aid in forecasting the potential tax consequences of the sale. Discover the Zoho Ecosystem ChatGPT Prompts for Business Sell Your Business Advertise Your Business Here The valuation, when carried out effectively, can often unearth strategies to mitigate your tax burden, such as strategic timing of the sale or utilization of certain tax provisions. In the course of this article, we will endeavor to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of these considerations, helping you to make an informed decision when it comes to selling your business and navigating potential tax implications. Learn more information about selling a business by downloading the BizBuySell Guide to Selling Your Small Business. Or if youre buying a business, for more information download the BizBuySell Guide to Buying a Small Business. How are Business Sales Taxed? Business sales are taxed on the principle of capital gains, essentially the profit that you make from the sale of your business. The capital gains tax rate corresponds to your standard income tax rate, rendering capital gains as a form of income. Small Business Deals Its important to note that the amount of capital gains may push you into a higher tax bracket, depending on the other income you have accrued throughout the tax year. What Is a Capital Gain? Simply put, a capital gain refers to the profit realized from an investment, which in this case, is your business. This can culminate in a capital gain when the sale of the business yields a profit, or a capital loss when it results in a deficit. A capital gain or loss is established by the difference between your initial investment in the business and the final selling price. Certain factors, like equipment depreciation or the cost of capital improvements, can affect the size of the capital gain and thereby your tax liability. For instance, if you initially bought a business for $200,000, invested an additional $100,000 in upgrades, and sold it for $350,000, your capital gain would be $50,000. Its important to note that capital gains tax rates may vary based on the length of time the investment was held. Capital Gains Tax on Selling a Business Capital gains are generally taxed as ordinary income, yet the IRS draws a line between short-term and long-term capital gains. For those whove owned a business for less than a year before selling, your capital gain is taxed at your ordinary income tax rate. If youve owned the business for over a year, the capital gain tax rate for long-term capital gains applies, which is currently 15%. Strategies like specifying which part of the sale price applies to different business assets, such as inventory or real estate, can help reduce your overall tax bill. This often involves the gradual sale of capital assets in an installment sale, thereby reducing the immediate tax impact. Additionally, if reinvested properly, certain capital gains can qualify for tax deferment, such as through 1031 exchanges in real estate transactions. 7 Tax Considerations Before the Sale of a Business Various tax strategies and considerations come into play when selling your business. 1 . A Stock Sale or an Asset Sale? In a stock sale, the buyer acquires an ownership stake in the business by purchasing the sellers shares. This method is typically employed in transactions involving C corporations and S corporations, given their structure. Alternatively, an asset sale involves the disposal of the companys capital assets, including physical property such as buildings and equipment, which by definition hold value beyond a single year. Choosing between a stock sale or an asset sale carries different implications for the calculation and taxation of capital gains. Guidelines for short and long-term capital gains rates apply variably to stock and asset transactions. Therefore, understanding these differences is crucial when considering the most tax-efficient approach for selling your business. The choice between these two types of sales can significantly impact the net profit from the sale, underscoring the need for careful financial and tax planning. 2. Establishing Value of Business Assets When calculating the value of business assets, such as a piece of machinery, its crucial to include the associated costs beyond the purchase price. These costs may involve installation and employee training expenses. Keeping meticulous records of these costs can significantly aid in reducing your capital gains taxes. However, its important to note that routine maintenance costs cant be factored into this calculation. Understanding and accurately documenting these costs is essential when preparing to sell your business assets, as it can help minimize potential tax liabilities. 3. Purchase Price Allocation Purchase Price Allocation, or PPA, is a method that business owners use to calculate the fair market value of a business. This strategy is particularly common during mergers and acquisitions. The buyer allocates the purchase price among the various assets and liabilities of the company. At the same time, the seller computes the value of net assets, utilizing good will accounting to factor in the value of intangible assets, like the business name and logo. This process aids in providing a more complete picture of the businesss worth. Additionally, a PPA often undergoes reviews by banking institutions to validate the accuracy of the allocation. Understanding this process is crucial for both parties involved, as it directly affects the financial dynamics of the transaction, including taxation. 4. Type of Entity The percentage of interest that individuals hold in businesses such as partnerships and corporations is treated as capital gain income when they sell that interest. Its a fundamental aspect of business tax law that applies to various forms of business organizations. However, tax implications can considerably vary depending on the type of entity. For example, a sole proprietorship might face different tax rules compared to a limited liability company or a corporation. Understanding these nuances is crucial. It not only impacts the capital gains tax rates but also the overall financial planning and decision-making process for both business owners and potential investors. Heres a quick comparison: Type of Entity Tax Implication on Sale Capital Gains Implication Notes C Corporation Shareholders pay capital gains when they sell stock. If the entire C corporation is sold, corporate tax may apply. Capital gains tax applies to the profit made from selling the stock. Double taxation can occur: first at the corporate level if the corporation sells its assets, and then at the individual level when shareholders sell their stock. S Corporation Transaction can be structured as stock or asset sales. The corporate structure can remain intact, implying no additional corporate tax implications. If selling as a stock sale, capital gains tax applies to the profit made. In an asset sale, it may result in ordinary income. S Corporations allow pass-through taxation, meaning the corporation's income, losses, deductions, and credits can pass through to shareholders for federal tax purposes. Partnership Capital gain is due on the individual's partnership assets. An individual can sell his percentage of partnership interest to a buyer. Capital gains tax applies to the profit made from selling the partnership interest. Capital gains tax on partnerships can be complicated by the fact that partnerships distribute both income and capital gains to their partners, which may be taxed differently. 5. Tax-Free Stock Exchanges In tax-free stock exchanges, the buyer swaps their own companys stock for that of another company. Its a strategic move used often in the business world. The exchanged stock should comprise between 50-100% of the total stock owned by the buyer. Its a way to acquire a company without an immediate cash outlay. A variation of this strategy involves a corporation issuing new shares in exchange for money or other forms of property. This approach is flexible and can be leveraged to expand a companys capital base, or acquire necessary assets or services. 6. Income Tax Rates The personal tax rates, potentially as high as 37%, can exceed the maximum long-term capital gains rate, currently set at 15%. Despite a capital gain being taxed at a lower rate, its still considered income and can influence the tax basis applied to your personal taxes. This aspect, along with the ability to distribute the income earned over time, contributes to the popularity of installment sales when divesting assets. Although not completely tax-free, installment sales provide a more flexible, tax-efficient method of asset disposal. 7. State Considerations Small business owners need to understand that tax obligations dont stop at the federal level; state and local taxes can also play a significant role. Take Florida, for instance, where residents enjoy a lack of personal income tax. However, corporations in Florida are subject to a corporate income tax, making it essential for business owners to plan accordingly. In contrast, places like New York City present a different taxation landscape, imposing a city income tax on top of other state and federal obligations. Understanding these differences can greatly influence the financial outcome when selling a business. Tips for Small Business Owners The process of selling a business can be intricate, even more so when youve dedicated considerable time and effort into building a successful small business. Navigating this complex process is crucial to ensure you dont miss out on potential savings during the sale. So knowing how to sell a business is extremely important. Heres our best advice: Consider Hiring a Tax Advisor for Your Business Sale Hiring a tax advisor can provide immense value, especially if you are planning a business sale in the foreseeable future. By involving them early in the process, they can guide you on potential steps to alter your business structure to yield maximum tax benefits, and better prepare for the sale. If Your Business is a Sole Proprietorship, Sell Assets Separately For sole proprietors, selling assets individually can be an effective strategy. It can help maintain your annual earnings at a stable level, ensuring that your taxable income remains consistent. It provides a way to manage tax obligations without overwhelming financial fluctuations. Consider Selling to Employees Transferring your business to employees through a long-term installment sale or an employee stock ownership plan can be an advantageous approach. This sale could be extended to all current employees or a selected group of key personnel. Not only does this ensure continuity of the business and job security for valued employees, but it also allows them to have a stake in the businesss future success. Think About Gifting Some of the Business Sale Money to Family Distributing some of the sale proceeds to family members can be a delicate task and may even instigate family disputes. For instance, if only one child is involved in the business, should they be the sole recipient of the gift, or should it be equally shared among all siblings? Should the proceeds be protected for direct family members only, and if so, should such terms be articulated in prenuptial agreements? Such decisions necessitate guidance from tax and legal advisors, especially as baby boomers reach retirement and need robust exit strategies. Structure the Deal as an Installment Sale Installment sales can be structured in two primary ways: Cash plus Seller Financing The buyer pays a lump sum portion of the sales price and signs a promissory note for an installment purchase. The buyer pays a lump sum portion of the sales price and signs a promissory note for an installment purchase. Earn Out The seller is paid as a consultant and stays with the business for 2-3 years, earning a salary. Consider an Opportunity Zone You can reinvest the capital gains from your business sale into a Qualified Opportunity Fund within 180 days of the transaction. The benefits increase over time: if held for five years, 10% of the gain is tax-free. An additional 5% is excluded if held for seven years; after ten years, the total gain is tax-exempt. Leverage Retirement Plans as Part of the Sale If youre nearing retirement, consider incorporating your retirement plans into the business sale strategy. You can contribute a portion of the sale proceeds to a qualified retirement plan like a 401(k) or an IRA. This move could potentially defer taxes on those funds until retirement, depending on the type of plan and your age. Its important to consult with a financial advisor to understand the implications and benefits of this strategy, as well as to ensure compliance with IRS rules and contribution limits. This approach not only helps in tax planning but also secures your financial future post-business sale. Do I have to pay taxes on the sale of my business? Unless your business is operating at a loss, youll need to pay taxes on the sale proceeds. However, there are strategies available to defer the tax impact over several years, such as utilizing installment sales for certain assets. The amount of tax depends on the structure of your business (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation), the nature of the assets sold, and the gain realized from the sale. Tax rates vary based on long-term capital gains and ordinary income rates. How much tax do I pay on the sale of my business? Your tax liability will depend on whether you pay short or long-term capital gains rates. The short-term rate aligns with your tax bracket, while the long-term rate is fixed at the capital gains rate, currently at 15%. How do you avoid paying taxes when selling a business? To maximize tax savings, hire a tax advisor who understands the dynamic tax codes. Several other methods can help reduce taxes, including: You can also reduce taxes by: Selling assets using installment sales Owner financing Gifting to family Selling to employees How are capital gains calculated when selling a business? Capital gain is calculated by deducting the original purchase price from the sale price. There are several ways to reduce your tax bill, like claiming deductions for capital improvements and equipment purchases. If the business entity was held for less than a year, the tax amount aligns with the owners personal income tax bracket. If held longer, the current capital gains tax rate, 15%, is applicable. How do I report the sale of my business on tax return? To report the sale of your business on your tax return, use IRS form T2125, the Statement of Business or Professional Activities. This form provides the necessary framework for accurately documenting your business activities and sale. It requires detailed information about the sale, including the date, sale price, and any associated expenses. Additionally, the form allows you to report income or losses from the business operations prior to the sale. Ensure all information is accurate to reflect the true nature of the business sale. If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more. Shirts for work theyre obviously a necessity for just about everyone in every type of job. 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Learn more and sign up for a free trial today. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231209/iranian-foreign-minister-says-us-companies-buying-iranian-heavy-water-1115503720.html Iranian Foreign Minister Says US Companies Buy Iranian Heavy Water Iranian Foreign Minister Says US Companies Buy Iranian Heavy Water The United States is putting pressure on Tehran not to produce heavy water (also known as deuterium oxide), but American companies are buying it from Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Saturday. 2023-12-09T23:28+0000 2023-12-09T23:28+0000 2023-12-10T07:11+0000 world iran joint comprehensive plan of action (jcpoa) us sanctions unipolar world order multipolar world nuclear technology /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/05/1f/1095893094_0:0:2048:1152_1920x0_80_0_0_48500d0ae000a287a92835d1a4c7f1f0.jpg "The United States is so eager to put pressure on us not to produce heavy water, but in the end, we see that American companies are buying Irans heavy water," Amirabdollahian said at Tehran University, as quoted by the IRNA news agency. The foreign minister also stated, citing an unnamed Western official, that testing carried out in laboratories showed that "Iran produces the highest quality heavy water in the world." Iran today is not on the path to signing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Amirabdollahian noted, adding, however, that he does not exclude this agreement as an option. In 2015, Iran signed the JCPOA with China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, with the involvement of the European Union. The deal committed Iran to scaling back its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The US withdrew from the deal in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump, but resumed talks with Iran in a bid to revive the deal under incumbent President Joe Biden. Their talks in Vienna are now considered frozen. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230329/iran-russia-agree-jcpoa-has-no-alternatives-1108919352.html iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International nuclear technology, heavy water, deuterium oxide, us sanctions, us arrogance, western arrogance, sanctions on iran, iran nuclear program, western dominance, unipolar world, western rules, nuclear deal https://sputnikglobe.com/20231209/sunaks-migration-headache-continues-to-linger-1115503060.html Sunak's Migration Headache Continues to Linger Sunak's Migration Headache Continues to Linger British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is keeping his eyes on his partys poll numbers, which arent looking good as the opposition Labour party continues to surge higher than the governing Conservative party. 2023-12-09T22:49+0000 2023-12-09T22:49+0000 2023-12-09T22:49+0000 britain england migration rishi sunak illegal migrants united kingdom (uk) ukraine labour party ukraine crisis illegal migration /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/01/1112327601_0:353:3014:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_4823d37257645a2d6936a5958523786a.jpg British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is keeping his eyes on his partys poll numbers, which arent looking good as the opposition Labour party continues to surge higher than the governing Conservative party. So on Thursday, Sunak was forced to defend his new Rwanda asylum bill, telling a press conference this past week that he would finish the job despite criticism from the Tory right.A vote is likely due for Tuesday, yet Sunak has said he will not treat the vote as a confidence matter - meaning he will not stand down or call an election if he loses. The bill will take just 29 Tory MPs to vote it down.In spring of 2022, Sunak, then-UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, reportedly had ethical objections to former Prime Minister Boris Johnsons immigration policy that planned to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. But now, with faltering poll numbers and seeking to make those in his party happy, the prime minister is adopting the Rwanda plan as his flagship migration policy. Its a troubling turn for Sunak, as a son of immigrants he was never whole heartedly invested in such a tough immigration law in the first place, and now he is treating the policy as his saving grace. But thus far, the government has paid Rwanda 240 million pounds ($301 million), yet no deportations have taken place, and in mid-November, the UKs Supreme Court ruled the plan unlawful.The European Court of Human Rights even blocked flights to Rwanda from taking off, prompting Sunak to unveil his bill that would block legal reasons as to why planes could not fly people to Rwanda. But then, Robert Jenrick, the immigration minister quit his role because Sunaks bill was a triumph of hope over experience, according to his resignation letter. Sunaks bill, which was supposed to garner him favor amongst voters and his own party, may actually cause trouble for him. The bill could make Sunak seem cruel or unethical, in the eyes of those on the left. And as for his own party, the bill may seem completely ineffective if it circles back to the courts. In 2022, the UKs net migration numbers reached a record high of 745,000. Some of this is due in part because the UK is no longer a part of the Dublin Regulation following Brexit. This Regulation of the European Union determines which EU member state is responsible for assessing an asylum seekers application, but it also helps break up the responsibility of hosting asylum seekers across the bloc.And in mid-March the British government launched their Homes for Ukraine project, which allowed Ukrainian refugees free accommodation in exchange for each UK household receiving a payment of 350 pounds ($428.7). But by early August, less than 25% of Britons who had sheltered Ukrainians agreed to continue doing so for more than a year.Following that data, by late August the Refugees Minister Lord Richard Harrington asked the Treasury to increase Britons thank you payments from 350 pounds to 700 pounds out of fear that households in Britain would no longer continue hosting Ukrainians. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231209/former-uk-immigration-minister-says-impossible-to-integrate-migrants-into-society-1115500290.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231208/uk-pays-rwanda-126mln-amid-new-asylum-deal-1115478964.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231129/uk-home-office-loses-17000-asylum-seekers-across-britain---starmer-1115286899.html britain england united kingdom (uk) ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg immigration, uk immigration laws, rishi sunak, uk politics, rwanda immigration bill, illegal migrants, illegal migration, influx of migrants, deteriorating migration situation, migration situation https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/australians-swelter-under-heat-amid-bushfires-and-looming-cyclone-1115504978.html Australians Swelter Under Heat Amid Bushfires and Looming Cyclone Australians Swelter Under Heat Amid Bushfires and Looming Cyclone On Saturday, heat warnings were in effect in several states and territories. Temperatures in New South Wales climbed to over 43 Celsius. 2023-12-10T04:37+0000 2023-12-10T04:37+0000 2023-12-10T04:37+0000 world weather climate environment australia cyclone weather conditions extreme weather conditions storm tropical storm /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/0a/1115504819_0:161:3067:1886_1920x0_80_0_0_70ffd995f27e5e52e59a80614451d0c3.jpg On Saturday, heat warnings were in effect in several states and territories. Temperatures in New South Wales climbed to over 43 Celsius (109 Fahrenheit), and similar temperatures burned high at the Sydney airport and Badgerys Creek.Some schools in Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, were forced to shut down and a total fire ban was in place for some parts of the state due to the surmounting risk of bushfires, and there were plenty of those: by 4 PM there were at least 85 bushfires burning across New South Wales, with 38 of those not having been contained according to the states Rural Fire Service.However, cooler air was expected to arrive between 6 PM and 8 PM on Saturday, with temperatures dropping to 10 Celsius.Jasper, a severe tropical cyclone that intensified into a category 4 system on Friday, is now threatening the northern coast of Australia. The storm brings with it maximum winds of 220 kilometers per hour (138 mph), and is located 1,195 kilometers (742 miles) northeast of Queensland while moving south at 9 kph (6 mph). By early Tuesday, the storm could strike the coast near Cairns, the 5th most populous city in Queensland.The storm is the earliest of its category to hit the Australian region in 18 years. Its arrival is unusually early during the climate pattern El Nino, making it the first tropical cyclone to form off Queenslands coast in December during an El Nino weather pattern. El Nino, a system that has been affecting weather across the globe this year, is not forecasted to end until March of 2024 by the latest, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).Further intensification Friday is possible, and a category 5 system cannot be ruled out, the countrys bureau warned.Senior meteorologist Angus Hines clarified that it will likely weaken to a category two system by Monday, but could intensify on Wednesday. Forecasters add that the storms current path is subject to change. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230509/nearly-half-of-earths-land-may-change-climatic-zone-by-2100-1110222950.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231104/death-toll-from-storm-ciaran-in-western-europe-rises-to-15-1114707655.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231025/photos-nightmare-scenario-as-powerful-category-5-hurricane-otis-slams-into-mexico-1114485428.html australia queensland Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg australia, weather, heat, climate, cyclone, jasper storm, severe tropical cyclone jasper, tropical cyclone, hurricane, storm, tropical storm Ruling party, animal activists urge for passage of legislation in extra plenary session by end of year By Lee Hae-rin A legislative move to ban the consumption of dog meat is losing steam as rival parties have yet to reach a consensus over the issue amid fierce opposition from dog meat traders. According to political circles and animal activists, Sunday, the anti-dog meat bill is still pending at the National Assembly, as the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is refusing to cooperate with the ruling People Power Party (PPP) over the legislation at the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee. For the bill to pass in the 21st Assembly as promised by both parties, it needs to pass the standing committee and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee before finally winning a majority of votes by present lawmakers at the extra plenary sessions, slated for Dec. 20, 28 and Jan. 9 next year. The ruling party stressed that the legislation must pass during the extra plenary sessions next week. The ban on dog meat consumption needs to be finalized in the 21st National Assembly. The subject has been controversial for decades and went through long debates, so the Assembly must achieve a fruitful result, the PPPs chief policymaker Rep. Yu Eui-dong said, Friday, as the Assembly's regular annual session concluded without a result. The slow progress comes amid strong opposition from dog meat farmers and traders against the plan by the government and political parties to shut down the contentious industry. The dog meat traders have been demanding seven trillion won ($5.3 billion) in compensation for the industry, claiming there are over 3,500 dog meat farms nationwide each raising around 700 dog meat on average. The figure is larger than shown in a government survey, which said that only 1,150 farms exist in the country, raising 520,000 dogs. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs which oversees the trade and consumption of dogs, has a 17.4 trillion won budget planned for next year, which is only slightly higher than this years 16.8 trillion won budget. This year, Korea came closest to legally ending the fading and controversial tradition of eating dog meat. The rival parties announced, last month, that ending the trade was a main political agenda before the general elections next year. Five proposed bills are pending at the National Assembly, which contain roadmaps to shut down the industry and assist and fund the transition of farmers to alternative vocations. In response to the slow legislative process, a coalition of 40 animal advocacy groups held a protest in front of the National Assembly, Saturday, to condemn the lawmakers. The peoples anticipation for ending dog meat consumption was more eager than ever this year. Despite the government and political parties promise to pass the special act, the bill failed to cross the threshold of the standing committee until the last day of the National Assemblys regular session, the groups said in a joint statement. The activists said that any further delay in passing the legislation could usher dog meat traders to claim even greater compensation, which they view as absurd. An overwhelming 86 percent of Koreans do not plan to eat dog meat in the future, while 57 percent supported the ban on the dog meat trade, according to a survey by Nielsen Korea, which was commissioned by Humane Society International Korea. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/biden-says-trump-becoming-president-threatens-us-democracy-1115507202.html Biden Says Trump Becoming President Threatens US Democracy Biden Says Trump Becoming President Threatens US Democracy Speaking at a Boston reception in Massachusetts earlier in the week, Biden said he was not sure he would be running in the 2024 presidential elections if Trump did not decide to campaign again. 2023-12-10T08:07+0000 2023-12-10T08:07+0000 2023-12-10T08:07+0000 americas us joe biden donald trump 2024 us presidential election biden classified files /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/1b/1115224416_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_1b230e55cf8e32c5478b29a09c23c78d.jpg US President Joe Biden said that former US President Donald Trump, who is running for the presidency in the country, posed a threat to democracy in the United States. "I believe, the future of American democracy is at stake. Literally, it all is at stake. Let me be clear. Donald Trump poses many threats to the country, from the right to choose to civil rights to voting rights to America's standing in the world. But the greatest threat Trump poses is to our democracy, because if we lose that, we lose everything," Biden said at a campaign reception in Los Angeles, his remarks were published by the White House on Saturday. On Saturday, The Wall Street Journal published a poll, according to which 53% of US voters said Biden's policies had hurt them personally, while 49% indicated the agenda of Trump had helped them during his time in office. The US presidential election is scheduled for November 5, 2024. Trump announced in November 2022 that he was entering the race for the presidency. In a number of polls, the former president, who dominates the Republican primary race, maintains a narrow lead over Biden. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/putin-strengthens-relations-with-middle-eastern-powers-as-biden-flounders-1115504180.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International 2024 presedential elections, joe biden, donald trump, biden classified files, us https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/cost-of-empire-study-says-us-military-intervention-making-americans-less-safe-1115514762.html Cost of Empire: Study Says US Military Intervention Making Americans Less Safe Cost of Empire: Study Says US Military Intervention Making Americans Less Safe Empirical data demonstrates that, although US warmongering may fatten the pockets of military contractors, the consequences for citizens around the world have been dire. 2023-12-10T21:46+0000 2023-12-10T21:46+0000 2023-12-10T21:46+0000 analysis us hegemony americans us brown university israel us military bases military bases overseas military bases unipolar world order /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0b/17/1090958145_0:0:2000:1125_1920x0_80_0_0_41da15009bb9dac68c382693fcfa8b15.jpg Former Congressman Ron Paul was met with a decidedly mixed reaction in 2007 when, during the height of the so-called War on Terror, he lambasted the pernicious influence of US-backed militarism around the globe.But since then his analysis has gone mainstream, and now a new study from Brown University provides empirical backing for the claim the US war machine is making Americans and the world less safe.There are more militant groups than there were when we started the so-called War on Terror in 2001, said Stephanie Savell, a senior researcher with the universitys Costs of War project. There are more recruits to those groups, there's a ton of blowback to all of this military action around the world, she added.In other words, war and violence only beget more war and violence.The United States military currently has a footprint in 78 countries according to Savells research, a full 40% of the worlds nations. Her study also pinpoints 800 US military bases around the globe (controversy over what constitutes a base provides some uncertainty to this count some have placed the number of military installations at over 900).Meanwhile, US and allied troops have been attacked some 82 times in Iraq and Syria since October 17 as American support for Israels ground incursion into Gaza has fueled rage throughout the Arab world.Savells research has also found that at least 4.5 million deaths have occurred as a direct or indirect result of US-led wars since September 11, 2001.We've gotten extremely far in the direction of using the military as the primary tool of US foreign policy, said Savell. And arguably, that's not keeping Americans or anyone else in the world any safer.Contrary to Americas oft-stated goal of promoting democracy and freedom, another study demonstrated the United States militarily backs 73% of countries deemed dictatorships throughout the world. US belligerence has damaged the countrys global reputation in recent years, especially in the Middle East, where Russian President Vladimir Putin has forged diplomatic relations on the principles of sovereignty and mutual respect.Recently the late Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Ladens Letter to America went viral on the TikTok platform. The missive cast opposition to the United States throughout the Arab world as a function of resistance to the countrys militarism, contradicting the oft-repeated they hate us for our freedom mantra of the post-9/11 era.US lawmakers responded by renewing calls for the banning of the TikTok platform, and British newspaper The Guardian removed the letter from their website lest Americans be encouraged to further engage in wrongthink. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/us-vetoes-gaza-ceasefire-profits-from-arms-sale-on-same-day-1115505751.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/us-may-be-supporting-neo-nazis-by-aiding-ukraine-congressmans-letter-to-blinken-and-austin-1113566796.html israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us military presence, us bases, us military, us control, us dominance, us domination, american power, us hegemony, unipolar world, multipolar world, us army, us military aid, financial aid, us arms for ukraine, us arms for israel, military aid https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/cut-the-preaching-zelenskys-anti-russian-narrative-faces-resistance-in-latin-america-1115506761.html 'Cut the Preaching': Zelensky's Anti-Russian Narrative Faces Resistance in Latin America 'Cut the Preaching': Zelensky's Anti-Russian Narrative Faces Resistance in Latin America Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the inauguration of president-elect Javier Milei. The Ukrainian president is seeking to strengthen ties with the Global South, but Kiev's rapprochement with Buenos Aires won't help him win the hearts and minds of Latin Americans, says an Argentine newspaper. 2023-12-10T09:11+0000 2023-12-10T09:11+0000 2023-12-10T09:11+0000 world ukrainian crisis volodymyr zelensky javier milei ukraine argentina joe biden russia kiev us /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/07/07/1097069908_0:117:2395:1464_1920x0_80_0_0_404c2bf28b0ef25f831626437dc6dc03.jpg Zelensky's presence in Buenos Aires at the inauguration of Javier Milei's government is apparently seen by Kiev as a PR coup aimed at restoring the Ukrainian president's tarnished image as Western support for Ukraine wanes, according to Pagina 12, a left-leaning Argentine publication.According to Kersffeld, Zelensky's greatest hope is to make Milei a strategic ally in the conflict against Russia, which would accept Kiev's unrealistic "peace formula" during a Ukraine summit proposed by Milei. The scholar notes that Kiev also expects Buenos Aires to impose sanctions on Russia.Earlier, President-elect Milei signaled his full support for Zelensky in a clear break with the policy of his predecessor, Alberto Fernandez. In late November, the new Argentine leader offered the Ukrainian president to hold a conference on Ukraine in the South American country."They are organizing a peace conference in Latin America and Ukraine, and we have offered ourselves as a venue if it is appropriate," Milei's foreign policy adviser Diana Mondino told reporters last month.Still, Zelensky's biggest bet is that the new Argentine government - with Washington's backing - will bring the governments of the region together and persuade them to support Zelensky and turn their backs on Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kersffeld added.Despite ideological differences among Latin American governments, there is a consensus in the continent that it must be a "region of peace" and not interfere in overseas conflicts, Kersffeld stressed. "It would be very risky for Argentina to get involved in a foreign conflict not so much in search of peace, but to get a positive nod from Joe Biden's administration," the article's author warned.Meanwhile, Zelensky's biggest problem is that Kiev's summer counteroffensive has yielded zero results on the battlefield and failed to achieve any of the Zelensky regime's goals, making the West increasingly skeptical about pouring money into Ukraine and supporting its incumbent president, according to Kersffeld.Indeed, the Western press has recently changed its tone in describing Ukrainian affairs, citing alleged plots by American and European leaders to force Zelensky into talks with Russia. Moreover, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh has suggested that some of these talks are already underway, spearheaded by the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, Valery Zaluzhny.To make matters worse, Zelensky's approval rating in Ukraine is in free fall in the wake of the failed counteroffensive. Under these circumstances, Kiev's perceived PR coup in Argentina seems unlikely to reverse the looming defeat or improve Zelensky's image at home and abroad. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231206/ukraines-ex-pm-reveals-why-zelensky-cant-just-get-rid-of-zaluzhny-1115435504.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231208/scott-ritter-zelensky-sees-the-writing-on-the-wall-1115482906.html ukraine argentina russia kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova volodymyr zelensky, argentina, latin america, zelensky inauguration javier milei, west's support to ukraine wanes, zelensky seeking support in the global south, latin america doesn't interfere in overseas conflicts https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/doha-summit-us-risks-alienating-muslim-world-by-vetoing-gaza-ceasefire-resolutions-1115510496.html Doha Summit: US Risks Alienating Muslim World by Vetoing Gaza Ceasefire Resolutions Doha Summit: US Risks Alienating Muslim World by Vetoing Gaza Ceasefire Resolutions A DC think tank has pointed out that Washington could lose influence in the Arab and Muslim world by killing off the UN ceasefire resolutions. 2023-12-10T13:39+0000 2023-12-10T13:39+0000 2023-12-10T13:39+0000 us world middle east palestinians washington dc israel un security council (unsc) the united nations (un) hamas /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/1a/1115211407_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_b272ad822740fb5d6c98cf1d01c49648.jpg The US was the only country that vetoed a UN Security Council Gaza ceasefire resolution on Friday. The 15-member gathering voted 13-1 in favor of the initiative - with the United Kingdom abstaining. Israel's military operation in the strip has already claimed the lives of more than 17,700 people with 70% of them estimated to be women and children, per Gaza's Ministry of Health.Judging from the opening remarks at the 21st Doha Forum in Qatar on Sunday, the Arab world is deeply frustrated by Washington's veto, DC think tank The Quincy Institute of Responsible Statecraft pointed out.In particular, Foreign Minister of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that Washington's move to kill the resolution exposed the "great gap between East and West... and double standards in the international community." He placed emphasis on the necessity to create a new multipolar world order that "respects justice and equality between the people where no people are more powerful than the other." The Qatari leadership vowed to continue exerting pressure on Tel Aviv and Hamas to implement a new truce despite "narrowing" chances.Palestine Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh argued that the US gave the "greenest of green lights" to Israel's brutal methods of waging war in Gaza. Per him, Washington should be held responsible for Israel's attacks and the loss of Palestinian lives.For his part, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi accused Tel Aviv of implementing a policy of expelling Palestinians out of Gaza by military actions.Addressing the forum, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the humanitarian system is currently under threat: "We are facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system. The situation is fast deteriorating into a catastrophe with potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians as a whole and for peace and security in the region."Article 99 of the UN Charter states: "The Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security."Meanwhile, DC think tank The Quincy Institute of Responsible Statecraft highlighted that humanitarian advocates repeatedly called the situation in Gaza "unprecedented", adding that UN agencies are continuing to lose people in the war zone. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency has lost 134 relief workers in Gaza since Tel Aviv's military operation began.The Quincy scholars also warn about the growing anti-American sentiment in the Arab world, as Washington is seen as the major obstacle on the way to peace in Gaza due to its repeated vetoes of ceasefire resolutions in the UN. Khaled Saffuri, executive director of the National Interest Foundation in Washington, told the think tank that he was "struck by the backlash against American brands" during his travels in Kuwait and Qatar over the last week. Per him, Arab customers and restaurants are boycotting Coke, Pepsi, McDonalds, and Starbucks. Saffuri called Washington's latest veto in the UNSC "horrible." "America is losing a lot in the Muslim world," he told the think tank. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231209/us-arab-post-war-gaza-scenario-talks-doomed-while-israel-bombs-enclave---expert-1115498208.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/israeli-army-death-toll-since-start-of-start-of-gaza-operation-reaches-97---reports-1115506629.html washington dc israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova doha summit, qatar, israel-hamas war, us vetoed un security council resolution on gaza ceasefire, arab world frustrated by us veto of ceasefire in gaza, gaza war, gaza strip, palestinians, civilian casulaties in gaza https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/emergency-special-session-of-unga-to-discuss-gaza-to-be-resumed-on-tuesday-1115515235.html Emergency Special Session of UNGA to Discuss Gaza to Be Resumed on Tuesday Emergency Special Session of UNGA to Discuss Gaza to Be Resumed on Tuesday UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis will convene the plenary meeting of the Tenth Emergency Special Session on Tuesday to discuss the situation around the Gaza Strip, spokesperson to the UN General Assembly President, Monica Grayley, stated on Sunday. 2023-12-10T22:17+0000 2023-12-10T22:17+0000 2023-12-10T22:17+0000 world palestine-israel conflict un general assembly gaza strip the united nations (un) humanitarian crisis israel israel-gaza conflict palestine egypt /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/12/1115038663_0:160:3074:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_648ca188c6049cc4c2deed07a1b9d2a9.jpg On Friday, the United States vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The resumption of the special session was requested on Friday by Egypt's permanent representative to the UN Osama Mahmoud Abdelkhalek Mahmoud and Mauritania's permanent representative to the UN Sidi Mohamed Laghdaf "in their respective capacities as Chair of the Arab Group and Chair of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation," she added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231121/ex-cia-analyst-us-responsible-for-gaza-genocide-by-empowering-netanyahu--1115100230.html gaza strip israel egypt mauritania Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe, humanitarian ceasefire, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, zionist regime, zionists, hamas attack, israeli strikes, israeli forces, hostages, israeli military, hamas fighters, hamas soldiers, hamas military, killings of civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilians dead, civilians die, israel kills civilians, civilian casualties, civilian deaths https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/germany-pays-25-times-more-for-gas-in-2023-compared-to-2021-1115512164.html Germany Pays 2.5 Times More for Gas in 2023 Compared to 2021 Germany Pays 2.5 Times More for Gas in 2023 Compared to 2021 Germany imported 2.5 times less gas in January-September this year compared to the same period in 2021, but failed to make any savings as prices also grew 2.5 times, Sputnik has calculated based on data from the German statistical office. 2023-12-10T15:47+0000 2023-12-10T15:47+0000 2023-12-10T15:47+0000 economy russia germany ukraine european union (eu) olaf scholz dmitry medvedev /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/01/03/1106007427_0:8:3617:2042_1920x0_80_0_0_7303bcbbaf0cf87ffbff2094e4c669ab.jpg German gas imports in the first nine months of 2023 dropped to 47.9 billion cubic meters from 65.9 billion cubic meters in the same period last year. For comparison, the country imported as much as 121.7 billion cubic meters of gas in 2021, data showed. At the same time, the average annual price per cubic meter of gas has risen sharply from 0.18 euros ($0.19) in 2021 to 0.45 ($0.48) this year. As a result, Germany's gas import bill stood at 21.3 billion euros in January-September this year compared to 22.2 billion euros in the same period in 2021, despite the significant drop in supplies. On Saturday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz blamed Russia for cutting off pipeline gas supplies to Europe and the resulting spike in energy prices. Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, in turn, said on social media it was Europe that had rejected Russia's gas supplies and accused the German leader of "lying through his teeth."Since the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union has introduced a series of measures aimed at decreasing gas consumption and limiting the bloc's use of Russian energy resources, including a gas price cap, but avoided blocking Moscow's gas supplies to Europe. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/majority-of-germans-disapprove-of-scholzs-performance-amid-worsening-economic-struggles---poll-1115504029.html russia germany ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International germany gas prices, natural gas price in germany, germany gas prices russia, olaf scholz gas pipeline, germany natural gas russia, germany natural gas crisis, how much is gas in germany, why gas in germany so expensive, how much gas prices has risen, where is the most expensive gas, gas prices in europe https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/hungarian-road-carriers-to-hold-protests-on-border-with-ukraine---association-1115505589.html Hungarian Road Carriers to Hold Protests on Border With Ukraine - Association Hungarian Road Carriers to Hold Protests on Border With Ukraine - Association Hungarian road carriers will begin protests on the border with Ukraine on Monday, as Ukrainian truckers ruin Hungarian logistics companies, Hungarian Road Transport Association (MKFE) Secretary General Tivadar Arvay said on Saturday. 2023-12-10T03:38+0000 2023-12-10T03:38+0000 2023-12-10T03:38+0000 world ukrainian border guard service ukraine poland hungary european union (eu) europe border crossings ukraine crisis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/0a/1115505432_0:191:2961:1857_1920x0_80_0_0_9b1d5fc72c9c1896c6d41b38a8ff952c.jpg "Due to the appearance of Ukrainian carriers on the EU market, several hundred Hungarian enterprises were on the verge of bankruptcy... Poles and Slovaks are talking about this, but the same thing is behind the Hungarian protests that will start on Monday," Arvay was quoted as saying by Hungarian news agency MTI. He added that the mileage of Ukrainian trucks in Hungary increased by 30%, while the distance traveled by the Hungarian trucks decreased by 4%. Arvay noted that Ukrainian carriers come from a completely different economic and legal environment, therefore their costs differ, and they are not subject to EU rules. Polish truckers started blocking automobile checkpoints on the border with Ukraine in early November to protest what they said was the Polish government's inaction over their loss of business to foreign competitors. Their discontent is associated with the fact that Ukrainian truckers have been exempt from obtaining permits to cross the Polish border since February 2022, which has made their services cheaper and more attractive to customers. The protesters demand the reintroduction of restrictions on Ukrainian truckers entering Poland and a ban on Poland-based transport companies with capital from outside the European Union. The strike was previously expected to last until January 2024. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231123/second-ukrainian-driver-dies-in-queue-on-border-with-poland---carriers-association-1115168184.html ukraine poland hungary Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian trucks, polish-ukrainian border https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/israeli-army-death-toll-since-start-of-start-of-gaza-operation-reaches-97---reports-1115506629.html Israeli Army Death Toll Since Start of Start of Gaza Operation Reaches 97 - Reports Israeli Army Death Toll Since Start of Start of Gaza Operation Reaches 97 - Reports The number of Israeli soldiers killed since the start of the ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip has risen to 97, The Times of Israel reported on Saturday, citing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). 2023-12-10T06:51+0000 2023-12-10T06:51+0000 2023-12-10T06:51+0000 world palestine-israel conflict israeli-palestinian conflict israel-gaza conflict israel gaza strip hamas israel defense forces (idf) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/11/1115013958_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_46a9614c91baf1296b0435e94235ab0c.jpg The IDF announced the death of five soldiers, one of whom died from wounds received on October 7, and four of whom were killed during fighting in the southern Gaza Strip, the report said. On October 7, Hamas attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip with rockets and sent fighters across the border who killed and abducted hundreds. Israel launched retaliatory strikes the same day and ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, followed by a ground invasion on October 27. The sides agreed to a one-week truce that ended on December 1, to exchange some of the prisoners and hostages. Hostilities left 1,200 people killed in Israel and 17,700 in the Gaza Strip. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231209/us-arab-post-war-gaza-scenario-talks-doomed-while-israel-bombs-enclave---expert-1115498208.html israel gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International israel-hamas crisis, israel-gasa crisis, israel dead, israel death toll https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/netherlands-resumes-lng-imports-from-russia-after-3-month-pause-1115513731.html Netherlands Resumes LNG Imports From Russia After 3-Month Pause Netherlands Resumes LNG Imports From Russia After 3-Month Pause The Netherlands resumed buying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia in September after a three-month hiatus 2023-12-10T18:47+0000 2023-12-10T18:47+0000 2023-12-10T18:47+0000 world russia netherlands liquefied natural gas (lng) gas gas prices energy crisis europe's energy crisis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/18/1105768989_0:58:3437:1991_1920x0_80_0_0_863dee3510fbd4c84ba5ef4a3d7f6239.jpg In April, Dutch Energy Minister Rob Jetten said that his country was working to halt all LNG imports from Russia, winding down all the existing contracts. Next month, Dutch imports of LNG from Russia, which had seen no interruptions before, declined by almost 30% and stopped completely in June. The pause lasted throughout the summer. In September, however, the Netherlands bought 211.5 million cubic meters of Russian LNG for 109 million euros ($117 million). This drove Dutch imports from Russia up 5.4% month-on-month to $410.5 million.The EU is facing skyrocketing fuel prices since the bloc joined anti-Russia sanctions caused by Moscow's special military op in Ukraine in February 2022. According to recent Eurostat data, the EU has been forced to overpay some 185 billion for gas imports as a result. Russia, meanwhile, has reported an additional 14 billion in gas revenue due to surging prices. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/germany-pays-25-times-more-for-gas-in-2023-compared-to-2021-1115512164.html russia netherlands Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International gas price in europe, who buys russian gas, netherlands buys russian gas, who uses russia gas, russian gas exports, russia-eu trade under sanctions https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/palestinian-pm-calls-for-sanctioning-israel-holding-us-accountable-1115512960.html Palestinian PM Calls for Sanctioning Israel, Holding US Accountable Palestinian PM Calls for Sanctioning Israel, Holding US Accountable MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on Sunday called for imposing sanctions on Israel for its violence against Palestinians and... 10.12.2023, Sputnik International 2023-12-10T17:37+0000 2023-12-10T17:37+0000 2023-12-10T17:37+0000 world palestinians mohammad shtayyeh israel palestine gaza strip palestine-israel conflict /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/13/1115051654_0:0:3069:1727_1920x0_80_0_0_c0ca2615e8b352a757b4ddb3e9362e65.jpg "If Israel is above international law, I think Israel should be put on sanctions. Israel should not be allowed to continue violating international humanitarian law, international law [and] the United Nations resolutions For the United States to block a United Nations Security [Council] resolution, one should hold the Americans responsible [for supporting Israel's violence] in Gaza and in the West Bank," he said at the Doha Forum. Israel, as an "occupying power," is responsible for providing Palestinians with electricity, water, food and medical supplies, Shtayyeh said, describing Israel's total blockade of the enclave as a criminal act. At the same time, the International Criminal Court has been delaying investigations into Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinians, despite the Palestinian government's lawsuit against Israel dating back to 2014, the official added. He also said that Hamas was "an integral part of the Palestinian political mosaic" and doubted that Israel was capable of eliminating the movement. On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip and breached the border. Israel launched retaliatory strikes and ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, cutting off supplies of water, food, and fuel. On October 27, Israel launched a ground incursion into the Gaza Strip with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The truce was extended several times and expired on December 1. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/israeli-army-death-toll-since-start-of-start-of-gaza-operation-reaches-97---reports-1115506629.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231209/trump-beating-biden-bigly-on-handling-of-palestinian-israeli-crisis-poll-finds-1115496194.html israel palestine gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International palestinians, mohammad shtayyeh, israel, palestine, gaza strip, palestine-israel conflict Seoul should create more room for diplomatic maneuvering The top national security officials of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan met in Seoul over the weekend to discuss new trilateral initiatives regarding North Korea. Their agreements, with a rather lengthy name, aim to respond to the Norths threats in cyberspace, including cryptocurrency abuses. The idea is to prevent hacking crimes, one of the main funding sources for North Korea and its nuclear and missile development program. According to a U.N. report, North Korea stole virtual assets valued at $1.7 billion through cybertheft last year. It appears to be a timely move by the three nations. North Koreas Kim Jong-un might be feeling cornered and proud. The worlds largest, third-largest, and 13th-largest economies are racking their brains regarding how to counter a dirt-poor country. The three nations economic power is about 550 times larger than that of the North. Pyongyang has an oversized military, including some atomic bombs. However, does it deserve all this attention? Despite its alleged deposits of some valuable minerals, North Koreas value is mainly strategic. The same can be said of its southern counterpart, blessed with fewer resources and more people. That also explains why historians and political scientists describe the Korean Peninsula as possessing an unfortunate geopolitical fate. Still, some Korean leaders have tried to overcome that fate while others have not. It appears that the current leaders in both Koreas belong to the latter group. At least for now, North Korea seems to have given up on getting out of its economic and diplomatic predicament by mending fences with the U.S. Kim Jong-uns hopes were shattered in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Feb. 25, 2019, when Donald Trump sent him back to Pyongyang empty-handed. Since then, the North has gotten closer to China amid its intensifying hegemonic battle with the U.S. Russias war with Ukraine has also sped up Kims return to his old patrons in what he views as a neo-Cold War. President Yoon Suk Yeol, who appeared to start from the center-right but moved to the far right in a year-and-a-half, took relations between the two Koreas to their lowest level in decades. He defied the inter-Korean detente, that was implemented by his center-left predecessor as a fake peace" that was at the mercy of Pyongyang. One hardly knows whether it was the expression of excessive confidence or a total lack of it. Equally hard to fathom is Yoons ultimate goal. Is it reunification even by risking war, perennial division amid tension, or peaceful coexistence? The best scenario, of course, is the peaceful reunification of this divided peninsula. All presidents also said they pursued it. If that is not possible for now, peaceful coexistence should be the next best thing. What most conservative leaders have aimed for, however, is to press Pyongyang until it surrenders or collapses. None more so than the incumbent president. Of course, Pyongyang will likely do neither. Even if the North implodes, it will bring about uncontrollable situations, if not a massive disaster, in Seoul. That, not blind nationalism, was the reason for the approaches of liberal leaders represented by the now-forgotten Sunshine Policy. South Korea is rapidly losing its diplomatic gains, made over the past few decades. It has maintained well-balanced relations with China and Russia since 1988. Now, however, Beijing regards Seoul as little more than a subordinate to Washington, as South Korea has no independent initiatives. Moscow also says the ball is in Seouls court to restore ties. Alliance with the U.S. should remain South Koreas diplomatic priority. However, Seoul must maintain its diplomatic philosophy, or at least a principle, especially in inter-Korean affairs. Kim Dae-jung was the best South Korean leader in that regard, as he could pursue inter-Korean rapprochement with the endorsement of Washington. The following two liberal presidents were less fortunate, frustrated by U.S. hawks. According to media reports, North Korea sent 1,000 freight containers of weapons to Russia. South Korea has given more artillery shells than all of the West Europe combined to Ukraine, possibly via America. Each might have earned the praise of their partners -- and contempt from their adversaries or neutrals. Until when should the two Koreas remain proxies of the Cold War? https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/putin-reaffirms-rejection-condemnation-of-terrorism-in-call-with-netanyahu-1115511828.html Putin Reaffirms Rejection, Condemnation of Terrorism in Call With Netanyahu Putin Reaffirms Rejection, Condemnation of Terrorism in Call With Netanyahu Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Sunday and reaffirmed rejection and condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, the Kremlin said. 2023-12-10T13:58+0000 2023-12-10T13:58+0000 2023-12-10T13:58+0000 world vladimir putin benjamin netanyahu gaza strip kremlin israel-gaza conflict gaza violence hamas /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/04/1115379911_0:0:3078:1731_1920x0_80_0_0_dcf4f3ab3590586fb9afced2b7bd0fff.jpg The Russian leader told Netanyahu that Russia was ready to provide all possible assistance to relieve civilian suffering and de-escalate the conflict, the Kremlin added."A phone call took place between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The escalation in the zone of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, in particular, topped the agenda. Vladimir Putin reaffirmed the principled position of rejection and condemnation of terrorism in all its forms," the statement read. Putin and Netanyahu also expressed interest in further cooperation to facilitate the evacuation of Russian citizens from the conflict area and release Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip, the statement read. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/putin-strengthens-relations-with-middle-eastern-powers-as-biden-flounders-1115504180.html gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International hamas, hamas violence, gaza strip crisis, vladimir putin https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/sri-lankan-govt-makes-efforts-to-prevent-recruitment-of-mercenaries-into-ukrainian-army---reports-1115503857.html Sri Lankan Govt Makes Efforts to Prevent Recruitment of Mercenaries Into Ukrainian Army - Reports Sri Lankan Govt Makes Efforts to Prevent Recruitment of Mercenaries Into Ukrainian Army - Reports Sri Lanka has made every effort to prevent the recruitment of its citizens into foreign armed forces, including in Ukraine, through local agents, Sri Lankan newspaper Daily Mirror reported on Saturday, citing Foreign Minister Ali Sabry. 2023-12-10T00:03+0000 2023-12-10T00:03+0000 2023-12-10T00:03+0000 world sri lanka ukraine russia ukraine crisis ukrainian conflict ukrainian crisis mercenaries /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0b/17/1104595846_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_2026fd46a96536b6f6b9f0d7fdc2dbb5.jpg The minister said Sri Lankan security agencies had previously learned that a local agent was recruiting mercenaries to fight on the side of Ukraine against Russia, the media said. The newspaper said that three former Sri Lankan soldiers, including a former special forces officer, were killed on Monday near the city of Artemovsk (Bakhmut). Nevertheless, the government cannot prevent its nationals from participating in the Ukraine conflict if they decide to leave the country, the report read, citing Sabry. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/watch-foreign-mercenaries-run-screaming-from-russian-tank-1111828399.html sri lanka ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International foreign mercenaries, ukrainian military, asocial mercenaries, foreign mercenaries, mercenaries, mercenaries in ukraine, ukrainian crisis, conflict in ukraine, russian special operation, war in ukraine, foreign mercenaries in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/us-veteran-ridicules-pentagon-chiefs-claim-that-russia-poses-threat-to-europe-1115509535.html US Veteran Ridicules Pentagon Chief's Claim That Russia Poses Threat to Europe US Veteran Ridicules Pentagon Chief's Claim That Russia Poses Threat to Europe US military experts are openly questioning Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin's rationale behind continuing to support the Ukrainian military despite Kiev's failures on the battlefield. 2023-12-10T12:17+0000 2023-12-10T12:17+0000 2023-12-10T12:17+0000 americas us ukrainian crisis us arms for ukraine vladimir putin joe biden tucker carlson pentagon nato republicans /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0a/0d/1101820867_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_cba5b1ea81f4dc0fa60a7b1b5411ed50.jpg US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's December 2 claim that Russia poses an immediate threat to Europe is absurd, according to retired Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis, a senior fellow for defense priorities at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.Per Davis, it's ridiculous to believe that Russia wants to attack the West or re-create the USSR, stressing that Austin is either "disingenuous or doesnt know what he is talking about."According to Austin, "Ukraine matters profoundly to America and to the entire world. And it matters for four key reasons." The second reason, argued Austin, is that Russia's special military operation is "a clear challenge to [US] NATO allies." The third is that Moscow's actions are an attack on "democratic values and decency." And finally, Russia's special op is a "frontal assault on the international rules-based order," according to him.But that is not all. Earlier this week, ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson said on his podcast that Austin allegedly threatened to send lawmakers' "uncles, cousins and sons to fight Russia" if Ukraine aid is not approved.Commenting on the alleged threat, Davis highlighted that under the US Constitution the Pentagon chief has zero authority to send any combat troops to Ukraine. What's more, any direct confrontation with Russia over Ukraine is not in the US national interest, the retired lieutenant colonel emphasized. "There is nothing in that war the war is militarily unwinnable. We've been saying that since the outset of this war." The military expert said that everything that has happened on the ground since the beginning of Kiev's summer counteroffensive has validated his assumption.Austin's recent remarks came on the heels of US lawmakers' failure to approve a new multi-billion-dollar package for Ukraine over partisan divisions. The Democrats want to pass the hefty bill as it stands, while Republicans insist on reforms to the Mexican border being included in the legislation.President Joe Biden also urged US lawmakers to pass the assistance for Ukraine, claiming that the US economy and security would benefit from that. He even warned them that if they didn't support Kiev, they would give "Putin the greatest gift he can hope for". Just hours after the president's address, Senate Republicans voted against the bill over a lack of border provisions. The Democratic-controlled upper chamber failed to reach the 60-vote threshold to pass the proposal without consideration.Some political observers suspect that the US Congress will not approve the aid bill before the end of the year as congress members are likely to leave Capitol Hill for their winter break on December 14. This spells trouble for Kiev, given that the White House warned earlier this week that assistance to Ukraine would be completely depleted by the end of 2023. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231209/russia-wont-agree-to-minsk-30-deal-on-ukraine-heres-why-1115498952.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231206/ukraines-ex-pm-reveals-why-zelensky-cant-just-get-rid-of-zaluzhny-1115435504.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231209/us-opposition-to-ukraine-aid-grows-amid-heavy-losses-of-western-equipment---reports-1115493993.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/cut-the-preaching-zelenskys-anti-russian-narrative-faces-resistance-in-latin-america-1115506761.html americas russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova russia, ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, war in ukraine, ukraine war, ukrainian failed counteroffensive, lloyd austin said russia poses direct threat to europe, us congressmen failed to pass ukraine aid bill, ukraine runs out of money https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/us-vetoes-gaza-ceasefire-profits-from-arms-sale-on-same-day-1115505751.html US Vetoes Gaza Ceasefire, Profits From Arms Sale on Same Day US Vetoes Gaza Ceasefire, Profits From Arms Sale on Same Day The Pentagon made $106.5 million from a transfer of munitions to Israel just hours after vetoing a ceasefire resolution at the United Nations. 2023-12-10T04:17+0000 2023-12-10T04:17+0000 2023-12-10T04:24+0000 world us gaza strip state department white house israel joe biden palestine-israel conflict israel-gaza conflict palestine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/13/1111298957_0:158:3077:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_d24f68bdbba5df1aa80575f4075dd4cc.jpg In a classic weekend news dump, the White House announced they were using an emergency provision to expedite an arms sale to Israel on Friday, at 11 pm.The move came just hours after the United States was the only country to veto a Gaza ceasefire resolution at the United Nations, sparking intense criticism.Paul worked on arms sales within the US State Department before resigning in October, writing a scathing letter in the process slamming the Biden administrations moral compromise and support for Israeli apartheid.The move seems destined to provoke controversy as 13 Democratic senators had announced Thursday they were drafting legislation to place conditions on future weapons transfers in order to prevent war crimes.Various international figures have used the term to describe Israels ongoing and proposed actions in the besieged Gaza Strip. Most recently Russia warned the country that a plan to flood tunnels underneath the enclave would amount to a war crime. Other analysts have speculated over the degree to which the United States would be held complicit for crimes against humanity when Israeli officials are brought to justice.Iran recently warned the United States of a potential explosion in the Middle East as countries in the region witness Israels ongoing violence in Gaza. The territorys health ministry reports that more than 17,400 have been killed in the ongoing military operation, most of them civilians. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231208/us-vetoes-unsc-resolution-demanding-immediate-humanitarian-ceasefire-in-gaza-1115487783.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231203/palestinian-leader-calls-on-icc-to-speed-up-israeli-war-crimes-trial--reports-1115353279.html gaza strip israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us hegemony, us money, us interests, humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe, humanitarian ceasefire, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, zionist regime, zionists, hamas attack, israeli strikes, israeli forces, hostages, israeli military, hamas fighters, hamas soldiers, hamas military, killings of civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilians dead, civilians die, israel kills civilians, civilian casualties, civilian deaths https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/venezuela-guyana-to-hold-talks-on-disputed-essequibo-region-1115504697.html Venezuela, Guyana to Hold Talks on Disputed Essequibo Region Venezuela, Guyana to Hold Talks on Disputed Essequibo Region Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro held phone talks with his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves, as a result of which Caracas agreed to hold a meeting with Georgetown on the territorial dispute, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. 2023-12-10T03:22+0000 2023-12-10T03:22+0000 2023-12-10T03:26+0000 world venezuela guyana territorial dispute nicolas maduro /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/0a/1115505175_0:256:2731:1792_1920x0_80_0_0_0b5b4ac33c00e1eef7851f928455a77c.jpg "In these conversations, a proposal was received to hold a high-level meeting with the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, which will be announced in the coming days, with the purpose of preserving our aspiration to maintain Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, without interference from external actors, in accordance with the agreements reached by both countries within the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)," a statement, published by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil on X (formerly known as Twitter), read. Maduro also held a conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, "who pledged to promote efforts in favor of direct dialogue between the parties," the statement added. Last week, Venezuela held a referendum in which almost 96% of the population voted in favor of incorporating the Essequibo region into the country. On Wednesday, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said that Georgetown was considering Caracas' actions to incorporate Essequibo, which makes up two-thirds of the territory controlled by Guyana, a threat to the country's national security and would raise the issue at the United Nations Security Council. Venezuela gained independence from Spain in 1845 and recognized Essequibo as part of its sovereign territory. In 1899, however, the United Kingdom filed and won an arbitration claim to recognize Essequibo as part of its then-Caribbean colony of British Guiana. Independent Guyana cited this Arbitral Award in its 2018 International Court of Justice suit against Venezuela, claiming sovereignty over the disputed territory. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231206/maduro-eyes-creating-24th-venezuelan-state-on-territory-of-neighboring-guyana-1115419575.html venezuela guyana Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International venezuelan president nicolas maduro, guyana-essekibo, lula da silva, essequibo region, territorial dispute https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/zelenskys-wife-emotionally-blackmails-us-people-begs-for-more-taxpayer-money-1115506373.html Zelenskys Wife Emotionally Blackmails US People, Begs for More Taxpayer Money Zelenskys Wife Emotionally Blackmails US People, Begs for More Taxpayer Money The plea was made as polling shows Americans increasingly believe the country has sent too much money to Ukraine. 2023-12-10T05:31+0000 2023-12-10T05:31+0000 2023-12-10T05:31+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine crisis volodymyr zelensky ukraine nato us /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/1a/1115218930_0:0:768:432_1920x0_80_0_0_bfbe9d56666efcbb01a47d2021bbc5e1.jpg Olena Zelenskaya, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, appeared on British media Saturday to admonish Americans against growing tired of sending military aid.The interview was aired the day after the US Congress shot down $60 billion worth of military aid to the country. The United States has so far sent $113 billion in funding to Ukraine since February 2022.Ukraine has been in crisis since 2014s Euromaidan coup forced elected President Victor Yanukovich out of the country. Extremist elements have increasingly gained prominence in Ukraine since then, with the Atlantic Council admitting, Ukraines got a real problem with far-right violence.Violence in the country intensified in the following years, frequently targeting dissidents and ethnic Russian groups in the countrys eastern departments. In early 2022, Russia launched a special military operation to restore order in the Donbass region and protect Russian population in the territory. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231126/just-bojos-fault-zelensky--west-equally-responsible-for-killing-peace-deal-unleashing-bloodshed-1115219479.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20220728/all-to-grift-billions-from-western-taxpayers-zelenskys-vogue-photoshoot-ripped-to-shreds-online-1097890889.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian crisis, us money for ukraine, zelenskaya begs money, zelensky money Harrahs Hoosier Park Racing & Casino closed the curtain on the 30th season of live harness racing on Saturday, Dec. 9 in front of a packed house. In addition to an action packed 12-race card, the leading driver and leading trainer honours were awarded. Trace Tetrick (pictured above) took home his 10th consecutive leading driver title and Tyler George took home his fourth consecutive leading trainer trophy. Tetrick, Harrahs Hoosier Parks all-time leading driver, picked up right where he left off last season following a record-breaking season in 2022. Tetrick recorded 368 seasonal wins in his 1,707 starts. John DeLong took home the silver title with 265 wins from 1,654 starts while Kyle Wilfong took third with 152 wins from 1,361 starts. Taking home his 10th consecutive leading driver title and 12th overall, Tetrick currently resides in fifth place for top U.S drivers with his 528 this season. Since 2008, the Illinois native has continually earned more than $2 million a season, contributing to lifetime earnings of more than $81.9 million. To be competitive on a nightly basis, thats my main goal, noted Tetrick in the winners circle. I hold myself to a standard where it doesnt matter what I did yesterday or the race before, I approach each race individually and with a clean slate. I am thankful for everyone that supports me and puts me up to drive every night so I can stand here and accept this trophy. After winning his first Harrahs Hoosier Park leading trainer title in 2020, Tyler George hasnt relinquished the training title since, picking up his fourth consecutive title in 2023. George smashed the all-time single season wins record for a trainer in 2022 with 126 wins breaking the previous record of 119 shared by Georges 2021 season and Jeff Culliphers 2018 season, which originated the record. He ended the 2023 season with 108 victories and $1,604,547 in purse earnings at Harrahs Hoosier Park. For the year, Georges stable is having the best year to date with more than $2.4 million in purse earnings. While George has been training since 2004, he began consistently bringing in more than $1 million in yearly earnings in 2016 and has gone over that plateau every year since. The Ohio native is no stranger to Indiana Sires Stakes success, training horses like Rollin Rosie and Tells On A Roll to Indiana Sires Stakes victories this season. George recorded his 1,000th training victory in 2020 and is well on his way to win number 2,000 with 1,575 victories and counting. For his training career, George has trained the winners of more than $15.7 million in purse earnings. Its a great accomplishment, noted George. We have a great team. It really is a team effort and we are fortunate to have some great horses. We didnt really have our eye on winning the title again this year, he continued. But, we kept getting closer and closer and the horses kept racing good all season. We had a good year and are already looking forward to next year. The Saturday night program wrapped up a successful season at Harrahs Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Harrahs Hoosier Park Racing & Casino would like to thank all of the fans, bettors and horsepeople who helped make the 2023 season an overwhelming success. (Hoosier Park) On sweltering summer days Mike Zakrzewskis cows neatly line themselves up by the hundreds in their pastures. They shift as the sun crosses the sky, following a narrow line of cool shade cast by their steel pasture-mates. In 2016, 200 wind turbines started to spin across Holt County, some of them right in the middle of Zakrzewskis fields. We farm and we graze right up to the turbine bases, he says. Zakrzewski is one of the farmers who signed easement contracts for the Grande Prairie Wind Farm, a massive 50,000-acre project tied to foreign ownership of Nebraska farmland though not in the way you might expect. For starters, that 50,000-acre project doesnt use anywhere near that much ground, Zakrzewski said. Each wind turbine occupies roughly a 100-foot diameter, meaning that combined with access roads, the Grand Prairie Wind Farm actually uses closer to 125 acres. And the project is actually owned by a very famous, very local name: Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Grande Prairie, as required by federal law, reported that a foreign entity in this case likely a foreign investor had an interest in the project. Which is how Italy came to be listed as having a foreign interest of 50,000 acres of Nebraska farmland in an oft-cited and oft-misunderstood representation of how much land foreign countries or companies control here. Countries like China and Canada do have deep connections to modern Nebraska agriculture. Canadian companies are heavily invested in wind energy. A state-owned Chinese company owns Syngenta, the massive seed company, and a different Chinese company owns Smithfield Foods, a meat processing behemoth. But that involvement in Nebraska agriculture rarely extends to actual foreign ownership of ag land, according to a Flatwater Free Press analysis of data gathered by a University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications data journalism class. In fact, most foreign ownership of ag land has long been barred by law in Nebraska, though 795,000 acres of farmland were registered as having foreign interest in 2021. I think sometimes the perception of the public and sometimes the way its reported by the press is people see that number and say, Oh, my gosh, foreigners own 700,000 acres, said Rick Leonard, researcher for the Nebraska Legislature Agriculture Committee. Very few of the interests reported are true ownership interests, Leonard said. Most are leases or in the case of the wind development easements, where the holder of that interest doesnt own the land. The farmer still owns it. Were all still farming and grazing that 50,000 acres, right up to the turbines and we share the access roads, Zakrzewski said. Were using that land. Its not tied up during the contract whatsoever. Nebraskas foreign owners In Flatwater Free Presss analysis of the top 100 buyers of the past five years, only one foreign buyer appears: Blackshirt Feeders LP, a cattle feedlot in Dundy County partially owned by Canadian citizens. Multinational companies headquartered in the U.S. also appear in both the top 100 lists for value and acres. Meta, the company that owns Facebook, is No. 4 in money spent after buying both ag and commercial land under the name Raven Northbrook. Google has bought land under the name Westwood Solutions. So has shipping giant ULINE under the name Duck Creek Ranch. Several farming corporations on the top buyer lists also have operations in other countries. But no corporations or individuals from China, or any country other than Canada, appeared among the top buyers in recent ag land sales data. Its probably not the crisis of land ownership that sometimes the public perceives, Leonard said, but that doesnt mean there couldnt be other issues with foreign entities acquiring lesser than title interests. In Nebraska, most foreign interests in agriculture come in the form of easements and leases instead of direct land ownership. Canada and Italy together make up about 93% of the total acres under foreign interest in Nebraska. The vast majority of those Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosures Act (AFIDA) filings are renewable energy projects located in Holt, Antelope and Banner counties. Many of these companies do have foreign roots, said John Snow, a renewable energy project lawyer who practices in Nebraska. Solar and wind have been a bigger part of those economies for some time, so theyve gained some expertise and then they come here to develop. Other companies, like the German-owned Monsanto, the Chinese-owned Syngenta Seeds and the Japanese-owned Kawasaki, own farmland around their production and manufacturing plants, as is allowed by Nebraska law that makes an exception for manufacturing and industrial uses. Individual landowners from other countries and estates also hold some of Nebraskas foreign interests. In total, less than 2% of Nebraskas land in acres has any reported foreign interest, in full ownership or leases. Researchers consider AFIDA to be the best data source available for tracking foreign interest in ag land. But it doesnt differentiate between types of interests. We have seen a pretty sharp increase in the number of acres in Nebraska on which people have come under the AFIDA disclosure reporting requirements a very sharp increase, Leonard said. That increase is potentially misleading, because large scale leases for the development of wind farms account for almost all of the newly reported acres. Nebraskas Laws so Far Nebraska is one of the few states that ban people who arent U.S. citizens from owning farmland, or leasing it for longer than five years, said Dave Aiken, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln agricultural law professor. And Nebraska has banned foreign ownership since 1889, tied to a once-infamous name in the Midwest and Great Plains: William Scully. Scully, an Irish citizen, began buying up giant plots of Midwest farmland, including in Nebraska, in the 1850s. He then leased the land, becoming one of the first foreign landlords in the state. Scully became a U.S. citizen in 1900, only six years before he died. Citizenship was his response to states like Nebraska passing laws, many targeting him, that sought to limit or ban foreign ownership of farmland. Nebraskas longtime ban is far from airtight. There are exceptions, including for oil and gas companies, railroads, land purchased for manufacturing or industrial uses, and notably, land within 3 miles of a city or village, Aiken said. The laws also lack specific enforcement mechanisms or penalties for holding land illegally. My concern is that (reports of foreign ownership) simply get filed, and no one is really designated to look at it closer to see whether or not its something that should be questioned or challenged, said State Sen. Steve Halloran, Republican of Hastings. What about China? In September, the Nebraska Legislature held a hearing to address concerns about foreign land ownership concerns partly driven by the firestorm after a Chinese company bought North Dakota farmland near Grand Forks Air Force Base. We have more and more concern being expressed by private citizens all across the country about foreign ownership of U.S. real estate, Halloran said. Halloran, chair of the Ag Committee, said he hopes the interim study will inspire bills to update Nebraskas laws in the next legislative session. One of the committees driving concerns is the potential for foreign entities to acquire existing agribusinesses, Leonard said, like Chinese firm WH Groups 2013 purchase of Smithfield Foods. No Smithfield-owned properties in Nebraska have reported foreign influence through AFIDA. In Nebraska, only one plot of ag land has reported Chinese interest: Syngenta Seeds owns 19 acres in Hamilton County, where it operates a seed corn facility. Theres also a 77-acre parcel in Douglas County reported as being owned by two people from Hong Kong, purchased in 2006. ChemChina, a state-owned chemical company on the Department of Defenses list of Chinese military companies, paid billions to acquire Syngenta Seeds, formerly a Swiss company, in 2017. Across the country, about 384,000 acres have Chinese interest, including leases, which is less than 1% of total foreign-held acres, according to the USDAs 2021 Foreign Holdings of U.S. Agricultural Land report. Combining the parcels owned by Syngenta and the individuals from Hong Kong, Nebraskas Chinese-affiliated land is only 0.005% of the national total. When the wind farm comes to town Letting Grande Prairie Wind Farm onto his property during the two-year construction phase for the project was chaotic, Zakrzewski said. Now, the farmer occasionally waves to the technicians as they come and go. His cows continue with their lives as normal. The wind project built new county roads to support its construction, and tax revenue from the project partially funded the construction of a new high school. All told, Zakrzeswki said the work brought more than 500 workers to ONeill. Its a ridiculous amount of money into our local economy and continues to and will for the 20-year span of the project, Zakrzewski said. In Nebraska, wind projects are uniquely taxed based on a turbines capacity to produce electricity, rather than an assessors valuation, said Snow, the lawyer who negotiates Nebraska wind farm contracts. Nebraskas wind projects are generating about $17.6 million in local tax revenue across the state, said John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union. Before Grande Prairie Wind Farm started spinning, it had to file a plan with the Holt County board to eventually decommission the turbines and pay a bond for the future tear-down. That means at the end of his contract with Berkshire Hathaway Energy and its Italian interest, Zakrzewskis pastures will be returned to their original condition. The Syrian regime could end a contract with the Russian company Stroytransgaz for fertilizer manufacturing in Homs, according to al-Modon. The Syrian regimes subtle suggestion of terminating the investment contract with the Russian company Stroytransgaz for fertilizer manufacturing in Homs within the government sector has raised numerous indicators and implications. Particularly noteworthy is the timing of this move, coinciding with Prime Minister Hussein Arnous leading an economic delegation during his visit to Iran, a key contender for Syrian economic interests. Although there hasnt been an official announcement, media outlets aligned with the regime have disclosed the decision to halt gas supply to fertilizer plants in Homs, effective from mid-December 2023. These reports confirm that Arnous has instructed the Ministry of Industry to cease gas supply to the plant. Contract review The website supporting the hashtag indicated that Arnous urged the Ministry of Industry to review the contract with the Russian company, citing lack of economic feasibility. This move, coupled with Arnous directive to explore alternative options, is interpreted by the site as a clear inclination of the government to terminate the agreement with Stroytransgaz. In February 2019, the Syrian regimes Peoples Assembly approved a contract granting the Russian company investment rights for fertilizer plants in Homs, encompassing an ammonia urea plant, Cal Nitro plant, and phosphate fertilizer plant. The regimes stake in the venture is set at 35 percent of the total annual profits. The contract outlines a 40-year investment period valued at no less than $200 million. It includes a provision allowing termination and compensation claims if the Russian party fails to achieve the design capacity of the plants within two years. Contrary to speculations, the contractual framework indicates that cancellation is not a straightforward option. The agreement explicitly permits termination within the first two years from the contracts signing in 2018, officially ratified in 2019. Economic expert Younis al-Karim affirmed to Al-Modon that the regime lacks the authority to unilaterally cancel the Russian companys contract. He suggests that the regimes efforts may be an attempt to create an illusion of decision-making authority amid endeavours to overcome diplomatic challenges in the context of Arab normalization. Agreement with Russia? Karim suggests that the underlying motive behind this move is likely an attempt to exert pressure on the Russian company Stroytransgaz owned by Russian billionaire Gennady Nikolaevich Tymoshenko. This pressure, according to Karim, is likely coordinated and instigated by Russia itself. The objective may be to facilitate a change in ownership of the fertilizer plant investment contract, transferring it to another Russian company. This maneuver is seen in the context of broader changes Russia is implementing in its companies investments in Syria and Libya, particularly in light of the upheavals following the rebellion and the demise of Wagner militia leader Yevgeny Yrigoyen. Wagner, previously responsible for securing the fertilizer plant and phosphate mines in various locations in the Palmyra desert, has resumed its activities in Syria. Karim notes, The regime, having failed to serve as an alternative to Wagner, which has returned to Syria, is now entangling the countrys investments in internal Russian economic conflicts. He further points out that the regime only claims 30% of the profits from the fertilizer plant, evident in its continued gas supply despite the prevailing fuel crisis. However, challenges persist for the Russian company in the Syrian fertilizer plant, stemming from corruption issues, difficulties with Syrian workers, and an overall unsafe working environment. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. By Robert Neff There has always been something magical about the East Sea. In the 19th century it was the hunting grounds for Western whalers. In Korean legend it was the domain of water ghosts and mermaids. And in modern history it was the final stage for the 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War. Many years ago, it was my favorite place to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Of course, during the summers, finding a place of peaceful solitude was nearly impossible as the beaches were filled with frolicking families, mischievous schoolboys and the occasional military patrol. The only time one could truly find a lonesome peace was during the winter months when it was too cold for anyone but the most determined. However, the East Coast wasnt always so crowded during the summer. Sometime in the late 1930s, a Japanese soldier spent some time along the coast and took pictures of a quieter time. It is through his lens that we are granted a very fleeting view of Korean fishermen and their hunt for a "crow thief." It is said that squid sometimes pretend to be dead by floating on the surface of the ocean. When hungry birds, such as crows, swoop down and try to peck at the "corpse," it suddenly reanimates and snatches the would-be scavenger by its legs to drag it beneath the waves. Presumably, this is why squid are called "ojeokeo" the hanja characters mean crow, thief and meat. Judging from the pictures, the squids tactics had little impact on the Korean fishermen. I still recall how confused I was when I first encountered san ojingeo on a restaurants menu. I mistakenly thought it meant mountain squid (I was thinking along the lines of Rocky Mountain oysters) and was embarrassed when my friends pointed out that the word san meant live. The next time you are out drinking beer or soju with some friends, treat them to a handful of dried or roasted crow thief. Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters. Syria said the veto grants Israel the liberty to continue its assaults and killings of Palestinians, according to al-Watan. On Saturday, Syria strongly criticized the United States for exercising its veto power at a United Nations Security Council session. The veto blocked a resolution that called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. In a statement, Syrias Foreign and Expatriates Ministry condemned this action, stating that the veto repeatedly confirms the United States role not just as an accomplice in the Gaza conflict but as a direct participant intent on eradicating the Palestinian people to pave the way for the establishment of Great Israel. This, they claim, is being pursued at the cost of Palestinian children and womens lives, along with the destruction of homes and cultural heritage. The Ministry further asserted that the Western countries and the United States support for Israel, under the guise of Israels right to self-defence, is a glaring example of hypocrisy. According to the Ministry, such support essentially grants Israel the liberty to continue its assaults and killings of Palestinians. The statement from the Ministry ended by emphasizing this point. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Prime Minister Arnous expressed Syria's dedication to developing bilateral relations with Iran, according to al-Baath. In a significant move to strengthen bilateral relations between Syria and Iran, the Syrian-Iranian Higher Committee met for an expansive discussion session on December 9tg, 2023, in Tehran. The meeting was led by Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous and Irans First Vice President Dr. Mohamad Mokhber at Saad Abad Palace, with delegates from both countries in attendance. The session focused on enhancing cooperation across various sectors, including energy, banking, and investment projects. Particular attention was given to the energy sector, including oil derivatives, transport, tractors, and tires, as well as expanding trade exchanges, transportation, and tourism. The discussions also highlighted the need for an active business sector and the creation of productive partnerships to mutually benefit both nations. A significant aspect of the meeting was the joint condemnation of Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip, with both sides calling for an end to aggression and accountability for Israeli officials. Prime Minister Arnous expressed Syrias dedication to developing bilateral relations in diverse areas, emphasizing the importance of actualizing all signed agreements and understandings with Iran. He thanked Iran for its support during Syrias challenges with terrorism and economic sanctions, noting the priority given to Iranian companies in Syrias reconstruction. Vice President Mokhber reiterated Irans continuous support for Syria, particularly in combating terrorism, and expressed Irans commitment to achieving a qualitative shift in economic relations to enhance Syrias economic scenario. The meeting builds on the momentum of previous significant discussions held in Damascus between President Bashar Assad and President Ibrahim Reisi. Prime Minister Arnous underscored the importance of swiftly implementing all forthcoming and existing agreements, signifying a strong, forward-moving trajectory in Syria-Iran relations. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria On Friday, the Islamic State group launched an attack in the al-Boukamal area, resulting in the death of seven members of pro-regime forces in Syria. Simultaneously, an Israeli drone strike in southwest Syria claimed the lives of three members of the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah. Islamic State attack kills 7 pro-regime fighters in Syria Seven members of pro-regime forces were killed in Syria on Friday in an attack by the Islamic State group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says. The attackers were on motorbikes when they opened fire on a military post, killing at least seven pro-regime fighters, in the vicinity of Boukamal on the border with Iraq, the NGOs director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. This year, IS attacks have killed at least 385 members of pro-regime forces and 165 civilians, according to the Observatory, which has a vast network of sources in Syria. Rahman said those killed on Friday included both Syrians and foreigners. After rising to power in 2014 in parts of Syria and Iraq, the Islamic State saw its self-proclaimed caliphate waver after successive offensives against it in both countries, which were launched with the support of an international anti-jihadist coalition. The defeat of IS in Syria was declared in 2019, but the coalition remained in the country to fight against jihadist cells that continue to operate there. The conflict in Syria, sparked in 2011 by the iron-fisted repression of pro-democracy demonstrations, has left more than half a million dead. More than twelve years of bloody conflict have divided the country into zones of influence. President Bashar Assads regime has regained control of a large part of the country, with the support of its Russian and Iranian allies. Israeli drone strike in Syria killed three Hezbollah members Three members of the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah were killed in an Israeli drone strike in southwest Syria on Friday, according to two regional sources close to Damascus, Reuters reported. The strike also killed a Syrian who was accompanying them, one of the sources said. The Israeli army declined to comment on the strike in Quneitra, also known as Baath City, near the frontier with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel has for years carried out attacks on what it has described as Iran-linked targets in Syria, where Tehrans influence has grown since it began supporting President Bashar al-Assad in a civil war that started in 2011. Reporting by Laila Bassam in Beirut and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem Writing by Tom Perry Editing by Mark Potter Iran says resolute in expanding all-out trade ties with Syria Irans First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has underscored the strategic and amicable relations between the Islamic Republic and Syria. The Iranian official said Tehran is determined to expand economic cooperation with Damascus. The Iranian government and nation attach profound significance to Syria, and consider the nations stability, independence, welfare and prosperity as among their priorities, Mokhber said in a meeting with visiting Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous in Tehran on Saturday. The senior Iranian official also mentioned the ongoing Israeli military onslaught on the Gaza Strip. Mokhber said the international community is witnessing circumstances that are matchless in history. The crimes being perpetrated in Gaza against the Palestinian women and children amount to crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes, Mokhber said, criticizing international institutions for their failure to adopt an effective measure in the face of such cruelties. The burning rage of the United States and the Zionist regime stems from the fact that their grandeur fell apart in light of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm [launched on October 7]. They were under delusion about their might, and had propagated such illusions worldwide, the Iranian vice president said. US conducts military drills in Syria after uptick of Resistance ops. Informed sources tell Al Mayadeen that the US fears ground operations against its bases and troops. The International Coalition, headed by the United States, has conducted extensive military drills at several of its bases in the countryside of al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor, as a precaution against any new attacks by Resistance factions. This comes after an uptick in attacks against US bases in Iraq and Syria, with the Resistance confirming it had conducted 11 operations against US military bases in Syria and Iraq in one day only on Friday. US occupation helicopters flew at low altitudes over al-Hasakah city, its countryside, and the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor from the early hours of the morning until Saturday evening, coinciding with the sounds of gunfire and explosions reported within its bases. Informed sources told Al Mayadeen that the International Coalition conducted live ammunition exercises, involving helicopters and drones, at the Qasrak and Tell Baidar bases in the northwestern countryside of al-Hasakah and the Conoco base in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor. They added that the exercises are part of a broad operation launched by Washington under the name Blue Arrow, which will last for several days and include a number of US bases in Syria. The aim is to simulate responding to hypothetical attacks on US bases, along with training on attacking fortified positions and liberating prisoners. The sources revealed that the United States fears ground attacks on its bases and the capture of its personnel. Therefore, they are conducting exercises simulating such attacks. The sources pointed out that the Resistance attacks have had a significant psychological impact on US soldiers, after seeing some of their compatriots being injured, cases of nervous breakdowns recorded, fearing a similar fate. Attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria up by 45% The US Pentagon has noted a significant surge in the rate of attacks against the US military in Iraq and Syria, as per Israeli media. The US Department of Defense has stated that the rate of attacks against the US military in Iraq and Syria has increased by 45% in the last three weeks. This comes shortly after sources told Al Mayadeen on Friday that Resistance factions targeted four US occupation bases in Syria in the past hours. The sources mentioned that the attack included the al-Omar and Conoco bases in the countryside of Deir Ezzor, in addition to the Kharab al-Jir and al-Shadadi bases in the countryside of al-Hasakah. Furthermore, the sources highlighted that this marks the first time that this number of bases has been targeted in such a short period. Al Mayadeens correspondent in Baghdad also reported that the Islamic Resistance targeted US forces at Erbil Airport with a number of suicide drones. Anonymous sources informed Athr Press about a new plan under implementation linked to the release of the commander of the Deir-ez-Zor Military Council, Ahmed al-Khabil-Abu Khawla Anonymous sources informed Athr Press about a new plan under implementation linked to the release of the commander of the Deir-ez-Zor Military Council, Ahmed al-Khabil-Abu Khawla. A delegation from the International Coalition visited Khabils family, instructing them to prepare his house for his return. The plan is allegedly orchestrated by former Nusra Front leader Ammar al-Haddawi, who recently arrived in al-Shuhail. It involves opposition from Kurdish leaders, particularly Roni Walat, who was killed in the Omar Field bombing a few days ago. The plan aims to cancel the transfer of leadership from Khabil to al-Dabail, a prominent SDF leader, and assign the Civil Council presidency to Hajim al-Bashir of the al-Baggara tribe. However, efforts now favour Khabils return to the Al-Jazeera region with the coordination of the International Coalition. The Coalition aims to leverage Khabils tribal influence within the al-Akidat tribe, leading a tribal movement against the SDF. They believe Khabils return may attract his tribe members, potentially weakening support for the opposing al-Hafel tribes resistance. Previously leaked audio of Khabil included profanity and offensive words towards sheikhs Ibrahim and Musab Hafel, expressing a desire to form a Zabid Emirate, potentially securing SDF control in the region. The return of Khabil faced opposition from some SDF leaders, notably Roni Walat, whose killing was allegedly linked to the plan. Information suggests the International Coalition decided to eliminate Walat using an explosive device in his car. Since August 27th, a tribal movement against the SDF has unfolded in Deir-ez-Zor, led by Sheikh Musab Hafel, aiming to abolish the groups control over the Jazeera regions. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The commander-in-chief of Suqour al-Sham, Abu Issa al-Sheikh, accused the National Liberation Front of "tyranny", according to al-Watan. Recent fractures are emerging within factions loyal to the Turkish occupation. The Suqour al-Sham brigades, operating under the National Liberation Front of the so-called National Army, have announced its defection from the front. Sources indicate that the faction is preparing to join the ranks of the so-called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the current front of the terrorist organization Jabhat al-Nusra. According to opposition-supporting media websites, the commander-in-chief of Suqour al-Sham, Abu Issa al-Sheikh, stated on Friday night that the numerous abuses within the National Liberation Front, coupled with tyranny in decision-making, monopolization, ignoring components, rejecting opinions, lack of consultation, and refusal to accept advice, led Suqour al-Sham to separate from the National Front and operate as an independent faction. They commit to their revolutionary and jihadist duties. In this context, armed groups that previously operated for Suqour al-Sham announced the formation of the 40th Division within the National Liberation Front. However, sources close to Suqour al-Sham suggest that the faction is preparing to merge into the components of HTS in the coming days. Meanwhile, the so-called civil police of the Turkish occupation forces reportedly arrested three teachers in the school of Bulbul district in the countryside of the occupied city of Afrin. The arrests coincided with the infiltration of Turkish forces into the city center, allegedly due to the removal of the Turkish flag from a classroom. The teachers were transferred to a prison in the area, with their fate unknown, according to opposition media sources. In separate incidents, a 30-year-old man from the village of Dika in the Bulbul district was arrested by the military police of the Turkish occupation during a raid on his home in the Ashrafieh neighbourhood of Afrin city, reasons undisclosed. Another person was arrested on Rajo Road in Afrin city. Additionally, in the village of Darkir in the Maabatli district of the Afrin countryside, an individual was beaten and tortured by gunmen from the so-called Hamzat faction after a robbery and the seizure of his car. This occurs amid widespread popular discontent in areas where Turkish occupation forces and their loyal factions are deployed. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. GM Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MHN Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 39,137 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $410,000. GM Advisory Group Inc. owned 0.13% of BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Summit Trail Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund during the second quarter valued at $115,000. Fiera Capital Corp boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund by 14.6% during the second quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 543,020 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,691,000 after acquiring an additional 69,017 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new stake in BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund in the second quarter worth about $395,000. Robinson Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund by 50.4% in the second quarter. Robinson Capital Management LLC now owns 71,599 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $749,000 after purchasing an additional 24,000 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC lifted its holdings in BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund by 3.0% in the second quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 40,095 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $420,000 after purchasing an additional 1,157 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 23.50% of the companys stock. Get BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund alerts: BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund Stock Down 0.1 % MHN stock opened at $10.29 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $9.43 and a 200 day simple moving average of $9.86. BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $8.69 and a fifty-two week high of $11.19. BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund Announces Dividend BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund Profile The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 15th will be issued a $0.0435 dividend. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th. (Free Report) BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests primarily in investment grade New York municipal obligations exempt from federal income taxes and New York State and New York City personal income taxes. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MHN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MHN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GM Advisory Group Inc. decreased its stake in shares of General Motors (NYSE:GM Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) by 48.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 11,793 shares of the auto manufacturers stock after selling 11,000 shares during the period. GM Advisory Group Inc.s holdings in General Motors were worth $455,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of General Motors by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 126,529,253 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $4,641,093,000 after acquiring an additional 819,371 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in General Motors by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 58,732,016 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $2,264,707,000 after buying an additional 1,750,984 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in General Motors by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 25,308,907 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $972,995,000 after buying an additional 389,894 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its holdings in General Motors by 51.4% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 22,349,234 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $819,770,000 after buying an additional 7,585,746 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its holdings in General Motors by 94,113.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 16,754,917 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $646,070,000 after buying an additional 16,737,133 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.62% of the companys stock. Get General Motors alerts: General Motors Stock Up 0.7 % NYSE GM opened at $33.75 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $29.60 and a 200-day moving average of $33.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $46.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.48. General Motors has a 52 week low of $26.30 and a 52 week high of $43.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.14. General Motors Dividend Announcement General Motors ( NYSE:GM Get Free Report ) (TSE:GMM.U) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The auto manufacturer reported $2.28 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.87 by $0.41. The company had revenue of $44.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $42.48 billion. General Motors had a return on equity of 16.01% and a net margin of 5.83%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.25 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that General Motors will post 7.48 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 14th. Investors of record on Friday, December 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.09 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.07%. General Motorss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.06%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have issued reports on GM. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on General Motors from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Wedbush reduced their price objective on General Motors from $46.00 to $40.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on General Motors from $48.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. UBS Group reduced their price objective on General Motors from $44.00 to $43.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on General Motors in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $50.25. View Our Latest Research Report on GM About General Motors (Free Report) General Motors Company designs, builds, and sells trucks, crossovers, cars, and automobile parts; and provide software-enabled services and subscriptions worldwide. The company operates through GM North America, GM International, Cruise, and GM Financial segments. It markets its vehicles primarily under the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Baojun, and Wuling brand names. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Motors (NYSE:GM Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U). Receive News & Ratings for General Motors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Motors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GM Advisory Group Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (NYSEARCA:KRE Free Report) by 7.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 13,540 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 1,120 shares during the period. GM Advisory Group Inc.s holdings in SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF were worth $553,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF by 457.7% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,511,408 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $143,371,000 after acquiring an additional 2,881,772 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC grew its position in SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF by 1,772.5% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 2,503,449 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $102,216,000 after acquiring an additional 2,653,130 shares during the last quarter. Sculptor Capital LP bought a new stake in SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF during the 1st quarter worth $84,199,000. LPL Financial LLC grew its position in SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF by 26.7% during the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 1,194,555 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $48,774,000 after acquiring an additional 251,967 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Credit Suisse AG grew its position in SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF by 23.2% during the 2nd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 1,187,790 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $48,497,000 after acquiring an additional 223,918 shares during the last quarter. Get SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF alerts: SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF Stock Up 1.1 % Shares of KRE stock opened at $48.99 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.19 and a beta of 1.10. SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF has a twelve month low of $34.52 and a twelve month high of $65.32. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $42.67 and its 200 day simple moving average is $43.32. SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF Profile SPDR KBW Regional Banking ETF, formerly SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF, seeks to closely match the returns and characteristics of the S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index. Its approach is designed to provide portfolios with low portfolio turnover, tracking, and lower costs. As of October 27, 2011, the Companys holding included Privatebancorp Inc, Webster Finl Corp Conn, Umpqua Hldgs Corp, Firstmerit Corp, East West Bancorp Inc, Fifth Third Bancorp, Fnb Corp Pa, Susquehanna Bancshares Inc and Keycorp New and First Rep Bk San Fran Cali. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KRE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (NYSEARCA:KRE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. By Park Jae-hyuk Samsung C&T is drawing attention from market insiders over whether the KOSPI-listed company will accept requests from British asset management firms to improve its shareholder value and governance structure, according to industry officials, Sunday. Last Thursday, Palliser Capital issued a press release on its proposals to remove Samsung C&Ts value gap and catalyze growth, which was announced during the U.K. hedge funds participation at the 10th Annual Sohn London Investment Conference. As a shareholder, with a 0.62 percent stake in Samsung C&T, Palliser asked that Samsung Groups complex group structure be turned into a holding company structure so as to reduce group-wide inefficiencies. In particular, the U.K. firm suggested the de-consolidation of Samsung C&T, Samsung Electronics and Samsung SDI into investment companies and operating companies, so as to merge the investment companies into a single holding company. Unfortunately, Samsung C&T is trading at a deep discount, signaling investor concerns over capital investment and value creation, despite good underlying fundamentals, said Palliser founder James Smith, who previously led Elliott Managements campaign against the merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries. Following the proposals, expectations for Samsungs possible governance reform raised Samsung C&Ts stock price to a 52-week high of 124,900 won ($95) during last Fridays trading session. However, securities analysts remained skeptical of the feasibility of Pallisers proposals. Most activist shareholders only own around a 1 percent stake, so they cannot bring changes unless they win the hearts of other shareholders, said Hi Investment & Securities analyst Lee Sang-heon in a recent report. He did not expect Samsung C&T to accept Pallisers recent request to launch a holding firm structure. Since Samsung C&T promised earlier this year that it would retire 3 trillion won worth of treasury stocks over the next five years, analysts believed that Samsungs owner family is confident of consolidating their control over the group, even without launching a holding company. Last month, another U.K. firm, City of London Investment Management (CLIM), announced that it sent a letter to Samsung C&Ts board detailing proposals for a 2023 dividend of 4,500 won per ordinary share and a 500 billion won share buyback program to run until the end of 2024. Since the merger of Cheil Industries and Samsung C&T completed, the companys share price total return was -25.3 percent, an underperformance relative to the KOSPI Index of 64 percentage points. As of Oct. 31, 2023, CLIM estimates that the share price discount to intrinsic value exceeded 66 percent, representing a shareholder value deficit of over 34 trillion won, the U.K. firm said in a press release published with a Korean law firm, Lin. In response, Samsung C&T said its board members will review the proposals, once its business performance for this year is finalized. There is speculation that foreign fund managers made impracticable proposals to enjoy short-term margins through a stock price hike. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. boosted its position in HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ Free Report) by 111.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 12,103 shares of the computer makers stock after buying an additional 6,391 shares during the quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A.s holdings in HP were worth $372,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Ergoteles LLC boosted its stake in HP by 1,097.7% in the second quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 166,410 shares of the computer makers stock worth $5,110,000 after buying an additional 152,516 shares in the last quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC lifted its position in HP by 54.9% in the second quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 24,604 shares of the computer makers stock valued at $762,000 after purchasing an additional 8,720 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in HP by 17.4% in the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 10,683 shares of the computer makers stock valued at $328,000 after purchasing an additional 1,581 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in HP by 288.9% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 43,360 shares of the computer makers stock valued at $1,332,000 after purchasing an additional 32,210 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC bought a new stake in HP in the second quarter valued at approximately $204,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.04% of the companys stock. Get HP alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at HP In other HP news, CEO Enrique Lores sold 38,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.75, for a total transaction of $978,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 728,268 shares of the companys stock, valued at $18,752,901. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc sold 1,352,264 shares of HP stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.69, for a total value of $34,739,662.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 106,047,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,724,366,723.19. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Enrique Lores sold 38,000 shares of HP stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.75, for a total value of $978,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 728,268 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,752,901. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 14,498,772 shares of company stock valued at $389,444,384. 0.32% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on HP from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. Edward Jones upgraded HP from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 7th. Evercore ISI reiterated an in-line rating and issued a $33.00 price objective on shares of HP in a research report on Monday, November 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on HP from $40.00 to $39.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 30th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded HP from an underperform rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $25.00 to $33.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $30.80. Check Out Our Latest Report on HP HP Trading Up 0.2 % Shares of HP stock opened at $29.46 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.95, a P/E/G ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 1.05. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $27.38 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $29.44. HP Inc. has a 12 month low of $25.22 and a 12 month high of $33.90. HP (NYSE:HPQ Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 21st. The computer maker reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.90. The business had revenue of $13.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.79 billion. HP had a negative return on equity of 138.83% and a net margin of 6.13%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.85 earnings per share. Analysts predict that HP Inc. will post 3.44 earnings per share for the current year. HP Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 3rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 13th will be given a dividend of $0.2756 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 12th. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.74%. This is a positive change from HPs previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. HPs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.91%. HP Profile (Free Report) HP Inc provides products, technologies, software, solutions, and services to individual consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses, and large enterprises, including customers in the government, health, and education sectors worldwide. It operates through Personal Systems and Printing segments. The Personal Systems segment offers commercial personal computers (PCs), consumer PCs, workstations, thin clients, commercial tablets and mobility devices, retail point-of-sale systems, displays and other related accessories, software, support, and services for the commercial and consumer markets. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HPQ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for HP Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HP and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stephens Inc. AR raised its stake in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK Free Report) by 5.7% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 144,882 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 7,804 shares during the quarter. Stephens Inc. ARs holdings in Duke Energy were worth $13,002,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Chilton Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the first quarter worth about $28,000. Norwood Financial Corp bought a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN increased its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 200.0% in the second quarter. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN now owns 312 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the period. Finally, Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Institutional investors own 63.68% of the companys stock. Get Duke Energy alerts: Duke Energy Stock Performance Shares of DUK stock opened at $94.39 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $72.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 60.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.45. Duke Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $83.06 and a 52 week high of $106.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $89.34 and a 200-day moving average of $90.56. Duke Energy Dividend Announcement Duke Energy ( NYSE:DUK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.94 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.92 by $0.02. Duke Energy had a net margin of 4.47% and a return on equity of 8.24%. The company had revenue of $7.99 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.13 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.78 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 18th. Investors of record on Friday, November 17th will be issued a $1.025 dividend. This represents a $4.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.34%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 16th. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 261.15%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Duke Energy from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Duke Energy from $98.00 to $101.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. KeyCorp lowered their price objective on Duke Energy from $109.00 to $96.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $92.00 to $91.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 25th. Finally, Guggenheim decreased their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $102.00 to $93.00 in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $98.55. Read Our Latest Analysis on DUK Duke Energy Profile (Free Report) Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I) and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest; and uses coal, hydroelectric, natural gas, oil, solar and wind sources, renewables, and nuclear fuel to generate electricity. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DUK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Duke Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Duke Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. lessened its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 97.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 513 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 20,489 shares during the period. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A.s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $247,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Stephens Inc. AR boosted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 7.2% during the second quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 77,944 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $37,463,000 after purchasing an additional 5,256 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter valued at $2,642,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 2.4% in the second quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC now owns 73,480 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $35,318,000 after acquiring an additional 1,742 shares in the last quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 70.0% in the second quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 14,913 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $7,168,000 after acquiring an additional 6,141 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 94.0% in the second quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 2,260 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $1,086,000 after acquiring an additional 1,095 shares in the last quarter. 85.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other UnitedHealth Group news, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 66,081 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.39, for a total transaction of $36,370,321.59. Following the transaction, the director now owns 635,528 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $349,788,255.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 66,081 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.39, for a total transaction of $36,370,321.59. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 635,528 shares in the company, valued at approximately $349,788,255.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $544.28, for a total value of $2,448,171.44. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 9,218 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,017,173.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 192,094 shares of company stock valued at $104,507,072 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock. UnitedHealth Group Price Performance UNH stock opened at $549.77 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.80. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1 year low of $445.68 and a 1 year high of $554.70. The firm has a market cap of $508.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.61. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $534.81 and a 200-day simple moving average of $504.60. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.33 by $0.23. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 26.58% and a net margin of 6.02%. The firm had revenue of $92.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $91.41 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $5.79 EPS. UnitedHealth Groups quarterly revenue was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 4th will be issued a dividend of $1.88 per share. This represents a $7.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.37%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 1st. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 32.64%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades UNH has been the topic of several recent research reports. Stephens restated an overweight rating and issued a $585.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. UBS Group upgraded UnitedHealth Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $520.00 to $640.00 in a research report on Monday, October 16th. StockNews.com downgraded UnitedHealth Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, October 21st. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $565.00 to $503.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 20th. Finally, HSBC began coverage on UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th. They set a hold rating and a $540.00 target price on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, UnitedHealth Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $578.05. View Our Latest Analysis on UNH About UnitedHealth Group (Free Report) UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for UnitedHealth Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UnitedHealth Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI reduced its position in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR Free Report) by 54.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 148,211 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 180,251 shares during the period. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FIs holdings in Danaher were worth $35,571,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. boosted its position in shares of Danaher by 10.9% during the first quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 4,840 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,420,000 after buying an additional 475 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. raised its position in shares of Danaher by 19.3% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 2,468 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $724,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd raised its position in shares of Danaher by 76.8% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 495 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $145,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Danaher by 14.1% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 31,530 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $9,248,000 after acquiring an additional 3,897 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP raised its holdings in Danaher by 135.9% in the 1st quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 35,270 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $10,346,000 after acquiring an additional 20,320 shares during the last quarter. 76.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Danaher alerts: Danaher Price Performance DHR stock opened at $217.49 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $208.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $233.47. The stock has a market cap of $160.71 billion, a PE ratio of 27.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a current ratio of 2.26, a quick ratio of 1.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. Danaher Co. has a 1 year low of $182.09 and a 1 year high of $249.59. Danaher Cuts Dividend Danaher ( NYSE:DHR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The conglomerate reported $2.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.83 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $6.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.60 billion. Danaher had a return on equity of 13.71% and a net margin of 20.01%. Danahers revenue for the quarter was down 10.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.56 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Danaher Co. will post 8.3 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 26th. Investors of record on Friday, December 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 28th. Danahers payout ratio is currently 13.62%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Danaher from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $215.00 to $205.00 in a research note on Thursday. Raymond James lowered their target price on shares of Danaher from $250.00 to $240.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Danaher from $290.00 to $215.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. KeyCorp reduced their price objective on shares of Danaher from $300.00 to $260.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of Danaher from $246.00 to $239.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Danaher has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $257.07. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Danaher Danaher Company Profile (Free Report) Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes and services; and healthcare filtration solutions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Danaher Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Danaher and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SALISBURY, Md. Three times a week, on average, a police car pulls up to a school in Wicomico County on Maryland's Eastern Shore. A student is brought out, handcuffed and placed inside for transport to a hospital emergency room for a psychiatric evaluation. Over the past eight years, the process has been used at least 750 times on students. Some are as young as 5 years old. The state law that allows for these removals, known as petitions for emergency evaluation, is meant to be limited to people with severe mental illness, who are endangering their own lives or safety or someone else's. It's the first step toward getting someone involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital. But advocates say schools across the country are sending children to the emergency room for psychiatric evaluations in response to behaviors prompted by bullying or frustration over assignments. The ER trips, they say, often follow months, and sometimes years, of their needs not being met. Black students are more frequently subjected to these removals than their peers, according to available data. Advocates point to students with disabilities also being removed at higher rates. "Schools focus on keeping kids out rather than on keeping kids in," said Dan Stewart, managing attorney at the National Disability Rights Network. "I think that's the fundamental crux of things." Schools in Wicomico County agreed not to misuse emergency petitions as part of a 2017 settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. But while the number of suspensions and expulsions declined, mandated trips to the emergency room ticked up. Last year, children were handcuffed and sent to the emergency room at least 117 times from Wicomico schools, about once per every 100 students, according to data obtained from public records requests to the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office. At least 40% were 12 or younger. More than half were Black children, even though a little more than a third of Wicomico public school children are Black. 'TRYING TO GET HIM OUT OF SCHOOL' In interviews, dozens of students, parents, educators, lawyers and advocates for students with disabilities in Wicomico County said a lack of resources and trained staff, combined with a punitive culture in some schools, are behind the misuse of emergency petitions. One Wicomico mom, who asked for anonymity because she feared retaliation from the school, recalled the terror she felt when her son's school called and said they were going to have him assessed for a forced psychiatric hospitalization. When she arrived at the school, she said, her son was already in handcuffs. He was put in the back of a police car and taken to the hospital. "He said his wrists hurt from the handcuffs," the mother said. "He was just really quiet, just sitting there, and he didn't understand why he was in the hospital." The practice isn't just happening in Wicomico. Recent data shows New York City schools still call police to take children in emotional distress to the emergency room despite a 2014 legal settlement in which they agreed to stop the practice. A Kentucky school district was found to have used a psychiatric assessment on kids more than 1,000 times in a year. In Florida, thousands of school-aged children have been subjected to the Baker Act, the state's involuntary commitment statute. In a settlement with the Education Department's Office of Civil Rights, the Stockton Unified School District in California agreed to protocols that require other interventions before referring students with disabilities for psychiatric evaluation. In Maryland, Wicomico uses emergency petitions more often per capita than almost every other Maryland district where data is available. Baltimore City, for example, last year had 271 emergency petitions from schools, compared with Wicomico's at least 117, according to data obtained from law enforcement agencies through public records requests. But Baltimore's student population is five times as large. Wicomico parents describe struggling to get support for their children when they fell behind on basics like reading and math in early grades. These gaps in learning can lead to frustration and behaviors challenging for teachers to manage. The Wicomico mother whose son was handcuffed said she fought for years with administrators to obtain accommodations for her child, who is autistic, an experience echoed by other parents. Her son, who also has ADHD, was several years behind in reading by the time he got to middle school. The mother said he was sent to the hospital after an outburst rooted in frustration, not mental illness. She recalled school officials telling her, "'He doesn't have special needs, he just has anger issues.' They were trying to get him out of the school." Her son had grown increasingly discouraged and agitated over an assignment he was unable to complete, she said. The situation escalated, she said, when the teacher argued with him. He knocked a laptop on his desk to the floor, and the school called for an emergency petition. After being taken to the hospital in handcuffs, he was examined and released. "After that, he went from angry to terrified," she said. "Every time he saw the police, he would start panicking." A spokeswoman from the Wicomico County Public Schools said emergency petitions "are used in the most extreme, emergency situations where the life and safety of the student or others are at risk." "(Emergency petitions) are not used for disciplinary purposes and frequently do not result from a student's behaviors," Tracy Sahler said in an email. "In fact, a majority of EPs are related to when a student exhibits suicidal ideation or plans self-harm." School officials did not respond to questions about why the rate of emergency petitions was so much higher in Wicomico than in other counties in Maryland. The Sheriff's Department declined to share records that would show the reasons for the removals. EDUCATORS STRETCHED THIN By law, certain classroom removals must be recorded. Suspensions, expulsions and arrests are the most commonly documented indicators of racial disparities in discipline. Schools are required by law to publicly report the data, which often triggers oversight and investigations. But with the exceptions of Florida and New York City, most places do not routinely collect information on removals from school for psychiatric assessments. Without that data, there is no way to hold schools accountable, said Daniel Losen, senior director for the education team at the National Center for Youth Law. "The civil rights of children is at stake, because it's more likely it's going to be Black kids and kids with disabilities who are subjected to all kinds of biases that deny them an educational opportunity," he said. Families who have experienced emergency petitions say educators who can communicate with their child are stretched thin, and measures that could de-escalate a situation are not always taken. The day her son was sent to the hospital, the mother recalled, the administrator who had consistently advocated for him was out of the building. In another instance, a middle schooler said the required accommodations for his learning and behavioral disabilities included taking a walk with a trusted educator when he became agitated. The day he was involuntarily sent to the hospital, that staff member was unavailable. He began yelling and spitting when an administrator blocked him from leaving on his own. He said that by the time police arrived, he was calm and sitting in the principal's office. Still, he was handcuffed and taken to the hospital, where he was examined and released a few hours later. Because emergency petitions happen outside the standard discipline process, missed school days are not recorded as suspensions. For students with disabilities, that has special consequences they are not supposed to be removed from class for more than 10 days without an evaluation of whether they are receiving the support they need. "If you use the discipline process, and you're a student with a disability, your rights kick in," said Selene Almazan, legal director for the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates. In many places around the country, the resources needed to support students with disabilities are scarce. On Maryland's Eastern Shore, lawyers and advocates for families said the spectrum of alternatives for students is limited by both money and geography. Those can include private, out-of-district placements and specialized classrooms for specific needs like dyslexia, for example. In cases where children need targeted services unavailable in the local district, the district must allow them to be educated outside the school system and pay for it. "You're stuck between a rock and a hard place because you're like, 'This kid needs more services,' but you can't get the school to agree," said Angela Ford, clinical director at Maple Shade Youth and Family Services, which serves children with emotional and behavioral disabilities in Wicomico. ER TRIPS INCREASED AFTER SETTLEMENT The 2017 settlement with the Justice Department required the Wicomico district to reduce the significant racial and disability-related disparities in suspensions, placements in alternative schools and other discipline measures. The district agreed not to use emergency petitions "where less intrusive interventions can be implemented to address the behavioral concern" and not to use them "to discipline or punish or to address lack of compliance with directions." But since the settlement, many parents, teachers and community leaders said the district has seemed more concerned with keeping suspension numbers down than providing support for teachers to help prevent disruptive behavior. "If we know how to handle and deal with behaviors, then we will have less EPs," said Anthony Mann, who was an instructional aide at Wicomico County High School last year and is a Wicomico public school parent. Tatiyana Jackson, who has a son with a disability at Wicomico Middle School, agrees teachers need more training. "I don't think they have a lot of patience or tolerance for children with differences. It's like they give up on them." Wicomico school officials said ongoing professional development for staff includes the appropriate use of emergency petitions. "Each school has a well-trained team that includes a social worker and school counselor, with the support of school psychologists," said Sahler. "All supports that may be beneficial to assist the student are utilized. However, the safety of the student is paramount and the determining factor is ensuring that there is no unnecessary delay in obtaining aid for the student." But Denise Gregorius, who taught in Wicomico schools for over a decade and left in 2019, questioned the feasibility of the discipline and behavior strategies taught during professional development. What the teachers really want, she said, is more support. After the settlement, which had a two-and-a-half year monitoring period, the number of suspensions and expulsions in Wicomico declined markedly for Black and white students. But the number of emergency petitions, which don't appear in state statistics, has ticked up. Other measures of exclusionary discipline remained high, including school arrests. In 2021-22, Wicomico had 210 school-based arrests the second highest number in the state, while they were 15th in student enrollment. More than three-quarters of the children arrested were Black and 80% were students with disabilities. "Monitoring the numbers doesn't bring you the solution," said Losen, from the National Center for Youth Law. In many districts, "the problem is more than what they're doing with discipline." The Department of Justice declined to comment. BLACK PARENTS POINT TO CULTURE PROBLEM Some Wicomico parents and educators point to an insular culture in the school district where problems are hidden rather than resolved. They are frustrated that there is no relationship with the county's mobile crisis unit, which is often relied on in other counties to help de-escalate issues instead of calling the police. Jermichael Mitchell, a community organizer who is an alum and parent in Wicomico County Schools, said educators often do not know how to empathize and respond to the trauma and unmet needs that may lead to children's behavior. "A Black kid that's truly going through something, that truly needs support, is always looked at as a threat," he said. "You don't know how those kids have been taught to cry out for help. You don't know the trauma that they've been through." Studies have found Black and Latino children who have a teacher of the same race have fewer suspensions and higher test scores, but that diversity is lacking in Wicomico County. Wicomico schools have the largest gap between the number of students of color and teachers of color in the state. Wicomico school officials said they do not discriminate against any of their students. A Wicomico teenager described a years-long process of becoming alienated from school, with an emergency petition as the ultimate break. He said he was bullied in middle school over a series of months until one day he snapped and hit the student who had been taunting him. The school called the police. He told the officers not to touch him, and that he needed to calm down. Instead, the officers grabbed him and shoved him into the ground, he said. He was handcuffed and transported to the emergency room. But when he returned, he said the only thing that was different was how he felt about the adults in the building. "I got used to not trusting people, not talking to people at school," he said. "Nothing else really changed." _____ This story about emergency petitions was produced by The Associated Press and The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content. _____ Who's teaching our kids? These 4 charts break down K-12 teachers by education level, race, and more Who's teaching our kids? These 4 charts break down K-12 teachers by education level, race, and more More than half of school teachers have earned a master's, making teachers among the most well-educated professionals The teaching profession is predominantly white, presenting potential disadvantages to minority students More than two-thirds of teachers are women; nearly 4 in 10 of all teachers have less than a decade of experience Salary increases steadily with experience, but after 20 years it plateaus HAILEY, Idaho Paul Rytting had been director of the Risk Management Division at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for around 15 years when a 31-year-old church member told him that her father, a former bishop, had sexually abused her when she was a child. Rytting flew from church headquarters in Salt Lake City to Hailey, Idaho, to meet with Chelsea Goodrich and her mother, Lorraine, to discuss what he said was a "tragic and horrendous" story. By that time, Chelsea's father, John Goodrich, had made a religious confession to a bishop with the church, widely known as the Mormon church, with details of his relationship with his daughter. Following church policy, Bishop Michael Miller had called a church Helpline, established to take calls from bishops about sexual abuse, and John Goodrich was quickly excommunicated. After the excommunication, Chelsea and Lorraine reported Chelsea's claims of abuse to Mountain Home, Idaho, police. They backed up their accusations with recordings of conversations with John Goodrich in which he admitted to climbing into bed with his daughter when he was sexually aroused, though he insisted there was no direct sexual contact. Nevertheless, Mountain Home police arrested him and charged him with a variety of sex crimes. At their meeting with Rytting, Chelsea and her mother had one overarching question: Would the church allow Miller to testify at John Goodrich's criminal trial? Over the next four months, during multiple conversations, Rytting told Chelsea, Lorraine and Eric Alberdi, a fellow church member acting as Chelsea's advocate, that a state law known as the clergy-penitent privilege prevented Miller from testifying without the consent of the alleged perpetrator, John Goodrich. Without Miller's testimony, prosecutors dropped their case. Next, Rytting offered Chelsea and her mother $300,000 on the condition that they agree to not use Chelsea's story as the basis for a lawsuit against the church and to never acknowledge the existence of this nondisclosure agreement. Today, Goodrich, who did not respond to questions from the AP, remains a free man practicing dentistry, with access to children. The Mormon church, in comments to the AP, said, "the abuse of a child or any other individual is inexcusable." The church also noted that Miller would not be able to testify without the permission of Goodrich, and that the confidentiality agreement with Chelsea and Lorraine did not preclude Chelsea from telling her story. All the conversations with Rytting, Chelsea, Lorraine, and Alberdi were recorded, and provided by Alberdi to The Associated Press. Takeaways from the AP's investigation: THE CLERGY-PENITENT PRIVILEGE An earlier investigation by the AP revealed that more than half the states maintain the clergy-penitent privilege, which provides a loophole for clergy who are otherwise required to report child sex abuse to police or local welfare officials. As a result, some child predators who reveal their crimes to clergy in a confessional setting and do not turn themselves in to police are allowed to remain free, able to continue abusing children while presenting a danger to others. Although child welfare advocates have attempted to change or eliminate the privilege, the AP found that lobbying by religious institutions including the Catholic Church, the Mormon church, and the Jehovah's Witnesses have persuaded state legislators throughout the country to maintain the loophole. Indeed, the AP catalogued more than 100 attempts to amend or eliminate the privilege, all of which failed. NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS Nondisclosure agreements, also known as confidentiality agreements, have been used frequently by the Mormon church and other organizations, including the Catholic Church, as well as individuals, to keep sex abuse allegations secret. Twenty-one years ago, the Catholic Church approved a Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in which it pledged to eliminate the use of confidentiality agreements to settle child sex abuse claims, except in cases where the victims requested anonymity a recognition of the role NDAs play in the cover-up of child sexual abuse. The Mormon church does not have a similar policy. THE HELPLINE The earlier AP investigation found that the Helpline plays a central role in the cover-up of child sex abuse in the Mormon church, even as the church claims its purpose is to provide bishops with guidance about sexual abuse reporting requirements. Initiated in 1995, when financial claims for sexual abuse against religious institutions were on the rise, the Helpline fields calls from bishops about child sexual abuse and directs the most serious cases to attorneys with the firm of Kirton McConkie, which represents the church. According to the church, all information about child sexual abuse passed from church members to their bishops is confidential under the clergy-penitent privilege, and all information passed from the Helpline to church attorneys is confidential under the attorney-client privilege. Meanwhile, Rytting and other church officials have said in sworn testimony that the Helpline either keeps no records or destroys all records at the end of each day. Or does it? During his conversations with Chelsea and Lorraine, Rytting said he could find out whether John Goodrich had previously "repented" for his relationship with Chelsea by checking Helpline records, seeming to contradict his sworn testimony in another child sex abuse case against the church. In its comments to the AP, the church declined to answer questions about the apparent contradiction. ___ Rezendes reported from New York. ___ LINCOLN Most rural Nebraskans report being unfamiliar with the Farm Bill and federal agricultural policy, according to the 2023 Nebraska Rural Poll. Two-thirds of rural Nebraskans surveyed are either very unfamiliar (43%) or somewhat unfamiliar (23%) with federal ag policy. Twenty-seven percent are somewhat familiar, and only 7% report being very familiar. According to the poll, Nebraskans who work in agriculture are more likely than others to report being familiar with ag policy. Just more than 60% of ag workers are at least somewhat familiar. Other demographic groups that are more likely to be familiar with ag policy include those living in or near smaller communities, residents of both the North Central and Northeast regions of the state, older adults, men, married people, and Nebraskans with higher education levels. Federal agricultural policy, also known as the Farm Bill, encompasses all things related to agriculture and food. This includes not only farm income safety net and conservation programs, but domestic food assistance programs (such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), rural development (which funds services such as broadband, utilities and housing programs) and programs focused on specific producers and crops. Although most respondents report being unfamiliar with the Farm Bill, they generally support federal spending for most Farm Bill programs. Almost eight in 10 respondents support federal funding for conservation programs (79%), rural development (78%), and research and education programs (77%). On the other hand, just 35% support funding for international food assistance programs. Domestic food assistance programs, which make up most of the Farm Bill spending, are either greatly or somewhat supported by more than 60% of respondents. Nebraskans from lower income households are more likely to support funding for such programs. Seventy-three percent of respondents with household incomes under $40,000 support funding for these programs, compared to about 60% of those with higher incomes. It may seem ironic that rural Nebraskans can be both unfamiliar with the Farm Bill yet supportive of the broad categories of Farm Bill programs, but Farm Bills are like many pieces of federal legislation that include numerous programs that appeal to broad groups of citizens, said Brad Lubben, Nebraska Extension specialist in agricultural policy. The whole may be too complex for many to follow closely, but the pieces are each important to various groups and together lead to the coalition that regularly supports a Farm Bill. Panhandle residents surveyed were more likely than others to support funding for many of the listed programs: agricultural trade promotion and development, research and education, programs focused on targeted producers (small, beginning, traditionally underserved, etc.), programs focused on plant and animal health protection, and programs focused on specialty crop or local food systems. Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, a Nebraska Extension specialist with Rural Prosperity Nebraska, said she wasnt surprised by the strong Panhandle support. The Panhandles diversified agricultural economy has created several unique processing and value-added enterprises, she said. If you live in the region, you see the connection between agriculture and economic development. Federal programs that provide price stability and grow the agricultural base benefit our residents in the long run. The Rural Poll is the largest annual poll gauging rural Nebraskans perceptions about policy and quality of life. Questionnaires were mailed to more than 6,000 households in Nebraska in late spring and summer, with 1,100 households representing 86 of the states 93 counties responding. The margin of error is plus-or-minus 3%. The University of NebraskaLincolns Department of Agricultural Economics conducts the poll with funding from Nebraska Extension. For the full report, visit https://ruralpoll.unl.edu. Vietnam faces challenges to reach LNG power target: experts By Dinh Vu, Minh Hue Sun, December 10, 2023 | 12:00 pm GMT+7 Vietnam's goal of putting 13 liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plants into operation and replacing 18 GW of coal-fired power with 14 GW of LNG-fired power and 12-15 GW of renewable energy by 2030 is an ambitious target that faces many difficulties and obstacles, said experts. According to the Power Development Plan VIII (PDP VIII), Vietnams gas- and LNG-fired power sources by 2030 will reach 37,330 MW, equivalent to 24.8% of the total power capacity - the largest proportion. At a Thursday forum on realizing the goal of developing LNG power under the newly approved PDP VIII, participants said LNG-fired thermal power is a solution to limit dependence on coal-fired power, which currently makes up about 46% of the power output structure. In particular, it will help the electricity industry go green, contributing to fulfilling Vietnams commitments made at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26), they stressed. Jera's Kawagoe LNG-fired power plant in Japan. Photo courtesy of Jera. However, they noted that LNG-fired power development in Vietnam is facing many difficulties and challenges in terms of policy making, investment, construction, and operation management. "The electricity consumption market is increasing slowly compared to the target set in the PDP VIII and there is a lack of legal framework to complete negotiations and sign legal, technical and commercial agreements between entities in the LNG power project chain," said Dr. Nguyen Quoc Thap, chairman of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Association. Therefore, he proposed a number of solutions such as expanding and developing the LNG power consumption market in line with the goal set in the PDP VIII, and building industrial parks/factories with large enough LNG power consumption along with the implementation of LNG terminals and LNG power plants. "It is necessary to amend the Electricity Law, the Law on Environmental Protection, the Tax Law and related laws and guiding decrees. We must accept that the LNG power business chain operates under the market mechanism, and state management agencies will supervise and check all operational processes of the chain," he stressed. Gas-fuelled power plant owners should be given the right to negotiate competitive electricity prices with state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and electricity consumers, he added. Another solution is updating and amending the charters and financial regulations of state-owned Petrovietnam and EVN. "The government now no longer directly guarantees gas and electricity selling or purchase contracts. This is the right decision, but with the current legal framework, Petrovietnam and EVN do not have enough bases to make guarantees," said Thap. The government or the State Bank of Vietnam needs to ensure the volume of foreign and local currencies for exchange, but the exchange rate will be determined by the market, he argued. "LNG power needs to be consumed by industrial parks and processing plants and the economy in general. The perception of LNG electricity prices should be changed. LNG electricity prices must follow the market mechanism because they depend much on the LNG import prices, Thap added. Meanwhile, Dr. Vu Dinh Anh, deputy director of the Price and Market Research Institute under the Ministry of Finance, raised worries about resources to develop LNG power according to the PDP VIII. This issue should be taken into account before including LNG power in the plan, he said. Agreeing that there must be input and output market prices for LNG electricity, he emphasized the need to create a retail electricity market. Currently we do not have a retail electricity market. Now we only have freedom in electricity generation, while power transmission is still completely dependent on EVN, Anh added. There are a series of variables yet to be solved in developing the LNG electricity market. If unresolved, it is likely that the problems facing renewable energy development such as planning failures will be repeated. However, this time the price we have to pay may be much greater as LNG power is set to have large scale and high value in the plan, Anh warned. A woman whose fetus was unlikely to survive called more than a dozen abortion clinics before finding one that would take her, only to be put on weekslong waiting lists. A teen waited seven weeks for an abortion because it took her mother that long to get her an appointment. Others seeking the procedure faced waits because they struggled to travel hundreds of miles for care. Such obstacles have grown more common since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, doctors and researchers say, causing delays that can lead to abortions that are more complex, costly and in some cases riskier especially as pregnancies get further along. About half of U.S. states now have laws that ban or restrict access to abortion. Because of that, many clinics don't offer the procedure, which has increased demand for appointments at the remaining providers. At various points since Roe, waits in several states stretched for two or three weeks, and some clinics had no available appointments, according to results of a periodic survey spearheaded by Middlebury College economics professor Caitlin Myers and recently provided to The Associated Press. Doctors and researchers say even as wait times have lessened, people still encounter other challenges, like planning and paying for travel, taking time off work and finding child care. "All of those things can contribute to delays, and then it kind of becomes like this vicious circle," said Dr. Daniel Grossman, an OB-GYN at the University of California, San Francisco, who co-authored a research report earlier this year that compiled anecdotes from health care providers after Roe was overturned. People may miss the window for medication abortions, which are not generally offered past 10 to 11 weeks gestation. A dwindling number of clinics provide abortions as people move through the second trimester, which begins at 13 or 14 weeks. Costs for the procedure change, too, from up to $800 in the first trimester to $2,000 or more in the second trimester. "While abortion is safe at all points in pregnancy," with an overall complication rate of 2%, it "does get more complicated as the pregnancy continues," said Dr. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region. Rising demand pushes up waits At least 66 clinics in 15 states stopped providing abortions in the 100 days after Roe was overturned, according to an analysis last year by the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. The necessity for people to travel out of state is at the root of abortion delays. Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region's health center in Fairview Heights, Illinois, saw a 715% increase in patients from outside of Illinois or Missouri in the year after Roe. The ongoing Myers Abortion Appointment Availability Survey called more than 700 facilities across the United States. Its latest survey, conducted in September, found that 11 states had median appointment wait times of more than five business days and four states had waits of at least eight business days, not counting weekends or holidays. The longest wait was in Iowa: 12 business days. A year earlier, seven states had waits between 12 and 15 business days. In the report from Grossman's team, a health care worker described how it took one mom seven weeks to get an appointment for her pregnant teen, who was about 17 weeks along by then. The latest statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are from 2021 and show that about 7% of abortions took place at 14 weeks or later. While there's no way to know definitively whether delays have pushed more abortions into the second trimester, several providers said they've seen the number rise in their own clinics. The St. Louis region's Planned Parenthood, for instance, tracked a 35% increase in the number of patients getting abortions at 14 weeks or later at the southern Illinois health center in the year after the Supreme Court decision. Jillaine St.Michel struggled to find somewhere to have an abortion late last year after learning that her 20-week fetus had multiple genetic and developmental problems and probably wouldn't survive. She lives in Idaho, which has a ban on abortions, so St.Michel and her husband called about 15 out-of-state clinics, finally getting on a three-week waiting list in Denver and a two-week waiting list in Seattle. St.Michel, 37, said she worried about passing an abortion time limit: Washington state allows the procedure up to viability, the point a fetus may survive outside the womb. Some babies can survive with medical help at 22 or 23 weeks. A chance cancellation opened up a spot in Seattle four days after she called to get on the list. Dealing with a deluge Clinics have taken numerous steps to reduce waits, such as adding more telehealth appointments for medication abortions, staying open longer and adding more staff. That's generally brought appointment wait times down. But streamlining appointments is only part of the answer to reducing abortion delays, providers said. Individual issues like child care problems, canceled flights and financial concerns can be tough to overcome. This is especially difficult as travel distances grow longer. Research by Myers and colleagues found the average driving distance to the nearest clinic rose substantially in some states after Roe. From March 2022 to September 2023, it shot up from 34 to 160 miles in Alabama, for example. The clinic where St.Michel, a chiropractor, had an abortion is about 500 miles from her home. Hoping to help other families, St. Michel joined a lawsuit filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights, an organization of lawyers and advocates that supports abortion rights. The suit asks state courts in Idaho and Tennessee to place holds on abortion laws. "I personally can't imagine that most people would be able to make this work," said St.Michel, who is pregnant again. "This is not how we should have to seek health care." Photos: Pritzker Military Archives Center